Leofwine_draca
CARRY ON MATRON is the fourth and last of the hospital-themed CARRY ON films. It's a must for fans as it assembles a huge number of the series regulars although the sheer quantity of talent involved invariably means that some of the performers only get to shine in a scene or two (I mean you, Charles Hawtrey). The plot is an odd mix of gentle comedy and knockabout crime story, involving a gang of robbers who somewhat unbelievably decide to steal a huge quantity of pills from a maternity ward. Sid James takes a backseat here with an old-fashioned turn as the head of the criminal gang, although his 'Dr Zhivago' gag is a highlight.Elsewhere, the emphasis is on staff rather than patients for a change, although there are some nice roles for the female talent as you'd expect: Joan Sims, Valerie Leon, Madeline Smith, and Margaret Nolan all contribute efficient minor turns. Less impressive is Kenneth Cope in thankfully what was to be his last role in the series; his out of place pratfalls just serve to remind you how classy Jim Dale was in comparison. It's also disappointing that the likes of Kenneth Williams, Patsy Rowlands, and Hattie Jacques have to contend with broader (read: more lowbrow) humour than before, but the quantity of gags and fast pacing means that this is hard to dislike. Kenneth Connor is a real plus.
Spikeopath
The 23rd film in the Carry On series and the fourth (and last) of the medical themed adventures. Sid Carter (Sid James) leads a gang of thieves who plan to break into Finisham Hospital and steal a load of contraceptive pills to sell abroad. But where are they kept? Sid decides to send his son Cyril (Kenneth Cope) in undercover disguised as a nurse...They probably seem like cheap gags now, but much mirth is mined from the scenarios set up by a man undercover as a female nurse. Cue him having to share a room with a foxy babe (Babs Windsor), having to fight off the attentions of the randy Doctor Prodd (a brilliant film stealing Terry Scott) and him getting involved with medical issues he has no idea about (yikes this is a maternity hospital!). Elsewhere Joan Simms portrays a human eating machine that is three weeks over due, while her poor railway worker husband (Kenneth Connor great as always) goes insane in the waiting room. Kenneth Williams is the hypochondriac hospital manager and the wonderful Hattie Jacques gets great scenes in a film thats title and script acknowledges her work in the medical Cary On films.Briskly paced by the ever reliable Gerald Thomas, "Matron" is one of the more likable and funny Carry On entries of the 70s. 7.5/10
m_pratt
This is excellent. The only word to describe this film is excellent.Its a real treat from beginning to end.For those who have not seen this film you haven't lived!!!. Everyone is enjoying themselves in the Finisham maternity hospital. The film has the lot Innudendo gags saucy jokes and all good clean fun!! Sid Bernie Hattie Charlie Kenny Williams and Kenny Connor, Babs as Nurse Susan Ball. Terry Scott Dr Prodd. Joan Sims plays the ever expectant mother. Jacki Piper and Patsy Rowlands are joining in the fun. The film is great along with Doctor the best medical carry on film!!.Patsy has short screen time which is a shame. This was the highlight of the carry on series. A good film for Terry Scott to leave the series from as with Jacki Piper.10/10
BritishFilms1
CONTAINS SPOILERSThis "Carry On" film was made in 1972, when they were considered to be "past it". It is set at Finisham Maternity Hospital where Sid James plans to steal some pills. He is assisted by dumb Bernard Bresslaw, cockney Bill Maynard and Sid' son Kenneth Cope, disguised as a nurse.The hospital staff include Hattie Jacques as Matron, Kenneth Williams as head surgeon Sir Bernard Cutting, Charles Hawtrey as Dr FA Goode, a psychiatrist, Barbara Windsor as the nurse and Terry Scott as lecherous Dr Prodd.There is also a good supporting turn from Joan Sims as an "eating machine" expectant mother who is a month overdue and Kenneth Connor as her fed-up husband.This film ends with Sid's gang getting away and wedding bells for Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams.10 out of 10!
AD
