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Too Happy a Face
- The Authorised Biography of Joan Sims
- Narrated by: Tracey Childs
- Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
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Summary
Immortalised through her roles in 24 of the iconic Carry On films, Joan Sims remains one of Britain's best-known comedy legends.
For five decades - through more than 70 film appearances and work on stage, television, and radio - she captured the hearts of audiences around the world. Yet behind the laughter was heartache and personal torment as the incredibly private actress battled depression, insecurity, loneliness and alcoholism.
In this authorised biography of Joan, Andrew Ross details her early years on stage and rise to stardom in theatre revue, her failed romances and the intense bond with her parents which ultimately led to the collapse of her one serious love affair.
Revealed is the truth about Joan's relationships with her Carry On co-stars (including Kenneth Williams who bizarrely proposed to her), the drink problem which forced her to spend time in a grim Victorian mental institute in the early 1980s, and the circumstances behind her reclusive final years and last months in hospital before her death in 2001.
With a cast of characters ranging from Sidney James and Kenneth Williams to Laurence Olivier and Katharine Hepburn, Joan's story, from a solitary and lonely childhood in 1930s Essex to her status as a national treasure in the 1990s, is one of professional success over personal heartache achieved through immense determination.
Drawing on first-hand accounts from Joan's closest surviving friends and contemporaries including Barbara Windsor, Fenella Fielding, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Tom Courtenay, as well as exclusive material from her personal archive, what emerges is the story of a much-loved lady who battled private demons to become one of the finest and best-loved actresses of her generation.
What listeners say about Too Happy a Face
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- Miss Monica Rygh
- 28-01-23
Fabulous
Beautiful and yet sad story of a legend. Wonderfully written and read. I was very touched by this book.
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- jane miller
- 21-12-21
absorbing biography
good enjoyable biography if a bit sad at times. loved the stories from her colleagues and friends
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- Irene Jones
- 02-06-22
Simply Wonderful
An excellent account of the life of this lovely lady. Joan Sims will always remain a national treasure.
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- Paul Beer
- 09-05-24
A national treasure
A wonderful, albeit shortish look in to the life of one of the UK’s funniest and most famous actresses. Wonderful.
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- Kindle Customer
- 07-05-23
lovely
I really enjoyed listening to the life of this lovely lady , the carry on films are a lovely reminder of a very happy childhood , often in a world so intent on anger , bleakness and despair . they are all missed x
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- Louise j.
- 21-10-19
Heartfelt and Captivating
An interesting, heartfelt, detailed account of the life of an amazing actress. Could not stop listening to it and would recommend to everyone who is a lover of biographies.
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- Emma
- 21-03-21
Small snippet
This book gives you a small insight into this fabulous woman’s life. Worth a listen.
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- storws
- 09-10-23
A tribute to a real trooper
A poignant yet celebratory biography of a much loved and talented actress who touched and brought so much joy to everyone-both on and off camera. A testament to genuinely funny lady with that far too happy a face. Thanks for all those comforting laughs.
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- EDDY
- 13-12-18
A bit of this and a bit of that
Enjoyable in parts this audio book draws much from Joan Sims own autobiography with the addition of memories from family and friends but it goes too far in its personal revelations.
Had it focussed more the many and numerous light hearted anecdotes of her theatre and film career over and above what had already been published back in 2000 and less on digging into her own personal dark demons of alcoholism i would have given it five stars, as it is beautifully read, But sadly it was more like a Sunday tabloid expose. Disappointing.
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