HELL’S BELLE

No matter which direction she's going we'll tag along.

The first thing we did when we saw this interesting cover from Éditions de la Brigandine for Benjamin Rupert’s 1980 novel Lubrique à Braque was try to figure out what type of motorcycle this was. It’s a Kawasaki, but the logo is reversed because Brigandine must have decided they liked the rider going from right to left rather than the other direction. That’s when we took a look at her and recognized French film star Annie Belle. That’s her for sure. No mistaking those eyes. She remembered to wear her helmet for this spin, which is commendable, but she’s forgotten anything resembling outerwear. Also commendable. We don’t know where she’s going but it’ll be a place of romance and adventure. Just watch one of her movies and you’ll see. La notte dell’alta marea comes to mind. Bonus: that one also has Pam Grier. Or you could watch Laure. Bonus: that one has Emmanuelle Arsan. Or you could even watch Velluto nero. Who’s the bonus in that? None other than queen b Laura Gemser. All three movies are pretty bad, truth be told, but they’re also amazingly fun. Your entertainment week is now set.

France, Éditions de la Brigandine, Benjamin Rupert, Annie Belle, Annie Brilland, cover art, literature

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HISTORY REWIND

The headlines that mattered yesteryear.

December 5

1933—Prohibition Ends in United States

Utah becomes the 36th U.S. state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, thus establishing the required 75% of states needed to overturn the 18th Amendment which had made the sale of alcohol illegal. But the criminal gangs that had gained power during Prohibition are now firmly established, and maintain an influence that continues unabated for decades.

December 5

1945—Flight 19 Vanishes without a Trace

During an overwater navigation training flight from Fort Lauderdale, five U.S. Navy TBM Avenger torpedo-bombers lose radio contact with their base and vanish. The disappearance takes place in what is popularly known as the Bermuda Triangle.

December 4

1918—Wilson Goes to Europe

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson sails to Europe for the World War I peace talks in Versailles, France, becoming the first U.S. president to travel to Europe while in office.

December 4

1921—Arbuckle Manslaughter Trial Ends

In the U.S., a manslaughter trial against actor/director Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle ends with the jury deadlocked as to whether he had killed aspiring actress Virginia Rappe during rape and sodomy. Arbuckle was finally cleared of all wrongdoing after two more trials, but the scandal ruined his career and personal life.

December 3

1964—Mass Student Arrests in U.S.

In California, Police arrest over 800 students at the University of California, Berkeley, following their takeover and sit-in at the administration building in protest at the UC Regents’ decision to forbid protests on university property.

December 3

1968—U.S. Unemployment Hits Low

Unemployment figures are released revealing that the U.S. unemployment rate has fallen to 3.3 percent, the lowest rate for almost fifteen years. Going forward all the way to the current day, the figure never reaches this low level again.

December 2

1954—Joseph McCarthy Disciplined by Senate

In the United States, after standing idly by during years of communist witch hunts in Hollywood and beyond, the U.S. Senate votes 65 to 22 to condemn Joseph McCarthy for conduct bringing the Senate into dishonor and disrepute. The vote ruined McCarthy’s career.