Subject: [removed] Digest V2001 #302
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 9/12/2001 5:55 PM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2001 : Issue 302
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  WXYZ                                  [ "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed]; ]
  Sleeves & So On                       [ Harlan Zinck <buster@[removed]; ]
  Re: It's like a war report            [ [removed]@[removed] ]
  Re: You Can Do Anything               [ "H. K. Hinkley" <hkhinkley@[removed] ]
  God Bless America!                    [ "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed]; ]
  This Day                              [ Harlan Zinck <buster@[removed]; ]
  : L&A MP3s                            [ "[removed]" <swells@[removed]; ]
  Top and bottom 5                      [ BOB BECKETT <bobbyb1@[removed]; ]
  MP3 trading groups                    [ "bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed] ]
  Today's News                          [ "H. K. Hinkley" <hkhinkley@[removed] ]
  New definition of Infamy              [ "Bob Watson" <crw912@[removed]; ]
  Mike Biel's message                   [ widnerj@[removed] ]
  #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig  [ lois@[removed] ]
  OTR fantasy shows?                    [ "Doug Leary" <dleary@[removed]; ]
  current events                        [ "The Lovely Rod" <tlr@[removed]; ]
  Re: And a Little More on Barbara Jea  [ "Jan Willis" <jlwillis@[removed]; ]
  Phonograph Needles                    [ Grbmd@[removed] ]

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:01:34 -0400
From: "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  WXYZ

The book about WXYZ was called WIXIE WONDERLAND.  Not sure of the spelling
of the WIXIE

Lois Culver
KWLK Radio (Mutual) Longview, WA 1941-44
KFI Radio (NBC) Los Angeles CA 1945-47, 50-53
Widow of Howard Culver, actor

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:02:51 -0400
From: Harlan Zinck <buster@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Sleeves & So On

Good news! Thanks to the investigations by Ed Carr and Ken Lanza, sleeves
for 16" transcription disks are available once more! I've investigated them
both and found the following prices:

[removed]

[removed];sid=5A8B1AEB4C8E4A93ABC21352E1BCDF

Sold in packages of 25 - 1 package $[removed] each, 5 packages $[removed] each, 10+
packages $[removed] each

Metal Edge Inc.
6340 Bandini Blvd.
Commerce, CA 90040
1-800-862-2228

Ask for PRS-16. Sold in packages of 25 - 1 package $[removed] each, 3 packages
$[removed] each, 10+ packages $[removed] each

Both companies will charge for postage, of course, and the amount will
depend upon the delivery address.

Some of the above is repeated from earlier posts, but here it is for
collectors in convenient, cut and paste form. Now, if Fred Berney is
successful in finding another manufacturer, we will have three sources - a
nice change from zero!

* * * *

Donna Halper <dlh@[removed]; writes concerning the availability of
Boston-area concert broadcasts. Sad to report, many of these broadcasts
were probably either not recorded or discarded long ago. But there is
always hope for the future. Some local or semi-national bandleaders *did*
have their broadcasts recorded for their own use, generally on 10" or 12"
78 RPM disks, sometimes by recording studios and other times using
consumer-type disk or wire recorders. Since these disks are the same size
as commercial recordings issued at the time, it's still possible to get
lucky and find them in a pile of old 78's at garage sales or thrift shops -
though it takes a lot of looking through dusty old records to find them.
They normally have typed or hand-written labels or no labels at all,
identified instead by writing in grease pencil or notations scratched
directly into the lacquer at the center of the disk.

I got lucky myself last year, though not at a thrift shop. A fellow
contacted me via email  and offered me a batch of professionally recorded
78 RPM aircheck remotes by the Benny Meroff Orchestra from 1937. Most were
complete, in very good condition, and the music was very nice as well - not
to mention rare, since I don't believe the Meroff band ever recorded. It
was delightful to hear original remotes from this period, complete with
station identification breaks and all the trimmings - and to know that they
would be safely preserved by the First Generation Radio Archives.

* * * *

Speaking of the Archives, which I always am, Bob Wallace
<ewcob@[removed]; writes to mention that there are lots of transcription
labels for download on our website ([removed]). We make
it a practice to scan the labels of *all* of the original disks we work
with - over 6000 scans so far - and make them available for viewing on
line. Is this a time-consuming practice? You bet. Just ask Archives
volunteer Vicki Brown, who has personally scanned most of them. Is it
pricey to pay for the storage space on the server to store them and make
them available for free viewing? You bet. So, if you enjoy viewing them -
and would also enjoy hearing what is on those disks, some of the
best-sounding, fully restored OTR programs available - you might want to
consider supporting our preservation efforts by joining the First
Generation Radio Archives as a member and also volunteering a bit of your
time to help us. 

Many people talk about the importance of preserving old time radio, but
we're actually doing it - from original disks, with full documentation, and
with the help of some of the best and most talented transfer and
restoration technicians - all volunteering their time and abilities to make
sure that these one-of-a-kind broadcasts are properly preserved. You  can
be a part of it, too - and earn points that can be redeemed for free loans
from our large CD library. Check out our website and join us in "Preserving
Radio's Past for the Future."

* * * *

Finally, my appreciation to Mike Biel for his fascinating post regarding
the history of the original disks of the two surviving "Music by Gershwin"
shows. Much as I enjoy all the posts on this forum, it's detailed and
historic information like this that really hits home with me - and also
reminds us all of the responsibility associated with finding, owning, and
working with original radio recordings. These disks are history and deserve
to be treated with respect for their content. 

I remember years ago picking up the LP set of recordings from "The Band
Wagon" produced by the Smithsonian and, not long after, writing to Martin
Williams regarding the obvious excerpting of some of the tracks. He replied
that there had been no editing and no excerpting, that these were on the LP
*exactly* as they had been recorded. Of course, a few years go by and RCA
releases a CD of "Fred Astaire Rarities" containing the two *complete*
sides of the original 33 1/3 Victor Program Transcription with Leo Reisman
and his Orchestra. Son of a gun - there were no fade-outs on the original
recordings.   

Harlan Z

Harlan Zinck
First Generation Radio Archives
[removed]

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:01:26 -0400
From: [removed]@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: It's like a war report

A friend of a friend was in tower number 2 today.  Despite all of the horror
and the odds stacked against her - she made it out literally just before it
collapsed.  Apparently she was hit by part of the debris, but is as alright
as she can be under the circumstances.

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:01:59 -0400
From: "H. K. Hinkley" <hkhinkley@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: You Can Do Anything

Jimidene Murphey said:
It was really interesting listening to some old sci-fi radio dramas
when
they talk about the "computer that fills a room" and dials and buttons.
That's what was cutting edge and what they knew and in the 50s.

That reminds me of my favorite line from, as I recall, X Minus One, Name
the Comet for Me, when the data at hand is questioned; "It must be a weak
tube in the computer."

Favorite programs when I listed to them the first time (8-10 years old):
        Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Fibber McGee, Cities Service Band of
America, Jack Benny

Favorite programs when I listen now (64):
        Jack Benny, Fibber McGee (some things you never get over), X
Minus One/Dimension X, Gunsmoke, Amos & Andy  (Gee, it's hard to stop at
5!)

Stay tuned,    HK

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:02:09 -0400
From: "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  God Bless America!

OTR's Kate Smith sang it best in this time of the most horrible terrorist
attack on American soil.   This surpasses Pearl Harbor in its tragedy.

God Bless America!

Jim Stokes

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:02:57 -0400
From: Harlan Zinck <buster@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  This Day

Over the years, I have heard hundreds of broadcast recordings from the
World War II era: comedy, music, drama, band remotes, newscasts, game
shows, soap operas. Throughout these shows, there are constant references
to the war and its impact on our country. We hear of the loss, the
loneliness, the tragedies, the hopes, the fears, the triumphs, the
hardships, and the challenges America and the world faced during this
momentous time in our history. To listen to these shows today is often like
being there while it was happening - to feel, at least for a few moments,
what it was like to experience that war first-hand, both on the home front
and on the battlefield.

The greatest feeling I get when I hear these wartime broadcasts is the way
in which this country and its allies banded together against a common
enemy, faced them with guts and determination, and resolved to defeat the
evil that challenged our lives, our liberty, and our way of life. There is
little question that that war, devastating as it was, brought this country
together in ways no other event could have done.

In the minds of most Americas, the bombing of Pearl Harbor began that war.
The destruction of the World Trade Center and the attacks on the Pentagon
and Camp David today may well begin this one.

Whether or not the events of this day will result in another world war
remains to be seen. But I have no doubt that, if it does, this country  -
indeed, this world - will once again see that same unification of purpose
and resolve, and a demonstration of the same guts and determination that
brought us to victory in 1945.

It is a tragic, sad, and devastating day in our history - but it will be
nothing compared to the devastation and loss that the perpetrators of these
events will soon be facing as a result of their actions against us.

May our prayers and sympathy go out to the families of those who were
injured or lost today, and may our resolve to fight evil wherever it
strikes never weaken.

Harlan Zinck

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:03:23 -0400
From: "[removed]" <swells@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  :  L&A MP3s

CB Wrote:
Not sure why you'd want to waste your money and time
to convert L&A to MP3 as virtually all of their extent
shows have already been converted to MP3 and are
freely available in at least two MP3 trading groups
and are also on several ftp sites and streamload
accounts.

Hmm, that would be odd. I have somewhere over 1600 original episdes in my
possession and I really didn't know that they were available anywhere. Oh,
well I have already made it over 2/3 rd's the way through so I suppose I
will keep going. I wanted a complete set on CD anyway. These old reels and
cassettes won't last forever. That's good to know, I guess everyone has them
then so I won't have to produce copies of mine. I honestly never saw them in
circulation, with the exception of about 700 or so that I did sometime back.
Thanks for the info.,
Shawn

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:22:34 -0400
From: BOB BECKETT <bobbyb1@[removed];
To: OTR DIGEST <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Top and bottom 5

Hello all,

   Can't hold out any longer. Here's my three "Top 5" lists, which are
nearly impossible to decide on, a top 50 would be [removed] favorite
ones I USED to listen to (I'll be 64 this week)...the ones I love best
NOW and those I put as the 5 worst (at least MY 5 LEAST favorites):

TOP 5/THEN (in no particular order)
Life Of Riley
Superman
Big Town
Mister District Attorney
Aldrich Family
Honorable mentions: Capt. Midnight, Blondie, Lights Out, Casey Crime
Photographer, Inner Sanctum, Pays to be Ignorant.

TOP 5/NOW
Jack Benny
Fibber & Molly
Lux Radio Theater
Suspense
Amos & Andy
Honorable mentions: Damon Runyon Theater, Aldrich Family, Nightbeat,
Ethel & Albert, Duffy's Tavern, Eddie Cantor.

LEAST FAVORITE 5
Mr. Keen
Murder at Midnight
Bob Burns
Philo Vance
Bill Stern Sports Newsreel


Thanks for listening.

Bob B.

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:22:49 -0400
From: "bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed];
To: "" old-time radio digest ">" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  MP3 trading groups

Hi all,
Yesterday someone mentioned something about MP3 trading groups and FTP sites
for OTR.
I'd love to find out more about these.  If anyone would write me offlist with
info I'd sure appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Bill

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 21:27:01 -0400
From: "H. K. Hinkley" <hkhinkley@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Today's News

In the midst of our shock over the news today from New York and
Washington, I'm wondering how many radio/TV stations were broadcasting
from the World Trade Center tower and are now off the air.

With sympathy to the victims and their families,   HK

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

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 22:56:05 -0400
From: "Bob Watson" <crw912@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  New definition of Infamy

I know this is way off topic.  I hope Charlie forgives my ramblings here,
but I feel the need to express my horror, sorrow, and feelings of numbness
here.

I was brought up on tales of Pearl Harbor and WWII.  When the NBC tapes of
the broadcasts of December 7, 1941 became available, I eagerly purchased
them.  As I sat in my bedroom, listening to the tapes of that horrible day,
I wondered how Americans felt as the news broke.

Today, sadly, horribly, tragically, I know how they must have felt.  Never
again will I listen to those tapes with a sense of wonder and curiousity.
Nor will I listen to them with a sense of history.  I now [removed] all
now [removed] firsthand, the horror of a sneek attack on our American soil.
Now I feel with every sense of my being, the shock and anger that Americans
felt on that day.  I have been red faced with rage and I have cried great
tears of sadness as I have watched the reports on TV.

I didn't hear the first reports this morning.  I had worked the night shift
and slept through most of the horror.  Soon after I awoke this evening, I
went to visit my parents and found out about the attacks.  My parents saw
the whole thing as it transpired live on television.  Their shock and
inability to describe their feelings as they watched in horror as the second
plane flew into the World Trade Center will live with me forever.

The newscasters are constantly referring to this as a Day of Infamy, a
second Pearl Harbor.  In many ways they are right, but in two important
ways, they are wrong.  One:  the Japanese only attacked our miliary bases.
These Terrorists have attacked, harmed, and killed civilians.  Number two:
we knew who the enemy was on Dec 7, 1941.  As of this moment, 9:40pm EDT, we
have no confirmation who has attacked us.  We have no idea when the next
attack will be, or if there will be a next attack.   I know the Our
Government will do everything possible and within their power to ensure that
this does not ever happen again and that the ones responsible will pay for
the attacks and loss of civilian life.

For some of us on the forum, those who lived through the second World War,it
is history repeating itself.  I hope and pray that none of our friends on
the forum here were directly involved in the attack.  I know, due to the
scope, size and severity of the attack, that some on here will be affected
in some way.  My prayers and thoughts are with them.  I know all our prayers
are with any who have been affected by this tragedy.

Thanks for listening.  Again, I apologize for wondering off topic.

Bob Watson
Cochran, GA

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

Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 00:10:04 -0400
From: widnerj@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Mike Biel's message

Mike Biel, speaking of today's tragedy, spoke of being reminded of WW
II.

Ironically, I was at the Library of Congress doing research on
December 7th, reading news bulletins, etc. when we received news to
evacuate.  Outside, I too was struck with an eirie feeling of a
country at war. Police lined the road in front of the Capitol,
adjacent to where I was doing research. The roads were in total logjam
with emergency vehicles traveling along the sidewalks and across the
Mall area. Police at every corner directing traffic, military jets in
the [removed] Also, I seemed to notice more people in uniform than I had
seen earlier on the streets, though I suspect these were people I
normally would not see who worked or operated in some buildings.

Smoke was coming from the Pentagon as we and others walked away from
the immediate area and cell phones and regular phones were totally
inoperative because of call jams.

Jim Widner
jwidner@[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 08:16:04 -0400
From: lois@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!

A weekly [removed]

For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
Network, the channel name is #OldRadio.  We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
over four years, same time, same channel!

Our numerous "regulars" include one of the busiest "golden years" actors in
Hollywood; a sound man from the same era who worked many of the top
Hollywood shows; a New York actor famed for his roles in "Let's Pretend" and
"Archie Andrews;" owners of some of the best OTR sites on the Web;
maintainer of the best-known OTR Digest (we all know who he is)..........

and Me

Lois Culver
KWLK Longview Washington (Mutual) 1941-1944)
KFI Los Angeles (NBC) 1944 - 1950
and widow of actor Howard Culver

(For more info, contact lois@[removed])

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

Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 08:18:25 -0400
From: "Doug Leary" <dleary@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  OTR fantasy shows?

As a big fan of fantasy adventure such as Robert Howard's Conan stories, I'm
disappointed to be unable to find any OTR programs of that type. Were there
ever any? Or perhaps Cthulu stories dramatized?

Doug Leary

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

Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 08:18:46 -0400
From: "The Lovely Rod" <tlr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  current events

Hi All,

I know this isn't the forum for it, but being in Australia, its one of the
few ways to get through right now.  I just wanted to let you all know that
my thoughts are with you and yours over the terrorist attacks in NY and
Washington DC.  And by the mood and atmosphere here in Adelaide, South
Australia today, I'm sure everyone in this city has their thoughts and
prayers with you.

Rod Lewis
South Australia

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

Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 10:11:48 -0400
From: "Jan Willis" <jlwillis@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: And a Little More on Barbara Jean [removed]

  Thanks for URL on Barbara Jean Wong, Elizabeth! Fascinating to read.
  Couldn't help noticing that, unless my eyes (and memory) deceive me, the
picture from 1960 of Barbara Jean with Fred Astaire misidentifies actress
Jane Wyatt as Jane Wyman.

Jan

The Museum of Chinese-American History did a brief tribute to her in its
Fall/Winter 1999 Newsletter, which is available online at
[removed].

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

Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 19:53:30 -0400
From: Grbmd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Phonograph Needles

A recent exchange went this way:

While I'm writing, does anyone know of anyone that still makes record
needles or where I can order one?

 You'll probably find what you need at Garage-A-Records, which has a
 website at [removed]
. ...........................................
 You'll want to have
 as much information as possible on your old stylus and its cartridge
 [removed]


On the one hand, there is the stylus and cartridge.  On the other hand, there
is the phonograph needle.

During WW2 I had an acoustic phonograph.  There was no cartridge, only a
diaphragm that vibrated when the needle was clamped against it by a
set-screw.  Remember?

The needle was just a plain, straight piece of metal, without even a jewel
tip.  It was a cross between a pin and a small nail.  Rec-o-Tone (sp?) was
one manufacturer of the needles.

But back during the war there was a severe shortage of metal, which was going
to the war effort.  So one company came up with the idea of shaping cactus
needles into the form of a phono needle.  I used them, and they worked for a
few playings of the then-78-rpm records.  But they wore down quickly; they
became blunt and gave fuzzy sound.  Then you would have to replace them.  One
problem was that the acoustic heads were quite heavy, and there was lots of
weight on the needle, shortening their life.

Spence

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2001 Issue #302
*********************************************

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