Harry Fowler is an English television and film actor. His career spanned over 60 years, during which time he has taken part in over 200 films and television projects.
Biography and personal life
Harry James Fowler was born on December 10, 1926 in Lambert, South London.
Legend has it that one day a nearly illiterate boy working as a newspaperman for 8 shillings a week told about his life to Brian McFarlane, a British film historian. He, in turn, invited the boy to the radio to tell the audience about his life in London during the war. This was the beginning of Harry Fowler's career.
In 1951, Harry married actress Joan Dowling, but their marriage was short-lived. Joan committed suicide in 1954 at the age of 26.
In 1960 Harry remarried to Catherine Palmer, who would later outlive him by several months.
Harry had no children either in his first or second marriage.
Fowler died on January 4, 2012.
Career and creativity
For the first time, Fowler made his film debut in the film Children from the City (1942) as Ern. It was a propaganda film for the military, evacuees and London. 16-year-old Harry got this role after his famous speech on the radio, where he talked about his life in wartime London. Together with George Cole, Harry Fowler played the main role in the film. His fee was 2 guineas (42 shillings) a day, which was significantly more than the 8 shillings he received for distributing newspapers.
In 1947, Harry starred in Hugh and Scream, the first film adaptation of Ealing's comics. One of his partners was Joan Dowling, who later became his first wife.
During World War II, Fowler dreamed of being a pilot in the British Air Force. Unfortunately, his dream did not come true. But in 1952 he was able to partially fulfill his dream, starring in the film "Angel One-Fifth" as a cheerful military pilot.
In the period from 1959 to 1960 he starred in the comic series War Games.
In 1965-66 he played Harry Danvers in the stationery comedy Our Man in St. Mark.
In the 1970s, he repeatedly appeared on children's television: he read Jackanori, as the character of Kenny Lynch, he hosted the series Get It and Get It.
He gained wide popularity for playing the role of a narrator in the animated film "Kingdom of Isambard Brunel" (1975). It was the first British cartoon to win an Oscar.
Since then, Fowler's famous voice has been regularly used in television commercials.
In 1975, Fowler played the role of Eric Lee Fang in the comedy Melting Cauldron. However, after the first episode of the comedy, the BBC company unexpectedly canceled the TV program.
In 1976 Harry Fowler was awarded the Harold Wilson Prize.
Terence Pettigrew, in his book British Actors and Film Characters, described Fowler as a true Englishman. His characters were neither crystal-clear nor irrevocably criminal. They were full of worldly wisdom, which, combined with wit and secrecy, helped them survive on the streets. Fowler himself, although somewhat arrogant, had many attractive features.
Selected films
Children and Cities (1942) as Ern.
"Salute to John Citizen" as an office guy (uncredited).
"Day went well?" (1942) as young George.
"Hack" (1943) - cameo role without mention in the credits.
"Demi Rai" (1943) - the role of an evacuated little boy without mention in the credits.
Bell Bottom George (1944) - uncredited as a boy on a bicycle.
Champagne Charlie (1944) - the role of Horace.
"Give Us the Moon" (1944) - uncredited role of Bellboy.
“Don't Take It to Your Heart” (1944) - the role of the telegraph operator.
Painted Boats (1945) - the role of Alpha, the brother of the protagonist.
Hue and Cry (1947) as Joe Kirby.
"Trouble in the Air" (1948) - a cameo role with no credits.
Piece of Cake (1948) - the role of the head of the company.
"Is it a crime for them?" (1949) - the role of Dave, a friend of the protagonist Rosie.
Now, Barabbas (1949) - the role of Smith.
Landfail (1949) - uncredited as an Air Force corporal.
"Ballroom" (1950) - the role of a young man in love without mention in the credits.
Once Upon a Sinner (1950) - the role of Bill James.
"Trio" (1950) - undefined minor role, not mentioned in the credits.
She Must Have Murder (1950) - the role of Albert Oates.
"The Dark Man" (1951) - the role of the first reporter.
Mr. Drake's Duck (1951) - the role of the corporal.
"Scarlet Thread" (1951) - the role of Sam.
"There is another sun" (1951) - the role of the young rider.
Madame Louise (1951) - the role of the clerk.
"High Treason" (1951) - the role of a street photographer without mention in the credits.
"The Last Page" (1952) - the role of Joe.
"I Believe in You" (1952) - the role of a prostitute.
"Angel One Five" (1952) - military pilot.
Pickwick papers (1952) - the role of Sam Weller.
Top of Form (1953) - the role of Albert.
A Day to Remember (1953) - the role of Stan Harvey.
Conflict of Wings (1954) - Role of Lead Pilot and Aircraft Builder Buster.
Stock Car (1955) - Monty Albright.
"Blue Peter" (1955) - the role of Charlie Barton.
"Maidens of Fire and Space" (1956) - the role of Sydney Stanhope.
Behind the Headlines (1956) - the role of Alfie.
Home and Away (1956) - the role of Sid Jarvis.
"City on Test" (1957) - the role of team leader Leslie.
"West of Suez" (1957) - the role of Tommy.
"Baby Trap" (1957) - the role of Sammy.
Lucky Jim (1957) - uncredited as a taxi driver.
"Birthday Present" (1957) - the role of Charlie.
Derby Soap Dish (1958) - the role of Barrow Boy.
"Diplomatic Corpse" (1958) - the role of Knocker Parsons.
I Was Monty's Doppelganger (1958) - Civilian role at the end of the scene.
"Idol in the Parade" (1959) - the role of Ron.
Dawn Killer (1959) - the role of Bert Iron.
"Don't panic guys!" (1959) - the role of Ackroyd.
Crookes Anonymous (1962) - the role of Woods.
Departure and Singapore (1962) - the role of Sergeant Brooks.
The Longest Day (1962) - uncredited role of a British paratrooper.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - uncredited role of William Potter.
Ladies Who Do (1963) - role of the drill operator.
"Seventy Deadly Pills" (1964) - the role of Porter Covent Garden.
Battle of the Night (1964) - the role of Doug Roberts.
"Nanny" (1965) - the role of the milkman.
Life at the Top (1965) - the role of the man with the magic beans.
"Doctor in Clover" (1966) - the role of Grafton.
"Secrets of the Windmill Girl" (1966) - the role of Harry.
"Start a revolution without me" (1970) - the role of Marcel.
"High-rise Donkey" (1980) - the role of Crook.
"Sir Henry at Rawlinson End" (1980) - the role of Buller Bullethead.
George and Mildred (1980) as Fisher.
Fani Hill (1983) - uncredited role of a beggar.
"Body Contact" (1987) - the role of Herbert.
Chicago Joe and the Dancer (1990) - the role of Maury.
Participation in television shows
"Army Game (1959-1960) - the role of Captain Hoskins, nicknamed" Flogger ".
Dixon and Doc Green (1963-1970) - roles of Duncan, Billy Reynolds, Alpha Stubbings and Wilson.
"Z-Cars" (1963-1972) - the roles of Billy Midget, Tony and Toff.
Jackanori (1969-1971) - the role of the narrator.
Going A Bundle (1976).
Minder (1982) as Monty Wiseman.
"In sickness and in health" (1985-1992) - the role of the milkman Harry.
"Loss" (1986-1992) - the roles of George and Terry.
"Super Gran" (1987) - the role of Sid the Bad Guy.
"Doctor Who. Memory of the Far Ages "(1988) - the role of Harry.
"Bill" (1989-1992) - the roles of Alfred Sheldon and Pat Fitzgerald.
Harry Fowler's last appearance on television was in 2004. He played the role of a customer on the television show The Impressive John Coolshaw.
