Monty Python's Tunisian Holiday

My Life with Brian, a Memoir

Kim Howard Johnson

• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Year: 2024
• eBook ISBN: 9781429994255
• Subtopic: Film & Video

"One of the finest and most accurate records of the making of the film that I have ever read. I just wished I could remember what actually went on then." —Terry Jones

In 1978, Kim "Howard" Johnson ran away to join the circus—Monty Python's Flying Circus, that is. The Pythons converged on Tunisia to film their timeless classic, Life of Brian, and Howard found himself in the thick of it, doubling for nearly all the Pythons, playing more roles in the film than John Cleese, and managing to ruin only one shot. He became the unit journalist, substitute still photographer, Roman soldier, peasant, Biggus Dickus's double, near-stalker, and, ultimately, friend and confidant of the comedy legends. He also kept a detailed journal of what he saw and heard, on set and off, throughout those six weeks.

Now, for the first time ever, the inside story of the making of the film is revealed through the fly-on-the-castle-wall perspective. Here, uncensored, are the legendary Pythons in their prime. It was a period of comedy history that will never be duplicated, and Monty Python's Tunisian Holiday captures the wit, the genius, and the sheer silliness of the six men that comprised Python.

"If anyone can remember more about making the Life of Brian than me, it's Kim Howard Johnson. He came, he saw, he got into costume. While the rest of us were fighting to upstage each other, Howard had a notebook hidden in his toga." —Michael Palin

"Not only does Howard Johnson know more about Python than anyone outside of the IRS, he was . . . the only person who captured every thoughtless remark, heated exchange, embarrassing detail, petty insult, and spiteful act of indifference." —John Cleese

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• FOREWORD BY MICHAEL PALIN
• AN APOLOGY FOR NOT READING THIS BOOK BEFORE WRITING THE FOREWORD
• FOREWORD BY ERIC IDLE
• FOREWORD BY TERRY JONES
• PREFACE
• WEDNESDAY–THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13–14, 1978 - The Journey to Monastir, in which I am immersed in all things Tunisian
• FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 - Final Rehearsal, in which the players are gathered
• SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 - The Stoning Scene, in which Brian and his mother, Mandy, join a crowd that is ready to stone Matthias to death for blasphemy because he uttered the word “Jehovah”
• SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 - A Day Off, in which there is much resting by the pool
• MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - The Latin Lesson, in which Brian attempts to paint “Romans Go Home” on a wall of the palace
• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 - Ladders and Tunnels, in which the last slogan is painted and the revolutionaries make their first entrance into the sewer tunnels
• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - Pilate’s Address, in which hundreds of non-English-speaking Tunisians must be trained to laugh on cue
• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 - Pilate’s Address Redux, in which there are close-ups, quacking, and problems with trumpets
• FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 - The Morning After, in which Mandy and Brian address the multitude
• SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - The Ex-Leper Scene, another Morning After, and more Stoning, in which there are retakes, close-ups, and the Tunisian Department of Tourism
• SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 - A Day Off, in which there are camels and beaches
• MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 - The Bedroom Scene and Commandos in the Corridors, in which the set is cleared, the commandos raid again, and Cleese speaks
• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 - The Haggling Scene, in which Brian buys a beard
• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - Brian Speaks, in which Brian becomes a prophet and begins to attract a following
• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - Brian Speaks Redux, in which he falls in with an odd group of prophets
• FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 - The Hypocaust and the Ex-Leper in which there are more commandos crawling in tunnels, a shorter wig, and wall washing
• SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - A Day Off, in which there is shopping and real-world haggling
• SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 - A Second Day Off, in which there is a rainstorm and a chat with Carol
• MONDAY, OCTOBER 2 - Rival Revolutionaries, in which rain forces a change of plans—and dueling commando groups compete to kidnap Pilate’s wife
• TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3 - What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us? In which the revolutionaries hold a meeting, and Garth reloads
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4 - Matthias’s House Is Searched, in which the Roman soldiers discover a spoon.
• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5 - The Shoe, the Sandal, and the Gourd—the History of Religion Scene, in which Brian’s followers follow him
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 - Good-byes to Brian, in which his friends and followers say farewell
• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - The Kidnapping of Pilate’s Wife, in which the commandos continue their assault in the bowels of Pilate’s palace
• SUNDAY,OCTOBER 8 - A Day Off, in which I practice table tennis
• MONDAY, OCTOBER 9 - “Thwow Him to the Fwoor,” in which for the first time, Brian is brought before Pilate
• TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 - “I’m Surpwised to See You Wattled by a Wabble of Wowdy Webels, Centuwion,” in which Brian is brought before Pilate for the second time, and more commandos crawl through tunnels
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 - King Otto, in which a suicide squad attempts to prove its skill at committing suicide within twenty seconds
• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 - Retakes, in which we redo shots in Brian’s bedroom, falling from the balcony, Brian’s arrests, and still more commandos crawling through tunnels
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 - “This Calls for Immediate Discussion,” in which Judith rouses the revolutionaries, the marketplace is reconstructed, and the commandos prowl the palace once again
• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 - A Day Off, in which there is a chat with John Young, a visit to the beach, and a floor show
• SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 - Another Day Off, in which there is a final visit to the beach
• MONDAY, OCTOBER 16 - Sharing a Cell with Ben, in which Brian is confronted by a longtime prisoner
• TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17 - “Out of the Door, Line on the Left, One Cross Each,” in which Brian and Mr. Cheeky meet their jailer and Brian is dragged to his cell
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18 - “Crucifixion Party! … Wait for It …” in which there are crucifees marching in the rain, the unfinished tower, and lots of reshoots
• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 - The Ex-Leper Returns, in which there are still more reshoots, including Brian addressing his followers one more time
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 - Tidying Up, in which there is Graham falling from the tower, people rushing through the marketplace, more of the crucifixion party, and a special visitor
• SATURDAY–TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21–24
• LIFE OF BRIAN: A SYNOPSIS
• ALSO BY KIM “HOWARD” JOHNSON
• AFTERWORD
• INDEX
• Copyright Page