Carry On Cabby is a 1963 British comedy film, the seventh in the series of thirty-one Carry On films (1958–1992). Released on 7 November 1963, it was the first to have a screenplay written by Talbot Rothwell (although the first screenplay "Tolly" submitted to Peter Rogers was developed as Carry On Jack) from a story by Dick Hills and Sid Green (script writers for Morecambe and Wise).
Regulars Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey are all present. Liz Fraser makes her third appearance (and last for more than a decade) and both Bill Owen and Esma Cannon make their final (and in both cases, fourth) appearances. This was the first film in the series to feature Carry On regular Jim Dale, and the first not to feature Kenneth Williams in the cast. Williams turned down the role of Allbright due to what he considered an inferior script. The part was scaled down, and given to Norman Chappell.
Carry On Cabby was originally planned as a non-Carry On film, called Call Me A Cab (after a stage play) but midway through development it became part of the Carry On series. The film is notable from others in the series for its dramatic plotline of a troubled marriage. The film was followed by Carry On Jack (1964).
Contents
Plot
Charlie Hawkins is the workaholic owner of thriving taxi company Speedee Taxis, but his wife Peggy feels neglected by him because he works long hours. When Charlie misses their fifteenth wedding anniversary because he is out cabbing, after promising Peggy a night out, she decides to punish him. For tax reasons, all the company funds are held in Peggy's name, so she tells Charlie that she is going to 'get a job', then uses the money to establish a rival company, GlamCabs. The cars are brand new Ford Cortina Mk1s driven by attractive girls in provocative uniforms. Flo, the wife of one of Charlie's drivers, is appointed to the post of office manager. Sally, the waitress at the Speedee cab cafe, who is similarly neglected by her boyfriend, Ted Watson, the cab company manager, spies on Charlies and Ted and reports back to Peggy.
Charlie continues to coach his mainly inept drivers, including the clumsy Terry "Pintpot" Tankard (Charles Hawtrey), whilst Peggy refuses to tell Charlie about her new job. Charlie feigns a lack of interest, but he is dying to know what she is up to, particularly as he gets a taste of his own medicine because she now works long hours. He struggles to cope while Peggy's company becomes a thriving success due to the large number of male taxi passengers preferring to ogle her sexy drivers during journeys. Speedee rapidly starts losing money and faces bankruptcy. Peggy feels terrible for what she has done. Charlie and his drivers attempt to sabotage the rival company, but they are chased off when the GlamCab girls spray them with hoses.
In desperation, Charlie suggests a merger with his rivals, but is furious to discover who the real owner is and storms off.
A month later, Peggy is living at the office and Charlie has turned to drink, allowing his company to collapse around him. Peggy and Sally are hijacked by gangsters. Peggy manages to use the taxi radio to subtly reveal their situation and location. Charlie intercepts the broadcast and rallies the other Speedee drivers in pursuit. The outlaws are cornered and captured.
Peggy and Charlie are reconciled, especially over the fact that she is expecting a baby.
Crew
Screenplay – Talbot Rothwell
Idea – SC Green & RM Hills
Music – Eric Rogers
Associate Producer – Frank Bevis
Art Director – Jack Stephens
Editor – Archie Ludski
Director of Photography – Alan Hume
Camera Operator – Godfrey Godar
Unit Manager – Donald Toms
Assistant Director – Peter Bolton
Sound Editor – Arthur Ridout
Sound Recordists – Bill Daniels & Gordon K McCallum
Hairdressing – Biddy Chrystal
Make-up Artists – Geoffrey Rodway & Jim Hydes
Continuity – Penny Daniels
Costume Designer – Joan Ellacott
Producer – Peter Rogers
Director – Gerald Thomas
Filming and locations
Filming dates: 25 March – 7 May 1963
Interiors:
Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire
Exteriors:
The streets of Windsor
The scene in which "Pintpot" (Charles Hawtrey) drives a cab (PEG 1) round and round a roundabout was filmed at the junction of Goswell Road and Arthur Road, Windsor, with the railway arches of Windsor & Eton Central Station visible in the background. This area has changed considerably since 1963 with the building of King Edward Court and Ward Royal. Some filming was also undertaken in Farm Yard opposite Windsor & Eton Riverside Station.
The filming of Carry On Cabby is portrayed in the BBC drama Hattie, a dramatisation of the life of Hattie Jacques.
Release
First screened to the trade (cinema distributors) on 22 August 1963, the film went on general release across the UK later the same year on 7 November.