Whatever Happened To … Linda Hooks?

The other day I published a blog on the actress Tricia Newby who appeared in the last two original Carry On films made in the late 1970s. Information on her is rather sketchy so I wanted to put together what I knew in the hope someone out there knows more. This has made me look further at some of the actors who cropped up in the later films in the series and probably one of the more recognisable is the actress Linda Hooks.

Linda first appeared in the Carry Ons in early 1974 when she played one of the "Birds of Paradise" troupe of girls who entertained the regulars so delightfully at The Old Cock Inn in Carry On Dick. Linda provided decorative support alongside Penny Irving, Eva Reuber- Staier and Laraine Humphrys. Appearing sporadically throughout the film the girls are kept in line by Joan Sims' gloriously bogus French Madame, Desiree. Obviously proving a hit with the team, Linda returned to work with them again the following year.

In 1975 Linda Hooks appeared in two episodes of the first series of Carry On Laughing. Produced by ATV, this series of half hours was the Carry On attempt to break into the ever popular world of television, with mixed results. Linda first appeared in "The Baron Outlook" as Rosie alongside Sid James, Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor and Peter Butterworth. Linda returned as Nellie in the episode 'One in the Eye for Harold" opposite Jack Douglas and Kenneth Connor. Later that spring Linda had the cameo role as a nurse in Carry On Behind, in a scene which sees Kenneth Williams' Professor Crump brought into hospital. The scene also features a guest role for well-known actor George Layton.

Linda played her third and final role in a Carry On film in 1976 playing another nurse in Carry On England. Appearing in several short scenes alongside series favourite Julian Holloway, sadly this was the last time we saw Linda in Carry On. So what else do we know about Linda Hooks?

Born in Liverpool in 1952, Linda became known in the mid1970s primarily as a model and an actress. She first rose to fame in 1972 when she won the title of Miss International, a well known beauty contest of the era. Linda went on to compete in the Miss United Kingdom contest two years later, with less success. Branching out into acting, Linda appeared in a handful of other productions away from the Carry Ons. In 1975 she appeared in an episode of the Tim Brooke-Taylor and John Junkin series The Rough with the Smooth. She also played two small, uncredited roles in the series Space: 1999 between 1975 and 1976. And in The Sweeney episode Jack or Knave in 1978, Linda played the character of Ivy.

In the late 1970s Linda also became known for her role as a Hostess in the famous, enormously popular ITV game show, Sale of the Century. Hosted by Nicholas Parsons, Linda co-starred in over thirty episodes between 1975 and 1977. Linda's last credited role was as allegedly as a model in the television game show The New High Rollers in 1980. I'm not quite sure what Linda went on to do after that.

I hope, as with Tricia Newby, that Linda is still alive, well and happily living her life out there somewhere. I'd love to find out what she thinks of her association with the later Carry On films and her memories of working with the likes of Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams and Julian Holloway. If anyone knows anything more about Linda, do please drop me a line. 


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carry On Faces in Different Places: Too Many Crooks

 

Here we go with a brand new series of blogs looking at some of the cream of British comedy film making from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Although this blog is all about the Carry Ons, believe it or not, there were some other joyous comedy films made away from Peter Rogers Productions. However, given the quality of the actors Peter employed to make his series, it's no wonder that most of them popped up elsewhere.

We're starting off today with a classic black and white crime caper, directed by Mario Zampi in 1959: Too Many Crooks.

 

Who's in it?

Terry-Thomas, George Cole, Brenda de Banzie, Joe Melia and Vera Day.

Carry On Faces?

Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw both pre-Carry On, play pivotal roles in the gang at the centre of the film. Interestingly, despite Sid's vast experience, Bernard is billed above him in this film, probably due to Bernard's success on television in The Army Game. Watch out also for brief appearances from Nicholas Parsons, Sydney Tafler, Cyril Chamberlain and Terry Scott. 

What's it about?

Too Many Crooks is a fast moving, cleverly scripted comedy focussing on a criminal gang's inept attempts to swindle people out of their cash. George Cole is the gang leader with other members Bresslaw, Vera Day, Joe Melia and a certain Mr Sidney James. The gang soon hone in on crooked businessman Bill Gordon (Terry-Thomas) and finally set up a plan to kidnap his daughter and hold her for a ransome of £20000. However the bungling crooks kidnap Gordon's wife Lucy (de Banzie) instead, which is no immediate hardship to Gordon as he can't stand her. However soon the previously meek and mild Lucy turns the tables on both the gang and her husband and sets out to take control and take what's rightfully hers!

 

Best Bit?

A wonderful court sequence which sees Terry-Thomas up on several hilarious charges! Excellent performances and dialogue from all concerned as Terry heaps more and more trouble on himself. You can't go wrong with John Le Mesurier as the Judge, Terry Scott as a policeman and Sydney Tafler as Terry's solicitor. Lovely stuff.

Did you know?

The plot of Too Many Crooks was recycled for the 1986 Hollywood film Ruthless People, starring Bette Midler and Danny DeVito.

 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram

Joan carries on ... as Lily Duveen

This blog is part of a new regular series on Carry On Blogging. I'm going to attempt to blog about each of Joan Sims' wonderful roles in the Carry On films. Joan was the most prolific of all the actresses involved in the series, clocking up 24 films. Indeed, only Kenneth Williams made more Carry Ons.

This time, it's Joan's role as Lily Duveen in Carry On Regardless that's under the spotlight. This was Joan's fourth Carry On in quick succession and Regardless was the fifth in the series. The franchise had quickly established itself and the audience couldn't get enough. Joan was regularly employed by Rogers and Thomas, not only because she was a belting actress but also because she could work quickly and efficiently without any starry nonsense. She was also, by now, a big hit with the rest of the gang forming close friendships with Hattie Jacques, Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams. 

Joan was also lifelong friends with the latest Carry On recruit for Regardless, Liz Fraser. As the two female leads in this film, they excel. The arrival of Liz meant the end for Joan's role as the glamorous Carry On pin up, which was a shame but Regardless still provides her with some excellent opportunities to shine. 

The basic premise of Regardless is the Helping Hands Agency with Sid James and Esma Cannon at the helm. They employed the regular gang of goons to undertake all kinds off odd jobs and the film that results is really just a collection of loose sketches. It works really well but at some points, because the cast is so big, you forget they are all in it!  Kenneth Connor gets the majority of the film and is superb throughout although this means actors like Bill Owen, Charles Hawtrey and Terence Longdon are criminally underused.

Joan's role as Lily Duveen is fantastic although there is a very early incident of her being used as the butt of the joke, with her figure being criticised. This aside, Regardless provides Joan with one of her finest Carry On sequences: the infamous wine tasting scene! Lily attends the wine tasting to act as hostess but is invited to stay for a drink and several scoops later she ends up punching Nicholas Parsons! This scene has gone down in Carry On legend. Joan's versatility and comedic timing are exemplary and she looks stunning too. Always the professional, Joan carried on regardless (as it were) even when the director Gerald Thomas spiked her "wine" with neat gin, at 8.30 in the morning!

Joan also shares scenes with Kenneth Connor again, as she tries to persuade his character to give up smoking. It's a relatively ordinary scene but beautifully played by the two actors. She also ended up in a bath with Kenneth Williams at the Ideal Homes Exhibition. Need I say more?

Carry On Regardless in undoubtedly more farcical and episodic than any of the previous Carry Ons. I love it though and Joan does well with the material she is given. My only complaint is that because the cast is so vast, it does feel like her scenes are rather few and far between. For whatever reason, Regardless marked the end of a run of four original Carry Ons for Joan. She would miss the next for films in the series before returning for Carry On Cleo which began filming in the late Summer of 1964.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

What A Carry On For A Good Cause!

This post rather unashamedly covers two things I'm passionate about: the Carry On films (naturally) and one of my favourite charities. On Sunday 25th October, a star-studded gala will take place in London's West End in aid of the charity The Silver Line.

The gala, called "Hey, Old Friends!" will feature the words and music of Stephen Sondheim and marks his 85th birthday. And there is a Carry On connection (or two) as both Anita Harris and Nicholas Parsons will feature. We all know Anita for her many successful years of work in musical theatre as well as two classic Carry On appearances in 1967- Carry On Follow That Camel and Carry On Doctor. 

Nicholas Parsons, famous for hosting Just A Minute and working with Kenneth Williams, also appeared in a cameo role in Carry On Regardless in 1961. The charity gala will also feature a host of other stars including Julia McKenzie, Millicent Martin, Rula Lenska and Jason Manford. 

Proceeds from the gala will go to help fund The Silver Line, the telephone befriending service set up by Dame Esther Rantzen. This is a charity very close to my heart and one I volunteer for on a regular basis. Older people living alone is a massive issue and The Silver Line is doing fantastic work to provide information, friendship and advice for thousands of older people across the country. 

"Hey, Old Friends!" will take place at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on Sunday 25th October 2015 from 7.30pm. 

You can buy tickets from the box office by calling 0844 412 4657 or by visiting the official website .

You can find out more about The Silver Line by visiting The Silver Line Website

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

What A Carry On for a good cause!

This post rather unashamedly covers two things I'm passionate about: the Carry On films (naturally) and one of my favourite charities. On Sunday 25th October, a star-studded gala will take place in London's West End in aid of the charity The Silver Line.

The gala, called "Hey, Old Friends!" will feature the words and music of Stephen Sondheim and marks his 85th birthday. And there is a Carry On connection (or two) as both Anita Harris and Nicholas Parsons will feature. We all know Anita for her many successful years of work in musical theatre as well as two classic Carry On appearances in 1967- Carry On Follow That Camel and Carry On Doctor. 

Nicholas Parsons, famous for hosting Just A Minute and working with Kenneth Williams, also appeared in a cameo role in Carry On Regardless in 1961. The charity gala will also feature a host of other stars including Julia McKenzie, Millicent Martin, Rula Lenska and Jason Manford. 

Proceeds from the gala will go to help fund The Silver Line, the telephone befriending service set up by Dame Esther Rantzen. This is a charity very close to my heart and one I volunteer for on a regular basis. Older people living alone is a massive issue and The Silver Line is doing fantastic work to provide information, friendship and advice for thousands of older people across the country. 

"Hey, Old Friends!" will take place at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on Sunday 25th October 2015 from 7.30pm. 

You can buy tickets from the box office by calling 0844 412 4657 or by visiting the official website .

You can find out more about The Silver Line by visiting The Silver Line Website

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

What a Carry On for a Good Cause!

This post rather unashamedly covers two things I'm passionate about: the Carry On films (naturally) and one of my favourite charities. On Sunday 25th October, a star-studded gala will take place in London's West End in aid of the charity The Silver Line.

The gala, called "Hey, Old Friends!" will feature the words and music of Stephen Sondheim and marks his 85th birthday. And there is a Carry On connection (or two) as both Anita Harris and Nicholas Parsons will feature. We all know Anita for her many successful years of work in musical theatre as well as two classic Carry On appearances in 1967- Carry On Follow That Camel and Carry On Doctor. 

Nicholas Parsons, famous for hosting Just A Minute and working with Kenneth Williams, also appeared in a cameo role in Carry On Regardless in 1961. The charity gala will also feature a host of other stars including Julia McKenzie, Millicent Martin, Rula Lenska and Jason Manford. 

Proceeds from the gala will go to help fund The Silver Line, the telephone befriending service set up by Dame Esther Rantzen. This is a charity very close to my heart and one I volunteer for on a regular basis. Older people living alone is a massive issue and The Silver Line is doing fantastic work to provide information, friendship and advice for thousands of older people across the country. 

"Hey, Old Friends!" will take place at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on Sunday 25th October 2015 from 7.30pm. 

You can buy tickets from the box office by calling 0844 412 4657 or by visiting the official website .

You can find out more about The Silver Line by visiting The Silver Line Website

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

My Favourite Scene: Carry On Regardless

This is very much a matter of personal preference, but that kind of thing normally sparks an interesting debate! Rather than review each individual Carry On film, I've decided to look at the films and choose my favourite scene from each film. 

I have already blogged about my favourite scenes in Convenience and Abroad. Today I'm going to look at Carry On Regardless. 

Regardless is a right mixed bag of a Carry On! It's a glorious compilation of scenes allowing those present to give it everything they've got. Nothing subtle here! The whole film is held together by Sid's Helping Hands Agency with his madcap employees being sent out to do just about any job for just about anybody! It's prime early 1960s British comedy and although it's Norman Hudis' least favourite of all he scripted, I have a real soft spot for it.

Whether it's Kenneth Williams taking a chimpanzee for a walk, Liz Fraser modelling underwear for a rather frightened looking Jimmy Thompson, Charles Hawtrey knocking out Tom Clegg in the boxing ring or Kenneth Connor losing his trousers in Fenella Fielding's bedroom, there is something for everyone!

Now, to my favourite scene. One scene stands tall above all the others in Carry On Regardless. Amidst one of the largest ever casts of classic comedy performers, Joan Sims' marvellous wine tasting scene is just the finest sequence in the entire film. Joan is on fine form as Lily Duveen, going from posh hostess with the mostest, flirting with the likes of David Lodge, to startling the wine waiter with her cry of "Here's cream on your salad!" it's a majestic performance and a lesson in comic timing, farce and being a strong, funny female in the days when men definitely ruled the roost. 

Joan is wonderful at playing the comedy drunk which is no mean feat. Just think how many times you see actors acting drunk badly! She is the star of the show and a true professional too, given that Gerald Thomas fed her real gin at 8.30 in the morning when she had no idea it was coming! 

The conclusion of the scene is pure Carry On. Physical humour, lots of prat-falling and poor Nicholas Parsons getting a punch on the nose for trying it on! As Joan says it's "disgraceful! A load of drunks!" 

It's quite simply a beautifully played scene and it never fails to make me laugh.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

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