Subject: [removed] Digest V01 #161
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 5/30/2001 3:10 PM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                      The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                         Volume 01 : Issue 161
                   A Part of the [removed]!
                           ISSN: 1533-9289


                           Today's Topics:

 T-Shirts                             [Garpboy@[removed]                    ]
 Re: OTR Train Shows                  [Udmacon@[removed]                    ]
 Hitchcock's Favorite                 ["CKretlow" <ckretlow@[removed]; ]
 N/NW Cult!                           ["jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];    ]
 Re:  Grand Central Station           [Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];       ]
 T-Shirts                             [DBacca@[removed]                   ]
 DJ Hal Searles?                      ["jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];    ]
 Fs: Sealed Book album                ["Tony Baechler" <tony@[removed];]
 Photo Books                          ["Ken Kay" <kenwyn@[removed];   ]
 #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [lois@[removed]                  ]
 Copies                               ["Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@]
 Sound Conventions                    ["Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@]
 Trains in OTR                        ["Lee, Steve (DEOC)" <slee@[removed].]

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 18:20:32 -0400
From: Garpboy@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  T-Shirts

Stephen:

Loosen up a little!  I think most of us knew that information; I was writing
on a lark, tongue in cheek!

Sheesh, I thought I could pen a note here and avoid the blue pencil of a
lawyer.  But, some of us probably did learn today, that contrary to popular
belief, "There is intelligent life down here"; "Beam me up, Stephen".

Hope all had a good 3-day weekend.  BTW, I save my precise comments for my
courtroom appointments.

Regards to all

Gary

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 18:46:49 -0400
From: Udmacon@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: OTR Train Shows

Probably the most bizarre regular "train show" was the daily "live" broadcast
of the Pan American as it zoomed out of Nashville, past the WSM microphone
adjacent to the station's still-used tower, and on its way to New Orleans.
WSM actually had a mike down by the tracks in a little shed it built for the
broadcast.

"The Pan American Broadcast" was heard on WSM at 5 [removed] every day for about
five minutes. I believe it lasted until the '50s.

Hank Williams immortalized this brodcast in his song "Pan American," in which
he sings: "when she passes that Nashville tower you can hear that whistle
[removed]"


Bill Knowlton, "BLUEGRASS RAMBLE," WCNY-FM: Syracuse, Utica, Watertown NY
(since Jan. 1973). Sundays, 9 pm est: [removed]

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 18:46:45 -0400
From: "CKretlow" <ckretlow@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Hitchcock's Favorite

Regarding Stephen Jansen's post :  OTR Notables in NORTH x NORTHWEST

There IS another OTR notable in Hitchcock's film "North By Northwest".
He was also in "Psycho", "Cape Fear", "Vertigo", and "The Wrong Man", among
other Hitchcock films.  Obviously the person I'm talking about was a
favorite of Hitch's, or he wouldn't have been in so many of his films.  HOW
MANY OF YOU CAN GUESS WHO I MEAN?

Could it be Mr. Hitchcock?   He was known for appearing at least once
in each of his films.  Did he also cast himself as a character in OTR
episodes?  If so, which would these be?

Celia ~

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 19:05:03 -0400
From: "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  N/NW Cult!

If this keeps up, maybe someone should start a "North By Northwest" web
site!   Thanks to Dennis Crow and everybody else for the further inside
story of this remarkable movie.

Someone noticed my goof.   It was

          Edward Platt who played Cary's lawyer in N/NW --

          (not Robert Platt)  :)

More trivia -- the house where James Mason is at near the end of the movie
near Mount Rushmore is a REAL house at that "practical" location as the
filmmakers say.  :)  There was a story about it in at least one South Dakota
paper when the film came out.

We South Dakotans viewing the film for the first time way back when, roared
with laughter when James Mason said that "Our Mr. Kaplan will be in Rapid
CiTY SouTH DAH-KOH-TAH."   Shucks, we SoDakers slur them thar words.   We
say it more like "Rapit Cidy, Soutdahkodah."

:)

Jim Stokes

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 19:05:05 -0400
From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re:  Grand Central Station

Bill Murtough pointed out the error in the opening of "Grand Central
Station" where the sound of steam locomotives was heard although all
trains were pulled into the REAL Grand Central by electrics.  He said
"Even though this inconsistancy was pointed out to the producers, they
would not change the opening."  It's been discussed here in the past,
but did anyone ever point out to the producers that Grand Central is a
TERMINAL, not a station, and that the name of the program itself was
incorrect?!!  If so, what was their reaction to that?

Another thought occurred to me when I saw Bill's note that "At one point
in time I was the engineer on that show".  Since it was the dream of
many little boys to be a railway engineer, did you ever get a ribbing
about being Grand Central's engineer and be asked by someone if they
could toot the whistle? :-)

By the way, if you are ever in New York City (like I was a couple of
weeks ago) drop into Grand Central Terminal.  They've done a wonderful
restoration job on it and it looks better than it has--in some ways even
better--since the day it opened.  It doesn't quite make up for the loss
of Penn Station, but it is good to see the architecture of the OTR era
finally getting its due.  Ditto Radio City Music Hall.

Michael Biel  mbiel@[removed]

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 19:24:23 -0400
From: DBacca@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  T-Shirts

Regarding otr motifs on t-shirts:  I think it`s a great idea. Something
of this nature which promotes awareness of these great shows and  of
this wonderful hobby, I would certainly consider worthwile. As the
original poster stated, this would be a great way to advertise your
interest in the hobby and meet others of like mind - it should make for
some interesting t-shirts as well.    Dan Bacca

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 19:41:38 -0400
From: "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  DJ Hal Searles?

I am trying to locate a DJ I worked with at WWTC in Minneapolis way back in
1967 or 68.   His real name is Hal Searles.   He went by the name of Jim
McShane at WWTC.  And he was known as Johnny Dark at WMCA in New York before
coming to Minneapolis.   Thank you.

Jim Stokes
jstokes@[removed]

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 21:59:50 -0400
From: "Tony Baechler" <tony@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Fs: Sealed Book album

Hello.  I have an album set of "The Sealed Book," available for sale.  It
has 6 tapes, for a total of 12 shows.  It was produced by Adventures In
Cassettes.  I opened it but have only listened to it once.  The sound
quality is excellent except some muffling.  I would like $8 plus shipping,
which would probably be about $3.  I would prefer to ship in the US.  I do
not take credit cards, only money orders and checks.  Contact me privately
if interested.  I only have one of these.

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

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 22:30:17 -0400
From: "Ken Kay" <kenwyn@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Photo Books

The following lists the various books recommended to me as a good source for
pictures of the OTR performers:

RADIO STARS by
Thomas A. Delong (McFarland, 1996) has photographs and solid biographies of
963 performers (1920-1960).  It does not identify ALL the performers, but
it does have "the little guys," about whom I am most interested.

Here are three other sources of pictures and biographies that feature many,
many supporting players.

1. GUNSMOKE: A Complete History (McFarland, 1990) by SuzAnne and Gabor
Barabas.  This book features pictures and profiles of every actor or
actress who appeared on radio and television versions of "Gunsmoke." ISBN-
0899504183

2. A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF RADIO (Bonanza Books, 1960) by Irving Settel.
This book, found at used bookstores, features 400 nostalgic photos and the
complete story of radio's golden age.  Absolutely fascinating.  I'll loan
you mine if you can't find it.  It is a  large hardcover.

3.  MORE CHARACTER PEOPLE (Citadel Press, 1984) by Arthur F. McClure,
Alfred E. Twomey, and Ken D. Jones.  Most of these actors were radio folks
and early film character actors.  Lots and lots of pictures, with great
biographical profiles.  ISBN-0806508760

These books and descriptions were sent to me by Dennis Crow.  Other
subscribers
also recommended these books.

Ken Kay

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

Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 04:52:00 -0400
From: lois@[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 four years, same time, same channel!

Our numerous "regulars" include one of the busiest "golden years" actors in
Hollywood; a sound man from the same era who worked many of the top
Hollywood shows; a New York actor famed for his roles in "Let's Pretend" and
"Archie Andrews;" owners of some of the best OTR sites on the Web;
maintainer of the best-known OTR Digest (we all know who he is)..........

and Me

Lois Culver
KWLK Longview Washington (Mutual) 1941-1944)
KFI Los Angeles (NBC) 1944 - 1950
and widow of actor Howard Culver

(For more info, contact lois@[removed])

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

Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 10:00:07 -0400
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Copies

Michael Biel, speaking of copyrights, et al., notes,

But remember that none of us in this discussion are lawyers or legal
experts. <<

A. Joseph Ross is a lawyer.  Admittedly, one out of many of us, but it's
good to know that somebody with more than a layperson's knowledge is
among us.

[J]ust because there was a requirement for depositing the printed
copies of the work, that does not mean that LC was required to KEEP the
materials.  It ISN'T required to keep everything!  Once they have seen
the material and it is registered, that is good enough. <<

I didn't realize that.  What a pity!  Not that I'd like to see the LOC
swimming in paper or disks, but what a lost opportunity in that
arrangement.

Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 10:00:24 -0400
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Sound Conventions

Concerning Grand Central Station, Bill Murtough points out,

There was an inconsistency in the opening. It used the sound of a steam
locomotive pulling the train into Grand Central Station. The New York
Central trains exchanged the steam locomotives for electrics at Harmon,
along the Hudson River. <<

I've always put this down to the same type of artistic license as the
swoosh of the Enterprise in Star Trek as it passes the camera (since the
vacuum of space doesn't conduct sound).  Anyone who's heard that
introduction would understand why the sound of a steam engine seems
somehow fitting, despite its anomalous nature.

But this brings up a point.  There are lots of sound conventions in OTR.
A rifle shot always included a ricochet to differentiate it from a
handgun shot.  Airplane engines Doppler in flight even when the action
takes place in the cockpit.  Tires always squeal when a car is braking,
etc.  These were done as a sort of shorthand so that listeners could be
clued in with what's happening.

Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 10:42:19 -0400
From: "Lee, Steve (DEOC)" <slee@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Trains in OTR

DavidDavid Chamberlain of Memphis, TN at Davidinmemphis@[removed] wrote:

In addition to being a fan of OTR I am a railroad buff.  I am compiling
a list for a trivia quiz of OTR shows that had trains or railroads as a
part of the content of the show either in the title, the story line, the
sponsor, etc.  (Examples: Grand Central Station, The Mysterious
Traveler, The Railroad Hour, etc.)  Can anyone help?  Thanks in advance.

"The Jack Benney Program" has at least 20 to 30 traveling on a train, or
train station related episodes, especially the "Si, Sy, Sue" and the
"Anaheim, Azusa,& Cucamonga" routines.  Also, there was a limited series
called "Train Time". The host was Hal Sawyer and the announcer was Dick Joy.
The only episode I am aware of is "The Golden State Limited".  The format
was live interviews with passengers on famous trains. The sponsor was either
Bulova or Longines watches.  If you would come across any "Train Time"
episodes please contact me.  Lastly, the OTR internet site "YESTERDAY USA",
out of Dallas,TX  sometimes features a series called (I'm not sure of the
exact title), but it's similar to, "The Green Valley Railroad".  It is a
soap opera type serial from the late 30's.

Steven Lee

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V01 Issue #161
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