Description: Benny Hill--Britain's baron of bawdy buffoonery--bursts into full bloom in this boisterous collection from his golden fan-favorite era, The Thames Years! Wildly popular all over the globe thanks to his trademark smirk and affinity for comic naughtiness, Benny rejuvenated the sketch-variety genre with his multi-award-winning THE BENNY HILL SHOW. Satirizing everything under the sun, but sanitizing nothing, Benny and his crackerjack team of entertainers invented a squadron of crazy caricatures: lovable imbecile Fred Scuttle, avant-garde French filmmaker Pierre De Terre, and the verbally challenged Mr. Chow Mein. Backed by Benny's half-dressed flock of frisky foxes, THE BENNY HILL SHOW continues to stand the test of time by making the world laugh itself silly.THE NAUGHTY EARLY YEARS: SET TWO features all 10 riotous episodes from 1972-1974. DVD Features: "Benny Hill: Laughter and Controversy" Episode of A&E’s Award-Winning Series BIOGRAPHY; The Benny Hill Cheeky Challenge Trivia Quiz; "Liner Notes" DVD Insert Booklet; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection
Amazon.com: Benny Hill Complete and Unadulterated: The Naughty Early Years, Set Two (1972-1974), a sequel to the delightful Set One (1969-1971), continues opening the vaults on Hill's burlesque and satiric legacy at the Thames Television network. After enjoying stardom on the BBC, Hill made the leap to Thames at the end of the '60s, where he enjoyed creative freedom and the deluxe benefits of a color broadcast. Set Two reveals no slowing down of Hill's prolific imagination, mastery of sketch comedy, or cheeky wit with that old Brit favorite, the sex farce. It does suggest that Hill was willing to gently bite the hand that fed him, however, as several sketches skewer the wisdom of Thames management.
Set Two includes 10 original episodes, never before seen in the U.S. in their complete form. As always, Hill kicks off every show with a "Benny Quickie," or blackout gag, followed by a silly song. ("Oh, Zandoona," a ballad about a willowy young miss, finds Hill--accompanied by house vocal group the Ladybirds--confessing, "Luckily she was blessed with two warts on her chest / Or she'd have no figure at all.") One of the most inspired sketches is an interview with "avant-garde French film director" Pierre de Tierre (Hill), who dismisses heady critical praise from a fawning interviewer. (Calling Pierre a genius for shifting from color to black and white in one of his features, the host is flattened by the filmmaker's response: "No, no. I ran out of color.") Other good things include Hill's impression of singer Shirley Bassey (in a deep-plunging, backless dress, no less), a short film about married thieves (to the tune of Noel Coward's "Little Things"), a lecherous ballet set in a park, and an interview with Hill's crusading, Fleet Steet scandal-monger, Mervyn Cruddy. Another interview, with Hill's slightly dotty Fred Scuttle, is laced with light sarcasm about the state of British TV and, of course, includes much naughty schoolboy humor. (Asked what he would program on a proposed new Thames channel, Fred suggests "A Sale of Two--er, A Tale of Two Cities.") Incorrigible. --Tom Keogh
The source of some classic bits. This is one of the better sets in the series, including the "Trumpet and Two Trophies" sketch. The raunchiest episodes are the 1973 ones, including exposed booty in a Fred Scuttle sketch and Lee Gibson's first appearance in an outfit as naughty as those later seen on Hill's Angels. On the minus side, we are subjected repeatedly to the annoying Ladybirds and a bit too much Chow Mein. Worth buying anyway.
BENNY'S BACK !! Britain's king of comedy is back with more unadulterated cheekiness in set two. A&E home video gives Benny Hill fans 10 more hilarious full-length uncut episode's from 1972-1974. Once again the video transfer is outstanding and the digital 2.0 sound is really good. Set two offers fans more hilarious sketches, more cheeky fun and more Benny's beauties. Laughter is the best medicine and Benny Hill the doctor of British comedy will have your knickers in a knot.
DVD Features Include: Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo) All 10 episodes from 1972-1974 "Benny Hill: Laughter and Controversy" episode from A&E Biography The Benny Hill Cheeky Challenge Trivia Quiz
More outstanding comedy Volume Two is a worthy and logical follow up to Volume One and just as funny. The emphasis is still on hilarious imitations and mimicry which is so much better than the vulgarity of the late Benny. Note too the excellent production values which Thames Television provided. The supporting acts are first class, which Benny always insisted upon.
The prints of the programs are really excellent, like new in fact. There is also a good Biography program on Benny which scotches any rumours surrounding his death.
Endless enjoyment to be had here.
Very similar to Set One, offering shades of things to come.... Most Americans were introduced to Benny Hill in the very late '70s / early '80's as a syndicated program sold to independent stations called "The Benny Hill Show". This show was a compilation of sorts- bits and pieces of Benny's Thames TV specials (which averaged about once a month in England) were assembled as episodes for American TV. The skits that involved regional UK humor, very thick British accents, and the 'celebrity' musical acts were generally left out- only skits 'acceptable' for American audiences were included (oddly enough, the bawdy humor and even nudity were deemed 'acceptable'!). Now, A&E have released Benny's Thames specials complete and uncut. Some may find these a bit unsettling, as some skits can scarcely be understood (due to thick accents and material referencing UK personas little-known to Americans) and the 'celebrity' musical/dancing guests leave much to be desired. Still, these are the specials that the American Benny Hill Show was culled from, and should be of great interest to any Benny Hill fan. Season one and two are NOT the Benny Hill you may remember. The season two set comprises the specials from 1972-1974, so this was pretty early on. While their are hints of the bawdy humor that would become Benny's trademark, the humor in this set is quite tame really. That shouldn't keep any Benny fans from viewing this set though, as Benny's wit is razor sharp here. Clever comedy songs (as always), Benny's double entendres (when they were still original!), and funny slapstick skits are all here for your enjoyment. This is where Benny really started to become the comedian that is a worldwide legend. While later seasons would become more risque (much to the delight of Benny fans everywhere), season one and two offer a glimpse of a comedian who sparkles with originality and enthusiasm. That alone is worth checking out both season one and two for. A&E has done a great job with these DVD sets. The picture looks as good as it did when these specials were originally broadcast, and releasing these sets UNCUT is especially appreciated by all hardcore Benny fans. My one complaint with these sets (and it is a MAJOR one) is that there are NO SUBTITLES! Much of the show involves thick English accents. While I am very practiced in deciphering these, I'm sure many Americans are going to have great difficulty understanding what is being said (especially important since a lot of Benny's humor is very nuanced, like the extensive use of double entendres). Please A&E, subtitle all future sets! Still, if you can understand the dialogue (it comes with practice), this (along with season one)is a good set to begin your Benny Hill experience. By the way, if you are one of those humorless people who think Benny is just an unfunny 'dirty old man': GET A LIFE. I'm sure you make everyone around you miserable with your pathetic lack of humor (and why are you here reading this, anyway?). LONG LIVE BENNY HILL!!!!! Season two is RECOMMENDED FOR ALL BENNY FANS!
More Great Footage This is not the same Benny Hill program that most Americans will be familiar with. These are the original episodes. The shows broadcast in the US were cut down versions that reduced a full hour variety show into a half hour of comic skits. Both are great but the full thing is best. This is the full thing.
The Benny Hill Show was a variety show with the emphasis on comedy and a slightly lower emphasis on pretty girls. They often pushed the limits of good taste but, in my mind, never crossed over into bad taste and the purely vulgar. It was fun. It still is.
This is a good deal for fans of burlesque style comedy.
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