Stanley Baker Bio

[batman]

I have just finished reading the new biography of Stanley Baker. I found it to be a very good read and Baker came out of it with his reputation and integrity enhanced IMHO. What a great fighter for British films this man was and it's a shame he is often only remembered as 'the other bloke' in Zulu.

[julian_craster]

Any mention of Denis Quilley, and his time at Birmingham Rep ?

[batman]

Any mention of Denis Quilley, and his time at Birmingham Rep ?

Unfortunately not. The book concentrates mainly on his film career, his theatrical experience is rather neglected.

[julian_craster]

According to Denis's autobiography, he and Stanley shared a flat when both were acting in Birmingham

[batman]

I have just re-checked .... DQ is featured on p18 as saying SB was 'older than his years and able to look after himself'. He is also mentioned as his room mate on p51 and is quoted as comparing SB to John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart. That's all I'm afraid.

[Moor Larkin]

Who really won the fight?

[batman]

They're both smiling .... a draw I reckon!

[julian_craster]

My favourite Stanley Baker moment has to be in THE RED BERET (also screened as PARATROOPER (US title).......Early in the movie, there is a scene when Army instructor Stanley does a parachute jump from a plane from 3,000 feet (to cockily show the lads how it should be done...) and his chute fails to open. Tragic...



However, when I saw the movie as a lad in 1953, Stanley had been so absolutely beastly to our hero Alan Ladd and the squaddies in the earlier gym scene, that Stanley's tragic demise met with a resounding cheer and round of applause from the cinema audience !



It was appearances like this that got Stanley noticed and a Rank contract

[ram4553]

I will have to check out this bio. See whether it is available in the States. I enjoyed Baker. Just got in the mood to revisit Accident. Haven't seen it in ages. And was reminded of Perfect Friday, an entertaining trifle I had fun with...what?!...40 years ago?



Spent a few frosty afternoons indoors recently with Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, A Taste of Honey, and This Sporting Life. Part of a wave of 60s movies that were a revelation to me. Good days, good times, good movies.

[thatllbetheday]

it's a shame he is often only remembered as 'the other bloke' in Zulu.

Not round these parts, he isn't. Local lad, see. Well, the next valley actually. But near enough.

[EllyMack]

I don't remember a great many of his films, but I loved Hell Drivers and watch it every time they deign to repeat it. I've just found out it was released on DVD in 2007, so I may just try and get me a copy.

[batman]

I don't remember a great many of his films, but I loved Hell Drivers and watch it every time they deign to repeat it. I've just found out it was released on DVD in 2007, so I may just try and get me a copy.

It's well worth getting .... it also has some great extras inc the TV movie Who Killed Lamb?

[Bond Fan]

I would be particularly interested to hear of what Stanley's son Glyn Baker is up to these days.



I understand he is also an actor but not much information about him is known.

[batman]

According to the book, these days he is a producer of documentary films.



Here is a link to his IMDb page as an actor .... Glyn Baker

[Bond Fan]

According to the book, these days he is a producer of documentary films.

Here is a link to his IMDb page as an actor .... Glyn Baker

Fantastic - many thanks for your help there!

[Lerica]

All the Baker boys are 'behind the scenes' now. But if all goes to plan (and if anyone remembers the childrens prog, A Box of Delights) you might see Glyn front of screen sometime this year, in a TV special presented by Justin Lee Collins.



Re The Red Beret; its just a real shame someone (ahem) decided to over dub Stanley's wonderful Welsh tones!