'Loydster's Ramblings'---- Episode 6!!!

 

Another Month nearly at an end, another pod-cast! This time around, I dive-off into all the reasons I really DIG one of my favorite movies!-----

I know a LOT has been put out there about this movie! Books have been written, documentaries have been made, college classes have even been taught about it! The movie itself is pretty much--- at nearly 80 years old (!!!)--- an American treasure / institution! But, like most ALL of what I post up here at the 'ol bloggie-wogga-doodle-dang-thang, this here is just a collection of my personal thoughts and takes on what makes this such a GREAT film!

By-the-way---for those of you (all 1 or 2 of you!) that have the 'burning question' in your mind: How can a fan of super heroes and Sci-Fi (like the Loydster!) also be such a GEEK about old black & white flicks like this one? Well.... you can at least PARTLY blame my mom!

Classic films (like 'Casablanca', and numerous others!) were something my mom LOVED to watch, over and over! I guess she passed that affection for this kind of entertainment--- as well as the love of some of the GREAT artists / actors from 'Hollywood's Golden Age'--- on down to me! (Of course, mom also REALLY liked old 'singing cowboy' movies and CHEESY musicals! I didn't pick up her love for any of that stuff, needless to say! So it isn't all 'genetics' or 'in my DNA'!)

So, enough with the introduction-type-jazz!!!..... Go on ahead and do the usual 'pointing-and-clicking' down below the 'classic mic image' down yonder, to listen / down-load!-----

                                                               

                                                                                     'Casablanca' blab-session! 

Just for 'grins-and-giggles,' AND--the FUN of it--- and because, like I've said here before-- they just DO NOT make nifty movie-trailers like this anymore in Hollywood! I'm putting up the trailer for this CLASSIC film once again!----

AND---- here's that 'important announcement' that you were warned about, earlier in the month!----

---(point-and-click below, once again!)---

                                                                                The 'important Announcement'!

                                        ----Stay safe, sane, and happy 'til NEXT month gang!----

This post is dedicated to my mom: Mary Louise Ferrell! (1945-2018) The original 'Ferrell-family-pop-culture-fanatic'! Still miss that big smile of yours, mom!

Remembering and celebrating George!

 

MOST of the time--- in my dinky little corner of the web--- I strive for an over-all 'light-hearted' groove with what's posted-up here at the 'ol bloggie-thang! BUT... for the SECOND time in just a two-week period, ANOTHER comics-field legend has left us! The deservedly legendary Mr. George Perez passed away on May 6th, at the age of 67.

This is INDEED sad news! And.... yet, in the days since I learned of his passing.... I've been thinking about the JOY his artwork brought to not ONLY just little 'ol me--- but to MILLIONS of other comics fans! So.... with maybe a bit of a lump in my throat, and a tear in the eyes now and then.... I can't help but think of some of the WAY-COOL projects he had a part in--- and just break-out into a big, SHAMELESS geek-a-zoid smile!

 

As is also usually the case---- there are, no doubt--- MANY other sources you can check out, if you'd like an over-all-view of Mr. Perez's career, top 20 projects, past interviews with the man himself, and on and on! ALL that would without a doubt be more thorough, than anything I could put together here in this little space! 

So, what I'd like to do here, in my little 'virtual-version' of the 'Secret Sanctum'--- is what I ALWAYS end up doing!--- focus on the work the man created, that I personally have enjoyed over the years! Stuff that--- even though some of it is close to 4-decades old---- STILL has me DIGGING it, all these years later!-----

Ah, the grand-daddy of ALL the 'universe-shaking-changing--over-haul' / 'event' storylines! 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' truly rocked my world, back in 1985 (yes, that's right folks--- 37 years ago!)! I'd seen glimpses of George's art before then.... but this was the first series, featuring his artwork--- that I actively collected. I've re-read it several times over the years, and it STILL packs a wallop! The deaths of TWO major DC characters, countless 'superhero-crowd-scenes' (as well as a couple of  'villain-crowd-scenes'!)---something the artist was famous for! (that, and CROWDED-epic-battle-scenes!) scripter Marv Wolfman was no slouch in the writing department either! This is one over-sized EPIC, that holds up as an all-time classic! 

 

The first issue of this series, the 3rd starring Marvel's 'A-team' (in 1998)---- featured EVERYBODY who had ever been an Avenger! Right up Mr. (super-hero-crowd-scene!) Perez's alley, no doubt! He and writer Kurt Busiek, ended up doing a nearly 3-year run on the book. Entertaining, well-crafted superhero story-telling at it's finest! 

PLUS--- each character looks like an actual, unique individual--- instead of a 'generic hero-type' (like comic book characters tended to look, for MANY years!) Truly a gift Mr. Perez had, that sometimes gets over-looked! I've also re-read this run of issues a time or two, and it has continued to entertain me--- and make me smile that aforementioned 'geek-a-zoid' smile!

The story BEHIND the scenes of this LONG-awaited-by-the fans cross-over event, (released in 2003) is almost as entertaining and interesting as the DC / Marvel 'big-guns'-team-up story itself! After an earlier 'inter-company' cross-over had the plug pulled on it, way back in 1982--- for which George had already penciled over 20 PAGES (!!!??!)--- the artist had to wait over 20 YEARS to fulfill his dream of drawing this ULTIMATE superhero-universe-mash-up! 

VERY much worth every penny to this 'ol 'gray-whiskered' comics-fan-boy! Just seeing the heroes of DC / Marvel meet-up and interact with each other, made it  a 'TWELVE' on the 1-to-10 'coolness-meter'! Not to mention, you can see the love-for-the-characters in EVERY page of Mr. Perez's artwork!

Actually, this is one I haven't re-read in a while! Once my stuff from the former 'Bat-cave' is unpacked in the (hopefully NEAR) future, I fully intend on diving into it again!

And that's my trip down memory lane, looking back on some of my faves, from the work of one of the GREATS of  the comics-creating profession! George Perez was truly a unique, and gifted artist. He was also, from what I've learned about him--- a pretty shameless comics-geek himself! 

I'd like to think that somewhere 'up above', he's smiling that warm, (obviously) big-hearted smile--- like in the picture up at the top of this post---- knowing he's brought so MUCH joy and excitement into the lives of COUNTLESS 'fans-of-the-fantastic', like the 'ol Loydster! May that joy and excitement continue for generations to come! 

In the past few days, I've read where a fellow comics-fanatic had wondered: 'What if, in 'the great-beyond', Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, and now George Perez... are right this moment, plotting-out an EPIC superhero extravaganza together? Something that would just BLOW all of us away?' That thought made me smile about those comic-art legends once again. To create made these folks happy. Their talents truly blessed all of us comics-fans with thousands of hours of fun and entertainment!  So.....God bless George Perez! Gone but NOT forgotten indeed!

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!