Monday, April 16, 2012

Two views of Haunted Harbour

From these two editions of the same book it is clear to see that the blurb on the second was adapted from the first and that the reference to the film of the book has been removed. I believe that the reprint was published around 1950.
First Edition (1937) Blurb

Dick Hargreaves, P.L. and Jimmy Cotton his second, are directly “up against” Tom Redpole, “The Ferret” and indirectly against Apulgrab, smuggler and swindler-in-chief.

The “otters” take up camp near Haunted Harbour, and there comes Courtney Mills, of New Scotland Yard, on a vague quest. As the story proceeds we see Mills a prisoner and “The Ferret” temporarily elated over the theft of a mysterious “gadget” reported to be of enormous value. We see, too, the arrival at camp of an aeroplane, and what came of that; the flight of Apulgrab aboard the Katharina, and that yacht’s capture, and return to Haunted Harbour.

Up to the last, tragedy seems imminent, but the “Otters” play their part, Apulgrab & Co. Are thrown very much out of gear, and a strange secret is revealed.

Readers of this story will at once see why it has been filmed by Messers Kinescout Production – it is packed with thrills and striking

Reprint (1950’s) Blurb

Dick Hargreaves, Patrol Leader of the Otters, and his fellow Sea Scouts are directly up against Tom Redpole, “The Ferret” and indirectly against Michael Apulgrab, smuggler and swindler-in-chief.
The Sea Scouts take up camp near Haunted Harbour in Anglesey and there comes Courtney Mills, of New Scotland Yard, on a vague quest. As the story proceeds we see Mills a prisoner and “The Ferret” temporarily elated over the theft of a mysterious “gadget” reported to be of enormous value. We see, too, the arrival at camp of a plane piloted by Dick’s sister Joyce, and what came of that; the flight of Apulgrab aboard the Katharina, and that yacht’s capture, and return to Haunted Harbour.
Up to the last, tragedy seems imminent, but the “Otters” play their part, Apulgrab & Co. Are thrown very much out of gear, and a strange secret is revealed.

D/W Blurb
Percy F. Westerman.
Illustrator: John De Walton