Title: Spill the Jackpot
Author: A.A. Fair (Erle Stanley Gardner)
Cover artist: George A. Frederiksen
Yours for: $21
- When slot machines get drunk (Xs for eyes, dead giveaway), they barf blood and skulls. True fact.
- This is a fantastic example of the bright, vivid, more abstract covers that Dell tended to feature in its early years. You don't really get the saucy, realistic, Great Girl Art covers until about 1948.
Best things about this back cover:
- Wow, no wonder people gamble. You can practically feel the monotony coming off the page.
- Is Hotel Sal Sagev a real place? 'Cause that's some painfully unimaginative naming. Diputs!
- "Boulder? Sure ... just go down Fremont here past Eighth and then it's just another 775 miles. You can't miss it."
Page 123~
Abruptly he turned and smiled at Bertha. "So sorry, Mrs. Cool, I interfered with you so early in the morning. Try and overlook it. If you people can learn to accept these interruptions philosophically, it's going to be a lot easier on you."
If you are a chronic interrupter, I suggest you memorize that last line. The key to being a dick effectively is: you must go all in.
~RP
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]
6 comments:
You know, I think I read this book, though - thank God - with a different cover.
Since Boulder, Colorado should be in roughly the same direction as Salt Lake City, I'm guessing that the Boulder here has something to do with Boulder Dam. Most likely Boulder City, which would be in roughly that direction, if the top of the book is north.
And there really was a Hotel Sal Sagev (now I understand your "Diputs" comment). Today it's the Golden Gate.
I wonder if Miles Davis read this book and was inspired by Bertha 'the' Cool?
Not only was the Hotel Sal Sagev a real place, but here is a picture of it! http://www.lasvegasmikey.com/fremont/slides/1934%20Sal%20Sagev%20Hotel.html
DemetriosX is right. THe Boulder referenced here is Boulder City, which is about 20 miles southeast of Vegas.
I'm totally freaked out by the Dell logo!
Post a Comment