Diaries 1969-1979_ The Python Years - Michael Palin [201]
Friday, July 9th
Anne brings me a copy of the Federal Court of Appeals Judgement in the Python v ABC case. The Judgement was dated June 30th 1976 and is very strongly favourable to Python – they recommend that the injunction should be upheld. So Terry’s and my trip, in that cold and bleak December (which seems light years away now) was worthwhile after all.
The Judgement indicates that, in the judges’ opinion, Python would have a substantial chance of a favourable verdict in the courts and damages and all else that could follow.
I personally am against a big damages award – it may be the way lawyers play it, but I think that the popular image of Python winning $1 million would erase in people’s minds some of the reasons why we won it. But I think we should have a strong bargaining counter in any attempt to recover our costs. We shall see.
Monday, July 12th
Hard look at Jabberwocky script this morning. It’s all held together by a manic intensity of vision and atmosphere, and if this intensity can be sustained in the characterisations as well, the film will be, well, certainly not dull. The writing in certain individual scenes is sometimes flat, sometimes conventional and occasionally gives the impression of being rushed – but I think a careful look at the script before each day’s shooting will tighten up dialogue, which, by comparison to some of the Holy Grail scenes – the death cart, the philosophical peasants – is sparse in comic impact.
But the shape of the film is good, and it’s just up to Terry G to try and achieve the Herculean task of recapturing his animation style in a live action movie – and for £400,000.
Wednesday, July 14th
Posted off the Esquire article about Python’s New York adventures to Lee Eisenberg, plus long missive to Eric in France.
At ten down to Fitzroy Square for a read-through with some of the Jabberwocky principals. Max Wall and John Le Mesurier speak softly together in one corner. Old Acting Hands, both of whom have been through long spells of rejection and have come out wise, kindly, but above all unhurried. Then there are the Actors – Derek Francis, the Bishop, Peter Cellier as the Leading Merchant – working actors, not stars, not personalities, their personalities are their parts and they click into theatrical speech and gesture from the first read-through.
My friend for the morning is John Bird, amiable and sharp as ever. He’s playing the Herald, and is not particularly happy with it. ‘I do hate shouting,’ he mutters sadly.
He and I are joined after half an hour by John Gorman, so there are now three of us in the Brash Young Men of Revue corner. Gorman’s down from his Old Bakery in Suffolk. Slightly subdued – which means quite over the top by anyone else’s standards. Covered in strange badges – including one for ‘The Womble Bashers’, which I like.
John Le Mes is marvellous, his pained double-takes are a joy to watch. Max has difficulty finding his lines, but as they mainly consist of ‘Er … Oh …’ it doesn’t really matter. The Actors Act and John G and Bird make people laugh.
At lunchtime costume fitting session. I like my gear. At least its going to be a deal more comfortable than the armour of Holy Grail.
A drink with Terry G, Max W and Bird. Max tells long, rambling, discursive tales – very funny if you’ve got an afternoon to spare. He drinks pints of Guinness in the pub at Seven Dials – but he drinks them slowly. He’s also deaf in one ear and most of what Bird says in his low murmur (which is almost incomprehensible anyway) is totally lost on Max. But always those kind, wise, soft eyes and slow smile.
Back home via Dodo in Westbourne Grove, where I buy Graham and David a huge basket of plastic fruit for their tenth anniversary party tonight.
Off to the theatre at eight to see Funny Peculiar by Mike Stott.