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Original poster

What A Carry On!

36 replies

IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 12:46

Just arrived for last weekend with FIL before kids go back to school. FIL happily watching a Carry On film. SIL made such a fuss about how unsuitable it was - I know she has a point but the kids had taken the dog out for a walk and FIL got so upset that he’s turned the TV off completely.
So now he’s in a grump and there’s an atmosphere. I’ve escaped to the kitchen to get the lunch. Kids have bought the dog back muddy and SIL is now cross about that too.
Is it wrong to think an elderly man should be allowed to watch what he wants in his own home? I did say that he wasn’t hurting anyone but SIL is a force once she gets going. So now I’m in bad books as well.

OP posts:
WowzersSchnauzers · 05/01/2024 12:50

What are her reasons? Let me guess - it is "sexist"?

I have just put a spiel on another thread and then unfollowed as I CBA to read any replies with my fed -upness of women shouting "sexism" when in fact they have the power to ignore.

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 12:57

Yes, sexist, outdated, not suitable for children etc.
Apparently I don’t understand as I ‘only’ have boys. She has one of each.

OP posts:
catlovingdoctor · 05/01/2024 13:00

I watched them as a kid and loved them! They're of a different time of course but harmless fun. What a pearl clutcher!

Sera1989 · 05/01/2024 13:07

I'm torn. I also enjoyed these as a kid but they are indeed outdated, objectifying and the men are sometimes quite predatory (spying on women, being very persistent etc.). So on the one hand I think SIL is justified in saying she doesn't want these movies to be on around her or her kids, but on the other hand they are very "of the time" and it sounds like FIL is quite old

I think as long as he is a not a sexist man himself it's fine to watch the movies with no one really around, but if everyone was in the living room I think it would be fair for FIL to wait until a bit later

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 13:10

He was watching it when I arrived and he paused it. SIL and family arrived a bit later and he put it back on when BIL and kids took dog out. Only me, SIL and FIL in the house. He’s 89.

OP posts:
Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 13:11

For context, FIL is dad to BIL and my DH.

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 05/01/2024 13:14

SIL is way OTT

I can see why she might not want her DC watching some of the Carry On films, but they weren't even on the premises! And no, you can't just turn off the telly in your host's house whilst your host is watching something, even if you are related to them.

Then she was cross about the dog - and dealing with mud is indeed infuriating - but she's gone OTT (especially as she's now off with you)

So that's rather left me wondering if there's something else going on in her life that's brought her stress levels to the point where she's just not coping with normal irritations and setbacks at all

Pashazade · 05/01/2024 13:19

Yes they're horribly sexist, but they're very much of their time, I'd tell my children they are what they are but I'm not going to force my host to turn the telly off, slasher flick or true crime documentary (they can get grim) then yes I'd ask for it to be turned off, but she's being an obnoxious guest.

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 13:22

AuntieStella · 05/01/2024 13:14

SIL is way OTT

I can see why she might not want her DC watching some of the Carry On films, but they weren't even on the premises! And no, you can't just turn off the telly in your host's house whilst your host is watching something, even if you are related to them.

Then she was cross about the dog - and dealing with mud is indeed infuriating - but she's gone OTT (especially as she's now off with you)

So that's rather left me wondering if there's something else going on in her life that's brought her stress levels to the point where she's just not coping with normal irritations and setbacks at all

To be fair, she is always like this. DH calls her ‘Mother Superior’ (not to her face!) because she always has to be better than everyone else. Her kids have to be the best, her house has to be spotless, new car ever year etc. Endless FB posts with kid’s celebrating some success with balloons. I’m always looked down on because I’ve been married before and MIL died before I was part of the family so I never knew her.

OP posts:
March2024baby · 05/01/2024 13:23

I think your SIL is being a little bit precious. Yeah they are cringey things I am definitely glad things have moved on in the world in terms of the sexism but really it's ok to expose children to things from a different era. It's even a teachable moment isn't it because you can laugh at how much things have changed?

The one that I can't stand is 'On the Buses' similar bawdy humour but I'd argue it's worse. I always used to have a go at my dad for putting it on when I was younger. But...really it's no big thing. There are many other things you can expose children to to counteract this stuff and it's not like it's really explicit or disturbing in any way - just stupid!

NooNakedJacuzziness · 05/01/2024 13:26

Is she worried her kids are going to start saying "oohhh MATRON" and laughing like Sid James? Although that could be fun.

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 13:36

NooNakedJacuzziness · 05/01/2024 13:26

Is she worried her kids are going to start saying "oohhh MATRON" and laughing like Sid James? Although that could be fun.

😂
Text DH at work to let him know that we are off to a good start. He’s trying to see how many Carry On references he can drop into the conversation this evening. I’m not sure that’s going to be helpful…

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 05/01/2024 14:01

Your DH sounds like a star, and I recommend Up The Khyber for setting an example of conduct over a difficult dinner
(not one for DC to see though)

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 14:06

AuntieStella · 05/01/2024 14:01

Your DH sounds like a star, and I recommend Up The Khyber for setting an example of conduct over a difficult dinner
(not one for DC to see though)

DH just loves to stir! Not always helpful. Not sure which Carry On film it was, one of the hospital ones I think.

OP posts:
Persephonegoddess · 05/01/2024 14:18

Actually I think they vary from funny outdated nonsense to issues of consent and sexual abuse in 'carry on loving'
I watched them as a child and whilst they are harmless there are a few which need to be edited or just not shown anymore.
She may feel strongly and cannot impose this on someone else, she can request her children do not watch them. But it is up to her to remove her kids not turn it off

NooNakedJacuzziness · 05/01/2024 14:22

Which one was he watching? The early ones are fairly harmless.

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 14:23

NooNakedJacuzziness · 05/01/2024 14:22

Which one was he watching? The early ones are fairly harmless.

One of the hospital ones. A man was dressed as a nurse and sharing a room with Barbara Windsor.

OP posts:
NooNakedJacuzziness · 05/01/2024 14:49

You could point out that her kids are going to see far worse than Babs Windsor's norks once they're on the Internet

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 15:02

NooNakedJacuzziness · 05/01/2024 14:49

You could point out that her kids are going to see far worse than Babs Windsor's norks once they're on the Internet

Oh good lord no! I don’t want to get her started on the perils of the internet! It’s difficult because my eldest (mine but not DH’s, though he’s been dad for almost all his life) is 15 and the other 3 are 9-11, so a biggish gap. My teen spends a fair amount of time on his phone and she’s paranoid that he will leave it around and her DC will pick it up and be exposed to something nefarious. Most of the time I check his phone and it’s just the most dull conversations with his mates.

OP posts:
MargaretThursday · 05/01/2024 15:17

Carry on don't lose your head was our favourite when the children were small. They used to love the Carry ons.

I remember one time we were on holiday and we switched the TV on and it announced "Carry on Camping" (I think) followed by "Warnings of nudity". Ds (aged about 4 or 5yo) was very quiet all the way through and at the end he piped up with "I didn't see any kings..." turned out he thought it said "nobility". When this had been explained he said rather crossly "I didn't see any naked people either."

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 15:21

FIL is now watching My Fair Lady, which has been deemed as safe. Rex Harrison just referred to women as ‘jags’ so that might be off in a minute too.

OP posts:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 05/01/2024 15:49

I had one on in the background the other day.Carry on Matron I think it was.Smutty double entendres galore.
Didn't bother me went right over ds 9 head.

Pashazade · 05/01/2024 16:20

Dear Lord she thinks My Fair Lady is safe?! At least the Carry on films are up front about their attitude to women. I mean I love My Fair Lady but egalitarian it isn't!

Original poster
IncognitoUsername · 05/01/2024 16:30

Pashazade · 05/01/2024 16:20

Dear Lord she thinks My Fair Lady is safe?! At least the Carry on films are up front about their attitude to women. I mean I love My Fair Lady but egalitarian it isn't!

I know - only just realised this! I don’t think I’ve seen it all the way through before, although I knew the music. Does she end up with him? Why?!

Ironically SILs favourite programme is Eastenders. Murder and violence are obviously ok!

OP posts:
TheThingIsYeah · 05/01/2024 16:41

The later ones were a bit more bawdy but still a good laugh. A lot of the innuendo would sail over a kids head.

Carry on Camping probably my favourite. They remind me of a time when people seemed to - I dunno - enjoy life? Beanos to the seaside, kiss-me-quick hats, a few beers etc