Monty Python's Flying Circus, Episodes 27–45

An Utterly Complete, Thoroughly Unillustrated, Absolutely Unauthorized Guide to Possibly All the References from Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson to Zambesi, Volume 2

Darl Larsen

In 1969, the BBC aired the first episode of a new comedy series titled Monty Python's Flying Circus, and the rest, as they say, is history. An instant success, the show ran until 1974, producing a total of 45 episodes. Despite the show's very English humor and allusions to many things British, the series developed a cult following outside the United Kingdom, particularly in the United States. Known for its outrageous humor, occasionally controversial content, and often silly spirit, Monty Python's Flying Circus poked fun at nearly all institutions—domestic or foreign, grand or intimate, sacred or not. Indeed, many of the allusions and references in the program were uniquely British and routinely obscure, and therefore not always understood or even noticed outside the British Isles.

This exhaustive reference identifies and explains the plethora of cultural, historical, and topical allusions of this landmark series. In this volume, virtually every allusion and reference that appeared in episodes from the last two seasons—whether stated by a character, depicted in the mise-en-scène, or mentioned in the printed scripts—is identified and explained. Organized chronologically by episode, each entry is listed alphabetically, indicates what sketch it appeared in, and is cross-referenced between episodes. Entries cover literary and metaphoric allusions, symbolisms, names, peoples, and places as well as myriad social, cultural, and historical elements (photos, songs, slogans, caricatures) that populate and inform these episodes. See volume 1 for the first and second seasons (episodes 1–26).
Volume 2 Entries Include:

“Umbonga's hostile opening”
“Third Parachute Brigade Amateur Dramatic Society”
Scun
“On the Dad's Liver Bachelors at Large”
HRH The Dummy Princess Margaret
“Trim-Jeans Theatre”
“Fraud Film Squad”
Up Your Pavement
“Buying an Ant”
"Nude Organist"

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 308 • Trim: 8½ x 11

978-1-58979-807-6 • Paperback • April 2013 • $22.95 • (£17.99)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Television / Reference, Performing Arts / Film / Reference, Performing Arts / Television / Guides & Reviews

Monty Python's Flying Circus, Episodes 27–45

An Utterly Complete, Thoroughly Unillustrated, Absolutely Unauthorized Guide to Possibly All the References from Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson to Zambesi, Volume 2

Paperback

Summary

In 1969, the BBC aired the first episode of a new comedy series titled Monty Python's Flying Circus, and the rest, as they say, is history. An instant success, the show ran until 1974, producing a total of 45 episodes. Despite the show's very English humor and allusions to many things British, the series developed a cult following outside the United Kingdom, particularly in the United States. Known for its outrageous humor, occasionally controversial content, and often silly spirit, Monty Python's Flying Circus poked fun at nearly all institutions—domestic or foreign, grand or intimate, sacred or not. Indeed, many of the allusions and references in the program were uniquely British and routinely obscure, and therefore not always understood or even noticed outside the British Isles.

This exhaustive reference identifies and explains the plethora of cultural, historical, and topical allusions of this landmark series. In this volume, virtually every allusion and reference that appeared in episodes from the last two seasons—whether stated by a character, depicted in the mise-en-scène, or mentioned in the printed scripts—is identified and explained. Organized chronologically by episode, each entry is listed alphabetically, indicates what sketch it appeared in, and is cross-referenced between episodes. Entries cover literary and metaphoric allusions, symbolisms, names, peoples, and places as well as myriad social, cultural, and historical elements (photos, songs, slogans, caricatures) that populate and inform these episodes. See volume 1 for the first and second seasons (episodes 1–26).
Volume 2 Entries Include:
- “Umbonga's hostile opening”
- “Third Parachute Brigade Amateur Dramatic Society”
- Scun
- “On the Dad's Liver Bachelors at Large”
- HRH The Dummy Princess Margaret
- “Trim-Jeans Theatre”
- “Fraud Film Squad”
- Up Your Pavement
- “Buying an Ant”
- "Nude Organist"

Details

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 308 • Trim: 8½ x 11

978-1-58979-807-6 • Paperback • April 2013 • $22.95 • (£17.99)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Television / Reference, Performing Arts / Film / Reference, Performing Arts / Television / Guides & Reviews

Author

Darl Larsen is professor of media arts and animation at Brigham Young University, where he teaches film and popular culture studies. He is the author of Monty Python, Shakespeare and English Renaissance Drama.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Season Three
Episode 27: “Whicker’s World”
Episode 28: “Trim-Jeans Theatre”
Episode 29: “The Money Programme”
Episode 30: “Blood, Devastation, Death, War, and Horror”
Episode 31: “The All-England Summarize Proust Competition”
Episode 32: “Expedition to Lake Pahoe”
Episode 33: “Salad Days”
Episode 34: “The Cycling Tour”
Episode 35: “The Olympic Hide-and-Seek Final”
Episode 36: “The Life of Sir Phillip Sidney”
Episode 37: “Dennis Moore”
Episode 38: “BBC Programme Planners”
Episode 39: “Grandstand”
Season Four
Episode 40: “The Golden Age of Ballooning”
Episode 41: “Michael Ellis”
Episode 42: “Light Entertainment War”
Episode 43: “Hamlet”
Episode 44: “Mr. Neutron”
Episode 45: “Party Political Broadcast”
Appendix A
Appendix B
Listing of Sketches, Animations, and Links in Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Bibliography
Comprehensive Index
About the Author

Reviews

By assembling his massive guide to every TV episode of the seminal British cult favorite Monty Python's Flying Circus, Professor Darl Larsen gives casual admirers who only know the Pythons from the musical Spamalot or more famous sketches a much larger perspective. . . . Blessed with an academic's attention to detail and a fan's enthusiasm for the troupe's comic achievements, Larsen hopes his comprehensive study will delight fans new and old.

— Kirkus Reviews

Monty Python enthusiasts will appreciate this companion to Monty Python's Flying Circus. . . . Casual fans will enjoy browsing through the book.

— Booklist

Larsen is a devoted fan who exhaustively analyzes the series without ever obscuring its unique brand of humor. . . . This one-of-a-kind homage to Monty Python, meticulously researched and well written throughout, deserves a place in all popular culture collections.

— Library Journal, Starred Review

Darl Larsen is well versed in his material. . . . Well documented and comprehensive, if not exhaustive, this is an informative and entertaining deconstruction of all things Flying Circus.

— Salem Press

This book provides not just a simple explanation of who the frequently referenced Reginald Maulding was, but also what made him such an attractive target for the show's humor....This book likely will interest libraries supporting television and popular culture studies. Recommended.

— Choice Reviews

. . . [P]ossibly the most useful book ever written for American Anglophiles. . . . Larsen’s work is, as the title promises, truly comprehensive . . . simply a must-have for any fan of the Pythons.

— Author Magazine