Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Desert Island Discs
Presented by Roy Plomley
Producer of the Carry On film series, known for its low-budget comedies and regular repertory company.
Eight records
The keepsakes
The luxury
Not recorded.
In conversation
Presenter asks
Now, Carry On Sergeant, the first Carry-On film, didn't cost much money, did it?
No. But it made a bomb.
Presenter asks
And after two or three carry-on films you bought your own studio. You have virtually a repertory company playing in these films?
Yes, yes. Two a year. Yes. There's a reason for that. [Because the artists in the carry-ons are either in pantomime or a summer show, so the films have to be made between the two.]
Presenter asks
What's your theory about the comedy that you use? You use the same jokes over and over again. But they weren't new when you first started using them. Is it the reassurance of familiarity? What is it?
Well, I don't know. You know, if I kept a sweet shop. And someone came in every week for licorice all sorts, and I said, 'Don't have those, dear, have these fancy chocolates from France or Belgium or somewhere.' And they took them away, they wouldn't come back again. They'd go somewhere else for their licorice all sorts, but they'd still want licorice all sorts. I think give people what they want.
The recording
Timestamps play the recording from that turn
Presenter
This download is the only extract the BBC has of this edition of Desert Island Discs. The presenter was Roy Plumley.
Presenter
Now, Carry On Sergeant, the first Carry-On film, didn't cost much money, did it? No.
Presenter
But it made a bomb. Yes. And you made some more?
Presenter
I didn't. I made the same one again.
Presenter
Well, you said that, I guess. I agree, I agree.
Peter Rogers
That I guess
Presenter
And after two or three carry-on films you you bought your own studio.
Presenter
You have virtually a repertory company playing in these films? Yes, yes. Two a year. Yes. There's a reason for that.
Presenter
Yes, uh they are timed
Presenter
Because the artists in the carry-ons are either in pantomime or a summer show, so the films have to be made between the two. Yes.
Presenter
And have they all had the same director?
Presenter
Yes, Gerald Thomas, yes. And the same writer? Yes.
Presenter
Colbert Rosswell? Yes. Bless his heart. What's your theory about the comedy that you you use? You use the same jokes over and over again.
Presenter
But they weren't new when you first started using'em. Neither is the audio.
Presenter
Is it familiarity, the reassurance of familiarity? What is it? Well, I don't know. You know, if I kept a sweet shop.
Presenter
And someone came in every week for licorice all sorts, and I said, Don't have those, dear, have these fancy chocolates from France or Belgium or somewhere.
Presenter
And they took them away, they wouldn't come back again. They'd go somewhere else for their licorice all sorts, but they'd still want licorice all sorts.
Presenter
I think give people what they want. They're they're always true, you know.
Presenter
Indeed.
Presenter
They're very nice people, Republicans.
Presenter
Very loyal indeed.
Presenter
The carry-on has moved into the theatre now.
Presenter
It shouldn't be a surprise to anybody. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, and I thought I will wait until I've made twenty five, if I ever make twenty five.
Presenter
It's something about twenty five that uh
Presenter
The Silver Wedding Orth.
Presenter
Isn't it, or something? Well, the R short is self-perpetuating by now. You can go on to a hundred and twenty-five with confidence.
Presenter asks
The carry-on has moved into the theatre now. It shouldn't be a surprise to anybody?
It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, and I thought I will wait until I've made twenty five, if I ever make twenty five. It's something about twenty five that uh … the Silver Wedding [Orchid].
“I didn't. I made the same one again.”
“Well, I don't know. You know, if I kept a sweet shop. And someone came in every week for licorice all sorts, and I said, 'Don't have those, dear, have these fancy chocolates from France or Belgium or somewhere.' And they took them away, they wouldn't come back again. They'd go somewhere else for their licorice all sorts, but they'd still want licorice all sorts. I think give people what they want.”
“It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, and I thought I will wait until I've made twenty five, if I ever make twenty five.”