Jimmy Logan Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Jimmy Logan passes away in 2001.

Jimmy Logan was a Scottish performer, director and producer.

Logan was born on April 4th, 1928 in Glasgow, Scotland as James Allan Short. He came from a family of entertainers and took his stage name from his aunt who was a Broadway performer, Ella Logan. He attended Gourock High School in Inverclyde. He left school at the age of 14.

During the 1930's and 1940's, Logan traveled with his family to small music halls in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In 1944, he appeared in pantomime when he appeared in the play Dick Whittington and his Cat. Logan appeared as the cat. The play itself is based on English folklore about Richard Whittington who was the Lord Mayor of London. In the play and the folklore, Whittington comes from a poor family and is able to rise to wealth due to the ratting abilities of his cat. He appeared in a variety of other pantomime, comedic plays, the rest of his life.

Around 1955 at the Alhambra Theatre in Glasgow Logan began appearing in the Five Past Eight Shows. The shows were a musical comedy variety show. Logan along with two other for the most performances in the annual summer show.

In 1964, Logan purchased the Empress Theatre for £80,000. He refurbished it, reopening it as the New Metropole. One of the first productions put on at the theatre was the Scottish production of the musical Hair.

Logan also appeared in a variety of films, including at least one Swedish film set in Scotland. His first film appearance was in 1949 in the movie Floodtide. He continued to act in films the rest of his life. His last film was released in 1999, The Debt Collector.

In 1998, Logan was elected a fellow to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Logan passed away on April 13th, 2001 from cancer.

Logan was a member of Lodge Anima No. 1223 in Glasgow, Scotland.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.