Recently, we conducted a poll on our Facebook page, asking our listeners to tell us their favorite TSR role playing games.  In this Spotlight episode, we reveal the results.  Joining John in discussing these games are Chronic Rift website guru David Finnerty and Chronic Rift game reviewer Anthony Racano.  Among the topics of discussion are choosing the right name for your spy, poor dice rolls, and how one chooses the games they choose.  Please comment on this episode through our discussion at the bottom of this listing, writing john@chronicrift.com, or calling 888-866-9010.  Also make a point to rate the episode at the end of this listing.

Even though there are no longer TSR Games, most of them are still available in new editions and can be purchased through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get Amazon's great low prices, but you also support the Rift.  Thank you.

Kevin Lauderdale takes a look at the worldwide Tintin phenomenon in light of the new Spielberg/Jackson movie.  Please comment on this episode here at the end of the listing, writing john@chronicrift.com or calling 888-866-9010.  Please also rate the episode at the end of this listing.

Everything old is new again, at least when it comes to Kevin Lauderdale.  With Thanksgiving right around the corner, he introduces you to what may become a holiday tradition in your family, The Cinnamon Bear.  According to Kevin, the best copies of this old time radio series can be purchased through Radio Archivies.

Please take a moment to comment on this episode by visiting the forums, writing john@chronicrift.com, or calling 888-866-9010.

Twins Judy and Jimmy Barton crawled into their attic one December day and found a passageway to a place called Maybeland. They looked in all the dusty corners for any sign of the silver star that always sat atop their Christmas tree. Their search crossed the path of little Paddy O'Cinnamon, "The Cinnamon Bear," who had shoe-button eyes and a ferocious growl. He showed them a small hole through which the Crazy Quilt dragon had absconded with their star and invited Judy and Jimmy to pursue the rascal. Paddy would function as a guide and they'd chase the dragon throughout Maybeland. Paddy magically "de-grew" the twins so they'd fit through the attic tunnel, fired up a miniature airplane powered by soda pop, and flew the Barton kids into a startling and wondrous adventure.

So begins "The Cinnamon Bear," a delightful, one-of-a-kind children's series produced in 1937 by TRANSCO, the Transcription Company of America. Intended to be heard between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the series features twenty-six fifteen-minute cliffhanger installments. The program immediately hooks children because suspenseful fun is always present as each episode concludes with yet another obstacle for Paddy and the twins to overcome. The dragon eventually joins up with the trio but remains unpredictable and mischievous. Named "Crazy Quilt," he succumbs time and time again to his obsession with the shiny silver star.

First time young adult author Marianne Modica talks with John about her book, The R Word.  Please take a moment to comment on the episode by visiting the forums, writing john@chronicrift.com, or calling 888-866-9010.

You can purchase a copy of The R Word through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great book and support a cool author, but you help out The Rift as well.  Thanks.

Check out our special offer through Petmeds.com by clicking on the link.

Podcast Promos: Dead Kitchen Radio, Dirty Boxers Podcast The Weekly Podioplex

Marianne Modica is an assistant professor of Early Childhood Education at Valley Forge Christian College, in Phoenixville, PA, where she has been training future educators since 1996. One of her favorite courses to teach is Multicultural Education, which fosters productive dialogue about race, religion, gender, social class, and other important topics. Marianne and her husband have four children. She is currently a PhD student in Childhood Studies at Rutgers University in Camden, NJ, where her research interest is the construction of race by students studying multicultural literature in secondary classrooms.

Marianne wrote The R Word because she wanted to explore contemporary attitudes about race in a supposedly "post racial" culture. The novel is aimed at youth 12 and above, or at adults like Marianne who love young adult fiction. While her primary goal was to tell a good story, The R Word is also intended for classroom use, where Marianne hopes it will stimulate discussion about present-day racial inequity on an individual and structural level.

It's been approved by the Lucas estate and now it's got a sequel.  Kevin Lauderdale takes a look at the newest installment in the "Origami Yoda" series, Darth Paper Strikes Back.  Please take a moment to comment on this episode by visiting the forums, writing john@chronicrift.com, or calling 888-866-9010.

You can purchase copies of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back via our Amazon store and in doing so, you support The Chronic Rift, thank you.

It Has Come to My Attention - Origami Yoda

(right click to save)

It is a dark time at Ralph McQuarrie Middle School. After suffering several Origami Yoda–related humiliations, Harvey manages to get Dwight suspended from school for being a “troublemaker.” Origami Yoda pleads with Tommy and Kellen to save Dwight by making a new case file—one that will show how Dwight’s presence benefits McQuarrie. With the help of their friends, Tommy and Kellen record cases such as “Origami Yoda and the Pre-eaten Wiener,” “Origami Yoda and the Exploding Pizza Bagels,” and “Origami Yoda and Wonderland: The Musical.” But Harvey and his Darth Paper puppet have a secret plan that could make Dwight’s suspension permanent . . .

Dennis Sullivan, (Chris Gorham) an average NYC accountant is assigned to work with a wealthy young widow and her son, Jake - A boy obsessed with the televised superhero 'Man America'. Dennis sees how Jake uses the TV hero to fill the void left by his deceased father. Moved by the boy's loss, Dennis heads for the 'Imagination Superstore' in search of the beloved costume. Once inside the dressing room, Dennis listens as the shop falls prey to a knife-wielding robber. Now in costume, Dennis springs into action to boot the thug from the store with security cameras capturing all. Once the footage hits the airwaves, a media frenzy erupts, leaving an entire city longing for more Man America. Now Dennis must choose between the safety of obscurity or providing his costumed hope to others.

Darin is the writer and director of the feature film Somebody’s Hero starring Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs, Ugly Betty). The movie was produced in New York and is slated for a 2011 release.

Beckstead is also the creator of “Courage & Stupidity,” a reimagining of Spielberg’s troubled experiences while making Jaws. The flick was hailed “a fascinating short film” by Ain’t it Cool News, won the Remi Award for Best Original Comedy and became the first short to secure a standalone distribution deal with Netflix.

View C&S Trailer: http://www.courageandstupidity.com.

Guillermo Suescum – Producer

Guillermo is fairly new to the film business. He was bitten by the film bug while producing his first short film about 6 years ago. It was on this first film that he met Darin Beckstead and they collaborated to make "Courage & Stupidity." The success of that film made Guillermo decide to quit his corporate job so that he could try to make a feature. Two years later he and Darin, finished their first feature Somebody's Hero. He lives in NYC.