Kenneth Williams, Desperately Funny (Part 1 of 7)

From the BBC 4 "Reputations" series. Second of two documentaries, exploring the life of eccentric actor Kenneth Williams, a man who hid his unhappiness by creating comedy from misery.
... Second episode, in 7 parts.
... The first episode is called "Kenneth Williams, Seriously Outrageous".
... R.I.P. Kenneth Williams (22nd February 1926 - 15th April 1988)

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

If you didn't grow up watching carry ons then you missed out. I learned so much about human behaviour and life from all these films and a great sense of humour

[@joshuagarnham9703]

I’m 16 and I did.

[@roberthayes9842]

So sad he never realised how much fun he gave people

[@DanielWhyborn]

WE ALL GREW up Ie. CARRY ONS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC COMEDY

[@Spitfiregirl01]

I’m 28 years old my grand parents had these on VHS video

[@johnsmith-rs2vk]

The Queen of camp . R. I. P .

[@mckavitt13]

The 1st time I saw Kenneth Williams was in a v small but unforgettable role in Make Mine Mink (1960). I sought him out after that. What a voice! And he was close friends w Maggie Smith.

[@helenstiff6306]

He was so brilliant

[@lucaschapman2188]

Loved it when he used to read on Jackanory

[@Bustygirl-dz1wi]

He was so funny so sad his private life was not good there will be another like him again

[@MythicSuns]

Good to know, we need more Kenneths.

[@deidraboswell8451]

He's my favorite❤️❤️

[@gill9331]

Aww matron keep them away😂😂

Our Oscar Wilde. Brilliant

[@annherschell95]

Great😂

[@rael1999]

Make no mistake Kenny was a genius and without doubt one of the great talents of his generation...a complete eccentric whose jealousy of others and hypochondria sadly controlled his life. He was simply brilliant and should have fulfilled that destiny more than he did. Never the less he brought much joy to the lives of many, myself included, and for that we are all truly grateful. R.I.P. wherever you are Ken !

[@mckavitt13]

V nice tribute. And I agree w you.

[@deidraboswell8451]

And, depression is horrible.

[@farmbrough]

Lady Lewisham, was Raine Spencer, later Lady Di's stepmother.

[@joe-vl3nd]

Wounder

[@mooneepondskid]

@ShutThatDoor Exactly,unfortunately the Carry On films paid very little. British performers today who had half the success he had are multimillionaires.

[@iVenge]

mooneepondskid And they have far less than half the talent as well.

[@Nige031077]

I will never be able to say that I knew Kenneth Williams, but being someone who has 'altered' a line or two on a Wiki page (look for Testsignal), I would like it known that I don't agree with the Wikipedia way of reference to people, eg: 'Williams appeared on numerous chat shows..', if someone gets to be a household name, why then, if while compiling reference material on aforementioned person, it refers to that person by their surname, it's like if we were talking about legends of the pop world, who have one name, you call them by it, and same with Sid, or Babs, so why can't Kenny be referred to as Kenny, just reminded me of being back at school (& I didn't like it then either).

[@darcyroyce]

:)))

[@thinkforyourself2109]

I'm not convinced he was held back or repressed. Some people are introverts who value privacy but have trained themselves to be extroverts in public, to entertain or teach or otherwise function with others -- as a role or performance. I believe that he dressed and acted as he did by choice. He was no unhappier than most people, just a bit more eccentric in his own unique way.

[@TotallyLostSoul]

It's odd. His face laughs but his eyes don't really join in.

[@mikh84]

Does anybody know the name of the song at 2.42?

[@henrybukwit4740]

Putty (In your Hands) by The Yardbirds

[@okaminess]

1:30

[@thays3649]

Sad and pathetic. A very sad life with a limited range focused only on camp!

[@Rache28]

You didn’t have to watch you know! If you’re on here just to slag the poor guy off, then you’re the one who’s sad and pathetic!

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

Go away Terry you numpty, what have you ever achieved in life apart from being a miserable old fart

[@chel3SEY]

One man I'm glad I never met, and never will. I'm sure that if I had I would have disliked him within 3 seconds. Affected, narcissistic, and desperately UNfunny.

[@AmberTheFangirl]

He had a lot of trouble in his life..

[@rnw2739]

I'm sure he'd say exactly the same of you.

[@ACorn0894]

Yet you watched a video about him? Fair enough 🤣

[@thinkforyourself2109]

You must be kidding. He was one of the best and memorable characters in Carry On. You do realize that his public persona was an act, to entertain?