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Fantasite, v. 2, issue 2, May-June 1942
Page 23
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THE FANTASITE 23 better the state of stf with a more serious and sustained spare-timed study of English literature, of the principals of good writing and literary criticism, so that they could inspire the pro authors to be something more than pulp hacks? Perhaps Cliff's article will set one or two of them thinking, anyway. The Sonnet is a bit hard to follow in thought, but is better than most fan poetry in style -- better, for instance, than Harry Warner's "They Come!" which suffers from constantly straining for rhyme and rhythm,so that it is stiff and awkward. The two stories are just ordinary fan fiction, I'm afraid; Basil Wells' tale is particularly spoiled by the corniness of the ending (only in come strips do men faint upon learning that they are the fathers of twins or triplets), and Rajocz's story, while written with suitable smoothness, is too conventional in theme and plot to arouse much interest. Roy Hunt's description and summary of "The Mysterious Island" is most interesting; I saw the film over a decade ago when it was shown in my grade school but remember almost nothing of it save a scene or two of the undersea men swimming around the submarine and pulling together in unison -- at what, I don't know. I fancy Roy's considering it "the best stf movie ever filmed" is based on the film's pictorial qualities and scenes of fantasy rather than on the profundity and maturity of the story. Chap's article on "Why Scientifilms Failed" is the best discussion of the subject I've yet seen written with sound, discriminating judgment and maturity. Lew Martin's reminiscences on E. E. Smith are likewise thoroughly interesting; you should have more articles like this. As was inevitable, I disagree with Gilbert's choices of the 50 best stories of 1940, but fear I cannot take the space to advocate my own. "Fantascripts" was much too short; there's no reason why you shouldn't have a really long letter section next time. 3236 Clinton Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota. ---------------------------------------- EDWARD C. CONNOR: The copy of the Anniversary Issue of the FANTASITE arrived today. This was the largest and most polished fanzine I have obtained to date --that is, in the past ten months--since I have been a fan-active stf reader. I must say that for the size of the book the quality of the material is generally excellent. "The Incredible Years" by Lowndes certainly deserves the space allotted to it. And Doc's autobiography, by the way, was the best I've read. Jacobi's "Proposal" does not go over with me. Maybe it is because I am opposed to unnecessary restrictions. I dunno. It would seem, however, that the scheme would check a writer's initiative somewhat. After the completion of the Handbook of Stf, I believe a very small percentage would bother about it. All editors would not go by the same Handbook. It it would be acceptable to Astounding's editor, would it be acceptable to the editors of Amazing or Captain Future? It is too fantastic a scheme. Simak's "Critique" expresses my sentiments exactly. Farsaci's "Sonnet" was quite passable. The amazing clarity of the MFS photos surprised me. Very well done. But then, they only follow the pattern of the entire issue. Basil Wells' story was appreciated, since it was well written. "Old Fantasy Films", being fair, was passable. As for Tucker's "Recommended Reading"--I wonder how many suckers are going to go out of their way to search for this book? I rather suspect that this department is liked more for the way Tuck takes the story apart, meaning an additional sample of his writing is always welcome. "Why Scientifilms Failed" was a masterpiece. The Stf book reviews were also interesting, and Hams and Pros was amusing. "Fanzine Fatigue" was very intriguing to me, inasmuch as I am a comparative newcomer to active fandom. "Some Recollections of Doc Smith" is not bad at all; in fact, it was one of the top bits of the ish. "The Garden" was not so good, and I believe it is the low point of the issue. That is without taking into consideration Ackerman's letter. Harry Warner's verse was not as good as I'd expect from him. Gilbert's autobiography was also interesting. I beat the bloke by 3 days; also the stf tale he mentioned
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THE FANTASITE 23 better the state of stf with a more serious and sustained spare-timed study of English literature, of the principals of good writing and literary criticism, so that they could inspire the pro authors to be something more than pulp hacks? Perhaps Cliff's article will set one or two of them thinking, anyway. The Sonnet is a bit hard to follow in thought, but is better than most fan poetry in style -- better, for instance, than Harry Warner's "They Come!" which suffers from constantly straining for rhyme and rhythm,so that it is stiff and awkward. The two stories are just ordinary fan fiction, I'm afraid; Basil Wells' tale is particularly spoiled by the corniness of the ending (only in come strips do men faint upon learning that they are the fathers of twins or triplets), and Rajocz's story, while written with suitable smoothness, is too conventional in theme and plot to arouse much interest. Roy Hunt's description and summary of "The Mysterious Island" is most interesting; I saw the film over a decade ago when it was shown in my grade school but remember almost nothing of it save a scene or two of the undersea men swimming around the submarine and pulling together in unison -- at what, I don't know. I fancy Roy's considering it "the best stf movie ever filmed" is based on the film's pictorial qualities and scenes of fantasy rather than on the profundity and maturity of the story. Chap's article on "Why Scientifilms Failed" is the best discussion of the subject I've yet seen written with sound, discriminating judgment and maturity. Lew Martin's reminiscences on E. E. Smith are likewise thoroughly interesting; you should have more articles like this. As was inevitable, I disagree with Gilbert's choices of the 50 best stories of 1940, but fear I cannot take the space to advocate my own. "Fantascripts" was much too short; there's no reason why you shouldn't have a really long letter section next time. 3236 Clinton Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota. ---------------------------------------- EDWARD C. CONNOR: The copy of the Anniversary Issue of the FANTASITE arrived today. This was the largest and most polished fanzine I have obtained to date --that is, in the past ten months--since I have been a fan-active stf reader. I must say that for the size of the book the quality of the material is generally excellent. "The Incredible Years" by Lowndes certainly deserves the space allotted to it. And Doc's autobiography, by the way, was the best I've read. Jacobi's "Proposal" does not go over with me. Maybe it is because I am opposed to unnecessary restrictions. I dunno. It would seem, however, that the scheme would check a writer's initiative somewhat. After the completion of the Handbook of Stf, I believe a very small percentage would bother about it. All editors would not go by the same Handbook. It it would be acceptable to Astounding's editor, would it be acceptable to the editors of Amazing or Captain Future? It is too fantastic a scheme. Simak's "Critique" expresses my sentiments exactly. Farsaci's "Sonnet" was quite passable. The amazing clarity of the MFS photos surprised me. Very well done. But then, they only follow the pattern of the entire issue. Basil Wells' story was appreciated, since it was well written. "Old Fantasy Films", being fair, was passable. As for Tucker's "Recommended Reading"--I wonder how many suckers are going to go out of their way to search for this book? I rather suspect that this department is liked more for the way Tuck takes the story apart, meaning an additional sample of his writing is always welcome. "Why Scientifilms Failed" was a masterpiece. The Stf book reviews were also interesting, and Hams and Pros was amusing. "Fanzine Fatigue" was very intriguing to me, inasmuch as I am a comparative newcomer to active fandom. "Some Recollections of Doc Smith" is not bad at all; in fact, it was one of the top bits of the ish. "The Garden" was not so good, and I believe it is the low point of the issue. That is without taking into consideration Ackerman's letter. Harry Warner's verse was not as good as I'd expect from him. Gilbert's autobiography was also interesting. I beat the bloke by 3 days; also the stf tale he mentioned
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