Writing
Notes from the work
Six decades in film and publishing, written down as it happened — on producing, writing, the industry, and the people in it.
Essays
3 min read
New NATO
Yesterday many leaders from around the world attended the G20 summit meeting in London.
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9 min read
TONY KLINGER - Talent is Ageless
Age is simply a number; talent does not know an age. Tony now at the age of 71 still empowers all with his life works as he continues his ethos GIVE - GET - GO as curiosity still surrounds Tony and…
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4 min read
Living in the Shadows Response
Some of you that follow my articles regularly already know that it is my occasional habit to give space to my exchanges with those who respond to me. In particular I want to show my appreciation to…
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3 min read
Iran_Iraq
Some say I am a prophet of doom because I make sweeping statements about what I project for our future. Sadly I have to continue in this manner. I was right about the collapse in banking and proper…
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5 min read
Blogging Repossessed
I had a bad feeling about the property market long before it became fashionable to do so. This was because I saw the beginnings of the collapse of the sub prime mortgage business in the States at f…
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2 min read
Announcements
Close your eyes and you will think you’re dreaming. Today looks like proving to be one of the most extraordinary moments in our history. Just after midnight it was announced in Gaza and Beirut that…
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6 min read
Extremes
When I was but a callow slip of a lad, many years ago, I made a film called Extremes. This small feature length documentary masterpiece won several awards and prizes such as An Outstanding Film of …
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5 min read
PRINCE CASPIAN
Finally, a day or so later than planned I went to see Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian. The cinema was still doing very well for a weekday, but at least, this time, we could get in.
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4 min read
Funny
There continues to be ever more strange happenings that beg to be commented upon in dear old blighty. Some of these events might seem to be disconnected but I insist there is a common theme.
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3 min read
What Banks Do
I was sent this Q & A by a friend from South Africa (thanks John) and I wanted to share it with you. It sums up banking, then and now.
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2 min read
Liz R Response
Sometimes I get an overwhelming response on something I’ve written but one note stands out from the crowd. This is one of those occasions. Yesterday’s article about how Higher Education is working …
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5 min read
"The Reader" Film Review
You have all seen Kate Winslet collect a Golden Globe awards in America for her role in this film and this makes her a front-runner for the Academy Awards. Is she worth a bet to add an Oscar to her…
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5 min read
Health & Safety Reasons
In England it snowed overnight. In fact it was the heaviest snow we’ve had for nearly two decades, and the weather forecasters are predicting this is just the start of “the biggest snow event in ov…
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4 min read
The Word We Dare Not Use
It is interesting to note how many people I have spoken with since
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2 min read
Mumbai Aftermath
Over the last couple of days there have been a series of linked, murderous terrorist outrages in the Indian city of Mumbai. Over 100 people were murdered and more than 300 have been injured. So far…
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16 min read
Bridging the Great Divides
Forgive me as I’ve only had a couple of days to prepare my presentation so there hasn’t been much time for research, reflection or checking but I trust I haven’t made too many mistakes, and if I ha…
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1 min read
Like a Swan
Sometimes you have to look beneath the surface and witness just how hard the legs are kicking to appreciate the swan’s serene progress above the surface.
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2 min read
Get Carter - Ted Lewis
This week I was interviewed for a book about Ted Lewis, the author who wrote the novel “Jack’s Return Home”, which was the basis for the film “Get Carter” starring Michael Caine, directed by Mike H…
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3 min read
Maurice Jarre A Tribute
Last week the film composer Maurice Jarre died. He was 84 when he passed away, and it was many years since I worked with him. I can’t pretend to an intimate knowledge of the man, but I well remembe…
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4 min read
Football Greatness
When Manchester United beat Chelsea in the final of the European Champions League a few weeks ago the managing director of Chelsea and the President of Manchester United were awarded winners medals…
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2 min read
Honor
Honor is an old fashioned and out of date concept. It seems that as we slide into economically troubled times it is every person for themselves, let the devil take the hindmost.
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7 min read
The Board Update
The Board of Deputies of British Jews held its plenary session in Bournemouth in May. This was a return to one of my many homes and it was great to be back in so warm and inviting a town.
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4 min read
Famous Bankrupts
I am seeking to do something a little different today because so many people are going to face financial problems and you should not be alone in these circumstances. I am therefore reprinting an ar…
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