Reviews1 Comment

‘The Thin Man’ by Dashiell Hammett

Paul Ferry

It’s hard to think of The Thin Man without picturing William Powell and Myrna Loy in the famous 1934 movie version that spun off into numerous sequels, batting weaponised one-liners back and forth like a game of atomic ping-pong. Before I started reading the book from which it was adapted, written a mere 5 years previously, I’d always assumed that the famous badinage between husband and wife team Nick and Nora Charles in the movie was a product of its frequently-paired stars Powell and Loy, but it turns out I was wrong. That’s what you get for making assumptions. Dashiell … Continue reading ‘The Thin Man’ by Dashiell Hammett

Poetry2 Comments

Silver for the Songbird

Paul Ferry

Silver for the songbird, As she’s standing in the dark, Singing songs of sunrise colour, Like the trilling of the lark. Silver for the songbird, Behind a curtain golden brown, Opens up to meet the morning, Rises up to meet the town. Silver for the songbird, As the people pass her by, Heads all bowed in cold disinterest, Never look her in the eye. Silver for the songbird, Returns day after day, And with grim determination, Gathers silver penny pay.   Continue reading Silver for the Songbird

WritingLeave a comment

Johnny Clockwork: The Future is NOW!

Paul Ferry

Many years ago, Ben Hudson and myself developed an idea for a cyberpunk TV series called Johnny Clockwork. Taking its cues from Max Headroom and William Gibson, Johnny Clockwork told the story of a disabled teenage detective who solves crimes without ever leaving his room, utilising an amazing array of computer technology and the occasional help of his ‘leg-woman’ Leyland. Although we kicked around a million ideas, no script was ever written. But looking through some old files, I came across an opening narration for Johnny Clockwork, which I’m publishing here for the very first time. I think you’ll find … Continue reading Johnny Clockwork: The Future is NOW!

PoetryLeave a comment

The Cinnamon Road

Paul Ferry

From heavy fog march blinkered pawns, With backward pointing faces, Who, on command, step deep in sand, With boots that leave no traces. Towards a dog whose newest tricks, Are centuries in hiding, And futures told in days of old, They’re confidently striding. A jewelled knight is throwing wide, The curtain of his master, While this old town is beaten down, With memories of disaster. Though distant poles shine black and white, The median in greying, Whilst in the woods, obscured by trees, The wicked wolf is baying. People flock from miles around, To watch the dancing piper, Though harvest … Continue reading The Cinnamon Road

PoetryLeave a comment

Cherry Red

Paul Ferry

Lost in a maze, your fickle fame, Just sitting there in a chair, With a face on. Number one smash, Top of the Pops, Churn ‘em out now, Holy Cow, There’s a race on. Don’t be blue, don’t be blue, Look alive, Cherry Red, we need you, Don’t be blue, don’t be blue, Cheer up Cherry Red, we need you. Shooting you up, shooting you down, Camden has crashed and you’re smashed, What a caper. Those guys are hot, these girls are cool, What do they know? So you don’t, Read the paper. Don’t be blue, don’t be blue, Look … Continue reading Cherry Red

PoetryLeave a comment

Absinthe

Paul Ferry

Little green devil, O’ wormwood imp, You made my mind crippled, You made my brain limp. You gnawed at my synapses, dulled every sense, And stole all my memory, Without recompense. You made my legs rooted; you made my arms weak, And my lips turned to lime wax, Unable to speak. So, back in the bottle, thou green spawn of hell, ‘Til I next tumble under, Thy bohemian spell. (C) Paul Ferry 2005 Continue reading Absinthe