Carry On Forever over the Easter Weekend

To round off the special Easter Weekend of Carry On comedies, ITV3 are giving their 2015 documentary Carry On Forever another airing. I loved this three part series when it was first shown and it definitely stands up to repeat viewing. The series was first shown around the time I started this very blog so I have a real soft spot for it.

Carry On Forever, narrated by Martin Clunes, who himself appeared in Carry On Columbus in 1992, tells the story of the Carry On series by running through the original films in chronological order. This makes it a very satisfying experience for us loyal fans and the story is told with love and great affection. The three hours also allows plenty of time to explore the Carry On legacy even it it does gloss over a couple of the films (for my money Carry On Behind deserved much more time in the programme, but I digress).

As well as classic clips, the series features interviews with an impressive roster of actors who appeared in the series, many of whom are taken back either to Pinewood Studios or to locations where they so memorably carried on. Over the course of the three episodes we hear from Jim Dale, Fenella Fielding, Angela Douglas, Amanda Barrie, Shirley Eaton, Liz Fraser, Bernard Cribbins, Sally Geeson, Margaret Nolan, Alexandra Dane, Julian Holloway, Rosalind Knight, Patrick Mower, Georgina Moon, Juliet Mills, Jacki Piper, Anita Harris, June Whitfield, Valerie Leon and original writer Norman Hudis. Interestingly, the series also sees Robin Le Mesurier, Jeremy Connor, James Bresslaw and Tyler Butterworth reflect on the lives and careers of their famous, talented parents. 

For me, the highlights are seeing the stars go back on location. It was amazing to see Fenella return to the building used as her scary mansion house in Carry On Screaming; to see Angela Douglas back in North Wales where Khyber was shot and Liz Fraser return to Pinewood to the studio where she shot Carry On Cruising with Dilys Laye. And my favourite moment? Bernard Cribbins back at Frensham Ponds where scenes for Carry On Jack were filmed, enjoying a surprise reunion with the lovely Juliet Mills, his co-star who he hadn't seen in many years. It was joyful and uplifting and fun. 

So check out Carry On Forever once more on ITV3 over the Easter Weekend. It's on at 10pm on Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday.


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Charles Hawtrey: Funny You Should Ask

 

I love BBC Radio 4 Extra. They broadcast such a brilliant range of classic radio comedy and drama as well as some fantastic new material too. As well as some well-known, loved classics, 4 Extra also turns up some hidden gems and this is one of them - Funny You Should Ask.

Peter Jones tests the knowledge of three comedy experts: Carry on film star Charles Hawtrey, the comedian famed for his catchphase 'You lucky people' Tommy Trinder and composer/conductor Ron Goodwin. 

Featuring questions about the classic British film comedies, Charles Hawtrey reveals his favourite out of the 24 Carry on films which he appeared in. There are also rounds on music in comedy films and childhood. 

Looking at all kinds of comedy, Funny You Should Ask ran for seven series from 1978 to 1982. 

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1981.

Funny You Should Ask will be broadcast this Sunday morning at 8am on BBC Radio 4 Extra. If you miss the broadcast, you'll be able to listen again afterwards here 

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

If they insist on Carrying On...

The recent newspaper stories about a new Carry On film coming to fruition some time in 2017 has generally made me feel very uneasy. As I blogged at the weekend, the film does have the backing of Sid's son and a relative of Gerald Thomas, but surely too much water has gone under the bridge since the heyday of the original series?

As already mentioned, the plan apparently is to cast unknown actors in the new film. I welcome this idea as the original films starred actors who were known by their peers and selective audiences but were by no means big stars before the Carry Ons got going. It would also be positive to see a British comedy film made featuring a host of new, British actors finally getting their break. 

So it's not all bad. Whoever makes the new film, if indeed it does get made, should take notice of where Columbus failed. Let's not have any alternative comedians in this - go for actors who can do comedy first and foremost. Columbus, while still featuring the likes of Bernard Cribbins, Jim Dale and June Whitfield, also sadly neglected many other original supporting actors who could have added some much needed familiarity to proceedings. 

These days, sadly, we have even fewer original Carry On actors around than in 1992 when Columbus set sail from Frensham Ponds. However the wonderful Carry On Forever documentary broadcast earlier this year proved there are still plenty of classy Carry On actors still standing up and taking notice, as Bernard Cribbins put it! So, my plea to whoever makes this new Carry On is this: While times move on and the film should bring something fresh to the traditional formula, some regular nods to the glory days would also be very welcome. I reckon cameo roles could be found for many of the following actors:

Fenella Fielding, Angela Douglas, Bernard Cribbins, Julian Holloway, Richard O'Callaghan, Kenneth Cope, Hugh Futcher, Carol Hawkins, Sally Geeson, Amanda Barrie, LIz Fraser, Sherrie Hewson, Anita Harris, Shirley Eaton, Jim Dale, Patrick Mower, Rosalind Knight, Juliet Mills, Bill Maynard, June Whitfield, Jacki Piper, Valerie Leon, Madeline Smith, Larry Dann, David Kernan and dare I say it...even Barbara Windsor.

Move forward, but don't forget the past! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

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