Marty Feldman Comedy Machine, The

1 9 7 1 – 1 9 7 2 (UK)
15 x 50 minute episodes

With his manic, bulbous-eyed visage (the result of an operation to correct a thyroid complaint when in his late twenties) and a crooked nose courtesy of too many youthful boxing bouts, Marty Feldman (born in London on 8 July 1934) possessed a unique comedic appearance, which, allied with a natural gift for comedy writing and performance, made him one of Britain’s most popular and influential (though now largely neglected) comedians of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

He came to public attention as a performer in At Last the 1948 Show (1967), which laid the groundwork for Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

His own series – It’s Marty (1968-69) – followed by two comedy specials, Marty Amok (March 1970) and Marty Abroad (January 1971) before he returned with the new series, The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine with which he won the Golden Rose at Montreux in 1972.

Marty Feldman
Spike Milligan
The Irving Davies Dancers
Jack Parnell and his Orchestra
Hugh Paddick
Bob Todd
Clovissa Newcombe