Diaries 1969-1979_ The Python Years - Michael Palin [347]
But he does tell me of an exquisite piece of justice. Whom should George find himself in the first class lounge at Kennedy with, but Bernard Delfont – the man who turned down Life of Brian. George was not backward in going forward and in an informal way enquired whether or not Bernie was acquainted with the fact that Python had taken $i million already. George thanked him profusely. A heartfelt thanks – echoed by us all.
With Brian storming the US box office, Denis was increasingly keen to fly the Pythons to America to discuss our future together.
Thursday, September 6th
Up to 80 today as the hot weather continues. A poem from Norman Rosten – ‘Good news, about spokesmen for Catholics and Jews’ – inspired by the ecumenical outcry.
Denis O’Brien calls. He is assiduous in his efforts to make us all want to come over next week and anxious to assure me, whom I think he sees as chief opposition, that it will be worthwhile.
This evening all the Pythons meet at Anne’s to discuss it. As we sit around, it’s John who asks ‘Isn’t there someone missing?’We all agree that we have this sensation whenever the Python group assembles nowadays. The unknown Python. The present ‘seventh’ Python (taking over from Neil Innes) arrives a moment or two later in the person of George Harrison.
To Odin’s for a nice meal and too much wine. Eric, over a glass of champagne, checks round the table, revealing that three Pythons are broke – himself, GC and TJ – and three aren’t. George tells tales of the Beatles – of the hugely dominant Yoko who has reduced J Lennon to a housewife, of George’s liking for Paul and his ‘ego’, and Ringo who’s … ‘You know, very simple’. Other little glimpses into the lives of the rich and famous – like the fact that George admits (with a smile acknowledging the absurdity) that he doesn’t buy clothes any more. Clothes come to him.
And, having once again outlasted all other diners, we meander back to Park Square West. It’s a full moon and the entire kerb is taken up with Python cars – George’s little black Porsche, John’s dirty Rolls, my Mini, Terry J’s yellow Volkswagen Polo, Gilliam’s mighty yellow Volkswagen tank and G Chapman’s rented Mercedes.
Loud farewells, door slams, car tyres reversing on the road and the Python fleet heads off in the moonlight to find a way out of Regent’s Park.
Wednesday, September 12th, Plaza Hotel, New York
Fixx would have been proud of me.1 Knowing from previous experience that I would not sleep much after six this morning and spurred on by the gradually expanding pink-gold rim around Central Park, promising another clear, hot day, I did my ten minutes’ warm-up and forsook the thickpile carpets and the marble halls of the Plaza for the worn and scruffy herbiage of Central Park.
It was worth the effort, for I ran well and easily and enjoyed passing the Guggenheim and the Frick and the Met before most New Yorkers were up. But as the time neared seven joggers poured in from all the entries and exits. Very different to the solitude of the Heath.
Rang Al in Sag Harbor – a bleary, but heroic voice. He has Terry’s two French lady friends staying with him,2 and has fallen passionately in love with one of them. As Al says, ‘As soon as she slipped her top off when we went bathing in the ocean, I knew she was the girl for me!’ So, stirrings at Sag.
Denis O’B, eyes sparkling like a child with a new toy, buttonholes each of us with the good news that 600 cinemas throughout the US will be taking Brian by early October and, because of the performance and reputation of the movie so far, Warner’s have been able to do deals split 90-10 with the exhibitors (90 to Warner’s, 10 to the exhibitors). The Grail’s deals were 50—50 usually.
Thursday, September 13th, New York
Another early-morning run. It’s becoming addictive. Up to 96th Street and