#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - July 10, 2025

 July 10, 2025 and ninety-seven years ago on this day in 1928, newspaper articles announcing planned wedding between Joan Burroughs and James Pierce began appearing in newspapers around the USA. Joan, the daughter of Edger Rice Burroughs, had met and was engaged to marry Tarzan. James Pierce had played the lord of the jungle in the film, “Tarzan and the Golden Lion.” The couple would voice Tarzan and Jane on the radio show, “Tarzan of the Apes,” sponsored by Signal Oil.

The episodes are available and a series synopsis is located at: www.erbzine.com/mag1/0141.html

For more information about the engagement announcement: www.erbzine.com/mag11/1195.html

The 100 word fictional drabble for today, “A Vine Too Far,” was inspired by that announcement.

The reporter said, “Congratulations, Miss Burroughs. I understand your father tasked you to find a new film Tarzan and you found Tarzan and a husband. I wish you both a long and happy marriage.”

“Thank you. We plan to be married in August.”

“Will you and Tarzan live in the jungle?”

“No, in Tarzana so that James can continue his film career.”

“I’m surprised. I pictured the two of you swinging through the jungle. May we expect that you’ll be big swingers around town?”

‘No, Dear. James is almost twenty-eight. It he starts swinging off screen, he’ll never see twenty-nine.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - July 9, 2025 -

 July 9, 2025 and eighty-six years ago on this day in 1939, the “Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star,” published the Associated Press article, “Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan Creator Was Never In Africa.”

I didn’t find a byline for the article, but the Associated Press shows that is was released for distribution from Tarzana, California. The entire article has been faithfully reproduced at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag17/1788.html#creator

I haven’t physically been to Africa, but Burroughs guided me across the continent, as it was years ago, several times. He’s taken me to Mars, the South Seas, Chicago, Venus, and Beatrice, Nebraska. I’ve enjoyed every trip and as a boy growing up in Oklahoma, the schedule was flexible and I always got home in time for dinner.

The 100-word drabble, “But I’ve Been to Oklahoma.” was inspired by that article. Thanks to writer Hoyt Axton for his song that was recorded by Three Dog Night, which I’ve brutalized for this post. Actually, the drabble for today is 104 words long, but I like the way the poem turned out and I didn’t have time to make it shorter.

I’ve never been to Africa,

But I kinda like the jungle

The wildlife have sharp teeth there

And they the sure know how to bite you

Know how to stalk you

No need to squawk, you

Too late for talk, you

I’ve never been to Venus

But I’ve been to Oklahoma

They tell me I was born there

But I really don’t remember

I’ve never been to Barsoom

But I kinda like the stories

The women there are gorgeous

There’s no excuse for abuse

They’ve knives ready for use

To cut body parts loose.

I’ve never been to Africa

But I’ve been to Oklahoma

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - July 7, 2025

 July 8, 2025 and a nine days ago, I let the seventh anniversary of these daily posts slip by, Counting two leap years, that’s 2557 days. On this day 136 years ago in 18 Actor Eugene Pallette, who appeared in two films based on the stories of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the authorized “Tarzan of the Apes, and the unauthorized, "The Isle of Content," was born in 1889.

For information about the film, "The Isle of Content" - https://www.erbzine.com/mag23/2380.html

Paulette made over 260 films is a career that spanned the silent and talking film eras. His first credit. He began his career as a slender leading man, but he’s best known for playing the rotund Friar Tuck in “The Adventures of Robin Hood. His last film was “Suspense” in 1944 and his first was :The Fugitive” in 1913. Paulette adapted his talent to fit his size and was a master of both drama and comedy. He worked steadily because of that.

The fictional drabble for today is, “Time Waists For No Man,’ and it was inspired by Eugene Paulette’s ability to change as he needed to. Isn’t that what being an actor is all about? For the record, Errol Flynn died at 50, but Eugene Paulette lived to be 65 years old.

Errol Flynn cut quite a dashing figure on the set of Robin Hood. He jokingly addressed Eugene Paulette. “I remember you. When you were skinny, you played quite the leading man. You were handsome as Ralph in “The Isle of Content. Look at you now!”

‘I’d forgotten that film. And yes, I was younger and thinner. My waist is directly proportional to my age and my success. All three have grown.”

“Eugene, I’ll bet that when I’m old, I’ll still be devastatingly handsome.”

“Errol, you burn your candle like a bonfire. It’s bright for a while, but ashes soon enough.”

#hriderhaggard - Maiwa's Revenge - July 6, 2025

 I published a new edition of MAIWA'S REVENGE, the fourth Allan Quatermain novel, this morning. It's available under my Campbell Classics imprint at:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/h-rider-haggard/maiwas-revenge/paperback/product-57y55w5.html?q=maiwa%27s+revenge&page=1&pageSize=4

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - July 6, 2025

 July 6, 2025 and one hundred and fourteen years ago on this day in 1911, British artist, Roy Carnon, who illustrated Edgar rice Burroughs covers for Four Square Books in the United Kingdom, was born. Much of his work is available under the Barsoom titles at www.erbzine.com

Roy Frederick Carnon attended art school in Chiswick for a short time. He became an illustrator, working mainly for advertising agencies; during the Second World War, Carnon continued to sketch even when he was working as a fireman during the London Blitz; he subsequently joined the RAF ground crew and was dispatched in Africa, India and the Far East.

After he returned to civilian life, Carnon continued to work in advertising, as well as producing book covers. He was responsible for a number of covers for Edgar Rice Burroughs' novels published by Four Square Books in 1961-65 and illustrated "Famous Fighting Aircraft" for the Collins Wonder Colour Books series in 1964.

In 1965, Carnon became one of the members of the team responsible for producing concept drawings, sketches and paintings for 2001: A Space Odyssey. His official designation was 'scientific design specialist and visual concept artist'. For this he was responsible for visualizing space craft, film sets and the iconic 'wheel' space station, that in his rendering is almost indistinguishable from the final product.

The fictional drabble for today is, Visualize,” inspired by Roy Carnon’s artwork.

‘Mr. Carnon,” said the art director. “Welcome. Arthur C. Clarke loved your Space Wheel sketch. How did you come up with it?”

“I read his book. It’s no different than my Barsoom books covers for Four Square Books. I read the novels. They told me everything I needed to visualize the end product.”

“I loved those. Why only illustrate fantastical scenes? You could make a fortune painting the rich and famous.

‘It’s easier for me to visualize a space station or a Green Martian than a posh snob that I could stand being around long enough to paint a portrait.”

.

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025 and I hope everyone had a safe July 4th. On this day 126 years ago in 1899, Ed and two friends became involved in a fight with hoodlums in Toronto. Ed was taken to the hospital with head injuries. There has been conjecture that the attack was planned by Ed’s rival for Emma, but this has never been proven. Alas, we didn’t have Detective Murdock or Detective Muldoon available to solve the case. If the rival attack allegation is true, it’s an example of people who react with violence when they don’t get their way. Think about Tonya Harding and John Wilkes Booth.

This incident led to him experiencing headaches for years, and he even attributed some periods of amnesia to the blow. He also sustained a scar on his forehead as a result.

Interestingly, there's a theory that this Toronto incident may have been a contributing factor to Burroughs' eventual writing career. Both he and his wife, Emma, reportedly believed this to be the case.

The incident is referenced more than once at www.erbzine.com, specifically at: www.erbzine.com/bio/years75.html

The fictional drabble for today, “If I Can’t Be The Boss, I Quit,” was inspired by the attack and by those who respond by violence and anger when they don’t get their way. There’s an old saying, “There are men who would gladly go to hell if they could be the conductor on the train headed that way.”

Ed’s editor said, “Ed, I’m starting a new company, come with me. I quit today.”

“Why quit?”

“The managers and owners are fighting. The side that I support isn’t winning.”

“In my experience that’s an issue for lawyers, not for employees, and certainly not ex-employees.”

“I should’ve been promoted and be in charge. I’ll teach them. I’ll steal their writers and start my own company.”

“Are you ten years old? That behavior proves they were right not to promote you.”

“No, I’m right and I’m loyal.”

“I’ll stay where I’m am. Your behavior predicts what I can expect from you.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - July 4, 2025

 July 4, 2025, Happy Independence Day and sixteen years ago on this day in 2009, Actress Brenda Joyce, who played Jane in Tarzan and the Huntress, Tarzan’s Magic Fountain, Tarzan and the Mermaids, Tarzan and the Leopard Women, Tarzan and the Amazons, died in Santa Monica, California. The only actress to play Jane in more films was Maureen O’Sullivan.

Born as Betty Grafina Leabo and known to her friends as Graftina, Brenda appeared in several “B movies” throughout the 1940s. Other than her role as Jane Porter, her most prominent part was in the 1939 film, “The Rains Came,” with George Brent and Myrna Loy.

Brenda left after her fifth Tarzan film and the first with Lex Barker, Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949), and just walked away -- never to return.

An obituary on the actress is posted at:

https://www.erbzine.com/gw/GridleyWave324.pdf

Following her movie career, Brenda moved to the Washington D.C. area and worked with the Refugee Services for nearly 10 years in which she helped displaced persons find employment and places to live. This line of work eventually led her to relocate to the Carmel, California area and she worked with Catholic Resettlement in Seaside, California (near Monterey).Brenda was one of the many ‘Jane Porters” to provide meaningful service outside of their film careers.

The fictional drabble for today, “Grow Up, Girl,” was inspired by Brenda’s career and her decision to walk away from the entertainment industry. I’d hope to paraphrase the Four Tops’ song, “Walk Away, Renee,” for this post, but I just couldn’t make it work. The songwriter can rest easy.

Brenda Joyce’s daughter, Beth, said, “Mom, you were a success in Hollywood. You made “Tarzan’s Magic Fountain’ and then you just quit.”

“Dear, I quit twice. The first time was in 1943. They convinced me to come back and play Jane in 1945. I played her five times and that was enough.”

“But why?”

“You kids were in school and I wanted a real life. No one was real, on screen or off. The insincerity and pretense wore me down. I liked Betty Ward better than I liked Brenda Joyce. I wasn’t Peter Pan. It was time to grow up.”

#hriderhaggard - Allan and the Holy Flower

My Campbell Classic project to publish a thousand classic novels in new editions with new covers is going well. Today, I published,

'Allan and the Holy Flower," the seventh Allan Quatermain novel. it was the first alphabetically. I've got 15 of H. Rider Haggard's manuscripts ready to publish, but I'll probably only do one a day.

The book is available here:

 https://www.lulu.com/shop/h-rider-haggard/allan-and-the-holy-flower/paperback/product-rm6qmzm.html?q=allan+and+the+holy+flower&page=1&pageSize=4

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - July 3, 2025

 July 3, 2025 and on this day 132 years ago, Edgar Rice Burroughs and his future bride, Emma Hulbert, visited the Chicago Worlds Fair, aka The World’s Columbian Exposition and rode the Ferris Wheel. This was the world’s first Ferris Wheel and it was 264 feet tall.

After the fair, the Ferris Wheel was dismantled and then rebuilt in Lincoln Park, Chicago, in 1895, and dismantled and rebuilt a third and final time for the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. It was ultimately demolished in 1906. In 2007, the wheel's 45 foot, 70-ton axle was reportedly discovered buried near where it was demolished.

Details about the World’s Columbian Exposition may be viewed a: https://www.erbzine.com/mag55/5592.html

The fictional drabble for today, “Fun and Frightening,” was inspired by the young couple’s ride on the world’s first Ferris Wheel.

Edgar Rice Burroughs watched the Ferris Wheel for about an hour. “Emma, we have to ride that. It’s the furthest a man can get off the ground unless he’s in a balloon.”

“It’s so high. Is there anything to breathe up there? I’m sure I’ll pass out. Do you think it’s safe?”

“Everyone’s been safe so far. Let’s go.”

At the wheel’s apex, Emma screamed, clutched Ed, and hid her face. She screamed all the way down.”

They dismounted and Ed asked, “How was it?”

“I was terrified. I thought we should die at any second. Let’s do it again.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day with Edgar Rice Burroughs

 July 2, 2025 and according to Amazon twelve years ago on this day in 2013, The Library of American Comics released “Tarzan The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips Volume One. This is the date the book was made available on Amazon, I believe. Other sources show the release date as June 18, 2013. Beginning a new four-book series collecting the entire run of the Tarzan newspaper strip by Russ Manning. In 1967, Manning was selected by the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate to take over the strip and bring it back to the original Burroughs vision. With assists by Bill Stout, Mike Royer, and Dave Stevens, Manning created 26 original Sunday storylines and seven daily stories. The action took place from Pal-ul-don to Opar and Pellucidar and beyond. The first volume includes more than 650 daily and Sunday strips from December 1967 through October 1969, reproduced from the Edgar Rice Burroughs file copies.

There's a foreword by Russ Manning's assistant on the strip, William Stout. Henry G. Franke III, former editor of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Amateur Press Association and current editor of Bibliophiles’ BURROUGHS BULLETIN, contributed introductions for each book in the series.

Read a tribute to Russ Manning at: https://www.erbzine.com/manning/

The drabble, "Art for Art's Sake, for today is excerpted from a revies of the book and of Russ Manning’s Tarzan newspaper strips written by Chris Mautner and originally published in “The Comics Journal” on September 12, 2013.

There’s no denying Manning’s capability, not just as an artist but as a storyteller. His crisp, dynamic art excels in the best Alex Raymond/Burne Hogarth tradition. His panels are full of a lean, muscular Tarzan leaping and gallivanting through the jungle and toward the reader. He’s excellent at pacing the strip, especially given the minimal amount of space he was given (usually only three panels a day. Manning’s Tarzan is something of a middle finger to newspaper editors, a sign that not everything in the funnies needed to be drawn on the level of Miss Peach, dwindling space be damned.

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025 and ninety years ago on this day in 1935, actor David Prowse, who played the executioner in the 1977 Amicus film, “The People That Time Forgot,” was born in Bristol, UK. That same year, Prowse played Darth Vader in the film that would become known as “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Most folks don’t remember that Prowse was Darth Vader, they only remember that James Earl Jones did the voice. Just an aside, but Prowse could have bench pressed James Earl Jones.

For details about the film, “The People That Time Forgot,” visit https://www.erbzine.com/mag30/3029.html

In addition to Prowse, the film featured Doug McClure, Patrick Wayne, Sarah Douglas, and Dana Gillespie.

Prowse was the British heavyweight weightlifting championship in 1962. He could deadlift almost 800 pounds and was the first man to lift the “Dinnie Stones” since the 1860s.

The Dinnie Stones are a pair of Scottish lifting stones located in Potarch, Aberdeenshire. They were made famous by strongman Donald Dinnie, who reportedly carried the stones barehanded across the width of the Potarch Bridge, a distance of 17 feet in 1860. They remain in use as lifting stones and a challenge for 'strong men' around the world.

The stones are composed of granite, with iron rings affixed. They have a combined weight of 733 pounds.

The fictional drabble for today is, “Size Speaks Volumes,” and it was inspired by David Prowse.

The interviewer said, “David, you made “The People That Time Forgot,” and “Star Wars” in 1977.”

“I got both gigs because of my size. I didn’t speak in either film. James Earl Jones dubbed my voice in Star Wars.”

“Did you know they’d dub your voice?”

“I didn’t, but I guess they didn’t want a Vader with a Bristol accent.”

“What about People That Time Forgot?”

“I didn’t have any lines."

“Did that bother you?”

“David Soul said, “ I was an accidental actor.” I was Cinderella dancing at the ball. Why complain I wasn’t singing lead in the band?”

RED HARVEST by Dashiell Hammett

 Just published a new edition of RED HARVEST by Dashiell Hammett. paperback priced at $8.29. Here's the link:

https://www.lulu.com/.../paperback/product-w4y8e7k.html...

If you haven't read Hammett's stuff, The Thin Man, The Maltese Falcon, and the Continental Op, you're missing great books.

The cover art originally appeared on the cover of Black Mask Magazine over 100 years ago on August 1, 1923 and lik

e the novel is in the public domain.