What a Carry On!

It has its knockers but 45 years since it first hit the cinema screens, Carry On Camping is as popular as ever.

Iain Duff looks back at the enduring appeal of this cinema cult classic that has inspired a million newspaper headlines – and visits the original location of the Paradise Campsite.




It’s one of the most famous scenes in British cinema history. As she stretches and thrusts her way through an early morning exercise class, Barbra Windsor’s bikini top comes flying off, leaving her ample assets exposed to the campsite.

The yellow brassiere flies through the air and lands on the face of fitness instructor Kenneth Williams who delivers the famous line, “Matron, take them away!” Meanwhile sleazy duo Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw leer from their tent where they’ve been predictably getting hot under the collar watching Babs and the rest of the girls going through their paces.

For many fans of the Carry On genre, it’s the scene that sums up the whole series. And for a whole generation of men of a certain age, Barbara Windsor and her airborne undies is an image that is forever imprinted on their memory. It’s 45 years since Carry On Camping and Babs’ boobs were released to the cinema-going public but the film’s depiction of camping is still many people’s idea of what life under canvas is all about. Whether this is a good thing or not I’ll leave for you to decide.

For some reason camping seems to lend itself to the sort of innuendo-laden high camp (geddit?) and low farce that is the hallmark of the Carry On films, which is probably why it’s considered to be one of the best examples of the genre. It doesn’t take long for the double-entendres to start. As Charlie Muggins (played by Charles Hawtrey) visits the local camping shop to check out the tents, he gets some help from glamorous shop assistant Miss Dobbin, or as Charlie put it “she was showing me how to stick the pole up.”

In the shop at the same time are plumbers Sid Boggle (Sid James) and Bernie Lugg (Bernard Bresslaw)’ who are trying to find out more information about the Paradise Campsite, which featured in a nudist film they’d seen at the local cinema. Delighted at the thought of naked young lovelies frolicking on a campsite, the boys (or “dirty old men” as some might call them) are plotting a week under canvas with their girlfriends Joan and Anthea. When they actually arrive at the site, it soon becomes clear that it’s not what they’d hoped for.

A distinct lack of scantily-clad girls puts a dampener on things for Sid and Bernie and their mood isn’t helped by the weather. But things start looking up for the randy duo when the saucy young ladies of Chayste Place school turn up for a few nights of fresh country air, accompanied by their prudish headmaster Dr Soaper (Kenneth Williams) and lovelorn matron Miss Haggerd (Hattie Jacques).

The other main campers on site are Peter Potter (Terry Scott), who hates camping but is forced into it by his domineering wife, and gormless first-time camper Charlie Muggins, last seen erecting his pole with Miss Dobbin in the camping shop.

All sorts of farcical camping-themed shenanigans ensue, including leaky canvas, a spontaneously inflating dinghy and a smouldering pair of shorts. But things really take a turn for the worst when a group of hippies arrive in the next field for a noisy all-night party. The campers manage to drive them away but the girls (and Charlie) leave with them, with Dr Soaper and matron in hot pursuit. The film reaches its climax (ooer) for Sid and Bernie when they finally persuade their straitlaced girlfriends to indulge in a spot of how’s your father.

ON LOCATION

So fancy following in the footsteps of Sid, Babs, Bernie etc and camping at the Paradise Campsite? Well unfortunately you can’t. Unlike that other famous camping film, Nuts In May, it wasn’t actually filmed at a real campsite, instead the camping scenes were shot in the orchard at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. Chayste Place school was also filmed at Pinewood, in the Heatherden Hall manor house.

You can’t actually visit the studios but there are plenty other locations from the film in the surrounding area if you want to do a spot of Carry On-related sightseeing. Some of the outdoor scenes were shot at Burnham Beeches, a 220 hectare ancient woodland and nature reaserve that has been used in numerous other films, including Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Goldfinger, The Princess Bride and a couple of the Harry Potter films.

The camping shop, where Charlie got kitted out, was a real store on Maidenhead High Street, called Courts. It closed in 2001 and became a sofa shop, before re-opening as a branch of Sports Direct (ironically now owner of several camping brands). The scenes set in the suburbs were filmed at the Iver Heath housing estate in Buckinghamshire, a favourite location for Carry On films due to its proximity to Pinewood Studios.

STAY AT
The next best thing to camping at the Paradise Campsite (and let’s face it the facilities didn’t really look like they were up to much anyway) is to pitch up on one of the sites in the area before your location tour. We’ve picked out a couple for you to consider, but for more ideas visit our site finder.

AMERDEN CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK
Old Marsh Lane, Dorney Reach, Maidenhead SL6 0DZ
01628 627461
www.amerdencaravanpark.webs.com
Open April-October
Price From £14 for a solo tent to £20 for a two-person tent and car. 
Facilities: Toilets and showers, children’s playground and laundry facilities.
Details: Perfect for campers who want a place to stay while they visit the many nearby attractions, including the Carry On Camping locations. The pretty family run site is dotted with fruit trees, which provide shade and protection from the weather. Kids can enjoy the facilities of the play area while adults can find plenty of places to set down their barbecues and grill some delicious food.
 
HIGHCLERE CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK?
Highclere Park,?Newbarn Lane,?Seer Green,?Buckinghamshire?HP9 2QZ
01494 217 291
www.highclerefarmpark.co.uk
Open March-January
Price From £15 to £30
Facilities: Indoor and outdoor washing up facilities; laundry room; electric hook-up;
children’s play area; small onsite shop
Details: Situated in a peaceful countryside location, this campsite offers hardstanding and grass pitches in a place ideal for exploring the south of England. The whole site is also fenced, making it a safe place for dogs and children to explore. The site is perfect as a base for exploring London and Legoland Windsor (12 miles) is also a short drive away. Walkers will love the footpaths nearby.

TRIVIA

The famous flying underwear scene involved a fishing line being attached to Babs’ bra, which was then yanked by a stagehand at the appropriate moment.

Even though the film was set at the height of summer, it was actually filmed during a wet and cold autumn. The muddy grass was sprayed green and brown leaves had to be painted and stuck back on the trees. Boards were laid down to stop the actors sinking into the mud.

It was so cold during filming that the actors all had to wrap themselves in blankets between scenes – it was a particularly unpleasant experience for Terry Scott who was suffering from piles!

SAUCY!

Mrs Fussey: Joan may think you're a gentleman but personally I've got sore misgivings.
Sid Boggle: You ought to put some talcum powder on them.

Miss Haggerd: (The girls) are likely to come in to contact with boys.
Dr Kenneth Soaper: Oh yes. I don't think that will be a problem. It has been my experience that once young people sample the delights of country life and the wonders of nature they just can't get enough of it.
Miss Haggerd: Exactly.

Babs: Are you going to stay with us all the time?
Coach driver: Oh yeah, I go all the way!
Babs: Oh I bet you do...

Babs: How about those two things sticking out in front?
Sid Boggle: Yeah! How about 'em!
Babs: Saucy!

Dr Soaper: “Now really let’s see those chests come out!”