Bloomsbury Publishing, Shame on You!

            Gary S Cross, Freak Show Legacies: How the Cute, Camp and Creepy Shaped Modern Popular Culture. 2021

            This is a fun book, even for non-academics.  Gary Gross’s theme is that outré visions, as in freak shows and the like, over time become less shocking, and even embraced through a process of “cuteifying” and familiarity.

            Other factors in the mainstreaming of the weird or horrifying include mass-media awareness, advances in science which disallowed the cursed-by-God explanation, and the outsider-as-cool phenomenon.

            BUT WAIT, THERE’S LESS!

            There are so many typo-type mistakes in this book, you will be disgusted.  As is my wont, here is a list, by page number:

·         Viii – the TV show is not Fear of the Walking Dead

·         2 – King Kong was released in 1933, and did not influence 1931’s Dracula

·         2 – The word “and” is mistakenly italicized when referring to the films “King Kong and Frankenstein”

·         8 ­– films did not “get passed censors,” they got “past censors”

·         15 – “audiences pretended to be amazed and even digested” – s/b “disgusted”

21 – “they have remained surprising persistent” – s/b “surprisingly”

·         28 – The Feejee Mermaid (above) was not “a monkey’s head sewn onto the lower half of a fish” – it was a monkey’s head and upper torso

·         89 – “replace them bouncers” s/b “replace them with bouncers”

·         94 – “the Hungarian midget who road into the arena” – s/b “rode”

·         106 – a close-quote is missing in the parenthetical mention of a name: midget “Charles Nestel (‘Commodore Foote) begins oddly”

111 – “Tom Thump’s success” – it’s Tom Thumb

139 – we have a sudden attack of boldface

·         183 – the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein (above) IS NOT “a remake of the famous Frankenstein.”  It’s a SEQUEL!

184 – the film titles Son of Frankenstein and Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein s/b italicized

·         185 – there’re a few too many words in this passage:  “as a rite of passage of rite out of childhood.”

186 – the film is The Attack of the Giant Leeches – not “Leaches”

·         186 – the guy who ran the MPAA was named Jack Valenti, not “Valente” (misspelled three times in the same paragraph)

·         187 – the correct title of the 1963 film is X: The Man with the X-ray Eyes – the book only gives the title as The Man with the X-ray Eyes

·         188 – he means “bowels” when he says “a loosening of bowls or bladder control.”

·         190 – “a budget of roughly $125,000 dollars.”

·         193 – the 1979 film is not The Alien, it’s just Alien

·         198 – “audiences were draw to the basic predictability” – s/b “drawn”

·         199 – the film is The Rocky Horror Picture Show not “The Rock Horror Picture Show”

·         200 – “well-healed horror commenters” s/b “well-heeled”

·         200 – “test their metal” s/b “mettle”

·         212 – the ratings system is from Nielsen, not “Nielson”

·         216 – in mention of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, “the” s/b capitalized as part of the title – also, none of the film’s title is italicized

 

Somehow, such sloppy mistakes are more disquieting because this is a self-proclaimed “academic” book.

            I encourage you to read this book, but keep a rubber doorstop at hand to stick in your mouth while you grind your teeth.  Anybody who mentions Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Robert Crum comix, and who accurately describes the face of Hello Kitty as horrifying deserves to be cut a little slack!

 See you next year, fellow freaks!

   

Merry Christmas -- A New Christmas Comp!

MA-184 - Xmas All Over the Map 

As its title suggests, this comp's songs are all over the place. Plenty of irreverence, some quiet thoughts, all kinds of different approaches to Christmas!

Christmas ain't gotta be like the above ...  It can be like the below!

Our lineup:

01 - Noel - Claymation Christmas Celebration - 1988  (3:30)

02 - Rock and Roll Christmas - Cordell Jackson - 1956  (2:48)

03 - Anniversary Sale Jingle - BC Clark - 1977  (0:32)

04 - My Little Dog Has Gone to the Moon for Christmas - Little Jeannie - 1959  (2:02)

05 - Throw the Yule Log on, Uncle John - Harmonium Choral Society - 2008  (2:11)

06 - The Christmas Wrong - The Evolution Control Committee - 2003  (1:30)

07 - Zat You, Santa Claus - Ingrid Lucia - 2006  (3:54)

08 - Is Santa Claus a Hippy? - Linda Cassady - 1971  (2:44)

09 - Weihnachtstraum Op.17 No.9 (Reger) - Eteri Andjaparidze - 1996  (1:25)

10 - The Christmas Boogie - The Davis Sisters - 1954  (2:11)

11 - Outer Space Santa - Lawrence Welk's Little Band - Janet, Brian, Cubby & the Lennon Sisters - 1958  (2:15)

12 - Boogie-Woogie Santa Claus - Mabel Scott with Les Welch & His Orchestra - 1954  (2:15)

13 - Santa Done Got Hip - The Marquees - 1959  (1:46)

14 - Reggae Christmas Eve in Transylvania - Count Floyd - 1982  (2:46)

15 - On This Holy Holy Night - BJ Thomas - 1997  (5:57)

16 - Breath of Heaven - Heart of Worship Classics - 1995  (4:45)

17 - I Want a Rocket Ship for Christmas - Richard Hitchner - 1958  (2:43)

18 - Silent Night / Prelude in C - Linda McKechnie and the Don Marsh Orchestra - 2004  (2:49)

19 - Be-Boppers Christmas - Cordell Jackson - 1956  (1:59)

20 - Santa Is a Dirty Old Man - The Wardettes - 1961  (1:49)

21 - Christmas Dinner - Peter, Paul and Mary - 1969  (2:58)

22 - The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Dave Seville and the Chipmunks - 1958  (2:19)

23 - Santa Claus Rocket Ship - Phyllis Hamilton - 1959  (1:44)

24 - Angels We Have Heard on High - Claymation Christmas Celebration - 1988  (3:22)

25 - Suddenly It's Christmas (live) - Loudon Wainwright III - 1993  (2:16)

26 - Santa to the Moon - Sonny Cole - 1957  (1:34)

27 - Mrs Claus Has Menopause - The Sterilles - 1987  (1:59)

28 - Transylvanian Xmas - Zombina and the Skeletones - 2003  (3:10)

29 - First Christmas Story - Holy Family Apostolate Corporation - 2002  (1:48)

30 - Ding Dong! Merrily on High - London Symphony Brass Ensemble - 1987  (2:28)

31 - Hey! Hey! Anybody Listening - Anne Campbell Singers - 2015  (1:50)

Surely you can find something (dare I wish someone?) to celebrate today!

MA-184 - Xmas All Over the Map

See you on Thursday!

  

There Was a Man ...

Once there came to Earth … someone different.

His mother was an Earthwoman, but his father was not from here.

In some ways, this person was like a half-breed. He had many human traits from his mother, but combined in his nature was the influence of his father.

This person could see into the truth of situations. He became known for his knowledge and wisdom. He used the gifts of his combined heritage to advance knowledge and understanding. He could see into another’s mind.

He had few friends, for he was obviously … different. But the few who troubled to know him came to love him, though it was seldom said out loud.

Finally, an adversary from ages past rose up against his closest friends—an adversary with the power to destroy everything he held dear.

There was only one way to save his friends. This person willingly sacrificed himself to save others from the enemy’s intent.

Even stranger, he left word before his death that even this death might be conquered.

And when his friends came to the place where his dead body had lain, he wasn’t there! The place was empty. He’d returned to life, which was unbelievable … until they saw him for themselves.

And only then could his best friend admit, “You saved us all.”

This is not Him. Merry Christmas!

  

This Must Be a Subconscious Plotline

Last year I finished a fun book for bedside reading.  The author wrote several fass-kin-atin' books on sociology and fringe beliefs.  This one is a lot of fun.

One of the entries covered a film I have certainly never heard of elsewise.  Vide, below:

Hey, Star Trekkers!  Can you read this summary and NOT think of Star Trek -- The Motion Picture?  A space menace headed to Earth, sent by a planet of machines, and a guy who goes up with the space menace in a flash of glory.  Wow!

See you Thursday.  Until then, rewatch the first Trek film, and track down that 1961 movie.  Tell me if the older flick has such a similarity as Lewis's summary implies.  Don't forget to double-space your reports!

  

Return to Greatness!

I don't agree with this review, although watching Superman Returns in a theatre with adapted John Williams music was a lot of fun.
                                    
This appeared in the June 28, 2006 Oklahoman.  Superman Returns has elements of greatness, but the whole creepy stalker bit was just too much.  Still, at least THIS Superman movie ain't dark-n-gritty, like the Cavill films.  Superman movies should NEVER emulate the underlit, angry tones shown by the DCU reboots of Supes and Bats.

OK, rant over.  See you Monday!

  

It's All in the Game ...

Some say.  This is from Comics Interview #48, from 1987, about the Watchmen RPG.

Have any of you jokers played this game?  If so, sound off!  Otherwise, see ya Thursday, ya depraved maniacs!

  

Thin Gruel or Holy Grail?

Back in 2009 I finished reading this book.  You can tell from the cover what Tribbe's got in mind, eh?

Tribbe's idea is similar to that proposed by Ian Wilson in his 1978 book The Shroud of Turin: The Burial Cloth of Jesus Christ? -- that is, the Shroud was folded up into eighths and viewed through a grilled window.  Wilson's theory is that such a representation led to the Shroud being known as the Image of Edessa.

Tribbe's suggestion is that the term "holy grail" derives from the "sacred face" being viewed through such a screen.  Grill = grail.

I was also bemused to find a couple of notes from the author in the copy I picked up at a thrift store.

My copy is one sent by the author to "Father Ron."  A review copy, if you will.

Well, that's the tale of this book.  Track it down and evaluate Tribbe's ideas for yourself!  Until then, sorry to get all up in yer grail!

See you Monday.

  

Some of Those Guys, Anyway!

This article from issue #1 of Comics Collector, Spring 1983, promises to clue us in on "The Men Behind the Man of Steel," but DC titans Curt Swan and Dick Giordano are only TWO of them!

See you on Thursday, fellow Super Fans!

  

Solid Book with a Misleading Title

Saucer Movies:  A UFOlogical History of the Cinema.  Paul Meehan. 1998, Scarecrow Press.

             This is big book with a big concept starts out with a lie.  It’s not just about “Saucer Movies.”  It aims to list, with brief commentary, movies about space and contact with alien life.  So it talks about a lot more than “saucer” films.

            Otherwise Meehan provides a fine list, with brief (sometimes not-so-brief) summaries of storylines.

            There are a few nagging goofs which made the book irritating, mostly spelling inconsistencies.  On page 4, Meehan correctly refers to abduction researcher David Jacobs.  But later in the same paragraph, the name is misspelled “Jacob.”

            One of Meehan’s recurring topics is considering whether movie treatments of aliens and UFOs influenced ensuing reports of “real” encounters.  And, versa, whether contactee or sighting news made it onto the big screen.

            There’s a big slip-up in the chapter “Invasion (1945-1959)” when Meehan wonders if the Kelly, KY cabin siege by bulletproof diminutive humanoids influenced the film Invasion of the Saucer Men.  Good question … except the movie was released in 1959.  Then he summarizes the Kelly incident, which happened in 1965.  He says, “This was one of the early occupant cases to receive media attention, and may have provided some of the inspiration for Invasion of the Saucer Men” (page 72).  One problem … How can a 1965 alien encounter have “inspired” a movie from 1959?

            On page 74 we have a misspelling of composer Paul Sawtell’s name as “Swatell.”  Then we are informed that, in The Creeping Unknown, Brian Donlevy played “the hard-changing rocket scientist Dr Bernard Quatermass.”  I bet he met “hard-charging.”

            On page 198, in his survey of 1941, Meehan calls actor Slim Pickens (1919-1983) as Slim “Pickins.”

            On page 226 Meehan writes that Steven Spielberg was “adverse” to making sequels to E.T. or CE3K.  Of course, the correct word is “averse.”

            On page 248, in the chapter “The Abduction Scenario (1985-1993),” Meehan goes on a misspelling spree.  He miffs on Kim Basinger’s name thrice, calling her “Bassinger.”  A paragraph later he talks about Walter Koenig’s Star Trek character “Chekhov.”

            In the chapter “Science Fiction (1994-1997),” Meehan makes another nomenclature error when discussing the film Contact.  On page 194 he correctly introduces Tom Skerritt as Dr David Drumlin, but on pages 195-196 this character is misnamed “Drummond” five times.

            I make my case, gentlebeings:  Human proofreaders are best!

             Friends, if you like the topic of film’s treatment of space exploration and alien contact, this is a good reference book for who and where and when.  But it’s about much more than “saucers.”

            See you Monday!

Thought I'd Share a New Comp

I got such a backlog of comps I haven't yet shared with you ...

Do you ever get a sizzle of fun hearing some songs?  That's what I'm inflicting on you guys again.  And if you lived through the era so winningly illustrated by our cover image, then you've got a range of experience to make younger folks blush in shame!

01 - 20th Century - Minor Detail   1983  (3:00)

02 - Breath to Breath - Defectors   1984  (2:55)

03 - ...On the Telephone - Ania   1984  (4:17)

04 - Chains and Polymers - Bound & Gagged   1980  (4:03)

05 - Tough Guys Don't Dance - Kongress   1981  (3:19)

06 - Technology (album version) - The Group   1983  (5:26)

07 - Don't Close Your Eyes to Me - Modern English   1985  (4:16)

08 - Synthesizer Man - Invisible Zoo   1983  (3:15)

09 - Out of Control - Animotion   1986  (3:29)

10 - The Amazon Archer - The Vyllies   1987  (3:35)

11 - Independence Day - The Comsat Angels   1980  (3:50)

12 - Metaphor - People in Stores   1981  (2:00)

13 - Masquerade - Berlin   1982  (4:03)

14 - The House Is Burning (But There's No One Home) - Vivabeat   1983  (4:13)

15 - Black on White - One to One   1985  (4:28)

16 - Singing in the 80's - The Monitors   1980  (3:17)

17 - Metropolitan Life - BB Gabor   1980  (2:42)

18 - Signals - Shöx Lumania   1981  (3:02)

19 - Nothing New - The Happy Cadavers   1982  (2:21)

20 - Unfamiliar Room - Testcard F   1983  (2:46)

21 - Indecision - Martha and the Muffins - 1980  (4:46)

22 - Pee Wee Private Eye - Captain Crunch and Let's Do Lunch   1989  (2:38)

                  
Just take a listen!

MA-122 - It Was Encoded in the 1980s

Now, let me know what we'll be singing in the 80s?  See you Thursday!