Subject: [removed] Digest V2006 #145
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 5/26/2006 10:18 AM

To: [removed]@[removed]

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2006 : Issue 145
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Researchers may be interested in thi  [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
      DOUBLE 'TRICK' QUESTION               [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
      horror show                           [ knight555@[removed] ]
      Three Skeleton Key                    [ mikennancy2001@[removed] ]
      response to Dave and WXYZ             [ Joemartelle@[removed] ]
      Favorite moments                      [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
      Question about Superman, et al.       [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
      Byron Kane on Suspense                [ "Karen Lerner" <[removed]@[removed] ]
      Re: WXYZ's radio heyday               [ "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed] ]
      Green Hornet exposed                  [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
      Re: Studio Orchestras                 [ "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed] ]
      Favorite OTR moment                   [ Jodie Peeler <raisingirl@mindspring ]
      5-26 births/deaths                    [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
      HOUDINI movie on tv                   [ zbob@[removed] ]
      Suspense Shows                        [ "Paul Thompson" <beachcrows@sbcglob ]
      Jack Benny and Frankie Remley         [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:03:40 -0400
    From: <otrbuff@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Researchers may be interested in this

    There's a new book just released from McFarland & Co.
    compiled by Jeanette M. Berard and Klaudia Englund titled
    "Radio Series Scripts, 1930-2001."  That's all I knew about
    it as I awaited its release for possibly six months after
    hearing it was in the pipeline.  Imagine my surprise when it
    arrived and it turned out not to be actual scripts but a
    listing of those housed at the Thousand Oaks (California)
    Library.  It's then that I read the all-important subtitle
    (which I could swear didn't accompany the initial
    announcement):  "A Catalog of the American Radio Archives
    Collection."  Even that isn't clear; you have to open the
    book and flip through it (if no one has forewarned you, as
    I'm doing) that the volume is nearly 400 pages of lists and
    nothing more.  So don't be expecting to find any scripts!

    Despite that, and the fact the title isn't exactly on
    target, the tome accomplishes very well what it sets out to
    do:  to tell OTR researchers what's available at the
    repository named.  Like most research libraries of which I'm
    aware, Thousand Oaks doesn't let you carry stuff off the
    premises.  Unlike some of those in its league, you also
    aren't permitted to photocopy scripts and other research
    materials without presenting written permission in advance
    from all copyright holders to allow you to do so.  This
    throws a damper on one's ability to gain a vast storehouse
    of data on a visit, even a visit that extends over several
    days.

    Nonetheless, the book tells you what's there even though
    it's complicated to get what you may really want -- if you
    want to peruse let's say more than a handful of scripts.
    The paperback volume sells for $55 plus $4 s/h and may be
    ordered from [removed] or 800-253-2187.  It could
    be important to researchers, especially to any who can get
    to Thousand Oaks and who have instant recall of the script
    pages they may view, assuming they aren't able to acquire
    the necessary permissions.

    Jim Cox

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    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:04:07 -0400
    From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  DOUBLE 'TRICK' QUESTION

    Al Kopec caught me on both counts.  George Aust was only partly correct.
    Bob and Helen sang NO duets -- each sang their part as a solo!  With all
    the chatter re Houdini, I thought I'd pull a trick out of the ol' top
    hat.

    [removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:04:23 -0400
    From: knight555@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  horror show

    Hi there. What is, in anyone's opinion, the best overall horror show
    on otr? not just episode, but the series that consistently had the
    most scary, well written and acted horror shows?
    I'm looking to expand my collection into horror and any opinions,
    suggestions are welcome.  you can answer directly if you like. :o)

    mj

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:16:39 -0400
    From: mikennancy2001@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Three Skeleton Key

    The recording that I have for Three Skeleton Key didn't have Vincent Price,
    but it was on "Escape" and William Conrad played Louis (Louie?).  Were there
    two separate versions?

    Mike

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:17:01 -0400
    From: Joemartelle@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  response to Dave and WXYZ
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    Hi Dave

    For my money, the deffinitive 'in depth' work on WXYZ is the book, 'WYXIE
    WONDERLAND,' masterfully and candidly written by Dick Osgood, who worked at
    the
    station for 36 years. You'll find EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about
    George W. Trendle, The Lone Ranger, Green Hornet, Sgt. Preston and a whole
    lot
    more about the 'behind the scenes' at WXYZ.  Additionally, it's a wonderful
    history of national and local radio.

    The book is a little pricey but well worth it. I watched E-Bay for the  book,
    for many months,  before winning a copy for around $[removed] You  may find a
    copy (somehat cheaper but doubtful) on [removed] Of  course, you can always
    check it out at your local library!
    Good luck and I hope you enjoy the book, as much as I have!

    Joe Martelle
    Mesa, Colorado

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    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:56:10 -0400
    From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Favorite moments
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           Obviously, there are too many to mention.  One of the ones which
    sprang immediately to mind, however, was a Christmas episode of "Amos
    and Andy" where Andy takes a job as a department store Santa Claus in
    order to get Arbodella (Andy's daughter) a doll as a Christmas gift.  Later
    in the episode, Andy explains the Lord's Prayer to her before she goes to
    bed.  IMHO, it is an episode not to be missed and one which every child
    should hear.  It has an innnocence to it which all children can easily relate
    to and doesn't talk down to them.

    Another OTR Fan,

    Kenneth Clarke

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    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:56:27 -0400
    From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Question about Superman, et al.
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           I was told that the characters of Batman and Robin were introduced on
    the Adventures of Superman.  My simple questions about this fact is:  Did
    Superman know their real identities and vice versa?  Or not?  If not, did
    they
    just know of each other as Batman, Robin, and Superman and occasionally
    have their paths cross when helping each other with solving crimes?

    Another OTR Fan,

    Kenneth Clarke

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    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:57:06 -0400
    From: "Karen Lerner" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Byron Kane on Suspense

>     ...someone mentioned the suspense show where frank lovejoy was talking down
>     a distressed [removed] believe the pilot was my friend byron kane.
>     chet norris

    This is correct, Chet!  The episode in question - Suspense's "The Lone Night
    - aired on November 18, 1956.

    Karen Lerner
    Radio Spirits, Inc.

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:58:09 -0400
    From: "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: WXYZ's radio heyday

    I just Googled "WXYZ Radio" and came up with a ton of listings. It's all
    piecemeal, and you have to pick and choose, but I think much information can
    be gleaned from the various entries. There is a biography of George Trendle
    in the El Lay Public Library that I read a couple of years ago, but it's
    (ahem) an "authorized" biography. By that I mean that most of the Lone Ranger
    books I've seen depicted him as a real SOB (and that's an understatement, but
    I don't want to get really profane here), who appropriated others' work and
    was more than miserly with his staff. The biography that I read really
    sanitizes him way over the top. Mayhaps, after reading some of the Google
    sources, someone will write the definitive history of the station.

    Thanx,

     B. Ray

>     Hug a malamute today! <

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 14:54:17 -0400
    From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Green Hornet exposed

    Gordon Robson asks:

>     What is the date of the Green Hornet episode in which old Dan Reid
>     tells his
>     son Britt about the legacy of crime fighting handed down by his
>     great-uncle,
>     The Lone Ranger?

    Ron Sayles answers:

    THE GREEN HORNET
    Episode 830    10-28-47    "Exposed"

    THE GREEN HORNET
    Episode 831    11-4-47    "Graft Crosses the Bridge"

    THE GREEN HORNET
    Episode 832    11-11-47    "Too Hot To Handle"

    The Green Hornet found out about his relationship to the Lone Ranger
    in a 3 part mini-series. "Exposed" #830 10-28-47, "Graft Crossed the
    Bridge" #831 11-4-47 and "Too Hot To Handle" #832 11-11-47. It is the
    last of the 3 where he actually learned the identity.

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 14:54:31 -0400
    From: "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Studio Orchestras

    Growing up in Chicago during the forties and fifties, I recall that at least
    three of the network outlets had studio orchestras, and vocalists as well.
    NBC owned WMAQ, and the orchestra was led by Caesar Petrillo, Jimmy's
    brother. WBBM, the CBS outlet, had a pretty good sized band that I remember
    appearing at an International Trade Fair in 1960, with a vocalist named
    Connie Mitchell. WGN, the Mutual station had a band that featured vocalist
    (ta-da) Helen O'Connell. I'm afraid I don't recall much about the ABC outlet,
    which was either WENR or WLS, or maybe both. The two stations shared the same
    frequency and I never was able to figure out the relationship between the
    two, except I think I remember "Gangbusters" being on WENR and I know that
    the "WLS National Barn Dance" was on, you guessed it, WLS, which kept telling
    me that it was my "Prairie Farmer Station," while WLS stood for World's
    Largest Store (Sears), who I guess was the original owner. BTW, in the
    current age of radio stations being little cubby holes in some strip mall,
    and farms being owned by large corporations, do any of the stations still
    broadcast farm news?

    Thanx,

     B. Ray

       W9KEE

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 16:07:10 -0400
    From: Jodie Peeler <raisingirl@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Favorite OTR moment

    hello all --

    I'm probably grandfathering this in because it comes close to the end of
    the era of OTR, but for me the OTR moment that always gets me is the May
    15, 1953 "Headline Edition" on ABC.  This is the installment where
    "technical difficulties" prevent the transcribed reports from Gunnar
    Back in Washington and Tom Casey in Chicago from being played during the
    broadcast, and "Headline Edition" host Taylor Grant reacts with some
    droll ad-libbing about the problems they're having.  At one point he
    refers to it as "a memorable Headline [removed] least to me."

    Once it becomes apparent there's some pretty serious problems, the staff
    announcer fills by reading some stock copy about ABC's crack news staff.
      When he reaches the line, "That kind of news coverage doesn't just
    happen," the announcer cracks up.  However, the super-cool way Taylor
    Grant kept his head about him as things flew apart on the air never
    ceases to amaze, or amuse, me every time I listen to that clip.

    There's an MP3 of it out there on the Web somewhere, and an edited
    version has been released on some of the Bloopers compilations.

    Jodie Peeler

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 22:15:42 -0400
    From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  5-26 births/deaths

    When trivia becomes common knowledge . . . is it still trivia?

    May 26th births

    05-26-1884 - Charles Winninger - Athens, WI - d. 1-19-1969
    actor: Captain Henry "Show Boat"; Uncle Charlie "Uncle Charlie's Tent
    Show"
    05-26-1886 - Al Jolson - Srednick, Lithuania, Russia - d. 10-23-1950
    singer: (The Jazz Singer) "Shell Chateau"; "Kraft Music Hall"
    05-26-1887 - Paul Lukas - Budapest, Austria-Hungary - d. 8-15-1971
    actor: Albert Einstein "Quick and the Dead"
    05-26-1893 - Edward MacHugh - Dundee, Scotland - d. 2-3-1957
    singer: "Gospel Singer"
    05-26-1893 - Eugene Goosens - London, England - d. 6-13-1962
    conductor: New York Philharmonic
    05-26-1895 - Norma Talmadge - Jersey City, NJ - d. 12-24-1957
    actor: "Thirty Minutes in Hollywood"
    05-26-1904 - George Formby - Lancashire, England - d. 3-6-1961
    singer, actor: "Manitoba Flood Relief Show"
    05-26-1905 - Fred MacKaye - Hackettstown, NJ - d. 9-10-1980
    actor, director: Monk Rice "Point Sublime"; "Lux Radio Theatre";
    "Romance"
    05-26-1905 - Margaret Fuller - Butler, PA - d. 1-6-1952
    actor: "Attorney At Law"; "Today's Children"
    05-26-1907 - John Wayne - Winterset, IA - d. 6-11-1979
    actor: Dan O'Brien "Three Sheets to the Wind"
    05-26-1908 - Robert Morley - Semley, England - d. 6-3-1992
    actor: "[removed] Steel Hour"
    05-26-1908 - Vera Van - Marion, OH - d. 4-16-1992
    singer: "The George Jessel Show"; "The Vicks Open House"
    05-26-1909 - Richard Maibaum - NYC - d. 1-4-1991
    screen writer: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    05-26-1910 - Larry Rhine - San Francisco, CA - d. 10-27-2000
    writer: "Duffy's Tavern"
    05-26-1911 - Ben Alexander - Goldfield, NV - d. 7-5-1969
    actor: Frank Smith "Dragnet"; Bashful Ben "Great Gildersleeve"
    05-26-1912 - Barbara Lee - Denver, CO
    actor: "Big Sister"; "Valiant Lady"; "Our Gal Sunday"
    05-26-1914 - Ziggy Elman - Philadelphia, PA - d. 6-25-1968
    trumpet: "Benny Goodman Orchestra", "The Tommy Dorsey Show"
    05-26-1915 - Martin Stone - d. 6-7-1998
    producer: "Howdy Doody"; "Author Meets the Critic"
    05-26-1915 - Sam Edwards - Macon, GA - d. 7-28-2004
    actor: Tracy Baker "One Man's Family"; Dexter Franklin "Meet Corliss
    Archer"
    05-26-1918 - John Dall - NYC - d. 1-15-1971
    actor: "Cavalcade of America"; "Voice of the Army"
    05-26-1920 - Peggy Lee - Jamestown, ND - d. 1-21-2002
    singer: "Jimmy Durante Show"; "Chesterfield Supper Club"; "Peggy Lee
    Show"
    05-26-1923 - Roy Dotrice - Island of Guernsey, Channel Islands
    actor: Sir Gregory Pitkin "Men from the Ministry"
    05-26-1931 - Chet Norris - Manhattan Beach, NY
    actor: "Tomnorrow Calling"; "Cisco Kid"; "ABC Radio Workshop"

    May 26th deaths

    02-28-1914 - Jim Boles - Lubbock, TX - d. 5-26-1977
    actor: Doc Long "I Love A Mystery"; Fulmer Green "King's Row"
    03-15-1904 - George Brent - Dublin, Ireland - d. 5-26-1979
    actor, moderator: "Doctor Fights"; "Leave It to the Girls"; "Lux
    Radio Theatre"
    04-22-1906 - Eddie Albert - Rock Island, IL - d. 5-26-2005
    actor: Walter Mitty "Secret Life of Walter Mitty"; "Eddie Albert Show"
    05-31-1901 - Joe Kelly - Crawfordsville, IN - d. 5-26-1959
    emcee, quizmaster: "National Barn Dance"; "Quiz Kids"
    06-13-1912 - Sam Taylor - Chicago, IL - d. 5-26-2000
    writer: "Tales ofWillie Piper"
    07-24-1915 - Lloyd Marx - d. 5-26-1988
    composer, conductor: "Capitol Family Hour"; "Original Amateur Hour"
    08-15-1888 - Albert Spalding - Chicago, IL - d. 5-26-1952
    violinist: "Forecast"; "Pause That Refreshes . . . On the Air"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Birthplace of Walter Blaufuss

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

    Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 22:57:59 -0400
    From: zbob@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  HOUDINI movie on tv

    The Tony Curtis movie is scheduled to show on MAX next month, on the 27th.
    Cheers!

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

    Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 00:39:06 -0400
    From: "Paul Thompson" <beachcrows@[removed];
    To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Suspense Shows

    Chet Norris inquired about the titles of two Suspense shows:

    The program featuring Claude Rains as the sole performer was about a
    reporter spending the night in a wax museum. It was called The Waxwork
    and was broadcast March 20, 1947.

    The other with Frank Lovejoy and Byron Kane in a story line about an
    air traffic controller talking down a man inside an airplane who
    doesn't know how to operate the controls was called The Long Night and
    broadcast November 18, 1957.

    Hope this info helps him locate copies of the shows.

    Paul Thompson

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

    Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 10:52:54 -0400
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Jack Benny and Frankie Remley
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    I ran across info about an archive at the 'Boston Public Library, Rare Books
    and Manuscripts' of correspondence between Jack Benny and Frank Remley

    "Benny, Jack -- Correspondence; Remley, Frank -- Correspondence; Kupcinet,
    Irv -- Correspondence; American wit and humor. A collection of 125 letters,
    mostly written by Jack Benny to Frank Remley, the left-handed guitarist who
    played on the Benny radio shows. For the most part, the letters are Jack's
    comments on articles clipped from Ripley's "Believe It or Not!" Along with
    the letters are some 16 stand-alone clippings with manuscript notes by
    Benny."

    -Irene

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