This instructional video from 1990 wouldn’t ordinarily be of much interest, except that it’s presented by Eric Idle. The bits without Eric have conveniently been edited out, though what remains will still teach you a little about buying and selling used cars. Enjoy.
A few days ago, I wrote that “nearly everyone who ever appeared in a silent movie is gone.”
Now, we’ve lost one more.
In 1988, Terry Jones invited me to visit him on the set of Erik the Viking, which he wrote and was directing. It was one of Tim Robbins’ first lead roles, and also featured John Cleese, Eartha Kitt and Terry.
When we were walking to the soundstage, Terry mentioned casually “Oh, and for Erik’s grandfather, we’ve also got Mickey Rooney.”
Rooney had been appearing on stage in London in Sugar Babies. Apparently, he was bored during the daytime when he wasn’t performing, and so happily agreed to do Terry’s film. He was, at that time, a mere youth of 68.
After I got on the set, I looked around for Rooney. It wasn’t difficult to spot him. I just looked for the biggest crowd, and there he was at the center of it. I got close enough to hear him regaling the extras (mostly younger girls) with stories of his past. And boy, did he have stories. He ran the gamut, everything from Hollywood Past to the dangers of smoking (something to do with enlarging the pores and aging too quickly, which made you look much older on camera–with Mickey, everything eventually led back to Hollywood).
He happily offered to do an interview with me for an article I was writing on the film, and regaled me as well. And all the time I was listening to him, I kept thinking “This is Mickey Rooney! This is Hollywood history!”
A recent article noted that he had an 88-year show business career, setting a world record, longer than George Burns, longer than anybody. He starred in silent movies. He was featured in Manhattan Melodrama, the movie John Dillinger saw just before he was shot, which puts it into an amazing perspective. And he just finished filming a role in Night at the Museum 3.
The word “legend” is thrown around a lot in show business, and is very seldom deserved.
Mickey Rooney was a legend.
I’ve been telling you all for months that if you want to see Monty Python Live (Mostly), you shouldn’t hesitate. Don’t wait for an American tour.
And now, it’s official. The O2 Shows in July in London will be the Last of the Pythons Live. No European Tour, no Australian Extravaganza, no Final Presentations in Finland. This will be it. If you want to see the Pythons, this will be your final opportunity.
That’s the bad news. The good news is:
A final release of tickets for the final final show will go on sale Friday, April 4th at 12 noon (London time). This will be it, folks. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Click here when they go on sale, cross your fingers, get your credit card ready, and good luck.
And here’s the official press release:
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MONTY PYTHON LIVE (Mostly) |
In spite of offers from arenas all over the world for further shows, the Pythons reluctantly have to announce that the last night of their run of shows at the London O2 Arena on 20th July 2014 will be the Last Night of the Pythons Live. All of them have many commitments elsewhere and it is difficult for them to find another window when they would all be free to work together again.
Because until now the Pythons were not sure whether they would be available to do any more shows after London O2 Arena run, tickets for the 20th July 2014 have not been available to the general public for some time. Now that the decision has been made that the 20th July will be the Last Night of the Pythons Live, the final tickets for this historic night will go on sale at 12 noon on Friday 4th April. If you wish to come and say farewell to the Pythons, please come and join them for their last and special night.
View the brand new music video from the Pythons to accompany their new track – “The Silly Walks Song” – that’s been written for, and will be featured in, the upcoming “Monty Python Live (mostly)” O2 shows this July.
http://youtube.com/montypython
Tickets will be available on the following websites:
The O2
http://www.axs.com/uk/events/246428?skin=theo2mars
Ticket Zone
http://www.ticketzone.co.uk
Ticketmaster
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Monty-Python-tickets/artist/702617
See Tickets
http://www.seetickets.com/tour/monty-python/
The Ticket Factory
https://www.theticketfactory.com/default/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=34FCA387-A43C-44CE-B515-5090BF5378DB
Hospitality packages available from www.markbutler.co.uk
The next war between Norway and Sweden will be fought with Silly Walks. John Cleese would not approve. No fooling. Have a look…
The rest of you can just ignore it. But if you’re going to be near Sydney anytime from April 8 through April 16, you will be able to see a rather tall, somewhat elderly British friend of mine avoiding doing anything remotely close to Silly Walking. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be laughing. In fact, it may be one of the funniest evenings you’ve ever spent in a theatre.
Are you still with me? Then you’ll probably want to click here for tickets and information.
In the early 1970s, the Pythons did a few industrial films, not meant to be seen by the public. If you saw the Bird’s Eye frozen peas video I posted a few days ago, then you know that they’re loaded with typical Python humor. This one for Close-Up Toothpaste even features a Gumby. Enjoy.
Rented Spike Lee’s Oldboy last week. I don’t do a lot of movie reviews on this blog, but the fact that I’m still thinking about it probably means it’s worth mentioning. It came and went from theatres so quickly that not too many people apparently saw it, but it’s one of Spike Lee’s best recent movies. Warning: it may make you think! And it’s not always easy to watch, nor is it for everybody, but if you stick it out to the end, I think you will be rewarded.
As someone who watches a LOT of movies, I can tell you I’ve never seen this movie before. Just don’t watch it if you’re not ready to think.
…Here’s something completely different. In 1971, Bird’s Eye decided to re-launch their line of frozen peas. Naturally, they turned to Monty Python to write and star in a 25-minute promotional film about the relaunch that they could present to their employees, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. It has rarely re-surfaced since that time, but it turned out–well, see for yourself how it turned out.
Last of the Time Police Author Spotlight…
Thanks to Jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com for a great Author Spotlight for The Last of the Time Police, the first volume of my Pythonesque book series!
It’s official. There will be a reissue of the 1989 CD Monty Python Sings, with five new tracks, one of which will be launched for free on Youtube. The Pythons will also release a single in May, leading the way for the Python Reunion show in July at London’s 02 Arena.
The first time I saw the Monty Python Sings album was at the Python 20th anniversary party in London. Graham had passed away just a couple of months previously (in an unsuccessful attempt to poop this particular party), and I was delighted to learn that one of the tracks on the album was an extended version of “Medical Love Song,” which Eric had helped Graham record shortly before his death.
Monty Python Sings is, essentially, a Python Greatest Musical Hits album; if you have a favorite song from Python, there’s a pretty good chance it’s on this album. And as of May, there’s an even better chance of a brand new favorite.
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