That's Carry On in Ealing
September 1st 2019
Drayton Court Hotel, Ealing
Special guests: Brian Osborne, Marian Collins, Rosalind Knight, Sally Geeson, David Kernan, Vicki Woolf, Jennifer Clulow, Sally Kemp, Richard Olley, Edmund Pegge and Larry Dann.
With biographer Andrew Ross.
Event organised by Paul Stephen and Dean Barker
An illustrious panel of guests joined in the fun at ‘That’s Carry On in Ealing’ in September 2019. After the obligatory Carry On quiz, and introductions, it was time to get the ball rolling. Since our last meeting, 15 months earlier, we had sadly lost a number of those who helped make the Carry On legend what we love today. In particular, we lost three leading ladies in just a short space of time – Liz Fraser, Fenella Fielding and Dame June Whitfield.
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We paid a short tribute to these three iconic actresses by way of a specially edited compilation of their Carry On moments, before a round of applause to celebrate their work. It was quite poignant that we were in the very same room in 2018 with Fenella Fielding, which sadly turned out to be Fenella’s final public appearance.
Star of Carry On Abroad, Zulu, That Was the Week that Was, and countless West End Musicals, David Kernan made his Carry On event debut. David had recently published his autobiography ‘From Eastham to Broadway!’, and amongst the wonderful stories that feature in the book, there is a humorous anecdote from Carry On Abroad. We were lucky enough to hear an excerpt from this, read by Larry Dann.
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David as Nicholas Phipps in Carry On Abroad
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The event saw David reunited with his Carry On sweetheart, the lovely Sally Geeson.
Sally as Debra in Carry On Girls
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Sally had joined us at our first Brighton gig in 2006 and it was a thrill to welcome her back for more Carry On fun! The bond from the film that Sally and David had, was still going strong, and it was a joy to witness the two old friends reunite and pose for photographs for their many fans.
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"Thank you so very much for including me in a really fun day yesterday, I enjoyed every minute.
Being reunited with old friends and making new ones was so great.
I was very impressed with the way the day was organised. You created a lovely atmosphere for the actors and fans.
Thanks again for such a happy day."
Being reunited with old friends and making new ones was so great.
I was very impressed with the way the day was organised. You created a lovely atmosphere for the actors and fans.
Thanks again for such a happy day."
Sally Geeson
Follow That Camel’s Edmund Pegge was also on hand with his newly published autobiography ‘Forever Horatio’, and treated us by reading a short passage. This was also Edmund’s first Carry On event and he entertained us with tales of his experience with Phil Silvers on the set of the film, and how Phil appeared to have a touch of Hollywood-style self-importance. Incidentally, Edmund is a keen cricketer in real life and has regularly played for celebrity teams. It was no coincidence that’s why he was cast for his role!
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Edmund as the bowler in Follow That Camel
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Marian as the Bride in Carry On Cabby
...and spotting herself on the Carry On Spying poster, as an Amazon Guard, standing just above Kenneth Williams' right shoulder.
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Making a rare appearance at such an event was the delightful Marian Collins. Marian appeared in four Carry On films; Cruising, Cabby, Jack and Spying, creating some memorable classic moments.
It was a pleasure to get to know Marian in the build up to the event, and hear stories of how she started out in the business, and other aspects of her career. Marian attended the same drama school, at the same time, as Barbara Windsor and Shirley Eaton, amongst others. |
The wonderful Richard Olley also made his Carry On event debut. Richard played Gunner Parker in Carry On England. Richard enchanted us all, both on the panel and during the signing session, with tales of his astonishing life. In tandem with his acting career, he also worked as a hair stylist in Swinging Sixties London, with Jackie Kennedy and Lilian Disney (Walt’s wife) amongst his clientele. Richard’s unique sense of humour shone through and a smile was never far from our faces when Richard was around.
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Richard as Gunner Parker in Carry On England
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"Wow! What a fabulous day yesterday was!
I enjoyed it enormously. It far exceeded my expectations.
I felt privileged and honoured to be there with you all for the many happy, and a few sad, moments to share.
Brilliant!"
I enjoyed it enormously. It far exceeded my expectations.
I felt privileged and honoured to be there with you all for the many happy, and a few sad, moments to share.
Brilliant!"
Richard Olley
Sally Kemp, with Charles Hawtrey in Carry On Camping, taking the cow to see the bull.
It was with great satisfaction that we were joined by Carry On Camping’s Sally Kemp. Sally played the memorable part of ‘girl with cow’ in the film, encountering Charlie Muggins on his wanders, and delivering the infamous line, ‘Oh no, it has to be the bull’. Little was known about Sally, as she left the acting profession to take up teaching not long after Carry On Camping was released. Many Carry On fans believed that she was the same Sally Kemp as an American actress of that name, who had sadly passed away.
Everybody was beyond thrilled to meet her, and during the introduction, she was greeted with a communal cry of, ‘No, it has to be the bull!’. |
With a cardboard cow thrown in the room for good measure, as well as photo opportunities, it really was a pleasure to welcome Sally to our celebration..
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"Thank you so much for inviting me to your Carry On event. I really enjoyed it.
I didn't know that there were so many people who still love "Carry On" films, and how nice they all are.
I'm so glad you found me after fifty years and I would love to come again."
I didn't know that there were so many people who still love "Carry On" films, and how nice they all are.
I'm so glad you found me after fifty years and I would love to come again."
Sally Kemp
Jennifer in Don't Lose Your Head
Jennifer on the left, with Jacqueline Pearce and Valerie Van Ost, listening to Charles Hawtrey's wildly embellished stories.
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Jennifer Clulow delighted us with her appearance at the event. In yet another memorable scene, Jennifer appeared as one of the ladies whom the Duc du Pommefrit is trying to woo in Sir Rodney’s ballroom in Don’t Lose Your Head. This was Jennifer’s second Carry On event, her first being at a Comic Heritage plaque unveiling and tribute dinner to Kenneth Williams in 2009. However, this was the first opportunity we had to engage with her in an informal setting, hearing stories about her lengthy career and get her autograph on many and varied items of memorabilia.
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Vicki Woolf was thrilled to be asked back to the Inn, and we were thrilled to have her. It was another rare chance for Carry On fans to meet Vicki, and to hear stories of her colourful life and career. In addition to performing, Vicki set up her own drama school for youngsters and published several books, on a variety of subjects. Vicki brought some of her publications for us to see, along with some vintage publicity shots which she happily signed for fans.
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Vicki in Carry On Up the Khyber
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Rosalind as Felicity Wheeler in Carry On Teacher
...and with Kenneth Connor in the same film
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Once again, we were joined by the imitable Rosalind Knight. After having made two Carry On films back to back in the late 1950’s (Nurse and Teacher), Rosalind has carved out a successful career in being one of the country’s most popular character actresses. From memorable appearances in modern day classics such as Only Fools and Horses and Gimme Gimme Gimme, to the more recent Friday Night Dinner, Rosalind has never failed to entertain. Rosalind captivated us with stories about filming Carry On Nurse, and her embarrassment in performing her first ever screen kiss with Kenneth Connor in Carry On Teacher, on the very same day that they had first met.
Rosalind’s agent of the time was the much celebrated Peter Eade, who is well remembered in Carry On circles for managing Kenneth Williams and Joan Sims. Other Carry On people, like Norman Hudis, Sherrie Hewson and Brian Osborne were also represented by Peter, and several memories of this special time were recollected by Brian and Rosalind at this event. |
In December 2020, Rosalind sadly passed away, aged 87. She was a fabulous guest at the Inn, and delighted us all on two wonderful days. A firm fan favourite, and the lovliest of ladies, Rosalind will always have a very special place in our hearts.
Carol Hawkins, Larry Dann, Sherrie Hewson and Brian Osborne in Carry On Behind
And finally, Carry On Behind’s cheeky chappies Brian Osborne and Larry Dann also joined in the fun, for the second and third times respectively. Having formed a successful screen partnership in Carry On Behind, as the archaeology students Bob and Clive who succeed in wooing Carol Hawkins and Sherrie Hewson, they also starred together as Gunners in Carry On England.
Larry was with us at our very first event in 2006, and although Brian only made his debut with us in 2018, both are great friends and supporters of the Inn and they are never too far away from the fun! Brian enjoyed himself so much at the 60th anniversary event, that he drove over from his home in France to be with us again this year. It was a last minute, but nonetheless welcome, addition due to personal circumstances, but we were so pleased he did.
Larry was with us at our very first event in 2006, and although Brian only made his debut with us in 2018, both are great friends and supporters of the Inn and they are never too far away from the fun! Brian enjoyed himself so much at the 60th anniversary event, that he drove over from his home in France to be with us again this year. It was a last minute, but nonetheless welcome, addition due to personal circumstances, but we were so pleased he did.