Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-3-2025 — David Cronenberg

15th March, 2025: David Cronenberg.

I have to say, I had a nice day, yesterday: company, light shopping, what have you.

This morning … ?

I’ve woken up to two things going off.

One?

I had to retune the TV.

Occasionally, it loses the BBC channels, and needs to be manually re-tuned.

That got me swearing.

On top of that … ?

The boiler pressure dropped to zero: which meant not heating or hot water.

Thankfully, the engineer who fixed the boiler the last time this happened had shown me what to do.

So I could correct that, as well.

But … ?

I can’t help but think the over night temperature had something to do with the boiler pressure.

And I did a lot of cursing, this morning.

~≈🥶≈~

Let’s move on.


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


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

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

Q1)        Director, David Cronenberg, was born on 15th March.   Of which year of the 1940s?

Q2)        In which city: Vancouver, Toronto or Winnipeg?

Q3)        He’s made two films called Crimes of the Future.   The second was released in 2022.   The first was released, when: 1969, 1970 or 1971?

Q4)        Which Lord of the Rings star played Nikolai Luzhin in Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises?

Q5)        Finally … ?   1986 saw Cronenberg release The Fly.   Who played the Fly, in The Fly: Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum or Laura Dern?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

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

A1)        1933.

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

A2)        London.  (In Rotherhithe.)

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?

A3)        The Royal Fusiliers.  (It was amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in 1968.)

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?

A4)        1950.

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?

A5)        Peter O’Toole.   (There’s a ruder version sung in the ranks: you’ll have to make do with George’s cleaned-up one.)

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

A6)        South Africa.

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?

A7)        Intelligence officer.

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

A8)        Christian Bale.   This speech sticks in my mind


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

A9)        The Cider House Rules.


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

A10)        Turin.   Now … sing (“Hang on a minute, lads; I’ve got a great idea …”)

Here’s a thought …

“I know that many artists feel that they are frauds - that’s part of the pleasure of creativity.”

David Cronenberg.

And a movie clip: from Nightbreed …

The next ten question set is on the 3rd April: it’s about 2001: A Space Odyssey.

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



Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello Mum!

†        I think I might just have to sit down with The Italian Job, Olga: it’s been years since I’ve seen it.

        I’ve got a nasty feeling that taking over NHS England has little to do with providing services, Olga.   I suspect it — and the proposed benefits changes — are to fund aid to Ukraine, and the associated defence spending: rather than boost services or encouraging people back to work.   I can understand why the government’s doing it: but that doesn’t mean I approve …

        “And God created Organisation” … ?   🤣

‡        I’m glad you enjoyed it, Irene.   The next ten question set is on the 3rd April: although I don’t know if the theme — 2001: A Space Odyssey — will appeal.   (Remind me to mention Madstock, at some point.)

§        I was sorely tempted to do a ten question set about David Cronenberg, Debbi: his career’s as varied as Caine’s.   But I thought “No: I’ll get a funny look!”

        Did I ever mention Madstock, Debbi?   The series of live gigs they played?   Apparently, at least one song at the 1992 gig, “One Step Beyond”, registered on the Richter scale …