Reply With QuoteHe was in the original production of 'The Birthday Party' as one of the gangsters
We were discussing the other day in the pub, as you do, how on earth John Slater was chosen to do the Kellogs' Special K adverts all those years ago. He never fitted the stereotype for health, fitness and slimming and in just about everything he was in apart from Z cars, he looked like an East End based Maltese pimp! Ironically he died of a heart attack in 1975 in his late 50s.
He had a great face for post war black and white films, and just like Sydney Tafler he seemed born to wear those creased-up pin-striped gangster suits and Flash Harry spiv ties of the era.
He was in the original production of 'The Birthday Party' as one of the gangsters
Interesting that only three threads apart should be John Slater and Jimmy Hanley, both of whom "starred" in examples of that execrable, but fondly remembered genre - the admag.
John's contribution was SLATER'S BAZAAR.
edit. Three threads apart when I chanced upon them, that is!
I remember John Slater from radio days, or I should say wireless. He starred in a programme called "TAXI" (not to be confused with the American TV show). he was a stalwart of radio just after the war. He was also in the Radio programme "Johnny-your Wanted". All BBC shows of course.
Slater starred in the feature film Johnny You're Wanted (1956) based on a BBC TV serial (also starring Slater) - was this his only top billing?Originally Posted by kelp
In the early 50s he seemed to be in every play on TV. I recall him as Beau Brummell and Benvento Cellini. I think he was voted Actor of the Year at one stage.
D.
As far as I am aware, he didn't make that many films. But he had a distinctive look about him, sort of Bogart-ish. Good actor though.
My dad was in the same cricket team as John slater.
I can still remember the old John Slater Special K ad as if it were yesterday '...a little milk and sugar. Less than 250 calories the lot!'
Maybe I should get out more.....
When I were a lad.... I used to deliver meat to John Slater via my trusty butchers boy bike!
Found this ropey example of John Slater doing his stuff on a DVD-R:
YouTube - John Slater "Special K"
Can't help but think the current lady in the red swim suit is a more appealing advertisement for the benefits of Special K than Mr Slater. Now, maybe if HE'd worn a red swim suit.....??
I remember he also presented (bizzarely) Pinky and Perky (NOT very great favourites with me) running the "Pop Inn"
He died on about the same time as the great John Gregson. 2 actors who played policeman and both seemed to be nice guys who both died young.
He was also excellent in The Long Memory.
Bats.
Could have been a strategy - physically perfect people using Special K might not convince the populus ("we'll never look like that") whereas a slob like Slater might convince - thats my theory anyway
Just watched the Ad, it's funny when JS says he watches his weight, bearing in mind his stomach was edging over his trousers. Did he mean, watch it increasing??
Good actor, he was a real face of the time. He lived nearby when I was a child.
Would that have been in Esher/Claygate (Surrey) Merton P? As I said further up the thread, I used to deliver meat to him as part of my Saturday job at the butchers!
rgds
Rob
Saw him last night in an episode of Danger Man, good to see him again
Maybe the same episode?. Last night I saw John Slater in an episode of Danger Man called "The Mercernaries". I was stunned by the fact that he spoke with a very "English" accent, very "Posh" to be honest and yet I always associated him with being a little more "Estuary". Maybe he was a better actor than he was given credit for?.
Yes, I saw John Slater again recently in DANGER MAN playing a poshly-spoken Prime Minister. I remember John best from Z CARS and I had completely forgotten his Special K adverts and his involvement with PINKY AND PERKY!
He was a rather bizarre choice for Special K I agree, but better than Willoughby Goddard perhaps . . .
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