Bruce Walter Gardner Lively Stacy Elliott, known as Bruce Elliott, (1914-1973) was a prolific writer of crime-fiction and sci-fi in the pulps. He also worked as a television screenwriter and practiced stage magic. He wrote 15 novels for The Shadow Magazine between 1946 and 1948 and helped edit and publish a number of men's magazines like Rogue and The Gent.
Back in August of 2023 I read and reviewed Elliott's fabulous short “Do You Know Me?”, originally published in the February 1953 issue of Thrilling Detective. I enjoyed the story so much that I contacted Greg Shepard at Stark House Press and informed him that he should read the story as well. Thankfully, two years later, Greg, and the great Stark House Press folks, have published a short story compilation by Elliott containing 10 of his best works culled from the detective and science-fiction pulps and magazines. The story I recommended to Greg, “Do You Know Me?” was used as the title story and the artwork from the original publication adorns the front cover. Wonders never cease.
After reading the book in its entirety, including the excellent introduction by Nicholas Litchfield, here are the capsule reviews for each story:
“Do You Know Me” (Thrilling Detective, Feb. 1953) - The author introduces “the man nobody knew” as a resident of a West 47th Street apartment just east of Broadway. The room in which the man awakens has door frames and windows stuffed with newspapers. Beside the bed, written in lipstick, an ominous message is scrawled: “Since you can't catch me, and since I don't want to kill again, I'm going to kill myself.” This man, who I refer to simply as “the killer” stalks the city and savagely cuts off his victims' faces while maniacally asking “do you know me, do you recognize me, and where do you know me from?” Through the course of Elliott's compelling, awe-inspiring story, more characters are introduced, each with their own backstory. All of these characters entwine in a disturbing series of events that mirrors an active-shooter situation today. In this story, the killer begins randomly murdering people in nightmarish fashion in the middle of Times Square. Elliott's provides some riveting stuff involving sexuality, social unrest, and mental illness. This is a must-read.
“Vengeance is Not Enough” (Stories Annual v1, 1955) – The story begins with a man named Henry Timms sweating from shock therapy at the hands of a psychiatrist. As the doctor prods, Henry recalls the events that led him to the doctor – the horrific murder of his young son in a hit-and-run. But, just as the past events unveil before the reader a gun shot sounds and the doctor is killed. The story then follows Henry trying to find answers on what happened and who is responsible. It's an effective “innocent man on the run” story with a distinct flavor that only Elliott could provide - ethereal, violent, and wholly unique.
“The Darkened Room” (Popular Detective, May 1953) – Matching the title's dimness, Elliott's bleak writing elevates this story as a real highlight of the collection. A criminal named Garrow and his partner Madigan have stolen gems from a celebrity and hocked them. At a hotel in New York, Garrow pays a visit to Madigan and selfishly strangles him to death to be sure all the money is his. Then the narrative is a rollercoaster as Garrow runs from the cops by seeking shelter in a dark flophouse. But, like all good heists, the criminal never gets away with the cabbage. This one has a fitting ending that serves as a type of cautionary tale – crime doesn't pay.
“Carnage in Colossa” (Sea Stories, Nov. 1953) – Tommy Winters is an American crewman on a shipping trawler. At an extended stop on a small Pacific island, Tommy strikes up an intense affair with a married islander named Acquila. One night he awakens from a drunken beating to discover his passport, money, and ship has left him behind. Penniless and homeless, Tommy agrees to work for Acquila's husband, a fat seedy merchant and restaurant owner named Madigan. If Tommy can do all the dirty work around the place for a week – mopping up piss and puke – then he'll earn enough money to get a transport to the nearest U.S. Embassy. After one week of working for Madigan by day, and sleeping with his wife by night, Tommy is hopeful he can get away. But, there's a surprise awaiting Tommy and the reader. “Carnage in Colossa” was an exceptional tale laced with grime and shady characters. It's a cautionary tale that has a fitting and enjoyable ending, but left me guessing where Elliott was going to dump these despicable people.
“Death Lives in Brooklyn” (Thrilling Detective, Apr. 1953) - Farnell is an attorney that lost everything. He now spends his time on 47th street in Broadway playing nickel and dime ball. A mob henchman is roughing up a couple of people when Farnell hears their victim whisper to him to check the bathroom. That same victim warns Farnell to avoid the police because “they are iced”. In the john, Farnell finds a signed document sealed in an envelope. He has the foresight to take a photo of the document using one of the arcade camera vending machines (that was a thing back then). Farnell then goes on the run from the Syndicate and their killers who want this mysterious document. He's eventually caught and ordered for execution in a run down section of Brooklyn. Like any good crime-noir, the innocent man-on-the-run is being chased by cops and crooks. This was such a great story and is really ahead of its time. Today, taking photos of documents with our phones is an everyday thing. Back then it was unheard of outside of espionage.
“The Devil Was Sick” (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science-Fiction, Apr. 1951) – This is the first sci-fi story to appear in the compilation. In this futuristic story, a man named Acleptos is attempting to consult the internet (this is 1951 and the internet is a fantasy creation called The Machine) on the notion of devils and demons. He's trying to conjure a real demon using an ancient method of reading scripture by candlelight. When he successfully invites a demon he begins making the obligatory wishes. The demon, bored with the same requests of sex and money, is surprised when Acleptos asks for something different. This is an abstract story with an emphasis on mental health, demon possession, and divine intervention. It is up for debate on what the story is really about, but my takeaway was based on Biblical scripture and the idea of initial expelling of “sick” angels - fueled by jealousy and greed – from Heaven.
“The Last Magician” (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science-Fiction, Jan. 1953) – This is another futuristic story where magicians are few and far between now. Everyone has access to everything due to technology. But, there's one rare magician named Duneen that does a type of vaudeville magic show for the people. Duneen has a Martian girl as his assistant and he abuses her. But, the girl still loves him. When the narrator, telling the story in first-person, is offered a chance to assist in a Houdini-styled escape trick, he picks a type of advanced vacuum tube for Duneed to escape from. Only, the narrator has a trick of his own. This was my least favorite story of the bunch. It isn't terrible, but left me wanting a little more.
“Wolves Don't Cry” (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science-Fiction, Apr. 1954) – Have you seen the 1987 comedic film Walk Like a Man, starring TV celebrity and talent show host Howie Mandel? I can't help but think someone involved in that film read this short story. It's about a wolf that is captured and placed in a zoo, but during a transformation overnight he awakens as a man. The zoo is confused on how the man got inside the cage and they quickly let him go. Unfortunately, for this wolf, he is trained over weeks to become a rehabilitated civilized human. Elliott's story is poignant and speaks about a naturalist approach to living – as bizarre as it is. It's a quick fun read that offers a different style and feel from the author.
“So Sweet as Magic” (Fantasy Fiction, Aug 1953) – With Elliott's experience as a practicing magician, he delves into this hilarious industry with this humorous fantasy tale. A magician named Bardoni is a fairly successful stage magician that has cut his teeth working his way through card tricks, vaudeville, and the 'ole tablesaw bit. But, he's become complacent with his show and realizes the rabbit doesn't come easy any longer. After a performance, Bardoni is invited to speak with a mysterious magician named Count St. Germain, who may in fact be the real Frenchman that lived in the 1700s. After a night of drinking with the Count, Baroni awakens with a magical ring on his hand and a message that states if Baroni takes the ring off he will die. But, that isn't the only thing that's changed overnight. Bardoni finds that the entire world has changed overnight. This new world contains real magic, and, with magicians doing things like levitating and reporting to actual wizards, Bardoni must hunt down the Count to figure out what is happening. This is a crazy story filled with funny moments about magic, magicians, the art of the industry, and the political nature of this new society. I consider it fantasy or dark fantasy and the story was unusual but highly enjoyable.
“The Man Next Door” (Amazing Stories, Dec 1953/Jan 1954) - This is another one of Elliott's science-fiction stories. Like the story before it, this also has some humor, this time poking fun at pulp writers and their struggles to create stories featuring many of the same elements that have been done to death. Barlay is a writer that is suffering from writer's block. In the basement, his son is building an actual time machine while Barlay's wife is having an affair with the neighbor. I can't help but think Elliott is suggesting writers miss life happening around them due to the time spent behind the keyboard. But, in a wild turn of events, a meeting of the minds in a future boardroom directly connects to Barlay's son and his creation. This was a really fun time-travel adventure set within the confines of a struggling creator. It's also a clever tongue-in-cheek dig at the publishing industry.
As you can see, Elliott dabbled in a little bit of everything – but he was seemingly good at everything. Whether it is serial killers, shady criminals, bumbling magicians, time-travel, or everyday people experiencing extraordinary events, Elliott's writing is both flexible and superb. This collection is a real testament to his writing. Highly recommended. Get it HERE.
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