Ian MacNaughton
Edward Ian Macnaughton (30 December 1925 – 10 December 2002) was a Scottish actor-turned-television producer and director, best known for his work with the "Monty Python" team. MacNaughton was director and producer for all but four of the forty five episodes of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" from 1969 to 1974, director of the group's first feature film "And Now for Something Completely Different" in 1971 and director of their two German episodes, "Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus" in 1971 and 1972. In 1973 the production team shared the BAFTA Award for Best Light Entertainment Programme for "Monty Python's Flying Circus".
Underground comix
Film and television began to reflect the influence of underground comix in the 1970s, starting with the release of Ralph Bakshi's film adaptation of Crumb's "Fritz the Cat", the first animated film to receive an X rating from the MPAA. Further adult-oriented animated films influenced by underground comix followed, including "The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat" and "Down and Dirty Duck". The influence of underground comix has also been attributed to films such as "The Lord of the Rings" (1978) and "Forbidden Zone" (1980). The popularity of "Monty Python's Flying Circus", which featured the animation of "Help!" contributor Terry Gilliam, has also been attributed to the prominence of the underground comix scene.