Monty Pythons Tunisian Holiday, Kim Howard Johnson
Monty Pythons Tunisian Holiday, Kim Howard Johnson
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Monty Python's Tunisian Holiday
My Life with Brian

Author: Kim "Howard" Johnson

Narrator: Johnny Heller, Simon Vance

Unabridged: 6 hr 42 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/08/2008


Synopsis

In 1978, Kim "Howard" Johnson ran away to join the circus—Monty Python's Flying Circus, that is. The Pythons converged on Tunisia to film their timeless classic Life of Brian, and Howard found himself in the thick of it, doubling for nearly all the Pythons, playing more roles in the film than John Cleese, and managing to ruin only one shot. He became the unit journalist, substitute still photographer, Roman soldier, peasant, near-stalker, and, ultimately, friend and confidant of the comedy legends. He also kept a detailed journal of what he saw and heard, on set and off, throughout those six weeks.

The result is a unique eyewitness account that reveals the Pythons at work and at play in a way that nothing else written about them could do. Now, for the first time ever, the inside story of the making of the film is revealed through the fly-on-the-castle-wall perspective. Even the most diehard fans will get a fresh take on the comedy greats through some never-before-revealed nuggets of Python brilliance: what John Cleese offered to exchange for suntan lotion; Terry Jones directing in drag; Michael Palin's secret to playing revolutionaries and peasants; Graham Chapman gets naked; Terry Gilliam gets filthy; Eric Idle haggles; the secret of the Thespo-Squat; Mrs. Pilate; talk of George Harrison; the cake-flinging that jeopardized the production; badminton, impromptu cricket, and erotic frescoes; and the first-ever presentation of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

Here, uncensored, are the legendary Pythons in their prime. It was a period of comedy history that will never be duplicated, and Monty Python's Tunisian Holiday captures the wit, the genius, and the sheer silliness of the six men that comprised Python.

About Kim "Howard" Johnson

Kim "Howard" Johnson is the author of several books on Monty Python, including The First 280 Years of Monty Python; coauthor of the improvisational classic Truth in Comedy; and the author of The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close. A writer and comedy performer, he has also served as personal assistant to John Cleese. He lives in Illinois with his wife and son.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jim

Quite an interesting look into the filming of Monty Python’s Life of Brian. I enjoyed hearing the inside stories and was impressed with the narrator’s ability to jump between accents. It was filmed at the same location in Tunisia as Franco Zefffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth. I love the fact that they t......more

Goodreads review by Glenn

Kim "Howard" Johnson lived an incredible fantasy. He went from being a kid in Michigan editing a fanzine about Monty Python to befriending the cast and being flown to Tunisia to take part in the filming of The Life of Brian, arguably Python's finest film. While on location, he was in many scenes as......more

Goodreads review by Lorelei

While I really enjoyed the story, the typeface was so difficult that what most sticks with me is how difficult it was to read. That being said, I was quite a lot of fun, had some laughing-out-loud moments, and I got breathless with anticipation waiting for George with the rest of them. Really a fine......more