Carry On at 60 (1958 - 2018)
Valerie Leon, born 12 November 1943, is an English actress who has had roles in a number of high-profile British film productions. In addition to the 'Carry On' films & has been a Bond girl twice: in 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977) & 'Never Say Never Again' (1983). Other supporting appearances include 'Revenge of the Pink Panther', 'The Rise & Rise of Michael Rimmer' (as the secretary Tanya), a hotel receptionist in 'The Italian Job', & a call girl in 'No Sex Please, We're British', alongside fellow 'Carry On' actress Margaret Nolan.
The 1971 Hammer horror film 'Blood from the Mummy's Tomb' offered Leon a rare lead role, as a reincarnated Egyptian queen. She has starred in six 'Carry On's', her first being an uncredited role as a 'Hospitality Girl' in 'Carry On Up the Khyber' in 1968. Her most memorable 'Carry On' role is probably as 'Leda' the leader of the 'Lubi Dubis' in 'Carry On Up the Jungle' (1970). Her long & successful career has included roles in Hammer Horror & Bond amongst many others. Valerie has long been a regular at various films conventions & remains popular with fans due to her association with so many cult film series.
The 1971 Hammer horror film 'Blood from the Mummy's Tomb' offered Leon a rare lead role, as a reincarnated Egyptian queen. She has starred in six 'Carry On's', her first being an uncredited role as a 'Hospitality Girl' in 'Carry On Up the Khyber' in 1968. Her most memorable 'Carry On' role is probably as 'Leda' the leader of the 'Lubi Dubis' in 'Carry On Up the Jungle' (1970). Her long & successful career has included roles in Hammer Horror & Bond amongst many others. Valerie has long been a regular at various films conventions & remains popular with fans due to her association with so many cult film series.
" I find it hard to believe that 50 years ago, thanks to being cast as a Harem Girl in 'Carry On Up the Khyber', I managed to get a foot in the door to the most enduring & successful British Film Comedy series of all time. I feel immensely privileged to have worked on six of these films & also appeared in a TV Christmas special.
It is extraordinary that after 60 years these films are still being shown & enjoyed & new generations are growing up with them & are enjoying them. I am sure that the original team would be amazed that they are still getting laughs all these years later. Sadly, I don’t seem to have kept any call sheets or scripts etc but have provided a picture of the reunion in 1998 to mark the 40th Anniversary at Pinewood Studios.
I do a tribute talk about some of the wonderful team of actors involved in them. Any forthcoming appearances can be checked via my website at www.valerieleon.com.
All the best with the website & Carry On Always!".
It is extraordinary that after 60 years these films are still being shown & enjoyed & new generations are growing up with them & are enjoying them. I am sure that the original team would be amazed that they are still getting laughs all these years later. Sadly, I don’t seem to have kept any call sheets or scripts etc but have provided a picture of the reunion in 1998 to mark the 40th Anniversary at Pinewood Studios.
I do a tribute talk about some of the wonderful team of actors involved in them. Any forthcoming appearances can be checked via my website at www.valerieleon.com.
All the best with the website & Carry On Always!".
Top Left: Valerie as 'Leda' in 'Carry On Up the Jungle' in 1970; Above: The 'Carry On' 40th anniversary reunion photograph taken at Pinewood Studios in 1998.
My sincere thanks to Valerie Leon for her time and contribution for this section of the website.
Jim Dale, MBE was born on the 15th August 1935. He is best known for his appearances in eleven 'Carry On' films, generally playing the hapless romantic lead. His 'Carry On' career began in small roles: first as an expectant father in 'Carry On Cabby' (1963), and was followed by 'Carry On Jack' (1963). However, from 'Carry On Spying' (1964) onwards, his roles were more substantial. Following 'Carry On Cleo' (1964), his first principal role was 'Carry On Cowboy' (1965), set in the Wild West, where he played an immigrant English sanitary engineer called Marshall P. Knutt who is mistakenly hired as a police marshal. Then came 'Carry On Screaming!' (1966), 'Carry On Don't Lose Your Head' (1966), 'Carry On Follow That Camel' (1967), 'Carry On Doctor' (1967), 'Carry On Again Doctor' (1969) & the 1992 revival 'Carry On Columbus', where he played the lead role.
Above: Jim as 'Lord Darcy Pue' in 'Carry On Don't Lose Your Head' in 1966.
Jim has always admitted that the latter film was a poor entry to the series claiming that he did it 'as a favour' for director Gerald Thomas. His son, Toby Dale, also had a small part in 'Carry On Columbus' as one of the Inquisitors. Toby also met Sara Crowe on the film who he went onto marry. However, they later divorced.
Jim was always one of my favourite 'Carry On' actors and, like Leslie Phillips, it always seems he was in more of the 'Carry On's' than he actually was. In 2015 I had the pleasure of meeting Jim after his one-man show 'Just Jim Dale' at the Vauderville Theatre in London's West End. The show was Jim's recollection of his career and it was presented in a very nostalgic, amusing and unique way. Packed with anecdotes, stories and memories it really was a dream come true for fans of all ages and interests in his career. I was lucky to have front row seats that day and the energy Jim had throughout his performance at the grand age of 80 would have given some people in their 40's a run for their money! I had the pleasure of meeting Jim after the show where he happily signed a few 'Carry On' related items for me.
Over the years I have corresponded with Jim (now based in the USA) many times and he is always pleased to hear from his fans and happy to talk about his memories and career.
Jim was always one of my favourite 'Carry On' actors and, like Leslie Phillips, it always seems he was in more of the 'Carry On's' than he actually was. In 2015 I had the pleasure of meeting Jim after his one-man show 'Just Jim Dale' at the Vauderville Theatre in London's West End. The show was Jim's recollection of his career and it was presented in a very nostalgic, amusing and unique way. Packed with anecdotes, stories and memories it really was a dream come true for fans of all ages and interests in his career. I was lucky to have front row seats that day and the energy Jim had throughout his performance at the grand age of 80 would have given some people in their 40's a run for their money! I had the pleasure of meeting Jim after the show where he happily signed a few 'Carry On' related items for me.
Over the years I have corresponded with Jim (now based in the USA) many times and he is always pleased to hear from his fans and happy to talk about his memories and career.
In 2015 he was also a contributor to the ITV documentary 'Carry On Forever' where he shares his memories of his time working on the 'Carry On' films. My personal favourite 'Carry On' with Jim is 'Don't Lose Your Head' (1966) closely followed by 'Carry On Screaming' (1966). 'Don't Lose Your Head' is also notable as it was the first time that an actor in the 'Carry On's' was permitted to ad-lib a line and this was by Jim! He also recounts how, whilst filming a scene for 'Carry On Again Doctor' in 1969, his last 'Carry On' with the original team, he badly injured his arm whilst carrying out the 'trolley down the stairs' stunt that went on to become one of the classic scenes from the 'Carry On ' series.
There is a rumour that the 'Carry On' team fell out with Jim due to his decision after 'Carry On Again Doctor' to explore other career options, mainly the theatre. When he did 'This Is Your Life' in 1973 he remembers they filled the vast Palladium stage with his school football team, shoe factory workers and showbiz people he’d barely met. However, the 'Carry On' regulars weren’t there. Did they resent his departure in 1970 to join Oliver at the Old Vic?
Jim recalls in an interview for 'The Telegraph' in 2015; "I knew I was entering a clique. When we sat around talking that’s when you relaxed with them. We would rehearse in each other’s dressing room quite a bit, so that’s where we got intimate. But I wasn’t deep friends with any of them because I had to go home to see the kids (Dale married Patricia in 1957 and they had four children together) rather than go out on the booze. I had no idea about the relationship that Sid (James) had with Barbara (Windsor). Kenneth Williams was probably one of my better friends although he was a real sod at times.” In any case the rift, if true, did not last as he stayed in contact with many of the 'Carry On' team and was joined at the premier of his show in London by Barbara Windsor and Fenella Fielding (Jim does a great impression of both Fenella and Kenneth Williams!). In fact, 46 years after 'Carry On Again Doctor' in 1969 , they went onto recreate the iconic scene that they had together complete with red glittery love hearts!
There is a rumour that the 'Carry On' team fell out with Jim due to his decision after 'Carry On Again Doctor' to explore other career options, mainly the theatre. When he did 'This Is Your Life' in 1973 he remembers they filled the vast Palladium stage with his school football team, shoe factory workers and showbiz people he’d barely met. However, the 'Carry On' regulars weren’t there. Did they resent his departure in 1970 to join Oliver at the Old Vic?
Jim recalls in an interview for 'The Telegraph' in 2015; "I knew I was entering a clique. When we sat around talking that’s when you relaxed with them. We would rehearse in each other’s dressing room quite a bit, so that’s where we got intimate. But I wasn’t deep friends with any of them because I had to go home to see the kids (Dale married Patricia in 1957 and they had four children together) rather than go out on the booze. I had no idea about the relationship that Sid (James) had with Barbara (Windsor). Kenneth Williams was probably one of my better friends although he was a real sod at times.” In any case the rift, if true, did not last as he stayed in contact with many of the 'Carry On' team and was joined at the premier of his show in London by Barbara Windsor and Fenella Fielding (Jim does a great impression of both Fenella and Kenneth Williams!). In fact, 46 years after 'Carry On Again Doctor' in 1969 , they went onto recreate the iconic scene that they had together complete with red glittery love hearts!
Top: Jim with the original 'Carry On' team in 'Carry On Again Doctor' (1969); Bottom: My 'Carry On Doctor' (1967) lobby card signed by Jim.
In March 2018 Jim kindly sent me the following message as a contribution for the website:
"May I wish you every success with your new venture. I can't believe it has been 60 years since the first 'Carry On'. There are so many moments to remember from all those wondeful actors. Not only the 'Team' but those wonderful extras. My very best to you." - Jim Dale, March 2018.
"May I wish you every success with your new venture. I can't believe it has been 60 years since the first 'Carry On'. There are so many moments to remember from all those wondeful actors. Not only the 'Team' but those wonderful extras. My very best to you." - Jim Dale, March 2018.
Above: 46 years apart; Left: the original scene from 'Carry On Again Doctor' (1969); Right: Jim and Barbara reunite in 2015 to recreate that classic scene during the premier of his one-man show, 'Just Jim Dale', in London's West End.
My sincere thanks to Jim Dale for his time and contribution for this section of the website.
My sincere thanks to Jim Dale for his time and contribution for this section of the website.
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