Carry On Constable (1960)
 The
Carry On teams homage to Dixon of Dock Green
hits the floor running while the likes of Williams, Hawtrey and
Connor are happily set in their familiar characterisations.
The film's basic premise is vintage Norman Hudis, dealing with
the urgent need for replacement police staff to plug the gap
caused by absentees during a flu epidemic.
Sgt Frank Wilkins (Sid James) becomes the amazed authority
figure because of his love for the job and his need to cover the
sheer bull-headed incompetence of his superior (Eric
Barker).
Together with his only real ally, the coyly loving and
similarly minded Sgt Laura Moon (Hattie Jacques), they welcome
three new recruits in the shape of Kenneth Williams, Kenneth
Connor and Leslie Phillips.
Into this bubbling cocktail of madness
and mayhem stumbles experienced but camply unsuitable Special
Constable Gorse (Charles Hawtrey).
Although James stands firmly at the centre of this film, it is
the playful and dubious misadventures of Williams, Connor, Hawtrey
and Phillips that signal most of the fun.
 Williams
(pictured at left) is back to his high-and-mighty, superior self, mocking
old fashioned policing methods and dedicating his life to spotting
the criminal by mere observation, while Connor twitches in the
background, living his life through astrology, jittering around in
his zodiac pyjamas and frequently rubbing his rabbit's foot.
The redemption of the four bumblers comes with a tense
operation in a deserted house in search of a criminal gang.
Our
intrepid coppers stagger around the building and eventually save
the day, see Sid promoted to Inspector, find permanent positions
at the station and bring Hattie's love for Sgt James out in the
open.
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