Alexandra Dane is an English actress who was born in Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa.
Her career in film and television started in the early 1960's and continued until the late 1980's. During that time she appeared in a variety of genres, including comedy, horror and drama. As we will learn below, her first 'Carry On' film was in fact 'Carry On Doctor' in 1967, where she entered the famous film series playing an 'Ante-Natal Instructor'. Although it was an uncredited role she was clearly seen to be a good addition to the series as she was brought back several times later into larger credited parts (or you may argue that it was in fact it was her 'larger parts' that got her into more 'Carry On' films!).
I had met Alexandra several times over the years at various events but sadly never got chance to have a proper conversation with her. I wasn't really sure where life had taken her since she left our screens in the late 1980's. She did appear alongside fellow 'Carry On' chum, the late Margaret Nolan, in the ITV 'Carry On' documentary 'Carry On Forever' in 2015 recounting her time on the series, but I was interested to learn where life had taken her after her acting career and what she was up to these days.
I had the pleasure of catching up with Alexandra in February 2021...
CP: You've appeared in some wonderful comedy films and TV shows in your career, were you always drawn to comedy or was it something that just evolved?
AD: Yes, comedy just evolved in films, but most of my work was in theatre touring and Reps.
I played mainly character roles. I came to the UK as a Theatre Director and had a meeting with Joan Littlewood. I asked her if I could be her assistant. She said yes, I could be her assistant but she couldn't pay me. She said to me that I had a good body and why don't I become a 'comic feed'? Then she said I could make enough money and then put on my own show. I had never heard of a comic feed but I went to the Agents and I soon had work as a comic feed with Dickie Henderson. He was a wonderful, decent human being and very kind to me. I toured with him and did some of his TV Shows. In 1964, I teamed up with a friend and we took our own show to South Africa playing two Shakespeare plays to multi-racial audiences and also to the townships. I also directed ‘The Comedy of Errors’.
CP: Many fans remember you from the ‘Carry On’ films, particularly your scenes in ‘Again Doctor’ as it went onto become one of the iconic scenes in later compilations and excerpts. Did you enjoy doing them, were the team good to work with?
AD: Sorry, I can't remember my scene in ‘Carry on Again Doctor’! I loved being on the ‘Carry On’ film set, all the people were so friendly and nice. The make-up lady was always the same one and we had many giggles. All the staff were sweet, kind and very helpful. They were a big happy family. It made the actors relax and give their best.
CP: Is it true that you suffered an injury filming the gym ‘weight loss machine’ scene in ‘Again Doctor’? It is mentioned in the records for the film in the Gerald Thomas archive at the BFI?
AD: Yes, I did have the injury when the spinning machine came out of the floor. I spent the day in hospital and had quite a lot of back problems for a while after the accident.
CP: Can you help solve a mystery, a few online sources have you in an uncredited role in ‘Carry On Screaming’ in 1966. I've never spotted you, were you in it?
AD: No, I don't think I was in ‘Carry on Screaming’, but I can't be sure!!!
CP: Your most memorable roles in the series involve some of your 'natural assets’, such as 'Busti' in ‘Carry On Up the Khyber’ and the ice-cream scene in ‘Carry On Behind’. Were they just harmless saucy fun? I know some of the actors involved turned their back on them in later years claiming they objectified woman?
AD: Yes, I thought it was harmless saucy fun. I thought that was what British Comedy was all about and it didn't bother me then. But I salute all the women who have fought for the rights of women and have given us a voice. My two grand-daughters are going to benefit from their struggles. I am so grateful to all the woman who fought for women’s liberation.
Above: "They call me Busti...", Alexandra as 'Busti' in 'Carry On Up the Khyber' (1968).
CP: Is it true that you understudied Barbara Windsor for the ‘Carry On London’ stage show? Did you go onto appear in it?
AD: Yes, I did understudy Barbara Windsor (for ‘Carry On London’), but never went on for her.
CP: You've appeared alongside some great examples of British eccentricity during your career, such as Charles Hawtrey and Hilda Baker in 'Not On Your Nellie'. What were they like to work with?
AD: Charles Hawtrey was sweet but he seemed rather vague. I was always
surprised when he came in with the next line! But nice to work with. Hilda Baker was sweet but always seemed to be very tense when I worked with her.
CP: We've met a few times at various conventions and you are always a very popular guest. Why do you think the ‘Carry Ons’ still attract such a legion of fans today? Could they ever bring them back?
AD: It’s a wonderful genre. The slapstick, a big laugh, then a pretty girl runs through the frame. So simple but very effective. But I am amazed by their continued success. Apparently, there is a ‘Carry On’ film showing worldwide 24/7! They represented such tiny part of the work I did and it was a long time ago! I think they bring people peace and happiness. Ideal if you have had a hard day, to sit down with your supper and watch a ‘Carry On’. I am not sure if they could ever bring them back because it would be hard to replace the superb chemistry of the regular cast.
CP: Did you ever manage to keep anything from your time on the ‘Carry On’ films?
AD: Yes, for some reason I had a blue dress from one of the ‘Carry Ons’, ‘Carry On Loving’ I think. My daughter sold it to someone years ago.
CP: Did you stay in touch or work with any of the team again after the series ended?
AD: I worked with quite a few of the ‘Carry On’ Team after the films ended; in ‘The Jabberwocky’, Terry Gilliam's movie, I think that was with Bernie Bresslaw. I certainly worked with Sid James on the stage, summer seasons in Blackpool I think and lots of times with Peter Butterworth. Charles Hawtrey too.
CP: Where did life take you after your acting career?
AD: I had a puppet Company for 25 years. You won't have heard about it because it included an ultra-violet act, which was a speciality act in many pantos and because it was an ultra-violet act you couldn't film it. My children were roughly 12 and 7 when I started, they both assisted me so I always took venues abroad in the holidays. We performed in places like Oman, Tenerife, Majorca. In between the pantos and the holiday jobs I had a small booth for shows with some assistants and we performed in parks, schools and private functions with six different small shows. I loved going around entertaining very different social groups with the same shows.
I think I finally retired from the puppets around 2006/7. I then became very interested in animation and did many courses. Ages 3 to 8 is my age group because having
performed 'live' to them for so long, I know exactly what interests them and what makes them laugh. I planned a series about the environment and having fairies as the hook. I pitched the idea to three TV companies and three publishers last year in March at a conference. They all loved the idea and ‘Milkshake Kids TV Co’ wanted more story lines, drawings etc (which I supplied). Then in September they wrote saying that they were working on something very similar themselves. Of course, I had everything legally protected but you can't copyright an idea as you know and I don't have the time, money or the energy to waste on suing a major TV Company.
Above & Right: Alexandra's brilliant 'Pom Pom Puppets'.
CP: I imagine that was very annoying and disappointing. So, what are your plans now for the future?
AD: At the moment I am painting pictures which were promised to some people a while ago. Sadly, I am not a good painter. I am always deeply disappointed because, try as I might, they never turn out like a Cézanne or Van Gogh! I am a good sculptor though and have sold many pieces and have to make some pieces soon.
My new project is to make a simple documentary about my late husband, the sculptor David McFall RA. I want to put down on film his major works and the journey of his life. His figurative style is now out of fashion so I can't imagine a TV company buying it. I am going to buy a decent camera, learn how to work it and go around the country, and London etc, and film all his public works, then his small works, so I am rather busy.
My sincere thanks to Alexandra for her time and all her help and assistance with this interview and I wish her the very best for her future projects!
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