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Kim Johnson

Born: 1955 in Ottawa, Illinois
Pen Name: Kim 'Howard' Johnson

Connection to Illinois: Johnson was born and raised in Ottawa, Illinois.

Biography: Kim “Howard” Johnson has written several books on Monty Python as well as comic books for Marvel, DC, and Event Comics. Johnson first met the members of the Monty Python troupe in 1978 when he was the publisher of a Monty Python fanzine. He also appeared in ''Life Of Brian'', and once worked as John Cleese's personal assistant.Johnson and his wife, Laurie Bradach, own DoubleDare Books. He has also been a screenwriter, an award-winning newspaper writer, marketing director for a comic book company, radio newsman and feature reporter and magazine journalist.


Awards:

Primary Literary Genre(s): Non-Fiction

Primary Audience(s): Adult readers

Blog: http://www.kimhowardjohnson.com/
Email: petepark8@hotmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimhowardjohnsonauthor
Website: http://www.doubledarebooks.com/
Kim Johnson on WorldCat : http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=kim+johnson


Selected Titles

And now for something completely trivial :
ISBN: 0859652084 OCLC: 154173799

Plexus Publishing, London : 1993.

Life (before and) after Monty Python :
ISBN: 0312086954 OCLC: 27150344

St. Martin's Press, New York, N.Y. : 1993.

Life before and after Monty Python :
ISBN: 0859652068 OCLC: 40927400

Plexus, London : ©1993.

Monty Python's Tunisian holiday :
ISBN: 0312533799 OCLC: 213451482

St. Martin's Press, New York : 2008.

In 1978, Kim "Howard" Johnson ran away to join the circus--Monty Python's Flying Circus, that is. The Pythons converged on Tunisia to film their timeless classic, Life of Brian, and Howard found himself in the thick of it, doubling for nearly all the Pythons, playing more roles in the film than John Cleese, and managing to ruin only one shot. He became the unit journalist, substitute still photographer, Roman soldier, peasant, double, near-stalker, and, ultimately, friend and confidant of the comedy legends. He also kept a detailed journal of what he saw and heard, on set and off, throughout those six weeks. The result is a unique eyewitness account that reveals the Pythons at work and at play in a way that nothing else written about them could do. Even the most diehard fans will get a fresh take on the comedy greats through some never-before-revealed nuggets of Python brilliance.--From publisher description.

Monty Python's Tunisian holiday :
ISBN: 9781429994255 OCLC: 897830641

One of the finest and most accurate records of the making of the film that I have ever read. I just wished I could remember what actually went on then.--Terry Jones If anyone can remember more about making the Life of Brian than me, it's Kim 'Howard' Johnson. He came, he saw, he got into costume. While the rest of us were fighting to upstage each other, Howard had a notebook hidden in his toga.--Michael Palin Since I've forgotten everything, it will be great to read what was actually going on in Tunisia. Just as long as I'm the most quoted, the most vital to the shooting, and the most interesting. You don't have to mention my stunning good looks if you don't want to.--Terry Gilliam Of all the books that I am planning to read in my dotage, there is none I am more looking forward to than Monty Python's Tunisian Holiday ... Not only does 'Howard' Johnson know more about Python than anyone outside of the IRS, he was in Tunisia for most of the filming of Life of Brian, and is the only person who captured every thoughtless remark, heated exchange, embarrassing detail, petty insult, and spiteful act of indifference.--John Cleese Kim 'Howard' Johnson was invented by Graham Chapman during an idle moment on the set of The Life of Brian. 'Let's invent a person,' he said. 'An American fan from the Midwest,' chimed in Michael Palin, 'who keeps a daily diary of Python filming. And then doesn't publish it for years and years.' How we laughed, and each day we'd make up stuff this 'person' would write about us.--Eric Idle In 1978, Kim Howard Johnson ran away to join the circus--Monty Python's Flying Circus, that is. The Pythons converged on Tunisia to film their timeless classic, Life of Brian, and Howard found himself in the thick of it, doubling for nearly all the Pythons, playing more roles in the film than John Cleese, and managing to ruin only one shot. He became the unit journalist, substitute still photographer, Roman soldier, peasant, Biggus Dickus's double, near-stalker, and, ultimately, friend and confidant of the comedy legends. He also kept a detailed journal of what he saw and heard, on set and off, throughout those six weeks. The result is a unique eyewitness account that reveals the Pythons at work and at play in a way that nothing else written about them could do. Now, for the first time ever, the inside story of the making of the film is revealed through the fly-on-the-castle-wall perspective. Even the most diehard fans will get a fresh take on the comedy greats through some never-before-revealed nuggets of Python brilliance: what John Cleese offered to exchange for suntan lotion; Terry Jones directing in drag; Michael Palin's secret to playing revolutionaries and peasants; Graham Chapman gets naked; Terry Gilliam gets filthy; Eric Idle haggles; the secret of the Thespo-Squat; Mrs. Pilate; talk of George Harrison; the cake-flinging that jeopardized the production; badminton, impromptu cricket, and erotic frescoes; and the first-ever presentation of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Here, uncensored, are the legendary Pythons in their prime. It was a period of comedy history that will never be duplicated, and Monty Python's Tunisian Holiday captures the wit, the genius, and the sheer silliness of the six men that comprised Python.

Superman :
ISBN: 1401200222 OCLC: 60824269

In a new twist on the legend of Superman, the future superhero is raised in a small English town by adoptive parents who teach him to hide his powers, but his job as a tabloid reporter may be in jeopardy unless he chooses to go public.

The first 20 years of Monty Python /
ISBN: 0312033095 OCLC: 19920193

St. Martin's Press, New York : ©1989.

  The first 200 years of Monty Python
ISBN: 085965107X OCLC: 60093991

Plexus, London : 1989.

The first 28 years of Monty Python /
ISBN: 0312169337 OCLC: 37024921

St. Martin's Griffin, New York : 1999.

An appreciation of Monty Python offers exclusive interviews, rare photographs, a complete episode guide to the TV shows, and listings of film, records, stage, and television endeavors.

The funniest one in the room :
ISBN: 9781556527128 OCLC: 750230027

Chicago Review Press, Chicago, Ill. : ©2008.

Containing recollections from more than 80 of the comedic giant's closest friends and colleagues, this absorbing biography explores Del Close's old haunts, his sensational past, and the reality behind the tales he told so often. From traveling with a carnival and hanging out with a pre-Scientology L. Ron Hubbard to riding with the Merry Pranksters and using a coven of witches to help him kick a lifelong cocaine habit, Close led an incredibly rich life-one whose absurdity proved great fodder for improv theater. Astute and compassionate, Close influenced improvisational theater's greatest comedi.

Truth in comedy :
ISBN: 1566080037 OCLC: 29478701

Meriwether Pub., Colorado Springs, Colo. : ©1994.

Furnishes a comprehensive guide to improvisational techniques as used in stand-up comedy.

 

 

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