The Goons: The Story. This item is unavailable.The Goons: The Story

The Goons first went to air at the BBC in May 1951. There then began a terrible rasping, squealing, giggling, snorting period of lunacy which continued unabated until 1960. Fifty years after the show there is still huge interest in the Goons, with each new generation discovering afresh the anarchic humour that has had such a huge influence on so many of today's top comedy performers. This fascinating collection of reminiscences, photographs and sketches is the definitive story of Eccles, Bluebottle, Neddy, Bloodnok, Grytpype-Thyne, Moriarity, Minnie Bannister, Henry Crun et al from those who knew them best. Under the patient guidnace of Spikes manager Norma Farnes, Spike Milligan and the late Sir Harry Secombe, along with a select handful of friends including Eric Sykes, delve into their dusty old memories to help piece together the history of the Goons. This is the definitive celebration of one of Britain's best-loved comedy shows, a fascinating collection of photographs, scripts, reminiscences and sketches.

Norma Fames has been Spike Milligan's manager for more than 30 years, having initially applied for a job as his personal assistant and deciding to give it a try for three months. They have never had a formal contract but sealed their professional relationship with a simple handshake. Norma has previously edited two highly successful volumes of Spike's correspondence, The Spike Milligan Letters which was published in 1977, and More Spike Milligan Letters, published in 1984.