Carry On Collecting!
In 2004/2005 there were plans by a company called 'Product Enterprise' to release a series of 'Carry On' related action figures/dolls based on various notable characters from the films. Sadly, the full set never came to fruition due to lack of demand & poor sales of the pilot figure they released, this being Kenneth Williams as 'Caesar' in 'Carry On Cleo'. This figure comes up occasionally for purchase at online auction sites. The original RRP was £29.99. They have become very scarce due to the line being dropped by the manufacturer & so, in great condition, these can now go for anything between £50.00 up to £200.00+!
There were another three characters planned for the series, had the pilot figure proved popular. Unfortunately, these were never made.
In January 2018 I purchased a copy of the figure myself. The quality of these figures is actually very good. They boast fully articulated limbs & joints, detailed costumes, accessories & very detailed features. He even comes complete with audio quotes from the film!
There were another three characters planned for the series, had the pilot figure proved popular. Unfortunately, these were never made.
In January 2018 I purchased a copy of the figure myself. The quality of these figures is actually very good. They boast fully articulated limbs & joints, detailed costumes, accessories & very detailed features. He even comes complete with audio quotes from the film!
When my figure arrived, I spotted that the artwork was credited to an artist that I knew and had met previously.
I chatted with him about the line and he confirmed that he in fact designed the packaging but not the actual figures. Wanting to find out more about the range & their history I asked if he had any contact details for the people behind the product. Fortunately, he did & so I contacted them to make enquiries into this 'abandoned' line of 'Carry On' merchandise.
They were also able to provide me with pictures of the additional figures that never made it to production. These were: Sid James as 'Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond from 'Carry On Up the Khyber'; Charles Hawtrey as 'Charlie Muggins' from 'Carry On Camping' & Barbara Windsor as 'Nurse May' from 'Carry On Doctor'.
I chatted with him about the line and he confirmed that he in fact designed the packaging but not the actual figures. Wanting to find out more about the range & their history I asked if he had any contact details for the people behind the product. Fortunately, he did & so I contacted them to make enquiries into this 'abandoned' line of 'Carry On' merchandise.
They were also able to provide me with pictures of the additional figures that never made it to production. These were: Sid James as 'Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond from 'Carry On Up the Khyber'; Charles Hawtrey as 'Charlie Muggins' from 'Carry On Camping' & Barbara Windsor as 'Nurse May' from 'Carry On Doctor'.
To my surprise not only were they happy for me to feature these items on this website but they also asked if I knew anyone who would be interested in buying the original prototypes, for not only the figure that was released, but also the remaining unreleased figures. It was an opportunity that I could not pass up! So, after a few more emails the deal was done & I am now proud to own the original prototypes of these figures & I am able to now showcase them here for the first time in over 12 years.
Love them or hate them they are official 'Carry On' merchandise & are great fun!
Left to Right: Kenneth Williams as 'Caesar' in 'Carry On Cleo' (1964) (the only figure to be released); Sid James as 'Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond in 'Carry On Up the Khyber' (1968); Charles Hawtrey as 'Charlie Muggins' in 'Carry On Camping' (1969) & Barbara Windsor as 'Nurse May' in 'Carry On Doctor' (1967).
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