Hello. I'm a first-timer here and not certain if this is even the correct venue but......here goes.
For years I've wondered about the apparent connection between the novella Trucks, movie Maximum Overdrive, and a very similarly themed photo-story entitled, The Great Automobile Revolt by Stanley P. Friedman that appeared in the February 1971 issue of the National Lampoon.
The article re-appeared in 1973's, Best of National Lampoon #3 but in that version, Lampoon editor Doug Kenney (and eventual co-author of Animal House and the National Lampoon High School Yearbook), was included as co-writer.
The Lampoon article presents a series of mostly vintage auto and truck wreck photos. However, by using captions, it tells a sinister but otherwise comical tale of oppressed humans and their mechanical overlords. Some of the story details are strikingly similar to the movie and novella. For example, the photo-story has an ominous ending that raises the spector of small planes, even a jumbo jet, renewing the attacks on humans after automobiles have been vanquished.
Since I saw Maximum Overdrive decades ago, I've always been curious. Did Mr. King, Stanley Friedman, and/or Doug Kenney have any interaction in the development or writing of these simialrly themed but very different works? If there are connections, some chronology or "behind the scenes" details of the productions would be fascinating.
"Trucks" and The National Lampoon. Related?
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