10 replies to this topic

[Dunph]

A well padded package came in the post for me today, it was something I had been looking forward to for a while, the Diamonds Are Forever music video from David Arnold's album "Shaken And Stirred!"

I didn't realise it existed, and when I watched it today, it's quite funny, David McAlmont is walking down the streets of Soho, and in his doorway, comes across a dirty beggar (Arnold) playing a battered accordion. He asks for some money, but McAlmont just sneers, steps over him and walks up to his flat.

In the entrance to his flat, McAlmont has bead drapes made of diamonds. He takes off his long coat and walks over to a picture of Shirley Bassey, and, stroking it, realises the diamond dorrway he just walked through has been filled with a white light.
Walking through, he is confronted with a world of white, with David Arnold, once beggar, transformed into a top-and-tails wearing pianist. McAlmont has changed into a 'goddess,' dressed in white, with a white feather boa and a costume encrusted in diamonds, a fitting gay tribute to Bassey, he rolls around a large white circular bed in the middle of the room(!?) and strokes two white Persian cats (a tribute to Blofeld), and then walks over to Arnold, who is looking increasingly bored on the piano, checking his nails and sighing. McAlmont sits on the white grand piano and then slaps Arnold's face on the line "Men are mere mortals who are not worth going to your grave for".

Then McAlmont gets off the piano and crawls around the floor for a bit (?!) with an 80-piece orchestra behind him. When the song finishes, he goes back through the door into his flat, puts his coat back on and then makes his way down the stairs to Arnold, who again asks for some money. McAlmont flips him a 10p (stingy bastard) and walks off down Soho again, away from a smiling David Arnold.

*Phew* a long description there, but a few of you may have been interested. Does anyone know of any more Shaken And Stirred videos? Have you got/seen any or can you remember what you think was a bit of a video? I'm interested in collecting as many as I can, and this one is the first of what I hope to be many!

[level007]

hi

you are so lucky, i am searching theses video for some times now, but with no result.
I have knowledge about two video from the shaken and stirren album.
Diamonds are Forever, and OHMSS.
In both there is David Arnold.
The real question is where we can find OHMSS.
There is maybe a video for We Have All The Time in The World but i am not sure.
Paul, is there anyway you put this video in you computer ? I would love to have it.

[marktmurphy]

Oh yeah- I remember that. The OHMSS video was a kind of hi-tech spy thing with the Prop heads tracking someone (or something like that) around an Underground station. Was okay. Arnold also appeared in this one.
Personally, I want to see the vid for the Randall & Hopkirk song he did, set in an old style nightclub and featuring Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.

Incidentally- factoid time: Did you know David Arnold is a mate of Mark Gatiss (League of Gentlemen)? Hence his brief cameo in the League Christmas special and also his re-working of the Doctor Who theme for the Doctor Who radio play cd's Gatiss is involved in.

[Dunph]

I did know that Mark, but I can't find him for the life of me in the Xmas special! Do you know where he is in it? The Randall & Hopkirk video is in the DVD of the first series (I think) I have it, but I can't remember off hand. I've heard Arnold's version of Doctor Who too, and it's a lot like the original, shame it's not as innovative as Orbital's reworking though ("Doctor?")

Level, I do plan to eventually get this on the net, it's quite a funny video, I intend to track down the Propellerheads' video too, and any others I can possibly get my hands on.

[Tanger]

I love 'the League of Gentlemen'. It's my favourite comedy ever. I plan on getting the Christmas special DVD so the Commentary might shed some light on where he is in it.

[Dunph]

I have it already and still can't find where he is!

By the way, the League of Gentlemen went to my drama school! I feel honoured!

www.bretton.ac.uk

[Tanger]

They truly are comedy geniuses!

I really want to check out some of their earlier work like their radio sketches and early stage shows. I've just bought the 'LIVE! at Drury Lane' Dvd as i believe the first half of this takes them back to their roots with the second half being based on their TV characters. Do you own this and/or the audio tape that was released?

[marktmurphy]

Arnold is one of the people waiting in Chinnery's waiting room when he knocks out the rabbit's eyes at the very end. Its a real blink and miss it, but I think they do mention it on the commentary.

[level007]

For those who are fan of the proppellerheads, i was able to catch the video clip for "History repeating" featuring Shirley Bassey. If you want it i can send it to you by ICQ or MSN (check my profile for that) or send me an email ([email protected])

[marktmurphy]

Originally posted by Dunphboy007
I've heard Arnold's version of Doctor Who too, and it's a lot like the original, shame it's not as innovative as Orbital's reworking though ("Doctor?")

The Orbital version I always felt didn't quite have as much thought put into it (its just like the original but with a beat)- Arnold's has a new rhythmic thumping and plunging baseline. Still, the Orbital one is the more scary of the two, even with the makeover Arnold's got for the second season.

[Dunph]

It's a great piece to dance to, I agree that it's a bit linear though mark, I do love the way the bass line builds up from a simple note, though, before it climaxes with the beat. It's AMAZING live!

The live DVD of the LOG is superb, and I love the sketches in the first half, it's so Python-esque (and I normally hate using that comparison). It's one DVD i didn't regret buying, it's a joy to watch from start to finish!

By the way, if you're interested, this is the correct link to Bretton Hall:

http://www.leeds.ac....retton_hall.htm

There are a few Bretton in-jokes in the first half of the DVD, like the 'fire' they create in the Legz Akimbo sketch, and also John ing Godber, who was another Bretton graduate.

originally posted by level007:

For those who are fan of the propellerheads, i was able to catch the video clip for "History repeating" featuring Shirley Bassey

I also have the video to Crash! too, featuring Elvis(?!), as well as the History Repeating one, I hope to get it on the net soon. I'm on something of a look out for all Props' videos, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service being a priority!