Many happy returns, Terrence Vance (Terry) Gilliam (born 22nd November 1940)
CAMP: "A cornucopia of frivolity, incongruity, theatricality, and humour." "A deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling, chromium-plated, scent-impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling, fruit-flavored, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love." "The lie that tells the truth." "Ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatrical; effeminate or homosexual; pertaining to or characteristic of homosexuals."
God I was terrified of his animations as a child. My brother would put his arm behind a cardboard box and pretend to be the tv that takes people's eyes out.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely had a huge part of what made Monty Python a unique and enduring show.
Comedy often involves disturbing imagery, I was terrified of Spitting Image and Brass Eye too.
The wiggling hand at the start of The Tomorrow People used to freak me when I was a kid, but I don't remember being scared of Monty Python... Jx
Deletecan't believe he's 80. and his funny artwork, like you posted above, will live forever!
ReplyDeleteTime's a terrible thing, Anne Marie...
DeleteBut, yes, his animations were definitely unique! jx
Brilliant blog post title.
ReplyDeleteHigh praise indeed, Mistress... Jx
DeleteI loved Monty Python, nothing quite like it ever... and these Animations were precisely what drew me in every time! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteMr Gilliam is a genius - and yes, Monty Python would not have been the same without him. Jx
DeleteIn the USA when Monty Python was first broadcast some people found it offensive and demanded that it be taken off the air. Cooler heads prevailed, and the show became iconic. -Rj
ReplyDeleteSurprised the Yanks "got it" at all, tbh - it's quite unlike anything that would normally have been shown on telly at the time over there (at least we had some groundwork laid by The Goons, Marty Feldman and their ilk). Jx
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