Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #45
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 2/1/2004 7:28 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 45
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      2-1 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Re: book review                       [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      Will Rogers For President             [ Udmacon@[removed] ]
      Re: Only in radio                     [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      PLANTED LAUGHERS                      [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
      alcohol humor                         [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
      a face for radio                      [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
      Fred Allen On the Silver Screen       [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      The Big Story answer                  [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      You Bet Your Life                     [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      A big thank you                       [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      CBS RMT and Let's Pretend             [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      The Ritz Bros. and the Marx Bros.     [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Re: Presidential bids                 [ StevenL751@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 16:04:42 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  2-1 births/deaths

    February flower: Violet
    February birthstone: Amethyst

    Special days in February

    2nd - Groundhog day
    3rd - Setsubun (Japan)
    11th - Kenkoku kinenbi (Japan)
    12th - Lincoln's Birthday
    14th - Valentine's Day
    16th - President's Day
    22nd - Washington's Birthday
    24th - Mardi Gras
    25th - Ash Wednesday

    February 1st births

    02-01-1895 - John Ford - Cape Elizabeth, ME - d. 8-31-1973
    director: "Screen Director's Playhouse"
    02-01-1901 - Clark Gable - Cadiz, OH - d. 11-16-1960
    actor: "So Proudly We Hail"; "Silver Theatre"
    02-01-1922 - Miriam Wolfe - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-30-2000
    actress: Nancy "Witch's Tale"
    02-01-1922 - Renata Tebaldi - Pesaro, Italy
    singer: Metropolitan Opera
    02-01-1926 - Stuart Whitman - San Francisco, CA
    actor: "We Hold These Truths"
    02-01-1937 - Don Everly - Brownie, KY
    singer: (The Everly Brothers) "March of Dimes"; "Country Hoedown"

    February 1st deaths

    02-21-1881 - Dr. Jonah B. Wise - Cincinnati, OH - d. 2-1-1959
    preacher: "Message of Israel"
    05-29-1909 - Mary Jane Higby - St. Louis, MO - d. 2-1-1986
    actress: Joan Davis "When a Girl Marries"; Nora Drake "This is Nora Drake"
    05-30-1892 - Raymond Clapper - LaCygne, KS - d. 2-1-1944
    commentator: (Killed During WWII) "News and Commentary for White Owl Cigars"
    06-02-1890 - Hedda Hopper - Hollidaysburg, PA - d. 2-1-1966
    actress, columnist: Portia Brent "Brenthouse"; "Hedda Hopper Show"
    06-10-1920 - Anne Burr - Boston, MA - d. 2-1-2003
    actress: Regina Rawlings "Backstage Wife"; "Nona Marsh "Wendy Warren and the
    News"
    08-12-1921 - Marjorie Reynolds - Buhl, ID - d. 2-1-1997
    actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Cavalcade of America"; "Silver Theatre"
    08-16-1888 - Marion Sayle Taylor - Louisville, KY - d. 2-1-1942
    advisor: "Voice of Experience"
    09-15-1907 - Jack Bailey - Hampton, IA - d. 2-1-1980
    emcee: "Queen for a Day"; "Truth or Consequences"
    12-01-1918 - Thomas Hayward - Kansas City, MO - d. 2-1-1995
    singer: "Serenade to America"; "Name Speaks"
    12-28-1909 - Olan Soule - La Harpe, IL - d. 2-1-1994
    actor: Sam Ryder "Bachelor's Children"; Kermit Hubbard "Joan and Kermit"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 16:27:23 -0500
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: book review

    I just wanted to publicly thank Michael Kurtenbach for his recent review of
    my book. (No, I didn't ghost write it for him) :)

    Whenever a writer (or any creative individual) hears that one's efforts are
    really appreciated, it's just like hearing applause. It's addictive. As an
    OTR performer who had the good fortune of playing to a studio audience every
    week, we thrived on applause and laughter. (Along with the weekly paycheck
    of course).  :)

    As a "First time" Author, getting a great review is no different than
    hearing applause once more. It's really appreciated. (As well as the
    occasional "paycheck" whenever a book sells). :)

    Incidentally, the book "Aw! Relax [removed]!" was recently reviewed
    in the Dec. 17th issue of "Radio World"  (the bi-weekly publication that's
    the "bible" of Contemporary Radio broadcasting), and I'd like to thank Read
    G. Burgan for all the positive comments he made about the book. Maybe one of
    these days, I'll get around to posting a few excerpts from that article.

    I originally wrote the dang book in response to the encouragement from many
    OTR fans here on the Digest. And I'm pleased and gratified that so many of
    you purchased a copy. Also, sales of the book have been pretty brisk at the
    numerous OTR Conventions that my wife Dorothy and I get invited to every
    year.

    At this writing, we have about 75 copies remaining from the initial print
    order of 80. (Just kidding around, as usual). [removed] I do not intend to
    order ANY additional copies. (I want to get back to my original plan of
    writing my "expose" of the TV Commercial industry that I was guilty of
    participating in as a Director for 25 years).

    If any of you "Digesters" are planning on going to Elmira, Cincinnati,
    Seattle, NY-NJ, or Los Angeles OTR venues this year, we may have some copies
    left that you can pick up in person. Otherwise, if it's something that you
    think you might enjoy reading, check out our website for ordering
    information to get your very own autographed and inscribed copy.

    [removed]

    I promise!!!!! This is the last I have to say on the topic. About a month
    ago, someone here on the Digest alluded to my "shameless promotion" of my
    book. I couldn't tell if they were serious or simply pulling my leg. But the
    last thing I would want is to be taken to task for reminding any "Fence
    Sitters" out there how they could go about getting one of the few remaining
    copies.

    I'd much prefer having "word of mouth" do my sales promotion for me. So if
    any other (Lurking) Digester has read the book, (and hopefully, enjoyed it)
    let the rest of the "non-believers" know about it, and save me the
    embarrassment of being accused of "Shameless Promotion".

    One final inducement. Although the title refers to the "Archie Andrews"
    show, and my playing "Jughead" for about 10 years, it sure as hell was not
    everyone's favorite OTR program. (Unless you were a kid at the time.) That's
    why the book, while featuring info about that particular show, is primarily
    an insiders look at the entertainment industry in general, and what is was
    like for a kid actor to grow up in the world of Theatre, Radio and early
    live TV. And it includes MANY illustrations and photos sprinkled throughout
    the 321 pages

    I'd love to get rid of the remaining copies so I can get off food stamps. :)

    Regards

    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    "Jughead"

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 16:29:53 -0500
    From: Udmacon@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Will Rogers For President

    In the 1920s Victor released "Will Rogers Nominates Henry Ford For President."

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 17:07:17 -0500
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Only in radio

    To Laura Leff's question about talented yet "unattractive" people only being
    able to survive in radio, I add to the list my recollections (and subjective
    opinion) the following names.

    Buddy Clark
    Kay Armand
    Bob Hastings (until his face lift). :)

    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    Jughead

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 17:08:37 -0500
    From: PURKASZ@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  PLANTED LAUGHERS
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

            Ken Dahl uses the word "Planters" referring to people with funny
    laughs being placed in any audience.
         It's new to me.
         I wrote sometime back about an old Vaudeville tradition where comedians
    would pay money to people known as 'Clackers' who had loud, uniquelly
    infectious laughter and have them placed in strategic seats on opening night.
         It may be an outdated term by now but certainly has the sound rather
    that the almost rural reference to planting.
         I had a friend whose laughter was so loud and infectious that most movie
    houses would eventually ask him to leave.
         I remember seeing an Ingmar Bergman movie with him and when a coffin
    fell from a wagon in a morbid and dreary scene, he fell into the aisles,
    convulsed with cackle and howl.
         I loved it. The audience, in the mood for more of the somber Mr.
    Bergman's movies demanded, seemed amused at the contrast.
         Bergman as comedic commentator?
         I wonder now.
                                Gwynne

      *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
      ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 18:10:40 -0500
    From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  alcohol humor

>     When I did the all-night, New Year's Eve radio shows, I played T. C. Jones'
>     record to remind listeners partying in their homes not to drink and drive.

    I recall a lot of drunk jokes on old-time TV--Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason,
    Dean Martin--but I don't seem to recall any on old radio.  I know that the
    happy 'lush' was considered humorous in the 1950's, and that the attitude
    toward alcohol was far more tolerant than it is at present.

    I was reminded of this by a discussion in a player-piano/music-box
    newsgroup.  Someone found and was restoring a music box that was used on a
    clothes dryer:  it played "How Dry I Am."
    (I am not making this up: it was apparently a factory option.)

    M Kinsler

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 18:19:43 -0500
    From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  a face for radio

>     Which led him to ask me if there was anyone who had a good voice but
>     was so disfigured that they could only appear on radio but not pictures,
>     television, etc.

    Not disfigured, but often surprising.  Men with great booming voices may be
    short and slight, dashing romantic voices come from people who look like
    your dentist and his aunt.  Compared with TV and movies, radio is infinitely
    tolerant of the physical person and vastly less forgiving of a dull
    intellect.

    M Kinsler

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 18:20:09 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Fred Allen On the Silver Screen

    Laura Leff related how her husband, "ask[ed] me if there was anyone who
    had a good voice but was so disfigured that they could only appear on
    radio but not pictures, television, etc.  She indicated,

>     And I responded, "Yes.  Fred Allen."

    Actually, Fred Allen appeared in at least one film that I saw in the
    theater, *We're Not Married*, a comedic series of vignettes about folk
    who suddenly discovered that their marriages weren't official.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:45:36 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The Big Story answer

    Gerry mentioned:

>     From J. David Goldin's database of shows the following episode was
>     broadcast June 20, 1949. Tom Mercer of the Cincinnati Inquirer solves
>     the murder of a man everyone hated.

    Actually, the Goldin web-site was mistaken.  The date of the broadcast
    dramatizing the Tom Mercer investigation for the Cincinnati Inquirer was
    July 20, 1949, not June.  See excerpt pasted below:

    115.	 "The Big Story of Bill Foley, Columbus, Ohio Reporter"  (6/15/49)
    116.	 "The Big Story of Ray Maxwell, Des Moines Reporter"  (6/22/49)
    117.	 "The Big Story of Paul Moore, Corsicana, Texas Reporter"  (6/29/49)
    118.	 "The Big Story of [removed] (Danny) Dean, Laurell, Mississippi Reporter"
    (7/6/49)
    119.	 "The Big Story of Roy Girardin, Detroit Reporter"  (7/13/49)
    120.	 "The Big Story of Tom Mercer, Cincinnati Reporter"  (7/20/49)
    121.	 "The Big Story of Frank Winge and Peg Kennedy, Chicago Reporters"
    (7/27/49)
    122.	 "The Big Story of George Goodwin, Atlanta Reporter"  (8/3/49)
    123.	 "The Big Story of Jack Foster, Denver Reporter"  (8/10/49)
    124.	 "The Big Story of Clayton Darrah, Boise, Idaho Reporter"  (8/17/49)
    125.	 "The Big Story of Marie Walthen, Memphis, Tennessee Reporter"
    (8/24/49)
    126.	 "The Big Story of Ed Freeman, Baltimore Reporter"  (8/31/49)
    127.	 "The Big Story of Bill Miller, Cleveland Reporter"  (9/7/49)

    I listed some episodes broadcast before and after July 20 so you can see
    that THE BIG STORY was not broadcast on the evening of June 20.
    Martin Grams, Jr.

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:47:48 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  You Bet Your Life

    A. Joseph Ross remarked:

>     Chico and Groucho did "Flywheel, Shyster & Flywheel" and made many other radio
>     appearances.  Groucho appeared alone on "You Bet Your Life," though Harpo came
>     down once in place of the duck when someone said the secret word.  I don't know of
>     any appearance by Chico on "You Bet Your Life" itself, though for awhile, at least
>     on the TV version, Harpo and Chico did commercials, for Prom home permanents.

    Joe is correct.  That rarely seen episode of television's YOU BET YOUR LIFE
    featured a silent cameo by Harpo Marx dressed in usual garb.  The purpose
    was for Harpo to promote his recent autobiography which had recently been
    published.  Groucho occassionally made a mention of a movie he could
    presently be seen in the theaters since his YOU BET YOUR LIFE program
    offered him the opportunity to make such "pitches" to the viewing audience.
    Harpo simply took advantage of the same.  Incidentally, my younger sister
    has a video/DVD specially compiled from Robert Dwan's personal 16 mm reels
    that features 40 minutes of outtakes and bloopers from the TV show of YOU
    BET YOUR LIFE, never broadcast on television - Groucho being crude,
    contestants saying the wrong thing, a staff member cutting Groucho's cigar
    in half was hilarious, and in one scene, the duck came down and hit George
    Fenneman on the head.  (So Harpo wasn't the only duck to surprise the
    [removed])  The video/DVD incidentally is available at
    [removed].  Same tape also includes the premiere
    broadcast of the series.

    Chico Marx NEVER appeared on any of the radio or TV broadcasts of YOU BET
    YOUR LIFE.

    Harpo, for the record, DID speak in real life.  To date, there does not
    exist any recording of Harpo speaking.  he never spoke during interviews.
    One highlight worth seeking out - around 1936 MGM released a ten minute air
    check trailer advertising A DAY AT THE RACES.  This lengthy radio commercial
    is extremely funny and worth checking out.  There's a scene where someone is
    trying to interview Harpo and all Harpo does is honk his horn.  And in
    another scene, the radio announcer mentions that MGM took the movie "south
    of the border" for a preview in an attempt to get feedback on A DAY AT THE
    RACES.  When interviewing people coming out of the theater, every person
    interviewed, one by one, speaks Spanish and not a word of English.  Marx
    Bros. humor on radio . . .
    Martin Grams, Jr.

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:48:08 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  A big thank you

    I've been busy the past couple weeks and haven't had time to personally
    e-mail everyone to was kind enough to answer a query I posted on the Digest
    a few weeks back so I'm taking the time now to thank them for making a copy
    of info about the Matinee Serial from their reference books.
    The assistance was of tremendous help and assists in helping me proof,
    verify and authenticate various aspects of a Matinee Serial based on an OTR
    program.  OTR folks are the best!
    Martin Grams, Jr.

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:49:59 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  CBS RMT and Let's Pretend

    For any interested parties:
    I rarely make a pitch for one of my own books unless it's newly released but
    here's some news that will interest a few:
    The McFarland Publishing Company located in North Carolina (who needs no
    introduction) made some business decisions a few months ago, deciding which
    books related to Old Time Radio would be discontinued.  Like any publishing
    company, sales figures determine whether a book is worth going into a
    reprint, or optioned to be removed from their catalog.  Once a book ceases
    to be available and the publishing company decides the book doesn't warrant
    future printings, the right revert back to the author who can then do with
    the book as they please - including going elsewhere.

    A few books about OTR are being discontinued and sold only until stock
    remains.  One of them is Arthur Anderson's LET'S PRETEND book.  Arthur
    wisely decided to revise and expand his book (which was published a long
    time ago) with newly-acquired material about the program, and offer it to
    Bear Manor Media who will be publishing the revised edition later this year.
      Notable differences is that the revision will be in paperback instead of
    hardcover, the retail price will no doubt be less than McFarland's, and best
    of all the book will feature the first-ever broadcast log listing every
    episode number, airdate, and titles for the entire series spanning 1929 -
    1954 (including THE ADVENTURES OF HELEN AND MARY).  The first ever broadcast
    log.  Keep an eye out for this one.

    Another book that was axed was one I co-wrote with Gordon Payton, THE CBS
    RADIO MYSTERY THEATER: AN EPISODE GUIDE AND HANDBOOK TO NINE YEARS OF
    BROADCASTING, 1974-1982.  This book is no longer available in hardcover
    format.  McFarland did decide to offer the book in paperback format, thus
    allowing fans of the series to still acquire a copy of the book.  The
    contents of the book remain the same.  Besides being in paperback format,
    the book offers one other noticeable difference.  The retail price is now
    $[removed] instead of $[removed]  McFarland does not usually decide to go paperback
    with all of their titles after they feel the hardcover printings have
    outsold their welcome, and is not always expected.

    A few people have inquired during the past few months about the book's
    status hoping to acquire a copy.  I misplaced the list of e-mail addresses
    of the interested parties (those who struck out acquiring a hardcopy of the
    book during the last few months) but I do know that the majority of the fans
    are members of this digest.  So now the good news: The paperback edition of
    the CBS RMT book is available.  My box of books arrived at the doorstep this
    morning.  As anyone who has ever written a book for McFarland knows, authors
    under contract are allowed a small discount so they can acquire extra copies
    of their own book but the percentage is usually eaten away by the cost of
    postage (thus very little discount if any).

    I presently have a dozen and a half copies of the CBS RADIO MYSTERY THEATER
    book now available (paperback format only) for the retail of $[removed] plus
    $[removed] postage.  (It actually costs more to mail but I'll cover the
    difference.)  Anyone who has been wanting to acquire a copy of this book at
    a lower price than the xxx-awful price of $[removed] (plus postage) has an
    opportunity and for those trying to acquire a copy during the last few
    months - they're here!  The paperback edition is not available on [removed]
    yet and is scheduled for an April release so you can beat the consumers to
    the punch.  I believe Harry M. was one of the people who tried to get a
    hardcover a couple months ago . . . Joseph was another . . .  Anyone
    interested can e-mail or drop me a line.
    CBS RMT BOOK, Po Box 189, Delta, PA 17314
    Martin Grams, Jr.
    mmargrajr@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:58:29 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The Ritz Bros. and the Marx Bros.

    Gerry mentioned:

>     From J. David Goldin's database of shows the following episode was
>     broadcast June 20, 1949. Tom Mercer of the Cincinnati Inquirer solves
>     the murder of a man everyone hated.

    Actually, the Goldin web-site was mistaken.  The date of the broadcast
    dramatizing the Tom Mercer investigation for the Cincinnati Inquirer was
    July 20, 1949, not June.  See excerpt pasted below:

    115.	 "The Big Story of Bill Foley, Columbus, Ohio Reporter"  (6/15/49)
    116.	 "The Big Story of Ray Maxwell, Des Moines Reporter"  (6/22/49)
    117.	 "The Big Story of Paul Moore, Corsicana, Texas Reporter"  (6/29/49)
    118.	 "The Big Story of [removed] (Danny) Dean, Laurell, Mississippi Reporter"
    (7/6/49)
    119.	 "The Big Story of Roy Girardin, Detroit Reporter"  (7/13/49)
    120.	 "The Big Story of Tom Mercer, Cincinnati Reporter"  (7/20/49)
    121.	 "The Big Story of Frank Winge and Peg Kennedy, Chicago Reporters"
    (7/27/49)
    122.	 "The Big Story of George Goodwin, Atlanta Reporter"  (8/3/49)
    123.	 "The Big Story of Jack Foster, Denver Reporter"  (8/10/49)
    124.	 "The Big Story of Clayton Darrah, Boise, Idaho Reporter"  (8/17/49)
    125.	 "The Big Story of Marie Walthen, Memphis, Tennessee Reporter"
    (8/24/49)
    126.	 "The Big Story of Ed Freeman, Baltimore Reporter"  (8/31/49)
    127.	 "The Big Story of Bill Miller, Cleveland Reporter"  (9/7/49)

    I listed some episodes broadcast before and after July 20 so you can see
    that THE BIG STORY was not broadcast on the evening of June 20.
    Martin Grams, Jr.

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

    Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2004 00:33:34 -0500
    From: StevenL751@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Presidential bids

    In a message dated 1/31/2004 4:05:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,
    [removed]@[removed] writes:

>     It would be [removed] coin heads are former Presidents, and I'm

    sure

>     Jack would enjoy his very own coin(s).

    Back when Adventures in Cassettes was a going concern, they had for sale
    actual [removed] $1 bills with Jack's picture superimposed over Washington's face.
    I'm
    sure Jack would have been pleased.

    Steve Lewis

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #45
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