Kenneth Williams, Seriously Outrageous (Part 6 of 6)

From the BBC 4 "Reputations" series. First of two documentaries, exploring the life of eccentric actor Kenneth Williams, a man who hid his unhappiness by creating comedy from misery.
... First episode, in 6 parts.
... The second episode is called "Kenneth Williams, Desperately Funny".
... R.I.P. Kenneth Williams (22nd February 1926 - 15th April 1988)

[@AdAm-dd4jq]

You can see his influence on her comedy roles. Even in Downton!!

[@franceleeparis37]

The one thing I found hilarious was in his film ‘Carry On Cleo’ when he was on a boat with an assassin... he was running around the deck shouting ‘infamy, infamy..... they’ve all got it in-for-me..’ brilliant timing... brilliant humour.. a colourful Brit who brought joy to everybody...

[@yuelingchu4361]

In the Temple of Vesta, before they got on the ship 😊

[@11Kralle]

Seeing him talking to children is somehow utterly wholesome.

[@Smudgie]

Maggie Smith had definite grace and elegance. Such a fashion icon as well!

[@jeanne2583-w1n]

@karenkomoroski6490 She isn't dead..she still has it.

[@i.z4711]

Kenneth understood children, and they gravitate to him, because they can see he is harmless.

[@johnbrereton5229]

How wonderful to watch Kenneth Williams and his impish wit, you can't help but laugh. Even the street scenes, and the famous performers of their day that I had almost forgotten. A look back into the innocent days of my youth, now all like Kenneth's sadly gone.

[@RUBYMUNRO]

Wonderful, I was an Equity Counciler with him in the early 80's, we didnt speak very often, but always seemed pretty level headed, and always had a smile.

[@kyawkyawwin1]

A much misunderstood genius, but a very difficult, complex individual. RIP.

[@MARKETMAN6789]

Thank you very interesting it's very hard to live on life's terms and be happy for lots of us in many ways.i wanted to live on a desert island until it was pointed out to me that I would have to take my head with me ,and there within lies all my problems

[@LaPtiteAnglaise]

Maggie Smith is so effortlessly attractive. Forget conventional notions. She just so disarming, charismatic and those big dark eyes…

[@yuelingchu4361]

She has blue eyes but they do look dark here.

[@mccypr]

Thanks much for the Kenneth Williams stuff.

[@johneunson]

god, this was a sad one....i will watch part 2 tomorrow. he was a very funny, but tragic man. thank you so much for these. i hadn't seen them. i must send them to some friends.

[@suzannesadiiqa]

The misery he would have experienced through old age, decrepitude, loss of looks and talent etc: would have been too hard for him to bear.

[@19GirlBad]

I think Kenneth Williams and Maggie Smith would have made a good couple. He adored her!

[@ninethenazeing]

@itkapatanka This is only part one of a two part documentary. The story continues in "Kenneth Williams, Desperately Funny". Fortunately, I've posted that part also. ;-)

[@jessiejames7492]

maggie smith said in an interview that she copied kenneth''s high pitched , gutteral way of speaking in her role in HARRY POTTER....

[@grai]

it seemed to end in the middle of nowhere great stuff apart from the rather abrupt end

[@johnking5174]

To everyone who says he killed himself, you are all forgetting one major fact - his mother Louie. Kenneth adored and loved his mother, and I feel the reason why he never committed suicide before 1988 was because of her. He knew she would find her beloved son dead he if did the deed. I don't think Kenneth would ever want to put his mother through that, even with the pain he was in. What do people think?

[@janeokeeffe5297]

It's difficult to say if it was suicide maybe it was accidental overdose but I get what you're saying about his mum I guess we will never know for sure

[@ninethenazeing]

Ah, but this was only the first of two parts... the story continues in Kenneth Williams, "Desperately Funny". Fortunately, I've posted that part too. ;-)

[@patshaw51]

Well one does have to watch HOw one utters words!

[@itkapatanka]

yes thanks ninethenazeing for these downloads, been waiting years to see this again but what happened to the end? Can you please add it on?

[@valwalker6773]

Does anyone know if the diaries he wrote are available for sale my Libary no longer has them which is a shame as i would love to read them again. R.I.P. Kenneth you were a Legend and Missed so much.

[@lefuedebout]

I enjoyed the voice over of Kenneth reading from his memoirs, is that available as a CD or DVD?

[@zaphodbeeblebrox6627]

Sorry to shatter the illusion, but that’s NOT Kenneth Williams doing the voice over. His diaries were a very private thing to him and were never to be released while he was alive. That is one of the many impersonators of Kenneth Williams doing a very splendid job of reading from the diaries.

[@alangiles2763]

@@zaphodbeeblebrox6627 It's David Benson reading

[@grai]

ah that explains it thanks!

[@stevecannon1774]

Too bad parts 3 and 5 are banned in the US. I would have like to have seen this and had it make some sense.

[@vashnanerada8757]

It's a shame he ended his life when he did. I suppose that's what depression dose to you if he been alive in THE NAUGHTYS he be a living icon. Accepted by society.

[@mckavitt]

Annette Kerr at 3:38. Recognised Sheila Hancock but don.

[@ameliaquartermain4220]

I am only 11 and he is the best and I reallh do actually think maggie smith and kenny would have been the couple

[@dantaylor7344]

Always wondered if Ken or his mum killed his dad off.

[@WillScarlet1991]

Anyone know the name of the woman at 3:38 ?

[@SimonNoina]

Annette Carr

[@samuelhal330]

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