Generally amusing Carry-On farce with a smaller than usual Carry-On cohort (James, Williams and Connor the only regulars aboard) sees hijinks on the high seas as the crew of a cruise ship encounter zany guests like the imbibing old duck Esme Cannon who can apparently drink anyone under the bar, even Ronnie Stevens who remains permanently submerged in a cocktail binge to mark each destination. Meanwhile Liz Fraser supports Dylis Laye desperately seeking a husband, initially enamoured with James, later settling for the romantic doctor Connor who's smitten by the vivacious blonde (there's a great scene where he serenades the drunken Stevens by mistake).Light, early Carry-On isn't nearly as bawdy as the series later became, with James playing a straight character for a change, while occasional Carry-On alumni Liz Fraser has her chance to impress with a sizeable supporting role showcasing her comic seductions. Good also to see Australian actors Ed Devereaux and Vincent Ball in small roles, while future "Fresh Fields'" Anton Rodgers also appears in the cast.The best scenes include Esme Cannon as the seemingly kindly old lady whose mental alacrity and physical stamina bely her age, while the stern and stoney-faced James cheerfully conceals his inner child as a bystander to the unfolding madness. Williams as usual is a scene-stealer and his jealous exchanges with most of the other characters at some stage throughout the cruise make for rib-tickling humour. If you prefer the more austere Carry-On variety, then your ship's come in with "Cruising".

There was always a whiff of the subversive about the "Carry On" series. Despite the overt sexism and the appallingly non - PC gags which pervade the canon,there is a seam of feminism running throughout that is often overlooked.Few men ever bested Hattie Jacques.The formidable Joan Sims was an opponent worthy of any man's steel.And Barbara Windsor?She seldom got her kit off except on her own terms and with a giggle that let the audience know exactly who was in charge.This seam is effortlessly mined by Miss Dilys Laye,Miss Liz Fraser and the great Miss Esma Cannon in "Carry on Cruising".These women triumph over the bluster of Mr Sid James,the whinnying of Mr Kenneth Williams and the "Phaw" - ing of Mr Kenneth Connor.Brave to be blonded up in competition with Miss Fraser,Miss Laye makes a big impression on her "Carry On" debut.She is not afraid to be aggressive in her pursuit of Mr James(well,it is only a movie..)and her stroppy drunk act is just fine. The more experienced Miss Fraser is nicely disdainful and Miss Cannon gives full vent to her eccentric skills in the finest big screen exposition of her demented spinster persona. With a touch of "The Caine Mutiny" thrown in,there is much enjoyment to be had from "Carry on Cruising",from Kenneth Williams' delusions of grandeur to Kenneth Connors' delusions of adequacy.And,once again,as so often,the girls end up on top.

Over-reliant on crude physical falling about type comedy. Liz Fraser does it best when she "collapses in a dead faint" (she's a big lass). The clowning tends to hide the plot. There is one of sorts: the rookie crew are trying to impress, and the doctor (Ken Connor) is in love with Florence (Dilys Laye), who's hunting a husband in all the wrong places. Keep watching, though, as there are some very funny lines. When Laye throws herself at the captain he growls: "Flo! Ebb a bit!" Kenneth Williams is as brilliant as ever. When the captain calls for the barman, Tree, Williams ripostes something like "Where's Tree? I don't know, but there's a potted palm outside the first class dining room." And when the Captain reads him out a long list of tasks, he breaks into song "and a partriiiiidge in a pear tree - oh, sorry sir." Williams had a good voice and so did Connor (he gets Liz Fraser on his side by serenading the sleeping Laye). It's a shame Connor is so, so, so painfully unfunny. Oddly, Williams thought he was hilarious.

Before the 'Carry On' series had busty Barbara Windsor and more than a subtle touch of the bawdy about it, this funny example took to sea with some of the regulars (the crumpled Sid James, the priceless Kenneth Williams, and boggle-eyed Kenneth Connor). With the wonderful Esma Cannon getting tiddled in the bar, and Lance Percival as a disgustingly inventive cook, it couldn't miss.The best bits by a long way include Connor's clumsy courtship of Liz Fraser; alongside Williams' stilted and self-righteous officer, all nostrils and hardly-hidden indignation. Very funny, as most of the 'Carry Ons' were.