fflnsciEriT• No. 12 SUMMER, 1950 | Three years and 400 pages ago, we brought out the first issue of The FANSCIEOT. This issue completes the third year, and just under the wire too, as it’s nearly three months late. For this 1 decline to Volume 4, Whole Number 12 apologize as only one who was idiot enough to accept the chairmanship of a world stf-con would be putting out an issue even'now. Those few Number 2. tfefflnsciEnj SUMMER, 1950 who have been the chairmen or work-horses of past cons will know what I mean---- the rest of you will just have to imagine as best you can. Even now, there would be no issue save for the valiant efforts of CONTENTS of the SUMMER 1950 Issue Miles Eaton, who with his wife, Betty, prepared much of the copy for publication and Jim Bradley, who nobly assisted in the final preparation of the issue. Incidentally, Jim’s fanzine, DESTINY, is going lithoed COVER Photo from DESTINATION MOON with its second issue, ready now. 16 lithoed Fanscient-sized pages for 150. Order from Jim Bradley, 545 NE San Rafael St., Portland 12, Ore. UNBELIEVITUDINOSITY JOHN & DOROTHY DE COURCY 4 Illustrated by J. M. Higbee After reading Anthony Boucher’s autobiography in the AUTHOR, AUTHOR department, I’m sure you’ll be ready to come up to the NORWESCON where OUT OF LEGEND: The Babd Catha Text dt Picture by MILES EATON 8 Tony will be present as Guest of Honor. He’s well worth meeting, not only because he’s a swell guy, but for his knowledge of fantasy and THE FIRST MEN ON THE MOON FORREST J. ACKERMAN 10 his ready flow of ideas. Come on up and find out for yourself. THE MACHINE AGE THOMAS H. CARTER 12 Illustrated by Jim Bradley Phil Barker’s "---- and the Strong Shall Inherit" presents a really new switch on the ’Surprise ending", an ending that is even a complete suprise to Phil. He washed his hands of it when no-one liked either SATURN Stereo from the collection of MILES EATON 15 of the two endings he wrote for it. Miles Eaton persuaded him to let me have a look at it---- and I liked everything about it but the ending. INDEX to the NON-PROFESSIONAL WRITINGS of DAVID H. KELLER, M. D. 16 Miles and I kicked ideas around for a while and came up with an one which I wrote into a new ending for the story. If you like the story, THE LOTUS EATER Poem and Illustration by LIN CARTER 19 thank Phil——if you don’t like the ending, blame me. Col. David H. AUTHOR, AUTHOR ANTHONY BOUCHER 20 Keller has prepared an index to his fanzine writings, to supplement the AUTHOR, AUTHOR index in FANS8CIENT No. 5. Together, the two lists ---- AND THE STRONG SHALL INHERIT PHILLIP BARKER 28 cover his entire published output. The list is printed on the center Illustrated by the Author pages so that it can be removed for filing with the other without ser BOOK REVIEWS: iously damaging the rest of the pages. THE DREAMING JEWELS DONALD B. DAY 7 I always swore that if the FIRST LENSMAN E. EVERETT EVANS 8 time came when I couldn’t maintain a regular schedule, I’d drop the whole thing, but now that it is upon us, I haven’t the heart. Much as 250 a copy 6 issues for $1.00 it pains me, The FANSCIENT is going irregular. What the "irregular" means, you Know as much as I do. The thing is that between preparing Edited and Published Quarterly by for the NORWESCON, general fanactivity and The FANSCIENT, I’ve had to defer too many other things till they’ve piled up on me. There are DONALD B. DAY, repairs and remodeling to be done to the house and a number of other things I want to do. My plan is to continue The FANSCIENT as what it 5455 NE 58th Ave., Portland 15, Oregon started out to be, a hobby. To maintain a regular schedule, it would be necoessary to let other things go to get it out at times. Doing it British Subscriptions: 6 issues for 5/~. Send Pound Sterling to: for fun, in my spare time, I can do a better job and enjoy it more. Capt. K. F. Slater, 15 Gp. R. P. C., B. A. 0. R., 25, ^GPO, England. At times there may not be an issue for months---- again, I may run into a spell with not much else to do and turn out issues every co,uple of months. Anyway, you’ll see the next FANSCIENT when it gets to you. For Back Issues see Page 26. Advertising $5 per page. The Labor Day Date of the NORWESCON draws oj Hope I can The FANSCIENT is an amateur magazine published for those interested in see you all there for the time of our lives, science-fiction and fantasy literature. No payment is made for mater ial used beyond a copy of the issue containing such material. Stories - 2 - and articles pertaining to the field are welcome with preference given to shorter material. 3 - unbdlievttudinosity______J- We have only the fragmentary scrap 4 The FANSCIENT nnme to be pronounced NOR-WES-CON and our subsequent name a cor of the original charter which ruption. mentions someone as a plumber’s I realized I should have to friend, and I have no reason to watch for other such alterations doubt that this person whose name UNBELIEVITUDIN0S1TY in pronunciation and be ever alert is oblitherated was, in truth, Moe to draw on the accumulated memories Higbee. of Moe Higbee, friend of Plumbers. Altho I knew when and where the This latter term still confuses me. celebrated event, NORZCON, was to by John & Dorothy de Courcy
HE WAS NOT LARGE, nor hirsute, hours, I was in possession of the but his cartiage was dignified and date, my identity, and commanding as he walked to the many other neccessary speaker’s platform. He faced the bits of knowledge. I august body slowly, then began to found it possible to speak in a clear voice that was tap the accumulated picked up and augmented by the memories and shortly, Sonodynes until Demosthenes him as far as anyone self would have felt a touch of could tell, I was a envy. normal citizen of "Ky fellows and members of the that era. 672 Solcon. As was agreed at the I found that I 671 Convention exactly one terran was J. Moses year ago this day, the Project was Higbee, itin begun. tJith the assistance of the erant car- committee, we constructed the t o o n i s t. Temperostat and injected my per Most people sonality almost 700 terran years knew me as back into the body of someone whom Moe. For we did not at that time know but tunately, whose PSK rating would be,we knew, I could virtually identical with my own. only be The purpose of the Project, as drawn to most of you know, was to observe some one and meet, if possible, our great virtually founders and historic leaders, a brother those almost legendary figures to in thought, whom we pay homage and devotion at so I was these annual Conventions. I shall not sur now make my report on the Project," prised to He paused, significantly, and the learn that already tensely quiet hall became I was already even more profoundly silent. a member of the famous I first found myself in a small body, whom we room but had no time for observing know as the for I had to subdue almost at once founders of the tenant of that body. The task our great was easier than you might imagine. philosophy, the That first day was more than NORZCON; except difficult, but within twenty four that I found the 6 ______The FANSCIENT UNBELIEVITUDINOSITY______take place, it was with excitement only to our creed but to nroteot------1 rather than trepidation that I at ion froa radio-activity in the be- At first, I thought it to be the Perhaps a clue lies in the fact tempted contact with the legendary ginning of the atomic age. "Well stimulant of the night before, but that the temperostat, like Moe leader, Donda, known by his in come on! Let’s get the lead out!" then, I realized with dawning hor Higbee, doesn't exist. Nor do I. timates of the time as Don. His I nailed up numerous festoons ror what was wrong. For while at Nor do any of us. For I saw on first words thrilled me over the and applied myself diligently to thi$ convention the Great Charter the program--- the Demonstration." quaint instrument called Telephone. many tasks, minor ones to be sure. was drawn up and dedicated to Beer, Unbelieving eyes stared at .the "It’s your nickle." The night passed away in a fever the only true Ghod, and the assem speaker. "This is Moe," I said measuredly. of activity which was made bear blage swore ty Beer never to desert "Legend tells us that the Demon "Hello Moe, what’ya know?" Donda able by a liquid stimulant. After the tradition of supreme enlight stration was cancelled after a replied. several samples of the stimulant, enment thru unstinting devotion to test of the especially constructed "In view of the fact that you my mind, unsuited to the more philosophic refinement; while I had atomiencephaloencabulator showed are the august chairman of the primitive conditions, surrendered seen the memorable faces of our that under full operation the whole NORJESCON, I deem it advisable to itself, tho I recollect reverently founders, they had not seen me. Solar System would be destroyed. place myself at your disposal for singing with the group, as dawn The terrible fact is that Moe But it was not cancelled nor taken any final eventualities." I strove was breaking, a hymn whose words I Higbee never existed?" from the program as we have be to sound dignified but did not cannot remember but which were ■If only I had never read the lieved. The truth is, like it or succeed well for Donda replied, quite inspiring at the time. program and seen the fateful clue, not, it WAS on the program and the "What’s this; dialect yet? Of After some self-conditioning and I could have reported the rest, Solar System was destroyed, and course I need you! Get the hell food, I returned to the great hall but as soon as I realized that the we, the 672 SOLCON are imaginary, over here to the hall! Where have where I was greeted with good body I inhabited didn’t exist, I hypothetical and impossible. Why, you been all day? And leave the cheer. was forced to return to our time. Gentlemen, there wasn’t even a bottle behind^—unless, of course, "Here comes Dopey now," someone Ue tried the temperostat again and NINTH World Science-Fiction Con it’s full." remarked. again but never were able to reach vention!" "My heart is filled with "We’re about to begin. Try to the noble era, nor anything else. THE END delight," I hastened to say. His look dignified," someone murmured next words were unintelligible and as I entered. he terminated the conversation. "Go up and sit down by Don," an THE DREAMING JEWELS by Theodore four feet tall. His friends In due course of time, I reached other prompted. Sturgeon. Greenberg: Publisher, include Havana and.Bunny, carnival the hall where the historic EIGHTH I made my way thru the assemblage New York. 1950 218 pages. |2.5O midgets, and Solum, the Alligator- CON was to be held, its full name, to the platform on which sat many Skinned Man, "the ugliest human in amazingly, the Eighth World Science of the illustrious great. Donda In choosing Theodore Sturgeon’s captivity". He meets "The Man- Fiction Convention. Some of the graciously introduced me to Onri first novel for their initial Eater", who hates all humanity and words are vague in meaning but no Cutna and I was overwhelmed at wenture into the field of soience- uses the "dreaming jewels* against matter. Donda greeted me at the meeting the second of our great fiction, GREENBERG: PUBLISHER has mankind. Finally Horty’s destiny door where I stood with my head Triumvirate. And then I could indeed been fortunate. Here is a leads him back to the scenes of piece held reverently in my hand. hardly contain myself when I faced book that will appeal alike to the his childhood where his path again With gusto and that spirit of and even spoke to the third member, seasoned fantasy fan and to the crosses those of Kay and of his comradre that has become a living OOga Ginsbug. I cannot describe reader who is new to the field. adopted father, Armand Bluett. tradition, he said, "Wipe that to you my emotions at that time. "The Dreaming Jewels" first Early in the story Horty loses stupid smirk off your face and get I met many others; Keith Hammond, appeared in the February, 1950 three fingers. His pursuit of the busy hanging this crud on the Lewis Padgett, Lawrence O’Donnell, FANTASTIC ADVENTURES. The book knowledge of why they grew back, walls!" and finally came the most exciting version has been considerably and the powers that developed from I stepped forth boldly. "I shall experience of all. I spoke only a rewritten, with new material added that knowledge form the gackbone do a surpassing job with the crud, few words to him,but his brilliance and a whole new ending. of the tale. sir." and keen insight were apparent the This is the story of Horty It is a credit to any writer when He compressed his lips. "One of moment I saw him. It was Geosmith. Bluett, a foundling who runs away he can take so many strange char us has been working too hard." to find, among,the "strange people" acters and make them live, believ "I am bursting with energy and The electrified audience gasped of a carnival sideshow, that he is ably. That Theodore Sturgeon has fired with zeal to do my part in but the speaker continued, unhear not quite human, but rather more. succeeded so well in this, is due this great affair," I said humbly. ing. His strange path takes him from in no small part to the incredible He responded with a long-forgot "As I sat reading the program in Kay Hallowell, the neighbor girl range of his own life—familiarity ten cheer; stirring words I’ll not my hand, I noticed a vague lj.grt> who gave him sympathy and friend with carnivals; with music, which soon forget for they refer not ness about my body, a tenuosity. ship when others turned from him, plays an important part in the to Zena, beautiful and wise------and story; and with a thousand and one 8 The FANSCIENT strange by-ways of life in our times. But then, it is this same breadth of experience, wrought in his exquisite style, which gives to Theodore Sturgeon’s tales that inimitable flavor that has made him a favorite of all who know his work. In the original magazine version, the ending was somewhat less than BADB-CATHA satisfactory to many readers. For the book, the ending has been entirely rewritten. This reviewer 2IR0UGII ancient Irish myth found the new ending much more move the shadowy figures of 3 satisfying.. battle furies. Even their names Since this book, due in Sep are obscure, Dacha, Badb, Korri- tember, was reviewed from page gon and Annan——names often in proofs, I can say nothing about terchanged. Called Scald-crows the binding, but the typography is or Battle Crows, they haunted attractive and easy to read. To the field disposing of the slain my mind, this is an ideal title in inimitable fashion. for hard covers. Not only will Macha was an avid hobbyis.t, the dyed-in-the-wool fan enjoy it, having a fine collection of but its treatment and story value heads which she hung on a lance make it an ideal introduction to known as Macha’s mast. History science-fiction for those who have is not clear as to their subse not previously been acquainted quent disposal. with it. "The Dreaming Jewels" Morrigen propositioned misogy will send many, first-time readers nist Cuchulainn but was rejected. back for more science-fiction. She pursued him iir the shape of ---- Donald B. Day an eel, wolf & heifer, finally consoling herself with The Dagda FIRST LENSMAN by Edward E. Smith, who was the central figure of an Ph. H, Fantasy Press, Reading. Pa. older theogony. Ill by A. J. Donnell. 1'950 |>.00 It is not strange that these battle demons should be female, This is the saga of the first for ancient Irish women always Earthman to go to Arisia and there accompanied thoir men to battle receive a "lens" from Mentor, the and ancient heroines are all mental fusion of the four Arisian warriors. However, Macha, while Moulders of Civilization. Virgil pregnant, was forced to race Samms,the man whose story this is, king Conchobar’s horses. She won is the driving, guiding genius who but gave birth to twins which visualizes not only the need for, amused the observing warriors. but the actual constitution and She cursed all Irish with the construction of a Galactic Patrol. weakness of pregnant women at He is "Samms the Crusader", »who crucial moments. This prompted forges an arm that can face and the lines of the bard: successfully overcome the tre "Tliey rode forth to battle----- mendous and far-reaching inimical But they always fell.” influences which plague those in dividuals, governments and civil Text and Illustration...... izations who arr tn favor of demo- by MILES EATON (Continued en page 25) THE FIRST MEN ON THE MOON______11 10 The FAN3CIENT Wilson Observatory; as well as Heinlein stated: physicist fl of the year I960; he Russ Hodgkins, Jean Cox and other "The picture will be in strict has just crossed 240,000 miles of prominent LA fans. accord with scientific accuracy. space----not without mishap------in a Author Heinlein himself designed If we foul up on any extrapol silvery l$0’ rocket. At one time the moon rocket, one of the min ations, it will be because we’re his three companions were fearful iature models of which took a week only human, but we’re trying to he might become the first corpse and a half to build, at a cost produce a semi-documentary of the lost in the void, rather than the close to $600. The lunar landscape futube. The story doesn’t fit first man to set foot on our (the crater Harpalus) was created into my Future History series, but satellite. And I was there during by master craftsman Chesley Bone- in a sense is just that: future the those breath-taking moments when stell, artist responsible for the history. We have aimed at con the rescue in space was effected. detailed drawings in the Scienti- vincingness in filming this story How did I accomplish it? No, fictionist’s "must" book, "The of the first flight to the moon, not by a time machine, and not via Conquest of Space." and if after seeing the picture Vicarion, but by a pass to a Interviewed on the "green-cheese" you don’t feel like you’ve actually first Hollywood studio. You see, George set just prior to an hour-long ap been there, I’ll be the first man Pal Productions has recently com pearance on TV, Technical Director to leave for the moon----on foot!" pleted filming----in technicolor----- an amazing interplanetary motion men picture called DESTINATION MOON. It’s adapted from a( popular book by Robert A. Heinlein, author of "Ordeal in Space1', "The Black Pits of Luna", "Red Planet" and other on outstanding interplanetaryarns. The day I visited the sat (con structed at a cost in excess of |2$,000) photographers from LIFE the and MECHANU ILLUSTRATED were busy snapping pix. For The FANSCIENT’s readers, I got the two accompanying fotos. The cover picture, showing the space-suited figure on the moon tail of the rocket, was not intend ed for release because, as you will notice, all the stars are not out in the sky, and furthermore, he’s got his "pants cuffs" rolled up and is wearing ordinary shoes! When you see the scene on the sil ver screen, the full complement of By stars will be scattered about in FORREST J. ACKERMAN the background; and when you see the rocketeer at full-length, he will be gripped to the hull of the ship by boots equipped with mag netic soles (in reality rubber suction cups). Many stf celebrities turned up to see this scientifilm in the making. William Cameron Menzies, ■I claim the Keen in the name director of "Things To Come", was of the United States and of the there; A. E. (Sian) Vogt; Henry HOLLYWOOD ON THE MOON! Heinlein, Kuttner, Bonestell, Ackerman---- all peoples of the world." It is Dr. Kuttner with his wife, Catherine hafaInd the camera as action is about to be shot on the lunar landscape. Charles Cargravea speaking, atomic Moore; R. S. Richardson of the Mt- The FANSCIENT The FANSCLENT 13 asked, "That your machine may help in curing such diseases as cancer?" Kramer could not recall his an swer; his thoughts had shot off on a familiar but frightening tangent. With an effort of his mind, Kramer dismissed all thought of Jackson. His gaze roved around the still white room which housed so many pleasant associations, so many fine times. Encircling his wife’s shoulders, Kramer whispered prosaically, "It’s been such a Illustrated by JIM BRADLEY long time, Mary." . His arm tight ened, and his voice was not steady, "I wish.... I wish we could go back!" what was past, but for what was to Beside him the woman laughed come. very solftly. "Poor John! You At last, he thought wearily, the can’t be reconciled, can you? That man Jackson had left. He had meant it’s about to be over? But don’t well, but he did not understand. fret, John; all these years we’ve Science Editor of a popular maga had so much." She took his hand zine^ his mission had been to con and held it. "John, everything firm the wild rumors about Kramer’s must end. Be thankful that we’ve new discovery. had this long." The interview had not been sat "No, by God!" he exclaimed ex isfactory. Kramer was willing to plosively, "It’s not right! We’re help, but he couldn’t shake his not old, Mary. All these years somber preoccupation. we’ve worked; there was so much we Jackson had asked about the ef were going to do. So much...." fects of the machine. "I believe He broke off as he saw her face, that much of the sickness of the terribly contorted in the white human body is due to the sickness moonlight. For a moment her of the cells." Kramer told him. breathing came harsh and rapid "Even At top efficiency these but gradually it became easier and cells are not as healthy as the; her features assumed something more should be. My "gadget" simply like her normal expression. harnesses certain forces in such a "The pain-- it’s pretty bad, way as to improve the general act isn’t it?" he asked helplessly. ivity of these cells...." She nodded. "Yes," she breathed, "Does it work?" Jackson had ask "John, help me to bed." THE MOONLIGHT made a bitter ed. Gently he lifted her in his arms sweet nostalgia for Dr. Kramer, a "Yes," Kramer replied, "Yes and and carried her into the bedroom. painful and poignant remembering no. I have tried it on various On the bed he laid her and search of what could not come again. He animals and sometimes the results ed for something in the cabinet in stood with his wife in the sunroom have beeq most happy; sometimes the bathroom. Quickly he emptied of their home, silvered now with they have been rathfer horrible." the narcotic into a glass of water moonlight, and for a moment tried His voice had not been steady, and returned to her side. One to submerge reality into memory; ■Quite horrible...." hand behind her back, he helped Now Kramer remembered the quest her to a half-sitting position and 'Sb ‘ but he could not erase the constant ache and the constant fea^ not for ion which had so disturbed him. said, "Here; drink this." Obed ■Is it possible," Jackson’s calm, iently sr j drained the glass and almost disinterested voice had sank bank into the pillows. The FANSCIENT 15 14______The FANSCIENT He waited and there was no noise. flights of stairs to his workshop; Presently she was asleep and he a click of the switch flooded the left the room.... bare room with harsh light. In So there it was, he thought. And one corner stood a huge machine, he could curse and pace the floor, round, with a door implanted in but he couldn’t change it. There its surface. It was imposing and was no cure, no remedy save sleep, pleasantly soulless. Quickly he for a stomach cancer in the made certain essential preparations advanced stages. No prayer and no and then he brought the unconscious love could affect it. body of his wife into the room. The new drugs had rare painkill At once, so that he would not have ing faculties, but they lacked the time for thought, he placed her on clean bite of the surgeon’s knife. a movable slab which he fitted So much they could do; then they back into the machine. Then he were finished. In this case there threw a switch and stood back. had never been any hope for a suc That was all there was to it. cessful operation. You take all the life that you No, by heaven, he couldn’t have that’s worth living for and reconcile himself. They had lived you place it in a cold, dumb mach together too long; they had laugh ine, and then you wait. You wait ed too much together, known too while that nonchalant machine tries much living; 'without her was noth to do something to preserve all ing. ... those good years and fine times. ".'•••Is it possible," the words You wait with a stomach so cold echoed in his mind, "That your and frightened it makes you weak. machine may help in curing such Then a light flares red and it’s diseases as cancer?" Is it pos over. sible...? With quick, nervous movements, Yes, it was entirely possible, Kramer twisted a knob and pushed a and it was possible that something button. He withdrew the slab on might go awry. His experiments which his wife lay. For a moment had not always been happy. he thought everything wah alright. His wife’s urgent call roused him Then he saw. from his ceaseless walking. He "How do you feel?" he asked in a rushed into the other room. She voice clogged with shock. was sunk into the covering; her There was a strange movement in face was white and her eyes were the skin on her head. "Fine," she pleading. "John, the pain...." answered. "Nothing hurts at all. a jS © • (U 3 aj ® •£ With shaking hands he held the I feel fine." she told him again. O K ® > — > 5 P n glass to her mouth. Weakly she "I’m glad," said Kramer. Yes, .13 H
Anthony Ecwcher
The name of Anthony Boucher the fantasy field. F4SF is has been familiar to readers of outstanding, not only for the high fantasy ever since the early ’40s literary quality of its stories, when it appeared over some of the but also for its freshness and the more memorable stories in UNKNOWN infinite varieties of new ap WORLDS and ASTOUNDING SCIENCE proaches to be found in its pages. FICTION. Even earlier, the name, The picture opposite shows Tony a psuedonym for William Anthony Boucher with his 1949 "Edgar", Parker White, was well known to symbol of the MWA award, peering at mystery addicts, as was that of the limited edition of Poe which H. H. Holmes, another alter ego. he received for 1945, before the It was just last year that present bust was devised. MAGAZINE OF FANTASY later MAGAZINE Anthony Boucher is being hailed OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, as Guest of Honor at the NORWESCON, appeared on the scene to add new the Eighth World Science-Fiction luster to the name of Boucher. Convention, to be held in Portland, Co-edited with J. Francis McComas, Oregon over the Labor Day weekend. it immediately made a place for He is swell people as you’ll know itself as "the” prestige market of when you meet him there.
I have had intensive training other writer, but I don’t see how as a literary scholar under such one approaches oneself. So prob great men as Arthur Ryder and ably the best thing to do is just S. Griswold Morley and Lawrence to trust to free wheeling. Marsden Price---- only I tend now not I was born in Oakland, Cal to think of L. M. Price so much as ifornia, in 1911. Both my parents a distinguished scholar as as my were physicians. As far as I can father-in-law and there I go remember (I haven’t taken up dian- already ruining a paragraph, which etics yet) (does anybody remember illustrates what I mean. Ted Sturgeon’s UNKNOWN story about The point is that I might under the Superman Elron?), I might as take to do a competent biographlco- well have been posthumous; my critical essay on just about any father died when I was a few 22 The FANSCIENT ANTHONY BOUCHER; Autobiography ______21 months old, and I grew up with my such training tends to induce mil a lot of things like radio and my reputation to the winds and mother (who believed, among other itarism. Five years of Pasadena opera and Democratic party politics Revealed All, Ackerman’s hold is sound principles, in keeping me High School and Junior College unless I start restricting this to destroyed, and his writers had well supplied with OZ books) and (giving me the warm pleasure of fantasy and s f (Groff Conklin better be good. my grandfather (who had been, as sharing an Alma Mater with Jackie talked me out of using stf). In the thirties (the century’s, D a and judge of Mono County, one Robinson, whom I still persist in I’ll sum up the Mystery business not mine), I wrote a Jot of short of the firstrate legal minds of thinking of as one of the greatest hastily by saying that I have supernatural fiction and none of late nineteenth century California. backs in the history of Coast worked in just about every branch it sold even to WEIRD TALES; the I was born William Parker White, football), during most of which of non-punishable murder: novels, little of it that I could stand or more precisely, was so christ time I was inclined to think that novelets, short stories, editing rereading appeared much later on ened. At confirmation (circa 1923) my professional interests lay in anthologies, a great deal of radio, in ACOLYTE. I became William «nthony Parker the physical sciences and that I a very little TV, translation, Then in Los Angeles in 1940 'White (for Anthony of Padua, who might go to Caltech. Two years at reviewing. (I’m very proud of my Cleve Cartmill introduced me to still hasn’t taught me how to find USC (BA ’52) and two at Berkeley two Edgars for best American the Manana Literary society. You lost articles, as my wife will (E A ’54), during which I spent criticism from Mystery Writers of ’ve probably heard of this great testify). Boucher wqs my mother’s most of my time on writing, act America), writers organization (I organization (disrupted by Pearl mother’s name---- French-Irish. I ing, directing and other theatric was one of the founders of MWA, Harbor), which included at various used it a lot in adolescence as a al activities while worling (I and when is somebody going to have times Bob Heinlein, Jack William sort of alter ego (things got very thought) to a career as an academ sense enough to start a parallel son, Ed Hamilton, Webb Marlowe, complicated with a girl who also ician in some branch of linguistics. FWA, Fantasy Writers of America), Cartmill, Wentz and God knows who had an alter, or altera, ego with (German major, Spanish minor, photo-crimes, fact crime----- prac all else. I became an avid UNKNOW whom Tony misbehaved abominably), ventures into French, Portugese, tically everything but pictures. reader and soon began writing for then adopted it professionally when Russian, Greek, Sanskrit—where As to fantasy: I’ve been a devout it; but I was still a little cool I took up mystery novels because I did I pick up Italian? I think reader ever since I can remember. about s f. was still, as White, trying to be just from opera librettos mostly.) I can recall the beginnings of Then one night McComas brought a playwright and I wanted to keep By mid-’54 I had acquired an M A, fiction in SCIENCE & INVENTION, me all the copies of ASF contain the two careers straight. (This an unofficial fiance?, and a and Haggard serials in the AMERI ing "Sian" and said, "Read this or was in 1956; my scholarly training decision that the academic life CAN WEEKLY, and the big format of all is over between us." Having at least forces me to put in a was not for me. Then (thank God WEIRD TALES. I can’t imagine why, tossed a coin, I read it...and date here and there. for a minute amount of money in but the fact is I lost interest in from then on I was lost. Now I’m much more apt to think the family) I was an unsuccessful science fiction just as it began I was, of course, miraculously of myself as Boucher than as ‘White playwright for quite a while, did to get rolling, and for a long lucky in getting my start in s f (except for tax bills and I’d my first professional reviewing time was fascinated only by super under the creative editorship of sooner not think about them anyway (theater and music) for a small natural fantasy------a fascination John Campbell------just as I was and anybody who thinks that’s a political sheet in L A where I met that formed one of the bonds on my equally lucky in starting on gag is crazy), and Phyllis is very Cleve Cartmill and Roby Wentz, and first meeting with McComas, which mystery novels with Lee Wright of nearly completely used to being finally got going commercially by was so damned near twenty years Simon 1 Schuster. Add to those Mrs. Boucher, even though one of selling "The Case of the Seven of ago that we both fall to stroking Marie Rodell of Duell, Sloan 4 the first times she was so men Calvary" to Simon & Schuster----- our beards on thinking of it. Pearce (for whom H. H. Holmes came tioned was in a description by 4e instantly cabling my unofficial When I was 1$ I sold a story to into being), Fred Dannay of ELLERY Ackerman despite which we buy fiance, then in Europe on her WEIRD TALES. It was awful, and it QUEEN’S MYSTERY MAGAZINE, and stories from his clients. (Sinister father’s Sabbatical, that we could should never have been fought. It Joseph Henry Jackson of the SAN explanation of that fact later. make it official. was not only vile writing, but an FRANCISCO CHRONICLE; and you’ll Boucher is pronounced to rime .ie got married in 1958 (her name outright, if innocent, steal from see why I have very strong ideas with voucher. Thia seemed per was Phyllis Mary Price) , and we Mrs. Bland’s "No. 17"» which I’d on the importance of the editor fectly plausible to the Bouchers have two sons, Larry (born on heard as oral tradition. It and the neccessity of a close after they’d lived in Ireland for Christmas 1940) and James (born on appeared fortunately, as by VikPti, editor-writer relationship. a while’; but nowadays people will his mother’s birthday 1942). and has been forgotten. The only Later I got out of touch with try' to bp French, or approximately They’re both growing up nobly, reason I bring it up here, and list story-writing for a long seige of so. thank youy for instance they love it in the following bibliography, radio, at the height of which I Education: Three years of to read Bradbury. They haven’t is that it got rediscovered by 4e was plotting three half-hour mys military academy (Hitchcock, San decided about Boucher yet. Ackerman; this, you see, is the tery shows a week. Throughout all Rafael, Calif.), unqualifiedly From there on things get com sinister explanation referred to of this period, McComas and I were disproving all assertions that plicated and are going to involve earlier. Now that I have thrown working on the idea of a fantasy 24______The FANSCIENT magazine modeled, frankly, on with my wife, my sons, my mother, ANTHONY BOUCHER Bibliography EQNM. Larry Spivak, of EQhX and my books, my records and my asthma. x-. THE AMERICAN MERCURY, was sold on I coedit F&SF (which is probably One Way Trip Pelagic Spark Astounding S F Aug. 1945 publishing it, but wanted to hit the most interesting and tempera Astounding S F June 194} the market with it at just the Pink Caterpillar, The mentally satisfactory work I’ve QUR Adventure Feb. 1945 right time. Regularly once or ever done), I review mysteries for ADVENTURES IN TIM t SPACE 1946 twioe a year we were alerted and Scrawny One, The the N. Y. TIMES, and fantasy-cum-s f Snulbug Weird Tales Mar. 1949 then everything was called off. for the Chicago SUN-TIMES, I teach Unknown Worlds Deo. 1941 It was worth the wait; Spivak a laboratory class in writing, I Snulbug Sribertigibit Unknown (British) Win. 1948 had his finger precisely on the give a weekly radio program (KPFA- Unknown Worlds June 1943 pulse, and brought out the magazine JM, Sundays, 8:)0 p m, adv) on the Sribertigibit Summer’s Cloud Unknown (British) Oct. 1943 at last just before the current recordings of great voices of 25- Acolyte Sum. 1944 deluge. Mick and I had planned to They Bite 50 years ago, I try to write They Bite Unknown Worlds Aug. 1943 sneak science-fiction (pretty dis stories to sell to other editors, Unknown (British) May 1944 reputable when we started laying and I keep thinking of a character Toy Cassowary Acolyte plans) into the magazine little by Way I Heard It, The Win. 1945 who said, in some novel I can’t We Print the Truth Acolyte Fall 1944 little; but the whole picture had place, "There must be some way to Astounding S F Dec. 1943 changed, and we shifted immediately be just as poor without working so to the title FANTASY & SCIENCE hard." STORIES under the name of H. H. HOLMES FICTION with a minimum 501 s f End of interim report. By now Q. U. R. content—if you know where to draw I’m getting somewhat interested as Astounding S F Mar. 1943 the borderline between s f and Review Copy a novelist; I’ll be curious to Robinc Magazine of Fantasy Fall 1949 fantasy, which we are damned if we check in a year or two to see what Astounding S F Sep. 1943 see how to do. develops with this protagonist. ROCKET TO THE MORGUE (novel) Duell, Sloan £ Pearce 1942 At present I live in Berkeley Rocket to the Morgue —Anthony Boucher Rocket to the Morgue Phantom 1943 Sanctuary Two Complete Det. Books Mar. 1944 Sanctuary Astounding S F June 1943 FANTASY and SCIENCE-FICTION STORIES under the name of ANTHONY BOUCHER Astounding (British) Feb. 1944 Title Magazine Date STORY under the name of WILLIAM A. P. WHITE Adventure of the Bogle-Wolf, The ' CLIENT'S SECOND CASE BOOK 1948 Barrier Astounding S F Sep. 1942 Ye Goode Oide Ghost Storie Weird Tales Jan. 1927 Barrier Astounding (British) Oct. 1942 Chronokinesis of Johnathan Hall, The Astounding S F June 1946 VERSE under the name of PARKER WHITE Chronokinesis of Johnathan Hall, The Astounding (British) Feb. 1948 Compleat Werewolf, The Unknown Worlds Apr. 1942 Sonnet of the Unsleeping Dead Weird Tales Mar. 19J5 Compleat Werewolf, The Unknown (British) Aug. 1945 Sonnet of the Unsleeping Dead DARK OF THE MOON Compleat Werewolf, The From Unknown Worlds 1949 19*7 Elsewhen Astounding S F Jan. 1943 This bibliography was prepared by Anthony Bouoher aided by H. H. Holmes Elsewhen MURDER, PLAIN AND FANCIFUL 1948 Expedition Thrilling Wonder Aug. 1943 Expedition BEST OF SCIENCE FICTION 1946 FIRST LENSMAN (Continued) This book forms the second of Expedition Invasion from Mars (pb) 1949 six parts of the tremendous epic, Footnote to Dunne (article) Arkham Sampler Aut. 1949 oratic forms of government and the "The Lensman Series"------Staith’s Ghost of Me, The Unknown Worlds June 1942 freedom of the individual. "History of Civilization?. That Ghost of Me, The Unknown (British) June 1942 It tells of the formation of the fact makes this a splendid example Greatest Tertian, The CLIENT’S THIRD CASE BOOK 1950 Galactic Patrol as an outgrowth of of the highest—and hardest—facet Lazarus (verse) DARK OF THE MOON 1947 the Triplanetary Patrol which had of the novelist’s art. For such a (translated from Jose Asuncion Silva) its genesis 0$ Tellus; of the fight volume must be considered not only Mr. Lupescu Weird Tales Sep. 1945 against tremendous odds to get it as a book and story in itself, but Mr. Lupescu THE SLEEPING AND THE DEAD 1947 started and to keep it going; of also as a chapter in the longer, Mr. Lupescu Avon Detective Mysteries #3 1947 the en-lensing of numerous en complete work. Mr. Lupescu Shot in the Dark (pb) 1950 tities, both Tellurian and other- As is usual with all Dr. Smith’s On a Limb (article) Unknown Worlds Oct. 1941 world, and of the welding them into one solid unit that shall books, "First Lensman" has vast endure for all time. scope intermixed with intricate individual experiences and con- 26 The FANSCIENT filets; thought provoking and the book. stimulating concepts spread on a But the underneath stories, the tremendous canvas. It is one of character building and growth; the the most interesting and best socio-political concepts; the written of all his books to date. psychological factors---- these need Nothing yet come to the attention re-reading and study to properly of this reviewer (who has read appreciate and savor. everything of a scientifictional For, truthfully, I’ve never found nature he could get his hands on any other author in our genre who for the past forty-some years) can puts so much into an apparently equal( for sheer personal drama, ordinary, tho super-dooper "space Virgil Samms’ first visits to opera". For it takes writing gen Arisia, to Rigel, and to Palain. ius to show as much meaning as he Your reviewer still shudders at sometimes does with a single word. No Appreciation the memory qf that Rigellian auto There’s the place where he does a mobile ride. tremendous job of characterization As a close student of Dr. Smith’s with the simple phrase, "....yet", works for many years, let me warn and the other where he lifted me MERICANS have not yet learned to appreciate America! Only the reader of one thing. One can right out of my chair with the one A a handful of them are aware of the various factors that have not, possibly, get in one reading word, "Sir". produced the type of civilization which America alone enjoys. all the shades and nuances that Tho "First Lensman" is the sec Professional patriots galore have kept us well supplied with pal this gifted author puts into his ond of the six books which make up aver designed for the apparent purpose of providing us with an ap books. Oh, you can get the "sur the complete story of the Arislan- preciation of our great country, but closer examination reveals the face" story all right, and you will Bosconian conflict, such was the substance of this talk to be directed to another goal entirely—that of find that it is well worth both nature of the antagonism that it keeping us sold on a foreign economic system, a system of price and your reading time and the cost of could not be published in ordinary profit; a system of values, scarcity and human toil. sequence, any more than could the This curious shuffling of our allegiance is made possible by the first third of the book-complete shallow social understanding which has been developed as a neces "Triplanetary". sary adjunct to the principles of democratic social guidance. In other This reviewer gives his unqual words, we just don’t know what the shouting is all about because we ified approval of this latest book have never taken a genuine personal interest in social investigation. from Fantasy Press. Format, bind ing and interior illustrations are Unless we determine to find out what the shouting IS all about, all excellent. And as for the we shall be shouted into social conflict; shouted from one debacle to story, Dr. Smith once more proves another; shouted into war; until, finally, we are shouted into chaos. himself worthy of his earned title, Technocracy asks you, in all urgency, to take action on this mat "Master of Scope". ter, and TAKE IT NOW. If you don’t, it may soon be too late! ---- E. Everett Evans
DO NOT BE MISLEAD. LEARN THE FACTS. BACK ISSUES of tteffiRSOinj Study Class Open Every Friday Night at 8:00. 2-75*, 3-11 Nos 142 Not Available PUBLIC WELCOME More 2$* ea No 3 $1.50 TIE FINAL WAI No 4 1.00 TECHNOCRACY INC No 5 .75 Section 3. R. D. 12245 by DAVID H. KELLER, M. D. No 6 .50 Nos 7 4 fl .25 ea 2104 Main St., Vancouver, Wash. Mimeographed Pamphlet written No 9 (64 pg issue) .50 around and illustrated by the Nos 10 4 11 .25 ea Postcards. With cards 75* — FEBB1 FBESS, —= 3435 NE 38, Portland 13, Ore. Bex SttT, Farted B,Bre. These prices good till Dec. 1, 195° The FANSC I ENT The FANSCIENT, 22 -and the STRONG Shall INHERIT
by PHILLIP RARKER
Illustrated by PHILLIP BARKER
PHARUN THE DARK had always her island home. Not half the had a passion for the beautiful fierce warriors of Chaga’s strong things of life. And when the great hold knew she existed, and the lords of Malohairan rode forth in other women of the place were wont quest of glory, Pharun remained in to snap their pretty fingers and his chambers engrossed in some jeer at her provincial ways. scholarly pursuit. With his thin, So she was lonely, a frail white pale hands he was wont to turn the little mist of a girl, alone in a pages of his beloved tomes and nest of enemies. Which is probably peer nearsightedly into all manner Why Pharun met her. He had heard of bookish wisdom. Unlike his her singing one night and had brothers was he, and whereas the stopped to listen. In this way other four sons of Chaga wore they had become friends, and Pharun their mail to table and fought went often to her chambers bearing amongst themselves and made false his books and his writings. To promises to the kitchen maidens her also he brought his problems, and spent their time at less sav his frustrations and his dreams, ory pursuits, Pharun simply smiled and she soothed him, placing her •Md padded about in a comfortable slender fingers upon his brow and robe and slippers, with book in singing to him in the sibilant hand. tongue of her own Phrantos. Tot there was one thing else ■Indeed," he used to whisper, which* Pharun loyad aside from his ■It was your singing whioh first And that was a woman. Oh led me to you, and still do I love Met one of the feline, painted, it best of all your charms." bhlf-nakod flirts of Malohairan; a Then she would smile and shyly simple, shy maiden from Phrantos olese off his lips with her own. who wore her robes ample and And in this way a bond was made unadorned. A hostage was she, between the two lonely ones, mak daughter of the doddering king ef ing the cold walls take on greater ---- AND THE STRONG SHALL INHERIT The FANSCIENT ______il. ______"What have you done? Pharun will valuable hostage. He drew one warmth and carpeting the marble the underlying truth is there. be---- " sobbing breath and turned to flee. floor with rosy clouds. Pharun is a disgrace to my name With one swift stride Goran was Pharun stood in the doorway. Chaga the bloody-handed, upon and to the names of our glorious at her side, his heavy hand over He did not seem to see Goran his throne of gold, looked with and warlike ancestors. How he her lips. He kicked the door shut where he stood in the center of disfavor upon this strange and un came about here is beyond my with one powerful foot and dragged the rubbish-littered floor. His intelligible being that was given understanding. A little mouse in the girl back into the room. eyes flicked to the bright red him as a son. Chaga carressed his a house of lions!" "Never mind what Pharun will do!" splotch upon the breast of his jewelled sword hilt and pondered "Then as I say, sire. A little Goran Jeered down into her face. beloved and a grimace of pain mightily upon it. In vain did he swift work and it’s done." Goran "He’ll probably Just moan a bit passed across his set features. prevail upon Pharun to put aside chuckled throatily. "Without his and then forget this foolishness." Then silently he turned from Goran these senseless books and take up precious toys his mind will turn For a silent moment she looked to stand, staring, into the fire thp sword and go forth to slay to more manly arts. ’Twill do him up at him, and then divining the place. monsters and such indiscriminate infinite good." look in his eyes, she struggled, For a moment he stood thus, then enemies as could be found. Also Chaga looked at his son from un panting wildly in his calm leaned down. When he rose in his in vain did Chaga offer Pharun der the beetling eaves of his eyes embrace, flailing wildly with her hand was the scorched remnant of a wines and gold and the charms of and smiled. After all, it was for small fists and kicking the metal parchment, tightly rolled and tied pretty wenches. And when the king the boy’s own good. greaves with her soft slippers. with a bit of cloth of gold. grew angry and expostulated at the Goran waited patiently, knowing Goran grinned and eyed her apprec Quickly his fingers untied the top of his lusty lungs, as was his full wall that his time would come. iatively. Perhaps Pharun had a knot and with infinite tenderness habit, Pharun simply paid no atten It was all he could manage not to better eye for wenches than he had unrolled the charred fragment of tion, his mind fixed on distant mention the plan to Pharun just to thought. the scroll. wisdom. watch the look on his face. It "Why struggle so? See, I hold The characters inscribed on the At first his brothers were in would be good. you easily enough." Deliberately parchment meant nothing to Goran’s favor of letting him be. They Indeed, the proper moment came, he tightened his grip so that she staring eyes, but he recognized, Jeered and teased, as will most the bronze-bound portals rumbled was pressed hard against his sil close by the charred edge, a rep intolerant youths, but that got open, and Pharun w^s off to study very breastplate. Goran bent and resentation of the castle of Chaga. them nothing but a gentle smile. the beauties of a summer after kissed her, fiercely, bruising her A moment to glance at that and They invited him to join them and noon. His chamber lay empty and lips with his. "Isn’t that better then Goran realized that Pharun’s got the same gentle smile and a unlocked. Swiftly Goran was in than a weakling?" He kissed her eyes were upon him. His rose to shake of the head. side. again. meet them. "Nay now, father," said Goran His strong, brown hands made Goran moved, still holding her, In Pharun’8 eyes there was hat the eldest, "Tor long have we short work of sweeping the parch to Pharun’s ornate bed. He threw red; but more than hatred, sorrow; permitted this foolishness, and ments into the smouldering fire her on it brutally and began to and more than sorrow, pity. finally something must be done. place. Goran watched the hungry divest himself of his armor. "Lie "You fool...." Pharun whispered, There lies but one thing to do and flames lash at the dusty sheets still now and be a good girl and but his eyes spoke volumes as they that is to snatch away his toys. for a moment and then turned to the don’t cry out." he jeered, "You’re turned to the window. Hypnotized, Only then will he realize that he cabinets lining the wall. The an going to see what a real lover is Gorante eyes followed his brother’s is not yet a woolgathering gray- cient tomes, the lengthy writings, like." to see, not the rich fields and beard. ’Twill serve to bring him the astrolabes and other instru All this time she had lain fertile valleys of his father’s to his senses." ments of grammarie, the little motionless. Now she moved like a kingdom, but...... nothing. "But that would be a most un cases of specimens and the frightened deer and snatched a Understanding awakening in his fa therly thing to do. There must delicate bottles of drugs----all he bodkin from her waist. Goran eyed mind, Goran turned again to his be other ways." hurled into the fireplace. He her warily, but kept on removing brother. Goran shifted his brawny should stamped into ths sleeping-alcove his armor. Too late he saw what Once again Pharun’s eyes were on er* beneath hi's armor. "What and tore the hangings from the she intended. With a frustrated the pale, cold breast of his loved matters it? Know you not that the walls and trampled them beneath cry Goran leaped for her, but he one; then his hand was over the house of Chaga is laughed at by booted feet, wild with sheer de was too late by seconds. She had fire. Deliberately the fingers other great princes? Simply be structive lust. He did not hear plunged the dagger home into her opened and, with deceptive slow cause of that Jackass son of yours. the doer open behind him. own breast. ness, the fragment of parchment They call us now ’the gentle lambs* It was the captive prinoess. Goran stood a moment, his mind drifted down toward the consuming and ’the Bookish Kings* and even Her eyes widened in horror, and a dwelling with horrid certainty on flames. more unpleasant things. He is the single sob of breath left her lips. what his father would do to him disgrace of our family." Goran whirled. "What in blazes for thus causing the death of a THE END "’Tis not as bad as you say, but do you want? Who---- ?" See yeu all at the GREATEST SHOW IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE Sv:'ga.‘2 SEP. 1-4,1950