Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #85
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 3/5/2002 3:33 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2002 : Issue 85
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Worst shows                           [ Tony Baechler <tony@[removed]; ]
      Hour long Suspense series             [ Eric J Cooper <ejcooper2002@[removed] ]
      visual images of actors               [ Eric J Cooper <ejcooper2002@[removed] ]
      Star Wars Radio Drama                 [ Henry Howard <hhoward@[removed] ]
      Various                               [ Mdlang11@[removed] ]
      surviving shows                       [ Jim Murtaugh <JimM@[removed]; ]
      "Good Evening ... From Holly --- Pin  [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      Leave The Ranger 'Lone                [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      Boston Blackie                        [ Christopher Werner <cwerner@globalc ]
      Bill Robson                           [ khovard@[removed] ]
      'Lone Star' Dietz & 1956 Rose Bowl    [ Richard Kukan <rkukan@[removed]; ]
      MP3 CD players                        [ "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed]; ]
      Shadow query                          [ passage@[removed] ]
      Filling in the Columbia Square        [ Conrad Binyon <conradab@[removed] ]
      Inner Sancum Mysteries                [ Musiciantoo47@[removed] ]
      more about mp3 players                [ "dick wamser" <snapp@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 10:17:37 -0500
    From: Tony Baechler <tony@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Worst shows

    Hello.  In no particular order, here are shows I do not care for or think
    are poor drama.

    The syndicated versions of "Boston Blackie," and "Philo Vance."  Vance is
    too predictable.  I can always figure out the guilty party halfway through
    the show.  Too much filler.  Good acting though.  Blackie is just too
    far-fetched to even make good sense.  In one show, the coast guard
    responded to a radio call made by Blackie on an airplane with both hands
    tied and a gun pointed at him.  Wow!  Not only that, but they dropped
    everything they were doing just to help out Blackie.  Finally, the
    inspector and Blackie have no use for each other most of the time, but then
    one or the other needs help and they have always been the best of
    friends.  Too much uneven writing.

    Another is the 1952-54 "Lone Ranger."  Almost all the later scripts were by
    other writers and it was common for the LR to just use a disguise and
    forget the mask.  I just heard two shows where the LR is just a cowboy and
    is never seen with the mask at all.  Fianlly, the 1954-55 Benny program and
    a syndicated show called "The Haunting Hour."  Benny was just flat.  I felt
    like I was just listening to someone going about his life and wondering
    what the point was.  Harris was gone by that point and most of the lines
    went to Benny.  Even the audience did not react as much.  "The Haunting
    Hour," is not really bad, just very ordinary.  I am starting to fear that I
    will not like "Frank Race," either.

    However, the absolute worst has to be "Secret Agent K-7 Returns."  There
    are 3 circulating, 15 minutes each.  They are so bad they are funny.  This
    is obviously a 1930's series which is trying to be a thriller but
    fails.  No names are ever used.  Even the chief has a number.  Some went
    through the newsgroups a while ago but I lost them.  That has to be the
    worst show I heard.

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 11:36:14 -0500
    From: Eric J Cooper <ejcooper2002@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Hour long Suspense series

    The 60 minute version of Suspense was aired from January 3 to May 15,
    1948 and was a noble unsponsored effort that did not catch on. Too bad,
    there was some good stuff done on that version. Perhaps it was the
    Saturday time slot? Any opinions?

    Eric Cooper

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 11:36:35 -0500
    From: Eric J Cooper <ejcooper2002@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: visual images of actors

    I can only speak from my expierence as a baby boomer (45 yrs old), having
    seen Bill Bendix before ever hearing a radio Life Of Riley, then it was
    easy for me to picture Bill Bendix. I did not see a lot of photos of
    dramatic actors until long after I heard them first and I would have to
    say that sseing the photo of the person after picturing a different face
    in my mind somewhat disillusioned me. Good case in point is Bret
    Morrison. I first heard The Shadow in 1964 when Charles Michelson
    (spelling?) syndicated it, and two years later saw a picture of him in
    Mary Jane Higby's book "TUNE IN TOMORROW". I was appalled to see this
    "baby face" that I had known as the sinister Shadow. Like I said,
    disillusioning!

    Eric Cooper

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 11:37:10 -0500
    From: Henry Howard <hhoward@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Star Wars Radio Drama

    The radio drama version of Star Wars, The New Hope was released
    in 1993.  The program was produced by NPR in association with KUSC,
    Los Angeles.  Episode 5 and 6 followed.

    The entire series can be found at [removed] and from
    many other sellers of books, audio books and other merchandise.

    The distributor is HighBridge  [removed]

    The  "New Hope" contains several scenes there were omitted
    from the movie.

      Henry Howard - moderator of  radiodrama@[removed]
    770 923 7955                   [removed]

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 11:54:31 -0500
    From: Mdlang11@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Various

    Dan Hughes wrote:

>     I was at an auction of autographs collected in the mid-1830's, and one
>     that sold was by Burns and Allen.  But that's all it was--a 3 x 5 card
>     with "Burns and Allen" written on it.  Did George sign like this for both
>     of them?  Or did Gracie?

    Well, since neither one of them was to be born for fifty years, I think you
    can reasonably assume the autographs are fakes.  Of course, I'm no expert,
    [removed]
    Now if those autographs had been selected in the 1930s, you might have
    something.  On the other hand, I'm sure any number of parapsychologists would
    be interested in the prescience of the collector.

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 12:49:09 -0500
    From: Jim Murtaugh <JimM@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: surviving shows

    			I'm sure someone can help me on this.  Why is it
    that a show such as "Calling All Cars" which aired in the 1930's has so many
    episodes that have survived?  Of the 302 shows aired, 298 survive.  On the
    other hand, one of the most popular and long running shows, "Amos and Andy",
    have relatively few surviving shows?  You would think that any show that
    appealed to so many listeners would have been better preserved.

    			Jim Murtaugh

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 12:49:52 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: "Good Evening ... From Holly --- Pinewood

    [removed]"
    Approved: ctrn4eeWlc

    Glenn Alexander, anent Star Wars, asks,

>     Hi I understand that there was a radio serial produced based on this
>     movie, does anyone have any information about it or where to obtain it.

    I know it was aired on NPR some years ago.  My nephew and his dad
    listened to it, episode by episode when it was broadcast.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 12:50:21 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Leave The Ranger 'Lone

    Mark Stratton, commenting on the proposed Lone Ranger TV series, noted on
    the observation that the Lone Ranger model should retain its Fran Striker
    origins,

>     I understand your feelings on this but I would humble disagree.  <snip>
>     A hero today needs to be a bit flawed.  Capable of making a mistake and
>     learning from it.

    "Today" brings us into making the model fit a temporary mold, for over
    the years, "today" always reflects the perspective of the moment.  The
    point of a legend is just that: it's a legend.  Classic stories, such as
    Sir Galahad in "The Quest for the Sangreal" in Le Morte d'Arthur, don't
    require revisionism.  The Lone Ranger of radio, particularly when Brace
    Beemer played the "recovered" Lone Ranger, approached the mythological.
    That aspect should, IMHO, be left alone.

    Speaking of the foundation of the myth, Mark S. observes,

>     I don't think they could alter any of the origin.  I don't recall
>     because I've not seen the Klinton Spilsbury LR movie in some time, but I
>     think they got the origin right for the most part.

    One of the reasons I _didn't_ see the Spilsbury film is that I saw a clip
    from it on a news show (Today, as I recall).  In the origin, The Lone
    Ranger used silver bullets to remind himself of the preciousness of human
    life.  In the Spilsbury film clip I saw, the Lone Ranger was advised to
    use silver bullets by an Indian chief in order to improve his
    marksmanship!  That's about as far away from the legend origins as you
    can get.

    Onwe listening to the Lone Ranger broadcasts gets a feel of historical
    happenings -- those thrilling days of Yesteryear.  With no disrespect to
    the memory of Clayton Moore, the TV series didn't.  Radio shows like
    "Maximilian's Gold" or "The Transcontinental Telegraph" provide a
    cultural heritage to listeners mostly lacking in the TV series.  In the
    radio series, The Lone Ranger seemed a part of history; in the TV series,
    the historical era was the backdrop for a story.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 12:50:32 -0500
    From: Christopher Werner <cwerner@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Boston Blackie

    Does anyone on the list have a copy of Jack Boyles' 1919 book "Boston
    Blackie" upon which the movies, OTR shows and TV shows were based? If so
    could you please contact me off-list (privately).
    Thanks.

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 12:51:05 -0500
    From: khovard@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Bill Robson

    The following quote is from my forthcoming history of World War II era
    radio drama, WORDS AT WAR.

    	Robson was a memorable character to behold in his directorís booth.
    [Writer] Allan Sloane ............ described Robson as belonging to the
    ìLeonard Bernsteinî school of directing, referring to the famed
    conductorís exuberant physical performance as he directed. ìYou were not
    safe in the booth with him,î Sloane reminisced, ìunless you were out of
    his armsí reach.î In one rehearsal involving a lifeboat, Robson conducted
    a burial at sea literally acting out the physical action of tossing a
    corpse from the boat into the sea. He grunted, strained, lifted, spread
    his arms as if he alone were holding the corpse--and with one last grunt,
    tossed the imaginary body of a seaman into the sea. But then he lost his
    balance, slipped, and cracked his forehead on the very real booth
    counter. Another time, Robson had his arm above his head, in a Statue of
    Liberty stance, waiting for the story to come to a high level suspense.
    Then when the cue came, he threw his hand forward, bringing it down, in
    miscalculation, to the edge of the boothís window--at the cost of a
    forefinger nail. But the show went on.	Copyright 2002 Howard Blue

    	I am making a discounted prepublication offer for the book. Please read
    on:

     	W ORDS AT WAR: WORLD WAR II ERA RADIO DRAMA & THE  POSTWAR BROADCASTING
    INDUSTRY BLACKLIST is scheduled for publication in October by Scarecrow
    Press. It is based on interviews with Norman Corwin, Arthur Miller, Art
    Carney, Pete Seeger, Arthur  Laurents,  & dozens of others associated
    with radio's Golden Age.

     	The publisher plans to market the book for $40-45. I AM NEGOTIATING TO
    MAKE A  PRE-PUBLICATION BULK PURCHASE TO SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THE PRICE TO
    $29-35 AND PERHAPS LOWER.

     	IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A PRE-PUBLICATION ORDER PLEASE REPLY  TO THIS
    MESSAGE WITH YOUR EMAIL and HOME ADDRESS & THE NUMBER OF COPIES YOU WILL
    WANT. No payment is needed at this point.

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 15:14:15 -0500
    From: Richard Kukan <rkukan@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: 'Lone Star' Dietz & 1956 Rose Bowl

    I recently received a query from someone researching the career of
    William H. 'Lone Star' Dietz (1884-1964),
    "football coach, Indian artist and erstwhile silent film actor".  He
    tells me that, as part of the festivities for the 1956 Rose Bowl,
    Dietz and the surviving members of his 1916 Washington State team
    were on a radio or (sorry) TV show.  He's looking for leads.  I
    suggested he ask around at the various pertinent newsgroups and check
    with the Museum of Broadcasting, but if anyone has any better ideas
    (or more information), please drop me a line.

    Richard Kukan
    --
    Vintage Film Star Postcards <[removed];

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 15:14:35 -0500
    From: "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: MP3 CD players

    I think a lot of the problems being discussed here stem from the lack of a
    real standard for MP3 CD-R discs -- there's a standard for making MP3 files,
    and standards for recording files on CD-ROM, but not a standard that ties
    the two together, and that specifies what sampling rates, bit rates and
    directory structure a player should be able to accept.

    Remember that most people who buy these things use them to listen to music
    that has been "ripped" from commercial CDs, so the files are at [removed] kHz
    sampling rate, and the players are designed accordingly.  I would advise
    anyone who wants to use one for OTR to be prepared to convert their existing
    files to that rate and burn them on new discs for this purpose.

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 16:36:38 -0500
    From: passage@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Shadow query

    Hi All,

    I received the following query from Tammy Parker
    (wirelessbeat@[removed]):

    - ----
    My father (Sam Parker) was on The Shadow radio show.
    He had won a contest held by one of the show's sponsors,
    a salt company. Someone contacted a cousin to say he had
    found a recording of my dad on this show. My cousin lost
    the guy's number. Any idea of
    1) how I can figure out what episode my dad was on and
    2) how I can find a recording of it?
    - ----

    Anyone?

    Frank

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 16:42:32 -0500
    From: Conrad Binyon <conradab@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Filling in the Columbia Square

    William Murtough,

    I am so pleased whenever I see a posting from you in the digest
    where you share with us readers your recollections of activities
    and personalities you've been involved with from the OTR scene.
    I'm asking if you, in your capacity as an Engineer at the Los
    Angeles CBS KNX, recall any of the times when the CBS reigning
    powers allowed various displays to be set up within the southern
    horseshoe area between the two north/south wings of the CBS
    Columbia Square building complex at 6121 Sunset Boulevard?

    I particularly recall two,  a wartime display of a military
    Lockheed P-38 parked in the area which was used as the attraction
    for the sale of United States War Bonds.  I bought several myself
    after crawling up a set of  stairs allowing me to look down into
    its cockpit.  And a second more commercial display of a private
    aircraft, The Johnson Rocket,  single engine, low wing monoplane,
    seating three.  Why and how it came to be on display I couldn't
    say, for who in the general public was in the market for a speedy
    private airplane during the immediate postwar era?

    Given, I remember yourself and Joe Cohen, who engineered "The
    Mayor of the Town" show both being photo bugs, did you ever take
    any photographs of those displays, and did they ever cause any
    particular difficulties  in the technical operations of the
    stations radio broadcasting?

    Anyway how did they get those displays past the flagpole at the
    front of the building?  You recall?

    CAB
    --
    conradab@[removed] (Conrad A. Binyon)
       From the Home of the Stars who loved Ranches and Farms
         Encino, California.

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 17:21:17 -0500
    From: Musiciantoo47@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Inner Sancum Mysteries
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Hello - I'm Kenny From Alabama. I've been interested in and "collecting" OTR
    programs in one form or other (8-Track, LP, Cassette, CD) since 1973. I'm
    pretty new to the list, about 3 weeks now maybe. I love most all OTR but I'm
    Particularly interested in collecting Horror and certain Crime shows. I have
    purchased 2 MP3 CD's of Inner Sanctum Mysteries off of Ebay which has
    resulted in my having about 80 differen't episodes plus Too Many repeats for
    comfort. The second one which I just received claimed to have "112+ episodes"
    but that was actually a lie. Half the disc was repeats of Itself, and by the
    time I eliminated the episodes that I already owned, I wound up with only
    about 8 new ones. It appears to me that the same episodes are resold over and
    over and I was wondering how many more actually exist. I have a program log
    that shows the last episode as being program #526 - "Death Pays The Freight."
    Over 500 episodes is a Long Way from a mere 80, so I am wondering if anyone
    out there has some episodes that they may be willing to help me add to my
    collection. I guess there isn't any such thing as a Complete program log
    because they all seem to have skips in the numbering. I'm 49 years old and
    have been disabled since birth (Cerebral Palsy from knee down - I can't walk
    so I use a chair) and am on a low fixed income so TV, Reading, Music, and OTR
    play a major part in my life for entertainment. I already have an 8 disc MP3
    set of SUSPENSE, so I would like to collect INNER SANCTUM, WITCH'S TALE,
    LIGHTS OUT, THE SHADOW, BURNS 7 ALLEN,and CASEY, CRIME PHOTOGRAPHER -
    Particularly the episode "The Mysteriious Lodger." Any help with any of these
    will be greatly appreciated. And one more thing - can anyone give me any
    information about Inner Sanctum host Raymond Edward Johnson? And also his
    co-host Mary? When did he/they die? Are there any photos of them I could see?

    Thank you very much for allowing me to bend your ears. I hope I haven't taken
    too long. I enjoy the list very much and look forward to each one. It'll be
    fun to see my first post on the list. I do hope there is someone out there
    who has some of these shows and I can work out a deal. See you all later. (-:

      *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
      ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

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

    Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 17:22:26 -0500
    From: "dick wamser" <snapp@[removed];
    To: "otr" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: more about mp3 players

    Hello all:

    we've had some email problems here, just got the march  4 OTR
    digest this morning.

    Thanks for all the comments about the faulty mp3/cd players. Makes
    me feel much better. I'll just add one more thing.

    I made up a test cd Sunday with several 44,000 bit rate mp3 files.
    Player only [played one.  Only played four of the twenty mp3 files
    at 32,000 sampling rate.  But, the biggest surprise was that it
    also played an entire cd of real audio files. Manual says it isn't
    supposed to do that.
    I think I'll take this one back and get an exchange. If that
    doesn't work, will just wait for the next generation of mp3 player.
    Need to replace my 1995-vintage RCA portable cd player soon. Love
    the idea of both audio and mp3 cd play.  I'll also have to get on
    the web and look up the back issues of OTR digest from Friday to
    Sunday.  Yall have a nice day. OK?

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #85
    ********************************************

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