Fenella Fielding
With the dual release of the Hammer Horror/ Carry on Stampsin June 2008, it was a pleasure to bring a small interview with Fenella Fielding, who played the smokingly hot (sorry, couldn't resist) Valeria in 'Carry On Screaming,' which is still by far the best one of the series. Having chatted to her on the phone, I can say that she still sounds amazing and I may have gotten a little tounge-tied...
JOHNNY: Fenella, this year sees the release of Royal Mail's Hammer Horror/ Carry On stamp set which includes a stamp for Carry On Screaming which you starred in. How does it feel to have your image forever immortalised on a stamp?
FENELLA: I can't quite take it in. The fact is, I'm speechless!
JOHNNY: Carry On Screaming is widely regarded as the best film in the Carry On canon. How were you first approached for the role and what did you think of the script the first time you read it?
FENELLA: They just got in touch with my agent and sent me the script. It made me laugh and I liked the part and thought it would be fun to do, so I said yes.
JOHNNY: Where was the film made, and how long did it take to do?
FENELLA: Filming was at Pinewood Studios and it only took six weeks to complete.
JOHNNY: What were your first feelings on watching the film?
FENELLA: We'd seen all the rushes, which we thought very funny, but the premiere audience reaction was cold and so were the reviews. However, the moment it was released it made audiences everywhere laugh like anything, and it showed that our original reaction had been right. What a relief!
JOHNNY: What do you feel of the Hammer Horror films 'Screaming' so gently lampoons? Were you ever a fan of them?
FENELLA: I don't think I've ever seen a Hammer film, because I'm scared of being frightened - though I have been in one that was made as a comedy-thriller, "The Old Dark House", a remake of the original 1932 film, of course.
JOHNNY: In my mind at least, Valeria is the most iconic character of all the Carry On films. Is she based on anyone or is she something you just made up from scratch?
FENELLA: I loved playing Valeria. I didn't base her on anybody at all. The fact is that anyone who wears a long red velvet dress from breakfast-time till midnight is going to be fairly extraordinary, so when playing her I just concentrated on being businesslike.
JOHNNY:How do you feel about the new Carry On film that is being talked about at the moment? Would you star in it if asked? And if not is there anything in the pipeline for the future?
FENELLA: All I know about the new "Carry On" film is that it is being made. You probably know more than I do. As for being in it, I haven't the slightest idea - it would depend on the part. But life's good at the moment. Something's up, but it would bad luck to tell before it happens.
