Diaries 1969-1979_ The Python Years - Michael Palin [173]
All usual flights to London until next week being booked, we found ourselves on Air Iran’s flight to Tehran via Heathrow So new was the flight that apparently the booking clerks at JFK didn’t even know it stopped at London.
Saturday, December 20th
Woke uncomfortably with the dawn. Feeling dirty, crumpled and dreadfully tired – as only those who fly the Atlantic overnight can feel. The plane started to drip on Terry G … but the hostesses were cheerfully dismissive of his complaints.
I have to wait for at least an hour at Christmas-crowded Heathrow before ascertaining that my case is definitely on its way to Tehran.
Monday, December 22nd
Further news of Python’s ever-increasing international status – some fine reviews for Holy Grail in France. ‘Mieux que Mel Brooks’ – that sort of thing – and the film has apparently opened at a fourth cinema in Paris.
Wednesday, December 24th, Abbotsley
The harsh realities of the world away from the cosy log fires of Church Farm impinged deadeningly and depressingly. Terry Gilliam rang to say that, after Judge Lasker had accepted, with minor alterations, our disclaimer for the front of ABC’s Boxing Day Special, ABC had appealed, on Monday afternoon, to three other judges, who had overruled his decision. All that will appear are the words ‘Edited for television by ABC’.1
So, in terms of actual tangible legal rewards for our week in New York and the $15,000 of Python money spent on the case, we were left with very little. I wait to see evidence of the non-legal rewards, in terms of press coverage, etc, etc, before totally writing off our trip, but today’s news was a pretty nasty Christmas present. But at least my bag arrived, having reached Abbotsley via Tehran.
Wednesday, December 31st
Almost the last event of 1975 is also one of the most important – the showing on BBC2 of Three Men in a Boat. We have quite a houseful here by 7.50 when it begins. Catherine Burd is watching with Tom and Willy (who are allowed to stay up) and Jeremy and Alex [neighbours] with their children, both a long way from the sitting still and shutting up age, are here as well. So quite a crowd, and it’s rather difficult to judge the piece – especially as Stephen has opted for a very gently paced, softly played treatment – which seems to be at least ten decibels quieter than any other TV shows. I keep turning the sound up and sitting nearer, but it’s very difficult not to be distracted and I really don’t feel I’ve seen it in the best circumstances when it draws to its languid conclusion at 8.55.
1 A new, half-glassed-in extension had been built on top of the house. My first custom-built work-room.
1 Neil was the closest to a manager the Beatles had at the time; Derek was the press officer.
1 The life-size Dummy Princess Margaret had been created for the Python TV series and, rather than leave her in the props store, we used her to add a bit of class to the Drury Lane stage show, in which she occupied a box throughout the run.
2 David Mercer, author of Morgan: a Suitable Case for Treatment, The Parachute, Let’s Murder Vivaldi, died in 1980, aged 52.
1 Assistant director on Charlie Bubbles in 1967, he had directed Albert Finney in the excellent Gumshoe in 1971.
2 John Gledhill had ceased to be our manager as from November 1974.
1 I gave up smoking in 1969, but somehow neglected to give up the occasional recreational cigar. Until later in 1975, that is, when my system rebelled against even these.
1 Ron was the man who broke Monty Python’s Flying Circus on US television. Python’s success began not in New York, but in Dallas.
1 Lambert died in 1981, aged 46.
1 André Jacquemin’s new premises in Wardour Street.
2 Soon to marry John Osborne.
3 Son of actor Robert, Oxford contemporary of Terry Jones.
1 Alison Davies, Anne’s assistant, another Python stalwart.
1 An Oxford contemporary. Like