This weeks Hostess Ad

Ok I have not put my request for prayers for my friend Beth at the top. I will put updates here as I know them for those that are praying for her. If you wish to read what I have written about her you can scroll below. Till then I hope you enjoy this old Hotess ad.

Beth Donovan Needs Prayers Again

Back in December of 2005 I asked that readers of this blog pray for my old high school friend Beth Donovan as she was dying of cancer. Prayer worked that time as Beth lived longer then the Dr. said and beat the odds. That time is over as I recently heard that the cancer has come back. They only give her 6 months. Please pray that Beth beats the odds again. She needs all the prayers she can get. I will keep this at the top of the blog at all times so please scroll down if you wish to see if there is anything new. Not long ago I asked anyone reading this site to pray for an old high school friend who has cancer, Beth Donovan. I am asking that you continue with those prayers. Beth is someone who, at least to me, stood for all the good things of high school. You may have had to go to my school to understand. Our class was very cliqueish. If you weren't in their group some kids wouldn't have anything to do with you. I was not that way and, as I told my wife, neither was Beth. She was friendly and outgoing. She always had a smile for everyone. Beth never said anything bad about anyone that I know of. I remember going to her house with others from a school club to work on a club project and having alot of fun. Beth was one of our senior class officers, a straight A student and elected most versatile. Basically Beth was a nice, smart and friendly person. I never heard her use bad language or any rumors about her doing anything bad.Recently I did hear that she was fighting cancer. Now I have heard that she has given up and has come home to die. Pray that she continues to fight and God keeps her with us. With the world in the shape it is in today, we need more people like Beth Donovan. Beth if you are reading this I want you to know that my wife, myself and alot of other people are praying for you.

Joe Sinnott's Captain America

A couple of years ago I wrote to Mr. Joe Sinnott when I found his address and I told him how much I have enjoyed his art work. It was just a nice letter to let one of my favorite artist know the joy that he brought to me. I never expected to hear from him. However a few weeks later I got this drawing of Captain America signed by Mr. Sinnott himself. I didn't ask for it he just sent it out of the goodness of his heart and his way to say thank you. He is very perceptive as my three favorite Marvel heroes are Spider-Man, Nova and Captain America. I didn't tell him this in the letter and still he sent me one of my favorites. I treasure this piece of art very much but I have never been able to find the right frame for it. One day I will. Just thought I would share this with you all and publicly thank him here on my site. He has his own site and you can go to it at Joesinnott.com

Herman's Hermits on the Danny Kaye Show

Here is a video of Hermans Hermit's on the Danny Kaye Show. The quality isn't very good but it is nice to see. The disco dancer in the middle looks like he's going to hurt himself. In his introduction of Peter Noone and the group Danny shows, with the expression on his face, that he doesn't seem to care for the pop rock music. I found that odd from a man known for his musical talent ranging from classical to jazz. In the interview he seems quite fond of Peter but I wish they would have talked to the other Hermits. I always thought they got the short end of the stick in terms of popularity. Still Peter is quite a likable chap and a good actor and singer.

This Day in Music History: Herman's Hermits and Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter

On this day in music history, May 1, 1965, the #1 song in the country was Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter by Herman’s Hermits. This was the third song in a row to reach #1 on the Billboard charts from a group from Manchester, England. The ones that preceded it were Freddie and the Dreamers with I’m Telling You Now at #1 from April 10, 1965 to April 23 and Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders with Game of Love from April 24, 1965 to April 30, 1965.
Herman’s Hermits was a huge success on both sides of the ocean. There lead singe was Peter Noone who was born on November 5, 1947 in Liverpool. He attended the Manchester school of Music and studied music and drama. It was here that he was discovered and found work as an actor. He was cast in roles and TV shows Knight Errant and Coronation Street. He started playing music with a Manchester band called the Heartbeats. Producer Mickie Most signed the group to a contract and produced all of their hits. They changed their name to Herman and the Hermits and later to Herman’s Hermits.
The roster of the group changed and the members of the group when this song reached #1 were Derek Leckenby, Peter Noone, Keith Hopwood, Karl Green and Barry Whitwam. Eventually most of the studio music was only recorded by Mr. Noone and studio musicians. The real group only played the songs when on tour.
In 1965 they had 3 songs in the top 30 for 6 weeks. It wasn’t planned that way. As the song Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat was moving down the chart MGM records released the song Silhouettes. Radio stations played it but they also played the album cut Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter and were getting a bigger response. It forced MGM to release that song as a single as well. Anticipation for the record was so high that it entered the charts at #12. The highest chart entry of any record. The group and the song were so popular they starred in a movie with the same name.
Their first song was a remake of the Goffin and King his I’m Into Something Good. It was the only #1 song for the group in England and the only #1 hit for Goffin and King in England.

Green Arrow the Movie

I was searching internet for info on Black Lightning to see if there was anything I would want to pu on my other site Black Lightning Limited. What I found was there is a possible interest in Green Arrow the Movie. Apparently it would revolve around Green Arrow going to prison for a crime he didn't commit and he has to use the help of various DC villains to break out and prove himself innocent. It sounded like a good idea to me at first but then I read somewhere that he really is only Green Arrow in the first few minutes of the film. I don't think it will be much fun to see him as Oliver Queen breaking out of jail. With out the costume and the bow and arrows all you have is "Prison Break: the Movie." If it is made then it may star Matt Damon as I have read there is a rumor that he has signed to star in Green Arrow the Movie.

This Day in Music History: Elvis Presley and Heartbreak Hotel

I can’t believe that I let this one get by me. However, since it was #1 for 8 weeks I feel safe in saying that on this day in music history Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley was the #1 song in the country in 1956. It began its 8 week run on April 21, 1956. This song took Elvis from being local hit to a national phenomenon. He was able to build upon the foundation that Bill Haley and the Comets set up with Rock Around the Clock. Elvis began his recording career when he stopped by the Memphis Recording Service to record two songs for his Mother. Eventually this all led to him getting signed to Sun Records that was owned by Sam Phillips who also owned the Memphis Recording Service. Mae Axton, Mother of Hoyt Axton, worked for Col. Tom Parker and when he took over managing Elvis she told him that he needed a million seller and I’m going to write it for you. Mae, Elvis and Tommy Durden wrote the song together. It was written after Tommy showed Mae a newspaper article about a man who killed himself left a one line note that said “I walk a lonely street.” Mae put the Heartbreak Hotel at the end of the lonely street and in about 22 minutes they had finished writing a #1 song. The song was released in January of 1956. Elvis made the rounds of TV shows like Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey’s Stage Show to promote the song. However, it was not until April 3, 1956 when he was on NBC’s Milton Berle show with one-quarter of the USA’s population at that time. Eighteen days later it was the 10th #1 song on the Billboard charts and by the end of the year was rated as the years #1 single.

The Adventures of Superman Network Promo

Here is a rare Network promo for The Adventures of Superman. I am sure that this would have made many 10 year old boys in the 1950's eagerly wait till the latest episode. However, viewing this from the 21st century it almost comes off as comical. Still it does make one from that era wish for a more simple time when you always knew good would win over evil on television.

Intro to Rocket Robin Hood

Booksteve knows I am a big fan of the old Rocket Robin Hood series. He sent me an e-mail that directed me to this video introduction of the series. It was nice to see the animation again but I wonder if there were two openings as this is not the one that I recall. The one I remember ended with them singing "Hooray for Rocket Robin Hood." This one does not end that way and the song is completely different. Anyway it was a nice gesture and nice to see the merry men again.

The Amazing Adventures of Super Ads

There have been many ads over the years in comic books. They have ranged from conservative to just plain weird. Everyones favorite weird (or at least close to weird) ads have been the Hostess ads like the one with Superman that you see above. I love Hostess cupcakes but I never thought they had such a powerful taste that it could save the world. If you notice in that last panel Superman tells the store manager to send the bill to Clark Kent. He has done this in hie regular comic book adventures as well as his old TV show "The Adventures of Superman." Didn't anyone ever wonder why Clark was nice enough to pay for all the damage that Superman caused? You can't be too bright if you live in a comic book type world.
The second ad I don't recall seeing before but it still seems vaguely familier. Spider-man is asking Marvel comic book readers what Ads they like to see in their comic books. Marvel must have been doing awfully well at the time. I don't know of any company that would turn down anyone willing to pay money to advertise on their product. Unless it was for some moral reason. The Spider-Man ad I noticed Invincible Super-Blog.

This Day in Music History: B.J. Thomas and (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song

On this day in music histroy, April 26, 1975, B. J. Thomas had the #1 hit in the country with (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song. It is the second longest titled song to have hold the #1 position on the Billboard Charts. The longest titled song belongs to the Stars On 45. It was a record that had people singing a medley of older songs and it had every song that was part of the medley in the title. The title is too long for me to put in here now but when I showcase that song I will have to use the entire title.

B.J.'s song was written by Chips Moman and Larry Butler. Mr. Moman said that there was no inspiration for the song. It was not written about anyone who did either of them wrong. Also, it was not written with B.J. in mind. They had no certain singer in mind. The only reason Mr. Thomas recorded it was because he was offered the song first.

According to his autobiograpy, Home Where I Belong, Mr. Thomas doesn't even remember the recording sessions. In the book he admits that he was heavily addicted to drugs and his lack of memory is probably due to that. He was spending upwards of $3,000 a week on his habit. He says "It's a wonder I'm still alive considering how many times my bodily functions quit and someone had to revive me."

His marriage to his wife Gloria was nearly dissolved when he went to see her and his daugther in Texas. During their seperation Gloria became a Christian after becoming friends with two missionaries who lived nearby. In his book B.J. tells how he became saved on January 28, 1976. B.J. had hit rock bottom and Gloria took him to her friends Jim and Micah Reeves. After talking with them B.J. privately prayed for 20 minutes and gave his life to Christ at midnight. When he was done he looked up at the clock and he said "the memory of seeing that secondhand sweep by the 12 will never leave me."

His life became drug free. He started recording Gospel albums and won four grammys for his Gospel music. Becoming a born again Christian failed to get him secular work but he did release secular albums in 1983 and 1984 with the release of the albums New Looks and The Great American Dream.

Rest in Peace Brant Parker

I know I said I was only going to be blogging once a week but I may do more from time to time and when I heard about this I had to tell you. I really can't believe this has happened. I just found out that on April 18th, only a few days after we heard of Johnny Hart's death, his co-creator on the Wizard of ID, Brant Parker, also died. Brant I found out was ten years older then Johnny and he discovered him when he judged some artist at Johnny's high school. He was so impressed with his art that he arranged a meeting and later they created the Wizard of ID. Hart wrote the strip and Brant did the art. A few years ago Brant retired and gave the strip to his son who continued the strip with Mr. Hart till his death. I tried to find strips that were in tribute to Mr. Parker but only found this one. If there are others please let me know. The above strip is by Brant Parker's son.

Spider-Man Fig Newton Ad

Remember this fig Newton ad from 1984? If you mailed in 3 proof of purchases youi got a special comic book that reprinted the origin of Spider-Man and Dr. Strange. Of course you had to have it in by December 31 of that year and the books it came out in were published in October and November. They never give you time enough to buy the producet to have the correct amount of proof of purchases to get the item you wanted. I gave up trying after awhile. Many collectors would want that special comic book but wasn't this like the one millionth time they reprinted Spider-man's origin? By that time even non-comic book readers knew he was in high school and bitten by a radioactive spider.

I am going to try a different approach to my time blogging. I have five bolgs that I either run or help out on. They are Black Lightning Limited
,Custom Slipcovers my wife and Mother in Law's business, For God So Loved,My Page On My Space.com and On My Mind. While I love doing these it does take up alot of my time each day. As I am still able to pay my bills the finances are still getting tighter in my household. So to free up some time that will either be spent more time with family and helping around the home or hopefully doing something that adds to help the finances I will only be blogging once a week on the sites. Hopefully this will sole all problems. If any of you care to donate to this site you may do so by clicking on the Paypal box below. If you are seeing this on a site not dedicated to pop culture in general I am sorry but it helps to only write it once.

Justice League of America #8

With the title of this being the Lightning Saga begins I can only imagine that BL will have a big part in this story line. This first part he actually has little to do. By the second page he is taken out by the Karate Kid. The JLA team up with the JSA as Starman and Karate Kid have shown up from the future but both seem to have memory problems. Others from the Legion of Superheroes are also in this time period but missing. Staman mentions something about his dream girl so don't be surprised if one of them is ...Dream Girl. As you can see in one scene above Hawkgirl mentions that she and Black Lightning don't seem to have any business being there. I don't agree but that sounds like BL may not be in the JLA very long. I hope I am wrong. Anyway this is the lateste on Black Lightning.

Micky Dolenz In Japan singing "To Be or Not To Be"

Here is Micky Dolenz on a show in Japan singing his single "To Be or Not To Be." The quality is not very good but it is rare to see this video. Enjoy!

DC Digest Ad

Yes in the 1980's DC comics tried to conquer the digest book dept. These were the books that sell at the check out counter in department stores and mini-marts. At the time the price for them was less then $1 and for the amout of stories inside it was a pretty good deal. Most of the stories were reprints but if you never read them before then its new to you. Archie comics had the best success with them and Harvey comics had some success. It is a money making part of the publishing market as it is based on last minute impulse buying. It's greatest success, till they changed format, was TV Guide. This was one of DC comics failed marketing attempts. It only lasted a few years. It took Archie years before it had any success in this part of their publishing history and now that part nearly supports their company. Perhaps DC should have stuck it out. However, I am glad they didn't. It is disappointing to me that the only Archie comics I see in my area are the digest. I would hate to have seen that happen to Superman and his company of friends.

Big Jim Ad

Remember this ad for the action figure Big Jim in the early 1970's? It had you fill out an easy crossword puzzle and then you would be entered into a drawing for the grand prize of $100 in Big Jim toys. I don't know of anyone who ever won the prize or even cut out the crossword puzzle and sent it in. To this day you can find in any quarter box or dollar box comic books from the 1970's with the puzzle filled out but no attempt to cut it out for the $100 prize. I guess we loved our comic books too much. Big Jim was one of my favorite action figures along with Matt Mason, Captain Action, Spider-man and Johnny West. The one thing that amazed me about Big Jim was when you flexed his arm you actually saw his bicep grew. No other action figure did that. Sorry for the ad being cut short but space on my scanner is limited.

DC in house ad

Here is a DC in house ad from 1974.

This Day in Music History: David Soul and Don't Give Up on Us

David Soul is a show business veteran known for his acting. However, his real ambition was to make his name in the music business. He was born under the name of David Solberg on August 28, 1943. His Father was a Lutheran minister who worked for a refugee organization in Germany and that is where he was raised. His love of music can be traced back to his mother who was a classical concert singer.
David moved to the Midwest where he made his living as a folk singer and he was an opening act for many top groups like the Byrds and the Doors. He sent a photo of himself wearing a ski mask that covered his face to the William Morris Agency. They were interested and he got booked on the Merv Griffin Show and other talk show and musical variety shows. Though he may have wanted to be known for his music he was really becoming known for the ski mask that he always wore. Finally he discarded the mask on another appearance on the Merv Griffin Show. A casting director saw him on the show and cast him in the TV series Here Come the Brides as Joshua Bolt. The show ran from 1968 to 1970. In 1973 he was cast in the Dirty Harry sequel Magnum Force. He was the villain opposite Clint Eastwood. David was the crooked cop who went around killing criminals who, even though they were guilty, the courts could not prove they were guilty so they got away with their crimes. In other words David Soul was playing an early version of the Punisher.
The producers of Starsky and Hutch remembered him from the movie and sent him a script. He went in to read for the show. He hoped he would get the part of Starsky as that part was more colorful and he really wanted it. Sadly they told him they had him in mind for Hutch. That is now the role that he is most famous for. Starsky and Hutch ran from 1975 to 1979 and was a huge hit for ABC.
Though he was a big star on TV David did not give up on his musical career. Larry Uttal was the president of Private Label records and promised him that they would take David serious as a musician. So David signed with Private Label.
After he released his first album for them Mr. Uttal had David meet with producer and songwriter Tony Macaulay. After their conversation he agreed to record a couple of his songs. One of those was Don’t Give Up on Us. It was on a Thursday when David learned the songs and they were recorded that weekend. Only a few of his first albums had been released but they were called back so Don’t Give Up on Us could be added.
Mr. Soul is said to have not been concerned with making hit records. He just was concerned with make good music and having fun recording them. However, Private Label was eager to have hit records and promoted the song to #1 for one week beginning on this day in music history, April 16, 1977. After this none of his songs broke into the top 40 in the States. His chart history in Britain was different. Not only was Don’t Give Up on Us #1 in England but he also had top 20 hits with songs like Going in With My Eyes Open, Silver Lady and It Sure Brings Out the Love in Your Eyes. Mr. Soul said the only problem with Don’t Give Up on Us had been with his vocal quality. I don’t agree. It was a tender love song and he sang it tenderly as it was required. I think the reason he never had another hit in his own country is because he is stereotyped as a tough cop on TV but he sings tender love ballads on the radio. Some people just can’t bring the two together in their minds. No matter if you love the song or hate the song, it was still a #1 hit in 1977.
If you click on the video below you can see a documentary on David Soul and his music.

Ephemera A Collectors Blog

If you like collecting of anything you will enjoy Ephemera a blog dedicated to collecting. On this site you will find articles on comic strips, like the Prince Valiant one above, booklets, advertising, interviews with successful collectors etc. Marty runs a great site and I think readers of this site will really enjoy it. You can click on the title above or on Ephemera or on the perm link to the right.