The first few Carry On films are largely variations on a
theme, with well-meaning bumblers wreaking havoc in a variety of jobs. Carry on
Cabby keeps the work based setting, but cuts back on the bumbling to
concentrate on the battle of the sexes.
Charlie Hawkins (Sid James) runs a highly successful cab
firm, and the cab firm runs his life, much to the chagrin of his neglected
other half Peggy (Hattie Jacques). To teach Charlie a lesson, Peggy
clandestinely starts her own business, Glamcabs, employing only sexy young
women as drivers. As Glamcabs starts to poach Charlie's business, he resorts to
sabotage.
This may look like a case of women getting the upper hand,
but, of course, this is a Carry On film, so for the women to fight back they
have to use sexist methods, and the drivers are picked purely on their looks
and legs.
The script is more story driven than later films in the
series, favouring a tone that is warm and innocent rather than the knowing smut
that would follow. There is a focus on relationships, and subtle little
characterisations, such as Charlie helping out ex-army people, a code he sticks
to loyally even if it means employing a hopelessly clumsy halfwit like Pintpot
(Charles Hawtrey)
The end result is a film played straight and realistically
by an excellent cast, and one more grounded in reality, and less cartoonish
than the series would become.
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