On Nights Of Halloween

A black cat flying through the air.
A man whose head just isn't there.
A vampire in a dentist's chair.
The moonlight's stunning silver flare.

A snowman on the beach in June.
A werewolf howling at the moon.
A skeleton casting his rune.
A banshee whistling a strange tune.

Are the strangest things I have seen.
Except on nights of Halloween.

© 2016 W.P. Rigler

find more W. P. Rigler poetry in Summoned Secrets at www.lulu.com/spotlight/wrigler

All Through Space

A sci-fi magazine recently ran a flash fiction contest with the theme of invasion at Christmas.  Alas, my following submission did not place amongst the winners but I hope you enjoy its offbeat charm. 
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

All Through Space

 

 

     Bernie watched as the last of the wreath pictured wrapping paper folded itself across the front of the jewelry box.  He tied a thin red ribbon around the slender item and smiled at his work.  Holiday music grew louder as he passed through the metallic corridor to the relaxation quarters where his wife sipped coffee.  Bernie walked by the electronic screen which displayed the quadrant of space he was designated to monitor and placed the gift beneath the sparkling lights of the holographic Christmas tree.

 

     “That better not be anything expensive,” she chided him.  “Remember our agreement?”

 

     “A quiet relaxed Christmas without expensive presents or any type of holiday ruckus.”  

 

     “Exactly!  Now that the children are grown and gone, there’s no reason to.  Bet they’re all excited to be back on Earth to celebrate the holidays with real snow instead of being stuck in this station watching space traffic.”

 

     “I gotta admit I’ve REALLY been looking forward to the quiet…”

 

     “Me too.”

    

     Suddenly an alarm bell blared. 

 

     Bernie raced to the control panel.

 

     “What is it?”

 

     “Unauthorized ship rapidly approaching,” Bernie replied.

 

     “Alien invaders!”

 

     “Doubtful this far from the rim.  Maybe fugitives – or worse,” Bernie pondered as his fingers engaged the station’s defense systems.

 

     The station then received a transmission. 

 

     “Hi ma! Hi pa!  We knew you couldn’t enjoy Christmas up here alone!  Thought we’d zip up in our new ship to keep you company.”

 

     “The kids are coming,” Bernie gasped.  “No peace here – we’re invaded!”

 

 

                                                                              FINIS

  

© 2015 William P. Rigler

   

My short story collections can be found at www.lulu.com/spotlight/wrigler - a great gift idea!

A Dickens of a Carol!

My friend Deborah Tipton, Henry Winkler & I at Steel City Comic Con.

 

     Christmas has inspired numerous writers and artists.  One literary work which has had a profound influence on our traditional celebrations for the holiday is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  Released in 1843, the novella conjures up Christmas in the image of a cold, snowy Victorian landscape with lighted evergreen trees and seasonal carols sung to imbue humanity's sense of generosity.  It seems almost unnecessary to describe the plot detailing Ebenezer Scrooge's conversion from miser to eager philanthropist, as the tale has been adapted for radio, film, tv, sitcoms and cartoons. Surely everyone has seen some version, somewhere.
     There are several silent short versions of A Christmas Carol, but perhaps the most praised film production is the 1951 version simply called Scrooge with Alastair Simm in the title role.  His performance as the skinflint with a change of heart is greatly admired.  In 1970, following the success of the Ocsar winning movie Oliver, A Christmas Carol was transformed into a musical called Scrooge starring a delightful Albert Finney as the title character.  He changes heart and sings as he does so!
    TV has brought forth it own renditions of the classic holiday book.  One of the best is a 1984 TV film called A Christmas Carol which remains very faithful to the tale, delivering both holiday cheer and the chills of the story's darker side.  George C. Scott played Scrooge and David Warner was his clerk, Bob Cratchit.  Another later TV version retaining the novella's name and sticking close to both setting and plot starred Patrick Stewart as Scrooge and Richard E.Grant as Cratchit .
     A Christmas Carol has always been my favorite holiday tale.  As a youth I remember regularly watching and being enthralled by An American Christmas Carol from 1979 starring Henry Winkler.  The story was transferred from Victorian London to small town America during the depression with Winkler mesmerizing in a Scrooge like character a far cry from his popular Happy Days role of Fonzie.  Apparently regard for Winkler was present on set as I learned when I recently got to discuss An American Christmas Carol with Robert Sax, who was an assistant to the producer.

Sax said, "I love Henry’s performance and think it was one of his best. It showed how good he could be in a dramatic role. He was mostly known for his comedy roles at the time. Henry was a consummate professional on and off the set, even when shooting in cold outdoor locations. Most of all, he had to endure several hours of special effects makeup application on the days when he played the old Slade. All this happened before the set call, so he had to get up extra early. He accepted this demand of the role with grace and aplomb, although the makeup would become rather uncomfortable by the end of the day.

     At the start of December I got to see Henry Winkler at Steel City Comic Con, where it was obvious that his appeal has not waned as he spoke dynamically at a Q&A and met fans.

     An American Christmas Carol is a real gem, worth seeking out.  Almost all versions of Dickens classic holiday novella have special treats.  I find it fun reading a classic work like this (or Dracula) and observing what filmmakers select to use, cut out, or adapt.  It tells a lot about the film makers and the taste of the audience it is aimed for.

Saint Patrick's Pet Peeves.

It takes a saint to keep a calm head with the way things are in the world today.  But as March 17 approaches, I wonder what might even get on the nerves of a certain saint...

1. Late night prank calls from drunks claiming to have seen a snake in Ireland.
2. Publicists insist on green garb for photo ops despite a preference for slimming black.
3. Leprechauns.
4. Constant debate with Saint Nicholas over whose holiday has the cooler customs.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!