Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-3-2025 — My Name Is Michael Caine

14th March, 2025: Michael Caine.

Yay!

It’s Friday … !

Which means we can do our best impression of a bunch of happy munchkins.

On a more serious note … ?

I’m very aware of the UK’s National Health Service.

I, like most of the country, rely on the service to stay healthy: and have family working in a local surgery.

So … ?

Yesterday’s announcement from the Prime Minister, that he was going to abolish NHS England — the arm’s-length body that runs the English branch off the NHS — and take the organisation back under central government control.

It’s a cost cutting measure, I think.

But?

A slightly worrying one.

This could affect the healthcare of many.

And directly affect my family.

~≈🖥️≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, Mum†, Irene‡ and Debbi§ putting in their answers: with everyone scoring five out of five.


Let’s see how everyone does with today’s ten questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        14th March saw the birth of Michael Caine.   In which year of the 1930s?

Q2)        Sir Michael was born Maurice Micklewhite.   Where: New York, London, Paris or Munich?

Q3)        Sir Michael did his national service between 1952 and 1954.   With which regiment: the Paratroopers, the Royal Fusiliers or the 1st Foot and Mouth?

Q4)        His first film appearance was as an uncredited extra in a film called Morning Departure.   Morning Departure was released in the UK which year of the 1950s?

Q5)        He was an understudy in a 1959 staging of The Long and the Short and the Tall.   An understudy for who: John Gielgud, Peter O’Toole or Terence Stamp?

Q6)        Caine played Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead in 1964’s Zulu.   The battle it portrays, was in what’s now which African nation?

Q7)        He played Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain.   Palmer was a what: intelligence officer, policeman or sergeant major?

Q8)        Sir Michael played Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies.   Who played Batman in those movies?

Q9)        He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2000.   For which 1999 film?

Q10)        Finally?   Sir Michael played Charlie Croker in 1969’s The Italian Job.   The heist in the film is in which Italian city?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        13th March is Scout Day.   Where: Africa, Asia or Europe?

A1)        Africa.

Q2)        13th March is also National Elephant Day.   Where: Thailand, India or Kenya?

A2)        Thailand.

Q3)        13th March is the Feast day of Saint Ansovinus.   He’s the patron saint of whom: gardeners, bricklayers or chefs?

A3)        Gardeners.

Q4)        The Missionaries of Charity named Sister Nirmala as their new leader: on 13th March, 1997.   Who did she replace?

A4)        Mother Teresa.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Uranus was discovered by William Herschal: on 13th March.   Of which year of the 1780s?

A5)        1781.

Here’s a thought …

“I’ll always be around because I’m a skilled professional actor.   Whether or not I’ve any talent is beside the point.”

Michael Caine.

And a song …

The next ten question set is on the 3rd April: it’s about the proverbial good science fiction film.


Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.



Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        They grow so fast, don’t they, Olga?   It only seems a short time since Jude was a baby, I know that.   At any rate, I’ve added your Birds playlist — as an end card — to today’s Teaser video: it seemed the right thing to do.

        You know, The Birds is another movie I haven’t seen!   I really have to catch up!

        As for the hawk … ?   I think some are trained to … um … breed with a special type of hat: it’s used for artificial insemination, if that episode of QI was right!

†        Hello, Mum!

‡        Morning, Irene: how is the day … ?

§        That was last week, here, Debbi: we get crows and magpies.   Unless the crows are choughs, they’re supposed to be similar to crows.   (JUST check the Wikipedia entry: we’ve got crows …)

        You’re supposed to say “Good Morning, Mr Magpie,” when you see a magpie.   Or recite the rhyme.

One for sorrow,

Two for joy,

Three for a girl

Four for a boy,

Five for silver,

Six for gold,

Seven for a secret never to be told.