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 who experienced success both in Britain and back in is native Australia, Ed Devereaux.
Role in Carry On Sergeant: Sergeant Russell
Other Carry On roles: Alec Lawrence in Carry On Nurse; Mr Panting in Carry On Regardless; Young Officer in Carry On Cruising and Hook the pirate in Carry On Jack.
Other notable film performances: Ed also appeared in Watch Your Stern (1960) and Bless This House (1972) for Peter Rogers Productions. Other films roles included Brickwood in The Captain's Table (1959); Bluey May in The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963); Mr Gubbins in Ladies Who Do (1963); Sir Alec Ferguson in Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974) and Dick Martin in Money Movers (1978).
Best Remembered for: Despite over 100 credits to his name and parts in television successes such as Edward and Mrs Simpson, Absolutely Fabulous, The Professionals and The Sweeney, Ed will always be best remembered for starring in 90 episodes of the Australian series Skippy, as head ranger Matt Hammond, between 1968 and 1970.
Did you know?: Before becoming an actor Ed had a wide variety of different jobs including that of a boy soprano, a cabbie, a truck driver and a storeman!
What happened to him?: Ed died at his Hampstead home on 17 December 2003 at the age of 78. He had been suffering from cancer.
I have long been a fan of
the classic, gritty 1970s police drama The Sweeney. Starring John Thaw as Regan
and Dennis Waterman as Carter, it was a rough and ready antidote to the likes
of Dixon of Dock Green and portrayed modern policing on the seedy streets of
London in a way that just had not been seen on television before. The
performances from the leads are cracking throughout all four series and the
plots, drama and action rarely pull any punches.
I love British television
from this period as there really were so many fantastic character actors
bobbing about from job to job. You would see the same faces across all manner
of shows, particularly as the film industry slowed down and TV took its place.
I also love seeing dirty old London at its very best. The Sweeney captured the
capital in the mid 1970s – signs of the Second World War and post-war slum
clearance are still evident while areas like Notting Hill had yet to become
gentrified. It’s basically a fascinating time capsule and I absolutely adore
it. And don’t even get me started on the fashions and the cars!
I thought I’d blog a quick
run through of some of my favourite Carry On actors who popped up in The
Sweeney over its four year run. I enjoy seeing actors we know for comedy roles
appearing in something completely different. Most comic actors play it straight
incredibly well and this series was no exception. Of course one of the most
famous Carry On links to The Sweeney is John Thaw’s wife, the lovely Sheila Hancock. Senna Pod in Carry On
Cleo was but a distant memory by this stage and although Sheila never appeared
in The Sweeney, she was very much a part of Thaw’s life by this stage.
Let’s start off with fan
favourite Julian Holloway. The son
of the late Stanley Holloway, Julian co-starred in eight Carry Ons between 1967
and 1976. He also popped up in the 1973 television Christmas special. Julian
guest starred as John Smith, one of a gang of ruthless criminal brothers in the
classic Sweeney episode “Big Spender” in 1975. Also in that episode was
one-time Carry On actor Warren Mitchell,
here playing William Wardle. Warren played Spencius in Carry On Cleo in 1964
but is best remembered as Johnny Speight’s creation Alf Garnett.
The mysterious Carry On
figure of Gail Grainger (Just what
happened to her?) appeared in the 1976 episode “Sweet Smell of Succession” as
Jill. She is well remembered for her one off appearance as Miss Plunkett in the
wonderful Carry On Abroad. That same episode co-starred Willoughby Goddard as Daniel Kitter – Goddard had a small role as
Large Man in the 1962 film Carry On Cruising.
1975 saw two familiar faces
team up for guest spots in The Sweeney. These two actors proved so popular in
their roles as Australian armed robbers Colin McGruder and Ray Stackpole that
they were brought back for a further adventure later the same year. Patrick Mower, who starred in Carry On
England and George Layton, who had a
cameo in Behind, played the pair in “Golden Fleece” and “Trojan Bus”.
Margaret Nolan, the star of six Carry On films, played Betty in an episode called
“Thin Ice”, broadcast in 1975. That same episode co-starred Brian Wlide as Stanley Hedges. As well
as his long stint in the comedy series Last of the Summer Wine, Brian had a
cameo in Carry On Doctor and filmed a scene for Carry On Henry in 1970 which
was subsequently cut from the final print.
The wonderful Bill Maynard, the star of five Carry
Ons between 1970 and 1974 and many other delights of British comedy, played
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Quirk in the 1975 episode “Supersnout” – his
character was Regan’s bombastic boss while Haskins was away. The 1976 episode
“Down To You Brother” featured another familiar Carry On face in Derek Francis, known to Carry On fans
for his cameos in the likes of Carry On Doctor, Camping and his standout
appearance as the security guard in Carry On Matron. Derek played well to do
criminal Raymond Meadows. That same episode also features the multi-talented Kenny Lynch playing Roland Holder.
Lynch had a cameo as a bus conductor in Carry On Loving before returning to the
series as the writer of the Carry On Emmannuelle theme tune “Love Crazy” in
1978.
The delightful Wanda Ventham, who’s list of credits
includes small parts in Carry On Cleo, The Big Job and Carry On Up The Khyber,
played Brenda in the 1975 series 1 episode “Abduction”.
In 1976 Patricia Franklin appeared in a support role as Mrs Perraut in the
episode “Bad Apple”. Patricia made five Carry On appearances including classics
such as Camping, Loving and Behind. Playing Mavis in the four series episode
“Drag Act” was Vivienne Johnson,
best known to Carry On fans for her role as Freda in Carry On England in 1976
and three parts in the 1975 ATV series Carry On Laughing.
Linda Hooks,
who appeared in three Carry Ons – Dick, Behind and England – and two episodes
of Carry On Laughing, played Ivy in the four series episode “Jack or Knave”.
Co-star in all three of those Carry Ons, as well as many episodes of Carry On
Laughing, familiar face David Lodge
also appeared in The Sweeney. In 1975 he played Boxing Club owner Pop Garret in
“Chalk and Cheese”. David also starred in Carry On Regardless and Carry On
Girls.
The well-known actress,
comedienne and writer Maureen Lipman
has had two roles in The Sweeney. Long before she signed up to appear in the
1992 revival Carry On Columbus, Maureen played Annie in the original pilot for
The Sweeney, “Regan” broadcast as part of Armchair Cinema in 1974. Two years
later she was back for a different part, as Mrs Smedley in “Selected Target”.
Everyone remembers the late
actor John Clive, who cropped up in
two Carry Ons – as the camp Robin in Carry On Abroad and two years later in
1974, in the cameo role of Isaac the Tailor in Carry On Dick. The following
year he played journalist John Frewin in The Sweeney episode “Big Brother”.
Well known Australian actor Ed Devereaux guest starred in many
classic British television series in the 1960s and 70s before returning home to
work in Australia for much of the rest of his career. In 1975 he appeared in
the second episode of the very first series of The Sweeney – “Jackpot” as Harry
Biggleswade. Ed worked for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas on Carry On Nurse,
Regardless, Cruising and Jack as well as the big screen version of Bless This
House.
Finally before I go, quick
mentions for two of my favourites on Twitter – both appeared in The Sweeney.
First up is Judy Matheson who played
Kibber’s Girlfriend in the 1976 episode “Selected Target” and also the lovely Judy Buxton who, long before playing
opposite Dennis Waterman in the comedy series On The Up, played a Sales Girl in
the 1978 Sweeney episode “Bait”.
So look out for some
familiar Carry On comedy faces playing it straight the next time The Sweeney is
shown on television. It’s surprising who you might spot!
Last year I wrote a blog where I questioned whether Carry On Jack really deserved a place in the Carry On cannon. I had never been a fan of this naval comedy. It lacked a full roster of regular team favourites, it wasn't loaded with typical Carry On innuendos or familiar situations. It was definitely towards the bottom of the pile. However, I have since revisited this film and I was pleasantly surprised. It stands up remarkably well given it was made over fifty years ago. As with other period costume Carry Ons, it is pretty timeless and I actually really enjoyed it. It may lack the likes of Sid James, Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques, but the actors who do appear are terrific. They also look like they are having a wonderful time acting out various fantasies on the high seas.
The regulars who do appear are brilliant. Kenneth Williams is perfectly cast as Captain Fearless, the wimp of the Royal Navy. Charles Hawtrey plays more of a character than usual as cesspit cleaner Walter Sweetly. Hawtrey has one of his largest roles in Jack and delights throughout. Jim Dale meanwhile, although only appearing in a brief cameo as a sedan chair carrier, really shines. Going on this performance alone, you can see why Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas signed him up for many more Carry Ons, with his parts getting significantly bigger before too long. His interplay with Bernard Cribbins and the diminutive Ian Wilson is superbly timed. What I have come to realise is that Carry On Jack is packed full of superb actors. Not comedians or regular Carry On supporting players, but just actors with a flair for comedy. Percy Herbert and Donald Houston are wonderful as the sailors who serve under Captain Fearless but plot and scheme to take control. They are the pantomime villains of the piece and while they are comedy foils, they never lose the truth of the parts they play. Peter Gilmore, a supporting actor in eleven Carry Ons, bags one of his most significant roles as a pirate loaded with cliches. His second in command is brought deliciously to life by the Australian character actor Ed Devereux.
In addition to these wonderful performances, you also get delightful supporting turns from legendary actors such as George Woodbridge, Cecil Parker, Marianne Stone and Patrick Cargill. You can't go wrong with a supporting cast like this. The two leads in Carry On Jack also do well. Bernard Cribbins, in the first of three Carry On roles, is superb as the bumbling romantic lead. Cribbins is surprisingly athletic, climbing the sails, romping around and milking all the gags that come his way. His romantic lead is Juliet Mills and the pair have lovely chemistry. Apparently the part of Sally was originally offered to Liz Fraser and while I adore Liz, I can't see anyone but Juliet in this role. While she starred in two other films for Rogers and Thomas (Nurse On Wheels and Twice Round the Daffodils), this would sadly be the only Carry On film for Mills. What a shame she didn't do more.
Another thing I have realised about Jack is that it fairly shifts along. It is edited with lightening speed and the action flits along in a very pleasing manner. The ship used in the film was no doubt borrowed from another production but it really doesn't matter. It looks authentic, the costumes are great and it works as a comedy film. Perhaps not a traditional Carry On as we've come to understand them, but I think Carry On Jack really does deserve a second look. You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan
