Benny Hill Smacks My Head

Like many people my age and slightly older, Benny Hill was a naughty boy’s secretive indulgence. The Benny Hill Show was not a children’s program and parents usually prohibited their children from watching it making the taboo show even more desirable.

If you don’t know, it was a sketch comedy that often included now very un-PC themes of “humorous” male chauvinism, inappropriate sexual behavior and even violence. It was really no different than Bugs Bunny, but on this program, it happened to be with live humans which some found quite offensive. Benny Hill would chase women and have women chasing him in high-speed scenes, as well as, other silly themes.

They would often feature buxom women, some celebrities including a young unknown at the time, Jane (Daphne from “Frazier”) Leeves.

One recurring scene that seemed to be funny to me was when Benny’s character would do rapid smacks to the back of the head of the short, bald Jackie Wright (1905-1989). Still, most boys (including yours truly) and grown men watched it for the scantily clad women.

The show’s theme song “Yakety Sax” was voted the number one Favourite Theme Tune in a 2015 UK-wide poll.

Benny was sought after for certain adult-oriented advertisements. Companies wanted to cash in on his fame. In 2002, DJ Taylor of The Independent ranked Benny the third greatest British comedian of the 20th century just behind Stan Laurel and one of his comedic heroes Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977). The only connection I thought I had with Benny was Charlie Chaplin. While Benny was a huge fan of Charlie, my great grandfather stylized some of Mr. Chaplin’s iconic mustaches.

I never thought my life would intersect with the legendary comedian Benny Hill.

While I was working on my television variety and dance TV program called Teenavox, I started working at Universal Studios in Orlando. Many celebrities came through to work in the many sound stages and backlots, as well as, on VIP tours of the theme park. I was one of the guides who led some of those tours.

It was a rainy Florida day when I met Patrick McNee (“The Avengers” “Transformers” “A View to a Kill”) so he had his signature umbrella. It seemed as if he was in character.

In my brief time at Universal, I would meet Benny, John Landis, Wolfman Jack, (pictures) Dan Aykroyd and others, as well as, work in close proximity with New Kids on the Block, Bon Jovi, Mary Kay Ash (Mary Kay Cosmetics) and Melissa Joan Hart of “Clarissa Explains it all.” Since we also ran Nickelodeon tours, I got to actually slime kids and got slimed a few times myself.

When I learned Benny Hill would be shooting on the backlot, I made arrangements with his management company for an interview for my show.

Over the course of his outdoor filming, Benny got a bit overheated and too tired to sit for an entire interview. Despite his exhaustion, he offered to do a promo for my show and promised an extended interview on his return the following year. Sadly, the summer 1992 interview wasn’t to be. Benny died on 20 April 1992. Don’t click that link and read about his death if you wish to have happy memories of Benny Hill at the moment.

I arranged the use of a Sony Betacam and photographer to shoot the promo. I went into an area and met a very friendly and even demure Benny Hill. I told him what I’d like him to say. It was simple: “Hi, I’m Benny Hill and you’re watching Joey Parker on Teenavox.” He agreed and asked for a few minutes to learn the brief script. As we set up the camera and one light, I watched the comedy legend reviewing my handwritten script and whispering the words to himself. He said, “Okay. I’m ready.”

We got into a side-by-side position so the camera could start on a closeup of Benny and zoom out and pan right to include me. When I asked if the camera was rolling, Benny said, “Wait! Hang on. Let’s break-out the bank.” I had no idea what he was talking about and even had a slight fear that he was about to charge money for the promo. This is not unheard of when it comes to old school performers.

An assistant approached Benny with a container the size of large cigar box. When the handsomely-lined box was opened, Benny removed his signature beret, neckerchief and round eyeglasses; his moneymakers a.k.a ”the bank.” I was stunned that he took the time while tired, sweaty and possibly having a mild heatstroke from the Florida heat and humidity to get into character just for me.

He got into position, delivered the script with a few delightful alterations including pointing at me and mouthing, “This is him,” and ending without being asked by smacking my head as he did with Jackie Wright. As they did in the show’s postproduction, I added the smacking sound effects and “Yakity Sax” music for the promo.

The higher-ups at Universal found out what I did and said I abused my position since I’m not a producer at the studio. I reminded them that I set this up and recorded it on my own time during a day off of work even. They demanded a promise that I would never again “abuse my power and access-all-areas clearance” authority. I said I couldn’t do that and explained it was one of the reasons I took the job. After stewing on it all night, I quit the very next day.

Regardless, I again received an experience and gift I still feel I didn’t deserve and for which I am so very grateful.

Finally, Benny was featured on the BBC program Living Famously, where he visited the home of Charlie Chaplin after Chaplin’s death. Mr. Chaplin’s son took Benny into his dad’s study and showed Benny several videotapes of Benny’s work. The son told Benny what a great fan his father was of Benny and his work and watched it all with thorough enjoyment during his final years. Benny, who of course idolized Mr. Chaplin, was reportedly moved to tears.