Once Upon a Time... Is Now/Issues 003-004
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Once Upon a Time... Is Now (Out-In, Out/In, Out...In) |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | Jeanne Cloud and Joyce DeBoard (issues #1-#27), Jeanne Cloud, Loreen Vanderkrats, and Linda Lakin (issues #27-#33 -- tho perhaps as far as #45), Jeanne Cloud and Loreen Vanderkrats (issues #46-#60 -- tho perhaps as early as #34) |
| Type: | letterzine |
| Date(s): | 1988 to 1996 |
| Frequency: | sometimes monthly, sometimes bi-monthly, at the end much more infrequent |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | digest-sized |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast (TV) |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Once Upon a Time... Is Now (Out-In, Out/In, Out...In) is a Beauty and the Beast letterzine. It is digest-sized.
See List of Letterzines for similar fanworks.
Contents
The zine is a collection of letters from fans (titled "From the Helpers") of the show discussing aspects of the show including the actors, characters, stories, and fanfiction. This zine also contains photos (both xeroxed and original), some original artwork, con reports, open letters, and sometimes clippings and interviews.
Some regular features were: "OK Good...OK Fine" (the editorial), "From the Library" (zine listings), and "On the Pipes" (fan clubs).
There were 60 issues published between 1988 to 1996.
Issue 3
Once Upon a Time... Is Now 3 was published in October 1988 and contains 30 pages.
The editors have extended this letterzine by three pages, but the letters are still too few and lengthy. They announce, that because of this, the zine will now become a monthly publication.
- a retyped article, "On the Set in Statesville" by Jeff Borden for "The Charlotte Observer" (August 1, 1988)
- "... a little about SPACE-TREK V", a con report by Linda Lakin
- a reprinted clipping: "A Beauty of a Hit" by Kelly Laskosky from The Houston Post TV Week (July 17, 1988)
- "The Nature of the Beast" from "The Bulletin" (an Australian publication) (August 2, 1988)
David Peckinpah asked us to let you know that outside script submissions will no longer be accepted. He said,
- "We deeply appreciate our fans wanting to share their ideas with us, and will always be here to listen, but we must ask that they sympathize with our situation and not send in any more scripts/treatments/story ideas. This is a hard decision for all of us, but one we feel we must make. We've received literally hundreds of submissions, with no end in sight unless some action is taken. We hope our fans will understand, and not take this as a rejection -- it certainty isn't intended as such."
Issue 3: Excerpts from the Letters
Ron Perlman/Vincent has changed my life and with each passing week, I seem to talk with someone who feels the same. Over and over again I hear what amounts to "I am seeking to be the best that I can be" and to see and accept others as they truly one, to see the goodness that shines from within. I love the stories, the romance, the excitement, and all the rest, truly I do, but I am so very grateful to Ron Koslow, Ron Perlman, and all the others that have CREATED THIS SPECIAL WONDER!! You have all helped me to see the beauty in myself and in others!! THANK you, EACH AND EVERY ONE from the bottom of my heart!!! I never tire of replaying the episodes and I keep a poster of Vincent at home and in my office to remind me to "BE THE BEST I CAN BE.... ALWAYS".
I especially want to praise Joyce DeBoard for the beautiful B&B slide show presented Friday night during Space-Trek. Her choice and quality of photographs were extraordinary; the selections of Barry Manilow's "Who Needs to Dream" and Barbara Streisand's "Somewhere" among others, were simply beautiful I was quite teary-eyed about half-way through the show... I wish Ron Perlman had been there to see/experience it.
Firs let me commend the entire staff of "Once Upon" for creating a high quality, literate letterzine. I'll confess that I was hesitant to subscribe to something that was more of an open forum than a news or story-telling, but I've read issue #2 from cover to cover twice since I received it this morning, and I'm looking forward to more articles like the one covering R.P.'s convention appearance and to what promises to be lively dialogue between all the various letter writers.
The local B&B nuts here are all costumers and we've been saying that Catherine and Vincent should go to a science fiction convention since the first episode. He'd get along marvelously (think of all the new people he'd meet and one of the tragedies of his character is that he's so gregarious, but he can't seek people out), but I somehow can't see Catherine enjoying herself. She just doesn't seem the fannish type.
It's only mid-year and I've already been to cons with Howard Gordon, Ron Perlman (sigh...), Ron Koslow, and Don Davis (Ron K. and Don just sort of "showed up" to check things out at the B&B con in L.A. — that was pretty wild, too!). I'm also looking forward to meeting George R.R. Martin in Philcon in November. By the way, has anyone out there read any of George's stories or novels? ...
The people involved in creating and producing B&B are really setting wonderful precedents. The show is still on prime time network tv and all these incredibly nice individuals are speaking at or coming to cons and showing a true interest in getting feedback from fans. Personally, it makes me feel completely different about tv. Whereas, in the past, the tv screen has always been a kind of barrier, or at best something that threw things "at" me, I now think of it as a way for friends to communicate.
As time passes, I find that my feelings about B&B have taken a new turn. Sure, I love the actors, the scenery, the magic between Vincent and Catherine, the loving relationship between Vincent and Father; however, I am seeing something of a much greater consequence!! THE ONE OVERRIDING THREAD WOVEN THROUGH EVERY EPISODE IS THIS -- DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF JUDGING BY APPEARANCE!!! Another variation would be, BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP!! If all you see is this deformed freak of nature, you are missing the whole premise of this show. Besides being a fantasy for pure entertainment; besides being a unique love story built around a pure and almost spiritual love; besides the unusual location beneath the city and mode of dress reminiscent of knights in shining armor and days gone by, this story works BECAUSE underneath all this, it speaks to the secret place inside each one of us that wonders if we are good enough. If we are pretty enough. If we are special enough to compete in a world when so much emphasis is focused on being young, slim, and beautiful!! Vincent is someone we can relate to somewhere in our deepest soul. With almost every word Ron Perlman as Vincent utters and every gesture he makes, we know that we can find acceptance too!!
Ron Perlman does a spectacular job of bringing Vincent to life and Ron must truly be a sensitive and caring and astute individual for he can project more with a look, a sigh, or a gesture than could be conveyed in any words!! His talent is truly outstanding!!
B&B and Ron Perlman/Vincent have changed my life!!! I've watched and listened and I have looked deep inside myself and have not been found wanting!! Because he portrays good, nobility, caring and self-sacrifice, I have reached down deep and am daily bringing forth these qualities in myself and sharing them with those around me. I am seeing the magic of a kind deed, a smile or a helping hand. ..and it feels so right and so good!! Thank you, Ron Perlman.
Ron Perlman [at Space-Trek] was very articulate and gives as much thought to his replies as our beloved Vincent does, saying nothing just to "get through the moment"... He uses words with more than one syllable in every sentence. Boy, that sounds snooty, doesn't it? I didn't mean it that way. I just didn't realize how most celebrities either talk down to us or don't know how to relate to so many strangers that worship the ground they walk on... When women would bring him gifts, he didn't act as if they had some disease. He came around from behind the podium and listened intently to the message that accompanied the item, accepting it with a gracious smile and a heartfelt thank you. Then he would step back up behind the podium and show all the rest of us.
The Vincent I know is well-read (beasts don't read, no matter how brilliant their adoptive fathers are -- but if they did read, I sincerely doubt that Shakespeare would be the choice; more like Jacqueline Susann or Harold Robbins).
ANY BEAST THAT WAS AS READY FOR A MATE AS FERVENTLY AS VINCENT LOVES CATHERINE WOULD NOT WALK AWAY FROM HER WILLING EMBRACE TIME AND TIME AGAIN, OUT OF CONCERN FOR HER WELFARE BEFORE HIS OWN GRATIFICATION! When an animal wants to mate, there is no question but that it will be done. Yet over and over, our noble Vincent leaves Catherine wistful for his nearness and touch and returns to the tunnel world, physically unfulfilled and longing for the presence of his woman.
I want to make it perfectly clear, I think Linda Hamilton is terrific. However, Catherine is a subject I feel better qualified to discuss. I could write a thesis about Catherine. It would probably be untitled "Catherine: Just What the Hell Is Her Problem Anyway?!" Is she really the deranged, brain-damaged, hormonally deficient cat-tease she really appears to be? Or is there some other reason she carries that handy supply of salt around to rub Vincent's emotional wound? I can hear you out there, saying to yourself, "Don't you think you're being just a little harsh with her?" NO! On the contrary, I think I am being generous. How could I be anything but hard on a woman who said to Vincent at the end of "Ozymandias", in answer to his query, "I'm thinking about Elliot..." That Vincent didn't surgically remove her larynx with one elegantly clawed digit is the highest proof of his humanity to date. Is jealously rearing its ugly head, you ask? You betcha! I'm positively green with it, aren't you?! Now tell me the truth. If you were in Catherine's place, would you still be hanging around the DA's office or would you be knitting mittens for your kittens by now? That's what I thought.
I am gratified to read that so many people find Vincent as sexy and appealing and arousing as I do. I think our reaction to him sort of blows the "experts" sky high, don't you? The bit about the Freudian reason and a sort of female Oedipus complex... If women are really looking for someone they can fall for "romantically" without feeling "threatened" by his sexuality, why are so many women fantasizing either about themselves or Vincent and Catherine getting together? Chew on that, "experts"!
Issue 4
Once Upon a Time... Is Now 4 was published in November 1988 and contains 25 pages.
Issue 4: Excerpts from the Letters
We came back from Denver absolutely delighted with the convention. As many of you know, Roy Dotrice was making his debut into convention going. What a charmer! He appeared on Saturday wearing a tux complete with black patten [sic] shoes. He looked marvelous! It warmed the heart knowing he cared enough to honor us in such a fashion. Those of you who couldn't make it missed some wonderful tidbits about next year's episodes. They plan to make it even more romantic than last year, if that's possible. Mr. Dotrice shared stories, readings and memories with us all. In addition, he was gracious enough to grant us an interview while he was there. He is a joy to be around and all of us felt that we had made anew friend. Our thanks are given to both Roy and his lovely wife, Kay. You'll be in our thoughts.
TO KISS OR NOT TO KISS: IS THAT THE QUESTION? I've been reading [Martia W S's] comment with great interest and while I agree with many of her conclusions, it might be helpful to look at this problem from a slightly different perspective. Perhaps the question more properly phrased should be, "Why the heck haven't they kissed by now?"
Before addressing the above question, I should state for the record that I stand four square in favor of more physical affection between this couple. At Space Trek V, I was the one who suggested to Ron Perlman that a lot of us thought the kiss was a cop-out and jokingly asked how long we were going to be teased this mercilessly. His titillating answer was, "A long time with any luck". (Those eyes of his should be registered as lethal weapons. The man definitely knows how to use them to devastating effect.) Perlman than went on to imply that kissing might inexorably alter the "mythic" nature of the relationship.
With all due respect to Mr. Perlman, who impresses me at least as much as Vincent does, I must disagree. While Vincent can certainly be described as mythic in nature, the relationship itself seems palpably real to me. Contrary to popular belief, the kiss really isn't the issue. It's the absence of a kiss that has become the issue. To be honest, I have yet to see any screen kiss that could possibly be as satisfying or fulfilling as one of Vincent's adoring embraces.
Moreover, there's that all-encompassing bond that connects him to Catherine. Vincent can actually "feel" her within him. ("I can feel what she's feeling; I know what she's thinking — when she's frightened — when she's happy...or sad.") Their bond is conceivably a more powerful merging than any physical joining might be. Catherine is literally laid bare to him in the most intimate of terms. Who among us hasn't fantasized about a lover who knows and understands everything we are and worships us in spite of it, or better yet, because of it? This is very strong stuff!
In light of the above, why then has the kiss, or rather the lack thereof, become so all- fired important? Because the fact that they don't kiss, despite their deep feelings for each other, sends out some rather negative signals. For cryin' out loud, these are two mature adults. (Whatever Vincent may be, he's all male and certainly past puberty.) They're very much in love, to put it mildly, and as the last scene in "A Happy Life" clearly indicates, they desperately want to kiss. What's stopping them?
In the pilot episode, Vincent's response to Catherine placing her head on his shoulder was terribly sweet and poignant. Head back, he was breathing heavily, and as his arm ever so hesitantly reached around Catherine, I felt sure that no woman had even so much as touched him before. But later episodes were to prove just how wrong I was. Time and again, Vincent was shown actively hugging and kissing people left and right. Jamie, Laura, and Elizabeth have all come in for their share and Vincent is a very good friend to Lin and Maria. In addition, his remarkable relationship with Father is openly demonstrative.
Upon further analysis, I could only surmise that Vincent's extreme reaction to Catherine's first touch was for an entirely different reason than my original conclusion. Vincent is immensely affectionate with everyone; affection is second nature to him.
When Catherine demonstrated a willingness to share a moment of physical closeness, it was probably all he could do to keep from gathering her up in his arms right then and there. In my opinion, it's not the expression of affection that's difficult for Vincent; it's the holding back that's hard....especially where Catherine is concerned.
I think we all understand that Vincent is the more sizable obstacle here. He will never be the one to initiate greater physical intimacy. It therefore rests with Catherine to make the first tentative forays into this area. How many times have we seen her look into Vincent's eyes, move close to his face, and at the last moment, lower her head and place it on his shoulder? Each time this happens, my poor husband yells at the screen in frustration, "So kiss him already".
It's been suggested that Catherine senses Vincent's trepidation concerning any escalation of their relationship and out of respect for his wishes, has decided not to push the matter. Frankly, that is patently ridiculous. It would be like telling someone with anorexia that it's all right to starve to death. Vincent has a problem. If Catherine really loves him as much as she professes, it's up to her to help him deal with it. I'm not suggesting a consummation at this point. (I'll leave that for my fanzine stories.)
But as far as I'm concerned, Catherine really has to kiss Vincent and soon. Otherwise, I might start thinking that despite her love of his "beautiful spirit" and "generous heart", she somehow finds him physically repellent. I consider this to be a thoroughly unacceptable notion and I can't believe that this is the impression the writers and producers want to convey.
I have just a few final comments about "A Happy Life". Immediately after "Temptation" was first shown, some two months before "A Happy Life" aired, I wrote a fanzine story that had so many similarities to this final episode, it was positively eerie. Consequently, it should come as no big surprise that when I sat watching this piece of near perfection, I was enchanted, enraptured, and enthralled. It took countless viewings before I could keep my eye make-up intact, and I'm not a person easily moved to tears.
Obviously, all previous discussion aside, I was deliriously happy with "A Happy Life". In conclusion, I have only one thing to say, "So kiss him already!!"