Carry On Hero of the Week: Julian Holloway

The whole idea of this new series of blogs is to flag up specific individuals who, in my humble opinion, really made the Carry On films what they were. So many of the actors and crew turned up at Pinewood again and again, working closely over the years to produce such a fine body of work. This week it's the turn of the man who is a real fans favourite. He appeared in eight Carry Ons during his career in film and very nearly achieved full team status. The one and only Mr Julian Holloway.

Julian Holloway was adept at popping in to a Carry On film and leaving his mark. He was normally always either the cheeky chappie or the slightly posh yet dirty geezer. I guess he took over where Leslie Phillips left off! Julian came into the Carry Ons at the young age of just 23 but quickly moved through the ranks from bit part actor to become a member of the main team for the classic 1968 film Carry On Camping.

At the time, Rogers and Thomas would have been scouting around for a Jim Dale replacement and I still believe Julian would have been the best bet. He was (and is) a really good actor, he fitted in well with the gang and had the right mix of innocence and cheeky twinkle to take on the Carry On romantic lead role. For some reason however it never quite came to fruition.

After small roles in Follow That Camel and Carry On Doctor, Julian was promoted to larger parts in Khyber and Camping. His role as Jim Tanner in Camping was almost certainly originally constructed for the absent Jim Dale and I believe the role was still going to be fairly substantial when Holloway was given the part. I'm not sure what eventually happened but most of his scenes were drastically cut back. A shame I think as it was his chance to shine.

After a gap of two films, Julian did return to Carry On for supporting turns in Loving and Henry before an uncredited cameo in At Your Convenience and finally, a brief supporting turn (probably to add a much needed familiar face) to Carry On England in 1976. Other actors were drafted in to take on the Jim Dale role (notably Kenneth Cope, Richard O'Callaghan and Patrick Mower) however I still think Julian was the best option for continuing what Jim Dale had created.

So Julian Holloway is my Carry On Hero of the Week. A marvellous actor who brightened up each Carry On he appeared in and should definitely have become the male juvenile lead of the series after Jim Dale's departure.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan