Ian MacNaughton facts for kids

Edward Ian MacNaughton (born December 30, 1925 – died December 10, 2002) was a talented Scottish actor, TV producer, and director. He is most famous for his amazing work with the hilarious comedy group, Monty Python.

Ian MacNaughton was the director and producer for almost all of the 45 episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus from 1969 to 1974. He also directed their first movie, And Now for Something Completely Different, in 1971. Plus, he directed their two special German TV episodes, Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus, in 1971 and 1972.

In 1973, Ian and the production team won a big award, the BAFTA Award, for Best Light Entertainment Programme for Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Early Life

Ian MacNaughton was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He went to school at Strathallan School in Perthshire.

After school, he studied medicine for a year, thinking he might become a doctor. But he changed his mind! In 1945, he joined the Royal Marines for a year. While serving, he got a chance to act with the Royal Marines' own drama group, the Globe Players. This was his first taste of acting.

When he left the Marines in 1946, his father hoped he would join the family business. But Ian had found his passion. He decided to study acting in London for a year.

Becoming an Actor

After his acting course, Ian returned to Scotland. He spent several years performing on stage. He often appeared in plays at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow and the Gateway Theatre in Edinburgh. A special moment was in 1948 when he performed in a famous play called A Satire of the Three Estates at the Edinburgh Festival.

Ian started his film career with a small part in the 1953 movie Laxdale Hall. It was a romantic comedy set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. That same year, he also had a small role in Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue. In 1955, Ian moved back to London. He got parts in movies like Seagulls over Sorrento and the science fiction film X the Unknown. He also appeared in three episodes of the British comedy show Hancock's Half Hour.

He continued to get small roles in TV and films. From 1959, he played Kilmartin Dalrymple in all 30 episodes of the British sitcom Tell It to the Marines. This comedy was about a group of funny Royal Marines. Later, in 1962, he played Angus MacCrae in the TV series Silent Evidence. That same year, he had a small role in the famous movie Lawrence of Arabia.

Directing and Producing

While acting in the BBC show Silent Evidence, Ian saw an advertisement. The BBC was offering a training course for TV directors! He applied and was accepted. In 1963 and 1964, he directed episodes of a show called Teletale. In 1965, he directed an episode of Z-Cars. Even while directing, he still took on small acting roles in shows like Dr. Finlay's Casebook and The Avengers.

From 1966 to 1967, Ian directed all 52 episodes of a BBC series called This Man Craig. This show was about a schoolmaster named Ian Craig in a Scottish village. He had to look after the problems of over 300 students! He also directed eight episodes of Dr. Finlay's Casebook between 1967 and 1968.

Working with Monty Python

In 1969, Ian MacNaughton directed and produced the first series of Spike Milligan's Q. This was a very funny and surreal British comedy show. The Q show had a big impact on the Monty Python team. Michael Palin from Monty Python said that he and Terry Jones were so impressed with Q that they specifically wanted Ian MacNaughton to direct their own new show.

Between 1969 and 1974, Ian produced and directed almost all of the 45 episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus. At first, there was a little bit of disagreement between Ian and the Monty Python team. This was because the Pythons liked to be very involved in how the show was directed. But by the end of the first series, Ian had become a key part of the team. His help was very important to their success.

In 1971, Ian directed the Monty Python team's first movie, And Now For Something Completely Different. This film was a remake of the most popular sketches from their TV show. That same year, he also directed the group in the first of two special German shows filmed in Bavaria. These were called Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus. He directed the second German episode the following year.

Other Directing Work

Ian directed episodes of several other TV series in 1973 and 1974. This included the first episode of Rising Damp, a popular comedy with Leonard Rossiter. Later in 1974, he filmed the fourth and final series of Monty Python.

After Monty Python, Ian continued to work with Spike Milligan. He directed more series of Q, including Q6 in 1975, Q7 in 1977, Q8 in 1978, and Q9 in 1980.

In 1976, Ian directed another comedy show called Out of the Trees, starring Monty Python member Graham Chapman. Only one episode was made. He also directed a short film in 1979 called Le Pétomane, about a famous French performer.

From the late 1970s, Ian lived in Munich, Germany. He continued to work as a director for TV and stage. He directed a German comedy show called Harry Hocker läßt nicht locker. He also directed many operas and musicals around the world, including in Israel, Norway, and Austria.

Personal Life

In 1958, Ian MacNaughton married actress Rita Davies. They had two children together. Rita often appeared as a guest star in episodes of Monty Python. They were married for 20 years before they divorced in 1978. In 1995, he married his second wife, Ike Ott. He had met her in Bavaria in 1972 while filming Monty Python's German episodes.

His Final Years

In 2001, Ian MacNaughton was in a serious car accident. He was returning to his home in Munich, Germany, from a play in Austria. He sadly passed away from these injuries on December 10, 2002, at the age of 76.

Awards and Recognition

Ian MacNaughton received several important awards and nominations for his work:

• BAFTA Awards
  • 1970: Nominated for Best Light Entertainment for Monty Python's Flying Circus.
  • 1971: Nominated for Best Light Entertainment Production for Monty Python's Flying Circus.
  • 1973: Won for Best Light Entertainment Programme for Monty Python's Flying Circus. (He shared this award with the production team).
  • 1975: Nominated for Best Light Entertainment Programme for Monty Python's Flying Circus.
• Primetime Emmy Awards
  • 1976: Nominated for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special for the Monty Python Show (1975).