Celebrating 60 Years of Carry On with Art & Hue

This year is a special anniversary for fans of classic film & British comedy as it’s 60 years since the first classic Carry On production, “Carry On Sergeant”, was released in 1958.

  

The Carry On films have their own distinct style that is totally unique, beloved by many, and an important part of Britain’s comedy, film, and cultural heritage, and 2018 marks 60 years since the first Carry On film.

"Carry On Sergeant" laid the groundwork for the most prolific British film series (yes, more than James Bond). Without this successful first film, there simply wouldn’t have been all the films that followed in its path.

British film company Anglo Amalgamated distributed the first 12 Carry On films starting with "Carry On Sergeant" in 1958 and ending with the much-loved Hammer Horror parody "Carry On Screaming" in 1966.

Carry On Sergeant was screened to the trade and cinema-bookers on the 1st of August 1958 after which some some regional screenings were held from the 1st of September including Aberdeen & Birmingham. It wasn't until the 19th of September 1958 that it received its London cinema release at the Plaza, and then the film rolled out nationwide on general release from the 20th of September onwards.
 

To celebrate the British comedies, Art & Hue has created a stylish pop art collection featuring the classic films and their stars. 

Along with the classic film posters, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, and Barbara Windsor (Dame Babs) have all been transformed into pop art icons by Art & Hue, in a choice of three sizes and 16 colours.

Prices range from £15 to £39 and are exclusively available online at artandhue.com/carryon

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Follow Carry On Blogging on Instagram!

Did you know that Carry On Blogging was now on Instagram? Well it is and if you are too why not follow me there?

You will find the usual great photos of some of your favourite Carry On films and their stars and it provides another great forum to interact with me and other Carry On fans. 

So why not boost my page on Instagram by following and liking some of my posts? It would be much appreciated. I look forward to seeing you there! My Instagram page is here: Carry On Blogging

And in the meantime, do follow me on Twitter too - I love your comments, feedback and general Carry On banter, so keep it coming! 

Carry On Following!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Happy Birthday Leslie Phillips!

Today marks the inimitable Leslie Phillips' 94th birthday! I cannot quite believe someone like the wonderful Leslie is now reaching such a grand old age. 

Sadly Leslie has not been in the greatest health in recent times but I hope he does manage to enjoy his special day. As you will all know Leslie appeared in three classic Carry Ons from the early days of the series before popping back for a cameo in Columbus in 1992. He is also well known for appearing in many other classic British films including several of the Doctor series and films co-starring with Stanley Baxter. 

More recently Leslie played opposite Peter O'Toole in a funny, moving and incredibly poignant film, Venus in 2006, yet again showing that actors we tend to place in particular pigeon holes can always surprise us with what they are capable of doing.

When Pinewood Studios celebrated its 70th anniversary, Leslie played a bit part in those celebrations, being the only actor still alive who had worked at the famous studios from the very beginning. In a career spanning seven decades, he is indeed a true legend of British film and part of our illustrious comedy heritage.

So I'll be raising a glass to our lovely Leslie today. Many Happy Returns!

Ding Dong, Carry On!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

My Top 20 Favourite Carry On Actors: Number 13 - Margaret Nolan

This is part of a brand new series of blogs where I will take a purely personal look at my favourite Carry On actors. I will be doing a countdown of my top twenty actors and actresses in this, the sixtieth anniversary year of Carry On. So why top twenty? Well top ten didn't allow me to include all my favourites and any more than twenty and I'd be at it forever, as it were.

This top twenty will be a mix of regular top team actors and many of those instantly recognisable supporting actors who popped in and out of the series, adding superb cameos here and there. You will probably agree with some of my main choices and be vehemently opposed to others, but it's meant to encourage debate! 

So here we go with Number Thirteen: a vivacious actress who came to typify the classic Carry On Girl - Margaret Nolan.

I adore Margaret Nolan in the Carry Ons. She was never part of the main team but whenever she appeared in one of the films she was eye-catching and memorable. A fine actress in her own right with an impressive screen and stage career, Margaret played to a familiar, rather cliched type in the majority of her Carry On appearances. This is in no part due to Maggie, but really just what the Carry On top team were after. Cliched parts and overtly glamorous perhaps, but still wonderful to watch which is of course down to Maggie's talents.

Margaret Nolan first appeared in the Carry On series way back in 1965 when she played the small role of Miss Jones in Carry On Cowboy. It would be another five years before Maggie would rejoin the team but her scene as the buxom farmer's daughter in Carry On Henry was deliciously played and she displayed wonderful chemistry with leading man Sid James. Less than a year later Margaret was recalled to Pinewood to play the featured role of Popsy in the classic Carry On At Your Convenience. Appearing half way through the film for the scenes in Brighton, Maggie camps about Brighton Pier with the likes of Jacki Piper and Kenneth Cope and makes a delightful love interest for Bernard Bresslaw's rather dim-witted Bernie Hulke.

Later in 1971, Margaret filmed a one scene cameo with Terry Scott in Carry On Matron. One of the oldest gags in the world, her scene as the pregnant Mrs Tucker opposite Terry's Dr Prodd is one of the funniest set ups in the entire film. 1973 saw Margaret's largest and most popular Carry On role as beauty queen Dawn Brakes in Carry On Girls. Resplendent in a silver bikini she endures a memorable cat fight with Barbara Windsor, shares saucy dialogue with Robin Askwith on a chilly Brighton beach and catches the eye of Sid, Bernie and Peter Butterworth. Classic stuff.

Maggie Nolan's final role in the series came the following year, again paired with Bernard Bresslaw in Carry On Dick. In a rather subdued, prim role as Lady Daley Margaret bade farewell to the Carry Ons. After a long time living abroad, Margaret is back in the UK and has made several appearances at fan conventions and on television documentaries. As an actress, Maggie has always fascinated this Carry On fan and I love her performances so it's very fitting she makes it into my list of favourite Carry On actors. 

So Margaret Nolan comes in at Number 13 in my top twenty list of favourite actors. Who'll be next? 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Meet Patricia Franklin at the London Film Fair!

Now into its 45th Year, this event is the continuation of a legacy that started back in the early seventies, and over the years have seen different names and organizers but its roots orginate from the original Collector’s Film Convention’s that were organized by Ed Mason.  Now under new management, the future of the event is secured. 

The event’s are held at London’s Central Hall Westminster, with up to 6 events a year.
The conventions presents dealers from all over the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Australia and South America that specializes in vintage and modern film memorabilia.  Items cover the history of cinema from the silents to the present day blockbusters.

The London Film Fair will appeal to avid film buffs, collectors, archivists researchers and students. A must for anyone with an interest in cinema and cult television! 

The next Fair takes place on 30 June and this time fans can get the chance to meet the lovely Patricia Franklin! Patricia appeared in five Carry On films and the big screen version of Bless This House. Patricia's debut in the series was playing the pregnant daughter of Derek Francis in Carry On Camping in 1968. Two years later she played the cameo role of Mrs Dreery opposite Bill Maynard and Kenneth Williams in Carry On Loving. In 1973 Patricia played Augusta Prodworthy's assistant Rosemary in Carry On Girls and then in 1975 she appeared in Carry On Behind as Vera, wife to Ernie (Jack Douglas) and best friend to Sylvia (Liz Fraser). Patricia made her last Carry On appearance the following year in the small role of the canteen cook in Carry On England.

Patricia has enjoyed a fantastic acting career away from the Carry Ons with many wonderful stage roles over the years. You can read more about this in my recent interview with the lady herself here - Part 1 and Part 2.

Patricia is a lovely lady to talk to so if you get the chance, do go along and meet her on the day.

More guests to be announced soon, so watch out for that!

The next London Film Fair will take place on Saturday 30 June at the Central Hall Westminster. Further details can be found on the Film Fair Website


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carrying On with Gideon's Way

I've recently become rather hooked on the classic British police series Gideon's Way. The show is enjoying a re-run on that brilliant nostalgia fest which is Talking Pictures TV. Starring John Gregson (best known for his role in the film Genevieve) as Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, the series focussed on the demanding career of Gideon and the challenge of combining it with family life.

The series ran to 26 hour long episodes, all filmed between 1964 and 65 and broadcast from the March of '65 into the following year. Gideon's Way was made for ITV and shot at Elstree Studios at the same time as shows like The Saint and The Avengers. What marked the series out from many others of the era was the extensive use of location filming which added to the authenticity of the subject matter. Filmed in black and white, the fast paced action and strong storylines pushed new ground. For me, seeing mid-sixties London in all its post-war grimy glory is a real treat. As are the countless guest actors who appear throughout the run.

Well-known actors such as Jean Marsh, Gordon Jackson, Rosemary Leach, George Cole and John Hurt turn up in various episodes but for me, as usual, it's the Carry On faces who provide the greatest interest. So here's a run down of all the classic Carry On links with this wonderful old detective show. 

First up, a Carry On link behind the camera. Norman Hudis, the writer of the first six Carry On films, penned four of the 26 episodes. Norman wrote episode 10 "How to Retire without Really Working; episode 11 "Subway to Revenge"; episode 19 "The Millionaire's Daughter" and finally episode 24 "The Reluctant Witness". Norman did go on to write a great deal of television following his departure from the Carry Ons and this material is certainly very different to the larks of Kenneth Connor, Joan Sims and the rest of the gang!

Gideon's daughter Pru in the show was played by actress Andrea Allan. Scottish born Andrea appeared in seven episodes during the run. Andrea went on to appear in series such as UFO as Carol Miller, Jason King, Thriller and One Foot in the Grave. Around the time of filming Gideon's Way, Andrea also made brief appearances in two Carry Ons. Apparently she is featured in Carry On Spying (can't confirm this) and she also had the small part of Minnie in Carry On Cowboy. 

The actress Angela Douglas, best known for her roles in four Carry Ons including Cowboy and Up the Khyber, appeared in two different episodes of Gideon's Way. In the second ever episode, broadcast on 25 March 1965, Angela played Cathy Miller in a story about anti-fascist marches in London called "The V Men". Angela returned to play the title character in the episode "Morna" broadcast in February 1966, just after she's finished filming Carry On Screaming.

The very first episode shown in March 1965 and entitled "State Visit" focusses on an official visit to London by the German President. The storyline features two well-known Carry On faces. David Lodge, who appeared in Regardless, Girls, Dick, Behind and England, plays the character of Morris while future semi-regular Julian Holloway makes an early screen appearance playing Jim Richards. The episode broadcast in early May 1965 called "Big Fish, Little Fish" also features two famous actors who made cameo roles in the Carry Ons. Sydney Tafler, who played the strip club owner encountered by Charles Hawtrey in Carry On Regardless, plays Gabriel Lyon while Harry Towb plays Ted Cowan. Harry went on to appear briefly in Carry On At Your Convenience as the "doctor" in the dubious film Lew Boggs takes Myrtle Plummer to see at the cinema!

The first episode written by Norman Hudis features three Carry On faces, one of who appeared in the very first Carry On Norman wrote. Eric Barker plays one half of a couple who have spent their life making a living from petty crime in the episode "How to Retire without Really Trying." He is joined by William Mervyn as Mr Pater and Henry McGee as Mark Martinson. Mervyn cropped up in Carry On Follow That Camel as Angela Douglas' father, in Again Doctor as the chair of the hospital board and finally as the court physician in Carry On Henry. And Henry made a cameo as a talk show host in Carry On Emmannuelle in 1978.

Ray Brooks turns up as Frank Romano in the episode "Gang War", a character who runs a small business protection racket. Ray played Georgio, the son of Peter Butterworth and Hattie Jacques who seduces June Whitfield's Evelyn Blunt in Carry On Abroad. "Fall High, Fall Hard" first broadcast in April 1966 focusses on a construction company run by an honest man and his crooked partner. Donald Houston, the Welsh actor you'll remember for his role as First Officer Jonathan Howett in Carry On Jack, plays the honest partner while the less than straight forward one is none other than Carry On semi-regular Victor Maddern.

Finally, the very last episode in the run, "The Nightlifters", shown in May 1966 sees four teenagers led into a life of violence by Anton Rodgers who's character lives on a Chelsea houseboat and has upper-class pretensions. Anton had small roles in two early Carry Ons - first of all a young man chatting up Dilys Laye in Carry On Cruising and then Hardy in the first scene of Carry On Jack with Jimmy Thompson. This episode also features reliable character actor Harry Locke as Joe Moss. You'll remember Harry for his roles in the first three medical Carry Ons - Mick the Orderly in Carry On Nurse, Sam in Carry On Doctor and finally the hospital porter in Carry On Again Doctor in 1969.

Gideon's Way is shown each weekday evening at 20.00 on Talking Pictures TV. 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

The Gerald Thomas Archive: Letters from Larry

Last month I made a rather delayed trip (thank you British weather) to the British Film Institute on London's Southbank. As I've mentioned over on Twitter, the BFI hold the entire Gerald Thomas archive which is chock full of delightful artifacts from Gerald's long, varied and illustrious career in British film. I was quite frankly dazzled by the array of material on offer and have only managed to flick through a fraction of it, but this blog today is the start of several pieces looking at different aspects of what I've had the very good fortune to see.

Following on from my first blog on Gerald's Scrapbook for Carry On Abroad and my second on the Carry On Abroad Draft Script the next item file I want to write about concerns final preparations for the release of Carry On Doctor in late 1967. 

The Carry On Doctor files contain some lovely, fascinating letters from the artist Terence Parkes, otherwise known as Larry. Larry designed the title sequences for several Peter Rogers Productions, including Carry On Doctor. The letters on file document Parkes' attempts to capture the kind of artistic feel which would suit the Carry Ons. Obviously a fan of the series, Terence Parkes went to great lengths to impress Peter with his efforts. Each of Larry's letters to Peter Rogers is accompanied by personalised cartoons, for example a nurse having the title card for Carry On Doctor projected onto her chest.

The first letter was sent to Peter on 20 November 1967. Larry seemed slightly anxious about the work he had enclosed for Peter's perusal:

I haven't a clue how my drawings will look 'blown up' to screen size. They may look bloody horrible! I await the results with some intrepidation. 

Peter Rogers didn't wait long before providing feedback to Larry, writing back with his thoughts the very next day:

Dear Larry,

I'm delighted with the drawings. They're superb. But I am returning one to you in the hope you can amend it. It is of the nurse pushing the trolley of 'spares'. For the sake of the customers I would prefer the spares to be arms and legs rather than 'internals'. If necessary you can have the fingers of one of the spare arms making the usual gesture!

Again, even though they were writing in the pre-email days, Larry still managed to get back to Mr Rogers the day after. Writing on 22nd November 1967 he said:

I wouldn't be sure it looks any less gruesome but at least it looks funnier!

The work Parkes completed was obviously a success with Peter and Gerald as this marked the first of several collaborations during the late 1960s and 1970s. The archive also includes a letter from the artist the following May (1968) where he addressed the producer's request for some cartoons to accompany their next big screen release, the majestic Carry On Up The Khyber. In typical Larry fashion, the letter included a wonderful little drawing of a snake charmer with a camera man sitting atop the snake!

These letters provided a priceless and fascinating insight into yet another aspect of producing the Carry On films. Rogers was obviously extremely shrewd with an eye for detail and these letters also demonstrate Peter's deliciously dry sense of humour. They also give us a lovely insight into the work of the late, great Terence "Larry" Parkes.

I wrote about Larry's superb art work back in 2016 and you can read that here: Carry On Blogging: Full Credit to Larry

Stay tuned for the next in my series of special blogs on Gerald's archive coming up soon!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram