AIRSHIP 27 PODCAST (LATE JULY '19): READY FOR TAKEOFF!!!

It's sequel time for the latest episode of the Airship 27 Podcast.

Publishers Ron Fortier and Rob Davis give the dynamic lowdown on "The Dead Sheriff #3: Holster Full of Death", "Sinbad: the New Voyages #6" and from yours truly, "The Persona #2: Green-Fleshed Fiends", which is mere minutes away from release. 

Ron and Rob also dish the details on the massive Radio Archives release of "Legends of New Pulp Fiction", which began as a benefit project for New Pulp innovator, Tommy Hancock. The audio edition of "Legends" contains forty hours of material from today's top writers in the field, including the prolific Fortier, plus the richest vocal talent imaginable to bring its exciting yarns to life.

This audio package is a dream come true for many fans, offering an ultimate spree of fanciful flight for New Pulp readers and now listeners. 

Get the audio/visual scoop straight from Ron and Rob at ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPLTSvfLezE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2Bumg6IUuPI1_ytzidL78VpmYFDIC-A6U4UvpxCi3NKyvvAauIIsBGGW0.

SO LONG, GEORGE HILTON...

You rode high and strong, Mr. Hilton, with no time for tears or superfluous sensitivity: a man's man who engaged in roughness and danger.

On the western plane, you galloped through "Massacre Time"; "Poker with Pistols"; "A Moment to Kill"; "Any Gun Can Play"; "The Ruthless Four"; "Trusting is Good...Killing is Better"; "A Bullet for Sandoval"; "Sartana's Here...Trade Your Pistol for a Coffin"; "Two Sons of Ringo"; "They Call Me Hallelujah"; "Return of Hallelujah"; "Man Called Invincible"; "Holy God Here Comes Passatore"; "One More to Hell"; and "Mark of Zorro '75", where you swashbuckled as the titular hero.

On the giallo/thriller scene, you infiltrated "The Strange Case of Ms.Wardh"; "The Case of the Scorpion's Tail"; "The Case of the Bloody Iris"; "All the Colors of the Dark"; "My Dear Killer"; "The Two Faces of Fear"; "The Devil Has Seven Faces"; "The Killer Must Kill Again"; "Sweetly You'll Die Through Love"; and "Dinner with a Vampire".

You were the last of a vanishing breed: unapologetic for perpetuating a stony, screen persona, but for those who care...for those who appreciate uncompromising virility...you'll stand as an ideal blueprint on how it can and should be done.

HAPPY 70TH, MIGHTY JOE YOUNG OF AFRICA!!!

Sure, I could've waited five more years to commemorate the anniversary release of one of the greatest great-ape movies ever made, but the 70th mark (this July 27th) seemed as good an excuse as any to praise its virtues. 

"Mighty Joe Young" is the brainchild of "King Kong" and "Son of Kong'"s creators and participants: director Ernest B. Schoedsack; writer Ruth Rose; producer Merian C. Cooper (abetted by the legendary John Ford); brackish actor Robert Armstrong; puppet maestro Marcel Delgado; and stop motion animator Willis O'Brien. It's also the first feature film to employ the titanic talent of Ray Harryhausen, who was inspired by O'Brien to excel in the animation field. (Pete "the Black Scorpion" Peterson, an amazing animator in his own right, also worked on this fantastic feature.)

"Joe'"s format is similar to "King Kong", though with more warmth: that is, a sprinkling of "Son of ..." seasons it.

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For those unaware, Joe is a ultra-humongous gorilla, adopted when a baby by Jill Young, played as a child by Lora Lee Michel and for the film's bulk, by Terry Moore. The two hold an impregnable, sibling-like bond, which becomes most evident when a group of fortune seekers comb Africa to capture beasts for an extravagant, Hollywood show. 

Among these seekers is Armstrong's Max O'Hara (a chip off the old, Carl Denham block), Frank McHugh's Windy and a congenial cowpoke named Gregg (Jill's ultimate love interest), played by western veteran Ben Johnson. Though Gregg cautions the lass against his boss' misguided intent, O'Hara convinces Jill that she and Joe could live a better life by headlining his palatial nightclub.

The nightclub scenes may seem impractical (i.e., dangerous for the vulnerable yet short-fused Joe and O'Hara's unprotected patrons), but what enfolds brims of wild whimsy. The highlights depict Joe propping Jill upon an ornate platform as she keys "Beautiful Dreamer" (his favorite song) and a tug of war which pits Joe against a queue of strongmen, led by former heavyweight champ, Primo Camera and Phil Oalfsson's Super Swedish Angel. 

Such moments shine high if only for their permeating pathos, which overflows with heart, soul and heaps of humanity, especially from the expressive Joe. Armstrong's O'Hara is also pivotal in delivering the latter, taking the Denham dynamic of "Kong" and "Son of..." into a single, movie arc, performing first as Joe's exploiter, but in the end, as one of the affable ape's supreme supporters and saviors. 

"Mighty Joe Young" is a film that can and will appeal to any age group and within any period in which it's viewed. Few movies can make that claim, which is why fantasy connoisseurs consider this fish-out-of-water adventure a classic. 

If you're the sort to visit my blog, you likely own a copy of this marvelous movie; so go on and give another whirl. You'll find it holds up with the best of the best: every ounce the sweet, beautiful dream you've long recalled and treasured. 

RIP RUTGER HAUER...

Your intensity empowered me, Mr. Hauer, to the point that I emulated your style when giving an animal-rights speech in college. Boy, did I ever have 'em shaking...yep,  all because of you.

That intensity defined all of your performances, even when you applied subtle variances and nuances to them: "Soldier of Orange"; "Nighthawks"; "The Hitcher '86"; "Wanted: Dead or Alive '86"; "Batman Begins"; "Blind Fury"; "Escape from Sobibor"; "Hobo with a Shotgun"; "The Blood of Heroes"; "Flesh and Blood"; "Ladyhawke"; "Legend of the Holy Drinker"; "Inside the Third Reich"; "Split Second"; "Eureka"; "Surviving the Game"; "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"; "Salem's Lot '04"; "Dracula III: the Legacy"; "Argento's Dracula"; "The 10th Kingdom"; "The Poseidon Adventure '05"; "A Breed Apart"; "Samson"; "A Christmas Carol '19"; plus stellar, guest shots that include "Merlin"; "Mata Hari"; "True Blood"; "Channel Zero"; and "Smallville".

Most of your admirers (myself included) look to your portrayal of Roy Batty in Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" as your defining moment. You captured the essence of Phillip K. Dick's infamous android to the tee, filtering both scares and pathos through your iconic projection.

I truly idolized you and always will. Indeed, your loss leaves a hole in my heart, but your presence (unlike the tears that Batty referenced) won't be lost in time. Beyond any doubt, you've earned what many dream of, but few achieve: immortality.

ePIX's Pennyworth: Alfred's Swingin' Rise

Alfred Pennyworth's impact on popular culture has grown over the decades. In fact, as Sean Pertwee's interpretation bid farewell, another began to rise, continuing the DC parade of Batman's jack of all trades and master of many "butler".

In this regard, ePIX grants a new track for the renown gent (starting July 28th), with Jack "Ripper Street" Bannon tackling the role in a ten-episode sojourn, produced by Danny Cannon and Bruno Heller, entitled (aptly enough) "Pennyworth". 

The series' backdrop is swingin' '60s London. Bannon's Alfred is spry and suave in the Bondian way: a former Special Air Service member and confidant of Ben Aldridge's Thomas Wayne. For the record, Emma Paetz's Martha Kane (yep, Bruce's predestined mom) will be waiting in the wings. 

Even with the Wayne connection at play, "Pennyworth" acts as a huge homage to such colorful, '60s spy classics as "The Saint"; "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."; "It Takes a Thief"; "The C.A.T."; "The Avengers"; "I Spy"; "Secret Agent"; and "The Prisoner". ("Pennyworth" could also fill the period-piece gap left by the dropped-too-soon "Agent Carter".)

If it does justice to its historical frame, the series could (and damn well should) prove a much needed breath of fresh air. In this respect, ol' Alfred might even engage in some politically incorrect shenanigans or in the very least some outlandish, espionage trickery. (Perhaps he might be the one to get tricked, if a Patrick McGoohan angle is employed.)  

The ultimate slant will be determined by his interaction with the additional costars/supporting characters: Ryan Fletcher's Dave Boy (an army chum, who fancies the sauce); Hainsley Lloyd Bennett's Deon "Bazza" Bashford (a seasoned playboy); Emma Corrin's Esme (the fetching love interest); Paloma Faith's Bet Sykes (a fierce henchwoman); and fantastic-film veteran Jason Flemyng's Lord Harwood (Sykes' employer and the exploit's prime villain...or is he?). Say, maybe Harwood and Sykes are variants of the ol' Batman adversaries, Lord Ffogg and Penelope Peasoup...

I'm anxious to see how all this glides, though its graze-the-surface, Dark Knight linkage should seal its success. (Look how "Krypton" drew those Kal-El devotees to SyFy.) "Pennyworth" might even become the smash successor to Fox's "Gotham". Now wouldn't that be a terrific, bat-tastic turn?

GOODBYE, DARLENE TOMPKINS...

You brightened two of the all-time great, drive-in features, "Beyond the Time Barrier" and "Blue Hawaii"... 

... and charmed the star-studded comedy, "My Six Loves", as well as visiting the classic "Sea Hunt".

Many were in awe of your glamour: a combination of girl-next-store spirit and pin-up enticement. 

You were a warm, special lady, Ms. Tompkins: a devoted mother, who was always had time for her fans. Whenever your lovely image fills our eyes or enters our hearts, you will be remembered. You will be loved...