Carry On

Album Compiled and Edited by David Stoner and Rick Clark

Mastered by Rick Clark

Produced by Reynold da Silva

Release Date: November 9, 2004

       Silva Screen Records

     Apparently the British equivalent of America’s National Lampoon series, the Carry On films seem to have been quite popular, considering that there were at least twenty-nine films made over a period of 20 years. One major difference between the National Lampoon and Carry On films, however, was the continual reoccurrence of the same actors and actresses across films. This was similarly mirrored in the Vacation series of films with Chevy Chase and Co., but that was the only exception for that moniker (and this was not exactly analogous considering that these were the same characters the actors were playing as well).

     This album from Silva Screen records is two CDs worth of music (along with accompanying sound effects!) and dialogue from the films, making this something that Carry On aficionados will appreciate more than anyone else. The music is nice, if of typical comic variety, and the sound quality improves as the films move up through the years (naturally), though on disc, the films are grouped by subject as opposed to chronological order. This helps in making things consistent style-wise as the same subject matter is covered per grouping, but it’s atrocious in following the different levels of sound quality.

     For a newbie, the dialogue snippets are amusing, but I usually felt lost among the goings-on as I’m not familiar with any of these films. The music is isolated sometimes, and sometimes has sound effects going on in the background, causing me to anticipate another dialogue cue, which sometimes is not the case. I can see how the music for these films was probably not preserved as best as it possibly could be, given how music in comedies is often underappreciated for album release, but while the sound effects are toned down within these sections, they are still noticeable enough to mark a contrast against the music.

     A nice album for Carry On fans I’m sure. Otherwise, those not familiar with this series of films will probably find themselves slightly bewildered.

Disc One

(Military) Services With a Smile

01 - Carry On Up The Khyber (6:33)

02 - Carry On Jack (2:40)

03 - Carry On England (2:26)

04 - Follow That Camel (5:45)

05 - Carry On Sergeant (4:39)

Doctors and Nurses

06 - Carry On Nurse (3:42)

07 - Carry On Doctor (5:05)

08 - Carry On Matron (6:57)

09 - Carry On Again Doctor (4:50)

Criminal Investigations

10 - Carry On Constable (2:50)

11 - Carry On Spying (9:38)

12 - Carry On Screaming (5:16)

Helping Hands

13 - Carry On Teacher (3:29)

14 - Carry On Cabby (5:27)

15 - Carry On Regardless (5:48)

Disc Two

Holiday Camp

01 - Carry On Camping (9:21)

02 - Carry On Behind (2:32)

03 - Carry On Cruising (6:17)

04 - Carry On At Your Convenience (5:55)

05 - Carry On Abroad (4:53)

Hello, Ladies! (Ding, Dong)

06 - Carry On Loving (6:10)

07 - Carry On Emmanuelle (4:37)

08 - Carry On Girls (3:13)

History Through the Ages

09 - Don't Lose Your Head (4:19)

10 - Carry On Cowboy (7:49)

11 - Carry On Dick (3:36)

12 - Carry On Up the Jungle (3:35)

13 - Carry On Henry (3:59)

14 - Carry On Cleo (10:40)