Apex Publishing Ltd: Independent International Book Publisher for unknown and established authors

No Laughing Matter: How I Carried On
By Norman Hudis


- - Reviews by the Famous and Well Known
I first met Norman in May 1999 at Pinewood Studios and he struck me as a kind down to earth man. Well when I heard his book No Laughing Matter was to be published, I could not wait to read it. From his early days in the Royal Air Force to writing The Tommy Steele Story which became a box office success, and of course the scriptwriter for the first six Carry On films, say no more! From Pinewood to Hollywood where he became even more successful writing such shows as Man from U.N.C.LE and C.H.I.P.S starring Eric Estrada. Norman is undoubtedly one of the finest scriptwriters this Country has ever produced. This book makes a very interesting read and is a must for all film and television afficinados.
Kevin Snelgrove, Author of 'The Official Carry On Facts, Figures & Statistics'
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‘No Laughing Matter’ by Norman Hudis is not just another book – it’s more of a trilogy, covering three major periods in Norman’s colourful life written with the cutting edge humour for which he has long been known. His book begins, naturally enough, with his first successful comedy screenplay ‘Carry On Sergeant’ the start of what was to become the longest running movie franchise ever, and which set the pattern for the rest of the ‘Carry On’ films which followed. Norman takes us through his years working at Pinewood Studios during which time he write the screenplays for the first six ‘Carry On’ films including ‘Carry On Nurse’ which became a big hit in America and was the number one box office success in the UK. His recollections of those early, ground breaking days are illuminating as are his thumb-nail sketches of the many ‘Carry On’ stars with whom he worked. He then takes us back in time to his childhood with stories of his parents who came from European Jewish stock and their struggle to come to terms with life in a strange country. We meet his many relatives most of whom have interesting and amusing stories which would not be out of place in a ‘Carry On’ film. We read of his first job on a local newspaper which kick started his writing career, and his time in the Royal Air Force, before recounting his slow rise to fame as a screenwriter. Finally, we are taken backstage in Hollywood where he carved out a second successful career as a writer on some of Americas famous long running TV Shows including ‘The Man From Uncle’ and ‘It Takes a Thief’. It’s a fascinating book and a must for every ‘Carry On’ fan and aficionados of show business. It brings back so many memories of those days when comedy was King and is a revealing insight into the mind of a writer. One piece of advice: don’t start reading it in bed or you’ll never get to sleep!
Vince Powell, British TV Sitcom Writer and Author of 'From Rags to Gags'
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Norman Hudis has been such a part of my life that it is difficult for me to stand aside and talk about him. I knew his first as a film publicist when I was a scriptwriter. He always struck me as a no-nonsense character and I would not have imagined in those days that he was particularly endowed with a sense of humour. Though, come to think of it, anyone who indulges in film publicity must have a sense of humour somewhere. However, Norman gave up film publicity to become a script writer. I, for one, am, glad he did. Another producer gave him a three-year contract but was unable to make use of him, or, should I say, could not make use of his talents. When that producer told me of his problems I offered to take over the contract and so began a very successful series of comedy films. In my opinion Norman could write anything but we began with a comedy which was so successful that it seemed a pity not to continue. Considering the tight censorship of those days it’s a wonder that anybody could write a comedy at all apart from fat-headed farce. I particularly told Norman that I wanted a laugh and tear-jerk script and that is what I got – one after another. Bless him. Curiously enough, when Norman left me to go to America and other writers took over none of them was able to do the tear-jerk. I know that Norman has gone on from strength to strength in his environment and rightly so. I have nothing but happy memories of our association and a relationship that no others have achieved. He’s a bloody good scriptwriter, if you ask me.
Peter Rogers, Film Producer (Including all the Carry On Films) - Written the Foreword
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