The Cock Crows Murder and Other Tales from the Pulps

by Robert Leslie Bellem

This volume collects seven Bellem tales from pulp magazines such as "Spicy Mystery Stories," "Fifth Column Stories," and "The Ghost -- Super-Detective." Included "The Man Who Was Not," "Enough Glory," "The Cock Crows 'Murder'," "Knife in the Dark," "Kill That Headline," "War Plans Divided," and "Murder's Messenger." Introduction by Darrell Schweitzer.

118 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2008

About the author

Robert Leslie Bellem (July 19, 1902 - April 1, 1968) was an American pulp magazine writer, best known for his creation of Dan Turner, Hollywood Detective. Before becoming a writer he worked in Los Angeles as a newspaper reporter, radio announcer and film extra. After the demise of the pulps, Bellem switched to writing for television, including a number of scripts for The Lone Ranger, Adventures of Superman (1950s version), the original Perry Mason show, 77 Sunset Strip, and other shows.

Reviews

[Cullen Gallagher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing for the most part, the stories like the verbal wordplay and excess that Bellem is known for. Only one "Dan Turner" story is included, and as the final story in the collection, it is also the best by far. A hyperbolic male sex fantasy of the most unrealistic sort, it is a finely tuned indulgence that is nothing short of a joy to read. Several of the stories deal with Communist espionage and sabotage and are interesting for the insight they shed into pop-cultural politics of time.