Looking For An Old Archie Story

[Budman]

I know this is probably an impossible quest, but I'm looking for an Archie comics story that I think was published somewhere between the late '60s and the mid '70s and I think it was in a book like Pep, or Pals 'n' Gals, or Laugh - books that didn't feature one particular character in the title. In the story, a movie star that Veronica has a crush on is staying at Lodge mansion for a few days. I think his name was "Brandywine." Anyway, he gets Archie out of the way, getting the redhead to ruin his shoes in wet cement, lends Archie a pair of his own, and sending Arch home. Then the star tells Veronica that they will practice a love scene. Archie runs into Reggie who is spying on Lodge mansion with a pair of binoculars. Reg says he'd give anything to be in the star's shoes. So Archie sells Reggie the pair he is wearing.

Any help discovering what issue that this story was in would be appreciated. If it was ever reprinted anywhere, that information would be helpful, too. Even if anyone could direct me to someone who might know what issue this story was in, it would be helpful. Thanks! I'm looking for this comic book not only as a collector, but also as a writer who is working on a book about the Popeye cartoons made by Famous Studios and who has a website dedicated to them. What's the connection between Archie and Popeye, you might ask? This particular comic book story reminded me of a Famous Studios Popeye cartoon. Also, Veronica was portrayed in this story (as she was in some stories of that period and even of today) as more of a sweet, young, innocent thing, sort of like Betty Boop and the Famous Studios version of Olive Oyl, rather than as a spoiled rich girl.

[Hintermann]

Welcome to the forums, Budman. Archie Series comic books are among the titles that I collect and I have a lot of issues from the 60s & 70s period. I don't recall the specific story that you mention, but I'll have a look & let you know if I find it. Do you recall Ronnie's clothes or the movie star's hairstyle in this story? That might help to narrow down the timeframe of its publication. For example, the Archie artists used a lot of colourful 'hippie' type styles in the late 60s & early 70s, particulalry in the cover art.

[Budman]

Thanks so much, Hintermann!! The art style of the story was what I've always called "The Slightly More Cartoony Style." But I don't think every story in the issue was drawn in that style. It's the style that was often used in the caveman Archie stories. It was used in two stories in the paperback collection of The Best Of The Sixties - "Board Game" from Archie #167, September 1966 and "Lip Service" from Life With Archie #78, 1968.

It was also used in the story "Teaser For Ceasar" in Archie #180 from 1968 and if you have Archie #194, it's the art style of the figures running above the title on the cover. It was a style that was used in some stories into the 70s. I think it died out in the late '70s, but i could be wrong.

I seem to remember reading this story while I was in college. I was waiting for a friend in a car and the issue was in the car. I was in college from September 1973 to May 1977. And I think the incident occurred somewhere between September 1973 and May 1975. But, of course, the issue could have been cover dated before or after this. In fact, it could have been a much older issue as well that someone had kept around. I seem to remember that Ronnie was in short shorts and a halter top and Archie was in shorts as well. I remember the movie star looking sort of like a Reggie with slightly longer hair wearing sunglasses. But again, I could be wrong.

I have Archie #180, #194, #203, #213. And Archie's Pals 'N' Gals #80 - #116and Laugh #188, # 210, #223, #271 - #284, #286 - #302, and #305 - #308 and Laugh Digests #36, #46, #49, so I know the story isn't in any of these issues. I seem to remember it was in a title like Laugh, Pals 'N' Gals, Life With Archie, or Pep, and not in Jughead or B & V, Betty And Me, Reggie And Me, or Archie. Laugh or Pals 'N' Gals would be my best guesses. But, unfortunately, I could be wrong.

Any help is DEEPLY appreciated! Thanks again!