Peter Gawthorne (1 September 1884 – 17 March 1962) was an Anglo-Irish actor, probably best known for his roles in the films of

Will Hay William Thomson Hay (6 December 1888 – 18 April 1949) was an English comedian who wrote and acted in a schoolmaster sketch that later transferred to the screen, where he also played other authority figures with comic failings. His film '' O ...

and other popular British comedians of the 1930s and 1940s. Gawthorne was one of Britain's most called-upon supporting actors during this period.

Early life and career

He was born in 1884 in Queen's County (now County Laois) in Ireland, but spent most of his career in England. After two years at the ''Academy of Dramatic Art'', Gawthorne began a career on the London stage, eventually running up over twenty years experience there. His debut was in 1906, a walk-on part at His Majesty's Theatre, London. He was featured in the role of Albany Pope, receiving good notices, in the hit musical '' The Boy'' in 1917.Findon, B.W. (ed.) "''The Boy''", ''The Play Pictorial'', No. 186, Vol. XXXI, 1917, pp. 33–35 He also studied singing. He then toured Australia, South Africa and America, making his film debut in Hollywood before returning to Britain, where he worked for a number of film companies but predominately Gainsborough Studios. He worked extensively in cinema often playing military officers and stern, authority figures, many of whom frequently clashed with the bumbling idiots played by

and other well-known comedians such as George Formby, The Crazy Gang, the

Aldwych farce The Aldwych farces were a series of twelve stage farces presented at the Aldwych Theatre, London, nearly continuously from 1923 to 1933. All but three of them were written by Ben Travers. They incorporate and develop British low comedy styles, ...

urs, Jack Hulbert,

Cicely Courtneidge Dame Esmerelda Cicely Courtneidge, (1 April 1893 – 26 April 1980) was an Australian-born British actress, comedian and singer. The daughter of the producer and playwright Robert Courtneidge, she was appearing in his productions in the West ...

Old Mother Riley Old Mother Riley is a fictional character portrayed from about 1934 to 1954 by Arthur Lucan and from 1954 to the 1980s by Roy Rolland as part of a British music hall act. Old Mother Riley (full comedy name: Daphne Bluebell Snowdrop Riley) is an ...

Tommy Trinder Thomas Edward Trinder CBE (24 March 1909 – 10 July 1989) was an English stage, screen and radio comedian whose catchphrase was "You lucky people!". Described by cultural historian Matthew Sweet as "a cocky, front-of-cloth variety turn", he ...

, Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch. His appearances were prolific and not just confined to comedies, taking in such films as '' The Iron Duke'' (1934), '' Goodbye, Mr. Chips'' (1939), ''

"Pimpernel" Smith ''"Pimpernel" Smith'' (released in the USA as ''Mister V'') is a 1941 British anti-Nazi thriller, produced and directed by its star Leslie Howard, which updates his role in ''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1934) from Revolutionary France to pre-Seco ...

'' (1941), '' Love on the Dole'' (1941), and '' The Young Mr. Pitt'' (1942).

Filmography

Film

* '' Behind That Curtain'' (1929) as British Police Inspector * '' His Glorious Night'' (1929) as General Ettingen * '' One Hysterical Night'' (1929) as Mr. Bixby * '' Sunnyside Up'' (1929) as Lake the Butler * '' Temple Tower'' (1930) as Matthews * '' Those Three French Girls'' (1930) as Parker * '' The Man Who Came Back'' (1931) as Griggs * '' Charlie Chan Carries On'' (1931) as Inspector Duff * '' I Like Your Nerve'' (1931) as Roberts - Lattimer's Butler * '' COD'' (1932) as Detective * '' His Lordship'' (1932) as Ferguson, the Butler * '' Jack's the Boy'' (1932) as Mr. Brown * '' The Lodger'' (1932) as Lord Southcliff * '' The Flag Lieutenant'' (1932) as Maj. Thesiger * '' Perfect Understanding'' (1933) as Butler * '' The Blarney Stone'' (1933) as Unknown role * '' Prince of Arcadia'' (1933) as Equerry * ''

Leave It to Smith Leave may refer to: * Permission (disambiguation) ** Permitted absence from work *** Leave of absence, a period of time that one is to be away from one's primary job while maintaining the status of employee *** Annual leave, allowance of time away ...

'' (1933) as Rolls * ''

The House of Trent ''The House of Trent'' is a 1933 British drama film directed by Norman Walker and starring Anne Grey, Wendy Barrie, Moore Marriott and Peter Gawthorne. It follows a doctor who faces both a scandal and a moral dilemma when a patient of his dies ...

'' (1933) as Lord Fairdown * ''

Grand Prix Grand Prix ( , meaning ''Grand Prize''; plural Grands Prix), is a name sometimes used for competitions or sport events, alluding to the winner receiving a prize, trophy or honour Grand Prix or grand prix may refer to: Arts and entertainment ...

'' (1934) as John McIntyre * '' Two Hearts in Waltz Time'' (1934) as Mr. Joseph * '' Mr Stringfellow Says No'' (1934) as Prime Minister * '' Something Always Happens'' (1934) as Mr. Hatch * '' Girls, Please!'' (1934) as Van Hoffenheim * '' Money Mad'' (1934) as Sir John Leyland * '' The Camels are Coming'' (1934) as Colonel Fairley * '' My Old Dutch'' (1934) as Mr. Paraday * '' The Iron Duke'' (1934) as Duke of Richmond * '' Dirty Work'' (1934) as Inspector Barlow * '' Murder at Monte Carlo'' (1935) as Duprez * ''

Who's Your Father ''Who's Your Father'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Lupino Lane and starring Lane, Peter Haddon and Nita Harvey. It is a musical marriage mix-up film based on an original play by Mark Melford called '' Turned Up''. ''Turned Up'' was ...

'' (1935) as Capt. Medway * '' The Divine Spark'' (1935) as Felice Romani * '' Man of the Moment'' (1935) as Staff Colonel * '' Boys Will Be Boys'' (1935) as Minor Role * '' The Crouching Beast'' (1935) as Kadir Pasha * '' Stormy Weather'' (1935) as Police Inspector * '' Me and Marlborough'' (1935) as Mr. Barton * '' Crime Unlimited'' (1935) as Newall * '' No Limit'' (1935) as Mr. Higgins * '' Wolf's Clothing'' (1936) as Sir Hector * '' Pot Luck'' (1936) as Chief Constable * '' A Woman Alone'' (1936) as President of Court Martial * ''

The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss ''The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss'' is a 1936 British romantic comedy film directed by Alfred Zeisler and starring Cary Grant. It is a remake of the 1920 film '' The Amazing Quest of Mr. Ernest Bliss'', based on ''The Curious Quest'', a 1919 ...

'' (1936) as Sir James Alroyd * ''

The Man Behind the Mask ''The Man Behind the Mask'' is a 1936 British mystery film directed by Michael Powell and starring Hugh Williams, Jane Baxter, Ronald Ward, Maurice Schwartz, George Merritt, Henry Oscar and Peter Gawthorne. A man assaults and switches places wi ...

'' (1936) as Lord Slade * '' East Meets West'' (1936) as Stanton * '' Everybody Dance'' (1936) as Sir Rowland Morton * '' Windbag the Sailor'' (1936) as Minor Role * ''

Good Morning, Boys ''Good Morning, Boys!'' is a 1937 British comedy film directed by Marcel Varnel and featuring Will Hay, Graham Moffatt, Martita Hunt, Lilli Palmer and Peter Gawthorne. It was made at the Gainsborough Studios in Islington. The film marked the f ...

'' (1937) as Col. Willougby-Gore * '' Return of a Stranger'' (1937) as Sir Herbert Tompkin * '' Father Steps Out'' (1937) as Mr. Fitzwilliam * ''

Brief Ecstasy ''Brief Ecstasy'' is a 1937 British drama film directed by Edmond T. Gréville and starring Paul Lukas, Hugh Williams, Linden Travers and Marie Ney. It was made at Ealing Studios. Plot Cast * Paul Lukas a Professor Paul Bernardy * Hugh Wi ...

'' (1937) as Chairman of Steel Company * '' Gangway'' (1937) as Assistant Commissioner Sir Brian Moore * ''

Jericho Jericho ( ; ar, أريحا ; he, יְרִיחוֹ ) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank. It is located in the Jordan Valley, with the Jordan River to the east and Jerusalem to the west. It is the administrative seat of the Jericho ...

'' (1937) as Court Martial President * '' Under a Cloud'' (1937) as Sir Edmond Jessyl * '' Smash and Grab'' (1937) as Insurance Company Chairman * ''

The Last Adventurers ''The Last Adventurers'' is a 1937 British drama film directed by Roy Kellino and starring Niall MacGinnis, Roy Emerton, Linden Travers and Peter Gawthorne. A shipwrecked castaway is rescued by a sea captain, and then falls in love with the ca ...

'' (1937) as Fergus Arkell * ''

The Ticket of Leave Man The Ticket-of-Leave Man or The Ticket of Leave Man may refer to: * ''The Ticket-of-Leave Man'' (play), an 1863 play by Tom Taylor * ''The Ticket of Leave Man'' (1912 film), an Australian film directed by Gaston Mervale * ''The Ticket-of-Leave Ma ...

'' (1937) as Joshua Gibson * ''

Easy Riches ''Easy Riches'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring George Carney, Gus McNaughton, Marjorie Taylor and Tom Helmore. Plot Two rival firms of builders fight for business in a small town. Cast * George Carney ...

'' (1938) as Stacey Lang * '' Scruffy'' (1938) as Chairman * '' Convict 99'' (1938) as Sir Cyril * '' Alf's Button Afloat'' (1938) as Capt. Driscol R.N. * '' Hey! Hey! USA'' (1938) as Ship's Captain * '' Dead Men are Dangerous'' (1939) as Conray * '' Inspector Hornleigh'' (1939) as Chancellor of the Exchequer * '' Sword of Honour'' (1939) as Lord Carhampton * '' Home from Home'' (1939) as Governor * '' Ask a Policeman'' (1939) as Chief Constable * '' Goodbye, Mr. Chips'' (1939) as Army General * '' Secret Journey'' (1939) as Gen. von Reimer * '' Flying Fifty-Five'' (1939) as Jonas Urquhart * '' Riding High'' (1939) as Sir Joseph Wilmot * '' What Would You Do, Chums?'' (1939) as Sir Douglas Gordon KC * ''

Where's That Fire? ''Where's That Fire?'' is a 1940 British comedy film, produced by Twentieth Century Fox, directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Will Hay, Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt. It was the last film Will Hay made with his most famous comic foils, M ...

'' (1939) as Fire Chief * ''

Traitor Spy ''Traitor Spy'' is a 1939 British thriller film directed by Walter Summers and starring Bruce Cabot, Marta Labarr, Tamara Desni and Edward Lexy. It was shot at Welwyn Studios with sets designed by Ian White. It has also been released under the ...

'' (1939) as Sir John * '' They Came by Night'' (1940) as Commissionaire * '' Laugh It Off'' (1940) as General * '' Band Waggon'' (1940) as Claude Pilkington * '' Crook's Tour'' (1940) as Minor Role * '' Three Silent Men'' (1940) as General Bullingdon * ''

Two for Danger ''Two for Danger'' is a 1940 British crime film directed by George King and starring Barry K. Barnes, Greta Gynt and Ian McLean. It was made at Teddington Studios as a second feature by Warner Brothers.Chibnall & McFarlane p.3 Cast * Barry ...

'' (1940) as Assistant Commissioner * '' Gasbags'' (1941) as Commanding Officer * '' Love on the Dole'' (1941) as Police Supt * ''

Inspector Hornleigh Goes To It ''Inspector Hornleigh Goes To It'' is a 1941 British detective film directed by Walter Forde and starring Gordon Harker, Alastair Sim, Phyllis Calvert and Edward Chapman. It was the third and final film adaptation of the Inspector Hornle ...

'' (1941) as Colonel * ''

Old Mother Riley's Ghosts ''Old Mother Riley's Ghosts'' is a 1941 British comedy film directed by John Baxter and starring Arthur Lucan, Kitty McShane and John Stuart. It was the 8th in the long-running Old Mother Riley series. Old Mother Riley inherits a castle in Sc ...

'' (1941) as Mr. Cartwright * ''

'' (1941) as Sidimir Koslowski * '' Cottage to Let'' (1941) as Senior RAF Officer * '' I Thank You'' (1941) as Doctor Pope * '' They Flew Alone'' (1942) as RAF Officer * '' Let the People Sing'' (1942) as Maj. Shiptonthorpe * '' The First of the Few'' (1942) as Board Member * '' The Young Mr. Pitt'' (1942) as Admiral * ''

Much Too Shy ''Much Too Shy'' is a 1942 British comedy film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring George Formby, Kathleen Harrison, Hilda Bayley and Eileen Bennett. The cast includes radio star Jimmy Clitheroe (as George's brother), later "Carry On'" star ...

'' (1942) as Plaintiff's Counsel * ''

Women Aren't Angels ''Women Aren't Angels'' is a 1943 black and white British comedy film directed by Lawrence Huntington and starring Aldwych Theatre farceurs Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton, with Polly Ward and Joyce Heron. It was made at Welwyn Studios and bas ...

'' (1943) as H.G. Colonel * '' We'll Meet Again'' (1943) as Theatre Manager * ''

Bell-Bottom George ''Bell-Bottom George'' is a 1943 black and white British comedy musical film, directed by Marcel Varnel, starring George Formby and Anne Firth. A wartime morale booster, it features the songs, "Swim Little Fish", "It Serves You Right", "If I H ...

'' (1944) as Adm. Sir William Coltham * ''

The Hundred Pound Window ''The Hundred Pound Window'' is a 1944 British crime film directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Anne Crawford, David Farrar, Frederick Leister and Richard Attenborough. The film follows an accountant who has to take a second job work ...

'' (1944) as Van Rayden * ''

Murder in Reverse? ''Murder in Reverse'' (also styled ''Murder in Reverse?'') is a 1945 British thriller film directed by Montgomery Tully and starring William Hartnell, Jimmy Hanley and Chili Bouchier. It is based on the story ''Query'' by "Seamark" ( Austin J. ...

'' (1945) as One of Crossley's Guests * '' This Man Is Mine'' (1946) as Businessman * '' Nothing Venture'' (1948) as Scotland Yard Official * ''

The Case of Charles Peace ''The Case of Charles Peace'' is a 1949 British crime film directed by Norman Lee and starring Michael Martin Harvey, Chili Bouchier and Valentine Dyall. It is based on the real-life Victorian murderer Charles Peace. Cast * Michael Martin H ...

'' (1949) as Mr. Justice Lopes * '' Kind Hearts and Coronets'' (1949) as First Lord Delivering Verdict * '' High Jinks in Society'' (1949) as Jenkins * ''

Soho Conspiracy ''Soho Conspiracy'' is a 1950 British musical drama film directed by Cecil H. Williamson and starring Jacques Labrecque, Zena Marshall and Peter Gawthorne. Premise A young man attempts to stage a charity concert in order to raise funds to refur ...

'' (1950) as Father Shaney * '' The Elusive Pimpernel'' (1950) as Chauvelin's Butler * '' Death Is a Number'' (1951) as James Gregson * ''

Salute the Toff ''Salute the Toff'' is a 1952 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring John Bentley and Carol Marsh. The film was based on the 1941 novel of the same name by John Creasey, the sixth in the series featuring upper-class sleut ...

'' (1952) as Mortimer Harvey * '' Paul Temple Returns'' (1952) as Sir Graham Forbes * ''

Knights of the Round Table The Knights of the Round Table ( cy, Marchogion y Ford Gron, kw, Marghekyon an Moos Krenn, br, Marc'hegien an Daol Grenn) are the knights of the fellowship of King Arthur in the literary cycle of the Matter of Britain. First appearing in lit ...

'' (1953) as Bishop * '' Five Days'' (1954) as Bowman * '' Tale of Three Women'' (1954) as Sir Frederick (segment "Thief of London' story)

TV series

*'' Adventure Theater'' (1956, TV Series) - Sir Frederick (final appearance)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gawthorne, Peter Irish male film actors 1884 births 1962 deaths People from County Laois 20th-century Irish male actors British male comedy actors 20th-century British male actors