------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2010 : Issue 188
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
Answering two Randys (with one e-mai [ Michael Ogden <michaelo67@[removed] ]
Rochester and more [ IreneTH@[removed] ]
10-26 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Witch's Tale: 1939 [ David Siegel <otrdsiegel@[removed] ]
new War of the Worlds documentary [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
re: Rochester/Eddie Anderson [ "danhughes@[removed]" <danhughes@jun ]
re: Rochester [ Rob Chatlin <rchatlin@[removed] ]
10-27 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
2010 Convention [ wzoem@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 02:12:01 -0400
From: charlie@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!
A weekly [removed]
For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
Network, the channel name is #OldRadio. We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
over nine years, same time, same channel! Started by Lois Culver, widow
of actor Howard Culver, this is the place to be on Thursday night for
real-time OTR talk!
Our "regulars" include OTR actors, soundmen, collectors, listeners, and
others interested in enjoying OTR from points all over the world. Discussions
range from favorite shows to almost anything else under the sun (sometimes
it's hard for us to stay on-topic)...but even if it isn't always focused,
it's always a good time!
For more info, contact charlie@[removed]. We hope to see you there, this
week and every week!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:34:17 -0400
From: Michael Ogden <michaelo67@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Answering two Randys (with one e-mail)
In the current OTR Digest Randy Watts wrote the following query:
Did the series "The Witch's Tale" enjoy a brief revival in 1939? The reason I
ask is that, while browsing through Los Angeles area newspaper radio pages
for something else, I noticed a listing for a series titled "Witches Tales"
on KFI, Wednesday nights at 10:15. The show apparently ran on that station
from February 22 through April 26. Just curious if this "Witches Tales" was
the Alonzo Deen Cole "Witch's Tale" or if it was a different series.
Well, the answer is a combo-response of YES and NO. The "Witch's Tale" series
which ran on KFI in 1939 used the orginal Alonzo Deen Cole scripts which he
had written for the first "Witch's Tale" broadcasts on WOR in New York. But
they were performed with a Los Angeles cast, including Martha Wentworth, who
played Old Nancy. Unfortunately, no episodes from any of the Los Angeles
"Witch's Tale" series are known to survive, though we can gage how effective
a witch that Wentworth was by listening to her performance as the
"Wintergreen Witch" on "The Cinnamon Bear" or at the beginning of the 1942
Tom & Jerry cartoon, "Fraidy Cat."
In the same Digest issue Randy Story asked about ME AND ORSON WELLES. I
haven't read the book (though I've been meaning to), but the movie is very
enjoyable, and much of the enjoyment centers around Christian McKay's
performance as Orson Welles. He bears a striking resemblance to the young
Orson and, from what I understand, before being approached for the movie he
had been doing his own one-man Orson Welles show on the New York stage. And,
yes, the movie does cover his radio work as well, and that's fine as far as
it goes, except for the fact that the script has him performing on the FIRST
NIGHTER program with actors portraying radio thespians Les Tremayne and
Barbara Luddy. Yes, I know some of you are already shaking your heads,
because while Welles did a lot of hopping around between studios--from WEAF
to WABC to WOR--he did not, I assure you, hop all the way to Chicago between
CAESAR rehearsals to make a radio appearance. Frankly, it's rather an
unbelievable error from an author who seems to have researched his subject
well otherwise.
Mike Ogden
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:37:20 -0400
From: IreneTH@[removed]
To: old time radio <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Rochester and more
Re. the question about Rochester :
My question is: Why is Eddie Anderson listed as Rochester, his character's
name, rather than Eddie Anderson, the actor's name. I realize all the other
people appear under their own name, but it seems odd that Anderson is
slighted like that.
It is a list of the characters, isn't it?
Joe Franklin : Joe's appearance on the 3rd and final installment of Michael
Feinstein's PBS documentary was great. I consider myself a pack rat but
Joe's mountains of stuff made me feel normal. What a collection. He's an
amazing guy, and he knows it.
Norman Corwin: I just finished a book of a selection of Norman Corwin's
letters, up to 1993. Excellent. One of the things revealed in the book was
the fact that his father lived 110 years.
Nick Carter: The opening of the Nick Carter programs is one of the most
annoying ones around - door banging. Like Lamar Cranston he travels around
with a single, female friend/associate. I wonder if the stations got
complaints.
Baseball and radio : I prefer listening to my local Giants announcers than
the network guys who take over during playoffs. Same for football. One
thing radio also provides that TV doesn't is the opportunity to share your
joy/disappointment with the extended call-in shows after the game and to
listen to announcers and sports reporters that know your team.
I hope a lot of you are rooting for the GIANTS - my team for 64 years.
Egads! That's hard to write but I was almost 8 when two of my uncles took me
to my first baseball game at the Polo Grounds, bought me anything I wanted,
which immediately turned me into a Giants fan. I'm so glad they didn't take
me to a Yankees game. I even came to the SF bay area the same year the
Giants did - 1958.
I really enjoy all the convention pictures posted on Facebook but I wish
there was more tagging.
Cheers,
Irene Heinstein
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:37:28 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 10-26 births/deaths
October 26th births
10-26-1876 - [removed] Warner - London, England - d. 12-21-1958
actor: "Hollywood Hotel"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
10-26-1877 - Dr. Max Mason - Madison, WI - d. 3-22-1961
president university of chicago: "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"
10-26-1888 - Pat Barnes - Sharon, PA - d. 6-9-1969
emcee: "The Pat Barnes and Barbara Show"
10-26-1897 - Louis Castellucci - Italy - d. 4-21-1988
trombonist, composer: "Dragnet"
10-26-1899 - Rudolph Wickel - d. 3-14-1971
contestant: "Truth or Consequences"
10-26-1904 - Igor Gorin - Ukraine, Russia - d. 3-24-1982
singer: "The Voice of Firestone"
10-26-1907 - Tony Pastor - Middletown, CT - d. 10-31-1969
bandleader: "Tony Pastor and His Orchestra"
10-26-1910 - Clarence Hartzell - Huntington, WV - d. 3-5-1988
actor: Uncle Fletcher "Vic and Sade"; Pappy Yokum "Li'l AAbner"; "Ben
Withers "Lum and Abner"
10-26-1911 - Mahalia Jackson - New Orleans, LA - d. 1-27-1972
gospel singer: (The Angel of Peace) "Mahalia Jackson Show"
10-26-1912 - Donald Siegel - Chicago, IL - d. 4-20-1991
film director: "Bud's Bandwagon"
10-26-1912 - Ed Reimers - Moline, IL - d. 8-16-2009
announcer/actor: "Dr. [removed]"; "This Changing World"
10-26-1913 - Charlie Barnet - NYC - d. 9-4-1991
bandleader: "Fitch Bandwagon"; "Saturday Night Swing Session"
10-26-1914 - Jackie Coogan - Los Angeles, CA - d. 3-1-1984
actor: Ernest Botch "Forever Ernest"
10-26-1917 - Buddy Christian - Nyack, NY - d. 4-5-2009
drummer" "Dizzy Gillespie Band"
10-26-1918 - Ivor Francis - Toronto, Canada - d. 10-22-1986
actor: "Secret Missions"; "The Chase"
10-26-1920 - Eleanor Rella - d. 6-19-2003
actor: Billie Devere "Myrt and Marge"
10-26-1929 - Neal Matthews - Nashville, TN - d. 4-21-2000
singer: (Jordonaires) "Grand Ole Opry"; "Jim Reeves Show"
10-26-1930 - John Arden - Bransley, Yorkshire, England
writer: "The Life of Man"
October 26th deaths
01-24-1903 - Johnny Anz - d. 10-26-1987
orchestra leader: WESG Elmira, New York
02-18-1922 - Ruth Dean Rickaby - d. 10-26-1973
actor: "The Lone Ranger"
02-23-1909 - Anthony Ross - NYC - d. 10-26-1955
actor: Danny Clover "Broadway Is My Beat"; Broadway Columnist "Mr.
Broadway"
03-08-1902 - Louise Beavers - Cincinnati, OH - d. 10-26-1962
actor: Beulah "Beulah"; "Screen Guild Theatre"
04-24-1910 - Albert Zugsmith - Atlantic City, NJ - d. 10-26-1993
film producer/director: "Bud's Bandwagon"
04-28-1905 - Paul Rhymer - Fulton, IL - d. 10-26-1964
writer: "Vic and Sade"
05-03-1897 - Larry Puck - d. 10-26-1969
producer: "Arthur Godfrey Time" Was one of Godfrey's many firings
05-27-1925 - Tony Hillerman - Sacred Heart, OK - 10-26-2008
writer: "The Zero Hour"
06-10-1895 - Hattie McDaniel - Wichita, KS - d. 10-26-1952
actor: Beulah "Beulah"; Mammy "Maxwell House Showboat"
06-19-1899 - Francis Drake "Pat" Ballard - d. 10-26-1960
writer of radio scripts in Troy, Pennsylvania
07-20-1910 - Muriel Evans - Minneapolis, MN - d. 10-26-2000
four radio shows of her own in Washington [removed]
09-01-1897 - Lucille Fenton - d. 10-26-1966
actor: Paula Kirby "Myrt and Marge"
09-01-1909 - Charles Bickford - d. 10-26-1988
disk jockey: WOHS Shelby, North Carolina
Ron
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:37:35 -0400
From: David Siegel <otrdsiegel@[removed];
To: OTR DIGEST <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Witch's Tale: 1939
Responding to Randy's inquiry, while the original airing of Cole's
spooky series was heard on WOR in NYC (5/28/32 to 6/13/38) by 1934
the first set of transcriptions were being marketed to stations all
over the country. Soon thereafter scipte would also be marketed for
local reinactment overseas as well as on the west coast.
I believe the 1939 newspaper listing was for a Cole script using
a west coast [removed] of the Pacific Pioneers may be able to
provide more details. If you enjoy the sounds of horror that
frightened the wits out of millions of listeneers you might consider
the new RADIO SPIRITS WITCH'S TALE offering.
DAVE SIEGEL
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:49:07 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: new War of the Worlds documentary
Last year Neal Ellis, Ken Stockinger, Mike Biel, his daughter Leah and I
broadcast "live" from Grover's Mill, New Jersey, to offer a documentary look
at the War of the Worlds panic broadcast. We talked about the historical
significance, spoofs of the broadcast, the origin of the discs, commentary
from the locals who still have things to say, description of the memorial in
the public park recognizing the broadcast, inside study and much more. For
those who tuned in to Yesterday USA last year and heard it, you know what I
am talking about. It was the most fascinating and informative three hours you
ever heard. And everyone was RAVING about it.
This year we're going to do it again. This time over Radio Once More. And the
same gang members will be there plus Mary and Gary Lowe. And you're going to
hear sound recordings that you probably never heard of such as newsreel
footage and other goodies. Information about the MERCURY THEATER radio
productions that was recently unearthed will be revealed. And Neal and Ken
will be taking phone calls so put on your Beany caps, synchronize your Secret
Squirrel watches and tune in on the anniversary of the broadcast that
panicked (a small percentage) of America. The site is [removed]
and the date is Saturday, October 30. The broadcast begins 6 pm Eastern and
will run till midnight.
Martin Grams
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:50:33 -0400
From: "danhughes@[removed]" <danhughes@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re: Rochester/Eddie Anderson
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Paula writes, "The CHARACTER names were always listed in the credits, and
Eddie Anderson was not the only cast member to be credited by a name other
than his/her own. Patrick Eugene McNulty was credited as Dennis Day."
And there there was Benny [removed]
---Dan
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:50:47 -0400
From: Rob Chatlin <rchatlin@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re: Rochester
I seem to recall seeing a few movies where he's credited as Eddie "Rochester"
Allen.
I think one is 'You Can't Take It With You" and the other is one he appears
in with Phil Harris,
but the name escapes me.
rob
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:50:54 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 10-27 births/deaths
October 27th births
10-27-1890 - Bob Becker - Terryville, SD - d. 8-10-1962
commentator: "Fireside Chats About Dogs/Pet Parade"
10-27-1896 - Eric Dressler - NYC - d. 8-12-1978
actor: "Scattergood Baines"; "Young Widdr Brown"
10-27-1898 - Kathryn Cravens - Burkett, TX - d. 8-29-1991
newscaster: "News Through a Woman's Eye"
10-27-1898 - Richard Carroll - Cambridge, MA - d. 3-11-1959
writer: "Shorty Bell"
10-27-1901 - David Stone - Savannah, GA - d. 8-31-1995
announcer: "Grand Ole Opry"
10-27-1907 - Mignon Schreiber - Chicago, IL - d. 4-18-1965
actor: Jennie Fox "Foxes of Flatbush", Mrs. Kransky "Guiding Light"
10-27-1908 - DeWitt "Snuffy" Jenkins - Harris, NC - d. 4-30-1990
strings: (Jenkins String Band) "Crazy Water Crystals Barn Dance"
10-27-1908 - Josephine Antoine - Boulder, CO - d. 10-30-1971
singer: "Contented Hour"
10-27-1910 - Jack Carson - Carmen, Canada - d. 1-2-1963
comedian: "Jack Carson Show"; "New Sealtest Village Store"
10-27-1911 - Charles R. Callender - Phrae, Thailand - d. 7-26-1987
sang and played piano on radio
10-27-1911 - Leif Erickson - Alameda, CA - d. 1-29-1986
actor: Richard Rhinelander III "My Friend Irma"
10-27-1914 - Dylan Thomas - Uplands, Swansea, Wales - d. 11-9-1953
writer: "Life of the Modern Poet"; "Modern Muse"
10-27-1915 - Albert Albinger - d. 11-29-1982
newscaster: WKWK Wheeling, West Virginia
10-27-1918 - Bill Ballance - Peoria, IL - d. 9-23-2004
talk show host: "Feminine Forum"; "Bill Ballance Show"
10-27-1918 - Teresa Wright - NYC - d. 3-6-2005
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
10-27-1920 - Nanette Fabray - San Diego, CA
singer, actor: "Advs. of Ellery Queen"; "MGM Musical Comedy Theatre"
10-27-1923 - Peter Bryant - London, England - d. 5-19-2006
announcer, script editor for BBC Radio
10-27-1924 - Ruby Dee - Cleveland, OH
actor: "Story of Ruby Valentine"; "Story Hour"
10-27-1927 - Charles Mullen - d. 4-14-2002
actor: "The Blue Playhouse"; "Advs. of Archie Andrews"
10-27-1933 - Floyd Cramer - Campti, LA - d. 12-31-1997
country pianist: "Country Music Time"; "Country Style [removed]"
10-27-1939 - John Cleese - Weston-Super-Mare, England
comedian: Basil Fawlty "Fawlty Towers"
October 27th deaths
01-01-1900 - Xavier Cugat - Tirona, Spain - d. 10-27-1990
bandleader: (King of the Rhumba) "Camel Caravan"
01-12-1894 - Georges Carpentier - Lens, France - d. 10-27-1975
boxer: Dempsey vs. Carpentier first boxing match broadcast
02-13-1917 - Clara Antonetti - d. 10-27-1995
broadcaster on WTSA Brattleboro, Vermont
03-05-1900 - Sam Hearn - Jersey City, NJ - d. 10-27-1964
comedian: Schlepperman "Jack Benny Program, Glamour Manor"
03-18-1932 - Frank Nagai - Tokyo, Japan - d. 10-27-2008
singer: "Kohaku Uta Gassen"
03-21-1919 - Lois Collier - Salley, SC - d. 10-27-1999
actor: Carol Chandler "Dear John"
04-22-1921 - Vivian Dandridge - Cleveland, OH - d. 10-27-1991
writer: "The Beulah Show"
05-11-1884 - Alma Gluck - Lasil, Romania - d. 10-27-1938
opera singer: made one radio appearance in 1929
05-26-1910 - Larry Rhine - San Francisco, CA - d. 10-27-2000
writer: "Duffy's Tavern"
05-29-1923 - Winifred Wolfe - San Francisco, CA - d. 10-27-1981
writer: "Cloak and Dagger"
06-08-1909 - Leland Frederick Cooley - Oakland, CA - d. 10-27-1998
writer, emcee: "Andre Kostelanetz Program"; "The Shadow"
08-26-1907 - Lester Lanin - Philadelphia, PA - d. 10-27-2004
bandleader: "Lester Lanin and His Orchestra"; "Here's to Veterans"
09-20-1911 - Frank De Vol - Moundsville, WV - d. 10-27-1999
conductor: "Rudy Vallee Drene Show"; "Sealtest Village Store"; "Dinah
Shore Show"
09-23-1910 - Elliott Roosevelt - NYC - d. 10-27-1990
commentary for the Mutual Network (Son of FDR) "Information Please"
09-24-1929 - Alfred Hudgins - d. 10-27-2004
disc jockey: "Blues in the Night"
10-25-1891 - Father Charles Coughlin - Hamilton, Canada - d. 10-27-1979
commentator, preacher: (The Radio Priest)
10-29-1910 - Lew Parker - Brooklyn, NY - d. 10-27-1972
actor: John Bickerson "The Bickersons" "Mennen Shave Time with Lew
Parker"
11-30-1914 - Charles Hawtrey - Hounslow, Middlesex, England - d.
10-27-1988
actor, comedian: Hubert Lane "Just William"
12-01-1886 - Rex Stout - Noblesville, IN - d. 10-27-1975
author: (Creator of Nero Wolfe) Debunker of Axis Propaganda "Our
Secret Weapon"
12-01-1911 - Randy Merriman - Minneapolis, MN - d. 10-27-2005
actor: "Doctor [removed]"
12-13-1912 - Herb Sheldon - Connecticut - d. 10-27-1964
announcer, host: "Honeymoon in New York"; "Luncheon at the Latin
Quarter"
Ron
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:51:01 -0400
From: wzoem@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: 2010 Convention
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Martin Grams commented on the 2010 convention. I second his thoughts.
Jay did another great job. The panels I attended were interesting and
informative. Who knew that it would be so enjoyable to hear about announcing
styles in the 20's? I also enjoyed Ken & Neal talking about radio's response
to the JFK assassination. In fact, I bought all the mp3s that Neal had related
to the subject. See, I don't just spend my money on scripts! Ivan Cury, Cliff
Carpenter, Arthur Anderson, Elaine Hyman and Dick Heatherton made a fabulous
panel on children in TV & radio. Greg Oppenheimer started the convention with
a DVD on Ralph Edwards that prominently featured Truth or Consequences which
was followed by Jeopardy. Leah Biel shared her knowledge on radio game & quiz
shows. Jack French is always thorough in his research and Martin Grams shared
lots of photos and tidbits on his research for The Shadow.
The re-creations were varied. I think my favorite was the Gulf Screen Show on
Saturday afternoon with an all-star cast of Chuck McCann, Ivan Cury, Gloria
McMillan, Leslie Shreve and Michael C Gwynne. Although Christina Conroy's
rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in "One Afternoon in Section 37" was
definitely a highlight. Bill Siudmak must have been impressed as he replayed
it as the crowd was leaving on Thursday evening. Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail
were on display in the Those Were the Days Radio Players presentation of The
Adventures of Sam Spade. Fibber was convinced that his stomach ache was due to
appendicitis in the episode of Fibber McGee & Molly directed by Gary Yoggy
with Arthur Anderson, Barbara Watkins and Elaine Hyman. Of course, Doc Gamble
was quick to point out that Fibber's appendix had already been removed. Chuck
McCann was Throckmorton P Gildersleeve who was stuck between a rock and a hard
place as he was engaged to two women. "What a revolting development that is!"
As always, it was great to touch base with friends I only see once a year. I
even shut down the bar one night -- quite an accomplishment for someone who
doesn't drink.
Marilyn Wilt
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End of [removed] Digest V2010 Issue #188
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