In a less able actor, this could have been truly awful, but he gives such pathos and depth to williams that its a riveting character study. A portrait of a fastidious performer who hankered after recognition. A witty, bright drama adapted from kenneth williamss diaries. Kenneths father, charlie, owned a hairdressers and, kenneths mother, louisa, worked. Jan 25, 20 the british comic actor kenneth williams is one of his more outlandish impersonations. Kenneth williams was a popular british comedian who was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 carry on films, and appeared in numerous tv shows and radio comedies he was interested in theatre as a boy, but was discouraged from pursuing it by his working class parents. She later claimed she remembered this, because it was early closing day and her husband had the afternoon off. Based on the diaries of kenneth williams, star of the carry ons and round the horne, the film chronicals his life of mental torture as he tried to overcome his homosexuality in 1950s britain. Biopic starring michael sheen as carry on star kenneth williams.
Fantabulosa kenneth williams was the star of the carry ons and round the horne. Frostnixon, a role he revisited in the 2008 film adaptation of the play. Until the kenneth williams show arrived on bbc one in. Kenneth williams craved fame throughout his career but was never comfortable with his own identity. Enjoy a rich lineup of tv shows and movies included with your prime membership. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing kenneth williams. At loggerheads with his homophobic father over his career kenny fulfils his dream of becoming a classical actor but is spun off into comedy,allowing full rein to his crowdpleasing array of funny voices. Kenneth horne, betty marsden, hugh paddick, bill pertwee, kenneth williams beyond our ken 3 versions. Honest vulgarity is the central tradition of english humour kenneth williamskenneth charles williams was born at st pancras hospital, london on february 22nd 1926. This is the first, and only, definitive book on the career of kenneth williams. These shows from the pretelevision age include adventure, comedies, mystery shows, western dramas and shows from world war ii.
Michael kenneth williams biography and filmography. Kenneth williams fantabulosa biopic drama on british comedian and actor kenneth. In film he was the most memorable feature other than barbara windsors cleavage of the carry on movies. Tony hancock with sid james and hattie jacques and bill kerr and kenneth williams. Kenny will certainly be remembered best for his 26 appearances in the 31 carry on movies. With michael sheen, cheryl campbell, peter wight, beatie edney. Kenneth charles williams 22 february 1926 15 april 1988 was an english actor, best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist. We found subtitles for the program kenneth williams. Michael sheen is so amazingly like kenneth williams that its a surprise to see a photo of the real kenneth williams at the end of the film. Martyn hesfords comedydrama about the life and times of.
Kenneth williams was an english stage, radio and film actor, best known for camp roles in the carry on films. I thought just the sound remained of the recording, but its on youtube in full now. Life during wartime allen 2010 brooklyns finestred 2010 the road the thief 2009 wonderful world ibu 2009. The acting bug bit kenneth williams when, as a student, his english teacher suggested he try out. From the intimacy of his diaries and other sources, martyn hesfords fantabulosa. Williamss low opinion of the critically acclaimed film and its director, david. Mar, 2006 finicky,hygieneobsessed comic actor kenneth williams,living in a flat block with mutually adoring mother louie,looks back on his life. Lyrics to song of the australian outlaw by kenneth williams.
Adapted from williamss diaries, this witty drama starring michael sheen is a. Phil silvers, kenneth williams, jim dale, charles hawtrey, joan sims, angela douglas, peter butterworth, bernard bresslaw, anita harris. Kenneth williams was the comic star of the carry on films and round the horne. This film follows his life and eventual death based on the many diaries he kept. Jimmy reid v kenneth williams 1973 betfair community chit. Polari has been the secret language of gay men and women through the twentieth century. Kenneth williams the world of kenneth williams 1970. Michael sheen plays the outrageous carry on actor in this muchacclaimed drama fantabulosa. Jun 07, 2017 a witty, bright drama adapted from kenneth williamss diaries.
According to his mother, he was born at twothirty in the afternoon. I have never seen a carry on film so had very little context for who kenneth williams was, but i was drawn into the story through the nuance of sheens performance. Shop for vinyl, cds and more from kenneth williams at the discogs marketplace. Kenneth williams was born today in bingfield street, london, just off the caledonian road, on the 22nd of february 1926. Kenneth williams biography childhood, life achievements. He brings the flamboyant purveyor of funny voices and sissy shtick, an actor most famous for his work in the leering, lowbrow carry on comedies of the 50s70s. Hand up your sticks kenneth williams with peter brett a2. Living with someone always means a denial of self in some way and i suppose i have always known it was something i couldnt accomplish. This project is the film version of the passion play that was performed throughout port talbot in easter 2011. Extracts from pieces of eight and one over the eight kenneth williams with lance percival a1. Kenneth williams a very funny, but erudite man had been on parkinson some time earlier with maggie smith and sir john betjamin and had been criticising the unions.
Kenneth williams 12 classic quotes as british library. In the 14th carry on film, a fake legionnaire proves his worth during an attack by the arabs. A celebrated entertainer with infinite comedic abilities, kenneth williams couldnt win over the most important audience in the world. Kenneth charles williams was born on 22 february 1926 in bingfield street, kings cross, london. Martyn hesfords comedydrama about the life and times of tortured comic kenneth williams based on his diaries. Anyway, at the opposite end of the spectrum to mayo ie that in which an apparently fluffy subject is given considerable dramatic heft was bbc4s kenneth williams. He brings the flamboyant purveyor of funny voices and sissy shtick, an actor most famous for his work in the leering, lowbrow carry on comedies of the 50s70s deliciously to life in kenneth williams.
Finicky,hygieneobsessed comic actor kenneth williams,living in a flat block with mutually adoring mother louie,looks back on his life. Michael sheen excels as kenneth williams, the wildly popular british comic and star of the muchloved carry on films. Mar, 2006 enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing kenneth williams. The last to go kenneth williams with peter reeves and valerie walsh. Its a journey inside the mind of one of british radio, television and film s most popular, peculiar and comic performers. Kenneth williams was the star of the carry ons and round the horne. Oct 17, 2007 in film he was the most memorable feature other than barbara windsors cleavage of the carry on movies. A consummate entertainer loved by everyone but himself, williams could create a thousand voices and characters and yet was unable to live comfortably within his. He was also a homosexual who was desperately ashamed of, and unhappy about, his homosexuality and consequently remained celibate. Jimmy reid v kenneth williams 1973 betfair community. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies.
Michael sheen obe won the 2006 royal television society best actor award for his heartbreaking portrayal of kenneth williams, a consummate entertainer who was loved by everyone but himself. Despite his fame, he led a life full of mental torture as he tried to overcome his homosexuality in 1950s britain. Song of the australian outlaw kenneth williams shazam. Rodney dangerfield almost makes carson fall out of his chair laughing duration. Michael sheen plays the outrageous carry on actor in this muchacclaimed drama. Kenneth halliwell, to the actor gordon jackson and his. Michael sheen is superb as kenneth and has a very strong supporting cast. Kenneths inability to share his life with anyone is the mainstay of the film. Drawn from the actors diaries and letter collections, the film recreates the life of a performer who pursued fame and adulation. Michael sheen performed extensive research for the role, watching archive footage and reading books.
Faca parte do filmow e avalie este filme voce tambem. Dec 03, 2015 british library buys kenneth williams diaries. Kenneth williams 12 classic quotes as british library buys tormented funnyman diaries and letters. From the prisons and music halls of edwardian england to kenneth williams, american gis in london and the sisters of perpetual indulgence, polari has been used to laugh, bitch, gossip and cruise. Little women, dolittle and more check out the new releases on dvd and bluray for you to enjoy at home including little. Honest vulgarity is the central tradition of english humour kenneth williams kenneth charles williams was born at st pancras hospital, london on february 22nd 1926. Dec 04, 2015 kenneth williams 12 classic quotes as british library buys tormented funnyman diaries and letters. Kenneth williams 12 classic quotes as british library buys.
The british comic actor kenneth williams is one of his more outlandish impersonations. Otr usually means radio broadcasting from the golden age of radio, mostly before 1964. Mar 18, 2006 anyway, at the opposite end of the spectrum to mayo ie that in which an apparently fluffy subject is given considerable dramatic heft was bbc4s kenneth williams. The story of the carry on films and 40th anniversary reunion, 1998 duration. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 carry on films, and appeared in many british television programmes and radio comedies, including series with tony hancock and kenneth horne. Betty marsden, hugh paddick, bill pertwee, kenneth williams. Cheryl campbell plays williams beloved mother, lou. British library buys kenneth williams diaries culture.
Kenneth charles williams february 22, 1926 kings cross, london, england, uk. Kenneth williams a very funny, but erudite man had been on parkinson some time earlier with maggie smith and sir. British library buys kenneth williams diaries culture the. Cheryl campbell plays williamss mother, lou michael sheen performed extensive research for. The book details all his stage, radio, tv, recordings and film work as a chronology. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central. Until the kenneth williams show arrived on bbc one in 1970, however, his only starring. Stream adfree or purchase cds and mp3s now on amazon.
743 1011 1153 411 630 651 175 1057 199 1155 1049 1120 180 689 566 236 999 826 67 793 948 903 1323 1397 892 92 865 1110 379 1317 608 12 1424