the red shoes (1948)

"Well, one might call it the poetry of motion perhaps..."
Successful impresario Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook) finds and encourages the young ballerina Victoria Page (Moira Shearer) and the composer Julian Craster (Marius Goring). Then on the brink of superstardom, she marries Julian and earns Lermontov's scorn so leaves. A year later Lermontov meets Vicky again and asks her to come back. His request creates turmoil in her, being torn between his demands and her desire and need to dance.
An ode to the beauty that is ballet, this is a sumptuous film, set around the love lives of people in love with, and driven by music and dance, as much as with each other.

carry on cabby (1963)

"Genuine mammoth, that is...Straight up, it said so on the shop window: "Mammoth fur sale."
Speedee Taxis is owned and run by workaholic Charlie Hawkins (Sid James). When he misses his wedding anniversary, his wife Peggy (Hattie Jacques) decides enough is enough. Fed up with him neglecting her she sets out to teach him a lesson and sets up Glam Cabs. Her company is an immediate hit due to her using brand new cars and employing very attractive girls to drive them. Charlie not knowing who is behind Glam Cabs decides to put them out of business any way he can...
The seventh Carry On, sees the team on a roll producing a solid and entertaining battle of the sexes, with Amanda Barrie and Liz Fraser as the eye pleasers.

carry on nurse (1959)

"It's Matron's round...Mine's a pint!"
Haven Hospital men's ward is in chaos due to a new and formidable Matron (Hattie Jacques). They finally snap and devise a plan to take revenge on Matron. They also hit on a plan to help one patient jump the operation waiting list, by operating on him themselves.
The second Carry on see's the ensemble slowly starting to come together, and the formula of risqué slapstick humour can be glimpsed for the first time, though in a very mild form.

loving you (1957)

"You're going to the top Deke, and you're going alone."
Delivery man Deke Rivers (Elvis Presley) is discovered by Glenda (Lizabeth Scott), the manager of a Country and Western band, and with her devious publicity drive he's soon the taste of Texas. But with fame comes fans, can Deke survive their intrusion into his private life and his wooing of Susan (Dolores Hart), another singer in the band.
A psuedo biographical account of Elvis's rise to fame, and it sets the pattern for all his subsequent films, nice country-boy seeks girl and sings a few tunes on the way.

carry on sergeant (1958)

"Raise your back sight."
The first in the long running series, sees a motley collection of raw recruits called up for national service. They mostly rebel against their tough sergeant (William Hartnell), until they find out they are his last platoon before retiring, and his last wish is to win the Star Squad prize.
A retinue of carry on regulars including Charles Hawtrey, and Kenneth Williams, set the franchise off to a mild start. None of the risqué slapstick that characterised the later films, but with Shirley Eaton as the eye candy.

carry on regardless (1961)

"You shut your cake hole."
Helping Hands is a casual employment agency for people who need a short term employee to help out. They claim to be able to supply someone for any occasion, from taking animals for walks, translators, cleaners or product demonstrators. Unfortunately they only seem to employ incompetents, or the terminal clumsy.
The usual gang from Sid James to Kenneth Williams lead us through a variety of slapstick and risqué comedy routines. Also appearing are Freddie Mills, Fenella Fielding, Nicholas Parsons and Stanley Unwin. Not one of their best, due to its episodic nature, but passable.

colin (2008)

"We're quite safe here."
The everyday story of Colin (Alastair Kirton). Unfortunately this day involves him being bitten by a zombie, with the inevitable happening; he dies and returns from the dead. Colin then wanders the streets of suburban London.
Famous for being made on a budget of £40, this rather episodic film follows various people's reactions to the apocalypse. Unfortunately its rather too languid pace makes the film drag. There are some nice scenes dotted throughout to liven things up, but even these are often over long.