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!”