"The Small World of Sammy Lee," directed by Ken Hughes

Movie, 1963

A film which looks slight and a little kitsch despite its strip joints, thugs and poker games, but which packs a punch all the same, through the tension built around the anti-hero and the cinematography which gives a wonderful black and white, light and shade, multi-faceted portrait of Soho. Anthony Newley's down trodden sarcastic charm suits the title role and surroundings. Some strange parallels with Billy Liar - a trapped individual unable to escape, though this time from rather than to London. Great music, great atmosphere; and yes, the odd bit of English hamminess.

"Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class", by Owen Jones

Non-fiction, 2011

Compelling account which does what the title suggests, setting out how the working class has been set apart and savaged by contemporary power bases. Jones makes his arguments clearly and backs them up, then repeats them before going back again and doing it all over again. The book flags as a result - this feels like a tight documentary spun into a mini-series. A book that's hard to disagree with, but outstays its welcome. In doing so, however, it presents some clear examples of social engineering and manipulation.

"Florence Foster Jenkins," directed Stephen Frears

Movie, 2016

Star studded film about a patron of the arts, wonderfully played by Meryl Streep. This is a film about culture, relationships, class and trust, with a great balance between comedy immediately and frequently undercut with touching scenes of deception and undying energy and optimism. The film's pace and direction are seamless, drawing the viewer directly in with the characters. Some real charm and class throughout, and showing the upper tiers of society in an interesting light.

"Quicksand," directed Irving Pichel

Movie, 1950

Serviceable, worthy film noir, concerning a series of crimes, committed in a chain reaction - an initial minor peccadillo leading into a series of more desperate measures. A semi-cautionary tale with some B-movie pacing which tumbles at a hurried end as if the whole thing had been played as a comedy after all. The femme fatale is pretty lightweight, reflecting an overall lack of intensity. For all that, this is an enjoyable caper with a few nice scenes and thrills connected with the genre. Largely forgettable, though fun while it lasted.

"The Beckoning Lady", by Margery Allingham

Novel, 1955

Essentially, a country house whodunnit, but with mercantile and business characters and some fairly typical moral and other ambiguities popping up here and there. This is a soothing read which handles a large cast of characters and rather fizzles out just as things threaten to really get going. Enjoyable, though neither oddball, tense or mysterious enough to fully grip the attention. The book's almost exclusive country setting and its eccentric couple's party lend very much to the sense of familiarity, though some moments of enjoyment and strangeness with glimmers of wonderful imagery and description.