Monty Python Speaks! - Softcover

Morgan, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841151688 ISBN 13: 9781841151687

Publisher: Ted Smart, St. Helens, 1999

Synopsis

The definitive account of the first thirty years of Monty Python, in the words of the Pythons themselves – John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.

‘Some people think it’s very clever and intelligent, and some people say it’s extremely silly and inconsequential, but not many people ignore it’ Michael Palin

With their dead parrots, holy grails and spam, Monty Python revolutionised comedy for the rest of the world. They paved the way for everything from Saturday Night Live to The Young Ones and The Simpsons, ushering in a new brand of surrealist comedy: a stream-of-consciousness sketch show that pushed the boundaries of format, style and content. Its legacy is not only important; it’s monumental.

In Monty Python Speaks!, David Morgan has extensively interviewed the entire world of Python – from producers and collaborators like Douglas Adams and Hank Azaria to the founding members themselves – to create the ultimate record of Britain’s most rebellious and successful comedy act. Packed with rare and never-before-seen photographs, and told with the group’s customary wit and irreverence, this newly updated edition, published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of their first appearance on the BBC, is the inside story of a comedy phenomenon.

About this title

About the Author

David Morgan is an editor and journalist who has written for the ‘Los Angeles Times’, ‘New York Newsday’, ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, ‘Sight and Sound’ and ‘Empire’, amongst many others. He worked with Terry Gilliam on the interactive laserdiscs of Brazil and ‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’.

From the Back Cover

For the first time – the complete and utter history of Monty Python's flying circus – in their own words.

"Gilliam is one of the most manipulative bastards in that group of manipulative bastards. Michael is a selfish bastard, Cleese a control freak, Jonesy is shagged out and now forgets everything, and Graham as you know is still dead. I am the only real nice one!"
Eric Idle

From the Dead Parrot sketch to the Holy Grail, from Spam to Conquistador Instant Leprosy, from the Judean People's Front to the People's Front of Judea, this is the story of the rise and rise of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.

David Morgan has interviewed the group and those around them – including Douglas Adams and Graham Chapman's partner, David Sherlock – to create the ultimate record of Britain's most revolutionary and successful comedy act.

Packed with rare and never-before-seen photographs, and told with all the group's customary wit and irreverence, this is the inside story of a comedy phenomenon.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ted Smart, St. Helens
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1841151688
• ISBN 13: 9781841151687
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 258