When Carry On Came to Wales

BBC Radio Wales have a very special Christmas treat lined up for Carry On fans this Christmas Eve.

In 1968 the Carry On gang took a rare trip away from Pinewood to film the outside scenes for Carry On Up The Khyber. And in this special programme, Welsh actor Steve Speirs, who played Bernard Bresslaw in the TV film Cor Blimey tells the story of When Carry On Came to Wales.

The Watkin Path in Snowdonia became the Khyber Pass in India for the purposes of the Carry On antics which involved stars like Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw, Roy Castle and Terry Scott descending on North Wales. The film, which pokes fun at British pomposity and excess in the days of Empire, also stars Sid James and Joan Sims.

The cast who came to Wales stayed at the Old Goat in Beddgelert and as part of the programme Carry On actors Angela Douglas and Valerie Leon return to Snowdonia to reminisce about the shoot and to meet those who took part in filming 50 years ago. We hear about locals who appeared as extras, from waiters and others - and Angela is reunited with the man assigned to drive her around at the time. Others remembering the film, one of the most successful in the Carry On cannon, include Robert Ross and Carry On actress Alexandra Dane, who played Busti in Khyber.

The programme is produced by Ashley Byrne and Iain Mackness and is an MIM Production for BBC Radio Wales. 

When Carry On Came to Wales will be broadcast this evening at 6.30pm on BBC Radio Wales. You can listen live online or catch up here afterwards.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

The Gerald Thomas Archive: Cast Correspondence from Again Doctor

Last month I made a rather delayed trip (thank you British weather) to the British Film Institute on London's Southbank. As I've mentioned over on Twitter, the BFI hold the entire Gerald Thomas archive which is chock full of delightful artifacts from Gerald's long, varied and illustrious career in British film. I was quite frankly dazzled by the array of material on offer and have only managed to flick through a fraction of it, but this blog today is the start of several pieces looking at different aspects of what I've had the very good fortune to see.

Following on from my first blog on Gerald's Scrapbook for Carry On Abroad and my second on the Carry On Abroad Draft Script . I have also, more recently, written a blog about the correspondence between the artist Terence "Larry" Parkes and Peter Rogers about the work he'd been asked to do for the titles of Carry On Doctor. 

Today I'm moving forward a couple of years to another medical Carry On - Carry On Again Doctor, which was filmed in the spring of 1969 and marked Jim Dale's last contribution to the series until his return for Columbus in 1992. As with many of the other films in the archive, I found the correspondence between the actors and their paymasters the most fascinating evidence to read though. And the correspondence over contracts for Again Doctor definitely delivered in spades.

Let's start with the man who brought Dr Jimmy Nookey to life in the film, Jim Dale. Jim was paid £3250 for six weeks work in what was really the starring role in the film. There is considerable correspondence on file regarding a medical claim following an injury Jim had suffered on set. This was either the infamous run away hospital trolley sequence or the scene which saw Dale fall through a rotten floor on a hammock. He really did suffer for his art! A note from Peter Rogers on 7 August 1969 details his position:

Regarding Jim Dale's medical expenses, I don't think that we should be responsible for every pill and laxative if the insurance people don't cough up, do you? Whatever was wrong with Jim Dale was the result of an accident on the floor and I understand that we were covered in this respect. 

Rogers was certainly the money man behind the films and this note gives us a real insight into the serious side of churning out such wonderfully funny, popular films. Part of Peter's note concerns the extra expense involved in the delays caused by Jim's accident and trip to hospital to be checked out. It involved other actors on set - Sid James, Valerie Leon and Elizabeth Knight - being contracted on for extra time, and where Peter was most concerned, extra money too!

Next up is a contract for my favourite Carry On actress, the wonderful Joan Sims. Joan, who was paid her usual £2500 for six weeks playing wealthy widow Ellen Moore, had a clause in her contract which allowed her time out to record episodes of the radio series, then titled "It's Bold" with Kenneth Williams each Monday morning for the BBC. Attached to her contract is a personal letter from Joan, dated 4 May 1969 and written on Joan's own personal stationery:

My dear Peter,

Thank you so much for a really wonderful party on Friday. It was a great send off for us all.

Bless you, 

Love, Joan


The famed camaraderie between the actors and producers of the Carry Ons is justly legendary and even though pay was sometimes an issue, there is no doubting the shared affection and kindness here. Hattie Jacques, appearing as Matron once again in the film, was paid £3000 for the part despite being billed below Joan and actually having less screen time. She too attended the party Joan so obviously enjoyed as can be seen in this charming personal note:

Darling Peter,

I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed myself last Friday. Thank you, dearest Guv, for a lovely lunch and a simply gorgeous time. And thank you too for having me in your picture.

Fondest love,

Hattie

It was quite a moment to handle notes from two of my favourite actresses and also interesting to see how, despite being a regular in Peter's films for over a decade by this point, Hattie still seems thrilled to have been asked to do it. 

Turning the pages, I came upon a type written note signed by none other than the brilliant, iconic and elusive Mr Charles Hawtrey. Written from his home at the time in Kew, he too waxed lyrical about the cast party:

Dear Peter,

Thank you for your wonderful luncheon party at the Mirabelle yesterday. The food - the wines - the company - all of which seemed so appropriate after what was generally agreed to be the happiest production. Whilst you remained, undeniably, our gracious host, you complimented us, not to say delighted, by being one of our motley lot. 

With love from,
Your expected but never let it be said rejected,

Charles


Although there were already rumblings of unhappiness from Charles over some aspects of the Carry On experience, at this stage at least, he seems content to be part of the gang. Hawtrey received £3500 for his role as Dr Stoppidge and as usual received his no less than fourth star billing in the film, as stipulated in his contract.

There were further medical concerns around another actor during the making of Again Doctor. Alexandra Dane, probably best remembered for her role as Busti in Carry On Up The Khyber, played a small cameo role as a "Stout Woman" in the 1969 medical comedy. Alexandra was paid the princely sum of £30 for the wordless role which saw her spun round on an out of control weight reducing device. There is correspondence between Dane's agent Max Kester of Foster's Agency and Peter Rogers over an accident on set. Apparently the contraption Alexandra was seen in gave way and she fell, hurting her hip. According to a note included from director Gerald Thomas, Alexandra was sent to the Pinewood nurse who then decided to send her on to Wexham Park Hospital for further treatment.

Max Kester wrote to Peter and Gerald several days later concerning his client's medical expenses and another little matter…

I am presuming that in accordance with our conversation, her name will be included on the actors credit list. It has been included before but was omitted in Carry On Screaming.

I think this demonstrates an agent earning his cut while it also shows up the frailties and little details of being a jobbing actor. Obviously gaining an on screen credit would be very important for a new young actress as it would get her name about, as it were. It was news to me that Alexandra featured in Screaming, indeed I can't ever remember seeing her on screen.

The actress Patricia Franklin, who had made her Carry On debut the previous year in Carry On Camping, was apparently cast as a Night Nurse in Carry On Again Doctor. Her contract is included in the file with it agreed with Busby Smith Management that the actress would receive £30 for the part. The contract has cancelled stamped across it and I couldn't remember seeing her in the finished film. The contract also noted that Miss Franklin was then appearing in a play at the Royal Court Theatre at Sloane Square. When I spoke with Patricia recently (you can read our interview here) she did remember being cast in the role, adding that her agent at the time was Greg Smith, soon to become the producer of the Confessions films. Patricia was not able to take on the role in the end due to her work at the Royal Court in a play by Edward Bond.

Another actress who had debuted in Camping and came back for more fun with the gang was the late Elizabeth Knight. Liz was cast as a casualty nurse in Again Doctor and is only seen very briefly during Wilfrid Brambell's cameo in the film. Apparently the role Knight was cast in was due to be bigger however most of her scenes were sadly cut. She was paid £50 a day for the role with a guaranteed sum of £200 agreed with Peter Rogers. Brambell meanwhile, then a big star thanks to Steptoe and Son, was paid a special one off fee of £100 for his wordless cameo as Mr Pullen.

Peter Butterworth, then a series regular, made the first of several small, often uncredited cameos in the Carry Ons. In Again Doctor he played a shuffling patient in a scene with Jim Dale and Peter Gilmore. Butterworth was given the "special low rate" of £125 for his one day on the film. Patsy Rowlands, who would become a series regular over the course of the next six years, made her debut in Again Doctor as Kenneth Williams' assistant, Miss Fosdick. Patsy was paid £60 a day for this role, with a guaranteed sum of £720 for the entire film. 

Aside from Patricia Franklin's casting issue, there were other problems with the casting for Again Doctor. Apparently an actress called Myrtle Reed was due to play a character called Mrs Rigby at £40 per week - the first I've ever heard of either the actress or the character. Pat Coombs, who was paid £60 over the course of a week to play the New Matron towards the end of the film wasn't originally meant to play that part at all. Pat replaced familiar semi-regular actress Ambrosine Phillpotts although there are no reasons specified for Ambrosine stepping aside from the role. Pat had been cast as Miss Armitage, the troublesome patient who gets an eyeful of Dr Nookey, eventually played by the actress Ann Lancaster. 

Valerie Shute, who had several small roles in the Carry Ons, played a nurse in Again Doctor.    There is a note on file from Gerald Thomas to an Al Shute of Warner Pathe regarding her potential casting in the film:

Thank you for your note and enclosed photograph. I must say it is the most I've ever seen of Valerie! We commence shooting again on March 17th and you can be sure that we will find a nice little 'nurse' part for Valerie.

I was also thrilled to come across a hand written note from one of my favourite character actors of the era, the great Harry Locke. Harry cropped up in countless films during the 1940s, 50s and 60s and featured in three of the medical Carry Ons - Nurse, Doctor and finally Again Doctor. On the lookout for work, Harry wrote to Peter before the casting of Again Doctor:

I was talking to Talbot Rothwell Esq on Sunday about the new script and he said he would mention me when next he saw you…I hope you may have something for me - I have so much enjoyed working with the boys…

Harry was in luck as he was soon cast in the role of the hospital porter, a role than earned him £60. It's intriguing to see actors 'write in' to Peter and Gerald to remind them that they are around and ready to work. In such a fickle business, before the internet and the existence of social media, it must have been an essential part of life as a jobbing actor. 

On a rather sad note, there is also a sad little letter from the actress Lucy Griffiths in the Again Doctor file. Lucy played small parts in quite a few Carry Ons - the trolley lady in Nurse, an excitable neighbour with Leslie Phillips in Constable and a hospital patient in Doctor - and she was once again a patient in bed in a very brief scene in Again Doctor which sees her headphones explode. Lucy wrote to Gerald Thomas about that part on 20th January 1970:

Dear Gerry,

I am delighted to find my 'bit' picked for the trailer of 'Doctor Again'. It happened once before too! So now I really feel perhaps I'm doing a minute 'bit' to help sell the picture and that I belong. I do hope that you will want me more continuously and more often (perhaps bigger bits). It's a happy experience working for you.

…I'm struggling to rebuild my acting career. Spotlight believe in me and are doing their best to help. I can act, I've got to act and that's it.

This letter from Lucy Griffiths provides an example of how tough it can be to survive in the acting profession. Obviously struggling (there are parts of the letter I decided not to share) Lucy is quite determined to continue doing the job she loved and in a not so subtle way hoping Gerry might help her out. Lucy did work for the Carry On people again however her scenes in Loving (filmed the same year she wrote that note) were deleted and her final association with the team in 1975's Carry On Behind, was an uncredited role with no dialogue. You can read more about the life and career of Lucy Griffiths here: Carry On Blogging: Whatever Happened to Lucy Griffiths?

Stay tuned for the next in my series of special blogs on Gerald's archive coming up soon!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

The A - Z of Carry On Supporting Actors: Alexandra Dane

This is the latest in a brand new series for Carry On Blogging. It might be slightly ambitious, but I'm going to attempt to do a run through the alphabet of some of the more interesting Carry On supporting actors. One of the reasons I set up this blog was to turn the spotlight on some of the lesser known Carry On actors who nevertheless played an important role in the success of the film series. 

Today we continue with the next letter in the alphabet, D and D is for Alexandra Dane. 

Carry On films: Alexandra Dane appeared in five classic Carry On films during her career, mainly in small but very glamorous and eye-catching roles. Her first role in the series was as a rather strident anti-natal instructor opposite Charles Hawtrey in 1967's Carry On Doctor. She returned for the role of Busti in Up The Khyber the following year. Alexandra played "Stout Woman" in Again Doctor in 1969 and Emily in Loving in 1970. After a five year gap, Dane returned for a cameo as a lady in a low cut dress who is the audience of Professor Crump's lecture at the start of Carry On Behind. Watch out for Jeremy Connor's flying ice cream!

 

 

Also appeared in: Alexandra played recurring roles in television series such as Not On your Nellie and The Doctors. She had guest roles in the likes of Hazell, The Saint and No Hiding Place and starred in the sub-Carry On The Ups and Downs of a Handyman in 1975.

Best known for: Probably her most famous and prominent screen role was that of Busti, assistant to Cardew Robinson's Fakir in the classic Carry On Up The Khyber.

Did you know: South Africa born Alexandra set up and ran her own puppet theatre business for years after her peak as an actress in the 1970s and 1980s.

 What are they up to now: Living in London, Alexandra is the widow of Scottish sculptor David McFall. She has two grown up children and likes to spend her time painting and sculpting. She was last seen on screen in the 2015 Carry On Forever documentary, reminiscing alongside fellow Carry On actress Margaret Nolan.

 

Stay tuned for the next entry in my A - Z of Carry On Supporting Actors! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also on Facebook

What a Carry On at the London Film Convention on Saturday!

The London Film Convention is now in its 42nd year. My attention has been drawn to this by one of my lovely Twitter followers (thanks Michael!) The Convention gives fans of classic film and television a chance to meet stars, have photos taken with them and go home with an autograph as a lovely memento.

The next Convention is due to take place on Saturday 19th September and although it's early days, there have already been some guests announced with strong Carry On connections! Leading the field is Carry On and Coronation Street legend, the lovely Amanda Barrie! Amanda of course starred in two Carry Ons, Cabby and Cleo before going on to spend many successful years working in British theatre and appearances as Alma Sedgewick / Baldwin in Corrie for twenty years.

Also flying the Carry On flag will be the star of the very first film in the series, Shirley Eaton. Bond girl Shirley starred in Sergeant, Nurse and Constable as well as appearing in the very first Doctor film and the likes of The Naked Truth, What A Carve Up and Dentist On The Job. Joining Shirley will be Anita Harris, who guest starred in both Carry On Doctor and Follow That Camel.

And that's not all! You can also meet Margaret Nolan (Cowboy, Henry, At Your Convenience, Matron, Girls and Dick) and Alexandra Dane (Doctor, Up The Khyber, Again Doctor, Loving and Behind).  Also, Oscar winning production designer Peter Lamont will be there - he worked on Carry On Matron.

The London Film Convention will be taking place on Saturday 19th September, between 10am-5pm at Central Hall, Westminster, in Central London. 

If you attend this event please do get in touch and let me know how it went and who you met! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

What a Carry On at the London Film Convention!

The London Film Convention is now in its 42nd year. My attention has been drawn to this by one of my lovely Twitter followers (thanks Michael!) The Convention gives fans of classic film and television a chance to meet stars, have photos taken with them and go home with an autograph as a lovely memento.

The next Convention is due to take place on Saturday 19th September and although it's early days, there have already been some guests announced with strong Carry On connections! Leading the field is Carry On and Coronation Street legend, the lovely Amanda Barrie! Amanda of course starred in two Carry Ons, Cabby and Cleo before going on to spend many successful years working in British theatre and appearances as Alma Sedgewick / Baldwin in Corrie for twenty years.

Also flying the Carry On flag will be the star of the very first film in the series, Shirley Eaton. Bond girl Shirley starred in Sergeant, Nurse and Constable as well as appearing in the very first Doctor film and the likes of The Naked Truth, What A Carve Up and Dentist On The Job. Joining Shirley will be Anita Harris, who guest starred in both Carry On Doctor and Follow That Camel.

And that's not all! You can also meet Margaret Nolan (Cowboy, Henry, At Your Convenience, Matron, Girls and Dick) and Alexandra Dane (Doctor, Up The Khyber, Again Doctor, Loving and Behind).  Also, Oscar winning production designer Peter Lamont will be there - he worked on Carry On Matron.

The London Film Convention will be taking place on Saturday 19th September, between 10am-5pm at Central Hall, Westminster, in Central London. 

If you attend this event please do get in touch and let me know how it went and who you met!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

What a Carry On at the London Film Convention!

The London Film Convention is now in its 42nd year. My attention has been drawn to this by one of my lovely Twitter followers (thanks Michael!) The Convention gives fans of classic film and television a chance to meet stars, have photos taken with them and go home with an autograph as a lovely memento.

The next Convention is due to take place on Saturday 19th September and although it's early days, there have already been some guests announced with strong Carry On connections! Leading the field is Carry On and Coronation Street legend, the lovely Amanda Barrie! Amanda of course starred in two Carry Ons, Cabby and Cleo before going on to spend many successful years working in British theatre and appearances as Alma Sedgewick / Baldwin in Corrie for twenty years.

Also flying the Carry On flag will be the star of the very first film in the series, Shirley Eaton. Bond girl Shirley starred in Sergeant, Nurse and Constable as well as appearing in the very first Doctor film and the likes of The Naked Truth, What A Carve Up and Dentist On The Job. Joining Shirley will be Anita Harris, who guest starred in both Carry On Doctor and Follow That Camel.

And that's not all! You can also meet Margaret Nolan (Cowboy, Henry, At Your Convenience, Matron, Girls and Dick) and Alexandra Dane (Doctor, Up The Khyber, Again Doctor, Loving and Behind).  Also, Oscar winning production designer Peter Lamont will be there - he worked on Carry On Matron.

The London Film Convention will be taking place on Saturday 19th September, between 10am-5pm at Central Hall, Westminster, in Central London. 

If you attend this event please do get in touch and let me know how it went and who you met!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

What A Carry On at the London Film Convention!

The London Film Convention is now in its 42nd year. My attention has been drawn to this by one of my lovely Twitter followers (thanks Michael!) The Convention gives fans of classic film and television a chance to meet stars, have photos taken with them and go home with an autograph as a lovely memento.

The next Convention is due to take place on Saturday 19th September and although it's early days, there have already been some guests announced with strong Carry On connections! Leading the field is Carry On and Coronation Street legend, the lovely Amanda Barrie! Amanda of course starred in two Carry Ons, Cabby and Cleo before going on to spend many successful years working in British theatre and appearances as Alma Sedgewick / Baldwin in Corrie for twenty years.

Also flying the Carry On flag will be the star of the very first film in the series, Shirley Eaton. Bond girl Shirley starred in Sergeant, Nurse and Constable as well as appearing in the very first Doctor film and the likes of The Naked Truth, What A Carve Up and Dentist On The Job. Joining Shirley will be Anita Harris, who guest starred in both Carry On Doctor and Follow That Camel.

And that's not all! You can also meet Margaret Nolan (Cowboy, Henry, At Your Convenience, Matron, Girls and Dick) and Alexandra Dane (Doctor, Up The Khyber, Again Doctor, Loving and Behind).  Also, Oscar winning production designer Peter Lamont will be there - he worked on Carry On Matron.

The London Film Convention will be taking place on Saturday 19th September, between 10am-5pm at Central Hall, Westminster, in Central London. 

If you attend this event please do get in touch and let me know how it went and who you met!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

What A Carry On at the London Film Convention!

The London Film Convention is now in its 42nd year. My attention has been drawn to this by one of my lovely Twitter followers (thanks Michael!) The Convention gives fans of classic film and television a chance to meet stars, have photos taken with them and go home with an autograph as a lovely memento.

The next Convention is due to take place on Saturday 19th September and although it's early days, there have already been some guests announced with strong Carry On connections! Leading the field is Carry On and Coronation Street legend, the lovely Amanda Barrie! Amanda of course starred in two Carry Ons, Cabby and Cleo before going on to spend many successful years working in British theatre and appearances as Alma Sedgewick / Baldwin in Corrie for twenty years.

Also flying the Carry On flag will be the star of the very first film in the series, Shirley Eaton. Bond girl Shirley starred in Sergeant, Nurse and Constable as well as appearing in the very first Doctor film and the likes of The Naked Truth, What A Carve Up and Dentist On The Job. Joining Shirley will be Anita Harris, who guest starred in both Carry On Doctor and Follow That Camel.

And that's not all! You can also meet Margaret Nolan (Cowboy, Henry, At Your Convenience, Matron, Girls and Dick) and Alexandra Dane (Doctor, Up The Khyber, Again Doctor, Loving and Behind).  Also, Oscar winning production designer Peter Lamont will be there - he worked on Carry On Matron.

The London Film Convention will be taking place on Saturday 19th September, between 10am-5pm at Central Hall, Westminster, in Central London. 

If you attend this event please do get in touch and let me know how it went and who you met!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

Carry On Forever: My Verdict

The Carry On Weekender is at an end. It was fun, it was surprising in places and at times a bit exhausting but from all the contact and interactions I had on Twitter, everyone loved it!

So what did I think of the jewel in the ITV3 Carry On crown, Carry On Forever?

Overall I absolutely loved it. It was comforting, familiar and great fun. A chance to wallow in some bright, colourful nostalgia, reliving memories of many cinematic friends. It was often hilarious but also incredibly touching in places. I think the team behind Carry On Forever got the balance just right and on the whole did a terrific job.

I liked the chronological order the programme followed. It made sense and felt thorough, although given the approach they took it seemed strange that films like Don't Lose Your Head, Again Doctor and Behind were only touched on very briefly or completely glossed over. A minor rankle. I also thought Martin Clunes was a very good narrator, clearly exhibiting a warm affection for the films and even making brief reference to his own appearance in the dreadful Columbus in 1992!

It was wonderful to see so many former cast members take part. Yes there was a noticeable Barbara Windsor shaped gap in proceedings but we don't know the reasons for that and I think overall there was plenty of other great stuff to focus on. It was a shame though. What struck me was how good so many of the actors taking part still looked - I think they need to bottle whatever it is they are on! 

One of the main highlights for me was the decision to take some of the actors back to the locations used for filming. In particular I found Fenella Fielding's trip back to the Carry On Screaming mansion very emotional. It had obviously played and continue to play an important part in her life. Liz Fraser wandering around the Pinewood Studio used to film Carry On Cruising and the lovely Angela Douglas returning to the location in Wales for Up The Khyber were also incredibly 
touching moments. 

I also loved the opportunity to hear from the children of some of the dearly departed Carry On stars. I had seen Robin Le Mesurier interviewed about his mother, Hattie Jacques, several times before however I had never seen James Bresslaw, Jeremy Connor or Tyler Butterworth speak about their famous dads until now and it was just lovely. I have recently read Jeremy's book on his father, Kenneth, and loved it so it was great to see him reunited with Peter's son Tyler to share memories and open up the photo archive of their dads' work. Wonderful moments.

We saw many familiar Carry On faces in the likes of Jim Dale, Sally Geeson, Valerie Leon and Jacki Piper however there were some brilliant unexpected surprises in the form of Julian Holloway, Juliet Mills, Rosalind Knight, Margaret Nolan and Alexandra Dane. 

Excellent to have their involvement in the documentary - it brought a whole host of memories flooding back for many of us. For the regular Carry On fan there was very little new in the stories shared by our favourite cast members but that didn't matter. It was still glorious.

The programme certainly ticked many of my boxes however if I had to pick on one aspect to criticise it would be the end of the final episode broadcast on Sunday night. Don't get me wrong, I adored the series, I just felt that for some reason the ending felt a bit rushed. There was so much material to cover in the three hours it would inevitably be hard to pull everything together at the end. 

There were touching tributes to the likes of Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey, but while they touched on certain demons in their lives it did feel slightly uncomfortable about how deep to dig. 

I also felt it was a shame that certain other important Carry On contributors didn't get a mention of even a name-check. People like Patsy Rowlands, Joan Hickson, Jack Douglas, Carol Hawkins and Peter Gilmore all had substantial roles in the series and weren't mentioned. It might also have been good to hear more about those behind the camera other than Rogers, Thomas, Hudis and Rothwell. What about Dave Freeman who scripted Behind? Or Director of Photography Alan Hume? There was a regular team of people at Pinewood who really did make the films what they were - skilled technicians it would have been nice to hear more about. I also still think this should have been broadcast on the main ITV channel.

Anyway, I'm nitpicking now. I thoroughly enjoyed Carry On Forever. It was a wonderfully colourful nostalgic wallow in what many people agree is the most successful, most talented, most loved comedy film franchise we've ever seen. The sadness remains that so many of them are gone, but their rich legacy and beautifully bawdy comedy performances keep their memories and their massive popularity alive and intact. Long may that continue.

On a personal note, I absolutely loved all the tweets and comments from everyone over the Carry On Weekend. It was great to share the experience with so many loyal Carry On fans. So thank you for making it extra special. 

Carry On Tweeting and Carry On, Carrying On!

Follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and @GraemeN82

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