Wednesday 25 May 2016

The A - Z of Carry On Supporting Actors: Alexandra Dane


This is the latest in a brand new series for Carry On Blogging. It might be slightly ambitious, but I'm going to attempt to do a run through the alphabet of some of the more interesting Carry On supporting actors. One of the reasons I set up this blog was to turn the spotlight on some of the lesser known Carry On actors who nevertheless played an important role in the success of the film series. 

Today we continue with the next letter in the alphabet, D and D is for Alexandra Dane. 

Carry On films: Alexandra Dane appeared in five classic Carry On films during her career, mainly in small but very glamorous and eye-catching roles. Her first role in the series was as a rather strident anti-natal instructor opposite Charles Hawtrey in 1967's Carry On Doctor. She returned for the role of Busti in Up The Khyber the following year. Alexandra played "Stout Woman" in Again Doctor in 1969 and Emily in Loving in 1970. After a five year gap, Dane returned for a cameo as a lady in a low cut dress who is the audience of Professor Crump's lecture at the start of Carry On Behind. Watch out for Jeremy Connor's flying ice cream!

 
 
Also appeared in: Alexandra played recurring roles in television series such as Not On your Nellie and The Doctors. She had guest roles in the likes of Hazell, The Saint and No Hiding Place and starred in the sub-Carry On The Ups and Downs of a Handyman in 1975.

Best known for: Probably her most famous and prominent screen role was that of Busti, assistant to Cardew Robinson's Fakir in the classic Carry On Up The Khyber.

Did you know: South Africa born Alexandra set up and ran her own puppet theatre business for years after her peak as an actress in the 1970s and 1980s.

 What are they up to now: Living in London, Alexandra is the widow of Scottish sculptor David McFall. She has two grown up children and likes to spend her time painting and sculpting. She was last seen on screen in the 2015 Carry On Forever documentary, reminiscing alongside fellow Carry On actress Margaret Nolan.

 


Stay tuned for the next entry in my A - Z of Carry On Supporting Actors! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also on Facebook

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