THE 14 AMAZONS (1972) – This often-overlooked Hong Kong martial arts film was directed and written by Cheng Kang and produced by the iconic Shaw Brothers studios. The 14 Amazons is a female-centric take on China’s historical Yang Family, many of whom were accomplished generals over the centuries.
Obviously, embellishments and outright myths have mixed in with whatever the real stories of the Yang generals may have been. During the past thousand years or so countless novels, plays and operas have been produced about this family, their deeds and their intrigues.
Believe it or not, The 14 Amazons was one of the first modern-day big-screen productions about the storied Yangs and takes a unique approach. Many of the previous adaptations of the saga led up to the valiant and/or tragic death of one of the Yang generals in battle or otherwise.
This 1972 film starts out with the death of one of the Yang men and proceeds from there. By this point there are so few male Yangs still alive that the wives, sisters, and other female relatives of the late hero band together and set out for revenge.
Political corruption prevents the Yang women from getting the Emperor’s okay to use the Imperial Army, so they decide to handle things themselves. The ladies pointedly ignore insults like “This fight wouldn’t be a job for women. It’s a task for generals!” and go into action. Continue reading
ANOTHER WORLD (1873) – This highly detailed account of life in Montalluyah (“God’s own city”), the capitol city of Mars, was written by British author Benjamin Lumley under the pen name Hermes. The book is presented as excerpts from historical accounts, including a biography of the Great Martian Reformer Tootmanyoso. 
THE MASTER MYSTERY (1918-1919) – The first film footage of Harry Houdini performing his stage act dates to 1907, but it wasn’t until this 15-part serial that he hit the big screen in a series of adventures. Chapter One of The Master Mystery debuted on November 18th, 1918 and starred Houdini as a federal agent named Quentin Locke. 
Every cliffhanger ending for the chapters of the serials involves a deathtrap which Houdini escapes from at the start of the following installment. 
For obvious reasons I held off a day before posting this item about the very odd incident on September 11th, 1911. 
FOR PART ONE (2016) OF THIS RETROSPECTIVE FROM 
RESISTANCE, INC: FAUX REBELS OF THE ANTI-TRUMP HYSTERIA – One of my widest-reaching blog posts ever. The type of privileged white Democrats that I criticized in the piece were so outraged it gave away how the blog post touched a nerve with those pretentious poseurs. The link is below, but first some excerpts: 
“Resistance, Inc” or maybe “ResistCo” would be a better name for them. None of these allegedly “rebellious” groups lacks funding and the mask-wearing members gleefully launch physical attacks on anyone who disagrees with them.
SHARYL ATTKISSON: A LIST OF FALSE NEWS STORIES ABOUT TRUMP (As of January of 2019. The list would be much longer now.) Click 
INDIANA WESLEYAN CONQUERS DIVISION ONE – Each year plenty of NAIA teams upset higher division opponents and sometimes a few will even topple Division ONE teams. The INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS welcomed D1’s VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY BEACONS yesterday. After a scoreless 1st Quarter, the Wildcats went up 17-7 by Halftime, then had to hold on against a Beacons rally to cement the Upset 24-22. 
NORTHWESTERN (IA) ALSO TAKES DOWN D1 – Not to be outdone, the NAIA’s NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS stunned their hosts the DRAKE UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS. The Bulldogs led 14-10 at the Half and 14-13 to end the 3rd Quarter but the Red Raiders tied it up 21-21 in the 4th. In Overtime, NC won out 27-24. 
ARIZONA CHRISTIAN TOPPLES DIVISION TWO – Speaking of the NAIA downing D2 teams, the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM played host to the FORT LEWIS COLLEGE SKYHAWKS. The Firestorm completely dominated the Skyhawks, leading them 14-3 at the break enroute to a 49-25 smackdown victory. 
Time for another roundup from 
NOVA Vol 1 #1 (September 1976) 
DOWN GOES NUMBER FIVE – The 15th ranked EMPORIA STATE HORNETS paid a visit to the number 5 team in the nation – the NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS. The Bearcats were up 7-6 in the 1st Quarter but the Hornets went on top 13-7 by Halftime. From there Emporia State outscored Northwest Missouri State 20-6 for a 33-13 triumph. 
FOUR QUARTERS WEREN’T ENOUGH – This game pitted the SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY MULERIDERS against their hosts the EAST CENTRAL UNIVERSITY TIGERS. A scoreless opening Quarter was followed by a 17-0 Tigers advantage at the Half. The Muleriders rallied after the break, forcing Overtime with a 17-17 deadlock to end the 4th Quarter. In the extra session SAU won 24-17. 
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