Island Life Magazine Ltd November/December 2005 | Page 9
INTERVIEW
panto season this year is that the North of England venue that wanted
to book him had no part for Vivien, and so he turned it down.
“Eight weeks away on my own, up in the north and far away from home
– I didn’t fancy that,” he says, “so we’ve decided we’d have a break this
year”.
For Jack, 78, it’s something of a novelty to be “resting” from the
business. As part of a theatrical family from Newcastle (his grandfather
was in silent films and his dad was a Northern theatre impresario),
treading the boards is in his blood.
He had in fact cut his teeth as a stage-hand, panto producer and comedy
actor, long before he ever came to public notice with the enduring flatcapped, bespectacled comedy character of Alf.
The lovable, if somewhat intellectually-challenged Alf was one of those
strokes of genius that came about completely by accident.
Jack had already been stooging for such big-name comedians as Arthur
Askey, Bruce Forsyth and Benny Hill, when he became the straight man
in a double-act with Joe Baker.
However, when Baker managed to get himself locked out of the theatre
just as Jack had gone on stage, the so-called straight-man had to turn
comedian and keep the audience entertained for the slot. He did it by
exaggerating the twitch of the band leader Eric Winston: his flash of
inspiration brought the house down, and a classic comedy character was
born.
As well as appearing with big TV variety show names including Des
O’Connor, Jack’s character also made a big impression in the later
productions of the “Carry On” films.
So big was Alf’s impact, in fact, that even though he appeared in only
the last eight of the 31 Carry-On films, he still receives fan mail from all
over the world, as the popularity of the cult comedy films shows no sign
of fading.
What amazes Jack is the age profile of some of his fans – from children
right up to grannies.
“I can’t quite believe how popular they still are, but I suspect it’s because
the films are naughty, but not filthy,” he says. “I am always getting
letters from people who say they love the films because all the family
can sit and watch together, with no fear of having to jump up and switch
off – which sadly, I have to do very often with my TV these days”.
So enduring is the popularity of the Carry-On phenomenon that Jack
has been involved in working on the links for a new compilation
DVD, Carry On Christmas, and this autumn he appeared as the star
guest at a Festival of Carry On in Great Yarmouth.
He’s done much more than Alf Ippititimus in a long and hard-working
showbiz career, but Jack doesn’t resent the way his somewhat dopey
alter-ego has dominated his public image.
“Alf to me is a character I love,” he says fondly. “I’ve never done
anything rude with him, or used bad language. He can be a very
naughty boy but he’s never a filthy one, and I think that’s what makes
him so appealing”.
The odd thing is that if Jack were to don one of the many pairs of “Alf”
overalls hanging in his wardrobe, and put on a flat cap, people would be
queuing for autographs. But he rarely gets recognised when he’s out
and about on the Island, as plain Mr Douglas.
This suits him just fine, he says.
It means he and Vivien can enjoy their favourite walks on the south side
of the Island, or a quiet drink at their local, the Crab in Shanklin, in
relative anonymity.
“It’s the best of both worlds really,” he says.
Back at home, Jack indulges a wide range of interests outside the world
of comedy. He has a passion for jazz, and has amassed a huge collection
of records, some of them quite rare. He also paints, designs his own
clothes and is an expert cook and wine lover. In fact he has had a
number of cookery books published - with the ever-present Alf
Ippititimus being credited for some of the recipes.
He says there’s hardly anything he misses from the mainland – with
the possible exception of theatre-land. But as he says, it’s easy enough
for him and Vivien to get to London if they fancy seeing a show.
On the Island theatre front, Jack finds it sad to see Shanklin Theatre
looking so run-down and neglected.
He was involved there for a while in 1996, but says that unless it’s
restored, he won’t be appearing in any shows there.
“It’s such a shame,” he says. “It wouldn’t cost much to bring Shanklin
Theatre into line, just a bit of love and attention. I am too old nowadays
to get up on the roof and pull the weeds… but a few years ago I most
certainly would have done!”
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