The Era -- Day By Day

[Fading Fast]

Here's a shot of one of the mural panels coming down.
View attachment 246199
Pity it's not the one with Wilbur and Orville, I didn't know how much I wanted to see the Wright Bros. in sport shirts and slacks until I read that article. I'm not exactly sure what's going on in this panel, but I'm guessing we've gotten to the part that doesn't gloss over the fact that aviation is as much a brutal tool of war and death as it is an example of twentieth century progress. As thirties social-comment art goes, it seems like pretty standard stuff. This was Henkel's only WPA project, and it's tragic that no color photos exist.

Henkel did run for the state assembly on the Communist ticket in 1934, but he was more of an old-style Debs Socialist trying to be fashionable than any kind of hard-core Red....

Thank you for the pic. As noted, whatever the politics, shame it wasn't stored as it looks like an incredible work of art.

...As we've seen in past months, Brooklyn is a hive of medical corruption -- you can find a crooked doctor on any block if you're willing to pay the price. Not too far, really, from the prescription-mill doctors dishing out the opoiods to all comers in more recent times...

That's always with us.

...Can you imagine any baseball team today barnstorming over the All Star break? The article is quite honest in stating they're doing it because the team needs every cent it can get to make payroll and keep the bills paid. Baseball before TV rights, even in a major market like Brooklyn, was a pretty shoestring business. That said, though, I'd feel pretty cheated if I bought a ticket to see the Dodgers in person and they bring out a bunch of guys from the Bushwicks wearing Dodger uniforms. "Rooting for laundry" indeed...

I was going to note that too, but you've educated me to the money aspect of it, so I guessed it was for that and no other reason. If the budgets are that tight, then maybe the players really weren't being cheated as I've always thought they were back then. To wit, pay the players more and shut down the team in bankruptcy is not a good move for anyone.

...I can't imagine how Camilli -- a rugged, husky fellow if there ever was one -- could have been knocked unconscious with his face cut up on that play. Guys running to first base don't usually come in with spikes high. Maybe Hasset knocked him over and than stepped on him?...

That's exactly why I wanted a pic as it had to be a very odd play for a first basemen to sustain that type of injury.

...I'll be interested in seeing what's going to happen when Pat walks in on Hu Shee trying to pump Connie for information. "Who sent you, as if I couldn't guess?"

Agreed, but to be honest, what has to happen is Pat and Raven have to have sex, period, full stop. Show them smoking a cigarette afterwards or some other code for "we had sex," but let's get to it already or those two are going to break. Terry and Hu Shee won't be safe around Pat and Raven respectably if Pat and Raven don't sing the body electric together and soon.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Financially, the Dodgers were a mess until the postwar boom flushed a ton of money into the entire game. When Charley Ebbets was buiding his ballpark in 1912, he ran out of cash and had to sell a half interest to his contractors, the McKeever brothers. Then after they all died, their respective heirs hated each other -- but with the 50-50 split, nothing could get done to improve the club or keep up the park. They ended up having to hock the park to the Brooklyn Trust Company to keep going, and it was the bank who brought in MacPhail to run things. First thing he did was run up even more debt fixing up the park -- and then plonked down $100,000 to buy Camilli from the Phillies. The bank was nonplussed.

What really turned things around after the war was broadcast rights. The Schaefer brewery bought the rights to all radio games and all home television games in 1948 for several million dollars, and renewed that deal for millions more in 1953. With basically limitless beer money coming in, the club was guaranteed to end each season in the black before a single game was played. Attendance was nothing but gravy, despite Walter F. O'Malley constantly pleading poverty. (W. F. O. first got involved with the club in the thirties as a foreclosure lawyer for the bank, and knew how to sound desperate when he had to.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

The commanding officer of the Japanese gendarmes in Shanghai today demanded a formal apology from the commanding officer of the Shanghai garrison of U. S. Marines over the recent incident in which Marines detained several plainclothed Japanese officers for carrying arms. Major General Saburo Miura declared that "speedy settlement of the incident is necessary or the matter is likely to take a grave turn." The United Press reported that a Japanese Embassy spokesman intimated that rejection of that demand by Marine Col. DeWitt Peck could "affect the whole course of Japanese-American relations." Gen. Miura had previously apologized for the presence of the gendarmes in the American defense area of the International Settlement in violation of an agreement not to enter without the consent of American military authorities. Col. Peck dismissed allegations that the Japanese officers had been mistreated while in custody, declaring "it's a lie." Gen. Miura, in a letter to Col. Peck, accused the Marines of "insulting the entire Japanese Army," but Col. Peck stated informally that there will be no apology, and demanded an explanation from the Japanese of the claimed insult.

As a thousand persons, including prominent city officials, attended today's funeral services for Detective Ferdinand Socha, killed along with Detective Joseph Lynch in the July 4th bombing at the World's Fair, the Board of Estimate formally approved the offer of a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the bomb. Mayor LaGuardia, after conferring with Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine, promised complete confidentiality to anyone who comes forward with information, and urged anyone who possesses such information to contact the Police Department in person or by telephone at CAnal 6-2000.

Meanwhile, the latest in a series of telephoned bomb threats that have perplexed police in the days since the World's Fair bombing drew investigators to the mail room at the Jamaica Station of the Long Island Rail Road, where a threat had claimed a bomb was concealed in one of the mail sacks. After searching 185 bags of mail, detectives found a suspicious looking package, but upon investigation that package was found to contain only spaghetti and meat balls.

An inspector connected to the office of Borough President John Cashmore has been named in a presentment handed up by the first extraordinary Amen Grand Jury. George H. Green, an inspector with the borough president's Division of Highways and Sewers, has been charged with accepting bribes totalling at least $5500. The presentment handed today to Supreme Court Justice John MacCrate declares that Green is unfit to remain in office.

The elderly WPA artist who created the murals removed this week from Floyd Bennett Field on claims that they contained Communist propaganda was in tears today over the destruction of his work. August Henkel, American-born painter who lives in Queens Village, told the Eagle today that he refused to sign an oath disclaiming any affiliation with the Communist Party because he believes his political beliefs are not a matter that any Government agency has a right to demand to know, no more than the Government has the right to know how he voted in an election. Henkel worked for more than three years on the mural depicting the history of aviation, and called the removal and destruction of the paintings a work of "official vandalism." Henkel also denied charges that he had altered the paintings after they were approved for display by a member of the Municipal Arts Commission, calling that claim "a lie," and pointing out that he had no further access to the paintings after they were finished and before they were hung in the airport lobby. While earlier reports stated that the paintings were to be burned, it was learned today that instead the paint was dissolved off with solvent in order to salvage the canvas panels for reuse. Henkel protested the rush to destroy the paintings, stating that without the work itself as evidence, there is only his word that the artwork did not contain Communist propaganda.

A Queens candy store owner met his death because of a remote connection to members of the Brooklyn Murder for Hire syndicate. So stated Nassau County District Attorney Edward J. Neary in the trial of two men accused in the killing, opening yesterday at Nassau County Court in Mineola. Twenty-five year old Alfred "Hook" Gatti of Manhattan and 26 year old Joseph Carosella of Ozone Park are charged with "taking for a ride" Samuel Chiocola last November 30th following a holdup at Chiocola's store. According to the district attorney, Chiocola has a cousin who is "friendly" with Murder For Hire figures Happy Maione and Frank Abbadando.

(His nose doesn't look any different to me.)

("There's No One With Endurance Like The Man Who Sells Insurance.")

Two Dodgers are in the starting lineup today in St. Louis as the National League and the American League meet in the eighth annual All Star Game. Third baseman Cookie Lavagetto and left fielder Joe Medwick are joined on the roster by reserves Babe Phelps, Leo Durocher, and Pete Coscarart, and pitcher Whit Wyatt.

National League manager Bill McKechnie has decided to wait till the very last minute before announcing his starting pitcher for this afternoon's contest, declaring that he'll make up his mind after watching both Paul Derringer and Bucky Walters in their final warmups, but American League manager Joe Cronin has already given the ball to Yankee star Red Ruffing. That declaration is causing trouble, with Detroit Tigers ace Buck Newsom, who had campaigned to get the start, threatening to skip the game entirely.

The weatherman promises ideal conditions for today's contest at Sportsman's Park. The sky will be sunny, and the usual St. Louis heat will ensue, with the game time temperature expected to be near ninety.

The game will be broadcast over both the Mutual and CBS networks. WOR begins the broadcast at 3 PM, with WABC's broadcast commencing at 3:15. Or you can tune in the CBS broadcast, with Mel Allen and France Laux, right here:

("Bungle, eh? Yeah, we've got a lonnnnnnng file on you, a long file indeed.")

(Leona's expression in panel two says everything that needs to be said.)

("Doncha see, Dan? I'm a PRISONER! A prisoner OF LOVE!")

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

The mural panel shown seems to depict the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, obviously leading figures in the powerful Greek Communist Party.

Aw, it's the cute li'l nose that makes it work.

Jimmy Cortez -- Senga's ex. Michael Patrick Downey -- yeah, I just bet they have.

Never mind the snakes, kid -- it's the mosquitoes that'll kill ya.

This seems to be quite the week for Black stereotypes in the comics.

Connie is usually smarter than this, but I guess adolescence is a trying time for many young men.

Of course, sometimes they do grow out of it.

There now, kid, that's what you get for being a jerk to the porter yesterday.

Just once I'd like to see a happily-married comic strip couple. I mean, other than the Tecums, we all know where they were headed.

I often wonder if Mr. Gould maybe uses his strip as a way to vent socially-unacceptable emotions.

 

[Fading Fast]

...A Queens candy store owner met his death because of a remote connection to members of the Brooklyn Murder for Hire syndicate. So stated Nassau County District Attorney Edward J. Neary in the trial of two men accused in the killing, opening yesterday at Nassau County Court in Mineola. Twenty-five year old Alfred "Hook" Gatti of Manhattan and 26 year old Joseph Carosella of Ozone Park are charged with "taking for a ride" Samuel Chiocola last November 30th following a holdup at Chiocola's store. According to the district attorney, Chiocola has a cousin who is "friendly" with Murder For Hire figures Happy Maione and Frank Abbadando....

I believe we've already seen the "Little Orphan Annie" version of this story. As we've said before, a lot was going on in candy stores back then.

...
(His nose doesn't look any different to me.)...

Also, good to see that our friend Richard Barthelmess' name still has some drawing power in 1940.

...[ ("Bungle, eh? Yeah, we've got a lonnnnnnng file on you, a long file indeed.")...

George really needs to learn the rule that you only give out as little information as possible until you understand the situation you're in better.

...[ (Leona's expression in panel two says everything that needs to be said.)...

Leona looks to me like she's shifting from being worried about John's plight to questioning her choice in husbands.

Also, pro tip, when in a situation like John is, always admit up front that you loaned the car to the girl your wife is suspicious of. Why? Well, you'll take some heat up front, but if you didn't do anything wrong, it is what it is. But if you obfuscate, as John did, when the story comes out (it always does), you'll look like you lied and will have no credibility going forward even when you are telling the truth. This really does apply to a lot of situations in life.

... The mural panel shown seems to depict the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, obviously leading figures in the powerful Greek Communist Party.....

The red star could be innocent, but does look a bit suspicious. Okay, so paint over the darn thing; don't destroy the murals because of it.

Here's something funny regarding the New York note sale to raise money. New York State borrows money at the same interest rates today as it did in 1940.

...
Aw, it's the cute li'l nose that makes it work.....

I don't know that I've ever even had a huckleberry, but I'm sold. Any chance that H&H understood the double entendre of its talking pie (especially the first line)?

... Connie is usually smarter than this, but I guess adolescence is a trying time for many young men.....

And sadly, the not-adolescent Irwin is falling for the exact same trick over in "Dan Dunn" world.

Oh, "Mate, Date, Bait." Kudos.

.. Of course, sometimes they do grow out of it.....

Let's see if it sticks. If Nina gives him the Heisman, then the landlady, Miss Snipe and, even, Tula could be back in the picture after a few too many lonely Saturday nights.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Here's the only surviving image of the "red star" from the mural --

The actual insignia used by Navy aviation at the time was a white star in a blue circle with a red center. Could be nefarious propaganda, or artistic license, or sloppy research, or an ad for Texaco.

 

[LizzieMaine]

President Roosevelt today asked Congress for $4,848,171,957 to add 19,000 new fighting planes to the Army and Navy air corps and rush the mechanization of the national defense forces. The President accompanied this request with a pledge that the United States will not use these new armaments aggressively, and that the United States will not again go overseas to fight. "That we are opposed to war is known not only to every American," declared the President, "but to every government in the world. We will not use our arms in a war of aggression, we will not send our men to take part in European wars. But we will repel aggression against the United States or the Western Hemisphere."

Great Britain today claimed victory in the first round of the British-Italian battle for supremacy in the Mediterranean. The Admiralty described the result as a "swift rout" of the Italian Navy, claiming that "it must be assumed that the Italian naval forces, at least one unit of which suffered damage, have gained the safety of their shore defenses."

Sixty-seven passengers were injured today and thousands of persons were thrown into a state of near panic at Grand Central Terminal when a New York Central electric train arriving from White Plains at 8:23 AM crashed into a bumper at the end of the track, sending its load of commuters crashing into the aisles. Windows were smashed and car floors buckled as passengers fought to get off the fourteen-car train, certain that a major catastrophe had occurred. Nearly all the passengers were standing, as is the usual custom when a train pulls into the station, when the crash occurred. A statement issued by the Terminal this morning attributed the accident to "insufficient reduction in the speed of the train coming to a stop."

A candid-camera photograph taken by a woman attending the World's Fair on July 3rd may contain a vital clue in the continuing investigation of the July 4th bombing that killed two police detectives. The picture shows three men, one of them carrying a suitcase, entering the British Pavilion, and police say the case is "similar to the one" that contained the explosive. Meanwhile, two additional bomb threats telephoned to the Fair today failed to come off, with police reserves guarding all gates to the Fair grounds. The two calls, placed by the same woman, threatened an explosion at 2 PM, but no explosion occurred. Police traced the first of the two calls to a drugstore at 210 Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn, but so many persons had used the public telephone booths at that location that identifying the caller proved impossible.

The Queens artist whose murals depicting the history of aviation were destroyed this week by order of the city's chief WPA administrator because they allegedly contained images promoting Communist propaganda will sue that administrator for defamation of character. Painter August Henkel will seek $100,000 in damages from Lt. Col. Brehon B. Somervell, head of all Works Progress Administration programs in New York City, claiming that Col. Somervell's campaign against him was motivated by a political desire to abolish the WPA arts program. Henkel dismissed as irrelevant the fact that he ran for the State Assembly as a Communist in 1934, and was once arrested for handing out Communist literature, declaring that he is a loyal American citizen and opposes the signing of loyalty oaths on that basis. Henkel also points out that the sketches and cartoons from which the mural was painted were fully approved by WPA authorites before the final work was executed, and denied Somervell's claim that he had, or even could have, "altered" the work after approval was given. Henkel likened the destruction of the mural under Somervell's orders to "Nazi book burning."

The Amen Office will continue its investigation of corruption in the awarding of sewer contracts in Brooklyn after the suspension of inspector George H. Green from his supervisory position within the Borough President's Division of Highways and Sewers. Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen hinted that his staff has uncovered more corruption within that department in the rigging of construction contracts than even was found in the Brooklyn paving racket. Although Green was suspended from duty after he was named in a presentment from the first Amen special grand jury, he was conspicuously not indicted, an indication that Amen is hoping to negotiate revelatory testimony from Green in exchange for leniency.

(Again in 1940, Consumers Union and the American Dental Association both condemned Ipana as "unacceptable" due to false and misleading advertising claims.)

(Something for Everyone.)

The Eagle Editorialist mourns the passing of France's Third Republic with the advent of a new Fascist government in Vichy. "The concoction, though offered under a French name, was clearly prepared from a Berlin recipe."

(Mr. Lichty could have drawn this from life in my neighborhood, until the fence blew down.)

The National League confounded the oddsmakers in breezing to an easy 4-0 win over the American League in yesterday's All Star Game in St. Louis, but the Brooklyn angle focuses on a fine pitching performance by Whit Wyatt, who on just one day's rest came on in the fifth and pitched flawlessly over two innings. Wyatt made the American Leaguers hit the ball, throwing just twenty-two pitches over two innings, and the best the Junior Circuit had to offer caused him no grief whatever. Wyatt is scheduled to start tomorrow when the Dodgers open the second half of the 1940 campaign in Cincinnati tomorrow.

With six Dodgers in St. Louis for the All Star Game the rest of the club spent the day en route to meet their Eastern League farmhands in Elmira, where they tuned in on the contest via Charley Gilbert's portable radio. Arriving at their destination in time for a night game, the Flock, augmented for the evening by several semipros from the Bushwicks, was beaten 3-1 by the Pioneers. Elmira pitching held the semi-Dodgers to two hits, with fifteen Brooklyn batters striking out. Among the future Dodger stars glimpsed on the Pioneer roster are outfielder Pete Reiser, pitcher Ed Head, and catcher Paul Gillespie.

(All things considered, it's mighty decent of George to give that cop a ride.)

(Leona, toots, you should know by now the koochy-koo stuff doesn't work with this plank of wood you married.)

(Hu Shee could squash Sonia into the ground like a bug without even soiling the toe of her shoe.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Imagine it being an election year, just days from the start of the President's party's convention, and you still don't know for sure if he's going to run for another term. And "drafting" a presidential nominee is one of those Vintage Phrases That Have Disappeared. Meanwhile, today's Neighbors is the opposite of Joe sitting with his feet in the oven.

At least the copywriter is trying, kinda.

Capt. Joseph M. Patterson, the News publisher, is the cousin of Chicago Tribune publisher Col. Robert R. McCormick, perhaps the single most anti-FDR figure in 1940 America. I bet their Thanksgiving family dinners are fascinating.

I'm kind of disappointed she didn't rassle the alligator. She'd win.

Tracy is enjoying this way too much.

Mamma, you're late!

Which is why I haven't taken a vacation in eight years.

Hey, is that Crazy Author Guy in panel two? How quickly they forget.

No wonder random people punch Plushie in the face.

The fat is about to sizzle merrily on the fire.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And here's the drugstore from whence the latest bomb threats came...

Doesn't look like the kind of a neighborhood where a female bomber would live, but it does look like the kind of a neighborhood where a bunch of teenage girls with nickels in their hands might hang around a drugstore thinking a prank might be fun.

 

[Fading Fast]

...A statement issued by the Terminal this morning attributed the accident to "insufficient reduction in the speed of the train coming to a stop."...

Tautology alert.

...The Amen Office will continue its investigation of corruption in the awarding of sewer contracts in Brooklyn after the suspension of inspector George H. Green from his supervisory position within the Borough President's Division of Highways and Sewers. Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen hinted that his staff has uncovered more corruption within that department in the rigging of construction contracts than even was found in the Brooklyn paving racket. Although Green was suspended from duty after he was named in a presentment from the first Amen special grand jury, he was conspicuously not indicted, an indication that Amen is hoping to negotiate revelatory testimony from Green in exchange for leniency....

Evergreen

...
(Again in 1940, Consumers Union and the American Dental Association both condemned Ipana as "unacceptable" due to false and misleading advertising claims.)...

Dentifrice? (I looked it up, but had never heard it before). Also, could have used background, but good art work in the "comic strip." It has an echo of "Mary Worth's" current style.

...
(Something for Everyone.)...

You go to see "Mortal Storm" because it is an early, and one-of-the-best, anti-Nazi movies made. It provides a real-time education in the horror that is happening in Europe. The movie is still very compelling today.

And then, after you've been enlightened and depressed, you go to see "One Million B.C." to see Carole Landis (period, that's why you go to see this movie):

...
The National League confounded the oddsmakers in breezing to an easy 4-0 win over the American League in yesterday's All Star Game in St. Louis, but the Brooklyn angle focuses on a fine pitching performance by Whit Wyatt, who on just one day's rest came on in the fifth and pitched flawlessly over two innings. Wyatt made the American Leaguers hit the ball, throwing just twenty-two pitches over two innings, and the best the Junior Circuit had to offer caused him no grief whatever. Wyatt is scheduled to start tomorrow when the Dodgers open the second half of the 1940 campaign in Cincinnati tomorrow....

Whit Wyatt, Dodgers Pride!

...
(Leona, toots, you should know by now the koochy-koo stuff doesn't work with this plank of wood you married.)...

No kidding, that was a short honeymoon indeed. The good news for Leona, he won't cheat, but bad news is that's because he's not all that interested in sex. Sorry, seams true.

... (Hu Shee could squash Sonia into the ground like a bug without even soiling the toe of her shoe.)

"Dan Dunn's" characters are not even close to being in "Terry and the Pirates''" league. Pat, Raven, Captain Blaze, (I'm sure) the Dragon Lady and Hu Shee (as you note) would make short work of anyone in Dan's world, including Dan.

And in the Daily News...


Imagine it being an election year, just days from the start of the President's party's convention, and you still don't know for sure if he's going to run for another term. And "drafting" a presidential nominee is one of those Vintage Phrases That Have Disappeared. Meanwhile, today's Neighbors is the opposite of Joe sitting with his feet in the oven....

Re the dentist and two wives: Why did wife #2 want to get an annulment? And how can the dentist be pulling in $150 net a week if he's also "mentally and physically ill?"

Re the bomb reward story: Doesn't it seem like the News often gets a story a day after the Eagle already has it?

Re "The Neighbors:" LOL, spot on Lizzie

...
At least the copywriter is trying, kinda...

Agreed, even opened with the always popular alliteration. Still, it's too little, too late; Childs needs to clean house in Marketing.

... I'm kind of disappointed she didn't rassle the alligator. She'd win.....

The kid's got incredible guts and mental fortitude, but I'm bored with this walking-through-the-swamp storyline, time to move things along.

... Tracy is enjoying this way too much.....

Let's not kid ourselves, both Tracy and Dan Dunn are more than a touch insane.

... Mamma, you're late!....

Nah, If Bim gives Mamma a big budget and tells her she can throw the kids a reception that will be "the social event of the season" Mamma will be happy.

... View attachment 246448 Which is why I haven't taken a vacation in eight years....

Yup, in 35 years of work, I never used up all my vacation, not because I am so dedicated, but because it isn't fun to try to get ahead before you leave and then to be overwhelmed trying to catch up when you get back. I take a day or two here or there most of the time and that's that.

... The fat is about to sizzle merrily on the fire.

QED prior "Dan Dunn" vs. "Terry and the Pirates" comment.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Two unexploded bombs were found inside the convention hall the day before the opening of the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, according to Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine, and five others were found at other locations around that city. The Commissioner made that disclosure today when he called together one-third of the total New York City detective force and assigned them, with tears in his voice, to solve the Fourth of July World's Fair bombing that killed two members of that force. The Commissioner related that the head of the NYPD Bomb and Forgery Squad, Lieutenant James Pyke, was dispatched to Philadelphia immediately when word was received that the bombs had been discovered in the convention hall. Both of those explosive devices were dynamite bombs, one rigged with a timer, the other with a fuse. Valentine called for "execution" as the only suitable penalty for those responsible for the World's Fair attack.

Bomb hits on two of the mightiest units of the British fleet -- the battle cruiser Hood and the aircraft carrier Ark Royal -- were announced today by the Italian high command, fitting further details into the accounts of this week's Battle of the Mediterranean. The 42,000-ton Hood, world's largest warship, was said to have been set ablaze, and two heavy bombs were reported to have landed on the deck of the 22,000-ton Ark Royal. The British Admiralty denies the reports.

German planes swarmed over the British Isles again today, bombing and machine gunning several scattered towns. Several persons are reported dead in the attacks, but the Royal Air Force claims it downed possibly six enemy craft.

Dodger pitcher Hugh Casey suffered "only a minor concussion" when he was struck in the head by a pitch during last night's exhibition game between the Dodgers and their Johnstown, Pennsylvania farm club. Casey, who was playing right field in the game in place of Dixie Walker, led off the fourth inning and was hit in the left side of his head by a fastball thrown by twenty-year-old lefthander Vincent Shuped, a hard-throwing youngster who briefly threw batting practice for the Dodgers last year. The ball ricocheted hard off Casey's head, bounced off the dugout roof, and landed in the stands. Casey dropped to the ground clutching his head but did not fully lose consciousness, and after a few moments, sat up and insisted to be allowed to stay in the game. But coach Charley Dressen, running the team in the absence of Leo Durocher, sent him back to the hotel accompanied by trainer Charley Wilson and Luke Hamlin. Casey was taken to Mercy Hospital in Johnstown, where he was x-rayed, and doctors there declared that he would have to remain in the hospital for several days to recover from the injury. The incident is the third major beaning of a Dodger player in the past two months.

A bewildered brokerage clerk from Baldwin, New York stood in Brooklyn Felony Court this morning, accused of going on a rampage thru Park Slope last night while clad only in his underwear. Forty-two-year-old Thomas Gillen is accused of assaulting a woman and her son, who were returning home from the movies, and also of kicking the detective who arrested him in the mouth. Gillen was said to be under the influence of liquor during the rampage, but could not explain why he was running around Park Slope in his underwear. His clothing was found in the hallway of an apartment house on Union Street near 8th Avenue, and the pocket of his coat contained a pair of women's white gloves.

A safety control for hand grenades, developed by a Brooklyn manufacturing firm, may soon go into mass production. The Segal Lock and Hardware Company, 55 Ferris Street, today awaited the go-ahead signal from the Army to manufacture the device, patented by a subsidiary of the firm last month as the invention of company official Louis Segal and engineer John Hines. The safety device prevents the grenade from exploding after the firing ring is pulled by latching onto and holding back the fuse handle until it is released.

(I'd love to think that Mr. O'Dwyer celebrated his birthday by heading over to the Village to hear Teddy Wilson playing at Cafe Society, but I kinda don't think he's that hep.)

In Dallas, Texas members of the city police force are now prohibited from wearing "sissy clothes" when off duty. Police Chief J. M. Welch issued the order after seeing one of his men parading in the streets dressed in "a baby blue suit and open-toed sandals," with his gun "tucked somewhere in his slacks." Hereafter, says Chief Welch, policemen will be required to "dress like policemen" whether on or off duty.

Rosalind Russell has signed a new long-term contract with MGM on the strength of her successes in "Night Must Fall," "The Citadel," and "The Women."

("Yeah, well, show me a bacteria that ever threw you over for your own sister.")

Radio favorite Edgar Bergen dropped in at Swedish Hospital on Bedford Avenue today for an unannounced visit. The popular ventriloquist was conspicuously not accompanied by wooden sidekick Charlie McCarthy. Bergen, who was once a vaudeville fixture on Brooklyn stages before attaining radio stardom, told hospital officials he plans to fund a program there to benefit indigent maternity patients and student nurses.

The Dodgers are ready to kick off the second half of the 1940 season as one half of one of the tightest pennant races the National League has seen in decades -- and they'll inaugurate Act Two of that race as the guests of their closest rivals for the flag. The Flock begins a three-game series tonight at Crosley Field in Cincinnati with Whit Wyatt, fresh from an outstanding All Star Game appearance, scheduled to face Junior Thompson for the Reds.

Dolph Camilli, injured in a baseline collision in Boston last week, is expected to rejoin the club in Cincinnati today, but is not likely to play in the Reds series. This is a terrible trial to Dolph, because Crosley Field has always been one of his favorite hitting spots in the league.

("He won't talk, boys. Break out the bright light and the rubber hoses!")

("Now if you'll excuse me, I have confidential files to --- sort.")

("You're right. Get the forklift.")

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

The Neighbors: Meet John Blackston's kid brother.

I once ate an entire box of corn flakes, dry, during a five day power failure. I didn't feel like this guy does.

If Nick Gatt suddenly rose out of that swamp and said BOO, I'd completely lose it.

Imagining what Mama sounds like saying "tee hee" is like the sound of two pieces of styrofoam rubbing together.

The 1940s marked the point where white cartoonists began to revise their notions of how to draw black characters -- from the eyes-and-lips blackface caricatures that pretty much everyone used up until then to more realistic, less exaggerated character designs. It didn't happen all at once, and not every cartoonist was as conscientious about it as they could have been, but Frank King came the furthest of all of them. In the early 1920s, when Skeezix was a small boy, Uncle Walt hired a maid named Rachel to help take care of him -- and Rachel was the visual essence of the "mammy" stereotype:

(Skeezix's first birthday party, February 14, 1922.) You can see, by contrast, in today's strip that Mr. King has come a long way in evolving his consciousness in eighteen years -- he's still got a ways to go, but he's working at it. When we see Rachel again, in Skeezix's adulthood, she will be drawn far more realistically -- and will no longer be a maid.

This ought to be good.

But what about the dog?????

Serve ya right if it's Senga's sister.

If Kayo had lived in my neighborhood when I was six, I have no doubt we would have been best friends.

 

[Fading Fast]

Two unexploded bombs were found inside the convention hall the day before the opening of the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, according to Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine, and five others were found at other locations around that city. The Commissioner made that disclosure today when he called together one-third of the total New York City detective force and assigned them, with tears in his voice, to solve the Fourth of July World's Fair bombing that killed two members of that force. The Commissioner related that the head of the NYPD Bomb and Forgery Squad, Lieutenant James Pyke, was dispatched to Philadelphia immediately when word was received that the bombs had been discovered in the convention hall. Both of those explosive devices were dynamite bombs, one rigged with a timer, the other with a fuse. Valentine called for "execution" as the only suitable penalty for those responsible for the World's Fair attack....

The public, so far, seems to be reacting calmer to these bomb attacks than I would have expected.

...Rosalind Russell has signed a new long-term contract with MGM on the strength of her successes in "Night Must Fall," "The Citadel," and "The Women."...

Somehow, I don't think she ever reached her full career potential. Her best movie, "His Girl Friday."

... ("He won't talk, boys. Break out the bright light and the rubber hoses!")...

I see an exit opening up for Jo, which is why she didn't race downtown with the bail money. Give George enough time without a lawyer and he should be able to talk himself into a murder one rap.

... ("Now if you'll excuse me, I have confidential files to --- sort.")...

If you question her loyalty and accuse her to her face, you have no choice but to fire her on the spot. Pay her whatever she is owed in severance, but don't keep her in the office till the end of the week. John is in way over his head.

And in the Daily News...

The Neighbors: Meet John Blackston's kid brother.....

Exactly - not every has that drive. That or the young man doesn't understand the purpose of going for a ride with a girl.

Separately, the test pilot's successful landing is less impressive considering that the kids who never flew a plane before seemed to do about the same thing.

... This ought to be good.....

Oh yeh. By the last panel, girly-girl Raven is gone and the Raven who can kick butt is back.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The accuracy of German bomb attacks on England and France has led American aircraft manufacturers to believe that Germany may have gotten possession of the secret American bomb sight. Three high officials of American aviation firms returned from France aboard the Dixie Clipper, landing the morning at LaGuardia Field, and Harold McEnness, European manager of the Bendix Aviation Corporation, stated that "it is a firm possibility that they have our sight." In Washington, General H. H. Arnold, chief of the Army Air Corps, dismissed McEnness's concern, telling the Associated Press "The Germans do not possess our bomb sight."

Dramatist Maurice Maeterlinck, best known for his children's play "The Bluebird" arrived in America today aboard the Greek liner Nea Hellas, landing the morning at Hoboken accompanied by his wife. The Maeterlincks fled their home in Nice, France just ahead of the invading Germans, and the famed playwright declared that he is now penniless, having lost both his home and the money he had stored in a Belgian bank to the German invaders. "All I have," declared the author, holding up a copy of the French translation of "Gone With The Wind," "is what I have with me."

A report at press time states that police have discovered what appears to be a ticking bomb in a woman's valise stored in the east baggage room at Pennsylvania Station. Members of the police department Bomb Squad were dispatched to the scene shortly before 3 this afternoon under the direct command of Lieutenant James Pyke.

A BMT bus driver has been dismissed from his job after he was discovered by a company inspector in the company of a young woman in a darkened bus parked off Beverley Road. Douglas L. Begbie of 380 Bainbridge Street had completed his run on the 18th Avenue-Foster Avenue route and was supposed to be taking the bus back to the Flatbush depot when BMT Inspector Patrick Butler spotted the parked and darkened vehicle. Butler discovered Begbie and a young woman in an intimate moment, and interrupted the scene to demand an explanation. Begbie protested that he was only kissing his fiancee, and that since they both work all day, the only opportunity they have of enjoying each other's company is on the bus at night. In a departmental hearing, officials of the Board Of Transportation expressed no opinion on the act of "necking," objecting only to the use of city property in the furtherance of that act.

("I oughta put my name in down there," says Joe. "There's an openin'. They pay good money." "Yeah," says Sally. "An' we been married for four years, so it ain't like we neck much.")

A thirty-one-year-old Brooklyn bus driver is dying at Jewish Hospital after his wife attacked him with an axe. BMT driver James Murray was found in the nude, bleeding from multiple wounds to the head and neck, lying on the sidewalk in front of his apartment building at 651 Nostrand Avenue. Police investigating found Mrs. Nora Murray, age thirty, lying on a couch in a "state of hysteria" with a long-handled, bloodstained woodsman's axe on the floor of an adjacent room. Assistant District Attorney William Perlman questioned Mrs. Murray and learned that the attack occured as a result of "perceived jealousies," and that Murray was asleep when he was struck. He awakened bleeding from the throat, and attempted to flee, but Mrs. Murray chased him about the house swinging the axe, until he succeeded in escaping to the sidewalk, where he collapsed. Murray has received more than thirty stitches in his throat and multiple blood transfusions in an attempt to save his life.

The son of a Chinese government official was attacked by a marauding raccoon in his Glen Cove bedroom. The 17-year-old youth, Juo C. Li Jr. was sleeping when the thirty-two pound animal climbed in an open window and began to explore the surroundings. The youth awakened and attempted to induce the raccoon to leave, and was bitten for his efforts. A Glen Cove patrolman subsequently shot the raccoon.

Joan Crawford is "brilliant" in the film adaptation of the stage hit "Susan and God," opening this week at the Capitol Theatre. Herbert Cohn headed to Times Square to take in the film and finds that Miss Crawford takes an essentially unlikable character -- a woman who believes she's been chosen by God to "bring happiness to the world" -- and makes her sympathetic. Not to be overlooked in the shadow of Miss Crawford's performance is Frederic March's "delightful and occasionally moving" turn as her husband.

At the AIR COOLED Patio this week, Alice Faye is "Lillian Russell," accompanied by "The Saint Takes Over."

The Eagle Editorialist endorses the decision to destroy August Henkel's murals at Floyd Bennett Field, declaring that he has no sympathy with anyone who takes a job on the WPA and yet balks at taking a loyalty oath.

(Pre-internet, hypochondria was so much simpler to manage.)

The Dodgers dropped their third tough decision in a row last night, kicking off the second half of the season with a 6-5 loss to the Reds and continuing a pattern of frustrating one-run defeats. The Dodgers had plenty of chances to score last night, but failed to take advantage of them, and Durocher's attempts to play percentage baseball against Eddie Joost and Billy Werber backfired with Tot Presnell and Vito Tamulis each walking their man, opening the way for Ival Goodman to drive in the winning run with a sharp single.

The loss widened the Reds' lead over Brooklyn to a game and a half, and with two left to play in the current series, the Dodgers must bear down hard if they aren't to be left in the dust.

Dolph Camilli is back with the Flock, looking like he lost an argument with a barbed wire fence. His collision with Buddy Hassett in Boston last week left him with the bridge of his nose and his forehead badly skinned. Camilli doesn't expect to play just yet, and says the base of his neck is still stiff from the incident.

Television fans hoping to see the Democratic National Convention next week will be disappointed -- there is no television cable connection to New York from Chicago. There will however be the usual ample radio coverage of the proceedings. A last minute behind the scenes look at coverage preparations will be heard over WABC tomorrow afternoon at 2PM.

(Pre-Miranda rights, the cops were only too happy to let you place your own neck in the noose.)

(Seriously, what kind of "crusading DA" is this dumb? O'Dwyer wouldn't let this boob shine his shoes.)

Senga may be gone, but her older, meaner sister Sonia more than carries on the tradition.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Lady Plushbottom reads the story of Lady Ribbesdale with much interest. And in these critical times, isn't it reassuring to know that no matter how grim things may become, Archduke Otto Pretender To The Non-Existent Throne of Austria is still out there plugging.

Chorines may dance from sun to sun, but a stripper's work is never done.

"Wiggie?" There's a story here, and I want to hear it.

Ohhhh yeah. Tracy could really use a cigarette.

Mr. Gray is taking his sweet time unrolling this new storyline, but you can't fault the art. Bet he used a whole bottle of ink crosshatching this strip.

Well, I know we have to have a sap in this story, but I never expected it to be Raven.

Bim in panel two gets the best laugh he's had in a month, but he's afraid to let it all the way out.

Yeah, but you got on the wrong bus. Oh well, St. Paul is a pretty nice town.

It's been a hard week, but I never realized how happy seeing Plushie do Groucho's walk could make me.

You never, ever, see any customers at the Sugar Bowl other than these loafing moochers. So how, really, does Pop make a living? What's in that back room?

 

[Fading Fast]

...A BMT bus driver has been dismissed from his job after he was discovered by a company inspector in the company of a young woman in a darkened bus parked off Beverley Road. Douglas L. Begbie of 380 Bainbridge Street had completed his run on the 18th Avenue-Foster Avenue route and was supposed to be taking the bus back to the Flatbush depot when BMT Inspector Patrick Butler spotted the parked and darkened vehicle. Butler discovered Begbie and a young woman in an intimate moment, and interrupted the scene to demand an explanation. Begbie protested that he was only kissing his fiancee, and that since they both work all day, the only opportunity they have of enjoying each other's company is on the bus at night. In a departmental hearing, officials of the Board Of Transportation expressed no opinion on the act of "necking," objecting only to the use of city property in the furtherance of that act.

("I oughta put my name in down there," says Joe. "There's an openin'. They pay good money." "Yeah," says Sally. "An' we been married for four years, so it ain't like we neck much.")...

I was expecting more than necking when the euphemism "intimate moment" was used.

... (Pre-Miranda rights, the cops were only too happy to let you place your own neck in the noose.)...

Jo, your best move is to do nothing unless you really do love the dope - if so, then get down there before he hangs himself.

.... Senga may be gone, but her older, meaner sister Sonia more than carries on the tradition.

"Older, meaner," and smarter.

... Lady Plushbottom reads the story of Lady Ribbesdale with much interest. And in these critical times, isn't it reassuring to know that no matter how grim things may become, Archduke Otto Pretender To The Non-Existent Throne of Austria is still out there plugging....

10 Park Avenue (still there today) - good enough for an expat royal:

... ] Chorines may dance from sun to sun, but a stripper's work is never done....

There's more to this story than just her refusing to do an eleventh show.

...
"Wiggie?" There's a story here, and I want to hear it....

Oh God yes. Remember, that isn't a Tweet - real effort went into writing, addressing, stamping and posting that burst of pique.

... Mr. Gray is taking his sweet time unrolling this new storyline, but you can't fault the art. Bet he used a whole bottle of ink crosshatching this strip....

Agreed on both points. Also, even before Sandy spoke up, I wanted no part of that house. Basically, it looked like a way to be trapped inside with all the critters you don't want to be near.

... Well, I know we have to have a sap in this story, but I never expected it to be Raven....

Had Pat not pushed her, she'd have probably made the right call, but she's letting her anger at Pat cloud her judgement.

...
You never, ever, see any customers at the Sugar Bowl other than these loafing moochers. So how, really, does Pop make a living? What's in that back room?

No kidding. First thing, let's just step outside and around back and see if there is an abnormally large number of telephone wires going into the place.

 

[LizzieMaine]

A suspicious-looking package found on the steps of a Jewish Center in Union City, New Jersey "appears to be the business," according to Lt. James Pyke of the NYPD Bomb and Forgery Squad. The ticking package found at the building last night was ticking when discovered, and when police arrived it was carefully removed to a vacant lot where it was immersed in a barrel of oil until it stopped ticking. It was then examined by fluoroscope and then carefully unwrapped, revealing a small black box of either metal or wood with an alarm clock attached to one end, stopped at 7:30. A BX cable ran from the clock into the box. The box was removed to Manhattan Police Headquarters for further examination. Meanwhile, residents from an adjacent three-story building were evacuated as police combed the area for clues.

The Mayor of Union City has crusaded in recent months against local Nazi groups including the German-American Bund, and swastika flags have appeared in various locations around Hudson County over the past several weeks.

Police are also investigating a telephoned bomb threat against employees of the Ford Instrument Company in Long Island City, placing a heavy guard on the Queensborough Bridge after a warning was received that a bomb would be dropped from that bridge onto the deck of an excursion boat carrying a large number of workers from that company.

Italian airplanes claim to have split the British fleet in the Mediterranean into three parts, cutting it off from communication with the Empire, and are said to be driving it eastward under heavy bombardment. The Italian reports claim one battleship and two cruisers have been "repeatedly struck."

The daughter of a prominent Southampton family today married the heir to the Ford empire in a lavish Roman Catholic ceremony before more than a thousand guests. Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen officiated the marriage of Miss Anne McDonnell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Francis McDonnell to Mr. Henry Ford II, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edsel Ford of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford. Mr. Ford was received into the Catholic Church prior to the ceremony after taking instruction for the past six months from Msgr. Sheen.

The Young Democrats club of Brooklyn will submit a proposal to the Democratic National Convention that the party formally condemn "spy hunting" at the hands of mobs or "publicity seeking law enforcement officers." The proposal will be included in the "Draft Roosevelt" proposal from the organization, to be presented by Assemblyman Robert F. Wagner Jr, son of Senator Robert F. Wagner. The senior Wagner is chairman of the party's Platform Committee.

The newly-formed Vichy Government of France will bar all Jews from positions of government service. The decree issued by Marshal Henri Petain restricts government service to "native-born Frenchmen," and bars "all persons of foreign race" from such jobs. All government employees with less than five years of service will also be eliminated under the decree.

("Wonder how much he lost?" says Joe. "Them guys can see a pigeon a mile away," adds Sally. "I dowanna talk abouddit no more," mumbles Joe.)

The artist whose paintings at the Bennett Field administration building were destroyed last week by order of the WPA administrator for the city has requested police protection after receiving a telephone threat that his home would be set on fire. Fifty-nine-year-old August Henkel received the threat after acknowledging that he had been convicted in 1917 of burning an American flag in an anti-war demonstration. Henkel explained that the ceremony involved placing flags of all warring nations into a "melting pot" to show the folly of war, and that disrespect to the American flag itself was not the intention of the demonstration.

The Dodgers were rained out in Cincinnati yesterday, and the respite gave Leo Durocher the change to sit down and do some fiddling with his lineup. When the Flock takes the field against the Reds today, weather permitting, Joe Vosmik and Pee Wee Reese will be sitting on the bench -- Vosmik "because he hasn't been hitting," and Reese "just because." Leo says he thinks he himself should be playing shortstop right now, so he intends to do just that. Dixie Walker will be shifted to right field in place of Vosmik, and Charley Gilbert will be slotted into center. Lippy also plans to juggle the batting order, with Gilbert leading off, Coscarart moving from seventh to second, Medwick from fourth to third, Phelps from fifth to fourth, Walker from third to fifth, Jimmy Wasdell -- standing in for Dolph Camilli -- sixth, Lavagetto dropping from second to seventh, and Leo himself in the eighth slot.

Durocher says the decision to bench Reese has nothing to do with the blown double play in Thursday night's game that allowed the Reds their first run of the evening -- but that error wouldn't have happened had he been in the lineup instead of the kid.

The Dodgers and Reds will make up last night's rainout with a doubleheader at Crosley Field, with Brooklyn sending Tex Carleton and Curt Davis out against Paul Derringer and Gene Thompson.

Whit Wyatt might have lost the game Thursday night, but he picked up the win in the fatherhood derby. He's left the club for a few days to visit his wife and newborn son down in Georgia. The new addition to the Wyatt family shares a birthday with his two-year-old sister.

Hugh Casey should be released from the hospital in Johnstown, Pa. either today or tomorrow as he continues his recovery from the concussion he received when he was hit in the head by a pitch during an exhibition game last week. Casey is expected to rejoin the Dodgers in Pittsburgh later this week, but will not be cleared to play for another week or so.

Dixie Walker will get a day at Ebbets Field on July 28th, followed by a testimonial dinner that night at the Bossert Hotel. The outfielder, an unexpected star for the Dodgers in 1940, will be honored by fans upset that he was left off the National League All Star team despite his hearty .333 batting average, second only to Harry Danning of the Giants in the race for the league batting crown.

(You know who could fix this, George? Oakdale. "Oh, I can see that bold faker now, strutting into the jail, waving around a fat roll of bills he won in some crooked card game!")

(Hm. That looks like exactly the kind of generic manila envelope that's just the right size for big glossy photos of a woman who is not your wife posing provocatively in the back seat of your car. You ineffable chump.)

(So Dan and Irwin are living together now? I wonder what Kay has to say about that. You remember Kay, right? Abandoned five months ago in that hotel with just the kid and the face-eating dog for company? Wouldn't blame her for turning to crime...)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

I'm a fan of Rosalie Dill, aka Rosalie Gardner Jones, but I draw the line at goat strangling.

Besides, they hadn't even been formally introduced.

"Excellent. Everything is going according to plan."

Mr. Gray really really likes to draw swamps.

Aw, and here Tracy had just thought up a whole bunch of new height-themed insults and now he won't get to use them.

You all know Uncle Walt and Judy. And there's Walt's wife Phyllis, who Skeez grew up calling "Auntie Blossom," and twelve-year-old brother Corky, who is actually Walt and Phyllis's only biological child. (Judy was left in a basket in the back seat of Walt's car in 1935. Apparently it got out that he was a soft touch when it comes to abandoned babies.)

Is that a cigar falling out of your mouth or are you just glad to see her?

Mama's fun is just beginning.

**snif**

 

[Fading Fast]

...
("Wonder how much he lost?" says Joe. "Them guys can see a pigeon a mile away," adds Sally. "I dowanna talk abouddit no more," mumbles Joe.)...

A 25% vig is huge. Yet, they still squirrel the dice meaning the effective vig is much higher. Play for any length of time and you will absolutely lose. (Joe, how long have you lived in this neighborhood? That's a lesson you should have learned as a kid.)

...
(You know who could fix this, George? Oakdale. "Oh, I can see that bold faker now, strutting into the jail, waving around a fat roll of bills he won in some crooked card game!")...

The guy who you want to call to make this all go away is Nick Gatt, but Nick wouldn't waste his time with George. (See, I'm still hoping Nick is alive.)

... (So Dan and Irwin are living together now? I wonder what Kay has to say about that. You remember Kay, right? Abandoned five months ago in that hotel with just the kid and the face-eating dog for company? Wouldn't blame her for turning to crime...)

And panel 3, If Dan thinks any harder, he might have a stroke.

... View attachment 246890 I'm a fan of Rosalie Dill, aka Rosalie Gardner Jones, but I draw the line at goat strangling....*

Re the fur coat: If Benon can produce those receipts as proof of payment, then it looks like LaGuardia might have been a bully on this one (he has that skill in his personality tool kit). That said, it's usually a good bet to assume the public official who looks corrupt, is.

Re the ax-wielding wife: This is another story where it appears the Eagle had it a day before the News - odd, no?

...
Besides, they hadn't even been formally introduced....

I think she missed the entire point of that storyline.


[Placeholder for a Childs or H&H ad]

Nothing from our dueling restaurants? No talking pie? No 55-cent dinner with choice of five delicious entrees (with muffins)?

... "Excellent. Everything is going according to plan."...

Ditto yesterday's comment. If she wasn't blinded by anger at Pat, Raven's too smart to make this mistake. Never let anger cloud your judgement (easy to say...).

... Mr. Gray really really likes to draw swamps....

At this point, Sandy's got to be thinking, "Hey, most dogs just have to fetch a stick or sit on command now and then; otherwise, they pretty much lounge around all day and have their food brought to then. Why did I draw this assignment?"

Oh, and yes, it's time to move on from the swamp, exquisite drawings (agreed) and all.

...[ You all know Uncle Walt and Judy. And there's Walt's wife Phyllis, who Skeez grew up calling "Auntie Blossom," and twelve-year-old brother Corky, who is actually Walt and Phyllis's only biological child. (Judy was left in a basket in the back seat of Walt's car in 1935. Apparently it got out that he was a soft touch when it comes to abandoned babies.)...

Background much appreciated for us newbies - thank you. So Skeezix was raised by Walt and Phyllis?

I notice Miss Clock didn't come to the station.

... **snif**

Well done - touched a cord.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Yep, Walt and Phyllis were married in 1926 when Skeezix was five years old, and it was quite an event. Phyllis moved into the neighborhood just after Walt found Skeezix as an infant on his doorstep, and very quickly ingratiated herself into the situation. Walt's alley friends were suspicious, but were proven wrong when it turned out that Phyllis knew the woman who dropped the baby on the doorstep -- and had gotten involved with Walt specifically to ensure he was taken care of.

There was more to it than that. Skeezix's birth mother was a famous European opera singer, Madame Octave, alongside whom Phyllis had served as an Army nurse during the war. His birth father was a famous wartime aviator named Colonel Coda, and when Coda left Madame Octave while she was carrying his child, she despaired and left the baby on Walt's doorstep. Later she reconsidered and sued Walt to try to get Skeezix back, but the court awarded custody to Walt -- who by then had married Phyllis -- and all seemed settled.

Still later it was revealed that Madame Octave wasn't just Phyllis's friend from the war -- they were blood sisters, making Phyllis Skeezix's real aunt as well as his adopted mother, and explaining just why she was hanging around him in his infancy.

Phyllis died in 2004, at the age of well over a hundred, but poor old Walt is still plugging along at 120+. In the Gasoline Alley universe he is the last surviving veteran of World War I and the oldest man in the United States.

Judy's real parentage, by the way, was never revealed. It wasn't uncommon for babies to be abandoned on the street during the Depression, and she just got lucky. She's still alive at 85, and ran a donut shop for many years, but was last seen in the strip at Phyllis's funeral.

Corky is still alive as well, and has been running a diner since 1950. Poor old man, still flipping burgers at 92.

"Gasoline Alley" still runs in the Daily News, but it's barely recognizable. It's on its second artist since Frank King died in 1969, and I doubt it'll make it to the third. But I heartily and emphatically recommend the "Walt and Skeezix" book series by Drawn and Quarterly in Canada -- which is gradually reprinting the entire King run of "Gasoline Alley" in volumes covering two years apiece. The books are not cheap, but they're a wonderful presentation of a brilliant piece of comic-strip storytelling. The series is now up to 1933-34 and the start of Skeezix's fumbling adolescence.

I think the deal with stories showing up in the News a day after the Eagle is that the Eagle, being an evening paper, gets the drop on anything that happens after about 2 pm, when the News puts its five-star final to bed. The earliest edition of the News -- the "pink" edition -- comes out about 9 pm the night before the masthead date, so occasionally it beats the evening papers on things that happen in the early evening hours.

Annie's hair standing on end in panel one there is one of the funniest things I've seen all month.