Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #53
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 2/9/2004 8:37 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 53
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      This week in radio history            [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Re: John Gambling's "Smile" song      [ "Cynthia Van Cleave" <cvc@[removed]; ]
      Duffy's Tavern - a query              [ "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed] ]
      Dr Demento                            [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
      Information Please                    [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Radio Profaned Question               [ "E. Scott Palmer" <espalmer@comcast ]
      Re: Shadow                            [ Larry Groebe <lgroebe@genericradio. ]
      Shadow Copyright                      [ <welsa@[removed]; ]
      2-9- births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      The Shadow? Who Knows?                [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      "Smiles"                              [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
      2-8 typos                             [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Re: Radio Comedy book                 [ SanctumOTR@[removed] ]
      Julius Schwartz (OFF TOPIC)           [ SanctumOTR@[removed] ]
      "Pack Up Your Troubles" audio         [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 12:14:44 -0500
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  This week in radio history

     From Those Were The Days --

    Feb 8 --

    1924 - John Joseph Carty of the Bell Telephone System spoke in Chicago,
    IL. His speech was carried across the nation on the first coast-to-coast
    radio hookup. An estimated 50-million people heard the speech.

    Feb 11 --

    1940 - NBC presented The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street for
    the first time. The famous Blue network series included several
    distinguished alumni -- among them, Dinah Shore and Zero Mostel. The
    chairman, or host, of The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street
    was Milton Cross. He would say things like, "A Bostonian looks like he's
    smelling something. A New Yorker looks like he's found it." The show
    combined satire, blues and jazz and was built around what were called
    the three Bs of music: Barrelhouse, Boogie Woogie and Blues.

    Feb 12 --

    1924 - Calvin Coolidge, known by many as the 'Silent Cal', made the
    first presidential political speech on radio. The speech originated from
    New York City and was broadcast on five radio stations. Some five
    million people tuned in to hear the President speak.

    1924 - The Eveready Hour became radio's first sponsored network program.
    The National Carbon Company took the honor of being the first sponsor of
    a network show.

    1940 - Mutual presented the first broadcast of Superman. The identity of
    the man from planet Krypton was unknown to listeners for six years. The
    secret eventually leaked out that Superman's voice was actually that of
    Bud Collyer.

    Feb 13 --

    1939 - Virginia Payne, already popular as the voice of Ma Perkins, took
    on a new character in NBC's soap opera, The Carters of Elm Street.
    Virginia played the part of Mrs. Carter.

    Joe

    --
    Visit my slightly updated (1/1/04) homepage:
    [removed]~[removed]

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 12:21:22 -0500
    From: "Cynthia Van Cleave" <cvc@[removed];
    To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: John Gambling's "Smile" song

    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

>     I can't guarantee the accuracy of this.  It's just my recollection, heard
>     while I was waiting for Gambling to close Edison Township, NJ, schools in
>     the winter.

    The line that Paula couldn't remember or hear correctly is:
    "While you've a lucifer to light your fag"
    which is way outdated slang for
    "While you've a pocket match to light your cigarette".

    Cynthia

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 12:31:03 -0500
    From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Duffy's Tavern  - a query

       The same story may have been used on the Duffy's Tavern Christmas
    broadcasts of 12-25-46, 12-24-47, and 12-22-48.   A recording of the '48
    broadcast is in circulation:  Archie dislikes Xmas. A Stranger enters after
    closing time, the two go out on the street together and Archie witnesses
    three miracles:  (1) Jimmy the lame newsboy suddenly can walk (to reach his
    hero standing nearby, "Joe DiMaggio"); (2) a man will jump off a hotel ledge
    when the midnight chimes toll but his wife, Ann, returns to him seconds
    before the tolling -- the chimes were delayed four minutes; and (3) Archie
    and the Stranger take a taxi which hits a blind pedestrian who, when he
    comes to, can see.  Back at the tavern, Archie's attitude towards Xmas is
    now more positive.

       Jeff Chandler plays the Stranger on the broadcast that's in circulation.

    --   Did Jeff Chandler appear on more than one of those three Christmas
    broadcasts?

    --   Were the same three miracles described above dramatized on all three
    broadcasts?

    --   Would any of you know if scripts or recordings of the 1946 or 1947
    broadcasts exist?

       Thanks.

       -- Phil C.

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:41:43 -0500
    From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Dr Demento

    My long-distance radio listening habit has become sporadic in recent years,
    so I don't know if Dr Demento still runs his show.  Lee Munsick's discussion
    of John Gambling and Spike Jones brings the good doctor to mind: as ancient
    as I am, I have only heard Spike Jones' music on Dr D's show.

    I've learned a lot of history from Dr Demento.  If I'm using the term
    correctly, I'd nominate him as  the best popular-music musicologist and
    scholar there is.  I wish his persona was a bit more restrained, though.  He
    is neither demented nor crazy, and I'm afraid he might tend to repel more
    adult listeners, all of whom could stand to benefit by his work.

    He has played the first recorded advertisement, the first singing
    commercial, the ad for the first two-sided record, the entire history of
    weird Christmas music (in which he details our annual loss of listening
    discrimination,) every dance craze, all of the singing animal records, and
    every other musical fad.  Individually, these seem trivial.  But taken as a
    whole, they comprise a good self-examination of humanity, and that's perhaps
    the most worthy goal of any scholarly pursuit.

    Besides, it's funny.

    M Kinsler

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:42:38 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Information Please

    Rick Selvin mentioned:

>     I learned the  answer while reading Martin Grams Jr.'s wonderful book on
>     "Information Please."  It's such a good story that I won't ruin it for you.
>     I'm sure others know the  tale. the book is "out of print" at Amazon but
>     there are used copies available  there. Someone in the group (Martin?) also
>     must have a few extra copies.

    [removed] is not always efficient when it comes to pricing, reviews and
    availability.  Their system has flaws and is publicly known for catering
    more to books like Harry Potter than smaller print-run books.  INFORMATION
    PLEASE is available from [removed], but if you want a more direct approach,
    it's also available at [removed] and
    [removed]

    Martin

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:42:57 -0500
    From: "E. Scott Palmer" <espalmer@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Radio Profaned Question
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Thanks to all for the personal emails in regards to this question, much
    appreciated.

    Scott Palmer

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

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:44:11 -0500
    From: Larry Groebe <lgroebe@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Shadow

    on 2/8/04 11:30 AM, [removed]@[removed] at
    [removed]@[removed] wrote:

>     Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2004 19:07:27 -0500
>     From: "Harry R. Keller" <hrkeller@[removed];

>     I'm on an e-mail list from one of the Shadow PDF websites (where they take
>     the old mags and turn them into PDF files for free downloading) and the
>     site owner sent out an announcement that he'd received a letter from Conde
>     Naste attornies telling him to cease putting the old Shadow novels on the
>     web.

>     Anyone have any 4-1-1 on what this might be? Or is it just "protect your
>     trademark or lose it?

    I got one of those letters as well just recently, asking me to remove the
    Shadow (and Doc Savage) radio scripts from the [removed] website.

    I did so, but I followed it up with a call to the lawyer who had sent the
    letter asking for a bit more information. He told me that Conde Nast sent
    about 30 or so of these letters out to various folks recently.

    He also said that Conde Nast was preparing some new material for their
    characters -- they were working on new movie deals as well as printing some
    book collections -- and this was why the push right now.

    For a lawyer, he was a nice enough guy. (grin.) He said that Conde Nast
    didn't have problem with fan sites, but the posting of the original material
    was a different issue.

    Also, to my pleased surprise, he said Conde Nast generally DOES permit radio
    theater groups to PERFORM Shadow scripts at no charge -- IF the situation is
    non-profit; and if there is no taping or broadcast. That's not a blanket
    opportunity, but they could choose not to allow ANY performances, and the
    fact they they do (you contact them in advance; they send you a form) is a
    not-unreasonable thing.

    Of course, since I can no longer put any of those scripts online, I can't
    tell you where to FIND a script to [removed]

    --Larry Groebe

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:44:41 -0500
    From: <welsa@[removed];
    To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Shadow Copyright

    The Generic radio website reports the same problem.  They received an e-mail
    from Conde Nast Publications threatening a lawsuit if they didn't remove all
    the Shadow and Doc Savage scripts they had on the site.  They have been
    removed.

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:44:51 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  2-9- births/deaths

    February 9th births

    02-09-1891 - Ronald Colman - Richmond, Surrey, England - d. 5-19-1958
    actor: William Todhunter Hall "Halls of Ivy"; "Jack Benny Program"
    02-09-1892 - Peggy Wood - Brooklyn, NY - d. 3-18-1978
    actress: "NBC Present Eugene O'Neill"; "Great Scenes from Great Plays"; "
    02-09-1899 - Brian Donlevy - Portadown County, Armagh, Ireland (R: WI) - d.
    4-5-1972
    actor: Steve Mitchell "Dangerous Assignment"
    02-09-1901 - Walter Preston - Quincy, IL - d. 8-7-1982
    singer: "Philco Hour"
    02-09-1902 - Chester A. Lauck - Alleene, AR - d. 2-22-1980
    comedian: Columbus 'Lum' Edwards "Lum and Abner"
    02-09-1909 - Carmen Miranda - Lisbon, Portugal - d. 8-5-1955
    singer: "Hello Americans"
    02-09-1912 - Bob Hannon - Chicago, IL - d. 2-16-1993
    singer: "American Melody Hour"; "Waltz Time"
    02-09-1914 - Ernest Tubb - Crisp, TX - d. 9-6-1984
    singer: (The Texas Troubador) "Grand Ole Opry"
    02-09-1914 - Ralph Herman - Milwaukee, WI
    bandleader: "Herb Oscar Anderson Show"
    02-09-1922 - Kathryn Grayson - Winston-Salem, NC
    singer: "Mail Call"

    February 9th deaths

    01-13-1884 - Sophie Tucker - Russia - d. 2-9-1966
    singer: (The Last of the Red Hot Mammas) "Sophie Tucker and Her Show"
    01-30-1914 - David Wayne - Traverse City, MI - d. 2-9-1995
    actor: "Lux Radio Theatre" ;" Eternal Light"; "Stars in the Air"
    02-08-1924 - Audrey Meadows - Wu Chang, China - d. 2-9-1966
    actress: Alice Kramden "Honeymooners"
    04-01-1909 - Eddy Duchin - Cambridge, MA - d. 2-9-1951
    bandleader: (The Ten Magic Fingers of Radio) "Lasalle Style Show"
    04-07-1908 - Percy Faith - Toronto, Canada - d. 2-9-1976
    conductor: "Carnation Contented Hour"; "Pause That Refreshes on the Air"
    05-07-1885 - George "Gabby" Hayes - Wellsville, NY - d. 2-9-1969
    actor: "Andrews Sisters' Eight-to-the-Baar Ranch"; "Roy Rogers Show"
    08-30-1908 - Willie Bryant - New Orleans, LA - d. 2-9-1964
    host: "Night Life"
    11-23-1915 - Natalie Park Masters - San Francisco, CA - d. 2-9-1986
    actress: Candy Matson "Candy Matson

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:45:35 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The Shadow?  Who Knows?

    Bob Keller notes,

>     I'm on an e-mail list from one of the Shadow PDF websites (where they take
>     the old mags and turn them into PDF files for free downloading) and the
>     site owner sent out an announcement that he'd received a letter from Conde
>     Naste attornies telling him to cease putting the old Shadow novels on the
>     web.

    And asks,

>     Anyone have any 4-1-1 on what this might be? Or is it just "protect your
>     trademark or lose it?

    Possibly indirectly.

    The Shadow was both an OTR show and a pulp magazine.  The latter was
    published by Street & Smith, along with others.  Eventually, Conde Nast
    acquired The Shadow magazine from Street & Smith.  In the 1970s and
    1980s, some pulps were republished as paperbacks, including both Doc
    Savage and The Shadow.  During that time, the copyrights were renewed.

    I believe that Conde Nast is protecting its copyrights.  I don't think
    that it has anything necessarily to do with forthcoming use of the
    characters.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr,.

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:47:20 -0500
    From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  "Smiles"

    <<Paula Keiser posted the "Pack Up Your Troubles" theme song for John
    Gambling>>

    Fred Allen used "Smile, Darn Ya Smile" as his theme for the variety show.
    Looks like there was a lot of positive attitudes during the OTR era - must
    have been because of the stock market crash that they chose happy songs.
    Some period songs with "smile" lyrics:

    "Let A Smile be Your Unbrella" - "There Are Smiles That Make Us Happy" -
    others with positive lyrics? anyone?

    =Russ Butler  oldradio@[removed]

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:51:17 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  2-8 typos

    Audrey Meadows died in 1996 NOT 1966.
    Lana Turner was born in 1920 NOT 1921.

    Sorry and thanks to you who pointed these out to me.

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 20:54:19 -0500
    From: SanctumOTR@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Radio Comedy book

    In a message dated 2/8/04 11:30:30 AM, Jerry Purvis asks:

>     Does anyone know of a book out there that examines
>     the great radio comedy writers like Don Quinn and how
>     they came up with their material?

    ***Jordan R. Young's 1999 book THE LAUGH CRAFTERS features interviews with
    radio scriptwriters Parke Levy, Paul Henning, Charles Isaacs, Irving Brecher,
    Norman Panama, Sherwood Schwartz, Bob Weiskopf, Bob Schiller, Hal Kanter,
    George
    Balzer, Sol Saks and Larry Gelbart.  Paul Henning talks for several pages
    about assisting Don Quinn on the FIBBER McGEE AND MOLLY scripts from 1937-39.

    --Anthony Tollin***

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

    Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 23:48:45 -0500
    From: SanctumOTR@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Julius Schwartz (OFF TOPIC)

         Just a note that Julius Schwartz passed away earlier today at the age of
    89.  Julie wasn't involved in any way with OTR, as far as I know, but I know
    a number of the members of this list grew up reading the comic books he edited
    (in the 1940s through the 1980s) ... like Flash, Green Lantern, Justice
    Society of America and JLA, Hawkman, and later Batman and Superman.  And all
    of us
    in any branch of fandom owe a huge debt to the editor of the very first
    fanzines, "The Time Traveler" and "Science Fiction Digest," in 1932.
         As a science fiction writers' agent, Julie did a lot to push the careers
    of a number of talented authors who did leave their mark on radio, including
    his clients Alfred Bester (who recommended Julie in 1943 for his first
    editorial job at DC Comics), Robert Bloch (who scripted the "Stay Tuned for
    Terror"
    radio series) and of course Ray Bradbury.  (Julie sold Bradbury's first 72
    stories.)  Julie introduced his clients Edmond Hamilton (author of Captain
    Future)
    and Leigh Brackett (scriptwriter of "The Big Sleep" and "The Empire Strikes
    Back"), and as I recall later served as Best Man at their wedding.
         I did my first interior comic coloring assignments for Julie on Mighty
    Isis, Justice League of America and Green Lantern, my first cover assignments
    (on Justice League and Superman), etc.  My friendship with Julie led to my
    first personal contact with Alfie Bester and Ray Bradbury, and opened a lot of
    other doors.  I will miss both the man and his irreplaceable memories of the
    early days of science fiction fandom, pulps and comic books. --Anthony Tollin

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

    Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2004 10:27:43 -0500
    From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  "Pack Up Your Troubles" audio

    I found this Canadian site, titled "

    English Songs Popular during the First World War" that has a chorus singing
    some of the song "Pack Up Your [removed]", and other songs of the era. It
    also has some of the songs' words:
    [removed]

    Excuse me, I'm gonna go back and listen to other stuff on the [removed]

    Herb Harrison

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #53
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