Spike Milligan - 'From Woy Woy to Wagga Wagga'

This one-hour BBC documentary from 1987 is a highly entertaining journey with that unpredictable and crazy funny-man, Spike Milligan, who takes us to some special places in his adopted and beloved big country, ‘My Australia’.
Spike welcomes us to his home-town of Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast, and introduces us to his lovely old Mum and other friends in the area. One notable lady is the late ‘Aunty’ Beverley Spiers, who knew Spike for many years and - was once engaged to him!
In this film, our renowned Anglo-Irish comedian shows that he is just an ordinary person, and we also see what makes him laugh. Spike’s friendly and engaging personality coupled with his casual way of talking to his audiences, makes us feel like we are right there with him. He is as familiar as an eccentric uncle or neighbour, but you always enjoy listening to him - no matter what he says!
We also go with Spike to some other interesting towns with funny names, including our national capital, where we see a serious side of our host. Along the way we meet some great Australian characters - even a politician and an actor - but one other bloke is a bit of a handful, and can you believe - even drives our mate Spike a little bit up the wall!
For most of my life I had one important thing in common with the great Spike Milligan - our Mums both lived in good old Woy Woy! When I lived overseas and people asked me where I came from, if they had heard of Woy Woy it was usually because of Spike - and his mother Florence, who was a well-loved local and passed away just three years after this film, at the age of 97.
Sadly Spike left us in 2002, a few months shy of his 84th birthday. His comedic legacy and unique style will stay alive through the huge number of videos available on the internet. One film that was sorely missing is this one - about a memorable trip Spike made back ‘home’ to Australia - which I am very happy to share.
Please enjoy it, and the madcap humour which this amazing man - who became known as the Godfather of Alternative Comedy - gave the world, to make us all laugh. This link from fellow comedians and admirers says it all:
www.virgoproductions.com.au/s...
I hold no copyright to this film, and after watching if you would like to find out more information on Spike Milligan and his history with Woy Woy, please click on these links:
groups/goodo...
www.virgoproductions.com.au/sp...

[@BryThai]

Coming to Woy Woy anytime soon? Since July 2018, there is a permanent MILLIGAN EXHIBIT at the local library! It includes a plethora of family memorabilia, and a fantastic 16-minute historic film called 'The Milligans of Woy Woy', hosted by Spike's daughter Laura and nephew Michael. It was produced locally for the Central Coast Council by Awake Productions and my colleague Bob at VideoSpark. More info on this link: www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/news/media-releases/spike-milligan-exhibition-comes-to-life

[@fm6419]

Curated by Geoff Potter from Gosford Library and our Curator from Brisbane Water Historical Society

[@BryThai]

@@fm6419 Yes Fiona, and a great job they did on the exhibit!

[@yokoonoII]

its funny cos he used to make a joke of woy woy. which it is haha. for the newly weds and nearly deads

[@chrispeterson1247]

That Melbourne Cup race was 1986 not 87

[@marknovak8471]

I'm 60 in 4 days and watching this just about brought tears to my eyes. This Australia is long gone and nothing remotely like it will ever rise again.

[@voice_of_change]

I am 76 watching this in 2024 and feel just the same.

[@flyingbarrel1949]

That's what I call a proper travel documentary. Was spellbound all the way through. Thank you for downloding.

[@nickprohoroff3720]

Oh. Rare and privilliged is the serious side of The Milligan. "In the calender of arms, they are a mighty people." is quite a thing.

[@Smudgie]

Spike really was a one-off and he still always puts a smile on my face. God bless.

[@plunder1956]

The bit with the tent near the end is crazy.

[@aureliobrighton1871]

I have just discovered the whole Goon thing (long way for a native German) ... it is still hard for me to decipher but I felt drawn to them from minute one .. and with rolling the Tube I have come to like Mr. Milligan a lot . besides we have a 'revolving Restaurant' on top of the Olympiaturm here in Munich as well and hearing him say the word I could almost see guests randomly fired into the evening skies together with their napkins and plates 🌼:)

[@erikleypoldt8275]

Born in Gosford in 1981, I grew up in Woy Woy, nanna lived in Umina, we rode our bikes down Trafalgar Av daily. Woy Woy pool, BMX track behind, corner store for lollies, hamburgers. Times were good then, not the same now, trains are still as shit and house prices crazy here it is 2022.

[@_Ben4810]

I am currently reading ''Spike An Intimate Memoir'' by his very long-serving agent, manager & clearer-upper, Norma Farnes...A great read, with enormous affection & love for Spike & his family...especially his mother. Love this documentary, & to see all things Woy Woy & his mother, as described in the book, dressed in her Royal Ascot finest outfit to watch the Melbourne Cup on TV...!!!

[@cynic150]

I heard that Spike loved jazz, but this is the first time I have heard him play jazz piano, and I am impressed. I think he played the trumpet aswell.

[@Cheepchipsable]

He was in a band during his war service.

[@fredbloggs8362]

For some reason ‘good luck Eric’ has been stuck in my brain since i saw this on the ABC about 25 years ago.

[@christiankirkwood3402]

ALWAYS loved the guy. From "The Goon Show" with Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine to his simple yet absurdly hilarious book's like the one about his time in the Artillery in WWII "Adolf Hitler - My Part in his Downfall" to his razor wit, this was a true renaissance man. My parent's regularly tuned into "The Goon Show" and used to say he had "shell shock" P.T.S.D. - the entry price for combat exposure. The man wouldn't be out of place in this world now. What a truly wonderfully funny and unique man with a curious bent. You live in my soul Spike Milligan :)

[@iseeolly9959]

My dad and I watched this 30 years ago, tomorrow I'll say to him "Don't put the pot in the river" and he will laugh out loud, wonderful. xx

[@56music64]

Funny man and wonderful film. Sad that we all have to go. Loved the story about the drover with the brown snake in the pub, very funny. Australia and Australians you won't find better

[@boemcshane4790]

I'm so glad he had all this

[@ErgonBill]

Most Aussies I know actually 'got' Spike's humour. Fondly remember sitting around the radio listening to the Goon Show. Importantly, the 'Python ' crew did too and extended it further. Anyway, thanks for sharing this, was wonderful to see it again. We should have listened when he told us he was sick. 😉

[@kenallen768]

It was nice to watch and see Bill Kerr with Spike , Bill was one of Tony Hancocks side kicks on the radio during the 50’s . Anyway I enjoyed the documentary. Thank u for posting it .

[@johnzielman2014]

Just beautiful.

[@marklchapman2785]

Bloody marvellous 👍

[@christiankirkwood3402]

Additional comment: I was born in 1962 and my Nanna moved to Nelson St, Umina in 1969. I was christened in Woy Woy age 7... we ALWAYS used to keep a weather eye out for Spike when we'd spend school holidays in Umina, surfing the spit at Ettalong (Box Head), Rollerskating at Ettalong and peddling our pushies to Woy Woy Olympic Pool for a change of scenery. Pure gold time's.

[@steviejohn9502]

i HAD LUNCH WITH HIS BROTHER AT THE Epping club Sydney a very nice chap indeed !

[@jojandy1963]

How fantastic was that? Loved every second of it. Thanks Spike...RIP

[@simonstone4496]

He was a great funny man he changed comedy in in the UK

[@anEyePhil]

Whenever I go to the Central Coast from Sydney, I always drive past his Mums old house, park, and soak up the Goonery.

[@debjtomtom889]

I love Spike Milligans epitaph . . I told you I was sick . . Hey he got his last words out with his comedic way Good Onya Spike . . . 😁 . . .

[@flashtheoriginal]

I saw this, I dunno, must be 40 years ago. I havent forgotten the Sydney Harbour Bridge joke, or the pyramid of bones one 😅😊😅😅 As for the bush tucker, when Spike remarked he was preparing for the dissentry season, I almost pissed myself laughing. When Bones went on and on and on about the pot in the river I was amazed no-one shoved it up his arsehole. Sideways. Twice. "Bill, you'll have to translate what Bones is saying, Ive been here 3 days and I dont understand what he's talking about". Classic

[@therespectedlex9794]

He was lucky, I wish my parents would bugger off to Australia.

[@dennistregellis9162]

My wife had a hairdressers in Gosford in the 1980's just near the railway station. One Saturday just as she cleaning up to close, Spike walked in and asked her for a hair cut. He had on his usual grey light weight raincoat.She recognised him straight away but never said so or even asked for his autograph which she has always regretted.

[@terrymatthews8219]

Gotta love Spike

[@briankane6547]

Baked on a Stone = "Damper" Round a stick = "Twist"

[@adrianjackson2696]

Not many bogan's left in Australia now like the blokes shown in the last half of this film which is 34 years old now in 2021.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

*"Australia: Land of opportunity, and sunshine!"* That was a hilarious introduction, by Spike Milligan.

[@parisd0g729]

This is magic to me.

[@johnmitchelljr]

The man did so much great work. Thank you.

[@terenceotoole7850]

Dear Spike seemed so happy and contented in Australia he looked so sad in England probably just too much pressure to be funny 24 7 he would have lasted longer in Australia, just my opinion but what a lovely guy RIP Spike ps Bones & Bill Kerr are great guys to be with, what a trio, thanks for the upload great video

[@netphrek]

Very rarely does a youtube video keep my interest for as long as fifty three minutes. This definitely did. Thanks for the upload man

[@markmathews6876]

Spikes classic road trip

[@markmathews6876]

just about a lost world now. Spike old mate

[@chrisellis1089]

Great that these archive nuggets are still coming to light . .thanks for sharing . .

[@danielwhittaker695]

its get weirder when you think he had a massive affair with the Australian girl that her husband and his wife allowed to go on!!!!!! man spike was a legend!!!!!

[@rossandrew180]

Been a fan of Spike's since way way back and have lived and traveled in Aussie. An absolute fascinating story of his later life. Thanks for the upload.

[@me-cq7wv]

Maybe GOON But Never Forgotten LEGEND

[@dennysmith4396]

Good luck Eric! Love Spike SO SO SO much!!! R.i.p. lovely man....

[@PimlicoSteve]

Wonderful documentary! So happy someone has finally uploaded it to KZbin. Remember watching it when it was first shown on the BBC in 1987.

[@parisd0g729]

Don't put the pot in the river... Wise advice, haha.

[@darkelectric2024]

Sad, they're all gone makes me wonder sometimes what's it all about.

[@planB-john]

John Laws and Stan Zemanek Gee time flies.

[@waggafletcher]

Vale Mike Bailey. Weatherman extraordinaire.

[@fl3162]

I didn’t realise Spike was normal - but this film shows that he is or was

[@KJVism]

What a legend. Not your usual lonely planet

[@anniemac4637]

Such a humble man..RIP...😊

[@BryThai]

Yes it is a great insight to another side of Spike's life. Very pleased that you and others who commented have enjoyed the program.

[@parisd0g729]

Don't worry ole mate being left behind isn't so bad.

[@boychildnew1]

That's interesting - Spike took on a slight Australian accent when he arrived there!

[@redsword1659]

as he says, he spent a lot of time here and he got his accent here

[@styxcreek]

this is gold. thanks uploader

[@voice_of_change]

@voice_of_change 0 seconds ago I am 76 watching this in 2024 and feel nostalgia now I am an expat in Asia . I have traveled almost every place Spike went on this video having been a Northern Beaches boy (Narrabeen) who married a girl from Griffith hence have traveled through most of those places like Grong Grong, Gumly Gumly, Wagga Wagga, Woy Woy as well as most of Australia.

[@gerrynicol3951]

Loved waricks joke,Rover wouldve loved those bones.

[@seasidehouseuk]

How could anyone give Spike a thumbs down?

[@bongofrenzy303]

Don't worry. He doesn't mind.

[@d7sfblab]

For sheer bigotry, possibly...

[@mrtrashcompaktor1540]

Maybe they were fascists ? 'He also joined the Young Communist League in opposition to Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists, who were gaining support near his home in south London' I certainly don't think you can describe him from a few of the contemporary attitudes of the time that he expressed....he wasn't perfect....and no one from the past, the present or the future is either.

[@philipbond9896]

some people have no breading

[@Jason-gj1pu]

​@@philipbond9896 like for deep frying?

[@toulds]

Pure Gold.

[@petertancred3507]

Wow wow the 'venice of oztraylia..... classic!

[@markbegley1564]

fabulous ,thank you

[@intothefuzz3866]

Ha no way there watching the Melbourne cup at my nans old house what a spin out

[@thomaselliott573]

This must have been made in 1987. It might have been a good idea if you mentioned that. I visited here often around 1978 to see my girlfriend who lived in Woy Woy. It was a strange place in a way and Spike did not know it quite as well as I do, but even given its faults, this is an accurate representation of its better side. It was a wonderfully unaffected place and very lovable as most of Australia was at that time.

[@BryThai]

It might have been a good idea if you read my introduction which gave the year the program was broadcast, before being so quick to complain. Regarding Woy Woy, every place has its good and bad sides and Woy Woy is a typical Australian town in most respects.

[@dmg7111]

Hahahahaha, I'm an ol' Terrigal fella. Was known, 'lovingly', as WallyWorld back then. Played a lot of rugby on Woy Woy Oval... Was as hard as a mother-in-laws kiss.

[@lesbennett18]

I still listen to the Goons, while lockedup in Andrewstan, (formerly Melbourne). Their humour got me through puberty. I still try to see the stupidity in the chaos called modern society. Not difficult in Victoria, Australia 2021.

[@Jason-gj1pu]

Try complaining in a real "stan" province. I'm happy to pay for a one way flight. In the meantime keep whining.

[@shaughnfourie304]

THANK YOU ONE OF MY HEROES .....INTREPID IS THE WORD.....OH DEAR OH DEAR OHHHH DEAR

[@jackdaniels4282]

Nice video.. I discovered new sights and funny names of the city's. Thanx

[@bradtrounson]

Loved it.

[@mikepetergumball8337]

fantastic .

[@wuipuichang611]

Didn't I say don't put the pot in the river bill😄

[@barumman]

Very interesting and entertaining.

[@anthonywilson4873]

Woy meaning water, it must mean water with water which must be deep.

[@madskier50]

That woman was right about the pork sausages though. Couldn't get a decent one all the time I lived in Australia.

[@BryThai]

🙄

[@lezzman]

18:26 Birth control? If she thought there were too many people in 1987, what must she be feeling in 2017? Woy Woy is practically a major metropolis today.

[@alecball68]

That's one of the best documentaries and I am crying with laughter thanks SPIKE

[@adrianjackson2696]

Check out on You Tube "Woy Woy the Venice of Australia" made in the early 1930's by the look of it. A serious travel short film. Interesting and funny but Spike was not in it.

[@sydneytravellervlogs4659]

Spike 😅😭😢

[@andyjay9346]

Eccles could have put that tent up far quicker then eaten the burnt damper.

[@dmg7111]

needle nardle noo..... 😜

[@ralphlongbottom2218]

Don’t think Spike trusted the taxi driver, who he said knew him by name. Stalker alert? Spike got him to drop him off in a side street called Cedar Crescent just before his Mum’s place. Celebrity occupational hazards...

[@BryThai]

🙄

[@BryThai]

Spike clearly knew the driver, who, like many locals, knew the Milligan home very well. I'm sure the reason he dropped Spike where he did, was so that there wouldn't be any crazy viewers trying to identify or stalk the house!

[@gperrin9050]

how the F did john laws look 70 in the 80's and he is not dead in 2019

[@BryThai]

Considering that Mr Golden Tonsils is 'only' 83 now - he must have got quite an early start working, and living life to the full - but great that he's a fan of Spike!

[@allenkreymborg7492]

nice

[@dennysmith4396]

Sad spraying poison everywhere.... no wonder animal kingdom in dire straits!!! Mutual respect is all it takes to keep a paradise alive.... lovely lady wth kangas!!!

[@roblostandlate.6005]

51:44 - 52:14. What did he say?

[@dmg7111]

" needle nardle noo " ???

[@lynguthrie1601]

Spike’s brand of comedy died with him ....unfortunately!

[@kendavies945]

"the Aborigines got lost terminally" and that's progress???

[@oldoddjobs]

Won't somebody think of the gines

[@gisellemagraibhaigh8342]

How did Spike manage to avoid conversation, let alone footage, with Aboriginal people? Can only be deliberate - goes to Wagga, Tumut etc and not one black face??? Disturbing and hugely disappointing. Was he a 'fascist' like his dad maybe 🤔

[@dmg7111]

Sorry to burst your bubble, But... Like it or not the majority of folks here screaming "I'm proud to be Aboriginal" aint all that black.

[@patrickjohnson1309]

Why would he interview Aborigines?

[@oldoddjobs]

How did he manage it? Effortlessly