booking freakboy: GOSPEL FOR SUCKERS by Will E. Graham (1971)

“Jesus Freaks were everywhere…” 

Have you been touched by Jimmy Love?  

Jimmy Love can heal you of your maladies by placing his miraculous hands upon you!  You will feel the power of his Divine love blowing through your soul!  Yes, this 23-year old, 6-foot-tall traveling blond Adonis evangelist will fill the deep hole inside you with Glory! 

Surely you’ve read the newspaper articles about how, at a young age, Jimmy’s parents died in an automobile accident and how he was adopted by Brandon Parker, a friend and army buddy of his late father.  Undoubtedly you were captivated in learning how Jimmy became an overnight Prophet after seeing Jesus in a barn in Indiana!  It was a sign from Heaven above!  A sign to guide Jimmy and his adopted father onto the path of spreading the Gospel from town to town!  A sign to milk every last penny from the willfully ignorant congregation!  Hallelujah! 

Now the unthinkable has happened!  After healing the inflicted two nights in a row, Jimmy Love has disappeared, bringing the religious community to its knees in prayer for his safe return!  Where is their Anointed One and will they ever feel the massive power of his love again?  Good things come to those who wait, for prophecy tells us the blessed answer will be delivered in seven days.  Well, at least I can tell you since I read the book.

 
Either through Divine intervention or a coordinated publicity stunt, the missing evangelist has resurfaced in Los Angeles!  Praise Jimmy Love, oh, and Jesus for his safe return to the fold, but what happened to the precious preacher during those seven days?  According to the newspapers, Jimmy Love was lost in the Arizona desert, on the brink of death, when four men descended upon him from above.  The four 5’ 11”, brown-haired studs blew life back into Jimmy Love and now they are his Apostles! 

In reality, Jimmy Love has grown tired of being in the Holy spotlight.  With the help of his adopted father, Jimmy Love has concocted one last revival to blow the minds and bank accounts of his faithful followers.  On a clear pedestal, backed by a screen of swirling clouds and surrounded by streaming fog, Jimmy Love will take to the stage.  At either of his sides will be his four Apostles, clad only in color coordinated posing straps to match the various tints of light shining on them.  Will the spectacle be a raging success?  Will the congregation work itself into a frenzy of religious fervor and sexual arousal? 

SPOILER ALERT! 
The reader will never know!  Just as the four Apostles are literally revealed, Brandon Parker dies of a heart attack backstage and suddenly finds himself in WWII with Jimmy Love’s father.  The man offers his hand to shake in gratitude for Brandon taking such good care of his son.  

Yup, that’s how GOSPEL FOR SUCKERS ends, making me think the terrific double entendre title actually has three meanings, including the reader being a sucker for reading this book.  The ending is wildly anticlimactic, especially because it is made perfectly clear that Brandon had been in love with Jimmy’s father.  Couldn’t the two men have at least experienced a more satisfying afterlife happy ending?  

Now don’t get me wrong, there are some ridiculously entertaining aspects to the book.  The way the religious crowds fall for Jimmy Love’s schtick is amusingly spot on when comparing it with televangelists of the 1980’s and the preachers of modern day mega-churches.  The names of the first three Apostles (Dallas Slaughter, Tony Wolfe and Dale Ducommun) are made even funnier by the fourth one’s more ordinary name (Keith Anderson).  Oh, and I appreciate there are only seven chapters, which I think is a sly wink at the seven days of Creation.
I just wish author Will E. Graham, whose obvious pen-name is brilliant in more ways than one, would have had even more fun putting the satirical screws to religion and fanatical believers.  It’s not quite as blasphemously funny as it should’ve been, but maybe all the queer sex mingled with Christianity heightens the humor.  Plus, it’s frustrating when intriguing plot elements are introduced and then abandoned.  Something scandalous, which is not fully explained, happened in Florida with Jimmy Love and when you think it’s coming back to haunt him, the subplot fizzles out.  I guess I’m used to this style of storytelling thanks to Andy Milligan.  Another thing is Jimmy Love’s too close for comfort relationship with his adopted father.  Yes, they are both adults and not blood related, but it added an ick factor for me.  I know I shouldn’t be so judgy considering some of the incestuous overtones in the films of, once again, Andy Milligan.  Ugh, I hate it when my favorite filmmakers make me feel like a hypocrite! 

“Turn around if you want to and blow your love on the person behind you!” -Jimmy Love 

In conclusion…
GOSPEL FOR SUCKERS isn’t the best piece of Vintage Gay Pulp Fiction I’ve read, but it’s not the worst either.  It is somehow entertaining and disappointing at the same time.  So, if you’re in the mood for a low-key satirical look at religiosity with a queer twist, then GOSPEL FOR SUCKERS by Will E. Graham may be the book for you!  Just don’t forget to say your nightly prayer after reading.🙏
Amen! 
 😏 

Freak be with you, 
JLH 

P.S.  Be a sucker for my queer books… 

Available from an Amazon near you!

4 things I don’t totally hate from 2023…

I’ve been going through the “everything I write is 💩” phase again.  This feeling comes and goes and will hopefully pass soon.  Until then, here are 4 things I don’t totally hate from 2023…

(You know the drill…click the pics ⤵️ to read, watch or whatever…)

1…  I released STURGEONS  (the complete serials) and now there are over 50 copies in the hands of readers around the world.  

(Photo courtesy of The Dobson Family Archive)

2…. I was inspired to write a poem by a freaky doll in the window of a local auction house and I still dig its dark humor. 

(Photo courtesy of The Demonic Auction House)

3…. I purchased a new pair of shoes and ended up creating a video which has been called my best. 

(Poster courtesy of The FreakOptic Files)

4…. I was interviewed by a local newspaper reporter about my books and chunk of vision loss.  I still appreciate that the article appeared on the page opposite the obituaries. 

(Article courtesy of Custer County Chief)

Thank you for your support of my creative endeavors in 2023 and I will half-see you in 2024.

I don’t totally hate this selfie

Freak Out, 
JLH 

 P.S.  One more thing from 2023… I experienced the script to what could be my favorite Andy Milligan film if a print is ever found. 

Foreshadowing Winter (a poem, of sorts)

Attempting to embrace 
The autumn landscape 
Stretching before me 
Days growing shorter  
Clocks winding down 
Leaves quickly falling 
Once vivid memories 
Now slowly fading 
Decaying on the ground 

____________
2023, John L. Harmon 

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words. 

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S. an appropriate classic from The FreakOptic Files for this day… 🎈

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My books on Amazon… viewAuthor.at/JohnLHarmon

freakboy on film: TERMINAL DEGENERATION: The Films of Jon Moritsugu

I had never heard of Jon Moritsugu until opening an email from Vinegar Syndrome, which has become my back-alley film fix destination.  Three things peaked my interest.  First, I instantly found the funky-indie-cool cover of the blu-ray box set very appealing.  Second, the description of one of the films as a DIY version of BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS more than intrigued me.  Third, the crazy trailer for the box set secured my desire to learn more about this writer/director. 

What did I learn about Jon Moritsugu? 

I learned MY DEGENERATION (1989) really is, in its own way, a DIY version of BVD, by way of David Lynch and Gregg Araki.  Three young women form a  rock band, achieve success (thanks to the meat industry) and then struggle with the pitfalls of fame, drugs and love of what appears to be a pig’s head.  MY DEGENERATION is a bizarre and amusing introduction to Jon Moritsugu.  Also, I love the music and the out there audio effects!

I learned HIPPY PORN (1991) is neither about hippies nor porn.  If you enjoy allegedly nihilistic, pseudo-intellectual young adults whining about the existential nothingness of their disenfranchised lives, then HIPPY PORN is the film for you.  This was the hardest for me to sit through because it feels tediously overlong and self-indulgent, but the “Accentuate the Positive” musical moment is rather brilliant.  HIPPY PORN also made me almost regret this purchase because the opening scene involves a dead animal, which hopefully wasn’t killed for the purpose of this film.  Watch at your own risk. 

I learned TERMINAL USA (1993) is Jon Moritsugu’s CITIZEN KANE.  Funded by and airing on PBS (the “Sesame Street” network), the story focuses on one very strange day in the life of an Asian-American family, culminating in a household full of cheerleaders, skinheads, a drug dealer and an alien.  Freaky, funky and funny, TERMINAL USA may be the best in this box set and must have inspired Gregg Araki’s NOWHERE (1997). 

I learned MOD F**K EXPLOSION (1994) is another Gregg Araki-style film about two oddball gangs out for a clash and the young woman stuck in the middle, who just wants a leather jacket.  Low-key weird, occasionally hard to follow and inappropriately funny, MOD F**K EXPLOSION is definitely happening in the same universe as TERMINAL USA, but doesn’t quite reach its surreal symmetry.  Still totally worth watching though!

I learned FAME WHORE (1997) might be my favorite Jon Moritsugu film.  The Gregg Araki/David Lynch vibes have fallen away to reveal a quirky, funny and strangely touching look at the danger of notoriety, the desire for success and the damage of loneliness.  After a catchy theme song, we are presented with three interesting characters.  A tennis pro dealing with scandalous (at the time) gay rumors, a young woman (Moritsugu’s wife & collaborator Amy Davis) who fancies herself a Jill-of-all-trades in the entertainment industry and a young man working alongside an imaginary friend (a giant mascot dog) at an animal shelter never meet, but in some indescribable way seem connected in their separate stories.  FAME WHORE surprised me, made me laugh and even broke my heart a bit. 

I learned SCUMROCK (2002) is ironic.  After so many films with a Gregg Araki vibe, a Gregg Araki actor (James Duval) FINALLY appears in a Jon Moritsugu film, but it’s the least like a Gregg Araki film.  Two stories, briefly connecting in the middle, revolve around a young woman trying to make a name for her rock band and a young man trying to make his first film.  SCUMROCK is slow-paced, but amusing, with a sort of happy ending that feels true.

I learned PIG DEATH MACHINE (2013) isn’t as horrifying as the title suggests.  It’s a goofy story about the strange side effects a ditsy blond and a dishwasher experience after eating bad pork at a restaurant.  The ditsy blond’s IQ rises and the dishwasher can suddenly hear plants talking.  My only complaint is I don’t understand why the dishwasher never tries to talk to the plants who are talking to her.  In the end, PIG DEATH MACHINE is an amusing finale to this box set, especially with the surprising and fun stop-motion animation sequence! 

In conclusion… 
Overall, I’m glad I learned about Jon Moritsugu and his eclectic films.  They are very DIY.  The acting is not always great.  The characters are not always likable.  However, much like an Andy Milligan film, there is an honesty underneath the weirdness and absurdity.  Yes, even in HIPPY PORN, including in that tough to watch opening scene.  So, if you are into ultra low-budget, seriously indie cinema, then TERMINAL DEGENERATION: The Films of Jon Moritsugu may be the box set for you! 
Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words.

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S.  In case you missed my latest video for The FreakOptic Files… 

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My books & blogs…  
http://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-collective.html

Motionless Wonderings

 

I’m just sitting here wondering…

…where the copies of my books are in their journey through time.  Especially the copies of DARK EXCURSIONS once owned by two people who have since died.  Are the books collecting dust at a thrift store or are they boxed up in an attic, just waiting to be discovered by a future freak like me? 

…if Andy Milligan’s lost films will ever be found.  Maybe I really should research old Nebraska theaters and drive-ins just to make certain TRICKS OF THE TRADE, THE DEGENERATES and other titles aren’t lurking in a forgotten basement.  Seems unlikely, but if one German-language reel of THE FILTHY FIVE can be found, then anything is possible! 

…what will the person who goes through my film collection after I’m dust think of my mental state.  I mean, how can I fully explain Ed Wood, John Waters, Andy Milligan and puppet porn?  Never mind the films I haven’t been gutsy enough to blog about…yet. 

…if the 2-in-1 physical copy of  DARKENING STURGEONS and HAUNTING STURGEONS will ever see the light of day.  I’m slowly working on it.  Very, very slowly because I question how much interest for such a book exists.  

…if I’ll ever do another video for The FreakOptic Files.  Doing one takes a lot of time and effort and I’m not sure if it’s worth it.

…if I’ll purchase the blu-ray of COCAINE BEAR upon its release. 

…if I should’ve blogged about something more interesting than these wonderings. 

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words. 

Freak Out, 
JLH 
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My books & blogs… 
http://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-collective.html

Snowy Year's End (December 2020 in Hindsight)

December is drawing to a close in a winter yuck-land, which is why I'm posting this early.  I don't want to chance the library being closed on the 31st due to weather.  So, what have I done this month? 

I blogged a lot about NOWHERE and added another piece of the supernatural jigsaw puzzle I started in 2014.  NIGHT CALLING made me feel kind of proud.  I also released a video about my small town life.  

I don't want to officially say SMALL TOWN PERCEPTION is my final video for The FreakOptic Files, but I feel like stepping back a bit from my visual blog.  Even though 2020 has been an artistically good year for my video creations, I'd rather focus more on writing in 2021.  Yeah, I'll probably end up in an obsessive video creative jag next year just to make myself sound like a fool. 

Where will my writing take me in 2021?  I hope to continue my aforementioned supernatural jigsaw.  I imagine at least two more short tales in the series.  I will also be participating in a blogathon in January, which should be fun!  There are other projects on my radar, so we shall see.  All I can promise is to try to keep my freak light shining in the new year. 

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words this month and this year!  I appreciate you more than I can say! 

Catch you in 2021!

Freak Out, 

John L. Harmon 

P.S.  PHOTOGRAPHIC GHOSTING was my most read post this year and DRONES OVER NEBRASKA! was my most watched video.   

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The Collective Eye is going to open a little differently in 2021, so here is one last glance at December...

https://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-collective-eye-december-2020.html 

Short Hair Traveler (November 2020 in Hindsight)

I got a haircut and it ended up being very short.  The kind of short that would have sent me into tears in my younger days.  Now that I'm a mature individual in total control of my emotions, I just wore a hat and refused to take new haircut selfies.  Well, until now...

In other news,  I've been getting around this month.  I traveled from my small Nebraska town to 42ND STREET in NYC.  Then, on the way home, I stopped off in EERIE, INDIANA.  I'm obviously referring to this blog.  Oh, and I also celebrated my birthday in video for The FreakOptic Files...

I guess November has been a somewhat uninspired month, creatively speaking.  Maybe all the birthday pizza muddled my brain.  I will hopefully find motivation or inspiration in December.  At least I can look forward to my short hair growing out a bit. 

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words.

Freak Out, 

JLH 

P.S.  Here is one more glance through November's Collective Eye...

https://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-collective-eye-november-2020.html 

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In case you want to give the gift of words this holiday season...

viewAuthor.at/JohnLHarmon

Tricky Treat Thoughts (October 2020 in Hindsight)

 I know October still has another day, but the library is closed on Saturdays because of the pandemic. 

 

I am pleased with my blogging this month.  Some spooky posts mixed with some personal stuff filled these digital pages.  I was excited to continue my supernatural short story series.  Click INTO THE FOLD if you want to jump in.

I actually released a video for The FreakOptic Files in October.  While it is not a Halloween video, it is all about a Halloween color.  Watch FREAK ORANGE A GO-GO below...⤵️

In book news, the year of Dinkel continues!  A reader from the UK sent me a photo of his copies of my two paperback books.  It always amazes me when someone takes a chance on my words.  I secretly hope he is enjoying DARK EXCURSIONS and VISION BENT while having tea.   

On a personal note, the mother of one of my best friends passed away this month.  I've known this friend (she inspired Dark Excursions) and her mom since 1996, the year I moved to Omaha.  My half-blind eyes prevent me from driving, but I was able to attend the funeral online.  It was initially weird to watch a live streaming funeral.  It felt like  I was intruding on something private.  However, I was ultimately thankful this option was available. 

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words this month.  As for November...all I can promise is I'll keep blogging as long as the library remains open during these turbulent times. 

Be well...

Stay safe...

Freak Out, 

JLH 

P.S.  It was 5 years ago this month when I released DARKENING STURGEONS as an e-book....

Ben Straker is dealing with abandonment issues, a potential romance and a town on the verge of chaos after a series of mysterious disappearances...

getBook.at/DSturgeons 

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The Collective Eye will open late in November, but here is one more look at October...

https://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-collective-eye-october-2020.html  

FOOTFALL JOE (verse two)

 One of the early videos in The FreakOptic Files was a creepy little poem called FOOTFALL JOE...

As visually simple as that video was to shoot, the multi-layered audio, with varying speeds, gave me hours of frustration back in 2017.  FOOTFALL JOE is far from my most-viewed FreakOptics video, but it holds a special place in my horror heart.

Cut to 2020... 

While recently digging through my unreleased words, I unearthed a sequel to FOOTFALL JOE, written in early 2018.  I vaguely recall attempting a video but failing to capture the perfect visuals.  So, I abandoned the project and forgot all about it...

Until now...

_______________

FOOTFALL JOE (verse two) 

You best beware 

of the blinding snow 

For it won't stop 

Ol' Footfall Joe 

He will patiently wait 

behind a tree 

And follow you home 

or wherever you flee 

Then he'll steal you away 

and remove your light 

But only in 

the dead of night 

2018 / 2020, John L. Harmon 

_______________

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind spooky words!

Freak Out, 

JLH 

P.S. A very short scary story from the vault...

http://freakboyzone.blogspot.com/2019/08/in-shadows-very-short-story.html 

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My books & blogs...

http://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-collective.html  

Backwards Blogging Tricks (September 2020 in Hindsight)

Well, I thought I was going to end this blog again.  Not directly because of my vision loss this time but because the crappy new Google Blogger interface finally took permanent hold. This update caused me intense frustration.

I literally can no longer blog on my iPad 2.  In fact, I can't even check stats or my reading list anymore.  When I go to Blogger, I am directed to a page shaming me for having such antiquated technology.  It tells me i need to download a new browser, which is hilarious because when I tried, none of the big browsers were compatible with my iPad 2.  The sketchy, unfamiliar names were downloadable but wouldn't let me blog either. 

What's a freakboy to do?

Well, wallow in self-pity for a bit and then use my wits.  I strapped on the mask, kept the hand sanitizer handy (which I hate using) and sat down at one of the library computers.  The good news is I could blog.  The bad news was that the preview of my post looked like crap.  I typed the post on my tablet and emailed everything to myself.  Then I copied and pasted my words onto my blog and there were suddenly no lines between paragraphs and no spaces between sentences. 

I wanted to give up because there was no way I would go back through and add lines and spaces  without losing what's left of my mind.  Yet, I didn't give up.  I fought my way back to this blog in 2017 and I couldn't just let it go.  After much crying and cursing, I finally located the compose button that set my post up just like I originally typed it.  So, I blogged about a book about the film VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, which seemed appropriate since I nearly ended up on my knees in an alleyway shouting into the air,  "Freakboy!  Freakboy!"

https://freakboyzone.blogspot.com/2020/09/booking-freakboy-dolls-dolls-dolls-by.html  

Still, I hate being tethered to the library computers again, especially after the last several months.  I fully blogged via my tablet from mid-March until earlier in September.  It feels like I've taken a huge step backwards.  Then I worry about an increase of COVID-19 cases causeing a second lockdown, thus closing the library again.  Yes, I'm being selfish, but blogging really helped me from falling into complete despair this year.  However, I know I'll deal with that eventuality when it comes and sparkle, freakboy sparkle.  I could try blogging on my phone but that thought scares me more than a second wave. 

That's been my September.  I didn't create a video for The FreakOptic Files, but that's ok.  Quality over quantity, right?*

Be well.  

Stay safe.

Catch you in October, thankfully.

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words.  

Freak Out, 

JLH 

P.S. *I'll let you decide...

http://freakoptics.blogspot.com/ 

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There will be a Collective Eye in October, thanks to the library computers.  It may be late in opening, or maybe not.  We shall see.  Until then, here is one more glance at September.....

https://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-collective-eye-september-2020.html