THE MAGICIAN – During Halloween Season a few years back Balladeer’s Blog reviewed the 1926 silent movie adaptation of The Magician. This time around I’ll review the original Somerset Maugham novel from 1908. It’s no secret at this late date that the malevolent sorceror of the title, Oliver Haddo, was based on the real-life Aleister Crowley. In fact, Crowley would accuse Maugham of plagiarism when he reviewed The Magician under the name Oliver Haddo, his fictional counterpart.
At any rate the 1926 film is an under-appreciated classic of the Silent Era and the novel is of an even higher quality. In Paris – where Maugham first met Crowley in real life – Dr Arthur Burdon, a prominent young British surgeon, has come to visit his fiancee, artist Margaret Dauncey.
Burdon also visits his elderly former mentor, Dr Porhoet, who has turned from medicine to the study of Magick and the occult arts. It is through Porhoet that Dr Burdon and Margaret – plus Margaret’s friend Susie Boyd – first encounter the elegant yet repellant Oliver Haddo. The cadre of friends make the mistake of ridiculing the boastful Haddo’s claims of being a sorceror in the young 20th Century. Continue reading
I. Jacques Morand – Roughly 300 years ago Jacques Morand was in love with Genevieve Parent. Unfortunately for him Genevieve decided to join a convent. When Morand could not change her mind through pleading he turned to threats, which drew warnings from Genevieve’s father and brothers. 
Independent voter site Balladeer’s Blog couldn’t help but note that while the Democrats’ war on the rest of us has now spread to Philadelphia, de facto Third Party President Trump has added even more accomplishments. Peace between Sudan and Israel plus presiding over the greatest U.S. manufacturing boom since the 1970s. (links below)
Proving they have no intention of regaining their sanity anytime soon, Democrats like Senator Chris Coons have begun calling for harassment of hundreds of lower court Justices who don’t obey Democrat Party dogma. (link below) 
CROWHAVEN FARM (1970) – Do you like ghosts and witches? Do you enjoy slow burn horror like Rosemary’s Baby? Give Crowhaven Farm a viewing or two. It’s perfect for a viewing party after the trick or treaters are done for the night. And at just 74 minutes what do you have to lose? 
VAMPIRE (1979) – Incredibly underappreciated horror film that concentrates on atmosphere and eeriness rather than in-your-face antics. Cult actor Richard Lynch stars as the title menace, Prince Anton Voytek. When the undead bloodsucker’s tomb is disturbed by construction for a new church (talk about adding insult to injury), the vampire subjects the city to a reign of terror. 
Balladeer’s Blog has featured countless Martin Luther King People of Courage supporting de facto Third Party President Donald Trump and defending him from the lies of Democrat media outlets. Here are two more videos. 
BLAZING A TRAIL TO VICTORY – The MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS took it on the road against the EVANGEL UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS yesterday. A 7-0 Pioneers edge in the 1st Quarter became 14-0 by Halftime but the Crusaders knotted things up at 14-14 to end the 3rd Quarter. In the 4th MNU pulled out a 28-21 win. 
TRIPLING UP ON THE COMPETITION – The MAYVILLE STATE COMETS found themselves on the road against the PRESENTATION COLLEGE SAINTS (should be the Angels). The Comets went up 7-0 in the opening Quarter and never looked back. By the 3rd Quarter Mayville State led 28-7 before winning it 42-14. 
SHUTOUTS – The BENEDICTINE COLLEGE RAVENS visited the CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY EAGLES and blanked them 16-0 ### And the GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS (should be Zebras) obliterated their hosts the WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN 55-0. 
MARVEL SPOTLIGHT Vol 1 #5 (August 1972) 
With 74% of the WGN (Chicago) viewers saying Trump won the debate and with the latest explosive witness account of Joe Biden/ Hunter Biden corruption it was NOT a good night for Senile Joe and his Underboss son. 
With so many divisions of college football not playing any games this fall, Balladeer’s Blog’s readers have been asking for at least SOME kind of additional pigskin content. In that spirit here’s a look at some of the coolest football helmets from now-defunct college programs. 
CANISIUS COLLEGE GOLDEN GRIFFINS 
CAL STATE-NORTHRIDGE MATADORS 
UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE PURPLE ACES 
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