Cheer digest came out of Canada during World War Two, or claimed to...distributed by F. Howard Publications. Every ad page within is for Larch Publications, in the United States. Was the Canadian link a way to get around paper restrictions? They do suggest on the frontispiece to share the book with a soldier after reading it. Further adding to the wartime feel is a photo of Betty Grable and one of Daun Kennedy in ENORMOUS Canadian grandma undies. (Daun being the Canadian Betty Grable)
At least we now know how Wesley spent the war...selling his doodles to a girlie gag publication. Makes sense. A normal progression from Eight-pagers, and a step up, if not in income, at least reputation. Sorta. And yet they are quite risque for the times. I don't think there were too many strip poker gags around then...and check out Bazooka Joe at the nudist colony!
Large also distributed the Movie Gags title shown as part of the series of "Laugh Library" books. Looks like Wesley did some of those covers as well, in particular Laugh Library number 12 with a lovely blond in a skirt doing the "wind up the subway vent" gag. But all, like the cartoons here, were uncredited.
At least we now know how Wesley spent the war...selling his doodles to a girlie gag publication. Makes sense. A normal progression from Eight-pagers, and a step up, if not in income, at least reputation. Sorta. And yet they are quite risque for the times. I don't think there were too many strip poker gags around then...and check out Bazooka Joe at the nudist colony!
Large also distributed the Movie Gags title shown as part of the series of "Laugh Library" books. Looks like Wesley did some of those covers as well, in particular Laugh Library number 12 with a lovely blond in a skirt doing the "wind up the subway vent" gag. But all, like the cartoons here, were uncredited.
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Larch put out a bunch of stuff. Western song collections, Tap-dance instructions, How to Box. LIke Padell but a bit earlier. Some of the same titles as well. Crud sold though the mail. I posted one of their ads earlier.
The official Wesley Morse site was created by his son, and is well worth a look!
