Legendary actress and international Carry On guest star Elke Sommer celebrates her 78th birthday today. German-born Elke might have been an unusual choice to star in the very British Carry On Behind, but she puts in a terrific performance in the film and works well with Kenneth Williams. As Professor Anna Vooshka, Elke gamely camps about the Pinewood Orchard in the freezing cold March of 1975 alongside the likes of Kenneth Connor, Bernard Bresslaw and Joan Sims. Much is made of the foreign misunderstandings and innuendos, how much of those Elke actually understood is anyone's guess! While Elke's casting might seem somewhat bizarre, she did have a track record in comedy films, most famously the classic Pink Panther film A Shot in the Dark. She had worked for Betty Box (wife of Peter Rogers) in two 1970s bawdy British comedies - Percy and Percy's Progress. Sommer became friendly with Betty and Peter so eventually it probably seemed natural to cast her in a Carry On. I have a soft spot for Behind, it's really the last gasp of the original films and does well to capture even some of the feel good factor, given we'd already said goodbye to Sid, Hattie, Barbara and Charles.
Although Vooska's romantic pairing with Kenneth's Roland Crump is completely bonkers, the pair are excellent and lead the film with aplomb. Apparently many of the other cast didn't really get to know Elke during the making of Behind, but I'd love to know what she made of her time with the Carry On gang at Pinewood. These days Elke is based in the United States and concentrates her efforts on her painting and art work, rather than acting.
You can read my blog on Elke's life and career here And you can read my interview with Elke from earlier this year here Many happy returns Elke!
With the Carry On films turning 60 years young this year there has been a rather subdued flurry of articles about our favourite series of films in the press. I've just come across one of these, written by Andy Roberts for The Telegraph. I always read such pieces with trepidation as I hope the writer is going to treat the films and their long departed stars fairly. And I think, on the whole, Mr Roberts does just that. It's a very interesting piece which describes the very best and the very worst of the Carry Ons in glorious detail. While Roberts claims that the majority of the well-known cast of actors did their best work elsewhere, he does state that the films would have been nothing without their talents and there I wholeheartedly agree with him. Despite Peter Rogers claiming, as Roberts repeats, that the title Carry On was the star, we all know that wasn't true. It was those loyal, underpaid yet beautifully skilled comedy actors that kept as and indeed keep us coming back for more. Andy Roberts flags up Norman Hudis for particular praise, believing that his first six films in the series were well written for the actors engaged to play his parts. I was also pleased to see actors such as Peter Butterworth and Patsy Rowlands given plenty of credit for their delightful contributions over the years. So often actors like Peter and Patsy are missed out in tributes. Roberts also pays tributes to the likes of Imogen Hassall, Jacki Piper and Elke Sommer and I'm so glad he has. And he ends the piece with mention of my favourite Carry On of all time. You can read the article in full here although you may need to register with the site first. It's definitely worth a read. You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoanand on Instagram
It's not normally very British to blow your own trumpet (Matron!) however I wanted to do a little blog post as a round up of Carry On Blogging highlights so far. It's been quite a journey since I started blogging back in 2015 and I've loved every minute of it!
I'm thrilled that the blog has now received nearly 1 millionpage visits since I set it up in March 2015! Marchthis year was the most visited month so far with over 70,000 views!
The blog Twitter account now has over 16,000 followers. Thank you to everyone who tweets, follows, likes and comments - it's always great to hear from you!
I have published a series of blogs covering each of Joan Sims' 24 Carry On performances, giving my own opinions on the roles she played.
I have carried on this theme by publishing a series of blogs covering each of Hattie Jacques' 14 Carry On performances and all 9 of Barbara Windsor's roles.
I have started a project of blogs running through some of the lesser known Carry On supporting actors in an A - Z feature.
I have cast the net out far and wide for a range of guest blog posts to bring in different opinions on the Carry On films.
I got a sneak preview of Sarah Miller Walters' new bookJoyce To The World
I visited the London Film Convention back in Spring 2016 where I had the great pleasure of meeting Carry On actors Jacki Piper and Fenella Fielding. You can read about that here
One of the biggest developments has been the start of my Carry On Blogging interview series. So far I have interviewed several Carry On actors, authors and interesting folks connected to the series and British comedy:
I interviewed the lovely Angela Douglas - you can read that here
I caught up with the delightful Valerie Leon to discuss her new Forever Carrying On show - you can read that here
I interviewed the wonderful Jacki Piper - you can read that here
Carry On writer and historian Robert Ross answered my questions and celebrated twenty years since the publication of The Carry On Companionhere
I learned more about Steve Lilly's wonderful British comedy art work when I interviewed him - read that here
I asked the brilliant Simon Sheridan all about his book Keeping The British End Up and the saucier side of British film comedy here I found out more about the fantastic Sid's Place blog in an interview with Stuart Ball - you can read that here
I interviewed screen legend Fenella Fielding about her new audio book of memoirs - you can catch up with that here
I published an interview with Odysseas from the superb Art and Hue, celebrating the best of British film and television in Pop Art! You can read that here
I interviewed the lovelyLouise who runs the fantastic Joan Hickson tribute Twitter account and you can read that here
I interviewed the brilliant Craig Deeley and you can read that here
I caught up with the fabulous Judy Matheson for a chat about Hammer Horror, Robin Askwith and all things Carry On and you can read that here
I interviewed Stuart Morriss from the terrific Misty Moon Film Society and you can catch up with that one here
You can read my blog interview with Peter Reed, Senior Producer at the BBC Radio station 4 Extra by clicking here
I had the great pleasure of visiting Elstree Studios to meet and interview Morris Bright and I even got to sit at Sid's piano! You can read Part 1and Part 2 by following these links.
I blogged an interview with the lovely Ben Peyton, which you can read here
And I've also published a blog interview with the legendary actress Francoise Pascal
In September 2016 I enjoyed a wonderful chat with the lovely Madeline Smith and you can read the blog interview of that encounter here
I interviewed the brilliant film director and Carry On fan Jason Figgis and you can read that here
I interviewed Carry On Super Fans Robert Jervis Gibbons and Callum Phoenix about their love of the films and their stars. You can read that here and here
I caught up with Please Sir! actor and author David Barry and you read all about that here I published a fantastic guest blog by Dr Laura Mayne on the relationship between two of the leading lights of Carry On - Producer Peter Rogers and writer Talbot Rothwell. You can read that here I interviewed Bless This House and Carry On star Sally Geeson and you can find that blog here
I interviewed Carry On actress and all round entertainer Anita Harris about her time with the team making Carry On Follow That Camel and Carry On Doctor in 1967. You can read about that here
At the start of November 2016 I had the great privilege to catch up with the lovely Robin Le Mesurier, a true gentleman who answered my questions on life with his wonderful parents, Hattie Jacques and John Le Mesurier. You can read that interview here
In January 2016 I interviewed the lovely actress and author Josephine Bailey about her time as a child actor, studying at the Corona Academy and of making Carry On Teacher. You can read that here
I had the great pleasure of interviewing the glorious Amanda Barrie about her long and successful career which of course has included two Carry Ons and Coronation Street. You can read that here
I spoke to the delightful Judy Buxton about her career as an actress, her time with the Royal Shakespeare Company and of meeting and working witht he great Joan Sims on the series On The Up. You can read that here
In October 2016 I celebrated reaching 1000 blogs. I invited many of those who have contributed to Carry On Blogging over the past eighteen months to tell me what Carry On films mean to them. I was thrilled that so many people took part, including the likes of Fenella Fielding, Robert Ross, Sherrie Hewson, Jessie Wallace, Jacki Piper, Francoise Pascal, Angela Douglas and Madeline Smith. You can catch up with these special blogs here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 In March 2017 I celebrated Frankie Howerd's centenary by interview his agent and long-time friend Tessa Le Bars. You can read that interview here
I also spoke to the actor Mark Farrelly about his love of Frankie and his plans for a new one man show telling Howerd's story. Read this here.
Paul Taylor-Greaves told me all about his love of blogging and podcasting and that can be found here
Carry On Nurse actress Christine Ozanne spoke to me about her long and varied career and her new memoir, The Tome of the Unknown Actor. Find out what Christine had to say here
I interviewed Jennie Linden on her long stage and screen career, finding out what it was like to work with Kenneth Williams on the play My Fat Friend. Read more from Jennie here
To celebrate my second anniversary, on 29 March this year I interviewed my blogging colleague and Coronation Street Blog Editor Glenda Young about blogging, Corrie and of course, Carry On. You can check that out here.
Having written about all of Joan and Hattie's Carry On adventures, I blogged about Barbara Windsor's nine Carry On roles as part of the run up to Barbara's 80th birthday in August. You can read the first of those blogs here I wrote a series of blogs looking back at all of Kenneth Connor's Carry On performances in the lead up to his centenary next June. You can read the first of these blogs here.
Summer 2017 saw comedy historian Robert Ross embark on a special Carry On Cruise with some very familiar faces. Robert very kindly answered some questions on his European jaunt with Valerie Leon, Jacki Piper, Anita Harris and Richard O'Callaghan. You can find that article here
Having interviewed the fabulous Madeline Smith in 2016 it was a thrill to finally meet her in person in June. I attended "From Biba to Bond: An Evening with Madeline Smith" at the Stow Roses Women's Institute in North London. You can read about my encounter with the lovely Maddie here
Another great moment was interviewing the writer Mark O'Connell on his long association with Pinewood Studios and his love of all things James Bond. You can read that interview (and find out more about Mark's book Catching Bullets) here
Also, something I have been blogging about and calling for since I started Carry On Blogging actually happened in June (an apt month). Yes, June Whitfield was finally made a Dame. You can read my thoughts on this wonderful news here
I was thrilled to receive an exclusive chance to review Network's newly released The Complete Sykes on DVD last month (many thanks again to Blue Dolphin). You can read that review here.
I was absolutely delighted to be contacted recently by Patrick Purcell, son of the late great Irish actor Noel Purcell. We had a smashing interview and you can read all about that here
I interviewed actor and writer Jack Lane about his passion for the work of Sir Norman Wisdom and Jack's one man show, Wisdom of a Fool. You can read that interview here
In July published my interview with the lovely Georgy Jamieson, passionate comedy fan, BBC Suffolk presenter and Director of the British Comedy Society. You can read our interview here
Also that month I enjoyed a hysterical hour on the phone with British film legend Robin Askwith. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here
I celebrated Carry On legend Barbara Windsor's 80th birthday with a series of blogs at the beginning of August - you can read the main one here
I started a new series of blogs in August asking some of my favourite people to write in about the five greatest influences on their careers. You can read Judy Matheson's blog here, Sarah Miller Walters' blog is here, Stuart Ball's blog is here and you can read the blog from Jason Figgis here
I had the great pleasure of chatting with television legend Derek Griffiths and you can read my blog interview with him here
In September 2017 I travelled to Elstree Studios for a celebration of the very best of 1960s and 70s British television. Hosted by Morris Bright and featuring classic clips and interviews with Dame Diana Rigg and Carry On actors Angela Douglas and Valerie Leon, you can read my review of the evening here. Last November I had the great pleasure of interviewing actress and artist Jayne Bickerton about her varied career and her association with the late, great Bob Monkhouse. You can read that here
A few days later I also interviewed the actress, singer and cake maker extraordinaire, Kathy Jones who spoke to me about her time in Coronation Street and her love of Carry On. You can check that out here
I featured a fascinating interview with singer and writer Ty Jeffries talked to me about his own career and that of his late father, the brilliant actor Lionel Jeffries. That interview can be found here
December saw me publish a fantastic guest blog from David Powell on Frankie Howerd's film The House in Nightmare Park
I had the pleasure of interviewing actor, director, writer and agent Andrew Lynford about his varied career and the various Carry On actors he's worked with. You can read it here
January 2018 started off with a wonderful trip to see Kenneth Williams' legendary diaries at the British Library. You can read my blog on Kenneth's 1951 diary here and his 1952 diary here
I ventured out to the Victoria and Albert Museum in January for a special Evening with Dame June Whitfield where the legendary actress discussed her decision to donate her archive to the museum. You can read about that wonderful evening here
I also started off a couple of new series in tribute to the 60th year of Carry On. I began profiling the stars of the original Carry On, Carry On Sergeant. You can read the first of those blogs here and I have recently began counting down my own Top 20 Favourite Carry On Actors
February also saw John Hewer write a terrific guest blog on the Carry On links with the classic situation comedy series, Steptoe and Son. That can be found here
My first interview of the year was with the author Kaye Crawford who spoke to me about her brilliant biography of the late, great Beryl Reid. You can read that again here
A couple of weeks ago I travelled to the British Film Institute to view some of the Gerald Thomas Archive. I have several blogs on this trip coming up but for now, you can read the first of these here
And the more detailed blogs on what I found are here:
I interviewed two more actors with connections to the Carry On films. First up was the super lovely Patricia Franklin who told me all about appearing in the likes of Carry On Camping, Loving and Girls. Part One of the interview is here and Part Two can be found here
I have also spoken to the actor Hugh Futcher, who appeared in the likes of Carry On Spying, Carry On Again Doctor and enjoyed a trip to the seaside with Carry On At Your Convenience. Part 1 One of my chat with Hugh is here and Part Two is here. I have started profiling each of Bernard Bresslaw's 14 Carry On film roles. You can find the first of these, on Carry On Cowboy, right here
I also spoke to Carry On historian Robert Ross about our favourite series of comedy films in this the Carry Ons' 60th anniversary year. Our chat is here
On what would have been the 100th birthday of Carry On legend Kenneth Connor I celebrated the life and career of this wonderful actor with a special centenary blog post here
And I celebrated the Carry On links with the National Health Service as the NHS turned 70 years old here I went along to see Liz Fraser in conversation with Robert Ross at the Museum of Comedy and you can find my review of the evening here
I was thrilled to interview Hollywood legend and Carry On Behind guest star Elke Sommer back in July. You can find our chat here
I also featured a really interesting interview with the actor and writer Julian Dutton on his career to date and his new stage show based on the life of John Le Mesurier. You can read about all of that here
I have also featured a couple of excellent guest blogs very recently. Deborah Osborne wrote about Carry On Henry here and Brian Linsell blogged about all the horse racing links with films starring our favourite Carry On actors Sid James and Joan Sims. That one is here.
My most recent interview has been with the delightful Julian Holloway, star of eight Carry Ons and countless other things besides. You can read Part 1 of our interview here and Part 2 can be found here
A huge thanks to everyone who's kindly taken the time to answer all my questions - it has brightened many a day and been completely and utterly enjoyable.
Finally, a massive thank you to everyone who reads my blog. I only do this as a hobby and your kind comments and observations keep me going even when the chips are down and I think I'm too tired to Carry On!
Following on from my recent chat with the delightful Julian Holloway earlier in the week I thought I would bring together all the interviews I've done for the blog in one place. I've had the great good fortune to speak to a wide range of actors, writers and fans over the past three and a bit years and I can't thank all those who have contributed to the blog enough for their time, energy and enthusiasm. I've had the pleasure of blogging interviews with quite a few actors who were directly involved in the Carry On series and here they all are for your reading pleasure:
My interview with Julian Holloway can be found here and here
Clickhere and here for my interview with Hugh Futcher
And follow this link herefor my interview with Christine Ozanne
And last but certainly not least, my interview with Anita Harris is here
My thanks once again to everyone who has taken time to speak to me. It's been an absolute treat. You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoanand on Instagram
