Joan Carries On ... as Cora Flange

 

This blog is part of a new regular series on Carry On Blogging. I'm going to attempt to blog about each of Joan Sims' wonderful roles in the Carry On films. Joan was the most prolific of all the actresses involved in the series, clocking up 24 films. Indeed, only Kenneth Williams made more Carry Ons. 

Today I am going to write about Joan's role in what many consider to be the last great Carry On film ever made. In 1972 a full roster of classic team members flew off four a long weekend package holiday to the delightful Spanish island of Elsbells. Ahem. Yes I'm talking about Carry On Abroad. As with many of the best films in the series, Abroad excels because it gently lampoons something currently in the public consciousness. In this case, the trend for foreign travel and the cheap package holiday. 

All the gang put it terrific performances and Abroad is surely one of the purest Carry Ons - it's innuendo followed by sight gag followed by witty one liner followed by full on slapstick throughout. There is none of the pathos that even Convenience managed the year before. In a cast littered with team members and memorable guest turns (particularly June Whitfield and Jimmy Logan) Joan shines in the role of Cora Flange. 

 

Cora is wife to Vic (Sid James) and landlady of what looks like one of the best boozers in cinematic history. Sid and Joan work tremendously well together in Abroad and look so right behind the bar. Their relationship on screen, although highly comedic, is also truthful and believable. Cora is afraid of most forms of travel so Vic is used to travelling alone, only this time he fancies a bit on the side with Sadie Tompkins (Barbara Windsor). Vic's fiendish plan is sabotaged by an unknowing Jack Douglas and Cora ends up tagging along for the holiday. With fellow holidaymakers including Kenneth Connor, June Whitfield, Bernard Bresslaw and Charles Hawtrey, it was never going to be plain sailing! 

Before talking more about Joan, special mentions must go to three outstanding performances. Kenneth Williams is on deliciously manic form as Wundatours courier Stuart Farquhar while Peter Butterworth and Hattie Jacques are sublime as the inept owners of the Palace Hotel, which quickly crumbles around the British guests. It really is an all guns blazing film and due to Hawtrey's imminent departure at the end of the year, it would be the beginning of the end.

 

Anyway, back to Joan. As Cora, she gives probably the straightest most dramatic performance in the entire film. Cora is a woman in middle age, fed up with her straying husband and her general lot in life. The part isn't the usual nagging wife as it goes way beyond that. The joy in the performance is that Cora almost gives up on her husband and contemplates shenanigans of her own with pent up Stanley Blunt (Connor) only for Cora and Vic to reconnect at the end of the film, Sadie no longer a threat and Vic more aware that he has a good thing going with his long suffering wife. It's a lovely performance from Joan and I think Sid James and Joan Sims reach the pinnacle of their cinematic relationship in Carry On Abroad.

My favourite scene of the film involves both Joan and Sid. A running gag throughout the film involves Pepe's inability to fix their french windows. After the wild last night party, Sid attempts to open the windows, expecting them still to be devoid of glass. Of course the glass had been fitted and Sid goes straight through them! Joan's reaction and huge laughter is completely infectious, going way beyond performance. Sid and Joan laughing their heads off in bed, completely drenched and clinging on to an umbrella is a moment to cherish. It just doesn't get any better than that. 

 

Carry On Abroad features one of the most satisfying conclusions to any Carry On film. The whole party of holidaymakers have crowded into Sid and Joan's pub for a rather tempting lock in. As Charles Hawtrey bolts the door behind them, Cora and Vic are together again and all are blissfully happy. It's pure joy and a real golden moment for a film series which would never really be the same again. Joan is right at the heart of the film and it's one of my very favourite performances. 


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Sitcom Heaven at Elstree Studios!

 

Here's another smashing comedy event to look forward to this summer. Although not strictly Carry On-related, it is bound to be popular with all fans of classic British comedy.

Come and celebrate some of the Best of British big screen hit sitcoms at the home to many of the great cinema versions of small screen comedy classics.

The day comprises two sessions:

From 2-5pm

A Tribute to On the Buses – all three OTB films were made at Elstree

Come and join Anna Karen (Olive) & Andria Lawrence (Turnaround Betty) along with the films’ Executive Producer Roy Skeggs and a host of cast and crew for an EXCLUSIVE screening of previously UNSEEN interviews with Reg Varney, Stephen Lewis & Anna Karen, the screening of some classic On the Buses moments and question & answer sessions with the guests. And there’ll be a signing session too.

 

From 6.30-9.30pm

Man About the House & George & Mildred with special tribute to the late Yootha Joyce.

Come and join Sally Thomsett (Jo), Norman Eshley (Jeffrey Fourmile) and Nicholas Bond Owen (Tristram) along with fellow cast and crew members for a fun evening of exclusive recordings, question & answer sessions, signings and a tribute to the much loved Yootha Joyce.

Places are limited so book now. Doors open from 1pm on Saturday 25th June 2015. Admission by ticket only. Cash bar available.

All celebrity guests appear subject to availability.

Enquiries to: Joely Hertz at Elstree Studios 020 8953 1600 or to joely.hertz@elstreestudios.co.uk

 

WHEN

Saturday, 25 June 2016 from 14:00 to 21:30 (BST) 

 

WHERE

Elstree Studios - Shenley Road, Borehamwood, WD6 1JG 

You can buy tickets for this event here 

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The A - Z of Carry On Supporting Actors: Linda Hooks

This is the latest in a brand new series for Carry On Blogging. It might be slightly ambitious, but I'm going to attempt to do a run through the alphabet of some of the more interesting Carry On supporting actors. One of the reasons I set up this blog was to turn the spotlight on some of the lesser known Carry On actors who nevertheless played an important role in the success of the film series. 

Today we continue with the next letter in the alphabet, H and H is for Linda Hooks.

Carry On films: Linda Hooks played three small roles in later Carry Ons. She first appeared as one of the Birds of Paradise who performed at The Old Cock Inn in Carry On Dick in 1974. She returned to Pinewood for cameo roles as nurses in both Carry On Behind in 1975 and Carry On England in 1976.

 

Also appeared in: Linda appeared in two episodes of the ATV series Carry On Laughing in 1975. She played Rosie in The Baron Outlook and Nellie in One in the Eye for Harold.

Best known for: Linda's best known role was as a hostess in the classic 1970s Anglia Television game show Sale of the Century, working with host Nicholas Parsons between 1975 and 1977.

Did you know: Linda Hooks became an actress following success in the Miss International Contest. She won the contest in Tokyo in 1972. Carry On Dick was her first official acting assignment.

 

What are they up to now: Born in Liverpool in 1952, Linda Hooks' last acting role was as Ivy in The Sweeney episode "Jack or Knave" in 1978. If anyone knows what Linda is up to these days, do get in touch! 

Stay tuned for the next entry in my A - Z of Carry On Supporting Actors! 

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From the Archive: Kenneth Connor on Desert Island Discs

One of my favourite radio programmes has always been Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4. I find it a fascinating listen. 

For over seventy years now a famous "castaway" is asked to choose several pieces of music that mean a lot to them. The premise is that they must choose music they would want to have with them if they were ever washed up on a desert island.

The choices of music, together with the conversation in between, is often deeply interesting, revealing and thoroughly entertaining. As this show has been running for so many years, it has of course meant that several Carry On actors have featured as guests. The BBC now have a wonderful archive of past shows available to listen to online. 

One of my recent discoveries is Kenneth Connor's show from 1964. Kenneth is always one of the most underrated of all the Carry On regulars and he seldom gave interviews as himself. This, therefore, is a very rare and important interview where we learn a bit more about Kenneth the man. You can listen to it here.

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VOTE: Who should return for Carry On Doctors?

 

After several false starts in recent years, a brand new Carry On film is supposedly going into production later this year. The film, titled Carry On Doctors (not to be confused with the original Carry On Doctor) will start filming later this summer for a 2017 release. Not only that, it is already being heralded as the beginning of a whole new series of films. Another title, Carry On Campus, is being lined up to go into production hot on the heels of Doctors.

According to the producers, the film will be aiming to create a brand new ensemble of British comedy actors and not attempting to find the next Sid James or Kenneth Williams. Just as well really as in my opinion the entire Carry On team were one off talents and completely irreplaceable. I do like the idea of the new series allowing new comedy talent to thrive and find its niche.

I've already heard rumours that no surviving stars will be involved in the new film. I'm in two minds about this. While I think a new generation of creative people should be in charge of such a project, the film will inevitably sink or swim depending on how it is received by the Carry On films' loyal fan base. Surely if you are resurrecting the name Carry On, you must use it as an opportunity to give longstanding fans an unexpected treat. While I think new blood should carry the film, what about a few sparkling cameos would give the traditional Carry On audience something to cheer for and really get them onside. 

 

With that in mind and delving into Carry On fantasy land, I wanted to throw this question open to loyal Carry On fans. If you could choose, which surviving Carry On actors would you love to see appear in Carry On Doctors? I have narrowed it down to fourteen of our favourite stars and I want you to vote for who you would most like to see back to help relaunch the series. So here are my top choices:

Amanda Barrie is one of the most recognisable faces from the original series thanks to her prominent, eye-catching roles in two classic Carry Ons - as Anthea in Cabby and in the title role in Carry On Cleo. Her popularity has endured thanks to her two decades as Alma in Coronation Street. Bernard Cribbins is a national institution, beloved for his countless screen appearances and for his involvement with classic childrens' series such as Jackanory and The Wombles. He starred in Carry On Jack, Spying and Columbus. Jim Dale is a Carry On hero and the romantic lead in 11 of the films. Starring in some of the classic 1960s series entries, he is best remembered for playing bumbling handsome doctors in Carry On Doctor and Again Doctor.

Angela Douglas is a real fans' favourite having appeared in four 1960s Carry Ons - Cowboy, Screaming, Follow That Camel and Up The Khyber. Shirley Eaton was one of the original stars of the Carry Ons, most famously playing the lead in Carry On Nurse. Fenella FIelding needs no introduction thanks to her amazing performance as the Carry On vamp in the 1966 film Carry On Screaming as well as several supporting roles in the Doctor series. Liz Fraser appeared in countless classic British comedies, Carry On Regardless, Cruising, Cabby and Behind amongst them. Anita Harris made two Carry On appearances, in Follow That Camel and the original Carry On Doctor.

 

Carol Hawkins provided a glamorous touch to two 1970s films in the series - the classic Carry On Abroad and Behind. Julian Holloway notched up eight supporting turns in the series, including the likes of Doctor, Khyber, Camping and Henry. Valerie Leon added stunning support to six Carry Ons, most notably Up The Jungle and Girls. Jacki Piper starred in four series entries, Up The Jungle, Loving, Convenience and Matron. June Whitfield appeared in four of the films spanning the entire run, from Nurse in 1958 to Columbus in 1992. Finally, Carry On blonde bombshell Barbara Windsor appeared in nine original Carry Ons and is one the series' most high profile stars.
 
 

So now is the chance to have your say, just for fun! I'll keep the poll open for a couple of weeks, so Carry On Voting! 

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Remembering Bernard Bresslaw

 

Today marks twenty three years since that acting giant and Carry On star Bernard Bresslaw sadly passed away at the absurdly early age of just 59. Bernard had been about to perform as Grumio in the New Shakespeare Company's production of Taming of the Shrew at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park when he collapsed and died from a heart attack in his dressing room.

I remember hearing the news come through on the television that evening and it was shocking, even to the 11 year old boy that I was at the time. It seemed and indeed really was no age at all. Bresslaw had continued to forge a hugely successful career as a respected straight stage actor following his departure from the Carry On series in the mid 1970s. The actor had moved away from the pigeon-holed role of dim-witted Bernie in the likes of Carry On Camping and At Your Convenience to show the world just what a gifted performer he really was.

Only the year before Bernard had returned to the world of Carry On, joining Barbara Windsor for an end of the pier revue at Blackpool. I had been visiting the seaside resort at the time with my parents and was really disappointed that there were no tickets left to see these legends live on stage. Sadly, it would be the last chance I'd get to see Bernard and I regret that it didn't work out.

 

As with all the Carry On team who are no longer with us, Bernard leaves a huge and lasting body of work for fans to enjoy. His performances in 14 Carry Ons over a ten year period never disappoint. Forever either the slow, trusting side-kick to the likes of Sid James or the terrifying fiendish villain or accomplice to Kenneth Williams, Bresslaw took each and every one of his roles in the series seriously and thoughtfully. The quality of his work shines through. Away from the camera and the limelight, Bernard lived a quiet life with his wife of many years, former dancer Betty Wright and their three sons, James, Mark and Jonathan. He briefly saw James Bresslaw in the Carry On Forever documentary last year where he spoke about his famous dad with great affection. 

1993 was a major watershed for Carry On. The previous year had seen an infamous attempt to relaunch the series with the somewhat less than successful Carry On Columbus. 1993 would not only see the untimely passing of Bernard but also, much later in the year, the deaths of stalwart actor Kenneth Connor and legendary director and all round driving force for the series, Gerald Thomas. I remember it being a particularly sad time for this fledgling Carry On fan.

So being more positive for a moment, why not celebrate Bernard's towering achievement to British film comedy today by raising a glass to the wonderful man and watching some of his finest Carry On moments. 

 

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