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{{Short description|British television series}}
{{italic title}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox television
[[File:The_World_of_Beachcomber.jpg|thumb|right|Title card]]
| image                = The World of Beachcomber.jpg
| image_upright        =
| image_alt            =
| caption              = Title card
| alt_name            =
| genre                = [[Comedy]]
| creator              =
| based_on            = [[Beachcomber (Pen name)|Beachcomber]] from the [[Daily Express]] <!-- {{Based on|title of the original work|creator of the original work|additional creator(s), if necessary}} -->
| inspired_by          = <!-- {{Based on|title of the original work|creator of the original work|additional creator(s), if necessary}} -->
| writer              = [[Spike Milligan]], [[Barry Took]], [[John Junkin]], [[Neil Shand]]
| director            =
| creative_director    =
| presenter            = [[Spike Milligan]]<!-- Organized by broadcast credit order, with new main cast added to the end of the list -->
| starring            = <!-- Organized by broadcast credit order, with new main cast added to the end of the list -->
| theme_music_composer =
| open_theme          =
| end_theme            =
| composer            =
| country              = [[United Kingdom]]
| language            = English
| num_series          = 1 <!-- Or num_series. Increment when new seasons/series begin. See template documentation for more info. -->
| num_episodes        = 19<!-- Value is incremented when new episodes air. See template documentation for more info. -->
| list_episodes        =
| executive_producer  =
| producer            = [[John Howard Davies]], [[Duncan Wood]]
| news_editor          = <!-- Content editor or editors of a current affairs/political show such as Newsnight. -->
| cinematography      =
| editor              = <!-- Film editors -->
| camera              = [[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]]
| runtime              = <!-- Reliable source required -->
| company              = [[BBC]]
| distributor          =
| budget              =
| network              = [[BBC Two|BBC 2]]
| picture_format      = [[625 lines|625-line]] [[PAL]]
| audio_format        = [[Monoaural|Mono]]
| first_aired          = January 1968 <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} or |released= {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}}, but not both -->
| last_aired          = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| preceded_by          =
| followed_by          =
| related              = <!-- To be used only for remakes, spin-offs, and adaptations -->
}}
'''''The World of Beachcomber''''' was a surreal television comedy show produced by the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] inspired by the [[Beachcomber (Pen name)|Beachcomber]] column in the ''[[Daily Express]]'' newspaper.
'''''The World of Beachcomber''''' was a surreal television comedy show produced by the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] inspired by the [[Beachcomber (Pen name)|Beachcomber]] column in the ''[[Daily Express]]'' newspaper.


==Description==
==Description==
The show, like the column, consisted of a series of unrelated pieces of humour. Links between the items were provided by [[Spike Milligan]], dressed in a [[smoking jacket]] and cap, as in the cartoon logo above the newspaper column.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/w/worldofbeachcomb_1299002088.shtml|title=BBC - Comedy - Guide - The World of Beachcomber|date=15 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615034825/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/w/worldofbeachcomb_1299002088.shtml|archive-date=15 June 2006}}</ref> The other actors were a [[Who's Who]] of British comedy of the time, encompassing almost every supporting player seen or heard in comedy.  Likewise the writing staff included Milligan, [[Barry Took]], [[John Junkin]], [[Neil Shand]] and others. The producers were [[John Howard Davies]] and [[Duncan Wood]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/501222/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Davies, John Howard (1939-2011) Biography|website=screenonline.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b78d0a864|title=The World of Beachcomber[20/10/69] (1969)|website=BFI}}</ref>
[[File:The World of Beachcomber (Milligan).jpg|thumb|right]]
The show, like the column, consisted of a series of unrelated pieces of humour. Links between the items were provided by [[Spike Milligan]], dressed in a [[smoking jacket]] and cap, as in the cartoon logo above the newspaper column.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/w/worldofbeachcomb_1299002088.shtml|title=BBC - Comedy - Guide - The World of Beachcomber|date={{Date|2006-06-15}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615034825/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/w/worldofbeachcomb_1299002088.shtml|archive-date=15 June 2006}}</ref> The other actors were a [[Who's Who]] of British comedy of the time, encompassing almost every supporting player seen or heard in comedy.  Likewise the writing staff included Milligan, [[Barry Took]], [[John Junkin]], [[Neil Shand]] and others. The producers were [[John Howard Davies]] and [[Duncan Wood]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/501222/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Davies, John Howard (1939-2011) Biography|website=screenonline.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b78d0a864|title=The World of Beachcomber ({{Date|1969-10-20}}) (1969)|website=BFI}}</ref>


In all, 19 episodes were produced beginning in January 1968.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/82fb61e49d744ebc8306fefa6ffc1a49|title=Broadcast - BBC Programme Index|website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> They were mostly shown on the new [[BBC2]] channel, which broadcast in colour using the 625-line [[PAL]] standard. BBC2 was a minority-appeal culture channel, and thus allowed greater stretching of the boundaries of the art. Unfortunately, like many shows of the time, the original videotapes were [[Wiping|wiped]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/the-world-of-beachcomber|title=The World of Beachcomber|date=13 April 2020}}</ref> Only one complete episode, on black and white 16mm film now survives of this show in the BBC archives, from the penultimate (20.10.69) edition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1e27d5ab9ba84ef49caec370140722d6|title=Broadcast - BBC Programme Index|website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In addition to this, excerpts (origin unknown, but likely filmed inserts) for the 29.09.69 edition also survive. Audio soundtracks also survive for episodes Three (06.10.69) and Four (13.10.69) of the 1969 series.<ref>{{Citation
In all, 19 episodes were produced beginning in January 1968.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/82fb61e49d744ebc8306fefa6ffc1a49|title=Broadcast - BBC Programme Index|website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> They were mostly shown on the new [[BBC2]] channel, which broadcast in colour using the 625-line [[PAL]] standard. BBC2 was a minority-appeal culture channel, and thus allowed greater stretching of the boundaries of the art. Unfortunately, like many shows of the time, the original videotapes were [[Wiping|wiped]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/the-world-of-beachcomber|title=The World of Beachcomber|date=13 April 2020}}</ref> Only one complete episode, on black and white 16mm film now survives of this show in the BBC archives, from the penultimate ({{Date|1969-10-20}}) edition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1e27d5ab9ba84ef49caec370140722d6|title=Broadcast - BBC Programme Index|website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In addition to this, excerpts (origin unknown, but likely filmed inserts) for the {{Date|1969-09-29}} edition also survive. Audio soundtracks also survive for episodes Three ({{Date|1969-10-06}}) and Four ({{Date|1969-10-13}}) of the 1969 series.<ref>{{Citation
   | title = Kaleidoscope Lost Shows
   | title = Kaleidoscope Lost Shows
   | date = 2010-04-25
   | date = {{Date|2010-04-25}}
   | url = http://www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?programme=d2f7770c-19ab-4341-9af5-a554c7784652 }}</ref> In addition to this, a soundtrack LP featuring excerpts from shows from series one was also released by [[PYE Records]], and rereleased on audio cassette in 1997.<ref>{{Citation
   | url = http://www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?programme=d2f7770c-19ab-4341-9af5-a554c7784652 }}</ref> In addition to this, a soundtrack LP featuring excerpts from shows from series one was also released by [[PYE Records]], and rereleased on audio cassette in 1997.<ref>{{Citation
   | title = Beachcomber Website
   | title = Beachcomber Website
   | date = 2010-04-25
   | date = {{Date|2010-04-25}}
   | url = http://www.edwards.eclipse.co.uk/JBM-TV.htm }}</ref>
   | url = http://www.edwards.eclipse.co.uk/JBM-TV.htm }}</ref>


==Recurring items==
==Recurring items==
* Courtroom sketches featuring Mr. [[Justice Cocklecarrot]], played by [[Clive Dunn]], and Twelve Red-Bearded Dwarfs, played by "Little People" suitably made up. One case involved the dwarfs suing themselves, so Mr. Justice Cocklecarrot rendered a judgement that they should apologize to themselves.  The sketch ended with the dwarfs singing a song by [[Billy Eckstine]], "I apologize", at the tops of their voices.
* Courtroom sketches featuring Mr. Justice Cocklecarrot, played by [[Clive Dunn]], and Twelve Red-Bearded Dwarfs, played by "Little People" suitably made up. One case involved the dwarfs suing themselves, so Mr. Justice Cocklecarrot rendered a judgement that they should apologize to themselves.  The sketch ended with the dwarfs singing a song by [[Billy Eckstine]], "I apologize", at the tops of their voices.
* Readings from the lists of Huntingdonshire Cabmen, wherein [[Michael Redgrave]] solemnly walked to a lectern, donned his reading glasses and read the names, in alphabetical order, with great seriousness, as one might read the names of the dead at a war memorial.
* Readings from the lists of Huntingdonshire Cabmen, wherein [[Michael Redgrave]] solemnly walked to a lectern, donned his reading glasses and read the names, in alphabetical order, with great seriousness, as one might read the names of the dead at a war memorial.
* Odd inventions explained by Dr. Strabismus (whom God preserve) of Utrecht ([[Spike Milligan]] with a high quavering German accent).
* Odd inventions explained by Dr. Strabismus (whom God preserve) of Utrecht ([[Spike Milligan]] with a high quavering German accent).

Latest revision as of 23:29, 11 February 2023

The World of Beachcomber
The World of Beachcomber.jpg
Title card
GenreComedy
Based onBeachcomber from the Daily Express
Written bySpike Milligan, Barry Took, John Junkin, Neil Shand
Presented bySpike Milligan
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes19
Production
ProducersJohn Howard Davies, Duncan Wood
Camera setupSingle-camera
Production companyBBC
Original release
NetworkBBC 2
ReleaseJanuary 1968

The World of Beachcomber was a surreal television comedy show produced by the BBC inspired by the Beachcomber column in the Daily Express newspaper.

Description

The World of Beachcomber (Milligan).jpg

The show, like the column, consisted of a series of unrelated pieces of humour. Links between the items were provided by Spike Milligan, dressed in a smoking jacket and cap, as in the cartoon logo above the newspaper column.[1] The other actors were a Who's Who of British comedy of the time, encompassing almost every supporting player seen or heard in comedy. Likewise the writing staff included Milligan, Barry Took, John Junkin, Neil Shand and others. The producers were John Howard Davies and Duncan Wood.[2][3]

In all, 19 episodes were produced beginning in January 1968.[4] They were mostly shown on the new BBC2 channel, which broadcast in colour using the 625-line PAL standard. BBC2 was a minority-appeal culture channel, and thus allowed greater stretching of the boundaries of the art. Unfortunately, like many shows of the time, the original videotapes were wiped.[5] Only one complete episode, on black and white 16mm film now survives of this show in the BBC archives, from the penultimate (20 October 1969) edition.[6] In addition to this, excerpts (origin unknown, but likely filmed inserts) for the 29 September 1969 edition also survive. Audio soundtracks also survive for episodes Three (6 October 1969) and Four (13 October 1969) of the 1969 series.[7] In addition to this, a soundtrack LP featuring excerpts from shows from series one was also released by PYE Records, and rereleased on audio cassette in 1997.[8]

Recurring items

  • Courtroom sketches featuring Mr. Justice Cocklecarrot, played by Clive Dunn, and Twelve Red-Bearded Dwarfs, played by "Little People" suitably made up. One case involved the dwarfs suing themselves, so Mr. Justice Cocklecarrot rendered a judgement that they should apologize to themselves. The sketch ended with the dwarfs singing a song by Billy Eckstine, "I apologize", at the tops of their voices.
  • Readings from the lists of Huntingdonshire Cabmen, wherein Michael Redgrave solemnly walked to a lectern, donned his reading glasses and read the names, in alphabetical order, with great seriousness, as one might read the names of the dead at a war memorial.
  • Odd inventions explained by Dr. Strabismus (whom God preserve) of Utrecht (Spike Milligan with a high quavering German accent).
  • Spoof commercials for "Snibbo", usually a washing soap with a tendency to remove stains, buttons and skin, and, with a sung jingle, "Threadgold's Thorough-grip Garterettes".
  • The Filthistan Trio, a Music Hall act consisting of three 'Persians' and a plank.

Cast

This list is inevitably incomplete.

References

  1. ^ "BBC - Comedy - Guide - The World of Beachcomber". 15 June 2006. Archived from the original on 15 June 2006.
  2. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Davies, John Howard (1939-2011) Biography". screenonline.org.uk.
  3. ^ "The World of Beachcomber (20 October 1969) (1969)". BFI.
  4. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk.
  5. ^ "The World of Beachcomber". 13 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk.
  7. ^ Kaleidoscope Lost Shows, 25 April 2010
  8. ^ Beachcomber Website, 25 April 2010
  9. ^ "Today's TV", Daily Mirror, p. 14, 1968-03-18
  10. ^ "Today's Programmes", Daily Mirror, p. 18, 1968-10-06

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.thegoonshow.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=The_World_of_Beachcomber&oldid=36859"