------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 457
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
jack benny [ "Kurt E. Yount" <blsmass@[removed]; ]
Christmas shows without Christmas so [ "Bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed]; ]
Capt. Midnight secret messages - exa [ "Charles Sexton" <csexton@[removed] ]
Final Benny Radio Show [ "William Schell" <bschell@[removed] ]
WEAF and the Durant Motors Radio Pro [ "Rick Botti" <rbotti@[removed]; ]
The Waltons [ "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@hotm ]
Tremayne obit [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed]; ]
Merry Christmas [ "Caldwell, Wayne" <b-caldwell1@[removed] ]
From Tom Heathwood [ HERITAGE4@[removed] ]
Robert Dryden [ smzmurphy@[removed] ]
Golden Hours OTR Christmas Special [ Rod Gowen <rgowen@[removed] ]
sam spade [ "Ed Carr" <edcarr@[removed]; ]
12-26 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Under my [removed] [ <welsa@[removed]; ]
Let's Pretend [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
1928 permanent network??? [ BH <radioguy@[removed]; ]
Re: Radios and the Radio Audience [ BH <radioguy@[removed]; ]
Today in radio history -- Weekend ed [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Question from [removed] [ Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:05:24 -0500
From: "Kurt E. Yount" <blsmass@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: jack benny
Did anybody ever come out with a definitive Jack Benny series on MP3? I
would like to buy one series, with the most shows and the best quality
that I can buy so that I will know that my Jack Benny collection is as
complete as it can be and is endorsed by some kind of authority. Am I
opening a can of worms here? If so, please write me off list about it,
since I don't want anybody to think I am getting into what is too
commercial territory, but I would like to buy the best, for now and until
new shows turn up, if they do. Merry Christmas to all, and thank you.
Kurt
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:05:32 -0500
From: "Bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed];
To: ""old-time radio digest">" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Christmas shows without Christmas songs
Hi all,
Merry Christmas to all on this best of all internet lists.
Now my question. I have noticed that on a lot of the Christmas episodes of
OTR shows the subject matter might be Christmas but many times the music will
not
be Holiday related.
Was there a reason for this?
Bill
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:05:44 -0500
From: "Charles Sexton" <csexton@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Capt. Midnight secret messages - examples
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For those who are interested, I have a page on the OTR web site that includes
examples of several secret messages issued by Capt. Midnight over the radio,
and they all are related to the adventure in progress. They were all decoded
using the ever reliable CM Code-O-Graph's appropriate for the year in which
the messages were sent. Click here
[removed] for more info as well as
additional information on a variety of other children's programs.
Since preparing that web page, I've received a number of Orphan Annie programs
that also include secret messages sent to members of Annie's Secret Society.
They, too, concern aspects of the show and offer a preview of the next day's
adventures. They aren't included yet in the above web address, but I may find
time to work them in some day.
While I love the Christmas Story movie, the scriptwriters must have written
the scene of Ralphie decoding Annie's secret message to provide another laugh
in that marvelous film. A message of a couple of words about tomorrow's
adventure without knowing anything about what had preceded it wouldn't bring
much response from the audience. A message that touted the Sponsor's product,
however, was sure to bring a guffaw or two.
Happy decoding!!
Charles Sexton
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:05:50 -0500
From: "William Schell" <bschell@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Final Benny Radio Show
In earlier posts on the final Jack Benney radio show it was mentioned Mary
Livingston dubbed her lines. Exactly what does this mean? Thanks
Bill Schell
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:06 -0500
From: "Rick Botti" <rbotti@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: WEAF and the Durant Motors Radio Program
I'm researching radio advertising regarding the Durant Motor
Company of 1921-32.
I've run across two items that I think are interesting and I
that I'd like to learn more about.
The first was a week long advertising promotion in 1929 with
the company broadcasting live from
the Oakland Durant factory over KPO. The second is this 1930
ad that briefly mentions a regularly
scheduled radio program over WEAF is below:
"Nation-wide radio program every Sunday at 7 [removed] (Eastern
Standard Time) through WEAF, New York and 39 associated
stations of the National Broadcasting Company."
I've posted scans of the WEAF ad here:
[removed]
Does anyone know where I can go to find out more about this
program?
Thanks,
Rick Botti
rbotti@[removed]
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:14 -0500
From: "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Waltons
Hello All,
It was always my impression that the Waltons were not intended to be taken
as a desperately poor family, merely a family having a somewhat rougher time
in the 1930s than they had presumably had in the 1920s. I believe there
were occasional references to John Walton, Sr, having had a good paying job
before the Depression.
Merry Christmas to All,
George
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:27 -0500
From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
To: "oldradio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Tremayne obit
The New York Times ran a very nice obit Dec. 23 for Les Tremayne, calling
him a "Star of Radio Dramas" in the headline.
The opening paragraph had an especially good decription of him, calling him
"a honey-voiced leading man of radio's golden age."
Dave J., Vancouver WA
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:37 -0500
From: "Caldwell, Wayne" <b-caldwell1@[removed];
To: "'old time radio'" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Merry Christmas
I am more of a lurker instead of a writer but want to wish everyone a Merry
Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.
Wayne Caldwell
oldtimer@[removed]
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:43 -0500
From: HERITAGE4@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: From Tom Heathwood
I am so happy to be able to join you all once again in wishing everyone a
Very Merry Chistmas. May it be one of your best ever!
To make it perfect, listen to your collection of vintage Yuletide shows and
share them with all the youngsters you know.
The Olde Tyme Radio Network is playing some great favorites too this week:
[removed]
With all best wishes for a glorious and blessed Christmas -
Tom Heathwood 12/24/03
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:50 -0500
From: smzmurphy@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Robert Dryden
I was very saddened to hear of the death of Robert Dryden. I grew up with THE
CBS RADIO MYSTERY THEATER, and he was on that very often. I could always pick
him out: He seemed to use three or four voices all the time, all of them
good. He's the star of one of my favorite episodes -- "A Horror Story." If
you've never heard it, give it a listen. I highly recommend it.
Rest in peace, Mr. Dryden, and thanks for some great childhood memories.
Mike Murphy
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:56 -0500
From: Rod Gowen <rgowen@[removed];
To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Golden Hours OTR Christmas Special
Hi folks,
I guess I was not watching what
my fingers were doing when I
posted my message.
It seems that I forgot to put a www infront of the web page where the
Golden Hours link can be found.
You will find the link to listen to the Golden Hours Christmas OTR Special
at:
[removed]
Just click on the "Listen to Golden Hours" link
at the bottom of the page.
Enjoy, and Happy Holidays to all!
Rod Gowen
Golden Hours Radio
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 16:09:11 -0500
From: "Ed Carr" <edcarr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: sam spade
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hi
i have a new sam spade show
"CHARGOGAGOGMANCHOGAGOGCHABUNA 09-25-49 :30:00*
MUNGAMOG CAPER" or as sam calls it
the indian caper.
and may have a number of harlem hospitality shows that are new
ed carr
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 16:09:30 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 12-26 births/deaths
Boxing Day (Canada)
December 26th births
12-26-1914 - Richard Widmark - Sunrise, MN
actor: Neil Davison "Home of the Brave"; Alan Webster "Joyce Jordan, [removed]"
12-26-1921 - Steve Allen - NYC - d. 10-30-2000
comedian, actor, singer, composer and anything else you might mention: "Steve
Allen Show"
December 26th deaths
01-13-1913 - Jeff Morrow - NYC - d. 12-26-1993
actor: "Electric Theatre"
02-14-1894 - Jack Benny - Chicago, IL (R: Waukegan, IL) - d. 12-26-1974
comedian: "Jack Benny Program"
07-22-1922 - Jason Robards, Jr. - Chicago, IL - d. 12-26-2000
actor: "Pepper Young"s Family"
10-28-1902 - Elsa Lanchester - Lewisham, England - d. 12-26-1986
actress: "Arch Obler"s Plays"; "Columbia Presents Corwin"; "Everyman"s Theatre"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 19:27:59 -0500
From: <welsa@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Under my [removed]
...this year was a recording of Campbell Playhouse's version of "A Christmas
Carol" with Orson Welles. A very thoughtful gift, for a fan of old radio, I
daresay.
But, can anyone tell me why the picture on the CD case is that of Alistair
Sims? Especially since he does not appear in this version at all.
Also, the case gives credit to two men whop layed Mr. Theswig. Thewig? I
thought it was Fezziwig? Someone was not paying attention to detail in the
packaging.
Ted
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 21:59:39 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Let's Pretend
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Question:
I am looking to acquire six episodes of LET'S PRETEND that are known
to exist but I don't have them in my collection. I need them for a
quick bit of research, namely the last few minutes of each broadcast.
If anyone has a copy of these shows and can either supply me a copy of
the recording or listen to the closing minutes of each and supply me a
bit of info I need (whichever is more comfortable), I would be more
than glad to $ reimburse them for their time and trouble. Toward the
end of the broadcasts (depending on the years) there would usually be
an announcement for "next week's drama" and I am interested in knowing
what those dramas are.
The Brave Little Tailor 2/14/42
One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes 11/29/52
The Twelve Dancing Princesses 2/7/53
Ceres and Proserpina 11/28/53
Beauty and the Beast 6/5/54
Hansel and Gretel 10/9/54
Hope everyone has a happy holiday!
Martin Grams, Jr.
mmargrajr@[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:19:53 -0500
From: BH <radioguy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: 1928 permanent network???
"MICHAEL BIEL" commenting about the NBC permanent, coast-to-coast network in
1928 network says:
This is confusing indeed. If this means that
there was now a dedicated network of telephone lines that reached from
coast-to-coast, that really was the job of the telephone company, not any
individual network organization. AT&T always owned the lines, and they no
longer owned either WEAF or the network it had formed. I guess we'll have
to look up the NYT article, or does anybody know the specifics already?
For what it is worth, as of January 1, 1928 the NBC networks consisted
of the Red, Blue, and the west coast Pacific network. The western
terminus for the Red and Blue was Denver (KOA). Later that year (Dec?)
Denver was connected throught Salt Lake City (KSL) to the west coast
network, which now completed the coast-to-coast network link of NBC and
NBC affiliated stations. The network then consisted of some 14,800 miles
of telephone circuits. I would guess this is what is meant by the term
"permenant network".
Bill H.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:20:48 -0500
From: BH <radioguy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Radios and the Radio Audience
On the subject of second-hand radios, Elizabeth McLeod commented:
you scan the classified ads of any metropolitan newspaper from this
period you'll find dozens of ads for used radios in the $5-$10 range,
many of them obsolete 1920s battery-operated models.
By the 1930's there was such a glut of used sets that manufacturers
became concerned that people were purchasing too many used sets instead
of new one. One idea to combat the problem was dreamed up by Philco
dealers in [removed] the used sets, as told in this March 1930
article of Radio News.
A Radio Bonfire
Witnessed by city officials, a squadron of police and members of the
fire department, the biggest burning of obsolete radios in the history of
the industry was held near City Hall, in Philadelphia, under the auspices
of Philco's local dealers, recently.
One thousand radio receivers, adjudged obsolete, went up in flames,
after scores of other sets had been saved for the hospitals and the poor
of the city. [removed] Marden arranged the big bonfire, with the idea of
boosting business in new sets. Also, he said, sale of more news sets
would be in keeping with the Hoover prosperity plea.
As ninety percent of a radio receiving set is metal, a large quantity of
parts which remained after the fire was sold for junk.
Bill H.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:21:02 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Today in radio history -- Weekend edition
From Those Were The Days --
12/27
1932 - Radio City Music Hall, in New York City, opened. It was the largest
indoor theatre in the world. The gala grand opening show was a six-hour
extravaganza that lost half a million dollars within three weeks. The theatre
has since been renovated to recapture its original decorative charm. An Art
Deco cathedral of entertainment, it seats more than 6,200 people and is still
a must-see for those visiting New York. During the holiday season, audiences
continue to get a kick out of seeing the world-famous Rockettes perform in
precision on Radio City Music Hall?s nearly 10,000-square-foot stage.
1939 - The Glenn Miller Show, also known as Music that Satisfies, started on
CBS. The 15-minute, twice-a-week show was sponsored by Chesterfield
cigarettes and was heard for nearly three years.
1940 - Singer Al Jolson and actress Ruby Keeler were divorced after 12 years
of marriage. They had separated a year earlier; but Jolson talked Keeler into
co-starring with him in the Broadway show, Hold on to Your Hats. She left the
show before the opening and then left the marriage.
1968 - The Breakfast Club signed off for the last time on ABC, after 35
years on the air.
12/28
1941 - The Helen Hayes Theater, on CBS, was called the first casualty of
World War II. Lipton Tea dropped sponsorship of the program as it prepared
for shortages in tea imports from India.
Joe
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 10:10:22 -0500
From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Question from [removed]
Folks;
Received this question on the website; please copy the list on any reply
you make to the questioner, since I'm a little curious how many different
"Skippy's" we can collectively come up with.
Charlie
- -- begin forwarded text
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:33:18 -0500
From: Albert Latson <alatson@[removed];
Can you help? I was given the nickname Skippy because my mother listened to a
radio program with that charecter. I was born in 1946. Can you help me ID the
program?
- -- end forwarded text
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #457
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