Former West Sussex police diver reveals his silver screen moment in Alec Guinness classic comedy
A Littlehampton care home resident has revealed his big silver screen moment in an Alec Guinness classic, just as everyone was settling down with their popcorn to watch a film.
Former Royal Navy diver Jim Cannon, 92, shared stories of his past, including his appearance in the 1957 Ealing comedy Barnacle Bill, at Agincare Fulford Care & Nursing Home, in East Street.
He even showed a copy of Eamon Fullen's book, Chronicles of a Clearance Diver – The First of the Few, telling his own personal story and showing a picture of him with his copper diving helmet on the cover.
Jim, who lived in Worthing for many years, was inspired to join the Royal Navy for diving training after watching an Erroll Flyn film as a youngster. He went on to help create the West Sussex Police diving unit and served there for nearly 40 years.
He was working in the Navy's Experimental Diving Unit when an unexpected assignment gave Jim his own big moment on the silver screen.
"We have got a job," his commanding officer told him. "I'll tell you about it along the way."
The pair travelled to Hunstanton in Norfolk, where filming for Barnacle Bill was underway. Jim found himself working alongside some of Britain's biggest stars, including Joan Hickson, Maurice Denham and a young Jackie Collins, years before she became a world-famous novelist.
Jim said: “I had to be over the side pulling things out. Jackie Collins was supposed to jump over. She was supposed to give me a kiss but I didn't actually get it. I will always remember she was a very attractive girl."
The scene was to show Jackie, who was 18 at the time, leaping from the pier into the water to embrace Jim. As he waited, he heard the director shouted 'Cut!' before the jump. Instead of Jackie, a stuntman wearing a blonde wig then took her place.
Jim said: “The hairy-looking bloke jumped in the water alongside me, put his arms around my neck and, for good measure, gave me a kiss."
He will always remember the exact moment he appears in the film, which was released in the US as All at Sea. "At the bottom of the pier, you couldn't tell it was me, but it was me."
Jim remembers Joan Hickson offering him a drink, saying: "All sailors drink rum, don't they?"
Sir Alec Guinness arrived in his Rolls-Royce each day, Jim said, and departed 'like royalty' after filming his scenes.
As the years went on, Jim looked back on his big moment as if it was a dream and sometimes even wondered if he had 'made it up' but records confirm his brush with the British film history.
Sarah Weeks, registered manager at the care home, said: “Great care starts with knowing the person, not just their care needs. And the best part? Everyone has a story to tell!
“Majority of those choosing to stay in a home often arrive with feelings of social isolation. By way of understanding and reminiscing, residents can feel comfortable very quickly, especially if they live with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
“Stories like Jim’s are held very close to the heart, so it is our responsibility to ensure that people continue to feel seen despite the big adjustment of living in a new place. Here at Fulford, we drive team members to instil these values within their work ethic and in turn we support families throughout their loved one’s time with us.”
Everyone enjoyed the trip down memory lane that started with a quiet movie night.
Jim spent a lot of his time in the Navy removing chains and ropes from propellers. In the murky waters, his hands were his eyes.
He went on to serve as a police diver until his retirement in 1990 and continued in the force for another eight years as a civilian, acting as diving equipment technician, supervising dives.