------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2004 : Issue 44
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Gracie for President [ Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed]; ]
Gracie for President [ Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed]; ]
Re: Laughing Automatons [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
Ritz Bros. on radio [ benohmart@[removed] ]
Wild Planet Transmitter [ "John Sellards" <johnsellards@chart ]
RE: Will Rogers For President 1932 [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
Delicious!! [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
A Nose Full of Nickels [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
Eddie Cantor For President [ "John Eccles, Jr." <jeccles@earthli ]
Re: "Laughing Song" [ Udmacon@[removed] ]
Jack Naylor [ "Albert" <alkb2ng@[removed]; ]
Delicious and all that [removed] [ "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed] ]
LAUGHING SAL OVER THE DECADES [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
Re: Brothers Marx and Ritz [ Ken Dahl <kdahl@[removed]; ]
DELICIOUS [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
Presidential bids [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
Planted Laughers [ Ken Dahl <kdahl@[removed]; ]
Marx Brothers on radio [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
Amusing description [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
A face for radio? [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
Billy May/Capital Records [ Twizoner@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 19:36:39 -0500
From: Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Gracie for President
The only 'campaign' I can recall is the "Gracie for
President' campaign where she supposedly ran as the
candidate for the Surprise Party. The "Burns and Allen
Show" was sponsored by the Hinds Honey and Almond
Scrub cosmetic line. I don't know how long that so-called
campaign lasted, but it was quite funny.
I have four hour long cassettes which follow her
throughout the storyline.
As always,
Kenneth Clarke
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:21:11 -0500
From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Laughing Automatons
At 4:53 PM -0500 1/30/04, JackBenny@[removed] recalled:
For a quarter (or maybe 50 cents with inflation), you can still have Laughing
Sal laugh at you. She is an approximately 8' hag who jerks her torso
violently while you hear an old recording of a woman laughing uncontrollably.
And just a bit further OT, I recall one of the biggest hits of our
parties in the 70's was a robot I kept tucked away until everyone had
just a bit of a buzz on, then sneaked into the room. It was slightly
over a foot high and would run more or less straight till it struck
something, then would back up and head off in a slightly different
direction, it's mechanical arms swinging. Abruptly it would stop,
little doors at either side of its mouth would open, a set of glowing
teeth would emerge, and it would laugh hysterically for a minute or
so, its shoulders heaving with maniacal mirth. Then it's mouth would
close and it would take up its perambulations once more. Like the
Laughing Song, this was very infectious to us. Of course, it didn't
take a lot to make us laugh in that [removed] Wonder what that
robot's going for on [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:21:30 -0500
From: benohmart@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Ritz Bros. on radio
I don't yet know about the Ritz Brothers' time on radio, but I will be publishing a book on
this GREAT comedy team next year, written by Harry Ritz's son, Michael. It will be Very
extensive, plus 100s of photos, and will include info on their radio career.
Ben Ohmart
The Walter Tetley book
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:22:03 -0500
From: "John Sellards" <johnsellards@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Wild Planet Transmitter
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I did a quick Google search and found several sources. Here's one:
[removed]
Looks like a toy, but it has an input jack for your computer or CD or
whatever, and it even comes with a patch cord to make the connection.
---Dan
I was the person who posted the message on the other group. I really like
this unit - it's not going to allow you to broadcast to the neighborhood,
but I'm certain my neighbors on either side could hear if they wanted to. It
is a toy, it's built like one, but it's robust and does what it's supposed
to. I bought a regulated power supply for mine at Radio Shack (there's no
power input; I soldered it into the battery terminals) and run it all night,
every night and often during the day when I'm at home. But the real kicker
is Winamp with the crossfader and limiter plug-ins (all basically free, or
they have been in the past at least) that can make it sound as AM should.
Especially the limiter, which will help slightly with range.
John Sellards
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:22:24 -0500
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: RE: Will Rogers For President 1932
My friend Derek Tague emerged from the ether to bring up Eddie Cantor's
mock-Presidential campaign of 1932, and added:
However, while trying to search my mind, the only other OTR-fueled
"campaign" I could think of was Gracie Allen's in 1940. Can anybody out
there help me think of any others?
I don't know how extensive this "campaign" was, or whether it ever reached
radio, but there was some movement afoot to nominate Will Rogers that same
year, with the Four Marx Brothers as his VP. There's a photo of the Marx
quartet riding in a vehicle with a "Will Rogers for President" banner on the
side - it appears in Groucho's photo book "The Grouchophile" (1976).
*I'd*'ve voted for them!
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:22:55 -0500
From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Delicious!!
<<Bob Slate posted the Jim Backus recording of "Delicious" about
[removed];>
I have an identical, 1957 Coral Record by T. C. Jones called "Champagne
Cocktails" (b/w "Sunless Sunday") - a narration with lounge piano
background. Both songs were written by the pianist on the 45rpm disc, Mort
Garson with Buddy Kaye.
T. C. Jones is a female impersonator (Thomas Craig) who did both male and
female voices, and the scenario is the same as the Jim Backus recording,
ending with the female voice saying "deee-lishhh-eee-ous."
When I did the all-night, New Year's Eve radio shows, I played T. C. Jones'
record to remind listeners partying in their homes not to drink and drive.
=Russ Butler oldradio@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:23:36 -0500
From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: A Nose Full of Nickels
<<<Hal Stone mentioned this classic(?)45rpm record title several Digests
[removed];>>
Well, Hal - I've been to my "boxfull of 45's" and find the "If I Had A Nose
Full Of Nickels" 45rpm disc I have (sounds repetitive) is by Lou Carter w/
Jack Zimmermann's Orchestra on the Golden Crest label.
It is backed with that ever-popular ditty, "I've Got A Rose Between My
Toes" - and, it says that both were composed by Lou Carter, (who resembled
Joey Faye, a burlesque comedian.)
"Nose Full" has been played on the Dr. Demento syndicated radio show ([removed]
there's the radio connection so I can post it on this list!!) Oh, yes, one
more [removed]
GO PATS on Sunday. Listen on the radio!
=Russ Butler oldradio@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:23:44 -0500
From: "John Eccles, Jr." <jeccles@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Eddie Cantor For President
I think Will Rogers "ran" for President in 1928. I recall reading about it
in one of Cantor's books and also reading it in the prologue to MGM's "Good
News" with Peter Lawford and June Allyson, which was set in that time.
Interesting question, but I think Rogers' candidacy marks him as the
earliest I know of.
John Eccles, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:24:03 -0500
From: Udmacon@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: "Laughing Song"
Cal "Uncle Josh" Stewart recorded "Something's Always Sure To Tickle Me."
Uncle Dave Macon also recorded it and used to do it on the Grand Ole Opry.
"Ticklish Rueben" is another title for this "tickling song."
(Sir Harry lauder was famous for "Stop Your Tickling, Jock!"
I'm afraid that today that would refer to so-called jock itch!)
BILL KNOWLTON
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:26:41 -0500
From: "Albert" <alkb2ng@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Jack Naylor
Hello!
Does anyone possibly know where Jack Naylor might be found these days? He
worked for some years on the technical side at WGN in Chicago.
Regards,
Albert J. Kopec
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 23:37:17 -0500
From: "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Delicious and all that [removed]
Bob Slate just wrote about Jim Backus and his "Delicious." In checking the
contents of my cassette dub from the LP "Comedy's greatest hits" (Happy Face
HF 1801), I find the following titles:
1. Okeh laughing record. Moran & Mack (2 Black Crows)
2. Cohen on the telephone. Barney Bernard
3. Old sow song. Cyril Smith & Rudy Vallee
4. It's in the book. Johnny Standley
5. Who's on first? Abbott & Costello
6. Sweet Georgia Brown. Brother Bones
7. Hooray, hooray, I'm going away. Beatrice Kay
8. Cigareets, whuskey, and wild, wild wimmin. Red Ingle & His Natural
Seven
9. Uncle Tom's Cabin. Robert Benchley
10. Delicious. Jim Backus
Just reading this list of titles, makes me want to go back to the cassette
and enjoy and laugh! The Old Sow Song is the first disc I ever copied --
onto another disc. (Worked for a record store when I was a kid and that was
one of my pleasant duties.) It's in the book is a parody of every
Bible-thumping preacher I ever heard. Hooray, I'm going away is Beatrice
Kay at her best -- on the way to a mental hospital! (Remember her radio
theme song: "Make a noise like a hoop and just roll away"? Wish I could
find some more of her programs.) The Red Ingle tune reminds me of another
of his hits, For Seventy Mental Reasons, sung by Jo Stafford (alias?) -- and
I've forgotten who Red Ingle really was, Jo Stafford's husband, I think.
If anyone wants a copy of this hilarious LP dubbed to cassette, write me a
note, and we'll work out a trade!
Ted Kneebone/1528 S. Grant [removed], SD 57401/605-226-3344
OTR: [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 23:37:58 -0500
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: LAUGHING SAL OVER THE DECADES
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In a message dated 1/30/2004 4:54:23 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:
I have also wondered who the
probably long-dead woman is still laughing away inside Sal.
Laura asks a very poignant, to me, question about the woman in the
"Laughing Sal" record.
My mind went into an immediate recall mode.
As a boy in Toronto in the early 50s, there was a lakeside amusement
park called "Sunnyside."
It was where I learned to drive in mini-Jaguars with big steering wheels
and Dad beside me on an oval track in summers when cotton candy and loud
music were the order of the day/night and even Mom seemed to be charmed.
Ray Bradbury's "Dark Carnival" struck the same chord.
It was my summer night's home.
It was also the home of the "Crazy House" which featured a rollicking
giant fat woman robot and a hidden speaker that shrieked a laugh so voluble,
encompassing and loving as to ward off all fear of the night.
I had to be pulled away many time.
I took her home in my ear's memory.
She occupied my dream/nightmare for many years and after I grew up to be
a man I thought she might have just been a figment of my childhood fevers.
Cut to San Francisco, 1964 when I arrived as a hitchhiking 21 year old
seeker after Beatnik legends and Kerouac nights.
Jazz and streetcars in coffee-aroma downtown SF.
I took one of those streetcars one foggy afternoon to the end of the
line which took me to 'Playland' where the conductor guy said, "End of the
line
sonny."
It was early evening by then and the fog was soupy and cold. Then
I heard her.
It was that same laugh.
Could it be the same woman?
The stuff of nightmares and visceral explosions?
I followed the sound, it was uncanny how I knew where to walk.
An octagonal carnival-like building loomed wispily out of the fog.
Then I saw her.
She was exactly the same!
Same clothes. Same bad teeth. Same desire to pluck you up out of the
crowd and smother you in the biggest and warmest laugh on the planet!
I was older then, but still I knew I knew she would be with me the rest
of my life.
Then she was gone.
I moved to Hollywood and the movies where there should have been such
joy, such laughter but there was not.
Cut to 1998, New York, when I first went on line.
Like some feverish long lost lover she appeared again one late night of
surfing.
In a museum this time.
I wrote them. They sent me a copy of the record and [removed] went to
work!
This was a real person on the record.
A woman from somewhere. A mother, daughter, wife, friend. Possessed with
a mythical capacity for joyful noise, she was recorded by
[removed], but where and when?
My research thus far has led me to this.
The record was made in Rochester, New York. The woman was from
Pittsburgh.
Someone called her Sal.
I made many phone calls and after many dead ends, gave up.
I know she'll be back.
I just have to wait.
I've known her since nighttime 1949.
She always knows where I am.
She may not come when I want [removed] she's right on time.
Michael C. Gwynne
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 23:38:06 -0500
From: Ken Dahl <kdahl@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Brothers Marx and Ritz
John Jensen had questions regarding the Marx and Ritz Brothers. I do not
have answers to those questions however I have a question regarding Harpo.
Are there any recordings of Harpo actually speaking? John also had a
question about the title of a movie that required a man to act crazy to
inherit money. He may be thinking about the movie Miss Tatlocks Millions.
It was a comedy, released in 1948, and starred John Lund and Wanda Hendrix.
More information about this film can be seen at
[removed]
Regards,
Ken Dahl
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 23:38:16 -0500
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: DELICIOUS
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I see this is my night for laughter and the important role it has
played in my life.
I carried a copy of "Delicious" by Jim Backus with me wherever I went in
radio from 1961 on and sometimes even used it to get fired when I wanted to
move on.
I still play it every New Years' Eve and am always assailed by people
who want to know what that record is.
It's still that old 45.
I did hear that the woman is Phyllis Diller.
I await correction.
I have an ear for romance and legend and I think that letter about the
woman truck driver who appeared, laughed, forgot to get paid and disappeared
is
truly the stuff of legend.
Whatever.
Laughter truly IS the best medicine.
Where's my duck?
Michael "It's ALL funny" Gwynne
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 23:38:41 -0500
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Presidential bids
Derek Tague asked:
However, while trying to search my mind, the only other OTR-fueled
"campaign" I could think of was Gracie Allen's in 1940. Can anybody out
there help me think of any others?
Well, I have a couple photographs of some dinner where there's a big banner
behind the dais that says "Jack Benny for President". Phil Harris is in
attendance, and Jack still has his gray hair. My guess is that the age of the
pictures are about 1940. Other than that, I know nothing about the event, its
inspiration, its outcome, etc. If anyone has more information, please let me
know!
It would be [removed] coin heads are former Presidents, and I'm sure
Jack would enjoy his very own coin(s). Rochester for [removed]
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 23:38:49 -0500
From: Ken Dahl <kdahl@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Planted Laughers
In recent days there have many postings regarding "laughing records". I have
a question regarding "planted laughers" in studio audiences of comedy radio
programs. Some years ago someone told me that the networks would have these
people act like cheerleaders for laughter. If a punch line did not result in
a great amount of laughter, these "planters" would continue to laugh in hopes
of getting more continuous laughter from the audience. As we all know,
laughter can be infectious. Does anyone know if this is a fact or fiction
rumor regarding these "planters"?
Regards,
Ken Dahl
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 09:27:47 -0500
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Marx Brothers on radio
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 11:05:28 -0500
From: JJJ445@[removed]
Is anyone aware of all three Marx Brothers appearing on a radio program at
the same time? I'm wondering about a program beyond some of the movie
promotional ones put out by MGM. I know they appeared individually on "You
Bet Your Life", but all three at the same time?
I doubt it. For one thing, Harpo couldn't do radio very well, since he never spoke -- though I
have heard a recording of an appearance where he did a lot of whistling and honking.
Chico and Groucho did "Flywheel, Shyster & Flywheel" and made many other radio
appearances. Groucho appeared alone on "You Bet Your Life," though Harpo came down
once in place of the duck when someone said the secret word. I don't know of any
appearance by Chico on "You Bet Your Life" itself, though for awhile, at least on the TV
version, Harpo and Chico did commercials, for Prom home permanents.
--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed]
15 Court Square, Suite 210
lawyer@[removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 09:27:55 -0500
From:
JackBenny@[removed]
To:
[removed]@[removed]
Subject: Amusing description
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Just got a kick out of this description of an item for sale and figured I'd
pass it along since we've been talking about the warm-up delay:
"this is a very nice collectible its very old the tubes lite up and speker
makes buzzing / humming noise which changes when volume is turned up and down
however no music it has a shortwave band and broadcast band all buttons and
nobs
are there and intacked buttons are named starting from the left bass
boost high boost ph-tel fq-mod weei whdf wb wnac wmex round knobs are
volume tone band tune the string is broke for the tune but is still inside
the power cord has been cut but goes with it the back of this unit is open and
the cabinet does have scratches from its age but i would to if i were that
old thanks for looking"
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 09:28:15 -0500
From:
JackBenny@[removed]
To:
[removed]@[removed]
Subject: A face for radio?
This evening, I introduced my husband to the expression "s/he has a face for
radio." Which led him to ask me if there was anyone who had a good voice but
was so disfigured that they could only appear on radio but not pictures,
television, etc.
And I responded, "Yes. Fred Allen."
But I did give the question some serious thought, and couldn't come up with
anyone. Figured I'd offer it to the larger group and see if anyone knew of
such a case.
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 12:56:18 -0500
From:
Twizoner@[removed]
To:
[removed]@[removed]
Subject: Billy May/Capital Records
Gary Dixon asked:
When Capitol Records reissued a slew of the Warner
Bros/Disney 78s on LP (back in the 70s)...Billy's composing, arranging and
orchestral
work was on nearly all of them. Would anybody know if these were ever
available on CDs?
I don't know about these 78's, but Time-Life offers a set of "Swing Era" CD's
that feature recordings of the great swing standards from the 30's, 40's, &
50's that were originally released on LP in the 70's. According to the
product
literature, Time booked Studio A at Capital Records and had Billy May
re-create the original arrangements. They brought back such performers as
Helen
Forrest, Helen Ward, Tex Beneke, & Joe Howard. Each "album" includes 2 CD's
which each feature about 15 songs (45 minutes). I just picked up a few
recently and
think they are very good. You can find them at [removed] in the
clearance section for a great price of $[removed] per 2 CD set (33 cents per song).
Mike K
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #44
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