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Volume 0871
Presents
ERB ECLECTICA
ERB Newsmagazine 2003.02.31

Happy New Year
The Year of the Ram
 http://home.westman.wave.ca/~hillmans/links.html



CONTENTS

Happy New Year Feb. 1, 2003: The Year of the Ram
George Lucas Quote on the John Carter Series
Los Angeles SubERBs Meet
Victory Cry of the Bull Ape ~ National Geographic 1903
 A Potpourri of ERB Collectibles
Tantor Media Digital Audio Books
John Carter Fun Trivia Quiz
This Week's Featured Web Graffiti Zines

"Originally, I wanted to make a Flash Gordon movie, with all the trimmings,
but I couldn't obtain all the rights.
"So I began researching and found where (Flash Gordon creator) Alex Raymond got his idea:
The works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, especially his John Carter series of books.
"I found that what sparked Burroughs was Edwin Arnold's 'Gulliver on Mars' published in 1905,
the first story of this genre I've been able to trace....
"Young people today don't have a fantasy life anymore....
The films they see are movies of disasters, insecurity and realistic violence.
They seem to be having a very boring childhood."

~ George Lucas in Science Fiction Review 24, 12/77

Los Angeles SubERBs Meet
On Saturday, January 25th, the Los Angeles SubERBs held their first meeting of 2003, and their first meeting since the successful ECOF in Tarzana in September.

The get together was hosted by Bob Zeuschner, and participants got to see an original J. Allen St. John illustration from "Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle," and the All-Story issue with the first appearance of Tarzan of the Apes. Several other original ERB art works were on display, including several pieces by Bill Stout, Tom Yeates, Roy Krenkel, and others.

In addition to Bob, Rob Greer, Rob's lovely friend Michelle, Jim Van Hise and Tracy Griffin were there. Len and June Moffatt (long time s-f and mystery buffs), Tim Clark (who brought a friend named Greg), Billy York, Steve Hurley, Joe Musso, and Jerry Schneider. We talked about the "Princess of Mars" movie, and Jerry Schneider's publishing venture which began with "The Girl From Farriss'" with "Land That Time Forgot" to follow in March. We shared books, and magazines, and Jim Van Hise sold several subscriptions to his new ERB fanzine, "The Burroughs Newsbeat." Tracy Griffin shared some home movies of Florence Gilbert and ERB in Hawaii, and we got to hear  Florence Gilbert's voice as well.

Various snacks and iced tea were made available. I would like to think that everyone enjoyed themselves.

~ Bob Zeuschner


A Recommended Resource for ERB Scholars:
The Complete National Geographic:
112 Years of National Geographic Magazine
www.nationalgeographic.com/cdrom/complete

THE FIRST DESCRIPTION OF
THE VICTORY CRY 
OF THE BULL APE
An influence on ERB?
National Geographic Magazine ~ July 1903

This description appeared in the July 1903 issue of National Geographic Magazine following the death of Paul Belloni Du Chaillu on April 30 of that year.  He was the first European to bring back proof of the existence of gorillas.  In one of his writings, he described a first-hand, face-to-face encounter with a bull gorilla, and here is a real description of the "victory cry of the bull ape" or at least a challenging cry:

In 1863-`65 Du Chaillu made a second journey of exploration to Africa, the narrative of which appeared in 1867 as "A Journey through Ashango Land." This time he discovered the pygmies of the Dark Forest, but his descriptions of the little people were likewise received with incredulity. With this journey his explorations in Africa ended.

Gradually each of Du Chaillu's discoveries was confirmed by later explorers – by Schweinfürth, Stanley, Sir Harry Johnston, and others. Many years ago they were all verified; but the name Du Chaillu none the less still remains to most Americans that of a romance. In a certain sense Du Chaillu is himself responsible for this feeling, for all his descriptions are so vivid and are so thrillingly told that the reader feels he is reading a work of pure invention, rather than a narrative of actual experience.

His famous description of the first gorilla shot by a white man is worth quoting:

"Suddenly, as we were yet creeping along, in a silence which made a heavy breath seem loud and distinct, the woods were at once filled with the tremendous barking roar of the gorilla.

"Then the underbrush swayed rapidly just ahead, and presently before us stood an immense male gorilla. He had gone through the jungle on his all-fours; but when lie saw our party he erected himself and looked us boldly in the face. He stood about a dozen yards from us, and was a sight I think I shall never forget. Nearly six feet high (he proved four inches shorter), with immense body, huge chest, and great muscular arms, with fiercely-glaring, large, deep gray eyes, and a hellish expression of face, which seemed to me like some nightmare vision: thus stood before us this king of the African forest.

"He was not afraid of us. He stood there, and beat his breast with his huge fists till it resounded like an immense bass-drum, which is their mode of offering defiance; meantime giving vent to roar after roar.

"The roar of the gorilla is the most singular and awful noise heard in these African woods. It begins with a sharp bark, like an angry dog; then glides into a deep bass roll, which literally and closely resembles the roll of distant thunder along the sky, for which I have sometimes been tempted to take it where I did not see the animal. So deep is it that it seems to proceed less from the mouth and throat than from the deep chest and vast paunch.

"His eyes began to flash fiercer fire as we stood motionless on the defensive, and the crest of short hair which stands on his forehead began to twitch rapidly up and down, while his powerful fangs were shown as he again sent forth a thunderous roar. And now truly he reminded me of nothing but some hellish dream creature – a being of that hideous order, half-man, half beast – which we find pictured by old artists in some representations of the infernal regions. He advanced a few steps, then stopped to utter that hideous roar again; advanced again, and finally stopped when at a distance of about six yards from us. And here, just as he began another of his roars, beating his breast in rage, we fired and killed him."

~Submitted by Thandar

This excerpt from July 1903 edition of National Geographic Magazine was unearthed by Kenneth "Thandar" Fuchs. Ken presents more information on Du Chaillu's African research in the ERBmania Web page:
http://www.erblist.com/erbmania/duchaillu.html
Featured there is a period map of Africa, researched and created by Bruce "Tangor" Bozarth -- a map which also suggests some of the plot/circumstances found in the Tarzan tales. Also included are annotations of the article by Tangor and summation by Ken Fuchs.

A POTPOURRI OF COLLECTIBLES

William Dixon Portfolio
UK Comic TV Tornado February 11, 1967UK TV Tornado ~ April 8, 1967UK TV Tornado ~ May 20, 1967


February 13, 34 letter from ERB



ERB "Talking Books" are featured on the Tantor Media Digital Audio Books site

www.tantor.com
at
http://www.tantor.com/BookList.asp?Genre=SciFi

THE MARS SERIES
Narrated by John Bolen

Ex-confederate army captain John Carter finds himself unwittingly transported to Mars, while fleeing Apache Indians. This new world is populated by a race of monstrous Martians, whose culture is based on the ability to fight for their race. Fortunately for John, the gravitational difference between Mars and Earth has endowed him with the strength that he will need for survival on this hostile planet. John Carter battles ferocious Martian creatures, but gains the respect and friendship of the Barsoomians. He also encounters the beautiful Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, and earns her everlasting devotion. This is the first of eleven in the popular 'Martian' series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. 
John Carter returns to the red planet ten years after his Martian death in search of his wife, Princess Dejah Thoris. He joins forces with his old comrades and forms new lifetime alliances as he battles hostile enemies, previously unknown to his people of Barsoom. His adventures reveal the truth about the Gods of Mars. This is the second of eleven in the popular 'Martian' series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. 
John Carter risks everything to rescue his wife, Princess Dejah Thoris, from the clutches of his evil adversaries, but he is always just one step behind! His battles cover the face of the red planet, as his quest carries him ultimately to the mysterious northern pole. Will this civilization, submerged in ice, prove fatal to our hero? This is the third of eleven in the popular 'Martian' series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. 
Mars has become divided by love. Not one, but two princes and a Jeddak are vying for the love of Thuvia of Ptarth. When she is mysteriously kidnapped, treachery threatens to throw Barsoom into bloody war.  Now Cathoris must follow in the footsteps of his father, John Carter, and overcome phantom armies, dangerous spies and savage beasts as he attempts to save his true love and reunite Mars. 
Impetuous and headstrong, Tara, Princess of Helium and daughter of John Carter, defies the elements by flying into a rare, fierce Martian storm. Hurtled half a planet from her home she is threatened by grotesque, flesh eating monsters and barbarous warriors. 

Is the mysterious Panthan warrior friend or foe? As hero battles for maiden in the chess-like games of Jetan, the pieces are fighting men and the stakes are life and death! Mars series

Check their site for Tarzan and Zane Grey titles


John Carter Fun Trivia Quiz:
10 Quizzes by AWKINS
http://www.funtrivia.com/dir/4224.html
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
John Carter Quiz 5
Based on The Chessmen of Mars
John Carter Quiz 6
Based on The Master Mind of Mars
Question 1:
Gahan is the Jed of?
Kaol
Gathol
Rykor
Kaldane

Question 2:
Who is the daughter of John Carter?
Dejah
Uthia
Tara
Cluros

Question 3:
What are the headless red people called?
Stuumps
Rykor
Thards
Truunks

Question 4:
What are the controlling brains called?
Kildares
Tharks
Braaks
Kaldane

Question 5:
What land was Luud king of?
Kaldane
Skyes
Barsoom
Bantoom

Question 6:
What was the name of the third foreman of the fields of Luud?
Grak
Ghek
Prek
Strak

Question 7:
Where was Turan taken prisoner?
Randor
Manatee
Manator
Kabar

Question 8:
How is A-Kor related to Gahan?
Brother
Nephew
Son
Cousin

Question 9:
What was the trade of I-Goss?
Prison guard
Warrior
Taxidermist
Undertaker

Question 10:
Who did Djor Kantos marry?
Olvia Marthis
Phaidor
Gozava
Sarkoja
 

Question 1:
Who is the hero of this book?
Borag Thung
Praxton
Yip Yaro
Vad Varo

Question 2:
Who is Ras Thavas?
Taxidermist of Toonol
High Priest of Toonol
Surgeon of Toonol
Jeddak of Toonol

Question 3:
Who bought Valla Dia's body?
Xoxo
Xaxa
Xena
Saxa

Question 4:
Which one is Earth?
Barsoom
Cosoom
Jasoom
Rasoom

Question 5:
Who was body 4296-E-2631-H?
Jal Had
Kara Vasa
Valla Dia
Hovan Du

Question 6:
Who carried out the kidnapping of Valla Dia?
Jal Had
Jai Alai
Jod Phur
Vas Kamas

Question 7:
What was the profession of Gor Hajus?
High Priest
Assassin
Body servant
Warrior

Question 8:
Who had half of his brain transplanted into a Great White Ape?
Hovan Du
Vad Varo
Gor Hajus
Mu Tel

Question 9:
Who provided the companions with refuge in Toonol?
Hovan Du
Mu Tel
Vad Varo
Gor Hajus

Question 10:
Who caused John Carter to travel to Phundahl?
Xaxa
Vad Varo
Kara Vasa
Dejah Thoris


This week's featured Web Graffiti Zines
ZINE 05
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/webzine/zine05.html
Employee Performance Reports from the Royal Navy ~ Boss Asked for a Letter ~ Lessons from the Movies ~ Problems with the English ~ Tips on How To Get By In Life ~ Darwin Awards ~ Darwin Awards Wanna-Be's

ZINE 04
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/webzine/zine04.html

College Test Answers ~ Day Off Work Excuses ~ Job Interviews ~ 50 Fun Things for Professors To Do In Class ~ 21 Ways to Annoy People ~ Good Wives Guide (from the 50s/60s) ~ Worst Analogies Ever Written

Volume 0871

WEBJED: BILL HILLMAN
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