------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2007 : Issue 94
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Shadow episode [ Dan <teac35@[removed]; ]
Re: THE GREEN HORNET [removed] [ jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns) ]
OTR Singer Dies [ Richard Pratz <[removed]@[removed]; ]
The Green Hornet and The Shadow [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Re: Julius La Rosa [ Michael Hayde <mikeh0714@[removed]; ]
Birds? [ "RadioAZ@[removed]" <radioAZ@bas ]
Wanted First Nighter [ Tony Baechler <tony@[removed]; ]
Re: Groucho: live or tape? [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
3-24 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
You Bet Your Life [ "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@attorneyross. ]
LBJ swearing-in [ "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@attorneyross. ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:14:28 -0400
From: Dan <teac35@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Shadow episode
The other day I was talking with a friend who had
told me that there is an episode of The Shadow where
he had to enter a building (as the shadow) that had a
automatic door (much like grocery stores today)
outfitted with an electric eye.
I am curious if such a show exists. If so, what would
the title be?
Many Thanks!
Dan
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:37:48 -0400
From: jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: THE GREEN HORNET [removed]
In the script that was kicking around for years--
The one that apparently was going to serve at least as the basis for the
ultimately nixed George Clooney movie--
An interesting element was that it opened with a Lone Ranger sequence in
the old West--
But without metioning the Ranger, or Tonto, by name!
(Presumably, because the film rights to the RANGER, were held by another
entity.)
Most of the rest of the screenplay was essentially unremarkable, with,
as I recall, some confusing action sequences, and too much of a pat
[removed]
I'm sure HORNET fans are familiar with the BLACK MASK movie (was that
the title?), of a few years ago, now in heavy rotation again, on cable.
It was interesting in that the star was dressed very much like Kato--
Whom you got to see in an abundance of "modern" action sequences.
Jim Burns
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:38:01 -0400
From: Richard Pratz <[removed]@[removed];
To: "OTR (Plain Text Only)" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR Singer Dies
OTR singer Carol Richards died March 16, 2007 of heart disease in Vero
Beach, Florida. Born Carol June Vosburgh June 6, 1922 in Harvard, Illinois,
she is best remembered for the recorded version of the Christmas classic
"Silver Bells" she made with Bing Crosby. Her [removed] Times obit mentions she
regularly appeared on Don McNeill's Breakfast Club, but she was also heard
on other radio programs including The Pepsodent Show starring Bob Hope, The
Bing Crosby Show, The Martin & Lewis Show, The Lux Radio Theater, the Chase
& Sanborn Hour starring Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy and others. Ms.
Richards also found work dubbing the singing voices for stars in several
movie musicals. She was 84.
Rich
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:48:20 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Green Hornet and The Shadow
Jim Widner commented about the screen rights licensed to Columbia/Sony.
There has been an attempt to bring THE GREEN HORNET to the big screen for
the past decade (possibly more) with Universal taking the helm for a large
number of years. I have two film scripts that were written and never
produced, one on a silly merit and the other quite well. The version that
might have had George Clooney as Brit Reid and Jet Li as Kato would have
been excellent.
Kevin Smith, a comic book fan about my age or a couple years younger (the
silent Bob from Jay and SIlent Bob) had been working on a screen version of
THE GREEN HORNET for some time but the folks at the studio didn't like his
ideas and he's no longer involved with the project. (Of course, we can all
name movies the studios butchered from the original material - cough, cough,
WILD WILD WEST, cough, cough)....
As for THE SHADOW, there has been some reports that Universal is optioning
to do a second screen version and a different take on the invisible crime
fighter (much like they did a different take on BATMAN recently -
recommended by the way). So cross your fingers that a second rendition
comes to light.
I do have a question for any SHADOW authorities (if they know the answer).
I was going through an old magazine from the 1970s and there was an
announcement that a SHADOW TV pilot has been filmed and was due to air on TV
but apparently it never aired on network television. I know nothing about
this other than what was in print (and what I typed is all I know) so does
anyone know anything about this?
Martin
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:50:09 -0400
From: Michael Hayde <mikeh0714@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Julius La Rosa
Concerning Julius LaRosa's personal website, Frank
McGurn wrote:
This web site is Julius's own story and his
conclusion is that Godfrey is /was not a nice
man. He was fired on the air.
To this I would simply say that LaRosa, like any
performer, recognizes the value of publicity.
I heard that broadcast
Arthur said in essence that Julius was
to big for britches and had lost
his humility.
I, too, have heard that broadcast - a couple of years
ago, Jack French played it for the Metro Washington
OTR Club. It is exactly as Lee Munsick described it
in his recent post - no more, no less. The "lost his
humility" comment, as Lee noted, came a day later when
reporters caught Godfrey in a foul mood. It was all
over the press for the next several days. (I'd even
say several YEARS. I have a 1956 TV GUIDE where, in
discussing that year's crop of "little Godfreys", the
article's headline lets us know that they have
"Humility Galore.")
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 21:36:41 -0400
From: "RadioAZ@[removed]" <radioAZ@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Birds?
I just received a new catalog from Radio Spirits and it is offering a set
called Scariest Shows Ever. Included in the contents, says the ad, is the
Lux Radio Theatre from July 20, 1953. The title of the show? The Birds.
IMDb only list one movie by that title, and of course it was the Alfred
Hitchcock classic from 1963--ten years later.
The Lux Logs do show that The Birds was indeed done on that date. It
starred Herbert Marshall.
What movie was Lux doing in 1953?
Ted
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 21:37:45 -0400
From: Tony Baechler <tony@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Wanted First Nighter
Hi all,
It's been a long, long time since I've posted here. I'm years worth
behind on the digest. I'm posting here because I really need to find
a show as soon as possible and I really hope someone hear can
help. I asked a dealer and he couldn't help me. I don't want mp3 at
all. I would prefer audio CD or open reel but I would take cassette
if I had to. Probably reel is the best for me right now since I'm
equipped to transfer it to digital and do restoration. I am willing
to trade if necessary although I would rather buy or borrow. I've
just recently got a bunch of really nice musical programs transferred
for trade including some Bing Crosby Chesterfield shows.
I'm looking for any episodes of The First Nighter from 1940 or
earlier. My grandpa will be turning 80 years old in April and he
remembers watching the show live in Chicago when he was growing
up. He was in the audience. We narrowed the date range down to
around 1940. I think I remember hearing a show from that year but it
was in compressed audio and I no longer have it. The dealer is long
out of business. I would ideally like to find two shows to fit on a
CD but I'll take what I can get. If someone has a stash of 1930's
and early 1940's shows, that would be wonderful! I would prefer the
best quality possible but again I'll take what I can get as long as
it isn't mp3, RA, or other compressed audio. If you have raw wave
files, I can provide an ftp upload server. I can provide samples of
my trading material on request. I no longer trade in mp3, only audio
CD and wave files.
Thanks to anyone who can help or give me any leads. I really need
these shows as soon as possible so I can get them transferred and put
on CD by his birthday. I'm not really equipped to handle cassette
but I'll work with it if I have to. I really appreciate any help with this!
[removed] I have been reading _Suspense, Twenty Years of Thrills and
Chills_, 1st edition. I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't
have it. It's an outstanding reference with lots of history and trivia.
- ---------
Tony Baechler
Baechler Productions
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 21:38:11 -0400
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Groucho: live or tape?
Well, I will have to admit that I believe I read about the live shows in
two places. The first was an interview with John Guedel in the Freedonia
Gazette in 1981 (at least I thought I read it [removed] don't have that
issue, so I am trying to verify through some other sources), and the
second source and maybe not as reliable is that John Dunning talks about
live shows early on. I know there are errors that pop up in Dunning,
but I suspect he is also responsible for those comments to appear
throughout the web.
I am hoping I will get some confirmation from the Guedel interview, but
it was years ago that I read it, so I cannot say for sure that was where
I saw it.
If anyone has input, I would certainly welcome it. I appreciate the
cross-checking. Meanwhile I'll keep checking my sources.
Jim Widner
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:40:29 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 3-24 births/deaths
March 24th births
03-24-1867 - Harry Neville - Launceston, Tasmania - d. 1-25-1945
actor: "Sherlock Holmes"; "John's Other Wife"
03-24-1885 - Joseph Granby - Boston, MA - d. 9-22-1965
actor: Mead Connors "We Are Always Young"
03-24-1895 - Paul Specht - d. 4-11-1954
bandleader: Made very first broadcast of dance Music 9-20-1920 WWJ
Detroit
03-24-1902 - Sir Lancelot - Cumuto, Trinidad, West Indies - d. 3-12-2001
calypso singer: "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy"
03-24-1902 - Thomas E, Dewey - Owosso, MI - d. 3-16-1971
presidential candidate: "Jack Benny Show"; "Racketbusters Roundtable"
03-24-1906 - Julian Funt - d. 4-8-1980
writer: "Young Doctor Malone"
03-24-1910 - John V. Ambrose - d. 11-7-1995
sportscaster: WTAG Worcester, Massachusetts
03-24-1910 - Richard Conte - Jersey City, NJ - d. 4-15-1975
actor: "Theatre Guild On the Air"; "Hallmark Playhouse"; "Hollywood
Star Playhouse"
03-24-1915 - Bill Bivens - Wadesboro, NC - d. 1-15-1984
announcer: "Fred Waring Show"; "Vox Pox"
03-24-1918 - Bill Aya - d. 10-xx-1985
sportscaster: KEVE Seattle, Washington
03-24-1928 - Sue Bennett - Indianapolis, IN - d. 5-8-2001
vocalist: "Your Hit Parade"
03-24-1928 - Vanessa Brown - Vienna, Austria - d. 5-21-1999
panelist: "Quiz Kids"
March 24th deaths
01-10-1882 - Olive Higgins Prouty - Worcester, MA - d. 3-24-1974
writer: "Stella Dallas" based on Prouty's novel without her approvals
02-03-1910 - Nelson Case - Long Beach, CA - d. 3-24-1976
announcer: "Hour of Charm"; "New Carnation Contented Hour"
02-08-1828 - Jules Verne - Nantes, France - d. 3-24-1905
pioneering science fiction writer: "Mercury Theatre"; "This Is My Best"
03-08-1891 - Sam Jaffe - NYC - d. 3-24-1984
actor: "Fannie Hurst Presents"; "New World A-Coming"; "Cavalcade of
America"
03-10-1927 - Dick Alarie - d. 3-24-2000
sortscaster: WPCT Putnam, Connecticut
03-20-1922 - Ray Goulding - Lowell, MA - d. 3-24-1990
comedian: "Bob and Ray Show"
03-21-1893 - Aileen Stanley - d. 3-24-1982
vocalist: (The Victrola Girl) "RCA Thesaurus Music Hall Varieties"
04-01-1914 - Philip Yordan - Chicago, IL - d. 3-24-2003
screenwriter: "Lux Radio Theatre"
04-26-1907 - Holland Engle - Wheeling, WV - d. 3-24-1988
announcer, emcee: "Ladies Fair"; "Variety Fair"
05-18-1893 - Jean Goldkette - Patras, Greece - d. 3-24-1962
bandleader: "The Studebaker Champion Program"
06-17-1914 - John Hersey - Tientsin, China - d. 3-24-1993
author: "Bell for Adano"; "Hiroshima"
07-30-1914 - John Meston - Pueblo, CO - d. 3-24-1979
writer: "Gunsmoke"; "Escape"; "Fort Larmie"
08-04-1890 - Carson Robison - Near Chetopa, KS - d. 3-24-1957
singer: "Eveready Hour"; "Dutch Masters Mimstrels"
10-26-1904 - Igor Gorin - Ukraine, Russia - d. 3-24-1982
singer: "The Voice of Firestone"
11-15-1881 - Franklin Pierce Adams - Chicago, IL - d. 3-24-1960
panelist: "Information, Please"
11-22-1906 - Howard Petrie - Beverly, MA - d. 3-24-1968
announcer: "Jimmy Durante Show"; "Judy Canova Show"
xx-xx-1901 - Clyde Kittell - Bemus Point, NY - d. 3-24-1955
announcer: "Hello Peggy"; "Name Three"
Ron Sayles
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:43:21 -0400
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: You Bet Your Life
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Groucho: live or tape?
I also thought Groucho's show was transcribed in advance from the very
beginning, and that's actually why it started out on ABC, because they
were the most tolerant network of pre-recorded series at that point.
According to director Robert Dwan in "As Long As They're Laughing,"
John Guedel took the pilot transcription to all three networks (not
Mutual?) and were turned down. Then he got Elgin American interested
in sponsoring the show, and Elgin bought the time on ABC because it
was the least expensive of the networks.
Arthur Marx, in "Life with Groucho," says the same and adds that
Groucho and Guedel were disappointed to be on ABC, "a nationwide
network, but one that was finding it difficult to capture listeners
from the other two." But they went with what they could get.
On the recording issue, Dwan says that in 1947, it was the rule at
all three networks (again, what about Mutual?) against broadcasting
recorded programs. There were some exceptions, and one was Bing
Crosby. According to Dwan, when Groucho signed to go on ABC, "Guedel
was in the network offices the next morning. If Crosby could record,
why not Groucho?" Dwan says that Guedel wasn't so worried about
scandalous or dirty material as he was afraid that Groucho might get
so entranced with talking to the guests and telling old Vaudeville
jokes that he wouldn't get around to playing the quiz game. He says
that the first show was recorded on acetate records three days before
it was scheduled to be broadcast. It lasted an hour and had to be
edited down.
Arthur Marx says that before Groucho agreed to go through with the
show, he insisted on two conditions: (1) that the quiz had to be
completely honest, and (2) that the show should always be
transcribed, even if a sponsor bought it. Groucho, according to his
son, felt it was foolish and even dangerous to put an ad lib show on
the air live because you couldn't tell what a contestant might say,
and Groucho himself often said things which he later regretted.
Getting the history right in all its details isn't easy, especially
when it's 60 years later. The people who are still alive to remember
don't always remember with complete accuracy (for example, Arthur
Marx says the pilot transcription was done at NBC, while Dwan and
other sources say CBS). And documentary evidence may be missing or
ambiguous.
Which is why, when Jim Widner a few days ago said that the early "You
Bet Your Life" shows were done live, I asked him where he got his
information from. I've never heard this before, but if he's got some
new (to me) information about this, I want to know about it.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:43:32 -0400
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: LBJ swearing-in
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:43:26 -0400
From: "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed];
No that's not all. You will notice in the picture there is a
dictating machine microphone. The audio of the oath was recorded on a
Dictabelt that is now in the LBJ Library.
I was referring to photography or video of the swearing-in, but I
should have been clearer. I remember hearing the Dictabelt recording
played on the radio.
--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed]
15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax [removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503 [removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2007 Issue #94
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