Python precursors out on DVD

The shows that paved the way for Monty Python are to be released on DVD for the first time.

At Last The 1948 Show and Do Not Adjust Your Set are to be released in America to cash in on the Broadway success of Monty Python’s Spamalot.

And the first title, at least, will be released in the UK, too.

At Last The 1948 Show was written and performed by Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Marty Feldman as well as the "lovely Aimi McDonald" and guests Barry Cryer and Eric Idle. It was produced by David Frost

The show's name was a joke in itself because the series sat on a shelf for months before finally airing on ITV in 1967, when its  black-and-white production already made it seem dated.

However, many of the 13 half hour episodes have been lost from archives, with only five episodes intact and a sixth having recently been restored.

The five episodes will be released in the US by Tango Entertainment on July 26, priced $29.98, and in the UK by Pinacle Vision, priced £19.99 a day earlier. Click here to pre-order from Amazon and save £5.

On the same day, Do Not Adjust Your Set will be released in the States, featuring nine of the 29 episodes that aired in 1967 and 1968.

It starred Eric Idle, David Jason, Terry Jones, Denise Coffey, Michael Palin and the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. Some episodes also featured original animation by Terry Gilliam.

The show was originally labeled a children's programme, but its silliness and clever skits also appealed to adult audiences.

Originally airing at tea-time, ITV had to reschedule the show at 7pm because they found out that people were leaving work early to go home and watch it.

The new releases come on heels of a new DVD featuring previously unseen footage of Graham Chapman.

Looks Like A Brown Trouser Job, which is out on June 13 at £10.99, features home videos of Chapman’s college lectures plus a host of extras.

This is available at a 25 per cent discount from Amazon, too. Click here to buy

Published: 1 Jun 2005