Gerald Thomas directs Sid James, Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey in this British comedy where four incompetent new recruits fight crime in the suburbs.

Even my nostalgia for this comedy team can’t save the stiff, staid early ones. A series of saucy postcards come to life with very little guile and no colour. The core characters are starting to form at least but there’s no vibe just yet. It is dumb and wholesome rather than dumb and sleazy, and I kinda prefer them sleazy. All of Hawtrey’s bits are good as he’s the more seasoned performer. The dolly birds include Goldfinger’s Shirley Eaton, who looks lovely. Filmed around West Ealing and Hanwell where I grew up but largely unrecognisable.

4

Perfect Double Bill: Carry On Teacher (1959)

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