Originally published – June 2023
Here are some more corners of the internet which have come to Mark Cousins’ attention.
The Goons
This book on British radio comedy has been in print for years, but it’s good to see it available as a PDF – download from worldradiohistory.com
Climb Up The Wall – directed by Michael Winner. Famous 1950s radio disc jockey and one-time bandleader Jack Jackson hosts some pop personalities from the period. Also, three minutes in we get Michael Bentine, with Peter Sellers seen 13 minutes in. Both these clips come from the film Down Among The Z Men. Produced by Oliver Negus-Fancey, the clips were probably stolen from the Fancey archives. (Fancey that!)
at www.tptvencore.co.uk – at amazon.co.uk – at IMDB.com – at Cinemaretro.com
A colourised picture from Down Among The Z Men – at tvwish.com
Peter Sellers
Hancock’s Half Hour: The Marriage Bureau. This recently rediscovered show featuring Peter Sellers in place of Kenneth Williams is due for a CD and download release on 1st June.
at www.penguin.co.uk
The Party – a review – at www.cultfilmfreaks.com
The Return Of The Pink Panther – a review… – at www.cultfilmfreaks.com
The Pink Panther Strikes Again – Another review – at www.cultfilmfreaks.com
House & Garden – Inside Sellers’ home – at houseandgarden.co.uk
Some nice pictures in the Iconic Archive – at iconiclicensing.net
A featurette on Murder By Death
Neil Simon revisits Murder By Death
While we’re on the subject, here’s the trailer
Here’s the Sellers family slide collection as used by is mother on stage
at www.magiclantern.org.uk
Peter Sellers film posters – at www.cinematerial.com
Being There lost out to Kramer vs Kramer at the Oscars in 1980, but it didn’t stop Sellers from attending the London premiere in March. This was probably Sellers’ last official public engagement in Britain. Here’s a clip from the TV coverage…
A clip of Peter Sellers on The Late Late Show
at www.rte.ie
Spike Milligan
A website dedicated to Spike
at mikeagnew123.tripod.com
Spike interviewed by Gay Byrne on RTE in Ireland
at www.rte.ie
Spike according to the BBC Genome
at www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/genome
Spike Milligan film posters – at www.cinematerial.com
RTE’s tribute to Spike – at www.rte.ie
Save The Whale 1981 – at www.rte.ie
Spike on the Gay Byrne Show – at www.rte
The English Tourist Board 1979-1980 – at www.hatads.org.uk
The Sunday Times – at www.hatads.org.uk
The Sunday Times – again! – at www.hatads.org.uk
Kellogs Corn Flakes – at www.hatads.org.uk
Harry Secombe
The Secombe archive – at www.bbc.co.uk
Harry Secombe – Distant Laughter – at adrinkershistoryoflondon.com
British Airways Enterprise / Sovereign Holidays – Harry Secombe on Holiday 1976 – at www.hatads.org.uk
Channel 4 1987 – Sir Harry in a Readers Digest ad (at about 11 minutes in)
1983 Australian TV Advert for new Album
The Harry Secombe Show – clip from 1968
1971; Kiri Te Kanawa
The Dickie Henderson Show – 1971
Harry’s autograph goes down the pan – at www.pressreader.com
Harry Secombe film posters – at www.cinematerial.com
Michael Bentine
Michael Bentine – A Goon who should not be forgotten
at www.comedy.co.uk
Bentine appears on This is Your Life for Patrick MacNee (about 11.5 minutes in) – on YouTube
Bentine at the BAFTAs – at www.gettyimages.co.nz
Scripts and sketches sold at Christies – at www.christies.com
GOON POD
Check out these pods:
19th April: Peter Sellers on the Radio – The Fifties with member Mark Cousins.
24th May: History of the GSPS with member Chris Smith.
The Goon Show Preservation Society 