Monty Python at Work

by Michael Palin

Overview

The behind-the-scenes story of the world's most famous alternative comedy group. Condensed from two volumes of Michael Palin's Diaries, with a new prologue and epilogue by Palin, this is the as-it-happened story of how Monty Python's famous TV and stage shows, films, books, and albums were conceived, argued about, and brought to life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781848423602
Publisher:	Theatre Communications Group
Publication date:	09/02/2014
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	985,221
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

MICHAEL PALIN is a comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python. Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including “Dead Parrot”, “The Lumberjack Song”, and “The Spanish Inquisition”. He also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda. After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer and documentarian. His journeys have taken him across the world. In 2000 Palin was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Introduction xi

Editorial Note xii

Chapter 1 The first BBC television series: Monty Python's Flying Circus (July-December 1969) 1

Chapter 2 The second BBC television series; the first film: And Now for Something Completely Different; the first record album (January-December 1970) 9

Chapter 3 Live stage show at Coventry; the second record album: Another Monty Python Record; Monty Pythons Big Red Book; Bavaria Television Show in Munich; the third BBC television series; Lincoln Pop Festival (January 1971-August 1972) 23

Chapter 4 The third record album: Monty Python's Previous Record; the second Munich show(September 1972-January 1973) 35

Chapter 5 The first live road tour; writing the second film: Monty Python and the Holy Grail; live stage tour of Canada; publicity on US television (January-June 1973) 43

Chapter 6 Plans for a fourth television series; the second book: The Brand New Monty Python Bok; writing Monty Python and the Holy Grail; the fourth record album: The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief live stage show at Drury Lane {August 1973-April 1974) 51

Chapter 7 Filming Monty Python and the Holy Grail (April-May 1974) 65

Chapter 8 Editing Monty Python and the Holy Grail; launch of the fifth record album: Monty Python Live at Drury Lane; work on the fourth television series (June-November 1974) 75

Chapter 9 A further television series considered; the television series launched in the US; Monty Python and the Holy Grail opens in the UK; the Holy Grail record album (November 1974-April 1975) 85

Chapter 10 Monty Python and the Holy Grail opens in New York; plans for a live stage show in New York; legal challenge to ABC Television goes to court (April-December 1975) 97

Chapter 11 Live stage show in New York; early discussions of the third film: Life of Brian; Live at City Center record album (January-September 1976) 111

Chapter 12 Writing the third film: Life of Brian; publication of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Book) (November 1976-September 1977) 119

Chapter 13 Compilation record album: The Monty Python Instant Record Collection; more work writing and casting Life of Brian (September 1977-January 1978) 133

Chapter 14 Further work on writing, financing and casting Life of Brian (January-September 1978) 139

Chapter 15 Filming Life of Brian in Tunisia (September-November 1978) 151

Chapter 16 Editing and publicising Life of Brian; a marketing trip to the US; record album based on the film soundtrack; book of the film: Monty Pythons Life of Brian /Montypythonscrapbook (November 1978-August 1979) 165

Chapter 17 Life of Brian opens in the US, then in the UK; reactions (August-November 1979) 179

Chapter 18 Writing the new film: The Meaning of Life; new record album: Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album (November 1979- July 1980) 191

Chapter 19 Monty Python at the Hollywood Bowl: live show, record album and short film; work continues on writing The Meaning of Life (July 1980-July 1981) 203

Chapter 20 The final twelve months of work on writing The Meaning of Life, in between work on other projects involving the Pythons as individuals (July 1981-July 1982) 215

Chapter 21 Filming The Meaning of Life (July-September 1982) 223

Chapter 22 Editing and opening of The Meaning of Life; a 'family' wedding and the first Python group meeting for over a year (December 1982-December 1983) 231

Epilogue 238

A Basic Chronology 240