Carrying On with The Gentle Touch

I absolutely love the classic television series The Gentle Touch. I'd obviously heard of it before and was aware of its star, the excellent Jill Gascoine, for many years but until earlier this year I'd never actually seen the show. This all changed when Talking Pictures TV announced they were running every episode of the series, all 56 episodes across five series, made between 1980 and 1984.

The series starred Jill Gascoine as Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes, who has worked her way up through the ranks of the police force and is based at Seven Dials, a station in Central London. Maggie's husband, a police constable, is murdered during the first episode, leaving her to juggle her career and single parenthood, raising her teenage son. 

The Gentle Touch largely dealt with routine police procedures and offered a frank depiction of relevant social issues such as sexism, racism, homosexuality and mental health. It marked a major departure from other police action series such as The Sweeney or The Professionals as it mainly offered a more realistic and low key approach. Although the series mostly focused on Maggie's professional life in a male-dominated field, it also showed her home life with her teenage son Steve, who in one episode she castigated for looking at porn, as well as her occasional romantic involvements which sometimes clashed with her job. In real life Jill Gascoine could not drive so when Maggie had to be seen driving the scenes would be shot using a car towed behind the camera truck.

The Gentle Touch was a ratings success in the UK, where it was screened on Friday nights in a 9 pm slot (except for the final series which was shown on Saturday nights). One episode shown in January 1982 garnered over 18 million viewers and was the 5th most watched television programme in Britain that year.

You might wonder why I'm writing about this, apart from the fact it's just an ace piece of television drama. Well despite its subject and content not being exactly prime Carry On territory, the series did actually feature a fair few Carry On actors. Fancy finding out who they were and what they got up to? Well read on…

Regular supporting actor in six Carry Ons, from Carry On Matron to England, Brian Osborne appeared the first series episode Rogue in 1980, playing Detective Inspector Jim Souter. A year later, the instantly recognisable character actor Harry Towb cropped up as Martin Hersh in the story, Scapegoat. Harry had a cameo role as the doctor in the sex film seen briefly in Carry On At Your Convenience! 

One of my favourite actresses, the fabulous Dilys Laye guest starred in the 1982 episode, entitled Vigil. Playing a rather feisty, upper crust and glamorous fraudster, Dilys displays both her natural comedic talent and flair for straight dramatics in the affecting role of Annette. We all love Dilys for her four 1960s Carry Ons - Cruising, Spying, Doctor and Camping. Two years later, in 1984, Angela Douglas joined The Gentle Touch in the role of Betty Farrell. Angela's character appeared in A Woman's Word, a story which sees Maggie Forbes struggle to keep the confidence of an informer.

The 1982 series also featured the legendary character actress and future Miss Marple extraordinaire, Joan Hickson. Joan, who appeared in five Carry Ons between 1958 and 1973, guest starred in the episode Auctions as Sarah Meade. This episode sees Maggie investigate the refined world of fine art. It also sees the actor Bernard Kay make an appearance, playing Finnerman. Bernard had a very small role as a Recruit in the very first Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant, in 1958. 

Playing the excellently named Selina De Sade in the 1984 episode Exit Laughing is the glamorous Wanda Ventham. Yes, she's the mother of Benedict Cumberbatch, but Wanda has also enjoyed an extremely varied acting career which also includes small parts in Carry On Cleo, Carry on Up The Khyber and The Big Job. Also in 1984, the great Larry Martyn cropped up in Mad Dog as a Minicab Driver. Larry had cameos in two 1970s Carry Ons - as the shooting gallery assistant in At Your Convenience and as the bemused electrician in Carry On Behind. 

Are You Being Served? legend and Carry On Screaming supporting actor Frank Thornton guest stars in the 1982 story Right of Entry, playing Leo. While playing Elaine Campbell in Appearances Can Be Deceptive in 1984 is Carry On Behind star Adrienne Posta. The story revolves around a woman who has killed her abusive husband, apparently in self defence until new evidence emerges…heavy stuff! Fellow Carry On Behind star Sherrie Hewson guest stars as Steph in the story Joker in 1982, the tale of a jewel thief and one policeman's attempt to frame him. The episode also starred Diana Dors' husband Alan Lake. 

Another familiar face to star in The Gentle Touch is actress and author Linda Regan. Linda, best remembered for her regular role in Hi-de-Hi, starred as Marilyn in the 1980 episode, Break-In. Four years earlier, Linda made her only Carry On film appearance, in Carry On England. 

And last but by no means least is the South African born actress Olga Lowe. Olga played a Supermarket Detective in Tough, Mrs Rudge in 1982. Olga, a long time friend and colleague of Sid James, played Madame Fifi in Carry On Abroad. She was also working with Sid James on that fateful night on stage in Sunderland in 1976. 

I hope you've enjoyed this run through the various Carry On faces to pop up in the brilliant series, The Gentle Touch. And a big thank you to Talking Pictures TV for introducing this classic show to a whole new generation of viewers. Wonderful stuff. 

And remind yourself of the cracking theme tune from the series here:

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

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

Carrying On with The Comedy Man

Every so often I like to blog about well known Carry On performers in other films from the era. Despite claims to the contrary, many of our favourite Carry On actors did escape the clutches of Peter Rogers Productions and do other, interesting things. During the 1950s and 60s in particular, there were so many films being made across London that a lot of actors just went from one production to another.

Spurred on by the recent 'My London' programme on BBC Radio London featuring Angela Douglas, I've decided to write about the 1964 film The Comedy Man. 

What it's about?

The Comedy Man is a 1964 British drama film directed by Alvin Rakoff, depicting the life of a struggling actor in swinging 1960s London. Sacked from his job in provincial rep, actor Chick Byrd moves into digs in London with Julian, a fellow actor. Julian's career soars after a successful screen test, but Chick's meets with continued failure. Mobilised into action by the suicide of a friend, Chick auditions for a TV commercial and finally finds fame. Confident of his talents for the first time, but fearing he may have sold out, Chick leaves London to return to rep.

Who stars in it?

Solid leading man of the time, the wonderful Kenneth More leads the cast as Chick Byrd. Kenneth was at the height of his powers at the time, well known for the likes of Genevieve, Doctor in the House and Reach for the Sky. Co-starring are Dennis Price as Tommy Morris, Billie Whitelaw as Judy, Edmund Purdom as Julian Baxter and Frank Finlay as Prout.

Carry On Faces?

Plenty! Angela Douglas, a year before making her Carry On debut as Annie Oakley in Carry On Cowboy, plays Fay Trubshaw. Angela would of course go on to marry the star of the picture, Kenneth More. Carry On Jack guest star Cecil Parker also stars as Thomas Rutherford. 

Carry On originals Norman Rossington and Gerald Campion both co-star in The Comedy Man. Norman is Theodore Littleton and Gerald, Gerry. Both actors starred in Carry On Sergeant way back in 1958 and while Gerald didn't return, Norman went to make appearances in Carry On Nurse, Carry On Regardless and the Carry On Christmas television special in 1972. 

Also look out for Carry On Constable supporting actress Jill Adams as Jan Kennedy and Derek Francis plays Merryweather. Derek had lovely supporting parts in several Carry Ons - Doctor, Camping, Loving, Henry, Matron and Abroad. Gordon Rollings, who appeared briefly as a porter in Carry On Doctor, crops up as Skippy while boxer turned actor Freddie Mills has the part of Indian Chief. Freddie popped up as a thief in Carry On Constable and a boxing promoter in Carry On Regardless. And finally, future Are You Being Served? star Frank Thornton plays a Producer in The Comedy Man. Two years after this Frank made his only Carry On appearance in Carry On Screaming.

Did You Know?

The Sunday Mirror proclaimed 'Kenneth More in the greatest performance of his career. Brilliantly directed'.

More, on reading the script, thought the story reflected his own life as an actor and that of many of his actor friends. 

Sadly The Comedy Man received only a limited distribution at the time, sharing a double bill with Lord of the Flies. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

My London with Angela Douglas

Actress and author Angela Douglas will be in conversation with Gary Crowley on BBC Radio London today. The interview, part of the regular 'My London' strand, will see Angela talk about her life, career and what London means to her. Born in Buckinghamshire, Angela has spent most of her life living in the capital.

Gary has promised tales from the Carry Ons as well as mention of Roger Moore, Montgomery Clift and Angela's first husband, the actor Kenneth More. Angela is probably best remembered for appearing in four Carry Ons in the 1960s - Cowboy as Annie Oakley, Screaming as Doris Mann, Follow That Camel as Lady Jane and finally Up The Khyber as Princess Jelhi. 

This is a great radio series which last year featured the late, great Liz Fraser in a hugely entertaining hour which saw her reminisce about her long, diverse life living and working in the capital. I'm sure Angela's programme will be equally enjoyable.

'My London with Angela Douglas' will be broadcast on BBC Radio London today at 1pm, repeated at 9pm. It will also be available to listen again online shortly after broadcast here

And you can read more about Angela's debut novel, Josephine, here: Carry On Blogging: Angela Douglas releases Debut Novel

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Angela Douglas in Conversation at the Kenneth More Theatre

The actress Angela Douglas will be in conversation at The Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford on Sunday 4 November.

During this intimate and exclusive event celebrating Kenneth More CBE, Angela will be interviewed on stage by her publicist, Nick Pourgourides, who also looks after More's Estate. Angela will talk about her career, with special focus on her life with Kenneth More. This will be accompanied by a look back at his work with clips. There will also be a post event book signing by Angela.

Angela Douglas is best remembered for her roles in 4 classic Carry On Films, including Carry On Cowboy as an all-singing and trigger-happy version of Annie Oakley. She then appeared in Carry On Screaming, Follow That Camel and Carry On Up the Khyber. She has, by virtue of this association, appeared in many retrospective and spin-off programmes as well as classic TV series' such as The Avengers, The Saint, Dixon of Dock Green and Doctor Who.

After her husband More was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, she put her career on hold to nurse him, but after his death she returned in various roles.  In recent years she has concentrated on a career in journalism and writing, having completed two books, including the highly acclaimed autobiography Swings and Roundabouts, which detailed her affair and subsequent marriage to More.  Her debut novel; Josephine is published on 11th October, 2018. A powerful and compelling story of a young woman’s journey to stardom and the trials and tribulations of show-business and celebrity. Set against the backdrop of London’s 1960s, her path crosses with the likes of Kirk Douglas, Steve McQueen and Neil Armstrong. Though a work of fiction, the novel draws extensively on Angela’s own experiences. You can follow Angela Douglas on Twitter. The official website for the Kenneth More Estate can be found here. 

And you can book tickets to see Angela on 4 November here

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Happy Birthday Angela Douglas!

A very happy birthday to Carry On legend Angela Douglas who celebrates her birthday today. Angela has long been a fan favourite thanks to her sparkling performances in four classic mid-60s Carry On films and is now a very welcome presence on Twitter.

Angela has had a long and prolific career in film, on television and stage since the late 1950s. She was married to the late film actor Kenneth More (always one of my favourite actors thanks to his roles in the likes of Genevieve, Doctor in the House and Reach For the Sky) and more recently has become a writer, having published her wonderful autobiography Swings and Roundabouts.

Angela first appeared in the Carry Ons as Annie Oakley in Carry On Cowboy, released in 1965. She returned the following year for a cameo appearance as Doris Mann in Carry On Screaming, uttering the famous line "there is something in those bushes!" before she was got at by Oddbod! In 1967 Angela co-starred with Jim Dale, Kenneth Williams and guest star Phil Silvers in Follow That Camel. I love Angela as the frightfully posh Lady Jane Ponsonby - I think it might be my favourite of her roles in the Carry Ons. Her final performance in the series came the following year, as Princess Jelhi in Carry On Up The Khyber.

Angela normally worked alongside the brilliant Jim Dale in the Carry Ons. I think they had terrific chemistry together and I wish they had appeared together more often (I have a soft spot for the children's film Digby, The Biggest Dog in the World which saw them reunite several years after the Carry Ons). 

Angela Douglas made a welcome appearance in the Carry On Forever documentary earlier last year, looking wonderful and still proud of her association with the films. It was great to see her back on location in Wales where Khyber was filmed. 

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Angela earlier in 2016 and you can read that here 
Whatever Angela is up to today, I hope she has a very happy, memorable birthday. Here's to many more.



You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Angela Douglas Releases Debut Novel

Award-winning independent publisher Candy Jar Books is delighted to announce the upcoming publication of the debut novel by Carry On actress, Angela Douglas.

Josephine: An Open Book is a powerful and compelling story of a young woman’s journey to stardom and the trials and tribulations of showbusiness and celebrity. Set against the backdrop of London’s 1960s, her paths cross with the likes of Kirk Douglas, Steve McQueen Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Neil Armstrong.

Though a work of fiction, the novel draws extensively on Angela Douglas’ own experiences, weaving a story which is at its very heart, universal in its themes: love, loss, the breakdown of a marriage and the decline of health. Josephine is ultimately an uplifting memoir of determination and conviction in the face of adversity, and is sure to resonate with the reader. 

Angela Douglas is best known as an actress and for her roles in the iconic Carry On feature film series. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s she made numerous appearances in theatre, film and television, including the iconic series: The Avengers, The Saint, Z-Cars, Dixon of Dock Green, Doctor Who, Holby City and Coronation Street. 

In 1962 she met the British movie icon, Kenneth More. They fell in love and married in 1968, remaining together until More’s death in 1982.

In 1988 she met acclaimed director and playwright, Bill Bryden. They married in 2009. 

Josephine is Angela’s first work of fiction, having already worked as a journalist and author, writing two non-fiction titles, including her autobiography Swings and Roundabouts, which received great praise from audience and critics alike.

As Angela put it herself, Josephine’s life is set in a world she knows well:

“I have described Josephine as ‘made up truth’. Many of the characters with whom Josephine meets are famous names because they are lifted from real-life experiences of my own. Josephine and I share many things, but there are also many differences... She is very much her own woman, and she finds herself in a lot of scrapes and circumstances, which I luckily did not. Josephine is an ambitious, fiercely independent bundle of energy who never settles for less than she deserves. As her father says: “when she was little she tried to ride the rainbow. Her ambition was up high....her reality was at times down there.”

What parts of Josephine’s life are based on truth and what are a work of fiction? That’s what you’ll have to determine for yourself…”

Candy Jar’s Head of Publishing, Shaun Russell, explains the book’s rare appeal:

“Josephine has so much for a reader to enjoy. There’s the genuine insight into life of an aspiring young actress, struggling for expression and self- fulfillment in an industry often more interested in exploiting such ambition; a timely theme if there ever was one, and based on life. And most of all, an emotionally honest, compelling, and moving central story. That’s at the heart of everything: Josephine herself, a strong, vivacious woman won’t settle for the life she’s been given, but instead shoots for the moon. Does she make it? You will have to find out…” 

  

Find out more about Candy Jar, and order your copy of Angela's novel here: www.candyjarbooks.co.uk

Josephine: An Open Book was published on 11 October! 

You can follow Angela on Twitter @ImAngelaDouglas

And Angela will be in conversation at The Kenneth More Theatre on Sunday 4 November. Read more about that here

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Angela Douglas Releases Debut Novel

Award-winning independent publisher Candy Jar Books is delighted to announce the upcoming publication of the debut novel by Carry On actress, Angela Douglas.

Josephine: An Open Book is a powerful and compelling story of a young woman’s journey to stardom and the trials and tribulations of showbusiness and celebrity. Set against the backdrop of London’s 1960s, her paths cross with the likes of Kirk Douglas, Steve McQueen Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Neil Armstrong.

Though a work of fiction, the novel draws extensively on Angela Douglas’ own experiences, weaving a story which is at its very heart, universal in its themes: love, loss, the breakdown of a marriage and the decline of health. Josephine is ultimately an uplifting memoir of determination and conviction in the face of adversity, and is sure to resonate with the reader. 

Angela Douglas is best known as an actress and for her roles in the iconic Carry On feature film series. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s she made numerous appearances in theatre, film and television, including the iconic series: The Avengers, The Saint, Z-Cars, Dixon of Dock Green, Doctor Who, Holby City and Coronation Street. 

In 1962 she met the British movie icon, Kenneth More. They fell in love and married in 1968, remaining together until More’s death in 1982.

In 1988 she met acclaimed director and playwright, Bill Bryden. They married in 2009. 

Josephine is Angela’s first work of fiction, having already worked as a journalist and author, writing two non-fiction titles, including her autobiography Swings and Roundabouts, which received great praise from audience and critics alike.

As Angela put it herself, Josephine’s life is set in a world she knows well:

“I have described Josephine as ‘made up truth’. Many of the characters with whom Josephine meets are famous names because they are lifted from real-life experiences of my own. Josephine and I share many things, but there are also many differences... She is very much her own woman, and she finds herself in a lot of scrapes and circumstances, which I luckily did not. Josephine is an ambitious, fiercely independent bundle of energy who never settles for less than she deserves. As her father says: “when she was little she tried to ride the rainbow. Her ambition was up high....her reality was at times down there.”

What parts of Josephine’s life are based on truth and what are a work of fiction? That’s what you’ll have to determine for yourself…”

Candy Jar’s Head of Publishing, Shaun Russell, explains the book’s rare appeal:

“Josephine has so much for a reader to enjoy. There’s the genuine insight into life of an aspiring young actress, struggling for expression and self- fulfillment in an industry often more interested in exploiting such ambition; a timely theme if there ever was one, and based on life. And most of all, an emotionally honest, compelling, and moving central story. That’s at the heart of everything: Josephine herself, a strong, vivacious woman won’t settle for the life she’s been given, but instead shoots for the moon. Does she make it? You will have to find out…” 

  

Find out more about Candy Jar, and order your copy of Angela's novel here: www.candyjarbooks.co.uk

Josephine: An Open Book is published on 11th October.

You can follow Angela on Twitter @ImAngelaDouglas

And Angela will be in conversation at The Kenneth More Theatre on Sunday 4 November. Read more about that here

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram