Ustinov’s explanation for this routine was brilliant. I remembering him saying at the time to Parky that he and Dudley were fooling around yes, but even though it was utterly improvised the key was they were both listening very carefuly to one another and taking their cues from how each responded to one another as they basically pratted about in a humorous way. Only two comic geniuses could do this.
Well, how do you like that ... nearly pissed myself. I'd completely forgotten what brilliant humour was like (I'm nearly 80) ... took me quite by surprise. Truly inspired.
The real high class actors and comedians I miss them, our time is missing them and today nobody can match their level. You happy and smiley watching them and hear them. Nothing what can make you sick, hurting your ears, no rudeness, no unmoral behavior, no stupidity just perfect acting and so funny.
No. These are not run of the mill comedians but highly intelligent, well educated, Ustinov at least spoke several languages I believe and grew up in an environment where opera etc was the normal level of entertainment. Moore studied organ and music and at Oxford university and was one of a gifted group of students including Peter Cook. They were different from the normal run of comedians even then.
@@helenamcginty4920 You are right, Ustinov wasn't just a comedian, he was an artist of the highest caliber. It is true, however, that it is only now, for the first time in recorded history, that someone can became famous and rich as a "singer" without being able to sing at all (rap "music", they call it) - this would have been utterly inconceivable back then.
@@raphaelklaussen1951 its easy to sing in tune if you almost whisper. But apart from having no depth to their voices most modern popular singers can only sing 4 or 5 notes. So boring. Recall seeing the late Dame Kiri Te Kanawa singing a show song at some sort of concert. She had to stand way back from the microphone.
@@helenamcginty4920 I know what you mean. In fact, many of the popular singers today haven't even taken a basic class in music theory, which they don't need anyway. I had the fortune to see Montserrat Caballe in San Francisco when she was in her prime. No microphones, she almost peeled the paint off the walls in the theater. It remains as my most unforgettable experience.
Oh Gawd, here we go again: everything was better, smarter, etc in the Good Old Days. There was shit then and there’s shit now. Also the opposite. I’m in my seventies now and I can tell you it wasn’t all beer and skittles.
That kind of spontaneity is rare today, as is the genuine craft behind it. Peter Ustinov of course blessed with all manner of gifts and Dudley a pianist who seemed never to truly show his keyboard mettle as he struck out into comedy and acting. I have two LP's from the 1960's which are unique to his style of playing and simply wonderful easy listening.
Both were brilliant in their own right. They each had such a rich resource to call upon so one could never be bored listening to them. I would've LOVED to see more of them together; there is nothing comparable today in my opinion. Thank you for posting.
Never saw this before right now, two favorites of mine teaming up so brilliantly, I exploded laughing, both great and talented ! Dudley, an excellent pianist and comedian, and Sir Peter, a poliglot artist who, among his multiple talent was also a composer, 1-derful combination !!!
I saw Peter Ustinov live in Sheffield. He was hilarious. At one point he stopped his anecdotes and started singing opera. I laughed so much people were giving me dirty looks until they realised he was actually being silly. Great evening out! X
I saw him live in London decades ago, but can still remember the glorious evening of having him just ramble on for 2 1/2 hours while we all laughed so much our sides ached
There is also a wonderful Ustinov "singing lesson", where he guys all the silly stuff voice teachers used to come out with: "Breaeaeathe with your eyebrows". I wish I could find it. And what a loss to the world was the passing of Dudley Moore!
I remember watching Peter Ustinov play Socrates when I was just a small child. It's one of my earliest memories. It was on black & white TV of course, but it made a tremendous impression on me and began a lifelong fascination with the Greek classical philosophers. Ustinov for me was the definitive Socrates. What a wonderful performer he was! A true artist.
"Barefoot in Athens", 1966. With a very young Christopher Walken as Socrates' eldest son! Lousy video quality, unfortunately: ua-cam.com/video/vQIDhGOVcHg/v-deo.html
Ustinov's italian singing is almost gibberish, so when Dudley Moore knocks and he replies with a perfect "avanti!" ("come forward") I wasn't expecting that and it really got me 🤣This is wonderful, I wish we had the full clip with better audio!
Thanks so much for this, only just this moment stumbled on this, had no idea it had ever happened! Peter Ustinov's voice is a wonder and amazing how he listens and they follow each other, and Dudley Moore, well he has ALWAYS been my go to musical and comedy genius, the world is bereft without such as these! Dr M
I have a very rare audio recording (possibly the only one in existence) of the first time they met and did this....playing two made-up cockney characters discussing and coming up with a mock-opera of Lady Chatterley's Lover. My Dad recorded it live off the telly in the 1960s. Moore is at the piano suggesting musical styles, they vocalise a few ideas with lyrics on the spot in French, then dismiss each one as not good enough. It's amused me immensely since I was a boy. I have still have it and I believe the BBC haven't as it will have surely been wiped. If anyone at the BBC sees this, please reply. PS It's WAY better than what we see here. You can see by their smiles that they're doing it like a party piece whereas the original meeting and improvised 'sketch' was a new exciting thing for them.
This reminds me of some of Victor Borges routines. I met Peter Ustinov in Belfast in about 1992. Was one of the scariest trips I ever took because of what was going on at the time.
Even better than this, in the late 1960s my father recorded the audio of Ustinov and Moore as two 'Pete And Dud'-style voiced characters improvising on the idea of coming up with an operatic version of Lady Chatterley's Lover. An UTTER classic of comedy. Incredible wit, incredible musical resource and MUCH funnier, I have to say, than what you see here where they are reminiscing and recapturing rather than being at the top of their game. I used to literally wet myself as a child listening to my Dad's recording. As an adult I couldn't believe how Moore could deliver one genre and musical period after another on the piano just like that. Of course the original was never preserved by BBC. If it was ever committed to tape it was certainly wiped very soon after. A really terrible loss among what must be a whole host of other classic losses.
Peter Ustinov was so great. Far and away the best thing in SPARTACUS. Without him it wouldn’t be worth watching. In fact he was the only actor in it who got an academy award for his part in it (best supporting actor).
If you're an artist like those acters, you can even that!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bravo, it's great, also the singing, no question about that too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is an actual conversation being had here and it revolves around how dudley is playing the piano. If you are a classically trained musician, listen carefully and you will laugh your ass off. This is god-tier comedy!
Such a shame they have to take content down - not that long ago there was the whole thing on UA-cam - what harm it was doing I don't know - it couldn't have been depriving anyone of any revenue.
Ron wood the RollingvStone was a good friend of dudley moore. At one hilarious performance , ron wood said’hes so brilliant and musically gifted, he can make you laugh wuth his music! Just playing. And i think its his very expressive face that is part of his comedy
Ustinov’s explanation for this routine was brilliant. I remembering him saying at the time to Parky that he and Dudley were fooling around yes, but even though it was utterly improvised the key was they were both listening very carefuly to one another and taking their cues from how each responded to one another as they basically pratted about in a humorous way. Only two comic geniuses could do this.
and musical geniuses
Two years after I watched this for the first time and laughing even more than then !!! 🤣😆😂
Well, how do you like that ... nearly pissed myself. I'd completely forgotten what brilliant humour was like (I'm nearly 80) ... took me quite by surprise. Truly inspired.
Utter genius, both of them. They were having as much fun as the audience was.
Two great brilliant and improvisational actors. Dudley left us much too soon!
Yes a bygone era of brilliance with many great comedian raconteurs such as these two, just too good. Thanks for this.
Ustinov ! A great actor and the greatest raconteur. Moore ! A fine musician and a talented, funny man.
I haven't laughed like this for ages. These 2 brilliant people bowled me over!
The real high class actors and comedians I miss them, our time is missing them and today nobody can match their level. You happy and smiley watching them and hear them. Nothing what can make you sick, hurting your ears, no rudeness, no unmoral behavior, no stupidity just perfect acting and so funny.
Quality television, a privilege to watch, long since disappeared
Their facial expressions alone bring tears to my eyes. Utter riot.
Two geniuses! I love them both!♥️♥️♥️
We shall never see TRUE COMEDIC GENIUS like this again. BRILLIANT
Comedians in those days not only had impeccable timing and highly humorous they also had class.
No. These are not run of the mill comedians but highly intelligent, well educated, Ustinov at least spoke several languages I believe and grew up in an environment where opera etc was the normal level of entertainment. Moore studied organ and music and at Oxford university and was one of a gifted group of students including Peter Cook. They were different from the normal run of comedians even then.
@@helenamcginty4920 You are right, Ustinov wasn't just a comedian, he was an artist of the highest caliber. It is true, however, that it is only now, for the first time in recorded history, that someone can became famous and rich as a "singer" without being able to sing at all (rap "music", they call it) - this would have been utterly inconceivable back then.
@@raphaelklaussen1951 its easy to sing in tune if you almost whisper. But apart from having no depth to their voices most modern popular singers can only sing 4 or 5 notes. So boring. Recall seeing the late Dame Kiri Te Kanawa singing a show song at some sort of concert. She had to stand way back from the microphone.
@@helenamcginty4920 I know what you mean.
In fact, many of the popular singers today haven't even taken a basic class in music theory, which they don't need anyway.
I had the fortune to see Montserrat Caballe in San Francisco when she was in her prime. No microphones, she almost peeled the paint off the walls in the theater. It remains as my most unforgettable experience.
Oh Gawd, here we go again: everything was better, smarter, etc in the Good Old Days. There was shit then and there’s shit now. Also the opposite. I’m in my seventies now and I can tell you it wasn’t all beer and skittles.
Dudley Moore's expressions are hilarious!
You can't look without laughing!
This is comedy gold.
Thank you so much for posting!
That kind of spontaneity is rare today, as is the genuine craft behind it. Peter Ustinov of course blessed with all manner of gifts and Dudley a pianist who seemed never to truly show his keyboard mettle as he struck out into comedy and acting. I have two LP's from the 1960's which are unique to his style of playing and simply wonderful easy listening.
Both were brilliant in their own right. They each had such a rich resource to call upon so one could never be bored listening to them. I would've LOVED to see more of them together; there is nothing comparable today in my opinion. Thank you for posting.
Never saw this before right now, two favorites of mine teaming up so brilliantly, I exploded laughing, both great and talented ! Dudley, an excellent pianist and comedian, and Sir Peter, a poliglot artist who, among his multiple talent was also a composer, 1-derful combination !!!
The two of them were incredibly funny, and Dudley was a very good musician as well.
I saw Peter Ustinov live in Sheffield. He was hilarious. At one point he stopped his anecdotes and started singing opera. I laughed so much people were giving me dirty looks until they realised he was actually being silly. Great evening out! X
Simialr to a concert with Victor Borge. He could just walk on stage and people wept with laughter.
I saw him live in London decades ago, but can still remember the glorious evening of having him just ramble on for 2 1/2 hours while we all laughed so much our sides ached
What happens when funny men are together,this stuff happens. So brilliant and talented.RIP to them Both. Dud2002 and Pete2 2004. Bless them.🤩
There is also a wonderful Ustinov "singing lesson", where he guys all the silly stuff voice teachers used to come out with: "Breaeaeathe with your eyebrows". I wish I could find it. And what a loss to the world was the passing of Dudley Moore!
I remember watching Peter Ustinov play Socrates when I was just a small child. It's one of my earliest memories. It was on black & white TV of course, but it made a tremendous impression on me and began a lifelong fascination with the Greek classical philosophers. Ustinov for me was the definitive Socrates. What a wonderful performer he was! A true artist.
"Barefoot in Athens", 1966. With a very young Christopher Walken as Socrates' eldest son! Lousy video quality, unfortunately: ua-cam.com/video/vQIDhGOVcHg/v-deo.html
This is fascinating, because they both work much better improvising musically than they did with language, which is lovely to see. Thanks!
Ustinov's italian singing is almost gibberish, so when Dudley Moore knocks and he replies with a perfect "avanti!" ("come forward") I wasn't expecting that and it really got me 🤣This is wonderful, I wish we had the full clip with better audio!
That was brilliant, many thanks for posting. What a shame there’s no comedians like these two today.
Thanks so much for this, only just this moment stumbled on this, had no idea it had ever happened! Peter Ustinov's voice is a wonder and amazing how he listens and they follow each other, and Dudley Moore, well he has ALWAYS been my go to musical and comedy genius, the world is bereft without such as these! Dr M
I have a very rare audio recording (possibly the only one in existence) of the first time they met and did this....playing two made-up cockney characters discussing and coming up with a mock-opera of Lady Chatterley's Lover. My Dad recorded it live off the telly in the 1960s. Moore is at the piano suggesting musical styles, they vocalise a few ideas with lyrics on the spot in French, then dismiss each one as not good enough. It's amused me immensely since I was a boy. I have still have it and I believe the BBC haven't as it will have surely been wiped. If anyone at the BBC sees this, please reply.
PS It's WAY better than what we see here. You can see by their smiles that they're doing it like a party piece whereas the original meeting and improvised 'sketch' was a new exciting thing for them.
You should digitise and upload!
Indeed, please upload it!
Two comical and musical geniuses! I would have adored to watch the whole thing!
This reminds me of some of Victor Borges routines. I met Peter Ustinov in Belfast in about 1992. Was one of the scariest trips I ever took because of what was going on at the time.
Oh my God!! What utter genius! So brilliantly clever, so quick - SO funny. Nothing could equal this - not then, and certainly not now.
Pure genius. Peter Ustinov also did a memorable impression of a lady 'cellist - maybe somewhere in the archives?
Yes he did an air cello impression of a cellist playing Le Cygne by Saint-Saëns.
Now that’s entertainment
Improvisation like a a thing of wonder! I was so dazzled when I saw this on the show, never forgot it.
Peter was such a wonderful Poirot, divine to watch!!
And there’s more my friends ! Eddy
In a class of their own.. Just Brilliant!
Even better than this, in the late 1960s my father recorded the audio of Ustinov and Moore as two 'Pete And Dud'-style voiced characters improvising on the idea of coming up with an operatic version of Lady Chatterley's Lover. An UTTER classic of comedy.
Incredible wit, incredible musical resource and MUCH funnier, I have to say, than what you see here where they are reminiscing and recapturing rather than being at the top of their game. I used to literally wet myself as a child listening to my Dad's recording. As an adult I couldn't believe how Moore could deliver one genre and musical period after another on the piano just like that.
Of course the original was never preserved by BBC. If it was ever committed to tape it was certainly wiped very soon after. A really terrible loss among what must be a whole host of other classic losses.
I take it you no longer have your father's recording ...... ?
Comedians? Actors? People often miss just what a talented musician Dudley Moore was. His ability to adapt on the keyboard in that sketch was amazing
Brilliant absolutely brilliant!!! Comedy gold….
They days of talent.
Peter Ustinov was so great. Far and away the best thing in SPARTACUS. Without him it wouldn’t be worth watching.
In fact he was the only actor in it who got an academy award for his part in it (best supporting actor).
I cry every time I watch this…… yet I keep watching
They wouldn't be able to do that today 2024 without every second word being an exploitive. Another version of Pete & Dud. Geniuses.
My sister and l used to play play opera in the shower. We had such fun. Hysterical!!!
Wish I could have been there …….🤔
You will never see the likes of these legends again God bless their soul thank you for making us laugh
What wonderful stuff! I have watched this over and over.
Yes folks, comedians were funny in them days.
'Those' days you semi-literate oik..
@@Tinker1950 Ha ha! It was deliberate. Oxfordshire dialect.
@@archiebald4717 You mean it was deliberately illiterate?
@@martinedwards9921 Whatever you wish to think, is alright with me.
Peter Ustinov was endlessly entertaining. Brilliant raconteur!
brilliant
Dud was a brilliant pianist, just another of his endless talents.
Pure, unadulterated talent. Miss them both
If you're an artist like those acters, you can even that!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bravo, it's great, also the singing, no question about that too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Truly brilliant and much missed
There is an actual conversation being had here and it revolves around how dudley is playing the piano. If you are a classically trained musician, listen carefully and you will laugh your ass off. This is god-tier comedy!
Crying with laughter!
I can’t understand a word their are saying but the fact they can makes it funny.
Miss them both!!!!! So civilized!!! What else???👍👍👍👍👍💐💐💐😎😎😎
Incredible talented musicians and comedians. As Italian, I find hilarious how they choose random Italian phrases to mimic a true opera...
You have to know opera as well as comedy to pull this off. Brilliant.
So supremely perfect! If there's an afterlife it's probably set to music and words by those two!
Prima Donnas like these come around only once in a millennium...😂 Requiescant In Pace.
Hilarious...more please.
Two incredibly talented men.
There are no entertainers like that anymore
Absolutely brilliant!
Dudley Moore at times has the same facial expressions as Rowan Atkinson, I never noticed that before...
Ah, Dudley......Good looking, cute and funny. A dream.
Fantastic, so unbelievably funny xx
Magnificent!
Such a shame they have to take content down - not that long ago there was the whole thing on UA-cam - what harm it was doing I don't know - it couldn't have been depriving anyone of any revenue.
Point taken & I agree. Why not be nice again?
so great!
Rest in peace…
Comedy greats with class
GLORIOUS!!!!!
Enjoy as we all do !!!!
Norma and Adalgisa/Clotilde auditioning for the roles of Leonora and Ines... Brilliant!
Fantastic! Dudley looks a lot like Rowan (Atkinson) ...
This is gold
Love it man
Fabulous. Totally.
The ranconter and the wit, in perfect harmony.
Two incredibly talented people. They would have been stifled today.
Yes they were and, no, they wouldn't.
real comedy real talent real brilliance.
Awesome! 👏
I loved Peter Cook and dudley Moore....good to see them again
Not enough people have seen this
Brilliant!
Outstanding
Brilliance.
Brilliant ❤️👏
Maravillosos !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another time they did impromptu madrigals.... that time Dudley won.
I don't think a contemporary audience would 'get' this
Hilariously hilarious
Brilliant.😂
Ron wood the RollingvStone was a good friend of dudley moore. At one hilarious performance , ron wood said’hes so brilliant and musically gifted, he can make you laugh wuth his music! Just playing. And i think its his very expressive face that is part of his comedy
Fantastic. Jennifer Lopez, eat your heart out. True talent is always unrehearsed.
There's always a knock halfway through the recitative 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤪🤪🤪
In those days comedians were actually genuinely funny. Sadly this is often not the case with many of todays comedians!!🙄
There is bonus hilarity in the notion, that Parky so much reminds me of Rowley Birkin QC, like at 0:23.
👏👏👏👏👏