Contents
- 1 Mini Biography
- 2 Suggested viewing
- 3 Oh, Mr. Porter! (1937)
- 4 Black Sheep of Whitehall (1942)
- 5 The Ghost of St. Michael’s (1941)
- 6 Good Morning, Boys (1937)
- 7 Windbag the Sailor (1936)
- 8 Ask a Policeman (1939)
- 9 Where’s That Fire? (1939)
- 10 The Goose Steps Out (1942)
- 11 Boys Will Be Boys (1935)
- 12 Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
- 13 Will Hay Gallery
Last updated on the 26 March 2024 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 6 December 1888, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England.Â
Will Hay was a man of many talents, renowned for his comedic brilliance as well as his passion for astronomy and aviation. His on-screen persona of a bumbling, albeit endearing, authority figure resonated with audiences, cementing his status as a beloved British comedy icon.
Hay’s early life was marked by a love for performance and learning. At Stockton Grammar School, he discovered his knack for comedy, often entertaining his classmates with his wit and improvisational skills. After leaving school, he pursued a career in engineering, but his true calling lay in the world of entertainment.
In 1914, Hay’s comedic talents caught the eye of impresario Fred Karno, who hired him to join his renowned comedy troupe. Karno had previously worked with comedians Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin.
Hay’s comedic genius truly blossomed on the silver screen. His films, including the 1937 classic “Oh, Mr. Porter!”, showcased his ability to create memorable characters and his mastery of slapstick humour. His on-screen persona, often portraying a bumbling professor or schoolmaster, resonated with audiences, particularly during the interwar years.
Beyond his comedic prowess, Hay was a passionate amateur astronomer. He constructed his own observatory in his garden, where he spent countless hours observing the stars and planets. His fascination with astronomy led him to publish the book “Through My Telescope” in 1935.
Will Hay’s legacy extends far beyond his comedic performances. He was a pioneer in British comedy, paving the way for generations of entertainers to come. His unique blend of physical comedy, social satire, and endearingly incompetent characters continues to entertain audiences worldwide.
Suggested viewing
Oh, Mr. Porter! (1937)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4
Disaster prone railway worker Mr. Porter is promoted to stationmaster of sleepy Buggleskelly, where his bumbling attempts to boost business attract gunrunners and a wild chase. With his loyal but clueless sidekicks, Porter stumbles through madcap schemes, narrowly escapes windmill traps, and ultimately saves the day, proving even the most inept can spark hilarious chaos.
Top cast: Will Hay, Graham Moffatt, Moore Marriott, Percy Walsh, Dave O’Toole, Sebastian Smith, Agnes Lauchlan, Dennis Wyndham, Frederick Piper, Frederick Lloyd.
Black Sheep of Whitehall (1942)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7 Bumbling Professor Davis stumbles upon a Nazi plot to sabotage a vital trade treaty. Mistaken for a renowned economist, he infiltrates the Ministry, aided by a smooth-talking PR man and a sharp-witted maid. Amidst bureaucratic chaos and slapstick blunders, Davis unmasks the real expert, exposing the enemy and saving the day, proving that even a sheepish underdog can outwit a wolfpack. Top cast: Will Hay, John Mills, Basil Sydney, Felix Aylmer, Thora Hird, Henry Hewitt, Owen Reynolds, Frank Cellier, Joss Ambler. |
The Ghost of St. Michael’s (1941)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7 A hapless science teacher joins a boys’ school relocated to a spooky Scottish castle. Legend whispers of a ghostly piper heralding death, and when eerie bagpipes wail, two teachers become victims. With his bumbling wit and a touch of local lore, the new teacher unravels the ancient curse and unmasks the human killer, all while keeping the boys (and himself) safe from both the ghost and the real-life perils of wartime Britain. Top cast: Will Hay, Claude Hulbert, Felix Aylmer, Raymond Huntley, Charles Mortimer, Charles Hawtrey, John Laurie, Manning Whiley, Roddy Hughes. |
Good Morning, Boys (1937)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.6 Bumbling headmaster Dr. Twist, more adept at bets than books, leads his ragtag pupils on a Parisian escapade. Dodging expulsion and Inspector Willoughby-Gore’s wrath, they unwittingly foil a Mona Lisa heist orchestrated by a charming chanteuse and a father-son convict duo. Between dodging gangsters and dazzling crowds with their Parisian French (courtesy of a clever cheat), Twist’s boys prove chaos can sometimes be the secret ingredient to success. Top cast: Will Hay, Martita Hunt, Fewlass Llewelyn, Mark Daly, C. Denier Warren, Will Hay Jr., Basil McGrail, Jacques Brown, Lewis Broughton. |
Windbag the Sailor (1936)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.6 Bragging barge captain Ben Cutlet spins tall tales in the pub, but his sea legs turn to jelly when he’s conned into commanding the rickety “Rob Roy.” Joined by a creaky crew and pursued by shifty insurance scammers, Ben’s only hope lies in a radio mistaken for a god by island natives. Laughter, mayhem, and a dash of unlikely heroism prove even a windbag can navigate a storm, of his own making, of course. Top cast: Will Hay, Graham Moffatt, Moore Marriott, Norma Varden, Kenneth Warrington, Dennis Wyndham, Amy Veness, Peter Gawthorne, George Merritt.
|
Ask a Policeman (1939)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.3 Jobless-threatened Sergeant Dudfoot and his hopeless constables concoct fake crimes to impress the Chief Constable, staging a smuggling charade that backfires. But when real crooks interrupt their farce, the inept trio get tangled in a hilarious chase, proving even the most useless cops can stumble into a thrilling adventure, all with Will Hay’s trademark deadpan wit keeping the laughs rolling. Top cast: Will Hay, Graham Moffatt, Moore Marriott, Glennis Lorimer, Peter Gawthorne, Charles Oliver, Herbert Lomas, Patrick Aherne, Cyril Chamberlain. |
Where’s That Fire? (1939)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1 Facing the sack, the hapless fire crew led by the ever-so-slightly-dim Will Hay stumble through extinguishing a fire, then lose their ancient engine to jewel thieves targeting the Tower of London. Mayhem ensues as they chase crooks, accidentally save the Crown Jewels, and prove even the most inept can stumble into heroism, all with Hay’s trademark deadpan humour keeping the laughs roaring. Top cast: Will Hay, Moore Marriott, Graham Moffatt, Peter Gawthorne, Eric Clavering, Hugh McDermott, Charles Hawtrey, Dave O’Toole, Frank Atkinson. |
The Goose Steps Out (1942)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.5 Mistaken for a Nazi spy, clumsy teacher Potts infiltrates a Hitler Youth school, sowing chaos with his bumbling Britishness. He dodges Gestapo, drills awkward cadets, and steals secret plans, all while unleashing slapstick mayhem on the Third Reich’s future stormtroopers, proving laughter’s the ultimate weapon against tyranny. Top cast: Will Hay, Frank Pettingell, Julien Mitchell, Charles Hawtrey, Barry Morse, Peter Ustinov, Peter Croft, Anne Firth, Leslie Harcourt. |
Boys Will Be Boys (1935)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.5 Smooth-talking conman Alec Smart lands a headmaster’s job with a forged reference, then navigates a chaotic school filled with gambling boys, jewel thieves, and a rival headmaster. Amidst slapstick pranks and witty wordplay, Smart fumbles his way to success, proving even a bumbling charmer can lead a riotous school to victory, one hilarious mishap at a time. Top cast: Will Hay, Gordon Harker, Jimmy Hanley, Davy Burnaby, Norma Varden, Claude Dampier, Charles Farrell, Clive Dunn. |
Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
Will Hay Gallery
