Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #18
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 1/18/2002 9:03 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2002 : Issue 18
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Telephones                            [ "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed] ]
      Bob and Ray and NPR                   [ "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed] ]
      WFBR YEARS                            [ "Owens Pomeroy" <opomeroy@[removed]; ]
      Case of the Missing Miss Date         [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Arthur Godfrey                        [ otrbuff@[removed] ]
      Looking For Recordings Of Big Band S  [ Wboenig@[removed] ]
      would like to be interviewed on otr   [ Ben Ohmart <bloodbleeds@[removed]; ]
      Re: Born-to-Play - the Perfect Voice  [ Christopher Werner <cwerner@globalc ]
      Wait'll you taste that layer [removed]  [ "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-self ]
      SUPERMAN = SUPERWALK?                 [ "Ian Grieve" <ian@[removed] ]
      ARCHIE                                [ "Ian Grieve" <ian@[removed] ]
      The Other Woman in the Photograph     [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
      Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Re:Archie News                        [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      "Time for Love"                       [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      Re: "Archie Artists"                  [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 12:51:34 -0500
    From: "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: Telephones

    Thanks to Tom Heathwood on this list, the format
    for the Tello Test Quiz is now clearly recollected
    in my memory!!  Indeed, Tom is correct, the radio
    host would "call out" random telephone numbers
    to anxiously waiting listeners ("call me, call me, please") to ask the quiz
    question(s) and award the
    cash for correct answers.  Sponsors would post
    quiz answers in their stores as a traffic builder
    promotion.

    On the subject of telephones, I hosted a weekly
    shopping show called "The Radio Store" for an hour on Saturday mornings
    where listeners called in to
    bid and buy services and merchandise from local retailers.  It was a barter
    show with pre-paid certificates redeemed at the local store, very profitable
    for listeners, advertisers and station. It actually converted doubtful
    advertisers to regular contracts for radio advertising Anyone else program
    this kind of telephone show?

    Russ Butler  oldradio@[removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 14:11:35 -0500
    From: "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: Bob and Ray and NPR

    Jeff Blanken posted a message the he listened to Bob and Ray on NPR, asking
    about "Mr. Science" comedy sketches, and I understood him to say he
    [removed]!   B&R were doing a show on NPR years ago (they also did
    sketches on NBC's "Monitor") - so are there reruns being aired on NPR again?
    And, if so, on *what* NPR program?  Thanks.

    Russ Butler oldradio@[removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 14:38:09 -0500
    From: "Owens Pomeroy" <opomeroy@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: WFBR YEARS

    In answer to Steve Wilson's (Managing Editor, Illustrated Press?) inquiry
    about my youth at WFBR, it was while attending High School at Baltimore
    Polytechnic Institute, just up the street from the Studios, that I answered
    an ad for a part-time "studio assistant" (that is a radio term for a
    "gofer", go for coffee, go for doughnuts, and any other jobs they have for
    you). I was hired, due to my work in Community Theatre.  One of the jobs was
    in  the SFX department, getting the sounds ready for the daily drama
    programs.  Then when they needed featured players behind the mike, I did
    some fill-in work there.  All of this took place at the dawn of WW II.
    After Graduation, I toured with our Theatrical group on the USO circuit at
    bases in MD, DE, DC, VA & PA, and then after the War, spent most of my show
    biz career in theatre work and Vaudeville.  I quit the grind in the early
    50's when I settled down and got married and raised a family, became an
    Engraver and worked in that capicity for 25 years before etiring on
    disability.

    Owens

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 15:35:53 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: Case of the Missing Miss Date

    In answer to Sean Dougherty's question about the date to an episode called
    "The Case of the Missing Miss" of The Falcon series. I have it in my
    collection and the date that I have is April 22, 1951. I hope that this helps.

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 15:36:40 -0500
    From: otrbuff@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Arthur Godfrey

    The extensive coverage here in recent days leads me to recall that there
    are undoubtedly many in this reading audience to whom the name Arthur
    Godfrey means little or nothing.  Anyone born in the last three decades,
    for instance, would have never heard him on the air (except by
    recording).  A contemporary biography of his life notes that "most
    Americans alive today don't know the name Arthur Godfrey."  Unlike the
    same era's Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Jackie Gleason and Ed Sullivan,
    whose TV efforts have been recalled again and again, Godfrey's shows
    weren't transportable.  Largely aired live, wandering and scriptless,
    they--and their star--acquired no place in the public eye or in the
    public mind.

    In his prime, however, Godfrey--more than any other performer--ruled the
    broadcasting airwaves, with CBS vice president Jim Seward singularly
    assigned to that one entertainer.  In 1953 Godfrey, by then heard and
    seen by 80 million Americans weekly, was personally responsible for
    contributing 12 percent of his web's annual revenues.  No single
    individual before or since Godfrey has come even close to raising 12
    percent of a network's revenues.

    The historians of electronic media have described him via a myriad of
    picturesque epithets.  Godfrey, "radio's one-man show," was labeled "as
    close an approach to a one-man network as radio and television ever
    produced."  Cited as "one of the best-loved men in America," he was,
    notwithstanding, variously endorsed as "the most important man in
    America," "the most recognized man in America" and "the most powerful man
    in broadcasting."  Possessing "radio's longest continuous career,"
    Godfrey's plaudits sanctioned the old redhead as "the original and
    ultimate infotainer."

    While he would be "deified and discarded" during an on-air professional
    life that stretched from the 1920s to the 1970s, he was also recognized
    as "the greatest salesman who ever stood before a microphone" and
    "radio's most trusted pitchman."  Ultimately, some would consider him
    "the greatest communicator of the century."

    I had fun poking into Godfrey's background as I prepared "The Great Radio
    Audience Participation Shows" (McFarland, 1991) and learned much about
    this interesting character who played a critical role in OTR.  I've tried
    to do justice to his story by carefully documenting many of the pinnacles
    of his career and personal life in an extensive chapter devoted to the
    Talent Scouts series that also incorporates Arthur Godfrey Time, Arthur
    Godfrey's Digest, his other radio series and Arthur Godfrey and His
    Friends (TV).  In addition to the biographical detail, I attempted to
    recreate the environment in which the man lived and worked--from boyhood
    to his final years.  Some of his personal struggles, and the high and low
    moments of his life, are included.  He was a fascinating figure, greatly
    beloved by millions, and--as has been correctly observed by
    others--ultimately despised by maybe even more fans.  I tried to tell it
    like it was in reporting his ascension to glory and his loss of public
    trust, to a point that he virtually faded into oblivion.  For adolescents
    to adults living in the 1940s and early 1950s, I'd venture to say his
    name was better known and his contributions more widely acknowledged in
    more American homes than any other electronic entertainer on the scene.

    Jim Cox

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 18:42:26 -0500
    From: Wboenig@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Looking For Recordings Of Big Band Singer Kim

    Kimberly
    Approved: ctrn4eeWlc

    The other day I received an e-mail from a woman named Kim Munroe, whose
    mother was Kim Kimberly (a stage name; her real name was Armide Whipple).
    Kim Kimberly had a brief career as a big band singer from 1937 to 1945,
    appearing with the likes of Bob Crosby and the Bobcats, The Chico Marx
    Orchestra, Ben Pollack, and Les Brown.  Ms. Munroe is looking for any
    recordings of her mother singing with any of these bands.  The one that she
    does already have (translation:  she does not need another copy) is the Chico
    Marx Orchestra's appearance on the December 20, 1942 broadcast of "Fitch
    Bandwagon", where Kim Kimberly provided the lead vocals on "Mister Five By
    Five" (the song was also released on a Chico Marx/Desi Arnaz CD).  She is
    also mentioned in Mel Torme's book "It Wasn't All Velvet"

    Here is an excerpt from Ms. Munroe's note to me, which may contain useful
    information:

    "When Doris Day left Les Brown to go to Hollywood, my mom sang with the Brown
    band for a short while.  Because of shortages, only tapes were made of radio
    shows and the USO shows, so I am wondering how I can possibly find other
    recordings that may exist of her singing.  She retired after she and my dad
    divorced, and she married a Marine Pilot and really never sang again.  She
    kept in touch with many show business people, Hoagy Carmichael and Gary Moore
    were two very close friends, and Danny Thomas recruited her for a USO tour to
    the Aleutians in 1944 or 1945 with Linda Darnell, and others.  I had not
    heard her sing for many many years, and I never realized what a great voice
    she had.  If you could give me some hints about where to search I would
    really appreciate it."

    Anyone who can offer any recordings or other information may e-mail Kim
    Munroe at kim@[removed], or they may post information here or send it to
    me, and I'll see that she gets it.  Thank you.

    Wayne Boenig

    [removed]  Kim Kimberly passed away on September 27, 2001

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 18:42:45 -0500
    From: Ben Ohmart <bloodbleeds@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: would like to be interviewed on otr shows

    2 friends of mine would like to be interviewed on
    shows dealing with otr, as they have things coming
    out. One is Paul Rapp, son of Philip Rapp (Bickersons
    creator) who is releasing new Bickersons and Baby
    Snooks shows on cd. The other is Charles Stumpf who,
    with me, has written the first book on The Great
    Gildersleeve, and which is coming out in Feb. Let me
    know if you can help, or forward to this to others.
    Thanks.

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 19:01:41 -0500
    From: Christopher Werner <cwerner@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Re: Born-to-Play - the Perfect Voice

    Radio Drama generally seeks to paint an audio 'picture' to best relate a
    story or idea. As I read the discussion of 'perfect' actors for various
    roles I think of my recent drive-time-listening: an audio adaptation of
    Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. An old Ranger or a wizard are depicted by low
    gravelly voices, while little hobbits or elves are played by actors with
    higher pitched voices. Much like a composer may use various instruments to
    'orchestrate' a piece of music casting directors use the vocal talents of
    radio actors to set a mood or image of a character audibly.

    I submit that the 'born-to-play' comparison is only valid where several
    performances/versions of the same plot are available. Suspense, Escape, Lux
    Radio Theater, Family Theater, etc. all had various performers cast in
    roles related to stories with varying moods. In 30 minutes there is little
    time to develop the character, much must be done with the right voice in
    the right role. There we can hear whether the 'right' performer was in the
    'right' role to convince us of the reality of the story line.

    Yes, there are series like YTJD and the examples of Nero Wolfe where
    several actors played the same role - which is preferred? is a valid
    question. But many roles, whether written for an actor (as in Harlan's OMB
    example) or not cannot be considered because there is no other reference to
    compare the character too.

    And just like in an orchestral arrangement, poor orchestration can cause
    the melody (plot) to be lost and the background/accompaniment (sound
    effects) to be the best part (unless the audio engineer totally ruins it).
    But that's another discussion altogether.

    My $[removed] worth - Chris

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 19:20:14 -0500
    From: "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Wait'll you taste that layer [removed]

    Anyone out there know of a CD of Phil Harris songs that are availabe?
    I've been listening to lots of Harris-Faye shows lately, and I really
    enjoy his songs.

    rodney.

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 20:17:54 -0500
    From: "Ian Grieve" <ian@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: SUPERMAN = SUPERWALK?

    "[ADMINISTRIVIA: I don't know what model Rick had, but I can tell you the
    Memorex MPD8610-01 that the Mrs. and the Katester gave me for Christmas (no
    car adapter included, but I have one) works [removed] listening to
    Superman MP3s burned onto a CD-RW every evening when I take my walks.
    [removed] I don't have any excuse NOT to take my [removed]  --cfs3]"

    For those of you who survive on study grants, there could be money in this.
    Do people walk faster when they listen to Superman?

    I got a rio volt 250sp for Christmas (works just as well on Mac) and I can
    tell you now, don't listen to comedies when you walk around your
    neighbourhood.  I have had to give up walking as people were laughing at me
    when I walked past.  So I have changed to detective stories (though not at
    night).  I haven't found a detective who hasn't been hit over the head from
    behind, even in broad daylight so I have to keep looking back, just in case.
    I will not say what happened when I listened to Westerns but you'd think
    people in cities had never heard of horses.

    I am glad that virtual reality suits have not been attached to mp3 players
    yet, otherwise I do not know what genre I could listen to when walking.  My
    wife has no sympathy and still makes me walk, but not with her if I wear
    earphones, now there's trust for you.

    Ian

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 20:37:46 -0500
    From: "Ian Grieve" <ian@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: ARCHIE

    "NEW YORK, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Archie Entertainment today announced a
    venture to launch a real life music group based upon the comic book
    characters of Archie Comic Publications, Inc.

    Over the years, the music sung by The Archies, including the song "Sugar,
    Sugar" which was the number one song for 1969, was performed by studio
    musicians. Under the terms of the agreement, Archie Entertainment will
    license the venture to create The Archies as a real life music group."

    Hey sounds like a great opportunity to release a book that ties into Archie
    in some way.

    "The content of every activity involving the group will be subject to the
    approval of Archie Entertainment, in order to preserve the wholesome
    tradition of the beloved fictional Riverdale High School teenagers first
    introduced in the 1940s."

    Hmm, Wholesome, guess that scrubs Hal's book of tales about his growing up
    with adoring female fans.  Better release the book at another time, we don't
    want to miss the gossip.

    Ian

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

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 22:37:28 -0500
    From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: The Other Woman in the Photograph

    Recently, Dr. Biel  asked about the actors surrounding Bette Davis and
    Louella Parsons in a picture he identified at a website.  Naturally, many
    of us turned there to see if we could help him.

    I e-mailed him that the actor on the far right  was Eduardo Ciannelli. That
    has been confirmed by several posters.  Ciannelli and Davis were in one
    picture together - MARKED WOMAN (1937). Since other posters, including
    Harold Ziegler in today's Digest, believe the man on the far left  is a
    young Humphrey Bogart, that would make the picture of the still
    unidentified woman Bogart's  first wife, Mayo Methot. All were in the same
    movie (thus the Parsons' connection; she is standing before a microphone
    doing her "Hollywood Hotel" show---she must be featuring MARKED WOMAN.  Her
    program was on the air during the period of the movie's release).

    The other major actresses in MARKED WOMAN were Lola Lane, Isabel Jewell,
    and Jane Bryan. Pictures  I have located of these actresses do not resemble
    the other woman in the photograph.  I can not find a good picture of Mayo
    Methot (she lived in Portland after she divorced Bogart) but it must be
    her. I reviewed some old OREGONIAN newspapers for a picture of her, but was
    unsuccessful at finding a snapshot.

    I hope now  we have put all the names with right faces.

    Dennis Crow

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

    Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 09:41:18 -0500
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: Today in radio history

      From Those Were The Days --

    1929 - New York Daily Mirror columnist Walter Winchell made his debut on
    radio, broadcasting a blend of political commentary and celebrity gossip
    to "Mr. and Mrs. [removed]" His quick-jabbing, penetrating manner
    became his trademark. And so did his fedora hat.

    1937 - CBS radio introduced listeners to Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories
    for the first time. A complete story was told in five, 15-minute
    episodes which aired Monday thru Friday each week. Aunt Jenny was played
    by Edith Spencer and later, by Agnes Young. The show continued on radio
    until 1956 and was sponsored over the years by Spry shortening and Lux
    soap. Aunt Jenny's whistling canary, for those of you ready to inquire,
    was played by animal imitator, Henry Boyd.

>     >From a long time subscriber --

    January 18, 1944 - Arch Oboler's Everything For the Boys premieres over
    NBC, one of the many programs Oboler created, wrote, produced and
    directed for the War cause.

      Joe

    --
    Visit my home page:
    [removed]~[removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 09:41:48 -0500
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: Re:Archie News

>     Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 18:07:59 -0500

     Dan Hughes posted an interesting tid bit about Archie Comics publications
    going "Big Time" as "Archie Entertainment.

>     One member of this group will probably be especially interested in this
>     press release:

    I assume that the "one member of this group" that you refer to is yours
    truly. I found it  particularly interesting, (and very pertinent), that the
    Co-Chairman of Archie Entertainment is Richard Goldwater.

    I am assuming that Richard is the Son of John Goldwater, the founder of
    Archie Comics Publication. (Or a nephew, at the very least). It has been on
    my "To Do" list to contact the company to get permission to use a picture or
    two of the Comic Book characters for my book, but I wasn't sure who to
    contact. Now I know, thanks to your info.

    Obviously, I knew John Goldwater very well, and to see that a family member
    is still in control may grease the skids for me to obtain permission.

    Thanks for the posting.

    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    Jughead

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

    Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 09:42:56 -0500
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: "Time for Love"

    Guten Tag Christian:

    Or, is it "Morgen" when you get to read your "Digest?

>     as a German otr fan I did a lot of research on the Marlene Dietrich
>     radio series "Time for love" <Snip>

>     I came across some names of writers for that series and would be glad for any
>     info on the following persons:

    The first name on your list I can definitely help you with. It was someone I
    knew very well.

>     Ian Martin

    Ian, when I first met him back in the early 40's, was a Radio Actor. The
    reason I knew him so well was that he was the second person to play the part
    of "Fred Andrews", (the father), on "The Adventures of Archie Andrews".

    I was not aware of Ian's writing abilities until much later on in my life. I
    am assuming that with most Radio Actors back in those days, the competition
    was very stiff, and those that could, found other ways to supplement their
    income. In Ian's case, it was writing, in between acting assignments.

    Ian's Acting was not limited to Radio. As I recall, he left the cast of the
    "Archie" show (after about a year) to appear in the Broadway hit, "Finnian's
    Rainbow". It was a featured role as the principal leprechaun. (The name of
    the character escapes me). Ian gave up the Archie part because of the
    Saturday theatre matinee conflict. Besides, he made more money appearing in
    that Musical than he did for the "Archie" program, which was "sustaining" at
    the time.

    Ian was a delightful, gregarious man. He was quite short of stature. (Which
    probably made him perfect as a Leprechaun), and was much admired by the rest
    of the "Archie" cast. I believe there are audio tapes of the program that
    feature Ian in the "Father" role.

    I met Ian later on in life, during my TV days, and it was then that I
    discovered that Ian had become a successful writer. As to that aspect of his
    career, I can't offer more insight into this multi-talented individual.

    Where in Germany do you live? My wife and I spent three weeks this past year
    in your Beautiful Country. We toured the back roads in a rental car. One can
    not enjoy Germany going 125 MPH on the Autobahn's. It was her first trip. I
    had been there on four previous occasions. I particularly enjoy Southern
    Germany/ Bavaria. I find the German people to be very warm and friendly
    towards Americans.

    Auf Wiedersehen

    Hal(Harlan)Stone

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

    Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 09:44:27 -0500
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: Re: "Archie Artists"

    Spence posts:

>     we might note that a cartoonist of the comic strip has passed on.
>     Our OTR Web site has listed his obit thus:
>     "Dan DeCarlo, a cartoonist who took over the 'Archie' comic strip after
>     creator Bob Montana died in 1975, died of pneumonia Dec. 18 at the age of
>     82."
>     Does Hal or anyone else have any more to add to this obit?

    Sorry Spence. Unfortunately, I never got to meet either Bob Montana or Dan
    DeCarlo. Our Radio program was totally independent of The Comic Book
    publication. But we did have an ongoing relationship with John Goldwater,
    the publisher, who would show up for celebrations when the "Archie" show had
    an anniversary party.

>     By the way -- and here's a *shameless plug* coming up -- our Web site for the
>     Golden Radio Buffs of Maryland is:

    Hey Spence. I plan to visit your Web Site ASAP. I'll mention it again in
    case anyone missed your address the first time. If I mention it, it "ain't"
    shameless, right? :)

    [removed]

    Regards,

    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    "Jughead"

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #18
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