Carnaby, M.D. (1966) User Reviews

Acceptable Comic Fluff from the 60's

[BJJManchester · 6/10 · 6 November 2010]

DOCTOR IN CLOVER is another in the series of British "Doctor" films from the books by Richard Gordon.It was of course never meant to be a cinematic masterwork,and in essence is not much different than the "Carry On" series that was running parallel to this at the time,with smut,innuendo and slapstick laid on like a trowel.The plot is basically just a series a loosely connected incidents and sketches surrounding the amorous adventures of would-be Casanova Dr.Gaston Grimsdyke (Leslie Phillips) and his familiar conflicts with chief surgeon Sir Lancelot Spratt (James Robertson Justice).Inevitably the results of such desultory events are very hit and miss,though one or two surprisingly come off quite well and are helped by a cast of venerable British comedy performers (Joan Sims,Eric Barker,Alfie Bass,Bill Kerr,Fenella Fielding,Norman Vaughan,Terry Scott,Harry Fowler,etc.), some featured in mere cameos, but others in more substantial roles.Phillips isn't too bad as the ageing roué, but most plaudits go to the pompously patrician Justice, who provides most of the best moments.And it's also nice to see some amusing diversions from Arthur Haynes, a now mostly and unjustly forgotten comedian whose untimely death in middle age around the time of the film's release robbed the UK of a much loved TV comic performer, with this being a rare but welcome foray on the big screen.As a relative of Phillips also working in the same hospital, John Fraser struggles to make any kind of comic impact, as does German-French actress Elisabeth Ercy, a pretty but entirely vacuous screen presence which makes it all the more inexplicable that Phillips should spend and waste virtually all of the film's running time pursuing her.

The film's highlight is a (fairly) wild party scene, augmented by the addition of laughing gas and Justice losing his inhibitions after being accidentally injected by Phillips with a concoction that gives him the frisky sensation of youth again.These scenes have a certain likability around them,and contain the only real vestiges of warmth that were exchanged between Phillips and Justice in this series, with Spratt even rather charmingly calling Grimsdyke "Grimmy" on several occasions.

Virtually all of the gags and one-liners on show in the film are generic and hackneyed,with some crude slapstick thrown in-between, though as said before, the reliable comic actors featured manage a few decent chuckles helping to disguise the weakness of the story and script, and Justice has the film's best line after the morning after hangover following the party at home from his bed, asserting to Phillips: "I feel like my head's been trepanned by a boat hook!".

DOCTOR IN CLOVER is an undemanding,easy-going time-passer,never reaching any comic heights but a nostalgia fest for those who like occasionally to go back to less PC comic standards like those of the mid-60's, with pleasant sets and photography,and featured songs by the young Kiki Dee as a bonus.

RATING:5 and a half out of 10.

Kiki & Arthur

[richardchatten · 5/10 · 6 December 2020]

Crassly retitled 'Carnaby, M.D.' in the United States; with a couple of songs by Kiki Dee to bring Richard Gordon's creation into the swinging sixties. With Leslie Phillips in the lead the slide of the Doctor films into another 'Carry On' series was complete.

When I first saw this movie in 1976 I was very impressed by the actor who played Tarquin Wendover and was shocked to learn he died the same year it was released (the stay in hospital presumably hadn't done him any good). That marked my introduction to Arthur Haynes; whose presence in this otherwise thoroughly unnecessary film justifies it's existence.

A wannabe Carry On film.

[richieandsam · 6/10 · 6 October 2013]

DOCTOR IN CLOVER

This is an old British comedy that is trying it's best to be a Carry On film, but failing.

The movie is about a doctor, Dr. Grimsdyke, who gets fired from his job as a prison doctor. He gets a job being retrained at a hospital where his cousin works. The problem is, he is looking for love instead on concentrating on his studies. He is a bit of a ladies man, but when he has his heart set on a nurse that is not interested, he will do anything he can to get with her… even if it means screwing over her fiancé.

The film is funny in places, and it does have that classic British comedy feel to it, but the characters were trying too hard to copy the legendary Carry On films. The comedy and the punch lines were very similar to them and the characters even had the same characteristics. The problem is, it just wasn't as funny as the Carry Ons.

There are a few Carry On actors in it though, which makes it feel like one even more. The main character, Dr. Grimsdyke, is played by Leslie Phillips. Leslie has appeared in a couple of Carry On films before making this, but in this he has a lead role which is what I suppose attracted him to it. He did a good job, but unfortunately, he was carrying this film. The rest of the cast seemed like they were not acting in their own style. One of the main patient characters was clearly trying to be Sid James, but failing. Every time he was on the screen you could just see he was imitating Sid. Other Carry On faces that were in this were Joan Sims. Joan played the Matron of the hospital. She did a good job also, but I struggled to see her as the feisty Matron that she was playing. She has a face and personality that is better played as a nice person. Terry Scott also made a short appearance. He was funny. It was s shame that he was not in it that much. James Robertson Justice was a great actor. He was one of my favourite characters in this movie.

Some of the things Dr. Grimsdyke does to get the girl is funny… and very slapstick. They did make me laugh. I was surprised that Leslie didn't say his "ding dong" catchphrase in the film. Seeing as he was playing a ladies man I would have thought they would have put that in the script. But he did say "Hello" in his famous way. J

This film was good, but it would have been better if it was not trying too hard to be something it wasn't. This is the sixth Doctor movie in a series of films… and from what I have heard, the earlier ones are funnier. I will watch them if they are on TV, but I didn't know this was part of a series until I watched it. I do wish that I watched them in order though.

I will give this film 6 out of 10.

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Doctor Jumps The Shark

[david-697 · 30 August 2003]

The sixth movie in the long-running "Doctor" comedy series sees the format begin to show it's age. The series, which had by now ran for over twelve years has now more or less lost it's direction. In place of Dirk Bogarde's Simon Sparrow we have Leslie Phillips,who does his best with a script which abandons the wit of the earlier movies and replaces it with second-rate slapstick.

Once again James Robertson Justice's Lancalot Spratt is the main reason to watch this movie, but the sub-plot (Spratt clashes with Matron Joan Sims, over his pet parrot)is possibly the weakest of the series and JRJ has all too few scenes.

Compared to the Carry On's which were now hitting their peak, this movie seems jaded, lacking laughs as well as looking cheap. It's watchable enough, thanks to the efforts of the cast, but should have been far funnier.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away...

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 24 March 2016]

Doctor in the House was released in 1954 and promptly became the start of a franchise of Brit comedy films. The quality and standard of each film, a total of seven, varies and will always be a subject of debate among fans. Clover, the 6th offering, isn't particularly great, and minus series regular Dirk Bogarde, it is often painted as the runt of the litter. Yet there are some strengths worthy of time spent with the pic to save it from sequel damnation.

Leslie Phillips fronts up as the focal point, he's a randy doctor who as he attempts to go about his fanciful Lothario ways, becomes acutely aware of his advancing years, cue his attempts at looking young. James Robertson Justice is still on hand as the boisterous Sir Lancelot Spratt, while Joan Sims, Fenella Fielding, Arthur Haynes, Shirley Anne Field and John Fraser are filing in for some daft medical shenanigans.

It's a bit "Carry On" lite, at times feeling like it's trying to be more risqué than is possible. Yet Fielding and Haynes are super as strong personality patients, Phillips carries the movie with ease, while Justice cuts lose from the gruff persona - to see him have fun courtesy of a dubious serum plot line. Nobody's idea of a British classic, for sure, but fun enough with a G&T on a Sunday afternoon. 6/10

Breezy Fun

[Barker57 · 7/10 · 30 May 2022]

Having watched this again recently after many years, I was pleasantly surprised. It was silly and good natured with some genuine laughs.

Headed by the generally under rated Leslie Phillips and with some amusing support turns by Fenella Fielding and Arthur Haynes. The latter was said to be a huge radio and TV star of the time, but now almost totally forgotten. Worth noting also the catchy Kiki Dee theme song.

Ok it is formulaic and wouldn't make anyone's greatest film lists, but it left me with a smile on my face and sometimes that is good enough.

Doctor in Coma

[ianlouisiana · 3/10 · 16 December 2006]

Rank's "Doctor" cash cow was,by 1966,in a Persistent Vegetative State. Mr Leslie Phillips - an acquired taste - was playing Dr Gaston Grimsdike as a complete moron,Mr James Robertson Justice's Sir Lancelot Spratt had evolved from a marvellous snarling misanthropic rottweiller to a big fluffy bunny.If that were not bad enough the cast was full of refugees from TV comedy showing off so blatantly you could almost see them saying "Look at me,mum,I'm in a movie". We have come a long way from Mr Richard Gordon's original rather witty and touching creation to the point where Miss Fenella Fielding can say to Mr Arthur Haynes - not a characterisation that sat easily on the big screen - "Will you hold my crutch?",presumably meant to have them rolling in the aisles. And what a waste of Miss Shirley Anne Field.Here we have one of the most talented and refreshing actresses of her era getting less screen time than Mr Roddy Maud - Roxby.Three years before she had totally eclipsed Mr Steve McQueen(no easy task) in "The War Lover" and now Rank gave her a few distinctly unfunny lines and some background appearances in what is a strong contender for one of the longest and least amusing "comedy" scenes in British movies - and goodness me that's a pretty strong field.I refer you to the "hilarious" section fortunately near the end where Mr Phillips empties a cylinder of "laughing gas" during a hospital party and,surprise,surprise,everybody laughs,and laughs,and laughs and laughs.Then they laugh some more.Unfortunately their laughter is not infectious. There is an appearance by a young French actress who obviously somebody thought,wrongly,was on the threshold of a brilliant career.Her ability to act was marginally less than that of Mr Robertson Justice's parrot. Mr John Fraser has quite a big part - yes,I know - that's about the level of the script - and proves beyond doubt that comedy is not his forte. In the absence of the great Miss Hattie Jacques,Miss Joan Sims plays the Matron but she is merely petulant where Miss Jacques would be domineering. Medical comedy is an entertainment staple but it needs to be more than just leering,smutty and scatological."Green Wing" on Channel Four is leering ,smutty and scatological,but it is also sublimely funny and brilliantly acted."Doctor in Clover" hits three out of the five. Unfortunately they are the wrong three.

Usual fare

[Penfold-13 · 7/10 · 28 August 1999]

Once Dirk Bogarde stopped doing the Doctor movies (based on Richard Gordon's autobiographical Doctor In The House series), they declined in quality, but this one wasn't too bad.

Leslie Phillips plays his trademark slightly ageing roue part as Dr Grimsdyke, but as is usual with Doctor films, it's the lesser characters - James Robertson Justice as the eminent surgeon, Joan Sims as Matron, Fenella Fielding as an opera singer who's a patient in the hospital who make this a good example of 50s/60s Britcom.

Not very good, but OK if you like that sort of thing.

Pleasant Addition To The Series

[boblipton · 5/10 · 6 June 2023]

After a stint as a prison doctor, Leslie Phillips returns to eying the lovely nurses under the watchful eye of James Robertson Justice, and the disapproving eye of the new head matron, Joan Sims. Besides lusting after the gorgeous Elizabeth Ercy -- she insists at 36, he's too old -- he hopes to be promoted to take the place of a departing senior staff. So does his cousin, John Fraser.

The sixth of the series that began with DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE shows signs of flagging with its episodic nature and broader comedy. In any case, there are some pleasant smiles available, a cast of comedy professionals that includes half of the regular players of the Carry On films, and it's always fun to watch Justice perform his signature role of Sir Lancelot Sprat.

Silly and a little funny!

[RodrigAndrisan · 6/10 · 6 June 2022]

Shirley Anne Field was a beautiful girl back then. Elizabeth Ercy doesn't look bad either. Joan Sims and Fenella Fielding are the funniest, in fact, the only ones who are funny. Because James Robertson Justice and Leslie Phillips aren't fun at all, not one of them doesn't make me laugh. The funniest scene is at the laughing gas dance party.

Doctor Under The Laughing Gas

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 25 November 2005]

Known in the States as 'Carnaby M.D.', 'In Clover' is my favourite 'Doctor' film, made when '60's London was in full swing. British comedy films were fast losing their box office appeal, with only the 'Carry On's' carrying on, so for the Betty E.Box/Ralph Thomas produced series, it was a case of 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'. Personally, I prefer the Philips 'Doctor' films to the Bogarde ones. The latter always seemed to me uncomfortable in the role of 'Dr.Simon Sparrow', whereas lounge lizard Leslie was in his element. Here he plays 'Dr.Gaston Grimsdyke' ( a different character to the one he played in 1960's 'In Love' ). Following a spell as a prison doctor, Grimsdyke is lured back to his old hospital by none other than the bombastic 'Sir Lancelot Spratt' ( James Robertson Justice ). Hearing that 'Professor Halfbeck' ( Eric Barker ) is soon to move to Canada, Gaston goes after his well-paid job. He faces competition from his good-looking cousin 'Miles' ( John Fraser, doing a passable imitation of Bogarde ). A naive young doctor, 'Lambert Symington' ( Jeremy Lloyd ) asks Grimsdyke for advice on how to court attractive French physiotherapist 'Jeannine Belmont' ( Elisabeth Ercy ). On meeting her, Gaston is so smitten he sets about trying to woo her himself. When she spurns his advances on the grounds of his age, he heads for Carnaby Street in search of a younger, trendier image...

With Nicholas Phipps having relinquished the writing duties, the hunt was on for a new scribe. 'Carry On' author Talbot Rothwell was commissioned, but the result was rejected in favour of a script by veteran British comedy film writer Jack Davies ( Rothwell's work was filmed in 1969 as 'Carry On Again Doctor' ). I think they were right to do so. Davies' script is chock-full of amusing moments, such as the sight of a reinvigorated Grimsdyke prancing about in front of nurses in his trendy new clothes to the sound of John Scott's beat music! There is a fair amount of slapstick, such as a fire extinguisher going out of control, and spraying Spratt's Rolls Royce, and Spratt, Gaston, and bossy 'Matron Sweet' ( the marvellous Joan Sims ) simultaneously falling into a pool.

Also of note are Arthur Haynes ( who died later that year ) as the obdurate patient 'Tarquin Wendover', and gorgeous Fenella Fielding as man-mad ballerina 'Tatiana Rubikoff'. The party scene where everyone goes under the laughing gas has me in fits each time!

Things To Look Out For - Terry Scott as a camp hairdresser.

Other fleeting appearances come from Norman Vaughan, Alfie Bass, Harry Fowler, Ronnie Stevens, American actor Robert Hutton as Hollywood beef-cake 'Rock Stewart', and 'Love Thy Neighbour' star Jack Smethurst as a bewigged pop star.

The series would not return for four years, when 'In Trouble' brought it to a close. Phillips once again starred, but this time as 'Dr.Tony Burke' ( his character from 'In Love' ). The concept also successfully transferred to television, beginning in 1969 with 'In The House' starring Barry Evans as 'Michael Upton'.

Another I.M.D.B. reviewer expresses bemusement as to why the film suddenly goes into reverse at the end. Well, it is a comedy!

Inoffensive forgettable stuff that might fit you for a weekend matinée

[bob the moo · 7 November 2006]

Dr Gaston Grimsdale is working in a prison looking after the prisoners who are sick and keeping off the blocks as a result; it is not a great career but he has settled into it. By chance he bumps into his former tutor Sir Lancelot Spratt who gruffly demands that Grimsdale give up his pathetic excuse for a job and come and learn what a real doctor is supposed to be doing. Grimsdale agrees to join Spratt (did he have a choice?) and finds that his cousin Dr Miles Grimsdyke also works at the hospital.

From the opening title sequence featuring wacky behaviour and simple slapstick it is clear that the Doctor series has decided to throw its weight behind the Carry On series in the hope that it could cash in on its success. The plot is pretty thin and really the only thing approaching a plot is the fact that Grimsdale has come to join the regular hospital staff and instead the aim just seems to be to facilitate as many of the usual scenes as possible. I suppose it does deserve credit for being a year before Carry On Doctor so it isn't like it ripped that film off but in essence the structure is the same with lots of minor scenes and comic threads that only last a short while and draw a few laughs. It isn't anything special at all and I rarely laughed throughout the whole film but it is all quite inoffensive stuff and I was glad that it never fell into crudity or lazy double-entendres.

The performances are of the same standard as the material which is to say that they are perfectly serviceable without ever threatening to be memorable. Phillips was a good addition to the cast in the place of the much less comic Bogarde and he does the best he can with the material. It is a shame that his scenes are all pretty basic and that he isn't as funny as his normal character can often be. Justice is as enjoyable as ever and his delivery is good fun. Fraser is as dull as dishwater and the film wisely keeps him on the sidelines where possible. Sims' Matron works reasonably well in the film even if her character is a bit basic and just what you expect it to be. Turns from Haynes, Field and others are quite good while there are a few cameos along the way.

Overall then this is an inoffensive piece of nonsense. It isn't hilarious but it isn't rubbish either and those looking for gently swinging comedy for a wet weekend might find this to hit the mark; just don't expect much from it other than to be mildly entertained.

The best and worst of the "Doctor" films.

[foz-3 · 4 September 1999]

By this time the Doctor films were using the Carry-On scripts. It's all very familiar and features a lot of Carry-On regulars, including Terry Scott as a gay hairdresser. The series had also lost the edge of the original Bogarde films, this being very much more slapstick. It's nice to see Robertson Justice reprising his role, but his character has now become a parady figure of fun. The popular "swinging sixties" element gets into the film here as there is references to Carnaby Street and girls in mini-skirts, coupled with a repetitive pop tune of the era. Leslie Phillips is good though and settles into the role of a charming, but bungling cad with ease. I would like to know why during the end credits the film suddenly goes into rewind. It strikes me as very odd.