Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7874a  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles
JULY VI Edition :: Days 16-31
by Robert Allen Lupton
Back to Days 1-15 at ERBzine 7874
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
NOT HIS BABY MOMMA
July 16: On this day in 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs completed “Out of Time’s Abyss,” the third and final installment of the “Land That Time Forgot” trilogy. The story features the Wieroo,winged male humanoids who can only father male offspring and must capture and mate with Gala females, women who have been strong enough to survive countless trips up the evolutionary ladder on Caspak, until they’ve reached the pinnacle of humanity, a journey of several years and fraught with many dangers at every level. Bradley, a visitor to the land that time forgot is also captured. He falls in love with Co-Tan, a Gala woman, destined to mother Wieroo children.
Out Of Time's Abyss in ERBzine: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0766.html ~ Read it in e-Text: Out Of Time's Abyss in ERBzine https://www.erbzine.com/craft/o8ltf.html
The drabble for today, Not His Baby Momma,” was inspired by the novelette, “Out of Time’s Abyss.”Bradley woke up in prison cell. He remembered fighting winged men. He visited with the woman in the next cell. They visited and became friends. He hoped for more. NOT HIS BABY MOMMA
Co-Tan, the woman, explained that they’d been captured by Wieroo, a winged race who wanted her to birth their children. She didn’t know why they wanted Bradley.The guards took Co-Tan. She returned covered with blood and feathers. “Come Bradley, we escape now.”
“What happened.”
“I killed those who would forcefully father a child with me. I didn’t climb to the top of the food chain to be anyone’s baby machine.”
BRIDE INCREDULOUS
July 17: On this day in 1940, Edgar Rice Burroughs finished writing the ”Strange Adventure of Mr. Dinnwiddie,” which he submitted for publication without success under the name John Tyler McCulloch. The story of seduction, intrigue, and humor aboard an ocean liner first saw print in “Forgotten Tales of Love and Murder,” published by John Guidry and Pat Adkins in 2001. “Forgotten Tales” had a print run of 1045 copies, and of those, less than 750 were sold, according to John Guidry a couple of years ago. The unsold copies were in the possession of Pat’s widow, Dixie, and I’ve lost touch with her. If anyone has contact information, please let me know.
Details about "Forgotten Tales of Love and Murder;" https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0734.html
Burroughs was making fairly regular trips by ocean liner back and forth to Hawaii and the short story was no doubt inspired by those trip.
This ERB story is reprinted in ERBzine at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag79/7975a.html
The drabble for today, "Bride Incredulous," is inspired by the theme of the short story.Mr. Dinnwiddie was in the Lido Deck Lounge. A beautiful woman with a Russian accent said,. “I’m Ogla, you look like a brave man. Help me.” BRIDE INCREDULOUS
Stunned by her beauty, Dinnwiddie askked, “How can I be of service?”
She led him to a dead body. “My colleague has been murdered by Bolsheviks. They mustn’t get away. Speed is of the essence.”“Calm down, Helga. We don’t need to go russian about full speed ahead. It will be days before we dock.”
“I fled to avoid a forced marriage to a party leader.”
“A Russian wedding, you mean a Soviet Union?”
WHAT THE HEART WANTS
July 18: On this day in 1993, the Gray Morrow / Don Kraar Sunday Tarzan story arc, Romance, concluded. The story arc had begun on May 2, 1993 and ran for twelve consecutive Sundays.
Pyhllida Carswell, a best selling romance novels has come to Africa to research her next novel. She’s hired an guide, a former poacher named Seamus Flynn to escort her and her assistant, Imogene Pruhl, Tarzan becomes involved after Phyllida discovered uncut diamonds in her handbag - she was being used as an unknowing smuggler. She held her assistant, the middle-aged Imogene Pruhl responsible. The smugglers arrived to reclaim their diamonds only to suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of Seamus and Imogene. Tarzan arrives in time to witness the two’s bravery. Imogene and Seamus fell in love and hopefully lived happily ever after.
Read the entire story arc at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag35/3545.html
The drabble for today, “What the Heart Wants,” was inspired by the story arc and it shamelessly uses some of the excellent prose written by Don Kraar for the Sunday Pages. I would say that all of us are beautiful people.WHAT THE HEART WANTS Imogene Pruhl lived a lonely life, a life without a partner. She was the assistant to a demanding writer of romances, but she’d never found romance herself. While touring Africa, the two were victimized by smugglers. Their guide, the middle-aged paroled poacher, Seamus Flynn, and she she beat up the smugglers.Flynn said, “I love a woman with spirit. I don’t have much to offer.”
Pruhl hugged him. “You have enough. I’ve read about love, but never thought I’d find it.”Carswell observed, “Romance isn’t confined to glamorous people. It happens to ordinary people with ordinary looks and ordinary dreams.”
WALK THE WALK
July 19: On this day in 1967, actress Luz del Fuego, Tarzan and the Great River, was murdered by a fisherman she’d threatened to expose for overfishing in Brazil. Luz del Fuego (aka Dora Vivacqua; was a Brazilian feminist, ballerina, naturist, and striptease artist who performed with live snakes. Comfortable with nudity, she wrapped pythons around her body and became famous in her time.
Details about the film, Tarzan and the Great River abound at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1962.html
The drabble for today is, “Walk the Walk’, inspired by Luz del Fuego’s fight to protect the plants and animals of Brazil.The policeman said, “Dora, my dear, there are laws in this city. You have to some clothes on.” WALK THE WALK
“There’s no shame in being naked. Aren’t all the animals in the forest naked? Do not the fish swim without clothing. Would you force a beautiful leopard to wear trousers? I do this for a noble cause.”“Cause or not, I must enforce the law.”
“I’m nude to call attention to the rape of the rain forest and the brutal harvesting of wildlife.”“You can’t really believe that appearing nude will improve those conditions.”
“Well, it worked for Lady Godiva, didn’t it.”
TO THE MOON ALICE
July 20: On this day in 1922, Edgar Rice Burroughs completed writing “The Moon Maid,” the first portion of the novel of the same name to be published, Argosy All-Story Weekly from May 5, 2023 through June 2, 2023.
Publishing details, reviews, several illustrations, and an electronic edition of the book: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0767.html
The drabble for today, “To the Moon, Alice,” is taken from an upcoming story advertisement in Argosy All -Story Weekly in 1923.Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of the Tarzan and Martian stories, reaches out into interplanetary space in his most fascinating serial, a story of adventurous earth men who brought their loves and hates to the moon. Th Earth’s satellite seems a cold dead thing, spinning drearily in airless space, desolate, barren, forbidding. The keen mind of Mr. Burroughs, going forward into the future, takes this unpromising bit of stellar waste, uncovers its secret, peoples it with strange races, and relates a gripping story of what happened when men from another world entered its life. The tale is called, ”The Moon Maid.” TO THE MOON ALICE
OLD FLAMES DIE HARDEST
July 21: On this day in 1991, the Gray Morrow and Don Kraar Tarzan Sunday story arc, “The Return of La,” concluded. The story began on April 21, 1991 and ran for fourteen weeks. The entire story, and hundreds more Morrow Tarzan Sunday pages are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag35/3501.html
Jane is blonde and wears a leopard-ski bikini at the beginning of the story. A young woman named Gabrielle appears and Jane was convinced that she was the daughter of La of Opar. Tarzan refused to discuss the issue and Jane suspecting the worst, was determined to find out the truth. Eventually, Gabrielle was reunited with her mother, La and is told that the girl’s father is a brave and strong man. Is it Tarzan? Read the story at https://www.erbzine.com/mag35/3537.html and find out.
The drabble for today is, “Old Flames Die Hardest,” and it was inspired by the story arc.Jane said, “This young woman says that La, the savage priestess, is her mother, but she doesn’t know who her father is?” OLD FLAMES DIE HARDEST
Tarzan shrugged, “I don’t have anything to say about that.”
“You were hanging around La back then on your mysterious jungle excursions. This girl looks a lot like you. Anything you want to tell me.”“I won’t talk about it.”
Jane pouted for days until they found La and her husband, the girl’s father. “Tarzan, you knew who her father was. Why wouldn't you tell me?”“I promised not to tell and besides, you’re beautiful when you’re jealous.”
HOLD THE CUMIN
July 22: On this day in 1909, actor Tommy Duggan, who appeared in “Tarzan the Magnificent,” was born in Middlesex, England, although some sources say he was born in Ireland. Duggan appeared in over 75 films and television shows including “Superman II,” “Superman III,” “The Omen,” “The Saint,” “Doctor Who,” and “The Fighting Pimpernel."
He played Frye in “Tarzan the Magnificent.” Details about the film are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1958.html.
The fictional drabble for today is “Hold the Cumin,” and it was inspired by actor Tommy Duggan’s multinational film career. Jock Mahoney filmed one of his Tarzan films in India, where he became very ill with dysentery, dengue fever and pneumonia. Gordon Scott made numerous Italian sword and sandal films.Gordon Scott, Jock Mahoney, and Tommy Duggan talked on the set of “Tarzan the Magnificent.” Scott said, “Probably my last Tarzan film. I’m off to Italy. Ever work there, Tommy?” HOLD THE CUMIN
“No, France, England, Spain, and here in the states.”
“Did you like working in other countries?”
“Man’s gotta work, doesn’t he. Banks take Francs and Pesos. How about you, Jock? Ever consider working abroad.”“I’d love to see Thailand and India, but I’m concerned about the spicy food.”
“What’s that you say? Variety is the spice of life.”
“Maybe so,” said Mahoney. “But it’s only good if you like it.
WHERE YOU FIND IT
July 23: On this day in 1923, the Golden Gate Oil Company began drilling oil wells on Tarzana Ranch without success. The lease was later abandoned. While this was ERB’s only venture with drilling oil wells, it wasn’t his last involvement with the industry. The Signal Oil and Gas Company sponsored the Tarzan of the Apes radio show (1932) and the Tarzan Club. Read more about it at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag1/0169.html
The drabble for today is “Where You Find It,” inspired by the quest to find oil and natural gas and by ERB’s attempt to do so. I grew up in Oklahoma, where the closest oil well to my childhood home was less than 200 yards away. The constant search for a sure way to know where to drill for oil was as elusive as the search for the fountain of youth or the way to turn lead into gold. But that never stopped people from trying to find a way.The oil rig foreman said, “Mr. Burroughs, we’ve hit two dry holes in a row. Didn’t find any crude oil. I’ve got orders to move on.” WHERE YOU FIND IT
“Maybe you should drill closer to the hills.”
“Can’t. Orders is orders. In this business, two strikes and you’re out. We’ll be off your property by tomorrow.”“How do you folks decide where to drill?
“Guess and By Gosh, mostly. Drill near successful wells. Personally, I taste the dirt.”“How does the dirt taste here?"
The foreman smiled, “Tastes like you should write another book. Can’t say as you’ve ever written a dry hole.”
AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS
July 24: On this day in 1941, Laraine Stephens was born in Oakland, California as Laraine Evelyn Stine. Primarily a television actress, she appeared in Actress Laraine Stephens, Ron Ely Tarzan television series episode #56, “Rendezvous for Revenge,” Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” Fantasy Island,“ “ Mission Impossible,” “The Love Boat,” ‘Police Woman,” “Barnaby Jones,” “McCloud,” “I Dream of Jennie,” “Leave It To Beaver,” and even, “ The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.” Pretty good list of shows that I watched growing up.
Laraine played a bad girl, Doria, in the Ron Ely Tarzan episode. Details about the episode and the entire Tarzan series are at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7420.html.
The drabble for today is, “And Then What Happens,” was inspired by the television episode, Rendezvous for Revenge,”Doria pointed a pistol at Tarzan and said, “My boyfriend is lost in the jungle. Help me find him or I’ll shoot you.” AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS
Tarzan looked at the desperate blonde woman and shrugged his shoulders, “Okay, shoot me.”
“I’m serious. I’ll shoot you.”
“If I’m dead, I can’t find you find your boyfriend. He’ll die. You don’t know what food is safe to eat or where to find good water. There aren’t grocery stores or shopping centers. Kill me and you’re killing yourself.”“I need help. How can I convince you?”
“You could start by lowering your gun and saying please.”
NO LANGUAGE BARRIER
July 25: On this day in 2011, the New York Times published the Associated Press obituary for actress Linda Christian, who portrayed Mara in the film “Tarzan and the Mermaids.” Born Blanca Rosa Henrietta Stella Welter Vorhauer, Linda was the first “Bond Girl,” appearing in the 1954 television adaption of “Casino Royale.”
Read about Tarzan and the Mermaids at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0628.html
Christian was an accomplished polyglot with the ability to speak fluent French, German, Dutch, Spanish, English, Italian and even some Arabic. She is credited with 38 film and television appearance including Mexican productions.
Besides appearing in the Tarzan film, she had a second Edgar Rice Burroughs connection, she was married to actor/pilot Tyrone Power, who ferried Burroughs across the Pacific during World War Two. A third connection is that Linda and ERB both have stars on the Walk of Fame in Palm Springs. She was also the only person who had appeared in a film or television series with Johnny Weissmuller to attend his funeral in Mexico.
The drabble for today, No Language Barrier,” is inspired by Linda’s ability to speak several languages.Linda Christian placed a white rose on Johnny Weissmuller’s grave. A newspaper reporter said, “I know you. You’re an actress. Didn’t you play a mermaid in one of those American Tarzan films?” NO LANGUAGE BARRIER
“I did, in Mr. Weissmuller last film. Johnny was kind to me. I don’t remember ever telling him how much I appreciated him. I wish I could speak to him one last time.”
“What would you say?”
"Adios y gracias, au revoir et merci, auf wiedersehen und dankeschon, tot ziens en bedankt, or arrivederci e grazie – it all means the same in any language, good-bye and thank you."
DARK HEART, DARK JUNGLE
July 26: On this day in 2018, Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. published first hardcover edition and a new paperback edition of “Tarzan and the Dark Heart of Time” by Philip Jose Farmer. The book was originally published in 1999 by Del Rey. It was originally announced as “Tarzan’s Greatest secret” in 1997. The novel takes place between “Tarzan the Untamed” and “Tarzan the Terrible.”
Details about the book begin at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0065.html
Farmer wrote several novels which featured or included Tarzan, frequently using other names for the Lord of the Jungle. They include “A Feast Unknown,” ”Lord of the Trees,’ “The Mad Goblin,” :Lord Tyger,” “keepers of Secrets,” “The Empire of the Nine,” “Time’s Last Gift,” “The Adventures of the Peerless Peer,” and “Tarzan Alive.”
The 100 word drabble for today, “Dark Heart, Dark Jungle, is taken from the cover of the 1999 paperback edition.Tarzan's beloved mate, Jane, has been kidnapped, and the furious ape-man will let nothing stand in the way of rescuing her - not even a sinister safari whose target is Tarzan himself. White hunters are hell-bent on capturing the Jungle Lord. But as his pursuers close in on their prey with uncanny accuracy, Tarzan races toward even greater danger ahead. For the trail leads to a bizarre, long-forgotten of strange and terrifying mysteries: the City Built by God, the Hideous Hunter, and, most shocking of all, the Crystal Tree of Time - whose seductive powers could ultimately spell Tarzan's doom. DARK HEART, DARK JUNGLE
THE MIGHTY JESSE
July 27: On this day in 1907, comic artist Jesse Marsh was born in Florence, Alabama. is main claim to fame is his work on the early Tarzan and related books for Western Publishing that saw print through Dell Comics and later Gold Key Comics. He was the first artist to produce original Tarzan comic books. Up to that time, all Tarzan comics were reprints from the newspaper strips. He also worked on the Gene Autry comic book for many years. He illustrated the three volumes of “John Carter of Mars,” and several installments of “Brothers of the Spear.”
Prior to working for Western, he had worked for the Walt Disney Company, doing animation work for Make Mine Music and some Pluto cartoons as well. For many of us, Jesse was the Tarzan artist of our childhood.
www.erbzine.com has several related articles. A good place to start for more information is: TARZAN DELL COMICS I: https://www.erbzine.com/mag23/2395.html and TARZAN DELL COMICS II: https://www.erbzine.com/mag25/2595.html and TARZAN GOLD KEY COMICS https://www.erbzine.com/mag25/2596.html
Dark Horse Comics planned at hardcover collection of his entire Tarzan work, but only published eleven volumes, a little less than half of his output.
The drabble for today, “The Mighty Jesse," is taken from the first issue of the Dark Horse collection of his work. “Tarzan the Jesse Marsh Years,”The Golden Age Tarzan remains one of the great, unsung milestones of early American comics, spanning nearly two decades and influencing millions of young readers. These inventive stories, featuring Tarzan adventuring through lush African landscapes and lost prehistoric habitats, include comic adaptions of the original novels and expand the mythology of the world-renown icon while charming Burroughs fans new and old. THE MIGHTY JESSE
Scripter Gaylord Dubois penned thousand of stories during his career. Artist Jesse Marsh illustrated Sunday comic strips and other comic books, along with his signature character was Tarzan, a series he departed in 1965 because of his declining health.
WHY ASK ME
July 28: On this day in 2013, actor Jagdish, Raj Khurana, a Bollywood actor and according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the most typecast actor in history, playing the role of a police inspector in 144 films.
Details and several photos from “Tarzan Goes to India,” are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1960.html
Jock Mahoney, who played Tarzan, was very sick during the filming, as was the director, John Guillermin, who Mahoney believed was overbearing and unfeeling. Mahoney later recounted, ”He called me some names, things like yellow-bellied son-of-a-bitch. I explained to him that the last guy who talked to me that way got beaten to a pulp. But Guillermin was ill! I had to let many things slide. I was ready to leave the picture. I just didn't have to eat that kind of slop.”
The drabble for today, “Why Ask Me,” was inspired by Jagdish Raj, Tarzan Goes to India, and a widely traveled doctor.Jock Mahoney was sick and weak. He tried to climb onto an elephant, but exhausted, he passed out and collapsed on the ground.” WHY ASK ME
The director, John Guillermin, yelled, “Cut. What in the hell. We’re over budget and losing daylight. Someone wake him up!”
After a few unsuccessful attempts, Guillermin shouted for Raj Khurana, who was cast as police inspector. “Raj, I need a little help.”
Raj gently shook Mahoney., who just groaned. “You want me to arrest him.”
“Can he act anymore today? Is he dead?”
“Damn it, John. How should I know. I’m a police inspector, not a doctor!”
WHO YA GONNA CALL
July 29: On this day in 1996, Actor Sean Roberge, who played Roger Taft in seventy-five episodes of the Wolf Larson Tarzan television series, died in an automobile accident at age twenty-three. His short career included roles on He also appeared in John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness, Maniac Mansion, Danger Bay, The Campbells, Street Legal, My Secret Identity, Neon Rider, Forever Knight, Tek War, Adderly, Straight Line, Going to War, Road to Avonlea, Katts and Dog and Lena: My 100 Children. His last role was as 'Henry Bird' in a 1996 episode of "F/X: The Series".
Every episode of the television series is summarized and reviewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7454.html
He played with a number of rock and roll bands. The obituary in the Toronto Sun begins with, "If you believe in forever, life is just a one night stand. If there's a rock 'n roll heaven... Sean's playing with a hell of a band!"
The drabble for today, a conversation that never happened on the television show, is “Who Ya Gonna Call,’ and it was inspired by the series, a fairy tale, and a boy named Timmy. Timmy had a dog.Roger Taft and Timmy Martin, an American boy, were exploring and fell into an abandoned well. Timmy said, “This isn’t the first time I’ve fallen into a well. I‘m not worried.” WHO YA GONNA CALL
Roger tried to climb out on a tree root, but it broke under his weight. “You should be. Lassie’s not coming.”
Timmy screamed at the top of his lungs and then said, “Will we die here?”
“Scream louder, somewhere there’s a lion that didn’t hear you. And no, we won’t die. I’ll call Tarzan. He always comes.“Always?”
“Always. I’ve cried Tarzan many times, but I’ve never cried wolf.”
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT
July 30: On this day in 2022, Actress Nichelle Nichols, who appeared in episodes #8 & #9, The Deadly Silence, the Ron Ely Tarzan television series, died. Nichelle is best known for her role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhuru on the original Star Trek series and in several of the films. She was promoted to full commander in "Star Trek Two: The Wrath of Khan."
She was a tireless promoter of NASA and advocate of diverse astronauts including minority and female recruits. Her birth name was Grace Dell Nichols. She didn’t like it and her parents agreed to change it to Nichelle, based on the goddess of victory, Nike. Appropriate name for one who, in real life, never gave up and never surrendered.
In “The Deadly Silence,” both a feature film and two television episodes, Nichelle portrayed Ruana, a strong and beautiful woman. Tarzan’s hearing is damaged by an exploding hand grenade early in the story line. Note that Ruana and Urura are only one vowel from being anagrams.
The drabble for today is “You Have the Right,” and it is inspired by Tarzan’s Deadly Silence,” and the wonderful woman, Nichelle Nichols.Ruana helped Tarzan to his feet and wiped blood from his face. He mumbled, “What happened?” YOU HAVE THE RIGHT
“The mercenaries threw a hand grenade. They plan to take over the village and enslave us.”
Tarzan shook his head. “What makes them think they can do that?”
“They have guns, grenades, and dynamite. We have spears.”
“And they think that gives them the right.”
Ruana shook her head. “Their weapons give them the power, but not the right. No being is so important that he can usurp the rights of another!”“What do you want me to do?”
“Help Me kick their asses.”
July 31: On this day in 1915, Picture Play Weekly published a scene by scene story adapted from the film, The Isle of Content, arguably the first film based on a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs – at least Burroughs thought so and he unsuccessfully sued for payment claiming the film was based on “The Cave Girl.”
The film is lost, there are no surviving copies and the few copies of the Picture Play Weekly issue provide the story and some illustrations. Read the entire adaption at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag23/2380a.html
The drabble for today, “Nothing New Under the Sun,” is a fictional account of a non-existent conversation between Burroughs and a lawyer.”Ed said to attorney, Gene Stipe, “They make a movie from my book called “The Isle of Content. Can you sue them.” NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN
“I can sue anyone for anything as long as you pay me. What’s the story about?”
“A man is shipwrecked and has to learn to live as a savage.”
“Sounds like Robinson Crusoe.”
“Mine’s different. There’s no man Friday. The hero finds a woman.”
“Well, since you made Friday into a woman, I guess that makes all the difference."
“Exactly, homage and plagiarism are a fine line. Can we win this?”
“If the judge is a Tarzan fan?”
