postage stamps

John Berkey; Elvis; Twilight Zone (News from the frontier, 5/14/2008) [The Film Frontier blog]

/ TY

Artist John Berkey, 1932-2008
Berkey's Elvis Stamp BStarWars.com reported yesterday that artist John Berkey passed away on April 29. He was 75. Berkey painted the cover of the 1976 novelization of Star Wars, an image that continued to appear on early editions of the book. Berkey also painted a poster depicting a dogfight over the Death Star, used as an insert in the original Star Wars soundtrack LP.

The StarWars.com article includes a link to a gallery of ten Berkey Star Wars images. You can also find pictures of Berkey’s work in 2005’s The Star Wars Poster Book by Stephen J. Sansweet and Peter Vilmur. Though known for his science fiction and Star Wars art, Berkey was reportedly not a science fiction fan and never saw Star Wars.

Elvis Presley, 1973For a 1992 US Postal Servicing stamp voting campaign, Berkey also painted “Elvis Stamp B” (above), which depicted Elvis Presley as he appeared in his historic 1973 Aloha From Hawaii TV special (right). Berkey’s image lost to Mark Stutzman’s “Elvis Stamp A,” which depicted Elvis in 1956, his first year of national fame. Stutzman’s 1950s Elvis image became an official US stamp the following year, while Berkey’s 1970s Elvis image was never issued.

I voted for Berkey’s Elvis stamp back in 1992 and never knew about his Star Wars connection until reading The Star Wars Poster Book a couple of years ago. Though, again, I had no idea who the artist was back then, I actually had several posters of Berkey’s science fiction and fantasy imagery hanging in my bedroom when I was growing up. He was a real talent and will be missed.

Elvis: That’s The Way It Is (FTD Classic Album Series) available this week
Follow That Dream (FTD) records, BMG’s Elvis Presley collectors label, is scheduled to release a 2-CD set of Elvis: That’s The Way It Is this week to the US as part of its “Classic Album Series.”

This 2008 edition of the 1970 album includes all of the original tracks, plus numerous alternate takes, a 20-page booklet, and other extras. The new Elvis: That’s The Way It Is CD set was first released in Europe last month.

Check out Thomas’ review, over at his Elvis Today blog, and Lex’s review, over at ElvisNews.com. To obtain FTD CDs, visit ShopElvis.com. Most FTD CDs are much more interesting than the mainstream “greatest hits”-style Elvis CDs you’ll find at your local store.

Twilight Zone graphic novels on the way for 50th anniversary
It is hard to believe that 2009 will mark the 50th anniversary of the television debut of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone. Next to the original Star Trek, The Twilight Zone is my favorite TV series. I grew up watching both of them, and still watch them now (yet another indication that, in fact, I never did grow up).

Publishers Weekly announced earlier this month that Walker & Co. will release a series of graphic novels based on Twilight Zone‘s original scripts, in conjunction with Rod Serling’s estate. There will be at least eight graphic novels in all. Look for the first to hit US stores in October.

USPS announces 15 Star Wars stamps & a vote [The Film Frontier blog]

/ TY

Not being the most popular site on the Web (yet), I have to celebrate small victories here at The Film Frontier, so . . . with all due humility . . . what can I say, but . . . I called it!

But first, the big news of the day. The United States Postal Service unveiled 15 Star Wars stamps that will be sold as a pane starting May 25 — the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars. For more details and to see the new stamps, check out http://www.uspsjedimaster.com.

Also announced today, the postal service is holding an online vote to determine which of the 15 stamps will be available on its own, separate sheet in addition to the group pane. The vote is only the second time in history that the public will help to determine the fate of a postage stamp.

Here was my speculation (pulled out of thin air, mind you; I had no “sources”) back on March 17:

Associated Press reports yesterday also seemed to confirm the obvious, that the big announcement on March 28 is indeed for Star Wars stamp(s).

Will the announcement be as simple as that, though? Or will the post office deliver up another Elvis-style contest? Rather than 50s Elvis vs. 70s Elvis, it could be Vader vs. Yoda, for instance.

While the same person cannot be honored on more than one US stamp within the same decade, there is no such restriction on fictional characters. Any such contest would be only a marketing ploy. And they would never do that, would they?

Unlike Elvis fans, who were only able to purchase the winning stamp, Star Wars fans will have the opportunity to buy all 15 stamps no matter which one prevails. The postal service will be turning most of these sales into pure profit, since many of the stamps will never actually be mailed. I’d have to call that a win-win scenario.

The 15 stamps (and contenders for the solo sheet) are as follows:

  • Darth Vader (The Empire Strikes Back)
  • The Millennium Falcon (Star Wars)
  • The Emperor (Return of the Jedi)
  • Vader vs. Obi-Wan (Revenge of the Sith)
  • Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)
  • Leia & Artoo (Star Wars)
  • Threepio (Star Wars)
  • Queen Amidala (The Phantom Menace)
  • Obi-Wan (Star Wars)
  • Boba Fett (The Empire Strikes Back)
  • Darth Maul (The Phantom Menace)
  • Yoda (The Empire Strikes Back)
  • Chewie & Han (Star Wars)
  • X-Wing (Star Wars)
  • Stormtroopers (Star Wars)

I was surprised by a number of things. First, I didn’t expect to see depictions of the human characters. I suppose the regulation that a person must be dead for ten years to appear on a US stamp does not apply if recognizing a character played by an actor.

Given the number of items their images have been used on over the years, I imagine the Star Wars actors won’t feel as weird about seeing themselves on a stamp as most others would. Once you’ve been an action figure, it’s pretty much all downhill from there.

And, honestly, I didn’t expect to see any prequel trilogy stamps. I don’t mind it, but it is surprising.  If you’re going to include the prequels, though, why leave out Attack of the Clones?

It would have been nice if Han and Leia had rated individual stamps. They are two of the most important Star Wars characters, after all.

Be sure to vote, early and often.

Reporters begin sniffing at Artoo mailboxes [The Film Frontier blog]

/ TY

It didn’t take long. Yesterday, I told you about Artoo Detoo mailboxes appearing around the country as part of a joint marketing effort between Lucasfilm and the US Postal Service.

Meredith Heagney of The Columbus Dispatch in Ohio has already mentioned the mailboxes in two articles, and we see an attempt to start a controversy.

On Thursday, Heagney reported:

Once the Postal Service does talk, it will have to explain who paid for the custom mailboxes, in light of a proposed increase in first-class postage to 41 cents. Mark Haberman wasn’t impressed with the special mailbox[…]. “I think it’s a waste of money,” said Haberman, the assistant director of the Ohio Building Authority.

Yesterday, she continued the angle:

The Postal Service says it was a “Jedi mind trick.” Here on Earth it’s called a “publicity stunt.” […] [Melissa] Dodge [a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service] refused to say how much the graphics cost the Postal Service, calling it “proprietary information.” She said the cost was “very minimal.” Star Wars’ parent company, Lucasfilm, did not provide funds for the mailboxes, and the Postal Service didn’t pay to use R2-D2’s image, Dodge said.

Associated Press reports yesterday also seemed to confirm the obvious, that the big announcement on March 28 is indeed for Star Wars stamp(s).

* * *

Will the announcement be as simple as that, though? Or will the post office deliver up another Elvis-style contest? Rather than 50s Elvis vs. 70s Elvis, it could be Vader vs. Yoda, for instance.

While the same person cannot be honored on more than one US stamp within the same decade, there is no such restriction on fictional characters. Any such contest would be only a marketing ploy. And they would never do that, would they?

Primary Information Sources
The Columbus Dispatch: Mysterious it is, this R2-D2 mailbox that left in a flash
The Columbus Dispatch: ‘Star Wars’ mailbox sequels debut today
The Associated Press: `Star Wars’ droid R2-D2 to collect mail

Artoo Detoo now a mail carrier [The Film Frontier blog]

/ TY

Starting today, if you live in the US, you will be able to deposit your mail in officially sanctioned Artoo Detoo mailboxes around the country. No, this is not an early April Fool’s joke.

In an unprecedented marketing scheme, Lucasfilm has teamed up with the US Postal Service to promote a new web site. Official US Postal Service mailboxes in many areas have been transformed to look like the popular astromech droid.

The mailboxes promote http://www.uspsjedimaster.com, which promises a major announcement on March 28 about a collaborative project between the postal service and Lucasfilm.

I don’t think I’m going very far out on a limb here by saying to expect the announcement to include a Star Wars stamp or set of stamps. After all, entertainment stamps tend to be huge profit-makers for the postal service since collectors often save rather than use them.

A 1993 stamp featuring Elvis Presley remains the most popular US stamp of all time. Other popular entertainment stamps include last year’s DC Comics Superheroes set and various Walt Disney stamps.

Primary Information Sources
StarWars.com: R2-D2 mailboxes coming to your galaxy
WashingtonPost.com: Elvis remains the King of postage stamps

Is the 70s stamp coming soon? [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 19 when I wrote this article back in 1994 for The Elvis Beat #8, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

The 70s Elvis stamp may be released as soon as 1995 if a growing number of fans have their way with the US Postal Service. In April 1992, the stamp was defeated by a 3-to-1 margin in favor of the 50s Elvis stamp that was released in January 1993. The 70s stamp, also known as “Stamp B,” was painted by artist John Berkey and depicts Elvis as he appeared in 1973’s televised concert Aloha From Hawaii.

The stamp was severely criticized by the news media and others who unfairly called it the “Old, fat Elvis.” Berkey defended his stamp by stating, “I understand what happened, the negative feelings. But I painted the King. That other guy is the prince. The fanatical fans like the 70s one. And as a matter of fact he weighed 160 pounds and he was 38 years old (at the time of Aloha From Hawaii). That’s not fat, and that’s not old.” [. . . .]

A record 500,000 of the 50s Elvis stamps were printed and all were sold out in days, making them the most successful stamps in history. Since most of the stamps will be kept by fans or collectors and will never actually be used in the mail, the Postal Service has made an incredible profit from them.

Additionally, the Postal Service has profited from the marketing of the stamp image, which has appeared everywhere on hundreds of items for sale. Economically, the Postal Service could make millions more if another stamp were released so there probably is a fair chance it will happen as long as fans show support.

Over a quarter of a million people voted in favor of the 70s stamp, which artistically was a better representation of Elvis anyway. [. . . .]

Review – ELVIS AND THE COLONEL: THE UNTOLD STORY (1993) [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 18 when I wrote this review back in 1993 for The Elvis Beat #4, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

Elvis And The Colonel: The Untold Story (NBC), starring Beau Bridges, directed by William A. Graham, aired January 10, 1993.

Elvis And The Colonel: The Untold Story is a story that should have remained untold. Not only is this the worst movie ever made about Elvis, but this is also probably the worst movie ever.

The initial concept behind this television movie was actually a good idea – an examination of the well-documented mismanagement of Elvis’ career by Colonel Tom Parker. But the end result is an absolute failure.

Elvis And The Colonel is one big mistake after another. A listing of some of the many factual errors contained in this movie appears on page 5 of this newsletter.

The biggest mistake of all occurred in the casting department when Robb Youngblood was chosen to play “Elvis.” Youngblood does not bear the slightest resemblance to Elvis, so one can only assume that he was selected for his acting ability. The problem with that theory is that [. . .] at no time during the entire two-hour movie is he convincing as “Elvis.” [. . . .]

It is also obvious that no effort was made to make Youngblood look like Elvis. Throughout the 22 years of “Elvis”‘ life that this movie portrays, Youngblood wears basically the same hairstyle–even while in the Army. It looks awful and resembles none of the many different styles Elvis wore his hair in over the years.

Youngblood’s clothes in the movie look so cheap that even the local [discount store] would be embarrassed to sell them. Once again, they resemble nothing the real Elvis ever wore. The styles may have changed since his time, but Elvis never looked cheap the way Youngblood does.

All of these cosmetic problems could have been overlooked had Elvis And The Colonel been a good story but, as mentioned before, it is filled with errors. And even beyond those errors, the script is poorly written and the entire movie is poorly made. [. . . .]

Beau Bridges, who was obviously chosen only to draw more viewers, stars as “Colonel Parker” and does a poor job also, but in a different way than Youngblood. Bridges makes the Colonel appear too likable and too nice, defeating the purpose of the movie.

Youngblood seems to have accidentally studied Gomer Pyle videos instead of Elvis ones for his part, for he plays Elvis as an extremely stupid fool – which could not be further from the truth.

Appropriately, even the house that is supposed to be Graceland looks nothing like the real thing.

The ELVIS television special, or the ’68 Comeback Special as it has come to be known, featured Elvis in top form. Of course, this movie slaughters this as well. One of the most ludicrous moments in the movie, and there are many, occurs when Youngblood is shown standing in front of a series of waist-high letters that spell “ELVIS” in red lights. The real version was over two stories tall and looked much better.

One of the many myths that Elvis And The Colonel perpetuates is everyone’s old favorite: “Elvis” appears overweight throughout the 1970s in this movie while the real Elvis did not begin to experience significant weight problems until about two years before his death. Youngblood is shown obese by 1971, while the real Elvis at the time was in shape and would remain so for a few more years. Of course, in such an inaccurate movie, such mistakes are not surprising.

Half of the “Elvis” songs used in the movie were apparently taken from Ronnie McDowell’s work for the 1979 television movie Elvis, starring Kurt Russell, and not surprisingly, Youngblood does a poor job lip-synching to them. The rest of the songs were performed by Youngblood himself and are awful. One particularly bad scene uses a combination of McDowell’s and Youngblood’s vocal tracks.

The most surprising thing about this movie is that Dick Clark was its executive producer. Clark also executive produced the Kurt Russell Elvis movie, directed by John Carpenter, which is one of the better movies based on Elvis’ life.

With this new movie, Clark has gone wrong. He has stated his respect for Elvis in the past and his disdain for the Colonel, but this movie serves only to slam Elvis instead of its intended target.

Incidentally, Elvis And The Colonel was directed by William A. Graham, who directed the real Elvis in Change Of Habit, which was one of Elvis’ better films.

It is apparent that no one connected with this movie bothered to do any significant research about its topic. It is also apparent that the movie’s production was rushed, probably to have it ready in time to cash in on the free publicity of the Elvis stamp release two days prior to this movie airing. They need not have bothered, for The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion special beat it soundly in the ratings.

The worst part about Elvis And The Colonel: The Untold Story is that some people, who knew nothing about Elvis, probably watched this irresponsible movie and now think that this is what Elvis was really like.

Songs include:

  • “Lawdy, Miss Clawdy”
  • “Rip It Up”
  • “Tutti Frutti”
  • “Long Tall Sally”
  • “Heartbreak Hotel”
  • “Trouble”
  • “Blue Moon Of Kentucky”
  • “Are You Lonesome Tonight”
  • “The Wonder Of You”
  • “Dixie/The Battle Hymn Of The Republic”

Rating: 1 out of 10

Return to Sender [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 18 when I wrote this piece back in 1993 for The Elvis Beat #4, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

After the release of the Elvis stamp in January, it appears that many Elvis fans spontaneously came up with the same idea. The US Postal Service noticed a significant increase in the number of letters which could not be delivered, and thus had to be marked “Return To Sender.” Elvis fans have been affixing the stamp to envelopes made out to phony addresses in order to receive a special, one-of-a-kind collectible when the letter was returned. “Return To Sender” was a number two hit for Elvis in 1962 and was written by Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott.

Here is a sample, fake address fans may want to use:

Elvis Presley
Heartbreak Hotel
1835 Lonely Street
Nothingville, Kingrock 81677

Although not quite true to the lyrics of the song, my letter came back marked: “Returned to Sender. No such street. No such number. No such office.”