Subject: [removed] Digest V2009 #175
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 9/13/2009 10:18 AM

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

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2009 : Issue 175
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      This week in radio history 13-19 Sep  [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      OTR books                             [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Just Mel, not Arthur                  [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]
      OTR For Kids                          [ Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed]; ]
      Re: Charlie Stumpf                    [ Jordan Young <jordanyoung50@sbcglob ]
      Re: Larry Gelbart                     [ Jordan Young <jordanyoung50@sbcglob ]
      Today's Talent                        [ Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed]; ]
      RE: Mel Blanc                         [ James Meadows <walthamus@[removed]; ]
      9-13 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Duffy's Tavern In Puerto Rico         [ "Joe" <jpostove@[removed]; ]
      Re: Mel Blanc                         [ "Eric N. Wilson" <easyew@threadapa. ]

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:30:58 -0400
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otr-digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  This week in radio history 13-19 September

     From Those Were The Days

    9/13

    1931   Vaudeville star Eddie Cantor was heard for the first time on NBC.
    The Chase and Sanborn Hour became one of the most popular radio shows of
    the 1930s.

    1937   The first broadcast of Kitty Keene, Inc. was heard on the NBC Red
    network.

    9/14

    1936   NBC presented John's Other Wife for the first time. Actually,
    John's other wife was not his wife at all. She was his secretary.

    9/15

    1934   NBC presented The Gibson Family to American audiences. The
    program was the first musical comedy drama to be broadcast. Ernest
    Whitman and Eddie Green were featured members of the cast and were
    billed as "network radio's only colored comedians." The show originated
    from the studios of WEAF in New York City.

    9/18

    1927   The Columbia Broadcasting System was born on this day in 1927.
    CBS broadcast an opera, The King's Henchman, as its first program.

    1948   The Original Amateur Hour returned to radio on ABC, two years
    after the passing of the program's originator and host, Major Bowes.
    Bowes brought new star talent into living rooms for 13 years.

    9/19

    It was just an average day in 1932, when Just Plain Bill was  first
    heard on CBS. It was "The real life story of people just like people we
    all know." The 15 minute show (Monday through Friday at 7:15 [removed]) was
    all about (just plain) Bill Davidson and his daughter, Nancy, who lived
    in (just plain) Hartville. Since Bill was the town barber, everybody
    came to him with their problems and Bill helped them straighten things
    out, until September 30, 1955, when NBC had "a better idea" and canceled
    it and several other day time shows to clear the way for its Weekday
    magazine, which lasted about two years and left the air.

    Instead of playing the usual organ, as a first, Hal Brown played
    harmonica and whistled the Just Plain Bill introduction music (Darling
    Nellie Gray). Hal also handled the closing theme (Polly Wolly Doodle) in
    the same manner.

    The show, created by Frank and Anne Hummert, who also came up with Mr.
    Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, Little Orphan Annie, Amanda of Honeymoon
    Hill, Front Page Farrell, John's Other Wife, Mr. Chameleon, Our Gal
    Sunday and many other radio dramas, later moved to NBC. Just Plain Bill
    chalked up over 20 years on the air. A few of the Just Plain Bill
    sponsors over the years were Kolynos toothpaste and Clapp's baby [removed]

    Joe

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:33:00 -0400
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  OTR books

>     Martin Grams says,

> >     Of the 25 plus books I read this year, this [Superman book] was one of
> >     the two best books of the year.

>     And Martin, the other one please?
>      ---Dan Hughes

    Dan,
    THE MYSTERY OF THE MASKED MAN'S MUSIC: A Search for the Music Used on "The
    Lone Ranger" Radio program, 1933-1954 by Reginald M. Jones, Jr.

    Terry Salomonson lent me his copy and at first I thought a book about music
    cues on radio shows was over the top, but it turned out to be a great read
    and I learned a lot about music for radio programs. It too comes recommended.
    Scarecrow Press, 1987.

    As for John Dunning's book being available on [removed] for $[removed], that is
    not surprising. There are a lot of people who, being the first to sell a book
    that no one is offering at a discount, attempt to mark it up. They never
    follow through with competing prices and it remains up there for 90 days
    unless it sells. Comes from the same (and few) vendors who believe that they
    are offering a bargain and complain 24-7 about why people don't buy their
    items.

    Dunning's book has been available for $25 on vendor tables at FOTR in past
    years. It's worth $75 and is truly the first stop source and a "start" when
    looking up anything old-time radio when seeking the basics.

    Martin

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:33:30 -0400
    From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Just Mel, not Arthur

    Lanny Gilbert ponders why Mel Blanc got voice credit in Warner
    Brothers cartoons, but not Arthur Q. Bryant (or others.) He suspects
    it may have been "a union thing."

    It's been a while since I read Mel's autobiography, but I think he
    explained how he started getting credits on his vocalizations with
    Warner Brothers cartoons. It had nothing to do with SAG or AFTRA. It
    came down to money (doesn't it always?) involving Mel's contractual
    payments for his voicing. He wanted a big raise; Warner Brothers
    refused, even a small raise.

    After much in-fighting, Warner Brothers finally offered to put his
    name in the credits, in lieu of a raise. Mel took it and he never
    lacked for work after that.

    Jack French
    Editor: RADIO RECALL
    <[removed]>

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:35:56 -0400
    From: Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  OTR For Kids

    Larry Moore asks,

>     I am cogitating on the possibility of a  summer reading program for kids
>     using a performance from OTR.  Are there  any suggestions from anyone who
>     may have done such a thing?

    My daughter Karen teaches at a high school for kids who have been thrown
    out of regular schools, and last year she had the kids record a Jack
    Benny radio episode.  They loved it!

    Karen typed up the script by listening to the show, and each kid got at
    least one part.  (Her classes are small).  They rehearsed in class a few
    times, then I brought in a couple of mics and a tiny Olympus stereo
    digital recorder
    ([removed]).

    They recorded the show, and I then edited out all the mistakes (what a
    job!), and we ended up with a pretty impressive program.

    You can then make CDs of the "broadcast" and give a copy to each kid.

    If you don't want to take the time to type a script from a recording of a
    show, here are some good-to-go scripts:

    [removed]

    Hope this helps!

    ---Dan, [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:36:06 -0400
    From: Jordan Young <jordanyoung50@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Charlie Stumpf

    Charlie's new bio of ZaSu Pitts is being published in October by McFarland.

    Jordan R. Young

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:36:26 -0400
    From: Jordan Young <jordanyoung50@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Larry Gelbart

    I had hoped the report of Larry Gelbart's demise was another rumor,
    like the malicious falsehood about his "massive stroke" last year.
    Sadly, it appears to be true this time.

    He was incredibly generous with his time--he spent many hours on the
    phone with me, discussing his radio work for my book "The Laugh
    Crafters"--and was remarkably devoid of ego for a guy who enjoyed so
    much success.

    Rest peacefully, Larry--you've earned it.

    Jordan R. Young

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:03:06 -0400
    From: Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Today's Talent

    I noticed a couple of postings concerning the loss of the classic
    entertainers and the fact that new talent is still with us.

    My only comment is that the Jack Benny's, George Burns, Mickey
    Rooney's, etc, came up through the ranks of vaudeville or the motion
    picture studios, which trained and schooled their talent. If we can
    call the 40's the "golden age" it was in part because an entertainer
    had to do just about everything when it came to talent. Sing, dance
    and act. Most were not overnight successes. They had long careers in
    radio, TV and film.

    In an interview I did with Jerry Lewis years ago, he told me that
    today's actor (and "today" was back in 1959 or 1960) doesn't have the
    opportunity of performing in all the different ways that existed back
    in the 30's.

    Now this is me talking again. Today an actor came be an instant star
    with a single movie or TV appearance.

    The true test would be how many of todays young talent are still
    performing after 50 or 60 years. I know that there are a lot of
    actors who performed very well on a TV series, but when that series
    ended you don't see them anymore.

    Experience is still the best training.

    To look at it another way, the "golden age" performers were who they
    were because of the times. They were a special breed and we may not
    see that type of performer again. But the new talent of today and
    tomorrow have their own abilities. They are the stars of today. As
    far as the future, we will just have to wait and see.

    Fred
    Check us out for old time radio & TV shows & Movie Serials
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:03:34 -0400
    From: James Meadows <walthamus@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  RE: Mel Blanc

    On the question of why Arthur Q. Bryan was not credited but Mel Blanc was for
    voice work in the Warner Brothers cartoons --- I think it it's more a
    question of why Mel Blanc DID get credit, then why Bryan did not. There were
    other actors with radio experience (Stan Freberg and Bea Benaderet come to
    mind) who did voice work for Warner Brothers cartoons who also went
    uncredited. In fact, I think most voice work for Hollywood cartoons was
    uncredited during the 30s and 40s.

    As for Blanc, he received screen credit in lieu of a raise in pay (according
    to the Wikipedia article on Blanc, which cites the New York Times for the
    information). Since Blanc did so many voices for Warner's most popular
    cartoon characters, I can see why the studio would want to give him something
    (if not more money), and why Blanc would want to have the credit.

    Jim Meadows

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:03:55 -0400
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  9-13 births/deaths

    September 13th births

    09-13-1871 - Alma Kruger - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 4-5-1960
    actor: Emily Mayfield "Those We Love"
    09-13-1876 - Sherwood Anderson - Camden, OH - d. 3-8-1941
    writer: "The Free Company"
    09-13-1880 - Jesse L. Lasky - San Francisco, CA - d. 1-13-1958
    film producer, host: "Gateway to Hollywood"
    09-13-1883 - Lewis E. Lawes - Elmira, NY - d. 4-23-1947
    commentator: "Twenty Thousand Years in Sing Sing"
    09-13-1894 - J. B. Priestley - Bradford, Yorkshire, England - d.
    8-14-1984
    dramatist: "London After Dark"; "Studio One"; "NBC University Theatre"
    09-13-1895 - Ruth McDevitt - Coldwater, MI - d. 5-27-1976
    actor: Jane Channing "This Life is Mine"; Mother "Keeping Up with
    Rosemary"
    09-13-1896 - Laidman Browne - Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England - d.
    9-11-1961
    actor: Sherlock Holmes "Corner in Crime"
    09-13-1897 - David Rubinoff - Grodno, Poland - d. 10-6-1986
    violinist, conductor: "Chase & Sanborn Hour"; "Rubinoff and His Violin"
    09-13-1900 - Gladys George - Patton, ME - d. 12-8-1954
    actor: "Lincoln Highway"
    09-13-1903 - Claudette Colbert - Paris, France - d. 7-30-1996
    actor: "Cresta Blanca Hollywood Players"; "Lux Radio Theatre";
    "Millions for Defense"
    09-13-1903 - Dave Binder - London, England - d. 10-3-1992
    formed "Jingle Jem Co," to produce radio jingles
    09-13-1903 - Ken Trietsch - Arcadia, IN - d. 9-17-1987
    musician-singer: (Hoosier Hot Shots) "National Barn Dance"; "Uncle Ezra"
    09-13-1908 - Mae Questel - The Bronx, NY - d. 1-4-1998
    actor: Betty Boop "Betty Boop Fables"; Olive Oyl "Popeye the Sailor"
    09-13-1908 - Sheila Barrett - d. 8-10-1980
    impersonator, mimic: "Fred Allen Show"; "Time of Your Life"; "Magic Key"
    09-13-1909 - Leith Stevens - Mount Moriah, MO - d. 7-23-1970
    conductor: "Death Valley Days"; "Molle Merry Minstrels"
    09-13-1910 - Raymond Raikes - London, England - d. 10-2-1998
    producer: "Dick Barton"; "The Foundling"; "National Theatre of the Air"
    09-13-1910 - Van Amburg - d. 3-15-1990
    sportscaster: KPIX San Francisco, California
    09-13-1911 - Bill Monroe - Rosine, KY - d. 9-9-1996
    mandolin player: (Father of Bluegrass) "Grand Ole Opry"
    09-13-1912 - Claude Casey - Enoree, SC - d. 6-24-1999
    country, bluegrass: "Briarhoppers"
    09-13-1913 - Gretchen Davidson - Chicago, IL - d. 8-2-2002
    actor: Carol Kennedy "Carol Kennedy's Romance"
    09-13-1913 - Roy Engel - Missouri - d. 12-29-1980
    actor:Schuyler 'Sky' King "Sky King" "NBC University Theatre"
    09-13-1914 - Leonard Feather - London, England - d. 9-22-1994
    composer: "Esquire Jazz Concert"; "Mildred Bailey Show"; "One Night
    Stand'
    09-13-1916 - Norm Lenhardt - d. 4-28-1993
    announcer: WXYZ Detroit
    09-13-1916 - Roald Dahl - Llandaff, Wales - d. 11-23-1990
    writer: "Escape"
    09-13-1918 - Dick Haymes - Buenos Aires, Argentina - d. 3-28-1980
    singer, actor: Dick Haymes Show"; "Tommy Dorsey Show"; Crane Dockery
    "I Fly Anything"
    09-13-1918 - Ernie Winstanley - England - d. 5-27-1992
    actor, sound effects: Scrub Troy "Secretary Hawkins' Fair and Supper
    Club"; "The Lone Ranger"
    09-13-1918 - Ray Charles - Chicago, IL
    choral director: (The Other Ray Charles) "The Big Show"; "Radio Hall
    of Fame"
    09-13-1920 - Carole Mathews - Montgomery, IL
    actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    09-13-1923 - Janice Gilbert - NYC
    actor: "Bachelor's Children"; "Dorothy Dix at Home"
    09-13-1924 - Scott Brady - Brooklyn, NY - d. 4-16-1985
    actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    09-13-1925 - Mel Torme - Chicago, IL- d. 6-5-1999
    actor, singer: Joe Corntassel "Little Orphan Annie"; "Torme Time";
    "New Mel Torme Show"
    09-13-1944 - Carol Barnes - Norwich, England - d. 3-8-2008
    report for the BBC

    September 13th deaths

    02-08-1913 - Betty Field - Boston, MA - d. 9-13-1973
    actor: Mary Aldrich "Aldrich Family"
    04-18-1882 - Leopold Stokowski - London, England - d. 9-13-1977
    conductor: "NBC Symphony/Symphony of the Air"
    06-14-1918 - Dorothy McGuire - Omaha, NE - d. 9-13-2001
    actor: Sue Evans Miller "Big Sister"; "Joyce Jordan, [removed]"
    07-06-1895 - Grete Stueckgold - d. 9-13-1977
    soloist: "The Chesterfield Show"; "Chesterfield Presents"
    07-13-1895 - Bradley Kincaid - Kentucky - d. 9-13-1989
    country singer: "Grand Ole Opry"; "WLS Barn Dance"
    07-27-1889 - Ada Arlitt - d. 9-13-1976
    host: "Mother's Discussion Group"
    08-31-1907 - Winifred Cecil - Staten Island, NY - d. 9-13-1985
    singer: "Show Boat"
    09-02-1901 - Phil Napoleon - Boston, MA - d. 9-13-1990
    bandleader: "Napoleon's Retreat"
    10-15-1879 - Sara Allgood - Dublin, Ireland - d. 9-13-1950
    actor: "Radio Guild"; "Family Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
    10-15-1900 - Mervyn LeRoy - San Francisco,CA - d. 9-13-1987
    film director: Intermission Guest "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Songs By
    Sinatra"
    10-15-1921 - Geri Fontane - New Milford, NJ - d. 9-13-1993
    singer: (The Fontane Sisters) "Chesterfield Supper Club"
    10-22-1884 - George Washington Hill - Philadelphia, PA - d. 9-13-1946
    President of American Tobacco Company, sponsor of many radio programs
    12-31-1923 - Arthur Siegel - Lakewood, NJ - d. 9-13-1994
    pianist, composer: "New Faces"

    Ron

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:04:41 -0400
    From: "Joe" <jpostove@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Duffy's Tavern In Puerto Rico

    In Digest # 174 Martin Grams Jr writes about Larry Gelbart:

>     he said it was after his tenure on the
>     program, when Ed Gardner produced the series in Puerto Rico.

    PUERTO RICO? Is this actually fact? Why would Ed Gardner take the show to
    Puerto Rico, and if so, was it live or by way of ET? Goodness, were there
    even a network cable to Puerto Rico?

     Joe Postove

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

    Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:37:19 -0400
    From: "Eric N. Wilson" <easyew@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Mel Blanc

    Lanny Gilbert wrote:

>     As a huge Warner Brother's cartoon fan, I noticed that even when Arthur Q.
>     Bryan is present doing the voice of Elmer Fudd, the only voice credit is
>     "Voice Characterizations - Mel Blanc".

>     Any idea why only Mel was credited?

    According to Mel's autobiography (which I don't have with me, so take
    all this with a pinch of salt), he asked the Warner Bros. cartoon
    producer for a raise, and when they wouldn't give it to him, he asked
    for the "voice characterizations" credit line instead.  Since that
    didn't cost them an extra cent, they said okay.

    To keep all this on topic, the credit DID bump up Mel's asking price for
    his radio work (which I think he was counting on), so it was better than
    a Looney Tunes raise, careerwise.

    Cheers,
    Eric Wilson

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2009 Issue #175
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