Neil Innes Video Clips

How Sweet to Be an Idiot
(3.33 MB)

Neil Innes' ode to simple thinking was a hit in Python's Hollywood Bowl movie, but here's the original music video, ducky hat and all, from the first episode of his long-running tv series The Innes Book of Records, 1979. As a special treat, we've also included Neil's performance of "When Does a Dream Begin" from the same show - Neil originally performed the song in the fourth series of Monty Python. For more Neil video, visit Bonnie and Laurie's page.

Neil Innes: "Slaves of Freedom" (live)
(12 MB, Realplayer)

Gospel time! Neil Innes sings "Slaves of Freedom," live. This song originally appeared on Eric Idle's "Rutland Weekend Television", and on Neil's own show "The Innes Book of Records," but here is a special live acoustic version.

The Rutles: All You Need is Cash Clip
(19 MB, Quicktime)

Hopefully you've all seen this movie. If you haven't, see it. Here's a clip from it. In 1978, Eric Idle and Neil Innes created The Rutles - an alternate-universe version of the Beatles. Neil wrote the dead-on Beatley songs, and Eric wrote a very funny script which honors the Beatles even as it makes jokes as their expense. Certainly a highlight of Eric's career. This is the opening sequence to the film, from the recent (rather good) DVD.

The Rutles Archaeology (1997): Shangri-La (Music Video)
(15.5 MB, Realplayer)
The Rutles (minus Ollie Halsall and Eric Idle) returned in 1997 to record their best album, Archaeology. Neil Innes, Rikki Fataar and John Halsey perform "Shangri-La" ... as a host of celebrities and celebrity impersonators appear to pay tribute to the legendary band. Special appearances by Slash, Janeane Garofalo, Richard Belzer, Eartha Kitt, and many, many, many more.

The Rutles: Together Again! (1997) [Major Happy/Shangri-La]
(44 MB DivX AVI - visit Divx.com.)
"This is a shameless publicity stunt" ... The Rutles (minus Ollie Halsall and Eric Idle) returned in 1997 to record their best album, Archaeology. In this film shot and edited by Taly and Russ Johnson, Neil Innes, Rikki Fataar and John Halsey play "Major Happy's Up and Coming Once Upon a Good Time Band" and "Shangri-La," live on a rooftop in New York City. The video also features original art of Rutles merchandising and other good things.

Neil Speaks
(712 KB - small for slow modems!)

Short clip of Neil Innes, interviewed on the set of Holy Grail. From a nice Film Night documentary that used to be rare, but is now on the Holy Grail DVD so watch it there.

Bonzo Dog Band: Canyons of Your Mind/Urban Spaceman
(17.2 MB)
The always-entertaining Bonzo Dog Band were good friends of the Pythons, and starred on the pre-Python TV series Do Not Adjust Your Set. Bonzo Neil Innes later appeared in, and wrote music, for, the Python films. Here, the Bonzos perform two numbers on the tv series Colour Me Pop. Vivian Stanshall sings "Canyons of Your Mind," and Neil sings "Urban Spaceman." I remastered this from several sources to make it sound nice so apologies for some bad sound editing. with Roger Ruskin-Spear, Rodney Slater, "Legs" Larry Smith and Dennis Cowan.

Bonzo Dog Band: Equestrian Statue
(2.5 MB, Windows Media Player Format)

The Bonzo Dog Band perform "Equestrian Statue" in a Pathe Newsreel. With thanks to the British Pathe website. This clip features the original lineup of the band, with Sam Spoons and Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell.

Bonzo Dog Band: Monster Mash
(7.8 MB)

The Bonzo Dog Band perform a cover of Bobby Pickett's immortal "Monster Mash," on the first episode of the pre-Python TV series Do Not Adjust Your Set. The perfect clip for Halloween. This early Bonzo clip features Sam Spoons as the monster (on the electric spoons) and Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell on Bass.

Bonzo Dog Band: The Sound of Music
(3.1 MB)

From the first episode of the pre-Python TV series "Do Not Adjust Your Set." Vivian Stanshall performs his, er, unique version of "The Sound of Music."

Bonzo Dog Band: By a Waterfall
(7.2 MB)

From the pre-Python TV series "Do Not Adjust Your Set," which was intended as a kid's show, but attracted an adult audience. The kids loved it just as much, and this clip is amusing, because you can tell the kids loved the Bonzos. One kid shouts out "Bonzos!" at the beginning, realizing they're about to play. The kids join in in the chorus, which makes Vivian Stanshall crack up laughing. Good stuff. From the Christmas special "Do Not Adjust Your Stocking."

Bonzo Dog Band: Equestrian Statue/Little Sir Echo
(17.2 MB)

Here, the Bonzos perform two numbers on the German tv series beat Club. Neil Innes sings "Equestrian Statue," and Vivian Stanshall and Roger Ruskin-Spear perform "Little Sir Echo." This lineup of the Bonzos features Dave Clague.

Bonzo Dog Band: Beautiful Zelda
(3.1 MB)

From the pre-Python TV series "Do Not Adjust Your Set." Season 2, episode 1, to be precise. Neil Innes performs "Beautiful Zelda," with an introduction by Vivian Stanshall and Roger Ruskin-Spear. I've had to edit this clip slightly due to gaps and errors on my VHS copy of this episode.

Bonzo Dog Band: Urban Spaceman (beat club)
(7.5 MB)

Neil Innes and the Bonzo Dog Band perform "Urban Spaceman" on the German TV series "Beat Club." 1968. With Vivian Stanshall, Roger Ruskin-Spear, Rodney Slater and "Legs" Larry Smith. I've remastered the audio on this clip from a CD - there was originally an announcer talking over it, so I edited that out.

Bonzo Dog Band: Mr. Apollo
(11.3 MB)

Apologies for the quality of this clip - my tape of it is very poor. Still worth sharing. Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes and the Bonzo Dog Band perform "Mr. Apollo" on Colour Me Pop.

Bonzo Dog Band: Canyons of Your Mind (beat club)
(9.8 MB)

Vivian Stanshall and the Bonzo Dog Band perform "Canyons of Your Mind" on the German TV series "Beat Club."

Bonzo Dog Band: Head Ballet
(2.5 MB, Windows Media Player Format)

The Bonzo Dog Band perform "The Head Ballet" in a Pathe Newsreel. With thanks to the British Pathe website. This clip features the original lineup of the band, with Sam Spoons and Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell. The Bonzos were good friends of the Pythons. If you're truly Bonzo-obsessed, we have the silent, raw footage from this newsreel here and here.


I'm the Urban Spaceman, performed by the Bonzo Dog (Doo Dah) Band on Do Not Adjust Your Set. 2.2m.

Bravely Bold Sir Robin rode forth from Camelot. He was not afraid to die. Oh, brave Sir Robin. He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways. Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin. 2.4 MB.

Camelot Song. We're Knights of the Round Table. We dance whene'er we're able. We do routines and chorus scenes with footwork impeccable. We dine well here in Camelot. We eat ham and jam and spam a lot. 1.1 MB.

Neil Innes and Carol Cleveland do a strange, simple version of "I'm the Urban Spaceman", live at the Hollywood Bowl.

The Rutles 2002
DVD Promo with Deleted Scenes and Rutles 2 Preview
(17 MB, Quicktime)

In 2002, Eric Idle revisited the Rutles. The film was remastered and reedited with new footage for the DVD. And Eric shot a new documentary, entitled "Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch," in which he shows unused footage from the original film, and interviews a whole lot of celebrities (David Bowie, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks) about their own Rutle memories. "Rutles 2" is a very funny film, and would make an ideal second disc in a Rutles box set. Sadly, it is still unreleased. Anyway, I've edited some footage from the Rutles DVD together, as a sort of tribute to the 2002 remastering. Some of this footage appears in Rutles 2. Here's footage of Eric in 2002, on the set of Rutles 2, introducing the DVD. There's a deleted song from the original film - "Blue Suede Schubert", and an extended version of "Number One" that's been edited back into the film. Enjoy.

Rutland Weekend Television Episode 202
"Rutland 5-O"
(95.2 MB, Realplayer)

Sketches from Eric Idle's classic, rarely seen post-Python sketch comedy series Rutland Weekend Television. Hosted by Fatso, Neil Innes' backing group, who sing their way through the episode. Eric worries sheep, Neil sings "Topless A-Go-Go" and spoofs Elton John with "Godfrey Daniel," and "Expose" looks at sordid car-key-swapping parties. Finally, we enjoy an extended episode of the hard-boiled, tough-as-nails detective drama "Rutland 5-O." And Gwen Taylor swears. Written by Eric Idle, music by Neil Innes. With David Battley, Gwen Taylor, Bunny May, and Fatso (John Halsey, Billy Bremner, Roger Rettig and Brian Hodgson).

Rutland Weekend Television Episode 206
"Rutland Weekend is Innocent"
(90.7 MB, Quicktime/Divx/3ivx -- visit 3ivx.com for the plugin)

Sketches from Eric Idle's classic, rarely seen post-Python series Rutland Weekend Television. Episode hosted by Henry Woolf. Cower in fear at the terror of The Masked Accountant (Eric Idle)! Thrill to the exciting adventures of The Lone Accountant and Tonto (Eric Idle and Neil Innes)! Shield your ears as Eric Idle sings about wife-swapping, and Neil sings "Drama on a Saturday Night." And be very afraid as the writer of the show suddenly turns on his characters. Written by Eric Idle, music by Neil Innes. With David Battley, Gwen Taylor, Terence Bayler, Henry Woolf, Maggie Henderson and Fatso.

Rutland Weekend Television Episode 207
"Showtime at Rutland Weekend"
(96 MB, Realplayer)

Sketches from Eric Idle's classic, rarely seen post-Python sketch comedy series Rutland Weekend Television. This is the final episode of Rutland Weekend ever. After a discussion about what words you can't say on television, Terence Bayler hosts a revue of sketches and music. Neil Innes sings "Slaves of Freedom," Neil and Gwen Taylor sing "Janitor's Kids," Eric sings "Smoke of Autumn Bonfires" and "Rover the Drover," and everyone sings "It's Hard to Make it When You're Straight." Also, The David Frost Show Again, The Return of the Pink Panzer, angels go on strike (and Neil sings "Fallen Arch Angel), and Rutlanders compete in the World's Most Boring Man competition, as Rutland Weekend goes off the air. Written by Eric Idle, music by Neil Innes. With David Battley, Gwen Taylor, Terence Bayler, Bunny May, Carinthia West and Fatso.

Rutland Weekend Television Episode 203
"Collier Rides Again"
(105 MB DivX AVI - visit Divx.com)

Sketches from Eric Idle's classic, rarely seen post-Python sketch comedy series Rutland Weekend Television. Corporal Collier (David Battley), a character from a minor sketch in show 1.3 ("Army Religions"), returns to host this show. Neil Innes sings "I Give Myself to You" and "Crystal Balls", and sketches include "A Voyage Into James Burke," "Uri Geller Bending," "Husband and Wife," "Another Prison Sketch," and "Another Restaurant Sketch." Starring David Battley, Eric Idle, Neil Innes, Gwen Taylor, Henry Woolf, Terence Bayler, Carinthia West and Fatso.

Little Videos from Rutland Weekend Television (Post-Python Eric Idle series):

Children of Rock and Roll, sung by Neil Innes as Ron Lennon. 560k.

Lie Down and Be Counted, sung by Neil Innes. 2.6 MB

Star of the Sexy Movies. Sung by Neil Innes, written by Eric Idle. 2.4 MB.

Communist Cooking. Learn how to cook eggs with Joseph Stalin. 552k.

Cramp Bottom. Visit the palatial home of poet Mungo Wright. 2.9MB.

I'm a Cretin. A proud David Battley joins the Cretin Club. 1.6MB.

Stan Fitch, The First All-Dead Singer. Andy Roberts gives us some music from way beyond the grave. From "Whistle Test." 1 MB.

The Little Man From the Off-License. An innocent man gets blamed for everything that ever went wrong in the history of everything ever. 1.5 MB.

Religion Today. A Total Bastard and a Bishop hijack the show "Religion Today." Here are their demands. 1.3 MB.