--- name: "Sid James" canonical: "https://film.one/person/sidney-james" fi1m_id: "sidney-james" imdb_id: "nm0416228" tmdb_id: 40952 wikidata_id: "Q1086861" roles: ["Actor"] born: "8 May 1913" died: "26 April 1976" reviewed_on_fi1m: 1 average_as: "actor" average_over: 1 updated: "2026-09-25T04:57:59.186863+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Sid James ## Identity Sid James - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sidney-james - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** sidney-james - **IMDb ID:** nm0416228 - **TMDB ID:** 40952 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1086861 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_James, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1086861, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0416228/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/40952 Actor. Born 8 May 1913 in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Union of South Africa. Died 26 April 1976. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 8 May 1913, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Union of South Africa - **Died:** 26 April 1976 - **Also known as:** Sidney James, Сидни Джеймс, Сид Джеймс - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_James, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1086861, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0416228/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/40952 ## Fi1m on Sid James > 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. 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. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, screenonline.org.uk.* ## On Fi1m (1) - *The Lavender Hill Mob* (1951), Fi1m 82, as Lackery Wood — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lavender-hill-mob.md) ## Complete filmography (142) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Carry On Forever* (2015), series, Actor - *On Location: The Carry Ons* (2001), as Various Characters (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Stop Messin' About!: The Very Best of Kenneth Williams* (1996), as (Archive footage) - *ITV Christmas Comedy* (1983), series, Actor - *That's Carry On!* (1977), as Various Characters (archive footage) - *To See Such Fun* (1977), Actor - *Carry On Laughing* (1975), series, as Prince Rupert / Arnold Basket, Baron Hubert, Lovelace, Sir Francis Drake - *Carry On Dick* (1974), as Big Dick Turpin - *Carry on Christmas* (1973), as Mr. Belcher / Seed Pod / Sir Henry / Sergeant Will Ball / Robin Hood - *Carry On Girls* (1973), as Councillor Sid Fiddler - *What a Carry On!* (1973), Actor - *Carry On Abroad* (1972), as Vic Flange - *Bless This House* (1972), as Sid Abbot - *Carry On Matron* (1972), as Sid Carter - *All This, and Christmas Too!* (1971), as Sid Jones - *Carry On at Your Convenience* (1971), as Sid Plummer - *Carry On Henry* (1971), as King Henry VIII - *Bless This House* (1971), series, as Sid Abbott, Alf Carter - *Carry On Again Christmas* (1970), as Long John Silver - *Carry On Loving* (1970), as Sidney Bliss - *Carry On Up the Jungle* (1970), as Mr. Bill Boosey - *Carry On Christmas* (1969), as Ebenezer Scrooge - *Carry On Christmas Specials* (1969), series, Actor - *Carry On Again Doctor* (1969), as Gladstone Screwer - *Carry On Camping* (1969), as Sid Boggle - *Two in Clover* (1969), series, as Sid Turner - *Carry On Up the Khyber* (1968), as Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond - *Carry On Doctor* (1967), as Mr. Charlie Roper - *Don't Lose Your Head* (1967), as Sir Rodney Ffing, the Black Fingernail - *George and the Dragon* (1966), series, Actor - *Where the Bullets Fly* (1966), as Mortuary Attendant - *Don't Utter a Note* (1966), as Basher Bates - *Carry On Cowboy* (1965), as Johnny Finger, the Rumpo Kid - *The Big Job* (1965), as George Brain - *Tokoloshe* (1965), as Harry Parsons - *Three Hats for Lisa* (1965), as Sid Marks - *Carry On Cleo* (1964), as Mark Antony - *The Beauty Jungle* (1964), as 'Butlins' Judge - *Taxi!* (1963), series, as Sid Stone - *Carry On Cabby* (1963), as Charlie Hawkins - *We Joined the Navy* (1963), as Dance Instructor - *Carry On Cruising* (1962), as Captain Wellington Crowther - *What a Whopper* (1961), as Harry Sutton - *What a Carve Up!* (1961), as Sid Butler - *Raising the Wind* (1961), as Sid - *Double Bunk* (1961), as Sid Randall - *The Green Helmet* (1961), as Richie Launder - *A Weekend with Lulu* (1961), as Café Patron - *Carry On Regardless* (1961), as Mr. Bert Handy - *Look at Life: Up To Scratch* (1961), Actor - *The Pure Hell of St Trinian's* (1960), as Alphonse O'Reilly - *Citizen James* (1960), series, as Sidney 'Sid' Balmoral James · Creator - *Watch Your Stern* (1960), as Chief Petty Officer Mundy - *Carry On Constable* (1960), as Sergeant Frank Wilkins - *And the Same to You* (1960), as Sammy Gatt - *Tommy the Toreador* (1959), as Cadena - *Upstairs and Downstairs* (1959), as P.C. Edwards - *Idol on Parade* (1959), as Herbie - *The 39 Steps* (1959), as Perce Baker - *Too Many Crooks* (1959), as Sid - *Make Mine a Million* (1959), as Sid Gibson - *Desert Mice* (1959), as Bert Bennett - *Look at Life* (1959), series, as Narrator - *The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw* (1958), as The Drunk - *I Was Monty's Double* (1958), as Porter YMCA - *The Adventures of William Tell* (1958), series, as Schaffner - *The Man Inside* (1958), as Franklin - *Next to No Time* (1958), as Albert, Cabin Steward - *Another Time, Another Place* (1958), as Jake Klein - *The Silent Enemy* (1958), as Chief Petty Officer Thorpe - *Hancock's Half Hour: Volume 1* (1957), as Sidney Balmoral James - *The Story of Esther Costello* (1957), as Joe Ryan - *A King in New York* (1957), as Johnson - TV Advertiser - *Campbell's Kingdom* (1957), as Tim, MacDonald's driver-rigger - *Hell Drivers* (1957), as Dusty, Truck Driver - *The Shiralee* (1957), as Luke - *Quatermass 2* (1957), as Jimmy Hall - *The Smallest Show on Earth* (1957), as Mr. Hogg - *Interpol* (1957), as Joe - First Bartender - *Dry Rot* (1956), as Flash Harry - *The Buccaneers* (1956), series, as Chantey Jack - *The Iron Petticoat* (1956), as Paul - *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Basher Bates - *Hancock's Half Hour* (1956), series, Actor - *Trapeze* (1956), as Snake Charmer - *Wicked as They Come* (1956), as Frank Allenborg - *Ramsbottom Rides Again* (1956), as Black Jake - *The Extra Day* (1956), as Barney West - *The Deep Blue Sea* (1955), as Man outside bar - *Joe Macbeth* (1955), as Banky - *A Kid for Two Farthings* (1955), as Ice Berg - *John and Julie* (1955), as Mr. Pritchett - *The Glass Cage* (1955), as Tony Lewis - *Out of the Clouds* (1955), as Henry, the Gambler - *It's a Great Day* (1955), as Harry Mason - *A Yank in Ermine* (1955), as Nightclub manager - *Aunt Clara* (1954), as Honest Sid - *The Crowded Day* (1954), as Joe, the Night Watchman - *Orders Are Orders* (1954), as Ed Waggermeyer - *The Belles of St Trinian's* (1954), as Benny - *Seagulls Over Sorrento* (1954), as Charlie Badger - *For Better, for Worse* (1954), as Foreman - *Father Brown* (1954), as Bert Parkinson - *The Rainbow Jacket* (1954), as Harry - *The House Across the Lake* (1954), as Beverly Forrest (as Sidney James) - *The Weak and the Wicked* (1954), as Syd Baden - *Escape by Night* (1953), as Gino Rossini - *The Wedding of Lilli Marlene* (1953), as Fennimore Hunt - *Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?* (1953), as Hank Hanlon - *Park Plaza 605* (1953), as Supt. Williams (as Sidney James) - *Will Any Gentleman...?* (1953), as Mr. Hobson - *The Square Ring* (1953), as Adams - *The Flanagan Boy* (1953), as Sharkey (as Sidney James) - *The Titfield Thunderbolt* (1953), as Harry Hawkins - *The Yellow Balloon* (1953), as Charlie - *Cosh Boy* (1953), as Desk Sergeant - *Box for One* (1953), Actor - *Miss Robin Hood* (1952), as Sidney (as Sidney James) - *Venetian Bird* (1952), as Bernardo - *Father's Doing Fine* (1952), as Taxi Driver - *Time, Gentlemen, Please!* (1952), as Eric Hace - *Gift Horse* (1952), as Ned Hardy, Landlord Golden Bull - *Emergency Call* (1952), as Danny Marks - *Tall Headlines* (1952), as Mr. Spencer, neighbor - *I Believe in You* (1952), as Sergeant Body - *The Magic Box* (1952), as Army Sergeant - *Lady Godiva Rides Again* (1951), as Lew Beeson - *The Lavender Hill Mob* (1951), as Lackery Wood — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lavender-hill-mob.md) - *The Galloping Major* (1951), as Bookmaker - *Talk of a Million* (1951), as John C. Moody - *The Lady Craved Excitement* (1950), as Carlo - *Last Holiday* (1950), as Joe Clarence - *The Man in Black* (1950), as Henry Clavering / Hodson - *Give Us This Day* (1949), as Murdin - *Paper Orchid* (1949), as Freddy Evans (as Sidney James) - *The Small Back Room* (1949), as 'Knucksie' Moran - *Once a Jolly Swagman* (1949), as Rowton - *It's Hard to be Good* (1948), as Platform guard (uncredited) - *The Front Page* (1948), as Hildy Johnson - *No Orchids for Miss Blandish* (1948), as uncredited - *Nightbeat* (1947), as Nixon (as Sidney James) - *Black Memory* (1947), as Eddie Clinton --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sidney-james