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The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2012 : Issue 133
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re: scripts used for radio and tv sh [ "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed]; ]
RE: Tony Marvin et al [ Fass Martin <watchstop@frontiernet. ]
8-16 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Dragnet's "Big Little Jesus" TV epis [ James H Arva <wilditralian@[removed] ]
Irving Fein, Jack Benny's friend and [ otrguru@[removed] ]
FOTR 2000 [ JayHick@[removed] ]
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Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:59:55 -0400
From: "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: scripts used for radio and tv shows: Gunsmoke
Hello again --
I missed Ron Vickery's question about Dragnet using the same scripts for TV
as they did for radio, but I've been intending to write about my recent
interest in comparing the old Gunsmoke radio episodes, which I have in
their
entirety, to the half-hour television shows which have been telecasted from
Encore Western every afternoon. Many, many of the radio scripts were
retooled for TV or in some cases, perhaps, shared the same script with
minor
changes during the years the program was aired in both media.
One could write a book about the changes (and perhaps somebody has), such as
the ways the TV shows underplayed the violence of the radio shows which, as
most fans of this newsletter would undoubtedly attest, are so much more
satisfactory than their TV counterparts. But I found another thing of
interest in the TV shows: the number of radio actors, both on Gunsmoke and
many other radio programs, who appeared in minor parts in the TV version.
Such actors as Barney Phillips, Ben Wright, Laurence Dobkin, John Dehner,
Virginia Gregg, Virginia Christine, Jeanette Nolan, Sam Edwards, Joe
Kearns,
Howard McNear -- the list goes on and on. (I found Wendell Niles the most
distinctive voice, and the most unlike the physical appearance I imagined
from his radio appearances on such shows as X minus 1's "Mars is Heaven.")
And one has the opportunity to see many stars of TV and movies long before
their names and faces were well known. There is a complete list of these
actors at [removed],
although it is not indicated which medium in which they appeared.
yOurs TRuly,
Jan Bach
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Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:00:12 -0400
From: Fass Martin <watchstop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: RE: Tony Marvin et al
Bob Scherago, you make me laugh aloud with this recollection of Milton Cross,
and I can hear him saying it!
This also now serves to make a connection between Milton Cross and Clifton
Fadiman, because MC was also the announcer for "Information, Please!" Anne
Fadiman, Clifton's daughter, wrote an essay included in one of her books,
about how the family had a favorite activity when they dined out and were
waiting for their order to be served. They would examine the menu for typos,
and always find many slips and errors.
I can imagine a gathering of old time radio fans falling all over themselves
exchanging examples of famous announcer regionalisms, especially if one could
give a fair impersonation of how it sounded.
Adding one more person, who was also in the league with Milton Cross, and
that's Ben Grauer. HE pronounced it "netwoik" too!
--Martin
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:00:17 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 8-16 births/deaths
August 16th births
08-16-1862 - Amos Alonzo Stagg - West Orange, NJ - d. 3-17-1965
legendary football coach: "We the People"
08-16-1868 - Bernarr Macfadden - Mill Springs, MO - d. 10-12-1955
calisthentics program on WOR in New York
08-16-1884 - Bess Flynn - Tama, IA - d. 2-28-1976
actor, writer: Mother Moynihan "Painted Dreams"; Tilda "The Gumps"
08-16-1888 - Howard Marsh - Bluffton, IN - d. 8-7-1969
singer: "Buick Presents"; "Evening in Paris"; "Frigidaire Program"
08-16-1888 - Marion Sayle Taylor - Louisville, KY - d. 2-1-1942
advisor: "Voice of Experience"
08-16-1890 - Myron "Grim" Natwick - Wisconsin Rapids, WI - d. 10-7-1990
creator of Betty Boop
08-16-1891 - Harry V. "Pappy" Cheshire - Emporia, KS - d. 6-16-1968
actor: "The Old Corral"
08-16-1895 - Lucien Littlefield - San Antonio, TX - d. 6-4-1960
actor: "Hollywood On the Air"
08-16-1896 - Eddie Green - Baltimore, MD - d. 9-19-1950
actor: Eddie the Waiter "Duffy's Tavern"; Jerry "Uncle Charlie's Tent
Show"
08-16-1897 - Margery Barnard - Ashfield, Australia - d. 5-8-1987
writer: "The Watch on the Headland"
08-16-1899 - Glenn Strange - Weed, NM - d. 9-20-1973
singer, actor: "Arizona Wranglers"
08-16-1900 - Walter Kinsella - NY - d. 5-11-1975
actor: Pat Patton "Dick Tracy"; Sergeant Mullins "Mr. and Mrs. North"
08-16-1904 - Ruth Gillette - Chicago, IL - d. 5-13-1994
actor: "Theatre Five"
08-16-1904 - Wesley Beans - d. 12-3-1992
baritone: KFSG Los Angeles, California
08-16-1907 - Mae Clark - Philadelphia, PA - d. 4-29-1992
actor: "Family Theatre"; "This Is Your FBI"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-16-1908 - Russell Preston Pike, Jr. - d. 9-9-1995
singer: "The Prairie Knights"
08-16-1911 - Ronald Graham - Hamilton, Scotland - d. 7-4-1950
actor, singer: "Blue Monday Jamboree"; "Broadway Matinee"
08-16-1913 - Joe Lilley - d. 1-1-1971
orchestra leader: "Drene Time"
08-16-1915 - Al Hibbler - Tyro, MS - d. 4-24-2001
jazz singer: "A Date with the Duke"; "Jubilee"
08-16-1915 - Gloria Blondell - NYC - d. 3-25-1986
actor: Gerry Booker "I Love A Mystery" Gloria Dean "Hollywood Mystery
Time"
08-16-1915 - Rosie Ledford - Pilot, KY - d. 7-24-1976
guitar: (Coon Creek Girls) "WLS National Barn Dance"
08-16-1924 - Fess Parker - Fort Worth, TX - d. 3-18-2010
actor: "Guest Star"; "We Hold These Truths"
08-16-1927 - Neil Strawser - Rittman, OH - d. 12-31-2005
newscaster: "CBS World News Roundup"
08-16-1928 - Ann Blyth - Mt. Kisco, NY
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-16-1929 - Lois Nettleton - Oak Park, IL - d. 1-18-2008
actor: Patsy Dennis "Brighter Day"
08-16-1930 - Frank Gifford - Santa Monica, CA
sports announcer: "Sonny Liston Vs. Cassius Clay"
08-16-1930 - Robert Culp - Oakland, CA - d. 3-24-2010
actor: "Philip Morris Playhouse on Broadway"
08-16-1931 - Betsy Von Furstenberg - Neiheim Heusen, Germany
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
08-16-1932 - Eydie Gorme - The Bronx, NY
vocalist: Tex Beneke Band
08-16-1932 - Marianne Moylan - Southampten, NY - d. 7-25-1990
singer: (The Moylan Sisters) (Angels of the Airwaves) "Moylan Sisters"
08-16-1933 - Julie Newmar - Los Angeles, CA
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
08-16-1939 - Carole Shelley - London, England
08-16-1941 - Paul Hecht - London, England
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
August 16th deaths
01-01-1911 - Leona Ledoux - d. 8-16-1987
actor: Robespierre Higgins "Baby Snooks"; Bumstead Children "Blondie"
01-08-1935 - Elvis Presley - Tupelo, MS - d. 8-16-1977
singer: "Louisiana Hayride"
01-19-1905 - Oveta Kulp Hobby (Hobbe) - Killeen, TX - d. 8-16-1995
first commanding officer of the wacs: "Meet the Press"
02-06-1895 - Babe Ruth - Baltimore, MD - d. 8-16-1948
baseball legend: "Advs. of Babe Ruth"; "Here's Babe Ruth"
02-20-1929 - Amanda Blake - Buffalo, NY - d. 8-16-1989
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Escape"
03-22-1933 - [removed] McCarthy - NYC - d. 8-16-1995
One of the Great Voices of the Great Lakes at WJR Detroit
04-26-1916 - Frances Robinson - Fort Wandsworth, NY - d. 8-16-1971
actor: Helen Asher "Richard Diamond"; Claire 'Brooksie' Brooks "Let
George Do It"
04-30-1911 - Orin Tovrov - Boston, MA - d. 8-16-1980
writer: "The Brighter Day"; "Ma Perkins"; "Manhattan Mother"
05-06-1913 - Stewart Granger - London, England - d. 8-16-1993
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Screen Guild Theatre"
05-17-1890 - Harry Balogh - d. 8-16-1961
boxing ring announcer during the 1930s and 1940s
06-02-1913 - Nicholas Saunders - Kiev, Russia - d. 8-16-2006
actor: Sergeant Ross "Martin Kane, Private Eye"
06-14-1894 - Benny Fields - Milwaukee, WI - d. 8-16-1959
actor: "The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air"
06-29-1909 - Oscar Argumedo - d. 8-16-1986
disk jockey: KCOR San Antonio, Texas
06-30-1898 - Carl Pierce - Quincy, MA - d. 8-16-1962
announcer: "Breakfast at Sardi's"; "The Right Thing to Do"
07-05-1879 - Wanda Landowska - Warsaw, Poland - d. 8-16-1959
harpsichordist: "New York Philharmonic"
07-23-1944 - Alex Buzo - Sydney, Australia - d. 8-16-2006
writer: "File on Rod"
08-06-1916 - Phil Leeds - NYC - d. 8-16-1998
comic actor: "Jane Pickens Show"; "Slapsie Maxie Show"
08-10-1914 - Jeff Corey - NYC - d. 8-16-2002
actor: "Nightbeat"; "Escape"; "NBC Presents: Short Story"
08-26-1918 - Dave Barry - Brooklyn, NY - d. 8-16-2001
comedian: "Major Bowes and the Original Amateur Hour"
10-11-1925 - Nancy Guild - Los Angeles, CA - d. 8-16-1999
actor: "Proudly We Hail"
10-20-1882 - Bela Lugosi - Lugos, Hungary - d. 8-16-1956
actor: "Crime Does Not Pay"
10-26-1912 - Ed Reimers - Moline, IL - d. 8-16-2009
announcer/actor: "Dr. [removed]"; "This Changing World"
11-04-1918 - Jay Jackson - Stockdale, OH - d. 8-16-2005
host, announcer: "Broadway Talks Back"; "Radio Reader"s Digest"
11-08-1900 - Margaret Mitchell - Atlanta, GA - d. 8-16-1949
author: "Gone with the Wind Premier"; "Gone with the Wind"
11-27-1893 - Harry Foster Welch - Annapolis, MD - d. 8-16-1973
actor: "Shell Show"
12-12-1886 - Violet Kemble Cooper - London, England - d. 8-16-1961
actor: "School for Scandal"
Ron
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:11:09 -0400
From: James H Arva <wilditralian@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Dragnet's "Big Little Jesus" TV episode
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08-16-12
In the 08-15-12 newsletter (#131), Michael Hayde brought up the subject
of "The Big Little Jesus" Dragnet episode that was done on radio and TV.
The first time that I saw the TV program was when a friend of mine gave
me a VHS full of old Christmas-story episodes of various programs from
the 50's. This was one of them, and it was the first time I knew what
Harry Bartell looked like (who played the priest). Up until then, he and
I had been e-mailing back and forth for quite a while and, in the
process, I was gaining an invaluable store of first-hand knowledge about
the old days of radio. He had, by his estimate, performed in about
10,000 broadcast episodes of many programs, and about 200 of them were on
television. He asked me which version (!!) of the TV program I had. It
seems that Jack Webb did two versions of this same Christmas episode --
the one I had, which was in color, and an earlier one that was filmed in
black-and-white. Harry told me that this color episode of Dragnet was
the first network color television program ever made. There had been
experiments ... there had been, perhaps, color movies that were run at
night ... but this was the first regular TV program to begin televising
in color. Harry said that Jack Webb made a big production out of it,
just like a Hollywood premier ... searchlights in the sky, hot babes
wearing minks arriving in limos ... the whole nine yards. I really miss
Harry's correspondence.
Jim Arva
Harrisburg, PA
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
[ADMINISTRIVIA: I miss his correspondence, too. For those who haven't read
them, the postings he made to the Digest under the collective title, "Struts
and Frets" (check your Shakespeare for the origin of the title) are still
available for reading at:
[removed]
If you haven't yet, check 'em out. And if you have, re-read [removed]'s like
having Harry back for a few moments. --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:11:38 -0400
From: otrguru@[removed]
To: DIGEST OLD RADIO <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Irving Fein, Jack Benny's friend and biographer
Irving Fein, who died at age 101 on August 10, 2012, was the longtime manager
of Jack Benny and, later, George Burns. I interviewed him for my "Those Were
The Days" radio show on January 29, 1976 around the time his biography of Mr.
Benny was published.
We spoke for 21 minutes and you may hear that conversation --mostly filled
with stories about Jack Benny-- anytime at [removed] When you
get there, go to "Interviews" and click on "Irving Fein."
The interview is among more than 200 we had with the stars of the Golden Age
of Radio. All are available 24/7, along with many articles and features
about radio's glory days.
Chuck Schaden
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:12:41 -0400
From: JayHick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: FOTR 2000
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Joanne Ansbro is looking for a copy of the script of Ethel and Albert
performed in 2000. Bob Hastings played Albert. George Ansbro announced.
Please let me know if you have one. Jay Hickerson
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End of [removed] Digest V2012 Issue #133
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