BA_Harrison Timid proofreader Ernie (Kenneth Connor) travels with his best pal Syd (Sid James) to Blackshaw Towers on the Yorkshire Moors for the reading of his Uncle Gabriel's will; also present at the reading are Ernie's eccentric relatives (played by Dennis Price, Michael Gwynn, Valerie Taylor, George Woodbridge, and Esma Cannon), plus Gabriel's sexy nurse Linda (Shirley Eaton), creepy butler Fisk (Michael Gough) and sinister solicitor Everett Sloane (Donald Pleasance).As a thunderstorm rages outside, trapping the beneficiaries in the creepy house for the night, someone begins to bump off the visitors in variety of gruesome ways. Will Ernie and Syd make it through the night?As a big fan of both the Carry On series and the 'Old Dark House' horror sub-genre, I was very keen to see What A Carve Up!, which is apparently based on the classic 1933 chiller The Ghoul and features Carry On regulars James and Connor, as well as occasional Carry On players Eaton and Cannon. Sadly, although the film exploits every creepy cliché in the book in an effort to reap the laughs, the film as a whole doesn't deliver, the gags being as creaky as the huge wooden door of Blackshaw Towers. Connor's familiar nervous wimp routine and Sid James's trademark cackle are no substitute for decent jokes, and the whole affair soon becomes rather tiresome.Still, I guess it's no worse than the official Carry On attempt at mixing comedy with horror, Carry On Screaming, which also failed to impress despite the combined talents of Jim Dale, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, Fenella Fielding, Harry. H. Corbett, Charles Hawtry, Peter Butterworth, Jon Pertwee, Bernard Bresslaw and Angela Douglas (but no sign of Sid James or Kenneth Connor—a case of 'once bitten, twice shy', perhaps?).

JohnHowardReid Almost any movie with the super-lovely Shirley Eaton is a good movie, and this one contrives to be both utterly suspenseful and uproariously funny. All the other players also rate as first-class -- even people like Dennis Price and Kenneth Connor who have given some disappointing performances from time to time. Pat Jackson's astute direction rates as the best job he has turned in for quite a while. He handles an especially long take with considerable expertise, while his astute choice of camera angles and set-ups creates an overall atmosphere that achieves an admirable balance between farce and horror.Contemporary audiences also enjoyed the surprise guest appearance of Adam Faith, though I guess this is now badly dated. "Who's Adam Faith?" I hear you asking. Never mind, you'll still enjoy the movie anyway!

misterfarkyharse What is it about these old black and white comedies which makes you want to watch them over and over again? I think that us brits have a real talent for the old spoof/comedy horror and this, in my opinion is the finest.Kenneth Connor plays 'Ernest Broughton', a cowardly proof reader who finds he is a beneficiary to his late Uncle Gabriel's estate. Alongside him is Sid James who plays 'Sidney Butler' , his scheming, but tolerant flatmate. These two are excellent, playing the parts to their strengths as they go to 'Blackshore Towers' for the reading of Gabriels will.The supporting cast of Shirley Eaton, Dennis Price and Esma Cannon are superb, each playing parts which are perfectly suited to their own individual styles, whilst Michael Gough gives a great portrayal of 'Fisk', the sinister old butler. There is also a great performance by Donald Pleasence as 'Everet Sloane' the solicitor acting on behalf of the deceased.If you are a fan of this type of film then you won't be disappointed. It is up there with 'The house in Nightmare Park' and 'The old dark house', only better in my opinion. Sadly though, it is not available on DVD and has been deleted on VHS, but it does crop up on TV occasionally. If you haven't already seen it then keep an eye on your TV guide for it and set the video for, in my opinion, one of the most watchable britcoms of all time.

bob the moo Novel proof reader Ernie is reading horror novels late one night when he has interrupted by a mysterious man claiming to be the lawyer representing Ernie's late uncle who has recently passed on. Ernie and his friend Sid travel up to his uncle's creepy mansion in Yorkshire to attend the reading of the will with the rest of the unhinged family. However a murder occurs within the group and anyone could be the suspect. Ernie and Sid try to avoid joining the body count while working out who is behind the killings.The leads here made me think this would be a Carry On style film a la `Carry on screaming'. However it is more of a gentle spoof than a festival of innuendo and excess. The plot is the story `The Ghoul' rewritten for laughs, and it contains every horror cliché that exists! From the thunderstorm, the power cut right down to the inclusion of Donald Pleasance in the cast! Of course it's never going to be a great film, rather it's clichéd and played for gentle laughs without completely making fun of the material. Instead the story is the same but the characters are made fun of and exaggerated for humour.The two leads are also given reign to make fun and operate outside of the clichés in the story. In fact Sid draws attention to them well and it helped me laugh along with him basically giving a nudge and a wink. James is always strong in the type of role where he gets to play himself and Kenneth Connor does well as the timid jumpy side of the duo.Overall it isn't hilarious rather gently amusing. The plot is all cliché – but then that's the point. Sid James and Kenneth Connor deliver convincingly and do well where other performers may have struggled to be relaxed and enjoyable.