Esma Cannon has become a bit of an illusive figure over the years, her birth date is still given Erroneously as 3rd December 1892 when in fact she was born Esma Ellen Charlotte Cannon on 27th December 1905 at Ruthsew Street, Randwick, Australia.

Esma's father (who was 33 at the time of her birth), Michael John Cannon was a book keeper, he was born in Sydney New South Wales and married Esma's mother Lavinia Grace Margaret Ward on 14th November 1895 in the same location as both of their births.

Esma's sister Veta G W Cannon died young, although it seems Esma was performing on the Australian stage from the age of four in Madame Butterfly, it's not clear how many shows she appeared in while living in Australia, but it's clear that Esma eventually moved to England with her mother in 1931 and her first theatre credits come from 1934 as stage manager at the Arts theatre.

Her mother is listed as living at 13 Devonport Mews (Later Radnor Mews) Paddington SW2 from 1937 to 1958, and Esma was listed at the same address from1939 (her husband private corp Ernst Littman, a, lawyer, whom Esma married on 5th September1945 at Paddington register office, was listed living there from 1947) and in 1946 Esma gave birth to her son, Michael Anthony Littman and in 1958 Esma, Ernst, Grace and Michael moved to 20 Priory Road NW6 (Camden) where they were listed until her death in 1972.

Esma Cannon is best remembered today for her appearances in the Carry-On films, and her stint on the BBC comedy show "The Rag Trade", but her career dates back to the 1930s and although most of her parts were small bit parts, every decade she got to play some fantastic parts on stage, screen and TV, Early memorable film appearances saw her playing opposite George Formby in short scenes in three of his films (most notably "Trouble Brewing" where George sings "Fanlight Fanny" to a very amused (and amusing) Esma as the Maid., and the giggly bride being photographed by George in "I See Ice" is also very funny, if all too brief.

In the 1940s she played the doomed Lindy wicks in "Jassy" and appeared in the Huggetts films, the best being in the first film "Holiday Camp" Esma played Elsie Dawson, a young girl desperate to find love, her character and the way she portrays her is heartbreaking and funny at the same time giving the film its strongest scenes.

In 1956 Esma played one of her finest and best remembered roles in "Sailor Beware" as Edie Hornett, hen pecked sister-in-law to the dominating Emma Hornett (played to perfection by Peggy Mount), tiny Esma (she was 4ft 9in, and weighing six stone ) gave Miss Mount a run for her money in this classic British comedy. (Esma also appeared on stage in the Sequel "Watch It Sailor" at the Aldwych in 1960. Other notable bit film parts include "Jack The Ripper" as the drunken prostitute Nelly, Irene Handl's dumb sidekick in "In For Trouble" and the Dreamy biddy listening to Norman Wisdom sing in "Trouble in Store"

The 1960s bought her TV fame with "The Rag Trade" and an outstanding performance in the rarely seen "Dr Finley's Casebook" and more film fame in four early Carry-On films, it is not clear why she stopped at this point in her career, but after 1964 Esma never again appeared as an actress. She made her last will and testament in 1967 and passed away on 18th October 1972 (her husband Ernst and son Michael survived her) although it is unclear where she is buried, as at this point in time no death certificate has been located

Esma Cannon was written and researched by Aaron Smith no part of this article may be used in any form whatsoever.