HOW TO SHRINK A HEAD

Perhaps inspired by adventurer and filmmaker Lewis Cotlow's seminal book, "Amazon Headhunters" published the same year by Signet Books, this short article from the Australian digest magazine CAVALCADE (January, 1953) provides step-by-step instructions on how the "jibaro" of the Amazon Basin practiced the art of head shrinking. The subject of the article is typical of its time by adding a sensationalized  tone to titillate readers.

BEFORE THEY WERE SCREAM QUEENS: MARA CORDAY

Before she was a scream queen in the films, TARANTULA (1955), THE GIANT CLAW (1957) and THE BLACK SCORPION (1957), the lovely Mara Corday (born Marilyn Joan Watts; January 3, 1930) was a dancer, showgirl and model.

Miss Corday appeared in many magazines, including PLAYBOY, usually as a glamorous swimsuit beauty, including the shoot seen here in the May, 1954 Australian variety mag, CALVALCADE.

See more Mara HERE.

THE WICKEDEST MAN IN THE WORLD

Mountain climber, drug addict, mage -- The Great Beast, Aleister Crowley was all of them and more. Known in fin de siècle circles for his magickal (and sexual) prowess (he completed the highest grade of the occult group, Order of the Golden Dawn, in record time), Crowley's influence has since been persistent through the ensuing years. A number of biographies of his life have been published, including his own, "hagiography"; a few of them thoughtful, but most capitalize on his alleged practicing of black magic, devil worship, animal sacrifice and homosexuality. And who hasn't heard of his image as one of those immortalized on The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" LP sleeve?

Crowley is admired these days for his liberating doctrine embodied in his famous, BOOK OF THE LAW, wherein he formed his own metaphysical methodology that was revealed to him in communication with an entity named Aiwass.

He is most often referred to these days when the mention of a famous occultist is called for. Along the way, Crowley became known to the press as "The Wickedest Man in the World". For years after his death in 1947, the media still covered his "unsavory exploits". This article is from the Australian digest magazine, CAVALCADE (September, 1951).

BONUS!

The famous "Hubba-Hubba Girl", Evelyn West (1921-2004) was a stand out (no pun intended) in the world of burlesque. She was an indefatigable self-promoter, and once tried to change her name to Evelyn "$50,000 Treasure Chest" West. Here she is in CAVALCADE posing for more conventional pinup shots.

A famous publicity shot of Evelyn West.

Evelyn West in full burlesque regalia.

PREMATURE BURIALS

Fans of Edgar Allan Poe will have likely read his 1844 horror story, "The Premature Burial", which was made into a film by AIP over a century later in 1962. While Poe's story was fiction, there have been countless cases of people getting buried -- or believed dead -- that have miraculously revived.

This short article from the August 1951 issue of the Australian digest magazine, CAVALCADE, recounts a number of these instances where the seemingly dead have come back to life.

INSECT TERROR!

This little tidbit of terror is perfect for a quick Spring afternoon's read. A cautionary tale, once again to remind us it's not nice to fool with Mother Nature.

The tale, "Amber Insect", is written by author Benson Dolling and appeared in the Australian variety magazine, CAVALCADE in the August 1951 issue.

The story does contain a couple of passages that might be construed as "sensitive" for those that lean towards the present politically-correct state of mind. I offer the warning unapologetically.

JANE FONDA IS WAY OUT

Jane Fonda is a "young" 81-years-old now, but back in 1968, just a few years before her controversial trip to Hanoi during the Vietnam War, she was a gorgeous, 31-year-old fashion model and actress who was married to film director Roger Vadim. Vadim, who had a penchant for hooking up with some of the most beautiful and glamorous women in the world had his sights set on his wife starring in the lead role in his latest film, a science-fiction story about a sexy space babe on a mission to save Earth. Fonda was resistant because the exploitative nature of the character opposed here feminist views. She ended up taking one for The Rog', and as a result, became a late 60's sci-fi sensation in BARBARELLA.

From the men's magazine, CAVALCADE (June 1968).

From CONTINENTAL FILM REVIEW (September 1957).

From FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #50 (July 1968).

Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim.