This film is about hooking up and stars Sid James as Sidney Bliss, who runs the Wedded Bliss Agency along with Hattie Jacques. A series of lonely hearts come in looking for their significant others and this movie basically is a series of vignettes about what happens. The worlds do collide somewhat and while things get chaotic, they are also fun. This film is truly a product of its time in that there are open displays of affection and the young ladies wear miniskirts. This was the first film with the very pretty Jacki Piper, buts its the ensemble aspect of this film which makes it work. Its a sex comedy without the nudity. Its fun and enjoyable.
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crossbow01066 January 2009
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As the 1970s began, the Carry On team would continue undaunted by a new decade and a changing of the times, they instead embraced it with innuendo laden open arms - for better and worse as would prove to be the case.
"Loving" finds Sid James and Hattie Jaques as a boyfriend and girlfriend couple operating under false pretences as a wedded bliss couple running a computer dating agency. The central theme is that of a number of hapless and lovelorn singletons who hope to get fixed up by the "Bliss Agency", only to find disaster after disaster, mismatch after mismatch, befalling those hoping for Cupid/Eros' arrows to strike.
It's all very plot less, a sort of rerun of Carry On Regardless but with the amiable vignettes of that film replaced here with more knowingly bawdy and sexy scenarios. Terry Scott and James have fun as randy old devils, each thrust into a number of awkward situations via angry girlfriends & boyfriends, Kenny Williams gets the best part of the screenplay as a marriage guidance counsellor - and confirmed bachelor - hopelessly out of his depth when push comes to shove (ooh-err), while Jacki Piper and Imogen Hassall positively steam up the screen with underwear and push-up-bra revelations.
The 70s would prove to be a troublesome decade for the series, and this does feel like the start of the slide, which is annoying since the rather cheeky and funny Carry On Up the Jungle was also released this same year. There is some value in "Loving", it has Sid and Hattie as a warring couple, which is always fun to be part of, while Williams and Scott throw themselves into their roles - just as Bernard Bresslaw steals scenes as a hulking wrestler miffed at Joan Sims' being the apple of Sid James' eye! But it feels forced and although it has some moments for fans to enjoy, the high points of Carry On Up the Kyber and the box office gold of Carry On Camping would ultimately prove to be nostalgic glances back to the series' better days. 6/10 -
Bunuel19769 February 2008Again, this turned out to be more enjoyable than I was anticipating despite the essential lack of plot and the general feeling that the regulars are merely going through the paces. The premise or, more precisely, series of sketches revolve around Sidney James and Hattie Jacques' matrimonial agency; several people with various hang-ups turn up at their door including marital consultant (but confirmed bachelor) Kenneth Williams, Terry Scott and inexperienced Richard O'Callaghan. The thing is that James and Jacques aren't married themselves, and he's been having a fling with Joan Sims (who's herself doted upon by pony-tailed wrestler Bernard Bresslaw)!
Many generally amusing complications arise from this situation, though a lot of time is spent with the younger generation at the expense of the series stalwarts (Peter Butterworth, for instance, only gets an unbilled albeit great cameo). Some of the better moments include: Scott's visit to the house of proposed soulmate Imogen Hassall, with relatives who seem to have strayed in from an episode of THE ADDAMS FAMILY TV series!; their date in her flat (she eventually has a startling make-over), which is constantly interrupted by the arrival of her ostensibly engaged flat-mates; the unexpected arousal of Williams' stuffy housekeeper Patsy Rowlands after he brings home Jacques, and then Sims turns up to seduce him (because James wants to get back with Jacques) the scene is further complicated by the arrival of the raging Bresslaw, who's however hilariously knocked-out by the charged-up Rowlands!; the side-splitting pie-throwing finale during James and Jacques' marriage which is definitely one of the highlights of the entire series.
P.S. Hammer Films starlet Yutte Stensgaard's scenes were deleted from the released version (reportedly, she was also in CARRY ON AGAIN DOCTOR [1969] but I didn't recognize her in that one). -
Though variable in quality and quite dated, Carry On Loving hit contemporary times perfectly in this mildly risqué offering. Here the team are entering into the spirit of more liberal times, something director Gerald Thomas and producer Peter Rogers intended to loosely draw upon.
Carry On Loving is similar in content to an earlier addition in the series, 'Regardless' (1960), with a series of sketches, all connected a to a fraudulent dating agency, run by Sid James and Hattie Jacques. Their characters, Sid and Sophie Bliss, are a couple who pretend they're married as a ploy to make their shoddy dating agency look more genuine than it actually is. They have a wide variation of clients on their database such as a bachelor who just so happens to be a marriage guidance councilor who is seeking a girlfriend, and a young, naieve man who's desperate to lose his virginity.
Some may argue that the formula of the Carry On's was beginning to wear a little thin at this stage, but despite a few nondescript scenes where the pace becomes a little tedious on occasions, it is overall highly entertaining, ending with a fun cake fight scene where the cast are all gathered together in one big mass ceremony finale that, despite its lack of originality, makes for a classic ending.
Some of the regulars on show in this offering are looking a little older now, while some are unfairly restricted to minor supporting turns. Sid James is basically Sid James, beefing up his usual masculine charms on any woman that takes his fancy (mainly Joan Sims), while Hattie Jacques, who always brought a sense of grace with her inimitable characterisations, plays his pretend wife, Sophie, and shares some sparkling scenes with both Sid James and Kenneth Williams.
Joan Sims is unfairly pigeon-holed in a supporting though effective role as the amorous spinster, Esme Crowfoot, who lives in the constant shadow of her fierce partner, known as Gripper Burke (as he's a wrestler). Joan Sims shares some fun scenes with Sid James and has one hysterical one with Kenneth Williams towards the climax of the film.
Kenneth Williams is another stalwart of the series who is (surprisingly) restricted to a supporting role as the typically pompous yet inefficient marriage guidance councilor, Percival Snooper. His superior demands for him to become married after a series of complaints from his clients who all believe he knows nothing about married life (which is evidently true). He quickly succumbs to the advances of the formidable Hattie Jacques.
Charles Hawtrey turns up as a private investigator, hot on the trail of Sid James following Hattie Jacques suspicions of his shady relationship with Joan Sims. While he is as amusing as always he is also given limited screen time and doesn't feel like a real participant in the film, having very little interaction with any of his fellow Carry On colleagues.
Terry Scott, who had appeared in various Carry On entries, plays Terence Philpott, an accident-prone man with a youthful innocence, resurrecting a role that was seemingly tailor-made for Jim Dale. He gets to play some great scenes opposite Imogen Hassall whom is wonderfully transformed from dowdy into a luscious beauty. The scenes they share when Terry Scott goes to visit her for the first time at her family's stately home are of significant comic value and Joan Hickson turns up in a fantastic cameo here, playing the stern, no-nonsense mother. There's also the fun sequence of the two trying to enjoy a quiet night in together but are continually disturbed by the rest of his girlfriends flatmates and their trivial domestic matters.
Jaki Piper, who had previously starred in 'Up The Jungle', plays a model who, through a comic misunderstanding, ends up meeting and falling in love with the dopey and accident-prone Richard O' Callaghan. Their is some nice scenes between the two as their romance steadily builds up.
Other Carry On players that show up include Bernard Bresslaw as the manic wrestler, Gripper Burke, and also a great role here for Patsy Rolands who sparkles in all of her few number of scenes as the dowdy housekeeper of Percival Snooper (Kenneth Williams). Feeling threatened that her job will come to an end after Percival announces to her that he will be marrying Sophie Bliss, she hilariously does her very best to split the two up after it becomes blatantly obvious that she is in fact in love with him herself. The transformation of her from dowdy to glam is fantastically played by Patsy Rolands in possibly her best role in a Carry On film.
Though by no means is this one of the best, but Carry On Loving, overall, is still definitely worth a look and really captures a certain era (the dawn of the swinging seventies) impeccably well. It's just a shame that this film is so underrated.
Ian Phillips -
Carry On gang run a marriage bureau. The proprietors, Sid and Sophie Bliss (Sid James and Hattie Jaques) seem set on matching the most unlikely couples. And mayhem ensues - which is expected in this low-key, yet fun Carry on entry. The crude bawdiness came 3/4 years later, and though it's more obvious in its naughty one liners, it's still in the classic mould of Carry-on. It's not the best one, but it's a good watch.
Great to see Sid James and Hattie Jacques play off on another. The rest of the veteran cast - such as Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Bernard Bresslaw - do their parts well. The younger group are fine; Jackie Piper and Imogen Hassel bring the temperature up!! Also seeing London in 1970's and the fashion makes a great time capsule. -
Committed_to_nitrate25 August 2023RANKING: With Carry On Screaming ranked as number 1 and Carry On England at 30, this is definitely in the bottom group but not quite scraping the bottom of the barrel. Compared with the "costume" films, the "modern dress" ones feel as though they're from a completely different series of films - a much shabbier series.
TYPICAL: This has a very familiar feel about it, essentially because it's a bawdier remake of CARRY ON REGARDLESS which they did a decade earlier. The same jokes, the same cast and even the same locations and sets are recycled. It's marginally better than the original but like REGARDLESS, it's clearly done on the cheap so has a completely different feel to historical parodies. Two additions which don't quite fit in are Richard O'Callaghan being the character Jim Dale would have been and Terry Scott being Terry Scott.
SEXY LADIES: The other essential of a Carry On film is saucy, sexy ladies. This one is famous for featuring the ample-breasted Imogen Hassell but Sexiest Carry-On Lady award goes again to Jacki Piper returning to the series after being "Jane" in the Tarzan parody made a few months before, UP THE JUNGLE. Not only extremely pretty and lovely but in this she wears the shortest dress in the world. -
michaelarmer1 May 2020This is a bit daft, but its not as bad as the last 2, its just a bit stilted and set in the 70's sex scene.
Sid James is back on top billing, and its got plenty of regulars, Ken Williams, Charlie Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Terry Scott, Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw, Julian Holloway and new girl Jacki Piper, Joan Hickson returns after a long gap, and there is anew boy Richard O'Callaghan, he only did 2 , but with a high profile. Two cameos were performed by Bill Pertwee (Dad's Army) and Bill Maynard (Heartbeat) who went on to do a few more.
This was all a bit average and I was going to give it a 6 until the wedding party at the end which was hilarious, so it raised it one star. -
TheLittleSongbird14 September 2010I personally liked this Carry On. True the story is thin, Terry Scott is nothing special(in my opinion)-in fact I found him bland- really and the film spends too much time on Scott and the regulars feel underused in comparisons. However, it does look good, with the cinematography, locations and scenery first rate, and the music was energetic. I liked the pacing, and the innuendos and double entendres. And the cast in general are likable, Sidney James and Kenneth Williams are always good value as is Joan Sims, Charles Hawtrey and Hattie Jaques, while Joan Hickson and Imogen Hassal make delightful appearances. Overall, Carry on Loving is not brilliant, but it is definitely watchable for fans of the series. 7/10 Bethany Cox
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bob the moo5 November 2006Sex is all the rage in the small city of "Much Snogging-on-the-Green" with everyone talking about it, doing it or talking about doing it. In the midst of all this the Wedded Bliss computer dating agency uses "computer technology" to try and bring together those unlucky enough not to be getting any. Meanwhile the unmarried Percival Snooper dispenses marital guidance for those unlucky enough to be already hitched.
A review by TC Raymond on this very site suggests that this "isn't a prime candidate for the best in the series" but goes on to say how good it is. Of course I agree strongly with that specific statement if not his overall opinion. Of course Loving is not up there as the best of the series and the reason for this is because it is actually at the other end of the scale with the Carry On films made in the 1970's that generally saw the series lose touch with the spoofs and wit of the better films (such as Khyber for example). The plot is a series of double-entendres, sexual misunderstandings and people talking at cross purposes. You see, the big joke is that they sound like they're talking about sex but really they're not oh my splitting sides. Now I'm not against a bit of that (I'm bl00dy doing it now) but it doesn't make a film on its own and sadly this is the majority of the comedy and there is little else here. I barely laughed once I think but I suppose those that think the "Confessions" films are the height of comedy will like this and find value in it.
The cast are mostly poor. O'Callaghan made me realise just how good Jim Dale was because the former is pretty awful in the character often played by the latter. James is always good at the sort of lecherous character he is given here and he is amusing. Williams is his usual self but his material is weak and he deserves better (as indeed many of them do). Sims and Jacques play the clichéd women's roles while Piper is the totty. At least Hassall is different from the usual female character within this series. Small turns from Scott, Bresslaw and a few others don't add that much.
Overall then a pretty poor film which is sadly where the Carry On series found itself as it lurched towards its death in the 1970's. Viewers who love saucy postcards and smutty jokes may find some value in it but for the majority I suspect it is too basic and obvious to be worth watching. Befitting the quality of the script the whole thing ends in one big messy pile, which is a pretty good summary of the quality of the whole affair if you ask me (and yes I know you didn't). -
mark-lambert12410 February 2015I grew up in early teenage years when the Carry On films were dying out. When I looked back on the history of the films I found I didn't get on with the very early ones or the very late ones. The best were in the mid to late sixties. This one, from 1970, is such a departure from those sixties films, but has the same writer in Talbot Rothwell. What went wrong? I can only assume he had an off-day. Where are the clever words, the clever double entendres rather than in-your-face single entendres that we get? It seems very much like a theatre farce and the success of the films a few years previously, is forgotten. The outright sexism is now so dated which is also a departure from the nod-and-wink sex laughs from the previous films. A subtle change, but an important one. This has to be one of the worst Carry Ons I have ever seen.
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m_pratt3 December 2006This is a good film.It is taking a storyline about love and sex but its not bad.Sid is as magical as ever as Sidney Bliss the owner of the wedded Bliss agency with his partner Sophie Plummet( Hattie Jacques).Imogen Hassle makes her only Carry on appearance as Jenny Grub a charming girl under the thumb of old fashioned parents.Terry Scott has his eyes on her and they soon hit it off. Joan Sims is good as Esme Crowfoot one of Sids clients who he has a eye for.Bernie is Gripper a wrestler Esme Crowfoots partner.This is funny but not really Bernie in my opinion.Richard O Callaghan makes his second appearance as Bertram Muffet.Jackie Piper stars as Sally Martin.Kenneth Williams is Percival Snooper an eccentric marriage guidance counsellor. Charles Hawtrey is James Bedsop a spy who Hattie is paying to spy in Sid. This is one of the gangs finest performances its not hard to see why the food fight at the end is classic.Everyone is enjoying themselves. 10/10
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CinemaSerf6 August 2023"Sid" (Sidney James) and "Sophie" (Hattie Jacques) run the "Wedded Bliss" dating agency that supposedly uses complex computer algorithms to match couples. Their cleverly entitled "to wit to woo" brochure is supposed to help make true love blossom but it's a "Carry On" so of course you're going to get the mismatches of the century playing out for the next ninety minutes. This is one of the more memorable of the franchise for me. The comedy bond between James and Jacques was always a strong one and here there is just enough humour - as opposed to tacky innuendo - to keep the thing entertaining enough with Joan Sims and a rather unlikely Lothario in Terry Scott, adding well too. It's not one of the better roles for Kenneth Williams ("Snooper"), Charles Hawtrey's "Bedsop" was actually quite annoying and it definitely recycles a few earlier ideas just once too often, but as these films go this is a slightly better effort that maybe raises a titter rather than a laugh and passes the time in a predictably smutty fashion.
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jboothmillard8 September 2011With the famous British sex based comedy series heading into the 1970's naturally things were going to get a little ruder, due to things like Emmanuelle and more pornography available, but luckily this film is bearable and not grim viewing. Basically the Wedded Bliss dating agency is specialised in bringing together lonely single people that want to find that special someone and obviously get married very quickly. Owner Sidney Bliss (Sid James) is recently having complications with his work partner and fake business wife Sophie Plummett (Hattie Jacques) becoming very paranoid and argumentative, but he is determined to keep things going. We obviously see the strange people who are visiting the dating agency looking for love and more, these include seamstress Esme Crowfoot (Joan Sims), confirmed bachelor and marriage councillor Percival Snooper (Kenneth Williams), timid and nervous Bertrum Muffet (Richard O'Callaghan) and Terence Philpot (Terry Scott). Bertrum manages to get a blind date but confuses his actual date partner with model Sally Martin (Jacki Piper), Terry manages to find a beautiful big breasted mate with Jenny Grubb (Imogen Hassall) but cannot get the moment to seduce her, and Esme finds herself a partner but has to keep him from original boxer boyfriend Gripper Burke (Bernard Bresslaw). While all this is going Sidney is unaware that Sophie may still have feelings for him, but with her angry nature she hires private eye James Bedsop (Charles Hawtrey) to follow him and his activities. In the end all the happy couples, including a reformed Sidney and Sophie, are brought together for a celebratory dinner, filled with loads of cream cakes, and some arguing turns into a mass food fight. As always the cast play the parts we have become used to, it's a little annoying Barbara Windsor isn't featuring, but you can forgive it because of all the actually surprisingly funny sexualised antics, and close to the mark innuendos and double-entendre jokes we adore, I can slightly see why the critics give it two stars out of five, but personally I think it is a fun and near worthwhile comedy. Okay!
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BA_Harrison31 July 2013As a child of the 70s I was practically raised on Carry Ons, the films being perfect TV scheduling for rainy Sunday afternoons in particular. And yet, despite my familiarity with the series, I have no recollection of seeing Carry On Loving before now. It could be that programmers deemed it too saucy for daytime viewing, but I reckon the obvious answer is that it simply wasn't considered all that funny, especially in comparison with perennial favourites like Screaming, Camping and Up the Jungle.
'Loving' stars Sid James and Hattie Jacques as Sidney Bliss and Sophie Plummet, proprietors of The Wedded Bliss marriage bureau, who bring people together with the aid of a high-tech computer system (or so the customers are led to believe). Much hilarity ensues as the result of mismatched couples—or at least that's the idea; sadly, the thin plot, unmemorable characters and mediocre gags go to make this one of the poorer Carry Ons.
Still, even a weak Carry On has its moments: this one features the very lovely Jacki Piper (June from 'Up The Jungle) stripping down to her undies a couple of times, sees inexperienced introvert Jenny Grubb (Imogen Hassall) transformed into a super sexy model much to the delight of randy suitor Terence Philpot (Terry Scott), and wraps things up with a fun food fight, cream pies and cakes being flung with much gusto.
5.5 out of 10, rounded up to 6 for the cracking crumpet. Phwoarr! -
bkoganbing3 December 2013Carry On Loving has both Sidney James and Hattie Jacques running a marital matchmaking agency which is a total fraud, but don't say they're not committed to their clients. In fact James personally 'vets' each one of the female clients himself to Hattie's dismay. In fact they're not really married, but she'd like to be married to someone.
Hard to describe the plot of this film, but it's a series of gags around the prospective couples some of whom change partners before the film is over. Even Jacques starts eying client Kenneth Williams who's actually been ordered by his employer to get married. Why you have to see the film for.
Best of course is Sidney James trying to elude private detective Charles Hawtrey who Jacques has hired to follow James on his 'vetting' missions. He completely bamboozles Hawtrey who is his usual officious self.
In the end the whole cast essentially gets together and the finale is right out of Mack Sennett. Funny funny film from the Carry On crew. -
Xstal29 December 2023Carrying On Inappropriately with Carry on Loving.
A series of films carried on, with perpetual double entendre, loved to finger an organ, unleash melons to gorge on, baps, flaps, jugs, bazookas went ding dong.
Though it's not quite so funny today, Fanny plays with her balls in new ways, Dick's choppers been cut, Kitty's curtains are shut, the clams gone from splayed to being spayed.
What an awful sequence of films these were, revisited today, they demonstrate just how out of touch and offensive the so called humour of yesteryear was, and how a generation of inappropriate behaviour was considered acceptable.
Carrying On Inappropriately with Carry on Loving. -
Tweekums7 February 2012As the 1970s arrived the era of fairly innocent Carry On films has gone. Sex isn't just hinted at it is the driving force of the story. Sid James and Hattie Jacques run the 'Wedded Bliss' dating agency where prospective couples are matched using the latest in computer technology at least that is what the customers are led to believe; in reality Sid puts the completed forms in the slot and it goes through to the back room where Hattie puts a form for the opposite sex in another slot. Unsurprisingly the agency doesn't have the best result; at least not the way they intend. One innocent young man goes out with the wrong woman after she mistakes him for the photographer who is due to take racy pictures of her and another finds himself at the house of a girl whose family are about as much fun as a funeral of course when he bumps into her again when she has become a glamorous model things are different! Other jokes include Joan Sims wrestler boy friend who gets very jealous of any man who gets near her and a marriage guidance councillor who is told he must get married himself if he is to keep his job. There was also a nice running gag where characters kept bumping into an amorous couple; they had nothing to do with the plot but provided a chuckle.
I didn't expect this to all that good as most later Carry On films are comparatively weak; thankfully it wasn't that bad; indeed it had far more laughs than I'd expected. Sid James did a good job as Sidney Bliss, manager of the agency and Hattie Jacques was fine as his partner Sophie. Kenneth Williams was somewhat underused as the marriage guidance councillor although his character did have a very funny scene alongside Joan Sims, who was also rather good in this. The rest of the team did good enough jobs as did those who aren't regular Carry On actors; in particular Richard O'Callaghan, who plays the young man looking for his first girlfriend... although he is nowhere near as good as Jim Dale who'd typically be given this role before he left the series. Over all this was far from the worst in the series even though it isn't a contender for the best not by quite a way; if you are a fan of the series it is worth watching although some parents might find it far less suitable for children than the earlier films. -
GiraffeDoor5 October 2019Middle ranking member of the series that like "Girls" is fundamentally flawed in that it foregrounds the idea of sexuality thus making the whole thing seem a bit white-against-white, if that makes sense.
The most enjoyable aspect is the ribaldry rather than the comedy but it's fine.
A lot of great characters brought to life impeccably by a worthy, if anchored, script and actors who really seem like they're enjoying themselves. -
RogerMooreTheBestBond9 August 2009Sid James and Hattie Jacques are perfectly cast as a couple who run a wedded bliss agency. They basically play matchmakers. The first client of the movie is a Carry On newcomer, Richard O'Callaghan, a solid replacement for Jim Dale who had recently left the series. Sid takes down his information and the machine pops out Joan Sims. Sid rejects it, but Hattie makes him set up a date. Kenneth Williams plays Mr. Snooper, a marriage counselor. He is a bachelor and he gives bad advice to the couples. He is told to get married to keep his job. Sid decides to intercept Joan Sims, because he likes her. Hattie calls Charles Hawtrey to follow him. Jacki Piper makes her appearance in the bar where all the meetings are supposed to take place. She plays Sally Martin, who is an up and coming star. Ricahrd mistakes her as his date and she mistakes him as a publicity agent who is to take photos of her. Jacki looks gorgeous in a very short dress. He wants to have dinner and she wants to go to her place and do it(take photos). There is a lot of dialog confusing sex and photos. she tells him she is going to strip down and he gets nervous. She is just planning to take photos. Charles continues to follow Sid as he leaves the bar. We hear the Hitchcock theme in the background. Good music and a fun scene as Sid eludes him. Back to Jacki and Richard. Jacki comes wearing a pink nightie and a black bra and panties. Wow! There are a few more lines of play and she disrobes. She does a nice little spin to show off that perfect body. She finally realizes he is not a photographer and they tell each other what they are there for. He runs out embarrassed. Jacki Piper has no ego and does not come across as hey look at my body which I really love. She is so sweet and proper and looks so hot in her undies. Kenneth meets with Hattie about getting married. After that Sid meets with Joan at her apartment, Bernard Bresselaw shows up as her wrestler boyfriend. Then Richard shows up to meet her as his date. Sid escapes and Richard is thrown out. Jacki calls the next day to find out he is in the hospital for his wounds. She is wearing another short skirt and she meets him at the hospital. They have a funny scene where they discuss their night and the man in the next bed is totally amazed at what he hears. Hattie decides to match herself with Kenneth because Sid likes Joan. Later Terry Scott is matched up with Jacki's new roommate Imogen Hasall. He tries to make love to her and people keep interrupting. Jacki comes out again in her underwear and walks around. She looks perfect again. She is incredible. Anyway at the end all the couples get together and have a big food fight. What a great way to end this funny and fun film. What an underrated gem.
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Leofwine_draca28 June 2015CARRY ON LOVING is a surprisingly enjoyable Carry On movie given that the entire script is given over to sexual innuendos and the lowbrow. Sure, there are a few slapstick moments dotted here and there through the film, but this is noticeably more sexualised than all of the other Carry Ons made previously.
The film has a contemporary setting, with Sid James and Hattie Jacques the owners of a wedding agency who aim to set up various hopefuls in wedded bliss. There are shades of CARRY ON REGARDLESS here with the agency setting, but this is very much a film of its era and the 1970s look and feel is priceless. Cast-wise, James and Jacques are solid and enjoyable, but it's the minor players who really shine in this one.
I'm not usually a fan of Terry Scott but his set piece scene in Joan Hickson's house is the highlight here. Imogen Hassall's transformation from prim and proper to alluring sex-pot is highly memorable too - what an incredible-looking actress! Charles Hawtrey bags the second funniest moment with his incident in the gents. Peter Butterworth is limited to a one-scene cameo but makes the very best of it, while Bernard Bresslaw has a wonderful larger-than-life role as a wrestler. It's just a shame that Kenneth Williams had little to do and that Richard O'Callaghan is such a poor replacement for Jim Dale; but then you can't win 'em all. -
cwolf1026 December 2019Everyone's got to have someone, And this movie expresses that point. I dont know if i'd call it a romatic comedy because its better at being a comedy than romantic one
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comedyfan7114 April 2024I always thought of this as one of the worst in the series, but on rewatch it was better than I remembered. However, it's quite a change from the innocence of the earlier carry on's, it veers towards open bawdiness a lot more rather than innuendo. It clearly draws a bit of inspiration from Carry on Regardless in terms of plot with the agency theme. Sid James does his usual schtick to good effect. Kenneth Williams is also good here, while Charles Hawtrey is under-used. Richard O'Callaghan plays the type of role that Jim Dale might have done and I thought he was ok, better than some reviews give him credit for. Bernard Bresselaw plays an aggressive wrestler but sadly his character didn't do much for me, luckily Terry Scott is entertaining in his role, especially in his earlier scenes. Elsewhere Hattie Jacques is funny while Joan Sims is also good. The biggest issue is the script. It's very funny in parts but lacks the wit that the best entries had. It appears to be moving into 70s sex comedy territory as the dialogue is more explicit than usual and everything is generally more suggestive. You can't exactly describe the word 'sex' literally being written on a bus at the beginning of the film as subtle, can you? The recurring gag of the young couple snogging wasn't remotely funny to me. The ending is great fun though, admittedly.
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Sleepin_Dragon16 January 2018I see so many reviews of people commenting about Loving being one of the Carry on movies during its declining years, I have to disagree with those, with Convenience, Girls and Behind still to come the crew were still on top form. Loving highlights a sexual revolution that had pretty much already happened years before. It's not loaded with particularly original material, but it has its moments, Sid and Hattie are great fun as warring married couple The Bliss's, Kenneth Williams is hilarious as Percival, the excellent Patsy Rowlands is finally given a large role, making full use of it. Joan Hickson is a delight as Jenny's mum, as are the whole eccentric family, but the all time highlight must be the laugh out loud finale which is side splitting, you can almost see the look of joy on everyones faces. I must admit to a feeling of sadness when I watch Imogen Hassall, such a tragic waste, a good actress, incredibly beautiful, such a shame she never went on to bigger things. Bernard Bresslaw is once again made an idiot out of, not able to show that he could act. It may not be one of the classics, but it's still a very, very funny film.
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Rabical-9127 September 2018Beaten only by 'Carry On Abroad', 'Loving' is one of the jewels in the crown of the 'Carry On' saga. Talbot Rothwell's 1970 picture focuses on the exploits of Sidney and Sophie Bliss ( who share the same surname despite not being married ), who are played to perfection by who else but Sid James and Hattie Jacques? The two run the Wedded Bliss dating agency who have an unfortunate reputation of pairing clients together who are clearly ill suited.
That's pretty much all there is to it. As is common with a 'Carry On' film, the punchlines, heavily laden with puns and innuendo, come thick and fast. Sid James turns in his usual fine performance and Hattie Jacques is larger than life as Sophie. I laughed out loud with an opening scene featuring an argument between Sid and Sophie in which she accuses him of flirting with the woman at the local newsagent. ''I was only going in there for my shag!'', said Sid. He was of course referring to tobacco but the double entendre was unmistakable.
The usual mob graced this wonderful little picture who included Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, Bernard Bresslaw, Terry Scott, Patsy Rowlands, however some newer faces joined in the fun including Jacki Piper, Richard O'Callaghan and Imogen Hassall ( who tragically took her own life in 1980 at the mere age of 38 ).
Cropping up in minor roles are Bill Maynard, Kenny Lynch, Amelia Bayntun, Peter Butterworth and 'On The Buses' actress Anna Karen, the latter who is one of the wives who gets a custard pie shoved down her heaving cleavage during the infamous 'custard pie fight at the wedding' scene.
Rothwell's next cinematic release was 'Carry On Henry', it seemed to perform better than 'Loving' but was nowhere near as funny in my opinion.
Funniest bit- it obviously is the 'custard pie' fight scene. Has me in hysterics each time! -
Rrrobert20 July 2020I have a special affection for this Carry On, about a dating agency run by Sid James and Hattie Jacques.
Sometimes the story of Loving is said to be just a series of sketches. Actually, nearly every scene progresses an ongoing story thread. Also, threads intersect with and affect other story threads (eg Jenny's makeover comes after meeting Sally, and prompts Jenny's re-connection with Terry). The network of fun stories keeps the pace moving.
At the core is a wonderful double act of Sid James and Hattie Jacques. Jacques wasn't in the majority of Carry Ons, but those she is in are often my favourites. Here she is great as the gracious but impatient Sophie, endlessly given the run around by Sid who won't commit to marriage and spends half his time chasing Esme Crowfoot (Joan Sims). Then Sophie decides to provide personal attention to the agency's new client Percival (Kenneth Williams).
With James, Jacques, Sims, Williams at the core you can't go wrong with laughs and chemistry.
A network of younger characters played by newcomers to the series Richard O'Callaghan, Jacki Piper, Imogen Hassall, are successfully integrated and work well. A funny Terry Scott figures in their storylines.
Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw, Patsy Rowlands, Julian Holloway, Bill Maynard, Joan Hickson provide fun support.
Sid wears some cool mod suits.