.... and sure enough it did four months later!!

I wrote to British character actor Larry Taylor on 22 May 1999. I wanted to write to Larry as he had been in a number of Carry On films. Little did I know at the time that the Carry Ons are such a very small part of a long and distinguished career.

On Sunday 12 September 1999 I answered a ringing telephone to find myself speaking to Larry from his home in South Africa! I was once again shocked at being rung at home by an actor, but this time I was a little more composed!

Larry spoke at length about his time working on the Carry On films and that his favourite (and mine) was Follow That Camel. He also told me that the majority of the cast and crew did not take to American actor Phil Silvers playing the role of Sergeant Nocker - they all wanted Sid James, but sadly he was indisposed. However Larry and Phil hit it off immediately and became good mates for many years. Phil even stayed at Larry's house for a couple of weeks!

Larry went on to say that I should expect to get a couple of signed photos and a letter in a few weeks. The weeks passed and true to his word a package from South Africa duly arrived. Larry sent me the above photocopied picture, sadly unsigned, but also a terrific letter. Larry also sent a copy of his very long CV. He's worked on absolutely dozens of film productions including - Lawrence Of Arabia, Cleopatra, Khartoum, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oliver Cromwell and Mary Queen of Scots! Larry also worked on the classic film Zulu in South Africa in 1964. It was during this time that he fell in love with the country and he eventually emigrated to South Africa in 1974. Larry later went on to appear in Zulu Dawn in 1979!

Another lovely reply, and again further proof that you should always include your home phone number on your autograph request letters. Because you never know.......

 This page was last updated    27 July 2003