The Goon Show series 2 - Revision history

Kurt: /* Second series (1952) */

2024-07-21T19:58:39Z

Second series (1952)

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 21 July 2024
Line 294:		Line 294:
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row" style="text-align: center;" \| 21		! scope="row" style="text-align: center;" \| 21
	\|\|[[Show 38\|'Harry ~~Writes~~ His First Television Commercial']]		\|\|[[Show 38\|'Harry Stars in His First Television Commercial']]
	\|align="center"\| SLO 9638		\|align="center"\| SLO 9638
	\|align="right"\|{{date\|17 June 1952}}		\|align="right"\|{{date\|17 June 1952}}

Kurt: /* Premonition of things to come */

2024-07-21T19:42:57Z

Premonition of things to come

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 21 July 2024
Line 66:		Line 66:
	With the recording of the twelfth show on Sunday 13 April, the pre-recording of Harry’s number was abandoned… as was his solo spot. Max’s number was moved up to follow Harry’s opening escapade (which now tended to drop the Handsome Harry Secombe announcement although it retained the theme) and instead the ‘gimmick’ spot tended to conclude with a parody song assembled by [[Jimmy Grafton]]. Bloodnok faced the Mad Mullah again and Splutmuscle returned as one of Pureheart’s assistants.		With the recording of the twelfth show on Sunday 13 April, the pre-recording of Harry’s number was abandoned… as was his solo spot. Max’s number was moved up to follow Harry’s opening escapade (which now tended to drop the Handsome Harry Secombe announcement although it retained the theme) and instead the ‘gimmick’ spot tended to conclude with a parody song assembled by [[Jimmy Grafton]]. Bloodnok faced the Mad Mullah again and Splutmuscle returned as one of Pureheart’s assistants.

	The [[Cardiff Empire\|New Empire]] in [[Cardiff\|Cardiff]] was the next to receive the Goon-filled variety bill from Monday 14 April, while the Midlands Home Service dropped the Tuesday 15 broadcast for one week only. The next edition of ''The Goon Show'' saw the recording relocated from the [[Aeolian Hall (London)\|Aeolian Hall]] to the [[Playhouse Theatre\|Playhouse]], the former Royal Avenue Theatre on Northumberland Avenue which had been taken over by the BBC in 1951. This thirteenth show of the run included a joke about senior BBC announcer [[John Snagge]] which would later turn up in 1955’s ''[[Foiled by President Fred]]'', a gimmick sketch about the [[United States presidential election\|USA presidential election]] to be held in November, and also the final appearance for some years of Colonel Slocombe. The [[Kingston upon Thames\|Kingston-upon-Thames Empire]] saw the return of Harry, Spike and Michael’s show to England on Monday 21 April, and parts of the show featuring Harry and Max were broadcast on the Home Service’s ''Vaudeville'' from 7pm on Tuesday 22… just before the next edition of ''The Goon Show'' which attracted almost three million listeners. The same day, Peter was booked for ''[[~~Ray’s~~ a Laugh]]'' through to mid-July, and then on Friday 25 the cast of ''The Goon Show'' were contracted to record from 25 May to 13 July, with yet another option for six additional programmes which the BBC could take by Friday 27 June. However, by the following week the BBC indicated that this option had been an error, and the Home Service would be happy for the show to close after 25 editions.		The [[Cardiff Empire\|New Empire]] in [[Cardiff\|Cardiff]] was the next to receive the Goon-filled variety bill from Monday 14 April, while the Midlands Home Service dropped the Tuesday 15 broadcast for one week only. The next edition of ''The Goon Show'' saw the recording relocated from the [[Aeolian Hall (London)\|Aeolian Hall]] to the [[Playhouse Theatre\|Playhouse]], the former Royal Avenue Theatre on Northumberland Avenue which had been taken over by the BBC in 1951. This thirteenth show of the run included a joke about senior BBC announcer [[John Snagge]] which would later turn up in 1955’s ''[[Foiled by President Fred]]'', a gimmick sketch about the [[United States presidential election\|USA presidential election]] to be held in November, and also the final appearance for some years of Colonel Slocombe. The [[Kingston upon Thames\|Kingston-upon-Thames Empire]] saw the return of Harry, Spike and Michael’s show to England on Monday 21 April, and parts of the show featuring Harry and Max were broadcast on the Home Service’s ''Vaudeville'' from 7pm on Tuesday 22… just before the next edition of ''The Goon Show'' which attracted almost three million listeners. The same day, Peter was booked for ''[[Ray's a Laugh]]'' through to mid-July, and then on Friday 25 the cast of ''The Goon Show'' were contracted to record from 25 May to 13 July, with yet another option for six additional programmes which the BBC could take by Friday 27 June. However, by the following week the BBC indicated that this option had been an error, and the Home Service would be happy for the show to close after 25 editions.

	===The Goons consider celluloid===		===The Goons consider celluloid===

Kurt: /* Big Wal's introduction */

2024-07-21T16:14:23Z

Big Wal's introduction

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:14, 21 July 2024
Line 23:		Line 23:

	===Big Wal's introduction===		===Big Wal's introduction===
	With the first edition of The Goon Show completed, Peter agreed to stay in the live broadcasts of ''[[~~Ray’s~~ a Laugh]]'' through to the middle of July. On Saturday 26 January, Spike married June and – after recording the second show of the new series on Sunday 27 – grabbed a two-day honeymoon in a hotel on the [[Bayswater Road\|Bayswater Road]] before June sailed for Australia. This second edition of ''The Goon Show'' had a last-minute cast change: [[Andrew Timothy]] was unable to attend, with his announcing work taken over by [[Wallace Greenslade]]. Born in [[Formby\|Formby]], [[Lancashire\|Lancashire]], Wallace – or ‘Bill’ as he was known – had been a [[Purser\|purser]] with the [[P&O Ferries\|P&O Ferry]] company and joined the [[BBC]] in 1945, reading the news for the [[BBC World Service#Europe\|European Service]], announcing on the [[BBC Light Programme\|Light Programme]] from 1949 and hosting various shows including ''Saturday Sports Review'', ''Midday Miscellany'' and various other shows.		With the first edition of The Goon Show completed, Peter agreed to stay in the live broadcasts of ''[[Ray's a Laugh]]'' through to the middle of July. On Saturday 26 January, Spike married June and – after recording the second show of the new series on Sunday 27 – grabbed a two-day honeymoon in a hotel on the [[Bayswater Road\|Bayswater Road]] before June sailed for Australia. This second edition of ''The Goon Show'' had a last-minute cast change: [[Andrew Timothy]] was unable to attend, with his announcing work taken over by [[Wallace Greenslade]]. Born in [[Formby\|Formby]], [[Lancashire\|Lancashire]], Wallace – or ‘Bill’ as he was known – had been a [[Purser\|purser]] with the [[P&O Ferries\|P&O Ferry]] company and joined the [[BBC]] in 1945, reading the news for the [[BBC World Service#Europe\|European Service]], announcing on the [[BBC Light Programme\|Light Programme]] from 1949 and hosting various shows including ''Saturday Sports Review'', ''Midday Miscellany'' and various other shows.

	===Solidifying the format===		===Solidifying the format===

Kurt: /* They're back */

2024-07-21T16:13:38Z

They're back

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:13, 21 July 2024
Line 18:		Line 18:
	The debut of The Goon Show was emphasised in the [[Radio Times\|Radio Times]] with a short article entitled The Goons Again about the ‘newest and youngest comedy team’ in which it was noted that Larry, Spike and Jimmy ‘have been compiling for the new series a Goon Thesis on the History of England.’ Accompanying the text was a photograph of Dennis (armed with a mallet) and Jimmy watching Spike and Larry study the script while their three colleagues larked around in the background. In terms of programme billing, the show was now heralded as ‘The Goon Show with those crazy people’ and – as with the shows themselves – Peter now took top billing with Harry relegated to second place.		The debut of The Goon Show was emphasised in the [[Radio Times\|Radio Times]] with a short article entitled The Goons Again about the ‘newest and youngest comedy team’ in which it was noted that Larry, Spike and Jimmy ‘have been compiling for the new series a Goon Thesis on the History of England.’ Accompanying the text was a photograph of Dennis (armed with a mallet) and Jimmy watching Spike and Larry study the script while their three colleagues larked around in the background. In terms of programme billing, the show was now heralded as ‘The Goon Show with those crazy people’ and – as with the shows themselves – Peter now took top billing with Harry relegated to second place.

	The first shows of the run were recorded back at [[Aeolian Hall (London)\|Aeolian I]] at 7.45pm on Sundays, starting on 20 January; the script was now entitled ''The Goon Show'' and continued the numbering from ''Crazy People'' as ‘No 18 (2nd series)’. The programmes opened as before after the theme tune and cast announcements from [[Andrew Timothy]] with a short adventure built around Harry, now entitled Handsome Harry Secombe! (with a Handsome Harry opening theme composed by [[Angela Morley\|Wally Stott]]) and concluding with him singing a popular number (the 1951 chart hit ''[[Władysław Daniłowski\|Longing for You]]'' in the first edition). As with some subsequent editions, Harry found himself in pursuit of an oriental miscreant played by Michael – in this case Lo Hing Ding – and working with Peter’s Inspector Thud. After the Stargazers, Wally’s Pureheart Opening Theme heralded [[Captain Osric Pureheart]] being interviewed by Spike about his latest invention, the [[Suez Canal\|Suez Canal]], with Flowerdew as Pureheart’s assistant. Following Max’s number, contemporary programmes were sent up in a glance ahead to what broadcasting would be like in 1999, with Harry taking on the role of idiotic [[Northern England\|northerner]] Fred Bogg. The [[Ray Ellington\|Ray Ellington Quartet]]’s contribution came next, and the show concluded with Major Bloodnok in the Quest for the [[Yeti\|Abominable Snowman]] in which the Major was back with his batman Abdul Milligan, references to [[Lordship of Wilmington\|Lady Wilmington]] and Ray as Ellington the Butler. The character’s arrival was now heralded by Wally’s musical [[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]] Motif. Spike remained a minor performer or straight man compared to the rest of the cast, feeling that he lacked the talent of his three cohorts and was there simply to play the fool in the form of [[Eccles]].		The first shows of the run were recorded back at [[Aeolian Hall (London)\|Aeolian I]] at 7.45pm on Sundays, starting on 20 January; the script was now entitled ''The Goon Show'' and continued the numbering from ''Crazy People'' as ‘No 18 (2nd series)’. The programmes opened as before after the theme tune and cast announcements from [[Andrew Timothy]] with a short adventure built around Harry, now entitled Handsome Harry Secombe! (with a Handsome Harry opening theme composed by [[Angela Morley\|Wally Stott]]) and concluding with him singing a popular number (the 1951 chart hit ''[[Władysław Daniłowski\|Longing for You]]'' in the first edition). As with some subsequent editions, Harry found himself in pursuit of an oriental miscreant played by Michael – in this case Lo Hing Ding – and working with Peter’s Inspector Thud. After the Stargazers, Wally’s Pureheart Opening Theme heralded [[List_of_The_Goon_Show_cast_members_and_characters#Osric_Pureheart\|Captain Osric Pureheart]] being interviewed by Spike about his latest invention, the [[Suez Canal\|Suez Canal]], with Flowerdew as Pureheart’s assistant. Following Max’s number, contemporary programmes were sent up in a glance ahead to what broadcasting would be like in 1999, with Harry taking on the role of idiotic [[Northern England\|northerner]] Fred Bogg. The [[Ray Ellington\|Ray Ellington Quartet]]’s contribution came next, and the show concluded with Major Bloodnok in the Quest for the [[Yeti\|Abominable Snowman]] in which the Major was back with his batman Abdul Milligan, references to [[Lordship of Wilmington\|Lady Wilmington]] and Ray as Ellington the Butler. The character’s arrival was now heralded by Wally’s musical [[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]] Motif. Spike remained a minor performer or straight man compared to the rest of the cast, feeling that he lacked the talent of his three cohorts and was there simply to play the fool in the form of [[Eccles]].

	Scheduled at 9.30pm on Tuesdays by the Home Service, The Goon Show was replacing ''[[Over to You]]'' with [[Richard Murdoch]] and [[Kenneth Horne]] from 22 January. However, the West and Wales Home Service instead opted for ''[[Anything Goes]]'' with [[Benny Hill]] and ''Swing Your Partners'' for the next few weeks. Just under two million listeners tuned in, commensurate with the end of ''Crazy People''.		Scheduled at 9.30pm on Tuesdays by the Home Service, The Goon Show was replacing ''[[Over to You]]'' with [[Richard Murdoch]] and [[Kenneth Horne]] from 22 January. However, the West and Wales Home Service instead opted for ''[[Anything Goes]]'' with [[Benny Hill]] and ''Swing Your Partners'' for the next few weeks. Just under two million listeners tuned in, commensurate with the end of ''Crazy People''.

Kurt: /* January 1952-July 1952 */

2024-07-21T16:11:10Z

January 1952-July 1952

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:11, 21 July 2024
Line 3:		Line 3:
	In late 1951, producer [[Dennis Main Wilson]] was planning the new run of Goon programmes featuring [[Harry Secombe]], [[Peter Sellers]], [[Michael Bentine]] and [[Spike Milligan]] and assembled a document entitled ''[[The Goon Show]]'' – Second Series.		In late 1951, producer [[Dennis Main Wilson]] was planning the new run of Goon programmes featuring [[Harry Secombe]], [[Peter Sellers]], [[Michael Bentine]] and [[Spike Milligan]] and assembled a document entitled ''[[The Goon Show]]'' – Second Series.

	The listener reports had suggested that the performers needed to be identified more with the characters that they played, and he aimed to keep the pace of the shows akin to the last three editions of the previous run. A ‘running gag’ was to be introduced to run through each edition, leading to the final pay-off for each show. The characters of [[Major Bloodnok\|‘Baron’ Bloodnok]], [[~~Captain Osric Pureheart~~\|Captain Pureheart]], Abdul and Ellington would be retained while Harry Secombe’s opening spot would become Handsome Harry Secombe as he played a more heroic character who was really a ‘comedy coward’. Spike’s idiotic character [[Eccles]] would be retained, but the plan was to rename him as ‘Spike’ to identify him closely with his performer. Writers [[Larry Stephens]] and Spike Milligan planned that each edition would close with ‘a Goon History of the World’. In terms of music, [[Harmonica\|harmonica]] player [[Max Geldray]] would continue in his current style, the vocal group [[The Stargazers (vocal ensemble)\|Stargazers]] were moving their style closer to that of American conductor [[Mitch Miller\|Mitch Miller]], and the jazz-orientated [[Ray Ellington\|Ray Ellington Quartet]] would engage in more ‘personality comedy’. The first sketch would close with Harry performing a popular song, as per the final show of the last run. Dennis concluded: ‘We hope that Planners will agree to bill the programme as ''The Goon Show'' rather than ''Crazy People''. This is purely because everybody, both in and outside the business, refers to it as ''the Goon Show'' (or that ''Goon Show'') but never as ''Crazy People'' (which quite frankly could be applied to almost any comedy show).’		The listener reports had suggested that the performers needed to be identified more with the characters that they played, and he aimed to keep the pace of the shows akin to the last three editions of the previous run. A ‘running gag’ was to be introduced to run through each edition, leading to the final pay-off for each show. The characters of [[Major Bloodnok\|‘Baron’ Bloodnok]], [[List_of_The_Goon_Show_cast_members_and_characters#Osric_Pureheart\|Captain Pureheart]], Abdul and Ellington would be retained while Harry Secombe’s opening spot would become Handsome Harry Secombe as he played a more heroic character who was really a ‘comedy coward’. Spike’s idiotic character [[Eccles]] would be retained, but the plan was to rename him as ‘Spike’ to identify him closely with his performer. Writers [[Larry Stephens]] and Spike Milligan planned that each edition would close with ‘a Goon History of the World’. In terms of music, [[Harmonica\|harmonica]] player [[Max Geldray]] would continue in his current style, the vocal group [[The Stargazers (vocal ensemble)\|Stargazers]] were moving their style closer to that of American conductor [[Mitch Miller\|Mitch Miller]], and the jazz-orientated [[Ray Ellington\|Ray Ellington Quartet]] would engage in more ‘personality comedy’. The first sketch would close with Harry performing a popular song, as per the final show of the last run. Dennis concluded: ‘We hope that Planners will agree to bill the programme as ''The Goon Show'' rather than ''Crazy People''. This is purely because everybody, both in and outside the business, refers to it as ''the Goon Show'' (or that ''Goon Show'') but never as ''Crazy People'' (which quite frankly could be applied to almost any comedy show).’

	As 1952 arrived, the Ray Ellington Quartet returned from Holland, the travelogue ''[[London Entertains\|London Entertains]]'' (which had featured a recording of ''Crazy People'') was certified for release by the [[BBFC\|BBFC]], and an early amendment to the schedule for ''Crazy People'' was that the show would be pre-empted on Tuesday 26 February to make way for speeches from the ''Pilgrims’ Dinner''. The Stargazers were also announced as appearing on the monthly [[BBC Television\|BBC TV]] show ''Hit Parade''.		As 1952 arrived, the Ray Ellington Quartet returned from Holland, the travelogue ''[[London Entertains\|London Entertains]]'' (which had featured a recording of ''Crazy People'') was certified for release by the [[BBFC\|BBFC]], and an early amendment to the schedule for ''Crazy People'' was that the show would be pre-empted on Tuesday 26 February to make way for speeches from the ''Pilgrims’ Dinner''. The Stargazers were also announced as appearing on the monthly [[BBC Television\|BBC TV]] show ''Hit Parade''.

Kurt: /* A show by any other name */

2024-07-21T16:08:27Z

A show by any other name

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:08, 21 July 2024
Line 11:		Line 11:

	===A show by any other name===		===A show by any other name===
	On Thursday 10, The Stage announced that the Goons would return to the Home Service on Tuesday 22 January with a Light Programme repeat, and emphasised that Harry would be employing his ‘fine tenor voice’ in a straight song each week. Meanwhile, the television project moved ahead; Michael and Jimmy’s script was entitled ''Trial Gallop'' and was planned to air from 9pm to 9.30pm on Wednesday 13 February with Richard Afton (from ''[[Rooftop Rendezvous ~~(BBC)\|Rooftop Rendezvous]]~~'') as producer. Then on Tuesday 15 January, the cast were offered contracts for six radio shows to be recorded on Sundays from 20 January to 2 March (apart from 24 February) and aired two days later; an option for a further six shows could be taken up by the BBC before Monday 11 February. The same day, Dennis circulated the memo ''Crazy People'' Series Retitled, saying: ‘Would you please note that the former series Crazy People which is returning to the air […] has been retitled The Goon Show.’		On Thursday 10, The Stage announced that the Goons would return to the Home Service on Tuesday 22 January with a Light Programme repeat, and emphasised that Harry would be employing his ‘fine tenor voice’ in a straight song each week. Meanwhile, the television project moved ahead; Michael and Jimmy’s script was entitled ''Trial Gallop'' and was planned to air from 9pm to 9.30pm on Wednesday 13 February with Richard Afton (from ''Rooftop Rendezvous'') as producer. Then on Tuesday 15 January, the cast were offered contracts for six radio shows to be recorded on Sundays from 20 January to 2 March (apart from 24 February) and aired two days later; an option for a further six shows could be taken up by the BBC before Monday 11 February. The same day, Dennis circulated the memo ''Crazy People'' Series Retitled, saying: ‘Would you please note that the former series Crazy People which is returning to the air […] has been retitled The Goon Show.’

	[[The Stargazers (vocal ensemble)\|The Stargazers]] were now getting a lot of work elsewhere and by mid-January indicated that they would be in [[Hamburg\|Hamburg]] with ''Calling All Forces'' on Sunday 30 March, and so not available. Meanwhile, Spike had got engaged to June Marlowe when she suddenly suggested that they get married before she emigrated to Australia with her parents; she would then return later in the year to set up home with him.		[[The Stargazers (vocal ensemble)\|The Stargazers]] were now getting a lot of work elsewhere and by mid-January indicated that they would be in [[Hamburg\|Hamburg]] with ''Calling All Forces'' on Sunday 30 March, and so not available. Meanwhile, Spike had got engaged to June Marlowe when she suddenly suggested that they get married before she emigrated to Australia with her parents; she would then return later in the year to set up home with him.

Kurt: /* The Goons on TV? */

2024-07-21T16:06:17Z

The Goons on TV?

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:06, 21 July 2024
Line 8:		Line 8:

	===The Goons on TV?===		===The Goons on TV?===
	The [[Daily Mail\|Daily Mail]] indicated on Friday 4 January that thanks to BBC TV Head of Light Entertainment [[Ronnie Waldman\|Ronnie Waldman]] the Goons were to make ‘an experimental television appearance’ after all, using the facilities of the [[Bedford Civic Theatre\|Bedford Theatre]]. On Tuesday 8 January, Dennis noted that Michael was keen to transfer the Goons to television in a project concurrent with the new series and written by himself with the radio series editor [[Jimmy Grafton]]. Spike had reluctantly been talked into the project, feeling it was impractical at the same time as the radio show and was dubious about the availability of Harry who was still in the panto [[~~Richard~~ Whittington~~#Dick Whittington—stage character~~\|Dick Whittington]] at the [[Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield\|Sheffield Lyceum]]. Peter was happy to go along with everyone else, but Harry was against the television show ‘on principle’. In conclusion about this jump to the new media, Dennis commented: ‘The whole thing boils down to the fact that Jimmy Grafton and Michael Bentine want to do the Television show regardless of anybody, and the other three Goons at present are not particularly interested […] there is no unity in the work of the Goons themselves with regard to their plans and policy for their own future.’		The [[Daily Mail\|Daily Mail]] indicated on Friday 4 January that thanks to BBC TV Head of Light Entertainment [[Ronnie Waldman\|Ronnie Waldman]] the Goons were to make ‘an experimental television appearance’ after all, using the facilities of the [[Bedford Civic Theatre\|Bedford Theatre]]. On Tuesday 8 January, Dennis noted that Michael was keen to transfer the Goons to television in a project concurrent with the new series and written by himself with the radio series editor [[Jimmy Grafton]]. Spike had reluctantly been talked into the project, feeling it was impractical at the same time as the radio show and was dubious about the availability of Harry who was still in the panto [[Dick Whittington and His Cat\|Dick Whittington]] at the [[Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield\|Sheffield Lyceum]]. Peter was happy to go along with everyone else, but Harry was against the television show ‘on principle’. In conclusion about this jump to the new media, Dennis commented: ‘The whole thing boils down to the fact that Jimmy Grafton and Michael Bentine want to do the Television show regardless of anybody, and the other three Goons at present are not particularly interested […] there is no unity in the work of the Goons themselves with regard to their plans and policy for their own future.’

	===A show by any other name===		===A show by any other name===

Kurt: /* Notes */

2024-07-17T23:35:33Z

Notes

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:35, 17 July 2024
Line 336:		Line 336:

	==Notes==		==Notes==
	The programme titles given to this series – where available – are as written on the BBC Archive copies after production and are often grammatically challenging! The shows generally consisted of four different sketches separated by musical items. Scripted subtitles are given in single inverted commas where available and titles announced on-air presented in italics based on the available scripts. Programme numbering continued directly on from the first run of ''Crazy People''.		The programme titles given to this series – where available – are as written on the BBC Archive copies after production and are often grammatically challenging! Also for clarity on the GSD, the Harry Secombe sketch title was used. The shows generally consisted of four different sketches separated by musical items. Scripted subtitles are given in single inverted commas where available and titles announced on-air presented in italics based on the available scripts. Programme numbering continued directly on from the first run of ''Crazy People''.

	Programme research and booklet notes by [[Andrew Pixley]].		Programme research and booklet notes by [[Andrew Pixley]].

Kurt: /* Second series (1952) */

2024-07-17T23:33:46Z

Second series (1952)

Show changes

Kurt at 03:24, 21 March 2023

2023-03-21T03:24:02Z

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 21 July 2024
Line 294:		Line 294:
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row" style="text-align: center;" \| 21		! scope="row" style="text-align: center;" \| 21
	\|\|[[Show 38\|'Harry ~~Writes~~ His First Television Commercial']]		\|\|[[Show 38\|'Harry Stars in His First Television Commercial']]
	\|align="center"\| SLO 9638		\|align="center"\| SLO 9638
	\|align="right"\|{{date\|17 June 1952}}		\|align="right"\|{{date\|17 June 1952}}