Misty Moon will be hosting yet another fantastic event at London's Cinema Museum later this summer. Although not strictly Carry On related, although the series itself co-stars several Carry On actors, The Sweeney remains one of my favourite British television series of all time. The Sweeney Reunion promises an evening of nostalgia and a chance to hear from several actors and creatives involved with the original series. I'm giving it an extra special plug because the actress Judy Matheson, a great friend of this blog, will be in attendance having guest starred in an episode back in 1976. The Sweeney (1975-78) is a British TV drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London. It was made by Thames Television for broadcast on the ITV network. The programme’s title derives from ‘Sweeney Todd’, which is cockney rhyming slang for ‘Flying Squad’. It starred John Thaw as Detective Inspector Jack Regan and Dennis Waterman as his partner, Detective Sergeant George Carter. Such was its popularity that it spawned two feature film spin-offs, Sweeney! (1977) and Sweeney 2 (1978). David Wickes is one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurial film and television producers. Best known for his lavish gothic TV movies, films and elegant period drama series, David is by contrast The Guv’nor when it comes to hard-hitting action-drama, as one of the original band of guerrilla filmmakers in the glory days of Euston Films making The Sweeney.
George Sweeney played the violent psychopath Tim Cook in the episodes “Taste of Fear” and “On The Run”. George’s other screen credits include Jack The Ripper (1988), Citizen Smith (1977-80), Minder(1980-93) and For Your Eyes Only (1981).
Dawn Perllman played Linda Rix in the episode “Messenger Of The Gods”. Dawn’s other credits include The Omen (1976), Boon (1988), The Bill(1990-94), The Gentle Touch (1980), Shine On Harvey Moon (1982) and Only Fools and Horses(1986).
Judy Matheson played Kibber’s Girlfriend in “Selected Target”. Judy’s other credits include The Professionals (1978), Citizen Smith (1979), Twins Of Evil (1971), Lust for a Vampire (1971) and The Flesh and Blood Show(1972).
After the Q&A there will be a meet and greet with the audience and the guests will take part in a paid signing.
More guests to be announced soon… Doors open at 17.30, for a 18.30 start.
Tickets in advance £14 (£13 concessions). On the door £15 (£14 concessions). Advance tickets may be purchased from Billetto, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours. The Sweeney Reunion will take place on Saturday 13 July, at the Cinema Museum. And you can read more about the many Carry On links with The Sweeney in my blog post here: Carrying On with The Sweeney You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram
Now this isn't strictly Carry On related, even if it does feature a pre-Carry On England Patrick Mower, but I just had to share this new range of pop art from the brilliant Art & Hue. I have a massive soft spot for the very best of British television from the golden age - the 1970s. Two of my favourite shows are The Professionals, starring Martin Shaw, Gordon Jackson and Lewis Collins and The Sweeney, which featured John Thaw and Dennis Waterman. I don't think they make telly like that any more which is a great shame, however you can own your own piece of classic TV nostalgia with this great new range of art work.
Art
& Hue presents 1970s Cops, stylish pop art illustrations of
iconic Seventies police detectives, available in three sizes and 25
colour options.
Fast
talking, thinking, and driving, 1970s cops leapt into action at a
moment’s notice, catching bad guys unawares and foiling plots with
skidding cars and a cocky swagger.
“The
Sweeney”, “The Professionals”, “Special Branch”, and
“Target” hooked British viewers with a captivating mix of
rule-breaking and action.
Exclusively
by Art & Hue, all pop art prints are printed on museum-quality
archival card of 310gsm, made from 100% cotton, using fine art
pigment inks for longevity.
2018 marks 40 years since the final episodes of The Sweeney & Target and 35 years since the final episode of The Professionals.
Visit artandhue.com/cops to see the full collection. You can read my blog on the Carry On connections with The Sweeney here And you can read my blog on the Carry On connections with The Professionals here
I have long been a fan of
the classic, gritty 1970s police drama The Sweeney. Starring John Thaw as Regan
and Dennis Waterman as Carter, it was a rough and ready antidote to the likes
of Dixon of Dock Green and portrayed modern policing on the seedy streets of
London in a way that just had not been seen on television before. The
performances from the leads are cracking throughout all four series and the
plots, drama and action rarely pull any punches.
I love British television
from this period as there really were so many fantastic character actors
bobbing about from job to job. You would see the same faces across all manner
of shows, particularly as the film industry slowed down and TV took its place.
I also love seeing dirty old London at its very best. The Sweeney captured the
capital in the mid 1970s – signs of the Second World War and post-war slum
clearance are still evident while areas like Notting Hill had yet to become
gentrified. It’s basically a fascinating time capsule and I absolutely adore
it. And don’t even get me started on the fashions and the cars!
I thought I’d blog a quick
run through of some of my favourite Carry On actors who popped up in The
Sweeney over its four year run. I enjoy seeing actors we know for comedy roles
appearing in something completely different. Most comic actors play it straight
incredibly well and this series was no exception. Of course one of the most
famous Carry On links to The Sweeney is John Thaw’s wife, the lovely Sheila Hancock. Senna Pod in Carry On
Cleo was but a distant memory by this stage and although Sheila never appeared
in The Sweeney, she was very much a part of Thaw’s life by this stage.
Let’s start off with fan
favourite Julian Holloway. The son
of the late Stanley Holloway, Julian co-starred in eight Carry Ons between 1967
and 1976. He also popped up in the 1973 television Christmas special. Julian
guest starred as John Smith, one of a gang of ruthless criminal brothers in the
classic Sweeney episode “Big Spender” in 1975. Also in that episode was
one-time Carry On actor Warren Mitchell,
here playing William Wardle. Warren played Spencius in Carry On Cleo in 1964
but is best remembered as Johnny Speight’s creation Alf Garnett.
The mysterious Carry On
figure of Gail Grainger (Just what
happened to her?) appeared in the 1976 episode “Sweet Smell of Succession” as
Jill. She is well remembered for her one off appearance as Miss Plunkett in the
wonderful Carry On Abroad. That same episode co-starred Willoughby Goddard as Daniel Kitter – Goddard had a small role as
Large Man in the 1962 film Carry On Cruising.
1975 saw two familiar faces
team up for guest spots in The Sweeney. These two actors proved so popular in
their roles as Australian armed robbers Colin McGruder and Ray Stackpole that
they were brought back for a further adventure later the same year. Patrick Mower, who starred in Carry On
England and George Layton, who had a
cameo in Behind, played the pair in “Golden Fleece” and “Trojan Bus”.
Margaret Nolan, the star of six Carry On films, played Betty in an episode called
“Thin Ice”, broadcast in 1975. That same episode co-starred Brian Wlide as Stanley Hedges. As well
as his long stint in the comedy series Last of the Summer Wine, Brian had a
cameo in Carry On Doctor and filmed a scene for Carry On Henry in 1970 which
was subsequently cut from the final print.
The wonderful Bill Maynard, the star of five Carry
Ons between 1970 and 1974 and many other delights of British comedy, played
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Quirk in the 1975 episode “Supersnout” – his
character was Regan’s bombastic boss while Haskins was away. The 1976 episode
“Down To You Brother” featured another familiar Carry On face in Derek Francis, known to Carry On fans
for his cameos in the likes of Carry On Doctor, Camping and his standout
appearance as the security guard in Carry On Matron. Derek played well to do
criminal Raymond Meadows. That same episode also features the multi-talented Kenny Lynch playing Roland Holder.
Lynch had a cameo as a bus conductor in Carry On Loving before returning to the
series as the writer of the Carry On Emmannuelle theme tune “Love Crazy” in
1978.
The delightful Wanda Ventham, who’s list of credits
includes small parts in Carry On Cleo, The Big Job and Carry On Up The Khyber,
played Brenda in the 1975 series 1 episode “Abduction”.
In 1976 Patricia Franklin appeared in a support role as Mrs Perraut in the
episode “Bad Apple”. Patricia made five Carry On appearances including classics
such as Camping, Loving and Behind. Playing Mavis in the four series episode
“Drag Act” was Vivienne Johnson,
best known to Carry On fans for her role as Freda in Carry On England in 1976
and three parts in the 1975 ATV series Carry On Laughing.
Linda Hooks,
who appeared in three Carry Ons – Dick, Behind and England – and two episodes
of Carry On Laughing, played Ivy in the four series episode “Jack or Knave”.
Co-star in all three of those Carry Ons, as well as many episodes of Carry On
Laughing, familiar face David Lodge
also appeared in The Sweeney. In 1975 he played Boxing Club owner Pop Garret in
“Chalk and Cheese”. David also starred in Carry On Regardless and Carry On
Girls.
The well-known actress,
comedienne and writer Maureen Lipman
has had two roles in The Sweeney. Long before she signed up to appear in the
1992 revival Carry On Columbus, Maureen played Annie in the original pilot for
The Sweeney, “Regan” broadcast as part of Armchair Cinema in 1974. Two years
later she was back for a different part, as Mrs Smedley in “Selected Target”.
Everyone remembers the late
actor John Clive, who cropped up in
two Carry Ons – as the camp Robin in Carry On Abroad and two years later in
1974, in the cameo role of Isaac the Tailor in Carry On Dick. The following
year he played journalist John Frewin in The Sweeney episode “Big Brother”.
Well known Australian actor Ed Devereaux guest starred in many
classic British television series in the 1960s and 70s before returning home to
work in Australia for much of the rest of his career. In 1975 he appeared in
the second episode of the very first series of The Sweeney – “Jackpot” as Harry
Biggleswade. Ed worked for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas on Carry On Nurse,
Regardless, Cruising and Jack as well as the big screen version of Bless This
House.
Finally before I go, quick
mentions for two of my favourites on Twitter – both appeared in The Sweeney.
First up is Judy Matheson who played
Kibber’s Girlfriend in the 1976 episode “Selected Target” and also the lovely Judy Buxton who, long before playing
opposite Dennis Waterman in the comedy series On The Up, played a Sales Girl in
the 1978 Sweeney episode “Bait”.
So look out for some
familiar Carry On comedy faces playing it straight the next time The Sweeney is
shown on television. It’s surprising who you might spot!
The internet is a wonderful thing. Patsy Rowlands was forever cast in similar comedy parts in film and on television for decades. Every so often though something surprising came up. It's always lovely to see a familiar face play against type and this brings me to an episode of Juliet Bravo from 1981. Juliet Bravo was a police procedural series set in Lancashire and ran for five years in the early 1980s. It was unusual at the time as the main character was a woman, played first by Stephanie Turner and later by Anna Carteret. It was devised by Ian Kennedy Martin, who had been involved with that wonderful 70s series, The Sweeney. Stephanie Turner had also played George Carter's wife Alison early on in The Sweeney before the character was rather violently written out...Anyway I digress, back to Patsy. A scene from Patsy's episode has turned up on Youtube and she gets to play it straight as a rather common, blowsy Northern woman. As usual with Patsy it is an absolute joy. I must track down the full episode. You can view the clip below:
If you come across any other familiar Carry On faces in British television series or other films, please do get in touch with the details!
