Subject: [removed] Digest V2007 #227
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 8/5/2007 8:58 PM

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

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2007 : Issue 227
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Suspense                              [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      j. desmond                            [ EDWARD CARR <edcarr@[removed]; ]
      8-5 births/deaths                     [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
      Radio SEAC?                           [ "Don Jensen" <dnjkenosha@[removed]; ]
      Jack Armstrong                        [ "Jim Nixon" <ranger6000@[removed] ]
      Suspense DVD Set                      [ mikerrigan@[removed] ]
      Heinlein on radio                     [ "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@attorneyross. ]
      Radio or TV - why not both - and mor  [ Ken Greenwald <kgradio@[removed]; ]
      building collection                   [ "Frank Green" <jfgreen@[removed]; ]
      Suspense TV series now on DVD         [ "Charles Salt" <charles_salt@hotmai ]
      Heinlein on TV                        [ "[removed]" <asajb2000@ ]
      On the [removed]                     [ Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 22:33:43 -0400
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Suspense

    Joe Webb asked:

>     The Kandy Tooth episode is somewhat of an enigma. It had already been done
>     on the Spade series, so why do it on Suspense? Were they short a script and
>     this was an easy way out? Did the Spade series need the extra promotion?

    The SPADE program didn't "need" any extra promotion, but every little bit
    helps.  Director Spier was very good friends with Kearns, Tuttle, Duff, etc.
    so he wanted to get his friends a little extra pocket money.  The fact that
    two half-hour scripts were already written and could easily be made into an
    hour-long broadcast (thus reusing the scripts) was a benefit.  Also, with
    Robert Montgomery as host, they were able to sneak in a Philip Marlowe
    in-joke.

    Joe Webb asked:

>     I have not found any background on this part of the Suspense run and why
>     their decision to go with the hour format was made, and why they cut it off
>     and started the half-hour shows again in July.

    Roma Wines dropped sponsorship in late 1947.  CBS felt the programming was
    promising enough to gain a new sponsor, so they continued the program for
    four weeks in the half-hour format as a sustainer.  [removed] the station footed
    the bill.  They went to an hour-long format, from my assumption, because
    William Spier insisted on it.  When the series gained a new sponsor,
    Auto-Lite, the hour-long feature was dropped as the contract with Auto-Lite
    stated a half-hour broadcast time slot.

    Webb also comment:

>     Tony Leader was better at selecting "suspenseful" scripts than Spier, who
>     obviously had a different vision for the series.

    Every director had their own vision and so wide a variety that the SUSPENSE
    program was different styles.  Some people like the Auto-Lite episodes,
    others loved the Anthony Ellis 1955-56 seasons.  I personally feel the Anton
    M. Leader season 1948-49 was the best.

    Martin

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 22:34:00 -0400
    From: EDWARD CARR <edcarr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  j. desmond

    good evening
    i am to pass on the thanks of diane desmond for all the help you have given
    her, she is johnny's daughter
    and she also said in case, that aunt fanny on the don
    McNeill show was fran allison of kukla, fran and ollie.
    edcarr@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 22:34:08 -0400
    From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  8-5 births/deaths

    August 5th births

    08-05-1882 - General Hugh S. Johnson - Ft. Scott, KS - d. 4-15-1942
    militarist (Old Ironpants) 15 minute commentary thrice weekly on NBC
    08-05-1887 - Reginald Owen - Wheathampton, England - d. 11-5-1972
    actor, writer: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    08-05-1890 - Al Goodman - Nikopol, Russia - d. 1-10-1972
    orchestra leader: "Fred Allen Show"; "Al Goodman's Musical Album";
    "Your Hit Parade"
    08-05-1905 - Wilbur Evans - Philadelphia, PA - d. 5-31-1987
    singer:"Vicks Open House"; "Stars from the Blue"
    08-05-1906 - Allen C. Anthony - Buffalo, NY - d. 5-10-1962
    announcer: "Dr. [removed]"; "Dr. [removed], Jr."
    08-05-1906 - John Huston - Nevada, MO - d. 8-28-1987
    actor, writer: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    08-05-1908 - Don Albert - d. 3-4-1980
    orchestra leader: WGN Chicago, Illinois 1935
    08-05-1911 - David Brian - NYC - d. 7-15-1993
    actor: Mr. District Attorney "Mr. District Attorney"
    08-05-1911 - Robert Taylor - Filley, NE - d. 6-8-1969
    host, actor: "Good News of 1938"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Plays for
    Americans"
    08-05-1912 - Lew Valentine - San Benito, TX - d. 6-20-1976
    quizmaster: Mennen Jury Trials"; "Dr. [removed], the Mental Banker"
    08-05-1914 - Anita Colby - Washington, DC - d. 3-27-1992
    actor: "Radio Hall of Fame"
    08-05-1914 - Parley Baer - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 11-22-2002
    actor: Chester Wesley Proudfoot "Gunsmoke"; Doc Clemmens "Rogers of
    the Gazette"
    08-05-1915 - Peter Lisagor - Keystone, WV - d. 12-10-1976
    chicago daily news [removed] bureau chief: "Meet the Press"
    08-05-1917 - Don Stanley - Stoughton, WI - d. 1-20-2003
    announcer: "Advs. of Nero Wolfe"; "Out of the Deep"; "The Saint"
    08-05-1918 - Tom Drake - Brooklyn, NY - d. 8-11-1982
    actor: "Harold Lloyd Comedy Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Proudly
    We Hail"
    08-05-1920 - Selma Diamond - London, Ontario, Canada - d. 5-14-1985
    writer: "Big Show"
    08-05-1924 - Eddie Brandt - Chicago, IL
    writer: "The Spike Jones Show"

    August 5th deaths

    02-03-1933 - Suzan Ball - Jamestown, NY - d. 8-5-1955
    actor: Intermission Guest "Lux Radio Theatre"
    02-09-1904 - Carmen Miranda - Lisbon, Portugal - d. 8-5-1955
    singer: "Hello Americans"
    02-11-1906 - James Jewell - d. 8-5-1975
    writer, actor director: "The Lone Ranger"
    02-15-1914 - Roland Kibbee - Monongahela, PA - d. 8-5-1984
    writer: "The Fred Allen Show"
    02-21-1893 - Ernest Whitman - Fort Smith, AR - d. 8-5-1954
    actor: Bill Jackson "Beulah"; Roustabout "Circus Days"
    02-26-1921 - Clarice Blackburn - San Francisco, CA - d. 8-5-1995
    actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
    04-02-1914 - Alec Guinness - London, England - d. 8-5-2000
    actor: "Kaleidoscope"
    04-23-1879 - Talbot Mundy - London, England - d. 8-5-1940
    writer: "Jack Armstrong, The All-American Boy"
    06-01-1926 - Marilyn Monroe - Los Angeles, CA - d. 8-5-1962
    actor: "Hollywood Star Playhouse"; "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"
    06-04-1918 - Howard Culver - Colorado - d. 8-5-1984
    actor: Steve Adams/Straight Arrow "Straight Arrow"; "Free lance"
    06-19-1901 - Frederic Tozere - d. 8-5-1972
    actor: Stephen Dallas "Stella Dallas"
    08-10-1910 - Sigmund Miller - d. 8-5-1998
    writer: "Inner Sanctum Mysteries"
    08-20-1881 - Edgar Guest - Birmingham, England - d. 8-5-1959
    poet: (Poet Laureate of Radio) "Edgar Guest in Welcome Valley"; "It
    Can Be Done"
    11-09-1899 - Mezz Mezzrow - Chicago, IL - d. 8-5-1972
    jazz clarinetist: "BBC Jazz Session"; "For Your Approval"; "Americana"
    11-10-1925 - Richard Burton - Pontrhydfen, South Wales - d. 8-5-1984
    actor: Readings of poetry, plays and school programmes for the BBC
    11-17-1916 - Frank Maxwell - The Bronx, NY - d. 8-5-2004
    actor: Uthas P. Garvey "Colonel Humphrey Slack"
    11-20-1916 - Judy Canova - Stark, FL - d. 8-5-1983
    comedienne: "Paul Whiteman's Musical; Varieties"; "Charlie McCarthy
    Show"; "Judy Canova Show"
    11-21-1920 - Ralph Meeker - Minneapolis, MN - d. 8-5-1988
    actor: "Crime Does Not Pay"
    11-27-1916 - Chick Hearn - Buda, IL - d. 8-5-2002
    sportscaster: "Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts"; "Los Angeles Lakers play-by
    play"
    12-05-1912 - Hans Wolf - Hamburg, Germany - d. 8-5-2005
    conducted operas and symphonies for radio
    xx-xx-1916 - Walter Gorman - d. 8-5-1972
    director: "Road of Life"; "Young Dr. Malone"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 22:35:54 -0400
    From: "Don Jensen" <dnjkenosha@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Radio SEAC?

>     Readers of the Digest in the UK might like to know that Issue 51 of  Tune
>     into Yesterday is now back from the printers and will be posted out to
>     ORCA members later in August. Articles in the new issue include
>     'Recollections on the Golden Age of BBC Radio', 'Radio SEAC Re-Visited'....
>     --Graeme Stevenson  Editor : Tune into Yesterday  ORCA / UK

     I wonder how many Stateside OTR fans even know what Radio SEAC was?
    Few, probably, unless they also are fans of old time SHORTWAVE radio, as I
     have been since age 11 (and even I can't claim to have been around to
     actually have heard SEAC circa WWII and shortly thereafter. . . though I
     arrived on the SW scene in 1947!)   Radio SEAC was a military forces radio
    broadcaster widely heard by troops in  the China/Burma/India area -- and
    indeed, thanks to shortwave, around the world -- transmitting, as I recall,
    from Ceylon (today's Sri Lanka).
    --Don Jensen

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

    Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 01:30:50 -0400
    From: "Jim Nixon" <ranger6000@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Jack Armstrong

    To Eunice Newport-Arbeiter, who recalls Jack [removed]
    Yes, of course we all remember Jack [removed] [removed]
    ARMSTRONG, the [removed] Boy!  "Wave the flag for Hudson High, boys,
    show them how we stand, ever shall our team be champions, known throughout
    the land!"
    Back in the days before ESPN, Hudson High must have had one heck of a good
    team to be known throughout the land.  Only Notre Dame could make that claim
    then, and that was because of Grantland Rice!

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

    Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 01:31:57 -0400
    From: mikerrigan@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Suspense DVD Set
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    Hello, I've just watched the first two episodes contained in the recently
    released Suspense television show DVD collection #1 and found two of the
    topics in today's digest to be of particular interest.  Andy Blatt mentioned
    that < TV in its infancy had a distinct disadvantage [vs Radio] because it
    was very expensive to try to simulate .. and try to convey the same thing
    that radio allowed you to do (of your own device).  In the early 1950's, the
    budgets of most TV stations was not very impressive and the production values
    suffered because of the expense of TV ...>  I've long thought that Suspense
    was one of the best produced OTR shows.  I couldn't help but think about this
    while watching the first episode entitled "A Night At The Inn" which aired on
    4/26/49.  The DVD collection contains filmed kinescope masters.  Given its
    run in the early days of television, I wasn't surprised or disappointed with
    the production values of this episode but found the dialogue and acting to be
    well b
    elow the standards of the Suspense radio show.  The quality of the second
    episode "Dead Ernest" was better but still weak at times.
    Joe Webb wrote the following about the Suspense radio program <The run from
    July 1948 to 1951 is my favorite, and I think the best of the [removed];  These
    TV episodes aired during the period that Mr Webb considers the best. Does
    anyone on the list remember their thoughts upon seeing the TV show relative
    to their radio experience?  Although quality movie production values were
    well established by this time, I suspect many people were still thrilled at
    the ability to view programs each day in their homes and may not have been
    very critical of early TV shows quality including the acting.  (Similar to my
    early web experience of enjoying web-casts of baseball games from the other
    coast - despite the frequent buffering delays).  Although I've only watched 2
    of the 30 episodes contained in the collection I'm glad I purchased it.  Not
    only am I now able to experience the TV version of this great radio show, but
    I get to see the "charm" of early television as I many years ago began to
    experi
    ence the wonders of OTR.  Does anyone know of other large collections of OTR
    related early TV shows available?  I have a collection of various shows but
    would love to see a collection containing many/all of episodes of shows like
    "Our Miss Brooks" and "Life Of Riley"

    Mike Kerrigan

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    Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 01:32:43 -0400
    From: "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Heinlein on radio

>     Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 10:48:08 -0400
>     From: "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed];

>     Here is the list from that site:

>         Green hills of earth / CBS radio workshop, 7/21/57
>         Green hills of earth / X minus one, 2/23/75

    That date may be the date of a rerun performance.  Around that time
    NBC was running reruns of X Minus One just to maintain trademark
    rights in the name.  I don't know how many affiliates actually
    carried the show at that time, but WCOP in Boston did.  Green Hills
    was originally on X Minus One on 7/7/55.

>     Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 14:58:57 -0400
>     From: jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns)

>     Heinlein was also involved--more as a consultant, I think--with the
>     development of TOM CORBETT, SPACE CADET.

    It's never been entirely clear how much he actually consulted.  He
    wrote a novel, =Space Cadet=, which apparently provided the
    inspiration for the TV series, but I think they just paid him for use
    of the title and idea.  And perhaps also one character.  The head of
    the academy in Heinlein's novel is Commodore Arkwright.  In the TV
    series, it was Commander Arkwright.  No other character names seem to
    have come from Heinlein's novel.

    --
    A. Joseph Ross, [removed]                           [removed]
     92 State Street	                                  Fax [removed]
    Boston, MA 02109           	         [removed]

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

    Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 01:33:53 -0400
    From: Ken Greenwald <kgradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Radio or TV - why not both - and more?

    Hello, everyone!
    Andy Blatt made some comments about the difference between television and
    radio, and I quote:

>     TV programs have a disadvantage over radio. You no longer fill in the blanks
>     and imagine in your mind's eye what someone looks like or the entire scenario
>     or appearance of the places you hear about on the radio. TV in its infancy
>     had a distinct disadvantage because it was very expensive to try to simulate
>     or imitate and to try to convey the same thing that radio allowed you to do
>     (of your own device). In the early 1950's, the budgets of most TV stations
>     was not very impressive and the production values suffered because of the
>     expense of TV and also because it was of its time and special effects and
>     simpler, cheaper, easier ways of doing things had not yet been perfected.
>     Live broadcasts were done and when something was recorded it was done either
>     on film or kinescopes.

    I may be stirring up a nest of hornets here, but I want to comment on the
    distinction between these two mediums:
    Even though many here distain TV, it is, in itself, a wonderful medium. As
    good in its way as radio is in its way. What we are dealing with here in TV
    is what we NOW perceive as a terrible medium compared to radio. It really
    isn't. It's just not being used correctly.
    There was a time when radio began dying and television took over. In the
    process, just like radio, there was constant fumbling and mistakes - out of
    which new knowledge came on just how to use the TV medium. By the late 1960s
    we had most of the radio writers and some of the radio directors putting
    together shows that were awesome. Though I agree with most of what Andy says,
    we are forgetting that such writers as Reginald Rose, Paddy  Chayefsky,
    Harlan Ellison, Blake Edwards and others were writing for such illustrious
    programs as The Kraft Theater, Playhouse 90, The Desilu Playhouse, Studio One
    etc., out of which we got brilliant plays, some of them made into feature
    films (12 Angry Men). While there were the run of the mill shows being
    broadcast and kinescoped, there were all sorts of experiments (starting in
    the 50s) by such as Edward R. Murrow and independent producers hitting the
    airways. If radio (as we remember it) was alive then, I am sure some of these
    shows would have been adapted for radio. But radio was dead and only TV and
    motion pictures remained.
    I remember well that Playhouse 90 would air a play that was sensational and
    everyone would wait to watch The Desilu Playhouse come on later to see if
    they could TOP Playhouse 90. (And visa, versa) There was a creative rivalry
    between many of the special shows airing on television. There was one
    Playhouse 90 where they did Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," starring
    Roddy McDowall, Oscar Homolka, and Boris Karloff. What was amazing about the
    production was that 7 (that's seven) cameras were used on the set! The show
    was brilliant --- and in a medium where you didn't have to imagine a thing.
    There is nothing wrong with having everything laid out for you visually and
    aurally - if it is done well and is exciting to watch.
    And don't forget Your Show of Shows and The Sid Caesar Hour. Brilliant comedy
    --- good enough to rival such greats as Benny, Durante and more.
    Our problem NOW with TV is formula, formula and more formula. Formula makes
    it easy to shoot TV (it's consistently the same) and that makes it easy to
    bring in a lot of money, money, money!
    That's where it's at now. So most people who love radio and complain about TV
    are correct in doing so, because who has the time to wade through all the
    crap we are fed on TV just to find a few gems. In this day and age we don't
    have the time. It is much easier to pick up on a radio series one loves than
    to sift through TV shows.  If I could get my hands on some of the great TV
    shows I would love to watch them again, just as I listen to certain radio
    series over and over.
    RADIO and TELEVISION are distinctly different mediums. Just as MUSIC,
    THEATER, COMIC BOOKS, MOVIES, OPERA AND PAINTING are ALL different. Does it
    mean they are any the less wonderful than radio?
    Here I believe we can have our cake and eat all of it!

    Ken Greenwald

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

    Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 11:15:34 -0400
    From: "Frank Green" <jfgreen@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  building collection
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    I have been into OTR for several years and usually get my shows from one or
    two people.  I am interested in building my collection and adding some less
    well known shows.  I am also am interested in anything from the WWII era. Can
    anyone give me the names of some companies or individuals that can help me.
    I still use mainly cassettes.  I do know about Radio Spirits.
                                           Thanks
                                           Frank Green
                                           Poquoson VA

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    Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 11:24:59 -0400
    From: "Charles Salt" <charles_salt@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Suspense TV series now on DVD

    Just wanted to let everyone know that a collection of the Suspense
    television show version is now available on DVD from Amazon:

    [removed]
    _bbs_sr_1/104-8772899-0885561?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1186320949&sr=1-1

    I am not connected to Amazon or the DVD company in any way - I just didn't
    want any readers to be in the dark on this. I hope that if there is
    sufficient demand for this DVD set then the company will release more sets
    of the series.

    [ADMINISTRIVIA: This set is also available from Barnes and Nobel, a
    brick-and-mortar bookseller on the Web that spams less than Amazon. Also, if
    you visit B&N using this URL:

    [removed];lkid=J128717
    47&pubid=K118267

    ...we receive a few cents of your purchase price as commission to help
    support the Digest, website, and other OTR-related services. So while you're
    there, pick up a book or two, too.  ;)  --cfs3]

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

    Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 11:46:05 -0400
    From: "[removed]" <asajb2000@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Heinlein on TV
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    According to an article in the NY Daily News, ABC is finally airing a
    four-episode series that I have heard called The New Outer Limits.  ABC has
    buried it, Saturdays at 10 pm and unfortunately I have missed the first one
    (someone please let me know if you happened to tape the first episode on
    Saturday, August 4).  Anyway, one of the installments is a Heinlein story.
    Since a thread existed about Heinlein stories airing on radio, I thought this
    would be a good time to mention the series.

      Here's the url for the newspaper article:

      [removed]

      Needless to say, I will be watching the remaining three episodes.

      Andy Blatt

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

    Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 14:18:35 -0400
    From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  On the [removed]

    Folks;

       A reminder that "It's Higgins, Sir!" is presently being distributed by
    request on the podcast available at the Nostalgic Rumblings blog at
    [removed] - and I'm asking for other requests for programs
    not normally found on podcasts on the Net. I don't guarantee I have
    everything (no, Terry, I don't have the complete New York run of "I Love a
    Mystery;" I hear some millionaire is hoarding those in an underground vault
    in Texas *), but if I have it, I'll play it on the podcast.

       I'm also looking for local programs to run [removed] you have any local
    (non-network) programming on any media you'd like to share with everyone on
    the Digest, please drop me a note.

             Charlie

    * Tongue-in-cheek referencing an urban legend; please don't email me thinking
    there really is such a guy.  --cfs3

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2007 Issue #227
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