Author Archives: balladeer

balladeer's avatar

About balladeer

I am passionately interested in college sports, ancient Greek comedies, bad/weird movies, mythology, the American Revolution, Puck Magazine, World War I, U.S. Presidential history, silent movies, the English Civil War, epic, lyric and comic poetry, U.S. Supreme Court history, the Revolutions of 1848, the Philippine War and old pulp heroes like The Moon Man, Pilot G8, Silver John and The Rio Kid.
March 18, 2018 · 5:30 pm

NEW MCFARLAND MOVIE BOOK: WHERE MONSTERS WALKED

Where Monsters WalkedBalladeer’s Blog’s fans know how in love I am with the books published by McFarland. They do some of the greatest and most useful reference material regarding every single obscure aspect of art and entertainment history. I’ve recommended their books to anyone who will listen, even going back to the days before I wrote this blog.

One of McFarland’s latest is Where Monsters Walked and it deals with the California filming locations of horror, sci-fi and fantasy films from 1925-1965. Despite how I always joke about Bronson Canyon being the site for virtually every low-budget flick of the 1950s onward, it’s terrific seeing the odd movie locations that you might not suspect were in the Golden State.

To order this and/or other McFarland masterworks Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Bad and weird movies

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 18, 2018 · 9:28 am

FASTBALL: FIRE ESCAPE

It’s another round of Give Them A Shoutout Before They’re Dead here at Balladeer’s Blog! You get your choice of bland or eerie versions of Fastball with their song Fire Escape. 

For the more adventurous among you, you can watch the controversial video that had everybody talking! (CLICK BELOW)  The video with the deranged fan getting dressed for work in the morning while her house is littered with the dead bodies of the members of Fastball.

Mascot new lookThe creepiness factor was always aided by the nonchalant way that our smiling killer casually types “They are all dead in my house. HA HA” to an online friend asking what may have happened to the “missing” band Fastball.

That creepiness factor shot through the roof as you could see the friend’s frantic response of “What? What are you talking about? Why would you say something like that?” and on and on while our killer ignored them and went back to her morning routine. Shades of the Claridryl ad! The toast in the fridge is a nice touch, too.

I know the brief pause for an “update” about the band’s disappearance muffed the timing a bit, but it’s still got a macabre overall feel until the wimpout ending. Anyway, no matter which band you perform YOUR morning VooDoo rituals to, enjoy this eerie music video from the pre-Adult Swim era. 

8 Comments

Filed under opinion

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 17, 2018 · 11:55 pm

MARCH MADNESS ROLLS ALONG

NJCAA DIV THREE

Brookdale College Jersey BluesFIRST SEMIFINAL – The top seeds – the BROOKDALE COLLEGE JERSEY BLUES – took the court against the 5th seeded COLUMBUS STATE COLLEGE COUGARS.

The Jersey Blues were all over the Cougars in every way from start to finish and parlayed an impressive 58-36 Halftime advantage into a Century Club-level ONE HUNDRED NINE to SEVENTY-NINE blowout win. The leading scorer for Brookdale College was Anthony Butler with 18 points.    Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under College Basketball

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 17, 2018 · 5:26 pm

PANTHER’S RAGE NINE: SERPENT VALLEY

Serpent ValleyFOR PART ONE CLICK HERE  

JUNGLE ACTION Volume 2, Number 14 (March 1975)

IX. THERE ARE SERPENTS LURKING IN PARADISE

Synopsis: This chapter picks up with the Black Panther surreptitiously following Sombre, the High Priest of Resurrection Altar, through the steamy jungle of Serpent Valley. The narration tells readers that T’Challa has spent the last 4 days and nights trailing Sombre in the steep, dangerous descent from the Land of the Chilling Mist.

That descent took place down the Grand Canyonesque walls of the Chasm of Chilling Mist, which terminates thousands of feet below sea level in Serpent Valley. Down this low there are no surface deposits of vibranium to absorb all the heat energy from the air like in the Land of the Chilling Mist.

That means that in Serpent Valley the “mist” is no longer “chilling” but is instead a heavy, humid natural steam bath. Serpent Valley’s mist is so thick that the sun can never be made out in the sky at all. The steamy mist simply becomes brighter with sunlight (and greater visibility) during the day and more like fog at night.

This sweltering, figurative green house was so thoroughly insulated from meteorological changes in the outer world above that countless species of dinosaurs and other creatures from Earth’s distant past still thrive in Serpent Valley.

We learned last time around that the Black Panther’s foe, Erik Killmonger/ N’Jadaka, plans to further his rebellion against T’Challa’s rule of Wakanda by rounding up dozens of Serpent Valley’s dinosaurs, training them and then using them as a mounted force in a major attack on Wakanda City. (And this was long years before either Jurassic Park OR Dino-Riders.) 

Presently, T’Challa moves in to attack Sombre before he can reach Killmonger and warn him that the Black Panther still lives and was not killed by the Devil-Wolves or by the White Gorillas.  Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Superheroes

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

March 17, 2018 · 1:13 am

A MODERN DAEDALUS (1887): ANCIENT SCI FI FOR ST PATRICK’S DAY

A Modern DaedalusA MODERN DAEDALUS (1887) – By Tom Greer. No, the title’s not referring to James Joyce’s character Stephen Dedalus (sic) but this tale IS about Ireland. The main character is a young man named Jack O’Halloran, a recent college graduate who returns to his native Ireland.

Jack has dreamed about flying since he was a child and now he uses his genius to create a winged apparatus that can be worn by a single person to take to the skies. Our modern Daedalus flies around at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour with his new invention. Jack is thrilled but complications arise when he shares the news with his father.

Old Man O’Halloran wants to use his son’s winged apparatus to wage aerial warfare against the hated British and thereby win independence for Ireland. Our protagonist doesn’t want his invention used for such a blood-soaked purpose and in the ensuing argument his father throws him out of the house. Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Ancient Science Fiction

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 16, 2018 · 11:55 pm

MARCH MADNESS: NAIA, NCCAA AND NJCAA TOURNAMENTS CONTINUE

NCCAA DIV ONE

Southwestern Christian U EaglesFIRST SEMIFINAL – This first clash of the Final Four teams saw the top seeded SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES (should be the Aguilas) duking it out with the 4 seeds – the CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS TIGERS.

The Eagles, determined to prove that THEIR team name is even more overused than Tigers, led their opponents 33-29 at Halftime. From there Southwestern Christian University outscored Central Christian College of Kansas 34-32 for a 67-61 trip to the Championship Game. Fifteen points from Shawn Scott led the Bulldogs Wildcats Eagles. 

Emmanuel College Lions logoSECOND SEMIFINAL – The 2 seeds – the EMMANUEL COLLEGE LIONS – and the 6th seeded BLUEFIELD COLLEGE RAMBLING RAMS fought it out for the other slot in the title tilt.

The Lions quickly made sure the Rambling Rams had no illusions about winning, as they slapped them down hard with a 42-24 lead by the break. In the 2nd Half Emmanuel College could relax and coast all the way to a 78-56 triumph. Emerson McClung led the Lions with his 25 points. 

NJCAA DIV THREE

Columbus State Comm Coll CougarsFINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The 5th seeded COLUMBUS STATE COLLEGE COUGARS took on the 4 seeds – the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS.

By Halftime the Cougars had laid the groundwork for this minor Upset, leading the Generals 41-36. From there Columbus State College outscored Herkimer College 50-40 to win the game by a final tally of 91-76. Matthew Gierhart tossed in 18 points for the victors. Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under College Basketball

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 16, 2018 · 10:36 pm

NON-DILLINGER: JELLY NASH

FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

Jelly NashJELLY NASH

Real Name: Frank Nash

Birth – Death: February 6th, 1887 – June 17th, 1933

Lore: Frank Nash got his nickname “Jelly” from the chemical jelly explosives he used to crack safes.

Reality: Supposedly the nickname was actually short for “Jellybean,” which Nash was called in his youth because it was a slang term for a sharp dresser. As ZZ Topp said “Every girl’s crazy ’bout a Jell-eee-beeeeeaan.”

Criminal Career: After serving in the U.S. Army from 1904 to 1907, Jelly Nash began applying some of the skills he picked up in the military to committing criminal acts. Tradition holds that Nash robbed close to 200 banks during his career. 

Frank was so successful that his first conviction didn’t happen until 1913, and then only because he showed some uncharacteristic greed and treachery. He and “Humpy” Wortman stole around $1,000 from an Oklahoma store and while Wortman was digging a hole to hide the loot, Jelly shot him in the back and made off with all the money.

(Lore: Humpy Wortman got his nickname from his tendency to hump the legs of his fellow criminals.  Reality: I just made that up.) Continue reading →

14 Comments

Filed under Neglected History, opinion

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 16, 2018 · 3:39 am

HEROINE ANNI CYRUS: IRANIAN-BORN CRITIC OF SHARIA LAW

Anni CyrusAnother member of Balladeer’s Blog’s Real World League of Extraordinary Women – Anni Cyrus – has been back in the news lately. Anni courageously continues to speak out about the plight of women in the Muslim world and in Muslim immigrant communities around the world.

Ms Cyrus also addresses the dangers of Sharia Law. Democrats at America’s colleges and universities always try to prevent her from even speaking on campus or any other public venues. This is similar to the way Democrats oppose and often threaten other women who dare to criticize Islam’s oppression of women.

Anni on Sharia(This is made even more hypocritical by the way that White Women of Privilege always act like the U.S. is mere moments away from becoming like The Handmaid’s Tale yet they actively oppose heroic women like Anni Cyrus, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and so many others.)

Dianna Ploss of ACT issued a statement regarding recent efforts to shut down Cyrus’ appearances in Boston: 

Anni Cyrus and the organizers of this event condemn the attempt by CAIR-National to stifle free speech in our country. Making allegations that are without foundation against Anni Cyrus and the organizers of this event is a hypocritical attempt to promote an exclusive view of the world in the name of the common welfare.

Anni Cyrus, a noted speaker and activist, will be speaking on the danger of Islamization in the United States and around the world. Included in her talk is the role of Sharia, how it prohibits the rights of women, the rights of free speech, and the Constitutional rights we enjoy, including the First Amendment.

Anni Cyrus has been a strong voice in the defense of women and minorities in Islamic countries. It is deeply ironic that her voice to protect others is mispresented by CAIR-National, and Anni Cyrus and the sponsors of her talk call upon CAIR-National to rescind its’ criticism, which is deeply repugnant to the principles upon which this country was founded. 

Additonal articles on courageous women who take on Islam’s oppression – 

Islam is slavery

THIS HAUNTING IMAGE STRIKES RIGHT TO THE CORE OF THE HATRED THAT IS ISLAM.

 

RAHEEL RAZA – MUSLIM HEROINE: HERE 

MUSLIM FANATICS STONE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN GERMANY: HERE

MUSLIMS WHO ASSIMILATE ARE REJECTED BY THE LEFT: HERE

Sun LadiesYAZIDI WOMEN FORM UNIT TO FIGHT ISLAMIC STATE: HERE

HEROIC MUSLIM WOMAN SHAMS BANDAR: HERE

ANN-MARIE WATERS ON MUSLIM RAPE MOBS AND CENSORSHIP: HERE

THE LEFT’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH ISLAM: HERE

FRANCES BARBER SPEAKS OUT ON MUSLIM MISOGYNY: HERE

ANOTHER COURAGEOUS WOMAN TAKES ON ISLAM: HERE

Nonie DarwishNONIE DARWISH – HEROINE VS ISLAM: HERE

BRAVE MUSLIM WOMEN: HERE

ANOTHER BRAVE MUSLIM WOMAN: HERE

MUSLIM VIOLENCE: HERE

BOOKS EXAMINING ISLAM: HERE

ISLAM AND THE POLITICAL LEFT: HERE

POLITICO ON MUSLIM FASCISM: HERE Continue reading →

16 Comments

Filed under LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, Neglected History, opinion, Superheroes

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

March 15, 2018 · 11:48 pm

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: NCCAA AND NAIA DIVISION ONE TOURNEYS PLUS MORE

NCCAA DIV ONE

Bluefield Rambling Rams logoFINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The 6th seeded BLUEFIELD COLLEGE RAMBLING RAMS went up against the 3 seeds – the MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EVANGELS.

The Rambling Rams were feeling it and put the Evangels on Upset Alert at Halftime with their 35-31 lead. After the break Bluefield College intensified their efforts, limiting Mid-America Christian University to just 27 points while putting up 39 themselves. The final score was Rambling Rams 74  Evangels 58. Seventeen points from Jermiah (middle name “sic”) Jenkins led Bluefield. 

Emmanuel College Lions logoFINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – Up next the 2 seeds – the EMMANUEL COLLEGE LIONS – battled the 7th seeded COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS BOBCATS.

The 1st Half ended with the Lions clinging to a 39-34 edge. From there Emmanuel College kicked things up a notch on both sides of the ball, putting more and more distance between themselves and the Bobcats. In the end the Lions defeated the College of the Ozarks 80-63 led by Elijah Robinson’s 18 points. Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under College Basketball, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 15, 2018 · 9:10 pm

MARTIAN INVASION FOUR-PACK OF MAGAZINES

All-Martian Invasion all the time with a Four-Pack of ‘zines about War of the Worlds and similar Martian invasion themes of yesteryear. Link to buy is below.

FilmFax

FOR THE OTHER THREE AND TO ORDER THE FOUR-PACK CLICK  Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Bad and weird movies

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,