The Goon Show Preservation Society
Over 50 years of bearing a torch and a sockful of custard for the most innovative radio comedy of all time!
May 4th 2023 is the centenary of that fine Oldham born comedian, actor and scriptwriter Eric Sykes.
Eric shared offices with Spike for many years and they shared the scriptwriting duties during series 5 of the Goon Show. He and his wide array of talents will always be fondly remembered.
He granted us this interview in 2006, and there’s more about his involvement with the Goons in this article.
A blue plaque honouring a man with Goons connections has been unveiled. It’s on the former Marylebone home of Marcel Stellman, who passed away in 2021.
Among the many, many credits in his long career as a record executive, writer and producer are Goon songs such as I’m Walking Backwards for Christmas and the Ying Tong Song.
Marcel gave an interview to the GSPS in 2007 in which he recalled those recording sessions. You can read it here.
We hear that one of the iconic buildings in the history of the Goon Show, and much more British comedy besides, has changed hands.
In 1959 the scriptwriters co-operative known as Associated London Scripts moved into 9 Orme Court, in London’s leafy Bayswater district. It was its third home. ALS had developed from an initial sharing of an office by Spike Milligan and Eric Sykes, above a greengrocers shop at 130 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, where they wrote series 5 of the Goon Show in 1954. It went on to include writers such as Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Johnny Speight, John Antrobus, Terry Nation, and many others. And let’s not forget the staff, which included Norma Farnes and Beryl Vertue.
The news was broken on Twitter by Jane Milligan:
As Jane says, from 31st March the building is entering the process of becoming the embassy of the Republic of Moldova. Hopefully the blue plaques which adorn the building, one for Spike, one for Eric, will remain for time immemorial, and the new owners will enjoy the echoes of laughter which must surely still pervade those offices.
Yes, it’s new magazine time, the latest edition of Goon Show News is on its way to members letter boxes and inboxes. For all those of you who are reading this but aren’t members, you’re missing out. Join now and get one.
What’s in this issue?
We look at Annie Nightingale’s programme on the link between comedy and music and in particular George Martin’s work with Spike and Sellers and then… The Beatles;
a Telegoons review from 1963;
a new play about Wally Stott / Angela Morley;
two articles from Australian mag circa 1957;
Michael Bentine – an interesting interview;
two reviews of new CDs of interest;
an article about The Goon Show from a gentleman’s magazine of 1956.
It’s all here for the reading thereof…
Newly released is An Album Named Fred, a new CD of Goons connected music and recordings from Jasmine Records. It features a selection of rare material, much of it previously unissued, very rare or made available for the first time on CD.
The set opens with the song Harry Secombe regularly used as a warm-up for the show Falling In Love With Love, and continues with early radio appearances from Peter Sellers (saved by Peter himself), soundtrack recordings by Spike Milligan from A Show Called Fred, rare Ray Ellington performances made for ENSA and the BBC, and long forgotten discs by Goon side men Max Geldray, Wally Stott and George Chisholm.
Also featured are themes from early Sellers movies and music featured in the Goon Show itself. A horde of music and madness for Goon fans everywhere.
To buy a copy of the disc, click the button below to visit Jasmine Records, or it’s also available here through Amazon.
For a bit more background on the tracks on this CD, have a look at Mark Cousin’s latest A Kick Up the Archives.
As a birthday tribute to the late, great Michael Bentine, who would have celebrated his 101st Birthday on 26th January, the secretary of the GSPS, Richard Usher, presents his own performance of Bentine’s wonderful sketch ‘The Most Haunted House in Britain’, as featured in his show ‘The Best of Bentine’
And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, we present the latest episode in our thrilling advertising campaign, written for cinema, television and radio. It’s appearing exclusively on this website for reasons of budget. Sadly, we don’t have enough pictures of Queen Victoria to pay for cinema, television or radio.
Eccles: Hallo dere! Thank you for landing on our GSPS website on the Wibbly Wobbly Web! ‘ere Bottle I think I could get a job as an announcer.
Bluebottle: Wait a minute my good man. You haven’t heard the dulcet tones of me, John “Snagge” Bluebottle… “Good evening viewer. This is the BBC Light programme and this is Jim Bluebottle wearing it”
Eccles: But it doesn’t suit you!
Neddie: I think I should have a turn and welcoming potential new members to this illustrious Goon Show Preservation Society website… “My lords ladies and gentlepong…. In the blue corner… The Goon Show Preservation Society… and in the red corner… your bank account.” There… I rest my case.
Grytpype: You can’t rest your case there!
Neddie: And why not?
Grytpype: Because it comes up at the assizes next Thursday!… Seagoon vs Mrs Ethel Quotts
Neddie: It’s all lies! It was two other people called Tom! How can I clear my name?
Grytpype: Just hold this stick of dynamite and follow the bouncing ball on Moriarty’s increasingly balding head
Neddie: I must join the Goon Show Preservation Society.
Grytpype: There… That didn’t hurt did it?
Neddie: No. And what value for money, at quids twelve and fifty crisp new pence… It says on this stick of dynamite you just handed me.
Bluebottle: Can I be the one that holds the dynamite my captain?
Neddie: Of course little spotty Herbert…There you are.
FX: Sound of boots accelerating at high speed
Neddie: (distant) The pleasure is all mi…
FX: Huge explosion
Blubottle: You rotten swine. You deaded me!
Wal: At this juncture, I must point out that this was all in a good cause and no idiots were harmed in the making of this commercial
Neddie: Ah! Well that’s alright then
Bluebottle: ‘ ere what about me. I’ve just had my trousers turned inside out.
Neddie: But you’re not an idiot, are you?
Bluebottle: No
Neddie: Well, that’s all right then! Exits left!
with thanks to Mark Cousins
Click here for details of Goon Show preservation Society membership
There’s a celebration of Spike Milligan’s poetry running on Twitter during January. Organised by Craig McLeish, it includes delightful short video readings of Spike’s verse. For those of you who use that platform, it’s easiest to find them with a search for #MilliganPoetryOdyssey
There’also s a full list here on the Seagoon Memoirs website.
Here’s an example:
After Spike Milligan: The Unseen Archive was broadcast on the Sky Arts channel last month, there’s another Spike documentary showing on TV this coming week. It’s on BBC4 this time and the programme is Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace, which is scheduled for Wednesday 11th January at 9pm. There’s also a repeat scheduled on the same channel on Sunday 15th at 1030pm.
This programme was first shown in 2014. The write-up says:
A very personal portrait of the truly unique comedy genius of Spike Milligan, as told in his own words and featuring exclusive home movie footage. With contributions from those who worked with him, lived with him and were inspired by him.
The iPlayer link is https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04tt1yj
As we enter 2023, here’s a New Year message from the Goons.
Wal: Now that Mr Claus has delivered his presents and is taking a well-earned rest, I am reliably informed that The Goon Show Preservation Society would like to wish a Happy New Year and custard to all their readers.
Neddie: That’s it Wal, give them the old posh chat there.
Grytpype: I say Neddie, what’s your New Year’s resolution?
Neddie: To be an all round better person.
Bluebottle: But you’re already all round! Hehehe!
Moriarty: Get that child out of here!
Neddie: What did you get for Christmas, little spotty lad?
Bluebottle: Well a few years ago my mum bought me an electric twit for Christmas, but there was a stick of dynamite in it and it blew me backwards…
Eccles: For Christmas?
Bluebottle: No, out of my underpants!
Neddie: Oh, nasty!
Bluebottle: Anyway, this year I wrote to Santa and asked him for world peace and goodwill to all men.
Eccles: And what did you get?
Bluebottle: I got a sock full of custard and a clip round the ear from my mum!
Eccles: I got a clip round the ear from Sabrina.
Bluebottle: Why was that, you naughty man?
Eccles: She turned round too quickly!
Bloodnok: They don’t make ‘em like that anymore!
Wal: If you’ve just landed on this page and are wondering what on earth is going on, then I am empowered to remind you that this IS The Goon Show Preservation Society and you get what you pay for! So… join today!
FX: Kerching. Penny in mug.
Mate: And a very Happy New Year and all mate.
Wal: Ta. Next dance please.
As conveyed to the GSPS
by Mark Cousins
Happy New Year from the Goon Show Preservation Society.
The Goon Show Preservation Society 