This was the second collection of programs released on DVD by HBO Video. There are four programs in this 2 disc collection and you'll find the links for each program in the right hand column of this page. There's also a link for the bonus features.
Golden Classics DVD Review
Video Spotlight
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Video Spotlight
[1985]
[1:35:46]
- Sheep Shearer
- Oven Mitts
- The Life Guard
- Heavy Breather
- The Window Washer
- The Video Machine
- Henry's Remote Control
- Lady Godiva
- Job Interview
- The Doctor Who Died
- The Job Transfer
- Charlene's Angels
- The Safe Crackers
- The Fisherman's Bait
- Clowning Around
- The Police Station
- The Holiday Program
- The Toughest Bloke In The Pub
- The Monte Carbolic Show
- Doctor's Best Shot
- The Boss's Letter
- The Fortune Teller
- Man Wanted
- The Execution
- On The Beach
- Playboy
- House Call
- "Learning All The Time"
- Wondergran
Cast: This program contains no cast or credits at the end, except: Producer & Director: Dennis Kirkland
Review
This program starts with Benny waking from a dream about "Sheep Shearing". His wife is not amused however. Next, Jane Leeves can't find the "Oven Mitts" and must use the length of her maid uniform to carry a hot tray, revealing her stockings and garters. Benny is the naughty husband.
"The Life Guard" is the show "opener" with the welcome voice of Henry McGee introducing Benny. This is a great musical number and Benny comes out onstage in an old-style swimming outfit with the Angels behind him. Although this is a short number, there are plenty of great girls from the show behind Benny. Corinne Russell, Louise English, Jane Conaway, and there's even a girl from "Pour un flirt avec toi". The girls carry boat oars, which Benny has to constantly avoid as the girls whip them around.
"Heavy Breather" is a short sketch with Louise answering an obscene phone call.
"The Window Washer" features Louise in the tub and Benny washing the windows. She offers to let him rinse his chamois out in her bath water with hilarious results.
"The Video Machine" is a short chapter featuring Benny as the voice of a video machine. He describes the possibilities and functions of "your new video machine".
"Henry's Remote Control" features Benny as "Henry", a man who watches TV all day until his wife (Bella Emberg) nags him to go for a walk with the dog. The main portion of this segment is "silent" and I think has a brief appearance by Alison Bell. He brings home a video machine and while watching it gets the idea to go to a tribal country to find a group of young girls. Benny discovers he can control the real world with his remote control and sets off on his journey, leaving his nagging wife in "freeze-frame" mode. In real life, Benny spent lots of time watching TV and videos for ideas for his show and this is the inspiration for this brilliant and original sketch. Alison Bell appears as one of the tribal girls as well. Look closely for her. There are also a couple of girls rubbing suntan oil on each other at the end, but I don't recognize them.
"Lady Godiva" is actually "The Wild West" and features Benny and company in a Wild West setting. There are plenty of great girls in this routine, including Louise English, Jane Conaway, Jo Thomas, Gillian Adams and Corinne Russell.
This routine starts with an exterior shot of a western town with Louise and Jane Conaway in the foreground. You can also spot Gillian Adams and Corinne Russell, as well as Jane Leeves who is laying on the car hood as it moves down the street.
Louise and Gillian walk up to Benny in sexy western outfits and they each drop a coin in his cup as he plays his guitar and harmonica. Benny "tips" his hat for them. Next is an incredible shot of Corinne Russell leaning on the car hood, followed by Jo Thomas, Jane Conaway (her shirt says "Sue"... is this really Jane?) and Jackie Wright.
We then get a close-up of Julie Kirk and Jane Leeves bottoms. They pass Benny by and drop money into the cup of a lasso expert instead. Benny is upset and gets a bust in the chops, his harmonica still in his mouth! Benny walks over to where Sue and Henry are talking, making harmonica sounds with every step, since he has "eaten" some of the harmonica. He sneezes and Sue loses her panties! You can even see Sue holding the said underwear up with her right hand if you look closely!
Henry McGee is Bob Todd's partner in crime and he guns everyone down who is waiting to use the phone booth so that Bob in his "Black Bart" style costume can use it. Henry is dressed like a Mexican bandit. Those in the line include Jackie Wright, Julie Kirk, Jo Thomas and Gillian Adams who is using the phone. Bob Todd even steals money from her purse to use the phone while Gillian plays dead in Henry's arms. You can see just a slight smile on her face as Henry is holding her.
Next, Henry holds Benny at gunpoint and he and Bob frisk Benny for his valuables. Bob gets all of Benny's gold chains while standing behind the fence Benny is standing in front of. Henry finds nothing and begins to sulk. Benny even comforts him!
Then we have a two-shot of Corinne and Gillian. I like the way Corinne has her leg over the top of the railing. A blonde in a yellow dress comes by and Benny wants to kiss the baby in her carriage. Another woman (Jenny Lee Wright) and the blonde won't let him near the baby, so he kisses the blonde instead, getting a slap from both women.
Since this is the edited version of the Wild West, we cut to the dance portion after Louise has left the stage. The girls in this routine are Julie Kirk, Jane Conaway, Jane Leeves, Gillian Adams, Corinne Russell and Jo Thomas. The girls dance a little and form a line, looking to the camera stage left.
We then cut to a shot of Benny with Sue and Jenny Lee Wright. Benny accidentally uses Sue's lipstick, thinking it is his cigar. He gets a slap of course. Jackie & Henry have unusual glasses to watch the show with. The camera gives a close-up of Gillian Adams and the girl's dance. The girls then pair up. Corrine and Julie, Jane and Jo facing each other on the floor, Jane Conaway to the right. Gillian Adams takes center stage behind Jane Leeves and Jo Thomas, lying on her belly.
Benny enters the pub in a sheriff style outfit and Henry, Jackie and Gillian are all pouring beer, making Benny rush to the bathroom and accidentally walking in on a woman. He gets pelted with junk.
Benny walks over to the bar and pulls the bartender by the shirt threateningly, revealing the bartender is much taller than he is. Corinne is also standing at the bar in a blue dress. The drink slides down the bar to Benny, past Corinne, getting beer on her "chest". Benny uses his glass mug to remove the foam from her chest. She leaves.
Then Benny and Bob duke it out. They spit in a spittoon and everyone runs out of the saloon. They shoot at a bee, Benny slaps Bob, twists his nose and there is the use of some trick photography for many quick rapid-fire sight gags. Bob eventually loses his teeth and walks away sulking and sucking his thumb. Benny gets a round of applause as some of the people come back into the bar and they all have a drink.
We then see everything returning to normal in the town and Jackie Wright is an organ grinder. Louise and Jo drop money in his cup. Henry walks by but won't make a donation to the cup. A Gorilla convinces him otherwise. The Gorilla then collects the money.
Benny and Julie Kirk walk down the street and Benny gets a gun in his back while trying to tie her shoelace. Bob Todd gets a slap in the face when Julie turns around.
Finally, the Gorilla grabs a saxophone and he and Jackie "jam". The song "Lady Godiva" plays again and this time it is slightly faster with a higher pitch, giving the voices a "giddy" quality. Benny and company dance around the gorilla to the end of sketch. We can only hope that an unedited version of this classic sketch may yet see the light in another DVD.
Jane Leeves is the sexy office worker taking an intelligence test and of course getting it wrong in "Job Interview". "The Doctor Who Died" has Bob and Henry discussing a doctor who died that was only 29. "The Job Transfer" features Benny asking for a transfer because everyone says he acts like a monkey, which of course, he does. Henry is his boss.
"Charlene's Angels" is another brilliant send-up of American TV cop shows. Benny, Bob and Jackie play the three sexy detectives with appropriate hair and clothes. Check out Helen Horton's voice over as "Charlene" as well as her "Blake" character when she says, "they're here Charlene… and looking as adorable as ever…" There's even an in-joke, since the home where some valuable paintings have been stolen is the "Horton" home. The guys get a clue when they investigate the scene of the crime and find a pack of matches for "Club Scotch Mist". They go to the club and work undercover in Scottish outfits, complete with kilts. Look for Sue in the club. Benny also does a great tribute to the Marx Bros. with Pat Ashton as they mime each others movements on either side of what appears to be a mirror. When Benny puts on a cape and investigates further, he runs into Sue who shoots bullets from her breasts. Wait till you see where Benny's bullets come from when he opens his cape and shoots her! A scream! After the guys solve the case they relax in the park, several girls coming along and ogle them, including Sue as a bike rider, but look for Sam Lane as a garbage collector who licks her cherry red lips. The rest of this segment is at the end of the "Home Video Drive In" program with the chase to the end credits.
"The Safe Crackers" features Bob and Jackie as two very inept bank robbers getting caught by Benny and the police. Benny loses his worms in "The Fisherman's Bait".
"Clowning Around" is another Chaplin inspired segment with Benny as a clown making trouble in a clothing store. Many of the regulars are here, including Sue, Henry, Bob, Jackie, Louise as well as Jo Thomas and Jane Leeves. Benny gets measured for a suit by Henry McGee and lifts Jo Thomas' dress with his cane. While a girl is changing clothes in one stall, Benny accidentally grabs her garter as she is changing in the stall next to his. Benny of course gets a slap in the face. Shortly after, Benny "flashes" her. As Benny runs around he even starts ripping off several ladies dresses which we hear off-camera, including Jane Leeves and Julie Kirk. Benny winds up hiding in his trench coat when he's being chased. Finally, Benny dukes it out with Bob Todd using wine bottles. There's even an "invisible man" represented by some rubber boots and he gets shot down, with Benny, Louise (in a blue dress) and Jackie Wright as the Doctor waiting on him. He comes back to life and Louise and Benny walk on without him. The boots spot a sexy nurse adjusting her garters. Loads of fun.
"The Police Station" features Benny, Jackie and Bob along with several other cast members in the police station. They all look like drunks and lowlifes. Wait till you see why they are really there. Not bad.
"The Holiday Program" features Benny, Henry and Louise as hosts of a Travel Show. Featuring Benny as Cliff Mitchelmore, Louise as Anne Gregg and Henry McGee as John Carter. Not only are there plenty of great sight gags throughout, and some very brief nude scenes. There are several clips played throughout featuring excellent getaways.
One clip has Jackie Wright in a wheelchair grabbing the bikini clad Jane Conaway. Another clip features Jackie pulling the dress off of Julie Kirk! Bob Todd in a naval uniform gets the slap in the face.
This sketch even includes several bits of stock footage and one even includes actual nude sunbathers. I remember this from my teen years.
The main portion of this sketch features Sue and Jackie as the Updikes on holiday. Louise plays the less than competent maid for their room. There are plenty of bikini-clad girls sprinkled throughout this sketch. Look for Louise and Jane Conaway coming out of the Hotel as Benny arrives for his holiday. He mistakes Henry McGee for a hotel worker and even hands him his coat and hat.
The beach scenes in this segment are the best; watch for Julie Kirk ironing and Jo Thomas sunning in the background. You'll also see Corinne Russell in a stunning red and white bikini when Julie's ironing board becomes a surfboard. Benny gets a perfect shot on Corinne's behind with his harpoon gun. Watch for Corinne's annoyance, as Benny seems to be retrieving his harpoon. Another scene has Corinne oiling down another girl and Jackie Wright walks by with a blowup doll. Benny plays tennis and gets pelted with a million balls when a sexy bikini clad girl walks by. Jackie plays ball with a group of girls and goes to retrieve the ball and accidentally mistakes Corinne's behind for the ball. Watch her reaction!
The next portion takes place in a restaurant with Benny in drag sitting with Corinne Russell and Jenny Lee Wright. Not only does Benny give some great one-liners here, we actually get to hear Corinne speak for what I believe is the only time in the entire series.
Next Benny is on a topless beach when four girls come into view with their backs to us. Jane Conaway and the other girls remove their tops and Benny gets full view. Watch for his reaction!
Another restaurant scene has Louise and her date ordering from a very expensive menu. Watch Louise's reaction after her beau makes a fast exit. Henry McGee gets "spaghetti" sent to his table but it turns out to be a phone. Look for Louise at the table with Henry. Benny is the waiter.
Watch Benny sit at a table with Jane Conaway and show her his book… Kama Sutra (a book of oriental love techniques). Jane's book is Karate!
The next scene takes place at the "Sun of a beach" with two beautiful girls behind Benny. Look for Corinne Russell bathing with her top undone and getting up.
Finally Benny prepares to leave and gets his coat back from Henry McGee. Look for Benny to step out from behind his desk at the end of this segment without his pants!
"The Toughest Bloke In The Pub" features Bob Todd walking into a British pub and leaning on everyone. Look for Louise, Henry, Jane, Jenny Lee Wright and Benny as other patrons. It's Jackie Wright who steps in and teaches Bob a lesson.
A real treat is Benny's send-up of "The Monte Carlo Show" entitled "The Monte Carbolic Show". Check out the stock footage of people on the beach at the beginning. A real scream.
Benny is the host of this variety show, "Patrick Wayne" and walks out with "Les Girls" to tell everyone about all of their exciting guests. Check out the lovely Alison Bell to the right of Benny in the sexy costume that all of the girls wear. Notice their look of "I couldn't care less" while Benny rattles off the names of all of their "exciting stars". Look for Jo Thomas behind him on the left. I really love it when the girls introduce the special guests with that "show biz" style introduction. Even Sue appears as one "Les Girls". She also appears in the first act "The Nolan Sisters". Check out the deadpan reaction from the audience when they perform their act. The audience loves them though when they step out from behind their costumes and reveal their stockings and garters!
Next, Benny talks to this absolutely ridiculous puppet (voice by Benny) with Jo Thomas and Alison Bell serving him wine and surrounding him. I thought I would die laughing the first time I saw that puppet. Then they introduce "The Hamburg Black Theatre Company". Benny plays a musician in a pink suit with Jackie as his assistant and a girl whom I'm not sure of. Is it Alison Bell? Benny also plays a swami with an appetite for snakes. Then Sue performs a mime act with a moving table and a chair, until the guys who are wearing black grope her. There's also a magic carpet act that Jackie messes up.
"Les Girls" then introduce Kenny Rogers. Benny plays the famous country singer and sings "I Just Wanna Be In Your Band". His makeup makes him look just like the famous country singer! Bob, Henry and Jackie form part of his band and provide some hysterical visual gags. Finally, Benny comes out with the lovely Alison Bell at the end of this sketch with another girl to say goodnight. The girls then pull his "plug" revealing him to be a blowup doll and the fake that these kinds of stars really are. Even the audience at the end is a fake. Brilliant and sarcastic, this is definitely a highlight.
In "Doctor's Best Shot", Benny plays a Doctor giving an injection to a patient. "The Boss's Letter" has Jane Leeves showing a personal note from Benny to everyone in the factory. "The Fortune Teller" has Benny annoyed at his wife for "reading" in bed. Check out the look on Bob's face as he stares into his palm!
"Man Wanted" has Benny looking for work from rich man Jackie Wright to get near his daughter Sue. This is similar to the "Lover" style sketches that Benny did several times before. He works as a gardener and gets fired for "fooling around" with Sue. He then goes out and takes a job moving boxes, takes his earnings and gambles them, making a fortune. He returns and proposes to Sue, but quickly forgets about her when he sees their blonde maid and chases her. I think it might be Lisa Maxwell. Look for Louise as Benny's chauffeur.
"The Execution" features Benny leading a firing squad that is about to execute a beautiful girl. She has no blindfold, so Benny uses her bra, leaving her topless! Needless to say, things don't go as planned.
"On The Beach" has Benny and a young blonde on the beach. She gets hauled into the bushes by a big gorilla. "Playboy" has Benny reading playboy magazine in bed next to his wife. "House Call" features Bob Todd as the Doctor giving advice to Jackie Wright's wife on how to break the news of losing 50,000 pounds on the polls to an already sick Jackie.
"Learning All The Time" shows Benny at his bawdy best as a foreigner who is still learning English and looks for guidance (and a good feel) from Jenny Lee Wright. He meets her in the park and she helps him understand the real meaning of some naughty words, which describe different parts of the human anatomy. There's plenty of dirty-minded wordplay and misunderstandings. I love it when Benny says "Learning All The Time". Classic!
Completing this program is the classic "Wondergran" with Sue Upton as the grandmother who can save the day. Benny plays Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and makes for the perfect villain to Sue's superhero character. There are so many great gags in this sketch and the jokes come so fast and so quickly that it would be very difficult to list them all here.
Benny plays a Dr. who can't even get a good meal. Just watch him try to make breakfast by lighting a match to start the stove and then hitting his head on the kitchen cupboard! He goes to the hospital and to find something to eat he goes into a lab and mixes up a strange concoction of pills and liquids and transforms into the evil Mr. Hyde. Whenever he drinks anything later, he changes back to the respectable Dr. Jekyll. Jackie Wright and Henry McGee also become his partners in crime. There is also a brief cameo by Dennis Kirkland when Henry McGee is "painting something in the sky" on an easel while Benny and Jackie steal wallets and stuff out of those looking up. You can also spot Clare Smalley and Louise English in this sketch as well.
I love it when Sue takes off on her motor-powered bicycle! The high-speed photography adds to the frenzied pacing. She looks for our villains in a nudist camp and it's a scream when she realizes that Bob Todd is actually naked when she talks to him. There's also a scene when two girls jump out of the bushes and I think it's Alison Bell and Clare Smalley. She finally catches Benny and takes him back to her place and tries to "civilize" him with music and a cup of tea. I love it when Benny starts to dance and breaks a whole bunch of stuff in her living room. There is also the usual chase to the credits at the end. Look for a very young Louise dressed as a young girl rolling a hula-hoop. Benny actually steals it from her. This is certainly one of Benny's most creative and funny sketches.
Overview
This is an excellent program and features some of the best sketches from the series like "The Holiday Program" and "The Monte Carbolic Show". Hill's Angels are great in "The Life Guard" and of course the controversial "Lady Godiva", also known as "The Wild West". Any program that features Corinne Russell as much as this one gets my vote. "The Video Machine" is another inventive and clever bit of comedy from Benny and "Charlene's Angels" is another ingenious send-up of American TV cop shows. A wonderful program.