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Re: Andree Melly

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Robert L. TorresJul 8, 2007
 

 
I'd like to take this time out to pay lip service to someone that did
more for JAM representing the ladies, and I think perhaps paved the
way for a lot more braver females to take part in the show, the
lovely and talented and I think underappreciated Andree Melly.

She was there for a majority of the show from the late 60's and well
into the 70's, but then just disappeared from the series, perhaps to
enjoy her retirement from acting and to be a mother to her children.

I always admired Andree Melly, she was smart, and witty, and
definitely could argue for her points, but sometimes I felt that she
wasn't given the benefit of the doubt often enough, because even
though she'd be correct and also be exceptionally clever, the point
usually went to Kenneth Williams because Parsons wanted to hear more
from Kenneth rather than allow Andree a chance to say anything.

sometimes I felt that Nicholas treated Andree very shoddily and very
patronizingly as well in the way he would deny her challenges, even
though 9 times out of 10 she was in the right. In fact there were
times when he's actually patronized her for being 'too clever'.

And clever she indeed was on the show, she wasn't a comedian the way
Derek or Kenneth or even Peter were, but was very knowledgable on
certain matters, and quite clever as well in the game, especially in
devising challenges and could be just as clever and in fact be more
clever than the males in her attempts to gain bonus points and also
in eliciting laughter from the audience, and sometimes she wouldn't
even be recognized for her cleverness, but as most people have stated
that its Nicholas' job to see the show flow, and he actually takes
the stance of creating the bloody arguments but more often than not
would go AGAINST the person in question (namely Andree).

And the fact is, she was the sweetest and most charming woman on the
show, but that just never seemed to be enough, especially since
Nicholas allowed Kenneth to ride roughshot over her and all the woman
on the program with his chauvinistic tirades. however, we all know
that it was just part of Kenneth's attempts to get laughs.

I'm sure that Ken and Andree had a great working relationship,
considering that JAM wasn't the first time they worked together.

I do recall that they did work together on 'Hancock's Half Hour',
although if memory serves me right, I don't think they had any scenes
together, which is probably why they worked well.

The greatest moment in the show's history had to be when Andree took
over the chairman's seat and finally got her own back against those
that abused her so royally over the years (Parsons included) and did
exceptionally well as the chairwoman.

there were also a number of times when Andree has actually won the
show, which is a victory in and of itself for the contributions she
brings to the show.

I also seem to recall that amongst her other acting roles, she was in
a number of Hammer productions, the most notable of them being one of
the many Brides of Dracula, with Christopher Lee.

I also seem to recall her being involved with the Benny Hill show.

it's a shame she also wasn't mentioned in the obituary for the
recently deceased brother George, the famous jazz musician, certainly
a huge oversight on the part of the newspaper.

anyone else wish to say something, share any favorite memories on
this wonderful woman?

 
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