Carry On Constable

Carry On Constable
Original UK quad poster
Directed by	Gerald Thomas
Produced by	Peter Rogers
Written by	Norman Hudis
Starring	Sid James Eric Barker Kenneth Connor Charles Hawtrey Kenneth Williams Leslie Phillips Joan Sims Hattie Jacques Shirley Eaton Terence Longden
Music by	Bruce Montgomery
Cinematography	Ted Scaife
Edited by	John Shirley
Distributed by	Anglo-Amalgamated
Release date	February 1960
Running time	86 min.
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£82,500

Carry On Constable is the fourth film from the Carry On series, with 31 entries. It was released in February 1960. Of the regular team, it featured Kenneth Connor, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, and Hattie Jacques. Sid James makes his debut in the series here, while early regulars Leslie Phillips, Eric Barker, and Shirley Eaton also turn up, although Phillips did not appear again in the series for 32 years. It was the first "Carry On..." film to include some nudity with Connor, Hawtrey, Williams, and Phillips baring their behinds during a shower scene.

A suburban police station is understaffed, due to a flu epidemic, and Sergeant Wilkins, under pressure to maintain staffing levels, is pleased to hear that three new recruits, straight from training school, are due shortly.

Before even arriving, the three policemen inadvertently assist some bank robbers into their getaway car (a Jaguar Mk2), and are embarrassed when they learn the truth. The new constables are self-proclaimed intellectual and amateur psychologist PC Timothy Benson, former socially well-connected playboy and cad PC Tom Potter, and PC Charles Constable who is extremely superstitious.

The arrival of WPC Gloria Passworthy and Special Constable Gorse completes the roster. Constable falls in love with Passworthy.

Out on the beat, the new constables try hard, but are less than successful. Benson nearly arrests a plainclothes detective, and Constable believes he is just heard a murder being committed, but it turns out to be a radio play. Potter investigates a report of an intruder, but finds a young woman in the bath. Gorse, tasked to patrol with a police dog, is unable to control it.

They have better luck when a wages robbery takes place. Benson and Potter locate the getaway car and all four engage in a confrontation with the thieves, arresting them and recovering the money.

Commended for his efficiency and excellent results, Inspector Mills is promoted to a training position and Wilkins is promoted to replace him. Charlie Constable gets his girl (with a little help from Sgt Moon) and stops being superstitious.