Carry On Blogging!: Anita Harris

Showing posts with label Anita Harris. Show all posts

Monday, 29 October 2018

Anita Harris in Concert at The Pheasantry

The evergreen Anita Harris will be performing in London on 29 October. The singer, well known for two Carry On appearances in the 1960s and decades of stage hits, will be appearing at The Pheasantry in Chelsea.

Anita's website describes "Anita Harris in Concert" as a wonderful cocktail of song, glitz, chat, nostalgia and humour. With musical accompaniment from her pianist and musical director, Peter Gill, Anita reveals wonderful anecdotes from her life in showbusiness, the people she has met and the places she has been.

Anita will perform the songs that have made her into one of the country's best loved stars including Memory, Just Loving You, The Anniversary Waltz, Fly Me to the Moon, Trains and Boats and Planes, After The Ball, Burlington Bertie and many more.

Most recently, Anita has been seen on television in reality series such as Celebrity Masterchef and Last Laugh in Vegas. She will also be appearing in the upcoming series of Midsomer Murders for ITV.

Anita's show at The Pheasantry is on 29 October, doors at 7pm with the show beginning at 8.30pm. Tickets are £25 and you can purchase them via Anita's website: www.anita-harris.com

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Sunday, 30 September 2018

Anita Harris in Concert at The Pheasantry

Saturday, 1 September 2018

Anita's Masterchef Masterclass

Although not a natural lover of all things 'reality television' I did tune in to watch Anita Harris on Celebrity Masterchef last night. To be fair, Anita was the only celebrity taking part that I could recognise.

Anita did herself proud though, and although perhaps not the most gifted cook in the competition, she did impress the judges and her fellow competitors with her vim, vigour, energy and enthusiasm. Having had the good fortune to meet Anita in person at the London Film Convention a few years back, this is exactly how I found her to be and she's just a joy. Having appeared in Last Laugh in Vegas for ITV earlier in the year and with an upcoming appearance in an episode of Midsomer Murders, it's good to see Anita as busy as ever.

What struck me about Anita's most recent telly appearance was not the amount of publicity she received, but the fact that most of it revolved around her age. While all the comments were generally positive, on Twitter and in the press, most people were aghast that Anita could be in her mid-70s, look so good and be so active. I nearly tweeted out a couple of those articles from the press but thought the better of it.

Yes Anita is glamorous, she looks great and she's 76. So what? It is possible to be of an age and still vibrant, talented and busy. I wonder if the same headlines would be written about a 76 year old male competitor?

Anita has never stopped working and constantly tours the country in solo shows, theatre productions and varieties but it's really good to see her back on screen. I hope we see much more of her in the years to come.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Friday, 3 August 2018

My Carry On Blogging Cast Interviews

Following on from my recent chat with the delightful Julian Holloway earlier in the week I thought I would bring together all the interviews I've done for the blog in one place. I've had the great good fortune to speak to a wide range of actors, writers and fans over the past three and a bit years and I can't thank all those who have contributed to the blog enough for their time, energy and enthusiasm.

I've had the pleasure of blogging interviews with quite a few actors who were directly involved in the Carry On series and here they all are for your reading pleasure:

My interview with Julian Holloway can be found here and here

My interview with Elke Sommer can be found here

My interview with Fenella Fielding is right here

My interview with the actress and author Josephine Bailey, who appeared as a child actor in Carry On Teacher can be found here

My interview with Jacki Piper is here

My interview with Angela Douglas can be read here

Click here for my interview with Valerie Leon

And click here for my chat with Madeline Smith

You can read my interview with Amanda Barrie here

My interview with Patricia Franklin can be found here and here

And my interview with Robin Askwith is here and here

Click here for my interview with Sally Geeson

Click here and here for my interview with Hugh Futcher

And follow this link here for my interview with Christine Ozanne

And last but certainly not least, my interview with Anita Harris is here

My thanks once again to everyone who has taken time to speak to me. It's been an absolute treat.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

What A Carry On in Midsomer

Lovely news for Carry On fans today and if you're a fan of the long running ITV murder mystery series, Midsomer Murders, you'll be even happier. Two fantastic Carry On actresses will be making appearances in the next series of feature length Midsomer dramas.

First up is the enchanting Anita Harris who will play the character of Irene Taylor in the first episode of the new series. Entitled "The Ghost of Causton Abbey" Anita will co-star alongside familiar television faces such as Angela Griffin, Michael Byrne and Jason Merrells. The story focusses on a local brewery when someone is found boiled to death in one of the vats! Charming! A far cry from Anita's role as Nurse Clarke in Carry On Doctor! Anita has been on screens quite a bit lately, first of all in the reality documentary, Last Laugh in Vegas, and soon in Celebrity Masterchef for the BBC.

Appearing in episode five of the series, "Till Death Do Us Part", is the fabulous Liz Fraser. Liz will play Marcia Jackson in the episode which tells the story of a murderer with a penchant for local brides! I just hope Liz isn't going up the aisle! This marks a return to acting for the lovely Liz, who last appeared on screen back in 2007 in episodes of Holby City and Foyle's War. I'm very excited to see Liz back where she belongs and hope it sparks more acting gigs.

And don't forget, Liz will be in conversation with Robert Ross at the Museum of Comedy on 16 July. More here

There is no confirmation from ITV on when this, the twentieth series of Midsomer Murders, will be screened, but keep an eye out for dates!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Sunday, 3 June 2018

Happy Birthday Anita Harris!

Many happy returns to the eternally youthful Anita Harris, who celebrates her birthday today. Anita, still very active with her singing career and touring commitments, did of course star in two classic Carry On films in the mid-1960s.

A legendary star of cabaret and musical theatre, Anita scored early successes on the big screen with the Carry On team. First appearing in the eye-catching supporting role of Corktip in Follow That Camel, Anita was popular with audiences and the Carry On team alike and was back at Pinewood later the same year for the starring role of Nurse Clark in Carry On Doctor, once again playing Jim Dale's on screen love interest.

I loved Anita's roles in the Carry Ons. She was a natural addition to the team and played her two very different roles with aplomb. I always think it's a shame she didn't join the team for further adventures. Still, she has always been proud of her Carry On association and was a very welcome interviewee in last year's Carry On Forever documentary. In the programme, she returned to Camber Sands, the location for much of Follow That Camel and talked fondly of working with the likes of Jim Dale and Hattie Jacques.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Anita in September 2015 at the London Film Convention. She was an absolute delight: warm, welcoming and genuinely pleased to be meeting fans of both herself and the Carry On series.

Whatever Anita is up to today, I hope she had a wonderful birthday!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Friday, 18 May 2018

Anita Harris joins Celebrity Masterchef

Following on from her appearance in the ITV show Last Laugh in Vegas, actress, singer and all round good egg Anita Harris is set to appear in another reality television show, this time for the BBC.

I saw on Twitter this morning (where else?) that Anita will be starring in the new series of Celebrity Masterchef. Now I admit this is one reality style show that I have watched before and probably will watch again. I'm not a fan of the genre as a whole but I do find this one quite entertaining despite the annoying hosts! I also admit that when I saw the faces of all Anita's fellow contestants, she was pretty much the only one I recognised!

Anita has been an entertainment showbiz legend for decades, first making her mark as a singer back in the mid 1960s. Her fame was galvanised when she starred in two Carry On films, first of all as Cork Tip in Follow That Camel with Bernard Bresslaw and Phil Silvers and then later the same year (1967) as Nurse Clark, mooning after Jim Dale's Dr Kilmore in Carry On Doctor.

I met Anita a couple of years ago at the London Film Fair and she couldn't have been nicer. Warm, welcoming and gentle, it was an absolute pleasure to meet her.

I wish her all the very best in Celebrity Masterchef and I'll be rooting for her all the way!

You can read my interview with Anita here and you can follow Anita's official account on Twitter

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

Anita Harris: This Is Your Life!

It's time once again to dip in the archives of the classic television show, This Is Your Life. Today, we're going right back to early 1982 as host Eamonn Andrews surprises the gorgeous Anita Harris with the big red book and the story of her life and career.

Another lovely half hour, this has made me realise how much I miss this iconic show. Anita is surprised in the foyer of the Talk of the Town theatre in London's West End and at that point she was at the height of her fame. The legendary British singer was starring in an endless run of musical theatre and cabaret shows. Surrounded by her husband, parents and siblings, it's a lovely tribute and showcases just what a genuinely nice person Anita is.

Of course we remember Anita best for her starring roles in two Carry On films made fifteen years earlier. In 1967 she played Cork Tip in Carry On Follow That Camel opposite Bernard Bresslaw, Phil Silvers and Jim Dale. Later that year she played Nurse Clark in one of my favourites, Carry On Doctor.

You can watch Anita's This Is Your Life here:

And as an extra special treat, here's another more recent video which sees Anita reflect on her appearance on the show and her career at the time it was broadcast:

Enjoy!

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

Monday, 4 December 2017

Carry On Blogging Christmas Advent: 4 December

And so, once again December is upon us. This will be my third Christmas at the helm of Carry On Blogging so I wanted to go all out, bringing you a daily dose of festive Carry On cheer each day on the lead up to the 25th.

So every day I will bring you another cracking Carry On photo with a festive theme. They will probably all be rather naughty, but hopefully all quite nice.

Today, here's a cracking album cover from Carry On favourite and regular panto star Anita Harris. Pictured here as Peter Pan from what looks like the 1960s (although I may be wrong) Anita is a highly experienced stage performer with many excellent festive pantomimes under her belt. Indeed she's starring in panto again this year and you can find out more about that here.

What a Carry On at Christmas!

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

Wednesday, 29 November 2017

Carrying On in Panto in 2017!

It's almost that time of year again, oh yes it is! I'm sorry to be blogging about panto in October as it brings all things Christmas that little bit closer but now's the time to book your tickets if you want to see one of your Carry On favourites treading the boards this festive season.

First up is Coronation Street and Carry On actress Sherrie Hewson who will be starring in the Theatre Royal Nottingham's production of Beauty and the Beast. The show will run from Saturday 9 December until Sunday 14 January 2018. Nottingham’s own Sherrie Hewson will lead the cast as Mrs Potty having previous presented Loose Women and appeared on Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Crossroads and the Carry On films. She also released her first novel The Tannery and her best-selling autobiography Behind the Laughter before leaving Loose Women in 2016.

Beauty and the Beast’s executive producer Jonathan Kiley said: “We’re very much looking forward to bringing the magic of Beauty and the Beast to the Theatre Royal Nottingham this year. To have the wonderful Sherrie, and the hilarious Andrew and Ben, leading our cast; we know this year’s production is a must see show.”

You can book tickets here

Next up is the ever popular Robin Askwith who will be starring in Jack and The Beanstalk at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-On-Sea. With a spectacular 3D sequence transporting audiences to the Giant's magical kingdom, larger-than-life special effects, huge laughs, magnificent musical numbers and lashings of audience participation, Essex's own Lee Mead and Stacey Solomon, together with comedian Bobby Davro and actor Robin Askwith will deliver another spectacular Southend pantomime of giant proportions.

Get your tickets now to be sure of joining in the fun. With only a three-week season, to delay could be a giant mistake! The show will run from Saturday 16 December until Sunday 7 January 2018. You can buy tickets here

And finally, the evergreen Anita Harris will be starring in a production of Snow White at the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth. Magic Mirror in my hand which is the fairest pantomime in the land? Why, Snow White at the Kings Theatre of course!

Join us for traditional family pantomime fun with Snow White, her charming Prince, the Wicked Queen and 7 dependable dwarfs with lavish sets, wonderful costumes, a surprise or two and all the cheers, jokes and jeers you would expect.
Following our record-breaking production of Jack & The Beanstalk 2016/17 tickets are selling fast. Discounted rates for Groups of 20+ and special rates for schools are also available. You will not want to miss this Christmas treat for all the family! The show will run from Tuesday 5 December until 1 January 2018. You can book tickets here

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

Monday, 2 October 2017

Carrying On in Panto in 2017!

Friday, 29 September 2017

Anita's Last Laugh in Vegas!

A new ITV series will follow a group of showbiz legends prepare for the gig of a lifetime in Las Vegas. And there are a couple of Carry On connections involved!

What happens when a group of British showbiz legends are let loose in Sin City? . . . ITV is about to find out in a brand new five-part series for 2018 called Last Laugh In Vegas.

Some of the most famous names from comedy, music and variety from the 60s, 70s and 80s are to be given one last shot at putting on their dream gig in the variety capital of the world. The theatre is booked for one night only and eight acts will be given the chance to fulfil the dream they thought had long gone and put on a spectacular variety performance at one of the iconic venues in Las Vegas.

The eight showbiz legends are comedy double act Cannon & Ball, entertainer Bernie Clifton, comedian Mick Miller, pianist and entertainer Bobby Crush, singer Kenny Lynch, 60’s pop idol Jess Conrad OBE, actress and singer Anita Harris and actress, singer and comedienne Su Pollard.

Anita Harris is best known to Carry On fans for her two appearances in the series back in the mid 1960s. She played the featured role of Cork Tip in the 1967 film Follow That Camel and later the same year played Nurse Clark in the classic Carry On Doctor. Singer Kenny Lynch made a cameo appearance as a bus conductor in the 1970 film Carry On Loving and also sang the title track, Love Crazy, for the 1978 film Carry On Emmannuelle.

Cameras will follow these stars from their departure from their homes in the UK to the moment they step onto the stage in Vegas. They’ll live in a house together, enjoy and explore the Vegas Strip and rehearse and reminisce together to deliver a show that they'll all be proud of.

Viewers will also be treated to a unique insight into the legends' vast and varied careers as they look back and talk firsthand about their incredible stories.

The culmination will be an hour long special of their variety performance in Vegas.

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

Saturday, 16 September 2017

Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present

While many of the leading Carry On actors are no longer with us, although thanks to constant repeats they often feel very much alive, we thankfully still have a fairly strong collection of actors around in 2017 who played important parts in the Carry On story. It's to be expected that actors who played the leads in the 1950s and 60s may no longer be around in a new century, we still miss them and wish many had been given just that little bit longer.

Even though the Carry Ons hit their stride more than half a century ago, it still shocks and baffles on occasion when anniversaries come round and you realise the likes of Sid, Charles and Frankie would now be over a hundred years old. Most of the Carry On gang died far too young with only Kenneth Connor really making it to old age, and even then he was just 75. Of the main team today, we only have Jim Dale and Barbara Windsor left, both juvenile leads in the team at the time but now into their eighties. Although I'm sad the leading lights of the team are mostly all long gone, their passing has allowed supporting actors or faces who popped in and out of the series to receive the plaudits they are seriously due.

With yet another London Film Convention upon us - and one featuring a strong Carry On line up - it has made me realise how much affection I feel for some of the actors with links to the series who are still going strong in 2017. Most are still working and showing very little sign of their years. There is something very special about some of our more mature working actors which is so identifiably British and it's a constant source of joy for me. As with film stars of yesteryear there is always such a strong presence when one of these actors enters a room. They know how to carry themselves, they know how to conduct themselves and they are the ultimate professionals when meeting and greeting their admirers. They are grafters and despite grand reputations of films they have made and people they have worked with, the vast majority are warm, friendly and incredibly down to earth.

I've had the tremendous good fortune to interview or meet several of these actors over the past few years and they've never let me down or disappointed. Madeline Smith has to be one of the most memorable - a sheer joy to chat with over the phone and even more welcoming and friendly in person. Madeline is always entertaining to listen to and very open and honest about her career. Another lady who never disappoints is the glorious Amanda Barrie, long a heroine of mine thanks to her fantastic stint as Alma in Coronation Street. Meeting your heroes is always a risky business but Amanda has been a joy and everything you could wish for. I've had similarly pleasing experiences with the likes of Valerie Leon and Jacki Piper, two actors who belie their years still ooze glamour many years after their time in the Carry On spotlight.

One of the most memorable Carry On performances of all time must be that of Fenella Fielding in Carry On Screaming. Fenella, who celebrates her 90th birthday in November, is one of the old school while remaining down to earth and amazed by her own popularity. Probably one of the nicest of all is Anita Harris. Still remarkably unchanged from her glamorous sixties persona, Anita is working as hard as ever - still talented, kind and generous with her time.

We simply don't seem to produce people with this kind of star quality these days. I don't know why but we just don't. While a lot of what I do on this blog is remembering and celebrating long lost heroes like Sid, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims and Peter Butterworth, I think it's still important to cherish those that remain. These vital, still vibrant are a vital link to the past but also have much to offer in 2017.

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

Thursday, 14 September 2017

What a Carry On at the London Film Convention!

The London Film Convention is now in its 45th year. 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 16 September 2017 and there are some great Carry On names down to attend. Leading the field is the one and only Mr Bernard Cribbins. A true legend and veteran of every medium you could imagine, Bernard is best known for his association with Doctor Who, The Wombles, The Railway Children, Jackanory and of course, Carry On. He appeared as Albert Poopdecker in Carry On Jack in 1963, Harold Crump in Carry On Spying the following year and returned for Columbus in 1992. Bernard will be attending from 1-3pm.

Another familiar face from the early days of Carry On is Amanda Barrie. The star of Coronation Street, Bad Girls, The Real Marigold Hotel and of course, many many leading roles on the West End stage, Amanda made her Carry On debut as Glam Cab driver Anthea in Cabby in 1963 before grabbing the title role of Cleopatra in Carry On Cleo the following year.

Valerie Leon starred in six Carry Ons: Up The Khyber, Camping, Again Doctor, Up The Jungle, Matron and Girls. She also took the lead role in the classic horror film Blood From The Mummy's Tomb and appeared opposite two James Bonds - Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me and Sean Connery in Never Say Never Again.

Also attending will be the original Carry On girl, 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. Shirley will be attending between 10.30-4pm.

Joining Valerie and Shirley is another class act of British film comedy - Fenella Fielding. Fenella appeared in two Carry Ons, first of all as Penny Panting (!) opposite Kenneth Connor in Carry On Regardless and then several years later in her most iconic role as Valeria Watt in Carry On Screaming. I have been fortunate enough to meet Fenella before and she is an absolute delight.

Also flying the Carry On flag will be fan favourite Margaret Nolan. Margaret is well known for her many years in the best of British comedy and drama in both film and television. Margaret got her big break in films playing Dink opposite Sean Connery in Goldfinger, also appearing in the classic title sequence. She went on to star in six Carry Ons - Cowboy, Henry, At Your Convenience, Matron, Girls and Dick.

Also in attendance is the star of many of Hammer Horror film as well as James Bond (Live and Let Die) and Carry On (Matron), the gorgeous Madeline Smith. Maddie's other credits include the film of Up Pompeii with Frankie Howerd, Theatre of Blood with Vincent Price, The Two Ronnies and later, satirical work with the likes of John Bird and John Fortune.

And last but by no means least is the evergreen entertainer, Anita Harris. Anita has enjoyed a long career as a singer, dancer and star of musical theatre and is still wowing audiences around the country to this day. Early on in her career she made two Carry Ons - first of all as Cork Tip in Follow That Camel and then as Nurse Clark in Carry On Doctor, both made in 1967.

The London Film Convention will be taking place on Saturday 16 September between 10am-5pm at Central Hall, Westminster, in Central London. You can find out more by visiting their website here

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 on Facebook and on Instagram