#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 13, 2025

August 13, 2025 and one hundred years ago on this day in 1925, actress Jane Webb, who voiced thirty-six episodes of the animated “Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle,” was born In Chicago Illinois. Jane Karyl Webb was an American film, radio, and voice actress, best known for her work on Filmation's cartoons. She did several “additional voices” for her thirty-six episodes of “Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle.”

Details about the animated series may be found at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag27/2799.html

The drabble for today, “Happy Talk,” was inspired by Jane’s career, especially her contribution of ‘additional voices for Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle.

Robert Ridgely, who voiced Tarzan, sat next to Jane Webb. “We start recording the next episode after lunch. I’m only voicing Tarzan. How many characters are you voicing today.”

“I’m voice six people. At one point, I even have an argument with myself.”

Robert laughed, “Talking to yourself again, are you? And you even answer! Might want to seek professional help.”

“I talked to a psychiatrist. She said not to worry about it.”

“Really, I should think that it’s a serious problem.”

“No, the doctor said that talking to myself isn’t a problem when I get paid to do it.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025 and eighty-four years ago on this day in 1941, Ed instructed his children to appoint Ralph Rothmund as President of Edgar Rice Burroughs Incorporated. He served as President for several years.

The fictional drabble for today is a conversation that never took place, “All in the Family,” inspired by Ralph Rothmund and his years of service to Edgar Rice Burroughs.

“Hulbert, you know there’s a war coming and there’s a good chance we’ll all be in harms way. I’d like you kids to appoint Ralph Rothmund as President of the corporation.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want.”

“He’s taken good care of me. I’ve no doubt that he’ll continue to do so.”

“The company is a family business. I think family should run it.”

“No, stories about family squabbles are legendary. Not in our family, but one never knows what the future holds. Arguing with family is like explaining telephones to a pigeon. There’s too much static for communication.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025 and one hundred and eight years ago on this day in 1917, “Moving Picture World” magazine reported that “National Film” was preparing to film Tarzan of the Apes, and was manufacturing ape costumes. Details about the film that starred Elmo Lincoln and Enid Markey are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0503.html

The one hundred word drabble for today, “Clothes Make the Man, was inspired by that announcement.

An extra for the film, Tarzan of the Apes, walked into the wardrobe department. E.M. Jahrhaus, the costume designer, said, “Gentleman, this is Martha. She’s in charge of making the gorilla suits. She’ll need to take your measurements.”

“Nobody said I was playing a gorilla.”

“Extras play at least three parts, gorilla, sailor, and native. And no, you won’t get paid three times.”

“Okay, Martha, do your worst. It damn sure won’t be the first time a woman made a monkey out of me.”

Martha smiled and measured his waist. “No, and I dare say it won’t be the last.”

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day with Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 10, 2025

 

August 10, 2025 and ninety-one years ago on this day in 1934, the concluding episode, # 39, Victory and Death, of the radio serial, Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher, was broadcast. The radio adventure drama featured Carlton KaDell as Tarzan and Ralph Scott as D’Arnot. Jane was nowhere to be found. Jennette Nolan and Don Wilson also made appearances.

All thirty-nine episodes are available at no charge: https://www.erbzine.com/mag31/3140.html

As the story line concludes, Tarzan offers the diamond to Akura in exchange for his freedom and the freedom of his companions, but Thome, a companion wants the diamond for himself and fires his weapon at Tarzan. He misses but hits Magra, a thinly disguised version of La. When Magra gains consciousness her first thoughts are for Tarzan’s safety. She dies happy in the ape-man’s arms while expressing her love for Tarzan of the Apes.

The drabble for today is “Diamonds,"

and it was inspired by the ending of the radio show and a song from GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. By the way, I just published a new version of that novel and you can buy it at: https://www.lulu.com/shop/anita-loos/gentlemen-prefer-blondes/paperback/product-gjdje5y.html?q=gentlemen+prefer+blondes&page=1&pageSize=4

My tribesmen are brave

With no patience for fools

They’ll kill you in a minute

For stealing our jewels.

A rendezvous in the jungle

May be quite entertaining

But diamonds won’t leave while you sleep.

Tarzan’s kiss may be great

But it won’t please the masses

Who suspect all foreign men are asses

After the treasure we hide in underground

And diamonds won’t leave while you sleep.

Don’t make the mistake

They only want what they can take

And beware when they start to explain

It's then those hoarders

Will run for the borders

Diamonds won’t leave while you sleep.

Dragonborn on Audio

 My novel, DRAGONBORN, went live on Apple Audio yesterday. I check with them and they said that you can order as many copies as you wish. Here's the link:

https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/dragonborn/id1821229511

#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 9. 2025

 August 9, 2025 and one hundred and thirty-five years ago on this day in 1890, actor Zip Monberg, who appeared in “Adventures of Tarzan” as Monsieur Gernot under the name, George Monberg, was born in Chicago, Illinois. Zip appeared in 33 films.

Everything you want to know about “Adventures of Tarzan,’ which starred Elmo Lincoln and Louise Lorraine: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0590.html

The drabble for today, “Onomatopoeia,” was inspired by character actor, George (Zip) Monberg.

Louis Lorraine, on the set of “Adventures of Tarzan, said, “George, everyone calls you Zip. Why? George is a perfectly good name.”

“There are hundreds of Georges in show business, but for now, I’m the only Zip.”

“Did you choose that name?”

“I did, but it wasn’t because I keep my mouth closed and don’t speak on film. Silent pictures, right! And it’s not because I don’t know zip, I’m pretty well educated.”

“Is it because you’re fast?”

“Heavens no. It’s because of how much they pay me.”

“In that case, move over, darling. You’re talking to the Lady Zip!”

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

 August 5, 2025 and sixteen years ago on this day in 2009, The New York Times reported that “Me Cheeta,” the comic autobiography of Tarzan’s buddy, was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize. Me Cheeta,” written by James Lever did not win.

The International Booker Prize (formerly known as the Man Booker International Prize) is an international literary award hosted in the United Kingdom. The introduction of the International Prize to complement the Man Booker Prize, as the Booker Prize was then known, was announced in June 2004. Sponsored by the Man Group, from 2005 until 2015 the award was given every two years to a living author of any nationality for a body of work published in English or generally available in English translation.

Check out "Cheetah's Scrapbook" at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag16/1697.html

The drabble for today, “Sorry For Your Loss,” is an excerpt from the book and is mostly self-explanatory. It has been edited to fit the 100-word format.

“Concerning Maureen's rather breezily delivered comment offering consolation on the death of my on-screen mother who’d just been impaled on the horn of a stampeding rhinoceros while saving Jane's life! Delivered briskly in her trademark sing-song voice, it seemed as if she was bucking me up rather than helping me come to terms with a bereavement, she herself had caused. If Maureen's daughter, Mia Farrow, had been fatally gored while saving my life, I'd have made an apology and tried to make sound sincere. Although, dare I say that would have been one hell of a popular rhino in Hollywood.”