Classic TV Double Acts: Peter Cook & Dudley Moore

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, the iconic comedy duo who revolutionized British humor, continue to wow audiences even decades after their heyday. Their partnership, likened to a marriage that ended on a sour note, brought together Cook’s cynical worldview with Moore’s down-to-earth charm, much like the dynamic between Lennon and McCartney.

The duo first crossed paths when they were brought together by a theater producer for a revue called Beyond The Fringe at the Edinburgh Festival. This collaboration was an instant success, leading to performances in the West End and Broadway. Cook’s dream of opening his own comedy club, The Establishment, also became a reality.

On television, Cook and Moore found further success with their sketch show “Not Only… But Also,” which birthed their beloved Pete and Dud personas. The show featured classic sketches like “One Leg Too Few,” where Dudley played a one-legged Tarzan wannabe. Despite their popularity, many episodes of “Not Only… But Also” were unfortunately wiped by the BBC, leaving only fragments behind.

Transitioning to the big screen proved challenging for the duo. While films like “Bedazzled” have since gained recognition as classics, others such as “The Wrong Box” and “Monte Carlo or Bust” failed to capture their charismatic chemistry.

By the 1970s, it seemed that Cook and Moore’s double act was losing steam as they pursued solo projects. They did enjoy success in Australia with TV appearances and stage tours. However, a troubled remake of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” in 1977 marked a low point for their partnership. Cook’s drinking problem worsened over time, straining his relationship with Moore. Eventually, Moore failed to show up until the last day for recording on the final Derek and Clive album, effectively ending their collaboration.

Moore went on to achieve Hollywood stardom with roles in films like Blake Edwards’ “10” and “Arthur.” Cook, bitter about Moore’s success and feeling abandoned, struggled to compete. He made attempts to revive his career but spent much of the 1980s in semi-reclusion.

Towards the end of Cook’s life, thanks in part to his third wife Lin, the duo reconciled to some extent. However, their dynamic had shifted, with Peter no longer in control. Moore passed away in 2002 at the age of 66 after battling a rare form of Parkinson’s disease. Cook died in 1995 at age 57 due to complications related to his drinking.

The partnership between Peter Cook and Dudley Moore was truly magical and left an indelible mark on comedy. While their films may have been under appreciated at the time, any opportunity to see them together is a rare treat. Their comedic genius continues to inspire laughter and admiration among audiences worldwide.