Subject: [removed] Digest V2006 #140
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 5/21/2006 9:12 AM

To: [removed]@[removed]

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                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2006 : Issue 140
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      George Gobel                          [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]
      Studio Orchestras                     [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]
      WJR Origin                            [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]
      Re: Myrt Makes An Appearance          [ "JEFFREY DAVIS" <JDavis3153@[removed] ]
      Houdini, on [removed]                   [ jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns) ]
      Jumping the Shark on the Captain Mid  [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr" <skallisjr@j ]
      Keepin' it real                       [ Wich2@[removed] ]
      "Eternal" [removed]                   [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
      Re: Stan Freberg                      [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
      This week in radio history 21-27 May  [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Seattle Convention hotel              [ HRRMIKES@[removed] ]
      Cy Feuer                              [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
      5-21 births/deaths                    [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
      Dixon found my mistake                [ "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@sbcgloba ]
      Amos 'N Andy: Brighton Beach Memoirs  [ Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed] ]

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:07:55 -0400
    From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  George Gobel

    Seeing that today (5/20) was George Gobel's [removed] I had the
    pleasure (for another reason) to visit one of the historic
    establishments in Detroit today and on the wall was a replica
    calendar advertising the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium brought to
    you by Gobel Beer. There was also mention of Altes Bier on the same
    display ad (from the 20s or 30s I think).

    I seem to remember George Gobel doing beer ads in the 60s and [removed]
    was there any relationship between his family and the Gobel Beer
    company/brewery? It is perfectly legit for a Chicago-based brewery to
    be selling in Detroit (we donated Stroh's to them [removed]).

    Anyone remember?

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:08:21 -0400
    From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Studio Orchestras

    I had the privilege of visiting the Manning Brothers Photo collection
    today and came across photos of WWJ studios. In one photo they showed
    the house orchestra which consisted of:

    Piano
    Percussion (drum set)
    Trumpet
    Clarinet
    Sax (looked like a Tenor)
    String Bass

    I thought it was rather [removed] was this typical for most larger stations?

    In another photo there was a studio with a grand piano and what
    looked like a 30 rank church pipe organ (about 25 drawknobs on each
    side of three manuals).

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:08:46 -0400
    From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  WJR Origin

    (I'm on a roll tonight)

    Among the photos in the Manning Brother's collection were photos of
    the early WJR studio. WJR was know for may years by several phrases:

    "The Great Voice of the Great Lakes"
    "From the Golden Tower of the Fisher Building"

    Based on what I saw today the radio station first broadcast on August 15, 1925.
    The station was created by the Jewett Radio Company in the hopes that
    it would promote the sale of more radios. So WJR stands for W-Jewett-Radio.
    The station broadcast from the Book-Cadillac Building and from the
    city of Royal Oak (northern Detroit Suburb about 8 miles north [removed])
    The Fisher Building, it's long time home, wasn't completed until 1928
    when they moved there.

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:09:05 -0400
    From: "JEFFREY DAVIS" <JDavis3153@[removed];
    To: "OTR Roundtable" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Myrt Makes An Appearance
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    For [removed]

    Myrt stopped by 79 Wistful Vista on the June 22, 1943 program.

    Jeff Davis

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:09:35 -0400
    From: jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns)
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Houdini, on [removed]

    Now that Tony Curtis HOUDINI picture, was from that wonderful ambassador
    to the worlds of what-could-be, George [removed]

    But interesting that no one remembers the  '70s TELEVISION Houdinimovie,
    on ABC, with Paul Michael Glaser and Sally Struthers--

    And PETER CUSHING, as Sir Arthur Conan [removed]

    (I hear 'ya knockin'...)

    Jim Burns

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

    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 10:50:15 -0400
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr" <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Jumping the Shark on the Captain Midnight
     Half-Hour Show
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    Continuing on a thread.  I'd mentioned that the half-hour radio version
    of Captain Midnight, I didn't consider canonical.  This is primarily
    because it ignored the rich tradition of 11 years of continuity and
    lowered its audience standards.  The prime example I call my favorite
    "bad" memory of the half-hour show.  Through 1949, the primary means of
    identification as a Secret Squadron member was a Code-O-Graph.  However,
    with no Signal Session messages necessary with complete shows, the new
    identifier was an iron-on transfer.  The recipient could put it on any
    cloth, but the suggested place was on a handkerchief, so that it could be
    folded and unveiled only to other members.  In the story in question,
    some bad guys kidnapped Chuck, and arranged for an exact double to
    replace him, to infiltrate the Secret Squadron and act as a mole.  The
    replacement had Chuck's mannerisms down pat, and all the baddies had to
    do was dress him in Chuck's clothing.  Chuck had his Secret Squadron
    identifier on his hankie, so as he was changing clothes (at gunpoint?  at
    least under duress), he feigned having a cold, sniffled, blew his nose
    into the handkerchief and asked "Mind if I keep this?"  He was allowed
    to, and the fake Chuck, replete with a substitute handkerchief, joined
    other members at the Secret Squadron hangout.  Somehow, and I don't
    recall the exact circumstances (it was some 57 years ago that I heard it,
    after all), Joyce brought up the subject of Chuck's handkerchief.  The
    fake Chuck, obviously, didn't know what she was driving at, and gave an
    evasive answer.  This piqued Captain Midnight's curiosity, and he asked,
    "Yes, Chuck.  Just what's in that handkerchief?"  Given that the real
    Chuck had only used his hankie to blow his nose, the honest response from
    the fake Chuck might have been a little startling.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 11:57:11 -0400
    From: Wich2@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Keepin' it real

    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." _mmargrajr@[removed]_
    (mailto:mmargrajr@[removed])

>     (Himan) Brown's memory ... was
>     intact because I asked about some  vague programs and he was accurate ...
>     But depending on how he wanted the  history to be written ... he gave me
>     mistakes for obvious reasons

    Dear Martin-

    That's sad.

    IMHO, that kind of horse-hockey  goes a long way towards tarnishing a
    "legend's"  [removed]

    Best,
    -Craig

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

    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 11:57:21 -0400
    From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  "Eternal" [removed]
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    Recently I posted here inquiring about a 1944 episode of "The Eternal Light"
    which featured my pal Bobby Ramsen when he was a youth. On behalf or both
    Bobby & myself, I'd like to thank everybody who helped in Bobby acquiring
    taped copies of said [removed] diligent Digest readers John Edwards
    and Alan Chapman, who sent me--at no charge--cassette copies
    (aside to Mr, Edwrads: I would've acknowledged sooner off-kust but I
    prematurely deleted your e-mail address and your mailing address was
    obliterated on the padded envelope you sent). Also, a tip of the mayoral
    topper to Dave Siegel for distributing the book "The Eternal Light" by Eli
    Segal and Tom Monroe and Radio Memories, from whose table I purchased said
    tome. If I hadn't chanced upon Robert Ramsen's name in the book's episode log,
    than I'd never be able to get this going for my buddy Bobby.

    If anybody knows of or has any other 1940s programmes featuring Robert/Bobby
    Ramsen, please inform me off-list

    Digest readers are the best! Thanks ever so much from the ether!

    Derek Tague

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 12:31:38 -0400
    From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Stan Freberg
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    In a message dated 5/19/06 10:03:58 PM Central Daylight Time,
    [removed]@[removed] writes:

>     Not funny.  I loved his radio adds, and I loved
>     his recordings--particularly the song and dragnet parodies.
>     Maybe I heard the wrong shows?

    No one's going to slug you, but I have to wonder why Stan Freberg's actual
    radio ads would be funny and the numerous advertising parodies on his 1957
    show
    (which was sustaining, so he wasn't trying to please an advertiser) wouldn't
    be.  Perhaps because they're too pointed? And his famous "Grey Flannel Hatful
    of Teenage Werewolves" sketch (about a teenage werewolf who finds out to his
    horror that at daybreak he transforms into an advertising executive) is one of
    the most brilliant pieces of satire I've ever heard on radio, and *the* most
    blistering parody of the ad business I've ever heard.  (Boy, he really must've
    had it in for those guys.)  I still laugh out loud at that sketch.

    Dixon

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 12:31:47 -0400
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  This week in radio history 21-27 May

     From Those Were The Days --

    5/22

    1955 - Jack Benny signed off his last live network radio broadcast after
    a run of 23 years.  (His show continued in re-runs for a while longer -ed).

    5/23

    1922 - The first debate to be heard on radio was broadcast on WJH in
    Washington, DC. The two debaters argued about the topic of Daylight
    Saving Time with the audience acting as the judge.

    5/26

    1940 - Invitation to Learning was first heard on CBS. The educational
    program ran for 24 years.

    Joe

    --
    Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 14:47:34 -0400
    From: HRRMIKES@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Seattle Convention hotel
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    If you're coming to the REPS Radio Showcase and want to stay at the
    convention hotel, please know that the special rate and guaranteed rooms will
    disappear
    on 5/23.   This is 30 days before the event.   Still have great guests and
    program, along with some of the friendliest OTR fans anywhere.   Details at
    [removed]

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    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 16:15:58 -0400
    From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Cy Feuer

    I was mildly surprised, especially from the New York folks on this
    digest, to not have seen any mention of the passing this week of Tony
    Award winning Cy Feuer at the age of 95.

    Primarily known in the secular world as a Broadway producer and theatre
    owner - he produced "Guys and Dolls" and "How to Succeed in Business
    Without Really Trying."

    But those of us in the cult of old time radio might know him for his
    musical talent in writing some of the music for "Escape," "The Ford
    Theater," and "Shorty Bell."

    In case he did not get it, this is for Ron Sayles: Feuer died on May
    17th of this year.

    Jim Widner

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

    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 23:17:39 -0400
    From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  5-21 births/deaths

    May 21st births

    05-21-1894 - Kenyon Nicholson - Crawfordsville, IN - d. 12-xx-1986
    writer: "Theatre Guild on the Air"
    05-21-1901 - Fred Cole - Los Angeles, CA - d. 9-19-1964
    writer: "Double or Nothing"
    05-21-1901 - Horace Heidt - Alameda, CA - d. 12-1-1986
    bandleader: "Horace Heidt Brigadiers"; "Pot o' Gold"; "Treasure Chest"
    05-21-1903 - Tony LaFrano - d. 11-xx-1986
    announcer: "Family Theatre"; "Johnny Modero: Pier 23"
    05-21-1904 - Robert Montgomery - Beacon, NY - d. 9-27-1981
    actor: "Doctor Fights"; "Suspense"; "This Is War"
    05-21-1904 - Thomas "Fats" Waller - NYC - d. 12-15-1943
    pianist, singer: "Columbia Variety Hour"; "Saturday Night Swing Club"
    05-21-1912 - Lucille Manners - Newark, NJ
    singer: "Cities Service Concert"
    05-21-1915 - Kathleen Cordell - Brooklyn, NY - d. 8-19-1997
    actor: Marion Burton Sullivan "Second Mrs. Burton"; Monica Brewster
    "Valiant Lady"
    05-21-1916 - Dennis Day - The Bronx, NY - d. 6-22-1988
    singer, comedian: "Jack Benny Program"; "Day in the Life of Dennis Day"
    05-21-1917 - Raymond Burr - New Westminster, Canada - d. 9-12-1993
    actor: Lee Quince "Fort Laramie"; Ed Backstrand "Dragnet"
    05-21-1918 - Jeanne Bates - Berkeley, CA
    actor: Teddy Lawson "One Man's Family"; "Gunsmoke"
    05-21-1923 - Rick Jason - NYC - d. 10-15-2000
    actor: "Sears Radio Theatre"

    May 21st deaths

    01-04-1907 - Floyd Christy - NYC - d. 5-21-1962
    writer: "The Johnson Family"
    03-04-1913 - John Garfield - NYC - d. 5-21-1952
    actor: "Cresta Blanca Hollywood Players"; "Free Company"; "Treasury
    Star Parade"
    03-24-1928 - Vanessa Brown - Vienna, Austria - d. 5-21-1999
    panelist: "Quiz Kids"
    03-29-1888 - Earle Ross - Illinois - d. 5-21-1961
    actor: Judge Horace Hooker "Great Gildersleeve"; J. R. Boone, Sr.
    "Meet Millie"
    04-14-1904 - John Gielgud - London, England - d. 5-21-2000
    actor: Sherlock Holmes "Sherlock Holmes"; "Theatre Guild On the Air"
    05-30-1911 - Douglas Fowley - NYC - d. 5-21-1998
    actor: "Hollywood Hotel"
    06-04-1906 - Vinton Haworth (Hayworth) - Washington, [removed] - d. 5-21-1970
    actor: Fred Andrews "Archie Andrews"; Michael Shayne "Michael Shayne"
    09-04-1925 - Howard Morris - NYC - d. 5-21-2005
    comedian: "Those Good Old Days"
    10-06-1907 - Owen Davis, Jr. - NYC - d. 5-21-1949
    actor: Allen McCrea "Those We Love"
    10-07-1911 - Vaughn Monroe - Akron, OH - d. 5-21-1973
    singer, bandleader: "Penthouse Party"; "Vaughn Monroe Show"
    10-21-1908 - Tommy Riggs - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 5-21-1967
    comedian: "Fleischmann Hour"; "Quaker Party with Tommy Riggs"; "Tommy
    Riggs and Betty Lou"
    11-02-1897 - Dennis King - Coventry, England - d. 5-21-1971
    announcer: "When a Girl Marries"
    12-23-1922 - Jack Lloyd - Duisburg, Germany - d. 5-21-1976
    actor: "Armstrong Theatre of Today"; "The Joan Davis Show"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Birthplace of Pamela Britton

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

    Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 23:18:33 -0400
    From: "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Dixon  found my mistake

    Dixon found that I made a terrible mistake stating that Suspense was on NBC,
    so I went through all my 475 Suspense episodes and couldn't any of them that
    were on NBC in fact all of then were on CBS so it apparent that the hour was
    late when wrote the note, and I was tired. Iapologize to all the OTR  Digest
    readers. You can't get away with anyting with the Digest readers.
     I have a glass of poison to drink as the blood gushes out of my slashed
    wrists to make sure it will never happen again.

    Frank McGurn

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

    Date: Sun, 21 May 2006 11:06:15 -0400
    From: Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed];
    To: OTRDIGEST <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Amos 'N Andy:  Brighton Beach Memoirs
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    I saw Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" recently.  In the first act, it
    was mentioned that Amos 'N Andy would  be on the radio that night.  Curious
    about how that would be handled, it was surprising to return from
    intermission to recognize their voices.  Apparently, a tape of one of their
    shows was played while most of us were in the lobby. For those who have seen
    and/or been involved with the play's production elsewhere--how was the A & A
    reference handled?

    Melanie

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    End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #140
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