Ernie Kovacs - "Mack the Knife" Take 2
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- [From "Kovacs Corner" on UA-cam.com] - Here is another rendition of one of Ernie's most remembered video "blackout" sequences involving the Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht song "Mack the Knife" (or "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer"). The late German comedian and actor Wolfgang Neuss is singing. Those "youngins" reading this may have seen the Kevin Spacey biopic based on the late singer Bobby Darin. His English version of this song was a smash hit in 1959.
I very much remember this from my childhood. I watched Kovacs reruns on PBS with my dad, who had a laugh that could clear a room ;-) Kovacs is timeless
@Janster59 The late German comedian and actor Wolfgang Neuss is singing.
This is from Ernie's last special, taped in December 1961, airing on January 23, 1962, ten days after his untimely death.
Actually this was from his next to last special which aired in December 1961. It was taped July 22nd 1961.
It should be noted that one of Kovacs' supporting stock company cast members was Steve Blauner - manager of Bobby Darin whose own version of "Mack The Knife" was a big hit in '59. One wonders what effect that had in Kovacsland.
One of the sources of inspiration for Monty Python's Flying Circus.
And possibly, Benny Hill as well.
You see, it IS possible to get culture and bizarre humor in the same place. Who says UA-cam is a barren wasteland full of videos of teenage boys torturing their own nutsacks? The music is, of course, "Mackey Messer" from "The Threepenny Opera" by Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weill, who also wrote "The Alabama Song" (aka "Whiskey Bar"), recorded in 1967 by The Doors.
Thanks for uploading this. My memories of Mr. Kovacs fondly include his cigars. He died far too young.
@rolko52 Certainly. The Cambridge gang was in their early university years when this was new. I even recognise one gag in the first take (elongated arms) from The Goodies "Gymnasium" sketch, and the golf gag at the end of this would fit MP pretty well.
Thank heavens this channel exists. Not to sound like an old fuddy-duddy, but so much of what passes for "comedy" today is as stale as year-old Wonder bread. Those of us who would describe our own sense of humor as dry, cerebral, absurdist and/or surrealist can find a home here to satisfy our tastes. Kovacs' humor and sight gags are still challenging and hilarious 60+ years on, and miles ahead of what passes for "funny" today.
I much prefer Kovacs' verbal-based routines (such as "Welcome Transients" which he did with at least three different Albert Gridleys over the years - the first, in 1955, being Matt Dennis), but . . . to each their own, I guess.
Kovacs apparently was way ahead of his time. He even predated Gary "Baba Booey" Dell'Abate though this video!
@rolko52 Ernie was great!
...and tragically. It's also ironic that one of his daughters also lost her life in a fatal car accident.
wow!!!
COOL! Thanx!
Browse through "Kovacs Corner" and you will see these blackouts in various postings. "Seek and ye shall find!"
what is this crazyness?
That Tunnel of Love sequence was probably pushing the limits of what was allowed on TV for its era.
who is singing this? Kovacs?