The Return of Gene Patrick and "The Passing Scene" – 1974

Regular readers of this blog know that I'm a big fan of Gene Patrick and his "Passing Scene" cartoons that appeared in the Lorain Journal in the 1960s and 70s.

The talented cartoonist and his creations have been the subject of more than 45 blog posts.

Gene started his tenure at the Journal around the spring of 1965, with some of his earliest "Passing Scene" strips showing up in the paper at that time. He also was a staff photographer at the paper and his photos continued to appear even when "The Passing Scene" stopped in July of 1969. He did contribute the occasional comic illustration to accompany a story right into the 1970s.

Gene left the Journal eventually and opened his Hobby Hub business next to Yala's Pizza in April of 1972. 

Unfortunately, the business endeavor didn't last. But Gene didn't immediately go back to his old job at the paper.

So when did he return to the Journal and  revive "The Passing Scene" comic strip?

Apparently the young man went West. This small item in Jim Mahoney's "Mahoney's Memos" column of Feb. 26, 1973 revealed he was out in California.

Then, a little more than a year later, "The Passing Scene" was back in the Journal on March 16, 1974. It would continue to appear about twice a month on Saturday, from that point on.

March 16, 1974

March 23, 1974

March 30, 1974

Readers of the Journal were understandably pleased with the strip's comeback, judging by these two letters to the Editor.

March 20, 1974

May 30, 1974

Gene even enjoyed some international success with his cartooning. This item from the "Mahoney's Memos" of July 31, 1974 explains.

So here are the "Passing Scenes" that appeared from late August through September.

August 24, 1974

Sept. 7, 1974

Sept. 28, 1974

Gene apparently ruffled some feathers with the last panel of the September 7th strip. Check out this Letter to the Editor from Sept. 25, 1974!