Halfway To Hollywood: Diaries 1980-1988 (Volume Two)

Description

After a live performance at the Hollywood Bowl, The Pythons made their last performance together in 1983 in the hugely successful Monty Python's Meaning of Life. Writing and acting in films and television then took over much of Michael's life, culminating in the smash hit A Fish Called Wanda (for which he won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor), and the first of his seven celebrated television journeys for the BBC. He co-produced, wrote and played the lead in The Missionary opposite Maggie Smith, who also appeared with him in A Private Function, written by Alan Bennett. Such was his fame in the US, he was enticed into once again hosting the enormously popular show Saturday Night Live, in one edition of which his mother makes a highly successful surprise guest appearance. He filmed several journeys for television and became chairman of the pressure group, Transport 2000. His family remains a constant as his and Helen's children enter their teens.

Michael Palin established his reputation with MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS and RIPPING YARNS. His work also includes several films, including an award-winning performance in A FISH CALLED WANDA and, more recently, AMERICAN FRIENDS and FIERCE CREATURES. His television credits include two films for the BBC's Great Railway Journeys, the plays EAST OF IPSWICH and NUMBER 27, and Alan Bleasdale's GBH. The books he wrote to accompany his TV travels have all been bestsellers, as are his published diaries.

Palin is splendid company . . . his entries are riddled with the astute wit and generosity of spirit that characterise both his performances and his previously published writing - THE TIMES This is an entertaining and at times deeply moving read - MAIL ON SUNDAY Palin's style is so fluid, and his sincerity so palpable, that it is often easy to underestimate just how talented he is as a comedian, a broadcaster and a writer - SUNDAY EXPRESS