Subject: [removed] Digest V2005 #227
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 7/28/2005 6:32 AM
To: [removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2005 : Issue 227
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  7-27 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  First Light Fraser                    [ "Austotr" <austotr@[removed]; ]
  refused to appear 'This is Your Life  [ Tom Kleinschmidt <otr1962@[removed] ]
  Shadow question                       [ knight555@[removed] ]
  This Is Your Life again               [ Lee Munsick <damyankeeinva@earthlin ]
  Father Barbour                        [ "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@charter. ]
  Charles Paris                         [ William Harker <wharker@[removed] ]
  OTR article in recent issue           [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  This is Your Life                     [ "Jed Dolnick" <jdolnick@[removed] ]
  Re: CBC Newsman David Halton Retires  [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
  Re: This is Your Life                 [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
  7-28 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 10:11:53 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  7-27 births/deaths

July 27th births

07-27-1877 - Florence Gill - London, England - d. 2-19-1965
actress: "Uncle Walter's Doghouse"
07-27-1890 - Judith Lowry - Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory - d. 11-29-1976
actress: Emma 'Stevie' Stevens "Valiant Lady"; Emmy Fergusson "Welcome Valley"
07-27-1905 - Leo Durocher - West Springfield, MA - d. 10-7-1991
baseball legend: "baseball announcer"
07-27-1912 - Irve Tunick - New York, NY - d. 9-5-1987
writer: "The Cavalcade of America"; "You Are There"
07-27-1916 - Keenan Wynn - New York City, NY - d. 10-14-1986
actor: Moe 'Shrevie' Shrevnitz "The Shadow"; Gregory Smith "Amazing Mr. Smith"
07-27-1918 - Veola Vonn - New York City, NY - d. 10-28-1995
actress: Dimples Wilson "Blondie"; Princess Nadji "Chandu the Magician"
07-27-1919 - David Swift - Minneapolis, MN - d. 12-31-2001
writer: "Opie Cates Show"
07-27-1920 - Henry "Homer" Haynes - d. 8-7-1971
comedian: (Homer and Jethro) "Town and Country Time"
07-27-1922 - Norman Lear - New Haven, CT
writer: "The Martin and Lewis Show"
07-27-1928 - Barbara Eiler - Los Angeles, CA
actress: Babs Riley "Life of Riley"; Millie Anderson "Day in the Life of
Dennis Day"

July 27th deaths

02-22-1915 - Dan Seymour - New York City, NY - d. 7-27-1982
actor, narrator: Danny "Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories"; "War of the Worlds"
03-25-1903 - Binnie Barnes - London, England - d. 7-27-1998
panelist: "Leave It to the Girls"; "Breakfast with Binnie and Mike"
04-18-1907 - Miklos Rozsa - Budapest, Hungary - d. 7-27-1995
composer: "Lux Radio Theatre"
05-15-1909 - James Mason - Huddersfield, England - d. 7-27-1984
actor: "James and Pamela Mason Show"; "Studio One"
05-29-1903 - Bob Hope - Eltham, England (Raised: Cleveland, OH) - d. 7-27-2003
actor, comedian: Taxpayer "Quick and the Dead"; "Bob Hope Show"
08-31-1905 - Larry Elliott - Washington, [removed] - d. 7-27-1957
announcer: "Texaco Star Theatre"; "American Melody Hour"; "Barry Cameron"
10-10-1915 - Harry 'Sweets' Edison - Columbus, OH - d. 7-27-1999
jazz trumpeter: "Jubilee"; "One Night Stand"
xx-xx-xxxx - Ann DeMarco - d. 7-27-2004
singer: (The DeMarco Sisters) "The Fred Allen Show"; "Texaco Star Theatre"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 10:11:59 -0400
From: "Austotr" <austotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  First Light Fraser

In issue #225 Mike Hobart mentioned:

"Speaking of classic radio,  "Theatre Of The Mind" this week aired an
episode
of the 1940s thriller serial "First Light Fraser".   Billed as the story of
a latter-day Scarlet Pimpernel, this Australian-produced 15-minute drama was
the [removed] show in the ratings in 1944.

Sadly this is the only episode known to still exist.  *Sigh*    It would be
nice though to think that one day a cache of old recordings of this "drama
of war-torn Europe" may turn up somewhere."

Fortunately in 1944 (by courtesy of the Macquarie Broadcasting Network)
Maurice Fraser released the book First Light Fraser, based on the radio
series.  So we get a good idea of the storyline of the First Light Fraser
serial.  Basically it is very similar to Bulldog Drummond in style.  The
book is hard to find but worthwhile looking for, I have 2 copies, one
missing its jacket.  It is a paperback size with cardboard cover and a paper
jacket, 160 pages.

Sadly, during a recent visit to the Archives in Canberra I was advised that
Theatre of the Mind is finishing its run.

Ian Grieve

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 11:31:54 -0400
From: Tom Kleinschmidt <otr1962@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  refused to appear 'This is Your Life'

Someone, I think Lee Munsick asked if a guest ever
refused to appear on Ralph Edwards 'This is Your Life'
TV show. I remember in the mid 1980's when Edwards was
doing a few 'This is Your Life' specials for NBC with
guests such as Tim Conway, Betty White, and Dick Van
Dyke among others, it was reported in the papers that
a segment of the program taping had to be cancelled.
Actress Angie Dickenson was the planned guest of honor
and when she got there she supposedly ran into her car
and refused to participate. She made comments about
"Hating surprises" and couldn't understand how any of
her friends would have let such a plan proceed knowing
how much she hated surprises. Of course this was not
in the days of live TV, but it's the only story I've
heard of someone refusing to appear on the show.

Tom

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 12:51:44 -0400
From: knight555@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Shadow question

hi all. was listening to a Shadow episode dated the '70's called "the
computer calculates" and wondered if anyone could give me any information
on the episode?  Who played The Shadow/Lamont or the commissioner or any
other characters?  Were any other episodes performed by this cast in the
70's?  (i only have the episode on the flipside of the cassette, it is the
same episode that was on a record I bought back in the 70's of the
same.  unfortunately, the vinyl copy has no information).
Thanks for the info as always.
MJ

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 14:54:42 -0400
From: Lee Munsick <damyankeeinva@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  This Is Your Life again

Mike Biel points out the problem Ralph Edwards had when they went to tape,
and found that various stations would in effect kill the surprise factor, and
discourage viewers by revealing ahead of the broadcast who the "victim" was.

Understandable.  But the real factor here is not that the program was taped,
but that it was syndicated.  Were it still aired direct over a network
promptly after taping, I would think secrecy could be strictly enforced and
maintained for a day or two to take care of [removed] even a matter
of taping in the morning and airing that night.

I'm still curious to know just what Edwards and crew did with whatever
"guest" it was that absolutely refused to do the show.  I'm enjoying this
thread almost as much as the L&H "Your Life" program.  Wish I had seen the
Lowell Thomas one!  I'm wondering if eventually he relaxed and enjoyed the
show, and possibly went into one of his famous laughing jags?

Bestus, Lee Munsick

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 17:19:29 -0400
From: "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Father Barbour
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The first time I visited Carlton E. Morse up at his Redwood City estate, Seven
Stones, in 1960, Carlton told me that J. Anthony Smythe, Father Barbour of
"One Man's Family", had been told in advance he was going to the guest on
"This is Your Life", but that Smythe had refused because he did not want to
have to share a stage with Minetta Ellen, Mother Barbour.
     The two old actors, "in their dotage" Morse described them, had grown to
despise each other, and Morse had to write the show so that they would not
have to appear in the same scene together.  Later, when the show went daily,
Morse gave them an ultimatum that if they did not work together, one at least
would be fired.   Which one?  Morse said "The show was 'One Man's Family'. not
'One Woman's Family'."
      They did appear together again for several years until Morse had to
finally retire Miss Ellen.
"She had 'sinking spells' when she would appear to be on her death bed, but
she would pull out of it."  He told how he had a final episode prepared where
family members would fondly recall Mother Barbour, and there would be prayers
and hymns.   "In real life, grief is a long process, but this was popular
entertainment.   After this final show, no one would ever again mention Mother
Barbour".
But Minetta Ellen lived on for many years, part of them on the show, and then
she was replaced in the cast by Mary Adams who had played the part on TV.
The cast member still kept in touch with her and were with her on her 90th
birthday and ate the cookies she had baked for them over the years.   The
premium, "Mother Barbour's Cook Book", contains genuine recipes she used in
real life.  Father Barbour also lived to be 90.  But they never spoke with one
another for the last twenty years of their lives.   And definitely not on
"This is Your Life".
    -- JIM HARMON

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 20:44:28 -0400
From: William Harker <wharker@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Charles Paris

My understanding is that in 1984 and 1985 BBC Radio did two six-part
airings of Simon Brett's actor/detective Charles Paris.  _Cast, In Order of
Disappearance_ and _So  Much Blood_.  Then, in 1999 a single show
presentation of _So Much Blood_.  Does anyone have any information about
these shows?

Many thanks.
Bill Harker
wharker@[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 20:45:00 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  OTR article in recent issue

The most recent issue (August 2005) of MAGIC MAGAZINE features an article
entitled "He's Back" by Rory Johnston.  The article concerns the history of
Dunniger, the famous mentalist on radio, with photos (including a nice shot
of radio actress Gloria Blondell), and more importantly, details of a
magical play, a recreation of an actual radio broadcast.  The presentation
was on June 11, 2005 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas and attempted to
recreate a radio broadcast with a mentalist.

As Dunninger himself put it, "To those that believe, no explanation is
necessary; to those that do not believe, no explanation is possible."

On a side note, I was amused to find a picture of one of my father's friends
(and one of four attorneys I have in my personal address book on the living
room end table) as the emcee for that particular performance.

Anyone curious about the old Dunninger broadcasts and the recreation, it is
the August 2005 issue of MAGIC MAGAZINE.

Martin

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 20:45:21 -0400
From: "Jed Dolnick" <jdolnick@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  This is Your Life
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I'm new to the list, so hello to all. I hosted an OTR program in Milwaukee
called "The Sounds of Yesterday" from 1974 to 1989. It was also heard on
Wisconsin Public Radio for one year (until I tried to air Amos n [removed] they
didn't like that).

Anyway, Ralph Edwards was profiled in one of the old "Whatever Happened To?"
books by Richard Lamparski many years ago. Edwards had strict orders: if
anyone on his staff ever tried to surprise HIM with a "This is Your Life"
ambush, they'd be out of a job!

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 20:45:51 -0400
From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: CBC Newsman David Halton Retires

Christopher Werner wrote:

Although a CBC TV newsman for over 40 years, David Halton began his career
as a radio news reporter.

I don't want to take anything away from David Halton, but would like to
point out that he is the son of one of Canada's greatest World War II
reporters - Matthew Halton. You can hear many of Matthew Halton's front
line reports via CBC's web site at

[removed]

Jim Widner

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

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 22:37:43 -0400
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: This is Your Life
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In a message dated 7/27/05 9:04:04 AM Central Daylight Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:

There were only two instances where guests were informed in
advance -- and the first time this happened Edwards cancelled the guest and
put together a different show in three days.

James Garner once claimed on "The Tonight Show" that he knew about his in
advance.  During his "Maverick" days, they did a segment and according to
Garner,
contacted all the other people in his life and swore them to secrecy, then,
on a day when he happened to be running late to work at Warner Brothers,
showed
up at his house.  Supposedly the producers or whoever told his wife they were
doing the segment "and you have no way of contacting him because we have
sealed off all contact from you."  She supposedly told them, "No you
haven'[removed]"
then yelled "Hey, Jim!"

Dixon

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

Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 08:33:40 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  7-28 births/deaths

July 28th births

07-28-1874 - Alice Duer Miller - New York City, NY - d. 8-22-1942
author: "Author, Author"
07-28-1892 - Joe E. Brown - Holgate, OH - d. 7-6-1973
comedian, quizmaster: "Ceiling Unlimited"; "Joe E. Brown Show"; "Stop or Go"
07-28-1901 - Rudy Vallee - Island Pond, VT (Raised: Westbrook, ME) - d.
7-3-1986
singer, bandleader, emcee: (The Vagabond Lover) "Fleischmann Hour"; Rudy
Vallee Show"
07-28-1903 - Duane Thompson - Red Oaks, IA - d. 8-15-1970
actress: Telephone Operator "Hollywood Hotel"
07-28-1910 - Frank Loesser - New York City, NY - d. 7-28-1969
composer: "Cavalcade for Victory"; "Abe Burrows Show"; "Heartbeat of Broadway"
07-28-1911 - Ann Doran - Amarillo, TX - d. 9-19-2000
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"
07-28-1912 - George Cisar - Illinois - d. 6-13-1979
actor: Tim "Tena and Tim"
07-28-1914 - Carman Dragon - Antioch, CA - d. 3-28-1987
conductor: "Maxwell House Coffee Time"; "Baby Snooks Show"; "Railroad Hour"
07-28-1915 - Frankie Yankovic - d. 10-14-1998
polka king: "Frankie Yankovic and His Yanks"; "Guest Star Time"
07-28-1916 - Laird Cregar - Philadelphia, PA - d. 12-9-1944
actor: "Hello, Americans"; "Radio Hall of Fame"; "Suspense"
07-28-1931 - Darryl Hickman - Hollywood, CA
actor: "Family Theatre"
07-28-1937 - Peter Duchin - New York City, NY
pianist: "Stars for Defense"

July 28th deaths

02-08-1905 - Truman Bradley - Sheldon, MO - d. 7-28-1974
announcer: "Easy Aces"; "Red Skelton & Co."; "Drene Show"
02-09-1914 - Ralph Hermann - Milwaukee, WI - d. 7-28-1994
bandleader: "Herb Oscar Anderson Show"
04-09-1911 - Jim Bannon - Kansas City, MO - d. 7-28-1984
announcer, narrator: "Joe Penner Show"; "Eddie Bracken Show"
04-17-1911 - George Seaton - South Bend, IN - d. 7-28-1979
actor, film director: Lone Ranger "The Lone Ranger"; "Screen Director's
Playhouse"
05-26-1915 - Sam Edwards - Macon, GA - d. 7-28-2004
actor: Tracy Baker "One Man's Family"; Dexter Franklin "Meet Corliss Archer"
06-16-1899 - Helen Traubel - St. Louis, MO - d. 7-28-1972
singer: "Metropolitan Opera"; "Telephone Hour"; "Jimmy Durante Show"
07-01-1902 - William Wyler - Muhlhausen, Germany - d. 7-28-1981
film director: "Screen Director's Playhouse"; "Hollywood Fights Back"
07-23-1912 - Jackson Beck - New York City, NY - d. 7-28-2004
actor: Philo Vance "Philo Vance"; Gregory Hood "Casebook of Gregory Hood"
07-28-1910 - Frank Loesser - New York City, NY - d. 7-28-1969
composer: "Cavalcade for Victory"; "Abe Burrows Show"; "Heartbeat of Broadway"
10-13-1910 - Tex McCrary - Calvert, TX - d. 7-28-2003
interviewer: "Hi Jinx"; "Tex & Jinx"
xx-xx-1910 - Jud Conlon - Cuba City, WI - d. 7-28-1966
Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires: "Bing Crosby Show"; "Stan Freberg Show"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #227
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