ERBzine 8222a: Drabbles Jan 14-31, 2026

BOUND FOR GLORY

January 16: On this day in 1908, stage and screen actress Ethel Merman, who portrayed Rosanna McCloud in the Ron Ely Tarzan television series, episodes #42 and #43, “Mountains of the Moon,’ was born in as Ethel Agnes Zimmerman, no relation to Bob Dylan. She was a trained stenographer. The Tony and Grammy winning actress starred on Broadway in “Anything Goes,” Gypsy,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Hello, Dolly,” and many more. She was well known for her brash demeanor and booming voice and once on the set of the Loretta Young show, Loretta Young said, “Miss Merman, you said the “H” word. That will cost you twenty-five cents. Merman replied, “Tell, me, Loretta, how much will it cost me to tell you to go f%$#k yourself?"

There’s a big difference between Merman’s lifestyle and her role as religious leader, Rosanna McCloud, makes her being cast in the role, interesting, but her flamboyant screen presence and booming voice makes it understandable.

A detailed summary of the episodes is located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7432.html#42

The 100-word fictional drabble for today, “Bound For Glory,” was inspired by Ethel Merman and her role as Rosanna McCloud.

BOUND FOR GLORY

Tarzan stopped the group of pilgrims and said, “Why are you here? You’re not prepared to travel across Africa. Who’s in charge?"

Rosanne McCloud, played by Ethel Merman, said, “I am. We are going to the Promised Land.”

Tarzan said, “All of Africa belongs to the people who already live here. There is no land promised to anyone else, pilgrims or otherwise. Go home.”

“I won’t be taking advice from a man who barely wears any clothes.”

“Madam, clothes don’t make the man.”

“Maybe not, monkey-man, but semi-nudity may inspire a lot of things, but trust isn’t one of them.”

DO THE MATH

January 17: On this day in 1922, actor Bobby Nelson, who played Bobby Trevor in Tarzan the Mighty, was born in Santa Monica, California as Robert Julius Nelson. He acted in several silent films including the Universal series, the Pioneer Kid. Bobby acted in about thirty “talkies,” and retired from acting at age fifteen. He became a public accountant. In addition to TARZAN THE MIGHTY, Bobby acted in “PERILS OF THE JUNGLE, both serials that featured Frank Merrill. In TARZAN THE MIGHTY. Bobby dressed similar to Tarzan, horrible headband and all.

Detailed information about TARZAN THE MIGHTY: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0592.html

The fictional drabble for today is, “Do The Math,” inspired by child actor, World War Two veteran, and public accountant, Bobby Nelson.” Johnny Sheffield played Boy until he was sixteen and Bomba until he was twenty-four.

DO THE MATH

The couple handed their paperwork to the accountant and said, “Sorry we waited until the last minute. Can you get our taxes filed on time?”

“We’ll have to work overtime, but we can.”

“Wait, I know you,” said the husband. “You were in a Tarzan movie and you played the Pioneer Boy, didn’t you.”

“Why are you an accountant?”

“Do the math. It didn’t add up. I’m not Peter Pan. I got older and stopped being cute. I couldn’t play a boy until I was twenty-four.”

“What about that Sheffield kid?”

“Maybe. Makeup and camera angles have improved.”

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REVENGE OF TARZAN

January 18: On this day in 2012, the almost one-hour long Dewet Du Toit film, Tarzan: King of the Jungle, was released. You can watch it for free at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atxL2_-EMmA

"DeWet du Toit" is a South African actor and filmmaker known as "Africa's real Tarzan" for his deep immersion in the jungle lifestyle, aiming to be cast as Tarzan in Hollywood films, with his brother Rudolf also involved in their Tarzan-themed short films like "Revenge of Tarzan," showcasing a more feral portrayal compared to traditional interpretations. Needless to say, he does all his own stunt work.

There’s a nice article about DeWet at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag62/6268.html

The drabble for today, "A Star is Born,” is excerpted from an article published in the “George News,” a South African newspaper on September 1, 2011. It’s been slightly edited to fit the 100-word drabble format. It’s only serendipity that the article was published on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ birthday.

REVENGE OF TARZAN

An earnest, young man from George with an obsession to star in Stephen Somer's 2012 Hollywood Tarzan, has caused quite a stir on the internet. His home-manufactured, short promotion film in which he stars as Tarzan, has thus far attracted hundreds of hits on YouTube. Clad in a skimpy tiger "lappie", the shoots showed off his brawny, have-been-body-building torso to best advantage.

He, in the star role as Tarzan, goes to the rescue of a beautiful blonde Jane. She has fallen into the paws of kidnappers, who happen to be poachers. It requires some agile leaps onto a railway trolley.

VOLUNTEER PET

January 19: On this day in 2002, episode #18 Tarzan and the Orphan, of the Tarzan television series starring Wolf Larson and Lydie Denier, was first broadcast. The episode is sometimes referred to as episode eleven, but the episodes weren’t necessarily broadcast in the order they were filmed, but the dates for the broadcast of the first seasons episodes are consistent from most sources.

The orphan in question is a lion cub named Mike. Jane wants to adopt Mike. I had a quick flashback to Born Free. After a while, Tarzan and Jane find the cub a new home with a lioness. Tarzan’s big line in the episode is “In the jungle, nothing is ever for sure.”

A summary of the episode and a review are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7457.html#11

The fictional, but accurate, drabble for today, “Volunteer Pet,” was inspired by the episode and by parents everywhere when faced with the same situation.

VOLUNTEER PET

Tarzan saved Jane from a crocodile after Jane had tried to save a lion cub from the same crocodile. He also saved the cub.

Jane hugged the cub. “Can we keep him?”

Tarzan said, “No, we can ensure he’s healthy, but we can’t keep him. Lions belong with lions.

“But the crocodile was going to eat him.”

“Perhaps. In the jungle, nothing is ever for sure. He must learn to survive as a lion.”

“That seems harsh. I love him.”

“If you really love him, then respect his nature. Don’t be selfish. Set him free. Free to be a lion.”

INTOLERANCE

January 20: On this day in 1930, In a letter to Hugh Thomason, Burroughs noted that much of the inspiration for the War Chief came from his personal experiences with the 6th Cavalry in Arizona but he also listed some of the books he used as references.

The Marvellous Country: Three Years in Arizona and New Mexico, the Apache's Home by Samuel Woodworth Cozzens 1873

Thrilling Days in Army Life by General. George. A. Forthsyth 1900

Lives of Famous Indian Chiefs by Norman B. Wood

The Frontier Trail by Colonel Homer W. Wheeler

The Land of Poco Tiampo by Charles. F. Lummis

Geronimo's Story of His Life by S.M. Barrett, 1907

Trailing Geronimo: The Outbreak of the White Mountain Apaches, 1881 - 1886 by Anton Mazzanovich

Life Among the Apaches by John Carey Cremony

Apache Medicine-Men by John G. Bourke

After I learned about the books listed above, I made an effort to add copies to my own collection. I have seven of the ten. I confess that I’ve only read three of them. The writing in the Anton Mazzanovich book is particularly stilted. My copy of the 1907 “Geronimo’s Story of is Life,” is tattered, worn, and has detached pages.

An amazing amount of detail about the novel, The War Chief, an electronic version of the manuscript, the publishing history, and several illustrations are available for your viewing pleasure at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0773.html

“Argosy All-Story Weekly” edited The War Chief before it was published, much to ERB’s dissatisfaction. He made notes about it. Danton Burroughs found those notes with the original manuscript and the drabble for today, Intolerance,” is an excerpt from those notes.

INTOLERANCE

“I’ve gone over the 'copy' carefully and have indicated a number of phrases, sentences and paragraphs deleted by them, which I wish to have retained.

“The preparation of the manuscript required considerable research work and as it is necessary for the reader to be able to understand the viewpoint of the Indian, if he is to be in sympathy with the principal character, it’s essential that much of the matter deleted should remain even though it draws comparisons that may be odious to some people of our own race and sometimes shocking to people whose religious convictions are particularly strong.”

PERFORMANCE DEFICIT

January 21: On this day in 1881, Artist Dorothy Dulin, who did newspaper illustrations for THE ETERNAL LOVER, SWEETHEART PRIMEVAL, and THE SON OF TARZAN was born. Dorothy worked for the Chicago Tribune and the L. A. Times. Her illustrations of the three books listed all appeared in 1916 newspaper serializations of the novels. Dorothy also illustrated the cover for a great deal of sheet music. In 1972, an art portfolio of her ERB art was published by The Jasoomian in a limited edition of 200 sets. I don’t have it. There’s a copy on EBay today for $150.00. I decided to pass.

A nice article about the artist, including several of her illustrations is located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag57/5775.html

On July 15, 1909, artist James Dulin married Michigan native Adah Dorothy Donaldson, who was also a fine artist and working for a Kansas City paper. For the 1910 census Adah was living in a boarding house in Kansas City, but James was not found in the listing, possibly because he had gone out on the road to look for a better work situation. The couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, later that year. Dulin started producing sheet music covers and other art from his own studio in Illinois in late 1910. Dorothy was soon working as a staff artist for the Chicago Tribune. Among her specialties were fashion drawings, for which her reputation would grow into the 1930s. Dorothy did paintings and drawings for fairy tale books, a skill that brought great demand for her work. James traveled a great deal for “business,” and after a trip to France, he apparently brought home another wife. I doubt that turned out well.

The fictional drabble for today, “Performance Deficit,” was inspired by Dorothy, her life and her artwork. Thanks to Chris Adams for the name of the ‘other wife.

PERFORMANCE DEFICIT

James Dulin returned from a trip to France with another woman. He put his suitcase down and said to his wife, “Dorothy, dear, this is Babette. She followed me home. Can I keep her?”

Dorothy said, “She’s wearing a wedding ring. Give her back to her husband.”

“About that. I might of accidentally married her. Can’t we work this out and all live happily ever after?”

“I’ve illustrated enough fairy tales to know when I’m listening to one. It won’t work. You’ve never been able to keep one woman happy, so there’s no way you can take care of two.”

RUN WITH THE BEAR

January 22: On this day in 1938, Argosy Weekly published the third installment of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ third Venus novel, CARSON OF VENUS. The novel was dedicated to Florence Gilbert Burroughs. Edgar Rice Burroughs, his name only, was in the cover, but the illustration was for Highland Man, a novel of the foreign Legion. Carson had one interior illustration by C. BRIGHAM. I confess that the only other writer to have a story/ article in the issue that I recognize is Stookie Allen. I’ve never read anything by Davie Howard Lester, Harold Ledbetter, or Garnett Radcliffe. The cover art by Rudolph Belarski was for HIGHLAND MAN by Robert Carse. I’ve never read anything by Carse, but he wrote over a hundred stories for the pulps.

Read the novel, see the pictures, learn the publishing history at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0750.html

The drabble for today, “Run With the Bear,” was inspired by CARSON OF VENUS, a novel written as Hitler held power in Germany just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. The bad guys are called Zanis instead of Nazis – yep, that fooled everyone. The novel was rejected by several magazines before it finally sold to Argosy – perhaps because of the Nazi references. ERB had a similar sales issue with his first version of “The Moon Men,”’ titled “Under The Red Flag”, a satirical look at communism, just prior to WW1.

RUN WITH THE BEAR

“Carson,” said Duare. “Be careful. The government in this country has spies and soldiers everywhere. They tell their people that foreigners are the reasons for any problems that exist. The citizens will turn us in.”

“You believe ordinary citizens will turn us in?”

“It’s them or us. Nothing says” I’m loyal” like betraying other folks.”

“That’s cynical. Besides, we have papers.”

“No one cares about papers. Here’s my plan. When the coast is clear, we’ll get out of this place.”

“More detail, please."

“Detail? Fine! When I say run, run like a bear from your planet is biting your butt.”

SHEIK YOUR BOOTY

January 23: On this day in 1872, Actor Lafayette S. McGee, who played James Bankington in the lost film, THE LAD AND THE LION, was born in Morrison, Illinois. Bankington is the banker father of the LAD, played by Will Machin. Lafe McKee began working in Hollywood around 1913. He usually played the likeable father of the heroine, the distressed businessman, or the ranch owner on the verge of losing his homestead or cattle to the villains. The majority of his films were westerns and he supported such actors as Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Gene Autry, Tim McCoy, Tom Tyler, and others. McGee was a staple of Hollywood and has over 450 film credits. In 1935 alone, he appeared in QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE and 48 more films, mostly westerns.

What details that exist about the film, may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0450.html

The fictional drabble for today, “Sheik Your Booty,” was inspired by the film version of THE LAD AND THE LION.

SHEIK YOUR BOOTY

“Mr. Bankington,” said his secretary. “An Arab sheik cabled. He says your son ‘s living with a lion and courting his daughter.”

“A lion and an Arab beauty? I thought he was lost at sea.”

“Apparently not, Sir.”

“He’s making the best of a bad situation. Befriending the lion, the toughest creature in the neighborhood and making love to an exotic woman. Sheik’s rich, no doubt. Cable him and suggest I manage his investments.”

“And Will?”

“Tell him the difference between the lion and the Arab’s daughter is that the lion eats antelope and he and the girl can’t elope.”

JUNGLE BAND

January 24: And we go a little off-script today, because on this day in 1939, Harold Ray Ragsdale. known professionally as Ray Stevens, was born in Clarksville, Georgia. He’s best known for his Grammy-winning recordings, EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL and MISTY as well as novelty hits including GITARZAN, AHAB HE ARAB, and THE STREAK". Stevens earned gold albums and worked as a producer, music arranger, and television host. He was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Christian Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

GITARZAN, which reached #8 on the charts in 1969, was written by Ray Stevens and Bill Everette. It’s about a character who lives in a jungle and forms a musical band with his female partner, Jane, and their pet monkey. The song features Tarzan's jungle calls.

A link to the video and all the lyrics are available for your viewing and listening pleasure at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag11/1164.html.

ERBzine is curated by Bill and Sue-On Hillman, who were also recording artists. I don’t believe that the duo ever covered the song, GITAARZAN. The image accompanying this post is from the ERBzine website.

The drabble for today, Jungle Band, is 100 words, as a drabble should be, excerpted and edited for length from the song,

GITARZAN, not to be confused with “Get Tarzan,” a common refrain by bad guys in Africa.

JUNGLE BAND
He's gotta girl named Jane, with no last name

Kinda homely and plain, but he loves her just the same

'Cause she kindles a flame, and it drives him insane

When he hears her sing

She really does her thing

It's her claim to fame

Well, they gotta pet monkey
He likes to get drunky, and sing boogie-woogie
And it sounds real funky
Come on, yo' time, boy, here we go

On Saturday night they need some excitement
Jane gets right and the monkey gets tight
Their voices unite, in the pale moon light
It sounds alright, yeah, it's dynamite

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

January 25: On this day in 1957, People Magazine, Australia, interviewed actor Rod Taylor. The interview included Taylor’s comments about being Australia’s first radio Tarzan on Tarzan, King of the Apes, an Australian produced radio show that began in 1953 and ran for over 1000 episodes. Over the production of the show, three actors voiced Tarzan and two actress voiced Jane. Marcia Nellie Hathaway, the first Jane, holds the unhappy distinction of being the only actress to play Jane who was actually killed by a shark.
More details about Rod Taylor, Marcia Hathaway her and the Australian radio series may be found in my article, “Tarzan and Jane Down Under” - https://www.erbzine.com/mag67/6749.html
The fictional drabble for today, THE SHOW MUST GO ON, was inspired by the interview with Rod Taylor, who starred in THE BIRDS and THE TIME MACHINE after he relocated to America.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON
The interviewer said, “Mr. Taylor, you’ve become a big star in America, but you started your career here in Australia, didn’t you.”

“Yes, I did thousands of radio broadcasts, sometimes six or seven daily shows.”
“How did you keep them straight?”
“Sometimes I didn’t. Once I was a doctor supposed to scream at a nurse and I broke out my Tarzan yell. The poor girl fainted right on the spot. ”

“What did you do?”
“I said, “And now a word from our sponsor, Vegemite. I inhaled from a helium balloon and did her voice when we went live again.”

THE SOUND OF ONE PEBBLE CLAPPING

January 26: On this day in 1997, the Tarzan: The Epic Adventures episode, Tarzan and the White Pebble, was broadcast. Jocelyn Broderick played Tarzan’s mother, but I haven’t been able to find out much about the actress, not even her birthday. South African actor, Graham Hopkins played “Tarzan’s father," and again, information about him is mostly unavailable.

For information about the series, which starred Joe Lara as Tarzan, visit: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014a.html

In the episode, Tarzan rescues Vusi, an old man who is revered as a seer and oracle, but in truth is a notorious trickster. He sends Tarzan on a search of self discovery, to find a mysterious pebble.

The drabble for today, “The Sound of One Pebble Clapping,” is a conversation that didn’t take place in the episode, but was inspired by it.

THE SOUND OF ONE PEBBLE CLAPPING

Vusi, the oracle, said, “Thank you for saving me. I’m a poor man, but I would reward you. To gain knowledge and understanding of your true self, you must seek a certain white pebble.”

Tarzan smiled, “A single pebble in all of Africa? And where might I find it?”

“If I told you, the search would be meaningless and you’ll learn nothing new.”

Tarzan said proudly, “I have a little knowledge.”

“Indeed? It’s said that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, so that would make you the most dangerous man in the jungle.”

“Well, Vusi, you’ve got that right.”

DIRECTOR ANIMALUS

January 27: On this day in 1942, actor, director, animal trainer, and writer, Stewart Raffill, who appeared in one episode of the Ron Ely television series, as Tailboy in Eyes of the Lion, and was the animal trainer and supervisor for 26 more episodes of that series and also for TARZAN AND THE GREAT RIVER and TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD.

Among his many credits, Stewart wrote and directed the films, THE ICE PIRATES and TAMMY AND THE T-REX.

For details about every episode of the Ron Ely Tarzan television series: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html

Eyes of the Lion was the first episode of the Ron Ely series. A blind girl, who we do not find out is blind right away, has a kind red maned Seeing Eye lion. There’s another red maned lion who is a killer. The two lions are probably from the same liter, with only a dark spot on the girl Nara (Nora)’s lion Sultan. The two lions fight Sultan loses, but survives. Tarzan has to fight and kill the bad lion. I suspect this was the fight where Ely was bitten on the forehead. The same lion bit his thigh later. Maybe the animal was trying to tell the makers of the show something. Perhaps, he’d didn’t care for being cast as the bad lion.

The drabble for today is “Director Animalus,” and it was inspired by the career of Stewart Raffill.

DIRECTOR ANIMALUS

“Stewart," asked the producer, “You wrangled wild animals for countless productions and now you’re writing and directing. Which is the easiest?”

“They both have their challenges. Lions and tigers never ask about their motivation, nor do they complain about who has the biggest cage. However, when they go off-script, things go downhill badly.”

“I can see that. So, it’s easier to direct humans.”

“It’s not really, it’s just different. People whine, lions roar. People complain, tigers get even. They both ignore directors.”

“At least human actors don’t bite.”

Stewart laughed, “You think not! You upstage one and see what happens.!”

THE MORNING AFTER

January 28: On this day in 1979, the Russ Manning scripted and illustrated Tarzan Sunday story arc, Tarzan and the Dead Moon of Pellucidar, concluded. Since the publication of this story arc, there have been several stories and a book or two about the dead moon, a moon which sets motionless in the sky of Pellucidar perpetually casting shade over the land of awful shadow. Historian John Martin has a nice article about the Dead Moon at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag57/5793.html

Some sources say that the story arc ended a week earlier on January 21st, but I disagree. The installment for January 28, 1979 is the equivalent of a western movie “ride off into the sunset” ending, not the beginning of a new story. The final panel, rendered in monochrome, is the perfect ending to a long adventure.

Read the entire story arc at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag21/2137.html It’s visually wonderful and a great read.

The drabble for today is, “The Morning After, and it was inspired by the Russ Manning Sunday comic, by Tarzan’s visit to the Dead Moon of Pellucidar, and sunrise in the French Quarter on every Ash Wednesday.

THE MORNING AFTER

Tarzan returned from Pellucidar and rejoined Jane on the surface. She asked, “How was the expedition?”

“Exciting as always. I was captured by Mahars and taken to the Dead Moon of Pellucidar. The creatures had a thriving colony on the moon.”

“How can it be a dead moon if it’s occupied?”

“It never moves.”

“I know people who meet that description.”

“Jane, maybe because life on that moon wasn’t lively. One could say the moon was as dead as New Orleans the morning after Mardi Gras.”

“That’s awful, John. I don’t believe there’s a shadow of truth in that comment.”

SCHMARZAN THE CONQUEROR

January 29: On this day in 1980, actor, singer, and vaudeville star, Jimmy Durante, who played Schnarzan, the Conqueror, in 1934 film, Hollywood Party, died in Santa Monica, California. Durante was known for his gravelly voice, frequent malapropisms, and his prominent nose.

In Hollywood Party, Schnarzan faces off with Baron Munchausen and his man-eating lions. Mrs. Weissmuller, Lupe Velez, also appeared in the film as Jane and as The Jaguar Woman. Durante’s chest was covered with poorly affixed fake hair that occasionally floated away during filming.

Details about the spoof and several pictures are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag67/6784.html

The drabble for today was inspired by the “Schnarzan the Conqueror and Jimmy Durante, and a few of his most famous taglines. Like the man said, “I don’t have a big nose. I have a small head.”

SCHMARZAN THE CONQUEROR
Lupe Velez, Mrs. Johnny Weissmuller, who was playing Jane, snuggled up to Jimmy Durante, playing Schnarzan the Conqueror. She sneezed. “Jimmy, your fake chest hair is coming loose.”

“No problem, I’ve got a million of them.”

“Yes, problem. I think Lupe's allergic.”

“Well, Inka Dinka Doo. Hold your breath.”

A makeup artist ran onto the set and sprayed adhesive on Durante’s chest. He closed his eyes. “Everyone wants to get into the act.”

Lupe’s eyes watered. She sneezed again. She stomped off the set.

Jimmy opened his eyes and saw he was alone. “And good-night Mrs. Weissmuller, wherever you are.”

PHANTOM TALE, BADLY DONE

January 30: On this day in 1871, actor director , and screenwriter, Wilfred Van Norman Lucas, who directed Romance of Tarzan was born in Norfolk County, Canada. Lucas acted in over 400 films, directed over 50, and is credited as a screenwriter on 21 films. His last acting credit was in 1941’s THE SEA WOLF.

Details, posters, and stills from the film, Romance of Tarzan, may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0504.html

The drabble for today, “Phantom Tale, Badly Done,” excerpted and slightly edited to fit the 100 word drabble format, from an unflattering film review in Variety.

PHANTOM TALE, BADLY DONE

How those who haven’t read a "Tarzan" book will look upon this "Tarzan" picture is problematical. They may view it as a phantom tale badly done.

The writer’s version of the Tarzan "romance” departs from the story and becomes too modernized, taking place on a California ranch.

Mr. Lincoln in his dress suit looked and acted like a professional wrestler. He gives the "bull cry" of Tarzan's vainly trying to hit a top note. No one could blame the beasts of Africa for walking out on him. A caption said he wasn't the Tarzan they had known, and he wasn't.

PANTS AND LOINCLOTHS
JANUARY 31: On this day in 1888, actor Ray Beltram, who had small parts in Tarzan’s Magic Fountain, Tarzan and the She-Devil, and Tarzan and the Slave Girl, was born in El Truinfo, Mexico. Known for his extensive work as a character and background performer in American films and television from the 1940s through the 1960s, he frequently appeared uncredited in Westerns and other genres as townsmen, Native Americans, bar patrons, ranch hands, and similar roles on series such as Rawhide, Gunsmoke, and Death Valley Days, as well as feature films like Lonely Are the Brave (1962), The Ugly American (1963), and Invitation to a Gunfighter.

Details about the three Tarzan films are available at https://www.erbine.com/movies Here’s the link to Tarzan’s Magic Fountain: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0629.html, which was Lex Barker’s first appearance as Tarzan.

The drabble for today, “Pants and Loincloths,” was inspired by Ray Bettram and his appearances in three Tarzan films.

PANTS AND LOINCLOTHS

Lex Barker said, “I know you. You’re Ray, aren’t you.”

“I am and you do. This is my third Tarzan film with you.”

“Who do you play?”

“My characters are nameless. I’m a villager, a warrior, or a tribal member without lines.

“If this were a Broadway play, you’d be a spear carrier.”

“Yes, but I’m actually a spear character in this film. Usually, I do westerns.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Not very much. The plots are about the same. Bad guys. Scared townspeople. One brave hero. Sound familiar.”

“It does. What’s the difference for you?”

“In westerns, I wear pants. “

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