Fun Ideas

Friday, November 10, 2006

"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

Thursday, November 09, 2006

"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

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

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

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

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

Monday, November 06, 2006

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.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

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

Saturday, October 28, 2006

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

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

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!!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

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...

Monday, October 23, 2006

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.

Friday, October 20, 2006

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

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

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...

Friday, October 13, 2006

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.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

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.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

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!!

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

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!!

Monday, October 09, 2006

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...

Monday, October 02, 2006

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

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

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

Friday, September 22, 2006

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.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

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

Monday, September 18, 2006

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

Friday, September 15, 2006

My Harvey Book is published!

Now you can get my first book "The Best of The Harveyville Fun
Times!" at this URL: http://www.lulu.com/content/281328

Front cover by Shelley Pleger ("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")

400 pages! Full color covers! Complete Harvey Comics history!

Order your copy today! Only $29.95!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Lee's Comics

My good friend Lee Hester of Lee's Comics in Mountain View and San Mateo, CA, has asked me to write a weekly installment for his weekly email newsletter. I quickly obliged and started the ball rolling with a column devoted to how I got into comic book collecting and my background.

My hope with the column is to shed light onto a different aspect of comic book collecting besides the usual superhero stuff. You see, as I said in the column, I became and still am a collector of more esoteric stuff. It's not that I will turn my nose up at superhero comic books, it's just not my preference. I like Harvey Comics, Archie Comics, Dennis the Menace, EC horror, humor magazines and funny animal books. Although there are fans of these genres, they don't comprise the whole of the industry. It is a small niche that really likes what I like.

Anyway, to sign up for Lee's Newsletter, go to his website at www.lcomics.com and sign up at the bottom of the main page.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

How to Win the War on Terror

Dear President Bush,

Here is how to win the war on terror:
1) Pull all of our troops out of the area.
2) Create a situation in which all of the Arab nations fight amongst themselves instead of us.
3) Sit back and watch.

The Arabs will be too busy fighting each other that they won't need to bother with us.

Actually, the main thing you need to do regardless is to find who is supplying all of these Arabs with ammunition. I am constantly seeing footage on my television of these guys shooting their rifles randomly in the air when they are celebrating something. Why don't you blow up the weapons of non-mass destruction? Why don't you get all the troops to round up all of the supplies needed to produce bombs? Why don't you disable all of their transportation sources as they seem to use car bombs regularly?

Why? Why? Why?

Until then, we are foolish to wage any fictious 'War on Terror'.

It would also be good to take a few tips from the British on how to run the area. WE set up Iraq in a "peace sign" shape of 3 countries. One is Kurdland, one is Shi'iteland, one is Suniland. There. Done. We go home. We claim victory. We move on to other things instead of fighting another Viet Nam!!!

Yeah I know someone reading this that some of my views are rather simplistic and may be presented in kind of a silly fashion, but really George, WHAT ARE WE REALLY DOING TO WIN THE WAR ON TERROR?

All I see is you going on TV every other night saying that we need to stay the course and not cut and run. What for? Does it really matter? Even if we pulled out now and said, "Alright Iraq, you win.", what would that really mean? Iraq or most any other country for that matter has no ability to take over our country in that fashion. They can't even govern themselves, much less a country many times larger than themselves.

I'm going to end this (cut and run) before I really get sore, you stubborn fool...

Monday, September 11, 2006

Back From LA and Writing Assignments

I am back from the Los Angeles Comic Book Show and met up with Buck Biggers, co-creator of "Underdog". I got the scoop about the entire Total TeleVision story and it is scheduled to be printed in the next issue of "Hogan's Alley" #15, which is due to come out in June 2007.

On my MySpace I placed an ad for myself trying to solicit freelance writing assignments, so I will reprint it here. Any help would be appreciated if you are reading this...

Freelance Writing Assignments WANTED:
Minimum rate is $.10 per word.
Knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics including:

Comic Books/Strips
DVDs/Movies
Television
Books/Magazines
Sales/Marketing
Art
CDs/Music

Please contact me at thft@att.net with assignment,
rate of pay, and deadline requirements.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Show

I will be in LA for this upcoming show on September 10, working for Lee at Lee's Comics if you want to meet up with me.

My main reason to go is to meet Buck Biggers, co-creator of Underdog, whom I had the recent pleasure of interviewing over the phone.

Let me know if you are planning on going and I'll see you there...

Monday, September 04, 2006

Saturday Night Live DVDs

Who do I have to kill in order to get Lorne Michaels to produce DVD sets of the first 105 episodes of "Saturday Night Live" from 1975-1980 in their entirety? Of course, there are some worthy later episodes, particularly the 1987-1992 era, but I am sick of these "Best of's" like "The Best of Gail Matthius" or "The Best of Danitra Vance" mainly because they sometimes use partial skits.

A real example is on "The Best of Chris Farley" DVD where they have Paul McCartney on "The Chris Farley Show". They only use the second half of the skit! The biggest laugh is in the first half of the skit when Chris asks, "Do you remember when you were with The Beatles?" Just sloppy. Who edits these things?

That's why I want complete episodes. Let the viewer decide. There have always been low points in "SNL" since day one (Bill Murray as the lounge singer comes to mind), but does that mean that this stuff has to be relegated to the cutting room floor? The batting average was quite high during those first five years.

I long to see John Belushi say on the "Adopt Belushi for Christmas" skit: "I'd like a roast goose stuffed with drugs and I'd like to come home and play with your daughter." They NEVER play that skit anymore because of the Belushi drug mention, but it was and still is hella funny! Same with "Puppy Uppers and Doggie Downers". Never see that on any "Best of's" either.

There was also a lot of good non-drug humor, but those were censored ones that stood out in my mind.

I think my absolute favorite skit (which is available on a "Best of") is where Belushi wins the decathalon eating "Little Chocolate Donuts".

Friday, September 01, 2006

National Lampoon Magazine

I'm really getting in to re-reading all of the back issues of "National Lampoon". What's amazing to me is that how a lot of the material really holds up, but better still, I'm re-reading things from an adult perspective instead of a teen-age one and realize that some of the jokes were really more juvenile than I remember or more sophisticated than I remember depending on the article.

I actually was surprised that certain features didn't really run that long and that although there was a lot of nudity, it didn't happen every issue. In fact, some issues didn't have any. It seems that nudity kind of came in waves in the "National Lampoon".

It's too bad there isn't a "National Lampoon" now. One that could really skewer Bush in the way that they used to skewer Nixon. I think the general likability of every President since Nixon has kept us from satirizing Bush, Jr. the way he ought to be. I mean there's no "First Family" LP, no "Smothers Brothers Show", etc. I guess its because it seemed that EVERYONE hated Nixon especially after Watergate, whereas now Bush still has a pretty loyal following even if his poll numbers are in the toilet. I also think more people live in fear of the man. They didn't fear Nixon.

Anyway, back on the subject, it is too bad that "National Lampoon" only exists as a web site or a name to slap atop a movie or DVD. It used to be a sign that meant "good movie", now it means "beware!" Apparently, the "Harvard Lampoon" agreement ran out and "National Lampoon" can no longer use the name to head up a magazine cover.

"Cracked" came back recently and in a format more like the old "Lampoon" than "Mad". I think this is very wise. Check this out. If they do it right, they may achieve the respect they deserve. However, it is more difficult in this day and age of home video and the Internet to make a go of successful magazine, especially a humor one.

For now, I'm enjoying the back issues. I do have every one and I've flipped through all of them from 1970-1979 so far. They published until 1998.

If you've never seen one, I suggest checking one out or an anthology to get a real taste. Amazon usually sells these. Just click on the item at the left and search for "National Lampoon" under books.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Laverne and Shirley DVD

I picked up the first season DVD set of "Laverne and Shirley". Although I am enjoying it, it is kind of a cheat since the first season was really a half a season and wasn't their best stuff. I find Cindy Williams attempting a New York accent in these early episodes especially annoying. Thankfully, she dropped it by the second season. And the Fonz shows up way too often, but of course, this was a spin-off from "Happy Days" airing in early 1976.

Like it or not, "L&S" actually improved until they moved to LA, and even some of those episodes are good. Where it really went down hill fast is when Cindy Williams had some sort of dispute and it basically became "The Laverne Show" after that until the series ended in 1983.

My favorite episode of all time features "Dead Lazlo's Place" where Lenny inherits a diner from his Uncle Lazlo and both Lenny and Squiggy and later Laverne and Shirley make attempts at running it. The scenes where Laverne is cooking and Shirley is the harassed waitress are classic.

There are some great lines in this episode like "Betty, pick up please" in which Laverne insists on calling Shirley Betty as that sounds more like a waitress name. And, "Lucky, lucky, for the next ten minutes everything comes free with pancakes" after Laverne accidentally pours pancake batter over everything she's cooking.

I took a quick Google search and found out that this episode originally aired in the fifth season and was called "The Diner" and aired originally on May 6, 1980. It was episode #111. I'm not alone that this was indeed a classic episode.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Even More Beatles

Haven't talked about The Beatles in a bit, but I think it's neat that I can now claim Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon and Julian Lennon as my "friends" due to MySpace. If you click on my MySpace ( http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions) you'll see that they're (to quote Steve Martin) "personal friends of mine". Not really, but it's still fun.

Don't really know what's going on in the Beatles front. Paul still seems to be having his marital problems. Olivia is reissuing George's "Living in the Material World". Ringo's on tour. Yoko is reissuing the Lennon-Ono Mike Douglas week onto DVD. Sean has a new album and Julian seems to be just raking in Blowfish Sushi dough. Zak Starkey (Ringo's kid) is touring with The Who. Stella McCartney is a world-reknown fashion designer. Not sure what the other McCartney/Starkey kids are doing or what Dhani Harrison is doing, but I hope they're all having fun.

I still think Paul and Ringo could collaborate on something. Maybe they could form a super group a la The Traveling Wilburys. Surely, they have enough friends between them that they could appear on stage together (like they did at "A Concert for George") without calling it a Beatles reunion. And even if they did, so what. Geez guys, you're not going to live forever, you might as well milk it for all it's worth.

Have you ever noticed that on the front cover of every Beatles album Paul and Ringo are standing next to each other when they are in the same photograph? Check it out! I'm talking about the British albums, because they're not on albums like "The Early Beatles".

Anyway, gotta go...

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
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

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

The 9/11 Report

Harvey Comics stalwarts Ernie Colon and Sid Jacobson have reunited to bring you this all new project that's quite different for fans expecting Richie Rich. It's a comic book adaptation of "The 9/11 Report".

The subject matter for some people may still be a bit grim at this point, but we have to fess up as a country at some point as this event should not be any more hands off than Pearl Harbor or any other catastrophic event.

I haven't purchased the book yet, but you can if you click on the Amazon icon next to this blog entry and search for the title. It should be a worthwhile read.

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
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

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Little Lulu Books

Another great read is the "Little Lulu" books that Dark Horse is issuing. They are currently up to volume 11 with many more on the way. I don't know if the intention is to reprint all 268 issues of "Little Lulu", but with volume 11, they have reprinted all issues up through #48. Granted, in later years "Little Lulu" had a lot of reprint issues, so 268 wouldn't necessarily translate into 67 volumes of material, but they may try.

I really like this format. I wish that Dark Horse (or somebody else) could issue other classic comics in this small black and white format. The complete Carl Barks could benefit from this format or classic Harvey series like the complete "Richie Rich and Casper" title or others.

Anyway, as I always say, check it out!! You can even order these on my websites. Click on the links below...

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
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

Monday, August 21, 2006

Senses Working Overtime CD

Normally I don't like to promote anything Starbucks (more of a Peet's man myself), but I will make an exception here. There is a new collection of 80s alternative tracks available for $13.95 on CD called "Senses Working Overtime". What's really cool about this is that it generally picks tracks by major artists that aren't necessarily the "hit". For instance, they use David Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" as opposed to "Let's Dance" or "Fame" and use The Pretenders' "Kid" instead of "Don't Get Me Wrong" or something. So, that alone makes this compilation quite unique.

Anyway, since it is a Starbucks exclusive, it may sell out and may be limited run, so I suggest you pick up one today. Here is the complete track listing:

1. New Order - Age of Consent
2. Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime
3. David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes
4. The Pretenders - Kid
5. The Cure - All Cats Are Grey
6. Roxy Music - Oh Yeah!
7. The Smiths - William, It Was Really Nothing
8. Elvis Costello - New Amsterdam
9. Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
10. XTC - Senses Working Overtime
11. Bauhaus - All We Ever Wanted Was Everything
12. Peter Gabriel - Shock the Monkey
13. Echo and the Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
14. The Sound - Sense of Purpose
15. Split Enz - One Step Ahead
16. English Beat - Mirror in the Bathroom
17. Robyn Hitchcock - Trams of Old London
18. The Jam - That's Entertainment

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
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

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Cabin Boy

Am I like the only one who likes this film, yet people always seem to flock to the latest lousy Will Ferrell opus in droves? While "Cabin Boy" is VERY retarded, it has made me laugh heartily on repeated viewings. I guess it all depends on your tolerance of Chris Elliott. Understandably not the most handsome of people, and maybe that's the key as to why I like it and others don't. People tolerate Ferrell and Sandler and their antics because they are reasonably good looking, but I just go for the humor and execution of it more than looks. I can't really explain it. It's kind of the "Three Stooges" school of comedy and they CERTAINLY weren't good looking, especially Shemp!

And any film with David Letterman back in his funny days can't be all bad..."You wanna buy a monkey?"

Upon writing this, I read the reviews on Amazon and was surprised that I am indeed not alone, but everyone has mentioned that this film is kind of a "guilty pleasure" and that many will not "get it".

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
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

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Well, I'm finally caught up, so bring on season 6! If you don't know, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" is the HBO series starring Larry David that can be best described as "Seinfeld" without Seinfeld. It's actually more than that, but the similarities are there as David created and wrote for both shows.

The 10-episode seasons usually air in the Fall each year, and then the following Summer they are released to DVD. That's why I just caught up and saw the most-recently aired episodes of Season 5. Larry actually dies in the last episode prompting many to speculate whether the series would actually continue.

According to other sources, they are, which is very good news...and yes, Larry will be in them and very much alive.

BTW, if you're upset that I've spoiled it for you by mentioning that he died, tough. I knew he was going to die before I saw this season and it didn't ruin my enjoyment of these episodes one bit.

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
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

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Fleischer Story

Rereading a book I haven't read in ages called "The Fleischer Story" by Leslie Cabarga. Leslie has recently become a friend of mine and because of that and also that Richard Fleischer recently issued his Fleischer biography before he passed away, I decided to read Cabarga's book again.

I applaud Cabarga's efforts as it is probably the first written account of what happened to the studio that founded Betty Boop. In fact, Fleischer's book is almost an edited rehash of Cabarga's book, but I enjoyed it too, nonetheless (probably because of the subject matter).

Anyway, "The Fleischer Story" I believe is out of print. If it's not, then I suggest rushing out to buy it before it does, or you can buy it through Amazon or Abebooks through my website. And buy Richard Fleischer's book, too.

Fun, fun, fun for fans of Boop, Popeye and Superman...

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
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

Monday, August 07, 2006

My Book

Ohhhhh, I'm working on my book, working on my book, working on my book... C'mon everyone, sing along. Ohhhhh, I'm working on my book, working on my book, working on my book...

More details 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
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

Friday, August 04, 2006

Underdog Help!

I'm trying to get into contact with Buck Biggers, Chet Stover, Gary Mooney and Joe Harris as I am writing a history of Total Television for "Hogan's Alley" magazine and need to get into contact with as many creators as possible. I already have Biggers' book and Harris' "Animato" article, but I really need to contact him directly with questions. I know Biggers will be at the upcoming Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention in September, but I'm not sure if I can go.

Anything you can do would be very helpful.

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
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

Thursday, August 03, 2006

I Ain't Doin' My Blog

Wow! Before, I was doing my blog rather consistently, then recently I haven't been doing it at all. Subjects, subjects, who's got the subjects...

--
Regards,

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

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

I'm Back from Comic Con International and Lee's Comics

Well I'm back from the 2006 Comic Con International. I will be writing a full length report soon. I just wanted to thank everyone I met for the good times and to Lee Hester of Lee's Comics for allowing me to go for the first time since 2002. 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
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

Monday, July 17, 2006

Comic Con International

If you get a chance and want to say "hi" to me in person, I will be working at Lee's Comics booth #1100 at the Comic Con International (formerly San Diego Comic Convention) from July 20-23. So, no more blog postings until then...

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
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

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett

So the Crazy Diamond passed away. Never seriously thought he would reform with Pink Floyd, but it was always a possibility just like it was always a possibility that The Beatles would reform until December 8, 1980. Since Syd was really only part of the first 1 1/2 albums and a few singles, it's kind of unnoticeable except for the fans of that early stuff. Fans of the later Floyd stuff (i.e. "Meddle" onwards) probably didn't notice or care, but Syd Barrett always held a special place in any true Pink Floyd fans' heart as rock 'n' roll's greatest living casualty. Even Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys kind of snapped out of whatever he was going through to start making some good music again and even completed the long-aborted "Smile" album, so the possibility of Syd suddenly wanting to do something musically again with or without his former bandmates was always a possibility however improbable. Now the answer is finally laid to rest and we are left with his Floyd material, plus a couple of solo albums before he packed it in for good.

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
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

Monday, July 10, 2006

Pirates of the Caribbean Review

Ok, just checking it's one "r" and two "b's". Anyway, saw the new movie and the only reason, repeat the ONLY reason that these movies are good is Johnny Depp. His drunken and eccentric John Sparrow is what keeps the entire thing afloat. I will say this, however, if you didn't like the first one, you won't like this one. If you did like the first one, you'll be pleasantly surprised. There is a surprise ending and it's really good as it makes you want to see the third one, currently in production, so they seem to know what they're doing for once at Disney.

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
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