This Carry On film features surprisingly few of the regulars; Bernard Cribbins plays Midshipman Albert Poop-Decker; a naval officer who hasn't passed his training despite being at it for eight years. He finally gets sent to sea when Britain goes to war against Spain. Unfortunately for him he has knocked out by a young woman called Sally who steal his uniform so she can go to sea. This doesn't mean he will miss his boat though as he finds himself press-ganged. Once aboard he tries to explain the situation but comes up against First Officer Howett, an officer who is not impressed with him claiming to be Midshipman Albert Poop-Decker when he is already aboard
of course he is Sally but nobody seems to notice despite the fact that she doesn't look at all masculine! The ship is commanded by the cowardly Captain Fearless who wishes all his crew to be happy; and to that end avoids any conflict with the Spaniards. Howett is not impressed and is determined that something must be done to persuade the captain to leave the ship along
these events leave Fearless; Poop-Decker, Sally and seaman Walter Sweetly afloat in the lifeboat off the Spanish coast. Their journey back to England will lead them to encounter Spaniards, pirates and their former shipmates.
While this is not a classic outing for the Carry On team it is funny enough. The best performance came from Donald Houston as by the book Howett who believes in strict discipline and is willing to take the fight to the enemy; he played the part fairly straight while those around him provided the gags. Kenneth Williams was suitably cowardly and incompetent as the captain and Juliet Mills was fine as the beautiful Sally. With so few of the Carry On regulars in main roles this could almost have been a comedy that just happened to feature a few of the team; it had some good moments though and as it contained less innuendo than most Carry On films can be enjoyed by children with out parents worrying they will be asked to explain some double entendre.
While this is not a classic outing for the Carry On team it is funny enough. The best performance came from Donald Houston as by the book Howett who believes in strict discipline and is willing to take the fight to the enemy; he played the part fairly straight while those around him provided the gags. Kenneth Williams was suitably cowardly and incompetent as the captain and Juliet Mills was fine as the beautiful Sally. With so few of the Carry On regulars in main roles this could almost have been a comedy that just happened to feature a few of the team; it had some good moments though and as it contained less innuendo than most Carry On films can be enjoyed by children with out parents worrying they will be asked to explain some double entendre.