Benny Hill

I had not thought of Benny Hill, a staple of my youth in Britain and in Sweden, for some time. With all the #MeToo revelations of inappropriate behavior in political, media, academic, and entertainment circles, it reminded me of the Benny Hill Show. It has always been interpreted either as either simple vaudeville humor or as an icon of get-away-with-anything patriarchy.

Which is too bad. I lean towards the humor side, and in particular to the Benny Hill Show as a throwback to regional stage humor in a long ago Britain, akin to the Carry On series of movies. Slapstick, innuendo, stock jokes, etc.

A couple of examples. The Wishing Well is supposed to be one of the most popular skits.


Double click to enlarge.

The Handyman is closer to Hill's risqué standard.


Double click to enlarge.