Monty Python – Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Like The Secret Policeman's Other Ball, Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl consists of "concert" footage of the nonsensical British Monty Python troupe. This 77-minute collection of skits and blackouts features stalwart Pythoners Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, together with semi-regulars Carol Cleveland and Neil Inness. The troupe's stream-of-consciousness humor transfers well to the L.A. stage; even the most familiar and time-worn bits — including a TV quiz show featuring such contestants as Marx, Lenin and Mao — elicits loud laughter from the enthusiastic audience. Originally lensed on videotape, Live at the Hollywood Bowl was transferred to film for theatrical distribution. — Hal Erickson