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Well known to viewers of my generation as host of TV's quiz 'Sale of the Century', Parsons was also a memorable straight man to comics such as Benny Hill and Arthur Haynes. His acting career spanned several decades of supporting roles, although one of the most memorable was MR JOLLY LIVES NEXT DOOR, where he plays himself, the potential victim of hitman Peter Cook. Fortunately the contract has accidentally fallen into the hands of two 'escorts' (Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmonson), who misconstrue the meaning of 'take out'. Although made for TV's 'Comic Strip' series, MR JOLLY did get a limited theatrical release and became something of a cult.

I have the Complete Comic Strip box set, I should see if Mr. Jolly Lives Next Door is in there. (I have so many TV series sets I need to explore more fully...)

Like a lot of things British from the latter half of the 20th Century, I think I knew him mainly as a reference on the BBC Radio panel comedy show I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, along with people like Jeremy Beadle, Terry Wogan and Bruce Forsythe.

s.w.a.c. wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 28, 2020 8:41 am

I have the Complete Comic Strip box set, I should see if Mr. Jolly Lives Next Door is in there. (I have so many TV series sets I need to explore more fully...)

Like a lot of things British from the latter half of the 20th Century, I think I knew him mainly as a reference on the BBC Radio panel comedy show I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, along with people like Jeremy Beadle, Terry Wogan and Bruce Forsythe.

It was shown in a double-bill with another Comic Strip film, that one being set in a cinema (possibly DIRTY MOVIE, 1984). MR JOLLY was directed by Stephen Frears, and I prefer it to a lot of his more prestigious works, although it seems some of the extras were horrified by some of the more vulgar aspects of the show. And on the radio front, I think Parsons hosted 'Just a Minute' as well. A busy fellow.

I remember "Just a Minute" from the days that I used to listen to the BBC world service, pre-internet. I loved that show!
Rest in peace Mr. Parsons.