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| producer      = [[John Browell]]
| producer      = [[John Browell]]
| music          = *Orchestra: [[Wally Stott]]
| music          = *Orchestra: [[Wally Stott]]
*Geldray: ''[[w:It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)|It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)]]''
*Geldray: ''[[It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)]]''
*Ellington: ''[[w:Run Joe|Run Joe]]''
*Ellington: ''[[Run Joe]]''
| production    = [[The Goon Show recording numbers#TLO|TLO]] 75177
| production    = [[The Goon Show recording numbers#TLO|TLO]] 75177
| recording_date = {{Start date|1959|01|11|df=y}}  
| recording_date = {{Start date|1959|01|11|df=y}}  
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}}
}}


'''''The Seagoon Memoirs''''' is an episode from [[The Goon Show]]. It is the eleventh show in the ninth series.  
'''''Who is Pink Oboe?''''' is an episode from [[The Goon Show]]. It is the eleventh show in the ninth series.  


Three pre-recording sessions took place at three locations:
Three pre-recording sessions took place at two locations:
*Wednesday {{Date|1958-12-10}}, 4.15pm. [[Aeolian Hall (London)|Aeolian Hall]] Studio 2 (DLO 71859)
*Wednesday {{Date|1959-01-07}}, 3pm/4.15pm. [[Aeolian Hall (London)|Aeolian Hall]] Studio 2 (TLO & C/DLO 74715).
*Saturday {{Date|1958-12-13}}, 4.15pm, [[Paris Theatre|The Paris]] (DW 71274)  
*Friday {{Date|1959-01-09}}, 3.45pm, Aeolian Hall Studio 3B (DLO 77020).
*Sunday {{Date|1958-12-14}}, 4pm, The Camden Theatre (DLO 72138/A)
*Sunday {{Date|1959-01-11}}, 12.45pm, [[Paris Theatre|The Paris]] (DLO 75177/A)


The recording for transmission was created at 8pm on Sunday {{Date|1958-12-14}}, at [[w:KOKO (music venue)|The Camden Theatre]], Camden Town, London (TLO 72138).
The recording for transmission was created at 4.15pm on Sunday {{Date|1959-01-11}}, at [[Paris Theatre|The Paris]], 12 Lower Regent Street in central London.


The first [[w:BBC Home Service|Home Service]] broadcast was the next day at 8.30pm on Monday {{Date|1958-12-15}}, its ratings were 1.1 million.
The first [[BBC Home Service|Home Service]] broadcast was the next day at 8.30pm on Monday {{Date|1959-01-12}}, its ratings were 0.8 million.


The show was repeated:
The show was repeated the following Wednesday at 9.31pm, {{Date|1959-01-14}}, on the [[BBC Light Programme|Light Programme]] to 2.6 million listeners.
*Wednesday 9.31pm, {{Date|1958-12-17}}, on the [[w:BBC Light Programme|Light Programme]] to 2.3 million listeners.
*Friday 9.30pm, {{Date|1964-03-06}} on the [[w:BBC Home Service|Home Service]] in ''Vintage Goons'', to 0.5 million listeners.
*Friday 9.30pm, {{Date|1965-08-20}} on the [[w:BBC Home Service|Home Service]] in ''Let's Laugh Again'', to 0.2 million listeners (the broadcast was affected by a fault on the reproduction equipment).


== Script Book Synopsis ==
== Script Book Synopsis ==
Written especially for Wagnerians (1st July - 31st June: Your month will be full of dramatic tension and harmony), this episode recounts how the German spy Levingrin and the original designs of the Union Jack, the Union Jim, and the Union Dick, were tracked down by our coward Neddie Seagoon. His off-tune interpretation of 'La da die, dum die dum, lum da die dum' provides access to vital information concerning the disguise of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra as a Bavarian cabbage patch. Set in circa 1914, with inside leg 42, nostalgia reverberates throughout this enchanting story. Readers will recall bitterly such unashamed pleasures as Penelope, spam sandwiches, Bloodnok's [[w:Airship|dirigible]]s and a set of priceless [[w:Spittoon|cuspidors]]. Sub-titles by Edie Ciano of Bromley.
Written especially for [[Richard Wagner|Wagnerian]]s (1 July - 31 June: Your month will be full of dramatic tension and harmony), this episode recounts how the German spy Levingrin and the original designs of the [[Union Jack]], the Union Jim, and the Union Dick, were tracked down by our coward [[Neddie Seagoon]]. His off-tune interpretation of 'La da die, dum die dum, lum da die dum' provides access to vital information concerning the disguise of the [[Berlin Philharmonic|Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra]] as a Bavarian cabbage patch. Set in circa [[1914]], with inside leg 42, nostalgia reverberates throughout this enchanting story. Readers will recall bitterly such unashamed pleasures as Penelope, spam sandwiches, Bloodnok's [[Airship|dirigible]]s and a set of priceless [[Spittoon|cuspidors]]. Sub-titles by Edie Ciano of [[Bromley]].


==Music==
==Music==
*The BBC Radio Orchestra was conducted by [[Wally Stott]]
*The BBC Radio Orchestra was conducted by [[Wally Stott]]
*[[Max Geldray]] plays ''[[w:It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)|It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)]]'' {{small|([[w:Duke Ellington|Duke Ellington]] (music) / [[w:Irving Mills|Irving Mills]] (lyrics))}}
*[[Max Geldray]] plays ''[[It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)]]'' {{small|([[Duke Ellington]] (music) / [[Irving Mills]] (lyrics))}}
*[[Ray Ellington|The Ray Ellington Quartet]] plays ''[[w:Run Joe|Run Joe]]'' {{small|(Joe Willoughby / [[w:Louis Jourdan|Louis Jourdan]] / Walt Merrick)}}
*[[Ray Ellington|The Ray Ellington Quartet]] plays ''[[Run Joe]]'' {{small|(Joe Willoughby / [[Louis Jourdan]] / Walt Merrick)}}


==Pre-show drama==
==Pre-show drama==
An opera recording at the Camden on Sunday 11 January meant the show moved to an afternoon recording at the Paris. Shortly before rehearsals, John Browell was informed that Peter had lost his voice. 'I had a couple of hours to find four well-known actors to fill all the parts he left vacant. This was the period when, for convenience, he was partially resident in a hired ambulance,' the producer recalled in 1973. [[Valentine Dyall]] had appeared in previous editions of ''The Goon Show'' and took on the role of Grytpype Thynne in a bizarre rendition of the duet ''Miserere'' from Verdi's ''[[w:Il trovatore|Il trovatore]]'' which became part of [[w:Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)|Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better]] from [[w:Annie Get Your Gun (musical)|Annie Get Your Gun]]. Material with Bloodnok visiting the [[w:Windmill Theatre|Windmill]] was cut, and the remainder of Bloodnok's material was rewritten for the similar military character of Colonel Chinstrip played by [[Jack Train]] who had originated in the wartime comedy [[It's That Man Again|ITMA]] and previously guested in one of the 1957 episodes, [[Shifting Sands|The Shifting Sands]]. A Henry Crun/Minnie Bannister sequence was rewritten for the Irish couple of Mr and Mrs O' Toole, the former played by Peter's old friend [[Graham Stark]] who had deputised for Spike in several Goon Shows during 1953; Graham also took on dialogue originally written for [[Bluebottle]], although the bulk of this was deleted from the climax of the script. [[Kenneth Connor]], who had worked on some of Spike and Peter's television shows joined the team to play Willium (with his own version of the "mate" voice) and his Sidney Mincing character from [[Ray's A Laugh]]. John Snagge also pre-recorded another announcement. Again, BBC continuity declined to use the scripted announcement 'Spike Milligan [is appearing] in A Birthday Suit at Pudsey Baths.'  
An opera recording at the Camden on Sunday 11 January meant the show moved to an afternoon recording at the Paris. Shortly before rehearsals, John Browell was informed that Peter had lost his voice. 'I had a couple of hours to find four well-known actors to fill all the parts he left vacant. This was the period when, for convenience, he was partially resident in a hired ambulance,' the producer recalled in 1973. [[Valentine Dyall]] had appeared in previous editions of ''The Goon Show'' and took on the role of Grytpype Thynne in a bizarre rendition of the duet ''Miserere'' from Verdi's ''[[Il trovatore|Il trovatore]]'' which became part of [[Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)|Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better]] from [[Annie Get Your Gun (musical)|Annie Get Your Gun]]. Material with Bloodnok visiting the [[Windmill Theatre|Windmill]] was cut, and the remainder of Bloodnok's material was rewritten for the similar military character of Colonel Chinstrip played by [[Jack Train]] who had originated in the wartime comedy [[It's That Man Again|ITMA]] and previously guested in one of the 1957 episodes, [[Shifting Sands|The Shifting Sands]]. A Henry Crun/Minnie Bannister sequence was rewritten for the Irish couple of Mr and Mrs O' Toole, the former played by Peter's old friend [[Graham Stark]] who had deputised for Spike in several Goon Shows during 1953; Graham also took on dialogue originally written for [[Bluebottle]], although the bulk of this was deleted from the climax of the script. [[Kenneth Connor]], who had worked on some of Spike and Peter's television shows joined the team to play Willium (with his own version of the "mate" voice) and his Sidney Mincing character from [[Ray's A Laugh]]. John Snagge also pre-recorded another announcement. Again, BBC continuity declined to use the scripted announcement 'Spike Milligan [is appearing] in A Birthday Suit at Pudsey Baths.'  


==Technical==
==Technical==
Originally recorded on [[The Goon Show recording numbers#TLO|TLO 75177]] (15 ips ¼" tape recorded at [[w:Broadcasting House|Broadcasting House]]). This master tape survived intact in [[BBC Transcription Services|TS]] and has been used for the version of the show included on [[The Goon Show Compendiums#Vol10|The Goon Show Compendium Vol 10]].<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=[[The Goon Show Compendiums#Vol10|The Goon Show Compendium Vol 10]] |first=Ted |last=Kendall | author-link=Ted Kendall |date=2015 |page=13|type=Booklet 2 |publisher=BBC Worldwide|ISBN=9781785290312}}</ref>
Originally recorded on [[The Goon Show recording numbers#TLO|TLO 75177]] (15 ips ¼" tape recorded at [[Broadcasting House]]). This master tape survived intact in [[BBC Transcription Services|TS]] and has been used for the version of the show included on [[The Goon Show Compendiums#Vol10|The Goon Show Compendium Vol 10]].<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=[[The Goon Show Compendiums#Vol10|The Goon Show Compendium Vol 10]] |first=Ted |last=Kendall | author-link=Ted Kendall |date=2015 |page=13|type=Booklet 2 |publisher=BBC Worldwide|ISBN=9781785290312}}</ref>


==Transcript==
==Transcript==
[[Who is Pink Oboe? (transcript)]]
[[Who is Pink Oboe? (transcript)]]
==For those who don't know==
A "pink oboe' is an old army euphemism for a [[Penis|penis]] being [[Fellatio|fellated]]. It was also part of Milligan's plans to go around the BBC censors.


==References==
==References==
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{{Goons|state=collapsed}}
{{Goons|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:The Goon Show episodes]]
[[Category:The Goon Show episodes]]
[[Category:Empty Goon Show episodes]]
[[Category:Ted Kendall restored Goon Show episodes]]
[[Category:Ted Kendall restored Goon Show episodes]]
[[Category:Goon Shows produced by John Browell]]
[[Category:Goon Shows produced by John Browell]]

Latest revision as of 15:44, 3 March 2023

"Who is Pink Oboe?"
The Goon Show episode
Episode: no.Series: 9
Episode: 11
Written bySpike Milligan
AnnouncerWallace Greenslade
Produced byJohn Browell
Music
Recording
Number
TLO 75177
First broadcast12 January 1959 (1959-01-12)
Running time29:54
Guest appearances
Episode Order
← Previous
"Ned's Atomic Dustbin"
Next →
"The Call of the West"
The Goon Show series 9
List of episodes

Who is Pink Oboe? is an episode from The Goon Show. It is the eleventh show in the ninth series.

Three pre-recording sessions took place at two locations:

  • Wednesday 7 January 1959, 3pm/4.15pm. Aeolian Hall Studio 2 (TLO & C/DLO 74715).
  • Friday 9 January 1959, 3.45pm, Aeolian Hall Studio 3B (DLO 77020).
  • Sunday 11 January 1959, 12.45pm, The Paris (DLO 75177/A)

The recording for transmission was created at 4.15pm on Sunday 11 January 1959, at The Paris, 12 Lower Regent Street in central London.

The first Home Service broadcast was the next day at 8.30pm on Monday 12 January 1959, its ratings were 0.8 million.

The show was repeated the following Wednesday at 9.31pm, 14 January 1959, on the Light Programme to 2.6 million listeners.

Script Book Synopsis

Written especially for Wagnerians (1 July - 31 June: Your month will be full of dramatic tension and harmony), this episode recounts how the German spy Levingrin and the original designs of the Union Jack, the Union Jim, and the Union Dick, were tracked down by our coward Neddie Seagoon. His off-tune interpretation of 'La da die, dum die dum, lum da die dum' provides access to vital information concerning the disguise of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra as a Bavarian cabbage patch. Set in circa 1914, with inside leg 42, nostalgia reverberates throughout this enchanting story. Readers will recall bitterly such unashamed pleasures as Penelope, spam sandwiches, Bloodnok's dirigibles and a set of priceless cuspidors. Sub-titles by Edie Ciano of Bromley.

Music

Pre-show drama

An opera recording at the Camden on Sunday 11 January meant the show moved to an afternoon recording at the Paris. Shortly before rehearsals, John Browell was informed that Peter had lost his voice. 'I had a couple of hours to find four well-known actors to fill all the parts he left vacant. This was the period when, for convenience, he was partially resident in a hired ambulance,' the producer recalled in 1973. Valentine Dyall had appeared in previous editions of The Goon Show and took on the role of Grytpype Thynne in a bizarre rendition of the duet Miserere from Verdi's Il trovatore which became part of Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better from Annie Get Your Gun. Material with Bloodnok visiting the Windmill was cut, and the remainder of Bloodnok's material was rewritten for the similar military character of Colonel Chinstrip played by Jack Train who had originated in the wartime comedy ITMA and previously guested in one of the 1957 episodes, The Shifting Sands. A Henry Crun/Minnie Bannister sequence was rewritten for the Irish couple of Mr and Mrs O' Toole, the former played by Peter's old friend Graham Stark who had deputised for Spike in several Goon Shows during 1953; Graham also took on dialogue originally written for Bluebottle, although the bulk of this was deleted from the climax of the script. Kenneth Connor, who had worked on some of Spike and Peter's television shows joined the team to play Willium (with his own version of the "mate" voice) and his Sidney Mincing character from Ray's A Laugh. John Snagge also pre-recorded another announcement. Again, BBC continuity declined to use the scripted announcement 'Spike Milligan [is appearing] in A Birthday Suit at Pudsey Baths.'

Technical

Originally recorded on TLO 75177 (15 ips ¼" tape recorded at Broadcasting House). This master tape survived intact in TS and has been used for the version of the show included on The Goon Show Compendium Vol 10.[1]

Transcript

Who is Pink Oboe? (transcript)

For those who don't know

A "pink oboe' is an old army euphemism for a penis being fellated. It was also part of Milligan's plans to go around the BBC censors.

References

  1. ^ Kendall, Ted (2015). The Goon Show Compendium Vol 10 (Booklet 2). BBC Worldwide. p. 13. ISBN 9781785290312.