Wissenswertes

Husband to Angela Lansbury, Peter was the "silent partner" on the CBS TV popular "Murder, She Wrote" mystery series and projects his wife was involved with.

Angela Lansbury's son Anthony Shaw directed the second to last #12.#23 television-play "Murder, She Wrote" - "Mrs. Parker's Revenge" broadcast on 12 May 1996. Peter Shaw, Angela's husband and Anthony's father, appears in the teleplay's opening sequence, dressed as one of the Lab Rat Doctors standing behind a laboratory counter. Placing Peter Shaw in the opening group of Lab Doctors' shot as the camera pans the group of laboratory doctors and technicians was planned by Anthony, as a farewell touch to the series demise at the end of the twelfth season. The last "Murder, She Wrote" mystery television-play, also directed by Anthony Shaw, #12.#24, "Death by Demographics" was broadcast 19 May, 1996.

Peter was cast in English films, acting as a romantic lead. MGM discovered and contracted Peter, moving him from England to the MGM Culver City lot, casting him in some late 40's features. Not really a good actor, the studio moved him over to act as an agent with a talent agency. Now as an agent, he represented actors in studio casting negotiations. Part of his responsibilities was squiring actresses on studio functions and film openings. Because of his English background, MGM had him accompany Angela Lansbury on the studio's red carpet engagement appearances. Romance followed and they soon announced an engagement, followed by wedding bells.

As a William Morris Agency talent agent, Peter represented Elvis Presley. Peter handled the negotiations, contracts for Elvis' MGM film "Blue Hawaii" in 1960-61. As the WMA agent for Angela Lansbury, as well, Peter had Angela cast in the film with Elvis; Peter thought Angela's appearance with Elvis would help her career. In spite of the fact that Angela was only ten years older, Angela's film role was as Elvis' mother.

After World War II, Peter remained friends with one of his RAF chums who was a male model. Usually, Peter accompanied him on his casting meetings. At one of these sessions, the client asked the model about his friend sitting in the outer reception area. Peter was brought into meet the advertising client and was chosen for a billboard ad which was to be set atop London's Piccadilly Circus square's feature billboard advertising spot. Peter's head shot with his lips pursed open puffing "cigaret smoke rings" into the air. The billboard advertisement, Peter puffing smoke rings, remained for many years on the Piccadilly Circus, which always amused Peter relating the story.

Father of David Shaw with Mercia Squires, and of Anthony Pullen Shaw and Deirdre Angela Shaw (Deirdre Shaw) with Angela Lansbury.

Brother-in-law of Bruce Lansbury and Edgar Lansbury.

In the spring of 1980, Peter Shaw and his film-stage actress wife Angela Lansbury Shaw met one memorable day with Andrew Lloyd Webber in his London town house. Andrew Lloyd Webber, playing his piano to pitch, trying to entice Angela into starring as 'Norma Desmond' in his future musical-play adaptation of Billy Wilder's 1950 Paramount film starring Gloria Swanson in "Sunset Boulevard". Andrew auditioned 'Norma Desmond's' musical numbers during the session, performing one of 'Norma Desmond's' solo songs "Memory", that 'Norma Desmond' would perform ascending her Sunset Boulevard mansion's foyer staircase. Andrew Lloyd Webber needed a finalé song for Elaine Paige, as 'Grizabella', to climb the staircase lowering from the overhead stage flies to the hedge Junk heap, for 'Grizabella's' ascension to feline heaven. The memorable song "Memory" was pulled from Webber's stage musical adaptation "Sunset Boulevard" original score. Webber recycled the song "Memory" in order to complete his "CATS score". Andrew Lloyd Webber had time to compose a new replacement song for Norma's "Sunset Boulevard" staircase number, opening in London on 12 July 1993 (1,529 performances).

Uncle-in-law of David Lansbury, James Lansbury and Felicia Lansbury.