North Beach Girl

Let's Have A Beatnik Party!

Men's Mags - Rogue - Nov. 1960

Many thanks to my good friend Robbie P. for this fantastic contribution.

Here we have transcripts of several of the tracks from Del Close and John Brent's landmark beatnik comedy album "How To Speak Hip" taken from the november issue of Rogue magazine.

Thanks again Rob!

Jazz Is My Religion

Awesome beginning to a short film by Louis Van Gasteren. Cool jazz and poetry by

Ted Joans.

Dig It !

Unexpected Hipster #8 - Oddball (Donald Sutherland) - Kelly's Heroes - Brian G. Hutton - 1970

This is a bit of an unusual one. I'm not sure exactly what they were thinking when they dreamed up this character. Maybe they were trying to appeal to the younger generation of the time with a hippie type character although Oddball and his tank crew are clearly more of the beatnik variety than hippies. They are inspired by beats right down to Oddballs mechanic, aptly named Moriarty (remember Dean Moriarty from On The Road?), his fez wearing gunner, and the bohemian setup that they have created for themselves while waiting for orders. This is all strange because the beatnik comic relief character kind of phased out by the mid 60's and also given the time period of the film - sometime in the summer of 1944, it's a little early for a hipster of this style. But enough hair splitting, Kelly's Heroes is a great film, a comedy, a caper film all wrapped up in an action war film. Enjoy it and Oddball.

"For 1.6 million dollars, we could become heroes for 3 days...A Sherman can

give you a very nice...edge."

"This engine has been modified by our mechanical genius, Moriarty. These tanks

are faster than any other tanks in the European theatre of operations. Forwards or

backwards, you see man, we like to feel we're able to get out of trouble quicker than we

got into it."

"Don't hit me with those negative waves so early in the morning. Think that

bridge will be there, and it'll be there."

"You don't want in this thing, you don't get in this thing! I cut you out completely.

60 ft of bridge I can pick up almost anywhere...Smuck!"

"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves! Why don't you dig how

beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for

a change?"

"...Crap."

"Woof Woof Woof!!!"

Learn Beat Speak !

Dug Here!

Battle Of The Venice Beach Beatniks.

An interesting article about some in-fighting amongst the Venice Beach beatniks who frequented The Gas House. From the April 1960 issue of Modern Man. Makes mention of the Miss Beatnik Contest. Found here.