Loyd's BONUS video-clip(s)!!--- # 43!!--- 'The Hornet's COOL ride'!

 

Once again here in the teensy-weensy corner of the web, known as my little bloggy-thingy-thang--- I'm touching back on a subject I've went on and on about, at pretty good length--- before! (Hey--- MY blog, MY rules folks!) Of course--- I'm referring to that WAY-cool 1966 TV-version of  'The Green Hornet'!

THIS time, though, I want to focus on what's gradually became one of my ALL-TIME favorite 'hero-cars'--- outside of a certain 'Bat-themed' vehicle, of course--- 'The Black Beauty'! This TRUE one-of-a-kind, WAY ahead-of-it's-time vehicle, based on a (then brand-new) '66 Chrysler Imperial--- was customized by one of the GREATS in the custom car world. The also 'one-of-a-kind' Mr. Dean Jeffries. Sadly, Mr. Jeffries left us-- back in 2013.

Just HOW 'one-of-a-kind' was Mr. Jeffries? just take few moments to stare at the image below, of one of his other famous pieces of  'rolling-V-8-engine-powered-ART-WORK'-- 'The Mantaray'! Would you believe this thing was built in 1963???----AND---the body was built from HAND-hammered sheets of ALUMINUM!!---

Now that we've all done our share of DROOLING over the above image, let's pull our focus back to 'the Black Beauty', shall we? (Easy as it would be for me to go on and on about Mr. Jeffries and his other famous custom cars! BUT-- there's PLENTY of other sources on the 'net you can look up for all of that! Sources WAY more knowledgeable than the 'ol Loydster!)

Like MANY another time, I of course stumbled across the 2-part video below, on that 'treasure-trove-of-CRUNCHY-GEEKY-GOODNESS'--- Youtube!-- It's from a number of years back, but it's STILL an interesting, deep-dive-- into this TRULY unique custom ride! PLUS-- it even has a pretty NEAT interview with Mr. Jeffries himself--- who, like MANY of the guys who built these kinds of amazing-automotive-art back in the day, was a MASTER of low-key understatement!----

AND--- speaking of that green-garbed-crime-fighter--- I recently finished-up reading the collected edition of a comic series, that I've been wanting to snag since it was first released, in 2015! 'Batman '66 meets The Green Hornet'! The 'sequel' to the two-part 'Batman' episode from (DUH!) 1966 of course!---

Needless to say, being a fan of BOTH of these characters / shows---- I was NOT disappointed! The creators OBVIOUSLY love these 'crime-fighting-crusaders' as much as the 'ol Loydster! Writer Kevin Smith, as well as artist Ty Templeton-- had me hearing the voices of the actors, while reading this adventure! That says it ALL right there!

 OF COURSE-- the beautiful, painted covers by Alex Ross (reprinted along with the rest of the collected storyline in this trade paperback) also make this one worth having a spot of HONOR in the 'Loydster-super-hero-library'! If you DIG the 'Hornet and 'The Bat', like yours truly--- I HIGHLY recommend you grab yourself a copy!

This post is dedicated to the LEGENDARY Mr. Neal Adams, who passed away on April 28th. Along with other GREATS, like Marshall Rogers and (the somewhat UNDERRATED) Irv Novick, as well as his oft-times inker Dick Giordano--- Mr. Adams was a MAJOR reason why the 'bronze-age' Batman, became MY batman! Not to mention, he was a pioneer and out-right 'crusader' for 'creator's rights' in the comics profession! Rest well, my childhood hero!

'Loydster's Ramblings'---- Episode 5!!!

 

Another month has nearly ZIPPED on past us, another episode of 'audio-insanity'--- known as 'Loydster's Ramblings'--- is once again popping-up on this here blog-a-wog-a-wang-a-dang! This time around.... another BURNING question, that's probably kept some of you out there up for COUNTLESS nights! (sure---sure!) AND-- that question IS-----

As USUAL, a note or two about the content of this latest collection of Loydster-chatter!----

When referring to the  'Star Trek' home-movie-'epic', that my life-long friends--- Tim and Jeff---and I, of course... worked on WAY back in the ANCIENT times (1989!)--- I neglected to mention that BOTH of my sisters were also wrangled into taking part in it! Apologies to BOTH Kathy & Lisa..... for leaving you out of the story! The fact that ALL of us 'Ferrell offspring' were ALL in that 100% REAL-GEEKY-NERD-FEST--- is part of what's made it such a fond memory, all these years later! 

Also, while I did mention having a few of the early 'Star Wars' Marvel comics back in the day--- I neglected to mention that, a number of years BEFORE 'Star Wars' was a 'twinkle in the eye' of George Lucas---- I also had a few of the old Gold Key, early 70s 'Star Trek' comics! Alas, those old 'funny books', (much like the 'Star Wars' comics I blabbed about!) disappeared over the years! 

Hey--- when you're a preacher's kid, and you move around a LOT--- at least SOME of the stuff from your childhood gets 'lost in the shuffle'! Anyway-yay... enough nit-picking / picking-at-nits! ON with the blibbity-blabbin'! Do the usual 'pointing-and-clicking'--- down below---to get your monthly dose of 'Loyd's GOOFYNESS'!----

                                                                      ANOTHER episode of 'Loyd-a-blabbin'!

Fond memories of yet ANOTHER 'wild' childhood (western) hero!

As the faithful few (VERY few! But--- that's OK, I do this here blog-thang for FUN anyway!) that follow along with me here no doubt know by now..... I like to frequently take you, the gentle reader, along on trips in my own little 'mental-time-machine' to the days of my childhood! Especially those days when I would be parked in front of our TV, on weekday afternoons / evenings--- after a long day of being 'educated' at school.

Oh the FUN programs that used to air back then! In particular, the programs that would be shown on what were then called 'independent' stations. Independent channels didn't have any major network programing all the broadcast day, so their programing schedule would usually be filled with ALL KINDS of stuff, that little 'geek-a-zoids-in-the-making'---like the 'little Loydster', for example--- would just be spellbound by! a LARGE chunk of that entertainment, would be shows that had originally aired in the mid-to-late 60s.

One such station, was KMPH, channel 26 ---in Visalia California. Their afternoons and evenings were just PACKED with all kinds of action and adventure! Shows like: 'Batman', 'Star Trek'.... and the show I'm focusing on / getting all nostalgic about, in this HERE post!-----

Originally airing in 1965-69, this show was in constant (early evening) reruns by the early 70s! JUST in time for the 'lil Loydster to get hooked on it!

Yes, and what a 'wild' show this was! A truly UNIQUE hybrid of  western 'shoot-em-up', two-fisted ACTION (lead actor Robert Conrad did most ALL of his own stunts!), and just outright sci-fi ideas! Oh, and there were all sorts of COOL gadgets and secret-agent doo-dads thrown-in for good measure too!

But--- like pretty much ALL good classic TV shows, a BIG part of what made the show appealing to the (then-around-9-year-old) 'lil Loydster, was the chemistry between the two lead actors. The above mentioned Bob Conrad, and as his comrade in the fight against evil, Ross Martin!----

Artemus 'Artie' Gordon and James West--- super-secret service agents! protecting 1880s America from EVIL! Every weeknight, from 5 to 6pm during the early 70s! Perfectly portrayed by Ross Martin and Bob Conrad!


Leading man Robert Conrad was just right, as the quick-thinking, intrepid secret-service agent James West. Ross Martin, also perfectly cast, as fellow agent (as well as a MASTER of disguise and the builder / inventor of much of the above mentioned gadgets used in their adventures!) Artemus 'Artie' Gordon. These actors played off each other's different personalities in just the right way! Not to mention their attitudes / performances were just the right mix of 'deadly-serious' when necessary, and tongue-in-cheek when required in a given episode!

Let's not forget another FUN element that, in my own humble opinion, STILL holds up--- JUST as cool now, as it did way back then....to my then-elementary-school-aged-self! The show's opening credits!---- 

                                               

AND---- I would be a very POOR host of this here blog-a-wog-a-wing-a-ding-thing, if I didn't also point out the absolutely NEAT-O way the show would transition to it's commercial-breaks--- usually around 4 times in each episode. (Most episodes were usually broke-up into 4 'acts'.) The 'freeze panels'! As the segment would come to a climax--- often a 'cliff-hanger'-type moment-- the scene would 'freeze', then transition to what looked VERY much like comic book 'line art'!-----

  

Some of my 'other interests' being what they are (in other words: COMIC BOOKS!), you can see why that particular 'graphic element' of the show would STILL grab me! Yet another component of the show that made it the CLASSIC type of entertainment that it remains, even today!

Like I was saying in the last pod-cast episode, 'Wild Wild West' was one of the shows that I not only enjoyed as a kid--- but it was also a show my parents could feel 100% safe & secure, in letting me watch it every weeknight! It was--- and this has SADLY become something of a RARE thing these days--- a TRULY 'family friendly' show!

Think about it! The 'good guys' out-witted, out-maneuvered, and just out-right SOUNDLY beat the bad guys! EVERY episode! AND--- it was done with plenty of style and humor! This is one of the shows, I can say in all honesty---- that helped me not only keep on enjoying action-adventure-types of entertainment all the way into adulthood, BUT--- it helped re-enforce what morals my folks were trying SO hard to instill in me during those sometimes kinda BUMPY, awkward childhood years!

Oddly enough, 'Wild Wild West' is one of a handful of my fondly remembered childhood favorite-shows, that I STILL don't own on video / DVD! I definitely plan on snagging it at some point in the NEAR future, though! Then, I plan on re-watching each and every episode! Once AGAIN, I'll be able to witness good 'ol 'James' and 'Artemus'--- defending 1880s America from the forces of evil! Long live the 'Wild Wild West'!

This post is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Robert Conrad! (1935-2020) The ONE, TRUE, and ONLY agent James T. West!

'Loydster's Ramblings'---- Episode FOUR!

 

Believe it or NOT---- life has been just reasonably sane enough, that the 'ol Loydster has managed to put together a brand-spankin'-NEW episode of 'audio-nonsense'! In this FIRST 'fresh content' show, I'll address the question---that all of possibly 1 or 2 of you may even care about!  AND---that is-----

Some notes about the episode--- before we dive off into the usual SHAMELESS-geekiness!----

 For those of you who may not be steeped in the history of the 'Caped Crusader', Bill Finger (who I refer to early in the show!) was pretty much the co-creator of 'ol Bats. He didn't get that 'co-creator' credit, 'til 2017-------OVER 40 YEARS after his death! That's just a low-down-dirty shame, to say the least! 

The character would've been VERY different, if not for Mr. Finger! He also probably wouldn't have lasted much past his first appearance!

When blabbing about the 'Marvel movies', I neglected to mention the recent 'Spidey' films, staring Tom Holland! They are modern super hero CLASSICS in their own right, and I regret the out-right GOOF of not giving them some recognition! The most recent film----'...No Way Home', was a REAL gift (it DID come out smack in the middle of the Holidays, after all!) to those of us, who are fans of ALL of the 'Spider-flicks'!

Also, speaking of 'Marvel' flicks--- there ARE some that I've seen, that I didn't much care for! The 'Guardians of the Galaxy'  films didn't do too much for me! I also haven't even bothered checking out 'Captain Marvel', 'The Eternals' or even 'Shang Chi'. They're just characters I can't seem to get too excited about. (despite, in the case of 'The Eternals' anyway-- the characters being created by Jack 'King' Kirby!) 

Truth is, the 'movie-versions' of characters that I really DIG from 'the house of ideas', have already been done, and done REALLY well, I might add! Now--- IF the announced upcoming 'Fantastic Four' flick is done with the SAME kind of care & creativity, as the flicks I yack about in this here episode--- I'll be up for checking that one out!

Near the end of the episode, while referring to the 'Batman Adventures' comics, I neglected to mention the LONGEST-running of  ALL those titles! 'Batman: Gotham Adventures' lasted for 60 issues, and--- here's where Loydster shows what a complete and utterly-forgetful DOOFUS  he is--- I actually have EVERY single issue of that series!  Like they say.... the memory is the FIRST to go!

That's PLENTY of rattling on about my over-sights and foul-ups! On with the show! just do the usual 'pointing-and-clicking' on the link below, to open up this month's 'assault-on-your-ears-and-brain'!---

                                             

                                                              The FIRST 'brand-spanking-new-content' episode!

For those wondering just WHAT to get me on my B-day!

 

 

Attention: to all of the long-lost, CRAZY-wealthy relatives I may have out there (as of yet, NONE have came forward!)! Here's a couple of items that, while WILDLY-outrageously-expensive--- would make me VERY happy! Until, that is.... I'd have to figure out just WHERE I'd display them / store them! (storage would HAVE to be the solution at the moment--- since the 'Man-Cave's dismantling back in January of last year!)

AND--- aren't those folks at 'Sideshow' toys SO helpful? They even have these NIFTY videos, that educate (the more well-off) hard-core GEEK-A-ZOIDS in how to put one of these items together! Not to mention, they also cause us 'working-class-paycheck-to-paycheck' - types to just DROOL! AND-- wish we had a LOT more of that ALIEN-concept to us--- known as 'disposable income'!!!----

Just keeping those day-dreams alive everybody! Oh--- and if you ARE one of those CRAZY-wealthy, long-lost relatives I mentioned? You've got PLENTY of time 'til my next B-day! It's not until late JUNE! See you next time everyone!

Loyd's BONUS video-clip(s)!!--- # 42!!-- A couple of VERY wicked pony-cars!

 

If you've been checking in with ANY kind of regularity to this here little teensy-weensy corner of the web--- you'll KNOW without a doubt, that 'ol Loydster has a thing about the Ford Mustang! BOTH classic / vintage models, as well as the newer models. Just scroll back through the earlier posts here if you need a reminder of just HOW geeked-out I really am, about Ford's little Pony-car!

While recently cruising around on Youtube, I happened across these SUPER-neat-o videos! They focus  on a couple of VERY impressive 'Stangs! The one featuring a replica of the beast from the 2000 version of  'Gone in 60 Seconds', ('so-so' movie, CLASSIC car!) had me DROOLING! Then... I stumbled across the one showing off the 2017 Shelby Super Snake 'wide body'! Needless to say, the DROOLING continued!---