Subject: [removed] Digest V01 #210
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 6/29/2001 9:59 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                          The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                             Volume 01 : Issue 210
                       A Part of the [removed]!
                               ISSN: 1533-9289

                               Today's Topics:

     Vallee's stuff & Jolie               ["Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed]]
     JOLSON REMEMBERED                    ["Owens Pomeroy" <opomeroy@[removed]; ]
     I think we've been here before       [otrbuff@[removed]                   ]
     Scully Recording & Press Bureau Inc. ["Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed]]
     airing of tobacco commercials on OTR [SacChief@[removed]                   ]
     Dwight Weist & Joe Julian            [Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];     ]
     "Gildy's Middle Name," "Sorry, Wrong ["[removed] Wolfe" <rjrmemorabilia@yahoo.]
     [removed] Back in Business!         ["Jeff Geddes" <jeffg@[removed];]
     Re:Dwight Weist                      [SanctumOTR@[removed]                 ]
     Well hush my mouf!                   [hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];    ]
     How Keen!                            ["Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@]
     Timeless  vs  Topical  OTR humor     ["Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed]]
     Calling All Cars                     ["Tony [removed]" <tony@baechler.]
     Bob Bailey -- Johnny Dollar          [Mike Ray <MRay@[removed];    ]
     Pickle in the middle with the mustar [SartyK@[removed]                     ]
     Allen and Benny                      [steve mcguffin <earl22002@[removed]]

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:20:29 -0400
    From: "Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Vallee's stuff & Jolie

    Elizabeth's  account of the unusual disks from Rudy's collection is
    fascinating.  My wife and I were guests of his and Eleanor for about a week
    in 1972.  He showed me many things but I don't recall the disks just
    described.  It's great to know that this other material exists.  It's ironic
    that Libby Holman is mentioned.  We  knew  her too----she endured some
    terrible personal tragedies.

    And, it's was at Bob's home that I heard the  Jolie disk.

    Best,
    Shiffy

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:20:32 -0400
    From: "Owens Pomeroy" <opomeroy@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  JOLSON REMEMBERED

    The following tribute to Al Jolson ws penned by me in commeration of his
    100the. Birthday.  It has been selected by the Society Of American Port's to
    be included in their 2001 Edition of Verses.

                                     "Jolie"

    Into our life, there came this man,

    Now of whom I speak, so grand.

    Toot, Toot, Tootsie, was his style,

    Even a ballad, once in--while.

    River, called Sewanee, boy what class,

    Never a let-up, he could last.

    Actors, singers, great Producers, all,

    Thought him the greatest, but don't we all?

    I know that he is looking down,

    On us, his fans, World-wide, round.

    North, South, West and East,

    All cherish his mem'ry. to say the least.

    Lest we forget, a Century has passed,

    All together we join to honor en mass.

    Learning more about him each passing day,

    Just what he gave us, who can say.

    Over the years remembered still,

    Like he never left us, and never will.

    Some say his songs were4 ancient prayers,

    Of anguish, sorrow, heartache and care.

    No one did know, alone but he,

    Sang his heart out for you, for me.

    Others will say he ridiculed,

    'Cause black-face, his trade mark, was often used.

    'Tis a pity, because he meant them no harm,

    Expressing emotion that way, through music's charm.

    Today, we honor his memory'y so grand,

    Yes "Jolie,". . . Al Jolson - was quite a man!

                        (c) 1985 Owens L. Pomeroy

    NOTE: (Any Jolson fans interested, in a copy of the above poem, free to
    members on this list, written on Parchment paper and autographed, please
    contact me at the email above with your name and address.  Thank you.
    Owens Pomeroy

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:20:34 -0400
    From: otrbuff@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  I think we've been here before

    David Phaneuf raises some questions that we have discussed several times
    and yet perhaps bear repeating.

    Concerning Mr. Keen, while the scriptreading was (to ears hearing it all
    a half-century or more later) rather bland, you couldn't have convinced
    me at the time.  Keen and company had the ability to (pardon the
    expression, reverend) scare the hell out of me every Thursday night.  I
    listened faithfully to those tales and was so frightened I often
    convinced myself the killer was just waiting for me in the next room, or
    in my closet or outside the door.  While I loved figuring out which of
    three or four suspects Keen and partner Mike Clancy would finger as the
    true culprit, in the 1940s for sure I was every bit convinced that those
    same rapscallions were lurking not far from my radio.  It may sound bland
    now but -- especially when you listened to it with the lights out -- you
    could be certain it was all very real.  It was, and is to this day, my
    favorite of all the crimefighters . . . no matter the disparaging remarks
    the series frequently generates.

    Then Dave asks about Fatimas and Chesterfields being advertised on the
    same Dragnet programs.  Of course!  They were both from Liggett & Myers
    Tobacco Company.  Didn't Procter & Gamble ever advertise multiple
    products on the same show?  I recall that for a spell The Right to
    Happiness appeared daily for Spic 'n' Span and Cheer, both P&G
    detergents.  One of those commercials was normally a cowcatcher, added on
    from the same manufacturer to promote an additional commodity to its
    main-line product (likely Chesterfield in Dragnet's case).

    Phaneuf finally mentions a blooper that occurred in a Prince Albert
    commercial.  Incidentally, for most of its two decades on network radio,
    the Grand Ole Opry was sponsored by Prince Albert.  I can still hear the
    rinky-tink piano and see the quartet on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium
    singing:  "Roll your own with good P. A., and take a puff or two . . .
    you'll get that extra smoking joy . . . Prince Albert brings to you."

    At any rate, David's mentioning the live blooper instantly brought
    another to my mind.  One day in January 1943 on Life Can Be Beautiful
    kindly old Papa David Solomon advised his minion, Chi Chi Conrad:  "Love
    ain't something you can throw out of your heart like bucket from a
    water."  The characters went right on, incidentally, without
    acknowledging that sterling line.

    Jim Cox

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:20:36 -0400
    From: "Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Scully Recording & Press Bureau Inc.

    Hmmmmm, I wonder if this is related to the company that made the disk
    recording lathes and later, tape machines.  They too, were based in
    Connecticut.  Perhaps the AES (Audio Engineering  Society) might have info.

    Also, I two two copies of the wonderful "Radio Personalities" (a pictorial
    and biographical annual)., edited by Don Rockwell, published by Press Bureau
    Inc. Copyrighted 1935. One's falling apart & one's a great condition.  I use
    the deteriorating one to browse.  It's a GREAT compilation of portraits and
    facts.  Does anyone know if it was published in any other years?
    This version is the premier one.

    Best,
    Shiffy

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:20:39 -0400
    From: SacChief@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  airing of tobacco commercials on OTR broadcasts?

    Recently, there's been some discussion on this thread about the
    rebroadcasting of OTR when the old show contains tobacco ads, which are
    prohibited today. As far as i know, the OTR shows are being rebroadcast
    complete with commercials.  For example, as all West Coaster OTR fans
    probably know, KNX (1070 AM,Los Angeles) broadcasts such shows regularly at
    9pm. On 6/27/01, one of the programs was an old Dragnet episode, complete
    with Chesterfield ads.  bob keldgord

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:25:25 -0400
    From: Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Dwight Weist & Joe Julian

    I thank Michael Gwynne and two folks who contacted me privately to help
    put me on the track of finding Dwight Weist's literary heirs.

    I also need to find an heir of the late actor Joe Julian. I believe he
    died childless. He did have a brother whose name I think was Dr. Samuel
    Shapiro in [removed] I think the brother too is gone.

    Two questions:
    1. Does anyone know any relative of Julian?
    2. Anthony Tollin published a small biographical piece on the Internet.
    But it appears not to be there any more. Can somebody send me a copy of
    it?

    [My book, Words at War, a history of World War II era radio drama, will
    be published next spring by Scarecrow Press - hence my need to contact
    these people for permission to quote various sources. At a later date, I
    will make a "louder" announcement about this.]

    Howard

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:25:27 -0400
    From: "[removed] Wolfe" <rjrmemorabilia@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  "Gildy's Middle Name," "Sorry, Wrong Number,"
     Bob Hope and another trivia question

    Hey gang;
             Sorry I haven't posted lately but I've ben on
    a little "Odyssey" with Homer and another adventure
    with Virgil. Right at this moment I'm on trip with
    "Dante" and guess who I ran into on the way? That's
    right, "Mr. Afore Mentioned." I always knew that "Mr.
    Afore Mentioned's" business ethics were going to get
    him sent to Dante's homeland and just this morning I
    ran into Homer, Plato, Socrates, Aeneas and right in
    the middle of all of them was "Mr. Afore Mentioned"
    and that's when I discovered the error of my ways and
    began runnning the other direction. During my jog I
    ran into the great philospher, Rene Descartes who must
    be in some way related to OTRChris because Mr.
    Descartes wouldn't believe anything he read, saw or
    heard without some sort of verification of the facts
    first and we now have 2 of the 3 facts concerning
    "Sorry, Wrong Number" but one piece of information is
    still missing from the equasion.
                            1. I checked both our local
    Chattanooga newspaper and the "New York Times for
    informatin concerning "Sorry, Wrong Number" and they
    both agree that the working title was, "She Overheard
    Death" which means that William Spier must've changed
    the title of the story right before airtime.
                                        2. Chattanooga was
    on Central Standard Time and New York was on Eastern
    Standard Time and it indeed aired at 9:30 there and
    8:30 here, hence the East Coast Broadcast.
                                    The piece of
    information that is still missing is when "Supense"
    aired in Los Angeles and I've asked Laura "Play Misty
    For Me" Kneff to look for the last remaining piece of
    the puzzle. If anyone else reading this in Los Angeles
    wants to verify what Laura finds that would be great.
    All you have to do is go to the "Regional History"
    section on your library which is normally the 3rd
    Floor and ask for the microfilm from May of 1943 and
    then look up May 25th, the date that "Sorry, Wrong
    Number" and tell us what time it was broadcast in Los
    Angeles. If the "Los Angeles Times" says that it aired
    at 6:30 then there was indeed only one broadcast. BUT
    if the "Times" says 9:30 that would be the "WEST COAST
    BROADCAST" because it would've been 11:30 here and the
    "CBS" affiliate in our city was already off the air
    and in New York it would've been 12:30 and guess what?
    Their "CBS" affiliate was off the air too! So, if
    someone or more than one someone can pull up the
    microfilm that would be the last piece of conclusive
    evidence we need to know whether or not it was done
    twice because listening to two different tapes
    wouldn't prove anything to Rene Descartes because it's
    not really concrete evidence but the radio listing in
    the "Los Angeles Times" is.
                               Everyone was right in
    regards to "Gildy's" 2 middle names. They used
    "Philormanic" on the "Gildersleeve's Diary" episode of
    "Fibber McGee And Molly" and during a "Golden Days Of
    Radio" h Frank Bresee Hal Peary said "Gildy's" middle
    name was "Place." I've kept track of all the correct
    answers that were posted in the "Digest" and whenever
    "RJR" is up and running again I'm planning to give the
    correct responders a prize of their choice out of our
    catalog but my target date for resuming the business
    is still late September or early October in the
    meantime here's another trivia question:
                                   "Gildy" wasn't the only
    character to have two differnt names. One of my
    favorite radio actors, "Pat Buttram" played everyone's
    favorite peddler, "Mr. Haney" on "Green Acres" and it
    seems as though he had two first names or it might've
    have been his first and middle names. In an episode of
    "Green Acres," "Mr. Haney" is stopped by a Sate
    Trooper who turns out to be his nephew. When he sees
    who's driving the truck he says, "Well, If it isn't
    Uncle ____. When "Nick At Night" first put "Green
    Acres" on they aired a special with Eddie Albert, Eva
    Gabor and Pat Buttram and the interviewer asked Mr.
    Buttram if "Mr. Haney" had a first name. He answered
    yes but gave an entirely different name from the one
    mentioned in the episode above. Do any of you trivia
    buffs know what "Mr. Haney's" two first names were?
                                                       I
    would also like to mentin Bob ope before I go. There
    is a valid reason why I thought that Mr. Hope didn't
    keep his transcription discs. There's a Christmas
    Special from 1982 which he hosted and was sponsored by
    "Whitman's Samplers." It's called, "Christmas Like We
    Used To Know" during the open of the special Mr. Hope
    says that when the show was being put together it was
    discovered that he hadn't retained enough material of
    his own to include any of his Christmas shows in the
    specail and he had to go to the "Library Of Congress"
    to find some examples of his own Christmas programs. I
    interpreted this to mean that he kept very few, if any
    of his own discs. Could he have actually meant that he
    didn't keep any of his "Christmas Show" discs?
    However, there are a few Bob Hope Christmas in general
    circulation. But I suppose "Mr. Afore Mentioned" owns
    the "Exclusive Distrubution Rights" to them as well
    because that was another of the shows that was
    highlighted in yellow on the "RJR" Christmas flyer.
                                                 By the
    way, if you could provide me with a bit more
    information I could find the correct airdates and
    titles for the two "Lights Out" episodes you were
    looking for a couple of weeks ago. But the information
    that was provided just wasn't enough.
                                  Goodnight all    .

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:25:29 -0400
    From: "Jeff Geddes" <jeffg@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  [removed] Back in Business!

    Hi all,

    After my last server shut me down, I have re-done my webpage and it can now
    be found at:

    [removed]

    It was made especially with Canadian OTR Enthusiasts in mind, but I'd love to
    have everyone take a look at [removed]

    You will find sounds, pictures, links, resources on where you can find
    Canadian OTR, and Canadian NTR, a few downloads, and it also has my OTR
    Collection posted there if anyone wants to trade with [removed] (which I would
    LOVE!)

    So, please check it out at [removed]
    and send me your comments!  I'm confident that you have never seen an OTR
    website quite like it!

    jeff
    jeffg@[removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:25:33 -0400
    From: SanctumOTR@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re:Dwight Weist

    In a message dated 6/28/01 11:09:51 AM, <A
    HREF="[removed],+Michael+C.">Michael C. Gwynne</A>
    writes:

    << I believe Dwight had a daughter Diana, or Diane and that she became a
    formidable actress, just ask Woody [removed];>

    Diane Weist is not Dwight's daughter (though he wished she was).  I asked him
    years ago.
    --ANTHONY TOLLIUN

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:25:37 -0400
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Well hush my mouf!

    An open letter to Rodney Bowcock and all Digest subscribers.

    Rodney, I'm attaching an E-Mail that I just received in response to a recent
    posting whereby you asked if any of the OTR dealers ever gave me "Free"
    copies of the "Archie" Show. The attached speaks for itself.
     You wrote:

> > >     I would think that since you were a cast member either of these

>     organizations (Radio Memories at least) would be willing to give you
>     copies of these at no cost.

    <snip> Oh Sure!

>     I know I saw Rosemary Rice autographing
>     copies for sale at the Radio Memories booth in Cincinnati.

    Well, I bet if I ever get invited to the Cincy Con, and offer to sit at
    their booth, they'd certainly give me a set. (By the way. How much are
    autographs worth nowadays? :)<<

    NOW RODNEY, MY BOY, SEE WHAT YOU STARTED. READ ON!

    Harlan,
    If you will send me your shipping address, I would be honored to send you
    tape copies of all the ARCHIE ANDREWS shows that I have at no charge.  OTR
    has given me so much joy in my life (I have been a collector for over 30
    years) and this is a way of giving back a little which has meant so much to
    me.  It would mean a great deal to me if you would allow me to do this.  I
    would also like to take this opputunity to thank you so much for your
    contribution to OTR. To set the record straight on the Rosemary Rice
    comment.
     She came over to my table and I refused to let her pay for what she wanted.
    She told me that she would not leave the table until she could do something
    for me.  I saw that she meant it, so I asked if she would mind signing the
    ARCHIE ANDREWS tapes I had on the table.

    Ted Davenport
    Radio Memories
    [removed]

    To all men (and ladies) present. I now respond publicly to Mr. Davenport. I
    want to thank you most sincerely for your kind and generous offer. I accept
    most gratefully, but under one condition. I would like to be reassured that
    you are aware that I wasn't "sucking" around looking for "freebies, but
    rather, just "foolin' around with the "gang".

    It is quite typical for Rosemary to do what she did at your booth,
    autographing the "Archie" sets for you. She is a class act. But then too,
    Mr. Davenport, so are you. If we are ever at the same convention, sharpen up
    the pens for me.

    By the wayŠ is this in lieu of any compensation due me for "Contract"
    violations?   JUST KIDDING, TED  ŠŠŠHONEST!!!!

    Warmest Regards and appreciation

    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    JUGHEAD

    But I must add a postscript. Bill Guggenheim, who I have dubbed the "Archie"
    shows #1 fan, has 40 copies of the show in his collection, and offered me
    copies of any that I did not have. 40 shows??? From now on, he'll be
    affectionately nicknamed "Glutton for punishment Guggenheim". :)

    PPS: An aside to Stephen Kallis: Well, Stephen, you'll have to admit, there
    is certainly one OTR dealer who doesn't need to hire new PR people! :)

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:25:49 -0400
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  How Keen!

    Dave Phaneuf notes,

>     Anyway, I've had a chance to listen to some shows I've previously not
>     listened to before, one of which was Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons.
>     <snip>  Needless to say I was very disappointed.  the Acting sounded
>     lackluster <snip> Was this normal for Mr. Keen?  Was it a popular show?

    As I've mentioned before, Mr. Keen is one of my guilty pleasures.  It was
    popular, too.  It ran from 1937 to the middle of 1955.  I enjoy the show
    as camp, taking delight in the way all the characters keep explaining
    things to each other and always addressing each other by mane every time
    they speak.  I have a modest collection of Mr. Keen broadcasts and would
    love a lot more.

    "Look, Mr. Keen, he's pointing a gun at us."

    Great show, but not the way its creators (the Hummerts) intended.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:25:52 -0400
    From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Timeless  vs  Topical  OTR humor

      Re the current discussion on Benny vs. Allen, etc.:
      The overall opinion here (and in OTR history books, for example) seems to
    be: Timeless humor is much more worthwhile than Topical humor.
      In comparing those two types of OTR humor from today's viewpoint, one very
    positive element topical humor has is its historical quality.  Recordings of
    Bob Hope's 1940s shows, for example, can transport today's listener to a
    real time (moment!) and place in the past, giving a kind of
    time-machine/living-history/listening-to-it-on-the-radio-right-then
    experience. Well, at least that's what happens to me!   If a listener --
    especially a young one -- first needs to do some historical homework before
    being able to adequately appreciate such topical/"dated" OTR recordings, it
    could be worth his/her while to do so.
      -- Phil C.

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:31:59 -0400
    From: "Tony [removed]" <tony@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Calling All Cars

    Hello all.  These are probably questions for Elizabeth since they are
    about early radio, but I will appreciate answers from anyone.  Thanks
    in advance.

    First, I would like some general background information on the
    series.  I know it ran from late 1933 to 1939 and was directed by
    William N. Robson.  Can anyone give any more information?  What
    network was it on?  I heard that it was on KHJ, but J. David Goldin's
    database lists it as being on the CBS Pacific network.  Unless I am
    mistaken, CBS did not even go as far west as LA at that time, right?
    Also, why are some programs sponsored while others are definitely
    syndicated?  Were they trying to reach a nationwide audience as
    well?

    Second, does anyone have a complete, accurate log?  Jerry's log
    seems to be complete enough, but some information contradicts
    what is given in the programs themselves.  Besides the broadcast
    numbers not matching, there are some dates I am not sure about.
    He has the Mae West Jewel Robbery listed in 1934, however it is
    indicated that this may instead be a 1935 rebroadcast.  Checking the
    date of the broadcast number given at the beginning, (69) shows it as
    being from 03-18-35.  This also matches another collector's date.
    Also, another program from 1934 talks about the case which took
    place 26 years ago, but gives the year as 1910.  This would seem to
    date the program in 1936.  Finally, the very early programs in 1933
    would seem to be from the winter, but make references to summer.
    Can anyone sort out this mystery?

    Third, can anyone give any cast credits?  Some shows give names of
    ome actors, but many do not seem familiar to me, and many shows
    do not list any cast at all.  It would be nice to find a list of actors for
    every show, but even an idea of early Hollywood actors at the time
    which frequently appeared on these shows would help.  I can
    recognize a few voices but not many.

    Finally, was this the first police drama series?  I heard it was but I
    would think that either Gangbusters or some other series came
    earlier.  Any confirmation on this?  Also, how representative is this
    program of early radio drama?  I have no other drama programs from
    the period to compare with.  Other than having no middle commercial
    and obviously having a limited budget, it seems typical of later
    dramas to me.  Thanks again, and sorry for asking so many
    questions.  I find the series interesting and am trying to learn as
    much about it as possible.

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:55:09 -0400
    From: Mike Ray <MRay@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Bob Bailey -- Johnny Dollar

    Hi Gang:
    I can't begin to tell you just how much my
    family has enjoyed the recent books by our
    friend Martin Grams, Jr. They are Command
    Performance, Suspense, and Have Gun will
    Travel. The latter one Martin had help from
    the brilliant Les Rayburn. These books have
    become treasures that are being enjoyed over
    and over again. Many thanks Martin, they are
    wonderful. You have done us all a great
    [removed] say all of this to suggest
    a program, and an actor that would make
    and outstanding book. Since all of us
    have our own list of favorite programs that
    we enjoy, I dare say that most of us have on
    that list the program, Yours Truly Johnny
    Dollar with the best of all the Dollars Bob
    Bailey. Bailey had an outstanding versatile
    carrier and a personal life that would break
    your heart. This would not only be a big seller
    among the OTR community, but would be a marvelous
    way to honor one of OTR's great actors and also
    a program that still stands up well after all these
    years. Martin, is there another book in your spirit?
    If so, my prayers are with you.
    Best regards,
    Mike Ray

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 11:07:13 -0400
    From: SartyK@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Pickle in the middle with the mustard on top

    I was listening to Jack Benny  recently while traveling; I don't know from
    what year, but it was during the running gag where Jack opened a cafe around
    his pool and sold sandwiches and beer causing Phil Harris to crack:  "pickle
    in the middle and the beer on tap."  Didn't this parody the line:  "pickle in
    the middle and the mustard on top?"  Can someone tell me who spoke this line
    and why it was funny?

    On another note: I thought Fred Allen's portrayal of one of the kidnappers of
    Red Chief in the movie O'Henry's Full House was very good; however, Jack
    Benny has and will outlast Fred Allen for the simple reason that in my
    subjective opinion Jack was the more talented.

    George Kelly

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

    Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 11:30:21 -0400
    From: steve mcguffin <earl22002@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Allen and Benny

    I don't usually have much time to do anymore than read
    over the list, but I just had to weigh in on this one!
     I love them both, but I've got to say that FA (as
    I've heard Kenny Baker call him) is worth the effort
    involved in finding out more about him (terrible
    sentence, sorry).  I would recommend listening to the
    Biography in Sound of Fred Allen (I heard it on a a
    community radio statio a couple of years ago - on a
    Saturday afternoon during hunting season, I had gone
    back to the truck to warm up and eat and sat there for
    over an hour!).  Yes, some of the humor is topical,
    but so far I've only been left totally clueless a
    couple of times.  I love the later Allen's Alley
    characters, especially, of course, Senator Claghorn,
    but the early characters are funny too.  I especially
    like Falstaff Openshaw's poems.  Two sketches from the
    pre-Allen's Alley days stand out, I would recommend
    them.  One is the (not sure of date, don't have my
    tapes with me) April 1941 presentation of One Long Pan
    Takes a Chance.  I think that Lionel Stander was the
    guest on that show.  Another great one with guest star
    Reginald Gardiner was entitled "The Pekingnese of the
    Basketvilles".  These shows are hilarious, I often
    rewind them and listen to them twice!  Somewhere I
    have Life Magazine that shows pictures of Allen
    dressed up as One Long Pan and some other characters
    and they are priceless.  Next time I dig through that
    box I'll pass along the date.  To me, it's the
    differences in style between Benny and Allen that
    makes me appreciate them both even more.

    Steve

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V01 Issue #210
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