Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 26
Green Leaf Classics
We are rapidly coming to the end of Green Leaf Classics imprints! This, its namesake imprint, is the final imprint we will be covering by this publisher. I'll be paying lip service to the red covered re-issues of it's more popular titles next week, but then we are done and can move on to other publishing houses.
Greenleaf Classics (the imprint) began publishing in October of 1965 with Maxwell Kenton's (Terry Southern, author of Easy Rider) Candy - a novel sharing a number of similarities to Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, but one that proved just as popular.
The intent of the Greenleaf Classic imprint was to publish existing classic literature, referred to as their 'European Library' or 'Asian Library', that was of an explicit or sexual nature. Works by renowned authors such as Henry Miller, Jean Genet, Marquis de Sade, Guillaume Apollinaire, Restif de La Bretonne, Oscar Wilde, Jean Cocteau along with modern titles written by well-known artists and authors (many living abroad) were published in an effort to give the publishing house a bit of prestige. Many of the works were translated from their original language. From Oct 1965 to Dec 1969, 230 such novels, peppered with the occasional title addressing a current event or topic (the Vietnam war, the KKK, etc.) or pop novel, would be published under this imprint.
Sensing an opportunity to introduce his work to a new audience while increasing its quality and import, Victor J. Banis approached publisher William Hamling, suggesting that gay erotica could prove to be immensely profitable. His first significant work of fiction was the innovative novel The Why Not, (October of 1966) featuring a series of intertwining sketches involving the inhabitants of a Los Angeles gay bar. It has the distinction of being the first gay work published by Greenleaf Classics and considered the birth of the modern gay pulp novel. Yes, the work that began it all! The novel sold well and editor-in-chief Earl Kemp asked Banis to submit other gay novels and help locate similar authors/works.
Greenleaf was one of the very first publishers of gay fiction in the United States, paving the way for dozens of other small publishing houses to offer similar fare. Interestingly, Greenleaf Classics was involved in a 1965 lawsuit, in which a bookstore clerk was convicted on obscenity charges for selling two Greenleaf Classics books; the case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where it was overturned in 1967. Greenleaf Publishing bankrolled the legal team defending the bookstore clerk.
Titles appear in the order they were published with the exception of Arden's Balls of Fire, which actually may be the last gay-oriented novel published by the imprint.
We've discussed Mr. Banis and viewed a number of his works throughout the previous 25 posts on this topic. Learn more about him, here. This title, along with several of his other works, including his autobiography Spine Intact, Some Creases, is available thanks to Borgo Press.
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We've discussed Mr. Banis and viewed a number of his works throughout the previous 25 posts on this topic. Learn more about him, here. This title, along with several of his other works, including his autobiography Spine Intact, Some Creases, is available thanks to Borgo Press.
The Why Not
Author: Victor J. Banis
Cover Art: Darrel Millsap
"Victor J. Banis's scorching excursion through the gay world of the lost and the not-so-sure."
This title is available on Amazon.com in paperback or as a download. Take a look at the download to read a bit of the intro and get a flavor of the writing.
Back Cover
"The place is gaudy yet drab, lively yet death-like, dispassionate mother hen to a brood of dithered chicks. Discover its bizarre existence from the inside, through the muddled collective mind of the outcast in-group, a gay throng of third-sex bewildered ones who frantically seek a why - but must always settle for The Why Not!"
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Tom Lockwood is the author of The Ugly Club and The Road to Nowhere. The latter title has the following tagline: "The road he chose led him to homosexual shame."
Well, what a relief!
Here, I've been thinking all these years that my life was leading nowhere!
Sons of a Beach
Author: Tom Lockwood
Cover Art: Unknown
"Burnt Island, where the boys were separated from the men and the girls sought greater truths."
I don't know about you, but... I feel awfully sorry for those girls! Can you imagine a whole summer of, "Johnny, are you gay?"
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Richard Amory was actually a pen name for Richard Wallace Love (1927-1981).
As Richard Amory, he wrote at least eight gay-themed novels, including a couple of sequels to Song of the Loon, for which he is best known. Thanks to Arsenal Pulp Press and Little Sister 's Classics, Song of the Loon is now readily available in a reissued edition, however, Amory’s other novels have not yet received the same treatment.
He obtained a bachelor's degree in sociology from Ohio State University, a M.A. in Spanish from San Francisco State University, and began an uncompleted Ph.D. in Spanish at University of California, Berkeley. A high school teacher by profession, he achieved success as a novelist in the late 1960s while still a graduate student and before coming out.
Amory briefly partnered with fellow authors Dirk Vanden, Phil Andros, Peter Tuesday Hughes, Larry Townsend, and Douglas Dean in an attempt to found the first all-gay publishing company, which was to be called The Renaissance Group. The group was unable to secure funding for the attempt and several of its members ceased publishing shortly thereafter.
Richard died at the age of 53, the father of three children.
Richard Armory
(Richard Wallace Love)
Song of the Loon
Author: Richard Amory
Cover Art: Robert Bonfils
Song of the Loon is considered a gay version of The Last of the Mohicans, or a gay homage to the pastoral novels from that time period in literature.
Published well ahead of its time, in 1966 by Greenleaf Classics, Song of the Loon is a romantic novel that tells the story of Ephraim MacIver and his travels through the wilderness. Along his journey, he meets a number of characters who share with him stories, wisdom and their bodies. This was the most popular erotic gay book of the 1960s and 1970s. It was the inspiration for two sequels, a 1970 film of the same name (much to the displeasure of the author), at least one porn movie (also against the author's wishes) and a parody novel called Fruit of the Loon (shown later in this post). Unique among pulp novels of the time, the gay characters in Song of the Loon are strong and romantically drawn, which has earned the book a place in the canon of gay American literature.
 Song of the Loon, the movie, was filmed in Northern California. Every hunky high school jock in the surrounding area was hired, full body painted, and entertained. |
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As a freelance writer, Glut was able to carve out a career for himself. His love of dinosaurs and super heroes informed much of his body of work. He is best known for his novelization of the movie The Empire Strikes Back (1980), a national #1 bestseller for almost two months, which to date (still in print) has sold over 3.5 million copies. In 1982 he created characters and back story for Mattel’s Masters of the Universe toy line.
Freakout on Sunset Strip
Author: Mick Rogers
Cover Art: Unknown
"Fags, freaks and the famous turn the street into a hippie hell."
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The first of two sequels to the best-selling Song of the Loon. Song of Aaron was released in January of 1967, a mere two months after it's predecessor.
Song of Aaron
Author: Richard Amory
Cover Art: Robert Bonfils
"This generation's most eagerly awaited book... the spectacular sequel to the best-selling underground sensation... Song of the Loon"
"Complete and unexpurgated. First Paperback publication anywhere!
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A year later, in January of 1968, the third book in the series, Listen, the Loon Sings, was released.
Listen, the Loon Sings...
Author: Richard Amory
Cover Art: Darrel Millsap
"Final volume of the sensational Loon Songs trilogy! Sequel to Song of the Loon and Song of Aaron."
Now, this is the type of pastoral scene I wouldn't mind being a part of! Dude is nicely built! And check out that treasure trail. Well, you know me, I do love finding out where any trail leads.
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A short story collection credited to Victor J. Banis.
Only A Boy
(And 14 other short erotic classics from 1899 to 1966)
Attributed to: Victor J. Banis
Cover Art: Harry Bremmer
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We've seen both the sequels to this one in previous posts in this series. I am just so pleased to actually offer you a taste of one of these novels. I just happened to find an old blog that used to share the first chapter from classic gay pulp fiction books. The site appears to have been abandoned in 2014, or thereabouts, which is too bad, but I am grateful to have found this. Enjoy!
One To Share...
Author: Dallas Kovar
Cover Art: Robert Bonfils
"As absorbing, as devastating, as incredibly real as Amory's Loon novels."
"They blazed a trail through lands of awesome beauty, of absolute savagery. The trek brought out the best, the worst in every man and the fellowship they forged was... One to Share"
Chapter One
As the boat thumped against the dock, the young man threw his saddlebags over his shoulder and vaulted gracefully over the rail. Walking quickly, his muscular thighs straining against his tight buff-colored trousers, he moved away from the brawling, shouting confusion of the waterfront toward the business houses and saloons nearby.
He pushed his way through the double doors of the Empire Saloon and up to the bar. “Whiskey,” he told the Negro bartender, and threw a silver coin on the bar. Then he leaned against the bar and studied the crowd of men who were drinking and gambling in the bright gas lights. Many of the men were indifferent to his presence, some noted approvingly his strong, masculine body, clearly outlined by his tight pants and plaid, wool shirt. Other men, as he knew they would, glanced swiftly over his handsome face and body to stare openly, with amazement and only partly concealed desire at the massive bulge of his crotch. Eyes slightly narrowed, he looked with feigned indifference about the barroom. He needed information and he knew that before long one of the men who studied him furtively, yet eagerly, would approach.
As he threw down his shot of whiskey with a quick gesture, a voice at his side asked, “Can I buy you another?”
He turned and saw a weather-beaten face, a thin but sinewy body clad in buckskins. “Thanks,” he replied, waiting for the other man to begin the conversation.
“I’m Tom Ludin. You heading west?” the other man asked, extending his hand.
“I’m Thad Carpenter,” the young man replied. Their hands held for a fraction longer than necessary. “I’m off to the gold mines if I can find me a good train.”
“Just get into town?”
When Thad nodded, the older man smiled faintly. “Knew I hadn’t seen you before. And I’d sure have remembered ifn I had.”
Their eyes met briefly in a look of mutual recognition. Tom’s faint smile broadened into a grin. “I’m hunter for Brandon’s Rising Sun Company. Ifn you’re a good shot I might get you fixed to help me out.”
Thad hesitated. This was going faster than he’d expected.
“It’s a good company,” the older man hurried on. “Cap Brandon was out west with Fremont in ’46. He’s no damn fool greenhorn like most,” he gesture toward the crowded barroom with contempt.
“Got good horses and fifteen men paying their passage. I’d be mighty pleased ifn you’d join up.” He glanced down and let his eyes linger for a moment over the younger man’s bulging crotch. “Why not come on out to camp and meet the boys?”
Thad shrugged. He had plenty of time to look around, Tom Ludin was obviously experienced on the plains, and a captain who had been west before would be a tremendous advantage on the long and dangerous trip ahead. What could he lose but a couple of hours? Nodding in agreement, he followed Tom out the door.
As they walked toward the edge of town, Tom Ludin talked eagerly. “I been all over that country out there since I was fifteen. Hunting and trapping for more years than I’m going to admit to a young guy like you,” he grinned. “Been on the Yellowstone and the Bighorn, Salt Lake, and even seen me the Columbia once. But never been to California. That’s why I signed on with Brandon. But I don’t aim to settle down. I’ll get me a look, then I’ll take off. I got too many good friends in the mountains to stay in one place long.” As he said this he glanced sideways at Thad, but the young man wasn’t ready to admit he understood Tom’s special emphasis on “good friends.”
The air was fresh and clean as the two men walked across the prairie. There were white-topped wagons everywhere, pale, curling smoke marking the campfires of each encampment. Green shoots of grass were already standing tall above the rich, brown earth, and a light breeze played fitfully over the grass, bending it back and forth until in the distance it looked like the gentle swell of the sea. Cattle and horses grazed on the sweet, new-grown grass and voices could be heard distantly calling from wagon to wagon.
The camp of the Rising Sun Company was spread in a half circle about a mile from town. Seven covered wagons, what seemed to be about forty head of stock grazing, and eight tents pitched between the wagons. There were only a few men in sight, the others were in town.
Tom led the tall young man to the center of the camp and called to a man sitting on a keg, his back to them, reading a sheaf of papers.
“Cap Brandon, got a man for you.”
As the man rose and turned toward them, Thad felt a tightening in his throat and chest, and a stirring in his groin. Robert Brandon was nearly as tall as Thad, broader in the shoulders and chest. His torso under the wool shirt was powerfully muscular, but not heavy, his long legs were strong and graceful below his narrow waist. Jet black, straight hair fell over a wide forehead and shaded deep-set, black eyes. Deeply tanned, his strong, handsome face reflected an outdoor life, and deep lines about the mouth indicated a man used to command. His lips were full and firm, his jaw straight and strong. Thad immediately saw as he glanced at the other’s crotch that he was more than a match for himself.
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This is the aforementioned parody of the Loon series. Hmm. This publisher had a sense of humor. I hope it was shared by his bestselling author. If not, talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
Fruit of the Loon
Author: Ricardo Amory
Cover Art: Unknown
Umm. Most likely culturally insensitive. But I sure do love that goose (or is it a duck?).
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Well, it doesn't get more classy than a little Oscar Wilde! Oscar. Such a wit.
From Wikipedia:
"Oscar Wilde... was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, the early 1890s saw him become one of the most popular playwrights in London. He is best remembered for his epigrams and plays, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the circumstances of his criminal conviction for gross indecency for consensual homosexual acts, imprisonment, and early death at age 46."
Teleny
Attributed to Oscar Wilde
Cover Art: Unknown
"He shunned women for the love of..."
Typically subtitled, "or The Reverse of the Medal", here's a plot synopsis (Spoiler Elert!):
The story begins with Des Grieux attending a concert with his mother. He experiences strange and suggestive visions during a piano performance by a beautiful Hungarian named Teleny. Des Grieux becomes fascinated by the man and by the frequent, though sporadic sexual telepathic connection he feels with Teleny. This feeling leads to a mixture of curiosity, admiration, and desire, and then jealousy - for Des Grieux knows that Teleny attracts the attention of many men and women before their relationship begins. Eventually the two meet and discuss their unexplained bond which quickly leads to a passionate affair.
Des Grieux feels very torn about loving and desiring a man. In an attempt to dissuade himself, he beds a household servant, an act which indirectly leads to her death. Shaken, he vows to no longer fight his feelings and allows Teleny to introduce him to an underground sexual society of males desiring men. Their love affair continues in spite of their emotional struggles, and survives an attempted blackmailing.
One day, Teleny declares a need to leave for a time, ostensibly for a concert performance. Missing his lover, Des Grieux goes to Teleny's apartment only to find Teleny in bed with Des Grieux's mother! It seems she had offered to pay off all of Teleny's debts in return for sexual favors. The two men part badly. Des Grieux attempts suicide and remains isolated in the hospital for many days. Once discharged, he goes to Teleny only to find that his lover has stabbed himself in remorse and is bleeding to death. Des Grieux forgives Teleny; they re-declare their love and Teleny dies.
So, in other words... just your typical Saturday night at the bar! I mean, we've all been there, done that... right?
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This isn't a gay novel. However... I happened to stumble on the Wikileaks post about the author and was gobsmacked. Positively gobsmacked.
Sex Rebel: Black
Author: Bob Green (Frank Marshall Davis)
Cover Art: Unknown
"With an introduction by Dale Gordon, Ph.D."
From Wikileaks:
"Frank Marshall Davis has been widely alleged to be US Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama's poet-journalist-activist-mentor "Frank" in Obama's book Dreams of my Father. It has been said no man truly knows his father, but US right wing bloggers think they know Obama's. They claim Frank Marshall Davis is Obama's real father and Obama's Dreams are just that—dreams. A fascinating rumor, which unfortunately appears to be backed only by insignificant circumstantial evidence.
This out of print 1968 autobiographical book, Sex Rebel: Black - Gash Gormet, written under the pseudonym Bob Green, describes Mr. Davis' swinging activities in the 1960s - though the degree of fictionalization is unknown. There is reference to a threesome with an 'Ahn', who is described as being a mere 14 years-old at the time. Not to be bowed, Obama's critics imply that perhaps 'Ahn' was 17 going on 14, and anyway, even if Mr. Davis was not Obama's biological father, this swinging black "communist" poet was the fatherless Obama's mentor -hence his environmental father."
Gobsmacked.
I'd never heard this rumor before. Oh, the things people will make up. Still... it is kind of juicy knowing Barack's mentor wrote a smutty novel. But that just makes me admire Barack even more (as if that were possible). Do you think that maybe he and Michele take turns reading a chapter or two as a means of foreplay?
Oh, the things people will make up.
Gobsmacked!
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The White Paper
Attributed to Jean Cocteau
Cover Art: Jean Cocteau/Unknown
"With preface and illustrations by Jean Cocteau."
"As far back as I can remember, and even at an age when the mind does not yet influence the senses, I find traces of my love of boys. I have always loved the strong sex that I find legitimate to call the fair sex. My misfortunes came from a society that condemns the rare as a crime and forces us to reform our inclinations."
My misfortunes come from my inability to say 'no'. Sigh. Yes, I'm just a ho who can't say 'no'.
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Chris Arden has two novels to his credit, both published by this imprint.
Cream
Author: Chris Arden
Cover Art: Unknown
"In the glittering beach resorts of Mexico, men like Al Langdon are commonplace. They are usually handsome and well groomed, and flesh is their stock in trade. They are the..."Well, I must say... this may have been published in September of 1968, but some things never change. Yep, the beat goes on...
Here's an alternate cover I found:
He's also responsible for:
Balls of Fire
Author: Chris Arden
Cover Art: Unknown
Which I can't verify is a gay novel, but with that title... what are the odds?
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This is the only title credited to Caulder Thorpe. The collection includes six stories and was published in October of 1968.
A review from Somewhere Books:
Despite Greenleaf Classics’ reputation for publishing obscene, extreme erotica, Headlines for Johnny is surprisingly well-written. Yes, it contains graphic sex scenes, but Caulder’s insight into his character’s interior lives and emotional states is really quite wonderful. There are several beautiful and tender scenes between men, framed by evocative descriptions of the participants’ surroundings. Far from a simple smutty adult-store paperback, Headlines for Johnny has some true literary merit. In particular, the description of a judge’s struggle to accept his own conviction of two gay men’s sexual relationship is completely engaging - the reader experiences the judge’s tension and anxiety over the fairness of his ruling.
Headlines For Johnny
Author: Thorpe Caulder
Cover Art: Unknown
"And other stories by Thorpe Caulder."
In the half-light of homosexual longing...I decided to walk before turning in. It could only have been a masochistic delight that impelled me in the direction of the Sea Lavender. Why I wanted to torment myself by looking at the place where I'd been so blissfully happy and sexually fulfilled with Harold, I don't know. I guess I was thoroughly mixed up.
I knew perfectly well that ultimately I'd be there with Fred. And knowing Fred was there now with the sailor made my insides jump. I had to take a look, scuff around like a Peeping Tom wondering which was Fred's apartment.
Well, that's all for this week. And wasn't it enough? Oh, my... this one was stuffed with surprises and fun info. In a way, I wish they could all be so juicy, but all that tracking down stuff? That takes a lot of time.
I knew perfectly well that ultimately I'd be there with Fred. And knowing Fred was there now with the sailor made my insides jump. I had to take a look, scuff around like a Peeping Tom wondering which was Fred's apartment.
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Next week, we'll take the briefest of looks at the Greenleaf Classic re-issues with the red covers. There won't be any fun info, since those of you who have been reading this series will already be familiar with the authors and titles.
And after that... on to new publishing houses! I can't wait.
Until then...
Thanks for reading!
Who's Johnny? - El DeBarge
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3 comments:
I think it is not a whole lot better for authors today when it comes to publishing houses. The author gets a small fee - sometimes, nothing at all - the royalty split is 70% for the publishing company and 30% for the author. The Big 5?? Well, it's skimpier than that - they can go as low as 7% for the author. It's why there is so much self-published stuff out there.
These days...I certainly seem to have balls of fire.....
I have heard of Phil Andros! Yay!
And I think that for the time, those titles were pretty titillating. Lots of cultural appropriation and thinly veiled sex with young men. Well, it was the culture, no?
I am still bent (no pun, I swear) on finding some of these novels. Maybe when I go back to thrifting.
XOXO
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