Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #222
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 6/17/2002 11:44 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2002 : Issue 222
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Re:Arthur Q.                          [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      OTR Town Recognition                  [ "Thomas Barnett" <barnettl@[removed] ]
      Dead Ernest                           [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
      Re-creation of "The Jazz Singer"      [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
      Ref: Superman vs Captain Marvel       [ Jerry Bechtel <[removed]@[removed] ]
      Re: Elmer Fudd Gets His Wings         [ "Scott Eberbach" <seberbach@earthli ]
      Arthur Q Bryan                        [ widnerj@[removed] ]
      Kids, Fudd and Others                 [ "Brian Johnson" <CHYRONOP@worldnet. ]
      Jazz Singer Come Lately               [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]
      Programs featuring the physically ch  [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
      Hans Conreid                          [ William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed]; ]
      CD query                              [ JJLjackson@[removed] ]
      Re: Radio for the Handicapped         [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
      It's A Wonderful Life                 [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
      Bob Bailey                            [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
      Re: Mel Blanc's son.                  [ "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-self ]
      Abbott & Costello convention          [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      MP3 Giveaway V                        [ "Richard Carpenter" <sinatra@raging ]
      Halls of Ivy distribution Ready       [ "Ryan Ellett" <ryanellett@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 10:20:47 -0400
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re:Arthur Q.

     Rick Keating asks;

>     Can anyone listen to Arthur Q. Bryan as either
>     Doc Gamble on Fibber McGee and Molly or as Lt. Walt
>     Levinson on Richard Diamond, and not think of Elmer
>     Fudd? I wonder if people listening to OTR in the 40s
>     had that same reaction, and if it helped or hurt him
>     in terms of people accepting the non Fudd characters?

    Actually, Rick, I don't think Arthur had a problem with being too closely
    identified with Elmer Fudd. He could manifest a significant difference in
    vocal quality, and  play any role "straight" if required.

    Actually, He was brought in from California and hired to play the Father on
    "Archie Andrews" for the 13 week period that our show was the summer
    replacement for Gildersleeve. (Sponsored by Kraft, I think he had a
    connection with the ad agency to swing that deal).

    If you were not aware of that brief cast change, and listened to a recording
    of one of those episodes, you wouldn't connect Arthur in the role of "Fred
    Andrews" with Fudd, or even Doc Gamble, in my humble opinion.

    It was a treat working with Arthur. For my amusement during rehearsals, he's
    slip into his Fudd voice on occasion.

    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    Jughead

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 10:21:09 -0400
    From: "Thomas Barnett" <barnettl@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  OTR Town Recognition

    Hello all,

    Similar to the wonderful celebration we have just seen in Waukegan,
    Ill for
    Jack Benny. . . .

    Does Peoria, Ill have anything commemorating Jim and Marion Jordan?
    Just
    curious.

    For that matter, are there any other OTR personalities whose
    hometowns have
    paid them homage?

    Tom Barnett
    stone Nights Pockets

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 10:21:34 -0400
    From: leemunsick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Dead Ernest

    I have two older brothers who went on from college to become physicians.
    I, on the other hand, am the "undoctor" in the family.
    There are a lot of  droll--and not so droll--stories about their activities
    during those years.

    Medical students work on a cadaver as part of their training.

    My brother Bob named his "Ernest".  Why?

    You got it:  So he could Work in Dead Ernest.

    I didn't do it, just recalled it, in honor of Digby O'Dell.

    Lee Munsick

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 10:29:15 -0400
    From: leemunsick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re-creation of "The Jazz Singer"

    I'd like to respond to the following notice, posted yesterday--

>     In honor of the 75th anniversary of the release of the first talking picture,
>     The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson, the Audio Engineering Society is
>     sponsoring a re-creation of the Lux Radio Theatre's 1947 broadcast of 'The
>     Jazz Singer' on Sunday October 6, 2002 at the Los Angeles Convention Center
>     in
>     room 403A. The event will start at 6:15PM.

    The Audio Engineering Society should be ashamed of itself.

    "The Jazz Singer" was most definitely NOT repeat NOT the first talking or
    sound picture.
    There is substantial evidence that it wasn't even Al Jolson's first "soundie".
    It was the first major commercial success as such, but not the first of its
    kind otherwise.

    In the late 1970s, the Post Office issued two commemorative stamps which
    were supposed to be historical "partners".  The first was to recognize the
    Centennial of the Talking Machine, the next was supposedly in honor of  the
    50th anniversary of Talking Movies.

    Each commemorative stamp for inventions starting with "[removed]", which turned
    out to be for "Truly Muddled" history.

    Both stamps were replete with errors.  We at Yesteryear Museum in New
    Jersey issued special cachet envelopes using the stamps with literature
    noting the errors.  In the case of the talking machine stamp particularly,
    we rubber-stamped the cachet something like, "This stamp and its contents
    are Wrong!  See inside to learn why!"

    Stamp collectors love to catch postal authorities in an error (consider the
    valuable upside-down "flying Jennie" of philatelic fame).  They purchased
    our cachets in great quantity.  Yesteryear's activity received widespread
    notice in and out of philatelic publications across the country.

    The postal authorities didn't seem to care that they had made such a
    blunder, since they knew they need not provide any delivery service for all
    those stamps sold to collectors.  In another case about the same period,
    they issued a sheet of stamps depicting the flags of all 50 states.  One
    flag was printed upside-down.  Did they withdraw or change it?  No!  They
    just let it go through, first rather than admit their error, and second
    figuring a lot of additional purchases were made by people who would keep
    the stamps, thus not getting their money's worth for postage.

    I corresponded with the artist of the phonograph stamp, who was deeply
    embarrassed.  He told me that he had submitted just a draft proposal for
    the design layout.  The post office simply took his design in its entirety
    and used it on the stamp.  The artist apologized, but emphasized that he
    was not given any opportunity for historic or artistic control over the
    resulting commemorative design.

    The Talking Machine stamp did not depict Thomas Edison's first "tinfoil"
    phonograph, which it was supposedly commemorating.  Instead, it portrayed a
    stylized version of a much later, Columbia later-named Graphophone,
    complete with its banner decal across the front.   Historically, it was off
    by years.  Commercially, Columbia and its machine were Johnny-come-lately,
    direct competitors of Edison's invention and company.  Artistically, the
    graphics were impossible, with total disregard for perspective, showing the
    front of the machine dead straight-on, but one side angling off to the left.

    The "Talking Picture" stamp depicted a presumed Al Jolson with arms
    outstretched as in his familiar posture while singing "Mammy".   Again,
    historically all wrong.  The artwork was in rather vivid colors with no
    historic feeling, completely clashing with the artwork on its "companion"
    stamp for the Talking Machine.

    With all the talk these days about the embattled CIA and FBI, does this
    sound familiar?

    Now, Audio Engineering Society, how about doing something accurate?  Better
    bone up on some history.  Or is that too much to expect of
    engineers?  Makes one think of that old punch line, "Now I are one".

    Sadly, Lee Munsick

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 10:29:22 -0400
    From: Jerry Bechtel <[removed]@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Ref: Superman vs Captain Marvel

    In the mid '40's I was very interseted in Captain Marvel and Superman.
    How different we are. I would not, ever, miss an episode of Superman on
    the radio in the late afternoon. However my favorite comic book was
    Captain Marvel! I can't explain [removed] graphics, colors, story line?
    Actually, I don't remember the Captain Marvel radio show. Perhaps it was
    on at the same time as Superman . That would explain me not listening to
    it. But I would always choose his comic when allowed to pick just one on
    a Friday night after going into town from the country farm. (Just 9
    miles away but it seemed like going to a foreign country.)

    Jerry B.

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 11:27:06 -0400
    From: "Scott Eberbach" <seberbach@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Elmer Fudd Gets His Wings

    Hi All!
    John Mayer seems to be confusing Aurther Q. Bryan with Henry Travers.  Henry
    Travers played Clarence the angel in "Its A Wonderful Life".  In response to
    Rick's observations I often find it difficult to watch a Warners Bros.
    cartoon with Elmer Fudd and not think of Doc Gamble from Fibber McGee and
    Molly.

    Scott

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 12:18:08 -0400
    From: widnerj@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Arthur Q Bryan

    John Mayer writes:

>     I find Mr. Bryan as Clarence the angel in _It's a Wonderful Life_

    even

>     more distracting.

    I would suspect you would, John, especially since the character of
    Clarence was portrayed by Henry Travers and not Arthur Q. Bryan.

    Jim Widner
    jwidner@[removed]

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 12:19:45 -0400
    From: "Brian Johnson" <CHYRONOP@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Kids, Fudd and Others

    Kenneth Clarke asked about the kids of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Penny
    Singleton:

    Bob and Dolores Hope had four children: Linda, Tony, Kelly and Honorah.
    Linda has been his executive producer for several years. She is definately
    the keeper of the flame.

    As for Penny Singleton, she had two daughters but I don't know if any of
    them have show business ties. However, her late brother Barney McNulty, was
    the "inventor" of the TV Cue Card. He had a long association with Hope.

    And then there are (were) the Crosby children. The four boys from the first
    marriage (Gary, Dennis, Phillip and Lindsay) tried their hands as a singing
    quartet with less than stunning results. Gary had a modest career as an
    actor, his most steady employer being Jack Webb. Only Phillip survives.
    Cancer took Gary in 1995 and the other two died of self-inflicted gunshot
    wounds. (No blame game here, just the [removed])

    Of the "second" family, daughter Mary had the most success as an actress,
    shooting [removed] Ewing (aka, Larry Hagman, the son of radio/movie/Broadway star
    Mary Martin) in "Dallas." Harry is an investment banker in NYC. A witness to
    the WTC disaster, he was interviewed several times last September on the
    "Today" show. Nathaniel is the president of a golf equipment manufacturing
    company.

    As for the Elmer Fudd/Doc Gamble connection - I always felt they were
    totally seperate. My seven year old daughter listens to to FM&M regularly
    and was suprised when I told her Doc was also Fudd.

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 13:15:47 -0400
    From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Jazz Singer Come Lately

    Larry Gassman <lgsinger@[removed]; posted a note from Shelley Herman
    which began:

>     In honor of the 75th anniversary of the release of the
>     first talking picture, The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson

    I would hope that the AES would know and note that "The Jazz Singer" was
    not "the first talking picture".  It might be "the first successful
    feature length film which included several synchronized segments of
    singing and talking" but there were MANY films with synchronized sound
    DECADES before The Jazz Singer.  Indeed, on June 1, The Edison National
    Historic Site premiered the long awaited restoration of the FIRST motion
    picture with synchronized sound, the [removed] Dickson experimental film
    from the mid-1890s.  (Although the picture element of the film had long
    been known, only recently was the sound cylinder recorded during the
    filming discovered.)

    Michael Biel  mbiel@[removed]

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 14:18:44 -0400
    From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Programs featuring the physically challenged

    Randy Collins asked about other radio shows featuring the physically
    challenged. The greatest physically challenged of them all has to be Arch
    Oboler's "Johnny Got His Gun." As a result of war, our hero has no arms,
    legs, eyes, ears, nose, mouth. The ONLY sense he has left is that of touch
    and feel. The entire story takes place inside his mind. He has no way of
    communicating with the outside world. He can feel the warmth of the sun and
    the vibrations of footsteps. Years go by until he finds a way to
    communicate. If you haven't heard the show I won't give the ending away.
    Give this one to your instructor, Randy.

    Barbara

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 15:45:38 -0400
    From: William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Hans Conreid

    Hans Conried, one of the finest gentlemen that ever graced the halls of
    KNX. The actors in those days would hang out in the lobbies of the
    network studios, hoping for work. Hans was no exception. However, he
    always looked like he had just fallen out of a boxcar. A wrinkled, messy
    trench coat, a battered hat, and a beat up leather shoulder bag. My
    friend, announcer Bob Stevenson questioned him one day about his garb.
    The explanation was simple. Directors always remembered him. In later
    years back in New York I entered a TV studio to work on an audition for a
    program that was based on how people became millionaires. The guest was
    Tom Carvel of the Carvel ice cream shops. When I arrived at the studio
    and walked out onto the sound stage, I saw the tall, lanky, well groomed
    host leap out of his seat and streak across the floor to greet me. It was
    Hans! Now he looked like one of the millionaires. He was a very fine
    gentlemen and well liked by all those who knew him!

    When I was at KNX I was doing auditions for one of the major shows. The
    director was having poor luck with all the applicants and was beside
    himself. On my way into the studio I had passed and exchanged greetings
    with Hans  in the lobby wearing the "beat up" trench coat". I suggested
    to the director that he audition him. He did and Hans got the job. I
    don't think that Hans ever knew how it came about.

    Bill Murtough

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 15:46:02 -0400
    From: JJLjackson@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  CD query

    Hi, guys.
    There's been a lot of discussion about archiving OTR onto CD, making mp3 CDs,
    etc. I have just gotten to the point where I can make (burn) CDs. So, my
    question is--which kind of CD do I buy?
    There is a bewildering amount of them, in most of the stores. And what's the
    difference between regular CDs and music CDs?

    I understand that not all CDs are created equal, and the cheaper they are,
    the more problems they have during CD creation. It would be preferable to
    have a good ratio of listenable CDs to coasters.

    Joy Jackson
    Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound

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

    Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 17:35:07 -0400
    From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Radio for the Handicapped

    "rlctm" <rlctm@[removed]; requested:
     > Can you help me with other examples of OTR shows which feature the
     > physically or mentally challenged individual?

    One of the best radio shows I ever heard was told from the point of view
    of a victim of a disorder that challenges her both phsyically and
    mentally; to say more would be something of a spoiler. It was a
    production of Earplay, I believe, back in the 70's, which I reckon
    qualifies as OTR now (need to read the digest's FAQ, I guess). The
    title, also as I recall, was _Wings_. Many shows have gone from radio to
    tv and even from radio to movies, but this is the only show I know of
    that's gone from radio to the stage. I'd like to get a copy of the show
    myself. Sounds like a very worthwhile endeavor you're embarked upon.

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

    Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 01:02:01 -0400
    From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  It's A Wonderful Life

    After I sent the reply to John Mayer's comment about Arthur Q. Bryan
    portraying Clarence the Angel in It's A Wonderful Life with my stating it
    was Henry Travers, I realized John was referring to the Lux Radio version
    and not the film version.

    Though this is a digest devoted to radio, I automatically leaped to the
    film version since John did not specifically state the radio version.

    Jim Widner
    jwidner@[removed]

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

    Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 01:03:01 -0400
    From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Bob Bailey

    Norman Flagg asked:

>     Bob Baily, IMO the best by far of the J. Dollars. I remember reading
>     somewhere about a tragedy connected with his death. Anyone know what that
>     was all about?

    The tragedy was that Bob Bailey suffered a stroke around 1980 and dropped
    from site. It turned out he went to live in Lancaster, CA in a convalescent
    home. He lost contact with his show business friends and in fact many
    thought he had died.

    It surfaced through a few contacts of his still being in the convalescent
    home but generally he could not recall much of his brilliant time on radio
    though radio friends re-established contact hopefully making the last
    months of his life a joy.

    For my money, Bailey was indeed the penultimate Johnny Dollar as I read the
    character. He had just the right balance of grit and sensitivity in the
    character and the fifteen minute week-long serials as created by Jack
    Johnstone only made the character even more vivid.

    Jim Widner
    Dayton, OH
    "Language most shows a man: Speak, that I May see thee" - Jonson

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

    Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 01:03:29 -0400
    From: "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Mel Blanc's son.

    This is getting off topic, but no, Mel Blanc's son is rarely doing Looney
    Tunes voices now.  Billy West has done many of them lately (not very
    well), and a group of other actors, including Joe Alasky, have done them
    other times.  None done nearly as well as the man of a thousand voices.

    As Warner Brothers Animation begins work on a new series of Looney Tunes
    and Merrie Melodies to run before WB movies in theaters (not just kiddie
    films either) one can't help but wonder who will be doing the voice work,
    and how bad will it [removed]

    rodney.

    Past Tense Productions
    ***Charley Chase is here!*****

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

    Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 01:04:00 -0400
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Abbott & Costello convention

    For any interested parties, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's daughters will be
    attending the Monster Bash this weekend, Friday to Saturday in Butler, PA
    (which is located about 15 minutes north of Pittsburgh).  If anyone is
    within driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA and want to meet them and even ask
    them personally, questions about their fathers you may have, this will be
    the best time.  (They will also be playing Abbott and Costello monster
    movies on the big screen including A&C Meet Frankenstein).  Abbott and
    Costello did a lot of radio, even had their own show - might be a good time
    to ask them about the radio episodes.

    For info about the convention, location, day and time (this weekend), check
    out  [removed]

    The only hotel not yet booked within a four mile radius is the Fairfield
    Inn, four miles north of the convention. 724-283-0009
    I discovered this because I booked last [removed]

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

    Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 01:04:08 -0400
    From: "Richard  Carpenter" <sinatra@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  MP3 Giveaway V

       Needed: a good home for my final duplicatre MP3 Cd-R of "Gunsmoke." This
    one has 51 tracks in all, including shows from June 1960 to June 1961, a
    re-creation, two Australian gunsmokes, and a show about the show. It's
    free, postage paid, to the first (and only the first) person who e-mails
    me. And although this is the last "Gunsmoke," I'll still have a couple of
    "Suspense" and a couple of "X Minus One" MP3 CD-Rs to give away in the
    future.

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

    Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 01:04:32 -0400
    From: "Ryan Ellett" <ryanellett@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Halls of Ivy distribution Ready
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from text/html

    The Halls of Ivy distribution is ready to go. The first set goes to Scott
    Livingston, who will make 2 copies to send out. Those two people will
    make two copies, etc., etc. When you recieve a copy, email me
    (ryanellett@[removed])
    and I will send you a .txt. file with the addresses of the people you are
    to send it to. There are about ten people who were unable to make copies;
    they are at the end of the distribution and will simply keep the copies
    they receive. It's really pretty simple. If you have any questions along
    the way please contact me. One last thing: Please don't sit on these!
    When you get your copy please copy and send out as soon as you can. Those
    at the end, be patient. It may take two or three weeks to get there.
    Enjoy the programs!
    Ryan Ellett

    View my OTR collection at [removed]

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

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #222
    *********************************************

    Copyright [removed] Communications, York, PA; All Rights Reserved,
      including republication in any form.

    If you enjoy this list, please consider financially supporting it:
       [removed]

    For Help: [removed]@[removed]

    To Unsubscribe: [removed]@[removed]

    To Subscribe: [removed]@[removed]
      or see [removed]

    For Help with the Archive Server, send the command ARCHIVE HELP
      in the SUBJECT of a message to [removed]@[removed]

    To contact the listmaster, mail to listmaster@[removed]

    To Send Mail to the list, simply send to [removed]@[removed]