It’s nice to see The Shadow pop-up anywhere, even if it’s just a minor blip like this.
(And The Phantom. And The Rocketeer. And Buckaroo Banzai. And Darkman. And Jack Burton.)
9 DAYS UNTIL VACATION!!!
Moving On…
Well, I finished the “Sky Captain” novelization. Meh… It was okay, not good, not bad. Kinda heavy on metaphor and simile in some really odd, awkward places. My biggest problem with the book is a tiny, nitpicker’s complaint: the phrase “collectible pulp magazines”. They weren’t collectible at that time, they were made to be read once, then discarded. I guess that’s part of their appeal to me: they were throwaway amusement, and we only recently have begun to recognize their contributions to popular culture. I refuse to acknowledge that “collectible” phrase, even if it takes place in a “Sky Captain Alternate Universe”.
GOSH!!
Okay, I’m calmer now. It’s just a book, Dummy. Get over it…
Anyway, I got my latest issue of “High Adventure” yesterday, but before I go blasting off with retro sci-fi, I’m reading the Shadow novel “Malmordo” (orig. published 07/46). It’s been sitting on my shelf for a long time, so it’s about time I gave it a spin. I usually don’t like the later Shadow stories; editorial choices and the radio program’s influence kind of neutered the character by then. The sweet spot for me is in the first 4 or 5 years of the magazine, when he was just plain weird. Judging from the atmosphere-heavy first chapter,though, it looks like I’m in for a good ride.
Work’s getting to be a bitch, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel (however temporary it may be):
VACATION STARTS IN 10 DAYS, SUCKAS!!!
(Am I gloating, just a litte?)
Artistically Frustrated (Feedback Requested)
I have these… ideas… for some pulp style adventures. Ideally I’d like to write a series (if not two separate series) of novels featuring new characters of my own, but I’m very hesitant. As I’ve said before, I can start projects, but have a problem following through.
Basically, I’d like some suggestions. What are some of the secrets of writers (and I know there are a few who visit here from time to time)? How do you get the juices flowing? How do you stick with your idea, seeing it through from vision to completed work? What are the best places to go for research, beside the holy trinity of library, Google, and Wikipedia?
Any help you can provide would be much appreciated, and I promise that when I give my Oscar speech for best screenplay, I’ll give you a shout-out.
(Ha, I just made a funny.)
Didja Ever Wonder…
Why is it we get the crappiest movie posters in the U.S.?
Example: Sky Captain (’cause I’ve been thinking about it a bit lately, natch)
Italy:
Spain:
United States:
Bleh.
One Of My Real-Life Heroes (Worth Repeating)
In 2004 I lost a family member that was very near and dear to my heart. My uncle was a profound influence in my life growing up: he was my hero. I put up a tribute to him on a Street & Smith pulp hero site I was working on at the time. It’s unfinished, but if you want to check it out, here it is. Just don’t try to email me at the email address there… it’s not me anymore, and I can’t remember my password for the site there to change it. Ooops… 🙂
Anyway, here is the link to the tribute to my uncle. As the title of this post says, I think it’s worth repeating.
(P.S. The site is worth visiting, even if only for the terrible animated GIFs there. Dig it!)
My Wife? Fugeddabouttit!!
One of the many reasons why my wife is so freakin’ cool: she hates chick flicks. Hates ’em (except for “Dirty Dancing”, which she, as a female human, is required to enjoy).
What movies does she like instead? Mob movies.
We spent the whole weekend watching mob movies: her faves (“Goodfellas”), my faves (“Road To Perdition”), and our mutual favorite (“Casino”). Good times.
Now, if only I could get her to watch “Black Rain”…
Today In Creepy News…
EWWWW!!! EEEWWWW!!! OMG!!!! OH FUCKIN’ HELL!!!!! EWWWW!!!!
(Runs away and through a brick wall.)
A Pulp Museum… How Cool Is That ?!
From the Coming Attractions website:
“The Lester Dent Museum of Pulp History – Now accepting donations!
The Lester Dent Museum of Pulp History is a go!
Wayne Judge recently moved to LaPlata (MO) with the intention of starting a full fledged museum to Lester Dent.
After much thought that idea evolved into a museum for ALL pulps in the hometown of and dedicated to Lester Dent.
A special sneak peek opening is scheduled for this years LaPlata Doc Con. Local interested citizens have come together and an entire new building is being built to house the museum. 10,000 square feet! It will feature exhibits on pulp art and authors, history, life size dioramas,Old Time Radio (with listening stations) and even Movie Serials. The museum is taking donations of items for the museum and any donor will be credited,and their name put on the “Friends of the Museum” plaque. This is a collection for all of pulpdom and starting next year will begin hosting a pulp convention of its own as well. Think about that, a permanent pulp venue!
The museum will be located in a temporary location starting this October until the new building is completed. It has already received generous donations from Tom and Ginger Johnson, Chuck Juzek, Ron Hanna, Barney Dannelke, and others. Wayne Judge is happy to answer any and all questions concerning the museum or the Doc Savage convention. Just shoot him an email! Wayne will be at the Windy City Convention promoting the Museum (as well as his books). Those that know him know of my dedication to this, my dream. Wayne hopes to see you in LaPlata over the next year or so!
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Chuck Juzek has made an incredible and generous donation to the museum.
Chuck donated seven boxes of material including:
A FULL RUN of Capt. Future including all the Startling Stories appearances
All the Captain Future paperback reprints
A FULL RUN of Fantastic Stories and Fantastic Stories Quarterly
Rare Big Little Buck Rogers and Big Little style Flash Gordon and Brick Bradford books
SUPER RARE Big Big Book of Buck Rogers
Spider paperbacks (virtually every incarnation) and Spider Reprints
Several collections of full size and “card size” pulp cover reproductions on high quality photo paper.
These are really stunning pieces! AND…Theres one more box yet to come!
Chuck’s amazing donation now allows (demands actually!) a featured Captain Future exhibit and will help to round out the Sci-Fi, and Spider exhibits too! The Captain Future exhibit will feature the plaque dedicated to Chuck as well (he’s also the author of the Captain Future Handbook coming from Wild Cat Books).
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Tom and Ginger Johnson, Mark Lambert, Ron Hanna, Barney Dannelke, and more have already made contributions!
Contact Wayne Judge to make your museum contribution.
When you donate you get a brass nameplate on the “Friends of the Museum” plaque.
Additionally, Wayne has announced that there are certain individuals that should be on the “Friends of the Museum” plaque for the simple reason that they have done so much for pulpdom over the years.
The very least The museum can do is say “Thank You”.
Wayne is adding names in threes and will gladly take suggestions on more names and people along the lines of this criteria. The first 3 names added as a “Thank You” from pulpdom and the museum are:
Wooda “Nick” Carr
Anthony Tollin
Bill Thom”
For any pulp fan, this is a dream come true, and feels a bit like a long-overdue validation of a nearly forgotten form of entertainment. Can’t wait to see pictures (’cause yours truly ain’t flyin’ out to LaPlata anytime soon)!
Friday
Can’t really post. Too busy. I’ll leave you with this:
MARUCHAN RAMEN NOODLES (INSTANT LUNCH) SUCKS!
Real news, right?
What Am I Going To Do With My Life?
I try to keep this blog as light and as fun as I can. I talk a lot about stuff that, in the over-all scheme of things, don’t really matter that much. I’ve got some problems that I’m trying to face down, but it’s not easy. I’m going to write about them in this post, because talking about them could help me.
This is fair warning: it’s not going to be a fun post today. Stop reading now if you want to, I’m going to get whiny and self-loatheful (is that a word?).
Professional Dummy 