Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7468a  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles
MARCH IVa Edition :: Days 16 - 31
See Days 1 - 15 at ERBzine 7468
by Robert Allen Lupton
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
EXPLAIN THAT AGAIN
March 16: On this day in 1970, The New Haven Register, an independent newspaper published the article, “Protest of Censorship at Yale.” The newspaper, which began publication in 1812, reported as follows:
"Academic freedom and civil rights were blatantly violated by 20 Yale students who stepped in front of a movie projected to force a halt to the showing of an old 'Tarzan’ movie at the university. The imposition of will by physical disruption, amounted to a form of censorship that made it impossible to carry out the intellectual exploration for which institutions of higher learning exist."
The film was “Tarzan the Apeman starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan.
The entire article and a few more about the interrupted showing on March 11, 1970 may be read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag36/3659.html
The drabble for today, “Explain That Again,” was inspired by the newspaper article and censorship in general. Censorship is a delicate subject, since it borders on politics, something I strive to avoid on FB and for many people censorship is only wrong in the second and third person. My censorship is good, your censorship is bad, and their censorship is terrible.The newspaper writer asked the protester. “Why do you object to the film, “Tarzan the Ape Man? “ EXPLAIN THAT AGAIN
“The film like perpetuates the Colonel Blimp attitudes toward Africa.”
‘Colonel Blimp?”
“The symbol of pompous upper-class British snobbery and persecution.”
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t see him in the film.”
“The movie shows how badly Africans were treated during European colonization.”
“But history tells us that the Africans were treated terribly during those years.”
“It wasn’t right.”
“Correct. The past is where we learned the lesson. The future is where we apply the lesson. Pretending bad things never happened, helps no-one.”
TOO GOOD
March 17: On this day 92 years ago in 1930, newspapers across American published the first installment of the comic strip adaption of “Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar,” illustrated by Rex Maxon and written by R. W. Palmer. The strip ran for 102 days, featuring 408 illustrations. It concluded on July 13, 1930.
The first panels are attached, as are two later panels featuring La and Tarzan. Interestingly enough, less than a dozen of the daily strips take place in Opar.
The drabble for today, “Too Good,” was inspired by the storyline of “Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar.”
This entire Maxon series of Tarzan strips may be read in ERBzine starting at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag20/2060.htmlLieutenant Albert Werper escaped Opar and encountered Tarzan. “I received a map to Opar from a deposed Nigerian prince. It promised gold, jewels, and the most beautiful women imaginable." TOO GOOD
Tarzan asked said, “Did you find riches.”
“A mountain of gold, jewels beyond number, and gorgeous women.”
“Yet you travel alone with no gold or jewels.”
“I was tied to an altar to be sacrificed to their god. I was terrified.”
“I had a similar experience. It would seem that people never learn. Nothing is free and things that seem too good to be true – are too good to be true.”
AMAZING ARTWORK
March 18: On this day in 2017, Artist Bernie Wrightson passed away in Austin, Texas. Wrightson is best known for his DC Comic co-creation, “The Swamp Thing.” Wrightson did the cover illustrations for issues 11 and 12 of the Dark Horse Tarzan Comic book – titled “Tarzan Le Monstre” Part One and Part Two. He also illustrated “The Monster Men,” a drawing included in 1974’s “Edgar Rice Burroughs Portfolio - https://www.erbzine.com/mag53/5356.html
A short article about Mr. Wrightson may be found at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag53/5356.html
During his career, Wrightson won several awards, including Shazam Awards, The Comic Fan Art Award, the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, the Inkpot Award, the National Cartoonists Society Award, and the Inkwell Award.
During is 45 plus years as a comic artist he illustrated hundreds of comics for literally every publisher in the business. I loved his work and expect that his name on the cover drove sales for many years.
The drabble for today, “Amazing Artwork,” was written by Bernie’s one-time neighbor and fellow artist, Walt Simonson and applied specifically to Bernie’s adaption of Frankenstein.“Even at an early age, we were in awe of his work, it was so good. In drawing or in painting, one of the things you control is the value, which is the light and dark. If you were to take your color TV set and somehow turn off the color and just have a black and white and gray picture, you're looking at the values of those color pictures. 'Frankenstein' is a complete masterpiece of value, using incredibly complex pictures, and yet you always see exactly what you are supposed to see. He drives the eye right where it needs.” AMAZING ARTWORK
BRIDESMAID
March 19: On this day in 1950, Edgar Rice Burroughs passed away while reading the Sunday Funnies in bed. I’ve written about that sad day on previous annual posts and so today, we celebrate March 19 as the day in 1947, actress Glenn Close who voiced Kala, Tarzan’s ape mother, in the Disney productions “”Tarzan,” “Tarzan Two: The Legend Begins,” and “Tarzan DVD Read-Along” was born.
Glenn Close won two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globes, three Emmys, and three Tony Awards. She received eight Oscar nominations, but hasn’t won so far.
A few of her film and television credits are, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Lion in Winter,” ‘Pinocchio,”101 Dalmatians”, 102 Dalmatians,” “Air Force One,” “Mars Attacks,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “The Natural,” There are hundreds more performances by this incredible actress, far too many to list here.
I believe that best line from the movie “Tarzan is “You’ll be in my heart from this day now and forever more.”
Read about Disney’s Tarzan film at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0099.html
The 100 word drabble for today is “Bridesmaid,” a collection of quotations by Glenn Close. Enjoy.“Acting to me, is about the incredible adventure of examining the landscape of the human heart and soul. That’s basically what we do. You have to love the characters you play, even if no one else does. BRIDESMAID
I love the chemistry that can be created onstage between the actors and the audience. It’s molecular, even, the energies that can go back and forth. I started in theatre, and when I first went into movies, I felt that my energy was going to blow out the camera.
I have often been mistaken for Meryl Streep, although unfortunately, never on Oscar night.”
GOOD LEADERSHIP
March 20: On this day in 1944, Edgar Rice Burroughs, the world’s oldest war correspondent, flew from Honolulu to Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands and then continued on to Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. Brigadier General Truman H. Landon arranged the trip and even took Burroughs along on bombing missions. ERB had a brief reunion with his son, Captain Hulbert Burroughs on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Island Kwajalein.
A little over a month earlier, Kwajalein was the target of the most concentrated bombardment of the Pacific War. 36,000 shells from naval and ground artillery combined with bombing runs of American B-24 Liberator bombers on February 1, alone. That’s a lot of bombardment on an island that is only 6.3 square miles in size.
More information is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0718.html
Landon retired as a Major General and is a member of the Military Hall of Honor. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He also received Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He logged more than 7800 hours as a command pilot.
The drabble for today is “Good Leadership,” and it’s 100 words taken from an oral history interview with the General which may be read in its entirety at:
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/.../oral-histories/landryrb...Leadership is trying to inspire your people to do the job that has been assigned to you, whether it is the overall policy missions or a squadron or wing out there. It is the idea that the people not necessarily like you. Maybe they like the way you deal with them. Maybe they know that you’ll support them, and maybe they know they might catch hell if things aren't done right. GOOD LEADERSHIP
Look at Patton. He was pretty tough and rude with the English language and people said bad things about Patton. But goddamn it, he was good in the field.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
March 21: On this day in 1962, actress Roseann (Rosie) O’Donnell was born in Commack, New York. O’Donnell voiced Tarzan’s friend, Terk, in the Disney animated film, Tarzan.” She sang “Trashin’ the Camp” in the film.
O’Donnell is an American comedian, producer, actress, author, television personality, and philanthropist. Between 1996 and 2002, she won several Emmy Awards and was known as the “Queen of Nice.” One of her earliest films was “A League of Their Own,” where she played Doris Murphy. She is an outspoken advocate for lesbian rights and gay adoption issues. O’Donnell, often controversial, has always been consistent and direct about her beliefs – even to her personal detriment. Love her or not, her performance as Terk was outstanding and is the focus of this article.
The drabble for today concerns her character, Terk, and Terk’s introduction to the Baby Tarzan. A nod to Tom Hanks for his line in “A League of Their Own.”Kala, an ape whose child had died, rescued a baby human and took him home to her tribe. The first ape she encountered was the young, Terk, who said, “Kala, that baby boy don’t look quite right.” A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
“Whatever do you mean?”
“He got no teefs and he got no fur.”
“I’ll keep him warm and he doesn’t need teeth to nurse.”
“Whatever you say, but that’s one freaky looking baby.”
“Hush, you’ll hurt his feelings. Hold him.”
“I don’t want to hold him. He might start crying.”
Kala smiled, “He won’t. Everyone knows that there’s no crying in the jungle.
ONE TARZAN TOO MANY
March 22: On this day in 1940, Edgar Rice Burroughs competed dictating a portion of “Tarzan and the Madman.” One recording cylinder, containing approximately 1500 words spoken by Edgar Rice Burroughs still exists. According to the records at ERB Inc. he began dictating on January 16, 1940 and finished on March 22, 1940.
“Tarzan and the Madman” was never published in a magazine. It was published in hardback by Canaveral Press in 1964. Munsey rejected the story in November 1940 saying “Tarzan doesn’t seem to be Tarzan anymore.” The story was also rejected by Blue Book, Ziff- Davis, Standard Magazines and Street and Smith.
Publishing details for “Tarzan and the Madman” are at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0731.html
The drabble for today, “One Tarzan Too Many,” was inspired by the plot of “Tarzan and the Madman.” One additional quotation about madmen by Salvador Dali, “There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad!”Tarzan rescued, Sandra Pickerall, a lost jungle explorer. A second man, who looked and talked like Tarzan appeared. ONE TARZAN TOO MANY
“I’m Tarzan. Who are you?” said the newcomer.
Tarzan said, “Be gone, imposter. Kreegah Bundolo! Tarzan kills.”
The imposter Tarzan said, “Fraudulent Tarzan, I will kill you.”
“You’re insane!” said the real Tarzan.
“Pot and kettle. We dress the same and live in the same jungle.”
They fought and Tarzan defeated the imposter.
Sandra said, “He was a madman.”
Tarzan shook his head. “Sometimes crazy is geographic. In Boston, I would be the madman, but in the jungle, it’s him who’s insane.”
CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN
March 23: On this day in 1897, Edgar Rice Burroughs was discharged from the 7th Cavalry. He was stationed at Ft. Grant in Arizona Territory.
Ed often claimed that the most disagreeable part of his service involved his contacts with the doctors. Soon after his arrival at the Fort, he was examined by the doctors who recommended an immediate discharge because of heart disease. "He told me that I might live six months, but on the other hand I might drop dead at any moment." Washington ordered Burroughs to be held for observation: "it evidently being cheaper to bury me than to pay transportation back to Detroit."
Details about Burroughs’ time at Ft. Grant are to be found at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag34/3469.html
The 100 word drabble for today, “Climb Every Mountain,” was written by Burroughs about his experiences with the 7th Cavalry.“There was a wagon with us. I remember assisting it along mountain trails where there was only room for wheels on one side of the wagon. We passed ropes from the opposite side over the top of the wagon and the entire troop dismounted and clinging to the mountainside managed to keep the whole business from pitching into the abyss below. The mules stumbled and slithered like mountain goats. CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN
“It was just as well for us that there were no renegades about, for these patrols would have been nothing more than animated targets that no self-respecting renegade could have ignored.”
NEPOTISM
March 24: On this day in 1980, actor, producer, and musician Emil Sigfridsson was born in Sweden. He played Tarzan in the Swedish production of the Disney play. Zara Kronwell, then his fiancée and now his wife, played Jane.
His name at birth was Emil Johan Olof Sigfridsson.
The Swedish premiere in Kristianstad, Sweden was on February 16, 2008. This was an independent production (but still licensed by Disney and ERB, Inc.). Twenty-nine shows were planned (roughly 10,000 tickets but the play was performed longer, into 2009.
Producer Emil Sigfridsson, who also played the leading part of Tarzan, was 27 years old and produced this production through his one-man company. The leading parts were performed by professional singers and many of the supporting cast were amateurs. The dancers came from a company called Kaoz, where the members are part-time professional dancers. The music was based on the Dutch score, but with a lot of local arrangements, as the Dutch band was much larger. The aerial movements were designed by a Swedish company that works with bungee-jumping, etc.
Details about productions of Disney's Tarzan around the world may be found at: https://www.erbzine.com/stage/
The drabble for today is, "Nepotism,” and it was inspired by the Swedish production of Tarzan.Emil Sigridsson said, “My dearest Zara, you should test for the role of Jane in the Tarzan musical production planned for Kristianstad next year. You’ll be perfect for the part.” NEPOTISM
Zara replied. “But we’re engaged. I don’t think I’d be comfortable kissing another man wearing a loincloth. Certainly not in front of an audience.”
“Then I’ll play the role of Tarzan, myself.”
“Have you already been given the part?”
“Not exactly, but I’ve talked to the producer, who is me, and I’ve promised me the role. I’m pretty sure I can talk me into hiring you!”“You’d best do that!”
NEW HAIRDO
March 25: On this day in 2001, the Tarzan Sunday Pages began the story arc “Tarzan and Queen Xiona." Written by Allan Gross and drawn by Gray Morrow, the story featured Therns from Barsoom traveling to Earth and a bald-headed Jane. The story ran for 16 weeks and ended on July 8, 2001.
Read all 16 episodes at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag34/3489.html
The Thern Queen, Xiona, forced Tarzan to fight a Warhoon warrior, colored strangely a pale yellow-orange in the Sunday pages. Jane, almost a double for the Martian Queen, shaved her head and helped rescue Tarzan.
The drabble for today is “New Hairdo,” and it was inspired by the story arc, “Tarzan and Queen Xiona.”Tarzan said, “What a surprise. I’d no idea that you’d substituted yourself for Queen Xiona.” NEW HAIRDO
Jane crossed her arms. “Are you telling me that you can’t tell the difference between your wife and a woman from another planet?”“I thought recognized your scent, but it was mixed with the Queen’s perfume and I wasn’t sure.”
“That’s your only excuse?”
“And you looked differently than usual.”
“Really, you think so?” said Jane and she ran a hand over her bald head.
“Your hair,” said Tarzan. “You’re wearing your hair differently.”
Jane smiled, “Just a little shorter. Nice of you to notice.”
NEVER BET AGAINST YOURSELF
March 26: On this day in 1948, Edgar Rice Burroughs Incorporated issued reprint editions of several Tarzan novels, the Mars titles, and the first three Venus books. Additionally, the last first edition to be published in Burroughs’s lifetime, “Llana of Gathol," was published on that day. John Coleman Burroughs painted the dust jacket and drew five interior plates.
The story features Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tara of Helium, John Carter, and Carter’s granddaughter Llana of Gathol. Another dozen characters who have previously appeared in Barsoomian novels appear in this book.
The drabble for today, “Never Bet Against Yourself,” was inspired by the cheater, Nolat, who forced a duel with John Carter.The betting odds were two to one against John Carter in his duel against Nolat. Perhaps the betting public had been swayed by the fact that Nolat spells talon backwards, or by John Carter’s earlier pretense of incompetence. NEVER BET AGAINST YOURSELF
Carter easily disarmed his opponent three times, but Nolat refused to concede. Carter demanded a forfeit because Nolat cheated by stealing Carter’s sword and replacing it an inferior weapon.
The ruler, Doxus, ruled in John Carter’s favor saying, “It’s a damn poor fighter who can’t even win by cheating. I’d think he’d bet against himself, except a dead man collects no debts.”
JUST ANOTHER LOO
March 27: On this day in 1927, the Amazing Stories issue, edited by Hugo Gernsback and containing of the second half of “The Land That Time Forgot” and the entire story, “The People That Time Forgot, ” was for sale in newsstands across America. Amazing Stories reprinted the final story, “Out of Time’s Abyss,” in the April 1927 issue.
The issue's cover was by Frank R. Paul and had nothing to do with the Edgar Rice Burroughs material contained therein, but Burroughs did receive a cover mention. The issue contained no new material, all six stories contained therein were reprints, including “The People of the Pit” by A. Merritt and “U” by H. G. Wells. Edwin Balmer, who would later co-author “When Worlds Collide,” had a story he co-wrote with William B. MacHarg, “The Hammering Man,” included. Should you have the desire to read “The Hammering Man,” you can download it for free from the Faded Page at: https://www.fadedpage.com/showbook.php?pid=20201051
Publishing details about “The Land That Time Forgot,” complete with several illustrations are online at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0766.html
The drabble for today is “Just Another Loo,” and it was inspired by the tribes of Caspak, the home of the people that time forgot.“Tom Billings encountered Ajor, a female of the Ga-lu tribe. “Are you a La-Roo like the woman with the man, Tyler.” JUST ANOTHER LOO
“I am not.”
“You’re too pretty for a Ho-lu or Bo-Lu. Too smart to a spear man, a Band-Lu, or a hatchet man, a Sto-lu, so you must be a La-Roo.”“I’m American.”
“Are there Lu’s in America?”
“We call special things, lulus. A disaster is a waterloo. A big to-do is a hullabaloo. Understand?“Yes. Bad monsters are coming to have a hullabaloo of a to-do and if we’re still here, we’ll have a lulu of a waterloo!”
POOR YORICK
March 28: On this day in 1931, Edgar Rice Burroughs hired Van Nuys High School English Teacher Adele Bischoff to proofread the galley proofs of Tarzan the Invincible. He was pleased her work and used her to review galley proofs, and part of the actual manuscripts of “Jungle Girl” and Tarzan and the Leopard Men.
She had been recommended to him by Van Nuys High School principal, J. P. Inglis. Although Bischoff corrected galley proofs, she also addressed the actual manuscript for Leopard Men. ERB, in a letter to Bischoff, complimented her “painstaking and editing.”
“Poor Yorick” is the drabble for today, a fictional encounter between Inglis and ERB.“Mr. Inglis, I’m Edgar Rice Burroughs.” POOR YORICK
“As in Tarzan Edgar Rice Burroughs?”
“Yes, guilty as charged.”
“Love your work. I’m a big fan. How can I help? You don’t have children in school, do you?”“Nothing like that. I’m forming my own publishing company. I need an editor and proofreader. I don’t want a person who’s afraid to hurt my feelings. I want someone who’ll really edit my manuscripts."
“You want Adele Bischoff. She’d edit Hamlet down to one act and give Shakespeare a C for lack of brevity.”
“Well, the man used a few forsooths and gadzooks too many!”
STILL A PRIESTESS
March 29: On this day in 1968, Lucy Lawless (Lucille Frances Ryan Lawless), yes that Lucy Lawless, was born in Mount Albert, New Zealand, and if you didn’t like “Xena, Warrior Princess” you are one of the few, the series lasted for six seasons and 134 episodes. In its second season it became the top-rated syndicated drama series on American television. For all six years, Xena remained in the top five.
Lucy played Kathleen Clayton, Tarzan’s aunt, in seven episodes of the 2004 Tarzan series that featured Travis Fimmel as Tarzan and Sarah Wayne Calles as Jane Porter.
Lawless has hundreds of television and film credits, working tirelessly in the industry since 1987.
The drabble for today is, “Still a Priestess,” and was inspired by Lucy Lawless’s casting as Tarzan’s aunt.“I’d love to do a Tarzan series, but I don’t see myself as Jane, perhaps more of a “La, the High Priestess.” STILL A PRIESTESS
“No, we’re updating the series and the characters. Lord Greystoke is now a businessman and you’ll be his aunt. You’ll control the family businesses.”
“So, will I play a character like La, the High Priestess? I’m a beautiful woman who has all the power!”
“Well, in a manner of speaking. But you’ll wear business attire, not golden breastplates, and you won’t carry sword or a sacrificial knife.”
“I’ll have a pen won’t I? It’s mightier than a sword!”
LAST MAN STANDING
March 30: On this day in 1984, “Greystoke, the Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” was released. The film featured five actors in the role of Tarzan. Tali McGregor played the infant Tarzan, Peter Kyriakou played Tarzan at age one, Danny Potts played Tarzan at five, Eric Langlois played the twelve year old Tarzan, and Christopher Lambert played the adult version of the Apeman. Angie MacDowell played Jane Porter, but Glenn Close did the voiceover. Tali McGregor is the first female, to my knowledge, to play the jungle lord on the silver screen.
The drabble for today, “ Last Man Standing,” and it was inspired by so many Tarzan actors in one film, part of the Tarzan novels, and Lambert’s later career. Thanks to the writer for the original Highlander film, Gregory WidenEric Langlois said, “Mr. Lambert, I’ve read all the Tarzan books and he’s immortal.” LAST MAN STANDING
Christopher replied, “An immortal warrior, how interesting.”
“When we all grow up, there’ll be five Tarzans, and one will be a girl. Is the world big enough for five Tarzans? I know twins who hate each other. We might not get along.”“Young man, I hadn’t thought of that, but I don’t think it will be a problem for very long.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I expect we will confront each other with heart, faith, and steel. In the end there can be only one.”
GET A REAL JOB
March 31: On this day in 1937, artist Pablo Marcos Ortega, known professionally as Pablo Marcos, was born in Laran, Peru. He is well known for his work on Batman and Conan the Barbarian, especially during the 1970s. Marcos illustrated comics for Warren Publishing and Skywald Publications before working for Marvel Comics and freelancing for DC comics. He illustrated the Iron Jaw character in Barbarians #1, published by Atlas Seaboard Comics.
In 2013, Marcos signed a five-year contract with ERB Inc. to work on the Tarzan and Land that Time forgot digital series.
According to his website, Pablo is happily retired. Here’s the link to his website: https://pablomarcos.com/
“Get a Real Job,” is the drabble for today is a 100 word excerpt from Pablo’ biography as presented on his website.In the art school, Bartolome, Herrera, I was mentored by novelist and artist Juan Rivera Saavedra, who introduced me to comics and familiarized me with the works of Alberto Breecia, Mario Uggeri, Arturo del Castillo, and Burne Hogarth. This foreshadowed my future. Later I attend the University of San Marcos to study Economic sciences, a major I pursued to appease my father who was concerned I wouldn’t make a living as an artist. I’ve nothing but gratitude for the individuals that I met during this time, who recognized my talent and encouraged me to continue in the realm of comics. GET A REAL JOB
