The Legend that is Stanley Baxter with Michael Harrison 16th July 2015
Michael Harrison , head of Qdos Pantomimes had one of the highlights of his theatrical year yesterday- having lunch with Stanley Baxter!
No, the master of Pantomime Dames and Television extravaganzas was not in talks about a return to the Pantomime stage- what a dream THAT would be- but it was a chance to chat about things panto . Michael is an enormous admirer of the legend that is Stanley Baxter who won Baftas in 1959, 1972 and again in 1981 for his Light Entertainment acheivements.
It was shortly after the Second World War that Stanley Baxter left the Entertainment Section of the army, alongside Peter Nichols (later to write “Privates On Parade”) and Kenneth Williams to appear in his first pantomime for Howard and Wyndham
He was to appear in many glittering and gorgeous Terry Parson designed Pantomimes right up until his retirement in 1992, many of them in Scotland- both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and in many alongside Jimmy Logan, Una McLean, Ronnie Corbett and Angus Lennie.
A huge and long career has seen Stanley appearing in West End shows and Revues, The Half Past Eight revues, on Television as Mr Majeika, In Bing Crosby’s last Christmas special (appearing as almost the entire cast of “Upstairs Downstairs”!)
He appeared in his own Television series and TV Specials, “Parliamo Glasgow”, series including The Stanley Baxter Picture Show, as well as a career in Films and on Radio.
Recently Stanley has broadcast for BBC Radio 4’s Playhouse, in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014- quite a busy retirement!
Fortunately he was able to find time for that lunch! So here is this great picture of Michael alongside the pantomime legend himself, amazingly fit and well at a mere 89 years!
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