Categories: uncategorized
Date: 17 June 2007 19:53:39
Today has been a very easy day.
Last night we had Best Man over for another visit. The highlight of the evening was a screening of the first 3 episodes of Michael Bentine's Potty Time. For those who remember Potty Time I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that its available on a double DVD. For those who have not experienced the delights I'll try to explain.
Michael Bentine was, for a short time, a member of The Goons, that great forerunner of modern comedy that launched Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and, of course, Spike Milligan. Potty Time could be best described as The Goons for children.
Watching it you could see the influence of The Goons running through every episode, including some of the voices - Eccles and Blue Bottle were definitly in there. These were episodes from the Thames TV incarnation from 1973 & 1974. The programme actually started life on BBC 1 and ran until 1980.
Last night we watched Potty Treasure Island, King Arthur and North West Frontier. They all had one thing in common - a "mad" character. We knew they were mad because they:
a) Said so repeatedly
b) Their heads turned through 360 degrees
c) They had hair like FW and Dave Walker
How can you not laugh at a dragon that has its fire put out by Merlin casting a rain spell. Then saying that you needn't worry as they could relight his fire later.
Or the brave soldiers at the Khyber Pass fighting the Mad Mullah. They ran out of ammunition so were forced to shout BANG! BANG!. Then, when their throats became dry the mighty RAF dropped essential supplies - cough drops. The reason why they had to fight? If they didn't then they'd be forced to retire and go back to Civvy Street. Then came bad news - the Indian government had developed a solution - they'd build a Khyber By-pass.
My early/mid childhood came back to me. I'm glad that in my late childhood I can still enjoy it and that it hasn't diminished with age.
If you'd like to read more then visit www.thechestnut.com/potty.htm