This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at some of my favourite photos from the Carry On archive. I plan to blog some of the photos from the Carry On films and of their stars that mean the most to me and why I love them so much. As simple as that!
Today I'm back at one of my favourite Carry Ons, Carry On Cowboy. This film, released in 1965 was a bit of a departure for the team as it saw them far removed from their cosy English environment and transported, accents and all, to the wild west. OK, it was the back lot at Pinewood Studios but it was very effective! All but leading man Jim Dale and the hilarious Charles Hawtrey were allowed to adopt American accents for the film, to varying degrees of success!
Cowboy is a glorious pastiche of all those wonderful old Hollywood Westerns and it sees the usual collection of actors and their writer Talbot Rothwell on terrific form. The film is also important for bringing us the debuts of valuable team players in Angela Douglas, Bernard Bresslaw and Peter Butterworth. At the centre of Cowboy is a barn-storming, completely in control performance from Joan Sims as the saloon bar owner, Belle Armitage. It's quite simply Joan's finest hour in the series and miles away from the nagging, shrewish wives she'd go on to be known for later in the series.
Joan is just gorgeous as the smouldering Belle and her initial entrance in the film, coming down the staircase in her tight black gown, having just fired a shot that has knocked the glass from Sid's hand, is memorable and jaw-droppingly stunning. Joan never looked better and she oozes confidence. Joan always felt better about herself when playing a character with a bit of glamour and she often remarked how much she loved the experience of making Carry On Cowboy.
Belle is strong, confident and is not afraid to take on the men. Cowboy is the first time in the series where the chemistry between Sid and Joan really crackles and it no doubt set a precedent for pairing the two actors up in many future films. You can tell they are having a ball and clearly love working together. Although Sid's Rumpo eventually casts Belle aside and pursues Angela Douglas' Annie Oakley, it is Belle who comes to his rescue at the very end of the film.
This photo was taken as part of publicity for the film and captures Joan at her very best. It confirms just what a delightful, stunningly attractive, talented lady she was and I love it.
Stay tuned for more of my favourite Carry On images coming up soon!
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