Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #433
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 11/9/2002 5:29 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2002 : Issue 433
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Owl Creek Bridge                      [ wich2@[removed] ]
      Re: Winchell, Parsons, and Hopper     [ snopes <snopes@[removed]; ]
      Re: Bobby Benson and Contemporary Ev  [ snopes <snopes@[removed]; ]
      Words at War: World War II radio      [ Howard Blue <khovard@[removed]; ]
      B-Bar-B to T-Bar-V                    [ "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed]; ]
      Our own Millionaire                   [ John <glowingdial1@[removed]; ]
      re: An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge  [ Gerry Wright <gdwright@[removed]; ]
      the scarcity of cassette tapes        [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
      GOOD OLD DAYS OF RADIO                [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
      More newspapers                       [ otrbuff@[removed] ]
      Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Mary Kay and Johnny                   [ otrbuff@[removed] ]
      Watch the Skies!                      [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
      Radio Logs                            [ "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed] ]
      Oldest FOTR                           [ "ASTON" <aston@[removed]; ]
      Frank Parker - Lights Out?            [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
      Re: FOTR tapes and DVDs               [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
      Conventions                           [ Larry Gassman <lgsinger@[removed] ]
      Re: book of logs                      [ "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-self ]
      MBS Question                          [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
      Graduated to Television?              [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 18:57:53 -0500
    From: wich2@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Owl Creek Bridge

    From: leemunsick@[removed]

>     I am so pleased from the Emails I've received, that so many people are
>     fellow fans of Ambrose Bierce's marvelous "Occurrence at Owl Creek
>     Bridge". ...  Anyone know of others?

    Dear Lee-
    (And yes, what a timeless classic of a tale, by one of America's greatest
    writers).
    Surprised no one has mentioned the version on the original (by the by, the
    new TV version ain't half [removed]) TWILIGHT ZONE. It was the only outside
    production aired in the series, introduced by Serling as such. It was out
    there, in a cheap PD "Goodtimes" VHS, back in the early days of home vid. I
    would expect there were many radio versions, as its form is ripe for
    narration & effects.
    Best,
    Craig Wichman

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 18:58:23 -0500
    From: snopes <snopes@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Winchell, Parsons, and Hopper

    Elizabeth McLeod wrote:

>     Parsons' home paper was the Los Angeles Herald Examiner

    The Los Angeles Examiner, technically. The Examiner and the Herald weren't
    merged into a single newspaper until 1962, a few years before Parsons
    stopped writing her column.

     - snopes

    Urban Legends Reference Pages --> [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 18:58:55 -0500
    From: snopes <snopes@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Bobby Benson and Contemporary Events

    Stephen A Kallis, Jr. wrote:

>     ADMIN:  What form of government does the United States have?

>     BOBBY:  A republican form of government.

>     LADY:  That's ridiculous,  There hasn't been a Republican elected for more
>     than 20 years!

    That reminds me of a joke from a Thanksgiving-themed Burns & Allen show:

    George (trying to prompt Gracie into remembering that Thanksgiving is
    approaching):  "What always happens in November?"

    Gracie: "Roosevelt gets elected!"

     - snopes

    Urban Legends Reference Pages --> [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 18:59:46 -0500
    From: Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Words at War: World War II radio

    Bob Axley asked

>     Has anybody heard when Howard Blue is going to have
>     his book on OTR  During WWII for sale.

    I apologize to Bob and anyone else who did not receive the e-mail message
    that I sent two weeks ago concerning the delay in publication of "Words
    at War: World War II Era Radio Drama and the Postwar Broadcasting
    Industry Blacklist."

    The publisher, Scarecrow Press, had promised to have it available in time
    for the FOTR convention in Newark at the end of October. For whatever
    reasons, the date has been delayed to mid-December.

    Anyone still wishing to  make a prepublication order at a rate below the
    retail price of $[removed] can still do so by sending me an e-mail message. I
    am able to sell the book and $[removed] (shipping included.) For further
    information about the book see www [removed]

    Howard Blue

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:00:16 -0500
    From: "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  B-Bar-B to T-Bar-V

    Jack French (editor of RADIO RECALL) pointed out:

>     In 1949, Rice, then a VP with Mutual at WOR, resurrected the series under
>     the name, "Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders" and it ran as a network show
>     until 1954, spawning two local TV shows with similar casts.

    Could that have inspired the title of "T-Bar-V Ranch Time" at WHAS-TV in
    spring 1950?

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:00:38 -0500
    From: John <glowingdial1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Our own Millionaire

    Hello all, just a not to congratulate our own Derek Tague for his $1000 win
    on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.  Just caught the feed tonight on G6-17
    while waiting for Home Improvement and saw him walk out and said out loud,
    "Hey, I know this guy!"  Met Derek a few times at the FOTR and he was very
    pleasant.  Congrats again Derek!
    John W. Matthews
    The Glowing Dial Page
    [removed]
    glowingdial@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:02:07 -0500
    From: Gerry Wright <gdwright@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  re: An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge

    Lee remembered

>     Somewhere I have the version which Omnibus aired a
>     half-century ago, and which started me on this particular adulation.  It
>     was a French production, possibly for television, and originally done
>     for viewing here with English words at the bottom, although my version I
>     am sure is dubbed.

    The French short film, adapted and directed by Robert Enrico, titled "La
    Rivière du hibou", was not produced until 1962, well after then end of
    "Omnibus" in 1957. More information on this film can be found at the
    Internet Movie Database <[removed];. For all
    intents and purposes the film has no dialog (about a dozen spoken
    words), most words are from an unseen singer, which is heard twice
    during the film.

    The French film was actually broadcast on Rod Serling's "The Twilight
    Zone" 28 Feb 1964. It is available on the boxed two videotape set
    "Treasures of the 'The Twilight Zone'"

    The "Alfred Hitchcok Presents" version was adapted by Harold Swanton,
    directed by Robert Stevenson, and broadcast 20 Dec 1959 with the cast
    of: Ronald Howard, Juano Hernandez, Kenneth Tobey, Douglas Kennedy,
    James Coburn, Brad Weston, Ruby Goodwin, and Gregg Stewart.

    Gerry Wright
    ZoneZebra Productions
    San Francisco

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:02:31 -0500
    From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  the scarcity of cassette tapes

    "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed]; asks:

>     Am I the only one who can't seem to find 60 minute cassette tapes at any
>     department stores suddenly?

    Rodney, I find a lot of C-60 (30 minutes/side) & C-90 (45 minutes/side) in
    the stores, but C-120 (60 minutes/side) are hard to find. The last that I
    bought were (overpriced) at Radio Shack.

    Herb Harrison

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:03:31 -0500
    From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  GOOD OLD DAYS OF RADIO

    While looking up the date of a film my mentor, Marvin Miller, was in, I
    found a movie listing for, The Good Old Days Of Radio, a 1976 film
    documentary, written by Hal Kanter, directed by Marty Pasette, and hosted
    by Steve Allen.  The cast included a star-studded who's who of OTR
    personalities.  Filmed in color, running time 75 minutes.  No video
    available.  Does anybody know more about this, or has the video?

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:03:44 -0500
    From: otrbuff@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  More newspapers

    In my new book, "Radio Crime Fighters," released last week, there are
    separate entries for these journalism-related shows, a few of which have
    been named previously . . . .

    The Adventures of Christopher Wells
    American Agent
    The Big Story
    Big Town
    Box 13
    Calamity Jane
    Casey, Crime Photographer
    City Desk
    Confidentially Yours
    Deadline Mystery
    Douglas of the World
    Foreign Assignment
    The Front Page
    Front Page Farrell
    Hot Copy
    Mystery Is My Hobby
    Stand by for Crime
    The Story of Sandra Martin
    Wendy Warren and the News
    The Whisper Men

    All of these have some ties to mystery, crime and intrigue so the
    newspaper profession alone is not the projected theme.

    "Radio Crime Fighters," incidentally, featuring more than 300
    crime-ridden dramas, is now available from McFarland at 800-253-2187,
    [removed].

    Jim Cox

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:03:51 -0500
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Today in radio history

>     >From Those Were The Days --

    1948 - This is Your Life debuted on NBC. Ralph Edwards hosted the radio
    show for two years and for nine more (1952-1961) on t--------n.

    Todays birthday --

    1886 - Ed Wynn (Isaiah Edwin Leopold), "The Fire Chief" (among other
    roles on radio), d. June 19, 1966.

      Joe

    --
    Visit my home page:
    [removed]~[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:04:00 -0500
    From: otrbuff@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Mary Kay and Johnny

    I'm seeking to track down any information or remembrances readers on this
    list might have of a series titled Mary Kay and Johnny (c1949).  Did it
    ever reach the air beyond an audition?  I'd be interested in anything
    anybody has to say about this show.  Please contact me.

    Jim Cox
    otrbuff@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:04:11 -0500
    From: leemunsick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Watch the Skies!
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Many of us tire of the Orson Welles "War of the World" annual bruhaha and
    concurrent overkill about the so-called "nationwide panic", rising from the
    dead like Dracula every October.

    We would prefer that the public be reminded and cogitate about the
    demonstration the incident offered, of the power of broadcasting,
    especially well-done radio drama.  For those who wish that perhaps by
    October 2003 Mars would just go away, here's hope:

    "Mars to Get Closer than Ever in Recorded History in 2003
    Fri Nov 8, 8:50 AM ET
    By Joe Rao, [removed]

    "At 5:51 [removed] EDT on Aug. 27, 2003, Mars will be within 34,646,488 miles
    (55,746,199 kilometers) of Earth. This will be the closest that Mars has
    come to our planet in about 73,000 years, based on detailed computations by
    Jean Meeus of Belgium.

    "On Aug. 28, 2003, Mars will be at "opposition," the moment when the Sun,
    Earth and Mars will form a straight line; since we are closer to the Sun
    than Mars, this is also when we are overtaking Mars in our respective orbits.

    "Mars comes to opposition about every 26 months. But because of the
    elliptical orbits of Earth and Mars, not all oppositions are created equal.
    The 2003 opposition will be superior to all the others because Mars will be
    very near to its closest point to the Sun, called perihelion, when it
    arrives at opposition.

    "Such "perihelic oppositions" of Mars are in themselves, rather infrequent,
    occurring about every 15 to 17 years. The most recent one took place in
    September 1988, when Mars passed to within [removed] million miles ([removed] million
    kilometers) of Earth.

    "Though Mars' opposition comes on Aug. 28, it will be closest to Earth on
    Aug. 27.  At the close approach, the Red Planet will be brighter than
    Jupiter and all the stars in the night sky, outshone only by Venus and the
    Moon."   - from Yahoo! News

    October 30, 2003 will be the 65th anniversary of WOTW, entering, perhaps,
    old age.  But look out!  During August 2003, with Mars six times larger in
    the sky and 85 times brighter than now, just watch the nut [removed], news
    media and the "journalism" and "reportage", and see what "happens" around
    the world.

    The good news is that by that Hallowe'en, kiddies, the Red Planet will
    finally be going away!   And the "War of the Worlds" controversy with
    it.  Right.  Uh-huh.  Watch the skies!

    Lee Munsick
    Charlie: By all means reprint this in August and/or October 2003!

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

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:04:39 -0500
    From: "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Radio Logs

    <Ron asked where radio logs were available to find out exactly when programs
    were [removed];

    White's Radio Log, was a little booklet listing stations, frequencies,
    power, network affiliations, in US and Canadian cities/towns. It also
    included network programs
    in the earlier issues (1930's - 1940's).   My Summer, 1947 copy shows
    "Sponsored Radio Programs" on ABC, CBS, Mutual and NBC (the original Eastern
    Time network feeds and re-broadcast feeds for the West Coast) from 9 [removed] to
    about Midnight or 1 [removed] each day of the week.

    Radio soap operas, network news and commentators, variety and music shows,
    afternoon serials and Saturday kids shows, dramatic and comedy evening
    programs, Sunday religious programs, etc.  are all listed.  White's Radio
    Log appears on eBay occasionally and other online sources.

    Russ Butler   oldradio@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:04:54 -0500
    From: "ASTON" <aston@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Oldest FOTR

    Walden Hughes stated that the earliest recordings of Friends of Old Time
    Radio Convention meets in October every year is 1987.  Actuallly the oldest
    we have is one video from 1986.  There might be some audio prior to that
    year, but we have the rest also up to and including 2001.  Audio cassettes
    are available from 1996.  Fred Berney has the 2002 material.

    Don Aston
    AVPRO
    avpro@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:05:07 -0500
    From: leemunsick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Frank Parker - Lights Out?

    Candy Jens asked if tenor Frank Parker narrated the TV program "Lights Out".

    Close, Candy, no Cigar!  You're thinking of Frank Gallop, veteran announcer
    with the wonderful deep, clear voice but unfortunate visage.  They
    emphasized this with the old standby you can do, lighting your face with a
    flashlight from below your chin.  Even without spooky lighting, Gallup's
    skeletal facial appearance made him look like the proverbial "death warmed
    over".  But what a voice, and command of a script!

    "Lights Out" debuted on radio in 1934.  During much of its tenure, it was
    written, produced and directed on radio by host Arch Obeler.  When it took
    its outstanding reputation to television without Obeler, the producers went
    all out to make their show one of the very finest, and as creepy as
    possible.  They even brought on board the eerie-sounding Theremin to set
    the musical scene, in conjunction with heavenly chords from organ and harp!

    To reach the highest levels of dramatic effort, the program featured
    numerous veteran and future top-notch actors from other media including
    those below, alphabetically from left to right.  You've no idea how
    difficult it was to get them to line up this way.  Restless, unruly bunch,
    but one must admire their stunning talents:

    Alan Bunce (b. Westfield, New Jersey.  Ethel and Albert; The Couple Next
    Door, many film and TV roles)
    Billie Burke (b. District of Columbia as Mary William Ethelbert.  Many
    films, best known as the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz.  Ziegfeld Follies,
    wife of Flo Ziegfeld)
    Yvonne DeCarlo (Canadian born as Peggy Yvonne Middleton.  Nearly a hundred
    films, many as sexy starlet, mostly known now from The Munsters)
    Boris Karloff (b. William Henry Pratt in London, England.  Kindly, gentle
    man who loved children.  The monster in various Frankenstein films, said to
    have inspired the depiction of The Incredible Hulk)
    Otto Kruger (b. Toledo, Ohio, grandnephew of South African pioneer and
    former president Paul Kruger, for whom their Krugerand is named.  In close
    to 100 films from 1915 to 1964, playing distinguished-looking characters to
    villains)
    Patric Knowles (b. Yorkshire, England.  Handsome film
    leading-man-not-quite-star, appeared in dozens of films from The Wolf Man
    to How Green Was My Valley and Of Human Bondage)
    Raymond Massey (Toronto born, brother of 1950s Canadian Governor General
    Charles Vincent Massey.  Outstanding in many roles, often Abraham
    Lincoln.  Grandfather of producer also named Raymond Massey)
    John Newland (Ohioan, prolific producer, writer, director, actor in
    numerous roles, perhaps best known for One Step Beyond)
    Leslie Nielsen (note spelled with an E, not O - Canadian born, many films
    inc. Forbidden Planet, now best known for Airplane, Police Squad, Naked
    Gun.  Don't call him Shirley)
    Basil Rathbone (fencer and instructor, actor born in South Africa, tons of
    stage, radio, film, TV, best known as the quintessential Sherlock Holmes on
    radio and in films with his friend Nigel Bruce who was born not in England,
    but in Mexico!)
    Francis L. Sullivan (rotund Londoner, fine British stage and film actor,
    often as oily villain, my personal favorite in wartime film Pimpernel
    Smith.  Close friend of Agatha Christie)

    Frank Gallop was not the original television announcer for Lights Out.  He
    succeeded Jack LaRue, who perhaps wasn't scary looking enough.  Gallop was
    a veteran of hundreds of radio programs, who went on to equal success in
    television, perhaps best known there from constant exposure on the Milton
    Berle Texaco Theater.

    Frank Parker had his own radio shows very early, as discussed here
    previously.  He appeared as singer-comedy foil with George Burns and Gracie
    Allen, and then Jack Benny.  After a hiatus of a decade or so, he had a
    second career on the Arthur Godfrey programs, frequently singing opposite
    Marion Marlowe.  Known as an "Irish Tenor", Frank was actually
    Italian-American, last name Ciccio.  Handsome, kindly, extremely nice man,
    soft-spoken but witty.  I believe he is still alive at age 99, last known
    location apparently in or near Melbourne, Florida.  Can anyone there help
    me find him?  Thanks!

    Lee Munsick

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:06:07 -0500
    From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: FOTR tapes and DVDs

    The order form for the convention tapes and DVDs is now on our web site.
    Much faster than having to email me and wait for me to email it back.

    I've had a chance to now view most of the tapes and Charlie and Harold both
    did a very nice job of shooting. Very professional looking.

    I've paid so called "professional cameramen" that have not given me as nice
    coverage.

    So now we know that Charlie can not only act, he can handle a camera.

    Fred
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:06:12 -0500
    From: Larry Gassman <lgsinger@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Conventions

    Walden,
    The recordings of the FOTR conventions are all in existence from 1976 to
    present, and most of the earlier conventions from 1971 to 1975 also exist.
    Check with Don Aston and other dealers.  I have all of them up through 1996
    but they are all in storage and not accessible.

    In past years, it has been the goal of SPERDVAC to hold its convention on
    its birthday or as close as possible.  This has not always been
    possible.  I remember signing contracts  for the third week in November
    when the second weekend was not available.
    Most of the people who attend SPERDVAC are not able to attend other
    conventions so there really isn't much overlap.  Those who attend both FOTR
    and SPERDVAC are very much in the minority and would probably attend both
    even if they were one day apart.  In fact, if the conventions were not 3000
    miles apart, I would bet you'd see some diehards attend both conventions on
    the same weekend.
    Obviously this is a bit of a stretch, but I am trying to make a *not to
    subtle* point.
    Larry Gassman

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:06:32 -0500
    From: "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: book of logs

    Both Jay Hickerson and Martin Grams Jr have published books of logs.
    While I don't own either of them, I have seen pages from both of them.
    Martin's book seems good for episode titles and (partial) cast listings.
    Hickerson's book tells you what shows are circulating.  They both seem to
    be worth having.

    rodney.

    Past Tense Productions
    Carrying Old Radio related films, and Hal Roach shorts, for $7 per tape.

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:06:53 -0500
    From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  MBS Question

    Hi all ...... I  was just looking at some listings for some recordings
    that Howard Culver donated to Sperdvac and found one for "Roma News,
    MBS, KFRC in Los Angeles. Parker Gaymen and Mel Ventnor were the
    reporters and Howard the announcer for these newscasts from 1942-43.  My
    question is were there two Mutual stations in LA at that time?  I never
    heard of KFRC and only remember KHJ as being the Mutual station here.
    Maybe Lois could shed some light on this or anyone else familiar with
    Mutual in Los Angeles at  that time.

    Thanks
    George Aust

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

    Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 19:07:09 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Graduated to Television?

    May I do a little nitpicking?

    Dave J. in Vancouver, WA (USA) wrote:

>     He listed several, but one I didn't see on the list was "The Big Story,"
>     which started on radio and then graduated to TV.

    To say that one graduated implies, at least to me, that one went on to better
    things. As all of us on this list know, television is not better then radio.
    Maybe a better word would be, "flunked" into television.

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Make your day just a little better, listen to Olde Tyme Radio!

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #433
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