Age Did Not Weary Baxter (Press, 7 April 1979)

television special featuring the "Stanley Baxter Moving Picture Show" broadcast by South Pacific Television on the evening of Thursday, 5 April 1979. Although the network did not disclose the age of the programme, clues were provided by Baxter himself during a sketch where he referred to a television award from 1974, indicating that the show was not recent. Regardless of its age, the performance was praised for its exceptional quality. Stanley Baxter, known for his impressive mimicry skills, once again showcased his talent. His ability to precisely mimic the voices of personalities like Maurice Chevalier and Ralph Richardson was so remarkable that listeners would struggle to distinguish between Baxter's renditions and the original performers. Furthermore, Baxter's skill extended beyond prominent figures to include less obvious targets, such as American servicemen from World War II-era Hollywood productions. However, there was a concern that some parodies were so close to the original that they diminished their comedic impact. For instance, his portrayals of "Hudson" and "Mrs Bridges" were almost indistinguishable from the performances by Gordon Jackson and Angela Baddeley, but at times, Baxter's versions surpassed the originals. The performance was not without its flaws, as certain sketches, like the one featuring Reg Varney, were criticized for being overly long. Nevertheless, these minor shortcomings were overshadowed by standout segments, such as Baxter's rendition of Chevalier's song "I'm Glad I'm Not Alive Any More," and a humorous Hollywood Canteen sequence that whimsically depicted stars coaxing bewildered servicemen into an optimistic belief about imminent victories through patriotic songs—all played by Baxter himself. The special served not only as a testament to Baxter's brilliance in transvestite mimicry but also as a reminder of the unique comedic talent that Scotland contributes to the entertainment landscape. Overall, the programme was deemed memorable and reinforced the notion that when it comes to comedic talents like Baxter, his prowess surpasses that of his contemporaries, including Danny La Rue. The night was thus celebrated for its quality comedy, marking a successful episode of light-hearted entertainment on television.

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