The Goons behind 'The Goon Show' Quiz

Answer: One accidentally dropped a cannon on the other

As Secombe tells it, the gun pits that were dug for battle were too small for the cannons being deployed. He was stationed in a tent at the bottom of a cliff, when the recoil of a too-big cannon launched it over the edge, barely missing him. Moments later, a sheep-faced Milligan peeked in the tent, asking in his 'Eccles' voice, 'Has anyone seen a gun?'

Answer: Harry Secombe

Secombe had quite a nice tenor voice, using it for such roles as the Beadle, Mr. Bumble, in the film version of the musical 'Oliver!' in 1968. It is he that young Oliver Twist (Mark Lester) approaches in the orphanage dining hall to say, 'Please sir, I want some more'. Fellow Goon Peter Sellers was up for the role of Fagin, but it went to Ron Moody instead.

Answer: Spike Milligan

Both Milligan and Sellers suffered mentally, and physically, from the strains of juggling so many personalities (both rarely did interviews as themselves, instead relying on a character to answer the questions). While Sellers' problems came in the form of a degenerative heart condition, Milligan was diagnosed with a bi-polar disorder and spend some time in various mental institutions during and after his Goon years (it's also believed he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from his Army days). On at least one occasion, he reportedly went to Seller's house to kill him with a potato peeler, but his wife called ahead and evacuated the house in time.

Answer: Peter Sellers

Peter was first pegged for the Best Actor Oscar in 1965 for, what else, his numerous roles in Stanley Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove' (he played the title character, President Merkin Muffley and RAF Group Captain Lionel Mandrake). His other acting nomination came in the 1979 bittersweet film, 'Being There' as Chance, the simple-minded gardener who becomes a unknowing celebrity.

He also garnered an Oscar nomination for a short film in 1960, titled, 'The Running, Jumping and Standing Still Film'. Sellers co-directed the film with Richard Lester ('A Hard Day's Night') and co-wrote with Milligan.

Answer: Ned ('Neddie') Seagoon

The affable Neddie Seagoon was the one who usually carried the plot of the show around the manic antics of Sellers and Milligan. The other listed characters were all performed by Sellers. Milligan did the voice of Count Jim Moriarty, Minnie Bannister and, of course, the very popular Eccles.

Answer: Harmonica

Geldray (real name Max van Gelder) made his start in Paris with the jazz harmonica in Django Reinhardt's orchestra before the Nazi invasion forced him into exile in England. Sadly, many of Geldray's family died in concentration camps during the war. He came back to Europe as part of the D-Day invasion and was wounded in action. He died in October of 2004.

Answer: 'Goonreel'

'Goonreel' was, as it sounds, a spoof on television newsreels featuring Sellers, Secombe, Milligan and Bentine. It was originally set to air in July of 1952, but had to be delayed following the death of King George VI (and subsequent coronation of Queen Elizabeth II). 'Idiot' and 'Fred' featured Milligan and Sellers, but not Secombe. 'Telegoons' was actually a childrens show featuring 'Goon' scripts performed by puppets.

Answer: Ray Ellington

Ellington (1916-1985) was the son of a transplanted African-American music hall entertainer and a Russian Jew. His quartet was one of the first to employ amplified bass and, despite their jazz influence, comprised what became known as the traditional rock-and-roll ensemble. Ellington not only performed during the entire run of the show, but he also supplied the occasional voice of any African, Arab or Native-American characters.

His son, jazz singer Lance Ellington, appeared in the 2004 film, 'The Life and Death of Peter Sellers' playing his father.

Answer: Dick Emery

Emery (1915-83) was the star of 'The Dick Emery Show', which ran on the BBC (off and on, actually) from 1963-81 and worked on two series with Goon Michael Bentine. Despite having intense stage fright for most of his life, his status in British comedy has been compared to the likes of the Pythons, Benny Hill and, of course, the Goons. Emery himself was a master of impressions and often took to cross-dressing to entertain the audience.
Both Hughes and Angelis supplied the voices of Beatles Paul and Ringo, respectively, in 'Submarine', while Cook established his own stamp in British comedy, mostly with partner Dudley Moore.
Incidentally, the movie, 'The Case of the Mukkinese Battle Horn' was re-released in the UK in 1975 as a supporting short to the feature, 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'.

Answer: Wallace Greenslade

Timothy, father of British actor Christopher Timothy, left the series in 1953, reportedly fearing for his own sanity. Greenslade stepped in and stayed through the end of the series in 1960. While barely holding his own against the Goons, Greenslade also served as a news reporter for the BBC and hosted several of their programs. Greenslade unexpectedly died in April of 1961, a year after the end of the show.

He was 48. When the Goons got together in 1972 for 'The Last Goon Show of All', it was Andrew Timothy once again at the mic.