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Kenneth Williams

Started by M-CORP, December 09, 2021, 11:32:29 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Ignatius_S

Quote from: famethrowa on December 10, 2021, 01:54:54 PMAs a casual Ken fan, I was amazed to hear this lovely song from that album, it's stunningly good, proper comedy pathos whimsy. The orchestration is pure English Percy Grainger/Ronald Binge style, and the Cornish accent is very affecting. Love it, here's the only decent audio of it out there:

http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/DP/2007/12/355_07_Kenneth_Williams_-_Minnie_Dyer.mp3

(from this essential rare album -
http://wfmu.org/365/2007/355.shtml)

Rather a pearl amongst the swine there... fascinating stuff!

All Surrogate

Thanks, famethrowa, for reminding me of Minnie Dyer. I can't remember who played it on CaB Radio many years ago, but it is a treasure.

PeterCornelius

I got the paperback Diaries in 1994. There was a quote on the back cover along the lines of, "The diaries appal, then delight, and then do both". Very true.

The Kenneth Williams Letters are also worth getting.

Glebe

Quote from: M-CORP on December 09, 2021, 11:32:29 AM

Aspel could be such a prick by turns.

Quote from: Ignatius_S on December 10, 2021, 01:26:51 PMAye, it was. Williams was also very fond of Galloping Galaxies and used to carry photos of his characters, which he would sign if people asked for his autograph.

It's a long time since I read his letters that Davies curated but I think it's mentioned there that one reason Williams liked GG, Willo the Wisp and doing work like Jackanory is that it brought him new fans and liked the way children associated him with those shows. From what I've read, whenever children did recognise him in public, he was always lovely to them.

Quote from: Ignatius_S on December 10, 2021, 01:39:11 PMI can't remember if it's mentioned in that audience, but Peter Nichols was also an army friend and his play, Privates on Parade was loosely based on their experience.

Welles also wanted to work with Williams again, but the latter turned down the offer. One film (I think The Chimes of Midnight), Welles attempted to get Williams to record a voiceover for it but would have required Williams to work in Europe (either Paris or Venice) which he had an aversion to. However, the Moby Dick Rehearsed play was quite an ordeal and from all accounts, Williams wouldn't have been keen working again with him again. My memory might be playing tricks but I have a feeling that there was another project that Welles tried getting Williams to do.

The cast of the Moby Dick play was rather something.... Orson Welles, Christopher Lee, Kenneth Williams, Joan Plowright, Patrick McGoohan, Gordon Jackson, Peter Sallis, and Wensley Pithey.

Thanks for the info Ignatius!

jobotic

Quote from: famethrowa on December 10, 2021, 01:54:54 PMAs a casual Ken fan, I was amazed to hear this lovely song from that album, it's stunningly good, proper comedy pathos whimsy. The orchestration is pure English Percy Grainger/Ronald Binge style, and the Cornish accent is very affecting. Love it, here's the only decent audio of it out there:

http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/DP/2007/12/355_07_Kenneth_Williams_-_Minnie_Dyer.mp3

(from this essential rare album -
http://wfmu.org/365/2007/355.shtml)

Yes it really is lovely. Have heard it before but I don't know where.

Compare and contrast with the Mike Reid offering on that album. Bloody hell

famethrowa

Quote from: jobotic on December 14, 2021, 11:03:09 PMCompare and contrast with the Mike Reid offering on that album. Bloody hell

Mmhm, the way he says "dahhhn the rub a dub" is quite gruesome. Love that album though, it's intriguing and awful and everything else.

thr0b

Quote from: jobotic on December 14, 2021, 11:03:09 PMYes it really is lovely. Have heard it before but I don't know where.

Compare and contrast with the Mike Reid offering on that album. Bloody hell


famethrowa

So I've been hearing "a lot'a talk" about this new game Wordle... I assume it's inspired by your very own Rambling Syd Rumpo?

Glebe

#38
Posted these in the classic ads thread:



Animated by another Williams, namely animation legend Richard Williams! Kenneth's voice role in his The Thief and the Cobbler was apparently his last film work.

[FAKE EDIT]'Naughty but nice!' ad:


chocolate teapot

Quote from: famethrowa on December 10, 2021, 01:54:54 PMAs a casual Ken fan, I was amazed to hear this lovely song from that album, it's stunningly good, proper comedy pathos whimsy. The orchestration is pure English Percy Grainger/Ronald Binge style, and the Cornish accent is very affecting. Love it, here's the only decent audio of it out there:

http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/DP/2007/12/355_07_Kenneth_Williams_-_Minnie_Dyer.mp3

(from this essential rare album -
http://wfmu.org/365/2007/355.shtml)

I love it, thank you for sharing.

timebug

I remember commenting to a mate, after I had read the 'Diaries' that it was 'the longest suicide note I have ever read!'