Author Archives: balladeer

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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.

APRIL SECOND ROUNDUP OF NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS

Here’s a Wednesday current events roundup from Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog.

SPECIAL ELECTIONS: DEMOCRATS WON WHERE THEY WERE EXPECTED TO AND REPUBLICANS WON WHERE THEY WERE EXPECTED TO. And both sides spent millions doing it. And both sides will spend days talking about it. More HERE.

FAYE HALL, THE FOURTH AMERICAN THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS GOTTEN RELEASED BY THE TALIBAN SINCE JANUARY 20th, THANKS HIM.

DOGE TO LOOK INTO HOW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SUDDENLY BECOME MILLIONAIRES WHILE IN OFFICE. Well, we all know how, but this is a long overdue step and may go a long way toward cleaning up governmental corruption. More HERE.

CNN POLL: DEMOCRAT APPROVAL RATING DOWN TO TWENTY-ONE PERCENT NOW.

TRUMP APPOINTS JULIA POLLAK AS CHIEF ECONOMIST AT DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

WISCONSIN OVERWHELMING-LY VOTES FOR VOTER I.D. The usual Democrat attempts to use judges to destroy democracy will, of course, follow.

JUDICIAL CORRUPTION IS SELF-SUSTAINING: CASE ON JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT WILL BE DECIDED ON BY THE JUDGES ACCUSED OF THAT JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT.

Democrat Party

DETROIT WHISTLEBLOWER EXPOSES YEARS OF DEMOCRAT BALLOT TRAFFICKING. The battle against vote fraud continues.

SENATOR KENNEDY DOES EXCELLENT STEP BY STEP BREAKDOWN ON WHY DISTRICT JUDGES HAVE NO LEG TO STAND ON WHEN OVERREACHING. More HERE. More efforts to combat it HERE

FOR 2025 DEMOCRATS, POLITICAL VIOLENCE IS A WAY OF LIFE. More HERE. And HERE. And HERE. And even HERE. Disabled teen’s Tesla vandalized HERE.

IVY LEAGUE PROFESSOR PROVIDES FURTHER PROOF THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE DISTORTED THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM INTO POLITICAL INDOCTRINATION. Continue reading

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Filed under Anti-Donald Trump hysteria, LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, Neglected History, opinion

FOOL KILLER FOR APRIL FOOL’S DAY: JUNE 28th, 1861

For April Fool’s Day here’s a look at one of the original Fool Killer Letters from Charles Napoleon Bonaparte Evans’ newspaper the Milton Chronicle. This one expresses his disgust with the Civil War tearing the nation apart and his intention to hibernate until it’s over.

FOR PART ONE, INCLUDING THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT, CLICK HERE

Matthew as the Fool Killer would be perfectPART THREE: The third surviving Fool Killer Letter. (See Part One for an explanation) 

As with ancient Greek comedies and so many old movies from the Silent Era, it is terrible that so few of the original Fool Killer Letters have survived. The author of those mock letters from the homicidal vigilante called the Fool Killer was Charles Napoleon Bonaparte Evans, editor of The Milton Chronicle.

In the two previous surviving letters, one from 1857 and one from 1859, we saw that the Fool Killer – like his creator Evans a member of the dying Whig Party – bitterly opposed secession. And like his fellow Southerner Sam Houston condemned the fools bringing on a destructive Civil War.

After this 1861 letter Evans retired the Fool Killer for a time by having the darkly satirical figure stating that he was washing his hands of this nation of fools who had unleashed such a catastrophe. By 1870 Evans brought back the vaguely supernatural figure, who claimed he had been hibernating in a cave since 1861 and had emerged to resume killing corrupt politicians and societal nuisances.

North Carolina and Virginia before the Civil WarJUNE 28th, 1861 – From “Down about Norfolk, VA.” (The Fool Killer wandered North Carolina and Virginia – which back then still included what is now West Virginia – and the dark-humored Fool Killer Letters were syndicated in several newspapers in addition to his North Carolina “birth place” the Milton Chronicle.) 

This letter started out with Jesse Holmes – the name the fictional murderer claimed was his real identity – railing to Editor Evans: 

“When the historian comes to record the cause of the downfall of this once proud and mighty Republic, tell him, for me, to put in these words, to wit: It fell by the hands of Fools!

“I tried my best to avert the dire calamity – I wielded my club (* With which he slew his victims) by day and by night – I bathed it in the blood of demagogues, designing politicians, fanatics, rapscallions and scoundrels” … “I called loudly for help to demolish the fools that seemed to be everywhere springing up like the green grass of this Mother Earth on which you and I tread but alas! alas! too few heard my warning and came to the rescue.”

Bowie Knife PatternsIn this letter the Fool Killer adds a collection of Bowie knives to his arsenal alongside his ever-present club/ walking stick/ cudgel. Future incarnations of the Fool Killer in folk tales, short stories, novels and plays will assign him various axes, guns and even a scythe. 

We rejoin the homicidal vigilante’s account of his recent activities and the victims who fell to his club and his knives, each blade inscribed with the words “Fool Killer.” Continue reading

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SEAN FLYNN: ERROL’S SON ON THE BIG SCREEN

Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at the film appearances of Errol Flynn’s son Sean. The two did not get along, unfortunately, largely because of Errol only caring about Sean when the mood struck him according to Sean.

However, Sean did get to star in various movies thanks to his name and the efforts of his mother Lili Damita.

Growing bored with filmmaking, Sean worked as a photojournalist during the Vietnam War and tragically wound up among the dead victims of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia during 1970.    

THE SON OF CAPTAIN BLOOD (1962) – Since the 1935 swashbuckler Captain Blood propelled Errol Flynn to stardom, the studio was hoping a Son of Captain Blood flick would do the same for Sean. Jock Mahoney, a former Tarzan and stunt man for Errol trained Sean in fencing and acrobatics to prepare for the role.

The younger Flynn starred as Robert Blood, the adventurous son of the famous pirate Captain Peter Blood. Robert has been itching to take to the seas with a crew of his own to command. Early on in the film his mother Arabella (played this time by Ann Todd) at last gives her assent.

The ship Robert commands has among its passengers a handful of giggling young ladies being transported to England along with their stern lady chaperone. This new Captain Blood turns their heads and ultimately Abigail McBride (Alessandra Panaro) beats out the others for his heart.

On the way to England the ship is attacked by pirates and Robert is too inexperienced to prevail over the veteran freebooter he’s up against. That figure is Captain de Malagon (Jose Nieto), an old foe of Robert’s father, who is delighted that his enemy’s son has fallen into his clutches. Continue reading

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NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS ROUNDUP: MARCH THIRTY-FIRST

Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog offers up another current events roundup.

DEMOCRAT TERRORISM MOVES BEYOND TESLA OWNERS AND DEALERSHIPS TO ARSON AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS’ OFFICES. More HERE. “Silence is consent” the Democrat fascists always tell us and their refusal to condemn this type of violence is deafening. Video HERE.

UNHINGED WAR CRIMINAL VLAD PUTIN FAFO – PRESIDENT TRUMP MOVES AGAINST HIM WITH TARIFFS AND MORE SANCTIONS. More HERE.

DEMOCRAT SENATOR MICHAEL BENNETT COURAGEOUSLY POINTS OUT THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE “LOST TOUCH WITH WORKING PEOPLE.”

        He added “I think the Democratic Party needs to use this moment of having been repudiated at the national level to figure out a creative and imaginative agenda for the 21st century that’s going to lift the fortunes of working people and the middle class all across this country.” 

AUTO UNION CHIEF SETS DEMOCRATS STRAIGHT ABOUT TRUMP TARIFF BENEFITS. More HERE.

TRUMP CONTINUES CLEANING UP CORRUPTION AT THE DOJ. The Great Reformer soldiers on.

PRESIDENT TRUMP TAKES ON THE DEMOCRAT GRAFT FUNNELING OPERATIONS.

CONGRESS ACTING TO REIN IN THE DISTRICT JUDGES WHO ARE DRASTICALLY OVERREACHING. More HERE. And HERE. I will say again, these showboating, self-aggrandizing, partisan hacks need reined in for the sake of whoever is president from whichever political party.

SCHLICHTER CALLS IT RIGHT ON TRUMP’S IMPACT.

NEARLY EVERY JUDGE SHOWBOATING AGAINST TRUMP HAS A FAMILY MEMBER BEING PAID BY A DEMOCRAT NGO. More HERE. And HERE. Partisan Democrat judges are clearly destroying the long-lasting principle of judges recusing themselves from cases in which they or their families have a vested interest.

USAID SHUTTING DOWN AFTER TRUMP PREVAILS. More HERE. And HERE. Continue reading

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Filed under Anti-Donald Trump hysteria, LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, Neglected History, opinion

IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE (1958) ON THE TEXAS 27 FILM VAULT

IN THE MIDDLE 1980s/ WAY DOWN ON LEVEL 31 …

Before MST3K there was The Texas 27 Film Vault! Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of this neglected cult show from the 1980s in this FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY YEAR of its 1985 debut. Randy and Richard, our machine-gun toting members of the Film Vault Corps (“the few, the proud, the sarcastic”) do their usual bit of showing an old serial then showing a bad movie.

Thanks to my 2011 interview with Randy Clower, the show’s co-creator and co-star and thanks to my research through VERY old newspapers plus emailed memories from other T27FV fans I’m taking a look at another episode of the show where a broadcast date can be determined. 

ORIGINALLY BROADCAST: Saturday July 12th, 1986 from 10:30pm to 1:00am. Broadcast throughout Texas and Oklahoma. 

SERIAL: ATOM MAN VS SUPERMAN (1950) – Kirk Alyn starred as Superman with Lyle Talbot as his archenemy Lex Luthor. Especially laughable are the bits when Superman “flies” – an effect achieved by switching from live footage of Kirk Alyn to INSERTED CARTOON FOOTAGE of Superman flying. Think of the ‘Toons in Roger Rabbit interacting with the live characters & backgrounds and you have the idea. 

FILM VAULT LORE: This episode of The Texas 27 Film Vault was the first to come with a Viewer Discretion warning. Gore effects fans were in Nirvana this night as Film Vault Corps member Joe “The Hypnotic Eye” Riley was given full reign for some of his most graphic effects work during the comedy sketches or Host Segments if you prefer. 

Behind the scenes preparation for the episode’s Film Vault Players sketches.

Direct from the Film Vault Corps Academy in Leadville, Colorado, the Academy’s Little Theater Group was touring Film Vaults across the country. Tonight they were performing on Level 31 of the Film Vault underneath Dallas, where the show was set. 

The Little Theater Group was reenacting scenes from famous alien monster movies and since It! The Terror from Beyond Space was a partial inspiration for the original Alien, the chest-burster scene was reenacted in darkly comic glory! (As if the chow in the Film Vault Commissary wasn’t unappetizing enough already!)

THE MOVIE: It! The Terror from Beyond Space is one of the consummate low budget schlockers of the 1950s. It embodies the “so bad it’s good” aesthetic that so many Movie Host shows have always reveled in.

In the far-off year 1973 (LMAO) a very fake-looking space-ship on an even more fake-looking matte-painting of a Martian landscape has come to rescue the sole survivor of the previous mission to the Red Planet. Continue reading

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Filed under Bad and weird movies, Movie Hosts

BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: D2, D3 AND NJCAA TOURNAMENTS

NCAA DIVISION TWO

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The teams in this title tussle were the NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SHARKS and the CAL STATE AT DOMINGUEZ HILLS TOROS. Come Halftime the Toros had their opponents worried, leading them 42-38, but from there the Sharks came back to win the game 74-73. M.J. Iraldi’s 27 points led NSU in this Instant Classic. 

NCAA DIVISION THREE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The TRINITY (CT) BANTAMS faced the WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY CARDINALS. The Bantams had eked out a 33-31 edge at the Half. After the break Trinity College managed a bit more separation from the Cardinals for a 73-69 victory. Jarrel Okorougo led the Bantams with a Double Double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Drew Lazarre logged a Double Double of his own with 11 points and 12 rebounds.    Continue reading

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1940s SUPERHEROINE MISS AMERICA

This weekend’s escapist, light-hearted superhero post from Balladeer’s Blog will look at the early stories of Marvel’s superheroine Miss America from back when the company was called Timely Comics.

MISS AMERICA

Created By: Otto Binder and Al Gabriele

Secret Identity: Madeline Joyce 

First Appearance: Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943) Her final Golden Age appearance came in 1948.

Origin: Sixteen-year-old Madeline Joyce was the ward of railroad magnate James Bennett, or “Uncle Jim” as she called him. He showed her one of the outside projects that he financed, an electrical research center set up in what had formerly been a lighthouse.

That night, during a violent thunderstorm, the fascinated Madeline snuck back to the laboratory to more closely examine the equipment. At one point a lightning bolt struck the lab and Madeline, destroying the equipment but granting her superpowers. Adopting the nom de guerre Miss America, she donned a costume and went into action.

Powers: Miss America possessed Superman/ Wonder Woman levels of strength. She could also fly and had x-ray vision. In addition, she had a large degree of invulnerability.

Comment: For a time in the 1970s Miss America was, according to Marvel Comics canon, the mother of the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. The Whizzer was their father. That has since been retconned, but she and the Whizzer are still the parents of the Avengers’ foe Nuklo. Continue reading

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MARCH TWENTY-EIGHTH ROUNDUP OF NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS

Time for another current events roundup from Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog.

TRUMP EFFECT: U.S. DURABLE GOODS ORDERS SURGE WELL ABOVE EXPECTATIONS IN FEBRUARY.

UNITED AUTO WORKERS UNION PRAISES PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR HIS MOVES TO EVEN OUT THE UNFAIR TARIFFS OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE IMPOSED ON AMERICA FOR DECADES. Like in his first term, Trump is looking out for the working class and the poor. Other countries are always fine with the damage they do to our workers.

DHS SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM WASTES NO WORDS DURING COMMENTS FROM EL SALVADOR.

FCC PREPARING TO INVESTIGATE DISNEY CORPORATION’S RACIST POLICIES OF DISCRIMINATION, EXCLUSION AND INTOLERANCE.

NATIVE ALASKAN INUPIAT GROUP IS ON BOARD WITH TRUMP’S DRILLING PLAN BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES IT BRINGS TO THEIR PEOPLE. “We feel like we’re going to be able to get some things done with a more favorable administration …” per the group’s President Nagruk Harcharek.

KASH PATEL’S FBI HANDS OVER THE DOCUMENTS ON THE DEMOCRAT-INCITED SHOOTING AT THE CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME YEARS AGO. Good move. The fetish for needlessly withholding information on the part of America’s 3-letter agencies needs to be broken for good.

RECALLED DEMOCRAT MAYOR OF OAKLAND, CA INDICTED ON CORRUPTION, FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES. Have I mentioned lately that America’s politicians are largely a pack of white-collar criminals?  Continue reading

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Filed under Anti-Donald Trump hysteria, LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, Neglected History, opinion

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: NAIA, D2 and D3 TOURNAMENTS

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this tournament were the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES and the OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES. The Coyotes eliminated all the suspense early on, leading Oklahoma Wesleyan 49-29 by Halftime. After the break the College of Idaho left the Eagles further behind for a 93-65 win. Samaje Morgan led the Yotes with 28 points. 

NCAA DIVISION TWO

FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The CAL STATE AT DOMINGUEZ HILLS TOROS took the court against the WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY HILLTOPPERS. This was a tale of two Halves as the Hilltoppers were up 50-39 at the midpoint, following which the Toros rallied to win the game 86-84. Twenty-two points from David Cheatom led the way for CSU-Dominguez Hills. Continue reading

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FAILED PREDICTIONS FROM PSYCHICS AND SCIENTISTS: SUPERCUT

For reader convenience, every Failed Predictions post from when I started them in 2017 onward.

JANUARY 2nd, 2017

earth-explodingWith a new year underway – 2017 C.E. – Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at some past predictions by “psychics” (LMAO) that turned out to be wildly off the mark.

FREDERICK DAVIES – In 1978 he predicted:

— Jimmy Carter would get reelected.

— In the early 1980s sea research would result in a cure for various types of cancer.

— A manned landing on Mars would be made by 1985.

— By 1988 a third of all homes would be using solar energy for cooking and heating.

firebird-2015-ad— Private automobiles would be banned … by 1990.

— Also by 1990 life would be discovered on Jupiter and communication with another planet – possibly from beyond our solar system – would be achieved.

— Between 1999-2001 the origin of the UFO sightings around the world would be determined. Continue reading

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