Edmond Hamilton coined the term "Galactic Empire", and was married to Leigh Brackett. There is an anecdote about when they started dating, and when they were riding on the subway (or streetcar, depending on the version). There was a drooling teenager reading a pulp magazine opposite them, and Edmond told his sweetheart, "See there, that's my readership". She wrote the screenplay for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
The first draft of the screenplay, right before she died - thus her dedication in the end credits - but a lot changed between then and the final version Lawrence Kasdan wrote.
Fabulous Job on "Weird Tales" which gave birth to so much of what is vital in modern fiction. I currently have two videos on my "art and lit matters" channel about " Weird Tales." One is on Margaret Brundage covers (sorry about the 18+ restriction but she was delightfully daring) and one looks at the iconic 1933 Bat Girl cover as a likely source for Batman imagery. The interplay between cover art, illustrations, and stories in "Weird Tales" is endlessly fascinating. I'm glad you mentioned Virgil FInlay. What a great artist. At some point I'll do a video on Finlay too. A side note about the relation between Brundage and writers. Since, as you mentioned, Brundage cover issues always sold more copies several writers (including Howard) would often create an edgy erotic scene they knew would fit Brundage's tastes giving them an edge on nabbing a cover illustration. What a fun, informative and insightful video. Thank you Michael for all you do.
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Already working on it. I’m thinking Wednesday. I would so love to stumble upon some of the original cover art. Your overview really did justice to that amazing periodical.
Clark Ashton Smith was a name I remember from yellowy old paperback anthologies of horror and strange fiction, great books, at least now readers don't have to depend on anthologies to find his stories. One thing I noticed with popular writers working for Weird Tales, strange memorable names were a thing back in ye olden times.. Seabury .. what a great name. I'd like to see a Weird Tales Art Portfolio book. Great vid, the fame of Weird Tales Magazine is well deserved.
It's not quite a "Weird Tales art portfolio book" but I do have two videos posted on on my site about the astonishing cover art of Weird Tales. I'm permanently fascinated by the interaction of images and texts and "Weird Tales"caries that so beautifully far. I'm sure you know this but the original cover art turns up from time to time and they can be pretty breathtaking.
Hi Michael. Thank you for this video which reminded me of some great authors and artists. I've read many of the stories and admired the work of these fabulous artists.
You keep tempting me with Seabury Quinn. This is the third or fourth time you’ve brought him up. There are audiobooks available from Audible and I have credits. I have one anthology of stories from Weird Tales.
Good morning reading fans. Hoping everyone is starting off 2023 in the best way possible. It would be interesting to see an exhibit on cover art from these magazines and the backgrounds of the artists.
Hi, you probably have them but there was a set by Scott Connors and Ron Hilger editors who did a 5 volume set plus a miscellaneous volume of Clark Ashton Smith. Also includes some Lovecraft letters.
Farnsworth Wright was a fascinating guy, good editors deserve their spotlight like Wright, Donald A Wolhiem, Thomas Henry Metcalf who gave Edgar Rice Burroughs the initial idea to write the Gods of Mars.
I used to read like a glutton eats. Sure I enjoyed what I consumed, but intruth, I just wanted more. About the time of Weird Tale Edward Stratemeyer was publishing the Hardy Boy books for boys. Stratemeyer published The Hardy Boys to show what boys should be like. Well that, and to make money. Stratemeyer also believe a woman's place was in the home, but he did like money. Who doesn't like money? So, he sought to sell a series of books to young women. That's who brought us Nancy Drew. Stratemeyer didn't actually write any Nancy Drew books. He passed that off to ghost writers. I believe, but I'm not sure, it was Mildred Wirt who wrote the first three Nancy. Anyways Stratemeyer handed off a handful of note cards for a rough idea for Nancy Drew stores. Mildred took the notes, and ran with it. Mildred was the perfect writer for Nancy Drew because she was actual women of adventure. Well that, and the burier of hubands that died an early death. Anywho, who every wrote the first Nancy Drew, they made her rebellious, violent, and anything but domestic. Stratemeyer put an end to that Nancy. Please don't believe everything you read on Wiki. Well to the point. Weird tales hand numerous stories that need to be in context. You know, a bit of digestion. One of these stores was "The Shatter Timbrel". The story has a young woman with red hair driving a blue convertable, and has an accident. Her boyfriend, who is doctor, takes the young woman to the closes medical help. Help is a mad scientist (Of course.), and he manages to bring the woman back, but she is a mindless Zombie. The bright and spunky red head is gone, just a dull slack jawed Zombie remains. I'm positive this is the last Nancy drew story written by Mildred Wirt. If you're intested, The Shattered Timbrel is on the RUclips channel Horrorbabble. Many of the stories in Weird Tales were like The Shattered Timbrel. They were more then they seem.
loved this video Michael! I started watching your channel early in the summer of last year, with your "Mythos Monday" series. Now, you've gotten me absolutely hooked on Robert E. Howard ... I'm nearly finished with Volume 1 of the Del Rey "Conan" set, they're such fun stories! and I would love to see you cover some more of Clark Ashton Smith's work as well, his fiction is so unique and its absolutely devastating how little anyone discusses his fantastic tales.
Thanks for the excellent overview of Weird Tales -- another enjoyable video! Many (if not all) issues of Weird Tales are available online at the Internet Archive and at the Luminist site, so it's one of the easier pulps to access. All the issues from 1923 are certainly available, and I'm looking forward to reading them beginning in March to celebrate the magazine's 100th anniversary.
Awesome video! 😍I've been collecting Weird Tales for about a year and a half now, and they never cease to amaze me. I'm glad you mentioned artists other than Brundage, though my personal favorite is Hugh Rankin, his work is so gritty and truly weird.
Hi Michelle, Hugh Rankin's cover for the Aug 1929 Gaston Leroux "The Inn of Terror" is at the top of my "Weird Tales" wish list. Dec 1928 "Weird Tales" Chapel of Mystic Horror is my number two. What a fascinating and deliciously transgressive visionary and his design sense is just over the top. I've posted two videos on the intersection of art and text in "Weird Tales" you might enjoy. Some of the images I discuss or the original cover art which turns up now and then. Thomas
@@art.and.lit.matters I actually think I like his interior art almost more than his covers - the scratchy black and white images are just so raw and interesting. Oh cool, I'll check out those videos!
First time viewer. Wish I'd have discovered you MUCH sooner sir. I love all of these authors (and more). Literature in general has saved me from a very mundane existence. I live (and grew up) in The Rural South. Fall Branch TN. To say the hours can get monotonous is an understatement. So when my 6th grade librarian suggested I read Edgar Allan Poe's Tale Tale Heart I took her advice, and haven't looked back since. I liked the aesthetic to your video and anticipate exploring further. Nice work. J.S.H.
That’s true about Finlay! I think in some way it might be the quality of his artwork that makes it sort of “forgettable”? At least in my mind he is more of an “old master” like Dore or someone like that, not really a “pulp” artist. Seriously I don’t think any 20th c. Artist could compete with him (inc. Frazetta, Whelan, Pennington…), he was just so stupendously good.
Re: Howard, you are so right. Terrific video. I would have contacted sooner, but playing catch up after a week in the hospital. Keep up the great work.
I've never gotten into HP Lovecraft or Robert E. Howard. Why, oh why? I've had brushes with both of them in my tender youth, but they didn't stick like others have. Yet, your videos about them always intrigue me. You make me feel like I'm missing out. Should 2023 be the year I return to those authors as the wisened adult that I am? And Virgil Finlay, yes indeed! A true master at his craft. Always great to see the artwork celebrated!
Great video on one of the coolest magazines of the4 pulp era. Surprising too who else made their way into Weird tales over the years. Tennessee Williams ... i believe even Raymond Chandler had an entry or two. Lovecraft's first commercial sale was "Herbert West; Reanimator" and it was to a little rag called Home Brew Magazine. They paid him $5 per installment. i remember this because we featured it on teh podcast a few months ago. 'Dagon" was already published in his own journal, but he submitted it in a batch of four or five stories to WT in the 20s, and it was printed. He did one other thing for Home Brew as well early on -- can't remember what that one was.
Great overview, Mike. Very informative. I have a lot of these old sci-fi/fantasy mags, but not sure if I have any Weird Tales. I just recently started getting back into them. Tried out Clarkesworld for the first time, and so far, it’s top notch.
I have the Night Shade set of CAS, and I bought the Seabury Quinn set on your recommendation. Such great and fun stories! REH is my favorite of the bunch.
Weird Tales is a very interesting magazine in a lot of it's iterations. The original one is purely fascinating! I've got one from the 40's and I love to go back and read it ever so often. It has a Lovecraft poem and a Derleth story about Hastur. Great stuff! But what is most of note are some of the other stories. Weird fiction about a cowboy coming home from the Civil War and dealing with supernatural mystery. Several other neat short stories. They're a true time capsule made more interesting because of them being of their own time, not modern authors trying to write Depression Era stories. The 80's/90's Weird Tales DOES feature some work by Mythos authors of the time, like Lumley. Not as important to the culture, but definitely worth checking out. I had a subscription to the latest incarnation for a few years. It felt like Wildside could never quite figure out what they wanted to do with the mag, but they tried to make it enjoyable. One had a new Moorcock Elric story. Most were theme issues featuring articles on weird subjects and stories from authors from around the world. Toward the end of my sub, they were putting out issues that were themed toward subjects like Lovecraft's Mythos, zombies, faeries, etc. They tried to go all digital and that was when I kind of tapped out. They tried to compensate me after not fulfilling my subscription by giving me an anniversary issue when they tried to start yet again. But it was very light on articles and the stories were "been there, done that." The magazine was catching some heat for being offensive in parts. Some of the authors would do some...Stories that bordered on racism and you can't get away with that in this day and age. I actually miss the mag from it's early 2000's run, but it will probably show up again somewhere.
So glad you gave the shout out to Seabury Quinn. While they can be a little trashy sometimes, the Jules de Grandin stories are great for satisfying the occult detective itch!
Great video as ever. Pity that there are not more in print books on Virgil Finlay (I have one or two), also got the very enjoyable 'Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage'. I agree, Clark Ashton Smith should be better known, perhaps there needs to be a TV series or a film or two of some of his works, though I dread to think what they would do with them
Great review of "Weird Tales". I like that you included the cover art and some of the lesser known contributors. In a remarkable coincidence, you showed the cover of a book I completed about a week ago. I listened to the Audible version of "The Horror on the Links" by Seabury Quinn. I found the stories to be quite good, but they don't come up to the level of Howard, Smith, or Lovecraft. I'm going to give the author a short rest and then start on the second volume "The Devil's Rosary". His stuff will likely be better if read in short bursts rather than all at once.
Hey Michael, Farnsworth Wright stole your cap! Or did you steal his? This is a great overview of Weird Tales, that most influential of publications. It's my ambition to own a few issues of the original run of WT but I need to choose between low grade/affordable and high grade/mortgage the house. CAS was a multi-skilled creator, with prose, poetry, art and sculpture on his resume; and his stories certainly ranged further than HPL and REH in setting and subject. However, all three authors are cornerstones of the genre. Thanks for highlighting Seabury Quinn, an author whose stories never cease to entertain me. It amazes me that Virgil Finlay could produce such detailed art at such a rapid pace for so many different publications yet he never let the quality decline. Brundage's covers always strike me for the way she poses the characters in unexpected ways as well as the undercurrent of sexuality (the bat woman being a good example). Looking forward to more of your insightful examinations of Weird Tales; perhaps you could go through a specific issue via online resources that allow us to read these treasures from the past electronically.
Fantastic video. I wish there were some Weird Tales anthologies available with the original artwork. On the subject of psychic detectives, have you read Algernon Blackwoods John Silence series? If so please would you consider covering it at some point?
What is your recommendation (physical form) for European readers to read (based on what we are able to find here)? I found on amazon 2 hardcover books (40€ each, expensive for a little bit more of 300 pages) "Weird Tales: Best of the Early Years 1923-25" and "1926-27". Are they worth the money? I am trying to avoid the softcover for half the price. Or are there any other compilations? Thanks.
I'd include Frank Belknap Long too. I prefer his stories quite a bit more than C.A.S.'s, even tho the latter is also very good. Glad you mentioned Quinn. Most issues of Weird Tales that I have feature Quinn's stories. I don't know, but didn't they occasionally reprint M.P. Shiel, Blackwood, Machen and/or Bierce? --if not, their inclusion would've been very much welcomed. Thanks for the video (and not being yet another commentator dressing in a black t-shirt with gore images splattered across it!).
I so wish I could get my hands on originals for less than a fortune. Thanks for your great work as always. Have you ever considered talking at all about Talbot Mundy, or are you not a fan?
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 I look forward to you being able to speak on them at some point, hopefully you love them. I particularly like The Nine Unknown and King of the Khyber Rifles.
Edmond Hamilton coined the term "Galactic Empire", and was married to Leigh Brackett. There is an anecdote about when they started dating, and when they were riding on the subway (or streetcar, depending on the version). There was a drooling teenager reading a pulp magazine opposite them, and Edmond told his sweetheart, "See there, that's my readership". She wrote the screenplay for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
The first draft of the screenplay, right before she died - thus her dedication in the end credits - but a lot changed between then and the final version Lawrence Kasdan wrote.
Awesome discussion of Weird Tales!
Thanks James!
Hello Michael Hello. A long --Awaited video with a well chosen and well timed topic . Thank you for this very outstanding episode.
Howard's mastery of writing action and combat is unmatched.
Fabulous Job on "Weird Tales" which gave birth to so much of what is vital in modern fiction. I currently have two videos on my "art and lit matters" channel about " Weird Tales." One is on Margaret Brundage covers (sorry about the 18+ restriction but she was delightfully daring) and one looks at the iconic 1933 Bat Girl cover as a likely source for Batman imagery. The interplay between cover art, illustrations, and stories in "Weird Tales" is endlessly fascinating. I'm glad you mentioned Virgil FInlay. What a great artist. At some point I'll do a video on Finlay too.
A side note about the relation between Brundage and writers. Since, as you mentioned, Brundage cover issues always sold more copies several writers (including Howard) would often create an edgy erotic scene they knew would fit Brundage's tastes giving them an edge on nabbing a cover illustration.
What a fun, informative and insightful video. Thank you Michael for all you do.
Thanks! I hope you do that Virgil Finlay video!
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Already working on it. I’m thinking Wednesday. I would so love to stumble upon some of the original cover art. Your overview really did justice to that amazing periodical.
Clark Ashton Smith was a name I remember from yellowy old paperback anthologies of horror and strange fiction, great books, at least now readers don't have to depend on anthologies to find his stories. One thing I noticed with popular writers working for Weird Tales, strange memorable names were a thing back in ye olden times.. Seabury .. what a great name. I'd like to see a Weird Tales Art Portfolio book. Great vid, the fame of Weird Tales Magazine is well deserved.
ellesse Clark Ashton Smith is awesome. And such an interesting guy.
It's not quite a "Weird Tales art portfolio book" but I do have two videos posted on on my site about the astonishing cover art of Weird Tales. I'm permanently fascinated by the interaction of images and texts and "Weird Tales"caries that so beautifully far. I'm sure you know this but the original cover art turns up from time to time and they can be pretty breathtaking.
Wierd Tales was groundbreaking and was both an outlet for and influence on all fantasy and horror that followed.
Hi Michael. Thank you for this video which reminded me of some great authors and artists. I've read many of the stories and admired the work of these fabulous artists.
You keep tempting me with Seabury Quinn. This is the third or fourth time you’ve brought him up. There are audiobooks available from Audible and I have credits.
I have one anthology of stories from Weird Tales.
Well, someone needs to talk about Quinn!
I remember reading them in the back of the station wagon in my parent's driveway.
Good morning reading fans. Hoping everyone is starting off 2023 in the best way possible. It would be interesting to see an exhibit on cover art from these magazines and the backgrounds of the artists.
Hi, you probably have them but there was a set by Scott Connors and Ron Hilger editors who did a 5 volume set plus a miscellaneous volume of Clark Ashton Smith. Also includes some Lovecraft letters.
Farnsworth Wright was a fascinating guy, good editors deserve their spotlight like Wright, Donald A Wolhiem, Thomas Henry Metcalf who gave Edgar Rice Burroughs the initial idea to write the Gods of Mars.
Hugo Gernsback is a good example.
I used to read like a glutton eats. Sure I enjoyed what I consumed, but intruth, I just wanted more. About the time of Weird Tale Edward Stratemeyer was publishing the Hardy Boy books for boys. Stratemeyer published The Hardy Boys to show what boys should be like. Well that, and to make money. Stratemeyer also believe a woman's place was in the home, but he did like money. Who doesn't like money? So, he sought to sell a series of books to young women. That's who brought us Nancy Drew. Stratemeyer didn't actually write any Nancy Drew books. He passed that off to ghost writers. I believe, but I'm not sure, it was Mildred Wirt who wrote the first three Nancy. Anyways Stratemeyer handed off a handful of note cards for a rough idea for Nancy Drew stores. Mildred took the notes, and ran with it. Mildred was the perfect writer for Nancy Drew because she was actual women of adventure. Well that, and the burier of hubands that died an early death. Anywho, who every wrote the first Nancy Drew, they made her rebellious, violent, and anything but domestic. Stratemeyer put an end to that Nancy. Please don't believe everything you read on Wiki. Well to the point. Weird tales hand numerous stories that need to be in context. You know, a bit of digestion. One of these stores was "The Shatter Timbrel". The story has a young woman with red hair driving a blue convertable, and has an accident. Her boyfriend, who is doctor, takes the young woman to the closes medical help. Help is a mad scientist (Of course.), and he manages to bring the woman back, but she is a mindless Zombie. The bright and spunky red head is gone, just a dull slack jawed Zombie remains. I'm positive this is the last Nancy drew story written by Mildred Wirt. If you're intested, The Shattered Timbrel is on the RUclips channel Horrorbabble. Many of the stories in Weird Tales were like The Shattered Timbrel. They were more then they seem.
Interesting. Thanks!
loved this video Michael! I started watching your channel early in the summer of last year, with your "Mythos Monday" series. Now, you've gotten me absolutely hooked on Robert E. Howard ... I'm nearly finished with Volume 1 of the Del Rey "Conan" set, they're such fun stories! and I would love to see you cover some more of Clark Ashton Smith's work as well, his fiction is so unique and its absolutely devastating how little anyone discusses his fantastic tales.
Thanks! So glad you are enjoying the channel!
"Nekkid" Ladies? Oh my!
Scandalous!
Thanks for the excellent overview of Weird Tales -- another enjoyable video!
Many (if not all) issues of Weird Tales are available online at the Internet Archive and at the Luminist site, so it's one of the easier pulps to access. All the issues from 1923 are certainly available, and I'm looking forward to reading them beginning in March to celebrate the magazine's 100th anniversary.
Thanks! I didn’t know that.
Awesome video! 😍I've been collecting Weird Tales for about a year and a half now, and they never cease to amaze me. I'm glad you mentioned artists other than Brundage, though my personal favorite is Hugh Rankin, his work is so gritty and truly weird.
Hi Michelle, Hugh Rankin's cover for the Aug 1929 Gaston Leroux "The Inn of Terror" is at the top of my "Weird Tales" wish list. Dec 1928 "Weird Tales" Chapel of Mystic Horror is my number two. What a fascinating and deliciously transgressive visionary and his design sense is just over the top. I've posted two videos on the intersection of art and text in "Weird Tales" you might enjoy. Some of the images I discuss or the original cover art which turns up now and then. Thomas
@@art.and.lit.matters I actually think I like his interior art almost more than his covers - the scratchy black and white images are just so raw and interesting. Oh cool, I'll check out those videos!
First time viewer.
Wish I'd have discovered you MUCH sooner sir. I love all of these authors (and more).
Literature in general has saved me from a very mundane existence.
I live (and grew up) in The Rural South. Fall Branch TN. To say the hours can get monotonous is an understatement. So when my 6th grade librarian suggested I read Edgar Allan Poe's Tale Tale Heart I took her advice, and haven't looked back since.
I liked the aesthetic to your video and anticipate exploring further.
Nice work.
J.S.H.
That’s true about Finlay! I think in some way it might be the quality of his artwork that makes it sort of “forgettable”? At least in my mind he is more of an “old master” like Dore or someone like that, not really a “pulp” artist. Seriously I don’t think any 20th c. Artist could compete with him (inc. Frazetta, Whelan, Pennington…), he was just so stupendously good.
Fascinating!!
Re: Howard, you are so right. Terrific video. I would have contacted sooner, but playing catch up after a week in the hospital. Keep up the great work.
Thank you! I hope you are feeling better, my friend!
I've never gotten into HP Lovecraft or Robert E. Howard. Why, oh why? I've had brushes with both of them in my tender youth, but they didn't stick like others have. Yet, your videos about them always intrigue me. You make me feel like I'm missing out. Should 2023 be the year I return to those authors as the wisened adult that I am?
And Virgil Finlay, yes indeed! A true master at his craft. Always great to see the artwork celebrated!
Yes, Lovecraft and Howard are essential!
Great video on one of the coolest magazines of the4 pulp era.
Surprising too who else made their way into Weird tales over the years. Tennessee Williams ... i believe even Raymond Chandler had an entry or two.
Lovecraft's first commercial sale was "Herbert West; Reanimator" and it was to a little rag called Home Brew Magazine. They paid him $5 per installment. i remember this because we featured it on teh podcast a few months ago. 'Dagon" was already published in his own journal, but he submitted it in a batch of four or five stories to WT in the 20s, and it was printed. He did one other thing for Home Brew as well early on -- can't remember what that one was.
That would be The Lurking Fear.
Gee what a roll call of great writers that came from that stable. And artists too.
I have that Cthulhu Mythos book, too.
Great overview, Mike. Very informative. I have a lot of these old sci-fi/fantasy mags, but not sure if I have any Weird Tales. I just recently started getting back into them. Tried out Clarkesworld for the first time, and so far, it’s top notch.
I have the Night Shade set of CAS, and I bought the Seabury Quinn set on your recommendation. Such great and fun stories! REH is my favorite of the bunch.
Mine too.
Such a great video, Michael. Thank you for this discussion.
Thanks Tim!
This was awesome! I always feel like I learn something watching these videos.
Thanks! I guess it turned out okay even if I did forget to mention Robert Bloch.
Very cool -- wish those types of magazines were still around. Hey, unrelated but awesome news: Joanna Russ enters the Library of America this fall!
Really!? That’s great news. I hadn’t heard that.
Wonderful! Thank you for doing this! And a special thanks for talking about the artwork!
Weird Tales is a very interesting magazine in a lot of it's iterations. The original one is purely fascinating! I've got one from the 40's and I love to go back and read it ever so often. It has a Lovecraft poem and a Derleth story about Hastur. Great stuff! But what is most of note are some of the other stories. Weird fiction about a cowboy coming home from the Civil War and dealing with supernatural mystery. Several other neat short stories. They're a true time capsule made more interesting because of them being of their own time, not modern authors trying to write Depression Era stories.
The 80's/90's Weird Tales DOES feature some work by Mythos authors of the time, like Lumley. Not as important to the culture, but definitely worth checking out.
I had a subscription to the latest incarnation for a few years. It felt like Wildside could never quite figure out what they wanted to do with the mag, but they tried to make it enjoyable. One had a new Moorcock Elric story. Most were theme issues featuring articles on weird subjects and stories from authors from around the world. Toward the end of my sub, they were putting out issues that were themed toward subjects like Lovecraft's Mythos, zombies, faeries, etc. They tried to go all digital and that was when I kind of tapped out. They tried to compensate me after not fulfilling my subscription by giving me an anniversary issue when they tried to start yet again. But it was very light on articles and the stories were "been there, done that." The magazine was catching some heat for being offensive in parts. Some of the authors would do some...Stories that bordered on racism and you can't get away with that in this day and age. I actually miss the mag from it's early 2000's run, but it will probably show up again somewhere.
So great ... Thank you.
Thanks for watching BHB&C! I appreciate it!
Don't forget about Tennessee Williams, who debuted in the same issue that introduced Solomon Kane.
Great video Michael! I love Weird Tales. I wish they would reprint them all, the originals are incredibly expensive.
That they are! That’s why I don’t own any!
Weird! Tales! Combined, those words are even better. Great discussion, as always.
Thanks Jeremy!
So glad you gave the shout out to Seabury Quinn. While they can be a little trashy sometimes, the Jules de Grandin stories are great for satisfying the occult detective itch!
Yes!
Very Interesting stuff, Michael! I shall go investigating! A favourite pastime for me.....👍 I am a info-maniac, and proud of it!😏
Great video as ever. Pity that there are not more in print books on Virgil Finlay (I have one or two), also got the very enjoyable 'Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage'. I agree, Clark Ashton Smith should be better known, perhaps there needs to be a TV series or a film or two of some of his works, though I dread to think what they would do with them
Yeah, it’s gotten to the point that if it’s a book or comic that I love I hope there isn’t a film made of it.
What!, No mention of Robert Bloch?
I know! I realized this scandalous omission after I finished recording. I will have to make it up to Mr. Bloch.
Nice tie, to boot!¡!
Fantastic insight as usual 👏
Excellent
Cheers!!!
Cheers!
Have you read clive barker’s The Hellbound Heart?
Not yet, surprisingly.
Wonderful video. Thank you.
I am not getting the Nero Wolfe books I need from the local library network.
I’m sorry about the Nero Wolfe shortage.
I Just suscribed, greetings from México
Greetings!
Great review of "Weird Tales". I like that you included the cover art and some of the lesser known contributors.
In a remarkable coincidence, you showed the cover of a book I completed about a week ago. I listened to the Audible version of "The Horror on the Links" by Seabury Quinn. I found the stories to be quite good, but they don't come up to the level of Howard, Smith, or Lovecraft. I'm going to give the author a short rest and then start on the second volume "The Devil's Rosary". His stuff will likely be better if read in short bursts rather than all at once.
Probably!
Nice hat btw
I wonder if there is a collected book of weird tales edition.
Many anthologies but no collected edition that I know of.
Hey Michael, Farnsworth Wright stole your cap! Or did you steal his? This is a great overview of Weird Tales, that most influential of publications. It's my ambition to own a few issues of the original run of WT but I need to choose between low grade/affordable and high grade/mortgage the house. CAS was a multi-skilled creator, with prose, poetry, art and sculpture on his resume; and his stories certainly ranged further than HPL and REH in setting and subject. However, all three authors are cornerstones of the genre. Thanks for highlighting Seabury Quinn, an author whose stories never cease to entertain me. It amazes me that Virgil Finlay could produce such detailed art at such a rapid pace for so many different publications yet he never let the quality decline. Brundage's covers always strike me for the way she poses the characters in unexpected ways as well as the undercurrent of sexuality (the bat woman being a good example). Looking forward to more of your insightful examinations of Weird Tales; perhaps you could go through a specific issue via online resources that allow us to read these treasures from the past electronically.
I wish I had Wright’s epic cap!
Fantastic video. I wish there were some Weird Tales anthologies available with the original artwork. On the subject of psychic detectives, have you read Algernon Blackwoods John Silence series? If so please would you consider covering it at some point?
I guess I haven’t made that video yet! You are right, I need to do that.
What is your recommendation (physical form) for European readers to read (based on what we are able to find here)? I found on amazon 2 hardcover books (40€ each, expensive for a little bit more of 300 pages) "Weird Tales: Best of the Early Years 1923-25" and "1926-27". Are they worth the money? I am trying to avoid the softcover for half the price. Or are there any other compilations? Thanks.
I don’t own either of those books, so hard for me to say.
I'd include Frank Belknap Long too. I prefer his stories quite a bit more than C.A.S.'s, even tho the latter is also very good. Glad you mentioned Quinn. Most issues of Weird Tales that I have feature Quinn's stories. I don't know, but didn't they occasionally reprint M.P. Shiel, Blackwood, Machen and/or Bierce? --if not, their inclusion would've been very much welcomed.
Thanks for the video (and not being yet another commentator dressing in a black t-shirt with gore images splattered across it!).
I probably should have mentioned FBL, though I don’t think his work can touch CAS’s. I need to reread his stuff.
I so wish I could get my hands on originals for less than a fortune. Thanks for your great work as always.
Have you ever considered talking at all about Talbot Mundy, or are you not a fan?
I just have to read more of his stuff. I’ve got a bunch of it.
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 I look forward to you being able to speak on them at some point, hopefully you love them. I particularly like The Nine Unknown and King of the Khyber Rifles.
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