Carry on Spying (Agent Oooh!) (1964)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(849 ratings)

Britain's long-running (some would say interminable) series of "Carry On" comedies managed to satirize virtually every film genre ever conceived over three decades. Since espionage dramas were hot in 1964, it was inevitable that the unwary world would be treated to Carry On Spying. The "maguffin" in… More Britain's long-running (some would say interminable) series of "Carry On" comedies managed to satirize virtually every film genre ever conceived over three decades. Since espionage dramas were hot in 1964, it was inevitable that the unwary world would be treated to Carry On Spying. The "maguffin" in this yarn is the top-secret Formula X, which has been pilfered by that insidious organization S.T.E.N.C.H. (Society for Total Extinction of Non-Existent Humans). Enter the heroes, the men and women of British Operational Security--better known as B.O.S.H. The good guys are understaffed, thus novice agent Kenneth Williams is put in charge of smashing the evil machinations of Dr. Crow (Judith Furse) and The Fat Man (Eric Pohlmann). The level of wit in Carry on Spying is sustained by the character name of leading lady Barbara Windsor, who plays the delectable Daphne Honeybutt. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Gerald Thomas
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1964 Wide

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Kenneth Williams' brand of camp comedy, while very funny in smallish doses, can pall when he has a lengthy chore as here. But Bernard Cribbins brings some useful virility to his fatuous role.
David Parkinson, Radio Times
Mercilessly ribbing the James Bond movies and Graham Greene's espionage entertainments, the ninth Carry On saw Barbara Windsor make her series debut as the most resourceful of a hamstrung quartet of agents sent to Vienna to recover a secret formula.
, Sky Movies
The pace is faster than before and Kenneth Williams is a hoot as a hapless spy in Vienna.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
One of the bright spots in the Carry On series.
Ian Nathan, Empire Magazine
More sprightly and less encumbered with the need to titillate that would ring-fence the Carry Ons in later life, there is a youthfulness about Spying that still remains fresher than the colour films.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

It's a shame Bernard Cribbins didn't stay with the Carry on franchise, he's one of the best things about this film. I believe this was Barbara Windsor's first Carry on, or at least the first and only one I actually fancied her in.

Cast

            Kenny Williams as Desmond Simkins

            Bernard Cribbins as Harold Crump

            Charles Hawtrey as Charlie Bind

            Barbara Windsor as Daphne Honeybutt

            Eric Pohlmann as The Fat Man

            Eric Barker as Chief

            Dilys Laye as Lila

            Jim Dale as Carstairs

            Richard Wattis as Cobley

            Judith Furse as Dr. Crow

            Victor Maddern as Milchmann

            John Bluthal as Headwaiter

            Patrick Durkin as Guard

            Hugh Futcher as Scrawny Native

            Nora Gordon as Elderly Woman

            Gertan Klauber as Code Clerk

            Derek Sydney as Algerian Agent

            Jack Taylor
            
            Tom Clegg as Doorman

            Bill Cummings as Thug

            Frank Forsyth as Prof. Stark

            Anthony Baird
            
            Renee Houston as Madame

            Norman Mitchell as Native Policeman

            Jill Mai Meredith as Cigarette Girl
See full cast