Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #191
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 6/5/2004 6:12 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 191
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Why is OTR and Radio History importa  [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
      Three Unrelated Topics from recent i  [ KENPILETIC@[removed] ]
      University information                [ "david rogers" <david_rogers@hotmai ]
      The Whistler                          [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
      Special Collections copyrights        [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
      Reduced prices on books               [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
      Re: CBS Publicity machine             [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
      Cincy OTR Convention                  [ "Jerry Bechtel" <jerrybechtel@jalc. ]
      Radio to comics                       [ Allen Wilcox <aawjca@[removed]; ]
      Children's Hour                       [ Richard Olday <raolday@[removed]; ]
      Buster Keaton on NPR                  [ Bhob <bhob2@[removed]; ]
      Oldtimers please help me!             [ Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed] ]
      This week in radio history            [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      6-6 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Re: Old time tv shows                 [ "Michael Muderick" <[removed] ]
      Sam Spade                             [ "awfulE" <emba@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 23:55:37 -0400
    From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Why is OTR and Radio History important?

    Dear OTR Buffs:

    For a few months now I've been, shall we say, "advising" some folks
    airing OTR as well as modern audio drama (at present, despite modern
    technology, a wealth of prerecorded sound effects, and a far more
    permissive culture the old stuff is far more engaging; I'm not sure
    just why. There are a few interesting new efforts, but this is not
    the place to discuss them, I guess, although the reasons for the
    superiority of the old dramas might be worth a thread).

    The audience for these shows (if any; we don't have any way to
    accurately judge listenership) is presumed to be mostly young, mostly
    urban, a lot of college [removed] I assume audio drama of any kind is
    new to most of them. The main mission of the station is to provide an
    alternative voice, musical, political and in general, to counteract,
    however weakly, the thunderous voice of corporate conglomerate radio.
    I wonder if any of you have any insights I could pass along as to why
    OTR and radio history are important. Thanks.

    John Mayer
    --
    "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad."
                                                 -- Aldous Huxley

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

    Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 23:56:57 -0400
    From: KENPILETIC@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Three Unrelated Topics from recent issues
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    June 4, 2003 - Friday - 7 PM cdt
    Hi Gang -

    The first topic is a reply to the question asked by Bob Watson
    in issue 189, regarding the D-Day rebroadcast on XM radio:

>      The total time of the re-creation is so large ...
>       Does anyone have any tips on how to do this ...

    I have been recording from XM for over two years.  Here's the way
    I do it:
    I use a hi-fi VCR running in SLP mode.  Plug the output from your
    XM radio into the "Line" (audio) input of the VCR.  Also (and this is
    important) plug a video source into the corresponding "video".
    You can use a timer if you wish to start the recording at the proper
    time.
    The tape will run for six hours with a T-120.  It will run for 8 hours with
    a T-160.  When the tape runs out, simply insert another blank tape and
    continue taping.   The sound quality will be very good.
    Unfortunately, I will be out of town during the XM broadcast and my XM
    receiver is already dedicated to record something else at that time.
                          =======================
    The second topic has to do with RBB's question on Air Checks, ie,

>      ...Could someone please point me in the direction of finding radio
>      airchecks from broadcasts in the 1950's?...

    Most long-time digesters know that I used to listen faithfully to Jack Eigen
    in the 1950s.  Jack had a frequent caller who ran a firm called "Aircheck
    Industries".  This caller was physically disabled and he started his own
    company where he recorded virtually EVERYTHING and mad these
    airchecks available to broadcasters all over the country.

    Aircheck Industries was located in "Naked City, Indiana" (a nudist camp).
    Sorry, I don't know if that's a real city or what large city it might be
    near.
    A starting point might be to locate "Naked City", and then find out about
    "Aircheck Industries" from their Chamber of Commerce.  It can't be a
    very large city, so if it still exists, is should be easy to contact someone
    who heard of Aircheck Industries.  Sorry again, I don't remember the
    caller's name.  It was 50 years ago that I heard his last call.
                   =================
    The Final item has to do with the rubber tires thread from some past
    issues.
    My dad had an old Model-A Ford during the late 30's, early 40's.  He did
    not use it during WW-2, I don't know why (No Gas?).   This car was parked
    in the alley behind the house for years.  One morning we found the car was
    up on blocks (paving bricks, actually) and four wheels and the spare wheel
    were missing.  The entire wheels, rims, even the hubcaps were taken.
    The item made the newspaper, indicating that my dad would be singing a
    new song, "Oh Where, Oh Where, Have My Five Tires Gone?"
    The car never ran again.   Several years after the war he got a "new"
    car.  A 1940 Dodge.

    Happy Taping --
    Ken Piletic - Streamwood, Illinois
    kenpiletic@[removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 23:57:38 -0400
    From: "david rogers" <david_rogers@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  University information

    Irene Heinstein wrote:

    "I've often wondered about the agreements between archivists and donors
    about
    accessibility and rights to copy, etc.   I've looked over various
    collections on the internet at various university archives and it seems,
    understandably,  that for the most part one has to physically go to the
    archives and sort through the boxes themselves, the box identifications
    often being very general."

    I have never researched otr stuff and apart from going to study in the UT
    library in Austin in the early 80's I have never been to an American
    University [removed]
    When I was doing my MA dissertation I spent a lot of time researching at UWA
    in Perth, Australia.  I remember that one of my references was an obscure
    journal of Canadian Applied Linguistics.  They did not have the journal as a
    hard copy but they had an electronic version in a pdf format.  Many
    universities are putting this sort of thing in electronic format.  The
    journals/papers are scanned and often put into electronic format.  The
    problems, often are time and permission.  To scan a lot of papers and
    reformat them, takes time which either means money or volunteers.  Also with
    a lot of private papers you need permission, noit just to access them, but
    then what you do with them.
    Increasingly a lot of universities also have electronic libraries.  This is
    where the university has on-line subscriptions to a series of journals - the
    university pays to allow students to access certain journals from computer
    terminals on the campus.  In addition, in the libraries themselves there are
    a number of files that the university holds in electronic format and so can
    be accessed through the computers in the libraries.
    The possibilities are great.  Let me tell you that working at a Korean
    University, if I want to research stuff, papers in an electronic format are
    a godsend.  However, as with most emergent technology, the reality takes a
    long time to catch up with the potential.

    Love as always, David Rogers

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 00:04:56 -0400
    From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  The Whistler

    Barbara Watkins asked

>     Does anybody know who the actor is that portrays the Whistler in the early
>     CBS shows? As there may be more than one, I'd like to know who plays him in
>     the months of May and June 1943. It has been speculated that Gale Gordon and
>     Joseph Kearns were early Whistlers, but I don't believe it is either of them

    It is sort of a confusing issue and I'm sure that Anthony Tollin can answer
    this in much more concise manner, but I will try to give you an answer for a
    reason I will get to.
    It is my understanding that Gale Gordon starred in the audition show and that
    Joseph Kearns assumed the part after him at least for the first year.

    Bill Forman took over the role in 1944 and was in most of the shows for the
    next 13 years. Marvin Miller did the part while Forman was in the [removed] Army,
    but Forman resumed after he was discharged form the service.
    Everette Clark did the part in Chicago in a 1946 summer series, and Bill
    Johnstone in 1948 for a national series.

    So it really depended upon where you were when you listened to the show.
    Signal Oil sponsored in the West and since they distributed only in the west
    Household Finacial Corp. in the east. The show split up east and west a
    couple of times and used different casts for each. Have I lost you yet?

    The reason that I am posting this rather waiting for the much more
    knowledgable Anthony Tollin or others on this digest, is that I have two
    shows one from 9-3-43 entitled "Destiny" and 9-24-43 entitled "The Blind
    Alley" that star Gale Gordon! And that is not what most of the books say
    about the role at that time. They would have you believe that Joseph Kearns
    was doing the part at that time.

    Anthony Tollin ---Help!

    George Aust

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 03:09:36 -0400
    From: JackBenny@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Special Collections copyrights

    Irene writes:

>     I've often wondered about the agreements between archivists and donors about
>     accessibility and rights to copy, etc.

    A lot depends on the nature of the acquisition.  For example, Fred Allen
    donated his collection of shows, scripts, etc. to the Boston Public Library with
    all the rights.  The BPL also bought a collection of Jack Benny's letters to
    Frank Remley at auction.  Since copyright belongs to the author, the Benny
    estate still retains the copyright to the Benny letters, although the BPL owns the
    actual letters themselves.

    --Laura Leff
    President, IJBFC
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 12:04:28 -0400
    From: <otrbuff@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Reduced prices on books

    I'm seeking ways to recommend a savings on costly books which can be passed
    on to readers of this digest.  Those who are members of Books A Million's
    club (a one-year membership costs $10) can make purchases of new books at
    10% off and from time to time there are specials.  Thus, "Mr. Keen, Tracer
    of Lost Persons," which retails at $65 is available to club members at
    $[removed]  All my other titles have been similarly discounted there.  If you
    are looking for more than one OTR title and the price appears out of reach,
    it might be worth it to buy the club membership and order.  Click on
    [removed]  Should you discover other
    savings clubs, programs or discounts, please provide this information to all
    readers of this forum for I'm sure it would be appreciated by many.

    Jim Cox

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 12:05:47 -0400
    From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: CBS Publicity machine

    At 12:04 AM 6/5/2004, you wrote:

>     It suited Paley to style himself "Founding Chairman" of CBS,
>     for example, which is why the real founders of the network

    While I am not writing to defend CBS, I think it needs to be put into
    perspective that CBS - Paley - was not alone in this practice.  Besides the
    many comments that have been noted before in this digest - ABC celebrating
    their age as a little older than fact, etc. - NBC's David Sarnoff's
    treatment of Edwin Armstrong was probably even more despicable than Paley
    declaring himself "founder" of CBS.

    Both networks surely had reporters who were worth their metal and I agree
    that CBS promoted theirs much better than did NBC, which shouldn't diminish
    the accomplishments of those reporters.  I think that some of the top CBS
    reporters moved quickly into television, which also added to our
    remembering their accomplishments - everyone knows who Ed Murrow and his
    "boys" are partly because of their television (read: high profile) work -
    not always because of their radio work, which follows, however, for those
    of us very much into radio.  CBS reporters apparently had fond memories of
    their work and carried that oral history forward.

    NBC had some excellent radio reporters in Max Jordan, Fred Bate, [removed]
    Kaltenborn (formerly CBS), Robert St. John (was anybody aware he lived to
    102 years and was a declared pacifist?), William Kierker and others.
    Jordan, however, left broadcast journalism for the monastery. Fred Bate,
    NBC radio point man in England faded into the background. Even Chet Huntley
    and David Brinkley were heard on radio, but were young pups at the time and
    made their fame on television. Only David Brinkley carries forward
    historically by his longevity in the business.

    So it isn't all publicity on the part of CBS. There were some excellent
    reporters working for that network and their work should not be diminished
    by the recent comments in this digest. I do agree that at least within this
    otr community we should continue to foster the work of people like Jordan,
    Sigrid Schultz, Fulton Lewis Jr. and more. I have tried to keep them alive
    at my web site.

    Jim Widner
    jwidner@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 12:23:30 -0400
    From: "Jerry Bechtel" <jerrybechtel@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Cincy OTR Convention
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
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    Hi All,

    Could someone give me some details relative to the OTR convention in
    Ohio. When, where, duration, whats there, etc. I've heard about it but
    have never been in a position to attend. Now I am. Thanks for your help!

    Jerry B.

    [removed] I've always wanted to meet Hal [removed]

      *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
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    [ADMINISTRIVIA: Some photos from this year's convention, held April 16-17,
    are available at:

    [removed]

    [removed]

    [removed]

    ...click on the "([removed])" link to see the pics noted on the entries.  --cfs3]

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 12:24:02 -0400
    From: Allen Wilcox <aawjca@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Radio to comics

    Okay now. For the past several digest there have been
    disscusions on comic inspired radio shows. But now
    lets name shows that were radio programs and then
    moved to comics. I will start off by naming three that
    I know of. "The Lone Ranger", "The Green Hornet" and
    "The Saint. Any others?
    Allen

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 12:24:08 -0400
    From: Richard Olday <raolday@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Children's Hour

    A friend is looking for the Children's Hour Show
    sponsored by Horn & Hardart from the late 30's or
    early 40's. The dealers I have contacted do not have
    this show. If anybody can help me, please contact me
    off list. I would be willing to purchase or trade for
    these shows.   Dick

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 12:24:43 -0400
    From: Bhob <bhob2@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Buster Keaton on NPR

>     A few years back, NPR played a recording of
>     Buster Keaton singing a bunch of songs from his
>     vaudeville days. It was fascinating! Does anybody
>     happen to have a copy of that as well?

    Here's Keaton with uke on NPR:
    [removed]

    The clip runs about four minutes.

    Bhob @ CLASSIC COMIC STRIPS @
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 12:25:30 -0400
    From: Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Oldtimers please help me!

    There is an NBC publicity photo being offered on eBay, of Frank Parker and an
    unidentified female at a great old NBC mike.  The seller says it's 1940s, but
    I would guess 1930s.

    I hope to obtain it (please don't bid against me!), but certainly I will
    appreciate help in identifying the very attractive young lady opposite Frank
    at the mike.  If you can name her, I can offer no new toasters, automobiles
    or trips to Azusa.  You don't want to go to Anaheim, it's so built up and
    crowded out there these days for some reason.   But I will certainly be most
    appreciative.

    You can see the photo until June 11, by going to eBay and searching under
    either of the following:
    NBC Radio Vint 8x10 Frank Parker 1940's + Girl
    3819929104

    Need I disclaim that I have no monetary interest in eBay?  Don't I wish!

    Please contact me direct, unless you have even more information relating to
    the program involved, which you care to share with other readers.  BTW, I am
    still seeking information about Frank's listed but unconfirmed death in
    Titusville FL on January 10, 1999.

    Many, many thanks!    Lee Munsick   That Godfrey Guy

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 12:25:42 -0400
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  This week in radio history

     From Those Were The Days --

    6/6

    1938 - Stella Dallas was presented for the first time on the NBC Red
    network. The serial was "the true to life story of mother love and
    sacrifice." Stella Dallas continued to do this and so much more until 1955.

    1944 - CBS radio saluted America's war doctors with The Doctor Fights,
    presented for the first time this day.

    6/7

    1945 - The NBC program The Adventures of Topper was heard for the first
    time.

    1955 - NBC presented The Lux Radio Theatre for the final time. The
    program had aired for 21 years.

    6/8

    1942 - The comic soap opera Clara, Lu 'n Em was revived on CBS (the
    original show began in 1931 on NBC). Clara, Lu and Em were together
    again for just a short while before vanishing into radio oblivion.

    1947 - Lassie debuted on ABC. It was a 15-minute show about an
    extraordinary collie. Animal imitator, Earl Keen provided the whines and
    other dog noises. The announcer was Charles Lyon; Marvin Miller and
    Betty Arnold played Lassie's owners. The sponsor was Red Heart dog food.

    6/10

    1909 - An SOS signal is transmitted for the first time in an emergency
    when the Cunard liner SS Slavonia is wrecked off the Azores.  (From
    [removed])

    1924 - The first political convention on radio was presented by NBC.
    Graham McNamee provided coverage of the Republican National Convention
    from Cleveland, OH.

    6/12

    1947 - Sergeant Preston of The Yukon went national for the first time.
    The show, with the Canadian Mountie and his trusty dog, King, continued
    on the radio until 1955, beginning on WXYZ Detroit in 1938. Sgt. Preston
    was created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, who also created The
    Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet.

    1955 - The first network radio show to be produced with no script, The
    University of Chicago Round Table, was heard for the final time on NBC.
    The program was the first network radio program to win the coveted
    George Foster Peabody Award.

    1955 - "This is Monitor, a weekend program service of NBC Radio," was
    heard for the first time. Notables such as Bill Cullen, Ed McMahon, Hugh
    Downs, and Dave Garroway recited this line. It was a network cue to NBC
    radio stations across the nation who carried the long form news,
    entertainment and variety broadcast from New York City. Stations and
    listeners who were "on the Monitor beacon" were entertained for six
    hours or more each Saturday and Sunday night for nearly two decades.
    NBC's Monitor was one of the last live network radio programs on the air.

    Joe

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

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 16:17:12 -0400
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  6-6 births/deaths

    June 6th births

    06-06-1898 - Walter Abel - St. Paul, MN - d. 3-26-1987
    actor: "Columbia Presents Shakespeare"; "Magic Key"; "Voice of the Army"
    06-06-1900 - Arthur Askey - Liverpool, England - d. 11-16-1982
    comedian: "Band Waggon"
    06-06-1918 - Maria Montez - Barahona, Dominican Republic - d. 9-7-1951
    actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    06-06-1918 - Peter Donald - Bristol, England - d. 4-30-1979
    actor, emcee: Ajax Cassidy "Fred Allen Show"; "Can You Top This?"

    June 6th deaths

    04-25-1899 - Guinn (Big Boy) Williams - Decatur, TX - d. 6-6-1962
    actor: "Biography In Sound"
    08-10-1899 - Jack Haley - Boston, MA - d. 6-6-1979
    comedian: "Log Cabin"; "Wonder Show"; "Sealtest Village Store"
    08-29-1912 - Barry Sullivan - NYC - d. 6-6-1994
    actor: Steve Canyon "Steve Canyon"; Simon Templar "The Saint"
    --
    Ron Sayles
    For a complete list:
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 18:54:14 -0400
    From: "Michael Muderick" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Old time tv shows

    I went to Dollar Tree and bought about a dozen dvds.  They're mostly from
    the same manufacturer.  The description on the jackets does not give the
    full details of the content- you have to take your chances, but well worth
    the dollar.  I watched a Jack Benny disc.  The compression was somewhat
    annoying but they are definitely a good bargain.  The Jack Benny disc
    features HOpe, Crosby, Burns, Elke Sommer, and a few others.  Eastern
    Airline commercials are in the hour special.  Thanks for the tip.

    Michael Muderick

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

    Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 18:56:41 -0400
    From: "awfulE" <emba@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Sam Spade

> >     (Personally, I disagree because Spade was based in San Francisco, and
> >     Cypress Canyon is very clearly set near LA.)

    Sam Spade WAS  in Los Angles!  The novel by Raymond Chandler THE BIG SLEEP.

    All or most of the shootings (killings) were in a house in Cypress Canyon.
    The Big Sleep is one of my favorites.  The movie stared Humphrey Bogart and
    L. Bacal.  The second  Movie, Big Sleep, was filmed in GB and stared Robert
    Mitchum and James Stuwart.  I should think the version from LA was most
    likely broadcast with authorization  of the author or and the producer?

    awful E

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #191
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