Subject: [removed] Digest V2001 #285
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 9/1/2001 9:03 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2001 : Issue 285
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Another recreation                    [ "Vince Long" <vlongbsh@[removed]; ]
      Country OTR                           [ steve mcguffin <earl22002@[removed] ]
      Abbott & Costello                     [ "laurie1125" <lauriep@[removed]; ]
      Superman theme?                       [ Joe Salerno <salernoj@[removed]; ]
      How Old Are We?                       [ "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed]; ]
      Demographics                          [ LPEVANS221@[removed] ]
      Re: East at Broadway                  [ "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed]; ]
      Toscanni and harping on things. :)    [ "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed]; ]
      Treacher                              [ "Robert Sheldon" <rsheldon@[removed]; ]
      "Hello, YUkon 2-8209!"                [ Jim Kitchen <jkitchen@[removed]; ]
      How Old?                              [ "Scott business" <[removed]@worldne ]
      age                                   [ "JOSEPH ANDOLINA, JR." <nostalgic@p ]
      Age & OTR                             [ dabac@[removed] ]
      Old Time Radio And All Of Us          [ "[removed]" <swells@[removed]; ]
      Re: NOT ORIGINAL                      [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
      Age and Rhapsody and fans             [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
      Re: "East & Columbia,...."            [ "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed] ]
      THANK YOU                             [ "Owens Pomeroy" <opomeroy@[removed]; ]
      Teaberry                              [ otrbuff@[removed] ]
      A New Convert and Catching Up         [ "Jimidene Murphey" <jimimark@[removed] ]
      Age                                   [ badaxley@[removed] ]
      Another introduction                  [ "Chris Gumprich" <cgumprich1@[removed] ]
      FOTR                                  [ JayHick@[removed] ]
      age is relative                       [ Joe Salerno <salernoj@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 10:10:32 -0400
    From: "Vince Long" <vlongbsh@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Another recreation

    A while back I posted a message about how my high school students were doing
    recreations of OTR and want to thank those of you you sent back their
    comments after hearing the shows.  The same students produced one more show
    that we just got online before summer ran out.  It is "The Hitchhiker" from
    "The Mercury Summer Theater."  You can hear it in stream Real Audio or
    download it as an MP3 from our web site:

    [removed]

    We also have a Shadow and Jack Benny programs online.

    The same group spent most of their summer producing an original film, called
    "Hammy," that, while not OTR turned out great.  I plan to get the video
    online as soon as they get me a copy.

    Getting involved in this drama production, radio and video, have this group
    pretty fired up.  They have formed an official drama club at our school, the
    first one we have had in years.  While their focus seems to be on stage and
    film, they told me yesterday that the will continue to do radio productions
    as well.

    One constraint that they find is a venue for their product.  We do show they
    work on community access television, both the radio and film product, and a
    film competition/festival is planned for this spring.  But the more exiting
    news is that our community's effort to obtain an FCC license for a community
    access radio station just moved a bit closer.  This has been a painfully
    slow, and pricey, effort by a local group but may provide the best outlet
    for locally-produced original radio drama and comedy.

    Vince

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 11:47:33 -0400
    From: steve mcguffin <earl22002@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Country OTR

    Thanks to Tom for sharing this article with us.
    Please let us know if you see any more articles on
    this subject.  I'm also hoping to see some sort of
    revival of True country music, partly as a result of
    Brother Where Art Thou.  For those who are interested,
    Eddie Stubbs show on WSM weeknights and Saturday
    mornings is the standard for this music.

    Steve

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 11:47:45 -0400
    From: "laurie1125" <lauriep@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Abbott & Costello

    I have heard that on the day of Costello's son death, he went to the
    studio to do there show. Is this true? And what Abbott +ACY- Costello
    show was it.

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:13:33 -0400
    From: Joe Salerno <salernoj@[removed];
    To: OTR List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Superman theme?

    A. Joseph Ross, [removed] arranged electrons in such a fashion as to say:

>     Well, the original radio Superman theme hasn't endured, but it clearly
>     inspired the 1950s TV version, as well as Jon Williams's 1980s movie
>     theme.

    I don't recall a Superman theme from the radio show, even into the mid-40s.
    I always thought it odd that this program, with which I associated great
    memories of music from the TV series & movies, had no theme music. Just the
    sound of wind suggesting a man flying faster than a bird, a [removed] well
    you know the words.

    I would like to hear the radio theme music, my curiosity is piqued.

    The 50s TV version theme was actually just production library music. I
    forget the title but if Graham Newton is reading he can provide the details.
    I'm sure the composer had no inkling that this one theme would become so
    memorable to a generation of children who grew up watching a man in tights
    jump out of a window.

    I do not know if John Williams even knew the TV show music, hard to believe
    there was any kid growing up in those years who didn't. I do notice he seems
    to have a fondness for the key of C Major. Both the Superman theme and the
    Indiana Jones March are in C.

    Incidentally, and now that we are totally off topic, the movie soundtrack
    has been re-released on a 2-CD set containing ALL the fantastic music from
    the movie. The DVD is now finally out as well. Both have well transferred
    sound.

    Joe Salerno - PO Box 273405 - Houston TX 77277-3405
    [removed] - joe@[removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:16:22 -0400
    From: "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed];
    To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  How Old Are We?

    Sorry, Owens Pomeroy, I've got your 72 beat a long [removed]'m 82!

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

    [ADMINISTRIVIA: Maybe, but she looks 50 and acts 20.  --cfs3]

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:30:44 -0400
    From: LPEVANS221@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Demographics

    Hi Gang,

    I am 62 years old and I have been collecting OTR since about 1970.

    Larry Evans - WA8DDN

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:31:24 -0400
    From: "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: East at Broadway

    Hello again --
    in OTR Digest v2001 #284, Ken Dahl writes:

>     I have been listening to radio comedy programs from
>     the late 40's and a few times someone will say "East and Columbia, Broadway
>     at Night" which is then followed by laughter.  Was this a slogan for a
>     product or service?

    This was a running joke on the Jack Benny show in the forties and, for all I
    know, it may have appeared on the Fred Allen Show as well. The actual
    address was: East and Columbia, Broadway at Ninth, an address in Manhattan.
    I could find nothing specific about the gag in my Benny biographies (why do
    so few of them have an index?) but I believe it was a gym in lower Manhattan
    where Jack worked out when the gang was broadcasting from the Big Apple.

    I'd be happy for any additions or corrections to this answer!

    Jan Bach

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:45:38 -0400
    From: "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Toscanni and harping on things. :)

    Wowser.   I sure liked that posting of Toscanni and Grofe.   Never heard
    that story before.   And that clarinet glissando story.   I figured GW wrote
    that in his original score.    Yeah, that sweep or glide from low to high
    notes is called a "glissando."  And now I have a story about that.
        When I worked for WWTC (World Wide Twin Cities) here in Minneapolis in
    the mid 60's, they had a "Starburst Cluster" format.   They were so nice to
    their listeners to give them "three (or whatever) songs in a row without
    commercial interruption."   In between each song, matched by tempo, was a
    harp glissando.   Thus, from a slow to a fast, the glissando took off like
    grease on a summer log.   And when the temp went from fast to slow, a
    s-l-o-w-e-r glissando.   The engineer/producer had the glissando assortments
    on cart.   So the board operator was kept quite busy and earned his keep.
        In addition to the harpy things, the announcers always talked over a
    harp background.   This was the case, except for the news, when a teletype
    cart was run in the background.
        So yeah, always a prank.   More than once, we ran a teletype and mixed
    in a jet plane or some overly-dramatic music to break up the news guy.
    - ----------------------------------------------------------
        I heard yet another story about the Dragnet theme.   I heard it was
    originally from a production library cue by Walter Schumman.   Anyone else
    heard that story?

    Jim Stokes

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 13:16:10 -0400
    From: "Robert Sheldon" <rsheldon@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Treacher

    The recent talk about where Arthur Treacher did his buttling reminds me of
    the Jack Carson Show which I thought was one of the best comedies on radio
    in the 40s. Carson also did the Sealtest Village Store for a year or two
    before his radio show with Treacher and his "nephew" Tugwell,who was played
    by someone whose name escapes me just now. I have a couple of the Sealtest
    Village Store shows with Carson, but I haven't seen any of the regular Jack
    Carson Shows anywhere, which seems odd considering the availability of so
    many other shows.

    Treacher, I think, gave up being a butler to run a chain of fish and chips
    restaurants after his radio days.

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 13:16:39 -0400
    From: Jim Kitchen <jkitchen@[removed];
    To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  "Hello, YUkon 2-8209!"

    "Hello, YUkon 2-8209!  Yes, this is Candy Matson!" introduces my
    favorite radio detective!!  The writing is crisp with wisecracks that
    are still timely, and exciting plots.  I enjoy hearing those Private Eye
    wisecracks spoken by a lady, only she gives them a different slant!  I
    lived in the San Francisco Bay area during the 1950's, so I'm familiar
    with the locale, and can envision many places that Candy visits while
    solving her latest caper.  We had telephone exchanges like YUkon in
    those days.  I lived in Berkeley, and mine was LAndscape.

    Starring Natalie Masters as Candy Matson, the show originated in San
    Francisco, and aired over NBC during the 1949-50 and 1950-51 seasons.
    According to Jerry Haendiges' Candy Matson Radio Log there were 86 shows
    including 2 audition shows.   Unfortunately, only 14 shows, including
    the 2 auditions are circulating.

    By 1949, taping was probably common practice   You'd think more shows
    would have survived.   Does anyone know what happened to the other 72
    shows?

    Jim Kitchen

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:56:00 -0400
    From: "Scott business" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  How Old?

    I've only been listening for about 5 years. I was playing on my computer and
    trying to figure out how to download from news groups. Just happened to
    download and launch a Six shooter episode with James Stewart. I had heard my
    folks talk about old time radio and I had been a fan of CBS RMT but didn't
    know you could actually get the old programs. Since then I have been
    gathering everything I can get. I have about 200 CDR's loaded with MP3's.
    I'm 50 this year. My wife tolerates my avid love of OTR and I listen to
    something new everyday. Some of my personal favorites are "Broadway Is My
    Beat", "Rocky Fortune", "Gunsmoke", and of course "The Six Shooter". Love
    the list. Keep up the good work!

    As a side note, I'm trying to finish out my "Broadway Is My Beat" series but
    lack 40 or 50 shows that are never posted to the newsgroups. Anyone tell me
    where to go for the rest? Email me off list with any help.

    Scott D. Livingston

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:56:36 -0400
    From: "JOSEPH  ANDOLINA, JR." <nostalgic@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  age

    Hi all,

    Just turned 45 this August.  I started collecting OTR back in the early
    1970.  I was stronger in trading back in those early days, and scattered
    over the so many years in consistent trading.  I find myself rather just
    sitting back listening and enjoying shows than trading over the recent
    years, that's probably why I don't do much of trading these days. My
    intentions are good in wanting to set up trades, but just can't seem to be
    motivated like I used to, so usually the ball is dropped and trading for me
    falls by the wayside. This is sought of a public appology to those who've
    contacted me about trading, with me saying yes, and then nothing followes
    thru. It just seems like so much effort most of the time for me.  Call me
    lazy :)

    I'm curious as to how many of us collectors out there of OTR found a point
    where they were doing more collecting of shows to build up their
    collections, but not really taking the time to just sit back and enjoy
    listening to them.

    Joe

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:56:50 -0400
    From: dabac@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Age & OTR

    Hello there, Regarding age I am 45 yrs old and have been interested in
    otr since I was a kid growing up hearing my parents and others talk
    about it. I`ve been collecting various types of shows for about 10 yrs
    now.  Seeing the range of ages of the folks who responded, I feel very
    much assured that this hobby will be around for many more years to come.
    :)   Dan Bacca

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:57:15 -0400
    From: "[removed]" <swells@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Old Time Radio And All Of Us

    Greetings:
    As a general rule, I don't post alot. There are so many very knowledgeable
    people within our group that I may not have any new information to add.
    However, I would like to say that it is good to see so many of us, from all
    walks of life, and from every age group enjoying theses shows. I do believe
    that this hobby would of died out if it had not been for the internet and
    the digital age. This has given new life to our wonderful hobby and I do
    believe that future generations will take ahold of this material and pass it
    on. Who knows, maybe 50 years from now people will still be doing what we
    are now, sitting back, lisening to shows, and talking about OTR with
    friends.

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:57:30 -0400
    From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: NOT ORIGINAL

    Says Sandy Singer, in reference to the "Dragnet" opening:

>     Walter Schumann originally penned these infamous four notes for the >1948
>     Abbott & Costello flick, The Noose Hangs High.

    I've never heard this before.  I am, of course, familiar with the assertion
    that Schumann plagarized Miklos Rosza's cue "Danger Ahead" from the score of
    the 1946 Universal film "The Killers."  (I don't agree with that verdict,
    but apparently a jury did.)  In any case, even if the four notes weren't
    original, the rest of the theme certainly was and it endures as well.

    I know there's at least one great A&C fan on this list - eh, Mike Henry?  If
    you've got a video of "Noose Hangs High" would you please bring it to the
    next MWOTRC meeting?

    Michael J. Hayde

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:58:07 -0400
    From: JackBenny@[removed]
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Age and Rhapsody and fans

    In response to ages, I'm 32, and have been active in OTR since I was 10.
    However, I'm obligated to tell everyone I'm 39.  Unfortunately many have
    believed it, as I've always seemed older than I am.

    On the flip side, I recall having to tell people that I was 29.  It would
    invariably get a laugh and a "yeah, right."  I am NOT looking forward to
    being 39, purely because I'm going to get so much teasing with it.  What ever
    happened to the rule of etiquette that "you never ask a lady her age"?

    On the topic of "Rhapsody in Blue", the story about the improvised glissandro
    from a trill at low F at the beginning of it seems to be credible.  It was
    intended as a parody of klezmer.  The story I've always heard about how it
    was written was that Gershwin was getting down to the deadline of submitting
    the piece for Whiteman's Aeolian Hall concert, but didn't have anything.
    Then finally he was on a train, and listening to the rhythm of the wheels,
    had an inspiration on the whole structure of the piece.  Then on getting
    home, he worked it out at the piano.  That piano is now owned by Engelbert
    Humperdinck.

    Often when I'd listen to "Rhapsody", my mother would chime in on the blue
    theme with the jingle of "Ca-na-da Dryyyy [removed]"  Funny that Jack Benny
    and George Gershwin have always been #1 and 2 in my book, and they both
    worked for the same sponsor (and had Don Wilson as announcer) at different
    times.

    On an old topic, I previously told a story about a slightly nutty fan as an
    invitation to some of the first-hand OTR folks to tell of any interesting fan
    interactions they had.  Any thoughts?

    --Laura Leff
    President, IJBFC
    [removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:58:27 -0400
    From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: "East & Columbia,...."

       Ken Dahl ("Re: Slogan") asks why the studio audiences laughed when "East
    and Columbia, Broadway at Night" was said on some '40s OTR comedy shows.   I
    can only give a partial response and only a *guess*: If those shows
    originated from Hollywood, *maybe* what was said was not "East and Columbia"
    but "Eastern Columbia".  The Eastern Columbia building was (and is still is)
    on Broadway (and 9th St.) in downtown Los Angeles.  But if indeed that
    building was referred to, I don't know why the audiences laughed.  Maybe
    something funny or naughty had happened in or near that building in the
    '40s??   My guess is a bit wild, but no harm done. (If Ken could tell us
    what was done or said on the broadcasts immediately  before the words in
    question were made, that might give us a clue to this mystery.)  But of
    course other Digesters may be able to give Ken a full and correct answer.

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:58:47 -0400
    From: "Owens Pomeroy" <opomeroy@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  THANK YOU

    I wish to thank Rick <doolin@[removed]; for the belated Birthday wish
    and the nice comments he said about my OTR memories.  Thanks Rick, it was
    really appreciated.

    Owens ("The Old Man")

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:58:59 -0400
    From: otrbuff@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Teaberry

    Unless I'm overlooking it, and that's entirely possible, no one has
    mentioned the Wireless catalog that came last week that included Teaberry
    gum for sale.  It didn't escape my notice, however.  I ordered and have
    been enjoying it again for about a week.

    Now, what does all this have to do with OTR, he thoughtfully inquired?

    Jim Cox

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 17:22:33 -0400
    From: "Jimidene Murphey" <jimimark@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  A New Convert and Catching Up

    My computer named Hal (sci-fi folks will recognize the connection) crashed
    last week, and I've been sans technology. I had been downloading at least
    one or two radio shows a night for several months and had them saved in my
    computer.  (I also have about a several hundred cassettes, so I'm a pretty
    serious collector.)

    When my computer-tekkie-type called to tell me Hal was up and running again,
    he informed me that he couldn't save any of the program files but was able
    to retrieve most of the data files.  When I picked Hal up, he came out from
    the store's workroom JUST to tell me he ABSOLUTELY HAD to have a copy of the
    old radio shows!!  Mind you, this tekkie-type could not possibly be older
    than 24 or 25, and we all know how long he's used and been around computers.
    He told me that while they were running diagnostics, he played one Suspense
    program to see if it had indeed been retrieved.  Said he loved it and wanted
    more because he never knew such media existed.  By Jove, I think the boy is
    hooked!!!  I am going to send him some of what I have and tell him where to
    get more.

    In this world of tech support manuals, mice, keyboards, etc. etc., it did my
    heart tremendous good to know that imagination still reigns and that we can
    win over another convert.  As I have mentioned before in a post a few months
    back, I teach college English courses, and will introduce some young (and
    older) folks to the magic of radio drama.  God, I love what I do!!

    Jimidene Murphey
    "Keepin' it alive"

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 17:27:23 -0400
    From: badaxley@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Age

    Just a brief input from a reader and not really a
    contributor.  I just enjoy all the wonderful input to
    the digest.  I'm 63, and like Stephen Kallis, I could
    only listen to one station at a time and had my
    favorites so I missed a great deal of other shows.
    Since I started collecting about 20 years ago, I have
    been obtaining a lot of shows that I missed such as Box
    13, Nightbeat, Rocky Jordan, etc. and really enjoying
    them.  Also, like to state how much I enjoy the inputs
    from the radio veterans such as Bill Murtough, Harlan
    Stone, Harry Bartell, Lois Culver, Conrad Binyon, etc.
    I haven't seen much from you Hal, but just to let you
    know, I wouldn't go out to play on Saturday mornings
    until I had listened to Smilin' Ed McConnell and His
    Buster Brown Gang and Archie Andrews!
    Bob Axley

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 18:03:23 -0400
    From: "Chris Gumprich" <cgumprich1@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Another introduction

    Hey folks, "first time caller, long time listener".

    Actually, that's fairly accurate -- while I've been listening to OTR for
    most of my 27 years, I've only been seriously collecting it for about a
    year, after having stumbled across a couple of Jack Benny mp3s while
    searching on [removed]

    I won't bore you all with my biography, but just want to say that I've been
    fascinated with the wealth of knowledge displayed on the list, and want to
    add my respects to Hal Stone, Harry Bartell, Conrad Binyon, and the others
    who were there at the time -- your posts are always entertaining and
    informative!

    -Chris Gumprich
    Winnipeg, Manitoba

    (By the way, I seem to recall someone posting on the list a while ago who
    mentioned a part-time Winnipeg radio station that was rebroadcasting OTR and
    other old standards.  I'd be interested in learning more about the station,
    if you can email me [removed])

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 18:03:33 -0400
    From: JayHick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  FOTR

    Just a reminder about our 26th Annual FOTR Convention.  All Details on
    Charlie Summers Web Site

    FOTR Web site:  [removed]  (all lower case)

    I have been reading with interest the dialog about original radio theme
    music.  About a year ago, I earnestly started collecting sheet music with any
    direct reference to radio (programs, performers, radio microphone, etc.).  I
    have over 1100 sheets and wonder if there are any other collectors out there.
     Partly because of this, my updated Ultimate History (no more information
    please) will be the biggest source of radio theme music available (to my
    knowledge).  The Updated Ultimate History will be ready by convention time.

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

    Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 19:00:33 -0400
    From: Joe Salerno <salernoj@[removed];
    To: OTR List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  age is relative

    Next year I will celebrate my 100th birthday - 50 years in advance!

    I figure neither my friends nor myself will be around for the real thing, so
    I might as well enjoy it now. Attendees at my big birthday blow-out will be
    asked to bring gifts suitable for a man of 100, with the stipulation that I
    already have enough Depends and Polygrip - they can be more creative than
    that! I might even get some [removed]

    Joe Salerno

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2001 Issue #285
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