Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 8065a  |
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Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 8065a |
<>September 16: On this day in 1940, ERB began writing “The Fire Goddess,” part two of the novel, “Escape on Venus.” The story was first published as “GODDESS OF FIRE” in the July 1941 edition of FANTASTIC ADVENTURES. The cover was by J. Allen St. John and featured an almost entirely nude woman. At least she was too naked for the editors. St. John refused to modify his artwork and artist H. W. McCauley was hired to dress the goddess.Publishing details and several illustrations about ESCAPE ON VENUS and GODDESS OF FIRE: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0751.htmlThe 100-word drabble for today is “Flame On,” and it was inspired by the issue about the dress code for a fire goddess.
FLAME ON
“Mr. St. John, this is the editor at Fantastic Adventures. I love your painting for Goddess of Fire, but we can’t publish it as is. She needs to have some clothes.”
St. John laughed. “I understand. I painted her with clothing six times, but she’s a fire goddess. Her clothes just kept burning off.”
“Even Joan of Arc wore clothes.”“Before they lit the fire, perhaps.”“Well, perhaps you’d be willing to place some flames in strategic places.”“Waste of time. Are you married? Telling a woman how do dress is as foolish as telling a fire what to burn.”
I SAW THEM GROWING THERE
September 17: On this day in 2001, Episode # 13, Tarzan and the Giant Beetles, The Legend of Tarzan animated series, was broadcast. Just to be clear, neither of the giant beetles were named Paul, John, Ringo, or George, but rumor has it that one of them was named Sutcliffe. Rene Auberjonois guest starred. The cast included Michael T. Weiss as Tarzan, Olivia d'Abo as Jane Porter, Jeff Bennett as Prof. Porter, Jim Cummings as Tantor, and April Winchell as Terk.Details about the entire series, actually all of the television series: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html#disneyTantor and Terk accompany the Prof. on an expedition to study giant flora and their clumsiness almost ends in disaster. Tantor wants to confess but Terk prefers covering up the truth. The prof. does manage to collect some plant liquid from the giant flowers which Terk promptly spills onto some beetles making them grow to gigantic proportions. Terk still tries to hide his and Tantor's involvement. It's not long before the beetles are on a rampage of destruction.The 100-word fictional and shameless drabble, “I Saw Them Growing There,” for today was inspired by the episode title and some better-known Beatles who might have written a song or two.
I SAW THEM GROWING THERE
Well, they were brown and greenIf you know what I mean
They way they grew was way beyond compare
I couldn’t tell one from another
When I saw them growing there.The bugs looked at me
And I, I could see,
That before too long, they’d be big and strong
With mandibles sharp
And they glowed in the dark
When I saw them growing there.Well, my heart said run
Big beetles aren’t fun
And I had a hunch
I looked like lunch
I ran through the night
Giant beetles were a fright
When I saw them growing there.
OUT OF MY DEPTH
September 18: On this day in The destroyer, the USS Shaw, which was badly damaged during the Pearl Harbor attack and repaired was first commissioned. War Correspondent Edgar Rice Burroughs was assigned to the USS Shaw during the War in the Pacific. Ed, who was on New Caledonia, hoped to get a flight back to Hawaii, but was notified that he would return directly to Pearl Harbor on the destroyer USS Shaw. The Shaw was badly in need of repair at Pearl as she had grounded on Sournois Reef while entering Noumea harbor, New Caledonia. "Her keel was badly wrinkled, some of her plates were sprung, and she had holes in her bottom that had been patched up with concrete."Details about the USS Shaw and Ed’s time on board: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0508.htmlBurroughs writes "Temporary repairs had been made, but her keel was badly wrinkled, some of her plates were sprung, and she had holes in her bottom that had been patched up with concrete. And she had but one screw. The Shaw was practically a wreck."The drabble for today, “Out of My Depth, was written in a letter to his daughter, Joan dated March 5, 1943 by Edgar Rice Burroughs about his trip on the USS Shaw. It has been slightly edited to fit the 100-word drabble format.
OUT OF MY DEPTH
I had a grand time on a destroyer. Spent a month aboard her. I had the run of the ship. It was fun standing on the fantail when depth charges were dropped or being on the bridge when we were entering a harbor. And ladders! I was running up and down 'em all day. The command would be broadcast, "Stand by for submarine attack!" When the charges were detonated, the ship jumped and shuddered. Just to give you and idea of the force of these charges of TNT: Another destroyer dropped charges 2 1/2 miles away, and our ship shook.
FAME IS ELEMENTARY
September 19: Onf this day in 1936, Argosy Magazine published the article, Tarzan’s Fame. The issue also include an installment of “Tarzan and the Magic Men” and had a cover by Hubert Rogers. While I don’t have the article, which is credited to “The Editor,” I do have Burroughs Bulletin Volume 1, Number two, published in August 1947, which discusses the article.You can read the complete Bulletin at: https://www.burroughsbibliophiles.com/pics/bbof02.jpgThe 100- word drabble for today, “Fame is Elementary,” is taken from that issue of the Burroughs Bulletin quoting the Argosy article. It has been slightly edited to fit the 100-word drabble format.
FAME IS ELEMENTARY
TARZAN OF THE APES was published in the October 1912 All-Story – a magazine that was soon after merged with Argosy. The freshness in the concept of the character, the imaginativeness of the scene, made the story an overnight literary sensation. Since that time the whole world has come to know Tarzan. The Tarzan books have been printed in almost every civilized language. Today the readers in hundreds of newspapers follow his adventures in cartoon-form. You can watch him on the silver-screen of the movies. It is a moot question as to is the better known, Tarzan or Mr. Sherlock Holmes?
BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL
September 20: On this day in 1991, actress Spencer Locke, who voiced Jane in Constantin’s animated Tarzan, was born in Winter Park, Florida. She’s also known for her role as K-Mart in the Resident Evil film franchise.Tarzan is a 2013 English-language German animated action-adventure film based on the Tarzan stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Written, directed and produced by Reinhard Klooss, the film features the voices of Kellan Lutz and Spencer Locke. The story sees Tarzan (Lutz), a helicopter crash survivor who was raised by apes, as he meets and teams up with Jane Porter (Locke) to protect an energy-abundant meteorite from the greedy CEO of Tarzan's late father's company.There are several articles related to the film on the website https://www.erbzine.com at https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0421.html and https://www.cartermovie.com/
The drabble for today, “Blue Light Special’ was inspired by Locke’s career, the Constantin film, and Tarzan’s sense of right and wrong.
BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL
Jane said, "Tarzan, I know that he is in trouble, but we can’t stop and help this young man. We have to save the world from the greedy oil company.”
“I know, but I can’t save everyone if I don’t save someone. I can’t just walk away from him. I have to deal with evil and trouble when I find it. I don’t get to pick and choose.”
“Well, then. Let’s be quick about it.”“There’s no time clock on doing the right thing. It takes as long as it takes. A man can’t buy honor and ethics at K-Mart.”
RELATIVELY TERRIBLE
September 21: On this day in 1931, the Rex Maxon illustrated and RW Palmer scripted daily newspaper comic adaption of the novel, “Tarzan the Terrible,” began. The story arc ran for a little over four months and concluded in January 1932. The Tarzan daily comic adapted the novels for the first few years, beginning with “Tarzan of the Apes” and ending with “Tarzan and The Lion Man” in 1935. The first original story was “Tarzan and the Fire Gods in 1935. After that the strip returned to adaptions with “The Tarzan Twins” followed by “Tarzan and the Leopard Men.” After that, the daily strip consisted of new work interspersed between adaptions of the novels.Read the entire newspaper adaption at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag32/3201.html and https://www.erbzine.com/maxon
The fictional drabble for today, “Relatively Terrible,” was inspired by the novel of that name, ERB’s observations concerning Rex Maxon’s artwork, and general sense of whimsy. Wait, I think I see Jessica Rabbit!
RELATIVELY TERRIBLE
“Dad,” said Hulbert Burroughs. “The newspaper comic today is terrible.”“I’m sure. I don’t care for the Maxon’s artwork.”“I don’t mean that. The newspaper adaption of “Tarzan the Terrible” began today.”“I know what you meant, but I know what I meant. When I chose the novel’s title, I intended for ‘terrible’ to mean a person likely to cause terror. In this case, Tarzan is a terror to the bad guys.”
“So, you’re saying that Tarzan is terrible, but not because he’s drawn that way.”“That’s a good line, Hulbert. I bet someone uses it in a movie someday.”
OF MICE AND MEN
September 22: On this day in 1942, the Honolulu Advertiser published Edgar Rice Burroughs’s article, “Not For Mice.” The article wasn’t very long, only 84 words except for a list of contact information. The article and several more that ERB wrote while in Hawaii during World War II are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0001.htmlThe drabble for today, “Of Mice and Men,” is a reproduction of the entire article.
OF MICE AND MEN
This is a call for men....There are some 25,000 adult male citizens of Hawaiian, part Hawaiian and Caucasian blood living here in the city of Honolulu. Perhaps many of them do not know how badly they are needed, nor where and how to offer their services. This article will tell them how to do so.
The Business Men’s Training Corps needs men. The BMTC needs YOU.If you are anywhere between 21 and the grave, have all your arms and legs, a little endurance, and a lot of guts.... Use the addresses and phone numbers listed below sign up.
NO FAUN FOR YOU
September 23: On this day in 1978, the animated Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle episode # 24, Tarzan and the Lost World, was broadcast as part of the Tarzan and the Super Seven television series: A detailed episode list of all the Tarzan television series is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html.Tarzan met Dr. Jessica Randolph who needed his help to look for an orbital satellite that went down in the jungle several days ago. Their search brought them to a crater concealed by magnetic energies which was occupied of mythological creatures. They learned from a Faun named Puck that the Minotaur has the satellite and that they must get the orbital satellite (which resembles the Minotaur) out of the valley before it explodes.The cast featured Robert Ridgely as Tarzan, and included Ted Cassidy, Linda Gary, and Joan Gerber.The drabble for today, “No Faun for You,” was inspired by the episode.
NO FAUN FOR YOU
Jessica Randolph and Tarzan climbed entered a hidden paradise and were confronted by a minotaur. Jessica said, “Minotaurs are real?”
The Minotaur replied, “I’m amazing, aren’t I.”Before long, harpies, hydras, a griffon, a satyr, two nymphs, and a dryad joined the Minotaur.”Tarzan stepped protectively in front of Jessica.“Relax,” said the minotaur. I’m a lover, not a fighter. You seek the fallen star. I’ll give it to you if your beautiful companion joins me for a night of pleasure.”
“Never,” exclaimed Jessica.The minotaur pointed to an immature satyr. “But, my dear, think of the faun you’ll have.”
TRACKER, TRACKER
September 24: On this day in 1927, the Boston Globe reviewed The War Chief by Edgar Burroughs. This is significant because this weekend a monument to Edgar Rice Burroughs will be unveiled near Willcox, Arizona, where Edgar Rice Burroughs was stationed at Fort Grant. His time WITH THE 7TH Cavalry served as his inspiration to write THE WAR CHIEF and APACHE DEVIL.The entire article and several more newspaper articles about Edgar Rice Burroughs may be read in their entirety at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag70/7037.htmlThe 100-word drabble for today, “Tracker, Tracker,” is an excerpt from that article.
TRACKER, TRACKER
“THE WAR CHIEF is a story replete with excitement and thrills, Mr. Burroughs paints a wonderful picture of the beauty and the grandeur of the life of the Indians in the days when they roamed the plains and were famed and dreaded for their almost uncanny powers of sight and scent that enabled them to get within striking distance of the whites before the latter suspected their presence, or to trail them over land where it seemed impossible to leave a trail. There’s a love thread to the story giving genuine charm to the pages of exciting and thrilling reading.”
LOW HANGING FRUIT
September 25: On this day in 1939, actor Feroz Khan, who portrayed Prince Raghu Kumar, in “Tarzan Goes to India,” was born in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was an Indian actor, film editor, producer and director best known for his work in Indian cinema. He appeared in over 60 films throughout his career and became one of Bollywood's popular style icons. He has been called the “Clint Eastwood” of Bollywood.Details about the film and several stills from it are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag19/1960.htmlThe fictional drabble for today was inspired by Bollywood legend, Feroz Kahn, his role in Tarzan Goes to India, and of his reputation as the “Clint Eastwood Of Bollywood. Low hanging fruit.
LOW HANGING FRUIT“Feroz,” asked Jock Mahoney. “What do you think about Tarzan.”
“It’s not real easy to like something you know nothing about.”“Why did you take the role?”“Everybody’s got a right to be a sucker once.”“That’s cynical.”“They guaranteed this role would make me a star.”“You want a guaranty, buy a toaster. A man’s got to know his limitations.”“Jock, You shut the hell up!”Mahoney held Feroz Kahn on the ground. “Once in a while you come across someone you shouldn’t screw with. That’s me. Go ahead. Make my day?”The director screamed, “Get off my Kahn!”
THIS NEWS JUST IN
September 26: On this day in 1979, Edgar Rice Burroughs historian, collector, and aficionado, Mike Conran, published his first issue of Edgar Rice Burroughs News Dateline. He’s still publishing it . The new issue is issue 106 and it’s still going strong.
A Burroughs Biblio-Pro-Phile: Mike Conran: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0577.html
The drabble for today, “This News Just In,” was inspired by Mike Conan and his remarkable dedication.
THIS NEWS JUST IN
Mike Conan’s friend, Bill Ross, said, “I got a copy of a new fanzine today, Edgar Rice Burroughs News Dateline. It was four pages long. Nice and concise. You’re responsible aren’t you.”
“Responsible is such a strong word, but somewhat accurate. I feel a moral responsibility to inform all the Edgar Rice Burroughs’ fans about what’s new in the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Films, books, toys, magazine articles. That way fans will know everything that’s happening and they won’t miss anything.”
“I see. And the publishers will give you free stuff, won’t they?”“I can only hope that’s true.”
THE GUIDING LIGHT
September 27: On this day in 1946, the Rex Maxon Tarzan scripted and illustrated newspaper daily story arc, Dr. Zee, began. The story arc ran for 114 episodes and concluded in February 1947. Dr. Zee is a strange, almost guru-like man, who leads Tarzan through a hidden passage through a mountain to a hidden civilization. Dr. Zee: https://www.erbzine.com/mag61/6136.html
The entire story arc and thousands more Tarzan daily comic pages are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag22/2293.htmlThe drabble for today, “The Guiding Light, was inspired by the almost hippie guru type character of Dr. Zee, written almost 30 years for hippies were a thing.
THE GUIDING LIGHT
Tarzan encountered a long-haired old man wearing a robe and sitting with his legs crossed near a crevice in a mountainside.
Tarzan asked. “Are you a guard?”“No, they call me, Dr. Zee, and I’m a guide or a guru, not a guard:”“A guide?”“Yes, I can lead you to paradise, peace, and contentment. To a harmony with nature.”“That sounds wonderful,” said Tarzan. “How do we start?”“Eat these mushrooms. Drink this distilled nectar. You’ll become one with the jungle.”“I’ll pass,” growled Tarzan. “I like my relationship with the jungle unadulterated. Keep a cap on those mushrooms.”
PSEUDONYM
September 28: On this day in 1911, Edgar Rice Burroughs completed writing “Under The Moons of Mars,” his first novel. The world would never be the same. My thanks to whichever muse sat on his shoulder and helped him write the story. Read the book, or reread it, and raise a glass to the best swordsman on two planets (four if you count Thuria and Saturn) and the incomparable Dejah Thoris. Drip a couple drops into a bowl for Woola, but not too much – the effects of alcohol on calots has yet to be determined.Burroughs began the novel in July 1911 and finished it in a little more than two months. It was serialized in six installments of ‘The All-Story Magazine’ listing Norman Bean as the writer from February through July, 1912. The story was published in first edition by A. C. McClurg on October 10, 1917 as A PRINCESS OF MARS, and has been reprinted by Grosset & Dunlap, ERB Inc., Ballantine / Del Rey, Dover, Doubleday Book Club, Carroll & Graff, Easton Press, and Bison Books, along with several publishers who’ve reprinted based upon its ‘public domain’ status. That’s just in the United States.The novel was published under a third title, “Carter of the Red Planet” in Modern Mechanics, a pulp magazine - published in three installments from April through July of 1929.The cover art of the first installment issue wasn’t for ‘Under the Moons of Mars, which like the other 24 stories in the issue, wasn’t mentioned on the over. The art is a Mexican man smoking in an open window and the only story that I can see that fits the cover is “A Serenade” by Edward Coate Pinkey.A wealth of information about “The Princess of Mars” is online at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0421.htmlThe drabble for today is “Pseudonym,” and it’s inspired by the mix-up concerning the credit for “Under The Moons of Mars,” as listed in the 1912 “The All-Story Magazine” issues.
PSEUDONYM
Emma Burroughs said, “You said you wrote “Under the Moons of Mars.” The magazine credits somebody named Norman Bean.”
“You know I wrote it. You saw the check.”“But who’s this Norman guy?”“My story is a fantasy. Didn’t want people to think I’m crazy, so I used the pseudonym, Normal Bean. Get it? Normal bean.”
“But it says Norman. Shouldn’t you get credit?”“If I get a book deal, I’ll use my real name and change the title to something with princess. People like princesses.”
“You’re not thinking of “Under the Princess of Mars?”“Interesting image, but probably not.”
BETTER TYPECAST THAN NO CAST
September 29: On this day in 2024, actor Ron Ely who played Tarzan on the 1966–1968 NBC series and Doc Savage on the screen died in Los Angeles, California. During the filming of Tarzan, Ely did almost all of his own stunts, and received over two dozen injuries, including two broken shoulders and several lion bites.A list and summary of all fifty-seven episodes are available for your viewing pleasure at:The 100-word drabble for today, “Better Typecast Than No Cast,” is excerpted from the Ron Ely obituary and tribute published by the Associated Press shortly after the death of the actor.
BETTER TYPECAST THAN NO CAST
"Ely said in interviews that he did his own stunts on the show, working directly and precariously with the tigers, chimpanzees and other wild animals. I met with the producers on a Monday and when they offered me the role I thought: ‘No way do I want to step into that bear trap. You do Tarzan and you are stamped for life’,” Ely told the Daily Express. “Was I ever right! But my agent convinced me it was a quality show and was going to work. On Friday, I was on a plane to Brazil to shoot the first episode.”
SEEING IS BELIEVING
September 30: On this day in 2001, Episode # 24, “Tarzan and the All-Seeing Elephant, The Legend of Tarzan” animated series, was released. Information about this episode, actually about all 39 episodes ,may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html#disneyView the episode on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-4cjyk76MwThe series featured Michael T. Weiss as Tarzan, Oliva d’Abo as Jane, and April Winchell as Terk. Taylor Dempsey, Cindy Warden, and Frank Welker made appearances in this episode.Tantor believes in an All-Seeing Elephant, but Terk doesn't. Tantor convinces Tarzan, Jane, and the Professor to go with him to search of the All-Seeing Elephant, and Terk comes along. During their journey, a rock avalanche occurs; Tantor sees Terk in trouble and protects her. Terk is surprised she is alive and tells everyone "If my buddy wants to see the All-seeing Elephant, then he's seeing the All-seeing Elephant." But the journey becomes more difficult and dangerous.The drabble for today is, “Seeing Is Believing ,” and it was inspired by the episode, “Tarzan and the All-Seeing Elephant."''
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Terk said, “Tantor, I don’t believe in an all-seeing elephant, but I’ll help you search."Tarzan asked, “Tantor, if he’s so knowledgeable, why do we have search for him. He should know that we want to find him.”Tantor started walking. “Not at all. Since he sees all, he knows that he’s better off hiding from the rest of us. The unseeing will pester him with questions, the good will offer unwanted help, and the bad will seek to profit by his knowledge.”Jane said, “That’s pretty cynical.”“No, it’s true. I can’t see everything, but I can see that.”
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