Jack Woolgar

[kelp]

Many years ago, in the late seventies I had a business partner who was also an actor Director. He was at the time contracted to ATV for "Crossroads", and used to travel down from Huddersfield and stay close to the Birmingham Studio at Holliday Street. His name was Jack Woolgar. Jack and I set up a production Company called Vulcan Films, which sad to say only made one TV pilot, and then sat on a shelf gathering dust, where it still sits. But Jack was a fine actor, and really was known as "One Take Woolgar". His film career was not suffiecient enough to gain him Star status, but he did make a good many TV programmes come alive with his old tramp or sinister figure characters. He was also a poet and I have to this day several of his verses about acting and the theatre. I doubt many will still recall his name, or his face, but he really was a fine professional and a good friend. Jack died in 1979. I still miss him.

[nobby56]

Yes, I can remember him from when I was a kid, if I'm right, wasn't he in a early T.V. adaption of " The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe". I recently brought the 1st. series of "Budgie", where he played the porter of the very seedy Hotel Grandee, where here was having problems at home.



He had that very, hoarse voice.



Yeah, he was a good character actor.



Cheers,



nobby

[smudge]

Jack's 'Carney' character has turned up on quite a few episodes in the recent CROSSROADS DVD compilations too. He's one of those character actors that I remember vividly from my childhood, but (having been cast as a grizzled old man so often) it's difficult to imagine him as a younger player.



Kelp - I am curious - was it a case of as soon as the job was over he lost the bewhiskered look, or did he maintain it for possible castings ? My question just comes from knowing how dapper the late Wilfred Brambell was as soon as he left the STEPTOE & SON set.



Smudge

[penfold]

Tremendous character actor....a real ever-present on the telly in the sixties and seventies, I don't think imdb comes close to the number of appearances he made. I didn't know he had directed though...

[kelp]

Thanks for the interest guys. Jack did indeed keep the whiskers and side burns, as they were real, and he had a saying "If they want a dirty old tramp....look no further, send for Jack Woolgar", Ha,ha. Jack was very chesty and his voice was quite identifiable, he suffered with asthma from a young man. Yes, he was the Narrator on TVs The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, he played The Professor.

I have a collection of photographs one of which I would upload to show you what he looked like all those years ago, if someone can tell me how to do it in laymans terms. Thank you. kelp

[spinalman]

Who can forget the first person to come across the Yeti in Covent Garden tube station IIRC from all those years ago....yes, I am sure it was Jack Woolgar. (we are talking about Dr Who of course)

[Lord Brett]

As I recall, when he died they simply dropped his character from Crossroads with no explanation. Perhaps a Crossroads expert could tell me if my memory is correct.

[spinalman]

Kelp passed these two photos to post up: click to enlarge

[kelp]

Spinalman, Thanks for adding the photographs of Jack Woolgar. This will help people recall his face and no doubt remember some of the Productions that he was in.

Thank you.

[Loose_Cannon]

I remember the name fondly from my childhood but had forgotten what he looked like or even what production had caught my interest - certainly not Crossroads! I seem to remember thinking "if I ever needed another Grandad, yep he'd do!"

[George Cannon Jr]

I come to the forum by a curious and recently chance route (I know Spinalman) and am happy to add to the thread, indeed i was rather chuffed that so many (ok half a dozen of you) had fond memories of my Dad, yep son of Jack here. Any questions?



kelp sorry I never got back to your email via jackwoolgar.org.uk I will.



Nobby Lion Witch and wardrobe was very significant for me - we went on our first family holiday to Barmouth in Wales on the strength of the fee!



Lord Brett - he did indeed go out to the potting shed in Crossroads never to return again. Policy then was if an actor died it just wasn't mentioned in any story lines the show just went on. Not even the Wings version of the theme tune at a sad ending!



I have this week added a Wikipedia entry for him so if anyone feels like adding to it feel free. This has spurred me on to do more with the jackwoolgar site which regrettably I haven't touched for some time.

[George Cannon Jr]

By the way I'm a posting to forums virgin so if i've done the unspeakable somehow then be gentle with me!

[kelp]

Hi matey, long time no see, you may recall when we shot the pilot for a film in Warwick, and we all stayed in that lovely old hotel, ah, happy days. I recentely asked if anyone had seen or heard anything of Jack's co-star in the film we were working on.....BARRY STOKES, he seems to have disappeared! Anyway, Be Lucky matey, lovely to hear from you. Nothing wrong with your posting that I can see.

kelp

[Harry]

Jack's son Tim is putting togetehr a website at



http://www.jackwoolgar.org.uk/

[nobby56]

Nice little tribute site. I notice that Network, are releasing Ace of Wands in July, so that will be good.

[George Cannon Jr]

Hey harry, believe it or not my dad is in that shop window ( you could just see his arm in the shot in the title sequence)

tim

[kelp]

It doesn't seem like it, but my old mate and business partner, actor, writer and poet JACK WOOLGAR died thirty years ago today. Even after all this time I often think of him. He was such fun to be with. Time passes so quickly.

[Mark O]

As soon as I saw the name I thought 'that rings a bell', and of course checking IMDB it was Carney from Crossroads! (I soap I admit I once enjoyed, during the 'Meg' years).......he was a popular character, my cousin named one of her dogs Carney at the time, plus he was great mates with Benny, I also recall him in the Film 'Deathline'.......



Jack Woolgar

[smudge]

Time flies indeed Kelp, but it's nice that you keep his memory alive



I was watching THE DOUBLE DECKERS weekend before last and he turned up in that and, as with Mark, 'proper' CROSSROADS was a staple in our house too.



Here's to his memory once again.



Smudge

[stevie boy]

It doesn't seem like it, but my old mate and business partner, actor, writer and poet JACK WOOLGAR died thirty years ago today. Even after all this time I often think of him. He was such fun to be with. Time passes so quickly.

Yes nice that he is still remembered, I remember when his old boss turned up in Crossroads and called him Carne, carry this get that etc. Yes I used to watch a bit of Crossroads too, but his cv was more than that.