She's Nothing But Trouble by Glenn Canary
Short Story in Manhunt, August 1960.
Another excellent crime story that was published in Manhunt magazine. It take place in a seedy bar, and puts the characters in an indifferent situation where afterwards the reader will wonder... "what would I have done?"
"The girl was crying and swaying woodenly. She tried to cover herself with her hands."
"What do we do with her now?"
"That's a dumb question."
Hap Carter tries to take a stand to protect a tramp from five men who enter a bar. He's unsuccessful at first, but he gets a second chance. Does he take it? This short story is wonderfully written and captures the dark atmosphere of city bars in those days. But it's the outstanding ending, when Hap and the bartender are alone, that slams this story in your gut.
More on Glenn Canary
In a posting I wrote months ago, I commented on an exceptional novel I read by Glenn Canary, called "The Prefect Plot." Recently, his daughter Jessica Canary, informed me that her father passed away on May 7, 2008. Mr. Canary was an excellent writer of crime/suspense fiction, which included stories in Manhunt and AHMM. His 1963 Manhunt short story "Interference," was one of the best stories the magazine published in the early 60s. As an author, he left a very favorable impression on me. I will always hold high esteem for Glenn Canary's printed material; all you have to do is read "The Prefect Plot"and stories like "She's Nothing But Trouble" or "Interference." to fully appreciate the quality of his work.
Jessica mentioned to me how much her father truly loved writing and story telling. Corresponding with Jessica, I discovered the family is looking for copies of his work. (Glenn Canary's past work has become difficult to find) I happily sent her my copy of "The Prefect Plot" and volunteered to mention in this post that the family would be pleased if anyone else has pieces of his published works to contact Jessica. (Payment will be sent if anyone wishes)
You can contact Jessica Canary at jessica33176@gmail.com (she's a very nice person)
To all fellow readers: Below is an incomplete list of Glenn Canary's published material. (Novels and Short Stories) I would love to expand the listing of his fine work and get a complete documented list on the web for all to have knowledge of. Please send me titles of any other writings that are known to have been published. My hope is to finalize the list in the near future.
Thank you, August........
The Novels:
The Sadist -Monarch 280 (1962)
The Trailer Park Girls - Monarch 248 (1962)
The Damned and the Innocent -Monarch 486 (1964)
The Prefect Plot -Pinnacle (1974) as Glen Canary
A Walk in the Jungle -Pinnacle (1975)
Short Stories:
A Winter's Tale - Dude (Sept 1960)
She's Nothing But Trouble - Manhunt (Aug 1960)
unknown title - Manhunt (April 1961)
The Guilty Flee -Rogue (Feb 1962)
unknown title - Manhunt (April 1962)
Madison Avenue I Left You - Mr. (Mar 1963) article
No Escape - Manhunt (June 1963)
Interference - Manhunt (Oct 1963)
Numerous stories written for AHMM, only found one (title unknown) in the book collection called: Alfred Hitchcock - Killers At Large, edited by Alfred Hitchcock, Dell 1978.
Also believe that a story of Glenn Canary's was adapted for a teleplay during the first season of Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Available on DVD.
11 comments:
I did some research on Glenn Canary for the Addenda to Al Hubin's Revised Crime Fiction IV. The results I came up with can be found at http://www.crimefictioniv.com/
Listed there are the only three paperbacks he wrote that we considered crime-related: Trailer Park Girls, The Prefect Plot, and A Walk in the Jungle.
Can you comment on the possible crime content of the other two?
I have had a mailing address for Mr. Canary for a while, but I never got around to sending him a note. You always regret lapses like this.
My condolences to his family.
--- Steve
Steve: Here's what I found on "The Damned and the Innocent" ...Happily married couples kidded about infidelity, one [Helen] took one seriously, Now, three or four marriages were on the rocks and three people were insisting "I want you Helen"--her husband, a lover, and a lesbian mistress.
As for "The Sadist." I am drawing a blank. But I would guess this one had more of a crime subplot then the above paperback.
Some interesting bio on Glenn Canary: His great, great Aunt was the real Calamity Jane. (Martha Jane Canary) Also his younger brother is David Canary, who played "Candy" on Bonanza & had that great bar scene with Paul Newman in "Hombre."
Thanks for your input on Glenn Canary. I'll keep digging
No, from the description, it doesn't sound as though the first book you is crime-related, but like you, I'm starting to wonder about "The Sadist."
Chances are it's not, as I'm pretty sure I've seen a copy, but I could be wrong about that.
That's quite a pair of famous relatives! I'll mention them in a revised rewrite for the Addenda.
One of Canary's short stories was reprinted in, I think, American Pulp some years back. I'll have to check that, unless someone beats me to it.
I think it was "Interference", without checking.
Okay, I checked it right away (am trying to evade proofreading a translation of a major American hardboiled novel):
CANARY, GLENN (chron.)
* Interference, (ss) Manhunt Oct 1963
Pure Pulp, ed. Ed Gorman, Martin H. Greenberg & Bill Pronzini, Carroll & Graf 1999
Thanks for helping Juri, I'll add that info. to Glenn Canary's complete title listing that I am categorizing.
The two stories from Manhunt by Glenn Canary you're missing are:
The Knife (Manhunt April 1961)
Academic Freedom (Manhunt April 1962)
Hi, this is Jessica Canary and just thought I'd update my e-mail address in case anyone had any questions. You can reach me at jessica34691@gmail.com
Does anyone have Jessica Canary's current e-mail address....seems like the old one isn't active.
Dear Miss Canary,
My name is Pablo, from Buenos Aires.
I've been an admirer of your father's work, ever since I discovered him in the book collections and magazines edited, so to speak, by Alfred Hitchcock.
I recently purchased an extremely rare magazine called THE GENT (VOL. 4, NO. 4, APRIL 1960).
This issue includes an original short story by Glenn Canary, "OUR BACKS TO THE RAIN". I read the story today, and I loved it.
If you are interested, I'll be glad to send you high-definition photographs of the story. It is just a couple of pages long.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Can reach me at: pablomonteagudo@hotmail.com
Best wishes,
Pablo
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