Carry On Columbus

Gerald Thomas was an English film director, born in Hull. Thomas was training in medicine when the Second World War began. He then served in the British army during the war, in Europe and the Middle East. When he left the army he decided not to return to his medical studies. He began his film... career in 1946 as an editor for Two Cities Films at Denham Studios. His editing work included many films directed by his brother, Ralph. Despite a fairly varied early career, Thomas is now almost exclusively remembered as the director of 30 Carry On films, the innuendo-laden and financially hugely-successful British comedy series, produced by Peter Rogers, beginning with Carry On Sergeant in 1958. Thomas' wife was Barbara. He had three daughters. His brother, Ralph Thomas, was also a film director. His nephew is Oscar winning film producer Jeremy Thomas CBE. Some of the cast and crew of the Carry On films referred to Thomas as the 'circus ring master' and the 'school headmaster'. He became good friends with many of them over the years.
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