Reposted by WTF Bronze Age
Back when, Bill Mantlo had a habit of occasionally plagiarizing stuff in comics, under the impression that it was fine because everyone did it. But he made the mistake of plagiarizing an Ellison story in HULK, and the shit hit the fan, because Harlan actually read it.
November 6, 2023 at 5:15 AM
Back when, Bill Mantlo had a habit of occasionally plagiarizing stuff in comics, under the impression that it was fine because everyone did it. But he made the mistake of plagiarizing an Ellison story in HULK, and the shit hit the fan, because Harlan actually read it.
If the movie goes on, it would just have to show them being brought to justice. So why bother. Everything after the climax is scripted by the code.
October 7, 2023 at 5:20 PM
If the movie goes on, it would just have to show them being brought to justice. So why bother. Everything after the climax is scripted by the code.
The actual ending is just the headmaster firing three shots out the window to call the police and everyone just has a drink waiting for them to arive.
Useful for what it doesn't say, becasue it doesn't need to. The movie can't end with the murderers framing the headmaster for David's death.
Useful for what it doesn't say, becasue it doesn't need to. The movie can't end with the murderers framing the headmaster for David's death.
October 7, 2023 at 5:19 PM
The actual ending is just the headmaster firing three shots out the window to call the police and everyone just has a drink waiting for them to arive.
Useful for what it doesn't say, becasue it doesn't need to. The movie can't end with the murderers framing the headmaster for David's death.
Useful for what it doesn't say, becasue it doesn't need to. The movie can't end with the murderers framing the headmaster for David's death.
I can see him mocking his former students for thinking they were worthy of murder, and condeming them for that. But I don't think that would fly in 48. It's too close to the truth.
October 7, 2023 at 5:19 PM
I can see him mocking his former students for thinking they were worthy of murder, and condeming them for that. But I don't think that would fly in 48. It's too close to the truth.
An old, white, retired prep school headmaster in 1948 renouncing his views on superior intelect and their ability to murder? I’m sure it can happen. People change. But also, no, I don't think it would happen like that.
October 7, 2023 at 5:17 PM
An old, white, retired prep school headmaster in 1948 renouncing his views on superior intelect and their ability to murder? I’m sure it can happen. People change. But also, no, I don't think it would happen like that.
See, the headmaster renounces his previously held eugenics views at the film’s climax.
And he absolutly would not.
But he has to. I don't think there's a Hays Code provision saying you can't advocate for murder. But I can't imagine such a movie getting a certificate from the office.
And he absolutly would not.
But he has to. I don't think there's a Hays Code provision saying you can't advocate for murder. But I can't imagine such a movie getting a certificate from the office.
October 7, 2023 at 5:15 PM
See, the headmaster renounces his previously held eugenics views at the film’s climax.
And he absolutly would not.
But he has to. I don't think there's a Hays Code provision saying you can't advocate for murder. But I can't imagine such a movie getting a certificate from the office.
And he absolutly would not.
But he has to. I don't think there's a Hays Code provision saying you can't advocate for murder. But I can't imagine such a movie getting a certificate from the office.
But it's not Colombo. It’s not Poker Face. The ending isn’t required by some agreement between the audience and the filmmaker, it’s required by an agreement among the studios sometimes local law.
And that gives the ending a bit of weirdness.
And that gives the ending a bit of weirdness.
October 7, 2023 at 5:12 PM
But it's not Colombo. It’s not Poker Face. The ending isn’t required by some agreement between the audience and the filmmaker, it’s required by an agreement among the studios sometimes local law.
And that gives the ending a bit of weirdness.
And that gives the ending a bit of weirdness.
Now, you can't open up a movie with a murder in the Hays Code days without the murderers getting their come-uppance. So, I spent the whole movie wondering how, specificly it was going to pan out. Over time, the headmaster felt like a port-Colombo with his tricky questions. Best parts of the movie.
October 7, 2023 at 5:10 PM
Now, you can't open up a movie with a murder in the Hays Code days without the murderers getting their come-uppance. So, I spent the whole movie wondering how, specificly it was going to pan out. Over time, the headmaster felt like a port-Colombo with his tricky questions. Best parts of the movie.
The headmaster fully catches on when he's leaving the housekeeper accedently hands him David's hat. (David was killed in the apartment moments before the party.) He leaves, but comes back once everyone is gone.
October 7, 2023 at 5:07 PM
The headmaster fully catches on when he's leaving the housekeeper accedently hands him David's hat. (David was killed in the apartment moments before the party.) He leaves, but comes back once everyone is gone.
The headmaster, played by Jimmy Stewart, eventually catches on. Everyone they invite is friends with David. One of the guests is his father. So, of course, they ask after him and all wonder why he hasn't shown up yet. Brandon, for all his BS, didn't seem to plan on all the dificult questions.
October 7, 2023 at 5:06 PM
The headmaster, played by Jimmy Stewart, eventually catches on. Everyone they invite is friends with David. One of the guests is his father. So, of course, they ask after him and all wonder why he hasn't shown up yet. Brandon, for all his BS, didn't seem to plan on all the dificult questions.
But here's the other thing: Brandon invites their old headmaster to the dinner party. The headmaster has a belief that people with superior intellects should be allowed to murder. Maybe even have a designated time to do so. Brandon brings this up and advocates for the position, to much discomfort
October 7, 2023 at 5:04 PM
But here's the other thing: Brandon invites their old headmaster to the dinner party. The headmaster has a belief that people with superior intellects should be allowed to murder. Maybe even have a designated time to do so. Brandon brings this up and advocates for the position, to much discomfort
Because of the Hays Code, the movie can't show that. The play it's based on could, but the movie can't. It genuinely bothers me that we basicly get no movtive from Philip. We see no affection from him or twords him. Nothing to suggest why Brandon holds any sway on him.
October 7, 2023 at 5:01 PM
Because of the Hays Code, the movie can't show that. The play it's based on could, but the movie can't. It genuinely bothers me that we basicly get no movtive from Philip. We see no affection from him or twords him. Nothing to suggest why Brandon holds any sway on him.
It’s the purest form of eugenics. And Brandon has a life time subscription. Philip is repulsed by what he's done, to the point where I spent the whole movie asking why he'd kill someone.
And, of course, the answer is love. He and Brandon are a gay couple, but the movie can't show that.
And, of course, the answer is love. He and Brandon are a gay couple, but the movie can't show that.
October 7, 2023 at 4:58 PM
It’s the purest form of eugenics. And Brandon has a life time subscription. Philip is repulsed by what he's done, to the point where I spent the whole movie asking why he'd kill someone.
And, of course, the answer is love. He and Brandon are a gay couple, but the movie can't show that.
And, of course, the answer is love. He and Brandon are a gay couple, but the movie can't show that.
Now, Brandon and Phillip deserve punishment. They killed in cold blood. Brandon in particular is the exact type of smary young rich guy who *explicitly* thinks he’s better than everyone else. That he, along with maybe his old headmaster, are the few who can decide who lives and who dies.
October 7, 2023 at 4:56 PM
Now, Brandon and Phillip deserve punishment. They killed in cold blood. Brandon in particular is the exact type of smary young rich guy who *explicitly* thinks he’s better than everyone else. That he, along with maybe his old headmaster, are the few who can decide who lives and who dies.
The movie is made smack dab in the middle of the Hays Code’s power. The first thing we see after the credits is Brandon and his lover Phillip kill their friend and former prep school classmate David by strangeling him.
From that point out, it’s just a matter of how the movie is going to punish them
From that point out, it’s just a matter of how the movie is going to punish them
October 7, 2023 at 4:53 PM
The movie is made smack dab in the middle of the Hays Code’s power. The first thing we see after the credits is Brandon and his lover Phillip kill their friend and former prep school classmate David by strangeling him.
From that point out, it’s just a matter of how the movie is going to punish them
From that point out, it’s just a matter of how the movie is going to punish them
Anyways, that's all I have right now on the connection between Frank Robins work and Batman: The Animated Series. Again, there's more influences at work. But I think we'd be remiss to overlook Frank Robins contributions.
September 24, 2023 at 2:27 AM
Anyways, that's all I have right now on the connection between Frank Robins work and Batman: The Animated Series. Again, there's more influences at work. But I think we'd be remiss to overlook Frank Robins contributions.
But, given his status as the immediate and (for a couple of years) sole successor to Gardner Fox, it's obvious how foundational it was.
The letters page of the comics tells that. Marin Pasko, who worked as a story editor on B:ATS has letters printed commenting on Robins work.
The letters page of the comics tells that. Marin Pasko, who worked as a story editor on B:ATS has letters printed commenting on Robins work.
September 24, 2023 at 2:25 AM
But, given his status as the immediate and (for a couple of years) sole successor to Gardner Fox, it's obvious how foundational it was.
The letters page of the comics tells that. Marin Pasko, who worked as a story editor on B:ATS has letters printed commenting on Robins work.
The letters page of the comics tells that. Marin Pasko, who worked as a story editor on B:ATS has letters printed commenting on Robins work.
It's pretty obvious that the idea of lone Batman who solves brutal crime is still one that calls to us. The success of The Batman directed by Matt Reeves shows us that.
It’s also obvious that it’s not just Robins who inspired the series.
It’s also obvious that it’s not just Robins who inspired the series.
September 24, 2023 at 2:22 AM
It's pretty obvious that the idea of lone Batman who solves brutal crime is still one that calls to us. The success of The Batman directed by Matt Reeves shows us that.
It’s also obvious that it’s not just Robins who inspired the series.
It’s also obvious that it’s not just Robins who inspired the series.
The introduction to Tim Drake started a trend though and it really ramped up with the introduction of Damon Wayne as Robin. Now we have comics like Wayne Family Adventures that emphasize Bruce's desire to help young people w/o families of their own.
September 24, 2023 at 2:17 AM
The introduction to Tim Drake started a trend though and it really ramped up with the introduction of Damon Wayne as Robin. Now we have comics like Wayne Family Adventures that emphasize Bruce's desire to help young people w/o families of their own.
Turning Batman into mostly a solo act after 30 years of sharing the spotlight (til 1970, every Batman story had Robin, though there were some solo Robin stories) is a move that lasted a long time. There's a reason most every adaptation omits are severely limits Robin's participation.
September 24, 2023 at 2:15 AM
Turning Batman into mostly a solo act after 30 years of sharing the spotlight (til 1970, every Batman story had Robin, though there were some solo Robin stories) is a move that lasted a long time. There's a reason most every adaptation omits are severely limits Robin's participation.
B:TAS also does a good job of emphasizing the father/son relationship between the two. 90s comic book writer Devin Grayson cited this series as starting her love of the Dick Grayson as a character.
September 24, 2023 at 2:12 AM
B:TAS also does a good job of emphasizing the father/son relationship between the two. 90s comic book writer Devin Grayson cited this series as starting her love of the Dick Grayson as a character.
Robins liked to emphasize the father/son relationship. In Dick's first college story, also written by Frank Robins, he takes a moment to emphasize how proud Bruce is and how much he looks forward to letters from Dick. Bruce even mentions that Alfred was as much a foster father to Dick as he was.
September 24, 2023 at 1:50 AM
Robins liked to emphasize the father/son relationship. In Dick's first college story, also written by Frank Robins, he takes a moment to emphasize how proud Bruce is and how much he looks forward to letters from Dick. Bruce even mentions that Alfred was as much a foster father to Dick as he was.