Sunday, June 16th, 1974

We went to Church. Today is Father's Day.

Almost accidentally did IT later but I can't risk my horoscope not turning out right tomorrow.

After about six years of the same record player, I finally today picked up a new needle along with a Nilsson record from SON OF DRACULA.

NOTES: I've been a big Harry Nilsson fan ever since I first heard that smoooooth voice of his. He really wasn't an actor though and SON OF DRACULA, a drug-fueled horror musical produced by and co-starring Ringo Starr (as Merlin) ended any hope that he might be, Had some good music though including DAYBREAK, the record I bought on this day.

Saturday, June 15th, 1974

I went with Dad over to the Post Office early this morning and took some pictures along the way. He let me out downtown on the way back and I went to OBS. They've sold almost their entire collection up front.

Narrowly avoided IT later in the day but the point was I DID avoid it thanks to thinking about my horoscope. IE: "Cupid has special plans for you." I hope for once it's true.

I passed up NATIONAL LAMPOON to get Dad a Father's Day card. I'm glad I did that.

I watched HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING on TV.

NOTES: I still have the pics I took that day including one of my dad walking toward the Post Office (where he worked) while I sat in the car. You can see him walking away and you can also see me in the rear-view mirror holding my camera to take the photo. Of course, I couldn't find it to post here but I know I've seen it recently.


HOW TO SUCCEED... was, after CABARET, one of the few soundtrack albums I ever bought...and I picked it up used. Not a huge fan of the movie but I do enjoy the songs.


In another odd time coincidence, today in 2012 I mailed out what I believe was my last original issue of NATIONAL LAMPOON to a person who bought it from me over the Net the other day. 

Friday, June 14, 1974

The television man was supposed to come today but I ventured across the river anyway. Later he called and explained that he couldn't make it anyway.

I got VAMPI, SPIRIT and FIGHTING STARS with another great big article on Bruce Lee. Also got TBG in the mail and later on Terry stopped by and gave me the new MONSTERS UNLEASHED to make up for the buck fifty he owed me.

Had seven coneys but it made me a bit sick for a while.

Mrs. Pritchett brought down her grandbaby for a while tnight. I'm not used to babies and I don't want to get used to them as I never want one.

NOTES: FIGHTING STARS was a magazine about celebrity martial artists that fortuitously premiered only weeks before Bruce Lee's death. Their initial cover story was on ENTER THE DRAGON and how Bruce was poised to become a big star. After he died and the film was released, it became a huge seller and lasted several years with every issue seeming to feature more Bruce articles amidst stories of Robert Conrad and William Shatner breaking boards and Larry Hagman (bald with a porn star mustache) doing high kicks. As the martial arts craze settled down after a few years, the mag went away.


As a kid I ate 2 coneys ata  time, then 3, then 4, 5 and 6. Around this time, I was experimenting with moving up my regular meal to 7. Didn't work. 6 ended up being my ideal as far as being filling and not tearing up my gastrointestinal system. To this day, I get 6 at a time when we can afford them at all...although I often eat 3 and save 3 for later. 


I was never around babies much. Little kids, sure. But not babies. My friend Timmy got a baby brother when we were 5 but we moved away soon after. Debbie had a baby brother but she had little to do with him when I was around so I didn't see him much. She and I once babysat for a little baby girl for a couple hours but the baby mostly slept while we watched TV. My cousins Rachel and Andrea were babies when i met them but we only saw them once a month or so and they grew quickly. There just weren't a lot of babies I ever knew!


That said, I think it was the lack of experience with them that made me write I didn't want any. Later on, after I'd been married a few years,  my "biological clock" kicked in. I would see fathers and daughters come into my store shopping and I absolutely started longing for a daughter. I wanted a daughter right up until the moment they told us ours was a boy. Immediately then I wanted a son more than anything in the world. And I ended up with the best one ever!

Thursday, June 13th, 1974

IT.

I went and got 3 burgers and then Dad got me 2 more later!

I watched Lilias' Yoga show.

I fixed the alarm clock to wake me up at 1 AM so I could catch TOMORROW with comic collector Mitchell Mehdy, the guy who bought ACTION COMIC # 1 for $1801.26. He didn't sound to knowledgeable fan-wise but he sure had some good books there including MICKEY MOUSE'S CHRISTMAS from 1938, the only existing copy in the world! There were also a couple of fully clothed streakers as guests. Overall, it was worth the hour of sleep I lost.

I took the Coke picture, today.

NOTES: LILIAS, YOGA AND YOU was a long-running PBS yoga show based locally out of Cincinnati's WCET, Channel 48. Lilias Folan was kind of hot. Years later, she came in my store once or twice.


TOMORROW was Tom Snyder's sometimes controversial overnight talk show. 


Mitchell Mehdy is apparently now a prominent attorney in San Diego. At the time he was ridiculed for paying so much for a comic book that used to be worth ten cents! He got tons of publicity though. In more recent times, of course, ACTION COMICS # 1 has been selling for more than a million and a half. 


Wish I knew what that Mickey Mouse comic book was that he had. The closest I can find listed is a 1939 one entitled MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MICKEY MOUSE which is listed as "Rare" but hardly the only existing copy.


I think the Coke picture was one where I tried to be artsy. I set up a cardboard background and positioned various Coke bottles around it to take a photo. I was teaching myself about design but it really didn't work out well. I don't think I have it anymore. 

Wednesday, June 12, 1974

Well, I mailed the letter. I hope she gets it. I also wrote and mailed my penpal letter.

There aren't any films that I'll see this week although there are a few I'd like to. But not in Louisville. We got the COURIER-JOURNAL from down there and there wasn't even anything worth clipping out.

I played my Marlo album and The Partridge Family's Christmas record this afternoon. Unorthodox, yes, but it made me feel good. Later  on I saw Marlo on MERV.

Late tonight we got our own new telephone books delivered. We gave the man all 27 old ones they threw out at the Social Security office!

NOTES: I really used to enjoy playing Christmas music in the summer. Always made me feel good...and cool on a hot day! I find in recent years I don't tend to listen to it even in the Winter. A PARTRIDGE FAMILY CHRISTMAS CARD was a pretty good album as pop Christmas records went. The highlights were a couple of songs where Shirley Jones soloed, something that just didn't happen on other Partridge albums. In fact, she was rarely on the other albums at all!

Tuesday, June 11th, 1974

I wrote what I think is a very nice letter to Linda. I'm praying that she'll answer it. I'll probably mail it tomorrow.

THE SUPER COPS is through being read.

For once tonight there was something good on TV for a change. THE SNOOP SISTERS.

I saw Rex Reed on DONAHUE. Saw the creator of Barbie on TV, too.

The Cool Ghoul will be back for a telethon on Saturday.

I got to work early and finished by 6:30.

A nearly perfect day was dampered but not ruined by IT.

NOTES:I sold that copy of THE SUPER COPS a long time ago but ended up getting a different copy a few years ago in a box of assorted paperbacks.


The Cool Ghoul was Cincinnati's own horror host but he'd been off the air for a couple of years by that point. He would continue to make appearances until his passing nearly three decades later!


Film critic Rex Reed was (and presumably still is) an arrogant know-it-all but I do enjoy his writing. Today in 2012, Facebook suggested I friend him as we have several mutual friends!


THE SNOOP SISTERS was a fun but short-lived mystery series in the 90 minute Mystery Movie mode. It starred Helen Hayes and Mildred Natwick as two aging, eccentric mystery writers who constantly stumble upon real mysteries. I was able to re-watch the whole series a couple of years back and it holds up very well indeed. 


I'm so embarrassed by all this gushy Linda Blair stuff.  

Monday June 10th, 1974

Yesterday, I found out that Linda would be in AIRPORT, 1975. Today I received her writing address from the ENQUIRER. Tomorrow I'll write her. I hope.

Wasn't sick at all today.

I saw Marlo Thomas and Barry Manilow on TV this morning.

I took the trash out early and so was home to see TARZAN again.

The guy next door gave off hints that he's a teacher and that he would be teaching at CJH next year. Ah, good ol' CJH!

I pray that Linda writes me back. Who knows? Maybe we'll start a long friendship!

I hear from Terry that SUPERDAD is coming near and DELIVERANCE, too. Might see that but probably not. DIGBY maybe?

NOTES: I had mentioned recently about Dean Jones in SNOWBALL EXPRESS. Jones had been Disney's major leading man for several years but behind the scenes had developed a drinking problem. The studio quietly tried replacing him with Ken Berry and, in SUPERDAD, Bob Crane, both squeaky clean types. Only it turned out Crane wasn't at all squeaky clean as he was a sex addict whose reputation by that point was getting the better of him. SUPERDAD reportedly sat on the shelf for a year before finally being released. I wouldn't see it until a few years later on TV. Crane would infamously be murdered not long after I finally saw it. 


Not sure why I noted seeing Barry. I wasn't a big fan of his. Years later, though, my wife would convince me to see a concert and it was the best live concert I had seen up to that time. 


Sigh...this pining over Linda Blair is getting embarrassing. She's one of my Facebook friends. Hope she doesn't see this. 


DELIVERANCE? Really? Doesn't seem like it would have been my type of flick at all at that point.

Sunday, June 9th, 1974

Felt better again today. Cleaned out most of my school stuff and then just lay around and read the rest of the day. I took a few more pictures but read nearly all of SUPER COPS. I'll finish it tomorrow.

NOTES: In the eighty movies I saw in 1974, it's interesting to note some major films I had no interest in at that time. In many cases, I did see these films later on TV or video but, at 15, I just didn't care.


ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE
AMARCORD
THE CONVERSATION
DARK STAR
EMMANUELLE
FEMALE TROUBLE
FOXY BROWN
THE GODFATHER PART II
THE GREAT GATSBY
HARRY AND TONTO
LENNY
MAME
PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE
THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT
A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Saturday, June 8th, 1974

After this morning, my stomach felt much much better the rest of the day and my headache was gone completely.

I stayed home, though. Watched TV. Helped Mrs. Pritchett and earned 75 cents!

All 40 pictures took and took good!

Mom got me the SUPERCOPS book today at Woolworths. Boy, that'll be some movie. And it's going off in about a week already!

I got my first look in the attic yesterday but I couldn't see a thing!

I killed an insect which might have been a locust! I think so. Dad says it was a bee.

NOTES: I don't think I was being facetious when I put the exclamation mark after "75 cents." It really WAS a big deal back then! 


I remember really enjoying THE SUPER COPS. There was a comic book tie-in as well (by Gray Morrow). As I've noted already, I wouldn't see the movie until it hit TV a couple years later and it wasn't really very good.


The pictures I was referring to would have been the Kings Island ones I took. Odd that I took 40 and yet I only know of about 8 that I still can put my hands on.


Lime most comics collectors, I had always envisioned finding a secret stash of mint condition comics up in the attic. Didn't happen.

Friday, June 7th, 1974

I still had a bad headache coupled with a stomach ache. It was very hot. I didn't end up going with Terry but I met him. Ended up loaning him a quarter. I only got a few mags. Even have money left!

I got my penpal letter already.

I made myself some vegetable soup for lunch and tonight had chili and coneys.

NOTES: How bad could my stomach have hurt if I ate all that? Wish I had money. I could use some Covington Chili. Haven't had any lately.

Thursday, June 6th, 1974

I didn't feel good all day today. They predicted rain but it was all very sunny. I went to see the 007 double-feature because I thought it might make me feel better. It did a little. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER is still my second favorite Bond flick.

After the movies, I got FM and THE SHADOW.

No locusts yet.

I managed to finish work again tonight in time to see TARZAN.

Summer won't really start from me until I hear from THE ENQUIRER. I just hope whatever I hear from them I hear before July.

It was almost this time last year (June 2nd?) when I got pretty sick out at the drive-in. Heatstroke maybe? I hope this doesn't last.

NOTES: The bit about THE ENQUIRER was in reference to my entry into THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER's contest to grant a wish. In my case, that wish was to meet Linda Blair. Needless to say, it wasn't going to happen but at that point I was still optimistic.


My favorite 007 movie, btw, was and remains GOLDFINGER.


More of Ron Ely's TARZAN. Still trying to work out that interview in 2012.


When I mentioned locusts, I meant cicadas. I just didn't know it at that point. 


FM was, as always, FAMOUS MONSTERS rather than anything musical related. THE SHADOW was most likely the first of the new paperback reprint series with STERANKO covers. 


I don't recall getting really sick at the drive-in. As I've mentioned before, only once was I ever able to convince my Dad to take me and that was in 1971. A few times after that Terry's Mom took us to see monster flicks or a Raquel Welch picture. 

Wednesday, June 5th, 1974

The lowest exam grade I got was a C in IPS! Otherwise I got all A's and B's.

All the girls at school today for report cards wore next to nothing! Hot pants and halter tops!

THE EXORCIST's last days have increased to 21 days. Three more weeks of waiting.

THE SUPER COPS is saying "Last 14 days."Need to catch that one.

There's a Bruce Lee triple feature at a drive-in.

I did IT rather accidentally today but still it counts as IT.

I saw a good movie on TV with a girl that kind of resembled Linda Blair--THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT.

NOTES: We didn't have an actual dress code that I recall in school but there were some items not permitted and those included hot pants and halter tops.  Thus my surprise to note that many of the girls I had been going through school with were...well... growing up.


THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT became and remains a favorite movie. Technically it stars Peter Sellers but in reality it stars two young teenage girls who become obsessed with Sellers' concert pianist and essentially become non-threatening stalkers. The actress who reminded me of Linda B was Tippy Walker (R in the picture above).

Tuesday, June 4th, 1974

I got up at 6:30 and watched HAZEL. There isn't going to be much good on TV all this week.

I narrowly avoided IT today but this time I managed to WIN!

Tomorrow's the last official day of school--Report Card Day. I suppose Doug knows I'll pick him up.

It's been five weeks since I ordered that book and I'm tired of anticipating it every day. It's always such a letdown when it doesn't arrive.

Tomorrow, if it matinees, I'll probably see a 007 double feature.

I've decided to ride the bus out to the Showcase Cinemas to see SINBAD if it matinees when it starts in a couple of weeks.

I watched a TV movie with Ted Bessell and Barbara Feldon. I'd seen it before and didn't like it but this time I thought it was terrific.

NOTES: Looks like that movie I watched was a TV movie entitled WHAT ARE BEST FRIENDS FOR? In addition to the stars mentioned above, it also starred Larry Hagman and Lee Grant along with sone great character actors. It was directed by Jay Sandrich, one of THE great sitcom directors. All that said, I have exactly NO memory of this film today.


HAZEL was the almost classic sitcom with Shirley Booth as the perfect maid and housekeeper. It was, I would find out later, based on a comic panel by cartoonist Ted Key who also did a strip I loved as a kid, DIZ & LIZ, in JACK & JILL.

Monday, June 3rd, 1974

It started off as a good day. A little hot but... I went to Cincinnati, picked up a few books I missed and a couple of old ten cent ones at OBS. Then I had to ruin it all with IT for the first time in a while.

I haven't been paying enough attention to Linda Blair lately. Guess I'll have to make up for that.

NOTES: Not much to say here. Here are three comic books I may have purchased that day as I definitely bought all of these and they would have been out right around that time of that year. 

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.