Goon, but never forgotten

In some ways, not being able to see the punishment dished out by my father, for my sisters response to his claim she had ‘slammed the door’, was a little like the experiences I had growing up listening to some radio shows. Unfortunately, I hit radio towards the end of the weekly serials and comedy shows, when television was starting to challenge the radio’s dominance. I was however very, very fortunate, to have come in on the first repeats of the Goon Shows. These were an absolute highlight to our week, particularly for my brother and I. The natural flowing silliness and incomparable wit that poured from the scripts, mostly crafted by the late great wordsmith (and I will add my personal endorsement, for such that it is) ‘genius’ comic ear (and eye) of Spike Milligan, with delivery assistance from, The late Peter Sellers (another genius) and the third member of the trio, that rotund most honourable and entertaining singing Welshman, Harry Secombe. There were others of course involved. Michael Bentine was in at the start, when the show was called crazy people, he left a short time after it became the Goon Show. And, I believe Eric Sykes, another wonderful performer, who despite his hearing disability, went on to television and film success with his wonderful comic delivery, assisted Larry Stephens in scripting some episodes. The wonderful music (a style of which, some thirty-five years later, I still revel in enjoying), of the Ray Ellington Quartet, musician Max Geldray (and the Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott), with announcer, Wallace Greenslade.  Perhaps the greatest thanks should go to the producers of the sound effects. The Foley performers and sound technicians, from whom much of the shows entertainment was derived. It was something I had the opportunity to take part in many years later, in several forms. But it was their spirit, in my mind, that lent a hand.

My brother and I ensured, even 10 years after the last show had gone to air (just before I was born) it status. We kept listening to the brilliant scripting, the silly humour that so appealed to our funny bones, and the wonderful music. Lines which even today cannot help but be recalled to mind and escape my lips in moments and opportunities so fitting (or sometimes not), but that doesn’t matter. They were the Goons. They epitomised the classic use of the English language. They took full advantage and more of the medium they were in, and created a wonderful world, where, through language and imagination, one could be carried away with a laugh, a word and a single sound effect. But carry us away they did. Over the hills and far away …

SFX:   receding footsteps running away (tramp, tramp, tramp) fading until they stop…..

[a voice calls distantly]:

Neddie: [distant] “is this far enough?’

Gryp: “Just one more step “

Neddie: [distant] Alright, just ooooooooo--nnnnn---eeeee”

(the voice fades)

SFX : A large splash is heard.

Gryp: (Voice nearest the microphone states simply). “That will do nicely”.

(this was my script -with apologies to the Goons, but you get the idea). 

I loved their delivery, the humour, and where the words would take you. The unexpected punch-lines, and more specially, the trademark ones you listened for, throughout the entire show. You entertained so many but particularly two young minds, as few have ever done, and much of what I learnt from them, I have also applied. Dear Goons, Goon but definitely not forgotten.

(Continued tomorrow)