Saturday Spies and Songs

 

Still too early for that cast list. What are you up to this Super Saturday (really)? It's Holly Day, National Emo Day, Oatmeal Muffin Day, and Hard Candy Day all rolled into one. How about a spot of trivia and some music? Author John le Carre passed away last weekend and that brought a couple of connections to mind.

 

Very sad to hear the news about #JohnLeCarre A giant of literature who left his mark on #MI6 through his evocative & brilliant novels. My thoughts are with his family, friends & fans. Condolences from all at the #RiverHouse. #RIP #DavidCornwell

— Richard Moore (@ChiefMI6) December 14, 2020

The grown-ups have left the room.

There is a rerun of historical drama Upstairs Downstairs ongoing in the UK. One of the co-creators The Hon Charlotte Bingham wrote an autobiography, Coronet Among The Grass which was adapted into a sitcom No, Honestly. It cast Upstairs Downstairs alumni John Alderton and Pauline Collins in the title roles. Big success for all concerned, particularly Lynsey De Paul who sang the opening song.

Charlotte Bingham's father John Bingham (or 7th Baron Clanmoris if you prefer) is also known for a bit of writing, mainly crime fiction but also non-fiction. During the Second World War and beyond, he worked for MI5 and encouraged a young officer, David Cornwell with his own writing. In turn, Cornwell based, in part, a character on Bingham. That would be George Smiley, though in some respects I can't imagine Charlotte shouting that to the trees.

There is another Charlie to consider. Le Carre's sister Charlotte Cornwell, possibly the namesake of the main character in The Little Drummer Girl. Some folk point to her as an actress with radical political ideas (though possibly not that radical). She is perhaps haunted in the UK by her role as one of the Little Ladies in Rock Follies. Of course, she also appears in other stuff, including the movie of her brother's novel, The Russia House.  

And now, some cats ...

someone did a collab tiktok with a cat and it's perfect pic.twitter.com/8ckEIRo51y

— Rob N Roll (@thegallowboob) December 15, 2020

Meanwhile, Larry is on the nog ...

My friends in the US embassy have pointed out that eggnog originally comes from the UK - do any of my friends here drink it? https://t.co/JBYn6u8EQe

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) December 17, 2020

A message from Joe's Cat.

Boris the Pug seeks cat called, uh, Cat.

Santa Cats in Korea.

No takers on last week's points. Leslie Crowther's son-in-law was Phil Lynott, songwriter, lead vocalist and bass guitarist in Thin Lizzy. He was, naturally, drinking Whiskey in a Jar. The band take their name from a feature in The Dandy called Tin Lizzie.

For this week's points, why should you play this tomorrow and what was Ray Cathode's insect-ey other identity?

Take it away, shway!