Comic History Lesson - Disney Cartoons

Today I put the TV onto Disney Channel (Sky TV) for my two young girls and the show that came on was Mickey Mouse Playhouse...like a train wreck, I sat and watch some with the girls and after a few minutes was close to throwing a 9 Iron through the screen...what a load of crap! In seeing other cartoons on the same and relative channels (Cartoon Network, Playhouse and Nickelodeon) the rubbish they are throwing up to my kids is nothing short of, well, I cannot put it into words. When did all this "learning", "morals", "niceties" come into it? Not to mention, P bloody C????

So, in this instalment of what is all and good and downright funny, I am taking a swipe at those in charge of the Disney I once knew (and I am certain this will ring with a few of you out there) and remind you why you are as big as you are...because you taught us life as it was, and made us laugh (as well as threw in a couple of hotties like Britney and Christina!). Remember when Disney used to be on a Sunday night for an hour, as well as the after school? That show launched great stars like Kurt Russell, and movies like 101 Dalmatians and One of our Dinosaurs is Missing.


Peanuts were never enjoyed as much
than by kids who wanted to be
Supergoof!!!


So, without further ado, here are some CLASSIC Disney cartoons that sum up what they should be...and while Mickey himself still sounds and acts as bent as Graham Norton (poor Minnie), at least he came across almost ambiguous...enjoy...

Goofy - Motor Mania - whoever saw this one will never forget it. Classic real life situation with comic results. this was made in 1950, when political correctness was as much a word as liquefaction

Goofy - How to Fish - from 1942. Another in the "How To" cartoons, and Goofy was well, goofy!

Donald Duck - A Good Time with a Dime - every one's favourite temper tantrum, Donald was the ultimate schizo...now why is it when he is clothed he has no pants, but when he comes out of the shower he feels he needs to put a towel around him??

Donald Duck - Snowball War - at his angry best, including his nephews. Please excuse the captions. Another WWII classic from 1942.


D. Duck in classic pose.



"M-I-C-K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E...Why, because we love you"

Comic History Lesson - Kingpin

From those Farrelly boys who brought you "Something About Mary" and Dumb and Dumber", this lesser known comedy classic rates as one of my favourite all time movies. Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, (fantastic) Bill Murray and the hottie Vanessa Angel.

The plot goes something like this...Munson (Harrelson) is a washed up bowling champ who needs money quick...he finds a natural player in Ishmael (Quaid) who is Armish and after some negotiation gets him to play in championship where $1M is up for grabs. But standing in his way is McCracken (Murray) who was his nemesis in the early days. Without going too much into it, they both end up playing against each other in the grand final.

In the traditions of the Farrelly's (pretenders to the spoof crown) the movie is full with innuendo and crass mock ups, some stomach churning. The two links I have selected show off the Farrelly style best...

"You jarred something loose, Tiger"

Ishmael learns about the 'outside world'

"We don't have a cow..."

I recommend getting this movie out, but keep the kids away. You will come away laughing, grossed out, and always referring to the 'v' when it comes to sex! Watch out for the beer firdge scene, and Bill Murray's interview...priceless.

Book Review...Morecambe and Wife

This is a softly told story by Joan Morecambe, wife of the late comic Eric Morecambe, who for you younger people and heathens, was half of one of the great 70s and 80s skit/variety shows on TV. I bet if I asked 100 people who watched the show how to do 'the dance', all could do it!

My dad was a huge fan, but then who wasn't, and with the likes of Benny Hill, The Two Ronnies, and Tommy Cooper also frequenting our living rooms, it is testament to anyone that can get such a following in amongst the talents around at the time.

Going back to Joan's account of her life with Eric I have to admit I learnt a lot about this man who up until today was just another funny guy with a goofy smile. But he was so much more than that, and while the narrative tends to be somewhat biased and through rose coloured glasses, there is no doubt that she was in adoration and awe of the man behind the glasses and he himself was not only a larger than life personality, he was also a true gentleman, father, son, and humanitarian.

While at times it felt alot like name dropping (I'm just jealous), the fact that most of the biggest names in entertainment were just as much in awe of Eric as he may have been with them.

The chapter on Eric's hobbies is humorous, as well as the early days where they travelled in a caravan (as well as Eric getting his driving license), but there were some odd moments as well, such as the dog, which seemed to lose my interest as there seemed no real relevance to the subject matter.

While this is not a Comic History lesson, I will but leave a small snippet of the genius that was Morecambe and Wise for you to relish before they do in fact come out in their own post...

Introducing The Bank Robber.

Comic History Lesson - The Easy Guitar Book Sketch...

I'm sure its not the first time
Lemmy's been in court!

Now me being a person who loves both music and comedy, this here is the ideal fusion of both that brings together some of the biggest names in the guitar world; Moore, Knopfler, Gilmour join bassists Lemmy and King!

As an aside, Rowland Rivron, the comic genius behind this, used to play drums for Transvision Vamp (boy does that take you back!) and for Jools Holland.

So here it is ladies and gentlemen, The Easy Guitar Book Sketch

Comic History Lesson - The Muppet Show

This may seem a bit of a strange inclusion to some, but there is no doubting that the 'child' show was more adult. With a range of talents covering dancing, music, comedy and film and TV, The Muppets became an institution for the whole family. From the Kermit & Miss Piggy romance to Gonzo The Great, and Animal to the Swedish Chef, everyone has a favourite, and each favourite will likely stand out in the memory because of one scene.

For me, Animal playing the drums for Rita Moreno singing Fever stands out most for me, and Spike Milligan translating the news broadcast for the Newsreader is another stand out guest appearance, and as a third clip of choice, I cannot go past Mah Na Mah Na, a truly timeless comic sketch.


The show ran for 5 seasons in the Seventies, and actually starred a lot of relative unknowns who became bigger in time. But when you have a cast responsible for some of the most memorable TV moments, who cared?





Statler & Waldorf - Katie thinks I'm
going to be like these guys...


• Elton John singing Crocodile Rock
• Kenny Rogers singing The Gambler
• The Star Wars cast on Pigs In Space
• The drum duel between Animal and Buddy Rich

But to close up, here are some other classic sketches with only the Muppets;

• The Swedish Chef
• Fozzie The Bear
• Muppet News Flash

PS..click here for the original Mah Na Mah Na, 1969.

Comic History Lesson - Billy T James...

The iconic Kiwi comedian, Billy T James has a natural gift in making people laugh. While he was somewhat ostracised by some Maori for his piss-takes on the culture, many more loved they he could do so, even if it was stereotyped.

He started out as a singer, personally I didn't think that much of this side, but his artistic and comic timing were second to none in this country, and up there with others of his time internationally. My father thought he was a genius and it was one of those few times all of us sat in front of the goggle box together.

Choosing clips that characterise Billy is not easy, at least not narrowing it down. But here are three that covered him well - the handyman, the news reader, and the 'typical' Maori.

RIP.

Comic History Lesson - Monty Python...

 Some people may be surprised that it is so long into these pieces that I bring in one of the best in the business. There is some madness to my method here, it is choosing the right clips to best highlight their talent, and narrowing down which are my favourite.

 

Now it would be easy to just go straight into The Parrot Sketch, or the equally brilliant Ministry of Silly Walks, or take scenes from their classic movies.

But the two I have selected here are amongst my favourite Python moments;

The first is the Upper Class Twit of the Year with events such as "Kicking the Beggar", "Reversing over the Old Lady" (in which Oliver runs over himself!) and "Removing the bra". Side splitting stuff!

The second clip I have chosen is typical Cleese material, the HM Services film, How Not To Be Seen.

There are two types of people in the world, Pythons, and those who aren't funny. I think a lot of people say they like Python because everyone else does, but deep down have no idea of the joke. These people are actually more attracted to 'canned laughter', Bill Cosby, Friends and other US sitcoms which tell the people when to laugh rather than figure out the joke themselves.

It is a shame we lost Graham Chapman so early on in his life and career, he was one of the stars of the show and the world lost yet another talent to dependence. RIP.

l to r; Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin,
Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam

Comic History Lesson - Comic Strip Presents...

This young band of British comedians (and comediennes) are no doubted most famous for The Young Ones, the anarchic series designed to bring down Thatcher in the eighties. However, for the true essence of their talents, those shows made via their production company, The Comic Strip Presents, typifies their brilliance.

Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Peter Richardson, Nigel Planer, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders (with cameos from Lenny Henry and Robbie Coltrane amongst others) have made some classic comedy with their own peculiar brand of humour.

Those familiar with their work unanimously agree that Five Go Mad In Dorset as their finest work, but for me, the two clips I present here are my most memorable moments.



The first is from A Fistful Of Travellers Cheques, a brilliant parody on the Clint Eastwood classic (and will feature in another parody in a later post), starring Rik and Peter - the spit on the lapel, and reference to Watford FC priceless. The opening scene to this episode with the nuns is another favourite.



l to r; Colin Grigson, Den Dennis,
Vim Fuego, Spider Webb


The second clip would rate as one of my favourite of all time. Bad News, and More Bad News, are two rockumentries made in the eighties in a similar vein to Spinal Tap, but with comedy only the Brits could muster. The first episode has the root beginnings of the band while all still working, the second is the reunion some years later where they get a record deal and play the famous Monsters of Rock at Castle Donnington alongside Ozzy, Lemmy, and Def Lep. The hospital scene in which Den Dennis (Nigel Planer) explains the aftermath of Vim Fuego's (Ade Edmondson) speech to the crowd - must see. But there is no doubt that Colin Grigson (Rik Mayall) steals the show; from explaining why he lives with his parents, to signing the record deal with Dawn French.

Comic History Lesson - Del Boy...

Here is one of the great clips from a real classic, Only Fools And Horses. Doing this kind of slapstick is not normal for the show, and when seen in other shows it looks too staged, but as this one goes, you can almost believe it did happen and they left it in the clip.

And sticking with Derek, here is the classic clip that trained and defined car salesmen the world over.




Just a Pommie version of myself...



Comic History Lesson - Ronnie & Spike

There are two undoubted kings of comedy...one is Spike Milligan, the other is Ronnie Barker. To me comedy is the best expression one can have, and the Brits are the undisputed kings of laughter...

 

In this clip, Ronnie Barker brings to light the plague of mispronunciation...enjoy!

Ronnie Barker - Mispronunciation Sketch

And not to forget dear old Spike!

Spike Milligan - English Language

The world is a darker place without them.