FashionState.Com salutes...

Prince of Potty

Michael Bentine

1922-1996

Michael Bentine made so many fantastic claims about himself that from anyone else it would seem the storyteller was impossibly whimsical and other-worldly. But considering the character of the wild, woolly, and wacky Bentine - and his ability to back up many of his claims to physical and athletic prowess - even his skeptics at times had to wonder if his hyperactive self-histories may - just may - be in fact more than fictional recountings by a merry Munchausen.

Certainly his exotic Peruvian bloodline, his Eton education, and his obvious keen intelligence lent credibility to his claims of secret service, high-level scientific experimentation, and all-around commando activities, but with an appearance that led Max Geldray to remark "his parents had invented hair" and his manic, insane, surreal sense of humor - the combination of brilliance and battiness at times left his fellows wondering.

Yet Bentine never seemed to let the confusion of his mates sour his mood towards them, nor did he ever hold any serious grudge against his old partner Spike Milligan after creative differences regarding their breakthrough BBC radio program "The Goon Show" caused a split just two years after the now-cult comedy program began its broadcast.

Mike didn't let this dampen his spirit for comedy writing, and he went on to write and star in popular British television series, such as "The Bumblies", "It's a Square World", "Bentine", and his most beloved show, "Potty Time", filled with puppets and turns of comedy. The Eton-educated Bentine, for all his high intellect, had the heart and curiosity of a child, and his favorite audiences consisted of youngsters. (His popularity led to his consideration by the producers of "Doctor Who" to star as the doctor himself, but Michael's insistence on being part of the scriptwriting process scuttled the deal.)

Michael Bentine was as avid about the unseen world as he was about experiencing this life and entertaining people and making kids laugh, and he developed a fascination with the paranormal, especially after the death of his son in a plane crash. He would entertain - as well as unnerve - his friends and guests with his relating of stories about contacts he'd had with the dead, and as with his other tales, the listener might find it hard to believe, although Bentine's own earnestness was such that if not true, Bentine missed his calling as an incredibly convincing actor.

Mr. Bentine spent the last years of his life between London and Palm Springs due to respiratory ailments, but is remembered by friends as a most entertaining, diverting, and people-loving entertainer, while fans recall his generosity and kindness in encouraging their own endeavors.

Special Feature!

FASHIONSTATE.COM SALUTES THE GOON SHOW

FashionState.Com's
Bentine Bonanza!

MICHAEL BENTINE - SO REAL SURREAL!

Links - Websites & Fansites

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Amazon.Com
If you're looking to purchase books and items by Michael Bentine, just click!

Classic Comedy
Richard Bentine's site - he's responsible for getting his father's shows finally released on DVD!

Guardian Unlimited Online (U.K.)
An article about Michael's son Richard and his website, Comedy.Net.

Leftfield PSI
Michael was very interested in the paranormal, and there is a very brief bio of him at this site.

The Michael Bentine Webpages
Maintained by Mike's son Richard, this site hasn't been updated since before Mike's passing, but there is plenty of good biographical information.

Moggerhanger Park Family Matters Institute
Professor Michael Bentine weighs in on the sociological effect of videos on families.

Planet Proctor
Phil Proctor of the Firesign Theater remembers Michael Bentine.

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