#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 31, 2025

 I missed a few days with family issues, but I'm resuming these posts as of today.

August 31, 2025 and on this day ninety years ago in 1935, the Rex Maxon illustrated and Don Garden scripted Tarzan daily story arc, “Tarzan and the Fire Gods,” concluded, The story features female pilot, Lady Beth Barclay who is forced to parachute from her airplane. She landed safely in the company of the Niarchus tribe, who’d fled from Alexander the Great many years before. She is initially greeted as a goddess, but the tribe’s leader, also named Niarchus, plans to sacrifice her in a column of fire. (Thanks to H. Rider Haggard for She) Meanwhile the obligatory poacher enters the story, determined to pillage and kill his way across Africa. Dr. Jones, a noted geologist and friend of Tarzan, also arrived in the area. Mayhem ensued.

Read the entire story at:

https://www.erbzine.com/mag37/3784.html

The 162 daily comic pages consisted of two panels each, with illustrations above prose. Some of the oft-maligned Maxon’s best work.

The 100-word drabble, “A Warm Welcome, for today was inspired by the comic arc and by fire gods everywhere.

Lady Beth, a downed aviator, and Tarzan fled the Niarchus tribe. Beth said, “Those people are crazy. They worship fire gods that they’ve never seen.”

Tarzan said, “Keep running. In my experience, the best gods are unseen. That way the priests have more power.”

“A giant pillar of fire is in their temple. It never goes out. The priests make regular sacrifices by burning people in the fire.”

“So the priests control the population by threatening to cast them into a fiery hell.”

“They do.”

“What a novel idea. I’m shocked other religions haven’t adopted that premise. Oh, wait. They have.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 24, 2025

 August 24, 2025 and on this day seventy-two years ago in 1973, the Bob Lubbers illustrated and Dick Van Buren scripted Tarzan daily story arc, “Tarzan and the Octopus God,” began. The story ran for sixty-two daily episodes. It was followed by “Tarzan and the Insect Men.”

The tale features the evil Captain Cross, good natives, bad natives, Tarzan, and of course, a gigantic octopus, a creature which, god or no, helps Tarzan find justice for the deserving. Interestingly, Lubbers enjoyed drawing ‘good girl art” and was pleased when Dick Van Buren included an exotic woman in a story line, but there is not a single woman, exotic or otherwise, in a single panel of ‘Tarzan and the Octopus God’ unless of course, the octopus is female.

You can read the complete story at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag53/5339.html

The 100-word drabble for today, “Big Time,” is taken from Bob Lubbers comments about illustrating the Tarzan comic strip. He’d signed a three-year contract and illustrated the strip for a few months longer than that. His entire comments are available in a biography available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag48/4855.html

The dream of a lifetime come true…the big time. . I dug in full bore, charged with inspiration. Seven-day weeks were not uncommon, but only nine to five. Dick Van Buren got the scripts to me on time and we were rolling. When he wrote exotic females into the scripts, it was fun to reprise some of the fun of those Fiction House cover girls. modified slightly. The stories could never be truly topical, but played in an amorphous, Burroughsian time period. Plenty of action, interplay with jungle animals, colorful backgrounds and as many exotic girls as Dick’s scripts allowed.

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 23, 2025

 August 23, 2025 and on this day eighty-four years ago in 1941, Actress Shelia Wells, who played Kathy Haines in episode #2, The Ultimate Weapon, of the Ron Ely Tarzan television series, was born

During her short career, thirty total film credits, she appeared on episodes of “My Three Sons,” “Dr. Kildare,” “The Green Hornet,” “The Wild Wild West,” “Mary Tyler Moore,” “Bonanza,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and the classic film, “The Blues Brothers.”

In the Tarzan episode, Kathy laving her husband, Peter, but Tarzan intervenes, prompting game warden, Hoby Wallington, played by former Tarzan, Jock Mahoney, to say, ““Tarzan, you must be the only marriage counselor who lives in a tree.”

You can read a detailed analysis of the episode at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7421.html#2

The drabble for today, “Talk to the Trees,” was inspired by the episode. Several of the lines have been slightly modified from lines Shelia actually said on screen.

Kathy, played by Shelia Wells, said, “Tarzan, you’ve blocked my riverboat. I’m leaving my husband. Get out of the way.”

“You should give him another chance. He’s been under a lot of stress.”

“You’re not married to that idiot. I don’t need another man giving me advice about things he knows nothing about.”

“I’m sure the two of you can talk it out.”

“Wonderful. A marriage counselor who lives in a tree with a monkey. You been smoking those vines?”

“Kathy, what kind of problems are you having.”

“Both kinds. One where I kill him and one where I don’t.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 22, 2025

 August 22, 2025 and on this day 103 years ago in 1924, Edgar Rice Burroughs and his sons began a ten-day fishing expedition in the Sierra Mountains. the DOODAD was created on this trip. The Doodad is the symbol, the colophon, on the spine of books published by Edgar Rice Burroughs Incorporated and the name Burroughs gave his personal airplane.

Burroughs described the trip in the unpublished memoir, “Notes on Trip to Mono Creek and Porpoise Lake." Ed sketched the doodad out in the sand on a riverbank. This symbol was to become the famous colophon which appears on most of the ERB books. Each family member, however, had his own special variant of the doodad: Ed's circle was to the right of the "spear," Hulbert's circle was below, and Jack's was to the left.

Information about the DOODAD is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag3/0335.html

The drabble for today, “Spine Tingling Adventure, “ was inspired by the creation of the Doodad.

“Honey,” asked Emma Burroughs. “Did you and the boys catch any fish?”

“We didn’t catch enough to bring home. The most exciting thing is that the boys and I designed a symbol. We call it the doodad.”

Emma looked at the sketch. “Interesting, but what’s it for?”

“It will be the colophon on the spine of the books that will be published by my publishing company.”

“Dear, I know you’ve formed a corporation last year , but you don’t have a publishing company.”

“Not yet. The doodad is too good to waste, so I suppose I’ll have to start one.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 21, 2025 -

 August 21, 2025 and on this day eighty-one years ago in 1944, the Rex Maxon written and illustrated Tarzan daily story arc, “The Ivory Hunter,” began. It ran for 44 days. This was not the first time Maxon, who drew the strip for over 18 years had a story line that focused on poachers and it wouldn’t be the last. Do the math Three hundred dailies a year, so about 5400 pages.

The story opens with Tarzan recovering in the arms of Ann Strang, the daughter of one of the ivory hunters. She informs Tarzan that if he doesn’t hunt and kill elephants, he will be killed and she will be beaten. Tarzan makes other plans.

The 100-word drabble for today, “Dane-geld.” Thanks to Rudyard Kipling for his poetic explanation of the result of capitulation to threats eventually works.

“Tarzan,” said Ann. “The ivory hunters will kill you if you don’t find and kill elephants for them. They’ll beat me for not convincing you.”

“Saying yes to open ended threats never satisfies the people making them. If I kill ten elephants, they’ll want twenty. If I kill one hundred, they’ll want two hundred.”

“You’ll die and I’ll be beaten.”

“It it’s within their power. Sooner or later, I’ll have to say no more. Then they’ll try to kill me.”

“You mean that doesn’t make any difference what you do.”

“Ann, it makes a world of difference to the elephants.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 20, 2025

 August 20, 2025 and twenty-five years ago on this day in 2000, the Gray Morrow illustrated and Mark Kneece scripted Sunday comic story arc, The Contest, began. The story ran for fifteen weeks and it can be read in its entirety at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag34/3487.html.

ERBzine doesn’t hide anything behind a paywall.

The story begins as a Romeo and Juliet type of tale, but quickly changes into a planned race to the only peach tree in the jungle. The winner’s family get to use the water hole the two family’s have been fighting over. Tarzan follows the race and makes sure that ‘Juliet’ wins. Love prevails, the families stop fighting, and they share the water hole.

The story arc is beautifully illustrated and the script shows Tarzan at his best, including a wry sense of humor.

The drabble for today, “Water, Water, Everywhere,” was inspired, by “The Contest,” a tale of conflict, love, and reconciliation. Where I live in New Mexico, water rights are very important. Conflicts over water have led to murders, shootouts, lawsuits, and treachery. The saying is “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting.”

Oola and Tashigo, would be lovers from feuding families, were chosen for a race to decide which family would have the rights to a long disputed waterhole.

During the contest, Oola tripped Tashigo, and reached the pear tree first. She won.

Tashigo complained, “Not fair. You tripped me.”

“All’s fair in love and water rights.”

“So, my family goes thirsty?”

“Men are so stupid. We marry and there’s only one family. Duh!”

“That will work. I can’t believe your family fought so long over one waterhole.

“Same waterhole that your family fought about. Nothing makes water more important than not having enough.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 19, 2025

 August 19, 2025 and twenty-five years ago on this day in 2000, Lee Sholem, who directed two Tarzan films, “Tarzan’s Magic Fountain,” and “Tarzan and the Slave Girl,” died. Lee Tabor Sholem was nicknamed ""Roll 'Em" Sholem" and he is identified more than anyone else in the industry with speed and efficiency. He directed more than 1300 productions, including both feature films and TV episodes, without ever going over schedule. His achievements over a 40-year career have, as yet, been unsurpassed in Hollywood history.

Sholem's first film was “Tarzan's Magic Fountain” in 1949 and his last film was “Doomsday Machine” in 1972.

Details about the two films are located at:

https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0629.html

https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1950.html

The drabble for today is “Tight Schedule,” and it is inspired by Mr. Sholem’s performance.

On the set of “Tarzan’s Magic Fountain,” Lex Barker said, “Hey, Lee. I’m tired. Let’s call it a day. I need to rest.”

“You can rest when you’re dead. The script runs 240 pages and we’ve got 60 days. That’s four pages minimum per day. We’ve only shot three. Back on the vine, Tarzan.”

“We can make it up tomorrow.”

“Time lost can’t be made up.”

“What’s the big deal if we’re behind schedule?”

“Time is money. There are two kinds of directors, the ones who finish on time and in budget and the one’s who don’t have a job.”

#edgarirceburroughs -Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 18, 2025

 August 18, 2025 and on this day seven hundred and ninety-eight years ago in the year 1227, Genghis Khan, the subject of a 2,215 word unpublished poem written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, died in Xingqing, Western Xia, now a part of China. No one knows where he and his riches were buried.

The poem may be read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag58/5881.html.

The poem is copyright by ERB Incorporated and may not be reproduced.

The 100 -word drabble for today, “Not Bejeweled,” was inspired by the poem and by the life of Temujin. Turkey was known an Antolia or Rum in the 13th century, but I couldn’t write about a country called Rum with a straight face.

The Mongol warlord’s aide de camp, said, “Genghis, you are the leader. It’s fitting that you should wear gold and jewels as befits your station.”

“I was born in a tent. I live in a tent. I don’t need jewelry to show I’m the leader. Leave me. We invade the largest city in Anitolia at dawn.”

“You should dress like a ruler, not like a common soldier. Just a diamond. A single ruby. Perhaps this beautiful fire opal."

I said no. Diamonds and rubies are for hiding and hoarding, not for wearing, and as for Opals, Khan’t stand an opal.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - august 17, 2025

 August 17, 2025 and 110 years ago on this day in 1915, Edgar Rice Burroughs completed the unpublished and unproduced film synopsis, “His Majesty, The Janitor.” Alas, it never made it past the synopsis point. It never became a ‘treatment’ or a script. We don’t really know about the story.

There were at least three silent films about janitors. Two of them were released before Ed wrote his treatment. Charlie Chaplin's "The New Janitor" (1914) is a notable example, where Chaplin plays a janitor who gets caught up in a bank robbery. Another film, "A Janitor's Wife's Temptation" (1915), explores a more melodramatic plot involving a janitor, his wife, and an artist. Additionally, a 1928 film, "The Working Side of the Museum," provides a glimpse into the lives of museum staff, including janitors, during that era.

The drabble for today, “Who’s the Boss,” was inspired by the title, “His Majesty, The Janitor.”

The building superintendent said, “Henry, you’re just the janitor, but you’ve been telling everyone that you’re the king of the building. If anyone’s the king around here, it’s me.”

“No, boss. The man who cleans up the rubbish is really the king, just like the colon is king of the body.”

“Naw, Henry. Either the heart or the brain are the king.”

“Think about how quickly the goes to pot if the colon quits working. It’s the same with the janitor. If no one takes out the trash, everything goes to the devil in a heartbeat. King of the World!”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 16, 2025

 #edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 16, 2025 

August 16, 2025 and eleven years ago on this day in 2014, an audio version of “The Oakdale Affair”  was made available online from LIBRIVOX. Interesting in that the first media adaption of the novel was a silent film, with pictures and no words, and the Librivox adaption is words but no pictures.

The book is free, as are all audio books on Librivox. It runs a little over four hours. Here’s the link: https://librivox.org/the-oakdale-affair-by-edgar-rice-burroughs/

The drabble for today, “No Absolutes,” was inspired by the novel, “The Oakdale Affair.”

Dirty Eddie, a hobo, eyed Abigail Primm, pretending to be the Oskaloosa Kid. “That's a girl. Let’s take her valuables.”

Bridge, another bindlestaff, stepped in front of Abigail. “I think not, boys.”

“Bridge, robbing her is for the greater good, us. It’s a lesser evil to rob her than it is for us all to starve.”

“No, boys. It isn’t. There’s no greater good and lesser evil. Only good and evil. We must embrace one and resist the other, no matter how large or small.”

Eddie grumbled, “I don’t understand?’

“Then I’ll teach you the difference with a hickory stick.”

CABBAGES AND KINGS - O. HENRYU

Published a reprint of a 1904 O. Henry novel this morning. CABBAGES AND KINGS was the first use of the term 'banana republic.' O. Henry based the book on his adventures in Honduras - while he was on the lam from embezzlement charges in Texas. O. Henry was born in North Carolina and this edition is dedicated to John Hood and the Carolina Calots, a chapter of the Burroughs Bibliophiles. The dedication page contains an illustration by Motoichiro Takebe for a Japanese edition of THE WARLORD OF MARS.

 https://www.lulu.com/shop/o-henry/cabbages-and-kings/paperback/product-jedzn4d.html?q=CABBAGES+AND+KINGS&page=1&pageSize=4

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 15, 2025

 August 15, 2025 and seventy-six years ago on his day in 1949, the Paul Reinman / Rob Thompson Tarzan daily story arc, “Tarzan and the Leopard Men.” The story arc ran for 76 days. Leopard men and Leopard women made frequent appearances in Tarzan films, newspaper strips, and comic books. Burroughs himself wrote the novel, TARZAN AND THE LEOPARD MEN, which was published in 1935.

The term "Leopard Men" historically refers to members of secret societies in West and Central Africa, particularly between 1890 and 1935, who were believed to possess the ability to transform into leopards through witchcraft. These societies were also known as the Leopard Society or Anyoto.

Read the entire story arc at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag49/4939.html

The drabble for today, “Secret,” was inspired by “Leopard Men,” and other secret societies throughout history.

Major Bouncingbutt said, “Tarzan, this beastly Leopard Men secret society is wreaking havoc. We have to shut them down. Such societies should be outlawed.’

Tarzan replied, “They are violent, but do you seriously want to outlaw all secret societies. Don’t you belong to a few such organizations?”

“Secrecy forbids me to acknowledge membership. The Freemasons, the Odd Fellows, The Knights Templar, and the Diogenes Club are well respected.”

“But all of those groups have used violence to achieve their goals. What’s the difference?”

“Don’t be daft, man! It’s never wrong when we do it. It’s always wrong when they do.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 14, 2025

August 14, 2025 and eighty years ago on this day in 1945, Edgar Rice Burroughs celebrated the victory over Japan with his son, Hulbert, and bride-to-be, Marion Thrasher. Burroughs was arrested after a parking lot altercation. Nothing makes a celebration any better than police intervention. The incident started when another driver took a parking spot that Ed was waiting for.

Information about the incident is located at:

https://www.erbzine.com/mag63/6340.html#AUGUST14

Irwin Porges indicated Burroughs wrote of the actual incident in his diary under Aug. 17. Without the entire diary page, it's hard to tell what day he was referring to, but maybe he was just then getting around to writing about the battle of the parking lot and his arrest.

The drabble for today, “I Saw It First,” inspired by that incident, is excerpted from page 648 of Porges’ biography of Edgar Rice Burroughs.

'About 10:30 two policemen came in a police car and arrested me. They took me to the police station. I was booked and posted $25.00 bail.'

In court the next day, Burroughs pleaded not guilty to the charges the man had preferred against him, and the trial was set for the twenty-second. ‘It was very humiliating,' Ed wrote. At the scheduled trial Ed was advised by the prosecuting attorney and bailiff to 'walk out' and forfeit his bail, since a group of reporters was waiting and adverse publicity would undoubtedly result. Ed took this advice and the matter was dropped.