Three Years and Counting: My Carry On Blogging Highlights So Far

 

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 850,000 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 14,000 followers and nearly 700 of your have "liked" my Facebook page. 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 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 published a guest blog by Carry On fan Adam Endacott who is currently writing The Kenneth Williams Companion. 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 most recently 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 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 this year 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 also 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

Most recently 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

Last October 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 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 earlier this month about her long and varied career and her new memoir, The Tome of the Unknown Actor. Find out what Christine had to say here

And more recently 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 have also started blogging 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'm also now beginning a new 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.

Earlier this summer 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 last year 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 in June 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, omething 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 

Only the other day 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

Also in August 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

Later in November 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 also 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 also 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 last week 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 recently 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.

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! 

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

Carrying On at the British Library: My thoughts on Kenneth's 1952 Diary

 

Last week I made a very special trip to the British Library in London. There was a great deal of publicity a year or so ago about the decision taken by Paul Richardson to entrust the treasured Kenneth Williams' diaries to the British Library. Paul, who was Kenneth's neighbour and friend for many of his later years, oversaw Kenneth's estate following his death in 1988. 

When I heard the news I immediately wanted to go and see these famous books for myself. As I wrote on this blog two years or so ago, my love for the diaries stretches back to my teenage years and I often dreamed of seeing the real thing. Now, thanks to Paul and the Library, it was perhaps more likely. Of course collating and cataloging the diaries is a huge undertaking for the Library and after a significant amount of time had passed, I contacted the Curator responsible for the diaries, Joanna Norledge. I think the process of preparing the diaries to be viewed by the public was taking longer than expected, however Joanna was particularly helpful and agreed that certain files could be made available to me if I applied for a Reader's Pass. And that's exactly what I did.

Joanna recently got in touch to confirm I could see the diaries in the Manuscript Reading Room at the British Library this week, so on Thursday I took the short trip from my home in North London down to King's Cross. I think it's really fitting that the diaries have found a permanent, lasting home here. The Library is an extremely well-respected, distinguished institution, one we should all be proud of. And secondly, the Library is situated in an area of London that meant a great deal to Kenneth, as he spent almost his entire life in Bloomsbury and St Pancras. Several of his flats are only a short walk away from the Library so it really does seem the best possible place for them.

Today I am going to write about what I found in the 1952 diary so read on for more insights into one of this country's finest comic actors. I had a hairs standing up on the back of my neck moment almost as soon as I started to read the 1952 diary. Kenneth saw the new year in on the London Underground with a group of friend such as Rachel Roberts, returning from a party. It just so happens they celebrated the new year at my local tube station in North London which was an uncanny coincidence! 1952 was another important year for Kenneth. It would see him progress his career by appearing in his first new play and also his first proper television and film work, although often they turned out to be unhappy experiences.

Even at this early stage of his career, Kenneth was clearly exhibiting signs of becoming very bored, very quickly during rehearsals or long productions. He does suffer a lack of grace sometimes when describing the activities or behaviours of colleagues, even though these are generally campy, waspish and hilarious! One person he did enjoy being with was that diminutive little actress of countless Ealing comedies and other British films of the era, Edie Martin. They were both in a television production called A Wonderful Visit. "Edie Martin - that wonderful little actress is in it. She is a gorgeous person. Spoke to her. She sits quite alone at rehearsals. Somehow pathetic. Great little actress. Must talk to her a bit more."

A few weeks later Kenneth was bemoaning his advancing years and what he saw as a lack of achievements in his life. On 20th February he wrote: "I shall be 26 years old on Friday next. O dear - I feel awful about it. The terrible waste of the young years. I shall be old so soon." However there was work to be done. Kenneth was performing in a play and by the end of February he had been given a part in the film Trent's Last Case by Herbert Wilcox. This involved filming at Shepperton Studios at the beginning of March and he was reintroduced to a former colleague, the actor Sam Kydd. "Caught 8am to Shepperton from Waterloo. Am sharing a dressing room at the film studios with Sam Kydd with whom I got on so well on the TV show. This is really delightful." Later that day Kenneth even went to the cinema to see Sam's latest film: " To see Sam Kydd in 'Secret People' at Odeon. Sam was excellent - the rest were awful." High praise indeed from the ultra picky Mr Williams!

 

Later in March, Kenneth would also have his first professional dealings with a writer we all know, Norman Hudis. Norman of course went on to script the first six Carry On films before going on to further success on the other side of the Atlantic. In the early 1950s he was represented by Kenneth's agent Peter Eade, who had obviously been trying to encourage Kenneth to work with the young writer. On 17 March Kenneth wrote: "To Peter Eade to return the two plays of Norman Hudis. I told him he should send one to Guthrie - it's brilliant enough to interest G." Several months later Kenneth would cross paths with Norman again. On 18 June Kenneth travelled to Leatherhead with Peter Eade and the actor Eric Portman to see Norman's play 'Here is the End of the News'. And Kenneth's verdict? "Fine and interesting play. Not exactly served by a brilliant cast. A good piece of constructive writing. I think he (Hudis) will go places. I had a long chat with Norman afterwards about it. Sweet person." Little did Kenneth know at the time but within a few years he would regularly be speaking Norman's words on the big screen in several films for Peter Rogers Productions.

One of the thrills of the 1952 diary for me was turning to the page dated 24 March. Kenneth had been having some new photographs taken by Houston Rogers for his entry in Spotlight magazine and rather wonderfully, one of the photos was still pasted into the diary, with Kenneth's handwriting underneath giving his opinion on the finished product - "My new Spotlight photograph. Don't really like it but what the hell?" Further entries over the next days and weeks mention the photographer again so it would seem Kenneth had several sessions to get the pictures just right!

Kenneth was once again at his waspish best later in the year when he took to critiquing his fellow actors' performances. He went with Peter Eade to see the film I believe in You at the beginning of April. "It was quite good. Celia Johnson delightful. A boy called Harry Fowler as a delinquent was really rather phoney..." The next evening Kenneth went the Old Vic to see a production of King Lear and he was equally scathing: "Boy of 23 called (John) Colicos played title role as Stephen Murray is supposedly unwell after his awful 1st night notices. Lee Montague as Edmund was quite appalling." 

Kenneth's vivid ability to describe random happenings and events that occurred during his day was evident again after returning from an evening with Peter Nichols on 6 April. "Walked all the way home. My feet were murder at the finish. Several prostitutes accosted me on the way. Charming." Later, in a different pen he added: "One of them said 'My feet are bleedin' frozen' and I felt a wave of compassion sweep over my tired body." That compassion was still to the fore throughout the early 1950s as Kenneth, the young Socialist, looked for something better in life. Yet again he even contemplated giving up acting for a more reliable, decent career. 

 

Kenneth was back in the theatre by the end of April though, playing the part of Bastien in By Candlelight at Salisbury Rep. This job brought him into contact with the actor Denis Goacher, a familiar name for several years in the pages of the diaries. Once again Kenneth shows his changing attitudes to an individual, at first describing Goacher as "bitchy and someone to avoid", however within a matter of days his opinion was that Denis was "a dear man". Don't worry though, before the play was over, he was once more described as "dead weight!" That play also led to a rather surreal letter to the editor of a local newspaper in Salisbury which Kenneth carefully pasted into his diary on 30 April. The letter attacked the local theatre critic and his review of plays at the Arts Theatre. It was signed Mr Charles Williams of Salisbury. A curious coincidence that that was also Kenneth's father's name or an early outing for an Edna Welthorpe style Orton-esque character?!

September 1952 saw Kenneth once again tackling the medium of film, first of all with a trip to Elstree Studios. On 16th September he was filming scenes for the picture Innocents in Paris: "To Elstree to play 'Window Dresser' in Innocents in Paris. directed by Anatole e Grunewald. Dreary business. Masses of g. degenerates." Perhaps not the happiest of experiences. The finished film starred Alastair Sim, Claire Bloom and Margaret Rutherford, however sadly Kenneth's role went uncredited. Several days later he was back at Shepperton to play Jack the Pot Boy in the Beggar's Opera. 

The following month there was yet another example of Kenneth's generosity towards his parents. Still living with Louie and Charlie at 57 Marchmont Street in Bloomsbury and not yet earning a great deal of money, Kenneth still spent quite a bit of his money on Louie in particular, buying her a television set and doing odd jobs around the house. On the entry for 27 October is still neatly folded a receipt made out to a Mr Kenneth Williams for the purchase of a new carpet from The Eastern Carpet Stores. A lovely find and almost certainly a gift for his beloved Louie. 

Kenneth ended 1952 with a role in Peter Pan at the Scala Theatre. This was a job he seemed less than enthusiastic about. On 1 December he wrote: Peter Pan with Brenda Bruce and James Donald. And they've dug up Russell Thorndike for a pirate! Disgusting." Things continued to go down hill and by 18 December Kenneth exclaimed: "Wish I'd never seen Peter Pan. Hate it bitterly!"

The last entry of '52 ends with Kenneth summing up the year in typical Williams fashion, commenting that he'd done his first television and film parts and that "I suppose I have been reasonably happy. Certainly happier than other years."

I hope to get back to the British Library very soon to take a look at some of those other years Kenneth mentions there. I have four more years up to 1956 to view at present so stay tuned for more blogs on Kenneth's wonderful diaries coming up in the near future. 

And in the meantime, if you haven't yet read my blog on Kenneth's 1951 diary, you can do so here: Carry On Blogging: My Thoughts on Kenneth's 1951 Diary  


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