Abstract
It is often thought that the Carry On films are simple comedies. Yet, through detailed analysis, they can be revealed to be complex, complicated and compelling in their treatment of such themes as sexuality, gender and class. This chapter examines the importance of men to the Carry On films. The case studies of Sid James, Jim Dale, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams are not biographies. Gerrard sees them as part of a tradition of folktales and their characters, passed down from generation to generation. With detailed analysis, he posits the ideas that these characters were both contained and striving to break free from society’s constraints at a time when masculinity was being questioned.
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Gerrard, S. (2016). Heroes, Rogues and Fools: The Carry On Men. In: The Carry On Films. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52005-0_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52005-0_5
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Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-52004-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-52005-0
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