EPISODE CHASER: Smoke Ghost
The References
We’re two Gen-Xers whose minds are everywhere all at once, sub-referencing ourselves into the boundless depths, thus warranting a deeper dive into some of the passing remarks we make on the show.
1. A truly wonderful commercial for Altes
This warms my heart on so many levels.
Sidenote the 1st: I adored Evel Knieval as a kid. Must have been a treasure for Mom and Dad to know their son was idolizing an alcholic womanizer with a death wish. Wonder why they chose not to foster my idolatry by giving me the doll/motorcycle set for my birthday when I asked for it.
Sidenote the 2nd: The very first fully written, fully edited short story I ever finished and submitted to a magazine for publication was called, “Arvel Knarvel”, a reverse hero’s journey story about a daredevil whose manager is actively trying to get him killed.
But I digress…
2. John W. Campbell
An excellent article about science fiction’s most influential editor by way of a book review.
3. Fritz Leiber, Sr.
And here’s Leiber’s old man hamming it up for the silver screen.
4. Burn, Witch, Burn!
Richard Matheson, along with our good friend Charles Beaumont, adapted Leiber’s novel, Conjure Wife, into a B movie epic. Dig the trailer 👇👇👇
5. The 3rd Avenue L
Atta boy, Kong! You wreck that smartass train!
6. And, ahem, the Chicago line (see ‘Errata’ below)
7. The Bradbury Building
Great article featuring everydamnthing you need to know about the Bradbury building, referenced by Alec in this episode. (Trigger warning: Timesuck for obsessives.)
Check out a couple of pics from the article:
👇As for me, I pictured this rickety bitch 👇
👆Rickety bitch👆
8. And speaking of Matheson…
We will most certainly be covering a Richard Matheson story on the podcast soon. Till, then, here’s Shatner chewing the curtains in a fantastic episode of TZ. Is it possible this was influenced by “Smoke Ghost”? 🤔
9. A menu from 1941
Don’t see many Gin Bucks gracing drinks lists these days, do we?
Errata
We speak off the cuff, and often under the influence of a particular fermented beverage. It's only natural our mouths run ahead of our brains and we muck up some of the details.
So I said the L train in the story was likely the 3rd Avenue L, completely ignoring the fact that Fritz Leiber Jr. was born and raised in Chicago. Thus, I stand corrected: It was most likely a Chicago L train that Catesby Wran rode to and from work every day in the story. And it’s most likely yours truly will never work for the National Archives.
That’s all for now. Catch you next time for “Fritzchen”!
