Billy Connolly: Big Banana Feet

If you've grown up in Glasgow, you'll know that Sectarianism in this city is still pretty rife - even now, but not so much as in the mid 1970s. It's not surprising, therefore, that after a successful slot on the popular BBC "Parkinson" chat show, Connolly - possibly the world's only professional Glaswegian - sets off on a three gig tour of the Emerald Isle. With the "troubles" only gaining in momentum, he goes on stage trying to bring his unique form of quirkily written folk music, earthy observational humour and jokes about his willie to audiences that react with varying degrees of... let's say "friendship". Trained as a welder on the Clyde, Connolly is no slouch when it comes to defending himself from the cowardly hecklers sniping from the darkness, and his friendly wit appears to go down well with most of his audiences, if less effectively with the rather staid collection of journalists who turn up for pre-show interviews with little knowledge or interest in the man or his story. This isn't Billy Connolly at his best, but it's certainly him at his most natural as he thinks on his feet delivering pithy tales from his childhood and career so far that works simplistically well set against a backdrop of industrial decline and rising fervour.

I would like to clarify that during the screening of this 1976 feature length 'fly on the wall' documentary film I did in fact eat a banana. Intentionally. Not that I thought the film was about bananas, or even people slipping on bananas. In fact the title apparently comes from a Glasgow song, and this film is an account of the October 1975 Irish end of Glaswegian 'comic singer' Billy Connolly's U. K. tour, in which he performs in both Dublin and Belfast. Filmed by David Peat there's revealing and sometimes amusing backstage footage of Connolly (also known as 'The Big Yin' meaning 'The Big One'), whilst on the menu on stage there's snot, pissing, farts, 'tired and emotional' tales, willies and hecklers. Produced by Murray Grigor and Patrick Higson, and released in cinemas in 1977, this new BFI 'restored' version didn't look like it had been restored at all (possibly worse than the early 1980s Brent Walker Video release), and looked like it was screened in the wrong ratio to boot. Billy is an acquired taste, which i've only partly acquired.

can not find on video and want it very much if any one can help please contact me. the film shows billy at his best with his musical talent that he so rarely shows these days and stories he no longer tells. a real must see.

Big Banana Feet was one of those myths in Scotland, a rumoured Billy Connelly film which was floating about on VHS and discussed in hush tones in pubs throughout Scotland. Although talked about nobody ever seemed to have a copy or could convince you they had seen it.

Fast forward to 2024 and a copy was purchased on Ebay on a defunct format and has been restored, not to its former glory but better, thanks to the wonders of technology. Which is essential due to the size of todays TV screens.

BBF is a snapshot of a young Billy Connelly, still on his first marriage and his first comedy show format, which was as much musical comedy, if not more so, than spoken word. Which may come as a surprise to people who were later to the Billy Connelly phenomena. As his biggest impact came later on with his An Audience With for ITV in the 1980's.

A word of warning however, this is not a 100% stand up show. Music aside its more of a travel doc or backstage behind the scenes kind of thing. Its not wall to wall performance. Although its clear that a certain level of performance is on show for how Billy skilfully interacts with his fans and necessary bodies of the showbiz fraternity. Some of these scenes are as funny as the stage show. What is unusual about this documentary is that it is filmed in Ireland at the height of the troubles, when entertainers were being targeted and killed. Billy turns up anyway. This will be of interest to any Billy Connelly fan, however for those who were around in the 70's it will likely hold a special place. If you are one of those people, then rejoice as its available now!