------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 220
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Bob Hope Recognized by National Revi [ Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed] ]
The World's Greatest Novella [ Wich2@[removed] ]
I let you down? [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
boone and godfrey [ Jer51473@[removed] ]
Circle City [ "Jody Davis" <baroygis@[removed]; ]
the man who loved dickens [ "Kurt E. Yount" <blsmass@[removed]; ]
Orson Welles [ "Kurt E. Yount" <blsmass@[removed]; ]
Indianapolis 500 and Eddie Sachs [ "Robert W. Paine" <macandrew@prodig ]
Dickens on Radio [ Philipmarus@[removed] ]
Re:Let George Do It [ "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed] ]
Re: Bob Hope [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
Re: Just The Facts [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
Full Gallop [ Derek Tague <derek@[removed]; ]
Re: Let George Do It [ rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed] ]
Ed Begley [ "Don Frey" <alanladdsr@[removed] ]
Mariah Carey [ "Don Frey" <alanladdsr@[removed] ]
Re: Billie the Brownie [ "[removed] George" <yourstruly@[removed]; ]
Ed Begley, Inherit the Wind, & Halls [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
Nightfall [ passage@[removed] ]
May 31st birthdays [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 20:18:27 -0400
From: Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Hope Recognized by National Review
National Review Online ran a very nice tribute to Bob Hope today, available
here:
[removed] .
I do take issue with the writer's position on how influential Hope was as a
comedian - particularly with the idea that he and not Jack Benny was best
known for hiring a team of writers and recognizing their work. The article
also unfairly lumps Benny into a group of comedians doing exaggerated comedy
based on stereotypes when Hope was doing sophisticated political humor. Um,
if the byplay between Jack and Rochester was somehow less sophisticated than
Hope's stooging around with Jerry Colona, I'd like to hear the argument.
It is pretty cool that the writer made reference to Hope's radio show as a
central part of his career when so many of these tributes only cover the
movies and camp visits.
All in all a good article for OTR fans on a day when there will be a lot of
them.
Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 21:27:46 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The World's Greatest Novella
From: FMazzar771@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
does anybody have a list of or know where i can go to find a list of radio
shows based on charles dickens [removed] assume that the Christmas Carol
and Tale of Two Cities and David Copperfield are obvious
Frank Thomas
Dear Frank, & [removed]
Well, though I yield to no one in my fondness for the Mercury/Barrymore
CAROL, my group did one seven years ago; in fact, it was our first production
- much thanks to list member Max Schmid! It was a labor of love, and most
listeners have heard the love in [removed]
(By the by, said group is rehearsing our very first golden age recreation -
the wartime homefront serial HASTEN THE DAY -for the book publication party
of yet another lister, Howard Blue).
And that group is -
Quicksilver Radio Theater.
Best,
Craig Wichman
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 22:15:57 -0400
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: I let you down?
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Roby McHone wrote:
I can't believe that no one mentioned the most easily recognized voices in
radio, all stars from the same series: Jack Benny, Don Wilson, Mary
Livingston Benny, Eddie-Rochester-Anderson and my favorite (whose name I
can't spell) Bea Benaderit. Laura, you let me down on this one.
Gosh, I'm sorry. I thought the question was about very recognizable voices
who were *unknown* to the average listener. I'll argue a bit with Bea
Benaderet, [removed]! Who played Mabel and who played Gertrude? I
think it
will be mostly hardcore fans that will know that Gertrude was played by Bea,
since the two voices were rather similar. I've also had people hear Sara
Berner
and claim it was Benaderet, just because they heard the same sort of nasal
Brooklyn sound.
But I'll try to be sharper next time.
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 22:58:37 -0400
From: Jer51473@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: boone and godfrey
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I remember pat on the show very well. Im probably wrong, but i dont remember
him as being on very long and its seems to me that that he wasnt present
every day of his run. It also seems to me that pat was already a pretty well
know
figure when he joined godfrey. I remember him singing "tuitti fruitti" on the
show and i think i already had his version on record as well as little
richards version. I first remember boone as he appeared on ted macks amateur
hour, as
an unknown of course, and ill always remember mack introducing him as a
direct decendent of daniel boone. That was interesting to me as my
grandmother was
a boone and from the same town as pat. We never researched the issue though.
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 23:20:20 -0400
From: "Jody Davis" <baroygis@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Circle City
Now that we're discovering we have fewer than 6 degrees of separation from
Indianapolis, allow me to toss in my two cents. I wasn't born there, but I
was a consumer reporter in WTHR-TV's Troubleshooter Squad from 1986-89. I
consider those three years the best of my adult life. Indianapolis is a fun
town with friendly people.
I never got to meet any Indy 500 drivers, owners, or broadcasters when
covering the races during those years. Ironically, while working in New York
as an anchor on CNNfn in 1996-97, I had Mario Andretti as a guest on my show
for the entire half hour, and did field interviews with Michael Andretti and
Chip Ganassi. Because of my prior Indy connection, all three gentlemen
opened up considerably during the interviews, and were very amiable.
Jody Davis
24-year broadcast journalist & OTR fan
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 00:06:12 -0400
From: "Kurt E. Yount" <blsmass@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: the man who loved dickens
As I am sure somebody told you already the story is by (I am an English
major, but I am still not sure) Evelyn Waugh. Great story, and
diabolical, like you wouldn't believe. Kurt
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 00:06:31 -0400
From: "Kurt E. Yount" <blsmass@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Orson Welles
If everybody wants to go the first Columbia Workshop, to the play about
the men in the mines, I think you will hear an uncredited Orson Welles.
If you haven't heard it in a while, listen to it again. A bit over the
top, but so was Orson, and he was young then, too. Kurt
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 01:59:58 -0400
From: "Robert W. Paine" <macandrew@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Indianapolis 500 and Eddie Sachs
I well remember that 500 - the first I heard on radio and the year after I
went to the race.
It was Memorial Day, 1964 - the race was run ON Memorial Day then, except
when the holiday was on Sunday. I don't recall all the details but as either
the first or second lap was completed, Sachs and rookie Dave MacDonald, both
in the then-new rear-engined cars, came out of the fourth turn and down the
main stretch. Something happened - a spinout, perhaps - and the story was
that MacDonald's inexperience caused him to make the wrong choice. The
bottom line was that he cut in front of or left Sachs nowhere to go, and he
took the wall - hard. It was before the days of safety advances on fuel
tanks, and there was a huge fireball. The safety crew was unable to get
Sachs out in time. I still hear in my head the voice of Sid Collins on both
the IMS network and the track PA saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, Eddie Sachs
is dead." There was stone cold silence at the track, at least that's how I
recall it. I still get tears in my eyes when I think of it. MacDonald died
later in hospital. Sid Collins then gave a tribute to Sachs and
philosophized about the fragility of life.
Sid Collins later contracted AMS - Lou Gehrig's Disease. The story was that
he did not want to face the prospect of degenerations and diminishing
capabilities so, on May 2, 1977 he took his life. Paul Page assumed the
anchor spot. Somewhere I have the tape of that race. At the very start, Page
said something to the effect of "Before we begin the race, we switch to the
all-important Southwest (fourth) turn and Ron Carroll (?)", who then gave a
moving on-air eulogy to Collins. He ended with words to the effect that
despite the loss, Sid Collins would have wanted them to carry on in the
tradition of the Indy 500 broadcasts and that in spirit he would be cheering
them on.
The thing I miss about the race is that with increased speeds, there is less
time for features, recaps and other interesting items the slower speeds
allowed for.
My feeling is that both Paul Page and Bob Jenkins were very good successors
to Sid Collins, much better than I could have hoped for. I only wish that
the early races would be released on MP3 and made available for the fans.
Macandrew
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 02:00:29 -0400
From: Philipmarus@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Dickens on Radio
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The story "The Man Who Liked Dickens" (Liked not Loved) was written by the
British writer Evalen Waul (sic),. I Think it may have also been done on
Suspense as well.
Mike Kerezman
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 09:49:11 -0400
From: "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re:Let George Do It
Listened to another Let George Do It yesterday and Harry Bartell played a
cowboy named Jimmy Jones who after an accident with his horse had a fear of
riding horses. Every year he would appear at the orphanage but this year he
was worried about how he was going to appear without riding his horse
Thunderbolt. Won't go any further to avoid telling the ending.
A very good story and would recommend it to anyone.
Andrew Godfrey
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 09:49:25 -0400
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Bob Hope
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] wrote:
"Thanks for the mammaries."
I guess than one was a bust, but I wanna tell [removed]
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 09:51:00 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Just The Facts
On 5/29/03 8:42 PM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:
I just wanted to state
that I agree with those who think Elizabeth should
consider publishing a book about Amos and Andy.
Well, thanks for the vote of confidence -- and let's just say that I'm
not averse to the idea. If an overwhelming opportunity presents itself,
I'm certainly willing to be overwhelmed, but it would have to be on my
terms -- and I've been around the media long enough to know this isn't
likely to happen. I'm just not willing to let some ham-handed editor
muck about with my life's work -- I'd frankly rather give the work away
for free on the web, knowing it says exactly what I intend it to say in
exactly the way I intend to say it, if the only other option is to
publish it in a form which has been distorted or watered down to make it
more "salable."
Then too, I don't want to commit to putting my work between hard covers
until I'm confident that I've considered and explored the topic as
thoroughly, as accurately, and as completely as possible. Studying A&A is
like peeling an onion -- there's just layer after layer after layer, and
just when you think you've gotten to the center, some new information
appears that suggests there's even more to be learned. Once the work is
in print, it's fixed for all time -- but web publication gives me the
flexibility to add this new information, this new research as it becomes
available.
And, of course, there's still the attitude that things
found online can be suspect, while books-- especially
if they're carried in the local library, and thus have
been approved by people who know worthwhile books from
worthless ones-- are considered to be more reliable.
An unfortunate attitude, this. I can walk into any library or bookstore
and pull out any number of error-laden, distortion-filled volumes -- and
that's just on topics in which I have some level of knowledge. Even the
imprimatur of an academic press is no guarantee of accuracy -- I've found
sloppy factual errors, hopeless garblings of quotes, deliberate
falsification of sources, and even suggestions of plagiarism in
academy-published works discussing A&A. My years in journalism taught me
to be thoroughly skeptical -- but my experiences in researching A&A
taught me to be even more so.
Granted, I don't know how many people would buy the
book (though I would, at least), but I still think
it'd have a wider-reaching and more long-term impact
thn a website.
Possibly. But on the other hand, I've had over 36,000 hits on my A&A
website since I started counting two years ago, and I'd have to wonder if
a book on the same topic would ever possibly sell that many copies. I
admit, though, to being totally clueless as to the sales figures of a
typical OTR book.
People, however, don't want to believe what they were
orgininally taught was wrong or based on faulty or
incomplete information. Still, the only way to educate
people is to reach as many as possible.
I think the biggest compliment I've ever gotten in my life came from
Freeman Gosden's widow -- who told me "you're not afraid to take on a
subject that makes strong men run away in fear." I think that's a good
comment on history in general: we live in a world where preconceptions
too often takes precedence over fact -- and if the facts disagree with
preconceptions, then the facts must be wrong. And because of that, too
many writers are afraid to challenge those preconceptions in any
meaningful way. Too often "iconoclastic" books simply replace one set of
myths with another, depending on the ideology of the author and his or
her intended audience -- because that's what sells.
There's an awful lot of this in the OTR world -- think of how desperately
people hold onto such myths as the Uncle Don story, the Nelson Eddy
Tuneout, the "Decoder Ring," "The Lone Ranger Founded Mutual," "Arthur
Godfrey Fired Julius LaRosa Out Of Spite," and so forth, even though each
of these has been thoroughly debunked many times. There's a whole
fascinating psychology at work here, I think, in the way in which people
tend to cling to "facts" that aren't actually factual even when shown the
proof -- but that's a book for someone else to write.
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 09:51:41 -0400
From: Derek Tague <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Full Gallop
Hi Gang:
With all this talk about Frank Gallop, I thought I might add one of his
most enduring credits. Mr. Gallop was the narrator of the first Casper cartoon
for Paramount/Famous titled "The Friendly Ghost." As long as that cartoon
retains its public-domain status & keeps popping up on cheaply produced
cartoon video-tapes sold at discount stores, Frank Gallop's work is sure to
live on. Personally, I can't stand that infernal
little [removed] though the series provided work for such great OTR voice
people like the aforementioned Mr. Gallop, Jackson Beck, and, according to one
source book I have, Gwen Davies of "Let's Pretend" fame as the voice of Casper
sometime in the series' long run.
Secondly, I posit this query: is Mr. Gallop still alive?
Changing the subject a bit:
I saw in last Saturday's (05/24) NY Times an obituary for cartoon voice
artist Lionel Wilson, who provided all the voices for the "Tom Terrific"
TV-cartoon series of the 1950s. Did Mr. Wilson ever do radio?
"Tom Terrific" might've worked on radio if it wasn't so visual. I mean,
c'mon, "Crabby Appleton" is such a great comical name for a villain.
"Th-th-that's all from the ether!"
Derek Tague
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 09:51:55 -0400
From: rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Let George Do It
I've heard many, many, episodes of Let George Do It, and it's not a bad show
at all. I don't think it's anything extra-ordinary, but it's a pretty good
program. Well acted to be sure, though, in my opinion, the writing was a
little below the best detective programs of the time (Sam Spade, Philip
Marlowe). It's an interesting gimmick though. Reminds me quite a bit of Box
13, which I believe came a bit later down the line.
rodney.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 09:52:10 -0400
From: "Don Frey" <alanladdsr@[removed];
To: "otr message" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Ed Begley
Let us not forget that Ed Begley did win an Academy Award in 1962 for "Sweet
Bird
of Youth" -best supporting. His work in Inherit the Wind was on the stage.
After 700
plus performances in the Bryan role, he switched over to the Darrow part and
wowed audiences for 500 plus performances. He also created the character in
Arthur Miller's
All My Sons. When you think about it, the man really is under written about
from an otr standpoint. He was a consummate radio [removed] 2500
radio shows, according
to one [removed], yet had great success in stage and film. I could be
wrong (darn
right) but I can't think of any otr biggie who could top that trio of
notable work. Maybe
Everett Sloane? Agnes Moorehead? I don't think the volume of work in the
three
mediums matches Begley's though. A trivia fact: he was in the film version
of "Sorry,
Wrong Number."
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 09:58:09 -0400
From: "Don Frey" <alanladdsr@[removed];
To: "otr message" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Mariah Carey
Just saw this child on Today show. She was introduced as "the biggest
selling female
recording artist of all time." !!! Say it isn't so. Please, say it isn't
[removed] all time?!
Oh my goodness. Stop the world I want to get off! Surely Helen Traubel sold
more.
Kitty Kallen, possibly?
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 10:33:57 -0400
From: "[removed] George" <yourstruly@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Billie the Brownie
Try seeing if your local library has a copy of the cassette. If not, they
should be able to borrow one for you throught the Inter-Library Loan.
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 15:27:25 -0400
From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Ed Begley, Inherit the Wind, & Halls of Ivy
There's a photo of Ed Begley, Sr., and Paul Muni in
Inherit the Wind, from the original Broadway run, at
[removed] .
Apparently Begley played the William Jennings Bryan
role, and Muni the Clarence Darrow part (judging from
their physiques). (Tony Randall had the HL Mencken
character--this is only a few years after his
participation in the NY run of I Love a Mystery.)
Incidentally, the authors of Inherit the Wind, Jerome
Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, were the scriptwriters
(along with Don Quinn) of Ronald and Bonita Colman's
series "Halls of Ivy."
Kermyt
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 15:29:37 -0400
From: passage@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Nightfall
Hi All,
I received this query from Neil Marsh (Neil@[removed]).
- ---
I'm doing research for a book I'm writing about the CBC series
"Nightfall" and I've been checking with on-line OTR fans to see
if they can contribute any information about the series which
I may not have. I'm all ready in contact with several writers,
directors, producers and production personnel, but there is much
information out there which they will not necessarily know as
much about as a fan will. I'm interested in everything from
anecdotes to advertisements, newspaper articles to reviews.
Nothing is too trivial, especially when you consider how little
data there is that's readily available.
I've been invited, and am planning, to go to Toronto to do research in
the CBC's library later this year, but the more information I have
before I go, the more efficiently I believe I can work while I'm there.
- ---
If anyone can help this gentleman, please email him.
Frank
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 15:34:28 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: May 31st birthdays
The birthdays for May 31st are:
05-31-1893 - Albert Mitchell - Elsberry, MO - d. 10-4-1954
host: "The Answer Man"
05-31-1894 - Fred Allen - Cambridge, MA - d. 3-17-1956
comedian: "Linit Bath Club"; "Town Hall Tonight"; "Fred Allen Show"
05-31-1898 - Norman Vincent Peale - Bowersville, OH - d. 12-24-1993
preacher: "The Art of Living"
05-31-1900 - Hugh Studebaker - Ridgeville, IN - d. 5-6-1978
actor: Ichabod ‘Ichy' Mudd "Captain Midnight"; Silly Watson "Fibber McGee and
Molly"
05-31-1901 - Alfredo Antonini - Alessandra, Italy - d. 11-3-1983
conductor: "La Rosa Concerts"; "Treasure Hour of Song"
05-31-1901 - Joe Kelly - Crawfordsville, IN - d. 5-26-1959
emcee, quizmaster: "National Barn Dance"; "Quiz Kids"
05-31-1908 - Don Ameche - Kenosha, WI - d. 12-6-1993
actor, singer: John Bickerson "The Bickersons"; Captain Hughes "Jack Armstrong"
05-31-1931 - Barbara Whiting - Los Angeles, CA
actress: Judy Graves "Junior Miss"; Mildred "Meet Corliss Archer"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hometown of [removed] Kaltenborn and Spencer Tracy
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #220
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