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Out of the Inkwell

  • This is my problem. I actually enjoy ...

    This is my problem. I actually enjoy the variety offered by my job. It almost compensates for the downsides. Here are two pieces from this week:

    Behind Ken Burns’ new documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” is a message.

    Burns said in a press conference before [...]
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    Posted: December 04, 2009, 10:10am EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • It was a busy week last week ...

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    It was a busy week last week with the holidays and it's time to get back on track with this little quiz: "How Republican are you?"

    There are some conservatives who are hoping the Republican National Committee will adopt the following litmus test to purge the party of candidates [...]
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    Posted: November 30, 2009, 1:11pm EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Questionable Content Department Part ThreeI ...

    Number of comments: 2
    Questionable Content Department Part Three

    I get literally hundreds of e-mail every week at my job being the managing editor of four great metropolitan weeklies. I glance through them several times a day and trash the spam as soon as I recognize it as being what it is.

    [...]
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    Posted: November 23, 2009, 8:22pm EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Questionable Content ...

    Number of comments: 0


    Questionable Content Department Part Two

    My brother Patrick is a dedicated bike rider and he has determined that I should ride a motorcycle as well. I must admit that I have wanted to ride a bike for years, but have been talked out of [...]
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    Posted: November 22, 2009, 1:44pm EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Questionable Content Department:I don't post ...

    Number of comments: 1
    Questionable Content Department:

    I don't post photos of myself or my family up very often figuring that not too many people would care. I'm not like another local blogger who constantly put shots of himself up on his blog.

    However I like this one:

    [...]
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    Posted: November 18, 2009, 4:35pm EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • My wife and I, as well as ...

    Number of comments: 0
    My wife and I, as well as Lucky the Wonder Bichon, were in Virginia last week visiting my mom and as usual I visited Whiting's Old Paper, part of an antique mall in Mechanicsville.

    I've found some great stuff there over the years and at reasonable prices, but' [...]
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    Posted: November 17, 2009, 5:39pm EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Before the right winger pundits twist his ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Before the right winger pundits twist his words, here is what the president said today in its totality:

    Remarks of President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery
    Memorial Service at Fort Hood
    November 10, 2009

    We come together filled with sorrow for the thirteen Americans [...]
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    Posted: November 10, 2009, 4:12pm EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • From the archivesWhile ...

    Number of comments: 0
    From the archives

    While digging around my clippings I found this one:




    I met Pauline Comanor when she was appearing at Hampshire Mall in Hadley, MA. I explained who I was and what I was working on and she agreed to an [...]
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    Posted: November 09, 2009, 7:58pm EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • It's Election Day today and I'll be ...

    Number of comments: 0
    It's Election Day today and I'll be working a split shift – here today at the 'paper for most of the day, then spending time at home for a few hours before venturing out for the evening's work.

    I'll be "tweeting" through the night – gawd I hate that' [...]
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    Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:29am EST
    by Mike Dobbs

  • A nice little ...

    Number of comments: 2

    A nice little creepy film perfect for tonight courtesy of Richard Gordon – Devil Doll



    Day 31

    Happy halloween!

    Well, the end of the month has been marked by getting a cold – which has knocked me for a loop – [...]
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    Posted: October 31, 2009, 3:18pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 30

    Number of comments: 0


    Day 30

    Bill Gaines, the publisher of MAD and the fabled EC comics was a pretty nice guy to me. I interviewed him twice while I was in college and each time this multi-millionaire eccentric took time to answer questions. Later when I was [...]
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    Posted: October 30, 2009, 10:20am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 28My list of favorites

    Number of comments: 3
    Day 28

    My list of favorites

    Everyone has a list of favorites songs, baseball players, books, scrapbooking stores (Kim are you still reading this?) and movies. When people ask me what is my favorite single film of all time, I don't have an answer. How could I narrow' [...]
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    Posted: October 28, 2009, 9:42pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day ...

    Number of comments: 0


    Day 27

    Drive in memories I never had

    When I was first in love with horror films, I naturally wanted to see them. The difficulty was, until I could drive, getting my parents to take me to some triple feature [...]
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    Posted: October 27, 2009, 10:18pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 26Famous horror folk I've ...

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    Day 26

    Famous horror folk I've met

    I've been very lucky as a horror film fan as I've been able to meet people over the years whose work I've admired.

    Today with the whole autograph circuit at horror, nostalgia and pop culture events around the country, meeting [...]
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    Posted: October 26, 2009, 7:26pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 25

    Number of comments: 2


    Day 25

    Our story so far: our blogger has tried his best to blog on horror-related topics every day this month. He's missed a few days, but yet he soldiers on.

    Being a film and comics fan living in Granby, Massachusetts in the' [...]
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    Posted: October 25, 2009, 11:27am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 24Here are reviews ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Day 24


    Here are reviews of two recent horror films released on DVD. If you've not seen "Zombieland" so far, go today! It's a funny, very human and occasionally scary film


    Fear[s] of the Dark

    This French animated feature bring to the screen several short [...]
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    Posted: October 24, 2009, 11:29am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 22 – It's my granddaughter's birthday!

    Number of comments: 1
    Day 22 – It's my granddaughter's birthday!


    I have seldom tried to interview someone in the autograph room at a convention because those folks are there to sell stuff, do a little meet and greet and keep that line moving. I couldn't help wanting to speak with John' [...]
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    Posted: October 22, 2009, 3:24pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 21Our story so far:our ...

    Number of comments: 1
    Day 21

    Our story so far:our blogger is attempting to post everyday in October about horror films. He's missed two days due to fatugue and schedule. He is a bad blogger.





    Why I'm showing my nephew Williams Castle films for Halloween:

    1. They [...]
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    Posted: October 21, 2009, 10:18am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 19Back from Rock and Shock

    Number of comments: 0
    Day 19
    Back from Rock and Shock

    We had a great time even though Mark was probably the only one to make money, thanks to his fine skills as an artist. He was creating caricatures of people as zombies and literally drew all day Saturday and Sunday. He had [...]
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    Posted: October 19, 2009, 10:08pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 16A short post for ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Day 16

    A short post for today as I'm preparing with my friends to head over to Rock and Shock. I'll will be Tweeting through the show, so you can read those posts here and on my Facebook page.

    And I'll be posting photos and video later' [...]
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    Posted: October 16, 2009, 9:11am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 15A shameless come-on

    Number of comments: 1
    Day 15

    A shameless come-on

    See a real live movie producer! Witness an actual artist draw right before your eyes! Buy something from an author who will only have ONE copy of his book on animation, but plenty of other stuff!

    It's only at Rock and Shock' [...]
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    Posted: October 15, 2009, 7:39am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 14Boy am I tired. ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Day 14

    Boy am I tired. I don't sleep very well. I tend to think about work a lot and will often write leads to stories while trying to fall asleep.

    We just got back from taking our granddaughter to dinner and speaking with our daughter. We were' [...]
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    Posted: October 14, 2009, 9:53pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day ...

    Number of comments: 0


    Day 13

    A reminder: Our blogger is attempting to post every day in October something about horror in films and popular culture.


    What do you do when you get the story wrong? You work to get the story right.
    [...]
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    Posted: October 13, 2009, 9:43pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 12Bela, Bela, Bela

    Number of comments: 0
    Day 12

    Bela, Bela, Bela

    Of all the classic horror stars, Bela Lugosi still fascinates people in ways that mystifies me. There was one documentary I saw about him that concluded with the "fact" that Bela's movie memorabilia sold for more higher prices that items from films featuring' [...]
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    Posted: October 12, 2009, 4:11pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 11Here are some Karloff ...

    Number of comments: 1
    Day 11

    Here are some Karloff stills from my collection. What I liked about Karloff (and Price and Cushing) is they were actors who could be the lead in a film or take on a character role with equal grace.

    Karloff was essentially a character actor before [...]
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    Posted: October 11, 2009, 10:26am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • [nt]

    Number of comments: 0




    Day 10

    Our story so far: our hero is attempting to blog about horror related subjects each day of the month of October, but he has already missed Day 8 (see reasons below). He hopes the readers forgive his [...]
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    Posted: October 10, 2009, 3:10pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 9Yes, I missed yesterday, ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Day 9

    Yes, I missed yesterday, I failed my own challenge. The horror!

    My professional life is a series of deadlines and today's will be quite crushing. I caved in and didn't blog yesterday after writing all day in preparation for today.

    Don't worry. I'll make it [...]
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    Posted: October 09, 2009, 7:27am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day SevenOctober is the month ...

    Number of comments: 1
    Day Seven

    October is the month of horror films and I receive a boatload of them in the mail yesterday and today for review.

    The packages included a great William castle collection with eight features and a documentary on Castle. We're babysitting our 10 year-old nephew later' [...]
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    Posted: October 07, 2009, 9:37pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 6

    Number of comments: 4


    Day 6

    Let's all go! Keene, NH isn't that far away!

    "Brides of Dracula" is one of my favorite Hammer films with Peter Cushing in fine form. [...]
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    Posted: October 06, 2009, 9:53am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 5A couple of reviews

    Number of comments: 0
    Day 5
    A couple of reviews

    Our story so far: In honor of Halloween, your humble blogger is going to write about horror films, etc. each and every day of the month.

    Caution: Mike reviews one very nasty little movie and one quite good one.

    “The [...]
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    Posted: October 05, 2009, 9:11pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Otto Kruger ...

    Number of comments: 1


    Otto Kruger and Gloria Holden in a movie I've yet to see, "Dracula's Daughter."

    Day 4

    So many movies, so little time. The problem a film fans now face is how to divide your time. When I was a kid in high school [...]
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    Posted: October 04, 2009, 4:20pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 3

    Number of comments: 0

    Day 3

    Perhaps the rarest horror autograph in my collection


    Film archivist and historian Scott MacQueen was a friend for many years and he wrote a definitive look at the various versions of the "Phantom of ther Opera" that was never published in [...]
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    Posted: October 03, 2009, 9:34pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 2: ...

    Number of comments: 1


    Day 2: A favorite bad movie

    Man, if there's a concept less scary than a slowly shambling mummy then it's a slowly shambling possessed demonic tree!

    And that's the reason I love the goofiness of "From Hell it Came," a spectacularly cheesy 1957 [...]
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    Posted: October 02, 2009, 4:21pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Day 1

    Number of comments: 0

    Day 1

    So I thought I would issue myself a little blogging challenge and post something horror related every day during the month of October.

    I came to horror films rather late in life – junior high school. As a kid my [...]
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    Posted: October 01, 2009, 10:44pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Here is ...

    Number of comments: 1


    Here is the poster Dogboy has designed for my part of our booth at Rock and Shock. I've been arranging for some surprise guests (no, not Bissette – he's got other plans) to brighten up our space.

    I will be selling some choice horror,' [...]
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    Posted: September 30, 2009, 9:28pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Okay, Bissette fans: ...

    Number of comments: 0

    Okay, Bissette fans: This weekend, the man is prying himself from the Green Mountain state to make a relatively rare appearance here in Massachusetts to sign the new book he illustrated, "The Vermont Monster Guide."


    If you're like me you can't get enough [...]
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    Posted: September 29, 2009, 8:45pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • My ten year-old ...

    Number of comments: 2


    My ten year-old nephew Douglas was the photographer as well as the individual who is doing the impersonation of Nelson from "The Simpsons." [...]
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    Posted: September 26, 2009, 5:57pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • [nt]

    Number of comments: 0



    Me and Max the camel getting close. Video to follow later today. Photos by Natasha Clark.

    The secret to kissing a camel? Hold a cracker in your mouth. Hmmmm camel! [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2009, 1:10pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Ilustration by Leo ...

    Number of comments: 0

    Ilustration by Leo Pilares

    The day has come

    So when my assistant managing editor Natasha Clark came to me and asked if I would kiss an animal to the Zoo in Forest Park for a fund-raising stunt for the Diabetes Walk, I said, [...]
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    Posted: September 25, 2009, 9:10am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Photo Credit: Erinn ...

    Number of comments: 0

    Photo Credit: Erinn Chalene Cosby
    Talking with Cosby

    Last week I had the opportunity of speaking with a guy whose work has entertained me for years. My parents bought his comedy albums and they were staples in our household in 1965 and 1966. I loved [...]
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    Posted: September 22, 2009, 9:38am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • First, take a look at what I ...

    Number of comments: 0
    First, take a look at what I wrote in my current newspaper column:

    So just what were school officials in Longmeadow and Hampden fearful the president would tell students during his education speech last week?

    Urging young people to be responsible and stay in school is a time-honored [...]
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    Posted: September 16, 2009, 11:39am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • In case you missed the speech on ...

    In case you missed the speech on healthcare reform here are excerpts sent to me by the White House Press Office:

    I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. It has now been nearly a century since Theodore [...]
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    Posted: September 10, 2009, 9:14am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Here is a transcript of the questions ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Here is a transcript of the questions and answers between Obama and the school kids after his speech:

    THE PRESIDENT: Wow. I'm trying to remember back to my first day of high school. I can't remember that far back. But it is great to see all of you [...]
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    Posted: September 08, 2009, 2:45pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • The following is the text of the ...

    Number of comments: 0
    The following is the text of the speech the president is giving to school children. Apparently school kids in Longmeadow won't hear as some officials fear something – backlash from conservative parents; hidden socialist message; swine flu germs transmitted through video.

    Just a few months on office and Obama' [...]
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    Posted: September 08, 2009, 10:51am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Basterds!

    Number of comments: 0


    Basterds!

    My buddy Bissette and I took an evening for an impromptu boys’ night out to watch the new Tarantino movie. “Inglourious Basterds,” and I have to admit that Tarantino has come back in a big way.

    I was not a [...]
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    Posted: September 03, 2009, 6:08pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • I received this press release from Massachusetts ...

    Number of comments: 0
    I received this press release from Massachusetts Health Connector Executive Director Jon Kingsdale and thought it might be of interest to those with an open mind about health insurance reform. Kingsdale debunks some common misconceptions about the Massachusetts system.


    1. Commonwealth Care cost the state $1.3 billion in [...]
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    Posted: August 26, 2009, 12:43pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • The president and family are spending vacation ...

    Number of comments: 1
    The president and family are spending vacation time in Massachusetts – Martha's Vineyard to be precise – and it's odd to get the pool reports from the press covering him. Odd, because on one hand it's fairly bogus covering someone playing tennis, eating out, etc. On the other hand, there [...]
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    Posted: August 25, 2009, 9:01am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Rifftrax's Plan Nine show was ...

    Number of comments: 1
    Rifftrax's Plan Nine show was great!




    Last night I traveled up to Hadley to the Cinemark theater – one of over 4000 around the country – that was carrying a digital simulcast of the Rifftrax guys doing their thing on Ed Woods' "Plan'" [...]
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    Posted: August 21, 2009, 9:01am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • Want to feel old?Lately, I've ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Want to feel old?

    Lately, I've been feeling like a 90 year-old man thanks to the rigors of the job, but now I see myself as old thanks to the Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2013. The college prepares this list to acclimate faculty and others' [...]
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    Posted: August 20, 2009, 9:25am EDT
    by Mike Dobbs

  • I've had the pleasure and privilege of ...

    Number of comments: 0
    I've had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing many news makers and celebs in my long and checkered career, but I'm especially proud of doing two interviews with Rachel Maddow.

    I would love to do another.

    She is not only a very nice person and easy to speak [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 15, 2009, 6:44pm EDT
    by Mike Dobbs
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