Charles was so pissed during this interview. Roy was the epitome of kindness towards Charles. Two true British comedy legends. R.I.P Charles and Roy 🙏🏼🙏🏼🏴🇬🇧
Poor Charles....when he was in hospital during his final illness he had no visitors and only four people turned up at his funeral.....a tragic end for a man who brought joy to so many for so many years.
The man was an alcoholic which as we know now can often be an incurable disease, we've all been drunk and a pain in the arse to everyone, but Hawtrey was drunk constantly and no doubt an obnoxious bore, but so was Oliver Reed, and (backward) as some people think we still are in Ireland, hundreds of people lined the roadside as Reeds hearse passed by and most blessed themselves. I traveled the short thirty miles to Reeds funeral because I liked him as an actor and I hoped to see some famous people......only Michael Winner from the movie business turned up and cried his eyes out.....surely Charlie Hawtrey deserved better after giving us so many classic comedy moments....after all most of the people who now condemn the man probably never even saw him in public!
Tim McCaffrey I so much agree with you, Tim. Alcoholism is a true illness and for those who are dependent on alcohol, to stop drinking could send them into convulsions, which could kill them. People forget how these celebrities have given so much pleasure to so many people, so to be as judgmental as to stay away from their funeral just because they drank is so sad. A friend of mine bought a house in Wimbledon from Oliver Reed and not long after he moved in, Oliver and his wife turned up at the door to see what the new owners had done to the place!
Just looked up when this series (Movie Memories) was broadcast (1981-1985 apparently) which would mean that Roy Hudd was only in his late 40s! He always seemed so much older somehow, yet when you watch this clip you realise just how relatively young he was in in it...
I think it's fair to be interested in someone's offscreen life, as long as it's in a non-invasive and non-judgmental way. They write autobiographies, they do interviews and newspaper stories - I don't think someone who hated Charles Hawtrey would be interested in what he was like offscreen. It's usually done from love.
To me, this man was fun and a joy to watch in the Carry Ons, when I was growing up in the 60/70s, and even when I watch the umpteenth repeats over the years, I still laugh loud and smile wildly at his acting, which was a gift. RIP CH, rest assured, you made many viewers happy with your talent.
Today's sceen thinks it being all prim and proper but it's really crewed and swearing. I'm 65 and miss those hidden naughtys that made people of all ages innocently laugh with joy because the iternation and body language was the focus and giggle trigger.
Roy Hudd was obviously a huge fan and really tried his best to get a good interview with such an eccentric man. It’s really nice to see and would have been even better with a longer interview. He was such a funny actor who brought so much enjoyment to the Carry On series. Much missed the both of them.
The interview was heavily edited before broadcast because of Hawtrey's drunken awkwardness during it. The local newspapers all had stories about it at the time! Its tragic Hawtrey became an alcoholic but given his very effeminate and camp presence it was inevitable he was going to have a lonely and difficult life in his particular time period! If he was around today it would have been different!
Endearing and iconic. He and I had/have the same illness (alcoholism), fortunately I was able to get help and quit the sauce in the nick of time (after many unhappy years), and could easily have slipped away as CH did. Thus: no judgement, much sympathy, and still much enjoyment from watching the old Carry On's. RIP Charlie.
+ Godfreyih. I know this is an old post but I just wanted to say, congratulations on your recovery, my mother is also a recovering alcoholic and I am so proud of her, P.s. Hope you are well.
@Scooby71Doo Great comment. Gerald Thomas always took parts of the actors own faults and foibles and added them to the characters they played. This is what makes 'Carry On' still watchable. The fine line between humour and tragedy. Very obvious with Kenneth Williams, as well as Charles Hawtrey...and Frankie Howerd.
I watched one of the last Carry On movies, that in a seaside hotel, and Hawtrey "played" a drunk person throughout the movie. It was obviously the only thing he could contribute to the movie at that time.
just finished reading a great biography of the carry on movies and loved learning all about this amazing actors. charlie drank a lot and was half pissed most the time you saw him in some films. i don't care, he created wonderfully funny characters and gave me lots of good fun. a big thank you to all the original actors who worked on these uniquely british comedies that have stood the test of time. most of them are gone now but their work will always be entertaining.
They also got very little money for the films .. and sometimes the budget was so low they used there own clothes and worked in derilict buildings And had to work all winter to HAVE MONEY to do the films for " RATE " as tjey call it
Wow! There's so many negative feedback on someone who has only been talking for 4:11. Put his personal life aside and remember the laughs on the carry on films. We're not perfect creatures.
I don’t care what he did in private. He still makes a carry on film worth watching. I’m so saddened to know that only four people turned up to this mans final goodbye. 🌹
Gerard... I heard he was a nasty drunk and used to spit at people, bitter he also used to hire rent boys out alot and a few times set fire to his house with ciggies....makes him more funny to me in my book, I read Morrissey the singer's autobiography who was a fan and used a picture of him on one of his records, morressy said he just hung up on him when he called him.
@@markharrison2544 this is one of the more sordid rumours I had heard about him before and after his death. you could tell there was something not right about him.
He was an absolute legend , and a genuine British Super Star ⭐️Loved by millions from all over the world. Always made people laugh, I was a huge fan 👍🏼🇬🇧
Hawtrey was ‘camp’ personified. I found him endlessly funny as. A kid watching Carry On - but I was untainted by views on sexuality etc. So took his comedy at face value, which was perfect.
But that's how it was then. Sexuality wasn't flaunted in your face like it is now. Everything has to be given a label in today's society so that we "understand" & accept. The innocence of being a child is slowly being eroded away by exposure to all things at much earlier ages, either through families or, more dangerously, the internet in the belief that it makes them a more understanding person. In reality it seems to be breeding ferral, lawless youngsters who's aim in life is to expect something for nothing and the way to make money is to be, and I use this term very loosely, a "celebrity".
Doesn't matter how many people visited him in hospital ; doesn't matter weather or not friends or family turned - up at his funeral? Simple truth is: Charles Hawtrey, (despite conjecture about his personal life?) Was most likely an independent soul - who didn't need the reassurances of peers to validate his existence?? Some people are like that; they are not phased by the same obligatory insecure 'claptrap' of the tribal mentality?? Independent-minded people care not what anyone thinks, because they are at ease in their own skin, in realizing that they will always have themselves. Who will remember Charles Hawtrey's family members/friends? However, Mr. Hawtrey will be remembered because his spirit lives on, as does his legendary persona, and character that continues to entertain people with its magical nostalgia and humor... forever... in the 'Carry - on' franchise! Who doesn't feel good when there is a carry-on playing in the room?? Need I say anymore?!
Quite the opposite in fact. He was demanding unreasonable things as far back as Carry on Regardless (top billing, more money) and he was a very, very bitter man in his post Carry on days, especially to fans who he would spit at if they asked him for an autograph. That's the hallmarks of an insecure man, not an independent soul.
One of the last of the true great eccentrics of British Cinema and a master of the double-entendre. I especially love the legend that he and Williams spat venom at each other off set in the Carry On films; it adds spice to my enjoyment of them together on screen that Williams off camera resented Hawtreys uncanny ability to pull.
Given the ULTRA homophobic times he grew up in, being so OBVIOUSLY gay would, I'm quite sure been one of the REASONS he became an Alcoholic. Being shunned by people would have made for a VERY lonely life.
FEAR is expressed in many different ways. Straight men FEAR, they will be perceived as gay, should they be seen with such.They FEAR their sons may "become" like "them" if they consort with "them". I presume, Collie, you are merely thinking of FEAR as being a fear of physical violence. How shallow of you...how foolish and unthinking your comment. Do learn to SPELL "terminology" correctly. You'll feel all the better for it!.
Because UNFORTUNATELY there are still too many Homophobic morons in this world,who despite seeing a talent for what it is,would rather bring someones sexuality into it,probably to make up for their own shortcomings.
Charles Hawtry is Immortal through Carry on films. He can never be forgotten - and that's all that matters. Every one of us will live on in some people's memory or the other!
Unique and very funny man. All his 'Carry On' rolls were memorable and his camp, gentle style of comedy will always be held in great esteem and remain his true legacy.
The British theatre tradition threw up (if that's the word!), a whole generation of truly unique character actors. Alistair Sim being one such memorable "eccentric", Charles Hawtrey another. We could do with a few more of 'em now, in my opinion!
Sadly the influence of American TV/film has made us more 'cautious' about humour. We used to be a lot cheekier and subversive before the Hippy generation took over comedy.
@@kaysmith8992 Yeah, and recently it's got much worse. I was really annoyed by Brand & Ross, that one stupid 'joke' alone caused paranoia at the BBC, & I knew it would stop them taking the risks they needed to. I didn't expect that soon after, cancel culture would put the final nail in, though!
The Carry On's are a British Institution we gifted to the World with great scripts (unless your a sad woker!), made on shoestring budgets, full of double entendres, and above all brilliantly cast and Charles more than deserves his place in the list of great comedy actors who more than played their parts in making the Carry On's the classics they are.
For 35 years, I've been a huge fan of the "Carry On" films. My favorite is probably Carry On Nurse, although Carry On Cleo is a very close second. Charles Hawtrey wasn't in all of them, but he seemed to steal the ones that he WAS in.
@@danielrussell446 Correct above the pub (whose name escapes me) Royal Marines from the Barracks used to pull his leg a bit and he hated it. Got really wound up many times
The two campest characters were Hawtry and Williams. One was a truly vile person and the other was a very witty, thoughtful and entertaining individual who wasn't Hawtry.
@@badwolf66 Kenneth Williams definitely had his demons and he lived what most would consider a sad life. His diaries make that clear. However, his inner strife wasn't translated to nastiness and appalling behaviour.
He looked amazingly young throughout his life. One of the most important members of the carry on movies..when they let him go at abroad the series really suffered and his absence was felt badly. It was one of Peter Rogers most poor decisions although by all accounts Charles had become impossible to work with or around due to his alcoholism. A legend of cinema his importance towards it can not be overlooked.. thankyou Charles hawtrey.
Amazingly young ??? Who are you kidding ? In this interview he was wearing a 'syrup' on his head that looked like a mop. If you took it off, he'd look like a haggered old turkey with it's feathers plucked out. He was, from all accounts, a nasty piece of work in real life who wouldn't sign autographs. Get a bloody grip.
Charles got so bad that they had to give him alcohol during filming. When you see him take a drink in Carry On Abroad it's Charles actually "taking his medicine" on set. They were trying to help him as much as anything when they let him go from the CO cast.
I really can't understand people that don't think he was funny ... He was funny as soon as you saw his face 😁and he only needed to say oh hello or ...Well really ....quite a character indeed 👌👌
Ever remember BBC Radio 'Children's Hour' during the '40's with the episodes of "Norman and Henry Bones - the Schoolboy Detectives", the title roles being played by Patricia Hayes and of course Charles Hawtrey. Wonderful.
When my late father was in his teens at boarding school and Charles Hawtrey was in his 20's, Charles would pay my father to shoot the rats around his dustbins at his home. Charles Hawtrey's house was right next to the boarding school and he would frequently be away doing radio plays and theatrre (long before television). My dad being the school's rifle marksman would earn a few bob shooting Hawtrey's rats. Sadly the school no longer exists.
Im certain he was the inspiration for C3PO. Also, I never really thought that his wig ever got the recognition it deserved either, and that brought just as much joy and laughter as Charles did.
The voice maybe, but the original Star Wars film is mostly a lift from The Hidden Fortress by Akira Kurosawa. C3P0 & R2D2 are two hapless peasants in the film.
Lovely interview, after sid James, he was the best character in those films, so sad to hear that Roy passed away last year, I loved watching him too. RIP to both legends.
True, then Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor, Joan Simms, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor, Bernard Bresslaw and Jim Dale if these stars were not in them they were not worth watching.
@@softshallow7435 Oh I thought you were adding to the list of people who have died as the others you mentioned have all gone now. I suppose all of them are getting very old now though
Society destroyed him as it did many gay men back in those days. Being told you were a pervert about something you had no control of must have been hard. No wonder he took to drink. Also destroyed Kenneth Williams, who despised his sexuality because of society's view of it. Yet both made people laugh, including, no doubt, those who held anti-gay views.
You started off well, but then made a very stupid comment about yorkshire terriers, and by the end you were thoroughly medieval. Society has moved on from this s***. Shame you haven't.
rmilrta Everyone is entitled to an opinion and sadly not everybody will agree or like it. But that is what free speech is all about. The freedom to express ourselves through words! And its because there are those who don't like certain opinions, that free speech is in danger of being snatched away! Well, when that happens people will become frustrated and thats when violence starts! So be careful what you wish for!
+Love Cats Freedom of speech also includes the right to criticise the words of others. In fact I'd say that was probably the most important aspect of it.
Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams are two of my favourite double acts- and the rumours that they couldnt stand each other off-screen makes my enjoyment of them all the better.
So many of the CO stars had tortuous lives 💔💔 But brought so much joy/ laughter from their talents.He clearly needed an intervention from loved ones and then maybe he would have been happier and fulfilled.RIP CH your fans hope you’re finally at peace 🕊🌏🌈
I wouldn't go as far as saying that the man was a 'legend.' I think his character in the Carry On films added greatly to the comedy and the films were better because of Charles Hawtrey's presence. He certainly was a strange character ' 'off stage'. However, he did in life what he wanted to do. If you are talking about a comedy legend, then that has to be Sir Norman Wisdom.
@@Steampunksaly not one of his co-stars in any carry-on film had a single good word to say about him, except one said something about a cremation was too good for him, I just can't recall who it was that said it. The comment was in reference to his death in a house fire, the telephone call can be found of you look hard enough for it, and it's very hard to listen to. I'm sure the 999 call operator probably left the service afterwards, it's very harrowing to listen to. In defence of Charles if you was brought up the way he was (by an uncaring mum, who abused him mentally) and was gay in a world that was extremely unforgiving of anyone who wasn't straight and white, you'd turn to drink, pills (amphetamines and barbiturates) and any other vice that took the pain away, (he was known for literally waiting for the sailors to come home at the shipping ports and have orgies, then being abusive about them). He was rude to everyone and had an entitled attitude causing everyone to hate him almost instantly.
There was a run of the Carry On films on TV recently which was great to see. They're still worth watching and probably always will be, like so many other classic films and TV shows.
Thanks for this,sad though Charlie Hawtrey had a drink problem as clearly seen on that clip,there are some cruel digs at him in Carry On Abroad when he plays a heavy drinker.
Some lovely comments on here couldn’t agree more , what a fantastic comedian . How I laughed watching all the carry on films . Great times great comedy . Ohh bring back those glory days please .
I'd forgotten all about Carry On films until one of my streaming providers recommended "Don't Lose Your Head" from out of the blue. So I watched it, maybe 35 years after I'd last seen a Carry On film. Very entertaining it was too. Of course, I remember Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Joan Sims, but when Charles Hawtrey shows up my my brain explodes - "That guy! I really like that guy. I completely forgot he existed until now. What's his name?" So my brother fills in the details because I always forget I can Google anything. I don't think I've ever forgotten someone existed so completely. It was like watching The Lone Ranger and going "Tonto! I remember him." Charles Hawtrey, RiP, you surely shall be missed. Well, not by me, apparently - until now.
Haha, that was lovely, thank you! I too remember taking *ages* to remember his name once. Too much competition in the 'camp' memory department! It's good for us, though, we'll have memories like elephants... If nothing else ;)
Charles was a child soprano singer, and and a semi proffesional, pianist who entertained those in the forces during World War Two. So sad not many attended his funeral.
On the 24th of October 1988 Hawtrey collapsed in the doorway of the Royal hotel in Deal.He shattered his femur and was rushed in an ambulance to the Buckland hospital in Dover. He was discovered to be suffering from peripheral vascular disease, 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. He refused, allegedly saying he preferred to die with his boots on, and died later in the month, aged 73, in a Walmer, Kent nursing home, near Deal. On his deathbed, Hawtrey supposedly threw a vase at his nurse who asked for an autograph - it was the last thing he did. His ashes were scattered in Mortlake Crematorium, close to Chiswick in London; no friends or family attended.
That's a really 1970s shirt and tie combo that Charles is wearing - I remember the fashion well as I used to have something similar when I was a child.
By all accounts, he was anything *but* a lovely chap in real life Stephen, but I think it's nice that your mother never heard about that side of things.
@@saymyname218 Hi again Stephen. So Charles Hawtrey... He lived a very tawdry lifestyle throughout a very tragic life really. I mean _tragic_ as in sad. He lived on the corner of Middle Street here (in Deal, Kent) for about the last 25 years of his life. Most of which he shared the house with his mother who had really bad Alzheimer's disease (dementia). She was regularly found wandering the streets in her nightdress or even naked sometimes! But he (Charles), was a massive alcoholic, and lived virtually his entire life, drifting in and out of drunken stupors. And he'd always tell people (even young children) to _"f ck off"_ if they ever asked him for his autograph. He just seemed so bitter and angry with the world, ALL the time. I don't know if you know, but he began as a child actor, playing serious parts way back in the days of silent movies. I strongly suspect that one of his anger issues, was because he started out, hoping to be seen as a serious actor one day. But he was completely typecast the rest of his career after _'Carry On Sergeant'_ came out in 1958. Weirdly (in my opinion anyway), his only _close_ friend, wasn't a member of the _'Carry On'_ team. It was actually Shakespearean acting _demigod_ and _all-round luvvie,_ Sir Laurence Olivier (aka Lord Olivier). I honestly don't know if Olivier ever came out in public, but it was no secret within the acting world, that he liked to _'swing both ways'_ or _'bat for both teams'_ if you catch my drift? And that he had a 6-8 month relationship with Hawtrey, between Olivier's 2nd wife (Vivien Leigh) divorcing him, and Joan Plowright marrying him. Again, I think the fact that Olivier was married to three beautiful women (and shagged many more - including Monroe btw), and was seen as a happy family man with kids (as far as the public were concerned), frustrated/angered Hawtrey and made him jealous. But then in later life, and particularly after his mother died, Charles would regularly pay local rent boys to come back to his home and spend the night. Sometimes two at a time! And on three occasions (that I personally know of), he was caught _"importuning"_ with slightly underage boys in the public toilets on the prom. I remember seeing little headlines about them in the East Kent Mercury (local paper), but somehow, it never made it into the national red tops, such as The Sun or The Mirror etc. From what I can remember, none of the lads would testify against Hawtrey, and this was in the days long before CCTV. I don't know if it was true or not, but the local rumour was that Hawtrey's manager had agreed to pay the lads £200 each. That was a big bundle of cash to 15-year-old lads in those days! One final, and completely useless fact... Did you know that the main actors in the _'Carry On'_ films (Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw, Jim Dale and Barbara Windsor) were each paid just £2,500 per movie through the 1950's, £3,500 each per movie throughout the 1960's, and a whopping £5,500 each per movie throughout the 1970's. And none of them were ever paid repeat fees. Although putting that into a little perspective, my grandparents bought a 3-bed, decent sized, semi-detached house in 1959, for £3,450. I hope you didn't find this epic comment too boring, and apologies if you did. Take care Stephen.
@@saymyname218 You're very welcome Stephen. It's so refreshing these days, to find intelligent people like you, who appreciate that facts can still be facts, even when there isn't a link to send them to. There are millions of facts about all kinds of things, which were facts long before the internet came along! The only reason I know as much as I do about Charles Hawtrey (and a number of other British actors of the same era), is because my Aunt Evelyn and Uncle James both worked within the British film industry during the 50's, 60's and 70's. But Mr Hawtrey also lived in Deal where I'm from. So I got to hear (and sometimes even see) all the gossip for myself. I wasn't planning on mentioning this when I began replying to you, but it's all water under the bridge I suppose? (LOL)... But one of my own younger brothers was one of the teenage boys who used to _'visit'_ Mr Hawtrey at home... Again, if you catch my drift! 😮
Yes I loved watching the carry on films such a diverse collection of different personalities , they were all brilliant and made great films that will live forever ❤️
I'm besotted with this era. The carry on cast intrigue me so much. The way they lived and sadly died. So much pathos in their lives. So many stories about the trio of James, Williams and this legend.
Hawtrey's mild-mannered comic persona in the Carry On films belies the fact in real life he was an obnoxious bitter drunk who alienated everyone he came in contact with.
So desperately sad that he died when he did relatively u mourned. Charlie was a joy to watch and his character ensemble was only equalled by Kenny Williams. RIP
Charles was so pissed during this interview. Roy was the epitome of kindness towards Charles. Two true British comedy legends. R.I.P Charles and Roy 🙏🏼🙏🏼🏴🇬🇧
Hawtrey abused children.
very pleased to see all the people who remember charles hawtrey.. even now.. thankyou for sharing this. 🙂
A superstar!! He lit up the Carry on movies and was unforgettable.
He and kenneth Williams together
Never ever fails to make me laugh. A naturally funny man. The Carry In franchise would not have been the same without him. Rest in peace, Charles. 🌹
Lovable and vulnerable, this actor had the capacity and eccentricity of stealing any film scene for his own, and the public adored him for it.
Poor Charles....when he was in hospital during his final illness he had no visitors and only four people turned up at his funeral.....a tragic end for a man who brought joy to so many for so many years.
TheStgmp44 Sadly that's true, if fans asked him for an autograph, he'd tell them to fuck off. You can't expected to be liked if you behave like that.
The man was an alcoholic which as we know now can often be an incurable disease, we've all been drunk and a pain in the arse to everyone, but Hawtrey was drunk constantly and no doubt an obnoxious bore, but so was Oliver Reed, and (backward) as some people think we still are in Ireland, hundreds of people lined the roadside as Reeds hearse passed by and most blessed themselves. I traveled the short thirty miles to Reeds funeral because I liked him as an actor and I hoped to see some famous people......only Michael Winner from the movie business turned up and cried his eyes out.....surely Charlie Hawtrey deserved better after giving us so many classic comedy moments....after all most of the people who now condemn the man probably never even saw him in public!
Tim McCaffrey I so much agree with you, Tim. Alcoholism is a true illness and for those who are dependent on alcohol, to stop drinking could send them into convulsions, which could kill them. People forget how these celebrities have given so much pleasure to so many people, so to be as judgmental as to stay away from their funeral just because they drank is so sad. A friend of mine bought a house in Wimbledon from Oliver Reed and not long after he moved in, Oliver and his wife turned up at the door to see what the new owners had done to the place!
anummasa
yo that was a good comment
John Brighton ..alcoholism is a disease..
Mr Roy Hudd - interviewer, lovely man, great entertainer back n the day RIP 1936 - 2020 (aged 83)
Yes God bless him, av you heard the one about the eagle 😂😂😂😂😂
I love that you had to add his age in brackets... Thanks Carol Vorderman. 😂
@@teralmiles yep..............I did that cos some might’ve deduced that he was 84 after doing the math 🤪😏🙄😇
Oh, I hadn't heard he'd died. I once wrote to him about pantomime and he gracious;ly replied with a lovely letter.
Just looked up when this series (Movie Memories) was broadcast (1981-1985 apparently) which would mean that Roy Hudd was only in his late 40s! He always seemed so much older somehow, yet when you watch this clip you realise just how relatively young he was in in it...
He brought joy to many, many
thousands of people. As far as I am concerned that is all that matters to me. Rest in Peace.
Well said - let others carp on about their obsessions !
Really interesting chap. Apparently he only used to travel by bus, and had a collection of bedsteads in his lodgings. They were all real characters.
I think it's fair to be interested in someone's offscreen life, as long as it's in a non-invasive and non-judgmental way. They write autobiographies, they do interviews and newspaper stories - I don't think someone who hated Charles Hawtrey would be interested in what he was like offscreen. It's usually done from love.
And he upset loads more
@@BernieHolland-w4l
you can see the joy and happiness on his face when the interviewer calls him a great which he was!
He was sozzled! He didn't know if it was New Year or New York. Hilarious wig though 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
To me, this man was fun and a joy to watch in the Carry Ons, when I was growing up in the 60/70s, and even when I watch the umpteenth repeats over the years, I still laugh loud and smile wildly at his acting, which was a gift. RIP CH, rest assured, you made many viewers happy with your talent.
Today's sceen thinks it being all prim and proper but it's really crewed and swearing.
I'm 65 and miss those hidden naughtys that made people of all ages innocently laugh with joy because the iternation and body language was the focus and giggle trigger.
Roy Hudd was obviously a huge fan and really tried his best to get a good interview with such an eccentric man. It’s really nice to see and would have been even better with a longer interview. He was such a funny actor who brought so much enjoyment to the Carry On series. Much missed the both of them.
The interview was heavily edited before broadcast because of Hawtrey's drunken awkwardness during it. The local newspapers all had stories about it at the time!
Its tragic Hawtrey became an alcoholic but given his very effeminate and camp presence it was inevitable he was going to have a lonely and difficult life in his particular time period! If he was around today it would have been different!
I used to like Roy myself in the early 60's he was the litter bug man in the ads.
Bless him.
He gave such joy and entertainment!
The 'Carry On' series would never have been possible without what he added!
My mum loved Charles H.
aww...an absolute 'one of' legend and very rare footage of this very private man so ty so much for posting...love him dearly! xxx
Endearing and iconic. He and I had/have the same illness (alcoholism), fortunately I was able to get help and quit the sauce in the nick of time (after many unhappy years), and could easily have slipped away as CH did. Thus: no judgement, much sympathy, and still much enjoyment from watching the old Carry On's. RIP Charlie.
+ Godfreyih. I know this is an old post but I just wanted to say, congratulations on your recovery, my mother is also a recovering alcoholic and I am so proud of her, P.s. Hope you are well.
Addiction and choice, not an illness.
KJS just had same thought 💭 Godfreyih, hope your recovery is going well, likewise KJS best wishes to your Mum.......me sober since Jan 1980 ODAAT
Well guys... I'm pissed and just had a great bellylaugh at good old Charles *RIP
Night y'all :)
godfreyih you still sober
@Scooby71Doo Great comment. Gerald Thomas always took parts of the actors own faults and foibles and added them to the characters they played. This is what makes 'Carry On' still watchable. The fine line between humour and tragedy. Very obvious with Kenneth Williams, as well as Charles Hawtrey...and Frankie Howerd.
@Fred Farkle 😂 I wonder what happened to the Deaf-aids...?
ScreaminJames John Lennon stole them 😂😂👍
I watched one of the last Carry On movies, that in a seaside hotel, and Hawtrey "played" a drunk person throughout the movie. It was obviously the only thing he could contribute to the movie at that time.
@@Stroheim333 He was sacked as a regular after they completed the filming
whatever happened to @Scooby71Doo.
If he was half pissed so was half the cast. And even on a low budget they still rock comedy ,compared to todays drivel. Love the guy
Classic Carry On film of 1962, I was 7 years of age then, great clip, thanks for posting this gem.
just finished reading a great biography of the carry on movies and loved learning all about this amazing actors. charlie drank a lot and was half pissed most the time you saw him in some films. i don't care, he created wonderfully funny characters and gave me lots of good fun. a big thank you to all the original actors who worked on these uniquely british comedies that have stood the test of time. most of them are gone now but their work will always be entertaining.
They also got very little money for the films .. and sometimes the budget was so low they used there own clothes and worked in derilict buildings
And had to work all winter to HAVE MONEY to do the films for " RATE " as tjey call it
I grew up watching the Carry on movies. Charles Hawtry always made me laugh. He was one of my favorites
Miss you Charlie.
Loved it when he was in Carry On Nurse and thought he was pregnant? so funny. :) :)
Wow! There's so many negative feedback on someone who has only been talking for 4:11. Put his personal life aside and remember the laughs on the carry on films. We're not perfect creatures.
rockinrex
Most people aren’t cruel, nasty drunks either.
If he wasnt on duty at the time of the crime
@inside outside upside downside exactly. people here are watching this with more knowing minds. The general public were quite naive back then
Alcoholism was one of his least offensive sins. His worst was behaving similar to his mate Saville.
@@kooringagnd do elaborate
I don’t care what he did in private. He still makes a carry on film worth watching. I’m so saddened to know that only four people turned up to this mans final goodbye. 🌹
It is sad , he may have annoyed people when alive, I personally found him hilarious, but he paid the ultimate price no reason to further snub him
What did he do?
Gerard... I heard he was a nasty drunk and used to spit at people, bitter he also used to hire rent boys out alot and a few times set fire to his house with ciggies....makes him more funny to me in my book, I read Morrissey the singer's autobiography who was a fan and used a picture of him on one of his records, morressy said he just hung up on him when he called him.
@@markharrison2544 this is one of the more sordid rumours I had heard about him before and after his death.
you could tell there was something not right about him.
@@markharrison2544 You have no evidence for such a comment.
Made me laugh like a hyena. A real character and not a false z list celebrity we get nowadays
Charles Hawtrey always makes me laugh. A great actor who used all his talents to make us laugh.
R.I.P Charlie.
Never even thought about gay etc when I watched the carry ons. He actually reminded me of a sweet Nanny! He was brill and so were they all.
Haha yeah ad a kid you didn't know what a gay person was Kenneth and him were just camp characters that weren't like dad.
You didn't think about it, because you didn't care - no one cared. That's how life generally felt in the 70s and 80s.
Most gays are very creative people life would be very dull without them.
He was an absolute legend , and a genuine British Super Star ⭐️Loved by millions from all over the world. Always made people laugh, I was a huge fan 👍🏼🇬🇧
Hawtrey was ‘camp’ personified. I found him endlessly funny as. A kid watching Carry On - but I was untainted by views on sexuality etc. So took his comedy at face value, which was perfect.
And we don't care about his sexuality. He was talented and seriously funny.
But that's how it was then. Sexuality wasn't flaunted in your face like it is now. Everything has to be given a label in today's society so that we "understand" & accept. The innocence of being a child is slowly being eroded away by exposure to all things at much earlier ages, either through families or, more dangerously, the internet in the belief that it makes them a more understanding person. In reality it seems to be breeding ferral, lawless youngsters who's aim in life is to expect something for nothing and the way to make money is to be, and I use this term very loosely, a "celebrity".
him in carry on again doctor in drag was exactly like a woman i knew living image
@@andrewhaines8603 what absolute rubbish
@@lmm2103 what bit ?
Doesn't matter how many people visited him in hospital ; doesn't matter weather or not friends or family turned - up at his funeral? Simple truth is: Charles Hawtrey, (despite conjecture about his personal life?) Was most likely an independent soul - who didn't need the reassurances of peers to validate his existence?? Some people are like that; they are not phased by the same obligatory insecure 'claptrap' of the tribal mentality?? Independent-minded people care not what anyone thinks, because they are at ease in their own skin, in realizing that they will always have themselves. Who will remember Charles Hawtrey's family members/friends? However, Mr. Hawtrey will be remembered because his spirit lives on, as does his legendary persona, and character that continues to entertain people with its magical nostalgia and humor... forever... in the 'Carry - on' franchise!
Who doesn't feel good when there is a carry-on playing in the room??
Need I say anymore?!
GARY GRAY great post
yeh except he was highly dependent on his mother and lost control when she passed, so although your post sounded good, it was pure conjecture
I don't think having a self-destructive alc problem points towards being at ease in his own skin, as you put it
Quite the opposite in fact. He was demanding unreasonable things as far back as Carry on Regardless (top billing, more money) and he was a very, very bitter man in his post Carry on days, especially to fans who he would spit at if they asked him for an autograph. That's the hallmarks of an insecure man, not an independent soul.
Yep I am one of those people.
Fascinating glimpse, have to agree with others, if not for internet, this would all be lost. We have total time travel of a sort now.
I'm definitely going to say "charmed I'm sure" next time I get introduced to someone
One of the last of the true great eccentrics of British Cinema and a master of the double-entendre. I especially love the legend that he and Williams spat venom at each other off set in the Carry On films; it adds spice to my enjoyment of them together on screen that Williams off camera resented Hawtreys uncanny ability to pull.
I don’t see the need to talk about his sexuality. He was a fun actor and part of the amazing Carry On series, end of.
And as camp as a row of pink tents, which was half the comedy factor in the Carry On films.
Sexuality is far more than just sex.
Given the ULTRA homophobic times he grew up in, being so OBVIOUSLY gay would, I'm quite sure been one of the REASONS he became an Alcoholic. Being shunned by people would have made for a VERY lonely life.
Homophobic - FEAR of homosexuals. Don't think ANYONE is AFRAID of them. Do learn to use correct terminolgy.
FEAR is expressed in many different ways. Straight men FEAR, they will be perceived as gay, should they be seen with such.They FEAR their sons may "become" like "them" if they consort with "them". I presume, Collie, you are merely thinking of FEAR as being a fear of physical violence. How shallow of you...how foolish and unthinking your comment. Do learn to SPELL "terminology" correctly. You'll feel all the better for it!.
Because UNFORTUNATELY there are still too many Homophobic morons in this world,who despite seeing a talent for what it is,would rather bring someones sexuality into it,probably to make up for their own shortcomings.
Charles Hawtry is Immortal through Carry on films. He can never be forgotten - and that's all that matters. Every one of us will live on in some people's memory or the other!
I loved him with Will Hay , good archive films 👍
Unique and very funny man. All his 'Carry On' rolls were memorable and his camp, gentle style of comedy will always be held in great esteem and remain his true legacy.
The British theatre tradition threw up (if that's the word!), a whole generation of truly unique character actors. Alistair Sim being one such memorable "eccentric", Charles Hawtrey another. We could do with a few more of 'em now, in my opinion!
Sadly the influence of American TV/film has made us more 'cautious' about humour. We used to be a lot cheekier and subversive before the Hippy generation took over comedy.
@@kaysmith8992 Yeah, and recently it's got much worse. I was really annoyed by Brand & Ross, that one stupid 'joke' alone caused paranoia at the BBC, & I knew it would stop them taking the risks they needed to. I didn't expect that soon after, cancel culture would put the final nail in, though!
The Carry On's are a British Institution we gifted to the World with great scripts (unless your a sad woker!), made on shoestring budgets, full of double entendres, and above all brilliantly cast and Charles more than deserves his place in the list of great comedy actors who more than played their parts in making the Carry On's the classics they are.
Charles Hawtrey, funny guy in fact a legend of comedy, miss you Charliie and also Kenneth Williams and Sid James .
Sidney , Kenny, dame Barbara and Charles hawtree all fabulous
He's actually adorable and that laugh is iconic
I had his 'cackle' as my sms notification, I had to remove it because it made me jump every time it went off! 😆😆😆
Would love to see the unedited version of this interview!! Think his wig had had a few as well looking at it🤣
Lol brilliantly said about Charles wig
Great interview. Loved the way Roy Hudd conducted it too.
Roy had a much more pleasant style than the ubiquitous Parkinson.
He's nothing without Emu
@@cityboy9301
That was Rod Hull & emu
@@paulyerbury7385 Yeah, loved them in Rainbow 😒
Even in it's edited form you can see he was making a point about not being paid enough despite the huge amount of money these films made
watched all carry on movies in cinema.. loved carry on screaming... he and kenneth williams were top notch .. RIP..
Carry on Screaming....
Harry 'H' Corbett
'H' 4 'Hanything'...
Yep they were?
No still are!...
For 35 years, I've been a huge fan of the "Carry On" films. My favorite is probably Carry On Nurse, although Carry On Cleo is a very close second. Charles Hawtrey wasn't in all of them, but he seemed to steal the ones that he WAS in.
He was brilliant in the carry on films ,"Carry on Camping" will Always be one of my favs.
"Pound"
R.i .P Charles ❤
He was excellent in that film, albeit carry on follow that camel was perhaps his best...
Charles Hawtrey lived with his mum, in the next street from my family. And that was a useful piece of information wasnt it?😂...
Very
@@danielrussell446 Correct above the pub (whose name escapes me) Royal Marines from the Barracks used to pull his leg a bit and he hated it. Got really wound up many times
Yes, thank you for letting us know (and I am NOT being sarcastic) xxx
yes but i liked it! - :)
St Stephen's Road Hounslow Middlesex
Charles Hawtrey, a private man, not known for giving interviews.
The camp characters were always the funniest.
The two campest characters were Hawtry and Williams. One was a truly vile person and the other was a very witty, thoughtful and entertaining individual who wasn't Hawtry.
@@peterd788 Did you know him personally ?
@@bren70ssss94 No but enough has been written about Hawtry's behaviour to allow me to make a judgement.
@@peterd788 Kenneth Williams appeared to be pretty screwed in the head from that Documentary that was made about him. (Michael Sheen played him)
@@badwolf66 Kenneth Williams definitely had his demons and he lived what most would consider a sad life. His diaries make that clear. However, his inner strife wasn't translated to nastiness and appalling behaviour.
He looked amazingly young throughout his life. One of the most important members of the carry on movies..when they let him go at abroad the series really suffered and his absence was felt badly. It was one of Peter Rogers most poor decisions although by all accounts Charles had become impossible to work with or around due to his alcoholism.
A legend of cinema his importance towards it can not be overlooked.. thankyou Charles hawtrey.
Amazingly young ??? Who are you kidding ? In this interview he was wearing a 'syrup' on his head that looked like a mop. If you took it off, he'd look like a haggered old turkey with it's feathers plucked out. He was, from all accounts, a nasty piece of work in real life who wouldn't sign autographs. Get a bloody grip.
Charles got so bad that they had to give him alcohol during filming. When you see him take a drink in Carry On Abroad it's Charles actually "taking his medicine" on set. They were trying to help him as much as anything when they let him go from the CO cast.
Your empathy and compassion are very touching.
Always loved the characters he played, despite his best playing it up there was a warmth and charm to them.
legend..thanx for uploading.
I really can't understand people that don't think he was funny ... He was funny as soon as you saw his face 😁and he only needed to say oh hello or ...Well really ....quite a character indeed 👌👌
Ever remember BBC Radio 'Children's Hour' during the '40's with the episodes of "Norman and Henry Bones - the Schoolboy Detectives", the title roles being played by Patricia Hayes and of course Charles Hawtrey. Wonderful.
When my late father was in his teens at boarding school and Charles Hawtrey was in his 20's, Charles would pay my father to shoot the rats around his dustbins at his home. Charles Hawtrey's house was right next to the boarding school and he would frequently be away doing radio plays and theatrre (long before television). My dad being the school's rifle marksman would earn a few bob shooting Hawtrey's rats. Sadly the school no longer exists.
I love such personal recollections... Thanks!!!
Cool story, Charles and Kenneth were always my two favourites from carry on, absolute legends
Must be true cause it's on the internet
Poor rats 😢
So: what boarding school in Kent has shut down?
When I heard John Lennon mention Charles Hawtrey, I never knew about him until I started watching the Carry On films sometime ago.
Roy Hudd was such a lovely man. Met him several times professionally.
Karl Mk Not surprised to hear about Edward Woodward. I never met him but actor friends have said similar to your experience.
i met charles in a club when i was young ,,and he told me off for chewing gum ,,ha,,,he was old school ,,,,
So did I. Lovely man.
@MrKayaker69 You are right - he was a delightful character - same on stage and off - sadly missed
Only met Roy professionally the once and yes, he was the nicest celeb I ever spent any time with.
I’ve got Awesome memories of the Carry On Films🤗🤗🤗 Charles Hawtrey one of My Favourite Actor👍👌👌👍
"I dig a pigmy" by Charles Hawtrey and the Deaf Aids. Phase 1 in which Doris gets her oats.
That was on my dads LP of Let It Be but not on the CD that I have.
...referring to his ( deaf aids = 'mature gentleman' )penchant for trysts with the young ('pigmy')?
Im certain he was the inspiration for C3PO. Also, I never really thought that his wig ever got the recognition it deserved either, and that brought just as much joy and laughter as Charles did.
The voice maybe, but the original Star Wars film is mostly a lift from The Hidden Fortress by Akira Kurosawa. C3P0 & R2D2 are two hapless peasants in the film.
Poor Charles, you can see he has significant problems and is deeply unhappy. It is difficult to watch this.
Significantly steaming!
After scrolling through literally dozens of comments, I’m glad someone else noticed this too. Not seen anyone else comment on this fact. Very sad.
Shame would have been good to see the full unedited interview, this was originally broadcast 28th January 1981
Lovely interview, after sid James, he was the best character in those films, so sad to hear that Roy passed away last year, I loved watching him too. RIP to both legends.
True, then Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor, Joan Simms, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor, Bernard Bresslaw and Jim Dale if these stars were not in them they were not worth watching.
@@softshallow7435 I didn't know Jim Dale had died!
@@georgealderson4424 I didn’t say he had. I’m saying if these most of these were not in a Carry on film together then it wasn’t worth watching them.
@@softshallow7435 Oh I thought you were adding to the list of people who have died as the others you mentioned have all gone now. I suppose all of them are getting very old now though
@@georgealderson4424 no probs pal.
He lives on in his body of work which is more than can be said for most people 🎉🎉
Society destroyed him as it did many gay men back in those days. Being told you were a pervert about something you had no control of must have been hard. No wonder he took to drink. Also destroyed Kenneth Williams, who despised his sexuality because of society's view of it. Yet both made people laugh, including, no doubt, those who held anti-gay views.
+Andy Jones So we choose our sexuality? Do you choose to be straight, but really you have other urges?
You started off well, but then made a very stupid comment about yorkshire terriers, and by the end you were thoroughly medieval. Society has moved on from this s***. Shame you haven't.
Why does it bother you so much? It seems very strange that it would.
rmilrta Everyone is entitled to an opinion and sadly not everybody will agree or like it. But that is what free speech is all about. The freedom to express ourselves through words! And its because there are those who don't like certain opinions, that free speech is in danger of being snatched away! Well, when that happens people will become frustrated and thats when violence starts! So be careful what you wish for!
+Love Cats Freedom of speech also includes the right to criticise the words of others. In fact I'd say that was probably the most important aspect of it.
Poor old Charlie. He didn't cope very well away from the cameras. Such a pity. A gentle soul.
Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams are two of my favourite double acts- and the rumours that they couldnt stand each other off-screen makes my enjoyment of them all the better.
I dont know if that's true..as Kenneth Williams used to visit charlies..and they used to go for a walk along the seafront were Charlie's lived..
I knew someone who knew him, and their quote was, "The only people who liked him were the people who never met him."
So many of the CO stars had tortuous lives 💔💔 But brought so much joy/ laughter from their talents.He clearly needed an intervention from loved ones and then maybe he would have been happier and fulfilled.RIP CH your fans hope you’re finally at peace 🕊🌏🌈
Wonderful to see this interview- too short.....he lives on!
He was a legend end of story
I wouldn't go as far as saying that the man was a 'legend.'
I think his character in the Carry On films added greatly to the comedy and the films were better because of
Charles Hawtrey's presence.
He certainly was a strange character '
'off stage'.
However, he did in life what he wanted to do.
If you are talking about a comedy legend, then that has to be Sir Norman Wisdom.
Legend? Seriously? You don’t get out much do you?
@@Steampunksaly not one of his co-stars in any carry-on film had a single good word to say about him, except one said something about a cremation was too good for him, I just can't recall who it was that said it. The comment was in reference to his death in a house fire, the telephone call can be found of you look hard enough for it, and it's very hard to listen to. I'm sure the 999 call operator probably left the service afterwards, it's very harrowing to listen to. In defence of Charles if you was brought up the way he was (by an uncaring mum, who abused him mentally) and was gay in a world that was extremely unforgiving of anyone who wasn't straight and white, you'd turn to drink, pills (amphetamines and barbiturates) and any other vice that took the pain away, (he was known for literally waiting for the sailors to come home at the shipping ports and have orgies, then being abusive about them). He was rude to everyone and had an entitled attitude causing everyone to hate him almost instantly.
Yes definitely a Carry on legend no doubt about that !!
He didn’t die in a house fire. The house fire was in 1984. He died in 1988.
It is nice to see Charles Hawtrey remembered. Thanks for that info sqwookster :)
There was a run of the Carry On films on TV recently which was great to see. They're still worth watching and probably always will be, like so many other classic films and TV shows.
This guy is a LEGEND, one of the best actors EVER and my favorite from the Carry On movies
Thanks for this,sad though Charlie Hawtrey had a drink problem as clearly seen on that clip,there are some cruel digs at him in Carry On Abroad when he plays a heavy drinker.
Some lovely comments on here couldn’t agree more , what a fantastic comedian . How I laughed watching all the carry on films . Great times great comedy . Ohh bring back those glory days please .
R.I.P. Roy Hudd 16 May 1936 - 15 March 2020 (aged 83)
For all the great Comedians and Comediennes now passed on, 'Thanks For The Laughter!'
I didn't know that Roy Hudd was an interviewer, but he's really well suited to it. Such a pleasant manner he has and a clear admiration for his guest.
Never be another one !
Gawd Bless Charlie !
Charles UK
Great actor, it's a pity he wasn't more widely utilised. Thanks for sharing.
I'd forgotten all about Carry On films until one of my streaming providers recommended "Don't Lose Your Head" from out of the blue. So I watched it, maybe 35 years after I'd last seen a Carry On film. Very entertaining it was too. Of course, I remember Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Joan Sims, but when Charles Hawtrey shows up my my brain explodes - "That guy! I really like that guy. I completely forgot he existed until now. What's his name?" So my brother fills in the details because I always forget I can Google anything. I don't think I've ever forgotten someone existed so completely. It was like watching The Lone Ranger and going "Tonto! I remember him."
Charles Hawtrey, RiP, you surely shall be missed. Well, not by me, apparently - until now.
thank you i laughed at your comments ,,here in lockdown ,,im gonna watch same video now ,,,
Haha, that was lovely, thank you! I too remember taking *ages* to remember his name once. Too much competition in the 'camp' memory department! It's good for us, though, we'll have memories like elephants... If nothing else ;)
Great upload 🙏 thanks
Charles was a child soprano singer, and and a semi proffesional, pianist who entertained those in the forces during World War Two. So sad not many attended his funeral.
The clip is from Movie Memories: Series 1 - episode 2 (28th January, 1981).
Of ALL the actors/actresses from the Carry on films Charles Hawtrey WAS & IS & ALWAYS will be number 1 in my heart. LOVE YE Charles. XX
A true legend.. very funny and a natural. Without him Carry On Films will not be carry on
On the 24th of October 1988 Hawtrey collapsed in the doorway of the Royal hotel in Deal.He shattered his femur and was rushed in an ambulance to the Buckland hospital in Dover. He was discovered to be suffering from peripheral vascular disease, 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. He refused, allegedly saying he preferred to die with his boots on, and died later in the month, aged 73, in a Walmer, Kent nursing home, near Deal. On his deathbed, Hawtrey supposedly threw a vase at his nurse who asked for an autograph - it was the last thing he did. His ashes were scattered in Mortlake Crematorium, close to Chiswick in London; no friends or family attended.
Fuck him
i dont think so.
They ceremonially threw his urn at the nurse out of respect.
Buckland Hospital? No wonder the poor fucker died, they could barely put a plaster on a cut finger.
greenaum 🤣
the late great Roy Hudd and Charles Hawtry......Oh! bliss.
This was from a show called "MOVIE MEMORIES", the interview was recorded in December, 1980.
Would love the see the full interview though. Thanks for finding this
Very short, very quick interview.
No sooner had he sat down,
then there was "Thank You and
Goodnight" !!!!!!
🤔🤔🤔
It’s clearly been edited?
I wish the unedited version is available
One of my favourite actors he was so funny. Those carry on films were so funny especially the 60s and very early 70s ones.
That's a really 1970s shirt and tie combo that Charles is wearing - I remember the fashion well as I used to have something similar when I was a child.
A lovely chap....my late mother loved him and I can remember watching him with her on tv.its a .shame that these characters are gone now .
By all accounts, he was anything *but* a lovely chap in real life Stephen, but I think it's nice that your mother never heard about that side of things.
@@ljdmanxfella5793 What did he do. I'm all ears.Give me a link lol.
@@saymyname218 Hi again Stephen. So Charles Hawtrey... He lived a very tawdry lifestyle throughout a very tragic life really. I mean _tragic_ as in sad. He lived on the corner of Middle Street here (in Deal, Kent) for about the last 25 years of his life. Most of which he shared the house with his mother who had really bad Alzheimer's disease (dementia). She was regularly found wandering the streets in her nightdress or even naked sometimes! But he (Charles), was a massive alcoholic, and lived virtually his entire life, drifting in and out of drunken stupors.
And he'd always tell people (even young children) to _"f ck off"_ if they ever asked him for his autograph. He just seemed so bitter and angry with the world, ALL the time. I don't know if you know, but he began as a child actor, playing serious parts way back in the days of silent movies. I strongly suspect that one of his anger issues, was because he started out, hoping to be seen as a serious actor one day. But he was completely typecast the rest of his career after _'Carry On Sergeant'_ came out in 1958.
Weirdly (in my opinion anyway), his only _close_ friend, wasn't a member of the _'Carry On'_ team. It was actually Shakespearean acting _demigod_ and _all-round luvvie,_ Sir Laurence Olivier (aka Lord Olivier). I honestly don't know if Olivier ever came out in public, but it was no secret within the acting world, that he liked to _'swing both ways'_ or _'bat for both teams'_ if you catch my drift? And that he had a 6-8 month relationship with Hawtrey, between Olivier's 2nd wife (Vivien Leigh) divorcing him, and Joan Plowright marrying him. Again, I think the fact that Olivier was married to three beautiful women (and shagged many more - including Monroe btw), and was seen as a happy family man with kids (as far as the public were concerned), frustrated/angered Hawtrey and made him jealous.
But then in later life, and particularly after his mother died, Charles would regularly pay local rent boys to come back to his home and spend the night. Sometimes two at a time! And on three occasions (that I personally know of), he was caught _"importuning"_ with slightly underage boys in the public toilets on the prom. I remember seeing little headlines about them in the East Kent Mercury (local paper), but somehow, it never made it into the national red tops, such as The Sun or The Mirror etc. From what I can remember, none of the lads would testify against Hawtrey, and this was in the days long before CCTV. I don't know if it was true or not, but the local rumour was that Hawtrey's manager had agreed to pay the lads £200 each. That was a big bundle of cash to 15-year-old lads in those days!
One final, and completely useless fact... Did you know that the main actors in the _'Carry On'_ films (Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw, Jim Dale and Barbara Windsor) were each paid just £2,500 per movie through the 1950's, £3,500 each per movie throughout the 1960's, and a whopping £5,500 each per movie throughout the 1970's. And none of them were ever paid repeat fees. Although putting that into a little perspective, my grandparents bought a 3-bed, decent sized, semi-detached house in 1959, for £3,450. I hope you didn't find this epic comment too boring, and apologies if you did. Take care Stephen.
@@ljdmanxfella5793 Wow! i didn't expect this. Thank you very much. It was very interesting. The knowledge you have on him is amazing.
@@saymyname218 You're very welcome Stephen. It's so refreshing these days, to find intelligent people like you, who appreciate that facts can still be facts, even when there isn't a link to send them to. There are millions of facts about all kinds of things, which were facts long before the internet came along!
The only reason I know as much as I do about Charles Hawtrey (and a number of other British actors of the same era), is because my Aunt Evelyn and Uncle James both worked within the British film industry during the 50's, 60's and 70's. But Mr Hawtrey also lived in Deal where I'm from. So I got to hear (and sometimes even see) all the gossip for myself.
I wasn't planning on mentioning this when I began replying to you, but it's all water under the bridge I suppose? (LOL)... But one of my own younger brothers was one of the teenage boys who used to _'visit'_ Mr Hawtrey at home... Again, if you catch my drift! 😮
Yes I loved watching the carry on films such a diverse collection of different personalities , they were all brilliant and made great films that will live forever ❤️
Are you with us, or with the men? " Ooohh, decisions, decisions!
I love him. Cracked me up every time.
@S R damned if I can recall. Camping??
A great actor/ person, he played in so many carry on films, and he was my favorite in the army game show, I believe his name was knitter?
I'm besotted with this era. The carry on cast intrigue me so much. The way they lived and sadly died. So much pathos in their lives. So many stories about the trio of James, Williams and this legend.
Hawtrey's mild-mannered comic persona in the Carry On films belies the fact in real life he was an obnoxious bitter drunk who alienated everyone he came in contact with.
So desperately sad that he died when he did relatively u mourned. Charlie was a joy to watch and his character ensemble was only equalled by Kenny Williams. RIP
Only 74 when he passed that's not old at all. But then he has never looked strong. LOVED THIS GUY SO MUCH He was a talented guy.
@TheNewblackdog Is that so??? Wonder why, I know he drank , so probably a cranky drunk. That is so sad he gave us so many laughs
@TheNewblackdog Well you wouldn't pick it would you watching him on screen. Shame,