Frank Langford's - Love on a Rooftop!

I've got Frank Langford fever!

Yup, ever since I saw Allan Harvey's post on the Langford story "Cry, Soul; Cry, Love" over at his blog Gorilla Daze, and Justin Bleep mentioned him in his guest post the other day, I have had an unquenchable thirst for the art of Frank Langford! Can you blame me?! Hopefully you will see what I mean in the beautifully illustrated "Love on a Rooftop!" from Young Love #90 (December 1971) in which we meet Mark and Lori -- a couple with little in the way of money, but rich in love (or so Mark thinks).


Lori feels that things will never look up, but Mark assures her that if she is just content, their luck will turn around. Having lived all their lives in a tenement building in the slums, Lori's patience diminishes on a daily basis.


While at work the next day, a handsome guy by the name of Peter Forrest introduces himself and asks Lori out to dinner. Feeling lonely, Lori accepts. That evening, Peter picks her up in a fancy sports car and takes her to an opulent French restaurant. The two have a wonderful time and continue to see each other.


Lori dates Peter and has a great time, but meanwhile, she is still in a sort of limbo stage with Mark. Eventually they do break up, but Mark clearly still has feelings for her. But Lori's world only has room for Peter and eventually her days and nights revolve around the wealthy young man who has adventure, glamor, and love to offer.


One day when Peter drops Lori off at her tenement, Mark encounters them and declares that he won't back down from loving her. It turns out to be very bad timing though, as Lori has just accepted Peter's marriage proposal. Peter announces that he will be introducing Lori to his parents during a formal dinner party that Saturday. Peter's plan stresses Lori out, as she does not own a gown. As Mark looks on, Lori and Peter walk away as she verbally frets about her attire for the party. Peter assures her that she will be beautiful in whatever she wears.


The day of the party, a package containing a stunning white gown is delivered to Lori. Her heart brims over with joy and she cannot thank Peter enough for the surprise. The two make their way to the home of Peter's parents, but the young couple is not welcomed with open arms.


Peter's parents do not want him marrying Lori because as his mother puts it, "He has a future to think of..." Lori is obviously crushed, but Peter acts pretty nonchalant about it and tells her that he doesn't want to risk his parents cutting him off financially. Lori thinks that Peter is ashamed of her and that is why he bought her a new gown to wear. But suddenly, it clicks that it wasn't Peter that purchased the dress -- but Mark!

"One man wanted me -- but not enough to
risk his future for me, and another had spent his meager savings
to insure [sic] my happiness..."

Lori runs to Mark and lets him know that nothing can substitute for real genuine love. Mark doesn't give her the old "I told you so," but simply, embraces her. In a sweet narrated ending, Lori announces that the white gown Mark gave her will be her wedding dress.

So, what do you think? Do you have Langford fever now too?! Not only is the art fantastic, the story is quite good too with the dress bit and all! Hopefully this was a nice start to what I hope is a fantastic weekend for ya!

Squirrely Love Stories

Today is March 20th -- the first official day of spring! Things are lookin' up! The sun is starting to shine again, the flowers are coming up and little creatures are starting to populate the land once more -- including my personal favorite, squirrels!!!

I started noticing in the romance stories that squirrels pop up in lots of panels, especially scenes taking place in a park. With over 278 species of squirrel in the world, no wonder these cute little guys got face time in the romance comics!

One of the earliest sightings of a squirrel in a romance comic
(well, by me at least) occurred in 1959:

"And Then I Found You!"

Originally from My Own Romance #71 (September 1959)

Reprinted in My Love #10 (March 1971)

Even the great Jack Kirby got in on the action!

"He Never Even Noticed!"
(the squirrels that is!)
Originally from Teen-Age Romance #86 (March 1962)
Reprinted in My Love #10 (March 1971)


Jay Scott Pike's version. Cute, huh?

"Take Me Back"
Young Romance #151 (December/January 1967)


I knew he looked like a dealer!

"One Love Too Many!"
Falling in Love #107 (May 1969)


Squirrel or very tiny Ewok? You decide:

"Just No Good"
Young Romance #166 (June/July 1970)


Beware! They are always watching!

"Man-Stealer"
Young Love #90 (December 1971)

The squirrels portrayed in the above stories all play pretty minor roles in the plot. For your reading pleasure however, I present to you one that elevates the furry little mammals to the next level -- "For Your Sake, Darling!" Masterfully drawn by Frank Langford, this story from Young Romance #174 (September 1971) is sure to get you in the mood for spring!

Some people meet their soul mate through mutual friends. Others meet their lover via shared interests. And others still, meet through squirrels!!!

Leah and Jim get to know each other better by meeting in the park the next afternoon for lunch with their squirrel buddy, Butch.


Butch the squirrel oversees the arrangement or further dates for the dashing Jim and the very insecure, but beautiful Leah.


After a few more dates, Jim brings Leah to a party and introduces her to one of his good friends, Ann. While in the powder room, Leah becomes the subject of ridicule by another woman, Libby. The incident in the powder room furthers her insecurities about being with Jim and Leah decides it is best to end it with him, though she holds on to a glimmer of hope that he will chase after her regardless. He doesn't though, and Leah is left alone. Well, not entirely alone -- Butch the squirrel is always there for her!


Jim's friend Anne sets Leah straight though and lets her know that Libby was jilted and jealous and that Leah should try to get Jim back. Leah takes her advice, and waits in the park for days. Finally, Jim arrives and uses Butch once again to break the ice. All is forgiven, and the lovers embrace as Butch the matchmaking squirrel looks on. Awww! Isn't that a sweet and beautifully illustrated story?

Happy Spring everyone!!!

Frank Langford's "Hungry Heart"

As highlighted last week, British illustrator Frank Langford had the art of romance nailed on the head. His sexy leading ladies and handsomely rendered men, make it hard to deny that Langford was one of the most dynamic purveyors of the romance genre. The following story about a summer at the beach, "Hungry Heart" comes to us from Young Love #81 (July/August 1970).


As the guests of the Surf Hotel at Pink Beach look on, it appears that two young people have made a connection. The outgoing Bill has approached the beautiful, red-headed Eve and convinced her to go surfing with him.


Bill is not the only young man to notice Eve on the beach. A newly arrived guest, Adam Woods sets his sights on her and moves in for the kill when she falls off of her surfboard.

"Ouch!"

Once Adam loosens his death-grip on Eve, a proper introduction is made. Eve's first prospect, Bill is not impressed by Adam's forthright ways. Fortunately for Bill though, Eve goes out to dinner with him. But as our narrators, Mr. and Mrs. Reed say -- Adam has a "hungry look in his eyes" and he isn't backing down!

Adam continues to butt in between the blossoming romance between Eve and Bill, asking Eve to dance. Curiously, Adam and Eve seem to dance (and quarrel) like old lovers. Eve eventually gives in and invites Adam to go shopping in town the next day.

After biking into town and doing a little shopping, Adam presents Eve with a bottle of perfume. Coincidentally, it is her favorite kind -- Nuit Azure. He then invites Eve to go to the beach party hosted by the hotel that evening, and she accepts.

Later that evening, the glow of the bonfire and the smell of Eve's new perfume drives Adam wild. His forceful ways get him into trouble though, and Eve is off put by his sensual demands.


Adam and Eve's underwater kiss is interrupted by the fists of Bill, who is all too eager to get Adam out of the picture. Eve is not impressed by the barbaric display.


Adam returns to the shore and Bill and Eve continue surfing. Suddenly, the weather turns and a huge wave engulfs the surfers. Bill reaches the surface, but Eve is nowhere to be seen. Adam jumps in without thinking twice.

As Adam pulls Eve out of the swirling waters he declares with certainty, "I'll -- never -- let you go -- never!" Strong words for a woman he has just met! Or did they just meet? Duhn Duhn Duh!!!


Ohh! A trick ending! As it turns out, Adam and Eve were married! Eve was just rebelling in order to receive the excitement of courtship she never had!

Though this same trick ending of the "already married couple pretending to have just met" is used rather frequently throughout the romance comics of the 1960s and '70s, this particular story really stands out as one of the best examples of just how good romance comics can be.

Artist Spotlight - Frank Langford

Since the majority of DC romance stories from the '60s and '70s are unsigned, it is always rather exciting to find ones that are signed. Such is the case for a few stories illustrated by British artist, Frank Langford (1926 - 1998).

Born Cyril Eidlestein, Langford is probably best know for his work on "The Angry Planet" from Boy's World and "Lady Penelope" a strip that appeared in Lady Penelope (above), a late sixties British weekly comic aimed at girls. He also did extensive work in advertising, including the 1964 advertisement for the Women's Royal Army Corps (W.R.A.C.) seen below.


It is of course his romance work that I am most interested in. I know of at least three romance stories he drew for DC, but there may be more out there -- hopefully!

Langford's romance work is highly stylized and exudes an incredible sense of moment -- exemplified in his characters' wildly feminine hair. His ruggedly handsome men are timeless, and are still quite attractive by today's standards. Not only a master of movement, Langford also excels during the quiet moments. Quite breathtaking, really!

"I Shouldn't Have Stayed!"
Falling in Love #139 (January/February 1973)

"I Shouldn't Have Stayed!"
Falling in Love #139 (January/February 1973)
Notice the strategically placed signature!

"A Scent of Love... a Breath of Hate"
Secret Hearts #150 (March 1971)

I'm hooked, too!
"A Scent of Love... a Breath of Hate"
Secret Hearts #150 (March 1971)

I just can't say enough good things about Langford's art. His work pretty much sums up the word 'romance,' in my opinion! For more information on him (and more gorgeous W.R.A.C. advertisements) check out this post at Bear Alley. Be sure to read through the comments for more information!