The Era -- Day By Day

[LizzieMaine]

I have a feeling that fate isn't finished with Mr. Tecum. He may indeed get away from it all, but not in quite the way he imagines. Maybe he'll run into Chester Gump and his bunch down there in the Bermuda Triangle.

I find this Crispin character chillingly creepy even without knowing anything about him other than that he's apparently some sort of whey-faced Englishman. He has no idea what he's getting into going after April.

I want very much to know what happened with Lillums and her family after Truck McClusky bought it, and hopefully this hometown interlude will provide that. We caught a glimpse of Lil when Harold and Weird Author Guy passed thru town a while back and she certainly didn't seem to be in mourning. Her mother, I imagine, is a different story.

I can't begin to comprehend why there hasn't been a basic-cable family movie made about Bob the Dog, but I also don't know how his story ends.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Authorized German sources state that they expect France to sign an armistice this afternoon at Compeigne Forest, as French President Albert Lebrun and his Council of Ministers worked today on framing their formal response to the surrender terms presented by Adolf Hitler. It is believed that the terms to be accepted by France will include complete military capitulation, the surrender of all land, sea, and air armaments, and guarantees against any future revival of the Anglo-French Alliance.

Italian airplanes have destroyed the British naval base at Mersa Matruh, Egypt, according to an Italian war communique. It is claimed in that statement that the entire town of Mersa Matruh has been "razed to the ground." The communique also states that Italian planes have also bombed the French port of Marseille and the French naval base of Bizerta in Tunisia "in successive waves," that three Allied ships have been sunk, and an Allied cruiser damaged by airplane bombs east of the Balearic islands.

Seven persons were injured today in Berlin, in the first Allied air raids on the German capital city of the war. Residents fled to air raid shelters as British planed dumped bombs on suburban Babelsburg, "the German Hollywood," which is home to the UFA motion picture studio, whose sound stages resemble airplane hangars from the air. The motion picture studio is located near a large military airport, and there is no confirmation yet as to exactly where the bombs landed.

A left-wing government friendly to Russia took power in Estonia today following a bloodless revolt by workers and Socialists. Dispatches also report pro-Russian demonstrations at Riga, Latvia and in Lithuania, the other Baltic countries bordering Russia and Germany.

Jury deliberations moved into their fourth day this morning in the Christian Front seditious conspiracy trial, with jurors resuming their work after a brief conference with Judge Marcus B. Campbell, in which he reminded them that a piecemeal verdict that does not find all defendants guilty or not guilty is acceptable in the case. The Judge also offered to find the jurors another room for their deliberations if they find the noise of riveting taking place in the courthouse to be disturbing.

Forty-eight hours before the start of the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, party leaders were confronted today with a choice between a deal and a deadlock among the three leading candidates for the GOP presidential nomination. It seems clear that none of those candidates, Thomas E. Dewey of New York, Robert A. Taft of Ohio, and Wendell L. Willkie of Indiana, have the required number of delegates to secure the nomination on any of the early ballots, and party leaders have no assurance that any of those three candidates would be willing to accept second place on the ticket in exchange for an early decision.

Clifford Evans says Pee Wee Reese and Pete Coscarart certainly seem to be getting around these days -- the Dodger keystone combination was seen the other night taking in the scenery from the Columbus Club rooftop overlooking Prospect Park. The twosome has often been seen doing the town around Brooklyn, unlike other Dodgers who seem to cavort more often in Manhattan.

("Hey," says Sally. "How 'bout we go out steppin'? I hear the Columbus Club is nice." Joe huffs and gruffs. "Don't he ever go to the Automat?")

Brooklyn's favorite adenoidal teenager is really pudgy Ezra Stone, who plays the role of Henry Aldrich on the popular "Aldrich Family" broadcasts, and he's back in his home borough after picture work on the Coast. "The Aldrich Family" takes over Jack Benny's Sunday night time slot on NBC for the summer as of tomorrow night. Stone will commute to Radio City from his Columbia Heights home in a second-hand 1936 coupe which he says is very easy to park. In addition to radio work, Stone is conferring with producer George Abbott about a new stage show for the fall, and also expects to do some straw-hat work this summer as his schedule permits.

W2XBS will televise extensively from the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia starting Monday, with the entire television schedule for the week taken up by direct Convention coverage.

("I told you we should have listened to Lum and Abner.")

Major General Smedley Butler has died at the age of fifty-eight from a stomach ailment at a Philadelphia hospital. The decorated Marine Corps officer was onced named "the ideal American soldier" by President Theodore Roosevelt, and spent much of his career denouncing the foibles of military "brass hats." He nearly faced a court martial in 1930 for denouncing Benito Mussolini as "a hit and run driver," and following his retirement from active duty he became noted for his predictions of a second World War.

The Dodgers edged the Pirates 8 to 5 yesterday in a game marked by plenty of slugging, including a homer by Babe Phelps, and a triple, a double, and a single by Pee Wee Reese, back in the lineup for the first time since his beaning in Chicago. The Pirates got in their licks as well, including back-to-back homers by Vince DiMaggio and Frankie Gustine in the fourth inning off Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons that marked the 52nd and 53rd home runs given up by Brooklyn pitchers this season.

As a special Ladies Day attraction, no less an attraction than Bing Crosby himself sang the National Anthem before yesterday's game.

Two fans were spotted in the upper deck behind home plate yesterday with a portable radio --- tuned to the Giants game!

This afternoon, Tex Carleton starts against blooper-baller Rip Sewell, with Whit Wyatt penciled in to start for Brooklyn tomorrow.

Luke Hamlin's mother says she has heard nothing from her son, who is rumored to have left Brooklyn for his home in Michigan. Mrs. F. N. Reynolds of Lansing, Luke's ma, says her son has not been in Michigan for some time, having spent most of last winter living in a trailer camp in Florida. Hamlin did not report to Ebbets Field for yesterday's game, and messages left at his apartment building on Columbia Heights have produced no reply. Former teammates of Hamlin with the Beaumont club in the Texas League say that the pitcher disappeared from that club on one occasion following a series of defeats.

(What, Jo as the voice of compassion? The World Turned Upside Down!)

(Yes, by all means, a boy on the cusp of puberty is just what the situation demands.)

(And at last it is revealed -- the Head Hood is none other than EDWARD ARNOLD!)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Yeah, but what kind of battery to use? Will a flashlight battery work, or do you need a No. 6 dry cell for extra kick?

Another mysterious newcomer acting mysteriously...

Every time these two try to put something over on Mamma, it blows up in their faces. Maybe that's why they have no chins.

AVAST ya swab! PIRATES! Maybe they'll run into Blaze after all!

Paregoric? That's for babies, not murderous crime queens.

And I bet they're not going to Childs.

Yeah, kid, would it have killed you to write home, just once?

AH! So Elmo is NOT Otto after all! I look forward to the real Otto showing up and confronting Elmo, and then Willie comes into the room with a gun, and each one says "I'M ELMO! SHOOT HIM!" and we pull in to a tight shot of Willie with his eyes flicking back and forth and a trickle of sweat rolling down his brow.

 

[Fading Fast]

...
The Dodgers edged the Pirates 8 to 5 yesterday in a game marked by plenty of slugging, including a homer by Babe Phelps, and a triple, a double, and a single by Pee Wee Reese, back in the lineup for the first time since his beaning in Chicago. The Pirates got in their licks as well, including back-to-back homers by Vince DiMaggio and Frankie Gustine in the fourth inning off Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons that marked the 52nd and 53rd home runs given up by Brooklyn pitchers this season....

Impressive first post-concussion outing for Pee Wee. In other news, an unnamed Dodger with the initials FFF has been rumored to be seeing a psychiatrist over body image issues. Words are weapons too. Kidding aside, based on movies, books and my Dad's GE circle of friends, calling someone "fat" seemed very common back then and, quite often, did not seem to have the malice that it does today.

...Luke Hamlin's mother says she has heard nothing from her son, who is rumored to have left Brooklyn for his home in Michigan. Mrs. F. N. Reynolds of Lansing, Luke's ma, says her son has not been in Michigan for some time, having spent most of last winter living in a trailer camp in Florida. Hamlin did not report to Ebbets Field for yesterday's game, and messages left at his apartment building on Columbia Heights have produced no reply. Former teammates of Hamlin with the Beaumont club in the Texas League say that the pitcher disappeared from that club on one occasion following a series of defeats....

Surprisingly, this has been going on for awhile.

...
(What, Jo as the voice of compassion? The World Turned Upside Down!)...

Again: Lifespan: African bush elephant: 60 – 70 years, Asian elephant: 48 years, African forest elephant: 60 – 70 years

...

(And at last it is revealed -- the Head Hood is none other than EDWARD ARNOLD!)

Thank you for noticing Lizzie, my schedule is free if you'll just have your people get in touch with my people about the role. Best, EA

...[ Yeah, but what kind of battery to use? Will a flashlight battery work, or do you need a No. 6 dry cell for extra kick?....

The Krawoff murder-suicide is an awful and heartbreaking story.

...
Another mysterious newcomer acting mysteriously.......

Looks promising as Caniff creates strong and interesting female characters. Couldn't do it in '40, but today, I'd be guessing our newcomer is a former Raven Sherman love interest.

...[ AVAST ya swab! PIRATES! Maybe they'll run into Blaze after all!...

That would be awesome. I'm (sadly) begging to believe Nick was killed off by, as you guessed Lizzie, a powers-that-be edict; otherwise, Annie would be mourning his death.

... And I bet they're not going to Childs.....

Or the Columbus Club rooftop. Skeezix, please let her go.

 

[LizzieMaine]

France has laid down its arms against Germany, signing an armistice in Compeigne Forest, under an agreement that requires France to also negotiate terms with Italy before the pact takes full force. The pact was signed at 12:50 AM Brooklyn time in the same railroad dining car where the forces of Imperial Germany surrendered to Marshal Foch in 1918, and immediately upon affixing their signatures, the two French envoys boarded a plane for an undisclosed location in Italy, where they will begin at once their negotiations with Premier Mussolini. Under the terms of the agreement, French and German guns were to fall silent exactly six hours after the document was signed.

Meanwhile, the British Air Ministry announced that RAF planes bombed the Krupp Works at Essen in heavy raids that lasted an hour and a half. British planes also struck the Focke-Wulfe aircraft works at Bremen, and wrecked six ammunition and supply trains along the route between Bremen and Osnabruck.

The three leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination arrive at Philadelphia tonight each confident of victory. Thomas E. Dewey, Sen. Robert A. Taft, and Wendell L. Willkie each arrive at the convention in control of significant blocks of delegate votes, but none have sufficient support to ensure a victory on an early convention ballot. Leading the Brooklyn delegation for Dewey, Kings County Republican leader Robert L. Crews believes there is no chance that Willkie will pull an upset victory, despite heavy pressure by Willkie supporters to pull delegates away from the Dewey camp. Five hundred and one delegates are necessary to win the nomination, and Dewey is believed to control anywhere from 400 to 440 votes. The convention convenes tomorrow morning.

There is still no indication of a verdict in the Christian Front seditious conspiracy trial after four full days of deliberation. Jurors considering the case against the fourteen defendants gave no response to a reminder from Judge Marcus B. Campbell that a piecemeal verdict in the case would be acceptable.

The city Department of Education will begin a vocational training program in July, designed to prepare more than 10,000 students for work in various mechanical trades deemed vital to National Defense. The two month crash courses will be conducted at an estimated cost of $1,000,000. Mayor LaGuardia, in announcing the program stated cryptically that "this is not the only emergency plan the city has been studying and has prepared."

In Trenton, New Jersey, Dr. Albert Einstein took his final examination for American citizenship yesterday, and after completing the test told reporters "I believe that America will prove that democracy is not merely a form of government bound to a good constitution, but also a way of life supported by people who have a good tradition -- a tradition of moral strength." But the physicist added, "I do not think that words alone will solve humanity's problems," and went on to call for a global Federal organization of nations as "an absolute necessity if the conditions on our planet are not to become unbearable for men."

The "vanishing Indian" is a myth, according to the 1940 Census. Preliminary results form the various tribal reservations in the state of Arizona show a population there of 51,730, an increase of more than 12,000 over the 1930 count.

Thousands of Brooklyn women have signed up for Red Cross service over the past few weeks, with the war situation in Europe dramatically increasing what was until recently a mere skeleton crew of twenty workers. More volunteers are needed to prepare, package, and ship supplies for war refugees, and to carry supplies for the manufacture of such goods to the appropriate destinations.

Old Timer J. M. Forrest remembers the days back in Williamsburg when Mae West was just another girl from the neighborhood, and her dad, Tommy West, was the special cop on duty in the gallery of the Gayety Theatre, where he enforced discipline with a long rattan cane, and when he yelled "Hats Off!," brother, those hats came off.

The Eagle Editorialist is not pleased with the appointment of Henry L. Stimson as Secretary of War, claiming that Col. Stimson holds certain interventionist views that go beyond the views of the majority of the population. He calls on the President to state for the record whether he himself agrees with the Colonel's views.

Reader Mark S. Reardon Jr., however, writes in to say that America should now, immediately and without delay, declare war on Germany and Italy. "Madness you will say? Only madness can win this war."

(Tootsie?)

Joe Medwick returned to action less than a week after falling to a Bob Bowman beanball, but while the local fans appreciated the drama of the moment, as the Pittsburgh Pirates continued their home run rampage at Ebbets Field, pummeling the Dodgers 7-2, on the strength of two homers by Elbie Fletcher and another by Vince DiMaggio. Tex Carleton took the loss, snapping a three-game winning streak, while the Dodgers struggled to solve Rip Sewell's bizarre flipping delivery.

The Duck stepped in to a roaring ovation as a pinch hitter for Tot Presnell in the eighth inning, and worked the count to three and two before tapping a weak grounder to Frankie Gustine at second. Medwick is by his own admission "not quite right," and still suffers from dizzy spells from last Tuesday's beaning.

Whit Wyatt and Curt Davis take the mound for Brooklyn in today's twinbill, while Danny MacFayden and Ken Heintzelmann go for the Bucs.

There is still no sign of and no word from Luke Hamlin. He did not report to the ballpark yesterday and the club is maintaining a "diplomatic silence" on his status. Officially, at least, Hamlin has not been suspended.

"Trend" presents Il Duce, Seconda Parte...

If you think Alexander Woollcott is a mean-tempered stuffed shirt because you saw "The Man Who Came To Dinner," think again -- the much-lampooned critic and radio personality is just a big softy who loves children and animals. It's grownups who give him fits.

After fifteen years on the screen and 49 leading roles, Joan Crawford isn't ready to retire. "I still have done nothing on the screen that satisfies me," she says. "When I am satisifed, I will retire."

(What do you need a horse for? You've got an ELEPHANT!)

(The average American male in 1940 was 5 foot 9. So, Benny, maybe you need to get some wedgies.)

(Ah! So if Dennie gets a job working in John's office, and he's still publishing his paper, well, it looks like he's about to get a real education in political journalism.)

(Point of order -- a Sunday page that recaps the week's continuity is also supposed to move the storyline ahead just a bit. But here we see the storyline actually turned *back* a day or so. Get with the program, Marsh.)

(About twelve years ago, George experienced a bout of amnesia, and wandered off to another city, where, under the name of "Gustave Brown," he did very well for himself as an agent for a memory-building course. But when he regained his memory, he forgot all about his time as "Brown." Which just goes to show ya.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Those who were betting on the "love thief" angle in the Mayo case may now collect their winnings.

Never mind the question, what's the "Foam Place?" A pillow store? A brewery?

Ahhh, that's why Tracy is the World's Greatest Detective.

Nahh, that's just John Tecum's magnetic personality.

"Three hots and a cot!"

Hmmmmmmmmm. So Terry knows Mr. Crispin, and presumably April does too. Isn't that just ducky. And our mysterious secretary -- you know, what if the Dragon Lady got herself a businesslike pageboy haircut and a tailored suit? Could it be?

Never mind Shadow's antics, I want to see Pop's cat pull the cloth off that table.

Best Elephant Ever.

Funny how John REALLY wants to "forget about" Nick. And Maw Green needs to lay off the sauce.

 

[Fading Fast]

...The Duck stepped in to a roaring ovation as a pinch hitter for Tot Presnell in the eighth inning, and worked the count to three and two before tapping a weak grounder to Frankie Gustine at second. Medwick is by his own admission "not quite right," and still suffers from dizzy spells from last Tuesday's beaning...

I get that both medical knowledge about and norms around injuries were different in 1940, but if the guy is still having dizzy spells, possibly keeping him out a bit longer would be a good strategy.

...After fifteen years on the screen and 49 leading roles, Joan Crawford isn't ready to retire. "I still have done nothing on the screen that satisfies me," she says. "When I am satisifed, I will retire."...

And five years later, the, then, 41-year-old star would get a massive career boost with "Mildred Pierce," which she parlayed into an impressive run of successful movies for the next five-plus years (unusual for an actress her age). And even when that period ended, she still continued to act in films for twenty more years.

...
(Point of order -- a Sunday page that recaps the week's continuity is also supposed to move the storyline ahead just a bit. But here we see the storyline actually turned *back* a day or so. Get with the program, Marsh.)...

Yup. You know how I feel about this Sunday-rest-of-the-week divide.

... Those who were betting on the "love thief" angle in the Mayo case may now collect their winnings.....

It would be going too far for 1940 comics, but had Skeezix married Tula or Harold; Senga, this Mayo story could have followed.

... Ahhh, that's why Tracy is the World's Greatest Detective.....

I'm not proud of it, but this ridiculous storyline is growing on me. I want to see what happens when Momma catches up with "Joe Atom."

... Hmmmmmmmmm. So Terry knows Mr. Crispin, and presumably April does too. Isn't that just ducky. And our mysterious secretary -- you know, what if the Dragon Lady got herself a businesslike pageboy haircut and a tailored suit? Could it be? ....

There's a lot to unpack today. First, "Hotsy Ding-Ding!" Really?

Who's covering for April's tête-à-tête with Crispin and why would they do that / know to do that? Your basic hospital nurse wouldn't think that way.

"Floor 'A'! Chop, Chop!" Really?

I don't know enough about the Dragon Lady (only what you've told me), but if she heard Raven was making a move on Pat, your supposition could be true. As we learn everyday on Page 4, people do crazy things when they are in love/lust.

... Funny how John REALLY wants to "forget about" Nick. And Maw Green needs to lay off the sauce.

I now officially and actively dislike John.

 

[LizzieMaine]

There's another possibility for this mysterious secretary -- the Dragon Lady has a colleague who goes by the name "Hu Shee," a deliberate pseudonym, and has occasionally impersonated the DL in situations where a stand-in would be appropriate. She seldom shows up, however, unless the DL herself is involved and close by. And she also has a history with Terry, who for such a Harold Teenish young pup certainly does seem to know his way around.

This gal is clearly intended to be one of them. We'll see which.

I don't remember Crispin's earlier appearance at all -- I must've missed that storyline. But clearly April thinks he's ever so worldly and interesting with his accent and what not.

I think John Tecum is going to meet his doom on this voyage, and I don't think that'll disappoint him in the least bit. He just doesn't give a damn anymore. And it probably won't even be a heroic death -- he'll fall off the boat and it'll be two days before anybody notices he's missing.

Medwick seems to be going out of his way to uphold the macho ethos of 1940 baseball -- you play hurt, you never admit weakness, even if your skull is held together with scotch tape. Pee Wee was out of the lineup for three weeks, but he's just a kid and hasn't got a reputation to protect. I can't wait till the next time the Cardinals come to Brooklyn. July 26th thru 28th. Get your tickets early.

 

[LizzieMaine]

France and Italy today signed an armistice ending a conflict that began just two weeks ago, with the French fully accepting the terms put forward by the Mussolini Government. There was no immediate indication of what those terms required, other than the statement that guns are to fall silent six hours after the signing ceremony, or 7:35 PM Brooklyn time.

Britain has withdrawn all recognition from the French Government at Bordeaux, and is moving quickly to consolidate its positions in the French Empire by recognizing the newly-organized French National Committee under the leadership of General Charles de Gaulle as France's legitimate government-in-exile. In a broadcast, Gen. de Gaulle announced the formation of the Committee, based in London, to oversee French interests around the world until the defeat of Germany and Italy. British leaders hoped that formal action to recognize the Committee as France's true government will inspire resistance in French colonies and among French fighting men still in the field.

The Republican National Convention opened today in Philadelphia, with Manhattan District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey said to be confident of receiving a total of 415 delegate votes on the first nominating ballot. Dewey leads the field of candidates for the GOP presidential nomination, with his closest rival, Indiana utlity executive Wendell L. Willkie, said to be in control of from 70 to 100 delegates. New York State Republican Party chairman Edwin F. Jaeckle of Buffalo stated this morning that not only does he expect Dewey to win the nomination, he expects him to do so "in short order."

Communist Party presidential nominee Earl Browder will appeal his conviction on passport charges to the U. S. Supreme Court, after that conviction was upheld today by the Circuit Court of Appeals. Browder was convicted in January after he testified before the Dies Committee that he had traveled to the Soviet Union in 1937 under an assumed name, and that he had failed to disclose this fact when applying for a passport under his true name in 1938. If the sentence is upheld, Browder faces a fine of $2500, and four years in Federal prison.

Deliberations continue in the Christian Front seditious conspiracy trial, with no indication of a verdict after more than 120 hours of discussion. Jurors recessed for their lunch break at 1:15 PM today and were due to resume their deliberations at 2 PM.

The body of a man who appeared to have been tortured, burned to death with acid or alcohol, and then dumped along the Saw Mill River Road in the town of Hastings-on-Hudson has been identified as that of James Sciafani of Brooklyn, missing from his home at 1890 W. 10th Street since yesterday. Police say the dead man's face and body were saturated with what appeared to be a strong acid, while his shoes smelled heavily of alcohol. The Westchester County Medical Examiner determined that the victim died of second and third degree burns over his entire body. Mrs. Sciafani reported receiving a phone call last night in which an anonymous voice told her "Jim has passed away." Police in Yonkers reported receiving a similar call giving the location where the body was discovered. Sciafani had been arrested ten days ago in Brooklyn for illegal possession of alcohol.

(Cap'n Blaze's new disguise isn't very ambitious.)

If you're a "cat person" or a "fish person," then you know Dr. Ida M. Mellen, Brooklyn author whose works on the care and culture of pets have been best sellers, including her latest work "The Science and Mystery of Cats," published by Scribners. Dr. Mellen researched that book from her tidy apartment office in Flatbush, and estimates she must have spent at least $65 in postage corresponding with cat people from all over the world, who shared anecdotes about their beloved felines. She also visited many of those cats, and their people, in person. But what might seem odd is that Dr. Mellen herself has no cats -- at least not in Brooklyn. She says she has two furry friends at her farm in Massachusetts, but doesn't want to subject them to the hazards of city life. Before turning to writing full time, Dr. Mellen was the chief of the Aquarium at Battery Place, and marine scientists know her as the discoverer of a new type of parasite that attacks tropical fish, a creature named "Epibdella Mellini" in her honor.

("I wisht we hadda cat," says Sally. "Throw them fish bones out th' winda an' look down," replies Joe. "We got plenny'a cats.")

Dodger coach Chuck Dressen entertained 800 guests at a testimonial dinner in his honor last night at the St. George Hotel with a dramatic reading of "The Mystery of Ebbets Field," an epic poem by Dr. John F. McAteer relating the story of Joe Medwick's recent beaning. "The sun grew dim with terror," thundered Dressen as the poem reached its climax, "and the azure sky turned pale! As Durocher mixed his language with rhetoric from MacPhail!" Along with the poetry, banquet guests were entertained by music provided by the Brooklyn Dodgers Band under the direction of Brother Lou Soriano, with featured vocalist Sol Ferrara.

Walter Pidgeon makes a fine tongue-in-cheek Nick Carter, says Herbert Cohn, as MGM brings the famous old detective of dime-novel days into modern times in the second of a new series of mystery dramas, "Nick Carter and the Phantom Raiders," now showing at Loew's Criterion. Old Nick is sly, suave, and romantic as the plot demands, and is completely unlike MGM's star gumshoe Nick Charles of the "Thin Man" series, in that Nick Carter takes his scotch without soda.

Now at the REFRESHINGLY COOL Patio, it's Deanna Durbin in "It's A Date," paired with Joan Blondell and Lana Turner in "Two Girls on Broadway."

(What would really be hilarious is if Mr. Lichty uses exactly this same panel, only with the parties switched, on the opening day of the Democratic Convention.)

The Dodgers are now a game and a half out of first place after yesterday's twinbill with the Pirates ended with a loss and a tie, and are hoping to regain ground as the Cubs arrive at Ebbets Field for a night game tomorrow. Whit Wyatt and Tot Presnell took a sixteen-hit beating in the first game yesterday, as the Bucs dished out the gall and the wormwood to the tune of an 8-5 Brooklyn loss. The second game looked more promising on the strength of homers by Dolph Camilli and pitcher Spud Davis, but the Pirates tied the score and the game dragged on for thirteen innings before being called on account of darkness with the score still knotted at 4-4.

Joe Medwick started both games yesterday, and got two singles -- but they were both weak little tappers, and it is obvious that Ducky is still not quite ducky after his beaning.

The Bushwicks swept the Kansas City Monarchs in a doubleheader at Dexter Park, but the Negro American League champions didn't go down without a fight, slugging twenty-five hits across the two games. Kansas City first baseman Buck O'Neil had a field day in the second game, slamming two home runs and a double, and knocking in three of the Monarch's seven runs.

(STOMP HIM HARD TOOTSIE.)

(What'd I tell ya? Already she goes to work on the kid.)

(Irwin would actually fit right in when the Hoods establish their new order.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Ah, dear cousin Alice, in her sweet little Alice Blue Gown.

Dennie and Sunny get an endorsement deal. But you'd think a man who sells ice cream cones would look a bit less like he's about to foreclose your mortgage.

Or like the joyless robot who writes these Childs ads.

"Just sit right back, and you'll hear a tale..."

Restroom breaks should be interesting.

Yes. Yes you will.

"AWK!" said Andy, and truer words were never spoken.

Leave well enough alone, kid. You don't know when you're well off.

Elmo, jeez, you've got an identical double walking around. Why not find Otto Lummox and con him into going up to the Canadian Northwest. Easy breezy.

Ah, Lena Lovewell, how we've missed the gentle tinkle of your laughter. Fixed your daughter up with any smarmy reckless-driving blowhards lately?

 

[Fading Fast]

..
(What would really be hilarious is if Mr. Lichty uses exactly this same panel, only with the parties switched, on the opening day of the Democratic Convention.)...

That would be perfect.

...[ (STOMP HIM HARD TOOTSIE.)...

Yes, I hope she does, but as you've noted, first they have to find said elephant.

... (What'd I tell ya? Already she goes to work on the kid.)..

I know you've told us it wasn't that way where you grew up, but in my very basic NJ town (think "The Wonder Years"), growing up in the '70s, kids called adults Mr. or Mrs. or Miss (in those days). Only rarely would an adult tell a kid to use his or her first name. But only twenty or so years later, I was working for a global financial company and the CEO was referred to by his first name most of the time. I don't care one way or the other, but as with business dress going casual, the change was swift.

... Ah, dear cousin Alice, in her sweet little Alice Blue Gown....

First coming to NYC in the '70s as a kid/young adult, the Bronx looked like a bomb-out war zone, a non-man's land of empty street and broken down buildings that came more alive with gang activity at night, lit up by fires burning in garbage cans. Of course, it wasn't like that in the '40s and it's not like that today, but it is still funny to think of anyone wanting to be named "Miss Bronx."

...
Or like the joyless robot who writes these Childs ads....

While I applaud the top billing the muffins are getting, somebody needs to clean house in Childs marketing department.

... Yes. Yes you will....

I am not being sarcastic, just making a sincere observation, if this was a modern movie or Netflix series, Sherman and her secretary would be having sex within the next four panels. Then they'd role out the backstory, etc., but first, the sex.

... Leave well enough alone, kid. You don't know when you're well off....

No kidding, also kid, you've all but connected the dots, just complete the line. With Senga on the boat and Tula off Skeezix, we can now breathe a bit easier each day reading these strips.

 

[LizzieMaine]

"Terry" would be without question be racially problematic as a modern TV adaptation, but if they could eliminate stereotypey aspects -- which will happen, to a degree, in the actual strip as the years go on -- and do a tough, realistic, character-driven story of a weird band of castoffs and misfits adrift during the war in China, it would really be something to see. Even Caniff's stereotype characters have a texture to them that is rare to find in the media of the period, and it wouldn't be too far from his original intentions to portray Connie and Big Stoop, for example, as courageous resistance fighters who've attached themselves to Pat and Terry to further their own goals rather than as flunkies to the white heroes.

The more we talk about such a project here, the more I'd like to see it.

I look forward with great anticipation to Skeezix's coming vacation trip home. Won't Nina and her father be glad to see him.

 

[Fading Fast]

"Terry" would be without question be racially problematic as a modern TV adaptation, but if they could eliminate stereotypey aspects -- which will happen, to a degree, in the actual strip as the years go on -- and do a tough, realistic, character-driven story of a weird band of castoffs and misfits adrift during the war in China, it would really be something to see. Even Caniff's stereotype characters have a texture to them that is rare to find in the media of the period, and it wouldn't be too far from his original intentions to portray Connie and Big Stoop, for example, as courageous resistance fighters who've attached themselves to Pat and Terry to further their own goals rather than as flunkies to the white heroes.

The more we talk about such a project here, the more I'd like to see it.

I look forward with great anticipation to Skeezix's coming vacation trip home. Won't Nina and her father be glad to see him.

The team that does "Babylon Berlin" could do a great job with T&TP as they've taken the last years of the Weimar Republic - a complex period in history with all sorts of shifting alliances - and done an impressive job of showing all its good and bad elements with an insane amount of nuance and without too much modern PC (enough to not get boycotted, but not so much that you want to throw up). They weave in a lot of history, but keep the story focused on the main characters' very complicated lives. And the period details are beautiful. Yup, that team could do T&TP proud, but that would be a hard sell as the fan base, or even name recognition, for T&TP can't be big, especially amongst the world-revolves-around-the, what, 20-44 year old demographic.

 

[EngProf]

"Terry" would be without question be racially problematic as a modern TV adaptation, but if they could eliminate stereotypey aspects -- which will happen, to a degree, in the actual strip as the years go on -- and do a tough, realistic, character-driven story of a weird band of castoffs and misfits adrift during the war in China, it would really be something to see. Even Caniff's stereotype characters have a texture to them that is rare to find in the media of the period, and it wouldn't be too far from his original intentions to portray Connie and Big Stoop, for example, as courageous resistance fighters who've attached themselves to Pat and Terry to further their own goals rather than as flunkies to the white heroes.

The more we talk about such a project here, the more I'd like to see it.

I look forward with great anticipation to Skeezix's coming vacation trip home. Won't Nina and her father be glad to see him.

There was a short-lived (one season) TV series of T&tP back in the early '50's, and even though I was a young kid I do remember it slightly. I was born an airplane nut, so the fact that they were flying DC-3's made an impression on me even then.
Here is the IMDB plot summary:
"Colonel Terry Lee travels to the orient in search of a gold mine left to him by his grandfather. While searching, he is a pilot employed by a "no questions asked" airline run by Chopstick Joe. His friend and co-pilot is Hotshot Charlie. His love interest is a girl named Burma. He and his friends are constantly in hot water, thanks to the mysterious Dragon Lady, as they fly from one exotic location to the next."
Sort of a flying Indiana Jones...
Go to IMDB and check out the entire cast. I think that one thing that made it a better than average show, even though it didn't last long, is that they had a good cast of character actors on the show week-by-week. If you look at their photos you will recognize the faces, if not the names.
The Dragon Lady on the TV show:

 

[Fading Fast]

There was a short-lived (one season) TV series of T&tP back in the early '50's, and even though I was a young kid I do remember it slightly. I was born an airplane nut, so the fact that they were flying DC-3's made an impression on me even then.
Here is the IMDB plot summary:
"Colonel Terry Lee travels to the orient in search of a gold mine left to him by his grandfather. While searching, he is a pilot employed by a "no questions asked" airline run by Chopstick Joe. His friend and co-pilot is Hotshot Charlie. His love interest is a girl named Burma. He and his friends are constantly in hot water, thanks to the mysterious Dragon Lady, as they fly from one exotic location to the next."
Sort of a flying Indiana Jones...
Go to IMDB and check out the entire cast. I think that one thing that made it a better than average show, even though it didn't last long, is that they had a good cast of character actors on the show week-by-week. If you look at their photos you will recognize the faces, if not the names.
The Dragon Lady on the TV show:

TCM runs the 1940s movie-serial version of T&TP on Saturday morning, but it's pure formulaic kids stuff with almost none of the political intrigue, complexity or sophistication of the comic strip. I'll keep my eye out for the '50s version - thank you for the heads up.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Burma is a pretty significant figure in T&TP lore -- she was roving con artist and consort of the pirate Captain Judas (who is as cold and ruthless as Blaze is funny and likeable) who ran into Pat and Terry early on in their adventures while posing as a cabaret singer. She had a torrid affair with Pat -- and later, when Terry got a bit older, she started to dally with him as well. She's been out of the picture for a while as of June 1940, but she has a tendency to reappear when you least expect her. She and Raven would either get along fine or kill each other.

Hotshot Charlie won't be showing up for a while -- he'll meet Terry in the Air Corps once the US gets into the war, will go into business with him when the war is over, and he'll take over as the strip's primary comedy-relief figure for the rest of its run.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The newly-installed chairman of the Republican Party today accused the Roosevelt Administration of mounting "a seven year march toward one-man government. Representative Joseph W. Martin Jr. of Massachusetts, in accepting the chairmanship at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, argued that "every ideal of Americanism has been imperiled by those who would make our Government and our nation tools to be manipulated by one man at the head of a great and unelected bureaucracy." While pledging that the Republican Party would "not permit military or economic defense of the nation to be made a political issue," Martin then went on to accuse the Democratic administration of failing to "protect and conserve the savings and substance of the American people."

Meanwhile, Thomas E. Dewey's chances of cinching the GOP presidential nomination gained a new lease on life as the convention's 1000 delegates accepted without debate a recommendation from the party credentials committee allowing pro-Dewey factions from South Carolina and Florida to be seated. The decision will add twenty-two delegates to those pledged to Dewey for the first ballot.

An "America First" plank was discussed today by the convention Platform Committee, intended to put the Republican Party on the record in support of strict isolationism. The plank vies for support with another calling for "aid to oppressed peoples."
Tonight the Convention will hear an address by former President Herbert Hoover.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill today denounced France for "violating its pledges to Great Britain" by surrendering its fleet to Germany under the armistice signed between the two powers this week. The Prime Minister also ridiculed the pledge by Nazi fuehrer Adolf Hitler that those ships will not be used against Britain, snapping "we know the value of that."

Nine of the fourteen defendants in the Christian Front seditious conspiracy trial are free, following their acquittal yesterday in Brooklyn Federal Court, but the remaining five defendants could be re-tried. Jurors turned in a split verdict after more than forty-seven hours of deliberation and more than a dozen ballots on each charge against each individual defendant. In none of those ballots, said jury foreman Mrs. Helen R. Titus of 220 E. 18th Street, was there a majority for conviction. A mistrial was declared in the cases of alleged conspiracy leader William Gerald Bishop, National Guard Captain John T. Prout Jr., John A. Vierbock, Macklin Boettger, and William H. D. Bushnell. Four of the five will remain free on bail pending a decision on a retrial, while Bishop, who has been unable to make $10,000 bail, remains jailed until the Government decides whether another trial will go forward.

Father Charles E. Coughlin praised the outcome of the trial, promising from his headquarters in Royal Oak, Michigan that "the Christian Front movement will emerge more vigorous and potent than ever."

An elderly ragpicker from Williamsburg kept a secret in life that came to light after death -- in the form of nearly $37,000 hidden in her junk-littered cold-water flat. Mrs. Rashe Silverman was a badly-dressed "neighborhood character" who picked a living out of garbage cans, and who was known on the streets as "Tante Rashe" for her oft-expressed desire to be "a rich aunt." Little did her neighbors realize that her three-bedroom apartment at 633 Metropolitan Avenue concealed a small fortune in bankbooks and real estate documents. Her body was found in the apartment yesterday next to a junk-covered bed by a rag dealer who had come to collect some merchandise gathered by the elderly woman. Despite her apparent poverty, neighbors said the sixty-five-year-old was intelligent and well-read, with a strong interest in world affairs she could discuss fluently in English, Russian, and Yiddish. A niece, Mrs. Jean Jacoby of Averill Park, has been notified of the estate.

(Oooooh, the Boys are fighting!)

When you salute the flag, be sure you do it right. When you hold up your right arm with the palm down, you're actually giving the Nazi salute. A proper flag salute is performed with the right arm extended with the palm *up,* toward the flag, and the fingers held straight and in line with the top of the head. So says Mrs. E. Louise White of Brooklyn, a noted authority on flag etiquette.

Mrs. White also reminds you that the flag must never be draped as a decoration -- if displayed on a parade float, for example, it must fly from a staff. The flag must never be used as a part of any costume or athletic uniform of any kind, and it must never be printed or displayed on cushions, handkerchiefs, paper napkins, or boxes. The flag must never be used as or depicted in any form of advertising.

(Jeez, Cary, you could maybe smile about it...)

(How Mrs. Jerome Trohs got her start.)

The Cubs and Dodgers hope the rains will subside in time for tonight's opening game of a series at Ebbets Field, with the Dodgers still a game and a half out of first place. But the Flock has won four straight night games, and is 8-3 against the Cubs this year, and hopes are high they can seize the opportunity to build up ground against the Reds and Giants.

Up at the Polo Grounds yesterday, where the between the Giants and the Cardinals was rained out, Harold Parrott overheard an interesting conversation in the Redbirds' clubhouse -- in which the Dodgers' recent spate of beanball incidents was up for discussion. Seems there's sentiment on the St. Louis club that Durocher's boys are only getting what's coming to them after Leo's alleged habit of urging his own pitchers to aim high and hard against opponents. It is also alleged that the real guilty party in the Bowman-Medwick incident was not a Cardinal at all -- but Dodger coach Chuck Dressen, who got a little too cute with his sign-stealing and tipped Medwick off to a curve ball that wasn't coming -- causing the batter to swerve right into the path of Bowman's high fastball. "It was Dressen that deserved the beaning," says that Cardinal.

Meanwhile Bob Bowman is off the active list for a while after taking a spike in the ankle courtesy of Boston Bees second baseman Sibby Sisti.

The situation with Luke Hamlin remains unresolved, but a truce between the moody right-hander and Larry MacPhail may be in the works. Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons says he spoke to Hamlin on Sunday, hoping to convince him to come in to talk things over with the boss, and feels he may have made some progress. Hamlin has, however, yet to appear.

(The only thing worse than an idiot is an idiot with a gun.)

(Look, just forget about politics. Go open up a law firm with Tecum or something.)

(Irwin. IRWIN. See the part of the phone with the little horn thing on it? You have to talk into that. And the other piece you have in your hand there? You hold that up to your ear. And then they can hear you! And you can hear them! It's just like MAGIC!)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Back when conventions actually meant something.

Looks to me like the spoon is the one getting fresh here.

A very interesting lineup. I think Elmo's too lanky for second base -- I'd put Terry there, move Elmo to first, where his height will be a real bonus, and shift Connie to short, where he's got the agility needed for the job. Downwind Jaxon (a character from Smilin' Jack who is so handsome his face can never be shown) might be too distracting to have in the starting lineup, but he might be fine as a late-inning pinch hitter. And I wish there was a place to put Moon -- too bad there's no DH in 1940. Oh, and Nick Gatt (RIP) for owner/GM.

He falls asleep while walking, trips down the ladder, and falls into the bilge. The end.

Ew. Stop drooling.

Hmmm. This would be very disappointing if it turns out to be just a petty money grift.

"Quick! To the Bimmobile!"

C'mon, Snipe, Tula's a friend of yours. You know how she rides.

Awww, you romantic kids.

You're a terrible, terrible son. And if you know what's good for you you'll get the hell away from the waterfront. Remember what happened to Peter Panto.

 

[Fading Fast]

....Nine of the fourteen defendants in the Christian Front seditious conspiracy trial are free, following their acquittal yesterday in Brooklyn Federal Court, but the remaining five defendants could be re-tried. Jurors turned in a split verdict after more than forty-seven hours of deliberation and more than a dozen ballots on each charge against each individual defendant. In none of those ballots, said jury foreman Mrs. Helen R. Titus of 220 E. 18th Street, was there a majority for conviction. A mistrial was declared in the cases of alleged conspiracy leader William Gerald Bishop, National Guard Captain John T. Prout Jr., John A. Vierbock, Macklin Boettger, and William H. D. Bushnell. Four of the five will remain free on bail pending a decision on a retrial, while Bishop, who has been unable to make $10,000 bail, remains jailed until the Government decides whether another trial will go forward.

Father Charles E. Coughlin praised the outcome of the trial, promising from his headquarters in Royal Oak, Michigan that "the Christian Front movement will emerge more vigorous and potent than ever."...

I expected at least some convictions.

....An elderly ragpicker from Williamsburg kept a secret in life that came to light after death -- in the form of nearly $37,000 hidden in her junk-littered cold-water flat. Mrs. Rashe Silverman was a badly-dressed "neighborhood character" who picked a living out of garbage cans, and who was known on the streets as "Tante Rashe" for her oft-expressed desire to be "a rich aunt." Little did her neighbors realize that her three-bedroom apartment at 633 Metropolitan Avenue concealed a small fortune in bankbooks and real estate documents. Her body was found in the apartment yesterday next to a junk-covered bed by a rag dealer who had come to collect some merchandise gathered by the elderly woman. Despite her apparent poverty, neighbors said the sixty-five-year-old was intelligent and well-read, with a strong interest in world affairs she could discuss fluently in English, Russian, and Yiddish. A niece, Mrs. Jean Jacoby of Averill Park, has been notified of the estate....

This is, surprisingly, a story that pops up (or did pop up) from time to time. Over the years, I've read versions of it several times in the papers. I don't remember all the details (I don't have Lizzie's memory), but in my hometown, when I was growing up, a similar thing happened when a man died who had lived in a very run-down house and who used to walk the streets in tattered clothing often looking in the garbage cans. I don't remember how much, but it turned out he had a good bit of money. Also, I think we've already had a version of this story about an elderly woman in these Day-by-Days.

...
(How Mrs. Jerome Trohs got her start.)
...

... View attachment 243833
The situation with Luke Hamlin remains unresolved, but a truce between the moody right-hander and Larry MacPhail may be in the works. Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons says he spoke to Hamlin on Sunday, hoping to convince him to come in to talk things over with the boss, and feels he may have made some progress. Hamlin has, however, yet to appear....

So, what do you think it reads on Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons' gravestone?

... (The only thing worse than an idiot is an idiot with a gun.)...

You said it yesterday, all we can do is hope Tootsie stomps on him hard.

...[ (Look, just forget about politics. Go open up a law firm with Tecum or something.)...

Maybe a bait and tackle shop, but those two idiots couldn't run a successful law practice to save their lives.

...[
Back when conventions actually meant something....

Also back when newspapers really were the internet of their day (or, at least, part of it). I remember loving all the little information tidbits a page like this gave you such as in that Daily Almanac section. Also, the index held out the promise of hours of interesting reading.

...
Looks to me like the spoon is the one getting fresh here.....

Childs should just make an offer for H&H's entire marketing team.

..
A very interesting lineup. I think Elmo's too lanky for second base -- I'd put Terry there, move Elmo to first, where his height will be a real bonus, and shift Connie to short, where he's got the agility needed for the job. Downwind Jaxon (a character from Smilin' Jack who is so handsome his face can never be shown) might be too distracting to have in the starting lineup, but he might be fine as a late-inning pinch hitter. And I wish there was a place to put Moon -- too bad there's no DH in 1940. Oh, and Nick Gatt (RIP) for owner/GM.....

I guess we have no choice but to acknowledge that Nick isn't coming back.

I'd want to hire Captain Blaze as 3rd-base coach, but you know we'd be using telescopes and banging on garbage cans in no time.

...[ Hmmm. This would be very disappointing if it turns out to be just a petty money grift.....

Indeed . Also, since practically anyone can send a telegram in anyone's name, I'm comfortable the banks had controls around this. Not to say wire fraud, etc., didn't exist, but it couldn't be as simple as knowing the persons bank and sending a fake wire.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Imagine a paper selling close to two million copies a day. And that isn't even the peak. The News was still right up around that level when I was reading it regularly in the 70s, but when the drop came, it came fast. They barely hit ten percent of that now.

We had the story back in the winter, I think, about "Bundles Mary" from Flatbush, who had the same kind of poverty/hidden wealth deal going. An awful lot of untreated mental illness in 1940, but probably also a lot of elderly women who'd rather live like that than be shoved into some "Home for the Aged," which in 1940 had all the joy of a prison hospital.

Blaze is absolutely perfect for a third base coach. I bet without his whiskers he'd look exactly like Don Zimmer. Tracy would be good for first base coach, since all he'd have to do is stand around waving his arms. And I nominate Bill Biff for the fan who always writes in to the paper to complain that it's time to fire the manager because this bunch of bums just can't win the big ones, and Singh-Singh for the crazy fan who sits in the cheap seats, screams incoherently, eats twelve hot dogs, and always spills beer on me.

To my astonishment, Fat Freddie's gravestone reads merely "Frederick Landis Fitzsimmons, 1901-1979." And even more so, the bowling alley he'll soon open on Empire Boulevard, just a spitball from Ebbets Field, fails to feature his spectacular nickname:

Clearly he has much to learn about the value of building a personal brand.