The Era -- Day By Day

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

Toga, toga.

Lovely Burma talks to herself in third person grammatical habit. Umm. A Freudian slip between her tongue and lip. Mais je pense non. I know I'm bad.

 

[PrivateEye]

As always, Lizzie is spot on, the full pic of the wonderfully named Chili Williams:

At this point I just assume she's correct, without any verification

 

[Fading Fast]

At this point I just assume she's correct, without any verification

Believe me, I wasn't checking up on her, I just wanted to see the full pic and thought others would too.

Long-time readers know I can't say enough good things about Lizzie.

 

[LizzieMaine]

("Gawdawmighty," whispers Sally. "Heh," hehs Alice. "Y'know, Sal, sometimes y'make me laugh. You gimme t'at book, befoeh me'n Siddy got married, t'at leaves NUT'N to t''magination, an' now ya gett'n awl woiked up oveh some doity magazines. Lookatcha, ya red as a beet." "If you ain' gonna say nut'n c'nstructive," growls Sally, "don' say nut'nat'awl." "I neveh hoida t'ese magazines," dismisses Alice. "I don' see'm aroun', I don' see'm on no newstands a'nut'n. Oh, t'ey gotcha Esquieh an' ya Giggle Gags an' Gals an' Gaiety, an' ya Spicy Detectives an' all ya like t'at, but I neveh hoida no book cawlt VVV. Whassat ev'n mean?" "I seen'nem surrealist paint'ns at t'Woil's Faieh, me'n Joe did," recalls Sally. "Joe kinda liked'm, but I couldn' see no sense to it at'awl. But, I mean, I didn' see nut'n DOITY about'm." "You read t'Daily News ev'ry day," notes Alice. "T'at gets pretty doity." "Yeh, but t'is is diff'nt," argues Sally. "T'is is Brooklyn Collitch. T'at Minkoff guy's givin' me awlese questions 'bout politics, an'now t'ey got awlis goin' awn. I neveh read nut'n good about t'is guy Gideonse as lawng's he's been'eh. An' I'm s'posta take Leonoreh inneh an' get'teh tested?" "When we get t'Joisey City an' we'eh waitn' f't'bus out t' t' plant," says Alice, "I'm gonna take a look at t'newsstan' inna station'neh, see'f t'ey got any 'VVV.' LaGawrdieh might run'm awff t'newsstan's in Brooklyn, but he can't do nut'n in Joisey City." "Eveh heeh'ra Mayeh Hague?" scowls Sally. "Oh." ohs Alice. "Maybe te'zza place in Koiney." "You been woikin' in Koiney f'two yeehs," snickers Sally. "You oughta know by now t'eh ain' NUT'N in Koiney but Koiney.")

A vast manpower pool made up of 7,000,000 4Fs, men over 38, and discharged servicemen now classed in 1C, and whether the law may be used to compel these men into war jobs is expected to be discussed today when War Manpower chief Paul V. McNutt testifies in Washington before a special House Military Affairs Subcomittee. Colonel Francis V. Keseling of Selective Service revealed yesterday that draft officials are considering a plan under which 4Fs, 1Cs, and men over the age of 38 may be drafted for service in military hospitas, for farm work during seasonal harvests, and for other war-essential jobs providing they are not otherwise included in the group of men otherwise classed as being of "prime military strength." War Production Board chairman Donald L. Nelson is said to be in favor of this plan.

Dispatches from Stockholm stated today that German reinforcements have arrived at Turko and Hango, fueling fears in Helsinki and Sweden that Germany may be preparing for a full-scale occupation of its northern partner in order to keep the Finns from making a separate peace with Russia. One Stockholm paper published an ominous story stating that "events that will interest the whole world" are lilkely to happen shortly.

("Well," shrugs Sally. "T'at don' look so bad. I seen woise lookin' covehs on 'Fawrtune.' But -- foeh letteh woids?" "I've hoid a few foeh letteh woids comin' outta you," chuckles Alice. "I remembeh one time when Mildred Kelly was tawkin' about ya pal Kilgallen 'neh, an' you said...""Neveh MIND what I said," retorts Sally. "I do'want Leonoreh knowin' woids like t'at. Leas' not till she's old enough t'unnehstann'm." "Keep'eh outta Ebbets Feel t'en..." mutters Alice. "You ain't helpin'," frowns Sally.)

(Kids Today.)

(Yay! The linotypist sobered up!)

("He has less hair than Whitlow Wyatt." That's just mean.)

(Once a realtor, always a realtor.)

(Those who live by the nose...)

("You were expecting maybe Tommy Manville?")

("Hmph!" snorts Uncle Bim. "Have you no specie?")

("What do I look like, a water spaniel??")

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

"Commando of Casanovas?" I thought that was Pat Ryan.

"Hmph," hmphs Uncle Frank. "Amatchoors!"

SLOW MOTION!

Yes, "behind all those whiskers." Hmmmm.

"She's never been the same since she read that Elizabeth Hawes."

I know these are desperate times, but...

"Please give me something to remember you by..."

Oh well, at least it really is a nice blanket.

Seven to ten??? Does the OPA know about this?

Terry has also never met Singh-Singh till now, but I cannot imagine that Pat didn't describe him in hilarious detail.

 

[LizzieMaine]

ANd finally...

Fishnets -- for Easter? Matthew 4:19.

 

[Fading Fast]

"...keep your briefs on, Burma..."

Now we have the most-Burma line ever.

 

[LizzieMaine]

"I mean, t'at's zackly what I'm sayin'!" howls Alice. "T'ey put t'at RIGHT INNA PAPEH!" "I ask ya!" sighs Sally.

 

[PrivateEye]

Believe me, I wasn't checking up on her, I just wanted to see the full pic and thought others would too.

Long-time readers know I can't say enough good things about Lizzie.

I think we all feel the same way.

And thanks for the larger picture!

 

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

"...keep your briefs on, Burma..."

Now we have the most-Burma line ever.

Burma is a card no doubts there. The American Volunteer Group is truly a splendid bunch of chaps and Corklin
tops as commanding officer. And our lad Terrence always in the mix.
This Cherry Bomb is quite the conniver.
A witch to be given the kid glove if ever a broomstick rode.

 

[LizzieMaine]

("I looked 'n I looked," sighs Alice, "an' I couldn' fin' none'a t'em books. Ev'ry newsstand I wenta t'guy sez t'me, he sez, 'Neveh hoid'v it.' An'nen he tried t'sell me t'Ladies Home Joinal. Izzat noive a'what?" "Whateveh," sighs Sally. "I dunno what t't'ink. Toin'a page, will ya?")

("T'at's it??" puzzles Sally. "T'at's a doity pitcheh? I mean, I t'ink I see a dead chicken 'neh, an' maybe a coupla, I dunno, lungs. But whatsa pernt?" "Eh," shrugs Alice. "I guess when y'ra pr'fesseh y'see t'ing nobody else does." "An'nis rhyme heeh," continues Sally. "T'ey leave outta woid t'eh. Whattya s'pose it is?" "Um," ums Alice, leaning over and whispering a short Anglo-Saxon word in Sally's ear. "Izzat awl?" wonders Sally. "I useta heeh Ma yellin' 'at woid awla time afteh Mickey'd come home late f'rm bein' out wit' some goil. T'ats awleh gett'n woiked up about? An' t'is ot'eh t'ing, heeh, Gawd an' choo'n gum. Huh. Y'see ads sayin' choon' gum's gonna help winna wawr, so how'sis any woise? Maybe I'll ask Minkoff about it afteh awl, see what he t'inks." "Yeh," nods Alice. "T'is love stuff heeh, 'bout t'kissin' 'nawlat, I seen a lawt wois'n'nat in ya 'True Confession' magazine." Maybe," suggests Sally, "Docteh Minkoff c'n tell me what a 'Bauhaus' is." "Oh," interjects Alice. "I bet I know what t'at is. I useta know some Goimans. 'Haus' means 'House' in Goiman.""Ah," nods Sally. "But what about t'rest'v it?" "Huh," ponders Alice. "Ah! 'Bau' must mean, y'know, dawg. "Bau-wow,' get it? So it means a dawg house." "Whassat got t'do wit' awrt?" shrugs Sally. "I dunno," admits Alice. "Ask Minkoff. T'at'sa kin'a stuff a p'fesseh knows about.")

Police in Queens were searching today for the vandals who broke into the Western Queens Nursery School, at the Queensbridge Houses housing project, destroyed a classroom, and killed four pet turtles. A portable radio, an electric clock, and a considerable supply of food were stolen in the raid. Several valuable phonograph records were also smashed, and several pounds of cheese were smeared on the walls. Police believes the vandals were youths.

("Oh yes -- I see a name. Bobble. Wilmer Bobble.")

The Brooklyn Red Cross Campaign for 1944 may be extended well past its scheduled expiration date of March 31st if the borough does not raise the $1,276,293 required to meet its quota. Chairman Walter "Red" Barber announced yesterday at a report luncheon held at the Hotel Bossert that if the goal of $3,331,000 is not reached the campaign will be extended into April "or beyond" until the quota is met.

("Ham and tongue." Best description of Leo EVER.)

("Hey, that's MY photo of Margie Hart!")

(You brought a knife to a nose fight?? WHAT CRUST!)

(Hey, isn't this Ferdinand Ferret from "The Gumps." These private eyes sure get around!)

(These wartime shortages are terrible, you just can't get canvas bags marked '$' anymore.)

("Over the sea, let's go men...")

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

"This is not the usual type of Mann Act case." That's one way to put it.

I believe that's Frankie on the right. In case you were wondering.

This never happened to Barrymore. Um -- did it?

Marching down the street in dress blues with a ciggie in his mouth? HE'S NO MARINE.

Careful now, you know what goes on in hobo camps?

That flicker of recognition as Terry imagines her with a big red beard.

All right, now let's get around to "repent at leisure."

"FEED ME."

Whatever it is, it must be getting pretty ripe by now...

Don't they have anything else to talk about in this town?

 

[Fading Fast]

"...with a determined predilection for former Bauhaus men." Could be innocent, might not be.


It's going to fun when Terry and Burma reunite.

 

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

It's going to fun when Terry and Burma reunite.

From what Ms Elizabeth told these two were acquants but never thine rendez-vous amoureux?
Terrence does have something of a furrowed brow as to recognition as writ. Our sharp lad.
With all lurid headliners and Hollywood antics found readily front page, Mr Caniff draws surprising chaste line.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I think they both developed kind of a crush on each other, but Burma knew better than to try and pursue it with such a sweet, innocent boy. Keep in mind he was only 12 years old when they first met.

Besides, she's probably holding out for Harold Teen.

 

[Fading Fast]

Having just read though their first meeting in the Clover Press edition, I'd agree with Lizzie. There was something there, but even Burma knew it would be wrong and Terry was too young to be the instigator. Also, Burma really wanted to roll around in the hay with Pat and she knew banging Terry would have ended any chance of that.

I've always thought - genuinely, not just macho-guy saying "oh he should have banged her -" Terry's first experience should have, and in real life would have, happened when he and Hu Shee were escaping and spent several nights together hiding out on the road. He was old enough and it was the right set up.

I doubt Caniff will go there, but depending on how this reunion between Terry and Burma goes, the time could be right for Burma to initiate Terry. But again, I don't see Caniff doing that (even by inference) in a comicstrip in 1944.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I'm trying to figure out just how old Burms is. She had to be at least in her mid-twenties in 1935, maybe a little older, and so early-mid thirtyish now. If she was in fact that young when Terry and Pat first met her, she had to have gotten a lot of living under her belt to end up that far from home, and mixed up with Judas. She doesn't look it, but she could easily be pushing into her forties, which means she could be old enough to be Terry's mother. Not that we haven't seen that exact story play out on Page Four, but still...

 

[Fading Fast]

I'm trying to figure out just how old Burms is. She had to be at least in her mid-twenties in 1935, maybe a little older, and so early-mid thirtyish now. If she was in fact that young when Terry and Pat first met her, she had to have gotten a lot of living under her belt to end up that far from home, and mixed up with Judas. She doesn't look it, but she could easily be pushing into her forties, which means she could be old enough to be Terry's mother. Not that we haven't seen that exact story play out on Page Four, but still...

Ursula Parrott is going to partner with Caniff to write the screenplay.

 

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

She doesn't look it, but she could easily be pushing into her forties, which means she could be old enough to be Terry's mother. Not that we haven't seen that exact story play out on Page Four, but still...

I'm thinking Burma as played Gloria Grahame. And Gloria bedding her twelve year old step son.
And Terrence is hardly jailbait. Then withal front page lurid frolic, the strip needs a bit tilt n' spin.

 

[LizzieMaine]

("I don' get it," shrugs Alice. "T'at stuff t'ey had inneh yes'tday wasn' awlat bad." "It's awl politics," growls Sally. "I wen' oveh t't Public Liberry las' night afteh woik, an' I done some read'n. You know why t'em Bauhauses lef' Goimany? 'Cause Hitleh didn' like'm. An' if Hitleh don' like ya, well, y'awright wit' me. Even if ya don't know howta drawr." "Well," sighs Alice, "t'ey ain' zackly American." "Huh," scoffs Sally. "My Ma ain' no 'native American' neiteh. She come right off t'boat fr'm Irelan'. Joe's people, t'ey come heeh fr'm Lit'uania. T' Ginsbogs, I hoid Misteh Ginsboig say once he comes'f'm B'varia -- t'at's in Goimany -- an' Mrs. Ginsboig, she comes f'm Russia. Mrs. Nucci upstaiehs, she comes fr'm It'ly. Evry'body you know come f'm someplace else, less you know some Indians. Ain'choo neveh read t'em ads t'at fu'nitcheh stoeh puts inna Daily News?" "Yeh," nods Alice, "i guess ya right." "I'm goin' oveh t't'at Brooklyn Collitch Sunday," declares Sally, "an' I'm gonna tawk t' Docteh Minkoff. I'm gonna see weh he stan's, an' if I like what he's got t'say we'eh gonna do t'ese tests f'Leonoreh." "Ya ma won' like it," warns Alice. "Ma didn' like it when I married Joe," notes Sally. "She said I ought notta marry no bohunk, but I set'eh straight. I done a lotta t'ings Ma don' like. An' ev'ry single time I been right." "Ah," ahs Alice.)

The House Military Affairs Subcommittee is preparing limited national emergency legislation that will force 4-F draft registrations either to take jobs in essential industry or be inducted to serve in non-combatant work battalions. Conceding that voluntary methods have been unsuccessful in forcing into war work an estimated 1,000,000 4-Fs now working in non-essential jobs. Chairman John M. Costello stated today that his group will present legislation which will incorporate recommendations that such inductees not be entitled to veteran's benefits.

Canned peas, a staple food on the tables of thousands of Brooklynites, will be point-free starting Sunday, according to the latest ration chart released by the Office of Price Administration. Previously, canned peas had cost the consumer three points but the current plentiful supply has allowed them to be released from ration restrictions. All frozen fruits and vegetables will also be dropped from the ration list.

(Ever wonder why you never see a picture of Mr. Cashmore and the Mayor standing next to each other?)

(Miss Bourke-White is basically saying the same thing that poem in the "View" magazine said, except more nicely.)

(Do you get the idea that our cartoonists are trying to warn us about wartime marriages?)

(Frenchy Bordagaray will live to see the year 2000, will live to see the full fruits of free agency, and will live to realize the he was born fifty years too soon.)

("Go ask that nosy old bag he's always talking to!")

(Don't any of you birds know anything about guns?)

(Ever notice that Jane dresses extremely well on a reporter's paycheck? She must be independently wealthy.)

(Come on Scarlet, you can speak plainer than that.)

(In any situation, kids will always gravitate to the stupidest course of action.)