the lost weekend (1945) - billy wilder

Based on the Charles R. Jackson book of the same name, but without any mention of Don Birnam's (played by Ray Milland) homosexual experience when he was younger, or thoughts of murder at the end. This tells the story of an alcoholics weekend and his downward spiral. It bugged me, as l kept trying to remember what else l had seen Ray Milland in, until l finally remembered it was Dial M for Murder. Much better acting from Ray Milland than you usually get in most of these old films (in fact he won an Oscar for it), and not the kind of film l would usually have expected from Billy Wilder, as, although l know he did thrillers at the start of his career, l always associate him with Some Like It Hot, which (of course), is class. Now where did l hide my bottle of whisky?

toodle pip

oldman river viaduct at lethbridge, alberta 1908

This is the erection of the viaduct over the Oldman River at Lethbridge, Alberta, circa 1908.

It's a pretty large erection (fnarr fnarr - ooh my sides - stop it etc).

toodle pip

the itch and the brain

There is a great article in The New Yorker about a woman who had an itch and scratched it so much that she went through to her brain (http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/06/30/080630fa_fact_gawande).

There is also information about treatment, phantom limbs and sight. Interesting stuff, especially regarding the eyesight and the brains memory.

toodle pip

bill and ben - the flowerpot men

No wonder l am messed up - The Flower Pot Men was the top entertainment for young Jamie when l was a tiny Scouse nipper. Bill and Ben are my first TV memory, and as far as l am concerned, Peter Hawkins (who voiced them) was a genius, it was great.

I also remember watching Felix the Cat from about the same time, but that does not hold any great memories for me, as even then, l thought it was a bit rubbish. The combination of the two still messed with my tiny developing head, and l have never recovered.

Nurse! The screens! The drugs!

toodle pip

the adventures of robinson crusoe (1954) - louis bunuel

This was better than l remembered, and apart from the colour being a bit washed out (washed out - get it?), was one of the better olden films that l so enjoy watching. Let's face it, everyone already knows the story. Robinson (Dan O'Herlihy) gets stranded on an Island after a shipwreck, survives, gets scared of neighbouring cannibals, rescues Man Friday, then escapes the Island (after 28 years!), leaving other (baddies) sailors on it. He has to cope with his loneliness and it also deals with attitudes towards slaves (Robinson was on his way to get some more slaves for his plantation when he got stranded) and his relationship with God. Luis Buñuel put in a fantasy sequence when Robinson had a fever and was desperate for water, but apart from that, it was pretty much a straight (condensed) retelling of the book. Takes me back to my childhood in Bootle watching stuff like this, sitting in the cinema at the top of our road for the Saturday morning matinee, although l don't know if that is a good thing or not!

toodle pip

the bitter tears of petra von kant (1972) - rainer werner fassbinder

Petra (Margit Carstensen ) is a fashion designer who falls in love/wants to possess Karin (Hanna Schygulla), but she (Karin) decides to go back to her husband. Petra is sadistic in her words and actions, especially to her assistant, Marlene (Irm Hermann), who appears to worship Petra. After many arguments and cruelty (and lazing on a sunny afternoon), Petra is left apologetic and swears to be nicer. This is when Marlene decides to leave as she enjoyed her own masochistic side of the relationship. Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder and based on his own play, the above makes it sound like there is a lot of sex. There isn't, and there is mostly lots of talking regarding the women's relationships. Exciting eh?

toodle pip

the invisible man (1933) - james whale

As l remembered from seeing this years ago, the plot could not make up it's mind whether it was a comedy or horror film. James Whale directed, so he certainly has a lot to answer for. It stars Claude Rains as Dr. Jack Griffin, (although you do not see him till the last couple of seconds), who has successfully turned himself invisible, but is also going mad, thanks to the monocane he has used as part of his experiments. He keeps getting interrupted at the inn, (a superb looking place, supposedly situated in Iping, Sussex), while trying to find an antidote, then goes on the rampage, after unsuccessfully trying to recruit his rival in love (for Flora Cranley, daughter of Doctor Cranley) as his partner. The effects are really excellent for the time, a few of them obvious, but some take a bit of working out. The end of the film is rubbish and over too quickly, and Gloria Stuart's over the top histrionics as Flora got on my nerves, but it was still good. Doctor Cranley was played by Henry Travers (from It's A Wonderful Life ), and l would normally say it would have been interesting to see Boris Karloff playing the invisible man, as he was the studios first choice, ( he wanted too much money), but of course, l would not have seen him until the end anyway. The book by H. G. Wells, (The Invisible Man 1897) does not have The Invisible Man going mad, but his exaggerated speeches in the movie about how he could rule the World were a bit of a laugh, but closely followed after the film's release by the real life threats of Adolf Hitler (which were not as funny).

toodle pip

holton rower pour paintings

These are classic pieces where you think "I could have done that" as they look so good, but appear easy to do, once the idea had already formed and the colours have been chosen. By Brooklyn based Holton Rower.Then again, he thought of doing it and has cracked on, hence the results that appear above (plus a video of them being made).

(http://holtonrower.com/?page=gallery&section=painting&category=pour)

toodle pip

the first britain to get an artificial heart

Mathew Green of London, has become the first person in Britain to get a completely artificial heart (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8677288/Father-becomes-first-in-Britain-to-get-artificial-heart.html). This sounds excellent news, but as the technology is all so new, l am not sure l would be happy carrying a shoulder bag with the power supply in and also having to change the batteries every few hours. Much better than his earlier position though, as he could only walk a few yards. I guess l had better stick my name down for one now. Got to think of the future!

toodle pip

wards of tokyo flags

As l was searching for an image of Sunflowers this evening (don't ask), l stumbled upon these flags for the 23 special wards of Tokyo, something l had never heard of before. I think they look pretty cool and may have to get them printed onto some T shirts (when or if l eventually get around to it.). I will claim copyright of that idea right now!

toodle pip

tidying up before the mother in law arrives

This cartoon is way too close to home

As the mother in law is coming for tea tonight, and as l am off work until Thursday afternoon, l have been given strict instructions by the FPO to tidy up our stinking hovel, which I have been doing in shifts, as the weather, although still crap, is very close.

To compensate for this, I currently have two fans on (in the bedrooms, not wearing them - that would look silly). This cleaning method also gives me time to read and listen to stuff while l am sorting through things, plus have a break from the computer every now and then, so l can stretch my legs and get a drink at the same time. A classic cleaning strategy, l am sure you will agree (honed to perfection when l used to do waking nights at work).

So far, l have done the dishes and clothes washing, taken the bin out (and then bought it back after it was emptied), tidied the bathroom and living room, cleaned around the kitchen and even washed the kitchen floor. At my age, no wonder l am exhausted.

The only thing left to do now is hoover (and drink more coffee), but l have until about 4.30/5pm, so it is all going splendidly. Now if l only knew where the hoover is kept.........................Hello...it looks like the sun is finally coming out.....

Damn! My cleaning plan may be foiled!

toodle pip

waiting women / secrets of women (1952) - ingmar bergman

An early (1952) film directed by Ingmar Bergman, this has some women (waiting, of course) telling stories to each other, about their young relationships, infidelity and unhappiness (shown in flashback). Another laugh a minute film from the man who also directed one of my favourite films, (The Seventh Seal ), although there is a humorous part in a lift between Gunnar Björnstrand and Eva Dahlbeck. It's old, black and white, and subtitled. What's not to like? It certainly passed some time on another gloomy summers day.

toodle pip

hunter s thompson rejection letter

This was sent as a reply to Mike Peterson in 1971 from Hunter S. Thompson, full story at http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/07/jam-this-morbid-drivel-up-your-ass.html.

Nice PS at the end.

toodle pip

chris' stag do

End of the road for Johnny

End of the road for Robbo

The Durham pub we were in (The Boatman's?)

Newcastle train station

In Durham

My bedtime (last man standing)

Another Durham pub

In Newcastle

At The Boatman's in Durham

Went through to Newcastle, and Durham for Chris' stag do on Saturday, once myself and Robbo managed to get through the Tyne Tunnel, as we were following the sat nav we were instructed (ordered) to use, and there was roadworks at the tunnel, which threw it off the trail somewhat. Anywhoos, we got there in the end, then it was straight into a taxi and down into town for some ales with the boys. We then got the train to Durham for a few drinks there, then back to Newcastle for the evening. We managed to get back to Chris and Hills place (in Heaton ) in dribs and drabs, and once there, l would like to point out that l was last man standing, as everyone ended up flaking out. I shared the living room with Matt, which was a big mistake as he snores louder than Robbo, so l never had much sleep. Probably (no probably about it really) l would have been over the limit driving back on Sunday, then it was the traditional end to the adventure at The Cross Keys, before back to (not so sunny) Catterick. Sat drinking wine in the garden with the FPO and the idiot animals, followed by a soak in the bath and a relatively early night. Chris enjoyed it, l didn't flake out, and there was no violence, so a good time was had by all. I was surprised how many other stag and hen does were out in both Newcastle and Durham, especially as we avoided The Bigg Market. It wasn't like that back when l used to boss the place (Newcastle). Bloody kids today etc etc....

toodle pip

robert redford's hair

What the hell is he thinking going out and about with hair like that? There is no way it is real, so at some stage, he must have chosen the colour and look, checked himself in his (obviously distorted) mirror and said to himself "My, you've still got it, you handsome old cad". Somebody should have a quiet word in his ear about this, and if he doesn't listen, a very loud word. It's for his own good. Time waits for no man, but lets not be ridiculous, he can still see a reflection (but may not listen to dissenting voices).

toodle pip

choi xooang and emil alzamora art

Emil Alzamora art

Emil Alzamora art

Choi Xooang art

Choi Xooang art

Choi Xooang art

Choi Xooang art

These are kind of spooky looking but really emotive. They also remind me of work by Ron Mueck, who is liked so much in our household, we have a couple of prints framed in the living room.

Choi Xooang is based in Seoul, while Emil Alzamora is based in Beacon, New York (but is from Peru).

Cracking stuff.

toodle pip

tree shaping for the garden

This is all pretty damn good, but it needs a lot of patience. The trees have been manipulated by using wires and shaped into whatever the artist/shaper wants. Full details are here :

http://pooktre.com/

I'll have to start cracking on in the garden.

toodle pip

the night sky

Plains Milky Way from Randy Halverson on Vimeo.

Ah....lovely!

toodle pip