These strips are generously provided by Mark Burstein, who was a personal friend of Gus and Frances Arriola. Mark is a literary person in his own right, with numerous books to his proofreading credit and is the recognized expert on the published works of ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND and THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE We are grateful to Mark for his friendship to the Arriolas and to this website.
The image below is interesting in that it is the only example of this letterhead
Gus Arriola, autograph letter signed on his letterhead to Hollywood screenwriter and producer Jamison Brewer discussing the development of a TV show based on Arriola’s comic strip Gordo that can be acceptable to “network people,” August 5, (1974), 1 page, 7 ¼ by 10 ½ inches, in very good condition. Arriola suggests that Brewer read his batch of ’73 comics chronologically to understand the direction he wants the TV show to go. With the handwritten letter is the original envelope in which the letter was mailed which is postmarked August 5, 1974. As it turns out, Arriola and Brewer were unable to sell a proposal to the TV network people.
This USPS receipt is signed by Gus Arriola and also reveals interesting facts about his hometown of Carmel by the Seal, aka Carmel. In Carmel, there is no home delivery – every resident has a post office box. Available on eBay for $6 plus $4 shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/233357525920?ul_noapp=true
IN 1996, A FAN WROTE TO THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, asking for an update on all the GORDO characters. This is Gus’ response:
GORDO & CO.
Editor — Anent the earnest request by James T. Hilton of Yountville (Letters, October 30), Gordo Lopez currently sways, dreamily, in his hammock in balmy Juchitan, Tehuantepec, stopping to smell the roses when Tehuana Mama brings them to him.
Sr. Dog, Poosy Gato, Owl and the others continue to bore the local critters with endless tales of their years in the Newspaper Funnies-Biz.
Pepito is far out, developing an ultra-deluxe resort complex for the Widow Gonzalez’ Cosmic Corp. on a promising, temperate, low-gravity, all-beach, all-golf, little planet somewhere beyond Antares.
Shocking Pedro and his ballistic rock group, “Leading Economic Indicators,” are in rehab at Betty Ford’s.
Trini, the witch doctor, is an analyst for PaineWebber in New York and Cancun. Leetle Jorge the Doctor is with Pepito, designing golf courses.
Mary Frances Sevier is co-authoring her autobiography with Gore Vidal and advising Bill and Hillary. Ashmead is in a posh Smahty-Old-Butlah’s Home in London, moonlighting as voice and dialect coach for British actors cast in Texan roles.
So, thanks for the caring thought, James. But impossible to get them all together for a calendar gig! However, with our warmest compliments, full moons for 1996 are as follows: January 5, February 4, March 5, April 3, May 3, June 1 and 30, July 30, August 28, September 26, October 26, November 24, December 24! Happy holidays!
GUS ARRIOLA
Carmel