Peter Rogers was the producer of all 31 'Carry On' films.

He always maintained, as did the 'Carry On's' director, Gerald Thomas, that the 'star' of the films was the title - 'Carry On'. During a career spanning seven decades, he worked with stars including Barbara Windsor, Sid James, Leslie Phillips, Kenneth Williams & Hattie Jacques.

It is no secret that the stars of the films were poorly paid. In later years this served to create a lot of resentment from some of the stars of the films & left a sour taste in many mouths particularly with the lack of residuals/royalties that would have been generated from all the constant repeats on television, compilation shows, books, films & documentaries.

Rogers died peacefully at his home in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire in April 2009. He had continued working in his office at Pinewood Studios right up until early 2009. I met Peter Rogers a few times & each time I met him I did actually find myself quite star struck, something that doesn't happen very often with me I have to say.

I only speak as I find & I have to say that on each occasion that I met Mr Rogers that his admiration & gratitude for the fans of 'Carry On' was obvious. I attended several special 'Carry On' events at Pinewood Studios between 2005 to 2007 & he always tried to come along and make an appearance, even if it were briefly & even when it was clear that he was unwell. He mingled with the guests & although a very quiet man he was happy to talk to the fans of his films & always made time to do so. He would work his way around the room signing 'Carry On' memorabilia & having his picture taken with the guests. He also had quite a quirky sense of humour & I saw this a few times when I met him. On one occasion he was onstage being interviewed about the films & everytime the interviewer started to ask a question he would start tapping the top of his microphone which sent a thudding sound all around the hall, totally drowing out the interviewer. He sat like a naughty school boy grinning. There certainly was a naughty kid hiding within him somewhere which explains a lot & possibly why he was behind one of the most successful British comedy film series of all time.

Despite being well into his golden years, & evidently not in the best health, he still drove himself to Pinewood to attend the events. I fondly remember seeing him in the car park outside the Manor House at Pinewood after an event. He made his way to his car, threw his walking stick in the back, then got in & left. As he drove off I remember smiling at him & he smiled back & waved, I will always remember that as it was to be the last time that I saw him.

He began his career as a newspaper reporter, beginning his career in the movie industry writing scripts for religious information films.

His life's work was rewarded at the British Comedy Awards in 1990 & by the London Critics' Circle six years later. Rogers was married to another British film producer, Betty Box, who died in 1999.

Peter was a great animal lover. His beloved Alsatian, Heidi, would often accompany him to his office at Pinewood & had a panting of her on his office wall there.

Since around 2005 there had been rumours of a new 'Carry On'. When Peter was questioned about this at an event that I attended at Pinewood in 2007 he quickly responded by saying that it would go ahead & plans were progressing. He confirmed again at an event in 2008 to mark the Golden Anniversary of 'Carry On'.  He didn't seem to have any plans to slow down, even at the ripe old age of 94.  Speaking in 2008 he said “My plan is to make three as quickly as possible with the same people so that audiences get used to it. It’s the only way to do it. If you do just one people don’t understand what’s going on, but they like familiarity.” 

He readily admitted that he would have to assemble a brand new team. This was for a variety of reasons; naturally most of the original and core 'gang' were dead & those that were still around would have likely not wanted any involvement or not have been able to get involved. Jim Dale now lives in America & Barbara Windsor is “no longer a bouncy little blonde”, as Rogers put it.

In addition to this there is the fact that even when 'Carry On Columbus' was first announced, & in pre-production, several of the old 'gang' didn't want any involvement. We still had Bernie Bresslaw, Terry Scott, Joan Sims & Kenneth Connor around in 1991/1992 when the film was planned & made but all declined parts in 'Columbus'. The main reason being given as the 'dire script' & the parts on offer to them. It was also apparent that many simply saw this venture as 'moving the deckchairs around the deck on the Titanic'. In 2016 at a film convention I asked a couple of the former 'Carry On' co-stars in attendance why they didn't get involved in 'Columbus'. The answer was the same each time I asked, 'We weren't asked, they never approached us'.

By 2005 even more of the greats of the original gang had sadly passed away. All in all, they were now missing Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Hattie Jacques, Joan Sims, Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw, Sid James, Kenneth Connor, Frankie Howerd & Terry Scott. Rogers’s collaborator Gerald Thomas, who directed the films, had also passed away with 'Columbus' being his final film. Peter had no choice than to look elsewhere for a new 'Carry On' team if he wanted to continue the series. I, personally, am pleased that he never did, but it didn't stop him from trying!

Despite an attempt to make 'Columbus' also appeal to the American market (something they also had attempted with 'Follow That Camel' by casting Phil Silvers) he always declined US money & also refused to set foot in that country. As a producer passionately devoted to his own control - he claimed that he 'did not want to be surrounded in the jungle by beasts bigger than himself'. Peter had not always had it easy, despite the 'Carry On's' still making millions worldwide.

In 1994 he suffered personal bankruptcy brought on by investment in 1994 in a television company that failed to win a franchise. He continued to be charitable to redundant pit ponies, for whom he had provided homes, to help the cause of guide dogs for the blind, and to be sympathetic to old colleagues in need of help and advice. He continued this trend when he passed away in 2009 by leaving his estate to charitable organisations.

Left: Peter Rogers' producers chair that he used on the 'Carry On' films alongside a signed picture of Rogers relaxing between takes at Camber Sands on the set of 'Follow That Camel'. My thanks to Nick Overy for providing this picture for this section of the website.