If ever a novel cried out for graphic novel treatment, it’s Head Games, the magnificent pulp caper novel by mi amigo Craig McDonald. And it’s a-comin’ children; it’s a-comin’!
Entertainment Weekly revealed the cover image for the 2017 release today, and here’s what they had to say:
“From Craig McDonald, who’s an award-winning thriller author, this is a hardboiled kind of [story]. It has a bit of a Chandler vibe, but it’s in the Southwest, and you find yourself on the set of Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil, and you meet Orson Welles and Marlene Dietrich and Ernest Hemingway, and there’s like this Skull and Bones society, and an early Bush dynasty character, and there’s a missing head. It is kind of a caper but with this Philip Marlowe vibe to it. … And Kevin Singles does remarkable work on the artwork as well. … It’s in two colors, black and yellow, and it’s just really, really striking.”
Much to my deep appreciation, the discovery of Head Games was the beginning of beautiful friendship, as they say in the movies. Craig McDonald is a kindred spirit. He wrote a jaw-droppingly wonderful blurb for my book, which makes me smile every time I see it, and he’s gifted us with the Hector Lassiter series, which has brought great pleasure to many of our fellow Frontier Partisans. Here’s what I had to say, back in July of 2014.
Stumbled across “Head Games” by Craig McDonald (2007) and the pages just keep turning themselves. What a hoot. McDonald is in love with the same kind of pulpy goodness that trips my trigger and he put together a wild-and-wooly, lurid trip through 1957 America with a soundtrack by Tom Russell.
Orson Welles, Marlene Dietrich, the ghosts of the Mexican Revolution… What’s not to love?
Dig the caper:
In a dusty cantina on the far side of the Rio Grande, larger-than-life and recently widowed crime writer Hector Lassiter and Bud Fiske, a callow young poet sent by True Magazine to profile Hector, are handed a carpet bag. Inside they find the stolen head of Mexican general Francisco “Pancho” Villa — a long missing relic that may point the way to a fortune in lost treasure or a blood-and-thunder death…
In the dank, hallowed halls of Yale University creep the members of the Skull & Bones, a secret society shrouded in whispers. They are a fraternity whose members include media barons, über executives and politicians, including three generations of men called Bush — and their sanctum sanctorum’s trophy cabinet is purportedly packed with the stolen bones of long-dead luminaries…
In a ‘57 Bel Air, Hector, Bud, and the beautiful Alicia tear through the desert with a trunk full of human heads. Caught in a crazy crossfire, they lead all manner of headhunters on a breakneck chase across Lost America. U.S. intelligence services, murderous frat boys, the soldier of fortune who stole Pancho’s head from its grave, and the specter of a dead Mexican legend all want Villa’s head—though they might settle for Hector’s…
That comment about the Tom Russell “soundtrack”? That’s literal. The book is dedicated to Tom and his former guitar-slinger Andrew Hardin and the book is loaded with easter eggs for TR fans. Hell, Lassiter is working on a script for John Ford for a movie about cockfighting…
McDonald is clearly having a blast just wallowing in his passions: noir; hyper-masculine literature; booze; good music; the old, weird America; Mexico; The Road; dark-eyed beauties. Sure, it’s over the top — that’s part of its charm.
If you have not yet gone down the road with the hard-drinking Hector and Pancho’s skull, get on it. I’m looking forward to the graphic treatment. And if Santa don’t bring Lassiter’s latest — Three Chords and the Truth — I’m heading up to the North Pole with a shotgun…
Paul McNamee says
I think I’ve just decided on my next Audible listen…
Thom Eley says
Three Chords and the Truth = Great read! I couldn’t put it down. I need to go back to Head Games and re-read it. I did figure out the Donna was bad from her appearance. However, there was never a connection made about the blue bird tattoo that Donna and Frank had. Or I missed it some how.
Craig McDonald says
Thanks for the very nice words on this, Jim. Deeply appreciate it.–Craig
JimC says
The Frontier Partisans crowd wants the prequel!
Wayne says
I’m a quarter into Three Chords & the Truth and loving every page. Does this mean McDonald is now free to write the “prequel” about Hec’s youth in Pershing’s expeditionary force? Geez, I hope so!
JimC says
Yes!
Craig McDonald says
JC: As you know, I’m trying, but as you also know, the big hurdle here is the Pershing Expedition was relatively short and relatively uneventful, with just a couple of loud (and bloody) exceptions. I interviewed two of these guys from my hometown who were with Pershing (and named in Head Games). They were very much on The Hunt, and they basically painted a portrait of boredom and misery, with lots of B/W photos to support all that. So I figure you’ve got to “bookend” The Hunt. I usually put down a first draft inside of 90 days. This is dragging on well beyond that with no close end in sight. Guess we’ll see…
JimC says
Yeah, the Punitive Expedition was boring and miserable, and it’s difficult to write boring misery without being boring and miserable. Believe me, we’re all grateful for what you’ve given us.
john roberts says
This brings to mind ” Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia.” Same surreal Border vibe. If only Warren Oates could have lived long enough to star in this one. Who is today’s Warren Oates? Tom Hardy?
JimC says
Tom Hardy’s got some of that, but Warren Oates was something else. Kim Morgan of Sunset Gun wrote a beautiful appreciation of Warren Oates here.
“Let’s begin with the face. The face of Warrren Oates — a face like no other. Grizzled, furrow-browed, full-lipped, toothy, sensual, goofy; laser-eyed and softly observing. Empathetic, angry, insane, proud, humble, stupid, intelligent; sexy, uniquely handsome and sometimes ugly, but ugly in a way that made him more beautiful. A face with history and innocence; future and failure. A face with dreams but a face that knows dreams are often just that — ridiculous bullshit. A face that’s honest at once, mysterious the next. There’s so much written on that face, a face that he himself so lyrically called like “two miles of country road,” that you’re never going to get to the end of it and that’s the way it should be. He’s not spilling his guts out for you, not because he’s being macho or withholding or too proud to reveal himself; he reveals himself plenty.”
Wayne says
What a superb description of Warren Oates. I think one of his best roles was as the boasting, insecure, hot shot in Two Lane Blacktop. Then again, every part he played was one of his best roles.
JimC says
Yeah, that’s great piece. Ms. Morgan has a real appreciation for men of a certain breed. And I have a real appreciation for women who have a real appreciation for men of a certain breed.
Saddle Tramp says
Warren Oates also teamed up with Monte Hellman in COCKFIGHTER where he spoke not a word. His face did all of the acting. Kim Morgan as a contributor to Criterion also elevates her opinion in my opinion.
Another example: THRONE OF BLOOD ( 1957 ) which I saw last night playing deservedly on the Big Screen in the Toshiro Mufune series of films playing at the Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre.
Mifune need doing nothing but sit on the floor to convey such a powerful presence and visage.
THRONE OF BLOOD is Kurosawa’s Japanese version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Both ghostly and ghastly. Macabre and powerful. Everything speaks. Even Isuzu Yamada’s gown as it drags along the wooden floors. Everything also enveloped in the fog of war and
intrigue. Mifune’s face always ready to erupt.
Faces tell the stories indeed! Head Games you might say…
JimC says
True men have PRESENCE.
Matthew says
Mifune’s basically the John Wayne of Japan. Throne of Blood is haunting but he’s good in everything. His character in Yojimbo and Sanjuro was the basis of Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name.
Saddle Tramp says
Not to to be remiss:
For those so inclined. Plenty of skulls in THRONE OF BLOOD as well all placed to great affect. The atmosphere draws you in and holds you in it’s grip within it’s own world. Only the Big Screen can deliver it to it’s intended viewing.
Craig McDonald says
Oddly enough, I’m currently reading Tom Russell’s fantastic collection of essays, CEREMONIES OF THE HORSEMEN, and there’s a big Warren Oates and Monte Hellman vein running through this thing, including some quotes from Warren on Warren:
“Heavies are closer to life than leading men. The heavy is everyman — everyman when he faces a tough moment in life. It’s the heavy that has to do with the meat of life.”
And,
“I have a face like two miles of country road you’re never gonna get to the end of…”
JimC says
Absolutely perfect. It’s the heavy that has to do with the meat of life.
Matthew says
You know there aren’t many actors like this nowadays. It used to be you had someone with a face like a potato like Humphrey Bogart could be a major star. Now every leading male is pretty. It’s not that they are all bad. It’s just that they are all suppose to look a certain way.
JimC says
That’s the problem I have with Ryan Phillipe as Bob Lee Swagger in “Shooter” (which I may start watching tonight). Too damn pretty. Even the handsome stars of the Golden Age were ruggedly handsome. Well, Paul Newman was kinda pretty, but he had that mischievous edge to him. Jeez, I’m getting to be a curmudgeon. Back in MY day….
Matthew says
I know what you mean.
That said. I had a similar conversation on another site and I ended up thinking of only one movie star of the old years who was really boy band pretty.
Audie Murphy
But he got away with it since he killed 200 plus Germans.
JimC says
Boy Band Pretty. Funny. And true. He’d weathered some by the time he starred in my childhood obsession “Forty Guns Through Apache Pass.”
Saddle Tramp says
As far as faces go…
Harry Dean Stanton also comes to mind who was also a staple of Monte Hellman.
Speaking of Bogie I saw a double feature last week in Pasadena:
THE BIG SLEEP ( 70th anniversary ) folowed by HIGH SIERRA ( 75th anniversary ). Back to back Bogie.
Both miles apart in both location and Bogart’s appearance. Both still deliver. Another pair to be enjoyed best on the Big Screen. Yes, I have been on a strong film binge lately. Get em’ while you can. Bear with me. Mugs with character. Lived in. Something to say…
JimC says
High Sierra is under appreciated. Always liked that movie.
Matthew says
I saw High Sierra years ago when on vacation with my parents. I think we just picked up because Humphrey Bogart. It is a great film.
Leigh Brackett was the original scriptwriter for The Big Sleep. Since Bogart was her favorite actor she was overjoyed to meet him. Then she had to explain the that the lines in the script which Bogart had a problem with were written by that Faulkner guy.
JimC says
Keith West is blogging on Brackett at Adventures Fantastic.
Matthew says
Thank you for showing me that. It’s been awhile since I’d been to Adventures Fantastic.
Saddle Tramp says
And Ida Lupino delivered it for me…
The bad girl with a heart of gold.
Her story a fascinating one in it’s own right.
It’s all Craig McDonald’s fault as his subject material struck a gusher in me. Film Noir and pulp fiction still resonates with me.
I will sign off now…
Craig McDonald says
Been racking my brain trying to think of a male actor who is viable as a cinematic (not TV) leading man, not boy band pretty, and who still can put asses in theater seats. Closest I can come is the guy who so subverted expectations as James Bond, Daniel Craig.
JimC says
Yes, Daniel Craig qualifies. I submit as Exhibit A the fact that my co-worker who is infatuated with the Golden Age actors thinks Craig is the bomb.
Wayne says
As I wrote on an earlier subject, It’s my opinion that only Craig and Sean Connery looked convincing as killers in the Bond movies. I’d add Spencer Tracy and Steve McQueen to the list of box office stars who were compelling actors who could also pass as regular guys. Modern versions? Gary Sinise? Jeremy Renner? Tom Hanks?
john roberts says
DiCaprio started out pretty, but he grew out of it. Watching “The Revenant” you’d never guess it was the same guy from “Titanic” and “Romeo and Juliet.”
JimC says
True. Started with The Departed.
Matthew says
If you told my 14 year old that DiCaprio would actually grow into the guy from the Revenant, I would have laughed.
JimC says
Right?
john roberts says
And then “Blood Diamond,”which had a frontier partisan vibe, like most of the bizarre stuff out of Africa these days.
JimC says
Which was a good movie.
Saddle Tramp says
Sean Connery could indeed handle himself…
As the story goes ( and I believe it to be credible ) Johnny Stomp ( Stompanato ) pulled a gun on connery and Connery twisted his wrist dropping the gun and them decked him. That also leads one down the alleys of Film Noir par exellence. Tom Russell wrote a rousing song about Johnny and Lana…
Some tough guys ain’t always so tough!
JimC says
Lana Turner’s daughter killed Johnny Stomanato
Whoa oh oh oh
Cause Johnny beat up Lana down on 5th and Alvarado
Whoa oh oh oh
Saddle Tramp says
On another note…
Went to the LOS ANGELES POLICE MUSEUM some years ago and letters wriiten by Mickey Cohen from prison. Eloquent and touching. Who would know?
Throughout the majority of my working career these elements were never far away. No involvement in criminal activity but surrounded by the element.
An example: We were taken out to eat at the place in Detroit where Hoffa was last seen. This was during the time the Teamsters were on strike against us. As management I was preserving their jobs while negotiations went forward. It was a cutthroat business and competition would have moved in. Both plant personnel and drivers were all Teamsters. We hired KNUCKLES, INC. to guard the plant. A handful of these guys had held back 1,200 angry striking UAW workers not long before this. I was glad they were on our side. However, if you went out on a route you were on your own. It was a union town. We took over an entire Hotel and the bar bill exceeded $25,000 / wk. and wevended up having to send a two fisted drinking Texan back home for excesses. I was from Kansas City at the time. Sorry to say in this case the Teamsters finally had to eat crow. I respect the working man and always did my best for them as I could. I always identified with even the lowest on the totem pole. Hell, my brother is a long time Teamster. I was management and my responsibilities were thus. Stories always surrounded our industry going way back to the early days in Chicago where it was said the mob would come into the plant at night and tell the guys to take a long break. Hell it was even rumored that Hoffa went out in this manner. Upton Sinclair even said that he put one of our founders to an early death when be wrote THE JUNGLE. Eventually the Feds put a cease and desist on the owner in the 1940’s for it being a monopoly. He owned Packing Houses, Stockyards and the Rendering therefore essentially controlling the industry. He kept the Stockyards, Banks and Rendering ( the real money maker ) and sold off the Packing plants. He got his start in Chicago selling beef to the Union Army in the Civil War. The Rendering Industry is a tough one. That said we were the Ivy League of the industry and largest in the world. I’ve seen em’ all come in go in a 30 year career of it prior to hitting the open road until now. Lots of tales to tell (all true) as a cast of characters from every walk came through it and alot with a past. Sometimes I found out by surprise. I had justvtransferred to Milwaukee to take over the operation. During a new project I was given a guy from maintenance ( Maurice ) to help him set up a equipment maintenance schedule. A very big man. This became even more apparent when I gave him a lift to the bus stop. His knees were way above the dash board as he scrunced in. He had told me he had been to school and had a degree in marketing at Waupun. A nice guy. Later I mentioned this to one of my supervisors and they laughed. Waupun was the state pen. Hell, I was new to Wisconsin. He had been in forbmanslaughter having killed a guy with his bare hands in a gambling dispute. Another plant worker had been shot in the ass by has wife in the plantbparking lot. Just another day. am not into a tell all presentation trust me. I just happened to have an eye and ear for this stuff and this industry ( mostly urban at the time ) was surrounded by the underbelly of society. A tough business with all the types that came with it… Trying to keep it all going while keeping your back close to the wall could be quite challenging atvtimes. This was not an attractive business. You did not talk about it at the country club dinners innpolite company. When I transferred to Texas it was mostly guys on probation who were mostly harmless. Keeping up with their P.O. appointments always an irritation. I can laugh about it now. Lots more about guns and knives but I have taken up enough time and space…
JimC says
That’s great stuff ST. You most definitely do have an eye and an ear…
Saddle Tramp says
Sorry Jim…
Rife with grammatical errors and such. Doing it on the phone. Hard to see it all until you hit “Post” and you never seem to see it until after it is too late. Some day perhaps like Dostovesky, I could get a talented and dedicated amanuensis that is if I ever want to be on the printed page these fast and furious days…
I better hurry!
john roberts says
I remember when Stompanato was killed. I was just shy of 11 and wasn’t paying much attention to such things but I remember the grownups in my California family talking about it. The consensus was, that skinny little girl never shanked a bit thug like Johnny. Everybody assumed that Lana did it and the kid took the fall because she was a minor and wouldn’t do any time. The judgment was justifiable homicide anyway. Stompanato had absolutely zero sympathy from anybody. Johnny’s own family believed that Lana did it, and that she stabbed him in his sleep. That may have been mob family macho, unwilling to believe their boy had been killed by a child. Actually, if you see the pics of Cheryl Crane (the daughter) walking to court with Lana, the girl is actually taller than Lana herself, so she may have been able to do it. Whatever, it was one of the great examples of Hollywood noir.
JimC says
My knowledge on this isn’t deep, but I think Crane did kill him. Lana testified that she thought her daughter punched Stomp in the stomach.
“I was walking toward the bedroom door and he was right behind me, and I opened it and my daughter came in. I swear it was so fast, I … I truthfully thought she had hit him in the stomach. The best I can remember, they came together and they parted. I still never saw a blade.”
That sounds real. If he wasn’t looking for the knife she very easily could have stuck him. As you know, JMR, knives are nasty business.
Craig McDonald says
Boy, this has all veered deeply into James Ellroy territory. Saddle Tramp has definitely got Ellroyean tales to tell and I’d buy that book enthusiastically. I read Cheryl Crane’s memoir many years back, and I’ve talked about the stabbing with Ellroy who knows Crane and even built a piece around her in a limited TV series on True Crime he did a few years back. I think the consensus within and without the circle now is that Stomp did more or less impale (shank) himself on her knife. That said, Lana was certainly using all her Hollywood chops on the stand, that was clear, and probably backfired for the kid.
JimC says
Yeah — he walked onto the knife, I think. Those interested should run down Craig’s interview with Ellroy in Rogue Males. I’m not saying this because Craig is a friend, but because it’s true — he’s a top-notch interviewer. He does his homework and cuts close to the bone. This is serious work, not magazine interview fluff and you get a lot of insight into the writing craft, the writing life and the interior worlds of some crime fiction stalwarts. It’s obvious that the interview subjects responded to an interviewer who really knows and cares about the subject.
Saddle Tramp says
Jim…
Your imprimatur alone enough for me.
Will most definitely ” run it down “!!
Saddle Tramp says
Just ordered the last hard cover copy from Amazon.
Always eager to see what makes them tick…
Biographies and interviews always a favorite even though you might be stepping on some feet of clay in the process…
JimC says
Yes!
john roberts says
Just ordered Rogue Males. I’ve never met Ellroy but I’ve read all his books and short stories. Fun fact: I may have attended the same showing of “The Vikings” in L.A. where Ellroy was with his father the weekend his mother was murdered. I once spent a long, boozy evening talking with James Crumley in an Austin bar. I wish I could remember more of it. His border tales are second to none.
JimC says
Crumley deserves a post. Yes, he does. I envy you that evening, whether you can remember it or not.
Paul McNamee says
I started the audiobook of HEAD GAMES this morning’s commute. Loving it already.
JimC says
Enjoy the wild ride!