Filofax in films and real-life

Spotting a Filofax organiser in a film or TV series or in real life is always good fun. 

Our dear friend Janet (This Bug's Life) has been 'collecting' these spots in films and TV series for years. There isn't a month that goes by without someone sharing one they have seen. 

You will find her collection here: The ultimate compilation of films featuring ringed organisers (updated Nov ’24)

Keep looking out for them in films etc. 

Now the second type of sighting is a difficult one.... What do you do if you spot someone else using a Filofax in real life? 

I have seen a stranger in a cafe/bar with their organiser on the table here in France and I was tempted to go over and introduce myself armed with a Philofaxy business card, but I chickened out! 

I was once spotted in real life waiting to board a tube train in London, and a guy who was getting off the train said 

'Are you Steve Morton?' 

"Yes I am" 

'Yes you are just like on the podcast' 

Then  he was gone and I had got on the train thinking what just happened! But it was quite amusing thinking back to it now. Matthew emailed me later that day!! 

I hope if anyone else sees me who recognises me that we get to have a longer chat! 

Do you spot other Filofax users? 

Filofax on TV and in films.

It is many years now since the first time someone spotted a Filofax in a film or as part of a TV show. 

Janet has built up a very comprehensive list of these 'appearances' over the years. 

What started out as a trickle is now a flood of sightings. Almost a week doesn't go by without someone spotting an appearance and Janet is 'tagged' to alert her of another addition to the list. 

I suspect it is the popularity of 80's drama at the moment, and what better prop to anchor something in the 1980's than a Filofax! 

The script writers obviously don't realise that there are a lot of us still using them 40 or more years later! 

What do you do if you spot a Filofax whilst watching TV?

Filofax in the Movies and on TV?

People often highlight they have seen a Filofax in a film or on a TV show and sometimes we then try to identify which particular model it is. Not always easy!

However, apart from 'Taking Care of Business' and '27 Dresses' what other films have featured a Filofax organiser?  And have you seen any on TV?

Filofax sighting: Home Alone

Last weekend I watched the movie Home Alone with my kids. It was the first time they had seen it (and they loved it, proving the 80's have trans-generational appeal), and I hadn't seen the movie in at least 10 years. So imagine my delight and surprise to see a Filofax in the film!

For those of you who have seen the movie, the Filofax is at the part when the parents are in the Paris airport and are trying to phone someone back home to check on their 8 year old son, whom they inadvertently left home (alone). The mom hands a big, fat, black-covered Filofax to her sister-in-law and says, "Here's my address book," and asks her to call everyone in it.  It's a classic 80's Filofax moment! Filofax to the rescue in a crisis.

Have you discovered any surprise Filofaxes in movies or on TV recently?

The Ipcress Filofax

PHILOFAXY EYES ONLY

To: M

From: DJ

RE: The Ipcress Filofax

Subject: Deighton, Len.

Born: Central London, 2/18/29.

Mother’s name: Fitzgerald

Description: Dark complexion, 14 stone, 6 feet tall. Cruel, sardonic sense of humor. Large hands, stubby fingers used to punctuate rapid, neurotic speech. Bayonet scar palm right hand. Drinks warily, seldom smokes.

Skills—Extensive knowledge military history, modern control systems, aircraft (especially helicopters), vehicles, weapons, tactics, Marksman; never hunts animals. Good cook.

Experience—Railway man, Piccadilly waiter, Madison Avenue adman, Vogue fashion artist, photographer R.A.F. Mosquitoes, manager Aldgate gown factory. Seen Vista-Vision blue films in pre-Castro Cuba, typhoon in Tokyo, hurricane passing New York. Given talk over Soviet radio. Once fell into Hong Kong Harbor, fatty tissue saved him.

(above summary from subject’s second novel “Horse Under Water.”)

Well organised, efficient, hard worker, meticulous researcher. Admits to admiring German culture and Germans. Well-informed on current political situation in Germany, compulsively reads as much as he can in the press on Germany. Observed subject using German fountain pen (Pelikan).

Realized without an Oxbridge pedigree (or any university), he had to “fight above his weight,” and extensive research, work ethic was chosen method to do that. Now, still working at age 81, he’s proven he can go the distance as well.

Books: Highly regarded novels (primarily but not exclusively espionage genre), military history (WWII), cookery books (primarily French cuisine).

Filofax: High probability primary research organiser is Personal Sandhurst. Request M review to confirm starting at 38:23 of referenced video “The Truth About Len Deighton”—BBC4 programme. In event Filo ID is unclear, recommend consultation with specialist Bernhard in Mannheim.

In addition, subject carries what appears to be a small Finsbury pocket purse at all times, which holds a small notepad, and a pencil. In the inner pocket, subject carries a small digital camera, appears to be from Casio Exilim line. Subject actually calls the wallet “a Filofax.” Request M view video to confirm Filofax model at 46:27 of same programme.

(above summary from video at this link:

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=IXF75MIG 

Good luck,

DJ California

Can you help Field Agent DJ identify the Ipcress Filofax, please drop a message in the dead letter box, sorry I mean comments!

Filofax on TV

If you are in UK, or you can receive UK Channel 4 via satellite TV in Europe. This Sunday 3rd October at 8.00pm UK time is the film 27 Dresses, which is you remember started off Erin's love of Filofax...

It is billed as a romantic comedy so it might have slightly wider appeal than you would think.

So be on the look out for the Filofax and let's see if we can identify the model and size... no prizes though... just a bit of fun.. report back in the comments on this post if you spot it.
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