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When the Carry On Stopped (Hardback)

Why Britain's Most Successful Comedy Film Franchise Suddenly Halted

Hobbies & Lifestyle > Film, Media & Television P&S History > Reference P&S History > Social History World History

By Dave Ainsworth
Imprint: White Owl
Pages: 224
Illustrations: 32 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781036107642
Published: 31st January 2025

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When the Carry On Stopped looks at how the Carry On film series made its painful transition from one film company, Anglo-Amalgamated, to another, the Rank Organisation. In examining this little-known but fascinating story, the growth of Anglo-Amalgamated is highlighted through the success of its owners, partners Stuart Levy and Nat Cohen. Levy’s sudden death in 1966 encouraged Cohen to ditch the Carry Ons in favour of more prestigious feature films.

Without a film distributor, the series’ producer Peter Rogers, was forced to search for another, eventually finding the series a new home at Rank. However, Rank was unwilling to endorse the work of a rival and so dropped the ‘Carry On’ title. The Carry On series looked doomed.

When the Carry On Stopped also sheds new light on the careers of the Carry On stars at this critical time. We learn of Barbara Windsor’s involvement in the stage disaster Twang!!, of Jim Dale’s stage success, Sid James’ first heart attack and Charles Hawtrey losing his mother. The book calls out the fat shaming of Joan Sims as one of the many injustices shown to her by the producer.

This is essential reading for Carry On fans and those interested in the machinations of the British entertainment industry in the 1960’s.

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About Dave Ainsworth

Dave Ainsworth wrote the award-winning play Oh Hello about the Carry On star Charles Hawtrey which was chosen as a ‘Pick of the Fringe’ at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It also won the Laurel Award for Best Play. Other works include Who’s Afraid of Rachel Roberts and Greville’s Whore.


A stand-up comedian and actor for a number of years, Dave taught acting at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. He lives with his wife Sue in West Wales.

Perfect Partner

Carry On Regardless Getting to the Bottom of Britain's Favourite Comedy Films (Hardback)

"A thoroughly enjoyable fact-filled romp… a must-read for any fan of the Carry On films." - Daily Mail "We knew the Carry On films without really knowing them. Caroline Frost puts that right. A fascinating story." - Adrian Chiles "Essential reading for fans of the Carry On Films which were deceptively ahead of their times' - Tracy-Ann Oberman The completely updated story of Carry On, Britain's largest film franchise, all the way from the gentle capers of the 1950s, through the raucous golden age of the 1960s, to its struggles in the years that followed. We take a happy walk down memory lane…

By Caroline Frost

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