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ERB 100-Word Drabbles & Events
DECEMBER VI Edition :: Days 1-15
by Robert Allen Lupton
Next Go to Days 16-31 at ERBzine 8028a
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
December 1: On this day in 1937, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing the short story, “Two Gun Doak Flies South.” In his sales efforts for "`Two Gun' Doak Flies South" Ed followed customary procedures, sending the story first to Liberty. The note of rejection read, "It has some amusing moments, but, as a whole, it's a pretty inexpert job. . . ." On February 25, 1938, the story was returned by Cosmopolitan and two years later, in June 1940, by Blue Book. Marketing attempts ended. Never published, the story later was retitled "Mr. Doak Flies South."
COMIC OVERTONES
Two Gun' Doak Flies South," an adventure novelette with comic overtones, was the kind of story Burroughs enjoyed creating as a change of pace from the customary fantasies. Written between December 1, 1937, and January 31, 1938. The pen name, John Tyler McCulloch, was used for some submissions, the 29,000-word story provides an opportunity for Ed's own style of satire and biting humor.The characters include Mrs. J. Witherington Snite, a huge, domineering woman referred to as "the lady hippopotamus," Wilbur Klump, the Candy King, his wife Gladys, and the pretentious E. Allan Smith, a New York Times book reviewer.
SO YOU'RE NOT A FAN
This collection questions the long-lasting global appeal of Tarzan and why a story about a feral boy raised by apes in the African jungle, is so compelling and adaptable to different cultural contexts and audiences? Considering the criticism that highlights the imperialistic, sexist, racist underpinnings of the original Tarzan narrative, why would this character and story appeal to so many readers and viewers around the world? It considers imperialism, national identities, language acquisition, adaptation, gender constructions, and Tarzan’s influence on readers and cultures around the world. It presents an immensely complex picture of the enduring, multi-faceted global pop culture icon.
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NO PAROLE FOR YOU
December 3: On this day in 1935, Edgar Rice Burroughs spent the day in room 833 in the Good Samaritan Hospital under the name John B. Downs. He penned the poem, Good Old Eight-Two-Three.ERBzine shares part of the poem and several more bits of Ed’s poetry. https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0003.html#20 is a good place to start. The poem humorously tells of his confinement in Room 823 and of the routine to which he must submit.The first two stanzas were shared by Porges:
Good Old Eight-Two-Three
Miss Collins comes at seven,In the poem's five quatrains Burroughs also describes himself gazing wistfully out the windows where the mountains are "smiling and beckoning" to him.
And Fansie comes at three,
The night nurse at eleven
To dear old eight-two-three.
They rub me and they scrub me;
They change my silly shirt;
They jab me with their needles
To ease my every hurt. . . .The drabble, “No Parole For You,” for December 3 is actually being written in a hospital room in Albuquerque. My wife had surgery for a broken leg and experienced a bad reaction to the new med cocktail. She’s doing much better, but she isn’t in room 823. Our hospital isn’t that tall.
NO PAROLE FOR YOU
They bring me lunch, they clean my bed
The ignore me when I wish I was dead.
I wear a gown, too short for my rear.
I look like a plumber, too often I fear.
I can drink what I want, water or juice.
I wanted bourbon, there wasn’t no use.
The food’s heavy on jello, it’s hard to resist.
Beef’s not on the menu, even if I insist.
I question the staff, they’re forbidden to speak
Only the doc can answer, he’s gone for a week
Gloom and despair on me
I’m stuck here forever, a prisoner in 823.
HI HO, SILVERDecember 4: On this day in 1964, Canaveral Press published first edition of “Tarzan and the Castaways.” The cover and six interior illustrations were by Frank Frazetta. The book contains three stories, “Tarzan and the Champion." “Tarzan and the Jungle Murders,” and “The Quest of Tarzan,” published respectively in Blue Book Magazine, Thrilling Adventures and Argosy Weekly. Titles were changed from time to time. Champion became “Tarzan and the Castaways,” “Tarzan and the Jungle Murders was written as ‘Murder in the Jungle,” and the words Quest and Tarzan were included in previously abandoned titles.Read the details at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0730.htmlThe drabble for today, “Hi Ho, Silver,” was inspired the titles, in all their various incarnations.
HI HO, SILVER
The Canaveral Press publisher spoke to his editor. “Richard, I’m thrilled to be publishing a Tarzan first edition. Why retitle the title story. I liked “Tarzan and the Champion.”
“Champion was fine in 1940 when Burroughs wrote the story. Everyone knows Champion is Gene Autry’s horse.”
“Well, he is.”“Exactly. Besides, Tarzan and the Jungle Murders was originally Murder in the Jungle. Sounds like an Agatha Christy book. I didn’t retitle “Tarzan’s Quest,” although Jonny Quest made me think about it.'
“But Burroughs used those names first.”“He did, but all folks know today, is what they see on television.”
THANK YOU FOR COMMENTS
December 5: On this day in 1929, Ed shared his criticisms with the Tarzan newspaper comics with his nephew, Studley, who forwarded them to Metropolitan Syndicate. Burroughs wasn’t happy with Rex Maxon’s illustrations. Nevertheless, Rex illustrated the daily comic until well into the 1940s.All of Rex Maxon’s daily comic strips are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/maxonThe drabble for today, Thank You For Comments,” was inspired by Ed’s dissatisfaction with the daily comic strip.
THANK YOU FOR COMMENTS
“Studley, I can’t tell you how much I hate the daily Tarzan comic strip. Tarzan looks like a chunky neanderthal.”
“Have you told them?”“I have. They said they’d consider my concerns.”“So do you think they’ll change the artist.”‘No, I think they’ll put my complaint in a file and offer me less money when the contract comes up for renegotiation.”
“That seems unfair.”“Life doesn’t have to be fair.”“What about quality.”“Eye of the beholder. In their minds, quality is a cost/ benefit equation. The less they have to pay, the better the artwork."
“Sad, but true.”
SKY PILOT
December 6: On this day, Actor Al Hart was born in Liverpool, England, UK. Al’s eighty-two film credits include his role as “The Sky Pilot” in “The Oakdale Affair.” A Sky Pilot” was military slang for a chaplain. While, his role in the film didn’t involve military service, the term was used by ERB in the novel. For details about the film, “The Oakdale Affair,” https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0765a.htmlAl’s last film was “Tom Sawyer, Detective” in 1938. He made several westerns in his career.The drabble for today, "Sky Pilot," was inspired by Al Hart’s role as “The Sky Pilot,” and a song recorded by the Animals, to whom I apologize.
SKY PILOT
He blesses the hobos who camp by the trainNear the fire and cold from the rain.He's there to help them all that he canHe wants them to know he's a good holy manSky pilot.....sky pilotHow high can you flyYou'll never reach the skyHe tells then everything will be all rightHe knows of their hunger through the long nightSoon the coppers will come and some go to jailNo bindle staff living will ever make bailHe mumbles a prayer. It ends with a smileHeaven’s somewhere ahead, maybe only a mile.
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INCOMING
December 7: On this day in 1941, Edgar Rice Burroughs watched the attack on Pearl Harbor from his home in Honolulu. He responded quickly and helped form a civilian protective group. The Business Men’s Training Corp, writing patriotic newspaper articles, and becoming a war correspondent.Details about Burroughs’ activities during the war years abound on the www.erbzine.com website, but https://www.erbzine.com/mag10/1023.html is a good place to start.The 100 word drabble for today, “Incoming,” was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in the aftermath. The letter was addressed “To Whoever Gives A Damn.”
INCOMINGWhen we awoke Sunday morning, December 7th, we heard a great deal of firing, but we hear a great deal of firing here and had been informed the day before that heavy guns would be fired from various parts of the island for several days; so we thought nothing of it and went to breakfast.
Bombs fell in the city not far from us. Smoke rose from several fires. Ambulance, police, and fire sirens screamed almost continuously. Anti-aircraft shells burst all over the place.
In closing, this I want to state that the spirit of the people here is marvellous.
BETTER TO BE SILENT
December 8: On this day in 1929, “Tarzan the Tiger,” was released. Details about the serial and the film are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0593.html<>The film featured Frank Merrill and Natalie Kingston. It was a blend of silent and sound, with jungle sounds and Tarzan’s victory cry on the soundtrack. The Merrill’s version of the victory cry was a far cry from Johnny Weissmuller’s and it would have brought Carol Burnett to tears. Here’s a link to a video of the call “Nee-Haw.” I can only assume that Hee-Haw was already copyrighted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvEPfFnp0WoThe drabble for today is, “Better to be Silent,” inspired by the film and Merrill’s victory ‘roar.’
BETTER TO BE SILENT
Natalie Kingston said, “Frank, I just heard your ape call thingie. Sounds more like a sick kitty than a jungle lord. What’s up with that?”
“I’m Tarzan the Tiger. I did some research and contrary to popular belief, Tigers are quiet. They rarely roar. Roaring frightens away prey and it attracts rivals. I decided that I should tone it down.”
“I’ve got news for you, Frank. You’re a man not a tiger. With voice like that, you rivals are going to laugh at you and any girl you want to date is going to stay home and wash her hair!”
WHERE'S FRIDAY
December 9: On this day in 1913, Fort Wayne News Daily began serialization of Tarzan of the Apes. In those days, newspaper across the United States and Canada regularly published serializations of novels. Tarzan of the Apes appeared in various newspapers from time to time until the 1920s.The entire newspaper serialization may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag17/1750.htmlThe drabble for today, “Where’s Friday,” was inspired by the newspaper appearance of the novel.
WHERE'S FRIDAY
President Wilson said to his wife, “Edith, I’ve been reading “Tarzan of the Apes,” in the Fort Wayne newspaper, but Friday’s paper isn’t here. Do you have it?”
“No, I think it’s missing.”“Tarzan had just found Jane on Thursday. I need to know what happened on Friday.”
“I believe that Friday lived happily ever after with Robinson Crusoe.”“Not Friday on the island. The Friday newspaper. What happened to Friday.”“The maid put Friday on the floor and your terrier, Bruce did his business on it.”“That pisses me off.”“It’s better to be pissed off than pissed on.”
NUDE ON CAMERA
December 10: On this day in 1992, Josephine McKim, nude body double for Maureen O’Sullivan in “Tarzan and His Mate,” died. Also known by her married name Josephine Chalmers, was an American swimmer who won three medals at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. In 1928 she won the bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle event. She also swam in the first heat of 4×100-meter freestyle relay, but was replaced by Eleanor Garatti in the final. Four years later she won the gold medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay and was fourth in the 100-meter freestyle. During her career McKim set five world records in various freestyle events.McKim served as the body double for Maureen O'Sullivan in a deleted nude underwater scene from MGM's adventure film, “Tarzan and His Mate” (1934), which has since been restored to home video releases.Details about Tarzan and His Mate: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0615.htmlThe drabble for today, Nude on Camera, was inspired by Josephine’s appearance in “Tarzan and His Mate.”
NUDE ON CAMERA
On the set of “Lady Be Careful, Josephine McKim said hello to the star and former Tarzan, Buster Crabbe. Buster answered, “I know you. You were an Olympian and Johnny said that you were the nude swimmer in “Tarzan and his Mate.”
“Guilty as charged.”“Does it bother you.”“Not at all. I got paid, but there were no screen credits. As far as everyone knows O’Sullivan did those scenes herself.”
“You can’t keep it secret.”“Secret? I plan to brag about it to my grandchildren. Not many women can say that they were in the altogether with Johnny Weissmuller”
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DRESSING DOWNDecember 11: On this day in 1934, Variety reported the new Guatemala Tarzan film title would be titled “Tarzan and the Green Goddess:” The Burroughs-Tarzan Enterprises film was also released as The New Adventures of Tarzan. The film starred Herman Brix and Ula Holt. The husband, Aston Dearholt, of Ed’s second wife, Florence, directed the film. He later married the female lead, Ula Holt. Herman Brix changed his name to Bruce Bennett.Details about the film: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0584.htmlThe fictional drabble for today is ‘Dressing Down,” inspired by the titles of the film.
DRESSING DOWN
Edgar Rice Burroughs said, “What are we going to call this picture”Aston replied, “I have two ideas The New Adventures of Tarzan or Tarzan and the Green Goddess.” I might use both. Double your pleasure.”
"Aston, we aren’t selling chewing gum.”“Okay, well the action takes place in a green jungle and features a goddess, so…."“Are these Tarzan’s salad days?”“Why not, Ed. Everyone likes to make a little lettuce. Don’t you like Green Goddess dressing?”“No, I much prefer ranch dressing.”“I’ve always been partial to Bleu Cheese. What brand of ranch dressing?”“Tarzana Ranch, of course.”
WORK FOR HIRE
December 12: On this day in 1937, artist Clinton Pettee who drew the first illustration of Tarzan for the cover of the October 2012 issue of The All-Story magazine, died. This cover for the October 1912 issue of The All-Story featured the world's first published image of Tarzan. Collectors have long considered this issue the most valuable of all pulp magazines. He also drew the cover for All-Story magazine publication of The Cave Girl. CLINTON Walter Clinton Pettee was born on July 20, 1872 in Birmingham, Connecticut.His illustrations were also published in slick magazines, such as The Literary Digest, Judge, Scientific American, and Motor Age. He illustrated several novels, such as Cragg's Roost (1912), Darkness and Dawn (1914), The Unseen Hand (1918), and The Other Side of the Wall (1919). Walter Clinton Pettee died of a heart attack in his Manhattan apartment at the age of sixty-five on December 12, 1937.To learn more about the artist, visit: https://www.erbzine.com/mag10/1014.htmlThe drabble for today, “Work For Hire,” is a fictional conversation between Edgar Rice Burroughs and Clinton Pettee around 1930.
WORK FOR HIRE
Edgar Rice Burroughs encountered Clinton Pettee in New York. Clinton said, “Aren’t you that Tarzan guy. My name’s Clinton. I painted the cover for the first All-Story Tarzan issue.”
Ed said, “I remember. The issue sold for fifteen cents. Now days people are paying over a thousand dollars for a copy. Do you have one.”
“No, I never got paid enough to buy any copies.”“So, Clinton. They didn’t pay you a thousand dollars.”“No, they didn’t. How about you?”“Only seven hundred dollars. We should have taken our payment in copies.”Clinton shrugged. “I couldn’t. You can’t eat magazines.”
AUTHORIZED LIBRARY
December 13: On this day in 2019, the first four Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library editions, with covers by Joe Jusko, were published by ERB, Inc., Tarzan of the Apes, The Return of Tarzan, The Beasts of Tarzan, and The Son of Tarzan. What a monumental undertaking. Since that day, the entire Tarzan series has been released in Authorized Library editions – all with covers by Mr. Jusko. The first three books in the Barsoom series are available for preorder. Visit www.edgarriceburroughs.com to order copies.Right now, they’re all on sale for the holidays. Better hurry.The drabble for today is “Authorized Library and it is taken from the Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. website.
AUTHORIZED LIBRARY
The Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library presents the complete literary works of the Master of Adventure in uniform hardcover editions. Published by the company founded by Mr. Burroughs in 1923, each volume of the Authorized Library is packed with extras and rarities not found in any other edition. From cover art and frontispieces by legendary artist Joe Jusko to forewords and afterwords by today’s authorities and luminaries to a treasure trove of bonus materials from the company’s archives in Tarzana, California, the Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library will take you on a journey of wonder and imagination you’ll never forget.
RIDE, RIDE, RIDE
.,December 14: On this day in 1918, All-Story Weekly published part one of “H. R. H. The Rider.” The story of European intrigue and romance is set against the backdrop of the upcoming first World War and I found it reminiscent of “The Prisoner of Zenda” and the Scarlett Pimpernel novels. The first edition on this tale about Crown Prince Boris was published in book form combined with “The Oakdale Affair” by Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. in 1937 with a dust jacket by John Coleman Burroughs.Publishing details and several illustrations are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0764.htmlThe drabble for today, “Ride, Rider, Ride” was inspired by the novel and by a song from my youth. Thank you, Al Green.
RIDE, RIDE, RIDE
Boris, the crown prince of KalovaKept track rumors of warAt sunset Boris would mount and ride out of sightWatching the borders throughout the nightSo ride Boris ride, oh, please make us feel safeSearch with peering eyes is what you gotta doThere’s enemies to the east, and enemies all aroundThey’re coming from the west and you’re the only Prince in town.Boris, keep riding all night thisPlease guard the boards so that we don’t dieWe pray till the night runs its courseClimb on your brand new war horseRide Boris, ride.
TALE OF THE TAILDecember 15: On this day in 1978, Actor Chill Wills, who appeared as Manchester Montford in Tarzan’s New York Adventure and in one episode, End of a Challenge, of Ron Ely’s Tarzan series, died in Encino, California. Wills was a performer from early childhood, forming and leading the Avalon Boys singing group in the 1930s. He provided the deep voice for Stan Laurel's performance of "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" in Way Out West (1937), in which the Avalon Boys Quartet appeared. After appearing in a few Westerns, he disbanded the group in 1938, and struck out on a solo acting career. Among other roles, he was the voice of Francis, the Talking Mule in a half dozen films produced by Universal Studios.For details about Tarzan’s New York Adventure, I suggest: https://www.erbzine.com/mag22/0622.htmlThe drabble for today is, “Tale of the Tail,” inspired by the career of Chill Wills.
TALE OF THE TAIL
John Wayne talked to Chill Wills on the set of McClintock. “In this next scene, the director wants you to dress like Ebeneezer Scrooge in his nightgown and act like a confused old man. I told him I didn’t want you to do it because it makes you look like an ass. He insisted, but I said that It’s up to you.”
“Thanks Johnny, that ship has sailed. Can you say talking mule. Of course, I’ll do it.”“Are you sure.”“Yep, I played an ass named Francis for Universal Pictures. “Wilburrrrrr! Get me a nightgown and roll the cameras!”
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