Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7789  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles
APRIL VI Edition :: Days 1-15
by Robert Allen Lupton
NEXT WEEK: Go to Days 16-30 at ERBzine 7789a
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
April 1: On this day in 1922, Redbook Magazine published the second installment, “When the Lion Fed,” of “Tarzan the Untamed.” As was their policy, the cover of the magazine featured an illustration of a cheerful and attractive young woman by Haskell Coffin, who illustrated almost all of Red Book’s covers for several years. Charles Livingston Bull provided twenty-five interior illustrations for the series.
The publication history and several articles about the novel, along with many illustrations, are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0493.html
The drabble for today is, "Food for Thought," inspired by "Tarzan the Untamed."Berrtha Kircher, a British spy pretending to be German, said, “Tarzan, I know that you took Major Schneider from the German camp. What happened to him?” FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“I fed him to a lion.”
“You did what?”
“What can I say? The lion was hungry.”
“And Officer von Goss?”
“He burned my home and kidnapped or killed my wife. He went on and on about his country. I killed him.”“Did you feed him to a lion as well?”
“No, the lion deserved a break. Major Schneider gave the lion indigestion. There’s only so much of jingoistic rhetoric that anyone can stomach.”
RED AS FIRE
April 2: On this day in 1938, Argosy Weekly published the third installment of “Tarzan and the Forbidden City,” but the title of the magazine version was “The Red Star of Tarzan.” Edgar Rice Burroughs was mentioned by name on the cover without a reference to the story contained therein. The cover illustration by G. J. Rozen was for “Cowboy, Get Your Gun” by Bennett Foster, who wrote about 50 tales of the old west for the pulps. The issue contained the conclusion of “A Ship of the Line,” a Horatio Hornblower novel by C. S. Forester, which didn’t even get a cover mention.
The Red Star of Tarzan was originally produced as a radio drama, “Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher.” The radio drama wasn’t mentioned in ERB’s working notebook, but he noted that he started writing “Red Star” on October 10, 1937 and finished it on November 18, 1937. Argosy rewrote the story considerably before publication, but Burroughs published the first edition as originally written and under his original title, “Tarzan and the Forbidden City” in 1938.
The magazine version of the story, all the radio recordings, and a summary of the radio episodes are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0729.html
The drabble for today, “Red as Fire,” features my old friends from New Orleans, Pat and John, and it’s inspired by the many titles and versions of “Tarzan and the Forbidden City.” Just for the record, a mondegreen is a misheard music lyric. The two that come immediately to mind are “’scuse me while I kiss this guy” and “Jose, can you see.”“Pat, I found some old magazines. They changed the name of the novel from “Tarzan and the Forbidden City.” RED AS FIRE
‘John, it’s basically the radio show, Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher.”
“That’s fine. I think the original title was cruel. It makes fun of an injury Tarzan received when an ape ripped open his forehead. You remember whenever Tarzan got angry, the scar turned bright red.”John, it’s Red Star, not Red Scar.”
“His scar isn’t shaped like a star.”
“John, you have mondegreen vision.”
“Well, joy to the visions in the deep blue sea!”
“Right, red whales at sunset.”
FAULT OR NO FAULT
April 3: On this day in 1921, Edgar Rice Burroughs was driving his Packard automobile on Ventura Boulevard when he was involved in a traffic accident. Details are sketchy, but everyone involved lived to write and fight another day. Ed said that the other driver was a ‘dangerous driver’ and wrote a letter to the Automobile Club asking them to prosecute the driver. Ed wrote that ‘only my good driving prevented a serious accident.’ Ref: ERB's Bio Timeline 1920-29
The drabble for today, “Fault or No Fault,” was inspired by that incident.Officer Hillman took statements from the Packard driver, the other driver, and a couple witnesses. “Mr. Burroughs, it’s apparent the other man was doing over 40 miles an hour and crossed the centerline. I’m glad you aren’t hurt.” FAULT OR NO FAULT
Ed said, “He’s a menace. He shouldn’t allowed to drive.”
“Perhaps not, but that’s not my decision. Now, your full name is Edgar Rice Burroughs, right. I’ll be needing your autograph.”“So you’re a fan. Certainly, shall I sign a book for you?”
“Fan, no. I’m a constable. Move your Packard out of the street and sign and date this accident report.”
MONSTER MASH
April 5: On this day in 1908, film director Kurt Neumann was born in Nuremberg, German. Neumann became famous for his science fiction films, including “The Fly,” “Rocketship X-M,” “Kronos, and “She- Devil.” He directed four Tarzan films, “Tarzan and the Amazons,” “Tarzan and the Leopard Woman,” “Tarzan and the Huntress,” and Tarzan and the She-Devil.”
He immigrated to the United States at about age 20. He did not fight for Germany, or anyone else for that matter, during WW1, he was about ten years old when the first World War ended.
Neumann died at age fifty and there were false reports that he committed suicide after viewing the final cut of “The Fly.”
Details about Neumann’s four Tarzan films are on the website www.erbzine.com/movies
The drabble for today is and it was inspired by Neumann’s career.While filming “The Fly,” Vincent Price said, “Kurt, Good to work with you.” MONSTER MASH
“Indeed,” said Kurt Neumann. “You never one of my Tarzan pictures.”
“I played “The Saint” on television in those days. Steady work, you know.”
“I remember. In this next scene, the flyman begs for help and you smash him with a rock.”
“That’s harsh. It’ll ruin my image as a kind and sensitive person.”
“That ship sailed when you played the slave master in “The Ten Commandments.”
“Nonetheless.”
“Fine, the cop’ll kill him. You’ll make the spooky closing speech.”
“May I say Monster Mash?”
“Oh, hell no.”
TARZAN TRIUMPHANT
April 6: On this day in 2022, the Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library Edition of “Tarzan Triumphant’ was published by Edgar Rice Burroughs Incorporated. The cover illustration is by Joe Jusko.
“Tarzan Triumphant” was originally serialized in Blue Book Magazine in 1931. ERB Inc. published the first edition in 1932 with artwork by Studley Burroughs. Ace Books reprinted it in 1964 – cover by Roy Krenkel. Ballantine also published the novel with cover art by Richard Powers. Robert Abbett, and Neal Adams.
The drabble for today was inspired by the title of the novel, “Tarzan Triumphant.” https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0723.html“Uncle Ed,” asked Studley Burroughs. I’ve finished the cover, but before I add the lettering, I want to be sure that you want the title to be “Tarzan Triumphant.” TARZAN TRIUMPHANT
“Yes, I do. Why would you ask?”
“It takes the suspense out of the story. You’ve announced on the cover that Tarzan will win."“And you see that as a problem?”
“I do.”
“Studley, the millions of people who buy my books don’t buy them for Tarzan to be defeated. They want a world where good wins and evil loses. One thing the newspapers get right is “Don’t bury the lede.”
TRAVEL TIME
April 7: On this in 1933, The Intrepid Thirty-Threers, ERB’s name for the family vacationers, left Death Valley in search of the Pacific Ocean, and reached Malibu in less than ten hours. Today that drive can be done in a little over four hours by taking California Highway 14 almost the entire distance. In those days, Ed would probably have taken the Midland Trail, established in 1925. It connected to El Camino Cierra in Big Pine. The roads, including the ‘Midland Trail,” were two lanes and went through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Ed could have driven through either Tehachapi Pass or Tejon Pass along what was called the Ridge Route. The Cajon Pass route wasn’t really a highway in those days and while Ed was an ‘Intrepid Explorer,’ I expect that with the family in tow, he took the more established Midland Trail route. Ten hours is pretty darn good time for 1933, even in a Lincoln Twelve Sedan.
The photos included with this article include Tehachapi Pass and a photo of a 1932 Lincoln V-12, but it isn’t Ed’s automobile.
Read ERB’s account of the trip at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag3/0392.html
The drabble for today is “Travel Time,” inspired by the Intrepid Thirty Threers.Emma complained. “I feel like the girl on the bicycle-built-for-two. I’ve been beaten and bounced for ten hours.” TRAVEL TIME
Ed said, “When folks rode wagons, the trip took ten days.”
Jack said, “”Dad, we averaged twenty miles an hour. Maybe next year we’ll average over thirty miles an hour.”Emma groaned. “Nonsense, regular cars aren’t made to travel that fast.”
Ed laughed. “One thing I’ve learned when writing fiction is that if I can make it up, sooner or later someone will build it. I’ve seen what the new automobiles look like.”“Ed, you wouldn’t.”
“I’ve already put one on hold.”
TO QUEEN OR NOT TO QUEEN
April 8: On this day in 1906, Actress Yola d’Avril was born in Lille, France. Her family relocated to Paris during WW1. She moved to Los Angeles in 1923. She appeared in several films including “Tarzan and his Mate,” “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Captain Blood,” “Gone With The Wind,” and “Sorry, Wrong Number.” She was never the lead and frequently uncredited, bur her career lasted from 1925’s “The Dressmaker from Paris” to 1953’s “Little Boy Lost.”
She appeared in pictures with Johnny Weissmuller, Errol Flynn, and many other celebrities. Her first appearance in talking pictures was in ‘The Love Parade,’ and she performed an exquisite rendition in the screening of the talking play entitled ‘Those Three French Girls.’ Miss d’Avril was an earnest and loyal worker in her chosen profession and received favorable recognition as an artist of exceptional talent and winning stage presence, while her personality gained to her a host of friends in the land of her adoption. She was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Details about the film, “Tarzan and His Mate,” are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0615.html
The drabble for today, “ To Queen, or not to Queen,” was inspired by her career.“Yola,” said her agent. I have an attractive offer for you from a powerful kingdom in Europe. The king is smitten with you. He offers marriage and to become the queen. He’s quite young and handsome.” TO QUEEN OR NOT TO QUEEN
“I left France because of the unrest in Europe. I expect another war at any time.”
“Perhaps, but you only play small uncredited roles. You’ll be a leading lady, a queen.”
“But I’d be in politics, not pictures.”
“Yes, but you’ll be a wealthy powerful queen. Shall I tell him you’ll meet with him?”
“And give up show business. No, a thousand times no.”
FORBIDDEN CITY
April 9: On this day in 1938, Argosy Weekly published part four of the Red Star of Tarzan, later published as the novel “Tarzan and the Forbidden City.”
The issue’s cover is a beautiful drawing of a two wolves stalking a dog sled team. The painting by V. E. Pyles illustrateed “The Fowl of the Air,” an epic of the far north. Edgar Rice Burroughs was mentioned on the cover.
The drabble for today, “Forbidden City,” was inspired by one of the titles for the story. It features my old friends from New Orleans, Pat and John.“Pat, I just read “Tarzan and the Forbidden City.” It was a little different from the Argosy version “Red Star of Tarzan.” I have to say I was disappointed.” FORBIDDEN CITY
“And what disappointed you, John?”
“The Forbidden City is in China, but the story takes place in Africa. The Chinese flag has yellow stars on a red field, close enough for government work. Forbidden City, stars on a red flag, China. Tarzan should be in China.”“John, don’t be silly.”
“I want Tarzan to be in China.”
“Burroughs isn’t pandaring to what you want.”
“I know. I can hardly bear it.”
PRETTY AS A PICTURE
April 10: On this day in 1905, Edgar Rice Burroughs drew the cartoon sketch, “The Window Shutters.” He drew several sketches about events in his life, including his time as a railroad policeman, Christmas cards, birthday cards, and of course, sketches of his characters for personal reference when writing his stories.
Many of his sketches may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag27/2761.html
The drabble, “Pretty as a Picture,” for today was inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs artistic ability.John Coleman Burroughs said, “Dad, I found some of your sketches in old files. You’re a pretty good artist, but you never pursued it.” PRETTY AS A PICTURE
Ed glanced at his old drawings and laughed. “No, I didn’t. Sketches are one thing and commercial art is something else. I never had the patience to attempt commercial art.”
“Does it take too long?”
“Well, you spend a month on a single painting. In a month, I can write a novel worth thousands on the first sale. Folks say that a picture’s worth a thousand words, but it’s not worth a thousand words of mine.”
ANGER MANAGEMENT
April 11: On this day in 1952, the film, Tarzan’s Savage Fury was released. The film was directed by Cy Endfield and starred Lex Barker as Tarzan and Dorothy Hart as Jane. The movie was filmed in California. The film ran 81 minutes. https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0580.html
This was one of Endfield’s last films. He was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee and he moved to England. This is interesting when we consider the plot of the film Tarzan has to deal with criminals and Russian agents.
The drabble for today is “Anger Management,” inspired by the film and its title.Tarzan and a native tribe surrounded the men who’d claimed to be British agents. The chieftain said, “Tarzan, let’s kill them all.” ANGER MANAGEMENT
“No, I’m mad as hell, but I can’t kill everyone who lies to me.”
“I can. It’s a lesson for others and the dead don’t do it again.”
“That’s true, but I must not overreact with savage fury.”
The chief said, “Fine, we have trial. They lie and steal diamonds. Guilty.”
Rokov, the Russian, said, “Not a fair trial. Now I’m angry, just like Tarzan.
“Difference. Tomorrow Tarzan still be furious, but you won’t be. You’ll be dead.”
WHAT I SAY, NOT WHAT I DO
April 12: On this day in 1928, filming began on “Tarzan the Mighty,” https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0592.html The film starred Frank Merrill as Tarzan and Natalie Kingston as Mary Trevor. Jane was nowhere to be seen.
The drabble for today is, “What I Say, Not What I do,” was inspired by hypocritical behavior around the world.Tarzan hid behind his mother, Kala. “Tergash is very angry." WHAT I SAY, NOT WHAT I DO
"Yes, he heard some of the other hunters talked when he wasn’t there. He doesn’t think anyone should talk if he isn’t part of the conversation.”“So what. Everyone in the tribe talks to each other.”
“He thinks they talked about important stuff. They might even have talked about him.”
“But how does he know if he wasn’t there.”
“One of the hunters told him in a private undisclosed conversation.”
“So Tergash did the same thing he’s mad about.”
“Yes, Tarzan. He only gets upset when anyone else does it.”
CONTROL THE RABBLE
April 13: On this day in 1963, if my records are correct, I received a copy of “Thuvia, Maid of Mars,” directly from Ace Books in New York City. I’d sent them sixty cents worth of postage stamps because the postman in my home town didn’t want to sell me a money order for less than a dollar. The book was priced at 40 cents and I enclosed the rest for postage. I wasn’t old enough to have a checking account.
I’d never ordered a book by mail before. I only ordered one book that first time because I didn’t quite trust that whole send somebody the money and hope they send you what you wanted. Now, I hardly ever order books any other way.
The drabble for today is “Control the Rabble,” and it was inspired by Jeds, Martian rulers, and indeed, rulers everywhere with a need to maintain power.Carthoris said, “Dad, some citizens aren’t happy with the government. We should forbid them to talk to each other, write each other, or communicate in any form that we don’t monitor.” CONTROL THE RABBLE
John Carter smiled. “Son, after the French Revolution, the provisional government made it illegal for people to talk to each other. Any two people even suspected of talking were immediately guilty of treason and executed. Robespierre enforced the rule by beheading everyone suspected of talking.”
“Did it work?”
“It did. It worked right up to the day that Robespierre was beheaded.”
“I guess he must have talked to someone.”Note: I received a couple comments that the Campbell Blaine quote was difficult to read.
Here's what she had to say: "The first step to controlling people is separation. If you don't let the people talk to each other, they can't plan. If they can't plan, they can't hope, and they can't hope, they can't win. It worked for tyrants, and unfortunately, it's a business plan that still works. No doubt King George wanted a representative at the Continental Congress."
FERRIS BURROUGHS' DAY OFF
April 14: On this day in 1894, Edgar Rice Burroughs, unfazed by his unsuccessful attempt to escape from the Michigan Military Academy the day before, made a second and more successful escape attempt. He boarded a train and headed home to Chicago. Young Ed may have been faster than his pursuers, but he couldn’t outrun the telegram which Charles King, the commandant, sent to his father, George Tyler Burroughs. Ed returned to the academy where he excelled, but he left again only a few days before graduation. That’s another story. Ed and Charles King, also a prolific author, became lifelong friends, also another story.
Details about Ed's daring escape and Charles King are at www.erbzine.com . Here's a link: https://www.erbzine.com/mag11/1170.html
My favorite quote by King was about why he became a writer. Circumstances, chiefly. "I wasn’t long in finding out that keeping a family on retired captain’s pay is a beggar’s business. I had to go to work, so I took to writing.”
The fictional drabble for today is “Ferris Burroughs’ Day Off,” and it was inspired by Ed’s brief escape from his military academy.“Son,” said George Burroughs. “You’ve made two escape attempts from the academy. Why didn’t you just ask for leave?” FERRIS BURROUGHS' DAY OFF
“I didn’t have any leave coming.”
“It’s school, not the cavalry. You should’ve asked. Not only that, why did you use my railroad pass. You know they track those. King telegraphed me. Some escape, we knew where you were the entire time.”“I didn’t think it through.”
“Don’t know whether I’m more upset you deserted or that you planned it so badly. People run away from home, not to home. Get back on the train. Roll call is at 0500 tomorrow."
SMALL WORLD
April 15: On this day in 1904, actor Harry Monty, who doubled for Johnny Sheffield in “Tarzan Finds A Son,” https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0620.htmlwas born as Hymie Liechtenstein in Dallas, Texas. Monty was a little person and was active in film for fifty years. He did stunt work for many child actors, including all of Margaret O’Brien’s.
In the “Wizard of Oz,” he played a Munchkin and a winged Monkey. He also appeared in Tarzan’s New York Adventure, Mysterious Island, The Brass Bottle, Our Man Flint, Planet of the Apes, Papillion, How the West was Won, Lost in Space, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Anna and the King of Siam.
The 100 word fictional drabble for today, “Small World,” was inspired by the large career of Harry Monty.On the set of “Hello, Dolly,” Walter Matthau lit a cigar for Harry Monty. “Seems strange to be smoking with a person about three feet tall.” SMALL WORLD
Monty laughed. “You should have smoked and drank with me when I was dressed like Margaret O’Brien or Boy in the Tarzan films.”
“That would have gotten me in the tabloids, I’m sure.”
“We could’ve had a drink when I was a winged monkey.”
“I was just thinking, you had a lot of parts for a small actor.”
“Remember what they say. There are no small parts, only small actors. You got any scotch?”
