Creature Features Movie

I am a good friend of John Stanley's, the host of KTVU's "Creature Features" and I am very excited to announce in my blog that he will be doing a version of "Creature Features" LIVE! It's this upcoming Thursday at 7pm at the Balboa Theater in San Francisco.

Stanley will be showing recorded highlights from the old "Creature Features" show as well as the feature film of "Horror Express" which is actually quite good.

The Balboa is at 3630 Balboa Street (37th Ave) in San Francisco. It is recommended to purchase advance tickets as this event may sell out. You can order tickets here! $9.99 a seat.

Dennis the Menace is STILL Fun to Read

When I was a kid (70s/80s/now), I bought comic books off a spinner rack at the 7-11 among other places that don't sell comics anymore. Anyway, back then, there were a few different publishers than what exists now.

Of course there was Marvel, DC and Archie, but back then there was also Harvey, Gold Key, Charlton and Fawcett.

Fawcett was originally known for their "Captain Marvel Adventures" and "Whiz Comics" comic books among other titles, but by 1953 after the battle with DC about Superman and the burgeoning furor over comic books that led to the "Comic Code Authority", Fawcett through in the towel.

Ironically, that same year, a comic book debuted by a different publisher called "Dennis the Menace", based on the Hank Ketcham comic strip that debuted in 1951. (There is also a British "Dennis the Menace" that also debuted that same year (1951).)

The comic book changed publishers a few times and by the 60s, settled in at Fawcett, who started publishing again and the "Dennis the Menace" comic books, exclusively. Fawcett also started distributing the Archie comic books as well around this time, but that's another story.

By the 70s, when I was reading, there were three "Dennis the Menace" titles, the main one, "Dennis the Menace and his Friends" and "Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine". There was also a digest called "Pocket Full of Fun". The titles were published into the early 80s when Marvel took over briefly. There hasn't been a new "Dennis the Menace" comic book in the US since 1982.

Although I purchased these regularly during the 70s, it was never my intention to get a complete run, mainly because of the constant reprinting, I saw virtually every story. The image above is a typical example. They must have reissued "Dennis the Menace in Mexico" at least a dozen times as part of the "Bonus Magazine" series.

So as far as getting a complete set, thanks to Lee Hester of Lee's Comics, every so often he buys a new collection of "Dennis" books and invariably, he has ones I don't have, so I buy them and they are relatively inexpensive, and so I almost have a complete run of all the books. I think I am missing 145 books out of a possible 500 or so books.

I'm in no rush to complete the set as I figure that I will just acquire them slowly over time. It's just fun to get them occasionally and relive old memories of a title long gone, and yes, there are a lot of reprints.

Green California Summit and Exposition

I was in Sacramento for the past two days shooting video for my friend's "green" show, at the Green California Summit and Exposition, and haven't had a chance to blog.

Though I have a working knowledge of all things "green", it hasn't really hit home with me how important some of this "green" stuff is. We did get Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on camera, but sadly no interview, and videotaped many panels and interviewed subjects at the various showroom floor exhibit booths.

All in all, it was a very rewarding event and I definitely learned a lot about things "green" than I had ever known before.

Back to Work on My Beatles Book

Since my "Cracked" book is currently being formatted and edited by my publisher, I am going back to work on my Beatles book, now called "Mark Arnold Picks on The Beatles". The image above is a possible cover idea, but is definitely NOT the final cover image or idea. It is used for illustrative purposes for this blog.

Anyway, I am awaiting news on a few other projects and if they don't come to pass, then I will be completing work on this book. I do have a Beatles blog which I am posting daily to, so you can see what my reviews are like. The blog URL is http://beatlesbook.blogspot.com

Currently, I do not have a publisher for this masterpiece, but if you are in the publishing business and would like to publish it, drop me a line at funideas.mark@gmail.com

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

I plan to be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 24-25, 2010, to plug my two BearManor Media books ("Created and Produced by Total TeleVision productions: The Story of Underdog, Tennessee Tuxedo and the Rest" and "If You're Cracked, You're Happy: The Cracked Mazagine Story"). Here are the details from their website:

Dates & Location

The annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will be held Saturday & Sunday, April 24-25, 2010 at:

View larger map
UCLA

405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024

(Event Map coming soon)
Hours

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tickets & Admission

General attendance is free!
For information on attending, see our Attendee FAQ.

Tickets are required for all Festival of Books indoor panel and speaker sessions. Tickets for the 2010 Festival of Books will become available on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at 12 noon through Ticketmaster.com for a nominal fee of 75¢ per ticket. Check back soon for updates.

Please see our Tickets FAQ for more information.
Parking

Parking on the UCLA campus is $10.
Free shuttle bus services will connect the outlying UCLA parking lots with the main festival entrances.
More…

Milt Gross is Fantastic!

I had heard of and seen Milt Gross artwork before, but never in such a expansive compilation. Craig Yoe has totally outdone himself by presenting a great talent as Milt Gross in his own volume called, "The Complete Milt Gross Comic Books and Life Story". The cartoons are fun in two ways: 1) Gross' exaggerated drawing style and 2) the craziness that complements the art in the writing. I knew precious little about Gross before reading this book and the 40-page biography discusses all of Gross' various projects which included songwriting and animation among other ventures.

Gross' stuff reminded me of Al Jaffee's, Robert Crumb's and John Kricfalusi's material, and sure enough, all three are fans, with Jaffee contributing a "Fold-In" introduction to this book.

Yoe maintains the integrity of the individual comic stories by keeping the stylized color dot pattern and off registration of the original pages. The covers are represented by tattered, beat-up, well-read comic books and this fits the bill to justify the rarity of the original books.

There's even a "dog-ear" printed on the back cover of this massive 360-page tome that I even found myself trying to straighten out, so realistic it looks.

Sometimes this replication of worn-out comics doesn't work like in the recent Fantagraphic's "Humbug" collection where the beat up covers made me long for a mint copy of the originals, since the interior reprints were so pristine.

Here, the worn-out look actually accentuates Gross' visuals and make them even more striking as comics that seemingly were put together at the same frantic pace as the art itself.

All in all, a must buy for anyone interested in good funny comic book art. Fans of Jaffee, Kricfalusi, Crumb and even fans of Don Martin, Harvey Kurtzman and Tex Avery should make this a must buy.

$39.99 from Yoe! Books and IDW Publishing.

Harvey Art Show is Back! 2 Weeks Only in LA!

Ok, so actually it's in Sherman Oaks and not LA, but it IS the only Southern California appearance of the Harvey Art Show, and most likely the FINAL appearance of the Harvey Art Show after San Francisco, New York and Pittsburgh. The show will be at Van Eaton Galleries from April 30 - May 15, 2010. Dave Holt and myself will show up and Jerry Beck has confirmed his attendance with me as well. Here are the contact details:

VAN EATON GALLERIES
13613 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 788-2357
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 6pm

Korg: 70,000 B.C.

Does anyone remember "Korg: 70,000 B.C."? I barely did, but I took on the assignment for an upcoming issue of "Back Issue" magazine #43. Actually, the article didn't turn out too badly and I found some interesting images and got some quotes about Charlton comic book artist and writer Pat Boyette, who produced the nine issues based on the 16 episode TV series that aired in 1974-75 on Saturday morning TV.

Anyway, it's another Fun Ideas Production, and I thank you all for continuing to support my work.

Cracked Book Update

Here is the cover to my upcoming book called "If You're Cracked, You're Happy: The Cracked Mazagine Story". I started work on this book in February 2009 and just turned in the completed manuscript on March 8, 2010. I still have to submit a disc of the 407 images to be used in the book. Meanwhile, my publisher, BearManor Media will be proofing and formatting the book for the next few months. If it is like my previous book ("Created and Produced by Total TeleVision"), it will be another six months before the book officially sees print. So, look for a September 2010 release date at the very earliest.

The book will be available on Amazon and through Diamond Distribution when ready.

Fun Ideas Productions' 20th Anniversary

Fun Ideas Productions was founded in 1990 by Mark Arnold as Fun Times Productions as the overall publishing company for his magazine "The Harveyville Fun Times!" Over time, Fun Times changed its name to Fun Ideas due to the wide diversity of projects, that now includes video production and art shows. The company is based in Saratoga, CA, near San Jose, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Along with publishing "THFT!", Fun Ideas published "Censorshi*", and various articles written by Mark Arnold for other publications including "Comics Journal", "Comics Buyer's Guide", "Hogan's Alley", "Back Issue", "Comic Book Artist", "Riverdale Ramblings", "Comics Source" and even wrote three comic book stories for Shanda Fantasy Arts.

As Fun Ideas second decade started, the time was right to enter into book publishing. To date, three books have been published:

"The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!"

"Created and Produced by Total TeleVision productions: The Story of Underdog, Tennessee Tuxedo and the Rest" with BearManor Media

"If You're Cracked, You're Happy: The Cracked Mazagine Story" with BearManor Media

and soon books on The Beatles, Harvey Comics, and more.

2008 was an important year as Mark Arnold along with Dave Holt helped organize the Harvey Art Show called "From Richie Rich to Wendy the Witch: The Art of Harvey Comics". The show ran successfully from June-December 2008 at San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum, January-June 2009 at New York's MoCCA, July-August 2009 at Philadelphia's Toonseum, and soon in April 2010 at Los Angeles area's Van Eaton Galleries.

Video footage has been taken along the way and some has been posted on YouTube. Eventually, the additional footage will be compiled into a lengthier video format, with plans for more video productions.

Mark Arnold was honored from November 2009-January 2010 as one of the "100 Famous Saratogans"; a list that included Steven Spielberg, Olivia De Havilland and Kerri Walsh among its honorees.

Fun Ideas Productions expansion plans in the next few years include more books, articles, art shows and video productions, and also radio or TV shows or podcasts. The sky's the limit when it comes to Fun Ideas Productions. Remember, if it's a Fun Ideas Production, it's a "Good Idea".

Please contact Mark Arnold today at 408-482-9327 or funideas.mark@gmail.com in order for him to work with you on your multimedia writing and video production needs.

Fun Ideas Productions
P.O. Box 2616
Saratoga, CA 95070
http://funideas.50webs.com

Oh Boy! Volume 2

Volume 2 of the "Star Comics All-Star Collection" is out. For those unfamiliar, when Harvey Comics originally ceased publication in 1982, all of the artists and writers bailed out to Marvel Comics' new fledgling Star Comics line. While many of the Star Comics were just licensed properties like "Alf", "Heathcliff" and "Rocky and Bullwinkle", a few original comics were produced. Volume 1 and now 2 have reprinted the best of those from "Planet Terry", "Royal Roy", "Top Dog" and Wally the Wizard".

Bunny Fan Club Picture

Ok everyone, I am looking for the pinback button and membership card and pictured in this ad from "Bunny" #4. Please let me know if you have ever seen or better still OWN one....

"THFT!" #73 Out Now!

Here's the latest issue of "The Harveyville Fun Times!" #73. Only two more issues to go before I pack it in for good. It's been a good run of 20 years, but with the Internet and declining circulation, it's not worth for me to publish anymore. The invitation is still out there for someone else to take over with #76 and I will help them out to ease the transition. Please let me know...

I'm a Tippy Teen Fan!

A couple of years ago, I decided to pursue obtaining buttons and other souvenirs advertised in old comic books, mostly pre-1980. What I found out was, most of these souvenirs either were made in very small quantities or don't even exist at all. Here is my latest acquisition, the "Tippy Teen P.A.L. Club" button as advertised in the pages of "Tippy Teen" back in the 1960s. An obvious Archie rip-off, the artist on this button is most likely to be Samm Schwartz who also did a lengthy run on "Jughead" for Archie.

I'm still looking for the elusive "Bunny Ball Fan Club" button from the pages of Harvey's "Bunny". Let me know if you have one or have seen one.

Decent Song for a Greater Cause

Julian Lennon puts out his first release in almost a decade. "Lucy" is a tribute to the girl that inspired The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds", even though some wags still feel that it was LSD. Here's the proof: a reproduction of the original drawing by Julian Lennon is included with the disc and in some cases, Julian's autograph. My copy unfortunately did not have the autograph. As for the music, it is very pleasant and open to repeat listenings. However, those pining for the John Lennonish-type vocals that graced Julian's first couple of albums will be sorely disappointed. Julian has a fine singing voice, but no longer any of the nasal quality that his father had. Overall, not the best material Julian has ever done, but far from the worst.

As far as the greater cause is concerned, the real Lucy died recently of Lupus and royalties from this release will be donated to Lupus research.

"THFT!" Blow-Out Sale

In recognition of me ending "The Harveyville Fun Times!" with #75, I am once again blowing out all of my back issue inventory. This means that for $5.00 I will send you 10 random assorted back issues! There is no expiration on this and I will try to accommodate requests, but once they're gone, they're gone, and I won't be reprinting them (at least in magazine format). If interested, please Paypal $5.00 to thft@att.net

Thank you everyone for your support all these years.

Marvel's "Star Comics All-Star Collection"

Marvel's "Star Comics All-Star Collection" is out as of last week. The $19.99 trade paperback compiles all the stories from "Planet Terry" #1 and 2, "Top Dog" #1 and 2, "Royal Roy" #1 and 2, and "Wally the Wizard" #1-2. It even reprints ads promoting the lines from that time including one for "Royal Roy" that has been unaltered and you can see why Harvey got mad at the time since he looks exactly like Richie Rich, complete with original face and blond hair!!!

THFT! to End with Issue #75

I've made the decision to stop publishing and editing "The Harveyville Fun Times!" next year with 75 issues and 20 years unless someone else wants to take on the editing and publishing chores. Any takers? (cover is of recent issue #72)

Saratoga History Museum Honor

If you haven't read on Facebook or the jillion other places I promote myself, I'm being honored as one of 100 famous Saratogans at the Saratoga History Museum now through January. This Friday, November 27, at 6pm, they are having an open house to show the museum. Other honorees include Stephen Spielberg, Olivia De Havilland, Kerri Walsh, Ed Solomon, Lance Guest, Bill Hasselman, among others. I will be there if you are in the area. The Saratoga Historical Foundation Museum located at Saratoga Historical Park: 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA.

Yay! Casper in Hardback and in Color!!!

The "Casper 60th Anniversary Special" is out today featuing the complete St. John "Casper" #1" and complete Harvey "Harvey Comics Hits" #60 (which actually is "Casper" #6). Incidentally, the copy of "Casper" #6 used in the book is my copy. I shipped it to Leslie Cabarga for scanning and he sent it back. Just FYI, as my name wasn't mentioned in the book. The best part besides being in color and a hardback is that it's only $9.95! What a deal! Finally, some respect for lowly Harvey.

Good Evening New York City

Paul McCartney has just released his 347th album since leaving The Beatles, where he sings "Let Me Roll It" for the 45,652nd time in his career. The 94-year-old ex-Beatle said of the release, "I just need to milk it one more time before I join John and George in the sky!"

Ringo commented that he was more impressed with "Two Virgins", and has now approached Paul to be an All-Starr, as this album now qualifies him.

George Martin was quoted as saying, "What?"

McCartney hopes to outsell (and outlive) Yoko Ono's new CD, "I'm Screaming My Head Off and I Don't Know Why". Available at better record stores and Goodwills everywhere.

If You're Stumped About What to Get Me for Christmas

It's the entire Beatles catalog on a handy Apple-shaped USB!!!

Christmas is Coming! Buy My Books!

Didn't mean to scare you...

Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Christmas CD

I saw this on CD for the very first time when I went to Border's yesterday. Does this mean that the other long out-of-print and never issued to CD Hanna-Barbera albums are due out soon?

Hey Hey I'm a Be-Atle!

Me playing the guitar on the new Beatles Rock Band with my friend Grant Grothaus on vocals.

1000 Comic Books You Must Read

Here is yet another book that I assisted with about the information on Harvey Comics. My friend Tony Isabella has written an excellent volume as it covers all types of comic books, not just the superheroes. My highest recommendation!!

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)!!!