The Reluctant Jester, My Headon Collision with the 20th Century, An Autobiography (Signed!)

Michael Bentine

ISBN 10: 0593020421 / ISBN 13: 9780593020425

Published by Bantam Press, London, 1992

About this Item

Michael Bentine, CBE (1922 1996) was a British comedian, comic actor and founding member of the Goons. This copy is near fine in maroon cloth with gilt titles on the spine. Very slight bumping at spine ends and slight age darkening of the text, given the type of paper used by the publisher. No other marks or damage at all. The unclipped DJ has slight edge wear but is otherwise excellent. Inscribed by Bentine in the year of publication on the ffep. . AB. Seller Inventory # B681

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Reluctant Jester, My Headon Collision ...

Publisher: Bantam Press, London

Publication Date: 1992

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: First.

About this title

Synopsis:

Grandson of a vice-president of Peru, Old Etonian, RAF Intelligence officer, founder-member of "The Goon Show", creator of "It's a Square World", "The Bumblies" and "Potty Time", investigator of the paranormal, explorer, author and comedian, Michael Bentine describes the joys, absurdities and tragedies of a life of contrasts. A colourful array of characters play their part in the book: the larger-than-life Peruvian uncles, aunts and cousins who took prim, unsuspecting Folkestone by storm in the 1930s; the "bleddy" Poles in the wartime RAF who fought with great courage; the psychics who repeatedly offer evidence of extraordinary gifts; and the showbiz performers, from immobile Windmill nudes to seasoned old pros of the club circuit, stars such as Judy Garland, Danny Kaye and Julie Andrews, as well as the other Goons - and one minor star, the Bentine family's alcoholic parrot. The setting changes from Romney Marsh to London and Lincolnshire, and from the United States to Australia, and includes two visits to Peru - one of them for the first-ever Hovercraft expedition up the Amazon. Amidst the friendships and the travels, two themes predominate - the development of "my odd ability to make people laugh" and the love of family, which now includes a great-grandson.