Positive Landing - Savage Pellucidar

 

October 6, 2021 and 81 years ago on this day in 1940, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing “Men of the Bronze Age,” which would ultimately become the second installment of “Savage Pellucidar.” It was originally published in “Amazing” in March 1942, reprinted in ‘Amazing Stories Quarterly in the fall of 1942, and published as part of the first edition of “Savage Pellucidar” by Canaveral Press on November 25, 1963. I especially enjoyed this book. I thought ERB wrote it a little tongue in cheek. The character, “The little man who wasn’t Dolly Dorcas” remains one of my favorites – even though he was a cannibal.

“Men of the Bronze Age,” got a cover mention by “Amazing” in 1942, but the cover illustration went to “Disciples of Destiny” by Don Wilcox. The illustration with this article and drabble is by J. Allen St. John.

The publishing history of Savage Pellucidar and several illustrations may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0747.html

The 100 word drabble for today, “Positive Landing,” was inspired by “Men of the Bronze Age,” and the title of the drabble, “Positive Landing,” is a pilot’s euphemism for a hard landing, especially appropriate for today, the fifth day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. However, I checked with the FAA and there wasn’t a  NOTAM this morning for flying reptiles during the flight window.

Dian the Beautiful was in one of Abner Perry’s inventions, a balloon. The craft escaped its moorings and rose quickly toward the central sun.

A winged reptile, a thipdar, circled the balloon. Dian couldn’t make the balloon rise higher, but she opened the gas valve and the balloon dropped like a rock.

The thipdar became entangled in balloon’s ropes. His struggles slowed the balloon’s descent into tall trees where tree dwellers killed the thipdar, Dian slipped to the ground.

She said, “Abner, I’m sorry I broke your balloon.”

“You walked away from the landing. Don’t apologize. Take credit for it.”

Lucy Lawless - Tarzan's Aunt?

 

October 5, 2021 and eighteen years ago on this date in 2003, Travis Fimmel wandered into New York as Tarzan in a new Warner Bros. series. Alas, or fortunately. depending on your personal feelings, the show was canceled after only a few weeks. Even Xena the Warrior Princess wasn’t enough to interest the viewers. Lucy Lawless was cast as a Tarzan relative named Kathleen Clayton. Sarah Wayne Callies played the part of Jane Porter, a New York detective. Nine episodes were filmed but the series was quickly canceled, even though the show attracted a whopping 2.8 million viewers! Unfortunately, 2.8 million isn’t that large an audience and Tarzan placed 112th among primetime programs!

The drabble for today is about the concept of the short lived series. “Keep it Simple” is the title of today’s 100 word drabble.

Lucy Lawless said to show creator, Eric Kripe, “The script says I’m Tarzan’s aunt or some crap like that. Tarzan doesn’t have any female relatives.”

“Relax, he does now.”

Travis said, “I may just be a pretty face, but Tarzan belongs in the jungle, not Manhattan and a billionaire uncle – really.”

Sarah Callies complained, “Jane’s a scientist’s daughter not a policewoman. You’ve created a mash-up of King Kong, a police procedural drama, and Falcon Crest.”

Kripe smiled, ‘So you don’t think this is going to work.”

Lawless shook her head. “It’ll never get off the ground, too many moving parts.”

Jan Murray - Tarzan and the Great River

 

October 4, 2021 and 105 years ago on this day in 1916, actor Jan Murray was born as Murray Janofsky in the Bronx, New York. Murray played Captain Sam Bishop in “Tarzan and the Great River.”

He hosted quiz shows, made countless television appearances and played Icabod Crane on Kolchak: The Night Stalker in 1974 and Simon Sweet on “The Man From Uncle” in 1967.

Murray began his show business career as a standup comedian.

The 100 word drabble for today is “Food for Thought,” and it’s taken from Jan Murray’s comic routines.

“Dieting is a system of starving yourself to death so you can live a little longer. Chubby Checker lost pounds by demonstrating how to move as if you were drying your back with a towel. The substitution of the word back for bottom indicates the oddly wholesome image of the twist. Hunger is real. Russia needs our wheat. We can’t expect them to invade countries on empty stomachs.

Yesterday afternoon I came home and a man was jogging naked across my yard. I asked, ‘Why are you jogging naked in my yard.’ The man replied, “Why are you home early?”

"Carter, John, Carter - Swordsman

 Been a while since I posted anything. Ran for 900th straight day on October 4, 2021. Not too bad for 73.

October 2, 2021 and 109 years ago in 1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs finished writing the sequel to “A Princess of Mars.” The manuscript for “Gods of Mars” was mailed to Metcalf at Munsey Magazines that same day, who bought first magazine rights to the story and published it in “The All-Story,” from January through May of 1913. Fred Small drew a single black and white headpiece that was used at the beginning of each installment. “The Gods of Mars” never had amagazine cover. The issue with the first installment had a cover for “Sands o’ Life,” a Pirate Yarn by William Patterson White. Other writers in the issue included Jonathan Shift, Oliver Goldsmith, and Frank Condon.

The 100 word drabble for today, “Skill, Not Size,” was inspired by the novel, “The Gods of Mars.”

After ten long years, John Carter was astrally returned to the Valley Dor on Mars where he found his old friend Tars Tarkas, a Green Martian. They were attacked by plant men and hid inside a cave where they were locked inside.

Soon the door opened and a score of yellow-haired men carrying longswords attacked them. John Carter found a knife and killed all twenty of the men. Tarkas said, “Very impressive. They had longswords and you had but a single knife.”

Carter replied, “It doesn’t matter how big your sword is if you don’t know how to use it!”

James Neil Hamilton - Commissioner Gordon on Batman and Harry Holt in "Tarzan and his Mate: died on this day in 1989

 

September 24, 2021, happy birthday to me. 37 years ago on this day in 1984, actor James Neil Hamilton passed away at age 84. This is the second article and drabble about Hamilton this month. He was born on September 9, 1989. Hamilton, who played Commissioner Gordon in television’s Batman, but not Perry White in “The Adventures of Superman,” (Different Hamilton – no relation.) played Harry Holt in the  Johnny Weissmuller / Maureen O’Sullivan films, “Tarzan, the Ape Man” and “Tarzan and his Mate.”

His first film was “The Beloved Imposter” in 1918 and his last was “Which Way to the Front” in 1970. In between, he appeared in over 100 films.

The 100 word drabble for today is “Too Many Women,” and includes the titles of 16 his films, 17 counting the title. See if you can find them all.

Adam West said, “Neil, working dawn patrol this morning? Evidently the cat creeps in morning’s shadows and so do you. Command performance last night?”

“What a night. Seemed like three weekends. Something always happens when you meet a dangerous woman.”

“Tell me. I met a dangerous lady. She said, ‘Take me home.’ I said, ‘Lady behave. I’ll spend the night all by myself.”

“Neil said, ‘The hot news is the sky’s the limit when strangers may kiss,’ but I saw the devil’s hand in her plot. About an hour ago I took the family jewels and came to work.”

Edgar Rice Burroughs: Television Tarzan Episode: Leopard on the Loose"

 

September 23, 2021 and 55 years ago on this day in 1966, the third episode of the Ron Ely television Tarzan was broadcast. “Leopard on the Loose” The episode featured Russ Tamblyn, Alan Caillou, Ken Scott, and Morgan Jones.

A worker at the local trading post needed money to get home and he decided to steal Jai’s leopard and sell the beast.

A complete list of the episodes is at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7420.html

The drabble for today, “Give It Back,” was inspired by “Leopard on the Loose.”

Morrisey, a trading post worker, wanted desperately to go home. He stole Jai’s leopard planning to sell him to some hunters. He leashed the leopard and led it toward the hunter’s camp.

The leopard cooperated briefly, but it missed Jai and struggled. Morrisey wrapped the leash around a tree and held it so the leopard couldn’t bite him.

Tarzan arrived quickly, guided by the leopard’s screams and Morrisey’s shouts.

“I can’t let go.”

Tarzan laughed. “Sometimes the worst thing in the world is to get what you want. You wanted a leopard. You dealt the cards, you play the hand.”

The Efficeincy Expert by Edgar Rice Burroughs

 

September 22, 2021 and on this day 102 years ago, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing “The Efficiency Expert,” a novel / novelette based on his experiences as a businessman. The story was serialized in four installments of All-Story Weekly in October of 1928. This was ERB’s thirty-sixth novel. He wrote in 31 days. The first edition of the book was published by House of Greystoke in 1966 and reprinted as Burroughs Bulletins #57-58 in 1976. Unlike most of ERB’s work, I haven’t been able to find a foreign edition.

Charter published a paperback version of the book in June 1979, the only mass edition of the book. Since 2000, the story has been published by people believing the story to be in public domain: Amereon House. Wildside Press, Pulpville Press, and ERBville Press (not associated with ERB Inc.)

Publishing details and the entire text of the original pulp magazine version are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0768.html

The drabble for today is “For Efficiencies Sake,” and it was inspired by the novel.

The shop foreman said, “Everyone is busy. How can you help?”

Torrence said, “The more efficient you are at doing the wrong thing, the wronger you become. It is much better to do the right thing wronger than the wrong thing righter. Reorganizing can create the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.”

“How nice. What qualifies you as an expert?”

“I came from elsewhere and not accountable for the results of my recommendations.”

‘How does that work?”

“If things get better, I take the credit. If they get worse, I’ll say you didn’t do what I recommended!”

Angel Rossito, Dwarf in "Tarzan the Ape Man" 1932

 

September 21, 2021 and 31 years ago on this day in 1991, Angelo Rossitto, who played the evil dwarf in 1932’s “Tarzan the Ape Man” died in Los Angeles, California. Angelo was 2’ 11” tall.

He appeared in over 70 films, playing dwarfs, midgets, gnomes, monsters, villains, and aliens. He performed with Lon Chaney and John Barrymore. Three of his films were “The Greatest Show on Earth,” “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” and of course, his role as “Master,” the top half of “Masterblaster” in “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.”

The drabble for today is, “Size is an Attitude,” and it’s based on Angelo Rossitto’s career.”

“Mr. Rossitto, you’ve made over 70 films, including several silent pictures. Were any of those what they once called shorts.”

“You making fun of me?”

“Heavens no. I was talking about one reel films.”

Rossitto lit a cigar. “Just messin’ with ya. Yes, I made several.”

“You didn’t always get screen credit.”

“But I always got paid. I believed every part I played was important and that I made a big difference in every film I was in. You think little things can’t make a difference, stick a fire ant in your nose. Let me know how that works out.” 

Tarzan's Return to Opar by Mike Grell

 

September 20, 2021 and 40 years ago on this day 1n 1980, the Mike Grell written and illustrated Tarzan Sunday Page story arc, “Tarzan’s Return to Opar,” concluded. The story began on July 19, 1981 and ran for ten weeks. It can be read in its entirety at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag29/2968.html

Jessica Faraday is part of an expedition to study a solar eclipse. She stopped to take photos for National Geographic and was is attacked by a bull gorilla. Tarzan killed the gorilla to save her. Tarzan recognized her guide Tusker Shanks, an evil man who’d poisoned elephants for their ivory.

The next morning Tarzan discovered that Shanks and Faraday had been captured by the beast men of Opar. La sentenced Jessica to death, but fascinated by Shanks blonde hair, decides to keep him for herself. Shanks’ betrayed La and tried to become the ruler of Opar. It worked out poorly for him.

“The drabble for today is “Bad Blonde,” and it was inspired by the story arc, “Tarzan’s Return to Opar.

Tarzan said, “La, Tusker Shanks is a bad man. What were you thinking when you decided to keep him and sacrifice Jessica.”

La flipped her hair. “The woman’s blood would be enough to satisfy the flaming god when he rides the skies at dawn tomorrow. The man has hair the color of the sun. A man with golden hair might make a suitable mate.”

“Sometimes golden hair only hides a black heart.”

“Indeed, he betrayed me. If I can’t have him, then the flaming god will. His hair color will only make his sacrifice taste sweeter to the sun god.”

Tarzan Producer Sol Lessor died 41 years ago today.

 

September 19, 2021 and on this day in 41 years ago in 1980, movie producer Sol Lesser died at age 90 in Hollywood California. In 1933, Lessor bought the film rights to Tarzan and produced “Tarzan the Fearless” with Buster Crabbe. ERB refused to deal with Lessor and attempted to make his own films. This was short lived and the rights passed to MGM, who relingquished the rights in 1943, when Lessor regained them.

Lesser produced 14 Tarzan films with Johnny Weissmuller, Lex Barker and Gordon Scott, including the TV pilot, “Tarzan and the Trappers. I always considered Lessor and his successor, Sy Weintraub as bad guys because they controlled the film rights for so long and when they weren’t making Tarzan films, none else was allowed to do so. In retrospect, Lesser’s persistence was responsible for several Tarzan films. He wanted to make Tarzan pictures and he didn’t let anything stop him.

The drabble for today is “Love Tarzan,” and it’s a 100 word compilation of comments by Sol Lesser and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Evidently, the two decided to get along. ERB’s comments are in the first two paragraphs and appeared in “The Film Weekly,” an Australian Variety magazine on January 7, 1943.

Burroughs said Sol Lesser would make two Tarzan films this season, these being "Tarzan Triumphs," which is already finished, and "Tarzan and the Sheik," which is being prepared for production. 

"I've great faith in Sol and feel very happy about this new deal." 

Tarzan is pure escapist entertainment. He’s the original superman, fighting for the rights of the downtrodden and persecuted against all villains, be they human or beast. He rules with a minimum of words - hence he’s understood by all. Rarely does Tarzan get gooey with Jane. Thus the kids love him and so do the old folks.

Edgar Rice Burroughs: September 18, 1941

 

September 18, 2021 and 101 years ago  in 1940, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin published an article about Edgar Rice Burroughs returning to Hawaii for his health and on that same day the Honolulu Advertiser published an article by Edgar Rice Burroughs where ERB says that young people should strive for physical fitness and preparedness. He went on to warn everyone that we are surrounded by people who do not like us. (Americans). He said that if were prepared for an invasion, they will let us alone. Alas, we weren’t and they didn’t.

I was able to find very bad, virtually illegible reproductions. The two articles are summarized at https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0001.html.

The drabble for today is “Work, But Be Prepared” and it was inspired by the two articles published in Hawaii in those pre-war days.

The columnist said, “Mr. Burroughs, you said that you’re here for your health, but you’re writing 20,000 words a week. I know how long it takes for me to write 20,000 words.

I type with two fingers, about 330 words in twenty minutes, but I stop occasionally and do a rewrite or two, so about 3000 words a day.”

“And after that?”

“Exercise, I walk every day.”

“Why.”

“I was in the cavalry. The day may come when you don’t have a horse. I’d like to think I can get away from trouble even faster as I got into it.”

Edgar Rice Burroughs: Melodramas of Monkeys and Men

 

September 17, 2021 and 100 years ago on this day in 1921, “Tarzan of the Apes” was reviewed in the “Dramatic Mirror and Theatre” by H. K. Wheat. The play was staged in four acts at the Broadhurst Theatre at 44^th and Broadway. The case included Ronald Adair as Tarzan, Greta Kemble Cooper as Lady Greystoke, Ethel Dryer as Jane, and Edward Stillward played Kala. In a major departure from the British version of the play, George Broadhurst, theatre owner and producer used real lions, Jim and Beauty, on stage.

The review was very positive, but even a good review wasn’t enough to save the production, indeed the play may have already closed by the time the review was published. According to various sources, the play opened on either September 1 or September 7, but by all accounts it closed shortly thereafter, although the actual closing date isn’t clear.

“Melodrama of Monkeys and Men” is todays drabble, 100 words take from the review by H. K. Wheat – hopefully in context. The entire review and a lot of information about the production is available at https://www.erbzine.com/mag15/1568.html

“It is a weird and amazing melodrama told in a series of ten scenes covering a number of years and vast amount of doings that would tax the credulousness of an infant in arms. It’s far from poor entertainment. The sentimental and emotional qualities of the semi-dumb animals has heretofore been sadly neglected. Animals of various kinds and qualities predominate in the story’s unfolding, though occasionally a human being makes his appearance felt also.

Mrs. Trimble Bradly has outdone herself in the production. An evening’s entertainment not lightly to be overlooked, for it is the only one of its kind."

Elisbeth Hubert: Tarzan the Musical

Beginning today, I'm doing to post my daily Edgar Rice Burroughs themed 100 word drabbles on this site. I've written and published 1196 before today. This is number 1197. The others are posted on FB and at www.erbzine.com. I'm not going to go back and post any of the old ones - unless I decide to do so later.

September 16, 2021 and 34 years ago on this day in 1987, mezzo-soprano Elisebeth Hubert, who played Jane on stage in the Hamburg production of “Tarzan,” was born. She shouldn’t be confused with the French doctor, politician, and businesswoman born in 1956.

Here’s a link to a video of her singing, “Fremde wie ich” (“Strangers Like Me”)with Anton Zetterholm, the actor who played Tarzan.

https://youtu.be/LHSJSt0Vi6g

She has also appeared as Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins”, and in “Mama Mia,” and “Sunset Boulevard.”

The drabble for today, “Deja Vue,” was inspired by the lyrics to the song.

Jane said, “This seems strange but familiar. The apes aren’t like me, and yet they are.”

Tarzan said, “Your kind seem strange, but also oddly familiar. I want to know about your world.”

“I want the same thing. Can you show me? Something’s familiar about these strangers like me.”

Tarzan said, “Yes. I see a new horizon beyond the trees. Teach me about your world.”

“Perhaps we shouldn’t try to be like everyone else. Anyone can hide in a crowd, but it takes courage to stand alone.”

Tarzan kissed her, “We are all different, and our differences make us strong!”

 Due to the overwelming response to "The Cosmic Courtship" Kickstarter campaign, we decided to assemble the rest of Julian Hawthorne's "All-Story Magazine" stories and novels into a series of books. I 'd like to than everyone for their support.

An electronic version of "The Cosmic Courtship" has been provided to "The Guttenberg Project."

Julian Hawthorne was the son of iconic American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne and an incredibly prolific writer in his own right.

When we talk about 'near-lost' fiction, we refer to works that extant but virtually unobtainable for most modern readers. These particular stories are Public Domain and part of the world's common literary heritage, however, in many cases, there's virtually no way for anyone to read them! Many works from this era have only ever been printed in now very expensive and hard to find pulp magazines. Even if cost were not an object, availability often is.

As with The Cosmic Courtship, the aim of this project is to collect and reproduce these works in a standard modern format for readers today to be able to enjoy without having to spend a fortune collecting the rare and antique magazines in which they were originally published.

Three of the stories are about the incredible adventures of Martha Klemm, a descendant of the Salem Witches. "Absolute Evil," "A Goth From Boston," and "Sara Was Judith" are the three stories about this amazing woman.

"Fires Rekindled" is a story of reincarnation, eteranal love, danger, and intrigue.

"Doris Dances" is the tale of a orphan child who rises to greatness with the help of a man who gave up everything to save her.

The details about the books and pledge options are available at the link below.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cirsova/julian-hawthornes-strange-recollections-of-martha-klemm

 I spent the last month working on the restoration of this novel. Here's the press release and a link to the Kickstarter page.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Cirsova Publishing is proud to announce that it has partnered with Michael Tierney and Robert Allen Lupton to restore and reprint Julian Hawthorne’s The Cosmic Courtship, a never-before-collected pulp Planetary Romance by the son of famed American author Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The Cosmic Courtship was serialized across four issues of All-Story magazine in 1917 and has never been reproduced in any format.

.

Mary Faust, a brilliant scientist, has developed a machine that can allow the conscious human soul to explore the cosmos! Her promising young assistant Miriam Mayne has accidentally transferred her consciousness to Saturn, where she falls under the enchantment of an evil sorcerer! Jack Paladin, her love, sets out after her on a thrilling celestial journey to the ringed planet! Swashbuckling adventure and high romance await in Julian Hawthorne’s The Cosmic Courtship!

While most are at least somewhat familiar with Nathaniel Hawthorne as one of the great American authors, less well known is that his son Julian was an incredibly prolific writer in his own right. Julian wrote on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from literary analysis of his father’s works to poetry to period romances and adventures. Late in his career, Julian even dabbled in the emerging genre of Science Fiction.

The Cosmic Courtship was serialized in Frank A. Munsey’s All-Story Weekly across four issues, beginning with the November 24, 1917 issue and running through the December 15, 1917 issue. While this story has been in the public domain for some time, it has never been collected or published elsewhere until now.

Cirsova Publishing has taken on this exciting project with the aim of preserving this story for posterity and ensuring that it is not lost to future generations.

There is a Kickstarter campaign with pledging levels from $10.00 for a paperback to $60.00 for all four versions of the novel. paperback, magazine format' trade paperback and hardcover.

Help make this project a reality and receive a true first edition of a novel that hasn't seen print since 1917. The four magazine issues would cost several hundred dollars.

Here's the link: Cosmic Courtship Kickstarter

Amazing cover by Fred W. Small. We appreciate your support. If there is enough demand we hope to "save" at least one such novel a year.

Where the Stars Don't Shine

Just found out that my short story, "Where the Stars Don't Shine," was accepted for publication by "The Periodical Forlorn," published by Input /Output Enterprises for the themed issue, "Unusual Vampires" to be released later this year. My thanks to the editor and co-founder, Katherine Emily.

The Periodical Forlorn

Mardi Gras Mysteries edited by Sarah Glen released!

Yesterday, the Kindle version of "Mardi Gras Mysteries," an anthology published by "Mystery and Horror, LLC" and edited by the talented Sarah Glenn, was released.

The book is the sequel to "Mardi Gras Murder" and it contains 17 stories about high crimes, including murder, that take place during Mardi Gras.

My contribution, "Cafe De Moan," is about a Mardi Gras road trip by a group of coeds from the University of Oklahoma gone terribly wrong. It bats lead off in the book. Thank you, Sarah.

The paperback version will be released in a few days, but here's the link to the Kindle version. It's free to read with Kindle Unlimited. Leave a review, please, even if you only review one story. Reviews are the magic key to sales positioning with Amazon. Laissez les bon temps rouler.

https://www.amazon.com/Mardi.../dp/B08RCBBM9N/ref=sr_1_1...

3 Shares

Like

Comment

Share