Seventh Python is coming to DVD, but I don’t know when yet. Keep watching this space for any updates!
The Seventh Python
A whole movie about Neil Innes
16
Jun
Seventh Python at the Wilmette in Chicago
Published in UncategorizedThis is so cool!! Seventh Python played at the Wilmette Theater in Chicago on June 9, followed by a mini concert by Neil. The theater asked me for a nice picture of my CGI quacksie, so I made a nice fresh render for them from my 3D model. Then Burt sends me these pictures, and I find out Neil did his whole concert in front of my Quacksie. I’m all a-tingle!
The Wilmette’s Nili Yelin Wronski introduces MC and comedy legend Tim Kazurinsky
Innes joined producer Brett Hudson, director Burt Kearns, and Monty Python historian Kim Howard Johnson in a lively panel discussion after the movie.
Neil signs autographs
4
Apr
Another Triumph!
Published in UncategorizedSeventh Python was shown and Neil performed at the NY 2009 Beatlefest. Of course I wasn’t there AGAIN (grr) but Burt & Brett were there and they got some great pictures, and Rutling Ken Thornton and Vet Ken Simpson accompanied Neil on his solo show. But first a link to an article about it by one “Rutlin’ Jenn” :
Neil Innes is the Seventh Python
March 28th was the East Coast Premiere of this documentary on British comic-musician Neil Innes. The film takes a look at the ‘accidental career’ of a man who has crossed paths with Month Python and The Beatles.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1605929/neil_innes_is_the_seventh_python.html
And now Burt’s pictures!
You ever run into a musical group works out of Kansas City calls themselves Two Kens and a Neil? They’ve been at a Ramada Inn there for about 18 months. If you’re ever in Kansas City and want to hear some good music, you might want to drop by.
Brett & Mark Hudson at the autograph table
I wish I had been there just because Victor Spinetti was. “I won an award. It’s on the wall in my office.”
Burt Kearns & Brett Hudson talking about Seventh Python (probably)
Earl Slick, Neil Innes, Brett Hudson, Greg Hawkes, Mark Hudson, Martin Lewis
(clockwise from top: Greg Hawkes, Martin Lewis,
Earl Slick, Brett Hudson, Neil Innes, Mark Hudson)
And he plumped me pillows!
Neil Innes, secret Muslim
20
Feb
Seventh Python wins an award!
Published in UncategorizedThe Seventh Python has picked up a major prestigious film festival award as it begins a new round of screenings across the country.
The musical nonfiction film about legendary pop satirist and Monty Python collaborator Neil Innes has been named winner of the 2009 Las Vegas International Film Festival’s Golden Ace Award.
The festival judges announced that the film from Frozen Pictures “demonstrated superior and standout filmmaking and is deserving of special recognition” as one of the best among nearly 2000 films submitted from over 50 countries around the world.
The Las Vegas International Film Festival takes place from April 9th to 12th. The Seventh Python director Burt Kearns and producer Brett Hudson will be featured at the awards ceremony and will soon announce Las Vegas screening dates for the film that weekend.
Fans across the country will also have the chance to see The Seventh Python in coming weeks.
The film, which featured Python alums John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Terry Jones, along with Innes fans and friends like Aimee Mann and Simpsons creator Matt Groening, has been chosen as an official selection of the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival, and will be screened in competition on March 8th. Director Burt Kearns and producer Brett Hudson will be on hand to discuss the film after the 8 p.m. screening.
The Seventh Python will also be shown March 28th at the NY Metro Fest for Beatles Fans, the world’s largest Beatles fans convention. The screening in the ballroom of the Meadowlands Crowne Plaza Hotel will take place at 11 a.m.—an “early bird special” for festivalgoers, by popular demand after a similar showing at the Chicago Fest drew more than a thousand people and a standing ovation.
Kearns and Hudson will be there— along with the star, Neil Innes himself, who will be performing and signing autographs throughout the weekend.
The Seventh Python was the opening selection of the American Cinematheque’s 2008 Mods & Rockers Film Festival. Watch this space for announcements of more screenings leading up to the crowd-pleasing movie’s inclusion in the Revelation Perth International Film Festival in July.
16
Aug
7th Python a hit at NeilFest 2008!
Published in UncategorizedOkay, technically it was Beatlefest… well technically-technically it was “The Fest for Those Among You Whom Call Yourselves Fans of the Beatles” or something like that. I (Bonnie) wasn’t there, but my web partner Laurie was, as well as the old gang from Chicago Neilfest 2001, plus about 247 new Neil campers from the innesboard. They were joined in Chicago by 7th Python filmmakers Burt Kearns & Brett Hudson and of course Neil himself. From what I’ve heard from everybody else, the movie was a rousing success, the house was packed, and everybody really enjoyed the movie. And they all said such nice things about my animation, and Laurie said everybody clapped when my name came up in the credits. (yay!)
Some visual highlights:
7th Python filmmakers Brett Hudson & Burt Kearns, along with Neil & Mark Lapidos, introducing the 7th Python.
The reaction at the end of the film, courtesy Tabloidbaby… I can’t make out the names in the credits, but is that my name they’re cheering for near the end? Since I don’t know, let’s just say it is.
Neil talks about the movie and his time with the Bonzos and Monty Python. Another video thanks to DeeBee!
Neil playing I Must Be In Love with Liverpool
Some pictures put up on the Neilfest 2008 photo gallery…
We’ll start with Laurie & Neil…
Rutling Ken, Neil’s projected image (he’s off on the left out of the frame)
and Vet Ken Simpson make some purty music.
Laurie on the left, Rutling Ken on the right, and Christine in the middle.
Christine’s sure got a purty mouth.
Neil & the gang from the Innesboard
Neil holding court with the Innesboarders.
Neil joins in a spontaneous jam session.
I think they were singing a George song.
More mingling with yanks!
Mahhhhhhhh-tin! A TRIUMPH!!
Neil being a goomba out in the lobby. Video by Barb!
Neil playing Rutle songs with Liverpool
Last day, everybody just waiting for time to go to the airport…
featuring Patrick, the adorable Spawn of Vet Ken on the right.
And now from the Chicago Sun Times…
Full Story: http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/1094681,innes080708.article
A satisfied Rutle spends lost weekend with Beatles fans in Chicago
August 7, 2008
BY JEFF ELBEL
According to Neil Innes, he stumbled innocently into show business with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band during the 1960s and has been falling through open doors ever since. He’s happier as a respected peer of timeless entertainers like the Beatles and Monty Python troupe than being considered a star himself.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Rutles film “All You Need Is Cash,” a wickedly funny Beatles spoof. Monty Python’s Eric Idle wrote the screenplay about the “Prefab Four,” and Innes starred as John Lennon figure Ron Nasty. Innes’ compositions for the soundtrack (and 1996’s “Archaeology”) rival the wit and craft of the Beatles’ works they affectionately skewer.
This weekend in Chicago, Innes will speak at The Fest for Beatles Fans and perform Rutles favorites with the band Liverpool. Attendees also can see a new documentary called “The Seventh Python,” dedicated to Innes’ “accidental career.”
Innes spoke with the Sun-Times from his home in England.
Q. The Rutles song “Joe Public” could make a fitting theme song for the pro-anonymity stance of “The Seventh Python,” if you weren’t such an inspiring skeptic. Would the lyric “I put my faith in the powers that be” ever suit you?
A. No, but that’s what Joe Public does. If you go right back to Socrates, intelligence has not been a commodity held in high esteem. Most Joe Publics are happy to support a football team or form some sort of tribe, which plays into the hands of anyone wanting to take away their hard-earned dollar. [The general public] are not stupid, but we are unaware of how things work.
Q. Does “The Seventh Python” stoke your ego, or provoke your contempt for fame?
A. It’s a wriggly, awkward place to be, I’ll tell you [laughs]. I quite like that they went ’round with a photograph and nobody recognized me. My favorite bit was on Hollywood Boulevard, where the guy says, “So, you’re making a documentary about somebody nobody knows?” Fame and money have become the twin pillars of modern culture. I love the idea of a D-list celebrity, which is someone who’s been hit on the head by Tiger Woods’ golf ball.
Q. Would people at The Fest for Beatles Fans have the same trouble with the photo?
A. No, no. I just don’t cross into the mainstream. I’ve [witnessed] very big fame through people I know. It’s a lot more fun being a Rutle than a Beatle!
Q. Will you find the type of fans who made life challenging for the Beatles at the Fest?
A. No; it’s people on a voluntary Lost Weekend with family, playing songs to each other that they love. What unites everybody is a preferable reality to the one that comes down the pipe every other day of the year. It’s a little oasis of friendliness and hope. I’m incredibly flattered that they should find the Rutles songs not that wide of the mark. Jeff Elbel is a Chicago freelance writer.
And that’s the way it was at Neilfest 2008!
Aboot
This is a movie about Neil's life and work and avoidance of fame, centered on two concerts in Los Angeles that were arranged by your webmasters Bonnie & Laurie. Filmmakers Burt Kearns and Brett Hudson filmed the shows, the rehearsals, and general Neil going around stuff, and then spent a long time raising the money to make it even bigger and turn it into a film. They wound up interviewing all the living Pythons (except Terry Gilliam, who went missing when they were England) as well Bonzos and Rutles and artists who were influenced by Neil. They even went to Neil's house in England and filmed him there, as well as Phill Jupitus and John Halsey (aka Barry Wom) at his pub in Cambridge. Then they got me (Bonnie) to do some animation it and VOILA! The Seventh Python is finished. Never thought I'd live to see the day!
