Comments on: In Search Of ‘Sparrows Can’t Sing’ https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Sat, 14 Aug 2021 07:44:54 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Lorraine https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1396471 Sat, 14 Aug 2021 07:44:54 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1396471 I never tire of watching this movie. It so takes me back to my childhood. My auntie lived on the 9th floor (18 storeys up as they were maisonettes) of the block in the film, Wickham House. It all seems so long ago now (maybe that’s because it is?! Roughly 60 years) Thank you, GA, for ALL your fabulous writings, which I thoroughly enjoy with my first coffee of the day, every day.

]]> By: Cherub https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1361694 Fri, 18 Dec 2020 16:14:44 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1361694 Many years ago, I think it was the late 90s, I saw Barbara playing Kath in a production of Joe Orton’s black comedy “Entertaining Mr Sloane”. John Challis played her brother who was vying with her for the young Mr Sloane’s attention. All I can say is, she was absolutely marvelous, up there with the late, great Beryl Reid in the 60s film version. Apparently Barbara had been a friend of Orton’s and he told her he wanted her to play Kath at some point in her career. I know she will be forever remembered for the Carry On films, but as an actress she was much more than that.

As for the Carry Ons, well I laugh out loud at Barbara’s famous Carry on Camping scene every time I see it :))

Years ago my sister had dinner with a friend at Joe Allen and Barbara was there with her lovely husband Scott and she went to the ladies room. She gave all the ladies in there a cheery “alright ducks” and my sis said she really was lovely, a tiny lady with a big personality.

]]> By: Tanya Reynolds https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1361675 Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:53:56 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1361675 Wonderful piece on both Dame Barbara and Sparrows can’t sing.
The film premiered at what is now the Genesis Cinema on Mile End Road – my auntie and uncle were extras in the film, delighted to recall the story of zooming around on their scooter!
Bravo for bringing this story to our attention

]]> By: Patricia Taylor https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1361101 Sun, 13 Dec 2020 10:33:36 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1361101 To Katherine, yes I do remember Kid for Two Farthings – the UNICORN – David Kossoff
and the beautiful theme music which became quite a hit. Must source it and enjoy again
but I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes on the television over the next few weeks as part of
the tributes to Barbara.

]]> By: Sue https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1361030 Sat, 12 Dec 2020 22:42:42 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1361030 Beautiful piece.

]]> By: Tony line https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1361014 Sat, 12 Dec 2020 20:29:51 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1361014 I love the thought that life carries on behind the arch in a cs Lewis style, if only !!

]]> By: Marcia Howard https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1361007 Sat, 12 Dec 2020 19:54:00 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1361007 A wonderful written piece GA, very poignant with so many things just out of reach… rip Barbara Windsor

]]> By: Mark Parsons Colorado US https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1361002 Sat, 12 Dec 2020 19:23:05 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1361002 When she took your hand and said ‘I knew you’d be here’ my breath caught. Oh, how these gentle passages across time murmur to us. Thank you GA.

]]> By: Jim M. https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1360994 Sat, 12 Dec 2020 17:55:57 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1360994 A beautiful tribute; not just to Barbara Windsor but also to a wonderful film in Sparrows Can’t Sing and, for me, most importantly to that absolute colossus of British working-class theatre, Miss Joan Littlewood.

There is a page on ‘Sparrows …’ at the excellent Reelstreets site that you and your readers may find of interest.

https://www.reelstreets.com/films/sparrows-cant-sing/

]]> By: Hélène https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/12/12/in-search-of-sparrows-cant-sing/#comment-1360985 Sat, 12 Dec 2020 17:05:44 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=184590#comment-1360985 Thank you for your moving tribute. Babs was iconic.
Another bit of East End gone forever.

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