@voice_of_change 0 seconds ago I am 76 watching this in 2024 and feel nostalgia now I am an expat in Asia . I have traveled almost every place Spike went on this video having been a Northern Beaches boy (Narrabeen) who married a girl from Griffith hence have traveled through most of those places like Grong Grong, Gumly Gumly, Wagga Wagga, Woy Woy as well as most of Australia.
I saw this, I dunno, must be 40 years ago. I havent forgotten the Sydney Harbour Bridge joke, or the pyramid of bones one 😅😊😅😅 As for the bush tucker, when Spike remarked he was preparing for the dissentry season, I almost pissed myself laughing. When Bones went on and on and on about the pot in the river I was amazed no-one shoved it up his arsehole. Sideways. Twice. "Bill, you'll have to translate what Bones is saying, Ive been here 3 days and I dont understand what he's talking about". Classic
It was nice to watch and see Bill Kerr with Spike , Bill was one of Tony Hancocks side kicks on the radio during the 50’s . Anyway I enjoyed the documentary. Thank u for posting it .
Dear Spike seemed so happy and contented in Australia he looked so sad in England probably just too much pressure to be funny 24 7 he would have lasted longer in Australia, just my opinion but what a lovely guy RIP Spike ps Bones & Bill Kerr are great guys to be with, what a trio, thanks for the upload great video
Yes it is a valuable insight into one man's outlook on life in Australia. There may be some more new Dunstan material coming, which I will post when I get it.
I have just discovered the whole Goon thing (long way for a native German) ... it is still hard for me to decipher but I felt drawn to them from minute one .. and with rolling the Tube I have come to like Mr. Milligan a lot . besides we have a 'revolving Restaurant' on top of the Olympiaturm here in Munich as well and hearing him say the word I could almost see guests randomly fired into the evening skies together with their napkins and plates 🌼:)
I am currently reading ''Spike An Intimate Memoir'' by his very long-serving agent, manager & clearer-upper, Norma Farnes...A great read, with enormous affection & love for Spike & his family...especially his mother. Love this documentary, & to see all things Woy Woy & his mother, as described in the book, dressed in her Royal Ascot finest outfit to watch the Melbourne Cup on TV...!!!
Born in Gosford in 1981, I grew up in Woy Woy, nanna lived in Umina, we rode our bikes down Trafalgar Av daily. Woy Woy pool, BMX track behind, corner store for lollies, hamburgers. Times were good then, not the same now, trains are still as shit and house prices crazy here it is 2022.
Rod McNeil's ABC Radio colleague Peter Young has passed away in Sydney, aged 95. Rod has written this tribute to Peter, which includes this memorable incident! "The many old pals of Sydney radio's Peter Young have now heard of his recent death in retirement, marred only by some late life illness. Peter successfully changed not only stations but his country of residence, having entered the broadcasting business in his homeland NZ, later joining ABC Sydney where he thrived from then on. Peter's love of good English and correct emphasis, as an adjunct to good wine and great ingredients, meant we, his colleagues, in the sixties and beyond, were always ready for a Friday night outing to one of the buzzy bistros that were a feature of Sydney in those days. ABC radio was based in Darlinghurst, Sydney, an area where Aussie eccentrics felt right at home, but it is doubtful anyone was in the same league as occasional visitor Spike Milligan. After one engaging radio chat between the two, it was time for Peter to wind up the show before the 11a.m. news update... Spike however was in no rush to leave, and stayed on to react to the sudden appearance of the newsreader as the time pips pierced the silent air - a sitting duck as far as Spike was concerned, and he proceeded to decorate the news stories with timely interruptions to the great amusement of many station colleagues peering through the studio glass at the celebrity guest. Peter signalled frantically to Spike to cease and desist, but all to no avail! Peter and I as the hapless participants in this impromptu performance by the extraordinary Spike, both put it down to the vagaries of live broadcasting, whenever the memorable incident came up in the many years that have followed."
A mate of mine used to be a steward on Qanatas. He told me how Spike flew with him once and took over the flight announcements. The passengers were in hysterics.......
Additional comment: I was born in 1962 and my Nanna moved to Nelson St, Umina in 1969. I was christened in Woy Woy age 7... we ALWAYS used to keep a weather eye out for Spike when we'd spend school holidays in Umina, surfing the spit at Ettalong (Box Head), Rollerskating at Ettalong and peddling our pushies to Woy Woy Olympic Pool for a change of scenery. Pure gold time's.
ALWAYS loved the guy. From "The Goon Show" with Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine to his simple yet absurdly hilarious book's like the one about his time in the Artillery in WWII "Adolf Hitler - My Part in his Downfall" to his razor wit, this was a true renaissance man. My parent's regularly tuned into "The Goon Show" and used to say he had "shell shock" P.T.S.D. - the entry price for combat exposure. The man wouldn't be out of place in this world now. What a truly wonderfully funny and unique man with a curious bent. You live in my soul Spike Milligan :)
My wife had a hairdressers in Gosford in the 1980's just near the railway station. One Saturday just as she cleaning up to close, Spike walked in and asked her for a hair cut. He had on his usual grey light weight raincoat.She recognised him straight away but never said so or even asked for his autograph which she has always regretted.
I still listen to the Goons, while lockedup in Andrewstan, (formerly Melbourne). Their humour got me through puberty. I still try to see the stupidity in the chaos called modern society. Not difficult in Victoria, Australia 2021.
Funny man and wonderful film. Sad that we all have to go. Loved the story about the drover with the brown snake in the pub, very funny. Australia and Australians you won't find better
Don’t think Spike trusted the taxi driver, who he said knew him by name. Stalker alert? Spike got him to drop him off in a side street called Cedar Crescent just before his Mum’s place. Celebrity occupational hazards...
Spike clearly knew the driver, who, like many locals, knew the Milligan home very well. I'm sure the reason he dropped Spike where he did, was so that there wouldn't be any crazy viewers trying to identify or stalk the house!
Check out on You Tube "Woy Woy the Venice of Australia" made in the early 1930's by the look of it. A serious travel short film. Interesting and funny but Spike was not in it.
