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

[removed] Digest				Volume 96 : Issue 312

Table Of Contents: 

	 Re: Stale Radio
	 adventures in odyssey
	 Durante is a liar???
	 Mystery ? radio show	
	 Female Radio PI's
	 Roy Shields
	 Re. Gays in OTR
	 ADMINISTRIVIA: Television Threads
	 Re: stuck cassettes.
	 My web site
	 Audio Drama is not Completely Dead

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

Date: Sun, 01 Sep 1996 10:33:49 -0400
From: Michael Carraher <carraher@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Stale Radio
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

The arguement made by some critics is OTR became slick but stale
following World War II (see Wertheim, Frank, "Radio Comedy," Oxford
University Press, 1979) -- prior to the broadcasting industry turning
it's attention to TV.
1.  Radio moguls resisted and delayed the introduction of TV.  Radio was
comparatively inexpensive to produce (compared to TV), facilities were
already in place (no start up costs) and radio was a sure thing (TV was
a new and, therefore, risky venture).  The move to TV was hardware
driven.  The market for radios had peaked.  RCA (a manufacturer first, a
broadcasting organization, second) started moving to TV and the rest of
the industry was eventually forced to follow.  CBS did try to delay
things (arguing the industry should wait until a standard for color TV
was established.  RCA wanted to sell black and white sets now, color
sets a few years down the line).
2.  Advertisers used to own the shows and used sponsorship of radio
shows to build long-term good will.  Now advertising media buyers look
to immediate numbers.  If the audience declines, so do advertising
rates.  TV is more expensive to produce.  If rates go down, so do
profits.  Competition for audience attention is harsher now (more
choices available).  Shows can't go stale and stay one the air.  Now the
problem is the reverse; often good shows can't find an audience.
3.  Performers were more willing to stay with a radio show.  Radio
required far less time, money and effort than filming/taping a weekly TV
series.  A performer could do movies, theater, records or tour and show
up in a studio for a run-though, broadcast for the East, and broadcast
for the West cost.  After World War II and the introduction of audio
tape, they could just show up and tape.  Now performers get raises every
year so a series gets more expensive each season.  And performers in a
successful series want to move on and do other things ([removed], feature
films).  So series a more likely to leave the air voluntarily before
they get stale.
4.  TV shows become profitable to their producers in syndication.  Once
a successful program has enough episodes in the can so the show can be
run on a daily basis, it is very tempting to pull the plug on new
productions and start collecting the big bucks.  On radio, programs were
live.  Reruns did not exist as we know them (if they did, more programs
would have been preserved).
What has been preserved is mostly from the 40's and 50's.  It's well
done ([removed], slickly produced); the formulae are executed flawlessly. 
Stale comes not from a decline in quality but in repetition.  What was
new and innovative in the 30's had become routine in the 40's. 
Listening back with ears of nostalgia it's hard to remember getting
tired of particular shows that were doing the same things after the war
as they did before.

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

Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 16:59:41 +0000
From: "F. Charles Simar" <FCharlesSimar@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: adventures in odyssey
Message-ID: <[removed]@DEFAULT>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

A few digest back, there was a mention of Adventures In Odyssey and other
such broadcasts.  Although not eing the religious type, I would like to give
such program a listen.  I'm here in central Michigan and if anyone 
could tell any station and times that these programs air, let me know.

(I would have written sooner, but my computer was being upgraded and took a
VERY long time.  It's great to
 be back again) 8'>

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

Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 14:30:21 -0400 (EDT)
From: Aubrey Bullard <aubrey@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Durante is a liar???
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Let's see now Ken, re Mrs Calabash. You knew a guy who knew a guy who
worked with a guy who used to know about Durante? Or was it a guy who
thought he [removed] [removed] to keep the old pot boiling.

Why in hell would Jimmmy Durante get up in front of the National Press club
and out and out lie. Especially why would he drag his long-dead wife into
it? And why would Durante need a gimmic anyway? To keep his name remembered
by the public? Are you kidding?????????? This man needed recognition like
George Burns needed a recognition gimmic.  

Would you believe it if I said the sky is blue? Or would you say that wasn't
necessary so, just for the sake of argument.

This is the reason I read but seldom post to this group. I worked in OTR
from 1948-1955, but no matter what I post somebody declares it wrong and has
heard the true story, etc etc [removed]


Aubrey B.

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

Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 14:57:35 -0500
From: vintage@[removed] (Andy Blatt)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Mystery ? radio show	
Message-Id: <v01540b00ae4f9a947573@[[removed]]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have about two dozen episodes of a radio show called "Dreadful John at
Midnight".  It was broadcast Tuesdays at 12 midnight and is 15 minutes
long.
Jay Hickerson's log of oldtime radio lists it as South African but it is
certainly an American show.  Does anyone have any information?  Thanks.

Andy Blatt

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

Date: Sun, 01 Sep 1996 15:00:46 -0400
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Female Radio PI's
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Dick Lupoff wrote:
>I have a feeling that this was the first ever female PI show on radio. I'm
>not counting female sidekicks or partners of male PI's like Pam North or Nora
>Charles.  Nuh-uh! Candy was strictly her own boss, took her own risks and
>solved her own cases.
>

Actually not. Jack French (not to be confused with Seattle's Jim French) in
an article in the February 1996 SPERDVAC Radiogram mentions that "Radio's
first woman detective made her debut in September 1937 and the show was
broadcast from [removed] Keene, Inc. sponsored by Dreft, told the
trials and triumphs of a former chorus girl who in mid-life opens a
detective agency."

Beyond that in order, Jack mentions:

1. Kitty Keene
2. Carolyn Day, Detective
3. Miss Pinkerton Inc. (I have episodes of this and it wasn't too bad).
4. Susan Bright, Detective (not a series - starred Una Merkel)
5. Policewoman
6. Meet Miss Sherlock
7. The Affairs of Ann Scotland
8. Candy Matson
9. The Lady in Blue


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Widner                      INTERNET: jwidner@[removed]
Dayton, OH                      WWW: [removed]
COMPUSERVE: 74566,3041          
AOL: JimWidner                            

                                                 

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

Date: Sun, 01 Sep 1996 15:00:48 -0400
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Roy Shields
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The Roy Shields mentioned below is the same one. The program (I have one
episode) is called Roy Shields Revue and mine is from Dec. 7, 1941 via NBC.
My copy is mostly music as I recall. I received a request quite some time
ago concerning this composer. Here is a piece of the note I received which
adds a little more to this mystery:

>>I have some friends in Holland who have done wonderful things with Roy
>Shield
>>Music (Two original CD's of Shield's 'Our Gang" music from the Hal Roach
>>movies) and they are just deperate to hear other extant Shield shows. Yours
>>seems to be it.
>>
>

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


>>Dear Dr. Bensman:
>>
>>Rich Samuels, who has a homepage on radio in Chicago, suggested that I
>>write to you with the following queries.
>>
>>I am researching the work of composer Roy Shield (1893-1962) who was
>>NBC's music director between 1931 and 1955. For most of that time he
>>worked in Chicago. He conducted his orchestra in many popular variety
>>programs, news programs, and plays. I am looking for recordings of his
>>music; in particular, the following:
>
>I found a reference in _The Big Broadcast_ by Frank Buxton and Bill
>Owen
>
>Author's Playhouse                                              Drama
>This was a dramatic program with scripts by various writers. It was
>first heard over Mutual in 1941. Wynn Wright created the show; ROY
>SHIELDS and his orchestra furnished the music.
>
>Don't know whether this is the same person being researched but it
>might be.
>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Widner                      INTERNET: jwidner@[removed]
Dayton, OH                      WWW: [removed]
COMPUSERVE: 74566,3041          
AOL: JimWidner                            

                                                 

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

Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 01:09:11 -0500 (CDT)
From: Betty Jean Davis <betdav@[removed]>
To: Old Time Radio <otr@[removed]>
Subject: Re. Gays in OTR
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

I don't think OTR deliberately stereotyped gays as such; that subject was 
not a part of the public consciousness as is is now.  Perhaps, instead, 
there were the characterizations of "prissy" men as a comical character.

I cannot remember the actor who appeared on some show, always introduced 
by a harried announcer who said,

"Will you come in, sir? (pause)  Will you come in now? (pause ) WILL YOU 
PLEASE COME IN?!"

To which the character responded,
"Don't RUSH me!! You Crazy, you!"

and another lisped line of his was, "OOOoooo, you're just so CRAZY, you!"

Help!  Who was this?

And again, I missed it the other day: name of the actor who always played 
the "prissy" salesman with the "Yeeesssss?"




 Walter W. Davis
Corpus Christi Tx

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

Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 14:40:02 -0500 (CDT)
From: wdp (AIRWAVES MEDIA)
To: otr@[removed] (Old Time Radio)
Subject: ADMINISTRIVIA: Television Threads
Message-Id: <m0uxING-000YSWC@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Length:        940

Dear OTR readers:


Just a gentle [removed]

The threads regarding television are now multiplying and drifting
farther and farther from the topic of OLD TIME RADIO.  Remember OLD
TIME RADIO?  This is a digest about OLD TIME RADIO.

The occasional reference to TV in the context of old time radio is
fine, and we have not tried to stop it.   However things are beginning
to get to a point where I need to jump in and remind everyone that
this is an OTR list, not a general media-nostalgia list.  For those of
you who have not read the list's charter, you may obtain a copy at Lou
Genco's web site ([removed]).   Perhaps Lou would consider
posting a copy  <hint hint> .

In the mean time, let's keep the list focused on what it is designed
[removed] discussion of old time radio.

Thank you all, in advance, for your self-restraint.

William Pfeiffer
Administrator: Old Time Radio Digest
wdp@[removed]
Web: [removed]

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

Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 20:49:53 +0100 (BST)
From: hbj@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: stuck cassettes.
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

The following isn't for the faint hearted, nor does it constitute a real
solution, but for me it has been known to work.
But, if it's a valued cassette, rerecord it, then chuck it.
Things that can happen.
There was a time, when tdk-ads did this, occassionaly a piece of plastic
would get loose inside the shell. Only one solution, and that's take it
apart.
Generally, as has been suggested, though the cassettes will jam.
2 things I have found to work. 1.
tortion the cassette. Twist it gently, but firmly, [removed] along its axis.
Too much, you'll snap the shell.
But, it will tend to flatten the pancake. Also, squeezing the shell
firmly is less destructive than the former, and may sort the problem.
Also, quite frequently, banging it sharply against a hard table, or
something.
Then, the final solution, when the above has failed.
Place it on the ground and stomp it. This will render the problem
resolved forever. Since, the cassette will not be playable. But, it will
also never bother you again.
And, after all that frustration, it feels good!!
But, if you are real serious, there are these repair shells you can get
with leader inside. You can reload these shells with the damaged ones,
and probably save that quality program you thought you had lost.
Happy listening.
                                                regards
  

henry: [removed]
hbj@[removed]

`[1;35;47mNet-Tamer V [removed] Beta - Registered

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

Date: Sun, 01 Sep 1996 15:56:23 -0400
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: My web site
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Seems my Internet Provider for my web site is having some problems. If you
try to access some of the files from my ftp site, you will probably get a
"too many anonymous users" message. 

I am trying to get them to get this straightened out, so I will let everyone
know what is going on.

(No laughing, Lou!!)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Widner                      INTERNET: jwidner@[removed]
Dayton, OH                      WWW: [removed]
COMPUSERVE: 74566,3041          
AOL: JimWidner                            

                                                 

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

Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 14:01:55 -0700
From: joseph@[removed] (joseph)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Audio Drama is not Completely Dead
Message-Id: <v01530500ae4f3d95b0cb@[[removed]]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

As a producer of Audio Theater, though not well known--yet,  I don't think
audio theater is completely dead. It's just not mass market. It is a niche
market very much like magazines. Up to the mid-sixties therewas a small
number mass market magazines. They were the big ones like Life and Look.
The medium size ones like Newsweek and US News, but there hardly any small
size what would be called niche magazines. They exploded on to the market
in the late seventies. Look at todays magazine rack. There are tons and
tons of niche magazines.

This is what audio theater is, a niche market. The only reason that other
countries have radio theater is they are produced by state broadcasting
companies where profit isn't as important.

One other thing, with the advent of cable, videos and satellite tv is
becoming a niche marget. A USA series might get a million viewers a week,
but that's nothing in a universe of 98 million homes. Though network is
still mass, even it's ratings are shrinking.

Books on tape, which I  personally dislike, is an exploding niche market as
well. Audio theater could be as well if new and well produced works come
out. I believe that audio theater is not dead, just sleeping waiting to
come alive in a new body.

Joseph M

A-R-T Audio Productions      Tapes Distributed Through
Joseph C. McGuire            Satellite Broadcasting Co.
PO Box 331                   4580E Mack Avenue
Sedro- Woolley WA 98284      Fredrick MD 21701




--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V96 Issue #312
*******************************************

