Sigh. Here we go again.
After another all-too brief weekend, enjoying some much-needed warmer weather, it's time to work out if - or more likely (as I hate working from home) how - I'm going to get to the office during yet another strike by those greedy bastards in the Tube drivers' union!
Meanwhile, a celebration...
The Goon Show, The Ladykillers, I'm Alright Jack, The Millionairess, "Balham - Gateway to the South", Two-Way Stretch, Dr. Strangelove, After the Fox, What’s New Pussycat, Being There, Murder by Death... Many and varied were the roles played (in some of my all-time favourite films and productions) by one of this country's funniest ever actors, Mr Peter Sellers, whose centenary is is today.
However, it's for one classic role for which he is undoubtely best known - "Inspector Clouseau" in the Pink Panther films, from the best of which came these two brilliant scenes:
Yes, he was completely mad. Yes, he made life difficult for a number of people he worked with (and lived with). However, anyone who can make me laugh until the tears run down my face and my ribs hurt is OK in my book!
I haven't forgotten it's a Tacky Music Monday, either, dear reader - what more appropriate number could fit that slot today but this?
Boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom,
Well, goodness gracious me!
Indeed
All hail, Peter Sellers (born Richard Henry Sellers, 8th September 1925 – 24th July 1980)
[NB Remarkably, he shared his birthday with fellow "Goon" Harry Secombe, as well as another odd assortment of "names" including Asha Bhosle, Antonín Dvořák, Patsy Cline, Siegfried Sassoon, Martin Freeman, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Sid Caesar, Pink, Judith Hann, Bernie Sanders, Lady Margaret Hodge, Avicii and Richard the Lionheart!]
Have a good week, folks.
Does your dog bite? One of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing that film for the first time (quite likely in the cinema when it came out here in 1977), and being doubled-up with laughter! Jx
DeleteYes, completely bonkers, but a comedic genius!!
ReplyDeleteSx
Indeed - and if you click the link on his name in the post, you'll find a whole host of tributes to his genius from, amongst others, Michael Palin, Woody Allen, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Paul Merton... Jx
DeletePeter Sellers was a great actor and comedian, saw all his films in the states.
ReplyDeleteThey never broadcast the Goon Show in the USA, instead we got the Avengers, the Saint, the Prisoner, the Thunderbirds, Monty Python and Benny Hill.
-Rj
The Goon Show was on radio, not TV. However, its influence was far-reaching - and certainly the Monty Python gang and Benny Hill were huge fans. As was HM The King; he even appeared in one of their sketches when he was a young man! Jx
DeleteYou know these routines like the back of our, yet they still make us laugh just as they did the first time we saw them.
ReplyDeleteThat is genius.
The parallel bars sketch had me laughing uncontrollably as I posted it! Jx
Delete