After Dark December 1978 Part 2

As you can see by the photo cover, this issue had two items to explore just from the costumes. We've already looked at them, The Wizard of Oz and Superheroes. Now it's time to move on to the next item. What could it be? I mean, we looked at Wonder Woman and Superman...we've seen photos of Dorothy, Scarecrow and the Tin Woodsman...how about the Wicked Witch of the West? Well, it's not the one you've probably got pictured in your mind. According to Christina Crawford's new (as of 1978) book Mommie Dearest, Joan Crawford could probably fit the bill.

Radie Harris, of The Hollywood Reporter, interviewed Christina on her new book. It seems Radie also was knew Joan quite well and the interview gives a new and different insight into the book and the behind the scenes stories we later saw portrayed in the film version. Here are some more of the photos of mother and daughter that appeared in the book.


The debate on how much of the Joan Crawford tale is true will continue, but for new fantasy, here is an example of Frank Frazetta's art that appeared in this issue titled Swords of Mars:

Sadly, Frank Frazetta just recently passed away on May 10, 2010.

Another fantasy artist represented by this issue is Boris Vallejo with A Guide to Barsoom:

and another of his works titled In the Underworld:

The New St. Marks Baths must have been paying attention to this type of art when it created it's new ad poster:

Some of the people featured in a small tidbits throughout the issue were:

Mikhail Baryshnikov who was rehearsing for La Dame de Pique;

CHiPs star Erik Estrada;

Two contestants in the Flamingo's First Annual Tetas Contest, Peter Kennaro on the left who came in third and Fred Harris who walked off with first place;

Ann-Margret rehearsing for her special Rockettes: A Tribute to the Radio City Music Hall Starring Ann-Margret;

Ladies in Waiting TV special starring Susan Tyrrell, Sally Kirkland and Ronee Blakely;

David Niven and Angela Lansbury in a scene from Death on the Nile;

and last but most certainly not least, one of my favorite After Dark photos of all time (taken by Kenn Duncan, of course), Katherine Helmond with her husband David Christian:

The Soap star married her gorgeous hunk of a husband in 1962 and are still together today. You go, Katherine...you are a funny and talented lady who obviously has great taste.

I know I promised Christmas Pin-up Boys, but this issue is just filled to the brim of great things to feature. Sadly, even with all that I am featuring, there is still more in the issue that I won't be covering. If you want to buy a back issue, this is one of the ones you should try to find. Part 3 will be a little later.