Archive 10

News & Updates

This page covers Updates from December 19, 2006 to August 19, 2007.

Update: August 19, 2007
Benny Hill - The Thames Years 1969-1989: The Complete Megaset

A&E are releasing all six box sets of Benny Hill: Complete & Unadulterated in one giant megaset on October 30, 2007. This set includes all of the shows from 1969-1989 spanning Benny's 20 years at Thames Television. All 18 DVD's, including all 58 episodes and 48 hours of programming. From what I can see on TVShowsOnDVD.com, the collection does not contain the Benny Hill Down Under program, which fans are still waiting for. I guess if you didn't feel like splurging on each individual box set, you might get a better price on buying the whole collection all at once.

Product Detail (from aetv.com)

Benny Hill: Complete and Unadulterated: The Complete Collection MegaSet. All 58 full-length specials from Hill's Thames Television years! These programs were never broadcast in the U.S. in this unedited form. With over a dozen DVD bonus features, including an insightful BIOGRAPHY profile. This proves there is no such thing as 'too much' Benny Hill. Uncut, uncensored, in all its madcap glory, this is the total output of the once-in-a-generation comic genius at the height of his powers.

When Hill found his rightful home at Thames Television in 1969 he was finally able to fully explore the outer limits of taste and humor. The result was twenty years of manic sketch comedy that set the standard for unbridled silliness and winking good humor. Far ahead of his time, much of Hill's comedy is only now finding an audience able to appreciate it.

A&E is gut-splittingly thrilled to offer this absolute compendium of Hill at his unbridled best. Enjoy all of his trademark bits: The Hill's Angels, Yakety Sax, Fred Scuttle, Halitosis Kid, undercranking, and much more. This set also includes every bonus feature from six previous DVD releases. These extras take you behind the scenes, into the mind and under the skirt of comedy at its best.

Two decades at the heights of hilarity and the depths of good taste in a single DVD megaset. You can't beat that!

Update: July 20, 2007
Region 2 Network DVD News

David Hawkins has passed along some info about the upcoming Benny Hill Region 2 DVD releases. Network DVD has informed David that they will indeed be carrying on with the Region 2 DVD releases. However, the Benny Hill The ATV Shows DVD, which was slated for a July 16, 2007 release has been delayed. The reason is rights issues. Also, the Benny Hill movie, Who Done It? has a present release date of September 3, 2007. This is also a Region 2 release. Thanks to David Hawkins for this news.

Update: July 19, 2007
Love Machine Interviews!

Great news for fans of Love Machine! Thanks to arrangements made by Lorraine Doyle, members of Love Machine are now answering questions for the Love Machine Q&A section of the site. This time, the lovely Teresa Lucas and Claire Lutter sat down and answered some questions for their fans. On behalf of all the fans of Benny Hill and Love Machine, thanks to Teresa Lucas and Claire Lutter!

Update: July 3, 2007
Saxophone legend Boots Randolph dies at 80

Some sad news to report today. Saxophone legend Boots Randolph, who was famous for originally recording Yakety Sax, died this afternoon. I received an email from William Brown who has written a Tribute to the legendary saxophonist. You can also read this obituary from the tennessean.com about Randolph. Special thanks to William Brown for providing the information and writing a fitting tribute to the man who wrote the famous theme song that become so synonymous with The Benny Hill Show.

Update: June 13, 2007
Tommy Cooper, 'Almost A Magician'

I just recieved an email from Jk Willow, the webmaster of Tommy Cooper, 'Almost A Magician', asking if I'd like to trade links. He passed along a desciption and some background info about Tommy Cooper for me to post here. Tommy Cooper is the funniest magician who ever lived - For over thirty years Tommy was a colossus in the world of comedy entertainment. This is a tribute site to a genius. Thanks to Jk Willow, the webmaster of Tommy Cooper, 'Almost A Magician', for posting a link back to Benny's Place.

Click the poster of Benny to get a larger size image. Banner above and poster image provided by the webmaster of Tommy Cooper, 'Almost A Magician'

Benny Hill said after Tommys death in 1984: 'Tommy not just a lovely man but a great, great comic. You know Tommy Cooper was just as funny off as he was on and that really was funny. For eighteen months I had the dressing room next to Tommy's at the Prince of Wales theatre in London. I'm the kind of person who tries to relax before he has a show. I would get there early to the theatre and have my aspirins and finger nails a cup of tea and a biscuit a lie down on the chez lounge. But not Tommy, he'd come in at the last minute with his mates. I'd hear him next door cracking gags. The one person who did get a bit agitated was his dresser, Joe. He'd knock on the door and say, "Mr Cooper it's nearly time" Tommy would say, "It's alright Joe relax, relax you know what relax is, it's a little bit of dark chocolate" Then he'd say "But Mr Cooper you'll be off" - Tommy said, "Joe I've been going off for years" - "But Mr Cooper your on" Tommy replied, "How am I doing? am I getting any laughs?" And then Joe would bang on the door, "But Mr Cooper there playing your music" - Tommy says "Why didn't you call me, I'll be late."

Update: June 7, 2007
Another Album Review

Benny Hill . . . The Best Of

William continues to be an indispensible researcher. There are now several bits added to The Music pages and now, an additional review of the Album, Benny Hill . . . The Best Of, which is almost identical to the CD included with the Benny Hill Collection DVD, which I reviewed a few months back. William points out the differences between the two releases in his review for The Best Of disc. Thanks, William!

Update: June 2, 2007
Album Reviews

At William Brown's suggestion, I have now added my review for Benny Hill: The Ultimate Collection to the Album Reviews page. Don't miss William's review for Benny Hill: Words and Music! This review also contains notes by William Brown to fill in some of the background of these recordings. Thanks, William!

Update: May 26, 2007
Album Reviews

William Brown and I are going to begin adding Album Reviews to the site of recordings by Benny Hill. In case you didn't know, Benny not only worked on TV and Radio, but also made several LP's over the years. The first review is for the LP, Benny Hill: Words and Music by William Brown. Check it out on the Album Reviews page and special thanks to Willam for the review. When more reviews are added, you'll find out about them right here on the Site Map Page.

Update: May 24, 2007
Screen Capture Comparisons:
Golden Greats and A&E Complete and Unadulterated DVDs

William Brown has put together a nice set of screen caps illustrating the difference in image quality of the Golden Greats DVD and the A&E Complete and Unadulterated programs. There are 12 images in all and they can be found at the end of the Golden Greats DVD Bonus features gallery, after the captures from the Benny Hill: The World's Favorite Clown program. Thanks for the excellent grabs, William!

Update: May 19, 2007
The Musicians of The Benny Hill Show

William Brown has put together details for The Musicians of The Benny Hill Show which is really an extensive list of those musicians behind the scenes who added their musical talents to the series. Thanks, William!

Update: May 4, 2007
Essay on Stock Music of The Benny Hill Show

William Brown has written an Essay that takes a look at the Stock Music of The Benny Hill Show. This insightful essay contains background on the music that was sped-up for many of those silent sequences used on the show. Thanks, William!

Update: May 4, 2007
Complete: The Music of The Benny Hill Show

William Brown has completed the Music of The Benny Hill Show pages. There are six pages in all, covering the 20 years of the Benny Hill Show from 1969 - 1989. There are still some bits of information that William will need to revise from time to time, so keep checking back if there is any info that isn't complete. Thanks, William!

Update: May 4, 2007
All- New: The Music of The Benny Hill Show

William Brown has been working hard and has put together some indepth information on the Music of The Benny Hill Show. This will naturally cover Benny's Thames years. So far, William has put together the details for the first eleven episodes from 1969 - 1971. So head on over to the first page for the Music of The Benny Hill Show and check it out. Keep coming back as this section will continue to expand. Special thanks again to William Brown.

Update: April 19, 2007
All- New: Podcasts Page

I recently recieved an email from clickcaster.com informing me that their podcasting services will no longer be provided for free. I have decided to begin hosting my podcasts right here at Benny's Place. Just go to the Podcasts Page and you can read about previous podcasts and download them to your computer. You will have to right click each link for these podcasts and select the save target as option to download them to your computer. All files are in the mp3 format. You'll also hear about new Podcasts from time to time right here on the Site Map Page.

Presented April 10, 2007
All-New Website Award Presented

This Award was presented by the CLL Website Awards Program. Please go to my Awards Page for more details. As usual, Special Thanks to William Brown, David Hawkins, my Wife Stacey and my brother Andrew and to all of you visitors to this site, for your continued support!

Update: April 7, 2007
Photo Galleries: Pure CSS Tooltips

For those who prefer to view the site without Javascript enabled, there are now Pure CSS Tooltips in the non-Javascript version of each Photo Gallery throughout the site. These are located on the right-hand side of each page to each corresponding Photo Gallery. This means that when you hover over a link with your cursor, you will get a black box with text that contains a much longer description than your browser provides with "alt" or "title" text. Remember, you must disable javascript in your browser before they can be accessed. Enjoy!
This is an ExampleHere is an example of a Pure CSS Tooltip which allows for a longer and more easily read description than before. Clicking this link will return you to the Home Page.

Update: April 2, 2007
Benny Hill's World Tour: New York
Photo Gallery by William Brown

William Brown has put together an impressive Photo Gallery for the Benny Hill's World Tour: New York DVD. There are 74 images in all. Nice work, William! Also, check out the Who's Who of The Benny Hill Show pages for new entries from cast members who appeared in the Benny Hill's World Tour: New York program, including Andrew Alburger, Joey Faye, Lanny Flaherty, Stacey Ann Logan, Lee Meredith and Caryn Rosenthal. Also, look for two pics of Benny in the Faces of Benny Hill section, including shots of Benny as Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Roseanne Barr from the World Tour program. Thanks again, William. Enjoy!

Update: March 31, 2007
Validation Buttons

All of the pages on this site can now be validated instantly with these handy buttons. The XHTML on each page can now be validated via the WDG Validator, The W3C HTML Validator and the CSS can be validated instantly through the W3C CSS Validator. If you come across a page that doesn't validate, feel free to let me know. As usual, I do my best to keep things working properly, but sometimes things slip through. Thanks!

Update: March 2, 2007
More Region 2 Reviews

Associate Editor David Hawkins has researched The first UK PAL Benny Hill Videos for the Region 2 Reviews page, including reviews for The Best of The Benny Hill Show, Volume 1, The Best of The Benny Hill Show, Volume 2 and The Best of The Benny Hill Show, Volume 3. Thanks for the reviews, David!

Update: February 27, 2007
Region 2 Reviews

Associate Editor David Hawkins has passed along two new Region 2 Reviews. One for Benny Hill: The World's Favorite Clown and Benny Hill's Big Time Bonanza. They are brief capsule reviews for two programs on VHS. Thanks for the reviews, David!

Update: February 26, 2007
The Benny Hill Collection DVD Review

I have decided to finally write my review for The Benny Hill Collection. This is one DVD that many fans will probably want to pass on. However, one can certainly say it is unique. It contains one DVD, which features several short programs and an audio CD of 14 songs recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. The program is from 1991 and was produced and directed by Dennis Kirkland.

Update: February 26, 2007
Original Series Guide, Page 6

The Original Series Guide has been updated with a sixth page outlining the programs from 1986 - 1989. William Brown passed along the information for VTR numbers, as well as the breaks. Thanks, William.

Update: February 25, 2007
Benny Hill's World Tour: New York
DVD Review by William Brown

Contributing Editor William Brown has written a complete review for the Benny Hill's World Tour: New York DVD. William gives us a peak at what's inside. Thanks for the review, William.

Update: February 23, 2007
Set Six Photo ID's

There are plenty of faces in these collections I have had trouble with. With the help of Contributing Editor William Brown and Associate Editor David Hawkins (from across the pond!), many more names have been put to faces for the Set 6 Review Photo Galleries. Special Thanks to them for all their help in aiding me in the reviews for all Six Collections.

Update: February 23, 2007
Set Six Corrections and Notes

I have added William Brown's indepth notes as usual to the Set 6 review. William has done his usual thorough research on all things Benny and added plenty of info to make the review more informative. Plenty of ID corrections as well. Thanks, William.

Update: February 18, 2007
Set Six DVD Review Complete

I have now completed my DVD Review for The Benny Hill Complete & Unadulterated Set Six (1986-1989). Of course there will probably be several corrections to the Photo Galleries, as well as additional notes added to the review by William Brown. Thanks for your patience. This also marks the last DVD Collection for The Benny Hill Show. Let's all hope we will soon see a DVD release for The Down Under Program some time in the future!

Update: February 12, 2007
Website Update

I have taken the time to revise the website so that it will work properly in the latest version of Internet Explorer, IE 7. If you were here on Sunday, February 11, 2007, you may have had a hard time viewing the site, due to the maintenance. Apologies for any inconvenience. Let me know if you have any trouble with viewing the site in your browser. Thanks.

Update: February 2, 2007
Set 6 DVD Review Coming

I managed to get a copy of the new Complete and Unadulterated Set 6 DVD for a review. It should be up within a few weeks. Please be patient. These reviews do take time. I will have it up as soon as I can.

Update: January 24, 2007
Faces of Benny Hill & new
entries for Who's Who section

Welcome to 2007! With the holiday season behind us, there is less then a week left before the sixth and final collection of the Complete & Undadulterated Box Sets from A&E becomes available. In the meantime, William Brown has contributed some entries for the Faces of Benny Hill section. We have three photos from the 1978 Benny Hill Down Under Special for your enjoyment. Also, there are some new entries for the Who's Who section, including Jim Clifford and sisters Tina and Sharon Bond.

Update: December 19, 2006
Set 6 DVD Contest at www.sueupton.net

Erik Larsen now has one (1) copy of Benny Hill set 6 to give away, courtesy of Devra Prywes at NewVideo. There is a skill testing question about Sue Upton you must answer and you can find the answer somewhere on www.sueupton.net. One correct answer will be chosen at random. The contest is only open to residents of Canada and the US. Good Luck!