Patsy Rowlands

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Birthday:

19 January 1931, Palmers Green, London, England, UK

Birth Name:

Patricia Amy Rowlands

Height:

163 cm

Born in 1931, she attended a succession of Convent Schools without any sense of direction until a new elocution teacher recognised her potential, and encouraged her to apply for a Guildhall School of Speech and Drama scholarship. She won it when she was just 15, coming top in the whole of England.She spent several years at the Players Theatre in London and was very much part of the new wave which brought a fresh and exciting mood to the stage and screen in the late Tony Richardson and starring Laurence Olivier. It was in Richardson's Tom Jones (1963) that she made her film debut.Patsy Rowlands has carved a niche for herself in 10 "Carry On..." films as the hard-done-by wife or the put-upon employee. She was now one of the last surviving major "Carry On..." stars. Along with the late legendary Joan Sims she was capable of a wide range of roles.Both comedy and straight roles made her a familiar figure to TV viewers, especially her portrayal of Betty, the feckless neighbour in the popular sitcom Bless This House (1971), which starred fellow "Carry On..." Sidney James. In later years she kept herself busy in guest roles in Bottom and playing Mrs Potts in the London stage version of Beauty and the Beast. She frequently made star guest appearances in relation to her "Carry On..." work.In 2003 Patsy made a welcome return to "Carry On...", completing several audio commentaries along with other "Carry On..." stars such as Valerie Leon, Jack Douglas and Jacki Piper for the launch of the Carlton distributed later "Carry On..." DVDs. Show less «

Carry Ons have become a cult because of the way they were done and the people who were in them. We couldn't recapture that sort of spirit th...Show more »

Carry Ons have become a cult because of the way they were done and the people who were in them. We couldn't recapture that sort of spirit these days. [Speaking about the "Carry On... films] Show less «

[In reference to the "Carry On..." Films]"One of the reasons the films are so popular on television is that people love nostalgia. Let's enj...Show more »

[In reference to the "Carry On..." Films]"One of the reasons the films are so popular on television is that people love nostalgia. Let's enjoy watching the old "Carry On..." films - the new ones couldn't possibly be the same." Show less «

[In reference to Carry on at Your Convenience (1971) ] "I walked down this Brighton pier with Sid (Sidney James), Kenny (Kenneth Williams); ...Show more »

[In reference to Carry on at Your Convenience (1971) ] "I walked down this Brighton pier with Sid (Sidney James), Kenny (Kenneth Williams); Charles Hawtrey and Bernard Bresslaw. It was the ultimate picture postcard film." (1998) Show less «

[In reference to Sidney James] "He always looked very dapper whether on the film set or not." (2002)

[In reference to the "Carry On..." Films] "I didn't think any of us realised how much of a cult they would become. I'm really so proud of it...Show more »

[In reference to the "Carry On..." Films] "I didn't think any of us realised how much of a cult they would become. I'm really so proud of it actually, I really am." (2002) Show less «

[In reference to Sidney James and his presence on the "Carry On..." films] "He was like our security blanket." (2003)

[In reference to Carry on Girls (1973) and her work with Kenneth Connor] "He was a dream to work with." (2003)

[In reference to the "Carry On..." films] "The sad thing is that there is nothing like it now, there was nothing nasty or vindictive." (2003...Show more »

[In reference to the "Carry On..." films] "The sad thing is that there is nothing like it now, there was nothing nasty or vindictive." (2003) Show less «

[During filming of Carry on Girls (1973) ] "I remember driving here [Pinewood Studios] in the morning and looking out the window between war...Show more »

[During filming of Carry on Girls (1973) ] "I remember driving here [Pinewood Studios] in the morning and looking out the window between wardrobe department and studio and seeing Tony Curtis. I rushed up to Joan Sims and said look there's Tony Curtis! I forgot about the "Carry On..." at the time and thought I was in Hollywood!" (2003) Show less «

[In reference to the Carry on Henry (1971) ] "I had this speech to start the film, which was supposed to be dramatic but it was cut because ...Show more »

[In reference to the Carry on Henry (1971) ] "I had this speech to start the film, which was supposed to be dramatic but it was cut because Gerald Thomas said it was too dramatic for the Carry On films." Show less «

[on why the "Carry On..." team had perfect humourous timing] "A lot of us were brought up in review, it was all about timing."

[Speaking about Gerald Thomas] "He didn't say a lot, but when he did he was always right. He could hit the nail on the head everytime."

[Speaking about Carry on at Your Convenience (1971) ] "Is the picture postcard come to life, because of the atmosphere of the film, it could...Show more »

[Speaking about Carry on at Your Convenience (1971) ] "Is the picture postcard come to life, because of the atmosphere of the film, it couldn't be really anywhere else. (1998) Show less «

[Speaking about Kenneth Williams in 1996] "I was frightened to death of him. He could be quite intimidating."