Bernard Bresslaw (1934 - 1993)
"I only arsked!"- Bernard Bresslaw
Bernard Bresslaw was born the youngest of three boys into a Jewish family in Stepney, London, on 25 February 1934. His father was a tailor's cutter and he became interested in acting after visits to the Hackney Empire. London County Council awarded him a scholarship to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where he won the Emile Littler Award as the most promising actor. After 'Educating Archie' on radio and 'The Army Game' on television, more television, film and Shakespearean theatre roles followed, until he was cast in 'Carry On Cowboy' in 1965.
I always think of Bernie the same way I think of Peter Butterworth in terms of his contributions to the 'Carry On' series. He always played a significant and important role within the team and in each film that he appeared in. His height, at a whopping 6 feet 7 inches, meant that he was the perfect contrast when placed alongside Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor or Charles Hawtrey for example. His roles within the 'Carry On's' were also some of the most memorable, particularly as the menacing 'Bungdit Din' in 'Carry On Up the Khyber' or the sinister butler in 'Carry On Screaming'.
I always think of Bernie the same way I think of Peter Butterworth in terms of his contributions to the 'Carry On' series. He always played a significant and important role within the team and in each film that he appeared in. His height, at a whopping 6 feet 7 inches, meant that he was the perfect contrast when placed alongside Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor or Charles Hawtrey for example. His roles within the 'Carry On's' were also some of the most memorable, particularly as the menacing 'Bungdit Din' in 'Carry On Up the Khyber' or the sinister butler in 'Carry On Screaming'.
His first contribution to the series was in fact as the 'legs and feet' of Terence Longdon's character in 'Carry On Nurse' in 1959. The legs of Terence Longdon were deemed to be too thin and 'scrawny looking', so Bernie's were used as stand-ins for the scene where Joan Sims gives him a bath. He made great efforts to prepare for his roles, for example learning genuine Swahili phrases for 'Carry On Up the Jungle'.
Bernie made 14 'Carry On' films in addition to his small contribution of limbs in 'Nurse' and went onto appear in many of the spin off 'Carry On Laughing' TV episodes in the 1970's as well as the 'Carry On Christmas' TV shows also in the 1970's. He also appeared in the 'Carry On London' theatre production and the 'Wot a Carry On!' stage production in Blackpool in 1992 alongside Barbara Windsor. The same year he was offered the role of 'King Ferdinand of Spain' in the attempt at the film revival of the 'Carry On's' in 'Carry On Columbus'. It was a role he declined and that eventually went to Leslie Phillips.
Right: The poster feauturing Bernie and Barbara Windsor for the 1992 stage production of 'Wot A Carry On in Blackpool'.
Bernie made 14 'Carry On' films in addition to his small contribution of limbs in 'Nurse' and went onto appear in many of the spin off 'Carry On Laughing' TV episodes in the 1970's as well as the 'Carry On Christmas' TV shows also in the 1970's. He also appeared in the 'Carry On London' theatre production and the 'Wot a Carry On!' stage production in Blackpool in 1992 alongside Barbara Windsor. The same year he was offered the role of 'King Ferdinand of Spain' in the attempt at the film revival of the 'Carry On's' in 'Carry On Columbus'. It was a role he declined and that eventually went to Leslie Phillips.
Right: The poster feauturing Bernie and Barbara Windsor for the 1992 stage production of 'Wot A Carry On in Blackpool'.
Behind the camera and between filming Bernie was happy playing cards with Sid or absorbed in the 'Times' crossword. Bernard got professional security from the 'Carry On' films but was typecast generally either playing the towering and intimidating villain or the well-meaning but bumbling gent in the series. He was also a member of the oldest theatrical fraternity in the world, the elite Grand Order of Water Rats.
Bernie performed with the Young Vic Theatre Company, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. One of his last stage performances was as 'Malvolio' in 'Twelfth Night' at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park (1990), where he demonstrated the fine line between pathos and comedy to perfection. He was beginning to extend himself through stage work when, in 1993, Bernie died of a sudden heart attack on 11 June 1993 aged only 59. He had collapsed in his dressing room at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park, London, where he was to play 'Grumio' in the New Shakespeare Company's production of 'Taming of the Shrew'. His body was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, north London, where his ashes were buried on 17 June 1993. It seems that the 'curse' of 'Carry On' had struck again taking away another 'Carry On' stalwart from us at such a young age. Bernie was married to dancer Betty Wright from 1959 until his death. They had three sons: James, Mark and Jonathan.
Bernie performed with the Young Vic Theatre Company, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. One of his last stage performances was as 'Malvolio' in 'Twelfth Night' at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park (1990), where he demonstrated the fine line between pathos and comedy to perfection. He was beginning to extend himself through stage work when, in 1993, Bernie died of a sudden heart attack on 11 June 1993 aged only 59. He had collapsed in his dressing room at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park, London, where he was to play 'Grumio' in the New Shakespeare Company's production of 'Taming of the Shrew'. His body was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, north London, where his ashes were buried on 17 June 1993. It seems that the 'curse' of 'Carry On' had struck again taking away another 'Carry On' stalwart from us at such a young age. Bernie was married to dancer Betty Wright from 1959 until his death. They had three sons: James, Mark and Jonathan.
I remember chatting with Margaret Nolan about Bernie on one of the occasions that I met her a few years ago. She told me how Bernie and herself had approached the 'Carry On' bosses and Equity in the late 1980's when Charlie Hawtrey was very poorly and they had tried to get some funding for him as Charlie was, by that stage, virtually living as a penniless pauper. According to Margaret heir efforts proved futile but I think that this story in itself further demonstrates Bernie's character and gentle personality.
Above: Bernard as 'Grumio' in 'The Taming of the Shrew' in 1993 at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. This was to be his final role that he sadly never got to perform. My sincere thanks to the Open Air Theatre for providing this picture for the website; Right: Bernie relaxing between takes helping out Derek Francis with a crossword with Kenneth Williams lost in thought.
Above: Bernard as 'Grumio' in 'The Taming of the Shrew' in 1993 at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. This was to be his final role that he sadly never got to perform. My sincere thanks to the Open Air Theatre for providing this picture for the website; Right: Bernie relaxing between takes helping out Derek Francis with a crossword with Kenneth Williams lost in thought.
In April 2018 the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre kindly provided me with the following pictures associated with Bernie. This includes a picture of the original theatre programme from 1993 as well as the details from the Gala tribute held for Bernie in 1994. I have included these here by kind permission of the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre for inclusion in this special feature for the gentle giant that was Bernard Bresslaw.
Below are two rare & behind the scenes pictures of Bernie from the 'Carry On' films. These pictures are courtesy of Peter Rogers & Morris Bright MBE & are reproduced here by kind permission of Morris Bright MBE.
Above: A 'behind' the scenes shot of Bernie with Margaret Nolan in 'Carry On Dick' (1974); Right: Bernie shares a joke with Kenneth Williams & Peter Butterworth on the set of 'Carry On Follow That Camel' in 1967.
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