Ian MacNaughton Movies

A highly respected government minister is caught trying to steal top-secret documents. Figuring that there's more to the story than meets the eye, Steed poses as a "genius" and joins an exclusive club for intellectuals in which the supposed traitor was also a member. Meanwhile, Emma is subjected to a particularly nasty session of psychological torture. Written by Robert Banks Stewart, "The Master Minds" originally aired in England on November 6, 1965; its American TV debut occured some eight months later, on July 11, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Created in 1969 as the British Broadcasting Corporation's answer to America's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (one of its guiding forces was BBC executive and former Laugh-In writer Barry Took), Monty Python's Flying Circus was both the title of the series and the name of the comedy troupe appearing in the show. (The name was chosen precisely because it didn't mean anything!) The cast -- Cambridge and Oxford graduates all -- included John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. A sixth Python, American-born Terry Gilliam, provided the series' zany, non sequitur animated sequences and occasionally appeared on camera. Most of the female roles were handled by Connie Booth (Cleese's then-wife) and Carol Cleveland. Virtually indescribable to anyone who hasn't seen it, the series (which opened each week to the tune of John Philip Sousa's "Liberty Bell March") was a wild, irreverent collection of open-ended comedy sketches, sometimes tenuously tied in with a single theme. The individual sketches were usually connected only by the sonorous announcement, "And now for something completely different," which also served as the title for the group's first theatrical feature film. Favorite Python targets included dull BBC talk shows and documentaries, idiotic legal restrictions, bean-counting bureaucrats, incomprehensible foreigners, and venerated British traditions. For some curious reason, all of the Pythonites enjoyed dressing up in women's clothing, usually portraying frumpy, strident-voiced suburban housewives. Among the series' more famous bits were "The Pet Shop," "The Lumberjack Song," "The Spanish Inquisition," "Department of Silly Walks," "The World's Deadliest Joke," "Hell's Grannies," "The Annual Twit of the Year Awards," and a lengthy science fiction movie parody in which evil aliens (who looked like French pastries) transformed all British subjects into Scotsmen, the better to win the annual Wimbledon tennis match (a premise which, in context, makes perfect sense). Though the 45-episode series enjoyed an enormous following in England, it didn't arrive in America until 1974, when the package was picked up by PBS (ABC had evinced interest in the property, but insisted upon cutting all the "naughty bits" and arbitrarily inserting commercials). In addition to making stars out of virtually all its cast members, Monty Python's Flying Circus has spawned several comedy record albums, movie spin-offs, and many solo projects like Fawlty Towers. In 1999, the series, long available on videocassette, was picked up for yet another go-round by the Arts and Entertainment cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After a preview of comic BBC attractions (stay tuned for "Snooker My Way"), the host of "Archeology Today" quizzes his guests on the disparity of their heights. Professor Lucien Kastner swears to avenge his honor, and succeeds during a 1920 Egyptian expedition. A testimonial for the National Truss comes to an end when an absent-minded woman is beaten up by a boxer. Two sketches are abandoned in mid-joke, while a third routine details the animated exploits of Eggs Diamond and his gang. Two versions of a sketch featuring Mr. and Mrs. Sniveling Little Rat-Faced Git are prepared to mollify the censor. Australians Roy and Hank Spim use atomic missiles to hunt moths. And Beethoven tries to complete his Fifth Symphony despite interruptions from a mynah bird, a carpet sweeper, and an unsolicited visit from Colin "Chopper" Mozart. Guest star Carol Cleveland's mother appears in the "Git" sketch. "Archaeology Today" first aired November 18, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this episode, 18th Century highwayman Dennis Moore steals lupins from the rich to give to the poor. He later changes his M.O., stealing from the poor to give to the rich. In other developments, boxer Jack Bodell squares off against Sir Kenneth Clarke for the heavyweight championship; astrologers Mrs. Once Off and Irene Trepidacius foretell the future with audio-visual aids; and a doctor robs his patients, only to lose the cash to a man-headed frog. Also featured are an episode of "Victoria Regina," anachronistically invaded by Dennis Moore; the 15th Annual Ideal Loon Exposition; and "Prejudice," in which the host runs out of ethnic epithets and stages a "Shoot the Poof" contest. First seen on January 4, 1973, "Dennis Moore" features Carol Cleveland, Nosher Powell, and a cast of dozens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season two of Monty Python's Flying Circus was launched September 15, 1970, with the episode titled "Dinsdale" (for lack of a better name, no doubt). The Minister of Home Affairs, a small patch of gooey brown liquid, and cross-dressing Air Chief Marshall Sir Vincent "Kill the Japs" Foster appear on "Face the Press," as Mrs. G. Pinnet watches at home -- only to be informed by two gas men that she's in the wrong house. After a customer with a nasty wink tries to rent a white pussycat, a chest of drawers and a bit of pram, we are introduced to Mr. Teabags and Mr. Putey of the Ministry of Silly Walks (stay tuned for the French version, "La Marche Futile"). While investigating the criminal activities of Doug and Dinsdale Piranha, Inspector Harry "Snapper" Organs interrupts a performance of Man of La Mancha. And a huge animated spiny norman stalks the streets of London, shouting "Dinsdale!" (for lack of a better name, no doubt). Also appearing in this thrilling episode are David Ballantyne, John Hughman, and Stanley Mason. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Dummy Princess Margaret presents the British Show Biz Awards, with first prize going to the remains of the late Sir Alan Waddle. At a salon party in 1895, Oscar Wilde trades dirty epigrams with George Bernard Shaw and the Prince of Wales. Back at the awards ceremony, David Niven's Refrigerator announces that Pier Paolo Pasolini's The Third Test Match has won sixth prize. The Kamikaze Scotsman returns from the previous episode "A Book at Bedtime" to top off a sketch about brain salesmen. The Northwest squares off against the Southwest in the International Wife-Swapping Tournament, which segues into a rugby match on "Grandstand." And the awards ceremony ends with the writers of the "Dirty Vicar" sketch winning the Mountbatten Trophy. Carol Cleveland makes a brief appearance. With the January 18, 1973 telecast of "Grandstand," the third season of Monty Python's Flying Circus came to a close. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

An advertising executive comes up with the sure-fire slogan "Conquistador Coffee brings a new meaning to the word 'vomit.'" British prime minister Ramsey MacDonald strips down to bra and panties. Mr. Bee trades everything he owns, including his secretary, for a job -- or at least a biscuit. The self-same secretary is saved from International Communism by Uncle Sam and a toothpaste commercial. An excerpt from the play It All Happened on the 11:20 From Hainault is performed, while in another theatrical event, the entire cast sports foot-long front teeth (and let us not forget the works of Gavin Millarrrr). Several archbishops demonstrate the modern methods of conversion, segueing into an endorsement of Cartoon Religions. And a screening of the Government service film "How Not to Be Seen" concludes with a performance by Jackie Charleton and the Tonettes. First telecast December 9, 1970, "How Not to be Seen" features the ineluctable Carol Cleveland. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

An increasingly spectacular series of intermissions punctuates this final episode of season one of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Hopkins the Maitre D' is the specialty du jour at a vegetarian restaurant. The filmed audience of the Women's Institute approves of the "Me, doctor, she, nurse, he, Mr. Burtenshaw" routine. "Historical Impressions" features Cardinal Richelieu's celebrated imitation of Petula Clark and Napoleon's rendition of the R-101 Disaster. Trevor gets his wish when he asks for more Police Fairy Stories. Mr. Attila the Hun turns himself over to the authorities. And a hippie and a naked woman emerge from within the abdomen of Dr. Larch. All this, and "The Albatross Sketch" too. Originally broadcast January 18, 1970, "Intermission" features the talents of David Ballantyne and Carol Cleveland. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Arthur Figgis makes a return appearance to discuss the German composer Johann Gambolputty de von
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gumberaber-shonedanker-kalbsfleisch-mittler-aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm. Inspector Praline and Superintendent Parrot investigate the Whizzo Quality Chocolate Company, exclusive manufacturers of Crunchy Frog. "The Dull Life of a City Stockbroker" is followed by an American Indian's negative reaction to the news that Cicely Coutneidge will not be appearing this evening. Young Lochinvar breaks up another wedding. And heads roll in the offices of 20th Century Vole. Ian Davidson makes an appearance on this November 30, 1969, episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A desperate suburban couple summons Confuse-a-Cat, Ltd. ("Thank God we've arrived in time!") A Customs Official bypasses a confessed smuggler in favor of strip-searching a vicar, leading to a round-table discussion of customs enforcement with a duck, a cat, and a lizard. Actor Sandy Camp surrenders an illicit bag of sandwiches. A BBC newsreader incriminates himself. "Edited Highlights of Tonight's Romantic Movie" offers a montage of such phallic symbols as a tossed caber. The Head of the Careers Advisory Board is no help at all. And a burglar suffers the fate reserved for all encyclopedia salesmen. Also featuring Carol Cleveland, this episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus was originally broadcast November 23, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As they had done in the summer of 1972, the cast of Monty Python's Flying Circus appeared on a 50-minute special for German television in October of 1973. Highlights of "Monty Python Bloeden fur Deutschland" include a visit with Superbutcher!, a profile of famed mice and fish preserver Frank Tutankhamun, a hearing-aid sketch, a fairy story about Happy Valley's King Otto ("Ya de buckety rum ting poo") and Princess Mitzi Gaynor...and best of all, the "International Philosophy Tournament," featuring German and Greek Philosophers squaring off in a football game (Nietzche was disqualified for arguing with referee Confucius). Unlike the first German "Python" special, this one received a British TV screening on BBC2. Excerpts of "Monty Python Bloeden fur Deutschland" appeared in America, courtesy of the Comedy Central cable network, some 25 years after the original telecast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this episode, England is held in thrall by Mr. Neutron, the deadliest man in the world. As Mr. Neutron enjoys the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Entrail, the Federal Egg Answering Room (F.E.A.R) tries to ascertain Neutron's whereabouts. The only man capable of saving humanity is Teddy Salad, who is somewhere in the Yukon, breeding rabbits. Captain Carpenter discovers that Teddy is posing as a sled dog, and lures him away with a pretty bone. The naked Supreme Commander declares all-out war on Neutron by bombing the wrong cities. By the time Neutron is finished, the only city left standing is Ruislip in the Gobi Desert, and Neutron's sweetheart Mrs. S.C.U.M. has been elected the most beautiful woman in the world by default. One of the few Monty Python's Flying Circus programs to feature a single sustained sketch, "Mr. Neutron" first aired November 28, 1974. In addition to the supporting appearances of Carol Cleveland, Bob E. Raymond, and Sloopy the Dog, the show was to have featured the song stylings of Neil Innes, but time unfortunately ran out. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide