------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2005 : Issue 68
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Article on OTR [ seandd@[removed] ]
Vic 'n Sade Books [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
Seattle Convention June 24-25 [ HRRMIKES@[removed] ]
Riley/In Praise of Martin Grams [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
Re: Vic & Sade [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
WGN Friday night [ "Michael Leannah" <mleannah@charter ]
Dodge City Wind [ William Harker <wharker@[removed] ]
Joan Alexander/Out-of-print OTR book [ Glenn Brownstein <scoopmit@insightb ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
3-2 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Re: Life of Riley phrase [ Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed] ]
"The Ticket Stub" [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
3-3 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Orson Welles radio career [ "HOWARD BLUE" <khovard@[removed]; ]
Nostalgic Music Programs [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 18:55:44 -0500
From: seandd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Article on OTR
This great nostalgic article about OTR ran in today's Palladium-Item, outside
of Richmond, Indiana.
That has to be fairly close (by Midwestern Standards) to Cincinatti - I hope
the organizers of that event get in touch with this writer, he's clearly in
our camp.
Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 19:37:16 -0500
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Vic 'n Sade Books
FYI == I recently bought 'The Little House Half-way up on the Next Block'
through Alibris. [ [removed] ]. I bought the one at the lowest price
which was about $13. I checked just now and there is one copy of each book
available, used, at $[removed] each.
-Irene
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 20:15:23 -0500
From: HRRMIKES@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Seattle Convention June 24-25
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The stars and the program are almost finalized for the REPS Radio
Showcase to be held in Seattle on Friday and Saturday, June 24-25. There
will be
no Thursday or Sunday program components
OTR professionals who are committed at this point include: Alice
Backes, Dick Beals, Herb Ellis, Ray Erlenborn, Art Gilmore, Bob Hastings, Bill
Idelson, JoAnna March, Esther Geddes McVey, Anne Whitfield Phillips, Rosemary
Rice,
Hal Stone, Gil Stratton, [removed] They will be joined by professionals Larry
Albert, Frank Buxton Jim French and Paul Herlinger.
At this time REPS knows that they will be doing Archie Andrews starring
Hal Stone, Bob Hastings and Rosemary Rice; Vic and Sade, starring Bill
Idelson; The Adventures of Frank Race starring Art Gilmore; Imagination
Theater, the
syndicated new radio shows by Jim French, that Showcase weekend will be
starring OTR friends. It is probable that REPS will be doing two of the
following: Lights Out, Screen Directors Playhouse, Escape.
Ethel and Albert may be appearing briefly, as might The Bickersons.
Plus Bob Hastings and Hal Stone will be bringing about heavy laughter with
their Bob and Ray routine.
Club president, and OTR actor, Dick Beals stated "This Showcase will
return us to being one of the friendliest and most comfortable of events for
the
professionals and for the fans. I sincerely urge fans from all over the
country to come and join in."
Panels and interviews are getting special attention this year. A very
attractive silent auction of OTR related items will be the only "fund raiser"
done during the weekend and vendors will be on hand too.
Details on registration can be found on the club website
[removed]
For information beyond that, please contact Mike Sprague at
hrrmikes@[removed]
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*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 07:59:28 -0500
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Riley/In Praise of Martin Grams
Melanie Aultman asked:
Was at phrase, "the life of Riley" in use before the radio show or would the
spelling have been changed for other reasons?
'Twas. Altho' I cannot tell how or where it actually originated, I can tell
you the
term does date back to at least the 1920s. How do I know? Once while I was
researching the William Bendix radio show (created by Irving Brecher) at the
NYPL/Performing Arts--Billy Rose Theater Collection for my pal Lynn Wagar,
I filled out a call-slip for the clippings folder for "Life of Riley, The
(Radio),"
I was mistakenly given a folder for a stage show of the same name from the
1920s.
Speaking of research: altho' I have been trying to stay out of the
Grams-Blue-Stone
fray, I'd really would like to thank my good pal Marty Grams for the kind,
extolling words he afforded the research I did in helping him compile the log
for
Arthur Anderson's recent "Let's Pretend" update for Ben Ohmart's Bear Manor
Media. Likewise, I'd like to thank everybody who defended Martin, his sense of
modesty, and the inarguable contribution such a young guy like him has made to
this hobby.
Let me say something about Martin Grams, Junior, and do keep in mind that I
speak
not only as a friend, but also from my own stance as a professional.
researcher. There is
probably no other OTR author with as much enthusiasm for the hobby as MGJr.
In his
case, his youthfaul exuberance and energy works not only to his advantage, but
also,
consequentially for all the OTR & TV fans who buy and read his books. The man
is a
human dynamo with a great sense of self-discipline in setting and adhering to
his own
personal deadlines regarding the publication of his books.
At a young age, Martin has pioneered within the OTR community the phenomena of
desk-top printing and self-publishing. I happen to know of several instances
in which
Mr. Grams has inspired other OTR authors to look into self-publishing rather
than taking
their manuscripts to the scholarly publishers that primarily deal with the
library trade.
Not only does this help the struggling OTR author and researcher to realise a
much better
profit margin, but also makes the books more affordable to us OTR fans.
I have had the pleasure of having had done research of several of Marty's
books--usually
at the aforementioned Billy Rose Collection--and in the interest of full
disclosure, a good
95% of what I do is "for hire," as was the case for Messrs. Grams, Ohmart, and
Anderson
for the "Let's Pretend" update. Martin has always paid me on-time. Although
an independent
researcher working on his own has ample opportunity to "pad" his hourly rate.
Martin has never
disputed the estimated time and the final figure I present him. He's always
been "square"
with me, and I likewise reciprocate the courtesy. In addition, he has
magnanimously thrown
work my way during times of financial difficulty. Likewise, he'll hire OTR
fans he knows to
proofread his manuscripts. So, what little wealth Martin may have found in OTR
scholarly pursuits, he has generaously spread around.
MG has also made great strides in delving into libraries, colections, and
archives not just in the [removed],
but overseas as well. Therefore, the next time Marty posts here on the Digest
that he needs somebody
living near a particular archive to do some "legwork" for him, please be
assured that you will not find a
nicer temporary employer, who will pay for your services in a most
expeditious manner.
I can go on for several pages about what a fun guy Marty is to hang around
with, what a great joke-teller and
conversationalist he is [I once took an 11-hour road trip with him home from
the Cincinnati OTR convention
a few years ago], but that'd be straying too far off-course. I'd just like to
close by saying that
Marty is one helluva researcher and author and that this OTR hobby is much
more fun and rewarding because of
all the many great efforts he has made on behalf of it.
The thing I like most about Martin Grams is this: he's my pal.
Yours ever-so-earnestly in the ether,
Derek Tague
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:00:04 -0500
From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Vic & Sade
[removed]@[removed] wrote:
As much as I really do treasure these two books, what I'd REALLY love to
see is a different collection of Rhymer's scripts published. I've often
considered undertaking putting such a tome together, but I understand that
Paige Rhymer (the son of Paul) doesn't often allow his father's work to be
republished.
It is my understanding that the Rhymer estate has been very, very tightfisted
about optioning out elements of Paul Rhymer's creative output. While I
recognize the man's creative genius, I've never understood this as there is
very little material available on the series or the man other than those two
books mentioned. Rhymer's wife was very protective of the scripts and that
seems to continue with his offspring.
Probably, the best person to explain this is Barbara Schwarz of the Vic &
Sade Society who has been in contact with the estate in the past.
Jim Widner
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:00:29 -0500
From: "Michael Leannah" <mleannah@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: WGN Friday night
For those interested, on Friday night, March 4, Milt Rosenberg's Extension
720 radio show (WGN radio, 720 AM, 9:00-11:00 CST), will turn its attention
to "Classic Radio Plays."
In general I recommend Dr. Rosenberg's show, which airs Monday through
Friday. Items in the news, new books, etc. are the usual points of
discussion. Rarely does the topic of old radio arise. I think it will be
worth a listen Friday night.
Michael Leannah
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:01:08 -0500
From: William Harker <wharker@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Dodge City Wind
I have just returned from three weeks in Australia (mostly Melbourne, but
also Adelaide, Ballarat, and Euroa). On a stopover in Los Angeles (the
world's worst airport as far as I'm concerned), I was sitting in an
establishment awaiting my next flight on the way to the American east coast
when I saw a trivia question flash on the television screen.
It noted that while Chicago is known as the Windy City, it ranks only 28th
in average wind speed through the year. The number one city in wind
speed? Matt Dillon's Dodge City, Kansas.
Offhand, I can remember several episodes where wind definitely plays a
factor in the story line, but now, I'll have to listen even more closely
to the wind in Gunsmoke episodes. I can imagine there might be some
dispute as to wind speeds for various cities, but I still found this
interesting enough to note and remember.
Also, while in Melbourne, I found Richard Lane's _The Golden Age of
Australian Radio Drama: 1923-1960_ which I plan on perusing shortly.
Bill Harker
wharker@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:01:43 -0500
From: Glenn Brownstein <scoopmit@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Joan Alexander/Out-of-print OTR books
1. Granted, this interest stems from her present appearances on GSN in
The Name's The Same, but does anyone here know what happened to Ms.
Alexander after her radio career ended? I'm familiar with her
considerable radio resume, and I know she was the voice of Lois Lane in
a 60s Superman cartoon series, but nothing beyond.
2. I've found several of the OTR books recently mentioned at antique
malls and shops and antique/used bookstores, including "Treadmill to
Oblivion" just the other day ($5), "Faith is a Song," the Jessica
Dragonette autobio (I think $6) and "Out of the Blue," the terrific John
Crosby column collection ($3). It's not nearly as easy as clicking onto
the Internet, but it can be relatively inexpensive and a thought for
those with a little more time and the spirit of the hunt.
Glenn Brownstein
scoopmit@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:02:05 -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 six 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, 2 Mar 2005 08:56:27 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 3-2 births/deaths
March 2nd births
03-02-1900 - Kurt Weill - Dessau, Germany - d. 4-3-1950
composer: "Der Lindergflug"; "Towards the Century of the Common Man";
"This Is War"
03-02-1902 - Dame Flora Robson - Brighton, England - d. 7-7-1984
actress: BBC Radio "Streets of Pompeii"
03-02-1904 - Theodor "Dr. Suess" Geisel - Springfield, MA - d.
9-24-1991
children's book author: "American School On the Air"; "Columbia
Workshop"
03-02-1909 - Mel Ott - Gretna, LA - d. 11-21-1958
sportscaster: Play-by-Play Detroit Tigers; "Babe Ruth Show"
03-02-1914 - Martin Ritt - NYC - d. 12-8-1990
film director, teacher: "Coming Home"
03-02-1917 - Desi Arnaz - Santiago, Cuba - d. 12-2-1986
actor, bandleader: Ricky Ricardo "I Love Lucy"; "Bob Hope Show"
03-02-1918 - Elmira Roessler - St. Louis, MO - d. 4-30-1975
actress, singer: Jennifer Davis "Backstage Wife"; Tweetsie Herringbone
"Ma Perkins"
03-02-1919 - Jennifer Jones - Tulsa, OK
actress: "Radio Hall of Fame"
03-02-1923 - Jean Metcalfe - Reigate, England - d. 1-28-2000
announcer, presenter: "Forces Favourites"; "Two-Way Family
Favourites"; "Woman's Hour"
March 2nd deaths
01-23-1898 - Randolph Scott - Orange County, VA (Raised: Charlotte,
NC) - d. 3-2-1987
actor: "Academy Award Theatre"; "Campbell Playhouse"
02-08-1902 - Lyle Talbot - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 3-2-1996
actor: "Your Hollywood Informer"; "Calling All Cars"; "The Unexpected"
02-14-1908 - Lonnie Glosson - Judsonia, AR - d. 3-2-2001
country music harmonica player: "Grand Ole Opry"
02-19-1915 - Fred Freilberger - NYC - d. 3-2-2003
writer: "Suspense"; "Family Theatre"
03-16-1916 - Mercedes McCambridge - Joliet, IL - d. 3-2-2004
actress: Sunny Richards "I Love A Mystery"; Martha Ellis Bryant
"Defense Attorney"
07-24-1913 - Hollace (Vivien) Shaw - Fresno, CA - d. 3-2-1976
singer: "Blue Velvet"; "Vic Damone and Hollace Shaw Show"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 15:12:22 -0500
From: Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Life of Riley phrase
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The term "life of Riley"seems to go back at least to the 1880's.
See:
[removed]
[removed]
[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 15:12:49 -0500
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "The Ticket Stub"
Jay Sweet in yesterday's Digest asks about "The Black Museum." While
others here can give Jay insight into the show, I would like to recommend
to Jay that he pick up a copy of IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN! [BearManor Media,
2002] which is edited by Ben Ohmart. The book is available through
BearManor's website -- [removed] and is an excellent compilation
of stories based on old radio programs. This particular book is Volume I.
I mention it because there is a superb story in there entitled "The
Ticket Stub" which frames itself within the context of the original show,
"The Black Museum." The inside cover page even has a picture depicting
"The Black Museum." Jay can get a full view of what the program was like
by reading this excellent tale by Digest poster and Wisconsin educator,
Michael Leannah. It is a wonderfully woven mystery with plot details that
make it a page turner.
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 15:24:24 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 3-3 births/deaths
March 3rd births
03-03-1890 - Edmund Lowe - San Jose, CA - d. 4-21-1971
actor: Sergeant Quirt "Captain Flagg and Sergeant Quirt"
03-03-1902 - Ruby Dandridge - Memphis, TN - d. 10-17-1987
actress: Mammy Brown "Gallant Heart"; Geranium "Judy Canova Show"
03-03-1906 - Donald Novis - Hastings, England - d. 7-23-1966
actor: Matt Mulligan "Jumbo Fire Chief Program"
03-03-1911 - Jean Harlow - Kansas City, MO - d. 6-7-1937
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"
03-03-1915 - John Nelson - d. 11-3-1976
emcee: "Bride and Groom"; "Know Your NBC's"; "Live Like a Millionaire"
03-03-1920 - James Doohan - Vancouver, Canada
actor: "You Never Had It So Good"; "The Investigator"
03-03-1920 - Jimmy Edwards - Barns, Surrey, England - d. 7-7-1988
actor: Pa Glum "Take It from Here"
03-03-1921 - Diana Barrymore - NYC - d. 1-25-1960
actress: "Crime Does Not Pay"
03-03-1924 - Barbara Jean Wong - Los Angeles, CA - d. 11-13-1999
actress: Judy Barton "Cinnamon Bear"
03-03-1924 - Cathy Downs - Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY - d.
12-8-1976
actress: "Your Movietown Radio Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Mail
Call"
03-03-1937 - Bobby Driscoll - Cedar Rapids, IA - d. 3-20-1968 (body
found)
actor: "A Day in the Life of Dennis Day"; "Family Theatre"
March 3rd deaths
01-18-1913 - Danny Kaye - Brooklyn, NY - d. 3-3-1987
comedian: "Danny Kaye Show"
02-26-1887 - William Frawley - Burlington, IA - d. 3-3-1966
comedian: Fred Mertz "I Love Lucy", "Hallmark Playhouse"; "Hollywood
Hotel"
03-06-1906 - Lou Costello - Paterson, NJ - d. 3-3-1959
comedian: "Chase & Sanborn Hour"; "Abbott and Costello Show"
03-13-1907 - Frank Wilcox - DeSoto, MO - d. 3-3-1974
actor: Father "Central City"
03-19-1889 - George L. "Doc" Rockwell - Providence, RI - d. 3-3-1978
comedian: "Camel Pleasure Hour"
04-04-1895 - Arthur Murray - NYC - d. 3-3-1991
dance master: "Natural Bridge Dancing Class"
10-09-1909 - Robert Beatty - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - d. 3-3-1992
announcer: BBC Radio Newsreel"; "London Column"
10-16-1917 - Alice Pearce - NYC - d. 3-3-1966
actress: Daphne "Henry Morgan Show"
10-30-1915 - Fred Friendly - NYC - d. 3-3-1998
writer, director: "Hear It Now"; "Who Said That?"; "Quick and the
Dead"
12-02-1918 - Ezra Stone - New Bedford, MA - d. 3-3-1994
actor: Henry Aldrich "Aldrich Family"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 15:55:14 -0500
From: "HOWARD BLUE" <khovard@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Orson Welles radio career
I wrote some time ago that Paul Heyer's book about Orson Welles, The Medium
and the Magician : The Radio Legacy of Orson Welles, 1934-1952 (Critical
Media Studies, Institutions, Politics, and Culture Series) was scheduled for
publication in late January. Unfortunately it's still not out, but it should
be soon. Keep tuned.
Howard Blue
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 17:51:02 -0500
From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Nostalgic Music Programs
Having been born in the middle of the century, 35 years(or so) after the
concept of music copyrighting was established, with lots of starving media
companies happy to have their products played often, I've grown up with
certain 'Nostalgia' music programs. Whether they feature OTR
dramas/comedies/etc. or music of the (pick the decade) they serve the
purpose of allowing folks older than 20 to reminisce and perhaps introduce
a little of their listening experiences with those younger than them.
So, my questions are:
1) What was the first 'OTR' program (a program whose purpose was to feature
re-broadcasts of older programs for the sake of reminiscing (not merely
syndicated re-runs (ala Dragnet) or re-broadcasts due to popularity (ala
Suspense)?
2) What was the first 'oldies' music program (not classical, but popular
featuring recordings of music that was popular more than 20 years
previously - and specifically marketed as a nostalgia program)?
Even if they are not the first it would be interesting to know when the
genre/concept first gained popularity. There is nothing so satisfying then
listening to a string of recordings and knowing the words to all the songs!
Curious Chris.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #68
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