DARK CITY: The Lost World of FIlm Noir

If you are a fan of film noir, then you are probably already aware of this book. If not, you are in for a real treat. DARK CITY: The Lost World of Film Noir by Eddie Muller was first published in 1998 and considered by film buffs as the essential book on the subject. Personally, I find this to be the best book on the subject for which no other books about film noir are required. Thoroughly enjoyable with magnificent prose, historical perspective and social critique mixed together. So you can imagine how pleased I was to know that this out-of-print book that was expensive in the past few years is now available with a new printing -- an updated and expanded edition. 

Yes, this is the same Eddie Muller who is a weekly host of the film noir thrillers on Turner Classic Movies. 

The new edition is available in hardcover. To my knowledge, the prior rendition was paperback only. And to avoid confusion, I am only posting a photo image of the expanded edition that was just published. 

Nothing much else to say since the above sums it up perfectly. Treat yourself to a great book if you have not read this one yet and love watching film noir.

To purchase a copy, click here:

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-City-rebuilt-Lost-World/dp/0762498978

The Williamsburg Nostalgia Fest, November 2022

I am proud to announce the Williamsburg Nostalgia Fest, held this November in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Formerly titled the Williamsburg Film Festival, the annual event ran 25 years strong with a strong focus on cowboy westerns of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Anyone who worked in a John Wayne western, made a guest appearance on a television western or played second fiddle to a cowboy hero was expected to make an appearance. The event drew in people from all over the country, and a few from Canada, England and Australia. Over the years, however, the event  migrated to a focus on television stars of the 1960s and 1970s. And with the convention opening doors to celebrities of the bygone era, regardless if they had no connection to westerns, an era of cowboys is slowly riding into the sunset. As it must be with everything, we must adjust to changing times.  

As of this November, the event undergoes a major change with new management, hoping to expand the venue size with a top-notch lineup of celebrities signing autographs for fans. Hosted by the same crew of the popular Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention (the Maryland show that draws thousands to the hotel every year), the expectation level is pretty high. The bar has been set and all indication is that the Williamsburg event will not only be huge, but possibly over-crowded. But in the words of the convention promoter, "that is a good kind of problem to have." 

Below is a flyer promoting the event and the celebrities who will be attending. If you live within driving distance of this event, do yourself a favor and mark this on your calendar. You are going to love it. 

Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Convention 2022 Recap

The 17th annual Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention has come to a close. It is with pride that I deliver the following report in three sentences: Best. Convention. Ever.

Like a good movie involving hundreds of talented individuals, once every so often everything -- and everyone -- hits their mark. The slide show presentations were above average with diverse subjects including three from author Robert Matzen: the 1942 plane crash that killed actress Carole Lombard, James Stewart's World War II career, to Audrey Hepburn's charitable career.

Yours truly presented a slide show on The History of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, which will be presented again via Zoom at the Metro Washington Old-Time Radio Club in December. (Anyone who wants to see the presentation can e-mail me for a link before the December meet.)

The charity auction broke a record raising money for children with treatable cancer.

Celebrities from all ends of the spectrum arrived to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans. Nancy Kovack, who worked with Vincent Price, Kim Novak, and Elvis, and appeared in such classics as Jason and the Argonauts, The Outlaws is Coming, Diary of a Madman, Tarzan and the Valley of Gold, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Get Smart, Bewitched and many others proved to be a national treasure... even though she flew in from Italy to attend. Linda Gaye Scott, who played roles on Lost in Space, Batman and The Green Hornet made an appearance, bragging how she was the only person on The Green Hornet to kick Bruce Lee's butt. Sharyn Wynters attended, also a villain on Batman, but also a killer robot who, alongside Linda Gaye Scott, took over a theme park in Westworld. 

Jamie Farr and Loretta Swit attended together, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the premiere of M*A*S*H on that Saturday evening, complete with cake and a live radio interview. Melissa Gilbert reminded us that in a world full of Nellies, we should all be like Laura. Jimmie Walker cracked jokes all weekend, Bob Eubanks signed autographs for fans for the first time at any convention, and Sam Jones proved he was Flash Gordon with his thunder buddies for life mantra that made everyone love the life they have. Truly motivational. 

Beverly Washburn from Old Yeller, Laura Cayouette from The Green Lantern, Greg Evigan from B.J. and the Bear, Linda Thorson proved she could be among The Avengers, Mindy Cohn from The Facts of Life proved she was even more popular for voicing the role of Velma on Scooby Doo, and Constance Towers impressed everyone with her spry ability to move about at her age and with an impressive memory -- we should all be so lucky.

During the Saturday night dinner banquet, we surprised actress Linda Gaye Scott with a stage performance of The Witch's Tale, for which her grandmother played the lead back in 1932. A recording of that radio broadcast does not exist so we re-created the drama on stage complete with radio scripts, microphones and sound effects. This was under the direction of Don Ramlow, who was directing his 500th performance.

Vendors had so much available for sale it was amazing. But don't take my word for it. Enjoy the photos!

Melissa Gilbert poses for a photo with fans.

Jamie Farr signing a board game with a
photo of him on the box.

Robert Tevis received the Parley E. Baer award.

Celebrities signed autographs all three days for fans.

An awesome magazine, RETRO FAN.

Yes, that is Bob Eubanks seated at the bottom left.

Herb Boomhower and Mary Ethel Vinje reunite at the show.

Bear Manor Media Publishing had so many books for sale!

Celebrity panels are always a highlight of the weekend.

Joe Harvey, a.k.a. Iron Knight Cosplay,
dressed up as Sergeant Preston, with
his wonder dog husky, Yukon King.

Nancy Kovack flew in from Italy to meet fans.

The ever beautiful Constance Towers signing
an autograph photo for a fan.

Sam Jones signed photos in a flash.

Jamie Farr

Loretta Swit

Sharyn Wynters signed Batman memorabilia.

Linda Thorson from The Avengers.

The Saturday Night dinner banquet had a special cake.

My wife, Michelle, proud to meet Flash Gordon himself.

Left to right, following the celebrity panel:
Bob Eubanks, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr,
Kay Lively (the host) and the great Jimmie Walker. 

The crew at the Zane Grey Society. Recommended you
become a member of their club.

Jimmie Walker from Good Times and
Sharyn Wynters from Westworld.
Both were delightful people to chat with.

Actress Laura Cayouette signing for fans.

Cosplayer Tyler S. Schafer and podcast host Steven Turek.

An old-time radio drama for The Witch's Tale, from 1932. 

Bob Eubanks making his first autographing
for fans -- ever!

The volunteer staff who puts on the event to ensure it
runs smoothly. Most important people at the show. 

Joe Harvey as The Green Hornet

"Lost" Episodes of SERGEANT PRESTON OF THE YUKON

When Challenge of the Yukon premiered in January of 1939, the program aired "live" over the Michigan Radio Network, originating from the flagship station WXYZ in Detroit. It was not until the spring of 1943 that the series was transcribed with the intent of syndication. In the summer of 1951, the name of the program was changed to Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. 

The following list is being provided in the hopes some collectors out there have copies of the following so we can remove them from the list. If a transcription disc appears for sale on eBay, the value can be determined by whether the recording is "lost," which has more value.

A year ago I posted a similar list for "lost" Lone Ranger episodes that helped lead us to finding a dozen episodes. It is my hope this list will provide the same service. If you believe you have any of these episodes, please contact me.

  

Date        Episode    Title

10/14/44  # 349  A Wrong Righted *

08/08/46  # 443  Blind Wolf

09/05/46  # 447  The Man Who Couldn't Remember

10/10/46  # 452  One-Man Cat  

10/17/46  # 453  False Alarm 

10/24/46  # 454  The Deer Head  

10/31/46  # 455  The Timber-Wolf  

05/21/47  # 483  The Maniac  

04/03/48  # 525  The Scent Of Murder *

04/10/48  # 526  The Lesson *

04/24/48  # 527  Rusty *

05/01/48  # 528  False Alibi 

05/08/48  # 529  The Mail Robbery 

05/15/48  # 530  The Million Dollar Case

05/22/48  # 531  Murder At The El Dorado

05/29/48  # 532  The Rainbow Claims *

06/05/48  # 533  Starvation Camp

06/19/48  # 534  The Sweetwater Fire

06/26/48  # 535  Breakup 

07/03/48  # 536  King Of The Castle

07/10/48  # 537  The Wolf Dog 

07/24/48  # 538  Pit Of Disaster *

07/31/48  # 539  Canyon Trap *

08/07/48  # 540  The Tattooed Star 

08/14/48  # 541  King's Revenge 

08/21/48  # 542  Vindication 

08/28/48  # 543  Rusky 

09/04/48  # 544  The Champion

09/10/48  # 547  King's Feud *

04/07/50  # 766  Showdown On Shotgun Creek

04/10/50  # 767  Rusty Wins A Home *

04/12/50  # 768  Den Of Thieves  *

04/14/50  # 769  The Yukon Pirates *

04/17/50  # 770  A Slight Case Of Poison *

04/19/50  # 771  The Gullible Grubstaker *

04/21/50  # 772  A Job For Jim *

04/24/50  # 773  The Three Black Dots

04/26/50  # 774  The Blackwood Treasure  

04/28/50  # 775  Blacky Does His Bit  

05/01/50  # 776  The Runaway Princess 

05/03/50  # 777  The Young One

05/05/50  # 778  The Servants Of The Queen 

05/08/50  # 779  The Sleeping Man 

05/10/50  # 780  Convict's Son 

05/12/50  # 781  Madge And The Mounties 

05/15/50  # 782  The Gold Convoy  

05/17/50  # 783  The Hangman's Noose  

05/19/50  # 784  Miaku's Vow 

05/22/50  # 785  Pursuit By Night  

05/24/50  # 786  Trouble With Running Dog

09/01/51  # 915  Red Coated Crook

09/02/51  # 916  Boy Alone 

09/06/51  # 917  The Grudge

09/08/51  # 918  Junior Partner

09/09/51  # 919  Dividend On Murder

09/13/51  # 920  Gold Cache

09/15/51  # 921  The Landlady   

09/16/51  # 922  The Killer Cree

09/18/51  # 923  Three Men In Black

09/20/51  # 924  Chance Meeting

06/29/52  #1020  Calumet Gold Robberies  

02/18/54  #1150  The Pawnbroker

02/25/54  #1152  Dog Race

05/03/55  #1249  Chinook Gold *

05/10/55  #1251  Cornered Killer

05/12/55  #1252  Freight Robbery

05/17/55  #1253  A Store For The Trader

05/19/55  #1254  Guardian For Jane

05/24/55  #1255  White River Gang *

05/26/55  #1256  Glare Of The Sun

05/31/55  #1257  Lucky's Rabbit Foot *

06/02/55  #1258  Bait For The Trap

06/07/55  #1259  The Yellow Streak

06/09/55  #1260  The Long Trail

(Ignore the asterisk (*) listed on entries above, those are put there for my reference.)