...but this time they'll be politically correct

The Carry On film franchise could be revived after 27 years following a trademark battle – but this time the comedies will be ‘politically correct’.

Brian Baker, a friend of original producer Peter Rogers, has spent nine years and £500,000 trying to wrest the right to use the name from holders ITV.

He has now won the rights to market merchandise, which he hopes will raise enough money to finance a new film – the first since Carry On Columbus in 1992.

The broadcaster let the rights to use the Carry On title on some products lapse, but retains the right to use it when it comes to films. However the company has already given 72-year-old Mr Baker a licence to make a movie with that title if he can. 

He said he has three script ready to go, including Carry On London – which was written in 2006 and long been mooted as a comeback film, and  said: ‘This ruling means we can carry out Peter Rogers’s legacy and get everything into gear.

Baker told the Daily Mail: ’We’ll be bringing together a new team of actors with their own idiosyncrasies and personalities for the films. They will be adapted to bring it up to modern times. We’ll have to be a bit more politically correct today.’

ITV said still hold The Carry On trademark with relation to the the classic films, which it will continue to distribute.

A spokesman said: 'ITV has already provided Mr Baker with a licence to use the Carry On trademark for his new films. This was provided in 2016.  We know the British public love Carry On and we welcome working with anyone interested in keeping this much loved brand alive.'

His new bid to hold the Carry On trademark is currently under examination by the IPO.

Published: 29 Jun 2019