Is the ‘Carry On’ film franchise ready to make a comeback?
Is the Carry On film franchise on the brink of making a long-awaited comeback?
Reviving the Franchise
The once much loved ‘Carry On’ British film franchise is seemingly all set for a return to our screens after a 27 years hiatus. There were 31 films in the series, with 30 of them being made between 1958 and 1978. However, the most recent in the series, the 1992 Carry On Columbus, proved to be a big box office flop, being slated by some in the industry as one the worst films ever made. This, perhaps not unsurprisingly has dented the whole of the franchise’s reputation, which has proved difficult to restore to anything like the glory days of the 60s and 70s.
Now a film producer, Brian Baker, a friend of original Carry On producer, Peter Rodgers, wants to revive the franchise. He spent nine years and £500,000 trying to gain the right to use the Carry On title from trademark holders ITV. However, it is now 3 years since he was given the green light by ITV for several new installments of the comedy capers to be made.
An ITV Studios spokesperson said: “The Carry On trademark is associated with the classic Carry On films which ITV will continue to distribute.” Further adding: “We know the British public love Carry On and we welcome working with anyone interested in keeping this much-loved brand alive.” Mr Baker, 72, intends to release a range of ‘Carry On’ merchandise, with the aim of using the profits to fund some of the future movies in the series.
The New Comedies
The new comedies are likely to be a little different and certainly less risqué than those of the original franchise. Mr Baker elucidated: “We will be bringing together a new team of actors with their own idiosyncrasies and personalities for the films. Further explaining: “They will be adapted to bring it up to modern times. We’ll have to be a bit more politically correct today.”
The franchise revival was due to kick-off with ‘Carry On London’, which was first announced in 2003. Although the script was completed in 2006, the film experienced pre-production difficulties and was eventually cancelled in 2009. However, it is thought that that the film is still most likely to be the opening release for the series of new Carry On films that will extend the franchise. Mr Baker has confirmed that there are at least another two film scripts already completed.
The Carry On films proved to be a springboard for furthering the careers of many British comedy actors of the 1960s and 70s, including the likes of Kenneth Williams, Dame Barbara Windsor, Joan Sims, and Leslie Phillips.
Hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article! If you have, why not read our other features on the Carry On films at https://www.fiveminutesspare.com/entertainment/category/tv-and-films/
