Mug shots...

… when you would look at a movie poster and have no doubt that… THAT is a movie poster… RIP, the one, the only, Drew Struzan. This is one of my favorites, and not just because I like the movie.

Latest in my GOONALIENS series, “Elymyx,” acrylic on 12” X 16” canvas panel. Available for purchase.

“O Is For Offal” (1949) 78m. Bob Pillar, Sarah Knuckleday, Judson Armour. Educational film shows the history of insides from caveman insides right up to modern day businessman insides.

“Miss Pulchritude of 1936” (1936) 74m. Mary Appletrain, Lenny Doughstar, Jenny Garper. In the year 1936 a woman has a strange last name for some reason.

“Bullets Are My Semicolons” (1958) 93m. Kelder Fetting, Omaya Daws, Jean Manascule. A vigilante English teacher takes grammar into his own hands by swiping semicolons and making a dash for it.

“Clown B” (1960) 86m. Carper Wallday, Anita Drayson, Hollider Randerson. An international clown of mystery appears wherever a backup clown is needed. Cobbled from episodes of the television series.

“Dr. Alive’s House of Feasance” (1965) 86m. Chaney Goodleaf, Carla Pontine, Tennison Bibbs. An obsessed scientist in his underground lab experiments with methods of bringing back the living.

“The Incredulous Bowman” (1952) 87m. Walter Rottner, Barbara Lout, Henry Duckmeier. Commoner John Bowman becomes a Royal Archer and won’t stop talking about the coincidence until he’s beheaded.

Long time since I posted any these. “When Laughed We Met” (1943) 86m. Jenny Anwell, Billy Basin, Dola Knight. A beloved vaudeville couple reminisce about their life together and specific pies they’ve thrown.

Today would have been the 115th birthday of the great Robert McKimson who is probably my favorite of the Looney Tunes geniuses, and that is certainly saying something. Flanked here by two of his creations, who are also two of my favorite LT characters. Cheers and appreciation, Mr. M.

“Ogtott,” Golden Open acrylic on 12” X 16” canvas panel, latest in my new GOONALIENS series of paintings.

Thought I’d post this shot of my original shooting script to show the proper spelling of a certain word.

What kid didn’t wish he or she had these when they didn’t have them?

New painting, in a bit of Halloweenish mood. “Floont” was painted with Golden Open acrylic on 12”X16” canvas panel. First of what I’m calling my GOONALIENS series. If you’re interested in purchasing for yourself or as gift message me.

THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (2008) rockets along w/ gritty cinematic energy. Uli Edel’s directs Bernd Eichinger's script with the ice cold docudrama of a 70s film. Cast is superb, especially the intense three shown on the right: Moritz Bleibtreu, Johanna Wokalek & Martina Gedeck. Highly recommended.

Me, looking at my newsfeed every morning.

MORE ON AI SENSATION TILLY NORWOOD Recent quote: “I would like to star in a new summer action love-buster as a brave but courageous heroine but can still laugh-cry with the guys over Coke and pretzels.”

MORE ABOUT TILLY NORWOOD Hobbies include popping up in random video games just as some poor dope is about to reach next level. Known for onset hissy fits and refusing to leave her flash drive.

MORE STUFF ABOUT TILLY NORWOOD On résumé under Special Talents: can break down and reassemble as donkey or great ape depending on role. Costars have complained about that “artificial odor” and “new CG smell.” Supposed source of the expression “crying pixel tears.” (more)

STUFF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT RISING AI STAR TILLY NORWOOD Tilly Norwood has had a lot of work done. Can trace her lineage to a second cousin of Sonic the Hedgehog and a chair from 101 DALMATIANS. Allegedly slept with important bitcoins to get where she is. (more)

When I was a little kid I thought Gen. Grant looked like Rod Serling. If his 5 o’clock shadow went to 10. Now? Not so much. But that's how important Rod was to me even before I knew of his works. He was the guy that opened a door to the unknown. It's 66th ann. of TWILIGHT ZONE. Long live Rod Serling

Meanwhile...

A.I., at the prospect of being unleashed en masse, prior to any kind of regulation or full understanding of its widespread ramifications…

Gene (Leon Morgan) and Mike (Frank Bonacci) try to figure it out in WELCOME TO THE FUTURE (2019). Brought new fans to this gem written/directed by Frank Bonacci. Cast deserves props for concentration, shooting on the sly at NY. Fine performances, script, direction. Free on YouTube. Love this movie.

Idea for that new den.

Interesting.

Not too long ago I watched the 1974 version of THE GREAT GATSBY on TCM. Perhaps because my expectations were lowered by what I’d read, but I ended up enjoying far more than expected. There’s much to recommend, including Robert Redford’s enigmatic performance. RIP to an actor of great integrity.

“The Steel Needle” painted in art school, inspired by person on my bus commute. She turned up in my early Nicholl Fellowship finalist screenplay IN THE NOONDAY SUN (think: Hitchcock on acid) as a serial killer with a trademark needle. It included this rooftop scene where the protagonist is stalked.

That time of year… Revisiting one of my favorite subgenres: Japanese sci-fi/detective-noir hybrids, which includes Toho’s unofficial “Transforming Humans Trilogy.”

I find I don’t have room for hate. Frankly, I can’t afford it. I have too much to do, and too many to care about, and the cost of storing it, maintaining it, nurturing it, is far too dear.

The back cover of every mystery-thriller-cop-crime paperback.

I'm a longtime fan of John Garfield’s final film HE RAN ALL THE WAY (1951). @eddiemuller.bsky.social just showed it on Noir Alley. Garfield and cast is superb. As is John Berry’s direction, Hugo Butler-Dalton Trumbo script, James Wong Howe camera, Waxman score. Such a loss, Garfield. Such a loss.

Scribbly stuff.

As a kid I looked forward to cartoons with monsters, including Chuck Jones' “Sniffles and the Bookworm” (1939) even though Frankenstein monster is only on at the end. Always loved Carl Stallings’ compelling music & someone just pointed out it's cribbed from Wagner's Giants motif from Das Rheingold.

One of my favorite villains on THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN was Rolfe Sedan’s insane Dr. Watts in “The Big Freeze,” the one who repeats the last words of every sentence… every sentence. Hopelessly addled & gleefully mercenary this mad scientist rather refreshingly comes off as the Anti-Pepperwinkle.

On Labor Day, celebrating classic "job comedies." Caught THE MILKMAN (1950) on TCM: ok movie but didn't quite fit. FULLER BRUSH MAN came 1st in 1948. Can’t help think its solid box office helped inspire other 3 gems, all released in 1950. The great Frank Tashlin was involved in writing 3 of these.

Can't believe I'd never seen ELMER GANTRY. Burt Lancaster is a powerhouse, Jean Simmons carefully layered in film's most interesting role. Shirley Jones’ vengeful prostitute knocked me out. Arthur Kennedy, engaging & complex as a flinty reporter. Directed by Richard Brooks, shot by great John Alton.

The road to banality is paved with depth and meaning. I’ve come to realize that each of us is like a bicycle. Only instead of wheels we have legs. And instead of a handbrake, we simply stop walking. Also we don’t have bells.

I just ate an entire dinner using a SALAD FORK. Someone has been pulling a real con job! Currently writing mystery-thriller where all the people who chewed a particular piece of gum are murdered one by one. I hate when a faux pas is past its explanation date.

It might seem like a mountain until you start climbing and realize it’s only ground that goes up. In Greek mythology didn’t the media kill its own children? Pitching LAWN AND ODOR, hard-hitting cases involving illegal yard smells.

Seldom heard: “Looks like real nougat weather.” If you’re watching a two-person short starring two persons who are short is the cast two persons short? Make computer work more fun by using evocative Conrad Veidt-like gestures on your keyboard.

Some inconsequential thoughts… That new snack food Negotiables is now available, prices upon request. I’m terrible with geography — which is the “blood state?” Somebody threw out a bunch of bubble wrap. All that air, wasted. Don’t put what you’re doing down, put down what you’re doing.

From the late great sorely-missed incomparable Bernie Wrightson. A typically astonishing piece of work that makes Halloween feel a little closer...

Early in my illustrating there was a point when I was messing around with colored pencils and whipped up this comic story fragment. With an assist from Sharpie.

DJS reports... Book signing today in LA. Tonight, 7PM at Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., LA 90027. That is all...

Ten portraits now residing in the Lost Skeleton virtual gallery. Message me if you’re interested in commissioning your favorite “creature” character. Even your second favorite.

Terence Stamp in THE LIMEY (1999) & THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (1994). The media's all General Zod, but this was such a fine actor who chose his roles very carefully & made every movie he was in more compelling (most recently viewed on TCM, Pasolini’s TEOREMA). RIP at age 87.

A new addition to the Lost Skeleton gallery! And actually the first human in the series (when she’s not being four forest animals). A commissioned portrait of Animala herself. If you're interested in commissioning one of these paintings message me.

The rollicking adventure NATE AND HAYES (1983) features a good deal of action around a German ironclad. The filmmakers converted a fishing vessel & the gun turret may be a bit fantastic but its use in the action/mechanics is so nicely detailed it doesn’t really matter. First-rate swashbuckling here.