The Real Stanley Baxter

by Brian Beacom

Stanley Baxter delighted over 20 million viewers at a time with his television specials. His pantos became legendary. His divas and dames were so good they were beyond description.Baxter was a most brilliant cowboy Coward, a smouldering Dietrich. He found immense laughs as Formby and Liberace. And his sex-starved Tarzan swung in a way Hollywood could never have imagined. But who is the real Stanley Baxter?The comedy actor's talents are matched only by his past reluctance to colour in the detail of his own character. Now, the man behind the mischievous grin, the twinkling eyes and the once-Brylcreemed coiffure is revealed.In a tale of triumphs and tragedies, of giant laughs and great falls from grace, we discover that while the enigmatic entertainer could play host to hundreds of different voices, the role he found most difficult to play was that of Stanley Baxter.

Genres: Biography

415 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Andrew Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very readable insight into one of Scotland’s best entertainers. I never understood why he wasn’t on TV more until reading this. Was always a big fan of Kenneth Williams which grabbed my attention when the book was reviewed in my local paper (SB lives up the hill from me).

Plenty of anecdotes but never quiet delves into his relationships, especially with his wife so feels a little repetitive and superficial take on what really went on but a fascinating insight nonetheless.

A quick search on YouTube reveals a few classic sketches which are well worth viewing all these years later.

[Caron Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and tragic insight into the life of the funniest man in the world. I get to laugh at his jokes just like my great grand parents, grand parents, parents. Generations of my family grew up quoting Stanley, acting like him and laughing. What a view into the life of a Glaswegian treasure. I hope he finds peace with himself, it’s never too late.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never a big fan of Stanley, but this is an interesting read inasmuch about his personal life than his on stage persona. Like most comedians, a troubled soul.

[mark kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Stanley growing up and his TV specials were brilliant, was generally the TV highlight of the year. I was really looking forward to his book and was a bit disappointed at the end of it. I feel there is another book there focusing on what really went on in his life. I get the 60's was a different era for gays and there are plenty of examples of gays marrying to hide there real self, there is an obsession from Stanley about his homosexually throughout the book and the treatment of his poor wife doesn't sit right with me. He talks about his close but sometimes volotile relationship with Kenneth Williams a lot. As I said I think Stanley was holding back a bit and the author made him out to be a sad individual. Still his showmanship will live on in you tube forever and are definitely worth a look.

[John Rossington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book infuriating at times. Firstly it could have done with a good proof read. The author states that Roddy Doyle wrote Angela's Ashes. This must have been a shock to Frank McCourt's family. The author also states that Marchmont Street is in the East End of London. It is in fact near Euston Station in central London. The book could also benefit from a severe edit to cut out the opinions of the author. The book is about the life of Stanley Baxter not the thoughts of Mr Beacom. Having said that Mr Baxter was one of the foremost entertainers of his generation and he led a fascinating life. That should hold any reader. Equally fascinating is the study of an individual who is so unhappy with his sexuality. Any reader will be left with the impression that homophobia is so bad for an individual's well being especially when it is self imposed.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Stanley Baxterrs and look forward to reading this book.However I was extremely disappointed by the poor writing and inept editing.For one thing there are numerous factual errors.However the real obstacle to an entertaining read was the authors obsession with homosexuality in general and Baxters in particular. So this meant wading through pages of Elton Johns problems.
The author mentions that Baxters shows,in doing these big pastiche of old films,which appealed to those that remembered them.It did not appeal to a young audience and maybe that was the reason his ITV shows were cancelled.
The author paints a rather sorry picture of Baxter. He appears self centred,selfish and egotistical. His treatment of his wife is questionable.
In all a rather disappointing book.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give five stars out on a whim,but I found this an engaging forthright biography.i confess I am not a big fan of the comedian,but the candor and honesty in which it is written opens up the life of mr Baxter.reading the book it seems he was sometimes his own worst enemy with doubt and indecision shadowing his career and his romantic life.if he had only toned down his ego a bit then more possibilities could have opened up.the only slight downside was to go on about his I would call bisexual encounters when he held up a facade like Rock Hudson of being heterosexual.all said well worth a read.

[Malcolm Schaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up watching laughing and admiring Stanley Baxter in the theatre and on television and this biography is welcome in better understanding the man,the struggles he faced with being homosexual and the control he exercised over his work..The portrayal of his wife Moira is incredibly sad,how much were her mental health difficulties brought about by the contradictions of her marriage . I didn’t warm to Baxter ,he comes across as very egotistic and ruthless ,although the author clearly likes and admires him and that is perhaps the triumph of the book ,that it does seek to give an honest account

[Ray Smillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an adequate biography of a very private man who was, without a doubt, both talented and funny. Very much a control freak when it came to his work and an odd friendship with Kenneth Williams. It has made me want to seek out YouTube for some clips of his TV shows which I vividly recall my mum laughing out loud at back in the day.

[Shirley Gallacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book. I've always loved Stanley baxter, and this gave a real insight to his life and thinking. He was a beautiful if troubled soul and the world has lost a genius. beautifully written book. thank you.

[Rhona Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read
Brought back memories

[Pam Strachan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. A complicated man.

[Joyce Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much detail about showbiz and not enough personal stuff. He doesnt actually come across as a very nice person.