Carry On Cleo

Dir: Gerald Thomas

1964

***

It's amazing to see how established the Carry On series had become by its tenth outing, Carry On Cleo. They may have had nine films under their belts but this was only the sixth year of the franchise, Gerald Thomas and team averaging around two Carry Ons a year. It's fair to say that the team really struck gold with 1964's Carry on Cleo though. 1963's epic Cleopatra, staring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton is now infamous for being one of the most expensive and troubled films ever made. The film went through many changes and filming was delayed by months. While 20th Century Fox was in turmoil over a ballooning budget, star Elizabeth Taylor became very ill and was rushed to hospital during one day of filming for a tracheotomy. Concerned over her health (and completing the film) 20th Century Fox decided to shut down the London location and rebuilt everything in Rome, where the weather would better suit the actress and the production. 20th Century Fox and Taylor's misfortune were the Carry On team's saving grace as they took over the lavish sets and costumes. Sid James squeezed into Richard Burton's centurion uniform and Amanda Barrie (in her second Carry On appearance) bathed in milk for days on end. Carry On had made the big time. The film looks a million dollars but actually cost a few quid, a new chapter opened for the franchise and they never looked back. It is also the Carry On film that contains, what is undoubtedly, the best line of the thirty-one films and a classic of British comedy. "Infamy...Infamy.....they've all got it in for me!”