Tag Archives: Monty Python

Pythons for Sale!

Not many people have as much Monty Python memorabilia as I do. Perhaps the only other person (outside of the Pythons themselves) is my friend Hans, who has been collecting for a long, long time. Longtime fans may remember his terrific Python web site, the Daily Llama.

Hans spent 30 years collecting Python memorabilia, including books, videos & DVDs, records & singles, posters, lobby cards, rare photos & press kits, video games, board games, stuffed toys, gag gifts, action figures, collectible cards, t-shirts, ties, watches, hats, costumes, mugs, magnets, postcards, stamps, buttons, keychains, etc. etc. At one point during that period, he even found time to have dinner with me.

I’m not sure who that tall English gentleman is, however.

Well, all good things come to an end, and Hans has decided to auction off his vast treasure trove of 1500 highly-desired Python items. A collection like this doesn’t come along every day, and now’s your chance to own a piece of it–hard-to-find items, autographed bits, and–well, look for yourself. But give yourself plenty of time. My brain is hurting and I haven’t even scratched the surface.

Brazil from Gilliam to Palin…

When Michael Palin shot Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil,” he had never been to South America–not that “Brazil” had anything to do with South America, mind you. But many years later, after he had been poking around just about every other corner of the world, Michael decided to visit for himself and make it the focus of his most recent travel series. It originally aired on BBC One in late 2012 and, surprisingly, hasn’t been officially presented in America yet. But that’s about to change. The four-part series is set to debut in Chicago–and probably a lot of other places–on Monday June 9. Brazil is going to be much in the public eye because of the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, so this is a chance to experience the world’s fifth-largest country. The attached video was apparently shot at a book festival appearance. Enjoy.

Nine years ago this week–on June 5, 2005–Monty Python’s Spamalot won the Tony Award for Best Musical (as well as awards for Mike Nichols and Sara Ramirez for Best Director and Best Actress, respectively). Since that time, it has played, literally, around the world many times over, and has shown no signs of ending. This is a mini-documentary about the rehearsals for the original London show, which includes a few familiar faces in addition to the cast (which is impressive enough, and includes Tim Curry recreating his original role of King Arthur). Yes, I know Graham Chapman was originally King Arthur, but Tim Curry is a much better singer. Take my word for it. And enjoy.

That’s a Wrap!

…It was forty years ago this week that Monty Python finished principal photography on MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL. The final day of filming was May 31, 1974, when they shot the Constitutional Peasants scene. Eric Idle had already left the location. They only had enough film left for one master shot, with no re-takes. Here’s how it turned out.

Summoning up fire without flint or tinder…

Continuing our 40th anniversary celebration of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It was four decades ago, on May 29, 1974, that Tim the Enchanter’s encounter with King Arthur’s k-niggets was filmed. It was a particularly harrowing experience for John Cleese, who had to deal with malfunctioning fireworks while standing on a rocky crag in the wind for much longer than he had expected. It was made worse by windy conditions that caught his cloak and tried to pitch him over the edge. Fortunately, the enchantments prevailed. Enjoy.

Sir Robin Singalong…

It was forty years ago this week, on May 28, 1974, that the scenes with Sir Robin and his band of minstrels were filmed for Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Go ahead, sing along.

The End

Forty years ago this week, May 25, 1974, Monty Python filmed the final battle scene for MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL. They hired a surprisingly small number of Scottish University students for four pounds per day, and placed the camera to make them look like multitudes.

Mother’s Day

What could be more appropriate on this Mother’s Day that a young woman becoming a mother? This was written by John Cleese and Graham Chapman, the latter bringing his experience as a qualified medical doctor to the writing room.
I wasn’t around for much of the filming of MEANING OF LIFE, but I was here for most of this. I think Graham was particularly proud of this scene, having seen this attitude all too often by medical professionals and hospital administrators, and was very pleased to take them down a notch. Happy Mother’s Day!

Lousy Python Song

And this seems to be a good time to post the brand new old Python song and video, originally written for “Contractual Obligation Album,” thanks to Eric Idle and Graham Chapman!

Python Singing Again

In early December of 1989, I was in London for the 20th anniversary party for Monty Python. Graham Chapman had died two months earlier, on October 4, so I was prepared for a bittersweet evening.

Graham’s memorial service had been held that afternoon (the day John Cleese gave his famous and touching “Good riddance, the freeloading bastard” speech), so Graham’s presence was very much in the air. I had the chance to spend time with Graham’s foster son, John Tomiczek, the last time I would ever have a chance to see him. So, it had the potential for a very emotional evening.

Fortunately, it turned out to be emotional in a very good way, the way one would hope a Python event would be. It was held in the hall where, a few years earlier, the Mr. Creosote scene was filmed for Meaning of Life, which gave it the proper credibility. I spent the evening catching up with Pythons, crew members, and family members, several of which I hadn’t seen since Life of Brian ten years earlier. The hours flew by.

At the end of the night, gifts were handed out. There were three or four things to choose from, but I immediately honed in on something I’d never seen before–a brand new Python record album titled Monty Python Sings! It featured most of the great Python music from TV and films, collected on one piece of vinyl, under a beautiful Terry Gilliam cover. I had long been pestering the Python office to put out such an album, and here it was!

Despite knowing what a pain it would be to carry it back in my luggage, I brought it back to the States, and still remember the first time I heard it. In addition to all of the old favorites, there was one special treat. Graham had written and sang Medical Love Song for the Contractual Obligation Album (with Eric Idle) a few years earlier. But Monty Python Sings featured a new version, with additional lyrics, sung by Graham. His voice was noticibly weakened, but it was the last thing he did for Python before he died. I later found out that Eric had walked Graham through it all so that he would have one more piece of work for Python. And Eric immediately shot up to the top of the “Nicest Python List.”

Why do I bring all of this up now?

Because Monty Python Sings (Again) is being re-released on June 9, with new bonus recordings, a few long-lost gems from the Python archives, remixed Terry Gilliam cover artwork, and a special bonus disc of their very first record album, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, recorded live at Camden Town Hall in May 1970. Whether you’re going to the shows in July at the O2 Arena, or watching the final show in theatres, it’s a great way to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Python. It’ll be available on iTunes, or you can order a copy just by clicking here. Sounds like a great deal to me. Knowwhatimean?