Sid James

[Hackett]

Think of a good old British film and 9 times out of 10 Sid James is in it somewhare. Usually biggish parts too. A little bit more than your Sam Kydd, Micheal Ripper, Patrick Jorden or Fred Griffiths role. The strange thing about Sid James is no matter what part he plays, Carry on film or not, in what country or any time in history his character is invariably named Sid. Is there anyother actor in the history of cinama who has played so many different roles with the same forename?.



[ 12. June 2003, 21:26: Message edited by: DB7 ]

[Steve Crook]

It certainly seems a lot but I think he only played people called Sid in 20 out of 120 appearances. But 14 of those 20 were in Carry On films.



Norman Wisdom managed 15 out of his 35 appearances as characters called "Norman" which is a higher percentage but not as high a total.



George Formby managed 17 out of his 22 appearances as characters called "George".



It was quite common for comedians, especially those who were famous from music halls or theatre, to play in films as their on-stage character so they often kept the same name.

[grwblunden]

Hello there,



I am presently researching furiously into the career of Sid james and am looking to view any of his work.

Can anyone help me?

I have all the Carry On films and am interested in absolutely anything else that he acted in.



I dont have a massive amount to exchange but would be willing to pay postage/ costs for items.



Hope you can help.



Best wishes

[ChristineCB]

GRW, why research him? He's obviously got no range of roles - I mean, he ONLY does HELL DRIVERS and HOUSE ACROSS THE LAKE on one hand, then ST TRINIANS and CARRY ONs, with a few TOO MANY CROOK - LAVENDER HILL types thrown in there. No range whatsoever, eh?



Jeepers. QUATERMASS. Uh... is there a genre he did NOT do?!!



Wait wait - what about musicals/!! He probably wasn't so much for song-and-dance, I bet! I hope your research will bear me out!



In his 60-odd years, he put his good name onto a lot of wonderful films. Good luck. I hope you'll share plenty of tales with us.



Especially song-and-dance ones!

[Hackett]

He did sing and dance on Tower Pier in a Joe Brown film "THREE HATS FOR LISA" 1965.

[JamesM]

There's a Sid James Box Set of non-Carry On films coming out.



Optimum Releasing: Sid James Collection - Comic Icons

[Santonix]

He also appeared as a truck driver called Percy Baker in the 1959 version of "The 39 Steps"

[julian_craster]

Check out the book by Robert Ross THE COMPLETE SID JAMES

Sid's career has been thoroughly covered in this book....

[smudge]

He did sing and dance on Tower Pier in a Joe Brown film "THREE HATS FOR LISA" 1965.

Yep, and he started out on the boards as a dancer. Rather like old T-T who was, for a while, a ballroom teacher IIRC...



SMUDGE

[ChristineCB]

Great fun! So, let's see... what genres are left for him to have missed out on?



Oh. I know. Trashy American '50s drive-in B-movies?



Any "Teenage Monster" or "Beach Blanket James" works? Hmmm... even he might have drawn the line there, yes?

[smudge]

Great fun! So, let's see... what genres are left for him to have missed out on?

Oh. I know. Trashy American '50s drive-in B-movies?

Any "Teenage Monster" or "Beach Blanket James" works? Hmmm... even he might have drawn the line there, yes?

Versatile as he was, Sid never ended up in anything remotely similar to those on this side of the pond. You have to admire the man - he had a heck of a work rate from as soon as he hit these shores. I bet hundreds of folks had him 'typed' as being born within the sound of Bow Bells, despite his Joburg roots...



Smudge

[ChristineCB]

So, there's no truth to the rumor of CARRY ON BEACH-PARTY attempts? Whew... I guess the world's been a much safer place than we could have imagined! Just imagine if Hell had frozen over!!

[MrDrakesDuck]

[ChristineCB]

Off of Sid James for a second... did Victor Spinetti always play the same kind of uptight super-righteous character? I should start collecting more of his work because I've liked that character very much - I don't know if I could take a lot of it, but I think I'll try to find more.

[David Brent]

Great fun! So, let's see... what genres are left for him to have missed out on?

Sid was never a sex symbol.



Dave.

[Steve Crook]

Sid was never a sex symbol.



Dave.

Barbara Windsor might disagree



Steve

[samkydd]

Barbara Windsor might disagree

Steve

It is widely reported that apart from his gambling habit (which made him take on just about any role that came his way including that of a snake charmer in the film about a circus with Tony Curtis) Sid was allegedly something of a sexual predator.

Joe Brown recalled that during the making of Three Hats For Lisa the young French actress who played the title role succumbed to middle-aged Sid's advances and there were dressing rooms shennanigans aplenty. The Barbara Windsor episode came about through sheer persistence on Sid's part rather than any animal magnetism or mutual attraction.

[foha80]

Off of Sid James for a second... did Victor Spinetti always play the same kind of uptight super-righteous character? I should start collecting more of his work because I've liked that character very much - I don't know if I could take a lot of it, but I think I'll try to find more.

I saw Victor Spinnetti years ago in his one man show and he was hilarious.he has worked with everyone from Deitrich to the beatles and had an anecdote about them all.





Terry

[smudge]

I saw Victor Spinnetti years ago in his one man show and he was hilarious.he has worked with everyone from Deitrich to the beatles and had an anecdote about them all.

Terry

He's recently published his autobiog., "Victor Spinetti - Up Front". I have it waiting on my shelves to read. I've leafed through and it looks good. I saw him in the recent revival of THE GHOST TRAIN on the stage - still highly entertaining.



Smudge

[ChristineCB]

I think I'll find his book. And for the comments about his anecdotes and stage appearances.