Lines like "I'm not dead" and "tell him he's dreaming" have lived on for decades in our vernacular since first being uttered on the silver screen.
The famous quotes from films Monty Python and the Holy Grail and The Castle left lasting impressions on society, with many academics since singling out these comedy classics for their psychological benefits.
"Humor allows people to distance themselves from problems, thereby increasing positive emotions and easing tension-it operates as an effective coping strategy to be adopted in the face of stress," write researchers from Queensland's James Cook University.
For many, Python brought sunshine and silliness during the '70s and '80s while The Castle was a "love-letter" to the importance of family in the late '90s.
"The Castle is still such an indelible and beloved homage to the Australian way," said actor Stephen Curry, who portrayed central character Dale Kerrigan in the 1997 film.
How's the serenity
Curry was cast alongside Eric Bana, Michael Caton, Sophie Lee and Anne Tenney, and labelled its charm as a "big warm hug" while referring to one of its stand-out scenes.
"[It's] a love-letter to the importance of family and belonging," he told The Senior.
"Dale Kerrigan is a reflection of this. He exists in a constant state of wide-eyed wonder; an indefatigable curiosity. And now, 30 years later, one can only hope he's learnt to dial before he digs."
While this milestone in Aussie cinema remains a permanent legacy, Curry is preparing for his official musical theatre debut in Spamalot, a stage adaption of Python's Holy Grail.
Although, the stage is not an entirely new environment for the actor, who said he auditioned for the role of Gavroche in Melbourne's first professional production of Les Misérables in 1989.
"Got down to the last five, they chose three; I wasn't included. I was devastated," Curry said. "Then my voice broke three weeks later."
In the 37 years since the heartbreak, Curry has kept himself busy "growing chest hair and playing characters who could best be described as fairly dim."
His newest character, King Arthur, perfectly fits that description, he said.
"King Arthur in Spamalot is extremely dim, so I feel that I've actually been preparing for this role my entire career," he said. "And how very dare you."
Monty Python madness
Growing up at a time John Cleese, Eric Idle and their bunch of irreverent Monty Python mates forged themselves as cultural staples on ABC TV, to Curry these comedians became his "heroes".
"Their ability to skew seemingly every sacred cow known to man has provided my family with endless happiness," he said.
Curry believes the Australian sense of humour is "gloriously aligned with English sensibilities" - that is, our self-deprecating, irreverent and innate ability to poke fun at our own foibles.
"And not take ourselves too seriously," he said.
"If it involves slapping someone in the face with a fish- we'll give it a go. Best not done with a flathead however, as they have painful spikes on the side of their heads. I prefer to use a Tasmanian salmon."
This September and October, Curry will step into the shoes of his heroes.
Spamalot the musical debuted in 2005 on Broadway, 30 years after the film release of Holy Grail, and also features one of Python's most endearing songs: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.
"As a card-carrying show-off, I don't tend to hesitate when someone offers me a chance to make an abject fool of myself for the enjoyment of a paying audience," Curry said.
"I'm 50-years-old and firmly believe age is but a number. My high-kicks may be a little lower, my cholesterol a little higher, but my attitude remains the same.
"We've all pooed ourselves, we've all found ourselves on the floor with no way of rectifying our position without assistance, but some of us are looking up at the house lights and thinking, 'how the hell am I allowed to do this for a job'?"
Ageing in the spotlight brings restraint
Aging in the public eye's taught Curry to be wary of the modern digital landscape, especially with the advent of cancel culture.
"Over the course of my career, I've witnessed the birth and inexorable rise of social media," Curry said.
"Many have fallen on their own broad-sword by sharing all of their innermost thoughts and feelings to a world which pretended to care about what they had for breakfast."
He said he was raised to speak his truth quietly and clearly, so has forgone any online profiles on Facebook, Instagram and the like.
"I don't have any social media," he confirmed.
Instead, he keeps his sharp comedic commentary strictly within the household.
"I do, however, eat breakfast," he joked.
"My pithy tweets are only ever broadcast at the dining table to my wife and children. The comments section is immediate, concise, usually fairly brutal and in no way anonymous.
"I'm reminded on a daily basis of how disgracefully I'm ageing and frankly - I'm all good with it. Hang on, what was I saying? Ooh - look - squirrel!"
MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT
Tickets via www.ticketmaster.com.au. The production is recommended for audiences 12 years +.
