Friday, August 21, 2009

Time Capsule: 1959

August 21, 1959
: Fifty years ago today, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation making Hawaii the 50th state. Hawaii had been considered for a state as far back as 1919 but it took another four decades to make it happen (read more about that here).

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Bibliofile: Luis Barnavelt List, Pierscien I Czarodziejka

It’s time for another look at the cover art that Polish publisher Amber used when they released the Lewis Barnavelt series last decade. There’s not really a lot to say about these except, that since the scenes on the paperback covers depict scenes from the books in exactly no way at all, we feel the publishers just found some spooky-looking artwork, slapped on their titles and logo, and then sold ‘em like hotcakes. Or babkas. Whatever.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Even More About Widow's Walk Lake

Filmmaker and Bellairs-fan James Strayer got in touch with us late last year about Widow's Walk Lake, a film inspired partly by some of Bellairs’ spooky stories.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Creature (Still) for Sale

We mentioned a year or so ago that the Cronin House was for sale. Hearing nothing since then, we sort of figured the house was again serving as a family’s home. Not so.  Bill Tiller passed word along to us today that the house is still looking for an owner.

We wonder if the Pendleton-Alexander House ever found an owner?

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Gashlycrumb Tinies! In 3-D! On Ice!

The Gashlycrumb Tinies
A sort-of animated, three-dimensional version of the Gorey’s Gashlycrumb Tinies – although we just tend to hover around Fanny and the leeches.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Hath Alter'd That Good Picture?

Film news
Occasionally there are comments about great books of children’s literature being made into the latest Hollywood craze (or perhaps even some sort of cult-appreciated visual piece). Collected here are some thoughts on the adapting of The House with a Clock in its Walls (1973) into something for the big screen. It’s something that’s been discussed for ages – even as far back when the CompleatBellairs was new – and while it would be a great way for the book to get exposure, we tend to agree with those that say it needs to be done right.  We all saw Once Upon a Midnight Dreary.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Book Alert: Magic Mirrors

Magic Mirrors
, the new John Bellairs omnibus, is now available for purchase from the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA). Want a copy of The Face in the Frost with Marilyn Fitschen’s original artwork? Want to relive the adventures of The Pedant and the Shuffly? Want to finally see St. Fidgeta back in print after all these years?