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.

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What a Carry On this Good Friday!

Once again ITV3 have delved into the archives and brought out several classic examples of Carry On comedy for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Yes, we've seen them all before but who can resist a good Carry On on a lazy Friday? I've put together a handy guide for Good Friday to help you make sure you don't miss any of your favourites.

So without further ado...

Carry On At Your Convenience (1971) 07.45

Trouble at the works caused trouble at the box office as the treatment of the ordinary working man and woman and the trade unions who represented them made this a controversial outing for the team. Despite this, Convenience is the purest Carry On of them all. It's set in a toilet factory and involves a prolonged sequence in Brighton, the series' spiritual home. A cast of prime Carry On performers including Sid James, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw and Kenneth Williams are joined by the likes of Jacki Piper, Richard O'Callaghan and Kenneth Cope with a bigger than usual supporting role for the brilliant Patsy Rowlands.

Carry On Cruising (1962) 09.30

The first colour Carry On is pretty innocent by series standards and floats along quite happily. It's undemanding but beautifully performed fare with a cast headed by Sid James as the Happy Wanderer's Captain Crowther. The bumbling new recruits (this is a Hudis script so they must feature) are Kenneths Williams and Connor and Lance Percival while the glamorous passengers on the Mediterranean cruise which never left Pinewood are Liz Fraser, Esma Cannon and a debuting, and very impressive Dilys Laye. Dilys stepped in to replace an ill Joan Sims at three days notice!

Carry On Cowboy (1965) 11.20

An ambitious picture for a series at the peak of its powers, Cowboy was that rare thing, a successful British Western. With most of the regular cast attempting American accents, the likes of Sid James, Joan Sims and Jim Dale have a ball. There are important series debuts too as Cowboy brings us the first Carry On performances from valuable character players Bernard Bresslaw and Peter Butterworth. New leading lady Angela Douglas also appears for the first time as the gun toting heroine Annie Oakley.

Carry On Screaming (1966) 13.10

One of the most iconic of all the Carry Ons and definitely a favourite not just with fans but with many other cinema aficionados, this Hammer Horror pastiche is beautifully scripted with great period costumes and attention to detail. The cast is also on top form as they tell the gruesome tale of young courting ladies disappearing into the night and turning up as dress shop mannequins. Harry H Corbett is an able replacement for the absent Sid James while Jim Dale and Peter Butterworth shine in major supporting roles. And of course there's that wonderful revue-like double act of Kenneth Williams and the late, great Fenella Fielding as fiendish, bickering siblings. It doesn't get any better than this.

Carry On Follow That Camel (1967) 15.10

This French Foreign Legion spoof has all the right intentions but for me, doesn't quite come off despite a prime cast of classic Carry On actors. There are substantial, hilarious roles for pros like Kenneth Williams, Peter Butterworth and Jim Dale while Angela Douglas excels as the upper class Lady Jane and Joan Sims gives it her all in a feisty cameo as Zig ZIg, a local cafe owner. However the central performance, from American comedy legend Phil Silvers doesn't quite gel with the rest of the cast or the Carry On image. An attempt to expand the Carry On market overseas which perhaps just didn't quite hit the mark.

Carry On Doctor (1967) 17.00

Perhaps the best medical Carry On of them all, Carry On Doctor pitches hospital patients against corrupt medical staff and it's a no brainer which side the audience are on. Doctor features one of the biggest collection of team regulars with only Kenneth Connor missing. Much energy is brought to proceedings by the fantastic Frankie Howerd in his first of two superb guest starring roles in the series as bogus faith healer Francis Bigger. Much of the action revolves around Frankie, Kenneth Williams' mean Dr Tinkle, Hattie Jacques' bombastic Matron and Jim Dale's kindly Dr Kilmore. The rogues gallery features stunning support from Sid James, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw and Peter Butterworth while there are cameos from the likes of Dandy Nichols, Derek Francis, Brian Wilde and Deryck Guyler.


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Misty Moon Presents: The Sweeney Reunion

Misty Moon will be hosting yet another fantastic event at London's Cinema Museum later this summer. Although not strictly Carry On related, although the series itself co-stars several Carry On actors, The Sweeney remains one of my favourite British television series of all time. The Sweeney Reunion promises an evening of nostalgia and a chance to hear from several actors and creatives involved with the original series. I'm giving it an extra special plug because the actress Judy Matheson, a great friend of this blog, will be in attendance having guest starred in an episode back in 1976. 

The Sweeney (1975-78) is a British TV drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London. It was made by Thames Television for broadcast on the ITV network. The programme’s title derives from ‘Sweeney Todd’, which is cockney rhyming slang for ‘Flying Squad’. It starred John Thaw as Detective Inspector Jack Regan and Dennis Waterman as his partner, Detective Sergeant George Carter. Such was its popularity that it spawned two feature film spin-offs, Sweeney! (1977) and Sweeney 2 (1978).

David Wickes is one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurial film and television producers. Best known for his lavish gothic TV movies, films and elegant period drama series, David is by contrast The Guv’nor when it comes to hard-hitting action-drama, as one of the original band of guerrilla filmmakers in the glory days of Euston Films making The Sweeney.

George Sweeney played the violent psychopath Tim Cook in the episodes “Taste of Fear” and “On The Run”. George’s other screen credits include Jack The Ripper (1988), Citizen Smith (1977-80), Minder(1980-93) and For Your Eyes Only (1981).

Dawn Perllman played Linda Rix in the episode “Messenger Of The Gods”. Dawn’s other credits include The Omen (1976), Boon (1988), The Bill(1990-94), The Gentle Touch (1980), Shine On Harvey Moon (1982) and Only Fools and Horses(1986).

Judy Matheson played Kibber’s Girlfriend in “Selected Target”. Judy’s other credits include The Professionals (1978), Citizen Smith (1979), Twins Of Evil (1971), Lust for a Vampire (1971) and The Flesh and Blood Show(1972).

After the Q&A there will be a meet and greet with the audience and the guests will take part in a paid signing.

More guests to be announced soon… Doors open at 17.30, for a 18.30 start.

Tickets in advance £14 (£13 concessions). On the door £15 (£14 concessions).
Advance tickets may be purchased from Billetto, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.

The Sweeney Reunion will take place on Saturday 13 July, at the Cinema Museum. 

And you can read more about the many Carry On links with The Sweeney in my blog post here: Carrying On with The Sweeney


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carry On Advertising - Carry On Jack!

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 featuring the very first period costume Carry On - Carry On Jack from 1963. It marked a return to colour and also a major departure for the series which until then had been grounded pretty much entirely in the day to day present day realities. Jack also saw many key cast members missing in action, with only Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey in large starring roles and a small Jim Dale cameo at the start of the picture. Anyway, you can enjoy the trailer below:

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Carry On Advertising - Carry On Cruising

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 we're continuing with the very first Carry On to be made in glorious technicolor and the very last to be written by the master of comedy pathos, Norman Hudis. Yes it's Carry On Cruising. Cruising remains a real favourite among fans despite it not featuring many of the core team - Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques and Charles Hawtrey are all absent. It does allow actors like Esma Cannon, Cyril Chamberlain and Dilys Laye to grab more screen time however and that's certainly not a bad thing. This trailer takes full advantage of the bright, colourful, carefree feeling of the film and really does capture the lovely light early 1960s optimism. I hope you enjoy it.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Remembering the Greats

The past six months or so has brought lots of sad news for fans of classic British comedy. I've found myself writing tributes to far too many great comedy actors who we have all watched on our screens, seen on stage or listened to on the radio for decades. 

Writing blog posts about the recently departed isn't something I ever relish and although I only do this as a hobby and a love of writing, I do take this side of it seriously. Some of these actors still have a media profile when they leave us, others have long since retired and left the public eye. No matter what their status, they deserve a great deal of respect when they depart. The past year has seen many familiar faces leave us, from the likes of Bill Maynard and Liz Fraser, to Fenella Fielding, June Whitfield and most recently, the brilliant Windsor Davies.

Although it's very sad, these actors do share one common trait - they all lived long lives. The fact they passed on in their eighties or nineties doesn't make it any easier for those closest to them, but they've all lived full, successful lives and brought pleasure and joy to so many. It gives us all a chance to reflect on their wonderful careers and all those performances they've left us to cherish for years to come.

I was struck once again just the other day by the surge of affection for these legends of comedy. Windsor Davies was an actor who made his name in the 1960s and was in his prime in the 70s and 80s, thirty or forty years ago. Despite retiring from the spotlight fifteen years ago and rarely giving interviews since, the outpouring of affection and sadness was really quite something. Hundreds of people shared memories of the great man on Twitter and many of you took the time to read my blog tribute - and a big thank you from me for doing that.

In these difficult times, with people at each other's throats over all sorts of nonsense, it's heart warming to see people from all over the place take the time to remember an actor like Windsor. So Carry On, you know it makes sense! 

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Carry On Blogging Festive Advent: 23 December

And so, once again December is upon us. I'll be 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. 

Here we have a vintage, pre-Carry On photo of the late great Peter Butterworth. Peter was a beloved star of Christmas pantomimes and this snap comes from December 1953. A promotional shot from Alice in Wonderland at the Kew Theatre. Peter was the Mad Hatter and a young Julia Lockwood was Alice.

What a Carry On at Christmas! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carry On Blogging Festive Advent: 19 December

And so, once again December is upon us. I'll be 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. 

A more recent snap today, most probably from the 1990s. I'm not quite sure where it comes from however it must be a BBC promo as both Richard Wilson and Barbara Windsor were big names for the Corporation at the time. Richard was starring in the brilliant comedy series One Foot in the Grave while Barbara was behind the bar of the Queen Vic in EastEnders. Of course Barbara also made a one off guest appearance in One Foot in the Grave too so perhaps that's the link?

What a Carry On at Christmas! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carry On Blogging Festive Advent: 18 December

And so, once again December is upon us. I'll be 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. 

Talbot Rothwell included many nods to former glories in his Christmas telly specials with the gang and the photo above comes from one such sketch in the 1973 adventure. Carry On Caveman it might have been, but it definitely had shades of Cleo about it. Pictured above are Kenneth Connor, Barbara Windsor, Bernard Bresslaw, Sid James and Joan Sims, or the Pods as they were better known. They certainly know all the angles! ;)

What a Carry On at Christmas! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carry On Blogging Festive Advent: 17 December

And so, once again December is upon us. I'll be 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 we're dipping into the world of Christmas television specials from days gone by. Well 1975 to be precise. Back in colour on the BBC since 1972, the Sykes sitcom was firing on all cylinders again thanks to a company that included Deryck Guyler, Richard Wattis, Hattie Jacques and of course Eric himself. Sadly, by the time the festive edition was broadcast in '75 Richard had passed away, but there was still much fun to be had, with Hattie stealing many a scene as Eric's put upon twin.

What a Carry On at Christmas! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carry On Blogging Festive Advent: 15 December

And so, once again December is upon us. I'll be 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 we have a rather naughty old Santa in the shape of none other than Kenneth Connor! Taken from the 1972 Carry On Stuffing Christmas Special for Thames, perhaps not my favourite of the four specials the team made, it still features some terrific performances. Barbara looks a little bemused to find Connor Claus perched on the end of her four poster! 


What a Carry On at Christmas! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Meet Julian Holloway at the London Film Fair

The next London Film Fair will be taking place on Sunday 18th November at the Royal National Hotel, by Russell Square in Central London. These fairs are rather an interesting experience to say the least and allow fans to meet a wide range of actors from the likes of James Bond, Hammer Horror and Carry On franchises. 

Attending this time is the brilliant Julian Holloway, who during a long career on stage and screen clocked up eight Carry On appearances. Beginning with a cameo as a ticket inspector in Carry On Follow That Camel, Julian went on to larger roles in Doctor, Up The Khyber, Camping, Loving, Henry, At Your Convenience and finally England. Julian also played several roles in the 1973 Carry On Christmas television special.

Julian is a familiar face from some of the very best in British television and film. During his career he has appeared in the likes of The Sweeney, The Professionals, Minder, Doctor Who, Elizabeth R and Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads. Film roles include the big screen version of Porridge, the horror Scream and Scream Again and even The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night in 1964. 

A long time resident of the United States, Julian is now back in the UK and I was thrilled to interview him for the blog earlier in the summer. You can read that here and here. Julian was engaging and very entertaining to talk to so do go along on the day to meet him if you can.

The London Film Fair will take place on Sunday 18th November at The Royal National Hotel, 38 - 51 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0DG. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram 

Happy 80th Birthday Patrick Mower!

 

Today we wish the suave, evergreen actor Patrick Mower a very happy 80th birthday! Patrick, a real Seventies heartthrob if ever there was one, is now best known for his long running role as Rodney Blackstock in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Patrick has played the part since the year 2000.

Patrick has been a fixture on television and cinema screens since the 1960s with his most memorable roles coming from a variety of gritty, small screen detective shows in the 1970s. As well as roles in The Sweeney, The Avengers and Jason King, he took lead roles in both Callan and Special Branch. To Carry On fans, Patrick is best remembered for his role as Len Able in the less than successful 1976 film Carry On England, in which he played love interest to Judy Geeson.

Patrick took part in the 2015 ITV tribute show, Carry On Forever, and remains proud of his involvement with the Carry Ons. A further Carry On link comes in the shapely shape of Emmannuelle actress Suzanne Danielle, who was Patrick's real life partner for seven years. 

 

Whatever Patrick is up to today, I hope he has an excellent birthday!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Two Gentlemen Sharing Screening plus Q&A with Judy Geeson at the BFI

As I mentioned over on Twitter last night, there will be a rare chance to catch the actress Judy Geeson in conversation at the BFI early next month. The British Film Institute on London's South Bank will be hosting a special screening of the 1969 British film drama Two Gentlemen Sharing, in which Judy played the character of Jane.

Well I say you can catch Judy, but she won't actually be there in person. She has been based in the United States for many years and will take part in a live Q&A by Skype alongside the film's director Ted Kotcheff. The film tells the story of an upper class white Englishman who is forced to confront his own feelings and prejudices when the London flat he advertises for sharing is taken up by an Oxford-educated black Jamaican. 

Adapted by Jamaican-born Evan Jones from a novel by David Stuart Leslie, it follows this ambitious young Jamaican in swinging London as he battles every day racism and tries to enter the hallowed portals of British business. Allegedly considered an incitement to race-riot, it was given an X certificate and never released in the UK. It was, however, considered suitable for the Venice Film Festival in 1969 and played continuously in France and the US.

Joining Judy in the cast were actors Robin Phillips, Esther Anderson (who will also take part in the event at the BFI), Earl Cameron and Rachel Kempson. Also look out for two other actors who made Carry On appearances - Norman Rossington playing Phil and Elspeth March as Ethne's Mother.

The film and Q&A are part of the BFI's Black and Banned season. The special screening and Q&A will take place on Saturday 1 September from 2pm. And you can buy tickets here

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