Barbara Carries On ... As Goldie Locks (or is it Maud Boggins?)

Barbara Windsor will be celebrating her 80th birthday this August. In the run up to this milestone, I've decided to blog profiles of each of her nine famous Carry On roles. Much the same as I did with both Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques, these blogs will take each part in turn and provide my own personal take on them. 

Barbara, or Dame Babs as it is now, is a showbiz legend in the UK, with a career dating back to the 1950s. As the recent Babs drama on BBC1 revealed, things haven't always been easy for Windsor, but her hard work and determination have seen her bounce back time and time again. No matter what else she has done in her career, the Carry Ons will always dominate and from our point of view, as Carry On fans, rightly so! So let's continue today with Barbara's fourth role in the series, as Goldie Locks (real name Maud Boggins) in the 1969 film Carry On Again Doctor. 

Carry On Again Doctor was a quick follow up to capitalise on the roaring success of the 1967 medical film, Carry On Doctor. The film is loosely based on the original with more innuendo laden antics in the hospital wards featuring many of the same faces albeit in slightly different roles. While not a proper sequel, despite the same location of Maidenhead Town Hall being used for the hospital exterior, the whole film feels comfortably familiar if a little tired at times. Again Doctor, despite featuring a host of favourites in their prime, is by far my favourite Carry On. The film is mainly remembered as Jim Dale's last outing with the gang until Columbus in 1992. It also captured two classic images that will forever be linked with the series. One, of Dale careering around the hospital on an out of control trolley (fearless Jim doing his own stunts again) and the other of Barbara Windsor, resplendent in her outfit of three strategically placed hearts. 

Again Doctor is very much a film of two halves. The first sees the gang in full flight around the wards of Long Hampton Hospital. Dale is very much the star of the show, as the bumbling romantic hero once again gaining the affection of the patients and exasperating his superiors. Kenneth Williams plays a kindlier version of his Doctor persona, at least to begin with while Hattie Jacques returns once again as Matron. Charles Hawtrey has perhaps the most interesting character as a a rather snide, plotting Dr Stoppidge. He plays the role extremely well and marks a departure from the norm for Hawtrey. Joan Sims pops up for a supporting role as wealthy widow Ellen Moore, which despite Joan's sterling efforts remains one of her least interesting parts in the series. 

Again Doctor also welcomes Patsy Rowlands to the Carry Ons for her first of nine supporting roles. An invaluable and stand out member of the gang throughout many of the later films, Rowlands shines as Kenneth's put upon secretary. Peter Butterworth begins a trend of unfortunately brief yet still memorable cameos as a rather pained hospital visitor while the supporting cast boasts some familiar faces from earlier medical Carry Ons - Harry Locke, Valerie Van Ost, Gwendolyn Watts, Pat Coombs and Peter Gilmore all return and this is a nice point of continuity for long-time fans of the series.

The second half of the film sees Jim's disgraced Dr Nookey (yes, I know) sent off to a tropical island paradise which turns out to be a hell hole populated by wary natives and a lusty orderly played by none other than Mr Sidney James. As Gladstone Screwer, Sid has seen off previous doctors and enjoys a quiet existence with his wives (one for every week day). Jim soon takes to his bed with bottles of product placement whisky (thanks to Sidney!) and not even an early film appearance from Michael Caine's future wife Shakira can bring him round. However once he discovers a weight loss cure he returns to England to make his fortune, setting up a clinic with Sims and Jacques. This leads to a denouement of Williams and Hawtrey trying to steal the magic formula from Dale and of course all goes horribly wrong. This slightly over-tired plot does give us the delightful spectacle of Hawtrey in glorious under-cover drag as Lady Puddleton. You can tell Charles is having a whale of a time.

So what about Barbara's role in the film? Again Doctor pretty much sures up Barbara's role as the glamorous bubbly blonde of the Carry On outfit. Following on from her glorious return to the series in Doctor and Camping, Again Doctor sees much of Barbara's role focus on her considerable assets. She plays model-cum-actress Goldie Locks who first appears as a patient in casualty following an accident on set (advertising Bristol's Bouncing Baby Food). Barbara's first scene is iconic when she arrives in the hospital in her outfit of big red hearts. Apparently Barbara was very nervous about filming this scene and dieted like crazy, much to the dismay of director Gerald Thomas. Looking at it now, I'm not sure why Windsor was so nervous about this scene as several other scenes in the series and even in Again Doctor are much more risque.

Barbara's character is Jim's love interest and the pair work beautifully together as Jim hopelessly pursues her throughout the first section of the film. The scenes at the hospital dance are terrific fun with Eric Rogers on hand with his band playing tunes from some of Jim's earlier Carry On films, listen for classics from Cabby and Spying. Goldie is having none of it though and heads off before Dr Nookey disgraces himself once and for all. Babs then disappears from the film for the middle section while Dale and James share some great scenes at the medical mission. She returns for the final sequence at the slimming clinic and eventually agrees to marry Nookey. 

Yet again Barbara puts in a great performance but despite this the film pigeon holes her as a very specific kind of character. Unlike Joan Sims who played such a wide range of characters throughout her Carry On career, Barbara was pretty much always the Cockney blonde. Camping moved things on a pace thanks to the classic bra-pinging sequence and this was seen yet again in Again Doctor as the actress was asked to expose yet more flesh. There would be at least one flash in each of her remaining Carry On appearances. You can see how she would later struggle to escape her Carry On persona for other acting work.

 

Barbara would return to Pinewood for her fifth appearance in the films the following October, this time for her own personal favourite role, as Bettina in the twenty first film in the franchise, Carry On Henry. I'll leave you with a great photo taken on the press night of Jim Dale's triumphant 2015 one man show, Just Jim Dale. Such was the strength of that image from Again Doctor that Dale and Barbara recreated it at the Vaudeville Theatre!



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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! Links to both Twitter and Facebook pages at the bottom of this blog! 

Carry On Following!

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

A Wonderful Evening with Madeline Smith

Last night I had the great pleasure of attending a special event hosted by the Walthamstow Women's Institute, better known as the Stow Roses. I joined a lovely bunch of regulars and members of the public as the gorgeous Madeline Smith took part in an intimate and highly entertaining "Evening With".

Last year I interviewed Madeline for my blog and it was such a joy. She is an enthusiastic and passionate interviewee and she's a really warm, open and friendly person to meet. When I arrived Jo from the WI very kindly introduced me to Madeline and we chatted about our blog interview and the Carry Ons, with Maddie remembering how much fun she had working with Hattie, Joan and Barbara. She also reminded me that Peter Rogers had wanted her to return for more Carry Ons however when the time came she was sadly unavailable. Maddie was extremely welcoming as we headed to the bar together and then posed for some very fun photos. 

The evening itself was a wonderful mix of Maddie telling her story in her own words interspersed with some classic clips from her wide and varied acting career. We saw wonderful moments from some of Maddie's Hammer Horror films, working alongside the likes of Peter Cushing and Ingrid Pitt. As well as the memorable clip from Carry On Matron, we were also treated to scenes from Doctor At Large with Barry Evans, The Howerd Confessions with Frankie Howerd, and Maddie's work with the late Sir Roger Moore - in The Persuaders and of course, as Miss Caruso in the Bond film Live and Let Die. It was also fascinating to see some of the adverts Maddie made in the 1970s, including a series of cigar commercials with Frankie Howerd! 

Maddie told her life story with a refreshing amount of honesty and self-deprecation. She touched on her rather severe convent education before moving on to bring those glorious years in the late 1960s and early 1970s to life, a time when it seemed like anything was possible. She charted her career from early beginnings working in the famous Biba store in Kensington to becoming to a model with the Lucie Clayton School before being spotted and invited to appear in films. Hammer Horror soon followed before Maddie found herself increasingly working in comedy. 

Maddie worked with many of the greats, including Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, Frankie Howerd, Arthur Lowe and Eric Morecambe. She spoke fondly of her time working with these geniuses but also honestly of what it was really like to be with them as they prepared for performance. Madeline also talked of one of her favourite acting jobs, working on stage for a year with Sir Alec Guinness. Maddie played Felicity Rumpers in Alan Bennett's Habeas Corpus in a cast which featured Patricia Hayes, Joan Sanderson, Andrew Sachs and John Bird. Maddie recalled how Guinness was exacting in performance which could make him difficult but also how he held the audience in rapture each night.

What was interesting was Madeline's take on the roles she took on in the 1970s. Times have definitely changed and Maddie says she was well aware she was being cast for her appearance over her skill as an actress. She remembered how she wanted to be stretched as an actress but increasingly felt type cast and stuck in certain types of roles. Maddie said escaping this was easier in the theatre while television and film remained obsessed with looks and figure. Despite all this, Madeline wanted to make it clear that she had lots of fun in those days and remains grateful for her career and the wonderful people she worked with.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Madeline and hearing her unique take on the world of British film, television and theatre at a time when Britain was undergoing a major cultural revolution. I have a lot of respect for Maddie - following her disastrous convent education she took herself back to school and successfully gained an undergraduate degree in English at Goldsmiths College. That takes guts and she should be incredibly proud of her achievements both on screen and off.

I had a great time at the Walthamstow WI and met some lovely people. I'd like to thank Jo and the rest of the Stow Roses for organising such a terrific evening and for making me feel so welcome. And a big thank you to Maddie for being such a fascinating and lovely lady.

If you'd like to read more about Maddie, my interview with her can be found here

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Robert Ross on his Carry On Cruise

 

As I flagged up on the blog recently some of our favourite Carry On faces were off for a cruise around Europe at the end of last month. Joining Jacki Piper, Richard O'Callaghan, Valerie Leon and Anita Harris was comedy historian Robert Ross. Robert has very kindly shared his thoughts on what certainly sounds like a great trip!

You have just returned from a Carry On themed cruise around Europe – how did you get on?

It was an absolute blast. It was genuinely one of the happiest companies I have ever worked with, we all got on so well, supporting each other's shows, enjoying raucous lunches and dinners together, even going on excursions ashore together, notably drinks and exploration in Rouen. It was my first ever cruise and I had the time of my life. Carry On Cruising, indeed!

Your travelling companions included Jacki Piper, Anita Harris and Valerie Leon. What was it like to be on holiday with those lovely ladies?

My eleven year old self would never believe it! Obviously I've known them all for many years, but to enjoy real quality time with these agelessly kind and glorious souls was a delight from Tilbury Docks to Newport!

What were the highlights for the Carry On fans who joined you for the cruise? 

Hopefully all of it. Valerie Leon gave her marvellous Forever Carrying On lecture, Felix Rayner galloped through the A ~ Z of the series, while Jacki Piper and Richard O'Callaghan delighted with affectionate and outrageous anecdotes; some of which even I hadn't heard before! 

 

But it was Anita Harris who shone so bright. She really is one of our greatest entertainers, and her performance of showbiz memories and greatest hits had the audience in the palm of her hands. It was her birthday just days after the cruise so, while docked in La Havre, myself and the extremely lovely Barry Langford ~ Jacki's agent ~ had a hilarious Apprentice~style challenge to find flowers, chocolates, booze and a card for a surprise birthday presentation after the closing ceremony event. It was a joy! 

I see you were guest lecturer on the cruise – what did you decide to talk about?

I was there to give a little in~sight into behind the scenes of Carry On, and the future of the series; so I could indulge in loads of favourite anecdotes from the cast and crew I have met over the years; as well as being aided and abetted by some extremely rare footage, including the Film '92 set report on Carry On Columbus. I'm delighted to say that it got loads of laughs from a packed theatre. And the cruise was a sell~out too. There wasn't a cabin to be had. Very gratifying.

 

What was your highlight from the trip?

Gosh! The whole thing! There wasn't a dull moment, believe me, but all of us on stage for that round~up Carry On panel, having kept Anita's birthday surprise a secret, that was just wonderful. The memory of her delighted expression and her on~stage whisper in my ear: "You naughty boy!" will make me beam for many a year.

Carry On!

Many thanks to Robert for sharing these stories from his travels. And thanks also for the wonderful photos! 

 

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Remembering Kenneth Connor

 

99 years ago today a rather unassuming comedy legend was born. On 6 June 1918 the wonderful Kenneth Connor was born in Islington, North London. 

I say unassuming because of all the Carry On team, Connor was probably the one of the few who led a fairly normal, down to earth family life. He was first and foremost a character actor and his valuable contribution to British comedy in the post-war era right up to the early 1990s cannot be underestimated. So much is made of the bonkers Carry On team and all their outrageous antics, but for me the quiet backbone of the likes of Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw and Connor himself really made the films what they were.

Kenneth starred in seventeen pictures in the Carry On team, making him one of the most prolific and longest serving stars of the series. Along with Kenneth Williams and Eric Barker, he was the only actor to appear in the very first and very last film in the series. He was the real star of the early black and white Norman Hudis era, grabbing the best, most memorable parts in the likes of Sergeant, Nurse, Teacher and Constable. His characterisations usually involved bumbling, shy romantic situations although he normally won through to get the girl at the end, whether that be Dora Bryan, Rosalind Knight or Joan Sims. I love Kenneth's roles in these early films - there is such quality to his work in them.

 

After filming his iconic role as Hengist Pod in Cleo in 1964, Kenneth took a five year break from the series to concentrate on other work, most notably on the stage. He returned to Pinewood in 1969 to play Claude Chumley in Up The Jungle and stayed with the series for a further nine years until the demise of the brand with the woeful Emmannuelle in 1978. By the early 1970s Kenneth's roles in the films had changed. He was now playing a delicious array of middle-aged, slightly crumbling but still bumbling character supports. His wonderful turns as British rail little man Mr Tidey in Matron, Stanley Blunt, frustrated husband to June Whitfield in Abroad and perhaps best of all, Frederick Bumble, mayor of Fircombe in Carry On Girls in 1973. Kenneth's versatility was phenomenal. 

Away from the Carry Ons Kenneth Connor had a vibrant career. He played memorable supporting roles in situation comedies such as 'Allo 'Allo and Hi-de-Hi in the 1980s and starred in countless radio productions alongside the likes of Ted Ray and Arthur Lowe. In the early 1960s he was at his busiest in British film, becoming the leading man in a host of comedies, many of which are now classics - think of Watch Your Stern, Dentist On The Job and What A Carve Up! 

Kenneth's career took in work with The Goons, Alec Guinness at The Old Vic and sell out performances of the classic musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. He was an incredibly versatile, very hard working actor and he enhanced every production in which he appeared. I will always love him best in the Carry Ons though. He never put a foot wrong and the series would have been very much the worse off without his involvement.

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An Evening with Madeline Smith this Wednesday!

 

Acting legend Madeline Smith will be interviewed at The Walthamstow Women's Institute this coming Wednesday and I've got my ticket booked! I'm really looking forward to going along to this event for what's bound to be a lively conversation with the lovely Madeline.

I was lucky enough to conduct an interview with Madeline over the phone last year and she was an absolute joy to talk to. A thoroughly interesting lady who has worked on so many iconic productions and with a host of well-loved names. Madeline was great in the Bond film Live and Let Die with the late Sir Roger Moore, worked regularly on film and television with Frankie Howerd, made some iconic Hammer pictures and of course, made a memorable cameo in Carry On Matron.

An engaging and humorous raconteur, Maddy Smith brings to Walthamstow an evening of conversation about her life and career as model and actress in the 1960s and beyond. 

I'm looking forward to an evening of tales from stage and screen as she recalls her days starring alongside the likes of Ava Gardner, Peter Cushing, Frankie Howerd. the Two Ronnies, Alec Guinness, Leslie Phillips, the Carry On team and many more.

Tickets are free to all WI members (please bring proof of membership) and £5 for non-members (plus 90p booking fee). Men and women welcome. Licensed bar. Over 18s only. Please make sure you select the correct ticket option.

 

You can buy tickets here and you can follow the Walthamstow WI here

Date and Time: Wednesday 7 June, 19.30 - 21.30.

Location: Gnome House, 7 Blackhorse Lane, London, E17 6DS

And I'll be blogging about it all later this week so stay tuned for that! 

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My London with Liz Fraser

The lovely Liz Fraser was a guest on BBC Radio London today. Liz, known for her lifetime in the very best of British film, television and stage, was interviewed as part of the "My London" series.

"My London" focuses on the memories of famous Londoners and what it was like to grow up in the country's capital. The hour long programme saw Liz remember her early life growing up in Southwark, south London in the 1930s, before the war years intervened. Liz is always good value as an interviewee and is a thoroughly entertaining person, never one to shy away from telling it as it is!

Best known for her film comedy roles, Liz appeared in four Carry Ons - Regardless as Delia King, Cruising as Gladys Trimble, Cabby as Sally and finally Carry On Behind as Sylvia Ramsden. Other film roles have included I'm All Right Jack, A Pair of Briefs, Two Way Stretch, The Americanisation of Emily and the big screen version of Dad's Army. On television Liz has been seen in Citizen James, Hancock's Half Hour, Jason King, The Avengers, The Professionals, Foyle's War, Holby City and Last of the Summer Wine. 

We don't see enough of Liz these days. Still going strong into her 80s, she one of a precious few still around from the glory days of British comedy. This programme is definitely worth a listen. You can find it here 

In the programme Liz remembers her early film roles and working with the likes of Sid James, Tony Hancock, Peter Sellers and Roger Moore.

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