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Fandango, v. 3, issue 4, whole no. 12, Summer 1946
Page 7
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HORIZONS (cont) But what of FFM? I myself consider that the magazine is far below what it should be, but a moment's analysis shows that most of its faults are those inherent in all pulp magazines. Realism, particularly as related to the mores, just isn't permitted in the magazine field. The wellnigh Victorian outlook on life, the prudishness, the unconvincing motivation, the mawkish characters, and all the other flaws of the old three-decker novels of a century ago are preserved today more than anywhere else in the field of periodical fiction. FFM is not better in this respect than any other magazine, and as a result is unable to consider most of the truly outstanding pieces of book fantasy, or is forced to resort to drastic revision of the stories. Another point that should not be overlooked is the fact that these magazines are, on the whole, catering to an immature if not moronic audience. A study of the advertising contained in them can lead to no other conclusion, for if these advertisements were not patronized they would not continue to be inserted issue after issue. I have heard the statement made that these ads are placed in an entire chain of pulps irrespective of title, and that consequently stf magazines must not be judged by them. Perhaps so, but I have also noticed the way they are keyed, so that the advertiser not only knows what chain of pulps, but what title, is pulling in his returns. I have no quarrel with Hard Luck Gardner, who evidently enjoys his pulp stf. I like the stuff myself. My only complaint is that he should not blind himself to the fact that 99% of this stuff is sheerly trash, no matter how much pleasure he or I or anyone else may derive from it. ---oo0oo--- L'INCONNU. I'm not looking for any sepia strange stuff, Art. I just thought that blues verse off a classic Armstrong record would be amusing to put on the cover of a Speer-inspired magazine. ---oo0oo--- EN GARDE. In case anyone was wondering, I'm a graduate of the University of Idaho. ---oo0oo--- Well, that's about it. I don't see too much point in making comments just for the sake of making comments. If I have something to say, I most certainly will say it (and indeed will often hold forth at great length when I have nothing whatever to say) but if I feel blank about a certain item why should I underline this fact by giving the boy a paragraph. I am sorry, though, not to have any jazz discussions in here for Chan Davis. Somehow, I guess that I'd rather listen to the stuff than write about it, despite all my threats a while back about an all-jazz Fan-Dango. I think that perhaps the best solution would be for Chan to pay me a visit sometime, and let my phonograph talk instead of me. ********* CAMPAIGN PROPAGANDA. In the last mailing, I demonstrated the shocking hypnotic control which Ashley sometimes has over me by speaking of running for the secretary-treasurer's office. I wish I hadn't, but dammit, my name's on the ballot, I guess, and having more or less given my word, I suppose I'm stuck. But I will take it as a supreme favor if you'll all vote for someone else. If there is no other candidate, I suggest you might write-in Speer or some other wheelhorse with an overdeveloped sense of duty. The fact is, since making this rash statement, so that Ashley would take his knife out of my ribs, I find myself with a full-time fan job (editor of the Foundation) and I just don't see how I can handle a FAPA office too. -- 7 --
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HORIZONS (cont) But what of FFM? I myself consider that the magazine is far below what it should be, but a moment's analysis shows that most of its faults are those inherent in all pulp magazines. Realism, particularly as related to the mores, just isn't permitted in the magazine field. The wellnigh Victorian outlook on life, the prudishness, the unconvincing motivation, the mawkish characters, and all the other flaws of the old three-decker novels of a century ago are preserved today more than anywhere else in the field of periodical fiction. FFM is not better in this respect than any other magazine, and as a result is unable to consider most of the truly outstanding pieces of book fantasy, or is forced to resort to drastic revision of the stories. Another point that should not be overlooked is the fact that these magazines are, on the whole, catering to an immature if not moronic audience. A study of the advertising contained in them can lead to no other conclusion, for if these advertisements were not patronized they would not continue to be inserted issue after issue. I have heard the statement made that these ads are placed in an entire chain of pulps irrespective of title, and that consequently stf magazines must not be judged by them. Perhaps so, but I have also noticed the way they are keyed, so that the advertiser not only knows what chain of pulps, but what title, is pulling in his returns. I have no quarrel with Hard Luck Gardner, who evidently enjoys his pulp stf. I like the stuff myself. My only complaint is that he should not blind himself to the fact that 99% of this stuff is sheerly trash, no matter how much pleasure he or I or anyone else may derive from it. ---oo0oo--- L'INCONNU. I'm not looking for any sepia strange stuff, Art. I just thought that blues verse off a classic Armstrong record would be amusing to put on the cover of a Speer-inspired magazine. ---oo0oo--- EN GARDE. In case anyone was wondering, I'm a graduate of the University of Idaho. ---oo0oo--- Well, that's about it. I don't see too much point in making comments just for the sake of making comments. If I have something to say, I most certainly will say it (and indeed will often hold forth at great length when I have nothing whatever to say) but if I feel blank about a certain item why should I underline this fact by giving the boy a paragraph. I am sorry, though, not to have any jazz discussions in here for Chan Davis. Somehow, I guess that I'd rather listen to the stuff than write about it, despite all my threats a while back about an all-jazz Fan-Dango. I think that perhaps the best solution would be for Chan to pay me a visit sometime, and let my phonograph talk instead of me. ********* CAMPAIGN PROPAGANDA. In the last mailing, I demonstrated the shocking hypnotic control which Ashley sometimes has over me by speaking of running for the secretary-treasurer's office. I wish I hadn't, but dammit, my name's on the ballot, I guess, and having more or less given my word, I suppose I'm stuck. But I will take it as a supreme favor if you'll all vote for someone else. If there is no other candidate, I suggest you might write-in Speer or some other wheelhorse with an overdeveloped sense of duty. The fact is, since making this rash statement, so that Ashley would take his knife out of my ribs, I find myself with a full-time fan job (editor of the Foundation) and I just don't see how I can handle a FAPA office too. -- 7 --
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