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HAWTREY, Charles 1914-1988
(George C. Hartree)
Thin, dark-haired, British comic character star with dry, plaintive tones. He moved from what seemed a lifetime of skinny, snooty, trouble-making schoolboys in the late 1950's to become a regular member of the 'Carry On' films for 15 years. Pop-eyed and bespectacled, thin lips, it seemed, permanently pursed in an expression of disapproval or in anticipation of trouble, Hawtrey came originally from a theatrical family based in Middlesex. At the age of six he was writing plays that he and friends would put on for anyone who would pay a penny. The stage was in his own back garden. But greater fame beckoned when he developed a fine soprano voice, joined an amateur operatic society and even made a record or two. There were roles in silent films, a first stage appearance at eleven and some training at drama school before he made his debut London stage appearance at eighteen.
For a while Hawtrey tried producing but found it less satisfying and returned to acting. He gradually began to get a footing in the 'false boom' of the British cinema industry of the mid-1930's when versatile actors found themselves in great demand. But it was a series of films that Hawtrey made with Will Hay that made his name, defined his image and familiarised audiences with his face. Hay was Hawtrey's idol - he once said 'I learned everything I know from him - and he even turned down a role in Top of the Form (1952), a remake of Hay's 1937 film Good Morning, Boys, because he thought (rightly) that it cheapened the original.
In between his five films with Hay, Hawtrey became a regular broadcaster, most notably on children's programmes as the voice of Norman Bones, boy detective. His light, earnest-sounding speaking voice enabled him to keep going in the role for several years after his debut in 1943. And there were numerous film performances, almost always in comic cameos, before his performance as an inept private soldier in Carry On Sergeant made him a regular member of the highly successful series of film farces until 1972.
Knobbly-kneed and goggle-eyed, Hawtrey's characters in these films were vaguely camp and campily vague. He was always worth a smile and the running gag about him being tortured in Carry On Henry is the best thing in the film. Hawtrey's last years were far from happy. He became a heavy drinker and lost his place on the 'Carry On' team. Bitterly, he would tell friends that he had been dumped for being too old, an ironic fate for the perennial schoolboy. In his seventies, Hawtrey developed serious arterial problems. Revived after his heart stopped beating in September 1988, he was told that he would die unless both legs were removed.
He refused the operation and died a month later. He lived alone in a terraced house in a Kent seaside town, seldom visited by old companions from the film world. A sad ending for the multi-talented youngster once billed as 'Master Charles Hawtrey - the Angel Voiced Choirboy'.
1922
Tell Your Children
1923
This Freedom
1932
Marry Me
1933
The Melody Maker
1935
Kiddies On Parade
1936
Sabotage (US: Lie Woman Alone)
Cheer Up!
Well Done Henry
1937
Good Morning, Bow! (US: Were There's A Will)
The Cap
East Ludgate Hill
1939
Where's That Fire?
Jailbirds
1941
The Ghost Of St Michael's
The Black Sheep Of Whitehall
1942
Let The People Sing
The Goose Steps Out
Much Too Shy
1943
Bell Bottom George
1944
A Canterbury Tale
1946
Meet Me At Dawn
1947
The End Of the River
1948
The Story Of Shirley Yorke
1949
Passport To Pimlico
Dark Street
1950
Room To Let
1951
Smart Alec
The Galloping Major
Brandy For The Parson
1952
Hammer The Toff
You're Only Young Twice!
1954
Five Days (US: Paid To Kill)
To Dorothy A Son (US: Cash On Delivery)
1955
As Long As They're Happy
Man Of The Moment
Timeslip (US: The Atomic Man)
Simon And Laura
Jumping For Joy
Who Done It?
1956
The March Hare
1958
Carry On Sergeant
1959
I Only Arsked!
Carry On Nurse
Carry On Teacher
Please Turn Over
Inn For Trouble
1960
Carry On Constable
1961
Carry On Regardless
Dentist On The Job (US: Get On With It!)
What A Whopper!
1963
Carry On Cabby
Carry On Jack (US: Carry On Venus)
1964
Carry On Cleo
Carry On Spying
1965
Carry On Cowboy
1966
Carry On Screaming
Don't Lose Your Head
1967
The Terrornauts
Follow That Camel
Carry On Doctor
1968
Carry On Up The Khyber
1969
Carry On Camping
Carry On Again, Doctor
Zeta One
1970
Carry On Loving
Carry On Up The Jungle
Carry On Henry
Grasshopper Island (TV)
1971
Carry On At Your Convenience
1972
Carry On Matron
Carry On Abroad