Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7740a  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles
JULY V Edition :: Days 16-31
by Robert Allen Lupton
Back to Days 1-15 at ERBzine 7740
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
IMMORTALITY DOESN'T MEAN WHAT IT USED TO MEAN
July 16, 2023: On this day in 1977, the British “Tarzan Weekly” issue featuring “Tarzan and the Taureq Queen” and “Tarzan and the Immortal Centurion” was released. The issue contained the conclusion of the Korak story, “Web of Danger.” The cover blurb says “Fight for a Desert Queen” instead of “Tarzan and the Taureq Queen.” Sources attribute the “Immortal Centurion” artwork by Russ Manning with an assist from Dave Stevens. I can’t verify that because I sold all of my comics in the early 1990s.
A summary of the complete run of the Tarzan Weekly / Tarzan Monthly comic books as compiled by Ken Manson is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag64/6413.html
Read Korak WEB OF DANGER plus others in the series in ERBzine 6470
The drabble for today, “Immortality Doesn’t Mean What It Used To Mean,” was inspired by the comic story, “Tarzan and the Immortal Centurion.”Tarzan was captured by descendants of a lost expedition of Roman soldiers who had vanished while searching for the vaults of Opar during the reign of Nero. IMMORTALITY DOESN'T MEAN WHAT IT USED TO MEAN
The Roman leader, a Centurion claiming to be 900 years old, sentenced Tarzan to battle in the gladiatorial games. “First, you’ll fight three of my men. If victorious, I’ll kill you myself. I’m immortal.”
Tarzan shrugged. “Immortal is just another word for undefeated in fights to the death. I’ve met many warriors who claimed immortality, but in reality they were only undefeated. It’s a short step from immortal to dead. I’ll show you.”
CONTENT
July 17, 2023: On this day in 1915, Selig Plyscope Company released a three reel film, "The Isle of Content." Edgar Rice Burroughs complained that the film plagiarized his novel, “The Cave Girl,” published two years earlier.
No known copy of the film is known to exist, but Picture Play Weekly adapted the film into a written story, by A. B. Himes, complete with stills from the movie. The entire adaption is at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag23/2380a.html . Read it and decide how closely the film follows the novel.
Details about the film are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag23/2380.html
Interestingly, the lead female’s name was changed to Jane for the film, making Anna Luther the first film Jane. She gets no respect. Vivian Reed, Al Filson, and Eugene Palette also starred in the film.
The 100 word drabble for today, “Content,” is the final paragraphs in that Picture Play Weekly adaption of the film.Ralph found himself a prisoner board a steamer. A fortnight went by, and then, one night, Ralph heard the vessel anchor. The next morning he lowered into a launch. It shot across the water toward an island he recognized. CONTENT
Jane was waiting, clad in the dress of leaves in which he had first seen her, and with her hair streaming free.
"I understand, dear," he said. "I was happier here with you than anywhere else. The world has nothing to offer that compares. Here we will stay together till the end of our lives -- on our Isle of Content."
HANGING WITH MY PEEPS
July 18, 2023 and one hundred and three years ago on this day in 1920, The Fort Wayne Gazette ran an article titled “The Return of Tarzan” Coming to Jefferson next Wednesday. The Fort Wayne Gazette began publishing in 1853 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It’s now known as “The Journal Gazette. The Jefferson Theatre operated in Fort Wayne from 1913 through 1978.
The Return of Tarzan starred Gene Pollar as Tarzan and Karla Schramm as Jane. The film was directed by Harry Revier. Details about the film are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0588.html
The drabble for today, “Hanging With My Peeps,” is taken form that article, which focused on the difficulty in working with the sixty-three animals in the cast, none of whom had any formal theatrical training or experience. Working with the primates was especially challenging. I’m pretty sure that Pollar didn’t know that he’d really be living with the apes when he agreed to do the film.The monkeys wouldn’t face the camera if any lions, tigers or man-eaters were within smelling distance, and a continual combat between the apes so disturbed the director and players that several highly interesting scenes were deleted because of the apes' actions. HANGING WITH MY PEEPS
Ten days of constant companionship between Tarzan and the apes were necessary to induce the apes to follow Tarzan about.
Pollar lived at the studio and fed the apes each day. When the animals became used to his kindness, the scenes were staged and to get proper camera effects, the scenes were made over no less than ten times.
CLICK YOUR HEELS
July 19, 2023 and thirty-four years ago on this day in 1989, actress Vivian Reed passed away in Los Angeles, California. She also performed under her married name, Vivian R. Green. Mostly known as a silent film actress, she appeared in forty-one films between 1914 and 1938. Known as THE –GIRL-WITH-A-MILLION-DOLLAR-SMILE, she played “Nakula” in the 1917 film adaption of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “The Lad and the Lion.” She also appeared in “The Isle of Content,” a film ERB claimed plagiarized his novel, “The Cave Girl.” She was the face on the OZ logo for “The Patchwork Girl of Oz,” and had roles in “The Magic Cloak of Oz” and “His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz.” She made a brief non-speaking appearance in “The Wizard of Oz.”
IMBD lists 41 credits for Vivian Reed, including 1915’s “Perils of the Jungle.” Vivian was a magnificent horsewoman and was considered having ‘nerves of steel,’ who was not a mere camera poser, but frequently performed her own stunts. Vivian had three sons, Marshall, Douglas, and Hilton, all worked as directors and assistant directors in the film industry.
For details about the silent film, “The Lad and the Lion,” see https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0450.html
For more information about the remarkable Vivian Reed, https://en.wikipedia.org/.../Vivian_Reed_(actress,_born... and https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0715743/
The drabble for today, “Click Your Heels,” was inspired by Vivian Reed’s career and her role in “The Lad and the Lion.” Thanks to the band, America, and a tip of hat to the Nome King, ruler of the Deadly Desert, and to Billie Burke, a very good witch.Nakala, daughter of a sheik, played by Vivian Reed, encountered William, a young man who’d survived in the desert with a lion companion after the two were abandoned on damaged ship. “William, it’s tough living in the sandy wasteland. The desert is deadly.” CLICK YOUR HEELS
“I owe my survival on both land and sea to the lion. We’ve lived in two deserts. The ocean is a desert with the life underground.”
Nakala shrugged. “Saying it poetically doesn’t make it safer. Whatever will you do now?”
“I want to return to England and see my parents.”
“I understand. There’s no place like home.”
IT'S A JUNGLE
July 20, 2023 and sixty-three years ago on this day in 1960, “Tarzan the Magnificent” was released in the United States. The premiere was two weeks earlier in Los Angeles on July 6, 1960. The film featured Gordon Scott as Tarzan, Jock Mahoney as Coy Banton and Bette St. John as Fay Ames. Jane was nowhere to be found.
Jock Mahoney played Tarzan in the next Tarzan film, “Tarzan Goes to India,” and Gordon Scott went to Italy where he started in several sword and sandal epics. Betty St. John, who had previously appeared in “Tarzan and the Lost Safari,” only made in one more film, “The City of the Dead.” She had two brief TV appearances in “Rendezvous” and “The Third Man.”
Check out the film details and stills at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1958.html
The 100 word drabble for today, “It’s A Jungle,” was inspired by the plot of “Tarzan the Magnificent,” the film which does not remotely resemble the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel of the same name.Tarzan and his prisoner, Coy Banton, arrived at the dock in time to see their boat sink. Banton said, “No boat. Looks like you got to let me go.” IT'S A JUNGLE
“No, you’ll face justice in Kairobi if we have to walk the entire way.”
The boat’s captain asked to Tarzan to guide his passengers to Kairobi.
“Why?”
“Won’t be much plot if it’s just you and the bad guy.”
A passenger, Fay Ames, asked. “Will we be safe in the jungle?”
‘Not safe at all, that’s why it’s called a jungle. If the drums play “Twilight Zone” music, run like hell.”
I JUST KNOW WHAT I LIKE
July 21, 2023 and on this day 102 years ago, A.C. McClurg, the company which published Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels in first edition, officially rejected the novel “The Oakdale Affair.” This seemed strange since the story had been accepted by Blue Book Magazine and been released as a feature movie, alternately titled “Bringing Up Baby.” The working title for the story was “Bridge and the Oskaloosa Kid.”
Frederick Duncan illustrated the Blue Book cover, which wasn’t about “The Oakdale Affair,” but ERB and his story got top billing on the cover.
Details about the publishing history of the story are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0765.html. You really might want to check that out because the original ending in the pulp magazine was missing from the first edition published by ERB Inc. on February 15, 1937. The last 174 lines of the story were omitted.
The 100 word drabble for today, “I Just Know What I Like,” was inspired by ERB’s quest to have “The Oakdale Affair” published as a book.Edgar Rice Burroughs read the rejection letter from A. C. McClurg, and immediately called the publisher. “You rejected “The Oakdale Affair.” I don’t understand. It was published in Blue Book. For God’s sake, it’s been a moving picture.” I JUST KNOW WHAT I LIKE
“I know, but it just doesn’t work for us.”
“I’m sorry you’re making some much money from my books that you get to pick and choose. What’s wrong with it?”“Hard to say. It doesn’t work for us. John Carter didn’t fight for Dejah Thoris. Tarzan didn’t rescue Jane. Lassie didn’t save Timmy from the well and I don’t like dancing bears.”
BREAK TIME
July 22, 2023 and sixty-eight years ago on this day in 1955, actor Willem Dafoe was born, not hatched, in Appleton Wisconsin. Among his many film roles, Dafoe portrayed the Thark chieftain, Tars Tarkas, in the 2012 film, “John Carter.” He walked on stilts and wore a mo-cap suit to portray the giant green Martian, Tars Tarkas.
IMBD lists 153 acting credits for Dafoe, and I’ve listed some of my favorites here; “Spiderman: No Way Home,” “Aquaman,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” “John Wick,” “The Boondock Saints” (this one gets extra credit), “Spider-Man 2”, “Spider-Man 3,” “Spider-Man,” “Platoon,” and “Streets of Fire.”
Dafoe has been recognized with four Academy Award nominations: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Platoon, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Shadow Of The Vampire, for which he also received Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Florida Project, for which he also received Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations, and most recently, Best Leading Actor for At Eternity's Gate, for which he also received a Golden Globe nomination.
The 100 drabble for today is, “Break Time," inspired by Dafoe’s role as Tars Tarkas.Taylor Kitsch, wearing his full John Carter costume, came out of the Men’s Room on the set of John Carter. Willem Defoe leaned against a wall, balanced on four-foot stilts. He pushed the facial covering of his mo-cap suit clear. “Taylor, please have them send me some help.” BREAK TIME
“What’s wrong, big green man. Can’t you stand up on those stilts?”
“Yes, I can. I can stand, I can walk, and I can run. I can even dance a little. The problem is that I can’t sit down.”Dafoe pointed to the toilet. “And I do so want to sit down!”
JUST WHAT I READ IN THE PAPERS
July 23, 2023 and 82 years ago on this day in 1941. Edgar Rice Burroughs’ second wife, actress Florence Gilbert made public the fact that she’d filed for divorce from Edgar Rice Burroughs, claiming mental cruelty. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported the filing. The next day, The Star-Bulletin reported Edgar Rice Burroughs response, “News to Me.”
Florence was granted divorce in Juarez, Mexico, on August 2, 1941, ten days later.
The drabble for today is, “Just What I Read in the Papers,” and it was inspired by the divorce filing announcement published in the Star-Bulletin newspaper on July 23, 1941. https://www.erbzine.com/mag11/1127.html#Creator%20ofEdgar Rice Burroughs shook his head after he read the Honolulu Star-Bulletin article announcing that his wife, Florence, had filed for divorce. He put down his coffee, and reached for the phone to call her, but it rang first, and he answered it. JUST WHAT I READ IN THE PAPERS
“Mr. Burroughs, this is Jones at the Star-Bulletin. Any comments for the record concerning your pending divorce?”
“It’s news to me.”
“She didn’t tell you. I’d have thought she’d sit down and talk to you.”“We don’t talk much these days and she knows that you can’t be a good guy when you’re giving bad guy news.”
WICKED WEB
July 24, 2023 and sixty-two years ago on this day in 1961, the Tarzan daily comic began the story arc, “Tarzan and the Spider People.” Written by Bill Elliot and drawn by John Celardo, the story ran for 30 episodes ending on August 26, 1961. https://www.erbzine.com/mag44/4423.html
An amazing amount of information compiled by Huck Huckenpohler and hundreds of reproductions of the Tarzan daily pages are available in Bill Hillman's ERBzine at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag22/2293.html. Credit to Bob Barrett, Bill Hillman, Rick Norwood, Ken Webber and Wayne James for aiding and abetting Huck.
The spider people are a pygmy-like tribe with rudimentary speech skills. They have a limited understanding of weapons, but they do have access to a dormant volcano filled with gold. Tarzan learns their language and teaches them to forge golden weapons, axes and spear heads. Shortly thereafter, a safari of greedy men come after the gold. It works about badly for safari. A hundred armed natives shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The 100 word drabble for today, “Wicked Web,” was inspired by the story arc, “Tarzan and the Spider People.” A tip of the hat to Steve Ditko and Stan Lee.Tarzan said to the Spider people’s chief, “Evil men come. They want gold and will kill to get it.” WICKED WEB
“We need the gold to make tools and weapons. We have a plan.”
“They have better weapons than you.”
“Weapons won’t help the greedy and unwary. We’re spiders. They’re flies.”
The safari scout found a gold nugget and then another. The troop followed the trail into a canyon. The spider people trapped them with a net and gave them gold, one axe blow at a time. “We have the power to defend ourselves.”“Careful, Chief, with great power comes great responsibility.”
PANTS, LEVI PANTS
July 25, 2023, and thirty years ago on this day in 1993, the Tarzan Sunday Comic began the story arc, “The Lost City of the Mayas,” written by Don Kraar and illustrated by Gray Morrow. The story ran for 12 Sundays and ended on October 10, 1993.
As Bill Hillman points out in his magnificent website, www.erbzine.com, the comic arc features Tarzan in cutoffs, years before Casper Van Dien or Alexander Skarsgard donned cutoffs instead of a loincloth.
You can read the entire story arc except for one missing installment at https://www.erbzine.com/mag35/3546.html. If you have the missing page, please contact www.erbzine.com.
The drabble for today, “Pants, Levi Pants,” was inspired by the vision of Tarzan in cutoff jeans.Tarzan went to Guatemala to assist his friend, Erich, solving the murders at an archeological site. The murderers, seeking non-existent gold, attacked. Tarzan tore the legs from his Levi’s and took to the jungle wearing cutoffs. PANTS, LEVI PANTS
Later, Erich said, “Interesting loincloth. I don’t recognize the animal skin.”
“Cotton,” said Tarzan. “King Cotton, courtesy of Levi Strauss.”
“Tarzan, I know King Cobras. Was Strauss a mighty hunter?”
“He hunted for wealth and found it in the California gold fields. He wasn’t a miner. He made pants. In civilization, if you forget to wear pants, the police will remind you - forcibly.
ME TARZAN
July 26, 2023 and nineteen years ago on this day in 2004, The Guardian (www.theguardian..com) published an article titled “Me Tarzan, You pre-feminist symbol of patriarchal repression” by Rebecca Carver. The lack of capitalization in the article’s title is intentional.
The article says that the Arts and Humanities Research Board announced that it was funding research, which is to be conducted by Dr. Sarah Smith of Reading University, will explore issues such as imperialism, social class and race, gender, film censorship, sexuality, and the reception the films have had on society.
The AHRB was established in October 1998, by the three higher education funding councils for England, Scotland and Wales (HEFCE, SHEFC and HEFCW respectively), the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) in Northern Ireland and the British Academy.
The research planned to focus on six films in the MGM series, beginning with Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) and ending with Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942), censorship in the US and UK (The Hays Code), the casting and treatment of Black people in the films, and the development of Jane over the years.
Read the entire article at: https://www.theguardian.com/
The 100 word drabble for today is taken directly from the article by Rebecca Carver.Smith explains: "The first two films of the series are liberal, focusing on sexuality and violence. In later films there is a notable shift towards portraying milder issues such as childhood, domesticity and the woman's place in the home. ME TARZAN
"I suspect this was directly influenced by the Hays code - the ultimate censorship introduced in 1934.
“The 1934 film Tarzan and His Mate is considered a watershed film, containing uncensored scenes of homoeroticism and nudity. This seems quite radical for the era. But Dr. Smith explains: "People probably accepted it as a form of entertainment, and thought it was funny."
BANANA
July 27, 2023 and 77 years ago on this day in 1946, The story “Tarzan” by J. D. Van Der Merwe was published in the British true adventures magazine “The Wide World.” The article/story was subtitled “A South African hunter’s account of a decidedly hectic experience.” At first glance it sounds more like an adventure of Alan Quatermain than something about Tarzan.
The story is about Tarzan, but not about Tarzan of the Apes, it’s about Tarzan the ape, or rather Tarzan the chimpanzee. The writer had been hired to guide a safari capturing animals for zoos and captured a large chimpanzee early during the expedition and named the creature, Tarzan.
During a tight passage, the wagon containing several animals, including Tarzan, crashed. The chimp laid waste to the expedition until he was finally recaptured.
The entire article has been reproduced by Bill Hillman and is available to read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0061.html . Check it out, it’s a hoot.
The 100 word drabble today is, “Banana,” and it was inspired by the article “Tarzan” by J. D. Van Der Merwe. Eventually, the chimpanzee is lured back into captivity with the offer of bananas, because the only thing “Tarzan’ likes better than a banana is MORE BANANAS.I leaped aside. Behind me stood the big chimpanzee! Tarzan growled angrily, snatched the donkey-whip from my hand, raised the whip, and gave me a vicious cut across the cheek. BANANA
Lifting the whip again, Tarzan slashed me viciously across my bare legs. I vowed never to wear flimsy shorts again.
I could see no sign of any of my natives; the whole lot had fled in terror, leaving me to face this maddened brute alone. What a predicament! I remembered his weakness was bananas and I used them to lead him back to his cage. Bananas soothed the savage beast.”
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
July 28, 2023 and on this day sixty-five years ago in 1958, the Tarzan daily comic strip story arc, “Tarzan and the Lion Worshipers,” began. Written by Dick Van Buren and illustrated by John Celardo, the story arc ran for 48 days.
The entire story arc, all 48 pages, is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag43/4334.html
This story was very offensive to me. It involved the hunting and killing of large number of wild lions. Nevertheless, here’s a summary. The conservation officer in Uganda, Bill Almond is worried because there is a large surplus of lions which are killing and ravaging livestock and anything else they want. Bill obtained a permit to hunt and kill the lions. Tarzan joined him on his expedition to “The Land of Lions.”
The first day the hunters killed 200 lions. The second day very few lions were killed and five hunters vanished. The third day none of the hunters returned. They all were gone.Tarzan and Bill investigated and discovered a dead hunter, killed by men – not by lions. The VUDU tribe, lion worshipers, were protecting the lions.
The tribe attacked and set fire to the town where Tarzan and Almond were based.
Tarzan went to confront the tribe, but on the way he was set upon by lions. He decided that he agreed that there were too many surplus lions, and many would need to be killed to keep them from becoming man-eaters. (I find this out of character of Tarzan.) Tarzan told this to the VUDU, who disagreed and threw Tarzan into a pit to fight a black lion. Tarzan killed the lion, but hundreds of the wild lions attacked the VUDU village and then the tribe agreed not to let their religion endanger the country again.
Did I say that I really hate this story? I really hate this story. More lions were killed in this story than were killed in all the Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan novels combined. I didn’t include any of the episodes showing lions being killed in the daily comic pages and there were a lot of them.
The 100 word daily drabble, “And Justice For All,” was inspired by “The Lion Worshipers” and my dislike of the story arc.The Conservation Officer Bill Almond said, “Tarzan, there are too many lions. They’re killing all the livestock. It won’t be long before they become man-eaters. We have to kill them.” AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
Tarzan said, “The lions live here. They were here first. We’re the intruders. Surely you can find a less violent solution.”
“No, I won’t until they’ve killed a child. I’ve organized an expedition to hunt and kill them.”
“Bill, I can’t reconcile the term, “Conservation Officer,” with a man planning to kill hundreds of animals.”
“It’s my job.”
Tarzan shook his head. “Calling it your job, don't make it right.”
SMART ASS QUESTIONS
July 29, 2023 and fifty-one years on this day in 1972, the final new daily Tarzan newspaper comic strip was published. The story arc, “Tarzan Returns to the Earth’s Core,’ ran for 218 daily episodes and was written and drawn by Russ Manning. This particular story arc is well worth looking at. The artwork and story are arguably the best in the entire Tarzan daily comic run.
Unlike yesterday’s article about a Tarzan daily story arc, “Tarzan and the Lion Worshipers,” which I found offense, “Tarzan Returns to the Earth’s Core” is a magnificent story, well founded in Pellucidar as described by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Adventure, mystery, and intrigue. Monsters, mahars, mayhem, and maidens. Great fun. Sad to see the comic strip end, but what a story to do out on.
Russ Manning’s Tarzan artwork reminds me of Garrison Kellor’s description of Lake Wobegon. “All the women are strong, all the men or good-looking, and all the children are above average.”
The entire story arc may be read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag29/2942.html. The last Tarzan daily comic strip page is included with this article.
The drabble for today, Smart Ass Questions, was inspired by “Tarzan Returns to the Earth’s Core.”Korak, Tarzan’s son said, “Dad, you’ve been here before. How long did you stay?” SMART ASS QUESTIONS
“See the central sun overhead. It doesn’t move. There’s no concept of time inside the Earth.”
“How long ago was it?”
“Jungle Time is flexible. Days and nights blend together. Time in both places is measured in meals and sleeps. Lions don’t have calendars.”“So you don’t know when or for how long?”
“No.”
“Then why didn’t you just say that you don’t know.”
“Well, I was raised by great apes. They attack and kill when asked questions they can’t answer. I think I’ve progressed nicely.”
THE WALTZ OF LIFE
July 30, 2023 and forty years ago on this day in 1983, actor George Ford (George Howard Blandford) passed away in Montrose, Colorado. George started out as a contract actor in the 1930s, but like it was for most contract players, it wasn’t a path to stardom. He moved on to smaller roles, playing dancers, socialites and the like. He didn’t get to say much dialog, but his chiseled good looks and dancing skills kept him busy.
He was one of the best dancers in Hollywood, but he appeared in several war films and westerns. He was a regular townsman on Gunsmoke. IMDB lists 326 acting credits for George, and I’ll limit the list to some of my favorites, Cat Ballou, The Great Race, Four For Texas, North to Alaska, Elmer Gantry, Some Like It Hot. Damn Yankees, White Christmas, Singing in the Rain, and of course, Tarzan’s Magic Fountain, where he played an uncredited villager – and no, he didn’t dance the Watusi in the film.
George appeared on virtually every television series produced form the early 1950s through 1968 – over 300 parts is a lot of acting. Ozzie and Harriet, The Jack Benny Show, Riverboat, Laramie, and three episodes of the Twilight Zone. He was one of those familiar faces that made the “Golden Age of Television.”
After retiring in 1968, George and his wife moved to Montrose, Colorado, where he became an avid skier. The couple might have won a few, actually several, ballroom dance contests from time to time.
For details about George Ford’s career, go to: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0285660/
For details about “Tarzan’s Magic Fountain, visit: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0629.html
The 100 word drabble for today, “The Waltz of Life,” was inspired by George Ford’s long and busy movie career, mostly as a un-named character and often uncredited. He was always in demand and always busy. For the record, "Twenty-Two" was a Twilight Zone episode about an exotic dancer. Geprge wasn't in that episode.Rod Sterling said, “George, I’ll want you next week to play a bartender.” THE WALTZ OF LIFE
“Thanks, but I’m North To Alaska to mine gold and have a barfight with John Wayne.”
“Okay, next month I’ll need you to be an airplane pilot.”
” I’ve got a five episode gig on Riverboat.”
“Damn it, George, you’re the hardest working man in Hollywood.”
“That’s what people think, but I waltz through my roles. Life’s a dance and I’m the best dancer I know.”“I’ll use that. I see a Twenty-Two year old nightclub dancer.”
“Will I get a writing credit?”
“Don’t push it, George!”
POLLUTION PREVENTION
July 31, 2023 and last year on this day in 2022, actress and author Sara Shane died at age 94 in Gold Coast, Australia. Her birth name was Elaine Starling and her film and television career lasted from 1948 through 1964 and was limited to twenty-three film and four television appearances. She had roles in “Easter Parade,” “Neptune’s Daughter,” “Magnificent Obsession,” “Daddy Long Legs,” and was Angie in “Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure.”
She left acting in 1964 and became a business woman and author. Health obsessed, she moved from Los Angeles to the city, Gold Coast, Australia. to escape the pollution. She directed the ‘Hippocrates Health Center’ in Queensland Australia. Her books, written under her married name, Elaine Hollingsworth, were ”Zulma” and “Take Control of Your Health and Escape the Sickness Industry.” She wrote and produced the documentary, “One Answer to Cancer.”
Details about the film “Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure” are at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1957.html
A more detailed biography and filmography of Sara Shane: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788080/
The drabble, “Pollution Prevention,” for today was inspired by Sara Shane’s decision to leave California for health reasons and move to Australia. A ‘coldie’ is Aussie talk for a can of beer.A potential patient at the Hippocrates Health Center in Australia sat staring at the director, Elaine Hollingsworth, who said, “That finishes the paperwork. Any questions?” POLLUTION PREVENTION
“Yes, you look just like the lady in “Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure,” but I think her name was Sara.”
That’s me. I left California for my health. The air polluted my lungs and the social environment polluted my soul.”
“You like it here?”
“Took I while. I’d grown accustomed to seeing the air I breathe. Clean air seemed no air. As far the social life, Waltzing Matilda and a coldie beats a film premier any day.”
