Once Upon a Time... Is Now/Issues 027-028
| 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 and 1996.
Issue 27
Once Upon a Time... Is Now 27 was published in November 1990 and contains 32 pages. The editor announces they are going to a six-week schedule, rather than monthly publication.
This issue contains many photos of fans with the actors in various venues.
This issue has a change in leadership:
As of this issue, Joyce has stepped down as my co- editor and we have two new people taking over typing, paste-up and layout. Linda Lakin and I have been good friends since God was a baby. We started out in Star Trek Fandom and it quickly developed into a personal friendship as well. She's come through for me more times in more ways than I can ever repay. I met Loreen about a year ago through Linda. Most of you know how it feels to meet someone and have instant chemistry between you. That was the way it was for Loreen and I. We feel we have known each other forever.
This issue has a clipping by Mark Dawidziak from the "Detroit Free Press" (October 18, 1990): "Family Channel wants to see beauty and beast tie the knot." In it, Stephanie A. Wiltse (the article incorrectly uses "Wiltsie") is quoted:
What has the Family Channel nervous is the notion that Vincent impregnated Catherine without the benefit of marriage (we’re talking out-of-wedlock concerns, here, not out-of-species). To remedy this shocking situation, the cable service is considering the addition of a marriage scene.
"They say they have enough footage to piece together a wedding scene, or at least intimate that they are wed,” said Stephanie A. Wiltsie, who publishes the “Beauty and the Beast” newsletter Pipeline in Albany, N.Y. “The alternative is to completely edit out the story of the child born out of wedlock.” Wiltsie isn't sure the second option can be executed without “completely gutting” the third-season episodes, many dealing with Vincent's search for his child.
“The objection is that the child is illegitimate,” said Earl Weirich, the Family Channel’s director of public affairs. “Our viewers count on us for good, wholesome shows — family entertainment. We don't want to be censors, but we have an obligation to our viewers.
“It is our view that a marriage would give the relationship between Vincent and Catherine further dignity. Every network exercises the right to edit for content. We've edited about two minutes from each episode for time, language or violence."
Wiltsie realizes all television executives edit for content, but wonders why the Family Channel purchased “Beauty and the Beast" if there are problems with such a major plot.
“I assume they knew what they were buying," she said. “These plots weren't exactly kept secret. And, remember, things were pretty well sanitized by CBS before they hit the air. We're getting to the point where the Family Channel is having trouble with the basic relationship between Catherine and Vincent, which is what the whole show is about."
Issue 27: Excerpts from the Letters
There is also a myth being widely spread by these special interest groups that millions of our hard earned tax dollars are being squandered on obscenity and trash. What these folks fail to mention is that 99.97% of ALL NEA funded work is of a non-controversial nature. That's less than 1 percent on what night be construed as offensive, or to break it down to dollar terns — less than ONE little, red cent.
And don't think that this sort of intolerance can't touch "Beauty and the Beast" as a work of art or as a fandom. Our little friend Rev. Wildmon has already labeled B&B as being perverted and dangerous.[1] I mean, after all... Bestiality! Sex between two unmarried persons (and one not even HUMAN)! Violence and the occult! Shocking! Remove it from the airwaves before it indoctrinates any more unsuspecting citizens into it's cult!
And there have been cases in the fandom too. Threats of boycotts against the publisher of what someone considered "offensive" artwork, threatening letters sent to "adult" 'zine-eds, even abuse and saber-rattling at the editors of non-"adult" fiction for story lines that were found to be too "controversial" for the comfort of some.
Is this how we want our fan fiction and fan art to progress...everyone playing it safe and doling out the same story lines over and over? Do we want to create an atmosphere both in our fandon and in this country that discourages the taking of chances, that would trade creative freedom and risk-taking, the type that actually might take people THINK, for the smothering security of staying rooted to the sate spot we've always known, swathed in cotton batting?
We must protect organizations such as the National Endowment of the Arts and stand up for our First Amendment rights. We must seek to build an atmosphere where ALL creativity is valued, whatever it may be. These injustices and harassments must not be tolerated! Let the marketplace be the final judge! If a work is truly offensive, it will not sell well and it will not be worth repeating in the future. If a work is well received, then chances are, you will see more of it. It's as simple as that. But, as Americans, at least we should have the right to choose for ourselves. Don't let that right be taken away from you.
Congratulations on your TunnelCon Awards! The August issue was great - short on LOC’s but the interview with Victor Lobl was a gem. He confirmed my gut feeling about the third season - a conviction that “there’s something wrong here”. TLBL (ed. Though Lovers Be Lost”), especially, seemed to me to be several different shows linked together simply by physical proximity, without a cohesive theme; and yet despite its flaws it was still powerful and compelling.
[...]
Kathy Cox’s suggested topic of “the Bond” ignited my imagination. It is the perfect challenge, wide open for debate: the episodes proved the bond’s existence to us with almost every show, yet left its true nature as much of a mystery as Vincent’s origins. Obviously, we will have to resolve the discussion with “It’s whatever YOU think it is”, but theorizing about it should be a blast.).
Issue 28
Once Upon a Time... Is Now 28 was published in December 1990.
This issue has a description of the November 25, 1990 Creation Con and Ron Perlman's appearance. It includes a the first part of the transcript of his remarks. The second part is in issue #29.
This issue contains a description of two fans' visit to New York City to see Perlman in the play, "A Few Good Men." It includes a photo of Perlman with two fans.
This issue contains reviews of All Things are Possible... With Love and Promises to Keep #1.
This issue contains a reprint of an article in the Los Angeles Times (September 2, 1990) by Jennifer Toth called "New York's 'Mole People' shun society in Transit Tunnels."
This issue contains a poem by Linda Larkin called "For the Love of Christmas."
Issue 28: Excerpts from the Letters
Sometimes, I can't believe it's been ten months since they cancelled the most wonderful show to ever grace the airwaves. My friends at work have given up on me and one woman actually had the nerve to tell me I had my priorities mixed up. She said that Vincent plays too much a part in my life. I wanted to snap back at her, but something stopped me. Was she right? I wondered. After all, Vincent IS just a television character, the Tunnels don't REALLY exist, all the people on the show ARE played by actors and life, then I accept my insanity gratefully and happily.
But then, maybe all the money I've spent on the play in New York (nine times and counting, guys) is ridiculous. Maybe paying for a hotel room for the Convention in November, when I live right across the bridge is frivolous. Maybe bringing a video camera so I can get every word Ron has to say is a little overreacting NAH!!! I love the man, the show and I'll be damned if I can give it up.
[...]
Making phone calls all over the country to the tune of hundreds of dollars is a sign of psychosis, isn't it? And reading fanzines about the sexual relationship between a human female and some guy who looks a bit like a lion is nuts, right? And writing the stories, which my girlfriend and 1are doing makes me even more suspect, doesn't it? NAH!!! I'll keep reading and writing them until my eyeballs fall out!
Is there going to be a movie? I know Koslow said he was going to pen the screenplay at the end of October, but can we believe him??? I don’t mean to sound skeptical or mistrustful (but how can I not with all that's gone on with OUR show?) but I’m worried about seeing B&B again. Does anyone out there have any further information regarding this? Can someone make it gospel? One last thing—raise your hands if you're sick of hearing any of these phrases:
- 1. Wasn't that show cancelled months ago?
- 2. He’s soooo ugly.
- 3. Get a life!
- 4. Give it a rest, for God’s sake!
- 5. Did you know the show is back on cable?
- 6. Oh, you like that lion guy.
- 7. You’ve got your priorities mixed up. (I’m raising my hand.)
- 8. Did any of you watch (add any t.v. show here) last night?
People, I miss this show more than I miss anything. I wish I could hit the lottery so I could walk into Koslow's office and slap a million dollars on his desk and shout, "Here's the money. Do a movie!"....
Personally, I enjoy consummation stories and find it very satisfying to finally see these two lovers, who have sacrificed and suffered alone for so long, find sexual expression of their love and freedom and release in their discovery of each other. No one more deserves a woman's love than noble Vincent... I'm all for variety and enjoy unrequited tales as well.
Do you find yourself gazing fondly at huge culvert pipes while driving down the freeway? The other day I found myself looking dreamy-eyed at a flatbed truck carrying huge concrete pipes. There were five pipes. I was wondering how far they'd stretch when laid end to end. It sure looked like heaven (home) to me! I bet I'm not the first to ponder the idea of giving up my present lifestyle and moving into some nice cozy tunnel (though tunnel life, no doubt, is not as glamorous as we'd like to believe).
I'm taping shows from the Family Channel, but I'm sorely disappointed in the way they are cutting scenes (3 separate scenes were cut in the pilot episode alone). I feel cheated and hate the idea that the shows I treasure are incomplete. I wouldn't mind having the Winterfest episode and the episode with Michael going Above and falling in love with Catherine, either. I have a long wait ahead of me and the frustration in knowing parts are being deleted.
In comment about the prospects of a B&B feature film, I'm not holding my breath! I haven't recovered yet from the last emotional roller coaster ride that CBS gave us. As to the plot - Hell, openly I'll tell you that anything is fine. But down deep inside I'll have to go with the plot that Catherine is not dead, that she's in the witness protection program and living in another city. Diana accidentally finds this out and reluctantly tells Vincent. In all sincerity, I really did enjoy the third season. I found it exciting. It certainly took us places we would have never dreamed of! But despite this, I want things back the way they used to be. After reading George R.R. Martin's interview in the November "Starlog," I realize how many restrictions the network put on each B&B story. I'm surprised and especially glad now that we got to see anything at all!
Some writers are doing Diana romance stories, if you look hard enough. More will be published when the writers are sure there is a demand and that they won't be blasted for writing them. I've read a couple of good unpublished stories.
If you were to ask most people, "What has television ever prompted you to do?”, the answers would range from blank stares to, "Open the refrigerator" to "Throw something." In my case, it has prompted me to pick up a writing career discarded for 15 years, work myself into a state of exhaustion I have never known before and have the time of my life.
Since I am writing this letter to "Once Upon a Time...Is Now", it's clear that what has done these things for me is Beauty and the Beast.
Several of you talked about the prospective movie supposedly in the works in Issue #26. I, too, have mixed emotions. Not about what I want to see, but about what I might see. I truly believe there is only one way to make the majority happy (and this includes the general non-Beastie public). There must be a return to the beauty and romance that captivated all of us in the beginning. Catherine must return. I'm speaking only for myself, but a B&B movie without Catherine would just about push me over the edge. One can only endure so much pain and disappointment before the self-preservation instinct sets in and you begin to distance yourself from whatever it is that is causing it. Unless you're the martyr type, and that's not me folks. What I want, what I need to see, is a happy ending. Now I know a lot of you hate that word, "ending," but it isn't half so scary to me as watching B&B disintegrate into something I can no longer love. I like dreams. I like fairy tales. And I like happy endings. If I could just see for myself one great film with Catherine returned to Vincent, their love and happiness assured forevermore, the wrong would be righted and I think I could enjoy that Safe Place that lives in my VCR once more. As it stands, I can't even watch the tapes because the whole thing is too painful to bear. That isn't the kind of dream I'm seeking.
You asked for fanzine writers to put Catherine's death behind them and allow Vincent to acquire happiness with another. I am a writer of B&B stories and the thought of doing a story about Vincent without Catherine sparks not one iota of warmth in my romantic's heart. I fell in love with a dream -- their dream — and I've found that nothing is so sad as a shattered dream. The loss of Catherine affected me profoundly, deeper than I would even like to admit. No, I can't write what I don't believe in and I don't believe in Vincent ever being happy without Catherine. Nor am I interested in reading stories [about] Vincent with another love). The only way I can enjoy B&B at all is to believe that Catherine is alive and will eventually be returned to Vincent's waiting, ever-faithful arms. If that is "clinging beautifully to the past," so be it. Compared to what happened, the past looks pretty good to me.
Hi, everyone! Stop the snickering - I know I haven’t done an LOC for quite some time. LOVED THAT ARTWORK IN ISSUE #26, Jeanne and Joyce! And those photos with Jay..*drool* I agree with Elizabeth Helm - we need more appearances by the Lobl/Acovone comedy team. The only problem with that request is the possible damage to Victor's reputation as a dramatic director. But hey, they sure are cute together! It was great meeting so many terrific people as TUNNEL CON - can’t wait for SOUTH OF OZ — I hope to meet all of them again, as well as ALL the ones that couldn't attend in July. Well, better skedaddle and send this by way of a Helper...alias my mail person. Take care and share the light.
References
- ^ Throughout the late 1970s, Reverend Wildmon, a conservative Christian, actively protested television series that he thought promoted immoral lifestyles. Beauty and the Beast fans would be specifically affected by Wildmon's crusade as he was also involved in Beauty and the Beast and The Family Channel Controversies.