RARE Goon Show - Christmas Special, 1956

NOT BROADCAST in Britain, this special was made for the Commonwealth (Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand - like that).
Footnote: the "twang" sound-effect and "bull" joke were RE-USED ten years later, in "I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again" - they obviously thought they'd get away with it, as this show was for export only. In fact, they DID - until 1988, when Auntie finally aired it in the UK!

[@49mrbassman]

I remember listening to this when it was first broadcast in 1956. Wonderful

[@StephenBenner7]

wonderful to hear their voices again. I used to avidly listen to the show which was before the advent of TV in rural New Zealand where I grew up. Additionally my older brother would record the shows on his tape recorder and with many replays the stock phrases became imprinted in my brain. That came back to haunt me about 45 years later when a lady friend introduced me to a couple of friends at a folk club meeting. The chap said " I say do you come here often?" Before I could control my mouth I shot back "only in the mating season!" and needless to say this gaffe took a lot of explaining on my part.

[@Spitalhatch]

You have my sympathies, Stephen. I used to get myself into trouble at lectures when the speaker would invite questions. I could never resist the temptation to ask 'What became of the crispy bacon we had before the war?' This usually led to considerable confusion...

[@StephenBenner7]

Love it, thank you for sharing. Incidentally I must ask my brother if by chance he still has all those old reel tape recordings as I heard that the BBC has since erased all its originals.

[@johnlawrence2757]

Yes: I did exactly that at a TM weekend course at Roydon Hall over dinner.

[@StephenBenner7]

Well done John. Having conducted many such courses in NZ, I know there would have been a lot of hilarity around that. People are ready to laugh at anything on a TM retreat and in my case it was at almost anything I said or did due to looking and sounding like John Cleese when I was younger. BTW my brother still does have the old tape recordings of the Goons.

[@johnlawrence2757]

Stephen Benner in my case some fairly careful explaining was required. I think the popularity of the Goons was a lot more widespread in the Antipodes than here in the UK. Same goes for TM here where it is, by and large, just one of a huge variety of life-enhancing schemes on offer. In my opinion the Movement has become way too commercial and opportunistic and I don't blame people for being suspicious. That being said I enjoyed working at Roydon where I did three years work/study for the sidhis. I wouldn't work for the Movement as it is today though!

[@leegoodspeed812]

Back in the sixties our Cold Lake airbase low power radio station had a number of Goon Show recordings...man, I was in my element....and so was my father, who loved British humour. Brings back a lot of memories......still funny, too !!!

[@davidarundel6187]

Used to listen to the Goon Show, with the Family, in the McKenzie Country, New Zealand. Snowed in, or not, the Goon Show, was made time for.

[@byrongodfrey9232]

I remember it well, having spent my youth in Wales as a devoted fan. Now in the USA, I have retained all the shows in digital form. Memories never to be replaced.

[@jovialmonk2168]

I listened to the Goon Show on the ABC here a few decades ago. Brilliant writing by Milligan.

[@PhilBaird1]

Enter Bluebottle: The two greatest words in comedy.

[@P0RT3RS1GN4LM4N]

Enter Bluebottle in doublet made from mum's old draws! 😂

[@billcobbett9259]

Waits for audience applause- not a sossinge! Puts on own record of applause.

[@Hansthatjudicious]

I don't care how rare it is, it's brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

[@KNJGSY]

Brilliant ! I had this on vinyl. It was ruined in a flood. Bought what I thought was a cd version years later - not the same recording!! Thanks for this it is the better version of Robin Hood.

[@leelarson107]

How do you ruin a vinyl disc in a flood?

[@alho9231]

@@leelarson107 Well, it fell in the water 😉

[@guyloren]

Thank you so much for posting this- I first heard it as a tape recording that a family friend radio enthusiast had managed to hunt down,never knew it wasn't originally broadcast over here!😃 A gem.😆

[@sammyk.3567]

A funny point. As a wee lad in Glasgow I never missed a Goon Show. Who would have thought I would now here it for the first time all these years later now lving on Canada's west coast.

[@electricmanist]

Marvelous-! At work, we used to discuss (and redigest) these programmes every morning after they were broadcast. Enjoyed them over and over again. And even now !

[@Mortthemoose]

What what what what what what! Haha! I'm not a huge Goons fan, but this does bring back fun memories of listening to the show on the radio as a kid. Thanks for posting 😊

[@jrgboy]

The BBC didn't keep all the Goon Show recordings also many were kept by the BBC Transciptions but these were edited down to around 25 minutes for broadcast overseas to allow for adverts & most had anything that was considered 'risque' or offensive removed..

[@Snogpitch]

I had taped this off the radio back in the late 70s when NPR was broadcasting The Goon Show. I rediscovered the tape today and decided to look for this episode on CD as I didn't have that one, yet It seems to be missing the first 30 seconds on my copy. also missing the greets at the end...plus all of the songs had one verse each cut. So this would be the first time hearing it complete!

[@frenchhornwoman]

I love the Goons, always have. I was brought up from birth with them. Ray Ellington orchestra too. Utter LOVE I am 55 and this is my love. xxxxx

[@34hedgehog]

'Come, Steaming Frank... pack the jam tins!' Glorious!

[@gbrinch]

I have an edited version of this. Great to hear it unadulterated!

[@456zounds]

Best line: “Did you put the cat out?” “No, it wasn’t on-fire!!”

[@leelarson107]

That's an old one.

[@ThePiratemachine]

this version of the christmas special was released in 1971 on LP (pmc 7132) first men on the goon B side ... i have it in front of me.

[@carllafong69]

My pleasure. That's the thing about CDs - they often have different or "restored" versions of the originals. This is why KZbin's Universal Archive is IMPORTANT. We collectors upload ORIGINAL material - then have to put up with the ABUSE we get from KZbin...

[@leelarson107]

I found a pirated tape of this where I worked, back around 1980 or so, lost it again, and I couldn't find it anywhere until now. But I remembered that Big Band sound at 8:10, which I mentally transposed as a trumpet solo. Almost like having Harry James on my computer.

[@leopatmore6108]

Not only that but they did the "don't tell him your name Pike" joke about ten years before Dad's Army! Probably not new then either. To be fair, the "Dad's" version is brilliantly executed.

[@shoescene]

Thank you

[@Fruitmonger]

Ja. The editing of Goon Shows which are now on digital media is the shame of BBC editing. I think the original issue was the need to fit the shows onto audio tapes. "The Last Goon of All", was broadcast live on t.v. in 1972. I watched it and then, of course, purchased the LP. It was later released on VHS video tape, and was edited to fit. There is no need, or excuse for this with the DVD, but it has not been fixed. The BBC clearly didn't grasp Goon Humour or wouldn't have edited key material

[@facelessidiot6407]

I love this!

[@RichOrange]

100 Gold Splonders! dingdingdongringadingdingdong stolen! 1 bell.

[@ealadubh4800]

+Rich Orange Took the audience a second to work that one out.

[@RichOrange]

aye! i'd accept GoldSplonders over GoldButtons anytime! splitters!

[@KNJGSY]

The CD version of the Robin Hood story that I found is on BBC Radio Collection Vol. 15 'The Goons at Christmas' "Ye Bandit of Sherwood Forest" broadcast on 28/12/1954. It is the poor relation of the recording that you have uploaded. Charlotte Mitchell guests as Maid Marian. One of the things that is not appreciated by the Recording Industry is that KZbin uploaders provide a valuable archive service that undoubtably keeps CD sales generating. Fools: those who object!!!

[@pressureworks]

Since this was distributed to "The Colonies" with many copies being made, it is less rare than regular episodes , many of which are truly rare, as they no longer exist. Wouldn't you say so Moriarity ?

[@soeffingwhat]

The CD versions are heavily edited I think (something to do with the BBC I think, the same way that the DVD versions of Only Fools and Horses are very heavily edited. This version of the Tale of Robin Hood is far better than the one I have. It kinda makes more sense.

[@manyanful]

Saturday Night was a big band dance at the Hurstville Rivole, but about 930 most of the male dances left the Dance to gather around a car to listen to the GOONS. the females were not very happy?

[@jocknarn3225]

Aaaaaagh, I’ve been looking 4 u me lovely! “U’ve got 2 go, Owwwww” ... 🤣😂🤣

[@algiles881]

To Answer Jim Bowen below (there is no reply button) The female used in the other Robin Hood episode was Charlotte Mitchell

[@daviddawber1111]

Fleetwood Mac's Black Magic Woman sounds suspiciously like part of Three Handed Woman by Ray Ellington.

[@carllafong69]

I'm glad you're not in Germany or Japan - bizarrely, this upload is BLOCKED in those two countries. If he were still with us, I'm sure Spike could think of a joke about THAT!

[@chrismaguire3667]

To reverse a Goon joke: "The English joke! - Zer German zilence!" ...

[@kraxus03]

Not as rare as you think...we had it on tape cassette (as opposed to taped off the radio) in the early 80's. Was the first Goon show I heard.

[@kennethross100]

I have a feeling the king is played by Dennis Price

[@glutinousmaximus]

No. It's Peter Sellers. A wonderful range of voices...

[@leopatmore6108]

Price is in the closing credits! Not that Sellers could not have done it!

[@peteroffler9040]

It was Price, I have the original recording.

[@KNJGSY]

I am an Ofra Haza fan - she died in 2000. Some fans rescued video material of her, fearing that her music would disappear into obscurity; putting it on a dedicated site, then uploading it onto KZbin from 2006 onward. Yes there have been problems with 'rights holders' missing the point and having videos removed, instead of joining the campaign to keep Ofra's music alive. She was one of the greatest singing voices of the 20th Century.

[@kenlieck7756]

Huh! Not only did ISIRTA use all the same arrow shooting sound effects, they duplicated the "bulls-eye" gag as well!

[@richardcochrane1966]

"Where did that one go?" "Straight through Friar Tuck's hat!" "But Friar Tuck isn't wearing a hat!" "OH DEAR!"😆

[@hughvane]

For sure (compare with The Canal, in which Dyall pays a major part). An unmistakable voice.

[@leelarson107]

Can't you just imagine Dyall in a 1940's B&W movie and playing a German officer? Himmel!

[@martyj.w2875]

Rare ? Not really, its readily available on CD. Interestingly, although it was recorded on 2nd December 1956, it was NOT broadcast in the UK.

[@hughvane]

Whose voice is that doing the part of Her Majesty?

[@susanmoore9319]

Your turn to shoot Robin! Whoah haha I shot him last time ! Ye joke Robin Ye HaHa

[@Fruitmonger]

I recognise the deep voice of Michael Bentine

[@richardcochrane1966]

If you mean the sheriff, that's The Man in Black, Valentine Dyall....

[@MaskedMan66]

Wonderful to hear, but not all that rare; it was one of the first Goons Shows I ever heard.

[@MrPhilipames]

the voice of the king is Valentine Dyall, a fairly regular bit player in Spike Milligan shows over the years

[@ThePiratemachine]

the other chrismas special braodcast in uk (same story) had a different actors ... perhaps thats what you are referring to.

[@kenlieck7756]

Why have a Valentine in a Christmas special anyhow? As some sort of Easter egg?

[@martyj.w2875]

Nooo! Dear old Valentine played, the Sheriff of Nottingham. The part of King John was played by that great actor, Dennis Price.

[@MaskedMan66]

This isn't rare; it's one of the first I ever heard. :-)

[@dabedwards]

Personally I much preferred "Ye Bandit of Sherwood Forest", the earlier take on Robin Hood, but I can't find it on KZbin. The Goons were joined by Charlotte Mitchell, who was an outstanding comedy player, with perfect timing. She more than held her own amongst the three male players. Shame she did not seem to become better known.

[@thechatteringmagpie]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIWyY2iBeqyej7M

[@flimpkin5]

There was another version of this Robin Hood script, with a female actor doing a key role. I preferred that version -- it worked better somehow.

[@carllafong69]

I'm sure someone will know - but beware: they often did EACH OTHER'S voices!

[@jamesdempster8052]

Peter Sellers could do Milligan's voices, but not the other way around.

[@highpath4776]

@@jamesdempster8052 For both writing and performances Dick Emery and Graham Stark would stand in for Milligan when Milligan was off (hardly surprising as a series of the Goons was 26 half hour episodes a year)

[@jamesdempster8052]

@@highpath4776 yes, and Kenneth Connor depped for Harry in a few shows, (Dick Emery was in The Case of the Muckinese Battlehorn - and did voices on The Beatles Yellow Submarine movie etc). But also Sellers could do Milligan's voices, like he did on The MacKrekie Rising of 74 Goon Show ep, that was not written by Milligan or Sykes, but by Maurice Wiltshire when Spike was in hospital so he couldn't write or perform at that stage, he suffered terribly at some points - that edited show was also the flip side of one of the Goon Show LPs they released way back in the early 60s or there abouts. It is a great episode if you haven't heard it.

[@highpath4776]

@@jamesdempster8052 I forgot Eric Sykes contributed. What is forgotten about British (and Some US) comedy shows is after a while certain elements become popular, so even if there is a narrative thread there are character interplays, or catchphrases (falling in the water, exploding with a fake/non fake bomb being conned into carrying, being conned out of (great sums of) money, going on a long fools errand to an island only to meet the same character or villain again, etc.

[@jamesdempster8052]

@@highpath4776 indeed, as you noted it is about the familiar etc. l saw an Eric Sykes interview piece about when he was involved in the writing of the Goon Show, and he said he would write one, Spike the next, and they went on that way etc, and that all he had to do was to position the characters so they would get to the catchphrase/pay off situation. I have to note that Harry did a masterful job of overreacting with Neddie Seagoon character, which is a very hard thing to do and keep it intact. He was the glue that kept all those wonderful characters in that glorious hilarious orbit.

[@Fruitmonger]

Sapristis nukkos! Methinks yourthinks mightthinks beright.

[@MaskedMan66]

No so rare as all that; I heard this on WBEZ in Chicago!

[@40bcoots]

Bentine .. methinks not ..methinks he left a long time before then ... try Valentine Dyall of the BBC?

[@highpath4776]

The use of announcers into the programme was one of the great ideas, along with the band leaders and members.

[@KNJGSY]

I am a member of the online fan-group for the late Ofra Haza, Israel's most successful singer. Since her death 12 years ago, her estate has been tied up in dispute and her CD.s have disappeared off the shelves. All that time various people have collected her music, her videos, TV videos in order to keep her from being airbrushed out of history. First on a dedicated site, later on KZbin. KZbin UNIVERSAL ARCHIVE:YOU ARE SO RIGHT!! {Ofra Haza - World's best female recording vocalist. IMNSHO]