69 Comments

I agree that is very difficult to find something decent to watch. Frequently my husband and I must give up and read, not that reading is a problem but sometimes it's nice to watch a show. The shift in visual entertainment has been interesting, and not in a good way!

Expand full comment

It took half a day and extra clues (Terry: "Here folks...let me all but spell it out for you!") but I finally got it. Rebecca had to coax the Barking one out of me last week in similar fashion. Maybe I'll get better in time. Maybe I'll just let everyone else figure it out. I never was any good with Rubik's Cubes or crosswords, for that matter. Come to think of it, though, I never really tried.

Expand full comment
author

Was I that obvious? 😂 Glad to have helped! Chortle.

Expand full comment

I loved this, Terry, but I'm really struggling to identify the title of the film which you've reviewed in six words. Let's say I'm working on it.....

In answer to your question, I am delighted to report that no, I have NOT ever come across the Enigmatic Variations crossword, and SHOULD I ever come across it I shall back out of the room immediately and lock the door behind me. 👀

I'm already looking forward to writing my response to your letter next week!

Expand full comment
author

Sigh. I thought this was the year of living dangerously.

Expand full comment

🤣

Expand full comment
author

😁

Expand full comment
Sep 11Liked by Terry Freedman

Good to know I'm not the only one that didn't correctly guess this one: "Kidnap plot spotted: rescue mission. Barking!" I thought it was Lassie, but it's not. My Jim and I are in the same place re: being on the hunt for good films or TV programmes. We're watching one now that we enjoy the plot and the acting is pretty good, but the language is so atrocious. Why, oh why, is that necessary?

Expand full comment
author

You should be pleased you can understand what they're saying. A lot of the programmes here featurev"actors" who mumble.

Expand full comment

Jim says they all whisper - AND mumble! 😀

Expand full comment

Have you watched 'Wicked Little Letters', Mary? We watched it recently - and again with my parents - it's a terrific film, and (but) the language is terrible - but in this case it's very much in the context of the story.

The title of the film for which 'Kidnap plot spotted: rescue mission. Barking!' is indeed dog-related! Not Lassie, though, but, as Bryn has identified below, 101 Dalmatians!

Expand full comment
author

Ain't never heard of it

Expand full comment
Sep 12Liked by Terry Freedman

Hahah - I thought you meant you had never heard of 101 Dalmatians! My mind was stuck on the doggos. 😂

Expand full comment
author

😄

Expand full comment
author

Thank you. It looks interesting. Good cast

Expand full comment
Sep 11Liked by Terry Freedman

Those crosswords sound like absolute torture.

As for the fillums, I got the Jaws one but no clue on the others. I might try some fancy googling.

Expand full comment
author

It's probably not a great clue. But think SF

Expand full comment

I've got no clue at all about 'Possibly prescient prognosis? Don’t trust Harry!' I'm working on it!

Gold star for Jaws! The other is a multiple spotted-dog story... 😉

Expand full comment
author

Typical. Please see my response to Jim’s comment.

Expand full comment

And NOW I need to know what 'SF' stands for..... 🙄

Expand full comment
author

OMG science fiction.

Expand full comment

Yeah, but I've only EVER heard science fiction abbreviated to 'sci fi', never SF! Gimme a chance, Terry!

Expand full comment
author

Hmm, OK, I'll let you off

Expand full comment
author

Well done, Sir

Expand full comment
Sep 12Liked by Terry Freedman

I think Science Fiction?

Expand full comment
author

Well done, Sir

Expand full comment

Ooooh, thanks Jim!

Expand full comment
Sep 12Liked by Terry Freedman

Maybe a Harry Potter movie? I don’t think of that as SciFi though.

Expand full comment
Sep 11Liked by Terry Freedman

"It’s really hard to find something engaging and intelligent, and not aimed at four-year olds." I agree.

And British crosswords and other enigmatic puzzles are just too brain-boggling for a slug like myself. Life is difficult enough as it is without asking for more! ha ha ha But... that is just me.

Expand full comment
author

🤣 slug? It's just a different way of thinking, but easier if you have a warped mind.

Expand full comment
Sep 12Liked by Terry Freedman

Ah, yes. I see.

Expand full comment
author

😂

Expand full comment

Almost forgot - is your best mate called Ginger?

Expand full comment
author

No. You mean like in The Beezer?

Expand full comment

Ginger, Henry and Douglas are William's fellow Outlaws. Not to be confused with the Ginger who was Biggles' companion.

Expand full comment

Algy would not have liked such a mix up!

Expand full comment

🤣

Expand full comment
author

wait! who was Algy?

Expand full comment

Algy was Biggles chum from 266 and Camel Squadron in WWI who stuck with him in civvy street. Ginger was a lad whose engineer dad was seized by criminals in the second or third Biggles book who joined them in pursuit of revenge then stayed on. Not that I used to read them...

Expand full comment
author

Ah, Biggleswade! Great stuff 😁

Expand full comment
author

Of course! Thanks 😊

Expand full comment

God, the Beezer! Where would boys of a certain age have been without DC Thompson comics! The Topper!

Expand full comment
author

I used to love the Topper, Beezer, the Dandy (esp Desperate Dan) and the Beano (esp Bash St Kids and Dennis the Menace). The Beano is still going but it costs around a fiver, and is weekly! Did you go to the Beano exhibition a few years ago in Somerset Hice? Twas brilliant, and just about on my intellectual level. Apparently loads of writers and artists (famous names) were inspired by it. It was good metafiction too, with the writer or cartoonist directly addressing the reader.

Expand full comment

I preferred Dandy to the Beano (although the Bash Street Kids were unbeatable!), but going back further I really LOVED reading Dad's old 'Eagle' annuals.

Expand full comment

I didn't know about that. Sounds wonderful. There was a great exhibition at the Cartoon Museum about ten years back with loads of Beano and Dandy art and sketches and roughs from guys like David Law and the great Leo Baxendale. DC Thompson were the best for the funny stuff and Fleetway best for action - Steel Claw, Robot Archie, etc. Happy days!

Expand full comment

Dog Day Afternoon? I cannot justify that at all, just said it because it has a dog in it and is about a hostage situation. Unless Barking means East London, in which case it could be any film with Craig Fairbrass in it. You can see why they sacked me after a morning when I worked at the puzzle publisher, can't you.

Expand full comment
author

It could have meant mad, aka Dagenham: two stops short of Barking

Expand full comment

Oooooh, an excellent effort, Drew, for identifying both dog and hostage situation! 'Spotted' and 'Barking' are clues to the title - and 'kidnap plot' and 'rescue mission' are both to do with the actual story. Answer: 101 Dalmatians!

I remember seeing the animated film ages before I'd read the book - they're like chalk and cheese. The book is absolutely delightful - I'd say it's not necessarily even a children's book, really - more YA. I wish I still had my copy of it.

Expand full comment

Damn! So close and yet...

Expand full comment
author

Yeah well. As a teacher of mine once said: You nearly got the answer right, but you were wrong. I hope that helps. But if it makes you feel better, I didn't even get as far as you did until Rerbecca gave me a whopping great clue. Chortle!

Expand full comment
author

I've never read the book, but enjoyed the fillum

Expand full comment

Kidnap plot - 101 Dalmatians?

That alphabetical crossword sounds like it would cause my brain to fold in on itself.

Expand full comment
author

Well done, Bryn. I actually couldn't get it myself.

Expand full comment

YESSSSSSSS! 🙌🏆

Expand full comment
author

there's a technique. It's hard to describe here cos it needs an illustration. Perhaps I'll do that some time. BUt it does fry one's brain, definitely!

Expand full comment

I struggle enough with the 'straightforward' ones, Terry....! 🤯

Expand full comment
author

😃 me too!

Expand full comment