Canned Dead Parrot. Created in 1994 by Bear, Bear & Bear LTD. Prior to obtaining an official licence from the Python’s, the company did their best to rip off the “Dead Parrot” Sketch” from 1969. Although the can does not contain any direct mention of Monty Python, it’s very clearly a reference to their famous skit. Inside the can is a plastic bird cage with a toy parrot hanging upside down.
If your dream has been to one day be the proud owner of a loo roll (that’s toilet paper for our non-UK readers) officially sanctioned by Monty Python’s Flying Circus, then today my silly-walking friend is your lucky day. According to the website Monty Python’s Daily Llama there are allegedly 1,500 different items currently up for auction, such as the promotional foot that was created in conjunction with the Spamalot musical at New York’s Shubert Theatre in 2005, and an actual container of “Canned Dead Parrot” which is a clever nod to one of the most memorable moments from the Flying Circus television series (the Dead Parrot Sketch performed by John Cleese and Michael Palin). Many of the items were produced in small quantities like the 1072 bottles of “Spamalot” steak sauce that were released in 2007 in honor of the musical’s run at London’s Palace Theatre, making them incredibly rare collectibles in many cases.
If you’re a Python super-fan like I am I’m sure you’re going to strongly consider picking up something from the auction, which includes a wide array of vintage posters from the U.S. and Germany and a even copy of the 1990 Monty Python’s Flying Circus computer game from 1990. Say WHAT? More information on the items up for auction can be found on Monty Python’s Daily Llama. I’ve posted a number of my favorite items from the auction below along with some background information pertaining to their creation, rarity and history. As great as some of this stuff is I would have liked to have seen a piece of “Venezuelan Beaver Cheese,” a “hovercraft full of eels” or even an action figure based on Michael Palin’s bicycling enthusiast “Mr. Pither.” But you can’t always get what you want, can you?
This computer game was the very first officially licensed product by Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Made by Core Design, the same company that put out ‘Tomb Raider,’ the 2D shooter had the players help “D.P. Gumby” find four missing pieces of his brain.
“Gumby” plush figures. Ranging in size from nine, twelve and fourteen inches tall these plush figures were the first toys officially licensed by the Pythons.
Another cheeky creation from Bear, Bear & Bear LTD. Incredibly this roll of toilet paper contains famous images and quotes from the ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ TV series such as the “Ministry of Silly Walks”; “Nudge, Nudge”; everyone’s favorite gender-bending sing-along “The Lumberjack Song” and others. Comes with faux fingerprints in accordance with the box’s claim that this TP is in “slightly used” condition.
This promotional “coconut” was sent to members of the press and Python VIPs as a part of the “Special Edition” release of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ by Columbia/Tristar Home Entertainment. An actual coconut it was outfitted with a zipper in the middle that when opened revealed a promotional t-shirt.
A replica of Sir Bedevere’s helmet from ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ played Terry Jones. Only 1500 were ever made.
A promotional foot that was created in conjunction with the ‘Spamalot’ stage show while it played on Broadway, at New York’s Shubert Theatre in 2005.
A very rare three-color poster for Monty Python’s 1973 “Farewell Tour” of the UK. The show was put on 50 times in various venues in Britain and Canada and featured all six Pythons as well as Carol Cleveland.
A resin model kit for the Black Beast of Aaarrrgh. An unlicenced piece of ephemera, it’s unclear how many were ever made, making it an incredibly rare collectable. Though not vintage, there is a plush version of the Black Beast available here.
Commissioned in 2002 for the Monty Python website (the amusingly titled PythOnline.com), these LEGO figures are based on characters from ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’ Originally created so they could be used for a monthly video series that never came to fruition.
Bottle #163 of 1072 this ‘Spamalot’ steak sauce was made in honor of the show’s run at London’s Palace Theatre.
“The Cycling Tour” sketch. MR. PITHER FOREVER!
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Monty Python: The true story behind the ‘Dead Parrot Sketch’
Terry Gilliam animations that were left out of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’
Monty Python’s Graham Chapman’s curious, courageous, poignant video op-ed, 1984