Monty Python - Top 10 Comedy Films

1. Fruit In The Loomsstressed hotelkeeper Basil Fawlty in Fawlty
2. Python's Give Live BirthTowers. He continued his fame with films like
3. The Toad Elevating MomentPrivates On Parade and Clockwise, then hit
4. Mystery Of The Lost Python Sketchesworldwide stardom with a A Fish Called Wanda in
5. Brian's The Life Of The Party1988. The follow-up film, Fierce Creatures faulted
6. Kim Bread Aka John Cleeseto gain attention with audiences. These days
7. Around The World In 80 Daysaudiences know him best as the new Q in the
8. Get Yourself To MarsJames Bond films and Nearly Headless Ned in the
9. Keep It RealHarry Potter films. He will next be seen playing
10. The 12 Fisher Monkey Kingsfather to Lucy Liu in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
11. Parting Shotsand as the voice Fiona's Father in Shrek 2, Fiona is
1. Fruit In Your LoomsSomeone once saidvoiced by Charlie's Angel's co-star Cameron Diaz.7.
something along the lines that, Monty Python is toAround The World In 80 DaysMichael Palin has
'funny' what chartered accountants are to 'boring'.also rocketed to fame due to his turn with the
Who are we to disagree?2. Python's Give Livetroupe and in 1977 he teamed with Terry Jones
BirthThe legend of Monty Python emerged noblyto make their own comedy series, Ripping Yarns.
from the dusty corridors of Oxford andMichael also appeared aside John Cleese in A Fish
Cambridge universities. All of the British PythonCalled Wanda, then went on to do a reality show
members had their comedic starts in revuefor BBC TV, called Around the World in 80 Days,
shows put on by these universities. They soonwhere he attempted to literally follow in the
rose to the ranks of responsibility within thesefootsteps of the Jules Verne literary character,
societies, "In bewilderment we saw a notice boardPhileas Fogg, by trying to travel around the world
informing us that we are now officers!" recallsin the allotted time, but without flying - By the
John Cleese. Their well-received show, A Clump ofway, it's Jules Verne's 175th birthday this week.
Plinths, transferred to London's West End andDuring the Pole to Pole trip, he met up with
later visited New Zealand and New York underPython fans in Greece and ate snake in China
the new title Cambridge Circus.Cleese stayed onwhile struggling to meet his deadline.8. Get
in New York and during a photo shoot for aYourself To MarsEric Idle continued his stint in the
comic strip he met American illustrator Terrylimelight by teaming with Neil Innes to create
Gilliam. Terry was soon folded into the everyRutland Weekend Television, a parody of regional
growing omelet.The BBC, on the advice ofbroadcasting. He later appeared in Graham
producer Barry Took, signed the group - whichChapman's Yellowbeard, Disney's Honey, I Shrunk
now included Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam for athe Audience and Splitting Heirs. His recent novel
13-show series. Ah, but what to name thetitled, "The Road to Mars" is about two comedians
show?3. The Toad Elevating MomentOwlin the 22nd century. Fans most likely know him
Stretching Time. A Horse, A Spoon and A Bucket.today as the voice of Mr. Vosknocker in the
The Toad Elevating Moment were all names in theanimated film, South Park: Bigger, Longer and
running. But as planning for the series becameUncut.9. Keep It RealTerry Jones maintained a
more chaotic, the BBC management began todiversity beyond mere comedy, by writing about
refer to the team as a 'flying circus', inspired byhistory, presenting documentaries, penning
the Red Baron's World War One fighter squadron.children's books and going onto direct the 1996
The troupe liked the sound of it and randomlyversion of Wind in the Willows, starring his old pals
added the term Monty Python from their growing- Michael Palin, John Cleese and Eric Idle.10. The 12
list of alternates. Funny that.4. Mystery Of TheFisher Monkey KingsTerry Gilliam lent his talents
Lost Python SketchesNo one knows whatto the troupe as a director and by creating the
happened to them.very distinct animations that became Monty
Oh wait, 3 new sketches of never before seenPython's visual trademark. We soon followed it
Python material were recently discovered andwith his feature film debut, Jabberwocky, starring
performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. TheMichael Palin. After helming the much loved, Time
famed sketches were written by late Python starBandits, his fame skyrocketed in Hollywood. But
Graham Chapman and were unearthed by ahis style led to many conflictions in the biz including
literary executor in Los Angeles. Each sketch lastsa big throw down with Universal Studios over his
four minutes and features a cast of charactersfilm Brazil and then problems with backers on the
including a gay parrot and an overworkedvery expensive, Adventures of Baron
Messiah.5. Brian's The Life Of The PartyMontyMunchausen, which starred Eric Idle and featured
Python's Life of Brian snagged the funniest film ofRobin Williams.His real success followed by taking
all time in a poll arranged by Total Filmon unconventional studio films including the critically
magazine.The film satires the rise of organizedacclaimed, The Fisher King starring Robin Williams
religion and caused more controversy than aand Jeff Bridges and the stylistic sci-fi thriller, 12
Kevin Smith baptismal when it was released backMonkeys starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt and
in 1979. It was banned in many parts of the UKthe Hunter S Thompson extravaganza, Fear and
and church leaders accused it of blasphemy.Loathing in Las Vegas starring Johnny Depp and
Nothing like bad publicity to push the ratings.TheirBenicio Del Toro. These six actors all gave some
King Arthur era spoof, Monty Python and theof the best performances of their career in
Holy Grail, trailed by only a few spots, landing it atGilliam's films.11. Parting Shots"We weren't being
number five.Top 10 Comedy Films1. Life of Briansatirical because it wasn't the thing that interested
2. Airplane!us," Terry Jones says. "Ours was a slightly more
3. Withnail & Iabstract humor - just being silly really. What satire
4. There's Something About Marythere is, is more generalized satire."Referring to
5. Monty Python and the Holy GrailThe Life of Brian - "Comedy is about reminding us
6. American Pieof the truth of being human: we all have a body
7. Groundhog Dayand we all must die, and it is okay," reckons Eric
8. Some Like it HotIdle."Monty Python is a great combination of
9. Blazing Saddlesintellect and silly", concludes Robin Williams.To read
10. Planes, Trains and Automobiles6. Kim Breadmore articles by Chad, visit the American Pop
Aka John CleeseJohn Cleese rode a roller coasterCulture Encyclopedia at: American Pop Culture
of fame during the 1970's playing the role ofEncyclopedia.