Glen Michael
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Glen Michael is a former children's television presenter and an entertainer. His career at Scottish Television spanned several decades with his hugely popular show, "Glen Michael's Cartoon Cavalcade". He was born in Devon, England, but has found the majority of his success in Scotland.
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[edit] Early career
Born Cecil Buckland,in 1926, Glen Michael began his career as an entertainer on stage, in many successful shows that encompassed his talent for comedy, in particular, impersonations. Upon leaving his native England for the theatre circuit of Scotland, he found further success in stage shows with noted Scottish comedians Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy. Glen also made an uncredited appearance as 'Larry' in the famous early police drama 'The Blue Lamp' in 1950. He and his 'date' witnessed the shooting of Jack Warner (Dixon of Dock Green) as they entered the cinema.
[edit] Television years
Glen Michael eventually turned his attention to television, starring in many Scottish Television productions and dramas including Francie and Josie with his friends Jack Milroy and Rikki Fulton. He also starred in several plays for the BBC and STV. However, Glen achieved greater stardom with his own show, which he presented, produced and wrote.
Glen Michael's Cartoon Cavalcade (later Glen Michael's Cavalcade) began a record breaking run of 26 years in 1966. The show is still fondly remembered by many people in Scotland as their first exposure to many famous cartoons such as Asterix and Bugs Bunny. The show is also remembered for Glen's companions Paladin the talking lamp and two dogs, Rudi and Rusti. The programme also included superhero cartoons, which would be introduced by "The Space Teller"; Michael's disembodied head (often wearing a crown) seemingly "floating" in space. The readings of children's birthday cards that viewers had sent in, was also very popular, with Glen also sending birthday cards personally to those who could not have their cards read on air.
[edit] Radio work
Glen presented a popular weekly show on Saga FM every Sunday, playing songs from stage shows and classic records. When Saga FM was brought over by Realradio company GMG Radio, Glen decided not to join over.
[edit] Other achievements and appearances
Glen also starred in several pantomimes with Jack Milroy and completed many enjoyable runs at the Pavillion Theatre in Glasgow, the Gaiety Theatre Ayr and the Edinburgh Kings in various productions and plays.
Glen made a brief cameo in an episode of the BBC series VideoGaiden, playing himself in a speaking role. In the episode, Michael receives a coconut and some flowers in the mail (in an attempt to recreate the Nintendo game Animal Crossing) and sends a thankful letter in response. [1]
[edit] Currently
With the end of "Cavalcade", Glen continued working, taking a touring version of the show around Scotland to primary schools. As he continues to entertain more generations with games and cartoons, he is assisted by his wife of many years, Beryl.
He lives in the Ayrshire community with Beryl and has two children, Yonnie and Christopher, and three grandchildren, Grant, Fraser and Mark. His son, Chris Buckland, is a film editor who has worked extensively on STV productions such as Taggart.
He can often be seen at Somerset Park attending Ayr United matches.
