  or Carry On Long John or I'm Worried about Jim Hawkins |
|
 1970"We already have a Cabin Boy, How do you fancy the Cook?" "Well I'll have a look at him first!" |
 |
50 min
Black and White Shown - 9.10, Christmas Eve
1970
| The Stars | |
|
Sid James
|
Long John Silver
Dr Livershake |
| The Crew | |
|
Screenplay |
Dave Freeman and
Sid Colin |
Synopsis
After the success
of the first Christmas special it was inevitable that we would see the
Carry Oners on screen again, it’s just a shame that the script provided
by Dave Freeman and Sid Col
in wasn’t up to scratch. It was also made
cheaper by being in black and white.
The cast is again top-hole but Freeman’s script never sparkles like Rothwell’s did for the first one, (and even some of the gags used in this, re-appear in Carry On Columbus, word for word), so it is a good job the comedians more than make up for the lack of content in quality.
Being a Christmas special and Rothwell last time using the classic Christmas theme of Christmas Carol, they have gone this time for Robert Louis Stephenson’s adventure story, Treasure Island, but set it on Christmas Eve.
It is a narrative story more akin to the Carry On films than the
previous Christmas special’s loosely connected sketch format, and has
some good roles for the team.
Sid James takes on the central role of Long John Silver as he searches for Flint’s hidden treasure, but he is barely furnished with any gags at all. The plum role goes to Terry Scott as Squire Treyhornay and he is obviously comfortable in the claustrophobic atmosphere of the TV studios and live audience. Barbara plays off against him gender-bendering as Jim Hawkins with Barbara playing the character unconvincingly as a man, which is intentional.
Charles Hawtrey supports with three smaller roles and is memorable as
Blind Pugh and minces a rare delight in the latter part of the show.
