The past year has seen me have the great pleasure of interviewing several really interesting people for the blog. I love interacting with fans, people I connect with via Twitter and of course figures connected with acting and the Carry Ons. I thought I would provide a run down of some of my highlights from 2018 for your festive delectation.
In February I interviewed the author Kaye Crawford about her wonderful biography of the late actress Beryl Reid. Kaye was a delight to be in touch with and I thoroughly recommend you check out her excellent book. You can read all about it right here.
Back in March I had the huge pleasure of spending an hour on the phone with the delightful Patricia Franklin. Patricia appeared in Carry On Camping, Carry On Loving, Carry On Girls, Carry On Behind and Carry On England and was wonderful to talk to. You can read Part 1 of our interview here and Part 2 right here.
The very next day I went on to chat with the actor Hugh Futcher about his life, career and Carry On associations. Hugh worked with the very best in the Carry On team in such films as Carry On Spying, Don't Lose Your Head, Again Doctor, Girls and Behind. Part 1 of our chat is here with the follow up here.
In May I had a lovely chat on the phone with Carry On historian Robert Ross. I had interacted with Robert for several years but this was the first time we actually had a proper natter and it was a joy. You can read more on that here.
In July I had the great good fortune to secure an interview with German born Hollywood legend Elke Sommer. Elke was the very glamorous guest star of the 1975 film Carry On Behind and it was a thrill to feature her thoughts on making that film, working with Kenneth Williams and many other aspects of her life and career. You can read our interview here.
Also in July I was in touch with the multi-talented Julian Dutton. A big fan of the Carry Ons, Julian was about to take his one man show on the life of John Le Mesurier to the Edinburgh Festival. We had a fascinating interview which you can read again right here.
July also saw me interview another delightful Julian, the Carry Ons' very own Julian Holloway. Possibly the highlight of my blogging year, Julian was an absolute gentleman and we enjoyed a very pleasant chat indeed. Part 1 of our interview is here and part 2 can be read again here.
In September I interviewed the singer and actor David Kernan. David only made one Carry On appearance, as Nicholas in Carry On Abroad, but he has enjoyed a wonderful career, mainly on the stage, as well as friendships with the likes of Hattie Jacques and Joan Sims. You can read our interview here.
And finally, in a first for Carry On Blogging, earlier this month I featured my first every blog (that's a video blog to you and me). Produced by the lovely people at Rabbit and Snail films, 'Carry On Film Talk' saw contributors Morris Bright, Phil Campbell, Mark Priest and Judy Matheson talk about their favourite Carry Ons with Richard Edwards. It was an absolute pleasure to be in touch with Richard on this project and I hope you all enjoyed it. You can read about it (and of course watch the film) here.
I hope you have enjoyed my blogging interviews this year. Hopefully 2019 will promise some more special treats!
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and 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 million page visits since I set it up in March 2015! March this 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 book Joyce 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 Companion here
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 lovely Louise 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 1 and 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
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
My interview with Elke Sommer can be found here
My interview with Fenella Fielding is right here
My interview with the actress and author Josephine Bailey, who appeared as a child actor in Carry On Teacher can be found here
My interview with Jacki Piper is here
My interview with Angela Douglas can be read here
Click here for my interview with Valerie Leon
And click here for my chat with Madeline Smith
You can read my interview with Amanda Barrie here
My interview with Patricia Franklin can be found here and here
And my interview with Robin Askwith is here and here
Click here for my interview with Sally Geeson
Click here and here for my interview with Hugh Futcher
And follow this link here for 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 @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
