An Alternative Auld Lang Syne

As the year draws to a close, it seems fitting to make my final blog post of 2015 a Carry On take on a classic tradition. Being a proud Scotsman, I'm a big fan of the work of Robert Burns. I'm an even greater fan of the work of Kenneth Williams, and in this clip we see the two worlds collide, with a little help from one of my fellow countrymen, the late great Gordon Jackson.

I love Kenneth's Audience With show, filmed towards the end of 1982. It is Williams at his finest - a sublime raconteur holding a celebrity audience in rapture with a series of beautifully delivered anecdotes and tales from his colourful life and career. It's a real classic. One of the highlights is this musical diversion that wrapped the whole show up at the end. Kenneth had performed this reworking of Auld Lang Syne on other shows but I think this is the definitive version. He credits Gordon Jackson for helping create this mini masterpiece but I'm not sure if that's true or not!

It doesn't matter, it's just a hilarious comedy number packed full of wonderful Kenneth Williams touches and brilliant comic timing. It may not be the traditional Scottish song, but Kenny's version entertains me a great deal more than the original!

So take it away Kenneth and a Happy New Year to you all!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan

Happy Hogmanay from Carry On Blogging!

The end of the year is nigh! And what a year it has been. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year of Carry On Blogging, it has been wonderful to write about my favourite series of films and to interact with so many fellow fans.

I have lots of lovely blogs planned for 2016 and I hope you'll stay with me to enjoy them. For now though, it's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a right good knees up this New Year's Eve. So how will you be celebrating?

Perhaps you'll be enjoying a little drinkie?

Or maybe you're off to a party with friends?

Maybe you are popping down the local pub to see the new year in with friends?

Or perhaps just a quiet night in in front of the telly?

Whatever you are up to this hogmanay, stay safe, enjoy yourself and don't forget to ....

... CARRY ON!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan

Jim Dale at the London Palladium

Here's a lovely treat from way back in 1990. Carry On star and all round entertainer Jim Dale performed quite a complicated, highly skilled routine as part of a tribute to the late musical hall entertainer Lupino Lane.

Lupino Lane was a famous actor and theatre star who made his name in the play and the film of Me and My Girl, which popularised The Lambeth Walk. Jim of course would have a huge success in the same play during his career. 

Stretching the Carry On link even further, Lupino Lane's son, the comedian Lauri Lupino Lane went on to appear in the slapstick finale of Carry On Loving in 1970. He also starred in a similar sequence in the infamous Confessions from a Holiday Camp seven years later.

Anyway, back to Jim. This clip demonstrates his wonderful versatility as an actor, a comedy performer and a star of musicals. Although this is from twenty five years ago, much of what Jim does here, he replicated during his recent one man show, Just Jim Dale, in the West End. He's quite clearly still got it at 80!

Anyway, enjoy the clip!

Carry On!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Dame Babs

Well, it's official. The BBC are reporting this morning that Barbara Windsor is to be made a Dame. This story was leaked back on Boxing Day and I reported here on the blog the suggestion that Barbara  would be honoured shortly after. 

So what do we all think? The honour is for Barbara's charity work as well as her role in the entertainment industry over the last fifty years. I always admire famous faces who devote their time to charity and good deeds so I can't fault her there. Barbara obviously has causes she cares about so it's right this is highlighted.

She is also a grafter, working hard for decades in an unforgiving and sometimes harsh industry. Dear Barbara has made the most of what she has and we must respect her for that. She's taken plenty of knocks over the years but has always bounced back. From early successes at Joan Littlewood's Stratford East to those infamous Carry On roles and then years in the doldrums before EastEnders came along, Barbara's career has been as varied and colourful as her private life.

Many of the tabloids have used this news to dig up old stories about Barbara's past and her life off screen. I guess that's what newspapers do and while I do have my own opinions on that side of things, that's not for now. I think we should toast Dame Barbara today and wish her all the best. 

I wonder what Kenneth Williams would make of all this?

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Whatever Happened To ... Gail Grainger?

As 2015 comes to an end, I have decided to look back at this, the first year of Carry On Blogging. So here we have what has proven to be the most popular of all the blogs I've written and published this year...


So many of the actors who appeared in the Carry On films are well known to us. Their lives have been well documented both on screen and off. While we always love hearing about them, sometimes it can feel a bit repetitive or that we are collectively raking over old coals.

I want to start an occasional series of blog posts looking at some of the lesser known actors who appeared in Carry On films. Sometimes we will know a fair amount about them but for whatever reason they have not garnered much publicity. Others will be a complete mystery. 

I want to start off with one actress who is a legendary Carry On mystery and someone a lot of fans often ponder: Gail Grainger. 

Gail Grainger only appeared in one Carry On film, Carry On Abroad, which was made and released in 1972. Although only a supporting role, Miss Plunkett was quite a memorable one and a part that seemed to strike a chord with the audience. Gail played Moira Plunkett, assistant to Kenneth Williams, the WundaTours representative who accompanied a party of holidaymakers to the island of Elsbells for a long weekend they would never forget. During the course of the film, Miss Plunkett becomes romantically involved with Williams' character, Stuart Farquhar. "Miss Plunkett! You are squashing my itenary!" The old ones are the best.

I have no idea how Gail Grainger came to be cast in her solo Carry On appearance but I think she did a good job and wonder why she did not feature in any more films in the series. It feels like a role meant for Valerie Leon who perhaps was already committed to another project. Anyway, I liked Gail in the role. So what about other aspects of Miss Grainger's career?

Leslie Phillips' 2006 memoir references Gail Grainger several times. Not only did she appear in his short-lived BBC television series Casanova '73, she also joined the star in several theatrical tours, namely a stage version of The Avengers and a tour of the play The Man Most Likely To, both in the early 1970s. Infuriatingly, even though Leslie mentions Gail several times in his book, no further light is shed on her whereabouts or what she is up to today. 

Gail Grainger made several appearances on television and in film during the mid to late 1970s. She played George Carter's girlfriend in an episode of The Sweeney, played Leonard's estranged wife in an episode of Butterflies and turned up in the Diane Keen comedy series Rings On Their Fingers in 1980. However after 1980 she appears to have quit acting and retired from the spotlight. She has never made any appearances at Carry On functions or been interviewed about her time making Carry On Abroad. As she was born around 1950, we'd hope she would still be alive and well. 

The DVD audio commentary for Carry On Abroad was recorded in 2002 and featured Sally Geeson, Carol Hawkins, David Kernan and John Clive. During their lively conversation, Gail was mentioned with those taking part asking what might have happened to her. Sadly, nobody seems to know.

If anyone does know anything more about Gail Grainger, her career or what she might be up to these days, get in touch as I'd love to hear from you. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Carry On Blogging Review of 2015

So we've reached the end of yet another year! I'm no fan of New Year's Eve (or Hogmanay as it's known where I come from) but this time of the year is a time for taking stock so I thought I would do a little blog post looking back at the first year in the life of Carry On Blogging.

March

As I said when I first started this blog at the end of March, "I've been tweeting about the Carry On films for nearly a year now and while I've loved sharing photos, clips and opinions with all my lovely followers, I felt it was time to expand on 140 characters with some proper blogs. So here we go." And 500 blogs later here we are! I had no idea where this would go but I've loved every minute and I still do. 

April

This month brought us the much heralded Carry On Forever documentary on ITV3. Each of the three parts were an absolute joy as we strolled down memory lane, revisited old clips, old stories and locations where the magic happened. It was also fantastic to see so many familiar Carry On actors involved. From Julian Holloway and Rosalind Knight to Juliet Mills, Margaret Nolan and Amanda Barrie, it really was one treat after another. I blogged reviews of each part of Carry On Forever and it really helped to kick start Carry On Blogging.

In April I also did a countdown of my top ten favourite Carry On films of all time, with the content and indeed the winner slightly controversial! 

I also started a regular blog post looking at some of the lesser known but instantly familiar supporting actors who graced so many Carry Ons - Whatever Happened To ... So far I have written about the likes of Esma Cannon, Carol Hawkins, Gail Grainger, Peter Gilmore and Michael Nightingale. Watch out for a blog on Betty Marsden early in the new year...

June

This month was all about Jim Dale. The male juvenile lead of eleven Carry On films was in town with his one man show, Just Jim Dale. I went along to the Vaudeville Theatre in London to see for myself. It was a privilege to review the show for Carry On Blogging and absolutely wonderful to see the multi-talented Mr Dale take us through his long and distinguished career. Happy memories. 

I also started one of my most popular blog strands in June when I began posting blogs featuring some Carry On fans who are regular readers of my blog. The Carry On Fan of The Week feature will hopefully continue to run into 2016.

July

In July I published the first ever guest blog post on Carry On Blogging, thanks to The History Usherette. It was a glorious trip down memory lane focussing on the Carry On films that dealt with holidays and trips abroad. Since then I have featured several more lovely guest blogs and I hope you will all write some more for me in 2016!

August

In August I had a bit of a blog exclusive! I got a sneak preview of a new short film starring the wonderful John Challis and Cleo herself, Amanda Barrie. The film, Tea For Two, has been written and directed by Mark Brennan and is a joint venture between Pork Chop Pictures and Mini Productions. I was intrigued at the prospect of the film, which tells the tale of a retired couple who run a tea shop in an idyllic English village. As the film progresses, their behaviour becomes increasingly ... interesting! 

After I blogged about Tea For Two, Mark Brennan very kindly tweeted me and offered me the chance to view the film, which as yet, is not available to the general public. It was an honour to watch Tea for Two and I'm extremely grateful to Mark for sharing his fine work with me. 

September

The highlight of September was undoubtedly a trip to my first ever film convention. I wasn't disappointed either as I got to meet two Carry On legends - the gorgeous Amanda Barrie and Anita Harris. Both ladies were extremely kind and warm and helped make the day a memorable one. I can't wait to attend more conventions in the new year!

November

November brought a celebration of all things June Whitfield as we marked the milestone of her 90th birthday. I launched a poll to find out what your favourite June Whitfield role was and blogged about the good lady herself. I also asked why on earth she was yet to be made Dame June Whitfield. 

I also entered the blog for the UK Blog Awards which is very exciting! Although Carry On Blogging is very young and quite small, I thought it was worth a go. You can vote for me in the Arts and Culture section from next month. More details to follow!

December

 

This month has been suitably festive. As well as featuring a daily countdown to Christmas with photos from some of the classic Carry On Christmas television specials, I have written reviews on some of the Thames shows, blogged about Carry On stars past and present in panto and kept you all up to date with the Carry On films being shown on the telly over the festive season. 

It has been a great few months for me. I have loved writing in more detail about the Carry On films and engaging with so many fellow fans on social media. Since March this blog has received over 70,000 page views and my Twitter page now has over 3,000 followers. So a big thank you to everyone who has been so supportive. 

Carry On!


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Cracking Cribbins!

As we are celebrating the wonderful Bernard Cribbins' birthday today, here's another chance to read my blog from earlier this year on the great man himself. Enjoy!

I've just listened to the audio commentary for Carry On Jack. I often neglect this film as it's not really a true Carry On as we know them today. It lacks the majority of the regular team members and the innuendos are fairly few and far between.

However I've come to quite enjoy it. For a start it's a wonderfully made film with some great sequences and terrific acting performances from the likes of Juliet Mills, Donald Houston and Percy Herbert. Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey are both in top form and actually playing characters, rather than the cliches they became in later pictures.

I also love Bernard Cribbins as the bumbling leading man. Although Bernard only appeared in two of the original run of films (Jack and Spying) I think he was an excellent addition to the series. He takes over from where Kenneth Connor left off and does well with his material. He's also quite physical in the same way as Jim Dale would be in later films. Bernard is also incredibly entertaining in both his Carry On audio commentaries, forming a truly delicious double act with the late, great Dilys Laye on the commentary for Spying. 

This made me realise just how fab Bernard is and how many classic projects he's been involved with over the years. There's his association with Doctor Who - both in classic 1960s film and much more recently in the revamped BBC series. He's been in Coronation Street as Wally Bannister (paired with the wonderful Maggie Jones as Blanche). He's worked with Peter Sellers in the classic comedy film Too Way Stretch and Barbara Windsor in Crooks in Cloisters. Bernard has made comedy records with the legendary producer George Martin. He's starred opposite Ursula Andress in the Hammer film She and Dinah Sheridan and Jenny Agutter in The Railway Children. He also famously played the deeply irritating Mr Hutchinson in Fawlty Towers. He has even worked with Alfred Hitchcock in the film Frenzy in 1972.

And who can forget his long association with two classic children's television series: The Wombles between 1973-75 and over one hundred appearances on Jackanory between 1966 and 1991, making him the record holder for most appearances. 

Bernard is just one of those famous faces who has been a constant in so many of our lives and means so many things to different generations. Thankfully he's still going strong at the grand old age of 86. Isn't it time it was Sir Bernard Cribbins though?

What do you think?

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Happy Birthday Bernard Cribbins!

Many happy returns to that legend of British comedy, Bernard Cribbins, who celebrates his birthday today. What a joy it is to see Bernard still going strong after all these years.

To us Carry On fans, Bernard will always be remembered for his starring roles in two early 1960s Carry Ons, Jack and Spying. He returned to Pinewood for Columbus in 1992 but not even Cribbins could help that ship sail!

The Carry Ons are only a minute part of Bernard's career, which dates back to the 1950s. He is a legend in children's television, having been a part of both The Wombles and also a prolific storyteller on one of my favourite shows, Jackanory. He has appeared in countless plays and many superb films including Two Way Stretch, She, the Dr Who film Daleks: Invasion Earth, The Railway Children and Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy.

On television, Bernard has appeared in everything from The Avengers and Fawlty Towers to Coronation Street, Last of The Summer Wine and Worzel Gummidge. 

And he even dabbled as a pop star in the 1960s:

Whatever Bernard is up to today, I hope he has a smashing birthday!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

My Holiday Guilty Pleasures

As it's the Christmas holidays, I've treated myself to a few bargain basement guilty pleasures thanks to a well known online retailer. There are quite a few "classic" British comedies I've never seen and I've decided now is the time to put that right. So I've stumped up a few pennies and ordered some forgotten films featuring some well known faces.

First on my hit list is the only Doctor film I've never seen, Doctor in Love from 1960. Starring that dish of the era Michael Craig, it also features a host of familiar Carry On faces including Leslie Phillips, Irene Handl, Liz Fraser, Joan Sims and Fenella Fielding. It also boasts supporting turns from the likes of James Robertson Justice, Joan Hickson, Cyril Chamberlain, Sheila Hancock and Rosalind Knight. You surely can't go wrong with a cast like that! 

Next in my shopping basket came the Peter Rogers / Gerald Thomas / Norman Hudis collaboration from 1959: Please Turn Over. This film tells the story of a sleepy English town which is caught up in scandal when a young woman writes a steamy novel! Based on the play Book of the Month, this film stars a host of favourites including Ted Ray, Leslie Phillips, Joan Sims, Dilys Laye, Joan Hickson, Charles Hawtrey and Victor Maddern. I've always heard good things about this hidden gem so I can't wait to see it for myself.

Another forgotten gem is the television sitcom Our House. Also written by Carry On scribe Norman Hudis, this early comedy series from 1960 stars Hattie Jacques, Joan Sims, Norman Rossington and Charles Hawtrey. The basic plot sees several very different, colourful characters in a house share. Sadly many episodes from the original series are lost however the remaining few have been released on DVD and I am looking forward to checking it out.

Finally, probably the guiltiest of guilty pleasures is the Ray Cooney farce Not Now, Comrade from 1976. A loose follow up to the 1973 film Not Now, Darling, this low brow farce tells the story of a Russian ballet dancer who plans to defect to the west with the help of a stripper and a Triumph Stag. I have a feeling this will be so bad it's good but it does feature a plum cast which includes Leslie Phillips, Carol Hawkins, June Whitfield, Ian Lavender, Windsor Davies and Roy Kinnear. Hopefully these classic comedy performers will make this one more than watchable!

My plan is to watch them all with a critical eye and then review each title for the blog in the new year. So stay tuned for my verdicts! 


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

I want to hear from you in 2016!

I love interacting with fellow Carry On fans on social media. Pretty much right from the start of this blog I have involved fellow fans in some of my posts and this is something I'd like to continue in 2016. 

As Peter Butterworth was keen to point out in Carry On Abroad, you have choices!! Whether you want to tell me about your favourite Carry On actor or actress, you'd like to be a fan of the week or you would like to submit a guest blog, do get in touch!

Tell me who your favourite Carry On actor is and why

We all have our favourites and it's completely down to personal taste. You all know I adore Joan Sims, Jim Dale and Kenneth Williams. I'd love you to get in touch and tell me who your favourite Carry On actor or actress is and why. It can be someone from the main team, a supporting actor or even a guest star.

Whoever it is, I want to know why they are your favourite. You may want to tell me what your favourite performance from this actor is, your favourite Carry On character and what other work you have enjoyed seeing them in. You can also, if you are feeling controversial, tell me who your least favourite Carry On actor or actress is and why! It's up to you!

So get in touch via carryonfan15@gmail.com and tell me! 

Would you like to be a Carry On Fan of the Week?


Do you love Carry On films? Probably a daft question to ask if you are reading this blog! I have decided to start a new regular feature for Carry On Blogging and I need your help.

If you are a Carry On fan, love the films, the stars and the spin offs, I want to hear from you. All you have to do is get in touch with some info and you will feature in your very own blog. All I need from you is your name, where you're from and the answers to the following questions:

What was the first Carry On film you ever saw?

Who is your favourite Carry On actor and why?

Who is your favourite Carry On actress and why?

Who is your favourite Carry On supporting actor?

Have you ever visited any Carry On film locations?

Have you ever met any Carry On actors?

Do you have any Carry On memorabilia?

Finally, what's your all time favourite Carry On film?

If you want to get in touch and feature in a Carry On Fan blog, please email your answers to the following address: carryonfan15@gmail.com 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Would you like to do your own guest blog?

Earlier this year I wrote a guest blog for the wonderful History Usherette Blog which is run by @agathadascoyne . I wrote about the social history of the Carry Ons, comparing Carry On Cruising with Carry On Abroad, highlighting how Britain had changed over that ten year period. This experience got me thinking.

I have really enjoyed hearing from those of you who have submitted answers to my Carry On Fan of the Week blog series. I love interacting with fellow Carry On fans - if you want to take part in that, please do get in touch via carryonfan15@gmail.com. I want to open this idea up further now, though. 

If there are any keen bloggers out there who would like to try their hand at writing a guest blog for Carry On Blogging, do get in touch. It can be about anything, as long as it has a Carry On connection. Perhaps you could write about how you first discovered the Carry Ons or who your favourite actor is and why? Anything really that takes your fancy. All you need to do is get writing and email the results to carryonfan15@gmail.com.

Carry On Scribbling!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Carry On Blogging at the UK Blog Awards!

As you may have seen over on Twitter, I've just entered Carry On Blogging into the Arts and Culture category at the 2016 UK Blog Awards. Although this site has only been going since March I thought I would try my luck!

I have absolutely loved my Carry On Blogging journey so far. When I started the blog at the end of March this year I had no idea if I would even still be writing it in the run up to Christmas, never mind entering for an award. The awards begin with a public vote in January 2016 which is followed by a shortlisting process. This is where you, loyal Carry On Blogging followers come in. If you enjoy my little blog, I'd absolutely love it if you would vote for me. Voting opens on 4 January 2016!

Why do I think I should be shortlisted? 

Although this blog is purely a hobby, it is a source of complete joy for me. It must be, because since the end of March I've written over 400 blogs! What started as a small uncertain venture is now a blog with over 60,000 hits and a Twitter feed with nearly 3000 followers. 

Since I started the blog I've celebrated the wonderful Carry On Forever series on ITV, written about my trip to see Jim Dale live on stage and I've blogged about meeting the gorgeous Anita Harris and Amanda Barrie. 

I've also run several polls on the blog, asking you to pick your favourite Carry On supporting actor and most recently, your favourite of all June Whitfield's many celebrated performances. I now run a regular Carry On Fan of the Week blog and it's always great to hear from my regular readers both in these blogs and through the wonderful world of Twitter. More recently I've started posting guest blogs and I love these too.

I wouldn't get half as much pleasure out of running this blog if it wasn't for all you lovely fellow Carry On fans, so thank you for supporting the blog this far and I hope you will vote for me in the UK Blog Awards next January!

You can find out more about the awards here

Thank you!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

Could it be Dame Barbara Windsor?

There are many unconfirmed reports this morning that the actress Barbara Windsor is going to be made a Dame in the New Year's Honours List. Barbara, famous for her roles in both EastEnders and the Carry Ons, has already received the MBE.

The news has been reported in several newspapers and television news channels so there must be something in it. I'm not sure what I make of this if it is true. While Barbara must be respected for all her hard work over the years and her many famous roles, I can't help but think there must be other more deserving candidates for this honour. 

Barbara is a grafter and a tough cookie. She has survived for decades in a tough industry and brought pleasure to many but there are areas of her life and personality that I have struggled with. She has also had a rather strange relationship with the Carry Ons over the years, bagging many of the plaudits when, for me at least, there are other actresses who were both more prolific in the series and actually better performers. 

I don't want to be completely negative about this news as I know Barbara does a lot of charity work for good causes. She is also one of an increasingly scarce few who were involved in our beloved Carry Ons. 

So what do you think about Babs becoming Dame Barbara Windsor?

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan

Carry On Blogging Christmas Countdown

I hope you have enjoyed my festive Carry On Blogging Christmas Countdown! It was a real trip down memory lane for me to collate all these classic photos from Christmas television specials gone by. 

The Carry On team always rose to the occasion at Christmas time and the four Thames Television specials they made between 1969 and 1973 were all cheap and cheerful but great fun. The kind of spectacle you just don't see these days. 

Of course some of these photos have also come from pantomimes. Nearly every regular member of the Carry On team have made appearances in panto over the years with probably Barbara Windsor being the most prolific. 

I hope you're all having a fantastic Christmas and enjoying a right good old fashioned Carry On!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Merry Christmas from Carry On Blogging!

Merry Christmas! I have been running a daily Carry On Blogging Christmas Countdown blog for the past month and we've finally made it to the big day itself.

To celebrate, here is the wonderful, much-missed Kenneth Williams as everyone's favourite, rather outlandish Christmas Fairy! Although Kenneth sadly didn't appear in any of the Thames Carry On Christmas specials, he did host a Christmas Carry On clip show alongside Barbara Windsor in 1983. 

This image seems a suitable way to bring my Christmas countdown to an end. I hope you've enjoyed this festive trip down memory lane.

All that remains to be said is I hope you all have a very, very Merry Christmas!


What a Carry On at Christmas! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

What a Carry On at Christmas on ITV3!

ITV3 haven't let us down this Christmas! The channel, which brought us the wonderful Carry On Forever documentary back in the Spring, is showing some fantastic classic Carry Ons over the festive season.

Christmas Day is the main focus, with back to back Carry Ons being shown from 6.35 in the morning! So here, without further ado, is the all important ITV3 Carry On Schedule!

06.35 - 08.30 - Carry On Don't Lose Your Head (1966)

The joyous French Revolution romp starring Sid James as the Black Finger Nail, with Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale, Joan Sims, Charles Hawtrey and Peter Butterworth.

08.30 - 10.20 - Carry On Cruising (1962)

Set sail aboard the Happy Wanderer in the first colour film from the gang. Sid James stars as Captain Crowther with sterling support from Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor, Liz Fraser, Esma Cannon and Dilys Laye.

10.20 - 12.15 - Carry On At Your Convenience (1971)

The first film that flopped at the box office but it's now seen as a classic of the genre. Join the team at Boggs toilet factory, including Sid James, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Patsy Rowlands.

12.15 - 14.05 - Carry On Loving (1970)

This film brought the Carry Ons into the saucy seventies as Sid James and Hattie Jacques run their Wedded Bliss Marriage Agency into the ground! Co-starring Joan Sims, Richard O'Callaghan, Imogen Hassall, Terry Scott and Kenneth Williams.

14.05 - 16.05 - Carry On Cowboy (1965)

The Carry On team give American accents a bash in this glorious western romp. Sid James stars as the Rumpo Kid with Jim Dale as the English Sanitary Engineer Marshall P Knutt. Joan Sims shines as saloon owner Belle while the rogues gallery includes first Carry On appearances for Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw and Angela Douglas.

16.05 - 18.00 - Carry On Jack (1963)

The first costume romp with the Carry On team was this sail on the high seas with a smaller than usual roster of regular actors. Joining Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Jim Dale are Bernard Cribbins and the delightful Juliet Mills.

18.00 - 20.00  - Carry On Screaming (1966)

One of my all time favourite Carry On films, this Hammer Horror send up sees a prime cast of regular Carry On actors (Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale, Joan Sims, Peter Butterworth) joined by fantastic guest stars Fenella Fielding and Harry H Corbett. A joy from beginning to end. 

20.00 - 21.50 - Carry On Camping (1968)

An iconic Carry On that is probably the most instantly recognisable thanks to a certain scene featuring Barbara Windsor. It broke box office records in 1969 and follows a group of misfits who converge on a camp site run by the dodgy Mr Fiddler (Peter Butterworth). The film stars a host of favourites including Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Bernard Bresslaw and Dilys Laye.

21.50 - 23.45 - Carry On Cleo (1964)

Round off a bumper Christmas Day of Carry Ons with this classic from 1964. A parody of the major blockbuster Cleopatra, Pinewood boasts Amanda Barrie as the legendary Queen of the Nile with able support from Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Connor, Jim Dale, Joan Sims and of course, Sid James. 

Plenty there to enjoy on Christmas Day! I will blog about any other Carry On films shown across the television networks over the festive period as I hear about them, but please do contact me if you spot them first!

Carry On! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan