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Sid James is a Actor British born on 8 may 1913 at Johannesburg (South africa)

Sid James

Sid James
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Birth name Solomon Joel Cohen
Nationality United-kingdom
Birth 8 may 1913 at Johannesburg (South africa)
Death 26 april 1976 (at 62 years)

Sid James (born Solomon Joel Cohen; 8 May 1913 – 26 April 1976) was a South African actor and comedian.
Appearing in British films from 1947, he was cast in numerous small and supporting roles into the 1960s. His profile was raised as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour, which ran on television from 1956 until 1960, and then he became known as a regular performer in the Carry On films, appearing in 19 films of the series with the top billing role in 17 (in the other two he was cast below Frankie Howerd). Meanwhile, his starring roles in television sitcoms continued for the rest of his life. He starred alongside Diana Coupland in the 1970s sitcom Bless This House which aired from 1971 until James died in 1976.

Remembered for a lascivious persona, the Snopes website describing him as "the grand old man of dirty laughter", he became known for his amiability in his later television work. Bruce Forsyth described him as "a natural at being natural."

On 26 April 1976, James was touring in The Mating Season, appearing at the Sunderland Empire Theatre when he died from a heart attack. Some, including comedian Les Dawson claim to have seen the ghost of James at the theatre.

Biography

James married three times. He and his first wife divorced in 1940, mainly as a result of James's many relationships with other women; it was a pattern which continued throughout his life. In 1943, he married a dancer, Meg Sergei, née Williams (born 1913). Five years later they had a daughter, Reina, before divorcing on 17 August 1952.

On 21 August 1952, James married Valerie Elizabeth Patsy Assan (born 1928), an actress who used Ashton as her stage name. During the latter part of their marriage they lived in a house partly designed by James himself, called Delaford Park, situated in Iver, Buckinghamshire, a location close enough to Pinewood Studios to allow him to return home for lunch while filming. During his marriage to Valerie he had a well-publicised affair with Carry On co-star Barbara Windsor lasting more than 10 years. The affair was dramatised in the 1998 stage-play Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick and Cor, Blimey!, its 2000 television adaptation. James's obsession with Windsor was such that it was said that her then husband Ronnie Knight had all of James's furniture rearranged at home as a subtle threat and, on another occasion, that he had put an axe in James's floor. Close friends of the time, including Vince Powell and William G. Stewart, have dismissed the suggestions.

James was an inveterate and largely unsuccessful gambler, losing tens of thousands of pounds over his lifetime. His gambling addiction was such that he had an agreement with his agent, Michael Sullivan, under which his wife was not told how much he was being paid so that a portion could be set aside for gambling.

Best films

The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
(Actor)

Usually with

Gerald Thomas
Gerald Thomas
(26 films)
Joan Sims
Joan Sims
(25 films)
Peter Rogers
Peter Rogers
(24 films)
Charles Hawtrey
Charles Hawtrey
(19 films)
Source : Wikidata

Filmography of Sid James (118 films)

Display filmography as list

Actor

That's Carry On!, 1h35
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor, Eric Barker, Amanda Barrie, John Bluthal, Bernard Bresslaw
Roles Various Characters
Rating53% 2.6652352.6652352.6652352.6652352.665235
Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor are imprisoned in a Pinewood Studios projection room and trawl through film can after film can of the classic Carry On series. Kenneth is delighted with the slap-up food hamper and champagne, while Barbara loads the vintage clips. As the films remorselessly play out, Kenneth feels the need to relieve himself but Barbara is determined to plough through every film. Finally, scenes of speedy roadside urinating from Carry On at Your Convenience prove too much for Kenneth to bear but he holds back the flow to enjoy his finest role as the Khasi in Carry On... Up the Khyber. While Kenneth pontificates about the glories of the Empire, Barbara leaves the projection room and locks her co-star in. Unable to hold out any longer, Kenneth goes against the projection room door.
Carry On Dick, 1h31
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Barbara Windsor, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques, Bernard Bresslaw, Joan Sims
Roles Big Dick Turpin / Reverend Flasher
Rating59% 2.950482.950482.950482.950482.95048
In the year 1750, England is rife with crime and highway robbers. To stop the wave of chaos, King George sets up the first professional police force named the Bow Street Runners, under the command of the bellowing Sir Roger Daley (Bernard Bresslaw), and seconded by Captain Desmond Fancey (Kenneth Williams) and Sergeant Jock Strapp (Jack Douglas). The Runners are apparently successful in wiping out crime and lawlessness – using all manner of traps and tricks to round the criminals up. However their main target is the notorious Richard "Big Dick" Turpin (Sid James), a highwayman who has evaded capture and succeeded in even robbing Sir Roger and his prim wife (Margaret Nolan) of their money and clothing. After this humiliation, Turpin becomes the Bow Street Runners' most wanted man, and thus Captain Fancey is assigned to go undercover and catch the famous Dick Turpin and bring him to justice.
Carry On Girls, 1h28
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Barbara Windsor, Sid James, Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor, Bernard Bresslaw, June Whitfield
Roles Sidney Fiddler
Rating57% 2.851812.851812.851812.851812.85181
The seaside town of Fircombe is facing a crisis – it's always raining and there's nothing for the tourists to do. Councillor Sidney Fiddler (Sid James) hits on the notion of holding a beauty contest. The mayor, Frederick Bumble (Kenneth Connor) is taken with the idea but feminist councillor, Augusta Prodworthy (June Whitfield) is outraged and storms out of the meeting. The motion is carried in Augusta's absence and Sidney contacts publicist Peter Potter (Bernard Bresslaw) to help with the organization. Sidney's girlfriend, Connie Philpotts (Joan Sims) runs a local hotel and soon her residents, including the eccentric Mrs Dukes (Joan Hickson) and the Admiral (Peter Butterworth) are outnumbered by dolly birds, including the feuding biker babe, Hope Springs (Barbara Windsor) and the bountiful Dawn Brakes (Margaret Nolan). A catfight orchestrated by Hope provides better newspaper copy than bringing a donkey off the beach which, despite the bucket and spade of hotel employee William (Jack Douglas), ruins the plush carpets. Augusta's son, press photographer Larry (Robin Askwith), is hired to document the donkey stunt and snaps the catfight that has the Mayor losing his trousers, then gulps his way through a nude photo shoot with Dawn. The Mayor's wife, Mildred (Patsy Rowlands) joins Prodworthy's bra-burning movement and plots the downfall of the Miss Fircombe contest on the pier. Peter Potter reluctantly becomes a man in a frock for another publicity gimmick for the television show, Women's Things, presented by Cecil Gaybody (Jimmy Logan) and produced by Debra (Sally Geeson). Prodworthy and butch feminist Rosemary (Patricia Franklin) call in the police (David Lodge and Billy Cornelius) to investigate the male pageant contestant but Peter's previously prim girlfriend, Paula (Valerie Leon), has a makeover and steps into the breach as the mysterious girl. Prodworthy's gang put "Operation Spoilsport" into action, sabotaging the final contest with water, mud and itching powder. With an angry mob after his blood, Sidney makes his escape with Hope on her motorcycle.
Bless This House, 1h27
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Actors Diana Coupland, Sid James, Terry Scott, June Whitfield, Peter Butterworth, Sally Geeson
Roles Sid Abbott
Rating62% 3.1002853.1002853.1002853.1002853.100285
1970s English suburbia: middle-aged homeowner Sid Abbot just wants to get on with building his illegal whisky still, but is frustrated by his workshy son, and otherworldly daughter. Then the rude and arrogant Ronald Baines and his family move in next door.
Carry On Abroad, 1h28
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw, Barbara Windsor
Roles Vic Flange
Rating64% 3.248573.248573.248573.248573.24857
The film opens with pub landlord and frequent holidaymaker Vic Flange (Sid James) openly flirting with the sassy saucepot Sadie Tompkins (Barbara Windsor) as his battleaxe wife, Cora (Joan Sims), looks on with disdain. Their twitching friend Harry (Jack Douglas) arrives and lets slip that the package holiday Vic has booked to the Mediterranean island Els Bels (a pun on the slang expression "Hell's Bells") also includes Sadie, much to Cora's outrage. Cora, who avoids holidays because she hates flying, suddenly decides to accompany her boorish husband on the trip, to ensure he keeps away from Sadie.
Carry On Matron, 1h27
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Medical-themed films, Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Bernard Bresslaw
Roles Sid Carter
Rating61% 3.0996753.0996753.0996753.0996753.099675
Sid Carter (Sid James) is the cunning head of a criminal gang that includes the longhaired drip Ernie Bragg (Bernard Bresslaw), the cheeky Freddy (Bill Maynard) and Sid's honest son, Cyril (Kenneth Cope), who does not want to live a life of crime, but is emotionally blackmailed by his father into going along with his scheme to rob Finisham Maternity Hospital for its stock of contraceptive pills. Cyril reluctantly disguises himself as a new nurse to case the hospital and the booty, however he is assumed to be one of a batch of new student nurses who have just arrived, and is assigned the same room as the shapely, blonde nurse, Susan Ball (Barbara Windsor). Unfortunately for Cyril, he also catches the eye of the hospital Lothario, Dr. Prodd (Terry Scott.
Carry On at Your Convenience, 1h30
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Bernard Bresslaw
Roles Sid Plummer
Rating61% 3.0996953.0996953.0996953.0996953.099695
In bathroom ceramics factory W.C. Boggs & Son, the traditionalist owner W.C. Boggs (Kenneth Williams) is having no end of trouble. Bolshie and lazy union representative Vic Spanner (Kenneth Cope) continually stirs-up trouble in the works, to the irritation of his co-workers and management. He calls a strike for almost any minor incident – or because he wants time off to attend a local football match. Sid Plummer (Sid James) is the site foreman bridging the gap between workers and management, shrewdly keeping the place going amid the unrest.
Carry On Henry, 1h29
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy, Adventure, Historical, Romance
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films, Political films, Films about royalty
Actors Sid James, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Terry Scott, Barbara Windsor
Roles King Henry VIII
Rating61% 3.099653.099653.099653.099653.09965
The film opens with a passage, which states: This film is based on a recently discovered manuscript by one William Cobbler, which reveals that Henry VIII did in fact have two more wives. Although it was first thought that Cromwell originated the story, it is now known to be definitely all Cobbler's... from beginning to end.
Carry On Loving, 1h28
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy, Romantic comedy, Romance
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Terry Scott
Roles Sidney Bliss
Rating58% 2.9494452.9494452.9494452.9494452.949445
Various events involve a dating agency run by Sid Bliss (Sid James) and his longtime girlfriend Sophie Plummett (Hattie Jacques). Their "Wedded Bliss" agency purports to bring together lonely hearts using computer-matching technology, but couples are actually paired up by Sophie. Bliss consistently avoids marrying Sophie, enthusiastically pursuing Esme Crowfoot (Joan Sims), a seamstress and client who consistently rejects his advances.
Carry On Up the Jungle, 1h29
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Frankie Howerd, Charles Hawtrey, Sid James, Joan Sims, Terry Scott, Kenneth Connor
Roles Bill Boosey
Rating59% 2.952122.952122.952122.952122.95212
In Edwardian England, camp ornithologist Professor Inigo Tinkle (Frankie Howerd) tells a less-than-raptured audience about his most recent ornithology expedition to the darkest, most barren regions of the African wilds in search for the legendary Oozlum bird, which is said to fly in ever decreasing circles until it disappears up its own rear end. Financing the expedition is Lady Evelyn Bagley (Joan Sims) and the team are led by the fearless (and lecherous) Bill Boosey (Sid James) and his slow-witted African guide Upsidaisi (Bernard Bresslaw). Also on the expedition is Tinkle's idiotic assistant, Claude Chumley (Kenneth Connor) and June (Jacki Piper), Lady Bagley's beautiful but unappreciated maidservant. The journey does not get off to a good start, with a mad gorilla terrorising the campsite and the travellers' realising they have ventured into the territory of the bloodthirsty "Noshas", a tribe of feared cannibals.
Carry On Again Doctor, 1h26
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Medical-themed films, Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Sid James, Charles Hawtrey, Jim Dale, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor
Roles Gladstone Screwer
Rating61% 3.0999453.0999453.0999453.0999453.099945
A disgraced doctor is sent to a remote clinic on an inhospitable tropical island where he learns of a native slimming potion. He flies back to England to cash in on the potion, soon finding success running a lavish slimming clinic. However his former professional rivals who had been instrumental in sending him away in the first place now want a slice of the profits, as does the real discoverer of the slimming potion.
Carry On Camping, 1h28
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Sid James, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Terry Scott, Hattie Jacques
Roles Sid Boggle
Rating65% 3.299443.299443.299443.299443.29944
Sid Boggle (Sid James) and his friend Bernie Lugg (Bernard Bresslaw) are partners in a plumbing business. They take their girlfriends, the prudish Joan Fussey (Joan Sims) and meek Anthea Meeks (Dilys Laye), to the cinema to see the film Paradise about a nudist camp. Sid has the idea of the foursome holidaying there, reasoning that in the environment their heretofore chaste girlfriends will relax their strict moral standards. Sid easily gains Bernie's co-operation in the scheme, which they bravely attempt to keep secret from the girls. This scene is usually cut drastically in most modern showings, with the Cinema being shown and the part after the film (when Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw are both carrying ice-lollies) and the actual film itself removed completely.
Carry On Up the Khyber, 1h28
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy, Adventure
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films, Political films
Actors Sid James, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Williams, Roy Castle, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims
Roles Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond
Rating67% 3.3971553.3971553.3971553.3971553.397155
Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond (Sid James) is Queen Victoria's Governor in the British India province of Khalabar near the Khyber Pass. The province is defended by the feared 3rd Foot and Mouth Regiment (The Devils in Skirts), who are said to not wear anything under their kilts. When Private Widdle (Charles Hawtrey) is found wearing underpants after an encounter with the warlord Bungdit Din (Bernard Bresslaw), chief of the warlike Burpa tribe, the Khasi of Khalabar (Kenneth Williams) plans to use this information to incite an anti-British rebellion. He aims to dispel the "tough" image of the Devils in Skirts by revealing that contrary to popular belief, they do indeed wear underpants under their kilts.
Carry On Doctor, 1h34
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Medical-themed films, Films about sexuality, Erotic films
Actors Frankie Howerd, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Jim Dale, Barbara Windsor
Roles Charlie Roper
Rating64% 3.249593.249593.249593.249593.24959
Francis Bigger (Howerd) is a charlatan faith healer, convinced that "mind over matter" is more effective than medical treatment. During a lecture, he stumbles offstage and is admitted to the local hospital. In hospital, he incessantly groans and whines about being "maltreated", demanding better treatment than the other, eccentric patients. These include: bedridden layabout Charlie Roper (James) who shams illnesses to stay in hospital; Ken Biddle (Bresslaw) who makes frequent trips to the ladies' ward to flirt with his love interest, Mavis Winkle (Dilys Laye); and Mr Barron (Hawtrey) who seems to be suffering sympathy pains while his wife awaits the birth of their baby. While being treated, Bigger meets two very different doctors. Clumsy yet charming Dr Kilmore (Dale) is popular with the patients and loved from afar by the beautiful Nurse Clark (Harris) while hospital registrar Dr Tinkle (Kenneth Williams) is universally detested, as is his battleaxe Matron (Jacques), who harbours an unrequited love for him.
Carry On Don't Lose Your Head, 1h30
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about sexuality, Erotic films, Political films, French Revolution films
Actors Sid James, Jim Dale, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Dany Robin
Roles Sir Rodney Ffing
Rating64% 3.2494053.2494053.2494053.2494053.249405
It is the time of the French Revolution, and two bored English noblemen, Sir Rodney Ffing (pronounced "Effing") and his best friend Lord Darcy Pue (played by Sid James and Jim Dale respectively), decide to have some fun and save their French counterparts from beheading by the guillotine.