From:	SMTP%"[removed]@[removed]"  2-NOV-1995 22:42[removed]
To:	otr@[removed]
CC:	
Subj:	[removed] Digest V95 #352

 
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SEE INFO SECTION AT END OF THIS DIGEST FOR UNSUBSCRIBE AND OTHER INFORMATION. 
		====  INFO SECTION UPDATED 8/19/95  ====
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	    [removed]   Volume 95 : Issue 352


Articles in this issue of [removed]:

	 Reel to Reel Recording
	 OTR on the farm in Wyoming
	 Copies of new/sports??
	 Re: Introduction (GE SuperRadio)
	 Orson Welles/Reel to Reel
	 Unshackled
	 Would you pay for digital OTR?
	 REEL-TO-REEL TAPE VENDOR & JEAN SHEPHERD
	 Jack Benny on TV

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 16:53:41 -0600 (CST)
From: fkorb@[removed]
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Reel to Reel Recording
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

Dear OTR Digest Readers,

I have been following the controversy about the reel to reel format vs
cassette format for recording, playing and storing OTR programs. I
have been using cassettes and reels for obout 33 years and have had
problems with both formats. Each has its advantages and disadvantages
over the other. Sure you cannot take a reel to reel machine in the
front seat of your car with you to play OTR reels. Cassettes are more
handy. Cassettes will last quite a long time if properly cared for and
not left in a car at 130 degrees in the Summer with the windows rolled
up. Whichever recording medium you choose is purely up to you and I
have to agree with Tom Kleinschmidt that reel nmachines are not hard
to find or get repaired. I have stated many time in this digest that
fleamarkets, hamfests, garage sales, electronic repair shops, an ad in
your local newspaper will probably turn up a good working machine. I
have found good reel machines as well as cassette machines. 

What irks me is when someone tells me that I should not be driving a
Chevy because it is bad and drive a Ford because it is better. I chose
the format best suited for what I wanted to collect and do so. It is
quite evident that apples and oranges were compared by the poster in a
past issue. If they would have made a comparison of which brand of
cassette would give the best sound quality, I could have bought that
approach. But, to tell everyone that "REELS ARE BAD" is a sore spot
with me. I believe that the poster markets cassettes and is trying to
swing the collectors to that format. Leave the collectors alone and
let them choose whichever format they want to use. 

The posters disappointment with the fact that reel to reel collecting
is not dead as evidenced at the Newark convention with many collectors
buying reels is a common thing. Why pay $[removed] for 2 programs when you
can get 12 programs on a $[removed] reel. It make sence to me. More for
less seems to be the mindset of OTR collectors who choose reels over
cassettes. Reels are fine if the tape is of good quality and the
material is recorded properly.

There was a post recently about the advantage of 1/4 inch tape vs 1/8
tape used in cassettes. It makes sense that since cassettes are played
at 1 7/8 IPS and reels are 3 3/4 IPS that the sound would be better.
The width of the tape helps separate the heads for less chance of
crosstalk. Cassettes are fine and reels are too, but before you choose
whichever format you want to collect onto, do a little research to see
if everything that is needed is available. 

The organization I represent has been in existance for 24 years and I
have been publishing a newsletter to the membership of 40"s reprints
as well as other information about OTR events and happenings that
concern the organization. We love collecting, listening to, and
re-creating OTR scripts at our annual picnics. We are a close knit
group of collectors and have been for many years. We all use reel to
reel machines, but have cassette capability also. We enjoy what we do
and since our membership runs from the East coast to as far as the
West coast, it is enjoyable to get together once a year for a
gettogether and enjoy OTR. What is wrong with that? My newletter is
going strong and has been for all of these years, not like some
others that have disappeared after a few issues. The intent of our
newsletter is to spread information to the members and not to present
written articles on how to clean tape heads once a month. 

I am sorry that it has come to this, but I just had to say something
for all collectors. We are all doing this for one reason. That is to
promote the preservation of OTR for the future. We all like to listen
to the programs, otherwise we would not collect them. Whichever format
is used is immaterial, what is important is to be able to record or
purchase the best sound around. 

Fred Korb - Secretary

Oldtime Radio Collectors And Traders Society (ORCATS)

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 18:42:19 -0500
From: BCH66@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR on the farm in Wyoming
Message-ID: <951102184219_96425118@[removed]>

Several members have related listening to some of these old shows
in Wyoming back in the 40s . A question comes to mind.  It appears the
networks never really had a lot of stations in some of these smaller
communties in places like Montana, Wyoming, Utah
[removed] 
Were some of these communties dependant on nighttime signal propagation from
power houses like KSL Salt Lake to hear network radio shows ? 
It also seems that when a network did have a station in one of these smaller
communities some of the network scedules were not 
fed to those stations. Such as much of the daytime soaps [removed] 
What is your memory ?
Also RADIO GUIDE 1937 indicates that CBS and NBC schedules were on Short
Wave. Anyone know anything about this.
[removed] TODAY network programs are available in places like Hawaii. But what
about 1940? Could servicemen at Pearl Harbor 
hear a local network station or did they rely on the AFRS?

Thanks for any info .

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 02 Nov 1995 20:13:47 -0500
From: st931200@[removed] (Kerri L. Berney)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Copies of new/sports??
Message-id: <01HX6HVCIK6A014MPM@[removed]>

Does anyone know where I can (or if it is even possible to get) tapes of
news broadcasts or sports broadcasts.
If so, can someone email me the [removed]

---KLB

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 20:25:26 -0400 (EDT)
From: Francis Fisher <fisherf@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Introduction (GE SuperRadio)
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

VDonnelly@[removed] wrote:

>...I recently had an opportunity to see the GE SuperRadio at K-Mart, and
>find it a little out of style. does anyone out there know if other models
>are available? 

I guess the line about the SuperRadio's somewhat antiquated appearance 
should be laid out at the beginning of every conversation about it. 
Sorry, no one is talking of any other models for the price range. --ff
_______________________________________
Francis Fisher <fisherf@[removed]>
Director of Engineering
WV Public Radio

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 14:52:27 -0500
From: acosentini@[removed]
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Orson Welles/Reel to Reel
Message-ID: <099394f0@[removed]>

     First I'd like to reply to Jim Widner. 
     
     No I unfortunately didn't have anything to do 
     with the Compuserve project "War of the 
     World" internet broadcast. "Broadcasting" 
     audio over the net is something I'm very 
     interested in. It's also something that I'm 
     trying to learn about as fast as possible.
     In addition to all the other stuff going in 
     the land of digital audio.
     
     --------------New Subject --------------
     
     Stop it! The reel to reel is far from dead 
     and it is not a dinosaur. Production of reel 
     to reel machines march on. However the 
     manufacturers are not catering to the 
     consumer market or the audiophile market. I'm 
     going to get some addresses of companies that 
     deal in used reel to reel's. As soon as I do 
     I'll let you all know.
     Be warned if all you want to spend is one or 
     two hundred dollars you're out of luck. Most 
     (if not all) of the units out there are 
     professional models. Of course that means 
     they ain't cheap.
     For example I recently bought a Ampex ATR-700 
     at the price of $[removed] This machine is 
     built like a tank and sounds great. Just what 
     I need. A brand new Otari MX-5050 costs 
     $[removed] Same specs on both. A brand new 
     Tascam 32 costs around $[removed]
     The good news is that a professional machine 
     can last a long time even under heavy use.
     
     Your Humble Servant
     Adrian Cosentini
     Chief Audio Engineer
     The Rodgers & Hammerstein Archives
     212-870-1609
     acosentini@[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 16:44:38 -0500 (EST)
From: "Kathy O'Connell" <oconnell@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Unshackled
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

While driving home from Indiana last weekend, I heard "Unshackled" for 
the first time.  I know that someone on this list posted information 
about this series awhile ago, but I ignored it because I had never heard 
of the series & figured I never [removed]
Well, I'm wondering [removed] someone tell me more about this series?  
I also saw it mentioned in connection with Jon from Big Jon & Sparkie.  
Who produces this series?  How long has it been on?  Any other 
information about it?
Either post to the list or e-mail me privately at oconnell@[removed]

[removed] didn't find any otr during this trip, but a couple of months ago 
I was driving home from Rochester, NY on a Sunday night and heard otr 
from (I think) WEVO in upstate New York.  I know it was on the public 
radio end of the dial.

[removed] to put 3 different subjects in one post, but I'd like to 
repeat what has been printed [removed]'S GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO IS NOT 
MOVING!!  At least, not yet.  Max Schmid had been informed of a new time 
slot, had publicized it heavily at FOTR, and was told just this week that 
the time change did NOT go through.  Thanks to Steve for posting this 
information initially.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 02 Nov 1995 22:21:43 -0600
From: Lou Genco <lgenco@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Would you pay for digital OTR?
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

Several subscribers to the OTR Digest have mentioned their desire for
digitized OTR programs to be available on Internet.  Some replies have
described some of the associated problems -- requirement for many megabytes
of online disk storage, fast modems, etc., etc.

However, this may be the leading edge of yet another way to commercially
distribute OTR.  If you have any opinions either way, send me email, indicating:

     1.   Should digitized OTR be made available on the Internet?
     2.   If "yes", how much would you be willing to pay for a show
(equivalent to half of a C-60 tape)
     3.   If "yes", how large a selection would you expect to be maintained
at the provider's source.
     4.   If "yes", what format do you think would be best?  WAV, AU, or other.
     5.   If "yes" would you subscribe to a service similar to a "tape of
the month club", but with a limited selection?

No promises, yet ... but your responses will indeed get the wheels (or
capstans)  turning!


Lou
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WWW page on "Old Time Radio":         [removed]~[removed]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 02 Nov 1995 22:23:49 EST
From: DFEQ02A@[removed] (MR JOSEPH ANDOLINA JR)
To: OTR@[removed]
Subject: REEL-TO-REEL TAPE VENDOR & JEAN SHEPHERD
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

There was a recent question posted on the best source of purchasing 
reel-to-reel blank tape.
I recently purchased in bulk from 1800 ft. Ampex from a company on 
Long Island, NY. Their name is Burlington at: 106 Mott Street, 
Oceanside, NY 11572-5823 (1-800)331-3191.  Their prices are low and 
they provide quality at the same time. Others have recommended them 
to me, and I feel at ease to do the same. I don't know if you can 
consider them the best source, I'm sure there are other good 
companies out there to be recommended, but I can only go by my own 
experience.

NEW SUBJECT:

I just received my shipment of Jean Shepherd cassettes from Matinee 
House.  I was so excited that I had to run home from work on my lunch 
break to open the package.  I will probably contribute my own 
personal review of the quality of the recordings I've just received 
when I get the chance. It seems like only yesterday I was listening 
to Jean on WOR-AM in NY. I managed to get my hands on a bunch of 
shows through the kindness of another collector prior to Matinee.  
And when I threw one of the shows on to listen, I catapulted right 
back to my early teens when I enjoyed listening to comments and tales 
from the "master" himself! Many years have passed (and does time go 
so quickly) since his show's original run; not a day went by I didn't 
regret recording them on tape back then. But alas---miracles do 
happen through other collectors out there who had the sense to 
preserve them for posterity and the enjoyment of us die-hard fans!  
More on Jean Shepherd [removed]

Joe

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 22:50:41 -0500
From: Kubelski@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Jack Benny on TV
Message-ID: <951102225039_11337620@[removed]>

Glad to see we're operating again, I was starting to miss those four
digests/day.

A quick note to follow up Laurie Lee's quick note on Jack Benny's TV shows.

First thing is first for collectors:  The radio shows, particularly between
1938-1948 were just flat-out better.  The guest stars were more interesting,
the better members of Jack's cast got to do more, Mary wasn't afraid of being
on the show.

Nonetheless, I am also tempted to reply that the standard criticism of Jack
Benny's TV show is analagous to recent criticisms of Wayne Gretzgy -- a
friend told me recently ' ah Gretzgy is over the hill.'  I replied, yeah, but
for him the hill is Mt. Everest.

Jack's TV show had some great moments, particularly in the two shows I've
seen with Carol Burnett.  She wasn't around during the radio era, so the only
place to see her wacky character compete with Jack was on TV.  One episode
she played a cheating gambler in a riverboat sketch, and the Tarzan episode
mentioned by Laurie.

Both are classics and nearly equal to even his best radio shows.

Another outstanding episode to look for features Peter, Paul & Mary, in which
Jack tricks them into recording "When you say I'll beg your pardon," and then
forces them to buy the tape from him at the end of the show for $5000.

Also, all of the episodes that feature Giselle Mckenezie and the "Getting to
Know yo Duet," work better when seen (in fact, when Jack died, Charles Kuralt
completed his tribute to Jack's life and work by showing a tv show clip of
that routine.  When I first saw that special at the Museum of TV&Radio in New
York, I literally cried in my cubicle, and that was more than 20 years after
Jack died).

The all time classic, however, involves a seriel guest on his radio show,
Humphrey Bogart.  In the sketch, Jack plays detective O'Benny and Bogart
plays a hood Jack beats a confession out of. Jack tortures Bogart into
"confessing" the entire commercial for Lucky Strike cigarettes.  You can't
see that show on TV because the commercial is so integral to the plot, but
you can buy it in bigger video/movie stores everywhere.  Every Benny fan
should have it.

Also, if you can find copies of "A Love Letter to Jack Benny," a two-hour
salute to Jack's specials hosted by George Burns, Bob Hope and Johnny Carson,
pay any price to obtain it.

It is amazing to me how funny and fresh Jack's material seemed (although the
show was a best of, and watching the full length of "Jack Benny's First
Farewell to Show Business" isn't as funny as the clips in the special) and
how much of the magic of his character was imparted even though the clips
were shown with very little context.

In particular, his Sy? Si! routine with Mel Blanc and the Tijuana Strings
(didn't the Tijuana Brass sue? si!) still has me gasping for breath every
time I watch it, and that is farily often.

Hmm.  That wasn't so short after all.  Oh well.  Happy posting, Sean
Dougehrty (Kubelski@[removed])

------------------------------

    


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---- 
End of [removed] Digest V95 Issue #352
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