"Hello boys and girls and dads and mothers! Here is a book full of the funniest people I know:
Mr. Wheatley Whale --- he's forty yards long, he weighs 80,000 pounds, he's good-hearted, but he's always getting mixed up.
Then there's Brumas --- the fattest, funniest little bear you ever saw.
Judy, That's Me! --- a little girl who helps Mr. whale out when he gets in trouble.
Silly Pilly --- who's so silly! He does all the silly things you DON'T do, because you know better.
Then there are all sorts of puzzles and games and jokes and things we like to do and say and think about.
Will you write to me and tell me what you like best about our first book and tell me what you'd like in the next book?
Best wishes to you from your friend, Frank Luther."
Thus reads the introductory page from the one and only issue of Frank Luther's Silly Pilly Comics, and if that doesn't whet your appetite for a look at more, well...um...y'know, I can't really blame you!
Francis Luther Crow, aka Frank Luther, nearly forgotten now, was one of the kings of the 78 rpm-records-for-kids market for many years in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. Besides being an ordained minister, country music artist, radio and television personality (he was even covered by Negativland!), he also had his own one-shot comic book as well, which brings us to that half of today's post.
We'll examine the entire issue of Silly Pilly (what a name!), as well as a crazy little story from Mighty Bear #14, so hang on to your hats and dive with us into the wackiness that is today's WFMU Comic Supplement -- right after the jump!