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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