Borrowing more from the classic George Arliss film Doctor Syn than from the legendary British outlaw Dick Turpin, Carry On Dick has Sid James as Turpin who disguises his himself as the outwardly pious, but randy parson in the English countryside. His exploits in his trade and conquests of womanhood have made him a legend and the government of George III was to put a stop to him.
So who else would you send than Kenneth Williams together with his trusty aide Jack Douglas out to catch him. But James is a wily old fox of an outlaw and who could conceive of the local man of God being the head of outlaws. Naturally Williams looks for local allies and who better than the local parson James to help in his quest for the notorious outlaw.
As we well know the 16th and 17th centuries in Great Britain were one bawdy age the Carry On troupe is certainly bawdy enough to match it. Joan Sims is a riot as the head of a group of struggling French actresses stranded in that part of the world. Great Britain and France were not getting along particularly well at the time, but Sims and her girls speak a universal language to those who listen.
This was Sid James's farewell big screen appearance, the cap of a grand career that started in British music hall. The Carry On films tried to Carry On after he died, but it was definitely no go, they certainly didn't Carry on.
James is the center of this film as well it should be.
