Sexuality
In The Goon Show Scripts, published in 1972, it was revealed that Hercules Grytpype-Thynne was homosexual. The same authority also intimated that he was the half-brother of Willium "Mate" Cobblers, having the same mother, a certain "Vera Colin".
Grytpype's sexual preference occasionally appeared in the show.
- In "The Lost Emperor" he and Moriarity are held at gunpoint by Eccles, and they are trying to persuade him to close his eyes so they can escape. Notably, previous dialogue of this scene revealed Grytpype to be naked, having been taken hostage while in the bath.
- Eccles: If I close my eyes I won't be able to see you!
- Grytpype: (intimately) Will you miss me?
- Eccles: (alarmed) Here here here here!
Later in the same show, Seagoon refers to Grytpype as 'attractive', flattering him, and following the climax they exclaim 'darling, together again at last!' and begin to dance.
- Similarly, in "Rommel's Treasure", Seagoon engages Grytpype with the unfounded appraisal that " just as beautiful as the night I first married you". Repeating that phrase by the end of the script, the two dance away.
- Another example would be in "The Telephone". Grytpype says to Neddy Seagoon that he and Moriarty are bachelors. When Neddy enquires as to why Grytpype hasn't married yet, he replies "I would but Moriarty doesn't love me."
- Occasionally, Moriarty would return his affections; in "The Choking Horror", the two share a last dance upon learning that within seconds they will become the victims of a London air raid.
- In "The Last Goon Show Of All", Grytpype is slightly more flamboyant and camp, as is the stereotype with homosexual men, especially the minor Goons character Flowerdew; he refers to Moriarty as 'Stupid Frenchy-Poo' and abandons his usually serious tone to talk frivolously to Neddy about 'Knee-Trembling'.
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