Trivia / Carry On Constable

• Billing Displacement: Despite playing a tiny role, Shirley Eaton was prominent on the poster when the film was released in America.
• Blooper:
  • When Sergeant Wilkins leaves a crowd of irate men at the reception desk, they all begin to shout. When he returns, they shout the exact same lines from before.
  • When Sergeant Wilkins enters Inspector Mills' office, Sergeant Wilkins' arms are folded. However, in the next shot, they are on the desk.
  • When Sergeant Wilkins goes to check on his constables, the car he gets out of isn't the same one he got into.
  • The licence plate on Sergeant Wilkins and Constable Thurston's police car changes back and forth from "892FPC" to "UUV113".
  • An old lady disappears between shots when Constable Constable investigates the disturbance at number 13.
• Cast the Runner-Up:
  • The vague woman looking for her cat, Fluff, is played by Noël Dyson, who was set to play Joan Hickson's role of Mrs. May.
  • Marianne Stone dubs over Lucy Griffiths in the film but had first been cast as the agitated woman needing to spend a penny, who was later played by Hilda Fenemore.
• Completely Different Title:
  • Hungary: Go on, Policeman!.
• Creator Backlash: Kenneth Williams wasn't a fan of the film and wrote so in his diaries.
  Trade show Carry On Constable, Studio One. 10.30. It was mediocre and tired. I think everyone knew it. On to the Mirabelle for drinks and chatted with Kenneth Connor. He is without doubt the loveliest character of all. Must write him a note, to take it easy. He looked so tired and strained.
• Deleted Role: Paul Cole as a barrow boy.
• Deleted Scene:
  • The BBFC cut several lines they didn't approve of such as a mention of "how to manipulate my truncheon" or an exchange of "Sorry, sir, it slipped out", "Well, tuck it in again!".
  • The Shower Scene had to have its shots reduced.
• DVD Commentary: With Carry On historian Robert Ross talking to Leslie Phillips (Constable Tom Potter).
• Fake Brit:
  • The South African-born Sid James plays the British Sergeant Wilkins.
  • The Australian Esma Cannon plays the British deaf old lady who Constable Benson tries to help cross the road.
• Irony as She Is Cast: Sergeant Wilkins is played by Sid James, who at this point was best known for playing crooks.
• Never Work with Children or Animals: Jeremy Connor was scheduled to run his scooter into Charles Hawtrey but refused because he liked him too much.
• Playing Against Type: Before being cast as Sergeant Wilkins, Sid James was best known for playing shifty criminals or crafty conmen such as in The Lavender Hill Mob and Hancock's Half Hour.
• Real-Life Relative:
  • Kenneth Connor's (Constable Constable) son Jeremy plays Little Willie.
  • Sid James' (Sergeant Wilkins) daughter Sue plays a little girl.
• Throw It In!: A rare, improvised line makes the final cut in the film. This appears when Charles Hawtrey gets out of bed and steps in his chamber pot; it starts rolling around on the floor and he tells it to be quiet.
• Uncredited Role:
  • Anthony Sagar as one of the angry citizens swarming Constable Thurston with complaints in the opening scene.
  • Marianne Stone as the voice of Miss Horton.
• What Could Have Been:
  • While additional writing material was supplied by John Antrobus and Brock Williams, neither of the two had their work included in the film. Antrobus' script later provided the premise for the later Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas film, The Big Job, which also starred Sid James and Joan Sims.
  • The role of Sergeant Wilkins was intended for Ted Ray following his work on Carry On Teacher however, he was unable to commit owing to contractual problems. Chic Murray was also considered before Sid James landed the role.
  • Noël Dyson was initially cast as Mrs. May before Joan Hickson took the role.
  • Marianne Stone was originally cast as the woman trying to find money for a public convenience but became unavailable and was replaced by Hilda Fenemore. Stone later redubbed Lucy Griffiths' performance.
  • Herbert Nelson was cast as a crook but was replaced before filming.
• Working Title: Carry On Copper.

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