Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #84
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 3/8/2004 6:54 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 84
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      CD to MP3                             [ Dick Judge <dickjudge@[removed]; ]
      A Little Dim Sum                      [ Wich2@[removed] ]
      Andrews Sisters                       [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
      Victor Arden                          [ William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed]; ]
      Andrews Sisters                       [ <welsa@[removed]; ]
      Re: Sherlock Holmes and The Final Pr  [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      Re: In Times Like These               [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      "In Times Like These"                 [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
      Sherlock Holmes on TCM                [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
      Lud Gluskin                           [ SIrvinProd@[removed] ]
      Re: In Times Like These               [ "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed] ]
      Frank Nelson                          [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
      I admit it                            [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
      Gunsmoke episode                      [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
      RE: Impulse Noise Reduction System    [ OTRDSIEGEL@[removed] ]
      More on "Say Goodnight Gracie"        [ Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed] ]
      Sherlock Holmes 'Hebraic Breastplate  [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      Neat video                            [ "Harry R. Keller" <hrkeller@earthli ]
      Jack Benny Dec 7th                    [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 09:52:51 -0500
    From: Dick Judge <dickjudge@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  CD to MP3

    Hello out there:

    I know this question has been asked many times in the Digest but I guess I
    wasn't paying too much attention, [removed]

    Is there a user-friendly program to convert Standard CDs to an MP3 format?
    Something that is free/shareware? Or one that could be sampled and tested
    before having to buy it?

    If you like you can contact me off-line.

    Thanks.

    dickjudge

    MEMORIES OF RADIO/Dick Judge

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 12:03:02 -0500
    From: Wich2@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  A Little Dim Sum

    From: Mark J Cuccia <mcuccia@[removed];

>       Harry (Bartell) was a long-time radio/TV (and I guess movies too)
>     Hollywood "extra".

    Ouch - whereever Harry is, you just raised his hackles!
    As someone who's labored on both sides of that designation, I can assure you
    that Harry's career rose far above the level of the "extra" - especially in
    the two broadcast media. (And I'll take this chance to add my voice to the
    chorus of those folks who were proud to have shared threads with Mr. B. in
    this forum, and touched to have received pleasant off-list notes from him.)

    From: Alan/Linda Bell <alanlinda43@[removed];

>     I was watching the Simpsons tonight and the "yeeesss" character showed up
>     briefly, obviously patterned after Frank Nelson of the Jack Benny Show

    The character's a semi-regular in the second tier of the Simpsons supporting
    cast, always treated lovingly.

    From: "evantorch" <etorch@[removed];

>     I am, if not the biggest Bob and Ray fan on earth, at the very least in the
>     top 10.
>     I am puzzled more than disturbed I think by the assertion in the Sperdvac
>     newsletter that as much of their material as was claimed was not spontaneous
>     but written by Tom Koch.

    As a fellow B & R fan, I too was a little taken aback by Koch's letter there
    a few issues back (although to those of us familiar with his great work in
    MAD magazine, his claim should have at least sounded plausible.) The more
    recent extended article there establishes his bona-fides pretty authoritively
    - and makes me almost as uncomfortable with Bob & Ray, as I am with Bob Kane
    for his now-acknowledged mistreatment of Bill Finger's place in the
    development of BATMAN.

    Best,
    Craig

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 12:03:26 -0500
    From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Andrews Sisters

    Kenneth Clarke asked

>     Are there any Andrews Sisters still living?  I was just
>     just wondering.  I don't need to know where they're living or
>     anything, just which one (Patti, Maxine or Laverne)?

    Patti Andrews was the blonde and the one that was usually in the middle and
    also the one that took the solos. She is still living.

    George Aust

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 13:54:37 -0500
    From: William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Victor Arden

    Ron Sayles in today's listiong of bith dates mentioned an old friend,
    Victor Arden. I worked with Vic  many years ago dubbing recorded music
    into transcribed Hummert programs. However I remember when as a teenager
    in the 1920's and 1930's listening  on NBC on Sunday to "Ohman and Arden"
    as a oiano duo. Also, while at KNX I broadcast Phil Ohman's dance band
    from the Beverly Hills Hotel (?) in California. A couple of nice guys.

    BILL MURTOUGH

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 13:54:59 -0500
    From: <welsa@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Andrews Sisters

    Patti is still living.  Here's the rundown:

         LaVerne  Sofia Andrews  Red Hair  Born 07/06/1915 dead 05/08/1967 ( age
    51)
         Maxene  Angelyn Andrews   Brunette Hair  Born 01/03/1918 dead
    10/21/1995 ( age 77)
         Patty  (Patricia) Marie Andrews  Blonde Hair       Born 02/16/1920
    alive   (age 84 )

    All three were born in Minneapolis and attended North High School there.  My
    father was in the same class as Maxene.  Whenever the sisters visited troops
    during WWII they would try and spend private time with the guys from
    Minnesota.

    I heard a few years back that they are still to this day the biggest selling
    girl group in recording history.  But I suppose that could have been
    surpassed by now.

    Ted

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 13:55:38 -0500
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re:  Sherlock Holmes and The Final Problem

    Jay H wrote:

>     According to a Log by Gordon Kelley in 1990, 5/19/32 is titled "The Final
>     Problem" and 1/18/33 is entitled "Her Majesty's Wine Cellar"  Jay

    And the site where I found the 1/18/33 listing of "Murder by Proxy" (The
    Final Problem) was the website of 'The Sherlock Holmes Society of London'.
    They list 'Her Majesty's Wine Cellar' as having been broadcast on 2/22/33.

    This, of course illustrates one of the big problems of collecting OTR.
    Someone finds a date, might not really be capable of confirming it, others
    copy the file and the information, correct or not, goes out and becomes
    considered as authoritative.  This is mostly true of the older, harder to
    find programs such as early Sherlock Holmes.

    When I do a search at a file-sharing HUB the same file will come up from the
    many people who copied it from the first person who offered it and so the
    wrong information is perpetuated.

    -Irene

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 13:58:34 -0500
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re:  In Times Like These

    Deric asks:

>     Does anybody know of a radio program where the song "In times like these"
>     may have been performed on.  I went to the author's home bage that said
>     it was written during WW11, so I thought I'd see if I could find it
>     performed in its era.

    At the following website of the Merlin Catalog which is the Missouri
    Education and Research Libraries Information Network,  you can listen to a
    clip of 'In Times Like These' from the 'GI Jive' series broadcast on June 6,
    1944, with Harry James orchestra, and Kitty Kallen on vocals.  However it
    was interrupted at :50 into the clip with a D-Day Announcement and the clip
    picked up about 30 seconds later, but enough time left for you to hear a
    good part of the song.

    [removed]+times+like+these+(D-Day+announcement)/tin+times+like+these+d+day+announcement/-5,-1,0,B/frameset&FF=tin+times+like+these+d+day+announcement&1,1,

    -Irene

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 13:59:01 -0500
    From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  "In Times Like These"

    <<Deric asked about "In Times Like These" (Sammy Fein - Arthur Freed) >>

    Kitty Kallen was singing this song with the Harry James Orchestra during a
    remote broadcast from The Astor Hotel Roof Garden restaurant in NYC on June
    6, 1944.

    It was one of those popular, late-night "music for your listening and
    dancing pleasure" broadcasts when it was interrupted on station WOR in NYC
    with the announcement of the Allied invasion of Europe.

    When I interviewed Kitty Kallen on my radio program in 1990, and I played
    this historic broadcast excerpt, she said that they knew nothing in the Roof
    Garden venue about the invasion nor the broadcast interruption until they
    all decended to the hotel lobby after the show and everyone was buzzing
    around.

    D-Day was announced on WOR at 12:45 [removed] in NYC, but it was dawn on the
    French beaches.

    The historic broadcast excerpt of Kitty singing the prophetic lyrics (3 min
    17 sec) with the WOR announcement is on a promotional (not for sale) CD by
    The Maltese Record Company titled "Kitty Kallen, I've Got A Crush On You."

    It also includes a two-minute broadcast with Kitty on The Dave Garroway
    radio show of February 1, 1948 (probably in Chicago at WMAQ before Dave went
    to host the NBC-TV Today Show in NYC) - also other hit music tracks Kitty
    recorded in the 40's and 60's with Harry James,etc. - 12 tracks in all.
    Producer is Kitty's husband, Budd Granoff.

    She also has a two-CD set on Sony Music Special Projects, "The Kitty Kallen
    Story" (ASK 48978) released in 1992 with almost all of her hits and an
    interesting life story booklet, pix, etc.  It does not have the 1944 excerpt
    from WOR.

    -Russ Butler  oldradio@[removed]

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 15:39:30 -0500
    From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Sherlock Holmes on TCM

    Turner Classic Movies is showing a bevy of Sherlock
    Holmes movies tonight (Monday) and into the wee hours
    of Tuesday. Looks like a few worth taping!
    Kermyt

    8:00 PM  The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1959) Sherlock
    Holmes investigates the haunting of an isolated
    British estate by a murderous canine. Peter Cushing,
    Christopher Lee, Andre Morrell. D: Terence Fisher. C
    86m. LBX

    9:30 PM Murder at the Baskervilles (1941) Sherlock
    Holmes returns to Baskerville Hall to track down a
    stolen racehorse. Arthur Wontner, Ian Fleming, Lyn
    Harding. D: Thomas Bentley. BW 65m.

    10:45 PM Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942)
    Sherlock Holmes fights to keep a new bombsight design
    from the Nazis. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Lionel
    Atwill. D: Roy William Neill. BW 68m.

    12:00 AM Sherlock Holmes and the Woman in Green (1945)
    Sherlock Holmes investigates a series of seemingly
    unrelated murders. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce,
    Hillary Brooke. D: Roy William Neill. BW 67m.

    1:15 AM Sherlock Holmes in Dressed to Kill (1946)
    Sherlock Holmes sets out to find why people are
    killing each other over a seemingly inexpensive music
    box. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Patricia Morison. D:
    Roy William Neill. BW 72m.

    2:30 AM Sherlock Holmes in Terror by Night (1946)
    Sherlock Holmes signs on to protect a priceless
    diamond from jewel thieves. Basil Rathbone, Nigel
    Bruce, Alan Mowbray. D: Roy William Neill. BW 60m.

    3:30 AM The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes (1970) The
    legendary sleuth becomes involved with a mysterious
    Frenchwoman while investigating the Loch Ness monster.
    Robert Stephens, Christopher Lee, Genevieve Page. D:
    Billy Wilder. C 125m. LBX

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 15:39:47 -0500
    From: SIrvinProd@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Lud Gluskin
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Does anyone know when Lud Gluskin shifted from the New York music department
    of CBS to become the West Coast Music Director? A 10/27/1939 RADIO GUIDE
    article on Gluskin lists him as "Music Director of CBS' Western Division," so
    obviously it happened sometime before October 1939. I am particularly trying
    to
    determine if THE LIFEBUOY PROGRAM, CBS, Tuesday, 10/25/1938, Al Jolson, [removed],
    Harry Einstein as Parkyakarkus, Martha Raye, Announcer: Tony Ruffner, Music:
    Lud
    Gluskin, originated from New York or Los Angeles. If Gluskin was already based
    on the West Coast, that could provide the deciding clue. Anyone know
    conclusively?

    Thanks!
    Sam Irvin

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

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 15:40:27 -0500
    From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: In Times Like These

          Deric asks:

>     Does anybody know of a radio program where the song "In times like these"
>     may have been performed on.  I went to the author's home bage that said
>     it was written during WW11, so I thought I'd see if I could find it
>     performed in its era.

         Deric didn't mention the composer's name(s)  but if he means the song
    written by
    Ralph Freed and Sammy Fain, the song was in the 1944 movie "Meet The People"
    (with Dick Powell).  (The Internet Movie Database has missed this song, by
    the way, in
    their list of facts for this film.)  So the song was performed in its era in
    this movie.

       -- Phil C.

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 16:31:09 -0500
    From: JackBenny@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Frank Nelson

    Alan Bell writes:

>     I was watching the Simpsons tonight and the "yeeesss" character
>     showed up briefly, obviously patterned after Frank Nelson of the Jack
>     Benny Show-- er, I mean, Program. Anyway, this is a little obscure,
>     but does anyone know (Laura?) when his first Benny appearance as the
>     yeeesss-man was?

    Well, Frank Nelson's appearances on the Benny show go all the way back to
    June 1, 1934.  He played various characters over time, including football
    announcers, sound man Virgil Reimer, etc.  However, if you discount the fact
    that he
    doesn't say "Yessss" in this exchange, I peg Jack's first encounter with that
    character as being 12/14/41, where Nelson plays a floorwalker when Jack is
    doing Christmas shopping.

    --Laura Leff
    President, IJBFC
    [removed]

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 16:31:54 -0500
    From: JackBenny@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  I admit it

    Conrad Binyon asked:

>     And  MY queastion is: I wonder how many folks after reading the above
>     reached for and tore in half a little piece of paper to notice how similar
>     the sound was to that of a striking match?

    And you know what's sad?  ***I*** did it myself after writing that, just to
    remember how similar the sound is!

    --Laura Leff
    President, IJBFC
    [removed]

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 16:55:07 -0500
    From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Gunsmoke episode

    Can anyone identify the title and date of the Gunsmoke show that aired on
    KSURF (Los Angeles) on March 5th? Matt releases two men from jail, Jim
    Kendall (Candel?) and Lee Binders. Then Chester sees a circular that states
    Kendall is wanted for stagecoach robbery and murder. He's arrested. Binders
    hires Jack Haney to get him out of jail.

    Thanks,
    Barbara

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 16:56:02 -0500
    From: OTRDSIEGEL@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  RE:  Impulse  Noise  Reduction  System

       Collectors who do any transfers of transcription discs to tape, cassette
    or CD format and who wish to eliminate the clicks often found on these discs
    may be interested in acquiring a device commonly known as a "de-clicker".
        I have been asked to offer such a device, an Impulse Noise Reduction
    System manufactured by SAE (Scientific Audio Electronics) Model # 5000 A for
    the "best price" ofered (plus shipping) The device comes mounted in an
    attractive wooden encasement for easy storage and mounting near one's
    equipment.
        If your interested, please contct me.
    Dave Siegel

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 18:51:43 -0500
    From: Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  More on "Say Goodnight Gracie"

    The reviews continue to roll on for "Say Goodnight Gracie," this time from
    Chicago and Phoenix.

    Sean Dougherty
    SeanDD@[removed]

    In true vaudeville tradition, Gorshin goes on with Burns
    Chicago Tribune (subscription), IL - Mar 7, 2004
    By Chris Jones. Of all the hundreds of times Frank Gorshin has said
    good night to Gracie on Broadway and beyond, it's a fair bet ...

    Give the man a cigar
    Arizona Republic, AZ - Mar 6, 2004
    Frank Gorshin never met George Burns. There's some evidence, though, that
    Gorshin
    is channeling the comedian, who died March 9, 1996, at the tender age of
    100. ...

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 19:18:53 -0500
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Sherlock Holmes 'Hebraic Breastplate'

    Mike Ogden wrote:

>     Okay, now that that's said and done, MY question is: Where can I get a copy
>     of "The Hebraic Breastplate"? I had heard a rumor a while back that this
>     episode existed, but I have yet to see it in anybody's catalog (but
>     admittedly I'm not on nearly as many mailing lists as I used to be). The
>     existence of this show is of great significance to Sherlockians as the only
>     surviving record of Louis Hector's portrayal of the character.

    I do have the 'Hebraic Breastplate' episode from 11/11/34.   It is announced
    as 'Hebraic Breastplate' although 'Jewish Breastplate' is also mentioned in
    the episode.  It is also announced as the first in a new series of Holmes
    stories.  One reference noted that Hector played the role for 29 episodes.
    This matches other log records; 8 episodes for 33-34, beginning 11/11/34
    and 21 episodes for 1935, ending 5/26/35

    The end comments are no help, Joseph Bell simply stating  that next week
    Watson will bring us another Holmes Story.  (and also plug G Washington
    coffee :))).   This series of SH was the last one sponsored by G Washington
    coffee.

    At the start of the 1936 series the program moved to Mutual and the sponsor
    became Household Finance.   That coincides with Mike's info that Gordon
    returned in 1936.  Do you suppose Mutual met Gordon's salary demands, which
    NBC wouldn't?

    Listening to 'Hebraic Breastplate'  I can hear it is clearly not Gordon.
    The prior Sherlock Holmes series with Gordon and Lovell ended on 6/14/33 and
    this Mutual series began almost a year and a half later on 11/11/34 still
    with NBC and G Washington coffee.
    Therefore I am pretty sure it is Hector-Lovell.

    I've received a couple of off-group messages from people interested in
    getting this episode and will be glad to share it.

    I don't have streamload, but am on 'Phil's Place' hub which is free and
    'Magic Waiter' which is not.     If neither of these sources for downloading
    are available to you I can send it on a CD (along with other material to
    fill it up).

    Thanks, Mike for clarifying the two 1936 programs which two logs claim
    (including the SH Society of London) were Hector and West and upon which I
    based my file naming.   In listening to those two 1936 episodes however, it
    is clearly Gordon and West and not Hector and West.

    Irene

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 19:52:04 -0500
    From: "Harry R. Keller" <hrkeller@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Neat video

    I wanted to pass on to list members that I received a neat OTR DVD from
    [removed] last week - "Up in the Air" starring Mantan Moreland, Frankie
    Darro, Majorie Reynolds and others. It is a murder mystery set in a radio
    station (think "Who Done It? or "Radioland Murders." It is pretty
    entertaining, though I did wince watching Frankie Darro and Mantan Moreland
    doing a blackface Amos  & Andy-type routine.

    Nevertheless for $5 (if you buy five DVDs they are $5 each) it was worth
    the price of admission.

    They also offer a DVD version of Gene Autry's "Phantom Empire" serial where
    part of the plot revolves around his making broadcasts from Melody Ranch.

    Bob Keller
    Waukesha, Wisc.

    Jamie, Bob, Tardis, & Sherman

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

    Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 20:53:43 -0500
    From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Jack Benny Dec 7th

    Someone asked when the news bulletins about Pearl Harbor occured during
    the Jack Benny Program on Dec 7th 1941.
    I was curious myself so I got out three different recordings that I have
    of that show.  The first one was from Redmond Nostalgia and the quality
    was fair with quite a bit of surface noise. The first bulletin occured
    during Dennis Day's song a medley of "You Are Everything I Love" and
    "All The Things You Are"about 10 minutes and 15 seconds into the
    program. This was an announcement that all the Police and Sheriff's were
    on 12 hour duty and urging all citizens to remain calm and cool and that
    all volunteers should report to their police and fire stations for
    duty.  There was no indication where this announcement was coming from,
    but at one point the announcer did mention *the county* making me
    believe that this was a local bulletin possibly from KFI in Los Angeles.
    There was a second bulletin during the orchestra's number at 21 minutes
    into the show. This sounded like a network announcement  about the
    Japanese (notice the full length of that name for the benefit of those
    with extreme sensibilities about such things) taking over the Shanghai
    electric station and also an announcement from New York, followed by "we
    now return you to Hollywood". There was no KFI identification at the end
    of the show but there was several seconds of dead air followed by an
    announcer saying that programs would be interupted  for war bulletins.

    The second tape I listened to was from Radio Yesteryear, part of the set
    of ten straight hours of broadcasting on NBC Red network. These
    recordings were made on Memovox plastic discs and the quality is
    terrible, but should have provided us with a chance to hear what was
    being sent out by the network in New York. But as it turns out that is
    not what was on the tape at all. It was another recording (probably from
    KFI ) with improved quality of sound with the exact same bulletins.
    That is a real disappointment as we were promised the NBC Memovox
    recordings. Now we have nothing to compare to. The following program The
    Fitch BandWagon with Horace Heidt from Hollywood was back to the same
    poor quality as the other Memovox recordings. This probably means that
    all the other shows in that set have been replaced by better quality
    recordings where they existed. Big disappointment!
    The third recording that I have was on MP3 CD and turned out to be the
    same recording again.
    Does anyone know if a different recording exists of the Jack Benny show
    on that historic date?

    George Aust

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #84
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