Sid James made a rogue seem like someone it was sensible to have around. We value his ease among other actors, though the familiar leer eventually made his parts narrower than his talents.
Fi1m perspective
As Lackery Wood in Charles Crichton's The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), Sid James helps make the supporting company worth watching in its own right. Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway occupy the centre, with James and Alfie Bass, as Shorty Fisher, adding to the pleasure of the ensemble. We warmed to James because his earthy delivery fits the group instead of pulling our attention away from it. This is a skill easily overlooked in an actor whose dirty laugh became so familiar.
The reservation is that Wood's comic usefulness sometimes matters more than his individuality. We would welcome more time with these supporting players and more for them to play, just as the film's satire could use a sharper edge. Neither stops Crichton's brisk comedy being an easy recommendation. James is one of its attractions, and watching him here helps explain why the later typecasting feels restrictive. He can contribute without being the chief attraction or repeating a familiar routine.
His early dramatic work included Powell and Pressburger's The Small Back Room (1949), while Quatermass 2 (1957) gave him the supporting part of Jimmy Hall. The big turn came with Hancock's Half Hour, on radio from 1954 and television from 1956. As Tony Hancock's scheming sidekick, working with writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, James became a nationally familiar presence. The rogue proved useful enough to become a specialism, though those earlier parts are worth remembering before accepting it as the limit of his abilities.
Carry On Constable (1960) began his run of 19 films in the series, with director Gerald Thomas and producer Peter Rogers. Mark Antony in Carry On Cleo (1964) and Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond in Carry On Up the Khyber (1968) gave him grander titles without requiring him to abandon the rogue. Kenneth Williams was often his adversary; James's grounded approach was valuable among more mannered performers. The limitation was repetition, with the lecherous Cockney narrowing what he was asked to do. Start with The Lavender Hill Mob if that leer has put you off.
Biography
Sidney James (born Solomon Joel Cohen) was a South African-born British actor and comedian. He appeared in the 1951 Ealing comedy The Lavender Hill Mob as Lackery Wood, alongside Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway.
James became a regular in the Carry On film series from 1960, appearing in 19 entries. Notable roles include Mark Antony in Carry On Cleo (1964), Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond in Carry On Up the Khyber (1968), Sid Boggle in Carry On Camping (1969) and Vic Flange in Carry On Abroad (1972). He also co-starred with Tony Hancock in the radio and television series Hancock's Half Hour (1954–1960) and starred in the sitcom Bless This House until his death in 1976.
