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Kenneth Williams' Acid Drops
Kenneth Williams' Acid Drops
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
4 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Williams
58 books21 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Kenneth Williams was an English comic actor and comedian, star of 26 Carry On films, numerous British television shows, and radio comedies with Tony Hancock and Kenneth Horne.
His professional career began in 1948 in repertory theatre. Failure to become a serious dramatic actor disappointed him, but his potential as a comic performer gave him his break when he was spotted playing the Dauphin in George Bernard Shaw's St Joan in 1954 by radio producer Dennis Main Wilson. Main Wilson was casting Hancock's Half Hour, a radio series starring Tony Hancock. Playing mostly funny voice roles, Williams stayed in the series almost to the end, five years later. His nasal, whiny, camp-cockney inflections (epitomised in his "Stop messing about...!" catchphrase) became popular with listeners.
He joined Kenneth Horne in Beyond Our Ken (1958–1964), and its sequel, Round the Horne (1965–1968). His roles in Round the Horne included Rambling Syd Rumpo, the eccentric folk singer; Dr Chou En Ginsberg, MA (failed), Oriental criminal mastermind; J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, telephone heavy breather and dirty old man; and Sandy of the camp couple Julian and Sandy (Julian was played by Hugh Paddick). Their double act was notable for double entendres and Polari, the homosexual slang.
Williams worked regularly in British film during the 1960s and 1970s, mainly in the Carry On series (1958–1978) with its British double entendre-laced humour. He appeared in the series more than any other actor. He often criticised Carry On films, his own performances and those of others, considering them beneath him. Despite this, he spoke fondly of the Carry On films in interviews. Peter Rogers, producer of the series, recollected, "Kenneth was worth taking care of because, while he cost very little – £5,000 a film, he made a great deal of money for the franchise."
Williams was a regular on the BBC radio panel game Just a Minute from its second season in 1968 until his death. On television he was a frequent contributor to the 1973-1974 revival of What's My Line?, hosted the weekly entertainment show International Cabaret and was a reader for the children's story-reading series Jackanory on BBC1. He appeared on Michael Parkinson's chat show on eight occasions, during which he told anecdotes from his career. Williams was a stand-in host on the Wogan talk show in 1986.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Kenneth Williams was an English comic actor and comedian, star of 26 Carry On films, numerous British television shows, and radio comedies with Tony Hancock and Kenneth Horne.
His professional career began in 1948 in repertory theatre. Failure to become a serious dramatic actor disappointed him, but his potential as a comic performer gave him his break when he was spotted playing the Dauphin in George Bernard Shaw's St Joan in 1954 by radio producer Dennis Main Wilson. Main Wilson was casting Hancock's Half Hour, a radio series starring Tony Hancock. Playing mostly funny voice roles, Williams stayed in the series almost to the end, five years later. His nasal, whiny, camp-cockney inflections (epitomised in his "Stop messing about...!" catchphrase) became popular with listeners.
He joined Kenneth Horne in Beyond Our Ken (1958–1964), and its sequel, Round the Horne (1965–1968). His roles in Round the Horne included Rambling Syd Rumpo, the eccentric folk singer; Dr Chou En Ginsberg, MA (failed), Oriental criminal mastermind; J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, telephone heavy breather and dirty old man; and Sandy of the camp couple Julian and Sandy (Julian was played by Hugh Paddick). Their double act was notable for double entendres and Polari, the homosexual slang.
Williams worked regularly in British film during the 1960s and 1970s, mainly in the Carry On series (1958–1978) with its British double entendre-laced humour. He appeared in the series more than any other actor. He often criticised Carry On films, his own performances and those of others, considering them beneath him. Despite this, he spoke fondly of the Carry On films in interviews. Peter Rogers, producer of the series, recollected, "Kenneth was worth taking care of because, while he cost very little – £5,000 a film, he made a great deal of money for the franchise."
Williams was a regular on the BBC radio panel game Just a Minute from its second season in 1968 until his death. On television he was a frequent contributor to the 1973-1974 revival of What's My Line?, hosted the weekly entertainment show International Cabaret and was a reader for the children's story-reading series Jackanory on BBC1. He appeared on Michael Parkinson's chat show on eight occasions, during which he told anecdotes from his career. Williams was a stand-in host on the Wogan talk show in 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 9, 2020
I must admit this is a book I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. In fact years. I have long found Kenneth Williams to be somewhat a inspirational figure for me. Often while watching his archive interviews I have seen clips of him speaking about this book. Having discovered World of Books I was able to get my very own original copy. A fantastic book crammed with acid retorts it makes for a fun read. Definitely one for fans of KW!
February 6, 2021
Too many Oscar Wilde quotes, but entertaining reading. That said, I much prefer Kenneth Williams' diaries...
December 22, 2007
An absolute howler. Williams was one of Britain's most outrageous and brilliant comedians having been eagerly awaited in the old days of radio comedy and later TV for his trademark very "camp" remarks. Like others of his contemporaries a deeply sad man but much bereaved when he died
July 5, 2022
An encyclopedia of the many forms of sarcasm and snark that exist in the world. Loved that it was a book of quotations but written in first person so that Kenneth explains the context and the result of the bitchy exchange. How he wrote was full of such warmth and it definitely inspired me to read some of his diaries perhaps. We have some insight into the quotation so though some of them are very pointed and insulting, they never seem too nasty. Makes you miss a past era of humour where wit is the reward.
I only rated a 4/5 because I tired of the format half way through. However, I kept picking it up to read another chapter because I looked forward to it!
I only rated a 4/5 because I tired of the format half way through. However, I kept picking it up to read another chapter because I looked forward to it!
September 25, 2022
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I love watching the Carry Ons… and Williams in interviews, but this book didn’t grab me as I thought it would.
I think, for me, the issue is that apart from the likes of Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward etc., I don’t know who most of the people are who he mentions in the book. It’s difficult to get a feeling of the person’s voice or even have an image of them in your head if you have no idea who they are.
I think, for me, the issue is that apart from the likes of Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward etc., I don’t know who most of the people are who he mentions in the book. It’s difficult to get a feeling of the person’s voice or even have an image of them in your head if you have no idea who they are.
October 5, 2019
I was slightly disappointed as I was expecting lots of laughs from Kenneth Williams. He comes over as "snarky" and a bit mean-spirited. Nevertheless it is interesting to discover the origins of some wellknown and often-used comments.
January 22, 2020
I’m quite surprised by this one. I was really looking forward to it especially after reading the reviews it was given at the time of release, but there’s just something about it that doesn’t sit well with me. I love Kenneth Williams but for some reason, just couldn’t finish this one.
September 15, 2017
Biting and deliciously sequacious.
August 7, 2013
Kenneth Williams, of ‘Carry On…’ fame for many, was a troubled character. Clever but socially handicapped, he lived a mostly solitary life. It comes as no surprise, then, that his collection of witty quips and quotes is entirely made up of the sort of put-downs that leave the victim feeling bad. Of course, the title gives a clue to the nature of the assortment; his selection is pungent with acerbic witticisms.
As an optimist and, bearing a philanthropic nature, I found only a few of these short forays into wit amusing. Many are cruel. At best, most are caustic. I laugh easily; it’s in my nature. But I didn’t laugh at many of these. Though I can admire the intelligence that created them. And Williams’ short accompanying accounts of how the quips came to be are quite amusing and informative.
Of course, this is a book intended to be dipped into rather than read, as I did, at one sitting. Perhaps I was overwhelmed by the nastiness of much of the material.
I have no doubt that those of a misanthropic or sour disposition will find plenty to enjoy here. But, for me, there was a little too much acid to make the book enjoyable. This is a volume that illustrates that beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder. For me, it was distinctly ugly, but clever. So a mixed review. If you like your wit with a cutting edge and little mercy, this will suit you.
As an optimist and, bearing a philanthropic nature, I found only a few of these short forays into wit amusing. Many are cruel. At best, most are caustic. I laugh easily; it’s in my nature. But I didn’t laugh at many of these. Though I can admire the intelligence that created them. And Williams’ short accompanying accounts of how the quips came to be are quite amusing and informative.
Of course, this is a book intended to be dipped into rather than read, as I did, at one sitting. Perhaps I was overwhelmed by the nastiness of much of the material.
I have no doubt that those of a misanthropic or sour disposition will find plenty to enjoy here. But, for me, there was a little too much acid to make the book enjoyable. This is a volume that illustrates that beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder. For me, it was distinctly ugly, but clever. So a mixed review. If you like your wit with a cutting edge and little mercy, this will suit you.
April 23, 2013
Hilarious
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews