Let's Carry On.

[Donald the Great]

Re: Let's Carry On.

Yes, I would agree with that. His pre-Carry on roles were far more varied. His Carry on work more or less excluded him from genres other than comedy. He was loved by the public for his comedy but I wonder if he resented his success as a comedy actor in that it limited the roles he was offered? Ironically, his death in 1976 coincided with the end of the Carry on series, apart from several very poor offerings, and I wonder if that would have led to a more varied range of roles. We have seen actors best known for comedy turn in creditable performances in drama, and I have the feeling Sid James might have joined that list if he had lived.

Sid had a decent body of work even before his first Carry On.
Man in Black (1949) as Henry Clavering / Hodson
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) as Lackery
The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953) as Hawkins
The House Across the Lake (1954) as Beverly Forrest
Orders Are Orders (1954) as Ed Waggermeyer
A Kid for Two Farthings (1955) as Ice Berg
Wicked as They Come (1956) as Frank Allenborg
Hell Drivers (1957) as Dusty. He also put in a star turn as Luck in the Australian set drama The Shiralee (1957)

[staffslad]

Re: Let's Carry On.

I've not seen many pre-Carry On work from Sid James, but I've heard he was a lot more versatile than the lecherous persona from the later films would have you believe.

Yes, I would agree with that. His pre-Carry on roles were far more varied. His Carry on work more or less excluded him from genres other than comedy. He was loved by the public for his comedy but I wonder if he resented his success as a comedy actor in that it limited the roles he was offered? Ironically, his death in 1976 coincided with the end of the Carry on series, apart from several very poor offerings, and I wonder if that would have led to a more varied range of roles. We have seen actors best known for comedy turn in creditable performances in drama, and I have the feeling Sid James might have joined that list if he had lived.

[Richard1978]

Re: Let's Carry On.

Sid James' evolution in the Carry Ons is interesting. In his early appearances like Cruising, Constable and Cabbie, he played authority figures or respectable owners of businesses. It was later that his lecherous persona was established. After that, Sid basically played the same character in each film.

I've not seen many pre-Carry On work from Sid James, but I've heard he was a lot more versatile than the lecherous persona from the later films would have you believe.

[staffslad]

Re: Let's Carry On.

Yes but surely the real evolution of the team started in the formative films. Werent only James and Bresslaw the only two that were added later. One to provide the womanising character and the other the big hulking gentle giant character.

Sid James' evolution in the Carry Ons is interesting. In his early appearances like Cruising, Constable and Cabbie, he played authority figures or respectable owners of businesses. It was later that his lecherous persona was established. After that, Sid basically played the same character in each film.

[tex]

Re: Let's Carry On.

I think that would be Lance Percival.

Correctomundo, also a talented impressionist

[Donald the Great]

Re: Let's Carry On.

It took some time for the regulars to really establish themselves into what might be called the Carry On "team." Personally, I prefer the later films where characterisation and plot format were formed.

Yes but surely the real evolution of the team started in the formative films. Werent only James and Bresslaw the only two that were added later. One to provide the womanising character and the other the big hulking gentle giant character.

[staffslad]

Re: Let's Carry On.

Who can name the actor/comedian that stars in these three films.

Carry on cruising, In the doghouse, Yellow submarine

I think that would be Lance Percival.

[staffslad]

Re: Let's Carry On.

Sarah allcock... Several regulars are awol in this one, Sid james,Peter butterworth,Bernard breslaw

It took some time for the regulars to really establish themselves into what might be called the Carry On "team." Personally, I prefer the later films where characterisation and plot format were formed.

[tex]

Re: Let's Carry On.

Who can name the actor/comedian that stars in these three films.

Carry on cruising, In the doghouse, Yellow submarine

[tex]

Re: Let's Carry On.

What full character did Joan Sims play in Teacher?

Sarah allcock... Several regulars are awol in this one, Sid james,Peter butterworth,Bernard breslaw

[Donald the Great]

Re: Let's Carry On.

this has been forgotten

[Donald the Great]

Re: Let's Carry On.

What full character did Joan Sims play in Teacher?

[staffslad]

Re: Let's Carry On.

Jim Dale?

Yes, he was the original choice but turned it down.

[Donald the Great]

Re: Let's Carry On.

Jim Dale?

[staffslad]

Re: Let's Carry On.

I have heard this. Something to do with Tarzan?

Yes, they wanted to call it Carry on Tarzan, but the name Tarzan was copyright.

In the same film, who was originally scheduled to play Jungle Boy (Terry Scott's role)?