Monday, May 26, 2003

Recommended Reading

These are all from the same page in the L.A. Times. This one is about Ed Rosenthal, a man who was convicted of trafficking in marijuana — this, despite the fact that he was asked by state government to supply said marijuana for therapeutic use. Federal officials (i.e., John Ashcroft) have taken the position that Federal law trumps State law and that what Rosenthal did was illegal. This is not how the legal system is supposed to work.

• Posted at 10:44 PM · LINK

Recommended Reading

Larry Gelbart is a fine screenwriter, as well. Here, from the same newspaper, is a piece he wrote about his former employer, Robert Hope.

• Posted at 10:34 PM · LINK

Recommended Reading

Frank Pierson is a fine screenwriter. Here's a piece about what he thinks is wrong with Hollywood. He's right.

• Posted at 10:32 PM · LINK

Lies and More Lies

Here's a link to an article that interested me. Short summary: Polygraphs are not only worthless but they cause innocent people to be branded as liars.

• Posted at 9:50 PM · LINK

"Why I'm Not a Patriot"

Interesting article by David D. Perlmutter. The quick summary of it is that we have trivialized words like "hero" and "patriot" by using them to refer to a lot of folks who have sacrificed nothing and risked nothing.

• Posted at 4:24 PM · LINK

Yojimbo Victorious!

Our pal Stan Sakai took home the National Cartoonists Society award last night in the Comic Book Division. The group's 57th annual award ceremony was held at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, and Stan's wonderful Usagi Yojimbo feature was honored, along with work by other top cartoonist-type people. The top trophy — the Reuben for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year — went to Matt (Simpsons) Groening, but we're more excited about Stan's win. Usagi Yojimbo is that rarity in the world of comics: A book conceived, written, lettered and wholly illustrated by one person — and produced not for just a few stories but over an extended period. Tom Luth provides cover coloring but otherwise, it's all Stan, as it has been for around 20 years, ever since the notion of the Samurai Rabbit occurred to him. The character first appeared in the second issue of a limited-run comic called Albedo, which is now very valuable. (As I write this, a copy is being auctioned off on eBay. Bidding is up to $255 and it still has more than three days to run.) Anyway, we couldn't be happier to see Stan's talents and commitment be recognized this way. You can read more about Stan and his bunny at his website.

• Posted at 3:01 PM · LINK

Comic Artist Website of the Day

Trina Robbins is — in no particular order — a wonderful illustrator with a clean, expressive style...a superb historian who (sadly) is about the only one ferreting out the history of female cartoonists...and a charming, funny lady. We hereby recommend a visit to her website.

• Posted at 11:34 AM · LINK

Name That Film!

Here's another one of these. Rick Phillips is trying to identify the following movie...

Sometime ago, in the 80's I believe, I saw a movie that took place in World War I. Two young men were arrested and told they had a choice of going into the army or to jail. They chose the army. During a battle in Germany they got scared and decided they would rather face a court-martial then fight so the tried to desert. However, they ran into the enemy and found the Germans' secret weapon. A giant zeppelin. Since no one else knew about it they hid on board it and destroyed it. Instead of being kicked out as cowards they were hailed as heroes. I have no idea what the name of the movie was and neither do my friends who saw it with me. There were no big name stars in the movie when it was released. The movie was only at the theater for 2 weeks so I know it didn't make any money but I enjoyed it would like to see it again. Please let me know if you or anyone knows the name of the film and where I may get it on video or DVD.

I can't help him. But I'll bet someone reading this can.

• Posted at 11:27 AM · LINK

Where Walt Wandered

Did Walt Disney ever live in Asheville, North Carolina? His official biographers say absolutely not. But some folks down in Asheville — especially the ones selling a drawing table they claim was once his — insist he did. Here's a news story from that town that claims "the question remains unanswered," though the evidence for Walt in Asheville seems pretty much non-existent.

• Posted at 10:45 AM · LINK

Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve...

I hereby resolve to try and see more of my favorite movies in actual theaters, projected up onto big screens with others around to laugh and applaud. I made this promise on my way home from a screening of one of my favorite movies, 1776. I'll tell you about the evening over in NOTES from me.

• Posted at 12:41 AM · LINK