Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #290
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 9/5/2004 10:30 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 290
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Godfrey and cows                      [ damyankeeinva <damyankeeinva@earthl ]
      fictional character fro radio to tv?  [ Jer51473@[removed] ]
      FOTR Convetion - Howard Johnson Hote  [ Bruce Forsberg <forsberg@[removed]; ]
      Milton DeLugg                         [ "[removed]" <asajb2000@ ]
      Early Lone Ranger Radio/TV Stories?   [ skallisjr@[removed] ]
      Milton DeLugg                         [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
      SCRIPT DROPPING                       [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
      BRUCE JENKINS                         [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
      Re: ILAM Book                         [ Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed]; ]
      Same Character, Same Actor on Both R  [ littlejc2@[removed] ]
      Radio Drama Returns                   [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
      This week in radio history 9/5-11     [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Milton DeLugg vs. Frank DeVol         [ "[removed]" <asajb2000@ ]
      One More Skitch                       [ <tallpaulk@[removed]; ]
      Early TV fictional character          [ Richard Olday <raolday@[removed]; ]
      Radio Pages                           [ "david rogers" <david_rogers@hotmai ]
      (From Elmer) I Love A Mystery Book    [ Elmer Standish <elmer_standish@telu ]
      TL                                    [ JLF <jlf2@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 12:14:39 -0400
    From: damyankeeinva <damyankeeinva@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Godfrey and cows

    No, not his own cows (he did raise cattle, other livestock and a myriad of
    wild animals from elephant to zebra, on his Virginia ranch).

    I want to express my thanks to those readers who contacted me off-line in my
    inquiry about the "Carnation Quarter-Hour of Contentment".  I apologize for
    making the connection between Contented and cows, and jumping to Borden.  I
    stand corrected, but I would milk sitting down.  But I'd probably have cold
    hands, so for both offenses Elsie would booooo me all over Elmer's and her
    pasture!  As soon as I sent in my appeal for help, I realized that mistake.
    Now I'd like to milk the subject a bit more, and beg for your contented
    interest.

    After my posting, I began to realize that I had known about the Carnation
    program, but had forgotten.  It was well before my time, airing around
    1939-41.  They were transcribed at WOR-Mutual in their now-lamented studios
    at 1440 Broadway in New York, and ran from early 1939 into 1941 at least.
    The ETs were mailed out to what apparently became at least 41 MBS stations.
    Undoubtedly 16" "shellac"; imagine doing that today in the postal system!

    This is puzzling to me.  Was this mailing system of ETs done to give local
    stations Mutual stations opportunity to fit the 15-minute segments into their
    broadcast day where they wished (or perhaps the advertising agency
    requested), or were there MBS stations which were not connected by wire even
    at that late date?  Or both?

    This was all about the time that Mr. Godfrey was being heard in Washington
    and New York on their two respective CBS outlets.  He was also being heard on
    WOR with a 15 minute morning program which featured his singing!  I don't
    have at hand the name of the program; it was listed in newspapers as just
    "Arthur Godfrey".   One more reason why we occasionally see Mr. Godfrey
    speaking or singing into a WOR or Mutual labeled mike.

    This connection and familiarity with WOR and its staff may explain why, when
    he began his long-running CBS network program, it was aired in New York not
    on WABC (CBS) but on WOR, and probably originated in a WOR studio.  It
    perhaps would explain why the "other station" was WOR, vs any other NYC
    station, but the mystery remains as to why that initial program was not
    carried on WABC to begin with, when it was announced by CBS that it would air
    on the complete CBS network EXCEPT in New York City.

    We do know that early on, CBS (William Paley) and WOR long had between them a
    working relationship.  In Mr. Paley's biography, it was revealed that he had
    the opportunity to purchase either WABC or WOR.  He chose the former, because
    the sale price was lower.  There was a good reason for the higher price; it
    was a superior operation.  Mr. Paley often said through later years, that he
    made a major mistake, considering WOR's incredible signal area.   After that
    purchase, the strong competition between MBS and CBS in time wore down the
    friendly relationship. But obviously it was still around in the early 1940s.

    I also am informed that around 1940, Mr. Godfrey transcribed a show for Union
    Leader Smoking Tobacco.  I've not been able to ascertain whether this program
    actually aired (and if so, what it was called), of if he just did an audition
    session.  Any help on this will be appreciated.  By the way, over the years
    Mr. Godfrey was sponsored by various tobacco products.  He is of course best
    remembered for his many years with Chesterfield.  One of his earlier sponsors
    while he was in Washington was Primo Cigars.  One wonders if this was known
    by Mr. Paley, whose family owned their own cigar company in Philadelphia.  I
    don't know whence came those Primo Cigars.  That brand name is still in
    existence for cigars claimed to be made in Cuba.

    I'm not sure which tobacco company produced the Union Leader brand.  Like
    many other tobacco products up into the 1930s, it came in a metal tin.
    Theirs had a distinct appearance instantly recognized by tobacco buyers with
    its picture of Uncle Sam on the front.  It was different from other cigarette
    tins, in that it was fairly large, and came with a wire handle on the top,
    looking like (and undoubtedly used by working folk as) a lunchbox.  Many
    readers may recall the green Lucky Strike tins (before "Lucky Strike Green
    Went to War" in WWII).  Mr. Godfrey's later longtime sponsor Chesterfield
    then came in a tin container as well.   Rather elegant looking, with a
    distinct typeface (reminiscent of newspaper banners) and gold filigree on a
    white background.   The only such tin container I recall which survived World
    War II was for the Prince Albert pipe tobacco, which I believe survives to
    date.  But then, I've never been a smoker, so what do I know?  That is one
    thing on which I'm forever grateful that Mr. Godfrey did not sell me!   He
    "caught up" with my position eventually, but it took his near-death
    experience with lung and aortic cancer before he switched and became an avid
    anti-smoking spokesman!  Too late, in a way; while he had most of one lung
    removed and lived another two decades, he succumbed to another horrible
    death, from Emphysema.

    In my initial Google searches to learn the history of Union Leader, I found
    many of their tins offered on eBay.  Apparently the Union Leader ones in
    particular are very desirable for collectors of tobacco, advertising,
    tinware, and Uncle Sam materials.

    I am hopeful of obtaining copies of Carnation Contentment Quarter Hours,
    Union-Leader Tobacco shows, or Singin' Sam programs with Mr. Godfrey.  All,
    by the way, were apparently syndicated by transcription.  If you can help me
    in any way, please contact me off-line.  Also with any advertising or other
    material pertaining thereto.

    Many thanks for your interest and help.    Lee Munsick   That Godfrey Guy

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:18:34 -0400
    From: Jer51473@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  fictional character fro radio to tv?
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    the actor that did it first? was it clayton moore?

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:19:59 -0400
    From: Bruce Forsberg <forsberg@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  FOTR Convetion - Howard Johnson Hotel

    I attended my first FOTR convention last year and enjoyed it very much.
    This note is for those who have never attended before. I just made my
    hotel reservations at the Howard Johnson hotel. They just lowered their
    rate to $60 per night on the internet. This is where I stayed last year.
    It is a good hotel and they have a nice little cafe in the hotel. I
    asked the shuttle bus driver about it going to the Holiday Inn and the
    Howard Johnson hotels both and he informed me that both hotels are owned
    by the same company and that is why they share the shuttle bus. The
    Howard Johnson is about 1/4 mile from the Holiday Inn on the same road.
    You will need to take the shuttle at night since this road is too
    dangerous to walk at night, in my opinion. The road between the hotels
    has no sidewalks and the side of the road last year was overgrown with
    weeds so if you walk between hotels you will need to walk in the road.
    Also bring something to read between the last panel of the day and the
    banquet. Once while waiting for the shuttle it took almost an hour.
    Usually it was only about 15-30 minute wait. So if you go to the HOJO
    and then back to the banquet you might be late. So, if there is still a
    shuttle between these hotels this year then this is a good low cost
    alternative in my opinion. See you there.

    Bruce

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:19:15 -0400
    From: "[removed]" <asajb2000@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Milton DeLugg

>     Milton Delugg took Skitch Henderson's place, and he in turn was
>     replaced by Doc Severenson up to the time Johnny Carson left the
>     show. Remember Milton DeLugg playing the accordion on the show?

    MIlton a/k/a Happy Kyner was the bandleader and third
    banana on the fictional Fernwood 2Night with Martin
    Mull and Fred Willard.
    It was a fictional talk show within the fictional Mary
    Hartman, Mary Hartman in the late 1970's.

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:23:15 -0400
    From: skallisjr@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Early Lone Ranger Radio/TV Stories?

    I recently picked up some early TV episodes of the television version of
    The Lone Ranger.  At the end of the shows, in the credits, it notes,
    "Adapted from the radio program.  Edited by Fran Stryker."

    Interesting that some of the stories seem to have been recycled.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:23:48 -0400
    From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Milton DeLugg

>     I read Bob Slate's post on the OTR Digest which jogged my recollections
>     of the 1950-51 TV show with Milton DeLugg

    I remember Milton DeLugg, accordian, frizzy hair and all.  In 1950-51, he
    was indeed the music director / performer on "Broadway Open House" with
    Jerry Lester, Dagmar, Wayne Howell (announcer) and Jack E. Leonard - another
    burlesque comedian with a balding spot covered by a pork-pie-sort-of hat
    that he spun around and then he occasionally attempted to do a somersault -
    a big accomplishment for a stout man when he was successful.

    Jerry and Milt sang the (stupid) Beanbag Song opening, theme song ("I'm a
    bean bag, a bean [removed]) and their intro to a commercial break was "One,
    Two, Three"  (something.)  The ending theme song was "Almost Like Being In
    Love" sung by Jerry and the gang as they were waving "goodbye."  And there
    was a popular vocal group from the big band era, regulars on the show, three
    guys and a girl, who participated in the sketches, I've forgotten their
    name.

    I think I have this sequence correct: The first late-night, NBC show was
    "America After Dark" with Jack Lescoulie (which preceeded Broadway Open
    House), featuring live b/w camera pickups of entertainment or whatever news
    from major cities across the country at night.  Then, the Jerry Lester,
    Broadway Open House; next a year of Ernie Kovacs as host of The Tonight
    Show.  I also remember that Morey Amsterdam (cello and all) was a host,
    followed by Steve Allen's reign of The Tonight Show before Johnny Carson and
    Jay Leno.

    Milton DeLugg is still living in Hollywood and his main musical occupation
    now, I understand, is producing and directing music for the Rose Bowl Parade
    on New Year's Day.  He is also a prolific, pop music composer with many
    titles in his repertoire.  I interviewed him on my radio show years ago, he
    has a very nice, unassuming personality and has aided many new singers and
    musicians to reach their stardom.

    =Russ Butler  oldradio@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:24:04 -0400
    From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  SCRIPT DROPPING

    When Chick Hearn worked for us, WEEK, Peoria, in 1951, he came into the
    studio, sat down in his chair, and unbuttoned his trousers, and
    [removed], you get the picture!
    [removed]
    soon, a less than sad tribute to the anniversary of 9/11 -- Gordon
    Jenkins' Manhattan [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:24:18 -0400
    From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  BRUCE JENKINS

    His marvelous Chronicle articles are archived, right here on the
    Internet.
    His book about Gordy, Goodbye, will soon be [removed] you read
    the first chapter, you'll never 'hear' Goodbye the way you have heard it
    for 70 [removed] little teaser, eh?
    Gordon did a lot of work in radio -- he was music director at NBC for
    [removed] worked at [removed]
    what a talent--what a FRIEND!
    Sandy Singer
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:24:24 -0400
    From: Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: ILAM Book

    To answer the person who wanted to know, Martin Grams has a ILAM book.

    Fred
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:24:38 -0400
    From: littlejc2@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Same Character, Same Actor on Both Radio & TV
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    My parents bought our first tv, a 16-inch round Muntz, in the late fall of
    1949.  For me, then, Kermyt Anderson's question about the first actor to
    portray the same character on both radio and TV is fairly easy.  We watched
    William Gargan as "Martin Kane" regularly.  Gargan played the same character
    on radio just prior to the TV series, as I recall.  Yep, Dunning supports my
    memory only he says the two series, "Martin Kane, Private Eye," ran
    concurrently on both mediums.
    And about Milton Delugg, I remember vividly that he was the band leader, who
    also played accordian, on Jerry Lester's "Braodway Open House."  That had to
    have been broadcast at about the same period as "Martin Kane," late '49 or
    early '50.  And how could anyone, sentient at the time, forget Dagmar?
    Chester Littlejohn

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 16:24:45 -0400
    From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Radio Drama Returns

    In my current Northwestern University Alumni magazine, there's an article
    and photo of students involved in a project called NURD (Northwestern
    University Radio Drama).  They were broadcasting live drama every Sunday
    night on student-run WNUR-FM ([removed] in the Chicago area) during the Spring
    semester and it was immensely popular with listeners.

    Judging by the financial support from listeners during the yearly pledge
    drive, NURD received more than 650 percent of it's fundraising goal.  In the
    Fall, the NURD broadcasts will continue on Sunday afternoons on WNUR-FM.

    Northwestern students made their mark in the real world of radio performing
    tales of comedy, drama, documentaries and adventure originally on Chicago
    stations.  "Radio Playshop" ran as a non-credit course from 1939 to 1953
    with student-produced weekly scripts for broadcast on Chicago AM radio
    stations WCFL, WEAW, WIND and WJJD.  "The Radio Guild" workshop broadcast
    student-written adaptations of literary classics on WBBM Chicago from 1946
    to 1949.

    in 2003, a 1940's propaganda piece prompted a current Northwestern School of
    Communication (formerly the School of Speech) student's interest in the use
    the government script from the University Archive vault for a class project.
    A bunch of his friends were recruited to record it and NURD evolve.  The
    older scripts were used as a springboard into radio drama, and recently the
    radio actors incorporated scripts written by current, NU students on
    WNUR-FM.

    Looks like radio drama is once again becoming popular in The Windy City
    where so many of the early OTR programs originated.  Good show, people of
    NURD!!

    =Russ Butler  oldradio@[removed]
    "Everything old becomes new again"

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 18:18:50 -0400
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  This week in radio history 9/5-11

     From Those Were The Days --

    9/5

    1938 - The NBC Red network broadcast Life Can Be Beautiful for the first
    time. The program was "an inspiring message of faith drawn from life."
    The program aired until 1954.

    9/6

    1920 - The first prizefight broadcast on radio featured Jack Dempsey
    knocking out Billy Miske in the third round of a bout in Benton Harbor,
    MI. Radio station WWJ in Detroit was the station that fight fans were
    tuned to.

    9/8

    1935 - The Hoboken Four, featuring Frank Sinatra as lead singer,
    appeared on Major Bowes Amateur Hour on WOR. The group won the
    competition held at the Capitol Theatre in New York City.

    1944 - Ed Wynn resumed his radio career after seven years off the air.
    Wynn starred in Happy Island on the NBC Blue network.

    9/9

    1926 -- the National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) was created by the Radio
    Corp. of America.

    1946 - Ben Alexander hosted Heart's Desire for the first time, a
    giveaway contest program on the Mutual Broadcasting System.

    9/10

    1935 - "I'm Popeye the sailor [removed]" toot! toot! Popeye was heard for
    the first time on NBC. The show was based on the Elzie Crisler Segar
    comic strip, which featured Popeye, Olive Oyl, Brutas, Wimpy and
    Sweepea. Now, eat your spinach in celebration!

    Joe

    --
    Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 18:20:50 -0400
    From: "[removed]" <asajb2000@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Milton DeLugg vs. Frank DeVol

    I think I was [removed] DeLugg was on the Gong
    Show with Chuck Barris, as I recall and Frank DeVol
    played Happy Kyne on the fictional Tv talk show
    Fernwood 2Night.  I'm not sure about Milton DeLugg but
    Frank DeVol was a composer and also wrote many TV show
    theme songs (I watched way too much TV growing up,
    when there were only about 3 network stations, PBS and
    some independent UHF stations and each was owned by a
    separate, different owner) and I remember certain
    names from watching the credits.

    Andy Blatt

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 18:23:20 -0400
    From: <tallpaulk@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  One More Skitch

    I have four eps from 1969 of a show called Guard Session.  This was one of
    those 15 minute shows where musical and other stars promoted a government
    program or agency.  This particular show promoted the National Guard.

    The four eps I have all have Peter, Paul and Mary as the guest artists and
    Skitch Henderson as the host and moderator.  From the content, it appears
    that Skitch is the permanent host.

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 23:33:48 -0400
    From: Richard Olday <raolday@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Early TV fictional character

    How about John Brown as "Digger" O'Dell the friendly
    undertaker. He certainly was an early crossover from
    radio as he appeared in the Life of Riley with Jackie
    Gleason in the late 40's. I do not believe he ever was
    in the Bendix TV Riley series.

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 23:34:16 -0400
    From: "david rogers" <david_rogers@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Radio Pages

    Bhob wrote about a:

>     futile argument to the Internet Movie Database in my
>     doomed attempt to get the IMDb to add radio pages

    If anybody is interested there is a very good episode guide for TV shows at:

    [removed]

    and they have a very good UK radio page at:

    [removed]

    Sorry that it is not exactly what you are talking about.  I know that this
    only deals with modern UK radio shows - but I found it very useful and
    interesting.
    I wonder why a TV site has a UK radio page.

    Love as always, David Rogers

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 23:36:36 -0400
    From: Elmer Standish <elmer_standish@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  (From Elmer) I Love A Mystery Book

    Bill:
    The following may help. I have no idea whether this
    place is still in business.
    ===> ELMER
    -----------------------------------------------------
    ILAM book
    [removed]

    Retail price of the book is $[removed] Postage is $[removed] for the
    first book and $[removed] per additional copy. I LOVE A MYSTERY
    BOOK, Po Box 189, Delta, PA 17314.

    I Love A Mystery Radio Show
    [removed]

    I LOVE A MYSTERY"! I Love A Mystery Book Hot off the press
    Martin Grams I Love A Mystery Companion book! Dueling Docs
    Soundboard

    Itís No Mystery Why Radio Fans Love Grams
    [removed]

    The back cover to Martin Grams, Jr.'s The I Love a Mystery
    Companion (which is unofficially subtitled The Official
    Guide) is a great introduction to what Grams

    With luck you'll find something useful herein?

    A search on Martin Grams, Jr with Google returned titles
    of a number of OTR books which he has written.

    So Good luck with your looking.

    ===> ELMER

    [ADMINISTRIVIA: I assume it goes without saying that Martin is a frequent
    contributor to the Internet OTR Digest. And yeah, he's written a whole bunch
    of OTR-related books.  --cfs3]

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

    Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2004 10:07:40 -0400
    From: JLF <jlf2@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  TL

    My Mother used that term (that I haven't heard in years) and it meant
    "Tell (you) Later"! The passing on of something that had been previously
    said.

    JLF

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #290
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