Without wanting to put a dampener on this most festive time of year, I thought it was also important to remember some of the familiar Carry On faces we so very sadly lost in 2018. As always, the older the Carry On series becomes, the less links we have left with past glories. The joy of the series is that we can still enjoy so many timeless performances from the very best of British actors, even once they've gone to the Pinewood Bar upstairs.
Back in March the news broke that we had lost the great actor Bill Maynard. Bill was 89 and remained a vibrant personality with many stories to tell. He was due to appear at a special event in Elstree in the Summer and there were plans afoot for a Carry On Blogging interview that very sadly didn't happen. In his 90th year, Bill was still in excellent form. You can read my tribute to him here.
In May, the actor Peter Byrne very sadly passed away at the grand old age of 90. Peter, best remembered for his twenty year stint in Dixon of Dock Green on television, had several associations with Peter Rogers Productions in the early 1960s. Peter had small parts in Raising The Wind, Watch Your Stern, The Iron Maiden and finally, Carry On Cabby in 1963. You can read my tribute to Peter here.
September was a dreadful month for Carry On fans with some well-loved actors taking their final bows. We said farewell to the British born American star of stage and screen Carole Shelley. Carole had started her career in Britain with supporting parts in Carry On Regardless and Carry On Cabby. She was 79. Read more about Carole here.
Very shortly after the news of Carole's death came the news that actress Jacqueline Pearce had passed away at the age of 74. Best known for her iconic role in the BBC's sci-fi series Blake's 7 from the late 1970s, Jacqueline had made a brief appearance in Carry On Don't Lose Your Head with Charles Hawtrey back in 1966. Read more here.
More sadness followed when the legendary Liz Fraser died suddenly at the age of 88. I had been fortunate enough to see Liz in conversation at the Museum of Comedy just a month before, little knowing it would be her last public appearance. She was in great form and I'll treasure the memory and the fact I got to say hello and shake her hand. What a woman. Read my tribute to Liz here and my blog on my five favourite Liz performances here.
The unique, memorable, superbly talented Fenella Fielding had been in poor health for a short time before her death in September at the age of 90. A wonderful star of stage and screen and forever remembered for her iconic performance in Carry On Screaming, Fenella had enjoyed a career resurgence thanks to her beautiful memoirs and live performances at a range of venues up and down the land. Awarded the OBE in recognition of her long and successful career, sadly Fenella wasn't able to have her day at the Palace. At least she knew how much she was loved. Read my tribute to her here.
Just last month, the actor John Bluthal very sadly left us aged 89. Forever remembered for the BBC comedy series, The Vicar of Dibley, John had a long, diverse and varied career across all mediums and several continents, dating back to the 1950s. He was still acting earlier this year. He had supporting roles in Carry On Spying, Carry On Follow That Camel and Carry On Henry. Read my tribute to John here.
November also saw us say farewell to another instantly recognisable face. The actor George A Cooper may not have appeared in a Carry On but he did work with many of the team in film and on television. He also had a great role in the big screen version of Bless This House in 1972, working opposite Sid James, Terry Scott, Carol Hawkins and Robin Askwith. To my generation, he'll always be the caretaker Mr Griffiths in Grange Hill. Read more here.
And finally, only the other day, on 28 December we lost the irreplaceable Dame June Whitfield. June had reached the grand old age of 93 on 11 November and while seemingly retired from acting, was still seen from time to time at events and of course received her damehood in 2017. It's impossible to sum up June's contribution to British culture and British comedy but I tried in this tribute post from just yesterday, which you can read here. I'm sad she has left us but what a life, what a legacy.
Gone but definitely not forgotten, we'll not see their like again. Thankfully we have so many glorious performances from the very best of British film and TV to remember these wonderfully talented people by. So as the year ends, I'm raising a glass to each and every one of them. Thank you for everything.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
Today is a day of sad news. Following on from the awful news that the actress Carole Shelley has passed away, it has now been announced that actress Jacqueline Pearce has left us at the age of 74.
Jacqueline found lasting fame in the role of Servalan in the iconic, classic British science fiction television series, Blake's 7, which was made between 1978 and 1981. Over a decade earlier, Jacqueline made her sole appearance in the Carry Ons. In 1966 she played the small role as one of the ladies less than impressed with Charles Hawtrey's flirtations in Don't Lose Your Head.
Jacqueline was born in Surrey in 1943. She trained to be an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and at Lee Strasberg's Actor's Studio in the United States. Her film career included two Hammer Horrors, Sky West and Crooked (1965), White Mischief (1987) and How To Get Ahead in Advertising (1989). On the small screen, Jacqueline appeared in countless productions away from Blake's 7. They included roles in Danger Man, Callan, The Avengers and Special Branch.
A real favourite with fans of cult television, Jacqueline had moved to South Africa for several years. She returned to the UK in 2015, having published her memoirs in 2012. According to The Guardian Jacqueline was diagnosed with lung cancer only weeks ago and upon leaving hospital chose to be cared for at her Lancashire home.
I'm sure there will be many tributes to Jacqueline Pearce in the days to come. My thoughts are with her family and friends.
You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
The
London Film Convention is now in its 44th year.
The Convention gives fans of classic film and television a chance to
meet stars, have photos taken with them and go home with an autograph as
a lovely memento.
The
next Convention is due to take place on Saturday 12th November and
although it's early days, there have already been some interesting guests announced. I am thrilled to announce that the lovely Judy Matheson, a good friend and supporter of this very blog, will be at the Convention to meet fans and sign autographs. Judy starred in classic films like Lust for a Vampire, The Flesh and Blood Show, Twins of Evil and Confessions of a Window Cleaner. On television she appeared in the likes of Coronation Street, The Sweeney, The Professionals and Citizen Smith.
You can read more in my recent blog interview with Judy - read that here
Excellent news - the legend that is Bernard Cribbins will be attending the Convention! Bernard of course starred in Carry On Jack, Carry On Spying and Carry On Columbus during a lengthy career. He has also starred in such cult classics as Doctor Who, the Hitchcock film Frenzy, the classic film The Railway Children, Coronation Street and his many appearances in the children's television series Jackanory.
Also appearing at the London Film Convention in November will be: Peter Wyngarde, David Warner, David Prowse, Isla Blair, Shirley Anne Field and Jacqueline Pearce.
*Updated* - More guests have now been added including: Derek Fowlds, Susan Penhaligon, Norman Eshley and Hugh Futcher (who of course appeared in Carry On Spying, Again Doctor, At Your Convenience, Abroad, Girls and Behind).
I'm sure more guests will be announced soon and I'll do my best to keep you up to date!
The London Film Convention will be taking place on Saturday 12th November, between 10am-6pm at Central Hall, Westminster, in Central London. You can find out more by visiting their website here
If you attend this event please do get in touch and let me know how it went and who you met!
Here's a quick run down of some Carry On themed talks and events to look forward to over the coming weeks.
The latest London Film Convention will be taking place on Saturday 12 November. Although it has a Hammer Horror theme, there are several guests of interest to this blog. Friend to Carry On Blogging Judy Matheson will be there as well as Carry On actors Hugh Futcher and Jacqueline Pearce. You can read more on that here
The lovely Anita Harris
is working away as hard as ever, touring with her own shows and as part
of someone other people's up and down the country.
You can check out her touring schedule here
The gorgeous Sally Geeson and Margaret Nolan will be attending a special screening of both Carry On Abroad and Carry On Girls in Darlington this November. You can read more about that here
Following the success of her illustrated Carrying On Forever talk in June, Valerie Leon
will be hosting another talk on 13 November. You can find out more about that here
Robin Askwith has a couple more of his infamous and highly amusing one man shows booked in before the end of the year. In collaboration with the Misty Moon Film Society he'll be appearing at Elstree Studios and once again at the Phoenix Artist Club. The Elstree gig will be on 13 November and you can find out more about that here Robin will then be at the Phoenix on 17 November and you can read more about that here
Fenella Fielding will be performing extracts from her memoir, "Do You Mind If I Smoke?" again on Saturdays throughout November, December and into January 2017. The first show is on Saturday 5 November. You can find out more about that here
If anyone knows of any other events or personal appearances, please do let me know!
