From the Archive: The Fantastic Ms Fraser

I have written about how much I love the glorious actress Liz Fraser before, but perhaps not in a great deal of depth. A contemporary of the likes of Joan Sims, Patsy Rowlands and Dilys Laye, Liz appeared in many classic films and television series during what many consider to be the golden age of British entertainment.

She made her name as the sexy teenager opposite Ian Carmichael in the classic British comedy I'm All Right Jack in 1959. As a new young actress, she held her own opposite the likes of Peter Sellers, Irene Handl, Terry-Thomas and Margaret Rutherford. Quite a line up! This film was just the beginning for Liz, who quickly cornered the market in glamorous blondes who were nobody's fool! 

Liz went on to star in many wonderful films, including four classic Carry Ons - Regardless, Cruising, Cabby and Behind. She appeared in Two Way Stretch in 1960 opposite Peter Sellers; Doctor in Love the same year with Joan Sims as a pair of strippers; The Bull Dog Breed with Norman Wisdom; The Pure Hell of St Trinian's; Raising The Wind (1961); A Pair of Briefs (1962) and my favourite, Double Bunk in which she co-starred with Sid James, Dennis Price and Ian Carmichael.

In the 1950s and 60s Liz Fraser also regularly appeared with Tony Hancock and Sid James in the iconic Hancock's Half Hour on television. This association led her to be cast as Sid's girlfriend in the spin-off series Citizen James. 

In the 1960s, Liz began to appear in more dramatic parts, an attempt to get away from the dizzy blonde roles of earlier years. This led to parts in films such as The Americanisation of Emily (1964); The Family Way (1966) and Up The Junction (1968). In the 1970s Liz made several forays into the world of the sex comedy, always maintaining her dignity while those around her were losing theirs. I almost wish Liz had stayed clear of these awful films, however she obviously enjoyed the experience from what I've read and at the time, parts in British film must have been few and far between. In the late 1970s, Liz appeared in two Confessions films, Adventures of a Taxi Driver, Under The Doctor, Adventures of a Private Eye and Rosie Dixon: Night Nurse. Moving on...

Two of my favourite Liz Fraser performances cropped up on the small screen. The first came in an episode of The Professionals in 1978. Liz plays a "fence" called Margery Harper and she makes a gloriously dubious, blowsy woman who takes a shine to Martin Shaw's Ray Doyle. It's all deliciously tongue in cheek. I also loved Liz's cameo appearance in the classic BBC adaptation of the Miss Marple story, Nemesis. Liz plays a drunken Mrs Brent and it's a wonderfully tragic performance.

I wish Liz had been given more opportunities to play dramatic parts. In 1988 she played a woman dying of cancer alongside Jean Boht in a BBC play called Eskimos Do It. Sadly I've never seen this film and I doubt the Beeb will repeat it any time soon. As with many actors in the public eye, Liz probably became pigeon-holed as a certain type of character actress, which is a shame as this gutsy woman obviously had a lot more to give.

Liz appears regularly reminiscing about the glory days of British film and it's always a joy to hear from her. She is a realist, always speaks her mind and clearly doesn't give a damn what people think, qualities I admire! She always speaks so fondly of her fellow actors, particularly Sid James and Joan Sims. Liz defends Sid so eloquently when so many others just want to muck rake and I love her loyalty. She was also very close to Joan and was obviously a very dear, loyal friend to Sims throughout her life, providing both practical and emotional support. 

Robert Ross once described Liz Fraser as the British answer to Marilyn Monroe and I must agree with him. She is stunning in so many of her films, combining glamour with a natural acting talent and flair for comedy. She is a highlight of many classic British comedies and a firm fan favourite. Liz is now in her 80s but is still a force to be reckoned with and long may that continue!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Carry On legend Norman Hudis has died

 

It is with great sadness that I report the news that the original Carry On screenwriter, Norman Hudis, had died at the age of 93. Hudis died on Monday in California, surrounded by his family, including wife Rita and sons Stephen and Kevin.  The Independent reports that Norman had recently spent several weeks in a local hospice.

While we must celebrate Noman's long and productive life, it is still a very sad time for his family and all who knew him. With him goes one of the last precious links to those wonderful early black and white Carry Ons. Norman scripted the first six films in the series - Sergeant, Nurse, Teacher, Constable, Regardless and Cruising) as well as contributing scripts for a wide variety of other Rogers and Thomas films produced around that time. 

Hudis' contribution to the Carry On legacy cannot be overlooked. Although he departed the series and this country before the films had reached their peak of notoriety, he certainly sowed the seeds for a great series. Many of my favourite Carry Ons come from the Hudis era. I loved the gentleness, the coy 1950s atmosphere and the hint of social commentary he brought to his films. 

After leaving for the United States in the mid 1960s, Hudis continued to write successfully, contributing to famous television series such as The Man From UNCLE and Hawaii Five-0. He never lost touch with his roots though, regularly returning to Pinewood for reunions and conventions. He published an autobiography, No Laughing Matter, in 2008.

Norman Hudis made one of his last appearances in the 2015 Carry On Forever documentary. His was a welcome presence as he reminisced about the early years of Carry On and all the stars he knew and wrote for. 

Thank you Norman for all the laughs, the stories and the wonderful legacy.

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

Carry On Faces of 1965

This is part of a new series of blogs on Carry On Blogging. I plan to blog each year of Carry On, featuring photos of the most prolific actors for each year. Hopefully it will provide an interesting overview of the changing face of Carry On during the series' original mammoth twenty year run. 

It will turn the spotlight on the familiar faces who endured over the decades as well as those artists who came and went along the way. We are continuing today with 1965. Only one film was made that year: Carry On Cowboy.

Pictured above we have the most prolific actors to appear in 1965. They are as follows: Sidney James as The Rumpo Kid; Kenneth Williams as Judge Burke; Jim Dale pictured above as Marshall P Knutt; Charles Hawtrey as Big Heap; Joan Sims as Belle; Angela Douglas pictured as Annie Oakley; Bernard Bresslaw as Little Heap; Peter Butterworth as Doc and finally, Percy Herbert as Charlie.

Of those featured above, only two actors (Williams and Hawtrey) were original cast members from the very first film, Carry On Sergeant in 1958. Cowboy saw Jim Dale confirm his position as a leading player in the Carry On team with the prominent romantic lead role of Marshall. The film also introduced several new faces who would become Carry On regulars.

Cowboy saw the debuts of Bernard Bresslaw (who would go on to appear in a total of 14 Carry Ons) and Peter Butterworth (who would go on to appear in 16 Carry Ons). Angela Douglas also made her first appearance and would go on to make four of the costume Carry On capers during the 1960s. Character actor Percy Herbert returned to the Carry Ons for his second and final appearance. He had starred in Carry On Jack two years earlier.

Stay tuned for the Carry On Faces of 1966 coming up soon!

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

Liz Fraser's Double Bunk

Liz Fraser has always been one of my favourite Carry On actors. I loved her appearances in Regardless, Cruising, Cabby and Behind.

She also of course starred in a host of other British comedy films of the era including a St Trinians film, Doctor in Love, I'm Allright Jack, Too Many Crooks and the delightful Double Bunk.

Double Bunk, which co-starred Sid James and Ian Carmichael, is apparently Liz's favourite film of all the comedies she made at this stage of her career. It's a lovely black and white comedy if you can track it down. 

Sid and Liz also sang the theme tune for the film and when Liz appeared on Jools Holland's radio show last year he played the track for her. I thought it was very sweet and although that show is no longer available to share online, here is the track, "Double Bunk". Enjoy!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Carry On Hero of the Week: Liz Fraser

The whole idea of this new series of blogs is to flag up specific individuals who, in my humble opinion, really made the Carry On films what they were. So many of the actors and crew turned up at Pinewood again and again, working closely over the years to produce such a fine body of work. This week it's the turn of a lady who is a real stalwart, not just of the Carry Ons, but of British comedy in general: the wonderful Liz Fraser.

Liz Fraser has a fine pedigree in classic British comedy. She appeared in four Carry On films at the height of their popularity, starred in classic films such as I'm Alright Jack, Two Way Stretch, Double Bunk and Dad's Army, made her name on television opposite the likes of Tony Hancock, Jimmy Edwards and Sid James and even survived appearing in several dubious sex comedies in the late 1970s (Adventures of a Taxi Driver anyone?)

Liz has also proved herself to be a fine dramatic actress whenever casting directors give a chance (all too rarely sadly). She was impressive in the Joan Hickson Miss Marple adaptation of Nemesis for the BBC in the 1980s and also played a cancer patient in a BBC play Eskimos Do It around the same time. A shame Liz was pigeon-holed as the blonde comedy dolly bird so early in her career as she obviously had much more to contribute. 

Apart from her long list of screen credits, I have also chosen Liz to be one of my Carry On heroes due to her wonderfully outspoken, irreverent nature. She is not one to mince her words and has been critical of the Carry On outfit on numerous occasions (particularly one Mr Peter Rogers). Her fierce loyalty to the late great Joan Sims also adds to my great affection for Liz. 

Still active on the fans circuit today, Liz makes regular appearances on radio and is interviewed frequently about her long, successful career. Sadly Ms Fraser is now amongst a dwindling few big names from that classic era of British comedy. Long may she continue.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan  

Are you a Carry On fan?

Do you love Carry On films? Probably a daft question to ask if you are reading this blog! I have decided to start a new regular feature for Carry On Blogging and I need your help.

If you are a Carry On fan, love the films, the stars and the spin offs, I want to hear from you. All you have to do is get in touch with some info and you will feature in your very own blog. All I need from you is your name, where you're from and the answers to the following questions:

What was the first Carry On film you ever saw?

Who is your favourite Carry On actor and why?

Who is your favourite Carry On actress and why?

Who is your favourite Carry On supporting actor?

Have you ever visited any Carry On film locations?

Have you ever met any Carry On actors?

Do you have any Carry On memorabilia?

Finally, what's your all time favourite Carry On film?

If you want to get in touch and feature in a Carry On Fan blog, please email your answers to the following address: carryonfan15@gmail.com 

I look forward to hearing from you!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

Whatever Happened To ... Brian Oulton?

Brian Oulton will be a familiar face to many Carry On fans. He appeared in several of the films, often as slightly snobbish, upper class figures who were really no better than they ought to be! In this blog, I will take at look at both Brian's roles in the Carry Ons and his wider career.

Brian first joined the Carry On team in November 1958 for what would be his most substantial role in the series. He played Henry Bray, one of the patients in the ward in which the film was based. Henry was a snobbish character who actually had rather humble origins as the regular visits from his wife Rhoda (Hilda Fenemore) would reveal. Although restricted to bed for most of the film, it is an effective performance from Oulton and no doubt the success of this role resulted in future call backs from Rogers and Thomas.

He next appeared in Carry On Constable in 1959, playing a brief role as the department store manager constables Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey visit during an outbreak of shoplifting. This sets up the glorious scene of Williams and Hawtrey undercover and in drag as Agatha and Ethel! Brian Oulton then returned to Pinewood for the role of Brutus opposite Kenneth Williams' Julius Caesar in Carry On Cleo. In the famous scene where Kenneth gives a speech in Churchillian tones, you can see Oulton visibly corpse and break into giggles!

Brian Oulton's last big screen outing with the gang came in late 1968 with the classic Carry On Camping. Brian appears near the beginning of the film in the role of another shop manager, this time the camping shop where Sid Boggle and Bernie Lugg visit to find out more information about Paradise Camp. Brian shares a funny scene with Charles Hawtrey and the glamorous Valerie Leon. While this marked Brian's last role in the film series, he did return to the world of Carry On once more, for the Carry On Christmas special in 1972. In this episode, entitled Carry On Stuffing, Brian played the "Oriental Orator". 

So what else did Brian get up to during his long acting career? He worked for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas in several other films away from the Carry On franchise. Oulton appeared in No Kidding (1960); Raising The Wind (1961) and The Iron Maiden (1962). Other films included a diverse range of titles: Doctor in the House (1954); The 39 Steps (1959); The Bulldog Breed (1960); The Kiss of the Vampire (1963); The Intelligence Men (1965); On the Buses (1971); Ooh You Are Awful! (1972); Gandhi (1982) and Young Sherlock Holmes (1985). 

On television Brian Oulton popped up in a myriad of supporting roles over the years. These included parts in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1958); Hancock's Half Hour (1960); The Army Game (1960); The Rag Trade (1961); Steptoe and Son (1962); The Saint (1963); Coronation Street (1964); George and The Dragon (1967); two different roles in The Avengers (1964; 1969); a regular role in Mr Digby Darling (1969); Crown Court (1975); Brideshead Revisited (1981); Lenny Henry Tonite (1986) and his final screen credit in American Playhouse in 1988.

On radio, Brian Oulton is best remembered for playing the role of Cyril in the long running series of Richmal Crompton's Just William. On stage, Oulton wrote and starred in several plays included Births, Marriages and Deaths in 1975 and For Entertainment Only in 1976. 

Brian Oulton was born in Liverpool in February 1908 and made his acting debut in 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. He served in the army during the conflict and on returning to Britain in 1945, resumed his career on the stage. Brian was married for many years to the actress Peggy Thorpe-Bates, probably best remembered for her role as the wife of Rumpole in the television series Rumpole of the Bailey. The couple lived in Stratford Upon Avon until her death in 1989 at the age of 75. 

Brian Oulton died at the age of 84 in April 1992. 


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan