------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2006 : Issue 273
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Ann Sothern, crossover early tv [ Gary <yraginnh@[removed]; ]
Archives of the Airwaves [ Dick Fisher <w9fjl@[removed]; ]
The Great Escape [ "Ian Grieve" <austotr@[removed]. ]
Tracing back a little farther [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
Age has not diminished their charms [ Wich2@[removed] ]
This week in radio history 8-14 Octo [ "Joe Mackey" <joemackey108@adelphia ]
A Snowy November Day in 1937 [ Crow8164@[removed] (Dennis Crow) ]
Frances Bergen: 1922 - 2006 [ "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@sbcgloba ]
10-8 birth/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 22:23:01 -0400
From: Gary <yraginnh@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Ann Sothern, crossover early tv
Kenneth Clarke wrote:
...but seem to recall another show which, I believe,
was titled "Executive Secretary".
Right on Mr. Clarke. She played the part of Susie
McNamara in that series and on "The Ann Sothern Show"
she was Katy O'Connor. On all her shows she had a
down-to-earth genuiness about her. All the Best, Gary
in NH
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 23:53:53 -0400
From: Dick Fisher <w9fjl@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Archives of the Airwaves
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
Maybe I missed it in other digests but I have not seen any comment on
this publication other than Martin Grams comment in the digest a few
days ago.
Since these volumes total to about 160 dollars for the whole set I
wonder it anyone has seen any of the volumes and what are their opinions
on its content. I understand the first volume was issued at the end of
last year.
If anyone would care to comment, how do these books compare to Dunning
and to Sies's "Encyclopedia of American Radio" as well as other books on
our hobby. Is there really any new material here that would interest the
average collector of OTR? I lived through the golden age and would I
find these volumes of use and of interest?
Please reply off list if you wish as I am anxious to find out more about
this publication.
Richard
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 08:18:44 -0400
From: "Ian Grieve" <austotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The Great Escape
In issue #272 Graeme Stevenson asked
I'm very keen to get a copy of this series ( which does survive in Australian
archives ). If any readers of the OTR Digest have a copy, please drop me an
[removed] !
Some episodes are in private hands but putting any further episodes into
circulation will risk any chance of future release of the series.
Series/Serials based on books were licenced from Authors/Publishers. In
Australia the most common licence period was 5 years.
The Great Escape was a 26 episode 30 Minute series in 1954. Morris West was
the scriptwriter who undertook the conversion from the original book. He
also did Dambusters and Reach for the Sky amoungst many many others.
The licence has well and truly run out and the only way for the series to be
released legally is for all parties to agree. ARP owned the episodes but
the Author/Publisher own the rights and neither can release without the
other. Because the rights had not run out prior to the signing of the
[removed] Free Trade Agreement, we have at least another 20 years to go
and more depending on the date of death of the original author.
The company that now owns the rights of ARP are in favour of releasing their
series but are very aware of what appears on ebay and [removed] Websites. If the
series circulates they will not release it. They rightly or wrongly, see
circulating episodes as an indication of a waste of time trying to do a CD
release. I believe that Great Escape does have potential for release but
some other Rights Holders will need to agree first.
At least they agreed to allow Episode 01 to appear in EARSdb, its a start.
Being a 26 episode series its a good size for a CD release.
Ian Grieve
Moderator
Australian Old Time Radio Group
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 10:29:05 -0400
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Tracing back a little farther
I'm not sure why
Jack Johnstone and company decided to debut Bob Bailey in his serial
adventures in the first place. The only other contemporary I can think of
who followed the same idea was Mr. Keen: Tracer of Lost Persons. That was
once a half-hour program that went to a daily serial format in the mid '50's
as well.
While it makes little difference among the typical hobbyist, the purists
among us recall that the "kindly old investigator" PREMIERED in the
serialized format. For more than a half-dozen years, 10/12/37 through
11/26/43, one could tune in the tracer's ongoing searches "as he takes from
his files and brings to us one of his most widely celebrated missing persons
cases" -- when folks really had gone missing. (Think progenitor to "Without
a Trace" here.)
So in ADDING (not just in lieu of) a weeknight sequel to its popular
longrunning half-hour mystery adventure on 6/21/54, Mr. Keen was showing its
immense appeal to listeners even then after TV had siphoned off millions of
listeners and most other crusading detectives. The dual five-night-a-week
serial plus the half-hour weekly drama was, in retrospect, a testament to
broadcasting's most durable sleuth by constantly providing new episodes (no
detective came close to his prolific number of broadcasts, in either
ethereal medium). He persisted 18 years on the air and most of it as a
52-week feature annually. Saints preserve us!
For much more on this compelling drama see my 364-page hardback "Mr. Keen,
Tracer of Lost Persons" complete with 1693 episodic log and photos which may
be ordered at [removed] or 800-253-2187.
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 12:17:53 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Age has not diminished their charms
From: "Belpedio, Dr. James" _jbelpedio@[removed]_
(mailto:jbelpedio@[removed])
I have been attending the annual FOTR convention since the Meriden, CT days
... people who actually worked in network broadcast radio is fast
diminishing
(those who still attend are in
their seventies and eighties)
Dear James-
And nineties (aka George Ansbro, & Margot Stevenson).
I can only say, that this "youngster" (kinda silly, when 50 isn't far away)
takes the work I do there VERY seriously, in a "Let's Not Let This Torch
Drop!" sense.
See you there?
-Craig Wichman
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 14:59:08 -0400
From: "Joe Mackey" <joemackey108@[removed];
To: "otrd" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: This week in radio history 8-14 October
>From Those Were The Days --
10/8
1935 - The O'Neills debuted on CBS. The theme song, Londonderry Air, opened
the 15-minute soap opera. The O'Neills aired Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
at 7:30 [removed] In 1936 it moved to daytime where it stayed until 1943 on NBC's
Red and Blue networks and on CBS, too. One of radio's original soaps, it was
sponsored appropriately by Silver Dust, Ivory soap and Ivory soap flakes.
1935 - Wedding bells pealed for a singer and a bandleader who tied the knot,
making radio history together. The bandleader was Ozzie Nelson and the
singer was Harriet Hilliard. They would make the history pages again on this
very day -- nine years later.
1944 - The first broadcast of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet was heard on
the CBS network.
10/9
1935 - Cavalcade of America was first broadcast this very day. The CBS show
featured some of Hollywood and Broadway's most famous stars in leading roles
in the half hour dramas. Thomas Chalmers narrated the stories about obscure
incidents and people in American history. The orchestra was led by Donald
Voorhees. The show aired from 1935 to 1953, changing from CBS to NBC in
1939; with one sponsor for its entire duration. The DuPont Company
introduced its slogan on Cavalcade of America ... "Better things for better
living through [removed]"
1943 - ABC presented Land of the Lost. The opening phrase for the show was,
"In that wonderful kingdom at the bottom of the [removed]" This children's
adventure-fantasy serial took the audience underwater where the main
characters, Isabel and Jimmy, were guided by their friend, a red fish named
Red Lantern and played at first by Junius Matthews and later, by Art Carney.
Land of the Lost found a large audience and remained on the air until 1948.
10/10
1932 - Two of radio's earliest efforts at soap operas were heard for the
first time. Judy and Jane, sponsored by Folger's Coffee, and Betty and Bob,
sponsored by General Mills, had listeners glued to their radios into the
early 1940s.
1933 - Dreft, the first synthetic detergent, went on sale. Ten years later,
Dreft was the sponsor of The Dreft Star Playhouse.
1937 - The Mutual Broadcasting System debuted Thirty Minutes in Hollywood.
48 sponsors shared the cost of the program that aired in 72 cities
nationwide. It was the first Mutual co-op radio show. George Jessel and
Norma Talmadge starred. Music was provided by the Tommy Tucker Orchestra.
10/11
1936 - Professor Quiz aired for the first time. It was the first national
quiz show on radio and lasted until 1948. Guests asked Professor Quiz (Dr.
Craig Earl) questions. If they were able to stump the prof, they collected a
$25 prize. Professor Quiz announcers were Robert Trout and Arthur Godfrey.
Sponsors included Kelvinator refrigerators, Teel Shampoo and Velvet pipe
tobacco.
1948 - One of radio's last premiering soap operas, The Brighter Day,
happened this day in Three Rivers. The show centered around the Dennis' and
their extended family. It's interesting to take a look at the cast and see
which names are still recognizable, like Hal Holbrook and William Redfield.
Some of the sponsors are still around, too: Ivory Soap flakes, Blue Cheer
detergent and Hazel Bishop lipstick. The soap opera lasted for six years.
10/12
1937 - The longest-running detective show debuted. Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost
Persons lasted until 1955. Three different actors played the title role,
Bennett Kilpack was Mr. Keen the longest, and Arthur Hughes saw the final
show. Phil Clark also played the part. There were many more than three
sponsors -- Anacin, Kolynos (a toothpaste), BiSoDol antacid mints, Hill's
cold tablets, Heet liniment, Dentyne, Aerowax, RCA Victor and Chesterfield
cigarettes. Some are long gone, some are still around, some don't advertise
on radio anymore, and some are not allowed to.
10/14
1934 - Folks had clean hands for 21 years beginning this day. The Lux Radio
Theater was heard on the NBC Blue [removed] and nearly every famous
Hollywood star over the next three decades appeared on the program. Lux
Radio Theater adapted novels, Broadway plays and Hollywood films into
radio's favorite dramatic series.
>From NYT Today in history --
In 1943, the Radio Corporation of America completed sale of the NBC Blue
network to businessman Edward J. Noble for $8 million; the network was
renamed the American Broadcasting Company.
Joe
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 16:23:13 -0400
From: Crow8164@[removed] (Dennis Crow)
To: [removed]@[removed] (Old Time Radio Digest)
Subject: A Snowy November Day in 1937
Entering into the world in 1937 was a little four inch Teddy Bear with a lush
green bow tied around his neck. His name was Paddy O'Cinnamon and he lived
in the attic of a big old-fashioned house owned by the Barton family. He was
about to be discovered, not just by the Barton children, twins Judy and
Jimmy, as they went searching for ornaments, but by the whole country who
would take the little bear into their hearts, let his spirit grow, and bring
him out each Christmas for a trip to Maybeland.
When Judy and Jimmy went to the attic that November day in 1937, they were
really seeking the silver star which always sat atop their Christmas tree.
Their search crossed the path of little Paddy O'Cinnamon, "The Cinnamon
Bear," who had shoe-button eyes and a ferocious growl. He showed them a
small hole through with the Crazy Quilt dragon had absconded with their star
and invited Judy and Jimmy to pursue the dragon to wherever his larcenous
nature took him. Paddy would function as a guide and they'd chase the dragon
throughout Maybeland. Paddy magically "De-grew" the twins so they'd fit
through the attic tunnel, fired up a miniature airplane powered by soda pop,
and flew the Barton kids into a startling and wondrous adventure.
So begins "The Cinnamon Bear," a delightful, one-of-a-kind radio series for
children produced in 1937, and intended to be heard in twenty-six, fifteen
cliff-hanger installments between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
I remind you of this program so there will be time for Digest readers to
obtain it before it is due to be played. This year I will send the sheet
music for the title song so you can perform it on your piano. I have copies
of the songs and a Maybeland map, all for you to keep at no cost, if you
provide me a postal address. I can not send them in e-mail. However, I'll
remind you of this again when we get closer to the show date. There are many
sources for the programs, but First Generation Archives have great sounding,
newly made compact disks.
If you haven't already, this is a great way to begin a yearly listening
tradition with your own families and promote a life-long love for old-time
radio in its purest form.
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 16:23:40 -0400
From: "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@[removed];
To: "The Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Frances Bergen: 1922 - 2006
Frances Bergen: 1922 - 2006
Frances Bergen, a former model and occasional actress and singer whose show
business career took a back seat to her longtime role as the wife of
ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and the mother of their actress daughter, Candice
and Son Kris.
Candice, has died. She was 84.
Ms. Bergen died Monday in Los Angeles after a prolonged illness, said family
spokesman Heidi Schaeffer.
Once described by former Los Angeles Times film reviewer Kevin Thomas as
"one of Hollywood's enduring, elegant beauties," Ms. Bergen was 19-year-old
Frances Westerman when she attended Edgar Bergen's popular radio show as the
guest of a staff member.
After spotting the Birmingham, Ala., native's long legs in the front row,the
39-year-old ventriloquist reportedly asked to meet her; a little more than a
year later, in 1945, they were married.
Mrs. Had a career as fashon model and actress appearing in movies, radio and
televison.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 23:53:01 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 10-8 birth/deaths
October 8th births
10-08-1881 - Oscar O'Shea - Peterboro, Canada - d. 4-6-1960
actor: John Marshall "Those We Love"
10-08-1890 - Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker - Columbus, OH - d. 7-23-1973
host, narrator: "The World's Most Honored Flights"
10-08-1891 - Florence Malone - d. 3-4-1956
actor: Christy Allen "Against the Storm"; Mrs. Diamond "Advs. of
Captain Diamond"
10-08-1897 - Rouben Mamoulian - Tiflis, Georgia, Russia - d. 12-4-1987
film director: "Theatre Guild On the Air"
03-15-1901 - Madeleine Pierce - Philadelphia, PA - d. 10-8-1983
actress: Wiki "Just Plain Bill"; Rudy Cameron "When A Girl Marries"
10-08-1904 - Wally Brown - Malden, MA - d. 11-13-1961
actor: "The Jack Kirkwood Show"; "Joan Davis Time"
10-08-1906 - William N. Robson - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 4-10-1995
producer, director: "Beyond Tomorrow"; "CBS Radio Workshop"; "Escape"
10-08-1908 - Albert Maltz - NYC - d. 4-26-1985
screen writer: (One of Hollywood Ten) "Words at War"; "Lux Radio
Theatre"
10-08-1913 - Walter Schumann - NYC - d. 8-21-1958
composer: "Dragnet"; "Junior Miss"; "Modern Advs. of Casanova"
10-08-1918 - Ron Randell - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia - d.
6-11-2005
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
10-08-1919 - Gabriel Dell - Barbados, British West Indies - d. 7-3-1988
actor: (The Dead End Kids) "Texaco Star Playhouse"
October 8th deaths
01-09-1915 - Fernando Lamas - Buenos Aires, Argentina - d. 10-8-1982
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
01-26-1913 - William Prince - Nichols, NY - d. 10-8-1996
actor: "Crime Does Not Pay"; "Philco Radio Playhouse"
02-14-1895 - Nigel Bruce - Ensenada, Mexico - d. 10-8-1953
actor: Doctor John H. Watson "Advs. of Sherlock Holmes"
02-18-1892 - Wendell Willkie - Elwood, IN - d. 10-8-1944
presidential candidate: "Information, Please"
04-10-1898 - Fred Hall - NYC - d. 10-8-1964
composer, performer: (Hall and Fields) "Old Man of the Mountain"
04-29-1914 - Derek Guyler - Wallasey, Merseyside, England - d. 10-8-1999
actor: "It's That Man Again"
05-01-1933 - Joan Hackett - NYC - d. 10-8-1983
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
07-23-1908 - Karl Swenson - Brooklyn, NY - d. 10-8-1978
actor: Lorenzo Jones "Lorenzo Jones"; Lord Henry Brinthrope "Our Gal
Sunday"
08-02-1900 - Helen Morgan - Danville, IL - d. 10-8-1941
hostess, singer: "Helen Morgan, Songs"; "Broadway Melodies"; "Fred
Allen Show"
08-30-1887 - Eduardo Ciannelli - Island of Ischia, Italy - d. 10-8-1969
actor: "Hollywood Hotel"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
11-06-1886 - Gus Kahn - Koblenz, Germany - d. 10-8-1941
lyricist: "Good News of 1938"
xx-xx-xxxx - Lee Allman - d. 10-8-1989
actor: (Sister of James Jewell) Lenor 'Casey' Case "The Green Hornet"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #273
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