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Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Williams is one of the most recognisable faces of British omedy; he is arguably the most recognisable voice of comedy in his era.
Born Kenneth Charles Williams 22 February 1926 in Kings Cross London he had an undistiguished education but was a voracious reader with an excellent memory going to work age 14 he joined the army at 18 and had his first taste of stage life there with the combined servide entertainers.
He came back to one of the roles he's best remembered for appearing in the radio series of Hancock's Half Hour, where his "Stop messin' about" catch phrase was a big hit in the early shows but over time he found his appearances reduced and the left the show having fallen out with Tony Hancock with whom he had been good friends.
His work in radio continued with regular appearances in Beyond our Ken and it's follow up 'Round the Horne
He also appeared in plays such as Bamber Gascoines Share My Lettace with Fennella Fielding.
His most famous roles however where in the Carry On Series of films, he appeared in over 20 of the films from Carry On Sergeant to the last of the "old school" Carry Ons Carry On Emmannuelle . his line "Infamy, infamy they've all got it in for me" from Carry On Cleo was voted the best film one liner by comedians and screenwriters.
He continued to work in TV and radio, appearing on talk shows and panel games he also voiced the animated series Willo the Wisp ( The Complete Willo The Wisp) a spin off from a British Gas advert that he famously claimed he was paid more for doing than he earned for the entire Carry on series.
Before his death he published an A-Z of caustic humour and anecdotes called Acid Drops; however; it was after his death when his diaries where published that he hitthe headlines in controversial style for his caustic barbs at his fellow actors as well as his homosexuality and self loathing.
Since his death several plays and tv shows on his life have been made Fantabulosa! - The Kenneth Williams Story is one of the few to have made it to disk
What members say |
Filmography
Kenneth Williams - what members say
review by from LEYLAND
26 November 2003
review by from Manchester
Magic 14 November 2005
review by williamsgwynfa from gwaenysgor in flintshire
brilliant...... 28 October 2006
Kenneth Williams - filmography
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The Complete Willo The Wisp
on DVD
(2000)
Starring: Kenneth Williams
Certificate: 
This collection includes every episode of the classic BBC children's series. Follow Willo the Wisp, Evil Edna, Mavis Cruet, Arthur, Moog, Carwash, and the entire cast of wacky characters on many wild adventures. Episodes include: The Bridegroom, Edna's Secret, The Dragon, The Magnet, Wugged Wocks, ..read more »
 
69%
from 717 members
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The Hound Of The Baskervilles
(1977)
Starring: Dudley Moore, Peter Cook, Denholm Elliott
Director: Paul Morrissey
Certificate: 
Peter Cook and Dudley Moore are Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, respectively, in this Paul Morrissey parodic interpretation of the literary (and quite literate) detective. Aided by a cast of British comedy luminaries, such as Kenneth Williams and Terry-Thomas, Cook and Moore present silly ..read more »
53%
from 404 members
Not currently released
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That's Carry On
on DVD
(1977)
Starring: Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor, Eric Barker
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor celebrate 20 years of the Carry On films by introducing a selection of some of the funniest moments. From the original CARRY ON SERGEANT up to CARRY ON BEHIND, it's non-stop laughs all the way!
59%
from 624 members
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Carry On Behind
on DVD
(1975)
Starring: Elke Sommer, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
The uproariously funny CARRY ON series continues in this installment in which an archeological dig becomes a giant mishap. While sharing the digging site with a group of holiday caravaners, the archeologists engage in an abundance of comical adventures.
63%
from 1,701 member
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Carry On Dick
on DVD
(1974)
Starring: Sid James, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
In CARRY ON DICK, infamous outlaw Dick Turpin (otherwise known as "Big Dick") terrorises the land, running rings around the authorities. Consequently, dimwits Captain Desmond Fancey, Sir Roger Daley, and Sergeant Jock Strapp launch a hilarious attempt at bringing this criminal to justice.
64%
from 1,711 member
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Carry On Abroad
on DVD
(1972)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
The Carry On team again manage to find themselves in another farcical situation. This time, Sid James, Bernard Bresslaw and Barbara Windsor and the gang go on holiday to Spain only to find their hotel unfinished and practically unstaffed. It's particularly memorable for the several instances that ..read more »
67%
from 2,004 members
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Carry On Matron
on DVD
(1972)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
In this episode of the popular comedy series, a con-man coerces his son into donning a nurse's uniform and sneaking into a hospital in order to steal birth-control pills. This throws the staff, including neurotic surgeon Bernard Cutting (Kenneth Williams) and the strange psychiatrist Dr. F.A. Goode ..read more »
66%
from 1,837 member
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Carry On Henry
on DVD
(1971)
Starring: Sid James, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
CARRY ON HENRY is the Carry On team's somewhat liberal take on the story of Henry VIII. Feathers fly in the royal court when Henry takes a liking to Bettina (Barbara Windsor) much to the annoyance of Queen Marie (Joan Sims).
65%
from 1,598 member
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Carry On At Your Convenience
on DVD
(1971)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
The bawdy Carry On troupe star in this tale of a toiletware manufacturer trying to cope with a workers' strike. Even an exciting works outing to Brighton can't appease the shopfloor and soon only the factory owner Boggs and a handful of staff are left to hold the fort.
68%
from 1,794 member
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Carry On Again Doctor
on DVD
(1969)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
In CARRY ON AGAIN DOCTOR, the Carry crew has taken over the Long Hampton Hospital, and malpractice abounds. Join Doctors Stoppidge and Nookey, surgeon Frederick Carver, and orderly Gladstone Screwer for a strong dose of silliness.
67%
from 1,707 member
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Carry On Up The Khyber
on DVD
(1968)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
Set in colonial British India in 1895, CARRY ON UP THE KHYBER is one of the very best films in the Carry On series. With the Khasi of Kalabar leading the natives in a revolt against the British, the cosy life of Sir Sidney Ruff Diamond looks set to come to a bloody end. Will the 3rd Foot and Mouth ..read more »
64%
from 4,057 members
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Carry On Camping
on DVD
(1968)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
The Carry On boys try to spice up their girlfriends by taking them on an outdoor vacation... at a nudist camp. Temptation is placed in front them with the arrival of Dr. Soaper and the young girls from the Chayste Place Finishing School. Soon the campsite is the scene of the usual Carry On chaos.
70%
from 2,150 members
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Carry On Doctor
on DVD
(1967)
Starring: Frankie Howerd, Sid James, Kenneth Williams
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
A certain hospital, bordering on mental institution, is headed up by the slightly crazy medical team of Dr. Kilmore and Dr. Tinkle. Their abnormal patients and love-starved nurses make for a prescription of laughter as the best medicine in this British production.
68%
from 1,791 member
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Carry On Follow That Camel
on DVD
(1967)
Starring: Phil Silvers, Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
A slight diversion into the desert for the Carry On team this as the starring role goes to the legendary American Phil Silvers who plays (in what's practically a reprise of his Bilko role) an officer in the Foreign Legion who finds himself in charge of an Englishman (Jim Dale) who has joined to ..read more »
65%
from 1,451 member
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Carry On Don't Lose Your Head
on DVD
(1967)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
CARRY ON DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD is one of the best films in the series in which a foppish Englishman, Sir Rodney Ffing (Sid James) and his partner Lord Darcy (Jim Dale) go undercover as 'The Black Fingernail' to rescue French aristocrats. Hoe on their heels are Citizen Bidet and and Citizen Camembert ..read more »
68%
from 1,850 member
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Carry on Cowboy
on DVD
(1965)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
In CARRY ON COWBOY, a group of lewd and comic characters take the viewer on a hilarious romp through the saloon bars (and bedrooms) of Stodge City in the Old West. The film stars Sid James as the Rumpo Kid; Joan Sims as the luscious Mae West character Belle ("Ding Dong!") and Angela DOUGLAS as ..read more »
63%
from 1,650 member
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Carry On Cleo
on DVD
(1965)
Starring: Joan Sims, Sid James, Kenneth Williams
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
This jocular spoof of Shakespeare's ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA is filled with numerous puns, plots, and double-meanings. Ancient history was never so much fun. The film stars Amanda Barrie, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, and other Carry On regulars.
68%
from 2,080 members
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Carry On Spying
on DVD
(1964)
Starring: Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor, Charles Hawtrey
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
In CARRY ON SPYING, when a top-secret formula is stolen by STENCH (the Society for the Total Extinction of Non-Conforming Humans), Agent Simpkins (Kenneth Williams) and his gadget-toting crew embark on a hilarious mission to foil the bad guys.
64%
from 1,662 member
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Carry on Jack
on DVD
(1963)
Starring: Kenneth Williams, Bernard Cribbins, Juliet Mills
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
This time around, the Carry On crew embark on a pirate adventure. Buckles are swashed, and poop decks are scrubbed in this wacky outing. The film features Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, and other Carry On regulars.
63%
from 1,316 member
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Carry On Cruising
on DVD
(1962)
Starring: Kenneth Connor, Liz Fraser, Esma Cannon
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
The captain (Sidney James) of a large cruise ship, the S.S. Happy Wanderer, discovers that his able crew has been replaced by totally inexperienced men--the Carry On bunch. High seas hijinks ensue...
65%
from 1,672 member
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Carry On Regardless
on DVD
(1961)
Starring: Sid James, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
This CARRY ON film features the bumbling workers at the Helping Hands agency--odd people who are capable of botching any task. The cast includes Sid James, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, and Kenneth Williams.
64%
from 1,522 member
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His and Hers
(1961)
Starring: Terry-Thomas, Janette Scott, Wilfrid Hyde-White
Director: Brian Desmond Hurst
Certificate:
Thomas stars as Reggie Blake, a novelist who literally lives his stories before then putting pen to paper to retell the crazy adventures that his editor sends him on. After returning from one such experience in the desert a changed man, Blake finds his wife is less than overjoyed with his ..read more »
17%
from 4 members
Currently unavailable
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Hancock's Half Hour - Vol. 4
(2 discs)
on DVD
(1960)
Starring: Tony Hancock, Hattie Jacques, Sid James
Certificate:
Featuring every episode from the sixth series of Hancock's Half Hour, broadcast from March - May 1960. These episodes comprised the last Half Hour series and would be the last to star Tony Hancock's long-time comedy partner, Sid James.
76%
from 528 members
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Make Mine Mink
on DVD
(1960)
Starring: Terry-Thomas, Alastair Sim, hattie Jacques
Director: Robert Hamer, Robert Asher, John Boulting
Certificate:
Watch now: Included in all packages with LOVEFiLM Instant
When Dame Beatrice (Athene Syler) retires from charitable work, she finds her life rather empty. Suddenly an irresistible request to help unfortunate orphans comes along, and inspired by her maid's chequered past, takes on one final charitable challenge. An incident with a neighbours mink coat ..read more »
66%
from 598 members
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Carry On Teacher
on DVD
(1959)
Starring: Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor, hattie Jacques
Director: Gerald Thomas
Certificate:
In CARRY ON TEACHER, chaos rules at school. When an exhausted headmaster attempts to leave, the students decide to tarnish his reputation. The perennially funny cast includes Kenneth Connor, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, and Charles Hawtrey.
65%
from 1,675 member
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Hancock's Half Hour - Vol. 1
on DVD
(1957)
Starring: Tony Hancock, Dick Emery, Sid James
Director: Duncan Wood
Certificate:
Tony Hancock has been voted Britain's best ever comedy performer thirty-five years after his premature death in 1968. Contains the remaining episodes from Series 2 and Series 3 plus a Christmas Special. Episodes from Series 2: 'The Alpine Holiday'. Episodes from Series 3: 'Air Steward Hancock, The ..read more »
71%
from 1,261 member
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The Seekers
on DVD
(1954)
Starring: Jack Hawkins, Glynis Johns, Noel Purcell
Director: Ken Annakin
Certificate: 
Famous for being the first ever colour film to be made in New Zealand, this Rank 1954 feature is overflowing with beautiful scenery, colour and set pieces. It is 1821 and adventuring seafarer Philip Wayne (Jack Hawkins) and Paddy Clarke (Noel Purcell) have set ashore to explore the Bay of Plenty. ..read more »
46%
from 16 members
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Kenneth Williams - British Comedy Heroes
on DVD
Starring: Kenneth Williams
Certificate: 
This hilarious programme compiles some of comic genius Kenneth Williams' most memorable moments. Also includes candid interviews with the likes of Barbara Windsor, Jack Douglas, Patsy Rowlands, Michael Anderson and Barry Took.
60%
from 22 members
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Kenneth Williams facts
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...rformances from the Carry On favourites, Charles Hawtrey with stew on his head, Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques in the shower, Barbara Windsor with the famour pop off bikin...
