Art & Hue Presents: Funny Men

To bring style and fun to your walls, Art & Hue has launched a new collection of stylish pop art prints featuring British comedians and comic actors.

Funny-"ha-ha", in a humorous and comical way, but also funny-"peculiar" with their offbeat, quirky characters and work, these unique talents have brought joy to countless listeners & viewers across the years through their idiosyncratic performances.

Peter Sellers, John Cleese, Benny Hill, Tony Hancock, Frankie Howerd, Bernard Cribbins, John Inman, Leonard Rossiter, Ronnie Barker, & Ronnie Corbett all get the pop art treatment in this collection of iconic funny men from British film & television. 

An official collaboration with Studiocanal, Art & Hue has delved into the archives to uncover images of classic British comedy stars which have been transformed into ten stylish pop art prints.

Exclusively by Art & Hue, the collection is available in three sizes and 18 colour options, printed on museum-quality archival card of 310gsm, made from 100% cotton, with fine-art pigment inks for longevity.

Visit artandhue.com/funnymen to see the full collection.

And if you are looking for something extra special for Valentine's Day check out the Art & Hue range of stylish cards and pop art here: http://artandhue.com/valentines-day/


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram  

Art & Hue Presents: Funny Men!

To bring style and fun to your walls, Art & Hue has launched a new collection of stylish pop art prints featuring British comedians and comic actors.

Funny-"ha-ha", in a humorous and comical way, but also funny-"peculiar" with their offbeat, quirky characters and work, these unique talents have brought joy to countless listeners & viewers across the years through their idiosyncratic performances.

Peter Sellers, John Cleese, Benny Hill, Tony Hancock, Frankie Howerd, Bernard Cribbins, John Inman, Leonard Rossiter, Ronnie Barker, & Ronnie Corbett all get the pop art treatment in this collection of iconic funny men from British film & television. 

An official collaboration with Studiocanal, Art & Hue has delved into the archives to uncover images of classic British comedy stars which have been transformed into ten stylish pop art prints.

Exclusively by Art & Hue, the collection is available in three sizes and 18 colour options, printed on museum-quality archival card of 310gsm, made from 100% cotton, with fine-art pigment inks for longevity.

Visit artandhue.com/funnymen to see the full collection.

And if you are looking for something extra special for Valentine's Day check out the Art & Hue range of stylish cards and pop art here: http://artandhue.com/valentines-day/


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram 

Frankie's Two Elephants

I finally caught up with the brilliant Comedy Legends series on Sky Arts the other evening. Hosted by Barry Cryer, the edition I caught focussed on one of my very favourite comedy performers, the great Frankie Howerd. 

The programme took us through Frankie's back catalogue, his rise and fall and rise again. Howerd was a star of stage and screen but made his name on radio and that's where the clip below comes in. In the days before we all gathered round the goggle box each night, families up and down the land gathered round the wireless. I am and always have been a big fan of the radio and radio comedy in particular. And Frankie was the master.

Howerd's breakthrough came thanks to several spots on the BBC's Variety Bandbox in the late 1940s. Variety Bandbox launched in 1941 and featured a mix of comedy performances and music. It helped launch the careers of many big names, Frankie chief amongst them. Frankie became a regular on the show, appearing from 1946 until the early 1950s. And cutting his teeth as a writer on the show was a certain gentleman called Eric Sykes. Never appearing as a performer on the show, Sykes definitely made his mark as a writer and it set him on the path to stardom too.

The following excerpt comes from an addition of Variety Bandbox and was the surreal sketch which pretty much launched Frankie's career. No small coincidence that it was written by Eric. This bizarre tale of Frankie transporting two elephants across London and down onto the Underground is so unbelievable but in his comedic hands it just works. He milks it for all it's worth and to be honest, it could only really work on radio. I love it, even after all these years and you can listen to it below. It's pure Frank.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carrying On with … The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery!

I've recently written a great deal about some of the other great series of British comedy films, such as the Norman Wisdom comedies and the Doctor films, and how the Carry Ons made an impression in these lovely films. I've now decided to write about another legendary set of films, the St Trinian's films. Set in the fictional unruly all girls private school somewhere in England, the films followed their adventures and those of both the staff of the school, the law enforcers chasing after them and the education department who frequently despaired of what they got up to!

The films featured countless wonderful performances and will always be synonymous with a handful of timeless actors. So without further ado, let's continue on today with a look at the fourth film in the series, The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery from 1966. It was the last of the original run of films, although they would return fourteen years later! 

What's it about?

"Alphonse" Askett is a hairdresser who is also the operational leader of a gang of crooks who are led behind the scenes by an invisible mastermind (voiced by Stratford Johns). He gives instructions to Askett about the robbery, Operation Windfall, using a variety of James Bond-like communications devices—including a converted showerhead.

The crooks hide the loot in Hamingwell Grange, a deserted country mansion, and after waiting for the hue and cry to die down they return to collect the numerous mailbags which contain £2.5 million (the same amount as in the real robbery). However, following a Labour Party election victory, the house has been converted into a new home for St Trinian's School for Girls. The crooks decide to infiltrate the school by sending Askett's delinquent daughters, Lavinia and Marcia Mary, to St Trinian's as pupils, with instructions to case the joint to find a means of recovering the money, secretly, from its hiding place. The crooks' subsequent attempt to retrieve the mailbags on Parents' Day, disguised as caterers, results in a climactic train chase between the robbers and the girls.

A sub-plot is the affair between the headmistress of St Trinian's and the Minister, who uses his influence to corruptly obtain a large government grant for re-housing the school, following the latest fire, thus enabling it to move into the mansion. This angers his staff who are normally Conservatives but who, early in the film, are seen excitedly watching Labour win the election, as they believe St Trinians will be shut down by a Labour government.

Who's in it?

One of the very few original cast members to return for this 1966 series entry was George Cole who once again reprises his role as Flash Harry. Boosting the cast this time around are reliable comedy stars Reg Varney, Dora Bryan and a certain Mr Francis Howerd! 

Carry On faces?

As always, the quality of the extended Carry On cast meant that many were called upon to spruce up other films. Leading the pack here is Frankie Howerd who is top billed a Alphonse. Frankie would appear in Carry On Doctor the following year before returning in 1969 for Up The Jungle and a guest starring role in the TV Carry On Christmas special. Also starring is Carry On original Dora Bryan, in the role of headmistress Amber Spottiswood. Dora played Norah in Carry On Sergeant back in 1958.

Carry On Spying supporting player Richard Wattis reprises his role as Manton Bassett while Spying co-star Eric Barker again plays Culpepper-Brown. Another face from a previous St Trinian's adventure also makes an appearance - future Carry On regular Terry Scott playing yet another policeman.

A whole host of recognisable Carry On faces also appear in smaller, supporting roles. Norman Mitchell (Cabby, Spying, Cleo, Screaming) plays William while Cyril Chamberlain (the first seven Carry Ons) turns up as Maxie. Carry On guest actor Larry Martyn (Convenience & Behind) plays Chips and familiar face Peter Gilmore (a total of eleven Carry On roles) is Butters.  

Two final actors definitely worth a mention. Jean St Clair has a small role as Drunken Dolly (!) - the following year she would play Mrs Smith, Peter Butterworth's grape scoffing wife in Carry On Doctor. And look out for the gorgeous Margaret Nolan as Susie Naphill! Maggie had made her Carry On debut the previous year in Cowboy and would return four years later for a run of films starting with Carry On Henry. 

Did you know? 

Future Carry On Abroad and Bless This House actress Sally Geeson has a small uncredited role in the film as a schoolgirl.

With a career in films dating back to 1936, this film saw Cyril Chamberlain's last credited performance. He did make an uncredited 'bit' appearance in The Yellow Hat released later in 1966 but after that Cyril retired from acting and spent his final years restoring antique furniture.

Several attempts were made to woo Joyce Grenfell back to play Sergeant Ruby Gates one more time but she refused all offers. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Comedy Greats Feature in Sky Arts Christmas Line Up

I quite often tune in to Sky Arts for a bit of documentary action and I really like what the channel does, so I was pleased to see some classic comedy heroes featuring in their festive line up this year. 

There is a three part strand looking at three of Britain's best loved comedy actors. Titled "The Undiscovered…" the series, presented by Victor Lewis-Smith, will devote three hours to Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock and Kenneth Williams. Little is known about what will feature, however Lewis-Smith has apparently said viewers will see lots of previously unseen diary entries, letters and photographs as well as a superb range of classic clips from their lives and careers.

The idea for the series came from a previous documentary Lewis-Smith made on Peter Cook for BBC4 back in 2016. After seeing material for the Sellers programme, Sky Arts signed the film maker up to make the series of three. Sounds like the perfect way to relax over the festive period to me! 

Also, look out for a special programme - Comedy Legends - going out on the same channel. It focusses on the wonderful Frankie Howerd and is hosted by none other than Barry Cryer.

The Undiscovered Peter Sellers airs on Sky Arts on Tuesday 18 December at 10pm, with the programme on Kenneth Williams following on Wednesday 19 December at 10pm while Tony Hancock is the subject of the show going out on Thursday 20 December, also at 10.

Meanwhile, Comedy Legends - Frankie Howerd, airs on Wednesday 19 December at 11pm, also on Sky Arts.


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Five Reasons Why I Love … Carry On Up The Jungle

Carry On Up The Jungle has never really been at the top of the pile for me but on watching it again after a long time this afternoon, it really made me laugh. Sure, it's not necessarily a classic of the series and several key figures are missing but it's still hilarious in places and gives us some wonderful performances from a handful of brilliant comedy actors.

Although almost completely set in a studio and featuring certain elements which probably wouldn't be condoned these days, it still stands up reasonably well. With a cast featuring Frankie Howerd, Joan Sims, Terry Scott, Bernard Bresslaw, Sid James and Kenneth Connor, what's not to love? Anyway, perhaps it's time for me to reappraise Carry On Up The Jungle, so here, without further ado are five reasons why I've come to love this innuendo-laden journey up the Limpopo! 

Francis is back!

Frankie Howerd was a stand out reason for Carry On Doctor's success two years earlier. Without a doubt Frankie is the very best guest star the Carry Ons ever had. Although he made other films and was considered a good comic actor, Frankie was at heart a comedian, a stand up and a raconteur. The Carry Ons fitted him like a glove. While ostensibly playing characters in both his Carry Ons, Frankie is essentially just giving us a bit of himself, as it were. He sticks to the narrative occasionally, but all our favourite Howerd expressions and catchphrases are there as he consistently and rather beautifully breaks away from the script in a way no other actor could. In Jungle, Frankie makes a triumphant return and reunites with familiar co-stars Joan Sims and Sid James and also forms a deliciously camp and bickering double act with a returning Kenneth Connor. Fabulous stuff. And speaking of Connor…

The return of a Carry On Original…

After a five year break away to pursue other projects, Kenneth Connor rejoined the Carry On team for Jungle and stayed pretty much until the end of the original run in 1978. Kenneth coming back to the team should not be understated - he was there at the very beginning and was the main stand out star of the first six or seven films in the series. The beauty of Kenneth's return in Jungle is that he pretty much picks up as he left off. He's slightly older yes, but Connor is still playing the rather frustrated little man he played in the likes of Teacher, Constable and Regardless. As a major link to past successes, Kenneth Connor is a priceless piece of casting. As I've already mentioned, Kenneth forms a wonderful double act with Frankie Howerd as a pair of bickering ornithologists and it's just magic!

Man. Woman. Bang! 

The role of the fairly mute Tarzan-like character in Jungle was originally mooted for Jim Dale, then the series' leading man and dashing romantic lead. Jim had started to branch out and spread his wings the year before after a concurrent run of starring roles in the Carry Ons. Returning for Again Doctor earlier in 1969, Jim received the script for Jungle and turned it down both due to the lack of dialogue and his renewed desire to do more live theatre. Sadly the cinema-goers of 1970 were therefore denied the spectacle of lovely Jim in a loin cloth but full kudos to Terry Scott for taking on the part of 'Jungle Boy' and really makes it his own. The childlike, innocent character is all Terry's making and is so different from his other characters like Peter Potter in Camping and Dr Prodd in Matron. It's a classic portrayal and despite the fact he was in reality three years older than Joan Sims (who was playing his mother), if you can suspend belief for ninety minutes, it's a highlight of the film. 

Pinewood invention at its best

Looking at it now, it's fairly obvious Carry On Up The Jungle is entirely set in a Pinewood Studios soundstage. The slightly naff attempts at blending real archive footage of jungle wildlife don't really cut it but do provide laughs all of their own. Despite this, credit must be given to the Pinewood technicians and set designers for creating such a lush looking set. The campsite, the jungle backgrounds and particularly the lovely lagoon used for June's meeting with Jungle Boy, are all brilliantly conceived and really make the film. You soon forget that they're not out on location and join in with all the usual highjinks. 

A late arrival who steals the film

Although briefly glimpsed half asleep in the audience at the very beginning of the film, Charles Hawtrey leaves it pretty late to make his first proper appearance. Charles comes into his own in the last twenty minutes of the film after Sid, Frankie and the gang are kidnapped by Valerie Leon's all female tribe. Unveiled as Tonka The Great, it must be one of Charles' best entrances as from all the build up you expect anyone other than Hawtrey and his Oh Hello! Add in Joan's shock and Charles' line "Oh my God, it's the wife!" and you have a classic Carry On moment. Charles is on fine form, twinkling away mischievously and sharing some delightful scenes with Joan Sims. It's a relatively small role for a leading team member but such was the power of Charles Hawtrey that he could wander in in the last half hour and pretty much steal the film! 


So there you have it, five reasons why I think Carry Up The Jungle is a keeper. I hope you've enjoyed it on ITV3 this afternoon, despite all the cuts! 



You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Bernie Carries On … As Upsidaisi

Over the past year I have written a series of blogs covering each of the roles of some of our favourite Carry On stars. I began my looking back at each film role played by the three leading ladies in the series - Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques and Barbara Windsor - and most recently I've written about all of Kenneth Connor's Carry On performances in the run up to the great man's centenary. 

Today I am continuing a new strand of this series by turning the spotlight on that gentle giant of British comedy, the late Bernard Bresslaw. Probably one of the most under-rated actors in the main team, Bernard was a part of the series for ten years and fourteen films, tackling a superb range of crumbling villains and delightfully dimwitted foils to the likes of Sid James and Kenneth Cope. Bernard enjoyed a long career away from the Carry Ons and spent much of his later life wowing audiences in legitimate theatre. However he will forever to remembered for his clutch of hilarious Carry On supporting turns. 

Bernard joined the Carry On team in the mid 1960s and along with Peter Butterworth was the last main team member to join the gang. Along with Butterworth, Bernard played a series of smaller, supporting roles to begin with before graduating to major roles towards the end of the decade. Bernard fitted in effortlessly with the rest of the team and he's the kind of actor who is working hard but making it look oh so easy. A quiet, erudite, thoughtful family man away from the film studios, I often think Bresslaw has never received the credit he's due as like Connor and Butterworth, he didn't ever seek the limelight or splash his life over the front pages.

So today, we'll continue this new series looking at Bernard's role as the jungle guide Upsidaisi in the 1969 film Carry On Up The Jungle.

The basic plot of Jungle involves a group of rather eccentric Brits being guided through the African jungle by the unreliable and very Sid-like Sid James as Bill Boosey. Frankie Howerd and Kenneth Connor play a couple of bickering ornithologists while Bernard Bresslaw also appears as the native guide Upsidasi. Joan Sims plays Lady Evelyn, an upper class English woman looking for her husband and son, lost in the jungle on a previous expedition. Playing opposite Joan is a new young actress to the Carry Ons, the lovely Jacki Piper. Jacki's character June is rather prim and proper at the start of the film but soon enjoys an awakening opposite Terry Scott's Jungle Boy (!)

Of course Terry's character turns out to be Joan's long-lost son (despite Scott being three years older than Sims!) and a late entry from Charles Hawtrey confirms he's Joan's husband Walter. However these days Walter goes under the name of King Tonka, father of countless! This provides Hawtrey with one of his best entrances in the entire run. As always with the Carry Ons, the plot is of little importance, it's the performances we're interested in. Joan takes centre stage for much of the action and is superb opposite her mostly male co-stars. 

Jungle may not be one of my all time favourite Carry Ons but it does have its strong points. Chief amongst them is the central performance from returning guest star Frankie Howerd in his second and final Carry On. Frankie forms a delightful double act with another important returnee, Kenneth Connor. There are also plenty of prime Sid and Joan moments and both Valerie Leon and a debuting Jacki Piper have perhaps their best roles in the series. And who can forget Charles Hawtrey, turning up for the last twenty minutes of action and nearly stealing the film.

So what about Bernard Bresslaw? As I've suggested previously, Bernard never put in a bad performance and was always the strong and stable supporting player. Although Up The Jungle has a smaller overall cast than usual, the majority of the action is shared out between Frankie, Sid and Joan and Bernie perhaps doesn't get as much screen time as he should. As bumbling guide Upsidaisi, Bernard is back playing his stock in trade rather slow witted yet well meaning characters. He does form a satisfying double act with Sid James' big game hunter Bill Boosey and the two old mates ham it up magnificently throughout the picture.

Perhaps Bernie's role as a native in Jungle might raise a few eyebrows in these more enlightened modern times. We're living in a very different country from the England of 1969 and while many people wouldn't have given it a second thought at the time, Bresslaw in dark make up today could quite justifiably be frowned upon. However the saving grace of all this is Bernard's very gentle, innocent performance. He is nothing but endearing and you can't help but love him and his portrayal. Apparently, according to Jacki Piper, Bernard went to the lengths of learning all his commands in the authentic local language only to find that the extras he was working with didn't have a clue what he was talking about! Talk about dedication to your art!

Bernard's Upsidaisi is completely useless as a guide and his continual failure to bring home anything appetising for supper leads Sid to break out yet another tin of corned beef for the completely unaware British travellers. Bernard is perhaps most closely resembling his Army Game character here in this film, although there is also a strong resemblance to his role as part of Sid's gang in the classic crime caper, Too Many Crooks. Upsidaisi remains the innocent amongst the characters and stays completely unaware of all the tent hopping antics amongst the sex mad Brits. 

Bernie's big moment comes once the British have been kidnapped by Valerie Leon's all female tribe, desperate to find eligible men to continue on their line. Upsidaisi manages to escape and soon summons help from his animal friends in the jungle. Before that he goes undercover to inform Sid's Boosey of his plans. This being a Carry On, Bernie drags up as one of Valerie's sexy female fighters, with hilarious results! Unlike some of his fellow male stars, Bresslaw always seemed to relish appearing in drag in a Carry On. And he never disappoints! 

In a film which is pretty dominated by big comedy performances from big comedy stars, Bernard could quite easily be lost in the amongst the action. Such is the talent of the man that he still finds moments to shine.

So those are my thoughts on Bernard's role in Carry On Up The Jungle. Stay tuned for my next blog in this series, as I look back at Bernard's role in Carry On Loving!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram