Major Bloodnok
Encyclopedia
Major Denis Bloodnok, IND. ARM
. RTD. coward
and bar
(military idiot and former plumber's mate) is a fictional character
from the 1950s BBC Radio
comedy The Goon Show
. He was voiced by Peter Sellers
.
night.
He is repeatedly implied to be a womaniser. A prime example of this is in "Drums Along the Mersey" where he is thrown out of a boat for being caught with the captain's wife. Another example is featured in "The Histories of Pliny the Elder", when he says: "You know that saying 'Caesar's wife is above suspicion'? Well, I put an end to all that rubbish!" Also, in "The Jet-Propelled Guided NAAFI
", when Moriarty arrives at his tent to bribe him into blowing up said NAAFI, he catches Bloodnok saying supposedly to a woman he was romancing, "Good night darling, I'll see you later", to which Milligan, playing Throat, replies "Good night, darling". In addition, during "Tales of Men's Shirts", he appears obsessed with women, answering a request for a favour with "What's her name?"
, MT, MT and MT." Seagoon questioned him on the MT's, to which Bloodnok responded "I get tuppence on each of them" (MT's meaning "empties", as in empty bottles). Also said to be a former member of the 3rd Mounted NAAFI
, and the 3rd Regular Army Deserters. In "The Mummified Priest", when Seagoon explains that he has come to Egypt to look for the tomb of a priest belonging to the third or fourth dynasties, Bloodnok replies, "Fourth Dynasties? My old regiment!" It is possible that he was a member of a cavalry regiment: Roper's Light Horse are mentioned in more than one episode.
(on the one occasion it wasn't played, Bloodnok cried, "I'm Cured!") and quotes such as:
In "The Policy" Bloodnok sings a song called "The Indigestion
Waltz".
Bloodnok's arch enemy is The Red Bladder as voiced by musician Ray Ellington
.
In the Dreamworks film Shrek
, a reference is made to the Major when the title character points out an Ogre constellation known as 'Bloodnok The Flatulent'.
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
. RTD. coward
Cowardice
Cowardice is the perceived failure to demonstrate sufficient mental robustness and courage in the face of a challenge. Under many military codes of justice, cowardice in the face of combat is a crime punishable by death...
and bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(military idiot and former plumber's mate) is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the 1950s BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
comedy The Goon Show
The Goon Show
The Goon Show was a British radio comedy programme, originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960, with occasional repeats on the BBC Light Programme...
. He was voiced by Peter Sellers
Peter Sellers
Richard Henry Sellers, CBE , known as Peter Sellers, was a British comedian and actor. Perhaps best known as Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther film series, he is also notable for playing three different characters in Dr...
.
Basis of character
Bloodnok's army career is noted by cowardice and monetary irregularities. He is discharged after being found dressed as a woman, although he claims it was carnivalCarnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
night.
He is repeatedly implied to be a womaniser. A prime example of this is in "Drums Along the Mersey" where he is thrown out of a boat for being caught with the captain's wife. Another example is featured in "The Histories of Pliny the Elder", when he says: "You know that saying 'Caesar's wife is above suspicion'? Well, I put an end to all that rubbish!" Also, in "The Jet-Propelled Guided NAAFI
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
", when Moriarty arrives at his tent to bribe him into blowing up said NAAFI, he catches Bloodnok saying supposedly to a woman he was romancing, "Good night darling, I'll see you later", to which Milligan, playing Throat, replies "Good night, darling". In addition, during "Tales of Men's Shirts", he appears obsessed with women, answering a request for a favour with "What's her name?"
Regiments
He introduces himself in "Napoleon's Piano" as "Major Denis Bloodnok, late of the 3rd Disgusting Fusiliers OBEOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, MT, MT and MT." Seagoon questioned him on the MT's, to which Bloodnok responded "I get tuppence on each of them" (MT's meaning "empties", as in empty bottles). Also said to be a former member of the 3rd Mounted NAAFI
Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes
The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes is an organisation created by the British government in 1921 to run recreational establishments needed by the British Armed Forces, and to sell goods to servicemen and their families...
, and the 3rd Regular Army Deserters. In "The Mummified Priest", when Seagoon explains that he has come to Egypt to look for the tomb of a priest belonging to the third or fourth dynasties, Bloodnok replies, "Fourth Dynasties? My old regiment!" It is possible that he was a member of a cavalry regiment: Roper's Light Horse are mentioned in more than one episode.
Running gags
Denis is plagued by chronic gastro-intestinal problems and his entrance is usually accompanied by explosions or flatulent sound effects, the sound being created by the BBC Radiophonic WorkshopBBC Radiophonic Workshop
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop, one of the sound effects units of the BBC, was created in 1958 to produce effects and new music for radio, and was closed in March 1998, although much of its traditional work had already been outsourced by 1995. It was based in the BBC's Maida Vale Studios in Delaware...
(on the one occasion it wasn't played, Bloodnok cried, "I'm Cured!") and quotes such as:
- "The screens, nurse! Quick, the screens!"
- "No wonder I can't go to parties any more ...."
- "No more curried eggs for meee ...."
In "The Policy" Bloodnok sings a song called "The Indigestion
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia , also known as upset stomach or indigestion, refers to a condition of impaired digestion. It is a medical condition characterized by chronic or recurrent pain in the upper abdomen, upper abdominal fullness and feeling full earlier than expected when eating...
Waltz".
Catch phrases
- "It's Hell in there!" - typically about somewhere hot, crowded etc. or his own quarters and/or latrine.
- "I say, you're cutting it rather fine, aren't you?" - after another character has uttered seemingly contradictory statements.
Other characters
In several episodes Bloodnok has an Indian manservant called Singhiz Thing.Bloodnok's arch enemy is The Red Bladder as voiced by musician Ray Ellington
Ray Ellington
Ray Ellington was a popular English singer, drummer and bandleader. He is best known for his appearances on The Goon Show from 1951 to 1960...
.
In the Dreamworks film Shrek
Shrek
Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Loosely based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!...
, a reference is made to the Major when the title character points out an Ogre constellation known as 'Bloodnok The Flatulent'.