Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7872  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles
MAY VI Edition :: Days 1-15
by Robert Allen Lupton
NEXT WEEK: Go to Days 16-31 at ERBzine 7872a
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
STONE COLD
May 1: On this day in 1968, the film, “Tarzan and the Jungle Boy” was released in the United States. The movie was Mike Henry’s third outing as the Lord of the Jungle.
The film featured Rafer Johnson and Aliza Gur. Steve Bond played Erik, the jungle boy. He was the son of a geologist. The movie was filmed in 1965 and Mike Henry was injured or ill for most of the production. He suffered a bad chimpanzee bite to the face, frequent infections, as well as a litany of sprains, bruises, and the like. The movie’s release was delayed for almost three years to allow time for “Tarzan and the Great River” to make the rounds and while the production crew focused on the new television series. By the time it was released, Steve Bond, aka the jungle boy, was 15 years old. . . . https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1963.html and https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1962.html
Henry went on to make the "Smokey and the Bandit" films, Steve Bond became a Playgirl foldout and Chippenale dancer, Aliza Gur appeared in "Get Smart" and "The Man From Uncle," and Rafer, well, Rafer Johnson with help from Rosey Grier, captured Sirhan Sirhan immeidately after he shot Robert Kennedy.
The 100 word drabble for today is “Stone Cold,” inspired by “Tarzan and the Jungle Boy." Eleven bad geologist puns. Put that in your feldspar.Tarzan calmed the young man who’d survived alone in the jungle. “Relax, take it for granite that I won’t hurt you. I’ll take you home.” STONE COLD
“I remember my father. He liked rocks. What happened to him?”
Tarzan maintained a stony expression and spoke in a gravelly voice. “Let’s start with a clean slate. He’s dead, but your mother loves you.”“Isn’t that gneiss.”
“We have far to go, but I’ll cobble together a lode of supplies. I’ve a nugget of wisdom for you. The jungle is dangerous.”“No schist, Sherlock. I’m not petrified and I'm a hunter, not the quarry."
May 2: On this day in 1938, the last Tarzan Sunday Comic page by Hal Foster was published. Foster illustrated 293 Tarzan Sunday Page before he moved on to illustrate his own Sunday comic strip, “Prince Valiant.” Prince Valiant has been in continuous publication since February 13, 1937. Enjoy the reprints for ALL the Hal Foster Tarzan Pages and the First 4 Years of his Prince Valiant pager in ERBzine at: https://www.erbzine.com/foster/
Prince Valiant has been written and illustrated by many hands and over 4550 episodes have been published. Just to be clear, The Katzenjammer Kids (1897 – 2006) is the leader in the clubhouse. Gasoline Alley, Barney Google, Blondie, and Dick Tracey are all four still on the course and have run longer than Prince Valiant. Sunday Tarzan pages ran for approximately 3400 pages, not counting reprints published after May, 2002 – not quite in the top ten.
The drabble for today is “Proper Clothing,” and it was inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs and by Hal Foster’s creation of Prince Valiant.John Cullen Murphy, who was beginning to collaborate on Prince Valiant, asked, “Hal, why an Arthurian comic? That was a big change from Tarzan.” PROPER CLOTHING
“Loved Tarzan, but I’d make more money if I owned the rights.”
“But why choose medieval times?”
“Everyone knows King Arthur and the story is in public domain. I considered something like Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon, but with swords instead of ray-guns.”“That sounds like the Barsoom books.”
“I know. That’s why I went with Prince Valiant. I think of him and his wife, Aleta, as John Carter and Dejah Thoris, but wearing more clothing.”
EGGSACTLY
May 3: On this day in 1992, episode # 12, Tarzan and the Golden Egg, of the Wolf Larson Tarzan television series was broadcast. The regular cast,as always, was Wolf Larson was Tarzan, Lydie Denier as Jane Porter, and Sean Roberge as Robert Taft, Jr. Malik Bowens is credited for the role Simon Govier. The episode was directed by Gerard Hameline.
The entire episode is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9MFnVw_hWU
For summary, review and screen captures visit https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7462.html for more information about the television series see: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7453.html
In a 20 minute episode accurately reflecting reality, Tarzan and Jane have to deal with pesisides that are weakening the eggshells of raptors, specifically goshawks. This was a real problem and a real danger to hawks, eagles, owls, and other raptors. The situation was outrageous, but it seems to have been resolved, at least in some parts of the world. In 2023 over 4000 tons of DDT were created to kill misquitos, intended to control malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases.
The drabble for today is ‘Eggsactly,” and it was inspired by the episode.Tarzan said, “Jane, I hadn’t seen any baby hawks goshawks. I checked the nest nearest my home. The eggshells were as soft as a balloon. They won’t hatch.” EGGSACTLY
“I read that some pesticides, especially DDT, weaken the shells. We should check the new ranch in the valley.”
“I thought DDT was outlawed.”
“Not everywhere. Some countries still used it to kill mosquitos and control diseases like malaria.”“Diseases should be controlled but aren’t there other options
“Yes, but they’re much more expensive.”
“How can anyone argue about the cost once they’ve watched an eagle soaring at sunset.’
“My thoughts exactly.”
FISHING FOR MEN
May 4: On this day ago in 1940, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing “Captured on Venus,” the first installment of the novel, “Escape on Venus,” and it was published as “Slaves of the Fish Men “in four parts by “Fantastic Adventures” in March 1941.
Details about the novel, its publication history, and several illustrations: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0751.html
The 100 word drabble for today, “Fishing for Men,” was inspired by “Slaves of the Fish Men.”Carson Napier said, “Look, Duare. It’s a sandwich, right by the lake’s edge.” FISHING FOR MEN
“Don’t touch it. It could be a trap. People live under the lake, fish people, and they prey on the unwary.”“Don’t be silly. Fish aren’t smart enough to put out bait to catch people,” said Carson and he picked up the sandwich. A small noose hidden in the sandwich and attached to a thin line encircled his hand tightly.”
As the line pulled Carson relentlessly toward the lake, Duare said, “Okay, smart guy. Whatcha gonna do now.”
“I’m gonna pray that they practice catch and release.”
COMMON SENSE ISN'T COMMON
May 5: On this day in 1941, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin published a letter from Edgar Rice Burroughs, who with what in retrospect seems a remarkable degree of foresight, wrote a letter to the Honolulu Bulletin suggesting that all potential legislators be required to take an intelligence test before they be allowed to run for office.
The entire article may be read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag11/1128.html
Of course, there’s a fine line to be walked if we start down this road. Who writes the test and who judges it. Does mere disagreement with one’s point of view make the dissenters unintelligent? Certainly not me. I do well enough to take care of myself without the responsibility to make such decisions about others. However, I’ve often wondered, what sane person would run for office. The level of abuse that comes with being elected is daunting to say the least.
The drabble, “Common Sense Isn’t Common,” for today is 100 words written my Edgar Rice Burroughs and published by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on May 5, 1941.Before any person may become a candidate for elective or appointive office, he shall pass a comprehensive intelligence proving just how much native intelligence he has -- the kind of horse sense intelligence that Will Rogers had. COMMON SENSE ISN'T COMMON
The present so-called intelligence tests determining one's I.Q. aren’t sufficient. Many ten year old children pass them, but I don't wish ten year old children to make laws for me.
Psychologists could evolve a test to keep a majority of the nitwits out of public office.
If this fails, we can put the street cleaners in our legislatures. They can read and write.
I CANT STAND FENCES
May 6: On this day in 1949, Jim Goodwin, chairman of the Burroughs Bibliophiles and author of “Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Descriptive Bibliography of the Ace and Ballantine / Del Rey Paperback Books,” was born. Happy Birthday, Jim. https://www.erbzine.com/mag77/7755.html
The right honorable Mr. Goodwin always goes the extra mile and exceeds expectations. Jim also helps manage the Facebook Group, “For the Love of All Things Edgar Rice Burroughs,” a group with over 25,000 members. He also proofread my work in progress, “Everyday with Edgar Rice Burroughs.” Many thanks for that.
I’ve heard that he has a few fanzines and paperback versions of the books by Edgar Rice Burroughs scattered about his home.
The drabble for today is, “I Can’t Stand Fences,” inspired by Mr. Goodwin and John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, Tarzan of the Apes.Lord Greystoke entered the airport terminal where Jim Goodwin was holding a cardboard sign that said, “John Clayton.” They shook hands. I CANT STAND FENCES
Jim said, “That Saville Row suit is impressive. I bet that people expect an English Lord to dress impeccably and always behave like a peer of the realm.”
“My friend, society expects one form of behavior and the great apes expect another. Expectation is only a fence that others build around you. Jump the fence and the world is yours.”
“We have a song, “Don’t Fence Me In.”
Tarzan nodded. “Indeed, be a fence breaker, not a fence builder.”
IT'S JUST BUSINESS
May 7: On this day in 1929, Joseph Bray of A. C. McClurg wrote Edgar Rice Burroughs in response to Burroughs’ ongoing complaints about his book royalties and the promotional efforts by McClurg concerning his books. Bray promised to increase the royalty amounts and to do more to promote Ed’s books, but he refused to apply those terms retroactively to any books currently in publication. Read one of ERB's last letters to Bray at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag2/19350614brayletter.jpg from the LOST WORDS OF ERB
This ongoing battle ultimately led to Burroughs withdrawing some novels from consideration and to ultimately terminate the relationship with McClurg and have his next few novels published by Metropolitan, after which Ed decided to publish his own books through his corporation, Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc.
McClurg’s business model changed and they became primarily a book wholesaler. They closed in 1962.
The fictional 100 word drabble for today is “It’s Just Business,” was inspired by the ongoing disagreements between Burroughs and McClurg.“Mr. Bray, said Ed, “You sold out “The Outlaw of Torn” in a single month. The more copies you print, the more money we both make.” IT'S JUST BUSINESS
“We print what we project to sell. We advertise as much as we’ve budgeted.”
“I deserve better marking and higher royalties.”
“You’ll have them on future works, but not on the books currently in print.”
“So you’ll pay me better tomorrow, but not today, is that what you’re saying.”
“I promise.”
“Promises are only words and when I wake up in the morning, it’ll be today. Tomorrow never comes. It’s always a day away.”
CONTENTED CAVE GIRL
May 8: On this day in 1915, “Moving Picture World” announced that actress Anna Luther would be playing lead roles for Selig Polyscope. Her first role was in The Isle of Content, (Plus Text and Stills) allegedly based on The Cave Girl.
Anna’s life was filed with scandal and who doesn’t love a good scandal.
Jack White accompanied Luther to California as a theatrical producer. In June 1924 the actress brought a $100,000 breach of contract suit against White for allegedly promising to star her in four motion pictures. In a countersuit White demanded a $10,000 refund spent on the Luther film and charged Luther with having a bad reputation. The judge ruled against Luther because there was no contract document.
Later, Anna, who was always a busy girl, married and divorced Samuel Dribben. In 1925, she was the named co=respondent in actress Dagmar Godowsky’s divorce from Frank Mayo, whom she later married. The Godowsky / Mayo marriage had been annulled because Mayo was also married to another woman. Wait, there’s more. Luther and Juanita Hansen were also named in a divorce suit brought by Evelyn Nesbit against Jack Clifford. Seems that Anna approached life as Jungle girl following rules, rather than a woman on the Isle of Content.
The drabble for today is “Contented Cave Girl,” inspired by the allegedly ERB inspired film, The Isle of Content.”Director George Nichols said, “We’re working late today. We’ve gotta finish. That Burroughs buy found about about this film and he’s filing a lawsuit to shut us down.” CONTENTED CAVE GIRL
Anna shouted, “Sue, I don’t even know him. I never met him.”
“Not you, Anna, the production company. He claims this film is based on one of his books.”
“That’s not my fault. Usually, it’s the wives that sue me.”
“You weren’t born in a cave and shouldn’t always be on the prowl.”
“I’ve tried, but a girl can’t live by the rules of polite society when she’s living in the jungle.”
STAND THE WATCH
May 9: On this day in 1904, Edgar Rice Burroughs began his new job. He was a railroad policeman for the Oregon Short Line Railroad Company in Salt Lake City. Working mostly nights, he walked the railroad yard looking for vagabonds, bindlestiffs, and other down on their luck people riding the rails and seeking a new start somewhere else. It wasn’t a job to his liking and he resigned on October 14, 1904.
Details about his employment with the railroad may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag36/3653.html
The drabble for today, “Toot Toot,” was inspired by Burroughs’ brief employment with the transportation industry. Just a quick note, railroads aside, during his lifetime, Ed was a horse soldier, a licensed driver, and an airplane pilot. He spent time during World War two on different warships in the Pacific. He traveled by sea and air from Hawaii to the mainland and back again. Oh, I by the way, he was a licensed bicycle operator in Chicago. Certainly a well-traveled man.
The fictional drabble for today, “Stand the Watch,” was inspired by Ed’s brief career as a railroad guard. A tip of the hat to Meatloaf and Jim Steinman.New railroad guard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, reported for duty and his supervisor said, “You’ll need to walk the railyards at least once an hour.” STAND THE WATCH
“I can do that.”
“Check the boxcars. If the latches are closed, someone could be hiding inside.”
“I can do that.”
“Look under the all of the cars. Sometimes the bindlestiffs ride in the suspension under the cars.”“Sure, got it.”
“Run off anyone you find. You’ve got a club. If the freeloaders won’t leave, beat the devil out of them.”“I’m pretty sure I’d do anything to keep this job, but I won’t do that.”
MINT IN BOX
May 10: On this day in 2010, artist Frank Frazetta passed away in Fort Myers, Florida. Frazetta’s book covers, movie posters, and comic book illustrations defined the genres for those of us who are children of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. https://www.erbzine.com/ff
His illustrations and paintings are legendary. I saw, at least I first recognized, his work on the covers of Edgar Rice Burroughs novels, but I soon just buying any thing I saw that had a Frazetta illustration. I bet I’m not the only one.
I own one Frazetta original. For a while, he ghosted the Little Abner strip by Al Capp and I’m fortunate to have one of those daily pages.
I had no idea how well respected his artwork was until his original paintings began to sell at auction. “Egyptian Queen” sold for 5.4 million dollars in 2019 and “Dark Kingdom” sold for 6 million in 2023.
Frank is in the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame, the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame, and The Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. He is a “Life Achievement Award” winner from the World Fantasy Convention. Oh, and less I forget, the “Science Fiction Hall of Fame”, “The Album Cover Hall of Fame,” and the “Inkwell Awards Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame.”
His ability to realistically paint the fantastic is unsurpassed. The twelve year old boy who bought that first book with a Frazetta cover and the old man writing this post thank him. Like John in the drabble below, if it had a Frazetta illustration, I bought it. Frank was the original ‘influencer.”
The drabble for today, ”Mint in Box,” features my old friends from New Orleans, Pat and John.John said, “I bought a record album today, “Expect No Mercy” by Nazareth.” MINT IN BOX
Pat said, “I’ve heard their song “Love Hurts. Is this album any good?”
“Don’t know. I’ll never unseal it. It has a great Frank Frazetta cover.”
“So, you’ll never open it?”
“Oh, hell no. If you open it, air gets to the artwork. That’s bad. Very very bad and I bought it for the artwork. I’ll never unseal the Wolfmother or the Molly Hatchett albums.”“So you buy records because of the art?”
“And books and magazines. If Frazetta drew it, I always buy it. Doesn’t everybody?”
A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
May 11: On this day in 1981, character actor, Jimmiy Dime, died in Woodland Hills, California. He was born in Yugoslavia, and his 269 film credits included “Tarzan and the She-Devil,” “Tarzan’s New York Adventure,’ “Wagon Train,” “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” “North to Alaska,” “Yancy Derringer,” “The Buccaneer,” “Around the World in 80 Days,” ”Terry and the Pirates,” “Fortunes of Captain Blood,” and Road to Morroco.” He also appeared in King Kong.
He worked in almost complete anonymity as far as the general public was concerned, but almost three hundred screen appearances mean that he was well-known in Hollywood. A busy and dependable actor. He was injured in a fall during the filming of “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer” in 1935
Details about the film, “Tarzan and the She-Devil: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0622.html
And the film, Tarzan’s New York Adventure: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0622.html
The drabble for today, “A Little Help From My Friends,” was inspired by Dime’s popularity with directors and producers.Arthur Lubin, director of South Sea Woman, said, “That idiot playing the barfly’s drunk. Get me someone else right now. Burt Lancaster has to leave by five and we gotta finish this scene.’ A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
“Where we gonna find anyone.”
“Neumann’s filming Tarzan and the She-Devil next door. Borrow someone.’
The assistant said, “Mr. Neumann, Arthur needs someone to play a drunk!”
“Hollywood’s full of them.”
The assistant pointed to an actor, “Neumann, can you spare a dime for Arthur?”
“Sure, I can drop a dime on him.”
“Thanks, folks say guys like him are a dime a dozen, but they aren’t.”
DON'T CALL HIM BOY
May 12: On this day in 1915, Edgar Rice Burroughs mailed the manuscript for “The Son Of Tarzan” to All-Story Magazine. In those days, manuscripts were carefully placed in a box or large envelope along with enough postage to ensure the return of a rejected manuscript and then entrusted to the United States Mail. No electronic submissions, no overnight delivery, and no simultaneous submissions because most writers only had the original manuscript and a carbon copy. Heaven help the writer whose opus was lost in the mail. Burroughs wrote his first novels by hand and there were no copies, carbon or otherwise. He risked more than rejection when he entrusted the package to the post office.
“The Son of Tarzan” didn’t go missing and it was delivered to All-Story and promptly accepted. Just for the record, the son of Tarzan is Jack Clayton, aka Korak the Killer. His name’s not Boy and he doesn’t pal around with chimp named Cheetah. His companion is a great ape, a mangani named Akut. Akut’s not cute and cuddly either.
Details about the publication history of “The Son of Tarzan” are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0487.html
The 100 word drabble for today is “Don’t Call Him Boy,” and it was inspired by the novel, “The Son of Tarzan,” and by the public’s perception of that character.Robert Davis, the editor at All-Story Magazine, said, “Hello, Ed. I’ve read The Son of Tarzan. We’ll buy it, but it’s not what I expected.” DON'T CALL HIM BOY
“Thanks, Bob. What did you expect?”
“A young boy struggling to grow up in England. A child of privilege who might someday go to Africa and bring enlightenment to the jungle.”“He’s not a school boy or a missionary. He’s the son of the Lord of the Jungle.”
“Ed, he’s a hard-nosed pragmatist and a stone cold killer.”
“Bob, if you want little Lord Fauntleroy playing in the posies, you’ll need to hire a different writer.”
INSANITY IS IN THE MIND OF THE BEHOLDER
May 13: On this day in 1922, Penny Magazine in the UK published the final installments of “The King and the Woman,” a retitled version of “The Mad King.” Who knows why the title was changed, but perhaps the British were still a tad bit sensitive about that whole The Madness of King George” thing.
The Mad King tells a tale that could have been written by Rafael Sabatini or the Baroness Orzy, a tale of European intrigue and romance, filled with mistaken identities, corrupt officials, and rulers unfit to rule – all highlighted against the backdrop of impending war. Wait, that sounds familiar.
Publishing details for “The Mad King” aka The King and the Woman” are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0758.html
The 100 word drabble for today, “Insanity Is In The Mind of the Beholder,” was inspired by “The Mad King.”Barney Custer, who was impersonating the insane King Leopold said, “Captain Maenck, your report.” INSANITY IS IN THE MIND OF THE BEHOLDER
“The Prussians prepare to attack. The Regent Peter betrays us to them and Princess Emma threatens to reveal that you aren’t really King Leopold,”
“Is the cavalry where I ordered?”
“No, Peter told them to stand down.”
‘Arrest Peter, he’s a traitor.”
“He’s in hiding.”
“Bring me Princess Emma.”
“Peter holds her hostage.”
“Zounds, does no one do as I say. I know why the real king went crazy.”
“Sire, are you mad.”
“Yes, I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
GLASSES UP
May 14: On this day in 1912 it was a Tuesday and at 10:25 PM central standard time, Edgar Rice Burroughs completed writing the novel, "Tarzan of the Apes.” The penultimate and ultimate sentences in the novel were “My mother was an ape and she couldn’t tell me much about it. I never knew who my father was.”
While Ed’s first published story, “Under the Moons of Mars,” was well received, it can be legitimately argued that “Tarzan of the Apes” changed the world, certainly the entertainment industry. That first Tarzan book spawned many more novels, several films across the world, both authorized and unauthorized, six television series, including animated ones, radio shows in more than one country, newspaper comics that were published for several decades, comic books, toys, ice cream, bread, games, slot machines, and who knows what I’ve left out.
Tarzan of the Apes has been reprinted numerous times and in several languages. I once read that the only three English words that everyone in the world knows are “Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Coca Cola.” I disagree. Tarzan belongs on that list, even though strictly speaking, Tarzan isn’t English. It’s Mangani.
So if you’re up tonight at what would be 10:25 PM CST, and don’t be confused by that daylight savings time thing, if you’re up, raise a glass of whatever you choose, be it wine, whisky, or water, and toast Tarzan of the Apes and the man who created him, Edgar Rice Burroughs.
When I picked up a copy of the novel for the first time, I was captured from the first sentence. “I had this story from one who had no business to tell it to me, or to any other.”
The 100 drabble for today is “Glasses Up,” and it features my old friends from New Orleans, John and Pat. I’ll toast them with a fresh cup of coffee when I finish writing this.Pat answered his phone. “Hi, it’s John. I’m on your porch. Today’s the anniversary of when Edgar Rice Burroughs finished writing Tarzan. We have to drink a toast.” GLASSES UP
“John, it’s ten o’clock. Tomorrow’s a work day.”
“I know. Hurry. We must toast at exactly 10:25 PM, official Tarzan completion time. I ordered two bottles of Cape Karoo water from South Africa.”John lifted his bottle “To Burroughs and Tarzan.”
John cleared his throat. Pat said, “Please don’t do the yell. You yell like a diseased ferret and the neighbors will set their dogs on us.”“I know. Ain’t it cool?”
NAME GAME
May 15: On this day in 1939, Edgar Rice Burroughs sent a warning letter to professional wrestler. Carlos Lopez Tovar, for his unauthorized use of the name, Tarzan. ERB EVENTS CALENDAR FOR MAY: https://www.erbzine.com/mag2/0264.html#lopez
Carlos López Tovar, a luchador, was active in the 1930s and 1940s, and better known by the ring name Tarzán López. Known as "Tarzan" because of his bodybuilder's physique, Lopez held the Mexican national welterweight championship from 1936 through 1939. He also captured the NWA middleweight title several times and was named MVP in Mexico in 1940, 1944, and 1948. López was one of the most popular luchadores of his era, winning the title of Luchador of the Year in 1940, 1944, and 1948.
The drabble for today, Name Game, was inspired by Tarzan Carlos Lopez Tovar.Ed said, “I wrote a cease-and-desist letter to that wrestler in Mexico who calls himself Tarzan.” NAME GAME
Ed’s son, Hulbert replied, “You think he’ll stop?”
“No, but the lawyers say that I have to take steps to protect the copyright.”
“So he’ll probably just keep using the name.”
“I expect so. I don’t have the time or energy to sue in foreign courts.”
“So he can call himself Tarzan.”
“Everyone knows wrestling’s fake. Besides, how many legs does a donkey have if you call its tail a leg?“Five.”
“Nope, still four. Calling its tail a leg doesn’t make it one.”
