Ten facts: James Robertson Justice

In which G.M. Norton looks at the larger-than-life man behind Sir Lancelot Spratt.

The Doctor series of films were regular fixtures on the Idiot's Lantern when I was a boy. Leslie Phillips and Dirk Bogarde were fun characters but the one that really stood out was the actor described by the aforementioned Phillips as "a great bear with a bushy beard and beetle brows, who seemed to scare the pants off most people."

Yes, that's right. The one and only James Robertson Justice, who played demanding surgeon, Sir Lancelot Spratt in six feature films, plus Captain Hogg in Doctor at Sea (starring a young Brigitte Bardot, no less).

Broadsword calling Danny Boy

In which G.M. Norton dreams of being a Boy's Own action hero.

As regular readers will appreciate, I love sitting down to watch a good film. When it's cold and wet outside, the perfect film to reach for is Where Eagles Dare, starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. So, as it's been rather wet this week, that's exactly what I did.

Apparently, Burton wanted to make a Boy’s Own adventure for his step-sons. Well, he certainly found the perfect role as Major Smith in this completely unrealistic World War Two action caper.

Say hello to Simon James Cathcart

In which G.M. Norton shares a sartorial secret.

As you know, chums, I have a perhaps unhealthy obsession with clothes. 

Last year, I came across a relatively new maker of fine fashion, that takes a look back at styles of yesteryear to make holy grail items for people like you and me. The name? Simon James Cathcart, or SJC for short.

The way they operate is simple. They have a forum where you can suggest a particular item of clothing that you'd love to own. If enough people want it, they make it up and offer it in limited runs.

So far, I've acquired a couple of their 1930s style summer polo shirts with spearpoint collars, a beautiful pair of made in Northampton oxblood co-responent shoes and two neckerchiefs adorned with a sea motifs including a ship, anchors and lady swimmers.

Top 10 Bond style moments

In which G.M. Norton picks his top ten Bond looks.

Wednesday 5th October marked Global James Bond Day, which was the release date of the first spy caper, Dr No. 

I had no idea either. 

As I'm something of a Bond nut (as opposed to a Brazil nut), I thought it would be fun to run through my top ten favourite Bond outfits.

Ten

Blue anorak/smock - On Her Majesty's Secret Service

First up, we have Bond in a blue anorak, not too dissimilar to a Royal Navy issue flight deck smock. This was worn for the raid on Piz Gloria towards the end of George Lazenby's one and only outing as James Bond. 

Tartan and tweed

In which G.M. Norton talks up tartan and tweed.

Goodness me, it’s October! Where does the time fly, chumrades?

After a warm month or so, the mornings and evenings have been decidedly colder this week so I’ve been diving into the warm bosom of tweed.

As regular readers will nod in agreement, I don’t need much encouragement where this much-loved material is concerned.

Here are a few pictorials that I’ve snapped this week for Instagram, including this tartan hanky.