Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 51
October 26, 2023
"Elemental - How Five Elements Changed Earth's Past And Will Shape Our Future"
Just finished reading "Elemental - How Five Elements Changed Earth's Past And Will Shape Our Future" by Stephen Porder, published by Princeton Press.
"Elemental" starts out as a really great science book, but sadly it starts faltering not even halfway through the book when Porder decides to shift the focus on how elements shift and impact life and the surrounding environment to a lecture on how he did his part to lessen his environmental carbon footprint - okay, notable but half a book to pat your self on the back on how noble you are for weather proofing and upgrading your house? Ummmm, dude, hardcover copies of your book have probably done more to undo all that "reduction" of your carbon footprint then you've done in trying to save the planet. For someone who claims in print that he sees the big picture, he's astonishingly blind.
Not Recommended!
Zero Stars!
Returned!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/069...
"Elemental" starts out as a really great science book, but sadly it starts faltering not even halfway through the book when Porder decides to shift the focus on how elements shift and impact life and the surrounding environment to a lecture on how he did his part to lessen his environmental carbon footprint - okay, notable but half a book to pat your self on the back on how noble you are for weather proofing and upgrading your house? Ummmm, dude, hardcover copies of your book have probably done more to undo all that "reduction" of your carbon footprint then you've done in trying to save the planet. For someone who claims in print that he sees the big picture, he's astonishingly blind.
Not Recommended!
Zero Stars!
Returned!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/069...
October 20, 2023
Fun With Dick & Jane
Just finished watching "Fun With Dick & Jane" - the original - released by Columbia Pictures back in 1976.
Any movie starring Jane Fonda is a problematic one. She was responsible for the deaths and torture of American soldiers during the Vietnam War and she has never really fully explained the reasoning behind her traitorous behavior where she supported a brutal repressive regime or asked for forgiveness for her behavior.
I'm a firm believer in not ignoring the 800-pound gorilla in the room.
Yes, Jane Fonda is a good actor and pretty good in situational comedies, but she is a deplorable human being.
The basic premise is that Dick and Jane had been living like there was no tomorrow in a high maintenance life style. When Dick is terminated, they have no resources. The local nursery repossess their shrubbery and lawn. Their utilities are shut off. Jane finds she has no job skills, and Dick is trying to get by on unemployment. They don't give a thought, of course, to selling their house and cutting back. It's decision time. They decide to turn to crime.
The film has its funny moments, like when they are being pursued by the TV evangelist who wants his money back. They discover that some people don't seem to care if they rob big business, especially if the people are having trouble with the business. But, they discover that they really have no net gain as the money is just meeting their bills as they maintain a high life style and how do they explain their employment to their social set.
They finally hit on the solution to their troubles. If you steal money that does not officially exist, who will people complain to, the police?
Oh trigger warning - to earn money under-the-table while collecting unemployment, Dick is an extra in an opera, and he's made up to be a Moor.
Has the original aged well? There is social commentary about the difficulty of finding a job and trying to manage on just unemployment and food stamps that is still just a relevant today.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Fun-Dick-Jane-...
Any movie starring Jane Fonda is a problematic one. She was responsible for the deaths and torture of American soldiers during the Vietnam War and she has never really fully explained the reasoning behind her traitorous behavior where she supported a brutal repressive regime or asked for forgiveness for her behavior.
I'm a firm believer in not ignoring the 800-pound gorilla in the room.
Yes, Jane Fonda is a good actor and pretty good in situational comedies, but she is a deplorable human being.
The basic premise is that Dick and Jane had been living like there was no tomorrow in a high maintenance life style. When Dick is terminated, they have no resources. The local nursery repossess their shrubbery and lawn. Their utilities are shut off. Jane finds she has no job skills, and Dick is trying to get by on unemployment. They don't give a thought, of course, to selling their house and cutting back. It's decision time. They decide to turn to crime.
The film has its funny moments, like when they are being pursued by the TV evangelist who wants his money back. They discover that some people don't seem to care if they rob big business, especially if the people are having trouble with the business. But, they discover that they really have no net gain as the money is just meeting their bills as they maintain a high life style and how do they explain their employment to their social set.
They finally hit on the solution to their troubles. If you steal money that does not officially exist, who will people complain to, the police?
Oh trigger warning - to earn money under-the-table while collecting unemployment, Dick is an extra in an opera, and he's made up to be a Moor.
Has the original aged well? There is social commentary about the difficulty of finding a job and trying to manage on just unemployment and food stamps that is still just a relevant today.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Fun-Dick-Jane-...
Heavy Horns
Just finished reading "Heavy Horns" by Joanne Kwan, published by Just Rendered Knowledge Press.
As someone who has a very mild case of osteoma - two small calcium deposits on opposite sides of my skull that you can't notice unless you touch where they are on my forehead - I was intrigued by Kwan's tale of Andreas, a fashion model whose career is due to the very large horns that he was born with.
As you can guess, Andreas is an outsider and viewed with suspicion and hate because he's different - something I can relate to growing up in Camp Lejeune as the only Jewish child on base in the 1960s and early 1970s. Thankfully my sister, who is 8 years younger than me, had it better.
Andreas is first introduced sitting on the ground in an alley behind a bar where he has been badly beaten - his face a bruised mess - and he's approached by Beau, who had bought him a drink before he went outside to get into fisticuffs with a man who insulted him with slurs.
What follows is a dance between Andreas and Beau who try to figure out what boundaries they should set with each other as they struggle to define their relationship as it grows into a friendship and more. Andreas and Beau do have a shared connection from their childhood days when Andreas protected Beau from a school yard bully and both are struggling to find their place in life and what they want from it.
Now this does have a few "explicit scenes" but these don't break my "nothing x-rated" rule and the relationship between Andreas and Beau is a compelling one.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.lulu.com/shop/joanne-kwan...
As someone who has a very mild case of osteoma - two small calcium deposits on opposite sides of my skull that you can't notice unless you touch where they are on my forehead - I was intrigued by Kwan's tale of Andreas, a fashion model whose career is due to the very large horns that he was born with.
As you can guess, Andreas is an outsider and viewed with suspicion and hate because he's different - something I can relate to growing up in Camp Lejeune as the only Jewish child on base in the 1960s and early 1970s. Thankfully my sister, who is 8 years younger than me, had it better.
Andreas is first introduced sitting on the ground in an alley behind a bar where he has been badly beaten - his face a bruised mess - and he's approached by Beau, who had bought him a drink before he went outside to get into fisticuffs with a man who insulted him with slurs.
What follows is a dance between Andreas and Beau who try to figure out what boundaries they should set with each other as they struggle to define their relationship as it grows into a friendship and more. Andreas and Beau do have a shared connection from their childhood days when Andreas protected Beau from a school yard bully and both are struggling to find their place in life and what they want from it.
Now this does have a few "explicit scenes" but these don't break my "nothing x-rated" rule and the relationship between Andreas and Beau is a compelling one.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.lulu.com/shop/joanne-kwan...
The Mysteries
Just finished reading "The Mysteries" by Bill Watterson and John Kascht, published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.
As a long-time fan of Bill Watterson's "Calvin & Hobbes" Newspaper Comic Strip, I was excited when this book was announced and was really looking forward to get a copy of "The Mysteries" in my hot little hands.
Spolier Alert - while I knew that Watterson was going to experiment with black and white illustrations in this 'so-called fable for adults,"and that he was going to co-author and co-illustrate "The Mysteries" with caricaturist Kascht, don't expect haunting black and white illustrations - the art work is out-of-focused. Okay, I do get it, "The Mysteries" are being portrayed here and mysteries are supposed to be mysterious - yet Watterson and Kascht have written and illustrated nothing new, just a damning commentary on ecological collapse brought about by technology and that the Earth, the Universe, and The Mysteries will live happily ever after humanity is gone.
"The Mysteries" is so bad that I've decided to do something that I rarely do with a book I buy - I'm returning it for a full refund.
Very Disappointing.
I can NOT recommend this book.
Zero Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152...
As a long-time fan of Bill Watterson's "Calvin & Hobbes" Newspaper Comic Strip, I was excited when this book was announced and was really looking forward to get a copy of "The Mysteries" in my hot little hands.
Spolier Alert - while I knew that Watterson was going to experiment with black and white illustrations in this 'so-called fable for adults,"and that he was going to co-author and co-illustrate "The Mysteries" with caricaturist Kascht, don't expect haunting black and white illustrations - the art work is out-of-focused. Okay, I do get it, "The Mysteries" are being portrayed here and mysteries are supposed to be mysterious - yet Watterson and Kascht have written and illustrated nothing new, just a damning commentary on ecological collapse brought about by technology and that the Earth, the Universe, and The Mysteries will live happily ever after humanity is gone.
"The Mysteries" is so bad that I've decided to do something that I rarely do with a book I buy - I'm returning it for a full refund.
Very Disappointing.
I can NOT recommend this book.
Zero Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152...
October 16, 2023
The Spider #93 - The Benevolent Order Of Death
Just finished listening to "The Spider #93 - The Benevolent Order Of Death" by Grant Stockbridge, the corporate nom-de-plume of Norvell W. Page, released by Radio Archives.
Confession time: I almost did not review this outing of The Spider because of it's astonishing and striking similarities of the fictional populist Barnum Wright, leader of the Benevolent Order of Americans, to real life former President Donald Trump. Keep in mind that while I am a registered Republican, I vote for who I believe the best candidate is, though, like a majority of people I force myself to choose the lesser of two evils. NOT something I'm particularly proud of.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I believe in full transparency and I always admit when I have a connection to the book, movie, music CD, and audio drama that I am reviewing.
Several years ago, I wrote the back liner notes for several collections released by Radio Archives. And while we have never met in person, I am friends with the reader/narrator Nick Santa Maria here on Facebook and we have exchanged a few - not a lot - of direct messages here on Facebook and occasionally each of us has liked the other's posts. [Someone went off the proverbial deep end once when I didn't mention this once years ago and while I concede she did have a fair and valid point, I decided to block the young lady for her wild accusations and use of profanity. Manners and good graces are important.]
Barnum Wright is perhaps one of The Spider's most intriguing villains because at first glance, his actions mirrors most the goals of Richard Wentworth's Spider persona. Wright's Benevolent Order of Americans want to enforce law and order, and promote the welfare of humanity - at least those in New York City. [It would be interesting if Richard Wentworth ever crossed paths with Doc Savage.] Yet Wright enforces military discipline in his ranks and his personal army in many ways echoes the NAZIs.
Naturally, Wentworth doesn't fall for Wright's charade and knows that there is a mastermind behind Wright and his crew.
What is perhaps most interesting is that Mary-Ann, Jackson's wife, discovers the identity of The Spider in this outing, and those outsiders who learn that Wentworth is The Spider, usually end up dying. Nita also is forced to take on the role of The Spider to save her life.
Curiously, there were editor's notes sprinkled throughout this tale, a first, if I'm remembering correctly. Also of note, a young member of one of The Spider Youth Clubs, Angelo, is dissuaded by The Spider for doing his own amateur investigations and almost loses his life due to his willingly eagerness to help The Spider. I felt this may have been added to discourage anyone from investigating criminal activity in real life to emulate The Spider. Morality Police in America existed back then and to some extent today as well.
Nick Santa Maria does his usual resounding job of narrating this outing of The Spider.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.radioarchives.com/The_Spi...
Confession time: I almost did not review this outing of The Spider because of it's astonishing and striking similarities of the fictional populist Barnum Wright, leader of the Benevolent Order of Americans, to real life former President Donald Trump. Keep in mind that while I am a registered Republican, I vote for who I believe the best candidate is, though, like a majority of people I force myself to choose the lesser of two evils. NOT something I'm particularly proud of.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I believe in full transparency and I always admit when I have a connection to the book, movie, music CD, and audio drama that I am reviewing.
Several years ago, I wrote the back liner notes for several collections released by Radio Archives. And while we have never met in person, I am friends with the reader/narrator Nick Santa Maria here on Facebook and we have exchanged a few - not a lot - of direct messages here on Facebook and occasionally each of us has liked the other's posts. [Someone went off the proverbial deep end once when I didn't mention this once years ago and while I concede she did have a fair and valid point, I decided to block the young lady for her wild accusations and use of profanity. Manners and good graces are important.]
Barnum Wright is perhaps one of The Spider's most intriguing villains because at first glance, his actions mirrors most the goals of Richard Wentworth's Spider persona. Wright's Benevolent Order of Americans want to enforce law and order, and promote the welfare of humanity - at least those in New York City. [It would be interesting if Richard Wentworth ever crossed paths with Doc Savage.] Yet Wright enforces military discipline in his ranks and his personal army in many ways echoes the NAZIs.
Naturally, Wentworth doesn't fall for Wright's charade and knows that there is a mastermind behind Wright and his crew.
What is perhaps most interesting is that Mary-Ann, Jackson's wife, discovers the identity of The Spider in this outing, and those outsiders who learn that Wentworth is The Spider, usually end up dying. Nita also is forced to take on the role of The Spider to save her life.
Curiously, there were editor's notes sprinkled throughout this tale, a first, if I'm remembering correctly. Also of note, a young member of one of The Spider Youth Clubs, Angelo, is dissuaded by The Spider for doing his own amateur investigations and almost loses his life due to his willingly eagerness to help The Spider. I felt this may have been added to discourage anyone from investigating criminal activity in real life to emulate The Spider. Morality Police in America existed back then and to some extent today as well.
Nick Santa Maria does his usual resounding job of narrating this outing of The Spider.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.radioarchives.com/The_Spi...
October 14, 2023
Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars
Just finished reading "Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars" by Avi Loeb, published by Mariner.
Avi Loeb is a believer.
Make no mistake about it. And like all good and firm believers of faith and/or an idea, Loeb absolutely needs not evidence at all to support his claims that discovering the existence of advanced extraterrestrial life will finally grant humanity the secrets of immortality because these kind, benevolent, and and let's not forget super advanced aliens will share their life extension technology with us - if only we believe in them.
Loeb is not advancing any bold new ideas here. He's parroting decades old beliefs that once humanity discovers the existence of advanced star faring aliens, than all the problems plaguing the world will be resolved in a bizarre mixture of faith the combines pseudo-science and pseudo-faith.
Oumuamua is Loeb's obsession. He's convinced like all believers of questionable cults - in this case the Cult of Seti-Ism - that humanity is suffering because of it's unwillingness to embrace the truth of Oumuamua - that it was - and he never offers any proof - alien technology and we're blinded to the truth by our unwillingness to believe and keep an open mind.
Loeb should follow his own advice. While he does provide some details as to how the first interstellar meteorites were determined to have struck Earth and his planned expedition to recover the material, Loeb has already decided anything he finds will be evidence of advanced technology. So much for the scientific method of following where the facts lead.
Loeb is definitely blinded by the light of his own beliefs that he truly can not see that he is undermining his own quest for enlightenment.
Not Recommended.
One Star.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/006325087X?...
Avi Loeb is a believer.
Make no mistake about it. And like all good and firm believers of faith and/or an idea, Loeb absolutely needs not evidence at all to support his claims that discovering the existence of advanced extraterrestrial life will finally grant humanity the secrets of immortality because these kind, benevolent, and and let's not forget super advanced aliens will share their life extension technology with us - if only we believe in them.
Loeb is not advancing any bold new ideas here. He's parroting decades old beliefs that once humanity discovers the existence of advanced star faring aliens, than all the problems plaguing the world will be resolved in a bizarre mixture of faith the combines pseudo-science and pseudo-faith.
Oumuamua is Loeb's obsession. He's convinced like all believers of questionable cults - in this case the Cult of Seti-Ism - that humanity is suffering because of it's unwillingness to embrace the truth of Oumuamua - that it was - and he never offers any proof - alien technology and we're blinded to the truth by our unwillingness to believe and keep an open mind.
Loeb should follow his own advice. While he does provide some details as to how the first interstellar meteorites were determined to have struck Earth and his planned expedition to recover the material, Loeb has already decided anything he finds will be evidence of advanced technology. So much for the scientific method of following where the facts lead.
Loeb is definitely blinded by the light of his own beliefs that he truly can not see that he is undermining his own quest for enlightenment.
Not Recommended.
One Star.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/006325087X?...
"Famadihana on Fomalhaut IV - The Telemass Quartet"
Just finished reading "Famadihana on Fomalhaut IV - The Telemass Quartet" by Eric Brown, published by PS Publishing.
The potential loss of a child due to an incurable disease can drive any parent over the edge and attempt to find a cure by going outside of medicine and look at any quackery that might offer the slightest bit of hope.
Matt Hendrick is a former detective from Earth, who is now chasing his daughter who has been taken by his ex-wife and her lover. This quest leads him to Avoeli, a planet in the Fomalhaut system. His daughter, though dying, has been placed in suspended animation in the hopes that a cure can be found. Originally settled by Madagascan natives, the settlers now share the planet with its native alien species. When Tiana Tandra makes his acquaintance and mentions her lover has gone missing, Matt looks further into the situation and realizes that there are strange events occurring on Avoeli.
It's a tense chase filled with people who aren't exactly are, but who are blinded by false hope and the promise of power.
"Famadihana on Fomalhaut IV - The Telemass Quartet" is Brown's first entry in this series that explores desperate human hope and alien religious belief.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1848637616?...
The potential loss of a child due to an incurable disease can drive any parent over the edge and attempt to find a cure by going outside of medicine and look at any quackery that might offer the slightest bit of hope.
Matt Hendrick is a former detective from Earth, who is now chasing his daughter who has been taken by his ex-wife and her lover. This quest leads him to Avoeli, a planet in the Fomalhaut system. His daughter, though dying, has been placed in suspended animation in the hopes that a cure can be found. Originally settled by Madagascan natives, the settlers now share the planet with its native alien species. When Tiana Tandra makes his acquaintance and mentions her lover has gone missing, Matt looks further into the situation and realizes that there are strange events occurring on Avoeli.
It's a tense chase filled with people who aren't exactly are, but who are blinded by false hope and the promise of power.
"Famadihana on Fomalhaut IV - The Telemass Quartet" is Brown's first entry in this series that explores desperate human hope and alien religious belief.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1848637616?...
Lonely Castle In The Mirror
Just finished watching "Lonely Castle In The Mirror" released by SHOUT! Studios.
Based on the novel "The Solitary Castle In The Mirror" by Mizuki Tsujimura, "Lonely Castle In The Mirror" is a haunting tale of trying to find your place in the world after suffering a great loss that mirrors the best of Studio Gibli's movies.
Kokoro is a young teen who, as a result of serious bullying, no longer can attend school. Her parents are surprisingly understanding and are mostly at a loss of how to help her. As such, Kokoro spends most of her time alone at home, yearning for friendship and wishing more than anything to be free of her trauma that keeps her trapped.
One spring day, Kokoro notices her mirror is alight with an otherworldly glow. She discovers that it has become a portal to a magic castle in another world. She, along with six other young teens, are greeted by the Wolf Queen, who sets the rules of the game they have been summoned to play:
• They have one calendar year to find a hidden key in a hidden room in the castle. Whomever finds the key first, will be granted their greatest wish.
• The castle is only open from 9-5. If they do not return home at 5 via their own mirror, they will face dire consequences. Those who break the rules will get eaten by a wolf.
Kokoro is determined to find the key to fulfill her greatest wish: to have her bully completely disappear.
As Kokoro and the six other students become friends and become comfortable with each other, they struggle to solve the mystery that the Wolf Queen has given them and try to overcome the traumas that are plaguing them.
A great and haunting movie.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Castle-...
Based on the novel "The Solitary Castle In The Mirror" by Mizuki Tsujimura, "Lonely Castle In The Mirror" is a haunting tale of trying to find your place in the world after suffering a great loss that mirrors the best of Studio Gibli's movies.
Kokoro is a young teen who, as a result of serious bullying, no longer can attend school. Her parents are surprisingly understanding and are mostly at a loss of how to help her. As such, Kokoro spends most of her time alone at home, yearning for friendship and wishing more than anything to be free of her trauma that keeps her trapped.
One spring day, Kokoro notices her mirror is alight with an otherworldly glow. She discovers that it has become a portal to a magic castle in another world. She, along with six other young teens, are greeted by the Wolf Queen, who sets the rules of the game they have been summoned to play:
• They have one calendar year to find a hidden key in a hidden room in the castle. Whomever finds the key first, will be granted their greatest wish.
• The castle is only open from 9-5. If they do not return home at 5 via their own mirror, they will face dire consequences. Those who break the rules will get eaten by a wolf.
Kokoro is determined to find the key to fulfill her greatest wish: to have her bully completely disappear.
As Kokoro and the six other students become friends and become comfortable with each other, they struggle to solve the mystery that the Wolf Queen has given them and try to overcome the traumas that are plaguing them.
A great and haunting movie.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Castle-...
October 8, 2023
The Gay Deceivers
Just finished watching "The Gay Deceivers" released by FanFare Films, Inc. back in 1969.
"The Gay Deceivers" was one of three independently produced and released Gayplotation movies that were released in the late 1960s that were intended to be comedies aimed at mainstream heterosexual audiences. It has garnered a strong cult following over the years and has garnered both damnation for for how it portrayed gays, and both praise for it's willingness to tackle gay life in 1969.
Film historian Vito Russo in his book The Celluloid Closet, stated that co-star Michael Greer, who played the flamboyantly gay Malcolm and who was himself gay, tried to work with the screenwriter and director to minimize the negativity of the characterization and present Malcolm in a positive light. There is strong documentation supporting the late Greer's claims.
Now how did I find a copy of an out-of-print DVD? Well I didn't pay an outrageous price on Amazon.com and/or eBay; nor did I pay for a bootleg copy. I discovered my copy ironically at a used bookstore in Ocala, Florida for only $2. It's surprising what you can discover in used bookstores, yard sales, and estate sales.
"The Gay Deceivers" follows Danny and Elliot, two friends who try to get out of the draft by pretending to be gay. They are placed under surveillance by the Army and have to keep up the pretense. They move into a gay apartment building and try to blend in with the residents, all the while trying to maintain their romantic relationships with women and not get caught by the Army.
At the apartment building they meet their landlord Malcolm and his husband Craig. Throughout the story, Malcolm and Craig attempt to give advice to Danny and Elliot as they remember when they were a young couple. At first Danny and Elliot dismiss Malcolm and Craig and try to play along to keep up their ruse. But they begin to see Malcolm and Craig as good people and begin to question what they were taught about homosexuals.
Although not explored fully and only hinted at, Elliot might be closeted and questioning his sexuality as he becomes more comfortable assuming a gay lifestyle which leads to some tension between him and Danny. He is unable to maintain any relationships with women and they end up disastrous. After having a fight with Danny, Elliot knowingly enters a gay bar since he now feels more comfortable there and allows a man to buy him drinks and flirt with him. After the man attempts to get sexual, Elliot punches the man and then leaves in a confused rage, not sure what he is feeling. Later at a gay party hosted by Malcolm and Craig, he attempts to sleep with a drag queen before being discovered by the Army investigator who was following him. The twist is that even after the Danny and Elliot are caught, they are not inducted into the military. The Army investigators assigned to watch them are themselves gay and are trying to keep "undesirables" - meaning straight men, out of the Army.
Do not watch "The Gay Deceivers" is you are hyper WOKE. While it is an accurate reflection of attitudes during that era, it is surprisingly progressive in promoting that being gay is positive and that homosexuals are not mentally ill. Keep in mind that homosexuality was considered to be a mental illness in the 1960s -1970s and that you could be fired for being gay. As I watched it, I thought of it as an "Americanized" version of a British comedy/drama.
A great time capsule of a movie.
Strongly recommended for it's historical importance as being a gay-positive movie for it's time.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Deceivers-...
"The Gay Deceivers" was one of three independently produced and released Gayplotation movies that were released in the late 1960s that were intended to be comedies aimed at mainstream heterosexual audiences. It has garnered a strong cult following over the years and has garnered both damnation for for how it portrayed gays, and both praise for it's willingness to tackle gay life in 1969.
Film historian Vito Russo in his book The Celluloid Closet, stated that co-star Michael Greer, who played the flamboyantly gay Malcolm and who was himself gay, tried to work with the screenwriter and director to minimize the negativity of the characterization and present Malcolm in a positive light. There is strong documentation supporting the late Greer's claims.
Now how did I find a copy of an out-of-print DVD? Well I didn't pay an outrageous price on Amazon.com and/or eBay; nor did I pay for a bootleg copy. I discovered my copy ironically at a used bookstore in Ocala, Florida for only $2. It's surprising what you can discover in used bookstores, yard sales, and estate sales.
"The Gay Deceivers" follows Danny and Elliot, two friends who try to get out of the draft by pretending to be gay. They are placed under surveillance by the Army and have to keep up the pretense. They move into a gay apartment building and try to blend in with the residents, all the while trying to maintain their romantic relationships with women and not get caught by the Army.
At the apartment building they meet their landlord Malcolm and his husband Craig. Throughout the story, Malcolm and Craig attempt to give advice to Danny and Elliot as they remember when they were a young couple. At first Danny and Elliot dismiss Malcolm and Craig and try to play along to keep up their ruse. But they begin to see Malcolm and Craig as good people and begin to question what they were taught about homosexuals.
Although not explored fully and only hinted at, Elliot might be closeted and questioning his sexuality as he becomes more comfortable assuming a gay lifestyle which leads to some tension between him and Danny. He is unable to maintain any relationships with women and they end up disastrous. After having a fight with Danny, Elliot knowingly enters a gay bar since he now feels more comfortable there and allows a man to buy him drinks and flirt with him. After the man attempts to get sexual, Elliot punches the man and then leaves in a confused rage, not sure what he is feeling. Later at a gay party hosted by Malcolm and Craig, he attempts to sleep with a drag queen before being discovered by the Army investigator who was following him. The twist is that even after the Danny and Elliot are caught, they are not inducted into the military. The Army investigators assigned to watch them are themselves gay and are trying to keep "undesirables" - meaning straight men, out of the Army.
Do not watch "The Gay Deceivers" is you are hyper WOKE. While it is an accurate reflection of attitudes during that era, it is surprisingly progressive in promoting that being gay is positive and that homosexuals are not mentally ill. Keep in mind that homosexuality was considered to be a mental illness in the 1960s -1970s and that you could be fired for being gay. As I watched it, I thought of it as an "Americanized" version of a British comedy/drama.
A great time capsule of a movie.
Strongly recommended for it's historical importance as being a gay-positive movie for it's time.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Deceivers-...
October 7, 2023
The Flintstones - The Case Of The Many Missing Thing
Just finished reading "The Flintstones - The Case Of The Many Missing Things" by Paul S. Newman, first published in 1968 as the 14th book in Whitman's Big Little Book 2000 series.
Whitman's 2000 Big Little Book series was the last time the longest running publisher of Big Little Books published a series of hard cover Big Little Books. It was also the last hurrah for Big Little Books.
Now "The Flintstones - The Case Of The Many Missing Things" has an interesting published history. It was published by two different publishers of Big Little Books.
It was rewritten by Horace J. Elias and published with new original artwork by Ottenheimer Publishers, Incorporated back in 1977 as part of a series of paperback eight Big Little Books featuring The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, and Huckleberry Hound - all Hanna-Barbera characters. Whitman never published a paperback version of "The Flintstones - The Case Of The Many Missing Things."
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms may recall, years ago, I was a member in good standing in the Big Little Book Club of America until I reviewed a reading copy of "Donald Duck - The Fabulous Diamond Fountain" - the 9th book in Whitman's 2000 line of Big Little Books. I was kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America, given a refund of my annual dues without a letter of explanation, and blocked on the Big Little Book Club of America's Facebook page.
Keep in mind that I only review reading copies of Whitman's 2000 line of Big Little Books. I haven't reviewed any older editions of Big Little Books. Perhaps I am being petty and vindictive by bringing up my abrupt dismissal from the Big Little Book Club of America, but I still find it odd that I somehow violated a rule of an organization that, at the time, had no stated and written rules of membership.
"The Flintstones - The Case Of The Many Missing Things" reads like a typical episode of the highly popular Hanna-Barbera animated series.
Pebbles late night crying wakes up her parents, and when Wilma and Fred go to investigate what caused their infant daughter to cry, they discover that Dino, their pet dinosaur, has gone missing. Going over to the Rubbles, Fred discovers that Bam-Bam's pet parakeet Squawky is also missing - this Big Little Book predates the introduction of Bam-Bam's pet Hoppy the Hopasaurus into the series and Hoppy was included in the Ottenheimer Publishers version of "The Case Of The Many Missing Things."
Soon all of Bedrock is in an uproar because items have gone missing. It seems that someone is stealing one of each item from everyone and everywhere.
Fred and Barney lead an investigation that finds them matching wits with an devious criminal mastermind who goes under the moniker "The Mad Collector."
A Great Fun Read that would have made a great episode of the original animated series.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
Whitman's 2000 Big Little Book series was the last time the longest running publisher of Big Little Books published a series of hard cover Big Little Books. It was also the last hurrah for Big Little Books.
Now "The Flintstones - The Case Of The Many Missing Things" has an interesting published history. It was published by two different publishers of Big Little Books.
It was rewritten by Horace J. Elias and published with new original artwork by Ottenheimer Publishers, Incorporated back in 1977 as part of a series of paperback eight Big Little Books featuring The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, and Huckleberry Hound - all Hanna-Barbera characters. Whitman never published a paperback version of "The Flintstones - The Case Of The Many Missing Things."
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms may recall, years ago, I was a member in good standing in the Big Little Book Club of America until I reviewed a reading copy of "Donald Duck - The Fabulous Diamond Fountain" - the 9th book in Whitman's 2000 line of Big Little Books. I was kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America, given a refund of my annual dues without a letter of explanation, and blocked on the Big Little Book Club of America's Facebook page.
Keep in mind that I only review reading copies of Whitman's 2000 line of Big Little Books. I haven't reviewed any older editions of Big Little Books. Perhaps I am being petty and vindictive by bringing up my abrupt dismissal from the Big Little Book Club of America, but I still find it odd that I somehow violated a rule of an organization that, at the time, had no stated and written rules of membership.
"The Flintstones - The Case Of The Many Missing Things" reads like a typical episode of the highly popular Hanna-Barbera animated series.
Pebbles late night crying wakes up her parents, and when Wilma and Fred go to investigate what caused their infant daughter to cry, they discover that Dino, their pet dinosaur, has gone missing. Going over to the Rubbles, Fred discovers that Bam-Bam's pet parakeet Squawky is also missing - this Big Little Book predates the introduction of Bam-Bam's pet Hoppy the Hopasaurus into the series and Hoppy was included in the Ottenheimer Publishers version of "The Case Of The Many Missing Things."
Soon all of Bedrock is in an uproar because items have gone missing. It seems that someone is stealing one of each item from everyone and everywhere.
Fred and Barney lead an investigation that finds them matching wits with an devious criminal mastermind who goes under the moniker "The Mad Collector."
A Great Fun Read that would have made a great episode of the original animated series.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
