Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #19
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 1/14/2004 12:56 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 19
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      MP3 Players                           [ Douglas Stivers <ej1dks1@[removed] ]
      Jerry Haendiges                       [ Tony Baechler <tony@[removed]; ]
      "The Littlest Angel" on radio         [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
      author wanted                         [ howard blue <khovard@[removed]; ]
      OTR names for pets                    [ Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed]; ]
      skyscraper                            [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
      Shirley's Missing Airchecks           [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
      The Greatest Entertainer of All Time  [ "Bill and Reva Muhr" <brmuhr@robson ]
      Re: Gunsmoke Casting                  [ Shenbarger@[removed] ]
      Encyclopedia of Radio: Book Review    [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      Gunsmoke                              [ Alan Chapman <[removed]@verizon. ]
      On A Note of Triumph                  [ chris chandler <chrischandler84@yah ]
      Conrad on Gunsmoke                    [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      Sidney Miller                         [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
      Re: Greatest Entertainer              [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
      Glenn Miller's Last Flight            [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      Gangbusters                           [ Mark Stratton <cty57251@centurytel. ]
      Straight Arrow                        [ <whhsa@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:15:47 -0500
    From: Douglas Stivers <ej1dks1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  MP3 Players

    I encode all my otr mp3 cd's to 32 kbps and 44 kHz for playback.  A lot
    of the less expensive portable cd mp3 and dvd players will read files
    set between 32 kbps and 320 kbps, but they definitely require settings
    of 44 kHz or 48 kHz.

    I aquire my otr mp3's at all different kbps levels and the kHz setting
    is usually set to 22 kHz.  I use a program called Goldwave to re-encode
    the files to mono, 32 kbps and 44 kHz.

    Whenever I am interested in purchasing a dvd player, or portable cd
    player, or boombox that says it will read mp3 files, I always take an
    mp3 cd with me to test the product out.  I have never been told no.

    Douglas K Stivers
    ej1dks1@[removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:18:22 -0500
    From: Tony Baechler <tony@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Jerry Haendiges

    Hello list.  I have not followed the thread on Jerry, but since his name
    came up, I would like to relate my experiences with him.  For those who
    just want the bottom line, I am never going to buy from him again because
    of constant problems.

    I first bought from him around 1996 or 1997.  He was fine then and very
    helpful.  I didn't buy from him again until October 1998 because I didn't
    have money and I was somewhat new to collecting.  All my OTr at that point
    was from Radio Spirits and was given to me as gifts.  I bought in somewhat
    small quantities from him originally because of money concerns also.

    The problems seemed to start when next I bought from him in I think
    2000.  I found a series I was interested in, "Calling All Cars."  For those
    who don't know, it is one of the earliest police dramas dating from around
    1933-39.  I bought a total of 302 programs from him on cassette.  There
    were some problems with the mail, but they were not his fault.  The problem
    I had with him is that he would go for weeks at a time with no status
    reports and would not answer my email.  At one point, I tried to make some
    corrections to his log based on actually listening to the shows.  He never
    acknowledged any email from me.  I think that I was correct but I guess he
    dismissed it.  (My correction was in regards to "The Mae West Jewel
    Robbery."  While most logs show this as being from 1934, I think this show
    is actually a rebroadcast from 1935.  The announcer says that this is a
    rebroadcast and gives it a program number out of sequence with the
    rest.)  In fairness to Jerry, though, he did let me know that he would have
    to transfer the shows from reel to cassette first so it would take some
    time.  That was fine and it was not unreasonable.

    Now I get to the beginning of the end.  I bought several episodes of "The
    Lone Ranger" from him on cassette, ranging in dates from 1938-41 with some
    1942 programs thrown in.  He let me know that they would be shipped out
    within about two weeks since they were already transfered to cassette.  He
    also informed me that only Radio Spirits and Ted Davenport had these
    shows.  I have since learned that this is apparently incorrect.  Terry
    Salomonson claims to have all surviving shows, including those.  I ordered
    them in June.  I got shipments every week or two (keep in mind that the
    entire order would be shipped in two weeks) until October.  From October to
    January of the next year (either 2001 or 2002) I got absolutely nothing
    from him.  I wrote to him in November and he let me know that they would be
    shipped the next day or so, but I guess something happened because I got no
    word at all until January.  Shortly after the new year, he let me know that
    the rest of the order was being shipped, over six months after
    ordering.  He also informed me during that time that some episodes from
    July 1940 were missing and I don't believe I ever received them.

    In May 2002, I ordered my last cassettes from him, "Family Theatre."  I
    also ordered "You Bet Your Life," around the same time, I think in
    April.  He was very prompt with both orders and I was not disappointed.  I
    thought maybe he was finally improving and I gave him yet another
    chance.  I had also switched to ordering CDs at that time and I got a
    shipment in June with no problems.  However, I was starting to notice
    something.  First, his CDs were not the best sounding I have heard.  All of
    "Phil Harris and Alice Faye" had a muffle.  Many shows had clipping, where
    the volume was too loud and caused distortion.  This happens if you don't
    pay attention to your meters and adjust the volume too much in your sound
    editing software.  I noticed his prices were high also.  He was charging $9
    per CD.  I always bought specials, so I think I paid no more than $7, but
    [removed] charges $7 without specials and doesn't have the muffle.

    I will skip over other problems I had with him until my last order.  He
    offered, on special, "Recollections at Thirty" assuming there was
    interest.  He also offered "The Quiz Kids."  I ordered both series.  After
    several months went by, I asked him about "Recollections at Thirty."  He
    mentioned that I was the only one interested and he was mastering them
    especially for me.  I told him that I definitely wanted the series and had
    no problem paying for it, but not at $9 per CD since that is more expensive
    than many other dealers.  I got a total of 8 CDs, but not the entire
    series.  I never got any of "The Quiz Kids," even though I stated that I
    would take either cassette or CD.

    I finally found another dealer with better prices and quality,
    [removed]  Terry has been excellent and I would recommend
    him.  My last message from Jerry said that it was probably better that I
    buy directly from Terry because he didn't want to waste any more time on me
    or some such.  I think he said that I was a waste of his time, but I know
    it was words to that effect.  For new customers or those who don't mind
    waiting at least six months for an order, Jerry is fine.  If you want your
    order promptly or quality is a concern, you should look elsewhere.  I have
    had good experiences with both Radio Memories and Audio Classics.  Sorry
    this message ended up longer than I intended.  Jerry is not all bad, as
    long as you are willing to accept certain things, such as very slow
    delivery for orders.

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:18:28 -0500
    From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  "The Littlest Angel" on radio

    I did a Google search on <"The Littlest Angel" radio Loretta Young>. It
    looks like your program was produced on radio in 1949. For more info, check
    out the Google search listings; you might even be tempted to buy a
    recording of the show.

    Herb Harrison

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:18:47 -0500
    From: howard blue <khovard@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  author wanted
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    A publisher is looking for "possible authors for possible volumes in the
    subseries on Radio. . .  This could be for national radio . . . British,
    American, Canadian etc or genres: soap opera, quiz shows, etc preferably
    international."

     If anyone is interested, please contact me.

    Howard Blue

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 12:01:01 -0500
    From: Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  OTR names for pets

    Derek mentions a member's new pet--that would be me (the member, not the
    pet).  A tiny black pound-rescued poodlet (good word, eh?).  We wanted a
    Jack Benny name (those of you who know my daughter Karen will
    understand).  We considered Jack, and Benny, and Dennis, and [removed]
    seemed to fit.  Then Derek came up with Remley, which we loved, and we
    tried that.  A great name, but after serious consideration we decided
    that the pup's character didn't fit his namesake.  Remley was a conniver,
    and this pup is anything but.  Finally, Karen came up with Max (as in
    Jack's Maxwell).    This seemed ideal, because the pup makes strange
    noises like the car, and he is undependable in that he decides whether to
    come or not when you call.  So his official name is Maxwell Remley, and
    we call him Max.  Thanks Derek!

    ---Dan

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 12:24:04 -0500
    From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  skyscraper

>     Last night I was listening to an episode of 'The Aldrich Family' in which
>     Henry and Homer each ordered 'skyscrapers' at the soda fountain.

    Oh, my.  I _think_ that a skyscraper was a very substantial ice-cream
    sundae, taller than the usual, hence the name.  Corrections invited: I am
    racking my brain (a 1947 Cleveland.)

    Mark Kinsler

    I think they recalled that model.

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 12:24:40 -0500
    From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
    To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Shirley's Missing Airchecks

    The saga continues in the search for the "Missing Massachusetts Man" to
    whom OTR star Shirley Eggleston in 1998 turned over her five airchecks
    of uncirculated materials. Jay Hickerson, who had suggested this
    arrangement to Shirley at his  Newark FOTR Convention, cannot recall
    the name of the man, nor can Shirley, who lost his contact data a few
    years ago during a move to her current residence.

    Digesters in the New England area have been alerted to try and find
    this fellow. He had promised Shirley that he knew all about
    transcribing air checks and he would dub copies for her. She never
    heard from him again.

    Recent interviews with Shirley have produced some additional
    identifying data on the "Missing Massachusetts Man". She recalled he
    said he was from "Wooster, MA", which I guess is actually spelled
    "Worcheshire?" At any rate, she recalls he was a heavy set guy, but
    that description would fit 40% of the the attendees to any  FOTR
    convention.

    Stay tuned for further [removed]

    Jack French
    Editor: RADIO RECALL
    [removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 12:49:54 -0500
    From: "Bill and Reva Muhr" <brmuhr@[removed];
    To: "old radio" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  The Greatest Entertainer of All Time?

    There will be MANY contributions on this question. If versatility as well as
    talent is taken into consideration,IMHO,Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby are in
    a virtual tie. Bill Muhr

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 12:50:40 -0500
    From: Shenbarger@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Gunsmoke Casting
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
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    In a message dated 1/13/2004 Brian West wrote:

>     It's a pretty funny story, but does anyone know if it is true?

    The story I have in an audio recording is the entire radio cast was given a
    perfunctory audition/screen test for the TV show at the last minute. This was
    apparently a courtesy to the radio cast as the decision to have separate casts
    had already been made.

    Don Shenbarger

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 13:06:20 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Encyclopedia of Radio: Book Review

    The Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Radio (2004:
    Fitzroy Dearborn, ISBN 1-57598-249-4 for the set) is a hardbound
    three-volume set with an impressive 1650 pages, including index.  Its
    basic intent is for libraries and schools, but is quite a reference for
    the OTR fan who can afford it.  However, it is *not* just another OTR
    reference: it covers radio broadcasting to the present.  Nor is it
    restricted to the United States: it covers radio worldwide.

    "Covers Radio" is also not restricted to programming.  There are entries
    concerning various radio manufacturers, and even crystal sets.  The
    encyclopedia covers "wireless transmission" from Marconi on, including
    Digital Radio.

    But although various technologies are covered, this is in no sense an
    engineering encyclopedia, such as *The Audio Cyclopedia* edited by Howard
    Tremaine or *The Focal Encyclopedia of Film and Television Technologies"
    edited by Raymond Spottiswoode et al.  One needs no technological depth
    for the entries.

    It also touches upon various personalities, including Paul Harvey, Rush
    Limbaugh, and Jerry Williams as well as the commentators of the 1930s and
    1940s.  Naturally, the great radio personalities such as Jack Benny, Bob
    Hope, and Eddie Cantor.

    Several contributors to the encyclopedia are contributors to the Digest
    (I won't list them here in case I overlook one), with educational
    affiliation.

    However, I was dismayed to read the following in a discussion of radio
    premiums: "'Missing a commercial proved almost as much a disappointment
    as missing a moment of the action itself,' recalls a veteran children's
    serial listener; "I enjoyed sending for the advertised products,
    especially those, like the decoder ring, which became part of the
    story.'"

    At least the contributor, an academic, quoted somebody else.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 13:17:23 -0500
    From: Alan Chapman <[removed]@[removed];
    To: Old-Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Gunsmoke

     > The story I once heard is that William Conrad was offered the role of
     > Matt Dillon on the TV version of Gunsmoke, but he declined because he
     > felt that the series would never last on television.

    Several years ago, I was present at an interview with Parley Baer
    (conducted by Ken Meyer). The way Parley told it, none of the radio cast
    were even asked to audition for the TV Gunsmoke.  When he found out,
    Bill Conrad because incensed and demanded that they be given a shot, so
    a special audition was set up in the middle of the night. Bill, Parley,
    Georgia Ellis and Howard McNear were all auditioned.  The next day, the
    TV cast was announced.

    Subsequently, Parley, Georgia and Howard did play occasional small parts
    on the TV show.  Bill Conrad refused to appear in it, but he did
    eventually direct some episodes.

    -- Alan

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 13:24:29 -0500
    From: chris chandler <chrischandler84@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  On A Note of Triumph

    Weird esoteric question:  is there a way to tell the
    original 5/8/45 broadcast from the repeat performance
    several days later?  Anybody know?

    chris

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 13:24:21 -0500
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Conrad on Gunsmoke

    I think the person who could give us information on the casting of TV
    Gunsmoke is Harry Bartell.   He took wonderful pictures of the radio cast in
    western garb which I believe were for the purpose of promoting consideration
    of the radio cast for TV.
    -Irene

    [ADMINISTRIVIA: The photographs Harry took that day in 1953 are available at:

    [removed]

    ...along with Harry's personal comments about the photos.  --cfs3]

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 13:25:05 -0500
    From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Sidney Miller

    There was a death notice in the January 13 edition of the Los Angeles Times
    that actor, director, songwriter Sidney Miller has died. He was 87.

    Barbara

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 13:27:33 -0500
    From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Greatest Entertainer

    On 1/14/04 11:24 AM [removed]@[removed] wrote:

>     Of course there are others worthy of consideration, but lets have some fun
>     and
>     choose
>     our own Greatest Entertainer of All Time - the real one.

    If you define "Greatest Entertainer" as being a performer who has not
    only succeeded in multiple areas of show business, but also posesses an
    extraordinary in-person charisma that reaches down and utterly and
    completely grabs the audience, I'd posit a four way tie between Al
    Jolson, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Elvis Presley.

    I can't think of anyone else, in all of show business history, who I'd
    say genuinely belongs in this class of larger-than-life performer. Eddie
    Cantor and Sammy Davis Jr. might come close, if you wanted to argue about
    it, but I don't think they quite make it.

    Elizabeth

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 14:55:21 -0500
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Glenn Miller's Last Flight

    Joe Mackey's memory about the Glenn Miller program and the latest
    speculation about why Glenn Miller's plane crashed is correct.

    The documentary was titled 'Glenn Miller's Last Flight' and was broadcast on
    PBS in 2002.  It was produced in England and based on the many years of
    research of a noted British Aviation historian.    Reviews were excellent
    and it was hailed as the most convincing and detailed explanation yet.
    -Irene

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 14:55:36 -0500
    From: Mark Stratton <cty57251@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Gangbusters

    I've been listening to some Gangbusters shows recently and a question
    crossed my mind.  Were the descriptions of wanted criminals much help
    to the Authorities in their War Against The Underworld?

    I heard an episode where a couple of kids spotted somebody they had
    heard about on Gangbusters, but really wondered how often the descriptions
    actually helped the authorities.

    Also, the phrase "by proxy" is used quite a bit to introduce a law
    enforcement
    official who was relaying the story.  What did they mean by that?

    Thanks,

    Mark Stratton
    --
    "That's the kind of wooly-headed liberal thinking that leads to being
    eaten." - Principal Snyder (BtVS)

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

    Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 14:56:06 -0500
    From: <whhsa@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Straight Arrow
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    Dear OTR folks;

    Peace in 2004!

    I have enjoyed the banter regarding shredded wheat and Quaker Puffed Cereals.
    When Quaker was advertised by Shirley Temple it was not promoted as the cereal
    "shot from a gun". Later they used this image of being "shot from a gun". I
    always wonder about this as Quakers were always nonagressive in behavior. Oh,
    well!

    Of course many remarked about the Niagara Falls representation on the Nabisco
    Shredded Wheat box. The "The Palace of Light" was certainly a tourist
    attraction in the area.

    It is interesting to note in my Straight Arrow research, that regardless of
    the subject of the cardboard inserts in NABISCO Shredded Wheat they were
    always aimed at the youth the very group that did not care for the biscuit.
    The Straight Arrow promotion, which was copyrighted by NABISCO, was a major
    attempt to "sell" this cereal to a younger group, however as it aired at 8 PM
    for a 39 week stint on the Don Lee Network and after going nationwide over
    Mutual it still held an 8PM slot along with two 5 PM shows. The sales for
    NABISCO Shredded Wheat did increase some 10% during the Don Lee's airing;
    however I never saw a report for sales after going nationwide. The show was
    one of the few children shows to reach a high mark in overall ratings.

    For what it is worth! Also for remembering Howard Culver, Fred Howard
    (Wright), Gwen Delano, Frank Bingham, et al who rode the trail to justice the
    Straight Arrow radio broadcast for 4 exciting years.

    Manituwah

    Bill Harper

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    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #19
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