Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for May 14, 2016

“Chewing the Biscuit.”

.Good morning guys!.“Chewing the biscuit”… I like that!

In my head, when PokerFace speaks, I hear the voice of John Brown, who played ‘Digger’ O’Dell, “The Friendly Undertaker,” on radio’s THE LIFE OF RILEY.

For those unfamiliar with The Life of Riley and ‘Digger’ O’Dell …

… here’s a brief excerpt.

Gweedo cheerfully stated,Good morning, Bill !-——————————————————————-.Good morning Gweedo. Nice to see that we are back on schedule!

In panel 1, he looks like Joe Flaherty delivering Doc’s letter to Marty in 1955 (Back to the Future, Part II), rain and all.

Pokerface wears a hat that has a strange similarity to one worn by another felon fairly recently introduced into Tracyville….

State of the World ReportStory map: The hunt for Putty Puss continues

The “story map” at http://dt.canadatoyou.com/nottafallarmove/ has been updated with another week.

So where are we now? The Mr. Bribery story simmering in the background surged ahead in four strips this week as Matty Squared got some assistance in his money-moving task in the form of a new pet mouse. Mr. Bribery’s plan became somewhat clearer and it seems to be underway.

Back at the main story, it seems that there was some corruption going on at Happydale, but Harvey Niav (Putty Puss) is no longer there. Tracy and Sam know that now, so they need to figure out where Mr. Niav is now. More importantly, Screwball is getting his “friend” Pokerface to drive him in the getaway car to Niav’s place.

New characters this week

Two new characters joined the story this week, both of which, I think, are new to the strip.

Ignatz is Matty’s new pet mouse, named after Krazy Kat’s nemesis from the 1913-1944 strip.

Pokerface owes a debt to Putty Puss and always refers to himself in the third person.

I’ve run out of time for tonight, but I will have more to say about the new characters later in the day in Part 2 of my report.

Det. Cash from the Batman reminds me of Pokerface

My concern is that since Putty Puss is disguised as Dick Tracy, the real Tracy will be mistaken for Putty Puss. Keep reading.

William Schallert also played a teacher on Dobie Gillis!

Pokerface only kills people he thinks need killing. However, you might not be able to tell from his expression if you’re one of his targets.

Great art again today by Joe Staton. The noir look is ideal for these scenes.

I don’t think “chewing the biscuit” is going to catch on as a new term, but I’ll do my part if the opportunity to use it comes up in the next week.

I think Screwball ought to fix up his “digs” a little. He can start with plastering up the holes in the wall.

Is it just me, or does Pokerface look like Blackjack’s older – and calmer – brother?

These “Voices” are quite original. Good story coming up!!

@unclescroogeWilliam Schallert also played a teacher on Dobie Gillis!

And a KAOS agent in a 4th-season episode of “Get Smart”.I spotted him in one episode of Walt Disney’s Zorro during the first season, where he played an innkeeper – Sebastian Cabot also was featured in this same episode.

Also a mad dentist in MATINEE/

Putty’s not going anywhere……been a favorite bad guy for too long…..

It’s confirmed. Screwball is out to get Putty Puss. And he wants this spooky Pokerface as his driver? Hmmm. Not just some ordinary low-level hood? I guess he figures a strong back-up is a Good Thing.Meanwhile, Notta has commissioned Putty Puss to whack Screwball. Censors allowing, an epic gunfight could be in the offing [pun awareness alert]…. If as seems likely Tracy and friends intervene, the Asp and Pokerface can vie for the Creepiness Award!

Not to mention Admiral Harold Harmon Hargrave, the founder of CONTROL, on “Get Smart.” According to IMDB, Schallert’s final appearance was as an elevator operator on “Two Broke Girls” in 2014, and he also did three episodes of “True Blood.” An amazingly versatile character actor.

Gweedo mentioned,Still off across the land…-————————————————————————-.Aha, Gweedo! So you’re the traveling medicine man that has been showing up lately!.

I’m not sure about this but I think Putty Puss can only keep his altered face for a limited length of time, then it starts reverting back to his real face. Looks like it’s melting. Does anyone remember than from his original stories? So, he wouldn’t be able to remain Tracy indefinitely.

I promised a “part 2” of my weekly report, but I’m kind of “on call” for the next several Saturdays and I didn’t get it done yet, so I’m planning to post it when the Sunday strip is up. Eventually, I think I’ll be able to meet my self-imposed deadline most of the time.

Gweedo assured me,Yes, Bill and my medicine is much "proof " of good health !-—————————————————————————-.I know you can be trusted, Gweedo! Your word is good enough for me! Send a case to me and put it on my PayPal account!

Gweedo bluntly stated,You wont be sober sorry, Bill. Dr. Feelgood is IN town !!!-—————————————————————————.I saw the ranting crowd heading for your truck with flaming torches!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9skKTcw6h8

Gweedo suggested,The volatile nature of my “meds” means time to skeedaddle-———————————————————————————————.Words of wisdom from an expert!

William Schallert was also in the “Tribbles” episode of Star Trek. About 30 years later, he was in an episode of Deep Space Nine.