Jack Warner & The CAA...

Page updated 15.06.2025

Bust of Jack Warner OBE
A bust of Jack Warner O.B.E. greets visitors to the club.
Jack Warner is a past President of the club and much revered because he arranged for the mortgage for the club to buy the whole building in 1950.
 
This was a remarkable investment. In doing so he secured the future of the club for ever more.
1950 The Blue Lamp Movie
The Blue Lamp (1950)

Born in 1895, Jack Warner was, for some years, Great Britain’s most popular film star. He is closely associated with the role of PC George Dixon which he played in the 1950 film ‘The Blue Lamp’ and then in the TV series ‘Dixon of Dock Green’ which ran from 1955 to 1976.

His sisters, Elsie and Doris Waters, were also stars of variety. Born in Poplar, he first made his name in music hall and radio and became well-known to cinema audiences following the war with films such as ‘Here Come the Huggetts’.

“it was Dixon on TV that made him a true household name”

Jack Warner OBE as George Dixon
Jack Warner OBE as George Dixon

His film career stretched from 1943 to 1978. But it was Dixon on TV that made him a true household name along with his famous catch phrase ‘Evening All!’

He was an amazing 83 years of age when he finally ‘retired’ as a copper! Jack Warner is a vital part of CAA history and we really owe the ongoing success of the club to him.

In 1950 the lease ran out on the club but as Club President, Jack had the massive foresight to arrange a mortgage through his film mogul friend  J. Arthur Rank to buy the building for £20,000. A considerable sum then, but ensured the club’s future in what turned out to be a remarkable investment as rents from the offices now subsidise the club.

The building is valued today at some £7 million! Jack Warner died in 1981 and his ashes are interred at the “Thanet Crematorium” formerly known as “Margate Crematorium.”

by Chris Hare

Further Historical Learning on Jack Warner OBE…

While as yet, none of the following presentations mention the CAA itself, for context within a historical timeframe the following video links are viewable directly on this page… These are provided here for general interest and entertainment and are not hosted on the CAA website whatsoever and are direct feeds from YouTube including adverts!

Every viewing will register on their respective channels ~ To “LIKE, COMMENT” or even “SUBSCRIBE” please hit the “Watch on YouTube” button or click the links provided above each video here.

Video #1 Here is an item taken from the BBC Archives and is a 1957 discussion with Jack Warner OBE and his campaign for parity of regulations between Cinema and Theatre on Sundays! This feed via YouTube/BBC Archive.

Video #2 This video is actually an audio recording of an interview with Jack Warner for Radio 2’s “It’s a Funny Business” on May 9th 1978. This feed via YouTube/RandomRadioJottings

Video #3 This video is an excellent and comprehensive biography of Jack Warner created in 2024 by the channel “Beautiful Bad and Bizarre” and highly recommended viewing. The writer and presenter corrects some incorrect internet information on Jack’s final resting place! So excellent website editor Chris Hare has invited her as his guest to the club for perhaps more inspiration? This video is not a feed and the link will play on YouTube directly.

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HIT THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW TO VIEW ON YOUTUBE…

update… Site Admin 21/7/2025

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