Subject: [removed] Digest V01 #185
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 6/10/2001 6:18 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                          The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                             Volume 01 : Issue 185
                       A Part of the [removed]!
                               ISSN: 1533-9289

                               Today's Topics:

     Copyright -- Not Directed at the RSI ["Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@]
     Johnny Dollar/I need input           ["Ryan Osentowski" <rosentowski@neb.]
     WNEW                                 [leemunsick@[removed]           ]
     Re:Red Skelton Raleigh Shhow number  [Eric Cooper <ejcooper2001@[removed];]
     Mereditho Willson                    ["Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];]
     Re: Archie Andrews                   ["Michael G. Pfefferkorn" <mgpfeff@s]
     An Introduction                      ["Tim Ballew" <timballew@[removed]]
     Thanks, Elizabeth RE-WNEW info!      ["jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];    ]
     Re: Radio Documentaries              [Fred Berney <berney@[removed];      ]
     Dress Code                           [Conrad Binyon <conradab@[removed]]
     Re: Archie Andrews Comics            ["Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-self]
     Fiction                              [Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed]]
     Re: ARCHIE ANDREWS                   [SanctumOTR@[removed]                 ]
     PAT FRIDAY                           ["randy story" <BYGEORGE@[removed];  ]
     Betty & Bob                          ["David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed]]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2001 21:32:44 -0400
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Copyright -- Not Directed at the RSI Controversy

    Rodney Bowcock asks.

>     [removed] a consumer that wants to be educated, how do we insure
>     that we are purchasing shows from the right people?

>     Please don't say, "Do the research" because I sure can't afford a
>     copyright attorney, nor can the average citizen of this country.

    Well, there's a difference between "assure," "insure," and "ensure."  Of
    these three, only "ensure" means "make certain that."  Only unless you're
    extremely wealthy, can you _ensure_ that you're purchasing shows from the
    right persons.  You'd have to do a rights search yourself, then check to
    see who actually has the rights to each show being considered, and
    whether that person is selling and/or authorizing sale of that/those
    program(s).  And then buy it/them from the rightful owner(s).

    Naturally, for the average citizen, this is highly impractical.  So
    what's the alternative?  As much "due diligence" as is practical.  If
    you're buying from a store, you can check its reputation (if local,
    through the BBB -- only to the extent of seeing whether there have been
    unresolved/unanswered complaints lodged against it).  This is possible to
    do long-distance, too.  The point is that the closest thing the average
    citizen can hope for is whatever information one can obtain through
    consumer agencies and groups.  Outside of that, there's not much anyone
    really can do.

    There's another factor: although remote, even with all the due diligence
    one can muster, there's always the possibility of buying something from a
    good dealer that he or she obtained _unknowingly_ from a
    less-than-legitimate source ([removed], counterfeit copies of programs with
    seemingly legitimate paperwork).

    The closest thing to an answer is that we have to presume innocence
    unless we have legitimate evidence suggesting otherwise.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2001 23:12:16 -0400
    From: "Ryan Osentowski" <rosentowski@[removed];
    To: "old time radio" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Johnny Dollar/I need input

    Hello all:
    Every summer, I am a counselor for a group of kids for a summer program here
    in Lincoln.  Two years ago, I introduced them to old-time radio and some of
    them love it!  Each night, I would play a half-hour program and they were
    usually scary or crime dramas.  I've developed a kind of cult following.
    Last year, I introduced them to the Johnny Dollar five-part programs.  Each
    night, we get together and hear one half-hour show and one episode of a JD
    case.  They've only heard two [removed]"The Molly Kay Matter," and "The
    Alvin Summers Matter."  Now, I own the entire series and it has always been
    my favorite otr series.  However, I need some input from other hard-core
    Johnny fans.  Which of the five-part stories do you think younger kids in
    their late teens would go for?  I can pick seven, so if anyone out there can
    Email me privately and give me your input, I would sure appreciate it.
    Thanks.
    RyanO

    "It don't matter how a man [removed]'s how he lives that's important."
    CPT. Augustus McCrae "Lonesome Dove"

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2001 23:47:45 -0400
    From: leemunsick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  WNEW

    As usual, Elizabeth supplies a masterful response in the form of her bio of
    WNEW, which incidentally was also the home of Martin Block and "The Make
    Believe Ballroom", which podium was admirably and often hilariously carried
    on by friend Guillamo Bey Williams (Willie B).

    I would correct one thing.  My friend Bill Murtough reminisced about the
    beginnings of WNEW some years ago at FOTR.

    He was friendly with someone involved with the "new" station, I suspect the
    intended new Chief Engineer.  They went out looking at xmtr sites.  During
    the drive around they were ruminating on the choice of call letters "for
    our new radio station".  "That's it!" someone said.  "What's it?"  "It's
    New!"

    It's new, so let's call it [removed]!

    I'm sure they also realized it would fit in with NEW York, its many
    anticipated listeners in NEW Jersey, a NEW format, etc., etc.

    In any case I don't believe it had to do with NEWark, New Jersey.  Or
    Delaware, either!

    If I'm wrong in my recollection, I'm sure that Uncle Bill will jump in
    here.  HIS recollections are incredible!  And always delightful.

    The mike is yours, Mr. [removed]

    Before I sign off, may I add my tiny voice to the idea that both the Amari
    and Copyright threads should be cut?  [removed] enough, already!

    Best to all from Lee Munsick, who incidentally has a new Email address:
    leemunsick@[removed]

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 00:10:52 -0400
    From: Eric Cooper <ejcooper2001@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re:Red Skelton Raleigh Shhow number references

    I knew the answer to this once, but have forgotten---

    When Red Skelton  at the beginning of  Raleigh Show would say something
    like "903, Rod!" And his announcer Rod O'Connor would answer him "903,
    Red!", what did that signify?

    Eric Cooper

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 00:10:49 -0400
    From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Mereditho Willson

    Meredith Wilson radio work included working on the Good News shows in the
    1930s, Burns and Allen, the Big Show, he was part of a summer replacement
    show for Fibber McGee and Molly for one summer during the war, and leading
    AFrS band in Hollywood for it's radio shows.  Many of his radio materials
    was donated to the Pacific Pioneers broadcasters.  I understand that
    collection will be move to the Thousand Oaks Library soon.  The will have
    one of the best collection of radio material in the country some day.  Thank
    you Hal for a grate anser about radio promotion, and I will take care of you
    with a copy of the Nickles.

    Walden Hughes

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 10:21:08 -0400
    From: "Michael G. Pfefferkorn" <mgpfeff@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Archie Andrews

    The comicbook called "Archie" has been published continuously since 1942.  The
    digest-sized "Archie"
    (very common at grocery stores) has been published continously since 1973.

    The Archie books have a fair number of other titles (Betty, Veronica, etc.)
    that
    are currently published.

    Hope this helps.

    Mike

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 10:21:06 -0400
    From: "Tim Ballew" <timballew@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  An Introduction

    I have been enjoying this list and reading it religiously for quite a while
    now and would like to echo the sentiment of so many other first-time posters
    and express deep appreciation for the sense of community, the expertise, and
    the enthusiasm provided in this forum. Allow me to introduce [removed]

    	Iím 34 years old. My mom pointed me toward CBS Radio Mystery Theater
    in the
    1970's and, as happened with many others in my age group, this series
    awakened my visual imagination in a unique and irreversible way. It was
    exciting to discover a world of entertainment richer and more involving than
    TV and, although in some ways similar to the experience of reading, so
    completely different too. When I compare the "magic" I felt from this one
    show, it boggles my mind to imagine an OTR-era child's array of programming.
    Well, even if I didn't have the experience of huddling under the blanket
    with an illicit crystal set to tune in my program of choice, I did have my
    own 70's experience of staying up past my bedtime (while supposedly asleep)
    to listen to the 10 or 11pm broadcasts of CBSRMT on my GE transistor radio.

    	Years after I had forgotten about CBSRMT, I was in college in Indiana
    and
    stumbled on broadcasts of When Radio Was (I believe that was the series). I
    listened as often as possible over the course of a year, but for some reason
    that first OTR discovery didn't take: I listened, enjoyed, and appreciated,
    but I didn't fall in love. It was only a few years ago while on a cabin
    vacation that I was puttering late at night and came across some tapes of
    Suspense left there for the guests. Starting with "Mission Completed" with
    Jimmy Stuart, I listened to all 6 episodes in a row and havenĚt looked back.
    A great excitement welled up in me: I just knew that I had discovered
    something special and lasting. I fell head over heels.

    	I joined this digest, began buying tapes, and widened my interest from
    Suspense into other mystery, comedy and detective [removed] almost
    anything at all. I now primarily use MP3 loaded onto a Rio 500 and listen
    almost anywhere, anytime. My wife and I ALWAYS listen while going to sleep
    at night and, except for baseball games, OTR has completely replaced
    television as my source of entertainment.

    Please indulge me as I list a few of my personal favorites along with a
    comment or two:

    Amos & Andy:
    The one series that consistently makes me laugh out loud. I'm very
    interested in the context and history of this series. This interests me as a
    fan, but particularly because I'm frustrated by the prejudice my
    contemporaries hold against this show. When you mention "Amos & Andy" to the
    average person of my age group the word "blackface" immediately hangs over
    the conversation like an angry cloud. Next to this inflammatory image, a
    complicated explanation of context and history and intent just melts into
    nothing. I'm gratified that someone with Elizabeth's knowledge and talent
    specializes in A&A and I relish her posts on this subject.

    5-part YTJDs with Bob Bailey:
    IMHO, this rendition of Johnny is about the most empathetic, complex,
    3-dimensional detective out there. I agree with earlier posts about the
    benefits to the 5-part format in terms of character development and depth.
    Jack Benny: I feel like I enter a different world when I listen to this
    show; aside from Jackís dry delivery and his wonderful role as the lovable
    butt of jokes, the cast just seems to be having so much fun that itĚs
    infectious. In particular, I find that Phil Harrisís character was a great
    ëfití with the show and its humor and feel he brought some of that feeling
    with him to his own show (one I enjoy *almost* as much as Benny)

    The Great Gildersleeve:
    The situation comedy done to perfection. I feel like I "know" the
    Gildersleeve family and the neighborhood characters. Impressive that one of
    the very earliest "sitcoms" would also be one of the most masterful at
    combining character-driven hilarity with touching moments of simple, sweet
    humanity (an exercise much attempted but rarely done well)

    Gunsmoke:
    The serious, professional presentation (especially the sound effects), the
    quality of dialogue, and the unflinching presentation of this show is
    impressive.

    ...and really this is silly since there are SO many great shows, but for me
    these stand out.

    Now, enough of the long post! The question about audience reaction to
    Beulah's appearance has been asked and answered, but here's one more I'm
    hoping you can clear up:

    Every time druggist Peavey speaks his first line in a Great Gildersleeve
    episode, the audience howls! My guess is that he was just a beloved
    character and/or it was anticipatory, since the audience knew he was sure to
    produce some laughs. It certainly doesn't sound like the result of "mugging"
    to the studio audience. What was the reason? And does anyone know if it was
    coached or spontaneous?

    Iíll humbly return with shorter posts in the future!

    Tim

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 10:21:01 -0400
    From: "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Thanks, Elizabeth RE-WNEW info!

    I wish to formally thank Elizabeth for her very scholarly, detailed account
    of WNEW's history and referral to a web site of their program schedules over
    many years.   And also the gentleman who e-mailed me with info as well.

    WNEW was a favorite station of mine while I was stationed in NYC (really
    rough duty!:)) in 1961-63.   Surely miss the station's smooth, MOR ID song.
    Goes to show you that being drafted into the army was a pretty good deal for
    me.

    Best,

    Jim Stokes
    NaturaLite Pictures

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 10:20:59 -0400
    From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Radio Documentaries

    In 1976, I produced a 5 hour set of tapes called the History of Radio. It
    contains excerpts from 150 different programs. I also included as many
    interview as I could find. These include actors from Superman, Buck Rogers,
    The Great Gildersleeve and Carleton E. Morris. The last being the person,
    not a show.

    Although not in their entirety, they have enough to give information about
    the shows. Plus you'll hear samples of shows that would normally take hours
    to plow through.

    About two years later, I produced RADIO'S GOLDEN AGE OF SCIENCE FICTION. I
    mention this only because as I was typing this, I remembered that the Buck
    Rogers and Superman interviews may be on that set. They may be on both.

    There is a 15 minute section on Amos and Andy on the History tapes. I found
    several shows where they talked about how they got started and condensed
    those shows in 15 minutes.

    Although not full fledge documentaries, these two sets offer a lot of
    variety and comments on radio.

    At 10:59 AM 6/7/01 -0400, you wrote:

>     Hi all:
>     I own a copy of a radio documentary from 1975 on, Gunsmoke.  I also own a
>     copy of a documentary about The Shadow called, Voices From the Shadows.  Can
>     anyone tell me if there are any other documentaries of radio shows that I
>     could get?  Hearing interviews with the actors is really a neat thing!
>     RyanO

    Fred
    For the best in Old Time Radio Shows [removed]
    New e-commerce page [removed]

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 11:43:59 -0400
    From: Conrad Binyon <conradab@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Dress Code

    Hal,

    How nice to have your memory banks stimulated to the degree one
    picks up the telephone to find his "Skip Homeier" number in
    your ol' address book still valid.  (I assume that's how you
    were able to get in touch with Skip) "Grin"  Talking to Skip
    Homeier again must have been a lot of fun.  Perhaps Skip has
    one of these infernal 'confuser' machines at home that he uses
    for nothing else save word processing. *Grin*  If so he can hook
    up to the internet and you two can exchange email messages to
    make up for lost time.  Who knows he may even find time to lurk
    in the Digest a few minutes. It could be hoped he'd contribute
    some OTR info as well.  All remains to be seen.  *Grin*

    Similar to your response about promoting stage play productions
    I want to ask you about something I never had an experience with
    and I wondered if you had.

    In some old 8x10 glossy photos I've seen of old New York radio
    productions in front of studio audiences, I see the artists
    performing on the show dressed in formal clothes, evening
    gowns on the ladies and black tie attire for the men.

    Did you ever do one of those shows, and if so, at your young age
    what did the producers expect you to wear?  A miniature monkey
    suit?

    On all of the audience viewed shows I ever did, my wardrobe
    usually was made up of the outfits I'd think about wearing if I
    ever went to Church, which I sometimes did in my youth. (Sunday
    School too)

    I recall I was never asked to don a tuxedo for any of the shows I
    was in for audience viewing, nor were any of the adult artists.
    Was this a reflection of the laid back culture of the west,
    especially Hollywood?  I did develop a sense of fashion however,
    learning what color combinations were pleasing to the eye,
    learning that earth colors were flattering to me, and how to tie
    three kinds of necktie knots, regular, Windsor, and bow tie.  (I
    continually observe how men tie their neck ties, especially
    admired President Reagan's skill with his Windsor knots and
    collars.) Of course he had access to a lot of wardrobe masters
    and mistresses)

    If you ever were required to wear a 'monkey suit,' I'd think it
    would fit nicely in your book.  I mean how many kids prior to
    their teens are required to wear tuxedos, save perhaps kid
    prodigy piano or xylophone players?

    CAB
    --
    conradab@[removed] (Conrad A. Binyon)
       From the Home of the Stars who loved Ranches and Farms
         Encino, California.

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 12:40:57 -0400
    From: "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Archie Andrews Comics

    I'm not Hal Stone, but perhaps I could answer this question.  The Archie
    Comics Digest has been in print since August 1973.  The Betty and
    Veronica Digest started in November 1980.  I do not have information
    about the Archie and Jughead book.  These books combine classic stories
    from the Archie comics that began in 1942 with new stories.  In nearly
    all situations the newer stories are poorly written and drawn and there
    aren't enough stories published from before the mid-70's for the books to
    be worth purchasing.  In my opinion [removed]

    Rodney Bowcock

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 19:29:11 -0400
    From: Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Fiction

    Mike Kerezman makes reference to Harry Bartell writing fiction.

    There must be something lost in the translation. The article on Radio Show
    Preparation    was a transcript by Stewart Wright of a live interview on
    Lois Culver"s IRC [removed] If it contained fiction, it was purely
    unintentional.

    Harry Bartell

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 19:30:46 -0400
    From: SanctumOTR@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: ARCHIE ANDREWS

    In a message dated 6/9/01 8:50:30 PM, Owens Pomeroy writes:

>     I was going through the check-out line in the
>     Super Market the other day and spotted a (Reader's) Digest size Cartoon
>     Magazines of "Archie Andrews", "Betty & Veronoca", and "Archie & Jughead."
>     Since this is the first time I have seen them, I would like to know if this
>     is a  comparatively new Publication?

    ***The ARCHIE COMICS DIGESTS have been being published since 1973 and are
    reportedly the best-selling comic magazines going, selling twice and many
    copies as X-MEN.  The reason for their high sales in a depressed comics
    market seems pretty obvious:  It's publisher rents the key space at
    supermarket checkout counters (so a lot of today's kids see them who may not
    even be aware of the existance of other comic books) and the ARCHIE comics
    are still character- and story-driven titles aimed at a general market of
    readers, not a small market of collectors.  --ANTHONY TOLLIN  (who worked in
    the comics field for more than 20 years at DC, Marvel, Disney but never
    Archie)***

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 19:29:16 -0400
    From: "randy story" <BYGEORGE@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  PAT FRIDAY

    Hello gang,
    I was just listening to an episode(circa 1946)of the ROY ROGERS SHOW which
    featured a singer named Pat Friday. Who was this [removed](Before Dale) member of
    the Rogers troupe?
    Anyone got an answer?
    I am certain someone on this very knowledgable board does.
    Thanks,
    Randy Story

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

    Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 20:04:30 -0400
    From: "David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Betty & Bob

    Elizabeth noted in Issue #178:

>     Edith Davis's "Gardenia" on the soap "Betty and Bob" in the
>     mid-thirties

    I'm wondering if any of these "Betty & Bob" soap operas are available out on
    the market or internet?

    Dave Phaneuf

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V01 Issue #185
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