The unknown Spike Milligan

A short film by Australian musician, composer, producer Greg Englert looking into the unknown side of legendary comedian Spike Milligan. Whilst Spike is known world-wide as a comedian, poet, writer and actor it is far less known that he was a talented multi-instrumentalist. This film came about after Greg played at the opening of the Spike Milligan Exhibit at Woy Woy Library, Woy Woy, NSW, Australia, He was surprised to see that Spike's cornet was in the exhibit and over the next 5 years he thought about playing the cornet, much as he had previously played Louis Armstrong's Trumpets in New York. With support from Spike's daughter Laura and Exhibit curator Geoff Potter this became a reality in 2023 and the result was this film.
Honourable Mention at the London Movie Awards 2023

[@TheMarkEH]

This was great. I had no idea of his links to Woy Woy. It's wonderful that he is so fondly remembered there. In the 1990's I stood in line for a book signing by Spike in Manchester (England). A few minutes before I reached him, a phone began to ring in the shop and after the fifth ring he stood up, turned around and shouted at the top of his voice " will someone answer that bloody phone"! They did, and it reminded me that he really liked quietness and hated muzak/piped music. His signature on the photo in the museum also reminded me how carefully he signed my book. He signed his name in legible copper plate that took time to write (not a quickly dashed off squiggle). So, thank you for making and sharing this film.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

What a delightful comment. Thank you

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@samanthalysaught3229]

Love this Greg! The duets you did are fantastic - love your work and your passion 🎺🎺🎵🎵

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

thanks for the compliment and please consider subscribing to my studio channel

[@royhill4794]

Great Greg! I love one of Spikes sayings: " My father was a soldier, which meant that he was a warrior, which meant that he was important. My mother rode a horse and sang in the Governor-General's band, so that made her important as well." Spike Milligan

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment mate - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@brittenmusic6923]

Nice piece of research Greg. I remember reading his books and he talks about his musical life.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@garyadams9016]

A low key delight. Thanks Greg et al.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@trevorfleisig9056]

A really wonderful tribute to Spike. I really did'nt know he was a musician and a singer of some repute

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

thanks for the compliment and please consider subscribing to my studio channel

[@willhill8808]

Nice documentary 👌 A very funny man and an excellent musician. He definitely got the last laugh with the immortal words, 'I told you I was ill', carved onto his tombstone. Brilliant!! 😀 Greetings from Roy's brother in the UK

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@grahamshakeshaft2373]

An extraordinary duet. I met Spike once at BBC Ealing Film Studios. He was recording piano music for his Q8 series, and complained that the drinking water he had been given was 18 years old!

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thank you. What a nice comment. Spike lives on in our hearts and our minds

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@Payne2view]

What's wrong with 18 year old water? It is old enough to get drunk! 😉

[@kennybradshaw2122]

Brilliant!!!!!

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment mate - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@TheOldfartsoundguy]

Well done mate, loved it!!!

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

thanks for the compliment and please consider subscribing to my studio channel

[@johnledingham852]

A truly brilliant video about a truly brilliant personality. A lovely larrikin with talent unmatched. Unique in every way. I shall be watching this clip over and over, and telling all my Goon loving friends to crank it up as well. Thank You!

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thank you so much. Please subscribe to my channel and especially check out my two international multi award winning other short films. And ask your friends to join us as well. Cheers

[@simonsadler9360]

His version of I left my heart in San Francisco !

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

????

[@robertgarnsey3487]

Wait for the duets, great work Greg

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

thanks for the compliment and please consider subscribing to my studio channel

[@bertifrasilmeye995]

Great!

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@Vazmusic]

Very kool Greg!! You did a great job on this.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment brother! - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@Vazmusic]

@@gemstudiosaustralia887 I did subscribe!

[@Gaz77a]

The duets with Spike were great.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

thanks for the compliment and please consider subscribing to my studio channel

[@Gaz77a]

My pleasure. I subscribed after watching the video.

[@dennisquinlan3769]

Super Greg....... warmest DQ, The Velobanjogent

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

thanks for the compliment and please consider subscribing to my studio channel

[@michaeltroster9059]

Spike was a talented performer with many talents. Not quite as well known on this side of the pond, unfortunately.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@simonsadler9360]

Oh that sort of cornet ! I was wondering where the ice cream & chocolate flake went when he blew it , had a tap to let the gravy out !

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

???????

[@OscarLodge]

That was very good thanks,. really enjoyed,. I too grew up with the Goon shows.. The musical duet was brilliant to see,. I wonder if the cornet mouthpiece was as such, so that it could be quickly changed onto another instrument ? - or perhaps to give the cornet a different sound that Spike preferred ?,.. //.. It is said that,. '''I told you I was ill''' on his headstone was considered too flippant - it was done - but in Irish,. [ Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite ] I looked at,. and marked both of the properties on Google Earth.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thx for the compliment. Spike started as a trumpet player so would have been more used to a trumpet mouthpiece. Same for me I prefer a trumpet mp but use standard cornet MPs when playing cornet

[@barrypoupard7009]

The great French cornetist Jean Baptise Arban would've been at his most famous around the time that French cornet was manufactured.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

for sure and I have all my students learning from the Arbans.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks for the comment - Please consider subscribing to my channel and checking out my other videos including my 2 multiple internationally awarded short films. Regards

[@Payne2view]

A nice look at the Cornet or is it a Cormpet? I've got a feeling that Spike would have appreciated someone playing along with it.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Thanks. Yes he would have loved it

[@glynsmith4590]

Iirc he was chosen as the UK's most promising jazz trumpeter in 1939. A fellow youngster was George Sheering who chose to go to the USA as he couldn't do army service.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Great to know. Yes he was a pretty 'hot' horn player. Please subscribe to my channel and thx for the info!

[@tomhaskett5161]

George Shearing was born blind.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

@@tomhaskett5161 he sure was. Thus he couldn't do army service

[@morganrees6807]

Maybe unknown to some, but not to those who followed his career and life (and read his war memoirs)

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Of course. But many people are letting me know they had no idea about his trumpet playing. And many are telling me they had never heard of Spike till now. The whole idea of the film really

[@johnllewlyndavies222]

It WAS 9, Orme Court.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Yes we even showed a photo of 9 Orme Court shortly after. Geoff was talking freely without a script and was correct even though he said "I think it was".

[@ashleyhoward8926]

24:07 you should have shouted "wakey wake-HEY!" ( which one is BC anyway?).

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

Hey I'll leave the comedy to Spike. Not sure what BC is?

[@honoredutrey]

Could you re record this without you playing,so that we can hear Spike's playing clearly.

[@cameronjonesmusic]

It's not the point of this video. You can find the original online. After googling, put your left hand on your right ear and your right hand on your left ear and pull your head outta your butt!

[@honoredutrey]

Someone's feelings have been hurt.

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

He is not the only one. I agree with Cameron. Do you have any idea the work, time and effort that went into this short film? I don't have the time to re-record anything so 1 person can be happy. The duets are the reason for the film. The original performances are on KZbin

[@simonsadler9360]

He had children , what does the Milligan clan do now ?

[@gemstudiosaustralia887]

No idea