Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7744  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles
NOVEMBER V Edition :: Days 1-15
by Robert Allen Lupton
Next Week Go to Days 16-31 at ERBzine 7744a
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
YABBA-DABA-DOO
November 1, 2023: On this day in 1914, Edgar Rice Burroughs completed “Barney Custer of Beatrice,” the sequel to “The Mad King.” Both stories were combined to make up the novel “The Mad King,” published by A. C. McClurg on September 18, 1926. “Barney Custer of Beatrice” was serialized in All-Story Weekly – 4 installments from August 7 through August 21, inclusive. The first episode had a cover by W. C. Fairchild.
For all the details: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0758.html
The drabble for today is “Yabba-Daba-Doo, inspired by Barney Custer of Beatrice and his prehistoric namesake created by masters Hanna and Barbera. The drabble contains eleven puns relative to the Hanna Barbera production and a couple more related directly to Barney Custer.After the bombing, the mayor said to the police chief, “We must tell Barney, rubble is everywhere. The bombs fell and bam-bam, the city fell.” YABBA-DABA-DOO
“Sir, slate, rocks, gravel, and flint stones killed several people. Pebbles flew like bullets. I bet he will be upset, but I’ll will myself to tell him.”
“Don’t be afraid. Wake him up.”
He should be awake already, the explosions should have made his bed rock.”
“Mayor, will he be angry?”
“A little mad, but things could be worse. Several buildings are still standing. The enemy could have bombed us back to the stone age.”
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DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR
November 2, 2023: On this day in 1980, the Tarzan Sunday comics completed the reprint story arc, “Zugor the Ape,” written by Archie Goodwin and illustrated by Gil Kane. The reprint series reproduced the pages with one panel missing, recolored them, and printed them in a slightly smaller size. The last installment is included with this post.
Read the entire story arc at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag34/3497.html
Tarzan arrived at International Airport in a large unnamed city, where he insisted on visiting a local circus. He found an old friend from the jungle, Zugor the Ape, being badly mistreated. Tarzan intervened and fought with the roustabouts. Later Zugor escaped, unintentionally terrorized the population, and hid in a park. Sadly, at the end and like King Kong, Zugor falls from a tall building and dies.
Wonderful story for the children to read, but the story is intended to be an object lesson about he captivity and exhibition of wild animals and animal cruelty.
The drabble for today is “Death Before Dishonor,” and it was inspired by the story arc, “Zugor the Ape.” A sad tale intend to provide a much needed lesson about animal cruelty.Tarzan pursued the escaped circus ape, Zugor, through the streets and parks. He followed him across the skyscrapers and onto the city’s largest bridge. “Zugor,”said Tarzan. “You’re hurt and frightened. You’ve frightened everyone, but you haven’t hurt anyone. Surrender.” DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR
“I won’t return to the circus to be caged again.” The ape moved to the edge of the parapet and stepped off, but Tarzan grabbed his hand.
“Don’t let go. You fall, you die.”
“The only choice remaining is when and how I die, and I’m going to make that decision.” Zugor released Tarzan’s hand and fell silently to the pavement.
NOT TO DECIDE IS TO DECIDE
November 3, 2023: 56 years ago on this day in 1967, episode 39 of the Ron Ely Tarzan television series, “The Last of the Supermen,” was broadcast. Guest stars included Antoinette Bower, Michael Burns, and Brock Peters. Peters voiced Darth Vader for the PBS radio versions of the first two Star Wars adaptions, Michael Burns had a long television career including 54 episodes of Wagon Train. Annette appeared in over 80 different television series. She was great on Mission Impossible.
Information on the entire series is at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7420.html The images accompanying this post are courtesy of erbzine.
Tarzan’s old friend, M’Kone, goes on a mission to kill the Nazi’s who killed his wife and child. Forget about the timeframe. Tarzan strangely enough tries to stop M’Kone claiming that even Nazi’s have a right to life. These particular Nazi’s are beyond stupid and it’s surprising that anyone as stupid as they are has managed to survive the years since the end of the WW2. Tarzan tricks them several times and eventually tries to save them by warning them not to go into a dangerous cave. Think about the television commercial, “We’ll hide behind the chainsaws.” The Nazi’s ignore Tarzan’s advice and the universe takes revenge on them.
The drabble for today is, “Not to Decide is to Decide.”Kurt and Helmut, two former Nazi soldiers, were pursued by African tribesmen, who sought to kill them for the atrocities they committed during the Second World War. Tarzan tried to keep them alive to face judicial justice. NOT TO DECIDE IS TO DECIDE
The Nazis found a cave. “There’re no animal signs. We’ll hide inside,” said Helmut.
Tarzan appeared. “Come back out. Animals don’t use this cave. It’s unstable and could collapse any second.”Kurt whined. “Should we stay or should we go.”
Helmut shrugged, “Let’s think about it.”
A sudden rock fall killed them both while they pondered because a rock can make a decision.
WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING PERMIT
November 4: On this day in 1961, the Tarzan daily comic story arc, “Tarzan and the Raiders,” written by Bill Elliot and illustrated by John Celardo came to end after sixty episodes.
In the story arc, men claiming to be traders, but without licenses arrive in Africa. Tarzan and the Ururu tribe confront them and bloodshed ensues. Tarzan and the Ururu track the raiders to their hideout where Tarzan is shot with a tranquilizer and captured. He eventually recovers and escapes, turning the weapon on his captor. The effects linger and Tarzan insists on being taken to Medu, a witch doctor in the village of medicine men, who helps the jungle lord recover his strength.
Read the entire story arc at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag44/4426.html
The drabble for today. We Don’t Need No Stinking Permit,” is taken from that story arc. Tarzan confronted the raiders, who claimed to be legitimate traders, but refused to show their permit. Tarzan became increasingly angry. It's not good to make him angry.Tarzan confronted armed strangers. “If you’re licensed traders, my Ururu friends will bring some gold each month to your trading station. Do business with you! So lower your guns before I run out of patience.” WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING PERMIT
The stranger said, “I hear a troop of spider monkeys has a cave full of gold in the mountains.”
“Monkeys with gold. A silly children’s tale.”
“Give us the gold or we’ll take it.”
“I’m not alone here. Behind me are enough warriors to cut all of you into very small pieces.”
The strangers fought and learned that gold has no value to dead men.
BOMBS AND BABIES
November 5: On this day in 1940, Edgar Rice Burroughs finished writing, “Adventure on Poloda.” The story was the first installment of a planned new series and it was first published combined with “Tangor’s Return’ in the January 1942 edition of Blue Book Magazine. “Stories of Adventure for MEN, by Men.” Titled “Beyond the Farthest Star,” the story received a cover mention, but not the illustration, which was by Herbert Morton Stoops and is an illustration of ghostly galleons in the sky above a WW2 convoy, although it appears to be an illustration for “Terror in the Sunlight” by Michael Gallister. The only other writer in the issue that I recognize is H. Bedford Jones.
Illustrator Grattan Condon drew four interior illustrations, but only one for “Beyond the Farthest Star.”
Publication history, several illustrations and the complete EBook at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag8/0862.html#pulp
Poloda is a world of people engaged in constant warfare. Two sides (Think Communism and Capitalistic governments) have fought each other, mostly by bombing raids, every day for decades or longer. Every boy grows up to go to war and most are killed. Not exactly a sustainable plan.
The drabble for today, “Bombs and Babies,” was inspired by “Beyond the Farthest Star,” ERB’s commentary on endless warfare.Tangor, an Earthman on Poloda, talked with a local woman. “So your children all grow up to be soldiers or airmen.” BOMBS AND BABIES
“Men, yes.”
“The women?”
“Women don’t fight. We help build airplanes, bombs, and other weapons. Our other duty is to birth children to staff the military.”“So by night you conceive children and by day you manufacture the weaponry to kill them, right?”
“No, our weapons kill other women’s children. They make weapons to kill ours. It’s not the same thing.”
“A distinction without a difference. I hope you run out of bombs before you run out of children.”
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SIMPLY THE BEST
November 6: Sadly, on this day in 2001, prolific graphic artist and illustrator, Gray Morrow passed away in Kunkletown, Pennsylvania. Morrow illustrated thousands of paperback covers, comic books, Sunday and daily newspaper comic pages, and magazine covers. I can’t list them all here, but over the years, he worked for almost every comic book publisher, including: Archie Comics, Charlton Comics, Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Eclipse Comics, Marvel Comics, and Warren Publishing.
For the newspapers, he ghosted a handful of strips, illustrated Buck Rogers and also the Tarzan Sunday strip from 1983 to 2001, with his last Tarzan page appearing on August 19, 2001, slightly more than 2 months before his death. That’s over 900 Sunday comic pages. The Tarzan strip discontinued new episodes less than a year fter his death. He was nominated for three Hugo awards.
All his Sunday Tarzan Pages are online at www.erbzine.com . Start here: https://www.erbzine.com/mag35/3501.html . His first and last Tarzan Sunday pages are included with this article.
The drabble for today, ‘Simply the Best,” is taken from the obituary for this talented artist in the Pocono Record Newspaper on November 14, 2001. Read the entire obituary at: https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2001/11/15/comic-book-legend-kunkletown-resident/51072604007/ It features a quotation from one of my favorite artists, Mark Wheatley.In the science fiction field, he’s best known for his cover paintings and illustrations for Amazing, Fantastic, Analog, Worlds of Tomorrow, Galaxy, If, and the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and for many paperbacks from the 1960s and 70s. SIMPLY THE BEST
Possibly his most lauded work was his adaption of Roger Zelazny’s 'A Rose for Ecclesiastes,' cited by fans and peers as his personal masterpiece.
"Gray’s somewhere out there gathering research for his next amazing painting and wherever he is, he's got a pencil or a paint brush in his hand and his faithful horse nearby, ready to ride," Wheatley said.
ANNOUNCING A SPECIAL FIRST EDITION OF I AM A BARBARIAN
November 7: On this day in 1941, according to www.erbzine.com “November Week One Events,” Edgar Rice Burroughs completed writing “I Am a Barbarian.” The story was submitted to Red Book Magazine and Blue Book Magazine, where it was promptly rejected as too gruesome. At the time, it became the last Edgar Rice Burroughs novel to be published as a first edition by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. in 1967. (Donald Grant published “Marcia of the Doorstep” and “You Lucky Girl” in 1999. By the way, the ERB first edition, with a cover by Jeff Jones, was priced at $6.00. I can happily say that I ordered one at that price. I saved the mailing label for some reason and shipping cost was $1.15.
The first edition was limited to 2000 copies. Ace books published a paperback edition that same month with a cover by Boris. With only two editions, this is one of the rarest Burroughs books. However, a graphic edition of the book is now available from ERB Inc. at https://edgarriceburroughs.com/...(Script adapted by Tom Simmons ~ Artist: Mike Dubisch) About $60 without a signed bookplate and $70.00 with one.
The scant details about the novel, its history, and illustrations: https://www.erbzine.com/mag8/0863.html
The drabble for today is from an advertisement for the novel, titled “Announcing A Special First Edition of I AM A BARBARIAN.”For the first time since 1948, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. will publish its own first edition of a hitherto unpublished manuscript by ERB. One of the ‘Surprises in the Safe,’ “I Am A Barbarian was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in Honolulu only a few months before Pearl Harbor and the years of turmoil that followed, the manuscript was all but forgotten. Now, at last, Burroughs aficionados can read this fascinating historical novel, a thoroughly researched work which recreates the decadent era of the Caesars, as seen through the eyes of Britannicus, the barbarian slave of the ruthless Emperor, Caligula. ANNOUNCING A SPECIAL FIRST EDITION OF I AM A BARBARIAN
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GO WITH THE FLOW
November 8: On this day in 1942, the John Carter of Mars Sunday page by John Coleman Burroughs featured John Carter battling a spider six times his size. The creatures was called a Grazoon. After defeating the spider, the ooze covering the floor of the cave where they’d battled seem to rise up festooned with living faces, and came after the Warlord with wave like undulations. Read the next episode next Sunday.
Every episode of the strip and a novelization of the story by Dale R. Broadhurst is available, beginning at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag22/2281.html
The drabble for today, “Go With The Flow,” is excerpted from Dale Broadhurst’s novelization. Dokar Sojat is the name John Carter is called by the Tharks, a tribe of green martians. He earned the name by killing two Thark warriors in battle, Dokar and Sojat.The waves of ooze continued to roll in, from the right as well as the left, and from each wave a grotesque face stared ominously out at him. GO WITH THE FLOW
"This can't be real," he said to himself. "Not even on Mars does mire come alive!"
Still, the living mud waves rolled onward tirelessly battering him from all sides.
“Oh! Dotar Sojat -- have you died!" Sola, the daughter of Tars Tarkas, John Carter’s best friend, cried out, believing the worst.Just then an alien thought sprang from out of nowhere and reverberated within the Martian girl's telepathic consciousness: "I yet live!"
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BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
November 9: On this day in 1922, actress Dorothy Dandridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She was nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award for “Carmen Jones” in 1954 and for a Golden Globe in 1959 for ‘Porgy and Bess.” In 1951, she played Melmendi, Queen of the Ashuba, in the film, “Tarzan’s Peril.” Covered in ERBzine at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1951.html
She was a talented singer and dancer, with a substantial career as a night club performer and performing artist. She appeared in 39 films or television shows, including three appearances on Ed Sullivan.
Dandridge died in in her apartment in 1965. A LA pathology institute said the cause of death was an antidepressant overdose, but the coroner ruled that she died of a “fat embolism” resulting from a recent broken bone in her right foot.
The drabble for today, “Believe in Yourself,” is a collection of quotations attributed to this remarkable actress.My mother taught me that nothing worthwhile is gained without hardships or determination and I attribute whatever success I have had to her. Sometimes the hardest person to believe in is yourself, but it’s essential to keep pushing forward. There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise. Success is a journey, not a destination. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
If one person in a thousand criticized me while all the others cheered, I didn’t hear the cheers. I’d like that someone to remember that even if she couldn’t reach the top, she hoped with all her heart that someone else would.
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RAINY DAY
November 10: On this day in 2007, Laraine Day died in Irving, Utah. She was an actress, radio and television commentator, author, and former MGM contract star. She had her own television and radio shows and was known as the “First Lady of Baseball.” She was married to NY Giants manager, Leo Durocher.
Her 76 film and television credits include Nurse Lamont in several Dr. Kildare films and Mrs. Richard Lancing in “Tarzan Finds a Son!” https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0620.htmlShe also starred with John Wayne in “The High and the Mighty.” Her final appearance was in 1986 in two episodes of the television series, “Murder, She Wrote.”
She, her husband Leo Durocher, and Willie Mays, a close family friend and baseball star, posed for a Sports Illustrated cover in 1955. Laraine had her hand on Willie’s shoulder and the picture caused a racially inspired scandal at the time.
The drabble for today is “Rainy Day,” and it’s a fictional conversation, inspired by the life and career of Laraine Day.“Ms. Day, you dated movie stars, but you married a baseball manager, Leo Durocher.” RAINY DAY
“Yes, you got real emotion from Leo, he didn’t hide his feelings and he didn’t pretend. It was a nice change from actors.”‘You arranged your filming schedule to fit the baseball season.”
“I wasn’t just being a good wife. I really loved the Giants. I’d rather win a pennant than an Academy Award.”“And the players liked you.”
“They said I was good luck and kept bad weather away, With “La Rain Day” in the stands, there wouldn’t be a rain day on the field.”
I STILL SWING
November 11: On this day in 1962, the Wisconsin State Journal of Madison, Wisconsin published the article, “After 50 Years Tarzan is Still on the Move” by Ralph B. Cosham, of the United Press. Here’s a link to one of Cosham’s obituaries. https://dctheatrescene.com/
He was a well respected local theatre actor, a consummate voice over performer, and a recovering journalist.
The entire article has been reproduced at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag70/7035.html
The article is a tribute and a short history of how ERB wrote and sold his first novels, how Tarzan became a business, the first Tarzan movie, the Tarzan yell, crediting Johnny Weissmuller, a hyena cry played backwards, a high note by a soprano, recorded slowly and sped up, a growling dog, and a violin bow scraped on the G-String. Say it ain’t so, Johnny!
The drabble for today, “I Still Swing,” is from the beginning paragraphs of Cosham’s article. Some of us might find the first two paragraphs somewhat familiar.With the ease of a chimpanzee and the grace of a leopard, the wild man swung himself through the treetops of darkest Africa. I STILL SWING
He landed on a high branch, thumped his chest in the fashion of an ape, and let out a bloodcurdling yell which struck fear into the hearts of every wild beast for miles around.
Tarzan, born from hunger gnawing at the stomach of an impoverished pencil sharpener salesman, was on the move in 1912. Today, after 50 years, Tarzan is still swinging. He’s the heart of a fantastic empire which once included everything from books to bread.
IN HIS IMAGE
November 12: On this day in 1963, Canaveral Press published a reprint edition of “Escape On Venus,” with a cover by Sam Sigaloff, who copied the cover art by John Coleman Burroughs that was used on the first edition of the book. Call it a tribute or call it plagiarism, who knows. Both covers are included herein, decide for yourself.
Details and illustrations concerning "Escape On Venus": https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0751.html
Sigaloff also illustrated the covers for “Carson of Venus” and “Back to the Stone Age” reprint editions by Canaveral Press – both covers were, at the very least, recreations of the John Coleman Burroughs original dust jacket art. Details about the artist are virtually non-existent.
The 100 word drabble for today, “In His Image,” is a fictional discussion between artist Sam Sigaloff and Richard Lupoff, one of the editors at Canaveral Press.“Sam,” said Richard Lupoff. “Your cover for “Escape From Venus,” looks a lot like you copied the original John Coleman Burroughs cover for the novel. It could even be a tracing.” IN HIS IMAGE
“Nonsense! My illustration is in black and white. The font is different and the shadows on the fishman’s legs are different.”
“Distinctions without differences.”
“Well, people complained about the previous artist, Mahlon Blaine. That said his art didn’t look like Burroughs’ art.”Agreed, but this looks too much like the original artwork.”
“That’s unfair. There’s not a trace of evidence that I copied these, photocopies haven’t been invented yet.
THING GOT WORSE WHILE YOU WERE AWAY
November 13: On this day in 2015, Meteor House Press released “Song of Kwasin,” by Philip Jose Farmer and Christopher Paul Carey. This is probably the date the book became available on Amazon.
The book takes place in the world of the Philip Jose Farmer novels, “Flight For Opar” and “Hadon of Ancient Opar,” both of which were inspired by the city of Opar, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs and featured in the Tarzan novels, including “Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar.” https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0490.html
The book is available in hardcover, paperback, and EBook editions at: https://meteorhousepress.com/the-song-of-kwasin/
This is the first standalone edition of the book and it contains many rare and/or previously unpublished material including a 20,000 word novella by Farmer and Carey,”Kwasin and the Bear God.” This volume is huge and very well priced. Not only that, it’s a great read.
The 100 word drabble, “Thing Got Worse While You Were Away. for today is the first part of the ‘blurb’ for the book that appears on the Meteor House website.After years of exile in the Wild Lands, the giant warrior Kwasin of Dythbeth returns to the mighty Khokarsan Empire seeking the oracle’s forgiveness, only to find his native land torn asunder in a bloody civil war. The tyrannical King Minruth has usurped the throne from his daughter Awineth, and allied with the priests of the sun god Resu, overturned the beneficent, centuries old rule of the priestesses of the goddess Kho. His spoiled cousin Hadon having fled with his companions to far-flung Opar, Kwasin soon finds he will have to take up the cause alone against Minruth the Mad THING GOT WORSE WHILE YOU WERE AWAY
NAME THAT APE
November 14: On this day in 2006, members of the cast of Tarzan, the Broadway Musical, https://www.erbzine.com/disney/ including star Chester Gregory II, appeared on ABC’s talk show, “The View.” One of the hosts, Rosie O’Donnell joined the cast for a performance of the song, “Trashin’ the Camp.” Rosie had portrayed “Terk” in the Disney animated film, “Tarzan,” and Gregory played the role in the Musical.
Disney’s choice to use the name Terk, seemed at the very least, arbitrary and confusing, if not unfortunate. Terkoz, one of the mangani (the apes) attacked Tarzan and gave the apeman the scar on his forehead. Later Terkoz kidnapped Jane and Tarzan killed the beast. Terkoz was hardly a cute friend.
Teeka, a female ape, is presented as Tarzan’s first love in “Jungle Tales of Tarzan.” But in the actual books, there is no Terk, good or bad, friend or foe.
Perhaps the issue of name selection is a result of having three screenwriters and over 20 other writers credited for writing part of the story. Writing by the consensus of over 20 people is the very definition of insanity. Gettng 20 people to agree that it’s raining is almost impossible.
The drabble for today is ‘Name that Ape,’ inspired by Disney’s decision to name Tarzan’s childhood ape friend Terk. It’s a fictional conversation between the credited screenwriters, Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker, and Noni White.Tab said, “Hey Noni, Noni, we need to give the young Tarzan a buddy to talk to, otherwise the plot will drag." NAME THAT APE
Bob said, “He had a girlfriend named Teeka in one of the books.”
“No girlfriend. We can’t even suggest a hint of a human / ape love interest.”
Noni nodded. “There’s an ape called Terkoz, but he's a bad dude.”
“Shorten it to Terk. We can’t use Oz in the name. People will think flying monkeys.”
“Okay. Terk sounds cute and cute is key.”
“Right, everyone likes cute, so Terk key it is, with gravy on the side.”
November 15: On this day in 1934, actress Joanna Barnes was born in Boston. She attended Smith College and received the college’s poetry award. The previous recipient was Silva Plath. Probably realizing that most poets are always broke, she took up acting. IMDB lists 100 film and television credits for Joanna, including ”Auntie Mame,” “The Parent Trap” (original and the remake), “Spartacus,” “Tarzan the Ape Man” with Denny Miller, five episodes of “Maverick,” and thirteen episodes of “21 Beacon Street.” She appeared frequently on “What’s My Line.”
She wrote several novels, including “The Deceivers,” “Pastora,” “Silverwood,” and “Who Is Carla Hart?” Her newspaper column "Touching Home" was carried by The Chicago Tribune and the New York News Syndicate.
For details about 1959’s Tarzan the Ape Man: https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1959.html
The 100 drabble for today is. “Credit and Blame,” is a bit of doggerel poetry inspired by the multitalented Joanna Barnes. The final couplet is from a quotation by Joanna about the difference between acting awards and book awards.CREDIT AND BLAME
Joanna considered living life as a poet
But poets die broke, and she came to know it.
Living well should be a career choice factor
And she decided to become an actor.
She soon stared on screen, big and small
Television series, she appeared in them all.
Financially secure, she still was a writer
And like in school, pulled many a long over nighter
Typing, rewriting, editing, and endless review
Plots and pacing, there’s always something to do
Book credit was all hers, to blame or to thank
With films, not her fault, twas the others who caused it tank.
