Subject: [removed] Digest V2010 #31
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 2/17/2010 6:51 AM

To: [removed]@[removed]
Reply-to: [removed]@[removed]

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2010 : Issue 31
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig  [ charlie@[removed] ]
      New Show Celebrating the Golden Age   [ Mark Wuellner <mwuellne@[removed] ]
      Jack Benny TV show                    [ Rob Chatlin <rchatlin@[removed] ]
      2-17 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Jim Harmon                            [ Larry Gassman <lgsinger@[removed] ]
      Jim Harmon, [removed]                    [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]

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

    Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:12:01 -0500
    From: charlie@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!

    A weekly [removed]

    For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
    Network, the channel name is #OldRadio.  We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
    and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
    over nine years, same time, same channel! Started by Lois Culver, widow
    of actor Howard Culver, this is the place to be on Thursday night for
    real-time OTR talk!

    Our "regulars" include OTR actors, soundmen, collectors, listeners, and
    others interested in enjoying OTR from points all over the world. Discussions
    range from favorite shows to almost anything else under the sun (sometimes
    it's hard for us to stay on-topic)...but even if it isn't always focused,
    it's always a good time!

    For more info, contact charlie@[removed]. We hope to see you there, this
    week and every week!

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

    Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:44:14 -0500
    From: Mark Wuellner <mwuellne@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  New Show Celebrating the Golden Age - The Old
     Time Radio   Express
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    Hello friends,

    Looking for more OTR to listen to?  There's a new 1-hour radio show on Sunday
    nights, at 7pm EST called "The Old Time Radio Express".  You can hear us at
    the 7pm hour on [removed], or anytime through our website
    [removed], where each past episode is available for
    listening or download at your convenience.

    On "The Old Time Radio Express" I not only play shows from the golden age of
    radio, but also offer conversation, trivia and other tidbits about OTR.

    Check out our show from this past Sunday, February 14th on
    [removed] as we celebrated a certain comedian's birthday,
    and mark your calendar to listen in this coming Sunday at 7 EST on
    [removed] as we put on our fedora and trenchcoat and listen to
    some great radio detectives.

    Thank you for your support!  Email me directly or leave me a message on the
    blog if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions!

    Mark Wuellner
    Host, The Old Time Radio Express

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    Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:44:20 -0500
    From: Rob Chatlin <rchatlin@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Jack Benny TV show

    My local PBS station recently began airing the Best of Jack Benny,
    my first exposure to his TV program.

    So far, Rochester and Don Wilson are in most of them, and a good
    handful also feature Dennis Day, and Mary in just one.
    Did Phil Harris make any appearances?

    The most recent show "Jack fires Don" had a party scene with Remley,
    and I'd be curious to know if that was the real Remley.

    rob

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

    Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:45:19 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  2-17 births/deaths

    February 17th births

    02-17-1871 - Donald Brian - St. John's, Canada - d. 12-22-1948
    singer, actor: "The Philco Hour"
    02-17-1881 - Arthur Judson - d. 1-28-1975
    executive: Founder of the Columbia Broadcasting System
    02-17-1888 - William Balhatchet - d. 2-3-1971
    singer: WHT Chicago, Illinois
    02-17-1889 - H. L. Hunt - near Vandalia, IL - d. 11-29-1974
    established Facts Forum which produced radio programs
    02-17-1897 - Ben Alley - West Virginia - d. 2-8-1970
    singer: (the Golden Tenor) "Melody Lane"; "Sweethearts Of the Air"
    02-17-1897 - Harry Tugend - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-11-1989
    writer: "The Fred Allen Show"
    02-17-1905 - Kuda Bux - Kashmir, India - d. 2-5-1981
    magician: "Believe It or Not"
    02-17-1906 - Virginia Mansfield - Covington, KY - d. 2-16-2001
    singer: "Andy and Virginia"; "Turn Back the Clock"
    02-17-1907 - Charlie Spivak - Kiev, Ukraine - d. 3-1-1982
    orchestra leader: "Bill Stern Colgate Sports Newsreel"; Million Dollar
    Band"
    02-17-1908 - Staats Cotsworth - Oak Park, IL - d. 4-9-1979
    actor: Casey "Casey, Crime Photographer"; David Farrell "Front Page
    Farrell"
    02-17-1908 - Walter "Red" Barber - Columbus, MS - d. 10-22-1992
    sportscaster: (The Old Redhead) "Schaefer Star Revue"
    02-17-1910 - Marc Lawrence - NYC - d. 11-28-2005
    actor: "Let George Do It"; "This Is Your FBI"; "Scout About Town"
    02-17-1910 - Mark Hawley - New Jersey - d. 9-5-1986
    announcer: Guy Lombardo's New Year's Eve broadcast
    02-17-1911 - Orrin Tucker - St. Louis, MO
    bandleader: "Orrin Tucker and His Orchestra"; "One Night Stand"
    02-17-1912 - Clifford Evans - Senghenydd, Wales - d. 6-9-1985
    Producer and director on Welsh radio
    02-17-1914 - Arthur Kennedy - Worcester, MA - d. 1-5-1990
    actor: "Best Plays"
    02-17-1914 - Larry Douglas - Philadelphia, PA - d. 9-15-1996
    actor, singer: "Here's to Romance"
    02-17-1914 - Wayne Morris - Los Angeles, CA - d. 9-14-1959
    actor: "Radio Reader's Digest"; "NBC university Theatre of the Air"
    02-17-1915 - Norman Thomson - Massachusetts - d. 2-3-2000
    actor: (Founding member of "Meercury Theatre) "The War of the Worlds"
    02-17-1919 - Kathleen Freeman - Chicago, IL - d. 8-24-2001
    actor: California Artists Radio Theatre"
    02-17-1921 - Ken Platt - Lancashire, England - d. 10-2-1998
    comedian: "Fanfare"; "Worker's Playtime"; "Hit the Road"
    02-17-1923 - Buddy De Franco - Camden, NJ
    bandleader: "Glenn Miller Orchestra"
    02-17-1924 - Margaret Truman - Independence, MO - d. 1-29-2008
    coloratura: "The Big Show"; "The Railroad Hour"; "Authors in the News"
    02-17-1924 - Mel Welles - NYC - d. 8-19-2005
    worked as a radio disc jockey before moving to Hollywood in the 1950s
    02-17-1925 - Hal Holbrook - Cleveland, OH
    actor: Grayling Dennis "Brighter Day"
    02-17-1929 - Patricia Routledge - Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
    actor: "Saturday Play"
    02-17-1941 - Gene Pitney - Hartford, CT - d. 4-5-2006
    singer: "Voices of Vista"
    02-17-1948 - Blanquita Cullum - Ventura, CA
    talk show host: "BQ View"; "Live from the Capitol"
    02-17-1949 - Don Scardino - NYC
    actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
    02-17-1962 - Lou Diamond Phillips - Subic Bay Naval Station, Philippines
    actor: "Twilight Zone"

    February 17th deaths

    01-10-1896 - Frances Lockridge - d. 2-17-1963
    writer: "Mr. and Mrs. North"
    02-12-1904 - Joseph Kearns - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 2-17-1962
    actor, host: Melvyn Foster "A Date with Judy"; Man in Black "Suspense"
    03-13-1908 - Paul Stewart - NYC - d. 2-17-1986
    actor: Gyp Mendoza "Life Can Be Beautiful"; Richard Rogue "Rogue's
    Gallery"
    03-15-1904 - Verree Teasdale - Spokane, WA - d. 2-17-1987
    actor: (Wife of Adolph Menjou) "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"
    03-17-1901 - Alfred Newman - New Haven, CT - d. 2-17-1970
    composer, conductor: "Hollywood Star Time"; "Radio Hall of Fame";
    "Silver Theatre"
    05-01-1919 - Dan O'Herlihy - Wexford, Ireland - d. 2-17-2005
    actor: Nicholas Lacey "One Man's Family"
    06-17-1922 - Jerry Fielding - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 2-17-1980
    conductor: "Hardy Family"; "Jack Paar Show"; "You Bet Your Life"
    07-16-1906 - Asakusa Ichimaru (Mitsue Goto) - Japan - d. 2-17-1997
    singer: "Mitsukoshi Calendar of Songs"
    07-17-1905 - William Gargan - Brooklyn, NY - d. 2-17-1979
    actor: Martin Kane "Martin Kane, Private Eye"; Barrie Craig "Barrie
    Craig, Private Investigator"
    09-15-1876 - Bruno Walter - Berlin, Germany - d. 2-17-1962
    conductor: "Salzburg Music Festival"; "Word from the People"; "New
    York Philharmonic"
    10-15-1918 - Bob Sherry - Chattanooga, TN - d. 2-17-2003
    announcer: "Archie Andrews"; "Author Meets the Critics"
    11-20-1887 - Eck Robinson - Delaney, AR - d. 2-17-1975
    fiddler: "Three Fidders"
    11-26-1908 - Lefty Gomez - Rodeo, CA - d. 2-17-1989
    baseball pitcher: "Information Please"
    11-27-1881 - C. Mildred Thompson - Atlanta, GA - d. 2-17-1975
    historian, educator, feminist: "Information Please"
    12-31-1884 - Georgette Harvey - St. Louis, MO - d. 2-17-1952
    female bass singer: "New World A' Coming"; "Free Company"
    xx-xx-1848 - Uncle Jimmy Thompson - Baxter, TN - d. 2-17-1931
    fiddler: WSM carried a 2-hour program of his fiddling

    Ron

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

    Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:46:46 -0500
    From: Larry Gassman <lgsinger@[removed];
    To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Jim Harmon

    Hi,
    I got a note from Jerry Williams earlier this evening.
    We lost Jim Harmon last night, Have talked with Barbara and her
    daughter has been with her so she has some support but it would be
    nice if we all let her know that we care.
    No other details as of now, she is making arrangements tomorrow.
    Jerry

    [ADMINISTRIVIA: I was fortunate enough to finally meet Jim at [removed] only
    regret is that I didn't have more time to spend with him and Barbara.  --cfs3]

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

    Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:48:47 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Jim Harmon, [removed]
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    The Old-Time Radio community lost a good friend the other night. Jim Harmon, a
    legend in prose, passed away. For anyone who is scratching their head, Harmon
    wrote a ton of short stories for science-fiction magazines, and only the luck
    of the draw policy prevented any of his stories from making the X-MINUS ONE
    program. But they should have. In 1967, he published THE GREAT RADIO HEROES
    which to this day, is considered a milestone for reference books about
    old-time radio. Prior to that book, there was nothing really published that
    truly documented old-time radio through interviews and newspaper articles. Not
    only was he the first to do any sort of real research, but his smooth prose
    offered his generation a chance to revisit feelings of nostalgia. For almost
    two decades following, his book was perhaps the only real effort to preserve
    radio. Most magazine articles by other authors that followed were marred by
    feelings of nostalgia and contained little or no research -- they simply
    consulted Jim's book and reprinted the facts he himself researched and dug up.
    Few acknowledged his book as their reference source.

    For his achievements, some in the hobby considered him a legend -- perhaps so
    far as to consider him a God. I got to know Jim more with each passing
    calendar year. Initially it was letters through snail mail, which he joked was
    worth the postage stamp when you consider delivery cost about a penny a day.
    Modern technology eventually put us in touch via e-mail, with communication
    more frequent. He personally asked me to contribute to one of Bear Manor
    Media's IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN books and when I discovered that he changed my
    story with a few revisions, I was at first shocked. But I quickly realized
    that he improved it for the better. During the past year we finally got to
    meet face to face. Not once, but twice. The first was at the SPERDVAC
    Convention in North Hollywood in May 2009. We had breakfast together (photo on
    [removed], click on the contact page if you want to see what Jim Harmon
    looked like), participated on a panel, and he wasn't afraid to teach this
    youngster a few things about the writing biz. He also wasn't afraid to tell me
    which people in the hobby, in his opinion, were known as users and crooks and
    while he kept friendly with them, he tried to avoid them whenever possible --
    a human fallacy we all possess more or less which means he was down to Earth
    and as human as you and I. At the Friends of Old-Time Radio Convention in
    October 2009, Jim and I had lengthy conversations and he got to tell his
    hilarious George W. Trendle story at the close of the GREEN HORNET
    presentation. The audience roared with laughter when he finished, then
    applause. I kept telling a few people at FOTR that a legend arrived on Friday
    but it took a bit of coaching to explain who Jim Harmon was. I was surprised
    that his name didn't perk up a few ears and convince people to bring their
    copies of THE GREAT RADIO HEROES to the convention and I wondered if maybe
    people didn't see him as legendary as I do.

    When Terry and I finished our GREEN HORNET book a few months ago, I told him
    that we had to dedicate the book to Jim Harmon. After all, Jim was the very
    first person to write anything about the HORNET and have it published. It was
    his book that everyone referenced. Terry agreed and my only regret is that he
    didn't get to see the surprise that was in store for him because the book
    isn't due to arrive at our doorstep for another two weeks. If only time was on
    our side.

    If Jim is riding a spaceship beyond the solar system now and exploring the
    galaxies he imagined for the pulps in the 1950s, I have no doubt the it's
    being fueled by recordings of Tom Mix, Green Hornet, Lone Ranger and Jack
    Armstrong. Legends deserve that kind of farewell party.

    Martin Grams

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    End of [removed] Digest V2010 Issue #31
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