Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #156
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 5/5/2004 5:48 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 156
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      re: An old time horror show that was  [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
      5-6 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      next SPERDVAC meeting                 [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
      Did Gildy appear on Fibber after his  [ "Matthew Bullis" <matthewbullis@run ]
      An old time horror show that was      [ Mr Dan <teac35@[removed]; ]
      syndication of old radio shows        [ David Howell <daveeaston@[removed]; ]
      Gossip columnists on radio            [ Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed] ]
      The Dark, The End of OTR, Hindenburg  [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
      Lucy on radio and TV                  [ Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed] ]
      Richard Denning and his home movies   [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Fielden Farrington - Green Hornet     [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      Jack Benny in the News                [ seandd@[removed] ]
      Question for Jughead                  [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      Births and deaths                     [ Alan Chapman <[removed]@verizon. ]
      "Flying Doctor"                       [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
      German Tape Recorded Broadcasts       [ "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@hotm ]

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 12:51:25 -0400
    From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  re: An old time horror show that was

    John Sexton asked about an episode in which a
    policeman goes to a house where a person has been
    turned inside out. He's referring to the Arch Oboler
    show "The Dark," which was chillingly recorded in
    stereo for a seven or eight minute segment on "Arch
    Oboler's Drop Dead" LP (from the early 1960s). This is
    presumably a reduced version of the play by the same
    title that was broadcast on Lights Out on 12/29/37,
    though it's difficult to say for sure because Oboler
    was always changing his titles, and the original does
    not survive. You'll see many vendors and traders
    offering this show, but anybody offering it for sale
    simply has the segment from the Drop Dead LP.

    Kermyt

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:42:02 -0400
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  5-6 births/deaths

    May 6th births

    05-06-1900 - Dave Elman - Park River, ND - d. 12-5-1967
    emcee: (The Dean of American Hobbyists) "Hobby Lobby"
    05-06-1908 - Parkyakarkus (Harry Einstein) - Boston, MA - d. 11-24-1958
    comedian: "Eddie Cantor Show"; "Al Jolson Show"; "Meet Me at Parkys"
    05-06-1910 - Alice Reinheart - San Francisco, CA - d. 6-10-1993
    actress: Anne Williams "Casey, Crime Photographer"; Jean Abbott "Abbott
    Mysteries"
    05-06-1911 - Frank Nelson - Denver, CO - d. 9-12-1986
    actor, comedian: Anthony J. Lyon "Jeff Regan, Investigator"; nemisis "Jack
    Benny Program"
    05-06-1912 - Bill Quinn - NYC - d. 4-29-1994
    actor: Guy Aldis "Against the Storm"; Tom Davis "When a Girl Marries"
    05-06-1913 - Carmen Cavallaro - NYC - d. 10-12-1989
    bandleader: (The Poet of the Piano) "Schaeffer Revue"; "Tums Tune Time"
    05-06-1913 - Stewart Granger - London, England - d. 8-16-1993
    actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Screen Guild Theatre"
    05-06-1915 - Orson Welles - Kenosha, WI (Raised: Chicago, IL) - d. 10-10-1985
    actor: Lamont Cranston/Shadow "The Shadow"; "Mercury Theatre on the Air"

    May 6th deaths

    01-24-1909 - Ann Todd - Hartford, Cheshire, England - d. 5-6-1993
    actress: Amy Foster "Those We Love"
    04-02-1911 - Bill Days - St. Louis, MO - d. 5-6-2002
    singer: (Member Sportsmen Quartet) "Jack Benny Program"
    04-27-1902 - Ned Wever - NYC - d. 5-6-1984
    actor: Dick Tracy "Dick Tracy"; Anthony Loring "Young Widder Brown"
    05-31-1900 - Hugh Studebaker - Ridgeville, IN - d. 5-6-1978
    actor: Ichabod 'Ichy' Mudd "Captain Midnight"; Silly Watson "Fibber McGee and
    Molly"
    08-09-1901 - Charles Farrell - Onset Bay, Cape Cod, MA - d. 5-6-1990
    actor: Verne Albright "My Little Margie"
    08-17-1888 - Monte Woolley- NYC - d. 5-6-1963
    actor: Edwin Montague "Magnificent Montague"
    09-26-1901 - Ted Weems - Pitcairn, PA - d. 5-6-1963
    bandleader: "Fibber McGee and Molly"; "Sunday Matinee"; "Beat the Band"
    11-26-1907 - Henry "Hot Lips" Levine - London, England - d. 5-6-1989
    trumpeter, conducter: "Chamber Music of Lower Basin Street"; "Strictly from
    Dixie"
    12-27-1901 - Marlene Dietrich - Berlin, Germany - d. 5-6-1992
    actress: Mlle. Madou, "Cafe Istanbul"
    --
    Ron Sayles
    For a complete list:
    [removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:42:51 -0400
    From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  next SPERDVAC meeting

    For those of you who will be in the Los Angeles area, the next SPERDVAC
    meeting will be on Saturday, May 8 at the Mid-Valley Library, 16244 Nordhoff
    St. (a few blocks west of the 405 freeway) in North Hills. The guest will be
    Jan Merlin who played Cadet Roger Manning on TOM CORBETT SPACE CADET on both
    radio and TV. His TV credits include The Rough Riders, Combat, The Time
    Tunnel, Gunsmoke and a few of his movie credits are Six Bridges to Cross,
    Day of Fury, and The List of Adrian Messenger. The meeting begins at noon
    and is free and open to the public.

    See ya there.
    Barbara

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:43:01 -0400
    From: "Matthew Bullis" <matthewbullis@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Did Gildy appear on Fibber after his own
     show?

    Hello, just wondering if Gildy appeared on the Fibber show after Gildy's
    show started?
    Thanks a lot.
    Matthew

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:47:55 -0400
    From: Mr Dan <teac35@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  An old time horror show that was
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

     <John wrote>

>     I remembered once travelling late and listening to a otr program on a
>     station that was doing several scary episodes of various [removed]
>     plot, as I recall, was a couple of policemen sent to investigate
>     something going on in a spooky [removed] was the sound of a cackling
>     witch (I suppose) in the background as one of the policeman uncovers a body
>     of someone who had been turned inside out.

    John,
     That would be an Arch Obler production. I used to have a copy years ago
    called "A Study In Horror" or "A Study In Terror" (don't remember which).
    Had it on an LP and came up lost through the years
    Sure would like to locate another good copy.
    Dan

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

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:48:12 -0400
    From: David Howell <daveeaston@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  syndication of old radio shows

    Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was rebroadcast in 1961, I
    believe by WGN radio. I know the year, because they
    played it Sundays at the same time as the originals of
    "The Bullwinkle Show".

    I also remember hearing rebroadcasts of The Shadow
    when I was young, and I am 53.

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:48:29 -0400
    From: Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Gossip columnists on radio

    Kenneth Clarke inquired about radio gossipers Louella Parsons and Hedda
    Hopper.  I don't especially recall listening to Hedda, although undoubtedly I
    did, but occasionally did tune in to Louella, and was amazed and repulsed by
    her whining, phony delivery.   On the other hand, in a way it was like Walter
    Winchell, and I got a kick out of him.  Chauvinism, no doubt.

    There is a rather delightful 1985 made-for-TV film called "Malice in
    Wonderland" (great title), released by Vidmark on video as "The Rumor Mill".
    It's a dramatized (read: fictionalized) adaptation from the book "Hedda and
    Louella" by George Eels.  Takes great liberties, but still gives a fairly
    good idea of the feud, which alternated between being viciously real and
    mutually agreed hype.

    Elizabeth Taylor plays Louella.  Personally I think it was not good casting
    at [removed] Parsons was most assuredly not beautiful, inside or out.
    Jane Alexander I found much more convincing as Hedda Hopper.  Richard Dysart
    is terrific as always, as Louis B. Mayer.  Depicted in the film are Orson
    Welles, in the "Citizen Kane" controversy, in which Louella Parsons played a
    disgraceful part as the destroying sycophant of William Randolph Hearst.

    For another film about the whole "Kane" bruhaha, check out the 1999 "RKO 281"
    (The Battle Over 'Citizen Kane') with then newcomer Liev Schreiber as the
    deep Welles, and in another of his usual outstanding performances by James
    Cromwell as Hearst.  Also appearing are John Malkovich as the film's writer
    Herman Mankiewicz, and Roy Scheider as Director George Schaefer, with David
    Suchet (TV's Hercule Poirot) as Louis B. Mayer!  It's available via HBO
    video.

    Also portrayed in "Malice" are the two children of the columnists, Harriet
    Parsons and William Harper, the latter known to most of us as investigator
    Paul Drake (William DeWolf Hopper Jr.) in the Raymond Burr TV Perry Mason
    series, but also in "Rebel Without a Cause" and "The Maltese Falcon", two of
    his well-over film and TV roles, his last in the film "Myra Breckenridge".
    Miss Parsons produced about a dozen films over 15 years, including "Susan
    Slept Here" and "I Remember Mama" (ain't that an interesting title
    coinkydink!).

    Additional Hollywood icons depicted beside Lolly and Hedda again in both
    movies are Joseph Cotten, with a reference to his dallying with starlets and
    film hopefuls (one of whom was Kathryn Grayson, whose career was allegedly
    ruined by their liaison).  Also portrayed are panicky LB's, Sam Goldwyn,
    Darryl Zanuck and David O. Selznick, Harry Cohn, Walt Disney and Jack Warner,
    plus Paul Stewart, John Houseman, Carol Lombard, Elizabeth Arden, Mike
    Romanoff, Dolores Del Rio, and Clark Gable.  Not all terribly well, but most
    are cameo, fleeting appearances.

    Most listeners and perhaps readers alive today may well recall the gossip
    mongering of the two [removed], but forget that Hedda had her own
    career as a film actress.  Most but not all were in what I would call "B"
    movies, but she was in some 130 films over three decades, most of them in the
    1930s before she turned columnist and hat model.

    Usual disclaimer - I have no interest in the films or videos, but just
    thought you inquiring gossipers might like to know.   Enjoy!  Bestus, Lee
    Munsick

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:50:02 -0400
    From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The Dark, The End of OTR, Hindenburg

    "John E. Sexton" <jsexton@[removed]; asked:

>     I remembered once travelling late and listening to a otr program on a
>     station that was doing several scary [removed] a couple of
>     policemen sent to investigate something going on in a spooky
>     [removed] was the sound of a cackling witch (I suppose) in the
>     background as one of the policeman uncovers a body of someone who
>     had been turned inside out.

    I recall the story well; it's by Arch Oboler and there is an abridged
    version of it on the _Drop Dead_ album he put out probably sometime
    in the early 70's. I used to enjoy adding it to stacks of acid rock
    records my druggy friends were tripping [removed]   I imagine the
    earlier, full-length version was heard on _Lights Out_. It was
    titiled, "The Dark." The woman wasn't a witch, just driven mad by the
    sight of having her loved ones turned inside out by the strange dark
    force, a force that soon silenced her cackling before reaching out
    for the [removed]

    "Marty" <martyd@[removed]; asked:

>     When the last of the old time rado shows were cancelled (late 1950s), were any
>     of the shows put into "syndication" ...how long did it take for
>     these shows to be played over the air again?

    There were a few OTR shows still playing when I was in high school in
    the 60's. I believe Suspense and Johnny Dollar were the last. When
    we'd gotten our first TV sometime in the late 50's I'd turned my back
    on radio, but had, somehow, started listening again, suddenly aware
    that the medium wherein I'd found some of my best friends, and the
    wise moral guidance of The Lone Ranger, Sergeant Preston, Mark Trail
    and others - where is their like in the media today? I seriously
    wonder if the American character has not suffered without them - were
    vanishing. Looking back I'm surprised that, at that age, I even
    noticed. And, no, there was no interest anywhere in picking them up
    for syndication. Broadcasters bid them a fond Good Riddance and
    thought no more about them. I remember my excitement when I
    discovered a decade or so later that someone had tapes of the
    Cinnamon Bear for sale [speaking of which, my friend Barbara Webster
    has finally finished here Cinnamon Bear Quilt, which I will write
    more about soon]. Somewhere in that period the afore-mentioned Drop
    Dead album was put out as a tribute the lost art. Then, mid-70's came
    the _Themes Like Old Times_ album, which REALLY made some of us feel
    the loss. I found some old tapes at our local library that someone
    had taped off the air; bad sound quality but better than nothing.
    Wonder if there are any one-of-a-kinds in that [removed] I myself
    supplied the Cinnamon Bear tapes to our local public radio station to
    broadcast at Christmas. They told me that got more response to that
    than they'd had from any other program, but never chose to air it
    again. Then OTR began appearing on record. I used to buy them and not
    play them for weeks, unable to bear the thought of not having them
    waiting to be heard. Then there was the Jack Benny/Longines Wittnauer
    boxed tribute to OTR. Then the Adventures on Cassette began appearing
    in truck stops, and CBSRMT began airing. Obviously, I don't recall
    the chronology, but it went something like that. Folks who began
    collecting in the computer age don't know how lucky they are.

    Re: the recent mention of the Hindenburg: I had my dad write to the
    list a couple of years ago with his reminiscences, but I've not been
    able to persuade him to take any real interest in computers, so I'll
    mention that he once saw his reflection in the Hindenburg. He recalls
    walking along a rain-soaked street, hearing a hum, then seeing the
    reflection of the airship in the wet streets as it passed overhead on
    its way to an airfield. He looked up and was able to see his own
    reflection in the Hindenburg's shiny paint. I would think that must
    be quite a memory. He couldn't have known then, of course, that a few
    years later he'd be fighting in the country from which that zeppelin
    had flown.

    --

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:50:31 -0400
    From: Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Lucy on radio and TV

    I guess all here know that CBS was reluctant to put "I Love Lucy" on
    television, loathe to have it co-star Desi Arnaz.  But I think it's clear
    that from her radio and other TV work, CBS did want Lucille Ball regularly on
    their new medium.

    When they decided to go ahead with "I Love Lucy", they hedged their bets by
    deliberately positioning its debut to air immediately following one of their
    most highly rated and successful programs, Monday night's "Arthur Godfrey and
    his Talent Scouts".

    Indeed, Mr. Godfrey acceded to the network's request for him to positively
    mention the next program coming up that night.  He took extra time strongly
    to urge his watchers to stay tuned to see the new show.  Lucy and Arthur did
    get to know each other, and he appeared years afterward on her later show.

    It's important to remember that his program was simulcast, so the plug for
    Lucy was not only seen on TV, but heard by radio listeners to the "Talent
    Scouts", many of whom were undoubtedly familiar with her radio work.

    Exactly how much the Godfrey plug contributed to the success of "I Love Lucy"
    is impossible to tell, but it certainly didn't hurt.  The holdover audience
    was substantial.  I think the longevity of the program was due to the
    outstanding writing, direction and camera work, as well as the performances
    of the show's four outstanding performers.  I believe it will continue to be
    shown around the world for as long as there is such a thing as television.

    "I Love Lucy" continued to follow "Talent Scouts" for many months, until the
    latter show dropped off the air.  Before it did, Lucy topped the still very
    popular Godfrey show in their ratings.

    It never hurts to have a popular salesman stick his foot in the door for you!

    Lee Munsick

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:51:12 -0400
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Richard Denning and his home movies

    To the best of my knowledge, Richard Denning was the star of radio's MY
    FAVORITE HUSBAND and when the program began on television under the title of
    I LOVE LUCY with Lucille Ball in the lead, it was Ball's insistence that
    Denning be replaced with Desi Arnaz.

    Denning was also the real-life husband of actress Evelyn Ankers (THE WOLF
    MAN, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VOICE OF TERROR, etc.) and the couple retired
    to Hawaii.  Home movies of the Dennings were recently discovered including
    home movie footage captured on the Universal Studio sets where Ankers worked
    as a regular (she co-starred in a couple INNER SANCTUM movies - one when she
    was pregnant - check it out for yourself and see her hiding her stomach in
    the scenes).  The home movie footage is scheduled for release on VHS and DVD
    this June.
    Martin Grams, Jr.

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:13:13 -0400
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Fielden Farrington - Green Hornet

    First, a note.   I was reviewing my Green Hornet files and remembered that
    Mike Wallace announced the Green Hornet for a time in 1941 under the name
    Myron Wallace.

    Brad Stone wrote:

>     If anybody has any audio of Fielden in
>     "Helen Trent", "The Green Hornet" or "Our Gal Sunday", as well, I'd
>     appreciate the opportunity to chat about procuring [removed]

    I have 4 Helen Trent episodes from 1949-50 and 10 Green Hornet from 1938-39
    where Fielden was the announcer.

    I'll be glad to send you an mp3 CD.

    Send your mailing address to me at
    IreneTH@[removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:13:25 -0400
    From: seandd@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Jack Benny in the News

    The latest media coverage of Jack Benny - an Eddie Caroll appearance in
    Michigan and new "Here's Lucy" DVDs with a Jack Benny guest appearance.

    Sean Dougherty
    SeanDD@[removed]

    JACK Benny comes alive in 1 - man show
    Cheboygan Tribune - Cheboygan,MI,USA
    By MIKE FORNES. CHEBOYGAN - The late Jack Benny was more than a show-business
    legend. His droll delivery, dead-pan stare, his unique ...
    <[removed];

    DVD set finally announced ! Street Date , SRP , * EXTRAS * ! !
    [removed] - Canada
    ... Stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Carol Burnett, Jackie
    Gleason, Johnny Carson, Milton Berle, and Jack Benny are characters in
    her humorous ...
    <[removed];

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:14:01 -0400
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Question for Jughead

    I'm hoping Hal Stone can use his gray cells to help me out on this.

    I've been sorting out Archie Andrews files because there are a lot of date
    and title conflicts in episode logging by collectors.   There are about 42
    episodes now listed as 'available'.   I wish Hal could dig up some more.

    I found one storyline identified by 3-4 names .  The story is about Mr.
    Andrews problems in trying to take a bath.   Also, Archie and Jughead are
    getting ready for a Dance that night.

    In the episode dated 10/19/46 when Archie says 'Is that you, Jughead"
    Jughead answers 'It's not Gregory Peck'.    When Mr. Andrews is about to
    take his bath Mary Andrews answers the phone and calls Mr. Andrews to the
    phone to speak to a business associate.

    This same storyline, with minor changes is repeated in the logs twice:
    One episode is dated 8/9/47 and is titled "Taking a Bath"
    The other is dated 9/4/48 and is titled 'The Big Dance' or 'Late for the
    Dance'

    In these two, when Archie says 'Is that you Jughead' Jughead answers "It's
    not Coffeehead' which evokes great squeals from the audience.  Additionally
    when the phone rings when Mr. Andrews is about to take his bath he answers
    the phone and it's Betty.

    What's up, Doc?

    Irene

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:14:37 -0400
    From: Alan Chapman <[removed]@[removed];
    To: Old-Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Births and deaths

    Here are a couple that were missed in Ron Sayles' list:

    05-02-1932(?) - Rosemary Rice - New York, NY
    "Let's Pretend"; Katrin "Mama"; Betty "Archie Andrews"; "The Cavalcade
    Of America"; "Studio One"; "When A Girl Marries"; "Suspense"; "CBS Radio
    Mystery Theater"; Also numerous successful children's recordings.

    05-05-1932 - Will Hutchins - Los Angeles, CA
    "Sugarfoot" (1957-61); "Hey, Landlord" (1966) and "Blondie" (1968);
    several Elvis Presley movies.

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 17:41:19 -0400
    From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  "Flying Doctor"

    Phil Watson correctly places Richard Denning  in the 1959 syndicated
    program, "Flying Doctor."

    I remember this program well. Filmed in England by Gross-Krasne
    Productions, it featured Denning who served  the airborne medical service
    in the outer reaches of Australia.  Denning portrayed an American physician
    whose boss, played by Peter Madden, was completely blind.

    You'll recall Denning was married to Evelyn Ankers.  She co-starred  in
    many grossly underestimated "B" films of the forties.  They both lived the
    good life life on  Maui.

    Dennis Crow

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

    Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 18:04:20 -0400
    From: "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  German Tape Recorded Broadcasts

    Hello All:

    Mark Kinsler wrote:

>     But I also read, probably in an article based on rumor-fed research and
>     urban legends, that Allied soldiers during WWII thought that German
>     tape-recorded broadcasts were live, because the conventional disk recordings
>     of the day couldn't sound that good.

    Maybe, but the version I remember is that supposeidly the soldiers thought
    the broadcasts were live because they went so long without any sort of break
    (especially with such things as classical music broadcasts), not because the
    sound quality was good.

    George

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #156
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