Monty Python life and biography

Fusing the topical satire of David Frost with the surreal outlandishness of The Goon Show, the Monty Python's Flying Circus troupe formed in England in 1969. Comprised of British performers John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Graham Chapman, along with American animator Terry Gilliam, the group emerged as an international cult phenomenon, honing their singular blend of broad slapstick, edgy black comedy and social commentary in a string of successful television programs, films and albums.

After meeting during a taping of the British children's series Do Not Adjust Your Set, the Pythons officially took shape in May 1969 when the BBC contracted the group to produce their own 13-week program. Monty Python's Flying Circus, a weekly sketch comedy series, premiered that October; after becoming a major hit throughout Europe, the troupe recorded 1970's Monty Python's Flying Circus LP, a set of new performances of television material recorded in front of a live audience (including their legendary "dead parrot" sketch, "The Pet Shop"). Their film debut, And Now for Something Completely Different -- a collection of highlights from the series -- followed in 1971.

Another Monty Python Record, released in the U.K. in 1971, made its American debut the following year; for most U.S. fans, the album was their first exposure to the troupe -- the BBC series did not begin appearing on public television outlets for several more months. After 1972's Monty Python's Previous Record, a mixture of original routines and TV material featuring "Eric the Half a Bee," "The Argument Clinic" and "Embarrassment/A Bed-Time Book," the group issued 1973's Matching Tie and Handkerchief, which featured a "trick track" gimmick whereby the second side contained separate grooves both featuring entirely different material; playing randomly depending upon where the needle dropped, the gimmick effectively created a Side Three.

A 1973 British tour yielded Monty Python Live at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, released in 1974 to coincide with the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail; the movie's companion record The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail -- a reprise of screen material along with new skits -- did not appear until the next year. After 1976's Live at the City Center, a long hiatus followed before the group reunited for the 1979 feature and soundtrack Monty Python's Life of Brian.

Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album appeared in 1980, followed by the 1982 concert film Live at the Hollywood Bowl. The 1983 feature Monty Python's the Meaning of Life was the last official group project, although the troupe members subsequently reunited on occasion; most famously, Cleese and Palin teamed in the hit comedy A Fish Called Wanda, while Gilliam's directorial efforts like Time Bandits, Brazil and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen all prominently featured other Python alumni. Sadly, Graham Chapman died of cancer on October 4, 1989.

Members :
Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Terry Jones
Michael Palin

There were five Monty Python productions released as theatrical films:

* And Now for Something Completely Different (1971)
A collection of sketches from the first and second TV series of Monty Python's Flying Circus purposely re-enacted and shot for film.

* Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
King Arthur and his knights embark on a low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering humorous obstacles along the way. Some of these turned into standalone sketches.

* Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Brian is born on the first Christmas, in the stable next to Jesus'. He spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.

* Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
A videotape recording directed by Ian MacNaughton of a live performance of sketches. Originally intended for a TV/video special. Transferred to 35mm and given a limited theatrical release in the US.

* Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
An examination of the meaning of life in a series of sketches from conception to death and beyond, from the uniquely Python perspective.

* Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) (2009)
This film features interviews with all the surviving Python members, along with archive representation for the late Graham Chapman. The Pythons will tell their life story and reveal deeper truths alongside the more tried and tested Python history lessons. “This is the documentary I always hoped that would be made – something so complete and so faithful to the truth that I don't need to watch it,” said Terry Jones.

Albums

* Monty Python's Flying Circus (1970)
* Another Monty Python Record (1971)
* Monty Python's Previous Record (1972)
* The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief (1973)
* Monty Python Live at Drury Lane (1974)
* The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
* Monty Python Live at City Center (1976)
* The Monty Python Instant Record Collection (1977)
* Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
* Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album (1980)
* Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
* The Final Rip Off (1988)
* Monty Python Sings (1989)
* The Monty Python Instant Record Collection, Volume 2 (1991)
* The Ultimate Monty Python Rip Off (1994)
* The Instant Monty Python CD Collection (1994)
* Spamalot (Broadway version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Tim Curry as King Arthur) (2005)
* The Hastily Cobbled Together for a Fast Buck Album (unreleased)

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