I've often wondered about actually how much praise the Carry On film deserve. I tried watching the doc, but I saw Jane Middlemiss, and I was only just lucky enough to change the channel before she opened her mouth.

To be honest these films weren't *that* funny, the only reason they are so deeply entrenched in our soceity is cos they show them all the time.

How deeply did the films go into the lives & careers of the actresses? You're right Darkly was pretty well researched.

I wish I had watched Girls all the way thru, but there was too much talking head, IMHO, talking shit.

Some of the comments were very well made, pointing out that the Carry On films were providing some of the scarce opportunities for women in films to be assertive and funny. It's true that they did provide the opportunities for models like Valerie Leon to break through into acting, the sad story of Imogen Hassall notwithstanding. They probably wouldn't be considered the funniest films ever, but they weren't made to be works of art, but down-to-earth entertainment for the working classes, and they achieve that aim fairly consistently.

For me, they represent some unchallenging entertainment and a good snigger, as I'm a sucker for a bit of filth. (Ooh matron)

>For me, they represent some unchallenging entertainment and a good snigger, as I'm a sucker for a bit of filth. (Ooh matron)

I did enjoy then but then I think the TV companies got on to this Kitsch/retro thing, and I just got bored. Some of the lines are brilliant, and the actors were very good at what they did, but ultimatly, you're right, they were throw away.

In 20 years time they'll be doing the same sort of prog for the fucking bill.

BTW I liked what Ken Russell described them as: Spastic porn..

BTW2 I really did have a crush on Hattie Jaques. It's those eyes.

She had presence, defintely, something Babs Windsor and other glamour girls have never really had IMHO.

>She had presence, defintely, something Babs Windsor and other glamour girls have never really had IMHO.

And she could do different characters, admittedly restricted in the CO films, but I think she's absolutely superb in ...Loving, while Babs did bint with tits (they weren't that big either), then shouting in cockney voice for Eastenders.

What else did she do apart from stuff like Sykes etc, did she do any straight stuff (I take it she did theatre and TV bits, but any films we may have a chance of seeing), she was also married to whats-his-name from Dads Army.

I don't know that much about her, to be honest, aprat from the fact that she did music hall and appeared in the Hancock radio series. Must do some more research, because she was a very good actress.

She was married to John Le Mesuier (spelt wrong) but ended up having an affair with someone else (I think John ended up marrying her friend or friend/partner of the bloke involved-it was an unconventional business, anyway). She was eventually dumped by this bloke and ended up severely depressed as a result. There was an ITV documentary about 1 1/2 years ago covering her life and career which went into her personal relationships.

You've started something now, Lizard. I won't rest until I've found out more.... ;)

>
>You've started something now, Lizard. I won't rest until I've found out more.... ;)

Too right, it's up to you now ribbit to satisfy my curiousity, I'm to lazy. Better get to it Joan Simms has carked it (and from an J Ross interview she knew a lot about all the CO gang)

Good luck

Ah ha! Here's a start- http://www.carryonline.com

A good general biog to get us started. A visit to the library tomorrow, perhaps-if I get up early enough. Seeing as it's 1.30, it may be unlikely.

Good work! I think I maybe able to get hold of a copy of K Williams diaries, should be interesting (if you like bottom obsessed depressives, which I do).

Can't remember her in Scrooge tho', have to give it another sqizz

Why didn't they interview Valerie "Hai Karate" Leon? And what happened to Imogen Hassle-did she die in mysterious circumstances. And didn't Liz Fraser look old-it's no wonder the Cocteau Twins split up. And didn't this documentary sort of go all over the place about half-way through, and show a not entirely relevant clip from LOG? and why doesn't Jane Middlemiss fuck off?

And didn't Liz Fraser look old-it's no wonder the Cocteau Twins split up

Why the fuck was Liz Fraser on it, I'm not a massive fan of t CTs but I can't really remember Carry On films being a big influence on ethral shoe gazey music.

and why doesn't Jane Middlemiss fuck off?

I don't think anyone has the heart to tell her. Tho' I loved it when Jack Docherty made her say Smakey Bacon Crisps on his chat show. The only funny and worth while things she ever said.

BTW was Fenella Fielding on it, she always seemed to be good at talking about the films, tho' I think she was only in one (I can only remember Screaming, tho' it's one more than Jane). Please don't tell me she's dead.

FF was in "....at your convenience" as well.
Not sure if she's dead yet, but she wears a killer wig.

>FF was in "....at your convenience" as well.
>Not sure if she's dead yet, but she wears a killer wig.

Who was she in "...Convenience"?

Great voice as well.

>Why didn't they interview Valerie "Hai Karate" Leon?

Because the programme was made by lazy researchers who just don't care.

>And what happened to Imogen Hassle-did she die in mysterious circumstances.

She did. She commited suicide by an overdose. Her only Carry On appearance was Loving.

>And didn't Liz Fraser look old-it's no wonder the Cocteau Twins split up.

She does. She was in a couple of early Carry On's. Cruising, Cabby, and Regardless all spring to mind. Ask Robert Ross, he knows.
(The Cocteau Twins?)

>And didn't this documentary sort of go all over the place about half-way through, and show a not entirely relevant clip from LOG?

Yes it did. Why do a segment on Molly Sugden?

>and why doesn't Jane Middlemiss fuck off?

I take it that's rhetorical.

And Fenella Fielding, sister of Marty Feldman, was in Screaming, Regardless and Cabby. She was also the voice of the announcements in The Prisoner. My dad once had a chat with her at BAFTA about Guest House Paradiso, but I think this I should've mentioned that in the 'Boring Anecdotes' thread.

Don't think FF was in Convienence, and I think she's still alive. She's always been a bit hatstand, though her voice is pretty fabulous. I've got KW's diaries, where he describes a couple of bust-ups with FF; possibly inspiration for Babs' retort to KW's catty remarks about her acting when they first met on Carry On Spying. She referred to KW's facial hair as being FF's "fanny hairs" (I think that was the phrase) and KW was delighted. They were friends from then on.

Imogen Hassal was a model whose first break was in Carry On Loving, but other parts with the Royal Shakespeare Company failed to get her the respect in the press which she craved. She committed suicide in 1980 at the age of 38, disillusioned with life as a semi-unknown celeb.

Liz Fraser was a glamour girl in the fifties and sixties, appearing in many films, and had many small parts in Carry Ons.

Carry On Uncensored gives you a lot of info on matters like these, and yes, I don't know why they didn't interview Valerie Leon. I think she still works as an agent, or something of that ilk.

Liz Fraser deserves her own documentary - bet she doesn't get one until she snuffs it. She and Irene Handl were a great film double-act.

I was most gleeful to see Sarah Smith on the programme - I struggle to think of a less likely Carry On fan!

And it looked like she didn't have a clue what she was talking about either! Twat.