Stanley Baxter facts for kids

Stanley Livingstone Baxter, born on May 24, 1926, is a famous Scottish actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for making people laugh with his amazing impressions and funny shows. Stanley started acting when he was a child on BBC Scotland. Later, he became very popular for his British television comedy shows. These included The Stanley Baxter Show, The Stanley Baxter Picture Show, The Stanley Baxter Series, and Mr Majeika.

Stanley has also written several books. These books are often about the city of Glasgow and its unique way of speaking.

Stanley Baxter: A Scottish Comedy Star

Early Life and Start in Entertainment

Stanley Baxter was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 24, 1926. His father was an insurance manager. Stanley went to Hillhead High School in Glasgow. His mother helped him learn about acting for the stage.

He began his acting journey as a child. He appeared on the Scottish version of the BBC's Children's Hour. During World War II, he worked in mining as a Bevin Boy. After the war, he joined the British Army's entertainment group. This group was called Combined Services Entertainment. There, he improved his performing skills. He worked with other talented people like actor Kenneth Williams and film director John Schlesinger.

After the war, Stanley returned to Glasgow. He performed on stage for three years at Glasgow's Citizens' Theatre. He also found success on the radio with Jimmy Logan. Soon, he was invited to star in pantomime shows. These were at the Theatre Royal and later the Alhambra Theatre in Glasgow. In 1959, he moved to London to work in television.

In 1969, Stanley performed in a play called What the Butler Saw. This play was in London's West End. He continued to be a favorite in Scottish pantomimes. He often performed at the King's Theatre in Glasgow. He retired from pantomime in 1992. He starred alongside popular Scottish actors like Jimmy Logan and Una McLean.

Radio Shows

In the 1960s, Stanley Baxter had his own show on BBC Radio Scotland. He returned to radio in 1994. He played the role of Noël Coward in a BBC World Service play. It was called Marvellous Party.

He also read stories for BBC Radio. These included Whisky Galore and Jimmy Swan – The Joy Traveller. He did all the voices for the characters in these readings.

After taking a break, Stanley appeared in new radio shows in 2004. These were a series of four half-hour comedies for BBC Radio 4. They were called Stanley Baxter and Friends. These shows were very popular. This led to more series called The Stanley Baxter Playhouse. These continued in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2016. He also starred in Two Pipe Problems with Richard Briers. This show aired in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Two more plays in this series were broadcast in 2013. In these, Geoffrey Palmer took over Richard Briers' role. In 2009, Eddie Izzard presented The Stanley Baxter Story on BBC Radio 2. A new series of 'Playhouse' started in November 2018.

Television Career

Stanley Baxter was famous for his impressions of well-known people. He was especially known for his impression of The Queen. In his shows, she was often called 'the Duchess of Brendagh'.

The Stanley Baxter Show ran on BBC One from 1963 to 1971. The Stanley Baxter Picture Show was on ITV from 1972 to 1975. The six-part Stanley Baxter Series was made by LWT in 1981. He also made eight one-hour TV specials. These were produced by LWT and the BBC between 1973 and 1986.

Stanley also appeared as a guest star in an episode of The Goodies. Later, he played the main character in Mr Majeika. This was a children's show based on books by Humphrey Carpenter. In the show, Mr. Majeika was a magic teacher. He was sent away from the wizard land for not passing his exams. Stanley later said he wanted to retire after his big shows were canceled. He took the role in children's television mainly for financial reasons.

In Bing Crosby's last Christmas special in 1977, Stanley Baxter played many different characters. These included a butler and a cook. He also played the ghost of Bob Hope's ancestor in a funny skit. Stanley retired in 1990. However, he returned for a special Christmas show in 2008 for ITV. This show included old clips and new material. Other comedians talked about how Stanley had influenced them.

Film Appearances

Stanley Baxter also appeared in several films. These include Geordie (1955), Very Important Person (1961), The Fast Lady (1962), Crooks Anonymous (1962), and Father Came Too! (1963). He starred with James Robertson Justice in the last four films. He also lent his voice to the animated movie The Thief and the Cobbler (1995).

Books Written by Stanley Baxter

Stanley Baxter has written several books. These books are often based on the unique language of Glasgow. He developed this language in his famous 'Parliamo Glasgow' comedy sketch. His books also share the humor of the city.

• Bedside Book of Glasgow Humour ISBN: 978-0094672703
• Parliamo Glasgow Omnibus ISBN: 978-1841587745
• Let's Parliamo Glasgow Again – Merrorapattur ISBN: 978-0862280734
• Stanley Baxter's Suburban Shocker : Featuring Rosemary Morningside and the Garrulous Glaswegian Mr. Ballhead

Personal Life

Stanley Baxter grew up in the West End of Glasgow. He lived in a tenement building from age five until he married actress Moira Robertson. He was 26 years old when they married. Later, he lived in Highgate, North London. He was married for 46 years until Moira passed away in 1997.

In August 2014, Stanley Baxter was one of 200 public figures. They signed a letter to The Guardian newspaper. The letter expressed their hope that Scotland would vote to stay part of the United Kingdom. This was for the referendum that happened in September of that year.

Awards and Recognition

Stanley Baxter has received many awards for his talent:

• BAFTA Award for Light Entertainment Artist (1960)
• BAFTA Award for Light Entertainment Performance (1975) for The Stanley Baxter Moving Picture Show
• BAFTA Scotland Award for Outstanding Contribution (2020)
• Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Comedy Awards (1997)
• Oldie Camper of the Year (2008) – This award was for continuing to entertain audiences with his original comedy.

Stanley was offered an OBE (Order of the British Empire), but he chose not to accept it.

DVD Releases

All six of Stanley Baxter's hour-long ITV specials were released on DVD in 2005. This two-disc set was called The Stanley Baxter Collection. Another two-disc DVD set came out in 2006. It was titled The Stanley Baxter Series & Picture Show. This set included both of his half-hour series for ITV. In 2008, a five-disc DVD box set was released. It was called The Stanley Baxter Television Set. This set included both half-hour ITV series and six of his ITV specials. It also featured two of the films he made with James Robertson Justice: The Fast Lady and Father Came Too!.

List of Film and Television Appearances

Stanley Baxter TV Series

• The Stanley Baxter Show (BBC, 22 x 30-minutes, 1963–71)
• Baxter On... (BBC, 1964)
• Time For Baxter (BBC Scotland, 1972)
• The Stanley Baxter Picture Show (LWT – four x 30-minutes, 1972)
• The Stanley Baxter Series (LWT – six x 30-minutes, 1981)

Stanley Baxter TV Specials

• The Stanley Baxter Big Picture Show (LWT – December 21, 1973)
• The Stanley Baxter Scots Picture Show (STV – January 1, 1974)
• The Stanley Baxter Moving Picture Show (LWT – September 7, 1974)
• The Best of Baxter (LWT – December 14, 1974)
• The Stanley Baxter Show Part III (LWT – September 19, 1975)
• Stanley Baxter's Christmas Box (LWT – December 26, 1976)
• Stanley Baxter's Greatest Hits (LWT – December 26, 1977)
• Stanley Baxter on Television (LWT – April 1, 1979)
• The Stanley Baxter Hour (LWT – December 24, 1982)
• Stanley Baxter's Christmas Hamper (BBC, 1985)
• Stanley Baxter's Television Annual (BBC, 1986)
• Stanley Baxter is Back (C4, 1995)
• Stanley Baxter in Reel Terms (C4, 1996)
• Stanley Baxter in Person (Carlton, 1998)
• Stanley Baxter Now and Then (ITV, 2008)

Other TV Appearances

• Shop Window (BBC, 1952)
• This is Scotland (STV, 1957)
• On The Bright Side (BBC, 1960)
• Comedy Playhouse: "Lunch in the Park" (BBC, 1961)
• Espionage (BBC, 1963 Guest Appearance)
• Wednesday Play: "The Confidence Course" (BBC, 1965)
• Christmas Night with the Stars (BBC, 1970, Guest Appearance)
• The Goodies (BBC, 1971 Guest Appearance)
• A Grand Tour (STV, 1974)
• Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (CBS/ITC Entertainment, 1977 Guest Appearances as multiple characters)
• Mr Majeika (Television South, 1988–90, Title Role)
• Rab C. Nesbitt (BBC, 1991, Guest Appearance)
• Arabian Knight (Animation, 1995, Voice Only)
• Meeow (Animation, 2000, Voice Only)
• The Unforgettable...Kenneth Williams (Carlton, 2001, Interviewee)
• The Sketch Show Story (BBC, 2001, Interviewee)
• EX:SThis is Stanley Baxter (BBC, 2001 75th Birthday Documentary)
• Return of the Goodies (BBC, 2005, Interviewee)
• The Story of Light Entertainment (BBC, 2006, Interviewee)
• Comedy Map of Britain (BBC, 2007, Interviewee)
• Happy Birthday BAFTA (2007, Guest)
• The Comedy Christmas (2007, Interviewee)
• Artwork Scotland:When Alan Cumming met Stanley Baxter (2010)
• The Many Faces of Stanley Baxter (2013)
• Scottish Television Hogmanay shows (1980s and 1990s)
  • Road To Londonderry
• The Undiscovered Kenneth Williams (Associated-Rediffusion/Sky Arts, 2018, Interviewee)
• Comedy National Treasures: Stanley Baxter (Associated-Rediffusion/Channel 5, 2019, Subject/Interviewee)

Films

• Geordie (Film, 1955)
• Very Important Person (Rank, 1961)
• The Fast Lady (Rank, 1962)
• Crooks Anonymous (Film, 1962)
• Father Came Too! (Rank, 1963)
• Joey Boy (Film, 1965)
• The Thief and the Cobbler (Animation, Voice Only, 1993)