Ernest Maxin Archive

• Behind the Sunshine (2 folder boxes) stage show about Morecambe and Wise written by Gary Morecambe and Martin Sterling)
• Bradley’s Boys. (Sitcom vehicle for Bradley Walsh devised by Ernest, written by Gary Morecambe.
• Over Here (mini series broadcast in 1996). Written by John Sullivan, devised by Ernest Maxin (includes correspondence)
• Colditz musical. Scripts by Ernest Maxin and Pat Reid.
• Kate’s Young Lawyers 2 boxes( development script and correspondence Ernest Maxin)
• Various scripts from Gary Morecambe plus correspondence
• Best of Friends. (1963 sitcom starring Hylda Baker and Charles Hawtrey. Directed by Ernest Maxin and written by Gerry Maxin.
• Norman Hudis correspondence and legal items 2x boxes
• Eagles & Sparrows 4 boxes (mini series development & script (Hudis/Maxin)
• Napoli Sect / Where there are Vines (as above Hudis & Maxin)
• Dinner with Ribbentrop (as above - Hudis & Maxin)
• Hudis/Maxin joint ideas with minimal development.
• Barnardo - Musical 1980 (Written & Directed Ernest Maxin) - all development, scripts, musical part and arrangements, contracts and correspondence
• BBC correspondence
• Press clippings and magazines 1960 promoting Make A Date with Ernest Maxin. Series of 6 broadcast in 1960 on ATV.
• Ideas for shows -3 boxes
• Roly Poly’s / Jelly Rolls. Contracts and correspondence.
• 2 scripts from David Whitaker
• Correspondence with lawyers, producers, Ernest Maxin’s telephone directory.
• Ernest Maxin Orchestra, music, arrangements and correspondence.
• Collaboration on scripts with Roy Clarke
• The Commuters (scripts for a proposed soap)
• Script by Dave King
• RAF Escape stories and Bomber Harris.
• Scripts sent by others
• Box of photographs, clippings, telegrams and memorabilia
• 2 boxes of books. Some singed by authors.
* Photographs of Ernest Maxin, including set photographs of production of 'Make a Date with Ernest Maxin', 1960s.
* Framed certificates, posters, including freedom of the City of London (1996) and BAFTA Award for Best Entertainment, 1977
* Films created for The Stars Organisation for Spastics, 1970s, 16mm film reel, 'Serious Charge', 1960
* VHS copies of Morecambe and Wise show 1975-1977, Sony Videocasettes of M&W show and Bachelors, Betacam copies from BBC including Morecambe and Wise sketches, Kids International
* 7" records produced by Ernest Maxin including theme to 'Our House'
* 1/4" reels audio including performance of James Smillie on 'Lennie and Jerry'
* Newspaper clippings of BAFTA win, 1977
* Ernest Maxin Passports
* 3 1/2" floppy discs of scripts and concepts

Ernest Maxin was born in Upton Park, East London, to Max Cohen and his wife Dora (nee Stone). The family changed its name to 'Maxin' in 1929. Maxin was a talented piano player in his youth, joining a minstrel show aged six, being known professionally as 'Little Pussyfoot'. Between 1941-1944, Maxin was an actor-dancer at the Windmill Theatre, forming a dance partnership with Eileen Johnson, marrying her in 1952. After a period of National Service in the RAF, he joined BBC Television in 1954, moving to ABC in 1959. There he was given his own show, 'Make a Date' - a show in which he sang, danced, led a concert orchestra along with producing. He met his second wife, Leigh Madison while producing the sitcom 'Our House', marrying in 1960. Maxin returned to the BBC in 1964, producing the Charlie Drake Show, the Dave Allen Show and, from 1970-1976, the Black and White Minstrel Show.
Maxin began working with Morecambe and Wise as a choreographer in 1971, becoming their producer in 1974, overseeing their career at the BBC until their departure to ITV in 1978. In 1980, Maxin wrote and produced the musical 'Barnardo'. Maxin retired from the BBC in 1983.

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation, including data protection laws. 24 hours' notice is required to access photographic material.

The archive was deposited at the Borthwick Institute in 2021 by Maxin's family

Ernest Maxin was born in Upton Park, East London, to Max Cohen and his wife Dora (nee Stone). The family changed its name to 'Maxin' in 1929. Maxin was a talented piano player in his youth, joining a minstrel show aged six, being known professionally as 'Little Pussyfoot'. Between 1941-1944, Maxin was an actor-dancer at the Windmill Theatre, forming a dance partnership with Eileen Johnson, marrying her in 1952. After a period of National Service in the RAF, he joined BBC Television in 1954, moving to ABC in 1959. There he was given his own show, 'Make a Date' - a show in which he sang, danced, led a concert orchestra along with producing. He met his second wife, Leigh Madison while producing the sitcom 'Our House', marrying in 1960. Maxin returned to the BBC in 1964, producing the Charlie Drake Show, the Dave Allen Show and, from 1970-1976, the Black and White Minstrel Show.
Maxin began working with Morecambe and Wise as a choreographer in 1971, becoming their producer in 1974, overseeing their career at the BBC until their departure to ITV in 1978. In 1980, Maxin wrote and produced the musical 'Barnardo'. Maxin retired from the BBC in 1983.

The archive has not yet been catalogued. Please contact the Borthwick Institute for further information.

Good

Created by G. Brannan, 17.02.22

A reprographics service is available to researchers. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute for Archives' terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

Held by depositor until transfer

Further accruals are not expected

Published

GB193