I'm reasonably sure that Len Marten is centre in this photograph of the 'Stand Easy' cast, with Charlie Chester (L) and Arthur Haynes (R).

Brian

I have no memory of Len Marten other than associating him with Charlie Chester's 'Stand Easy' show. I wasn't even aware of his appearance on 'Coronation Street' or the connection with 'Opportunity Knocks' until Ray quoted from Roy Hudd's excellent book.

Like you, William, I wouldn't have recognised him - and the photo I uploaded earlier doesn't identify him in the book I copied it from. Chester and Haynes are unmistakable as they had such successful careers after the 1940s, but I came to the conclusion the centre figure was Marten by comparing it to one other 'Stand Easy' photograph I found - and on this one, each person is named.

left to right - Roman St. Clair, Arthur Haynes, Ken Morris, Len Marten and (almost out of picture) Charlie Chester.

Note the jaw line and bow tie which seems to match the man in the middle of the earlier pic.

The one missing headliner from these 'Stand Easy' photographs is someone we have discussed before in Whirligig (thanks to your recalling him, William) - Frederick Ferrari.

Brian

I'm re-printing the first photograph I scanned as I'd cut two of the stars off, thinking I'd identified Len Marten between Chester and Haynes. Now we know that was in fact Ken Morris - and from what Terri has told us about Len and his round face and curly hair - I think he may be seen on the extreme left of the group. Please confirm if you can, Terri. And what about the the second figure from the left. Could that be Frederick Ferrari?

Finally, from yet another book, comes this poster of the gang on a variety theatre bill.


Brian

Re Ken Morris, I had noted various mentions of his musical talents in the books I have referred to these past couple of days, Terri - and it stirred a distant memory of some records he made in the 1950s/60s. A quick check of the catalogues reveal some singles (as follows) plus a oldie medley EP on HMV - Ken's Party Pieces.

Singles
HMV POP647 Copper Knob / Riviera
HMV POP699 Shank's Pony / Blondie
HMV POP847 Mississippi Rag / Curly Top
Parlophone R4358 Gotta Get To Your House / Chatterbox

In 'Stand Easy' his most famous contribution was as the character Whippit Kwick, the Cat Burglar, Mention must be made here too of his faithful friend (played by Arthur Haynes) Ray Ling, the Chinese Fence (a groan is permitted I think).

Finally I referred to the Roy Hudd book that Ray quoted from for info on Len Marten, and I was surprised to learn that Ken Morris formed a double act with Joan Savage. Briefly, Ken was born in Ferndale, Rhondda Valley in 1922. He met Joan while on tour with a George Black revue, 'Music and Madness', and formed the double act - Ken on piano and Joan singing. They played successfully in Variety, then on TV with Arthur Haynes, and a 22 week series for the BBC, 'Hi Summer'. On TV and in the theatre they appeared in 'The Black & White Minstrel Show', and they played a long season at the London Palladium and in several Royal Variety Performances. Ken died in 1968.

Brian

William - the Whirligig Spook is about again. I've just received the July 2008 issue 'Best of British Magazine', and it includes a feature titled 'Radio Revels', discussing 1940s/50s 78s which star casts of popular radio shows of the time. Among the illustrations is this Decca release by the cast of 'Stand Easy' - the song 'The Old Bazaar in Cairo' composed by Charlie Chester and Ken Morris.



This could be seen as a double whammy by the Spook, as that song was revived in the 1960s by Clinton Ford - another current Whirligig topic (see the 50s Music section).

Brian