Carry On Ealing
April 23rd 2006
Drayton Court Hotel, Ealing
Special guests: Valerie Leon, Larry Dann and Pat Durkin.
With author and Carry On historian Robert Ross.
Event organised by Brett Tremble and Ray Bentley
Here we all were, in Ealing, for our very first get-together... and we started as we meant to continue, with top guests and eager fans. All there to celebrate the Carry On films.
Back in those days, Drayton Court offered a cosy meeting room, which was perfect for a small group of twenty or so dedicated fans to meet some of their comedy heroes. Our more recent events have been held in the newly refurbished Ballroom, at the same venue, with a larger number of wonderful guests, and a growing number of fans.
The day had started with a few of the fans being taken on a guided tour of some Carry On film locations. A few of the early films were shot in Ealing. Most notably the school from Carry On Teacher, and Carry On Constable used the library (as the police station) and a lot of the streets. In fact, the very building that we were in can be seen a number of times.
Back in those days, Drayton Court offered a cosy meeting room, which was perfect for a small group of twenty or so dedicated fans to meet some of their comedy heroes. Our more recent events have been held in the newly refurbished Ballroom, at the same venue, with a larger number of wonderful guests, and a growing number of fans.
The day had started with a few of the fans being taken on a guided tour of some Carry On film locations. A few of the early films were shot in Ealing. Most notably the school from Carry On Teacher, and Carry On Constable used the library (as the police station) and a lot of the streets. In fact, the very building that we were in can be seen a number of times.
Leslie Phillips in Carry On Constable, with The Drayton Court Hotel behind him, towards the right of the shot
After a short break, and a lunchtime drink, we all took our places in the function room and met our star guests for the afternoon.
First was a stalwart of the Carry On films in their heyday, the wonderful Valerie Leon.
First was a stalwart of the Carry On films in their heyday, the wonderful Valerie Leon.
The ever glamorous Valerie had appeared in six Carry On films, between 1968 and 1973. Rising up through the ranks from a Hospitality girl in Up the Khyber, to the major role of Paula Perkins in Carry On Girls. She also appeared in the 1972 TV Christmas special.
It was such a thrill to meet her, and hear her stories from all the great films she had worked on..... including Revenge of the Pink Panther, and a couple of Bond films. Keeping Valerie company that day, and filling in any gaps in all our memories, was the comedy historian, and author of the Carry On Companion, Robert Ross. |
Valerie as Leda in Carry On Up the Jungle
Carry On historian, and author, Robert Ross with Valerie
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Pat as a STENCH Guard in Carry On Spying
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Our next guest was already known to some members of the group, as we'd all enjoyed a locations coach tour in his company a short while before. This was organised by his friend, and Whippit Inn regular Ray Bentley. Patrick Durkin had been in six Carry On films, including the very first one, Carry On Sergeant, way back in 1958. With a sideline in stand-up comedy, it was never a dull moment when Pat was with you. |
Pat joined us again a few months later, in Brighton, but that would be his last visit. He sadly passed away in 2009. He was 73.
Our final guest has joined us several more times since this first event. Best known to millions as Sergeant Alec Peters for eight years on ITV cop show, The Bill, Larry Dann made four Carry On film appearances, spanning almost 20 years of the series. Starting as a child actor in Carry On Teacher, and working his way up to "romantic" lead in Carry On Emmannuelle. Larry just exudes fun. One of the friendliest people you could wish to meet, he had us all feeling at ease from the very moment we sat down, and his memories of working with all the great comedy actors in the team, were a delight to hear. It is always a pleasure to welcome him to these events. |
Larry as Theodore Valentine in Carry On Emmannuelle
Taking a well earned break, between outrageous stories.
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