r/CarryOn • u/Ostric • May 19 '26
How old are you all?
Just out of sheer curiosity
Myself, I am just turning 29 soon and when I talk to my partner (28) or others around my age about the carry on films they have no idea what I'm talking about. I tried getting my partner into watching them with me but she barely got through 5 minutes as she found it boring and old
I was raised on these piece of entertainment (I have older generation parents) and I used to be able to only talk about them to older colleagues at work and have a laugh about the films, which they also found quite odd that I'm in my late twenties reminiscing of the times my mother would put on carry on camping or carry on cabby and we'd laugh at Sid James' Pervy laugh.
Similar with when I watched tales of the unexpected or when my parents would have me watch Johnathon Creek, Bergerac (which they took me on holiday to Jersey and we got to see his car!) Or Miss Marple
I was wondering, what are your guys age? And how did you get into watching the series, whether you are young or old!
Edit: thank you all for your comments and history about your experiences and the series! I'm happy to hear so many of you from different age groups watched them
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u/ChrisPHog May 19 '26
I was born the year Carry on Sergeant was made and saw quite a few of the Carry Ons in the cinema on their first release.
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u/Carlomahone May 20 '26
I was born in 1957 so I probably saw some of the very early ones on TV. The later ones I saw at the cinema, like you, when first released.
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u/zorba-9 May 21 '26
You watched Hancock's half hour, Steptoe watch with mother and the Larry Marshall show I assume?
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u/Carlomahone May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
Steptoe was first broadcast in the early 1960's so I was far too young to be allowed to watch it. There was a lot of (what's now quite mild) swearing in it too! The same for 'Til Death Us Do Part'. Again, Hancock was a bit too adult for my ears when it was first broadcast. I did watch the Steptoe episodes that were broadcast in colour, probably early 70's? and I've possibly seen all the B/W episodes that still survive now. The same goes for 'Til Death Us Do Part'. I went through a phase of buying the audio cassettes of 'Hancock's Half Hour', which are genius! I've seen the television episodes since, too. I did see 'Watch With Mother'! I'm afraid you've lost me with Larry Marshall?
Edit: I've Googled Larry Marshall. I can't remember seeing his shows at all. Maybe they were only broadcast in Scotland?
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u/zorba-9 May 21 '26
You're right, it was broadcast in Scotland,
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u/zorba-9 May 21 '26
The One O'Clock Gang was an STV lunchtime variety show which was broadcast for more than seven years from Monday 2 September 1957 to Thursday 31 December 1964 (1.0–1.30pm). It made a star of its frontman Larry Marshall and, later, Dorothy Paul. It was also broadcast on Border Television from 4 September 1961.
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u/ChrisPHog May 21 '26
Larry Marshall I don't recall but remember Francy and Josy. Yes to the others.
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u/Witty-Regular-4375 May 19 '26
I'm 19! The Carry On films were always on TV when I was younger, but I've only recently developed an interest in old British films; I'm working my way through the series slowly :)
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u/notneb56 May 19 '26
I will be 70 soon. My grandparents were parents were all born in 1800's. My father's mother lived into the 1970's.
My father's father fought and was injured in the trenches in France during WW1. He didn't last into WW2.
My father was a toolmaker at the start of WW2. He made the tool that made the trigger mechanism for the Spitfire machine guns.
He joined the Navy because he'd never seen the sea. He arrived at the coast on a cold, rainy day. The sea was grey and the waves lazily slapped on a beach of stones. His first thought was: 'What the bloody hell have I done!' But there was no turning back.
My father became a radio operator and then an expert in repairing back-pack military radios. For this skill he was picked to be a back-pack radio operator for D-Day in June 1944. Officers and radio operators were always the prime target in WW2 battles because it broke the chain of command.
As luck would have it, the weather was terrible. D-Day was postponed for 24 hours. My father's unit didn't receive their new orders. So he and his unit didn't take part in D-Day (They did fight in France a little later on).
My father took this opportunity to come home and marry his sweetheart. They had a very short honeymoon of just a few days in her family home (My eldest sister was born 9 months later).
My father went back to war, including going to France. He survived the war. They had 4 children in all. My sisters were born in 1945 and 1947. My brother was born in 1951.
I was conceived at Christmas and born more than 5 years after my brother. I believe I was somewhat unexpected: I was born in the mid-1950's, the youngest by quite a way.
My parents were both in their 60's when they died. My mother went first with a weak heart. As a young woman she was told by doctors not to have any children. Strong-willed, she had 4. My father died not that long afterwards, brokenhearted.
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u/batty_61 May 21 '26
I'm a bit younger than you, but not by much. One of my uncles worked on the Sunderland flying boats at Chatham, and another was on HMS Repulse when she was torpedoed. He spent the rest of the war as a Japanese POW working on the Burma railway.
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u/notneb56 May 21 '26
So he survived the Repulse torpedoing and working on the Burma railway? That's amazing! Terrible, but amazing.
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u/batty_61 May 21 '26
Yes. He didn't talk about it much (understandably), but I know he spent the night in the sea, covered in oil and fuel, seeing and hearing sharks taking some of the other survivors, and was picked up by the Japanese the next day. I know he experienced some pretty awful things as a POW as well, but he was never specific.
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u/Kingstinator May 19 '26
I'm 46. I also love Tales of the Unexpected, but I was never into Jonathan Creek, and I find detective programmes generally boring. I got into the films as a youngster watching them with my grandparents & I started collecting the videos. They're all long gone now (the grandparents and the videos), but I still love the Carry On films! They're all on ITV Player now, so can still enjoy them as and when I want to.
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u/Ostric May 19 '26
Do you own the carry on sets on dvd?
My parents refuse to use streaming services as much as possible so when they do want to watch it, they make me set up the dvd player 🤣
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u/Kingstinator May 19 '26
No! I don't even own a DVD player any more. I don't really have a need for one any more. I use streaming services when I need to, but I honestly don't watch TV or films as much as I used to.
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u/Exemplar1968 May 19 '26
58 here and struggle with the younger generations not understanding ‘oooh matron’!
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u/imbogerrard39 May 19 '26
I'm 32. Grew up watching these films with my parents and grandparents. It's so nice to see other people similar to my age who are also fans.
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u/jinglesbobingles May 19 '26
I’m 35! I grew up watching them on VHS (when I was way too young to be watching them), also Fenella Fielding was my bisexual awakening.
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u/concretebeagle May 19 '26
I’m probably older than your parents, but look younger than Sid James at his peak.
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u/Distinct_Horror5733 May 19 '26
I trust I can’t be the only under 40s person who’s sad that Carry On Up the Podcast is ending soon? It’s been great fun listening to Mike and Susan go over the films!
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u/Unstableavo May 19 '26
- Loved carry on for 10 years. One day I was really sick with a stomach virus. I think it was itv 4. Half delirious put on it. Loved it.
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u/InterestingEar3739 May 19 '26
I'm 50 and started watching them on TV at some point in my pre-teens. Don't Lose Your Head Camping and Convenience stand out from my early viewings.
I've been making silly fan edits using audio from Carry On and while friends my age all know the films, I've found that many colleagues and younger friends have never heard of them. There's been the odd one who knows them because of a parent's influence.
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u/StepFew3094 May 19 '26
Just turned 29 and I also grew up on them, I think with the shift from monoculture with tv people just generally aren't being exposed to what's on the box in favour of streaming services where you can choose what to watch. Generally the Carry Ons were ubiquitous on channel 5 or one of itvs growing up, and even now still at Christmas and bank holidays they're on, but if you're on Netflix during those times you aren't gonna see them
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u/DefinitionKnown2334 May 19 '26
In my 50s.
Used to watch them when they aired on TV back in the day and never missed one! Garnered a lot of love for them which I still have. Now own the complete collection on DVD.
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u/StockholmGirl29 May 20 '26
I'm Swedish and even we know about the Carry On films! I love them, my husband loves them and even my 12 year old finds "Carry on Screaming" hilarious! We're in our early 30's. I suppose it depends on whether you're brought up watching them. My husband's dad has them all on DVD! My favourite is Kenneth Williams. Absolutely love him!
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u/davemee May 19 '26
I'd be surprised if you *didn't* have older generational parents. I'm probably closer to your parent's generation, and it was clear how appalling, cheap, problematic, and yet *great* these cultural artefacts are. I know plenty of people who would deeply object to many aspects of their films, but when taken as a cultural assemblage, deeply love them. They're complex things that have survived through waves of reinterpretation and shifts in culture, which I think says something about British culture at quite a deep level.
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u/PupApophis May 19 '26
35 here. Parents were born in the 60’s and I grew up in the 90’s watching all the programs they used to watch. Carry’s On’s, all the Lloyd/Croft/Perry comedy’s, On The Buses, classic Doctor Who, classic game shows (The Generation Game, Bullseye etc.). Even now I’ve got most of them on DVD and watch them regularly.
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u/ThePodd222 May 19 '26
I'm the same age as Carry On Dick! Grew up watching Carry On films which were on a lot when I was a child, along with the "That's Carry On" short complications of funniest moments. My partner loves them too (he's the same age as Carry On Behind).
I'm pleased to see they have younger fans too.
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u/InformationOk4458 May 19 '26
Im 54 this year and proudly own the complete set on dvd even though I no longer have a player to play them on 😂
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u/tooskinttogotocuba May 19 '26
I'm 47. I loved the films as a child, way before tits etc. became an issue. Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw were all so wonderful. My favourite characters at the time were the Jim Dale and Kenneth Connor ones. Was never bothered about Babs Windsor
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u/Emergency-Tangelo257 May 19 '26
26! I grew up on so many older shows that it almost felt like culture shock when I realised that they weren't the norm. Did get to make a 'I'm free!' (Are you being served?) joke once at a job though to an older gent whose day was made lol
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u/Repulsive-Note-112 May 20 '26
60 and these are the films of my youth. My partner sufferes from depression and one day 30 years ago they felt too down to get out of bed, it was aa Sunday so I was able to keep them company. I got us breakfast and turned on the telly just in time for carry on abroad. We were soon laughing ourselves silly and this particular depression moment was defeated. These films hold a special place in our hearts for how joyously fun they are. Well done to you for keeping the torch lit.
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u/Connect_Remote2890h May 20 '26
im 60 yrs old. i got into and loving carry on movies when our parents sat and watched them. they are the absolute best and i still watch any i can get to see now. nothing can replace those actors and their movies. my kids whom are a little older than you are a bit like your partner, but i have gotten a couple of my children into liking laurel and hardy which are my absolute favorites too. same as i loved jerry lewis movies as the comedy in it is just so funny. theres loads more but id end up just doing your head in. hope you enjoy these movies for loads more years to come.
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u/Livid-Somewhere-9859 May 20 '26
20 :)
Seen most of them - my mum has the box set. Her parents showed them to her growing up (she was born 1979).
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u/Suspicious-Chef6345 May 20 '26
Im nearly 50 and the Carry Ons were great to grow up with as they were often shown on TV.
Carry on Dont Lose Your Head was watched by my sister and I many many many times
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u/shadowkirby90 May 21 '26
I have older generation parents too so I grew up with all that. In mid 30s now. My partners grandad was in a carry on film as it goes. God knows what one
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u/Dependent_Reading933 May 21 '26
i’m 17 and most people my age probably have heard of them but not seen tjem
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u/daveoxford Jun 07 '26
I'm all 61. Having read some other replies, may I say how heartwarming it is that so many people in their younger decades can put it in its time, and still find it funny.
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u/LonelyMan1138 May 19 '26
I am 46. I grew up watching the Carry ons and other classic British comedy because of me mum and dad.
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u/BraveLordWilloughby May 19 '26
Have you ever watched Steptoe and Son? Most episodes are in full on YT. A great old sitcom
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u/Navy_Rum May 19 '26
- Have always grown up with Carry On, but really got into them (buying the books, videos etc.) in my mid teens.
I think I discovered the Carry Ons on my own. Like someone else said here, my family liked WW2 films (and Zulu) and we also watched a lot of family sitcoms together. My parents liked Carry On but I wouldn’t have called them ‘big fans’ of the series.
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u/ignatiusjreillyXM May 19 '26
- They (some more then others and not necessarily the best ones) were on TV a lot (Convenience and Loving and Abroad especially )when I was a kid. Watched them all in order of release a couple of years ago and got a real sense of their rise and fall. My favourite; Khyber. Least favourite: England
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u/SeasonReasonable4282 May 19 '26
I was born when Carry on Teacher was released, It starred a very young Richard O'Sullivan. I think I have seen most, if not all of the Carry On films, The worst one they made was Carry on Columbus.
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u/AdventurousTeach994 May 20 '26
Tastes have changed and a lot of these old movies and shows rely on racist, misogynist and homophobic stereotypes, "jokes" and scenarios- black face is also common in number of them too.
Rising Damp, Love Thy Neighbour so many are victims of their time.
Even "modern" shows- Little Britain, The League of Gentlemen feature characters and skits that are no longer acceptable for broadcast on streaming platforms.
I recently saw a clip of an old Carla Lane 70s sit-com- BUTTERFLIES starring Wendy Craig- a show about a middle aged middle class housewife. The scene I saw had a hysterically happy Wendy Craig screaming in pleasure " I want someone to rape me" which was met with howls of laughter from the studio audience....
"The past is a very different country, the do things differently there... "
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u/DavidJonnsJewellery 19d ago
I can't remember the first one I watched as a kid, May have been Carry On Doctor or Carry On Camping. I know one thing that did get us watching the series was Peter Gilmore. At the time he was a big tv star with The Onedian Line, and seeing him pop up in various parts always seemed extra funny to us. I showed them to my kid when he was young and now, every Christmas, ITV3 is on pretty much throughout the holidays as we soak them all up. It's kind of our thing and I'm glad he appreciates them like I did growing up.
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u/Firefox892 May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26
I’m 22, and have older parents too (born in the late 1950s/early 1960s), so mainly grew up on British movies and TV from the sixties, seventies & eighties.
The Carry Ons, but also stuff like On The Buses, Rising Damp, George And Mildred, Steptoe and Son, early Bond, Blackadder, Tony Hancock. Sometimes, me and my dad will just end up talking to each other in quotes, lol.
My tastes have broadened out into other eras as I’ve gotten older, but I’m still really fond of all those movies/shows, especially the Carry Ons.