Halloween Old Time Radio: The Mercury Theatre's Production of "The War of the Worlds"

Here from 1938 and courtesy of the Internet Archive is the original "panic broadcast." Reportedly 1.7 million people believed it to be true.

Saturday Morning Cartoons - The Mechanical Monsters and Hell's Bells

The second cartoon in the Fleischer series featuring "the amazing stranger from the planet Krypton," here is The Mechanical Monsters.



And in keeping with All Hallows Eve, here is the Disney Silly Symphony, Hell's Bells, directed by Ub Iwerks.

Halloween Old Time Radio: CBS Radio Mystery Theater - "The House on Chimney Pot Lane"

From 1978, no one lives in "The House on Chimney Pot Lane."

PSAs from the Past: Pee Wee Herman says "Don't Do Crack."

And now a message from Pee Wee Herman ...

Halloween Old Time Radio: Lights Out! - "The Chicken Heart"

From 1938 Arch Oboler's most famous creation for "Lights Out!" -- "The Chicken Heart"

Museum of Questionable Nostalgia: "Somehow she knew she and Ken would be going together."

Hi folks, Superpup here with another disturbing exhibit from our Museum...

It was love at first sight when tennage fashion model Barbie set eyes on Frat boy Ken at the Dance. Suave, and sophisticated, but not anatomically correct Ken was the man of Barbie's dreams. Here's how it all began...

Halloween Old Time Radio: CBS Radio Workshop - "Never Bet the Devil Your Head"

From 1957, courtesy of the CBS Radio Workshop:

"Never Bet the Devil Your Head"

In Memoriam: Soupy Sales

Milton Supman aka "Soupbone" Supman (his brothers were nicknamed "Hambone" and "Chickenbone") aka Soupy Sales passed away last week at age 83.

For those that didn't know him he was the hippest kid's show host ever (name another kid show that had Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Stan Getz as guests), and he made taking a pie in the face an art form.

Goodbye Philo Kvetch, Pookie the Lion, "the biggest and meanest dog in the USA" White Fang, and Black Tooth, "the biggest and sweetest dog in the USA." You will be missed.

Saturday Morning Cartoons - The Mad Scientist and The Sky Princess

From 1941 The Fleischer Brothers present Superman: The Mad Scientist.



and from 1942 here is the George Pal Puppetoon, The Sky Princess.

Sci Fiku #5

Unseen, Undying

Powered by the Krell Machine

"Monsters from the Id!"

PSAs from the Past: "People Start Pollution, People Can Stop It"

To start us off right, here is perhaps the most famous television public service announcement of them all.

Museum of Questionable Nostalgia: How would you like your tricycle to sound?

Hi Folks it's Superpup, your tour guide through the museum. Today's entry is "V-rroom!" a popular Mattel toy from the mid-sixties. When it comes to Americans and loud engines we indoctrinate them early...

The Gertie Awards: The Avengers Forever!

The Gertie Award (named after the gentle dinosaur animated by Windsor McCay) is given monthly to web sites that celebrate animation, comics, film, or television. Sites chosen for the Gertie reflect a true love of their
subjects and present them in an innovative, intelligent, and entertaining fashion.

There are countless fan sites on the internet dedicated to classic and cult television shows but rarely do you find a site as detailed and fact-filled as David K. Smith's The Avengers Forever.

Dedicated to the 1960s British spy-fi series. The Avengers Forever documents the adventures of John Steed and his myriad partners, David Keel, Cathy Gale, Gambit and Purdy, and of course, Mrs. Peel. The site provides episode guides, analysis, trivia, a timeline, reviews, and even information on The Avengers stage play and the South African radio serial.

(BTW, if you're too young to remember Steed and friends, or your only exposure to The Avengers is the 1998 movie you're missing something special. Time to update the Netflix queue.)

The Avengers Forever is an obvious labor of love. It is a fascinating site that provides all you'd ever need to know about this classic series.

Preview: Justice League: Crisis on 2 Earths

I grew up with DC's Crisis stories, so I'm looking forward to next spring's entry in the DC Universe DVD series. Here's a sneak peek:

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earth: Preview

Museum of Questionable Nostalgia: "All those that would oppose his shield must yield!"

Hi Folks it's Superpup, your tour guide through the museum. Today's exhibits are th strange "Marvel Superheroes" cartoons from 1966. Directed by Ralph Bakshi these cartoons featured extremely limited animation that literally used the panels of the printed comics as cels. But oh, those swinging theme songs...

Enjoy!

New Toy Story 3 Trailer

Toy Story 3 Posters

Sci Fiku #4

Cylinders rain down

Tripods, Black Smoke, Red Weed kill

Common Cold savior

nano stories #3

You could use a little class, he said as we approached the State House. Then he hocked up and spit. The wind blew his tie in his face.

Shameless Self-Promotion

I'm pleased to announce my flash fiction story, "On the River" will be published in the Winter 2010 issue of Burst Literary E-Zine (which will be in a couple of months). I'll let you know when the issue is released.

The Museum of Questionable Nostalgia: "Lucy, You're So Good To Me."

Hi folks. Superpup here. Want to keep your man happy? Lucy advises you to give him lung cancer in this closing ad from "I Love Lucy." This ad also contains an appearance by the famous Phillip Morris Bellboy.

Screenwriting 101: Loglines

So what do you need to pitch an idea? The first thing producers usually ask for is a Logline. Let's define the term:

Logline - noun - a brief description of your screenplay.

That's it, in a nutshell. There are, as always, differing opinions regarding how to write one. Some insist that your logline must be twenty-five words or less. Some demand that it must be only one sentence. Others say that a logline follows this structure: Hero - Goal - Obstacle.

Blake Snyder, author of the well-known "Save the Cat" books was a guru on this particular subject. (He didn't have a lot of films made, but he got them bought and for serious money.) Blake felt that a logline needed the following elements to be truly effective:

- A Killer Title
- What is it? (the type of film)
- A compelling mental picture.
- Who is the movie's audience and what's its cost.
- Irony

Blake didn't mean that you tell the producer about these things in your logline, but that these elements are reflected in what you're pitching. Let's take a look at one of his recent favorites:

"Four Christmases"
Logline: A newly married couple must spend Christmas Day at each of their four divorced parent's homes.

Well, I'm not sure about the Killer Title part, although it does what it says on the tin.

We know it's a comedy and you can see the potential for fun in the concept.

"Newly married" means young, and the premise says family (there's your audience), and we know it's budget range because we know movies similar to it.

And irony -- well, aren't the holidays supposed to be warm family events?

(BTW, when I first read "Save the Cat" it was Blake's inclusion of irony as an element that intrigued me. I think he has really codified an essential ingredient of a great concept. I'd think about that.)

So, just what is a logline? It's your hook, your "high concept" idea, the image that sells.

It's the reason I want to see your movie.

Writing one is an art form unto itself, so don't be surprised if you struggle with it. But remember, a great logline opens doors.

Favorite Fictional (Or Not) Place Names #4

Ripton, Massachusetts.

I actually have relatives there.