Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7598a  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles
JULY IV Edition :: Days 16 -31
See Days 1 - 15 at ERBzine 7598
by Robert Allen Lupton
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
FUTILE INSTRUCTION
July 16: On this day in 1950, the Tarzan Sunday Comic story arc, Tarzan and the Adventures” came to a conclusion, Illustrated by Burne Hogarth, and written by Rob Thompson & James Freeman, the story has been reprinted in “Tarzan in Color Volume 18” and in Titan Book’s “Tarzan and the Adventurers. 10 weeks later, Hogarth left the strip after thirteen years. His last page published on October 1, 1950.
The entire story, all 38 episodes, may be read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag73/7300.html
The drabble for today is “Futile Instruction,” and was inspired by Jane’s attempts to improve things in the jungle and by the self-inflected frustration that comes with trying to train the untrainable. Alas, I believe that I have wasted time recently trying to teach a pig to sing.Tarzan returned home to find Jane covered in mud. “What’s going on?” FUTILE INSTRUCTION
“This little pig’s so cute, but he keeps knocking over storage pots, befouling the huts, and whenever I try to wash him, he drags me into the mud.”“Mark Twain said, “Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it!”
“But, he won’t learn anything.”
“He’s a pig.” Robert Heinlein said, “Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.”“What should I do?”
“Teach him to be bacon. He should be quite adept at that.”
THE GODS THEMSELVES
July 17: On this day in 1982, publisher Peter Smith died at his home in Gloucester, Massachusetts at age 85. He collected and sold rare books for 20 years and founded his publishing company in Manhattan in the early 1930's. In 1952, he moved the business to Magnolia, Mass. In the 1950's, at the request of libraries, he began publishing hard-cover editions of paperbound books.
Peter Smith organized a library binding service meaning "Peter Smith" editions would only have his name on the hardcover case and that the title page and other content would be from the original trade-paperback or mass-market-paperback edition. For example, his Edgar Rice Burroughs titles include At the Earth's Core / Pellucidar / Tanar of Pellucidar: Three Science Fiction Novels published by Dover in paperback but rebound in hardcover with 'Peter Smith' on the binding.
Smith considered his work a calling and his printers and distributors found him to be a fair, but firm taskmaster. He was not known as a man to accept excuses or suffer fools gladly.
I ordered books from him many years ago and he was the first person I knew who used the quote by Friedrich von Schiller included in the drabble for today, “The Gods Themselves.”Tarzan arrived at the native village where the witch doctor had a young man tied to a pole. “What has this man done?” THE GODS THEMSELVES
“He’s committed no crimes. He’s very bright, but he lacks common sense, though if good sense were common, it would be more prevalent.”
“You can’t execute him for being stupid.”
“No, but foolishness is its own punishment. He plays in the fire, chases lions, and swims with crocodiles, and he brought vipers for other children to play with. Advise me!”“I’ve no advice. A poet, Friedrich von Schiller wrote, “Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.”
BUYER'S REMORSE
July 18: On this day in 1908, Maria Guadalupe Villalobos Velez, known professionally as Lupe Velez, was born in the city of San Luis Potosi in Mexico. She never appeared in a Tarzan film, but was married to Johnny Weissmuller. She is best known for her series of ‘Mexican Spitfire’ films.
Her marriage to Johnny was brief and tempestuous. Gossip columnists of the time wrote that she was having an affair with Gary Cooper. Weissmuller was her only husband, but she was regularly linked with other stars including Errol Flynn.
Velez's temper and jealousy in her often tempestuous romantic relationships were well documented and became tabloid fodder, often overshadowing her career. Velez was straightforward with the press and was regularly contacted by gossip columnists for stories about her romantic exploits. One such incident included Velez chasing her lover Gary Cooper around with a knife during an argument and cutting him severely enough to require stitches. After their breakup, Velez attempted to shoot Cooper while he boarded a train. During her marriage to actor Johnny Weissmuller, stories of their frequent physical fights were regularly reported in the press.
An excellent article about the actress, along with several photographs, is located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag58/5830.html
The drabble for today, "Buyer’s Remorse,” is a combination of quotations from Lupe Velez, the Mexican SpitfireThe first time you buy a house you think how pretty and sign the check. The second time you look to see if it has termites. It’s the same with men. BUYER'S REMORSE
In a church, I’m a saint. In places, I’m a lady. In my own home, I’m a devil. It’s everybody’s business when you marry. You talk loud at home, they say you have a fight.
You fight, they say you kill him.The newspapers asked, “Are you and Johnny fighting again?” We hope so, it makes a good story. I tell them, “Go away and mind your own business.”
HERE TO HELP
July 19: On this day in 1945, Edgar Rice Burroughs, the world’s oldest war correspondent wrote a letter to Thelma Terry, whom he’d met in Australia. He used Tarzana, California for his return address. He began the letter referencing his recent return form Okinawa and other ‘way points.’
The entire letter and several more may be read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag10/1027.html#July%2019,%201945
The photo is of an Australian Meat Rationing Cookbook, circa 1943.
The 100 word drabble for today, “Here to Help” is taken from that letter and focuses on ERB’s comments about rationing. Seems the more things change ….“It’s amazing that with your small population and enormous meat production you have meat rationing. A part of our shortages are due to governmental bungling. Maybe that accounts for yours, too. One of the things we can bank on governments doing is bungling. The Germans, the Italians, and the Japs evolved a scientific method of government - and look at the damn things now. I guess that we are happy to have our own, bungling and all. HERE TO HELP
The liquor situation’s bad here. As a war correspondent, I draw the same liquor ration as an officer; so I do all right.”
GRAND OPENING
July 20: On this day in 1928, film director Scott Sidney died in London, England. Among the 135 films listed on IMDB that he directed between 1913 and 1927 (over 7 films a year) was a 1918 film titled “Tarzan of the Apes," the first Tarzan film, which featured Elmo Lincoln and Enid Markey.
aHis last film credit was “No Control” in 1927 which starred Harrison Ford (no, not that Harrison Ford) and his first was “The Narcotic Spectre,” in 1913 featuring Charles Ray, Alma Rubens, and Gladys Brockwell.
aSidney’s birth name was Harry Wilbur Siggins and he began his career in vaudeville and performed on the nationwide Mittenthal Brothers Circuit
aExtensive information about the 1918 film and numerous posters and movie stills are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0503.html
Sidney was considered a solid, if uninspired director, well-respected for maintaining a firm control on schedules and budgets. Once he finished a film, the journeyman director moved on to the next one almost immediately, leaving distribution and publicity to others.
The drabble, “Grand Opening,” for today is excerpted from a brief newspaper article from the Herald, a Melbourne Australian newspaper about the opening in New York City.“Tarzan of the Apes” drew enormous crowds to the Broadway Theatre, New York. Over 5000 people were turned away on the opening night, and police reserves were called out to contend with the people. The visitors were greeted by Prince Charles, one of the Apes that works in the picture. He shook hands politely. The theatre has been made to resemble a jungle. Living monkeys are scattered through the tropical foliage, but the area is clear of lions and not a single elephant is wandering around. A special orchestra renders the sounds supposed to be uttered by the animal denizens. GRAND OPENING
FLYBOY WANTED
July 21: On this day in 1941, Edgar Rice Boroughs was back in his office in Honolulu. He wrote a letter to his daughter Joan that day, saying that he’d been away since June 25th and most of the time since he first went to the hospital on June 5th. Burroughs continued to say that he re-read her letters received while in the hospital, admitting that between the fever and the dope, he’d almost completely forgotten them, even saying that he’d never acknowledged them.
He goes on to suggest that her husband, James Pierce, who played Tarzan in the film, “Tarzan and the Golden Lion,” and on radio, consider applying for a job as a pilot in Hawaii, although he does say that he doesn’t want Joan to live in Hawaii.
Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company was headquartered in Honolulu and ran steamship passenger and cargo service between the Hawaiian Islands from 1883 until 1947. Inter-Island constructed the Kona Inn in 1928, the first hotel in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. In 1929, Inter-Island created an airline subsidiary, Inter-Island Airways, which is still operating as Hawaiian Airlines. Originally, the company only operated seaplanes. In 1941, the executive VP of Inter-Island Airways was Kit Carson (No, not that Kit Carson.)
The drabble for today, “Flyboy Wanted,” is a 100 word excerpt from the Edgar Rice Burroughs letter dated July 21, 1941. https://www.erbzine.com/mag27/2745.htmlHow many hours has Jim? I might suggest that he try to get a job here flying for the Inter-island Navigation Company. They run several planes a day to the various islands - Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii. They are beautiful runs, scenic beyond description. I don't know, but I have an idea that they may lose some of their pilots to the army or navy. They use amphibians, as a forced landing might be in the ocean. They have a wonderful record of not a single fatality in all the years that they have been operating commercial planes. FLYBOY WANTED
POWER OF THE PRESS
July 22: 2022 is the 1500th daily “on this day in Edgar Rice Burroughs history” and drabble post. On this day in 1916, the Detroit Daily Journal published the story of ERB’s cross-country trip. Burroughs had visited the newspaper editorial offices and quietly announced ‘I am Edgar Rice Burroughs.”
As a matter of fact [reported the Journal], "the author of endless adventure stories had more adventures getting from Oak Park to Coldwater [Michigan] than Tarzan ever had.
"According to Mr. Burroughs' own statement, he ran his touring car 1,500 miles in reaching Coldwater, a distance of 193 miles from his starting point, and he figures that at the same rate he will travel 229,500 miles in getting to Los Angeles and will complete the journey in 23 years, 3 months and 15 days. [It took 99 days.]
Details about the trip and the booklet are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0030.html
The 100 word drabble for today is, “Power of the Press,” a fictional version of the visit by Edgar Rice Burroughs to the Detroit Daily Journal.“Hello, I’m Edgar Rice Burroughs,” said the sharp-dressed man who entered the Detroit Daily Journal’s editorial offices. POWER OF THE PRESS
“Yeah, I’m Joe Pulitzer and my buddy is Horace Greeley. William Randolph Hearst went out for coffee.”
“Seriously, I’m the writer of the Tarzan stories, but that’s not why I’m here. I’m on a cross-country trip and the Republic Motor Truck Company commissioned a booklet about the trip. They advertise with you and hoped you’d write an article.
“Sure, we can do that. My I have your autograph?”
Burroughs signed the man’s autograph book, “To Joseph Pulitzer. Go west and keep on truckin’.”
TO THE MANOR BORN
July 23: On this day in 1977, the UK’s Tarzan Weekly featured the part one of the story, “Lord and Master,” written by Mark Evanier and illustrated by Dan Spiegle. The first installment was “Revolution.”
Read the entire story at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag66/6661.html
The story features London, but not the London in the UK. This London is located in the heart of darkest Africa and peopled by great apes, who are named after British Lords and Ladies from the time of Henry VIII. Tarzan first visited ‘London’ in” Tarzan and the Lion Man.” A mad scientist combined cells from deceased Britishers with the apes to breed a race of intelligent apes and trained them to behave as though they were living in London, England in the early 1500s.
Korak befriended Lord Pelham, one of the apes, who has left the city and journeyed down river to the manor that belonged to his namesake, only to be arrested by the human authorities Korak helps him find his way home. The story is complicated by a near-sighted butler and the descendent of the real Lord Pelham. It’s good fun.
The drabble for today, “To The Manor Born,” was inspired by the comic story.The ape who believed himself Lord Pelham left his hidden African city, called London. He made his way to Pelham Manor on the coast and moved in. TO THE MANOR BORN
Chester, the butler, said, ”Lord Pelham, you’ve been gone for years. You sound quite the same, but seem shorter. My eyesight isn’t what it once was. Let me present your niece,”
The niece screamed, ‘He’s not my uncle, he’s a gorilla. Send him away. My uncle is not a monkey.”
Korak laughed. “You’ve got it wrong. He’s not a monkey’s uncle, but you’re a monkey’s niece.”
“Indeed,” said Pelham. “Tea and crumpets, please!”
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
July 24: On this day in 1940, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing, “John Carter and the Pits of Horz.” This became the first story of four combined for the novel, “Llana of Gathol.” ‘JC and the Pits of Horz’ was the working title for the story, published as “The City of Mummies,” in the March 1941 edition of ‘Amazing Stories.”
In the first chapter, John Carter meets Pan Dan Chee, a fellow captive in the Pits of Horz. Seeing no escape opportunities, they play Jetan using Carter’s pocket set. The pieces are perfectly carved replicas of Carter’s family and Pan Dan Chee falls in love with the carven image of Llana of Gathol.
Later, the two me discover thousands of chests/ coffins which contain sleeping captives. One of the coffins holds Llana of Gathol, imagine that!
Pan wants to call Llana "my princess," a term pledging love, but she says he must first fight for her. A banth attacks, and they all fight it, but it’s not good enough for Llana. She wants him to fight men, not animals. Carter commented, "Well, I never did understand women."
The publishing history of ‘Llana of Gathol,” and its four components, several illustration and an eText version of the novel are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0738.html#mummies
The drabble for today is “Fight or Flight,” and it was inspired by the story, “John Carter and the Pits of Horz.”Pan Dan Chee loved Llana of Gathol, but she refused him, demanding that he first fight for her. FIGHT OR FLIGHT
He fought a banth, a lion-like creature, but that wasn’t good enough. Imprisoned in the Pits of Horz, the couple escaped along with Llana’s grandfather, John Carter, the greatest swordsman on the planet.They encountered a squad of warriors and were greatly outnumbered. Pan Dan Chee said, “I’d like to fight, but they’re too many. We should retreat.”
Carter laughed. “Warriors don’t give up, and they don’t back down. It’s better to stand and fight. If we run, we’ll only die tired.”
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
July 25: On this day in 1982, Hal Foster, the creator of Prince Valiant died in Hernando, Florida. Harold Rudolf Foster also drew the Tarzan daily comic strip from its inception in 1929 for 60 pages until Rex Mason took over. In an interesting reverse,, Rex Maxon drew the first 28 Tarzan Sunday pages until Foster took over the strip on September 27, 1931. He continued with the Sunday Pages until May 2, 1937, drawing 293 episodes.
William Randolph Hearst recruited Foster do a comic strip for his papers and Prince Valiant was born with Foster receiving 50% of the gross. Prince Valiant remains in print to this day. Harold Foster Prince Valiant Reprints in ERBzine 1937 :: 1938 :: 1939 :: 1940
A wealth of information about Foster, all his Tarzan pages, and his Prince Valiant pages are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/foster/
The drabble for today is “Home Field Advantage,” and it was inspired by the Tarzan Sunday pages by Hal Foster.Tom Barry, a football star who’d joined his uncle, Michael Barry, a trader. They met with Tarzan at the last trading company outpost. Tom was bored at first, but after several encounters with predators, cannibals and other jungle perils, he became unsure and wary of the ongoing dangers. He said, “Tarzan, I considered myself a brave man, but this place is scary. The danger doesn’t bother you.” HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Tarzan smiled. “I’d be uncomfortable in a football uniform, but Africa is to me as a football field is to you. The jungle holds no terrors for the man who was born here.”
PAWN OF LIFE
July 26: On this day in 1945, filming began on “Tarzan and the Leopard Women. Sol Lessor had obtained film rights to Tarzan on January 4, 1945 for the next twenty years. The film starred Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan, Brenda Joyce as Jane, and Johnny Sheffield as Boy. The cast included Anthony Caruso as Mongo, Tommy Cook as Kimba and Mildred Davenport (Acquanetta) as Lea, the High Priestess. The RKO film ran for 20 minutes.
Details about the film, several posters, and photographs are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0626.html
The drabble for today is “Pawn of Life,” inspired by the character’s name in the film. After all, who could pass up a character named Mongo. The only thing missing was a candy gram and a blazing saddle.Mongo guarded Lea, who secretly ruled the Leopard Women and he stopped Tarzan when he came to confront the priestess. “Nobody gets in to see the High Priestess, not no way, no how.” PAWN OF LIFE
Tarzan asked, “Why do you let her tell you what to do. You’re bigger and stronger than her. What hold does she have on you?”
Priestess give me candy. Mongo like candy?”
Jane give Mongo a Hershey bar. “Let us pass.”
Mongo hate to choose. Mongo only pawn in game of life.”
Tarzan shoved him aside. “It’s better to be a live pawn than a dead king.”
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
July 27: On this day in 1975, an installment of “Korak and the Amazons of the Mammoth” appeared in the Sunday Funny Pages across the United States. Written and drawn by Russ Manning, the storyline and the page that day featured a hot air balloon. The story arc began on February 16, 1975 and ended on August 10th that year.
The 100 word drabble for today, “Practice Makes Perfect,” was inspired by the Russ Manning Sunday Page from July 27. 1975 and how-to books everywhere.Korak, Linda and three others ran to the balloon to complete their escape from the Amazon warriors, but Bernie, wearing samurai armor chose to stay behind and fight. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Korak said to Linda, the pilot, as the balloon left the ground. “I read about how to do this. I can take over if you need me to.”
Linda activated the burner. “You read a book! Have you ever actually piloted a balloon?”
“Well, no I haven’t.”
“Then hold on and enjoy the ride. An ounce of experience is worth more than a ton of words, and words don’t weigh very much!”
DEGREE OF FOOLISHNESS
July 28: On this day in 2004, The Guardian published the article “Tarzan of Capes and Mortar Boards” by Polly Curtis. The article is available at and may be read on the Guardian website at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/jul/28/students.politics and at: https://www.erbzine.com/news/news02.html
The article is highly critical of a proposed research grant of 4,711 pounds to Dr. Sarah Smith, who claimed “As a historian I’m interested in looking at how we evolved socially and culturally. The Tarzan films are interesting because of the depictions of them of class, race and gender which give us an idea of how those Every time something terrible happens the tendency is to blame popular culture.”
The 100 word drabble for today, “Degree of Foolishness,” is an excerpt from the article by Polly Curtis."Tarzan's breast-beating, Jane's skimpy dress, and their treatment of Cheetah are to be placed under the academic microscope by a University of Reading historian examining how the 1930s films went from soft-core porn to domestic bliss. DEGREE OF FOOLISHNESS
""Her research, and new vocational degrees in surfing and soap operas, were scorned as "Mickey Mouse" affairs by Barry Matthews, Professional Association of Teacher’s chairman, at its annual conference in Bournemouth yesterday.
Universities defend courses and research accused of being "Mickey Mouse", saying that in offering degrees in surfing, pilates, pop music or golf they are simply responding to the demands of the market."
GREEN GODDESS
July 29: On this day in 1935, the Big Little Book, “The New Adventures of Tarzan” was copyrighted. The BLB contained 66 stills from the movie / serial, a “Burroughs Tarzan Enterprise production, filmed by the Ashton Dearholt expedition to Central America. Details about the Big Little Book are at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0044b.html and on the film at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0584.html. You can view the entire film at the second address listed.
The film was also released under the titles, “Tarzan and the Green Goddess,” “Tarzan and the Lost Goddess,” and “Tarzan in Guatemala.”
The Green Goddess is a small stature containing jewels and the formula for a super explosive.
The drabble for today is, “Green Goddess,” and it was inspired by the film and my sense of the ridiculous.Tarzan and the expeditions sponsored by Ula Vale and Major Martling, arrived at the secret location in Guatemala where Queen Maya’s natives had hidden the precious artifact, the Green Goddess, which contained magnificent jewels and the secret of a super explosive. The evil Raglan was right behind them. GREEN GODDESS
Before a fight broke out, Tarzan took control and said, “Queen Maya, we’re all here for the Green Goddess. Some for good reasons and some for bad. Produce her please.”
“I must refuse. One man’s good is another man’s evil. Besides, the goddess isn’t available right now.”
“Why not?”
“Well, she’s dressing!”
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
July 30: On or about this day in 1881, artist, Henry Vallely was born – no one is quite sure. The earliest known published example of Henry Vallely's advertising art dates to 1902. In the late 1910s and early 1920s Vallely was a popular illustrator for domestic, glamour, and fashion advertising campaigns. Living and working in Illinois, Vallely focused on glamour girl and sophisticated women images until the early 1930s. At this time his career and style took a turn away from mainstream illustration and towards comic art. Throughout the 1930s, he was a frequent artist for Big Little Books and Whitman Authorized Editions.
His distinctive and robust line style has remained popular to this day, and Big Little Books illustrated by Vallely are particularly coveted. His work in fact was one of the many sources Bob Kane relied on without attribution for early Batman comics.
TARZAN OF THE APES by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Large Feature Comic No. 5. Dell Publishing Co. New York was published in 1938. Illustrated by Harold Foster and Henry E. Vallely, this large size volume was one of the first of Dell's "comic book" line. It reprinted the 60 story-strips by Hal Foster, one strip per page, with each page containing an additional illustration by Henry E. Vallely. In addition to these, Vallely also did 10 full-page chapter drawings, making a total of 70 new illustrations for this edition of TARZAN OF THE APES.
Vallely also drew the cover for Big Little Book #1477, The Son of Tarzan.”
Information about Dell Large Feature Comic #5 is at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag16/1602.html
Henry Vallely died in 1950.
The drabble for today is “All Rights Reserved,” a fictional conversation between Hal Foster and Henry E. Vallely. Foster had moved on to Prince Valliant in 1937, the year before Dell Large Feature # 5 was published.Hal Foster called Henry Vallely. “Thanks for sending me a copy of Dell Comic # 5, “Tarzan of the Apes.” I’m out of that loop, but I like to keep copies of my work on file.” ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
“You’re welcome, Hal.”
“Of course. I noticed that the chapter headings weren’t mine and that you drew a new panel on each page.”“Yessir, Dell hired me to do it.”
“Hope they paid you well. I don’t own the rights to the artwork and I didn’t make a cent.”“Hal, I didn’t know I could keep the rights. I gotta get a better agent.”
July 31: On this day in 1941, John Coleman Burroughs wrote a letter to his father, Edgar Rice Burroughs. JCB commiserated with ERB about his divorce with Florence, wished his father well on building a new home, even offering to finance the construction. He complained that his long time model for John Carter, Johnny Davis, was leaving to joining the Army Air Corps and that the applicants were completely unsuitable.
The letter has survived and may be read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag9/0914.htm
The drabble for today, “Drugs and Ancestors,” is today’s drabble – written by John Coleman Burroughs.Jane and I were very sorry to learn of the necessity of a divorce between you and Florence. We are eager to do anything to help you find in the future the happiness and contentment you deserve. DRUGS AND ANCESTORS
Have received and read your masterpiece entitled "Uncle Miner and Other Relatives". I have not yet received your letter explaining why and how it was written, although I presume you were under the influence of either narcotics or heredity at the time. STOP.. Go. It is very amusing and full of good laughs. I’m giving it to Joan and Hulbert for their edification.
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