Pop Culture Chronicles

A New Way to Watch Old TV

Remember the old days when you actually had to wait until your favorite program came on before you could watch it? If you weren't in front of the TV at that time, you were just out of luck. Then came VCRs. We could now record shows while we were away, but there was still that matter of setting the timer and hoping you went through all the steps just right. (The DVR has greatly simplified the recording process).

But recording wasn't fool proof. If the start of your show was delayed by a news bulletin or sporting event in overtime, you might not get the ending recorded. When you did, there was still all those commercials to fast forward through.  

But it wasn't long before programs started coming to video, and later DVD, and still later Blue Ray. Now we can purchase what we really want to watch. But that could run into mountains of money, so the video rental store became popular. But if every copy of what we wanted was already rented, or did not even come to that store, again we were out of luck. Plus we had to waste time and gas driving.  

Then came the mail order video rental, but now Netflix has gone even a step farther offering streaming video as a part of their monthly membership package, the least expensive of which is only around $11.00 a month. This provides unlimited streaming video and unlimited DVD rentals (but only one DVD out at a time. If you want more you must pay more).

What I really like is the streaming video feature, but that doesn't mean you have to watch TV on your computer. You can buy a Roku player for less than $100 which puts the streaming video right on your TV. It is ridiculously easy to install. High speed internet is a must. You can use ethernet if you like, but Roku is also set up to handle a wireless router.

We've had our Roku for over a year now and we have greatly enjoyed it. It's like TV a la carte. Pick what you want to watch, click on it with the remote, and you're in business. You can pause it if you get interrupted. You can even design your own instant queue. The selection of what is available on streaming video does rotate. Shows are on for a while and then replaced just like on syndicated television.

While this is old news to many, I am especially excited about what this means for comic fans and western fans, of which I am both. The available programs include old TV series like westerns that also came to comics. These include Gunsmoke, Cheyenne, Have Gun Will Travel, and Wagon Train. Other shows that have since been made into comics include 24, the A-Team, Dark Shadows, Heroes, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and the Munsters. All of these are currently available to watch at any time. Shows whose characters began in comics include Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, The Incredible Hulk, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and a number of the DC "straight-to-DVD" animated features.

In terms of mail order, our Netflix queue has Superboy, the animated Batman, Superman, and Justice League series, the 1967 Spiderman cartoons, Wonder Woman, Young Indiana Jones, the Three Stooges, Star Trek, Laramie, Bonanza, The Wild Wild West, and Gomer Pyle all on standby. Right now the new Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey, Jr. is waiting to be watched and returned. So in case some of you didn't know about this, for me it is a dream come true as I journey to retroville to watch many of the TV series that I have loved through the years.  

Now, all that being said, some of the newer TVs can show Netfilx streaming video without a Roku player, but I would still recommend you get the Roku. New channels are being added constantly, many of which are free. These include Whiskey Media whose offerings include Comic Vine News videos. Local weather and various radio news sites are available as well. With the Roku player you can have Hulu on your TV screen for a small monthly fee. One channel I like is Pub D' Hub (A free channel) which includes an almost endless list of public domain movies and TV series. You can watch the Drive-in variety "Teenagers from Outer Space," "Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter," or "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians." (I'm not making these titles up! Lots of B variety sci-fi and westerns are available.

With this new way of watching TV, I think we'll be cancelling our cable soon. Who needs overpriced cable when you can buy a Roku player and then pay $11.00 a month for Netflix? Well, I know there is sports, but for ESPN, live broadcasts are often online at ESPN3.com. But thankfully, we're not big sports fans. If you are, you can still get locals with a digital antenna for around 100 bucks.         

A Very Brady Blog Post

Recently Watching A Very Brady Christmas with my daughter caused me to wonder how many Brady reunions there have been since the cancellation of the original series. My research has revealed that there have been three spin-off series from the original: a variety show, a sit-com, and a drama. The original series is available in its entirety on DVD.

The first reunion was the Brady Variety Hour in 1977 which lasted only nine episodes. The second reunion was to be a TV movie entitled The Brady Girls Get Married in 1981. The movie was re-edited into the first three episodes of a new sit-com called The Brady Brides which told of Marcia and Jan's married life. The series ran 10 episodes. 

The TV movie A Very Brady Christmas aired in 1988. The high ratings led to yet another spin-off series called The Bradys which was more dramatic than comedic. It ran six episodes which have since been re-edited into three TV movies. 

Reuniting the entirety of such a large cast proved challenging, with the original Jan missing from the variety hour, the original Cindy missing from the Christmas movie, and the original Marcia missing from the drama. Each were replaced with other actors. The Brady Girls Get Married (which became the first three episodes of "The Brady Brides") was the only reunion that featured the entire original cast.  

The most successful Brady series outside of the original was actually a cartoon called "The Brady Kids" airing from 1972-1974, lasting 22 episodes. Since the series there have been two theatrical films which spoofed the original series, both featuring all new actors. The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel were released in 1995 and 1996 respectively. A third movie was released to DVD in 2002 called The Brady Bunch in the White House.

As is obvious from the picture on this post, the Bradys also had their day in comics when Dell published two issues, complete with photo covers, in 1970. A promotional comic, Brady Bunch Kite Fun Book appeared in 1976.

It has been noted that the original series and reunions have put the Bradys on all three networks at various times. This feat isn't unique to the Bradys, however, since James Garner has played the role of Bret Maverick on all three networks as well. The original Maverick series aired on ABC, the New Maverick/Young Maverick on CBS, and the Bret Maverick series on NBC.             

Books with Retro Appeal

Here is a listing of some books I'd like to eventually check out, especially if I could find them in a public library:

1000 Comic Books You Must Read by Tony Isabella

Should be interesting to see what makes his list and why. Amazon has it for 19.79.  

Alex Toth in Hollywood (Pure Imagination Publishing)

This late great 20th century artist spent some years working for Western Publishing (Dell & Gold Key) drawing comics based on TV series and movies. This volume includes stories from Roy Rogers, Sea Hunt, The Lennon Sisters, Disney's Zorro and Sugarfoot. Also included is an adaptation of the John Wayne film, The Wings of Eagles and James Stewart's film The F.B.I. Story.

Batman: Earth One by J. Michael Straczynski and Superman: Earth One by Geoff Johns

Two of the greatest writers take on two of DC's greatest heroes. These graphic novels retell the origins of these heroes outside the context of regular DC continuity. Anything can happen as we see yet another universe's version of these heroes. I'm thinking these should be out in the Spring.  

Casper the Friendly Ghost 60th Anniversary (hardcover).

I would look this one over for the sheer nostalgia, although I'm not a huge Casper fan. But these kind of old kid-friendly stories and art take me back to my childhood and celebrate the Golden Age (which I'n not old enough to remember, but only enjoy through reprints and back issues).

This one, published by Dark Horse, reprints Casper #1 from St.John Publishing (1949) and Casper # 61 from Harvey (1952). Amazon has it for only ten bucks. Back issue reprint collections are a great way to share a comic hobby with your kids without exposing them to all the graphic violence and language in some of today's comics. 

Crisis on Multiple Earths, vol. 5 (trade paperback) 

I've waited a very long time for the next volume in this series that reprints the annual JLA and JSA crossovers. This one should cover the late 70s and early 80s. It is scheduled for late April release. 

Jonah Hex: No Way Back (DC Comics)

An original graphic novel, scheduled for May release, just in time for the live action movie starring Josh Brolin.

Last Days of Animal Man (DC Comics)

This early March release collects the six issue mini-series of the character I grew to love in the 52 series. I'll read this one after I check out Countdown to Adventure which I believe to be a bridge from 52 to this series.  

Supermen: The First Wave of Heroes 1936-1941(Fantagraphics, paperback, 192 pages)

Reprints of early and rarely seen heroes drawn by the likes of Kirby, Wolverton, and others. Amazon has it for $23.07.  

Tarzan Archives. vol. 5, The Jesse Marsh Years (Dark Horse, hardcover)

Reprints Dell's rare issues 23-27. 

Was Superman a Spy? by Brian Cronin 

This one is dirt cheap on Amazon right now, listed as a bargain. Written by the author of the popular Comics Should be Good blog, this book deals with the urban myths and legends of the comic book industry. Divided into three sections; Marvel, DC, and other publishers, this volume either confirms or dispels many rumors. 

It purports to answr such burning questions as "Why did Ditko leave Spiderman?"; Why did a robot replace the Human Torch on the 70s Fantastic Four cartoon series?"; and "Was Elvis Presley's trademark hairstyle based on a comic character?" Sounds like some amusing light reading.  

Top Ten TV Westerns (50s-60s) Part 2

I now give you my choices for top five westerns of the 50s-60s. Since each western also appeared in comics, a comic cover will accompany each.

# 5 - Sugarfoot - I'm still not sure what a sugarfoot is, but I think it's like a tenderfoot with a sweet disposition. This was the character Will Hutchins played in this classic Warner Brothers series. Tom Brewster was a drifter studying law from the mail order books in his saddlebags (which is where his gun-belt stayed most of the time as well). This story about an experienced cowboy who was also a lawyer wannabe made for some very unique plots. About six issues of the comic were published as a part of Dell's Four Color series. 

 

# 4 - Big Valley- This series was the big break that made Lee Majors and Linda Evans TV stars. Ahead of its time, this series dealt with more mature issues as the illegitimate Barkley son returns to collect his share of the inheritance. Older brother, Jarrod (Richard Long) is a lawyer and middle brother, Nick (Peter Breck) is the hot tempered ranch boss. It didn't hurt that this series featured veteran actress, Barbara Stanwyck as matriarch Victoria. Dell published six issues of the comic series. 

 

# 3 - Gunsmoke - The longest running Western series in history, Gunsmoke stayed in prime time for 20 years (1955-1975), making James Arness the only actor to play the same character in a single series for two decades. Our family is currently making our way through the first season of this series which is now being released in official DVD season sets. The first three seasons are already out. The first 27 issues of the comic series were published by Dell beginning in 1957 as a part of the Four Color series. In 1969-70, six issues of Gunsmoke were published by Gold Key. 

 

# 2 - Bonanza- On DVD, finally! The first two seasons of this series recently came out on DVD. Until now VHS tapes and DVDs of public domain episodes were released, but often minus the original theme music. The new sets are "official" and even include original promo material, photo stills, and other special features. Most of these episodes have never before been released on video. The series was about the ranch family of patriarch Ben Cartwright, a three time widower with a grown son by each wife.

The chemistry of the original cast was excellent, but midway through, Pernell Roberts (eldest brother, Adam) left the show and Dan Blocker (Hoss) died just prior to the final season. The only original cast members left were Lorne Greene (Ben) and Michael Landon (Little Joe), so things just weren't the same by series end. The writing had also deteriorated. But in its heyday Bonanza was one of the best series ever. The first few seasons are exceptional and you can see how the Cartwright clan evolved and developed over time. A few issues of Bonanza were published as a part of Dell's Four Color series, followed by 37 issues published by Gold Key.   

# 1 - Maverick - What can be said that I haven't already mentioned in my previous Maverick post? While I'm a fan of traditional westerns, this one was anything but traditional. Cerebral plots and comedic episodes were common. Some episodes didn't even seem like westerns, with stories in settings like Louisiana, Mexico, on riverboats, and even in South America. James Garner was the original Maverick, but Jack Kelly, who played Brother Bart, was also very talented and likable.

The series was about two gamblers traveling the west and occasionally crossing paths. The first three seasons, featuring Garner, were the absolute best. The fourth season with Roger Moore as Beau and Robert Colbert as Brent were okay, but not as good. I do like the Roger Moore episode, Bolt from the Blue which guest stars Will Hutchins (as Sugarfoot?). 

For the fifth season Bart went solo, explaining why there are more episodes with him. One redeeming thing about this season was the recurring role of Peter Breck (pre-Big Valley) as Doc Holiday. My favorite fifth season episode is the hilarious Marshall Maverick with Jack Kelly and Peter Breck.

What makes this my favorite western is the stories and the acting of Garner and Kelly. Most of the Warner Brothers stable of westerns (including Maverick, Cheyenne, Colt 45, Sugarfoot, Bronco, and Lawman) have not made it to DVD. Exceptions include the first season of Cheyenne which is available and only three episodes of Maverick. These are all rare or nonexistent in syndication as well making the need for DVD collections even greater. But Maverick is available to Netflix members on streaming video.

Top Ten TV Westerns (50s-60s) Part 1

If you've read this blog for any length of time, then you know that one of my favorite television genres is the Western. I cut my teeth on the westerns of the late 60s and the re-runs of earlier Westerns. What all popular 50s and 60s westerns had in common is that they were all in the comic books as well--complete with photo covers. So here I'll go through my top ten westerns displaying the image of a comic cover for each.  

# 10 - Wanted: Dead or Alive - I discovered re-runs of this one weekdays after school while an elementary student. It's where Steve McQueen got his start. He went on to find stardom in the Magnificent Seven playing a character patterned after bounty hunter Josh Randall, his TV part. Two comics were published in the Dell Four Color series and the TV series is available on DVD.

 

# 9 - Lone Ranger - One of my earliest memories is of watching the Lone Ranger. As a child I would set my alarm to watch it at 6:30 weekday mornings before school. On Sunday mornings I would watch the color episodes on another TV station. I also read the comics, watched the cartoons, and owned the action figures. An official anniversary DVD set of the first two seasons has recently been released. The Lone Ranger's history in comics pre-dates his television appearances. 

 

# 8 - High Chaparral - Only one issue of this comic was ever published and is now worth about $70 in mint condition. I remember watching the TV series when it was new and I was a small child back in the late 60s. In the 70s I watched re-runs with my sister on weekday afternoons. We often pretended to be the characters when we played cowboys.  As an adult I saw re-runs on the Hallmark Channel when they dedicated Saturday afternoons to old westerns. They called it Rough and Ready Saturdays. The show was ahead of its time featuring Native Americans and Hispanics in the regular cast. This show is unfortunately unavailable on DVD, but fans are petitioning for it.  

# 7 - The Rifleman - Another show that I discovered in re-runs on weekdays after school. This was a personal favorite when I was a child. They packed a lot of action into 30 minutes. Only a handfull of public domain episodes are on DVD, but no official season sets as of yet.

 

 

# 6 - Cheyenne -An "A" variety Warner Brothers western. Great writing and great acting about a drifter raised by Native Americans. It was the first hour long TV western. This show is another of my earliest memories. I saw the re- runs as a teenager on Saturday afternoons. The first season is on DVD. 

 

Part Two of my top ten coming soon.  

Comic Collection Essentials, Part One

It's been so long since I've posted here that I almost forgot my password. But I've had a good reason for the long time in between posts--like having had four addresses in the last two years. Since my last post our family has moved for what we hope will be the last time in a long time. So being somewhat settled will mean more regular posting. Since my last post we have sold one house and bought another.  

Pictured is my comic collection in the bonus room over the garage of our new home (click photo for larger view). My wife informs me that the collection will not be staying there, but this gives an idea of the size of it. I'm currently going through and weeding out as well as making a want list to fill in some gaps. 

So I thought that now might be a good time to talk about comic collecting in general. Some time ago, several bloggers were listing their ideas of top 50 items that should be essential to every comic collection. So I've decided to finally get in on this. But I couldn't think of 50 items, so I'll list 25--in no particular order. 

So you can take all these ideas and have a massive variety filled collection. Or just take one or a few of these ideas and collect very selectively. So here are some collecting ideas: 

1) A run of several years of a favorite title. I have some pretty long runs of several Batman and Superman titles including every issue of the Shadow of the Bat series. I'm missing just two issues of the JSA series that began in 1999 and ran for 87 issues. 

2) Public Service Announcement Comics. Usually giveaways in which Smokey Bear may teach us how to prevent forest fires or Spiderman might warn against the hazards of smoking. 

3) Comics starring Hanna-Barbera characters. These comics were mainly published by Dell and Gold Key in the 60s and by Charlton in the 70s starring the likes of Scooby Doo, Huckleberry Hound, the Flintstones and other current residents of the Boomerang network. 

4) Comics featuring Looney Tunes characters. These have most recently been produced by DC Comics, but in the past Dell and Gold Key had the market cornered. These include Warner Brothers cartoon stars like Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig. My personal favorite is Daffy Duck of whom I have several Bronze Age issues.    

5) A few 3-D comics complete with glasses. My collection includes several Gumby 3-D comics, a few Superman one-shots, the more recent Final Crisis: Superman Beyond two- parter, and a Batman one-shot.         

More later.

Collected Reprint Editions

Throughout the modern age of comics thus far, collected reprint editions have been popular. A collected edition might be in trade paperback format or it might be a hardcover archives edition.

Collected editions are basically comic book reprints in book form that bring together stories consisting of a particular series, character, or theme. Just as it doesn't take long for movies to get to DVD these days, nor does it take long for comics to be reprinted as collected editions. Once a title completes a story arc of several issues, those issues are soon reprinted either in paperback or hardcover. It's also common for Golden, Silver, and Bronze Age series to be reprinted in collections.

The good thing about all this is that it can make comics more affordable and easier to collect. Reprints of Golden Age material is far more affordable than the original comics. And the reprint editions are usually restored to pristine quality. And if a reader doesn't want to collect every issue in a current story arc, reading the story in small bits over several months, one can just wait for the run to be reprinted. Reprint editions can also be found in public libraries, providing access to the stories without having to buy them, or allowing readers to preview prior to purchase. So this is great news for comic fans.  

If there is a down side, it is the potential poor health of the back issue market. Who wants to do all the leg work of collecting back issues of a recent limited series when it's easier, and sometimes less expensive, to simply buy the trade? This could be bad news for dealers and collectors trying to move back issue stock--especially comics that are only several months old. 

I still buy an occasional back issue though. I recently cataloged my entire comic collection, discovering gaps in several runs--an issue or two missing here and there. Since I have some almost complete runs in comic book format it makes since to fill in the gaps with standard comics. On the other hand, I wanted to collect every JLA/JSA team-up. As opposed to hunting down all the back issues and spending hundreds of dollars, I'm collecting the trade series that reprints these stories--Crisis on Multiple Earths. Volume five is rumored to be in the works. 

That being said, I've recently noticed how the Dark Horse company is outdoing itself in regard to retro reprints. Here are some of the nostalgic reprint collections I am personally glad to see, all from Dark Horse: 

Golden Age Archives

Roy Rogers Archives reprints the King of the Cowboys first comic appearances, from Dell's Four Color series published in the 40s. Coming soon. The issues reprinted in this collection would cost thousands of dollars if one collected the back issues. Archive editions usually run around 50 bucks--or about $32 on Amazon.    

Green Lama Archives dedicates two volumes to this forgotten 40s hero who has recently made a comeback in Dynamite's Project Superpowers.

Shmoo Archives A character originating in Al Capp's Li'l Abner. This volume reprints all the Shmoo's comic book appearances from the 40s and 50s.

Harvey Collections

Remember when Disco Queen, Donna Summer, sang "Lookin' for some hot stuff, baby this evenin'. I want some hot stuff, baby tonight"? This may not be exactly what Ms. Summer meant, but now everyone can have Hot Stuff the Little Devil in a paperback collection in the Harvey Classics series. Now this is the original Hell Boy! Not really. More like Hell Baby. A devil in a diaper. How intimidating.

As a child, I recall reading many of the Harvey comics, but especially Hot Stuff and Richie Rich. Reprint volumes thus far include: Casper, Richie Rich, and Hot Stuff. Forthcoming volumes include Baby Huey and Harvey Girls (featuring Little Dot, Little Audrey, and Little Lotta). All for just around $20 each. 

Silver Age "Gold Key" Reprints

I still have fond memories of the now defunct Gold Key Comics. Most of those I read as a kid (and still own) consist of TV, movie, and cartoon characters. But Dark Horse is now reprinting the original material first published by Gold Key. 

Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom was Gold Key's first original hero (1962-69). Four volumes of his Archives have now been published.

Magnus, Robot Fighter, 4000 A.D. has now seen three Archive editions. Dark Horse has also revived this character in some recent comics.

M.A.R.S Patrol Total War Archives with art by the legendary Wally Wood, reprints stories from 1966-69. 

Boris Karloff, Tales of Mystery will be archived in 2009 complete with a forward by Sara Karloff, daughter of Boris.

Silver Age "American Comics" Reprints

MagicMan Archives reprints the adventures of this Vietnam War era sorcerer. His adventures ran in Forbidden Worlds 125-141. While the Archive edition is $60, a back issue would range from $40 to $100. Coming Soon.         

Nemesis Archives reprints the exploits of this hero from Adventures into the Unknown 154-170 (1965-67). An expensive Archive running about $60, but even one issue of the originals in near mint condition would cost you at least that much. Coming soon. 

I, for one, am happy to see the Golden and Silver Age comics being reprinted. This provides more all ages alternatives. The problem is that today's kids can't afford these, but there is always the library and retro parents who will buy and perhaps share them.     

I hope more Gold Key and Dell series will be archived but since so many of their characters were licensed to them by other companies (such as Disney and Hanna Barbera) it might require some legal red tape. 

I love reprint collections because I'm so retro. Of course the stories weren't usually too sophisticated by today's standards (a bit juvenile as opposed to being truly for "all" ages). But I love this stuff for the nostalgic flavor. I like them because of the retro appeal.           

Maverick

Pictured is a gem I recently purchased at a comic book show. I've been hoping to find an affordable issue of Maverick in decent condition for a long time. If you've been reading this blog, you know I love westerns--especially the TV westerns of the 50s and 60s. While the big screen cowboys are okay, my first love is the TV western whose memorable recurring characters get to seem like old friends. 

Maverick is my favorite western and possibly my favorite TV show of all time. Not your typical horse opera, Maverick had complex plots, witty dialog, comedy relief, a reluctant hero, and excellent acting. 

The comic based on the series lasted 19 issues from 1958 to 1962. The first six issues were a part of Dell Publishing's Four Color series, while the seventh issue was published as Maverick # 7 and the numbering continued from there. Each issue featured photo covers and the one pictured below introduced Bart Maverick to comics (I recently purchased this one at a comic shop sale).  

Bret Maverick (James Garner) was originally to be the only Maverick, until Warner Brothers got behind on production of the TV series. Then Jack Kelly was introduced as Bret's brother, Bart Maverick. So now two episodes could be filmed simultaneously with two separate production crews with respective episodes featuring either Bret or Bart. The Bart episodes would alternate with the Bret episodes Sunday nights on ABC. The brothers would occasionally share an episode. 

Garner left the show after three seasons due to a contract dispute. Kelly continued as Bart and Garner was replaced by Roger Moore who played the Mavericks' British cousin, Beau Maverick. On an earlier episode, Moore had appeared as Jack Vandergelt III, a character very much like the Beau Maverick character. This historical episode was the only one in which Garner, Kelly, and Moore all appeared together. It would be great if someone made available some 8 x 10 stills of the three together from that episode.

Moore played Beau Maverick in only 13 episodes, citing mediocre scripts as his reason for leaving the show. Robert Colbert appeared as Bart's brother, Brent Maverick, in two episodes of Season Four. Publicity photos of Kelly, Moore, and Colbert together and in character still survive. While it was intended that the three appear together in the show, Moore left too soon for that to happen. An episode with Bret and Bart together also aired during Season Four, but was actually a hold over filmed during Season Three. So this makes Season Four the only season in which each of the four Mavericks appeared at least once. Only Kelly returned for the fifth and final season. His new episodes alternated with Garner reruns from earlier years. 

The comics stories always starred whatever Mavericks were currently on the TV show. The artist was Dan Spiegle who visited Garner on the set and took great pains to make his characters look like the actors. 

Maverick has appeared somewhere each decade of the last half of the twentieth century. The original series ran from 1957 to 1962. The 1970s saw a made-for-TV movie, New Maverick, with Garner, Kelly, and introducing Charles Frank as cousin Ben Maverick. His series, Young Maverick ran only 8 episodes on CBS with Garner making a cameo in the first show. 

NBC was the third network to pick up Maverick as Garner returned in Bret Maverick for the 1981-82 season. Kelly made a cameo as Bart in the final episode and would have become a regular player had there been a second season. Kelly also appeared as Bart Maverick in Kenny Rogers' 1991 The Gambler Returns: Luck of the Draw. 

The year 1994 saw the theatrical release of Mel Gibson's Maverick in which Gibson played Bret. Co-stars included James Garner and Jodie Foster. 

So where has Maverick shown up in the 21st century? In 2006, a Bret Maverick statue was unveiled at a ceremony with Garner present in his hometown of Norman, Oklahoma. The Encore Westerns cable network is currently airing the original series daily and in chronological order. My DVD recorder is set nightly and I've so far captured Season One. Maverick episodes can be viewed online for free by clicking here. High speed cable internet helps. And of course, Maverick occasionally shows up at a comic shop or show.                                        

Andy Hardy in Movies, Radio, and Comics

When I was a kid, channel 11, KTVT, in Fort Worth, Texas was an independent superstation in the Southwest (They have since become a CBS affiliate). The Monday night late movies each summer were the Andy Hardy series which I discovered one evening by accident. I've since recorded most of the series off TCM.

Anyhow, I immediately fell in love with the Hardy family who lived the American Dream in the quaint little town of Carville. They were decent, moral, and patriotic people.

The first Hardy family movie was A Family Affair in 1937 which centered around Judge Hardy's entire family. The film was so popular it became a series, with much of the cast being replaced for the series. Lionel Barrymore, the first Judge Hardy, was replaced by Lewis Stone, the quintessential Judge Hardy. It wasn't long before teenage son Andy, played by Mickey Rooney in every installment, stole the show. The films then revolved around Andy's misadventures, including girl trouble, car trouble, and various other "jams." Many of the films have the name Andy Hardy in the title. 

In all there were sixteen Hardy films, with the original series from 1937 to 1946, and a sequel in 1958. The series took Andy from high school through college and beyond. After the series' demise, the Hardy family could be heard on radio in 1949-50.

The final Hardy movie, Andy Hardy Comes Home, was in 1958. A grown and married Andy, now an attorney, comes home to Carville after having been away several years. This film was intended to be a revival of the series as the words "to be continued" appeared on screen during the final scene. But the movie was a box office flop failing to capture the magic of the previous series. Andy Hardy is one of those forever young characters who'll forever be frozen in time as a high school or college boy.

So did Andy Hardy ever have a comic book connection? I'm only aware of one Andy Hardy comic bearing Mickey Rooney's likeness. It's a movie adaptation of the 1946 film Love Laughs at Andy Hardy. It was issue # 3 of Fiction House's Movie Comics. I recently saw a copy on ebay with a Buy it Now price of around $100. A mint copy would be worth over 400 bucks. I guess I won't be adding this one to my collection any time soon.

Dell did about six Andy Hardy comics from 1952-54, but the character doesn't look much like Mickey Rooney. Never having read one of these comics, I don't know how closely it resembles the movie series or if Andy had been updated for the 50s.

I have read that Andy Hardy was the inspiration for the Archie character which may very well be one of the legacies of Andy Hardy. One more comic connection: Ann Rutherford appeared in 13 episodes as Andy's high school sweetheart, Polly Benedict, from 1937-1942. Rutherford went on to marry William Dozier, producer of the Batman TV series.

Only a few Hardy movies are available on video, so you might have to try broadcast television. If you've never seen one, I highly recommend them, especially if you're a 40s nostalgia buff like me. As Andy might say, "They're good clean fun."                        

Snow White and the Seven Stooges

Our family watched Snow White and the Three Stooges for a recent family movie night. We got the free DVD by sending in forms from Kellogg's cereal boxes. Our whole family enjoyed the movie. Snow White was played by figure skating's Olympic Gold Medalist, Carol Heiss. It was a musical fairy tale with plenty of ice skating. My wife loves musicals and figure skating. My daughter loves fairy tales. And of course my son and I love the Three Stooges. But this one was a box office bomb. Being short on slap stick, many traditional Stooge fans just would not accept it.

As any serious Stooge fan knows, the Three Stooges lineup evolved several times. Here is a run down:

1) Moe, Larry, and Shemp. (1922-1932) Brothers Moe and Shemp Howard with longtime friend Larry Fine.

2) Moe, Larry, and Curly. (1932-1946) The "classic" and most popular lineup. The heyday of the Stooges in my opinion. Howard brother "Curly" replaces Shemp who leaves the act.   

3) Moe, Larry, and Shemp. (1947-1955) Following Curly's stroke and eventual death, Shemp is persuaded to rejoin the act.

4) Moe, Larry, and Joe. (1955-1958) Following Shemp Howard's death, he is replaced by Joe Besser.

5) Moe, Larry, and Curly Joe (1958-1975) When Joe Besser leaves the act due to his wife's illness, he is replaced by "Curly" Joe DeRita. While other incarnations of the Stooges starred mainly in short subjects, this is the lineup that is best known for six feature films. The "classic" lineup received top billing in only one feature film, "Rockin' in the Rockies."

6) Moe, Harry, and Curly Joe. Well, this lineup never actually made it to film. But after Larry Fine's death, Moe Howard asked Emil Sitka to be the third stooge ("Harry"). Sitka was already affectionately known as "the fourth stooge" due to his numerous appearances in Stooge films, being the only actor to have worked with every single combination of the Three Stooges. But the unexpected death of Moe Howard robbed Sitka of the opportunity to be an official Stooge. Without a Howard brother in the act, and with no originals left, it was thought best to end the Three Stooges.

So if you count Emil Sitka, you could say that there were seven stooges all together. Snow White only befriended three.

The various Three Stooges lineups have appeared in comics through the years. What follows is a Three Stooges cover gallery which celebrates each combination.

In 1949, a publisher called Jubilee (later St. John) published the only two Golden Age appearances of the "classic" Stooge lineup.

      

   

   

In the 1950s, St. John published several issues featuring Shemp as the third Stooge following his return to the act.

The most common comic book version of the Stooges was the lineup with Curly Joe DeRita as the third Stooge. In the 1960s, between Dell and Gold Key, over 50 issues with photo covers of this lineup were produced. The issues in my personal collection include issues 17 and 35. 

 Three Stooges # 35: 

In the late 80s, Eclipse published four 3-D issues of the "classic" Stooge lineup.

In 1989 and 1991, a publisher called Malibu produced two one-shots featuring the "classic" lineup complete with photo covers.

So there you have it! a very abbreviated history of the Three Stooges and their history in comics. Ironically, while Curly Howard was the most popular third Stooge, he only appeared in two issues of all the Golden and Silver Age comics. But modern publishers would not even think of any other lineup.