George Frederick Joffre Hartree (30 November 1914 – 27 October 1988), known as Charles Hawtrey, was an English actor, comedian, singer, pianist and theatre director. Beginning at an early age as a boy soprano, he made several records before moving on to radio. His later career encompassed the theatre (as both actor and director), the cinema (where he regularly appeared supporting Will Hay in the 1930s and 1940s in films such as '' The Ghost of St. Michael's''), through the ''Carry On'' films, and television.

Life and career

Early life

Born in

Hounslow Hounslow () is a large suburban district of West London, west-southwest of Charing Cross. It is the administrative centre of the London Borough of Hounslow, and is identified in the London Plan as one of the 12 metropolitan centres in ...

Middlesex Middlesex (; abbreviation: Middx) is a historic county in southeast England. Its area is almost entirely within the wider urbanised area of London and mostly within the ceremonial county of Greater London, with small sections in neighbour ...

, England in 1914, to William John Hartree (1885–1952) and his wife Alice (née Crow) (1880–1965), of 217 Cromwell Road, as George Frederick Joffre Hartree, he took his stage name from the theatrical knight, Sir Charles Hawtrey, and encouraged the suggestion that he was his son. However, his father was actually a London car mechanic. Following study at the

Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts is a performing arts conservatoire based in Woking, England. It was founded in 1911 by Italia Conti, an actress. The first production at Italia Conti Academy was the play '' Where the Rainbow Ends''. F ...

in London, he embarked on a career in the theatre as both actor and director.

1920s and 1930s

Hawtrey made his first appearance on the stage in

Boscombe Boscombe is a suburb of Bournemouth, England. Historically in Hampshire, but today in Dorset, it is located to the east of Bournemouth town centre and west of Southbourne. Originally a sparsely inhabited area of heathland, from around 1865 B ...

, a suburb of Bournemouth, as early as 1925. At the age of 11 he played a "street Arab" in Frederick Bowyer's fairy play ''The Windmill Man''. His London stage debut followed a few years later when, at the age of 18, he appeared in another "fairy extravaganza", this time at the Scala Theatre singing the role of the White Cat and Bootblack in the juvenile opera '' Bluebell in Fairyland''. The music for this popular show had been written by Walter Slaughter in 1901, with a book by Seymour Hicks (providing part of the inspiration for

J. M. Barrie Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, (; 9 May 1860 19 June 1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several succ ...

's ''

Peter Pan Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the mythi ...

''). In ''Peter Pan'' at the

London Palladium The London Palladium () is a Grade II* West End theatre located on Argyll Street, London, in the famous area of Soho. The theatre holds 2,286 seats. Of the roster of stars who have played there, many have televised performances. Between 1955 a ...

in 1931, Hawtrey played the First Twin, with leading parts taken by

Jean Forbes-Robertson Jean Forbes-Robertson (16 March 1905 – 24 December 1962) was an English actress. A versatile Shakespearean actress, she was often cast in boys' roles because of her slim build, playing Jim Hawkins in a stage version of ''Treasure Island'', Pu ...

and George Curzon. This played in several regional theatres, including His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen. In 1936 Hawtrey played in a revival of the play, this time taking the larger role of Slightly, alongside the husband-and-wife partnership of

Elsa Lanchester Elsa Sullivan Lanchester (28 October 1902 – 26 December 1986) was a British-American actress with a long career in theatre, film and television.Obituary '' Variety'', 31 December 1986. Lanchester studied dance as a child and after the F ...

and Charles Laughton playing Peter and Hook. A review in ''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was f ...

'' commended Hawtrey for having "a comedy sense not unworthy of his famous name". Hawtrey played in ''Bats in the Belfry'', a farce written by Diana Morgan and Robert MacDermott, which opened at the Ambassadors Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, on 11 March 1937. The cast included Ivor Barnard and Dame Lilian Braithwaite, as well as Vivien Leigh in the small part of Jessica Morton. The play ran for 178 performances at the Ambassadors Theatre before moving to the

Hippodrome The hippodrome ( el, ἱππόδρομος) was an ancient Greek stadium for horse racing and chariot racing. The name is derived from the Greek words ''hippos'' (ἵππος; "horse") and ''dromos'' (δρόμος; "course"). The term is used i ...

Golders Green Golders Green is an area in the London Borough of Barnet in England. A smaller suburban linear settlement, near a farm and public grazing area green of medieval origins, dates to the early 19th century. Its bulk forms a late 19th century and ea ...

, Barnet on 16 August 1937. Hawtrey acted in films from an early age, first appearing while still a child, and as an adult his youthful appearance and wit made him a foil to Will Hay's blundering old fool in the comedy films '' Good Morning, Boys'' (1937) and '' Where's That Fire?'' (1939). In all he appeared in more than 70 films, including from this period Alfred Hitchcock's '' Sabotage'' (1936). Hawtrey had another success on stage when he was cast in the role of Gremio in Tyrone Guthrie's production of '' The Taming of the Shrew'' in 1939 at the

Old Vic Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungary *Old, Northamptonshire, England * Old Street station, a railway and tube station in London (station code OLD) *OLD, IATA code for Old Town Municipal Airport and Seaplane Base, Old Town, Ma ...

. (

Roger Livesey Roger Livesey (25 June 1906 – 4 February 1976) was a British stage and film actor. He is most often remembered for the three Powell and Pressburger, Powell & Pressburger films in which he starred: ''The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp'', '' ...

starred as Petruchio and his wife,

Ursula Jeans Ursula Jean McMinn (5 May 1906 – 21 April 1973), better known as Ursula Jeans, was an English film, stage, and television actress. Biography Jeans was born in Simla, British India, to English parents, and brought up and educated in London. S ...

, as Katherine.) Hawtrey was an accomplished musician. He recorded as a

boy soprano A boy soprano (British and especially North American English) or boy treble (only British English) is a young male singer with an unchanged voice in the soprano range, a range that is often still called the treble voice range (in North Americ ...

and was billed as "The Angel-Voiced Choirboy" even at the age of fifteen. In 1930 he recorded several duets with the girl soprano Evelyn Griffiths (aged 11) for the Regal label. He was a semi-professional pianist for the Armed Forces during the Second World War.

1940s

Hawtrey continued in music revue, starring in Eric Maschwitz's ''New Faces'' (1940) at the

Comedy Theatre The Harold Pinter Theatre, known as the Comedy Theatre until 2011,

in London, and was praised for his "chic and finished study of an alluring woman spy". ''New Faces'' included the premiere of the song "

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" is a British romantic popular song written in 1939 and published in 1940, with lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and music by Manning Sherwin. Setting Berkeley Square is a large leafy square in Mayfair, a part o ...

", which quickly became a wartime favourite. During and after the Second World War Hawtrey also appeared in the West End in such shows as ''Scoop'', ''Old Chelsea'', ''Merry England'', ''Frou-Frou'' and ''Husbands Don't Count''. Hawtrey also directed 19 plays, including ''Dumb Dora Discovers Tobacco'' at the

Q Theatre The Q Theatre was a British theatre located near Kew Bridge in Brentford, west London, which operated between 1924 and 1958. It was built on the site of the former Kew Bridge Studios. The theatre, seating 490 in 25 rows with a central aisle, w ...

in Richmond and, in 1945, ''Oflag 3'', a war drama co-written with

Douglas Bader Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader, (; 21 February 1910 – 5 September 1982) was a Royal Air Force flying ace during the Second World War. He was credited with 22 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared p ...

. By the 1940s, Hawtrey was appearing on radio during Children's Hour in the series ''Norman and Henry Bones, the Boy Detectives'' (first broadcast in 1943) alongside the actress

Patricia Hayes Patricia Lawlor Hayes (22 December 1909 – 19 September 1998) was an English character actress. Early life Patricia Hayes OBE was born in Streatham,Dennis Barker, "Hayes, Patricia Lawlor (1909–1998)", ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biogra ...

. Later, he provided the voice of snooty Hubert Lane, the nemesis of William in the series '' Just William''. His catchphrase was "How's yer mother off for dripping?" Hawtrey's film career continued, but '' The Ghost of St. Michael's'' (1941) and ''

The Goose Steps Out ''The Goose Steps Out'' is a British film released in 1942, starring Will Hay, who also co-directed with Basil Dearden. It is a comedy of mistaken identity, with Hay acting as a German spy and also an Englishman who is his double. It was the fil ...

'' (1942) were his last films with Will Hay. After the latter film he asked Hay to give him bigger roles, but Hay refused. Hawtrey also took a hand at directing films himself, including ''What Do We Do Now?'' (1945) a musical mystery written by the English author George Cooper and starring George Moon. Around the same time, Hawtrey directed Flora Robson in ''Dumb Dora Discovers Tobacco'' (1946). Both films are believed lost.Peter Bradsha
"The Possibility of Happiness: The Carry On Films Represented the Best of England. Or Was It the Worst?"
''New Statesman'', 1 October 2001 In 1948, Hawtrey appeared at the

Windmill Theatre The Windmill Theatre in Great Windmill Street, London, was a variety and revue theatre best known for its nude '' tableaux vivants'', which began in 1932 and lasted until its reversion to a cinema in 1964. Many prominent British comedians o ...

Soho Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, part of the West End of London. Originally a fashionable district for the aristocracy, it has been one of the main entertainment districts in the capital since the 19th century. The area was develo ...

in comedy sketches presented as part of ''Revudeville''. In the same year, he was incorrectly credited as 'Major Markham', in The Story of Shirley Yorke, but, (see 'Filmography', and Edit Note), used two pseudonyms. In 1949 he appeared as the bar-hand/piano player in the

Ealing Comedy The Ealing comedies is an informal name for a series of comedy films produced by the London-based Ealing Studios during a ten-year period from 1947 to 1957. Often considered to reflect Britain's post-war spirit, the most celebrated films in the ...

Passport to Pimlico ''Passport to Pimlico'' is a 1949 British comedy film made by Ealing Studios and starring Stanley Holloway, Margaret Rutherford and Hermione Baddeley. It was directed by Henry Cornelius and written by T. E. B. Clarke. The story concerns the u ...

1950s

In 1956 Hawtrey appeared alongside his future "Carry On" co-star

Hattie Jacques Hattie Jacques (; born Josephine Edwina Jaques; 7 February 1922 – 6 October 1980) was an English comedy actress of stage, radio and screen. She is best known as a regular of the ''Carry On'' films, where she typically played strict, no-non ...

in the comedian

Digby Wolfe James Digby Wolfe (4 June 19292 May 2012) was a British actor. After a successful career in the UK and Australia, his later career was based in the US. Early life James Digby Wolfe was born to a father who was an international banker and a m ...

's ATV series ''Wolfe at the Door'', a 12-week sketch show. Not screened in London, it ran in the Midlands from 18 June to 10 September. In this series Wolfe explored the comic situations that could be found by passing through doorways, into a theatrical dressing room, for example. The programmes were written by Tony Hawes and

Richard Waring Richard Waring (born Richard Waring Stephens; 27 May 1911 – 18 January 1993) was an English-American actor. He is perhaps best remembered for his role in the film ''Mr. Skeffington'' (1944). Biography Richard Waring was born Richard Ste ...

. That same year, Hawtrey made a brief appearance in ''Tess and Tim'' (BBC) under the Saturday Comedy Hour banner. This short-run series starred the music hall comedians

Tessie O'Shea Teresa Mary "Tessie" O'Shea (13 March 1913 – 21 April 1995) was a Welsh entertainer and actress. Early life O'Shea was born in Plantagenet Street in Riverside, Cardiff to newspaper wholesaler James Peter O'Shea, who had been a soldier and ...

and Jimmy Wheeler. In 1957, Hawtrey appeared in a one-off episode of ''Laughter in Store'' (BBC), this time working with

Charlie Drake Charles Edward Springall (19 June 1925 – 23 December 2006), known professionally as Charlie Drake, was an English comedian, actor, writer and singer. With his small stature (5' 1"/155 cm tall), curly red hair and liking for slapstick, h ...

and

Irene Handl Irene Handl (27 December 1901 – 29 November 1987) was a British author and character actress who appeared in more than 100 British films. Life Irene Handl was born in Maida Vale, London, the younger of two daughters of an Austria-born father ...

. Hawtrey's television career gained a major boost with ''

The Army Game ''The Army Game'' is a British television sitcom that aired on ITV from 19 June 1957 to 20 June 1961. It was the very first ITV sitcom and was made by Granada, and created by Sid Colin. It follows the exploits of Hut 29, a dysfunctional gro ...

'', in which he played the part of Private 'Professor' Hatchett. Loosely based on the film '' Private's Progress'' (1956), the series followed the fortunes of a mixed bag of

army An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

National Service National service is the system of voluntary government service, usually military service. Conscription is mandatory national service. The term ''national service'' comes from the United Kingdom's National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939. The ...

conscripts in residence at Hut 29 of the Surplus Ordnance Depot at Nether Hopping in remote Staffordshire. '' I Only Arsked!'' (1958) was a feature film spin-off. Hawtrey left the series in 1958.

1960s

In '' Our House'' (1960–62) Hawtrey played a council official, Simon Willow. The series was created by Norman Hudis, the screenwriter for the first six '' Carry On'' films.

and

Joan Sims Irene Joan Marion Sims (9 May 1930 – 27 June 2001) was an English actress, best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' franchise, appearing in 24 of the films (the most for any actress). On television, she is known for playing Gran i ...

also starred. The series initially ran for 13 episodes from September to December 1960, returning the following year with Bernard Bresslaw and Hylda Baker added to the cast. Of the 39 episodes transmitted, only three survive. ''Best of Friends'' (ITV, 1963) had essentially the same writers and production team as ''Our House''. Hawtrey again acted alongside Hylda Baker but this time playing the role of Charles, a clerk in an insurance office, next door to a café run by Baker. She accompanied him on insurance assignments and protected him when he was feeling put upon by his Uncle Sidney, who wished to but could not, dismiss his nephew. The series ran to thirteen episodes (all lost) and was the last television series in which Hawtrey had a regular role. By this time, Hawtrey had become a regular in the "Carry On" films series. He was in the first, ''

Carry On Sergeant ''Carry On Sergeant'' is a 1958 British comedy film about National Service starring William Hartnell, Bob Monkhouse and Eric Barker; it is the first in the series of ''Carry On'' films, with 31 entries released from 1958 to 1992. The film was ...

'' (1958), and more than twenty others. His characters ranged from the wimpish through the effete to the effeminate and would always, regardless of the historical setting, be seen wearing Hawtrey's signature round glasses. In her autobiography,

Barbara Windsor Dame Barbara Windsor (born Barbara Ann Deeks; 6 August 193710 December 2020) was an English actress, known for her roles in the Carry On (franchise), ''Carry On'' films and for playing Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera, ''EastEnders''.

wrote about Hawtrey's alcoholism and his outrageous flirting with the footballer

George Best George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger, spending most of his club career at Manchester United. A highly skilful dribbler, Best is regarded as one of the greatest p ...

. While filming ''

Carry On Spying ''Carry On Spying'' is a 1964 British spy comedy film, the ninth in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It marks Barbara Windsor's first appearance in the series. Series regulars Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, and Jim Dal ...

'' (1964), in which they played secret agents, Windsor thought that Hawtrey had fainted with fright over a dramatic scene on a conveyor belt. In fact, he had passed out because he was drunk. When he came on set with a crate of R. White's Lemonade everyone knew that he had been on another binge. He smoked Woodbines and played cards between takes with

Sid James Sidney James (born Solomon Joel Cohen; 8 May 1913 – 26 April 1976) was a British actor and comedian whose career encompassed radio, television, stage and screen. He was best known for numerous roles in the Carry On film series. Born to a mi ...

and other members of the cast.Robert Ross, ''The Carry On Story'', 2005 In 1965, Hawtrey's mother Alice died and Hawtrey was grief-stricken and started drinking more. Apparently, Hawtrey could often be heard talking to his mother in his dressing room, even though she had died.

Gerald Thomas Gerald Thomas (10 December 1920 – 9 November 1993) was an English film director, best known for the long-running '' Carry On'' series of British film comedies. Biography Born in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, Thomas was educated i ...

, the director of the "Carry On" films explained in 1966 that "In the beginning Charles's shock entrance was an accident, but realising the potential I set out deliberately to shock and now his first appearance is carefully planned.... Apart from the comedy value of the unlikely role he plays, I'm careful to arrange the right timing for his actual appearance, so that the two factors combined surprise the audience into instant risibility."Richard Webbe
''Fifty Years Of Carry On''
London: Arrow Books, 2009, p.34 In the mid-1960s, Hawtrey performed in the British regional tour of the stage musical '' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'', which also included his "Carry On" co-star

Kenneth Connor Kenneth Connor, (6 June 1918 – 28 November 1993) was a British stage, film and broadcasting actor, who rose to national prominence with his appearances in the ''Carry On'' films. Early life Connor was born in Highbury, Islington, London ...

Later life and career

Although the "Carry On" films made a handsome return for their producer, Peter Rogers, the cast were not well remunerated, commonly receiving a standard fee of £5,000 per film. Hawtrey used public transport to get to and from work and was once given a lift to Pinewood Studios by Laurence Olivier. Requested to embrace Barbara Windsor at a meeting with the press, Hawtrey hurriedly left the room requesting a man in her place.Tom Dewe Matthew
"Life as a Bit of a Carry On"
''Evening Standard'', 4 December 2001 Hawtrey moved in 1968 to Deal, in Kent, reputedly because of the sailors at the local naval base. He lived at 117 Middle Street, Deal, where he remained until his death. There is a small commemorative blue plaque on the front exterior wall of this property to identify his former residence. Hawtrey cut an eccentric figure in the small town, becoming well known for promenading along the seafront in extravagant attire, waving cheerfully to the fishermen and for frequenting establishments patronised by students of the Royal Marines School of Music. In 1970, he appeared with

in the South African film ''Stop Exchange''. He made an appearance in ''Grasshopper Island'' (ITV 1971), a children's programme, alongside

, Julian Orchard, Tim Brooke-Taylor and

Frank Muir Frank Herbert Muir (5 February 1920 – 2 January 1998) was an English comedy writer, radio and television personality, and raconteur. His writing and performing partnership with Denis Norden endured for most of their careers. Together they wro ...

. Filmed in

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

and Corsica, this adventure series featured three small brothers nicknamed Toughy, Smarty and Mouse who run away to find an uninhabited island. Hawtrey's last film was ''

Carry On Abroad ''Carry On Abroad'' is a 1972 British comedy film, the 24th release in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). The film features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Con ...

'' (1972), after which he was dropped from the series. Hoping to gain higher billing, Hawtrey withdrew from a television programme, '' Carry On Christmas'', in which he was scheduled to appear, giving just a few days' notice.

Peter Rogers Peter Rogers (20 February 1914 – 14 April 2009) was an English film producer. He is best known for his involvement in the making of the ''Carry On'' series of films. Life and career Rogers began his career as a journalist for his loc ...

, the producer of the "Carry On" films and shows, said "He became rather difficult and impossible to deal with because he was drinking a lot. We used to feed him black coffee before he would go on. It really became clear that we were wasting time". Hawtrey's alcohol consumption had noticeably increased since ''

Carry On Cowboy ''Carry On Cowboy'' is a 1965 British comedy Western film, the eleventh in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It was the first film to feature series regulars Peter Butterworth and Bernard Bresslaw. Series regulars Sid James, Ken ...

'' (1965), which was released the year his mother died. Without steady film work, Hawtrey performed in

pantomime Pantomime (; informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment. It was developed in England and is performed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and (to a lesser extent) in other English-speaking ...

and summer seasons in the regions, playing heavily on his "Carry On" persona in such shows as ''Carry On Holiday Show-time'' and ''Snow White'' at the Gaiety Theatre,

Rhyl Rhyl (; cy, Y Rhyl, ) is a seaside town and community in Denbighshire, Wales. The town lies within the historic boundaries of Flintshire, on the north-east coast of Wales at the mouth of the River Clwyd ( Welsh: ''Afon Clwyd''). To the we ...

in Wales (summer 1970), ''Stop it Nurse'' at the Pavilion Theatre,

Torquay Torquay ( ) is a seaside town in Devon, England, part of the unitary authority area of Torbay. It lies south of the county town of Exeter and east-north-east of Plymouth, on the north of Tor Bay, adjoining the neighbouring town of Paig ...

(1972) and ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'' again at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham (April 1974). His last pantomime season was Christmas 1979. Hawtrey also played parts in a series of radio plays about a criminal gang written by Wally K. Daly for the BBC, alongside Peter Jones,

Lockwood West Harry Lockwood West (28 July 1905 – 28 March 1989) was a British actor. He was the father of actor Timothy West and the grandfather of actor Samuel West. Life and career West was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England in 1905, the son of Mildr ...

and Bernard Bresslaw. These were ''Burglar's Bargains'' (1979), ''A Right Royal Rip-off'' (1982) and ''The Bigger They Are'' (1985).

Personal life

Little is known about Hawtrey's early years or later private life. He guarded his relationships very carefully in an era (lasting until 1967 in England) when male homosexual sex was illegal and punishable by a prison sentence. His outrageous drunken promiscuity did not attract sympathy, nor did his general peevish demeanour and increasing eccentricity earn him many close friends. If fans asked him for an autograph, Hawtrey would often swear at them and rip their paper in half.

Kenneth Williams Kenneth Charles Williams (22 February 1926 – 15 April 1988) was an English actor of Welsh heritage. He was best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 '' ...

recounted a visit to Deal in Kent where Hawtrey owned a house full of old brass bedsteads that the eccentric actor had hoarded, believing that "one day he would make a great deal of money from them".''The Kenneth Williams Diaries'', London, 1994 Hawtrey spent most of his life living with his mother, who suffered Alzheimer's disease in later years. Another anecdote recounted by Williams describes how during the filming of '' Carry On Teacher'',

cried out to Hawtrey that his mother's handbag had caught fire after her cigarette ash fell into it. Without batting an eyelid, Hawtrey poured a cup of tea into the bag to put out the flames, snapped the handbag shut and continued with his conversation. He would often bring his mother onto the set and then lock her in his dressing room when he was required to film a scene. Williams also recounted his gathering up of the sandwiches left over from a buffet for the "Carry On" cast. Williams was envious of Hawtrey's acceptance of his sexuality: "He can sit in a bar and pick up sailors and have a wonderful time. I couldn't do it."Paul Donnelle
''Fade to Black: A Book of Movie Obituaries''
London: Omnibus Press, 2003, p.322 In the spring of 1984, Hawtrey suffered a heart-attack. Hawtrey hit the headlines after his house caught fire on 5 August 1984. He had gone to bed with a 15-year-old rent boy and had left a cigarette burning on his sofa. Newspaper photographs from the time show a fireman leading an ill-looking, emotional, partially clothed and toupeeless Hawtrey to safety.Julian Upton ''Fallen Stars: Tragic Lives and Lost Careers'', Manchester: Headpress, 2004, p.71 Hawtrey told the press that "The smell of smoke woke me up and there were flames coming up the stairway. I've lost a lot of valuable antiques and sentimental keepsakes but I am all right. It was all very frightening".

Death

On 24 October 1988, Hawtrey collapsed in the doorway of the Royal Hotel in Deal, shattering his

femur The femur (; ), or thigh bone, is the proximal bone of the hindlimb in tetrapod vertebrates. The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum in the pelvic bone forming the hip joint, while the distal part of the femur articulates wit ...

, and was rushed by ambulance to the

Buckland Hospital Buckland Hospital is a community hospital at Dover in Kent, England. It is managed by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. History The hospital has its origins in the Dover Union Workhouse Infirmary which was completed in 1836. T ...

in Dover. He was discovered to be suffering from

peripheral vascular disease Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an abnormal narrowing of arteries other than those that supply the heart or brain. When narrowing occurs in the heart, it is called coronary artery disease, and in the brain, it is called cerebrovascular dise ...

, a condition of the arteries brought on by a lifetime of heavy smoking. Hawtrey was told that to save his life, his legs would have to be

amputated Amputation is the removal of a limb by trauma, medical illness, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on indiv ...

. He refused the operation, allegedly saying that he preferred 'to die with his boots on', and died three days later, aged 73, in a nursing home in

Walmer Walmer is a town in the district of Dover, Kent, in England. Located on the coast, the parish of Walmer is south-east of Sandwich, Kent. Largely residential, its coastline and castle attract many visitors. It has a population of 6,693 (2001), i ...

, near Deal. It was claimed that on his deathbed he threw a vase at his nurse who asked for an autograph. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in Mortlake Crematorium, close to Chiswick in London. Just nine mourners attended; no friends or family were there.

Legacy

Hawtrey was portrayed by Hugh Walters in the television film '' Cor, Blimey!'' (2000). This was adapted by Terry Johnson from his stage play ''

Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick ''Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick'' is a 1998 play written by the English dramatist Terry Johnson, who also directed the original production at the National Theatre. The play is about the off-screen love affair between ''Carry On'' film st ...

'' (1998); the original play did not feature Hawtrey as a character. In the BBC Four television play '' Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!'' (2006), Hawtrey was played by David Charles. He is also the subject of one-man biographical stage play, ''Oh, Hello!'', premiered in 2001 at The Torch Theatre and was revived in 2014/2015 for the actor's centenary, with Jamie Rees in the role. The play was written by Dave Ainsworth He has been the subject of two biographies: ''Charles Hawtrey 1914–1988: The Man Who Was Private Widdle'' (2002) by

Roger Lewis Roger Lewis (born 26 February 1960) is a Welsh academic, biographer and journalist. Biography Lewis was raised in Bedwas, Monmouthshire, and educated at Bassaleg School in Newport. He then attended the University of St Andrews, graduating MA, ...

and ''Whatshisname: The Life and Death of Charles Hawtrey'' (2010) by the broadcaster Wes Butters.

BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC that replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. It broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history from the BBC' ...

broadcast Butters's documentary, ''Charles Hawtrey: That Funny Fella with the Glasses'', in April 2010.BBC.co.uk ''Charles Hawtrey: That Funny Fella with the Glasses''
BBC Radio 4, 27 April 2010 Reference was made to Hawtrey by John Lennon (seemingly nonsensically) just before the song " Two of Us" on the Beatles' '' Let It Be'' album. John says: "I Dig a Pygmy, by Charles Hawtrey and The Deaf-Aids. Phase one, in which Doris gets her oats.”

Filmography

*'' Tell Your Children'' (1922) as minor role (uncredited) *'' This Freedom'' (1923) (uncredited) *'' Marry Me'' (1932) as Billy Hart *'' The Melody-Maker'' (1933) as Torn *''

Mayfair Girl ''Mayfair Girl'' is a 1933 British crime film directed by George King and starring Sally Blane, John Stuart and Glen Alyn. A quota quickie, it was made at Teddington Studios by the British subsidiary of Warner Bros. Chibnall p.274 Cast * Sally ...

'' (1933) *'' Smithy'' (1933) *'' High Finance'' (1933) *''As Good As New'' (1934) *'' Trouble in Store'' (1934) *'' Hyde Park'' (1934) as Secondary Supporting Role (uncredited) *'' Little Stranger'' (1934) *''

Murder at Monte Carlo ''Murder at Monte Carlo'' is a British 1934 mystery crime thriller film directed by Ralph Ince and starring Errol Flynn, Eve Gray, Paul Graetz and Molly Lamont, the production was Flynn's debut film in a lead role in England. The film is curre ...

'' (1935) *'' Boys Will Be Boys'' (1935) *''Kiddies on Parade'' (1935) *'' Windfall'' (1935) (minor role, uncredited) *'' Man of the Moment'' (1935) as Tom (uncredited) *'' Get Off My Foot'' (1935) *'' Well Done, Henry'' (1936) as Rupert McNab *'' Cheer Up'' (1936) as dancing Boy Scout (uncredited) *'' The Brown Wallet'' (1936) (bit part, uncredited) *'' Sabotage'' (1936) as studious youth at the aquarium (uncredited) *'' Good Morning, Boys'' (1937) as Septimus *''

Melody and Romance ''Melody and Romance'' is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Hughie Green, Margaret Lockwood and Jane Carr. It was made at Beaconsfield Studios with sets designed by Norman G. Arnold, and features an uncredi ...

'' (1937) reciting Shakespeare at audition (uncredited) *'' Where's That Fire?'' (1940) as Woodley *'' Jailbirds'' (1940) as Nick *'' The Ghost of St. Michael's'' (1941) as Percy Thorne *''

'' (1942) as Max *'' Let the People Sing'' (1942) as Young Orton *'' Much Too Shy'' (1942) as student of Modern Art (uncredited) *'' Bell-Bottom George'' (1943) as BBC man (uncredited) *''

A Canterbury Tale ''A Canterbury Tale'' is a 1944 British film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger starring Eric Portman, Sheila Sim, Dennis Price and Sgt. John Sweet; Esmond Knight provided narration and played two small roles. For the post-war American ...

'' (1944) as Thomas Duckett *''Ten Year Plan'' (1945) *'' Meet Me at Dawn'' (1947) as reporter at the fair (uncredited) *'' The End of the River'' (1947) as Raphael *'' The Story of Shirley Yorke'' (1948) (Major Markham) ('Sibelius' and 'Mendelssohn', ((as the Piano Player)): pseudonyms) *''

'' (1949) as Bert Fitch *''

The Lost People ''The Lost People'' is a 1949 British drama film directed by Muriel Box and Bernard Knowles and starring Dennis Price, Mai Zetterling and Richard Attenborough. It is based on the play ''Cockpit'' by Bridget Boland. It was shot partly at Den ...

'' (1949) as prisoner (uncredited) *'' Dark Secret'' (1949) as Arthur Figson *'' Room to Let'' (1950) as Mike Atkinson *'' Smart Alec'' (1951) as Farr *'' The Galloping Major'' (1951) as Lew Rimmel *'' Hammer the Toff'' (1952) as cashier (uncredited) *''

Brandy for the Parson ''Brandy for the Parson'' is a 1952 British comedy film directed by John Eldridge and starring Kenneth More, Charles Hawtrey, James Donald and Jean Lodge. It was based on a short story by Geoffrey Household from ''Tales of Adventurers'' (195 ...

'' (1952) as George Crumb *'' You're Only Young Twice'' (1952) as Adolphus Hayman *'' Five Days'' (1954) as Bill (uncredited) *'' To Dorothy a Son'' (1954) as waiter at pub (uncredited) *'' As Long as They're Happy'' (1955) as Teddyboy *'' Timeslip'' / '' The Atomic Man'' (1955) as office-boy (uncredited) *'' Simon and Laura'' (1955) as railway porter *'' Man of the Moment'' (1955) as play director (uncredited) *'' Jumping for Joy'' (1956) as punter at bar (uncredited) *'' Who Done It?'' (1956) as disc jockey *'' The March Hare'' (1956) as Fisher *''

'' (1958) as Peter Golightly *'' I Only Arsked!'' (1958) as Pvt. 'Professor' Hatchett *'' Carry On Nurse'' (1959) as Humphrey Hinton *'' Carry On Teacher'' (1959) as Michael Bean *'' Please Turn Over'' (1959) as Jeweler *'' Inn for Trouble'' (1960) as Silas Withering *''

Carry On Constable ''Carry On Constable'' is a 1960 British comedy film, the fourth in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It was released in February 1960. Of the regular team, it featured Kenneth Connor, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joa ...

'' (1960) as PC Timothy Gorse *'' Carry On Regardless'' (1961) as Gabriel Dimple *''

Dentist on the Job ''Dentist on the Job'' is a 1961 British comedy film directed by C. M. Pennington-Richards, the sequel to ''Dentist in the Chair'' (1960). It was released in the US with the title ''Get On with It!''. The film was co-written by Hugh Woodhouse ...

'' (1961) as Mr. Roper *''

What a Whopper ''What a Whopper'' is a 1961 British comedy film directed by Gilbert Gunn. It was written by Terry Nation, from a story by Jeremy Lloyd and Trevor Peacock. Pop singer Adam Faith stars as a writer who travels with some friends to Scotland to fake ...

'' (1961) as Arnold *''

Carry On Cabby ''Carry On Cabby'' is a 1963 British comedy film, the seventh in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). Released on 7 November 1963, it was the first to have a screenplay written by Talbot Rothwell (although the first screenplay "To ...

'' (1963) as Terry 'Pintpot' Tankard *''

Carry On Jack ''Carry On Jack'' is a 1964 British comedy film, the eighth in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). Most of the usual ''Carry On'' team are missing from this film: only Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey appear throughout, wi ...

'' (1963) as Walter Sweetly *''

'' (1964) as Charlie Bind *''

Carry On Cleo ''Carry On Cleo'' is a 1964 British historical comedy film, the tenth in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). Regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey, and Jim Dale are present and Connor made his l ...

'' (1964) as Seneca *''

'' (1965) as Chief Big Heap *'' Carry On Screaming!'' (1966) as Dan Dann *'' Carry On Don't Lose Your Head'' (1966) as Duc de Pommfrit *'' The Terrornauts'' (1967) as Joshua Yellowlees *'' Carry On Follow That Camel'' (1967) as Captain Le Pice *''

Carry On Doctor ''Carry On Doctor'' is a 1967 British comedy film, the 15th in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It is the second in the series to have a medical theme. Frankie Howerd makes the first of his two appearances in the film serie ...

'' (1967) as Mr. Barron *'' Carry On Up the Khyber'' (1968) as Pte. James Widdle *'' Carry On Camping'' (1969) as Charlie Muggins *'' Carry On Again Doctor'' (1969) as Doctor Ernest Stoppidge *''

Zeta One ''Zeta One'' is a 1969 British comedy science fiction film directed by Michael Cort and starring James Robertson Justice, Charles Hawtrey and Dawn Addams. Plot A spy for Section 5, James Word, finds a secretary for the section waiting as he re ...

'' (1969) as Swyne *'' Carry On Up the Jungle'' (1970) as Tonka the Great / Walter Bagley *''Stop Exchange'' (1970) as The Butler *''

Carry On Loving ''Carry On Loving'' is a 1970 British comedy film, the 20th release in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Terry Scott and ...

'' (1970) as James Bedsop *''

Carry On Henry ''Carry On Henry'' is a 1971 British historical comedy film, the 21st release in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It tells a fictionalised story involving Sid James as Henry VIII, who chases after Barbara Windsor's charact ...

'' (1971) as Sir Roger de Lodgerley *''

Carry On at Your Convenience ''Carry On at Your Convenience'' is a 1971 British comedy film, the 22nd release in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992), and was the first box office failure of the series. This failure has been attributed to the film's attempt a ...

'' (1971) as Charles Coote *''

Carry On Matron ''Carry On Matron'' is a 1972 British comedy film, the 23rd release in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It was released in May 1972. It features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hatti ...

'' (1972) as Dr. Francis A. Goode *''

'' (1972) as Eustace Tuttle

Television credits

*''Tess and Time'' (1956) *''Wolfe at the Door'' (1956) *''Laughter in Store'' (1957) *''

'' (1957–1958) as Pvt. 'Professor' Hatchett *'' Our House'' (1960) as Simon Willow *''Best of Friends'' (1963) as Charles *''Ghosts of Christmas or Carry On Christmas'' (1969) as Spirit of Christmas Past / Angel / Convent Girl *''Carry On Long John'' (1970) *''Grasshopper Island'' (1970) *''The Princess and the Pea'' (1979) *'' The Plank'' (1979) as Co-Driver *''Runaround'' (1981) *''

Super Gran ''Super Gran'' is a fictional series about a grandmother with super powers. Initially a series of books written by Forrest Wilson, a children's television show was adapted by Jenny McDade and produced by Tyne Tees Television for Children's ITV. ...

'': "Supergran and the State Visit" (1987) as Clarence, Duke of Claridge (final television appearance)