by Mark Cousins
Originally published – December 2019
Now that Christmas is almost upon us again let’s enjoy some more laughter thanks to the many talents of Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe, Michael Bentine…and… The Goons!
The Goons
Bluebottle Lives! HRH Prince Charles’ comic debut – as Bluebottle?
The Goons Re-united at the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Steam Railway from Highway, 1993
Remember the famous potter’s wheel scene from the film “Ghost”? Well, you haven’t seen this version! There’s a good story here – Ed.
Ray Ellington fans may like to know about a new release by Jasmine Records. The company also has others, including one by Joyce Grenfell.
at www.jasmine-records.co.uk
Pull up a salad!
The Legacy of The Goons Show: Have we printed this in the Newsletter yet Brin? – Ed
http://brincoleman.co.uk/goon/archive/presentation
and there’s more where that came from!…
http://brincoleman.co.uk/goon/archive/andysecombe
http://brincoleman.co.uk/goon/archive/tedkendall
http://brincoleman.co.uk/goon/archive/conclusions
http://brincoleman.co.uk/goon/archive/diary
Harry Secombe
Harry Secombe, Lionel Blair and Dickie Henderson as The Beverly Sisters – 1971
Photos of Secombe held by The National Portrait Gallery
at www.npg.org.uk
Harry Secombe as Santa at The Variety Club Christmas Lunch in 1969
Spike Milligan
Some missing episodes of Spike’s TV series The World of Beachcomber (audio only)
An interesting previously unknown Spike Milligan record. ‘An Apple acetate with Spike Milligan ‘Scarborough Blues’ typed on the label – It’s actually a Jazz track with a female vocal. Did Spike write the music? (He was from a Jazz background) or was the acetate given to him by his mate George Martin? We may never find out the story behind this one…..’ (45cat.com)
at www.45cat.com
Photos of Milligan held by The National Portrait Gallery
at www.npg.org.uk
The original script was first performed in Six Dates With Barker Episode 2 – 1899: The Phan-tom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town on 15th January 1971 predating The Last Goon Show Of All and having apparently originally been written to be performed by the three Goons! Here’s Spike’s handwritten script! See major article in this issue! – Ed
at www.bonhams.com
Peter Sellers
A marvellous collection of photos from on the set of The Ladykillers in 1955
at dangerousminds.net
Film Trailer for The Ladykillers
at www.comedy.co.uk
Peter Sellers’ heart attacks
at www.drmirkin.com
Archive NY Times interview with Peter Sellers
at www.nytimes.com
Some previously unseen pictures of Sellers wedding to Britt Ekland
at www.getsurrey.co.uk
Boxing Day 1968 – Lunch with Sellers and Milligan!
at www.bbc.co.uk
Dr. Strangelove – Exhibitor’s Trailer – uncut and narrated by Stanley Kubrick
Good Morning Scotland – Joe McGrath – at www.bbc.co.uk
A nice piece on the Boulting Brothers British comedy satires including I’m All Right Jack and Heavens Above
at www.british60scinema.net
The Many Faces of Peter Sellers at www.british60scinema.net
Photos of Sellers held by The National Portrait Gallery at www.npg.org.uk
Various editions of Variety Bandbox including one with Peter Sellers from 29-2-51 (the edition dated 8-8-48 features Max Geldray)
at www.am-records.com
Michael Bentine
1982 Vintage Film | Batley Variety Club | The History
Bentine’s BAFTA! (silent) at Getty Images
The Bumblies at www.turnipnet.com
The Golden Silents – Hair- at www.huntleyarchives.com
The Great Bong with Milligan and Bentine
at www.quinnzonestudios.com
The Goon Show Preservation Society 