Sid James

[Scarlett]

I was watching a Carry On film and got thinking about Sid James and his appearance. I know he is South African, and didn't come to England until he was in his 30s, but what is it about his facial characteristics that make him "look" South African? He has pretty much afro hair, and a wide nose, but is any of that linked with being typical of South Africa?

I suddenly realised I had no idea what physical attributes are South African.

[pega]

The Carry on films are good and when you think of it most of the Cast are not longer here.

In 1973 I was on the Golden Shot ITV 2 shows - one of the shows Barbara Windsor and Sid James were on the show and they were both like how you saw them on screen, it was fun to meet them...

[shaneystar2]

Sid James was actually Jewish.
Christened Sidney Joel Cohen, Sid James was a South African-born Jew whose parents worked in the music hall business.

[hopalong]

For me the carry on films would not be as good if Syd James was in them

[shaneystar2]

Plus..when you think about and having looked him up..he served in the anti-tank regiment in the Middle East during World War II. Worked as a coal heaver, stevedore, diamond polisher and professional boxer, so no wonder he had that lovely craggy face !!

[dotjhawkes]

As I understand it, the White South Africans mainly descend from the Dutch Beors, many of them therefore must look like Dutch people, what they look like i am not sure, i havn't known many Dutch people. Cliff was from South Africa wasn't he? Maybe they look like him and wear well too.

[gary baldy]

South Africa is a very multi cultural country but for obvious reasons there is little mixing of the races. As shaney says SJ probably got his 'look' from being Jewish.
As far as i know there is no typical South African 'look' because there are so many different ethnic groups who can claim to be South African (i could probably elaborate but we could be here all day!)
ps . good call with the Vince Guaraldi question scarlett- another fan of the man with the daft moustache - was a bit jealous i didnt get the chance to answer that one.

[shaneystar2]

Not wishing to pedantic Dot.. but I think Cliff Richard was born in Lucknow in India.

[X111]

Around 1950 I was in Brighton and by coincidence a very nice person with whom I had been at college was now famous as Diana Dors. Together with Sid James and others she was making an upmarket film called "Lady Godiva Rides Again" which was shot around Brighton. Whilst Diana was there we joined up for a drink and dinner on several occasions, and two or three times Sid James with others came along. He was an enjoyable person to know, and to me he was just the same as he comes over in the films.

[dotjhawkes]

Oh yes he was wasn't he , sorry, blimey, cliffsdoll will have me for that! Don't tell her please! Who am I thinking of then?

[dotjhawkes]

Spike Milligan? Matbe but a singer I am sure

[gary baldy]

Terrence Alan Milligan was born in India.
Is it Manfred Mann? He was born in SA?

[dotjhawkes]

Charlize Theron was born in SA but it's a singer I mean and I can't think who it is.

[dotjhawkes]

I think I was thinking of Englebert but he was born in Madras India too!

[jno]

Hard to see much resemblance between Sid James and Kevin Pietersen (the cricketer), let alone Charlize Theron. If you watch the Springboks rugby team playing, that's one strand of South African looks: big and blond. Most South Africans of course are not white at all.

Anthony Sher, the actor, is South African, but can't think of any singers off the top of my head. Well, Miriam Makeba.

[waimarie]

I thought Englebert was born in Leicester??

[RogK]

Oddly enough, Antony Sher was going to play Sid James in a play at the National Theatre a few years ago, but backed out at the last minute.