Subject: [removed] Digest V2005 #93
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 3/23/2005 5:32 PM

To: [removed]@[removed]

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2005 : Issue 93
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Soupy Sales at Pie-asco               [ "Kathy O'Connell" <oconnell@[removed] ]
      Idelson and Archie Andrews in Seattl  [ HRRMIKES@[removed] ]
      Re: Lindbergh trial coverage          [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
      Tanglefoot                            [ "jazmaan@[removed]" <dmf273@ya ]
      Bergen book                           [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
      3-24 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Why Do You Listen To OTR?             [ "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed] ]
      Edgar Bergen book                     [ "David Ballarotto" <balla@earthlink ]
      WTIC's Golden Age of Radio            [ "Bob Scherago" <rscherago@[removed]; ]
      Naples Daily News OTR Article         [ seandd@[removed] ]
      RE: why do you listen to OTR?         [ "Chris Fung" <marvinpgaye@[removed] ]
      Re: The Phil Harris-Mahlon Merrick S  [ "Brian L Bedsworth" <BrianLBedswort ]
      Lucky Strikes                         [ udmacon@[removed] ]
      No Rest for the Wiki                  [ Bhob <bhob2@[removed]; ]
      'Some ask, "why?"; I ask, "Why not?"  [ skallisjr@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 12:51:28 -0500
    From: "Kathy O'Connell" <oconnell@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Soupy Sales at Pie-asco

    First, the oldtime radio connection:  Soupy has appeared at several Friends
    of Oldtime Radio Conventions in Newark in the past couple of years.  He and
    his fabulous wife Trudy have a wonderful time connecting with fans and
    reconnecting with old friends.  I know they're looking forward to October
    and this year's convention.
    Also, like just about everyone who helped create television as we know it,
    Soupy started his career in radio.  In Cincinnati.

    Soupy's health limits his appearances these days.  In the fall, he's at the
    FOTR, and in the Spring, he's in Ocean City, New Jersey.

    Soupy's next big appearance will be at "Pie-asco," an annual tribute to
    Soupy put together by the folks in Ocean City, New Jersey.  In a nutshell:
    It's a bunch of people hitting themselves with pies.  The following week is
    the 20th annual Doo-Dah Parade in Ocean City, where Soupy will appear as
    well.  Carol Channing is scheduled to be the Grand Marshall.
    In January, Soupy received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  A splendid
    time was had by all.  And, if you see me at FOTR in October, I won't have to
    be asked twice to show photos from the event as well as Soupy's exhibit at
    the Hollywood Museum not far from his Star.
    Anyway, here's the information about Pie-asco for those folks who might like
    to spend a day at the Jersey Shore covered in shaving cream.  I'll be near
    Soupy, keeping as pie-free as possible.
    Kathy O'Connell

    PIE-ASCO KICKS-OFF WEEK
    OF DOO DAH EVENTS IN OC
    OCEAN CITY, [removed] --- The Great Ocean City Pie-In-The-Face Pie-Asco will
    kick-off a week of 20th Anniversary Doo Dah events on Sat., April 9.
    Legendary comedian, Soupy Sales, will preside over the ceremony which
    consists of friends, neighbors and complete strangers hitting themselves in
    the face with pies.

    The pies are the shaving cream variety, the kind Soupy used on his popular
    network TV show. The procedure is simple. Pie enthusiasts sit in grandstands
    in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terr. When Soupy gives the
    signal, participants smoosh each other in the face with the pies.

    The smooshing is not without its rewards. All who are plastered receive a
    certificate signed by Soupy certifying they participated in the Pie-Asco.

    The presence of uniformed bakers from Wards of Ocean City will give the
    event a smidgen of authenticity. Wards will supply the pie plates and its
    bakers will fill them with just the right amount of cream for the creaming.

    Ocean City Hawks Cheerleaders will give the Pie-Asco some oomph. They will
    deliver an original cheer before the plastering to psych-up those in
    attendance. Not that they will need any encouragement.

    To register for this unique Ocean City offering, contact the Public
    Relations Office,
     609-525-9300, stop at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave. or email
    mtsoifer@aol.

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:18:27 -0500
    From: HRRMIKES@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Idelson and Archie Andrews in Seattle
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    Of course, not in the same show. But, fans should know that the Seattle OTR
    convention (REPS Radio Showcase) will feature these and many other special
    people.

    Bill Idelson, Rush on Vic & Sade,   is not a regular convention guest and
    brings some very fresh perspectives on the Golden Age along with his
    impressive
    career in television.   There will be two Vic & Sade episodes, with one being
    something never heard before.   Whether you're a fan of V & S or not, this
    promises to be a real highlight.

    Original cast members Bob Hastings, Hal Stone and Rosemary Rice have agreed
    to do a very funny Archie Andrews. Of course, they will appear in other shows
    during the weekend.   The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound also have 15
    uncirculated Archie shows to launch at the Showcase.   Two of the original
    disks from
    which they came will be autographed by the cast and put in the great silent
    auction.

    The Radio Showcase will be held on June 24-25 at the popular Seattle Center,
    near the Space Needle.   Details on the rest of the program, guests and
    registration can be found at ([removed]).   Information also can be
    obtained by
    writing Mike Sprague at (hrrmikes@[removed])

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:18:55 -0500
    From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Lindbergh trial coverage

    On 3/23/05 12:12 PM [removed]@[removed] wrote:

>     Does anyone know if there are any recordings of the coverage of the Lindberg
>     kidnapping trial?

    The actual trial testimony itself was not broadcast, but approximately
    five hours worth of recordings do survive of the nightly trial summaries
    and analysis by attorney Samuel J. Leibowitz. These summaries were
    broadcast each night of the trial over WHN New York, and airchecks were
    made for Leibowitz on uncoated aluminum discs. Those discs remained in
    the hands of the Leibowitz family until 2003,  when they were donated to
    the Museum of Television and Radio in New York. Audio transfers of these
    discs may be heard at the MTR locations in New York and Los Angeles.

    Elizabeth

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:19:03 -0500
    From: "jazmaan@[removed]" <dmf273@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Tanglefoot

    My wife and I like to listen to spooky OTR at bedtime.  Last night was our
    first hearing of the
    "Tanglefoot" episode of Quiet Please.  That was CREEEEEPY!  Next to "The
    Thing On the Fourble
    Board" I'd say that's the creepiest QP I've heard.

    I wonder if "Tanglefoot" was ever remade on radio, TV or film?

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:24:28 -0500
    From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Bergen book

    Ryan ("OzRadio") requests

>     I have not found any
>     references to a good Bergen biograpy. Can anyone point
>     me to published works on the lives of these two men?

    I don't believe Edgar Bergen ever wrote his autobiography, but his
    daughter, Candice (aka "Murphy Brown") wrote of her growing up in the
    Bergen household in her 1984 book, "Knock Wood" published by Linden
    Press. While a somewhat out-of-kilter childhood is described, it still
    will provide some insight into the great ventriloquist.

    Jack French
    Editor: RADIO RECALL
    [removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:24:47 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  3-24 births/deaths

    March 24th births

    03-24-1867 - Harry Neville - Launceston, Tasmania, Australia - d.
    1-25-1945
    actor: Mr. Fielding "The O'Neills"
    03-24-1885 - Joseph Granby - Boston, MA - d. 9-22-1965
    actor: Mead Connors "We Are Always Young"
    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-xx-1980
    writer: "Young Doctor Malone"
    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"
    03-24-1928 - 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

    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"
    03-20-1922 - Ray Goulding - Lowell, MA - d. 3-24-1990
    comedian: "Bob and Ray Show"
    04-01-1914 - Philip Yordan - Chicago, IL - d. 3-24-2003
    screenwriter: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    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"
    11-15-1881 - Franklin Pierce Adams - Chicago, IL - d. 3-24-1960
    panelist: "Information Please"
    11-22-1907 - Howard Petrie - Beverly, MA - d. 3-24-1968
    announcer: "Jimmy Durante Show"; "Judy Canova Show"
    --
    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:25:07 -0500
    From: "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Why Do You Listen To OTR?

      In response to Keith Dabney's question I like to listen to OTR because it
    brings me back to a time I can barely remember because I was only 9 years
    old when we bought our first television when the radio was largely forgotten
    so now I can listen to thousands of shows I missed due to us living in a one
    network town so we completely missed the shows on the other networks.
      We need to keep OTR alive because we can pass on to younger people the
    ability to use their imagination and can picture in their own minds what the
    characters on the shows looked like. I have listened to about 600 shows in
    the last two years and always look forward to hearing more shows I have
    never heard before. It is encouraging so many of the younger generation have
    the same love for OTR that I have.
    Andrew Godfrey

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:25:21 -0500
    From: "David Ballarotto" <balla@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Edgar Bergen book

    Oz Radio was asking about a book on Edgar Bergen.  Candice's book called
    "Knock Wood" which came out around 1984, while mostly an autobiography,
    does give an extensive background on Edgar, his career and so on.  Plus,
    there are many wonderful photographs of Charlie & Mortimer joining the
    Bergens in normal activities of life.  Highly recommend it.

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:25:35 -0500
    From: "Bob Scherago" <rscherago@[removed];
    To: "Old Time Radio" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  WTIC's Golden Age of Radio

    The current two "WTIC's Golden Age of Radio" programs
    with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran, can be heard at

    [removed]

    Program 24 - March, 1972

    Dick and Ed interview Shirley Eggleston,  the radio actress
    who appeared in "Counterspy", "Whispering Streets" and
    "A Crime Letter from Dan Dodge, among others.

    Program 25 - April, 1972

    Fran Allison, Aunt Fanny on "The Breakfast Club," is featured.
    Ms Allison is perhaps best remembered for her TV show,
    "Kukla, Fran, and Ollie."

    In the 1970's Dick Bertel created "The Golden Age of Radio"
    for WTIC in Hartford, CT. The idea came to Dick after he
    interviewed radio collector-historian Ed Corcoran a few
    times. It was first broadcast in April, 1970; Ed was his
    co-host.

    For the next seven years the program featured interviews
    with radio actors, writers, producers, engineers and
    musicians from radio's early days. In addition, each
    show featured excerpts from Ed's collection.

    Bob Scherago
    Webmaster

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:25:51 -0500
    From: seandd@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Naples Daily News OTR Article

    This article on OTR and nostalgia published recently in the Naples (FL) Daily News.

    Sean Dougherty
    SeanDD@[removed]

    [removed],2071,NPDN_14922_3642985,[removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:26:24 -0500
    From: "Chris Fung" <marvinpgaye@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  RE: why do you listen to OTR?

    Off Topic Note: I don't know how to reply directly like others so this is
    the best I could do

    On Topic:

    I agree with you Keith on your reasons for liking OTR. As I said in my first
    ever posting i'm only 25 but i'm very fascinated by OTR. I remember as about
    10 or so years ago a local radio station had an OTR block on Sunday nights.
    They would air THE SHADOW and X-MINUS ONE and I really enjoyed listening to
    it. I find that radio programming back then really exercised the mind. I
    think that OTR allows one to open up their imagination and to envision a
    totally new world.

    While some of the material may be dated it's still highly entertaining and
    engrossing. I've been listening to the archives of Jerry Haendiges' net
    programming and I must say i've loved every single program that i've heard
    so far. I find the comedies to be quite funny and it's refreshing to hear
    humour that isn't laden with sexual innuendos. Some people may say that OTR
    is too hokey and such but I find it entertaining nonetheless.

    I think that many actors today would falter if they ever attempted radio
    acting as it's more about inflection, tone of voice and prescence which is
    something that's sorely lacking in the visual medium.

    I don't know how big the OTR community is but I hope it stays strong for
    years to come as we need to treasure the creativity and ingenuity of those
    good ol' days.

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:26:55 -0500
    From: "Brian L Bedsworth" <BrianLBedsworth@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: The Phil Harris-Mahlon Merrick Show!

    By all accounts I've come across, the Harris orchestra as it was constituted
    on the Jell-O and Grape Nuts programs was, in fact, the same Harris
    orchestra with which Phil toured (or made [removed] stands as house band)
    from the latter half of the 1930s until the outbreak of WWII.

    After all, if this were not the Harris orchestra as a unit on the Benny
    show, why then would that entire orchestra have left the program at exactly
    the same time that the Harris orchestra joined the Merchant Marine en masse
    in 1942? Why then was nearly the entire orchestra returned to the program
    the following year when the above-age members of same were mustered out?

    Certainly, Harris himself was not an arranger. (Few of the swing-era
    bandleaders below the first-tier level were.) It's hardly inconceivable,
    then, that Merrick was on staff by the late 1930s to work with the Harris
    ensemble in that capacity.

    It's also not unlikely that, by 1946, with Harris married, raising a family,
    no longer touring as a bandleader, and focused on his career as a solo
    recording artist and his new Fitch sitcom-headlining gig (which required him
    to leave the Benny studio somewhere between the twelve- and fifteen-minute
    marks in order to make it to his own show on time in the days before
    widespread acceptance of transcriptions), a fairly harried Harris had given
    creative control over the band entirely to Merrick, and that the band itself
    only existed as an entity as an adjunct to the Benny program. (Which would
    explain why the real Frank Remley had so much free time during the summer to
    travel with Benny: the only "regular gig" Remley [or Bagby, or Sammy, et al]
    had by the end of the War, with the "Harris orchestra" merely part of the
    Benny show's mythos rather than a performing concern, was the one on Sundays
    at 4 [and again at 8:30].)

    It would also make sense that Merrick was the actual bandleader by the time
    Bob Crosby came around. After all, Crosby had his own band (with its own
    daily program, recording contract and touring schedule) -- but that band
    did -not- supplant the "Harris orchestra" despite the 1952 cost-cutting move
    that saw Harris depart the Benny program.

    So, my best guess for a timeline might be this:

    1936-42: Merrick is either hired as or gradually moves into the position of
    sole arranger for the Benny program. (Dennis Day claimed in interviews that
    Merrick was already established with the show when he arrived; Phil Harris,
    on the other hand, claimed that Merrick was initially hired solely to work
    with Day on the vocal number.)

    1943-45: Harris gradually moves out of being a professional bandleader as
    other responsibilities take up his time and attention. Merrick becomes de
    facto bandleader for the show.

    1946-51: Merrick becomes Benny's "musical director" and functions (mostly
    off-mike) as the in-studio conductor. Harris' contributions to the program
    during this period are entirely as a comic actor (and occasional vocalist).
    (Aside in re Lucky Strike era commercials: In interviews, Harris always
    maintained that the Sportsmen had their own arranger and that neither he nor
    Merrick had anything to do with those segments, aside from playing the
    arrangements as given to them.)

    1952-55: Bob Crosby assumes Harris comedic duties while Merrick retains
    musical control over the show. As Crosby's duties with his 'real" band
    require more frequent absences from the show, Merrick begins to make more
    appearances on-mike as musical director, but not enough that any real
    comedic persona is established for him.

    And I'm probably completely wrong. :)

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:27:30 -0500
    From: udmacon@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Lucky Strikes
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     Other Lucky Strike slogans, probably not used on the Jack Benny show, were:
    "reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet" (and didn't THAT get the candy
    industry into a hissy fit!), and "Lucky Strike Green is off to War" (when
    they switched to the white package to, allegedly, conserve green ink during
    WWII).

    BILL KNOWLTON: "Bluegrass Ramble," WCNY-FM ([removed]) Syracuse, WUNY ([removed])
    Utica; WJNY ([removed]) Watertown NY. On the web: [removed]. Sundays: 9 pm to
    midnight EST (since 1973) 315-457-6100

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:28:30 -0500
    From: Bhob <bhob2@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  No Rest for the Wiki
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from text/html

>     What I would suggest instead would be that someone set up an OTR
>     version of [removed] If you are not familiar with Wikipedia, this
>     is an online encyclopedia authored by its users. Anyone can easily
>     add, modify, or correct [removed] Mistakes could be corrected as soon
>     as they were [removed] we as OTR collectors could simply make a
>     commitment to start visiting Wikipedia and entering information
>     there.

    I agree, and since I proposed this same notion in the OTR DIGEST several months
     ago, contributors have increased the number of OTR show descriptions on Wikipe
    dia to more than 100. Wikipedia's OTR page, introduced three years ago, has bee
    n expanding ever since. Wikipedia's OLD-TIME RADIO page: [removed]
    g/wiki/Old-time_radio

    What is needed now are corrections of mistakes on the first 100 shows and anoth
    er 100 new show descriptions added to the alphabetical list. Any name or item l
    isted in red means that's a blank page waiting to be filled.

    Wikipedia, in only four years, is the world's largest encyclopedia. They sent o
    ut a press release last week to celebrate reaching the 500,000 mark of entries
    in English. Note link in press release that leads to public domain audio files
    on Wikipedia, obviously something that will take on a greater meaning in the fu
    ture: [removed]:Press_releases/March_2005

       Lengthy WIRED article about Wikipedia and Wikipedians:
       [removed]
       Bhob @ VINTAGE NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS @
       [removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:30:54 -0500
    From: skallisjr@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  'Some ask, "why?"; I ask, "Why not?"'

    Keith Dabney asks,

>     What are the reasons we need to articulate to keep the art of OTR
>     alive, to share with others the enjoyment that is available in
>     abundant and relatively inexpensive quantities?

    Well, I grew up with he medium.  "Nostalgia" for those shows I used to
    listen to, and perhaps a kind of homesickness for the medium.  However, I
    didn't hear Speed Gibson until the 1970s, and the Jack Armstrong Sulu Sea
    adventures the same.  The shows were entertaining, and I've listened to
    that Jack Armstrong adventure more than once.  Speed Gibson is another
    matter, though.  The show is a tad strange, seeing as the Barney Dunlap
    was killed rather gorily (though offstage) yet reappeared some months
    later, hale, hearty, and his resurrection completely unexplained.

    Some individual shows were burned in my memory, such as in the Phil
    Harris show where he and Frankie Remley are serenading Julius Abbruzio's
    girlfriend's pet dog, and the Our Miss Brooks show where  lady frog was
    smuggled into Madison High for McDougal, Mr. Boynton's frog, and Hop
    Harrigan being trapped in a runaway wind tunnel (part of the "wailing
    witch" sequence).  I'll listen to any Mr. Keen show for the quirky
    campiness, and Brace Beemer The Lone Ranger shows for their feel of
    history.

    But why articulate it?  Just enjoy!

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #93
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