34 Comments

Wow, that advert! I'm changing my surname by deed poll to this phrase: 'Upon whose possessions the sun never sets, and she is regarded with love and veneration in all parts of the Globe.'

I take your point about 'Suspicion'. Have you seen 'Vertigo'? I started watching it a while ago and haven't bothered to finish it - nothing had really happened by the time I gave up on it! Should I give it another try, do you think?

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Name: 🤣

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Not unless you wish to see a body hurtling out of a window. Everyone raves about it, but I didn't like it. I thought the bloke in it was a perv and a stalker, but what do I know?

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It was a bad question because although your solution wasn't what I had in mind, it works, so well done!

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I know my rights and typical belong in the William Morris section bemoaning the weight of old books and prices. Actually probably not but that's the closest I can get.

In regard to Hitch some of his 1950s films seem oddly stilted and the scripts very long winded. I don't know why but he did do some movies based on stage plays during this time and perhaps that subconsciously slowed him down? Certainly post Psycho, which was B&W as he couldn't get the budget for colour (allegedly) he regained his earlier sense of pacing. But anyone whose began talkies with Blackmail and ended with Frenzy knew about pace. (I never included Family Plot as he was so ill then that he just shouldn't have started it)

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I'd never heard of Family Plot. Thanks for the background info, Drew

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Aug 28Liked by Terry Freedman

I say, use all three of your images as a triptych to show the progression of (1) boy to man and (2) the "don't mess with me"-ness of your persona.

Thank you, too, for introducing me to the word "unches" which led me to think about what else "unches" might be. Consider this: my Jim and I watch a lot of international crime dramas . It seems "unches" could be a pivotal clue, suspect, character, or event that appears only once in the series or a movie. The fun would be to identify the "unch" per episode (for a series) or in the whole (for a movie).

Also, I finally understand how you and RH solve the crossword clues! Your explanation of exploding around a school was exactly what I needed to get it! An apple for you!

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PS: great idea for ‘unches’. I am always able to work out whodunnit in British crime dramas. It’s either the person who appeared for the first time in the final five minutes, or the absolutely least likely or credible person because of an issue that isn’t revealed until the final five minutes. I should have been a detective.

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As a child I always used the 'Radio Times' (a TV guide) approach. I'd look at the cast list of a drama, and the first character listed who was not a regular main character would always be the culprit. I had to stop doing this because family members would get cross that I always gave the game away!

These days, now that I don't buy a TV guide, I use the 'first speaking part that isn't a main character' theory. Almost never fails. Sometimes it can be somebody who appears later in the drama and is playing a role that wouldn't obviously be a speaking part. So, if an incidental character in the background suddenly has lines to deliver - well, that character MUST be significant to the plot, otherwise why are they being paid for a speaking part?! 🤣

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Aug 29Liked by Terry Freedman

You still have time to be a detective! You’d have so much up on the younger ones, much wiser and way more common sense!

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Lol. I wouldn't bet on it, chortle!

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LOL. Triptych: interesting idea! Glad u found the explanation useful!

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The explanation was perfection!!!!

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Every time I read your crossword correspondence, I curse the Canadian school system because how either of you arrive at the logical conclusions is beyond baffling to this simple hoser.

(The Canadian hoser, not the British slang equivalent.)

I vote for photo 1, because it exudes a certain aloof intrigue befitting a writer. (You can use that quote on a book jacket if you like.)

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🤣 Thanks, Bryn!

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If you use the silhouette, you need to change the name of the Substack to "Terry Freedman Presents".

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wot, you mean as in Alfred Hitchcock Presents? Chortle.

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😂😂

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Aug 28Liked by Terry Freedman

8-year old photo by all means! That little imp in you still rules! And we all know it.

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LOL

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I like the one where you look like a villain in an episode of The Bill from about 1994.

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Don't mess with me? 🤣

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I’ll vote for 8 year-old Terry if you think your photo really does need a refresh. And thanks for the info on solving cryptic crosswords. My brain definitely thinks more literally. An interesting way to stretch my mental gears..

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Thanks, Beth. I'm not sure if my profile photo needs a refresh, except that I'm thinking that as my photo at present is cartoonified, and another one looks like I'm a writer on the Left Bank, perhaps it's time to change my image and experiment a bit! As for crosswords, glad you like the mental gymnastics!

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Honestly, I have no idea how they get to these answers 🤯

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(Don't tell Terry, Bryn, but I have been known to ask Google......)

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typical

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But, Bryn, I explained it in my post. You have to think beyond the obvious. Here's an easyish one: Egyptian flower (4). Answer: Nile, because "flower" in this context means something that flows, ie a river. Or have a go at this one: Farm butter (4). Answer: goat, because "butter" in this context means something that butts and lives on a farm. You need a bit of a warped mind to get these, which is why Rebecca is so good at them. 🤣

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'...a bit of a warped mind'?

My mind is warped in its entirety, Terry, and it feels short-changed by your comment.

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🤣 at least you admit it!

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There’s no denying it, I’m afraid. 😆

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😁

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