The Era -- Day By Day

Seventeen men arrested in Brooklyn last month have been indicted on a charge of seditious conspiracy to overthrow the government of the United States, as well as on a second charge of conspiring to sieze Government property. The indictment before the Brookyln Federal Grand Jury did not mention the Christian Front, organization with which the suspects were known to be affiliated, but did name them as members of "The Action Committee and other organizations." The suspects were arrested on January 15th, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. They will be held on bail totalling $127,500 pending their next court appearance on March 6th.

A former Brooklyn Appeals Judge will head a state commission charged with investigating printing contracts between a number of state agencies and private printing firms. Judge Frederick E. Crane was appointed to the job by Governor Herbert H. Lehman, and was directed by the Governor to investigate any possible criminal activity in connection with the awarding of printing contracts. The Burland Printing Company, already under investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey was specifically cited by the Governor as one target for the state probe,

Two armed bandits using what police called the "gag-the-maid" technique robbed the home of a Brooklyn dress contractor last night, but ran directly into the arms of nearby police. The robbers struck the home of Louis and Rae Zucker at 253 Avenue P while the family was at a movie, and subdued and tied up the maid, 30-year-old Margaret Rochnitzer, before rifling the house for valuables. Fleeing the house with two rings of undetermined value, the robbers ran immediately into a cordon of police radio cars, detectives, patrolmen, and Assistant District Attorney Burton Turkus in person, who had been tipped off in advance that the robbery was to occur. Arrested were 46-year-old Abraham Lewitz of Sheepshead Bay and 26-year-old Harry Fine of Brighton Beach. Police searched Lewitz's residence at 2374 Home Street, where they discovered a young woman who gave her name as Patsy Corcoran, and arrested her for vagrancy. The source of the tip received by Turkus has not been disclosed.

A Williamsburg woman who was rejected for jury service in the trial of Dr. Abraham Ditchick, accused extortionist, fired a dig at Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen after Mr. Amen approved another woman for the panel. Mrs. Ruth Pierce McAvoy, who was rejected by Amen earlier this week, was amused to learn that he had approved Mrs. Ida Mae Denehy for service on the jury, and said to reporters "Maybe it's a case of desperation, inasmuch as Amen hasn't had so much luck with all-male juries. Don't you think?"

Meanwhile, jury selection for Ditchick's trial continued today, with potential jurors questioned about their views on the Amen Office's summoning jurors from the recent Behan case to testify before a grand jury, and whether they might be intimidated by this. So far nine of twelve jurors have been seated for the Ditchick case.

A Finnish Army communique states that Russian losses have reached 1500 for the last two days' fighting near Kuhmo in the northern sector of Finland. Unofficial reports from Finland claim Soviet losses in excess of 20,000 over the past week.

After eight hours of deliberation a Mineola jury convicted former Long Beach patrolman Alvin Dooley of first degree manslaughter in the November 15th shooting of Mayor Louis Edwards. Dooley was calm as the verdict was read, while his family wept softly. He will face a sentence of between ten and twenty years in prison, with sentencing due on February 15th. Defense Attorney Samuel J. Leibowitz, in seeking a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, had argued that Dooley's mind had been shattered by alcohol, and that his sanity had "crumbled" under persecution by Mayor Edwards. The Judge had reminded jurors that crimes committed under a state of "voluntary intoxication" should be considered no less criminal than crimes committed while sober.


(Leona's mad she got turned down for this ad.)

Organizations of war veterans and teachers are demanding an investigation by the City Council of the American Student Union's operations at the four city-owned colleges. Representatives of the American Legion and the Teachers Alliance of New York City claim the Student Union is Communist-controlled, and demand its "discouragement" as an extra-curricular activity on city-owned campuses.

A 55-year-old Stillwell Avenue man picked up for soliciting alms at the Franklin Avenue IRT subway station in a Santa Claus outfit will serve five days in jail after the magistrate in Brooklyn-Queens Night Court determined that Santa did not, in fact, have a job awaiting him as a model in a Manhattan art class. Santa's real identity was determined to be Robert Evans, who has been convicted on similar charges on eleven different occasions.

"Gone With The Wind" will continue at Loew's Metropolitan at least thru February 21st, with reserved seat tickets for evening and Sunday matinee performances now available thru that date.

Walt Disney's latest animated feature "Pinocchio" has its world premiere in Manhattan at the Center Theatre tonight at 8:45 pm. Regular shows begin tomorrow morning at 10 am.

Opening today at the Patio, it's Sonja Henie in "Everything Happens Right" and Humphrey Bogart in "The Return of Dr. X."

Plans to build a gas station at Fulton and Henry Streets in Brooklyn Heights have been halted by objections from Parks commissioner Robert Moses, who argued that the station would be opposite a playground, and would, if approved, be the wedge used to push further concessions under zoning laws.


Joe Louis expects to dispatch Arturo Godoy in the first round, "ballet dancer's legs" or not. A special preview of Friday night's championship bout featuring interviews with both Louis and Godoy will be heard over WJZ this afternoon at 5pm.

Cardinals boss Branch Rickey says the Dodgers will be "dark horses" in the 1940 pennant race, with whatever chance Brooklyn has of copping the flag stemming from Leo Durocher's brains. But neither does he believe his own club to be a shoo-in for the pennant, despite the consensus of National League managers picking St. Louis for the league title. Rickey expects the Reds, Cubs, Pirates, and even the Giants to be tight in the running. And maybe even the Dodgers too.

Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick...


"But...the show must go on!"

Realistically, would any actual cop anywhere go into a situation like this without backup? Tracy would, but he's Tracy. You, Mr. Dunn, are not Tracy.

And in the Daily News...


Two swell stories for the price of one!


And if you've ever wondered when the fad for "Confucius Say..." jokes reached its peak, it reached its peak in February 1940.


You knew this was coming.

Careful what you say around this guy, John. No doubt good old faithful Joe is Nick's inside man.

Called it! Mama is ice cold.

Yeah, but this is just the semi-final. The real money is Cue-Ball vs. Cheery.

It must not be very much fun to be a cabbie in Tracy's town.

Ahhh, Skeezix. My dear boy. In a few years you'll join the Army, get shipped to North Africa, have all sorts of adventures, and then come home, get married, open a small business, raise kids, retire, and live to be a very very old man. And Wilmer Bobble will be there to plague you every desperate step of the way.

I'm telling you -- Cagney. With Eugene Pallette as Uncle Willie and Spanky McFarland as Kayo.

*Sigh.* Once a rattle-brained hepcat, always a rattle-brained hepcat.

(And here's the song

LizzieMaine said:

...A former Brooklyn Appeals Judge will head a state commission charged with investigating printing contracts between a number of state agencies and private printing firms. Judge Frederick E. Crane was appointed to the job by Governor Herbert H. Lehman, and was directed by the Governor to investigate any possible criminal activity in connection with the awarding of printing contracts. The Burland Printing Company, already under investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey was specifically cited by the Governor as one target for the state probe,....

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Another evergreen story. Just change the particulars and this story of government and business corruption is always in play. How, after 200+ years, we haven't figured out a better way of awarding gov't contracts - some combination of transparency, process, checks and balances, oversight, etc. - that stops or mitigates this never ending corruption is amazing/surprising/depressing/human?

LizzieMaine said:

...Two armed bandits using what police called the "gag-the-maid" technique robbed the home of a Brooklyn dress contractor last night, but ran directly into the arms of nearby police. The robbers struck the home of Louis and Rae Zucker at 253 Avenue P while the family was at a movie, and subdued and tied up the maid, 30-year-old Margaret Rochnitzer, before rifling the house for valuables. Fleeing the house with two rings of undetermined value, the robbers ran immediately into a cordon of police radio cars, detectives, patrolmen, and Assistant District Attorney Burton Turkus in person, who had been tipped off in advance that the robbery was to occur. Arrested were 46-year-old Abraham Lewitz of Sheepshead Bay and 26-year-old Harry Fine of Brighton Beach. Police searched Lewitz's residence at 2374 Home Street, where they discovered a young woman who gave her name as Patsy Corcoran, and arrested her for vagrancy. The source of the tip received by Turkus has not been disclosed.....

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Junior Detective: "What do we do with the girl here, she says her name is Patsy?"
Senior Detective: "Arrest her."
Junior Detective: "On what charge?"
Senior Detective "Uh, um, vagrancy."
Junior Detective: "Can you be a vagrant in the house you're living in?"
Senior Detective: "You got a law degree or something? Arrest her on vagrancy and we'll figure out some other charges later. Rookies, jeez."

LizzieMaine said:

......After eight hours of deliberation a Mineola jury convicted former Long Beach patrolman Alvin Dooley of first degree manslaughter in the November 15th shooting of Mayor Louis Edwards. Dooley was calm as the verdict was read, while his family wept softly. He will face a sentence of between ten and twenty years in prison, with sentencing due on February 15th. Defense Attorney Samuel J. Leibowitz, in seeking a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, had argued that Dooley's mind had been shattered by alcohol, and that his sanity had "crumbled" under persecution by Mayor Edwards. The Judge had reminded jurors that crimes committed under a state of "voluntary intoxication" should be considered no less criminal than crimes committed while sober....

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Good call Lizzie. Lucky fella if he gets out in ten - not bad for murder.

LizzieMaine said:

...
(Leona's mad she got turned down for this ad.)....

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. If Leona doesn't start putting some clothes on, in this era anyway, all the "family friendly" companies will be shunning her.

LizzieMaine said:

...Opening today at the Patio, it's Sonja Henie in "Everything Happens Right" and Humphrey Bogart in "The Return of Dr. X."....

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Neither actors' best effort.

LizzieMaine said:

... Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick.....

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Oh God yes, the fuse is lit, let's just hope Jo doesn't have a gun in her purse.

LizzieMaine said:

...
"But...the show must go on!"....

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Leona is not getting the mob connection at all. Also, word of honor, I had not seen panel 2 when I made my snarky Leona clothing comment above, but QED.

LizzieMaine said:

... Realistically, would any actual cop anywhere go into a situation like this without backup? Tracy would, but he's Tracy. You, Mr. Dunn, are not Tracy.

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Having detectives and policemen in my family, I can say, today, absolutely not - the procedures and protocol are all very well spelled out and, thankfully, look to protect the law enforcement officers first. That said, it was a lot more seat of the pants back then. And, as you've noted, Dunn = Quixote

LizzieMaine said:

... View attachment 211436
Two swell stories for the price of one!...

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Hollywood didn't miss the screen "appeal" of the Reno divorce as it plays a part in many movies of the period. I guess we started follow these day to days too late in '39, or we'd have seen "The Women" play at the Patio, which has an extended Reno divorce scene.

The wives of "The Women" killing time in Reno while waiting for their divorces to come through (actually, the wait was to establish residency, but you get it):

Note, super pretty Joan Fontaine, far left, a year before she'll become a mega-star after "Rebecca" and "Suspicion."

LizzieMaine said:

... View attachment 211438
And if you've ever wondered when the fad for "Confucius Say..." jokes reached its peak, it reached its peak in February 1940
...

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Back when regular used furniture still had value. Also, I had to re-read as I was wondering how redecorating one's house would improve one's breath.

LizzieMaine said:

...
You knew this was coming....

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She'd have been crucified on Twitter.

LizzieMaine said:

... Called it! Mama is ice cold....

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Yes, good call. Also, gotta love the over-the-shoulder "fathead" comment; it's in the family of the always good "you're an idiot" putdown.

LizzieMaine said:

... Yeah, but this is just the semi-final. The real money is Cue-Ball vs. Cheery....

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And Cheery will wipe the floor with him. Also, "I will only hurt her a little tiny bit -" creepy and scary.

LizzieMaine said:

...[ I'm telling you -- Cagney. With Eugene Pallette as Uncle Willie and Spanky McFarland as Kayo....

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Spot on casting.

LizzieMaine said:

Francis Chase of Movie-Radio Guide magazine is even as we speak writing an absolutely devastating expose of this whole affair

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Is there any place we can read that? It sounds fascinating.

It was published in two parts in the March 15 and 22, 1940 issues -- they're available here. "Movie Radio Guide" might look like a fan rag, but it actually published serious journalism about broadcasting, and Chase was a pretty thorough reporter.

The piece was also published in slightly edited form in his 1942 book, "Sound and Fury: An Informal History of Broadcasting."

Along with the Chase articles, I also recommend John Spivak's in-depth investigative book "Shrine of The Silver Dollar," also published in 1940, which thoroughly documents with positive evidence the direct links between Coughlin and the German Ministry of Propaganda, as well as the corrupt financial enterprises connected with Coughlin's publishing operation. Spivak was a relentless investigator, and what Chase couldn't find, he did.

It's no coincidence that just a few weeks after the Chase articles and the Spivak book came out, Coughlin's radio career ended forever. His last broadcasts were in mid-April 1940.

And here, to help round things out, is the "Coughlin Mystery Broadcast" that started the investigations, from 2/4/40.

(Note also the Archive.org comments reveal that Coughlin still has rabid followers in the 21st Century. Those who forget history, etc.)

An investigation of the participation by members of the New York Police Department in the Christian Front and other subversive organizations has been launched by Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine, with all 20,000 members of the Department, and all civilian department employees, required to fill in a detailed questionnaire concerning their involvement in such groups. The questionnaire includes the point-blank question "Are you a member of the Christian Front?" The questionnaire follows allegations of direct ties between the NYPD and the Christian Front, with the emergence of charges that Police Lieutenant Thomas Cavanaugh of Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay precinct, one of several officers under investigation by the Amen Office in connection with the bail-bond racket, urged men under his command to join the Christian Front. A confidential squad appointed by the Commissioner under the command of Inspector Michael Murphy has been investigating the situation for some time, and is said to "have a pretty good idea" of exactly who in the Department is involved with the Christian Front.

Meanwhile, William Dudley Pelley, reclusive leader of the Silver Shirt Legion, declared today before the Dies Committee that he feels toward Jews in the United States "exactly as the Nazi Party does in Germany." Pelley hastened to add that his beliefs did not necessarily mean that he "countenanced the methods Mr. Hitler has put in force." When quotations from his own articles published in 1934 and 1935 were read into the record in which he declared that "forcible removal of Jews from public office" might be required, Pelley stated that his remark did not necessarily imply "violence." Pelley denied that his organization is "fascist" in nature, insisting that it "opposes un-American activities," and stated that the work of the Dies Committee has caused improvement in "conditions to that effect."

Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen today began outlining the State's case against Dr. Abraham Ditchick, charging that the Manhattan dentist extorted more than $68,000 from doctors and medical officials by threatening to expose them as "abortionists," and told his victims that the money was to be used to "pay off" public officials to forestall possible prosecution. The Assistant Attorney General began his presentation after a blue-ribbon jury of eleven men, one woman, and two alternates was seated in an extraordinary session of Brooklyn Supreme Court.

The operating heads of nine large printing corporations will meet with city officials to discuss the possible establishment of a municipally-owned printing operation, in the face of a State investigation of possible corruption in the awarding of contracts for printing of state documents by private firms. Representatives of the printing unions, printer employers, and civic leaders on the topic have already taken place.

New York City's Family Court could be abolished if a $400,000 increase in the annual operating budget isn't granted. Presiding Justice John Warren Hill of the Domestic Relations Court warned that additional justices and staff are needed to continue operations for the body, or it may become necessary to close it down and turn the court's operations back to the Magistrates' Court. Justice Hill called the requested increase a "beggarly sum" when reckoned against the good work accomplished in the Court.


"Hearts That Are Hard To Beat." Yeah, that chocolate is pretty fatty stuff.

Performances of John Barrymore's current Broadway show "My Dear Children" have been cancelled thru Monday after the star was reported to have checked into Mt. Sinai Hospital for treatment of "a vitamin deficiency." The hospital today denied that Barrymore was at the facility. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Barrymore's wife Elaine Barrie, with whom he had a very public reconciliation last week, will replace Doris Dudley as the play's ingenue as of Feburary 15th. The producer of "My Dear Children" stated that when the play resumes performances next Monday, there will be no further matinee shows.

An amateur artist arrested on a disorderly conduct charge was ordered released in Brooklyn-Queens Night Court after he executed a proficient sketch of Magistrate Matthew J. Troy. 23-year-old George Sheffington of Manhattan was picked up by police after he attracted a large crowd by sketching chalk drawings on the sidewalk at the corner of Willoughby and Pearl Streets, and collected a total of 65 cents in donations from onlookers. Magistrate Troy promised to let Sheffington go in exchange for a portrait, and was pleased enough with the results that he offered the young man any assistance he might need in making connection with an art league that might further his career.

PRIME RIBS OF BEEF -- 23 cents a pound at your A&P Self Service Super Markets!

Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant open tomorrow at the Brooklyn Fox in "His Girl Friday."

Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra head the bill at the Flatbush Theatre this week. Also appearing, singing and dancing juvenile of stage and screen Johnny Downs, CBS singing star Jerry Cooper, "Fugitive From A Nuthouse" Don Rice, The Three Winter Sisters, and other big vaudeville acts, along with selected short film subjects.

Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" opened last night the Center Theatre, with Herbert Cohn on hand to praise the new animated feature as "a masterpiece of screen imagery" superior even to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

Eleanor Roosevelt's recipe for "Challenge Lemon Pie" is a highlight in the new Brooklyn Cook Book published by the Brookyn Methodist Home for the Aged. The First Lady's recipe: Beat yolks of three eggs very lightly, add the juice of one lemon and the rind of two lemons, three tablespoons of hot water, half a cup of sugar, and a large pinch of salt. Cook in double boiler until it thickens, add the whites of three eggs beaten stiff, to which has been added one half cup of sugar. Fold into cooked mixture. Put in hot oven and brown. Do not leave in oven any longer than necessary, as pie will separate.

The Dodgers may have paid out $25,000 for free agent Roy Cullenbine, but they still want another slugging outfielder, despite their failure to obtain Joe Medwick or Don Hasset from the Cardinals or Max West from the Bees. Dodger President Larry MacPhail says he's still holding out hope for a deal for West, saying that he can't see how the Boston club can stay in business without making some kind of trade.

Babe Ruth celebrated his 46th birthday yesterday, unable to understand why there is no job for him in the game he loves. Since he was dropped from the Brooklyn coaching staff at the end of the 1938 season, the Bambino has had no position in baseball, but manages to keep busy with golf, contract bridge, and signing autographs for fans who contact him by mail.

Frederick Lewis Allen's new book "Since Yesterday -- The Nineteen Thirties in America" is a fitting sequel to his "Only Yesterday," which covered the 1920s in a breezy narrative style. Allen humanizes the desultory decade just past with sparkle and newsy awareness. The book, published by Harper, will be released tomorrow at $3.00. (An excellent book that I highly recommend.)

The knife, it twists...

What could be the harm in that?

(Police discover body by side of road. "Just some bum, never saw him before in my life." "But that's Da--" "JUST SOME BUM.")

And in the Daily News...


Bet they had a hard time figuring out which story to give top billing.


Oh yeah?


So there.

Of course Nick is paying Bill's medical bills -- and Nick always collects his debts. And Annie, bless her heart, set up the whole thing.

Given Mr. Gould's taste for the perverse and the violent, I'm willing to bet Our Lady Of The Veil conceals her face for reasons other than mere anonymity -- and these reasons are connected to Dad's "experiments."

Oh, my.

Soup's on!

The "C" stands for "chump."

LizzieMaine said:

...Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen today began outlining the State's case against Dr. Abraham Ditchick, charging that the Manhattan dentist extorted more than $68,000 from doctors and medical officials by threatening to expose them as "abortionists," and told his victims that the money was to be used to "pay off" public officials to forestall possible prosecution. The Assistant Attorney General began his presentation after a blue-ribbon jury of eleven men, one woman, and two alternates was seated in an extraordinary session of Brooklyn Supreme Court....

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Ever since this story started, I've been confused at exactly how the dentist got involved in this. Okay, I get that he's been extorting money from doctors who performed abortions by blackmailing them with exposure. But how did he get into this? How did he identify his victims? Does his being a dentist have any relevance?

LizzieMaine said:

...The operating heads of nine large printing corporations will meet with city officials to discuss the possible establishment of a municipally-owned printing operation, in the face of a State investigation of possible corruption in the awarding of contracts for printing of state documents by private firms. Representatives of the printing unions, printer employers, and civic leaders on the topic have already taken place....

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And given enough time, if established, this new printing operations will become a cesspool for graft and corruption, too, that we'll be reading about in the Eagle in '42 or '43 - or later if, for some reason, the first few mangers of it are honest (it does happen). Amen will be on it, though.

LizzieMaine said:

...Performances of John Barrymore's current Broadway show "My Dear Children" have been cancelled thru Monday after the star was reported to have checked into Mt. Sinai Hospital for treatment of "a vitamin deficiency." The hospital today denied that Barrymore was at the facility. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Barrymore's wife Elaine Barrie, with whom he had a very public reconciliation last week, will replace Doris Dudley as the play's ingenue as of Feburary 15th. The producer of "My Dear Children" stated that when the play resumes performances next Monday, there will be no further matinee shows....

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The jokes all but write themselves for this one.

LizzieMaine said:

...Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant open tomorrow at the Brooklyn Fox in "His Girl Friday."....

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A Fading Fast top-ten movie of all time, but I was hoping to see it at the Patio.

Note Russell's weary exasperation with Grant's BS

LizzieMaine said:

...Eleanor Roosevelt's recipe for "Challenge Lemon Pie" is a highlight in the new Brooklyn Cook Book published by the Brookyn Methodist Home for the Aged. The First Lady's recipe: Beat yolks of three eggs very lightly, add the juice of one lemon and the rind of two lemons, three tablespoons of hot water, half a cup of sugar, and a large pinch of salt. Cook in double boiler until it thickens, add the whites of three eggs beaten stiff, to which has been added one half cup of sugar. Fold into cooked mixture. Put in hot oven and brown. Do not leave in oven any longer than necessary, as pie will separate....

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Saw a bit of "Sunrise at Campobello" yesterday. Ralph Bellamy really looks like Roosevelt; Greer Garson, not so much like Eleanor.

LizzieMaine said:

... The knife, it twists......

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Jo any minute now:

LizzieMaine said:

... What could be the harm in that?....

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It's always safe to be the only person (after the club manager gets knocked off) with incriminating evidence against the mob - all's good here. Leona is not waking up to the mob connection as quickly as I'd hope. I'm still thinking she needs to humble herself to a former society boy admirer that she kicked to the curb - she's either got to catch on or get out of this new world.

LizzieMaine said:

...
Bet they had a hard time figuring out which story to give top billing....

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Ms. Thelma Bowman Spear might be a touch too old and avoirdupois to go the Leona Stockpool route to making money.

LizzieMaine said:

...
Oh yeah?...

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Somebody spent money to do this; at least on Twitter, you can be an idiot for free.

LizzieMaine said:

...
So there....

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The paid subscriptions all but double for Sunday - that seems like a huge bump.

LizzieMaine said:

... Soup's on!....

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What the heck is Ryan wearing?

I suspect Dr. Ditchick is an "arranger" -- he acts as a middleman between the woman requiring the particular service and the clinician who can supply that service, in exchange for a percentage of the fee. That he then turns around and blackmails the clinician is an added bit of sharp business technique, and I wouldn't be surprised if he blackmails the women as well.

It was usually poor or working-class women who'd use this kind of an arrangement. A rich woman could, of course, arrange an abortion at no real risk to herself or to the doctor who provided it, given ample cash on hand to ensure the best facilities and the greatest discretion. A middle-class woman -- or her teenage daughter -- could often find help from a sympathetic family doctor who would perform an -- ah -- appendectomy on demand. But the poor woman, the woman with no resources, had no choice but to resort to the underground, which often led her to kitchen-table butchers or wholesale operators the likes of the good dentist here.

Mr. Barrymore is the very essence of a celebrity reduced to playing a dismal self-parody of himself. His upcoming turn on the Rudy Vallee program takes public debasement to extremes, and when you think about his completely dissolute state at the time of these broadcasts, it leaches out all the fun and gives you the same feeling you got on your way out of a carnival freak show. He really was a great actor, but few public figures of his time were more systematically and openly destroyed by liquor.

Leona better watch out, or she's going to be in the line of fire when things start popping, and I doubt Mary has much pull with the mob.

The Sunday News used to get much wider distribution outside the metropoilitan area than the daily edition -- they put out what was called the "country edition" all over the Northeast, and it used to annoy me that you'd get the current week's comic section and Coloroto magazine coupled with *last Sunday's* main section. Made me feel like a real valued customer.

Pat appears to be wearing a cross between a Chinese tunic of some kind and a woolen lumber jacket. That's what he gets for doing business with those shady Hong Kong tailors.

LizzieMaine said:

I suspect Dr. Ditchick is an "arranger" -- he acts as a middleman between the woman requiring the particular service and the clinician who can supply that service, in exchange for a percentage of the fee. That he then turns around and blackmails the clinician is an added bit of sharp business technique, and I wouldn't be surprised if he blackmails the women as well.....

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Well then, hopefully, the legal system will catch up with him as he's playing with fire bringing in the law. Also, his participating in the illegal scheme and, then, trying to blackmail those in it makes him particularly vile.

LizzieMaine said:

...Pat appears to be wearing a cross between a Chinese tunic of some kind and a woolen lumber jacket. That's what he gets for doing business with those shady Hong Kong tailors.

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To be sure, there are many fine, upstanding and talented HK tailors today; but there are also many who trade in the "custom suit" business that are simply hacks. It's almost a right of passage that many young NYC men who are new to business suits get sucked into this scam. I probably would have, but luckily, one of my early bosses vociferously warned me about it. I have seen some truly horribly made "custom" suits come from these efforts.

And I'm very disappointed in Leona - I expected her to be smarter.

An effort by the United States to negotiate with other neutral nations in the interest of global peace is underway, according to Secretary of State Cordell Hull. Hull did not reveal exactly which neutral nations are participating in the first round of talks, but did indicate that belligerents may be invited to participate once the process has gained ground. Hull indicated that talks are being carried on thru "normal diplomatic channels." The British Government, in response to the Secretary's statement, declared that it has little hope that such talks will lead to peace.

The move by the New York Police Department to place a questionnaire concerning membership in "subversive organizations" before all department members and civilian staff originated with Mayor LaGuardia, according to a disclosure today by the Mayor himself. The Mayor stated that he ordered the investigation "to protect the department" by disproving statements by Christian Front leaders that a large number of police belong to that group, and that he began the probe last year after a patrolman assigned as an aide to a high-ranking department official boasted that several Manhattan precincts were "controlled by Christians."

At the same time the Mayor revealed that there are ninety-four city firemen who are known Christian Front members, according to a report prepared by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. No questionnaire is planned for the Fire Department.

Meanwhile, as the Mayor was making his statement, it was revealed that "a number of" Brooklyn policemen have completed the questionnaire stating without equivocation that they are Christian Front members, and that they considered the investigation into their affiliations to be unconstitutional.



The nineteenth in an ongoing series of daytime burglaries in Brooklyn saw $2500 in jewelry and $36 in cash taken from the Flatbush home of a man who had served on the jury in the trial of police Lt. Cuthbert J. Behan. A burglar entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert J. Swann at 195 Argyle Road in the Parkville neighborhood and ransacked the house for valuables before being frightened away by Miss Adinah Nixon, the Swanns' maid. Police believe the burglar to have been a man with knowledge of jewelry, as only the choicest items were taken. Detective James Holden of the Parkville precinct found that the burglar probably entered the house thru an open cellar window.

A Manhattan Supreme Court room was turned into a beauty parlor today in a $25,000 lawsuit filed by a Lyndhurst, New Jersey woman who charges that she suffered permanent scarring from burns received during an improperly-applied permanent wave at a Fulton Street shop in 1938. Miss Matilda L. Kempf is seeking damages from the operator of Lena's Beauty Shop, as well as from the manufacturers of the waving equipment and supplies used in applying the treatment. As Judge Thomas J. Kaiden and an all-male jury looked on, beautician Jessie Kuegler, operator of the beauty shop, administered a permanent wave to a young brunette in an attempt to demonstrate that the process and the procedure are not dangerous.

A Queens doctor testified today in the trial of Dr. Abraham Ditchick that the Manhattan dentist extorted him out of $6500 in order to "quash serious charges" which Dr. Ditchick told him were pending before the Medical Grievance Board. Dr. George Rothenberg indicated that he delivered $4500 of the sum to Dr. Ditchick's office thru the use of an intermediary, Charles N. Adams of Forest Hills. Adams followed Rothenberg to the witness stand to confirm Rothenberg's story.

Plans to bring Brooklyn Councilman Joseph Sharkey's proposal for a municipal lottery to fruition are underway thru the efforts of the National Conference to Legalize Lotteries, operating out of an office in Manhattan. Councilman Sharkey has declared that "90 percent" of New Yorkers support his plan, which is now pending before the City Council's finance committee.

The Raymond Street Jail, still unfit for human habitation, now houses 473 inmates, three above its rated capacity.

An 18-year-old unwed mother who suffocated her five-week-old baby and left the infant's body in a railroad station storage locker will serve ten to fifteen years in prison. Virginia D'Amore was convicted in Paterson, New Jersey on second-degree murder charges by a jury of eight women and four men. She was arrested at her parents' home in Brooklyn last October 31st.


(I had one of these. Wish it still fit.)


The problem with these is that you get about a dozen each of those bleahhhh cream things and only two or three of the caramels.

The two largest New York milk distributors say they are expanding distribution of the new two-quart paper cartons to the entire city. The containers were first unveiled by Sheffield Farms and Borden in selected Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods last November, and have found wide acceptance. The two firms introduced a special Vitamin D-enriched milk in the new containers to Manhattan last week, and with the expansion of carton service citywide it is expected that all grades of milk will be available in the cartons y March 4th.

Depressed Mother writes to Helen Worth to ask for help. Her husband deserted her and their two small children six years ago, and refuses to pay court-ordered child support. She can't afford to use an employment agency to find a better job, and the bills are mounting faster than she can pay them. Helen advises her to go to the New York State Employment Commission, which unlike private agencies never charges for its services.

Two homeless men brought into Brooklyn-Manhattan Night Court on a charge of obstructing traffic by engaging in a sidewalk bowling match were given a suspended sentence by Magistrate Matthew Troy, a self-declared bowling fan. 39-year-old George Burke and 38-year-old Fred Howland attracted a crowd as they competed on the sidewalk at Fulton and Bond Streets, trying to knock over an empty pickle jar with a cocoanut.

You Can't Go Wrong On Cottons This Summer! (And in Bensonhurst, Joe kicks at the stove with his cold feet and mutters "let's get thru winter first! Hey Sal, did you pay the gas bill?)


(See, Leona, this is what you can accomplish if you try.)

Now showing at the RKO Albee, Joel McCrea, Nancy Kelly, and Cesar Romero in "He Married His Wife," and Vincent Price, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, and Nan Grey in "The Invisible Man Returns!" Don't fail to see him!

Mrs. Thomas A. Markey writes to The Editor demanding that something be done about the egregious misspelling of Sterling Place. It should be "Stirling" Place. Because it was named after General Lord Stirling of the Revolutionary War, and a sign painter long ago botched it up. Something simply must be done, because to call it "Sterling Place" is a disgrace.

The Louis-Godoy fight will end with a Louis win by a knockout in five rounds. That's the consensus from those in the know as the heavyweight championship goes on the line tonight at Madison Square Garden with an expected purse in excess of $100,000. The fight will be broadcast over WJZ at 10pm, with Sam Taub and Bill Stern giving the description, and films of the bout will be shown starting tomorrow at the RKO Albee.


(Hey, Papa Dionne!)

If you think Jo isn't impressed by Major Oakdale, get a load of that gal in Panel One. He must have left her at the altar too.

Leona is about to receive a powerful lesson about how the world works.

Prowling by stealth is usually more effective WHEN YOU DON'T TALK TO YOURSELF IN A LOUD VOICE.

And in the Daily News...


"The one trouble is, they won't give me anything to drink." Oh, brother.


And so began the "incel" movement.


Finally. Thank you, Mildred.


Listen to what the man is trying to tell you, John. Nick won't *ask* you for a thing. He won't have to. When the time comes, you'll know.

Sure he's a real Count. Ask him yourself. He's the doorman down at Romanoff's.

"Cue-Ball." "Twiddle-Wit." Ever wonder why you guys have so much trouble with the locals?

Ah! Toby Townley! She was mixed up in some kind of kidnapping plot a few years ago, and Pat Patton was sweet on her. He'll be heartbroken. Hey, "Kid Louie," here's another member for your club.

So how does Moon manage to brawl in the street without ever taking the cigar out of his mouth? That's talent.

Sorry, Louie.

LizzieMaine said:

...and that they considered the investigation into their affiliations to be unconstitutional.....

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I've been waiting for that to come up.

LizzieMaine said:

...Plans to bring Brooklyn Councilman Joseph Sharkey's proposal for a municipal lottery to fruition are underway thru the efforts of the National Conference to Legalize Lotteries, operating out of an office in Manhattan. Councilman Sharkey has declared that "90 percent" of New Yorkers support his plan, which is now pending before the City Council's finance committee.....

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So, this is how the state's de facto takeover of the numbers racket began, which effectively resulted in the state running a business it once denounced as criminal and, also, offering much worse payouts - hence, the state became a more rapacious bookie. This is going to be "fun" to see develop.

LizzieMaine said:

...
(I had one of these. Wish it still fit.)....

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Timeless, to wit, you still see version of that suit today. Never knew the name before though - or was that just Martins' branding?

LizzieMaine said:

...
The problem with these is that you get about a dozen each of those bleahhhh cream things and only two or three of the caramels....

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I'll grumble just like you that you never get enough of the ones you like in a sampler, but that said, I'm always happy to receive a box of chocolates. Like the suit above, it's still a thing today because it's just that good.

LizzieMaine said:

...
(See, Leona, this is what you can accomplish if you try.)....

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That's assuming our Leona can sing better than she apparently dances. Leona's going to have to up her game and find a talent or she'll be using the one talent we know she has.

LizzieMaine said:

...Now showing at the RKO Albee, Joel McCrea, Nancy Kelly, and Cesar Romero in "He Married His Wife," and Vincent Price, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, and Nan Grey in "The Invisible Man Returns!" Don't fail to see him!....

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Good enough movies, but I think Sally and Joe should just go see "His Girl Friday" at the Fox again.

LizzieMaine said:

... Leona is about to receive a powerful lesson about how the world works....

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She's missed every clue so far, maybe a bullet or two flying will wake her up. Also, I believe you mentioned it earlier, but it's time Leona hocked the fur - it's going to be worth less with a bullet hole in it.

LizzieMaine said:

... Prowling by stealth is usually more effective WHEN YOU DON'T TALK TO YOURSELF IN A LOUD VOICE.

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. Also, how the heck did he miss hitting Dunn?

LizzieMaine said:

...
Finally. Thank you, Mildred....

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If those are the rules - and it seems reasonable that they would be - then they should be enforced. But as we all know, when someone of power, like Barrymore, wants something to happen, it usually does. Sadly, it's the difference between the way things work on paper versus how they actually work in the real world.

LizzieMaine said:

...
Listen to what the man is trying to tell you, John. Nick won't *ask* you for a thing. He won't have to. When the time comes, you'll know.....

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I'll say it again, this is some seriously good, adult and nuanced stuff.

LizzieMaine said:

... "Cue-Ball." "Twiddle-Wit." Ever wonder why you guys have so much trouble with the locals?...

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. Also, really good drawing of April in panel two - very lifelike look to how she's sitting there.

LizzieMaine said:

... Ah! Toby Townley! She was mixed up in some kind of kidnapping plot a few years ago, and Pat Patton was sweet on her. He'll be heartbroken. Hey, "Kid Louie," here's another member for your club.....

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"Toby Townley -" how much did '40s comics love alliteration in their characters' names.

LizzieMaine said:

... Sorry, Louie.

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Is she a pro - what's going on here?

Fortsmann was a very fine maker of womens' suits in quality wools for a long time -- I got a lot of wear out of mine when I could fit into it, and it's still in the closet for the day when I'm forty pounds lighter. Yep, that'll happen.

In comics, soap operas, and in comic strip soap operas, the number one clue that a woman is Evil is if she smokes. But seriously, what could such a woman want with an inexperienced, emotionally-fraught, and terribly naive eighteen year old boy, alone in an unfamiliar city with no job and a couple of hundred dollars in his pocket.......? Ohhhhhhhh.......

LizzieMaine said:

Fortsmann was a very fine maker of womens' suits in quality wools for a long time -- I got a lot of wear out of mine when I could fit into it, and it's still in the closet for the day when I'm forty pounds lighter. Yep, that'll happen.

In comics, soap operas, and in comic strip soap operas, the number one clue that a woman is Evil is if she smokes. But seriously, what could such a woman want with an inexperienced, emotionally-fraught, and terribly naive eighteen year old boy, alone in an unfamiliar city with no job and a couple of hundred dollars in his pocket. Ohhhhhhhh.......

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I have no doubt, if you decided to fit into that suit again, you'd get there.

One of the first lessons young men need to learn (I know that today we teach them what not to do, but they also need to be taught how to protect themselves even if that's not on our society's list of concerns today) is when to say no as they are not programed to think that way, but it is a very important survival thing for young men to learn (especially vulnerable ones new to big cities).

Heavy losses on both sides are reported in the ninth day of the Russian offensive on the Karelian Isthmus. Reports from Finland state that Russian infantry continue to attack "with undiminished vigor" with heavy artillery and tank support, and that nowhere were the Finnish lines broken. A Finnish Army communique states that 72 tanks have been destroyed or captured over the past two days, and four Russian planes have been shot down.

US Secretary of State Cordell Hull is calling for global economic cooperation as the keystone to a peaceful future. The Secretary considers such unity the goal of his ongoing discussions with other neutral nations, and his upcoming talks in London, Paris, Berlin and Rome. Meanwhile, recent peace moves undertaken by President Roosevelt are seen by some in Congress as laying the foundation for a "League of Neutral Nations."

Any idea of an international economic system such as that suggested by Secretary Hull must await the defeat of Germany. So states France, declaring that the "constant peril" posed by the Nazi regime must be crushed before she can consider actions to be taken in "the world to come."

Associates of Vice President John N. Garner say he entered the Democratic primary election in Illinois as an attempt to "smoke out" the President's plans to run for a third term. Petitions to place the Vice President's name on the April 9th ballot were filed yesterday, accompanied by a sworn statement by Garner that he is a candidate for the Democratic nomination. Mr. Roosevelt's name has also been submitted by operatives of the Kelly-Nash political organization in Chicago, but there is no accompanying certification of candidacy, and the President has given no indication of whether he approves or disapproves of the filing.

A tornado smashed thru the business section of Albany, Georgia today, killing between 12 and 15 persons and injuring hundreds, while wrecking or "badly damaging" an estimated 85 percent of the business buildings in the town as well as "several hundred homes." Heavy rains following the tornado suppressed fires, but the streets of the city, population 14,507, are littered with debris. Two National Guard companies have been dispatched to the city, but their progress has been impeded by the rain.



A 27-year-old unwed mother who left her infant son on the doorstep of an 86th Street apartment house faces charges of abandonment. Estelle Rybicki told police at the Fort Hamilton precinct that she had lost several jobs because she had to "sneak away" to care for her child, and finally realized she was unable to care for him. After going without food for two days she in desperation wrapped the baby in his best clothes, pinned a note to his blanket, and left him on the doorstep, where he was found by a resident who turned him over to the police. A police sergeant at the precinct remembered that Miss Rybicki had come to the station two nights earlier looking for help, and tracked her down at the home of an unemployed girlfriend. Miss Rybicki told police she had called the baby's father at a Coney Island cafe and pleaded for help, but that he responded "Quit your kidding. We're having fun down here. Want to hear the music?" The baby has been taken to the Brooklyn Nursery and Infants' Hospital on Herkimer Street, while Miss Rybicki will appear today in Brooklyn Felony Court.

Brooklyn City Council member Genevieve Earle wants the Council's proceedings back on the radio, and is urging Brooklyn womens' groups to protest the "blackout" that has discontinued the broadcasts over station WNYC. Mrs. Earle also declared that she takes "no pleasure" out of the distinction of being the only woman on the City Council, calling it "a discredit to the community" that other women have not run for and been elected to seats on the body.


(Probably dropped it in her popcorn.)

Reader Fred Rosenberg of Brooklyn writes in to thank Herbert Cohn for his fine review of "The Grapes of Wrath," which motivated him to go out and see the picture himself. He says he left the theatre heartsick at the idea that such conditions as the picture shows are "countenanced in the richest country in the world," and declares that Congress has no business making quixotic gifts and "loans" to countries abroad while its own people starve.

Former US Ambassador to Germany William E. Dodd, an outspoken critic of the Hitler regime, has died at the age of 70. Mr. Dodd served as the US envoy to Berlin from 1933 to 1937, with his tenure "one long protest against the Nazi government" over the harshness of its racial policies.

Gossip columnist Clifford Evans is perplexed over a phenomenon he's noticed at showings of "Gone With The Wind" at Loew's Metropolitan: the reserved-seat shows are sellouts at a $1.10 top, while there are always plenty of seats available at the 75 cent matinees. Why are people more willing to pay more to see the same picture? (I guess the class of people who go to the movies wearing large emerald cut diamonds don't have to worry about 35 cents.)



To no one's surprise, Joe Louis is still Heavyweight Champion of the World, but for the first time in the Brown Bomber's career, his victory last night over Arturo Godoy did not come with a knockout. Louis beat the South American challenger on points in fifteen rounds, but both Louis and fight experts agreed that Godoy made the champ look bad over the course of the fight. Godoy, one of only two men to go the distance against Louis, is already calling for a rematch -- possibly as early as this summer.

The Dodgers are showing up in a trickle at spring training headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, a week in advance of the official opening of camp. Star rookies Peewee Reese and Charley Gilbert are expected to arrive on Thursday, with new free-agent acquisition Roy Cullenbine also expected to be in the early rush.

The Dodgers have named former catcher Clyde Sukeforth to manage their top minor league affiliate in Montreal. Sukey is well known in Brooklyn as one of the fastest men ever to strap on The Tools, and for his glittering 1929 batting average of .354. Sukeforth has long been considered too much of a gentleman and a scholar to make it as a manager, but we shall see. (I knew Mr. Sukeforth -- he lived about twenty miles down the road from here on a blueberry farm, and was always a popular radio guest during the baseball season. And he was, indeed, both a scholar and gentleman.)

1940 Dodger tickets officially go on sale Monday morning, and orders are already swamping the Dodger offices at 215 Montague Street.

Dodger Sunday games will be broadcast this season over WOR. The Yankees and Giants, broadcasting over WABC, will not air their Sunday contests.

English artist Norman McLaren will present "Jitterdoodle Charades," a visual television guessing game, over W2XBS on Sunday at 830pm. (McLaren, who would go on to become Canada's greatest animator, did a lot of early work for NBC television before the war, specializing in hallucinogenic shorts hand-drawn directly on blank film. Such imagery televised very well in 1940.)

I wonder what would happen if Major Oakdale met up with Nick Gatt?

For the very first time in her life, Leona Stockpool "knows too much."

See, this isn't going to work, Mr. Arliss, and I'll tell you why. The toxic effects of any poison, in the end, must result in cessation of brain function. And this presupposes that there is, first, a functioning brain. So you see what I'm getting at here...

And in the Daily News...


Besides, don't you know you can save three cents a quart with the new two-quart paper cartons?

Oh Bim, you turkey-necked old faker. Imagine how surprised everybody will be when it turns out Baby really *is* a countess.

"Ferdinand" in 1940, as in "Ferdinand the Bull," was a slur word meaning "homosexual." So basically, John was just "queer-baited" in the paper, which is probably not an angle people would expect to encounter in "Little Orphan Annie."

This Ned fellow looks a bit too much like The Joker for comfort. Except The Joker won't be created for another six months or so.

Don't worry, Cheery. You could move to my town and open a restaurant. We already have plenty of people conditioned to enjoy your kind of cooking.



Skeezix turns nineteen just four days from now. What is it with desperate, lonely teenage boys in 1940?

All children need good role models.

This is just mean. Go pull this routine on somebody who deserves it. Like Dan Dunn.

LizzieMaine said:

Heavy losses on both sides are reported in the ninth day of the Russian offensive on the Karelian Isthmus. Reports from Finland state that Russian infantry continue to attack "with undiminished vigor" with heavy artillery and tank support, and that nowhere were the Finnish lines broken. A Finnish Army communique states that 72 tanks have been destroyed or captured over the past two days, and four Russian planes have been shot down.....

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And this brutal fighting - which seems massively intense - was just a warm up for the Soviets compared to their battle to come with Germany.

LizzieMaine said:

...
(Probably dropped it in her popcorn.)....

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As cynical as I can be, sometimes people do find and return valuable items. Hope they got the diamond back; wouldn't count on it.

LizzieMaine said:

...Reader Fred Rosenberg of Brooklyn writes in to thank Herbert Cohn for his fine review of "The Grapes of Wrath," which motivated him to go out and see the picture himself. He says he left the theatre heartsick at the idea that such conditions as the picture shows are "countenanced in the richest country in the world," and declares that Congress has no business making quixotic gifts and "loans" to countries abroad while its own people starve....

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That's an evergreen argument. Hey, did Herbert Cohn ever review "His Girl Friday?" (Apologies if you already posted his comments, I just don't remember seeing them and would love to hear what he thought of it before it became a classic.)

LizzieMaine said:

...Gossip columnist Clifford Evans is perplexed over a phenomenon he's noticed at showings of "Gone With The Wind" at Loew's Metropolitan: the reserved-seat shows are sellouts at a $1.10 top, while there are always plenty of seats available at the 75 cent matinees. Why are people more willing to pay more to see the same picture? (I guess the class of people who go to the movies wearing large emerald cut diamonds don't have to worry about 35 cents.)....

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Nice tie back to the diamond. But a few real questions. Is he comparing apples to apples? To wit, does the matinee have both reserve and "general admission" seating and is he saying only the reserve seats sell out or are the reserve seats for different showtimes? Also, are the reserve seats "better," in the middle, etc.? Finally, are people buying the reserve seats ahead of time thinking the show will sell out so they want to assure they'll have a seat before they make the trip to the theater? He implies that people are just throwing away 35 cents, and maybe they are, but that depends on the above (and probably some others) variables.

LizzieMaine said:

...

To no one's surprise, Joe Louis is still Heavyweight Champion of the World, but for the first time in the Brown Bomber's career, his victory last night over Arturo Godoy did not come with a knockout. Louis beat the South American challenger on points in fifteen rounds, but both Louis and fight experts agreed that Godoy made the champ look bad over the course of the fight. Godoy, one of only two men to go the distance against Louis, is already calling for a rematch -- possibly as early as this summer.....

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Gotta love the charcoal illustrations. I assume they also had pics?

LizzieMaine said:

... View attachment 212055 I wonder what would happen if Major Oakdale met up with Nick Gatt?....

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Tuthill is slowly and methodically twisting the knife into Peggy; he could almost be charged with torture it's so brutal.

LizzieMaine said:

... For the very first time in her life, Leona Stockpool "knows too much."...

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Took long enough. Her options: buckle down and develop a real skill in a real job / find former society boyfriend who will still marry her / go early Kardashian and peddle her name and life to the public / oldest profession.

LizzieMaine said:

.. See, this isn't going to work, Mr. Arliss, and I'll tell you why. The toxic effects of any poison, in the end, must result in cessation of brain function. And this presupposes that there is, first, a functioning brain. So you see what I'm getting at here...

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. Also, this is descending into 1960's Batman TV camp where they come up with a crazy Rube Goldberg machines to kill Batman. If the poison gas doesn't work, they can always tie Dunn up, suspend him over a vat of boiling acid and place a candle under the rope so that, when it burns through, Dunn falls into the acid (oh, don't forget, the bad guys have to leave the room before the candle burns through the rope).

LizzieMaine said:

... "Ferdinand" in 1940, as in "Ferdinand the Bull," was a slur word meaning "homosexual." So basically, John was just "queer-baited" in the paper, which is probably not an angle people would expect to encounter in "Little Orphan Annie."...

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"Ferdinand" is a new one to me - the human imagination for putdowns is sadly impressive.

LOA has slightly topped Terry and the Pirates right now as my favorite strip owing to it being the more-complex-and-nuanced-in-an-adult-way strip of the two.

Also, the opposition paper didn't give John much of a honeymoon period; seems like he's been in office one day.

LizzieMaine said:

... This Ned fellow looks a bit too much like The Joker for comfort. Except The Joker won't be created for another six months or so....

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Dr. Josef Mengele - I see a resemblance in the second panel.

LizzieMaine said:

... Don't worry, Cheery. You could move to my town and open a restaurant. We already have plenty of people conditioned to enjoy your kind of cooking....

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Caniff could dial back a bit on the exposition as his readers are smart enough to assume a few things. Away from that, you gotta love Blaze sending Ryan off while, basically, telling him he'll not only be without covering fire if needed, but that if they do fire, they'll probably shoot him - but good luck old man. And Cheery is so consumed with hate that she only thought about her fate after she dumped the opium in the food or, as Caniff so wonderfully put it, "what fate after hate date."

LizzieMaine said:

... View attachment 212070 ...

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Ms. Gibson spent her, presumably, hard in money to make this statement - that's passion.

LizzieMaine said:

... Skeezix turns nineteen just four days from now. What is it with desperate, lonely teenage boys in 1940?...

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Seriously, we know this stuff was not made up whole cloth, so something had to be going on with teenage boys. Sadly, the war would quickly "solve" this problem for the time being. Clearly, as we saw with the popularity of James Dean, though, it was going to return.

LizzieMaine said:

It was published in two parts in the March 15 and 22, 1940 issues -- they're available here. "Movie Radio Guide" might look like a fan rag, but it actually published serious journalism about broadcasting, and Chase was a pretty thorough reporter.

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I just read both parts. That was outstanding and the parallels to modern talk radio, television, and online media are highly unsettling. Thank you!

LizzieMaine said:

...
Skeezix turns nineteen just four days from now. What is it with desperate, lonely teenage boys in 1940?...

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Meant to note, the illustrations in this one are awesomely noir.