Carry On Voting: Your Favourite Carry On Star!

I have decided to ask probably one of the ultimate questions. Which of the main Carry On team is your favourite? I know this is almost a brutal thing to do to you as we love them all and for many different reasons.

Nonetheless I'm going to go ahead and ask it. As with my previous poll on Carry On supporting actors, you are welcome to vote as many times as you like but do try and keep your answers clean! I will stick to the main team as they are universally known. I'm not including the likes of Jack Douglas, June Whitfield, Terry Scott or Patsy Rowlands. You might not agree with that but there we go! Feel free to tell me so!





The poll will close on Sunday 14 July, so Carry On Voting! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Whatever Happened To ... The Saboteurs?

I've been blogging about some of the less well known but nevertheless still significant actors involved in the Carry On films. When we think of Carry On actors we think of the likes of Kenneth Williams, Sid James or Barbara Windsor. However the films always boasted a wide range of top quality British supporting players who were instantly recognisable but often never got the recognition they deserved. 

So far I've written about Marianne Stone, Esma Cannon, Carol Hawkins, June Jago and Peter Gilmore. Today I'm following the same theme but approaching it in a slightly different way. Perhaps rather ambitiously I'm going to look at what happened to the young actors who made up the "saboteurs" in that classic early Carry On, Carry On Teacher.

The first film Rogers and Thomas made together was a Children's Film Foundation picture called Circus Friends, in 1956. The film makers quickly demonstrated their ability to coax great performances from young actors and this was evident again three years later when Teacher was released. Carry On Teacher was much more like an Ealing comedy or a St Trinian's film than a Carry On but I love it. It features a top notch cast of regular Carry On stars and a terrific guest star in Ted Ray. So what happened to the child actors who starred in this film?

Let's start with the chief saboteur - Richard O'Sullivan, who played Robin Stevens. Richard had the biggest child role in the film and it was the beginning of big things for the young actor. Richard would go on to become one of the ultimate 70s heartthrobs, starring in hit sitcoms Man About The House and Robin's Nest. Earlier in his career he appeared in two Cliff Richard films, The Young Ones and Wonderful Life and also had a role in the opulent epic Cleopatra opposite Elizabeth Taylor, in 1963. Richard more or less retired from public life in 1996 and although he contributed to a DVD commentary for Teacher in 2006, has sadly suffered from ill health in recent years.

Carol White had a supporting role as Sheila Dale in Carry On Teacher. Having previously appeared in Circus Friends for Rogers and Thomas, Carol would become famous for her starring role in the classic Wednesday Play, Cathy Come Home in 1966. The documentary style drama, written by Ken Loach and co-starring Ray Brooks, tackled the issue of homelessness and led to the creation of the charity Shelter. Despite being seen as one of the most promising actors of her generation, White spent her later years in Hollywood battling addiction problems. She died in Florida at the young age of 48 in 1991. As a footnote, Carol's real life sister Jane also had a small role in the film, playing Irene. 

The actor Larry Dann had a minor role as a school boy in the film. He would later return to the Carry Ons for three supporting roles in Behind, England and with his most substantial role in Emmannuelle. Larry went on to play Sergeant Peters in The Bill from 1984 for eight years and still acts in theatre productions today. Paul Cole, who played Atkins, was a prolific child actor, appearing in the likes of Please Turn Over, The Mouse On The Moon and Billy Bunter. He took part, along with Larry Dann and Richard O'Sullivan, in the DVD commentary for Teacher.

Roy Hines played Harry Bird in Teacher. Sadly Roy died at the age of 40 in 1982 having suffered from lung cancer. Roy was the brother of Emmerdale actor Frazer Hines. George Howell appeared as Billy Haig. Howell found success acting in Scottish television productions including Garnock Way, High Road and Strathblair. Diana Beevers played Penelope Lee. Diana continued to act, appearing in the likes of Father Dear Father, Within These Walls and Rumpole of the Bailey. Her last acting credit came in 1990. Finally, Jacqueline Lewis played Pat Gordon. Very little is known about the rest of Jacqueline's career with only three other uncredited performances to her name.

While the majority of these former child actors are still around, it's a shame there's so little information to be found on what they did next. I'd love to find out what paths their lives have taken since their Carry On experience. 

What you may not have realised is that several other well known actors appeared in Teacher in non-speaking extra roles as school children. First up is future Star Wars actor Jeremy Bulloch. Jeremy went on to appear as Boba Fett but has had a long and varied career ranging from the film Summer Holiday to television in the likes of Agony, Doctor Who and The Professionals. He's still acting today. Future Carry On actor Diane Langton also appeared as an extra. Diane would later appear in several episodes of Carry On Laughing in 1975 and Carry On England the following year. A star of many musical theatre productions, Diane continues to act today, currently a regular in Channel Four soap opera, Hollyoaks. 

Also appearing in Teacher are two future Please Sir! actors, Peter Cleall and David Barry. Peter is still around today but gave up acting to run a theatrical agency. Barry meanwhile is now a successful author. Finally, did you know that the very successful actress Francesca Annis made an early screen appearance in Carry On Teacher? Apparently so! I've never spotted her in the film but according to reliable sources she is in some of the crowd scenes. As she began her training at the Corona Academy it is likely she was involved as that's where the production team found most of their young actors for Teacher. 

So there you go, quite a mammoth blog post but I hope you enjoyed it!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Carry On Blogging on Facebook!

As well as interacting with Carry On Blogging on this blog and via Twitter, there is now a Facebook feed you can follow. 

If you use Facebook you can like the page and follow it for updates, links to all the blogs and photos.

The Facebook page can be found here

The Twitter feed is here: @CarryOnJoan

Clicking on the adverts on this website helps keep the blog going.

Pinewood: 80 Years of Movie Magic

This has just flashed up on my television screen and it was too good not to share. Next Saturday, as part of a series looking at British cinema, Jonathan Ross is going behind the scenes as Pinewood Studios celebrates 80 years of film making.

The BBC Media Centre Website has released the following information on what to expect:

In 1935 the original British movie maverick, flour magnate J. Arthur Rank, began work on his greatest dream: a British film studio that would be the best in the world. Eighty years on, Pinewood Studios has become one of the most famous in cinema, the beating heart of the UK’s film industry and an artery that runs through the story of British film heritage.

At the heart of the programme is Jonathan Ross’s exploration of this iconic studio. He tells the story behind some of Britain’s greatest film moments and reveals the magic behind the movies in some special sequences: he even gets behind the wheel himself to attempt an audacious car stunt, learns how to choreograph a musical sequence from The Muppets Most Wanted, before staging an ambitious underwater action sequence in the fabled underwater stage complete with burning wreckage and a damsel in distress! Jonathan will also encounter the ‘Pinewood people’, who have worked there past and present and the stars who helped make Pinewood great.

Barbara Windsor will take Jonathan on a golf buggy tour of the back lots to discover what it was like making classic comedy at Pinewood. Together they explore the exact sites where Barbara did some vigorous exercises for Carry On Camping and see how Heatherden Hall was transformed to a British Raj villa for Carry On Up The Khyber.

Inside the grand Hall itself Dame Joan Collins will reveal the secrets of J Arthur Rank’s determination to discover and nurture young stars as she returns to the very room where legendary publicity photographer Cornel Lucas spent weeks creating her iconic brand.

Jonathan will watch a special screening of Sir John Mills in Great Expectations with none other than his daughter Hayley Mills, who followed in her father’s footstep and began her own acting career as a child at Pinewood in films such as Whistle Down The Wind.

Sounds great, doesn't it? Any excuse to wallow in a bit of British film nostalgia is alright by me. I have always loved Pinewood and hope that some day someone will let me inside for a nosey! Thank goodness the Carry Ons are getting a mention, I'd be shocked and horrified if they had been left out.

One think strikes me as odd though. How come Barbara was willing to be involved in this programme, going back to the site where she famously lost her bikini in Carry On Camping, but decided not to take part in the recent (and wonderful) Carry On Forever documentary over on ITV3? 

Anyway, never mind that. It sounds like an excellent programme and one definitely not to be missed.

Pinewood: 80 Years of Movie Magic will be broadcast next Saturday 6 June at 9pm on BBC2. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Carry On Barbara!

Lots of bits and pieces in the press about Barbara Windsor over the past couple of days, so let's have a look.

First up, Barbara reunited with Carry On co-stars Jim Dale and Fenella Fielding for Jim's one man show, Just Jim Dale. It was the first time Barbara had seen Jim since they made Carry On Again Doctor back in 1969. To commemorate the occasion, Jim and Barbara recreated the famous scene from that film, complete with white doctors coat and bright red love hearts! You can read more about that here.

Next up, Barbara has been quoted talking about plans for a television biopic about her colourful life and career. According to the Daily Mirror Barbara has been in talks with the BBC about a drama covering the major events of her life. No news on who might play Babs if this goes ahead, although she is apparently "gutted" Sheridan Smith has already played Cilla Black. I have absolutely no idea who might play Barbara, any suggestions?

Finally, Barbara has been talking to the Evening Standard about her preparations for taking part in Cancer Research UK's 5k Race For Life. Barbara is running the 5k in London's Regent's Park later today. Well done to her I say!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Carry On Stars Reunited

Just Jim Dale had its Press Night at the Vaudeville Theatre in London on Thursday night and while this glittering evening saw stars such as Kenneth Branagh and Robert Lindsay out to see our Jim, there were also a couple of historic Carry On reunions.

Jim is back in London with his one man show for the next month and last night saw two Carry On stars on the red carpet before heading in to reunite with their former colleague. Carry On legends Barbara Windsor and Fenella Fielding were both in attendance. Oh how I wish I had been there! 

Apparently Jim has not caught up with either of his famous Carry On colleagues since their days together at Pinewood. 

I wonder if any other former Carry On co-stars will pop in to see Jim during his run? 

The Telegraph have a review of the show which you can read here


Photo credit: Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

My Favourite Scene: Carry On Abroad

This is very much a matter of personal preference, but that kind of thing normally sparks an interesting debate! Rather than review each individual Carry On film, I've decided to look at the films and choose my favourite scene from each film. 

I love Carry On Abroad. It is probably the last really great film in the series. It succeeds mainly thanks to a terrific script, a brilliant premise - taking a bunch of English eccentrics off on a package tour - and a belting cast of Carry On favourites all on top form. The film has so many brilliant set pieces it is quite tough to pick out my favourite scene. While I love Kenneth and his exploding switchboard, all the stuff with Peter Butterworth and Hattie Jacques as the harassed hotel owners and the classic scene with Sid and June Whitfield "I tried it once..." I've gone for another lovely scene featuring Sid and Joan Sims.

Sid and Joan were a perfect match on screen. They were partnered together so often in the Carry Ons because they really were believable as husband and wife. It is also clear from their performances that they loved working together and got on like a house on fire. The warmth and affection bounces off the screen unlike any other cinematic coupling. In Abroad they play Vic and Cora Flange, a middle aged married couple who's marriage is under significant strain. For most of the film they are moving further and further apart however eventually the calamitous nature of their weekend away brings them right back together again.

The running gag of there being no windows in their bedroom brings some inspired comedy from Peter Butterworth but it is the climax towards the end of the film that I love more than anything else in the movie. A drunken Sid attempts to open the window and not realising that it has now been fixed goes crashing straight through it! His brilliant line "They've put the bloody glass in!" is met with shrieks of laughter from Joan. The shared laughter of Sid and Joan goes way beyond film performance. They are clearly having a ball and not even a gallon of water tipping down on them in bed can extinguish it! A truly wonderful scene! 

Do you agree? What's your favourite scene in Carry On Abroad? You can relive mine here:

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Carry On Quizzing: Guess the Film!

A quick Carry On related quiz question for you this morning. No prizes for getting it right, it's just for fun. 

Here is an image of the wonderful Joan Sims, taken from one of her many film appearances. Can you tell me which film it is from? Here's a clue, it's not a Carry On. It should be quite an easy one this week, I'm sure you all know the answer!

If you do know the answer, let me know by leaving your comments below. And if you don't know the answer, have a guess!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Carry On, Fenella

I love Fenella Fielding. She is a complete original and as well as being a fantastic actress, she is also a thoroughly lovely person. I have blogged about her before and featured clips and interesting aspects of Fenella's career, however there is always more to discover.

First of all, here is a wonderful sketch from one of Fenella's several appearances with the truly legendary Morecambe and Wise: 

A match made in comedy heaven I'm sure you'll agree! Now Fenella is not just a gifted comedienne and actress, she is also a star of musical theatre. These talents are very much in evidence from this next appearance, from the television programme The Good Old Days. Here Fenella performs a couple of old songs, dressed in period costume of course!

I love discovering these hidden gems, thanks to the internet. They show how talented and diverse many of the classic Carry On performers were. If you have any interesting Carry On finds, do share them with me!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Not Quite A Carry On: The Big Job

I have decided to write about some of the other films Rogers and Thomas made during their prolific careers. Apart from their 31 Carry Ons together, the famous producer/director team also made many other films, particularly during their peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s. I have already blogged about one of my favourites, the sprightly Nurse On Wheels and the big screen version of sitcom favourite, Bless This House. Now I am going to look the classic crime caper, The Big Job.

I love The Big Job. Apparently it was an old script that had been knocking about for some time and Peter Rogers seized upon the opportunity to turn it into a quick release in between Carry Ons. The Big Job was the last of a long run of comedy films Rogers and Thomas made as a side line to the Carry Ons. Released in 1965, it came just as the Carry On films were reaching their peak in popularity. Carry On Cleo had just been released and the glories of Cowboy and Screaming were just around the corner.

Rogers engaged regular Carry On scribe Talbot Rothwell to breathe new life into The Big Job. It is a classic comedy about a bunch of petty criminals who are caught mid bank robbery, put away for a long stretch and come out determined to get their hands on the loot once again. The money was stashed in a tree shortly before the gang were captured by the police and on tracking it down fifteen years later, quickly discover that the intervening years have seen a housing estate spring up around the tree. What's worse is that the tree is now situated in the yard of a police station.

The film basically follows the gang's attempts to get at the money. Of course their pathetic attempts are constantly foiled. There is nothing new in this film but as always with a comedy film from Rogers and Thomas, it is the cast that raises the material into a different league. The Big Job is no exception. Although not an official Carry On, the film features three of the best actors to grace the series in Sid James, Joan Sims and Jim Dale. 

Sid plays the ring leader of the criminal gang, one George Brain. This is perfect casting as Sid had often played characters in both comedy and more serious films that dodged the long arm of the law. Joining him in this instance are regular co-star Lance Percival and that wonderful comedian, Dick Emery. Sadly this is the only film Dick made for Rogers and Thomas which is a great shame. He was a natural for this kind of comedy and I think it would have been great to see him in a Carry On. Also starring is the gorgeous Sylvia Syms as Sid's permanently sidelined girlfriend. For once Sid's character really isn't interested in women. It's the thrill of the loot that's his driving passion here. Syms is great opposite Sid and the others, a real class act.

Of course Sylvia isn't the only Ms S(y)ims in this film. Carry On regular Joan grabs a prime role as predatory landlady Mildred Gamely. The gang lodge with Mildred and her sex kitten daughter, brought to life by future fashion designer Edina Ronay. Edina would work for Rogers and Thomas again the same year when she took the part of Dolores in Carry On Cowboy. She was terrific in Cowboy, her American accent is excellent! Joan eventually gets her claws into Dick (as it were) and reveals herself to be much more of a criminal mastermind than any of the men.

Jim Dale co-stars as another lodger, a local police constable who continually gets on Sid's nerves with his bumbling. Jim has several terrific scenes with Deryck Guyler and the rest of the local policeman's choir. Also appearing are Carry On semi-regulars Wanda Ventham, Michael Ward, Brian Rawlinson and Frank Thornton. 

It might not be high art but I love it. Another cosy comedy film from a bygone era featuring a cast of prime acting talent. Definitely worth a watch if you fancy a burst of classic comedy nostalgia. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going 

Classic Carry On Film Posters

Film posters are big business these days. Many of them go for high sums at auction, particularly if they are associated with a cult film or a well-loved star. The Carry On films are no exception with original posters greatly sought after.

Sadly I'm not lucky enough to own any of the original Carry On artwork but it is something I would dearly love to rectify one day. The Carry On film posters really do capture the essence of the films. Although I prefer some more than others they were always bright, funny and eye catching. They normally featured the chunky, cartoon-like fonts, bright seaside colours and outlandish caricatures of our favourite stars.

So which do you think are the most successful? Well here are a few of my favourites. To begin with I absolutely adore the poster used to promote Carry On Screaming. 

I love how the poster manages to capture the film so well. You have the damsel in distress (Angela Douglas), a lovely shot of the film's guest star Harry H Corbett, Kenneth Williams in full on Orlando Watt mode and best of all, a very buxom, alluring Fenella Fielding in that famous dress!

Another favourite of mine comes from a similar period, Carry On Cleo. The film was released in 1964 in the wake of the infamous big budget Cleopatra and the poster for Cleo shamelessly sends up the poster used for the Elizabeth Taylor epic. 

Instead of Taylor, Richard Burton and Rex Harrison, we get Sid, Kenneth and a winking Amanda Barrie as the sultry Cleo. A nice touch is Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey hiding under the bed! I don't doubt this image got Rogers and Thomas into trouble with the producers of Cleopatra but I think it was worth the bother!

Much later in the series came another classic and another classic poster. Carry On Abroad was released in 1972 and is considered by many people to be the last great film in the series. The poster for Abroad doesn't disappoint.

I love the bright, colourful images on this one and it is good to see most of the main cast get their faces on the poster! I think on the whole these are the most successful caricatures ever to feature on a Carry On poster. I love Sid and Joan laughing away under their umbrella from that wonderful scene. We also get lovely caricatures of Kenneth Connor and June Whitfield, Kenneth Williams, Bernard Bresslaw and Charles Hawtrey amongst others. The glamorous girl in the bikini also bears more than a passing resemblance to Carol Hawkins.

Finally, one of my personal favourites - Carry On Cabby. It is my all time favourite Carry On film and I adore the poster. 

I love the big colourful drawing of Amanda Barrie as Glam Cab driver Anthea, it's a great likeness. Posing on the bonnet of her Ford Cortina, it captures the very heart of the film. I also love the head shots of the principle cast members down the side bar of the poster. It's very 1960s and works a treat.

So those are some of my favourite images? What's your favourite Carry On poster? And do you own any originals?

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Our House

In the early 1960s television was becoming much more accessible in the United Kingdom. With the growing demand for programme content, the advent of the TV sitcom brought many stars of the big screen on to the small screen. As well as early hits such as The Army Game and Sykes, Our House also boasted Carry On connections.

For a start it was scripted by Norman Hudis, the man who put words in the mouths of Carry On actors for the first six films in the series. Our House also boasted a prime cast of early Carry On stars. It featured the likes of Charles Hawtrey, Hattie Jacques, Joan Sims, Norman Rossington and later Bernard Bresslaw. 

Our House was basically an excuse to put lots of exaggerated comedy characters into a big house and have them live together. Nothing wrong with that when the cast reads as above. I admit I've never seen this series before, this is partly due to the fact many episodes have disappeared or been wiped. Thankfully some kind soul has uploaded some of the surviving episodes to YouTube.

So sit back, relax and enjoy some of our favourite Carry On actors on the small screen. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going 

My Favourite Scene: Carry On At Your Convenience

This is very much a matter of personal preference, but that kind of thing normally sparks an interesting debate! Rather than review each individual Carry On film, I've decided to look at the films and choose my favourite scene from each film. 

Let's start off with my one of my favourites, Carry On At Your Convenience. It's a joyous romp from the early 1970s, taking in industrial strife and a glorious works outing to Brighton. Convenience contains just about every classic Carry On cliche going and for the uninitiated it is pretty much the perfect Carry On film to begin with. 

While the second half of the film is pretty fantastic, taking the team back to their spiritual home of Brighton, this isn't where I'm heading for my favourite scene. Yes I love Kenneth and Charles camping about on the prom, Bernard Bresslaw and Margaret Nolan falling foul of the ghost train and Sid's gypsy fortune teller but none of these quite equal the truly wonderful banter in the canteen scene.

While union members Kenneth Cope and Bernard Bresslaw are trying to convince the workers to go out on strike yet again, Joan Sims, Sid James and Richard O'Callaghan indulge in some particularly ripe innuendos. I think it is pretty much Joan's scene. She sparkles and twinkles throughout and clearly relishes the stream of great one liners. Her comic timing is just superb.

So that's my favourite scene from Convenience. And here it is if you want to relive it:

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Kenneth Connor On Song

I have already blogged some classic comedy songs released by our favourite Carry On heroes. We've had tracks from Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw and now...Kenneth Connor!

I love Kenneth Connor. A brilliant comedy actor who graced so many fine films and television shows during his long and varied career. In the early 1960s he was at the top of his game, taking starring roles in many comedy films such as Watch Your Stern, Dentist On The Job and What a Carve Up! 

He also starred in the film this track comes from, Nearly A Nasty Accident. He co-starred with the likes of Jimmy Edwards, Shirley Eaton, Jon Pertwee and Eric Barker. 

As a tie-in with the release of the film, Kenneth recorded the title song and for your delectation, here it is:

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going 

Whatever Happened To ... Peter Gilmore?

I have been running an occasional series of blogs looking at some of the semi-regular actors who appeared in the Carry On films. The Carry Ons always boasted superb casts of experienced comedy actors however some of these faces, while immediately recognisable to us, never quite received the attention they deserved.

So far I have blogged about Esma Cannon, Marianne Stone, Carol Hawkins and June Jago. Today I'm going to focus on another familiar face in the series, Peter Gilmore. Peter starred in eleven Carry On films and yet was rarely seen in anything more than a cameo role. Despite never gaining star status in the series, he still managed to appear in more of the films than Barbara Windsor and clocked up the same number of appearances as regular actor Jim Dale.

Peter Gilmore first appeared in the series in Carry On Cabby in 1963. He played one of the gangsters who hijacked Hattie Jacques and Liz Fraser on their journey to cash in the Glam Cabs takings. Fortunately Sid, Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey were on hand to rescue the girls and take on the crooks! Peter returned to Pinewood later that year to play a pirate opposite Bernard Cribbins and Juliet Mills in Carry On Jack.

We next saw Peter in Carry On Cleo, in a brief role as the galley master in charge of Jim Dale and the other slaves. In Carry On Cowboy the following year he played one of the Rumpo Kid's gang. in Don't Lose Your Head in 1966 Peter had one of his most substantial roles in the series as Citizen Robespierre, sharing several terrific scenes with Kenneth Williams. In Follow That Camel he played Captain Bagshaw in the opening few scenes, while later in 1967 Peter returned to play Henry, one of the ambulance drivers in Doctor. It is this film that provides Peter with one of his most memorable scenes, when Barbara Windsor walks up to him while he is eating a pear...

In Carry On Up The Khyber, Peter Gilmore plays Private Ginger Hale (!) opposite Charles Hawtrey. The following year Gilmore filmed a cameo role opposite Jim Dale and Peter Butterworth in Carry On Again Doctor. Peter made his final appearance in the original run of Carry Ons in Carry On Henry in 1970. He played Francis, King of France and enjoyed several funny scenes with the likes of Sid James, Joan Sims and Barbara Windsor. That was it for Peter and the Carry Ons until Carry On Columbus sailed into view in 1992. Sadly Peter's involvement in the film is a blink and you'll miss it cameo but it was a film that needed all the old faces it could muster.

So apart from Peter's significant contribution to the glorious Carry Ons, what else did he get up to in his career? Having trained at RADA and worked with the George Mitchell Singers, Peter Gilmore is now probably best remembered for his starring role in the BBC costume drama, The Onedin Line. He starred in the series from 1971 until 1980 and focused on the rise of a shipping line company. Although Gilmore often felt typecast in the role of James Onedin, it did bring him notable fame and success.

Away from this television role, Peter appeared in many other British films of the era. These include I've Gotta Horse opposite Billy Fury and Amanda Barrie, Doctor in Clover, The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery, The Jokers and Oh! What A Lovely War. On television he popped up in everything from Doctor Who and Casualty to The Persuaders and Ivanhoe. Sadly ill health reduced his ability to take up acting commitments later in life.

Peter Gilmore was born in Germany in 1931 and grew up in Yorkshire. Leaving school at the age of 14, he knew from an early age that he wanted to act. He was married three times, first to the actress Una Stubbs between 1958-1969, then to actress Jan Waters from 1970 until 1976. He then began a relationship with Onedin Line co-star Anne Stallybrass who he eventually married in 1987. They were married until Peter's sad death at the age of 81 in February 2013.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going 

Carry On Quizzing: Guess the film!

A quick Carry On related quiz question for you this morning. No prizes for getting it right, it's just for fun. 

Here is an image of the one and only Sidney James, taken from one of his many film appearances. Can you tell me which film it is from? Here's a clue, it's not a Carry On. I must admit I didn't know the answer to this as I've never seen this film before. I'm sure many of you have though so it shouldn't be too testing.

If you know the answer, let me know by leaving your comments below. And if you don't know the answer, have a guess!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going

Not Quite A Carry On: Bless This House

I have decided to write about some of the other films Rogers and Thomas made during their prolific careers. Apart from their 31 Carry Ons together, the famous producer/director team also made many other films, particularly during their peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s. I have already blogged about one of my favourites, the sprightly Nurse On Wheels. Now I am going to look at one of their later efforts, Bless This House.

Bless This House, released in 1972, was a big screen spin off feature film of the incredibly popular Thames Television sitcom, starring Sidney James as the family man desperately trying to keep up with his wife and teenage children as the 1970s took hold. Co-starring Diana Coupland, Robin Stewart and Sally Geeson, the series was a ratings smash and probably Sid's most successful small screen outing. It tapped into a more domesticated, relaxed image for Sid and was probably the role most closely aligned to the man himself.

The 1970s saw many sitcoms get the big screen treatment, from Dad's Army and Steptoe and Son to On The Buses and Please Sir, they were all at it. Rogers and Thomas were signed up to capitalise on the immediate success of Bless This House and a film was quickly shot and released in between two Carry Ons, Abroad and Girls. This being the case, Bless This House features a hybrid cast from both these official Carry Ons. It is also interesting as it blends two well known sitcoms together, for moving in next door to Sidney Abbott and family are Terry Scott and June Whitfield, playing the Baines. Scott and Whitfield were already working together on television, however they would begin their own sitcom, Happy Ever After, two years later.

Bless This House fuses together three distinct storylines. One, is the arrival of Sid's new neighbours who he immediately falls out with. Two, the blossoming of a romance between Sid's son and Terry's daughter, causing all kinds of trouble. And three, Sid and Trevor's attempts to make their own booze. So basically what you've got is three sitcom half hours stitched together. Nothing wrong with that really, but for the most part it fails to ignite. I'm not saying it's a bad comedy film, it's just all a bit safe and predictable. Still not too bad for a Sunday afternoon viewing.

While the script might be a bit tired, the cast is terrific. Sid is joined by his television co-stars Diana Coupland, Sally Geeson and Patsy Rowlands (playing next door neighbour Betty). For some reason Betty's husband Trevor, while played by Anthony Jackson for the entire run on television, is played by Carry On regular Peter Butterworth in the film. Not quite sure why this is, but it's always good to see Peter Butterworth and he works well with Sid here. Also missing from the television series is Robin Stewart. For whatever reason, Robin Askwith came on board for the film to bring Sid's son Mike to cinematic life. Askwith would be cast in the next Carry On, Girls, the following year and then would be up and away with the Confessions films. Playing Terry and June's daughter is Carol Hawkins, fresh from Carry On Abroad. Carol of course would return to the Carry On fold three years later for Carry On Behind. 

The supporting cast is littered with familiar faces from the Rogers and Thomas extended Carry On family. We have great cameos from the likes of Bill Maynard, Marianne Stone, Patricia Franklin, Michael Nightingale, Wendy Richard, Molly Weir, Julian Orchard and Frank Thornton. Future Coronation Street regular Johnny Briggs also has a blink and you'll miss it appearance as a tradesman.

Interestingly, Peter Butterworth's real life wife, actress and impressionist Janet Brown, also has a supporting role although sadly I don't think Peter and Janet share any screen time. Also watch out for George A Cooper as a blunt and harassed cafe owner. Cooper would go on to play the janitor in Grange Hill for many years.

The film has loads of slapstick and all the usual cliches. There are domestic squabbles, food fights, and lots of Sid and Terry making fools of themselves while their wives know better. All ends well with a big wedding uniting the two families. If you like easy to watch, undemanding British comedy featuring a host of classy comic performers, Bless This House is definitely for you.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going 

Carry On Blogging on Facebook!

As well as interacting with Carry On Blogging on this blog and via Twitter, there is now a Facebook feed you can follow. 

If you use Facebook you can like the page and follow it for updates, links to all the blogs and photos.

The Facebook page can be found here

The Twitter feed is here: @CarryOnJoan

Clicking on the adverts on this website helps keep the blog going.

Carry On Following!