As I said in my Target book event, look at the debt this owes Chris Achilléos.

JW The Sorcerers (Michael Reeves, 1967). The most memorable aspect was the name of the antique shop. Apparently it *also* means ‘an untidy room’…

That’s now 20 physical media releases I’ve worked on. Which, just a few years ago, wouldn’t be something I’d really thought possible. Lots of people to thank, especially Vic Pratt and Sarah Appleton. What a massive privilege.

For a minute there I thought Orville had been skulled, like Ray Liotta in Hannibal, and that was its brain.

I introduced Object Z this afternoon in what turned out to be the 70th anniversary of the opening of NFT2! Thanks to everyone who came. Once again I stupidly forgot to ask someone to take a photo so you’ll have to make do with my green room selfie.

Object Z has struck.

My ten fave sitcoms: Not Like That, Exploding Andrew! The Clinic Stu vs. Stu I Married a Hen The Doggers Help I’m a Liquid No Further Questions M’Lud Graham Cubed The Gravy Men Whatever Happened to the Gravy Men?

I, like Object Z, am a massive approaching the BFI at speed.

Still have a ticket to Object Z at the BFI today I sadly can’t use and willing to give away.

The Hopkins Manuscript by RC Sherriff (Victor Gollancz, 1939)

I felt this very keenly when Paul died. “Friend” can be quite nebulous, you feel like you have to justify your grief but don’t want to feel you’re competing with his family. I had to really put my foot in the door before staff would let me see him in hospital. “Are you a relative?” was the refrain.

With respect Mr Benn, we’re living in a Nazi hell and the left are all suing each other rather than doing anything useful. So maybe get the Shopkeeper to tell you to fuck off for the moment.

My latest blog for @cstonline.bsky.social , rounding up what has gone on behind the scenes over the past six months in our efforts to rescue BBC Written Archives Centre from recent policy changes. cstonline.net/is-the-bbc-a...

James Dreyfus has let himself go.

Too often people use something for the purpose for which it was designed. I am going mad. Hell is indeed empty and all the devils are here.

Is… “Too often people go to university to explore research and knowledge” …the single most stupid thing a member of the cabinet has ever said?

I run out of ways to say how much I love these guys.

Wait, is this where the Great Suprendo’s magic words came from?

This is on Sunday and there will be advance copies of the Blu Ray available ahead of its release on the 29th. Hope to see a few of you there.

“Why would Starmer do this?”

“Scalpel” “Scalpel” “Forceps” “Forceps” “Scissors” “Scissors” “Tom’s putting it in now.” “…”

Deffo Troughton.

#signalman Unpublished illustrations I made for The Signalman by Charles Dickens.

This shot. Stumbling out of disaster. Lit by a single red lamp as hell gouts out behind him. God, it's exquisite. #signalman

Here’s a little treat for you. Lawrence Gordon Clark’s original storyboard, and the shot used. The book’s coming soon. From @headpress.com #signalman

Many thanks to @gralefrit.bsky.social, and to @weepingbank.bsky.social for organising the site visit back in February. #signalman

Such an amazing piece. I hope you enjoyed. #signalman

Here are the Severn Valley Railway stuff used as extras. #signalman

This is the train used, the L95. #signalman

Lloyd whistles the Mikado here, from some 30 years after the story was published. #signalman.

This hints at something more. Like the force is reaching out. Now the traveller is aware… #signalman.

The Inn is just an abandoned farm house. And if you look closely has the traveller’s room. You can see! #signalman

The first British adaptation was on Christmas Day 1940, with Anthony Hollis. #signalman The first TV adaptation in the UK was on ITV in 1955, with Emlyn Williams as Charles Dickens giving a dramatic reading. Amazingly it still survives.

The first #signalman adaptation was in the US, on the radio in 1930. The first TV adaptation was in 1953, also in the US with Boris Karloff!

The bride is Catrina Wyeth, best known for Crossroads. #signalman

The spectre is extra David Moberley in a mask. You’ll see him in a sec as the bridegroom. #signalman

The sound is actually a score. Steven Deutch was commissioned for six minutes of material. #signalman

The #Signalman was shot my David Whitson. The first not to be shot my John McGlashan. Whitson and Clark did not get on.

The bell is real!

Elliott was only paid £330. Perhaps it was just something he wanted to do. Mark Gatiss said Elliott’s performances have “an inner corruption.” #signalman

This was shot in the first half of November, very close to transmission. Denholm Elliott’s availability the main factor. He was far from word perfect and had boards set up around the signal box. #signalman

The inspiration for Dickens seems to be a combination of the Stapleford crash, that he was involved in, and indeed never really recovered, and the Clayton Crash of 1961, where three trains collided in a tunnel. #signalman

Ten minute klaxon #signalman

ROBERT 😔🫡

“HALLOA! Below there!" Join award winning writer @gralefrit.bsky.social and myself here at 10 tonight for a tweetalong of The Signalman, on BBC FOUR. All welcome to share thoughts, memories, insight or questions. Just use the hashtag #signalman

Ooooh. I might do a tweetalong if anyone fancies it.

Genuine question as I assume I’ve missed something: where’s the gotcha in showing a current member of the cabinet with Peter Mandleson?

Ever wanted to watch a film with Captain Scarlett and Italy’s most famous porn star? Fortunately I did so you don’t have to.

When it’s Pride month at Tranquil Repose.

Billy Corkhill, Vince Hilaire Freddie Flintstone, Fred Astaire Desmond Tutu, Steve and Claire. Charlie Parker, Charlie Brown Leslie Crowther, come on down Mary Wilson, Di and Flo. Sir Bufton Tufton, Jean Paul Sartre Zippy, Bungle, Jeffrey Archer Andre Previn and the LSO Hello, hello, hello, hello