------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2006 : Issue 42
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Cliff Carpenter In a Commercial [ seandd@[removed] ]
1929 John Philip Sousa Broadcast- So [ russ12985@[removed] ]
Was he pulling one over on us? [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
39 Man March [ "Laura Leff" <president@[removed] ]
2-9 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
JOE BESSER AND A HAUNTED CHRISTMAS E [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
Comic Weekly Man [ "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed]; ]
self-reference [ "Holm, Chris " <[removed]@[removed] ]
Re: Joe Besser [ Philip Chavin <pchavin@[removed]; ]
Benny's violin [removed] [ "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed] ]
Olympics on Radio? [ arack@[removed] ]
Jack's Violin Playing [ "Brian L Bedsworth" <az2pa@[removed]; ]
______________________________________________________________________
ADMINISTRIVIA:
My apologies for the interruption, but this is terribly
important, especially for our AOL and Yahoo! readers, but
EVERYONE should be aware of [removed] AOL and Yahoo! do go
through with this, other ISPs will follow. PLEASE read the
blog entry at:
[removed]
<a href="[removed]">[removed]</a>
...and follow the link to the article by the Electronic
Frontier Foundation.
I am not usually alarmest, but this is [removed]
______________________________________________________________________
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2006 19:29:00 -0500
From: seandd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Cliff Carpenter In a Commercial
I can't remember if anyone has mentioned it or not, but Let's Pretender Cliff
Carpenter can be seen in a commercial for Lending Tree - a mortgage broker of
some kind - that is running on cable television in Cleveland.
At least, I saw it in Cleveland, it could be running elsewhere and almost
certainly is.
He plays a grandfatherly type sitting on a recliner in a living room who is
complaining about something as the youngsters in the dinning room/kitchen
behind him putter around. It probably has something to do with getting a
mortgage and moving away from Cliff's character but I didn't really follow it.
It is very cool that this great actor is still working.
Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2006 19:29:21 -0500
From: russ12985@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: 1929 John Philip Sousa Broadcast- Source?
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There is a CD out that includes all of the known recordings of Sousa
personally conducting his band. Among these is a 4 minute recording of Sousa
giving a brief talk, followed by a playing of "The Stars and Stripes
Forever". From the only part I have heard (the Sousa address), it is clearly
part of a larger program, sponsored by Bond Bread. This dates from sometime
between 1929 and 1931, and may have been on NBC.
Does anyone have better information than this?
RMF
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Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2006 19:40:28 -0500
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Was he pulling one over on us?
Would announcer Danny Seymour (his real name) have been guilty of breaking
down
the fourth wall when he came forth to Aunt Jenny's sunlit kitchen five days a
week to sample some of the delicacies she was just pulling out of the oven?
Or
was he merely guilty of seeking a venue where he could spout out for the
50,000th repitition: "For all you bake or fry, rely on Spry"?
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2006 21:09:27 -0500
From: "Laura Leff" <president@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 39 Man March
Hello all,
Just a reminder that on February 14, we're holding the 39 Man March in
Washington, DC to support the Jack Benny 39-cent stamp. Come on down and
have some fun demonstrating for something upbeat and positive. Full details
are on [removed].
Hope to see you there!
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2006 23:58:36 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 2-9 births/deaths
February 9th births
02-09-1891 - Ronald Colman - Richmond, Surrey, England - d. 5-19-1958
actor: William Todhunter Hall "Halls of Ivy"; "Jack Benny Program"
02-09-1892 - Peggy Wood - Brooklyn, NY - d. 3-18-1978
actress: "NBC Present Eugene O'Neill"; "Great Scenes from Great
Plays"; "
02-09-1899 - Brian Donlevy - Armagh, Ireland (Raised: Beaver Dam, WI)
- d. 4-5-1972
actor: Steve Mitchell "Dangerous Assignment"
02-09-1901 - Walter Preston - Quincy, IL - d. 8-7-1982
singer: "Philco Hour"
02-09-1902 - Chester A. Lauck - Alleene, AR - d. 2-22-1980
comedian: Columbus 'Lum' Edwards "Lum and Abner"
02-09-1902 - Fred Harman, Sr. - St. Joseph, MO - d. 1-2-1982
cartoonist: Creator of Red Ryder
02-09-1904 - Carmen Miranda - Lisbon, Portugal - d. 8-5-1955
singer: "Hello Americans"
02-09-1910 - Peanuts Holland - Norfold, VA - d. 2-7-1979
jazz trumpeter, singer: "One Night Stand"; "Jubilee"; "Yank Swing
Session"
02-09-1912 - Bob Hannon - Chicago, IL - d. 2-16-1993
singer: "American Melody Hour"; "Waltz Time"
02-09-1914 - Bob Hite - d. 2-18-2000
announcer: "Challenge of the Yukon"; "Green Hornet"; "Casey, Crime
Photographer"
02-09-1914 - Ernest Tubb - Crisp, TX - d. 9-6-1984
singer: (The Texas Troubador) "Grand Ole Opry"
02-09-1914 - Ralph Hermann - Milwaukee, WI - d. 7-28-1994
bandleader: "Herb Oscar Anderson Show"
02-09-1915 - Charlotte Holland - d. 1-13-1997
actress: Nita Bennett "Lone Journey"; Nora Drake "This is Nora Drake"
02-09-1922 - Kathryn Grayson - Winston-Salem, NC
singer: "Mail Call"
02-09-1923 - Milena Miller - d. 7-20-2001
vocalist: "The Stu Erwin Show"
02-09-1930 - Garner Ted Armstrong - Portland, OR - d. 9-15-2003
preacher: (Son of Herbert W. Armstrong) "Plain Truth"; "The World
Tomorrow"
02-09-1939 - Janet Suzman - Johannesburg, South Africa
actress: "Guest Panelist "[removed]"
02-09-1949 - Judith Light - Trenton, NJ
actress: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
February 9th deaths
01-13-1884 - Sophie Tucker - Russia - d. 2-9-1966
singer: (The Last of the Red Hot Mammas) "Sophie Tucker and Her Show"
01-30-1914 - David Wayne - Traverse City, MI - d. 2-9-1995
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre" ;" Eternal Light"; "Stars in the Air"
04-01-1909 - Eddy Duchin - Cambridge, MA - d. 2-9-1951
bandleader: (The Ten Magic Fingers of Radio) "Lasalle Style Show"
04-07-1908 - Percy Faith - Toronto, Canada - d. 2-9-1976
conductor: "Carnation Contented Hour"; "Pause That Refreshes on the Air"
05-07-1885 - George "Gabby" Hayes - Wellsville, NY - d. 2-9-1969
actor: "Andrews Sisters' Eight-to-the-Bar Ranch"; "Roy Rogers Show"
06-26-1902 - Bruce Evans - d. 2-9-1978
actor: Trapeze Artist "Circus Days"
07-06-1925 - Bill Haley, Jr. - Highland Park, MI - d. 2-9-1981
rocker: "Camel Rock and Roll Party"; "Stars for Defense"
08-30-1908 - Willie Bryant - New Orleans, LA - d. 2-9-1964
host: "Night Life"
10-12-1927 - Peggy Taylor - Inglewood, CA - d. 2-9-2002
singer: "The Breakfast Club"; "The Stan Freeberg Show"
11-23-1915 - Natalie Park Masters - San Francisco, CA - d. 2-9-1986
actress: Candy Matson "Candy Matson
12-23-1873 - Burns Mantle - Watertown, NY - d. 2-9-1948
writer: "Best Plays" based on Mantle's theatrical yearbook
Ron Sayles
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 00:34:18 -0500
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: JOE BESSER AND A HAUNTED CHRISTMAS EVE
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When I was an actor in Hollywood there were some times more than others when
my lack of money at any given moment was the cause of some pain and sadness
and not just simple hunger either.
Surely one of the keenest of painful memories was the time I wandered
into The Antique Guild in Van Nuys, California back in the late 80's and
stumbled upon a temptation almost greater than I could bear.
It was Christmas Eve and I was shopping for the many loved ones in my
life and trying to be frugal with my meager three hundred bucks.
I went to the Guild as it was always a great storehouse of wonderful
stuff and the manager knew me.
I was very late with my gift buying so I had to concentrate as it was
almost closing time.
Then I saw her.
An elderly lady, walking into the store, herding a group of young men
lugging a series of cardboard boxes to the side wall near the front door.
A deal was being made with the manager, she grumped a bit, took some
cash and left.
I wandered over to the three large boxes and peered in.
They were mostly framed photos. I picked a few out and saw they were
autographed and beautifully framed 8 X 10 photos of almost every big star
from
the 40's and 50's and every one of them was warmly and profusely signed with
the likes of, "To a warm and wonderful man and a great friend, Joe
[removed] Curtis," and there were many, many more!
One after the other was a magnificent tribute to a man fondly remembered
and eagerly signed for.
I was in heaven.
A blur of Hollywood's great went passed my eyes as one after the
dusty-framed other was flashed before my eyes!
Three large boxes of them!!!
The manager saw me and walked over to say that these items had yet to be
catalogued and priced but that I was the first to see them.
The woman was a friend and neighbor, "Mrs Joe Besser," he said.
"Stinky," I shouted. A few customers began to give me a wider berth.
"That's right," he laughed.
Then I heard the story.
Joe had died earlier in the year and she wanted these photos gone for
some reason.
Then he recognized me as an old customer and an actor.
He paused, saw that I was really in love with these three boxes of Joe
Besser's collection of autographed Hollywood history and said,
"Gimme three hundred bucks and you can take them all. I don't even know
what's in there."
I had exactly three hundred bucks in my pocket.
Trouble was it was earmarked for Christmas gifts.
The faces of all the stars on Joe's wall flashed before my dazzled
eyeballs.
The faces of my kids and loved ones began to flash as well.
All that flashing made me unsteady.
Then I got hold of myself.
I thanked him, said Merry [removed] walked away.
"Ooooooooo, I'm soooooo crazy."
Love ya Joe. Sorry I couldn't save your collection.
Wonder where it all is now?
Michael C. Gwynne
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 08:36:27 -0500
From: "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Comic Weekly Man
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Bill Jaker closed his posting about Lon Clark, the (uncredited) jolly Comic
Weekly Man:
--Bill Jaker (who had to listen to the Comic Weekly
Man on the radio since my parents wouldn't allow a
Hearst newspaper in the house).
I had the exact same experience! When I was around 5 or 6, on Sunday mornings
my father and I would walk down to the candy store on the corner of 161st
Street and Walton Avenue, across the street from the Bronx Court House, and he
would get the Sunday NY Times and let me get the NY Sunday News for their
comics, but I could NEVER convince him to let me get The Journal-American.
Back then I could never understand why, but boy do I understand NOW what his
reasons were!! I was lucky that Lon didn't read anything from the news or
(Gasp!!) the Editorial Page of that paper, because my father would probably
have thrown the radio out the window. And we lived on the 5th floor.
I will be forever sad that I never got to meet Lon Clark because I started
going to Cincinnati the year after he died. Everybody has told me how nice he
was.
Michael Biel mbiel@[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 08:36:43 -0500
From: "Holm, Chris " <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: self-reference
When I brought up the topic of self-reference, I guess I wasn't entirely
clear. I love it in comedies. I especially love bits when Bob Hope has
a bit of banter with someone and they get off script. It's hilarious
when they start giving each other direction and making comments to the
audience.
I also love Jack Benny when he starts interacting with the audience, or
goes back over a section of script. It's great.
I was really talking about shows there were supposed to be straight
dramas.
-chris holm
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 10:20:14 -0500
From: Philip Chavin <pchavin@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Joe Besser
Melanie asked about Joe Besser. May I just say, re
Joe on radio and in other media, in my humble opinion:
Funny, F-u-n-n-e-e-e-e, FU-NEEEEEE!
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 10:20:25 -0500
From: "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Benny's violin [removed]
Someone asked about Jack Benny's violin playing. I remember seeing a video
or kinescope of Jack playing the Bach double violin concerto in D minor with
Isaac Stern. This was a fund-raising concert. Jack did amazingly well. No
goofing around; he played it straight. I don't remember hearing him do this
sort of thing on his own program.
Ted Kneebone. OTR website: [removed]
Democrats: [removed]
1528 S. Grant St., Aberdeen, SD 57401 / 605-226-3344
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 14:18:53 -0500
From: arack@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Olympics on Radio?
For the 2006 Winter Olympics, there's a bit of radio coverage available:
Westwood One is broadcasting all of the USA men's hockey games, and Sirius is
providing a one-hour nightly report and recap.
My question - how were the Olympics presented on radio before the advent of
exhaustive TV coverage? I believe the first Olympic radio was done by NBC at
the 1932 LA Games - what was covered, and for how long? Did the 1936 Olympic
games recieve any play-by-play?
Thank you -
Alec Cumming
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 17:34:37 -0500
From: "Brian L Bedsworth" <az2pa@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Jack's Violin Playing
It's perhaps easiest to think of Jack's violin-playing prowess in terms of
eras.
1. Teens to mid-twenties -- This is the period of Jack's life when he
practiced and performed as a pure violinist, first in Waukegan and then as a
touring vaudevillian. He wasn't good enough (or, maybe more to the point,
=renowned= enough) to be a headliner, but he did well enough to support
himself as a professional musician, indicating at least a fair level of
virtuosity.
2. Mid-twenties to late-fifties -- After Jack's personal epiphany during the
Great Lakes Revue in 1918, his actual violin playing quickly began to
disappear from his act, eventually receding to a mere stage prop. With no
need to practice (and a distaste for practice extending back to his early
childhood), his facility with the instrument deteriorated greatly. It would
be nearly two decades before he began playing again with any regularity, but
not with any practice. The Jack Benny you hear on his radio program is Jack
playing his heart out. He had enough natural talent that the songs he played
were vaguely recognizable (hey, =you= try to play a violin that well!!!),
but nowhere near enough not to be awful.
3. Early-sixties on -- After the radio series ended, a huge chunk of time
opened in Jack's life. At about the same time, he had begun receiving
requests from charitable groups to perform =as a violinist= in various
fundraisers. He had, in his own phrasing, become "vain" enough about his
violin playing that he didn't want to be embarassed if he did begin
accepting these offers, so he began to practice seriously for the first time
in nearly four decades. Four different sources (Mary, Joan, George Burns and
Jack himself) all agree that this practice was very [removed] and very =bad=.
Jack eventually either exiled himself or was consigned by the rest of his
household to a remote corner of the home for the long hours he deemed
necessary to be able to perform semi-competently. For a man who didn't take
up serious study of the instrument until he was in his sixties, anyway.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #42
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