Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 66
March 30, 2023
"Daktari - Night of Terror"
Just finished reading "Daktari - Night of Terror" by George S. Elrick, published by Whitman as the 18th Big Little Book in their 2000 series.
By unexpected chance, I found a reading copy in fair condition at Chamblin's Book Mine during one of my regular runs out there a few weeks back along with a few other copies of various Big Little Books from Whitman's 2000 series.
Whitman's 2000 series marks the beginning of the end of Big Little Books, though Chronicle Books attempted to revive Big Little Books with their Mighty Chronicles Books back in the late 1990s and early 2000s with no real success. The 2000 Big Little Book Series were the last of the hardcover Big Little Book that Whitman published, and consisted of 35 new titles based on popular comic strips and television shows. What also set this last run apart from Whitman's older Big Little Books is the use of 4-color illustrations instead of relying on black and white illustrations - though Whitman did experiment with using color to "enhance" the illustrations in about six big little books.
Whitman, in an agreement with the now defunct retailer K-Mart, did release a final run of Big Little Books which were softcover editions of the 2000 series and original Big Little Books. So K-Mart gave Big Little Books their last hurrah. Keep in mind that Big Little Books had about a 60-year run.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, or may remember, I always mention that I got kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America when I started posting reviews of reading copies of the 2000 series. At least that's what I assume because I was immediately blocked on the Big Little Book Club of America's Facebook page and I received a check for the remainder of my annual unused dues in the mail after I posted and shared the first review of a Big Little Book.
I guess I was supposed to appreciate the pretty covers and the history, but not read the actual story in a Big Little Book?
Why do I keep bringing up getting the boot from the Big Little Book Club? I think it's important to highlight the stupidity of some collectors about what they think others can't do with their own collections.
"Daktari - Night of Terror" is based on the Ivan Tors TV program that ran from 1966 to 1969. Ivan Tors was famous for producing shows focusing on animals like "Flipper" and "Gentle Ben," and the movie "Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion," upon which Daktari was based. Indeed, people who remember Daktari tend to remember Clarence most of all. The show also got a big boost from the story of Elsa the tame lioness in "Born Free" which was popular around the same time. "Daktari" means "Doctor" in Swahili.
George S. Elrick was one of the writers Whitman contracted with to write the Big Little Books in the 2000 series.
Now I while "Dakari" was on the airwaves between 1966 and 1969 for four seasons, I don't recall ever seeing it. Of course I would have been only four years old when it first aired. I do recall though watching syndicated episodes of "Flipper" and "Gentle Ben" years after they went of the air in the 1970s - the dark ages where the only options to watch television was ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS. Oh the unimaginable horrors, right Zack?
Now Mom actually did get me this Big Little Book from the Roses Department Store in the New River Shopping Center at Jacksonville, North Carolina. [And no, I don't know what happened to that copy, but I do have a copy in near mint condition in my Big Little Book Collection.]
While I don't recall every seeing any episodes of "Daktari," I do believe that Elrick successfully captured the feel of the television which chronicled the daily activities of a wild life center in Africa, along with the dangers of the wild animals of the Savannah.
In "Daktari - Night of Terror," Paula goes out in search of Clarence who went missing from the safety of the center and soon finds herself in life-threatening danger with no chance of rescue. She must depend on herself for her survival.
Trigger Warning - If you get offended by a young woman crying about the mess she got herself into, avoid reading this Big Little Book, and avoid living life in the real world all together.
A great realistic outing that I think stays pretty faithful to the original show.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/ivan-daktari-n...
By unexpected chance, I found a reading copy in fair condition at Chamblin's Book Mine during one of my regular runs out there a few weeks back along with a few other copies of various Big Little Books from Whitman's 2000 series.
Whitman's 2000 series marks the beginning of the end of Big Little Books, though Chronicle Books attempted to revive Big Little Books with their Mighty Chronicles Books back in the late 1990s and early 2000s with no real success. The 2000 Big Little Book Series were the last of the hardcover Big Little Book that Whitman published, and consisted of 35 new titles based on popular comic strips and television shows. What also set this last run apart from Whitman's older Big Little Books is the use of 4-color illustrations instead of relying on black and white illustrations - though Whitman did experiment with using color to "enhance" the illustrations in about six big little books.
Whitman, in an agreement with the now defunct retailer K-Mart, did release a final run of Big Little Books which were softcover editions of the 2000 series and original Big Little Books. So K-Mart gave Big Little Books their last hurrah. Keep in mind that Big Little Books had about a 60-year run.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, or may remember, I always mention that I got kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America when I started posting reviews of reading copies of the 2000 series. At least that's what I assume because I was immediately blocked on the Big Little Book Club of America's Facebook page and I received a check for the remainder of my annual unused dues in the mail after I posted and shared the first review of a Big Little Book.
I guess I was supposed to appreciate the pretty covers and the history, but not read the actual story in a Big Little Book?
Why do I keep bringing up getting the boot from the Big Little Book Club? I think it's important to highlight the stupidity of some collectors about what they think others can't do with their own collections.
"Daktari - Night of Terror" is based on the Ivan Tors TV program that ran from 1966 to 1969. Ivan Tors was famous for producing shows focusing on animals like "Flipper" and "Gentle Ben," and the movie "Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion," upon which Daktari was based. Indeed, people who remember Daktari tend to remember Clarence most of all. The show also got a big boost from the story of Elsa the tame lioness in "Born Free" which was popular around the same time. "Daktari" means "Doctor" in Swahili.
George S. Elrick was one of the writers Whitman contracted with to write the Big Little Books in the 2000 series.
Now I while "Dakari" was on the airwaves between 1966 and 1969 for four seasons, I don't recall ever seeing it. Of course I would have been only four years old when it first aired. I do recall though watching syndicated episodes of "Flipper" and "Gentle Ben" years after they went of the air in the 1970s - the dark ages where the only options to watch television was ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS. Oh the unimaginable horrors, right Zack?
Now Mom actually did get me this Big Little Book from the Roses Department Store in the New River Shopping Center at Jacksonville, North Carolina. [And no, I don't know what happened to that copy, but I do have a copy in near mint condition in my Big Little Book Collection.]
While I don't recall every seeing any episodes of "Daktari," I do believe that Elrick successfully captured the feel of the television which chronicled the daily activities of a wild life center in Africa, along with the dangers of the wild animals of the Savannah.
In "Daktari - Night of Terror," Paula goes out in search of Clarence who went missing from the safety of the center and soon finds herself in life-threatening danger with no chance of rescue. She must depend on herself for her survival.
Trigger Warning - If you get offended by a young woman crying about the mess she got herself into, avoid reading this Big Little Book, and avoid living life in the real world all together.
A great realistic outing that I think stays pretty faithful to the original show.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/ivan-daktari-n...
March 25, 2023
Bermuda Tentacles
Just finished watching "Bermuda Tentacles" released by The Asylum Home Entertainment.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I am a firm believer in full disclosure. Although we have never met in person, or never spoken to each other over the telephone, and never exchanged emails, Trevor Donovan and I are friends here on Facebook. In the past I have liked several of his posts and he was kind enough to like one or two of the photographs that I have previously posted here on Facebook. I believe it would be an honest assessment to say that Trevor Donovan and I have a typical Facebook friendship.
And as frequent readers of my reviews know, I absolutely LOVE schlocky B-science fiction movies and "Bermuda Tentacles" definitely is a schlocky science-fiction movie. Hey, would you expect anything else from The Asylum which has made and still makes original movies for the SyFy Channel. "Bermuda Tentacles" first aired on the SyFy Channel back in 2014, but since I don't have cable television, nor do I have a streaming service - horrors - I'm just content with watching my DVDs - just ask Zack and Jeff H.
What is surprising about "Bremuda Tentacles" is that somehow The Asylum managed to get Linda Hamilton - of Terminator fame - and Jamie Kennedy to star in this movie alongside Trevor Donovan - all welll known actors with strong fan bases. Also stunning is that there was a military advisor to this movie, which is intriguing because while Trevor Donovan does a resounding job playing Chief Petty Officer Trip Oliver, a Chief Petty Officer is essentially is a senior enlisted man and does not outrank a Commander, does not outrank a Captain, and could not have a potential romantic relationship with a female Lieutenant.
Brought in to rescue the president who escaped from Air Force One prior to it's destruction in a violent storm over the Bermuda Triangle, Chief Oliver and his team embark on a dangerous rescue mission under the ocean as the U.S. Naval Fleet is being attacked and decimated by gigantic tentacles that are alien in nature.
"Bermuda Tentacles" is a fast paced action adventure movie with pretty good special effects.
For some reason as I was watching "Bermuda Tentacles" I kept thinking that it might be interesting to cast Trevor Donovan as the lead in a remake of "The Bermuda Depths" which was a psychological mystery/horror movie from the late 1970s. Why I thought this, I honestly don't know. I just thought he would be good in the role if a remake was ever done.
Great Schlocky Science Fiction B-Movie Fun!
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Bermuda-Tentac...
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I am a firm believer in full disclosure. Although we have never met in person, or never spoken to each other over the telephone, and never exchanged emails, Trevor Donovan and I are friends here on Facebook. In the past I have liked several of his posts and he was kind enough to like one or two of the photographs that I have previously posted here on Facebook. I believe it would be an honest assessment to say that Trevor Donovan and I have a typical Facebook friendship.
And as frequent readers of my reviews know, I absolutely LOVE schlocky B-science fiction movies and "Bermuda Tentacles" definitely is a schlocky science-fiction movie. Hey, would you expect anything else from The Asylum which has made and still makes original movies for the SyFy Channel. "Bermuda Tentacles" first aired on the SyFy Channel back in 2014, but since I don't have cable television, nor do I have a streaming service - horrors - I'm just content with watching my DVDs - just ask Zack and Jeff H.
What is surprising about "Bremuda Tentacles" is that somehow The Asylum managed to get Linda Hamilton - of Terminator fame - and Jamie Kennedy to star in this movie alongside Trevor Donovan - all welll known actors with strong fan bases. Also stunning is that there was a military advisor to this movie, which is intriguing because while Trevor Donovan does a resounding job playing Chief Petty Officer Trip Oliver, a Chief Petty Officer is essentially is a senior enlisted man and does not outrank a Commander, does not outrank a Captain, and could not have a potential romantic relationship with a female Lieutenant.
Brought in to rescue the president who escaped from Air Force One prior to it's destruction in a violent storm over the Bermuda Triangle, Chief Oliver and his team embark on a dangerous rescue mission under the ocean as the U.S. Naval Fleet is being attacked and decimated by gigantic tentacles that are alien in nature.
"Bermuda Tentacles" is a fast paced action adventure movie with pretty good special effects.
For some reason as I was watching "Bermuda Tentacles" I kept thinking that it might be interesting to cast Trevor Donovan as the lead in a remake of "The Bermuda Depths" which was a psychological mystery/horror movie from the late 1970s. Why I thought this, I honestly don't know. I just thought he would be good in the role if a remake was ever done.
Great Schlocky Science Fiction B-Movie Fun!
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Bermuda-Tentac...
Making Love
Just finished watching "Making Love" released by 20th Century Fox back in 1981.
Now I do actually remember watching this movie back in 1982 during my summer break from college with Mom, Dad, and Selma when it made it's first run on cable TV. Keep in mind that in those Dark Ages that we didn't have the streaming services of today and that it was a really big thing when a movie got released onto cable after it's run in big screen movie theaters. So anything new on cable was actually worth checking out since you didn't have to spend money to rent a DVD.
Plus, if I'm not mistaken, this was a big role for actress Kate Jackson, who was still popular as the "smart" one in the widely popular Charlie's Angels television series. Actor Harry Hamlin was the "IT" actor for his roles in the movie "The Clash of the Titans" and in the television show Saint Elsewhere - which he left when his character came out as gay due to a diagnosis of AIDS. That was the end of that character since at the time an AIDS diagnosis, even a fictional one, was death sentence.
"Making Love" is a simple love triangle story with, for it's time a twist. Claire (Kate Jackson) and Bart (Harry Hamlin) are both in love with Zach (Michael Ontkean) a handsome and married doctor struggling to come out and come to terms with his suppressed homosexuality.
And while perhaps the first main stream Hollywood movie to give a "positive" spin - for it's time - about homosexuality, it does echo some of the sentiment about the gay life during that time in history.
Consider this: Claire suggests that she and Zach stay together but see a psychiatrist. Zach replies that he is not sick, and his homosexuality will not go away. That was (and is) an extremely progressive stance; especially for 1981-1982. The film never condemns the gay characters for being gay. Zack and Bart are shown naked, in bed together, in positions that a heterosexual couple would be in.
Yet 20th Century Fox was not progressive at all about this movie. It didn't market it as a gay love story, it marketed it as an unconventional and progressive love story. And it bombed at the box office - in part because "Making Love" comes across as a pseudo-documentary with scenes of Bart and Claire addressing the audience against a white background about their time with Zach. Zach never address the audience so we never learn his uncensored thoughts about the situation.
Now curiously, Ontkean, who played Zach, is alleged to have tried unsuccessfully to prevent clips from "Making Love" from being used in "The Celluloid Closet", a documentary about LGBTQ characters in cinema.
I have tried to see if gay entertainment historian Matt Baume had ever commented on "Making Love," but I couldn't find any instance.
Now I do remember one of the biggest criticisms of "Making Love" when it was first released is that Zach, after he divorces Claire, goes on to find happiness and shares a life with a tall handsome blonde man in New York City, while Claire remarried and has a three year son named Rupert. It was upsetting to a majority of critics at the time that Zach was portrayed as being in a happy and stable domestic relationship with a man. For some reason also, critics didn't like the fact that Claire seemingly moved on with her life and got married and had a son.
"Making Love" was released initially to the consumer market on VHS tape, and had DVD and blu-ray releases, which are now all out of print and I couldn't find any streaming service such as Amazon or Netflix that offered it as one of the movies that you could watch.
I was able to get my review copy on eBay for only ten dollars.
So "Making Love" occupies a rather odd place in movie history. It flopped on the big silver screen - part I think because of the marketing campaign and the odd pseudo-documentary style of the movie, and also how the actors have shied away and tried to disavow their roles in bringing this movie to life in the years after it's initial release.
Hollywood, which prides itself on championing social issues and diversity, doesn't seem to acknowledge this movie when talking about the history of gay-themed movies. Al Pacino's gay-themed movies "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Cruising" which occurred previously before "Making Love" have had more of an impact on Hollywood film history.
I do remember some of my classmates in my senior year at Camp Lejeune High School going to see "Cruising" - in part I think because it was a controversial R-rated murder mystery movie and you got cred points if you were able to go see it. "Making Love" was rated PG.
I suspect that the failure of "Making Love" to have a financial impact was the main reason why it has been air-brushed out of Hollywood's gay movie history - and perhaps also the fact that two straight actors portrayed gay men, something that WOKE Hollywood wouldn't let fly today.
Still "Making Love" is an interesting movie that does it's best to handle the disintegration of a marriage due to the awakening desires of a man who tried to bury his natural desires.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Love-Ar...
Now I do actually remember watching this movie back in 1982 during my summer break from college with Mom, Dad, and Selma when it made it's first run on cable TV. Keep in mind that in those Dark Ages that we didn't have the streaming services of today and that it was a really big thing when a movie got released onto cable after it's run in big screen movie theaters. So anything new on cable was actually worth checking out since you didn't have to spend money to rent a DVD.
Plus, if I'm not mistaken, this was a big role for actress Kate Jackson, who was still popular as the "smart" one in the widely popular Charlie's Angels television series. Actor Harry Hamlin was the "IT" actor for his roles in the movie "The Clash of the Titans" and in the television show Saint Elsewhere - which he left when his character came out as gay due to a diagnosis of AIDS. That was the end of that character since at the time an AIDS diagnosis, even a fictional one, was death sentence.
"Making Love" is a simple love triangle story with, for it's time a twist. Claire (Kate Jackson) and Bart (Harry Hamlin) are both in love with Zach (Michael Ontkean) a handsome and married doctor struggling to come out and come to terms with his suppressed homosexuality.
And while perhaps the first main stream Hollywood movie to give a "positive" spin - for it's time - about homosexuality, it does echo some of the sentiment about the gay life during that time in history.
Consider this: Claire suggests that she and Zach stay together but see a psychiatrist. Zach replies that he is not sick, and his homosexuality will not go away. That was (and is) an extremely progressive stance; especially for 1981-1982. The film never condemns the gay characters for being gay. Zack and Bart are shown naked, in bed together, in positions that a heterosexual couple would be in.
Yet 20th Century Fox was not progressive at all about this movie. It didn't market it as a gay love story, it marketed it as an unconventional and progressive love story. And it bombed at the box office - in part because "Making Love" comes across as a pseudo-documentary with scenes of Bart and Claire addressing the audience against a white background about their time with Zach. Zach never address the audience so we never learn his uncensored thoughts about the situation.
Now curiously, Ontkean, who played Zach, is alleged to have tried unsuccessfully to prevent clips from "Making Love" from being used in "The Celluloid Closet", a documentary about LGBTQ characters in cinema.
I have tried to see if gay entertainment historian Matt Baume had ever commented on "Making Love," but I couldn't find any instance.
Now I do remember one of the biggest criticisms of "Making Love" when it was first released is that Zach, after he divorces Claire, goes on to find happiness and shares a life with a tall handsome blonde man in New York City, while Claire remarried and has a three year son named Rupert. It was upsetting to a majority of critics at the time that Zach was portrayed as being in a happy and stable domestic relationship with a man. For some reason also, critics didn't like the fact that Claire seemingly moved on with her life and got married and had a son.
"Making Love" was released initially to the consumer market on VHS tape, and had DVD and blu-ray releases, which are now all out of print and I couldn't find any streaming service such as Amazon or Netflix that offered it as one of the movies that you could watch.
I was able to get my review copy on eBay for only ten dollars.
So "Making Love" occupies a rather odd place in movie history. It flopped on the big silver screen - part I think because of the marketing campaign and the odd pseudo-documentary style of the movie, and also how the actors have shied away and tried to disavow their roles in bringing this movie to life in the years after it's initial release.
Hollywood, which prides itself on championing social issues and diversity, doesn't seem to acknowledge this movie when talking about the history of gay-themed movies. Al Pacino's gay-themed movies "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Cruising" which occurred previously before "Making Love" have had more of an impact on Hollywood film history.
I do remember some of my classmates in my senior year at Camp Lejeune High School going to see "Cruising" - in part I think because it was a controversial R-rated murder mystery movie and you got cred points if you were able to go see it. "Making Love" was rated PG.
I suspect that the failure of "Making Love" to have a financial impact was the main reason why it has been air-brushed out of Hollywood's gay movie history - and perhaps also the fact that two straight actors portrayed gay men, something that WOKE Hollywood wouldn't let fly today.
Still "Making Love" is an interesting movie that does it's best to handle the disintegration of a marriage due to the awakening desires of a man who tried to bury his natural desires.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Love-Ar...
"The Story Of The Jews - Volume Two - Belonging - 1492-1900"
Just finished reading "The Story Of The Jews - Volume Two - Belonging - 1492-1900" by Simon Schama, published by Ecco back in 2017.
Schama, who is a professor of art history and history at Columbia University, continues the epic history of the Jewish people by focusing on representative leaders, innovators, and delusive fools; merchants, bankers, and military; rabbis and rebellious philosophers; and clashing worldviews of Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Jews in Yemen, and Jews in China. Brave, independent women are here also. Foremost, however, is the constant struggle against lies, deceits, and hatred, lethal, destructive pogroms and exile, and always dashed hopes from 1492 upwards to 1900.
Schama explores the rich sorrowful and joyful diversity of Jewish history by focusing on the triumphs and tragedies of individual Jews who were also denied basic human rights simply because of their adherence to their faith. There are some respites, but not even the promise of religious freedom in America protected Jews from anti-Semitism. Commodore Uriah Levy was a victim of many smear campaigns, but unlike his French counterpart and fellow Jew Alfred Dreyfus, Levy was able to fight back and defend himself and his honor multiple times and was reinstated each time to his command. Even Congress at the time, rejected a gift of a statue of one of the Founding Fathers, because despite the fact that Levy, who was a Naval officer in the Untied States Navy had given it to the nation, they didn't want any gifts from a Jew. The statue is now displayed inside the Capital.
I do not know if Schama is working on a third volume in "The Story Of The Jews." I would be interesting in reading his take on Jewish history in the 20th Century and into the first quarter of the 21st Century.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Story-Jews-Two...
Schama, who is a professor of art history and history at Columbia University, continues the epic history of the Jewish people by focusing on representative leaders, innovators, and delusive fools; merchants, bankers, and military; rabbis and rebellious philosophers; and clashing worldviews of Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Jews in Yemen, and Jews in China. Brave, independent women are here also. Foremost, however, is the constant struggle against lies, deceits, and hatred, lethal, destructive pogroms and exile, and always dashed hopes from 1492 upwards to 1900.
Schama explores the rich sorrowful and joyful diversity of Jewish history by focusing on the triumphs and tragedies of individual Jews who were also denied basic human rights simply because of their adherence to their faith. There are some respites, but not even the promise of religious freedom in America protected Jews from anti-Semitism. Commodore Uriah Levy was a victim of many smear campaigns, but unlike his French counterpart and fellow Jew Alfred Dreyfus, Levy was able to fight back and defend himself and his honor multiple times and was reinstated each time to his command. Even Congress at the time, rejected a gift of a statue of one of the Founding Fathers, because despite the fact that Levy, who was a Naval officer in the Untied States Navy had given it to the nation, they didn't want any gifts from a Jew. The statue is now displayed inside the Capital.
I do not know if Schama is working on a third volume in "The Story Of The Jews." I would be interesting in reading his take on Jewish history in the 20th Century and into the first quarter of the 21st Century.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Story-Jews-Two...
Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea
Just finished reading "Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" first published by Whitman as the 17th release in their 2000 series of Big Little Books back in 1968.
By unexpected chance, I found a reading copy in fair condition at Chamblin's Book Mine during one of my regular runs out there a few weeks back along with a few other copies of various Big Little Books from Whitman's 2000 series.
Whitman's 2000 series marks the beginning of the end of Big Little Books, though Chronicle Books attempted to revive Big Little Books with their Mighty Chronicles Books back in the late 1990s and early 2000s with no real success. The 2000 Big Little Book Series were the last of the hardcover Big Little Book that Whitman published, and consisted of 35 new titles based on popular comic strips and television shows. What also set this last run apart from Whitman's older Big Little Books is the use of 4-color illustrations instead of relying on black and white illustrations - though Whitman did experiment with using color to "enhance" the illustrations in about six big little books.
Whitman, in an agreement with the now defunct retailer K-Mart, did release a final run of Big Little Books which were softcover editions of the 2000 series and original Big Little Books. So K-Mart gave Big Little Books their last hurrah. Keep in mind that Big Little Books had about a 60-year run.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, or may remember, I always mention that I got kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America when I started posting reviews of reading copies of the 2000 series. At least that's what I assume because I was immediately blocked on the Big Little Book Club of America's Facebook page and I received a check for the remainder of my annual unused dues in the mail after I posted and shared the first review of a Big Little Book.
I guess I was supposed to appreciate the pretty covers and the history, but not read the actual story in a Big Little Book?
Why do I keep bringing up getting the boot from the Big Little Book Club? I think it's important to highlight the stupidity of some collectors about what they think others can't do with their own collections.
What makes "Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" a unique Big Little Book is that it's the first time that Whitman published a Big Little Book featuring a DC or Marvel superhero. Whitman had previously tried to publish a Superman Big Little Book, but couldn't secure the rights, so they created their own superhero, Maximo, who starred in two Big Little Books.
During 1968, Aquaman starred in his own animated series, so to help promote the series, Whitman was finally able to publish their first superhero Big Little Book. Whitman would go on to publish original Big Little Books featuring Superman, The Fantastic Four, and Spiderman as part of their 5700 paperback series of Big Little Books, which makes Aquaman the only comic book superhero to have his own hardcover Big Little Book release.
Now I honestly don't remember if Mom had bought me "Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" when it was first released. If she had, it would have been bought at Roses Department Store in the New River Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I didn't recall the story like I do with the other Big Little Books that I had previously read - so I probably didn't at the time. Let's face it, Aquaman in this era was a second string superhero. Every boy wanted to be Superman back then, not Aquaman.
"Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" was written by Paul S. Newman, who wrote several of the Big Little Books in the 2000 series; and again, there is no recognition of the illustrator, which was probably one of the illustrators and colorists for Whitman's Gold Key Comics line.
"Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" would have been right at home in the pages of a Silver Age comic book. When a mysterious radioactive object crashes into the sea defies the ability of the United States Navy's ability to investigate it, Aquaman and Mera are called in to investigate the mysterious object. It turns out that this is the start of an alien invasion where intelligent fishmen from the planet Pieces are demanding a billion dollars worth of diamonds because they need it for their technology, and if they don't get the diamonds, they will unleash tidal waves all around the world until their demands are met. It's up to Aquaman, Mera, and Aqualad to put a stop to these aliens who aren't what they appear to be.
What struck me odd about this Big Little Book is that all of the people in authority are drawn as older, like the Naval officers and policemen, while the enlisted men are young men/boys who are curiously drawn at downward angles. It's an odd juxtaposition.
A classic Silver Age comic book superhero story.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Aquaman-Scourg...
By unexpected chance, I found a reading copy in fair condition at Chamblin's Book Mine during one of my regular runs out there a few weeks back along with a few other copies of various Big Little Books from Whitman's 2000 series.
Whitman's 2000 series marks the beginning of the end of Big Little Books, though Chronicle Books attempted to revive Big Little Books with their Mighty Chronicles Books back in the late 1990s and early 2000s with no real success. The 2000 Big Little Book Series were the last of the hardcover Big Little Book that Whitman published, and consisted of 35 new titles based on popular comic strips and television shows. What also set this last run apart from Whitman's older Big Little Books is the use of 4-color illustrations instead of relying on black and white illustrations - though Whitman did experiment with using color to "enhance" the illustrations in about six big little books.
Whitman, in an agreement with the now defunct retailer K-Mart, did release a final run of Big Little Books which were softcover editions of the 2000 series and original Big Little Books. So K-Mart gave Big Little Books their last hurrah. Keep in mind that Big Little Books had about a 60-year run.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, or may remember, I always mention that I got kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America when I started posting reviews of reading copies of the 2000 series. At least that's what I assume because I was immediately blocked on the Big Little Book Club of America's Facebook page and I received a check for the remainder of my annual unused dues in the mail after I posted and shared the first review of a Big Little Book.
I guess I was supposed to appreciate the pretty covers and the history, but not read the actual story in a Big Little Book?
Why do I keep bringing up getting the boot from the Big Little Book Club? I think it's important to highlight the stupidity of some collectors about what they think others can't do with their own collections.
What makes "Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" a unique Big Little Book is that it's the first time that Whitman published a Big Little Book featuring a DC or Marvel superhero. Whitman had previously tried to publish a Superman Big Little Book, but couldn't secure the rights, so they created their own superhero, Maximo, who starred in two Big Little Books.
During 1968, Aquaman starred in his own animated series, so to help promote the series, Whitman was finally able to publish their first superhero Big Little Book. Whitman would go on to publish original Big Little Books featuring Superman, The Fantastic Four, and Spiderman as part of their 5700 paperback series of Big Little Books, which makes Aquaman the only comic book superhero to have his own hardcover Big Little Book release.
Now I honestly don't remember if Mom had bought me "Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" when it was first released. If she had, it would have been bought at Roses Department Store in the New River Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I didn't recall the story like I do with the other Big Little Books that I had previously read - so I probably didn't at the time. Let's face it, Aquaman in this era was a second string superhero. Every boy wanted to be Superman back then, not Aquaman.
"Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" was written by Paul S. Newman, who wrote several of the Big Little Books in the 2000 series; and again, there is no recognition of the illustrator, which was probably one of the illustrators and colorists for Whitman's Gold Key Comics line.
"Aquaman - Scourge Of The Sea" would have been right at home in the pages of a Silver Age comic book. When a mysterious radioactive object crashes into the sea defies the ability of the United States Navy's ability to investigate it, Aquaman and Mera are called in to investigate the mysterious object. It turns out that this is the start of an alien invasion where intelligent fishmen from the planet Pieces are demanding a billion dollars worth of diamonds because they need it for their technology, and if they don't get the diamonds, they will unleash tidal waves all around the world until their demands are met. It's up to Aquaman, Mera, and Aqualad to put a stop to these aliens who aren't what they appear to be.
What struck me odd about this Big Little Book is that all of the people in authority are drawn as older, like the Naval officers and policemen, while the enlisted men are young men/boys who are curiously drawn at downward angles. It's an odd juxtaposition.
A classic Silver Age comic book superhero story.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Aquaman-Scourg...
March 24, 2023
The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar
Just finished reading "The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" first published by Whitman as the 13th release in their 2000 series of Big Little Books back 1968.
Mom first bought me a copy of "The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" sometime in 1969 when it was displayed in the toy section of Roses Department store in the New River Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and I do have a near mint copy safely tucked away in among the other Big Little Books in my collection.
By unexpected chance, I found a reading copy in fair condition at Chamblin's Book Mine during one of my regular runs out there a few weeks back along with a few other copies of various Big Little Books from Whitman's 2000 series.
Whitman's 2000 series marks the beginning of the end of Big Little Books, though Chronicle Books attempted to revive Big Little Books with their Mighty Chronicles Books back in the late 1990s and early 2000s with no real success. The 2000 Big Little Book Series were the last of the hardcover Big Little Book that Whitman published, and consisted of 35 new titles based on popular comic strips and television shows. What also set this last run apart from Whitman's older Big Little Books is the use of 4-color illustrations instead of relying on black and white illustrations - though Whitman did experiment with using color to "enhance" the illustrations in about six big little books.
Whitman, in an agreement with the now defunct retailer K-Mart, did release a final run of Big Little Books which were softcover editions of the 2000 series and original Big Little Books. So K-Mart gave Big Little Books their last hurrah. Keep in mind that Big Little Books had about a 60-year run.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, or may remember, I always mention that I got kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America when I started posting reviews of reading copies of the 2000 series. At least that's what I assume because I was immediately blocked on the Big Little Book Club of America's Facebook page and I received a check for the remainder of my annual unused dues in the mail after I posted and shared the first review of a Big Little Book.
I guess I was supposed to appreciate the pretty covers and the history, but not read the actual story in a Big Little Book?
Why do I keep bringing up getting the boot from the Big Little Book Club? I think it's important to highlight the stupidity of some collectors about what they think others can't do with their own collections.
Now Whitman published 15 Big Little Books featuring The Lone Ranger and Tonto, and "The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" was written by George S. Elrick, who wrote several other titles in the 2000 Big Little Book Series. While the illustrator is never mentioned or given credit to by Whitman, I believe that they used one of their illustrators and colorists from their Gold Key Comics line.
"The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" could have very much been an episode of the original television series. In an attempt to get revenge on the Sioux, a cavalry man who was discharged from the Army due to dereliction of duty when he fell asleep on his post, which lead to massacre at the fort he was stationed at, masquerades as a medicine man to trick the Sioux into causing a wild buffalo stampede at an Army fort so that they will be killed and blamed for the destruction of the fort. Crazy Cougar also manages the neat trick of getting The Lone Ranger and Tonto captured. Mild Spoiler Alert Here - of course The Lone Ranger and Tonto are able to escape, but The Lone Ranger uses a psychological trick to cause Crazy Cougar to have a complete mental break down, which causes him to expose himself for what he is. The ultimate fate of Crazy Cougar is not resolved at the end, but it's hinted that it will not be a pleasant one.
"The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" is a faithful and surprisingly good story that stays true to the mythos of The Lone Ranger and Tonto. It's not a bad way for the run of Lone Ranger Big Little Books to end on.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Ranger-Outwits...
Mom first bought me a copy of "The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" sometime in 1969 when it was displayed in the toy section of Roses Department store in the New River Shopping Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and I do have a near mint copy safely tucked away in among the other Big Little Books in my collection.
By unexpected chance, I found a reading copy in fair condition at Chamblin's Book Mine during one of my regular runs out there a few weeks back along with a few other copies of various Big Little Books from Whitman's 2000 series.
Whitman's 2000 series marks the beginning of the end of Big Little Books, though Chronicle Books attempted to revive Big Little Books with their Mighty Chronicles Books back in the late 1990s and early 2000s with no real success. The 2000 Big Little Book Series were the last of the hardcover Big Little Book that Whitman published, and consisted of 35 new titles based on popular comic strips and television shows. What also set this last run apart from Whitman's older Big Little Books is the use of 4-color illustrations instead of relying on black and white illustrations - though Whitman did experiment with using color to "enhance" the illustrations in about six big little books.
Whitman, in an agreement with the now defunct retailer K-Mart, did release a final run of Big Little Books which were softcover editions of the 2000 series and original Big Little Books. So K-Mart gave Big Little Books their last hurrah. Keep in mind that Big Little Books had about a 60-year run.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, or may remember, I always mention that I got kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America when I started posting reviews of reading copies of the 2000 series. At least that's what I assume because I was immediately blocked on the Big Little Book Club of America's Facebook page and I received a check for the remainder of my annual unused dues in the mail after I posted and shared the first review of a Big Little Book.
I guess I was supposed to appreciate the pretty covers and the history, but not read the actual story in a Big Little Book?
Why do I keep bringing up getting the boot from the Big Little Book Club? I think it's important to highlight the stupidity of some collectors about what they think others can't do with their own collections.
Now Whitman published 15 Big Little Books featuring The Lone Ranger and Tonto, and "The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" was written by George S. Elrick, who wrote several other titles in the 2000 Big Little Book Series. While the illustrator is never mentioned or given credit to by Whitman, I believe that they used one of their illustrators and colorists from their Gold Key Comics line.
"The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" could have very much been an episode of the original television series. In an attempt to get revenge on the Sioux, a cavalry man who was discharged from the Army due to dereliction of duty when he fell asleep on his post, which lead to massacre at the fort he was stationed at, masquerades as a medicine man to trick the Sioux into causing a wild buffalo stampede at an Army fort so that they will be killed and blamed for the destruction of the fort. Crazy Cougar also manages the neat trick of getting The Lone Ranger and Tonto captured. Mild Spoiler Alert Here - of course The Lone Ranger and Tonto are able to escape, but The Lone Ranger uses a psychological trick to cause Crazy Cougar to have a complete mental break down, which causes him to expose himself for what he is. The ultimate fate of Crazy Cougar is not resolved at the end, but it's hinted that it will not be a pleasant one.
"The Lone Ranger Outwits Crazy Cougar" is a faithful and surprisingly good story that stays true to the mythos of The Lone Ranger and Tonto. It's not a bad way for the run of Lone Ranger Big Little Books to end on.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Ranger-Outwits...
March 13, 2023
Doctor Who #252 - An Alien Werewolf In London
Just finished to listening to "Doctor Who #252 - An Alien Werewolf In London" released by Big Finish Productions.
After leaving her home world of Vulpana, Mags and the Seventh Doctor find themselves being summoned to 21st Century London by Ace.
While on a break from traveling with the Seventh Doctor, Ace used the space-time communicator she had been given because she was alerted to the captivity of an alien being known as a Sin Eater who is being held by a family that turns out to be vampires - the ancient and deadly enemies of Time Lords.
But in order to save the Sin Eater, the Seventh Doctor must form an unholy alliance with a competing vampire clan who has their own agenda.
A fast paced outing that reunites the Seventh Doctor with one of his former companions and one that gives Mags a brief reprieve from her natural ability to transform into a murderous wolf for at least one year.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Mon...
After leaving her home world of Vulpana, Mags and the Seventh Doctor find themselves being summoned to 21st Century London by Ace.
While on a break from traveling with the Seventh Doctor, Ace used the space-time communicator she had been given because she was alerted to the captivity of an alien being known as a Sin Eater who is being held by a family that turns out to be vampires - the ancient and deadly enemies of Time Lords.
But in order to save the Sin Eater, the Seventh Doctor must form an unholy alliance with a competing vampire clan who has their own agenda.
A fast paced outing that reunites the Seventh Doctor with one of his former companions and one that gives Mags a brief reprieve from her natural ability to transform into a murderous wolf for at least one year.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Mon...
March 12, 2023
Popeye - Danger Ahoy!
Just finished reading "Popeye - Danger Ahoy!" written by Paul S. Newman, released by Whitman, published back in 1969 as the 34th entry in their Modern Big Little Book series.
"Popeye - Danger, Ahoy" was also sadly one of the last run of the Big Little Books in hardcover from the original publisher - though Whitman would publish a few original new Big Little Books in paperback up to the 1980s, along with releasing the paperback versions of the last hardcover Big Little Books.
Frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites, may recall that I was kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America a few years for daring to read and review a "reading" copy of one of the modern age Big Little Books. I personally didn't see anything wrong with reading a Big Little Book that was in just fair condition.
After all, there is that silly little concept of actually enjoying what you collect, and I have hundreds of Big Little Books from the 1920s right up to the 1980s and the modern versions that appeared a few times up through the early 2000s that I have in mint, near mint, and very fine/fine condition.
Now I did find my reading copy unexpectedly in the shelves of Chamblin's Book Mine here in Jacksonville.
Hired by a movie producer to oversee the authenticity of a sailing ship adventure, Pappy invites his son Popeye, Olive Oyl, Sweet Pea, and WImpy along to the ship, which gets high-jacked by pirates who team up with the Sea Hag to rob cruise ships. Cast adrift Popeye and and his friends must find a way to stop the pirates.
Great classic fun in the tradition of Gold Key Comics.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Popeye-Danger-...
"Popeye - Danger, Ahoy" was also sadly one of the last run of the Big Little Books in hardcover from the original publisher - though Whitman would publish a few original new Big Little Books in paperback up to the 1980s, along with releasing the paperback versions of the last hardcover Big Little Books.
Frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites, may recall that I was kicked out of the Big Little Book Club of America a few years for daring to read and review a "reading" copy of one of the modern age Big Little Books. I personally didn't see anything wrong with reading a Big Little Book that was in just fair condition.
After all, there is that silly little concept of actually enjoying what you collect, and I have hundreds of Big Little Books from the 1920s right up to the 1980s and the modern versions that appeared a few times up through the early 2000s that I have in mint, near mint, and very fine/fine condition.
Now I did find my reading copy unexpectedly in the shelves of Chamblin's Book Mine here in Jacksonville.
Hired by a movie producer to oversee the authenticity of a sailing ship adventure, Pappy invites his son Popeye, Olive Oyl, Sweet Pea, and WImpy along to the ship, which gets high-jacked by pirates who team up with the Sea Hag to rob cruise ships. Cast adrift Popeye and and his friends must find a way to stop the pirates.
Great classic fun in the tradition of Gold Key Comics.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Popeye-Danger-...
March 11, 2023
Dimension 5
Just finished "Dimension 5" released by United Pictures Corporation - a child company of Paramount - back in 1966.
Curiously, despite being made in 1966, "Dimension 5" is a far superior movie than Christopher Nolan's "Tennet" - which also dealt with time traveling agents and counter-agents. It also has strong connections to the original Star Trek series with the leads Jeffrey Hunter and France Nuyen.
I couldn't help thinking that "Dimension 5" was originally written as a pilot for a proposed television science fiction adventure/spy program. It does have that feel, along with having a strong nod to "The Avengers" and Steed and Mrs. Peel, although Ki Ti for more ruthless and kills when needed - and she's one of the good guys!
Working for an mysterious intelligence agency, agent Justin Power, no relation to Austin Powers, is in a race against time to prevent the destruction of Los Angeles in three weeks by a hydrogen bomb. by a group of Chinese terrorists who want all American military out of Asia. Teaming up with Ki Ti, also known as Kitty, the two must travel three weeks into the future to prevent the hydrogen bomb from being assembled.
It would have been interesting to see this concept as a weekly television series,or at least a sequel.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Dimension-5-Je...
Curiously, despite being made in 1966, "Dimension 5" is a far superior movie than Christopher Nolan's "Tennet" - which also dealt with time traveling agents and counter-agents. It also has strong connections to the original Star Trek series with the leads Jeffrey Hunter and France Nuyen.
I couldn't help thinking that "Dimension 5" was originally written as a pilot for a proposed television science fiction adventure/spy program. It does have that feel, along with having a strong nod to "The Avengers" and Steed and Mrs. Peel, although Ki Ti for more ruthless and kills when needed - and she's one of the good guys!
Working for an mysterious intelligence agency, agent Justin Power, no relation to Austin Powers, is in a race against time to prevent the destruction of Los Angeles in three weeks by a hydrogen bomb. by a group of Chinese terrorists who want all American military out of Asia. Teaming up with Ki Ti, also known as Kitty, the two must travel three weeks into the future to prevent the hydrogen bomb from being assembled.
It would have been interesting to see this concept as a weekly television series,or at least a sequel.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Dimension-5-Je...
Strange World
Just finished watching "Strange World" released by Disney.
At first glance, "Strange World" held the promise of being a unique, retro-science fiction movie with a unique style of eye-catching animation.
Alas, "Strange World" turned out to be a Woke tale of environmental crisis due to energy use that blatantly rips off the classic science fiction movie "Fantastic Journey."
There's also something odd about this movie. The energy crisis that the world of "Strange World" is experiencing is solved by finding another energy source that also impacts their living creature that is their world. So what exactly was the environmental message that Disney was trying to send here? Oh yes, the "gay romance." Odd that Disney/Pixar is willing to show a kiss between two women in "Lightyear" but does not show the two boys kissing - they side hug each other.
Strongly NOT Recommended!
Zero Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-World-...
At first glance, "Strange World" held the promise of being a unique, retro-science fiction movie with a unique style of eye-catching animation.
Alas, "Strange World" turned out to be a Woke tale of environmental crisis due to energy use that blatantly rips off the classic science fiction movie "Fantastic Journey."
There's also something odd about this movie. The energy crisis that the world of "Strange World" is experiencing is solved by finding another energy source that also impacts their living creature that is their world. So what exactly was the environmental message that Disney was trying to send here? Oh yes, the "gay romance." Odd that Disney/Pixar is willing to show a kiss between two women in "Lightyear" but does not show the two boys kissing - they side hug each other.
Strongly NOT Recommended!
Zero Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-World-...
