Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #357
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 9/13/2002 9:03 AM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2002 : Issue 357
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Re: Jackie Kelk remembered            [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
  Re: Perfect bindings?                 [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
  Re:Tooth [removed]'s copy                  [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
  More on McFarland                     [ Bob Fells <rfells@[removed]; ]
  The Shadow; Beloit College list       [ Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed]; ]
  Ryan Osentowski's Jump the Shark      [ Ivan G Shreve Jr <iscreve@[removed] ]
  Hoboken Four                          [ RICFAS@[removed] ]
  Re: John Archer                       [ SanctumOTR@[removed] ]
  RE: CLASS OF 2002                     [ "Kevin W." <batchman4@gbpackersfan. ]
  Peter DeRose and May Singhi Breen     [ Tim Johnson <tjnknox@[removed]; ]
  THE HOBOKEN FOUR                      [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
  Obit: Kim Hunter                      [ Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed] ]
  Jackie Kelk                           [ "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed]; ]
  Today in OTR history                  [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  Conventions                           [ "William Strom" <stromman@[removed] ]
  FYI - Cartoon about ORS               [ David <dbmartin5@[removed]; ]

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 09:43:26 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: Jackie Kelk remembered

I was saddened to hear about Jack Kelk's passing. That makes two of my
acting buddies this year. Charlie Mullen (my first Archie co-star), and now
Jackie. [removed]'m living on borrowed time.

I have fond memories of Jack. From the early days on "Let's Pretend", and
subsequently, the few times I worked with him on "Henry Aldrich". That is,
until I got the part of "Jughead", (a role and characterization similar to
his on the "Aldrich family"). From that point on, CBS was reluctant to use
someone from the competition. :)

In a way, Jackie was indirectly instrumental in my getting to play the role
of "Jughead". When I first auditioned for the part, the director, Tony
Leader, said. "OK Harlan, give me your interpretation of the comic book
character. But just don't make him sound like Jackie Kelk's "Homer".
Although the characters are essentially the same, we don't want to be
accused of copying." (Or words to that effect).

Armed with that information, and being so familiar with Jack's portrayal of
"Homer", I was able to come up with a different sounding squeaky voiced
character. I saw Jack at an Convention about 6 years ago, and after Bob
Hastings and I had just finished an "Archie" recreation, we were fielding
questions from the audience. I spotted Jack Kelk in the audience, and
publicly acknowledged his unwitting help in my getting the part, and for his
pioneering that type of teenage character.

Aw! Relax, Homer, Relaxxx!

Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 09:42:36 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: Perfect bindings?

My buddy, Joy Jackson, (a driving force in the Seattle REPS organization)
just posted some interesting info about the costs of books, hard cover vs.
"paperbacks". Speaking of Hardcover's, Joy states:

The reason the books are that expensive is that they are "library-bindings."
That means that the spine of each book is sewn, the top of the spine has a
cloth swatch glued on top for extra strength, and the book is cloth-covered.
This is expensive to do, and takes time, but it makes the book hold up for
hard usage in the library.

Most books (best sellers, etc) and all paperbacks, are "perfect
binding"--meaning that each page is glued to its brothers into a block. This
isn't perfect, really, because after being opened one or two times, the pages
start to fall out.

Ooops! I hope I didn't goof. With my recently completed book, I elected to
go with the "perfect" binding method so I could hold down the cost of
production, and make it more affordable to as many OTR fans as possible.

But doesn't the quality of "Perfect" binding, and durability, depend on many
factors. I opted for heavier paper weight (60#) to minimize "bleed through"
of graphics. Wouldn't thicker paper permit more "Surface" edge to the pages,
and hold to the book spine better? And wouldn't the quality of the
manufacturing binding process (and glues) vary between book manufactures? I
sure hope so.

My book size will be [removed] X [removed], 336 pages, tons of graphics and
illustrations, with a gloss cover, (laminated for stiffness and durability).
By going with the "Perfect" binding method, I was able to hold the selling
price to $[removed] I see where other works about OTR are selling from the mid
thirty's and way on up.

How about this analogy. I guess I still have "entertainer" blood coursing
through my veins. I'd rather "Play" to a packed house, (reasonable ticket
prices), than a select few who can afford to go.

By the way, I'm in the process of finishing up my web site which will have
all the ordering info, early reviews, etc. As soon as that's up and ready,
I'll be sure to let you Digesters know.

OK Joy? How many copies do you want to buy for your library? :) :) :)

By the way, thanks for sending me the stuff from the last REPS Convention.

Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 09:44:06 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re:Tooth [removed]'s copy

David kindred (AKA Tooth DK) said some nice things about harry Bartell's
recent column. And I heartily agree.

I enjoyed it immensely. It was wonderfully written and quite insightful. I'm
very much looking forward to subsequent issues.

But he couldn't let it go at that. Oh No! He then added;

Gee, I wonder if Hal writes as well? Wonder if Hal writes at all? My guess
is that he dictates to Dorothy. Guess I'll find out when I get my
pre-ordered coloring book. (We love ya, Hal.)

Actually, I had to prepare a special expurgated version of my book just for
my buddy "Tooth". They say Gemini's are supposed to be "wordsmiths". So, I
Smithed" away and eliminated any word over 5 letters long so he could follow
the story. And yes, he will be able to color in the numerous line drawings.

If I ever meet ol' Tooth, he won't have to worry about his dental problem.
He'll need bridgework. :)

Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 10:52:14 -0400
From: Bob Fells <rfells@[removed];
To: Old Time Radio <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  More on McFarland

Following the thread here regarding publishers McFarland & Co., I may
have the odd distinction of being an author who "fired" his publisher.
I had contacted McFarland about publishing a biography and film critique
of George Arliss.  They were - and are - very polite and courteous.
They encouraged me and even sent along a book contract. But when I
questioned some rather strange provisions and suggested changes - I'm a
lawyer too - they politely told me that they never change any of their
contracts and it was in effect non-negotiable!  I think I'm safe in
saying this is unheard of in the publishing world.  I should also point
out that the point of contention was not over compensation - you don't
write a book on George Arliss expecting to be paid!

I also suggested the possibility of including a CD of one of Mr.
Arliss's Lux Radio Theater broadcasts and even got a quote from the
license holder of the costs including supplying the CDs themselves.
McFarland responded, politely of course, that they just don't "do" that
kind of thing with their books!  My impression is that McFarland is a
bit too complacent with its niche in the academic library market and may
rely on authors who will agree to anything just to get published (no
offense to any McFarland authors here).  Maybe I was just too picky but
being a lawyer myself, I just saw some red flags in their contract that
I in good conscience could never have advised a client to sign, let
alone sign myself.

McFarland does publish some great titles that just are not available
anywhere else, and we owe some real thanks to those authors who produce
these volumes.  So it was a difficult decision for me to say goodbye to
them and their horse-and-buggy policies.  Anybody want to read an
unpublished book on George Arliss?

Bob Fells

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 11:00:16 -0400
From: Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  The Shadow; Beloit College list

Dan Hughes asked if John Archer did the "Who Knows
What Evil [removed]" narration of "The Shadow." The
answer is yes, he did-- as did all other Shadow
perfomers except Orson Welles. The openings from
Welles' programs were recordings of Frank Readick's
tenure when the Shadow was the host of the program and
not the protagonist.

On another topic, I found the Beloit College list
interesting, but would remind those that put it
together to not think in absolutes about what incoming
college freshman know and don't know about life since
1983. By their logic, everyone born in the mid 1960s
or later would have no knowledge of old-time radio
programs, since radio predated their birth. I can name
several people, including myself, who disprove that
theory.

 Similarly, you can't say with absolute certainty that
all incoming freshmen don't know about Ronald Reagan
or Johnny Carson, or record players or Pac Man, etc.

Rick

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 11:47:38 -0400
From: Ivan G Shreve Jr <iscreve@[removed];
To: Old Time Radio Mailing List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Ryan Osentowski's Jump the Shark

RyanO wondered out loud:

My question is, why not apply this to our favorite otr
series, just for the heck of [removed] just figured it might be fun to roll it
around in the otr [removed];<

Just off the top of my head:

"The Adventures of Sam Spade" - Jumped the shark when the powers-that-be
replaced Howard Duff with Steve Dunne.  As John Dunning wrote so memorably,
Dunne sounded like Sam Spade in knee pants.

"Duffy's Tavern" - When Ed Gardner decided to move the show lock, stock and
barrel to Puerto Rico.  In doing so, he lost the services of Eddie Green,
one of "Duffy"'s most valuable assets.  (I also believe that "Amos 'n' Andy"
[removed] when Green stopped playing Stonewall the lawyer.  Does anyone have
the skinny on why Green disappeared from two hit comedy shows all of a
sudden?)

"The Phil Harris & Alice Faye Show" - Jumped the shark when Elliott Lewis
could no longer play Frankie Remley, but a character named Elliott Lewis.

"My Friend Irma" - Jumped the shark when Cathy Lewis left.  Her prairie-dry
sarcasm in the character of Jane Stacy is what made the Jane-Irma dynamic
work.

Okay, I threw in a few to get the ball [removed]'m anxious to hear what
others think.

Ivan
--
"I know I'm [removed] as long as I make 'em laugh they're not gonna lock me
up." -- Red Skelton

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 12:30:45 -0400
From: RICFAS@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Hoboken Four
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In a message dated 9/12/2002 9:19:27 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:

A few posts ago Joe Mackey mentioned that in 1935 the Hoboken Four appeared
on the "Amateur Hour" featuring Frank Sinatra.  Who were the Hoboken Four
and what ever happened to them.  Did any of them make it in showbiz?

They did not make it is show business.  They were only together for approx. 6
months while on tour with the Major Bowes Touring unit.  Only Sinatra went on
to bigger and better things.

Ric Ross

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

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 14:09:30 -0400
From: SanctumOTR@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: John Archer

In a message dated 9/12/02 8:47:32 AM, Dan Hughes writes:

Anthony, I believe I read somewhere that John Archer was the announcer
who said, "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?..."
Is this true?  Could you possibly do a paragraph or two of highlights of
Archer's career?  I'd love to know more about him.

***First off, John Archer was primarily an actor, not an announcer (which a
number of obituaries got wrong).  And he was primarily a Hollywood film
actor, though he'd actually won his stage name in a radio show talent contest.

Born Ralph Bowman, he initially wanted to pursue a career on the other side
of the camera, majoring in cinematography at USC.  However, he soon
discovered that such jobs were virtually impossible to come by without a
studio or union family connection.  He was working as an aerial photographer
when he was discovered by acting coach Ben Bard in a Hollywood hamburger
joint.  Over lunch, Bard had been telling his students that they shouldn't
make trouble for directors, that they could be replaced, that he could teach
anybody to act.  The agent made a bet with him and Bard summoned a nearby
diner (Ralph Bowman) to his booth and offered him a full scholarship to his
acting school (whose students at the time included. Alan Ladd, Gig Young,
Tuhren Bey and John's future best friend, Jack Carson).  Three months later,
Bowman got his first work opposite [removed] Fields and Edgar Bergen in YOU CAN'T
CHEAT AN HONEST MAN, John Wayne in OVERLAND STAGE RAIDERS and Ralph Byrd in
DICK TRACY RETURNS.  Entering Jesse Lasky's GATEWAY TO HOLLYWOOD CBS talent
competition in 1939, Ralph Bowman emerged the winner with a new stage name, a
Hollywood contract and a leading role opposite Ann Shirley in RKO's CAREER.
Over our first lunch in 1985, I pointed out that a "Bowman" had become an
"Archer," an amusing irony that had escaped John up until that time.

During the next few years, the renamed "John Archer" starred in a number of
B-films including SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON, alongside Rathbone and Bruce
and John's first wife Marjorie Lord (the mother of their daughter,
Oscar-nominated actress Anne Archer).  His paycheck as a contact player rose
from $125/week to $300, but in 1943 the studio wanted to retain him at the
$300 level rather than institute a scheduled contract renewal raise to
$350/week.  Noting that most of the young actors getting the good roles and
paychecks had come from the Broadway stage, John pulled up stakes and moved
to New York to establish theater credentials.

John Archer was cast as Lamont Cranston in THE SHADOW in the fall of 1944 and
played the role for the duration of the season.  He also began the season in
the lead role of Field Agent Andrews on the new series, THE FBI IN PEACE AND
WAR.  However, John asked to be released from that contract when he won the
leading role in Jud Harris's Broadway-bound production, THE DAY BEFORE
SPRING.  He was able to keep THE SHADOW assignment, however, because that
show aired on Sundays when most theaters were dark.  SHADOW-director Bob Ste
el allowed Archer to skip the Wednesday run-through during the play's
out-of-town tryouts and return by train for the Sunday broadcast from Boston,
Philadelphia, New Haven, etc.

By 1948, THE NEW YORK TIMES and the HERALD TRIBUNE were praising John Archer
as the finest romantic leading man in the theater, and
Universal-International brought him back to Hollywood on his terms.  In 1949,
he co-starred with James Cagney in the classic WHITE HEAT ("Top of the world,
Ma!).  The following year, he received top billing in DESTINATION MOON (which
featured a screenplay by Robert Heinlein, placed 5th in THE NEW YORK TIME's
list of the year's 10-Best Films, and launched the 1950s science fiction
boom).  In 1951, John co-starred with Bob Hope and SHADOW radio-veterans Bill
Johnstone, Arnold Moss and Luis Van Rooten in MY FAVORITE SPY.  He performed
in dozens of other films including THE BIG TREES (opposite Kirk Douglas),
BLUE HAWAII (as Elvis Presley's uncle) and I SAW WHAT YOU DID, and hundreds
of classic TV shows including BATMAN, PERRY MASON, THE TWILIGHT ZONE and the
miniseries RICH MAN, POOR MAN.

I tracked John down in 1985 and directed him in a recreation of THE SHADOW at
the 1986 SPERDVAC Convention (and again the following year at FOTR and at
both conventions in 1994).  John relished the chance to perform again and
became one of the leading lights in REPS (Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound)
after retiring to Washington State.

John Archer was, for most of us in the OTR community, the only Shadow we ever
got to meet face to face.  More than that, John was truly one of the nicest
actors I've ever worked with, a wonderful gentleman and a good friend.  I'm
sure some of the REPS members on this list can add more about what a
wonderful human being John was, and how important he was to the early success
of the Seattle-based OTR club.
--ANTHONY TOLLIN***

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 16:51:25 -0400
From: "Kevin W." <batchman4@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  RE: CLASS OF 2002

I was born in 1983

I've read seveal books and articles on the Reagan Era.
I have very vivd memories of January 1991.
I remember asking my mother abouit Tianamen Square and her explaining it all
to me.
I happen to have a very big vinyl collection, as a matter of fact I used to
listen to my dads records when I was 4 or 5.
As for missing "Gildy", nothing of the [removed] have over 300 old time radio
tapes ranging from "Gildy" to Amos and Andy's last show to Jack Benny's first
show and everything in between.
I DO own a record player.
I didn't have cable til I was 16.
My first pair of roller skates wer not inline.
I miss Johnny Carson.
I know more about WWII than Vietnam.
I happen to be a huge Dallas fan, whenever its [removed] ever remember watching
the final episode at age 7.
I didnt have a computer til I was 13 so I used a typewriter.

Whether ot nor you feel old is your own [removed] young people'[removed]
least in my case

Believe me, if I had my way I'd love to live in the 40s.

I hope no one takes offense to this, but remember to look to the youth, they
may surprise you.

Kevin Wondrash
Two Rivers, WI

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 16:58:08 -0400
From: Tim Johnson <tjnknox@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Peter DeRose and May Singhi Breen

Does anyone have any information on a show called "The Sweethearts of the
Air" starring Peter DeRose and his wife May Singhi Breen.  Are there any
shows extant?
Tim Johnson

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 16:57:59 -0400
From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  THE HOBOKEN FOUR
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In 1935, still unemployed and living at home, Sinatra attached himself to
a trio, whom he did not even know at the time, in nearby Englewood called
the Three Flashes. "We took him along for one simple reason" said the
trio's baritone, Fred Tamburro, "Frankie-boy had a car." When the Three
flashes, all Italian kids looking for a leg-up, were asked to do some
movie shorts for Major Bowes, whose radio "Amateur Hour" was the most
successful show on the air.

Three Flashes, Fred Tamburro, Jimmy Petrozelli and Patty Principi became
the Hoboken Four. On September 8th 1935, they appeared on the millionaire
Major's show singing the Mills Brothers' hit "Shine". Sinatra's first
words in public were at once pushy and playful; they got a laugh. "I'm
Frank, Major," he said, "we're looking for jobs. How about it?" The
Hoboken four won that night, with forty thousand people calling in, the
largest vote up to then in the show's history.

The Hoboken Four triumphed with their score,
and were off on a tour.  The Hoboken Four were soon to bore Sinatra, and
back to the Big Apple Frank went.

      [removed]
      A DATE WITH SINATRA

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  ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 18:01:30 -0400
From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Obit: Kim Hunter

Folks;

   Kim Hunter, remembered for roles as varied as Stella Kowalski, Marlon
Brando's wife in the stage and film versions of "Streetcar Named Desire," and
Dr. Zira, the coquettish simian in the 1968 film "Planet of the Apes," died
on Wednesday at her New York apartment. She was 79.

   The New York Time obituary is available at:

[removed]

   ...which requires a registration (but feel free to give false information
during the registration procedure).

         Charlie

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 18:45:07 -0400
From: "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Jackie Kelk

Michael Leannah <mleannah@[removed]; wrote:

The obit said he played a role on TV's Leave It to Beaver. Does anyone know
who he played on that show, or in which episode(s) he was featured?

According to the Internet Movie Database
([removed],+Jackie), he was in the first-season episode
"The Paper Route," as well as two 1959 episodes of The Donna Reed Show.

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 18:45:13 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Today in OTR history

  From Those Were The Days --

9/12

1938 - [removed] Kaltenborn made broadcasting history by covering a crisis in
Czechoslovakia for CBS radio beginning on this day. Kaltenborn was so
devoted to his work that he slept in the studio for 18 days while
bringing updates to his appreciative audience.

9/13

1931 - Vaudeville star Eddie Cantor was heard for the radio for first
time on NBC. The Chase and Sanborn Hour became one of the most popular
radio shows of the 1930s.

1937 - The first broadcast of Kitty Keene, Inc. was heard on the NBC Red
network.

  Joe

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

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 23:24:01 -0400
From: "William Strom" <stromman@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Conventions

Will there be any conventions in or near the New England area?

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

Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 23:24:17 -0400
From: David <dbmartin5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  FYI - Cartoon about ORS

Saw a WB Merrie Melodies cartoon called "I've Got To Sing A Torch
Song" from around 1932-35 which has many of references to 30s radio
starts, ex. Ed Winn, the Boswell Sisters, etc.  In B&W  but
interesting.

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #357
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