Saturday Night Live Again

It's really interesting to watch the first season of "Saturday Night Live" and watch it evolve. It really didn't have the format as we know today until the fourth episode. I guess they were experimenting. In fact, on show 2 with Paul Simon, the Not Ready for Prime Time Players barely appear.

When they do appear, true magic happens as there is rarely if ever a bum skit in the bunch. This was back in the days when timing was king and except for a lengthy film by Albert Brooks about a heart operation, many times a skit was under 30 seconds. Unheard of by today's SNL standards where length and repetition seem to be key.

I'll report more later.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

Remember This Looney Tunes Blog?

This is an updated list of the Looney Tunes I want to see released to DVD. Since the last time I listed this, 9 of the 68 cartoons on the list have been released. I know, "Horton Hatches the Egg" is on a Dr. Seuss DVD, but not on a Looney Tunes set. Here are the rest that I now have to wait for Volume 5 for...

1. The Village Smithy
2. Egghead Rides Again
3. Porky's Hero Agency
4. Porky's Poppa
5. Cinderella Meets Fella
6. Hamateur Night
7. Porky's Picnic
8. Porky the Giant Killer
9. The Timid Toreador
10. Porky's Preview
11. Porky's Cafe
12. Horton Hatches the Egg
13. Fresh Hare
14. The Impatient Patient
15. Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarfs
16. Tick Tock Tuckered
17. Wagon Heels
18. Daffy Doodles
19. Birth of a Notion
20. Buccaneer Bunny
21. You Were Never Duckier
22. Hot Cross Bunny
23. Daffy Dilly
24. A Lad in His Lamp
25. The Bee-Deviled Bruin
26. A Ham in a Role
27. Mutiny on the Bunny
28. It's Hummer Time
29. Hare We Go
30. Rabbit Every Monday
31. Chow Hound
32. Ballot Box Bunny
33. 14 Carrot Rabbit
34. Thumb Fun
35. The Hasty Hare
36. Fool Coverage
37. Hare Trimmed
38. I Gopher You
39. No Parking Hare
40. Bewitched Bunny
41. Beanstalk Bunny
42. Hare Brush
43. This is a Life?
44. Dime to Retire
45. The High and the Flighty
46. Rabbitson Crusoe
47. Stupor Duck
48. Ali Baba Bunny
49. Bedevilled Rabbit
50. Piker's Peak
51. Ducking the Devil
52. Hareway to the Stars
53. Knighty-Knight Bugs
54. Bonanza Bunny
55. From Hare to Heir
56. Wet Hare
57. Bill of Hare
58. Mad as a Mars Hare
59. Dr. Devil and Mr. Hare

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Here is my official Christmas Card this year to everyone! May you all receive your fondest wishes and desires.

As for myself, I am happy that I have a great new job. I am happy that my book is published. I am happy that I am healthy. I am happy that I am getting many writing assignments (although I could get more). I am happy that I am spiritual. I am happy that I have good friends both near and far. I am happy that I have a good place to live. I am happy that I have improved many things in my life.

Thank you very much.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

More Cartoons on DVD

Disney released yet another wave of those tinned Archive Editions. This time 'round I'm only interested in two of them: "Pluto, Volume 2" and "Silly Symphonies, Volume 2", which completes both of those cartoon series. I'm less interested in "Your Host, Walt Disney" as they repeat a show from a previous tin and "The Hardy Boys", because I don't really have the fond affection for "The Mickey Mouse Club" or its serials. In fact, I didn't even bother with "Spin and Marty" last year (nor "El Fego Baca", but for different reasons).

At this point to complete the major animated Disney releases, there needs to be "Donald Duck, Volume 3 and Volume 4" and a second "Disney Rarities" tin, which would hopefully house the "Chip 'n' Dale" and "Figaro" cartoons. There is a plan to issue "Oswald the Rabbit" in 2007.

Anyway, haven't purchased the Pluto or Silly sets, but want to. Walmart has the best price at $22.99 each.


Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

Looney Tunes Volume 5

Well, well, well. Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 4 came out, but there's still about 750 Looney Tunes still in limbo and about 500 of them are still worth releasing. Man, I'm going to be about 70 years old by the time they release them all at the rate they're going, which is once a year. Hurry, Warner Bros., hurry!!


Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

Match Game on DVD!

C'mon everybody, sing along!!! Bwamp-bump, bid-dit-do-de-do, Bwamp-bump, bit-dit-do-de-do...ok, ok, so it doesn't translate that well to the printed page, er screen. Anyway, the classic game show is back with tons of great episodes with Brett Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly and the rest and it's on DVD for the first time. I never thought they would consider putting a game show out on DVD, but here it is.

Anyway, it's only $19.95 at Wal-Mart for the four-disc set. A steal!!


Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

What About My Harvey Book?

You know, my book about Harvey Comics (Casper, Richie Rich, Wendy, Spooky, Hot Stuff) is not selling so quickly. Give it a boost by buying it through Amazon by clicking on this link HERE!

Makes a great gift!!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

The Best of Saturday Night Live Season 1

They finally put out the first season of Saturday Night Live on DVD in its entirely and I'm thrilled! At last you watch not only the stuff they considered the "Best" all of these years, but stuff not so "Best". I plan to buy the first five seasons (1975-1980) and seasons 12-16 (1986-1991). The rest are dispensable (at least for complete seasons).

Anyway, this product is highly recommended for any comedy fan!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

Mark Arnold Reviews The Beatles Google Group

Hi, Mark Arnold here. Say, aren't you that Harvey guy? Why, soitenly! But, now I've decided to turn to one of my other passions: The Beatles! My next book, officially
announced here, is going to be called "Mark Arnold Reviews The Beatles". In it, I will discuss every song The Beatles ever did group and solo regardless if it was released or not. But this Google Group isn't so narrowly focused. Here, I would like everyone to post messages about The Beatles or music in general. Or even British comedy. The Beatles touched so many fields such as animation and movies and stage
production and everything else, that I am keeping the necessity of staying on topic down to a low roar. You can join it by clicking here: http://groups.google.com/group/martb

Anyway, have fun and a goofy time is guaranteed for all...

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
Beatles - http://groups.google.com/group/martb
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

BUY MY FIRST BOOK! "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" today!
Go to Amazon or you can order it directly from the publisher by
clicking here: http://www.lulu.com/thft

If I Were President of the United States

If I were President of the United States, I would pull all of our troops out of the Middle East and give a world-wide announcement saying something to the effect of us not messing around with any other country's politics or religions unless they bomb US soil. If a country wants to go on killing each other, that's their right.

I wouldn't have any fear of "cutting and running", because it isn't. It is SELF-PRESERVATION, even if we instigated the war in Iraq. I would pull ALL troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and if either country were to get uppity and do some terrorist act ON THE US again, I would react then and will full force. Save our pennies now.

Meanwhile, with all of our troops back in the US, I would utilize them for domestic issues and at the same time plan a strategy in case any of those countries (or any other) did get uppity, so that we would be prepared.

In any case, I would find the source of all the ammunition all of these countries seem to have (probably it's us) and try to stop all shipments into these areas.

It's not that difficult to do. Some may argue that someone will definitely bomb us if we pull completely out. Well buddy, somebody could bomb us RIGHT NOW and we wouldn't be ready because all of our troops are holed up in the chaotic anarchy that Bush instigated in Iraq and also didn't finish up in Afghanistan.

*Sigh* Only 777 more days, folks!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

Doing Well Again and Writing

I'm doing well again and writing a lot of different projects before I begin in earnest at my new position. Nothing much to report so I will post another blog soon...

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

Working and Being Sick

I just accepted a new job offer and now I'm sick with a cold. I guess the stresses of looking for a job took their toll. I'll get over it soon, but it's still annoying. I have just enough energy to type this message and then I'm going to log off my computer and rest for the rest of the day.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't buy my book!

Details at left...

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

Insane Weather Reporting

I read a friend's posting on weather reporting in Seattle and it made me laugh out loud!! I live in Saratoga, CA, which is near San Jose, but since we live in the hills and do not have cable, we get the Sacramento stations better than the San Francisco ones with our antenna (look it up, kiddies).

Anyway, Sacramento has two forms of weather per year: it's hot and sunny in the Spring and Summer and cold, foggy and (sometimes) rainy in the Fall and Winter. Where I live it's the same, but usually no fog.

Some stations report on the weather 3-4 times in a half hour broadcast with absolutely nothing to say!! They talk about their triple dopler radars and other weather forecasting stuff, and amazingly they still get it wrong if they forecast over a day ahead. Like if they say it will rain in a week, it probably won't.

Regarding snow, since there isn't any near San Jose, San Francisco or Sacramento, this time of year all the stations send the weather person who drew the shortest straw to stand out in this area called "Blue Canyon" which is en route to Lake Tahoe where they shiver telling everyone not to come out in this snowy mess and to wear chains if you do. Insanity!!

I wonder what other useless weather reporting people around the world have to put up with, that's taking away from reporting real news!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

It's Buy "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" On Line Day!!

Yes, it's BUY "THE BEST OF THE HARVEYVILLE FUN TIMES!" ON LINE DAY. Click HERE and buy, buy, BUY!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

Casper, Richie Rich, Sad Sack, Hot Stuff Fans: Read This

Just another plug for my book, "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" I don't care if it's Black Friday or Cyber Monday, EVERY DAY is a good day to purchase my book. In fact, I'm calling tomorrow BUY "THE BEST OF THE HARVEYVILLE FUN TIMES!" ON LINE DAY. Click HERE and buy, buy, BUY!

Help me to afford to buy my own holiday gifts...

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Since I've been kind of lax lately writing my blog, due to me still looking for a job and also writing my next book (not "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" available online at Amazon and coming up in most bookstores utilizing Diamond Distribution), I figured that I should write a small Thanksgiving message. So here it is...Happy Thanksgiving!!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

More "Love" With The Beatles

Ok, so I bought the album. The worst I could say is that it's "Stars on 45" or "The Beatles' Movie Medley" taken to a new level. The best I can say is that it sounds fantastic. Very good mashups of various Beatles songs and others played all the way through. It is certainly an album you should listen to in one sitting as one track segues into another without a break.

Is is worth buying if you are a casual fan? Maybe. For the hard core fan it is a must buy unless you are sick of another go round of the same songs regardless of the new mix. A new fan might be entertained, but might be confused depending on their level of Beatles knowledge. It might seem like a mish mash of sound a la "Revolution #9". In fact, there are a few samples in there from that track.

I give it high marks for trying something new and using the actual songs instead of paltry remakes by others which usually is what happens when things like this are attempted.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

The Beatles "Love"

The Beatles are releasing a new album...sort of. It's a soundtrack to the newly opened Cirque Du Soliel production called "Love" that apparently is a "must see" if you go to Las Vegas, especially since Siegfried and Roy are out of commission.

Anyway, a friend of mine went to a preview showing some time back and said "Oh Mark, you HAVE to go! If you are a Beatles fan of any sort, you MUST GO!" I took his comments well, and so far, have not seen the show. Nor do I really have any intentions to see it. If I happen to be in Vegas, I would probably go, but I'm not, and I'm not making plans to go just to see this show.

I'm sure it's a well done performance. Some people quibble about how tacky this is and Beatles surely would be rolling in their graves. Well, I can't speak for John Lennon, but this was one of the last projects that the late George Harrison was organizing, because he was such a huge fan of Cirque.

Anyway, the upcoming CD that's to be released on November 21, is much more accessible to me at this time. Nothing much worth noting if you have a complete Beatles collection like I do, but I'll probably purchase it if I see it used somewhere as all of the tracks have been released frequently before. Sure, it's remastered by George Martin and his son, Giles, in the latest surround sound whoop-te-do format, but does it really matter? How sonically good do The Beatles have to sound anyway? Ok, ok, hold it down to a low roar, you rabid Beatlemaniacs! I said I was going to buy it!

It's not like another Anthology collection, it's the same old stuff with a new cover! I kind of wished that they'd release the long out of print "Love Songs" collection onto CD for the first time rather than this, but hey The Beatles control their own catalog (well mostly), so they call the shots and figured that this mish-mash of a compilation is better than the ones Capitol Records came up with in the late 70s.

Anyway, here's the track listings:

1. Because
2. Get Back
3. Glass Onion
4. Eleanor Rigby/Julia (Transition)
5. I Am The Walrus
6. I Want To Hold Your Hand
7. Drive My Car/The Word/What You're Doing
8. Gnik Nus
9. Something/Blue Jay Way (Transition)
10. Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite!/I Want You (She's So Heavy)/Helter Skelter
11. Help!
12. Blackbird/Yesterday
13. Strawberry Fields Forever
14. Within You Without You/Tomorrow Never Knows
15. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
16. Octopus's Garden
17. Lady Madonna
18. Here Comes The Sun/The Inner Light (Transition)
19. Come Together/Dear Prudence/Cry Baby Cry (Transition)
20. Revolution
21. Back In The U.S.S.R.
22. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
23. A Day In The Life
24. Hey Jude
25. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
26. All You Need Is Love

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

Sinbad and Ray Harryhausen

I rewatched "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad" last night and while it is very campy, it is still quite enjoyable. It is not as quite as good as "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad", it has some good moments and staring at the lovely Caroline Munro is one of them.

I highly recommend "Golden Voyage" as well as "Seventh Voyage" and "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger", "Jason and the Argonauts" and "Clash of the Titans".

Harryhausen made 16 films, but these I consider his best.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

"Complete Harveytoons" DVD Set Contents

Here are the contents of the new "Harveytoons" DVD collection, according to Jon Cooke of GAC Forums:

Disc 1, Side A:

Show #1:
Boo Moon - Casper
Dizzy Dishes - Little Audrey
Out of This Whirl
Clip: Invention Convention

Show #2:
Mouse Trapeze - Herman & Katnip
Casper Comes to Clown - Casper
Jolly the Clown
Clip: Clown on the Farm - Baby Huey

Show #3:
Scout Fellow - Baby Huey
Boo Scout - Casper
Scouting for Trouble
Clip: Northwest Mousie - Herman & Katnip

Show #4:
Cat Tamale - Herman & Katnip
Bull Fright - Casper
Pedro and Lorenzo
Clip: Fiesta Time

Show #5:
Once Upon a Rhyme - Casper
Little Audrey Riding Hood - Little Audrey
Dante Dreamer
Clip: Winner by a Hare - Tommy Tortoise & Moe Hare

Show #6:
Mousetro Herman - Herman & Katnip
Boo Bop - Casper
Animal Fair
Clip: Vegetable Vaudeville

Show #7:
Huey's Ducky Daddy - Baby Huey
The Seapreme Court - Little Audrey
Feast and Furious - Finny & Katnip
Clip: Casper's Spree Under the Sea


Disc 1, Side B:

Show #8:
Herman the Catoonist - Herman & Katnip
Ghost of Honor - Casper
Rabbit Punch - Tommy Tortoise & Moe Hare
Clip: Tweet Music

Show #9:
Which is Witch - Casper, Wendy
Case of the Cockeyed Canary - Little Audrey
Perry Popgun
Clip: Sleuth But Sure - Tommy Tortoise & Moe Hare

Show #10:
Mice Meeting You - Herman & Katnip
True Boo - Casper
Jumping with Toy - Baby Huey
Clip: Ice Scream - Casper

Show #11:
Boos and Saddles - Casper
Git Along Little Ducky - Baby Huey
Shootin' Stars
Clip: Cat Carson Rides Again - Herman & Katnip

Show #12:
Casper Takes a Bow Wow - Casper
Dawg Gone - Little Audrey
Fido Beta Kappa
Clip: By Leaps and Hounds

Show #13:
Cat in the Act - Herman & Katnip
Ghost Writers - Casper
Top Cat
Clip: Starting from Hatch - Baby Huey

Show #14:
Swab the Duck - Baby Huey
Deep Boo Sea - Casper
Ship-a-Hooey - Herman & Katnip
Clip: Drippy Mississippi


Disc 2, Side A:

Show #15:
Of Mice and Menace - Herman & Katnip
Ghost of the Town - Casper
TV Fuddlehead
Clip: Law and Audrey - Little Audrey

Show #16:
Do or Diet - Casper
You Said a Mouseful - Herman & Katnip
The Voice of the Turkey
Clip: Hysterical History

Show #17:
Mice-Capades - Herman & Katnip
Fright from Wrong - Casper
Crazytown
Clip: Houndabout

Show #18:
One Funny Knight - Herman & Katnip
Red, White, and Boo - Casper
Silly Science
Clip: Dizzy Dinosaurs

Show #19:
Boo Kind to Animals - Casper
Surf Bored - Little Audrey
Okey Dokey Donkey
Clip: Fun at the Fair

Show #20:
Robin Rodenthood - Herman & Katnip
Cage Fright - Casper
Bopin Hood
Clip: Hold the Lion Please - Little Audrey

Show #21:
Good Scream Fun - Casper
Mouseum - Herman & Katnip
Fine Feathered Fiend
Clip: Forest Fantasy


Disc 2, Side B:

Show #22:
Drinks on the Mouse - Herman & Katnip [edit- sleeping pills end gag]
Pig-a-Boo - Casper
News Hound
Clip: Trick or Tree

Show #23:
Owly to Bed - Herman & Katnip
Boo-Hoo Baby - Casper
Bouncing Benny
Clip: Hound About That

Show #24:
Ground Hog Play - Casper
Sock-a-Bye Kitty - Buzzy & Katnip [original soundtrack]
Talking Horse Sense
Clip: Aero-Nutics

Show #25:
Party Smarty - Baby Huey
Casper's Birthday Party - Casper
Miceniks
Clip: Mighty Termite

Show #26:
Zero the Hero - Casper
Cat-Choo - Buzzy & Katnip [original soundtrack]
Finnegan's Flea
Clip: No Place Like Rome

Show #27:
City Kitty - Katnip
Spooking About Africa - Casper
Travelaffs
Clip: Without Time or Reason

Show #28:
Of Mice and Magic - Herman & Katnip
Puss N Boos - Casper
Funderful Suburbia
Clip: The Boss is Always Right


Disc 3, Side A:

Show #29:
To Boo or Not to Boo - Casper
Mousieur Herman - Herman & Katnip
Good and Guilty
Clip: Miners 49ers

Show #30:
Boos and Arrows - Casper
Fiddle Faddle
Land of the Lost Watches
Clip: Fishing Tackler - Little Audrey

Show #31:
Pest Pupil - Baby Huey
Hooky Spooky - Casper
Kozmo Goes to School
Clip: Busy Buddies

Show #32:
One Quack Mind - Baby Huey
Heir Restorer - Casper
Cool Cat Blues
Clip: Surf and Sound - Herman & Katnip

Show #33:
Boo Ribbon Winner - Casper
Goodie the Gremlin
Cape Kidnaveral
Clip: Candy Cabaret

Show #34:
Monkey Doodles
Hide and Shriek - Casper
Popcorn and Politics
Clip: Snooze Reel


Disc 3, Side B:

Show #35:
Little Boo Peep - Casper
Trouble Date
The Shoe Must Go On
Clip: Gag and Baggage

Show #36:
A Bicep Built for Two - Herman & Katnip
North Pal - Casper
The Kid from Mars
Clip: Counter Attack

Show #37:
Huey's Father's Day - Baby Huey
Peek-a-Boo - Casper
Lion in the Roar
Clip: Fresh Yeggs

Show #38:
Sky Scrappers - Herman & Katnip
By the Old Mill Scream - Casper
Poop Goes the Weasel
Clip: From Dime to Dime

Show #39:
Audrey the Rainmaker - Little Audrey
Casper Genie - Casper
Right Off the Bat
Clip: TV or Not TV

Show #40:
From Mad to Worse - Herman & Katnip
Doing What's Fright - Casper
Stork Raving Mad
Clip: Hi-Fi Jinx


Disc 4, Side A:

Show #41:
Hide and Peak - Herman & Katnip
La Petite Parade
The Oily Bird
Sir Irving and Jeames

Show #42:
Down to Mirth - Casper
Turtle Scoop - Tommy Tortoise & Moe Hare
The Inquisit Visit
Katnip's Big Day - Herman & Katnip, Buzzy [original soundtrack]

Show #43:
Keep Your Grin Up - Casper
L'Amour the Merrier
Possum Pearl
Clip: Disguise the Limit

Show #44:
Not Ghoulty - Casper
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow - Buzzy & Katnip [original soundtrack]
Galaxia
Grateful Gus

Show #45:
Penguin For Your Thoughts - Casper
Mr. Money Gags - Tommy Tortoise & Moe Hare
Electronica
Quack A Doodle Doo - Baby Huey

Show #46:
Spook and Span - Casper
Mice Paradise - Herman & Katnip
Cock-a-Doodle Dino
Kitty Cornered


Disc 4, Side B:

Show #47:
Felineous Assault - Herman & Katnip
Dutch Treat - Casper
Fit to be Toyed
Party Smarty - Baby Huey [the only cartoon repeated on the DVD set]

Show #48:
Rail Rodents - Herman & Katnip
Spook No Evil - Casper
Mike the Masquerader
Better Bait Than Never - Buzzy & Katnip [original soundtrack]

Show #49:
Spunky Skunky - Casper
The Awful Tooth - Buzzy & Katnip [original soundtrack / original 1960s Harveytoons TV titles]
The Planet Mouseola
Clip: Off We Glow

Show #50:
Line of Screamage - Casper
As the Crow Lies - Buzzy & Katnip [original soundtrack]
The Lion's Busy
Sportickles

Show #51:
Spooking with a Brogue - Casper
Will Do Mousework - Herman & Katnip
Be Mice to Cats
The Phantom Moustacher

Show #52:
Frightday the 13th - Casper
Frighty Cat - Herman & Katnip
Spooking of Ghosts
Cane and Able

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Still More Book Promotion on Amazon

Hey everyone, my book "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" is now on Amazon. Take a look:

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Harveyville-Fun-Times/dp/1847283683/sr=1-1/qid=1162913287/ref=sr_1_1/103-2231692-6437463?ie=UTF8&s=books

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

"The Departed" Review

Even though I respect Martin Scorcese as a film director, I have felt that a number of his films weren't up to the level of his reputation ("The Color of Money", "Casino", even "The Aviator"). He always seemed to be riding on the coattails of "Taxi Driver" and that is leverage for some of his more cumbersome outings. Don't get me wrong. I do like some of Scorcese's films ("The King of Comedy" and "Raging Bull" come to mind), but this is back to the Scorcese of form for me.

I was cautious because pretty-boy Leonardo DiCaprio has become Scorcese's star of choice, but he always does a credible acting job, and this saves the picture. I saw the film to see Jack Nicholson, who does a credible job playing...well, Jack Nicholson. Who can fault him? Nicholson is a ham like William Shatner, but a very, very good one!

The story takes place in a South Boston Police Department headed up by Martin Sheen and his cohort Mark Wahlberg. The "tough-as-nails" attitude allows Matt Damon to become an agent, but keeps DiCaprio out, until Sheen and Wahlberg come up with an idea to use DiCaprio to sniff out Nicholson and his gang.

The story is essentially credible. I say essentially because it utilizes annoying tricks like having computer type font in about 100 point type and everything goes *beep* *boop*. That's being nit-picky. What I like the most is that at 2 1/2 hours, the story moves along and has quite a few twists, turns and surprises. I won't reveal any of those here, just recommend that you go see...and in a theater for the best experience.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

Looking for a Job...Again

Hi everyone,

I am most definitely looking for a job again. I want to remain in sales and/or marketing and I want to remain in the San Jose, South Bay or Peninsula areas. My expertise is in advertising sales, but I have sold various high tech equipment as well. Please contact me at mailto:thft@att.net if you have any leads...

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

My Harvey Book is on Amazon

Click here to see:

The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net

Cracked Magazine

Digging on the new "Cracked". Issue #2 is out now. I was one of the few people that actually liked the old "Cracked", but this is much better. Kind of like a mix between the old "National Lampoon" and "Maxim", so it's no longer a "Mad" imitation. I hope it does well, because I am kind of tired of the "Mad" format anyway. The artists they have nowadays aren't as good as the classic ones and the only reason I really buy "Mad" now is for Sergio Aragones and Al Jaffee and occasional appearances by Paul Coker.

"Cracked" on the other hand made no nods to the past except for a tiny John Severin-drawn logo of Sylvester P. Smythe from the old days. Otherwise, it's chock full of advice, reviews, and parodies all done photographically. It's inconsistent at times, but every humor magazine has been. Well worth picking up. I got the second issue at Barnes and Noble.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Computer Down Bad Motherboard New Blogs Soon

There. That ought to explain it. See you soon. New motherboard in, just have to
install...

--
Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

Borat

I haven't seen a funnier movie than this in a loooooonnnnnngggg time. I had kind
of heard of the character of Borat as a UK sensation, but never seen a complete
work. This movie, documenting Borat's adventures in the US, has to be seen to be
believed. To borrow a line from the promotion of "The Loved One" (1965 and
another great film): "It's the movie with something to offend everyone!" "Borat"
is a film that takes a joke and milks it to its most extreme point and then goes
beyond, but they do it in that far better, far funnier UK, Canadian, Australian
and European way. I don't know why that is. It always seems that when Americans
try for a comedy like this, it comes out as another lousy Will Ferrell, Jim
Carey, or Adam Sandler vehicle, or worse.

We've never been able to comedy like this very well. Even Jerry Lewis in his
prime couldn't touch this kind of comedy and it is a shame. I think its timing.
Larry David actually comes pretty close to this kind of comedy, so there are
possibilities, but in general most American comedy when attempted in this format is to stretch a joke out
beyond all possible recognition and then still milk it until it is no longer
funny. "Borat" never falls into that trap.

Speaking of Larry David, the first time I saw the name Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat)
was in the credits of the latest "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode. He was one of
the angels near the end of the last program of that season. I won't mention
anything further in case you haven't seen it, but definitely see it. Cohen also
was in Will Ferrell's "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby".

I don't want to give away any of the jokes, so just go and enjoy. Now if you are
not a fan of offensive comedy, I don't know what to tell you. I guess you are
just missing out...

--
Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times! Available Through

Ok, I am going to do a super plug for myself!!

To all retailers and fans who regularly order from Diamond Comics Distribution:

Now you can order my first book "The Best of The Harveyville Fun
Times!" through Diamond (see page 363 of the November 2006 "Previews")

Front cover by Shelley Pleger ("Mickey Mouse", "Shanda the Panda")

Back cover by Ernie Colon ("The 9/11 Report", "Richie Rich")

Forward by Tony Isabella ("Tony's Tips", Marvel Comics)

Edited by Mark Arnold ("Hogan's Alley", "ComicBase", "Atomic Mouse")

Additional material by Chris Barat and Joe Torcivia ("Carl Barks' Greatest DuckTales Stories")

400 pages! Full color covers! Complete Harvey Comics history! Meet Casper, Richie Rich, Hot Stuff, Sad  Sack and all the rest!

Order your copies today from Diamond! It is sure to be a hot seller!

Check out my ad in the following publications:
Alter Ego (December)
Back Issue (December)
Comics International (December)
Starlog (January)

Also, please let me know if you would like to carry regular issues of "The Harveyville Fun Times!"  The current issue is #65. Drop me an email at mailto:thft@att.net and let me know.

Finally, please let me know if you would be interested in a book signing in your store. Again, contact me at mailto:thft@att.net

Thank you for your time and your orders!!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

State Quarters

Whose idea was this? It is kind of silly and somehow forces everyone to save $12.50 in order to get a complete set. My mom helps me get these things and recently gave me the North Dakota coin. The South Dakota one is next with 10 more destined to be released in the next two years.

What will they do for an encore, and what will I do with 50 quarters? I guess I could buy a DVD or something...

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Beatles Comic Books

I'd like to take this opportunity to mention that despite them being the greatest musical group of all time... They're not? Ok, who said that?! I'd like to meet you outside...

Anyway, as I was saying, despite the respect they have, The Beatles have appeared in precious few comic books. I should know, I own them all except one. Granted, part of the appeal of The Beatles is their songs, and you can't hear a song on a printed page, but I am amazed at how few comic books were produced over the years.

I'm not talking about guest appearances in "Archie's Madhouse" or "Howard the Duck", I mean honest full-fledged comic books about the group. The first book (and the one I don't currently own) is Dell's "The Beatles Story". Issued in 1964, it talks about the group's then current meteoric rise to fame. I have seen this at conventions and prices vary widely. Overstreet currently clocks it in at $760 in mint, but I have seen it higher. I'm surprised no one has been able to secure the rights to reprint this volume. Anyway, the price alone has kept me from purchasing this book.

The next Beatles related comic book apart from a smattering of guest appearances is the Gold Key "Yellow Submarine" adaptation. Amazingly, there were no comic book adaptations for The Beatles' other films including "A Hard Day's Night", "Help!" and "Magical Mystery Tour". "Help!" especially would have made a fine comic book. Perhaps because Harvey Kurtzman was publishing a humor magazine with the same name at the time might have hindered an adaptation, but magazines like "16" and "Tiger Beat" had issues devoted to the film, so who knows?

Also, "The Beatles" Saturday morning cartoon show debuted on September 25, 1965 on American TV and no comic book tie-in was ever released during or after the show's original run. Even today it would be a fun comic book to have with those character designs, but now you have to go through Apple to secure the rights and McCartney, Starr, and the estates of Harrison and Lennon are probably not interested or are too cost prohibitive.

After "Yellow Submarine", the next foray into comic books was Marvel's "Marvel Comics Super Special" #4 from 1978, subtitled "The Beatles Story". This is probably the best comic book adaptation to date of The Beatles history through 1978. Somewhat dated now, it is a fine example of the hope we used to have of a Beatles reunion. Of course the events of 1980 and 2001 have ended that fantasy, but at the time, the possibilities were still there.

1991 saw Revolutionary Comics' eight issue "Beatles Experience" series. While good, it suffers from every Beatles comic book history, stilted dialogue and incorrect facts and ok artwork. As there has never been a comic book adaptation of The Beatles story since they did their "Anthology" series, a new comic book history seems to be in order, but this is the best we've got.

And that's it. In 1998, Dark Horse was to have issued a new adaptation of "Yellow Submarine" in comic book form that was supposed to be truer to the film than the Gold Key version, but it was George Harrison of all people who vetoed the idea. The was probably due to the comic book company issuing it being the same name as Harrison's longtime solo record label, in addition to him not liking the final result. In any case, this would be a fine book to issue, if the rights could be cleared.

As a footnote, there was an ongoing comic book series I found in Mexico once called "Quien Fue...John Lennon?" (or "Who Was...John Lennon?") It seemed to be telling The Beatles story in an endless almost soap opera like way. I bought a few issues back in the late 80s and have no idea if it's still being published. It's all in Spanish. 

It would be neat if someone could get the rights to publish a Beatles comic book series and draw it in the style of the 60s TV series or like "Yellow Submarine". McCartney is a huge comic book fan as witnessed by then-current DC comics on the easel of his electric organ in "Help!" and the fact that he issued a song called "Magneto and Titanium Man" in 1975. Lennon also was a fan evidenced by the "So Captain Marbles (sic) zapped him right between the eyes" line in "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" song from "The Beatles" (White Album). Starr has done numerous cartoon voices and narrations over the years, as has McCartney, and McCartney, Harrison and Starr all took individual turns voicing themselves on "The Simpsons" (something Lennon surely would have done as well, had he lived).

So anyone reading this, if you have the power to publish and get royalty clearances, I would definitely purchase a regularly-published Beatles comic book series! A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

The Harveyville Fun Times! #65 is ready!!

I am going out to print issue #65 of my long-running fanzine, "The Harveyville Fun Times!" Every time I reach a new milestone, I can't believe that I have achieved this goal. #65 features interviews with Ernie Colon and Sid Jacobson about their new top-selling book, "The 9/11 Report" and an interview with Bill Kunkel who was a Richie Rich writer in the late 70s and early 80s. Plus, there's gratuitous plugs for my new book and all things Harvey. Drop me a line at thft@att.net or subscribe through my website at http://thft.home.att.net. You can check out my Harvey book at www.lulu.com/thft

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

The Blob Blog

This weekend at a friend's party, we viewed "The Blob", the horror film that launched Steve McQueen's career. Although a bit campy in places, it is still fine viewing almost 50 years later. Most if not all of the people in the room had never seen it before and some claimed they thought it was in black and white. I assured them that it was indeed originally in color. They were all impressed with the special effects, something today's movie makers should take note. Everyone was impressed even though we were all huddled around a lap top computer watching the DVD. So much for having the "big screen" experience to enjoy a film.

I would love to see "The Blob" on the big screen, but it seems that nowadays once a movie hits the DVD shelves, it is destined for the DVD graveyard, never to be seen on the big screen again, at least in any form of regular release. It might get a midnight showing on Halloween somewhere, but overall it will never be presented in its original format, which is a shame. Hollywood used to re-release pictures all the time, then home video killed all that. I think they still could release something to the theater even if it is readily available on home video!

Oh well. Hollywood, what can you do...

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Flags of Our Fathers Review

I really wanted to like this movie, but couldn't due to the fact that Steven Spielberg has influenced Clint Eastwood to present that washed-out looking stuff that appeared in such movies as "Minority Report" and War of the Worlds". When is someone going to tell Spielberg that it looks like crap!

Barring that, since I almost walked out after seeing the film look that way, this film has driven me to the conclusion that I hate war films. The only good one apparently is "Full Metal Jacket". The fighting scenes were fine but the rest of the movie was muddled, confusing and sappy.

The acting was also fine, but it didn't seem to offset what was essentially a lesser rehash of "Saving Private Ryan".

Too bad.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Beatles and McCartney News

It seems that Paul McCartney will have a new live CD, DVD and TV special in the next couple of weeks. Also, Paul appears on Tony Bennett's new "Duets" CD singing "The Very Thought of You" and Paul has a new classical album out.

John Lennon has the new "FBI vs. John Lennon" movie and accompanying soundtrack.

Ringo Starr appears on Jerry Lee Lewis' new album singing "Sweet Little Sixteen". Now Ringo just needs to sing "Sixteen Candles" to round out his 16 trilogy that was started with "You're Sixteen"!

George Harrison is reissuing "Living in the Material World" and "Dark Horse" and "Extra Texture" should soon follow.

The Beatles as a group seem to be on a hiatus since "The Capitol Albums Volume 2" was released earlier this year.

I need to subscribe to "Beatlefan" again to get all the latest news since Tower Records is going bye-bye, but this is what I currently know.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Man of the Year Review

I went on a free ticket last night to see the new Robin Williams movie, "Man of the Year". While it wasn't totally awful, it left a lot to be desired. First the good news, Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Lewis Black, Jeff Goldblum and the rest of the actors were as delightful as ever. Even the comedic elements of the script weren't at fault.

What went wrong is the movie didn't know what it wanted to be. Sometimes it was a comedy (that was when it was at its best), then all of a sudden it would change dramatically into a suspense thriller, then it would change dramatically again and become a straight drama, dangerous for a comedy!!

Plus the movie commits two cardinal sins of bad movie writing: a voice over narration (by Christopher Walken) and a lengthy speech at the end of the movie by a reformed character. If you can't SHOW us what's happening, why isn't this on the radio. Remember, movies are a visual medium so narration is not necessary. The only time it works is like in the "Christmas Story" when someone is commenting on the action, not describing it.

The other cardinal sin is taking on technology as a problem, in this case electronic voting machines. First of all, the buttons beep on the computers when you press them. Look guys, it is 2006, we all have computers EVERYWHERE! They don't beep every time you depress a key, the sound you hear is clicks at best because of the keyboard, but Robin Williams was using a touch screen, so no noise at all!!

My friend Lee with whom I saw it, complained that the lady that worked for the company in charge of the electronic voting machines (Laura Linney) had too easy of access to a person who was going to be the next President. Also, Robin Williams so easily believed this person that he never met and when he did, she did so as an FBI imposter. Though a quick verbal reference was made about this point later on in the film, it seemed hastily added in a rewrite because people didn't buy it when they saw a rough cut. I still didn't buy it!

Barry Levinson the director has done some good stuff i.e. "Rainman", but he has done more crap. He needs to leave his political agenda at home. What would have been a better movie, is that Robin Williams' character would have still won the presidency, but it wouldn't be technology that did him in, but rather his own incompetence. I mean, imagine if he tried to make other world leaders laugh with his comedy and they didn't get his jokes and set off a bomb on us instead. Funnier and more effective.

Levinson would have succeeded much better in making this a farce. He still could have gotten his points across, but have a snappier ending a la "Doctor Strangelove". Levinson had this same problem with "Wag the Dog", a good concept with a lousy execution.

Remember, this WAS the bell boy in Mel Brooks' "High Anxiety"! We know Levinson can do more!!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

45 RPM Records

I wish that the 45 RPM single format still existed. I have a huge collection and still enjoy buying more when I see a good picture sleeve I don't have. I also like it that it is THE way to get two songs for a buck, something that most of these download places don't offer.

It's also a sad day for Tower Records. It's amazing that they are going out of business considering how much money I have given them over the years. I used to buy the majority of my 45s there up until that fateful day in 1990 when the music industry just stopped producing them with any regularity.

There hasn't been a good format since for the single. Cassingles sucked because they were cassettes, which always kind of sucked, especially after CDs came into prominence. CD singles sucked because they charged way too much for them. What happened to 99c? What's ridiculous is that it is cheaper to press a CD than vinyl, yet they charged a lot more for CD singles.

Now people download off of the Internet and put them on their IPOD, which is silly too. The ideal way they should do it is to put a couple of a songs on a USB memory stick and charge the magic amount of 99c!

It's too late now for Tower, but had Tower or the music industry come up with this years ago, we wouldn't be in the problems we are in now.

It used to be that when you bought a single, it was like a taster for the album and if you got two or three off of the same album, then it was worth it to buy the entire album. Nowadays, you have to buy completely off of the merits of the artist. For example, name the big hit single off of Paul Simon's "Surprise" or the big hit single off of Neil Young's or the Rolling Stones' or Tom Petty's latest. You can't. I know KFOG plays tracks off of these albums when they come out, but it's not the same. It used to be that the new single was the track you played, until the next single came out.

I just mentioned long time acts. What if you were interested in a newer act like Death Cab For Cutie? You've heard of the group, but not sure you've heard any songs, and if you did, would you want to risk buying the entire album for $18.99 at Tower if it sucked? No wonder people download for free. You get the song you want, and ignore the rest.

It's sad that all of this is ending, but such is the nature of everything. At least I can go back and pick up the 45s I missed from second hand record shops...and I still play 'em too!!

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Blogs and Spider-Man

I've noticed the readership of my blog here has increased quite a bit in the last couple of months which is great but also something I didn't really expect. Writing a blog apparently is like being Spider-Man, "With great power comes great responsibility". Ok, maybe that's a tad overblown, but the point is, I realize that I cannot use the blog to grouse about my work or grouse about my friends, because it can get one in trouble.

I actually did the latter one a few months ago, and totally alienated a person I was trying to get to know. Lesson learned. I'm still sorry. So, as a result, I try to keep my personal life out of this as much as possible. Oh, you might see me rant occasionally about Bush (834 days to go), but other than that I try to keep things on an even keel and not blast anyone, even cryptically.

Anyway, for regular readers I haven't had a blog in a bit because also amazingly I have had a lot of different freelance offers, which you will probably hear about in days and months to come. This last weekend I had do scans for two different articles and write two different book proposals and do promotion on my other book and whew! Lots of stuff!

So, things have slowed a little bit, so I'll try to post more, but I love all of the new projects! Keep 'em coming...

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Star Trek: The Animated Series on DVD

I can't believe everyone on Amazon is praising how great the animation is on these Filmation Star Trek animated series. It is some of the worst animation made for cartoons and looked bad even back in 1973-1975. Since animation is a process that begins with the audio tracks being recorded, it would be neat if Paramount would actually take the original soundtracks for this and re-animate it in full animation, or better still, the 3-D type animation that Pixar and others do so well. Otherwise, the stories are great, because they are written by the original "Star Trek" writers and the voices are all the same actors except poor old Walter Koenig who didn't get to appear and was appeased by writing one of the episodes instead.

--
Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

80s Music

Why do I love 80s music? Well, I don't love ALL 80s music. When they put out 80s compilations that have Air Supply, bad songs by Hall & Oates, bad songs by Chicago, and 70s leftovers that crept into the 80s, I avoid them.

What I do like is the 80s compilations that have that extended mixes of good new wave music. What's interesting about these compiliations is sometimes it is the very first time these mixes appeared in the US.

I can remember easily plopping down $20 or more for an import 12" just to get that rare mix. There used to be a great shop in San Francisco called Butch Wax Records that I used to buy all of this stuff.

Certain groups went crazy with the alternate mixes. I was (an still am) a huge Thompson Twins fan, and every album would have at least four singles, and of those singles, they would have a 7" and then one or two 12" records, each one with a unique mix of the new "hit" song.

Now finally 20 years later you can get CDs of 10-12 of these various mixes. Too bad these weren't available at the time, but oh well, better late than never.

I find 80s music more current than what's currently being released. Isn't that weird?

--
Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

My Harvey Comics Book is Now in Hardback!

If you couldn't stand the fact that my Harvey Comics book was getting manhandled when you read it in paperback, now you can order it in HARDBACK for only $49.95 at www.lulu.com/content/435447!

As F.R. Gumby says from Monty Python: "Its back is too hard!"

Makes a great gift.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Mac Filmmakers Meeting Tonight!!

This just in from Kevin. Meeting tonight at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, CA.

Hi, Fellow MacFilmmakers--

Yes, after our brief hiatus, we ARE meeting this month. Yay!

Our meeting is this Wednesday night, September 20th, 7:00 pm, in
Apple's De Anza Three Auditorium. The focus for the evening is DVD
production. Full details are in the process of being posted to our
Web site even as you read this, so be sure to check in there for ALL
the info:

http://www.macfilmmakers.com/

I hope to see you this Wednesday!

--Kevin

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com

Book Publishing

Wow! Learning lots of new things by publishing my own book. Most of them positive, but it is still a learning process. It's taken a bit of time leaving little time for me to concentrate so much on my blog here, but I'll try. In the meantime, take a look at my book as I'll be plugging it frequently at http://www.lulu.com/content/281328

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas - http://funideas.home.att.net
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
The Harveyville Fun Times! - http://thft.home.att.net
Richie Rich's Vault - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/richierichsvault
Mark's Rare Comics - http://rarecomics.home.att.net
So Rare! Collectibles - http://sorare.home.att.net
Food Shop - http://foodshop.home.att.net
Blog - http://fun-ideas.blogspot.net
Protecto, the Little Robot - http://protecto.blogspot.com