Five questions about Carry On films – Quick Quiz answers

By British Expat, 31 July 2016

Ooh, Matron! We asked you five questions about the Carry On series of films. Here come the answers!

1. At which studios were all the Carry On films made?
   Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. Founded in the 1930s by property tycoon Charles Boot and flour magnate J. Arthur Rank, at one point it had the highest output of any studio in the world. It merged with Shepperton Studios in 2001.
2. The Carry On films are the second longest running series of British films ever made. Which other series topped them?
   James Bond, which started in 1962 with Dr. No and continues to this day. Oddly enough, both series were made at the same studios, Pinewood.
3. Who directed all 31 Carry On films?
   Gerald Thomas, who directed another 14 films outside the Carry On canon – including the film of Sid James’ TV series Bless This House. He died in 1993, a year after the release of the final film, Carry On Columbus.
4. Which was the first Carry On film? And for a bonus point, in what year was it released?
   The first of the series was Carry On Sergeant, in 1958, and was set in the Army during National Service. The sergeant of the title was played by William Hartnell, who went on to play the first Doctor Who. Few of the stars appeared in future Carry On films, although Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Connor, Hattie Jacques and Terry Scott all appeared in supporting roles.
5. What was Carry On actor Sid James’ original name?
   Solomon Joel Cohen. He changed his name to Sidney Joel Cohen before settling on the name under which he became famous. The middle name “Balmoral” which he adopted for Hancock’s Half Hour was invented for the show and never part of his legal name.

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