Saturday, August 13, 2022

King Features Syndicate Meets the Book-of-the-Month Club

 

This topic has been covered before in Allan Holtz’s excellent Stripper’s Guide blog, but I’ve decided to take a deeper dive, because I think the strip deserves it.  The post will be a long one, but it needs to be to do it justice.

 

With content by cream-of-the-crop illustrators like Hal Foster, Frank Godwin, James Montgomery Flagg, F. R. Gruger, William Meade Prince, and Creig Flessel and such best-selling authors as William Saroyan, Daphne de Maurier, Sinclair Lewis, Franz Werfel, Ayn Rand, and Erle Stanley Gardner, it’s a wonder King Features Syndicate’s Book-of-the-Month comic strip isn’t better known today.  It’s also curious that, despite its “Book-of-the-Month” title, only about a third of the strip’s adaptations were actually based on selections of the Book-of-the-Month Club.

At first blush, the teaming of King Features Syndicate and the Book-of-the-Month Club seems odd, given that the Club was known for offering high-class literary works, while King Features distributed, well, comic strips.  But for several years in the 1940s, these two entities managed to join forces to produce a compelling though sometimes-uneasy merger between comics and literature.

In the 1940s, book clubs were all the rage, with an overall total of nearly three million members estimated by the middle of the decade.  Aside from the Book-of-the-Month Club, there were the Literary Guild, the People’s Book Club, the Book Find Club, the Labor Book Club, and specialty groups like the Classics Club and the Detective Book Club.

Founded in 1926, with more than half a million claimed members by 1943, the Book-of-the-Month Club (BOMC) was America’s oldest and largest.  It was a great deal for people who liked to read but weren’t sure which book to read next.  The basic idea was that each month, members would be offered a curated title chosen by a panel of experts.  The member could choose the month’s selection or any other book offered by the club.  The only obligation was to buy at least four books in a year, after which the member was free to cancel.  As an incentive to join, new members received a free “dividend” book from among a handful offered.  And after purchasing two books, the member would receive another one free.


Meanwhile, King Features Syndicate (KFS) was one of America’s leading comic strip distributors. An outgrowth of William Randolph Hearst’s newspaper empire, it was founded in 1915 as a way to consolidate several of Hearst’s previous syndication divisions. It quickly proved phenomenally successful, producing such popular, long-running strips as Blondie, Popeye, Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, Prince Valiant, Krazy Kat, Bringing Up Father, The Katzenjammer Kids, and many more.


It’s not known who came up with the idea to bring these two entertainment giants together, but the deal was negotiated by KFS executive editor Ward Greene and BOMC’s public relations director Edwin Seaver and announced in the October 24, 1942 issue of the Editor & Publisher trade magazine.

The idea of serializing an abridged version of a book in a magazine or newspaper wasn’t new; it had been going on for a very long time.  But combining a novel’s text with sequential pictures was touted by KFS as an innovation.  Even that wasn’t new, as comic strip adaptations of literary works went back as least as far as the 1920s.  And in 1941, Classic Comics (later Classics Illustrated) had begun adapting older classics to comic book form.  What was different about KFS’s new strip was that these were brand new books that had a lot of buzz behind them.

It's not hard to see the appeal for both companies.  It gave KFS prestigious content from highly-respected authors, while BOMC got free publicity.  And it gave readers a chance to keep abreast of current best sellers they may not have had time to read in their entirety.  An article in the Marshall News Messenger (Marshall, Texas) on Monday, May 15, 1944 explained the philosophy behind the series:

“The book chosen for pictorial serialization is always one that is a current best seller, a book that everyone is talking about and that is being nationally publicized.  The best available artists and writers are used and illustrations for each book are handled by a different artist.  Many who can find no time to read books, but who like to keep up with them, will find the Book-of-the-Month illustrated serials enable them to keep up-to-date on their reading in the minimum amount of time.”

There was one additional benefit to KFS; since the strip was a revolving door of artists, it served as a vehicle for auditioning them for other strips they might be considered for.  “That series calls for different artists,” explained KFS editor and general manager Ward Green, “gives us a way to try out artists.” (Editor & Publisher, December 7, 1946, page 34)  In fact, Neil O’Keeffe’s assignment on “Captain From Castile” ended up landing him the art job on the KFS strip Dick’s Adventures in Dreamland.

Now before we go any further, we need to address the question of whether this was really a comic strip at all.  Unlike most comics, the pictures didn’t have word balloons or narration boxes.  Instead, it was more like lots of typeset text with a few sequential illustrations, arranged all in a row.  The word “comic” was a problem, too, since most of the stories were serious in nature, so the strip tended to be described as a “pictorial serial feature” or “daily picture strip.”  But as it was often placed on the comic page, along with other comic strips, it’s clear how newspapers saw it.

Most adaptations consisted of 30 installments, designed to last five weeks at six installments a week, Monday through Saturday.  There were a few exceptions.  “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” and “Home Port” had 36 installments, while “Tarawa” had 24, and "Into Occupied FranceAnd Out" had only 12.  But all were multiples of 6, so they could run Monday through Saturday.  Of course, not all newspapers followed the intended schedule.  Some published their Saturday installments on Sunday.  Some were weekly papers and ran several installments per issue.  Some ran five installments a week for six weeks.  Others didn’t seem to follow any logical pattern at all, beginning an adaptation in the middle of the week or skipping days or even eliminating some installments altogether.  In a few cases, papers ran the installments out-of-order, which must have left readers scratching their heads.  And as usual for a comic strip, there were examples of publishers coming late to the party and running the adaptations weeks or months after their original release and/or not in their original sequence.

Since the earliest adaptations ran during World War II, it’s not surprising that many of them had wartime themes involving military operations, underground resistance, concentration camps, or espionage.  Once the war was over, the themes varied more, and stories were set in such times and places as ancient Syria, Victorian London, “fabled Cathay,” and India.  As usual, there was always plenty of romance and adventure.

Among the artists, F. R. Gruger illustrated the most adaptations, with six to his credit.  He was followed by Lawrence Butcher with five, Frank Godwin and William Sharp with four each, and George Tetzel, James Montgomery Flagg, John H. Crosman, and William Reusswig turning in three each.  Neil O’Keeffe provided two adaptations, while Stephen Grout drew the two Perry Mason stories.  The remaining artists were represented only once each: C. B. Falls, Creig Flessel, Don Kamisirow, Harold Foster, Howell Dodd, I. B. Hazelton, Jack Betts, James A. Ernst, John Fulton, John W. Mayo, L. H. Greenwood, Nick Hoffer, Rodlow Willard, Rudolph Frederick Schabelitz, Wallace Morgan, and William Meade Prince.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more distinguished bunch.  Hal Foster and Frank Godwin are well-loved by comic strip fans, the former for his work on Tarzan and Prince Valiant and the latter for Connie and Rusty Riley.  Creig Flessel was one of the best and most prolific cover artists on early DC comic books.  James Montgomery Flagg designed the famous 1917 “Uncle Sam Wants You For U.S. Army” poster.  By and large, the rest were among the most respected magazine and book illustrators of the day.



Following the last installment of “Cluny Brown” on February 10, 1945, the strip went on hiatus due to the wartime newsprint shortage.  (Newsprint was rationed during the war, so some newspapers were forced to reduce their page counts, which meant cutting features like the Book-of-the-Month Club strip.)  Fortunately, the hiatus was short-lived, and KFS was able to announce in trade publication Editor & Publisher that the strip would resume on October 15 with Sinclair Lewis’s “Cass Timberlane.”

Though the strip was originally known as “Book-of-the-Month,” not all adaptations were BOMC selections.  In fact, of the 49 books adapted, a mere 17 were Books-of-the-Month (and 10 of those were among the first 12 adaptations).  Of the others, most were described as “best-selling novels” - and a few weren’t even that; they were simply “dramatic novels.”  Four were actually selections of the Literary Guild, BOMC’s biggest competitor.  It would appear that something happened to sour KFS or BOMC – or both – on the relationship.  One can guess that, like most business issues, it had something to do with money.  By 1946, the Literary Guild had passed BOMC to become the world’s largest book club, and that might have been a factor.

 

Six of the adaptations – “Look to the Mountain,” “Guadalcanal Diary,” “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo,” “Wingate’s Raiders,” “Duel in the Sun,” and “The Case of the Crooked Candle” - were reprinted as comic books in David McKay Company’s American Library series.  A seventh comic book reprint - ”CombinedOperations: Story of the Commandos” - was released by the Gilberton Company, publishers of Classic Comics (later Classics Illustrated).  Three of the adaptations – “The Seventh Cross,” “The Song of Bernadette,” and “The Fountainhead” – were reprinted in book form decades later.


The Strips

The list below provides details for each of the 50 adaptations in the series.  Just below the title and author in each listing are the number of installments and intended start and end dates.  The exact start and end dates that each newspaper actually ran the installment are also listed.  This list contains all the newspapers I’ve found in online archives, specifically newspapers.com, newspaperarchive.com, the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America, NYS Historic Newspapers, and Google News.  The list is certainly incomplete, as many papers are not found in any of these archives.

Hearst Corporation owned KFS, so presumably all or most of their papers carried the strip, at least for a time.  But the only Hearst papers I’ve found in the archives are the Detroit Times, the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, the San Antonio Light, and the San Francisco Examiner.  The Hearst papers not found are the Albany Times-Union, the Baltimore American, the Baltimore News-Post, the Boston Advertiser, the Boston Record and American, the Chicago Herald-American, the Los Angeles Examiner, the Los Angeles Herald-Express, the Milwaukee Sentinel, the New York Journal-American, the New York Mirror, the Oakland Post-Inquirer, the San Francisco Call-Bulletin, and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Based on the available evidence (which again is incomplete), it appears that the strip started out with a sizable number of subscriber newspapers – 40 found for the first adaptation, “The Seventh Cross,” rising to 46 for “Guadalcanal Diary,” the third adaptation.  But from there, it seems to have been a slow and steady decline.  After the 8-month hiatus between “Cluny Brown” and “Cass Timberlane” in 1945, the number dropped considerably – from 12 to 6 papers found.  The introduction to the reprint book “The Illustrated Fountainhead” gives an indication of how incomplete these figures may be when it claims that the “Fountainhead” adaptation was carried by 36 newspapers.  I’ve only found 8 of them.

Special thanks to André Fournier for his helping in locating some of the adaptations in Quebec newspapers.  His website Encyclopédie de la Bande Dessinée de Journal au Québec 1918-1988 (Encyclopedia of Newspaper Comic Strips in Quebec 1918-1988) is a great resource.


1. The Seventh Cross by Anna Seghers

30 Installments, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

 

Based on the Book-of-the-Month (October 1942)

“The breathtaking story of escape from a German prison camp of one man who got away and six who didn’t”

Illustrations by William Sharp (1900-1961)

Drawings copyright, 1942, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1942, by Little, Brown & Co.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate in co-operation with the Book-of-the-Month Club, Inc.


  • Reprinted in German in book form as “Das siebte Kreuz : mit den Original illustrationen von 1942” by Aufbau-Verlag, Berlin, 2015.
  • Anna Seghers was the pen name of Netti Reiling, German exile, Communist, and Nazi critic.



The Atlanta (Georgia) Journal, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Macon (Georgia) News, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Charlotte (North Carolina) News, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Miami (Florida) News, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Palm Beach (Florida) Post, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida), Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Tampa (Florida) Tribune, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Evansville (Indiana) Courier, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Rock Island (Illinois) Argus, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The High Point (North Carolina) Enterprise, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

South Haven (Michigan) Daily Tribune, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Sat Dec 26, 1942

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Wed Dec 30, 1942

Paducah (Kentucky) Sun-Democrat, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Fri Jan 1, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Mon Jan 4, 1943

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Mon Jan 4, 1943

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Mon Jan 4, 1943

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Tue Jan 5, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Tue Jan 5, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Nov 30, 1942 – Fri Jan 8, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Tue Dec 1, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

Wilmington (North Carolina) Morning Star, Tue Dec 1, 1942 – Sat Jan 2, 1943

Pottsville (Pennsylvania) Republican, Wed Dec 2, 1942 – Mon Jan 4, 1943

Johnson City (Tennessee) Chronicle, Tue Dec 8, 1942 – Sun Jan 10, 1943

The Kansas City (Missouri) Star, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Oct 4, 1943 – Sat Nov 6, 1943

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Jan 9, 1944 – Sun Mar 12, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Fri May 4, 1945 – Thu Jun 7, 1945


2. Look to the Mountain by Le Grand Cannon Jr.

30 Installments, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

 

Based on the Book-of-the-Month (November 1942)

“A saga of romance and high adventure”

Illustrations by John Fulton (1896-1979)

Drawings copyright, 1942, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1942, by Henry Holt & Co.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate in co-operation with the Book-of-the-Month Club, Inc.



 

The Atlanta (Georgia) Journal, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Charlotte (North Carolina) News, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Miami (Florida) News, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Palm Beach (Florida) Post, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida), Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Tampa (Florida) Tribune, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Columbia (South Carolina) Record, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Rock Island (Illinois) Argus, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

South Haven (Michigan) Daily Tribune, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sun Feb 7, 1943

Paducah (Kentucky) Sun-Democrat, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sun Feb 7, 1943

Wilmington (North Carolina) Morning Star, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sun Feb 7, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Mon Jan 4, 1943 – Sun Feb 7, 1943

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Tue Jan 5, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Tue Jan 5, 1943 – Sat Feb 6, 1943

Pottsville (Pennsylvania) Republican, Tue Jan 5, 1943 – Mon Feb 8, 1943

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Wed Jan 6, 1943 – Tue Feb 9, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Jan 11, 1943 – Sat Feb 13, 1943

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Mar 19, 1944 – Sun May 21, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Fri Jun 8, 1945 – Sun Jul 15, 1945




3. Guadalcanal Diary by Richard Tregaskis

30 Installments, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

 

Based on the Book-of-the-Month (February 1943)

“A spine-tingling eyewitness story of the American marines’ jungle struggle with the Japs”

Illustrations by I. B. Hazelton (1870-1943)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by Random House, Inc.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate in co-operation with the Book-of-the-Month Club, Inc.




The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Charlotte (North Carolina) News, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Miami (Florida) News, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Palm Beach (Florida) Post, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida), Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Tampa (Florida) Tribune, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Columbia (South Carolina) Record, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Minneapolis (Minnesota) Star-Tribune, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Des Moines (Iowa) Tribune, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Windsor (Ontario) Star, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Newport News (Virginia) Daily Press, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Nashville (Tennessee) Tennessean, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Ironwood (Michigan) Daily Globe, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Rock Island (Illinois) Argus, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Newark (Ohio) Advocate, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Zanesville (Ohio) Signal, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sat Mar 13, 1943

Wilmington (North Carolina) Morning Star, Mon Feb 8, 1943 (ran only the first installment)

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Wed Mar 10, 1943

Pottsville (Pennsylvania) Republican, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Fri Mar 12, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sun Mar 14, 1943

Paducah (Kentucky) Sun-Democrat, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sun Mar 14, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Mon Feb 8, 1943 – Sun Mar 14, 1943

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Wed Feb 10, 1943 – Tue Mar 16, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Feb 15, 1943 – Sat Mar 20, 1943

The Escanaba (Michigan) Daily Press, Sun Feb 28, 1943 – Fri Apr 16, 1943

Spokane (Washington) Daily Chronicle, Thu Mar 4, 1943 – Tue Apr 6, 1943

The Santa Fe (New Mexico) New Mexican, Tue Mar 9, 1943 – Mon, Apr 12, 1943

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Apr 12, 1943 – Sat May 15, 1943

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Aug 20, 1944 – Sun Oct 22, 1944


 


4. The Human Comedy by William Saroyan

30 Installments, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

 

Based on the Book-of-the-Month (March 1943)

“A rich and moving story of today’s times that will show you why its author is America’s most discussed writer”

Illustrations by Nick Hoffer

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by Harcourt Brace & Co.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate in co-operation with the Book-of-the-Month Club, Inc.


  • A picture strip, very similar in format to this one, but with photos from the MGM movie instead of drawings, also ran in newspapers in 1943.

 

The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Miami (Florida) News, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Palm Beach (Florida) Post, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Newark (Ohio) Advocate, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Mar 15, 1943 ­– Sat Apr 17, 1943

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sat Apr 17, 1943

Pottsville (Pennsylvania) Republican, Sat Mar 13, 1943 – Fri Apr 16, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sun Apr 18, 1943

Paducah (Kentucky) Sun-Democrat, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sun Apr 18, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Sun Apr 18, 1943

The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), Mon Mar 15, 1943 – Wed Apr 28, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Mar 22, 1943 – Mon Apr 26, 1943

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Oct 29, 1944 – Sun Dec 31, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Tue Jan 8, 1946 – Mon Feb 11, 1946

 


5. The Song of Bernadette by Franz Werfel

30 Installments, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (June 1943)

“The greatest novel of its time, by Franz Werfel, one of the world’s master writers”

Illustrations by Harold Foster (1892-1982)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1942, by The Viking Press, Inc.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate in co-operation with the Book-of-the-Month Club, Inc.


  • Reprinted in book form by Hooka Publications, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1970, with an introduction by Robert Horvath.  Reprinted in magazine form in Spanish as “La Cancion de Bernadette” by Chito Extraordinario, Barcelona, Spain, 1975.




The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Boston (Massachusetts) Globe, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Newark (Ohio) Advocate, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Kansas City (Missouri) Star, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sat May 22, 1943

Pottsville (Pennsylvania) Republican, Sat Apr 17, 1943 – Fri May 21, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sun May 23, 1943

Paducah (Kentucky) Sun-Democrat, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sun May 23, 1943

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sun May 23, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Mon Apr 19, 1943 – Sun May 23, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Tue Apr 27, 1943 – Mon May 31, 1943

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat May 1, 1943 – Sat Jun 5, 1943

Galveston (Texas) Tribune, Mon May 17, 1943 – Sat Jun 19, 1943

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Jun 6, 1943 – Sun Aug 8, 1943

 


6. Combined Operations: The Story of the Commandos (From the Official Records)

30 Installments, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (June 1943)

“A thrilling saga of courage, action and adventure, taken from the official records”

Illustrations by William Sharp (1900-1961)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by The MacMillan Company

Distributed by King Features Syndicate in co-operation with the Book-of-the-Month Club, Inc.


  • Reprinted in comic book form by Gilberton Company, 1944.
  • This book was written by Hilary St. George Saunders but published anonymously. A piece in The Osage County Oklahoma News (Fri Jun 4, 1943) explains why: “Hilary St. George Saunders is probably the most widely read author in the modern world, and yet his name has seldom, if ever, appeared in print – either on the title page of his own books, or elsewhere. He is the author of the official British Government reports on the various branches of the British fighting services, with such books as ‘Bomber Command,’ ‘The Battle of Britain’ and ‘Coastal Command’ having sold well over 12,000,000 copies. Since all his works are official British publications, all of them have been published anonymously, under the British Government seal. The latest in the series, ‘Combined Operations,’ the complete story of the Commandos to date, is the Book-of-the-Month Club selection for June…” Unfortunately for Saunders, despite the impressive sales totals, all royalties went to the British Government.
  • In addition to this book adaptation, artist William Sharp did a regular panel strip called "Ex Libris," similar to "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."  The week "Combined Operations" debuted, he couldn't resist sneaking in a plug for it.

 


The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Newark (Ohio) Advocate, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Cincinnati (Ohio) Enquirer, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

Pottsville (Pennsylvania) Republican, Sat May 22, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Sat May 22, 1943 – Sat Jun 26, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sun Jun 27, 1943

Paducah (Kentucky) Sun-Democrat, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sun Jun 27, 1943

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sun Jun 27, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Mon May 24, 1943 – Sun Jun 27, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon May 24, 1943 – Mon Jun 28, 1943

The Rock Island (Illinois) Argus, Wed May 26, 1943 – Tue Jun 29, 1943

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Tue Jun 1, 1943 – Sun Jul 4, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Jun 1, 1943 – Thu Jul 8, 1943

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Jun 5, 1943 – Fri Jul 9, 1943

The Regina (Saskatchewan) Leader-Post, Sat Jun 5, 1943 – Sat Jul 10, 1943

Evansville (Indiana) Courier, Mon Jun 7, 1943 – Sat Jul 10, 1943

Galveston (Texas) Tribune, Mon Jun 21, 1943 – Sat Jul 24, 1943

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Jul 5, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Jul 29, 1943 – Thu Sep 30, 1943

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Nov 8, 1943 – Sat Dec 10, 1943

 


7. Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo by Capt. Ted W. Lawson

36 Installments, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

 

Based on the forthcoming Book-of-the-Month (August 1943)

“The greatest love story and the most thrilling adventure saga of the war”

Edited by Bob Considine

Illustrations by Don Komisarow (1914-2000)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by Random House, Inc.

A Book-of-the-Month Club selection, to be published July 12


  • Reprinted in comic book form by David McKay Company.
  • This was the August 1943 Book-of-the-Month Club selection.  According to Cincinnati Enquirer, the adaptation was “the first time in its history the Book-of-the-Month Club has authorized prerelease of a book in picture strip form.”  The book was published July 13, 1943.

 



The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943 (no illustrations)

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

Pottsville (Pennsylvania) Republican, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Newark (Ohio) Advocate, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Cincinnati (Ohio) Enquirer, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sat Aug 7, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sun Aug 8, 1943

Paducah (Kentucky) Sun-Democrat, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Sun Aug 8, 1943

The Bradford (Pennsylvania) Era, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Mon Aug 9, 1943

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Tue Aug 10, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Mon Jun 28, 1943 – Tue Aug 17, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Tue Jun 29, 1943 – Tue Aug 10, 1943

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Thu Jul 1, 1943 – Wed Aug 11, 1943

Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada), Thu Jul 1, 1943 – Wed Aug 11, 1943

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Tue Jul 6, 1943 – Sun Aug 15, 1943

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Jul 10, 1943 – Sat Aug 21, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Jul 12, 1943 – Sat Aug 21 1943

The Belleville (Illinois) News-Democrat, Wed Jul 14, 1943 – Tue Aug 24, 1943

Galveston (Texas) Tribune, Mon Jul 26, 1943 – Sat Sep 4, 1943

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 18, 1943

Kingsport (Tennessee) News, Sat Sep 4, 1943 – Fri Oct 15, 1943

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Dec 13, 1943 – Sat Jan 22, 1944

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Jun 8, 1944 – Thu Aug 24, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Wed Jul 18, 1945 – Tue Aug 28, 1945

 


8. Hungry Hill by Daphne du Maurier

30 Installments, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

 

Based On The New Best Seller By The Author of “Rebecca”

“A powerful new romantic novel”

Illustrations by Rodlow Willard (1906-1994)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by Daphne du Maurier Browning


 

The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943 (no illustrations)

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Newark (Ohio) Advocate, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Cincinnati (Ohio) Enquirer, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Sat Sep 11, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Mon Aug 9, 1943 – Mon Sep 13, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Wed Aug 11, 1943 – Wed Sep 15, 1943

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Wed Aug 11, 1943 – Tue Sep 14, 1943

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Thu Aug 12, 1943 – Wed Sep 15, 1943

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Aug 15, 1943 – Sun Oct 17, 1943

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Tue Aug 17, 1943 – Sun Sep 19, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Wed Aug 18, 1943 – Thu Sep 23, 1943

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Mon Aug 23, 1943 – Sat Sep 25, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Wed Aug 25, 1943 – Wed Sep 29, 1943

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Sep 20, 1943 – Sat Oct 23, 1943

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Wed Aug 29, 1945 – Tue Oct 2, 1945

 


9. Col. Effingham’s Raid by Berry Fleming

30 Installments, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (March 1943)

Illustrations by Creig Flessel (1912-2008)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright by Berry Fleming

A Book-of-the-Month Club selection

 

The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

Amarillo (Texas) Daily News, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Newark (Ohio) Advocate, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Sat Oct 16, 1943

The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, Mon Sep 13, 1943 – Mon Oct 18, 1943 (no illustrations)

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Sep 14, 1943 – Mon Oct 18, 1943

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Thu Sep 16, 1943 – Wed Oct 20, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Thu Sep 16, 1943 – Wed Oct 20, 1943

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Tue Sep 21, 1943 – Sat Oct 23, 1943

The Brownsville (Texas) Herald, Fri Sep 24, 1943 – Tue Nov 2, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Sat Oct 2, 1943 – Sat Nov 6, 1943

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Oct 25, 1943 – Sat Nov 27, 1943

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Nov 9, 1944 – Thu Jan 11, 1945

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Wed Nov 7, 1945 – Wed Dec 12, 1945

 


10. You Can’t Escape by Faith Baldwin

30 Installments, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

 

Based On The New Best-Selling Novel

“A dramatic story of love, jealousy and intrigue in mood in mad and merry Manhattan”

Illustrations by Rudolph Frederick Schabelitz (1884-1959)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by Faith Baldwin Cuthrell

Published by Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.



The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

The Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 20, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Oct 20, 1943

The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer, Mon Oct 18, 1943 – Sat Nov 13, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Oct 19, 1943 – Mon Nov 22, 1943

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Thu Oct 21, 1943 – Mon Nov 22, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Thu Oct 21, 1943 – Wed Nov 24, 1943

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Sun Oct 24, 1943 – Thu Dec 2, 1943

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Mon Oct 25, 1943 – Mon Nov 29, 1943

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Wed Nov 10, 1943 – Wed Dec 15, 1943

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Nov 11, 1943 – Thu Jan 6, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Nov 29, 1943 – Sat Jan 1, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Wed Oct 3, 1945 – Tue Nov 6, 1945

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Oct 20, 1947 – Sun Nov 23, 1947

 


11. Taps For Private Tussie by Jesse Stuart

30 Installments, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Sat Dec 25, 1943

 

Based on Book-of-the-Month (December 1943)

Illustrations by F. R. Gruger (1871-1953)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by E. P. Dutton & Co.

A Book-of-the-Month club selection


  • As with “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo,” this adaptation was released simultaneously with its publication and distribution to Book-of-the-Month Club members.

 

The Birmingham (Alabama) News, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Sat Dec 25, 1943

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Sat Dec 25, 1943

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Journal, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Sat Dec 25, 1943

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Sat Dec 25, 1943

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Sat Dec 25, 1943

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Fri Dec 24, 1943

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Sun Dec 26, 1943

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Nov 23, 1943 – Mon Dec 27, 1943

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Nov 22, 1943 – Mon Dec 27, 1943

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Tue Nov 23, 1943 – Tue Dec 28, 1943

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Fri Nov 26, 1943 – Fri Dec 31, 1943

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Tue Nov 30, 1943 – Wed Jan 5, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Fri Dec 3, 1943 – Tue Jan 11, 1944

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Dec 20, 1943 – Wed Jan 26, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Jan 3, 1944 – Sat Feb 5, 1944

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Jan 20, 1944 – Thu Mar 23, 1944

 


12. Paris—Underground by Etta Shiber

30 Installments, Mon Dec 27, 1943 – Sat Jan 29, 1944

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (September 1943)

“The story of how an American woman and a British woman operated an ‘underground railway’ in the French capital after it had fallen into the hands of the Germans”

Illustrations by William Reusswig (1902-1978)

Drawings copyright, 1943, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by Press Alliance, Inc.

A Book-of-the-Month Club selection published by Charles Scribners Sons



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Dec 27, 1943 – Sat Jan 29, 1944

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Dec 27, 1943 – Sat Jan 29, 1944

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Dec 27, 1943 – Sat Jan 29, 1944

Naugatuck (Connecticut) Daily News, Mon Dec 27, 1943 – Sat Jan 29, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Dec 27, 1943 – Sat Jan 29, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Dec 27, 1943 – Sat Jan 29, 1944

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Dec 27, 1943 – Sat Jan 29, 1944

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Dec 28, 1943 – Mon Jan 31, 1944

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Thu Dec 30, 1943 – Thu Jan 27, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Jan 3, 1944 – Sat Feb 5, 1944 (no illustrations)

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Thu Jan 6, 1944 – Wed Feb 9, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Wed Jan 12, 1944 – Sat Feb 19, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Feb 7, 1944 – Sat Mar 11, 1944

 


13. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

30 Installments, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

 

Based on the Great Best-Selling Novel

“The great novel by Betty Smith – most discussed best-seller of the year”

Illustrations by William Meade Prince (1893-1951)

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by Betty Smith

Published by Harper & Brothers



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

The Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

Naugatuck (Connecticut) Daily News, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Jan 31, 1944 – Sat Mar 4, 1944

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Fri Jan 28, 1944 – Thu Mar 2, 1944

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Sat Jan 29, 1944 – Fri Mar 3, 1944

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Feb 1, 1944 – Mon Mar 6, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Feb 7, 1944 – Sat Mar 11, 1944 (no illustrations)

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Thu Feb 10, 1944 – Wed Mar 15, 1944

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Wed Feb 16, 1944 – Tue Mar 21, 1944

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Sun Feb 20, 1944 – Fri Mar 24, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Sun Feb 20, 1944 – Thu Mar 30, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Mar 13, 1944 – Sat Apr 15, 1944

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Mar 30, 1944 – Thu Jun 1, 1944

 


14. Good Night, Sweet Prince: The Life and Times of John Barrymore by Gene Fowler

30 Installments, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

 

Based on the new best-seller

“Great story of John Barrymore’s tragi-comic life and loves”

Illustrations by James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960)

Drawings copyright 1944 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright 1943 and 1944 by Gene Fowler

Published by The Viking Press



Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

Naugatuck (Connecticut) Daily News, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

The Edmonton (Alberta) Bulletin, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Fri Mar 3, 1944 – Thu Apr 6, 1944

The Nashville (Tennessee) Tennessean, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Sun Apr 9, 1944

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Mon Apr 10, 1944

Atlanta (Georgia) Constitution, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Mon Apr 10, 1944

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Mar 7, 1944 – Mon Apr 10, 1944

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Wed Mar 8, 1944 – Wed Apr 12, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Mar 13, 1944 – Sat Apr 8, 1944 (no illustrations)

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Wed Mar 22, 1944 – Tue Apr 25, 1944

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Sun Mar 26, 1944 – Fri Apr 28, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Fri Mar 31, 1944 – Wed May 10, 1944

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Thu Mar 16, 1944 – Wed Apr 19, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Apr 17, 1944 – Sat May 20, 1944

 

The Times-Signal of Zanesville, Ohio published a serialization of this novel every Sunday from March 12, 1944 to October 8, 1944.  It bore little resemblance to the King Features adaptation, except that the illustrations it used were a combination of photos and James Montgomery Flagg’s King Features artwork.  Neither KFS nor Flagg were credited.



14A. Betrayal From The East by Alan Hynd

30 Installments, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Mon Apr 10, 1944

 

Based on the new best-seller unmasking the Jap network of espionage and treachery in America

“Authentic account of how the Japs plotted to conquer America”

Illustrations by William Sharp (1900-1961)

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by Robert M. McBride & Company


  • This appears to be a special adaptation exclusive to the Hearst chain of newspapers.  (Hearst, of course, owned King Features.)  On February 23, 1944, columnist Walter Winchell reported that “Alan Hynd’s book, ‘Betrayal From the East’ (about the Japs here before Pearl Harbor), starts March 6 in the Hearst papers.’”  "Into Occupied France-And Out" (18A) also seems to be a Hearst exclusive.
  • Betrayal From The East was part of the anti-Japanese propaganda campaign used to justify the unwarranted internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.  In the book Confinement and Ethnicity: An Overview of World War II Japanese American Relocation Sites by J. Burton, M. Farrell, F. Lord, and R. Lord (University of Washington Press, 2011), the authors state, “After Pearl Harbor, the shock of a sneak attack on American soil caused widespread hysteria and paranoia. It certainly did not help matters when Frank Knox, Roosevelt's Secretary of the Navy, blamed Pearl Harbor on ‘the most effective fifth column work that's come out of this war, except in Norway.’ Knox apparently already realized that the local military's lack of preparedness far overshadowed any espionage in the success of the attack but did not want the country to lose faith in the Navy. This scapegoating opened the door to sensationalistic newspaper headlines about sabotage, fifth column activities, and imminent invasion. Such stories had no factual basis, but fed the growing suspicions about Japanese Americans (J.A.C.P. 1973).”
  • One of the leading purveyors of anti-Japanese propaganda was William Randolph Hearst, who had been mining that vein for decades.  So it’s no surprise that his newspapers were the ones to carry this adaptation.  I’ve only been able to find Betrayal From The East in three papers (all published by Hearst), but it likely ran in many others, as quite a few Hearst dailies aren’t available in digital archives.


The San Francisco (California) Examiner, Mon Mar 6, 1944 – Mon Apr 10, 1944

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Wed Apr 26, 1944 – Wed May 31, 1944

The Detroit (Michigan) Times, Sun May 7, 1944 – Sun Jun 11, 1944

 



15. Duel In The Sun by Niven Busch

30 Installments, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Sat May 13, 1944

 

Based on the dramatic new novel of romance and adventure in the West

“A dramatic new novel of romance and high adventure on the Western plains”

Illustrations by F. R. Gruger (1871-1953)

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Niven Busch


 

Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Sat May 13, 1944

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Sat May 13, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Sat May 13, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Sat May 13, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Sat May 13, 1944 (no illustrations)

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Sat May 13, 1944

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Sat May 13, 1944

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Fri Apr 7, 1944 – Thu May 11, 1944

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Apr 10, 1944 – Fri May 12, 1944

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Apr 11, 1944 – Mon May 15, 1944

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Wed Apr 19, 1944 – Sat May 20, 1944

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Thu Apr 20, 1944 – Wed May 24, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Thu May 11, 1944 – Tue Jun 20, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Sun May 21, 1944 – Fri Jun 23, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon May 22, 1944 – Sat Jun 24, 1944

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Aug 31, 1944 – Thu Nov 2, 1944



16. Wingate’s Raiders by Charles J. Rolo

30 Installments, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

 

Based on the story of the fabulous jungle adventure that raised the curtain on the Battle for Burma

“The fabulous adventure of gallant fighters who showed the Jap that he is no longer master of the jungle”

Illustrations by L. H. Greenwood

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Charles J. Rolo

Published by The Viking Press




Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal and News-Tribune, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

The Washington (DC) Evening Star, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944 (no illustrations)

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sat Jun 17, 1944

Marshall (Texas) News Messenger, Mon May 15, 1944 – Sun Jun 18, 1944

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Fri May 12, 1944 – Thu Jun 15, 1944

Cumberland (Maryland) Sunday Times, Sun May 14, 1944 – Sun Jun 11, 1944

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue May 16, 1944 – Mon Jun 19, 1944

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat May 20, 1944 – Sat Jun 24, 1944

Ogdensburg (New York) Journal, Wed May 24, 1944 – Tue Jun 27, 1944

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Thu May 25, 1944 – Thu Jun 29, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Wed Jun 21, 1944 – Sat Jul 29, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Sun Jun 25, 1944 – Sun Jul 30, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Jun 26, 1944 – Sat Jul 29, 1944

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Mar 29, 1945 – Thu May 31, 1945

 


17. Tarawa by Robert Sherrod

24 Installments, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

 

Based on the new best seller – an eyewitness account of the U.S. Marines’ greatest battle

“An eyewitness account of the capture of the Japanese island stronghold in the U.S. Marines’ greatest battle”

Illustrations by William Reusswig (1902-1978), Installments 1-6

Illustrations by John W. Mayo, Installments 7-24

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Robert Sherrod

Published by Duell, Sloan and Pearce


  • It appears that John W. Mayo replaced William Reusswig after six installments, the only time two separate artists worked on one adaptation. Some newspapers, however, like the Scranton Tribune and the Dayton Herald, continued to credit Reusswig for the entire 24 installments.



Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal and News-Tribune, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944 (no illustrations)

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

Tallahassee (Florida) Democrat, Fri Jun 16, 1944 – Thu Jul 13, 1944

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Sun Jun 18, 1944 – Sat Jul 15, 1944

Marshall (Texas) News Messenger, Mon Jun 19, 1944 – Sun Jul 16, 1944

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Sat Jun 17, 1944 – Mon Jul 17, 1944

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Jun 20, 1944 – Mon Jul 17, 1944

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Fri Jun 30, 1944 – Fri Jul 28, 1944

Kingsport (Tennessee) News, Mon Jul 10, 1944 – Sat Aug 5, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Jul 31, 1944 – Sat Aug 26, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Mon Jul 31, 1944 – Sun Aug 27, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Tue Aug 1, 1944 – Thu Aug 31, 1944

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Mar 18, 1945 – Sun May 6, 1945

 


18. The Case of the Crooked Candle by Erle Stanley Gardner

30 Installments, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

 

Based on the new detective mystery starring ace investigator Perry Mason

“The new mystery thriller starring ace investigator, Perry Mason”

Illustrations by Stephen Grout

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Erle Stanley Gardner

Published by William Morrow & Co.

 


Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal and News-Tribune, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944 (no illustrations)

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944

Cumberland (Maryland) Sunday Times, Sun Jul 16, 1944 – Sun Aug 13, 1944

Marshall (Texas) News Messenger, Mon Jul 17, 1944 – Sun Aug 20, 1944

The Dayton (Ohio) Herald, Tue Jul 18, 1944 – Mon Aug 21, 1944

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Sat Jul 22, 1944 – Fri Sep 1, 1944

The Parsons (Kansas) Sun, Mon Jul 24, 1944 – Sat Aug 26, 1944

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Wed Jul 26, 1944 – Tue Aug 29, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Aug 28, 1944 – Sat Sep 30, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Fri Sep 1, 1944 – Wed Oct 11, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Mon Aug 28, 1944 – Sun Oct 1, 1944

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Jun 7, 1945 – Thu Aug 9, 1945

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Feb 9, 1948 – Sat Mar 6, 1948




18A. Into Occupied France–And Out by Alice Leone Moats

12 Installments, Mon Jul 31, 1944 – Sat Aug 12, 1944

 

“The Exclusive Story of An American Girl’s Visit to Nazi France”

Illustrations by William Sharp (1900-1961)

Drawings and text copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.


  • Like “Betrayal From The East” (14A), this appears to be a stand-alone Hearst exclusive that doesn’t fit into the regular sequence.  It’s also unusual in that it’s not based on a book (at least not one that had been published yet) and it’s only 12 installments (two weeks worth), less than half the usual number.
  • This is a hell of a story – and purportedly, all true!  Author Alice Leone Moats was a correspondent for Collier’s Weekly when she went to Spain in 1944 to research an article.  While there, she made contact with members of the French Resistance who arranged for her to enter France, assuming the identity of a native woman.  In the country from April 16 to May 6, 1944, she made her way to Paris, where she talked to local residents, as well as Nazis, to get a sense of how they were faring.  It’s claimed she was the only reporter to enter enemy territory during the war.  Following her return to Spain and then Portugal, her French foray became public, and the U.S. State Department revoked her passport.  Upon arrival in Miami, Moats was temporarily detained and endured a lengthy interrogation.  She then went to work writing about her experiences and selling a series of articles, which ran in the Minneapolis Morning Tribune August 17-31 and the London Sunday Pictorial August 6-20, 1944.  She also shared her story in this picture strip presentation.  The following year, she expanded her account to include her activities in Spain and sold it to G. P. Putnam’s Sons for publication as a book entitled “No Passport For Paris.”
  • Special thanks to the anonymous poster at the bottom of this post and to Allan Holtz for their help in locating this story.


The Detroit (Michigan) Times, Sun Jul 30, 1944 – Fri Aug 11, 1944

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Aug 7, 1944 – Sat Aug 19, 1944



19. Joseph the Provider by Thomas Mann

30 Installments, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (July 1944)

“The new and final volume of the great tetralogy by the distinguished novelist”

Illustrations by C. B. Falls (1874-1960)

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., publishers

 

  • Author Mann based his book on the story of Joseph in Genesis, so its appropriate that illustrator C. B. Falls was, according to a display ad, a “noted mural artist and an expert on Egyptology.”



Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal and News-Tribune, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944 (no illustrations)

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sat Sep 23, 1944

Cumberland (Maryland) Sunday Times, Sun Aug 20, 1944 – Sun Sep 17, 1944

Marshall (Texas) News Messenger, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sun Sep 24, 1944

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Aug 21, 1944 – Sun Sep 24, 1944

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Sat Sep 2, 1944 – Sat Oct 7, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Oct 2, 1944 – Sat Nov 4, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Mon Oct 2, 1944 – Sun Nov 5, 1944

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Thu Oct 5, 1944 – Thu Nov 9, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Thu Oct 12, 1944 – Tue Nov 21, 1944

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Jan 7, 1945 - Sun Mar 11, 1945

 


20. The Lost Weekend by Charles Jackson

30 Installments, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

 

Based on the powerful, best-selling novel of five unforgettable days in a man’s life

“The powerful, best-selling novel of five unforgettable days in a man’s life”

Illustrations by F. R. Gruger (1871-1953)

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Charles R. Jackson

Published by Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.

 

Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal and News-Tribune, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944 (no illustrations)

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

San Antonio (Texas) Light, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sat Oct 28, 1944

The Detroit (Michigan) Times, Tue Sep 16, 1944 – Sun Oct 29, 1944

Cumberland (Maryland) Sunday Times, Sun Sep 24, 1944 – Sun Oct 22, 1944

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Sun Sep 24, 1944 – Sun Oct 29, 1944

Marshall (Texas) News Messenger, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sun Oct 29, 1944

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Sep 25, 1944 – Sun Oct 29, 1944

Kingsport (Tennessee) News, Thu Sep 28, 1944 – Wed Nov 1, 1944

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Mon Oct 9, 1944 – Fri Nov 10, 1944

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Mon Nov 6, 1944 – Tue Dec 12, 1944

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Nov 13, 1944 – Mon Dec 18, 1944

Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Morning Examiner, Wed Nov 22, 1944 – Wed Jan 3, 1945

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Feb 19, 1945 – Sat Mar 24, 1945

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun May 13, 1945 – Sun Jul 15, 1945

 


21. Pastoral by Nevil Shute

30 Installments, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sat Dec 2, 1944

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (September 1944)

“The best-selling novel of romance and adventure in the R. A. F.”

Illustrations by James A. Ernst

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by William Morrow & Company, Inc., publishers


Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sat Dec 2, 1944

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sat Dec 2, 1944

The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal and News-Tribune, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sat Dec 2, 1944

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sat Dec 2, 1944

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sat Dec 2, 1944

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sat Dec 2, 1944 (no illustrations)

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sat Dec 2, 1944

Cumberland (Maryland) Sunday Times, Sun Oct 29, 1944 – Sun Nov 26, 1944

Marshall (Texas) News Messenger, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sun Dec 3, 1944

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Oct 30, 1944 – Sun Dec 3, 1944

Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, Mon Nov 6, 1944 – Sat Dec 9, 1944

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Sat Nov 11, 1944 – Sat Dec 16, 1945

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Wed Dec 13, 1944 – Tue Jan 23, 1945

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Thu Dec 21, 1944 – Sat Jan 27, 1945

Kingsport (Tennessee) News, Thu Jan 11, 1945 – Wed Feb 14, 1945

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Jan 18, 1945 – Thu Mar 22, 1945

 


22. The Case of the Black-Eyed Blonde by Erle Stanley Gardner

30 Installments, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sat Jan 6, 1945

 

Based on the new Perry Mason thriller and murder mystery

“The new Perry Mason thriller of murder and mystery”

Illustrations by Stephen Grout

Drawings copyright, 1944, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Erle Stanley Gardner

Published by William Morrow & Co.


Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sat Jan 6, 1945

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sat Jan 6, 1945

The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal and News-Tribune, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sat Jan 6, 1945

The Charleston (West Virginia) Daily Mail, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sat Jan 6, 1945

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sat Jan 6, 1945 (no illustrations)

Hope (Arkansas) Star, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sat Jan 6, 1945

Cumberland (Maryland) Sunday Times, Sun Dec 3, 1944 – Sun Dec 31, 1944

Marshall (Texas) News Messenger, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sun Jan 7, 1945

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Sun Jan 7, 1945

Buffalo (New York) Evening News, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Tue Jan 9, 1945

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Mon Dec 4, 1944 – Tue Jan 9, 1945

Austin (Texas) American Statesman, Mon Dec 11, 1944 – Sat Jan 13, 1945

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Mon Dec 18, 1944 – Tue Jan 23, 1945

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Wed Jan 24, 1945 – Tue Mar 6, 1945

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Mon Feb 5, 1945 – Sat Mar 10, 1945

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Sep 2, 1945 – Sun Nov 4, 1945

 


23. Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp

30 Installments, Mon Jan 8, 1945 – Sat Feb 10, 1945

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (September 1944)

“The mirthful, best-selling story of a fascinating girl”

Illustrations by Wallace Morgan (1873 - 1948)

Drawings copyright, 1945, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Margery Sharp and The Curtis Publishing Co.

Published by Little, Brown and Company


Lexington (Kentucky) Leader, Mon Jan 8, 1945 – Sat Feb 10, 1945

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Jan 8, 1945 – Sat Feb 10, 1945

The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal and News-Tribune, Mon Jan 8, 1945 – Sat Feb 10, 1945

Endicott (New York) Daily Bulletin, Mon Jan 8, 1945 – Sat Feb 10, 1945 (no illustrations)

The Marshall (Texas) News Messenger, Mon Jan 8, 1945 – Sun Feb 11, 1945

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Jan 8, 1945 – Sun Feb 11, 1945

Cumberland (Maryland) Sunday Times, Sun Jan 7, 1945 – Sun Feb 4, 1945

The Washington (Indiana) Herald, Wed Jan 10, 1945 – Tue Feb 20, 1945

Austin (Texas) American Statesman, Mon Jan 15, 1945 – Sat Feb 17, 1945

The Oil City (Pennsylvania) Blizzard, Wed Jan 24, 1945 – Tue Feb 27, 1945

Hilo (Hawaii) Tribune-Herald, Wed Mar 7, 1945 – Tue Apr 17, 1945

Le Soleil (Quebec City, Quebec), Wed Mar 14, 1945 – Wed Apr 18, 1945

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Aug 16, 1945 – Thu Oct 18, 1945

 

At this point, the Book-of-the-Month comic strip went on hiatus for eight months, due to the wartime newsprint shortage.  It returned in October with Cass Timberlane.

 


24. Cass Timberlane by Sinclair Lewis

30 Installments, Mon Oct 15, 1945 – Sat Nov 17, 1945

 

Based on the Book-of-the-Month (October 1945)

Illustrations by James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960)

Drawings copyright, 1945, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1945, by Sinclair Lewis

Published by Random House, Inc.

A Book-of-the-Month Club selection

 

  • “Cass Timberlane” (without the Flagg illustrations) was originally serialized by Cosmopolitan magazine (like King Features, owned by Hearst Corporation) in its May through October 1945 issues.




Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Oct 15, 1945 – Sat Nov 17, 1945

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Mon Oct 15, 1945 – Sat Nov 17, 1945

The Detroit (Michigan) Times, Tue Oct 16, 1945 – Sat Nov 17, 1945

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Mon Nov 5, 1945 – Mon Dec 17, 1945

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Wed Mar 6, 1946 – Mon Apr 8 ,1946

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Nov 11, 1945 – Sun Jan 13, 1946

 


25. Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge

30 Installments, Mon Nov 19, 1945 – Sat Dec 22, 1945

 

Based on the powerful, best-selling novel of romance and high adventure

“The great best-selling novel of romance and high adventure”

Illustrations by Lawrence Butcher

Drawings copyright, 1945, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Elizabeth Goudge

Published by Coward-McCann, Inc.


Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Nov 19, 1945 – Sat Dec 22, 1945

San Antonio (Texas) Light, Mon, Nov 19, 1945 – Sat Dec 22, 1945

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Nov 19, 1945 – Sat Dec 22, 1945

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Mon Nov 19, 1945 – Sat Dec 22, 1945

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Dec 22, 1945 – Mon Jan 28, 1946

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Dec 27, 1945 – Thu Feb 28, 1946

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Tue Jan 29, 1946 – Mon Mar 4, 1946

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Fri Dec 28, 1946 – Tue Feb 12, 1946

 


26. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

30 Installments, Mon Dec 24, 1945 – Sat Jan 26, 1946

 

Based on the great, best-selling novel of a man who dared to pit his genius against the world.

“The best-selling novel of a man who pitted genius against the world”

Illustrations by Frank Godwin (1889 - 1959)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1943, by the Bobbs-Merrill Company

 

  • Reprinted in book form as “The Illustrated Fountainhead” by the Ayn Rand Foundation, 1998.  According to the book’s introduction, “King Features approached Ayn Rand in 1945 with a proposal to syndicate a condensation of The Fountainhead, along with illustrations…Miss Rand was enthusiastic about this opportunity for increased publicity and – as her correspondence indicates – she oversaw the whole process, writing much of the copy for the thirty installments.  By contract, she had the right to approve the artist’s proposed visualizations of the characters, to approve a general outline of the scenes, and to approve and edit ‘every word’ of the condensation.  She was also guaranteed that Roark’s speech would occupy at least one day of the series.  She was delighted with the results, especially the drawings of renowned illustrator Frank Godwin.”



San Antonio (Texas) Light, Mon Dec 24, 1945 – Sat Jan 26, 1946

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Dec 24, 1945 – Sat Jan 26, 1946

Detroit (Michigan) Times, Mon, Dec 24, 1945 – Sat Jan 26, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Jan 7, 1946 – Sat Feb 9, 1946

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Jan 20, 1946 – Sun Mar 24, 1946

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Wed Feb 13, 1946 – Mon Apr 8, 1946

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Tue Apr 9, 1946 – Mon May 13, 1946

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Oct 6, 1947 – Tue Oct 7, 1947

 


27. Immortal Wife by Irving Stone

30 Installments, Mon, Jan 28, 1946 – Sat Mar 2, 1946

 

Based on the romantic, best-selling story of one of America’s most exciting women.

“The best-selling love story of pioneering Jessie Fremont – one of America’s most exciting women”

Illustrations by F. R. Gruger (1871-1953)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1944, by Irving Stone

Published by permission of Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc.



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Jan 28, 1946 – Sat Mar 2, 1946

San Antonio (Texas) Light, Mon, Jan 28, 1946 – Sat Mar 2, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Feb 11, 1946 – Sat Mar 16, 1946

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Mar 2, 1946 – Fri Apr 5, 1946

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Tue Apr 9, 1946 – Fri Jun 7, 1946

 


28. Captain From Castile by Samuel Shellabarger

30 Installments, Mon, Mar 4, 1946 – Sat, Apr 6, 1946

 

Based on the best-selling, romantic novel of a man who battled for treasure and love

“The best-selling novel of swashbuckling adventurers who battled for treasure and love”

Illustrations by Neil O’Keeffe (1891-1968)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1945, by Samuel Shellabarger

Published by Little, Brown & Co.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Mar 4, 1946 – Sat, Apr 6, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Mar 18, 1946 – Sat Apr 20, 1946

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Mar 31, 1946 – Sun Jun 2, 1946

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Apr 6, 1946 – Mon May 13, 1946

 


29. Daisy Kenyon by Elizabeth Janeway

30 Installments, Mon, Apr 8, 1946 – Sat, May 11, 1946

 

Based on the new love story of a girl’s search for happiness in modern Manhattan

“The best-selling story of an artist-career girl’s struggle for happiness in modern Manhattan”

Illustrations by James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1945, by Elizabeth Janeway

Published by Doubleday, Doran & Co., Inc.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Apr 8, 1946 – Sat, May 11, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Apr 22, 1946 – Sat May 25, 1946

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Jun 9, 1946 – Sun Aug 11, 1946

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Mon Jun 10, 1946 – Wed Jul 31, 1946

Cumberland (Maryland) Evening Times, Sat Dec 7, 1946 – Sat Jan 18, 1947

 


30. The King’s General by Daphne Du Maurier

30 Installments, Mon, May 13, 1946 – Sat, Jun 15, 1946

 

Based on the exciting, best-selling novel of a woman’s love for a hated adventurer.

“The new, best-selling story of adventure and romance by the author of ‘Rebecca’”

Illustrations by George Tetzel

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Daphne Du Maurier Browning

Published by Doubleday & Company, Inc.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, May 13, 1946 – Sat, Jun 15, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon May 27, 1946 – Sat Jun 29, 1946

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Jun 15, 1946 – Sat Jul 20, 1946

Cumberland (Maryland) Evening Times, Sat May 11, 1946 – Sat Jun 15, 1946

 


31. The Snake Pit by Mary Jane Ward

30 Installments, Mon, Jun 17, 1946 – Sat, Jul 20, 1946

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (April 1946)

“The story of a girl who lost her mind and found it again”

Illustrations by Frank Godwin (1889 - 1959)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Mary Jane Ward

Published by permission of Random House, Inc.



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Jun 17, 1946 – Sat, Jul 20, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Jul 1, 1946 – Sat Aug 3, 1946

Cumberland (Maryland) Evening Times, Sat Jun 22, 1946 – Sat Jul 27, 1946

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Thu Aug 1, 1946 – Thu Sep 26, 1946

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Aug 18, 1946 – Sun Oct 20, 1946

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon May 19, 1947 – Sun Jun 22, 1947

 


32. Antioch Actress by J. R. Perkins

30 Installments, Mon, Jul 22, 1946 – Sat, Aug 24, 1946

 

Based on the powerful, best-selling novel of pagan against Christian in ancient Syria

“The best-selling novel of pagan against Christian in ancient Syria”

Illustrations by Neil O’Keeffe (1891-1968)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by the Bobbs-Merrill Company


The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Jul 22, 1946 – Sat, Aug 24, 1946

Cumberland (Maryland) Evening Times, Sat Aug 3, 1946 – Sat Sep 7, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Aug 5, 1946 – Sat Sep 7, 1946

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Fri Sep 27, 1946 – Fri Nov 15, 1946

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Jul 24, 1947 – Thu Sep 25 1947

 


33. The Foxes of Harrow by Frank Yerby

30 Installments, Mon, Aug 26, 1946 – Sat Sep 28, 1946

 

Based on the dramatic, best-selling novel of romance and adventure in Louisiana

“A romantic best-seller of daring days in old Louisiana”

Illustrations by Lawrence Butcher

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Frank Yerby

Published by the Dial Press


The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Aug 26, 1946 – Sat Sep 28, 1946

Crowley (Louisiana) Daily Signal, Mon Aug 26, 1946 – Sat Sep 28, 1946

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Mon Aug 26, 1946 – Sat Sep 28, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Sep 9, 1946 – Sat Oct 12, 1946

Cumberland (Maryland) Evening Times, Sat Sep 14, 1946 – Sat Oct 19, 1946

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Oct 27, 1946 – Sun Dec 29, 1946

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Mon Nov 18, 1946 – Fri Jan 10, 1947

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Feb 3, 1947 – Sun Mar 9, 1947

 


34. Wake of the Red Witch by Garland Roark

30 Installments, Mon, Sep 30, 1946 – Sat, Nov 2, 1946

 

Based on a selection by the Literary Guild (April 1946)

“The swashbuckling adventure story of modern pirates in the South Seas”

Illustrations by F. R. Gruger (1871-1953)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Garland Roark

Published by Little, Brown and Company



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Sep 30, 1946 – Sat, Nov 2, 1946

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Mon, Sep 30, 1946 – Sat, Nov 2, 1946

Crowley (Louisiana) Daily Signal, Fri Oct 4, 1946 – Thu Nov 7, 1946

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Sun-Telegraph, Mon Oct 14, 1946 – Sat Nov 16, 1946

Cumberland (Maryland) Evening Times, Sat Oct 26, 1946 – Sat Nov 30, 1946

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Nov 23, 1946 – Sat Dec 28, 1946

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Dec 30, 1946 – Sun Feb 2, 1947

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Jan 5, 1947 – Sun Mar 9, 1947

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Tue Jan 14, 1947 – Mon Mar 10, 1947

 


35. The Black Rose by Thomas B. Costain

30 Installments, Mon, Nov 4, 1946 – Sat, Dec 7, 1946

 

Based on a selection of the Literary Guild (September 1946)

“Adventure and romance on the trail of fabled Cathay”

Illustrations by Howell Dodd (1910-?)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1945, by Thomas B. Costain

Published by Doubleday & Co., Inc.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Nov 4, 1946 – Sat, Dec 7, 1946

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Mon, Nov 4, 1946 – Sat, Dec 7, 1946

Crowley (Louisiana) Daily Signal, Fri Nov 8, 1946 – Fri Dec 13, 1946

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Mon Dec 30, 1946 – Mon Feb 3, 1947

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Mon Mar 31, 1947 – Fri Jun 6, 1947

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu May 15, 1947 – Thu Jul 17, 1947

 


36. This Side of Innocence by Taylor Caldwell

30 Installments, Mon, Dec 9, 1946 – Sat, Jan 11, 1947

 

Based on a selection of the Literary Guild (May 1946)

“The dramatic best seller of conflicting loves and ambitions in a wealthy home”

Illustrations by John H. Crosman (1897-1970)

Drawings copyright, 1946, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Reback & Reback

Published by permission of Charles Scribner’s Sons



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Dec 9, 1946 – Sat, Jan 11, 1947

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Mon, Dec 9, 1946 – Sat, Jan 11, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon Dec 16, 1946 – Sat Jan 18, 1947

Crowley (Louisiana) Daily Signal, Mon Dec 30, 1946 – Mon Feb 3, 1947

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Mar 6, 1947 – Thu May 8, 1947

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Oct 25, 1947 – Fri Nov 28, 1947

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Mon Jun 9, 1947 – Thu Aug 21, 1947

 


37. Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp

30 Installments, Mon, Jan 13, 1947 – Sat, Feb 15, 1947

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (July 1946)

“The dramatic best-selling novel of a girl’s search for love in Victorian London.”

Illustrations by Jack Betts (1904-1970)

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Margery Sharp

Published by Little, Brown and Company

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Jan 13, 1947 – Sat, Feb 15, 1947

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Mon, Jan 13, 1947 – Sat, Feb 15, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon Jan 20, 1947 – Sat Feb 22, 1947

Cumberland (Maryland) Evening Times, Sat Feb 1, 1947 – Sat Mar 8, 1947

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Mar 10, 1947 – Sun Apr 13, 1947

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Fri Aug 22, 1947 – Fri Oct 24, 1947

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Jul 8, 1948 – Thu Sep 9, 1948

 


38. Red Morning by Ruby Frazier Frey

30 Installments, Mon, Feb 17, 1947 – Sat, Mar 22, 1947

 

Based on the story of a daring girl’s fight for love and her frontier home

“The best-selling novel of love and adventure in frontier America”

Illustrations by Lawrence Butcher

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Ruby Frazier Frey

Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Feb 17, 1947 – Sat, Mar 22, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon Feb 24, 1947 – Sat Mar 29, 1947

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Apr 14, 1947 – Sun May 18, 1947

Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times, Mon Oct 27, 1947 – Tue Dec 16, 1947

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Dec 28, 1947 - Sun Feb 29, 1948

 


39. The Salem Frigate by John Jennings

30 Installments, Mon, Mar 24, 1947 – Sat, Apr 26, 1947

 

Based on the best-selling novel of love and high-seas adventure

“A best-selling novel of love and of adventure on the high seas”

Illustrations by George Tetzel

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by John Jennings

Published by Doubleday & Company, Inc.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon Mar 24, 1947 – Sat Apr 26, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon Mar 31, 1947 – Sat May 3, 1947

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Oct 2, 1947 – Thu Dec 4, 1947

 


40. Spoonhandle by Ruth Moore

30 Installments, Mon, Apr 28, 1947 – Sat, May 31, 1947

 

Based on the best-selling story of three who fought tradition for happiness.

Illustrations by Frank Godwin (1889 - 1959)

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Ruth Moore

Published by William Morrow and Company

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Apr 28, 1947 – Sat, May 31, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon, May 5, 1947 – Sat Jun 7, 1947

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Wed May 14, 1947 – Sat, May 31, 1947

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Jun 23, 1947 – Sun Jul 27, 1947

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Dec 11, 1947 – Thu Feb 12, 1948

 


41. Barabbas by Emery Bekessy

30 Installments, Mon, Jun 2, 1947 – Sat, Jul 5, 1947

 

Based on the powerful story of the robber giant and the drama of the Crucifixion

“The powerful, best-selling story of the robber giant and the drama of the Crucifixion”

Illustrations by Lawrence Butcher

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Emery Bekessy

Published by Prentice-Hall, Company



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Jun 2, 1947 – Sat, Jul 5, 1947

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Mon, Jun 2, 1947 – Sat, Jul 5, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon, Jun 9, 1947 - Sat Jul 12, 1947

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Jul 28, 1947 – Sun Aug 31, 1947

 


42. Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman

30 Installments, Mon, Jul 7, 1947 – Sat, Aug 9, 1947

 

Based on a selection of the Literary Guild (March 1947)

“The best-selling love story of a young wife in the Great Northwest”

Illustrations by John H. Crosman (1897-1970)

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by Benedict and Nancy Freedman

Published by Coward-McCann, Inc.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Jul 7, 1947 – Sat, Aug 9, 1947

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Mon, Jul 7, 1947 – Sat, Aug 9, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon, Jul 14, 1947 - Sat August 16, 1947

The Ottawa (Ontario) Journal, Sat Aug 16, 1947 – Sat Sep 20, 1947

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Sep 1, 1947 – Sun Oct 5, 1947

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Oct 19, 1947 - Sun Dec 21, 1947

 


43. Balzac by Stefan Zweig

30 Installments, Mon, Aug 11, 1947 – Sat, Sep 13, 1947

 

Based on a Book-of-the-Month (December 1946)

“The fascinating biography of the great writer and romancer of France”

Illustrations by F. R. Gruger (1871-1953)

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by The Viking Press, publishers



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Aug 11, 1947 – Sat, Sep 13, 1947

Camden (New Jersey) Courier-Post, Mon, Aug 11, 1947 – Sat, Sep 13, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon, Aug 18, 1947 – Sat, Sep 20, 1947

 


44. Toil of the Brave by Inglis Fletcher

30 Installments, Mon, Sep 15, 1947 – Sat, Oct 18, 1947

 

Based on the best-selling novel of love and daring in Revolutionary America

“The best-selling novel of love and daring in Revolutionary America”

Illustrations by Frank Godwin (1889 - 1959)

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1946, by The Bobbs-Merrill Company, publishers

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Sep 15, 1947 – Sat, Oct 18, 1947

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Mon Sep 15, 1947 – Sat Oct 18, 1947

Effingham (Illinois) Daily News, Mon Sep 22, 1947 – Sat Oct 25, 1947

 


45. Home Port by Olive Higgins Prouty

36 Installments, Mon, Oct 20, 1947 – Sat, Nov 29, 1947

 

Based on the dramatic novel of a girl’s love and her fight for a man’s salvation.

“The dramatic story of a girl’s love and a man’s salvation”

Illustrations by George Tetzel

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1947, by Olive Higgins Prouty

Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company



The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Oct 20, 1947 – Sat, Nov 29, 1947

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Nov 24, 1947 – Sun Jan 4, 1948

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Nov 25, 1948 – Thu Feb 10, 1949

 


46. Knock On Any Door by Willard Motley

30 Installments, Mon, Dec 1, 1947 – Sat, Jan 3, 1948

 

Based on the powerful, best-selling novel the city’s shadow and a youth turned killer

“The power-packed novel of a modern youth turned killer”

Illustrations by John H. Crosman (1897-1970)

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1947, by Willard Motley

Published by D. Appleton-Century Co., Inc.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Dec 1, 1947 – Sat, Jan 3, 1948

The Laredo (Texas) Times, Mon Jan 5, 1948 – Sun Feb 8, 1948

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Feb 19, 1948 – Thu Apr 22, 1948

 


47. The Harder They Fall by Budd Schulberg

30 Installments, Mon, Jan 5, 1948 – Sat, Feb 7, 1948

 

Based on the best-selling novel of a gentle giant pitted against prize-ring killers

“The best-selling novel of a giant pitted against prize-ring killers”

Illustrations by Lawrence Butcher

Drawings copyright, 1947, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1947, by Budd Schulberg

Published by Random House, Inc.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Jan 5, 1948 – Sat, Feb 7, 1948

Le Petit Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Sun Mar 7, 1948 - Sun May 9, 1948

 


48. The Wild Sweet Witch by Philip Woodruff

30 Installments, Mon, Feb 9, 1948 – Sat, Mar 13, 1948

 

Based on the dramatic novel of India and a man’s fight for her freedom

Illustrations by William Reusswig (1902-1978)

Drawings copyright, 1948, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Text copyright, 1947, by Philip Woodruff

Published by Harcourt, Brace and Company

 

  • “Philip Woodruff” was the pen name of Philip Mason, an English civil servant in India.

 

The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Tribune, Mon, Feb 9, 1948 – Sat, Mar 13, 1948

Photo-Journal (Montreal, Quebec), Thu Apr 29, 1948 – Thu Jul 1, 1948



14 comments:

  1. "“Into Occupied France and Out” (1943) with art by William Sharp as one of the books adapted in the Book-of-the-Month strip, but I’ve been unable to find any trace of either an adaptation or a book of that name."
    The Library of Congress has an example of the strip appearing in The Detroit Evening Times of August 9, 1944:
    https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88063294/1944-08-09/ed-1/seq-16/

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for this. I'll look into it.

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    2. I've added "Into Occupied France-And Out." Thanks again for your help.

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  2. Superb job, Jim. I've put a link in my original blogpost about Book-Of-The-Month to your post, telling folks this is where they'll find the final word on this odd series.

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  3. The Seventh Cross was also published in French by daily Québec City newspaper LE SOLEIL in early 1943. https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3438682 Le Soleil may also have published other BOMC stories.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the heads up, Andre. It does appear that LE SOLEIL ran at least some of the subsequent BOMC adaptations. I'll update the list when I get a chance.

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  4. Hi Jim, there are 4 other episodes of BOMC that were translated in French and published in quebec. Those are: 38 Red Morning published by Le Petit Journal from 28-12-1947 to 29-2-1948. 42 Mrs. Mike in Le Petit Journal from 19-10-1947 to 21-12-1947. 44 Toil of the Brave fpublished by Photo-Journal from 16-9-1948 to 18-11-1948 and finally 47 The Harder Thet Fall published by Le Petit Journal from March 7 to May 9, 1948. https://la-bd-de-journal-au-quebec.fandom.com/fr/wiki/Madame_Mike_-_Le_Petit_Journal André

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the info, Andre. I've updated the post. The site you linked to has some very useful data. Looks like they borrowed a lot of the English-language images from my post (but didn't cite the source).

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  5. Sorry Jim, I have put a link to your blog at the bottom of every pages of my site but I will make it clearer that the US pictures are coming from you.

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  6. Would it be OK with You Jim ? https://la-bd-de-journal-au-quebec.fandom.com/fr/wiki/The_Human_Comedy

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    Replies
    1. I didn't realize the site was yours, Andre. You've done a great job with it. And yes, that text and link look great. Thanks!

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    2. I've added a link above to your website. Does this look okay to you?

      "Special thanks to André Fournier for his helping in locating some of the adaptations in Quebec newspapers. His website Encyclopédie de la Bande Dessinée de Journal au Québec 1918-1988 (Encyclopedia of Newspaper Comic Strips in Quebec 1918-1988) is a great resource."

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  7. Yes Jim, that's great; thank You for the link.

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