Monday, March 11, 2019

Here's Don Martin's classic National Gorilla Suit Day, soon to be a DNA fundraiser.


One Fine Day in Front of Jimmy's Music -- with apologies to the late, great Don Martin.


I missed National Gorilla Suit Day this year. Actually I've missed it every year for decades because when you're 6' 4" and 250 lbs, it's hard to find such a costume of any sort.

Just now, after picking myself up off the floor after dissolving in the deferred laughter of 40+ years, Diana accuses me of regressing to childhood. Maybe, but a resistance leader needs a good clean laugh, especially in New Gahania.

As all gorilla suit aficionados know, National Gorilla Suit Day is the invention of the late Don Martin, once known at "MAD's Maddest Artist;" the holiday featured prominently in his 1963 paperback collection, "Don Martin Bounces Back" in which he told the tale of the aforementioned Mr. Bestertester's opposition to the festivities and the carnage that is visited upon him as a result. The story features people in gorilla suits, gorillas in people suits, gorillas in gorilla suits, and some of each in various other disguises, in a 56-page extravaganza full of Martin's trademark absurd violence and giggle-inducing sound effects.

I may have spoken too soon.

5 comments:

  1. It's a little ironic that someone built like a gorilla cannot find a gorilla suit.

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  2. Anonymous internet guy with nothing to say makes a funny -- really.

    Ho hum, yawned Ignatius.

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  3. Wait, do you feel insulted? You obviously cared enough about a comment that "says nothing" to reply to it. "Built like a gorilla" isn't an insult; linebackers are built like gorillas.

    We both seemed to be of the opinion that it's a shame it's not easier for the big & tall to participate in National Gorilla Suit Day, so why are you picking a fight?

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  4. I'm glad we share this opinion about gorilla suits. A "fight" isn't necessary; the internet and facial expressions, etc.

    But I'm not sure "built like a gorilla" isn't an insult, even recognizing that you didn't intend it this way.

    "Built like a gorilla but less timid,
    thick-fleshed, steak-coloured, with two
    hieroglyphs in his face that mean
    trouble, he walks the sidewalk and the
    thin tissue over violence."

    https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/brooklyn-cop/

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  5. Great poem; thanks for sharing. My reading of that poem is that the policeman's gorilla-like qualities aren't themselves derogatory; how he applies his strength is where the brute comes through. Perhaps a generational difference, or the influence of Fossey?

    In any case, sorry for any offense given. I may have come across more chimp than gorilla.

    ReplyDelete