And that's the end of that chapter

OK, so the book's in the shops, everyone's happy, even Jonathan Ross has got over it by now, and so this blog has come to the end of its promotional life. But that's not the end of the story, as Creamguide (Films) is so famously full of sh- er, fascinating insights into cinema past, we might just keep this going as a repository of general cinematic whimsy, a sort of ever-growing appendix to the book rather than a big tacky banner ad for it, if you will.

Firstly, we'll announce EXCITING CHANGES happening at the Creamguide fireplace, where long time Creamguide special guest stars TJ Worthington and Ken Shinn will be taking complete control of operations for the next fortnight, while the hoary old regulars go off for a sit down. What exactly this will entail no-one knows, but expect the level of informed punditry to increase at least a dozenfold, and the tiresome cliches and obsessions of Filmguide to be replaced with a bright new, fluffy range of hobbyhorses and enthrallments. Which is sure to be fantastic.

Well, we were certainly impressed with The Observer Book of Film, the freebie du jour (hey, it beats a piggin' wallchart any day) in last Sunday's edition of the esteemed organ.

We mean, what a wheeze! Bite-size guides to film genres, potted profiles of film personalities, a few reviews of 'essential' works, all held together with a heady blend of whimsical diagrammatic fun and amusingly-themed film-related lists. Hang on a minute...

Well, all right, we're not seriously suggesting Pip French and pals have consciously chosen to rip off our ramshackle old tome, but the coincidence is telling, we feel. Oh, and lads, a bit more thoroughness next time mightn't go amiss. Omitting Death Line from an item about London Underground stations in films is just about allowable, but no American Werewolf in London? Oh, Lor'!

"I wuvved it!" Wedux

Jonathan Ross is once again the boss, giving us more pluggage on Radio 2 today ('A great book', officially!) Here's the evidence.

And, just as excitingly, venerable listings bible Total TV Guide is also punting out free copies of our ramshackle tome (proving that, at least, we can give them away), labelling it a 'fun-filled film book', and enabling us to go to our graves vindicated.

Predicted Interest Curve

We've always liked Total Film magazine, as even the lightest perusal of Creamguide's back issues will attest. Now in the new-look edition of that estimable periodical (the one with a mini Bruce Willis vest to go over a bottle of beer, for some reason) they return some of that long-standing respect by giving our slim volume a thumbs-up, although they 'draw the line' at venerating Bernard Bresslaw, the fools.

Still, ne'er mind all that. The important bit is that "**** - Total Film" can now wend its way onto the posters. We're through the back-slapping glass, people! Now, where's Baz Bamigboye's mobile number?

What You DIdn't Miss: Part One

We meant to do this age ago, but only just found time to (badly) scan in a few illustrations for TV Cream's Anatomy of Cinema that didn't, for one reason or another, make the book's final cut. Either the subjects were cruelly denied their own section, or things just went a different way generally, or (whisper it) they turned out to look a bit shite.

PETE WALKER
The House of Whipcord maestro was going to have his own section early on in the book's planning, until we moved away from the idea of doing behind-the-scenes folk and concentrated on actors (although Lew Grade, typically, still managed to dance his way in). Here he is with a whip. Oh, you simply must see what we did there!

MARIANNE STONE is of course emblematic of the Creamguide (Films) ethos, but sadly she ended up playing a supporting role in the book as in life. Still, here she is, with a mop.

MICHAEL RIPPER has to rank among the most famous 'can't for the life of me recall his name' character actors in the country. No really good reason for his own section not making the book - it just met with an untimely, and possibly rather gruesome, death. Sorry about that.

"Too Much Sausage... is there such a thing?"

Well, we've been hankering after a celebrity endorsement, and here it is!

"A triumph!" - Jack Tinker

OK then, here's a post to collect the various words of praise (or even damnation, we're not fussy) about the book they're all calling 'Eh? Oh, that thing.' Admittedly not a lot going on as yet, but we're told it's still 'early days' and things will 'bottom out in the fullness of time'. We think that's the phrase they used, anyway.

Radio Times film editor Andrew Collins reckons -

'A book where constant amnesty reigns and no film dares not speak its name. How could you not love a book that includes the words, "Lew Grade: dancer for money", reminds us that Madeline Smith did a degree, holds Michael Ripper up for long-overdue reassessment and claims that Tony Hancock's Punch And Judy Man may have influenced Jaws?'

Over here, Ed Holden, the editor of MSN Movies UK calls us 'hilarious' and, rather gratifyingly, picks up on the 'Essential Secret Lair' article which we'd previously thought was one of the bits of the book which fell into the category of 'Nice idea, didn't quite work.' So, result!

Here's a blogging fellow who reckons us 'well worth reading if you're into films'. The mercenary within us notes he also seems to be a professional bookbuyer...

While over on Amazon, Miche Doherty muses -

'From a list of British silents of which nothing remains but evocative titles, such as Too Much Sausage and Two Naughty Boys Upsetting The Spoons, to a handy chart for the identification of UK independents (if a period drama looks like an Athena poster it's a Goldcrest; if it doesn't it's either a Gaumont-British or a Gainsborough, depending on the emphasis on heaving bosoms), this is a great dipper-in of a book celebrating some of the more unsung actors, film-makers and genres. The proof-reader nodded off from time to time (Wilfred Bramble, indeed!), but if any or all of the following names - Milton Subotsky, Marianne Stone, Frank Randle - ring bells for you, you'll find lots to enjoy.'

Yes, that 'Bramble' was the first thing we noticed on getting a copy of the book, and we swear it was at some point corrected, but there you go. We'll add to this list when more critical reaction comes our way. In the meantime, feel free to append your praise, opprobrium and minor niggles (but no more typo remarks, please, we've spotted them all - 'Nicholas Roeg' etc.) below. Ta!