Matrons were in relatively short supply, respectful handshakes out-numbered cheap double entendres and, as far as The Times can ascertain, no one’s bra fell off.

Indeed, yesterday’s celebration of 50 years of Carry on films felt more like a final wolf whistle to a bygone age than the launch of a new chapter.

Half a century since the low-budget farce Carry on Sergeant appeared at the box office, propelling uniquely British end-of-the-pier humour on to the big screen, 300 guests gathered at Pinewood Studios, where it all began.

The reason was two-fold: to honour the franchise that was a stubborn stranger to political correctness, and to announce plans for the first sequel in 16 years – Carry on London.

After 31 films in a series spanning 34 years, another instalment is due for release at the end of the year, despite reservations that modern demand for the Carry on brand of humour died with Bernard Manning.

Ned Hudis, 85, who was screenwriter of the first six films, said: “Not many of us are left. We thought we’d better have the reunion this year. Next year it could have been a séance.”

Actors and production staff, including Peter Rogers, the producer, and Anita Harris, joined 200 hundred fans, each paying £80 for a ticket.

But everyone was aware that those at the centre of the series, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Joan Sims, were absent.

Leslie Phillips, the 84-year-old guest of honour, said: “All my friends have gone. Those wonderful actors. I’ve come in memory of them today.”

Barbara Windsor, one of the most recognisable of the Carry on faces, did not make an appearance. The only evidence of her presence was on a souvenir coaster, being sold for £3.50, featuring a cartoon and the slogan: “I’m used to large cups.”

Mr Hudis was confident that slap-stick humour was still appropriate in a modern age: “You can have grown up, sophisticated comedy. And you can have stupid stuff, like we did. Both can work.”

Peter Rogers, the producer, told The Times he thought the new film would be a success: “All I know is if you were in hospital you would cheer up if you saw a Carry on film. There’s always a place for that sort of humour.”

Stars including Vinnie Jones, Shane Ritchie and Daniella Westbrook have been linked to the project, but casting details have yet to be confirmed. The plot reportedly involves a fleet of limousine drivers taking celebrity clients to the Herberts, a British version of the Oscars.

It will be the first Carry on film sinceCarry on Columbus, the failed attempt to revive the series made 16 years ago.

That starred Julian Clary, Jim Dale, Maureen Lipman and the Carry on veteran June Whitfield and was a critical and commercial failure.

The type cast

Carry On Emmannuelle, 1978, was the first film in the series to be rated AA, barring those under 14 from seeing it. Kenneth Williams, below, who starred in more than 20 Carry On films, entertained troops in the Second World War with his mimicry skills The tag line on the poster for Carry On Henry was: “A Great Guy with his Chopper” Charles Hawtrey, bottom left, star of 21 Carry On films, was an alcoholic who filled his house with brass bedsteads.

Carry On Screaming, a spoof horror film, was voted the 40th greatest comedy film of all time in 2002

Carry on Doctor Who was one of 10 unmade Carry On films. Location scouting had been carried out in London in 1990 but finances fell through

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