Charles Hawtrey 1914-1988 by Roger Lewis
This is a small masterpiece of biographical investigation, and fitting testament to a comic genius whose place in British cultural history is now assured. Charles Hawtrey, the skinny one with the granny glasses, was everybody's favourite in the Carry Ons - but who exactly was he? Up to now the man has remained a mystery. Examining Hawtrey's origins as a child star and performer in revue and the Will Hay films, this wonderful little book looks at his career in radio and television, and then to the sad and slow decline of a belligerent recluse on the Kent coast. The high camp exuberance of his acting gave way to bitterness and alcoholism and if you asked Hawtrey for an autograph he'd be more likely to call the police instead. Roger Lewis's short life of Hawtrey opens out like a Chinese box to address such issues as the nature of fame, neglect, loss, sexual confusion, Drambuie, betrayal, marine bandsmen, and fine cambric knickers trimmed with lace and blue ribbon. Its moral would seem to be that you don't necessarily turn out as the person you thought you'd become.
'A winningly queer little book about a winningly queer little man' Matthew Sweet, Independent on Sunday; 'A pungent, opinionated and brilliantly intuitive biography of the saddest act in the history of British cinema... Lewis, in this diverting little book, hits on Hawtrey... and distils something alchemical from his sadness: a quintessence of a sort of Englishness.' New Statesman
Roger Lewis is the author of The Life and Death of Peter Sellers ('His research here has staggering breadth and depth, as does his relentless power of insight tempered with humanity.' The Hollywood Reporter), which is being developed as a biopic by HBO, and The Real Life of Laurence Olivier ('A passionate and monumental celebration of a genius.' Arthur Miller in the Sunday Times), which has formed the basis of a documentary for Channel 4. His biography of Anthony Burgess is published by Faber, in November 2002.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780571210893 |
| ISBN 10 | 0571210899 |
| Title | Charles Hawtrey 1914-1988 |
| Author | Roger Lewis |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Faber & Faber |
| Year published | 2002-10-07 |
| Number of pages | 128 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |