OBIT: Actor and comic Spike Milligan (1918-2002)

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: GUEST,Den at work
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:26 AM

After Harry died I had been dreading this day. There was never anyone quite like him and I'm sure there never will. Den

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:22 AM

I think those clickies just fell in the water. Here are their cardboard, but perfectly formed, replicas:

The Ying Tong Song - words only

And here they are singing it

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: Murph10566
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:19 AM

Spike wrote the amazing, zany (and still Hilarious) "PUCKOON" - my first, but certainly not last, exposure to his comic genius... A well-deserved respectful salute to a genuinely funny gentleman...

M.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:18 AM

In my last post I used the term "cast list". Just as I was about to submit the post I read it, and what I had written was "cats lust". Spike lives!

Just dug out a record of Tales of Old Dartmoor. Played it for nostalgia's sake. Found myself laughing out loud.

Here is a RealAudio version of part of the Ying Tong Song - and

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: GUEST,milliganophile
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:11 AM

Altogether now YINTONG YINTONG YINTONG YINTONG

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: sophocleese
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:07 AM

I'm glad I live in a world where Spike Milligan has been. A marvelous comic, we're still enjoying his humour years later.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:06 AM

Oh dear, you read a bit of news like that and you realise how much the man meant to your life. Well, to echo what has already been said, they are all together again. What a brilliant contribution they all mad to making the world a better place to live in. (I'll leave "they all mad" as it came out... my typing made a better comment than I could think of)

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:02 AM

Spike was really just before my time, so I haven't heard very much of him. What I have heard was absolutely brilliant. I need to hear more of the Goon Show.

This is a sad day, he was a real innovator.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: Trevor
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:55 AM

Sad, sad, sad.

'Caw', said the crow.

'Balls' said the Milligan.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:52 AM

When Spike's old pal Harry Secombe was very ill (in fact just before he died). Spike sent him a message saying 'I hope you die before me otherwise you'll come and sing at my funeral'. One of the best a true comic genius.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: Michael in Swansea
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:38 AM

Sad loss
RIP Spike

Mike

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: John J
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:36 AM

How very sad.

The world has lost a wonderful entertainer, and it will be a sadder place for this great loss.

:-(

JJ

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:33 AM

Besides being a comedian, he wrote some fine poems including some war poetry that ranks with the greats.
Keith.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:16 AM

And I hope he read this story in the paper before he died - An iguana too far. I think he'd have loved it. It reads like a Goon Show, come to life. I find that very encouraging.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:11 AM

I'm glad I learnt about that on the Mudcat just now. So the Goons are reunited at last. (Was ever an episode set in heaven?) And the heart of the Goons was Spike.

Here's a link to the Goon Show Preservation Society (Royal Patron Prince Charles/Eccles) - and here is the "cast list" for the main characters Spike played, taken from there:

Eccles, "the original goon," a voice combining Disney's Goofy character; Edgar Bergen's Mortimer Snerd; and Clifton Finnegan, the super-stupid regular customer at Duffy's Tavern. Jokes about his stupidity are a staple of the show, with Eccles himself cheerfully joining in. His character serves both grown-up parts and as the playmate of Bluebottle.

Miss Minnie Bannister, spinster, a sexy senior citizen who plays the saxophone and regularly breaks out in song or dance. She lives in sin with Henry Crun, but whenever Major Bloodnok comes on the scene it's made clear that they were lovers in the past. (Milligan got the quaver in her voice by pinching his neck and wobbling it about as he spoke her lines.)

Count Moriarty, French scrag and lackey to Grytpype-Thynne, who usually introduces him and attributes to him some outlandish title or record that he holds ("Has played the male lead in over 50 postcards"). Delightfully wretched in his poverty and degradation.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:08 AM

For me he ranked alongside Peter Cook as one of the finest and most original comic talents of the post war era. He had a range of comic imagination that was unique. Quite irreplaceable.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 06:58 AM

Oh dear. It's as if a bright light has gone out.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: GMT
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 06:58 AM

This is really bad news. RIP Spike.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: cobber
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 06:31 AM

He told us he was sick Thanks Spike for nearly fifty years of fun and laughter

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: GUEST,harvey andrews
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 06:29 AM

Now, that does hurt.It really feels like the end of an era.An irreplaceable imagination that gave light to my adolescent darkness and to many like me. Now the Pythons move to the top of life's ladder.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: Fiolar
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 06:20 AM

Oh Lord - so the last of the Great Comedians has gone to join the rest of the Goon Family. A recent post asked who was next in regard to the Chuck Jones obit. Here's the answer. Spike - we have indeed lost a friend today.Have a great time with Neddie, Bluebottle and the rest.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Spike Milligan
From: mooman
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 06:02 AM

This is a sad loss. One of the all time greats and a personal favourite. May he rest in peace.

mooman

Subject: Spike Milligan
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 05:55 AM

Actor and comic Spike Milligan has died at his home in Sussex, his agent has said. He was 83 years old. One of Britain's most respected performers, he was known to millions as one of the founding members of The Goons.

Together with Peter Sellers, Michael Bentine and Harry Secombe, the quartet helped redefine comedy programmes for a generation.

He was also a respected comic author.