Lincroft-Holmdel Science Fiction Club Club Notice - 3/05/86 -- Vol. 4, No. 33 MEETINGS UPCOMING: Unless otherwise stated, all meetings are on Wednesdays at noon. LZ meetings are in LZ 3A-206; HO meetings are in HO 2N-523. _D_A_T_E _T_O_P_I_C 03/12 LZ: TRUE NAMES by Vernor Vinge (Alternate Realities) 03/19 HO: "Chronicles of Narnia" by C. S. Lewis 04/02 LZ: THE STARS MY DESTINATION by Alfred Bester (Psionics) 04/09 HO: AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS by H. P. Lovecraft 04/23 LZ: ORION SHALL RISE by Poul Anderson (Societal Reconstruction) 05/14 LZ: THE WEREWOLF PRINCIPLE by Clifford Simak (Biological Constructs) 06/04 LZ: THIS PERFECT DAY by Ira Levin ("Utopias") 06/25 LZ: STAR GUARD by Andre Norton (Humans as underdogs) 07/16 LZ: SHADRACH IN THE FURNACE by Robert Silverberg (Ethics) 08/06 LZ: TUNNEL IN THE SKY by Robert Heinlein (Faster-Than-Light Travel) HO Chair is John Jetzt, HO 4F-528A (834-1563). LZ Chair is Rob Mitchell, LZ 1B-306 (576-6106). MT Chair is Mark Leeper, MT 3G-434 (957-5619). HO Librarian is Tim Schroeder, HO 2G-427A (949-5866). LZ Librarian is Lance Larsen, LZ 3C-219 (576-2668). Jill-of-all-trades is Evelyn Leeper, MT 1F-329 (957-2070). 1. It has been a while since we showed some old Universal horror films. These films somehow need the winter; they just aren't as good in the warm summer months. Our film program set for March 10, 7PM, at the Leeper house is one that you might well have seen in a theater in 1943. FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE Chapter 2 (1940) dir. by Ford Beebe THE WOLFMAN (1941) dir. by George Waggner FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN (1943) dir. by Roy William Neill Besides our serial, which also was made by Universal, we have the first two films about Lawrence Talbot, the great tragic hero of the 40s horror films. Talbot was the involuntary victim of lycanthropy who carried a death wish though five films. The "Wolfman" movies star Lon Chaney Jr, Bela Lugosi, and Maria Ouspenskaya as Maleva the Gypsy Woman. Pass the popcorn. 2. Well, the Lincroft Cadre has finally come through. Rumor has it that it was a lapse of discipline on the part of the librarian that led to the absence of meeting announcements. The "benevolent dictator" of that fiefdom will take appropriate action. - 2 - 3. This issue includes listings of Club Library holdings in Holmdel and Lincroft. Just so the Middletown folks don't feel slighted, here's the list for the Middletown branch (in Evelyn's office, MT 1F-319): Hogan, James P. Thrice upon a Time Thrice upon a Time Morrow, James Continent of Lies All contributions gratefully accepted at all branches. 4. [Lifted from net.sf-lovers by ecl; written by P. S. R. Chisholm] Well, the Hugo nomination forms are out, and it's time to start picking the "Bests" of 1985. I'll try to fish out my reviews from last year and make some suggestions. What's a Hugo? It's the annual set of awards voted on by science fiction "fans", specifically, members of the current year's World Science Fiction Convention. You can pay a nominal fee and be a corresponding member, not able to attend, but with the right to nominate and vote in all the various categories. (Would anyone like the nomination form posted, so you can join and nominate? Send *mail*, no postings, to ihnp4!lznv!psc. From ARPA, try mtgzz!lznv!psc@topaz, and good luck.) There's been a lot of talk about nominating Mark Leeper (mtgzz!leeper) for Best Fan Writer, quite a bit of it from myself and Evelyn Leeper (Mark's wife). I've been meaning to say something more specific about this; thanks, Joel, for the little push. Mark edits (and Evelyn publishes) the weekly notice of the Lincroft-Holmdel Science Fiction Club. The club itself is open to all members of AT&T, but the notice is sent to NJSFS and NESFA for their libraries. In addition, the Leepers and I usually post our contributions to the net, typically in sf-lovers. (I've been *very* busy, and haven't reviewed anything recently.) What does that mean? First of all, it means Mark edits the only *weekly* fanzine I know of. Second, it means that Mark does everything legally possible to distribute the contents of that fanzine widely. (If u cn rd ths, u cn gt th cntnts f th notc.) Mark is an active fan writer, and eligible. I don't always agree with Mark's reviews. (We don't argue anymore over the third Quatermass film, for example.-) But he's usually pretty good at picking the triumphs from the turkeys, and at separating his tastes from his view of "objective" quality (let's fight this one out in a separate chain of articles, shall we?) He's popularized the old Cinefantastique "minus four to plus four" scale to the extent that many subscribers to sf-lovers and net.movies call it "the Leeper scale." [Footnote: CFQ has - 3 - abandoned it in favor of a "one to four" scale. Yuchh, blech.] And brother, does he write. He must have written one or two *hundred* SF-related reviews in 1985. There's also the "Get a Usenetter on the ballot" issue. Nominating an sf-lovers member would make the rest of Fandom sit up and notice its electronic brethren. Personally, I don't feel discriminated against because I use a mailer instead of a mimeo, but the recognition wouldn't be a bad thing. Have you enjoyed Mark's postings over the past year? Then you should consider him as someone you might want to nominate. Are you unable to think of five more deserving fan writers, based on their 1985 output? Then put Mark's name on your ballot, and we'll see you here in June, when we discuss who to *elect* as Best Fan Writer of 1985. [-Paul S. R. Chisholm] 5. The following are eligible for nomination for Hugo for Best Dramatic Presentation: Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf (TVM), Adventures of Mark Twain, After the Fall of New York, Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TVM), Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV), Alice in Wonderland (TVM), Amazing Stories (TV), Angels in Love (Naar Engle Elsker), April Fools' Day, Arthur the King (TVM), Asterix vs. Caesar (Asterix et la Surprise de Caesar), Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, Back to the Future, Bad Seed (TVM), Barbarian Queen, Before the Future (Prima del Futuro), Being, Black Cauldron, Blackout, Brazil, Bride, Bridge Across Time (TVM), Cat's Eye, Cave Girl, Chiller (TVM), Cocoon, Cosmic Eye, Covenant (TV), Creator, Creature (Titan Find), Creepers, D.A.R.Y.L., Day Christmas Disappeared (TV), Day of the Dead, Deadly Intruder, Deadly Messages (TVM), Def-Con 4 (Dark Eyes) (Ground Zero), Deja Vu, Demons (Demoni), Derberance, Desert Warrior, Dinosaur! (TV), Doctor and the Devils, Donkey Skin (Osslinaja Schkura), Dreams Come True, Dreamchild, Dreamchild, Dungeonmaster, Emerald Forest, Enemy Mine, Escape from the Bronx, Evils of the Night, Ewok and Droids Adventure Hour (TV), Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (TVM), Explorers, Exterminators of the Year 3000, Flesh and Blood, Flesh and Bullets, Follow That Bird, Frankenstein's Great-Aunt Tillie, Friday the 13th--Part V: A New Beginning, Fright Night, Frog Dreaming, Future Cop (Trancer) (Trancers), Future-Kill, Garfield's Halloween Adventure (TV), Ghoulies, Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Godzilla 1985), Goodbye, Charlie (TV), Goonies, Heavenly Kid, Hellfire (TV), Hercules II (Adventures of Hercules), Here Comes Santa Claus (J'Ai Recontre la Pere Noel), Hills Have Eyes II, Hitchcock, The Thrill of Genius (Hitchcock, Il Brivido Del Genio), Howling II...Your Sister Is a Werewolf, I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later (TVM), Igor and the Lunatics (Bloodshed), Invasion U.S.A., J.O.E. and the Colonel (TVM), Jewel of the Nile, Killing Hour (Clairvoyant), King of the Streets, King Solomon's Mines, Ladyhawke, Legend of Suram Fortress (Legenda Suramskoi Kreposti), Life and Adventures of Santa Claus - 4 - (TVM), Lifeforce (Space Vampires), Link, Lost Empire, Love and Death (Liebe Und Tod), Mad Max III: Beyond Thunderdome, Malevil, Man Who Knew More, Mark of the Devil (TVM), Maxie, Misfits of Science (TV), Morons from Outer Space, My Science Project, New Kids, Night Train to Terror, Nightmare (Cauchemar), Nightmare on Elm Street II: Freddy's Revenge, Nomads, O-Bi, O-Ba: End of Civilization (O-Bi, O-Ba: Koniec Cuwilizacji), OceanQuest (TV), Once Bitten, One Magic Christmas, Orpheus (Orfeo), Orpheus and Eurydice (Orfeus es Eurydike), Osa, Otherworld (TV), Overdrawn at the Memory Bank (TVM), Pale Rider, Parade of the Planets (Parad Planet), Parking, Peanut Butter Solution, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of Yik-Yak, Phenomena, Plan 3-D from Outer Space, Pumaman (TVM), Purple Rose of Cairo, Quiet Earth, Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Ray Bradbury Theater (TV), Re-Animator, Real Genius, Red Sonja, Remo: The First Adventure (Remo Williams and the Secret of Sinanju) (Destroyer), Report from Abandoned Planet (Bericht von Einem Verlassen Planeten), Return of the Living Dead, Return to Oz (Oz), Romance of Betty Boop (TV), Rumplestiltskin (TV), Rustlers' Rhapsody, Santa Claus: The Movie (Santa), School Spirit, Screamplay, Secret of the Sword, Shadow Chasers (TVM), Silver Bullet, Smurfily Ever After (TV), Space (TVM), Spaceflight (TV), Special Effects, Star Chaser, the Legend of Orin, Starchaser: The Legend of Orin, Starcrossed (TVM), Stuff, Superstition, Teen Wolf, Terminal Choice (Critical List) (Death List) (Trauma), Tex and the Lord of the Deep, Too Scared to Scream, Toxic Avenger, Transylvania 6-5000, Treasure of the Amazon, Tree under the Sea (L'Arbe Sous la Mer), Twilight Zone (TV), Underworld, Vampires in Havana (Vampiros en La Habana), View to a Kill, Warning Sign, Warriors of the Wind, Weird Science, When Dreams Come True (TVM), Wind in the Willows (TVM), Witching Hour (Hora Bruja), Wizards of the Lost Kingdom (Wizard Wars), Young Sherlock Holmes, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (TV) Mark Leeper MT 3G-434 957-5619 ...mtgzz!leeper BRAZIL A film review by Mark R. Leeper Capsule review: This is the best science fiction film of 1985. But catch this story of an Orwellian future quickly--it won't be around for long. 1984 never came. At least, not the way that George Orwell pictured it in _1_9_8_4. The book was his prediction from the viewing point of 1948 of what the next 36 years could bring. It is a moot point how accurate his prediction was, but the book is still a valuable yardstick for measuring our current world. It has been a valuable yardstick for years. _B_r_a_z_i_l is a new film. It does not have the track record of having been useful for years. However, it also seems to be a prediction from the viewpoint of 1948 of how the world could have turned out and today it is no less valuable than _1_9_8_4 as a yardstick for measuring today's society. In the world of _B_r_a_z_i_l technology has stagnated. The lords of creation are a megalithic bureaucracy and, apparently, the people who make heating ducts. All the technology in the world is refinements of inventions that were around at the end of World War II. (One exception, I think, is the Fresnel lens, but for society to have changed so much and for only one invention to come along is a rather telling indictment of this political system.) This is a paper-bound society in which the path to getting the smallest thing done has the form in a triangle. The greatest public enemy is a man who does repairs without red tape. In this world one minor official, one Sam Lowry, has abstract dreams of escaping the dingy crush of government world and flying free with his ideal woman. These fantasies have sapped Lowry's will to get ahead at the dismal Ministry of Information. When he finds that the woman he has been dreaming of really exists, he starts fighting the mournful inertia of the society to try to find her. Terry Gilliam seems to have for some time wanted to do in live action the sort of things he did in animation for _M_o_n_t_y _P_y_t_h_o_n. He nearly succeeded in _T_i_m_e _B_a_n_d_i_t_s, but the script of that film was extremely uneven. This time he co-authored the script with Tom Stoppard, considered to be one of the greatest living playwrights. And the choice of Stoppard paid off. For the first time in his career, Gilliam was not just making people laugh, he was telling a story of substance. Instead of just joking about the meaning of life, Gilliam is now actually saying something about it. Jonathan Pryce, who oozed malevolence in _S_o_m_e_t_h_i_n_g _W_i_c_k_e_d _T_h_i_s _W_a_y _C_o_m_e_s, carries the film as San Lowry. Also on hand are familiar faces like Robert De Niro, Ian Holm, Katherine Helmond, and Michael Palin. This film gets a +2 for pleasure, but on the -4 to +4 scale it can get - 2 - nothing less than a +3 for artistic achievement. This was the best science fiction film of 1985. A recent _F_i_l_m _C_o_m_m_e_n_t takes Universal to task for releasing _S_t_i_c_k, _J_a_m_e_s _J_o_y_c_e'_s _W_o_m_e_n, _C_r_e_a_t_o_r, _M_o_r_o_n_s _f_r_o_m _O_u_t_e_r _S_p_a_c_e, _D_r_e_a_m _C_h_i_l_d, _W_i_l_d _G_e_e_s_e _I_I, and _H_o_l_o_c_a_u_s_t _C_o_v_e_n_a_n_t in 1985, while deciding _B_r_a_z_i_l was unreleasable. Universal is absolutely right. A film this good probably will not attract enough of the teenage audience to make it profitable. It will play at your local art theater a week and then disappear, like _S_m_i_l_e or _S_t_u_n_t _M_a_n. And just like these films, people will be rediscovering _B_r_a_z_i_l for years to come. HOLMDEL SCIENCE FICTION CLUB LIBRARY HOLDINGS BBBBOOOOOOOOKKKKSSSS AAAAUUUUTTTTHHHHOOOORRRR TTTTIIIITTTTLLLLEEEE Abbey, Lynn (ed.) The Face of Chaos (w/ Asprin) Wings of Omen (w/ Asprin) Adams, Douglas Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Restaurant at the End of the Universe Life, the Universe, and Everything Aldiss, Brian Starship Anderson, Poul The Avatar Brain Wave Three Hearts and Three Lions (2) The Earth Book of Stormgate Mirkheim Earthman's Burden (w/ Dickson) Tau Zero Trader to the Stars Anthony, Piers Orn Spell for Chameleon The Source of Magic Castle Roogna Crewel Lye Asimov, Isaac Before the Golden Age (vol. 3) The End of Eternity The Gods Themselves (2) Foundation's Edge The Bicentennial Man + Robots of Dawn Asimov, Isaac (ed.) The Great SF Stories 1 (1939) (w/ Greenberg) Asprin, Robert Lynn (ed.) Thieves' World (2) Shadows of Sanctuary Storm Season The Face of Chaos (w/ Abbey) Wings of Omen (w/ Abbey) Ball, Brian The Space Guardians Ballard, J. G. Chronopolis Barnes, Steven Dream Park (w/ Niven) Bender, Albert Flying Saucers and Three Men Bester, Alfred The Stars My Destination The Computer Connection Binder, Eando Night of the Saucers Bischoff, David Star Fall Bixby, E. Rew Fire Throne Mountain Blish, James Fallen Star A Case of Conscience Block, Thomas Orbit Blum, Ralph Beyond Earth - 2 - Bova, Ben Voyagers Test of Fire Bradbury, Ray Something Wicked This Way Comes Brin, David Startide Rising The Practice Effect Sundiver Brunner, John Stand On Zanzibar Brust, Steven Jhereg Budrys, Algis Michaelmas Busby, F. M. The Demu Trilogy Carr, Terry (ed.) Universe 10 (hardback) Carter, Lin Conan the Liberator (w/ DeCamp) Cherryh, C. J. The Gate of Ivrel Well of Shiuan Downbelow Station (2) The Pride of Shanur The Faded Sun: Kesrith Clarke, Arthur C. Childhood's End Tales From the "White Hart" The Fountains of Paradise Imperial Earth Rendezvous with Rama 2010: Odyssey Two Clayton, Jo Diadem from the Stars Compton, D. G. Farewell, Earth's Bliss Coney, Michael G. Rax Neptune's Cauldron Conklin, Groff (ed.) The Omnibus Science Fiction (oversize) Cooper, Edmond A Far Sunset Correy, Lee Star Driver Daley, Brian TRON von Da"niken, Erich Chariots of the Gods? DeCamp, L. Sprague Lest Darkness Fall Tales from Gavagan's Bar (w/ Pratt) Conan the Freebooter (w/ Howard) Conan the Liberator (w/ Carter) Delany, Samuel R. Triton DelRey, Judy Lynn (ed.) Stellar 1 Diamond, Graham Dungeons of Kuba Dick, Philip K. Ubik Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said Dickson, Gordon R. Dorsai! Tactics of Mistake Earthman's Burden (w/ Anderson) Dillon, John The Late Great Future (w/ Fitz Gerald) Disch, Thomas M. On Wings of Song Elias, Albert The Bowman Test Endore, Guy The Werewolf of Paris - 3 - Farmer, Philip Jose' To Your Scattered Bodies Go The Fabulous Riverboat The Dark Design (2) The Magic Labyrinth Fitz Gerald, Gregory The Late Great Future (w/ Dillon) Finney, Charles G. The Circus of Dr. Lao Ford, John M. Web of Angels Forward, Robert L. Dragon's Egg The Flight of the Dragonfly Foster, Alan Dean Mission to Moulokin Nor Crystal Tears (2) Voyage to the City of the Dead Foster, M. A. The Gameplayers of Zan Garrett, Randall Too Many Magicians Gibson, William Neuromancer Godwin, Parke The Masters of Solitude (w/ Kaye) (2) Greenberg, Martin H. The Great SF Stories 1 (1939) (w/ Asimov) Haldeman, Joe The Forever War Mindbridge (hardback) Hamilton, Edmond The Best of Edmond Hamilton Harrison, Harry Deathworld Three The Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat Harrison, William Rollerball Heinlein, Robert A. Starship Troopers The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress The Past through Tomorrow Friday Job: A Comedy of Justice Herbert, Frank Dune Dune Messiah Children of Dune God Emperor of Dune The Jesus Incident (w/ Ransom) Hogan, James P. The Genesis Machine Inherit the Stars Giants' Star The Gentle Giants of Ganymede Code of the Lifemaker Thrice upon a Time Howard, Robert E. Conan the Warrior (2) Conan the Freebooter (w/ DeCamp) Huxley, Aldous Island Jeffrey, Adi-Kent Thomas The Bermuda Triangle Kaye, Marvin The Masters of Solitude (w/ Godwin) (2) Killian, Crawford Icequake King, Stephen The Dead Zone Kneale, Nigel Quatermass and the Pit Kornbluth, C. M. The Space Merchants (w/ Pohl) Kurtz, Katherine Saint Camber Laumer, Keith Dinosaur Beach - 4 - LeGuin, Ursula K. The Dispossessed A Wizard of Earthsea The Tombs of Atuan L'Engle, Madeleine A Wrinkle in Time Leiber, Fritz Conjure Wife Lem, Stanislaw The Cyberiad Lewis, C. S. Perelandra Lewis, Tony (ed.) The Best of Astounding Longyear, Barry Circus World Martin, George R. R. Sandkings (hardback) MacAvoy, R. A. Tea with the Black Dragon Damiano MacLean, Katherine Missing Man McCaffrey, Anne Dragonflight (2) Dragonquest The White Dragon Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern (hardback) Decision at Doona Alchemy & Academe McEnroe, Richard S. Proteus: Voices for the 80's McIntyre, Vonda N. Dreamsnake McKillip, Patricia A. The Riddle-Master of Hed Heir of Sea and Fire Harpist in the Wind Merril, Judith (ed.) The Best of Science Fiction 9 Miller, Walter M. A Canticle for Liebowitz (2) Moffit, Donald The Jupiter Theft Moorcock, Michael An Alien Heat Niven, Larry Protector The Long Arm of Gil Hamilton Ringworld The Ringworld Engineers The Mote in God's Eye (w/ Pournelle) Dream Park (w/ Barnes) The Integral Trees Norwood, Warren The Windhover Tapes: Flexing the Warp Pohl, Frederik Jem Gateway (2) Beyond the Blue Event Horizon (hardback) The Space Merchants (w/ Kornbluth) The Early Pohl (hardback) Heechee Rendezvous (hardback) Pournelle, Jerry The Mote in God's Eye (w/ Niven) Janissaries: Clan and Crown Pratchett, Terry The Colour of Magic (hardback) Pratt, Fletcher Tales from Gavagan's Bar (w/ DeCamp) Preiss, Byron Dragonworld (w/ Reaves, Zucker) Randall, Marta Journey Rankine, John Moon Odyssey Ransom, Bill The Jesus Incident (w/ Herbert) Reamy, Tom Blind Voices - 5 - Reaves, Michael Dragonworld (w/ Preiss, Zucker) Saberhagan, Fred The Water of Thought Shaara, Michael Soldier Boy Shelley, Mary Frankenstein Silverberg, Robert Up the Line Lord Valentine's Castle (2) Man in the Maze Those Who Watch Silverberg, Robert [ed] Other Dimensions The New Atlantis The Best of Randall Garrett Simak, Clifford D. City The Goblin Reservation Project Pope Why Call Them Back from Heaven? Sladek, John Mechasm Smith, Cordwainer The Best of Cordwainer Smith Smith, E. E. Triplanetary Second Stage Lensman Stallman, Robert The Orphan Stewart Earth Abides Stapledon, Olaf Last and First Men & Starmaker (oversize) Stasheff, Christopher The Warlock in Spite of Himself Sucharitkul, Somtow Starship and Haiku Tiptree, James Jr. Up the Walls of the World Tolkien, J. R. R. The Book of Lost Tales (part 1) (hardback) Toomey, Robert A World of Trouble Vance, Jack The Eyes of the Overworld (2) The Many Worlds of Magnus Ridolph Varley, John Titan Wizard Picnic on Nearside Verne, Jules 20,000 Leagues under the Sea Vinge, Joan D. The Snow Queen Vinge, Vernor The Peace War White, James Futures Past The Escape Orbit Wilhelm, Kate Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang Wilson, Colin The Mind Parasites Wilson, Robert Anton Schro"dinger's Cat Wolfe, Gene The Fifth Head of Cerberus The Shadow of the Torturer (2) The Claw of the Conciliator The Sword of the Lictor Wollheim, Donald A. [ed] 1983 Worlds Annual Best SF Wylie, Philip Gladiator Wyndham, John Day of the Triffids Zebrowski, George Macrolife - 6 - Zelazny, Roger Lord of Light Nine Princes in Amber The Guns of Avalon Damnation Alley This Immortal Zucker, Joseph Dragonworld (w/ Preiss, Reaves) S.F.W.A The Science Fiction Hall of Fame (vol. I) The Science Fiction Hall of Fame (vol. IIA) The Science Fiction Hall of Fame (vol. IIB) LINCROFT SCIENCE FICTION CLUB LIBRARY HOLDINGS BBBBOOOOOOOOKKKKSSSS AAAAUUUUTTTTHHHHOOOORRRR TTTTIIIITTTTLLLLEEEE Adams, Douglas Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Restaurant at the End of the Universe Restaurant at the End of the Universe Aldiss, Brian No Time Like Tomorrow Aldiss, Brian (ed.) Space Opera Anderson, Chester The Butterfly Kid Anderson, Poul A Circus of Hells Tau Zero Tau Zero The Avatar The Earth Book of Stormgate The Queen of Air and Darkness Three Hearts and Three Lions Anderson, Poul & Dickson, G. Earthman's Burden Anderson, Poul(ed.) Nebula Award Stories Four Anthony, Piers Chthon Asimov, Isaac Fantastic Voyage Foundation Foundation Trilogy (hardcover) Foundation and Empire Foundation's Edge (hardcover) From Earth to Heaven I, Robot I, Robot Nightfall and Other Stories (hardcover) Second Foundation The Bicentennial Man The Bicentennial Man & Other Stories The End of Eternity The Far Ends of Time and Earth (hardcover) The Gods Temselves The Gods Themselves The Union Club Mysteries Asimov, Isaac & Groff Conklin 50 Short Science Fiction Tales Asimov, Isaac (ed.) The 13 Crimes of SF (hardcover) The Great SF Stories - 1 The Great SF Stories - 2 The Great SF Stories - 6 The HUGO Winners vol.1 Asimov, Isaac et.al. (ed.) TV 2000 Asprin, Robert Thieves' World Thieves' World Bach, Richard Illusions Ballard, J.G. Vermilion Sands - 2 - Bass, T.J. Half Past Human The Godwhale Bayley, Barrington J. The Garments of Caean Bear, Greg The Infinity Concerto Beaumont, Charles Best of Beaumont Bernard, Christine (ed.) Fontana Book of Great Horror Stories Bester, Alfred Golem 100 The Stars My Destination Biggle, Lloyd Jr. The Light That Never Was The Metallic Muse The World Menders Bischoff, David Star Fall Bishop, Michael A Funeral for the Eyes of Fire No Enemy But Time Blish, James Cities in Flight Blum, Ralph The Simultaneous Man Bova, Ben Colony Star Watchman The Exiles Trilogy Voyagers Boyd, John The Rakehells of Heaven Bradbury, Ray I Sing the Body Electric Something Wicked This Way Comes The Illustrated Man The Martian Chronicles The Martian Chronicles Bradley, Marion Zimmer Endless Universe Brin, David Startide Rising Brunner, John Players at the Game of People The Infinitive of Go The Sheep Look Up Brust, Steven Jhereg Bryant, Edward & Harlan EllisonPhoenix Without Ashes Budrys, Algis J. Michaelmas Burroughs, Edgar Rice A Princess of Mars (hardcover) Tarzan of the Apes The Gods of Mars & The Warlord of Mars (hardcover) Busby, F.M. The Demu Trilogy The Demu Trilogy Campbell, John W. The Best of John W. Campbell Card, Orson Scott Hot Sleep - The Worthing Chronicle Carr, Terry (ed.) Universe 7 Carter, Lin Beyond the Gate of Dream Carver, Jeffrey A. Panglor Chalker, Jack L. A Jungle of Stars Cherryh, C. J. Merchanter's Luck Serpent's Reach The Pride of Chanur Christie, Agatha Sleeping Murder - 3 - Clarke, Arthur C. 2001 A Space Odyssey 2010 - Odyssey Two (hardcover) Childhood's End Childhood's End Rendezvous With Rama Rendezvous With Rama Tales From the White Hart Tales of Ten Worlds View from Serendip Clayton, Jo Diadem from the Stars Compton, D. G. Synthajoy The Steel Crocodile Coney, Michael G. Friends Come in Boxes Mirror Image Rax The Hero of Downways Contento, William Index to SF Anthologies & Collections (hardcover) Cooper, Edmund A Far Sunset Sea-Horse in the Sky Cowper, Richard The Road to Corlay The Road to Corlay (hardcover) Crichton, Michael The Andromeda Strain Crowley, John Beasts Da Cruz, Daniel The Ayes of Texas Daley, Brian Requiem for a Ruler of Worlds Davison, Avram Ursus of Ultima Thule De Camp, L. Sprague The Queen of Zamba De Camp, L. Sprague & Pratt, F.Land of Unreason Delany, Samuel R. Tales of Neveryon Dick, Philip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said The Zap Gun Dick, Philip K. & Zelazny, R. Deus Irae Dickson, Gordon R. Dorsai! The Outposter The R-Master Time Storm Disch, Thomas On Wings of Song Disch, Thomas (ed) The Ruins of Earth (hardcover) Donaldson, Stephen R. Lord Foul's Bane The Illearth War The Power That Preserves Eddings, David Pawn of Prophecy Eklund, Gordon The Starless World Ellison, Harlan (ed.) Again, Dangerous Visions Volume 1 Farmer, Philip Jose Jesus on Mars The Cache To Your Scattered Bodies Go Finney, Charles G. The Circus of Dr. Lao Forward, Robert Dragon's Egg - 4 - Foster, Alan Dean Alien For Love of Mother-Not Icerigger Nor Crystal Tears Nor Crystal Tears The Black Hole (hardcover) With Friends Like These ... Foster, M.A. The Gameplayers of Zan Friedell, Egon The Return of the Time Machine Garrett, Randall Starship Death Too Many Magicians Gawron, Jean Mark Algorithm Gerrold, David The Galactic Whirlpool The Galactic Whirlpool Glut, Donald F. The Empire Strikes Back Goulart, Ron Shaggy Planet Haining, Peter (ed.) The Evil People Haldeman, Jack C. II Perry's Planet Haldeman, Joe All My Sins Remembered Planet of Judgment Planet of Judgment Worlds Harrison, Harry Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat Planet of No Return The Deathworld Trilogy Harrison, Harry & Dickson, G. The Lifeship Heinlein, Robert A. Citizen of the Galaxy Day After Tomorrow Farmer in the Sky Farnham's Freehold Friday (hardcover) Glory Road Have Space Suit -- Will Travel Orphans of the Sky Starship Troopers Stranger in a Strange Land The Man Who Sold the Moon The Menace from Earth The Menace from Earth The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heppenheimer,T.A. Colonies In Space Herbert, Frank Children of Dune (hardcover) Dune Dune (hardcover) Dune Messiah Dune Messiah (hardcover) God-Emperor of Dune (hardcover) The Dosadi Experiment Herbert, Frank & Ransom, W. The Jesus Incident - 5 - Hogan, James P. Giants' Star The Genesis Machine The Two Faces of Tomorrow Voyage From Yesteryear Hoskins, Robert To Control The Stars Hoskins, Robert (ed.) The Stars Around Us Hoskins, Robert(ed.) The Future Now Howard, Robert E. Conan The Warrior The Hand of Kane The Moon of Skulls Howard, Robert E. & De Camp, L.S.Conan The Usurper Hoyle, Fred & Geoffrey Rockets in Ursa Major Hubbard, L. Ron Battlefield Earth Jones, D.F. Colossus Colossus and the Crab The Fall of Colossus Kaye, Marvin & Godwin, P. The Masters of Solitude The Masters of Solitude Kellogg, M. Bradley A Rumour of Angels King, Stephen Christine (hardcover) King, Steven The Dead Zone Kingsbury, Donald Courtship Rite Courtship Rite Kneale, Nigel Quatermass and the Pit Knight, Damon The Futurians (hardcover) Konvitz, Jeffrey The Sentinel L'Engle, Madeleine A Wrinkle in Time (trade paperback) Lanier, Sterling E. Hiero's Journey Laumer, Keith Dinosaur Beach Star Colony Star Colony The Glory Game LeGuin, Ursula K. A Wizard of Earthsea A Wizard of Earthsea The Lathe of Heaven The Tombs of Atuan The Tombs of Atuan Leiber, Fritz The Sinful Ones Lem, Stanislaw The Cyberiad Leroux, Gaston The Phantom of the Opera Longyear, Barry Circus World Circus World Circus World Manifest Destiny MacDonald, John D. Wine of the Dreamers Machen, Arthur Tales of Horror Malzberg, Barry Malzberg At Large Marshak, Sondra & Myrna CulbreathThe Price of the Phoenix Martin, George R.R. Dying of the Light Matheson, Richard I Am Legend (hardcover) McCaffery, Anne Dragonflight - 6 - McComas, J. Francis (ed.) Special Wonder McKillip, Patricia The Riddle-Master of Hed Miller, Walter Canticle for Leibowitz Canticle for Leibowitz Canticle for Leibowitz Moore, C.L. Jirel of Joiry Nicholls, Peter (ed.) The Science Fiction Encyclopedia (trade paperback) Nim, P.S. Double Mobius Sphere Niven, Larry Dream Park Protector Ringworld Ringworld The Flight of the Horse Niven, Larry & Pournelle, J. The Mote in God's Eye Nolan & Greenberg(ed.) Science Fiction Origins Nolan, W. A Sea of Space Norman, John Tarnsman of Gor Norton, Andre Catseye Dragon Magic Lord of Thunder Moon Called Web of the Witch World O'Donnell, K.M. Universe Day O'Neill, Gerard The High Frontier (trade paperback) Pangborn, Edgar Still I Persist in Wondering Panshin, Alexei Rite of Passage Star Well Piper, H. Beam & Kurland, M. First Cycle Playboy Magazine (ed.) The Dead Astronaut Pohl, Frederick Gateway Jem Jem Syzygy Pohl, Frederick & Williamson, J.Wall Around A Star Pollack, Rachel Golden Vanity Pournelle, Jerry A Step Farther Out The Endless Frontier The Mercenary Pournelle, Jerry & Carr, J.F. The Endless Frontier vol.II Reamy, Tom Blind Voices San Diego Lightfoot Sue Resnick, Mike The Best Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' Gunslinger In The Whole Damned Galaxy Robeson, Kenneth Brand of the Werewolf The Fantastic Voyage The Lost Oasis Robinson, Spider Callahan's Crosstime Saloon Mindkiller Roddenberry, Gene STAR TREK the Motion Picture Rucker, Rudy Software - 7 - Saberhagen, Fred Berserker Specimens The Berserker Wars Saunders, Jake & Waldrop, H. The Texas-Israeli War - 1999 Schmidt, Dennis Way-Farer Schwartz, Alan The Wandering Tellurian Scortia, Thomas N. & Frank M. RobinsonThe Prometheus Crisis (hardcover) Shaw, Bob Orbitsville Shelley, Mary Frankenstein Silverberg, Robert Lord Valentine's Castle (hardcover) The Majipoor Chronicles The Man in the Maze Those Who Watch Up the Line World's Fair 1992 Silverberg, Robert(ed.) The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Simak, Clifford D. All Flesh is Grass Best Science Fiction Stories City Destiny Doll Mastodonia Out of Their Minds Project Pope The Goblin Reservation The Werewolf Principle Waystation Simpson, George E. & Burger, N.E.Thin Air/Dome Siodmak, Curt Hauser's Memory Smith, David C. The Sorceror's Shadow Smith, L. Neil The Probability Broach Spinrad, Norman The Void Captain's Tale Stallman, Robert The Orphan Stapledon, Olaf Last and First Men and Starmaker (trade paperback) Stasheff, Christopher The Warlock In Spite of Himself Stewart, George R. Earth Abides Stine, G. Harry The Space Enterprise The Third Industrial Revolution Sturgeon, Theodore Sturgeon in Orbit Sucharitkul, Somtow Starship & Haiku Swann, Ingo Star Fire Tenn, William Of Men and Monsters Thomas, Frank Sherlock Holmes and the Sacred Sword Tiptree, James Jr. Out of the Everywhere Warm Worlds and Otherwise Tolkien, J.R.R. The Tolkien Reader Trout, Kilgore Venus on the Half-Shell Tubb, E.C. Prison of Night Van Lustbader, Eric Dai-San The Sunset Warrior Van Vogt, A. E. Slan Slan - 8 - Vance, Jack The Eyes of the Overworld The Eyes of the Overworld Vardeman, Robert E. The Klingon Gambit Vinge, Joan The Snow Queen (hardcover) Wallace, Ian Heller's Leap Weinstein, Howard The Covenant of the Crown (hardcover) Wheatley, Dennis The Haunting of Toby Jugg Whittemore, Edward Jerusalem Poker Williams, P. The Dome in the Forest Williamson, Jack The Best of Jack Williamson Three From the Legion Wilson, Robert Anton Schrodinger's Cat Winski, Norman The Sword and the Sorceror Wolfe, Gene Fifth Head of Cerberus The Citadel of the Autarch (hardcover) The Claw of the Conciliator (hardcover) The Shadow of the Torturer The Shadow of the Torturer (hardcover) The Sword of the Lictor The Sword of the Lictor (hardcover) Wollheim, Donald (ed.) 1983 Annual Best SF 1984 Annual Best SF Wyndham, John Re-Birth The Day of the Triffids The Day of the Triffids Zelazny, Roger The Chronicles of Amber vol.I (hardcover) The Chronicles of Amber vol.II (hardcover) The Dream Master ACE DOUBLES Author Title Author Title ****** ***** Barrett, Neal Jr. The Gates of Time O'Donnell, K.M. Dwellers of the Deep Bayley, Barrington J. The Star Virus Jakes, John Mask of Chaos Bradley, Marion Zimmer The Brass Dragon Rackham, John Ipomoea Bradley, Marion Zimmer The Winds of Darkover Rackham, John The Anything Tree Bulmer, Kenneth The Ships of Durostorum Sutton, Jeff Alton's Unguessable - 9 - Chandler, A. Bertram The Rim Gods Janifer, Laurence M. & Treibich, S.J.The High Hex Hamilton, Edmond A Yank at Valhalla Rocklynne, Ross The Sun Destroyers Jakes, John Tonight We Steal the Stars Janifer, Laurence M. & Treibich, S.J,The Wagered World Nunes, Claude & Rhoda Recoil Tubb, E.C. Lallia MAGAZINES Title Date ***** **** AMAZING May 1985 Jul 1985 Sep 1985 Nov 1985 AMAZING/FANTASTIC Jan 1983 ANALOG May 1967 Mar 1979 Jan 1980 FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION Aug 1978 IASFM Mar 1979 May 1979 Nov 1979 Feb 1980 Mar 1980 Apr 1980 May 1980 Jun 1980 Jul 1980 Aug 1980 Sep 1980 Oct 1980 Nov 1980 Dec 1980 Jan 19, 1981 Feb 16, 1981 Mar 16, 1981 Apr 14, 1981 May 11, 1981 Jul 06, 1981 Aug 03, 1981 Aug 31, 1981 Sep 28, 1981 - 10 - _N_O_T_E_S _F_R_O_M _T_H_E _N_E_T --------------------------------------- Subject: _Belgariad_ review (slight spoilers) Path: mtuxo!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!akgua!gatech!ut-sally!seismo!umcp-cs!mangoe Date: Mon, 24-Feb-86 23:00:41 EST Summary: I liked it, in spite of flaws in Book 5. Longer review: Yes this is yet-another-growing-up saga; in many respects it is quite similar to the 5 Lloyd Alexander "Taran" books (aka _Black Cauldron_). It's also a quest novel, and a theological novel, and several other standard fantasy themes rolled up together. Yet it somehow manages to rise above all this. The first three books are immensely enjoyable. Eddings has strikingly vivid characters with lots of complexities, and, although the plot advances somewhat leisurely, it's fun simply to watch the characters do their thing. The cosmology, which is revealed gradually through the book, is familiar and yet somehow new and fresh, and there are interesting and amusing detours through prophets, scriptural interpretation, and the like. The plot moves very deliberately, not really getting on the track until Book 2. By the end of Book 3 it really begins to pull the reader along, to the point where I and all my friends spent many months chewing our nails waiting for the last book. In middle of book 4, however, the plot line forks for a second time. In Book 5 this split persists, and furthermore, it explodes into many plot lines, all of which Eddings tries to carry simultaneously in the middle of a colossal battle; needless to say, it takes a bit of work on the part of the reader to keep everything straight. Finally, we come to the second big conclusion, and everything is resolved-- right? Well, not exactly. During the Climactic Scene, the plot quite suddenly becomes very mechanical and feels a bit contrived; one could argue that the scene indeed demands such a change in style, but nevertheless it takes a lot of the punch out of the scene. So the last book is not so satisfactory as the rest of the story. Another thing that is an occaisional problem is a bit too much preachyness. The various races of the region are occaisionally used as exemplars of human social problems, with mixed results. Sometimes it falls flat; other times, however, the characatures produced are quite amusing. Another thing that is entertaining are the little stories which serve as introductions to each book. Again, those of the last two are not so good, but the story of the Grolim which begins the third book is a marvelous story and a delightful parody as well. - 2 - Overall, this series is well worth reading. THe first four books are delightful entertainment, and, while the fifth has some serious troubles, it does not ruin the work as a whole. C. Wingate --------------------------------------- Subject: HELLSTAR by Michael Reaves & Steve Perry (mild spoiler) Path: harvard!seismo!hao!noao!terak!anasazi!duane Date: Mon, 24-Feb-86 14:43:56 EST The jacket reads: "Twenty-five years out from Earth, "Heaven Star" was halfway to a new world, when the strange set in. It was only small things at first...measurements that were slightly off... instruments that wouldn't stay calibrated...computer malfunctions. It could have been simple equipment failure. But it wasn't. For on the quantum level, the eternal dance of matter and energy was changing its measure, and the colonists bound for Heaven were riding a space/time curve down to the deepest circle of Hell..." The description is accurate but incomplete. To add to the suspense, there's a psychopathic killer loose. The story concerns a colony ship in the non-FTL vein, also known in SF circles as a generation ship. All of the technology involved is very believable and the authors take the time to explain a good deal about the layout and the functioning of the ship. The book is interesting on a number of levels. First, the characters are portrayed in a decent enough manner that you care what happens to them. Second, it's fun learning how the ship works and how the ship society fares. Third, the way the breakdowns go from insignificant things to major failures is done very well. Fourth, parallel to the breakdowns is the pursuit of the killer by the head of security. Fifth, some of the professions on the ship are novel. Sixth, there are some surprises, too. About the only complaint I have is that there are too many characters, especially at the very beginning. Even 3/4 of the way through the book I'd frequently find myself pausing when a familiar name came up in order to dredge up who this person was, what his relationship was to the others, and where I last saw him. I give this one 3.0 stars (very good). Duane Morse ...!noao!terak!anasazi!duane - 3 - --------------------------------------- Subject: Clan of the Cave Bear Path: bellcore!decvax!genrad!panda!plw Date: Mon, 24-Feb-86 16:36:57 EST Just saw "Clan" on Saturday and was not disappointed at all! I'm one of these people that really got hooked on the books. I knew that no movie could really do justice to COCB, especially the intricate detail and customs and character development, et al. I also knew that filming realistic hunting scenes would not be possible, nor was it likely that Hollywood would be able to find "flatheads". But the movie was a real delight. The screenplay was very close to the book in most major parts. Particularly authentic was the Clan's mechanisms for communication. If you approach the movie from the point of view that it simply isn't and can't be THE BOOK, then I think you'll like it. I recommend the movie. I recommend that you read the book before you watch the movie. This is not an action packed "Rambo" or anything so don't judge it that way. It is basically a superb rendition of what life might have been like at the dawn of man. Sure glad I didn't live back then! Can't wait for "Valley"! Pete Williamson --------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Right Stuff soundtrack Path: bellcore!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!ism780c!ism780!steven Date: Thu, 27-Feb-86 10:55:00 EST Bill Conti won an Academy Award for "The Right Stuff", but the soundtrack was not released. Conti has, however, arranged for the soundtrack album for "F/X" to include one side of music from "The Right Stuff". Should be in stores soon, from Varese Sarabande. --------------------------------------- Subject: Warriors of the Wind: A Review Path: bellcore!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!ucbvax!brahms!m128a3aw Date: Thu, 27-Feb-86 13:30:43 EST - 4 - "Warriors of the Wind" is an animated movie, of a science fiction/fantasy nature. The animation is Japanese... In fact, the *movie* is Japanese. "Warriors" is really the American- dubbed version of "Nausicaa". This gives rise to most of the problems that the movie had for me, as a Japanese animation fan. Scenes were cut, the heroine's voice seemed inappropriate, and much of the more impassioned speeches sounded rather trite/corny. But this is only a really annoying factor if you've seen the original, and fallen in love with it in that form. Overall, the movie seems to be rather faithful to the original. The only scenes cut were rather inconsequential. They were interesting visually, and sometimes characterization was advanced in them, but on the whole, the subtracted scenes don't make very much difference. The story has a extremely strong "Don't Mess With Mother Nature" theme, and this shows in the dubbed version. The story follows the adventures of a young princess named Zandra (Nausicaa) from the Valley of the Wind. Long ago legendary monsters, fire demons, had engulfed the world in flame for seven days. In the intervening years, civilization has rebuilt itself into a feudal state. Warring factions now fight for land to support their peoples, as the earth is being engulfed by an unstoppable "toxic jungle." Within the toxic jungle, there are giant insects...majestic, fifty-foot tall quasi-caterpillers that are very,very tough to kill. (one of the cut scenes demonstrated how impenetrable their armor was.) [The animation on all the creatures is magnificent. When one of those fifty-foot "gorgons" chases someone, the earth shakes.] The inhabitants of the Valley of the Wind are lucky in that the ocean winds seem to relieve the effects of the gases from the jungle. Everybody still walks around wearing gas masks, though, when not in the Valley. One day, a large cargo plane crashes in the Valley of the Wind. It turns out that the planes was one from a warring faction that had just captured a princess and a "national treasure" from another kingdom. All were killed in the crash. Unfortunately, the "national treasure" wasn't. It is a sleeping fire demon. Suddenly, the Valley of the Wind becomes a bone of contention between the two warring factions. Both sides want the demon at any costs. One side invades the valley and conquers it, while the other schemes to destroy the valley before the demon can be awakened. Zandra/Nausicaa is caught in the middle. But her empathy with the jungle insects, her fighting prowess, and jet-propelled flyer see her through. - 5 - Yes, at times, the story descends to romantic slush, but this is mainly due to the dialogue. The Japanese script was translated into English so that the new soundtrack would lipsynch with the animation (much like Robotech). As a result, the language is, shall we say, limited. But c'est la vie, and them's the facts, that translations can never be wholly true to the originals. A fantastic point in favor of this movie, other than the obvious one, the quality of animation, is the fact that the sound-effects and musical soundtracks are unchanged from the original. They add greatly to the overall quality of the film. (Incidentally the romantic lead (Milo)'s voice is done by the guy who did Max/Lancer for Robotech). Also, the curious blend of B-52-like planes, tanks, swords, fifty-foot bugs, castles, windmills plutonium and machine guns makes a fascinating study. The supporting characters are all excellant additions to the story and most of the American voices are well done. (Sorry, but Zandra just doesn't scream as well as Nausicaa did.) So, roughly judging, if you love Robotech, this is a must-see. The mushroom cloud alone is worth the admission price. If you loved Nausicaa, go see it to found out what the plot was all about, and to find the places where they cut the scenes. And if you like good animation, and you can live with corny dialogue... don't be put off by the promotional poster. This is one of the best animated movies I've seen, and a real good example as to why people go crazy over Japanese animation. I highly recommend seeing this... --Kathy Li p.s. ...and then getting ahold of Nausicaa and seeing that. --------------------------------------- Subject: An OZian view of THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN Path: bellcore!decvax!decwrl!amdcad!lll-crg!seismo!rlgvax!oz Date: Fri, 28-Feb-86 09:04:38 EST USHER: Excuse me sir (astounded gasp from my four companions as they are used to hearing me referred to as "screwball," "sicko," or "marketing weenie") but this theater is showing THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN. OZ: I know. That is why I chose this particular cubical at Tysons 8. USHER: But Sir, it's a kiddies film. OZ: Wrong Alpo Nose, it's a CLAYMATION* film. USHER: Oh. - 6 - The above actually took place when myself and 4 coworkers went to see THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN this past weekend. I have long been a fan of animation and being a friend of Steve Knights had been told about it some months before. My exposure to clay animation in the past has been primarily Gumby (which was terrible) and the famous Jimmy Carter "Georgia" video of a few years back (which was pretty good) so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was an excellent, funny and throughly enjoyable movie which showed me how wonderful clay animation can be. It is my belief that when you have a movie that is based on a book (or books) that you should treat the two as separate entities. GONE WITH THE WIND the movie should be considered a movie that has characters and situations from GONE WITH THE WIND the book. We shouldn't expect them to replicate the book (and indeed they didn't) for books and movies are two separate mediums (the other children that Scarlet had in the book while good characters that helped show what kind of person Scarlet was, were unnecessary in the movie as they could more vividly SHOW you what kind of person she was). The same is true of the way the Mark Twain stories are presented. There were some additions and subtractions in the presentation of the stories to make them work better in an animated film. None of this "editing" detracted from my enjoyment of the stories. You have probably already heard of the basic premise of the movie, but just in case you haven't hear goes: Haleys Comet has come again in the early 1900's. Mark Twain had written that he came in with the comet and he would go out with the comet (true story, and he did die during the last appearance of the comet). In the movie Mark Twain has built a flying machine (a fantastic balloon that has Rube Goldberg sitting up and taking notice) to chase the comet. Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky all sneak aboard the balloon to get a peek at it and end up joining Mr. Twain. Aboard the balloon they are shown some of Mr. Twains stories including: The Famous Jumping Frog, The Diary of Adam and Eve, The Mysterious Stranger, and excerpts from Captain Stormfields trip to heaven. Inbetween the short stories the children talk to Twain and learn a little about the man, his sense of humor, and the sadness of his life after his wife died. As for the stories themselves, they maintain the wry sense of humor that Twain was noted for. In Adam and Eve they don't beat you over the head with the humor but show it subtly as Twain did in his writing. Such as the great running gag "The new creature says the leafy things in the forest are called 'trees.' I asked her why and she said 'because they look like trees.'" I enjoyed the stories as much as when I originally read them with the exception of "Captain Stormfield." Their presentation of the excerpts were too fragmented for my taste and I didn't get any feeling for what the story was about. Three out of four ain't bad. - 7 - But what of the animation you say? I can't think of the words that I need to get you to leap up from your terminals and run to see if there is a showing of this film right now. When Steve Knight first raved about how incredible the facial expressions were, I thought that he was exaggerating. After all Disney, and Warner Bros were able to convey many emotions in the faces of their characters. I owe Mr. Knight an apology and am glad to do it here publicly, I have never been able to read what a animated character is thinking as well as I could in this film. In Adam and Eve you watch Adam go from total enjoyment in his paradise, to confusion in the arrival of Eve, to caring when he discovers that he loves her, and finally to sorrow when he is left alone. All of these emotions were shown SUBTLY in his face. It was incredible. The sorrow on Mr. Twains face when he speaks of his late wife makes you want to put your arm around his shoulder and comfort him. Animated characters have made me laugh, cry and shrink back in my seat before, but this is the first time that they made me feel empathic. For me the most striking scene was The Mysterious Stranger. Tom and Becky are asked by the Mysterious Stranger, who has identified himself as the Angel Satan, to take some clay and make figures to live in the clay palace that he made. The children make typical child like clay "people." Satan then makes the characters come "alive" and you see these child made figures come to life. Then he causes a terrible storm and earthquake to strike the castle. I watched in terror as these unrealistic clay figures tried to stay alive in the tempest and perished. I felt sorry for their demise. The long and the short of it, is that I found it to be an entertaining and amazing film. I do not think that it is a good film for kiddies for the adult moments out weigh the childish moments and I think kidlings would be bored. If you like Twain, and especially if you like animation, I strongly recommend that you go see it. One warning is that Clubhouse films which distributes the film has arranged that it only be shown at matinees. This is a great injustice for it will drive many people away. Please take the time to see it. It will be worth your while. OZ seismo!rlgvax!oz THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT ALMOST BLANK NOMINATE MARK R. LEEPER FOR HUGO FOR BEST FAN WRITER