Charles Hawtrey Appreciation Society

Born George Frederick Joffre Hartree on 30th November 1914 in Hounslow, Middlesex, England, into a theatrical family (although his father was a motor mechanic), he started acting at an early age. He studied at the Italia Conti acting school for three years as a child before turning professional and securing a variety of junior roles. His first appearance was playing an urchin in "The Windmill Man" in Boscombe when only eleven years old. Following his appearance in "Bluebell In Fairyland" at London's Scala Theatre, a string of other contracts evolved.In 1925, less than three years after the death of the celebrated Edwardian actor / manager Sir Charles Hawtrey to whom he was no relation, George adopted the stage name Charles Hawtrey. From his radio appearances, which began in 1929, he managed to start working alongside some of the big names of the day including the famous Will Hay. His portrayal of Slightly in "Peter Pan" in 1931 was commended by the Daily Telegraph's drama critic as showing "a comedy sense not unworthy of his famous name." A string of film appearances and theatrical engagements (along with many impressive reviews) kept Charles busy throughout the thirties, forties, and into the fifties.In 1957 Hawtrey appeared in the TV series "The Army Game" with Bernard Bresslaw ("Well, I only arsked!") and William Hartnell. It was a smash hit guaranteeing him a similar role in the first of the "Carry On" films the following year, "Carry On Sergeant". It is probably for his "Carry On" appearances that most people today remember Charles Hawtrey. He appeared in twenty-three of them (known affectionately by the cast and crew as "coco shunter" because of his aversion to chocolate), but there was so much more to his long and impressive career that we could not possibly do it full justice here. Charles Hawtrey always kept his social life private. He never married, and many suppose that away from his work he was lonely. After leaving the "Carry On" series of films in 1973, because they wouldn't give him the higher billing that he believed he deserved, he went into semi-retirement living in an old smuggler's cottage near the seafront in Deal, Kent. He had suffered with arthritis for a number of years and it was becoming more acute. There were a few cameo appearances, but mainly he led a reclusive life in his cottage. It was from there in 1984 that he had to be dramatically rescued when a fire broke out.By September 1988 the arthritis had become so severe that Charles was told by his doctors that his legs would have to be amputated if they were to save his life. He refused to have the operation and died just one month later.Charles Hawtrey had a natural campness to his character, one that he explored to the limits in his career. It served him well and has possibly made him irreplaceable. He was frequently known to burst into outrageous humour, speaking in a type of language that few could understand. His close friend Joan Sims was one of the few who apparently could understand him. Was it some kind of Polari. We don't know. His recreational activities included collecting antiques and playing the piano. The latter must have become very difficult and distressing as his arthritic illness progressed.