Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #13
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 1/10/2004 7:38 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2004 : Issue 13
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Premium Classes                       [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      Terry & the Pirates actors            [ "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed] ]
      John A. Gambling Dies                 [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
      Glenn Miller                          [ Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed]; ]
      post mp3, cd answers                  [ "Kathleen Perry" <Bonka@[removed]; ]
      AFRS attributions                     [ "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@earthli ]
      Regional Humor, Extended              [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      1-11 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Re:Park Plaza Hotel                   [ Sam Levene <sam6@[removed]; ]
      Crosby-Clooney questions              [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
      square inch of the Yukon              [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
      Words and Deeds                       [ Bhob Stewart <bhob2@[removed]; ]
      gasoline ads and other science        [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
      Lost my address book                  [ leemunsick <leemunsick@[removed] ]
      vic and sade and lum and abner        [ k g-g <grams46@[removed] ]
      Re: A Square Inch in the Yukon        [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
      Birth/death list                      [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      George Burns & Gracie Allen movies    [ "Robert M. Bratcher Jr." <bratcher@ ]
      "Skippy"                              [ jsexton <jsexton@[removed]; ]

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 11:34:04 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Premium Classes

    Every so often, someone speaking of radio premiums, makes the observation
    that today's children should see how much fun one could have "before
    there were computer games."

    Well, although there are elements of truth in that, I think it's
    important to distinguish between radio premium types.  I have previously
    discussed various cryptological premiums -- "decoders" is the common, but
    not entirely accurate descriptor of such items -- as "equipment."   By
    that, I meant that they were designed to perform a certain function and
    delivered what they promised.  Most were based on an invention of the
    15th Century, the cipher disk, invented by Leon Battista Alberti, who
    never thought of it as a toy.

    Likewise, the Radio Orphan Annie and Frank Buck Explorer Sun Watches were
    also valid equipment for campers, hikers, or the like.  Each was about
    the size of a pocket watch.  Both were miniature sundials with built-in
    magnetic compasses.  By opening each, raising the gnomon (the thing that
    casts the shadow on the dial) to the appropriate angle, one could get the
    local time with some accuracy.

    Also, any of the Tom Mix Compass-Magnifiers could be used by campers for
    orientation and (at sunny periods) as a firestarter.

    Anything with inherent utility would be a piece of radio premium
    equipment.  Not unlike a Swiss Army Knife.  The various pedometers
    qualify as equipment.

    The second class of premium is the souvenir or memento.  The Captain
    Midnight Aztec Son God Ring is more than just another Secret Compartment
    ring; it's a memento of a Secret Squadron adventure in Mexico.  The Jack
    Armstrong Dragon's Eye Ring is a "replica" of a mysterious ring that
    Uncle Jim Fairfield received from the Philippines to help him gain the
    cooperation of Sulu Sea natives during a search for a lost shipment of
    Uranium.  (The buildup for the premium was brilliant, but they
    overproduced the ring.)  Every souvenir premium brought the listener more
    into the program's story.

    The third class of premium was the novelty.  The Tom Mix Signal
    Arrowhead, for instance, had two lenses, a siren, and a set of panpipe
    whistles.  I sent for one as a child, but don't recall any direct
    connection to the show.  The Lone Ranger Flashlight Ring would hardly be
    a souvenir and certainly not equipment -- just a novelty.  (In spades for
    the Kix Atomic Bomb ring [aka the Lone Ranger Atom Bomb ring].)  Other
    items, such as the Shooting Propeller Plane Gun, Betty's Luminous
    Gardenia Bracelet, and the luminous Crocodile Whistle, all from the Jack
    Armstrong show, were novelties.

    Upon reflection, there was a fourth class: wartime premiums.  The MJC-10
    Plane Spotter from the Captain Midnight show, the Official Victory
    Airplane Spotter from the Terry and the Pirates program, Tru-Flite
    Airplanes from the Jack Armstrong show all provided the same "aircraft
    recognition" information that the armed forces and Civilian Defense (as
    it was called back then) observers had.  The chances of a child in, say,
    Salina, Kansas, of spotting a Mitshubishi A-6 ("Zero") flying overhead
    during the war were infinitesimal (in the mathematical sense), but the
    premiums helped the owners feel as if they were making a difference.  The
    various luminous-paper blackout kits actually had some utility.

    Some of the premiums were extremely creative, particularly those for the
    Sky King show.  But most of them were novelties.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 11:34:44 -0500
    From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Terry & the Pirates actors

       I have another challenging query:

       There were three radio runs of Terry and the Pirates: 1937-39, 1941-42,
    and 1943-48.

       The regular cast of the 1941-42 Libby's juices-sponsored run (WGN
    Chicago, regional) included  Bob Griffin as Dude Hennick, John Gibson as
    Connie, and Emily Vass as April Kane.

       Does anyone know if Emily Vass is still around -- and reachable?  (She
    was one of the Vass Family singers who had their own radio programs at
    various times in the 1930s and early 1940s. I'd guess that she'd be
    something like 82 years old today.)

       What actors played Terry Lee, Pat Ryan, Burma, and the Dragon Lady on
    that 1941-42 version?
    (According to John Dunning, for example, actresses playing the Dragon Lady
    thru the years were Agnes Moorehead, Adelaide Klein, and Marion Sweet.  An
    educated guess is that either a fourth actress did the 1941-42 run or Marion
    Sweet played the [removed] on that one as well as on a Blue Network run, probably
    in 1943-45, at least. I've seen a publicity photo at [removed] of the
    latter actress, dressed as the [removed], standing at a Blue Network microphone.)

       Thanks,

       -- Phil C.

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 11:35:41 -0500
    From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  John A. Gambling Dies

    Radio talk host, John A. Gambling has died in Florida at age 73.  He was the
    son of the "original" morning talk show host, John B. who started "Rambling
    With Gambling" on WOR in NYC, the "world's longest running radio show"
    according to Guinness Book of Records beginning in 1925.

    The program was the first to have helicopter traffic reports and school
    closings broadcast on the radio.

    In a 1990 interview with AP about the three generations of Gamblings, John
    A. said "You could always turn on the radio and find old John, young John,
    or in-between John" broadcasting.

    John A.'s son, John R., continues the family tradition on New York radio at
    WABC with "The John Gambling Show."

    (Source: NY [removed])

    Russ Butler  oldradio@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 11:35:58 -0500
    From: Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Glenn Miller

    I bought the DVD " The Glenn Miller Story " and really
    enjoyed watching it but now I have a few of questions.
    Is Mrs Miller still alive?
    Did she ever re-marry?
    What ever became of the two children The Miller's
    adopted?
    If I remember right, the plane Glenn was on was found
    not that long [removed] I right?
    And finally, is there still a Glenn Miller Band ?
    Pete
    pappleyard_ca@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 12:16:43 -0500
    From: "Kathleen Perry" <Bonka@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  post mp3, cd answers

    From: Jer51473@[removed]
    Subject:  buying a dvd player with cd and mp3

>     Please advise. I just bought one, but it wont play my otr mp3s as the
>     recording level of the mp3s is too low. I was told that they would play ,
>     but i dont think most salespeople know what im talking about(i probably dont
>     either).

    I am interested in the answer to Jers [removed] post the responses to
    the newsletter.  This technology is so new and confusing.  I just get the
    hang of one thing and it all changes  or if someone has this all listed on
    their site that explains it all would they post the website's address. For
    Christmas made up some nice CD's of Old Christmas show and gave them to
    family to listen to who had MP3 players.  Some could and some couldn't
    listen to [removed] So I told them to try them all in their computers using
    Window's Media, not all have gotten back to me if it worked, but those that
    did loved the shows and are now OTR enthusiasts wanting
    [removed]
    Kathleen
    bonka@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 12:21:50 -0500
    From: "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@[removed];
    To: "OTR List" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  AFRS attributions

    AFRS transcription discs have a printed series number - that identifies the
    series. Any date rubber stamped on the label is probably the date that the
    record was aired and was placed there by the broadcasting facility, not the
    record creator. You will probably find that the rubber stamp dates are
    always after the date - if there is one - etched in the run-out area. The
    only dbase I am aware of would be "The Directory of the Armed Forces Radio
    Service Series" by Harry Mackenzie, published by Greenwood Press. Rather
    expensive, but copies turn up at on-line used book dealers. I am not sure it
    is still in publication. The volume will probably give you as much info as
    can be had as to the series number and the number etched on the disc. As far
    as actual b'cast dates, if it isn't in the run-out, you may have to do some
    real digging, or post on this list or one of the newsgroups in case someone
    has the original b'cast and the AFRS version. Some programs were created by
    the AFRS just like any syndicated show, and list no original air date,
    because there isn't one. They probably knocked out a bunch of eps in the
    studio at one time.

    AFRS programs have no commercials - I'm not sure of the reason, but most
    sources say it was because of the image America wanted to project during the
    war. The process of removing them was called "denaturing" and they developed
    some slick disc to disc editing methods. Sometimes I am astounded at how
    well they could drop a word or 2 from an announcer's line. Example - "the
    Telephone Hour Orchestra" would become "the orchestra" with *almost* no
    break in the flow. I believe I've heard some shows where they substituted
    their own announcer for the original broadcast announcer, especially for
    classical music broadcasts which would be quite easy to do. For the same
    reason, some shows were renamed - "Telephone Hour" became "Music From
    America". "Carnation Contented Hour" became "Hour of Charm". Jack Benny
    would be known as such and not "the Jello Program with Jack Benny".

    Many collectors discount the value of AFRS transcriptions because they don't
    have commercials or have been altered from the original form, and are all
    dubs (at least one  generation was required to edit the shows down). I
    disagree - in the case of having no show at all or an AFRS version, I'd take
    the AFRS version. It's better than nothing, and in some cases things survive
    only in AFRS form.

    Later on, AFRS re-cycled old radio shows, and in some cases I believe they
    even used TV audio as source material. They also created their own shows of
    disc jockeys playing commercial records.

    Regarding dates, I believe that they are usually accurate, but there are
    exceptions. I've documented one example of a New York Philharmonic
    broadcast, derived from several different performances occurring on
    different dates, combined into one "show" with no reference to the
    difference in date, or that even the conductor was different for one
    selection.

    Joe Salerno

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 13:01:48 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Regional Humor, Extended

    Alan Bell, commenting on Laura Leff's response to a question on a Jack
    Benny reference that turned out to be a local reference, said,

>     Can I assume then that listeners across the country didn't really get
>     it either, though the [removed] audience was cracking up?

    There were many regional jokes that popped into programs.  The Bob Hope
    references to the laBrea Tar Pits probably meant little to a farmer in
    rural Kansas, but they always got a laugh.  Sometimes repeated reference
    to a word, name, or phrase would make it a household word without most
    people having the slightest idea what they were talking about.  Many
    comedic programs repeated the phrase, "Come with me to the Casbah," after
    the release of the film *Algiers*, without having seen it.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 15:17:24 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  1-11 births/deaths

    January 11th births

    01-11-1886 - George Zucco - Manchester, England - d. 5-27-1960
    actor: "Encore Theatre"
    01-11-1891 - Finney Briggs
    actor, writer: WBCN Chicago
    01-11-1899 - Eva La Gallienne - d. 6-3-1991
    actress: "Civic Repertory Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
    01-11-1908 - Lionel Stander - The Bronx, NY - d. 11-30-1994
    actor: J. Riley Farnsworth "Life of Riley"; Hoolihan "Grapevine Rancho"

    January 11th deaths

    05-03-1892 - Beulah Bondi - Chicago, IL - d. 1-11-1981
    actress: "Free World Theatre"; "NBC University Theatre"
    05-03-1902 - Jack Larue - NYC - d. 1-11-1984
    actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    10-04-1893 - Reverend Walter A. Maier - Boston, MA - d. 1-11-1950
    preacher: "Lutheran Hour"
    12-04-1889 - Isabel Randolph - IL - d. 1-11-1973
    actress: Rhoda Harding "Dan Harding"s Wife"; Mrs. Abigail Uppington "Fibber
    McGee and Molly"
    12-31-1910 - Richard Kollmar - Ridgewood, NJ - d. 1-11-1971
    actor: John Perry "John"s Other Wife"; "Michael West "Big Sister"; "Boston
    Blackie "Boston Blackie"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 15:42:30 -0500
    From: Sam Levene <sam6@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re:Park Plaza Hotel

    I've just come into the middle of this having just rejoined the Digest after
    a long absence.  I'm not even certain why you're discussing a Park Plaza
    Hotel.  However it seems clear that there was not a famous hotel of that
    name in New York or Boston back then.  There was and is a Park Plaza Hotel
    in Toronto, Canada  (well it's now the Park Hyatt but only recently) that
    was a renowned landmark here, a very well known and popular hotel in the
    middle of the city for many decades, with a Roof Bar with a view where a lot
    of showbiz types met to drink, and possibly still do.

    I've sort of forgotten how to reply. I hope I've done it right.

    Sam Levene

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 15:43:02 -0500
    From: <otrbuff@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Crosby-Clooney questions

    I have two questions about Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney's later years in
    radio and a third about Bing.  Can anybody help?

    1. The pair appeared on a CBS early morning series starting Sept. 2, 1957
    that ended in 1958.  Would anybody know the date in 1958?

    2. This twosome also sang together on a daily CBS series from Feb. 28, 1960
    through Sept. 28, 1962.  Would anyone know at what time that quarter-hour
    aired?

    3. Bing did a five-minute series on CBS for Ford in 1956-57.  I'm missing
    specific dates and time.  Anyone know?

    Many thanks.  Hickerson doen't have this data, unfortunately, so no need to
    pursue there.  Contact me directly, please.

    Jim Cox
    otrbuff@[removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 15:43:37 -0500
    From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  square inch of the Yukon

    There should be some sort of memorial plaque to the Quaker Oats promotion up
    there on the actual site in Whereveritis, Yukon Territory.  Given the
    tendency of my generation (c. 1947) to overdo the memory of every last
    detail of our youth, it would seem that this would be a fine tourist draw.

    M Kinsler

    It's probably a Walgreen's by now.

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 15:46:58 -0500
    From: Bhob Stewart <bhob2@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Words and Deeds

    Various legal threats and other issues and Yukon arcana surrounding the
    Quaker Oats promotion:
    [removed]:0NEVUK8o8w8[removed]+quaker+yukon+deed&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

    Bhob @ VINTAGE NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS>GRIT @
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 15:47:22 -0500
    From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  gasoline ads and other science

    It seems to me that, though there were always elaborate claims for products
    in radio advertising, the broadcasting of phony science didn't start until
    television, which inherited it from print media.

    Which leads to a theory of why TV killed radio so quickly.  Radio is a
    superb medium for drama, music, comedy, and news; but it's not nearly as
    good as TV for advertising.  And, naturally, the shows followed the
    advertising.

    M Kinsler

    sigh

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 16:28:49 -0500
    From: leemunsick <leemunsick@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Lost my address book

    Hi everyone, and Happy New Year

    For the Nth time of 2003 and the first of 2004, my PC is totally fouled
    up.  I am resigned to buying an entirely new one.

    Which means nothing to you, except that in the process I have lost my Email
    address book.  I'll appreciate it if my regular correspondents would please
    contact me directly at--
    leemunsick@[removed]
    --to give me their current Email addresses

    One in particular I need to contact is my dear OTR friend who converted
    some 16mm Arthur Godfrey spots to video for me.  I particularly would like
    to hear from you, my friend!

    Thanks to everyone!

    Lee Munsick		That Godfrey Guy

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 16:29:35 -0500
    From: k g-g <grams46@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  vic and sade and lum and abner

    one of the vic and sade episodes - circa 1941/2 - is "iceberg lecture".
    sade's thimble club had a guest speaker who lectured on ice bergs/glaciers.
    one of the discussions in the program is how ice bergs/glaciers deposit rocks
    and stones.

    one of the lum and abner episodes, september 9, 1942, is about mousey gray
    showing travel slides.  one of the discussions in the program is how ice
    bergs/glaciers deposit rocks and stones.
    does anyone know if this was a coincidence or perhaps an inside joke?

    from kathy

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 17:01:08 -0500
    From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: A Square Inch in the Yukon

    I have my land paper work somewhere. Some other company did the same thing
    in I think, Texas. I have a couple of those deeds also. Just think, I could
    build a whole city for ants.

    Fred
    [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 17:52:04 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Birth/death list

    The birth/death list will be one year old in February. It started out as just
    a simple birth list, who was born on what day. Because of your input and
    encouragement it has expanded to place of birth, where raised if other then
    place of birth, death date if applicable and programs appeared on. I want to
    thank all of those who have helped me by giving me information that was
    lacking, such as a death date or a birthplace. I particularly want to thank
    those who pointed out errors, and there were some, because I want this list to
    be as accurate as it is humanly possible to make it. It has been gratifying to
    me that you have accepted it and enjoyed it, it has been a labor love. I am
    also gratified that Chuck Schaden saw fit to include my list in his  fine
    magazine "Nostalgia Digest."

    As of this message I have 2,130 names on the list with more being added every
    week. Quick tell me, what is the significance of the number 2,130?

    Just one more thing. Before I can accept a name for the list I must have two
    things, complete date of birth, that means month, day, year. I also must have
    some proof that the person appeared on radio, just knowing they were on radio
    is not enough. I must have it in writing or I must have actually heard the
    broadcast. That is how I got Robert Culp. I could not find any printed matter
    that said he ever appeared on radio, but I heard him on a "Philip Morris
    Playhouse."

    Now that the list is almost one year old that means that I have completed one
    cycle, do you want me to continue the list after February? I am more than
    willing, I just don't want you to get sick of it.

    Again, thanks for all your input.

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 18:07:34 -0500
    From: "Robert M. Bratcher Jr." <bratcher@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  George Burns & Gracie Allen movies

    Anybody ever see Burns & Allen in these 3 movies?

    Here Comes Cookie
    Six Of A Kind
    Love In Bloom

    They are all one on DVD put out by Universal Pictures. I just rented it
    from Netflix and am in the middle of Here Comes Cookie & Gracie's not bad
    in this movie. I'm 17 minutes into the movie, Gracie's got the money & dad
    is going on a train trip.  Sounds like real [removed]

    I've seen Love In Bloom before as I have a 16mm film print of it. Basically
    it's a love story with Burns & Allen showing up from time to time (for
    comic relief) during the movie. Oh & it does have a nice ending. The guy
    comes back to the girl at the very end

    Haven't seen Six Of A Kind yet but will within a day or two maybe Sunday
    sometime. Please don't spoil the plot for me OK? Thanks.

    Checked out the Internet Movie Database & there are several more Burns &
    Allen movies listed than just these 3. I'll buy the ones available from
    Amazon (new & used) then whats not on tape I'll either tape off TCM (if
    they ever run them) or look on the collector market for used 16mm film
    prints like I do with the TV show they had.  Some of the TV shows are on
    tape & DVD. Others I find every once in awhile on 16mm film. Now back to
    OTR even though there has been discussion of radio stars in movies [removed]

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

    Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 20:01:44 -0500
    From: jsexton <jsexton@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  "Skippy"

    Can anyone tell me if any of the "Skippy" radio programs are available (in
    mp3?)
    or CD format ?? If so, where might they be ordered?? Thanks, John

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #13
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