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What was the behind-the-scenes story of Carry-On?

posted 14 years ago by jh66
7 replies | jump to latest

What were the main stories of the great actors going on behind the scenes?

Frustratingly, in each of the highest earning films in this classics series, either Ken Williams, Barbara Windsor or Charles Hawtrey were missing? Why?

Was Ken Williams really actually quite a nasty person, etc?

[–] jh66 14 years ago

Anyone recommend any good autobiogs?

[–] jameswarrender 14 years ago

The main stories from behind the scenes are:

Kenneth Williams was the major player and would cause some problems with the cast.

Barbara Windsor and Sid James had an affair from 1973 until his death in 1976.

Charles Hawtrey left the series after Carry on Abroad because his alcoholism got in the way of his acting.

Sid James didn't intend in leaving the series in 1974 but was unavailable to appear in any future films between then and 1976 due to stage commitments.

For more behind the scenes stories you should get Joan Sims' autobiography "High Spirits" which goes into more detail.

Have a look on youtube as well for "Cor Blimey" which is a 1998 drama about Sid and Barbara's affair. It is very good.

[–] LuboLarsson 13 years ago

i doubt Kenneth Williams was nasty but I would imagine he could be difficult to work with at times. Barbara Windsor was very close friends with him.

[–] Pedro_Exit 13 years ago

You should read The Kenneth Williams Diaries for a revealing insight into his views on the films and his co-stars. He never had a good word to say about Sid James, disliked Charles hawtry, but seemed to get along with most of the other regulars. He even went with Barbara Windsor on her honeymoon!

[–] Littlebitsofgaming 10 years ago

Have a look on youtube as well for "Cor Blimey" which is a 1998 drama about Sid and Barbara's affair. It is very good.

I thought Cor Blimey was released in 2000.

Also, I'd hardly recommend it for "research" purposes as it was a highly fictional account and massively bias toward Barbra Windsor.
Even some of the books written and Ken Williams diaries are only a one sided account.

And so, God came forth and proclaimed widescreen is the best.
Sony 16:9

[–] Theodor_Birch 13 years ago

There are at least five documentaries on Carry on and Williams on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOPdlSF_xqc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3fgdH9yHco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkF_KqcQD6o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv1zjf4E63s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOMUY8weGok

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tusgPXNKsg

[–] greenbudgie 10 years ago

I just wanted to say about Kenneth Williams. I shouldn't think that he was a nasty person. I think he probably upset people unintentionally at times. He liked to be in the limelight and to be funny always. But some of his humour could come over as waspish occasionally. I liked the way that he teased the other Carry On actors by threatening to put them in his diary if they misbehaved. But of course it was he himself who was the most impish of the cast.