Carry On Forever! Part Three!

Don't forget that ITV3's brand spanking new Carry On documentary continues tonight at 9pm! We've been promised exclusive archive footage and photography, emotional reunions for old cast members and new interviews with a brilliant selection of Carry On legends including:

Amanda Barrie, Bernard Cribbins, Jim Dale, Angela Douglas, Shirley Eaton, Fenella Fielding, Liz Fraser, Sally Geeson, Anita Harris, Rosalind Knight, Valerie Leon, Juliet Mills, Jacki Piper and June Whitfield

I can't wait! I'll be tweeting about the programme before, during and after so I look forward to hearing from you!

Follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and @GraemeN82

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Carry On Forever, Part Two!

Don't forget that ITV3's brand spanking new Carry On documentary continues tonight at 9pm! We've been promised exclusive archive footage and photography, emotional reunions for old cast members and new interviews with a brilliant selection of Carry On legends including:

Amanda Barrie, Bernard Cribbins, Jim Dale, Angela Douglas, Shirley Eaton, Fenella Fielding, Liz Fraser, Sally Geeson, Anita Harris, Rosalind Knight, Valerie Leon, Juliet Mills, Jacki Piper and June Whitfield

I can't wait! I'll be tweeting about the programme before, during and after so I look forward to hearing from you!

Follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and @GraemeN82

Follow and like Carry On Blogging on Facebook

Carry On, Carrying On!

Ah the glorious Carry On team. Who could have guessed at the time they would not only have lasted all these years but grown into such a never-ending, massive cult! Each new generation gets to know them, falls in love with them and takes them to their hearts. And long may it continue.

Sadly, far too many of the original team are long gone. They live on for all of us though on the silver screen, captured at their collective peak. The true meaning of a gift that keeps on giving. I think Rogers and Thomas really did strike it lucky with their principal cast. Such a collection of talents, each distinct and bringing their own special something.

Sid James, the leader of the pack in 19 of the films. A true star but also an everyman. Someone so many of the core Carry On audience could identify with and imagine chewing the fat with down the local or in the betting shop. He was a man's man, as it were. An unlikely sex symbol and a classic comedy star. Beneath the Carry On persona though lurked a superb, technical actor capable of a terrific range. He was happy and content doing what he knew best though and we're all grateful for that.

One of my all time favourite raconteurs, the simply brilliant Kenneth Williams. Starting off with idealist dreams of becoming a classical actor and making a difference, he soon found his niche in radio comedy before expanding into television and eventually 26 Carry On films. It was effortless for him and he loved the camaraderie but at the same time it was often an uncomfortable, undignified experience for him. He frequently suffered for his art. In later years as the work dried up he became a renowned chat show regular, a reliable guest able to talk widely and hilariously. Unfortunately these performances ate away at more and more of him and it was painful to watch. I prefer to remember him at his peak - a brilliant, polished comic actor.

Charles Hawtrey. A child star who was rescued by the Carry Ons when his career was on the slide. He appeared in 23 of the films until aspects of his personal life made his position untenable. But what a class act he was in his prime. Even when his appearance in a Carry On was little more than a cameo, it left a lasting impression - the mark or a true star. Who can forget his Private Widdle in Up The Khyber or Dan Dan the Lavatory Man in Screaming? A true one off.

My own favourite of all, the incredibly versatile Joan Sims. There was nothing she couldn't play. More than any other performer in the series she tackled everything they threw at her: posh, common, dowdy and glamorous. How often does an actress go from bright young student nurse to middle-aged housekeeper over a twenty year film franchise? Superb in Carry On Cowboy as Belle, scene stealing as Zig Zig in Follow That Camel and Lady Ruff Diamond in Up The Khyber, she was simply stunning. The downside of appearing in 24 Carry On films was that sadly, more serious roles escaped her. I honestly think she was capable of a much wider range. She would have been magnificent at the National Theatre or the Royal Court or starring in a period drama on television. A great talent, gone too soon.


Jim Dale, the handsome hero of 11 Carry Ons. He provided so much truly brilliant physical comedy it was no surprise he went on to so much success on stage both here and in America. He brought a wonderful energy to the films and was greatly missed when he departed after Again Doctor in 1969. He made a great double act with Sid James and his on-screen romantic partnerships with the likes of Anita Harris, Angela Douglas and Barbara Windsor were always beautifully played.

The wonderfully versatile, naturally comedic Peter Butterworth. He appeared in countless Carry Ons over the years, normally in supporting roles but he attacked them with relish. Never missing an opportunity for comic reactions and unscripted bits of business he was often underestimated I think. In his bigger roles in the series he shone - Brother Belcher in Up The Khyber, Slowbottom in Screaming and Pepe/Mario in Abroad - brilliant, memorable performances up there with the best of them. One of the few main team members to appear in really brief, sometimes uncredited cameos he clearly loved being a part of the series and I adored his performances. His touching scenes with Joan Sims in Carry On Behind show the subtle actor within.

I adored Hattie Jacques in all of her 14 appearances in the Carry Ons although she was often saddled with the harridan of a matron supporting role. She was a class act though. She was a gifted comedienne, star of countless reviews and music hall at the Players Theatre. She made a great double act with Eric Sykes on television and was a really subtle comedy actress. My favourite of her Carry On appearances is not one with a medical theme. Her role as Peggy in Carry On Cabby is outstanding. It was Hattie the woman, playing out a troubled marriage and showing intelligence, guts and determination as a modern business woman. A shame she wasn't allowed to play more parts in that vein. 

The sublime comedy actor Kenneth Connor, one of only two main team players to appear in both the first and last of the original Carry On series. He was the leading man in the early days, the bumbling romantic lead. He then graduated to crumbling middle-aged figures of authority and bureaucracy. Like Peter Butterworth he was a natural comic performer, never missing an opportunity and always delivering top notch performances. A true legend, like so many of his peers he worked right up until the end of his life, making a name for himself on television in Allo Allo and Hi-de-Hi.


 It may have taken her a long time to shed the bubbly blonde Carry On image, but it still put Barbara Windsor on the map and made her a star. She only appeared in nine original Carry Ons but it always feels like she was in a whole lot more. My favourite performance is her first, as Daphne Honeybutt in Carry On Spying. It set the tone for so many that followed, but there was also a touch of the naive which was very welcome. Peter Rogers once made some unkind comments about Barbara's role in the series, very much based on her image, but as her role in EastEnders showed, there was a lot more to her than just the comedy, cockney blonde.

Bringing up the rear, the towering giant of the team, Bernard Bresslaw. He was a quiet, unassuming, intelligent man in real life which was in great contrast with the characters he played. Often the dim-witted accomplice to Sid James or the scary villain (Up The Khyber/Follow That Camel) he was another underrated actor in the team who brought much to the ensemble. The depth of his acting talent was demonstrated in later years when he became a prolific star in legitimate theatre. Sadly he died at the absurdly early age of 59, robbing us of yet another fine talent.

So there you have it, the main players in the classic Carry On team. A superb range of comedy performers who worked effortlessly together on and off for an amazing twenty years. 57 years on from Carry On Sergeant, the Carry On phenomenon shows no sign of abating and thank heavens for it!

Carry On Forever!

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Are you ready to Carry On Forever?

Don't forget that ITV3's brand spanking new Carry On documentary begins tonight at 9pm! We've been promised exclusive archive footage and photography, emotional reunions for old cast members and new interviews with a brilliant selection of Carry On legends including:

Amanda Barrie, Bernard Cribbins, Jim Dale, Angela Douglas, Shirley Eaton, Fenella Fielding, Liz Fraser, Sally Geeson, Anita Harris, Rosalind Knight, Valerie Leon, Juliet Mills, Jacki Piper and June Whitfield

I can't wait! I'll be tweeting about the programme before, during and after so I look forward to hearing from you!

Follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and @GraemeN82

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Was Barbara right not to Carry On Forever?

It has been reported in the press that Barbara Windsor has opted out of appearing in the new Carry On Forever documentary for ITV. The question is, was she right to do so?

Barbara is a British institution with a career and public profile dating back to the late 1950s. She's done it all - films, theatre, television, radio - and she's a real grafter, always bouncing back when the chips are down. She is known as much for her colourful personal life as she is for her on-screen performances but a lot of us love her for both.

She has never been my favourite actor in the Carry On team but I admire her plucky attitude to life, she's a true survivor and reinventing herself through EastEnders was a brilliant turning point in her career. Although I've never been an avid watcher of the London soap I am aware that she delivered some excellent dramatic performances as Peggy Mitchell. She really is one of a sadly diminishing breed today.

Barbara was great in the Carry On films. I loved her cheeky first appearance in Carry On Spying and she excelled as the nurse who raised Sid's blood pressure in Carry On Doctor. Perhaps she was pigeonholed as the bubbly blonde in all of her appearances, limiting her acting range. It did mean she was, perhaps unfairly, given most of the plaudits as the most famous Carry On actress of them all. I often felt that other actresses, Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques in particular, were side-lined to some extent despite their ability to take on a wider range of roles in the franchise and beyond.

Anyway, it is what it is. Barbara has done very well in her career and some of that must be credited to her success in the Carry On films. She did appear in the last big tribute documentary in 1998 so I'm slightly puzzled as to why it seems she is not part of this series. She is no longer a regular in EastEnders so there can surely be no contractual obligations getting in the way. Perhaps she was just unavailable when they were making Carry On Forever or maybe she felt she had nothing new to add. 

Whatever the reason, I'm sad that it looks as if she won't be a part of it. It would have been nice to see her reunite with her old chum Bernard Cribbins to reminisce about Carry On Spying, or catch up with Anita Harris to remember playing nurses together in Carry On Doctor. I think there would have been plenty of new angles for her to be involved and keep things fresh.

I'm sure Carry On Forever will still be a glorious tribute to our favourite film series but it does seem a shame that when so many of the original stars are no longer around to contribute themselves, some that are opt out. 

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Watch the original Carry On Forever

We all know by now that ITV3 are screening a Carry On Weekend this Easter, with a brand new three part documentary called Carry On Forever taking centre stage. I can't wait to see it.

Did you know, however, that there has been a Carry On Forever before? Back in 1970 the BBC broadcast a behind the scenes peak at the making of the latest Carry On film, Up The Jungle. This short film shows the Carry On team filming scenes for the new film and interviews the main cast including Sid James, Frankie Howerd, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw, Terry Scott, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey and new girl, Jacki Piper. It also features legendary Carry On director, Gerald Thomas.

It's a fascinating glimpse into our favourite stars at work and at play and well worth a watch. You can view it here: 

The new Carry On Forever documentary begins tomorrow evening at 9pm on ITV3.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and @GraemeN82 

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Carry On, Angela

One of the greatest joys of life in the bizarre world of Twitter in recent months has been the delightful presence of Angela Douglas. 

Angela is of course a real fan favourite having appeared in four classic Carry On films in the 1960s. Who can forget her barnstorming performance as Annie Oakley in Carry On Cowboy? Or her frightfully posh turn as Lady Jane in Follow That Camel? Perhaps most memorable of all, the gloriously named Princess Jelhi in Carry On Up The Khyber? 

I think my own favourite performance has to be Angela's first in Cowboy. It was a great part as the gun-toting Annie, saving Jim Dale's Marshall P Knutt again and again and playing Sid's Rumpo Kid at his own game. In particular I adored the scenes where Angela, Joan Sims and Edina Ronay pitched in for a terrific cat fight in Jim Dale's bedroom. Wonderful, earthy stuff!

Angela Douglas brought a youthful, sweet innocence as the romantic lead in those four Carry Ons and I think she definitely appeared in the series at the right time. Later offerings were much more innuendo-laden, reflecting the times I suppose, but I doubt the characters Angela played would have fitted in as well. Angela typified a great line of talented young actresses who scored major successes in the Carry On films, from Shirley Eaton and Liz Fraser through to the likes of Jacki Piper and Carol Hawkins. 

Of course Angela has worked very successfully on a wide range of other film, television and stage productions for many years. It must sometimes be rather annoying to be mainly remembered for four low budget comedies in the mid-1960s however the Carry Ons endure and it has been wonderful to see Angela interact with so many fans and admirers on Twitter. Long may that continue.

Last year I also read Angela's autobiography, Swings and Roundabouts. It was a beautiful read, touching, funny and straight from the heart. I would recommend it to all fans. As a fan of her late husband, the actor Kenneth More, it was also great to learn more about his life and career. Genevieve remains one of my all-time favourite films.

So if you are not already following Angela on Twitter, her account is @CarryonAngela14 

You can buy Angela's brilliant autobiography here 

Angela will also be taking part in the new Carry On Forever documentary which will be broadcast on ITV3 this Easter weekend.


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and @GraemeN82 

Carry On Stars publicise Carry On Forever

There was a treat in store for viewers of ITV's This Morning yesterday. With thanks to followers on Twitter I was notified that several Carry On actors were appearing to publicise the forthcoming Carry On Forever documentary.

Amanda Barrie, Bernard Cribbins and Anita Harris were interviewed about their roles in the classic film series as well as what to expect from the new documentary, part of ITV3's Carry On Weekend this Easter.

As I'm sure you'll know, Amanda appeared in Cabby and Cleo, Bernard in Jack, Spying and Columbus and Anita in Follow That Camel and Doctor. 

I have already tweeted a link to the video over at @CarryOnJoan however here it is again here

It is always a joy to see Carry On actors talk about their part in the comedy franchise. I can't wait for Carry On Forever to begin this Friday!


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What can we expect from Carry On Forever?

As most people will already be aware, this coming weekend sees ITV3 devote much of their schedule to our beloved Carry On films. Wonderful stuff and time for a good old wallow in some well-worn nostalgia.

As well as screening several classic Carry On comedies over three days, ITV3 has produced a brand new, three part documentary series chronicling this legendary film series and its stars. What's not to like?

Let's start with what we know. We have been promised new material, namely fresh interviews with many of the surviving stars from the films. We can also expect to see some of these actors re-visit original filming locations, something I think will be fascinating. I've read that Bernard Cribbins and Juliet Mills will meet again for the first time in fifty years and Rosalind Knight will go back to the school used in Carry On Teacher. In addition to this some recently discovered photography from behind the scenes will be shown for the first time ever. All looking good so far. 

I count myself as a die-hard Carry On aficionado and I know these films are like many other cult offerings - Bond, Dr Who, Hammer Horror - those that love them know everything there is to know. We collectively devour every aspect. Therefore I'm left wondering what the interviewees can possibly reveal that hasn't come to light already. 

Fair enough, to casual observers it will be entertaining but most of us already know that Carry On Abroad was filmed in a car park at Pinewood and the camel used in Carry On Follow That Camel didn't want to walk on the sand. These films have become such an integral part of our national psyche that it feels they've been ravaged by an awful lot of publicity as it is.

The 40th anniversary documentary, although now a distant memory shown back in 1998, was fairly thorough and featured a good roster of familiar faces - Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor, Jim Dale, June Whitfield, Leslie Phillips to name a few - although I could have done without the additional comments from "celebrity" fans. Of course sadly we've lost even more cast members since 1998 so there will be some noticeable gaps this time around. As we also know, Barbara has opted not to be involved this time.

So who is involved? Well from the publicity doing the rounds so far we have an interesting collection of well-known actors: Bernard Cribbins, Fenella Fielding, Angela Douglas, Liz Fraser, Shirley Eaton, Juliet Mills, Jim Dale, Rosalind Knight, Valerie Leon, Amanda Barrie, Anita Harris, Sally Geeson and June Whitfield. I've also heard that we may hear from Kenneth Connor's son, Jeremy. 

All good as far as I'm concerned. Any special requests? I'd love them to track down Julian Holloway, great in so many Carry On supporting roles; Gail Grainger who played Miss Plunkett in Abroad and seems to have vanished off the face of the earth and a reunion for Richard O'Callaghan, Kenneth Cope and Jacki Piper from At Your Convenience would be lovely. As the programme makers have spoken to Kenneth's son it would also make sense to interview the children of other stars, for example Peter Butterworth's son Tyler as well as Hattie Jacques' son and Sid James' children too. We will see what the three episodes bring up.

Despite minor niggles, anything new that focuses on my favourite British comedy films has to be a good thing. I've set my recorder for the Easter weekend and I can't wait to wallow in classic clips and reconnect with some wonderful comedy performers.


The Carry On Weekend kicks off this Friday morning on ITV3. The documentary Carry On Forever begins on Friday evening at 9pm, running at the same time over three nights.


Follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan

Carry On Forever Weekend TV Schedule

As all Carry On fans will know, ITV3 is devoting the Easter Bank Holiday weekend to all things Carry On. The jewel in the crown will be the much heralded, brand new Carry On Forever three part documentary, narrated by Martin Clunes.

So what's happening? Here's some of the information I have:


Friday 3 April:

07.55 - Carry On Don't Lose Your Head
09.45 - That's Carry On
11.40 - Carry On Screaming
13.35 - Carry On Again Doctor
15.25 - Carry On Matron
17.15 - Carry On Henry
19.05 - Carry On Jack

21:00 - Carry On Forever Documentary - Part 1 (featuring Bernard Cribbins, Juliet Mills, Liz Fraser, Shirley Eaton and Rosalind Knight).

22.00 - Carry On Cruising


Saturday 4 April:

07.40 - Carry On At Your Convenience
09.30 - Carry On Loving
11.20 - Carry On Jack
13.10 - Carry On Cowboy
15.10 - Carry On Screaming
17.05 - Carry On Follow That Camel
19.05 - Carry On Cleo

21:00 - Carry On Forever Documentary - Part 2

22:00 - Carry On Camping


Sunday 5 April:

08.05 - Carry On Cruising
09.55 - Carry On Again Doctor
11.45 - Carry On Henry
13.35 - Carry On At Your Convenience
15.25 - Carry On Loving
17.15 - Carry On Matron
19.05 - Carry On Up The Jungle

21:00 - Carry On Forever Documentary - Part 3

22:00 - Carry On Girls 



So what do you think of the schedule? Any films you think should be included that aren't? Comment below!


Follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan