Is it me or does the Craig Whitaker figure that appears at the top left corner of the screen bear a striking resemblance to the late Sid James from the Carry On films?
Tom

I see your point here ally... lol.

Nah!its Jimmy Durante.
Arthur

Funny enough,I thought it was Sid James too.
Pete

Well, took a while for me to find it, but does have a likeness to Sid.

Perhaps Mr. Whitaker had just watched a repeat of carry on clio when he did the face.
tom

infamy! infamy! they've all got it in fer me! i was gonna mention this as well but craig whitaker might be bigger than me

Definitely NOT Sid James, it is a pretty good portrait of Chris Haines, who is centurio of the the Ermine Street Guard. The ESG is one of the best-known groups of Roman re-enactors in Britain and usually turn up on television whenever an image of the Roman army is needed.

Here's a picture of him from their website

http://www.esg.ndirect.co.uk/Officer%20Images/pages/Officerportraits%2015_jpg_jpg.htm

Hi guys,
I just stumbled on to this thread and figured I could answer all those burning questions you have.




I can't say as I've ever heard of Sid James. But the Carry On films you mentioned, are those the same ones I watched as a kid in the 1960's? If so, I remember enjoying them quite a bit. I was taken with English humor at an early age, including Monty Python, Carry On, Benny Hill and Dave Thomas (I think that was his name) in the 70's and especially a series I believe was called "Doctor in the House".




The face on the centurian is straight from the box but I did find a picture of Mr. Haines in a book and used it as a guide to convert the helmet and plumage on top to match.




Well Phil, for your sake I hope that I am bigger than you. At 6 foot 4 inches and 250 pounds I wouldn't wish more on anyone out there :-)

Cheers,
Craig

Dave Allen maybe???
I remember these as well ... well maybe re-runs of them. Dick Emery was another favourite around this time!
Still looking for Sid!

Having met Chris Haines through work, I'm sure the sculptor had him in mind when making the master for the bust.

And Sid's armour in Carry on Cleo (my second favourite Carry On film) was a leather cuirass, not mail. Which is probably lots less hot to wear in the sun than metal armour. Speaking as someone who got to wear mail last summer - it hurts when you put it on after it's been lying in the sun for a while

Should have said what a great job you made of the bust too.

David (5' 11.5" and 175 pounds)

Frank, that's right! His name was Dave Allen. Thanks!
I really enjoyed listening to him just sitting there and telling his stories. A true master storyteller. Just great.
My favorite one went something like this...

God created the Irish to rule the world...

And whiskey so they wouldn't. :-)

David, thanks for the kind words about the bust I did. It's much appreciated.



Craig

I use'd to watch Dave Allen. I thought he was hillarioyuse. Especially the way he used to loose his finger up his nose.
Tom

for all you who cant find the image here ya go..

stole it from your gallery craig.... hope ya dont mind.