Carry On Christmas 1973 (ITV 24 Dec 1973 with Sid James and Joan Sims)

UK / ITV Network – Thames / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast Monday 24 December 1973 @ 9.00pm

Writer: Talbot Rothwell / Choreographer: Terry Gilbert / Music Associate: Norman Stevens / Production Design: Allan Cameron / Executive Producer: Peter Rogers / Producer: Gerald Thomas / Director: Ronald Fouracre

Sid James as Father Christmas recounts times of the festive season through the ages, from life in stone age times. A country house party in the 18th Century. Christmas in the trenches during world war one. Next up is a Robin Hood send up with Sid as Robin.

Probably the weakest of all the Carry On Christmas’s but at the time incredibly popular – so much so it was even given the coveted slot of the cover of the Christmas edition of TV Times magazine, although the cast especially Sid James who is clearly mesmerised by Barbara Windsor’s cleavage, are having a great time. And seeing the troupe as tutu clad ballet dancers is quite a surreal moment.

cast
SIDNEY JAMES
JOAN SIMS
BARBARA WINDSOR
KENNETH CONNOR
BERNARD BRESSLAW
JACK DOUGLAS
PETER BUTTERWORTH
JULIAN HOLLOWAY
LARAINE HUMPHRYS

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.