------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2004 : Issue 118
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Harry Shearer [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
Air America Radio [ Andy Blatt <andy@vintagebroadcasts. ]
Full Broadcast Days are definately a [ <[removed]@[removed]; ]
Sponsor's Booth [ "Robert Curtis" <malibob@earthlink. ]
RE: Michigan State University [ "Kris Stone" <anaheim47@[removed] ]
Careers that no longer exist [ Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed] ]
Products from the past [ Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed] ]
Bob Baker singing cowboy on National [ Ed Kindred <kindred@[removed]; ]
[removed] Herm Saunders [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
Benny 1932-33 shows rediscovered [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
Sponsors Booth [ William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed]; ]
broadcasting day [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
4-2 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
News From Far Away [ "mike ray" <mikeray42@[removed]; ]
Merrison-Williams as Holmes-Watson [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
Holmes as a friend [ "david rogers" <david_rogers@hotmai ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 09:33:38 -0500
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Harry Shearer
John wrote:
Wonderful list [Ron Sayles] and a lot of work by you is much appreciated!
I wonder if you might include Harry Shearer who was, I believe, one of the
"Beavers" on the Jack Benny show?
Yes, you're correct. And when the Benny show went to TV he appeared on the
TV show as well. Here's part of an interview from last year.
The Onion: Not a lot of people know that you were a child actor. How did you
get into performing at a young age?
Harry Shearer: I had a piano teacher when I was a kid. She at some point
went through a decision to change careers, and I'd like to think I helped
move her in that direction. She became a children's agent, so she asked my
parents if it would be okay if she could try and get me some work, and they
said "sure." Seven months went by, and we didn't hear anything from her.
Then she called one day and had an audition for me for The Jack Benny
Program, and I went in and got it. That was it. It was like being in heaven.
I loved the show as a listener, and now I was walking through the looking
glass. As a kid, I really did want to hang out with the grownups, so it was
hanging out with the hippest grownups in the world. This was the nicest
bunch of people I've worked with in show business, with the exception of the
people around A Mighty Wind. It really was a wonderful eight years.
O: Were you intimidated to be working with Jack Benny?
HS: No, because he wasn't an intimidating person. He was very warm and
approachable. I started doing his radio show first, and then did his
television show. And after the third show, he came up to me and my parents
and gave us a vinyl disc of the show we'd just finished doing, and hugged
me, and hugged my mom. Nothing intimidating went on there. There was a high
level of professionalism. He was a guy who dug the idea of other people on
the show getting laughs, which sort of spoiled me for other people in
comedy. I have a very strong visual memory of the first time I made him
laugh. That was remarkable. I was like, "Oh, God, I just made Jack Benny
laugh." I also had a friend there, and when there were problem moments, he'd
help me out. And that was Mel Blanc, because I always used to sit next to
Mel Blanc when we'd do the shows. When you have Jack Benny on one side and
Mel Blanc on the other, you're not going to go far wrong.
[removed]
He was also the original Eddie Haskell in the pilot for 'Leave it to Beaver'
but his parents wouldn't let him do a regular series.
Radio is a wonderful medium for him because he has a great baritone voice.
I occasionally listen to 'Le Show' on NPR.
And let's not forget the hilarious 'Spinal Tap'
Irene
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 10:19:54 -0500
From: Andy Blatt <andy@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Air America Radio
Yes, Irene that was Bob Elliott, reprising his famous "---ly Ballou"
character and in doing so lending the character to topical issues and
curent-events on Air America Radio which debuted yesterday on a bunch of
leased-time stations (including WLIB 1190 am in NYC). Billed as an
alternative to the conservative talk shows, it is off to an auspicious
start, however modest. It airs on only five stations at the moment as well
as online streaming.
Andy
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 10:21:03 -0500
From: <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Full Broadcast Days are definately available
I know that both the 1939 and D-Day full broadcast days are available at the
popular auction sites. Just do a search for "OTR Broadcast Day" and you
will find them both. Some of the days also include lots of bonus shows from
1939 and 1944 respectively.
Zongo out
[ADMINISTRIVIA: Of course, they are also available from legitimate dealers,
and MP3s can be found for download frequently on the various newsgroups.
--cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 12:00:50 -0500
From: "Robert Curtis" <malibob@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Sponsor's Booth
Ted <welsa@[removed]; asks whether these glass enclosures were equipped
for entertaining.
These rooms, usually called the Client's Booth, still exist in one form or
another at the network television level. Though nowadays they don't
overlook the stage and are usually occupied agency reps sitting in front of
a monitor. In the radio days some were certainly large enough for
entertaining, where, at times, they were used for having a smoke or a drink
apart from the studio audience. They were a place where sponsors, their
families, friends and other VIPs could observe the show being broadcast
without having to mix with the great unwashed.
>From time to time, the client's booth served other purposes. Several years
ago, Hobart Donovon (writer of the Buster Brown Kid's Show and husband of
June Foray) told me a story about Mrs. Smiling Ed McConnell. Apparently
the woman held sway over Ed's performance (especially when he was tipsy -
which was often). Her intrusions into the flow of the show were legendary.
On one particular day, as Hobe recalled it, the production staff had enough
trouble getting the show on the air without having to deal with Mrs.
McConnell. A big deal was made about inviting her into the vaunted
sanctity of the client's booth. She happily accepted, whereupon she was
promptly locked inside and the show went on without a hitch.
Bob
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 12:23:42 -0500
From: "Kris Stone" <anaheim47@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: RE: Michigan State University
Martin:
You can also try contacting the Comic Art Collection department directly at
the university at: comics@[removed]. I have had a great deal of success in
dealing directly with archivists at libraries and historical societies. You
can use the online index to reference the specific items you are interested
in:
[removed]
Good luck!
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 12:24:40 -0500
From: Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Careers that no longer exist
I was thinking about jobs that no longer exist. At one time
telegraph operator was a good job. Every small town railroad
station had several telegraph operators as the station had to
be operational around the clock. Western Union would also have
telegraph operators and teletype operators as well as telegram
delivery boys. I would think teletype repair technicians also
would have had a good career.
When I was a student I had a job in a weekly newspaper
business as a Linotype operator. It was a fascinating, complex
machine, and I liked the job. I'm glad, however, that I went
on to a different career, as I seriously doubt if there are many
Linotypes being operated anywhere but in museums.
I think the watchmaker is a near-dead occupation. Only the
most expensive watches are ever serviced, as it's cheaper to throw out
a faulty Timex and buy a new one than to have it serviced.
Sadly, the radio actor and actress is another career that has
gone by the wayside, at least in the United States and Canada.
There are some people working the occasional show, but
I doubt there are any "radio stars" with the possible exception
of Garrison Keillor and his friends.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 13:05:47 -0500
From: Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Products from the past
Do you remember Lifebuoy Soap? Or perhaps LAVA? Surely you've heard
commercials touting these products. Lever Brothers ceased production in
2000, and the rights are now held by a company in the United Kingdom. The
company is owned by a fellow who was a recording engineer at Abbey Road
Recording Studios where he worked on records by The Beatles, Cliff Richard
and others.
[removed]
The soap is quite pricey, but there is a dealer in the USA.
Vermont Country Store sells Lifebuoy soap and LAVA Soap as well
[removed]
Can anyone else come up with long-forgotten products that are
still available? You never know, there just might be a place
where we can still get a trial ton of Blue Coal!
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with these businesses. I am only
passing this information on as a matter of interest.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 13:48:09 -0500
From: Ed Kindred <kindred@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Baker singing cowboy on National Barn
Dance
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Since the National Barn Dance comes up occasionally I thought I would
search on Bob Baker my late
Uncle Tumble Weed. I was pleasantly surprised to find a fairly
comprehensive site complete with
pictures on his career as a singing cowboy in the 30's and 40's. Since his
career went from my infancy
to preteens I knew him more as a leather worker, armory custodian and
policeman who lived all over
Canoga Park (movie days) Prescott, Flagstaff, Wickenburg and the Verde
Valley. I did actually see the
Phantom Stage in a theatre in Flagstaff with his sons during my teen years.
My son was able to find a
a couple of his movies on Beta a few years ago. The class B oaters usually
ran about 60 minutes.
Here is the site for you Barn Dance/ oater fans:
[removed]
Ed Kindred
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 14:40:04 -0500
From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: [removed] Herm Saunders
We've lost another friend in OTR. Herm Saunders has passed away. He became
an honorary member of SPERDVAC when he spoke to us about his radio career at
a meeting last year. A video of his talk is available for members to check
out. The information below is from the March 31 LA Times announcement:
Herm Saunders has died at home in Sherman Oaks on March 24 of heart failure,
he was 87. He was a television producer of many shows such as Dragnet, Adam
12 and F Troop. He was also an accomplished musician and released two albums
on Warner Brothers records. He served in the west coast Army Air Corps. He
was also a graduate of The University of the Pacific. He is survived by his
son, Gary Saunders, and daughter-in-law, Linda Saunders. Memorial Service at
12:30 [removed], Friday, April 2, 2004, at the Old North Church, Forest Lawn
Hollywood Hills, Forest Lawn Mortuary. The Family requests donations be made
to The University of the Pacific in lieu of flowers.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 16:10:28 -0500
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Benny 1932-33 shows rediscovered
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I am pleased to announce that through my recent research, I have been able to
find some lost files at UCLA containing complete transcriptions of the Jack
Benny Canada Dry series, including Mary Livingston's first appearance, the Sid
Silvers series including the Shlepperman character before it was performed by
Sam Hearn, and many other lost delights. We are currently working together to
transcribe these shows and make them available through the International Jack
Benny Fan Club Library.
The only problem is, no one will believe me.
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 16:10:38 -0500
From: William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Sponsors Booth
Someone asked about sponsor's booths. These were merely a glassed in room
overlooking the studio with chairs and a monitor speaker so that the VIP
guests could enjoy the program, keeping them out of the control room. For
example, shortly after I transferred to CBS-Holywood I was assigned as
vacation engineer to the Sunday afternoon Gene Autry program, it's
premier. (not the later "Melody Ranch") using a Warner Brorthers (KFWB)
audience studio which was a converted motion picture sound stage. As
there was no clients booth the VIP guests were crowded into my control
room. At about ten minutes to air time my line amplifier (RCA 40-C) blew
it's rectifier tube. Gene's manager "Mitch" cleared the gang out of the
control room, the KFWB stand-by engineer got me a replacement tube, and I
was able to get back operational in time to get on the air at the
scheduled time. It was a good lesson about crowded control rooms.
Client's rooms were just plain listening rooms with a view of the studio.
No bar, no food, no attendants.
BILL MURTOUGH
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 16:11:01 -0500
From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: broadcasting day
Hi Everybody,
in the last digest a post ask where could they buy some of the broadcast
days. SPErdVaC has the NBC 12-23-55 and CBS on 11-2-58 in the general
library. Ted at radio memories at [removed] has many of the
broadcast days show such has finial broadcast tape which has the 11-25-60
last day of the Soaps. NBC D Day and I believe hi might have the CBS one
too. He has the WeAF of 8-10-45. He also have the WJSV broadcasting day of
9-21-39 plus NBC Red of 12-7-41. I am hoping to obtain a copy of both NBC
Red and Blue of 12-8-41. Radio Yesteryear also has hit too, but I miss out.
In fact my adapted Mom Kitty Kallen was on the air of both NBC Blue of
12-8-41, and mutual of D Day broadcasting. I also understand mutual 12-7-41
is available too. I hope some body has it on this list. Have anybody try
to put together Mutual 5-8-45 broadcast day. Many of the shows seem to be
around thus I would like it would be possible to put that day together too.
If you have please get in touch with me. Take care,
Walden
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 16:14:14 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 4-2 births/deaths
April 2nd births
04-02-1878 - Leo Curley - NYC - d. 4-11-1960
actor: Ed Jackson "Backstage Wife"; Mike Shaw "Tom Mix"
04-02-1908 - Buddy Ebsen - Belleville, IL - d. 7-6-2003
actor: "Hollywood Hotel"
04-02-1911 - Bill Days - St. Louis, MO - d. 5-6-2002
singer: (Member Sportsmen Quartet) "Jack Benny Program"
04-02-1913 - Fran Carlon - Indianapolis, IN - d. 10-4-1993
actress: Lorelei Kilbourne "Big Town"; Bunny Mitchell "Story of Mary Marlin"
04-02-1914 - Sir Alec Guinness - London, England - d. 8-5-2000
actor: "Kaleidoscope"
04-02-1917 - Gertrude Warner - Hartford, CT - d. 1-26-1986
actress: Margo Lane "The Shadow"; Christy Allen "Against the Storm"
04-02-1919 - Tom Hubbaard - d. 6-4-1974
actor: Sergaent Cadet Stripes "Starr of Space
04-02-1920 - Jack Webb - Santa Monica, CA - d. 12-23-1982
actor: Joe Friday "Dragnet"; Pete Kelly "Pete Kelly's Blues"
April 2nd deaths
01-03-1916 - Betty Furness - NYC - d. 4-2-1994
actress: Anne Williams "Casey, Crime Photographer"; "Philco Radio Playhouse"
03-09-1893 - Ara Gerald - Sydney, Australia - d. 4-2-1957
actress: Countess Florenza "Our Gal Sunday"
03-20-1922 - Jack Kruschen - Winnipeg, Canada - d. 4-2-2002
actor: Sergeant Muggowen " Broadway is My Beat"
10-13-1889 - Douglass Dumbrille - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - d. 4-2-1974
actor: "Screen Guild Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
10-13-1913 - Ethel Everett - NYC - d. 4-2-1973
actress: Elsie Anderson "David Harum"; Mayme Gordon "O'Neills"
--
Ron Sayles
For a complete list:
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 17:18:09 -0500
From: "mike ray" <mikeray42@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: News From Far Away
News from Far away
I Just got word from Pat Kelleher at Universal Adjustment that Charlie
Summers cashed in his chips, but have not seen him as yet. But I'm sure I
will. It's a big place up hear, lot's to see, lot's to do, and plenty of
people to get caught up with. Once Mr. Summers said that Charlie Russell was
the best Johnny Dollar. He might just be right. I would love to sit down with
him and pick his brain. You can't help but like a guy who loves radio like
Charlie did. It was good to see Harry Bartell. We chatted for a couple of
weeks at least. I hadn't seen him in almost 40 years. He looks great, and his
writing is better than ever. Harry told me that Elizabeth is dating one of Hy
Averback's grandsons. It sounded more like an April fools tale than anything
else. But I must say, up hear we don't shoot out the tall tales like we used
to down there. So who knows, maybe it's true. After all I hear that her Red
Sox almost made it to the series last year, so I suppose anything is
possible. While I've got your attention I thought I would get you caught up
with what's happening up hear. Parley Bear picks up Howard McNair each day
and they go fishing down at the Lake Mohave resort. Just about an hour after
they get there Bill Conrad and Georgia Ellis show up to catch some of those
big ones. Kind of get's me excited just talking about it. I used to say that
I would rather fish than eat. But up here, it's the best fish I've ever
eaten. I saw Jack Johnstone the other day, and he told me that he had talked
Dale Carnegie into working with Al Jolson. It looks like ole Al still has
some ruff edges. About eight years ago Tony Ellis, and John Meston opened up
an outdoor theatre in the round. They write the plays and John Dehner does
the directing, the casting, and some of the acting. All those years that John
had suffered with a bad back are now gone. John was always a very optimistic
and upbeat person, but I've never seen him happier. Edmund O'Brian was one
of the nicest guys I had ever worked with down there. It was Ed who got me
the bit part as a reporter in Bird Man of Alcatraz. He said that he had lost
track of me and wondered what had happened. Everybody loves Ed just as much
now as ever. He is working with Orson Welles to finish The Other Side of the
Wind. I was able to land a part in it (I'm playing Peter Bogdonovich's role
since Peter is not finished with his work down there.) I've always wanted to
work with Mr. Welles and now I will. The movie would have been completed by
now, but Mr. Welles keeps adding to the script. Ed told my last Friday that
script is bigger than the IRS tax laws. Oh, I almost forgot, Jack Webb and
Virginia Gregg are doing a 40 year series on radio called the wilderness
experience. They are very excited about the project. Yesterday I was walking
over to Roy Rowan's place and walked right by Jack's mansion. His door was
open and you could hear the lovely sounds of Julie London coming from his Hi
Fi.
End of Report.
Final Comments: You know, a little over 20 years I ago, I found myself
walking down the street of a quiet city. The only sound came from heals of my
shoes. I had been walking for some time. (Wasn't sure how long) All I knew at
the time was that it felt good to move my legs and whistle a tune again. And
I was hungry. For the first time in years I was hungry. So I looked down the
road and saw some people. It looked like a nice town. It looked a little like
my home town of Toledo. I stopped into a diner, ordered coffee and a
sandwich. The coffee was terrific and so was the food. I was sitting at the
counter eating my sandwich, and looked up at the mirror on the wall, when
this beautiful lady walked in. She was gorgeous. Then it dawned on me. It was
my wife. I knew I was home.
Yours truly,
Bob Bailey
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 17:19:17 -0500
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Merrison-Williams as Holmes-Watson
Larry Albert wrote:
To my ear the best Holmes and Watson on radio will
always be Clive Merrison & Michael Williams of the
BBC. They play the characters as concieved by Sir
Arthur.
When Michael Williams died in 2001 a few months later the BBC rebroadcast as
a 'Saturday Play' the Merrison-Williams 11/4/92 broadcast of 'The Final
Problem' with an introductory tribute to Williams by Clive Merrison.
I have a file of that 2 minute introduction and this is some of what he
said:
<<Mike kicked the blintish (sounds like ??) old character of memory and
came up with something much more complex and [removed] couldn't hit
a false emotional [removed] 'The Final Problem' was Mike's favorite
recording because he said 'it encapsulates everything that I think of the
Watsonian character as being; his intelligence, his perceptiveness, his
emotional commitment to Holmes and his deep, deep hurt at the end'.>>
As many of you know Michael Williams was married to the gifted actress
(Dame) Judi Dench.
Irene
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 18:21:56 -0500
From: "david rogers" <david_rogers@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Holmes as a friend
With all of the talk of Sherlock Holmes and the way people seem to write
with such feeling, I wonder how folks would feel about having Holmes as a
friend. Okay so if you receive a coded threat involving a Hindu death mask,
three watermelon seeds and a piece red silk, I can see that you would go to
see him. However, would you just pop round for a smoke, a brandy and a
chat?
Love as always, David Rogers
months!
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #118
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