Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #372
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 11/21/2004 10:19 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 372
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Re: Life with Louigi and friends      [ vigor16@[removed] ]
      Re: SPERDVAC Re-creations             [ Gregg Oppenheimer <gopp@[removed]; ]
      Radio Guides                          [ JayHick@[removed] ]
      Chicago Tribune Salute to Waukegan    [ Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed] ]
      Re Ron Sayles - 11/21 deaths - John   [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      Review of Satelite Radio              [ Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed] ]
      Correction re the Gamblings           [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      RE: A Note, on Eartha Kitt's earlly   [ "Jack Feldman" <qualitas@millenicom ]
      Eddie Anderson and The Jack Benny Ti  [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
      Eddie Carroll on the Benny show       [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
      SPERDVAC convention 2004 reports?     [ "bobb lynes" <iairotr@[removed]; ]
      11-22 births/deaths                   [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 13:58:24 -0500
    From: vigor16@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Life with Louigi and friends

    Hi

    LWL is one of my favorite shows.  It makes you appreciate this country.
    These courageous folks who traveled thousands of miles from their home
    land to live here and learn all our ways and get educated.  I started
    listening to it this past month because I have a Vietnamese client who
    experienced some Horendous things before she came here.  Anyway, in
    Louigi, I am wondering about 3 characters.  The first two are very
    familiar to the radio audience but the other wasn't a real regular but
    seems familiar to me.
    1.  Mary Shiff (I guess) who played Miss Spalding, the night school
    teacher.  I know I've heard her name somewhere else, but don't know
    where.  Can anyone help?
    2. Jody Gilbert, who played the giggly 250 lb Rosa daughter of Pasquali,
    wonderfully played by Alan Reed.  Does she have other credits?  I've
    heard her name before as well but don't know where.
    3. A very interesting          character appears occasionally, like in
    the episode where Louigi takes bakc a night gown he bought for her Mama.
    He is always yelling something barely inaudable like in the case sighted
    "Take back the night gown".  He seems kind of vaguely familiar to me as
    well. Thanks all and have a nice Thanksgiving Day Deric

    What early 1968 song features a blue station wagon full of kids, ice
    cream cones and the Baltimore Colts? Deric

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

    Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 13:59:08 -0500
    From: Gregg Oppenheimer <gopp@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: SPERDVAC Re-creations

>     Subject:  SPERDVAC Convention

>     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

>     Jack French
>     Editor: RADIO RECALL.

    The first half of each Fred Allen Show generally consisted of dialogue
    between Fred and Portland, a trip to Allen's Alley, and a song by Al
    Goodman and his Orchestra, the DeMarco Sisters or another singer. The
    second half was generally a lengthy sketch involving the guest star.
    This presented two problems - first, the sketch generally revolved
    around the guest star's persona, and wouldn't work unless I had an
    actor who could mimic them perfectly, and second, most of these
    sketches weren't particularly strong in the humor department. So I
    decided to eliminate the sketch and concentrate on Allen's Alley and
    the dialogue between Fred and Portland, which are certainly the two
    most enduring parts of the program (and the parts that I fell in love
    with as a kid).  I accomplished this by editing together parts of three
    Fred Allen programs in what I hoped was a fairly seamless manner.  I
    felt justified in exercising this limited artistic license because our
    primary purpose was to entertain the convention audience and even
    perhaps to gain some new fans for Fred Allen's brand of humor.  Judging
    from the audience reaction, I believe that we succeeded on both counts.

    I'd be interested to hear the reaction of any other digest readers who
    were attendance at the SPERDVAC. Did others also feel that the Fred
    Allen Show re-creation was "less than great"?

    - Gregg Oppenheimer
    Producer-Director, SPERDVAC's "The Fred Allen Show" re-creation
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 13:59:22 -0500
    From: JayHick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Radio Guides

    I still have 125 Radio Guides and 35 Radio Mirrors available.  They are in VG
    to ragged condition.  Prices range from $10 to $5 depending on condition and
    how many you buy.  RG from 1934 - 1943; RM from 1934-1960;  If someone gives
    me the right price for all 160 of them, I will sell them.  if not I will
    continue selling them in small groups.  Jay Hickerson

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

    Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 16:45:27 -0500
    From: Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Chicago Tribune Salute to Waukegan

    Hey, did anyone know there is more than one famous person from Waukegan?

    Jack Benny is mentioned in this tribute, but only in passing.

    Sean Dougherty
    SeanDD@[removed]

    [removed],1,[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 16:45:17 -0500
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re Ron Sayles -  11/21 deaths - John B
     Gambling

    Ron,
    You brought back memories from my NY life when you mentioned John B.
    Gambling had died on 11/21/74

    However, you omitted the program he is most famous for, "Rambling with
    Gambling" which he started in 1925 on WOR.   That program is listed in The
    Guinness Book of World Records as being the longest-running radio program.
    There was never a break, one Gambling replacing another Gambling from 1925
    to 2000.

    It was a morning show, the type now called drive time, and perhaps the first
    of that genre.

    John B Gambling started the program in 1925, retired in 1959 and was
    replaced by his son John A Gambling who hosted the show until 1991 when his
    son John R Gambling took over until 2000 when the show was finally ended by
    WOR ( a questionable decision in the opinion of many New Yorkers).  John R
    is now on WABC in NY.

    The period I remember is the first, the John B Gambling one since I left for
    college in 1956, a few years before John B retired and after 1956 I no
    longer lived in the greater NY area so never heard John A or his son John R.

    Gambling #2 John A who died in 2004 was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame
    in 2000.  He was highly regarded in the industry and took a good show
    started by his father, and made it even better, apparently.

    -Irene

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

    Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 17:16:43 -0500
    From: Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Review of Satelite Radio

    This article on satelite radio services mentions the OTR stars can that be
    found on the OTR channels as well as the comedy channels.

    This reviewer sure seems like to it.

    Also a note from a regional Indiana newspaper seems to support the rumor
    (often derided) that Jack Benny was a lousy tipper.

    Sean Dougherty
    SeanDD@[removed]

    [removed]

    [removed]
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 18:53:57 -0500
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Correction re the Gamblings

    After I sent my message about the 3 Gamblings and "Rambling With Gambling" I
    realized my Guinness World Record reference was incomplete.   Following is
    the clarification.

    'Rambling With Gambling' has the record for longest running program on one
    station (WOR for 75 years)

    -Irene

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

    Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 00:19:28 -0500
    From: "Jack Feldman" <qualitas@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  RE: A Note, on Eartha Kitt's earlly apprerance
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Eartha Kitt was "discovered" by Leonard Sillman in New Faces of 1952, which I
    saw in '52. While browsing at DVD Planet's outlet store I discovered that NF52
    had been made into a movie. It was a bit messed up by trying to create a plot
    for a review, but after 50+ years my memory isn't what it used to be. In spite
    of the claim on the box, it was unrestored. Sillman produced a number of "New
    Faces", including NF of '32 which I have on a Laser Disk. NF 52 was an attempt
    to revive the format, but there were TV variety shows on television almost
    every night, so it went nowhere. if you want to see Kitt as a youngster, try
    to find the DVD.

    The movie also left out a line that was my favorite in the Hipster sketch.
    Sillman's sister, a known Broadway actress (Pal Joey) has only one number in
    the video, and isn't mentioned at all in the cast list.

    The show also had Carol Lawrence as a dancer. Lawrence went on to star as
    Maria in "West Side Story" It is interesting to remember the New Faces, and
    how  cast members either disappeared or prospered as their careers developed.

    Jack

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

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

    Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 00:20:41 -0500
    From: JackBenny@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Eddie Anderson and The Jack Benny Times

    (Just catching up on [removed])

    Nik Kierniesky writes:

>     Finding interviews with, and other information about Eddie  Anderson seems

    to

>     be difficult. Did he avoid the limelight? I know the  basic facts of his

    life

>     and career, but little in the way of anecdotes,  issues, and personal
>     opinions of the man himself.

    Rochester and Don Wilson are the two greatest enigmas of the long-time  Benny
    cast.  Don had many shows, but there were few interviews or articles
    focusing on him.  Being that he was married five times, once to a titled
    woman,
    there's got to be a story there.  But darned if I can find it.

    It seems possible that Rochester may not have been the focus of as much
    media attention partially due to his race.  Are there many media stories on
    Hattie McDaniel, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, or James Baskett?  (That's  an
    honest
    [removed] never researched any of them.)  I did recently get a  vintage
    magazine article (sender, you know who you [removed] you again) that
    included a
    Rochester interview.  However, it was written in an occasional  dialect ("Dis
    is de life!") that almost seemed more racist than the Rochester  character
    ever was.  Sad that Rochester couldn't be viewed as purely a  talented
    performer
    without the need to continually remind the reader that he was  black.

    (Makes me wonder that if the author was interviewing a Jewish person, would
    they write the quotes to make him sound like Schlepperman or Mr. Kitzel?
    "Oy, oy, [removed] day I am tryink to rehoyse mine screept!")

>     Wasn't there a tragic death of one of his children? Any other little  known

    facts, sources,

>     anecdotes, etc. out [removed]

    One  of his sons (Edmond) was in prison on drug charges, but the material I
    have  mentions no "tragic deaths" other than Mamie's (his wife) early demise.
    I  did have a story in the Times this past year about a man who hitchiked with
     Eddie and his family in Mexico.

    Speaking of [removed] a reminder that it's time to renew subscriptions  to
    The Jack Benny Times.  A year is $[removed] by regular mail or $[removed] by  E-mail.
    While supplies last, regular mail subscribers will get a copy of  the
    souvenir program from our 39 Forever Convention.  We're also having a
    special on our
    2004 issues;  normally $[removed], you can now get all three for  only $10 while
    supplies last.  For complete information, check out _[removed]_
    ([removed])  and click on "It's  subscription time" under
    Featured
    Items on the home page.

    --Laura Leff
    President, IJBFC
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 00:21:22 -0500
    From: JackBenny@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Eddie Carroll on the Benny show

    Jim Harmon writes:

>     Eddie Carrol (who was on the Benny show as one of the kids in a  club,

    regulars on the

>     series)

    Jim, are you saying that Eddie was one of the Beverly Hills Beavers on the
    Benny show?  If so, I'll have to disagree.  Some of the Beavers are  still
    around, but Eddie wasn't one of them.  However, Eddie did work with  Jack on
    his
    First Farewell Special.  But Eddie tells that story much better  than I do.

    And please let me add my voice to the chorus of people congratulating you  on
    a job well done in moderating the OTR authors panel.  My apologies if I  took
    us too far off base by asking people about their "pranks"...I just love
    hearing stories of people casually dropping cigarette ashes in trash cans of
    transcription chip while newscasters were live on the air, etc.

    (For the curious:  chip is a curlyqued substance that's produced when
    cutting a transcription.  It's highly flammable, and a cigarette ash  dropped
    in it
    would cause a tremendous explosion of flame.)

    --Laura  Leff
    President, IJBFC
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 08:49:23 -0500
    From: "bobb lynes" <iairotr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  SPERDVAC convention 2004 reports?

    Hi ,

    SPERDVAC Convention 2004 was a great success!  One of the best ever.
    I'm taking this opportunity to ask folks who attended SPERDVAC Convention
    2004 to please put you thoughts and comments on paper (or email) for
    inclusion in our newsletter, the Radiogram.  You don't have to be a prolific
    writer, just give us your honest thoughts and opinions.
    Also, if you have any pictures taken during the convention, share them with
    us.   Send reports to
    editor Patrick Lucanio, 1097 Janus St., Springfield, OR 97477  or email him
    at: filmprof@[removed]
    I've specifically asked a couple of gentlemen to do reports on the
    re-creations, panels, etc. at the convention, but as they say, the more, the
    merrier.  What were your impressions?
    To those who attended, it was great seeing you, and thanks for helping to
    make it such a wonderful weekend.

    Bobb

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

    Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 09:19:45 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  11-22 births/deaths

    November 22nd births

    11-22-1875 - Elizabeth Patterson - Savannah, TN - d. 1-31-1966
    actress: Maid "Halls of Ivy"
    11-22-1899 - Hoagy Carmichael - Bloomington, IN - d. 12-27-1981
    singer, composer: "Hoagy Carmichael Show"; "King's Men"
    11-22-1904 - Roland Winters - Boston, MA - d. 10-22-1989
    actor: Russell Bartlett "My Best Girls"; "Milton Berle Show"; "Highways in
    Melody"
    11-22-1907 - Howard Petrie - Beverly, MA - d. 3-24-1968
    announcer: "Jimmy Durante Show"; "Judy Canova Show"
    11-22-1913 - Benjamin Britten - Lowestoft, Suffolk, England - d. 12-4-1976
    composer: "Columbia Workshop"; "An American in England"
    11-22-1914 - Frank Graham - MI - d. 9-2-1950
    actor: Diogenes Smith "Lum and Abner"; Jeff Regan "The Lion's Eye"
    11-22-1921 - Rodney Dangerfield - Babylon, Long Island, NY - d. 10-5-2004
    comedian: "Voices of Vista"
    11-22-1924 - Geraldine Page - Kirksville, MO - d. 6-13-1987
    actress: "Arch Oboler's Plays"

    November 22nd deaths

    01-04-1905 - Sterling Holloway - Cedartown, GA - d. 11-22-1992
    actor: "Railroad Hour"; "[removed] Steel Hour"; "Suspense"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
    05-02-1895 - Lorenz Hart - NYC - d. 11-22-1943
    lyricist: "Jumbo Fire Chief Program"; "Chase and Sanborn Hour"; "Railroad Hour"
    05-29-1917 - John F. Kennedy - Brookline, MA - d. 11-22-1963
    [removed] president: "CBS Radio Workshop"; "Kennedy-Nixon Debates"; "American Forum
    of the Air"
    08-05-1914 - Parley Baer - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 11-22-2002
    actor: Chester Wesley Proudfoot "Gunsmoke"; Doc Clemmens "Rogers of the
    Gazette"
    08-17-1893 - Mae West - Brooklyn, NY - d. 11-22-1980
    actress: "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show" (Famous Adam and Eve Skit)
    11-26-1917 - Adele Jergens - Brooklyn, NY - d. 11-22-2002
    actress: Carol Curtis "Stand By For Crime"
    12-31-1897 - Paula Hemminghous - Columbus, OH - d. 11-22-1997
    singer: "Philco Hour"; "National Radio Pulpit"; "Highlights of the Bible"
    --
    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #372
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