The sixties was the heyday for the Hammer Studios, and as such it was only a matter of time before the Carry On crew took a shot at them. The result is one of the funniest and most successful of the series.
One of the few not starring Sid James, the lead here goes instead to Harry H. Corbett, and you have to say that his role as Detective Sergeant Bung is probably better than Sid James would have given. Ably assisted by Peter Butterworth as Constable Slobotham, he's on the case of the missing women. When Jim Dale's girlfriend is taken from Hockum Woods, the attention is soon focused on the old house inhabited by Dr Watt (Kenneth Williams), his sister Valeria (a very sultry Fenella Fielding) and their butler Sockett (a very straight-faced Bernard Bresslaw). They are the undead, of course, but the way we discover this, and get to the finale (via some far fetched jokes, some incredible overacting, and very clever use of the sets and techniques of the Hammer Studios) is a joy to behold.
And it's the attention to detail that makes the movie stand out - at first glance it IS a Hammer movie. And at second glance too. But this is also very much a Carry On, and is the best horror genre spoof you'll ever see.
British director responsible for every film in the Carry On series. Started as an assistant editor before debuting with the childrens' film Circus Friends. Thriller Timelock followed, but the success of 1958’s bawdy Carry On Sergeant launched one of the most successful series in British cinema. Thomas directed 30 Carry On films up until 1978’s Carry On Emmannuelle, returning in 1992 to deliver his final film, Carry On Columbus. Other films include the Carry On-esque Nurse on Wheels and The Big Job, plus the big screen version of Bless this House.
