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EDITORIAL
BIG SALE
I didn't have all that much to report on this week so I thought this would be a good time for a sale. So here goes:
Normally a Terry and the Pirates DVD goes for $12.95. So how about two volumes of that show for the same price? You must use these ordering carts to take advantage of the sale:
Red Skelton normally goes for $3.99 each. So how about two for 4.95?
Order here:
Finally, for western fans, there's these Three Mesquiteers DVDs, both of which contain 2 uncut movies:
Normal price, $12.95 each. Sale price, $12.95 for both.
Sale ends: 7/30/08
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
6-20-08
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WE'RE BACK!
It's been a frustrating couple of weeks. Two weeks ago our hosting service went down. For the next five days -- despite numerous phone calls to tech support -- we were down more often that we we're up. Finally, last Saturday the problem was fixed (I hope). I could have posted the updated site for that week then, but I figured most of you guys probably hadn't seen the previous week's posting. So the decision was made to leave it up an additional week. This week's site contains much of the stuff you were supposed to see last week...plus new material, of course.
Regarding the new material, I would like to draw your attention to our Video On Demand Downloads. We have slashed the prices for that service; if you don't mind viewing your Space Patrol or Sheena shows on your computer, downloads are definitely the way to go. Check it out.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
6-13-08
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I'M WALKING ON AIR
Lookit that! It's William Katt! And me! I met the star of the 1980s TV classic Greatest American Hero last week while he was promoting his newest project, the launching of a comic book company: Catastrophic Comics!
The first comic out of the dock: Sparks, with art by JM Ringuet and story by Christopher Folino.
Yup! As you can see I got Katt's autograph while gushing about how much I loved GAH and what a wonderful team I thought he and Robert Culp and Connie Sellecca were. I don't think I was actually slobbering but he might have had to wring his suit out when he left. In any case, you can tell one and all that William Katt if a terrific, easy going person who is more than happy to talk to fans about his acting career. An overall great guy.
BTW, I did get a bit of exciting inside info regarding future Catastrophic projects but I promised I wouldn't reveal anything until after the San Diego Comicon where Katt plans to make a major announcement.
So stay tuned!
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
6-29-08
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IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!
Wow! Sales are really down. Not just for me but for everyone. My sales here and on eBay have fallen by half. Other people i know with websites tell me the same thing. But it's not just the net. My local WalMart is virtually empty. The cashier told me sales were way down. People shop there for discounted clothing and food! So you gotta figure, the kind of stuff I sell -- which requires discretionary income -- is really gonna take a hit.
That's why I've begun offering But, honestly, they're not flying off the shelves either. My latest gambit: The Space Patrol shirts, marked down 33 %. See Sci-Fi Apparel . That's a real bargin!
The Drop in sales is also why I've started posting Google ads on this site; I'm hoping to make up at least some of the lost income that way. So click through on the darn things, please. Every time you do I make another nickel or dime.
The upside for site visitors is that I'm posting more free stuff to (hopefully) keep you coming back: 3-D Theater, 3-D Gallery (there's a bunch of new pix there), Movie Trailer Theater (see Hellboy 2), the Articles (two this week) and whatever else catches my fancy.
Believe me when I say this site has never been about making money. But it's the money I make here that lets me expand the site by bringing in new inventory. I want to transfer some more of my Space Patrol kinescopes to DVD but what's the sense in my doing that if nobody can afford to buy 'em?
The Middle Class has always gotten the short end of the stick. But this is the worst I've ever seen it.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
6-22-08
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CHEMTRAILS: WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY?
Have you heard of them? When people first started telling me about chemtrails I poo-poohed the whole notion. Secret government tests being conducted in our skies? Come on! They're contrails, I insisted, something that you expect to see when a jet is under full throttle. But then I began paying attention, looking upward, watching the skies. There sure did seem to be a lot of contrails, I thought. More than I remember seeing in the past. And, some of them at least, lasted for a pretty long time. Then, last week as I was driving home from work, looking out my driver side window, I saw that the entire sky was awash with the fuzzy residue of "contrails" spread by the wind. Even more astounding, when I walked into my back yard a short while later, I saw this:
Trust me when I tell you the image seen here is nothing compared to what I saw when I first stepped out my back door. The trails were brighter, bigger and thicker too. So thick it looked as if you could walk across the top of them. Unfortunately my wife couldn't find the damn camera. A good ten minutes had passed before I was able to take this shot and by then the sun had pretty much set and the trails had drifted to the south -- while remaining more or less intact! These are not contrails, regardless of what the government claims! But what are they? Some people on the internet say something is being mixed in with jet fuel to facilitate weather modification. Here's a report I unearthed from a local Los Angeles TV station which had previously covered the phenomenon:
Call me crazy but I think there's cause for concern.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
6-15-08
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MY RECENT TRIP TO MARS
We've come a long way since we were kids, starry eyed and wondering what the red planet was like. And while I obviously have not recently returned from Mars, it's easy for people to feel like they've actually been there, thanks to a whole series of NASA probes, the most recent one being Phoenix. Indeed, some of the pictures beamed back in the past decade have even been in 3-D. So I urge you to take your own trip to Mars by visiting this weeks Space Page posting.
Speaking of 3-D, please note that I'm now offering a second Space Patrol Value Pack, both of which not only include two DVDs but also seven 3-D pix -- at a discounted price. Way cool. It even includes the glasses which will come in handy for those of you unable to view our 3-D Gallery and 3-D Theater pages in 3-D.
I'm thinking of adding the Space Page to the articles section in upcoming weeks. But I'll only do that if you guys would like to see more postings regarding our exploration of the "the wild, vast reaches of space."
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
6-8-08
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THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO
I'm not shilling for my latest listing, honest. I just think the Stephen J. Cannell show, starring William Katt, Robert Culp and Connie Sellecca, was a brilliant, if somewhat uneven example of TV at its best. The cast was perfect, especially Katt as Ralph Hinckley, an easy going teacher and Culp (at the top of his game) as Bill Maxwell, a hard nosed FBI agent. These two very different people maintain an uneasy but often hilarious tension as they work together to save the world. Sellecca proves she's more than just a pretty face, exhibiting great comedy skill as the frequently exasperated Pam Davidson, Ralph's girlfriend who is. fortunately for him, an attorney.
The comedy-drama's basic premise is as follows: Ralph and Bill are drawn together in the middle of the desert one night by space aliens who want them to team up in an effort to save the world. To accomplish this Ralph is given a suit which will bestow on him a whole bevy of superpowers. But, darn the luck, he immediately loses the instruction book. Now he and Bill have to figure out how the suit works on the fly, as it were. It's a brilliant premise, one that I wish I'd had when I was working in the entertainment business. Hats off to Cannell for coming up with it.
The show aired from1981 to 1983, then ABC pulled the plug. Because it didn't run for a full four years it's almost impossible to find in syndication. But now you can get all those terrific episodes -- and a bunch of cool collectibles -- by buying the Greatest American Hero Collectors Edition of the show, which I've just listed. But again, I'm not shilling; I only have a limited number at a very special price so I expect them to go fast.
Regarding the show, there's one other ray of light on the horizon: word is that, after all these years, Cannell has been given the go ahead to direct a movie version of the show. I've got my fingers crossed that he can make lightening strike twice.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
6-1-08
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MY REVIEW OF IRON MAN
Finally saw it last weekend. Very enjoyable. I give it an A minus. It ranks just under the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie as my all time favorite super hero flick and for pretty much the same reasons. Both films made the title character seem real and both movies seriously addressed how their character might interact in the real world.
Regarding Iron Man, a great deal of thought and time is spent introducing us to the character of Tony Stark, a munitions tycoon (as if you didn't already know). By the time he creates the suit, we know Stark and accept his action as plausible -- within the structure of the movie. And everything that happens from that moment forward makes perfect sense. The detail to character and story is possible because the producers had the good sense not to overwhelm the film with CGI effects.
The main reason the film didn't rank an A or A plus is because it lacked what I call "magic moments." Those are the scenes that capture the awe and magic super heroes are all about. Example: when Superman catches the falling Lois Lane in the first Reeve movie. "I've got you, Lois." "You've got me? Whose got you?" The audience experiences Lois's sense of awe and wonder with her. What's a super hero supposed to be if not awesome?
Robert Downey was brilliant casting. The dialogue sparkled. For me, the film was a little too long, probably because of the attention paid to developing the characters in the first act. But better a longer movie, well thought out, than the sketchy cartoon characters most movies of this kind present to us.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
5-25-08
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NEW FEATURE
I may be sorry about this -- after all, lately I've been putting a number of movie trailers in these editorials, a relatively easy way to fill some space. But it occurred to me this past week that I really should create a section just for the trailers. If I didn't, that's basically all my editorials would consist of most weeks; movie trailers. Hence, I offer you: Movie Trailer Theater.
Still, this puts some pressure on me. Not only do I have to keep this new feature up to date but I also have to fill my editorials with entertaining or at least relevant info. And let's face it gang, life on the web aint usually that interesting. I doubt, for instance, you really want to hear about my current struggle with my scanner which, for some reason, will no longer let me import images to PhotoShop. It may become an issue in the near future anyway; if I don't fix the problem soon Swapsale's Sunday Comics will run out of material. If I hadn't built an inventory, this would have become a problem months ago.
Well, that's it for now.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
5-18-08
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ONE MORE MOVIE
Darn! With all the movies I listed last week I left out the most important one: Journey to the Center of the Earth:
Arriving at a theater near you July 11.
FYI: Iron Man made $100 million in the U.S. last weekend. $200 million worldwide.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
5-11-08
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COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU
Iron Man has arrived! Early reviews are very promising! I'll be going to see it next weekend when -- hopefully -- the crowds will have thinned out.
Speed Racer is a little after my time but maybe not yours. It opens on May 9.
If you're into fantasy, Narnia, Prince Caspian, opens May 16.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Incredible Hulk are on my must see list. Jones opens May 22, Hulk, June 13.
The Dark Knight picks up where Batman Begins left off. Opening July 18, no true child of the 50s will want to miss this flick.
What can I say? Judging from the art, there doesn't seem to be much reason to get off the couch. Still, it's a Star Wars spin off. The Clone Wars opens August 15.
Looks like it's gonna be an interesting summer.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
5-04-08
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NEW SUPER HERO MOVIE
Will Smith plays a super hero in the movie, Hancock, due out July 2. According to co star Jason Bateman, Will's character is "a drunk, homeless superhero that the [public] doesn't like because he's so drunk that when he solves crime, he creates a lot of collateral damage. Early in the film he saves my life, and I say to pay him back I'll revamp his image because I'm in corporate PR. We're well into that, and I'm buying him a cape and telling him how to do news conferences and all that crap — and then he falls for my wife, Charlize Theron."
"It's got a lot of interesting, different tones — it's action, it's drama, it's comedy," Bateman says about the movie. "And with Pete Berg directing it, they definitely wanted to embrace those multiple tones, as opposed to having somebody come in to just deliver this popcorn, commercial film."
Here's an advance look.
Good cast. Interesting premise. I'm putting it on my list of "must see" movies.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
4-27-08
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MORE PROBLEMS
We still have a number of pictures missing from our website since the problem we encountered publishing two weeks ago. Hopefully, that will all be corrected by next week. Even so, we are looking pretty good, overall, and, as you'll note, we're once again back to making major updates. Most notably, we've added two new sections, Swapsale's Comedy Club and UFO Report. As regards UFO Report, I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information listed there. I just post stuff that, at the very least, looks plausible. I say that as someone who believes it's the height of arrogance to think we are the most advanced life form in the universe. More likely, in the overall scheme of things, we are just a very primitive, ignorant species. As with the other departments on this website, we will endeavor to update these new features on a regular basis.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
4-20-08
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CAUGHT IN THE WEB
You may have noticed that we published this website twice last week, once last Saturday evening, then again on Tuesday evening. Actually the second update was only partial; it reflected a halfway completed update intended for this week. So, you ask, why did that happen? The short answer is it happened because we've been having technical difficulties and, in an effort to fix the problem, our web host made it worse, forcing us to publish what we had on our computer to correct the new problem. All of this is by way of explaining why, this week, you're only getting a partial update, assuming (hopefully) that we have all the other problems solved. The missing text from our latest article (published Tuesday) -- A Look At The Pulps: Weird Tales -- should be there. Also, we'll have our regular Sunday Comics update and, with luck, a few additional items. Next week we plan on being back on our regular schedule.
One last thing: Doctor Who returns to the Sci Fi Channel this coming Friday. Check it out.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
4-13-08
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IRON MAN MOVIE
Iron Man comes to a theater near you on May 2. Here's the trailer:
It looks good to me.
Also, I've posted some new songs on the Video Juke Box , both for the 1950s and 60s. Ian & Sylvia are in the sixties section. I remember seeing them at a concert that headlined Janet Joplin at the East Village Theater in NYC. Between songs Ian and Sylvia talked about how they met. If I remember accurately, she was fifteen and he was already an adult. They ran off together and achieved fame while she was still under age. Her father pursued them like a hound dog, having Ian arrested more than once just prior to a concert. I gather they're still together but ya gotta wonder if they would have gotten away with such a thing today.
And finally, don't miss this week's installment of our pulps feature: The Horror Magazines. Click on Articles to read.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
4-06-08
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THE NEW INCREDIBLE HULK MOVIE
Not much to report this week. Hope you check out part two of our article on the pulps. Got some real cool covers there. If you missed last week's installment check that out too. More cool covers. Just click on Articles for both features.
Swapsale's Sunday Comics features a Lone Ranger strip this week. It's a onetime thing, part of the article on the Lone Ranger you'll find on the Swap Talk page.
Then there's the new Hulk movie. They just released the trailer and, naturally, I have it here for you:
Apparently they're starting from the beginning. Good idea; the first one was so dull I can't even remember what it was about. Looks like this one might actually pass muster.
Finally, I'm not sure if this week's update will appear on time. The people who host this site are making some changes this weekend and they say their customers should expect delays in publishing. Last time this happened to me I was down a week. I finally had to find a new hosting service -- these guys. Hope I don't have to go through that again.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
3-30-08
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MORE 3-D
No sooner had I published last week's editorial than I started getting emails from you scallywags letting me know that that 3-D movies are back full force, with Journey To The Center Of The Earth set for release this summer and a whole slew of 3-D films set for release in 2009.
Here's what the New York Times has to say on the subject:
Industrywide, there could be as many as 10 movies released in 3-D in 2009, said Mr. Katzenberg, who has become the format’s biggest missionary. But so far, fewer than 900 theater screens nationwide have had the costly 3-D systems installed. And until that number reaches 5,000, Mr. Katzenberg and other distribution executives say, 3-D movies will also need to be released in the 2-D format. (By comparison, the 2-D movie “Shrek the Third” opened on about 10,000 screens.)
I'll keep you posted on the upcoming 3-D releases as I get wind of them.
Speaking of 3-D, don't forget to check our new 3-D Theater page. This week's latest entry features the first 3-D movie ever made! Our new 3-D Gallery also has new postings you wont want to miss.
As for other new -- non 3-D postings -- check out our Cartoon Theater for a Little LuLu adventure that's been banned from TV because of insensitive racial attitudes. I post these controversial cartoons in the belief that we should know our history regarding race and also because -- however lamentable the attitudes expressed -- these cartoons represent aspects of an art form that should not be lost.
Also new this week, the first in a series of articles on the pulps.
Is that cover art cool or what?
And, as always, you wont want to miss the latest updates on Swapsale's Sunday Comics, featuring Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon and Terry and the Pirates.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
3-23-08
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A NEW DIMENSION
When I was a kid in the fifties I was blown away by the 3-D craze that swept the theaters and comic books. The craze faded fast but 3-D has remained a life long passion of mine ever since. I even have two 3-D cameras from that era. I'm guessing a lot of visitors to this site share my enthusiasm for the process and lament the fact that it's not more widely used today, despite the improved technology. Where I live even those few movies that do come out with a 3-D print don't make it to my theater. And none of them are widely advertised.
Well, there's not much I can do about that. But 3-D is alive -- or at least showing signs of life -- on the web. To encourage it's growth I am now introducing two new ongoing features: 3-D Theater and 3-D Gallery. You might be surprised at what you find there: a 3-D Mars fly over, a mind blowing pic of the moon, a scene from House of Wax and much more. As with the Video Juke Box, Cartoon Theater , Swapsale's Sunday Comics and other features on this site, the Gallery and Theater will be updated on a regular basis.
You will, of course, need those red and blue 3-D glasses for most of the pix you find there but not to worry. We have a link on the Theater and Gallery pages to a very fine supplier and a 3-D expert in his own right, Mr. 3-D, Daniel Symmes. I think you find it's well worth your time to get the glasses.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
3-16-08
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FEELIN' ANIMATED
Wow! I'm really pumped about our brand new Cartoon Theater! Check it out: nine absolutely free classic cartoons, some going all the way back to the 1930s. Of particular interest, I think, are the so called "banned" cartoons. These are cartoons that are not played on TV because of their racial or political overtones. They truly provide a look back in history to the way we were, we better or for worse. Like I've always said, Swapsale is your time machine to the past.
Rest assured, we will keep adding to this new feature, so, if you're a cartoon fan, please check back with us from week to week. Heck, you should keep checkin' back with us even if you aren't a cartoon fan. We're always adding to the overall mix of things here.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
3-9-08
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THE DARK KNIGHT
I still remember the first time I saw a Batman comic. I was, maybe five or six, and we were at my cousin Jimmy's house in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The comic was still being drawn by Bob Kane, I'm sure. That's how distinctive his style was; the cover art is still burned into my brain all these years later.
The history of the Batman franchise has, for my money, not been a happy one. The old movie serial was pathetic. Tim Burton's Batman in the late 80s was a riot of visuals that, for the most part, subverted the story and character. The best of these movies was the last one, Batman Begins (2005), but even that left much to be desired.
Now comes The Dark Knight, set for release in July, and an animated, direct to DVD feature called Batman: Gotham Knight. Of special note: Four action sequences of Dark Knight were shot with IMAX cameras. Not sure how that's gonna work.
Here's the trailer for The Dark Knight:
Here's the trailer for Batman: Gotham Knight:
I always liked Batman as a concept. Guess we'll find out if they did the concept justice in July.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
3-2-08
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SUPERHERO MOVIE
I got the following from IMDB:
It opens in theaters March 28. Looks like fun.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
2-24-08
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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MOVIES?
The writers strike is over. New movies are being written even as you read this. But what kind of movies? How do they compare to the movies of the past? Do they pay attention to plot and character development? Or are they just, in fact, thrill rides filled with explosions and other special effects? For my money, the stuff being churned out today fails to meet the standards set in the nineteen thirties and forties.
This week I'm delighted to offer two examples of smart, well crafted movies from that golden era: My Man Godfrey and Life With Father on a single DVD for a paltry $3.95. Both are well written and engaging with not a single car crash or explosion between them. This DVD joins the Swapsale list of other wonderful films from the past being offered for sale: Meet John Doe, A Farewell to Arms, and His Girl Friday, to name a few. You can find these films and more by clicking here.
The past is just a mouse click away.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
2-17-08
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WHERE WERE YOU IN '67?
I got out of the service in 1963, after spending two years in Tacoma, Washington (McCord Air Force Base) and almost two years in Germany (Hahn Air Force Base). By September of '64 I was in college, on my way to getting a BA in Education. This meant that when I graduated I'd be certified to teach kindergarten thru 12th grade. The pop music of that time was 50s style rock 'n roll and Folk music typified by Bob Dylan. But all that was about to change.
In 1967 the Beatles released their breakthrough album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and, over night, it seemed, society went thru a major shift. Now everything was psychedelics. Harvard professor Timothy Leary emerged as a guru, with the message: "Turn on, tune in, drop out" and the Beatles went to India to study with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. More to the point: college kids across the country began to experiment with "consciousness raising" drugs such as pot and LSD. Whatever you think of that era, no true time machine can skip over it.
This week we've added two Beatles songs from the late '60s -- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Nowhere Man plus a favorite of mine by a group called Pearls Before Swine. You can check 'em out at: Video Juke Box: 60s.
Oh, in case you're wondering: I didn't inhale.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
2-10-08
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KEEPIN' BUSY
Finally getting some request in for songs to put on the Video Juke Box. Thanks to Space Patroller Clyde "Laser" Lyman, you'll find Roy Orison, The Drifters and another Dion song in the 1950s section. You'll also note I've added a 1940s section; that's especially for the Ink Spots and some Boogie Woogie numbers -- two things I've always been fond of -- although you'll also find a couple of other cool numbers there as well. Keep the request coming and I'll do my best to post them on the site.
Regarding the free Radio Shows, Tom Corbett joins the lineup this week. It's worth a click. And keep checking back; we plan on adding more radio shows in the near future.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
2-03-08
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OLD TIME RADIO
I was a young adult the first time I heard the Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall radio show, Bold Venture. It was contained on an audio cassette (remember them?) of old time radio shows that I had purchased somewhere. It blew me away. Bold Venture was everything you wanted from Bogart and Bacall, a smart adventure show with crisp, clever dialogue and tough but noble characters. So I'm pleased to offer you an episode for your own enjoyment on Swapsale's Radio page. And while you're checking out Bold Venture, you might as well listen to the other free shows we offer there --- if you haven't already.
We plan on adding additional radio shows over the next few months, part of our push to offer site visitors more freebies. Of course, we still need to finance this operation so we encourage you to buy the shows from us that are not offered for free.
In parting, thanks to all of you who have written nice things about the Space Patrol shirts that we are now offering for sale. If these shirts sell as well as we think they will, we'll have some more cool surprises for you in the future.
Oh, and don't miss the changes we've made on our Video Juke Box -- more songs from more decades. Careful though; you can get whiplash going from the 1950s to the 1960s or 1970s.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
1-27-08
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THEY'RE HERE!
Yup! I went ahead and did it. I designed and ordered a batch of Space Patrol shirts -- 100% cotton -- intended to look pretty much like the tunics worn on the 1950s TV show. It's my first foray into apparel manufacturing so I was a bit apprehensive about the project but once the order arrived I was absolutely delighted with the result. And I think you will be too.
On other matters, I've closed Swapsale's Saturday Morning Serial Theater, at least for the time being. There didn't seem to be a lot of demand for what was a free service that took a lot of effort and time on my part. Besides, the whole intention of the theater was to provide fun reasons for you guys to visit the site from week to week and now, with the Video Juke Box and the ever growing number of video clips from old TV shows and movies, I think we've got that sufficiently covered. Case in point, the Lone Ranger cartoon at the bottom of the home page this week. Oh, yeah, and don't forget Swapsale's Sunday Comics, another free Swapsale service.
So take a look around, enjoy the freebies and, if you have any advice or comments, don't hesitate to write: Swapsale@aol.com
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
1-20-08
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MORE!
That's the operative word for the week: More! More music videos. More videos from TV shows. More videos from classic movies! All free. However, the best new video is a downloadable version of our Space Patrol Gold Edition Vol. 1 -- the entire two hours worth of programming, for only $19.95. That's $5.00 cheaper than the DVD version and you save postage to boot!
Now, while all of this is perfectly wonderful, here's the really big news: Next week Swapsale will be offering fans of the TV show Space Patrol an incredible deal; you very own....but, hey! It won't be a surprise next week if I tell you now. Suffice it to say SP fans will want to be here for the announcement. (Really! No kidding! You don't want to miss it.)
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
1-13-08
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THE SOUND OF MUSIC
The web is alive with the...oh, heck, that's too corny an opening line, even for me. However, this week we are adding a really, really cool Video Juke Box, featuring clips from Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, The Penguins and more. All at no charge to you!
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I see Swapsale as a time machine, capable of taking site visitors back to the 1950s and beyond. As such, I want this site to be a regular destination for web surfers seeking a few minutes -- or few hours -- of pleasant distraction. I hope the Video Juke Box is a big step in that direction.
The Juke Box is just the latest in the number and kind of video clips we've been adding to this site. As the weeks go by you can also expect to see more clips from classics movies like Meet John Doe, His Girl Friday, The Girl Can't Help it, Things To Come and the like. Ditto, for TV shows from the 1950s like Bonanza, The Lone Ranger and Star Trek. It is, indeed, a brave and exciting new world.
One last thing: I've put a new pic of myself up. The last one (scroll down to the previous editorial), taken only about six months ago, was a miracle of lighting which somehow made me look twenty years younger. While I naturally love the pic, it is totally dishonest. The new pic, though far less flattering, is a much more accurate depiction of how I look. Darn it!
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
1-06-08
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THINGS TO COME
Since 2008 is at our doorstep I thought I'd mention some changes you can expect to see on this website in the coming year. Of course, you've already gotten a taste of the biggest change we'll be making: more downloadable videos, many of them free. That's where we're making our big push.
The whole idea is to make Swapsale a fun site for you to visit even if you're not in the mood to spend your hard earned dough. Actually, that's been the plan from the beginning; it's the reason we have Swapsale's Sunday Comics, Swap Talk and the free downloads of movie serials. But now, as the technology improves, we're looking to give you even more options. This week, if things go as planned, you should be able to find video clips from Under California Stars with Roy Rogers and The Girl Can't Help it, a Johnny Cash performance from 1959, a Tom Corbett Kellogg's Pep commercial and more.
Well, as Roy Rogers might have said, that's it for now partners. Hope you all have a Happy New Year!
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
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12-30-07
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SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE SEASON
It seems to me we could all be doing a better job as human beings. Too many of us -- and I include myself -- are unable to look past our own petty concerns and conflicts when we should be, as the Good Book says, looking to our neighbors. Not just to the people down the street but also to the millions across the country and around the world who do not have it as good as the rest of us. There's way too much needless suffering on this planet. Too much poverty right here in America. Too much bloodshed in the Middle East. Too much exploitation of the vulnerable. In short, too much hate and division and not enough love.
I certainly don't have all the answers. However, I do think we have become more consumer than citizen here at home. Most of us -- and again, I include myself -- have way too many things we just don't need. The cost to us comes, not just in terms of dollars, but also in terms of our spiritual values. In that regard, here's a pointed (but hopefully you'll agree, amusing) message from Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping:
You might also want to check out the Roy Rogers video at the bottom of the home page. It speaks to the better side of us, I think.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
12-23-07
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BUSY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
I'll make it short and quick. We're still putting our downloads back on line. (See last week's editorial.) I think we got most of them working so you should once again be able to download Sheena, Space Patrol and the other shows we have listed, for a small fee. And you should be able to download Perils of Pauline, Chapter 8 this week for FREE. If you find Pauline is not downloading please come back and try again a few hours or a day later because we are determined to get that freebie download back on line come hell or high water. The reason we sound less than certain about all this is due to the demands made on us by the Holidays. It our high volume season for orders and then, of course, there's all those darn family obligations. Oh, well!
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING PAST EDITORIALS
12-16-07
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WHY WE WERE DOWN
As many of you have noted, we had some technical issues this past week. First, we were unable to update our website. When we finally got it on the web, it was incomplete. Our attempt to fix that problem just made things worse. Then we were completely down. Then we were back, sort of. Here's the inside story....
For the past seven years we've been using OCHosting, a wonderful web hosting service. Whenever a publishing problem would develop, which was rare, they were there for us, 24/7, ready to help. The tech support was great. I even got to know a few of the people there on a first name basis. Then, a few months ago they were bought out by Velocity, a Canadian company. Last week Velocity "Migrated" all OCHosting files to their system. OCHosting customers were told it would be a seamless transition. It wasn't. Numerous calls to their tech support proved a waste of time. The people there either didn't know how to fix the problem or didn't care. That, at least, is how it seemed to us.
On Tuesday we reluctantly switched to a new web hosting service. Since this a a huge site, we had trouble uploading all our files. When we finally succeeded with that process we noted our format was somewhat changed; many of our key links from department to department were gone. From the start of this whole frustrating experience, our video download service was inoperative.
We are now in the process of restoring those links and fixing the download problem. Some of our many departments are currently not available but the most popular ones are. Perils of Pauline downloads should be working once again. (We are leaving chapter 7 up for an extra week for those who might have missed it.) Other downloads will come back online throughout this week. That, at least, is the plan.
As for this new web hosting service, we'll see how that goes. For now we are sticking with them.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
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12-09-07
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LIFE ON MARS
Can anybody help me with this? The BBC America will begin airing season two of a science fiction show entitled Life on Mars on December 11 at 8pm eastern time. Until I saw the season two ad (while watching Torchwood), I was totally unaware of the show, which seems to have been the inspiration for the American time traveling series, Journeyman. I have, however found the following tantalizing clip on YouTube from season one...
Anyway, it would be nice to get some background on this show if anyone out there has it.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
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12-02-07
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Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles
The Sarah Connors Chronicles premiers on Fox Sunday, January 13. Having had the opportunity to view this pilot last summer I can tell you that, for my money, Chronicles is one series science fiction fans will not want to miss. Smart, well acted, deftly written, loaded with cool special effects, it delivers the best of what TV has to offer.
Set in the time period between Terminator movies 2 & 3, Chronicles is directed by David Nutter (Smallville, Supernatural, Without a Trace), and stars Lena Headley (Sara Connors), Thomas Dekker (John Connors), Summer Glau (Cameron Phillips, a friendly terminator) and Richard T. Jones (FBI agent James Ellison). The story begins with Sara moving to a new location in an effort to evade the futuristic robots, out to kill her son, and the law enforcement agents out to capture her. By the end of the pilot Sarah realizes that hiding is not the answer; she has to take the offensive.
Here's a sample of what you'll be getting:
Trust me, you'll want to mark January 13 in your calendars.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
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11-25-07
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I'd like to give thanks to all the wonderful people I've met because of this site. That includes all the customers who have, through their purchases, helped us keep alive memories from the past; the movies, TV shows, comics, heroes and beliefs many of us grew up with.
Most especially, however, I'd like to thank Dr. Warren Chaney who has helped us in so many ways and who even now contributes to this site with his art and features; Jean-Noel Bassior, the author of SPACE PATROL: Missions of Daring in the Name of Early Television, our foremost Space Patrol historian; Elliott Swanson, a great artist who , among many other things, created the repro Space Patrol belt and holster set offered on this site; Ed Pippin who brought us all together at www.solarguard.com and Clyde "Laser" Lyman who, even now, is recreating Space Patrol's Terra City on the web at http://www.SpacePatrol.us.
You may notice all of the foregoing are fans of the 1950s TV show Space Patrol, as am I. I think it's fair to say the show was, at least in part, inspired by the early Buck Rogers Sunday comics. In that regard, let me remind you that Buck and his friends will be appearing here, as of next week, in Swapsale's Sunday Comics.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
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11-18-07
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COMING SOON: BUCK ROGERS FUNNIES
For my money two of the best comic strips ever were Dick Tracy by Chester Gould and Buck Rogers by Philip Nowlan and Dick Calkins. Whether you cared for their art or not, both strips told wonderfully realized stories, rich in detail and character. And while Dick Calkins might not have been able to marshal the same kind of artistic skills as, say, Flash Gordon's Alex Raymond, there was an accessible charm and innocence to his work that Raymond's lacked. As kids growing up in New York City, my cousin Rich and I could actually draw the Calkins rocket ships; Raymond's were more problematic.
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Nowland, the strips writer, first introduced his famous character in 1928 in the pages of Amazing Stories, with a pulp fiction piece entitled Armageddon 2419 A.D. John Dille, president of the National Newspaper Service syndicate, seeing the story's potential as a newspaper strip, convinced a reluctant Nowlan to team up with staff artist Calkins. The Buck Roger's strip premiered on January 7, 1929 (the same day Tarzan premiered in the newspapers), spawning a mini industry of books, movies, radio and TV shows.
I'm delighted to report that, starting in two weeks, we will begin reprinting some very early Buck Rogers strips in Swapsale's Sunday Comics. See for yourself if you agree with my assessment of this strip.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
For more on Buck Rogers go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Rogers
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11-11-07
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READY, AIM, FIRE!
Halloween, 2007! Last year I wore a Star Trek Next Generation uniform. You can find a picture of that (showing the top part of the uniform only) if you scroll down -- way down -- on this page. I was gonna wear the outfit again this year but doubted it would still fit. A quick check determined I could still get my cowboy holster around my waist -- just barely -- so I went with that. (BTW, that's a Roy Rogers Deputy badge on my chest.) I rather like the way the picture came out. At my age I don't get too many pictures I'm happy with.
Meanwhile, the fires are still burning in Southern California (see last week's Editorial) although they are largely under control. This weekend, however, they are telling us the Santa Ana winds will return, never good news during fire season.
It turns out that some of the houses saved during the fires two weeks ago benefited from private fire companies. "Just picture it." one customer of a private fire department told the Los Angeles Times, "Here you are in that raging wildfire. Smoke everywhere. Flames everywhere. Plumes of smoke coming up over the hills. Here's a couple guys showing up in what looks like a fire truck who are experts trained in fighting wildfire and they're there specifically to protect your home." Another report, this one from Bloomberg News, had this quote from a private fire fighter: "There were a few instances, where we were spraying and the neighbor's house went up like a candle." With public fire departments cut to the bone, it would seem equal protection is a thing of the past. That's just not right.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
COMMENTS REGARDING LAST WEEKS EDITORIAL
THE MATH OF FIRE: http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20071103/mathtrek.asp
11-04-07
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THE FIRE THIS TIME
Last Sunday, October 21, the fires came to Southern California. When we looked out of the backyard that afternoon, we saw smoke to the North, West and South of us. There were fires to the East as well, but we were less worried about them; a number of towns and the 5 freeway provided a significant buffer.
Over the next three days, shifting winds and the efforts of fire fighters kept changing how we calculated the threat. By day, roiling black smoke filled the air from horizon to horizon. At night the hills around us glowed red, creating a hellish vision. On Monday some fires had been beaten back while others had grown closer. Monday afternoon we were told to evacuate the neighborhood. The wife and kids left, I stayed to cut back bushes and tree branches that were too close to the house and to fight spot fires, should they break out along the perimeter of my property. As a precaution, I packed 154 Space Patrol kinescopes into my car parked in the driveway for a quick escape. That evening, with the threat seemingly abating, the wife and kids returned home.
Tuesday saw some improvement in our situation but it wasn't until Wednesday that we finally breathed a sigh of relief. You don't realize how much pressure you've been under until it is lifted. I felt giddy. Our house was safe as was our extensive inventory of valuable collectibles. Still, some apprehension lingers, even now. It's hard to shake the feeling we have seen the future.
Record worldwide temperatures suggest global warming is a bigger threat than once suspected. Our government projects at least 36 states face water shortages within five years. Atlanta, Georgia could run out of water in 100 days. The Great Lakes are Shrinking. Florida is running dry. Australia is in the midst of a decade long dry spell. Sub-Saharan Africa is in trouble as is Asia. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that by 2050 two billion people worldwide could be facing water shortages.
Southern California has seen increasingly worse fire seasons. This time one million people had to be evacuated, the largest movement of people in the U.S. since the Civil War. As I write this the fires still burn South of us, in Orange and San Diego County. And fire season isn't over yet.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
10-28-07
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IS ANYONE OUT THERE?
This week we launch the first Chapter of Perils of Pauline, the 1930s serial starring Evalyn Knapp. If you've never seen it, this fast paced 12 chapter serial is certainly worth your time, especially for the price: Free!
But here's the thing: If there is some way for me to monitor the number of people taking advantage of these free downloads, I haven't figured it out. So I don't know if any site visitors give a darn about the serials we've been posting. Please let me know if you dig it. It's a lot of work if no one is watching. Actually, the same goes for Swapsale's Sunday Comics. Should I keep posting them? Or is it a big yawn?
In keeping with the foregoing, let me mention once again that this site belongs to you as much as it does me. Let me know what you would like to see here. And what you don't want to see here. I'll do my best to make it happen. Promise.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
10-21-07
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THE IRON MAN MOVIE
Tony Stark is finally coming to the big screen. Long ignored by Hollywood, this Marvel comics character will be brought to life by director Jon Favreau and actor Robert Downey Jr. -- an excellent casting choice for Stark/Iron Man, say I. Due for release on May 2, 2008, I can hardly wait. Check out the previews at: http://www.ironmanmovie.com/
The development of Iron Man into a major movie has a long and tortured history going back to 1990 when it was originally optioned by Universal. Later the rights were acquired by Twentieth Century Fox, then by New Line Cinema, then returned to Marvel Studios which finally produced the film. Actors who expressed interest in the Tony Stark/Iron Man role include Tom Cruise and Nicolas Cage. Cage would have been an interesting choice.
Speaking of movies, Phantom Empire, our free downloadable serial, ends this week. Next week is chapter one of Perils of Pauline. Don't miss it!
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
COMMENTS: Swapsale@aol.com
10-14-07
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THE FALL SCI -FI TV SEASON
After a great start, NBC's The Bionic Woman stumbled last Monday with it's second episode. Big disappointment. The darkness is gone along with the complexity. It's beginning to look like the new Jaime Summers played by Michelle Ryan is, like her previous Lindsey Wagner incarnation, a -- "What's my next assignment, boss?" -- happy camper. Hopefully the show's writers and producers will get things back on track.
A point of interest: The roll of Jaime Summer's sister was recast after the pilot was shot but before it aired. Activist groups for the hearing impaired had complained because the sister's roll as a deaf person was being played by someone not hearing impaired. NBC solved the problem by recasting the actress and eliminating the impairment. Not a big win for the hearing impaired crowd.
Pushing
Daisies on ABC didn't work for me. Created by Bryan Fuller (Heroes), it's about
a guy, Ned,
who can bring people back to life by touching them. However, if he touches
them a second time, they die again. This becomes a real problem for Ned
when he brings back Charlotte Charles (Anna Friel), the love of his life.
Although he wants to hug her, kiss her and -- well, this is a family friendly
website -- he can't for obvious reasons. Sounds promising, no?
Unfortunately,
the whole thing is handled very superficially. When Ned resurrects Chuck
(Charlotte's nick name),
she has no trouble accepting the fact that she was dead. Nor does she
question how her return to the living is even possible. Worse yet, neither
Ned nor Charlotte show any concern about accidentally
touching each other. Great issues and comedic moments are lost as a
result. I doubt I'll watch it again.
Here's the promo for Pushing Daisies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK_OhJLKaIQ
Journeyman on NBC is interesting. Dan Vasser playing Kevin McKidd is lurched through time at moments beyond his control. His mission, it seems, is to correct things in the recent past so as to create a better world. However, he is not the only time traveler; an old girlfriend (played by Moon Bloodgood -- no kidding) that he believed to have died in an airplane accident seems to be following him through time. Complicating his life even more, his brother doesn't believe he's a time traveler and his wife, who has seen evidence of his time traveling, seems to be losing patience. Lots of possibilities here regarding future shows. You can check it out at:
http://www.nbc.com/Journeyman/
Heroes return to NBC was a bit of a let-down for me. I loved the show last season but this time out of the gate it strikes me as simply more of the same. Or, to put it another way, just variations of a theme. Overall, it's become too familiar. Part of the problem may be that there are just too many characters to follow in a single season. And now they are introducing even more people with weird powers that we are supposed to follow. Still, the first couple of episodes this season had some really great moments as when Hiro, played by Masi Oka, travels back to 16th Century Japan.
Torchwood, a Doctor Who spin off on the BBC, is a bit of a disappointment. While the concept and characters are interesting, the story lines seem remarkably uninspired. This is doubly vexing because Dr. Who's episodes (seen on the Sci-Fi Channel) are -- for the most part -- so smart. Alas, Dr. Who aired it's final episode of the season this past Friday. (Episodes from previous years can still be found on the BBC -- I think.)
http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/262/index.jsp
http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/262/podcasts.jsp
I continue to have mixed feelings about Flash Gordon, on the Sci-Fi Channel. As stated in an earlier review, I might actually enjoy it "if they hadn't made the pretense of basing the show on the old Flash Gordon, if they had kept the characters and locations but given them different names, if they weren't, on a weekly basis, forcing me to make the comparison between the original Flash Gordon and their version of him." See for yourself at:
http://www.scifi.com/flashgordon/video/index.php
BattleStar Galactica: Razor. The Sci-Fi Channel has announced that
it will herald in the show's fourth season with a made for TV movie to be shown
this fall. The series itself will premier November 24 at 8 pm EST.
Battlestar Galactica is well written and well produced but lacks, for my money,
any real sci-fi elements if you eliminate the spaceships and Cylons.
Still, I'll watch the Razor movie just to see if I can get back into the
series. BTW, if you miss the TV airing, Razor will be released on
DVD just 10 days later.
http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
10-07-07
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A HAPPY OCCASION!
Andy Andersen, for those of you who don't know, is a premiere Space Patrol fan and collector. He has, in fact, a very extensive collection of uniforms from the 1950s sci-fi TV show, one of which he has decided to put on the market. This is not the first time Andy has put Happy's uniform up for sale. A few months back, as noted in this column, he put it on eBay. However, no one made his minimum bid at that time.
Since then, as Andy has noted, another Space Patrol uniform offered for sale by someone else fetched a healthy $16,675. Andy figures, quite reasonably, I think, that if Major Robertson's uniform went for that much -- given the fact that he was just a supporting character on the show -- Happy's uniform should fetch more. He's told me that he wants $20,000 for it but he has also said he would entertain all bids.
If you're interested in purchasing Happy's uniform you should know that Andy is giving up this prized item with some reluctance. Low ball offers are likely to be dismissed out of hand. I can attest to that personally. Also, Swapsale is not the only place where Andy is listing this item. So you'll be competing against many other people. And I may be one of them.
For more info on this item click here.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
9-30-07
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WILL THE REAL DARTH VADER PLEASE STAND UP
Here's a pic of me as Darth Vader. Well, actually, it's not me. It's one of Swapsale's Secret Squadron Agents. However, the costume is mine, so what's the difference, really? As mentioned some time ago (in one of these editorials), I bought a whole bunch of costumes when a costume shop went out of business, this being one of them. I've always wanted to see what it looked like when worn and here it is...
Now, this is not one of those $3000 dollar jobs. It's more a poor man's version but still, as you can see, very effective. So I'm wondering if anyone out there knows its value. If so, drop me an email at Swapsale@aol.com. It's also worth noting I have two helmets that could be used with this costume, one, a recent release, still in its original box, the other, an official 1977 Lucas release (no box). I have no idea if the 1977 Lucas helmet is more valuable. Once I figure out the value of this costume I'll probably offer it for sale.
While on the subject of Star Wars, another Swapsale Secret Agent sent me this link to a new Star Wars computer game: http://www.lucasarts.com/games/theforceunleashed/
It's worth checking out if only for the cool graphics.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
9-23-07
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THE BIONIC WOMAN KICKS BUTT!
Thanks to one of Swapsale's Secret Squadron agents, last week I got to see an advance screening of NBC's remake of The Bionic Woman. Starring Michelle Ryan as Jaime Summers, this smart, gritty, sophisticated new series could well mark another quantum leap in TV entertainment. Like Heroes before it, it's not the same old junk.
For starters, the characters are deeply complex. Unlike Lindsey Wagner's 1970s portrayal of Summers, for example, Ryan's Jamie is not a happy camper. One minute, just prior to a horrible accident, she's normal. The next minute Jaime's waking up in a secret laboratory to discover she's a freak. On top of that, Jaime's not the first bionic woman this lab has created. The first one, played by Holly Price (of Battle Star Galactica), has gone rogue. Worse yet, she may be out to kill Jamie. Now Miguel Ferrer is insisting Jaime join his secret team -- or else!
Great special effects compliment intelligent writing and sharp acting to make this show a must see. Mark your calendar; The Bionic Woman premiers Wednesday, September 26 at 9 pm.
For more info go to: http://www.nbc.com/Bionic_Woman/
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
9-16-07
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PLEASE STAND BY FOR THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE!
Good news, Space Patrol fans! The wait is almost over! Volume three of the Space Patrol Gold Edition -- transferred directly from the show's original kinescopes to DVD -- is now at the duplicator! I expect to have them available for sale as early as next week! And check this out:
A brand new cover created by Space Patrol artist Dr. Warren Chaney! Dr. Chaney, who helped create the original cover art , was kind enough to update this latest edition to distinguish it from the first two volumes while maintaining the original cover's overall look and feel. Great job, Warren!
As for the contents of the DVD, here's what you're gonna get:
THE STAR RAIDERS: (Sept. 27, 1952, #92): The highly advanced but brutal Star Raiders plan to invade our system using their tremendous powers of destruction. Of special note, well timed mini explosions when Buzz (Ed Kemmer) duels a Star Raider with electric rapiers.
THE CODE BREAKERS (Oct. 4, 1952, #93): Ken Mayer as Major Robby Robertson stands in for Kemmer (who missed this episode due to the death of his father) when plotters break the Space Patrol secret code in order to steal plans for a powerful new proton gun.
ERRAND OF MERCY (Oct. 11, 1952, #94): Buzz, Cadet Happy (Lynn Osborn), Tonga (Nina Bara) overshoot the mark when they use the ship's time-drive to bring much needed blood supplies to American soldiers fighting in the Korean war. Landing in Nazi occupied territory in the 1940s, they are taken prisoner by a German commander (played by Bela Kovacs), who does not believe Buzz and crew are from the future and that "the Fatherland" will lose the war.
TREACHERY UNDERWATER (Oct. 18, 1952, #95): Buzz, Happy and Tonga are drawn to an underwater industrial complex on Planetoid 91 when a worker reports the apparent theft of valuable heavy water atoms. Cool underwater action (shot through a fish tank) and a who-dunnit mystery keep the viewer engaged.
So tune in next week to take advantage of this limited time offer! (This offer will expire when the universe comes to an end.)
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
9-09-07
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TORCHWOOD PREMIERE
A few weeks ago I sang the praises of "Doctor Who," a British import appearing on the Sci-Fi Channel. Now I want to give a heads up for "Torchwood," a "Doctor Who" spin-off that will be appearing on the BBC cable channel starting next week.
We first met Captain Jack Harkness, a rogue time agent out for himself, on "Doctor Who" last year. Now he's turned himself around, setting up an underground base built over a time riff in England. With the help of human agents Captain Jack is, as I understand it, dedicated to protecting the Earth from alien species, most of whom are up to no good.
Created pretty much by the same team that brings us "Dr. Who," I have every expectation that "Torchwood" will become a sci-fi fan fave once it debuts next Saturday at 9:00 pm. See what you think by going to:
http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/262/index.jsp
http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/262/podcasts.jsp
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
9-02-07
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF COMICS
The 1950s were a golden era for comics, at least from my point of view. Leading the pack was William Gaines E.C. comics, famous for it's line-up of war, sci-fi and horror books as well as for Harvey Kurtzman's Mad and Al Feldstein's Panic. Featuring artists like Wally Wood, Jack Davis and Will Elder, these were the comics of choice for high school students across the country.
Then came Frederick Wertham's book, Seduction of the Innocent, which alleged that comics were responsible for the nation's increasing rate of juvenile delinquency. Senate hearings followed and not long after that, the Comics Code Authority was born. All the creativity was sucked out of the industry, seemingly over night. The comics field languished.
It wasn't until 1963-64 that the industry began to slowly crawl it's way out of the pit created by Wertham. Leading the way with a wave of superheroes -- Spiderman, The Fantastic Four, Dare Devil, The Hulk and Doctor Strange, etc. -- was the Marvel Comics group. Created and written by Stan Lee (although artist Jack Kirby was not shy about claiming some of the credit), these comics redefined the superhero genre by mixing in elements of TV style soap operas.
Perhaps the strangest of these superheroes was the aptly named Doctor Strange. For the most part, the Master of the Mystic Arts has been pretty much ignored, the attention (and movie deals) going to Marvel's more popular titles. But that may change with the release of an animated, direct to DVD feature movie. You can check it out at: http://www.marvel.com/doctorstrange.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
8-26-07
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FLASH GORDON RETURNS, SORT OF
I'm not happy with the new Flash Gordon series on the Sci-Fi Channel. Airing on Friday nights, this week saw the second episode in the series, with Flash pretty much rooted on Earth, trying to deal with aliens from Mongo (who enter our world through a dimensional riff) as they disrupt his personal life which doesn't seem to have much going for it anyway. He lives with his mother. Dale Arden doesn't give a rats behind about him, and Zarkoff is an oaf, largely intended for comic relief. This is not the Flash Gordon most of us grew up with, not the one which can be found this week (and every week) at Swapsale's Sunday Comics.
Flash Gordon is suppose to run around looking heroic, firing his cool ray gun, flying neat spaceships to exotic locations, dealing with Rock Men, Hawk Men, Cloud Men and the like while rescuing Dale and beating the heck out of Ming the Merciless and his men. But the Sci-Fi channel has turned Flash Gordon into a traditional TV sci-fi hour format type show; a soap opera with hi tech effects.
Having said all that, I think I could accept the new Flash Gordon if only it was called something else, like say, Stargate Atlantis. It's too late now but if they hadn't made the pretense of basing the show on the old Flash Gordon, if they had kept the characters and locations but given them different names, if they weren't, on a weekly basis, forcing me to make the comparison between the original Flash Gordon and their version of him, maybe I could actually enjoy the show.
You can learn more about the new Flash Gordon here: http://www.scifi.com/flashgordon/video/index.php
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
8-19-07
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SUPERMAN VS. SUPERMAN
For my money, the first Christopher Reeve's Superman movie is still the best of them all -- by far. Superman II -- the one in which Superman gives up his powers to marry Louis Lane -- started the downhill slide. You take away Superman's powers, you take away the magic of the myth. The remaining Reeve's sequels are best forgotten entirely.
That brings us to Superman Returns, starring Brandon Routh. Like many people, I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized they were actually picking up the story from just after the first Reeve's movie. And I have to admit, compared to the previous Superman sequels, it was pretty good. However, it still lacked the magic moments of the first movie -- "I've got you Louis." "You've got me? Whose got you?" -- and the special effects ran riot over the plot. I was particularly bugged by the movie's violation of the laws of physics. When Superman catches that plane, bringing it down safely in a baseball field (it was a baseball field, no?) the plane should have disintegrated from the stress it was under. Stuff like that yanked me out of my state of suspended disbelief, but maybe that's just me.
Anyway, Warner Bros. has taken yet another shot at salvaging the Superman franchise: Superman Doomsday. I haven't heard any publicity on this straight to DVD animated film inspired by the The Death of Superman graphic novel, but if the animation available at the Warner Bros. website is any indication, it might well be worth the purchase price. Not that I have any available for sale -- darn it! I'm just offering this information as a public service to the visitors of this website. If you're a Superman fan, you can check out this new offering for yourself at: http://www.warnervideo.com/supermandoomsdaydvd/
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
8-12-07
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SOME QUICK NOTES (PART 2)
Here's a somewhat more accurate -- if less flattering -- picture of yours truly. I was getting tired of the old pic and, while I wanted to get a new one of me in costume, I was just too lazy to take the time. Lazy and busy.
This week we are making available our first On Demand feature movie: Just Imagine. A 1930 sci-fi musical starring Maureen O'Sullivan, it features fabulous art deco sets and cool effects as well as the first appearance of the Flash Gordon spaceship.
Cool, huh?
Speaking of cool, check this out: http://spaceojuke.spacepatrol.us/
Well, that's it for now.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
8-5-07
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SOME QUICK NOTES
With The Phantom Empire now playing at Swapsale's Saturday Morning Serial Theater, we want to remind you that Tailspin Tommy is still available for downloading. Even better, we've reduced the price: ninety-nine cents per chapter! That's a mere $12.00 for the entire serial, with no shipping costs. I call that a bargain.
As with Tailspin, Phantom Empire will be offered for free each week, then made available for $1.95 for those who missed a chapter. If you visit our site every week you never have to pay a dime for a really great serial. I call that an even bigger bargain. If you wait until the serial completes its run you can still get each chapter at the reduced costs of 99 cents per chapter. Even though we lose money on this deal we think its worth it if it brings you back to Swapsale.com on a regular basis.
As for our On Demand videos, next week we'll be offering our first feature movie: Just Imagine, a 1930s sci-fi musical that features Maureen O'Sullivan in her first starring role and the first appearance of Flash Gordon's serial spaceship. (No, the spaceship wasn't made especially for the FG serial.) It's a must have for all true science fiction fans.
Finally, there's this: After many delays, we've pulled four consecutive half hour episodes of Space Patrol (circa 1954) from our kinescope collection for transfer to DVD. It may take a month or two but Space Patrol fans -- and who isn't a Space Patrol fan, right? -- can rejoice in knowing a new volume of the SP Gold Editions is finally on its way.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
7-29-07
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THE PHANTOM EMPIRE
We were living in New York City in the early 1950s when my mom bought our first television set -- a big, clunky Dumont. Soon enough my sister, cousin and I (there are some pictures of us on the Swap Talk page) were watching movie serials on it: Flash Gordon, Radio Patrol, Don Winslow of the Navy and The Phantom Empire starring Gene Autry. (I don't remember what channel they were on; maybe the old Dumont Network.) Flash Gordon was our favorite, of course, but right behind that was The Phantom Empire. To preteen kids, the whole concept was totally cool: a futuristic underground city ruled by an evil but beautiful queen, an army of helmeted soldiers who did her bidding and, best of all, a group of kids not that much older than ourselves who wore what looked like mop buckets on their heads and who called themselves The Thunder Riders. So it is with special delight that I announce Swapsale's Saturday Morning Serial Theater will begin screening The Phantom Empire next week.
As with Tailspin Tommy, each chapter will be offered as a free download to Swapsale site visitors for the entire week it airs. If you miss a week, you'll be able to order that chapter for a small service fee. However, unlike Tailspin Tommy, we are not offering a DVD version of the serial for sale. For the time being, at least, it's download it or forget it. (If we get a huge demand for a DVD version of Phantom Empire, that situation could change.)
Please join us next week when we once again share the adventure with Gene, Frankie Darro, Betsy King Ross and the gang at Radio Ranch.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
7-22-07
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DOCTOR WHO?
He's back! On the Sci-Fi Channel! Friday nights! Who's back? Yes! He's back! The one and only Doctor Who, England's longest running TV show and what is, for my money, the best science fiction TV show currently available on American TV. You can have your Battle Star Galactica, John from Cincinnati, Heroes (although I do like heroes too) and those dreary Star Trek spin offs in syndication! I'll take The Doctor over them anytime.
For those who don't already know, Doctor Who is an immortal Time Lord who travels the universe -- past, present and future -- in an old English telephone booth, the Tardis, a vehicle that is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. Ask the Doctor when he was born and he might answer: "Soon." Smart, funny, exciting, shot with great production value, find out for yourself why Doctor Who has been a staple of British TV for over forty years.
From our Secret Mountain Top Retreat in Southern California, this is Bruce David signing off.
7-15-07
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SPECIAL THANKS TO WARREN CHANEY
Warren Chaney is one of a handful of people -- along with Elliott Swanson, Jean-Noel Bassior, Clyde "Laser" Lyman, Ed Pippin and a few others -- who are the heart and soul of the Space Patrol universe. They are the people who revived the old 1950s TV show, breathing new li