From:	SMTP%"[removed]@[removed]"  2-NOV-1995 01:12[removed]
To:	otr@[removed]
CC:	
Subj:	[removed] Digest V95 #349

 
	********************************************************
                      ------   # NOTE #   -------
SEE INFO SECTION AT END OF THIS DIGEST FOR UNSUBSCRIBE AND OTHER INFORMATION. 
		====  INFO SECTION UPDATED 8/19/95  ====
	********************************************************

	    [removed]   Volume 95 : Issue 349


Articles in this issue of [removed]:

	 Big Jon and Sparky or The Teddy Bears Picnic
	  re: 75th anniversary of radio
	 Re: Enough selling
	 HOLLIDAY RADIO
	 Stan Freberg
	 Radio Hall of Fame  copies
	 Re:Billy Bletcher, reel-to-reel recorders
	 Commercialism & OTR "Hobbyist" Dealers
	 Jack Benny Questions (continued) - Still glad you [removed]

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 14:25:00 -0500
From: Ted McKay <tmckay@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Big Jon and Sparky or The Teddy Bears Picnic
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

I first met Jon Arthur in 1952 when, as Promotion Director for ABC
affiliate WKNA in Charleston, West Virginia, I brought Big Jon and
Sparky to town for a personal appearance at the Kearse Theater.  Almost
10 years later our careers would cross again while we were both on-air
personalities at WKRC in Cincinnati.

Jon Arthur (Goers) was a native of and grew up in Pitcarin,
Pennsylvania. In 1940, two years after he finished high school, and not
too happy with his job as a printer's helper at a local newspaper, Jon
took his first radio job as a staff announcer at WJLS in Beckley, West
Virginia. Big Jon, all 6 feet 5 inches of him, was known as UNCLE Jon
then, having been assigned the job of hosting the afternoon kiddies
record show.  Later Jon worked at West Virginia stations WMMN in
Fairmont and at WAJR in Morgantown before moving on to Indianapolis,
Cincinnati and later Hollywood. He returned to Cincinnati in 1947 to
work as a staff announcer at WSAI, the ABC Radio affiliate, where he
developed "No School Today" a Saturday morning kids show.  In those
early broadcasts, No School Today was a collection of kids records (78
RPM of course) and Jon's ability to talk to kids on their level,
interspersed with appearances from the many characters whose voices he
had developed early in his career.  Sparky arrived on the scene some
months later when two WSAI engineers modified the capstan on a
Magnecorder tape recorder so that when Jon's normal voice was played
back at a 30% increase in speed Jon became Sparky!  Sparky was an
instant hit in Cincinnati and in 1950 ABC made No School Today part of
it's Saturday morning lineup which included Smilin' Ed and Space Patrol.
The show became so popular (nearly 300 stations) that ABC added a 15
minute Big Jon and Sparky daily program M-F at 5 PM, expanding it to 30
minutes in 1952. Demands for personal appearances by Big Jon and Sparky
brought about the development of a Sparky marionette with a solenoid
actuated mouth in sync with the prerecorded Sparky voice track.  The
personal appearance shows were tightly scripted with timed blank
sections between Sparky's recorded and Jon's live lines. Although the
Sparky marionette proved popular with the kids at personal appearances,
like so many attempts to move established radio programs to TV in the
early 50's, Big Jon and Sparky was never the success on TV that it had
been on radio. With much of his early fame behind him, Jon returned to
Cincinnati in the early 1960's when he was hired by then WKRC program
director, Paul Shumate. Jon brought back the voices of Sparky, Mayor
Plumpfront and others from his earlier days in Cincinnati, and although
the nostalgia was there the ratings were not. A change in station
management moved Jon out and a more traditional disc jockey, Ed Bonner,
in. Several years later (about 1966) while I was program director of
WKRC, Jon was passing through Cincinnati and stopped by my office for a
visit. At the time he was working for a religious radio station out in
California, using his talents to convey a slightly different message.  I
lost track of Jon after that, until I read of his passing in the
Cincinnati Enquirer in March of 1982. -30-

I hope this will answer some of your questions about Big Jon and Sparky.
Most of it was gleaned from the press releases Jon sent me before his
appearance in Charleston in 1952.  I found the rest in those files that
Mr. Gumpotts failed to pick up at the curb last week!

Ted McKay - Cincinnati, OH

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 19:38:12 -0500
From: BCH66@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  re: 75th anniversary of radio
Message-ID: <951101193811_10160455@[removed]>

This program WAS actually carried in the seattle area. Sunday night on KVI
570 at 5pm PST.
nobody

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 19:42:10 -0500
From: BCH66@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Enough selling
Message-ID: <951101194207_10164304@[removed]>

I am not sure to whom this original post was directed. However, I have
noticed nothing of the the kind that was blatant enought to warrant this
post. In my opinion the post titled ENOUGH SELLING was simply a rude post
that should be kept out of a friendly group like ours. 
nobody

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 19:54:17 -0500
From: BCH66@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: HOLLIDAY RADIO
Message-ID: <951101195417_10176653@[removed]>

I truly enjoy listening to OTR on Halloween and Christmas. Except it seems
radio broadcasts seem to be scarce. I find this unacceptable.  I think our
industry can give up atleast a few special days out of the year to broadcast
some of the best from the past.
I should have been able to turn on the radio the other night and hear some of
the classics from SUSPENSE, LIGHTS OUT and others. A HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR.
But I did not find much. 
Halloween is gone . So perhaps we can bug some stations around the country to
get some Xmas OTR on the air in December. perhaps someone can make a list of
stations they know of planning  to do just that . BTW I live in Seattle.
nobody

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 15:54:41 +0001 (EST)
From: "'A. Joseph Ross'" <lawyer@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Stan Freberg
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

If I'm remembering right, Stan Freberg's 1957 radio series was a summer 
replacement for the Jack Benny Program, which, although it was in reruns, 
still took a summer break.

Or at least that's when it was on in Boston.  And since WEEI in Boston 
was, at the time, CBS owned and operated, I assume that's the way the 
network was running it.

======================================================================
A. Joseph Ross, [removed]                                      617/367-0468
15 Court Square                                   lawyer@[removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2573                    [removed]~lawyer/
======================================================================

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 19:57:20 -0500
From: ad586@[removed] (Michael Cervone)
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Radio Hall of Fame  copies
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>

Oops! I think I sent the first message to the wrong [removed]
this is a [removed] ignore it.

Hi folks. Regarding the Radio Hall of Fame broadcast
from last Sunday. Yes, the Hall of Fame did make a copy of the
show. However, I am not sure whether or not it will be sold.
If you are interested in buying a copy, send me a note so I can
show the powers that be that there is sufficient interest among 
the public to warrant making them available. I will do my best!
If you have any questions or would like a copy, just email me at

BR858@[removed]

That mailbox tends to be free of messages for me and will work
better than the one I am writing from now. Hope you all enjoyed
the show as much as we did putting it together. 

Mike Cervone
Radio [removed] Hall of Fame (Chicago)
nobody

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

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 23:36:06 -0500
From: MVHaas@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re:Billy Bletcher, reel-to-reel recorders
Message-ID: <951101233605_80084538@[removed]>

    FOR HENRY BRUGSCH: Yes, the name really was Billy Bletcher. I can't seem
to find any more info on him except that he did voices for animated cartoons
in the 1930s (and later?) and he's listed as a bit player in the very early
Three Stooges shorts. He probably did something well-known, but I can't find
it right now. 
    On the radio Sgt. Preston was Paul Sutton and (in the final year: Brace
Beemer.)

    REEL-TO-REEL: Ok, I know reel-to-reel is a dinosaur. But I've got 200
reels and a TEAC X-7 that's about shot.  A used Pioneer recorder costs
$500-600 (and I'm not sure of condition.)  So how much is a *new* recorder
and where do I go to get one?  I know there are several people who are in the
recording business who are on the list, so I'd appreciate it if they would
reccommend models, brands, etc. (Or warn against certain [removed])  The
best recorder I ever had was a TEAC A2300S.  I got rid of it ten years ago
when it would have cost $300 to repair it. 
I should have gotten it fixed.  The joys of hindsight. 

Best - Merlin Haas
nobody

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

Date: Wed, 01 Nov 95 23:42:18 EST
From: platecap@[removed] (Bob B)
To: otr@[removed]
Cc: platecap@[removed]
Subject: Commercialism & OTR "Hobbyist" Dealers
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

Someone recently posted here complaining about an unnamed individual who
had clearly "commercial" purposes and confusing information with a sale
pitch.

In the same breath almost, they complained about "unnecessary
controversy" and specifically the Amari discussion of a few months back.

Clearly, this person complaining would be happy to see this unnamed
person disappear from this list, but that is not likely to happen
anytime soon.

First, the complainer apparently does not understand the concept of
"HOBBYIST DEALERS" in old time radio.  These people generally are
collectors at heart, and sell copies of programs to help finance
acquiring additional shows, and related activities.  Their activities
play a **MAJOR** part in helping to grow the many not-for-profit clubs
and organizations.  They contribute HEAVILY to those club libraries in
the form of both free cassettes, as well as financial contributions.
Several HOBBYIST DEALERS serve as officers on clubs and also donate
their time.

A perfect example of HOBBYIST DEALERS helping to support old time radio
is the growth of the Friends of Old Time Radio conventions.  Their
dollars contribute heavily to making that one of the largest events of
its kind.

To complain about commercialism of most HOBBYIST DEALERS is like
slapping old time radio collecting at its root level, in the face.

You DO NOT see vendors posting their complete catalog of offerings with
prices here on this list.  A casual mention of certain shows being
offered is the same as a casual mention of a book or newsletter on the
subject being available.  It's simply basic information, and if someone
wants MORE information, they can write the poster.

Second item, if the complainer had seen the catalog of the person he was
complaining about, he would see a great deal of reference information
being mailed out for free, rather than an extended sales pitch.
Clearly, this person is not into making a huge profit, but rather, to
help and PROMOTE interest in old time radio.

And finally, as far as "unnecessary controversy," I think the
information that was exchanged served a useful purpose. In fact, the
owner of this list participated in the end, and the person being
discussed became personally involved.  Raked over the coals?  Perhaps.
But it made people reading this list THINK.
Whether or not they agreed or approved of the discussion is a secondary
concern. That discussion is OVER for now, so why even mention his name?

Old time radio for me has been a hobby for my entire adult life and then
some.  When an issue that threatens old time radios existence crops up,
IT SHOULD BE discussed, and I want to be part of that discussion!!

If you want nothing but schmaltzy, rosy pictures, everything's-wonderful
in-OTR mindset, go subscribe to a club newsletter that does nothing but
re-prints of 1940's articles and report on their local club picnic.

Just my [removed] thanks for listening <CLIMBS OFF SOAPBOX>

Bob Burnham; BRC Productions; [removed] Box 2645; Livonia, MI 48151
voice (313) 277-3798;  fax (313) 277-3095; internet platecap@[removed]
nobody

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

Date: Thu, 02 Nov 1995 01:57:02 -0500 (EST)
From: JACKBENNY@[removed]
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Jack Benny Questions (continued) - Still glad you [removed]
Message-id: <01HX5FBEQ33C985VZ2@[removed]>

As per "what the TV show was like," there were three basic formats:  one was
conducted by starting with Jack "in one", doing a monologue for a few minutes
and then going on to introduce a guest star, or interact with one of the
other characters, such as Dennis Day.  The second half of the show would
generally involve some fantasy skit.  Classic examples of this were the
Carol Burnett show where they do a skit of Tarzan and Jane in the future,
where Tarzan has become a decrepit old man (11/13/62);  and an appearance by
the Lettermen, where the skit features Jack and the Lettermen as college
roommates (and a fantastic old professor done by Dennis Day) (3/31/64).

The second would be more of a situation comedy, with Jack at home or wherever,
and the whole show is played outside the studio.  A classic example that comes
to mind is the show where Jack is awakened by a 4:00 AM deejay, and unable
to go back to sleep.  Mary visits him in the morning, and they go to  buy a
suit, where Jack cannot stay awake (2/6/55).

The third format is a combination of the two;  starting in one, and continuing
on to see Jack outside the studio, frequently after the show.

If this all sounds familiar, it should.  Many of the scripts from radio were
redone on television.

Oh, one of my personal favorites is an example of the third format.  Jack
starts out with the Mills Brothers guesting during the first half.  The
second half is spent on Jack's trip to Las Vegas.  The second half was re-
cycled from radio.  For those who have not heard/seen this show, I'll tantalize
you by saying that Jack playing a slot machine is, IMO, one of the best bits
from the series, and, again IMO, played even better on television than it
did on radio (TV:  3/19/61).

Sorry for being long-winded!

--Laura Lee
International Jack Benny Fan Club

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

    


    ****  END OF ARTICLE SECTION - INFORMATION BOILERPLATE FOLLOWS ****

1) Contacting the list administrator.
2) Unsubscribing from this list
3) Receive a DIGEST READING TIPS file
4) AIRWAVES web page
5) Shareware Notice 
6) Redistribution of [removed]

1)  The [removed] maintainer can be reached at EDITOR@[removed]

2) To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send email to
[removed]@[removed] and place the word UNSUBSCRIBE
alone on the Subject: line of your request.  The body of
request mail is ignored by the server.  If you are unable to
unsubscribe using this method, and you are SURE you are doing
everything right, then (and only then) contact the administrator
(wdp@[removed]) for assistance.  Please send along the headers of
any problem mail for diagnostics.  

	* PLEASE Never send unsub messages to the list! *

3) If reading email digests like this one is difficult or time
consuming,  write for a file called *The Fine Art Of Reading and
Replying To Email Digests*  It contains tips on scanning digests and
making replies easier and more concise.  To recieve this file, send
email to digest-tips@[removed] and use the subject line of *Digest
Tips*.  

4) AIRWAVES  maintains a very busy web page containing many media-related 
links and files. Our URL is:  [removed]~rrb/

5) [removed] is brought to you as shareware.  Net 
connectivity and other expenses are paid out of personal funds of the
list maintainer.  If this list is of value to you, please support it
by sending in whatever amount you can afford, to help defray costs.
Suggested amount is [removed] a year (less than [removed] a month), but any
amount (more or less) is fine. This is a free-will donation and nobody
will be removed from the list because they cannot, or choose not to,
pay.

Our mailing address is PO Box 8746 Springfield Mo 65801. Make any
checks out to William Pfeiffer. 

6) If you are redistributing [removed] in any form, you must
contact the list owner for permission.  Generally permission is given,
free of charge, for non-commercial electronic distribution.
Commercial distribution rights are available under very reasonable
terms.



---- 
End of [removed] Digest V95 Issue #349
================== RFC 822 Headers ==================
Received: (from rrb@localhost) by [removed] ([removed]) id BAA22950 for victrola; Thu, 2 Nov 1995 01:45:31 -0600
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 01:45:31 -0600
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>
From: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: [removed] Digest V95 #349
X-Loop: otr@[removed]
Precedence: list
To: otr@[removed]
Reply-To: [removed]@[removed]
