Comic Books From July 1975

Welcome to another edition of my semi-regular feature where I look back at comic books I bought 50 years ago.

What comic books was a young Dave-El reading back in July of 1975?

Let's start with 1st Issue Special#7 featuring The Creeper by Michael Fleisher, Steve Dikto and Mike Royer.

The Creeper was created by Steve Dikton in 1968. By day he was straight laced newsman Jack Ryder. By night he was an uninhibited maniac with super strength and endurance called The Creeper. Maniac he may be but he was a force for good.

Based on his appearance, most people assumed he was a super villain.   

Writer Michael Fleisher (The Spectre, Jonah Hex) pits the Creeper against the Firefly (OK, there are TWO F's on his shirt so the Fire Fly?) whose belt provides various light based powers to do... stuff 'n' junk.

Dikto pencilled the story and was inked by long time Jack Kirby inker Mike Royer.  

First Issue Special was a try out title (like Showcase) where each issue was potentially someone's first Issue.  This issue did not spin out the Creeper into a solo series but he was on a bit of a roll for activity in the DC universe.  

He had appeared the month before in Joker#3 and would get an all new team up tale with Wildcat in Super Team Family#2, both written by Denny O'Neil. The Creeper would get a short back up serial by Martin Pasko starting in Adventures Comics#445 before Creeper creator Steve Dikto would get a shot at writing and drawing an ongoing series starting in World's Finest Comics#249.

He would also make guest starring appearances in Teen Titans and Secret Society of Super Villains.

Detective Comics#452 kicks off a 2 patter by David V. Reed, Ernie Chan and Mike Royer (him again) as Batman battles the Crime Exhange which applies to principles of Wall Street to crime or something.  

Reed was an interesting choice to be writing Batman in the 1970's. Reed used to write for Batman in the 1950's under editor Jack Schiff during Batman's sci-fi phase. Bringing him back to write for a post Denny O'Neil/Frank Robbins darker, edgier Batman seemed like an odd choice. 

Reed wrote Batman as a Gotham City cop who wore a Batman suit.  

I have fond memories of the Hawkman back up, a mere 6 page adventure written by E.Nelson Bridwell and illustrated by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, "The Curse of the Ancient Weapons".  In a mere half dozen pages, Bridwell introduces a problem (the ancient weapons Hawkman uses do not work like their supposed to) allowing a master illusionist to rob with impunity. Hawkman overcomes obstacles to arrive at a solution to stop the thief. What modern writers take several issues to resolve, Bridwell delivers in a tight, entertaining 6 pages.

The Bridwell/Lopez team would produce a Hawkman 2 part back up for issues #454 and #455.  

Next up is Justice League of America #123 which pairs up the Justice League and the Justice Socity deal with...

Cary Bates, the arch field who's been terrorizing the Earth.

I'm not going into the detail about this issue here as I've written about it already here.   

Also Alan Stewart who has an entire blog dedicated to comic books from 50 years ago wrote about this issue recently. 

Superman#292 leads off with "The Luthor Nobody Knows", written by Elliot S! Maggin with art by Curt Swan and Bob Oksner.  The story introduces the iconic green and purple costume for Lex Luthor and revisits Lex's origins of his campaign of hate against the Man of Steel and Superman's frustration at Lex's adamant refusal to let go of his hate.  

The back up is a Private Life of Clark Kent installment written by Marty Pasko who would go on become the main writer of the Superman title.  

Tom Brevoort posted about this issue here.   

Superboy #212 features 2 stories written by Jim Shooter and drawn by Mike Grell.  "Last Fight for a Legionnaire" spotlights some super powered Legion rejects who think they can change the Legion's collective mind by fighting them. The story also features the exit of Matter Eater Lad who has been drafted to serve in his home planet's Congress.  

And Night Girl is the focus in "A Death Stroke for Dawn".  Night Girl is a member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes (a group of Legion rejects who took their rejection more graciously than the one's in the lead story).  I wrote about Night Girl back in 2016. She has the super powers of Superboy. 

But only in the dark.

Her kryptonite is a light bulb.  

World's Finest Comics #233 features "World Without Men" by Bob Haney, Dick Dillin and John Calnan starring not quite Superman and Batman. 

This was another installment of the Super Sons.   I wrote about the odd concept of the Super Sons back in 2018.   

Rounding out my purchases for July 1975 was Super-Team Family #1.  

What compelled DC to launch this series with an reprint issue, I have no idea.  But the collection is a fairly strong one.

• A Superman/Batman team up drawn by Neal Adams.
• A Teen Titans adventures illustrated by Gil Kane and Wally Wood.
• And a super villain team up as Capt. Cold and Heat Wave double team the Flash in a classic by the iconic 1960's team of Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella.  

And that was what a young Dave-El was shelling out his quarters for in July 1975.  

Movie Time: Fantastic Four: First Steps

 It's Movie Time!!

So we ventured forth from the Fortress of Ineptitude to see the debut of the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But first...

The History of the Fantastic Four In Film

Constantin Film bought the film rights for the characters in 1986. A low-budget film was produced in 1994 by New Horizon Studios owned by Roger Corman. 

Corman had a long career going back to the 1950's making movies quickly and cheaply. And boy did he deliver on those two points with his version of Fantastic Four.   

Corman's Fantastic Four was made for the explicit purpose of helping Constantin to hold to their film rights to the Fantastic Four.

There is some question if the anyone ever intended to release the film or not. But it was not released.  

The film is available to watch on YouTube and Dailymotion for free.

20th Century Fox secured the film rights and  Fantastic Four was released in 2005 and the sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was released in 2007. Both films directed by Tim Story did not garner much praise from critics or enthusiasm from fans. I've watched them and yeah, they are not great works of art or anything but I've enjoyed them as a modestly entertaining television diversion. 

A reboot of the series, Fantastic Four, directed by Josh Trank, was released in 2015 and received largely negative reviews from both critics and audiences and bombed badly at the box office. It was a reboot nobody asked for or wanted and Trank disavowed this film,considered to be one of the worst superhero films ever made.

Which brings us to the latest and 5th go 'round for the Fantastic Four on film.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is unique from the rest of the MCAI with it's setting in the early 1960's instead of going for a modern setting. 

Also like Superman from 2 weeks ago, Fantastic Four: First Steps foregoes putting us through an origin story.  Yeah, we get an origin recap told as part of a television special celebrating the 4th anniversary of the debut of the Fantastic Four. 

We even get a recap of some of the team's adventures over those 4 years against such menaces as Mole Man, the Mad Thinker and Diablo.  

Also, Reed and Sue are already married and Sue is pregnant. 

Are we all caught up? Good! Cause we've got problems. The Silver Surfer has arrived. 

This time, the Surfer is a woman! 

But the mission is the same: Galactus is coming to eat the Earth.

But unlike the formless energy cloud in 2007,  this Galactus is comics accurate. 

Galactus promises to NOT eat the Earth if the Fantastic Four gives him Sue's child.

Eating the Earth AND giving him their baby are BOTH off the table but damned if Reed Richards is stuck for an idea how to stop this guy.

Until he comes up with the idea of teleporting Earth to another part of the multiverse where Galactus can't find them. 

Silver Surfer wrecks Reed's giant teleporting doodads (except for one still in Times Square) so that plan is out. 

New plan: lure Galactus to Times Square and teleport him to somewhere far, far away.

(Setting up a future Star Wars/Marvel crossover? 😉 )   

Of course there are glitches in this plan as well.

The "It's That Person Who Was In That Thing" Department

Vanessa Kirby who play Sue Storm was Princess Margaret in The Crown.  

The host of the Fantastic Four TV special is played by Mark Gatiss who was the co-creator of Sherlock where he played Mycroft Holmes.   

Rachel Rozman, the schoolteacher Ben Grimm befriends on Clancy Street, is played by Natasha Lyonne, the star of Poker Face.  Rachel is based on Jack Kirby's wife, Roz.  

Cool Fact! 

Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place on Earth 828.  Jack Kirby's birthday is August 28th or 8/28.  Neat,huh?

 

The Story of H.E.R.B.I.E.

The 5th member of the Fantastic Four family is H.E.R.B.I.E. who was originally introduced as a 4th member of the Fantastic Four in place of the Human Torch for a 1978 cartoon series. 

One story is that the Torch was switched out because network standards and practices did not want children trying to emulate the Human Torch. This is an urban myth. The Human Torch had been optioned out for a solo movie project and was not available for the animated series.

Marv Wolfman and John Byrne would integrate H.E.R.B.I.E. into the comic book series as part of the supporting cast.  

Jack Kirby was working as an animation storyboard artist and designed H.E.R.B.I.E., making this Kirby's last creation for Marvel Comics. 

All in all, Fantastic Four: First Steps is a fun thrill ride that finally does right by the concept of the Fantastic Four as originally envisioned by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.  

Setting the movie in 1964 immediately sets it apart from the rest of the MCU, giving it a distinctive aesthetic and vibe. 

I know a lot of people came to this movie for Pedro Paschal's turn as Reed Richards but undeniably, the rock of this movie is Vanessa Kirby has Sue Storm who has a strong leadership role in this movie. She also has the distinction of having a childbirth scene IN SPACE!  

Joseph Quinn make not have the same charm as Chris Evans did as Johnny Storm/the Human Torch but I enjoyed his take on the character and his role in actually using his intelligence to solve part of the mystery of the Silver Surfer.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing is devoid of the angst and anger of the comic book version with a mostly relaxed casual demeanor. Until it's CLOBBERIN' TIME!!

I'll call it: Fantastic Four: First Steps is pretty damn good! 

Tuesday TV Touchbase: Resident Alien, Jeopardy and Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?

In the aftermath of the egregious and morally questionable cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, some significant employees of Paramount come out swinging.

Colbert himself  (who told Donald Trump to "go fuck yourself"), Jon Stewart on The Daily Show (leading a choir singing "Go fuck yourself!" to corporate entities who supplicate to Donald Trump) and Trey Parker and Matt Stone (whose season premier of South Park features Donald Trump with a really tiny penis and sleeping with Satan who does not want to have sex with him because he heard Trump was in the Epstein files because Satan, unlike Trump, has standards.)  

Yes, Li'l Donnie! Go fuck yourself!

Now... on with the Touchbase! 

As Andrea and I get closer to the 4th season finale of Resident Alien, we found out that it will be a series finale.

USA Network has elected not to renew the show for a 5th season. 

This is a sad but not totally unexpected development. While Resident Alien has a devoted fan base, it is not a particularly large one and narrowly avoided cancellation after it's 3rd season. 

Showrunner Chris Sheridan said he figured the 4th season would be their last and has been guiding the show's storylines towards a resolution. 

Ben and Kate are reunited with their baby who had been stolen by the Grey aliens. 

Darcy hit rock bottom and contemplated suicide before Harry Vanderspiegel (of all people) talked her out of it. Darcy's in AA and getting help now.  

Forced to remain a human and deprived of his "alien energy", Harry grew a soul, something previously unheard of in his species. 

Resident Alien has been a lot of fun to watch and Andrea and I will miss Harry and the gang in Patience, CO.  Season 4 has been an especially strong one and does seem to be heading towards what I hope will be a solid landing. 

__________________________

The season finale of Jeopardy aired last Friday.  Finally! Look, I l like Jeopardy but it does seem like it goes on too long into the summer.  

But admittedly this summer has provided viewers with someone we haven't seen in awhile: a long running Jeopardy champion. 

A few weeks back, it seemed the show was "cursed" or something with a string of dozen or more 1 day champions. 

Couldn't anyone last more than a day?

Well, finally, yes! 

Scott Riccardi  an engineer from Somerville NJ and 2021 Rutgers graduate, began a winning streak on July 3 winning up to $455,000. He is tied for 10th for the most consecutive wins and is No. 8 on the regular-season earnings list. 

Scott Riccardi was a slim, handsome young man who favored lavender sweaters in his wardrobe and I dubbed him as "ambiguously gay".  My son's own "gaydar" told him that only Scott's parents still think he's straight.

Anyway, Scott was fast on the buzzer and knew a lot shit, winning most games mostly out of reach of his competitors. 

I felt very good about his chances of winning game 17 which would be the season finale.

At the Final Jeopardy question, Scott was slightly within striking range of the 2nd place contestant. But when I saw the clue, well, Scott should get this. 

"According to one obituary, in 1935 he owned 13 magazines, eight radio stations, two movie companies and $56 million in real estate."

Well, duh? The answer is.... "Who is William Randolph Hearst?"

3rd place finisher Charlotte Cooper answered "Who is William Randolph Hearst?" And she was right! 

In 2nd place, Jonathan Hugendubler answered "Who is William Randolph Hearst?" and moved ahead of Scott by one dollar. Come on! This is too easy? How can Scott lose?

By answering "Who is Howard Hughes?" 

What?

What the what?!?

I mean, what the unholy fuck WHAT?!??!

HOW could he possibly think it was Howard Hughes? In 1935, he had 1 movie studio and a fledgling aviation company! Come on! 

(Side note: I finally watched ALL of The Aviator this past weekend and that will be covered on a forthcoming Movie Time Post.) 

The only thing about the clue that threw me off was not mentioning the vast network of newspapers that Hearst owned that was the real crux of his power back in 1935.    

Anyway, that's that for this season of Jeopardy and Scott Riccardi.  

__________________________

Do we need more Ken Jennings?

Well, we're gonna get him on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?  hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.  

This summer the show is pairing up celebrities to play for charity.  Except Ken Jennings came out alone.  He admitted some nervousness about appearing on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? On Jeopardy, you miss a clue, there's another chance.

(Unless the clue is "According to one obituary, in 1935 he owned 13 magazines, eight radio stations, two movie companies and $56 million in real estate" and you're dumb enough to answer "Who is Howard Hughes?" Boy, I can't seem to let that go!) 

On Millionaire, you miss just ONE and you're done. 

And Ken wasn't alone.

Then out saunters Jimmy Kimmel's arch nemesis, Matt Damon. 

Damon proved to be a considerable asset to Jennings, actually narrowing down choices as the pair breezed to through the game. The show ran out of time so Ken and Matt will be back on Wednesday to face the last remaining clues and potentially get $1 million for their charity, water.org that provides clean water resources for people in need around the world.   

That is that for this week's Touchbase.

Until next time, remember to be good to one another and try to keep it down in there, would ya? I'm trying to watch TV over here.   

Tom Lehrer

Dear Angel of Death, 

Sorry to bitch about this, I mean, you're a busy entity and you've got better things to do than listen to me complain but the wrong people keep dying. 

Far be it from me to suggest how to do your job but have you thought about a different target, someone really really fat and of an orange-like hue? 

You were so close with Hulk Hogan but not quite what we're looking for.  

Hey, you do you and I should really not get up in your business. Just a minor suggestion is all I'm making.

Sincerely,

Dave-El

__________________________________

So Tom Lehrer died at the age of 97.

Yeah, 97 years is a good long run but still, why did Tom Lehrer have to die when so many other stupid, evil people continue to draw breath? (Wink!) 

Lehrer was a mathematician who came to fame for his prodigious talents as a musical satirist.  

In the mid-twentieth century, Lehrer found an amusing indulgence in song writing and performing that propelled him to notoriety.  His songs lampooned politics, racism, pollution, religion and culture.   

In the 1970's, Lehrer walked away from his amusing indulgence and dedicated himself to teaching mathematics at Harvard and other universities.  

“Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize," Tom Lehrer said in 1973.

I personally first discovered Tom Lehrer's work on the Dr. Demento radio show.   

Here are some of his songs that entertained and even educated a generation.

Like this song that teaches you what you can do to pigeons, the dirty little avian scoundrels! 

"So Long Mom! I'm Off To Drop A Bomb"  (a little ditty for a nuclear World War III)  

The elements of the periodic table get the Tom Lehrer musical treatment. The words scroll right by for your convenience. Sing along, kids!

What little I know about the Jewish holiday of Hannukkah comes from this bouncing little number from Tom Lehrer.

Click here for Mark Evanier's tribute to Mr.  Lehrer.

Sorry you had to go, Tom Lehrer, when there are others more deserving of a visit from the Angel of Death (Hint! Hint!).

The Scottish Post

"The Scottish Play" is a euphemism for the William Shakespeare play Macbeth. According to a theatrical superstition, called the Scottish curse, speaking the name Macbeth inside a theatre, other than as called for in the script while rehearsing or performing, will cause disaster.

I'm calling this post "The Scottish Post" because a Scottish newspaper elected not to call by name the motherfucking piece of shit who visited their shores. 

In case it's not clear, "motherfucking piece of shit " = Donald Trump. 

Over the weekend, Donald Trump decided to take care of some personal businesss on the taxpayer's dime. 

He loaded up Air Force One for a jaunt across the Atlantic to check on the golf courses he owns in Scotland. 

He tacked on a visit with the British Prime Minister to make it look like official business but mostly, the American taxpayer is shelling out fucking $10 million so Li'l Donnie can fucking play golf in fucking Scotland.     

No, I do not think I used the word "fucking" too much.*

*Yeah, a meeting with the president of the European Union was also slotted in there when she flew to Scotland to meet with Trump at his Turnberry gold resort to announce a trade deal.  

Li'l Donnie thinks people in Scotland love him.  

Here's David Tennant offering a counter argument on behalf of the Scottish people.

"We fuckin' DON'T!"

You go, David!

This David feels the same way.

In advance of Li'l Donnie's visit to Scotland, Scottish newspaper The National gave us this headline.

There was a poster on Tik Tok who issued a challenge to MAGA: which part of this headline is factually incorrect? 

Much like Macbeth is called the "The Scottish Play", The National avoids "calling the convicted felon" by name.  Or calling him a "Republican leader" instead of "President".

It is the policy of this blog to not put the word "President" in front of "Donald Trump".  Maybe if he ever fucking acts like a real President, I might reconsider. 

Instead of "President", my preferred descriptor for Donald Trump is lying, petulant, bullying, unintelligent, sociopathic, dishonorable, treasonous, gutless, moronic, heartless, soulless, slimy, loathsome, vile, incompetent, psychotic, crooked, disgusting, reprehensible, revolting, horrible, malicious, obnoxious, hateful, small minded, despicable god damn, motherfucking piece of shit! 

Yeah, that is a lot and I still forgot "racist" and "misogynistic" and "incoherent" and "idiotic" and... and...

"Scum" and "Smelly"! Thank you, angry people of Scotland.

Jesus, the people of Scotland hate this guy!

Trump’s late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.  Trump claims he feels at home in the country.  

The people of Scotland feel differently.

Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, attending an anti-Trump protest with her parents, said "So many people here loathe him. We’re not divided. We’re not divided by religion, or race or political allegiance, we’re just here together because we hate him.”  

Well, I can certainly agree to that sentiment.   

Movie Time: Born to Dance

 It's...  MOVIE TIME!

It's time for a movie musical! 

And it's time for another engagement with that dancing sensation of the Golden Age of cinema, the energetic, the evervescent, the enticing, the extraordinary Eleanor Powell.

Born To Dance was released by MGM in 1936 and also stars a young Jimmy Stewart in a very rare (as in "only") song 'n' dance role in a movie musical. 

And the score was composed by Cole Porter.

This film had quite a pedigree.

It better be good! 

You might need a spreadsheet or a really big whiteboard but here we go!

While on leave, sailor Ted Barker meets Nora Paige at the Lonely Hearts Club.

The club is owned by Jenny Saks who is the wife of fellow sailor Gunny Saks. 

BAM! Ted falls in love with Nora right away! It's that kind of movie so of course he does! 

But...

Back on duty on a submarine, Ted meets Broadway star Lucy James who's on board as part of a publicity tour. 

Lucy's Pekingese dog falls overboard.

Ted rescues the dog and....

BAM! Lucy falls in love with Ted! Because it's that sort of movie!

Ted's captain orders Ted to go on  date with Lucy at nightclub.

I'm not sure that's appropriate but hey, it's that kind of movie.

But Ted is supposed to go on a date with Nora.

Did I mention that Nora aspires to become a Broadway dancer?

I didn't?

Oops!

Nora aspires to become a Broadway dancer!

But those career aspirations don't look so good when she gets on Lucy's bad side.

And there's that matter of the picture in the paper of Lucy canoodling Ted in a nightclub. 

OH! How could he?!?!  

Well, golly, Ted didn't ask for any of this. He just wants to be with Nora.

But Nora won't talk to him because of that dang publicity photo.

Nora gets a job as Lucy's understudy but gets fired when Nora shows she's a better dancer than Lucy.  

Then some stuff happens and because Eleanor Powell is the star of the movie, Nora becomes the star of the Broadway show instead of Lucy.

And Nora and Ted are back together again.

Ahh!

And the end.  

The film's working title was This Time It's Love.

Born to Dance is Eleanor Powell's follow up to her breakout debut in Broadway Melody of 1936. 

Powell's Broadway Melody co-stars Buddy Ebsen and Frances Langford return to provide comedy and musical support.

The film features a bombastic finale called "Swingin' the Jinx Away". Set amidst a pre-Second World War naval backdrop, the Depression-era "feel good" number runs nearly 10 minutes. The sequence includes an eccentric dance routine by Ebsen, and ends in a flurry of tap dancing by Powell culminating in a patriotic salute, and finally (oh this is good!)

CANNON FIRE!! 

If this all seems a bit much, well musical director Roger Edens would tell you every chance he could that was embarrassed by the segment

Born To Dance  introduced Cole Porter standards "You'd Be So Easy to Love" and "I've Got You Under My Skin".  

While only her second starring film, Born To Dance follows the template for an Eleanor Powell film with a standard issue romance and a female rival who cause her trouble and ending with a big over the top dance routine that shows off Eleanor's considerable talents. 

It's all good dumb enjoyable movie musical fun anchored by the winsome charisma of Eleanor Powell. 

Movie Time: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

It's...  MOVIE TIME!

It's been awhile since I posted about a classic western movie and today's film was directed by one of the most preeminent filmmakers in that genre, John Ford.

Released on this very date in 1949, today's movie is She Wore A Yellow Ribbon starring John Wayne.   It is the second film in Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy", along with Fort Apache (1948) and Rio Grande (1950). 

The film centers around Captian Nathan Cutting Brittles (John Wayne), a calvary veteran who is overseeing his last command at Fort Starke, a Western Frontier Army post. 

Prior to his August 1876 retirement, Captain Brittles is given one last mission: to deal with a breakout by the Cheyenne and Arapaho from their reservation. They've gotten a bit antsy following George Armstrong Custer getting his ass kicked at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  Brittles is tasked with preventing a new frontier war.

Also on Brittles' to do list is doing a favor for his commanding officer, transporting his wife and niece, Abby Allshard and Olivia Dandridge, to an eastbound stage. 

As Olivia is the only single female woman of the opposite sex within 500 miles, she naturally becomes of the subject of attention of Fort Starke's soldiers.  Troop officers 1st Lt. Flint Cohill and 2nd Lt. Ross Pennell are working double time to win Olivia's affections.

Nothing creepy or awkward about that at all.  

Joanne Dru as Olivia 
and John Wayne as Captain Brittles

Things do not go well for ol' Capt. Brittles.

The womenfolk don't make the stage and the Cheyenne and Arapaho are really riled up to go to war.

Brittles hangs up his uniform and sabre and calls it a day, taking his leave of Fort Starke.

But he hasn't quite given up yet. 

Not wanting to see lives lost needlessly in a bloody war, Brittles takes it upon himself to try to make peace with his old friend Chief Pony That Walks. 

Well, that doesn't work either.

So he tries to halt the renegage Natives by stampeding their horses, forcing the warriors to walk back to their reservation.  

Brittles ain't done with the army yet.

Via a War Department order signed by Gen. Sheridan, Gen. Sherman and President Grant, Brittles is recalled to duty as Chief of Scouts with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Cohill wins the contest to engage in legally sanctioned heteronormantive sexual intercourse with Olivia.  

A few points about She Wore A Yellow Ribbon.

First of all, the movie looks gorgeous.  John Ford shot the movie in his favorite location for westerns, Monument Valley along the Arizona-Utah state border.

Ford and cinematographer Winton C. Hoch based much of the film's imagery on the paintings and sculptures of Frederic Remington. 

Hoch won the Academy Award for Best Color Cinematography, in 1950. 

Director John Ford did not want John Wayne for the part of Captain Bittles. The character was 20 years older than John Wayne was at the time.  

Also John Ford said, "I didn't know the big son of a bitch could act!"   unril he saw Wayne in 1948's Red River.  

The role of Brittles was the first time John Wayne got to extend his range beyond the typical John Wayne archetype.  

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon is a compelling treatise on aging, taking responsibility and accepting that things change whether we're ready or not. 

Your Friday Video Link: The Beatles But Not By the Beatles

Your Friday Video Link features music by the Beatles.

But NOT performed by the Beatles.  

From 1966, it's Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 with a sexy, swinging cover of "Day Tripper" by the Beatles.

From a February 2016 episode of "The Late Show With Stephen Cobert", here is Jon Batiste covering The Beatles' "Blackbird".  

Finally, from the 1970's movie of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (a very strange and not really good movie), this is Steve Martin performing one of the Beatle's strangest songs, "Maxwell's Silver Hammer".   (The narrator at the start is actor and comedian George Burns.)   

And that is that for this week's edition of Your Friday Video Link.

Remember to be good to one another.

We're back tomorrow for a classic western directed by John Ford. It's Movie Time!

Dave-El's Spinner Rack: Justice League and Batman Stuff!

It's been about a month since my last visit to Acme so let's peruse ye olde spinner rack on what I'm reading.  

The return of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee to Batman is just not really doing a lot for me. Returning to their signature creation Hush feels like a retread of old ground that ignores everything that has happened in the 20+ years since their first go-round.

Recent character development for Jason Todd/Red Hood is completely ignored and even Tommy Elliott/Hush avoids what's been done with the character.  

And don't get me started on the plot contrivance of Batman going out of his way to save the Joker after being nearly tortured to death by Hush.  Yes, Batman has vowed to not take a life but that means to me that Batman himself will not shoot you in the head or break your neck or throw you off a skyscraper. Joker is near death because Hush took him there through torture.  Does it really come under Batman's vow to not kill someone to save a mass murdering psycho clown?

I find it frustrating that comic book writers will take such extremes to prove a character's bonafides in not killing people. It goes from making a hero look noble to making him look stupid. 

The art by Jim Lee with Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair looks lush and detailed but lacks energy somehow. The art, like Loeb's script, is going through the motions in a vain attempt to recaputure the lightning of long ago.

The really good Bat project I'm following is Batman & Robin: Year One.  Mark Waid's script still provides surprising and interesting turns as the newly minted Dynamic Duo tackled the invasion of the crime Lord known as the General. 

More vexing for Bruce Wayne is his time with Dick Grayson when they're not fighting crime. The mundane but still taxing responsibilities that come with being a parent are not in Bruce's wheelhouse. 

Chris Samnee continues to astonish with his sleek lines and shadowy negative space to create a world that is somehow both bright and dark at the same time.  

Meanwhile, Mark Waid gives us an epic throw down between the vast membership of an unlimited Justice League and the vast armies of villains assembled by a super charged Gorilla Grodd. 

Already a formidable force, Grodd's power has escalated when he absorbed the powers of the Martian Manhunter which were lost during the Absolute Power event.  And his manipulation of Air Wave gives him power over time itself.  His villain army is assembled from bad guys not just in the present but from the past as well.  

Grodd's power over time send our heroes to a variety of exiles throughout time, lost and powerless to return to the present.

Until Air Wave sees through Grodd's deception and uses his powers to bring the heroes back through time including heroes from the past (like western bounty hunter Jonah Hex) and the future (Batman Beyond).   

Travis Moore fills in for Dan Mora for a couple of chapters and does a very good job portraying a sprawling cast. Dan Mora returns for a spectucular climax to Waid's epic saga. 

Coming up for a future Spinner Rack post: Mark Waid brings us the new History of the DC Universe! 

All That Glisters

“All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told:
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold:
Gilded tombs do worms enfold.”

― William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

Below is a photo of the White House oval office from 2024 when Biden was President. 

Here is a photo of that same room since Trump came back to the White House in 2025.

Fuck me but that is a LOT of gold crap.  

Here is an annotated photograph point out each item of gold crap that Trump has added to the office this year.

It was John Mulaney who onced described Donald Trump's aesthetic as what a homeless man thinks being rich is like. 

"One day my ship will come in and I'll cover every square inch of everything with GOLD!"  

Here's another photo of when the Oval Office was simple and understated and now that it's not.  

Look at all those red arrows pointing to each piece of golden excessive crap Li'l Donnie is littering the White House with.   

Trump thinks this decorating scheme makes him look powerful and influential.

It looks tacky and reeks of desperation.