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Hattie: The Authorised Biography of Hattie Jacques
For over thirty years Hattie Jacques was a familiar presence on radio (Hancock's Half Hour), television (60 episodes of Sykes alone) and film (she was a stalwart of the Carry On series). But her stage persona of a buxom, masterful female dragon who, both literally and figuratively, carried all before her (the formidable matron of Carry On, Nurse was a typical role) could hardly have been more at odds with her off-stage personality. Warm, impetuous and generous to a fault, she was almost pathetically grateful for any show of affection and painfully self-conscious about her figure which, she believed, had caused her to be type-cast in comic roles and never given the opportunity to tackle more serious parts.
In 1947, after a tempestuous wartime affair with an American officer, she married the actor John Le Mesurier who was persuaded to divorce her in 1965 - though only after she had moved her chauffeur-lover into the marital home. It was, however typical of her that she actively encouraged Le Mesurier to remarry and the two remained firm friends until her death. Her lover's subsequent desertion was a bitter blow from which she never fully recovered, though she compensated my involving herself deeply in charity work and becoming a confidante to many of the young actors and actresses with whom she worked.
This biography has been written with the help and encouragement of Hattie's surviving son and her many friends, including Barbara Windsor, Clive Dunn, Bill Pertwee and John Le Mesurier.
In 1947, after a tempestuous wartime affair with an American officer, she married the actor John Le Mesurier who was persuaded to divorce her in 1965 - though only after she had moved her chauffeur-lover into the marital home. It was, however typical of her that she actively encouraged Le Mesurier to remarry and the two remained firm friends until her death. Her lover's subsequent desertion was a bitter blow from which she never fully recovered, though she compensated my involving herself deeply in charity work and becoming a confidante to many of the young actors and actresses with whom she worked.
This biography has been written with the help and encouragement of Hattie's surviving son and her many friends, including Barbara Windsor, Clive Dunn, Bill Pertwee and John Le Mesurier.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 31, 2019
This was an excellent book about a very well loved and admired actress. I didn't know much about Hattie Jacques as a person before reading this book. Best known from her roles in the Carry On films, we learn about her childhood and how she got into acting. It was interesting to learn not just about her professional career, but her personal life too. She seemed to be admired and loved by everyone she met.
I thought the author went into a lot of detail in telling us about Hattie, and did a lot of research on her. She was certainly very much loved and admired by everyone.
Andy Merriman
I thought the author went into a lot of detail in telling us about Hattie, and did a lot of research on her. She was certainly very much loved and admired by everyone.
Andy Merriman
February 27, 2023
A great book - I recommend it if you're a fan of her various comedic roles.
October 31, 2022
If I hadn't seen the recent documentary on channel 5 I would have awarded the book full five didnt learn anything new even the breakdown of the partnership with Eric Sykes didnt come as a surprise as it was discussed on the programme.saying that the persona of Hattie comes across as a very liked person who was always looking for love,but when found wanted something else.her career much overshadowed by the carry ons was varied and fluctuating in success.learnt her craft the hard way not by instant recognition as in the case of the so called celebrities of today.
August 13, 2024
An absolutely amazing biography of one very special lady Hattie Jacques, who's life was committed to very hard work both on screen and radio, to the amazing charities she helped to the end, and to her family and friends who she adored. She is a amazing role model to anyone who's passion is to tread, the boards of acting. She was one amazing passionate lady, who put the size of her self to one side, to show us this Incredible talented actress. And with very hard work to can achieve your goal!. Loved reading every bit of this book.
June 16, 2019
Absolutely loved this book - I have always been interested in Hattie Jacques but didn't know much about her personal life - in the book there are a lot of details about her films, stage work etc which I could have done without - and I did skim read those bits - but despite that I think this book is totally worth 5* it was an easy and fascinating read - and I admire Hattie even more so now!
January 19, 2018
Far too much like a Wikipedia listing. Didn't really learn much about who she was.
February 7, 2023
Love Hattie Jacques and this took us through her personal and public life Was an interesting read but wished it had gone deeper into some parts
December 22, 2024
A talented, fascinating lady 🩷
October 24, 2012
This was a pleasure to read and I came away understanding more about Hattie's personality, her career, family and how her size and weight affected her life in both good and bad ways.
The author's style is easy and I felt he had done consderable research to provide the picture of his subject. At times his personal interjections interupted and in some cases irritated me, but these are few and like some basic editing errors do not detract from the book.
I have read a few biographies/auto-biographies with people involved in entertainment and, as another reviewer says this one can at times read like a list of television programmes and films - but then biogs on sports or say music personalities do this too with gigs, albums or matches. In the case of Mr Merriman's book I thought he tackled the subject well and provided the right mix of detail to interweave the stories around Hattie's work.
Where I felt he was particularly strong was in telling the story of Hattie's charity work - long before it was a must do PR photo event for celebs - and her personal relationships including her generosity to friends. Her relationship with Eric Sykes was also revealing although here more could have been explored or others interviewed.
For me this was a good read about an actress whose work on Sykes and the Carry on films I enjoyed as a child. I came away feeling she was a talented lady with a kind heart who longed for love and more challenging acting roles.
The author's style is easy and I felt he had done consderable research to provide the picture of his subject. At times his personal interjections interupted and in some cases irritated me, but these are few and like some basic editing errors do not detract from the book.
I have read a few biographies/auto-biographies with people involved in entertainment and, as another reviewer says this one can at times read like a list of television programmes and films - but then biogs on sports or say music personalities do this too with gigs, albums or matches. In the case of Mr Merriman's book I thought he tackled the subject well and provided the right mix of detail to interweave the stories around Hattie's work.
Where I felt he was particularly strong was in telling the story of Hattie's charity work - long before it was a must do PR photo event for celebs - and her personal relationships including her generosity to friends. Her relationship with Eric Sykes was also revealing although here more could have been explored or others interviewed.
For me this was a good read about an actress whose work on Sykes and the Carry on films I enjoyed as a child. I came away feeling she was a talented lady with a kind heart who longed for love and more challenging acting roles.
October 15, 2013
A lovely nostalgic read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It really took me back as I have watched carry on films from an early age and still watch them over and over again on Gold tv channel, I practically know the scripts now. I love the characters in these films; this book mentions lots of them and provides a real insight into their relationships with Hattie. I won't give away any of the happenings so I don't spoil it for those not read it yet but there are surprising facts about her marriage to John Le Mesurier- not what I thought or had heard at all and this book tells it like it was because Hattie' s son has been involved in giving info for the book. I've given this 4 stars because I would have liked some photos, there aren't any. Ok I know what Hattie looks like but I would have liked to have seen pics from shows and films also, there are numerous actors mentioned and some didn't seem familiar but when I looked up on computer and saw their photos I did know who they were, just not by name so if pictures in the book I wouldn't have had to interrupt the reading flow. Also it's 4stars because there's just one area where the book lags a bit. It was easy reading from the start- very easy to get into then it seemed to just list this film and that film she had been in so I thought it was going to get a bit boring and repetitive but it soon picked up momentum again. There's lots of amazing facts in here, it's very well written. This was a wonderful read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It really took me back as I have watched carry on films from an early age and still watch them over and over again on Gold tv channel, I practically know the scripts now. I love the characters in these films; this book mentions lots of them and provides a real insight into their relationships with Hattie. I won't give away any of the happenings so I don't spoil it for those not read it yet but there are surprising facts about her marriage to John Le Mesurier- not what I thought or had heard at all and this book tells it like it was because Hattie' s son has been involved in giving info for the book. I've given this 4 stars because I would have liked some photos, there aren't any. Ok I know what Hattie looks like but I would have liked to have seen pics from shows and films also, there are numerous actors mentioned and some didn't seem familiar but when I looked up on computer and saw their photos I did know who they were, just not by name so if pictures in the book I wouldn't have had to interrupt the reading flow. Also it's 4stars because there's just one area where the book lags a bit. It was easy reading from the start- very easy to get into then it seemed to just list this film and that film she had been in so I thought it was going to get a bit boring and repetitive but it soon picked up momentum again. There's lots of amazing facts in here, it's very well written. This was a wonderful read.
December 13, 2011
As a biography goes this book is OK. Its more of a list of the many different jobs that Hattie did, which although shows her range as an actress, can get a bit boring. However when information regarding the actress life comes into play you get a real sense of how kind and sexy the woman was. A real bohemian with a very open mind for the time
November 28, 2023
Very readable biography of Hattie Jacques, a sign of a good biography is that even if it's authorised is that you get get both good and not so good sides of a person and this covers all the ups and downs of Hattie's life. Its a sign of how old I feel is that its over 43 years ago that she died!!
August 12, 2011
Really enjoyed this bio of a great comedienne. Quite a few grammatical errors though (sorry that kind of thing bothers me!)
July 7, 2013
Loved it I really shouldn't have to say more !
August 12, 2013
Interesting, informative, easy to read but ultimately very sad.
May 16, 2023
Mildly interesting read, having caught part of the BBC4 play based on this book, and reflects the entertainment media of the times, very different from now, and has a 50s feel
October 5, 2016
What an utterly silly woman Hattie was. She had the love of a good man and threw it all away for sex with her chauffer.
November 8, 2017
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14543724
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14543724
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews