Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #263
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 7/12/2002 7:43 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2002 : Issue 263
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      CBS "Chimes"                          [ bourdase@[removed] (Mike Paraniuk) ]
      Re:Lucky Lager dance time             [ RPATO2@[removed] ]
      singing detective                     [ AandG4jc@[removed] ]
      New OTR Trader / Collecter            [ "Mike Malone" <mmalone@[removed] ]
      Radio Magazines                       [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
      Dad's Old Fashion Root Beer           [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
      Coca-Cola sponsorship                 [ Roo61@[removed] (Randy Watts) ]
      OTR Actors in Films                   [ "roycollect" <roycollect@[removed] ]
      Reminisce magazine article            [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
      Re: Gunsmoke vs Jack Armstrong        [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
      Coca Cola jingle                      [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
      Boston Cooler; various Pop            [ Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed]; ]
      Birthday thanks                       [ "Nemesis@[removed]" <nemesis@[removed] ]
      Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Dried plums/Ray Bradbury              [ Derek Tague <derek@[removed]; ]
      Dad's Old-Fashioned Root Beer         [ Derek Tague <derek@[removed]; ]
      Superman vs. Batman movie             [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
      Coca-Cola                             [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 21:50:33 -0400
    From: bourdase@[removed] (Mike Paraniuk)
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  CBS "Chimes"

    Ahhhh the famous *chirp* of the Columbia Network - it is very much
    alive. I was blessed to be given a personal tour of the New York
    Columbia facilities which are housed in a former dairy warehouse/factory
    since the 60s. I think it is located on 57th Street in New York City (my
    memory is slipping since that awesome visit of 1988). CBS Radio News
    studios where the *hourlies* are broadcast struck me as very plain,
    unpretentious, and old. The CBS manager even joked that when some
    visitors see the CBS facilities, they ask if this is the CBS *museum*!
    The CBS newsman sits at a very plain table in a room about 16' x 16'
    with walls covered by heavy green drapery. The microphone was a
    Senseimer placed on a little mic boom. I remember the newsman (Alan
    Jackson, perhaps?) used a hand gesture to signal the audio control board
    lady in the next room when to cue in the news actualities during the 6
    minute live broadcast to over 350 stations coast to coast. She simply
    punched a lighted square button on the old cart machine!  She looked at
    him through the thick  glass window intently so as not to miss his hand
    cue. The newsman timed his first live reporting to end precisely at
    three minutes after the hour. (Three minutes of news is called the CBS
    *format*). Commercials were inserted through a bank of very high tech
    computers located next to the lady at the cart machine - what a contrast
    of old and new. With every cut-a-way, I could hear the uniquely CBS
    *chirp*. I ask the manager the origin of this sound. She stated it is
    completely internal and produced by the CBS switching device. It is not
    generated intentionally. The CBS *bong* is intentionally generated to
    strike at the top of the hour. Therefore, you get the
    *[removed]* sound when the Columbia affiliate switches to the
    network. I listen to CBS over the Columbia affiliate WKRC 550 am here in
    Cincinnati. (PS. Now there are also the old MBS/Mutual tones used over
    some Westwood One long form programs today. Mutual went digital sometime
    in the late 70s or early 80s. When they switch you can hear the 2
    *beeps* - a term used by the people at CBS/Infinity. I told them last
    week, I call them the Mutual *toots*). Blessings [removed] Mike

    + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    The sufferings in the world are compensated. Do not be [removed] is
    one who watches over [removed] LUGOSI

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

    Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 21:54:07 -0400
    From: RPATO2@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re:Lucky Lager dance time

    Lucky Lager dance time aired at 10 PM on KNBC dial positioned 6 80 San
    Francisco, which years later became KNBR, the NBC flagship in San Francisco,
    with studios on Van Ness Avenue.  The Burgie music box aired at 9 PM on KFRC
    610 also San Francisco.  I believe they were both locally produced shows,
    because both brewing Co.'s had their headquarters in San Francisco.  I
    remember well retiring to the inner sanctum, to do homework,have a shower,
    and listen to the top tunes of the day, when lyrics were innocent, and life
    as a teenager was so much [removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 22:25:59 -0400
    From: AandG4jc@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  singing detective

    I know that Dick Powwell sang a song near the conclusion of his detective
    show "Richard Diamond", but wasn't there another program billed as "the
    singing detective"? Or may be it was Diamond's show. Memory plays tricks on
    me some times.
    Allen

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

    Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 23:08:22 -0400
    From: "Mike Malone" <mmalone@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  New OTR Trader / Collecter

    Hello, I am new to the list as well as OTR.  (being 36, my idea of OTR up to
    now had been Sears Radio Theater and CBS Radio Mystery Theater)  I am always
    looking to trade cd's of MP3 [removed] my website is
    [removed]
    Please check it out and if I have something you dont, lets make a trade!
    If you have EXTRA'[removed] please, lets make a deal!

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

    Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 23:15:50 -0400
    From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Radio Magazines

    Ben Ohmart asks:

>     Doing research into a radio star for a new book of mine, I have collected up
>     a lot of articles from old radio and movie magazines (30s, 40s). But I'm
>     curious how truthful and/or accurate these articles and facts are.

    The research I have done might reference the articles in some of these
    magazines as the source material is not always available. But to put it in
    perspective as I see it, would you use People magazine as a primary source
    60 years from now when doing research on personalities of the time?

    I would say, it might be a starting point, but I would certainly not always
    take their word as gospel. I have found generally the basic fact
    information to be rather accurate, but there was little research on their
    own relying usually on publicity material they might have received, which
    of course, will have a bias to them.

    So I guess it depends on what you are looking from these sources. Some
    basic facts - yes. Some opinion on the times - probably. But prime source
    material? I say no.

    Jim Widner
    jwidner@[removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 00:39:40 -0400
    From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Dad's Old Fashion Root Beer

    No, "Dad's" was not a local  Chicago or midwest beverage.   It was very
    much in evidence here on the west coast starting just after WWII.  Up
    until that time, Hire's Root Beer was the only brand I was aware of.
    Then about 1946 there was a blitz of advertising in print, on those
    enameled metal signs in the neighborhood grocers, and most notably on
    radio. Their rhythmic jingle played over and over on the air had all the
    kids at my school singing it. As for me I stayed with Hire's even if I
    did like Dad's jingle.
    Incidently we also called those bottled beverages "pop" never soda's.
    Soda's were somthing that the soda jerk made with ice cream and
    carbonated water. Now however my grandkids call soft drinks "sodas".

    On another subject, I never heard of "Straight Arrow" until I began
    reading this digest. I still have never heard a broadcast that I
    recall,  even tho I grew up in the era of all those daily serials. Tho I
    wasn't allowed to listen to them very often (we ate supper at 5:00 pm
    sharp) I did hear enough of them to know what they were about and to
    remember fondly, a few of them. When someone mentioned "Jack Armstrong"
    recently I suddenly heard an echo effect opening in my head(no the
    opening was not in my head, but at the begining of the show).  Is that
    right? Or do I need to see a shrink?  As I recall the show the couple of
    times I listened , it was all very confusing to me as a youngster.
    I'm sure others will also respond to John Mayer's query about Coke
    sponsored  shows.  There was of course  Coca Colas "Victory Parade of
    Spotlight Bands" which was on the air for 6 yrs from 1941 to 1946.  And
    although not a jingle who can forget "the pause that refreshes" as it
    was probably scribbled over every urinal in every mens room in America
    at one time or another.

    George Aust

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 00:42:29 -0400
    From: Roo61@[removed] (Randy Watts)
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Coca-Cola sponsorship

    To add to the list, Coca-Cola also sponsored Edgar Bergen and Charlie
    McCarthy on CBS from 1949 to 1952.

    Incidentally, the company apparently has never completely abandoned the
    Sprite or ads on the sides of buildings.  They continue to maintain one
    painted on the side of a brick drugstore I drive past once or twice a
    week.  It was repainted just a couple of years ago.

    Randy

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 01:56:13 -0400
    From: "roycollect" <roycollect@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  OTR Actors in Films
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Watched an early 50's movie "You're In The Navy Now" with a small cast of OTR
    veterans, Jack Webb, John McIntyre, Harry Von Zell and Ray Collins. Also Eddie
    Albert who I'm sure was on radio if only as a guest star. Oh, almost forgot
    Gary Cooper and Jane Greer were in it too!

          Roy Bonario

      *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
      ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 01:57:04 -0400
    From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Reminisce magazine article

    I don't believe I've ever seen a mention of Reminisce magazine in this
    digest even tho just about every issue has references to OTR.  In the
    August issue of Reminisce Extra there is an interesting article entitled
    "The Smallest Broadcast Studio". It is the story of Kate Smith's
    broadcasts from her summer home at Lake Placid.  There are pictures of
    the studio as well as other pictures of the well known radio and
    recording star. The article also includes an entire radio script from
    [removed] 1947.  In a sidebar they tell of all of the 16" transcriptions
    that Kate threw out when she and  partner Ted Collins moved out of their
    NYC offices in 1962.  However a few did survive as well as all of her
    Morrocco bound radio scripts.
    These are available thru the Kate Smith Commemoritive Society. Their
    website is [removed],  or by writing to [removed] Box 3575 Cranston RI
    02910.

    George Aust

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 01:57:24 -0400
    From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Gunsmoke vs Jack Armstrong

    Jer51473@[removed] wrote:

>     I had migrated from radio to tv by the time G smoke came to radio (1955?)
>     and must confess i never knew it was ever on radio until a few years ago. I
>     understand that it is considered to have been an excellent show, but i have
>     never listened to one episode. Going from tv to radio just doesnt interest
>     me as far as otr goes.

    Ahhh, but what about shows that migrated TO TV from radio?  Most of the
    names you cited as OTR classics ("benny, magee, hope, a&a, burns & allen")
    went on to TV - some more successfully than others - so I assume you have no
    quarrel with this.  In which case, GUNSMOKE belongs on THAT list, as it also
    debuted on radio (in 1952), then went to television (in 1955).  I know the
    aficionados on this list have spoken of how the radio cast was considered
    and tested (and ultimately rejected) for the TV version.  And I suspect
    there will be some commentary forthcoming about making comparisons with
    something one has never listened to once.  All I can say is, personally - as
    one who usually can't stand the western genre - GUNSMOKE on radio is one of
    the most engrossing, well-thought-out, best written sagebrush sagas I've
    ever had the pleasure of hearing.  It's on out here every Sunday night at
    8:00pm EDT on Ed Walker's "The Big Broadcast" on WAMU-FM (and can be heard
    on the 'net at [removed]).  Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.

    Michael ("That Dragnet Guy")

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 01:57:48 -0400
    From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Coca Cola jingle

    I don't know why I didn't think of it in my earlier post but Coca Cola
    had one of the all time great jingles, tho it shouldn't really be called
    a jingle because it was a beautiful song.  I'm sure everyone remembers
    "It's the Real Thing," as it was featured in very elaborate productions
    for a long time in the 1960's on television, but I'd bet also on radio.
    I think it even became a best selling pop recording but I don't remember
    the name of the group who sang it. Maybe it was the "Pepsi Generation":)

    George Aust

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 01:56:41 -0400
    From: Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Boston Cooler; various Pop

    A Boston Cooler is made by mixing together Vernor's
    ginger ale and two scoops of vanilla ice cream
    (Sander's ice cream-- another Detroit tradition--
    (sanders topping is still available) according to
    purists). The result is roughly the consistency of a
    milkshake.

    It's interesting that this thread about various brands
    of pop has developed, because of late I've had an
    interest in the subject as well. It grew out of a
    recent interest in Detroit made products in general:
    Vernor's; Faygo; Better Made potato Chips; Sanders
    topping, etc., and has since metamorphosized into a
    curiosity about other local or regional pops.

    Of late, I've bought Crush, Big Red, Dr. Brown's Draft
    Style Root Beer, and Southern Swirl Sparkling Orange
    Cream Soda. I've never heard of the last two, though I
    have had Crush before; and probably had Big Red when I
    was in Texas. It's new to the Detroit area, however.
    Or at least I hadn't noticed it before.

    I've also been buying some pop in glass bottles,
    including the Crush, Southern Swirl, IBC root beer and
    Coke. I also bought three glass 16 oz bottles of Faygo
    (Redpop, their signature drink; rock and rye; and
    orange), the labels for which harken back to the
    1950s. The store where I bought them also carries
    bottles of Towne Club pop, but for display only. I'm
    sure I've had Towne Club before, but now I want to try
    it to refresh my memory.

    I'm also trying to find Hires root beer for the same
    reason-- and because it's supposed to be the oldest
    Root beer being made. Root beer remains my favorite
    drink overall.

    Well, I'm off to listen to a tape of The Shadow I
    checked out of the library. However, since the tape
    isn't labelled with anything other than a call number,
    I don't know what episode it is-- or for that matter
    if it is, indeed The Shadow.

    But then, what's life without these occasional little
    mysteries?

    Rick

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 01:57:35 -0400
    From: "Nemesis@[removed]" <nemesis@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Birthday thanks

    Thanks to all who answered my show/b'day source question.  I'm in with Mel
    Blanc (who knew he  had a show?) and Red Skelton.
    Linda T.

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 09:24:05 -0400
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Today in radio history

      From Those Were The Days --

    1946 - The Adventures of Sam Spade was heard on ABC for the first time.

      Joe

    --
    Visit my home page:
    [removed]~[removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 09:24:40 -0400
    From: Derek Tague <derek@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Dried plums/Ray Bradbury

    Hi Gang:

       I enjoyed Ms. Heinstein's observations about how prunes are now called
    "dried plums."  This was probably concocted to make the much-maligned fruit
    more attractive [removed] like calling "used cars," "previously owned
    vehicles."
       Does this mean that if the "Dick Tracy" comic-strip ever brings back the
    villanous "Pruneface" (like it did in the 1980s), that they should
    start calling him "Dried Plum-Face"?
       To quote Stan Freberg's celebrated TV ads for Sunsweet  pitted prunes from
    the 1960s, "Today the Pits! Tomorrow the Wrinkles!" Ray Bradbury
    appeared in one such ad, as did British character actor Reginald Gardiner
    (or was it Reginald Denny?--the actor, not the [removed] riot victim).
       Speaking of Bradbury, a colleague of mine is looking for phonograph
    recordings of Ray Bradbury stories read by Leonard Nimoy and possibly Burgess
    Meredith. Does anybody out there in the cyber-ether have any leads?

    Bye-bye and Buy Bonds!

    Derek Tague

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 09:24:49 -0400
    From: Derek Tague <derek@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Dad's Old-Fashioned Root Beer

    Jell-O Again!

        For those not familiar with the conga-beat jingle for "Dad's Old-Fashioned
    Root Beer," the song lives  on in another form. A  late 1940s Warner
    [removed] Bunny cartoon (I believe it's called "Buccaneer Bunny"--help me
    out, Michael Hayde)starts out with Yosemite Sam as  a pirate burying a
    treasure-chest while singing "Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest." On the
    second chorus, Sam substitutes the lyric "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum" with
    "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of Ma's old-fashioned cider,"
    sung to the tune of "dad's old-fashioned root beer, dad's old-fashioned root
    beer!"

    Still yours in the ether,

    Derek Tague

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 09:25:22 -0400
    From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Superman vs. Batman movie

    Alan writes, in part:

>     It was reported in Variety and other movie news sheets and it also
>     mentioned the comic connection but not the beloved radio series.
>     Radio deserves more respect than this, folks!

    What's the problem?
    Is it that the concept of the movie is wrong (Batman & Superman together);
    or that the advertising doesn't mention the Superman program's radio history?
    In any case, it doesn't matter. The movie will not succeed or fail on the
    limited number of tickets sold to us "OTR codgers". It will/will not sell
    because of its entertainment value.

    Repeat this mantra:
    It's only a movie.
    It's only a movie.
    It's only a movie.

    Herb Harrison

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 09:26:17 -0400
    From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Coca-Cola

    John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; writes, in part:

>     The original Coca-Cola did contain cocaine
>     which was also used, at least until recent years, as a pain killer,
>     particularly by dentists, precisely because it is not physically addictive.
>     Cocaine is no longer an active ingredient, of course, but, according to one
>     of the sites you cite, Coke still contains a derivative of the coca plant.

    I don't claim to be an expert, but I believe this:
    Coca-Cola was created by a druggist. It contained some form of the coca
    plant, and was marketed as a "cure-all"; after the creation of the Food &
    Drug Administration caused a crackdown on the selling of potions that were
    harmful/fatal to consumers, Coca-Cola deleted coca from its form its "recipe".
    Cocaine is a refined derivative of the coca plant.
    It has not been used "until recent years" by any ethical doctor, dentist,
    or other health care professional as a pain killer. It has been recognized
    as a dangerous drug for about a hundred years.
    Powder cocaine became popular in the early 80's because it was thought by
    users that it was not an addictive drug. Subsequent research proved that it
    is, indeed, highly addictive.
    Another form of cocaine is a refined type called "crack", which is
    crystallized for smoking convenience. Regular users are called "crack
    addicts", who are known by the police to be responsible for burglaries,
    robberies, etc. to get cash to feed their "crack habits".
    Cocaine is addictive; enough said.
    Coke contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. I don't know if that is what
    you mean when you mention a "derivative of the coca plant", but if [removed]
    caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, Pepsi, etc., is a lot
    less dangerous than the other stuff.
    Coca-Cola is safe.

    By the way, I prefer Pepsi, as a rule; I only buy Coke when it's on sale.

    Herb Harrison

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #263
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