Something About the (Other) Cronin House

Some comments on the Cronin House of Marshall...and some bit of history on the Cronin House in Hayward, California. There’s no relation between the two aside from the name but the one out west sounded as if it had an interesting history, too.

Time Capsule: The Face...at 40

We would do all Bellairsdom a great disservice if we did not acknowledge this year is the fortieth anniversary of The Face in the Frost. It is still the first (and the only compleat) story to feature the wizards Prospero and Roger Bacon who live in a strange land known only as the Southern Kingdom. And what a book it is.  Bellairs actually composed a lot of the book in another kingdom – the United Kingdom...England – in his years after teaching at Shimer College. How far along in Prospero's tale Bellairs was before he arrived in England is uncertain but the ambiance there surely inspired him – note the similarities of local flavor found in the Gorgon's head in Bath and Somerset's Five Dials Inn to some of the encounters in Face.

Dan Poblocki: The Stone Child

The Stone Child is the first book of author Dan Poblocki, who confesses to being a fan of Mr. Bellairs:

46th Annual Historic Home Tour

The Marshall, Michigan Home Tour is in its 46th year of offering exquisite private homes and businesses for public viewing and enjoyment. The tour will feature vintage homes and historic museums covering diverse specialties such as unusual architecture, antique home furnishings, and more. The Home Tour was voted the Best Home Tour by the readers of AAA's Michigan Living magazine.

• Saturday, September 12, 9:00 to 5:00
• Sunday, September 13, 10:00 to 5:00

For more information, including associated costs, please contact the Marshall Historical Society or Chamber of Commerce.

Elsewhere:

• Laura Martone shares some comments on the tour and some of the historical residences in Marshall
• Historical Ken discusses some of the other tours around Michigan.
• Some pictures of Marshall courtesy Scott Diussa and David Bowser.

Review: Weatherend "Probably the Worst So Far"

Book review: The Dark Secret of Weatherend

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).

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.

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.

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?

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

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

Hath Alter'd That Good Picture?

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.

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?

Film unit picks up rights to 'King of Skull Island'

Spirit Pictures has picked up the rights to the book Kong: King of Skull Island, a prequel to the well-known tale of the big ape.

A Tribute to the Late John Bellairs

by Amy Martin (Jul. 4, 2009)
(Originally published at bookstove)

It seems little recognition is given to the late John Bellairs who died in 1991. Hollywood, with its remakes of Friday the 13th and paranormal vampire romances, seems to have overlooked the young adult classic Gothic thrillers by John Bellairs. However, I do not understand why some of his books have not been made into movies because, to me, many of them are nothing short of genius.

Review: Spell "A Classic...Fun Book With Haunted Clocks, Tiny Skulls...And The Word Phooey!"

Book review: The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull