The first thing I ever saw from this most-famous, British comedy troupe was “The Meaning of Life”, their fourth and final film, released in 1983. I was eight. It was completely inappropriate for a child and I still taunt my older sister for taking me to see it.
Being the baby of the family, I was inevitably stuck with my older sister on dates, so all the films I saw as a child were wrong for my age.
My first film was the whimsical and high-spirited “Reds”, based on real-life American Communist, John Reed, and his affair with a married woman. Tee hee! Next, I remember seeing “Gandhi”, that laugh-a-minute movie that’s warmed the cockles of so many tots. Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” was a memorable evening for me (I was still small enough to hide under my seat); “Mommie Dearest” caused a temporary phobia of wire coat hangers; watching “Sybil” resulted, ironically, in me developing a split personality to handle the memory of seeing it, and imagine my delight at being the only kid in class to say he’d seen “Chariots of Fire”… twice.
Just another childhood cartoon for Job: Pink Floyd's "The Wall"
In my sister’s defense, she did once take me to see a showing of “Bambi” at her college theatre, but the reel broke just after the forest fire that claims Bambi’s Mommy’s life. Whereas the other kids were crying and traumatized by this, I wasn’t phased. After all, what’s one dead deer when I had already witnessed the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
But this isn’t therapy and you’re not a psychologist*, so I won’t pursue this tangent.
Seeing Monty Python’s “The Meaning of Life” was an influential experience, and, I know, had a tremendous impact on me and my sense of humor. Ask any teacher I had in school. Or, better yet, ask any principal I was sent to.
Eric Idle & Michael Palin
Most fans of Monty Python have seen all there is to see by the group. Besides their TV show, “Flying Circus”, there’s only the four films and the concert footage of their performance at the Hollywood Bowl. So, we must turn to the myriad side-projects from the various cast members.
Most human beings are familiar with John Cleese’s post-Python production “Fawlty Towers”, but have you seen Michael Palin and Terry Jones’ brief TV series “Ripping Yarns”? Ah, ha! I thought not.
Michael Palin & Terry Jones (Can you find the fish?)
The episodes are chock full of the ridiculous type of humor found in “Flying Circus”, though they maintain plot-lines, rather than a constant flux of non-sequiturs and grotesque animation. (Remember that one episode of “Flying Circus” – “The Cycling Tour with Mr. Pither”? That’s a good idea of what “Ripping Yarns” is like.)
Nailing students as a means of hazing. Actually straight out of my freshman year in high school.
Anyway, you fans of Monty Python should check it out. The complete series is available at Amoeba Music’s DVD department. Watch it, memorize it, and then we can all recite the lines at parties and annoy the others, just as we do with our constant exclamations of “Ni! Ni!”
*My apologies to any psychologist who reads this blog and feels discounted by the assumption that no psychologist would read it. It’s not my intent to alienate you and, should you feel hurt by this, I would be happy to prescribe some lithium to ease your suffering.
Relevant Tags
Monty Python (6), Michael Palin (2), Terry Jones (2), Gandhi (1), Sybil (1), Reds (1), American Cinema (6), Chariots Of Fire (1), Pink Floyd (7), Bambi (1), Mommie Dearest (2)Comments
OK, OK, I thought I apologized for this aready!!
As son of 'the older sister,' I can certainly relate to the trauma you've received. Granted, she took first swing at you, but I got in some good torture during my childhood. I won't even go into my nurtured obsession with a certain red-headed mermaid that still fires me up...
Over our dinner of LSD and sushi last night, we discussed this blog. I couldn't help but recall a specific gnarly event from 7th grade, one which the older sister pleads amnesia over. You might laugh. You might wince. But you'll read it damn it!
7th grade--one day I suffered through some splitting headaches, to the point of seeing red-spot and nearly passing out. While this was common in my earth science class, I was confused--"this isn't science, this is Spanish!" The next day I popped Tylenol all day to manage the headache, although I think I channeled Lucifer during science. That afternoon, went and got a CAT scan, and went home.
The next afternoon, my mother (aka 'the older sister') comes home a little early from work. Sits me down and breaks the results from the CAT scan. "You've got a tumor in the frontal lobe of your brain." As a loving and nurturing mother, she calmly assures me that it’s perfectly operable and not fatal. I get a five minute discussion on the surgical procedure: how they'll shave my head, cut out part of my skull, and methodically scoop out my dangerously mutated brain matter. Questions about possibly scarring and recovery time are, as was the entire discussion, kept very calm and clinical.
After about five minutes, my mother drops the real deal, "I'm just joking, and you’ve got a bad sinus infection, not cancer." Bravo mother bravo. You got me. After I had that initial jaw-dropping moment, I laughed it off.
Upon reflection, I feel like something is seriously wrong with me. I mean, I was just pranked BY MY MOTHER into believing I had CANCER. My mother, the social worker, who helps people sort out their lives. A normal person would throw a fit and/or have a panic attack following such a deception. But I laughed it off. Am I normal? Clearly not.
So what am I? Well Job, I don't think we'll ever know, but one thing is for certain. We have managed to survive your older sister (and my mother), for better or for worse. We are bonded through our trials.
And bambi's mom getting shot was the best part of the movie, why even watch the rest?
what is funny...is that my a.p. psychology teacher in high school was also obsessed with monty python as well. Every friday he would show us an episode of fawlty towers. I was a big fan of monty python but had never seen this show. half the class didn't really like the show and was confused why we were watching it. I just thought it was kind of awesome.