The film is set (but not actually entirely filmed) in my home town of Camden. It still is a bit like that here - there's a guy I see occasionally walking around in a suit with a cat lying across his shoulders. Walking past, for example, the Dublin Castle which does feel like the type of place where someone might call you a 'perfumed ponce'. Also the final scene where they sit on a bench in the Regents Park is just by the old -lion- (edit wolf!) enclosure.
"Throw yourself into the road, darling, you haven't got a chance!"
The drunk roaring about 'perfumed ponces' is none other than Daragh O'Malley, the fantastic second-fiddle to Sean Bean in the 'Sharpe' TV series, and voices the lawyer in Grim Fandango amongst other roles!
The family overall are well worth reading up on - his father was the Minister for Education who introduced free secondary education to Ireland, and his Mother was a muse of Patrick Kavanaghs and the subject of the famous ballad "On Raglan Road". His father Donogh, was even originally engaged to Richard Harris's sister, Audrey (who died during their engagement of leuekemia aged 21).
I think it was the wolf enclosure, along the north south path in the NE part of Regent's Park.
The Zoo has been rejigged since then, I attended the Danish Summer Fair just nearby every year, and used to pop out to say Hi to the wolves ('Hi hi ulve!') but they're now deeper in the zoo.
The Tigers are along by the Gibbons and the camels, on the boundary of the East - West path. Occasionally walking across Regent's Park you'll hear a loud roar.
I guess the US Ambassador who's residence is next door hears that a fair bit.
Back on topic.
Uncle Monty with his potted vegetables was bonkers.
'Flowers are tarts!'
I find it impossible to reconcile Monty's character with the fact Richard Griffiths was only forty years old when he played him. Yes, forty. I'm 46 now but however old I get, Uncle Monty will forever remain the archetypal "batty older queen" in my head.
That is wild, yes - he's one of those actors that always seems about that age. He was 57 or so when the first Harry Potter was filmed.
In fact, I would like a Potter/Withnail mashup, with Harry looking confused and distraught while Withnail shouts "Have you been at the controls!!? I demand some booze!" at him.
"Throw yourself into the road, darling, you haven't got a chance!"