Anita Harris: This Is Your Life!

It's time once again to dip in the archives of the classic television show, This Is Your Life. Today, we're going right back to early 1982 as host Eamonn Andrews surprises the gorgeous Anita Harris with the big red book and the story of her life and career.

Another lovely half hour, this has made me realise how much I miss this iconic show. Anita is surprised in the foyer of the Talk of the Town theatre in London's West End and at that point she was at the height of her fame. The legendary British singer was starring in an endless run of musical theatre and cabaret shows. Surrounded by her husband, parents and siblings, it's a lovely tribute and showcases just what a genuinely nice person Anita is.

Of course we remember Anita best for her starring roles in two Carry On films made fifteen years earlier. In 1967 she played Cork Tip in Carry On Follow That Camel opposite Bernard Bresslaw, Phil Silvers and Jim Dale. Later that year she played Nurse Clark in one of my favourites, Carry On Doctor. 

You can watch Anita's This Is Your Life here:

And as an extra special treat, here's another more recent video which sees Anita reflect on her appearance on the show and her career at the time it was broadcast:

Enjoy!

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Arnold Ridley: This Is Your Life

It's time to dip once again into the archives of the classic British television show, This Is Your Life. Today's we're going way back over 41 years to 1976 and we join Eamonn Andrews as he surprises a legend of British theatre and comedy, the wonderful Arnold Ridley. Now I know this is a Carry On blog and Arnold's role in the series is very small, but this show is such a joy I just couldn't resist blogging it.

Arnold, best known as both the author of the play The Ghost Train, and latterly as Private Godfrey in the classic BBC sitcom, Dad's Army, did of course play a cameo role in Carry On Girls in 1973. Appearing in the very first scene at a council meeting with Sid James, Kenneth Connor, Marianne Stone and June Whitfield, Arnold has very little to do but it is always a lovely surprise to see him.

Arnold played the delightful Godfrey for the full run of Dad's Army between 1968 and 1977 and it was really this series that made his name and provided his lasting legacy. The show is a joy and sees most of his Dad's Army colleagues come together to share his tribute. Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier (of course once married to Hattie Jacques), Bill Pertwee, Clive Dunn and recent Carry On Behind star Ian Lavender are all present and correct.

Dad's Army marked the end of his screen career however Arnold would outlive several of his colleagues, despite being by far the oldest. He passed away at the age of 88 in March 1984 at the home for retired actors, Denville Hall.

Enjoy his wonderful tribute:

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Watch: Janet Brown's This Is Your Life

Now here's a lovely thing. Browsing the net the other day I came upon Janet Brown's This Is Your Life tribute show from way back in 1980. To those of a certain vintage, Janet will be best remembered as an impressionist and comedienne, most famous for her impression of Mrs Thatcher, her own shows on television and working with Mike Yarwood. 

To us Carry On fans, she is also known as the wife of the late, great Peter Butterworth. Janet was married to Peter from 1947 until his sad, early death in January 1979. Together they had two children, Tyler, still an actor to this day and very much his father's son, and Emma. As well as a long and happy marriage, Peter and Janet also starred together in many television shows during the 1950s, especially on children's television.

Janet's This Is Your Life is a really good watch, made even more poignant by the still recent loss of Peter. This is touched upon several times by host Eamonn Andrews and it's clear just how much love and affection there was for Butterworth. To Janet's credit, she threw herself into work in the early 1980s after taking time out to raise their children. Mostly known to us as Peter's wife it's great to see her in the spotlight for a change, although bittersweet that Peter wasn't sitting beside his wife, beaming with pride.

Janet would continue to make regular appearances on television and on stage well into her 80s. Her last film appearance came in 2010 while her last stage appearance was three years earlier, as Old Lady Squeamish in the West End production of The Country Wife at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Janet lived in Hove in her later years and was still very active until her death at the age of 87 in 2011. Sadly, her daughter Emma predeceased her, passing away at the age of just 34 in 1996. Tyler is now married, to the actress Janet Dibley and together they have two sons.

Although Janet never did make a Carry On, you may remember she popped up for a supporting role as Sid's departing neighbour Annie in the 1972 film Bless This House, a Carry On in all but name. 

However, for many of us she will always be remembered for this:

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Hattie Jacques: This is Your Life

Hattie Jacques appeared on This is Your Life in 1963. At the time her career was going from strength to strength. She had a new television series in the offing, was starring alongside Eric Sykes and her latest Carry On role, Peggy Hawkins in Cabby, would prove to be her favourite part in the series.

However, despite the outwardly happy, content Hattie we see in the programme, sadly her private life was in turmoil. Her marriage to the actor John Le Mesurier was falling apart which must have made their appearance together on the programme a rather tense, strained affair. 

Not one to dwell on actors' private lives, I wanted to share this classic television episode really so we could see one of our most beloved actresses at the height of her fame. Hattie didn't give many interviews so it is lovely to see her as herself for a change. 

Enjoy!

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Peter Butterworth's This Is Your Life

Peter Butterworth has long been one of my comedy heroes. He is just superb in each of his Carry On film appearances and crops up in a myriad of other film and television roles during his long career.

Sometimes the forgotten man of Carry On, his substantial contribution to the films should never be underestimated or ignored. He was, simply, a comedy genius. Peter had wonderful comic timing and never missed an opportunity for visual clowning or unexpected comedy business. 

Tragically, Peter died at the incredibly young age of 59. He was performing in pantomime early in 1979 when he suffered a massive heart attack in his hotel room. The world was robbed of a terrific talent with a lot yet to give. Peter was married for over thirty years to the Scottish actress and impressionist, Janet Brown. They had two children together, Emma who sadly passed away in the 1990s and Tyler who is now an actor, just like his dad. Tyler, who I think has a strong resemblance to his talented father, appeared in the Carry On Forever documentary last Sunday. 

Away from acting, Peter Butterworth had a distinguished war record, spending time in a prisoner of war camp in Germany during the Second World War. He was part of the famous wooden horse escape attempt and it was while in the camp that he met and befriended future Carry On writer Talbot Rothwell. 

I recently tracked down Peter Butterworth's This Is Your Life tribute on Youtube. While the Carry Ons are not heavily featured it is a great opportunity to learn more about Peter the man and his life away from acting. I thoroughly recommend it to fans of both Peter and the Carry Ons in general. The video is available here and is well worth a watch.

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