Balham, Gateway to the South
"Balham, Gateway to the South" is a comedy sketch parodying a short travel documentary about the South London suburb of Balham. It was written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden for the 1950s BBC radio series Third Division, and compared the area (in postwar austerity) to faraway exotic locations shown in travelogues of the day.[1][2]
The original sketch features the narration of exaggerated claims regarding the attractions of the area. The sketch was later performed by Peter Sellers, in a parody of the American newsreel-travelogue host James A. Fitzpatrick, and subsequently released on the 1958 record The Best of Sellers, produced by George Martin.[1][3][4]
The sketch was expanded in 1979 to form the script of a short (21-minute) colour film of the same name directed by Micky Dolenz. Starring Danny Schiller and Judy Gridley as American tourists and Robbie Coltrane in several roles, including those originally voiced by Sellers. It was narrated in an English accent, by David de Keyser and was released for broadcast in 1981.[5][6]
References
- 1 2 Muir 1997, p. 157.
- ↑ Sikov 2002, p. 46.
- ↑ Vestey, Michael (4 July 1998). "The cure for SAD-ROM". The Spectator. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ↑ Best of Sellers track list
- ↑ BFI - Balham: Gateway to the South
- ↑ TV Cream - Balham - Gateway to the South
Sources
- Muir, Frank (1997). A Kentish Lad. London: Bantam Press. ISBN 0-552-14137-2.
- Sikov, Ed (2002). Mr Strangelove; A Biography of Peter Sellers. London: Sidgwick & Jackson. ISBN 978-0-283-07297-0.