Sunday, June 2nd, 1974

Mom went with me to see SNOWBALL EXPRESS and THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE again. The first was I think one of the best live action Disney films I've ever seen! That's what I said when I saw it before and that's what I say now. I was very surprised to see that Marvin Hamlisch did the music for ATHLETE.

"Something...almost beyond comprehension is happening to a little girl on this street, in this house, and they have sent for this man...The Exorcist." That's what the preview said and despite a few doubts as to whether I'll be allowed in or not, I've just about got it all in the bag. Dad said he'd be willing to take me if it's at the Madison and it said Coming Soon in the preview. I'll be seeing you soon, Linda.

NOTES: The Linda Blair obsession continues.


As far as SNOWBALL EXPRESS, I always say a movie with good snow scenes is a good movie. That movie is ALL snow scenes. In retrospect, of course, it certainly was not on a par with other Disney live-action films like MARY POPPINS but it really is a fun and entertaining film. I've seen it a number of times over the years.

Dean Jones, then Disney's go-to guy, stars in SNOWBALL EXPRESS with Michael McGreevey and Kathleen Cody. Mister McGreevey and I talk occasionally these days on Facebook and I recently exchanged a few emails with Ms. Cody (also a DARK SHADOWS veteran). Dean Jones actually called me on the phone back in the nineties but it was at work on my day off so I didn't get to speak with him. 

Saturday, June 1st, 1974

A new month. School's out. I didn't go over the river today although tomorrow I might to see a movie. I saw a Peter Sellers flick and THE SAINT on TV. Also an animated STAR TREK episode.

Narrowly avoided IT this morning.

NOTES: The animated STAR TREK premiered a year earlier with well-written scripts and most of the original series cast doing voices. The problems with it were the half hour format, extremely limited animation, the fact that the actors all recorded their performances separately --leaving no room for real interaction--and waaaay too much annoying music!!

Friday,May 31st, 1974

The last day of school. For most of the best (and worst) years of my life, I went to that school. I guess I will miss it. But I'm glad I'm done. I got to leave as soon as I finished my exam so I met Terry and we went over to get the new books today. I got some new mags, old comics, a fanzine and. later, at the SS, a series of record albums featuring Donna Fargo in 5 minute radio shows on them. Those are neat!

For the second time in my life, I also bought a copy of THE LOS ANGELES TIMES with news of a bunch of new films.

NOTES: It was hard to be sad as I left the school as, in some ways, I blamed all my problems on it. Grades 1-6 had been great, every year better than the last. I was smart, popular enough, had friends and liked the teachers and the administrators. Sure there were issues from time to time but overall, I loved elementary school. Then they rehabbed the building and added on the huge section to the right in the photo which housed a cafeteria (we had never had one before), a library, study halls and a couple extra classrooms. Kids from schools all over town were bussed in and, from 7th grade on, it was  like living in an alternate universe from the one I was used to. I was still one of the smartest kids but I had few friends and no real new close ones,  I was ridiculed by bullies for my brains, my lack of athletic abilities and my early graying hair. I became really unhappy and school, a place I once defined myself by, became a real source of pain and depression. By ninth grade things had finally started to get a little better and now here I was looking at a whole new school the following year. 


I wanted to miss my old school and there have been times over the years that I have but for the most part, I was glad, after nine years, to finally be out.

Thursday, May 30th, 1974

Oh, the IPS exam seemed easy! I hope it was! I know I missed some though. I left a few blank and wasn't sure of a couple in Health.

I brought all my books home and studied some. I've got just 24 hours and one more exam to go.

I got out a bit early today.

I sold Tim those two movie passes so he could see PAPILLON. He gave me a dollar and I had only asked for 50 cents! I'll probably see BADLANDS this Sunday at The Place.

I drew a picture of Linda Blair as Regan in the movie. I think it's pretty good.

NOTES: I thought this was the picture I drew that day but this one is dated a year later, 1975. I think the one I drew that day was just a close-up of the possessed face. Yuck!

Wednesday, May 29th, 1974

Record time! I finished at work in less than 30 minutes tonight.

It stormed all afternoon.

I finished my Algebra exam with only one problem undone. I finished my Art exam except for a sketch which I get to do Friday. Tomorrow more exams. The hard ones! I have every class only one more time in the ninth grade. I can hardly believe that.

I worked on my IPS notebook tonight, finished reading my new horror book and then just listened to records and watched TV.

Almost two weeks since IT happened and it's all because of my love for Linda Blair. She's so beautiful. I love infatuation like this!

NOTES: And you thought girls were the only ones who thought about celebrity crushes like this. Hah! 

Tuesday, May 28th, 1974

We were supposed to go to the ball game tonight but since my tickets were free and I didn't want to see it, I just went so Mom could get in and then I left. I went up to Fountain News and picked up a TV GUIDE and a movie star directory and went home. As soon as I got there, I turned around and went back to get a bigger book with Linda in it. Then I watched the Emmy Awards.

I finally mailed those letters.

We had part of our Algebra exam today. Also, I got a 70 on my Blue Book test which I'm told is pretty good.

NOTES: Okay, even now that ball game thing seems odd to me. I can't imagine my mother wanting to go so bad that we'd do that. And where was my Dad? He was the Reds fan. Maybe he went and bought a ticket and I had to go to get her in free on the Straight A tickets. Don't know.

Monday, May 27th, 1974

Officially Memorial Day. We went out to Kings Island. For once I had a real good time. We saw a high wire walker, skydivers, hot air balloons, etc. I imagined being there with Linda B. I played lots of games in the Arcade, rode a couple rides (including the new Lion Country Safari where we waited in line an hour for the fifteen minute ride). I took 40 pictures! I hope they all turn out.

At Shillto's, I bought a book on horror films.

We got back about 8:30 and went over to clean for about a half hour, then came home and just sat around watching TV.

Oops! My ink pen's dyi...

NOTES: I couldn't ride rides at amusement parks due to my motion sickness issue so I really didn't have much to do normally at such places and, as I grew into a teen, often didn't go along with my parents. 


The person I described as "a high wire walker" was the great Karl Wallenda who that day set a skywalk record by crossing the park, reversing and crossing back the other way. It took him much of the day but he did it! Seen here is a pic I took when he was right over our heads. Four years later he would be less lucky and fall to his death in high winds. His son (grandson?) re-cereated the record-setting feat of 1974 at Kings Island a few years back.


Shillitos was the big department store in Cincinnati. Eventually it became Shillito-Rikes, then Lazarus, then Macy's. What it was doing open on a holiday--and late enough that I could buy a book there on the way home--I have no idea!

Sunday, May 26th, 1974

Tomorrow is Memorial Day but Mom and Dad went to the cemetery today without Aunt Rosie and Uncle Bill. She gave me a Beatles album and wants me to get copies of two of the pictures I took. Mom also bought me some new clothes while they were out and Dad got me three footlongs from Dairy Queen!

I saw Mike Oldfield do TUBULAR BELLS on TV.

I finally wrote the penpal letter. It's been almost three months since I heard from the other one.

I entered a NATIONAL ENQUIRER contest where they grant your wish. I wished to meet Linda Blair. In case that doesn't work, I also wrote to find out her address. (I also asked if they knew who was going to play on PLANET OF THE APES on TV this fall.) All day long I've been thinking about Linda Blair. I don't know what I'd do if I ever did meet her. I now have almost 40 different photos of her, though, and I still intend to see her movie eventually.

I saw on TV a Laurel and Hardy short and a special called MAGICAL MYSTERY TRIP THROUGH LITTLE RED'S HEAD. I was really attracted to the show. I don't know why.

I put a blotter I salvaged from SS on my desk this afternoon. I may not leave it long, though.

I didn't get to work on my story much if at all so I may not be able to turn it in after all. I'm having second thoughts about a writing career anyway. I'm thinking maybe of an acting or even a political career!

 


NOTES: As you can see, that TV special was a Depatie-Freleng animated, educational after-school special. With Timer! This being a Sunday, it may have been a rerun since obviously there was no school. 


Politics!!?? In time, I did get to do some acting and I've been told I'm pretty good at it. But politics!!??

Saturday, May 25th, 1974

All I got today was a couple more mags with Linda, three old comics and a TV GUIDE.

I saw CHOSEN SURVIVORS with Terry late this morning and SERPICO with Dad later in the day. They were both good and saw previews of two more movies I want to see.

I've got to write my penpal letter soon. I haven't gotten one in a long time.

NOTES: Literally Terry and I saw the 11:20 showing of the one movie at the Times, then I went home, had some lunch, then Dad and I took the bus back over and saw the other movie. I had more stamina in those days. 


In retrospect, CHOSEN SURVIVORS was no big deal. SERPICO, on the other hand, from its iconic poster to a great script and a riveting performance from Al Pacino that forever prevented him being stereotyped as a gangster after THE GODFATHER films. My dad loved it, too!

Friday, May 24th, 1974

I GOT Monday's strip! Great! Got it from Mrs. P.

I got THE PATRIOT and had two signers. I signed less than 10 myself. It's not half as good as either of its forerunners, though.

Debbie Ryland talked to me this morning and I mean, like, it REALLY made my day.

Just four more days of school.

I will definitely see one flick tomorrow and possibly two more. Mom got me free passes for the Newport Cinemas but they're only good if I go tomorrow afternoon.  We'll see.

NOTES: Well, what do you know? Two signatures. One reason I didn't remember them is that I don't even recall one of the signers. The other was another nerd that I had hung out with in 7th grade but somewhere along the way, he became cool. Within the next year or so he had a girlfriend and a van! We didn't hang out at all beyond this point as we obviously had nothing in common anymore. He actually signed it twice--once in pencil and then in en right under it. 


Debbie Ryland was an ultra-cute girl who had been in my class off and on since about the fourth grade. Her big brother was a bully but he was a year ahead of us so was no longer at this school. She had rarely given me the time of day before in all the time I'd known her.  I really do recall that walking on air feeling from talking with her today but have no recollection of the circumstances that led to that conversation.

Thursday, May 23rd, 1974

I got the new TBG.

I did a lot at work tonight.

Dad stayed home today.

I brought home my Algebra book. We won't need it anymore with only a week until school's out.

I still haven't gotten Monday's paper.

I'm to take the Blue Book test Tuesday now. (Illegible) one next week.

Tomorrow we're supposed to get THE PATRIOT. We get out of 5th period for everyone to have it signed. I never get mine signed anyway. Well, not much. Three in 7th grade and 1 in 8th.

NOTES: THE PATRIOT was the school yearbook. It was a slick paper, photocopied affair made up more like a magazine than a typical hardcover yearbook. 


I am nothing if not sentimental and maybe I'd feel differently if I had actually had a lot of friends in school. I just always felt that immediately having a book defaced seemed a bit drastic. One kid I didn't even like grabbed my 7th grade PATRIOT and signed it. After that I did get two others to sign it. I don't even recall who signed my 8th grade one but I think I managed to keep this new one away from everyone. Everyone else's copies may be all marked up but mine is still mint!

I'm weird.

Wednesday, May 22nd, 1974

I got an A and a B+ on my poems.

At 3rd period, Mr. Howard took myself and 8 others out to discuss the award controversy from yesterday. We came to no definite conclusions and a lot of people remain very upset.

Some lady where Mom works thinks she can get me the missing PEANUTS strip.

BILLY JACK's still on. I have another chance.

I'm supposed to take that Blue Book test tomorrow afternoon.

I watched TARZAN tonight to get an idea of what Ron Ely will be like as DOC SAVAGE. I think he's gonna be great! I really can't wait.

I also saw a special MERV GRIFFIN on location on the set of a new movie called THE KLANSMAN.

NOTES: Okay now these 34 year coincidences are getting weirder. On this date in history I wrote about TV Tarzan Ron Ely. On this date in history in 2012, I contacted Ron Ely regarding an upcoming interview to publicize an appearance!


THE KLANSMAN was a glorified B movie with Richard Burton and the ultimately infamous OJ Simpson. Merv was treating it as an A production with a major publicity boost. Didn't help. 


If I'm remembering correctly, it was all of the students who had been in the running fro the Academic award who were gathered together to be lectured by the Principal, Mr. Howard. The room we were taken to, by the way, was the Music room which happened to be my home room that year so I just sat in my regular seat. I don't believe the actual recipient was there but the girl who walked out in protest the day before was and loudly continued her protest some more. Her argument was that she had been there all three years and he had just moved into the area for the 9th grade. Since I had not only accepted the winner but genuinely believed he deserved it, I sat there reasonably distanced from it all just feeling the tensions in the room. 


The trophy that had been awarded was supposed to go in a trophy case where it would stay forever. The school, however, would only stay as a Junior High for about one or two more years. It sat empty for quite  a while and then reopened as an elementary school again. My son ended up going there for a single year. The first time we visited as parents, I checked the trophy case. The case was still there, adjacent to the office...but there were no trophies from when it had been a Junior High. 

Tuesday, May 21st, 1974

I had a dream last night that Debbie had moved back. I don't remember much else about it except that she was there and that made it a good dream. I thought of her a lot today. I really wish she'd never moved so far away.

What do you know? I did get an award. I was elected into the National Junior Honor Society. I got a pin, a card, a certificate and a flower. We all had to take an oath.  I think it's one of the best awards. 

I'm glad I didn't win the big one. Dan got it. I really think he deserves it but apparently others didn't. It started fights and one girl even walked out and went home! Oh, well.

The feel of summer is really here. Less than two weeks of junior high school remain.

I passed the Algebra test finally.

Wrote another poem inspired by Linda. I turned both in.

I hope to see SERPICO this weekend. And maybe a couple of others.

I discovered that after two and a half years of collecting, I'd finally missed a PEANUTS strip. Ugh.

NOTES: "So far away." Sigh...Everything's relative. She had moved to an area which is only about 15 minutes away by car. By bus, however, it was nearly an hour and then once you got off at the bus stop, you'd have to walk about two miles through confusing subdivisions. In 1974, my ONLY real source of transportation was the bus.


I was finishing 9th grade which technically means I was finishing my Freshman year of High School but for some bizarre reason when they had revamped my grade school into a Junior High, they added 7th, 8h AND 9th grades. So while I was leaving Junior High, I had already finished my first year f High School, too. Complicated. 


Odd that I seemed to appreciate the National Junior Honor Society thing so much that day as it was never mentioned or referred to again, nor was I ever added to the parent group, the National Honor Society, in spite of my exemplary grades. Why? No clue. As I said, it was literally never brought again. It was like the whole ceremony had simply never happened. I don't even have the pin, the card or the certificate anymore! (or the flower for that matter)


We'll have more to come on the controversy about the top academic award in days to come. Oddly enough, it WAS mentioned again. 

Monday, May 20th, 1974

Another big day. I would've flunked the Algebra test if Mr. Gamble hadn't said he wanted to talk to me about it more. I'll get to take it again. I actually brought my Algebra book home to study. First time this school year I think.

It was terribly hot today.

We went up to Holmes. Man, it's a big place! I don't think I'd mind going there if it wasn't for the fact that everyone else in my class will be going there, too. I picked up two copies of the Holmes newspaper while we were up there. Go to sit right behind Cheryl. Wish I had a chance with her.

Tomorrow's Honor Day. I don't expect to get any awards but I'd love to get that one for highest scholastic average.

Mr. Blanchard was absent and so didn't get to see my poem yet. Didn't get to rewrite my story either other than just starting it.

I still haven't made up the Blue Book Test. I haven't even mentioned it.

Tonight I watched my favorite Gidget flick again, the one with Karen Valentine.

Boy, what a day.

NOTES: So today was my first ever day at Holmes High School...even if it was just visiting. I was up there this past Wednesday in 2012 picking up my son. 


No idea (again) what this Blue Book Test was. 


The Gidget movie was GIDGET GROWS UP, a TV movie from just a couple years earlier starring Karen Valentine, Paul Lynde and my current Facebook friend Paul Peterson. 

Sunday, May 19th, 1974

It rained hard again this morning. I just played my new records a lot.

I wrote what I consider to be a lovely poem while thinking of Linda Blair. I also finished THE DARK AGE. One more quick rewrite and it'll be ready to turn in.

IT.

At work, we had to drag the ladder around and I had to pull one fluorescent light bulb from every single group of four to conserve energy.

A new sci-fi flick starts downtown at the Times on Wednesday.

NOTES: I'm surprised I didn't rant a bit more abut that light bulb thing. It's my recollection that it was a bit of a nightmare. If you weren't there, it's hard to realize how bad the Energy Crisis of the 1970's got...or at least seemed to get. A government edict came down on the lightbulb idea and since it was the Social Security Office, we were bound to comply. The office was lit by rows of fluorescent light fixtures, each with four bulbs inside and each with a cover that was a real bear to try to get off...especially without cracking it.


So that night we each had to do our regular cleaning and then Dad and I pulled the bulbs. Each bulb in the main area was about four feet long. In the conference rooms and the basement, they were six feet long!After I managed to wriggle each one out, thereby dimming its counterpart, we then had to figure out what to DO with the bulbs! They ended up lying on the floor in a little used storage room in the basement. For a couple of years. By the time we were instructed that we could replace them, many had been cracked or broken and had to be trashed. What a mess. 

Saturday, May 18th, 1974

A real rainy day. I went over to Cincy twice, only the second time with Terry. Got several big comics and mags, two MEDIASCENES, the new EC reprint (so soon!) and three underground comics including STAR* REACH. Terrific! The new PLANET OF THE APES paperback is out but I didn't get it. I got one Beatles album and three Beatles records.

Never did see BILLY JACK.

A Clint movie was on TV tonight I'd never heard of--TWO MULES FOR SISTER SARA. Better than some movies I've seen lately.

Got my pictures back today. Rachel is really photogenic.

Watched STAR TREK tonight.

NOTES: MEDIASCENE was a performing arts newspaper with an emphasis on fantasy, science-fiction and comics. It was published by former comics artist Jim Steranko. Last year, 2011, I got to hang with Jim for a few minutes behind his table at a Con. 


STAR*REACH was actually referred to by its publisher as a "ground-level" comic book rather than an underground as it featured uncensored stories by mainstream creators that weren't really all that different. Eventually newer and more experimental creators would be added to the mix. STAR*REACH pioneered the independent comics market that would go on to dominate the eighties. 


Eventually I did see BILLY JACK...multiple times. 


My photogenic cousin Rachel would have been 10 that year. Here's one of the only two shots I took of her in the 12 pics I had gotten developed from a recent family gathering. I liked this one so much I had it blown up, framed and presented her a copy of it. I still consider it one of the earliest indicators that I really could take good pictures and not just out of focus snapshots cutting off people's heads. Eventually I would get paid for my photography which technically means I was, briefly, a professional photographer. 


TWO MULES FOR SISTER SARA co-stars cowboy Eastwood with Shirley MacLaine as a Nun...sorta. It really is entertaining but for some reason remains one of his lesser-known starring vehicles.  

Friday, May 17th, 1974

On a bright sunshiny morning about a month or so from now, a telephone rings in New York City. "Hello, John." "Paul, get here as soon as you can, mate. We've been foolish. We were meant to be together. " "Alright, pal but what about...?" "I've already been in touch with Ringo and George. They're on their way." And they all meet in a rented studio and it starts all over again.  These were the kinds of thoughts going through my head on this rainy first day back at school.

Things worked out well enough. Later, I got my Kung-Fu book and a Beatles book. Might get a Beatles album tomorrow. Terry and a friend will be coming over with me tomorrow. Still plan on seeing BILLY JACK.

NOTES: Yes, having become a Beatles fan literally as the group was breaking up in 1970, I was one of the hordes clamoring for a reunion. We bought all the magazines with deceptive titles like THE BEATLES ARE COMING AGAIN and ate up all the rumors that dotted the real news fairly often such as the one about hoe the Fab Four would reunite for a charity concert for the UN or the Boat People.


Never happened, of course. John had Ringo and George on some of his albums. George used Ringo on his. Ringo would have Paul, John and George all on his but never all on the same cuts. Paul and John had actually gotten together in a Los Angeles studio in March of  this very year along with Harry Nilsson and Stevie Wonder. It's the last time the pair were ever recorded together and I wish I could say it was good. Instead, it's a virtually unlistenable cocaine-fueled jam session. Historically important in its own way but...a muddled musical mess to put it mildly.  


I maintain that, had Lennon lived, the only time the Beatles would have ever reunited would have been in animated form on an episode of THE SIMPSONS. And looking back from 2012, I realize that that would have probably been for the best.

Tuesday, May 16th, 1974

Home sick again.

IT but I destroyed the mags again.

I worked tonight, felt better finally and I know I'll be headed back to school tomorrow.

We got our check again. I'm getting to like this!

Found out Clint's new movie opens downtown next month!

NOTES:


Wish I could say I was in a position where I could like getting a check on a regular basis these days. :(


At this point in my mind, Clint Eastwood could not make  abad movie if he tried. Ah, I was so naive. Here's what I wrote recently about the movie I was SO looking forward to on this date:

As I've said, I was a big Eastwood fan by this point. But I hated this. Clint and Jeff Bridges as violent ant-heroes in Michael Cimino's excesses that just left me feeling yuck. Many love it, I know. I'm not one.

Wednesday, May 15th, 1974

Well I had to stay home again today. Took my medicine--pills, in an ice cream sandwich--and was some better after that.

I did go to work tonight but felt terrible afterwards.

IT.

I have to see THE SUPER COPS (R) sometime with David Selby and I'll probably make BILLY JACK this saturday at the Madison.

Watched Roddy on HOLLYWOOD SQUARES both yesterday and again today.

NOTES: As already noted two years later (in my other Journal) I didn't see SUPER COPS until it came on TV. It was, I believe, David Selby's only feature film starring role. Oddly enough, the DARK SHADOWS star is in the news again just this week for his cameo in the new DS movie. 


Note that no matter how bad I felt, IT was always a priority.

Tuesday, May 14th, 1974

I stayed home and went to the doctor and now I have to take some medicine.

Since I was home, I got to see a special 1930's show on MIKE DOUGLAS.

I'll probably return to school tomorrow.

Jeff Higgs told me that a girl actually fainted in a Glee Club presentation at school today!

The Social Security people didn't ;eave until very late tonight but I felt too rotten to go anyway.

NOTES: The nostalgia craze began in the late sixties and lasted about a decade. Everything old was hot again--books, movies, songs, dances, fashions. The twenties and thirties were huge in this period but the fifties had become the big deal by the end of the decade, probably thanks to the success of AMERICAN GRAFFITI and HAPPY DAYS and the failure of films such as DAY OF THE LOCUST, THE GREAT GATSBY and WON TON TON, THE DOG THAT SAVED HOLLYWOOD.


Jeff Higgs was a kid who was a year behind me. We had known each other since I was in second grade and he was in first. Last year, I spotted him on Facebook, a grey-haired psychologist now. We exchanged  a couple of emails. Ya gotta love the Internet.