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.
To begin at the beginning, we're going back nearly 61 years to the very first Carry On to be made, Carry On Sergeant. Often overlooked as it lacked some of the crucial elements that made the later Carry Ons so popular, Sergeant may have missed the likes of Joan Sims, Sid James and Barbara Windsor, but it remains a heartwarming film and despite its vintage, very funny still. Sergeant, of course, tells the story of a platoon of misfits going through the unpleasant rigours of National Service training in the coy post-war Britain of the 1950s. It's all quite tame, innocent fare but as always with the Carry Ons, Peter and Gerald brought together a formidable band of talented actors to enliven the script.
Key to their early success was employing a bunch of excellent if largely unknown performers who would subsequently become stars in their own right. The likes of Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques, Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Connor would be known to some in the audience but they were by no means megastars. Other actors involved, such as Shirley Eaton, Eric Barker and Dora Bryan, were relative old hands in film making and had many titles under their belts. As with many of the series entries, Sergeant is very much an ensemble piece and is very shared. Peter Rogers claimed that "Carry On" was the only star and you could argue he was right. However, in the case of Sergeant, one actor in particular shines brighter than all the rest combined.
Playing Horace Strong, the superstitious anti-hero of the piece, was the fantastic Kenneth Connor. Kenneth had been acting since a very young age and had made a bit of a name for himself, particularly on radio where he worked a great deal with members of The Goons and future Carry On Teacher star, Ted Ray. Kenneth's film career had just got going when unfortunately, so did the Second World War, but the new medium of commercial television had started to see Connor's promise in the mid to late 1950s. So he was possibly a voice audiences had heard even if they couldn't place the face or the name.
We all know what a talented actor Kenneth Connor was. As I've written before he was perhaps less celebrated when compared to the larger than life tabloid fillers such as Sid, Barbara or Kenneth Williams, but for me Kenneth Connor was just a wonderful, very natural, tremendously dedicated actor. Along with Kenneth Williams and Eric Barker, Connor was the only actor in the entire team to feature in the entire original run of films and the two Kenneths really did enjoy (or should that be endure?) terrific Carry On longevity. Connor was quietly dependable but supremely talented and never put in a dud performance, no matter what the medium or the quality of the production. His Carry On career took an interesting path too. Starting out as the relatively youthful, clumsy and bumbling unlikely romantic lead in the Norman Hudis era, Kenneth returned in the late 1960s to play bumbling, randy middle aged middle men and frustrated local bureaucrats. His talents transcended a generation.
Although he appeared in seventeen of the films, countless televisions and a couple of stage shows, for me at least, Kenneth's very first comedy character role in the series, as Horace in Sergeant, might very well be his finest hour. In a cast bursting with fresh talent, with everyone getting their turn to shine, Connor soars above the pack with a beautifully touching, funny portrayal of man who just can't get on in life no matter how hard he tries. Horace is continually sent up by his fellow soldiers and is a constant let down whenever a physical challenge appears on the horizon. He's one of the major reasons for Able Platoon's poor performance and he repeatedly tests the patience of all those around him.
His saving graces take the form of two wonderful, if very different women. As soon as Dora Bryan's romantic dreamer cum NAAFI worker Norah spots poor Horace, he's a goner. She swoons, she moons, she goes goggly-eyed as only the delicious Dora could and the pair are a match made in heaven. No matter how hard poor Norah tries to catch Horace's attention, he blanks her, ignores her or runs away scared in the face of womanly temptations! Dora and Kenneth are totally, utterly sweet together on screen and form the heart and soul of Sergeant. A shame Dora Bryan never made another Carry On, although if she had then it's probable that Joan Sims wouldn't have got a look in.
Spotting the romantic tension between Norah and Horace, the camp's Medical Officer, the formidable Captain Clark steps in. Although Hattie Jacques' role in Sergeant is relatively small compared to some of her later, more celebrated parts, she does provide one of the few other female voices in the film. As the stern medic with a heart of gold, Hattie shines. Her scenes are pretty much all with Kenneth Connor and the pair have a regular running gag throughout the film as Strong continually attends her clinic with his latest medical preoccupation, only to be sent away and told to keep taking the tablets. It is Clark however, who sees the light at the end of the tunnel and whips Strong away before the last ditch attempt to gain any kudos - the passing out parade. The pair visit a team of medical specialists in a quick fire scene which sees Horace undergo endless analysis and tests before finding out the root of his ills - his love for the inimitable Norah.
Returning to base a new man, Horace then astounds the fellow soldiers in a truly brilliant scene. Connor manages to keep the essence of Horace while completely transforming his manner, his stance, his walk and even his voice. It's a beautifully played comedic scene and as is often the case, the actors involved raise the bar far above the material and the budget. With Horace a new man with the love a good woman, the platoon turn their performance around and come out on top. The finale is fantastic, patriotic and fairly brings a lump to your throat. As is often the case in the Carry On World, alls well that ends well.
Looking back at Sergeant, again with benefit of hindsight right enough, it is easy to see who the real stars are and who would become the mainstays of the comedy film series that even when Sergeant was released, was really in nobody's mind. To most of the actors Carry On Sergeant was just another film. Coincidentally, apparently it was Kenneth Connor as the lone voice who felt that it was the start of something very special. Connor, Williams, Jacques and Hawtrey would form the backbone of many films that followed and in this film they were supported by countless other top talents. Despite this, the film, for me at least, belongs to the superlative Kenneth Connor and his superb turn as Horace Strong.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with an actor who never quite became a household name, despite almost never being out of work during a career that spanned 45 years, Arnold Diamond.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Fifth Specialist
Other Carry On roles: Arnold returned, in voice only, when he was heard as the Chief Constable on the phone to Eric Barker's Inspector Mills at the end of Carry On Constable.
Other notable film performances: Arnold played Molke in The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958); Moffat in The Frightened City (1961); the Headwaiter in The Anniversary (1968); Charles Dickens in The Best House in London (1969); Major Proudfoot in Zeppelin (1971); Moishe in Fiddler on the Roof (1971) and Lengetti in Madame Sin (1972).
Best remembered for: Arnold Diamond's best known roles are as Colonel Latignant, one of the few recurring characters in the 1960s Roger Moore series The Saint and as Mr Rabinsky, Alf Garnett's neighbour in the television series In Sickness and in Health.
Did you know?: Even though he was born in West Ham, London, Arnold spent most of his career being cast as foreign characters.
What happened to him?: Arnold Diamond passed away in Poole, Dorset at the age of 76 in March 1992.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with an actor who became a household name in the 1970s for a legendary situation comedy, Jack Smethurst.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: First Recruit
Other Carry On roles: Sergeant was Jack's very first film role. Sadly he didn't appear in any further Carry Ons although he did play a Sailor in Watch Your Stern in 1960, produced by Peter Rogers and directed by Gerald Thomas.
Other notable film performances: Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) as a Waiter; A Kind of Loving (1962) as Conroy; Please Sir! (1971) as Bus Driver; For the Love of Ada (1972) as Leslie Pollitt; Man About The House (1974) as himself and Chariots of Fire (1981) as a Sleeping Car Attendant.
Best remembered for: Jack Smethurst is best remembered for his long running role as "socialist bigot" Eddie Booth in the Thames Television comedy series Love Thy Neighbour. The show ran to 54 episodes a feature film between 1972 and 1976.
Did you know?: Jack appeared in four different roles in ITV soap Coronation Street between 1961 and 2001. He played a drayman in 1961; an out of work man who conned Elsie Tanner in 1967; a bin man friend of Eddie Yeats who appeared for three years in the early 1980s and finally as an allotment keeper during the summer of 2001.
What happened to him?: Jack is thankfully still with us at the age of 86.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with an actor who is probably the most individual performer the Carry Ons ever featured, the one and only Charles Hawtrey.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Peter Golightly
Other Carry On roles: Yes - Charles became one of the most prolific of all the Carry On actors, appearing in a total of 23 films between 1958 and 1972.
Other notable film performances: The Ghost of St Michaels (1941) and The Goose Steps Out (1942) - both with WIll Hay; A Canterbury Tale (1944); Passport to Pimlico (1949); I Only Arsked (1958); Inn for Trouble (1960); What a Whopper (1961); Dentist On The Job (1961) and Zeta One (1968).
Best remembered for: Aside from the Carry Ons, which came to dominate his screen career, Hawtrey is probably best remembered for his regular role as Private "Professor" Hatchett in the Granada Television national service comedy series, The Army Game.
Did you know?: Hawtrey was actually born George Frederick Joffre Hartree, in Hounslow in 1914. He took his stage name from the theatrical knight Sir Charles Hawtrey and encouraged people to believe they were related.
Charles' career spanned six decades with his earliest stage appearance dating back to 1925. He even appeared in a couple of silent films in the early 1920s.
What happened to him?: Sadly Charles left the series under a cloud after Carry On Abroad in 1972. He continued to act in pantomimes and the occasional television appearance into the 1980s before ill health took its toll. He died at the age of 73 in October 1988.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with an actor who never quite became a household name, despite appearing in countless post-war British films, Cyril Chamberlain.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Gun Sergeant
Other Carry On roles: Bert Able in Carry On Nurse; Alf Hudson in Carry On Teacher; Thurston in Carry On Constable; Policeman in Carry On Regardless; Tom Tree in Carry On Cruising and Sarge in Carry On Cabby.
Other notable film performances: Among Cyril's 160 screen credits are several Doctor films (In the House, At Sea, At Large, In Love) for Betty Box and several other films for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas, including Please Turn Over, as Mr Jones; a Guard in Upstairs and Downstairs (1959); a Porter in Raising The Wind (1961) and Mrs Webb's Teammate in The Iron Maiden (1962).
Best remembered for: Alongside Kenneth Connor, Cyril was a regular presence in first seven Carry On films.
Did you know?: Apparently Cyril had a small, uncredited part in the 1964 film Carry On Spying however despite repeated screenings I'm yet to spot him!
Following his retirement, Cyril spent his last years indulging his love of antiques and restoring antique furniture.
What happened to him?: Sadly Cyril died at the age of 65 in December 1974. He was married to the actress Lisa Lee and together they had one child.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with one of the most legendary figures in post-war British comedy, with a career which spanned, comedy films, straight drama, theatre, television game shows, stand up and writing - you guessed it, the one and only Bob Monkhouse.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Charlie Sage
Other Carry On roles: Sadly Bob did not return to the world of Carry On after making Sergeant.
Other notable film performances: Bob played David Cookson in two "Dentist" film comedies: Dentist in the Chair (1960) and Dentist on the Job (1961) - both capitalised on the popularity of the Carry Ons by casting the likes of Kenneth Connor, Eric Barker and Shirley Eaton. Other films included A Weekend with Lulu (1961) and She'll Have to Go (1962).
Best remembered for: Despite his great success as a writer, actor, stand up comedian and even singer, Bob is probably best remembered today as the host of many a popular gameshow on television. Hits included The Golden Shot, Family Fortunes, Celebrity Squares and Bob's Full House.
Did you know?: Throughout his career Monkhouse had jotted down jokes, one-liners, sketches and ideas into a series of leather bound books which accompanied him to every single professional appearance he made. In 1995 two of these volumes were stolen and a £15000 reward was offered by Monkhouse himself for their safe return. 18 months later they were returned to him.
What happened to him?: Bob died at the age of 75 in 2003. He had been suffering from prostate cancer.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with an actor who never quite became a household name, despite being the Carry On films' original leading man, Terence Longdon.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Miles Haywood
Other Carry On roles: Ted York in Carry On Nurse; Herbert Hall in Carry On Constable and Montgomery Infield-Hopping in Carry On Regardless.
Other notable film performances: He appeared in the following films:
Simon and Laura (starring Kay Kendall); Helen Of Troy (with Nora Swinburne and
Stanley Baker); Jumping For Joy (with Frankie Howerd); Doctor At Large (with
Dirk Bogarde); Another Time, Another Place (with Sean Connery, Lana Turner and
a certain Sidney James) and What A Wopper (again with Sid James).
Best remembered for: Probably Terence's best-remembered role was as Drusus in the 1959 Hollywood epic, Ben Hur, opposite Charlton Heston.
Did you know?: In 1982 Terence joined the cast of long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street, playing Wilf Stockwell, a client and friend of Mike Baldwin who went on to enjoy a romantic relationship with Street siren Elsie Tanner.
What happened to him?: Terence died from cancer at the age of 88 in April 2011. Before his death he had managed to reunite with Carry On stars Liz Fraser, Shirley Eaton and Dora Bryan for a couple of Carry On DVD audio commentaries.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This
is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the
original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since
Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on
all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy
films to life?
We're continuing with an actor who rose to lasting sitcom stardom, Terry Scott.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Sergeant Paddy O'Brien
Other Carry On roles: After a ten year gap, Terry returned to the Carry Ons for leading parts in Up The Khyber, Camping, Up The Jungle, Loving, Henry and Matron. Terry also appeared in two television specials with the gang, Carry On Christmas in 1969 and Carry On Again Christmas the following year.
Other notable film performances: Terry worked again for Rogers and Thomas in their 1972 film Bless This House, playing Ronald Baines with June Whitfield as his wife and Carol Hawkins playing his daughter. Other films included a Police Sergeant in Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957); Donald in The Bridal Path; Crawley in I'm All Right Jack (both 1959); a River Policeman in Double Bunk (1961); PC Wells in Murder Most Foul (1964) and Robert in Doctor in Clover (1966).
Best Remembered for: His twenty year working relationship with the wonderful June Whitfield. They first worked together in 1968 in Terry's series Scott On ... before June first played his wife in Happy Ever After (1974 - 1978) and the follow up, Terry and June (1979 - 1987). The pair also starred in numerous stage shows.
Did you know?: From 1981 to 1992, Terry voiced the character of Penfold the hamster in the children's animation series Danger Mouse.
What happened to him?: From the late 1970s, Terry Scott suffered from a wide range of health problems. A workaholic, Terry continued to appear on television in Terry and June until it was axed in 1987. Despite failing health, he kept working in theatre productions at home and abroad until his final illness. Terry died at the age of 67 in July 1994 at his home in Surrey.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with an actor who made his name on radio but went on to hold a unique place in the Carry On cannon, Eric Barker
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Captain Potts
Other Carry On roles: Eric returned to play a leading role in Carry On Constable - Inspector Mills, another authority figure. Barker was again in charge when he played The Chief in Carry On Spying in 1964 and returned one more time for the last film in the original run, Carry On Emmannuelle in 1978 where he played the wordless cameo of an Ancient General. Eric was also one of only three actors to appear in both the first and the last of the original run (the others being Kenneths Williams and Connor).
Other notable film performances: Eric played Culpepper Brown in three of the St Trinian's films between 1957 and 1966. He also starred alongside Carry On alumni Bob Monkhouse, Kenneth Connor and Shirley Eaton in two of the Dentist film comedies. Other films for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas included Watch Your Stern (1960) and Raising The Wind (1961). He played the police doctor in the Norman Wisdom film On The Beat (1962) and teamed up with Leslie Phillips and Stanley Baxter for both The Fast Lady (1962) and Father Came Too! (1964).
Best remembered for: Playing authority figures and army types in some of the best post-war British comedy films.
Did you know?: Eric Barker won the BAFTA for best newcomer in film for his role as Alec Blair in the 1957 comedy Brothers in Law.
Eric's daughter Petronella married fellow actor Anthony Hopkins in 1967. Together they had a daughter, Abigail, who is now an actress and singer.
Carry On Cruising, although written by Norman Hudis, came from a story by Eric Barker.
What happened to him?: Eric died aged 78 on 1 June 1990. His wife, the actress Pearl Hackney, survived him and lived on until she passed away in September 2009 at the age of 92.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with one of the most instantly recognisable faces from the entire franchise, Kenneth Williams
Role in Carry On Sergeant: James Bailey
Other Carry On roles: Kenneth was the most prolific of all the Carry On actors, appearing in a total of 26 out of the original series. He was also one of only three actors to appear in both the first and the last of the original run.
Other notable film performances: Kenneth struggled to make his way in films until the Carry Ons appeared on the horizon. Other films included the Make Mine Mink, as Freddie (1960); His and Hers, as Policeman (1961); Raising The Wind, as Harold Chesney (1961); Twice Round The Daffodils, as Henry Halfpenny (1962) and The Hound of the Baskervilles, as Sir Henry (1978).
Best remembered for: Apart from his association with the Carry Ons, Kenneth is probably most fondly remembered for his work on radio in the likes of Hancock's Half Hour, Beyond Our Ken, Round The Horne and Just A Minute as well as his infamous diaries, published in 1993.
Did you know?: Kenneth only missed four Carry Ons - Cabby because he apparently didn't like the script, Up The Jungle due to other television commitments and Girls and England due to work in the theatre.
What happened to him?: Sadly Kenneth Williams passed away at the age of 62 in April 1988. He had been suffering from ill health for some time.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with an actor who appeared in countless post-war films before finding lasting fame in a BBC sitcom, Bill Owen.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Corporal Copping
Other Carry On roles: Bill returned for the next film in the series, playing hospital patient Percy Hickson in Carry On Nurse. Owen made two further smaller appearances in the series, first of all as Helping Hands employee Mike Weston in Carry On Regardless in 1961 and as grumpy cab driver Smiley Sims in Carry On Cabby two years later.
Other notable film performances: The Square Ring, as Happy Burns (1953); Davy, as Eric (1958); Carve Her Name with Pride, as the NCO Instructor (1958); On The Fiddle, as Corporal Gittens (1961); Georgy Girl, as Ted (1966) and O Lucky Man!, as Supt Barlow/Insp. Carding (1973).
Best remembered for: Bill Owen will forever be remembered for his long running role as Compo in the Roy Clarke comedy series, Last of the Summer Wine. Bill stayed with the series from 1973 until his death.
Did you know?: An early television comedy success for Owen came in the Sid James vehicle (as it were) Taxi, broadcast on BBC1 between 1963 and 1964.
What happened to him?: Bill died at the age of 85 in July 1999 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life?
I'm continuing today with one of the most well-loved faces from the entire franchise, Hattie Jacques
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Captain Clark
Other Carry On roles: Hattie was a constant presence in the early years of Carry On, clocking up six films by 1963. Following a four year break Jacques returned and starred in eight more films up to and including Carry On Dick in 1974.
Other notable film performances: Away from the Carry Ons Hattie had roles in Trottie True, as Daisy (1949); Chance of a Lifetime, as Alice (1950); Scrooge, as Mrs Fezziwig (1951); The Square Peg, as Gretchen (1958); Follow A Star, as Dymphna Dobson (1959); Make Mine Mink, as Nanette Parry (1960); Watch Your Stern, as Agatha Potter (1960) and The Plank, as Woman with Rose (1967).
Best remembered for: Without a doubt Hattie is best known for her long working relationship with Eric Sykes, which spanned two runs of their domestic sitcom for the BBC - Sykes and A… from 1960 until 1965 and Sykes between 1972 and 1979. Eric and Hattie also teamed up in a wide variety of other shows on television and the theatre.
Did you know?: Hattie's closest friend in the Carry On cast was fellow actress Joan Sims. Hattie was married to the Dad's Army star John Le Mesurier from 1949 until 1965.
What happened to her?: From the mid 1970s Hattie's health began to deteriorate. She very sadly passed away on 6 October 1980 at the age of just 58.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life? As today marks 60 years to the day since Sergeant started filming, I thought I'd focus on one of the series' most enduring stars: Kenneth Connor
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Horace Strong
Other Carry On roles: Kenneth played leading roles in all the original black and white Carry Ons before taking a break once Cleo was in the can in 1964. He returned to play middle aged character parts in nine further series entries from 1969 until the original run came to an end with Emmannuelle in 1978.
Other notable film performances: Following an early role as a Taxi Driver in The Ladykillers (1955), Carry On fame saw Connor star in films such as Dentist in the Chair as Sam Field (1960); Watch Your Stern as Ordinary Seaman Blissworth (1960); His and Hers as Harold (1961) and What A Carve Up! as Ernie Broughton (1961).
Best remembered for: Providing peerless support in seventeen Carry On films over a twenty year period.
Did you know?: In later years Kenneth carved out a niche for himself in television comedy with recurring roles in two huge successes for the BBC. He played Monsieur Alfonse in 'Allo 'Allo and Uncle Sammy Morris in Hi-de-Hi!
What happened to him?: Working until the very end, Kenneth Connor passed away aged 75 in November 1993.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram
This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life? As today marks 60 years to the day since Sergeant started filming, I thought I'd focus on one of my favourite actors from that very first film: Dora Bryan
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Norah
Other Carry On roles: Sadly not. Rumour has it Dora asked for more money for the next film and the part went to newcomer Joan Sims. While I'd have loved to see Dora in more Carry Ons, the arrival of Miss Sims was a turning point in the success of the series as far as I'm concerned.
Other notable film performances: In films from the 1940s, Dora played cameos in lots of post-war films, usually as good time girls or "tarts with hearts of gold". She had an eye-catching turn in the 1950 film The Blue Lamp, playing Maisie. She also played Tilly in the 1952 film Mother Riley Meets the Vampire; Gladys in You Know What Sailors Are (1954); Gay in Desert Mice (1959); Amber Spottiswood in The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery (1966) and Cora Crumpington in Up The Front (1972).
Best remembered for: Without a doubt Dora's best remembered film performance was that Helen in Shelagh Delaney's groundbreaking work, A Taste of Honey, in 1961. Dora's best known stage work was in the musical Hello, Dolly! between 1966 and 1968.
Did you know?: Dora owned a hotel called Clarges on Brighton seafront for many years. Bryan was reunited with many of her friends from the team when they visited Brighton in 1971 to film scenes for Carry On At Your Convenience. The hotel was also seen in Convenience and two years later, in Carry On Girls too.
What happened to her?: Dora continued to appear on stage and television well into old age, finally retiring in 2006. Dora Bryan passed away at the grand old age of 91 in July 2014.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram
This
is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the
original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since
Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on
all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy
films to life?
We're continuing with an actress who became to the Carry Ons' first leading lady: Shirley Eaton
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Mary Sage
Other Carry On roles: Shirley returned for a starring role as Nurse Dorothy Denton in the following film, Carry On Nurse, also filmed in 1958. At the end of 1959 she returned one last time for a cameo role in Carry On Constable as Sally Barry.
Other notable film performances: Shirley also starred in two Doctor films: as Milly Groaker in Doctor in the House (1954) and as Nan in Doctor at Large (1957). Eaton also played Shirley Hornett in Sailor Beware! (1956); Melissa Right in The Naked Truth (1957); Jill Venner in Dentist On The Job (1961) and Linda Dickson in What A Carve Up! (1961).
Best remembered for: Without a doubt, Shirley is best remembered for her supporting role as Jill Masterson in the classic 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger, which saw her character suffer a memorable demise, painted gold.
Did you know?: Shirley married Colin Rowe in 1957 and had two sons. She retired from acting in 1969 in her early thirties to concentrate on family life.
What happened to her?: Spending a lot of her later life in France, Shirley returned to the UK following the death of her husband in 1994. Although not returning to the acting profession, Shirley continues to appear in documentaries and at fan conventions.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram
This
is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the
original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since
Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on
all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy
films to life?
We're continuing with an actor who found lasting fame on the small screen, Gerald Campion.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Andy Calloway
Other Carry On roles: None
Other notable film performances: Fatty Gilbert in Fun at St Fanny's (1956); George in Inn for Trouble; Proudfoot in School for Scoundrels (both 1960); Charlie in Double Bunk (1961) and Minister in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968).
Best remembered for: Playing Billy Bunter on television between 1952 and 1961 - despite playing the school boy, Gerald was 40 when the series eventually came to an end.
Did you know?: After retiring from acting Gerald made a success of running various bars and restaurants in London's West End. The most famous was Gerry's, a private member's club in Soho.
Gerry's Bar in Soho is named after him.
Gerald's mother, Blanche, was Charlie Chaplin's first cousin.
What happened to him?: Gerald died in Agen, France in July 2002 at the age of 81.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram
This
is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the
original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since
Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on
all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy
films to life?
We're continuing with an actor with the reputation as one of the nicest in the business, Norman Rossington.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Herbert Brown
Other Carry On roles: Norman returned to Carry On for the role of Norm in Carry On Nurse, later in 1958. He also made a cameo appearance in Carry On Regardless in 1960 as the boxing referee. Over ten years later he played a supporting role in the 1972 Carry On Christmas television special, taking on roles originally written for the absent Charles Hawtrey.
Other notable film performances: Norman had roles in a number of well-remembered films including a Soldier in Saint Joan (1957); James Kieran in A Night To Remember (1958); Bert in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960); Alfie in Go To Blazes (1962); Private Clough in The Longest Day (also 1962); Dewsnap in Young Winston (1972) and Gaffer Andrews in Joseph Andrews (1977).
Best Remembered for: Playing Private "Cupcake" Cook in the Granada Television sitcom, The Army Game for three series. Norman also reprised his role as Cook for the big screen version, I Only Arsked, which starred Bernard Bresslaw.
Did you know?: Norman is the only actor to have appeared in films with both The Beatles and Elvis Presley. He worked on A Hard Day's Night with the Fab Four and also the Elvis film Double Trouble.
What happened to him?: Norman died in May 1999 after a six month battle with cancer. Just the year before he had returned to the world of Carry On one last time when he took part in the ITV 40th anniversary documentary, What's A Carry On?
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