Diaries 1969-1979_ The Python Years - Michael Palin [357]
Priestland is enormous – he’s actually taller than John, but amiable and donnish. They play back his review of the film, which swings from great praise – ‘very funny … Pythons at their best’ – to a note of distinct criticism for our handling of the ‘Crucifixion’ sequences – or for the ‘Crucifixion’ sequence period. He equates it with ‘whistling at Auschwitz’ and to him it appears that we are condoning suffering.
JC answers smoothly, as if he’s rehearsed. I become a little tongue-tied faced with Priestland’s penetrating stare and huge bulk – and the always disconcerting sight of soundless technicians behind the control room glass, gazing impassively at me as if I were a goldfish gasping for breath.
But the interview seems to pass off well. Priestland is not huffy or offended, and we part good friends.’Here’s a sex manual for you, Michael,’ he jokes at one point, handing me a paperback by some theologian, titled The Orthodox Way.
Friday, November 2nd
Am working on the play in the solitude of No. 2 when Mrs B buzzes on the intercom, which she really can’t figure out very well, so I have to leave the brief progress I’ve made on the work anyway and cross over into No. 4. Here I find Mrs B talking to Spike Milligan on the telephone.
Poor Spike, who tried to phone after ‘Roger’, but Jill Foster Ltd would not give him my phone number, is now being given the cold shoulder by Mrs B, who, quite rightly, is trying to respect my privacy – as instructed. I apologise profusely to the great man, who tells me rather pitifully that he had only wanted to say how bloody marvellous ‘Roger of the Raj’ was, whilst his enthusiasm was white-hot. Now, as he says, it’s two weeks later and he thinks it’s bloody awful!
To hear Spike thus praise the show and tell me that there are only two people who make him laugh these days – myself and John Antrobus – is wondrous music to the ear. Only on Monday was I telling the listening millions on Desert Island Discs of how I used to race home from school, running two miles if there was no bus, pushing myself to the limits of physical endurance, just to get back in time to hear The Goons. Now, twenty-four years later, the creator of Eccles, Moriarty and Henry Crun is asking me to dinner.
This was worth interrupting a morning of interruptions for. Already, over breakfast, I was forced to read TG’s latest treatment for a new TG movie – this time just for kids.
I was still reading his synopsis on the lavatory at 9.30 when he called to hear what I thought. As I saw it, there were two courses of action open to me in the face of the Gilliam treatment. One was to agree, and the other was to agree instantly. After a half-hour’s chat I threw in my lot – cautiously – with what I feel is a much stronger movie for TG than Brazil.1
Tuesday, November 6th
Work on the play rewrites. Alternate feelings of elation and despair about its contents. Run on the Heath in light drizzle.
Drove over to JC’s for co-interview with a lady from LBC. JC expressed disillusion with the Labour Party – for whom both he and the lady once used to work. Inability to deliver is, JC feels, their main drawback.
Out in the evening to dinner with Spike, at his request, with Terry and Al as well. Everyone, apart from Helen and myself, seemed to be ill.
Spike quite subdued, but the kind, gentle and generous side of his nature was well to the fore. Shelagh said he’s very vulnerable and easily hurt and a meal like this boosts his confidence. They recently had dinner with Graham, who didn’t say anything. I rather enjoyed myself and was quite loud and ebullient.
Wednesday, November 7th
Heard from TG that Denis has told him to start work on his kids’ film – the money will be there! So within two weeks TG has written a synopsis from nowhere, sort of persuaded me into co-writing and has finance for an April/May shoot! He says as soon as he heard the news he went home and panicked.
Helen goes