Review of Carry on Dick

Although he has gained almost legendary fame, the highwayman, Dick Turpin (1706-1739), was not actually a romantic figure at all. Just a common thief, without scruples or mercy, who thoroughly deserved to be hanged – and was! However, this film has no relationship to the historical Dick Turpin at all. In fact, it is actually an amusing spoof of Walt Disney's 1963 version of Doctor Syn (starring Patrick McGoohan as the bogus vicar and George Cole as his sexton) – a fact that was not lost on the Disney Organization who managed to delay the movie's U.S.A. release for nearly six months. Sid James has a right royal time in both his characterizations (Dick and the vicar) and is enthusiastically assisted by the petite Barbara Windsor. Kenneth Williams is also in his element as the incompetent captain of the Bow Street Runners, and here he is ably assisted in idiocy by Jack Douglas who had small roles in a few earlier entries, but, given the opportunity, really rises to the occasion in this one. Joan Sims is also on hand with a company of delightful "birds"! All told, this colorful spoof is not half as amusing as Don't Lose Your Head. Too much time is wasted with James in his "serious" identity and Hattie Jacques is a bore – not her fault, it's a boring, superfluous and totally obvious role. Nevertheless, this film is still an absolutely must-see entry for Carry On fans.