Archive 7

News & Updates

This page covers Updates from September 20, 2005 to February 17, 2006.

Update: February 17, 2006

I have been able to update many identities to those who simply are unknown in the photo galleries and reviews, thanks to William Brown and David Hawkins. They have both put in a lot of work and time to get accurate names put to the faces you see throughout the galleries and indeed throughout this site. It is very easy for names to get overlooked and for mistakes to happen so if something doesn't look right, feel free to drop me a line. Special thanks must go to both Contributing Editor William and to new contributor, David Hawkins. I am sure we will see more information added to the site, courtesy of David.

Update: February 13, 2006

I have produced my first podcast. You can also access any podcasts I produce by subscribing to the news feeds which will also include links to the podcasts. Links to future podcasts will also be posted here in the Site Map. Please pass along your comments and suggestions for future podcasts by dropping an email or leaving a message in the guestbook. Note: Since this original entry, www.clickcaster.com announced that they will no longer be providing free podcast hosting. All Podcasts will now be downloaded here at Benny's Place.

Update: February 12, 2006
Subscribe to my News Feed

The newest technology for getting the latest news & updates is the syndicated news services. This makes it possible for you to subscribe and get the latest updates to my site without even having to visit. The button (at the top of this paragraph) is also at the top of every page so you can subscribe. Please feel free to pass along any feedback about this service. There are plenty of News Reader programs on the internet you can download to take advantage of this free service. Enjoy!

A Note about RSS Free Headline Services

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) news feeds allow you to read only the news you want, when you want. You will need to download a news reader or an RSS web module of your choice, click the RSS button above and copy the appropriate link from the linked page and paste it into the news reader software. You can also take advantage of Web-based News Readers without the need to download a reader into your computer. An excellent example is the services provided at www.pageflakes.com which can also provide the news feed for my site and just about any place on the internet that provides news feeds and podcasts.

Update: February 1, 2006

Famed Benny Hill Sideman Dies

Henry McGee Tribute(1929-2006)
Henry McGee, longtime straight-man to Benny Hill has passed away at the age of 77. William Brown has written a special tribute to one of The Benny Hill Show's most memorable and enduring stars.

Update: January 27, 2006

New site improvement!

www.sean.co.uk

I got the really cool Javascript Includes from Sean McManus - business and technology writer. Thanks to Sean. I have added the link to my Links page You can check his site at www.sean.co.uk

Benny Hill on VHS by
William Brown

William Brown has written a page on the HBO Video releases. So far he has added info for Video Sideshow and Video Revue.

Update: January 22, 2006
William Brown Contributions

I have finished putting the finishing touches to my Set 4 Review by including essential background information provided by contributing editor William Brown. These reviews, nor indeed this site would be as indepth or informative as it is without him. Thank again, William!

Benny Hill, Complete &
Unadulterated, Set 4 Contest!

Erik Larsen, webmaster of www.sueupton.net is now holding a contest to give away one (1) free copy of Benny Hill, Complete & Unadulterated, Set 4! Erik has written a trivia question and the answer can be found somewhere on www.sueupton.net. The contest is open to Canadian and US Residents only. Good Luck!

A&E Set 4 DVD Review
Release Date: January 31, 2006

I recently was fortunate enough to receive a Review copy of A&E's Set 4 of The Benny Hill Show from NewVideo, which covers the programs from 1978-1981. There are ten programs in all in the collection as well as the featurette with members of Hill's Angels. I have completed my review for your enjoyment and information. This will easily be the most successful DVD in the series to date. Look for this DVD on January 31st! Special thanks to Devra Prywes for passing along the advance copy of the DVD for reviewing!

The Benny Hill Annuals
Region 2 DVD Releases

William Brown passed along some info about The Benny Hill Show and releases for our neighbors across the pond in Region 2. You can see details about the first 5 Benny Hill Annuals DVD releases in the Region 2 DVD Releases page.

William Brown notes and corrections

No man is an island, they say. Special thanks to William Brown. He has passed along some helpful information for my Pan's People in Love For Sale page. He also has a keen eye for picking out Angels for the photo galleries, so most of the credit for putting the names and faces can go to him.

Photo Galleries

There are now larger photos (500 pixels by 357 pixels) in the following Galleries:
Hot Gossamer
Pan's People in Love For Sale
Hill's Angels Galleries
Chez Ben Grand Gala
Madame Louise Summer Collection
New York, New York
TV Workout
Ease On Down The Road
Keep Young & Beautiful
An Occasional Man
Street Dance"

Javascript Navigation

Special thanks must go to Sean McManus and Joseph K. Myers for their excellent Javascript for my navigation links. This makes updates much easier than ever! If you are interested, you can check out www.sean.co.uk

Update: January 9, 2006

Set 4 Bonus Feature
"I Was A Hill's Angel" Featurette
I just received an email from Devra Prywes of NewVideo. She has kindly passed along some more information about the Hill's Angels featurette coming our way on the next A&E set. And here it is...

BENNY HILL: COMPLETE AND UNADULTERATED --
THE HILL'S ANGELS YEARS

will release at the end of the month on January 31. This 3-DVD set includes all 10 complete vintage Thames episodes from 1978-1981, which also marks the debut of the Hill's Angels on the program. To pay tribute to this historic event, we have brought together former Angels Sue Upton, Alison Bell, Jo Thomas, Alison Thomas, and Carla de Wansey for an interview about their experience on The Benny Hill Show.

Update: January 6, 2006

I have now added a Google Search Engine to every page on the site. This can be of real use for finding anything in particular or even as a helpful method of navigation. You will find the search engine on the right side of each page underneath the links and printing information. Special Thanks to my brother Andrew for this suggestion!

Update: January 5, 2006

I have now complete a major revision to the site. There are Javascript links on the right hand side of every page, except for the Site Map page. Those who have Javascript disabled can return to the Site Map to continue navigating throughout the site. You will also find "Navigation" links at the top and bottom of the content section of every page, linking you to related reviews, routines and news. I hope these links will make navigation that much easier. Please feel free to let me know how everything is working and if there are any problems. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Who's Who of The Benny Hill Show

I have updated the Who's Who Of The Benny Hill Show section, which now is 21 pages long! Fear not. There are links at the top and bottom of each page designed to quickly take you through that section. Again, you will notice the same type of links on every page of the site. Thanks to William Brown for all of his additional photos and research!

The Lost Years DVD Guide

William Brown has composed an extensive section of notes on the Lost Years DVD, including trivia and details for each show and star. Thanks again William! Check out The Lost Years DVD Guide Page!

Update: January 2, 2006

David Hawkins sent me a link to this clip of Benny in his famous "Ernie, The Fastest Milkman In The West". You will need Real Player to view this clip. www.bbc.co.uk

The Lost Years DVD Guide

I have added William Brown's Guide to The Lost Years DVD to the site. Plenty of details as well as trivia and a guide to those who appeared.

Update: December 19, 2005
New Layout

I hope everyone is pleased with the changes I have made to the website. I have changed the basic color layout and style and added a cool 'ribbon' of images on the left hand side of the page that runs from the top to the bottom.

Javascript Menu

I have added a pretty cool Javascript Menu on the righthand side of the page for easier and faster navigation for each page. You will need Javascript enabled on your computer or the links will not appear. For those who do not use Javascript you will need to come back to the Site Map page to access the non-Javascript links there. This new method will not only make it easier to navigate throughout the site, but also make it much easier for me to update it myself. Please feel free to let me know if there are any problems.

Printing Pages

I have made the pages 'Printer-Friendly'. You can view the pages before printing by simply accessing the 'Print Preview' button in your browser. As with printing any webpages, there may be some imperfections as this is still not an exact science. Still, I think you will be able to print pages without too much trouble. I have done some testing and it works pretty good.

Update: November 22, 2005
Complete & Unadulterated, The Hill's Angels Years, Set 4!

I just received an email from TVShowsOnDVD.com announcing the release date for Set 4 on January 31st, 2006! You can check out the details for the next set at TVShowsOnDVD.com! Bonus features include "I Was A Hill's Angel" Featurette, The Benny Hill Cheeky Challenge Trivia Quiz #4 and Hill's Angels Biographies. Will keep you posted on any further news!

Update: October 7, 2005

Contributing Editor William Brown has graciously agreed to answer questions about the Benny Hill Show, indeed Benny's career. However, William is also interested in submissions regarding cast & crew, so please feel free to pass along any info you have about the show to William.
Contact William

Update: October 7, 2005

I have added William Brown's notes for the Bonus Benny! section of the "Lost Years" DVD Review.

Update: October 6, 2005

I have now completed the DVD Review for "The Lost Years". You can now read the review for the Bonus Benny! section, the Summary of the entire collection, as well as the Star Ratings. Here are links for the entire review. Enjoy!
Bennies from Heaven
Benny & The Jests
The Good, The Bawd & The Benny
Will be adding notes from contributing editor William Brown to the Bonus Benny! section soon.

Update: October 1, 2005

I have now added William Brown's notes for three of the Lost Years DVD programs. You'll find William's notes in brackets sprinkled throughout the reviews. Many thanks to William for his tireless research!
Bennies from Heaven
Benny & The Jests
The Good, The Bawd & The Benny
Will be adding his notes for the Bonus Benny! section when that review is completed.

Update: September 29, 2005

I have completed the reviews for three of the programs in this collection:
Bennies from Heaven
Benny & The Jests
The Good, The Bawd & The Benny
Look for my review of the
Bonus Benny! section soon!

Update: September 20, 2005

I have now reviewed the Bonus Features and completed the review for Set 3. In the next few weeks you will see my review for the "Benny Hill: The Lost Years DVD" appearing on this site. Check back from time to time.