Kenneth Williams, Carry On Darkly

Taken from Channel 4's 1998 documentary "Carry On Darkly".
This was an excellent, though at times disturbing, documentary examining the lives of Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Frankie Howerd.
Kenneth's reputation came out of it unscathed, in fact it only went to emphasise his tortured genius. The others however, particularly Sid and Charles, were painted in a less favourable light.

[@phily8093]

"If Grand-ma-ma could see you now, she'd be so proud" - that line, and the way Charles Hawtrey delivered it. I can't stop listening to it. It's deliciously clipped, and so full of vim. It's a delight for the ears.

[@christineperkins4451]

It's perfectly delivered 💯

[@Mark-pr7ug]

He was a great man who brought entertainment into the life's of many. Who cares about his this or that? He made me laugh when I was a child and I loved his character and mannerisms.

[@jgsmile1331]

After listening to this series one has to wonder is it more about Mr. Williams and his life and written diaries or OTHERS interpretation of what they believe his life was about mixed with THEIR OWN bias, agendas and flaws. My take away is that Mr. Williams like all of us was a flawed person as were his family and friends. He made the best of his lot in life with all of its ups and downs, especially at the end of life when we have aches, pains and regrets of what was or could have been personally and professionally. He was immensely talented, stood by his parents and sibling, believed in home and the working man (from a different interview video I saw him in). He was an intelligent man and gifted actor. Who prehaps could of had a second career representing the common man of his country. I for one am very grateful for his comedy genius in films and audio recordings and interviews. His work has lightened my day and made it better, which is the best we can all hope for from our fellow man. God bless Mr. Kenneth Williams.

[@alanwiseman-kc3bx]

too right, he was a brilliantly funny man, i went to his flat 2 or 3 weeks b4 he died, pure talent

[@UNOwen1]

I'll never forget the first time I saw Kenneth Williams - it was late-night showing of Make Mine Mink. He only had a small part, but, he was riveting - you could sense his talent (for goodness sakes, the incredible Hattie Jacques was in it, as well as too many to mention). I've watched - and read everything about him. I don't know if he could ever...relax himself a bit, he was s o intertwined with his mum, Lou. Miss your dolly old eek , Kenneth

[@MsFanmail]

kenneth was my favourite in the carry on movies there will no more be another kenneth williams.

[@jessiejames7492]

i also llked frankie howerd very much too.. so funny the both of them...

[@FrankieParadiso4evah]

Barry Took is the only commentator who is able see through KW's antics and retain some affection mixed with compassion for this irrepressible and severely repressed (and thus depressed) comedy legend.

[@Robutube1]

Spot on Frankie.

[@rnw2739]

Because he was also a closet Nance.

[@CyeOutsider]

I loved The Carry On films as a kid. I was born in the UK raised in a house on Caledonian Road. Lol, I never knew that I had that in common with Kenneth Williams who was my favourite cast member 😀

[@drwhatson]

Not all gay men have an burning desire to behave in a "camp" manner or flounce around in women's clothes. Critics call it "straight acting", but it's not an act.

[@11dmju]

who could give a rats about someones sexuality. who cares. he was a very talented man and made many memorable films.

[@kelman727]

11dmju The Britain of his era did, unfortunately, as this documentary made abundantly clear.

[@PeterSellers22]

You're missing the point entirely

[@paultrevorbale2440]

It matters as it explains his character and behaviour and coloured every aspect of his life and career.

[@HowDareThey1970]

Exposing oneself to women like that, as described, or underaged girls, would create big problems for someone today.

[@MsFanmail]

Kenneth was my favourite in the carry on flims shame he was'nt happy with himself he made me laugh so much especially in carry on behind with elke sommers which was so funny RIP KENNETH THERE WILL NOT BE ANYONE LIKE YOU THANKS 4 ALL THE LAUGHS

[@christineperkins4451]

He was my favourite too, and my kids favourite now, if only he knew how adored he was then and still is now in 2023 x

[@davefisher8356]

Never heard of this one thanks for uploading! I don't care about their private lives they made me laugh

[@Bustygirl-dz1wi]

He was mu favourite in carry on movies

[@christineperkins4451]

Very talented man, definitely my favourite in the carry ons 💯

[@johnjames1274]

After seeing so many things about Kenneth Williams, why keep on about him being homosexual.? He was a great actor on stage and in carry on series. His personal life is his business. To me he was a great actor and the more now I see of him,the more I like him. Mr Williams, You made me happy!!!!!

[@erinmason2021]

In my opinion it was to show how very unhappy he was, very unlike the Kenneth we know and love in the Carry On films. And its quite upsetting to think that no-one came close enough to help him overcome that fear, save his Mother. Even his own friends knew he was gay but couldn't either help him or he was just a very unapproachable character. But he is one of the many great comedies we have ever had.

[@kelman727]

I think you’ve somewhat missed the point about the time they lived in.

[@marywilliams9858]

Me too.

[@marywilliams9858]

Great comic. Loved his diary.

[@PeterSellers22]

It's not a criticism

[@olliebeak131]

Shocked to learn that CHarles Hawtrey was gay.

[@jamesmiller6244]

Two brilliant actors

[@GriefTourist]

everyone's got secrets, many of them pretty shameful

[@121Swaleskid]

if grandmother could see you now...she'd be so proud :D

[@Herbsandspices100]

Love the ending scene

[@2490debrick]

I often think if the opportunity ever arose for him he would have played The Joker perfectly!

[@Professor6871]

One of the most depressing diaries I have ever read Kenneth's.

[@rnw2739]

Also the most real and hilarious!

[@christineperkins4451]

Oooh I disagree, I love reading them, i find him tremendously funny and waspish, vulnerable and yes sad at times, but I go back to read them often 😊

[@threethrushes]

"Are you ready, Agatha?" Kenneth Williams' beautiful diction is gorgeous!

[@talcumpowder1000]

The only dark characters in this documentary are the commentators

[@seanokeogh1988]

i don't like this. everyone should mind their own business and not paint him out to be some kind of freak.

[@michaelrawson6261]

Like a good many, you're missing the point. This prog is painting Kenny in no such way at all. And that's despite his lifestyle being lightyears away from the norm! I personally thought this show handled telling this lonely but so gifted man's story beautifully.

[@kelman727]

You missed the point...?

[@alansmyth3121]

The clip with them dressed as women is from Carry on Constable ??

[@theshadow100]

He told me once he was living his own way the way he wanted

[@cotterj99]

Have you got the full documentary?

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

Ooh, hello, sailor!

[@scotty87able]

HisSpaceIsHollow carry on constable

[@trevorthompson7604]

Two great men two great comics unfortunately brought up by two controlling mothers

[@debcutler2013]

a staggeringly unhappy cast for such funny films. Strange

[@debcutler2013]

***** watched "Cor blimey" [2000] last night. So sad for Sid to end like that. Dying inSunderland of all fucking places

[@debcutler2013]

Hawtrey allegedly wasn't well liked. In fact, he was supposed to be a nasty piece of work

[@debcutler2013]

***** Yeah when he gatecrashed Terry and Junes tent and stole his bed

[@ciaranwalsh3725]

***** nonsense, the main reason there was higher cases of depression in the past in homosexual men like Williams was not due to any innate problems with homosexual practice, but rather due to the social repression of the time. If I had grown up in a society which told me it was sick and immoral to love a woman, even though every bone in my body told me it was all I could love, then I'd be depressed and alcoholic too.

[@ciashill9799]

+Misanthrope Cutler Yep, you would think that everyone in famous comedies, would be happy and wealthy, but not the case at all.

[@ciashill9799]

Kenneth would have looked better if he had put on some weight.

[@Sol-Cutta]

You have a great channel but all Ur content is muddled up and some bits missing ..

[@midguardz]

His comedy we were seeing from him was his rage towards his father and the contempt for people like that ridiculed as charactitures. Funny how a lot of motivation is fueled by the darkside. He punished himself with celibacy & suicide from not be able to reveal himself and his darkside the the public which was affecting his body with piles, tics and other stress induced afflictions.

[@kelman727]

midguardz Piles aren’t stress induced, doc...

[@iloveyouhunny]

@HisSpaceIsHollow Carry on Constable

[@garyturner5739]

Fraud's The Edaphus Complex could have been written for Kenneth Williams.

[@trevorthompson7604]

Brilliant men brilliant actors raised by horrible mothers that ruined their lives

[@francessimmonds5784]

Raised by horrible fathers that ruined their lives surely?

[@trevorthompson7604]

@@francessimmonds5784 hi Frances yes the fathers of that time would have been at work all of the time the mothers were dictating and domineering keneth he could never have a relationship with anyone because of his upbringing Charles unfortunately became a chronic alcohol

[@7349yt]

The opposite of "gay" in every way but one

[@dersinghampault]

I dislike intensely documentaries (if such this can be called) which only focus on someone's negative side. What is so distasteful about this one is that his homosexuality is constantly portrayed as a negative; yet when he DOES do something which should be unacceptable (exposing himself to young actresses, for which he would now be arrested) it is treated as a laugh. This documentary is therefore unique in that it gets it wrong both ways....

[@kelman727]

dersinghampault Then you missed the point: the way homosexuality was viewed at the time by the society he lived in. Not homosexuality itself. To state the searingly obvious.

[@gordontaylor5373]

It's not really a documentary - it's just an exercise in dirt - dragging.

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

It was a negative to him...

[@paulhayward4383]

Flashed his willy at her in the dressing room??..if I did that I'd be in jail and the newspapers.

[@stephenguppy7882]

So Kenny was gay? So bloody what? He was a brilliant performer. I don't care about anything other than that. He died too young and was so deeply troubled. I wish he had been as happy in his life as he made us feel when we saw him.

[@meirwise1107]

Who cares? Let them rest in peace....

[@kelman727]

Meir Wise Bit late to object to a documentary already made.

[@rnw2739]

@@kelman727 Alright, piss taker. You know what he meant.

[@bokhans]

A gay man attached to his mother! That must be a first! 😂