The Bradbury Chronicles

by Sam Weller

Spier, William, 139–40, 145, 151

  Sprague de Camp, L., 95, 115

  Stark, Ray, 177, 196

  Stebel, Sid, 173–74, 175, 192, 239, 329

  Stegner, Wallace, 151

  Steiger, Rod, 280

  Steinbeck, John, 98, 121, 129, 131, 156, 158, 176, 317

  Steinbeck, Thomas, 278

  Stevenson, Adlai, 192, 194, 195

  Stine, R. L., 249

  “Strawberry Window, The” (Bradbury), 34

  Sturgeon, Theodore, 38

  Super Science Stories, 104–5

  Suspense (radio program), 139, 145, 151, 237

  Susskind, David, 301

  Switch on the Night (Bradbury), 160, 236

  Tarzan of the Apes (Burroughs), 48

  Taupin, Bernie, 163

  technology, 43, 269

  misuse of, 168, 180, 202, 208

  television, 209, 250–51, 253–55, 278, 299–302

  RB’s appearances on, 282–83, 299–300, 303, 310, 311, 330

  RB’s warnings about, 168, 180, 200, 316

  RB’s work adapted for, 180–81, 259, 301–2

  RB’s writing for, 237–38, 245, 302

  see also specific programs

  Terkel, Studs, 233

  theater:

  RB’s writing for, 269–71

  see also Pandemonium Theatre Company; Wilshire Players

  “There Was an Old Woman” (Bradbury), 119, 120

  “They All Had Grandfathers” (Bradbury), 161

  “Thing at the Top of the Stairs, The” (Bradbury), 31

  Things to Come (film), 277

  “Things to Come” (Wells), 95

  Thomas, J. Parnell, 193, 194

  Thompson, Kay, 139–40

  Three for Today (play series), 270

  Thrilling Wonder Stories, 115, 155

  Timeless Stories of Today and Tomorrow, 176–77

  “Time Machine, The” (Bradbury), 241–42

  “Tombstone, The” (Bradbury), 178, 314

  Tomorrow, 164–65, 169–70

  “Touched with Fire” (Bradbury), 236, 237

  Touponce, William F., 57–58, 134, 203

  Toynbee Convector, The (Bradbury), 2, 31, 131, 295, 298, 314–15

  “Traveler, The” (Bradbury), 178

  Treklis, Carol Moberg, 55, 58–59

  “Truck Driver After Midnight, A” (Bradbury), 87

  Truffaut, François, 273–75

  Truman, Harry, 193

  Tucson, Ariz., 36–37, 60, 63–66, 71, 72, 83, 162, 269

  Twilight Zone, The (TV show), 250–51, 253–55, 261, 264, 265, 284, 287–88

  “Uncle Einar” (Bradbury), 23, 141

  United Nations Radio, 161–62, 177

  Universal Pictures, 190–92, 259

  University of Southern California (USC), 163–64, 315

  Uris, Leon, 235

  “Usher II” (Bradbury), 161, 182, 199, 200

  Veiller, Tony, 218

  “Veldt, The” (Bradbury), 166, 168, 180, 280, 316

  Venice, Calif., 110–11, 148–51, 157–61, 166–69, 314

  Verne, Jules, 3, 264, 317

  Verrill, A. Hyatt, 43

  Vidor, King, 290

  Viertel, Jigee, 211, 217

  Viertel, Peter, 211, 217, 218, 224, 226, 227–28, 235, 244

  Wagner, Robert, 102

  Waldron, Daniel, 41

  “Walking Distance” (TV episode), 254

  Wallace, Mike, 282, 283

  Wandrei, Donald, 101

  Warner Brothers, 189–90, 227, 285

  Waukegan, Ill., 11–16, 18–28, 18–35, 62, 64, 72, 84, 88, 191, 213, 332

  cat burglar in, 42

  cemeteries in, 18, 24, 33, 40, 56

  history of, 14–15, 19

  library in, 47–48, 198

  RB’s returns to, 37–60, 66–69, 98, 141, 293–94

  in RB’s writing, 13–14, 16, 19–20, 26, 33, 34, 68, 81, 112–14, 135, 184, 240, 248, 258

  theaters in, 27, 34, 40, 41–42, 49, 50, 55, 69, 271, 332

  Waukegan News-Sun, 78–79, 83, 326

  “Way in the Middle of the Air” (Bradbury), 54, 181–82

  Weird Tales, 96–97, 110, 116, 118, 119, 120, 135, 139, 144, 147, 153, 165, 258, 314

  Welles, Orson, 151, 227

  Wells, H. G., 3, 88, 95, 229, 240, 277

  Werner, Oskar, 273, 275

  West, 291–92

  “West of October” (Bradbury), 134, 314–15

  “Wheel, The” (Bradbury), 161

  When Elephants Last in the Dooryard Bloomed (Bradbury), 293–94

  “Where Is Everybody?” (TV episode), 253

  White, E. B., 146, 176

  White, Edward, 278

  White, Katharine S., 146

  White Hunter, Black Heart (film), 244–45, 246

  Whitman, Walt, 330, 331

  Whitmore, James, 270, 315

  Who Knocks? (short-story collection), 119, 122, 134, 137

  “Whole Town’s Sleeping, The” (Bradbury), 42

  Widmark, Richard, 139

  Wilcox, Larry, 310–13

  William Morrow, 153–54

  Williams, Rae, 12

  Williamson, Jack, 95, 101, 102, 107

  Wilshire Players, 99–100, 101, 110, 269

  “Wind, The” (Bradbury), 115–16, 134, 141

  Winesburg, Ohio (Anderson), 103, 154, 155

  “Wingless Bat, The” (Bradbury), 30

  Wodehouse, P. G., 54, 81

  Wolf, Bonnie, 81

  Wolfe, Thomas, 54, 91–92

  Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, The (Bradbury play), 213–14

  “Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, The” (Bradbury story), 112, 251

  Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, The (film), 214

  Wooden Shoe Christmas, A (operetta), 64

  Worden, Alfred M., 284

  WorldCon, 93, 95–97, 99, 101, 320

  “World of Giant Ants, The” (Verrill), 43, 95

  World Security Workshop, 143

  World War One, 24, 25, 41, 58, 78, 139

  World War Two, 1, 78, 97, 100, 105–7, 114–18, 124, 145, 193, 202, 207, 209

  Wozniak, Steve, 105

  Wright, Farnsworth, 96–97, 120

  Wyler, William, 218

  Yeats, W. B., 138, 188, 330, 331

  Yerke, T. Bruce, 85, 93

  Yestermorrow. A Graveyard for Lunatics (Bradbury), 315

  Young, John, 276

  Zen in the Art of Writing (Bradbury), 315, 318

  “Zero Hour” (Bradbury), 181

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  MANY PEOPLE assisted me in unraveling the secrets of Ray Bradbury’s magic over the course of writing and researching this biography. First and foremost, the man himself, who, against the magician’s oath, brought me backstage and showed me all the props and blueprints to his grand illusions, and explained the tricks of his literary sleight of hand. His generosity and patience were nothing short of amazing. His willingness to field questions at all hours of the day, to open up his file cabinets, his bureau drawers, his closets—his life—made this book possible. For this, I am eternally grateful. Thank you for this honor, for your friendship, for a lifetime of literature.

  I am equally indebted to Marguerite Bradbury. A fiercely private woman, I was always acutely aware of the privilege I had during our hundreds of hours of conversations. Maggie’s humor, candor, knowledge of books, generosity with wine, and unconditional acceptance of me will never be forgotten.

  I would also like to thank Ray’s four wonderful and gracious daughters, Susan, Ramona, Bettina, and Alexandra, along with their lovely families, who granted interviews unquestioningly and were unfailingly hospitable. Thank you, Tommy and Mallory; Julia, Claire, Georgia, Teddy, and Sam; and Gary, Danny, and Casey-Ray. Thanks also to Morgan Cavett for contributing his own research, lending assistance, and sharing laughs. I would be remiss in not giving a special thanks to Alexandra (“Zee”) for fielding regular requests for letters, files, and photographs. I am so fortunate to have her count
me as a friend. Thanks for the “witchy-poo” spells and magic.

  As fundamentally good and decent people, Ray and Maggie Bradbury attracted and were surrounded by good and decent people. Chief among them were Patrick Kachurka, his charming wife, Cathy, and their two winning boys, Eric and Jonathan. From the beginning of this enormous undertaking, a journey that began four years ago, the Kachurkas opened up their home to me, offered a bed to sleep in, a pool to swim in, home-cooked meals, and, most important, friendship. Ray and Maggie called Patrick “Saint Patrick” for good reason.

  I am also mightily indebted to Ray’s longtime agent, Don Congdon, for granting me numerous interviews and complete access to his agency deposits at the Butler Library at Columbia University, and permission to quote from his voluminous, unpublished 1971 interviews with Ray Bradbury. Forrest J Ackerman, a perfect gentleman, granted numerous interviews, shared photographs, and opened the doors to his world-famous “Ackermansion.”

  I have been fortunate to have a remarkable agent and friend for this book. Judith Ehrlich didn’t just believe in this project from the beginning, she believed in me. Her assistant, literary agent Meredith Phelen, was a constant source of good energy, wit, and wisdom. I would also like to thank Linda Chester for her involvement in the early book proposal stages. Liza Nelligan, who passed away during those early days, offered exquisite advice. Kyra Ryan stepped in and helped wrangle my proposal into shape and stayed with me as a confidante, editor, and friend throughout the writing of the book.

  I have been blessed with a fine publishing house in William Morrow. My editor, Jennifer Brehl, displayed infinite patience. I have never worked with a more skilled, thoughtful, or incisive partner. Katherine Nintzel, Jennifer’s gracious assistant, was perpetually sunny and helpful. Thanks to Jack Womack for his heroic efforts in the publicity department. The beautiful photograph that graces the cover of this book comes courtesy of Ray’s longtime friend photographer Ralph Nelson, and was used to stunning effect by Morrow art director Richard L. Aquan. The book’s striking design is the creation of Judith Stagnitto Abate. I am extremely grateful to copy editor Sonia Greenbaum and production editor Andrea Molitor, both of whom displayed painstaking and sensitive attention to detail while working with this manuscript.

  The most unexpected reward of researching and writing this book were the new friends I made. Craig and Patty Graham were a joy to be with and their advice on this project was always most welcome. Their willingness to help on any level—from going through files, to finding Ray’s childhood residence in Tucson, Arizona—will always be appreciated. Their son Michael was continually a source of Gen-Y savvy opinions. The kindness and insight of Ray’s longtime friend Sid Stebel and his terrific wife, Karen Ford, were much appreciated. Marsha and Gregg LuMetta offered warm friendship and logistical support when I filed my Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Justice. Arnold and Marlene Kunert offered to help on many, many levels, sharing photographs, archival materials, and knowledge. For insights, I am grateful to Anne Hardin, Terry Pace, and Thomas Petitpas. For kindness and generosity, I greatly thank Frank Darabont and Julie Richardson. Wonderful people, all. Thanks also to Erlean Trapp for her thoughtfulness over the course of these last years, and also to Sam Nahabedian, still another superb person in Ray Bradbury’s universe.

  My sincere gratitude goes to those who patiently shared memories and insights about Ray Bradbury. And to those who were influenced by Ray Bradbury himself and offered testimonials, thank you. In the years it took to assemble this narrative mosaic, some of these have included Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Mary Anderson, Frank Black, Leonard “Skip” Jr. and Sonja Bradbury, Leonard “Brad” Spaulding Bradbury III, Michael Chabon, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Norman Corwin, Laraine Day, Tim Delaney, April Derleth, Dennis and Kris Etchison, Dr. H. Regina Ferguson, Stan Freberg, Ace Frehley, Neil Gaiman, John Gay, National Endowment for the Arts chairman Dana Gioia, Vivian Gneuwich, Bob Gorman, Howard Green, Los Angeles mayor James K. Hahn, Ray Harryhausen, Philip Hartigan, Hugh Hefner, John Huff, Edna Hutchinson, Jon Jerde, Stanley Kauffmann, Stephen King, Dan Kolsrud, Nard Kordell, David A. Kyle, Stan Lee, Ursula K. Le Guin, Norman Lloyd, Leonard Maltin, Joe Mantegna, Lydia V. McColloch, Kevin Miller, William F. Nolan, Dr. Mary Beth Norton of Cornell University, Frederik Pohl, Julius Schwartz, Terrence Shank, Marty Sklar, Charles Rome Smith, Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Stanton, Thomas Steinbeck, Bernie Taupin, Studs Terkel, Carol Moberg Treklis, Peter Viertel, Dan Waldron, Jerry Weist, Larry Wilcox, Bonnie Wolf, Steve Wozniak.

  Much work occurred in the dark corridors of libraries and archives across the United States. I am grateful to the countless number of librarians and archivists who gave me invaluable assistance. Ann Darrow and Beverly Millard at the Waukegan Historical Society were tremendously helpful. Thanks also to the many reference librarians at the Los Angeles Central Library, Chicago’s Sulzer Regional Library, the Harold Washington Library, the Chicago Historical Society, the Newberry Library, the New York Public Library, the UCLA Research Library, Tucson-Pima Public Library, the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, the Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and the Jerome Library Center for Archival Collections at Bowling Green State University. I would also like to thank Susan Augustine at the Columbia College Chicago Library, as well as Jo Cates, who truly knows how to run the library of the twenty-first century. Sincere thanks go to Chicago Public Library commissioner Mary Dempsey for her unflinching support over the years.

  For assistance with additional research material, I must thank Michelle Ray of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association; David Motley of the City of Waukegan Office of Public Affairs; Lake County Clerk’s Office; Lake County Medical Examiner’s Office; the U.S. Department of Justice FOIA Division; Richard Kaminsky; Daniel R. Patch Jr. of Peterson & Patch Funeral Home; Alex Eisenstein; James J. J. Wilson and Michael Stein of Outré magazine; Eric Kirsammer; Mike Gentry at NASA; the Venice Historical Society; Genesee Theater; Wayne Munn of the Carnegie Preservation Society; Lt. Walter Holderbaum of the City of North Chicago Police Department; the National Archives Records Administration, Great Lakes Region; Christine Badger; and Laure Ann Treklis-Dansbury.

  I have a tremendous and ongoing debt to those who assisted my research, principally, my friend Mike Dooley of the Chicago Police Department. Mike’s willingness and profound generosity to pound the pavement proved to me that good researching is always rooted in methodical and patient detective work. A nicer man I do not know. Dave MacFarlen, also of the Chicago Police Department, tirelessly led the way with photographs, restoring dozens of pictures, many more than a century old. Norman Schwartz lent his considerable expertise in the field of genealogical research in helping assemble the rather complex Bradbury family story. JB Mulholland, my skilled research assistant, made himself available at all hours of the day and night, scouring libraries, wandering graveyards, staring into blurry microfiche machines; when JB was unavailable, his resourceful girlfriend, Jennifer Krueger, stepped in. Also on the research front, I give profound thanks to Randy Kryn, who kindly shared his collection, and Professor Jonathan R. Eller, of the English Department at Indiana University, who was readily available to answer questions and lend valuable insight into Ray Bradbury’s publishing history. Professor Donn Albright of the Pratt Institute was most kind in verifying facts and pointing me in the right direction in locating hard-to-find documents. Thanks also to Jason Marchi for research advice.

  I am grateful to those authors who have written scholarly books on Ray Bradbury, laying the groundwork for my own research into his life and works. Thanks to Richard Steven Dimeo, Jonathan R. Eller and William F. Touponce, Martin H. Greenberg and Joseph Olander, Wayne L. Johnson, David Mogen, William F. Nolan, and Robin Anne Reid.

  Many professional colleagues have imparted wisdom, offered keen advice, acted as sounding boards. Among my friends in the worlds of journalism and publishing, I am grateful to the Chicago Tribune’s Elizabe
th Taylor, who gave me the assignment to write a Ray Bradbury cover story. In the subsequent months and years to follow, Liz shared her own insights of writing the biography of Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley. I am beholden to Rick Kogan, who offered valuable structural and narrative suggestions and lit the path that is William Morrow way. To my former colleagues at Publishers Weekly, notably Nora Rawlinson, Daisy Maryles, John F. Baker, John Mutter, Kevin Howell, Calvin Reid, Bridget Kinsella, and, of course, Matt Hurley—I thank you for the privileged opportunity. And to the many Midwest publishers, distributors, and booksellers I worked with in my years with PW, thank you. I would also like to acknowledge my former teams at Newcity and Gravity magazines.

  A good many colleagues at Columbia College Chicago made themselves readily available to help in myriad ways. Dr. Randall Albers, chair of the Fiction Department, has been a reliable friend and mentor for a good many years. His creative suggestions were numerous and invaluable. Professors Don DeGrazia, Eric May, Joe Meno, Phyllis Eisenstein, and Patricia Ann McNair—peers par excellence—lent advice during different stages of creation. Professors Emeriti John Schultz and Betty Shiflett set the stage for this book with their innovative approach to the teaching of writing. Garnett Kilberg-Cohen, chair of the English Department, has been unwavering in her support. I thank her for the thrill of allowing me to teach a class on the life and works of Ray Bradbury.

  I would like to acknowledge my mentors, the teachers who ignited my love of research and writing: at Elgin Academy, Peter Barra; during my undergraduate and MFA days at Columbia College Chicago, Professor Ann Hemenway; and Professor Paul Max Rubenstein, in the Columbia College Chicago Film Department, set me on my path. These fine instructors abided by Ray Bradbury’s first rule of teaching—to inspire.

  I’d like to thank my friends: Sam Jemielity, who has been a true pal, a savvy editor, smart writer, and an invaluable sounding board; Frank Sennett, my editorial Obi Wan Kenobi; Barry Brecheisen, a magnificent photographer, who offered photos from his own archives, and flew to Los Angeles to take more; Jerry Vasilatos, who helped me locate elusive Hollywood luminaries; Keir Graff, who listened patiently to my anguish and shared thoughtful advice during the early proposal stages. Christina Vasilatos lent her legal expertise, and Shane Graff gave photographic assistance early on. John and Mary Fournier, Steve Edwards and Andrea DeFotis, Monty and Diane Colvin, Alex Ross, Brian Vaughan, and Norman Alexandroff have been constant and reliable friends, always lending me an ear when I needed it. I would also be remiss in not thanking all my friends at Southwest Airlines.