Subject: [removed] Digest V2006 #256
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 9/21/2006 12:30 PM
To: [removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2006 : Issue 256
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  OTR CONVENTION IN NEWARK              [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
  KORLA PANDIT---replaced by LIBERACE!  [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
  Boston Blackie dates                  [ "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@sbcgloba ]
  Charlie McCarthy                      [ David Ballarotto <[removed]@ ]
  Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention     [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  9-21 births/deaths                    [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
  Lone Ranger remake?                   [ "Jim Nixon" <ranger6000@[removed] ]
  New Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar colle  [ Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed]; ]
  Re: US Shows in Australia During WWI  [ Cliff Marsland <cliff_marsland@yaho ]
  Gavin Gordon                          [ "Gil Miller" <gilmiller@[removed] ]
  That Dunning bargain!                 [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]

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

Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:55:16 -0400
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  OTR CONVENTION IN NEWARK
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I am thrilled.
    I feel like a real old time radio actor now.
    Just received my script for my appearance in one of  two re-enactments
scheduled for this, my second experience with the great show  that Jay Hicks
puts together for the OTR group "Friends of Old Time radio  scheduled for
October
19th thru 22nd I believe.
    I am to play three parts in an episode of PAUL  TEMPLE  a BBC show to be
directed by Bill Nadel that I'm sure will be great  fun.
    Like my movies I think I get killed too!
    Last year was a smash success and I urge anyone in  the country to join
in the fun if you can.
    I'm sure there's a web site so check it out.
    I am not affiliated in any way other than as a  participant but I assure
you if old time radio is a passion with you or even if  you're just interested
this is the event for you.
    Meeting some of my favorite radio and TV actors and  personalities and
the sheer good time to be had as we are all in the same hotel  for three days
are just some of the delights to be had.
    Imagine that. All of us in the same hotel!!!
    Love to be in that bar late at night.
    Booths purveying items and autographs of radio and  TV people, panel
discussions, great food and more fun than I've had since I was  trapped on a
movie
location in China with Bob [removed], by the way,  will be appearing in a
SUSPENSE episode which I also hope to be in.
    So, c'mon over and say hello.
    I'm getting excited already.
    See ya in [removed] sure to say hello all you  folks who have been
telling me they like my [removed] got a million of 'em so  don't get me
started!!!
                            Michael  C. Gwynne

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Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:58:26 -0400
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  KORLA PANDIT---replaced by LIBERACE!!!!!
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I spent some time with Korla at Bela Lugosi's  110th birthday party in
Hollywood. That would be October 20, 1992.
    Bela was not there, sadly enough, though his spirit  was very much there
as Forrest Ackerman had one of Bela's capes on and his ring  from
[removed] that's another story.
    I first saw the turban as he walked in. I was  chatting with Harry
Thomas, Bela's one time make-up man when I realized it was  Korla Pandit.
    I introduced myself and he smiled very big,  mentioned one of my films
and shook my hand so gently it was hardly there.
    A kindly and very warm man, we talked for some  time. He was still
performing at theaters around town and was full of wonderful  stories. Always
mysterious about his background I see the confusion still  reigns.
   IMDB says:

    "Korla Pandit was a musician and a Mesmerist,  famous for his lips, his
eyes, his turban with the Smokey Topaz jewel and  hypnotic dangling Diamond,
his beautifully-inspirational music, and the fact  that for all his years on
radio and Television, he never spoke a word, gazing  dreamily, instead, into
the
camera and into the hearts and imaginations of  millions upon millions of
viewers over the years.

Pandit was born John  Roland Redd September 16, 1921 in St. Louis, Missouri,
to Doshia O'Nina Johnson  Redd (1885-1977) and Baptist Minister Rev. Ernest S.
Redd (1883-1966). One of  seven children, young John displayed incredible
musical abilities by the age of  two. In 1937 he graduated from high school in
Columbia, Missouri, and moved to  Omaha, Nebraska. In 1938 he moved to
Ottumwa,
Iowa, and worked for the Central  Broadcasting Company in Des Moines, Iowa. By
1939 he was living in Los Angeles,  California with his sister Frances, an
actress ("Midnight Shadow" - 1938),  wearing what would become his trademark
turban, (similar to the one worn by  Black actor John Criner in his sister's
film), playing in clubs under the name  "Juan Rolando". He became known for
playing both the organ and grand piano at  the same time (the piano with his
right
hand and the organ with his left), and  was first billed as "Juan Rolando, the
One-Man Combo!" In 1941 Juan Rolando (nee  John Roland Redd,) yet to become
Korla Pandit, met and developed a life-long  love affair with statuesque
blonde
Beryl June DeBeeson, a Disney artist, whom he  married on July 21, 1944, in
Tijuana, Mexico (mixed marriages were not yet  allowed in California). They
remained married until his death in 1998. Under  Beryl's artistic direction,
"Juan
Rolando" became "Korla Pandit", and Korla  Pandit in turn became the
mysterious symbol for and creator of "Exotica", in  1948 conjuring up
musically on
radio (Korla Pandit was the organist for "Chandu,  the Magician",) all manner
of
inventive, never-before-heard orchestration, first  on the Nova Chord Organ,
then on the Hammond B-3 Electronic Organ.)

At  the age of twenty-two, he was discovered by Television pioneer Klaus
(KTLA)  Landsberg, and in February of 1949 the handsome young man in a turban
was
captivating audiences as Korla Pandit with his own "Universal Language of
Music"  KTLA Television show, playing his "music of the Exotic East" with a
blend
of  waltzes, tangos, cha-cha-cha's and other tunes of the '40s and 50s, as
well as  an occasional classic like "Claire de Lune" or "The Swan". He never
uttered a  single word on his show, leaving the talking to an off-screen
announcer who  would quote poetry and introduce and close the program.
Viewers were
entertained  by alternating shots of Pandit's face, the musician seated at his
instruments,  and shots of Pandit's hands on the keyboards (he frequently
played both organ  and piano simultaneously). During this time he also
supplied the
music for Bob  Clampett's hit KTLA-TV puppet show "Time For Beany".

When Korla split  with KTLA, San Francisco Television station KGO signed him.
His KGO "Adventures  In Music" show was directed by newcomer Marty Pasetta,
who would later gain fame  directing the Academy _Award_
([removed]) s  shows in Hollywood (1970-1979). Six
months after his show
left the air in 1957,  Korla Pandit's immense popularity was declared by his
fan following when a TV  Guide "Most Popular Performer" poll voted him "the
local personality most  deserving of national recognition." Eventually Pandit
was
seen and heard around  the world with his organ and piano music segments, by
way of the fledgling Louis  D. Snader Telescriptions filmed at Hollywood's
Goldwyn Studios in August of  1951. It was on these filmed musical clips
produced
for Television that Pandit  preceded Liberace, eventually giving the glitzy
pianist his big break when the  young organist broke ties with Snader, who
then
hired Liberace to take Korla's  place. "

    I loved one of his quotes:
    "I want a star on Hollywood Boulevard so people can  continue to walk on
me after I'm dead."
                            Michael  C. Gwynne

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Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:36:20 -0400
From: "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@[removed];
To: "The Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Boston Blackie dates

Kennth Clarke:
Look no more I think I have your Boston Blackie dates. Thanks to "Jerry
Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs"

"THE COLOR BLIND ACCOMPLICE OR  #48  03-12-46  27:00
 LIN CHOW MURDERED"
"THE WORTHINGTON GHOST"          #49  03-19-46  27:00

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

Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:08:12 -0400
From: David Ballarotto <[removed]@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Charlie McCarthy
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Dale Clark wondered if Edgar Bergen had more than one Charlie McCarthy head.
The answer, according to Candices book "Knock Wood" is he had several.  A
closet in Bergen's office had several Charlie heads in it.   And apparently
he had special heads made just for photos so the "real" Charlie wouldn't be
damaged.

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Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:11:48 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention

The MANC Convention from the past weekend was a success.  The attendance was
very impressive for a first time convention and better than the attendance
at some conventions I attend that have been in business for 20 or more
years.  Feedback from attendees by e-mail the past two or three days
contains requests to be on the mailing list and inform them of next year's
dates so they can refer their friends.  There will be a next year and we're
working out the September 2007 dates this week.

The web-site will NOT be updated until January 1.  Anyone who has any ideas
or suggestions are free to e-mail me.  The conventions events, panels,
presentations, etc. are open-door so anyone can do whatever they want as
long as it's "nostalgic."  Already planned for next year is a good ol'
fashioned midnight spook show (done professionally), a presentation about
Lassie on TV and radio, and Superman on TV and Radio.  There will be a
second Charlie Chaplin film festival and vintage cartoon showings as we had
this year.

I want to thank Derek Tague for interviewing the stars on stage, Fred Berney
for filming the events, Charlie Summers for directing the X-MINUS ONE
recreation, Rodney Bowcock who helped considerably during the convention for
everything that needed to be done, and everyone else who helped with
staffing and presentations (I cannot recall everyone's name because I still
have fried brain cells from the weekend).

Ken Stockinger's presentation of Charlie Chaplin film shorts went over very
well.  Terry Salomonson played an uncirculated episode of The Green Hornet
during his presentation and the room was filled with a lot of people.
Michael Hayde's presentation of the Grand Ole' Opry was very entertaining
("there's June Carter in the center, folks!").  Rodney and I are still
amused that someone actually camped out to see The Giant Claw late Thursday
night but I can't blame them - it is worth seeing.

All of the events such as Terry's Green Hornet presentation, Dan Riedstra's
Coca Cola Spotlight Revue presentation, Michael Hayde and Derek Tague's
presentation offering Dragnet spoofs and others are available from Fred at
the link he provided in a previous posting.

There was little complaints if any, and EVERYONE seemed to have been using
the same description over and over, "this is fun."  Yesterday when I was in
Best Buy (I kid you not) someone came up to me and said he was at the
convention the past weekend and thanked me for a great time.  He even told
me with emotion that he wants me to make sure I do another next year cause
he wants to return and bring his mother with him.  I told him we're planning
another for next September and he was happy.

I apologize to anyone who might have gotten the impression that I was
ignoring them.  I was running around like a spring chicken with my head cut
off and keeping numerous things in my head at the same time.  I wasn't
ignoring anyone.  Next year all of the little bugs will be ironed out and a
larger staff will be employed and duties assigned so I can focus on friends
and fun.  Now I know how Jay Hickerson and others are during their
conventions.  Whew!  What admiration I have for them now.

Lastly, we have a Lost and Found.  Two items.  One blue cloth duffle bag,
and a DVD that was left in the presentation room after the Drive-In Movie
Theater Documentary/Presentation.  If you misplaced a DVD and lost it, let
me know what the DVD is and your mailing address and I'll mail it to you.

Again, many thanks for everyone who was involved, and hope we have another
fun-filled bash next year.
Martin

[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:35:31 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  9-21 births/deaths

September 21st births

09-21-1866 - H. G. Wells - Bromley, England - d. 8-13-1946
science fiction author: "A Discussion Between H. G. Wells and Orson
Welles"
09-21-1903 - Westbrook Van Voorhis - New Milford, CT - d. 7-13-1968
announcer, narrator: "March of Time"
09-21-1907 - Jack Mather - d. 8-15-1966
actor: Cisco Kid "Cisco Kid"
09-21-1909 - Nathaniel Curtis - NYC - d. 4-6-1983
writer: "You Can't Take It With You"
09-21-1915 - Mac Benoff - NYC - d. 11-16-1972
writer: "The Mel Blanc Show"
09-21-1921 - Gail Russell - Chicago, IL - d. 8-26-1961
actor: "Screen Guild Theatre"

September 21st deaths

01-16-1878 - Harry Carey, Sr. - NYC - d. 9-21-1947
actor: "Lincoln Highway"; "Suspense"
04-06-1903 - Charles R. Jackson - d. 9-21-1968
writer: "The Columbia Workshop"; "Sweet River"
04-15-1907 - Theodore Granick - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-21-1970
moderator: "American Forum of the Air"
05-15-1916 - Bill Williams - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-21-1992
actor: "Eternal Light"; "Screen Guild Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
05-16-1892 - Osgood Perkins - West Newton, MA - d. 9-21-1937
stage actor: "Flying Red Horse Tavern"
06-13-1924 - Lee Millar - Oakland, CA - d. 9-21-1980
actor: Bob Regent "Chandu the Magician"; "On Stage"; "NBC Presents:
Short Story"
07-09-1912 - John McQuade - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 9-21-1979
actor: Charlie Wild "Charlie Wild, Private Detective"; Steve Lansing
"Our Gal Sunday"
07-25-1894 - Walter Brennan - Swampscott, MA - d. 9-21-1974
actor: Grandpa Vanderhof "You Can't Take it with You"; Judge Roy Bean
"Law West of the Pecos"
08-08-1914 - Pete King - Greenville, OH - d. 9-21-1982
conductor: (Pete King Chorale) "Bing Crosby Show"; "Doris Day Show"
08-20-1918 - Jacqueline Susann - Philadelphis, PA - d. 9-21-1974
actor: Lola the Cigarette Girl "Morey Amsterdam Show"
11-06-1910 - Donald Dickson - Clairton, PA - d. 9-21-1972
singer: "Sealtest Party"; "Chase & Sanborn Hour"; "Blue Ribbon Town"
12-10-1914 - Dorothy Lamour - New Orleans, LA - d. 9-21-1996
singer, actor: "Chase & Sanborn Hour"; "Front and Center"; "Sealtest
Variety Show"

Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:36:00 -0400
From: "Jim Nixon" <ranger6000@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Lone Ranger remake?

Member Ted relates hearing a Lone Ranger program with unrecognizable voices
and an announcer whose name he didn't get, but sounded like "Hal".  I wonder
where he heard this broadcast, as this would go a long way to authenticating
the program.  I will venture a theory however.  Soon after the program began
begin transcribed, in January, 1938, the programs were closed by announcer
Al Chance, who did identify himself, at least occasionally.  Earle Graser
played the Lone Ranger, a voice not as familiar as that of Brace Beemer, who
took over the role after Graser's death in April, 1941.  The programs were
produced by the Jewel Players, who were the group of actors at WXYZ under
director James Jewell that performed the program.  They also got a credit.
More specifically, Ted could have heard the program entitled, "Abilene Horse
Thieves" from Feb. 2, 1938, which is in wide circulation, and at the end of
which the aforementioned credits are announced.
I seriously doubt any group of actors could appropriate the character and
music without violating Classic Media's copyright and getting into very
serious legal trouble.

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

Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:12:22 -0400
From: Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  New Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar collection
 from Radio Spirits

While at the Mid Atlantic Nostlagia Convention this
past weekend, I bought the new _Yours Truly, Johnny
Dollar_ 10 cassette collection from Radio Spirits
(along with a CD version of same as a gift). Not only
did I like the episodes, I also liked the way the
tapes were packaged. Unlike the recent 20 hour/20
cassette packages, where the tapes were housed in such
a way that they could become loose in transit, this
new collection took a page from the older 30 hour/20
tape collections. Each cassette in the _Johnny Dollar_
collection is snug in its own compartment, with five
tapes on either side.

My only complaint about the arrangement is that the
center tape on each side is housed below the other
four. That means you have to remove both of the top
two to get it out. It's a bit inconvenient. But better
than having the tapes come loose.

Now a question, perhaps best directed to Karen Lerner
at Radio Spirits. I was just curious whose voice that
is giving a plug for Radio Spirits at the end of the
last tape in the _Johnny Dollar_ collection.

Rick

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

Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 00:13:51 -0400
From: Cliff Marsland <cliff_marsland@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: US Shows in Australia During WWII

Out of one lot of AFRS discs that came via Australia,
on the sleeve of a Duffy's Tavern is written
(contemporary to the show) "Of dubious entertainment
value."  Kinda funny.

Travis

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

Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:59:36 -0400
From: "Gil Miller" <gilmiller@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Gavin Gordon
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I recently heard Gavin Gordon on a Lux Radio Theater presentation of Polly &
The Circus (11/30/36).
Does anyone know of any shows, series that he was in?
I saw on a list somewhere that he was Dr. Norfolk in a series called
[removed] that correct?
Any information on this radio actor would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Gil Miller

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Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:29:52 -0400
From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  That Dunning bargain!

On Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at 12:18 AM, Bob Cockrum wrote:

For newcomers to the listening hobby (or those who have worn out
their previous copy) Oxford University Press is having its annual
sale of John Dunning's "On the Air" ... $19 'sted of the usual
$65. You'll find it online.

Thanks, Bob, for the wonderful [removed]

My eight years of weekly usage have made my "On the Air" copy look a
little shabby.  Surprisingly, for an expensive book, the interior spine
is already cracked. So I was delighted to be able to snap up a second
copy at this bargain price. Even with the S & H for this massive
volume, my bill was still only $ [removed]  And for those cautious souls,
Oxford doesn't demand all customers use a credit card; they also offer
a printable form that you can mail them with your check.

What a difference from John's first OTR book! By the time I tried to
acquire "Tune In Yesterday" (in the mid-80s) this out of print treasure
was rising in price almost monthly.  The hardback book had come out at
$ [removed] in 1976 but in the mid-80s, anyone who wanted one was asked to
fork over about $80 for the hardback and $40 or $50 for the softcover
version. Later I witnessed a hardback go for $ 160 in an OTR auction.
Prices finally started tapering off in the early 90s as OTR fans
awaited Dunning's new one, rumored to be coming out in a two-volume
set. At that point, I had acquired a copy of "Tune In Yesterday"  from
the widow of an OTR buddy.

The month that "On the Air" was released the value of "Tune In
Yesterday" had dropped down to about $ 20 among OTR collectors,
although some internet dealers were asking more. (And probably still
[removed])

Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
[removed]

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #256
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