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Thanks for this! I discovered “The Moon’s a Balloon” and “Bring on the Empty Horses” when I was probably a bit too young to be reading them (12… maybe 13… anything in the bi-monthly pile of literary booty mom brought home from the library in our household was encouraged reading if it appealed), and I LOVED them. They arrived in the same pile as Jean Shepherd’s then-newly-published “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash” memoir (the book that the “A Christmas Story” film was later culled from). That was a great week of reading for a bored bookish kid who loves a little bawdy/irreverent humor - I laughed through the lot. If Rupert has a penchant for reading biographies (especially Hollywood-related ones), may I suggest Joseph Egan’s book on Mary Astor, “The Purple Diaries”? I randomly stumbled upon the audio version of it, and (despite not necessarily being a particularly avid Astor devotee before that point) walked away from it absolutely fascinated with her. So much so that I immediately sought out the print version of her autobiography, “My Story” (I think reading them in that order worked well), and then a few months later I read her other one, “Life on Film”. Usually after reading a famous-folk bio, at some point I realize that I’m not really interested any longer and that I’ve had entirely TOO much of that unremarkable or annoying person’s life in my head… skimming ensues somewhere around the halfway point to just get through, and am ultimately relieved to escape their twaddle… not so with Astor, much to my surprise. Her writing voice was, for me, satisfying enough that I plan to delve into the fiction novels that she went on to write later in life (which were received very well when released, and purportedly stand on their own independent of her status as a celebrity). Thanks again, and be well!

Read Moons a Balloon early seventies and have kept it by me since. Niven was the image of my father and vice versa. Pun intended. I enjoyed this podcast. Nice one.

Spencer Tracy and Dorothy Lamour were one of the 2 best biographies I read. Tracy was riddled by catholic guilt and Lamour was very down to earth.

Fabulous stuff!

An interesting discussion for sure, but without meaning to be unkind I'd say that the podcast format doesn't play to Jeff's strengths.

Rupert is fabulous ❤❤❤

Thank you for sharing this absolutely delightful discussion. Niven is well worth a read and I look forward to seeing which other dusty tomes you resurrect.

Super discussion. Thank you!

The eye of the Devil. What a movie.. david Niven ,Sharron Tate. Debra Kerr

We know now that "Missy" was Vivien Leigh, although Niven included enough red herrings in writing about the incident to obscure her identity. It was a very sad episode and reflects the impossible demands the Studios imposed on their stars.

Both Niven's bios, including Bring on The Empty Horses, are wonderful. He had an insanely full and interesting life.

The Bad and The Beautiful is a brilliant film about the Studio System - Kirk Douglas on top form.

Eeeeeeek! They have faces! (Okay, I knew Rupert did.)

Superb, I especially love your filmed outings, of course. Rupert's readings are beyond excellent - please bring him back for a Valley of the Dolls episode.

There he was, galumping along behind the conga line to nirvana :D. Rupert with his turn of phrase is cut from the same cloth as Niven.

Such a great an entertaining conversation. Rupert is full of insight and clear thinking. This is how I want the world to be.

Excellent! Thank you!

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This may be my favorite Shute book. Thank you!

am a sort of Shutist. had friends who were real Shutists. "Slide Rule" is among the best. He died at 60, too young.

I am the kind of fellow that generally does not waste time in reading novels but when I was introduced to nevil buy a missionary pilot in New Guinea back in 1977. I believe I have read all of his books. I am back in the States and refer Nevil to others that are reluctant readers.

Try the description of driving while drunk in Lonely Road! Keith Stewart is based on a mix of Edgar T Westbury and LBSC. Recommended on Radio by Johnny Morris which introduced it to me.

Listening to your video from Oregon, U.S. Have been a Nevil Shute fan since I read my father’s copy of Trustee From The Toolroom in 1974. I now have nearly every book he wrote. Thank you for your broadcast.

What a delight to discover your channel! And especially as you are discussing with one of my new favorite authors one of my all time favorite books. Few authors have influenced my own career as a writer more than Nevil Shute. I am actually rereading Trustee from the Toolroom at the moment and am so thrilled this video came up in my feed. I understand even more why I have loved Richard’s books so much. He has the same gentle love and respect for his characters as did Nevil Shute. Thank you so much for a truly enjoyable show. I look forward to discovering your previous 199 episodes!

I'm wondering what pen it is that you're holding, Andy. My father ( I grew up in a bookshop and besides a bookseller he also was a fountain pen specialist) always looked at people's pens on TV and was appalled when he noticed they were holding a cheap Bic pen in their hands. I know this must sound awfully snobbish, but that's where that question comes from.

This was my introduction to Backlisted. I have since listened to every podcast. Extrodinry. One blushes with befuddlement to imagine an extrodinrier.

Been reading Nevil Shute since childhood (b1967) Richard may be right that the decades since his death didn't need those books - but I sure did. They resonate with anyone who cannot communicate so well with words, but still has the full gamut of sensibility and feeling, as so many who create on a technical level do. I love the point about the rareness of a character that is left-brained but cannot but inject soul into his writing. Successful makers are often so - but some transcend the divide to become artists. Not just a craftsman, or an artisan, but an artist. In fact so many technological achievements of the early C20 were also subtle, beautiful and transcendent. Left/Right brain? We can exercise the muscles we use least to make them strong as NS did by his own admission of improvement over time in his ability to communicate. We should encourage mathematicians to practice art, and artists to tidy up. Don't just do what's easy; conquer our (perceived) weaknesses.

Glad to see you on TH-cam. I am struggling finding a copy of Scouse Mouse.

Lovely stuff again, had to go and watch the This is Your Life clip with lovely Rita too. Bonus points for the Smashing Time OST LP. Please do more filmed episodes.

Finding you gents here on the 'Tube made me deliriously happy. Here's to many more Backlisted episodes and videos!

I'm such a fan. Lovely to see you "in person."

yay, so happy to see you all in video !

This made my day. Love the show, love Osman, and love Barbara Pym and Mick Herron. Happy 200th and hope there’s many more.

I didn't think it was possible to enjoy these podcasts more than I already did. But...this was absolutely brilliant :)

Please do more videos!

Listened to the audio, then watched the video. Maybe I'm just bad at absorbing information in audio format only, but the video experience allowed me to concentrate and absorb so much more, sublime. Being able to see the levels of enthusiasm and bonhomie, as well as seeing the books themselves, was a delight, I do hope you do more of these. Thank you.

Absolutely delicious! So happy to see you all. It feels like I can just reach out and touch you. What a concept!

Congratulations on 200 episodes, looking forward to Briggflatts!