Peter Gawthorne


Peter Gawthorne was an Anglo-Irish actor, probably best known for his roles in the films of Will Hay 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 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. 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 Will Hay and other well-known comedians such as George Formby, The Crazy Gang, the Aldwych farceurs, Jack Hulbert, Cicely Courtneidge, Old Mother Riley, Tommy Trinder, Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch.
His appearances were prolific and not just confined to comedies, taking in such films as The [Iron Duke (film)|The Iron Duke], Goodbye, Mr. Chips, "Pimpernel" Smith, Love on the Dole, and The Young Mr. Pitt.

Financial problems

In January 1924 bankruptcy proceedings in England revealed that Gawthorne had liabilities of approximately £10,000, most of which resulted from losses related to production of the Island King. Following the closing of that play he had performed in Katinka, earning £30 per week, with part of that amount going to his solicitors to apply to his debts. A trustee was appointed to handle Gawthorne's estate.

Filmography

Film

Behind That Curtain as British Police InspectorHis Glorious Night as General EttingenOne Hysterical Night as Mr. BixbySunnyside Up as Lake the ButlerTemple Tower as MatthewsThose Three French Girls as ParkerThe Man Who Came Back as GriggsCharlie Chan Carries On as Inspector DuffI Like Your Nerve as Roberts - Lattimer's Butler COD as DetectiveHis Lordship as Ferguson, the ButlerJack's the Boy as Mr. BrownThe Lodger as Lord SouthcliffThe Flag Lieutenant as Maj. ThesigerPerfect Understanding as ButlerThe [Blarney Stone (film)|The Blarney Stone] as Unknown rolePrince of Arcadia as EquerryLeave It to Smith as RollsThe House of Trent as Lord FairdownGrand Prix as John McIntyreTwo Hearts in Waltz Time as Mr. JosephMr Stringfellow Says No as Prime MinisterSomething Always Happens as Mr. HatchGirls, Please! as Van HoffenheimMoney Mad as Sir John LeylandThe Camels Are Coming as Colonel FairleyMy Old Dutch as Mr. ParadayThe Iron Duke as Duke of RichmondDirty Work as Inspector BarlowMurder at Monte Carlo as DuprezWho's Your Father as Capt. MedwayThe Divine Spark as Felice RomaniMan of the Moment as Staff ColonelBoys Will Be Boys as Minor Role The Crouching Beast as Kadir PashaStormy Weather as Police InspectorMe and Marlborough as Mr. BartonCrime Unlimited as NewallNo Limit as Mr. HigginsWolf's Clothing as Sir HectorPot Luck as Chief ConstableA Woman Alone as President of Court MartialThe Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss as Sir James AlroydThe Man Behind the Mask as Lord SladeEast Meets West as StantonEverybody Dance as Sir Rowland MortonWindbag the Sailor as Minor Role Good Morning, Boys as Col. Willougby-GoreReturn of a Stranger as Sir Herbert TompkinFather Steps Out as Mr. FitzwilliamBrief Ecstasy as Chairman of Steel CompanyGangway as Assistant Commissioner Sir Brian Moore Jericho as Court Martial President Under a Cloud as Sir Edmond JessylSmash and Grab as Insurance Company Chairman The Last Adventurers as Fergus ArkellThe [Ticket of Leave Man (1937 film)|The Ticket of Leave Man] as Joshua GibsonEasy Riches as Stacey LangScruffy as ChairmanConvict 99 as Sir CyrilAlf's Button Afloat as Capt. Driscol R.N.Hey! Hey! USA as Ship's Captain Dead Men are Dangerous as ConrayInspector Hornleigh as Chancellor of the Exchequer Sword of Honour as Lord CarhamptonHome from Home as GovernorAsk a Policeman as Chief ConstableGoodbye, Mr. Chips as Army General Secret Journey as Gen. von ReimerFlying Fifty-Five as Jonas UrquhartRiding High as Sir Joseph WilmotWhat Would You Do, Chums? as Sir Douglas Gordon KCWhere's That Fire? as Fire ChiefTraitor Spy as Sir JohnThey Came by Night as Commissionaire Laugh It Off as GeneralBand Waggon as Claude PilkingtonCrook's Tour as Minor Role Three Silent Men as General BullingdonTwo for Danger as Assistant CommissionerGasbags as Commanding OfficerLove on the Dole as Police Supt Inspector Hornleigh Goes To It as ColonelOld Mother Riley's Ghosts as Mr. Cartwright"Pimpernel" Smith as Sidimir KoslowskiCottage to Let as Senior RAF Officer I Thank You as Doctor PopeThey Flew Alone as RAF OfficerLet the People Sing as Maj. ShiptonthorpeThe First of the Few as Board MemberThe Young Mr. Pitt as Admiral Much Too Shy as Plaintiff's CounselWomen Aren't Angels as H.G. Colonel We'll Meet Again as Theatre ManagerBell-Bottom George as Adm. Sir William ColthamThe Hundred Pound Window as Van RaydenMurder in Reverse as One of Crossley's GuestsThis Man Is Mine as BusinessmanNothing Venture as Scotland Yard OfficialThe Case of Charles Peace as Mr. Justice LopesKind Hearts and Coronets as First Lord Delivering Verdict High Jinks in Society as JenkinsSoho Conspiracy as Father ShaneyThe Elusive Pimpernel as Chauvelin's Butler Death Is a Number as James GregsonSalute the Toff as Mortimer HarveyPaul Temple Returns as Sir Graham ForbesKnights of the Round Table as Bishop Five Days as Bowman Tale of Three Women as Sir Frederick

TV series