The running men

In which G.M. Norton hears a penny drop.

As regular readers of this periodical will know, I do enjoy sitting down to watch a film or three.

Last week, I found myself in the rare circumstance where I was home alone for a couple of hours. Naturally I didn't waste this opportunity and settled down with early 90s thriller, The Fugitive.

I'm yet to watch a film starring Harrison Ford that I've not enjoyed. For me, his name is a quality mark.

Style icon: Howard Stark

In which G.M. Norton gets clothes envy. 

I’ve been enjoying a few Marvel television shows recently, my favourite being Agent Carter which is set in 1946 America, following the Allies victory against fascism in the Second World War. Full of enthralling action, daredevil adventure and truly glorious period costumes, I quickly consumed the two mini-series that were made (sadly the series was subsequently cancelled - boo and indeed, hiss).

Hayely Atwell’s title character, Agent Peggy Carter, is a clever, resourceful and not to mention beautiful agent struggling in a chauvinistic 1940s world. Her entire wardrobe is absolutely first rate but as a menswear enthusiast, my eyes were of course drawn to Peggy's chum, Howard Stark (played by Dominic Cooper), who like real-life inspiration Howard Hughes, is an inventor, film director and international playboy. 

The pied piper of peace

In which G.M. Norton finds the perfect excuse to publish lots of pictures of pipes.

For the last few weeks here in Blighty, you haven’t been able to escape from a constant shower of political views as we edged towards a general election, held last Thursday.

Although I have strong political views, this periodical is not the place to delve into such matters. I like to keep things more light-hearted. So here’s lots of pictorials of one of Britain’s finest ever politicians, Mr Tony Benn. Why? Well, he just exudes style. And to be completely honest, after only two hours sleep on election night, I'm running on empty and an afternoon nap sounds like absolute heaven.  

Roger Moore's best Bond moments

In which G.M. Norton looks back at Moore's finest James Bond moments.

It would be bad form not to mark the passing of Sir Roger Moore so I thought it would be fun to recall my top five moments from his tenure as 007.

Righty-o, here goes.

Stark contrast

In which G.M. Norton is happy just to get through the week.

In my first ever periodical post back on 8^th September 2012, I described my little slice of the interweb as “a safe refuge, an air raid shelter or bunker if you will”, a little escapism away from what’s happening in the world.

Well, it’s been difficult to escape the horror of Monday night’s terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena. For those that don’t know, I reside in Manchester. I was born here and I’m proud to still call it home.

Manchester responded in typical defiant fashion, so I’m going to follow suit and carry on regardless. Which means waffling on about the weather and clothes.

Review: James McCabe Watches

In which G.M. Norton adds a real beauty to his growing collection of watches.

Until very recently, my watch collection consisted of diver, field and chronograph watches but for somebody that tries to put an effort into what I wear, I was bereft of a dress watch. Thankfully, James McCabe Watches came to my rescue, who sent me a watch from their Heritage line.

What I particularly like about James McCabe Watches are that they're assembled in the UK. Given that a made in Britain watch would today cost thousands and thousands of pounds, a watch assembled here in Blightly is the next best thing.

Given the choice of any watch from their site, after a good day or so umming and ahhing, I settled on this beauty.

Long Live Victoria!

In which G.M. Norton possesses a piece of Victorian history.

As I've rambled on in previous periodical entries, I have a particular fondness for the Victorian era.

It all began poring over Sherlock Holmes stories, which then led to reading about real-life crimes from Jack the Ripper and Dr Crippen (Holmes writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle attended his trial).

Rampley & Co have recently released a new collection of pocket squares, based on pieces from the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Big Smoke.

On film: Million Pound Note

In which G.M. Norton enjoys an old classic.

A little while ago, I mentioned the delights of Talking Pictures TV, a television channel in Blighty that shows classic film fayre from yesteryear (I’m quite proud of that little rhyme).

As a midweek treat, on Wednesday evening I enjoyed watching a film that I’d recorded, the early 1950's film The Million Pound Note (released as Man with a Million in the US). I have fond memories of watching this as a child (thank you, mother) so it was a treat to watch it again. 

Gregory Peck is an American, who arrives in England by accident, after a spot of bother at sea. He is penniless, with only the ragged clothes on his back, but with a willingness to find gainful employment.

Over the Moon

In which G.M. Norton takes the time to show off his new watch.

I have a particular obsession for watches at the moment, which is showing no sign of waning.

Things that have a story always catch my interest and that’s the same with watches. In 1969, when man went to the moon, every astronaut was wearing an Omega Speedmaster Professional, the only watch certified by NASA. As such, it became an icon for watch and space fans alike. Alas, at £3,500 it’s ever so slightly out of my budget.

However, in 2015, it emerged that another watch also went to the moon, during the 1971 Apollo 15 space mission.

It's a corker!

In which G.M. Norton rejoices at reaching double figures.

Well chumrades, Spring has now sprung with daffodils standing as flowery proof. As we’re now in a new season, it means that a new edition of In Retrospect magazine is available for your reading pleasure.

We’re now on issue 10 which feels like quite an achievement to move into double figures.