Subject: [removed] Digest V2010 #37
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 2/26/2010 10:18 PM

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

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2010 : Issue 37
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Memories of Jim Harmon                [ Philip Chavin <pchavin@[removed]; ]
      2-25 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Re: How long, oh Lord, how long?      [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]
      Program ad timing                     [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]
      "The Old Time Radio Express" Schedul  [ Mark Wuellner <mwuellne@[removed] ]
      Clark Kent phone booth                [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Ron Lackmann                          [ JayHick@[removed] ]
      2-26 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Re:Arthur Godfrey and L'affaire La R  [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:19:34 -0500
    From: Philip Chavin <pchavin@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Memories of Jim Harmon

    I first met Jim at his Hollywood apartment (on Hobart near Sunset, I think)
    in May 1976, on an annual visit to [removed]  I'd read about his Nostalgia
    Catalogue ('73), contacted him, and went to his place to buy a copy from him.
    There we chatted about OTR and other nostalgia subjects and he showed me
    magazine articles he'd written and his collection of OTR premiums.  It was
    nice of him to spend time with a pure beginner in the OTR and nostalgia
    hobby.  His book taught me, and reminded me, a lot about the hobby.

    A few years later -- he'd moved out to Burbank or somewhere around there and
    had bought his first(?) car -- we met again and had lunch at a restaurant in
    West Hollywood where we chatted about OTR and where he showed me his
    assembled 1930s Three Stooges 'moving picture machine' -- I had asked him to
    bring it along and he'd kindly agreed to.

    Over the years, I bought some OTR tapes from him, via mail. The next, and
    last, time we met was by chance when I spotted him at his table at a
    nostalgia and comic book convention near the Shrine Auditorium, I believe.
    He was wearing his cowboy hat and Barbara was with him.  I think that was the
    only time I met her.  May Jim rest in peace.  My condolences to Barbara.

    -- Phil C.

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:19:50 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  2-25 births/deaths

    February 25th births

    02-25-1879 - Frank McIntyre - Ann Arbor, MI - d. 6-8-1949
    actor: Captain Barney "Maxwell House Showboat"; Captain Henry "Showboat"
    02-25-1895 - George Schuyler - Providence, RI - d. 8-31-1977
    host: "The Negro World"
    02-25-1896 - John Parrish - Lindenhurst, NY - d. 4-18-1988
    actor: "Alias Jimmy Valentine"; "Life Can Be Beautiful"
    02-25-1896 - Victor Bay - Lodz, Poland - d. 10-12-1988
    orchestra leader on the CBS network
    02-25-1899 - Wini Shaw - San Francisco, CA - d. 5-2-1982
    actor: Air Trailers "Good News of 1935 and In Caliente"
    02-25-1901 - Zeppo Marx - NYC  - d. 11-30-1979
    comedian: (Marx Brothers) "American Review"
    02-25-1904 - Adelle Davis - Lizton, IN - d. 5-31-1974
    nutritionist, author: "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy"
    02-25-1904 - Marion Claire - Chicago, IL - d. 2-24-1988
    singer: "Chicago Theatre of the Air"
    02-25-1904 - Warren Parker - Alton, IL - d. 7-31-1976
    actor: Jesus Christ "The Greatest Story Ever Told"
    02-25-1906 - Warren Hymer - NYC - d. 3-25-1948
    actor: "Screen Guild Theatre"
    02-25-1908 - George Duning - Richmond, IN - d. 2-27-2000
    composer: "Bud's Bandwagon"
    02-25-1909 - Berkley Mather - Gloucester, North Wales - d. 4-7-1996
    author: "Bird's Eye View"; "Southern Channel"
    02-25-1912 - David Roberts - Jacksonville, FL - d. 12-24-1996
    NBC staff announcer
    02-25-1912 - Richard Wattis - Wednesbury, England - d. 2-1-1975
    actor: "Brothers In Law"
    02-25-1912 - Wally Ausley - d. 12-19-1994
    play-by-play for the North Carolina State Wolfpack
    02-25-1913 - Jim Backus - Cleveland, OH - d. 7-3-1989
    comedian: Hubert Updike "Alan Young Show"; Chester Fenwick "Sad Sack"
    02-25-1914 - John Arlott - Basingstoke, England - d. 12-14-1991
    BBC radio cricket commentator
    02-25-1915 - Brenda Joyce - Excelsior Springs, MO - d. 7-13-2009
    actor: "Good News of 1940"; "Stars Over Hollywood"; "AmericanShowcase"
    02-25-1917 - Michael Morris - Russia - d. 6-20-2003
    writer: "Mr. and Mrs. North"; "Hollywood Story"
    02-25-1918 - Bobby Riggs - Los Angeles, CA - d. 10-25-1995
    overbearing tennis player: "National Guard Show"
    02-25-1921 - Andy Pafko - Boyceville, WI
    baseball player: "Quiz Kids"
    02-25-1921 - John Wainwright - d. 9-xx-1995
    writer: "Death in a Sleeping City"
    02-25-1921 - Patricia Ryan - London, England - d. 2-15-1949
    actor: Amy March "Little Women"; Claudia Naughton "Claudia and David"
    02-25-1925 - Lisa Kirk - Charleroi, PA - d. 11-11-1990
    vocalist: "The Henry Morgan Show"
    02-25-1927 - Dickie Jones - Snyder, TX
    actor: Henry Aldrich "The Aldrich Family"
    02-25-1928 - Larry Gelbart - Chicago, IL - d. 9-11-2009
    writer: "Bob Hope Show"; "Duffy's Tavern"; "Jack Parr Show"
    02-25-1932 - Faron Young - Shreveport, LA - d. 12-10-1996
    country singer: "Grand Ole Opry"; "Country Style [removed]"
    02-25-1937 - Bob Schieffer - Austin, TX
    news correspondent: "CBS News Twentieth Century Roundup"
    02-25-1938 - Diane Baker - Hollywood, CA
    actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
    02-25-1951 - Don Poier - d. 1-21-2005
    sports announcer

    February 25th deaths

    02-20-1914 - John Charles Daly - Johannesburg, South Africa - d.
    2-25-1991
    newscaster, emcee: "What's My Line"; "CBS Is There"; "Columbia Workshop"
    03-13-1919 - William Ormond Mitchell - Weyburn, Canada - d. 2-25-1998
    radio dramatist: "Jake and the Kid"
    03-17-1884 - Frank Buck - Gainesville, TX - d. 2-25-1950
    wild animal hunter: "Bring 'em Back Alive"
    03-21-1908 - Vincent Pelletier - Minneapolis, MN - d. 2-25-1994
    actor: Victor Powell "This is Life"; Robin "Calling All Detectives"
    03-26-1911 - Tennessee Williams - Columbus, TN - d. 2-25-1983
    author: "Drama Critics Award"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
    04-09-1916 - Julian Dash - Charleston, SC - d. 2-25-1974
    saxophonist: "Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra"
    04-15-1931 - Florian Zabach - Chicago, IL - d. 2-25-2006
    violinist: "Arthur Godfrey and His Talent Scouts"; "Here's to Veterans"
    05-15-1917 - Wade Barnes - Alliance, OH - d. 2-25-1999
    announcer/pianist: WHBC Canton, Ohio
    05-24-1905 - Joe Lindwurm - d. 2-25-1992
    musician: "The Ipana Troubadors"
    06-14-1930 - David Leeson - d. 2-25-1971
    writer: "Young Doctor Malone"
    07-15-1900 - Ernest Batchelor - d. 2-25-1976
    disk jockey: WDAX McRae, Georgia
    07-23-1909 - Helen Martin - St. Louis, MO - d. 2-25-2000
    actor: "Sears Radio Theatre"
    07-31-1904 - Billy Hillpot - Red Bank, NJ - d. 2-25-1985
    singer: Trade "Smith Brothers: Trade and Mark"; "Camel Pleasure Hour"
    08-08-1885 - Gene Buck - Detroit, MI - d. 2-25-1957
    president of ascap: "World's Fair Concert"
    08-25-1943 - Bill Holm - nr: Minneota, MN - d. 2-25-2009
    writer: "Prairie Home Companion"
    09-08-1908 - John Griggs - Chesterfield, SC - d. 2-25-1967
    actor: Capt. Randy Claymore of the Confederacy "Roses and Drums"
    09-14-1925 - Bill Christy - Seattle, WA - d. 2-25-1946
    actor: Franklin Dexter "Meet Corliss Archer"
    09-19-1930 - Derek Nimmo - Liverpool, England - d. 2-25-1999
    comic actor: "The Dales"
    09-23-1907 - Rudd Weatherwax - Engel, Sierra County, NM - d. 2-25-1985
    dog trainer: "Lassie"
    10-03-1908 - Johnny Burke - Antioch, CA - d. 2-25-1964
    composer: "Amos 'n' Andy"; "Kraft Music Hall"; "The Big Show"
    11-20-1890 - Otto Tolischus - d. 2-25-1967
    correspondent: "Information Please"
    12-01-1880 - William Arndt - Mayville, WI - d. 2-25-1957
    professor: conducted Bible classes on WFUO St. Louis
    12-04-1887 - Louise Ballman - d. 2-25-1970
    violinist on experimental station 5ACW Fort Smith, Arkansas
    12-09-1903 - Matty Malneck - Newark, NJ - d. 2-25-1981
    bandleader: "Campana Serenade"; "Duffy's Tavern"
    12-26-1911 - Hal Bourne - Chicago, IL - d. 2-25-2000
    musical director: "A Date with Judy"

    Ron

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:20:02 -0500
    From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: How long, oh Lord, how long?

    I am confused about what Craig means when he discusses a Jack Benny
    program "one that ran a hair over :30 - and sounded the teeniest bit off
    in pitch to me. I suspect someone down the line slowed it on purpose,
    assuming it should fill out the half-hour." Why would someone slow it
    down on purpose to overfill the time period? More likely it was the
    result of someone's lousy tape equipment which recorded or played
    off-speed. It is amazing how many OTR collectors and dealers over they
    years copied and re-copied recordings off-speed and either didn't notice
    or didn't care. The only time it bothered them was when it was too long
    to fit onto the cassette.

     Michael Biel   mbiel@[removed]

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:20:42 -0500
    From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Program ad timing

    Herb Harrison asked if there any government guidelines about how long shows
    should run and were there any limits on how many commercial spots/minutes
    were included in the programs?

    Although many people mistakenly believe the government restricted the amount
    of advertising, with the exception of the "program-length commercial" that
    has never been the case.  The broadcasters themselves set up a
    self-regulation called the National Assoc of Broadcasters Code, and this had
    guidelines.  Once the FCC proposed setting standards, and they proposed using
    the NAB Code guidelines, and the NAB objected and the FCC backed down.  But
    what the FCC did have was something called "promise vs. performance".  When a
    station got its license or renewal it would promise programing and
    advertising guidelines, and then when the license next came up for renewal
    the FCC would compare their promises with a sample set of the station's logs.
    The Regan administration did away with the logging regulations, and that did
    away with promise vs. performance. In addition, the NAB Code no longer
    exists, so there are no guidelines at all.  Believe it or not, the Reagan
    administration also did away with even the prohibition of the program-length
    commercial. It is now legal to have 60 minutes of advertising per hour!  It
    is now called either "informercials" or "shopping channels"!!

    He also asked if stations could take commercial breaks at other places than
    was was provided in recorded syndicated shows.  In general they could, but
    the program probably sounded better if the provided spaces were used.  But if
    there were commercials already recorded on the disc, those MUST be played.

    As for todays TV commercial breaks, even the advertisers hate their excessive
    length.  It is called "clutter" in the industry, and no advertiser wants to
    be in the middle of an ad clutter.  But modern radio is worse, much worse.
    I've heard ten minute ad clutters.  But let me add something.  When
    commercial television came to Europe in the 50s and 60s after decades of
    non-commercial broadcasting, most countries made regulations limiting the
    number and placement of breaks. They rather have long but less frequent
    breaks.  Some countries prohibited breaks in the middle of a program, and
    some allowed only one.  And some, like Italy and Austria, only allowed one or
    two breaks a NIGHT.  This created 15 to 25 minute ad breaks at the beginning
    of prime time, and sometimes also once in the middle of prime time between
    two shows.  And you wonder why would anybody in their right mind sit thru
    breaks like these.  Simple.  Their ads were GREAT!!!  They were better than
    the programs.  Some were mini-movies.  Some showed a lot of skin, and I mean
    A LOT OF SKIN!!!  They also developed a technique of "reminder" ads.  You
    would see an ad, and then a couple of minutes later would be a ten second
    clip of it, or perhaps the next chapter in a serial story.  You stayed
    because you were getting a soap opera.  The energizer bunny ads were supposed
    to be like this, but stations didn't understand it.  They played the two 15
    second sections in one 30 second lump instead of separating them into two 15
    second spots at the start and end of the break.  It's been a while since I've
    been in Europe, but I used to LOVE their ad breaks!

    Michael Biel  mbiel@[removed]

    -- Is there anybody here who is happy with today's television programs'
    commercial breaks (especially the syndicated ones), when you can make a pot
    of coffee, or vacuum the floor, while you're waiting for the show to resume?
     ;-)

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:21:00 -0500
    From: Mark Wuellner <mwuellne@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  "The Old Time Radio Express" Schedule - Sunday,
     7:00pm EST

    Please join us this Sunday, February 28th from 7:00-8:00pm EST for more great
    old time radio & discussion on "The Old Time Radio Express."

    This week:

    The Six Shooter, "The Coward" from September 27, 1953

    Dark Fantasy, "The Demon Tree" from December 5, 1941

    Stream us live at [removed] or download the show after the fact
    at [removed].

    Mark Wuellner

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:22:07 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Clark Kent phone booth

    Because of the proliferation of cell phones and the disappearance of
    phone booths, if Clark Kent were around today where could he change
    into his Superman persona?

    Ron

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:22:12 -0500
    From: JayHick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Ron Lackmann
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    We just lost a good friend, author and orignal committee member of FOTR.
    Ron Lackmann passed away yesterday.   I have no more details at this time.

      *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
      ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:22:18 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  2-26 births/deaths

    February 26th births

    02-26-1875 - Emma Dunn - Cheshire, England - d. 12-14-1966
    actor: "The Eveready Hour"
    02-26-1887 - William Frawley - Burlington, IA - d. 3-3-1966
    comedian: Fred Mertz "I Love Lucy", "Hallmark Playhouse"; "Hollywood
    Hotel"
    02-26-1888 - William Lynn - Providence, RI - d. 1-5-1952
    actor: Casper Milquestoast "The Timid Soul"; Mac "Tillie the Toiler"
    02-26-1891 - Alan Bridge - Pennsylvania - d. 12-27-1957
    actor: "The Eddie Bracken Show"
    02-26-1891 - Josef Bonime - Vilna, Poland - d. 11-8-1959
    conductor: "Death Valley Days"; "Echoes of New York"
    02-26-1898 - Fiddlin' Sid Harkreader - Wilson County, TN - d. 3-19-1988
    fiddler: "Grand Ole Opry"
    02-26-1900 - Jean Negulesco - Craiova, Rumaina - d. 7-18-1993
    film director, screenwriter: "Screen Director's Playhouse"; "Lux Radio
    Theatre"
    02-26-1903 - Donald Baker - Ontario, Canada - d. 6-26-1989
    organist: WOR Newark, New Jersey
    02-26-1906 - Madeleine Carroll - West Bromwich, England - d. 10-2-1987
    actor: "The Circle"; "NBC Radio Theatre"; "Stage Door Canteen"
    02-26-1907 - Hal Fimberg - d. 4-6-1974
    writer, director, producer: "Abbott and Costello"; "Spike Jones"
    02-26-1911 - Warren M. Lewis - d. 3-28-1997
    producer: "Silver Theatre"; "Stars Over Hollywood"
    02-26-1912 - Dane Clark - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-11-1998
    actor: Perry 'Quiz' Quisinberry "Passport for Adams
    02-26-1914 - Robert Alda - NYC - d. 5-3-1986
    singer: "Rudy Vallee Presents the Drene Show"
    02-26-1914 - Roy Maypole - d. 7-4-1976
    creator, writer: "Heart's Desire"; "Stepmother"
    02-26-1915 - Eddie Gallaher - Washington, [removed] - d. 11-26-2003
    disc jockey: "Moon Dial"; "On a Sunday Afternoon"
    02-26-1916 - Dick Dunham - NYC - d. 11-24-1989
    announcer: "Strange Romance of Evelyn Winters"
    02-26-1916 - Jackie Gleason - Brooklyn, NY - d. 6-24-1987
    comedian: "Jackie Gleason-Les Tremayne Show"
    02-26-1916 - Peter Brough - West London, England - d. 6-3-1999
    ventriloquist: "Educating Archie"; "Navy Mixture"
    02-26-1918 - Theodore Sturgeon - Staten Island, NY - d. 5-12-1985
    science fiction writer: "Beyond Tomorrow"; "X Minus One"; "Future Tense"
    02-26-1919 - Mason Adams - NYC - d. 4-26-2005
    actor: Larry 'Pepper' Young "Pepper Young's Family" Ned Scott "Jones
    and I"
    02-26-1920 - Antony Kearey - London, England - d. 9-16-1997
    producer: "The Shetland Wildcat"
    02-26-1920 - Michael Pate - Sydney, Australia - d. 9-1-2008
    actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    02-26-1920 - Tony Randall - Tulsa, OK - d. 5-17-2004
    actor: Reggie York "I Love A Mystery"
    02-26-1921 - Betty Hutton - Battle Creek, MI - d. 3-11-2007
    singer: "Radio Almanac"; "Radio Hall of Fame"; "[removed] Steel Hour"
    02-26-1921 - Clarice Blackburn - San Francisco, CA - d. 8-5-1995
    actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
    02-26-1922 - Margaret Leighton - Barnt Green, England - d. 1-13-1976
    actor: "Variety Playhouse"; "Pocket Theatre"
    02-26-1926 - David Frankham - Kent, England
    actor: Andy Barbour "One Man's Family"
    02-26-1928 - Fats Domino - New Orleans, LA
    singer: "Guest Star"
    02-26-1928 - John Ewart - Melbourne, Australia - d. 3-8-1994
    actor: "Snow White"
    02-26-1932 - Johnny Cash - Kingsland, AR - d. 9-12-2003
    singer: "Grand Ole Opry"; "Louisiana Hayride"
    02-26-1933 - Godfrey Cambridge - NYC - d. 11-29-1976
    actor: "Voices of Vista"

    February 26th deaths

    01-09-1920 - Betty Roche - Wilmington, DE - d. 2-26-1999
    singer: "Duke Ellington and His Orchestra"; "Spotlight Bands"
    02-20-1900 - Paul Conlan - Indiana - d. 2-26-1980
    writer, director: "Abbott and Costello Show"; "The Signal Carnival"
    03-15-1919 - Lawrence Tierney - Brooklyn, NY - d. 2-26-2002
    actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    03-28-1915 - Joel Murcott - d. 2-26-1978
    writer, director: "Tales of the Texas Rangers"; "Yours Truly, Johnny
    Dollar"
    04-29-1896 - Harry McNaughton - Surbiton, England - d. 2-26-1967
    actor, panelist: Higgins "It's Higgins. Sir"; "It Pays to Be Ignorant"
    07-05-1903 - Hester Sondergaard - Minnesota - d. 2-26-1994
    actor: (Sister of Gale Sondergaard) "Columbia Presents Corwin";
    "Studio One"
    07-20-1943 - Wendy Richard - Middlesbrough, England - d. 2-26-2009
    actor: Anne Marie Rat "Cat's Whiskers"; "Dad's Army"
    08-14-1870 - Harry Lauder - Edinburgh, Scotland - d. 2-26-1950
    singer: "Sir Harry Lauder"; "The Fourth Christmas"
    08-28-1908 - Genevieve Rowe - Freemont, OH - d. 2-26-1995
    singer: "Gay Nineties Revue"; "Songs America Loves"; "An Evening with
    Romberg"
    10-28-1896 - Howard Hanson - Wahoo, NE - d. 2-26-1981
    conductor, composer: "New York Philharmonic"; "ASCAP World's Fair
    Concert"
    11-29-1913 - Harry Bartell - New Orleans, LA - d. 2-26-2004
    actor: Archie Goodwin "Advs. of Nero Wolfe"; "Adv of Sherlock Holmes";
    "Gunsmoke"
    12-10-1889 - Arthur Vinton - Brooklyn, NY - d. 2-26-1963
    actor: Killer Kane "Buck Rogers"; Commissioner Weston "The Shadow"
    12-26-1900 - Charles Perry - NYC - d. 2-26-1967
    producer, sports announcer: WHN New York
    xx-xx-1855 - Adelaide Fitz-Allen - d. 2-26-1935
    actor: Old Nancy, the witch of Salem "The Witch's Tale"

    Ron

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

    Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2010 00:23:40 -0500
    From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re:Arthur Godfrey and L'affaire La Rosa

    As a follow-up to my previous answer to Michael Hayde who was asked about a
    song about Godfrey and La Rosa which used the word "Humility" which I
    dentified as "Dear Mr. Godfrey" by Ruth Wallis on Monarch Records 3005. We
    have now located a posting of the record so you all can hear it. It is track
    8 here:
    [removed]

    Let me give credit to Ken Field who sent me a link to a sample of the record
    [removed]
     which I traced back to:
    [removed]
    which led me to the full recording at the first URL.

    Michael Biel  mbiel@[removed]

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2010 Issue #37
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