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When the Carry On Stopped: Why Britain's Most Successful Comedy Film Franchise Suddenly Halted
Uncover the turbulent transition of the Carry On series and its stars during the 1960s.
When the Carry On Stopped looks at how the Carry On film series made its painful transition from one film company, Anglo-Amalgamated, to another, the Rank Organisation. In examining this little-known but fascinating story, the growth of Anglo-Amalgamated is highlighted through the success of its owners, partners Stuart Levy and Nat Cohen. Levy’s sudden death in 1966 encouraged Cohen to ditch the Carry Ons in favour of more prestigious feature films.
Without a film distributor, the series’ producer Peter Rogers, was forced to search for another, eventually finding the series a new home at Rank. However, Rank was unwilling to endorse the work of a rival and so dropped the ‘Carry On’ title. The Carry On series looked doomed.
When the Carry On Stopped also sheds new light on the careers of the Carry On stars at this critical time. We learn of Barbara Windsor’s involvement in the stage disaster Twang!!, of Jim Dale’s stage success, Sid James’ first heart attack and Charles Hawtrey losing his mother. The book calls out the fat shaming of Joan Sims as one of the many injustices shown to her by the producer.
This is essential reading for Carry On fans and those interested in the machinations of the British entertainment industry in the 1960’s.
When the Carry On Stopped looks at how the Carry On film series made its painful transition from one film company, Anglo-Amalgamated, to another, the Rank Organisation. In examining this little-known but fascinating story, the growth of Anglo-Amalgamated is highlighted through the success of its owners, partners Stuart Levy and Nat Cohen. Levy’s sudden death in 1966 encouraged Cohen to ditch the Carry Ons in favour of more prestigious feature films.
Without a film distributor, the series’ producer Peter Rogers, was forced to search for another, eventually finding the series a new home at Rank. However, Rank was unwilling to endorse the work of a rival and so dropped the ‘Carry On’ title. The Carry On series looked doomed.
When the Carry On Stopped also sheds new light on the careers of the Carry On stars at this critical time. We learn of Barbara Windsor’s involvement in the stage disaster Twang!!, of Jim Dale’s stage success, Sid James’ first heart attack and Charles Hawtrey losing his mother. The book calls out the fat shaming of Joan Sims as one of the many injustices shown to her by the producer.
This is essential reading for Carry On fans and those interested in the machinations of the British entertainment industry in the 1960’s.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 24, 2025
Disclaimer: I was given a free ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At its best, this is a gossipy tale of the life of some of Britain's most fondly remembered comic actors in and around the production of the Carry On films of the mid-60s. Unfortunately, it does often lose focus, drifting into extraneous detail, and not making a huge amount of its supposed premise. We get pages on a mogul's horses while the decision that Carry On Doctor won't be the last movie is skipped over in a paragraph. Good for the trivia, though.
At its best, this is a gossipy tale of the life of some of Britain's most fondly remembered comic actors in and around the production of the Carry On films of the mid-60s. Unfortunately, it does often lose focus, drifting into extraneous detail, and not making a huge amount of its supposed premise. We get pages on a mogul's horses while the decision that Carry On Doctor won't be the last movie is skipped over in a paragraph. Good for the trivia, though.
January 31, 2025
I’ll make no apology for saying, as a starter, that I like the Carry On films. As a child in the late 1950s, I went to the cinema every week. and Carry Ons and Norman Wisdom were the films I enjoyed most. Obviously it was the silliness that appealed, I was too young to understand the innuendos, but even now, I find them entertaining and have boxed sets of both. Carry Ons were of their time. I don’t agree with revisionist history that changes content or excludes material because it’s no longer deemed correct. I would far prefer the innocence of that era to the dark waters of material available online at the touch of a button.
Dave Ainsworth’s insight into the franchise is fascinating. It’s a great slice of social and film history and I enjoyed the detail he provides about each of the cast. Most made their name through these films but were poorly recompensed and this caused anger and resentment. I thought the ‘ tight as a camel’s arse in a sandstorm’ reference to Rogers meanness was unnecessary. It brings down the tone of the text and does the author no favours. The narrative is easy to read and absolutely packed with trivia. There’s a great collection of promo posters and film stills at the end, along with a comprehensive index and each chapter has notes with reference to source material. I really enjoyed this dip into the story behind pad the franchise. It’s a niche area but Mr Ainsworth has served it well with this well researched and comprehensive overview. My thanks to Pen and Sword and the author fir a review copy, close to publication date it went to the top of my tbr and I read in a single sitting.
Dave Ainsworth’s insight into the franchise is fascinating. It’s a great slice of social and film history and I enjoyed the detail he provides about each of the cast. Most made their name through these films but were poorly recompensed and this caused anger and resentment. I thought the ‘ tight as a camel’s arse in a sandstorm’ reference to Rogers meanness was unnecessary. It brings down the tone of the text and does the author no favours. The narrative is easy to read and absolutely packed with trivia. There’s a great collection of promo posters and film stills at the end, along with a comprehensive index and each chapter has notes with reference to source material. I really enjoyed this dip into the story behind pad the franchise. It’s a niche area but Mr Ainsworth has served it well with this well researched and comprehensive overview. My thanks to Pen and Sword and the author fir a review copy, close to publication date it went to the top of my tbr and I read in a single sitting.
February 5, 2025
I was given a copy of Dave Ainsworth's When the Carry On Stopped from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Carry Ons are fast becoming part of the historical past. Although one or two stars remain, they fundamentally were of their time. This book, lovingly written by the witty Ainsworth, explores the lives of the ensemble cast in quite some detail. It's nostalgic and historic and about the tears of the clown mentality that so many of the Carry On cast suffered; only his love for them makes this a fitting tribute to one and all.
The first two chapters are excellent; they have great info and a wonderful zeitgeist of the Carry On stars in their daily lives. The following chapters focus a little too much on the receipts for the Carry On producers and why Carry On Screaming was a big moment for the series (the following films - Don't Lose Your Head and Follow That Camel were Carry On-less, sort of like being semi-naked really).
The writing is very zesty and showcases how Ainsworth is evidently a true fan of the series. He uses ! excessively to indicate to the reader that the Carry On universe, with its eccentric actors, petty squabbles, and trivia, is one of mirth and, at times, biting British wit. There could have been some slight edits along the way. It is UNFORGIVEABLE that he fails to mention Carry On Abroad, my absolute favourite, as he decides that in the mid-sixties, the series, as intelligent in its own absurd way, was dead forever after Carry on Doctor.
Still, there's a lot of joy to this book and I do recommend it for those intrigued by the Carry On world.
The Carry Ons are fast becoming part of the historical past. Although one or two stars remain, they fundamentally were of their time. This book, lovingly written by the witty Ainsworth, explores the lives of the ensemble cast in quite some detail. It's nostalgic and historic and about the tears of the clown mentality that so many of the Carry On cast suffered; only his love for them makes this a fitting tribute to one and all.
The first two chapters are excellent; they have great info and a wonderful zeitgeist of the Carry On stars in their daily lives. The following chapters focus a little too much on the receipts for the Carry On producers and why Carry On Screaming was a big moment for the series (the following films - Don't Lose Your Head and Follow That Camel were Carry On-less, sort of like being semi-naked really).
The writing is very zesty and showcases how Ainsworth is evidently a true fan of the series. He uses ! excessively to indicate to the reader that the Carry On universe, with its eccentric actors, petty squabbles, and trivia, is one of mirth and, at times, biting British wit. There could have been some slight edits along the way. It is UNFORGIVEABLE that he fails to mention Carry On Abroad, my absolute favourite, as he decides that in the mid-sixties, the series, as intelligent in its own absurd way, was dead forever after Carry on Doctor.
Still, there's a lot of joy to this book and I do recommend it for those intrigued by the Carry On world.
February 4, 2025
Now who does Just love these carry on films................When the Carry On Stopped by Dave Ainsworth was a brilliant book and a great book for new or old fans Plus a great book to have sitting on your coffee table, out on display out on show. This is a book that will bring back so many memories and will have you Laugh out loud when you look at the photo's/illustrations and read about the famous actors who were brilliant characters in every film. These films are my to go films when I feel Blue! It does not matter how many times you sit down and watch them they will always make you laugh.
The author Dave Ainsworth did all the characters within the Carry on films Proud!!!!
It was a joy to read .
I highly recommend this book. Superb!
Big Thank you to NetGalley, Pen and Sword and Dave Ainsworth for my ARC.
The author Dave Ainsworth did all the characters within the Carry on films Proud!!!!
It was a joy to read .
I highly recommend this book. Superb!
Big Thank you to NetGalley, Pen and Sword and Dave Ainsworth for my ARC.
January 30, 2025
The author's obvious affection for the Carry On performers enthuses every single page with vibrant humour and charm. His knowledge of their lives and careers is encyclopedic and he offers a poignant commentary on triumphs and tragedies and the inevitable clashes of personality amongst such talented but fragile egos. He also clearly understands the nuts and bolts of getting films into production in England at a time when cinema admissions were plummeting and financing ever more difficult to attract.
I have worked in the film industry for most of my life and met many of the artistes, producers and distributors mentioned in this book. It's nostalgic, honest, and warmly embraces those talented performers whose stars shone so brightly in the Carry On films.
I have worked in the film industry for most of my life and met many of the artistes, producers and distributors mentioned in this book. It's nostalgic, honest, and warmly embraces those talented performers whose stars shone so brightly in the Carry On films.
February 2, 2025
***4.5***
I had such a good time reading this as a big carry on film fan this brought back lots of memories from my childhood watching carry on movies with my Dad. I really enjoyed learning more about the films and actors and there were lots of facts I didn't know. My only complaint was the chapter Anglo is a Winner I found this one boring focusing too much on the other stuff they did rather than the carry ons themselves. I do get this was necessary to tell their journey but I didn't enjoy that part and found that chapter wanting to put the book down which took off a half star for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, Pen and Sword and Dave Ainsworth for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had such a good time reading this as a big carry on film fan this brought back lots of memories from my childhood watching carry on movies with my Dad. I really enjoyed learning more about the films and actors and there were lots of facts I didn't know. My only complaint was the chapter Anglo is a Winner I found this one boring focusing too much on the other stuff they did rather than the carry ons themselves. I do get this was necessary to tell their journey but I didn't enjoy that part and found that chapter wanting to put the book down which took off a half star for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, Pen and Sword and Dave Ainsworth for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2025
Interesting book with plenty of stories around the Carry On franchise
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews