Subject: [removed] Digest V2009 #176
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 9/15/2009 9:38 AM

To: [removed]@[removed]
Reply-to: [removed]@[removed]

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2009 : Issue 176
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Radio Play in Los Angeles             [ Jerry Williams <mrj1313@[removed] ]
      Duffy's Tavern In Puerto Rico         [ Stuart Lubin <stuartlubin6686@sbcgl ]
      Duffy's Tavern in Puerto Rico         [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Mel Blanc as an influence             [ Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed] ]
      Jack Manning                          [ "Bob C" <rmc44@[removed]; ]
      Mel Blanc's credits                   [ Ken Greenwald <kgradio@[removed]; ]
      OTR in classroom                      [ "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed] ]
      9-14 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      speaking of Mel Blanc                 [ Ben Ohmart <benohmart@[removed]; ]
      "Quality" Radio Commercials           [ CMS Admin <rfmillerjr1@[removed]; ]
      Mantan Moreland                       [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
      Chicken Heart script                  [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:22:34 -0400
    From: Jerry Williams <mrj1313@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Radio Play in Los Angeles
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    Patricia Rye has written a radio play which we will be performing in Los
    Angeles on October 2nd at the Ebell Performing Arts Stage.  Patricia is the
    wife of OTR actor Michael Rye (AKA Rye Billsbury).  The play is named
    appropriately enough "The Radio Show".  Within the play we will be recreating
    four OTR shows, "Lights Out", "Sgt. Preston", "Romance of Helen Trent" and
    "The Bickersons".

    It will be a fun evening.  We will be doing two
    performances, one at 5:00pm and one at 8:00pm.  Ticket prices are $[removed] to
    $[removed], credit cards accepted.  Anyone who is interested can email me and I
    will email a flyer to you.

    Jerry Williams
    mrj1313@[removed]

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    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:23:45 -0400
    From: Stuart Lubin <stuartlubin6686@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Duffy's Tavern In Puerto Rico

    Joe Postove writes

>     PUERTO RICO? Is this actually fact? Why would Ed Gardner take the show to
>     Puerto Rico, and if so, was it live or by way of ET? Goodness, were there
>     even a network cable to Puerto Rico?

    According to THE BIG BROADCAST (Buxton and Owen): "In 1949, Gardner moved to
    Puerto Rico and transcribed "Duffy's Tavern" there to take advantage of a
    12-year tax holiday declared by the government to attract new industry to the
    island."  According to what I have since learned, Hazel Shermet played Miss
    Duffy there.
    I guess that means that she was the last Miss Duffy.

    Stuart Lubin

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:23:52 -0400
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Duffy's Tavern in Puerto Rico

    DUFFY'S TAVERN was done in Puerto Rico. In early 1949, Ed Gardner, who was
    notoriously known for being cheap and never giving anyone a raise and twice
    attempted to cheat employees from paying the salary claiming he already
    [removed] learned that if the radio programs were produced in Puerto Rico and if
    he was a resident of [removed], he could save paying income tax to the [removed]
    Government.

    "When I did the audition, I not only read the script, but also I sang," Hazel
    Shermet recalled, an approach that apparently helped win the job as Miss
    Duffy. "We're going to send you tickets on Monday for the first rehearsal,"
    she was told. "What do you mean?  I have to have a ticket to go to NBC?  I go
    there every day," she said. "No, a ticket to Puerto Rico," was the reply. "I
    had never even heard of Puerto Rico," Shermet recalled. "I was a kid out of
    college and I had never heard of it." She did not know that Gardner had moved
    there to take advantage of the income tax laws. Puerto Rico had declared a
    12-year tax holiday in order to attract industry to the island.

    "Gardner, who was always after a buck," writer Larry Rhine explained at a
    SPERDVAC convention over a decade ago, "found out that there was a tax free
    deal in Puerto Rico for anyone who would establish an industry there. It was
    called the Puerto Rican Development Act. He brought a team of four of us down
    there. The second year I wrote the show alone."

    Gardner moved from the old NBC studios on Sunset and Vine to Puerto Rico and
    taped the shows from there. He was widely criticized for the move on the
    grounds that he was ducking the income tax and the show's popularity, sadly,
    the quality of the series would soon fall off to the point where it would be
    dropped by the network. In order for Hollywood stars to appear on Duffy's
    Tavern, they would have to fly south for rehearsals and that did not go over
    very well. A few movie stars did (mostly to take advantage of the opportunity
    and have a vacation and get paid, all in one trip), and after each episode
    was recorded, the electrical transcriptions were then sent to NBC via freight
    and broadcast later via transcription. Stars included Sir Cedric Hardwicke,
    Joan Bennett, Phil Baker, Rudy Vallee and Boris Karloff.

    Half-way through the last season, NBC got tired of the "games" Gardner was
    pulling and cancelled the program. During my research at the NBC Archives at
    the Wisconsin Historical Center, I came across a number of inter-office memos
    which revealed one of the behind-the-scenes [removed] seems every time
    Gardner mailed the transcriptions to NBC, he would short them a few cents so
    it arrived "postage due." NBC apparently paid it but with each transcription
    the postage due was growing a few cents. By the time they were arriving with
    postage due for more than $[removed], they apparently had a discussion and in one
    memo remarked "this isn't the first time Gardner has put one over on [removed]"

    Martin Grams

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:26:04 -0400
    From: Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed];
    To: OTRDIGEST <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Mel Blanc as an influence

    On an episode of Inside the Actor's Studio aired this weekend, Dave
    Chappelle was asked about his early influences.  His answer?  Cartoons!
    Specifically Bugs Bunny.  Chappelle said he thinks Mel Blanc was a genius.

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:25:56 -0400
    From: "Bob C" <rmc44@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Jack Manning

    Because of e-mail problems I may have missed any mention here of
    the death of Jack Manning. Originally, the obit at the LA Times
    mentioned he played on The Aldrich Family, but I haven't found
    his name in the usual references for that series. The Times still
    says, "Born in Cincinnati in 1916, Manning acted in college
    productions at the University of Cincinnati and on radio station
    WLW. He continued with radio roles after moving to New York in
    1941."

    And on [removed], he is described as "a versatile character
    performer, best remembered for his role as Dean Rutherford on the
    television series The Paper Chase. He began his career in the
    1940s in musicals on Broadway and voiced parts on classic radio
    shows such as The Green Hornet, The Shadow, The Goldbergs and One
    Man's Family.

    Bob Cockrum

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:26:42 -0400
    From: Ken Greenwald <kgradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Mel Blanc's credits

    I believe one has to take Mel Blanc's autobiography with a grain of salt.
    I've talked to some of the people who knew Mel and Mel was always for pushing
    himself quite a [removed] above and beyond reality.
    I do believe the story about his getting credit, as related by Mel in his
    autobiography, is true.
    But other stories he told were not always accurate. At least that is what I
    was told by some of the greats at Jay Ward Productions.
    Also, bear in mind that, at that time (the mid 30s through the 40s) most
    actors/actresses on radio, as well as film cartoons, were never given credit.

    Ken Greenwald

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:27:34 -0400
    From: "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed];
    To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  OTR in classroom

    Dan talked about doing old time radio broadcasts and recording them in his
    classroom. That is a really neat idea.  I started doing that in about 1998
    at the SD School for the Blind.  This required using braille scripts (also
    typed scripts, and I read scripts onto tape for everyone).  Not all the kids
    are "totals" -- completely blind.  They did good work.  I set up a studio in
    my basement.  Am thinking about doing some more shows that way. I didn't use
    well-known shows, but rather fairy tales and some plays I had written.  The
    kids got pretty good at it.  For one show I had them improvise the lines.  I
    wrote down the good lines, then we recorded the show.  I added sfx and
    music.  Some of them are on the internet.  If anyone is interested, I can
    locate the URLs.  I think they are under "Kids of the New Century."

    In the 1980s, we did two radio dramas using adults.  I talked the three
    local stations into running the tapes of those programs on Sunday
    afternoons.  Two ran them simultaneously.  What a thrill to hear our
    programs coming over the air!  We found live sfx worked better than recorded
    stuff, when possible.  I tried to use a real tumbleweed for the sound of a
    bush.  A kids was supposed to hide behind the bush  The tumbleweed made no
    sound!  So, we used paper, celophane, or something else.  One of the local
    news directors took a portable recorder around town and got some real sounds
    we needed, footsteps, crowd noise, etc.

    For about a year, one of the local stations ran "A Kid's World" Sunday
    mornings for 15:00.  Mostly interviews with kids.  These were fun to do, but
    a ton of work to edit a typical 2 hour recording session down to 15:00.  I
    would do that again, too -- if I could find a station that would give me the
    time!

    One year I did three live shows for the congregations at St. Mark's
    Episcopal Church.  I recorded the programs as the kids did the acting. They
    were all about the life of Jesus.  Lines were taken from modern translations
    of the Holy Bible, with my own lines added.  Those programs ran about 15:00
    or so.  Our congregations were larger on those Sundays!  Now that I have
    switched to the Methodists, we are doing shorter programs about once a
    month.  I use the "Revised Common Lectionary" to find the lessons.  They run
    about 5:00.  I am using kids who have had some acting experience and some
    adults.  We rehearse for about 30:00 between Sunday school and church.  I
    have a good sound man, and he records the programs for us.

    Ted Kneebone. 1528 S. Grant St., Aberdeen, SD 57401. Phone: 605-226-3344.

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:27:40 -0400
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  9-14 births/deaths

    September 14th births

    09-14-1890 - Anthony Frome - Bellaire, OH - d. 1-20-1962
    as "The Poet Prince" he sang and read poetry over NBC Blue in early
    1930s
    09-14-1892 - John Robert Powers - d. 7-19-1977
    modeling agency founder: "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"
    09-14-1899 - Hal B. Wallis - Chicago, IL - d. 10-5-1986
    film producer: "Tex and Jinx Show"; "Academy Award Program"; "Lux
    Radio Theatre"
    09-14-1907 - Cecil Brown - New Brighton, PA - d. 10-25-1987
    newscaster: "CBS European News"; "Sizing Up the News"
    09-14-1908 - Bernard Green - NYC - d. 8-8-1975
    orchestra leader: "The Clock"
    09-14-1910 - Jack Hawkins - London, England - d. 7-18-1973
    actor: "[removed] Steel Hour"
    09-14-1914 - Robert McCloskey - Hamilton, OH - d. 6-20-2003
    author: "Books Bring Adventure"
    09-14-1916 - Jerry Doggett - d. 7-7-1997
    baseball announcer: "The LIberty Broadcasting System"
    09-14-1918 - Bill Hanrahan - d. 8-7-1996
    newscaster, announcer: "Inheritance"
    09-14-1918 - Malcolm Yelvington - Covington, TN - d. 2-21-2001
    mandolin: "The Star Rhythm Boys"
    09-14-1918 - Mike Stokey - Shreveport, LA - d. 9-7-2003
    announcer: "One Night Stand"
    09-14-1922 - Frances Bergen - Birmingham, AL - d. 10-2-2006
    actor: (Wife of Edgar, Mother of Candice) "New Edgar Bergen Hour"
    09-14-1924 - Jerry Coleman - San Jose, CA
    baseball announcer for the San Diego Padres
    09-14-1925 - Bill Christy - Seattle, WA - d. 2-25-1946
    actor: Franklin Dexter "Meet Corliss Archer"

    September 14th deaths

    01-01-1911 - Hank Greenberg - NYC - d. 9-14-1994
    baseball great: "Play Ball"; "We the People"; "Philco Radio Time"
    01-17-1903 - Warren Hull - Gasport, NY - d. 9-14-1974
    actor: Jack Hamilton "Gibson Family"
    01-23-1925 - Bernice Wirsbitzke - Milwaukee, WI - d. 9-14-2006
    singer: "Heinie and the Grenadiers"
    02-14-1925 - Grant Krueger - d. 9-14-2008
    musician: "Heinie and His Grenadiers"; "GK and the Executives"
    02-17-1914 - Wayne Morris - Los Angeles, CA - d. 9-14-1959
    actor: "Radio Reader's Digest"; "NBC university Theatre of the Air"
    03-22-1893 - Tito Vuolo - Italy - d. 9-14-1962
    actor: Uncle Carlo "The Goldbergs"
    04-06-1883 - Vernon Dalhart - Jefferson, TX - d. 9-14-1948
    singer, composer: "Barbasol Ben"
    05-20-1920 - Dorothy Howe (Virginia Vale) - Dallas, TX - d. 9-14-2006
    actor: "Gateway to Hollywood"
    05-27-1926 - Peter Ling - Croydon, Surrey, England - d. 9-14-2006
    adapter: "Casebook of Sherlock Holmes"; "Return of Sherlock Holmes"
    06-08-1921 - Gordon McLendon - Paris, TX - d. 9-14-1986
    Founder of the Liberty Radio Network
    06-24-1910 - Cootie Williams - Mobile, AL - d. 9-14-1985
    jazz trumpet player: "Jubilee"
    07-07-1915 - Terry O'Sullivan - Kansas City, MO - d. 9-14-2006
    announcer: "All-Star Western Theatre"; "The Jack Smith Show"
    08-19-1928 - Norman Brooks - Montreal, Canada - d. 9-14-2006
    actor: "The Best Things In Life Are Free"; "Bud's Bandwagon"
    09-02-1904 - Vera Vague (Barbara Jo Allen) - NYC - d. 9-14-1974
    comedian: "Vera Vague Show"; "Bob Hope Show"; "Jimmy Durante Show"
    10-03-1899 - Gertrude Berg - NYC - d. 9-14-1966
    actor: Molly Goldberg, "Goldbergs"
    10-06-1906 - Janet Gaynor - Philadelphia, PA,  - d. 9-14-1984
    hostess, actor: "Hollywood Showcase: Stars Over Hollywood"; "Lux Radio
    Theatre"
    11-10-1924 - Bobby Limb - Australia - d. 9-14-1999
    actor: "The Idiot Weekly"
    11-12-1929 - Grace Kelly - Philadelphia, PA - d. 9-14-1982
    actor: "Family Theatre"; "Bob Hope Show"

    Ron

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:28:26 -0400
    From: Ben Ohmart <benohmart@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  speaking of Mel Blanc

    I began a book on Mel Blanc in 2001, at the same time I was working on
    biographies of Paul Frees, Walter Tetley and Daws Butler. Well, I couldn't do
    Everything at once, so I set Blanc aside and got the other stuff done. Then I
    started publishing more and more books and just never picked it up again.
    Until now. I'm making real headway with the Mel Blanc bio, which will have a
    complete credit list and index, unlike Mel's own superb autobiography. Also
    it's jam packed with a partial autobiography by Mel's son Noel, and a killer
    discography from Mel's long-time friend, Walt Mitchell. And other tributes
    from voice actors. Out in the summer of 2010 and worth the wait, I assure you!

    Ben Ohmart

    Old radio. Old movies. New books.
    [removed]

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:28:35 -0400
    From: CMS Admin <rfmillerjr1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  "Quality" Radio Commercials

    I am always looking for a quirky twist to turn into a OTR presentation.
    I was recently listening to a Jean Shepard program and head two
    commercials.  One was for Ballentine Beer with Dick Cavett and someone
    who sounded like Stan Freberg.  There was a second one from Prestone
    Antifreeze about not trusting your car to strangers.
    This got me thinking of other memorable commercials on Radio.
    Any one have some ideas, I would narrow it to radio only between 1920
    and 1970.

    --Randy Miller

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

    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:28:53 -0400
    From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Mantan Moreland
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           As I recall, Mantan Moreland also played the role of Birmingham Brown,
    Charlie Chan's man Friday in some of the Charlie Chan movies as well.  I
    recently saw some of his work during a Charlie Chan film festival on one of
    the
    local movie channels.  His comedic timing was great.

           Did he play the same role in the radio version of this series, or was
    he
    just in the movie version?

    As always,

    Kenneth Clarke

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    Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:29:02 -0400
    From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
    To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Chicken Heart script

    Thanks to all the Digesters who responded to the MWOTRC request for a
    copy of "Chicken Heart" script. Five separate responders were willing
    to make a available a copy of this script for our re-creation.

    Thanks to Neil Marsh and Steve Lewis, we will be using the same
    script which the Gotham Radio Players utilized during their re-
    creation of that famous Oboler episode at the FOTR Convention in
    Newark in 2002.

    We sincerely appreciate all those who contacted us off-line with
    their generous offers.

    Jack French
    Editor: RADIO RECALL
    <[removed]>

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2009 Issue #176
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