Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #370
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 11/19/2004 1:51 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 370
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Re: SPERDVAC 2004                     [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      CLOSE THE BOX                         [ Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed]; ]
      Re: Original LONE RANGER              [ Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@earthlin ]
      voices                                [ Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed]; ]
      Re: Margo                             [ "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@ea ]
      Eleanor Audley                        [ benohmart@[removed] ]
      Re: CONVENTIONS                       [ Gregg Oppenheimer <gopp@[removed]; ]
      RE: Future of the Hobby               [ "John Evans" <8jne1958@[removed]; ]
      SPERDVAC                              [ StuartLubin@[removed] (Stuart Lubin ]
      SPERDVAC Convention                   [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
      Re: Brent Pellegrini                  [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
      Last name of Margo                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Sexy female voices                    [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
      Re:Splitting Larg MP3 Files           [ "Michael J. Laurino" <mlaurino@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:16:04 -0500
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: SPERDVAC 2004

    George Aust just posted his review of last weeks SPERDVAC Convention. I'd
    like to parse his comments, and throw a word or two in for elaboration and
    [removed]

>     My wife and I attended the Sperdvac convention again this year and it
>     was terrific. The recreations were the best we had ever seen. Hal Stone
>     directed Duffy's tavern (Snip) (And he goes on to say nice things about

    Anthony Tolin also)

    Wow. High praise indeed. "The best the Aust's ever saw". I [removed] "Wow"!!!
    again.

    But I have a confession to make. I didn't have all that much to do with how
    well the "Duffy's" recreation was re-enacted and performed.

    I have a philosophy of "Directing" that worked for me during all my years as
    a director in TV. It's really very simple. Hire the best performers for the
    role, then, throw them their cue for action, stand back, (get the hell out
    of their way), and let them do their thing. :)

    True, that's a bit of an over simplification, but very basic to my
    professional philosophy and standards when working with really good talent.
    Otherwise it's a directors nightmare trying to extract a performance out of
    talent that is not up to the task.

    BUT!!! Not many people are aware that the end result is just the tip of the
    iceberg when "performing" recreations during these OTR Conventions. I'd be
    very remiss if I didn't acknowledge all the work that went into  putting the
    package together long before the cast and I sat down for our first
    rehearsal. [removed] To Barbara (BJ) Watkins must go a lot of the credit when
    people say they enjoyed the show.

    Maybe some of you folks might be interested in all the steps and work
    involved by these unsung hero's who labor behind the scenes to bring these
    recreations to the stage. Or is it "heroine" in this instance.

    The first step was Barbara contacting me (some months back)to ask if I would
    be interested in Directing something at SPERDVAC again this year, and if so,
    did I have any particular program in mind.

    I love doing (directing and performing) comedy, and I immediately thought of
    "Duffy's Tavern", because I thought it would be fun to play the "odd ball"
    character Finnigan. (We call that type casting).

    Then comes the time consuming part. (Not for [removed] live safely tucked away
    in Arizona). Barbara then had to track down some existing "Duffy" program
    tapes, find a few that would work "talent wise", then mail me copies so I
    could listen, and decide on which one I wanted to do. I agreed with
    Barbara's recommendation, and it was a stroke of genius. One of the reasons
    Madam Producer suggested this particular episode was because she knew how to
    reach Bob Graham, (an original Duffy cast member) who was the singer who
    happened to be featured in this particular episode when it was originally
    performed a gadzillion years ago.

    We then discussed other talent options, and who might be available to us.
    Barbara mentioned she would try and get in touch with Hazel Shermet, who was
    one of the original "Miss Duffy"s". Wonderful, I said.

    For me, it was a no-brainer when it came to someone playing "Archie". I told
    Barbara I'd call my good buddy (since childhood) and an excellent actor, Ben
    Cooper, and see if he was available. Fortunately he was. But I also asked
    Barbara to send Ben a CD of the episode we selected, so he could familiarize
    himself with the character ahead of time.

    Barbara and I had many phone calls discussing the casting for the other
    major roles. Since this particular "Duffy" episode had Robert Benchley as
    the Guest Star (a major role), and since Mr. Benchley had a [removed]
    (He was appearing full time in Forest Lawn"), Barbara suggested using an OTR
    favorite, Gary Owens. He could have played the erudite Benchley to a "T".
    She also had talked to Dick Van Patten, to see if he would be available.
    (Another coup. Dick had appeared a few times on the Original "Duffy's
    Tavern". How cool! THREE original cast members.) I was going to use Dick in
    the role of "Eddie the Waiter".

    So, to all intents and purposes, we were "GOOD TO GO", (the expression that
    my revered Military is currently using). Basically, my job was done until we
    met at the Convention for the first rehearsal.

    Ah! but not the job of Producer. First off, the tape of the show had to be
    transcribed and scripts printed. The music had to be worked out for Bob
    Grahams song, (A piano accompaniment, because we couldn't use the existing
    track on the tape, unless Bob Graham lip-synced). (As it turned out, Bob did
    the number live, and without accompaniment, and was wonderful).

    Then, Murphy's Law struck. We found out a few weeks before the Convention
    that Dick Van Patten had to cancel out. He got a paying gig in New York, and
    had to go into rehearsal for that. [removed]'t blame a working actor who
    turns down a freebie for a good payday, right. Added to that, Barbara
    learned that Gary Owens, who had just written a newly published book, had a
    conflict. His publisher was sending him out of town on a book signing tour.

    Oh, the demands made on "us" authors. :)

    Now it's moments like this that give Producers gray hairs and possible
    ulcers. Barbara came up with Charles Washburn as a replacement for Dick Van
    Patten in the role of "Eddie the Waiter". I was not familiar with Charles
    Washburn's acting talent, so Barbara put the two of us together via
    telephone, and I "auditioned" him over the phone. In just a few words from
    him, I knew he'd be perfect, and one problem solved.

    And!!!!!! Another casting gem. (But very subtle to the uninitiated). The
    character of "Eddie" on the original "Duffy" show was Black, and played by a
    black man. Our "Eddie", Mr. Washburn. was also black. How's that for right
    on target casting.

    My contribution regarding suggestions to replace Gary Owens in the Part of
    Benchely was a young man who performed for me last year at SPERDVAC. He was
    part of Barbara Watkins "30 minutes to curtain" group.  Back then was the
    first time I met him, and was impressed with his delivery of the [removed] Fields
    type of character I wanted in the Damon Runyon Theatre piece we did. If He
    could do "Fields, I figured he sure could do "Benchley".

    All the pieces finally came together, thanks in large part to Barbara. For
    me, it was business as usual. A piece of cake. Throw the cue, stand back,
    and let this great cast "do their collective thing".

    Thank you Barbara. For making me look good. (I mean professionally. Nobody
    could make me look good physically). The ravages of time, and too many years
    of stress working with the idiots in the Advertising Agency business took
    it's toll). :)

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:16:21 -0500
    From: Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  CLOSE THE BOX

    I had a friend ask what the show was and who the actor
    is that said in a deep raspy voice " CLOSE THE BOX "
    and I was unable to answer the question.
    I think it was a TV show and it was a dummy was it
    not??

    Pete
    pappleyard_ca@ [removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:17:09 -0500
    From: Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Original LONE RANGER

    on 11/19/04 8:48 AM, [removed]@[removed] at
    [removed]@[removed] wrote:

>     It appears as if a metro Detroit city (Farmington Hills) is considering an
>     National Historical Marker to what they refer to as the Original Lone
>     Ranger, former home of Earl Graser. Earl was killed in 1941 in a car
>     accident and was followed on the radio in the Lone Ranger role by Brace
>     Beemer. The Lone Ranger originated from the WXYZ radio studios in Detroit.

    Of course, the original Lone Ranger was actually George Stenius, who later
    achieved fame as Oscar-winning screenwriter/director George Seaton.  Stenius
    voiced the role for the first three months, followed by Jack Deeds and
    director JAmes Jewell (in single broadcasts) before Earle Graser began his
    eight-year run. --Anthony Tollin

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:18:39 -0500
    From: Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  voices

    How about LORNE GREEN   " THE VOICE OF DOOM " during
    the war years.

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:20:59 -0500
    From: "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Margo

    Matthew Bullis asked:

>     I keep hearing an actresss referred to as only Margo in Suspense.  What was
>     her last name?
>     Was she so well-known back then as to only need one name?

    Yep.  Margo appeared in Frank Capra's "Lost Horizon" - probably her best
    known film.  According to the IMDb, her full name was Marķa Marguerita
    Guadalupe Teresa Estela Bolado Castilla y O'Donnell.  And you can add
    "Albert" to that, as she was married to Eddie ("Green Acres") Albert from
    1945 until her death 40 years later.

    Speaking of "Suspense," the IMDb also credits her with appearing in the first
    TV episode of that program in March 1949.

    Michael

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:21:31 -0500
    From: benohmart@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Eleanor Audley

    I agree with you, Dennis. Audley is one of The best voices around. Very distinctive.
    Good at drama as well as comedy. Funnily enough, I wanted Fredrick Tucker (who's
    writing the Verna Felton book) to tackle her next, since he has a great interest in her.
    But alas, the collection of her in a California library (perhaps Thousand Oaks, I forget at
    the moment) is sorely lacking in material, so he doesn't have enough for a book. Which
    is strange, because she died in the 1990s, so you'd think it would be Easier to write on
    her than Verna, who died in the 1960s. Again, it all comes down to family help. If you
    can find the family, a lot of times you can get Great stuff. If I hadn't had Frees family
    help, there Would be no Paul Frees book. So, if anyone can point me in the direction of
    the Audley family, it'd sure help.

    But don't worry, Fredrick has his sequel book already planned - Bea Benaderet!!

    Ben Ohmart

    Old radio. Old movies. New books.
    [removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:23:30 -0500
    From: Gregg Oppenheimer <gopp@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: CONVENTIONS

>     The question really is, is there
>     enough at conventions to warrant people attending even if there are no
>     special guests?  This really isn't an exclusive question to the OTR
>     hobby.
>     I'm sure classic film conventions are facing the same issues.

>     Rodney Bowcock

    I'm a long-time afficianado of old-time radio, and I love meeting
    personalities from some of my favorite radio shows at these
    conventions, but obviously this won't go on forever. That's why, in my
    radio re-creations at the SPERDVAC conventions and elsewhere, I've
    often brought in some other, slightly younger, actors to work alongside
    the veterans of radio's golden age.  In this category, I've used with
    great success such talented professionals as Dwayne Hickman  ("Dobie
    Gillis"), Tony Dow ("Leave It to Beaver"), Peggy Rea ("The Dukes of
    Hazzard", "The Waltons," "Grace Under Fire"), Frank Aletter ("Bringing
    Up Buddy," "The Cara Williams Show," "It's About Time"), Charlotte Rae
    ("The Facts of Life"), and Harold Gould ("Rhoda," "Golden Girls").
    These actors have the added benefit of helping to broaden our audience
    by bringing in people who may not yet be familiar with the wonders of
    old-time radio, but who know these younger actors from their work on
    TV.

    For me, the fun of these re-creations is in allowing the audience to
    experience something close to what it was like to be present in the
    radio studio for the original broadcast.  That's why I spend so much
    time working on the music for my shows, and that's why I believe
    casting is so important. Sometimes I bring in younger voice actors who
    do impressions of the original stars. When I did "The Maltese Falcon"
    Tony Pope did a mean Bogart impression (acting opposite Shirley
    Mitchell). In "The Lives of Harry Lime," Joe Leahy captured the sound
    and feeling of Orson Welles (acting opposite Gladys Holland). And of
    course, in "My Favorite Husband," Lucy-impersonator Suzanne LaRusch
    looked and sounded just like Lucille Ball, (acting opposite Elliott
    Reid and Larry Dobkin). All three of these stars added immeasurably to
    the enjoyability of the performances, even if they weren't old-time
    radio veterans.

    At the latest SPERDVAC Convention, I was blown away by how successfully
    Harold Gould, Janet Waldo, Herb Ellis, Charlotte Rae, and Robert Easton
    re-created the freewheeling humor and attitude of "The Fred Allen
    Show." The entire cast had loads of fun, and, judging from the
    audience's reaction, the feeling was contagious.

    I hope to keep producing and directing radio re-creations for years to
    come, and if we keep making it entertaining enough, I see no reason why
    we should have any problem attracting audiences.

    - Gregg Oppenheimer
    [removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:22:06 -0500
    From: "John Evans" <8jne1958@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  RE:  Future of the Hobby
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

        My 16-year-old son, Clint Evans, recently wrote an article entitled, "How
    to Introduce Young People to Old Time Radio," which may be of some help in
    promoting the hobby over the long term.  The article was orignally printed
    through the First Generation Radio Archives Newsletter but is now available on
    the Old Time Radio Researchers Group website.  I had a little trouble
    navigating through the site map this morning, but perhaps the problem will be
    fixed shortly.
        Anyway, if you'd like to read the article, try:
    [removed]
        Both of my teenagers are avid old-time radio fans, so I believe there is
    reason to see a bright future.  My son's article offers a few tips to
    encourage interest among the younger listeners.

    Respectfully,
    John N. Evans
    8jne1958@[removed]

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

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:24:37 -0500
    From: StuartLubin@[removed] (Stuart Lubin)
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  SPERDVAC

    I am not an official spokesperson for SPERDVAC,  but I joined in 1983
    and was even on the board of directors for a few years.  I am still a
    volunteer. I am very sorry that Mr. Brent Pellegrini had a frustrating
    experience, without a reservation, trying unsuccessfully to get into the
    convention of 1989. He mentions that he thinks it was Barbara Watkins
    who kept him out because he did not have a reservation.  I will let
    Barbara speak for herself, if she chooses, but I do not remember her
    ever running the registration desk at any convention. Knowing Barbara as
    I do, she would have moved heaven and earth to get him in, if it had
    been at all possible.

    He did not say who told him that he would be guaranteed a spot if he
    appeared "at the door".  No organization can guarantee that, especially
    where dinners are reserved.  The hotel is told how many dinners to
    prepare.  I agree that, for a lesser fee, there should be a place to
    watch the show, without dinner.  However, if such a policy were known,
    there would be a multitude of people who would get dinner at the coffee
    shop and then come to the show.  SPERDVAC merely tries to break even on
    conventions. Conventions are not a great money maker because of the huge
    expenses.  Obviously, we must sell enough dinners to even qualify for a
    big room.  The laws relating to seating limits (capacity), because of
    fire, are strictly enforced by the hotel, and there can be heavy fines
    for violation.

    In spite of Mr. Pellegrini's unfortunate experience with SPERDVAC, the
    organization has brought a great deal of joy to thousands of people.
    Barbara Watkins has been a busy volunteer for as long as I know her,
    sending out recorded materials to members, bringing re-creations to the
    conventions, as well as many other services that she has provided.
    Since 1984, SPERDVAC has presented a convention every year, up to the
    present, except one (2001). We have honored hundreds of people from the
    golden age of radio for their great contributions to our listening
    pleasures when we were children.  Some of them, who never made it to
    television, would have been forgotten in obscurity, but we have made
    them honorary members.  We are the only OTR organization to invite them,
    free of charge, year after year, to our conventions, whether they
    perform or not.

    I apologize to Mr. Pellegrini because the unnamed SPERDVAC official who
    told him that he was assured to get in at the door was wrong, causing
    him much frustration. I sympathize, believe me. But 1989 is a long time
    ago.  Think of how many conventions he could have enjoyed since then.

    Stuart Lubin

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:25:46 -0500
    From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
    To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  SPERDVAC Convention

    The 30th Anniversary SPERDVAC convention was the first time I'd
    attended. I'll try not to repeat any comments already posted by other
    Digesters on their convention observations.

    This LA based affair, as might be expected, attracts mostly attendees
    from the West Coast. Laura Leff and I co-chaired a panel on OTR clubs
    and our roll call determined that only SPERDVAC and REPS were well
    represented. While there were a few folks from the hitherlands (Dave
    Siegel and his wife, Jim Cox and a buddy from Louisville, etc.) at
    least 90% of the attendees and dealers were from California or nearby
    western states.

    The re-creations were well done, with fine acting, good direction, and
    superb sound effects. Only the Fred Allen show was less than great,
    solely due to the editing-padding which jammed three trips to Allen's
    Alley into the same half hour program, which made no sense.

    Banquets both nights featured excellent food, served promptly, and only
    the Sunday brunch was buffet style. A haphazard manner of numbering
    tables with no logical pattern made it a lengthy process is locating
    each diner's table. However, each table, when you finally found yours,
    did contain some unique table decorations: miniature replica cereal
    boxes relating to OTR, [removed] a Tom Mix Ralston box and a Shredded Wheat
    one with Straight Arrow finger puppets.

    Art Linkletter, a spry 90 years plus citizen, entertained us for about
    an hour Sunday morning, speaking without notes, and covering a variety
    of entertaining topics.  Would that we would all be in that great
    physical (and mental) shape when we reach 90.

    Kudos to all the hard-working SPERDVAC volunteers who made all this
    [removed] salute you!

    Jack French
    Editor: RADIO RECALL

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:40:47 -0500
    From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Brent Pellegrini

    Brent Pellegrini wrote:

>     I had a dissapointing experience with Sperdevac around 1989. I live in
>     Seattle and called to see if I could pay at the door for one night
>     at their convention.  (edit)  Bottom line is, Barbara Watkins,
>     I believe her name was, wouldn't let us in.

    And I believe that WAS NOT her name and don't appreciate being mentioned in
    your supposition. I've never been in a position to determine who gets in or
    not. You should have asked for someone in charge and pled your case.
    Something could have been worked out.

    Barbara

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:41:15 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Last name of Margo

    Matthew Bullis asked:

>     I keep hearing an actresss referred to as only Margo in Suspense.
>     What was her last name? Was she so well-known back then as to only need one
>     name like we have today with Shania and Reba in country music?

    I came up with this on a quick search of the internet. Margo's full name is
    Maria Marguerita Guadelupe Bolado y Castilla. Now you can see why she went
    under the name of Margo. She died in 1985 and was married to Eddie Albert. The
    current actor Edward Albert is her son.

    Ron Sayles

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:41:40 -0500
    From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Sexy female voices

         I agree that Eartha Kitt has a very sexy voice
    and that its deep throatiness makes it sound even
    more sensual.  Peggy Lee has a wonderful voice too.
    However, my vote goes to Kathleen Turner who played
    Mrs. Robinson in the London stage production of
    "The Graduate" and the role of Chandler's father on
    "Friends".

         I can see how Dean Martin ("Martin and Lewis Show")
    and Frank Sinatra were as successful as they were
    with their singing voices.  My mother told me once that
    Frank Sinatra was quite the rage in his younger days
    and had bobby soxers fainting in the aisles.  No doubt.

    Another OTR Fan,
    Kenneth Clarke

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

    Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:41:57 -0500
    From: "Michael J. Laurino" <mlaurino@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re:Splitting Larg MP3 Files

    Don Shenbarger wrote:

>     IF somebody is using an editor that can work in native MP3 format (without
>     resampling for instance), I would like to know about it.

    For Windows, there's a freeware program called "MPEG Audio Scissors" that
    cuts and combines MP3 files without converting them to another format.  A
    Google search on the name will turn up plenty of locations to download it.

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #370
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