Subject: [removed] Digest V2011 #121
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 8/1/2011 7:12 PM
To: [removed]@[removed]
Reply-to:
[removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2011 : Issue 121
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  8-1 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  August issue RADIO RECALL             [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]
  Born 100 years ago in August          [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Steve Darnell's question about conve  [ "danhughes@[removed]" <danhughes@jun ]
  OTR Convention Locations              [ "Bob C" <rmcblc@[removed]; ]
  RE: OTR Conventions and other though  [ "George Keppel" <gkeppel@thesportsa ]
  Paula Keiser Post                     [ Scott D Livingston <sdlivingston@ya ]

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

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 12:29:18 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  8-1 births/deaths

August 1st births		08-01-1812 - Herman Melville - NYC - d.
9-28-1891
author: Several of his works adapted for radio
08-01-1898 - Caesar Petrillo - Chicago, IL - d. 11-22-1963
orchestra leader: (Brother of James C. Petrillo) "First Nighter"
08-01-1904 - Eli Mintz - Lemberg, Austria - d. 6-8-1988
actor: Uncle David "The Goldbergs"
08-01-1905 - Alice Frost - Minneapolis, MN - d. 1-6-1998
actor: Pamela North "Mr. and Mrs. North"; Martha Jackson "Woman of
Courage"
08-01-1906 - Judd McMichael - Minneapolis, MN - d. 10-30-1989
singer: (The Merry Macs) "Bing Crosby Show"; "Fred Allen Show"
08-01-1910 - Jerry Mann - NYC - d. 12-6-1987
singer: (The Jerry Mann Voices) "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round"
08-01-1910 - Walter Scharf - NYC - d. 2-24-2003
music director: "Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show"
08-01-1911 - Fora Campbell - d. 11-6-1978
actor: Jean Forbes Lambert "Brave Tomorrow"; Janice King "Strange
Romance of Evelyn Winters"
08-01-1912 - Ronnie Kemper - Missoula, MT - d. 2-16-1997
bandleader: "Ronnie Kemper"; "Horace Heidt Orchestra"
08-01-1915 - Bela Kovacs - Youngstown, OH - d. 8-xx-1985
actor: Prince Baccarritti "Space Patrol"
08-01-1915 - Stanley J. Wolf - d. 7-28-1996
writer,producer: "Topper"; "One Foot in Heaven"
08-01-1916 - James Hill - Jeffersonville, IN - d. 1-11-2001
writer: "Beulah"
08-01-1918 - Bill Shipley - Ottawa, KS - d. 11-25-1996
announcer: "The Jimmy Dorsey Show"; "Look Your Best"
08-01-1919 - Stanley Middleton - Notinghamshire, England - d. 7-25-2009
author: "The Captain of Nothinghamshire"
08-01-1921 - Jack Kramer - Las Vegas, NV - d. 9-12-2009
tennis pro: guest on the "Tex and Jinx Show"
08-01-1923 - Carol Teitel - Brooklyn, NY - d. 7-27-1986
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
08-01-1924 - Marcia Mae Jones - Los Angeles, CA - d. 9-2-2007
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-01-1926 - Meg Randall - Clinton, OK
actor: "Screen Director's Playhouse"; "Lux Radio Theatre"

August 1st deaths

01-29-1923 - Paddy Chayefsky - The Bronx, NY - d. 8-1-1981
writer: "Theatre Guild On the Air"
03-20-1915 - Sviatoslav Richter - Zhitomir,Russia - d. 8-1-1997
classical pianist: "Boston Symphony Orchestra"
04-28-1907 - Rudy Bundy - Quaker City, OH - d. 8-1-2000
orchestra leader: WHAS Louisville, Kentucky
05-10-1947 - George Taylor Morris - King City, CA - d. 8-1-2009
disk jockey: "Deep Tracks"
05-25-1927 - William "Rosko" Mercer - NYC - d. 8-1-2000
disc jockey, announcer: CBS Network
06-11-1905 - Harry Marble - Brownville, ME - d. 8-1-1982
newscaster: "CBS News of the World"; "The World Today"
07-13-1914 - Hershel 'Hersh' Barbour - d. 8-1-1974
disk jockey, sportscaster: WCKB Dunn, North Carolina
07-18-1914 - Phyllis Brooks - Boise, ID - d. 8-1-1995
actor: "Silver Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Command Performance"
07-30-1911 - Richard Louis Ables - d. 8-1-1997
composer, musician: Woody Herman Orchestra; Charlie Barnet Orchestra
09-19-1913 - Frances Farmer - Seattle, WA - d. 8-1-1970
actor: "Pursuit of Happiness"; "Hollywood Hotel"; "Suspense"; "Lux
Radio Theatre"
09-24-1903 - Stu Wilson - Chicago, IL - d. 8-1-1991
actor: "Quiz of Two Cities"
10-03-1881 - George Moran - Elwood, KS - d. 8-1-1949
comedian: (Two Black Crows) "Majestic Theatre of the Air"; "Eveready
Hour"
10-22-1915 - Mona Brand - Sydney, Australia - d. 8-1-2007
writer: "Who Am I?"; "And a Happy New Year"
11-28-1904 - Jane Ellen Ball - d. 8-1-1999
woman's programming: WJAS Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
xx-xx-1879 - William J. Cameron - Hamilton, Canada - d. 8-1-1955
commentor for the philosophy of Henry Ford: "Ford Sunday Evening Hour"
xx-xx-1931 - John Bower - Dares Salaam, Tanzania - d. 8-1-2005
actor, singer: Appeared often in British radio plays

Ron

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

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 12:29:26 -0400
From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  August issue RADIO RECALL

The August 2011 RADIO RECALL is ready for distribution. On August 1st
the full color version was forwarded via PDF to subscribers who
elected to receive it in that format. The black & white, hard copy
version will be mailed out via USPO around August 14th to the
remaining subscribers.

This issue leads off with a historical perspective of the great
horror series, "Escape"; this piece was written by radio historian
and Digester, Stewart Wright. Part 1 covers the origin, the time
changes, the script re-use, and missing episodes. Part 2 of Stewart's
article will appear in our next issue.

August issue also has a detailed overview of the 1930-50 radio
program based on the comic strip, "Harold Teen." Ryan Ellett, a
dedicated researcher in our hobby, is the author of this fine piece.
Also featured are reviews of two new books. Maury Cagle reviews Dan
Van Neste's "The Whistler: Stepping Into the Shadows" which is
primarily about the films of this character but also covers the radio
series. Rob Farr reviews Martin Grams' 850 page book, "The Shadow:
The History and Mystery of the Radio Program, 1930-54" which Farr
describes as "detailed, accurate, and incisive history."

Other articles concern a live OTR event in Front Royal, VA that
netted $ 4,500 for a local charity. plus a short article explaining
how toilet paper finally came to be advertised on network radio. All
this, plus details on all upcoming OTR conventions and events,  the
editor's comments on how "Gunsmoke" fares in present day Dodge City,
KS, and our always-interesting Letters to the Editor.

For subscription information, or to read past articles, point your
mouse at [removed]. For a free sample of a back issue in PDF,
email the editor.

Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL

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

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 12:30:44 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Born 100 years ago in August

08-01-1911 - Fora Campbell - d. 11-6-1978
actor: Jean Forbes Lambert "Brave Tomorrow"; Janice King "Strange
Romance of Evelyn Winters"
08-03-1911 - Ken Patterson - Montana - d. 2-16-1990
actor: "Dragnet"
08-05-1911 - David Brian - NYC - d. 7-15-1993
actor: Mr. District Attorney "Mr. District Attorney"
08-05-1911 - Robert Taylor - Filley, NE - d. 6-8-1969
host, actor: "Good News of 1938"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Plays for
Americans"
08-06-1911 - Dwight Butcher - Oakdale, TN - d. 11-11-1978
singer: (Cedar Ridge Boys) WBAP Fort Worth, Texas
08-06-1911 - Lucille Ball - Celoron, NY - d. 4-26-1989
comedian: Liz Cooper "My Favorite Husband"; Lucy Ricardo "I Love Lucy"
08-07-1911 - Nicholas Ray - Galesville, WI - d. 6-16-1979
director: Free lance
08-09-1911 - Robert K. McCormick - Danville, KY - d. 9-4-1984
newscaster: "Robert K. McCormick and the News"
08-10-1911 - Wanna Coffman - d. 11-28-1991
bass: "The Musical Brownies"
08-11-1911 - Jerome Chodorow - NYC - d. 9-12-2004
screenwriter: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-12-1911 - Dr. Olan Downes - West Roxbury, MA - d. 12-26-2001
musicologist: "Texaco Metropolitan Opera"; "New York Philharmonic"
08-12-1911 - Jane Wyatt - Campgaw, NJ - d. 10-20-2006
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Great Plays"; "[removed] Steel Hour"
08-13-1911 - Allan Aldous - Leederville, Western Australia - d.
3-17-2000
author: "Game as Ned Kelly"
08-14-1911 - Ethel Payne - Chicago, IL - d. 5-28-1991
commentator: "Spectrum"; "Matters of Opinion"
08-14-1911 - Ken Nordine - Chicago, IL - d. 9-15-1993
announcer: "Armstrong of the SBI"; "The Breakfast Club"
08-18-1911 - Marjorie Hannan - Hamilton, OH
actor: Nancy Webster "We Are Four"; Ruth Ann Graham "Bachelor's
Children"
08-20-1911 - Robert Riley Crutcher - Missouri - d. 8-10-1974
writer: "Fabulous Dr. Tweedy"; "Eddie Bracken Show"
08-21-1911 - Anthony Boucher - Oakland, CA - d. 4-29-1968
writer: "Advs. of Sherlock Holmes"; "Advs. of Ellery Queen; "Gregory
Hood"
08-25-1911 - Herbert (Edwin) Harris - London, England - d. 4-xx-1995
author: "The Detective's Wife"
08-26-1911 - Hal Gibney - Woodland, CA - d. 6-5-1973
announcer: "Draget"; "The Six Shooter"; "Tales of the Texas Rangers"
08-26-1911 - "Slim" Hall - Tennessee - d. 5-xx-1971
guitar: "The Swift Jewel Cowboys"
08-27-1911 - Paul West - Nebraska - d. 6-15-1998
scriptwriter: "Fibber McGee and Molly"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-31-1911 - Walter Paterson - Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia - d. 9-1-1942
actor: Reggie York "I Love A Mystery"; Nicholas Lacy "One Man's Family"

Ron

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

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 12:30:49 -0400
From: "danhughes@[removed]" <danhughes@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Steve Darnell's question about conventions

Steve, I don't think there is much money to be made with OTR conventions.  If
making money is the goal, then you'd better host a convention on a subject
that attracts a larger, younger, and more affluent audience than does
old-time radio.

But I do think there are still fans who would love to be involved in an OTR
convention that breaks even financially, or comes close.

As we get older, we come to realize that there are things more important in
life than money.  The fun and satisfaction my family gets from attending the
Cincinnati convention more than outweighs the monetary cost.

I can't participate in the organization or running of the convention since I
live 250 miles away, but I am involved insofar as running the convention's
website ([removed]) (shortcut is
[removed]), and hosting the webpage that sells the Eddie Carroll DVD
([removed]), the proceeds of which benefit the
Cincinnati OTR convention.  So I feel like I'm more than just a casual
attendee.

I would love to see a new convention in Chicago (or Waukegan!).  Except for
Cincinnati, I think that all of the OTR conventions are on the coasts.
People who live in the central area of the country are quite a distance from
those.  Several Chicago-area people are avid OTR convention-goers, and the
key to good attendance - and I think it is certainly attainable - is for all
of these people to bring friends.

With each passing year, we lose more of the actual OTR actors, and that makes
it harder to get guests.  Perhaps putting more emphasis on the re-creation
shows and the OTR dealers, and less on the stars, would make sense.  Sure,
it's great to have the original actors, but there are several amateur groups
that are just as entertaining as were the actual performers (Don Ramlow's
Michigan group, and Steve Jansen's Illinois group come to mind).

One key to keeping it all going is to attract younger people.  Can it be done
in this computer age?  My daughter is 26, and she's been an OTR fan since she
was three.  She has turned many of her friends and students into OTR fans.
It takes some work, but it can be done!

I'm really surprised nobody (either an individual or a group) has stepped in
to take over the Newark convention.  I don't know why the show is ending, but
it seems to be a pretty big show, and it would be so much easier to just hand
over the reins of an established show than to start a new one from scratch.

Thanks for asking, Steve, and keep us posted if plans are afoot.

---Dan Hughes, [removed]

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

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 14:17:03 -0400
From: "Bob C" <rmcblc@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  OTR Convention Locations

Paula may be on to something ... a centrally located OTR
convention. Let's see -- this one she'll like -- the population
center of the United States is Plato, Missouri ... southeast of
Kansas City and southwest of St. Louis. Or, the geographic center
of the [removed] is Belle Fourche, South Dakota -- specifically, 20
miles north of there in a pasture. Plenty of room to pitch a tent,
put up your Winchargers and turn on your battery-powered Sears
Silvertone radio receiver sets.

Really, after 25 years of living in Dallas, the less I see of big
cities, the better ... although I understand the need for
accessibility. You might want to even consider Batavia, Ill.,
southwest of Chicago and home to the art deco factory of the
Campana Sales Co., sponsor of The First Nighter Program.

Stephen also makes a good point about opening up to latter-day
radio drama efforts, even though Himan Brown depended so much on
OTR stars for Mystery Theater, with a few exceptions, that hardly
any of them are around anymore. You do have some talented people
from Focus on the Family's "Adventures in Odyssey" and "Radio
Theatre."

Bob Cockrum

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

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 14:24:55 -0400
From: "George Keppel" <gkeppel@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  RE: OTR Conventions and other thoughts

Paula Keiser said in Digest V2011 #120, "I fear we're looking at the end
of the era."

Old movies, TV, music, theater, literature, and art survive; why not
radio too?

I'm a huge fan and listen to several episodes every day (in the car and
at work). I've corresponded with several OTR fans of my generation so I
know I'm not the only fan who wasn't alive when these shows were
broadcast. A quick glance at the download counts of OTR series at a
popular website shows that there is a great deal of interest. There's
even a radio station in the Denver area (1430 AM) that broadcasts OTR
every night - it's a syndicated show called When Radio Was.

As far as conventions go, here's opinion of a 43-year-old and who thinks
he understands a little of both the younger crowd with their smart
phones, Facebook, text messages, etc. and the older generation who never
had these things. The way I see it, the older generation enjoyed
conventions to meet others who shared a common interest, to meet
surviving OTR actors, and to buy and swap tapes and memorabilia that
wasn't available elsewhere.

Conventions and swap meets remind me of "bootleg" concert tape swapping
in the '80s and '90s. People would trade cassettes of rock concerts -
most famously the Grateful Dead - and that was the only way to obtain
them, other than "underground" catalogs that were often just photocopied
price lists with a [removed] Box address. I imagine OTR trading used to work
in a similar fashion.

However, people in their 20s and 30s are used to getting everything
online, so they don't see a need to spend money and time to travel to a
convention that offers little more than what they can get online. I
think it's the same reason that fraternal organizations (Elks clubs,
etc.) are seeing fewer new members. The internet makes it possible to be
virtually surrounded with people who share a common interest.

Ms. Keiser also said, "Charlie has done yeoman's work at keeping the
discussion group alive, but fewer people are here to participate.  If it
weren't for Ron Sayles, we probably would go for a week or more without
a Digest."

I have lots of observations and questions I could share here but assume
it's all been said before. Perhaps I'll start posting more often.

Here's a silly anecdote: I drive my wife crazy with OTR stories and
noticing OTR actors on old TV shows and movies. Often I come home from
work and tell her of something I heard that day - an excellent plot, a
radio appearance from a famous movie actor (we are both fans of old
movies), or something I heard on a news broadcast from decades ago.
She's very nice to put up with this foolishness.

Case in point: two Saturdays mornings ago, I turned on the TV to the AMC
channel. They show episodes of The Rifleman on Saturday mornings, and
less five seconds after I turned on the TV, I yelled downstairs to her,
"John Dehner is on The Rifleman! Channel 64!" I know we aren't supposed
to discuss TV here but I figure many of you can appreciate my enthusiasm
for all things related to OTR.

Thanks to Charlie and everyone else who keeps this digest alive. I'm
always happy when it arrives and I can take a quick break from work. I
enjoy the births and deaths, this week in radio history, and everything
else that's discussed here. I've discovered several new shows from this
digest (most recently Tales Of The Texas Rangers from a brief remark
someone made) and have made a couple online friends through this digest
as well.

In the interest of both having more to read on this digest and to see
the age range of participants here, how about an age roll call? I trust
Charlie will remove this suggestion if it's against the rules. It might
be interesting to see how many folks read this digest who never heard
Old Time Radio back when it was just Radio.

As I mentioned before, I'm 43.

Thanks.

[ADMINISTRIVIA: Not certain a roll call of ages is necessary; we have folks
here who could have heard radio in the 1930's, and we have folks here in
their teens. Interest in OTR isn't limited to those who were alive while it
was airing.

I'm not saying you _shouldn't_ give your age if you are so inclined (as I
have noted before on my blog, I was born a few hours after the fourth episode
of "The Clinton Matter" on Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar), just that it isn't
necessary - I can assure you the posters here are a wide spread of ages
between youngsters and seniors. And all are welcomed to this family-friendly
forum.  --cfs3]

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

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 19:04:38 -0400
From: Scott D Livingston <sdlivingston@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Paula Keiser Post
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

Like Paula, living in AZ I have not had a chance to attend any OTR
conventions. I really wish I could and enjoy the postings and pictures made
available by those fortunate enough to go.
I would just like to say that
although I do not actively participate in the discussions that take place here
in this group (I probably have very little to contribute) I love reading every
one that drops into my mailbox and then anxiously await the next one. I hope
that there are many others like me that are sitting on the sidelines enjoying
every word that is written here by those who are really "in the know".

S
Livingston
OTR Fan in AZ

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--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2011 Issue #121
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