Sid James

Article summary

Sidney James (born Solomon Joel Cohen; 8 May 1913 – 26 April 1976) was a South African–British actor and comedian whose career encompassed radio, television, stage and screen. Noted for his distinctive laugh, he was best known for numerous roles in the Carry On film series. Born to a middle-class Jewish family in South Africa, James started his career in his native country before finding his greatest success in the UK. Beginning his screen career playing bit parts in films from 1947, he was cast in numerous small and supporting roles into the 1950s. He appeared in the film The Lavender Hill Mob in 1951, starring Alec Guinness. His profile was raised as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour, firstly in the radio series and later when it was adapted for television and ran from 1954 to 1960. After this he became known as a regular performer in the Carry On films, appearing in 19 films of the series, top-billed in all but two. His leading roles in television sitcoms continued. He starred in the 1970s sitcom Bless This House until his death in 1976.

Key claims

1. date of birth: 1913-05-08 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of birth: 1913-05-08 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. date of birth: 1911 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
4. date of birth: 1947 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
5. date of birth: 1954 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
6. date of birth: 1941 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
7. release date: 1951 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of birth is "1913-05-08". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of birth is "1913-05-08". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the date of birth is "1911". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. The record states that the date of birth is "1947". What evidence would count against this claim?
6. The record states that the date of birth is "1954". What evidence would count against this claim?
7. The record states that the date of birth is "1941". What evidence would count against this claim?
8. The record states that the release date is "1951". What evidence would count against this claim?
9. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
10. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371764956