Robert’s annual Christmas drinks with Terry Jones. Bill Oddie joined in the fun. You really should have been there!

It was off to Horsham for the day for a double bill of theatrical treats at the Capitol theatre. First up was Robert’s good pal, Sarah Jane Honeywell, giving her Good Fairy in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. Connor Byrne brilliantly chewed up the scenery as Fleshcreep while Amanda Sim gave Jack great leg. A wonderful production. A little later it was back to the venue’s more intimate space for the ‘Steptoe and Son Christmas Special’. An excellent combination of both the 1973 and 1974 seasonal classics penned by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, the set dripped with seedy grandeur while the acting was impeccable. Mike Simmonds was a note-perfect Harold while the youthful Jack Lane got the old man mannerisms of Albert spot-on. A rollicking production from the Engine Shed Theatre Company.

The most exciting fun of the month and, quite possibly, the year was the jaunt along to the National Film Theatre for ‘Missing Believed Wiped’. There were so many treasures unveiled for this year’s event, including rare Pete ‘n’ Dud material, David Bowie performing ‘The Jean Genie’ on ‘Top of the Pops’, footage of the Frank Mumford Puppets and The Beverley Sisters singing a hit from ‘Hair’! However, the much anticipated and very secret highlight was the recovery of two complete episodes of ‘Doctor Who’, unseen for over forty years. A brief clip of the William Hartnell episode ‘Airlock’ from the previously completely missing four part story ‘Galaxy Four’, was followed by a screening of ‘The Underwater Menace’ part two starring Patrick Troughton. Stunningly good.

The birthday treat for Robert’s nephew Connor and it is off to the National History Museum. You can’t beat dinosaurs, particularly when they move about. The exhibit also pays tribute to cinema dinos from ‘The Lost World’ to ‘The Land Before Time’. Great fun.

A delightful Marty Feldman lunch with Robert’s publisher at Titan Books, Barry Took’s widow, Lyn Took, and Marty’s agent Jill Foster. Plans are afoot for an extended paperback edition of the book to mark the 30th anniversary of Marty’s death for Christmas 2012. The day was perfectly rounded off with dinner, drinks and delirious laughter with Francoise Pascal.

The silly season is here and Robert will attempt to watch or listen to one comedy Christmas special a day up to and including Christmas eve. The Comedy Advent, complete with an additional classic comedy photo or film clip, will be detailed daily over on Robert’s Twitter account. He is @RobertWRossEsq

The Royal Film Performance at the Odeon, Leicester Square in aid of The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund. This year’s film was ‘Hugo in 3D’ and, as the director said on the night, “it *is* a family film despite having the name of Martin Scorsese on it!” Many of the stars were in attendance including Sir Ben Kingsley, Richard Griffiths, Chloe Grace Moretz and the title star Asa Butterfield. Sir Christopher Lee brought a chilling calm to his supporting role as the bookseller. The film as a whole is a masterly love letter to silent cinema.

Robert has been merrily listening to the 6th volume of ‘The Goon Show Compendium’ from Audio Go. Completing the seventh series of the ground-breaking radio series it literally drips with brilliant lines and historical moments. Such classic episodes as ‘Wings Over Dagenham’, ‘The Mysterious Punch-up-the-Conker’ and ‘Ill Met By Goonlight’ have never sounded better, while the bonus features include the fascinating Goon Show-in-disguise ‘The Reason Why’. The collection also features Spike Milligan relentlessly trying – and succeeding – in making “He’s fallen in the water!” a new and beloved catchphrase. A totally essential purchase.

Robert was sorry to hear of the death of dancer, model and actress, Sue Lloyd. Best-remembered for her sultry turn opposite Michael Caine in ‘The Ipcress File’ and a recurring role as Barbara Hunter in ‘Crossroads’, her many comedy credits include ‘The Two Ronnies’, the Leslie Phillips vs. Terry-Thomas film ‘Spanish Fly’, a cross-dressing appearance in ‘Revenge of the Pink Panther’ and the Hammer comedy ‘That’s Your Funeral’. She was 72. In the evening, The Natural History Museum plays suitable host to the 9th and final performance of John Garden’s original score for the 1925 silent classic ‘The Lost World’. Perfectly accompanying the most complete print known to exist – at a little over 90 minutes – the dinosaur creations of Willis O’Brien were beautifully resurrected. Check in with John’s website http://johngarden.net/ in order to buy the CD soundtrack as soon as it is available.

Robert enjoys a few pints with Terry Jones and settles down to watch the eagerly-anticipated BBC4 biopic ‘Holy Flying Circus’ a full twenty minutes before the nation! Copious red wine and frequent guffawing from Terry made it an unforgettable experience. “That *is* Eric!” was the comment of the evening.