Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #373
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 9/26/2002 10:54 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2002 : Issue 373
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Gunsmoke Simulcasts                   [ Elmer Standish <elmer_standish@telu ]
      pics of Dragnet actors                [ Mike Sheets <msheets@texarkanacolle ]
      Code and SOS                          [ EdHowell@[removed] ]
      Ranger SFX-continued                  [ "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@earthli ]
      Cultural Roots of TLR                 [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      DeMarco Sisters                       [ Ivan G Shreve Jr <iscreve@[removed] ]
      Hooves and other SFX                  [ "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed]; ]
      VARIOUS                               [ "Ian Grieve" <austotr@[removed]. ]
      AUSTRALIAN RELEASES                   [ "Ian Grieve" <austotr@[removed]. ]
      David H. Buswell - music and opening  [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
      Re: Bolton's A&A                      [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
      Re: WHN/WMGM                          [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
      Dog sounds                            [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
      Re: The Shadow !                      [ Rfmalone@[removed] ]
      Ernie Harwell Feature in Wall Street  [ Kubelski@[removed] ]
      Re: SOS                               [ Shenbarger@[removed] ]
      Hilliards: Harriet and Bob            [ leemunsick@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 22:42:52 -0400
    From: Elmer Standish <elmer_standish@[removed];
    To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Gunsmoke Simulcasts

    In conversation with an old friend, I was informed that he
    vaguely remembers early TV episodes of 'Gunsmoke' being
    simulcast on radio and television.

    If his memory is correct on this, does anyone know whether
    any of these episodes are available on audio and video.
    It would be interesting to listen and see both versions of
    an
    episode to see how well they adapted the TV version to
    radio.

    I have learned a lot about OTR since I subscribed to the
    Digest.
    The fund of knowledge available here is quite amazing and I
    thank all the people who post this information and extend my
    thanks to Charlie for providing it.

    Sincere best wishes to all ===> ELMER

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

    Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 22:42:58 -0400
    From: Mike Sheets <msheets@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  pics of Dragnet actors

    Friends,

    We all know that Jack Webb used many former radio actors on his Dragnet
    TV shows.  The following link is to a site with many pictures of those
    supporting characters.  One of them might help you to put a face to a voice.

           [removed]

    Mike

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 00:02:23 -0400
    From: EdHowell@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Code and SOS

    ....and before the use of SOS, the distress signal was CQD, CQ meaning
    general call to all stations and the D standing for Distress.  On Phone
    (newbies call it "voice"), the distress signal was the French word maider,
    pronounced Mayday, reperated three times. I believe it was on the Titantic
    that SOS was first used, after CQD brought no response.
    Ed (radio engineer 57 years, ham operator 52 years)

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 00:02:34 -0400
    From: "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@[removed];
    To: "OTR List" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Ranger SFX-continued

    Thanks to all who responded to my question on sound FX. Now, please let me
    clarify what I wanted to know but didn't put into words adequately.

    How did they do the sound of horse whineys? wineys? I don't even know how to
    spell [removed]

    Joe Salerno

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 00:03:14 -0400
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Cultural Roots of TLR

    Bill H, responding to Michael Psarakis' contrasting The Lone Ranger to
    Gunsmoke, clearly preferring the latter, notes

>     You're mixing apples and oranges. The LR was aimed at the juvinel
>     crowd, I loved it as a kid, he was a real hero we could look up too.
>     Gunsmoke was an adult western.

    Actually, I think it was something more fundamental than that.  Gunsmoke,
    no matter what its target audience, was presenting an all-too-human cast
    of characters.  The Lone Ranger was presenting the mythic.  One could
    easily do a scholarly monograph on the symbolism of TLR, including the
    idea of a slain and resurrected god or demigod (the Bryant's Gap
    incident), the transformation of the hero for a force for justice, etc.
    But scratching through all the trappings, The Lone Ranger story is one
    that goes beyond the Western to the roots of mythological tales of many
    cultures.  After his transformation, The Lone Ranger kills only one man,
    that in combat. and not intentionally.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 01:00:17 -0400
    From: Ivan G Shreve Jr <iscreve@[removed];
    To: Old Time Radio Mailing List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  DeMarco Sisters

    John Henley, in a reponse to Gunner (revrcg@[removed]) wrote:

>     Speaking for _this_ man's opinion, I really like the DeMarco Sisters and
>     actually wish they had been given another minute per program to sing
>     slightly longer arrangements.  To my ear their harmony singing is tighter,
>     more imaginative, and more swingin' than any other harmony "sister" act I
>     know of this side of the
>     Boswell Sisters.

    To which I say, amen, Brother John.  Deal me in as a fan of the DeMarcos as
    well.  In fact, hey do a version of "When the Red, Red Robin (Goes Bob, Bob,
    Bobbin' Along)" that really cooks on the Allen program of April 11,
    1948--and like you, I wish they could've an extra minute for [removed]

    Ivan
    --
    "I know I'm [removed] as long as I make 'em laugh they're not gonna lock me
    up." -- Red Skelton

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 01:18:28 -0400
    From: "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Hooves and other SFX

    Rob Muir, "Geezer", a member of the Thursday #oldradio chat room on
    Starlink-IRC, shares a picture of an actual sound effect area, that of the
    "Straight Arrow" set at KFI, Mutual network, Los Angeles at his web page
    [removed]  The picture was taken just after
    the marriage of Howard Culver ("Straight Arrow") and me - in early 1950 -
    with Howard carrying me over the "threshold" of the sound door.  You will
    see off to the right, the cocoanut shells setting in a box, used for the
    horse [removed] boxes of various things like sand, etc. for use with the
    hooves or the walking feet of the soundman.  Also, a wooden surface, a door
    with various locks and doorbells, etc.

    At that site also you can see "Straight Arrow" and his sidekick "Packy"
    (Fred Howard) in rehearsal, and the crew in the booth behind them.  You can
    email Geezer and thank him for his site.

    Thanks "Geezer" for putting up the pictures and the other interesting
    information on your site!

    Lois Culver
    KWLK Radio (Mutual) Longview, WA 1941-44
    KFI Radio (NBC) Los Angeles CA 1945-47, 50-53
    Widow of Howard Culver, actor

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:31:43 -0400
    From: "Ian Grieve" <austotr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  VARIOUS

    Hal I wish 'Archie' had been sold to Australia, that way I would find it
    easier to place an order for 30 copies, or at least I think that would have
    made it easier :)  But good news, I have 1 order already.  I will try even
    harder and see if I can get 2.  I think it would be 'cool' to have the only
    'signed' or otherwise copy in Australia, why spoil it?

    You have to remember Hal, that with the Australian Dollar being half one of
    yours, I not only have to pay a fortune in shipping, but I will also be
    paying the highest price per copy for 'the book', that alone has to make me
    your biggest fan.  I think that if any [removed] buyers with their wonderfully
    valueable pounds order a copy, they should subsidise the colonials.

    Forget hitting on the Qantas Steward, I am in regional Queensland and we
    aren't on any Qantas routes.  I guess that means that we will not get any
    visits from that well known 'Australian', John Travolta who is their
    'figurehead' at the moment.  Personally I preferred the Kangaroo sitting on
    the tail.  Loved your description of the sound effects, here was I thinking
    Monty Python invented coconuts for horse sounds.

    Enjoying the 'book' by Harry Bartell and all the discusions.  Will have some
    SHADOW questions shortly.

    Ian Grieve
    Moderator
    Australian OTR Group

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:31:58 -0400
    From: "Ian Grieve" <austotr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  AUSTRALIAN RELEASES

    As many collectors would be aware Screensound (Australian Archives), release
    CDs and cassettes from time to time.  Normally they only release
    compilations or mixed shows and a couple of eps of each.  Well they are
    about to change that.  Due out in October, as an experiment, though slightly
    delayed at the moment, is the Air Adventure of Biggles collection, which is
    a complete storyline.  It looks at this stage that this will be followed up
    by a Dick Barton complete story and possibly The Witchs tale.

    Now this is a big change for Screensound and deserves to be supported in
    sales.  More sales means more releases.  A couple of staff are sticking
    their heads out with these releases as the dominant belief is that the
    compilations would be more popular that complete storylines.  We have to
    show them that collectors want full stories.  The Australian OTR Group will
    be calling for input from collectors and interested parties as to what shows
    they have wanted to see Screensound release.  We hope to then provide
    Screensound with a priority list based on the numbers of requests.  We are
    also promoting the idea of pre subscribed releases.  We will be conducting
    polls on our website when it is unveilded shortly.

    I am reading an autobiography by an Australian Script writer, Michael Noonan
    at the moment.  Amoungst other things he was responsible for rewriting the
    [removed] Superman scripts for the Australian market.  He describes receiving the
    [removed] scripts by ship in large bundles and comments that he gathered that the
    price paid for them was based on weight.  He then had to fill in with
    original stories until more bulk scripts arrived by ship.  They ran for
    1,040 episodes.  Unfortunately it appears that not a lot have survived.

    Ian Grieve
    Moderator
    Australian OTR Group

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:33:41 -0400
    From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  David H. Buswell - music and openings

    ANTHONY TOLLIN writes, in part:
    I suspect what you're
    complaining about is the music that was intended to filter under (or be
    replaced by) commercials delivered by a local announcer. Many syndication
    discs (like the awful THE AVENGER) contain long stretches of music that would
    be faded out or under the local announcer, and also allowed the engineer to
    fade the music back up after the local commercial before the story resumed.

    This still happens, although without the "syndication disks" of old. We
    used to listen at work to 'Clark Howard' on a Los Angeles radio station at
    2 AM. This was a re-broadcast of Howard's consumer-affairs show, which was
    syndicated from an Atlanta station. After every news or commercial break we
    were subjected to two minutes of incredibly irritating "music" before the
    show would resume.
    I finally called the local station and asked why there was so much "bridge"
    music, and who-the-heck selected it. They said that the "music" ran on
    because the local station didn't have enough commercials sold in that time
    period to fill the space, so they just let the syndicated "bridge music"
    run until Clark Howard resumed his program. They said they had no control
    over the quality of the "music" that was syndicated.
    Personally, I wish it had been classical music, of whatever length.

    Herb Harrison

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:34:47 -0400
    From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Bolton's A&A

    On 9/25/02 10:46 PM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:

>     Anybody else listening to this? Elizabeth?

    I tune these in from time to time if I'm up that late. These are the work
    of Ed Bolton, a Pennsylvania-based entertainer/singer who once worked
    with the Wayne King orchestra, and who has been doing A&A impersonations
    all his life. His fondest childhood memory is of the A&A serial, which he
    followed religiously for years, and has been doing the reconstructions on
    WBCQ for more than three years now.

    His Andy voice is indeed quite convincing, and his Kingfish isn't bad
    either. His "high" voices are less convincing, and I think he makes
    Brother Crawford much too whiny. But still -- one man doing an entire
    cast of characters is quite a challenge, and he has improved considerably
    since he started in terms of getting the pacing right -- the serial was
    much more deliberate and conversational than the sitcom A&A. There are
    other details that aren't correct from a historical point of view -- he
    uses sound effects more heavily than Correll and Gosden ever did, the
    theme music should, at the point he now is in the series, be played by a
    string trio, not an organ, and the NBC system cue he uses is entirely
    spurious. But as long as you view what he's doing as a reinterpretation
    and not a precise recreation, these points can be overlooked.

    WBCQ is pretty much an open forum -- they take most any program, as long
    as cash is paid up front for the time (which explains why the programs
    preceding Bolton on the schedule are usually assorted political
    crackpots.) Bolton's paid $50 a week (mostly out of his own pocket) for
    more than three years to keep this project moving forward, and while I
    might criticize him on certain technical points, I have to admire his
    determination and dedication to the [removed]

    I'll add that you won't want to miss upcoming episodes, especially
    beginning around the end of October. Before the end of the year,
    something terrible will happen to Amos.

    Elizabeth

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:35:26 -0400
    From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: WHN/WMGM

    On 9/25/02 10:46 PM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:

>     For a while starting in 1943, WHN's FM station was in fact called WMGM; ISTR
>     references claiming that they even briefly changed the AM call to WMGM (some
>     time after 1947), but I can't confirm that.

    I can -- my late grandfather-in-law was an engineer on staff at WHN-WMGM
    for more than forty years.

    The change from WHN to WMGM happened in September 1948, and from then on
    the station enthusiastically promoted the connection to
    Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, airing all of the MGM syndicated program, and using
    a logo in print ads which echoed the typography of the movie trademark.
    The station switched to a Top 40 format in the late fifties, but still
    featured a few MGM ties --- including a transcribed drop-in show by
    Jimmie Fidler -- and ID'd as "Your Loews Theatres Radio Station." Air
    trailers for the latest MGM films were frequently heard, even after the
    change to Top 40.

    The station was sold to Storer Broadcasting in late 1961, and the new
    owners reclaimed the WHN call letters in February 1962.

    Elizabeth

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:36:29 -0400
    From: leemunsick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Dog sounds

    Dennis Crow spoke of meeting a senior citizen who said he did radio dog
    impersonations in his youth:

>     I asked him if he could do an impersonation of Yukon King. He said he
>     didn't do huskies --- that huskies were a specialty and that the husky
>     impersonators in the days of his youth were the busiest dog impersonators
>     there were.

>     Could this possibly be true? It drew quite a laugh from the audience but
>     the gentleman said he was dead-on serious.

    Brad Barker, where are you when we need you?
    Perhaps Ray Erlenborn is lurking out there and can comment on
    this!   Speak, Ray, speak!

    BTW, in looking up Brad Barker (that's the way he's listed, not as Bradley)
    I find credits for him as an actor as well as animal imitator.  Probably
    his best- (actually least-) known starring role was as Little Orphan
    Annie's famous pet, "Sandy".

    Also, in my Dunning source I was reminded that Mel Torme was a vocalist on
    several programs.  But  I learned that he was a radio actor as well.  He
    performed a lot of different characters, especially on Little Orphan Annie.

    The more I peruse such tomes as those from friend Dunning, I came to
    understand one difference between me and the major experts from whom we
    hear so often here.  It is that I use these reference books as just that,
    like encyclopedias, whereas the real experts obviously have memorized them
    all!  Amazing!

    It's still fun and educational my way.  We in our family still enjoy our
    childhood wonts in nearly every day looking up a word in the dictionary,
    and then just allowing ourselves to be referred to another word to another
    to another.  For years I have recommended that youngsters practice this
    exercise.  To those planning to go to college especially, I add that they
    should learn shorthand, to take and review lecture notes, and typing to
    then write them out and prepare written assignments.  Thus, they "hear" the
    lecture material three times, by the time they review for exams.

    Of course, the suggestion to learn to type, these days draws a smirk and
    snort.  They all now typewrite, thanks to the presence of PCs in virtually
    every school), to which I say "bravo!"

    On King!   Arf!

    Lee Munsick, the well known Virginia dog lover!

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:36:37 -0400
    From: Rfmalone@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: The Shadow !

    Anyone interested in the original Shadow pulp magazine storys can find them
    at this website. Many stories , free to download.
                             [removed]~deshadow/

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:36:46 -0400
    From: Kubelski@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Ernie Harwell Feature in Wall Street Journal

    Veteran Detroit Tigers sportscaster Ernie Harwell is profiled in today's Wall
    Street Journal as he faces retirement at age 84 this Sunday.  The profile is
    on page D10.

    Sean Dougherty
    Kubelski@[removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:37:38 -0400
    From: Shenbarger@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: SOS

    In a message dated 9/25/2002 9:45:08 PM Central Daylight Time, Alan Chapman
    writes:

>     I suppose SOS could be considered "code" for "I am in [removed]", but
>      it actually is neither code nor cipher ... it is simply the initials of
>      "Save Our Souls." It originated as a teletype abbreviation.

    >From the official US Navy web site on historical terms -

    "[removed] Contrary to popular notion, the letters [removed] do not stand for "Save
    Our Ship" or "Save Our Souls". They were selected to indicate a distress
    because, in Morse code, these letters and their combination create an
    unmistakable sound pattern."
    ([removed])

    Knowing Morse code for more than 45 years, I just had to straighten this out.
    Although the Navy shows periods after the letters, they are not sent that
    way. The character pattern is known to most people - dididit dahdahdah
    dididit.

    Don Shenbarger

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

    Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:37:30 -0400
    From: leemunsick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Hilliards: Harriet and Bob

    I'm researching information on "The Thousand Islands Song", which was a big
    seller for Arthur Godfrey about 1947.  It was covered by Johnny Mercer,
    whose Capitol record also did well.  It appeared in the show "Angel In The
    Wings", with words by Bob Hilliard and music by Carl Sigman.

    Godfrey's entry did so well that the international authority governing
    things about the Thousand Islands picked one of the islands in the Saint
    Lawrence River and deeded it to Mr. Godfrey.  The executive officer
    travelled to New York to appear on the CBS network morning show "Arthur
    Godfrey Time", where he presented the host with the deed to the island, and
    a framed map of the area showing Arthur Godfrey where "his" island was
    located.

    The words of the novelty song have Mr. Godfrey rowing up the Saint
    Lawrence, hollering for his girlfriend Florence, whom he lost in The
    Thousand Islands.  The publicity gained benefited everyone involved.  It's
    since been generally thought that "his" island was called "Arthur Godfrey
    Island", but it's actually called "Florence Island".  I believe it still
    bears a large sign visible from tourboats, which identifies it as "Island
    793", also from the lyrics in the Godfrey record.

    Actually, there is an "Arthur Godfrey Island" in Florida, operated by the
    Nature Conservancy, named in honor of Mr. Godfrey's many activities in
    behalf of conservationism and wildlife preservation.  So far I've been
    unable to confirm this, but I suspect that Arthur Godfrey had something to
    do with the acquisition of that island as a wildlife refuge, just as
    "Arthur Godfrey Field" is the name for the Leesburg Municipal Airport in
    Leesburg, Virginia.  Local resident Godfrey arranged for the financing of
    that fine little air field.  I purchased a framed aerial photograph of the
    island in the Arthur Godfrey Estate Auction held in New York City in
    December 1983.  It had been presented to him by the Nature Conservancy.

    The songwriting team of Hilliard and Sigman also composed other hits,
    including "Big Brass Band From Brazil", "Careless Hands", and "Civilization
    (Bingo Bango Bongo)".  Sigman also wrote the music for "Enjoy Yourself,
    It's Later Than You Think" with words by Herb Magidson, who also did the
    lyrics for "I'll Buy That Dream".

    Here's my question.  Hilliard is not a very common name.  Does anyone out
    there know if lyricist Bob Hilliard was related to Harriet Hilliard,
    perhaps better known as the wife of bandleader Ozzie Nelson.  Both Ozzie
    and Harriet were vocalists, so there could well be a tie.

    Will appreciate any comments.

    Thank you.  Lee Munsick     That Godfrey Guy
    Appomattox County, Virginia

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #373
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