------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 139
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re: Hitler as German Chancellor (OT) [ alo <alo@[removed]; ]
The Death of Paddy O'Cinnamon [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
Re: Cosby and Jell-O [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
LR role [ "John DiMezzes" <jadm1@[removed] ]
Replies [ Harlan Zinck <buster@[removed]; ]
Cliff Hangers [ Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed]; ]
Re: Long radio themes [ "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-self ]
Re: Jello [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
Cincinnati convention [ "Bob Burchett" <haradio@[removed] ]
Cosby Benny connection [ "Arte" <arte@[removed]; ]
IDIOT WEEKLY [ "Ian Grieve" <ian@[removed] ]
(NTR) Quicksilver rides [removed] [ wich2@[removed] ]
Amos 'n' Andy Music Hall [ Jmeals@[removed] ]
boombox for OTR [ "b bush" <bbush@[removed]; ]
NBC Anniversary Book [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]
Mutual network [ khovard@[removed] ]
OTR photo needed! [ khovard@[removed] ]
Gunsmoke Picture [ "H. K. Hinkley" <hkhinkley@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 15:42:24 -0400
From: alo <alo@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Hitler as German Chancellor (OT)
At 11:12 AM 4/11/2002 -0400, "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed]; wrote:
Hitler didn't Sieze the chancellorship. He achieved it through
constitutional process. He
was duly appointed to the position because, as a result of an election, he
led the largest
party in the Reichstag.
Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany by its president (Hindenburg) on
January 30th 1933, after elections where the Nazis gained a great deal of
the popular vote (though not a majority). At this point in time, nominally
anyway, he was still answerable to Hindenberg. However, when Hindenberg
died on August 2nd 1934, Hitler could certainly be said to have seized the
*presidency.* Perhaps that's the point of confusion? It was on that date --
August 2nd 1934 -- that the title of president ceased to exist and Hitler
became Fuehrer in addition to Chancellor (and President) (the offices
having been hastily combined at the time of Hindenberg's death).
hth,
Amanda
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 18:06:35 -0400
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The Death of Paddy O'Cinnamon
John Mayer refers to the Cinnamon Bear dying on a program called, "The
Adventurer's Club." None of the Brigade members I have contacted have
heard of "The Adventurer's Club," let alone that Buddy Duncan, who voiced
Paddy O'Cinnamon, was in it.
Would Mr. Mayer please elaborate? I would love to add this new information
to our archive. I ask him publicly, rather than privately, because other
fans of CB might like to know too.
Dennis Crow
Cinnamon Bear Brigade
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 18:08:18 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Cosby and Jell-O
Laura Leff wrote:
My husband reminded me last night that Cosby was also a spokesperson for
Jell-O for a while. This was not the connection that I was inferring in the
trivia [removed] that directly pertains to OTR.
And I'm amazed once again no one has gotten this yet. Or maybe I'm the
only one here who grew up listening to Bill Cosby's 1966 comedy LP
"Wonderfulness" (Warner Bros. W1634) In any event see the track entitled
"Chicken Heart":
LUP DUP! LUP DUP! LUP DUP!
IT'S IN YOUR TOWN!
LUP DUP! LUP DUP! LUP DUP!
IT'S COMING UP YOUR STREET!
LUP DUP! LUP DUP! LUP DUP!
IT'S RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR!
"I start smearin' that Jell-O all around the floor!"
Cosby would have been five years old at the time of "Chicken Heart's"
1942 rebroadcast during the CBS "Lights Out" run -- just young and
impressionable enough to smear Jell-O on the floor and set the sofa on
fire in hopes of frightening the evil Heart [removed]
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 18:07:41 -0400
From: "John DiMezzes" <jadm1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: LR role
Kevin Michaels said,
Clayton Moore had starred in a number
of Republic Serials, The Adventures Of Frank and Jesse James .
The story goes that Clayton Moore got the role primarily from his portrayal
of another masked man in the serial, THE GHOST OF ZORRO.
Beamer was in his 60's when the LR debuted on TV
Beemer died in 1965 at age 62. LONE RANGER TV show premiered in September
of 1949.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 18:09:35 -0400
From: Harlan Zinck <buster@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Replies
Tas Richardson writes:
The other day I was looking through a Life magazine from June 9th, 1947, and
came across a two page advert. for Top Ten Records, distributed in the [removed]
and Canada by Monitor. There were six albums shown, by: Amos 'n Andy, Jack
Benny, Bergen & McCarthy, Burns & Allen, Eddie Cantor, Ed (Archie) Gardner,
and Fibber McGee & Molly. It stated that these were special
[removed] just "taken from broadcasts".
These were recorded specifically for distribution in these 78 RPM sets, but
the scripts used for these 3 minute set pieces were taken, for the most
part, from earlier shows in the respective series. Since the majority of
people didn't have access to home recording devices at this time - home
disk and wire recorders were far less popular or widely owned as tape
recorders would later become - I suppose one could consider these albums to
be the precurser to the commercially-produced sets of OTR tapes that
started appearing in the mid-1960's.
Based on hearing a few of them, its my impression that the sides were
recorded in the same studios in which the shows were broadcast - probably
either after a regular broadcast or between the eastern and western
broadcasts. They're certainly similar to broadcasts, much more so than any
of the commercially recorded sides some of these performers released before
and after these were made.
As Elizabeth mentioned, many of these recordings have been in circulation
among collectors for years but the source is seldom if ever mentioned. I
have the "Duffy's Tavern" set myself and its an enjoyable, little-known
sidelight to OTR history.
* * *
Bryant White askes if anyone can give him some episode dates for some
"Bickerson" sketches and "Vic and Sade" broadcasts on MP3.
I can't help with the Bickerson's shows - though Paul Rapp, Phil Rapp's son
and copyright holder to the Bickerson's series, will probably be interested
to see just how many skits are currently in MP3 circulation. As to the "Vic
and Sade" shows, I suggest a visit to a very nice site that contains
episode synopsis of most of the series in current circulation:
[removed]
I have no association with this site, but it is nicely put together.
(Ignore the annoying pop-up advertising - the price one pays for free or
low-cost webspace these days, I guess.)
* * *
Chris Holm reminded me that the beer that was "smeeeuuuuuuthhhh" was indeed
Champagne Velvet. Does anyone here know whether a) this was a popular
brand, or b) whether anyone finally murdered whomever came up with this
&*((*&%$#%^ slogan?!?!
* * *
Finally, my condolences to Harry Bartel and his family on the loss of his
beloved wife Beverly. Though I don't know you personally, Mr. Bartel, my
prayers and thoughts are with you.
Harlan
Harlan Zinck
First Generation Radio Archives
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 18:42:56 -0400
From: Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Cliff Hangers
My question for those members of the mailing list
is this:
Why is it that whenever a radio program has a 'cliff hanger'
moment, that all episodes of the program are so difficult to find?
Example: I recent heard about an 4 episode long program of ILAM
which sounded very interesting. Only 3 of the 4 episodes were available,
however. Several of these programs were in a 15 minute format.
Some of the so-called soap operas would recap the previous episodes
which helped bring their listeners up to date. Some shows ("Perry
Mason", for example) would have one case lasting 4-5 episodes.
All but the last 1 or 2 episodes would be available. Is this due to
availability of the programs or just to create a demand for further
tapes/CD's?
Most of my frustration regarding this problem were due to
programs I
received from one particular firm. Write me off list and I'll fill in
the details.
Kenneth Clarke
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 19:00:30 -0400
From: "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Long radio themes
In our CD library, the Archives has many episodes of "Boston Blackie" with
Richard Kollmar (1945-50) and "Philo Vance" with Jackson Beck (1948-50),
all of which are taken directly from original Frederic W. Ziv syndication
disks. All of the episodes feature lengthy theme music at the beginning and
end of each show, originally to be used under the ads for local sponsors.
If you listen to too many of these shows in a row, the organ theme will get
very, very tiresome.
I've gotten a bunch of these from the Archives, and I find pretty much
everything involving the Boston Blackie series to be very, very tiresome.
:-) I'll hear Philo Vance tonight or tomorrow on my way to work. I
should know how I feel about that one by this time tomorrow.
rodney.
Past Tense Productions
Carrying Old Radio related films, and Hal Roach shorts, for $7 per tape.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 20:03:37 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Jello
In Mr. Munsic's way off topic posting about "red" Jello, he alludes to me.
Take that, Hal Stone!
My dear Lee. What am I to "take"? Aspic? Whipped Cream? or the nude
waitress? Or am I to heed the message,
"Watch out for the whipped topping in life! Who knows what evil lurks beneath
a facade of snow white, sweet innocence?
The Shadow does, you silly!:)
For what it's worth, When I first married in 1956, my wife worked at Young &
Rubicam, the big NY Ad shop. Her best friend (and Maid of Honor) also worked
there, and wrote all the Jello ad copy and commercials. (We had boxes of the
stuff coming out our ears). Another moral. Confucius say, wise man eat the
topping and discards what lies beneath.
A favorite practical joke among sick minds. When invited to a party at
someone's house, bring lots of packages of Jello. Slip away to the upstairs
bathroom, run the tub, and empty contents of said packages.
Now we know what evil is!
Stick that in your ear, Lee Munsick. :)
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 20:29:19 -0400
From: "Bob Burchett" <haradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cincinnati convention
Charlie Summers _is_ coming to the convention. Do you
need any other reason to attend? It's not too late to
make your reservations. You can pay when you arrive.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 22:59:17 -0400
From: "Arte" <arte@[removed];
To: "OldRadio Mailing List" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cosby Benny connection
The connection I thought of between Cos and Jack Benny's old
sponsor is monster repellant.
Cosby told of smearing Jello on the floor to trip up the
monsters he was sure were in the house after listening to
"Lights Out." He told this story about the episode "The
Chicken Heart."
Arte
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 23:03:23 -0400
From: "Ian Grieve" <ian@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: IDIOT WEEKLY
In issue 134 David asked:
I am trying to catalogue my Goons collection and other Spike Milligan
related stuff that I have. Amongst my stuff are some shows called "The Idiot
Weekly". Can anybody offer me any information about these shows (seemingly
made in Australia) or where to find information on them on the web?
David, I couldn't find information on the radio version on the web, so I put
the question to the Australian group and received the following information.
I think the most episodes held by one of our members is 13eps.
In 1956 Idiot Weekly was a Black and White Television Show in the [removed],
starring amoungst others, Spike Milligan with the usual band of great
writers including a favourite of mine, Eric Sykes. David, I do have the
cast information at home for that one if you need it.
In 1958 Spike to whom Australia was his second home, starred in a radio
version of Idiot Weekly here in Australia. There was a commercial 12 inch LP
release in the early 1960s of 2 very good
episodes cut down to 22 mins. The LP turns up occasionally in Junk shops,
but never when I am looking.
Series One: ABC Radio. June 3 - August 19, 1958. 12 x 30 minute shows
starring Spike Milligan, Ray Barrett, Bobby Limb, John Bluthal, Reg
Goldsworthy, and Michael Eisdell.
Series Two: ABC Radio. June 30 - September 22, 1959. 13 x 30 minute
shows starring Milligan, Limb, Bluthal, and Eisdell.
Series Three: ABC Radio. August 28 - November 20, 1962. 13 x 30
minute shows starring Milligan, John Ewart, Ric Hutton, Paul
Westerman, Al Thomas, and Michael Eisdell.
The Idiot Weekly scripts were later adapted for use in THe Omar
Khayyam Show for the BBC.
>From Ray Barrett's Biography:
Idiot Weekly was an attempt by the ABC (National Broadcaster in Australia)
to reproduce the success of the Goon Shows with the the same kind of hummour
in the colonies. The
program was billed as "madder than the Goon show" Cast included Spike
of course, John Bluthal & Bobby Limb
Australia, Australia
I think of you each day
Australia, Australia
Though your so far away
I think of you each morning
I think of you each day
I even wake at midnight
to think of you again
For those of you who don't know Ray Barrett, be was a popular radio actor in
Australia, still is an actor, though mainly movies and TV these days. Of
circulating shows, you may have heard him in the lead of Danger with
Grainger for example. Of the cast, Ray Barrett is probably the only one
surviving now we have lost Spike. Ray Barrett is also the voice behind one
of the Thunderbird Characters and various Stingray characters for those fans
of Super Marianation :)
I hope this helps you David. The information will be made into a log and
put on our website shortly, as the nights and times for the broadcasts have
also been identified.
Ian Grieve
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 23:14:17 -0400
From: wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: (NTR) Quicksilver rides [removed]
Dear Folks:
For those of you who like N-TR, as well as O- :
Just wanted to let you know that all six of our award-winning Quicksilver
Radio Theater productions, A CHRISTMAS CAROL-A GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS; THE
MERCHANT OF VENICE; FRANKENSTEIN-MODERN PROMETHEUS; THE SPECKLED BAND (AN
ADVENTURE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES; GOOD FRIDAY,1865:LINCOLN'S LAST DAY; and THE
TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR will be airing in the Provincetown/Cape Cod area.
Each show will air twice over the next year, on [removed] They had heard
one of our pieces when syndicated by Sue Zizza's Radio Works, and wanted more.
Dates and times aren't set yet; if you know anyone in the area or are going
to be there yourself, the station can be contacted thusly:
- info@[removed]
- [removed]
- 1-800-921-9667
The station MAY be moving into webcasting soon, in which case, the world can
tune in; if I find out I'll let you know.
Best,
Craig Wichman
[removed] The above-mentioned SPECKLED BAND is also soon to be available from the
German company "Audiobuch", thanks to the good offices of list member
Christian Blees
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 00:21:41 -0400
From: Jmeals@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Amos 'n' Andy Music Hall
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
The recent comments by Elizabeth about The Amos 'n' Andy Music Hall
rekindled a conflict I feel whenever the subject of A& A comes up.
As an adolescent I loved The Amos 'n' Andy Music Hall. The show
provided a type of entertainment that was becoming increasingly rare on radio
during the late fifties. I had not heard the half hour sitcom version of the
program and was not aware that I was listening to a bargain basement version
of A&A.
Now, even through the haze of nostalgia, I can remember being
occasionally disappointed by the program because there was, in my opinion,
too much music and not enough comedy. Still, I always looked forward to my
nightly visits with Amos, Andy and the Kingfish.
But two people whose views I very much respect, Elizabeth and another
otr historian, John Dunning, have called the show a stinker. Both of these
fine people are admirers of A&A. I've decided to limit my Amos 'n' Andy
collection to the pre-music hall era. Sometimes it is best to leave your
memories alone.
I hope that Elizabeth, who rarely makes mistakes, is wrong about one
thing. Elizabeth speculated that The Amos 'n' Andy Music Hall might have been
a depressing, even demeaning experience for Freeman Gosden and Charles
Correll. I hope not. From a selfish standpoint, I am grateful for the
opportunity I had to press a transistor radio against one ear and listen to
those very talented gentlemen work their special magic.
Jim Meals
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 00:44:17 -0400
From: "b bush" <bbush@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: boombox for OTR
...I am sure that this has been asked before, but I am looking for
recommendations for a good MP3 player/boombox, eg. with speakers, that will
play assorted MP3 bitrates/freq. The only two I have seen in stores is a
Memorex ($80) and a Sony($120).
Bart here:
I purchased the PHILLIPS AZ 1155 boom box, and I just love it. it has
played every MP3 bit rate ive tried, HOWEVER, one feature that does not to
seem to work on SOME of them is the remote's fast forward thru a program
button.
I've purchased two of these boomboxes, and a friend of mine got one too, and
only one of the three will FF thru a program. No big deal most of the time,
but having it does help to speed thru the 2:08 music opening/closing to the
Shadow of Fu Manchu !
It's got great bass and volumne. No display with the title of a show, just
the show number and running time. Being able to listen to OTR wherever i am
is the most satisfying feature!
Best Buy had them for $99 recently, normally they're $119.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 11:14:21 -0400
From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: NBC Anniversary Book
From: Bob Fells <rfells@[removed];
there is a newly published book containing a wealth of information
about each broadcast during the NBCSO's seventeen year existence.
The book is called Arturo Toscanini: The NBC Years, by Mortimer Frank.
The usual disclaimers apply. Bob Fells
I haven't seen this yet, but if my old pal Mort wrote it, it has got to
be good. He knows more about the broadcasts that Toscanini himself
did! He's been working for years with all of the variant master discs
from the Toscanini family archive, the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archive,
and LC.
And speaking of Mort Frank, he is credited, along with others including
Elizabeth and myself, with helping debug the newly published book
"Brought To You In Living Color: 75 Years of Great Moments In Television
& Radio From NBC". The author is listed as Mark Robinson, but Elizabeth
and I spent several months swapping emails with one of the major
researchers for the book at NBC, Alec Cumming. I just got my copy of
the book today, and I think we did a pretty good job of keeping all of
the potentially embarrassing mistakes out of the book. A few little
nits did pass thru our picking, but these are mostly fairly minor.
Although I do admit I was a little worried when there on the first page
was the statement that I teach at Morehouse College, when actually I am
at Morehead State University. But hey, we were working on the body of
the book, not the acknowledgments page! Yes, the book spends most of
its space on television, but radio did not get ignored. With a little
bit of luck Alec might even be able to get them to spend a few moments
on radio during the gala anniversary telecast next month.
Michael Biel mbiel@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 11:14:31 -0400
From: khovard@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Mutual network
I seem to recall discussion on the Digest about the Mutual Network. I
would appreciate any information from people knowledgeable about its
current status - I believe it came to an end some years ago - if so,
when?
Thanks,
Howard Blue
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 11:14:57 -0400
From: khovard@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR photo needed!
Please contact me if you have a photo of an actor standing in front of a
microphone, perhaps from a recreation (but ideally not). The photo is
needed for publicity purposes for my history of World War II era radio.
It must fit the folowing criteria
a. Excellent quality - [removed] full frontal or good clear side view of the
actor with the microphone.
b. The photo needs to lend itself to conveying an image of the 1940s.
There should be no sign or other indicator in the background that might
clearly show that the photo is postwar.
c. The photo should be free of any obvious copyright complications. If it
says "CBS" on the microphone, it probably is a studio photo whose rights
are still owned by the network.
Thanks,
Howard Blue
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 11:35:28 -0400
From: "H. K. Hinkley" <hkhinkley@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Gunsmoke Picture
While browsing at Sam's in McAllen TX yesterday I was mildly amused to
see the recently posted Gunsmoke picture on the front of the Radio
Spirits Gunsmoke collection, on sale for $27 and change.
HK Hinkley (Yet another Harlan!)
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #139
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