Baxter! (1973)

Interesting facts

Baxter! is a 1973 drama film directed by Lionel Jeffries and starring Patricia Neal, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Britt Ekland. The film follows a young boy called Roger Baxter who struggles to overcome his speech problem (rhotacism) and his strained relationship with his parents. The screenplay was by Reginald Rose, based on the 1968 book by Kin Platt, The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear.

Production

The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear was published in 1968. The book was very well received. According to one writer, "the novel touched a nerve with readers and heralded a new form of psychologically based YA book. Authors such as Marjorie Kellogg and John Neufeld would later find success with similar material." The Chicago Reader called the book "unforgettable".

In November 1971, it was announced the film version of the book would be called The Boy and it would be a co production between Anglo-EMI Films and Group W Films. Hanna-Barbera were also involved in making the movie; it is one of the studio's live-action efforts, despite being primarily known as an animation studio. It was meant to be the first of three films planned jointly between Anglo-EMI, Group W and Roger Lewis.

Jeffries knew finding an actor to play the lead would be difficult, as he had to play a twelve year old who could depict emotion and a speech impediment. "Twelve year olds like that don't grow on trees," said Jeffries. He found Scott Jacoby, who had just played the lead in a TV movie, That Certain Summer. "He was the only one who listened," said Jeffries.

It was a rare English-language film for Jean-Pierre Cassel.

Filming started 29 November 1971 at Elstree Studios in London.

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