Josie and the Pussycats

My Josie and the Pussycats article will be appearing soon in "Back Issue" magazine #40.

Fun Ideas Productions News

In case you didn't hear it (or I haven't bragged about it enough to you in person or on Facebook), here is my appearance on the November 4th edition of "The Dan Shahin Show" on KSCU in its entirety.

http://www.vimeo.com/7448204

I'll be posting my appearance on "The Howard Stern Show" from the same day as soon as I get a copy of it.

Also, while I have your attention, please be sure to stop by The Saratoga History Museum anytime from now through January as I'm being honored as one of 100 famous Saratogans. The museum is located at 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in Saratoga (obviously). It is normally open Fri, Sat and Sun from 1-4pm. There will be an open house reception on November 27 at 6pm. All are invited. I'll be there.

And, for my East Coast friends. If Saratoga, CA, is too far away, you might want to attend the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art at 594 Broadway #401 in New York, on November 19, at 7pm, as they have an opening reception for "The Art of Archie Comics", which I helped coordinate. I don't think I'll be in attendance that day, but the show does run through February 28, 2010, so I may make it out there before the show concludes its run.

Archie Finally Does it Right!

After years of ignoring their past, Archie is FINALLY doing it right, by reprinting their older material in a format intended for collectors. Above you see the cover of the first volume of the collected newspaper strips. These will be followed by various volumes of comic book material focusing on a particular artist or characters in hardback collections. Also, there are now DVD-ROMs that compile a goodly amount of Archie comic book material in archival form.

Who says that material like this has to be only about superheroes. The clincher on this is that the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) in New York is running an art show featuring original artwork from the 40s to the present. The show runs from November through January and features contributions by yours truly, who also brought you the Harvey Art Show last year.

Let me know if you need any further information about any of these Archie products or shows.

Mark Arnold LIVE! on KSCU (Nov. 4, 2009)

I'm scheduled to appear as a guest to talk about my book and other projects live on KSCU radio 103.3 on Wednesday, November 4, at 9pm. Listen, if you're local.

Here's the "Mad" Ad

My dad came through and found a copy of the ad I was looking for in the last blog entry. Although this one is a call for artists, I'm sure if there was a writer's ad, it would have been very similar. Anyway, this ad originally appeared in the September 23, 1956 edition of "The New York Times".

I had contacted Sam Viviano of "Mad" and he did not have a copy and once my dad located this in a local library to me, I sent Sam a copy for the "Mad" archives. Sam said that this ad also is rumored to have been answered by Mort Drucker and Norman Mingo, among others.

The writer ad was supposed to have been responded to by Paul Laikin and Frank Jacobs, but they may have just responded to this same ad, placed by Al Feldstein when Harvey Kurtzman left "Mad" and took virtually the entire staff with him.

Mad Magazine Help

I am writing a book on "Cracked" magazine and one of the interview subjects was Paul Laikin, who has worked for every black and white humor magazine over the years, being editor for many of them, too, including "Cracked", "Sick" and "Wacko". Anyway, Laikin was the first of two writers hired by "Mad" after Harvey Kurtzman left with the staff. New editor Al Feldstein placed an ad in the "New York Times" in 1956-57 for new writers and two respondees were hired: Laikin and Frank Jacobs. Laikin stayed with "Mad" until about 1959 and Jacobs is still there to this day.

What I need is a copy of this help wanted ad. Please let me know if you have access to a copy.

Wonka Bashing

I was reading through Amazon comments about "Willy Wonka" and decided to respond to one of them for kicks. Here's the original post and my rebuttal.

One Sick puppy..., November 15, 2008
A Kid's Review

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of those movies thats just so twisted its not even funny. The first time I saw this movie, I was about four and it scared the crap out of me. I remember the sadistic, demented Willy Wonka played by Gene Wilder (Who is probably the best thing this movie has as a fan of his other movies.)and the hellish Oompa Lompas with their little songs. Let's not forget that tunnel w/ the snakes and chickens, I had nightmares for months. Was it wrong that I felt sorry for the fat boy who got sucked up the tunnel? Or the little girl who got turned into that blueberry? I mean it was sick!!! Their kids they don't even know their behavior is wrong! I mean of course I know its fake but still. You never even know what happened to them (their actually is a small line about them being alright but I didn't hear it until like the 3rd viewing.) The special effects a downright terrible, even for back then. The chocolate river looked like some kiddy w/ mud in it. The musical scores (Besides "The Candy Man") were downright awful.
What I don't understand most is that this movie is considered a classic. Its played regularly on tv, and was shown almost daily at my school. If this movie is for you that's fine, you're entitled to your opinion, no need to bash me in your comments, that's just stupid. All I want to say is that I have no idea how a movie that was a critical and box office flop became regarded as a children's classic. This movie is way to disturbing for young children and maybe some adults. I'm even a fan of the book and I don't like this. What we fans need to a truth to the book adaption. Then we'll be satisfied.

and now my response:

I'll take issue with your comments as well (just for kicks). Anyway, I saw this movie originally when I was 4 in the theater in 1971 upon first release! Yes, it was freaky and weird and a bit disturbing especially during the boat ride, but it became my favorite movie of all time, and leaps and bounds greater than that inferior "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" movie, which I so much wanted to love, too, but couldn't, and "Charlie" WAS more faithful to the book.

The main problem with the book is Roald Dahl. Even though I love him as an author and he has great ideas, some of his book ideas really don't translate well to the motion picture screen and "Willy Wonka" solved the majority of those book problems and made it a better story, as a result.

Strange if you are a fan of the book, as you state, then you should remember the kid sucked up the tube and the girl who got turned into a blueberry as those remained unchanged from the book.

Actually for years it WASN'T played on TV. It was, in the early 70s, but by the late 70s through the mid-80s due to ownership changes from Paramount to Warner Bros, it remained strangely hidden from view.

Finally, I take great issue with your comment "The special effects are downright terrible, even for back then". Actually, they were state-of-the-art for 1971. Really! When the words pop up saying "brat" and "cat" and "mother" and "father", those were actually the very first computer graphics, and this was the first feature film to use them. They were also used at the same time on "Sesame Street" and the then brand-new "Electric Company" TV shows. Without those effects, you wouldn't have all those Pixar films and all those feature films you have nowadays that rely so much on computer animated effects, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". In "Willy Wonka", this was the best you could do in 1971. You can't bash a film's special effects for that.

Of course, you are entitled to your own opinions, but please do some research before making "factual" statements that are presented as "truth".

Many Casper Comics Coming Out

These are the covers of some various "Casper" comic books out now or coming soon. The three are the new "Casper and the Spectrals" series (issues #1 and 2 shown here), the "Casper 60th Anniversary Book" and the "Casper Halloween Treat" giveaway (also featuring "Little Lulu"). There's even more soon, but I've been sworn to secrecy for a little while longer....

Harvey in Roy Thomas' "Alter Ego" #89

Make sure to pick up Roy Thomas' "Alter Ego" #89. It has extensive coverage of Harvey's horror and superhero titles. Basically, it covers everything non-humor, although it does talk about "Flip!". Yours truly helped out with some of the information and images.

More Quality From Yoe!

I really enjoy Craig Yoe's books ("Comic Arf", "Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-creator Joe Shuster", "Weird but True Toon Factoids"), and this one is more of the same, a high quality observation of a neglected aspect of the comic world. One thing it would have been great to have unearthed are some scandalous Richie Rich artwork by Ernie Colon and Lennie Herman. As it is, there's some great stuff in here and more surprising is who it is sometimes by.

What? No Harveys!!

I picked up this book and was sorely disappointed that not one Harvey comic book story made the grade. It might be a rights issue with Classic Media, but it seems a shame that not one "Casper" or Richie Rich story was accepted. Granted, I love "Sugar and Spike" and "Dennis the Menace" and have an appreciation for all things Walt Kelly, but the lack of a single Harvey story is inexcusable. At least Dark Horse has reprinted some of these stories in their 5-volume series. I was hoping for at least one...

"Cold Turkey" and "Zotz"

I was just told about two movies that I think I would love, but they came out on VHS about 100 years ago and no DVD release is on the horizon. I don't understand the movie companies withholding their inventory. Warner Bros. and Disney have figured it out at least and have put some of their more obscure movies out as a "print on demand" DVD available through the Internet as in the case of Warner Bros. or as part of a Movie Club as Disney has done. Both are not available in stores.

The other movie studios should take a lead from this and should rerelease every single solitary movie in their inventory, especially if their is a major star, like "Cold Turkey" has Dick Van Dyke, Bob Newhart and a number of others, while "Zotz" stars Tom Poston and was produced by William Castle.

What is wrong with the studios? It's easy money to put this stuff out in either limited release as explained above or in box sets by subject or star or director.

As a fan, it's very frustrating and baffling.

Entertaining Memoir from One of the Last Classic Cartoon Voices

I just met June Foray and Stan Freberg at the recent Comic Con International in San Diego. I was in cartoon voice bliss. Two greats in one day in one setting!! It would have only been surpassed if Mel Blanc, Daws Butler and Paul Frees were also there, but they have long ago left this mortal coil.

Anyway, June is one of those people that may not be a household name, but you HAVE heard her voice, be it as Rocky, the Flying Squirrel (pictured on cover) or Granny in the Warner Bros. cartoons or two different Witch Hazels, one for Disney and another for Warner Bros.

Or, you may have seen her in various live-action roles in such places as "Green Acres", or as the voice of "Talky Tina" in a classic "Twilight Zone" episode where she creepily states, "I'm Talky Tina, and I'm gonna kill you!!"

This book is well-written and covers her entire life and career. It's a little rushed on discussing some of her voicework and I think she spends a little too much time on her formative years, but that's minor quibbling as I really knew nothing about her childhood. Read about the life and career of one animation's greatest LIVING legends!!

Also (plug plug) if you get a chance and like animated cartoons, pick up my book "Created and Produced by Total TeleVision Productions". Unfortunately, June never voiced anything for them.

This is a great book and a great asset for my own book about TTV

I sought out this book for its coverage of many voice artists that are now deceased particularly Norma MacMillan and Jackson Beck. This was a very helpful reference for my book about TTV called Created and Produced by Total TeleVision Productions. It was also a good read about other known and unknown vocal talents. Highly recommended!

Very Good But Not Excellent Stuff From Kurtzman and Company

I would have given this five stars, but I fault Fantagraphics for doing some artsy-fartsy production on the various "Humbug" cover reproductions by also reproducing the various tears, wrinkles and missing pieces from the covers to make them look old. While the book goes on and on about how meticulously they rescanned and recreated missing artwork (for which this is worth a 5), they fall far short with these travesties posing as covers. It's like intentionally putting in scratches on a digitally remastered film. If I want a crappy copy of "Humbug", I certainly can pick one up at a show or on Ebay.

As far as material goes, this is very good, but not excellent Kurtzman material as other reviewers have said. Best is the parody of "Around the World in 80 Days" which is possibly why it is touted on the slipcase, but the other stuff doesn't hold up as strongly, despite great artwork.

BTW, I am currently at work about the history of "Cracked" magazine and although this book doesn't state it, Jaffee, Elder and Davis all bailed out to "Cracked" for a short time before eventually returning to "Mad" (in Jaffee and Davis' case) and "Playboy" (in Elder's case).

As for Kurtzman, I have always considered "Trump", "Help!" and especially "Mad" to be far superior to this. Overall, it looks good, but it leaves you kind of limp. Fantagraphic's lousy issue cover reproductions kind of imply this as well.

It's worth buying the deluxe limited edition for the original autographs of Jaffee, Davis and Roth.

New History Book on Underdog and TTV Out NOW!!

Now you can order my second book "Created and Produced by Total TeleVision productions: The Story of Underdog, Tennessee Tuxedo and the Rest" at BearManor Media

Also available at Amazon

Front cover by Mike Kazaleh ("The Simpsons", "New Adventures of Mighty Mouse")

Back cover blurb by Scott Shaw! ("Scooby-Doo", "Captain Carrot")

Written by Mark Arnold ("The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!")

380 pages! Full color covers! Complete TTV history!

From Fun Ideas Productions and BearManor Media!

Order your copy today! Only $29.95!

George's Greatest Miss

What a disappointment. This should have been a career-encompassing greatest hits. Instead, we get an album of random tracks that are too top heavy on four of George's albums "All Things Must Pass", "Cloud Nine" and "Brainwashed", and "Concert for Bangla Desh" and virtually ignore everything else. Many have said this should have been a two-disc set. In light of that, here is a more coherent single-disc set that actually does cover George's entire solo career:

1. My Sweet Lord
2. What is Life?
3. Bangla Desh
4. Give Me Love
5. Dark Horse
6. You
7. This Song
8. Crackerbox Palace
9. Blow Away
10. All Those Years Ago
11. Wake Up My Love
12. I Don't Want To Do It
13. Got My Mind Set On You
14. When We Was Fab
15. Handle With Care
16. Cheer Down
17. My Sweet Lord 2000
18. Horse to the Water
19. Any Road

I Finally Replaced Archie's Car

I am so happy. I went to Supercon in San Jose last weekend and found an item that was stolen from me years ago...Archie's Car!!!!

The genesis of this story dates back to 1969 when The Archies were HOT and Post cereals had various Archie items included in their cereals or as sendaway items. For example, there were cut-out records on the back of the boxes and a sendaway of Jughead's beanie.

One of the items was a small plastic car included inside of boxes of "Alpha-Bits" referred to as "Archie's Car". There were cut-outs on the back of the box of Archie and the gang that you were supposed to insert into the car and a cut-out of a garage.

The cut-outs were later discarded, but I always loved my Archie's Car. Later, in 1989, I had a party at my apartment in San Francisco, and invited people from my work at KBHK-TV 44 at the time.

I invited my boss and he brought along his wife and son. His son was about 9 years old at the time. I had a habit of having favorite toys on display on my bookshelves; Archie's Car being one of them.

Anyway, I noticed that the boss' son was looking at the car at the time, but figured he'd just put it back after holding it. Next day, I was cleaning up and noticed that my Archie's Car WAS GONE!!!

HORRORS! I was so mad. And I couldn't tell the boss, because I had no real proof that he actually took it. I only saw that he was looking at it, so I let it go.

Years later, I wanted to replace my Archie's Car and looked for it at shows and in stores and later on line. I never saw one. At one toy show, someone had a red one, but I wanted my yellow one back. (The car also was available in blue, apparently, but I've never seen one.)

Time after time, I checked Ebay to no avail. If you look up Archie's Car on Ebay, typically you will see the "Burger King" versions, which I also own, that feature Archie and the gang actually in the driver's seat.

Anyway, at last Saturday's Supercon, I was looking around...and THERE IT WAS!!! And it was YELLOW!!! It looked just like the one that was stolen, so I purchased it without hesitation. Cost me $20, which seemed fair. Of course, I would like to have not had to pay to replace it, but now the search is over.

And here it is (see photo above)!!!

Finally Found Thurl Ravenscroft Album!!!

I finally found a download of a very rare Thurl Ravenscoft album!! For those who don't know, Ravenscroft was the voice of Tony the Tiger for over 50 years!! He also sang the theme song to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion and the Grinch song in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "No Dogs Allowed" in "Snoopy, Come Home" among other things.

This particular album was available as a digital download and is everything I expected. Ravenscroft narrates the story behind the Gospel song and then sings it. I had the pleasure to interview with Ravenscroft a few years ago, and I asked him if there were any plans to issue this to CD and he said probably not. Sadly, it turned out to be his final interview and can be found in "Hogan's Alley" magazine.

I would still love to see it rereleased. Despite a download, I'd still be interested in a vinyl version of this, so if you see one cheap, please let me know...

If the Rich Just Paid More Taxes....

Interesting chart that was sent to me showing that the rich only pay about 35% of their income in taxes currently. In the past, they have paid up to 91% of their income and guess when we were strongest economically as a country, when the rich were paying that much!!!

Look at the 1920s before the Great Depression, the rich paid the least in taxes and look what happened? THE GREAT DEPRESSION!!!

During WWII and after, when they were paying a lot, we were doing GREAT economically as a country.

As the rich have paid less and less since the 1950s, our economy has gone down and down accordingly. IT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, but not totally unexpected.

So wealthy people, you know what to do. Your fun is over. It's time to pay more than your share to help us low paid individuals out and SAVE OUR COUNTRY!!!

This is the bailout we need!!!

Paul and Ringo in Concert Again

Only about 29 years too late....

Cracked Book

I have been told to write a new blog entry due to monumental demand (alright one person), but that's enough for me to do another plug for my upcoming book on "Cracked" magazine.

The book is going to be called "If You're Cracked, You're Happy: The History of Cracked Mazagine" and will be published by Bear Manor Media.

I am currently in the process of interviewing as many of the original creators as possible including John Severin.

I am also in the process of indexing every issue ever published including the annuals and specials and am currently up to 1969.

I'll post periodic updates here, but please feel free to comment or give me any assistance on the project. I would like to know if anyone has a "Who's Cracked?" T-shirt from 1958, or any other rare "Cracked" merchandise?

Please email me at thft@att.net if you have anything...

Finally! Finally! At Last!! At Last!!

Tracks like "Kingpin" and "16 Golden Bits" are enough to qualify it as a classic, but "A Date With Danger" and the "Tonight Show" parody truly bring it over the top...

It's great to have this finally in high fidelity on compact disc instead of listening to my old vinyl recordings.

Highly recommended...

The Collection I Have Been Waiting For For Years

This is the Stan Freberg collection I have been waiting for as it does indeed collect not only the A-sides of virtually every Stan Freberg record as released but the B-sides as well!!!

Some of these have never been compiled on any album before. For instance, you probably have heard Freberg's version of "Ya Got Trouble" from "The Music Man", but have you heard his version of "Gary, Indiana"?

I say virtually because there is at least one single ("Comments For Our Time Parts 1 and 2") that still eludes compilations, but this is a minor complaint due to the excessive datedness of the track and the fact that it really isn't very funny anymore.

Buy this and Tip Of The Freberg (Includes Video) and be in Freberg heaven!!!

Jr’s Fun To Draw

Jerry Beck was gracious enough to post scans I made from a book called "Jr's Fun To Draw". Rather than re-type his entry, I will post a link to "Cartoon Brew" here:

Cartoon Brew

-Mark.

SNL Better Again

I posted this on Facebook, but it turned out well enough, I made it a blog entry.

I feel SNL is finally getting better again after being lousy for a number of years. SNL has always been kind of hit and miss with the better years being 1975-1980; 1982-1985; 1987-1992; 2004-present, and I've watched it since the beginning. I think they took more chances in the beginning especially with the musical guests where they could have a jazz artist or classical artist, where as now it's just the latest pop or rap act. The comedy writing and acting was more daring and sharp in the early days a lot of the time as well, and if a sketch didn't work, it didn't seem to go on for 20 minutes, except maybe Bill Murray as the lounge singer. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now when re-watching them recently on the full season DVDs.

I actually wish that the show wouldn't be live anymore. Since I live in California it's never live anyway. It could easily be "live on tape" or actually filmed so that there weren't any flubs and the sketches could be tighter since the writing and acting isn't as strong. Also, I think it's time Lorne Michaels be put out to pasture. SNL has gotten stale and stiff like he has. Watch the early shows and he seems to have an enthusiasm that is totally missing now. So what if he created the show...

Harvey Art Show at the MoCCA in New York City!!

I haven't had a chance to write about it until now, but I went to New York to view and participate in the Harvey Art Show on January 14-16, 2009. The show runs at the MoCCA at 594 Broadway #401 until April 25, but I was there to appear at the Official Opening for the New York version of the show, despite the show having a soft opening on December 16, 2008.

The show is still called "From Richie Rich to Wendy the Witch: The Art of Harvey Comics" and still features most of the exhibits contributed by Skeet and Linda Rose, Dave Holt and myself, but also some new ones by Kent Meredith and by Adam Harvey.

The major differences between the San Francisco show and this one is that the display area for the Harvey show is larger in New York, but it is the only show going on, whereas the San Francisco display area was somewhat smaller and there were three other galleries to view.

The New York version also had more color with multi-colored painted walls and stencils of various Harvey characters like Hot Stuff or Casper, as well as displays featuring original comic books including some from the Harvey horror era and superhero era and a copy of "Richie Rich" #1.

There were some other new items added to the show including the original artwork to the cover of "Richie Rich" #200. I will be posting a video version of the New York portion of the show soon to YouTube. In the meantime, I have posted photo on Photobucket and have included one of them here.

I flew out early Wednesday morning from San Francisco to New York on Delta. It was great to be flying again and it was the first time I had been to New York since early 2001.

On the Wednesday night Opening, many illustrious people from Harvey history did manage to show up including artist Angelo DeCesare who worked on Richie Rich in the late 70s and early 80s and now works for Archie.

Former Harvey Production Artist Paul Maringelli was there as was three of the four sons of Alfred and Vicky Harvey: Eric, Adam and Alan. Sid Jacobson's son, Seth was there as was Sid Couchey's "de facto" manager and agent, Dan Busha. Harvey fans and former Marvel employees Jim Salicrup and Danny Fingeroth were also there, as were Allan Neuwirth and Nick Biales.

Harvey fan and writer for the "New York Villager" Will McKinley went around interviewing everyone at the show for an article. McKinley interviewed me via telephone a couple of days prior to my arrival in New York.

The Opening was well attended and a few speeches were made by Ellen Abramowitz and Karl Erickson, the museum's curators. The festivities went on for a couple of hours and many photos and some video footage were shot.

Afterwards, Salicrup invited me to dinner at ACME, a great Cajun food restaurant. I had the catfish and we discussed Harvey, Marvel, MoCCA and Papercutz (Salicrup's current company).

The next day I went shopping in 10 degree Fahrenheit weather with snow. It was cold!! After shooting a bit of video of the snow, I did a little shopping at Bleeker Street Records, partially to get in out of the cold and partially to see what they had. I managed to pick up a vinyl copy of the Richie Rich album called "Mysteries of the Deep!". This is not the rapper, mind you, but one of four children's albums released by Parachute Records, a division of Polygram, back in 1983. (I will cover these albums in a future issue of "THFT!")

Later on, after some other limited sightseeing, I went back to the museum for day two and the Harvey Q&A Panel. The panel was moderated by Salicrup and featured Paul Maringelli, Angelo DeCesare, Rick Parker (who worked at Harvey for a few months before later working at Marvel on "Beavis and Butt-Head"), Chris Barat and me.

In looking at the photos and video footage, I have to admit that there were shades of "Adam Awards" in how the presentation looks (see the photo at the top of this blog entry). Kent Meredith, Joe Torcivia and Chris' wife, Nicki were among those in the audience for this panel presentation. Nicki took the panel photos.

Everyone including yours truly had quite a bit to say and an edited version of the footage will be on YouTube soon. Most everyone went out afterwards for another meal at ACME sans Joe, Chris and Nicki.

I contemplated staying through Sunday, but decided since I have had limited funds due to being out of work during November and December, that I just best go home, though I wished I could have stayed longer.

I flew home on American and had an uneventful flight on Friday despite ongoing news coverage of another plane crash in the Hudson Bay on Thursday.

You can view all of the Photobucket photos by clicking here!

Details on the YouTube videos will be posted when I upload them. Stay Tuned.

After April, the show moves to Pittsburgh and the Toonseum.

Harvey Art Show Opening and Panel Talk in New York

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to give you all a heads up reminder that the Harvey Art Show is going on now in New York at the MoCCA at 594 Broadway, Suite 401. I will be in attendance on January 14 for the Opening Reception and on January 15 for a panel discussion featuring Chris Barat and me. Please stop by and say hi if you are in the area...

For more details, please go to the MoCCA website at http://www.moccany.org/ or call 212-254-3511.

Hope to see you there!

Good New Movies to See

Since I've been too lazy to put a separate blog entry for each of these, I will just highly recommend the following current films: "Valkrie", "Gran Torino", and "Bolt".

Some have quibbled about the non-historical treatment of "Valkrie", but at heart it is just a good action film that just happens to be set in WWII Germany.

"Gran Torino" is a return to form for Clint Eastwood in his "Dirty Harry" persona. He is not the same character, but his crankiness is perfect. "Get off my lawn" will soon supplant "Go ahead, make my day" as the classic Clint catch phrase.

"Bolt" was a total surprise and begins the blurring of the lines of what is and what isn't a Pixar film. It isn't a Pixar film, yet John Lassiter of Pixar worked on it, and there was a short featuring Tow Mater from "Cars" at the front end. I think eventually the Pixar name will be retired. "Bolt" is a much better film than the previous non-Pixar Disney CGI films ("Chicken Little", "Meet the Robinsons"). Maybe not in the same league as "Wall-E", but close.

I highly recommend all three...

Gentleman Gene Colan

I went to the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco tonight with Lee Hester of Lee's Comics to honor "Gentleman" Gene Colan. For those unfamiliar with his work, pick up appropriate issues of "Daredevil", "Creepy", "Howard the Duck" or "Tomb of Dracula".

Gene was honored with a lifetime achievement award, and also answered some brief interview questions with Glen David Gold. He also received in person accolades from Tom Field, Steve Engelhart, Steve Leialoha, Adrienne Colan (Gene's wife) and in a special video message, Stan "The Man" Lee.

About 40 pieces of original art are on display from November 15, 2008 through March 15, 2009 at the Cartoon Art Museum which is at 655 Mission Street in San Francisco.

Gene also signed my "Howard the Duck" trade paperback and the new Dark Horse "Creepy Archives Vol. 2" book.

If you feel that you missed out meeting Gene in person, you do get a second chance. Gene Colan along with Gene's sometime inker Steve Leialoha ("Fables") will be appearing this Saturday, December 6, at Lee's Comics from 2-4pm, at 1020-F N. Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View. Check out Lee's website at http://www.lcomics.com
for more information.

For photos of the event, please check out my Photobucket account at http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/thft_2007/Gene%20Colan%20December%202008/

Permission is granted to use any photo in this folder for any purpose, just please give me photo credit.

The Verdict on "Wall*E"

So why didn't I see this on June 27, when I was such a huge fan of Pixar films prior to this? Because I felt that Ratatooee (intentionally misspelled) was one of the worst Pixar films ever made. The initial concept was good, but after you got the point it just went on and on and on and on repeating the same lame joke, again and again. Ok, ok, we get it, the mouse controls the cook and does so from under the cook's hat. Do you have anything else?

Many people may not know this but the Pixar deal with Disney was initially just as distributor. As such, under the original contract, Disney distributed the two "Toy Story" films, "A Bug's Life", "Monsters, Inc.", "Finding Nemo", "The Incredibles" and "Cars". I think that's all of them. Anyway, "Cars" was the last one made under the original deal.

In the meantime, Disney decided to create it's own CGI animation team. They put out "wonderful" stuff like "Dinosaur", "Chicken Little", "Meet the Robinsons" and this week's release "Bolt". Now, I don't know if "Bolt" is any good or not at the moment, so I reserve judgment on that one for a later time. The other ones came across as cutesy and boring ("Dinosaur") or downright annoying (the other ones).

Anyway, Pixar's first feature length release under the new agreement was the aforementioned "Ratatouille" (spelled correctly this time). I know this film has its fans, but I felt it was very weak, so when "Wall*E" was scheduled to have "cute" robots, I felt I should take a pass.

Now, I wish I had seen it in the theater. Certain negative comments I have heard about it, I don't see. I didn't think it was too long, which is a surprising comment by me, who usually thinks many movies are too long. It does have a slower pace, and that's what I liked about it. It didn't shove its message down your throat and rush through things with stupid jokes like other non-Disney CGI films. Apart from "Shrek", most of those make me gag.

I've heard comments that the first part is great with the basically silent footage, and then it bogs down later with all the talking. I disagree. I would have to admit that this is perhaps my favorite Pixar film, even more so than "The Incredibles", "Cars" and the two "Toy Story" movies. THAT is an impressive accomplishment.

I LOVE the irony of Disney releasing a film that shows basically a futuristic EPCOT in space!!! I am referring to the original EPCOT concept as created by Walt Disney, not the World's Fair concept of EPCOT Center that stands today.

I LOVE it that everyone's a fat blob and doesn't do anything.

If I had ANY quibble, it would be the fact that the people in the beginning look like people, and that later they look like cartoons, but I guess blobs do look like cartoons. MINOR complaint. I'm such a Fred Willard fan, this small point it forgiven.

The only other complaint and if you haven't seen the movie, this may be a spoiler. If they had no plants for 700 years, how did the humans survive?

Otherwise, EXCELLENT film. I wish animated films could still win for "Best Picture".

Thank You, America!!!

I want to thank everyone for electing Barack Obama the next President of the United States. I can't say he'll do anything, but he cannot be worse than Bush.... At least he can speak...

I Met Matt Groening!!

I don't usually get this excited about meeting celebrities, but Matt Groening of "Simpsons", "Life in Hell" and "Futurama" fame has been so elusive, that I am impressed that I finally got to meet him. Here's picture proof from the APE in San Francisco on November 1, 2008.

Voting

You now how everyone is shouting "Get out there and vote". Well I say, "Get out there and vote if you are going to vote for Obama". Votes for McCain are not going to do the country any good, and I don't care your level of income. He's a nice enough fellow and I would have voted for him over Bush in 2000, but he's older than my dad and doesn't have any new ideas.

As such, he doesn't give a shit about the US; he just wants to be President just to say that he once was the President and to get into the history books. Otherwise, he's almost ready for the pine box. He was a POW...big deal. That's no reason to vote for him. I'm happy he served his country and probably did things more courageous than myself, but I still don't have to give him my vote.

The other stupid reason is the abortion issue. I'm sorry abortion is legal. My attitude on abortion has always been "If you don't want an abortion, don't have one". In fact, if I accidentally impregnated someone, I wouldn't want her to go through that ordeal. I did once. It's painful, both physically and emotionally, for both partners, if they care. That said, I'm still voting for Obama. I don't think he'll do anything, but then again he might, but abortion will not be on the agenda, just the economy and this stupid war.

McCain on the other hand doesn't seem like anyone who would do anything, period. I think that if you can collect Social Security, you cannot serve as President. If you have to be at least 35, you should also have to be less than 65, or 67 tops.

I don't understand people who say, "Why vote when Obama's going to win anyway?" Well, that's stupid, too. What, you only vote if your candidate's losing and you never vote on the propositions or anything or anyone else?

That's why I say, "Get out there and vote if you are going to vote for Obama". Everyone else stay home and get this stupid election over with already. Make it a landslide instead of a nailbiter.

Finally, get over the color of Obama's skin. If you are in the 21st Century and still hung up on that crap, do us all a favor and gouge your eyes out, so you don't have to look at him while you vote. Idiots!! If Obama was white, he'd be a shoo-in. Vote for Barry!!!

Thank you for your support...(geez, I sound like Michael Moore with all this grandstanding).

BTW, I'm STILL a registered Republican for those who care...

Please Vote for Obama This Tuesday!!!

Obama giving a speech recently to a very receptive audience!!

Julia Child Shows You How to Edit Video Tape

I am posting this blog in hopes that someone can help me to find this elusive gem. When I was taking courses at San Francisco State in the late 80s, one of the instructors, who used to work at KQED channel 9 in San Francisco had a copy of a short film called "Julia Child Shows You How to Edit Video Tape" that was made for NET, the network that preceded PBS.

It was hysterically funny short black and white video in which Julia takes out a huge meat cleaver and literally chops a reel of 2" video tape in two. Then, she cuts it in another spots and splices the two ends together with mashed potatoes. Great, funny stuff!!

I cannot even remember the instructor's name who showed this, and I'm sure he's long retired or even dead by now. This was 20 years ago and he seemed to be fairly old then.

If anyone has any information on how to get a copy of this elusive film, I would be forever grateful. I haven't seen it on YouTube, so it's not there.

Writer's Block

You'd think I'd be having writer's block since I don't write on my blog too often. Quite the contrary, I usually think of things to write about, but don't have time to. Recently, I could have written reviews for "Mr. Hobbs Goes on Vacation" or "The Invasion" or "Capote", but I just didn't do it.

I also could have written about my mother's recent death (on October 7), or going through her stuff, or finishing up my book, or doing any number of things that I usually do.

I could even write about that I'll be working at Lee's Comics this Saturday and again the following week at the APE show in San Francisco.

But I just don't have the time. Pity.

Last Week's Sac-Con

Oh well. It takes me a week to write sometimes. Anyway, I went to last week's Sac-Con in Sacramento, CA, upon the invitation of animator/comic book artist Mike Kazaleh. Mike will be drawing the cover to my upcoming book about TTV (Underdog).

Anyway, as I walked in, I sat on a panel about "The Simpsons" that Mike along with fellow friends Bill Morrison and Phil Ortiz was on. This lasted about an hour and was very entertaining. Voice artist Billy West (who does voices for "Futurama") was also on the panel, as were a couple of artists from the recent "Treehouse of Horror" comic book.

Anyway, afterwards I was thrilled when Bill came up to me and asked how my book was coming along. I am happy that he remembered. I told him it was due at the end of November.

Overall, it was a quick 3-hour reunion with people that I admire greatly in the industry.

No Bailout!!!

Hey I lost money years ago and am still paying for my mistakes. If I can't have a bailout, nobody can. If anything, they should give each and every American regardless if they are working or not $2000 each if you make below $50,000 per year.

It should be sent gratis through the mail or if the IRS has your direct deposit, just put it in. Us poor people will spend it soon enough and it will end up back in the hands of the rich people, but at least we will have a little fun while it lasts and stimulate the economy at the same time!!!

I can't wait....only 110 days left of the worst President ever!!!!

Keith Knight Opening Reception

Keith Knight of "K Chronicles", "th(ink)" and "Father O'Flanity's Hot Tub Confessional" fame appeared last night at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. I went with my friend Heather and showed her my Harvey Art Show in the process. It was a fun evening and I snapped a couple photos of Knight describing his artwork.

Better Beatles

Ok, ok, ok, so I am a latecomer. I've been a Beatles fan for too long, but just discovered the Better Beatles. I had heard their rendition of "Eleanor Rigby" awhile back, but it didn't do much for me.

Recently, I was in Streetlight Records in San Jose, and I picked up the CD. A clerk whizzed by and said in passing, "You've got to buy it, man. It's the best album!"

So, I decided to give it a try. Then, I discovered it was at the listening station, so I sampled a few tracks and felt that it had a "Flying Lizards/Cure" type sound to it, so I bought it, and was hooked.

If my friend, Joe in Amsterdam, reads this (he usually does), he will probably say, "Oh yeah, I bought that back in '81. Where were you?"

My Favorite Mad Comics (#1-23)

I now own every issue of Mad except #1, which is proving to be far too pricey for my tastes. I may buy it eventually.

I was looking through my Mad comics and I would have to say that my favorite issue is #19, followed very closely by #18, 20 and 21.

I do have to say that there is not one "perfect" issue where all four stories are gems. #19 comes closest with three: "Mickey Rodent", "Supermarkets", and "Puzzle Pages", only "The Cane Mutiny" and the cover are a bit weak.

Best cover has got to be #11, with #1, 4 and 21 runners up.

Favorite stories of all time include "Howdy Dooit", "Starchie", "Mickey Rodent", "Mole", "Restaurants", "Puzzle Pages", "Supermarkets", "Believe it or Don't", "Poopeye", "Woman Wonder", "Superduperman", "Frank N. Stein", "Outer Sanctum", "Ping Pong" and "Bat Boy and Rubin".

You have received a YouTube video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX6oIH2Ozs0

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:    
Fun Ideas Productions - http://funideas.home.att.net
Beatles Blog - http://beatlesbook.blogspot.com/
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.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629368169
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
ComicSpace - http://www.comicspace.com/mark_arnold/

Buy my Book: "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" -
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Harveyville-Fun-Times/dp/1847283683

Harvey Art Show Opening Reception, SF, 8/1/08

Harvey Art Show Opening Now on YouTube!!

http://www.youtube.com/v/ae3efEArmL4

I may edit this a little further (like it doesn't have my "Fun Ideas" logo yet, and I may add a little music to it), but this is the 4-minute version of what you can see at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, recorded at the Opening Reception on August 1, 2008. It features comments by Dave Holt, Andrew Farago, Trina Robbins, and Shawna Gore among others.

There is a 26-minute version that I will sell on DVD that will feature bonus footage and a narration about the exhibits that I'm still working on, but if you would like to order one, I will be taking Paypal payments for $9.99 at thft@att.net. Hopefully, this longer version will be done before the holidays. It needs the music and narration added.

The DVD will also have added goodies like the public domain cartoon disc shown at the museum and the Richie Rich image gallery that I presented at the Pop Culture Convention last March with Dr. Kathy Merlock Jackson.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:    
Fun Ideas Productions - http://funideas.home.att.net
Beatles Blog - http://beatlesbook.blogspot.com/
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.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629368169
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
ComicSpace - http://www.comicspace.com/mark_arnold/

Buy my Book: "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" -
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Harveyville-Fun-Times/dp/1847283683

Meeting Harry Shearer

I went to see Judith Owen play in downtown Los Gatos last night for their weekly "Jazz on the Plaz" Summer concert series. She was good and funny, but the real treat for me was the appearance of her bassist, the actor/voice artist Harry Shearer, best known as the voice of Mr. Burns and Smithers on "The Simpsons".

Shearer was very good on the bass and took everything seriously, until the intermission when he was handed the microphone to read the concert sponsors. One of the sponsors was Alameda Funeral Home. Shearer proceeded to read the list in the voice of Mr. Burns, and when he got to the funeral home listing, he said, "I will be seeing you soon!". He also did a bit of Smithers.

After the show, people crowded around Ms. Owen to buy her CDs and to get her autograph. I was more enthralled with meeting Harry. I went up and called to him and spoke with him a few minutes about "Spinal Tap" and "A Mighty Wind". He said that they are working on another "Spinal Tap" reunion.

Harry was very nice and then I asked for his autograph. Not having anything for him to sign, I pulled out one of my business cards and he signed the back. I thanked him and shook his hand.

I told this story to my friend Lee, and he asked if I got a photo. I said no, and now I am kicking myself because I just purchased a new cell phone that has better photo capabilities than my old phone. I've got to get into the habit of taking photos when the situation presents itself.

Anyway, it was a very fun evening.

PS: I just discovered that Harry Shearer has been married to Judith Owen since 1993, so no wonder he tags along to her concerts.....

Re: [Richie Rich's Vault] Harvey Art Show Report

Here's a link to more photos! These were taken by Lee Hester...

http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p299/Leescomics/August/

-Moderator Mark.

At 10:39 AM 8/2/2008, you wrote:

I'm happy to report that the Harvey Art Show Opening Celebration was a success.

I drove up with Aaron Carnes (a friend of mine who shot video footage) and Lee Hester of Lee's Comics in my car and got to the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco about 6pm. Andrew Farago and Summerlea Kashar of the museum greeted us while they were setting up the tables with food and drink in the gallery.

The gallery looked pretty much the same as I had seen it in early July, but now my pieces of text about Harvey Comics were professionally mounted on boards instead of the simple paper printouts pasted on the wall. Also, there was a nice banner of the same image from the postcards of all the Harvey characters flying into the sky in the front window and in the gallery itself was a huge stencil on the wall featuring the title of the show utilizing the original "Richie Rich" and "Wendy the Witch" logos.

(Incidentally, for those who have asked, the reason for using Richie Rich and Wendy in the title is to give a male/female representation as well as the fact that "Rich" and "Witch" rhyme.)

As we weren't really needed to set up (besides bringing some cider and copies of my book and "THFT!"), Aaron, Lee and I decided to get a quick bite at a Chinese restaurant a couple of doors down. I'm glad we did, because during the show, there was really no time for me to eat. In fact, the only time I ate, was when we served cake and at the end of the show when I finally got a drink.

Aaron, Lee and I had a good meal, and waltzed back in at around 7:05, five minutes after the show was scheduled to start. Although I had at least two guests with me, I was so happy to find probably 15-20 people milling about the gallery.

I made my way to the back of the room and behind the scenes where I saw the cake provided by Goldilocks, a bakery located next to Lee's Comics in Mountain View. (BTW, to give you scale for those living outside the Bay Area, Lee's Comics is about 40 miles south of San Francisco.)

The cake had a silk-screened sugar layer picturing the Harvey Art Show postcard and my book, "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" in full color on the top. It was pre-sliced and looked great. (Tasted good, too!)

Dave Holt spotted me and yelled (in his normal quiet and reserved way), "MARK, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" I explained that we were eating next door and that we were waiting for the show to begin before we made our appearance. We also met up with Lee's 6'7" son, Lee the 4th, commonly referred to as "the boy" by Lee, Sr. and me.

Just then, I saw Linda Rose (wife of Skeet Rose and owner of Goldilocks) in a back room suiting up as Richie Rich. She said that she would do it if we couldn't find anyone else. Linda's sister was suiting up as Casper. Skeet (who owns the RR and Casper suits as well as a lot of the art pages in the show) was helping them suit up. Linda and Skeet's daughter was there as well.

Soon, they were ready and walked out. I, and many others snapped photos of the two and with the two. I would say the crowd was probably around 30 or so by this time.

I peered around the corner and saw my dad (David) and his friend Janice, and I got them to come to the back and pose with Richie and Casper. My dad was impressed that I was able to pull this off, which is quite a remarkable statement as he usually doesn't give two figs about all the art and writing projects I do.

After many, many, many photos, we finally walked Richie Rich and Casper into the main room where the food, cake and artwork was all displayed. Everyone in the room turned and smiled at their appearance and many more photos were taken.

I started to look around to see if I could spot anyone that I knew. A few people approached me that I knew of but had never met face-to-face in this world of ComicSpace, Facebook and the Richie Rich's Vault Yahoo! group. I'm mention them briefly here as JG Book, Jeff Plotkin and Alex Schumacher. Of course, I met many other people but I either didn't exchange names or (horrors!) I didn't remember their names!

Anyway, a few comic book notables did make their way to the show, for which I am eternally grateful. You never know when you set these things up and promote them who's going to attend. So, I was very happy to see Dark Horse's Shawna Gore there with her husband (who flew out from Oregon especially for this show!) I also saw and spoke with Trina Robbins and Steve Leialoha, Fantagraphic's Gary Groth, and  "Emily the Strange's" Rob Reger. I hope I'm not leaving anyone out.

Everyone was chit-chatting about and the crowd peaked at possibly 50 or 60, maybe more. I couldn't tell, nor did I do an official count. People could roam about the entire museum which included exhibitions on the late Phil Frank of "Farley" fame and Keith Knight of "K Chronicles" and "(Th)ink" fame. There is also a fourth room of random artwork from various eras owned by the museum and a room with very rare animation cels and a flatscreen TV that was playing the disc I provided of old public domain Famous Studios cartoons from 1945-1950 that feature Harvey characters like Casper, Little Audrey, Herman and Buzzy.

Around 8 or 8:30 or so, Andrew got everyone into the Harvey Art space and made a quick speech of thanks to Dave Holt, Skeet Rose and myself. I think Dave said a few words of thanks, but I, for whatever reasons did not really say a thing. I kind of wanted to but the moment passed and it would have been hard to get everyone's attention back, so I let it go.

Had I said something, I would have thanked everyone for attending and pointed out some of the people I am mentioning on this write-up, but it worked out all right. I proceeded to "cut" the pre-sliced cake and hand it out to everyone. As I was wearing a suit, I didn't want to mess myself up, so I only did a  row of about six or seven slices before I went back to shmoozing. The last cake I sliced, I ate.

After this short ceremony, people slowing began to leave. I decided to take this opportunity to film and opening and the closing to the show for the video version, so Lee, Aaron and I went out to film this. It took a little longer than I thought and when I got back in, many people thought I had left my own show. I explained about the footage we had just shot.

Aaron was good about getting coverage of everything including close-ups of each piece of artwork and brief soundbites from Trina and Shawna and others.

While shooting this stuff, my friend Cristina Ramirez showed up. She had previously told me she would be coming late, but she did show up and I was grateful. I'm always happy when any friend shows up.

Everything was winding down. A few copies of my book and "THFT!" were purchased as well as a few copies of the Dark Horse collections, all of which were available in the bookshop. I signed a couple of copies as well. At this time, my Art Director for "THFT!" S. Eddy Bell showed up with his wife and we took more photos. I didn't recognize him at first as he was not wearing his glasses.

I said my goodbyes as people slowly filed out, took more photos, and soon it was just Lee, Aaron, Dave, Cris, Cris' friend (sorry, I forgot your name!), "the boy", S. Eddy, his wife (sorry here, too), and the Cartoon Art staff. It was about 9:30 at this time.

Everyone parted ways and I took Aaron, Lee and "the boy" back down to Lee's and eventually home.

I uploaded a number of images from the Cartoon Art Museum Opening that I took at Photobucket at http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/thft_2007/Harvey%20Art%20Show%20Opening%20Reception/

There is a lot of video footage as well and other photos I didn't take. More soon.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
_________________________________________________________
Please click on my web sites:   
Fun Ideas Productions - http://funideas.home.att.net
Beatles Blog - http://beatlesbook.blogspot.com/
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.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629368169
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fun_ideas_productions
ComicSpace - http://www.comicspace.com/mark_arnold/

Buy my Book: "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" -
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Harveyville-Fun-Times/dp/1847283683




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Harvey Art Show Report

I'm happy to report that the Harvey Art Show Opening Celebration was a success.

I drove up with Aaron Carnes (a friend of mine who shot video footage) and Lee Hester of Lee's Comics in my car and got to the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco about 6pm. Andrew Farago and Summerlea Kashar of the museum greeted us while they were setting up the tables with food and drink in the gallery.

The gallery looked pretty much the same as I had seen it in early July, but now my pieces of text about Harvey Comics were professionally mounted on boards instead of the simple paper printouts pasted on the wall. Also, there was a nice banner of the same image from the postcards of all the Harvey characters flying into the sky in the front window and in the gallery itself was a huge stencil on the wall featuring the title of the show utilizing the original "Richie Rich" and "Wendy the Witch" logos.

(Incidentally, for those who have asked, the reason for using Richie Rich and Wendy in the title is to give a male/female representation as well as the fact that "Rich" and "Witch" rhyme.)

As we weren't really needed to set up (besides bringing some cider and copies of my book and "THFT!"), Aaron, Lee and I decided to get a quick bite at a Chinese restaurant a couple of doors down. I'm glad we did, because during the show, there was really no time for me to eat. In fact, the only time I ate, was when we served cake and at the end of the show when I finally got a drink.

Aaron, Lee and I had a good meal, and waltzed back in at around 7:05, five minutes after the show was scheduled to start. Although I had at least two guests with me, I was so happy to find probably 15-20 people milling about the gallery.

I made my way to the back of the room and behind the scenes where I saw the cake provided by Goldilocks, a bakery located next to Lee's Comics in Mountain View. (BTW, to give you scale for those living outside the Bay Area, Lee's Comics is about 40 miles south of San Francisco.)

The cake had a silk-screened sugar layer picturing the Harvey Art Show postcard and my book, "The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!" in full color on the top. It was pre-sliced and looked great. (Tasted good, too!)

Dave Holt spotted me and yelled (in his normal quiet and reserved way), "MARK, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" I explained that we were eating next door and that we were waiting for the show to begin before we made our appearance. We also met up with Lee's 6'7" son, Lee the 4th, commonly referred to as "the boy" by Lee, Sr. and me.

Just then, I saw Linda Rose (wife of Skeet Rose and owner of Goldilocks) in a back room suiting up as Richie Rich. She said that she would do it if we couldn't find anyone else. Linda's sister was suiting up as Casper. Skeet (who owns the RR and Casper suits as well as a lot of the art pages in the show) was helping them suit up. Linda and Skeet's daughter was there as well.

Soon, they were ready and walked out. I, and many others snapped photos of the two and with the two. I would say the crowd was probably around 30 or so by this time.

I peered around the corner and saw my dad (David) and his friend Janice, and I got them to come to the back and pose with Richie and Casper. My dad was impressed that I was able to pull this off, which is quite a remarkable statement as he usually doesn't give two figs about all the art and writing projects I do.

After many, many, many photos, we finally walked Richie Rich and Casper into the main room where the food, cake and artwork was all displayed. Everyone in the room turned and smiled at their appearance and many more photos were taken.

I started to look around to see if I could spot anyone that I knew. A few people approached me that I knew of but had never met face-to-face in this world of ComicSpace, Facebook and the Richie Rich's Vault Yahoo! group. I'm mention them briefly here as JG Book, Jeff Plotkin and Alex Schumacher. Of course, I met many other people but I either didn't exchange names or (horrors!) I didn't remember their names!

Anyway, a few comic book notables did make their way to the show, for which I am eternally grateful. You never know when you set these things up and promote them who's going to attend. So, I was very happy to see Dark Horse's Shawna Gore there with her husband (who flew out from Oregon especially for this show!) I also saw and spoke with Trina Robbins and Steve Leialoha, Fantagraphic's Gary Groth, and  "Emily the Strange's" Rob Reger. I hope I'm not leaving anyone out.

Everyone was chit-chatting about and the crowd peaked at possibly 50 or 60, maybe more. I couldn't tell, nor did I do an official count. People could roam about the entire museum which included exhibitions on the late Phil Frank of "Farley" fame and Keith Knight of "K Chronicles" and "(Th)ink" fame. There is also a fourth room of random artwork from various eras owned by the museum and a room with very rare animation cels and a flatscreen TV that was playing the disc I provided of old public domain Famous Studios cartoons from 1945-1950 that feature Harvey characters like Casper, Little Audrey, Herman and Buzzy.

Around 8 or 8:30 or so, Andrew got everyone into the Harvey Art space and made a quick speech of thanks to Dave Holt, Skeet Rose and myself. I think Dave said a few words of thanks, but I, for whatever reasons did not really say a thing. I kind of wanted to but the moment passed and it would have been hard to get everyone's attention back, so I let it go.

Had I said something, I would have thanked everyone for attending and pointed out some of the people I am mentioning on this write-up, but it worked out all right. I proceeded to "cut" the pre-sliced cake and hand it out to everyone. As I was wearing a suit, I didn't want to mess myself up, so I only did a  row of about six or seven slices before I went back to shmoozing. The last cake I sliced, I ate.

After this short ceremony, people slowing began to leave. I decided to take this opportunity to film and opening and the closing to the show for the video version, so Lee, Aaron and I went out to film this. It took a little longer than I thought and when I got back in, many people thought I had left my own show. I explained about the footage we had just shot.

Aaron was good about getting coverage of everything including close-ups of each piece of artwork and brief soundbites from Trina and Shawna and others.

While shooting this stuff, my friend Cristina Ramirez showed up. She had previously told me she would be coming late, but she did show up and I was grateful. I'm always happy when any friend shows up.

Everything was winding down. A few copies of my book and "THFT!" were purchased as well as a few copies of the Dark Horse collections, all of which were available in the bookshop. I signed a couple of copies as well. At this time, my Art Director for "THFT!" S. Eddy Bell showed up with his wife and we took more photos. I didn't recognize him at first as he was not wearing his glasses.

I said my goodbyes as people slowly filed out, took more photos, and soon it was just Lee, Aaron, Dave, Cris, Cris' friend (sorry, I forgot your name!), "the boy", S. Eddy, his wife (sorry here, too), and the Cartoon Art staff. It was about 9:30 at this time.

Everyone parted ways and I took Aaron, Lee and "the boy" back down to Lee's and eventually home.

I uploaded a number of images from the Cartoon Art Museum Opening that I took at Photobucket at http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/thft_2007/Harvey%20Art%20Show%20Opening%20Reception/

There is a lot of video footage as well and other photos I didn't take. More soon.

Regards,
MARK ARNOLD
Fun Ideas Productions - P. O. Box 2616 - Saratoga, CA 95070
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Please click on my web sites:    
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Beatles Blog - http://beatlesbook.blogspot.com/
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