Acquired Tastes XLIII Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 92 - HIS69, Part 21 of 44

Acquired Tastes XLIII 

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 92 

HIS69, Part 21 of 44

The HIS69 imprint was active from 1971 thru 1988, delivering an astounding 531 titles. Surrey House, Inc. / Surree Ltd, Inc. of San Diego and Santee, California are responsible for this imprint which was distributed by the same company as Trojan Books, Manhard Books, Gay Books and Gay Way Books; the Zorro Distribution Company, also operating out of San Diego.

It should be noted that many of these titles, with original artwork included, were simultaneously republished under the Gay Books imprint and then, later, minus the artwork, were also republished under the ManPower imprint.

The artwork for the HIS69 books would go through only two minor shifts with all the covers featuring ink drawings by various uncredited illustrators - artwork quite similar to what we saw with the Manhard imprint.

Here are the next twelve titles. This week, once again, I was able to track down all twelve.

Trucker's Load

Author: Richard Strotherman 

HIS69243

Love me a good double entendre. This illustration captures one of the fantasies of my youth. Sadly, with exceptions, truckers do not come as pictured, so... buyer beware!

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Runaway Chicken

Author: Mike Ward

HIS69244

I misread this title. I thought it was about a young super model, as in, Runway Chicken. Well, we do have just under 300 titles to go for this imprint, so... who knows? It could be a thing. If not? Maybe I should get writing!

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Squaw Man

Author: P. H. Bennett

HIS69245

A bit of a departure in the design, and I'm not sure why. The book cited, Song Of The Loon, by Richard Armory, was a huge hit in gay circles, going on to become a full-fledge film. Something tells me Squaw Man is probably not of the same caliber. And that illustration on the cover? All kinds of odd going on there.

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Hunky Roommates

Author: Bob Michaels

HIS69246

Ah, another youthful fantasy. Who wouldn't love a roomie with privileges? Sigh. However, again... the reality does not live up to the fantasy, except in very rare cases. Typically? Roomies tend to have issues with one another that prevent such co-habitation. Things like dishes in the sink, or leaving used tissues everywhere, or shaving in the tub, but never rinsing the tub! 

As for this illustration: what's up with the upper chest of the dude standing. Is he wearing a t-shirt, or isn't he?

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Reform-School Punks

Author: Richard Graeme

HIS69247

I adore this illustration It brings to mind a film by Jean-Daniel Cadinot, Tough And Tender (Les minets sauvages) (1984). Many of his early films have been banned in the US because he had a habit of featuring under-aged actors. However, back in the mid-haties, no one was aware of that yet and they were available for rental at US Video on Lake Street, where I once worked. I checked them all out, and found them to be incredibly hot. Even with the 'ick' factor, they remain among my favorite gay porn films, some of which, such as Carnival In Venice (1986), can still be found on various free porn sites, like PornHub and XHamster. 

Lavender Triangle Murders

Author: Scott McBride

HIS69248

Everybody likes a good detective thriller. And no... I have no idea what is going on in the lower part of that illustration. Is it a towel? Whatever it is, it's done badly, which is a shame, since the upper part is spot on. And blondie's bum? Cute as can be.

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Tom's Big Pole

Author: Mike Ward

HIS69249

Is this about fishing? Or car washing? Bit of a mixed message with this cover. Be that as it may, there's no mistaking what 'pole' of Tom's the title of this tome is referencing.

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Camp Buddies

Author: Clay Caldwell

HIS69250

Ah, another gay fantasy trope... and another golden age gay porn film brought to mind - actually two. There's Cadinot's 1981 film short, Scouts and a scene or two in 1984's Chip Off The Old Block.  As for the fantasy vs. reality of this particular subject? Well, I can attest, firsthand, that it can, indeed, live up to the hype. 

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All Day Sucker

Author: Samuel West

HIS69251

Familiar title! I wonder just how many books share it? I know of one: a Manhard book by Art Smith.

Fantasy vs. reality? Well, stamina is key. I suggest practicing on the largest jawbreakers you can find. Candy, I mean... the sweet kind? And I don't mean man candy. 

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Sado Murder

Author: Mick Stevens

HIS69252

I don't know... the mix of sex, bdsm and murder sets off my ick factor. I have been working my way through Man Eater by Dick Jones which deals with the same subject material. It gives me the heebie jeebies, bringing to mind a certain scene in that horrible film, Se7ven (the one in the sex club.) Ever since I accidently watched Al Pacino's Cruising as a kid, I have been wary of such scenes - hasn't prevented me from trying it - but I always know where the exits are and never allow myself to get too 'tied up.'

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Devil's Phallus

Author: Scott McBride

HIS69253

Something tells me this title goes for big bucks on eBay. That tends to be the case anytime you mix Satanism with gay sex. Based on what the devil, as pictured, is offering up here? I'm gonna pass. 

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Hunky Hitchhiker

Author: David Langley

HIS69254

And another favorite fantasy. Ah, there was a more innocent time when hitchhiking might have been fun. But today? No way. I remember reading articles in those sleazy crime mags from the 1970's; terrifying tales of young men and women getting into the 'wrong' car. Put the fear in me, big time! Had I tried hitchhiking back in my younger years, with my luck? I have no doubt once I closed that passenger side door, odds were not in my favor that there was a handle on the inside of said door. 

Sexy? Not so much.

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And that's all for today. I hope you don't mind me prattling on as you enjoy these illustrations. Gay history, you know! Yes, this is educational!

Next week, another dozen HIS69 titles.

Until then...

Thanks for reading.

Devil's Haircut - Beck