------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2006 : Issue 10
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
live interview [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
Cinnamon Bear and Elliott Lewis [ "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed]; ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
Gracie Allen for President [ Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@earthlin ]
1-12 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Frank Chapman [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
Olive Higgins Prouty [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
greatest entertainer [ mgreenb300@[removed] ]
Greatest Entertainer [ "thomas" <evander800@[removed]; ]
OTR Presidential Campaigns [ "Mike Leannah" <mleannah@[removed] ]
Famous Ranger encounters [ "JAMES NIXON" <ranger6000@[removed] ]
RANGER RESEARCH [ Dave Parker <dave@[removed] ]
Frank chapman Sr and Jr [ Ed Kindred <kindred@[removed]; ]
Jimmy Barton Revisited [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
7 Front Street [ Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed] ]
OTR Presidential Bids [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]
President race [ Alan Chapman <[removed]@verizon. ]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 01:25:02 -0500
From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: live interview
Hi Everybody,
there is going to be a live interview on Wednesday night at 7-40 PM West
Coast time on Yesterday USA at [removed] with Jimmy Nelson. You
can call in at talk to Jimmy plus his two buddies Danny O,Day, and Farfel.
Take care,
Walden Hughes
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 01:26:08 -0500
From: "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cinnamon Bear and Elliott Lewis
Hello again --
Yes, Mark, the part of Jimmy is one of the big mysteries of OTR in the late
'thirties. I know I have heard Jimmy's voice
in at least one Crisco commercial still retained in a Vic and Sade episode,
but who would know his name from that?
One reason why the actor cannot be recalled is that several of them came
into one of the 26 recording sessions, did their spot, and then went on to
another
broadcast. Some of them didn't even know the others in the cast. Frank
Nelson for instance, AKA Captain TinTop, showed up only in the last couple
of episodes and had even completely forgotten he ever appeared in that
series. Joe Kearns, the Crazyquilt Dragon, was one of the busiest of the
radio actors on the west coast, moving quickly from Suspense to the Mel
Blanc Show, to Judy Canova (although, admittedly, most of these shows were
far later than the Cinnamon Bear). And Elliott Lewis (one of Albert Kopec's
favorites, as well as one of mine) appeared as Presto the Magician in one
episode and then appeared later, perhaps, as Mudley. The identities of
several others in the cast have never been established either, to the best
of my knowledge: the Snowman, the RolyPoly Policeman, Nicky Froodle, and
Jack Frost. But Jimmy Barton's alter ego is most curious because he was one
of the main characters, appearing on every episode. Only Barbara Jean Wong
(Judy) and Buddy Duncan (Paddy O'Cinnamon) would have been able to identify
Jimmy, and both unfortunately have been long gone.
. . . and I agree with Albert Kopec that Elliott Lewis should never be left
off of any list of accomplished OTR actors. He could do everything, and do
it well!
Jan Bach
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:12:00 -0500
From: charlie@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!
A weekly [removed]
For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
Network, the channel name is #OldRadio. We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
over nine years, same time, same channel! Started by Lois Culver, widow
of actor Howard Culver, this is the place to be on Thursday night for
real-time OTR talk!
Our "regulars" include OTR actors, soundmen, collectors, listeners, and
others interested in enjoying OTR from points all over the world. Discussions
range from favorite shows to almost anything else under the sun (sometimes
it's hard for us to stay on-topic)...but even if it isn't always focused,
it's always a good time!
For more info, contact charlie@[removed]. We hope to see you there, this
week and every week!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 08:16:25 -0500
From: Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Gracie Allen for President
on 1/10/06 11:03 PM, [removed]@[removed] at
[removed]@[removed] wrote:
I was aware of Eddie Cantor's bid for the presidency, and just read _Gracie
Allen for President l940_. Did any other OTR personalities throw their hats
into the ring?
Yes, Will Rogers around a decade earlier. If I recall correctly, he carried
the District of Columbia (or at least that is claimed in THE WILL ROGERS
FOLLIES).
Gracie's campaign of course took on a life of its own: As I wrote in
SMITHSONIAN LEGENDARY PERFORMERS: BURNS AND ALLEN ON RADIO:
<Another successful publicity stunt was launched in 1940 when Gracie
campaigned for the [removed] presidency on the "Surprise Party" ticket. Allen
promised that her first official act as president would be to settle the
California-Florida border dispute and refused to reduce the national debt,
insisting: "It's something to be proud of because it's the biggest in the
world, isn't it?" Gracie continued her campaign on other shows including The
Jack Benny Program, Fibber McGee and Molly, Dr. [removed] and Ken Murray's Texaco
Star Theatre. The running gag took on a life of its own when the Union
Pacific Railroad offered to provide a free campaign train for Gracie, and
the city of Omaha volunteered to host her nominating convention. Burns and
Allen embarked upon a 34-city whistle-stop tour on May 9, 1940, and more
than a quarter-million fans turned to greet her along the way. On the
campaign trail, Gracie proclaimed that America should welcome foreign
relations "but they have to bring their own bedding," and suggested that
females would make superior politicians since "a woman is much better than a
man when it comes to introducing bills in the house.">
--Anthony Tollin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 08:16:44 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 1-12 births/deaths
January 12th births
01-12-1878 - Ferenc Molnar - Budapest, Austria-Hungary - d. 4-1-1952
playwright: "Fleischmann's Yeast Hour"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
01-12-1887 - Theresa Helburn - New York, NY - d. 8-18-1959
producer: Was the guiding light of "Theatre Guild on the Air"
01-12-1892 - Ed McConnell - Atlanta, GA - d. 7-24-1954
host, actor: Smilin' Ed McConnell Show"
01-12-1894 - Georges Carpentier - Lens, France - d. 10-27-1975
boxer: Dempsey vs. Carpentier first boxing match broadcast
01-12-1894 - Tommy Handley - Liverpool, England - d. 1-9-1949
comedian: Minister of Aggravation "It's That Man Again"; "Radio
Radiance"
01-12-1896 - Harry Reser - Piqua, OH - d. 9-27-1965
bandleader: "Cliquot Club Eskimos"
01-12-1902 - Joe E. Lewis - New York, NY - d. 6-4-1971
comedian: "Midnight to Dawn in New York and London"; "Command
Performance"
01-12-1904 - Eddie De Lange - Long Island City, NY - d. 7-13-1949
musical director: "Honolulu Bound"; "Phil Baker Show"
01-12-1905 - Tex Ritter - Murvaul, TX - d. 1-2-1974
singer: "Lone Star Rangers"
01-12-1908 - Joan Burroughs - Chicago, IL - d. 12-31-1972
actress: (Daughter of Edgar Rice Burroughs) Jane "Tarzan"
01-12-1910 - Luise Rainer - Vienna, Austria
actress: "Linclon Highway"; "Yesterday's Children"
01-12-1910 - Patsy Kelly - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-24-1981
comedienne: "MGM Musical Comedy Theatre"; "Hollywood Hotel"; "Screen
Guild Theatre"
01-12-1911 - Lon Clark - Frost, MN - d. 10-4-1998
actor: Nick Carter "Nick Carter, Master Detective"; Keith Richards
"Bright Horizon"
01-12-1912 - Sara Berner - Albany, NY - d. 12-19-1969
actress: Mable Flapsaddle "Jack Benny Program"; Ingrid Mataratzo
"Jimmy Durante Show"
01-12-1915 - Martin Agronsky - Philadelphia, PA - d. 7-25-1999
newscaster: "The ABC Morning News"
01-12-1923 - Ira Hayes - Gila River Indian Reservation, AZ - d.
1-24-1955
Iwo Jima flagraiser: "Interview programs"
01-12-1926 - Ray Price - Perryville, TX
singer: "Galaxy of Stars"
01-12-1930 - Glenn Yarborough - Milwaukee, WI
singer: "Guest Star"
January 12th deaths
01-17-1899 - Nevil Shute - d. 1-12-1960
novelist: "Lux Radio Theatre"
01-23-1919 - Ernie Kovacs - Trenton, NJ - d. 1-12-1962
announcer, panelist: WTTM Trenton, NJ, "Where Have You Been?"
02-05-1901 - Arthur Sheekman - Chicago, IL - d. 1-12-1978
writer: "The Marx Brothers"
03-16-1893 - Isobel Elson - Cambridge, England - d. 1-12-1981
actress: Jessie Hughes "Young Dr. Malone"
04-20-1914 - Betty Lou Gerson - Chattanooga, TN - d. 1-12-1999
actress: Mary Marlin "Story of Mary Marlin"; Charlotte Wilson "The
Guiding Light"
05-09-1908 - Leonard Sillman - Detroit, MI - d. 1-12-1982
producer: "New Faces of 1948"
06-07-1911 - Stanley Unwin - Pretoria, South Africa - d. 1-12-2002
sound engineer, commentator, actor: "Beyond Our Ken"
06-18-1904 - Keye Luke - Canton, China - d. 1-12-1991
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Image Minorities"
07-09-1917 - Kay Aldredge - Tallahassee, FL - d. 1-12-1995
actress: "Maxwell House Coffee Time"
08-03-1903 - John S. Young - Springfield, MA - d. 1-12-1976
announcer: Foreign news for NBC in Nyw York
09-15-1890 - Agatha Christie - Torquay, England - d. 1-12-1976
author: Creator of "Hercule Poirot"
10-18-1911 - Helen Claire - Union Springs, AL - d. 1-12-1974
actress: Virginia Lansing "Backstage Wife"; Joyce Jordan "Joyce
Jordan,[removed]"
11-12-1884 - Griff Barnett - Blue Ridge, TX - d. 1-12-1958
actor: Rexall Family Druggist "Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show"
12-21-1917 - Rolly Bester - New York, NY - d. 1-12-1984
actress: "Tales of Tomorrow"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:51:17 -0500
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Frank Chapman
There's a fly in the ointment here. Mark Kinsler observes from the
birth/death
postings:
Again, from Mr Sayles' splendid listing, we have:
xx-xx-1844 - Frank Chapman - d. 1-9-1940
singer: "The Voice of Firestone"
He would have been, like, 96 when he died and born early enough to have
fought in the Civil War. That in itself is remarkable enough. But how old
would he have been when he was a singer on The Voice of Firestone?
Simply not so. Frank Michler Chapman Jr. was born not in 1844 but on Mar. 19,
1900. He served with the Marine Corps in France during the First World War,
then graduated from Princeton in 1922. He divorced his first wife, Elisabeth
Cobb, daughter of comic Irvin S. Cobb, about 1930, then the baritone wed
venerated mezzo-soprano Gladys Swarthout in 1932. By 1934, Chapman, Swarthout
and tenor Richard Crooks were alternating guest stars on The Voice of
Firestone
Monday nights on NBC. (He was 34, to answer Mark's question.) That pattern
persisted for two years. (See "Radio Stars" for subsequent details of that
show
and Swarthout's impressive career.)
Ultimately, Chapman became his wife's professional agent as her star continued
to illuminate venues in many places. He served in the Marine Corps during the
Second World War, also. The couple maintained a farm home in Connecticut and
a
New York City apartment before they moved to Italy in the 1960s. She retired
from public life in 1954 following heart surgery. Her lifelong heart
condition
caused her death on July 7, 1969 at Florence, Italy. He died three years to
the
month before her.
This should set the record straight. Otherwise, we would have had a
90-year-old
baritone singing on the Voice of Firestone. While some of those opera stars
may
have looked elderly, that would really be a stretch.
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:52:51 -0500
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Olive Higgins Prouty
A point of clarification from the birthday list:
01-10-1882 - Olive Higgins Prouty - Worcester, MA - d. 3-24-1974
writer: "Stella Dallas" based on Prouty's novel
Olive Higgins Prouty penned the novel "Stella Dallas" (Grosset & Dunlap, 1923)
but was never associated with Frank and Anne Hummerts' daytime serial of that
name (as the statement above seems to intimate). On the contrary, she was
angry, yea hostile over their taking "her great novel" (as announcer Frank
Gallop reminded listeners daily) and turning it into a sudsy saga. It was
humiliation to Prouty rather than a glorious extension of the character she
created in fiction.
The Hummerts never let it bother them. In a wordy epigraph, they took
Prouty's
popular figure and made her a legendary heroine for nearly two decades
(1938-1955): "We give you now Stella Dallas, a continuation on the air of the
true-to-life story of mother love and sacrifice in which Stella Dallas saw her
beloved daughter Laurel marry into wealth and society and -- realizing the
differences in their tastes and worlds -- went out of Laurel's life. These
episodes in the later life of Stella Dallas are based on the famous novel of
that name by Olive Higgins Prouty and are written by Anne Hummert."
Except: If Stella really had gone out of Laurel's life, there would have been
no story -- no one to fret over daily. She hardly let the girl out of her
sight. (Lolly Baby wasn't real smart on her feet anyway and needed the help.)
And another exception: Anne Hummert probably never wrote a word of it. The
Hummerts employed scores of underlings as wordsmiths, fleshing out their
simple
outlines with dialogue and action, and taking credit for it themselves. Talk
about a humble existence. Stella may have lived it in fiction but those
legions
of nameless dialoguers lived it in reality.
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:53:03 -0500
From: mgreenb300@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: greatest entertainer
In person - Judy Garland
2nd place - Danny Kaye
On radio - Jack Benny
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 12:26:23 -0500
From: "thomas" <evander800@[removed];
To: "old_time_radio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Greatest Entertainer
My vote for greatest all-around entertainer would have to go to Bing
Crosby. He was a radio presence for over thirty years, beginning with Paul
Whiteman's Old Gold show in 1928 and concluding with his Crosby-Clooney
program in 1961. Of course he is best remembered as the host of the 'Kraft
Music Hall' and 'Philco Radio Time'. The Bing Crosby-Bob Hope verbal duels
were the equal of the Benny-Allen feud. He made a fortune for Paramount in
his 'road' pictures. He received an Academy Award nomination for his role as
a washed-up alcoholic in 'The Country Girl'--a truly stunning dramatic
performance. And, oh yes, he was a pretty fair singer.
Tom van der Voort
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 12:26:45 -0500
From: "Mike Leannah" <mleannah@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR Presidential Campaigns
Melanie Aultman asks about OTR presidential campaigns. Lum ran a spirited
campaign for president in 1936 on the Lum and Abner Show. Buttons were
distributed nationwide with my favorite political slogan ever: "Let's 'Lect
Lum." I imagine one of these buttons could be found if you scoured the
antique shops. Most people seeing it today, however, would probably have no
idea what the heck it means.
Mike Leannah
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 13:50:41 -0500
From: "JAMES NIXON" <ranger6000@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Famous Ranger encounters
Derek Tague asks from the ether if the Lone Ranger met any other persons of
notoriety besides Thomas Edison, whom I used with literary license in an
FOTR script several years ago. The idea came to me precisely because the
masked man occasionally DID encounter famous people. Though by no means
all, some of the persons he rubbed six-guns with include Theodore Roosevelt
when he was a ranch owner in South Dakota, Horace Greeley when he was making
a tour of the west, Col. [removed] Custer, Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill,
Calamity Jane and Sitting Bull. In fact, the famous Sioux medicine man ends
up dying in the Ranger's arms after being wounded in South Dakota during the
ghost dance uprising in 1890.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 13:51:52 -0500
From: Dave Parker <dave@[removed];
To: OLD TIME RADIO <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RANGER RESEARCH
HI DEREK------Thanks for the OTR message. I have the Variety piece
in a scrap book in my mountain cabin- now under 10 feet of snow. But
when I can get there I can give you the exact quote. It's in DAILY
VARIETY on the front page entitled HI YO CULTURE. I think the lead is
"Dave Parker ankles NBC to finish [removed]" --or something like that. It
would have appeared in [removed] in August or Sept.
Re the Rangers "real world" figures --he did a show with Teddy
[removed] one with Horace Greely (which included the obligatory
challenge to "Go West Young Man") I don't remember the show dates.
but one of those two shows was entitled "He Meets The Stranger From
the East" Terry Salamanson or Anthony Tollin would know for sure.
hi yo Silver
dave parker
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 13:52:15 -0500
From: Ed Kindred <kindred@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Frank chapman Sr and Jr
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
A cursory Google gives Frank Michler Chapman Sr, curator amongst other
things 1864-11/15/1945
[removed]
Frank Michler Chapman, Jr 3/19/1900 - July 1966, Husband of Gladys
Swarthout, both as opera singers .
[removed]
I suspect that Mr. Sayles listing might be a composite of these two men.
Only a supposition mind you. I think he has done a leviathan of a [removed]
Ed
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 14:53:09 -0500
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Jimmy Barton Revisited
Mark Wuellner asks some good questions about the elusive actor who
portrayed "Jimmy Barton" on "The Cinnamon Bear."
Unfortunately, despite our best attempts, who played "Jimmy Barton"
remains one of OTR's greatest unsolved mysteries. Illinois radio collector
Terry Black, with the help of actor Frank Nelson, initially unearthed a
partial cast list, which has been added to by Chuck Schaden and the Gassman
brothers in recent years. And when the Cinnamon Bear Brigade was active
from 1987 to 1991, efforts were made to contact Glan Heisch, then later
his wife, Elizabeth Heistand Heisch, but when we located them, neither
could remember who played "Jimmy." The Heischs' wrote "The Cinnamon Bear."
The production company (TRANSCO) and Radio Recorders, where the serial was
transcribed, left few records. Cast members Elvia Allman and Dorothy Scott
recalled little about the show when they were asked. Barbara Jean Wong,
who played Judy Barton, had a distinguished career in the Los Angeles
Public School System after she left acting, but the Brigade never found her
until it was too late.
A clue appeared in the newly discovered marketing record (distributed last
year by First Generation Radio Archives in their Cinnamon Bear Collection),
when director Lindsay MacHarrie noted that the actors chosen to perform the
parts of Judy and Jimmy had appeared before as brother and sister in other
productions, but that interesting information is still being researched.
So, Mark, would you like to help us? We CB fans. and we count ourselves in
the thousands, could use some creative new thinking. Somebody, out there,
knows who Jimmy Barton is. I remain optimistic that we will eventually
uncover the answer.
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 15:46:49 -0500
From: Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: 7 Front Street
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
Does anyone know when the radio show 7 Front Street premiered, what day it
ran on, and/or how long it lasted? Thanks.
Visit [removed] for OTR program title and date corrections
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 15:48:33 -0500
From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR Presidential Bids
On Wednesday, January 11, 2006, at 12:03 AM, Melanie Aultman wrote:
I was aware of Eddie Cantor's bid for the presidency, and just read
_Gracie Allen for President l940_. Did any other OTR personalities
throw their hats into the ring?
Don McNeill ran for President of the [removed] on "The Laugh Party" ticket
in 1948, which incorporated a whistle stop campaign around the country,
while his show, "The Breakfast Club," was on tour. Campaign posters and
buttons were distributed, and frequently he travelled in a motorcade in
each downtown area enroute to the local studio where he broadcast the
show. Woody Woodpecker was his campaign mascot and the slogan was "Put
McNeill Behind the Wheel." He was "officially" nominated in
Philadelphia, the home of a major sponsor, Philco. Sam Cowling as his
campaign manager gave many political speeches in Don's behalf. Don also
appeared on other radio shows to promote his candidacy, including Fred
Allen's. McNeill "officially' withdrew from his Presidential bid on
August 13, 1948, after months of humorous campaigning. He concluded his
resignation by singing a song, which included the following: "I feel
that a load is off my chest. I'd rather stay here with our Breakfast
Club [removed] other words, I do not choose to run."
Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 19:04:20 -0500
From: Alan Chapman <[removed]@[removed];
To: Old-Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: President race
> I was aware of Eddie Cantor's bid for the presidency, and just read
> Gracie Allen for President l940_. Did any other OTR personalities
> throw their hats into the ring?
Well, there was that sportscaster/part-time actor back in the 80s ...
fellow by the name of [removed]
-- Alan
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #10
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