User reviews

Made in the days when Cortenas were considered exotic; this is an unusual 'Carry On' in that the humour is gentler (Sid James - fresh from a TV series called 'Taxi' - isn't yet the coarse lecher he later specialised in) and the woman more nuanced, possibly because it started life as a non-'Carry On'.

Written under the title 'Call Me a Cab' by Morecombe & Wise's old writers Sid Green & Dick Hills, this was one of the last 'Carry On's in black & white, the last to feature Cyril Chamberlain, Esma Cannon, and the lovely Liz Fraser (unless you count the unspeakable 'Carry On Behind', which I don't), the first to feature Jim Dale and Amanda Barrie and be scored by Eric Rogers (and one of the very few without Kenneth Williams).

Carry on Cabby is quite good, there are definite strengths to the production. It's nice to see Sid James and Hattie Jacques as a wife and husband and we get Kenneth Connor, Liz Fraser and Charles Hawtrey but no Kenneth Williams this time round which was a shame but still had a strong cast.

The plot's about the women setting up a rival cabby group to the men, it's got a cool girl power message and it's one of the only Carry on films that has a definite start, middle and end instead of just sketch type things. I feel like it could have had some funnier moments but it was strong.

7/10: Good

This is a really heart warming flick with a cracking story. Sure, the gags are there, but they are not the forefront of the film.

James and Jacques have rarely been in finer form, and manage to construct some very poignant scenes. Amanda Barrie is absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

Perhaps most overlooked, this film has one of the loveliest scores of all the Carry Ons, and makes use of some lovely arrangements.

Definitely a must see if you like the genre.

This is another solid entry in the popular series which, again, recalls earlier classics of British comedy – such as the Ealing and Boulting Brothers films.

Kenneth Williams’ presence is missed here: apparently, he turned down the role of the shop steward (probably influenced by Peter Sellers’ similar, award-winning characterization in I’M ALL RIGHT, JACK [1959] and eventually played by Norman Chappell) because he felt the script was substandard – I disagree and, in fact, Talbot Rothwell became the series’ official writer from this point on! Joan Sims is also conspicuous by her absence (the “Carry On” stalwart’s typical role is played here by the slimmer Liz Fraser – incidentally, also a cast member of JACK).

Sid James, however, is clearly in control – with Hattie Jacques as his female counterpart; even Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey’s characters feel subsidiary here, the film being heavier on plot than the previous series outings I’ve just watched, though both get their big scene (more on this later). The narrative concerns Jacques’ elaborate way of dealing with husband James’ slacking attentions: he’s a cab-service owner and totally absorbed in his work so, unbeknownst to him, she contrives to open a rival business – but with the advantage of young and attractive women drivers! Connor is James’ sidekick (involved with Fraser, tending bar at the cab-driver’s café) who, at one point, appears in drag when he’s made to infiltrate the ‘enemy camp’ (as part of a plan by James to get at the competition); Hawtrey is an accident-prone novice driver (his ‘baptism of fire’ is unsurprisingly fraught with disaster); Jim Dale appears in his first “Carry On” as well, in a bit as an expectant father who takes cabbies James and Connor ‘on a ride’ and causes the former to miss his anniversary celebration!

While there’s some tit-for-tat routines between them (the women – knowledgeable of the fact that the men have intercepted their radio signals – deliberately give out fake addresses, while James & Co. show their force by tampering with the vehicles driven by the ladies…except that the latter still get the upper hand, because their passengers are all-too-willing to lend a helping hand!), the companies finally get together when one of Jacques’ cabs – with her, Fraser and the girls’ payroll inside – is abducted by a gang of crooks. All the various vehicles set out in co-ordinated pursuit and manage to corner the ‘stray’ cab in open-country; the final gag, then, sees Hawtrey driving James’ car into a tree – so that the boss has no alternative but to hail a cab for himself!

This is an old fashioned "battle of the sexes" comedy where an unappreciated wife ( Hattie Jacques ) sets up a glamorous female-only taxi outfit in competition with the existing old-fashioned male-only taxi firm run by her workaholic husband ( Sidney James ). Of course the glamorous cabs win all the custom until the male cab business is on the rocks...

By no means the best of the series but still far far funnier than "Carry On Columbus" or "Carry On Behind" etc.

Sid James plays Charlie Hawkins, workaholic owner of Speedee Taxis, the only cab firm in town. After repeatedly ignoring his long-suffering wife Peg (Hattie Jacques) in favour of picking up fares, Charlie finds himself unexpectedly facing competition from his miffed spouse, who secretly sets up rival taxi company GlamCabs, featuring all female drivers.

From the above synopsis, one might think that this film intends to strike a blow or two for feminism, but this being a Carry On film from the early sixties, it quickly becomes apparent that fighting for sexual equality isn't the film's primary motive. With GlamCabs only employing women with an hour-glass figure and a cracking sets of pins, the film's 'battle of the sexes' plot is actually a thinly veiled excuse to fill the screen with cracking crumpet.

Not that I'm complaining: the leggy lovelies, whose number include the fabulous Amanda Barrie (who would go on to star as Queen Cleopatra in Carry On Cleo), not only provide viewers with quality eye-candy (especially in the scene where Kenneth Connor, disguised as a woman, is ushered into the ladies changing room), but also plenty of laughs as they use their impressive womanly attributes to steal Hawkin's business.

6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.

Carry on Cabby is directed by Gerald Thomas and adapted to a screenplay by Talbot Rothwell from a story by Richard Hills & Sidney Green. It stars Sidney James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey, Esma Cannon and Liz Fraser. It's the 7th film of the long running Carry On film franchise. Plot finds James as Charlie Hawkins, a man so obsessed with his taxi business he severely neglects his wife Peg (Jacques). At the end of her tether, Peg sets up her own taxi company called Glam Cabs, the draw being that all the drivers are female, all are gorgeous and all are taking the trade away from Charlie's business. The men try and strike back, but these girls are not for turning.....

Aside from the fact that the cast list is missing big hitters such as Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims and Bernard Bresslaw, Carry on Cabby also stands out from the other series entries for another reason. If it feels a little different, maybe even a touch too tame for the bawdy loving crowd, then that has to do with the fact that Talbot Rothwell actually scripted it as a non series entry. It was to be a standalone picture titled Call Me A Cab, but with the series starting to gain momentum it was reworked as a Carry On movie.

The film is a breezy battle of the sexes comedy built around a more than decent plot. On a list of genuinely funny Carry On movies it most likely struggles to get in the top ten, but if we can judge it away from the series? It has a warm 60's appeal whilst throbbing with classic black and white capery. It's also one of the few Carry On film's that enjoys a pro feminist angle, whilst it's a joy to see Jacques get a decent and touching role some way away from the big bruiser character's she was known for. As the lady viewers enjoy the fun "womans" angle in the plot, the red blooded male is naturally (for a Carry On movie) catered for with plenty of woof-whistle moments (Amanda Barrie-oh my). And the robbery based finale is well constructed by genre legend Gerald Thomas.

Innuendo light, but in this case it's not a bad thing. 7/10

I really liked this Carry On entry. This is considered as Hattie Jaques's personal favourite of the Carry Ons and it isn't hard to see why. She seems to be having a ball as the neglected wife of cab driver Charlie Hawkins, who is played to perfection by the one and only Sidney James. Carry On Cabby has a very irreverent screenplay, that will leave you in tears of laughter, but what made this particular Carry On stand out for me was that the plot was one of the strongest plot lines in Carry On history. As for the other performances, Jim Dale is hilarious in a small role, and Kenneth Connor is his usual charming self. Charles Hawtrey is solid in his role too. The photography was skillfully done, and the music score was great. My only complaints are its length and its rather slow beginning, other than that, pretty darn good if you ask me. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Sid James joins the Carry On troupe in this film and in Carry On Cabby he makes a smashing debut as the workaholic owner of a taxi cab fleet. Among the other problems he has are some of the new drivers he has to train among them Carry On perennials Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey.

Of course James is proud of the business he's built and he even takes a turn behind wheel himself. A lot of people would think that an accomplishment and bosses who aren't afraid to get in the mix with their employees are usually popular. But Sid is getting less and less popular on the home front.

Hattie Jacques is Mrs. James and she's feeling ignored at home as James thinks of nothing but the business. In the end she organizes her own fleet of cabs with shapely young female cabbies who look like playboy bunnies without the ears. As she says they have assets to exploit their male counterparts do not.

Charles Hawtrey was getting a bit risqué and flamboyant in playing a most stereotypical gay cabdriver. He comes to work in form fitting leather jacket on a motorcycle. This was probably very close to the truth in Hawtrey's life whom everyone knew and he didn't deny was gay.

Funniest moments in the film is a long drawn out affair with James and Hawtrey driving expectant father Jim Dale and his very pregnant wife who keeps them out all night with a few false labors. It's about then that Jacques decides to take a stand.

Sad to say I've dealt with a few cabbies in real life who might have been trained at this cab company.

Most of the usual crew including Hattie Jacques and Sidney James star in this early black and white Carry On film. Sidney runs a cab business when his wife decides to run a rival cab business ("Glam Cabs" - "I'm Free") with a fleet of bright, shiny, perky new units (the cars are new and all).

Rather than waiting a few weeks for the gearboxes of the Mark I Cortinas to disintegrate, Sidney attempts to foil the opposition with a series of hopeless plans.

Wisely, the producers decided to use the lovely old Model 10s for the more challenging scenes.

Product placements – Firestone tyres, Ford, Daily Express and Woodbines (cigarettes).

Cabby is generally regarded as one of the best of the series and it was to be said it is a very good film. Hattie Jacques has probably her finest part and her and Sid James always made a good team. That said even though this was Talbot Rothwell's first Carry on script and there are some bawdy lines and very funny situations it still has that Norman Hudis feel to it. Now i was never a fan of the Hudis Carry on's i feel they were no different to any other harmless stiff upper lip British comedy film's that were being made at the time despite their somewhat high reputation. This was a decent warm up for Rothwell and after a couple of silly follow ups Jack and Spying he really hit home with the hilarious and brilliant Cleo (the first great Carry on film). Cabby is harmless fun with great support from Hawtrey and Connor, but much better was to come.

I write this exactly 60 years on from this film being made. The version of the UK it portrays is long gone, manners and behaviours have changed significantly and the monocultural nature is now morphing into something altogether new. In that respect the film is a nice view of a slightly idealised version of what life was like for ordinary people back then. As such one can enjoy it and, be amused, as it's as much historical relic as old fashioned comedy. The characters are the usual mix of caricatures, stereotypes and archetypes, each instantly recognisable, places are middle England and there is very subtle social commentary on the ex forces types being down at heel and needing a leg up.

The world of equality and sixties swinging was fast heading over the hill. This and many other films of the era marked the beginning of the end of the post war society and the emergence of the modern era that fought its way out of the shadows during the 70s.

Fun movie, as rapid-fire setups keep "Carry on Cabby" moving along at a fast clip. Just keep watching- a lot is thrown at you fast, so you can't help but get caught up in it. It is sometimes boorish but never crude and is funny in spots. Sidney James and Hattie Jacques were excellent comic actors (as opposed to "comedians") and are very watchable as Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins. Ms. Jacques was an abundantly proportioned, graceful woman with abundant talent to match. Sidney James never gave a bad performance in drama or comedy- he was seemingly adept at everything acting-wise.

Many of the Carry-on movie regulars are here and manage to keep the action going, enjoyably for the most part as they are well-directed in this outing.

While filmed in black-and-white and maybe a bit dated-looking, the overall Carry-on concept is timeless. And I am ready for a ride in a Glamcab ("just flash your headlamps at them!")

This is another of my favourite "Carry On" films. Poor old "Charlie" (Sid James) has built up a successful business with his wife "Peggy" (Hattie Jacques) but his dedication to cabbing is causing him to neglect her and she is getting narked. When the boys threaten to walk out if he uses "Flo" (Esma Cannon) as a driver, the last straw breaks the camel's back and she decides to start her own company - using only woman drivers. Needless to say, this is a roaring success and "Charlie" suddenly finds his fares drying up and he must find a solution... Although a few of the regulars still feature here, this is essentially an enjoyable duel between the two and it's fun. I always had a soft spot for the Una O'Connor/Mildred Natwick style of characters and Cannon fills that role nicely here as the story ebbs and flows before it culminates in a co-ordinated taxi chase and a niftyile exercised motorised pincer movement. It takes a swipe at sexism and the daft excesses of trade unionism, whilst reminding us that there is more to life than running a successful enterprise.

All the Carry On's are a joy to watch and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. Very well cast and a great deal of laughs. A battle of the sexes for any generation.

Well almost! There is a real battle of the sexes in this carry on and if you don't mind the expression the women come out on top. This is not a very funny carry on, in fact quite the contrary. There are moments that are actually quite touching. THe marriage between Hatti and husband Sid is a troubled one and its nece to see real character development. Its actually quite poignant. Hatti is playing for truth rather than being cast as the fat funny lady.The climax of the movie when all the cabs start chasing the bad guys who are abducting Hatti Jacques and Liz Frazer is actually very exciting. Those taxis and other "relics" of the time look wonderfully nostalgic. The interior sets look cute too and its all in glorious black and white. The music is wonderful and the script is character driven but still has a strong story line. Although it may not be very funny it is extremely entertaining and its a fine movie. The script is excellent and the characters are beautifully developed. This is a good story. We are given a break from the fabulous Kenneth Williams but there is plenty of talent. Great to see Hatti Jacques get more to do and she gives a brilliant performance. The ever reliable Liz Fraser does great work too. Sid James is wonderful in this role and its easy to see why he became so popular. Jim Dale in a small role is great and later its interesting that he became so sexy. Charles Hawtry is in fine form and the normally annoying Kenneth Connor gives his best under stated performance without the annoying mannerisms that detracted from many of the carry on movies. Esma Cannon plays it quite straight for a change and as always still steals every scene she is in. The real star of this is Hatti Jacques who really makes this fine movie a totally enjoyable experience.

Sid James's taxi company is threatened when his wife's new all-female firm sets itself up in business and starts to steal his customers. This probably has one of the best stories in the series as the gags actually tie in with the plot unlike many later entries which have very thin plots. I guess you could say there is a small bit of social commentary in here too, in a way.

Sid James and Hattie Jaques are great as the leads while Charles Hawtrey is often very funny in his role. There's not much more to say other than I didn't find it as funny as I was hoping. It was amusing throughout but had very few laugh-out-loud moments for me. Not a bad film though.

The 6th proper 'Carry On', 1963's "Carry On Cabby", wasn't gonna be in the iconic Brit-com series at first. Its working title was 'Call Me A Cab' and its writer was Talbot Rothwell (not Norman Hudis) who wrote plot over slapstick. Sid James & Kenneth Moore (the only star of all first six 'Carry Ons' (as Kenneth Williams missed this one)) run a cab firm (with Charles Hawtrey, Bill Owen et al) so busily that their ignored ladies Hattie Jacques & Liz Fraser start a rival firm (with Esma Cannon, Amanda Barrie et al)... and shenanigans ensue (with btw series debutant Jim Dale in support). Tho director Gerald Thomas disappointingly reverts to b&w, the firmer plot is a most welcome upgrade.

This one had more going for it storywise, but the laughs were still sparse, amazingly sparse.

A solid story, but cab-driving? He's ignoring me for a cab, his wife says. What a plot.

Fortunately, Hattie Jacques was closer to the front. She is looking a bit more feminine here. I do enjoy her monstrous authority figures, but it was charming to see her here as a bit more docile creature.

Totally absent now was Kenneth Williams.

I suppose Sid James had some sort of everyman about England appeal to him. He was a bit more to listen to here, and Kenneth Conner had more to work with than his usual mugging in the previous Carry Ons. The drag scene was very interesting, as he was caught with undressing women. Would have been too rich had Hawtrey been in drag too with Conner.

Charlie Hawtrey is present, but really wasted.

The cabs themselves were a marvel to observe, with me being an American, they were totally foreign to me with those missing doors.

Even with automobiles, the outdoor shots here still didn't match Carry On Constable's street scenes.

It's fun to watch old movies, English or otherwise, and note signs, buildings, architecture and so on in the background.

The men vs. women aspect of this movie was easy to ignore. The wife didn't so much want to challenge the husband, but challenge his cab.

The final chase would have been much more fascinating on a street and not an empty field, but I suspect that had something to do with budget. Pity actually, as that field ruins the effect. Would have been much more memorable after all these years with a good solid pavement or buildings behind those automobiles.

A return to black and white! How odd. This one actually might have been richer had it been in color.

Well, on to the next Carry On: Carry On Spying!

Carry On Cabby is a funny movie,its not great,its not gold,but its watchable and does have some very funny scenes.I've seen many Carry On films,and I don't think there fantastic,expect for Carry On Screaming which is both scary and hilarious,and Carry On Cabby is not the best Carry On.I recently saw Carry On Spying,which I will admit,I found Carry On Cabby more enjoyable.One thing that really annoyed me however was the music,which was basically the exact same tune going on constantly.

A local man cant stop with his cab business,which he seems to enjoy more than spending time with his wife.His wife decides to run a rival business when he forgets there anniversary.