Swords, Specters, & Stuff
Welcome to My World
I started this blog in January 2012 for one simple reason: I love to write. I named it “Swords, Specters, & Stuff” because I especially love to write about writing, about books and movies in my favorite genres, about authors that mean a great deal to me. But there’s more to it than that, which is why I included “Stuff” in the title. It is “Stuff” that gives me carte blanche to write about anything, which is why you’ll see stories about special trips to Cooperstown, Sedona, and other places; about getting older; about baseball; about the otherworldly way in which I met my soul mate; about the loss of good friends, and so much more. Enjoy! And feel free to leave a comment.
“Try The Local Sewer!”—Lines From The Indiana Jones Films, Part One
Next year, 80-year-old Harrison Ford will reprise his role as the intrepid archaeologist (“Indiana Jones and the Last Gasp?”) in the as yet untitled fifth movie in the popular series, which began at the dawn of time…okay, 1981. Here are some memorable lines from the first two.
Native American Film Gems: SPIRIT RIDER
To be accurate, SPIRIT RIDER (1993) could also fall under the heading of “First Nations Film Gems.” The territory of the Ojibwa people—also known as the Chippewa—spans portions of Southern Canada and the Northern Plains states. But we’re just quibbling here. It has nothing to do with this delightful family story.
Cooking And Murder: A Lethal Recipe
My bride and I have gotten hooked on a new “dark comedy/mystery” series on Acorn TV. RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER, based on the Tannie Maria mystery novels of Sally Andrew, takes place in the rural South African town of Eden. That’s a misnomer, because this Eden is anything but a paradise.
Guilty Pleasures: RAMPAGE
A gorilla, a wolf, and an alligator walk into a bar. Wait, let me rephrase that. A giant gorilla, a giant wolf, and a giant alligator walk (actually, run and swim) into Chicago. Sounds weird, but if you know what it means, you probably saw the Dwayne Johnson-fueled sci-fi/action/monster film, RAMPAGE.
What Have They Done To My Game?
When the Padres-Rockies ballgame on the tube ended on a spring night in 2008, I climbed into bed. At 1:30 a.m. Following a 22-inning game that played out over six-plus hours. Was I bummed? Well yeah, because the Padres lost, 2-1. Was I bummed because I’d watched every pitch for those six-plus hours? Not at all.
What Is The Wilhelm Scream?
The Wilhelm Scream is a stock sound effect in Hollywood and has been used in numerous movies and TV series. Its introduction came about in the 1951 western, “Distant Drums,” starring Gary Cooper. The scream was voiced by actor/singer Sheb Wooley, who had a small role in the film. You may remember Wooley for his popular hit song about a “one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater.”
Myths And Legends: The House Of Death
Haunted houses. They are usually thought of as huge, brooding Victorian edifices sitting isolated amid an expansive tract of gated, weed-infested land, or on a remote hillside far from the nearest town. They aren’t old, nondescript brownstone buildings standing in the heart of a teeming city.
Hear A Parishioner’s Confession, Then Solve A Murder
Despite our affection for British mysteries, my bride and I had passed on FATHER BROWN for quite some time. I mean, a Catholic priest who acts as an amateur sleuth, solving all manner of crimes, mostly murders? It just didn’t sound like our cup of Earl Grey. Wow, were we wrong!
Nice Folks…So What If They’re All Dead?
My second Sword & Planet spoof, THE HORRORS OF HARRMEL, continues the misadventures of erstwhile earthling Bernie Smith and his bride, Thanna Dora, “the most amazing woman on two worlds.” Bernie got zapped out of an Iowa cornfield by a shaft of light and deposited on a deadly, primitive planet called Persus. Did he adapt? Well, “When in Rome” and all that.
“Never Argue With Stupid People…”—More Gems From Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), known by his pen name of Mark Twain, is considered this country’s greatest humorist. William Faulkner even went as far as calling him “the father of American literature.” Here are some more of his best and most meaningful quotes.
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