Jack Douglas (actor) - Revision history

Kurt at 17:06, 10 January 2023

2023-01-10T17:06:26Z

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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Jack Douglas		\| name = Jack Douglas
	\| image = Jack Douglas ~~1973~~.jpg		\| image = Jack Douglas (actor).jpg
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton		\| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1927\|04\|26\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1927\|04\|26\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Newcastle upon Tyne\|Newcastle upon Tyne]], England
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|2008\|12\|18\|1927\|04\|26\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|2008\|12\|18\|1927\|04\|26\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[Isle of Wight]], England		\| death_place = [[w:Isle of Wight\|Isle of Wight]], England
	\| othername =		\| othername =
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor

Kurt at 17:04, 10 January 2023

2023-01-10T17:04:36Z

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	{{Short description\|English actor (1927–2008)}}		{{Short description\|English actor (1927–2008)}}
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2015}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=June 2015}}~~
	~~{{Refimprove\|date=December 2008}}~~
	~~{{tone\|date=February 2021}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Jack Douglas		\| name = Jack Douglas
	\| image = Jack Douglas 1973.jpg		\| image = Jack Douglas 1973.jpg
	\| caption = ~~In ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973)~~		\| caption =
	\| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton		\| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1927\|04\|26\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1927\|04\|26\|df=yes}}

Kurt: /* External links */

2023-01-10T16:57:54Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:57, 10 January 2023
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	* {{IMDb name\|0235088\|Jack Douglas}}		* {{IMDb name\|0235088\|Jack Douglas}}
	* [http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/3987735.Carry_On_actor_dies/ Story of Jack Douglas' death]		* [http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/3987735.Carry_On_actor_dies/ Story of Jack Douglas' death]

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Douglas, Jack}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Douglas, Jack}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-12-30T22:44:13Z

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51.6.176.189: /* Career */

2022-12-28T10:49:53Z

Career

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:49, 28 December 2022
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2015}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2015}}
	{{Use British English\|date=June 2015}}		{{Use British English\|date=June 2015}}
			{{Refimprove\|date=December 2008}}
			{{tone\|date=February 2021}}
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Jack Douglas		\| name = Jack Douglas
	\| image = Jack Douglas.jpg		\| image = Jack Douglas 1973.jpg
	\| caption = In ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973)		\| caption = In ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973)
	\| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton		\| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton
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	Douglas and Baker spent ten years touring the world, playing in Australia, New Zealand, and [[Union of South Africa\|South Africa]], amongst other places. Coming back to Britain, they did a season at a [[Butlins]] holiday camp and not liking the food served there, Douglas cooked in their chalet (which was forbidden) for both of them and a guest. One evening, [[Billy Butlin]] knocked on the door and asked if they had enough for four. They did, and he ate with them.		Douglas and Baker spent ten years touring the world, playing in Australia, New Zealand, and [[Union of South Africa\|South Africa]], amongst other places. Coming back to Britain, they did a season at a [[Butlins]] holiday camp and not liking the food served there, Douglas cooked in their chalet (which was forbidden) for both of them and a guest. One evening, [[Billy Butlin]] knocked on the door and asked if they had enough for four. They did, and he ate with them.

	From there they went to the [[BBC]] to begin the popular children's TV show ''[[Crackerjack (TV series)\|Crackerjack]]'', with [[Eamonn Andrews]] as host. They found themselves working on it from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm each day; their agent ~~fit~~ in another two jobs, so that the pair made £100 a week.		From there they went to the [[BBC]] to begin the popular children's TV show ''[[Crackerjack (TV series)\|Crackerjack]]'', with [[Eamonn Andrews]] as host. They found themselves working on it from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm each day; their agent fitted in another two jobs, so that the pair made £100 a week.

	Following this, they moved on to the [[Windmill Theatre]] and later at the [[Glasgow Empire Theatre\|Glasgow Empire]], where they found they could get laughs by merely putting on American accents (English actors "died" there). After that, Joe Baker went to America to try his luck there. On his own for the first time in so many years, Douglas told his agent, [[Leslie Grade]], that he wanted to be a comedian. Grade told him no chance as he did not have a funny face, so Douglas left show business and as he loved cooking, he opened up a restaurant in [[Blackpool]]. It turned out to be too successful and he found he personally had nothing to do there, the staff doing everything.		Following this, they moved on to the [[Windmill Theatre]] and later at the [[Glasgow Empire Theatre\|Glasgow Empire]], where they found they could get laughs by merely putting on American accents (English actors "died" there). After that, Joe Baker went to America to try his luck there. On his own for the first time in so many years, Douglas told his agent, [[Leslie Grade]], that he wanted to be a comedian. Grade told him no chance as he did not have a funny face, so Douglas left show business and as he loved cooking, he opened up a restaurant in [[Blackpool]]. It turned out to be too successful and he found he personally had nothing to do there, the staff doing everything.
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	===''Carry On''===		===''Carry On''===
	His agent later phoned him and said he had a part in a ''Carry On'' film, but the bad news was that he would not be paid ([[Peter Rogers]], it was said, would give his actors anything but money). He accepted the small part; in return, a black Rolls Royce pulled up outside his house one morning, bringing a box from Peter Rogers. It contained a dozen bottles of [[Dom Pérignon]] champagne, as his payment for the film.		His agent later phoned him and said he had a part in a ''Carry On'' film, but the bad news was that he would not be paid ([[Peter Rogers]], it was said, would give his actors anything but money). He accepted the small part; in return, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up outside his house one morning, bringing a box from Peter Rogers. It contained a dozen bottles of [[Dom Pérignon]] champagne, as his payment for the film.

	Douglas appeared in the last seven ''Carry On'' films of the original series—''[[Carry On Matron]]'', ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'', ''[[Carry On Girls]]'', ''[[Carry On Dick]]'', ''[[Carry On Behind]]'', ''[[Carry On England]]'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]''. His ''Carry On'' roles progressed from a cameo with one line of dialogue in ''Matron'' to a slightly larger but still inconspicuous cameo appearance in ''Abroad'', after which he appeared in increasingly larger supporting roles, and ultimately a leading role in ''Emmanuelle''. During this period he also appeared in the ''Carry on Christmas'' specials in [[Carry On Christmas Specials#Carry on Christmas (or Carry On Stuffing) (1972)\|1972]], and [[Carry On Christmas Specials#Carry on Christmas (1973)\|1973]] and the ''[[Carry On Laughing]]'' television series. He appeared in the revival film ''[[Carry On Columbus]]'' (1992).		Douglas appeared in the last seven ''Carry On'' films of the original series—''[[Carry On Matron]]'', ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'', ''[[Carry On Girls]]'', ''[[Carry On Dick]]'', ''[[Carry On Behind]]'', ''[[Carry On England]]'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]''. His ''Carry On'' roles progressed from a cameo with one line of dialogue in ''Matron'' to a slightly larger but still inconspicuous cameo appearance in ''Abroad'', after which he appeared in increasingly larger supporting roles, and ultimately a leading role in ''Emmanuelle''. During this period he also appeared in the ''Carry on Christmas'' specials in [[Carry On Christmas Specials#Carry on Christmas (or Carry On Stuffing) (1972)\|1972]], and [[Carry On Christmas Specials#Carry on Christmas (1973)\|1973]] and the ''[[Carry On Laughing]]'' television series. He appeared in the revival film ''[[Carry On Columbus]]'' (1992).

Kurt at 17:34, 18 September 2022

2022-09-18T17:34:47Z

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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2015}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2015}}
	{{Use British English\|date=June 2015}}		{{Use British English\|date=June 2015}}
	~~{{Refimprove\|date=December 2008}}~~
	~~{{tone\|date=February 2021}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Jack Douglas		\| name = Jack Douglas
	\| image = Jack Douglas ~~1973~~.jpg		\| image = Jack Douglas.jpg
	\| caption = In ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973)		\| caption = In ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973)
	\| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton		\| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton

Kurt: 1 revision imported

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en>Escmix at 00:44, 21 July 2022

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New page

{{Short description|English actor (1927–2008)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2008}}
{{tone|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jack Douglas
| image = Jack Douglas 1973.jpg
| caption = In ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973)
| birth_name = John Douglas Roberton
| birth_date = {{birth date|1927|04|26|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2008|12|18|1927|04|26|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Isle of Wight]], England
| othername =
| occupation = Actor
| yearsactive = 1961–1992
| spouse =
| children = 2
| website =
| awards =
}}
'''John Douglas Roberton''' (26 April 1927 – 18 December 2008<ref name="BBCN1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7789813.stm|title=Carry On star Jack Douglas dies|date=2008-12-18|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=2008-12-18}}</ref>) was an [[England|English]] [[actor]] best known for his portrayals in the [[Carry On (franchise)|''Carry On'']] films.

== Early life ==
Douglas was born in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], into a theatrical family; his father was a theatre producer and his brother, Bill Roberton, became a theatre director.<ref name="BETimes">{{cite news|url=http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/blog/paulburton/3988783.Jack_Douglas__1927___2008/|title=Jack Douglas: 1927–2008|last=Burton|first=Paul|date=2008-12-18|work=Borehamwood & Elstree Times|publisher=Newsquest Media Group |access-date=2008-12-18}}</ref> His mother was so keen that he be a [[Geordie]] that, according to Douglas, although they had settled in London, {{quote|"she jumped on a train and came to Newcastle. I was born in my grandfather’s house near the [[Swing Bridge, River Tyne|Swing Bridge]]. She did the same with my brother."<ref>{{cite news | work = [[Evening Chronicle]] | last = Hutchinson | first = Lisa | date = 19 December 2008 | title = Farewell to a Geordie-born Carry On favourite | url = http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2008/12/19/farewell-to-a-geordie-born-carry-on-favourite-72703-22512534/ | access-date = 2011-01-14 }}</ref>}}

He spent his early years on a farm in [[Meriden, West Midlands|Meriden]].<ref>Carry On Dick Special Edition DVD – Jack Douglas, Audio Commentary, 12 February 2003, [[Carlton Television]]</ref> The family later moved to [[Blackpool]] to get away from the bombing in the [[World War II|Second World War]].

== Career==
Jack wanted to work in theatre, but his father forbade him, so he left home at the age of 14. He was then hired as an "Opposite Prompt Lime Boy" for £1.5s a week at Feldman's Theatre.

His father found out where he was working and asked the theatre to give his son all of the dirty jobs to try and discourage him, but Jack did them all without complaint. On his fifteenth birthday, his father gave him a script for a Cinderella [[pantomime]], which he was to direct. Having seen his father direct three or four pantomimes, Jack knew what to do, and did 22 weeks at the [[Sunderland Empire Theatre|Empire Theatre]], Sunderland.

Later, he was to direct a show at the [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]] Empire, only to have a lead actor taken to hospital with a heart attack on the opening night before the show started. Joe Baker, who was also playing a lead role, suggested Douglas take over the role as he was the only other person who knew the lines. A top agent in the audience that night was so impressed that he visited Douglas and Baker after the show; he was surprised to learn that they had only been a double act for two hours and thirty-five minutes, and immediately signed them up as such.

Douglas and Baker spent ten years touring the world, playing in Australia, New Zealand, and [[Union of South Africa|South Africa]], amongst other places. Coming back to Britain, they did a season at a [[Butlins]] holiday camp and not liking the food served there, Douglas cooked in their chalet (which was forbidden) for both of them and a guest. One evening, [[Billy Butlin]] knocked on the door and asked if they had enough for four. They did, and he ate with them.

From there they went to the [[BBC]] to begin the popular children's TV show ''[[Crackerjack (TV series)|Crackerjack]]'', with [[Eamonn Andrews]] as host. They found themselves working on it from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm each day; their agent fit in another two jobs, so that the pair made £100 a week.

Following this, they moved on to the [[Windmill Theatre]] and later at the [[Glasgow Empire Theatre|Glasgow Empire]], where they found they could get laughs by merely putting on American accents (English actors "died" there). After that, Joe Baker went to America to try his luck there. On his own for the first time in so many years, Douglas told his agent, [[Leslie Grade]], that he wanted to be a comedian. Grade told him no chance as he did not have a funny face, so Douglas left show business and as he loved cooking, he opened up a restaurant in [[Blackpool]]. It turned out to be too successful and he found he personally had nothing to do there, the staff doing everything.

One night, he got a call as he was going up to his flat above the restaurant; it was [[Des O'Connor]], who had a contract with [[Associated Television|ATV]] for 13 shows, and he wanted Douglas to star with him. He readily agreed, and O'Connor pretty much let him do what he liked. They did a Royal Variety Show together, O'Connor insisting to [[Bernard Delfont]] that Douglas went with him, as he later insisted that after the show, they meet the [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Mother]] together, or O'Connor would not do so himself.

He worked with O'Connor for several years and in the theatre, developing a nervous character "Alf Ippititimus", notable for his "phwaay!" catchphrase and his apparent muscular tics. "Alf" was created one night at Butlins in [[Clacton]], when Douglas's co-star, Joe Baker failed to appear having been locked out of the theatre, and Douglas began to improvise based on a band leader he knew.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2008/12/18/carry-on-comedy-legend-jack-douglas-dies-72703-22506108/ | title = Carry On comedy legend Jack Douglas dies | work = [[Evening Chronicle]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] | date = 18 December 2008 | access-date = 2008-12-18}}</ref>

===''Carry On''===
His agent later phoned him and said he had a part in a ''Carry On'' film, but the bad news was that he would not be paid ([[Peter Rogers]], it was said, would give his actors anything but money). He accepted the small part; in return, a black Rolls Royce pulled up outside his house one morning, bringing a box from Peter Rogers. It contained a dozen bottles of [[Dom Pérignon]] champagne, as his payment for the film.

Douglas appeared in the last seven ''Carry On'' films of the original series—''[[Carry On Matron]]'', ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'', ''[[Carry On Girls]]'', ''[[Carry On Dick]]'', ''[[Carry On Behind]]'', ''[[Carry On England]]'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]''. His ''Carry On'' roles progressed from a cameo with one line of dialogue in ''Matron'' to a slightly larger but still inconspicuous cameo appearance in ''Abroad'', after which he appeared in increasingly larger supporting roles, and ultimately a leading role in ''Emmanuelle''. During this period he also appeared in the ''Carry on Christmas'' specials in [[Carry On Christmas Specials#Carry on Christmas (or Carry On Stuffing) (1972)|1972]], and [[Carry On Christmas Specials#Carry on Christmas (1973)|1973]] and the ''[[Carry On Laughing]]'' television series. He appeared in the revival film ''[[Carry On Columbus]]'' (1992).

After the ''Carry On'' films, the cast with Douglas went to the [[Victoria Palace Theatre]] where they played to packed houses for the next 12 months in the stage show ''Carry On London''.

In 1978, he released a novelty record called "Don't Forget The Beer, Dear", written by [[Gordon Haskell]] and produced by [[Sally Smith (actress)|Sally Smith]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jack Douglas - Don't Forget The Beer, Dear / The Douglas Walk (1978) - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDK9v2qu2bk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/cDK9v2qu2bk |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-03|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

He also guest-starred in ''[[The Goodies (TV series)|The Goodies]]'' episode "[[Goodies in the Nick]]" and appeared in ''The Shillingbury Blowers'' and its associated series ''[[Shillingbury Tales]]'' in the early 1980s.

==Later life and death==
In December 2001, he appeared on the BBC radio show ''That Reminds Me'' (Series 3, episode 4, repeated 27 May 2014 on BBC Radio 4 Extra) where he talked about his life.

On 26 April 2007, Douglas celebrated his 80th birthday. There was a special celebration arranged at [[Pinewood Studios]], to coincide with his anniversary, which was attended by his family and friends. These included actors that Douglas had worked with; amongst them were [[Fenella Fielding]], [[Jacki Piper]], [[Lance Percival]] and [[Valerie Leon]].

After a period of ill health, Douglas died from pneumonia on the [[Isle of Wight]] on 18 December 2008, at the age of 81.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3832109/Carry-On-actor-Jack-Douglas-dies-aged-81.html|title = Carry On actor Jack Douglas dies aged 81|work = [[The Daily Telegraph]]|date = 18 December 2008|accessdate = 10 March 2022|url-access = subscription}}</ref>

==Filmography==
* ''[[Nearly a Nasty Accident]]'' (1961) - Balmer
* ''[[Carry On Matron]]'' (1972) - Twitching Father
* ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'' (1972) - Harry
* ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973) - William
* ''[[Carry On Dick]]'' (1974) - Sergeant Jock Strapp
* ''[[Carry On Behind]]'' (1975) - Ernie Bragg
* ''[[Carry On England]]'' (1976) - Bombardier Ready
* ''[[What's Up Nurse!]]'' (1977) - Constable
* ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'' (1978) - Lyons
* ''[[Shillingbury Tales|The Shillingbury Blowers]]'' (1980) - Jake
* ''[[Bloody Kids]]'' (1980) - Senior Police Officer
* ''[[The Boys in Blue]]'' (1982) - Chief Superintendent
* ''[[Norbert Smith – a Life]]'' (1989) - Greenham guard
* ''[[Carry On Columbus]]'' (1992) - Marco the Cereal Killer (final film role)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Other sources==
* ''That Reminds Me'', a December 2001 BBC radio show in which Douglas talked of his life in show business

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0235088|Jack Douglas}}
* [http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/3987735.Carry_On_actor_dies/ Story of Jack Douglas' death]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Douglas, Jack}}
[[Category:1927 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century English male actors]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in England]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]
[[Category:Actors from County Durham]]