"Monty Python's Flying Circus"
The Money Programme (1972)

Director:

Ian MacNaughton

Writers:

Graham Chapman (written by) &
John Cleese (written by) ...

TV Series:

"Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969)

Original Air Date:

2 November 1972 (Season 3, Episode 3)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Argument | Prank | Eccentric | Actor Playing Female Role | Absurd Humor

Cast

Graham Chapman	...	Queen Erizabeth / Son / Third Explorer / Voice Over #2 / Mr. Barnard / Inspector Fox / Various
John Cleese	...	Announcer / Inspector Leopard / First Explorer / Mr. Vibrating / Policeman / Various
Eric Idle	...	Money Programme Presenter / Clerk / Leicester / Man / Second Explorer / Voice Over #1 / Inspector Baboon / Man in Charge / Inspector Thompson's Gazelle / Various
Terry Jones	...	Nude Organist / Japanese Man / Woman / Our Hero / Film Director / Mr. Spreaders / Various
Michael Palin	...	'It's' Man / Messenger / Church Policeman / Native / Hargreaves / Various
Terry Gilliam	...	Various Roles
Rita Davies	...	Secretary
Carol Cleveland	...	Fourth Explorer / Various
The Fred Tomlinson Singers	...	Money Programme Chorus

Quotes:

Man: I'd like to have an argument, please.
Argument Clinic Recptionist: Certainly, sir, have you been here before?
Man: No. This will be my first time.
Argument Clinic Recptionist: I see. Well, do you want to have just one argument or were you thinking of taking a course?
Man: Well, what is the cost?
Argument Clinic Recptionist: Well, it's £1 for a five minute argument, but only £8 for a course of ten.
Man: Well, I think it would be best if I started off with just the one and then see how it goes.
Argument Clinic Recptionist: Fine. I'll see who's free at the moment. Mr. Bakley's free, but he's a little bit conciliatory. Ah yes, try Mr. Barnard, room 12.

Movie Connections:

References Ossessione (1943)

Erizabeth I

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

An ode to money serves as a sort of prelude. Luchino Visconti is filming Erizabeth I, Inspector Leopard of Scotland Yard, Special Fraud Film Director Squad, arrests him as the impersonator Yakamoto. Terry Gilliam states the theme in essence, a holdup man is quelled by a many-handed victim.

Every dish at home has rat in it (rather than commercial Spam), dead bishops litter the landing. The Church police are summoned, find the culprit and set all to singing "Jerusalem".

A cafe in the jungle is beset by gorillas and pygmies with poison darts, and this is neatly contrasted with the ecstasy of Ken Russell's Gardening Club for 1958. The cafe patrons are explorers led away by pygmies to the Lost World of Roiurama, gradually a number of fluffed lines and restarts show this to be a film in production under Antonioni, who is arrested as the impersonator Akarumba by Inspector Baboon of the Yard, Special Fraud Film Director Squad, Jungle Division, and something of an expert on Antonioni.

Six more minutes are announced by the BBC. An argument clinic and lessons on artfully conveying pain, as well as a proscription on ending sketches with a Scotland Yard man duly enforced, constitute a précis and a summation. A further minute is announced, which does not take place.