The Star of … Carry On Constable

I have decided to dedicate a new series of blogs to what I consider to be the very best performances in each of the thirty original Carry On films. As ever, it's a purely personal take on these films from yours truly and of course you are welcome to agree or disagree as you see fit! 

Since I started the blog in 2015 I have often championed the underdog or the under appreciated. The Carry On series employed hundreds of cracking comedy actors during their twenty year lifespan and while I've done my best to celebrate as many of them as possible, there is still much to do to preserve their legacy. Some of the actors featured in this new series will be household names and leading lights, others perhaps not so well known. Whoever they are, I hope you enjoy reading about my chosen few.

The first in this series saw me write about my love for Kenneth Connor's role as Horace Strong in Carry On Sergeant and then, moving forward to later in 1958, we focused on Kenneth Williams in Carry On Nurse. My star of Carry On Teacher, released in 1959, was that wonderful character actress Rosalind Knight, playing strict school inspector Felicity Wheeler. Today I'm moving on to a rather momentous film in the long running series, Carry On Constable. 

Filmed in late 1959 and released the following year, Constable continued the familiar Norman Hudis pattern of focussing on a beloved British institution and letting those well known Carry On faces run amok within it. Constable tells the simple story of a group of raw recruits flung into the heart of the action at a London police station after many of the regular officers go down with flu. Given that those bumbling new recruits are Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor and Leslie Phillips and you pretty much know what you're going to get! Add in Charles Hawtrey's effete Special Constable Gorse and you have a right shower (literally). Following on from Teacher, Hudis again makes the most effective characters the women with both Hattie Jacques and Joan Sims playing strong female characters. With a nod to previous efforts, there is a starring role for Sergeant leading man Eric Barker and cameos from the likes of Terence Longdon and Shirley Eaton, bringing some lovely continuity. 

So who is the star of the film for me? Of course, it has to be a debuting Sidney James as Sergeant Frank Wilkins. Sid breezes into the mayhem as only he could. Grabbing the starring role from the off, his top billing position would be held almost continuously across the series until his departure in 1974. While the two Kenneths, Charles and Leslie grab most of the action and the laughs, Sid calmly does his thing and is amazingly assured given he was new to an already established hit comedy series. Sidney just does what he always did and makes it look oh so easy. 

Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas had hoped to sign up Ted Ray's services again following his successful star turn as William Wakefield, head teacher of Maudlin Street School in the previous film, Carry On Teacher. Sadly Ted was signed to a rival company and the good will which allowed him to work for Peter in both Teacher and that under appreciated comedy Please Turn Over, did not extend to making him a Carry On regular. Peter and Gerald then made the inspired decision to hire Sid James and the rest, as they say, is history. Sid was a household name by the late 1950s thanks to over a decade working his way through the ranks of British film, including some classic Ealing comedies and some unforgettable work on radio and television with Tony Hancock. Having already worked with the likes of Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams, it was such a natural fit for Sid to join the Carry On fun.

In Constable, Sid is the authority figure Hudis always needed as calm centre of the film providing the contrast to the high jinks and slapstick going on all around him. Sid was the everyman here, with the audience rooting for him against his superior, the irritatingly suburban and nagging Inspector Mills. At the heart of the film also is the gentle friendship turned romance between Sid's character and Hattie's Sergeant Laura Moon. The pair have such easy chemistry and are a joy to watch. Watching Constable back now, it's hard to believe it's Sid's first outing with the team, it's just so effortless and he gels extremely well with every single member of the gang.

His underplayed disbelief at the superstitious Constable Constable (Connor) is one of the highlights as is his gentle mocking of the supercilious Benson (Williams). I also love his age and experience versus youthful vigour relationship with Leslie's character. It's all funny and yet also believable. One of the joys of Sid's casting is that he was mainly known at that stage for playing slightly dodgy articles on the wrong side of the law and here he is playing a fine upstanding policeman! The about face casting works a treat though as while we all invest in his turn as a copper, it's still clear Sid's Wilkins has still seen plenty of life. His partnership with fellow old timer Cyril Chamberlain is also very natural and enjoyable. 

Sid is relatively subtle and down to earth in this early Carry On role is also a very refreshing turn of events. There are elements of his Hancock persona for sure - after all Peter Rogers would have been daft not to incorporate this most successful of comedy characters - however there is very little of the lusty woman chaser we'd see in the later Talbot Rothwell films. He's positively restrained! There are glimpses of his cheeky side though, particularly when he comes across a ravishing Shirley Eaton about to err with cheeky P.C Potter and once again when he interrupts Kenneth Connor and a scantily clad Dorinda Stevens. There is much more character to Frank Wilkins though than some of Sid's later performances which while always a dream to watch, did become much more formulaic. Which is no fault of the actor by the way.

Sid's earliest Carry On roles are definitely his most interesting for me. He is the authority figure in the next two films too - Regardless, as the boss of Helping Hands and as Captain Crowther in Cruising, which happens to be one of my favourites of all his roles. There is much to enjoy in Constable though and it's easy to see why Sid so quickly became the Carry On lynchpin performer Peter and Gerald were so obviously looking for. 

Constable works so well as the audience gets behind Sid's authoritative yet sympathetic leading character right from the start. The end of the film is also very satisfying as not only is Sid's Frank Wilkins promoted but he also paves the way for a delightful romance with Hattie's Sergeant Moon. The stage was set for many more Carry On adventures for our Sidney and for that reason alone, Mr James is my star of Carry On Constable. The world of Carry On would never be the same again! 



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Carrying On with … The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery!

I've recently written a great deal about some of the other great series of British comedy films, such as the Norman Wisdom comedies and the Doctor films, and how the Carry Ons made an impression in these lovely films. I've now decided to write about another legendary set of films, the St Trinian's films. Set in the fictional unruly all girls private school somewhere in England, the films followed their adventures and those of both the staff of the school, the law enforcers chasing after them and the education department who frequently despaired of what they got up to!

The films featured countless wonderful performances and will always be synonymous with a handful of timeless actors. So without further ado, let's continue on today with a look at the fourth film in the series, The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery from 1966. It was the last of the original run of films, although they would return fourteen years later! 

What's it about?

"Alphonse" Askett is a hairdresser who is also the operational leader of a gang of crooks who are led behind the scenes by an invisible mastermind (voiced by Stratford Johns). He gives instructions to Askett about the robbery, Operation Windfall, using a variety of James Bond-like communications devices—including a converted showerhead.

The crooks hide the loot in Hamingwell Grange, a deserted country mansion, and after waiting for the hue and cry to die down they return to collect the numerous mailbags which contain £2.5 million (the same amount as in the real robbery). However, following a Labour Party election victory, the house has been converted into a new home for St Trinian's School for Girls. The crooks decide to infiltrate the school by sending Askett's delinquent daughters, Lavinia and Marcia Mary, to St Trinian's as pupils, with instructions to case the joint to find a means of recovering the money, secretly, from its hiding place. The crooks' subsequent attempt to retrieve the mailbags on Parents' Day, disguised as caterers, results in a climactic train chase between the robbers and the girls.

A sub-plot is the affair between the headmistress of St Trinian's and the Minister, who uses his influence to corruptly obtain a large government grant for re-housing the school, following the latest fire, thus enabling it to move into the mansion. This angers his staff who are normally Conservatives but who, early in the film, are seen excitedly watching Labour win the election, as they believe St Trinians will be shut down by a Labour government.

Who's in it?

One of the very few original cast members to return for this 1966 series entry was George Cole who once again reprises his role as Flash Harry. Boosting the cast this time around are reliable comedy stars Reg Varney, Dora Bryan and a certain Mr Francis Howerd! 

Carry On faces?

As always, the quality of the extended Carry On cast meant that many were called upon to spruce up other films. Leading the pack here is Frankie Howerd who is top billed a Alphonse. Frankie would appear in Carry On Doctor the following year before returning in 1969 for Up The Jungle and a guest starring role in the TV Carry On Christmas special. Also starring is Carry On original Dora Bryan, in the role of headmistress Amber Spottiswood. Dora played Norah in Carry On Sergeant back in 1958.

Carry On Spying supporting player Richard Wattis reprises his role as Manton Bassett while Spying co-star Eric Barker again plays Culpepper-Brown. Another face from a previous St Trinian's adventure also makes an appearance - future Carry On regular Terry Scott playing yet another policeman.

A whole host of recognisable Carry On faces also appear in smaller, supporting roles. Norman Mitchell (Cabby, Spying, Cleo, Screaming) plays William while Cyril Chamberlain (the first seven Carry Ons) turns up as Maxie. Carry On guest actor Larry Martyn (Convenience & Behind) plays Chips and familiar face Peter Gilmore (a total of eleven Carry On roles) is Butters.  

Two final actors definitely worth a mention. Jean St Clair has a small role as Drunken Dolly (!) - the following year she would play Mrs Smith, Peter Butterworth's grape scoffing wife in Carry On Doctor. And look out for the gorgeous Margaret Nolan as Susie Naphill! Maggie had made her Carry On debut the previous year in Cowboy and would return four years later for a run of films starting with Carry On Henry. 

Did you know? 

Future Carry On Abroad and Bless This House actress Sally Geeson has a small uncredited role in the film as a schoolgirl.

With a career in films dating back to 1936, this film saw Cyril Chamberlain's last credited performance. He did make an uncredited 'bit' appearance in The Yellow Hat released later in 1966 but after that Cyril retired from acting and spent his final years restoring antique furniture.

Several attempts were made to woo Joyce Grenfell back to play Sergeant Ruby Gates one more time but she refused all offers. 

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Carrying On with … Blue Murder at St Trinian's!

I've recently written a great deal about some of the other great series of British comedy films, such as the Norman Wisdom comedies and the Doctor films, and how the Carry Ons made an impression in these lovely films. I've now decided to write about another legendary set of films, the St Trinian's films. Set in the fictional unruly all girls private school somewhere in England, the films followed their adventures and those of both the staff of the school, the law enforcers chasing after them and the education department who frequently despaired of what they got up to!

The films featured countless wonderful performances and will always be synonymous with a handful of timeless actors. So without further ado, let's continue on today with a look at the second film in the series, Blue Murder at St Trinian's from way back in 1957, over sixty years ago!

What's it about?

When the students of St. Trinian's, an all-girl preparatory school, see their school commandeered by police forces, the devilish girls find ways to turn the situation into bedlam. Soon afterward, they cheat their way to a European trip, accompanied by driver Capt. Carlton-Ricketts (Terry-Thomas), where the girls are caught up in a diamond theft. At the same time, "Flash" Harry (George Cole) has been trying to get some of the older girls married to wealthy and powerful men.

Who's in it?

Following on from the success of the first film, The Belles, back in 1954, several familiar faces return to star in this 1957 follow up. George Cole takes the starring role this time as the legendary character Flash Harry. The gorgeous Joyce Grenfell also reprises her role as Sergeant Ruby Gates. 

Alastair Sim, who in many ways stole the show in the first film playing the dual role of Miss Fritton and her brother Clarence, returns as Miss Fritton again however Sim only appears in two scenes.

Adding to the fun is the brilliant Terry-Thomas, in a major starring role as Captain Romney Carlton-Ricketts! And look out for the reliable comedy actor Lionel Jeffries playing Joe Mangan. 

Carry On faces?

The Ministry of Education is represented by three familiar Carry On faces in this film. Carry On Spying spy chiefs Richard Wattis and Eric Barker appear together in the roles of Manton Bassett and Culpepper Brown. Eric would also go on to appear in Carry On Sergeant, Constable and Emmannuelle and contribute the story idea for Carry On Cruising. Carry On Doctor and England guest star Peter Jones also appears in Blue Murder as Prestwick.

Two members of the St Trinian's sixth form are future Carry On ladies too. Future Carry On Nurse and Teacher star Rosalind Knight plays Annabel while Carry On favourite Dilys Laye stars as Bridget Strong. Dilys went on to star in four Carry Ons - Cruising, Spying, Doctor and Camping. 

Playing the briefly seen new St Trinian's headmistress is Judith Furse, although her character, Dame Maud Hackshaw is quickly disposed of! Judith had supporting roles in Carry On Regardless, Cabby and most significantly, as Dr Crow in Carry On Spying. Cyril Chamberlain, a regular face in the first seven Carry Ons, plays an Army Captain. And future Carry On leading player Terry Scott grabs an early film role here as a Police Sergeant.

Finally, two future members of the Carry On Teacher cast appear in small uncredited roles in Blue Murder. Carol White, who played Sheila and Diana Beevers, who played Penelope Lee in Teacher, both play schoolgirls.

Did you know? 

Although having appeared uncredited in three other films, this was the first time Rosalind Knight was officially credited in a major feature film. 

Rosalind would eventually return to the franchise in 1980, graduating from pupil to teacher for The Wildcats of St Trinian's.

Sabrina, at the time a leading model and personality, got high billing in the film despite only briefly appearing and having no dialogue.

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Bernard Bresslaw Stars in The Ugly Duckling this afternoon on Talking Pictures TV!

Talking Pictures TV are once again showing a rather rare curio from the vaults this afternoon. Carry On regular Bernard Bresslaw rarely took a starring role on the big screen and was more often the ensemble player in films such as Too Many Crooks, the Carry Ons and the television series, The Army Game.

In the late1950s, at the height of his Army Game fame, Bernard was much in demand he starred in a spin off feature film named after his Army Game catchphrase, released a number of novelty records and took the lead in a comedy called The Ugly Duckling. The film, a parody of the classic horror tale of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, was directed by Lance Comfort and produced by Michael Carreras for Hammer Films. The script came from Jack Davies and Sid Colin, a long time friend and collaborator of Talbot Rothwell. Colin went on to contribute to Carry On Spying in 1964.

The film tells the story of Henry Jekyll (Bernard Bresslaw) who is a bungling, awkward and socially inept buffoon working in his uncle's pharmacy. One day he discovers an old formula created by his uncle which claims to turn 'a man of timid disposition into a bold, fearless dragon'. He eagerly mixes the formula, takes one drink, and is transformed into the suave, dashing and self-confident Teddy Hyde. Teddy immediately becomes a darling of society and a big hit with the ladies. However he also craves the thrill of becoming a master criminal, and recruits a gang of expert crooks to join him in carrying out a series of daring and ambitious jewel robberies.

The formula wears off, and Teddy changes back into Henry, who is appalled at the crimes committed by his alter ego. Feeling overcome with guilt, he helps the police to round up and capture the robbers who have evaded them for so long.

Starring alongside Bernard are several well known comedy character actors who went on to enliven the Carry Ons. Jon Pertwee co-stars as Victor Jekyll while familiar names such as Richard Wattis, David Lodge, Michael Ward and Cyril Chamberlain also pop up in supporting roles. 

Apparently, the film was not a success when first released, losing money at the box office, which is a bit of a shame. I can't really comment as I haven't seen it yet but I plan to put that right by tuning in to Talking Pictures TV this afternoon at 13.40!

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Carry On Faces in Different Places: The Green Man

Here we go with another in my series of blogs looking at some of the cream of British comedy film making from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Although this blog is all about the Carry Ons, believe it or not, there were some other joyous comedy films made away from Peter Rogers Productions. However, given the quality of the actors Peter employed to make his series, it's no wonder that most of them popped up elsewhere.

So far I've looked at the wonderful 1959 crime caper Too Many Crooks , the 1954 domestic comedy starring Dirk Bogarde, For Better For Worse , the big screen spin off Please Sir! and the wonderful Up Pompeii and the brilliant John Gregson and Diana Dors vehicle, Value for Money. 
  
More recently I blogged about the Sid James and Kenneth Connor comedy horror What A Carve Up! and the the Gordon Jackson drama, Floodtide. 

I've also looked at the Carry On links with the wonderful film I'm All Right Jack

Recently I blogged about the Billy Fury and Amanda Barrie musical film I've Gotta Horse , the classic 1954 school comedy The Belles of St Trinian's and the 1959 romantic comedy from the Betty Box and Ralph Thomas stable, Upstairs and Downstairs. You can also check out my blog on the 1956 drama Lost. 

Today I am going to write about the 1956 black comedy, The Green Man. 

What's it about?

Freelance assassin Hawkins is contracted to blow up Sir Gregory Upshott, a prominent and pompous London businessman. By courting Upshott's spinster secretary, he learns that his target will be taking one of the firm's typists for a weekend at a seaside hotel, the Green Man. Hawkins hides a bomb in a radio, which he plans to leave in the hotel lounge. Finding out his treachery, the secretary comes to his house to confront him but is attacked and left for dead by Hawkin's assistant who, as nobody is in, hides the body next door. 

The body is found by a young vacuum cleaner salesman called Blake who calls there, and he alerts the owner's pretty fiancée Ann. The two are terrified, and when the owner comes home he finds them hiding under the bed. He storms out, but coming back to pick up something he forgot finds Ann on the floor in her underwear, again innocently entangled with Blake. His furious exit creates doubt over the future relationship. Blake and Ann then face another moment of horror as the corpse comes to life and, before collapsing again, tells them Upshott will be blown up that night in the Green Man.

Not knowing what Upshott looks like or what name he will register under, the pair rush there and, obstructed at every turn by the landlord, try to evacuate the place and locate the bomb. Blake has the brainwave that it will be on a timer in the radio, which he throws into the sea seconds before it explodes. Driving back to London, he stops and the two share their first kiss.

Who's in it?

The Green Man stars the terrific trio of Alastair Sim (Hawkins), George Cole (William Blake) and Terry-Thomas (Charles Boughtflower). It really doesn't get better than that! Sim and Cole had worked together many times before, probably most famously in the St Trinian's films. 

Also look out for great performances from Raymond Huntley as Sir Gregory Upshott, Avril Angers as Marigold and Colin Gordon as Reginald Willoughby-Cruft.

Carry On Faces?

Several! The delightful Jill Adams grabs a major supporting role as Ann Vincent. Jill went on to play W.P.C Harrison in Carry On Constable and also popped up in a couple of the Doctor film comedies. The one and only Dora Bryan adds comedy class as Lily at the Green Man Hotel. Two years later Dora would star as Norah in the very first Carry On, Carry On Sergeant.

Quite a few Carry On supporting players also make appearances in the film. Cyril Chamberlain, a regular in the first seven Carry Ons, plays Police Sergeant Bassett who engages in a rather prolonged game of chess with Sim's Hawkins. Carry On Spying actor Richard Wattis pops up paling a Doctor while Willoughby Goddard, seen as a passenger in Carry On Cruising, here plays a Statesman. 

Also, look out for familiar Carry On face Lucy Griffiths (Nurse, Regardless, Doctor, Again Doctor, Behind) as one of the musicians at The Green Man, Annabel.

Did you know?

Future Coronation Street and Dad's Army legend Arthur Lowe makes a small, almost unrecognisable appearance early on in the film as a radio salesman. 

Eileen Moore, playing Sir Gregory's weekend companion Joan, was at the time of filming married to one of the stars of the film, George Cole.

Another future sitcom great, Arthur Brough, appears as the Landlord of The Green Man. Arthur went on to play Mr Grainger in the long running BBC department store comedy, Are You Being Served?

Future Bergerac star (and Carry On Regardless cameo actor) Terence Alexander has a small, uncredited role as a radio announcer.

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Carry On Originals: Cyril Chamberlain

This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life? 

I'm continuing today with an actor who never quite became a household name, despite appearing in countless post-war British films, Cyril Chamberlain. 

Role in Carry On Sergeant: Gun Sergeant

Other Carry On roles: Bert Able in Carry On Nurse; Alf Hudson in Carry On Teacher; Thurston in Carry On Constable; Policeman in Carry On Regardless; Tom Tree in Carry On Cruising and Sarge in Carry On Cabby. 

Other notable film performances: Among Cyril's 160 screen credits are several Doctor films (In the House, At Sea, At Large, In Love) for Betty Box and several other films for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas, including Please Turn Over, as Mr Jones; a Guard in Upstairs and Downstairs (1959); a Porter in Raising The Wind (1961) and Mrs Webb's Teammate in The Iron Maiden (1962).

Best remembered for: Alongside Kenneth Connor, Cyril was a regular presence in first seven Carry On films. 

Did you know?: Apparently Cyril had a small, uncredited part in the 1964 film Carry On Spying however despite repeated screenings I'm yet to spot him!

Following his retirement, Cyril spent his last years indulging his love of antiques and restoring antique furniture.


What happened to him?: Sadly Cyril died at the age of 65 in December 1974. He was married to the actress Lisa Lee and together they had one child. 

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Marianne Stone: Her Carry On Story

 

I was watching the very moving, thought provoking prison drama Yield to the Night the other evening and who should pop up for a brief scene? Yes, Marianne Stone of course. Playing prison matron Richardson in just one scene with leading lady Diana Dors, Marianne utters only one line, but the film probably could not have been made without her involvement.

I just of course, yet Marianne at one point (not sure if she still does) held the record for the most appearances in British film. Over 200 I believe. How much this record had to do with Marianne being married to film critic Peter Noble, I don't know. Marianne Stone was instantly known to cinema goers despite the fact she was never really a star. A hard working character actress, Stone was able to appear in so many films because her parts were usually pretty tiny. 

A friend to the Attenboroughs and Stanley Kubrick, Marianne and Peter hosted famous theatrical parties at their large house in Abbey Road, London. She was well known in the business and respected by her peers yet she was almost always blink and you'll miss her. And then the roles dried up as she approached late middle age in the mid to late 1980s. Which is a shame given how prolific she had been for so long. While she flitted in and out of many films, it is arguable that Marianne really did find her niche in the Carry Ons. She was never one of the main team in those films but Stone still managed to appear in as many of the films as series regular Barbara Windsor.

 

A friend to producer Peter Rogers, Marianne provided reliable continuity for almost the entire run of the Carry Ons, making her first appearance in 1958 and her last in the spring of 1975. As with the majority of her film roles, her parts were usually small but the Carry Ons seemed to still give Marianne more to do. As Mrs Able in Carry On Nurse, she appears in only a couple of scenes yet puts in a very believable performance as the working class wife of patient Bert Able, played by Cyril Chamberlain. In Carry On Constable the following year, Marianne was not seen but still heard. For whatever reason, she overdubbed Lucy Griffiths' character in the short scenes with P.C Leslie Phillips.

Following a break of a few years, Marianne returned for a very brief role as one of the girls in the aptly named DIrty Dicks pub in the first historical Carry On, Carry On Jack in 1963. Engaging in some good natured horseplay with the likes of Juliet Mills, Marianne again played to type. In 1966 Marianne returned to Pinewood for two more historical Carry On epics, first of all in a blink and you'll miss it appearance as Mrs Parker opposite Joan Sims in Carry On Screaming. That September she was back again, this time playing a landlady in an eye-catching scene in which she gains the upper hand over Peter Butterworth's CItizen Bidet! 

 

Marianne had a recurring plot strand in the classic Carry On Doctor in 1967. She played an exasperated mother who visits Jim Dale's Dr Kilmore at various points throughout the film complete with naughty son, beleaguered granddad and a certain chamber pot! Marianne then took a break from the series, for unknown reasons - probably due to demand elsewhere. Stone was back at Pinewood for Peter Rogers Productions in the early 1970s and for probably her best remembered role in the series. In 1971 she joined the gang as Maud, an employee at Boggs' toilet factory. As Chloe Moore's best friend, Marianne again worked with Joan Sims and pops up throughout the film, complete with an appalling laugh to rival Betty Marsden's in Carry On Camping! Marianne got to enjoy a few days filming on location in Brighton with the team and is seen having fun on the dodgems with Geoffrey Hughes at one point!

Sadly, Marianne's next role in the series was cut. This was a fate that affected even the series regulars, with Terry Scott's entire performance disappearing from Carry On At Your Convenience. In Carry On Matron, made later in 1971, Stone played Mrs Putzova, a patient of Dr Prodd's although for whatever reason she was cut from the final print. In 1973 Stone played the very small role of Miss Drew, secretary to the Mayor in Carry On Girls. She joins Kenneth Connor, June Whitfield and Sid James for that very funny, near the knuckle scene in the boardroom at the very start of the film.

Probably my own personal favourite of all Marianne's Carry On roles was in the next film in the series, as Maggie in Carry On Dick. As the fruity old crone, Marianne is barely recognisable and is constantly on the make when providing Kenneth Williams' Desmond Fancy with information on Big Dick Turpin! It's a gloriously comedic performance and she doesn't miss a beat. I always think that role in particular gives us an insight into just what Marianne could do if given the screen time. That role could have been developed into a much bigger part.

 

Stone made her final Carry On contributions the following year, 1975. In Carry On Behind she plays Mrs Rowan, a customer at Fred Ramsden's butchers shop. Marianne shares scenes with fellow legends Windsor Davies, Liz Fraser and Jack Douglas. The same year Marianne made a one off appearance in the ATV Carry On Laughing series. In the episode entitled "The Case of the Screaming Winkles" she is reunited with Kenneth Connor, Joan Sims and Peter Butterworth for her scenes as Madame Petra.This would mark Marianne's very last contribution to the Carry On story.

Marianne Stone was one of those actors who straddled the lines between small part actor and main team player. Along with the likes of Patsy Rowlands, Julian Holloway and Peter Gilmore, she may never have been a true star of the Carry Ons, but surely no fan would deny the importance of her contributions to the films. Without these superb character actors, supporting the leading players, the Carry Ons would not have been the quality comedies they remain to this day.



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Whatever Happened to Susan Beaumont?

 

After enjoying Carry On Nurse today I thought I would write a blog about one of the lesser known actresses to appear in that excellent, classic Carry On film. Susan Beaumont played Nurse Frances James, a supporting role in this, her only film in the series. I confess I only know Susan for this role so had to look her up on the internet to find out a bit more about her. 

Susan's character Frances James appears throughout Nurse, mostly working alongside Ann Firbank's character Sister Helen Lloyd. Mainly on night duty, her character gets mauled at by a sedated Terence Longdon and also has to deal with Cyril Chamberlain's Bert Able when he goes on the rampage without his pyjamas! The joy of Nurse is that many of the nursing staff play it straight and this makes them all the more believable. Writer Norman Hudis included elements of reality in his script, mainly provided by his wife Rita, a nurse in real life. This adds a great deal to the film and balances nicely with the broader comedy provided by the likes of Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey.

Susan Beaumont, who was born in Balham, South London in February 1936, sadly didn't return to Pinewood to work again with the Carry On team. I like her performance in Nurse however I guess the character being quite normal and down to earth would mean perhaps she'd struggle to fit in with later, more outlandish efforts. Of course that wouldn't have happened anyway as Beaumont appears to have left acting by the end of the decade, her last credit coming in 1959. Aged just 23 at the time, it seems an odd decision but I can't find any details on why she left the limelight.

 

Susan was born to parents both involved in the business. Her father, Alfred Black, was a theatre producer and impressario, himself the son of George Black who was also a theatre impressario. George had been the Managing Director of the London Palladium from the late 1920s through until the war years and was even in charge of the Royal Variety Performance for a time. George Black was also the Managing Director of Moss Empires which, for a time made him one of the most important figures in the London theatre scene. 

George Black Senior died in 1945, leaving his business interests in the hands of his two sons - Susan's father Alfred and George Junior. Together, they began to investigate the new medium of television and once independent television came along in the mid-1950s, they were soon producing their own show, Strike A New Note. Billed as a talent show, it didn't last for long however it did see the teaming up of comedy great Arthur Haynes with the living legend that is Nicholas Parsons. Nicholas would continued to play Arthur's straight man for several years to come. Susan's father was also involved in setting up Tyne Tees Television, the regional station which served North East England from early 1959. So Susan came from quite a background!

Susan's mother was the musical comedy actress Roma Beaumont. It was therefore no surprise that young Susan took after her parents and was admitted to the Royal Academic of Dramatic Art (RADA). Despite this big step towards becoming a professionally trained actress, Susan only lasted one term at the prestigious school before leaving to take up a job in a pantomime. What may have seemed a rash decision at the time obviously worked out well for her as Susan was soon working with Norman Wisdom, dancing in a show with him at the London Palladium, the same theatre her grandfather had run twenty years before. From there Susan Beaumont went on to appear in a stage musical called Limelight. At around this time, at the age of just 19, she was spotted and signed up to the famous Rank charm school. A contract player, Susan went on to appear in several films during the 1950s.

Susan at Olympia in 1956

Susan Beaumont's first film credit was as a girl in a dream sequence in the 1955 film comedy The Lyons Abroad, directed by Val Guest and based on the famous, popular radio series. That same year she also had small parts in the film Simon and Laura, starring Peter Finch, Kay Kendall and Muriel Pavlow and an uncredited part in the Norman Wisdom comedy, Man of the Moment. A more substantial part came along the following year when she played Susan Storer in the Frankie Howerd vehicle, Jumping for Joy. The cast of this film included both Joan Hickson and Terence Longdon, actors she would meet again two years later on the set of Carry On Nurse. 

In 1957 Susan co-starred in the romantic drama, High Tide at Noon, which was set in Nova Scotia and starred Michael Craig and Flora Robson. Susan played the part of Kristy. She would work again with Flora Robson and for director Philip Leacock in another drama the following year, Innocent Sinners. In 1958 Beaumont had a starring role in the thriller The Spaniard's Curse and later that same year worked with Carry On Sergeant actor and future Doctor Who William Hartnell in the crime drama On the Run. This film was written by Brian Clemens who would go on to dominate the small screen in the 1960s and 70s with hits such as The Avengers, Thriller and The Professionals. 

Susan with Leslie Phillips in The Man Who Liked Funerals

In January 1959, Susan co-starred with Carry On Nurse colleague Leslie Phillips in the comedy feature, The Man Who Liked Funerals. This film, in which a man attempts to save a condemned youth club by blackmailing the families of the recently deceased (doesn't sound much like a comedy to me!) featured reliable support from the likes of Marianne Stone and Jimmy Thompson. Also in '59, apart from Carry On Nurse that is, came Susan's final two film roles, as Janet Shenley in the crime drama Web of Suspicion (again penned by Brian Clemens) and finally, No Safety Ahead, another crime thriller in which she starred with the infamous Soho legend and Carry On Regardless cameo-maker, Denis Shaw.

Susan only made two known excursions in the blossoming 1950s world of television. She co-starred in a one off play in the Theatre Night strand called Living for Pleasure, in 1958. In this play Susan worked for prolific director William Chappell, a veteran of theatrical revues, and a cast which included Carry On Sergeant star Dora Bryan, Anna Massey's older brother Daniel and George Rose, a close friend of Kenneth Williams in the 1950s and 60s. Susan also made two appearances in the popular series Ivanhoe, which of course starred Sir Roger Moore in the years before he found lasting fame as Simon Templar in The Saint and James Bond.

Roma Beaumont, Susan's actress mother

After No Safety Ahead in 1959, Susan Beaumont quietly retired from acting. As far as I am aware she is still alive at the age of 81. Her mother Roma passed away in 2001 at the age of 87 with Alfred passing away the following year aged 89. You can see Susan's parents as guests on actress Pat Kirkwood's This is Your Life tribute show in 1994 by following this link
and you can read more about Susan's mother Roma's career in her obituary which is available here.

If anyone knows what happened to Susan once she left the acting profession, I'd love to hear from you.




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