John Edward Hawkins, CBE (14 September 1910 – 18 July 1973) was an English actor who worked on stage and in film from the 1930s until the 1970s. One of the most popular British film stars of the 1950s, he was known for his portrayal of military men.

Career

Hawkins was born at 45 Lyndhurst Road,

Wood Green Wood Green is a suburban district in the borough of Haringey in London, England. Its postal district is N22, with parts in N8 or N15. The London Plan identifies it as one of the metropolitan centres in Greater London, and today it forms a m ...

, in what is now Haringey, London, the son of a builder. He was educated at Wood Green's Trinity County Grammar School, where, aged eight, he joined the school choir. By the age of ten Hawkins had joined the local operatic society, and made his stage debut in Patience by

Gilbert and Sullivan Gilbert and Sullivan was a Victorian era, Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the dramatist W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) and the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900), who jointly created fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which ...

. His parents enrolled him in the Italia Conti Academy and whilst he was studying there he made his London stage debut, when aged thirteen, playing the Elf King in '' Where the Rainbow Ends'' at the Holborn Empire on Boxing Day, December 1923, a production that also included the young

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time'' magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and ...

. The following year aged 14 he played the page in a production of '' Saint Joan'' by

George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from ...

. Five years later he was in a production of ''

Beau Geste ''Beau Geste'' is an adventure novel by British writer P. C. Wren, which details the adventures of three English brothers who enlist separately in the French Foreign Legion following the theft of a valuable jewel from the country house of a re ...

'' alongside

Laurence Olivier Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (; 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, was one of a trio of male actors who dominated the British stage ...

. He appeared on Broadway in '' Journey's End'' by the age of 18.

1930s

In the 1930s Hawkins's focus was on the stage. He worked in the companies of

Sybil Thorndike Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike, Lady Casson (24 October 18829 June 1976) was an English actress whose stage career lasted from 1904 to 1969. Trained in her youth as a concert pianist, Thorndike turned to the stage when a medical problem with her ...

, John Gielgud and Basil Dean. His performances included ''Port Said'' by Emlyn Williams (1931), ''Below the Surface'' by HL Stoker and LS Hunt (1932), ''Red Triangle'' by Val Gielgud (1932), ''Service'' by CI Anthony, for director Basil Dean (1933), ''One of Us'' by Frank Howard, ''As You Like It'' by William Shakespeare (1933) and ''Iron Flowers'' by Cecil Lewis (1933, with

Jessica Tandy Jessie Alice Tandy (7 June 1909 – 11 September 1994) was a British-American actress. Tandy appeared in over 100 stage productions and had more than 60 roles in film and TV, receiving an Academy Award, four Tony Awards, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe ...

his wife). He started appearing in films, including a number of "

quota quickies Quota may refer to: Economics * Import quota, a trade restriction on the quantity of goods imported into a country * Market Sharing Quota, an economic system used in Canadian agriculture * Milk quota, a quota on milk production in Europe * Indi ...

" as well as more prestigious productions. His appearances included '' Birds of Prey'' (1930), '' The Lodger'' (1932) (starring

Ivor Novello Ivor Novello (born David Ivor Davies; 15 January 1893 – 6 March 1951) was a Welsh actor, dramatist, singer and composer who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. He was born into a musical ...

), ''

The Good Companions ''The Good Companions'' is a novel by the English author J. B. Priestley. Written in 1929, it follows the fortunes of a concert party on a tour of England. It is Priestley's most famous novel and established him as a national figure. It won ...

'' (1933), '' The Lost Chord'' (1933), ''

I Lived with You ''I Lived With You'' is a 1933 British romantic comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Ivor Novello, Ursula Jeans and Ida Lupino. It is based on the West End hit play ''I Lived With You'' by Novello. Plot Young Cockney shop girl Gla ...

'' (1933), '' The Jewel'' (1933), '' A Shot in the Dark'' (1933) and '' Autumn Crocus'' (1934). In 1932 he was in a radio production of ''Hamlet'' with John Gielgud and

Robert Donat Friedrich Robert Donat (18 March 1905 – 9 June 1958) was an English actor. He is best remembered for his roles in Alfred Hitchcock's '' The 39 Steps'' (1935) and ''Goodbye, Mr. Chips'' (1939), winning for the latter the Academy Award for ...

and the following year he was in ''Danger''. He was also in ''

Death at Broadcasting House ''Death at Broadcasting House'', also known as ''Death at a Broadcast'', is a 1934 British mystery film directed by Reginald Denham and starring Ian Hunter, Austin Trevor, Henry Kendall, and Jack Hawkins. Novel The original plot comes from a ...

'' (1934), ''

Lorna Doone ''Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor'' is a novel by English author Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869. It is a romance based on a group of historical characters and set in the late 17th century in Devon and Somerset, particularly ar ...

'' (1934) and ''

Peg of Old Drury ''Peg of Old Drury'' is a 1935 British historical film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Anna Neagle, Cedric Hardwicke and Margaretta Scott. The film is a biopic of eighteenth-century Irish actress Peg Woffington. It was based on the play ' ...

'' (1935). Stage roles included ''

While Parents Sleep ''While Parents Sleep'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Adrian Brunel and starring Jean Gillie, Enid Stamp Taylor and Romilly Lunge. The film is a screen adaptation of a 1932 play of the same name by Anthony Kimmins, which had been ...

'' (1932) by Anthony Kimmins, ''Iron Mistress'' (1934) by Arthur Macrae; then an open air Shakespeare festival – ''As You Like It'' (1934) (with Anna Neagle), ''Twelfth Night'' (1934), ''Comedy of Errors'' (1934). Some of these productions were done on radio. ''The Maitlands'' by Ronald Mackenzie (1934) was for John Gielgud's company. He was Horatio to Gielgud's ''Hamlet'' (1934). He also appeared in ''Accidentally Yours'' by Clifford Grey (1935), ''The World Waits'' by Clifford Hummel (1935), ''Coincidence'' by Bryce Robertson (1935) and ''The Frog'' (1935). Films in the late 1930s included '' Beauty and the Barge'' (1937), '' The Frog'' (1937) (which Hawkins played on stage), '' Who Goes Next?'' (1938), '' A Royal Divorce'' (1938), '' Murder Will Out'' (1939) and '' The Flying Squad'' (1940). Theatre appearances included ''A Winter's Tale'' (1937), ''

Autumn Autumn, also known as fall in American English and Canadian English, is one of the four temperate seasons on Earth. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September ( Northern Hemisphere) or March ( ...

'' by Margaret Kennedy and Gregory Ratoff (1937, with Flora Robson for Basil Dean), ''The King's Breakfast'' by Rita Welman and Maurice Marks (1937–38), ''No More Music'' by Rosamund Lehman (1938), ''Can We Tell?'' by Robert Gore Brown (1938), ''Traitors Gate'' by Norma Stuart (1938) and ''

Dear Octopus ''Dear Octopus'' is a comedy by the playwright and novelist Dodie Smith. It opened at the Queen's Theatre, London on 14 September 1938. On the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 the run was halted after 373 performances; after a ...

'' by Dodie Smith (1938–39).

Second World War

Having attended an Officer Cadet Training Unit, he was commissioned into the Royal Welch Fusiliers,

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurkha ...

, as a

second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army unt ...

on 8 March 1941. On 22 January 1944, he transferred to the Expeditionary Force Institutes in the rank of

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often ...

. He served with ENSA in India and Southeast Asia. He relinquished his commission as a

(substantive) on 11 October 1946, and was granted the honorary rank of

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...

. During his military service, he made '' The Next of Kin'' (1942) for

Ealing Studios Ealing Studios is a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in West London. Will Barker bought the White Lodge on Ealing Green in 1902 as a base for film making, and films have been made on the site ever ...

Post-war career

Hawkins left the army in July 1946. Two weeks later he appeared on stage in ''

The Apple Cart ''The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza'' is a 1928 play by George Bernard Shaw. It is a satirical comedy about several political philosophies which are expounded by the characters, often in lengthy monologues. The plot follows the fictional ...

'' at £10 a week. The following year he starred in ''

Othello ''Othello'' (full title: ''The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice'') is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, probably in 1603, set in the contemporary Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573) fought for the control of the Island of Cyp ...

'', to a mixed reception. Hawkins's wife became pregnant and he became concerned about his future. He decided to accept a contract with Sir Alexander Korda for three years at £50 a week. Hawkins had been recommended to Korda by the latter's production executive, Bill Bryden, who was married to Elizabeth Allen, who had worked with Hawkins. The association began badly when Hawkins was cast in Korda's notorious flop ''

Bonnie Prince Charlie Bonnie, is a Scottish given name and is sometimes used as a descriptive reference, as in the Scottish folk song, My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean. It comes from the Scots language word "bonnie" (pretty, attractive), or the French bonne (good). That ...

'' (1948) as Lord George Murray. However he followed it with a good role in the successful, highly acclaimed '' The Fallen Idol'' (1948) for Carol Reed. Also acclaimed was ''

The Small Back Room ''The Small Back Room'', released in the United States as ''Hour of Glory'', is a 1949 film by the British producer-writer-director team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger starring David Farrar and Kathleen Byron and featuring Jack Hawki ...

'' (1949), for

Powell and Pressburger The British film-making partnership of Michael Powell (1905–1990) and Emeric Pressburger (1902–1988)—together often known as The Archers, the name of their production company—made a series of influential films in the 1940s and 1950s. T ...

; he impressed as the villain in '' State Secret'' (1950), for

Sidney Gilliat Sidney Gilliat (15 February 1908 – 31 May 1994) was an English film director, producer and writer. He was the son of George Gilliat, editor of the ''Evening Standard'' from 1928 to 1933. Sidney was born in the district of Edgeley in Sto ...

with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. He was recruited by

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...

to support

Tyrone Power Tyrone Edmund Power III (May 5, 1914 – November 15, 1958) was an American actor. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Power appeared in dozens of films, often in swashbuckler roles or romantic leads. His better-known films include ''Jesse James (193 ...

and

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...

in the expensive epic '' The Black Rose'' (1950). He made another with Powell and Pressburger for Korda, '' The Elusive Pimpernel'' (1950), playing the prince of Wales. Hawkins played the lead in '' The Adventurers'' (1951), shot in South Africa, then had a good role in another Hollywood-financed film shot in Britain, ''

No Highway in the Sky ''No Highway in the Sky'' (also known as ''No Highway'') is a 1951 British black-and-white aviation drama film from 20th Century Fox, produced by Louis D. Lighton, directed by Henry Koster, that stars James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, Glynis Jo ...

'' (1951), with

James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality ...

. It was followed by a British thriller with

Ralph Richardson Sir Ralph David Richardson (19 December 1902 – 10 October 1983) was an English actor who, with John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier, was one of the trinity of male actors who dominated the British stage for much of the 20th century. He w ...

, '' Home at Seven'' (1952). In the spring of 1951 he went to Broadway and played Mercutio in a production of ''

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with ''Ham ...

'' with

Olivia de Havilland Dame Olivia Mary de Havilland (; July 1, 1916July 26, 2020) was a British-American actress. The major works of her cinematic career spanned from 1935 to 1988. She appeared in 49 feature films and was one of the leading actresses of her time. ...

Stardom

Hawkins became a star with the release of three successful films in which he played stern but sympathetic authority figures: ''

Angels One Five ''Angels One Five'' is a 1952 British war film directed by George More O'Ferrall and starring Jack Hawkins, Michael Denison, Dulcie Gray, John Gregson, Cyril Raymond and Veronica Hurst. Based on the book ''What Are Your Angels Now?'' by P ...

'' (1951), as an RAF officer during the war; '' The Planter's Wife'' (1952), as a rubber planter combating communists in the

Malayan Emergency The Malayan Emergency, also known as the Anti–British National Liberation War was a guerrilla war fought in British Malaya between communist pro-independence fighters of the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA) and the military forces ...

(with Claudette Colbert); and '' Mandy'' (1952), the headmaster of a school for the deaf. All films ranked among the top ten most popular films at the British box office in 1952 and British exhibitors voted him the fourth most popular British star at the local box office. Hawkins consolidated his new status with '' The Cruel Sea'' (1953), playing a driven naval officer in World War II. Sir Michael Balcon said: "Even before the script was written, we knew it had to be Jack Hawkins. If he hadn't been free to play the part, then there wouldn't have been a film." ''The Cruel Sea'' was the most successful film of the year and saw Hawkins voted the most popular star in Britain regardless of nationality. According to his ''

Guardian Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unit ...

'' obituary, he "exemplified for many cinemagoers the stiff upper lip tradition prevalent in post-war British films. His craggy looks and authoritative bearing were used to good effect whatever branch of the services he represented." '' Malta Story'' (1953) was another military story, with Hawkins as an RAF officer in the Siege of Malta during the war. It too was a hit, the ninth most popular film in Britain in 1953. He had a guest role in '' Twice Upon a Time'' (1953) for Emeric Pressburger. He followed this with two mildly popular dramas – '' The Intruder'' (1953) and ''

Front Page Story ''Front Page Story'' is a 1954 British drama film directed by Gordon Parry and starring Jack Hawkins, Elizabeth Allan and Eva Bartok. It was shot in black-and-white at Shepperton Studios with some location shooting in London. The film's sets ...

'' (1954). ''

The Seekers The Seekers were an Australian folk music, folk-influenced pop music, pop quartet, originally formed in Melbourne in 1962. They were the first Australian pop music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the Un ...

'' (1954) was partly shot in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island coun ...

and cast Hawkins in a rare romantic role. "My film wives to date usually stay home and knit, or else have conveniently died before the film starts," he said. It was followed by '' The Prisoner'' (1955), an unconventional drama, playing the shrewd interrogator in an authoritarian country who gets a respected priest (played by

Alec Guinness Sir Alec Guinness (born Alec Guinness de Cuffe; 2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. After an early career on the stage, Guinness was featured in several of the Ealing comedies, including '' Kind Hearts and Coronets'' (1 ...

) to discredit himself. None of these films was commercially successful but Hawkins was still voted the fifth biggest star at the British box office for 1954, and the most popular British one. "It's an enviable position, I know", said Hawkins. "But I have to be more careful now about the parts I choose, and it's hard not to offend people. Everyone thinks his own script is the best." He turned down the role of Colonel Carne in ''The Glorious Gloucesters'' for Warwick Films and Captain Cook for a project for the Rank organisation; neither movie was made. "I'm tired of playing decent fellows", he said in a 1954 interview, "with stiff upper lip and even stiffer morals. I'm going to kill them off before they kill me as an actor. And I want stories written for me, not rejects intended for other fellows... I just inherit them from other people. Often, I find they've left the name of the actor originally suggested for the role. Always the same old names ... Errol Flynn, Gregory Peck ... five or six others. Before the script reaches them, somebody remembers me – especially if it's one of those infernally nice characters."

International star

Hawkins got his wish when he received a Hollywood offer to play a pharaoh for

Howard Hawks Howard Winchester Hawks (May 30, 1896December 26, 1977) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era. Critic Leonard Maltin called him "the greatest American director who is not a household name." A ...

in '' Land of the Pharaohs'' (1955). He returned home to make an Ealing comedy, '' Touch and Go'' (1955), which was not particularly popular. He was more comfortably cast as a police officer in '' The Long Arm'' (1956) and a test pilot in ''

The Man in the Sky ''The Man in the Sky'' (released in the U.S. as ''Decision Against Time'') is a 1957 thriller drama film starring Jack Hawkins and produced by Ealing Films, Michael Balcon's new company, set up after Rank had sold Ealing Studios in Ealing Gree ...

'' (1957). He was an insurance investigator in Sidney Gilliat's '' Fortune Is a Woman'' (1957). Hawkins's career received a major boost when given the third lead in ''

The Bridge on the River Kwai ''The Bridge on the River Kwai'' is a 1957 epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the 1952 novel written by Pierre Boulle. Although the film uses the historical setting of the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–1943, th ...

'' (1957), supporting William Holden and

. This was a massive hit and highly acclaimed. He was appointed a Commander of the

Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...

(CBE) in 1958. Hawkins played the lead role in a film for

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

, ''

Gideon's Day ''Gideon's Day'' is the first in a series of police procedural novels by John Creasey writing as J.J. Marric. Published in 1955, it features a day in the professional life of Detective Superintendent George Gideon of the C.I.D., Scotland Y ...

'' (USA title: ''Gideon of Scotland Yard'') (1958), playing a police officer. He had a good role as a double agent in a war film, '' The Two-Headed Spy'' (1958) then was given another third lead in a Hollywood blockbuster '' Ben-Hur'' (1959), playing the Roman admiral who befriends

Charlton Heston Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923April 5, 2008) was an American actor and political activist. As a Hollywood star, he appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. He played Moses in the epic film ''The Ten ...

. It was even more successful than ''Bridge on the River Kwai''. He appeared as one of '' The Four Just Men'' (1959) in the

Sapphire Films Sapphire Films Ltd. was a British television production company, active in the 1950s. Amongst their best-known series are ''The Adventures of Robin Hood,'' ''The Adventures of Sir Lancelot'', ''The Buccaneers'', and '' The Four Just Men'' produc ...

TV series for ITV. He also played the lead in a version of ''The Fallen Idol'' for American TV. In reality, Hawkins was politically liberal, and an emotional man, in sharp contrast to his conservative screen image. One of his favourite films, the heist film ''

The League of Gentlemen ''The League of Gentlemen'' is a surreal British comedy horror sitcom that premiered on BBC Two in 1999. The programme is set in Royston Vasey, a fictional town in northern England, originally based on Alston, Cumbria, and follows the live ...

'' (1960), was considered quite groundbreaking for its time in its references to sex. The film was popular at the British box office, and gave Hawkins his final lead role. However, though initially sought for the role of a gay barrister in '' Victim'', he turned it down fearing that it might conflict with his masculine image. The role was eventually played by

Dirk Bogarde Sir Dirk Bogarde (born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde; 28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999) was an English actor, novelist and screenwriter. Initially a matinée idol in films such as '' Doctor in the House'' (1954) for the Rank Org ...

. There was some talk he would play

Captain Bligh Vice-Admiral William Bligh (9 September 1754 – 7 December 1817) was an officer of the Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. The mutiny on the HMS ''Bounty'' occurred in 1789 when the ship was under his command; after being set adrift i ...

in the remake of '' Mutiny on the Bounty'' (1962) but Trevor Howard ended up playing the role.

Decline as star

A three-packet-a-day chain smoker, Hawkins began experiencing voice problems in the late 1950s; unbeknownst to the public, he had undergone cobalt treatment in 1959 for what was then described as a secondary condition of the

larynx The larynx (), commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the top of the neck involved in breathing, producing sound and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. The opening of larynx into pharynx known as the laryngeal inlet is about ...

, but which was probably cancer. Hawkins became worried about his voice and was concerned he would lose it. This caused him to take almost any work that was available. "I had to be realistic and take as much money as I could get while the going was good", he said. This may explain why he took the part of General Cornwallis in a European epic, '' La Fayette'' (1961). He was third lead to

Shirley MacLaine Shirley MacLaine (born Shirley MacLean Beaty, April 24, 1934) is an American actress, author, and former dancer. Known for her portrayals of quirky, strong-willed and eccentric women, MacLaine has received numerous accolades over her seven-dec ...

and

Laurence Harvey Laurence Harvey (born Zvi Mosheh Skikne; 1 October 192825 November 1973) was a Lithuanian-born British actor and film director. He was born to Lithuanian Jewish parents and emigrated to South Africa at an early age, before later settling in th ...

in ''

Two Loves ''Two Loves'' is a 1961 American drama film directed by Charles Walters and starring Shirley MacLaine, Laurence Harvey, Jack Hawkins, and Nobu McCarthy. It is based on the book ''Spinster'' by Sylvia Ashton-Warner. It was entered into the 11th B ...

'' (1961), and supported

Rosalind Russell Catherine Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907November 28, 1976) was an American actress, comedienne, screenwriter, and singer,Obituary '' Variety'', December 1, 1976, p. 79. known for her role as fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in the H ...

in ''

Five Finger Exercise ''Five Finger Exercise'' is a 1962 American drama film made by Columbia Pictures, directed by Daniel Mann and produced by Frederick Brisson from a screenplay by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, based on the play by Peter Shaffer. The film ...

'' (1962). "There are not all that number of mature leading men around", he said in a 1961 interview. "There seems to be a generation missing. I think people quit going into the acting profession. A lot of them drifted out during the war. And then when the war was over it was difficult for them to get back into the theatre." He was in another big hit in ''

Lawrence of Arabia Thomas Edward Lawrence (16 August 1888 – 19 May 1935) was a British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and writer who became renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt (1916–1918) and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign (1915–1918 ...

'' (1962), as

General Allenby Field Marshal Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby, (23 April 1861 – 14 May 1936) was a senior British Army officer and Imperial Governor. He fought in the Second Boer War and also in the First World War, in which he led th ...

. '' Rampage'' (1963) was less distinguished, but '' Zulu'' (1964) gave him a good role as a cowardly priest; it was, however, clearly a supporting part, and Hawkins's days as a star seemed to be over. He had supporting parts in '' The Third Secret'' (1964), ''

Guns at Batasi ''Guns at Batasi'' is a 1964 British drama film starring Richard Attenborough, Jack Hawkins, Flora Robson, John Leyton and Mia Farrow. The film is based on the 1962 novel ''The Siege of Battersea'' by Robert Holles and was directed by John Guil ...

'' (1964) and ''

Lord Jim ''Lord Jim'' is a novel by Joseph Conrad originally published as a serial in ''Blackwood's Magazine'' from October 1899 to November 1900. An early and primary event in the story is the abandonment of a passenger ship in distress by its crew, i ...

'' (1965). ''

Masquerade Masquerade or Masquerader may refer to: Events * Masquerade ball, a costumed dance event * Masquerade ceremony, a rite or cultural event in many parts of the world, especially the Caribbean and Africa * Masqueraders, the performers in the West ...

'' (1965) gave him a lead opposite Cliff Robertson. He made some appearances on US TV: "To Bury Caesar" with Pamela Brown in 1963 and "Back to Back" for '' The Bob Hope Theatre''. He also appeared in '' Judith'' (1966), and '' The Poppy Is Also a Flower'' (1966).

Illness

In December 1965, Hawkins was diagnosed with throat cancer. His entire larynx was removed in January 1966. In March of that year he appeared at a royal screening of '' Born Free'' attended by the

Queen Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...

and received a standing ovation. Thereafter his performances were dubbed, often (with Hawkins's approval) by Robert Rietti or Charles Gray. Hawkins continued to smoke after losing his voice. In private, he used a mechanical larynx to aid his speech. In 1967 it was reported that he would direct

Peter O'Toole Peter Seamus O'Toole (; 2 August 1932 – 14 December 2013) was a British stage and film actor. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began working in the theatre, gaining recognition as a Shakespearean actor at the Bristol Old V ...

in ''St Patrick's Battalion'' in

Mexico Mexico (Spanish language, Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a List of sovereign states, country in the southern portion of North America. It is borders of Mexico, bordered to the north by the United States; to the so ...

but the film was not made. Instead he resumed his acting career, with his voice dubbed and dialogue kept to a minimum: ''

Shalako Shalako is a series of dances and ceremonies conducted by the Native American Zuni people for the Zuni people at the winter solstice, typically following the harvest. The Shalako ceremony and feast has been closed to non-native peoples since 1990 ...

'' (1968) and '' Great Catherine'' (1968). In ''

Oh! What a Lovely War ''Oh! What a Lovely War'' is a 1969 British comedy musical war film directed by Richard Attenborough (in his directorial debut), with an ensemble cast, including Maggie Smith, Dirk Bogarde, John Gielgud, John Mills, Kenneth More, Laurence Olivie ...

'' (1969), playing Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, he had no lines at all. He had an operation to restore his voice in 1968. It did not work; Hawkins could talk but only in a croaking voice. "The fact that producers are still offering me work is a source of much gratitude to me", he said in 1969. "I flatter myself that when they cast me in a part it's me Jack Hawkins they want and not the person who was once Jack Hawkins... if you know what I mean. And I'm perfectly honest with anyone who hires me. I tell them exactly what they're letting themselves in for." Some rare comedies followed: ''

Monte Carlo or Bust ''Monte Carlo or Bust!'' is a 1969 comedy film, also known by its American title, ''Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies''. A co-production of the United Kingdom, France and Italy, the story is based on the Monte Carlo Rally – firs ...

'' (1969), '' Twinky'' (1970), ''

The Adventures of Gerard ''The Adventures of Gerard'' is a 1970 British-Italian-Swiss adventure comedy film directed by Jerzy Skolimowski and starring Peter McEnery, Claudia Cardinale, Eli Wallach and Jack Hawkins. It was based on the 1896 collection '' The Exploits ...

'' (1970). There was more typical fare: '' Waterloo'' (1970), ''

Jane Eyre ''Jane Eyre'' ( ; originally published as ''Jane Eyre: An Autobiography'') is a novel by the English writer Charlotte Brontë. It was published under her pen name "Currer Bell" on 19 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London. The first ...

'' (1970), '' The Beloved'' (1971), ''

When Eight Bells Toll ''When Eight Bells Toll'' is a first-person narrative novel written by Scottish author Alistair MacLean and published in 1966. It marked MacLean's return after a three-year gap, following the publication of ''Ice Station Zebra'' (1963), durin ...

'' (1971), ''

Nicholas and Alexandra ''Nicholas and Alexandra'' is a 1971 British epic historical drama film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, from a screenplay written by James Goldman and Edward Bond, based on Robert K. Massie's 1967 book of the same name, which is a partial ...

'' (1971) and ''

Kidnapped Kidnapped may refer to: * subject to the crime of kidnapping Literature * ''Kidnapped'' (novel), an 1886 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson * ''Kidnapped'' (comics), a 2007 graphic novel adaptation of R. L. Stevenson's novel by Alan Grant and Cam ...

'' (1971). ''

The Last Lion ''The Last Lion'' is a 1972 South African action film directed by Elmo De Witt and starring Jack Hawkins, Karen Spies and Dawid Van Der Walt. The screenplay was written by Wilbur Smith, one of his rare original screenplays. He used a similar st ...

'' (1972), shot in South Africa, offered him a rare lead. It was followed by '' Young Winston'' (1972), ''

Escape to the Sun ''Escape to the Sun'' is a 1972 drama film written and directed by Menahem Golan and starring Laurence Harvey, Josephine Chaplin, John Ireland, Lila Kedrova and Jack Hawkins. The film was a co-production between Israel, France and West Germany. ...

'' (1972), ''

Theatre of Blood ''Theatre of Blood'' (known in the U.S. as ''Theater of Blood'') is a 1973 British horror comedy film directed by Douglas Hickox, and starring Vincent Price as vengeful actor Edward Lionheart and Diana Rigg as his daughter Edwina. The cast als ...

'' (1973) and ''

Tales That Witness Madness ''Tales That Witness Madness'' is a 1973 British anthology horror film produced by Norman Priggen, directed by veteran horror director Freddie Francis, written by actress Jennifer Jayne. The film was one of several in a series of anthology fil ...

'' (1973). Hawkins also produced the film adaptation of Peter Barnes's '' The Ruling Class'' (1972), with

and Alastair Sim.

Personal life

Hawkins married actress

in 1932, and the couple divorced in 1940. Together, they had one daughter, Susan Hawkins (b. 1934). In 1947, Hawkins married former actress

Doreen Lawrence Doreen Delceita Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE (''née'' Graham; born 1952) is a British Jamaican campaigner and the mother of Stephen Lawrence, a black British teenager who was murdered in a racist attack in South East London in ...

(1919–2013), and they remained married until his death in 1973. Together they had three children, Caroline (b. 1955), Andrew, and Nicholas.

Death

In May 1973, Hawkins had an experimental operation on his throat to insert an artificial voicebox. He started haemorrhaging and was admitted to St Stephen's Hospital, Fulham Road, London in June, forcing him to drop out of ''

The Tamarind Seed ''The Tamarind Seed'' is a 1974 romantic thriller drama film written and directed by Blake Edwards and starring Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif. Based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Evelyn Anthony, the film is about a British Home Office fu ...

'' (1974), in which Hawkins was to have played a Russian general. He died on 18 July 1973, of a secondary haemorrhage. He was 62. His final appearance was in the television miniseries ''

QB VII ''QB VII'' by Leon Uris is a dramatic courtroom novel published in 1970. The four-part novel highlights the events leading to a libel trial in the United Kingdom. The novel was Uris's second consecutive #1 ''New York Times'' Best Seller and thi ...

''. His

autobiography An autobiography, sometimes informally called an autobio, is a self-written account of one's own life. It is a form of biography. Definition The word "autobiography" was first used deprecatingly by William Taylor in 1797 in the English peri ...

, ''Anything For a Quiet Life'', was published after his death. He was cremated and his ashes interred at

Golders Green Crematorium Golders Green Crematorium and Mausoleum was the first crematorium to be opened in London, and one of the oldest crematoria in Britain. The land for the crematorium was purchased in 1900, costing £6,000 (the equivalent of £135,987 in 2021), ...

in north London.

Filmography

*'' Birds of Prey'' (1930) as Alfred *'' The Lodger'' (1932) as John Martin *''

'' (1933) as Albert *'' The Lost Chord'' (1933) as Sr. Jim Selby *''

'' (1933) as Mort *'' The Jewel'' (1933) as Peter Roberts *'' A Shot in the Dark'' (1933) as Norman Paull *'' Autumn Crocus'' (1934) as Alaric *''

'' (1934) as Herbert Evans *''

'' (1934) as Member of the Court (uncredited) *''

'' (1935) as Michael O'Taffe *'' Beauty and the Barge'' (1937) as Lt. Seton Boyne *'' The Frog'' (1937) as Capt. Gordon *'' Who Goes Next?'' (1938) as Capt. Beck *'' A Royal Divorce'' (1938) as Capt. Charles *'' Murder Will Out'' (1939) as Stamp *'' The Flying Squad'' (1940) as Mark McGill *'' The Next of Kin'' (1942) as Brigade Major Harcourt *'' The Fallen Idol'' (1948) as Detective Ames *''

'' (1948) as Lord George Murray *''

'' (1949) as R. B. Waring *'' State Secret'' (1950) as Colonel Galcon *'' The Black Rose'' (1950) as Tristram Griffen *'' The Elusive Pimpernel'' (1950) as Prince of Wales / Footpad attacking Lord Anthony *'' The Adventurers'' (1951) as Pieter Brandt *''

'' (1951) as Dennis Scott *'' Home at Seven'' (1952) as Dr. Sparling *''

'' (1952) as Group Capt. 'Tiger' Small *'' Mandy'' (1952) as Dick Searle *'' The Planter's Wife'' (1952) as Jim Frazer *'' The Cruel Sea'' (1953) as Ericson *'' Malta Story'' (1953) as Air Vice Marshal Frank *'' Twice Upon a Time'' (1953) as Dr. Mathews *'' The Intruder'' (1953) as Wolf Merton *''

'' (1954) as Grant *''

'' (1954) as Phillip Wayne *'' The Prisoner'' (1955) as the Interrogator *'' Land of the Pharaohs'' (1955) as Pharaoh Khufu *'' Touch and Go'' (1955) as Jim Fletcher *'' The Long Arm'' (1956) as Detective-Superintendent Tom Halliday *''

'' (1957) as John Mitchell *'' Fortune Is a Woman'' (1957) as Oliver Branwell *''

'' (1957) as Major Warden *''

'' (USA title: ''Gideon of Scotland Yard'') (1958) as DCI George Gideon *'' The Two-Headed Spy'' (1958) as Gen. Alex Schottland *'' Ben-Hur'' (1959) as Quintus Arrius *''

'' (1960) as Col. Norman Hyde *'' Lafayette'' (1961) as General Cornwallis *''

'' (1961) as William W.J. Abercrombie *''

'' (1962) as Stanley Harrington *''

'' (1962) as General Allenby *'' Rampage'' (1963) as Otto Abbot *'' Zulu'' (1964) as Otto Witt *'' The Third Secret'' (1964) as Sir Frederick Belline *''

'' (1964) as Colonel Deal *''

'' (1965) as Marlow *''

'' (1965) as Colonel Drexel *'' Judith'' (1966) as Major Lawton *'' The Poppy Is Also a Flower'' (1966) as General Bahar *''Stalked'' (short) (1968) as the Man *''

'' (1968) as Sir Charles Daggett *'' Great Catherine'' (1968) as the British Ambassador *''

'' (1969) as Emperor Franz Joseph *''

'' (1969) as Count Levinovitch *'' Twinky'' (1970) as Judge Millington-Draper *''

'' (1970) as Marshal Millefleurs *'' Waterloo'' (1970) as General Sir Thomas Picton *''

'' (1970) as Mr. Brocklehurst *'' The Beloved'' (1971) as Father Nicholas *''

'' (1971) as Sir Anthony Skouras *''

'' (1971) as Count Fredericks *''

'' (1972) as Ryk Mannering *'' Young Winston'' (1972) as Mr. Welldon *''

'' (1972) as Baburin *''

'' (1973) as Captain Hoseason *''

'' (1973) as Solomon Psaltery *''

'' (1973) as Dr. Nicholas

British box office ranking

During the 1950s, British exhibitors consistently voted Hawkins one of the most popular local stars in the country in the annual poll conducted by the ''Motion Picture Herald'': *1952 – 4th most popular British star *1953 – most popular international star *1954 – 5th most popular international star, most popular British star *1955 – 6th most popular British star *1956 – 2nd most popular British star *1957 – 9th most popular British star'BRITISH ACTORS HEAD FILM POLL: BOX-OFFICE SURVEY', ''The Manchester Guardian (1901–1959)'' anchester (UK)27 December 1957: 3. *1958 – 9th most popular British star

References

External links

* * *
British Cinema Greats Page
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Hawkins, Jack 1910 births 1973 deaths English male film actors English male stage actors English male television actors Alumni of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts British Army personnel of World War II Commanders of the Order of the British Empire People from Wood Green Royal Welch Fusiliers officers Golders Green Crematorium 20th-century English male actors Entertainments National Service Association personnel