The Return of Carry On Week: Carry On Up The Jungle
Professor Inigo Tinkle (Frankie Howerd) recounts the tale of his latest ornithological expedition in search of the legendary Oozlum bird. Financing the expedition is Lady Evelyn Bagley (Joan Sims) and the team is led by the fearless Bert Boosey (Sid James) with his slow-witted African guide Upsidaisi (Bernard Bresslaw). Also on the expedition is Tinkle's bumbling assistant Claude Chumley (Kenneth Connor) and Lady Bagley's pretty maidservant June (Jacki Piper). The expedition encounters all sorts of dangers like a tribe of cannibals called the Noshas and the all-female Lubby-Dubby tribe. Lady Bagley is also searching for her long-lost husband (Charles Hawtrey) and son (Terry Scott).
As you can probably tell, this Carry On is poking fun at jungle adventure films and Tarzan in particular. The part of the jungle-man Ug was originally intended for Jim Dale, but he turned the part down and wouldn't appear in a Carry On again until Carry On Columbus. I bet he's regretting that now. Joan Sims played Ug's mother, even though she was three years younger than Terry Scott.
Frankie Howerd was one of the best things in his previous Carry On appearance in Carry On Doctor, but here I found his performance a little lacking. Maybe that is because the part of Professor Tinkle was intended for Kenneth Williams. He always one of my favourite Carry On stars and his absence is rather obvious.
Bernard Bresslaw has to black-up to play the part of the guide Upsidaisi, something that would be seen to be pretty controversial nowadays. He also took the liberty of translating his lines into Swahili, but it turned out that the extras playing the others guides wouldn't have understood anyway as they were of Caribbean origin. However, Sid James, who was born in South Africa, congratulated him on his efforts.
Hammer fans will also recognise Valerie Leon of Blood from the Mummy's Tomb fame as the leader of the aptly-named Lubby-Dubby tribe. She is another big plus in a rather disappointing film.
Three pointy hats.
Next time: Batman Returns
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