The Star of … Carry On Cabby

I have decided to dedicate a new series of blogs to what I consider to be the very best performances in each of the thirty original Carry On films. As ever, it's a purely personal take on these films from yours truly and of course you are welcome to agree or disagree as you see fit! 

Since I started the blog in 2015 I have often championed the underdog or the under appreciated. The Carry On series employed hundreds of cracking comedy actors during their twenty year lifespan and while I've done my best to celebrate as many of them as possible, there is still much to do to preserve their legacy. Some of the actors featured in this new series will be household names and leading lights, others perhaps not so well known. Whoever they are, I hope you enjoy reading about my chosen few.

The first in this series saw me write about my love for Kenneth Connor's role as Horace Strong in Carry On Sergeant and then, moving forward to later in 1958, we focused on Kenneth Williams in Carry On Nurse. My star of Carry On Teacher, released in 1959, was that wonderful character actress Rosalind Knight, playing strict school inspector Felicity Wheeler and my star of Carry On Constable was the debuting Sidney James. More recently I decided that my star turn from Carry On Regardless was that man Kenneth Connor again and as for Carry On Cruising, well Dilys Laye was my top pick. Today we're moving on to look at my all time favourite in the series, the brilliant Carry On Cabby.

So who is my ultimate star of the film - of course it's got to be Mrs Glam herself, the super Hattie Jacques. 

Out of all Hattie's roles in the series, the central role of Peggy Hawkins in Cabby was her very favourite and it's not hard to see why. For once, Hattie wasn't playing the bombastic, severe Matron and nor was she the but of all the jokes about her size. Peggy Hawkins was a passionate, intelligent woman who wanted to progress herself in life, with or without the support of her husband. Frustrated by Charlie Hawkins' obsession with his taxi firm and rather old fashioned views on women in the workplace, Peggy goes behind his back and sets up a rival cab firm which employs only women. Glamcabs soon steals most of the business "from under their smug male noses". 

Carry On Cabby is the closest the series comes to a dramedy - comedy and drama brought together in an effective mix. At the centre of Cabby is the delighful, deep and extremely believable relationship between husband and wife Charlie and Peggy - beautifully brought to life by Sid and Hattie. While I always prefer Sid and Joan Sims together on screen, Sid and Hattie are just irresistible together in Cabby. When their marriage comes under strain, it feels genuine and the performances heartfelt. This takes Cabby some way from the usual Carry On fare and miles away from most of the films that followed. Don't get me wrong, Cabby still has many of the qualities fans admire in the series - plenty of saucy humour, classic comedy performances, slapstick and lots of lovely GlamCab drivers…

Hattie is an absolute joy as Peggy. The film is most definitely hers. It's a performance of terrific spirit and energy and Jacques dominates the film. Apart from her wonderful relationship with onscreen husband Sid, Hattie also works really well with Liz Fraser - they make for very believable best friends. Hattie is also great with the lovely little Esma Cannon and the two form a formidable double act. It's so refreshing to see Hattie given a role that allows the gifted actress to emerge and show the audience just how good she was. Of course Hattie's next role in the series would see her return to the comfortable confines of her memorable Matron, but Peggy Hawkins will always tower above all the rest.

At the end of the film, Peggy and Sally are put in peril by a fiendish bunch of criminals and it's Charlie and Ted (Connor) to the rescue. All is well in the end and the film gets the usual happy Carry On finale. Does this mean Cabby is not a feminist Carry On after all? I doubt the Carry Ons could ever be described as feminist films although without question the female characters are much sharper and more on the ball while the men are all a bit thick! Cabby is the closest the series comes to grit and kitchen sink drama, popular themes at the time of release. That's not why I love it though. I love Carry On Cabby for the strength of the story, the warmth of the performances and the joy of seeing Hattie grab a role that allowed her talents and quality as an actress to shine.

Sadly Cabby would be the last film Hattie Jacques made with the team for over four years. The popularity of her role in the Eric Sykes BBC comedy series "Sykes And A..." together with a desire to pursue other projects meant that the next seven films in the franchise would lack her own very special comedic gifts.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram  

Carry On Advertising - Carry On Cabby

This blog is part of a new little series on Carry On Blogging, looking back at the changing face of the Carry On films during their original twenty year run. I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the way the films were advertised to the cinema-going public of Great Britain over the years. These days when I do go to the cinema, I try to avoid the trailers as they tend to go on for rather too long, but of course, with Carry On it's a different story!

Thankfully most of the original trailers are now available to peruse on the internet and they provide a unique time capsule of British film history. The changing tastes of mores of the film-going public can easily be traced through these adverts as can the changing face of the British film industry and the social attitudes of the time. It's also fascinating to see how first Anglo Amalgamated and then later on, the Rank Organisation, chose to market and sell these low budget, knockabout comedies. 

Today I'm focussing on the very first Carry On to be written by the legendary Talbot Rothwell, the man who would usher the films through their golden era. Cabby remains by all time favourite film in the series due to its grittier feel, touch of kitchen sink social realism and strong performances from Sid James and most of all, Hattie Jacques. While remaining very much a Carry On, Cabby also taps into changing times both at the cinema and in real life. Its topical feel marks it out from many other Carry Ons and for me it just can't be beat! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Listen Again: The Oldie Podcast with Amanda Barrie

The wonderful Amanda Barrie, one of my very favourite actresses, received a very special honour the other day. Amanda, star of two Carry Ons and as Alma in Coronation Street, won the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' Award at The Oldie Magazine awards at Simpson's in the Strand in Central London.

Amanda was joined at the very special lunch by fellow winners Lionel Blair and Sheila Hancock and ceremony host Gyles Brandreth. The great lady collected the award on behalf of herself and the Carry On team and joined The Oldie editor Harry Mount for a very special podcast during the event.

The podcast is a delightful listen as the hilarious Amanda discusses how she first came to be involved in the Carry On films back in the early 1960s. She shares memories of working for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas, of her fondness for the great Sid James and what it was like to work with Kenneth Williams. The stories are a joy to hear and Harry makes an excellent host. It's fascinating to hear what it was like to grab the starring role in Carry On Cleo, something of a modern day classic nowadays despite its humble origins as a cheap and cheerful comedy. 

There is also time to talk about Amanda's experiences in Coronation Street and how the fast and furious filming of the soap compared to her time on the Carry Ons. The modern trend for reality television also gets a mention with Amanda's recent appearances in the likes of Big Brother and The Real Marigold Hotel. 

You can listen to the podcast right here: The Oldie Podcast: Amanda Barrie

And you can read my own interview with Amanda here: Carry On Blogging Interview: Amanda Barrie

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carry On Cabby on Film4 this Wednesday!

I like to keep you in touch with the television companies' schedules whenever a Carry On is showing and this Wednesday Film4 are showing my favourite ever Carry On. As regular readers will know, the 1963 comedy, Carry On Cabby is my all time favourite film in the series so thank you Film4 for giving it another outing.

The first film in the series to be written by Talbot Rothwell, with music from Eric Rogers, Cabby originally wasn't a Carry On at all, down to be released as Call Me A Cab. In the early 1960s Peter Rogers Productions was still making other comedy films alongside the established Carry On series, often featuring many of their familiar faces. Cabby is a grittier, kitchen sink style comedy which marks it out as a bit different from many of the other films in the series. Shot in black and white and focussing on a marriage in crisis, Cabby provides Hattie Jacques with her best role (in my opinion at least) in the series. It was also Hattie's own personal favourites of all her fourteen Carry Ons.

Cabby features a compact cast of series favourites. Alongside Hattie, there's Sid James as her screen husband Charlie, Charles Hawtrey as Pintpot and Kenneth Connor as Ted Watson. Semi-regular Carry On actors Liz Fraser, Esma Cannon and Bill Owen also appear while Cabby also sees the series debuts of two instantly recognisable faces in Peter Gilmore and Jim Dale. Amanda Barrie also makes an eye-catching appearance as a pre-Cleo Glam Cab driver, Anthea.

Further reading:

Carry On Blogging: My Top Ten Favourite Carry Ons - Number 1
Carry On Blogging: Hattie Carries On as Peggy Hawkins
Carry On Blogging: Connor Carries On as Ted Watson
Carry On Blogging: My Favourite Scene - Carry On Cabby


Film4 are showing Carry On Cabby on Wednesday 7 November at 5pm.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Happy Birthday Amanda Barrie!

It's hard to believe it but the wonderful Amanda Barrie celebrates her 83rd birthday today. The ever-youthful star of stage and screen was born Shirley Anne Broadbent on 14 September 1935 in Ashton Under Lyne.

Amanda is a real fans favourite, starring in two early Carry On films in the 1960s. She first of all played the supporting role of Glam Cab driver Anthea in Carry On Cabby before following this up with a starring role as Cleo in the classic Carry On Cleo in 1964. Sadly Amanda did not return the Carry On team for further adventures as her agent sent her off for a season at the Bristol Old Vic instead! 

Amanda was a natural in the Carry Ons, working beautifully with the likes of Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Kenneth Connor. Other film appearances at the time included A Pair of Briefs (with Joan Sims), Doctor in Distress (with Dennis Price) and I've Gotta Horse (with Billy Fury). On stage, Amanda played leading ladies in a host of West End productions including She Loves Me, Cabaret, Hobson's Choice, Absurd Person Singular, Stepping Out and Private Lives. 

Of course we all know her best these days for her long stint playing the wonderful Alma in Coronation Street. Amanda first appeared in the Street in guest spots as the cafe owner in 1981 and 1982 before returning on a permanent basis from late 1988. She would play the role until the character's death from cancer in June 2001. Alma featured in some memorable storylines which included marrying Mike Baldwin, being kidnapped by Don Brennan and being romanced by Ken Barlow. She also had wonderfully strong female friendships with the likes of Audrey, Gail and Hayley. Fourteen years after her last appearance she is still much-missed by fans.

Amanda has gone on to appear in the likes of Doctors, Bad Girls, Holby City and most recently Benidorm with her former Corrie co-star Sherrie Hewson. Amanda has also become a regular on the pantomime circuit.

Amanda married her longterm partner Hilary Bonner at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2014. 

Whatever she is up to today, I hope Amanda has a terrific birthday!

You can read Glenda Young's blog post about Amanda's autobiography here

You can read my interview with Amanda from earlier this year here

You can read about my meeting with Amanda at the London Film Convention here

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

The actress Carole Shelley has died

Sad news to report this evening. Blog reader Garry has been in touch to let me know that the actress Carole Shelley has died at the age of 79. Carole, although born in the UK was a long time resident in the United States and passed away at her home in Manhattan on 31 August.

Carole Shelley made her first appearance in a Carry On in Carry On Regardless in 1961. Carole played Mrs Delling in scenes which saw her come home early while her husband (Jimmy Thompson) was asking Liz Fraser's Delia King to try on some new frillies on her behalf. Delia was of course from The Helping Hands agency. Much farce ensues, involving Liz, a cupboard and a dodgy man's accent.

Carole came back to join the Carry On team again in the classic 1963 series entry, Carry On Cabby. Carole plays the dreadfully titled Dumb Driver in this film. She is really one of the many glamorous Glam Cab drivers, first seen in the line up alongside Amanda Barrie. Again it is a cameo role but her gift for comedy is clear for all to see. So what else did Carole Shelley get up to in her acting career?

Carole Shelley began her career in Britain, starring in several other films at the time she made her Carry On appearances. She played a typist in No My Darling Daughter in 1961 and Mrs Smith in Michael Winner's The Cool Mikado in 1963. She also turned up in episodes of the BBC Sunday Night Play and The Avengers. For whatever reason after this point, Carole relocated to the United States where the majority of her career has played out.

In 1968 she co-starred in The Odd Couple, a vehicle for Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. She would reprise the role in the television series screened in 1970. Also in 1968 she went on to appear in the Tony Curtis film, The Boston Strangler. Later film roles include Some Kind of Nut (1969); The Whoopee Boys (1986) and most recently the big screen version of Bewitched, released in 2005 and starring Nicole Kidman. On American television, Carole has appeared in the likes of The Cosby Show, All My Children and Frasier. 

The majority of Carole Shelley's career has been on stage. Shelley made her Broadway debut as Gwendolyn in The Odd Couple in 1965 (the role she went on to play on television and on film. She went on to appear in such diverse productions as As You Like It, Absurd Person Singular, Billy Elliot, Show Boat and Cabaret. Carole won a Tony Award in 1979 for her performance in the stage production of The Elephant Man and was nominated again in 1987 for Stepping Out. In 2003 she created the role of Madame Morrible in the original production of Wicked.  

A talented actress with a wide career on both stage and screen, on both sides of the Atlantic, my condolences to Carole's family and friends. 


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

My Top Ten Carry On Films

A reader emailed recently to say they have found one of my blogs on my Top Ten favourite Carry On films. Although they enjoyed the post they couldn't easily find the other nine blogs in the series. Unfortunately blogger doesn't make it that easy to search for things like this, although there is a search function in the top left hand corner of the blog main page.

To make it a bit easier I've brought all ten blogs together in one so you can check out my choices or just read them again. It's also made me look at my earlier choices and perhaps reconsider some of them.

So in reverse order:

At Number 10: Carry On Behind

At Number 9: Carry On Nurse

At Number 8: Carry On Doctor

At Number 7: Don't Lose Your Head

At Number 6: Carry On Cleo

At Number 5: Carry On At Your Convenience

At Number 4: Carry On Abroad

At Number 3: Carry On Up The Khyber

At Number 2: Carry On Screaming!

And finally, at Number 1: Carry On Cabby

So there you have it. Do you agree with my choices? Do you disagree? Are you scratching your head and wondering why Carry On England is nowhere to be seen? It's three years since I compiled this list so even I question it all! 

Anyway, there you have it! For now...

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Remembering Peter Byrne

As you may have seen last night over on Twitter, I shared The Guardian obituary for the actor Peter Byrne, who has very sadly passed away at the age of 90. Peter enjoyed a long acting career, particularly on stage, working consistently from the early 1950s right up until 2013. Born in West Ham, London, Peter trained at the famed Italia Conti School.

More mature readers will probably remember Peter best for his long running role as Andy Crawford in the BBC television series Dixon of Dock Green. Created by Ted Willis and starring Jack Warner as P.C George Dixon, this police series ran to over 400 episodes over 22 series from 1955 until 1976. Byrne co-starred as Crawford for twenty years before leaving in 1975. 

Peter Byrne also played small roles in several early Peter Rogers Productions. In Watch Your Stern in 1960, the naval comedy starring Eric Barker, Joan Sims and Kenneth Connor, Peter popped up in the role of a Sailor. The following year Byrne appeared as a member of the orchestra (1st Horn to be precise) in the Bruce Montgomery scripted music school comedy Raising The Wind, which starred such names as Kenneth Williams, Liz Fraser and Leslie Phillips.

In 1962 Peter played a Race Starter in the Genevieve-esque comedy The Iron Maiden, directed by Gerald Thomas and written by Leslie Bricusse. The film starred Michael Craig and featured familiar Carry On faces in Jim Dale and Joan Sims. Finally, a year later Peter grabbed his one and only Carry On role when he played a slightly harassed bride groom in my favourite of the series, Carry On Cabby. Appearing in a couple of scenes with stalwarts Sid James and Charles Hawtrey and Marion Collins as his bride, Peter is instantly recognisable and would have been to audiences of the time as he'd already been in Dixon of Dock Green for nearly a decade by then!

Most of Peter's main roles in his career were on stage, with parts in such well-known productions as There's a Girl in my Soup, Boeing Boeing, Run for your Wife and The Mousetrap. 

Peter was married twice, his second wife Renee passed away in 2011. He is survived by two stepchildren. Our thoughts are with Peter's family. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram 

My Top 20 Favourite Carry On Actors: Number 15 - Esma Cannon

This is part of a brand new series of blogs where I will take a purely personal look at my favourite Carry On actors. I will be doing a countdown of my top twenty actors and actresses in this, the sixtieth anniversary year of Carry On. So why top twenty? Well top ten didn't allow me to include all my favourites and any more than twenty and I'd be at it forever, as it were.

This top twenty will be a mix of regular top team actors and many of those instantly recognisable supporting actors who popped in and out of the series, adding superb cameos here and there. You will probably agree with some of my main choices and be vehemently opposed to others, but it's meant to encourage debate! 

So here we go with Number Fifteen: one of my very favourite character actresses - Esma Cannon.

 

Esma is another actress who, if she had gone on to appear in more of the Carry Ons, would be much further up this list. There was only one Esma Cannon and she brought something quite unique to each of her four Carry On appearances. Esma had been appearing in films in the UK since the 1930s after arriving from Australia. While she had memorable, decent-sized roles in films like Holiday Camp, What A Carve Up and Sailor, Beware, Cannon quite often had small, cameo roles in films, mostly in comedy roles.

Esma first appeared in the Carry On series towards the end of her prolific, diverse acting career. She first played an old lady who batters P.C Kenneth Williams with her baguette in Carry On Constable before returning for a major supporting role as Miss Cooling in Carry On Regardless. Probably Esma's best remembered role in the series was as the chirpy spinster Bridget Madderley in the bright and colourful Carry On Cruising. Her drunk scene with Dilys Laye has gone down as one of the best in the film and in the series itself.

Sadly, Carry On Cabby was Esma's last role in the films before she retired from the profession the following year. I'm not sure some of the later films would have suited her particular talents but I really do wish she'd stuck around for a few more hours of fun with the gang. Nobody quite matched Esma for beautifully played, twittery, joyful comic energy and an innocent sense of fun. She was unique and added so much to those early Carry On films.

 

So Esma Cannon comes in at Number 15 in my top twenty list of favourite actors. Who'll be next?

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