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NOVAE TERRAE #27 - Vol. 3 No. 3 (Nov 1938)
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CONTENTS
Editor: Maurice K. Hanson STOP PRESS additions to NEWS REVIEW Remember the cylinder buried at New York addressed to people of A.D. 6939? (See last NEWS REVIEW). We learn that a copy of AMAZING STORIES has been placed inside to represent modern science- fiction....William F. Temple has short Time story accepted by AMAZING for publication early in the new year....Universal planning greatest horror film of all "THE SON OF FRANKENSTEIN," with all three horror kings, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Peter Lorre. Taste forbids that we make any comment on the Monster's lack of patience with his Bride....
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Editorial.. During the last few months 120 copies of each issue of NOVAE TERRAE have been bought and paid for, and in addition to the purchasers of these it is safe to assume that there are at least another 80 persons who read the magazine. Behold, then, our vast and far-flung reader-audience, two hundred fans, rabid devotees of scientific fiction, all seething and burbling over with enthusiasm. They it is who are out to get things done; some are world-builders, some authors of renown; others specialize in science, in astronautics, sociology or polemics. Here are men of action and superiority, the cream of our race. Let there be no mistake, for they are no idle dreamers. Yet strange it is that out of these swarming hundreds a mere twelve were prompted to support the "Investigation" feature in the August NOVAE TERRAE, a feature that was to have revealed all the most vital secrets of scientific fiction. Such an absurd response of course necessitates discontinuation of the feature. A short article in our next issue will be the only memorial to the gallant twelve. But what of the remaining 188 members of the species Homo Superior? We dare not and will not molest them further; rather will we leave them to the exalted- delights of their chosen form of literature, leave them to the unutterable joys of their god-like activities.
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THE MYSTERY OF SEX! by Douglas W. F. Mayer Accustomed as I am to being shocked, startled, or even flabbergasted by some of the things I see in s-f. magazines, rarely before have I been to utterly dumbfounded as I was when I saw, tucked nicely in "The Reader Speaks" Dept. of the Dec. THRILLING WONDER, a masterly epistle which I had authored, and yet which bore the signature of "Dorothy F. Mayer." To one not used to having one's letters plagiarised by some fair maiden, this metamorphosis was bewildering. Who was this "Dorothy F. Mayer, " who not only pinched my juicy phrases, but actually lived at my address? It was strange I had not met her. Or was she, perhaps, the much discussed skeleton in the family cupboard? Here was a problem before which Einstein himself might have quailed. I, of course, didn't. Bringing my powers of analysis and deduction to bear on the data at my disposal, I finally evolved several hypotheses which might account for this supernormal phenomenon.
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Whilst constructing a probability curve to decide
which of these hypotheses was most correct, my
bewilderment turned to amusement on the receipt of a
couple of semi-amorous letters from U.S.A., both
expressing desire on the part of the masculine writer,
to correspond with a foreign female. Having no wish,
however to go through life as a pantomime dame, I
was wondering what to do about it all, when there
drifted through the letter-box a communication from
Leo Margulies, Editorial Director of T.W.S. It appeared that hypothesis (a) was almost correct, as Mr. M. hastened to apologise for the error, and assured me that the mistake was due to the printer. Perhaps Freud would explain the printer's lapse as the result of a sexual repression produced in early childhood, or maybe, as I suggested above, he'd got a squint or a hangover. However, the Reader Speaks is apparently the last department to go to press, and the boner wasn't noticed until a few thousand odd copies had been turned out. Happily, Mr. Margulies has kindly promised to correct the error in the next issue, and thus goes one better than the editor of a small-town paper who, after erroneously reporting the death of a local citizen, offered to correct it by means of a free insertion in the next day's "Births" column! And so, another baffling mystery has been solved by the forces of reason and intelligence. And in case the harassed reader is still wondering what this article is about, let us place it on record that my name is, was and for a long time to come (I hope!) will continue to be Doro- (dammit, I'm getting mixed myself now) -- Douglas W. F. Mayer!
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Cosmic Case No. 4 by D. R. Smith
Icauntren 397-5757 and others versus Homo Sapiens 397-5756. At the Hall of Justice, Planet Nedirem. Before the President of the Court of Racial Rights and the Adjudication Committee. Sir Wallace Loret defending.In passing Judgement, the President summed up as follows: "This is the first case of its type to appear before this Court, the grievance of the prosecutors being the publication of libellous statements, which is not an offence that can be usually charged against an entire Race. If, however, the insulting statements are shown, as in this instance to be approved of by the whole Race, then this Race may be prosecuted for its libellous attitude of mind. "The actual statements complained of are contained in certain writings known as scientific romances, which have been popular amongst the members of the Race Homo Sapiens for some time. They are nothing but elaborate lies and Sir Wallace has pleaded that this fact being clearly understood by all the readers, there can be no libel. I do not agree. An insult is aggravated by it being palpably false, not ameliorated. "The first point complained of is that the writings frequently attributed loathsome physical forms to Races other than Homo Sapiens. Sir Wallace asked for an explicit instance and the Icauntren Counsel gave the worst one he could, in which the Icauntren have been described as single- celled, formless
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creatures. Unfortunately this
description applies exactly to one of the other prosecutors,
and the representative of this Race protested
hotly. I was forced to rule that no case existed on
this point, since to any one Race all other Races are
loathsome physically. "After this controversy the prosecutors were ill-advised in continuing with their second point, that these forms are such as to argue relationship between the Races concerned and certain of lower forms of life known to Homo Sapiens. Sir Wallace naturally pointed out that there was an even closer relationship between the shapes described and the shapes of prominent Races, some of them amongst the prosecutors. Unfortunately these latter concluded that Sir Wallace was comparing them to the vermin on his own planet, and a disgraceful scene ensued. I cannot help thinking that Sir Wallace's defensive measures were unnecessarily thorough, especially as the delay incurred in replacing the representatives of the Race concerned was quite lengthy. The point was finally abandoned by the prosecutors themselves. "Thirdly, these romances depict other Races as so ill-mannered as to make the destruction of Homo Sapiens their sole object. This is definitely libellous, and Sir Wallace's insolent attempt to draw a comparison with the present proceedings is almost actionable of itself. "Lastly, is the fact that Homo Sapiens is always depicted as defeating such attackers. That is as much as to say that all Races are inferior to Homo Sapiens. Sir Wallace said that this statement could not be proved false, since no such vulgar brawls as are referred to are likely to take place and it was therefore justifiable, or alternatively that not even the most gulible of readers would believe such things as these perpetual victories possible. The first of these statements is absurd, since the inferiority of Homo Sapiens is axiomatic, and requires no proof; the second is false since it is a line of reasoning that would not be adopted by a normal reader.
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"I order, therefore, that all such writings
as are covered by the third and fourth points be
destroyed and that no more such be conceived." Sir Wallace: "Mr. President, I protest. Your judgement will invalidate the Formula to which these scientific romances are constructed, and cause great distress to the authors. These are the most delicate and sensitwe members of my Race, and it will distress them greatly to have to think of a new Formula." The objection was over-ruled.
"Cosmic Case No. 4" was written by D.R.Smith upon an idea suggested by Arthur C. Clarke.
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COMMENT ON "THE PANIC" We take it that there is no need to recount the details of the panic in America caused by the broadcast bowdlerized version of H.G. Wells's "War of the Worlds" - most fans must know them by now. The point of interest is, what part did the popularity of s-f in that country play in the affair? In the days before the news-stands were flooded with so many s-f pulps, would such an improbable idea as the invasion of Earth by Martians be accepted so widely with so little doubt? Unquestionably, a large part of the U.S. population is now very familiar with these sensational s-f themes, and unfortunately it is the sensational aspect of them that attracts most interest - witness the popularity of the lurid Flash Gordon series. As an examination of their newspapers, magazines films, and radio broadcasts will show, our transatlantic cousins are fed on sensationalism to a dangerous degree. The emotional side of everything is always heavily emphasized. Such mis-education leads to chronic emotional instability, a difficulty in thinking clearly and reasonably, and results in waves of hysteria like the recent one. But, argues the s-f fan, supposing hostile Martians had really landed? If the Americans had not already had their minds prepared to accept such a possibility, through familiarity with s-f, would not their refusal to believe and act accordingly have caused worse chaos? That is a point, certainly. But, in fact, there is little difference between having a mind closed by panic and a mind closed by unimaginativeness. What should be cultivated is the open mind, and that is impossible without calmness of the emotions. Therefore we say, cut the sensationalism-for-sensationalism's sake out of modern s-f. It is a branch of literature that is taking too long to mature out of the schoolboy stage.
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"THIS MAN IS NEWS." A Few Topical Items About H.G.Wells. He was seen dining at Quiaglino's one night last week.... A NOVAE TERRAE reporter, recently snooping in the vicinity of his London house (13, Hanover Terrace, Regent's Park) noticed that he had green stair-carpet....his new novel APROPOS OF DOLORES contains some fanciful biology, but is not s-f.... He is planning a long holiday in Australia very soon... Last week, old abandoned Stoll Film Studios held an auction to dispose of film rights of many of his stories, including "The Country of the Blind" and "Kipps." Only bidder was Wells's son, G. P. Wells. His offers refused. Any other offers? .... He becomes a film star! Hendon Classic this month advertises "H. G. Wells In 'Things to Come"'.... He wrote the main article in the SUNDAY CHRONICIE, Oct.30th. It was about himself, called "My Life - What It Has Taught Me," We publish an extract herewith:-
"..it seemed to me an exasperating fact that I was running about on the surface of a relatively vast globe with an entirely inaccessible interior, and Jules Verne's "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" was a considerable consolation to my imagination for the hopeless superficiality of my practical existence. The planet Earth, the "home of life," was really a locked up house, and I was living outside it. Verne's story disregarded all I knew about heat and pressure, so I thought as little as possible about that aspect of it and with that reservation it did in a way let me in. The immensity of space, too, distressed me for a time like an unanswered challenge .... To my mind there was a sardonic twinkle in the silent watching stars that pressed home the idea of my insignificance more eloquently than any words. Coupled with the immensity of space was the immensity of time. For years my greedy little mind was torn between the limitations of its own range and its innate insatiability..." |
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SCRIPSI........ From a Proof-Reader - Eric. S. Needham, Manchester. This latest N.T. is a great improvement on all the previous ones, and I can only find three spelling mistakes, five misprints, two over-spacings and one rare case of missed inverted commas. But on Page 11 there are 8 dots after "Scipsi" and on Page 17 there are 10. Whose fault is this? Theism and Theistic - from Francis H.P.Knight, Walsall. Mr Longly is somewhat exacting, although I suppose he is entitled to ask for what he wants. Why does he write "theistic" with a small "t" whereas I did not. I see great need for cheerfulness in Cosmology, and think that it is most reasonable. Olaf Stapledon in a recent article, speaks of the idealism of the Early Christians. Olive Schreiner in her collected stories, "Dreams", speaks of the gifts of the angels (shall we call them?) to the sleeping infant. "The ideal shall be real to him." I would offer this definition of God; that the Infinite, the Supreme Being, the Creator is a Divine Man, an uncreated Being, adequate to the creation and the preservation of the Universe, infinitely possessing in perfection, the attributes of the Highest Being of which we finites have conception, i.e. Man. Evolutionists and others allow that Man Is the A~pex of Creation and therefore must reveal the nature of his Origin, which, however may be greater and grander than any conception that Man inspires. But the Creator and Source cannot be less than the Highest Creature. He may be be more. The existence of evil in all its forms and aspects is due to the perversity of Man and in no sense obscures or reflects upon the Perfection of the First Cause.
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We speak of God as One 'before whom the generations
rise and pass away.' May it not be that each
generation is offered the gift of Eternal Life beyond
the furthest Universes and also here and now? I would
like to reccrnnend "Rationalists Should Be Christians"
by Pulsford (New Church Press). It gives the religious
teaching of Swedenborg, an eminent and acknowledged
scientist truly prophetic in his day. I do
not accept all. Swedenborg foresaw that some would
accept a part only of his teaching, and does not
condemn them. Re Our Last Issue - from David McIlwain, Liverpool. It bore an outstanding cover, and a cover with a point in it. Nice work, Mr. Williams. The Editorial is the quintessence of pessimism....even "All is Dust" Les Johnson would be hard put to surpass it. The appeal for response ought to waken some of the readers up, methinx. I was a bit disappointed in D.R.Smith's article because, although it started off well, it just didn't get anywhere.....almost as though D. R. had to answer a phone call (or a more pressing engagement) in the middle of it and forgot what it was all about when he returned. Bill Temple's article was, as usual, far and away the best in the issue. I am very sorry to see that the British Fan series is to finish soon.....the supply of British fans has by no means been exhausted. The series should have been entitled "London Fans... etc. " Escapism, Communism and Fascism - from Philip S. Hetherington, Manchester. Momus' article on Escapism was timely. All fiction is escapist in tendency and one might as well be honest and read an obviously escapist form of 'litarature.' I got some amusement from "Et Tu, Brute. " I occasionally read the "Daily Worker," usually with amusement. Though a Socialist as far as internal
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policy is concerned, my views on foreign politics
are such that I would support whatever government was
in power, believing that its sources of information
are so much more accurate than my own, that it is in
a far better position to know what action is required.
Also I sometimes think that a socialist world system
could arise just as easily through the very far Right
of Fascism. It in my view that the extreme Right and
the extreme Left are far closer than is either to the
centre; and the transition from a Fascist state to a
Communist state might be easier than the transfer of
a simple Capitalist state like this country to a
Communist state and accomplishable with less blood-shed. Encouragement - from Richard Wilson, Jr., New York. You can't. You simply can't! It's inhuman! When "Novae Terrae" appeared with words to the effect that said journal was considering creeping underground and pulling an R.I.P'ed tombstone over its youthful head, I pshawed and made remarks to self that Good- fellow Hanson was flinging words about in order to have letters pour in not inconsiderable numbers into his mailbox. Herewith remedy for the situation. For quite a time, back yonder, N.T. was a bit on the dullish side, what with uninteresting arguments and debates and whatnottish fiddle-faddle of no import (to me) and filled with dryishness. Of late, however, the magazine has been peppy and sparkling with wit, human interest and all those desirable qualities. Whatsisname Temple's series are all whizzes; D.R.Smith becomes positively brilliant with "The Eternal Dispute", and you, coming out from behind the editorial inkpot, a la Pare Lorentz or otherwise, are quite spiffy. Lo cut out all this nonsence about discontinuing England's first fan magazine. Herr Hitler didn't faze you, so why should a batch of uncommunicative so-and-sos of science-fiction fans?
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EXCLUSIVE NEWS FEATURE An advance review of "Startling Stories" by Ted Carnell Thanks-to the courtesy of a New York colleague an advance copy of the first issue of STARTLING STORIES reached me about the same time as it was published in the U.S.A. Of similar size and make-up to THRILLING WONDER, the mag appeals far more however, mainly, I think, because of the one long story interspersed with Wesso drawings. Stanley Weinbaum's feature yarn. "The Black Flame" is truly MAGNIFICENT! If you have read "The Dawn of Flame" in the Memorial Volume you will more than enjoy this story concerning the same characters: Martin Sair, Joaquin Smith and the beautiful but cruel Margaret of Urbs, called the Black Flame. A fast-moving, colourful story of a thousand years hence when Thomas Connor, a 20th century electrocuted criminal, comes back to life to match his toughness against the rule of Martin Sair, the Master. Although the Black Flame is an entirely separate story from the one in the Memorial Volume it is also a fitting sequel, though if you have missed "The Dawn of Flame" you are in for one of the greatest treats of present-day science-fiction in being introduced to the finest characters ever created by Weinbaum. I dare to prohecy that "The Black Flame" will go into history as one of the greatest "classics" ever written. Hank Kuttner's cable to Leo Margulies after reading the story stated: "I read Black Flame last night STOP I'm rereading it today....." and that's just how I feel. It's the first science-fiction yarn I've ever wanted to re-read immediately. If STARTLING can keep up this standard of literature in its future issues it will he a winner all
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The British Fan in His Natural Haunt by William F. Temple. No.6 WALTER H. GILLINGS. 15, Shere Rd., Ilford, is an address familiar to most SFA members. Those who have sent MSS there and had them returned will curse the inmate. Those who received SCIENTIFICTION from there will bless his name. And those who have read the last TALES OF WONDER will probably do both. I remember the tea-party I had there with hero- villain Wally Gillngs. Ego Clarke Was twinkling his eyes at Mrs Gillings across the bloater paste, and Wally was using ARP methods on the flies that had chosen his noble ears to buzz around. He brought down about one in ten. I was absorbing fancy cakes at a great rate, and Wally's son, little Ronnie ("Sunnyface") Gillings, was regarding me with admiration (I hope). Said Wally, knocking a blue-bottle into a tailspin, "You'd be interested to hear the history of the struggle I had to bring out a British s-f mag. It all began-..." I knew how it all began. In fact, I knew every word of the Epic Struggle by heart, for Wally is worse than the Ancient Mariner on this subject. But I listened politely, because my golden rule is: "Always keep an Editor in good humour - it pays." Suddenly, when Wally was going all purple and choky about the firm of Newnes, I noticed that Ego was going too far with Madge Gillings - holding her hand, in fact. I was dubious about bringing this Casanova along in the first place, and now I saw I'd made a bad mistake. Here was me trying to keep on good terms with an Editor, while my flat-mate was carrying on an intrigue with his wife. Thankfully, at this moment Wally collapsed on the floor in a fit, foaming and drooling, and crying one mysterious word over and over again: "Sprigg! Sprigg!" The others ignored him. Madge said he often went that way. I solemnly warned Ego, then carried Wally tenderly upstairs into his den, and shut the door on the cruel outside world.
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While waiting for him to come to, I had a look
around me. There was an inviting red curtain by the
door, and I whisked it aside. For a moment I stood
agape, then reverently went down on my knees. It was
the Gillings collection of s-f mags, absolutely, utterly,
and thoroughly COMPLETE! Bah to the Chapmans and
Williamses! Here was a collection. Not a mag,
not a page, not even a "They-Laughed-When-I-Sat-Down-on-the-
Zither" Coupon missing. Cautiously I withrew the
AMAZING ANNUAL of fabulous value and slipped it under
my left thumbnail, which I purposely hadn't cut for a
month. Then spread the other mags out a bit to hide the
space. (Lessons in finesse by master-criminal,-2/- per
hour.-Advert.) I noted the PEARSON'S of 1931 with G.K.
Malloch's serial "Winged Terror", and an early CHUMS
containing yarns by Ed Earl Repp and Jack Williamson, and
in another bookcase "Once in a New Moon", illustrated
with photos from the very good, but little-known, Fox-
British s-f film George Griffith's "Honeymoon in Space,"
and Victor Rousseau's "Apostle of the Cylinder." Wally was still aswoon on the floor, muttering deliriously (and backwards) the History of the Struggle. I investigated a tall pile of MSS submitted for TOW (pronounced "TOE"). Among them were some stories by Alfred Gordon Bennett which Wally liked tremendously but thought on too high a plane for the main body of the public he is aiming at with TOW (though he's accepted one for the next issue). Also I remember a Dr. Keller MS "The Flying Fool" and a synopsis from that valiant trier Eric Williams, entitled "London Revisited 3037 A.D." and still damp with its author's tears. There were some very hefty press- cutting albums. I looked through one. Wally has been a reporter on THE ILFORD RECORDER for years, and pasted in here were hundreds of his early "stories" - he doesn't bother to keep them now. There were reports of his old Ilford Literary Circle, and investigations by "Gillo" (as he called himself) into spiritualism. But mainly they were police-court cases, and one was smitten by such head-lines as: "HIT HIM WITH A CURLING-IRON, Husband's Allegation."
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Or "STOOD ON HIS HEAD IN GUTTER. Ilford Man
Drunk and Disorderly." Unfortunately, I dropped this
weighty tome on Wally's Adam's apple just as he struggled
through the Struggle (sideways) for the tenth time. He
sat up with a gulp. At that moment a series of loud
smacks sounded from down the stairway, Realising what
Ego and Madge were up to, I spoke hurriedly and loudly
to drown the noise. "What's your favourite s-f story?"
I asked. "Stribling's 'The Green Splotches,'" gasped
Wally, looking as if he had an attack of them himself.
"Amazing, 1926." He indicated the complete collection.
"I'm reading right through that lot from the start, not
missing a single story," he went on. "I've reached the
middle of 1930 now." "Don't you ever get tired of s-f
and nothing else?" I asked. "Never!" he answered emphatically.
(I found that hard to understand. Personally, I
have long periods of surfeit when words like "ray-gun"
and "space-ship" get just too sickeningly familiar.) "'What's your best bargain?" I asked. He showed me a paper-coversd French edition of Wells' "War of the Worlds" ("La Guerre des Mondes"). The illustrations made it unique. By an artist named Dudouyt, they showed graphic scenes from the novel in a peculiar sweeping style - they seemed to be all curves, no straight lines at all. But the bizarre atmosphere he had achieved was remarkable. I particularly remember one showing the Wells hero tearing madly down a dusky country lane in his dog-cart right under the great whirling feet of a Martian fighting machine. It had cost 6d. (The book.) Smack! Smack! Those two downstairs again! Wally was busily unearthing new treasures, so I stole out on to the landing. Ego and Madge were down in the hall. I gave Ego a cold stare. He returned it, I returned it, He returned it, and went off with Madge. I was left stuck with the cold stare. I re-entered the den quietly, carrying the cold stare, not knowing quite what to do with. it. However, I dropped it in the W.P.B. when Willy wasn't looking. It had got a bit threadbare with all that handling, anyway.
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I felt extremely sympathetic towards Wally now that
he was on the wrong corner of an Eternal triangle,
and scribbled a eulogy to cheer him up: "Why I Like
Wally Gillings" by W.F.T. (1) His air of frankness,
and his simple, direct statements. (2) His leonine
head, and steady frank eyes, and steady frank voice,
and - steady, Frank! (3) His persevering energy in
the cause of s-f, despite endless obstacles, including
my own discouraging opinions. (The critics of his
reprint policy would withdraw many of their remarks
could they realise Wally's straitened and restricted
circumstances, the difficulty of getting reprints at
all, and the amount of work he does rewriting those
he does get.) I showed him this and he was touchingly
grateful. "I'll tell you a secret in return" he
whispered. "The author Thomas Sheriden,- who wrote "The
Midget from Mars" in TOW No. 3, was really me!" Wait a minute, you eager cynics, Wally has written quite a lot of stories himself. but he's never considered them fit to print. When TOW No. 3 had been delivered for press, wally got a wire from the publishers saying they were short of so many words, send something at once. Now Wally had nothing on hand of that length that was suitable, and no time to get anything, except this little story of his written some time ago. So he sent it just for a fill-up. Seeing that I'd got an Editor feeling warm-hearted to me, I looked eagerly around for more compliments to bestow. There were all the original cover paintings of TOW hanging on the wall. I scanned them. Five of them. "Ah, I see you've got the cover for No. 5 done already," I said. "That brown monochrome is fine after the garishness of the others. What a nasty looking creatrure in the foreground! Mean, vulpine little face, and pop-eyes! The artist's got that well. Even better than the green horrors on No. 3. Believe me, Wally, that's the best cover yet!" There was a deadly silence. Then: "That," said Wally, giving me a cold stare, "is a photo of myself, aged 5, in a sailor's suit." I took the cold stare and crept out.
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BRANCH REPORTS. LONDON Fans from outlying parts came to swell the large attendance at the London Branch Anniversary Meeting, held at A.O.D., Lamb's Corduit St., Sun. Oct 23rd, including Doug. Mayer and Vic Gillard from Leeds, Harry Turner, Eric Needham, and G. Ellis from Manchester, Mr. Johnston from Farnborough, Hants., Laurie Harris from Bletchley, and Mr. S.H.P.Knight from Walsall. Ken as usual was in the chair. Ted Carnell started off proceedings with his popular "Fans & Fan-Mags." flashes, and shed a tear over the recent death of IMAGINATION. Sid Birchby read out a report (in Babu English) of an Indian doctor, Dr. Misra (nee Gherkin) and the mitogenic rays emitted by onions. Doug. Mayer, who had made a study of these emanations, rose to say the Doctor's conclusions were tripe. Eric Needham said it was a case of tripe and onions. Ken Chapman commented that you have only to eat onions for everyone else to know all about the emanations. Mr. Devereaux delivered a lecture on Art and Architecture, tracing the various schools and phases, and coming to the conclusion that successful modern architecture depends upon (1) Its utility (2) Its environment. He thought the usual conception of the city of the future, a jumble of gigantic skyscrapers spanned with bridges, as seen in s-f mags, was most unlikely to ever become reality, except perhaps in the unique case of New York. This ended the afternoon session. After tea, the evening session began at 7 p.m. Sid Birchby arose again, to give an Outline of History, which began with a Greek watching an egg and finished with the present high state of civilization. (Cries of "Question!") Eric Williams paid a t:ribute to Jules Verne, surveying his works and commenting that the heroines in them were honest, virtuous girls, not the strip-tease wenches of to-day. Doug. Mayer, on s-f films, complained of the recent lack of them, nothing in that line being made since LOST HORIZON. He advocated that the SFA and similar societies should join in getting out
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a petition to present to the producers. Optimistically
calculated that 50,000 signatures could be
got this way. Harry Turner spoke on "The Expanding
Universe," pointing out that the presumed recession
of galaxies might be a spurious effect due to a
reddening of light caused by gravitation or distance.
Ted Carnell, or s-f illustrators, said it was
idle to say one was better than another, as each was
good in his own particular way. Harold Kay gave the
company another dose of history with a resume of the
various dynasties of Ancient Egypt. It appeared that
no one (except W. F. Temple) knew who built the Sphinx.
Harold gave an interesting account of the battle tactics
of the ancient races, from which it could be
seen that those who fought on a definite method always
won against- those who fought hapshazardly, even
though the former were far outnumbered. (The reporter
begs leave to apologise for omitting Mr. A.C.
Ego Clarke's lecture on "How to Build a Spaceship."
As most of the lecturer's; ideas were filched, the
matter is of little import). Frank Arnold, supplementing
his recent talk about s-f fans and tolerance,
said too much tolerance was weakness. It is a duty to
be intolerant of evils, and science must follow that
path. Lastly, Wally Gillings rose to defend TOW against
unfair attacks. By force of circumstances he had to
aim at the man in the street rather than the s-f fan
(though he tried to please both) and that man did not
care whether the stories were reprints or not. He
could not afford to pay authors adequately for new and
decent material. In conclusion he read out readers
letters, of praise, criticism, or condemnation. Someone
with a reprint complex had complained "The Prr-r-eet"
was a reprint -it wasn't. Another termed everything
"lousy" and was signed "The Hooded Terror."
Then word came that Bob, the steward, wanted to get
away before the pubs shut, so the meeting terminated.
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SFA Executive Committee Report Headquarters: 23 Farnley Road, Soutn Norwood, London, S.E.25. Explanation: We wish to explain that this issue of "Novae Terrae" was especially delayed by us in order that nominaticns for the next S.F.A. Council could be inserted in this report. We apologize to all readers and trust they will understand the circumstances that necessitated the decision. Subscriptions: The Treasurer regrets that certain members' subscriptions have become over-due. We trust that members concerned win attend to this as early as possible as this organisation cannot continue despatching expensive publications to such members. "Imagination" - An elegy! After last month's felicitations to the publishers of this magazine it comes as a severe blow to announce that its publication has to cease. Editor Forrest J. Ackerman has encountered certain domestic difficulties which leave him unable to carry out the majority of the production work, and the rest of the staff do not feel they could continue publication of the magazine on its old satisfactory lines without him. We join our members in deeply regretting the disappearance of "Imagination!" from the field.... it cannot be replaced... and trust that circumstances will soon prevail to make it possible for our Los Angeles friends to continue publication, again. "The Satellite" - Copies of the second issue may now be obtained from HQ at 3 1/2d each post free. "The Scientifictionaleodensian" This unpronounceable news-sheet is issued by our Leeds Branch and contains all local news and many special items. It too can be obtained from HQ.': . . ., or Leeds direct.. . . . at 1 1/2d per copy, New Members: We are delighted to welcome Miss Corrine Gray ("Pogo") of Los Angeles, R.E. Vincent (Manchester) and Alan J.W. Rozelaarar (Hull). Acknowledgements: We gratefully acknowledge: "Imagination" (Los Angeles SFA); "The Satellite" (Liverpool SFA);
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"The Stfleodensian" (Leeds SFA); "Bulletin of the
BIS" (BIS); "Startling Stories flysheet" Mr. L.
Margulies of Standard Pub. Inc.) and "Ziff-Davis
Circular" (Jonn Russell Fearn). Back Number Service This has now been removed from Leeds to London completing the removal of the SFA's HQ, from Leeds. The Future of the Association In the recent issue of the "S-F Gazette" a change in the Executive Committee was announced owing to the resignation of Mr. Williams. The Council have decided upon his successor and it now remains for us to see if the gentleman concerned is willing to take the situation. An announcement and statement will be made at the earliest opportunity. Certain other changes to improve the status of the Association and to assure members of constantly increasing benefits will probably be made in the future. We ask our members to bear with us while these changes are in progress and to wait until matters have settled down before they either praise or criticize. Please pull with us during the forthcoming months of activity and remember that our actions are taken in the best interests of the membership as a whole. Ballot for the 1939 SFA Council We have to inform members that the only nominations for the Council for the 12 months from January lst to December 31st 1939 received by the last post on October 31st 1938 in accordance with the Constitution of the Association were those of the present Councillors. As no new nominations have been received Messrs. E.J,Carnell, G. K. Chapman, W. H. Gillings, M.K. Hanson, L. J. Johnson, D.W.F. Mayer and F. Pragnell will form the Council for the above mentioned period. The present Council Chairman and members of the Council wish to acknowledge with thanks the confidence shown in them in this way by the membership and again give their word to continue to conduct the affairs of the Association in the best interests of the membership as a whole.
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London Branch: The next been fixed provisionally for
(meeting, of course, you saps - sorry, typographer)
Sunday November 20th at 3.30 p.m. Any provincial members
who would care to visit it should get into touch
with the Branch Secretary: Mr. E.C. Williams, 11 Clowders
Rd., S.E.6. Announcement! Member Louis Kuslan of 170 Washington Avenue, West Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A, who publishes "Cosmic Tales" (a monthly mimeo'd, mag, now in its 6th issue, price 10 cents a copy) would like English correspondents of any age or sex as long as they're active to some extent. LEEDS BRANCH REPORT October meeting held on Oct. 2nd. featured the film: "The White Hell of Pitz Palu" obtained as a substitute for the projected "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" and was accompanied by gramophone records. The audience was enthralled by the outstanding photography under the direction of Pabst and the strains of "Tannhauser", "Danse Macabre", Bach's "Toccatta and Fugue" etc. substituting for visitors from Liverpool who were unable to attend Mr. Mayer gave a topical talk on "Gas Masks and Chemical Warfare." He concluded by donning his civilian respirator with the air of an astronaut putting on his space-suit.
WANTED!!: one copy of the March and July 1936 issues of NOVAE TERRAE. Willing to pay fairly fabulous prices. Write: Maurice K. Hanson 89 Gray's Inn Road, LONDON, W.C.1. England.
STARTLING STORIES will be available from Science-Fiction Service about the end of November price 1/2d post free. Order your copy NOW to avoid disappointment as only a limited number of copies will reach this country.
SCIENCE-FICTION SERVICE.
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Cont. from Page 14 the way. The other two short yarns in the issue, "The Eternal Man" by D. D. Sharp and Binder's "Science Island", are not even worth mentioning after such a superb yarn as Wainbaum's. Several other interesting short features are included in the mag's make-up but do not need any mention here. Sufficient to say that STARTLING will make A big impression as a first issue, but we shall have to wait for following issues to see if the standard is maintained.
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CHICAGO: Not to be out-done, "Rap," AMAZING Editor,
has already contacted authors with a view to purcihasing
unusual and fantastic stories. "Lost World," "Moon Pool"
and Burroughs' Martian series quoted as examples. These
to be moulded into a sister adventure mag to AMAZING. LOS ANGELES: 100% worker Forrie turns to Government for payroll. causing fold-up of super fan-mag. IMAGINATION!, now in "a state of suspended animation." NEW YORK: Persistent rumour states another British pulp due for publication shortly. This is news to us, who are on the inside of most news items within the Island, but maybe someone has some inside knowledge they have been keeping as a surprise. LONDON: As we go to press, there is still no news that FANTASY will see another issue. Decision was postponed owing to the crisis, and since been left over. The war comet left its trail of near-death behind it when it receded from Britain in the fact that several prominent fans here gave up reading the U.S. pulps. Now reviving somewhat and threatening to read the British material only. MARVEL SCIENCE is a big seller in this country, and going up. American rumour says it doesn't go so well over there, in danger of folding up. We'll believe it when we don't see it again.
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| it's only fictlon!...Ernest Gabrielson is the sponsor of new series of meetings to be held by Liverpool SFA Branch. They are named "The Viador Fellowship," and commenced on Oct. 21st.-. .. "Spaceways" is name of new fan-mag., out Nov 1st... Passingham's "World Behind the Moon" running as serial in MODERN WONDER. Author has written us expressing interest in the SFA and wants to meet its members sometime.... Ralph Richardson, "The Boss" of "Things to Come," took leading role in broadcast of J.B. Priestiey's Time play "I Have Been Here Before"..... Captain S. P. Meek, old time s-f favorite, is. now a Major, and, it is rumoured may feature in TALES OF WONDER soon.... John Russell Fearn up to the eyebrows: Finishing a short, and a 14,000-word Novelette for new AMAZING companion. Writirg 100,000-word book of Blackpool life in conjunction with his mother and author-friend Thornton Ayre....(who, incidentally, is writing 10,000-word yarn for AMAZING companion called "Plateau in the Mist" and is laid in Tibet). J.R.F. has yarns in last two MODERN WONDER, "Death at the Observatory" and "The Weather Machine"...WEIRD TALES has changed hands...Maurice K. Hanson gets a letter into the FILM WEEKLY - about dance music!.....Lt. John Pease, author of "The Invisible Bomber" in the first new AMAZING is really Ralph Milne Farley... A Sea Monster described by witnesses as "60-ft. long hump-backed thing hurling through water at 40 m.p.h.." seen off Southwold, Suffolk, coast.... Olaf Stapledon has article in October LONDON MERCURY called "Art, Science and Life!.... "The Pyromaniac" by Arthur Bruce Allen (Blackwood, 7/6d.) is new novel about a child born during a fire growing up warped in body in mind and inventing a fire-ray, destroying animals, men, planes...Early film version of Wells' "Invisible Man" included in C.B. Cochran's FLASH-BACKS at the Palace Theatre, as well as one of Verne's "Trip to the Moon" (dated 1897).... | |||||||||
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