I was thinking about an author this morning. Thorne Smith. Haven't read any of his stuff in years, yet at one time he was a major favorite of mine. I can't say with any certainty that he was a transvestite - but I'd almost bet that he had a major amount of male submisiveness to females in his makeup. (Takes one to know one?). He did write a lot of books - "Turnabout": "I Married a Witch" - then a whole series of books on "Topper" which became a series of films - quite well received as well. (Topper is an officious little man who is haunted by a young married couple who were killed speeding in a car crash).
His books have a high comic strain but the female heroine is always smart, good looking - and not about to take any crap from anybody. As I was brought up in a very macho society this made for a pleasant change, so I read as many of his books as I could lay my hands on.
Thorne is out of fashion now. I'd imagine that he's dated as all hell - but you might want to give his books a look - if you can find any. If any of you read this - and follow my advice, I'd sure like to hear what you think.
I loved Topper as a kid. I think I had a bit of a crush on Marion Kerby. I believe it was the dynamics between her and Cosmo that I enjoyed most. They’re fun movies, but the last time I watched “Topper Returns,” I couldn’t shut off the logical part of my brain kept asking questions like, “Why would a ghost leave footprints?” I actually bought “Turnabout” in a used bookstore a few months back. The cover looked interesting and I had a vague recollection of seeing the movie on which it was based when I was pretty little. I haven’t read the book yet, though; it’s sitting in a pile along with all the other books I’ve been meaning to get to.
ReplyDeleteTurnabout? As I remember, that was one of his best books - and I'm pretty sure that there's an episode in it that involves the guy and his stupid big dog. I think I laughed so hard I damn near wet myself.
ReplyDeleteThe plot? A married couple have started to bicker all the time on the subject of how 'lucky' the other one is. They have been given a statue of some god that is in their bedroom and who is fed up listening to them.
They wake up one morning to find out that their wishes have been granted. He is now she - and she is a he. A fun book I think.
He also wrote some fine scenes of men being trapped nude and embarrassed with amused females.
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