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Shangri-la, issue 6, May-June 1946
Page 11
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CALIFORNIA FANTASIES OF DAVID H. KELLER There is no doubt that in the Archives of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society there is some mention made of the memorial meeting in almost prehistoric ages when I, visiting that city, was asked to be the guest speaker. At that time, I was considerably younger than I am now and decidedly ignorant of the psychology of the typical Science-Fiction fan. Moreover, I knew nothing of the California variety of such enthusiastic readers of the pulps. Much of the details of that meeting are lost in the dark recesses of my subconsciousness. I dimly recall that I went to the meeting in a taxicab, that there were between twenty and thirty fans present, and that we were served a rather excellent meal. I recall very well who paid for the food I ate -- but that, as Kipling says, "Is another story." After the dinner, I was asked to speak, which I did for one hour. Then it was suggested that I answer any questions asked me, which I did (and rather honestly), for another hour. I cannot recall what I talked about but distinctly remember that the second hour was a very lively one. I am certain that George Tullis was there....and, in this connection, there is a very interesting story, which I shall tell. Tullis was a very young man, almost a boy at that time. Later, he joined the Coast Guards; and, one year, in his spare time, helped a young lady who was attending a College for the Blind prepare her lessons. From the first date, the lessons were forgotten while he read to her THE DEVIL AND THE DOCTOR. Through their mutual love for this novel, they realized that they were kinspirits and as a result married. I first met them at the PHILCON, and they told me the story. At that time, George told me of being at the Los Angeles meeting. Mrs. Keller and I visited them in Baltimore last Thanksgiving, and we thought them the most beautiful husband and wife we had ever seen. Helen thinks my horror stories too horrible -- but wait till she hears George read to her LIFE EVERLASTING and THE SIGN OF THE BURNING HART. Mrs. Keller, YumYum, and the old Colonel arrived in Los Angeles just two days too late for the national meeting here in 1946. However, my arrival was not unnoticed and Ackerman and others arranged a Sunday picnic at which I was to be the guest. It was to be an affair of moment. It may even be that Moskowitz will feel it important enough to include in mis IMMORTAL STORM. For the present, I leave it to others to give the full details but I recall with pleasure the long conversations I had with Evans Bob Tucker, and others. We had a wonderful time from 10:30 A.M. till 3:30 P.M., at which time I reluctantly said good bye and joined my family at the Santa Monica Swimming Club. Some of the California fans attended the Philcon. We were delighted to again meet Ackerman and Evans. Bob Tucker was also there and the three of us reminised about the second meeting in my onor. I realized at that meeting what a charming fellow Tucker was and how thoroughly Evans had read and appreciated my LIFE EVERLASTING. Since the Philcon I have been corresponding with additional California fans, with the result that I have even been asked to write somewhat for their fanzines. Dale Hart has asked me to write an article for SHANGRI-LA and has sent me a free copy so I will know how to slant it. I realize that because of failing memory or natural reticence many of the details of my two group meetings with the S.F. fans of Southern California are sadly lacking. I would suggest that Ackeerman be asked to write a more complete account which will give more details. For years Ackerman has been my friend, and, for some reason no longer remembered, I gave the leading character in my story LIFE EVERLASTING his last name. However, the fiction Ackerman was married and the father of a child, and (con'd on page 14) 11
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CALIFORNIA FANTASIES OF DAVID H. KELLER There is no doubt that in the Archives of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society there is some mention made of the memorial meeting in almost prehistoric ages when I, visiting that city, was asked to be the guest speaker. At that time, I was considerably younger than I am now and decidedly ignorant of the psychology of the typical Science-Fiction fan. Moreover, I knew nothing of the California variety of such enthusiastic readers of the pulps. Much of the details of that meeting are lost in the dark recesses of my subconsciousness. I dimly recall that I went to the meeting in a taxicab, that there were between twenty and thirty fans present, and that we were served a rather excellent meal. I recall very well who paid for the food I ate -- but that, as Kipling says, "Is another story." After the dinner, I was asked to speak, which I did for one hour. Then it was suggested that I answer any questions asked me, which I did (and rather honestly), for another hour. I cannot recall what I talked about but distinctly remember that the second hour was a very lively one. I am certain that George Tullis was there....and, in this connection, there is a very interesting story, which I shall tell. Tullis was a very young man, almost a boy at that time. Later, he joined the Coast Guards; and, one year, in his spare time, helped a young lady who was attending a College for the Blind prepare her lessons. From the first date, the lessons were forgotten while he read to her THE DEVIL AND THE DOCTOR. Through their mutual love for this novel, they realized that they were kinspirits and as a result married. I first met them at the PHILCON, and they told me the story. At that time, George told me of being at the Los Angeles meeting. Mrs. Keller and I visited them in Baltimore last Thanksgiving, and we thought them the most beautiful husband and wife we had ever seen. Helen thinks my horror stories too horrible -- but wait till she hears George read to her LIFE EVERLASTING and THE SIGN OF THE BURNING HART. Mrs. Keller, YumYum, and the old Colonel arrived in Los Angeles just two days too late for the national meeting here in 1946. However, my arrival was not unnoticed and Ackerman and others arranged a Sunday picnic at which I was to be the guest. It was to be an affair of moment. It may even be that Moskowitz will feel it important enough to include in mis IMMORTAL STORM. For the present, I leave it to others to give the full details but I recall with pleasure the long conversations I had with Evans Bob Tucker, and others. We had a wonderful time from 10:30 A.M. till 3:30 P.M., at which time I reluctantly said good bye and joined my family at the Santa Monica Swimming Club. Some of the California fans attended the Philcon. We were delighted to again meet Ackerman and Evans. Bob Tucker was also there and the three of us reminised about the second meeting in my onor. I realized at that meeting what a charming fellow Tucker was and how thoroughly Evans had read and appreciated my LIFE EVERLASTING. Since the Philcon I have been corresponding with additional California fans, with the result that I have even been asked to write somewhat for their fanzines. Dale Hart has asked me to write an article for SHANGRI-LA and has sent me a free copy so I will know how to slant it. I realize that because of failing memory or natural reticence many of the details of my two group meetings with the S.F. fans of Southern California are sadly lacking. I would suggest that Ackeerman be asked to write a more complete account which will give more details. For years Ackerman has been my friend, and, for some reason no longer remembered, I gave the leading character in my story LIFE EVERLASTING his last name. However, the fiction Ackerman was married and the father of a child, and (con'd on page 14) 11
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