Charles Hawtrey 1914-1988: The Man Who Was Private Widdle
by Roger Lewis
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This is a small masterpiece of biographical investigation, and fitting testament to a comic genius whose place in British cultural history is now assured. Charles Hawtrey, the skinny one with the granny glasses, was everybody's favourite in the Carry Ons - but who exactly was he? Up to now the man has remained a mystery. Examining Hawtrey's origins as a child star and performer in revue and the Will Hay films, this wonderful little book looks at his career in radio and television, and then show more to the sad and slow decline of a belligerent recluse on the Kent coast. The high camp exuberance of his acting gave way to bitterness and alcoholism and if you asked Hawtrey for an autograph he'd be more likely to call the police instead. Roger Lewis's short life of Hawtrey opens out like a Chinese box to address such issues as the nature of fame, neglect, loss, sexual confusion, Drambuie, betrayal, marine bandsmen, and fine cambric knickers trimmed with lace and blue ribbon. Its moral would seem to be that you don't necessarily turn out as the person you thought you'd become. show lessTags
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jonathankws The biography by Wes Butters is much much better. A more rounded biography with photos.
Member Reviews
Slim biography of the English actor Charles Hawtrey, who was born in Middlesex on November 30th 1914 as George Frederick Joffre Hartree. Lewis is direct to the point of bluntness about Hawtry's sexuality, his alcoholism and his lonely terrible end. But he also remembers a talent, often wasted and undervalued, which shone out from numerous run-of-the-mill British comedy films from the 1930's to the 1970's.
Hawtry is best remembered for the 23 'Carry On...' films he appeared in, which made him a star, if relatively little money. They also typecast him in the eyes of producers. Very good biography.
Hawtry is best remembered for the 23 'Carry On...' films he appeared in, which made him a star, if relatively little money. They also typecast him in the eyes of producers. Very good biography.
An odd, little book, to suit the subject. Charles Hawtrey, best-known for his "Carry On ..." movies, comes across as an odd little man with some strange eccentricities.
The author Roger Lewis takes a strange angle with this biography; the timeline jumps around a lot, as Lewis's discussion about Hawtrey's latter alcoholism is followed by his earliest stage roles. And, oddly, he never discusses how Hawtrey came to be associated with the "Carry On ..." movies.
Nestled in with this is the occasional humorous reference to something not directly related to Hawtrey (including a humdinger attributed to Noel Coward). It seems Lewis had a number of anecdotes he wanted to use so shoehorned them in here. I can't help but think I would have enjoyed show more this a lot more had it been more structured. show less
The author Roger Lewis takes a strange angle with this biography; the timeline jumps around a lot, as Lewis's discussion about Hawtrey's latter alcoholism is followed by his earliest stage roles. And, oddly, he never discusses how Hawtrey came to be associated with the "Carry On ..." movies.
Nestled in with this is the occasional humorous reference to something not directly related to Hawtrey (including a humdinger attributed to Noel Coward). It seems Lewis had a number of anecdotes he wanted to use so shoehorned them in here. I can't help but think I would have enjoyed show more this a lot more had it been more structured. show less
An interesting insight into a sad life
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Author Information
10+ Works 455 Members
Roger Lewis, formerly a Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford, is the author of numerous biographies and a prolific literary journalist. He lives in London
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Charles Hawtrey; Kenneth Williams; Sid James; Barbara Windsor; Noël Coward
- Important places
- Deal, Kent, England, UK
- Epigraph
- 'The only Englishmen, living in England, who remain wholly eccentric beyond middle-age are those who go mad.'
Kenneth Tynan, Persona Grata - Dedication
- TO Tristan, Oscar and Sébastien, who have always had a lot of time for old Charlie.
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 790 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Recreational and performing arts
- LCC
- PN2598 .H354 .L48 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Drama Dramatic representation. The theater Special regions or countries
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 53
- Popularity
- 572,278
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.25)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 1
