For those of you who didn't know, or weren't sure, Alan a' Dale was one of Robin Hood's legendary Merry Men. Hence the crazy costumes, which would be in shades of Lincoln Green if BBC Colour had been available. This is a wonderful spoof of hearty 'traditional' British folk song, a kind of choral Morris Dancing. The item is from 'Not Only But Also' the sketch comedy show starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, from the early 1960s.
A very complex routine brilliantly conceived and performed. Of course, it's a direct satire on the theme tune of the Richard Greene series (and of similar shows, such as "The Adventures of Sir Lancelot"), but Dudley Moore's outsize pointed hat is surely directly taken from the largely missing 1953 series of "Robin Hood" starring Patrick Troughton in the title role (and wearing a similarly styled, if somewhat smaller, hat).
I have to say this is one of my favourite Peter Cook and Dudley Moore sketches. I used to watch this all the time when I was younger. After all this time, this is still one of my favourite sketches as it has me in stitches because of the faces they pull. I like the one on the front right, the one that’s wearing glasses.
This is somewhat a running joke in my family, lol. Someone will start singing it and everyone joins in. You get strange looks from people that don't know it though haha
Fantastic fantastic fantastico! I can watch this every week and always laugh, the expressions and the crap whistle solos, I don't want to explain, it just works.
Joe Melia is so funny. And Pete and Dud of course. And this is why it's funny www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/06/the-funniest-4-minutes-in-the-history-of-television/57584/
I don't know if you've noticed but this video is in black and white and features a young Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Alan Carr was born in 1976, 10 years after this was made. Bill Wallis later had a role as an executioner's assistant in Blackadder II, while Joe Melia (who apparently died last Saturday) played Mr Prosser in the TV version of Hitchhikers Guide (Bill Wallis playing him in the radio version). The other man was John Wells, who was successful in TV before his early death in 1997.
Sure, it's.. This is the tale, This is the tale, This is the tale of Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, This is the tale..of...Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale yes Alan A'Dale (whistle) oh Alan oh Alan A'Dale (whistle) Alan A'Dale (whistle) Alan A'Dale Ah ah ah ah ah ahh Alan oh Alan A'Dale Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale yes Alan A'Dale (whistle) oh Alan oh Alan A'Dale, I tell you the tale, I tell you the tale, I tell you the tale of Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale..
This is one of those things I find fucking hilarious and other people just humour me when I show them it’s absolute wonder I was going to say everyone who didn’t like this was a cunt but that seemed terribly inappropriate
Thank you for explaining and correcting. I'm a 75 year old who got caught in that time warp, and it was very disconcerting, because I first saw this clip on TV MANY years ago!
Alan a Dale - one of Robin Hood's Merrie Men. But it's ALL in the performances: the faces, the vocals, the staging, the whistling, the hats, the cod folksy style, the British bouncing 60s--style brass, the quote from the Dam Busters, etc etc
For those of you who didn't know, or weren't sure, Alan a' Dale was one of Robin Hood's legendary Merry Men. Hence the crazy costumes, which would be in shades of Lincoln Green if BBC Colour had been available. This is a wonderful spoof of hearty 'traditional' British folk song, a kind of choral Morris Dancing. The item is from 'Not Only But Also' the sketch comedy show starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, from the early 1960s.
This has been stuck in my head for days. It is without doubt the greatest video clip on the entire internet.
You're not wrong!
I love this sketch. I always used to watch this a lot.
The greatest story never told.
Fills my heart with glee everytime I see it. Dud's grin. :D
The pub sketch with Pete cracks me up, watching Dud failing completely to keep from cracking up. :)
This still makes me laugh, brilliant comics
One of these days we might actually find out exactly what it was Alan A'Dale did to be attributed this delightful song.
Nothing much.
@@jeanrobinson705 Best thing then. This will be the only song that honours him. Perfect choice.
The greatest story ever told.
A very complex routine brilliantly conceived and performed. Of course, it's a direct satire on the theme tune of the Richard Greene series (and of similar shows, such as "The Adventures of Sir Lancelot"), but Dudley Moore's outsize pointed hat is surely directly taken from the largely missing 1953 series of "Robin Hood" starring Patrick Troughton in the title role (and wearing a similarly styled, if somewhat smaller, hat).
It's the failed whistling that gets me every time.
This song has been stuck in my head for three days now. I love it!
I have to say this is one of my favourite Peter Cook and Dudley Moore sketches. I used to watch this all the time when I was younger. After all this time, this is still one of my favourite sketches as it has me in stitches because of the faces they pull. I like the one on the front right, the one that’s wearing glasses.
Bill Wallis was his name
Bill Wallis was my most favourite.
He was in a few episodes of Black Adder - Gaoler Ploppy in S2E2
So amazing... This is my childhood and now my adulthood. God this was a good show!!!!! So funny, I can't stop laughing
This is somewhat a running joke in my family, lol. Someone will start singing it and everyone joins in. You get strange looks from people that don't know it though haha
Brilliant ! love Dudley's expressions and 'Alan a dale' is very funny as well.
Fantastic fantastic fantastico! I can watch this every week and always laugh, the expressions and the crap whistle solos, I don't want to explain, it just works.
Joe Melia is so funny. And Pete and Dud of course. And this is why it's funny www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/06/the-funniest-4-minutes-in-the-history-of-television/57584/
I'm in love with England AGAIN
It won't last.
ive never watched his and not laughed out loud
inspired!!!!!
Singular the best piece of comedy ever
Genius. Still funny
I can’t stop singing this!!!😂😂😂
There's very little greater than this.
Genius! Just brilliant!!!
LMFAO! I remember this from elementary school!!!
I don't know if you've noticed but this video is in black and white and features a young Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Alan Carr was born in 1976, 10 years after this was made.
Bill Wallis later had a role as an executioner's assistant in Blackadder II, while Joe Melia (who apparently died last Saturday) played Mr Prosser in the TV version of Hitchhikers Guide (Bill Wallis playing him in the radio version).
The other man was John Wells, who was successful in TV before his early death in 1997.
Thank you for that I.D!
We should get this remade for Comic Relief. Alan Carr bottom right. Stephen Fry either in middle or as Peter. Then I don't know.
My dad showed me this and we often sing it
Who were the ten Neanderthals who voted this down?
Some people just don't want to hear the tale.
They say of the Acropolis where the Parthenon is...
Sure, it's.. This is the tale, This is the tale, This is the tale of Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, This is the tale..of...Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale yes Alan A'Dale (whistle) oh Alan oh Alan A'Dale (whistle) Alan A'Dale (whistle) Alan A'Dale Ah ah ah ah ah ahh Alan oh Alan A'Dale Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale yes Alan A'Dale (whistle) oh Alan oh Alan A'Dale, I tell you the tale, I tell you the tale, I tell you the tale of Alan A'Dale, Alan A'Dale..
Genius!
Wow! Thank you so much! it makes a lot more sense now that I can actually read them.
This is one of those things I find fucking hilarious and other people just humour me when I show them it’s absolute wonder
I was going to say everyone who didn’t like this was a cunt but that seemed terribly inappropriate
Oh no it isn't! It is an Alan Carr lookalike called Bill Wallis. Went to the US with NOBA
Thank you for explaining and correcting. I'm a 75 year old who got caught in that time warp, and it was very disconcerting, because I first saw this clip on TV MANY years ago!
Is this the tale of Alan A'Dale? ;D
Spent far too long googling ‘Eleanor Dale’ before finding this again
Perfectly analysed my dear boy (or girl)
could somone post the lyrics please?
Oh my gosh. What a catchy tune, eh? haha Dudley looks like Mike Meyers doing a character. hehe
A most fascinating tale indeed...but who is it about?
Robin Hood. Alan a'Dale was one of his followers in Sherwood Forest, along with Maid Marion, Friar Tuck, etc.
Comic Genius!
I am well aware of that, I just thought he looked like him.
I have made it my mission in life to introduce as many people as possible to this sketch. Mixed reviews to date, but hours of fun atching reactions..
Thank you for your service. I am very honoured to know you!
Does anyone know if the music/orchestration was performed "live" or was pre-recorded? It sure would be great to get the music to this bit!
My strong suspicion is that it was pre-recorded, with Dudley Moore directing the other musicians from the piano.
:D
the one on the bottom right, Alan Carr
the one on the bottom right, (isn't) Alan Carr
I'm from 2023
no there are 2
0:57
0:15
Who's this about?
Alan a Dale - one of Robin Hood's Merrie Men. But it's ALL in the performances: the faces, the vocals, the staging, the whistling, the hats, the cod folksy style, the British bouncing 60s--style brass, the quote from the Dam Busters, etc etc
'twas in jest I posted ; )
oh, silly me . . .
+zephyr is great though - gather round and listen to my story-ee
For those who don't know...
This is funny.
I do believe you are RIGHT! They don't do songs like that anymore, more's the pity of it.
There's a Muslim version of this song, it's called ALLAH A DALE!!!!
leider geil und sinnlos
0:15