Originally published – November 2023
Compiled this quarter by a guest chooser
The Goon Show
The legendary connection that ignited The Beatles’ Liverpudlian passion – it says. Little bit contrived, but worth a quick watch.
Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan & Harry Secombe perform their comedy routine ‘Les Trois Charlies’
The Goon Show ‘Have a Gorilla’. A YouTuber talks about a CD or two. He’s not a fan, but how to reply?
Harry Secombe
Missing Hancock’s Half Hour with Harry Secombe discovered
at www.comedy.co.uk
Secombe, Harold Donald, (1921–2001), Welsh comedian, actor, singer and television presenter; additional papers and photographs, including Goon Show scripts, stage and film scripts, army letters and diaries and letters of congratulation on his knighthood.
The listing in The National Archives reflecting his archive in The National Library of Wales: Department of Collection Services dated: 1945 –2001.
at discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Cilla Black and Harry Secombe: Robin Hood sketch from Harry Secombe Show, 1972
A celebration of the life and career of Sir Harry Secombe, one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers.
Limp Bizkit vs Harry Secombe – definitely worth a watch!
Spike Milligan
A short film by Australian musician, composer, producer Greg Englert looking into the unknown side of legendary comedian Spike Milligan. This is a very good watch. It’s mainly about his cornet!
This film maker went to St Thomas the Martyr Church in Winchelsea, East Sussex, to visit the final resting place of a great comedian, Spike Milligan. A good effort, especially if you haven’t visited Spike’s grave. He also reads a short
biography. Nothing new, but that doesn’t matter.
I Told You I Was Ill – The Life And Legacy of Spike Milligan: Official Trailer.
Told for the first time through the eyes of his family. It features never before seen footage of Spike’s past, revealing him as a brilliant, tortured and visionary man who trod the line between genius and debilitating depression.
The Unseen Archive: a discussion as part of York Festival of Ideas, June 2023. Speakers: Jane Milligan, Sebastian Barfield and Georgina Pike. Chaired by Gary Brannan. A very good watch.
Episode one of Melting Pot. Not for the squeamish.
Spike Milligan with There’s a Fly in My Soup Around the World with points given ‘Eurovision style’ by the lovely Katie Boyle. Played with extreme respect to all nations by the cast.
Poetry Thursday – Death Wish by Spike Milligan, read by Will Chambers.
Spike Milligan interview – Parkinson One to One (1987)
Late Late Show Comedy Clips: Spike Milligan and others interviewed, 2006. Spike is on first; you can switch off after that.
There’s a Lot of it About – an episode…
Peter Sellers
A clip of Esther Rantzen talking to Michael Sellers about his late famous father.
The Tragic Tale of Peter Sellers’ Beatles Tape and How I Found It.
Peter Sellers explains some of the Goon voices, Parkinson interview, 1974. Introduced by a squirrel.
Goldie learns cricket from Peter Sellers | Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
Michael Bentine
Michael Bentine: Moscow Commercial Radio (1962).
The Reluctant Jester by Michael Bentine, read by a machine – sounds like anyway.
The Goon Show Preservation Society 