From:	SMTP%"[removed]@[removed]"  1-NOV-1995 22:04[removed]
To:	otr@[removed]
CC:	
Subj:	[removed] Digest V95 #348

 
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	    [removed]   Volume 95 : Issue 348


Articles in this issue of [removed]:

	 The Eager Piano
	 Big Jon, C. Bear, and More
	 Shows airing in Edmonton, Alberta Canada
	 Re: Texas Rangers is a lame show
	 Life after cassettes ?
	 War of the Worlds/Orson Welles

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 09:36:59 -0800
From: dabell@[removed] (Alan Bell)
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: The Eager Piano
Message-Id: <v01520d00acbd58e979de@[[removed]]>

On Date: 01 Nov 1995 Henry Brugsch <henry@[removed]> wrote:

>The Eager Piano was this hard-done by piano which wants to go to
>Carnage Hall with his owner, but has a nervous break down before
>the event. Unfortunately, the piano gets condemned to the life
>of a down and out piano. Was very sad for those of us growing
>up to  it. Most affective stuff.

I can't believe somebody else remembers that record!  Wow! And you were
listening to it in England while I was listening to it on a farm in
Wyoming. I absolutely adored it when I was a kid.  I must have played it a
thousand times.  I still have it somewhere in storage. I pulled it out a
few years ago and listened and *still* choked up at the end.  And it's
*not* sad.  Don't you remember, the famous concert pianist, who first took
lessons on the piano when he was a boy found it at an old warehouse just
before it the was going to be chopped up into firewood and saved it.  Gets
the piano all refurbished and rolls him on stage at Carnegie Hall for a
concert (where there was no carnage, thankfully). So the Eager Piano gets
its wish.  What a wonderful story! I took piano lessons and I think that
record shaped my early interest in classical music more than anything.  In
fact, I worked and worked until I could play Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C#
Minor, just because it was featured so prominently in that record.

Not specifically OTR, but a superb story, with terrific acting (just
because it was a children's story didn't mean they didn't take it
seriously) and first-rate production.  Sorry about carrying on so about it,
but that little recording was a seminal event in my young life, and I had
to share it with everyone (whether you wanted me to or not)...

Now, just don't get me started on Sinbad the Sailor with Basil Rathbone,
featuring the music of Rimsky-Korsakov, with the giant Roc [removed]

_____________________________________________________________________
ALAN BELL  3768 Sonoma Avenue  Santa Rosa, CA 95405  dabell@[removed]
=============================707-546-6988============================
[removed]'t_bother/forget_it/~[removed]#phooey/

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 13:07:51 -0500
From: KENPILETIC@[removed]
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Big Jon, C. Bear, and More
Message-ID: <951101130750_9808300@[removed]>

     The Following was sent twice before, but was never released.
     Maybe the third time will be a charm.
     I apologize if this third posting becomes a duplicate - Ken :
 

Hi Gang -                  October 25 - 1995 -- 11:15 PM cdt 

I just finished reading the thirty (30) issues of otrdigest that came in 
while I was in Newark.  There are many topics of great interest, but I'll
try to touch on only a few.

---- Big Jon and Sparkie / No School Today :  

Jonathan Arthur Goerss used the "professional name" of Jon Arthur.
He was known to us kids as "Big Jon" (not Big John, not Uncle Jon, not
Uncle John).   The little elf from the land of Make Believe was Sparkie
(with an "ie", not Sparky).   He had a weekday afternoon program called
"Big Jon and Sparkie".  The program was 30 minutes long, and later was 
truncated to 15 minutes.  Big Jon sang songs with Sparkie, told some 
stories, and played "kiddie records".   He also had a Saturday morning 
program called "No School Today" which ran for 2 hours, and later was 
truncated to 90 minutes.  On the Saturday program he had more time to 
tell longer stories and do more elaborate features with Sparkie. 

Several years after the programs went off the air, Big Jon re-appeared 
on short wave radio.  He kept the Sparkie character, but the programs 
took on a religious nature.  If you listen to the UNSHACKLED program 
broadcast of January 2, 1977 you will hear the story of Jonathan Arthur
Goerss and learn first-hand how Sparkie talked and why Big Jon's short 
wave broadcasts we so different from his earlier commercial programs. 

---- Wistful Vista :

Jim Jordan and Marian Driscoll grew up in Peoria, Illinois.  In a very
early "Fibber McGee and Molly" program, they won their Wistful Vista 
house in some kind of contest.  Some of the characters and even the 
names of some of the streets in Wistful Vista bear a striking similarity
to those in Peoria.  It isn't too surprising that they would choose the
better features of a familiar town as the setting for their radio home. 

---- Thanks for the Information :

Thanks for the info regarding The Horn Blows at Midnight, The Ronald
Reagan Roast, and Radio Canada International.  I'll be following up on 
each of these.  

---- Disappointment : 

I am disappointed with the direction some of the recent issues is taking.
Personal debates regarding political correctness past and present seem 
to dominate several issues.  While the topic merits discussion, I don't 
belive this is the place to discuss it.  The forum/workshop on that topic
which took place at the FOTR convention was interesting but reached no 
conclusion.  Nor will any conclusion be reached here.  For those who did
not attend the convention, if you'd like an audio cassette of "Amos and 
Andy" PC discussion, contact me by e-mail. 

---- New Topic ----

The Cinnamon Bear 

We are about a month away from Thanksgiving.  This is the traditional 
time to begin listening to the Cinnamon Bear.  There are many newcomers
to the digest and some of them may not be familiar with Paddy O'Cinnamon.
I am therefore listing a brief description of this great series.  Please 
notice the cast of characters.  Some of radio's finest actors participated
in this production.  Notice also that the actor who played Jimmy is 
unknown.  I believe that the actor who played "Jimmy" also played "Jerry
(of the circus)".  I have a picture of "Jerry" and I had intended to bring
it to Newark for identification.  I misplaced it (sorry, Walter).  If any
of our "new" readers know who Jimmy/Jerry is, please let me know (I asked
this same question last year).  

THE CINNAMON BEAR 
A radio series originally heard in 1937 

Episode   Adventure 
   1      Paddy O'Cinnamon
   2      Weary Willie 
   3      Crazy Quilt Dragon
   4      The Inkaboos 
   5      Wesley, The Wailing Whale 
   6      Samuel Seal
   7      Mister Presto 
   8      Candy Pirates
   9      Roly-Poly Policeman
  10      Professor Whiz
  11      Fe-Fo, The Gentle Giant
  12      Rhyming Rabbit 
  13      Wintergreen Witch 
  14      Queen Melissa 
  15      Snaper Snick, The Crocodile 
  16      Oliver Ostrich 
  17      The Muddlers 
  18      Cocklebur Cowboys 
  19      Wooden Indian 
  20      Flying Hat 
  21      Snowman 
  22      Santa Claus 
  23      Bad Dolls 
  24      The Parade 
  25      Captain Tintop
  26      North Pole (Final Episode)


                   Production:  
           Writer:  Glanville Heisch 
           Director:  Lindsay MacHarrie
           Music Composer:  Don Honrath 
           Orchestra: Felix Mills 
           Singers:  Paul Taylor Quartet 
           Recorded at Radio Recorders
           
               Cast of Characters:
Paddy O'Cinnamon (The Cinnamon Bear): Buddy Duncan 
Mother:  Verna Felton
Judy:  Barbara Jean Wong 
Jimmy:  Unknown
Crazy Quilt Dragon:  Joseph Kerns 
Snapper Snick Crocodile:  Hanley Stafford 
Samuel the Seal:  Howard McNear
Slim the Cowboy:  Howard McNear
Penelope the Pelecan:  Elvia Allman
Mr. Presto, The Magician:  Elliot Lewis 
Santa Claus:  Lou Merrill 
Captain Tintop:  Frank Nelson 
Captain Taffy, The Pirate:  Cy Kendall 
Indian Chief:  Cy Kendall 
Weary Willie, The Stork:  Gale Gordon 
Oliver Ostrich:  Gale Gordon
King Blotto:  Ted Osborne 
Professor Whiz, The Owl:  Ted Osborne 
Fe Fo, The Gentle Giant:  Joe DuVal 
Wintergreen Witch:  Martha Wentworth
Fraidy Cat:  Dorothy Scott
Assistant Blotto Executioner:  Ed Max
Mudley: Elliot Lewis or Ed Max 
Narrator Bud Heistand
Snowman:  Bill Thompson  

The Story: 
The CINNAMON BEAR is the classic story of Judy and Jimmy Barton who search 
for the family's Silver Star which goes on top of their Christmas tree.  
They discover the star has disappeared from the attic.  They the meet The 
Cinnamon Bear, and fly to Maybeland in his Soda Pop Airplane in persuit of 
the Crazy Quilt Dragon, whom they believe took the ornament.  They meet a 
host of characters, including Crazy Quilt Dragon, The Wintergreen Witch, 
Fe Fo the Giant, and even Santa Claus.  Each amazing adventure is a 
cliffhanger.  Several times they recover the star, only to lose it again.  
Eventually the star is found for good and they return home just in time 
for Christmas. This classic story was written by Glan Heisch, inspired by 
the stuffed bear of his boyhood, for his daughter, Catherine.  Radio 
historians differ on the year of the first broadcast.  Some say 1937, 
others say 1943.  It would seem that it was "heard" several years before 
it was transcribed for broadcast.

---- That's All, Folks ! ----

Happy Taping - Ken Piletic, Streamwood, Illinois
kenpiletic@[removed] 

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

Date: 01 Nov 95 13:53:26 EST
From: Ross/Corinne  Learn <[removed]@[removed]>
To: OTR Digest <otr@[removed]>
Subject: Shows airing in Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>

Just a quick introductory note.  First, its wonderful to see that this medium of
Old Radio has more interest than just to me.  I have been a fan of them since I
was a teenager (about 20 years ago).  I wasn't around for their original
airings, however after several calls  around the city and listening to some
EXTREMELY mellow stations, I finally found one of our locals air 2 hours of old
radio every night from 11:00 pm to 1:00am.  I have listened and taped several
shows, although I am disappointed in the lack of historical knowlege displayed
by the "taped" host, a guy by the name of Dan Gavin.  Anyway, they air a good
variety of shows including DRAGNET, JACK BENNY, BURNS AND ALLEN, SUSPENSE,
ESCAPE, GUNSMOKE, JOHNNY DOLLAR, and too many more to mention.  My favorites
though have to be the comedies.  A few years ago, managed to get a copy of The
Jack Benny / Fred Allen Feud album from the library and discovered that Allen
was much more interesting to listen to than I first thought.  Also they had some
nice little touches like Jack's responses to his friend's death, really very
touching.  I am interested in hearing from members with information on some of
the "feature players" on the comedy shows like Phil Harris, Mel Blanc, Harry Von
Zell, Bea Benederit, and other announcers and band leaders that were part of the
"gangs".
Look forward to being a part of this [removed] Ross

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

Date: Wed, 01 Nov 1995 16:38:22 -0600
From: "Andrew C. Green" <acg@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Texas Rangers is a lame show
Message-Id: <[removed]@dlogics>

platecap@[removed] (Bob B) writes:
>Comparing "Tales" to Gunsmoke is almost a vulgar thought.
>There is no show that compares to Gunsmoke.  Another really good western
>is Have Gun Will Travel, and if you really have to rank them, 'smoke
>would be #1 and Have Gun #2.  A lot of collectors like Fort Laramie with
>Raymund Burr,also.  That's a good one, too.

But-- *splutter* aren't we comparing apples and oranges here? "Gunsmoke"
et al are _westerns_, and set in the past. "Tales of the Texas Rangers"
was a contemporary show (well, for 1949 or whenever it was produced),
and its stories should be compared to other crimefighting shows of the
period, IMHO; [removed] "Gangbusters".

And as such, I thought it was a pretty fair show. I'm always mildly amused
by the way they seem to drive all over the state, and are forever having
these incredibly stilted radio-telephone conversations with headquarters
(did they _really_ talk like that on 2-way radios back then?), but the acting
was okay, the stories had good variety, and I find it a good listen.

------
SGT PRESTON: King, you circle around behind that big rock
             over there. When I call, you charge 'em! Got
             that, fella?

       KING: WOOF!
                          -- Sgt. Preston and the Challenge of the Yukon
------

Andrew C. Green            (312) 266-4431
Adobe Systems, Inc. (formerly Frame Technology)
Advanced Product Services
441 W. Huron               Internet: acg@[removed]
Chicago, IL  60610-3498    FAX: (312) 266-4473

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

Date: 1 Nov 1995 13:22:02 +0008
From: "Belanger Walter" <belanger_walter@[removed]>
To: "OTR" <otr@[removed]>
Subject: Life after cassettes ?
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

Bob Burnham wrote in V 95 #344
But cassettes are ALSO on the way out!
CDs are not practical right now, and DAT (Digital Audio Tape) has its
own set of problems.

The bottom line is NOTHING lasts forever.  In the meantime, it's
probably in our best interest to use the best technology we can afford
for old time radio -- and that technology is NOT open reel quarter
tracked at 3-3/4 on government surplus tape!

Questions :
If cassettes are on the way out, what technology is begining to fill that void
? 
Are there any guesses as to what will be the next common technology for OTR
collectors ? How long will it take ?

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

Date: Wed, 01 Nov 1995 19:29:25 -0500
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: War of the Worlds/Orson Welles
Message-Id: <m0tAnTl-000KJKC@[removed]>

acosentini wrote:

>     I was very happy to see that someone 
>     mentioned my show, "Classic Radio". I've 
>     produced and engineered this OTR program for 
>     the past five years. It can be heard every 
>     Wednesday at 7:00pm to 8:00pm on WFUV-FM, 
>     [removed] here in the NYC tri-state area. 
> 

Were you involved in the CompuServe project over Halloween?  For those who
were not aware of it, there was a broadcast of Welles' War of the Worlds via
Compuserve. It required you to download the competitor (and better) to
RealAudio - a company called Streamworks.  

What I found fascinating is that we were listening to the broadcast in real
time, via my computer and CompuServe.  They had a great web page for that
project, by the way.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Widner                      INTERNET: jwidner@[removed]
Dayton, OH                      WWW: [removed]
COMPUSERVE: 74566,3041          AOL: JimWidner  
                          

                                                 

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

    


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---- 
End of [removed] Digest V95 Issue #348
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