------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2006 : Issue 83
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Merv Griffin [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Ralston Revisited [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]
Re: Myrt on FM&M, and a request [ wboenig@[removed] ]
Re: FM&M Documentary [ wboenig@[removed] ]
re: Bob Bailey [ Rodney Bowcock <pasttense_78@yahoo. ]
Re: Einstein Speech [ "R. R. King" <kingrr@[removed]; ]
MACDONALD CAREY MEMORY [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
Suspense, Johnny Dollar, or Theater [ "Bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed]; ]
Medicine then and now [ "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed] ]
3-23 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
Promotions of Radio Versions on thei [ jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed]; ]
Poor Man imitations of popular net w [ jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed]; ]
: Ralston Rewind [ "Barbara Harmon" <jimharmonotr@char ]
Parker Fennelly [ "Stuart Lubin" <StuartLubin@[removed] ]
Bob Blue 1947-2006 [ <vzeo0hfk@[removed]; ]
Lum And Abner [ "Corey Cook" <[removed]@hotmail ]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 08:14:27 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Merv Griffin
While I do not have Merv Griffin's interview with Al Hodge or Minerva Pious,
I do have DVDs I transferred from VHS of Griffin's interviews with
Jack Benny
George Burns
Walter Cronkite
Orson Welles
Clarence Nash (Voice Of Donald Duck)
who all have a radio connection and most of them discuss their radio
careers. If Rick wants any of these, I'll be more than glad to send him
copies. Mine are video, not strictly audio, and I transferred mine from VHS
that apparently came from station masters.
Martin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:25:14 -0500
From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Ralston Revisited
With the exception of Jim Harmon and Gary Yoggy, I'm probably the most
fervent fan of radio's "Tom Mix Ralston Straight-Shooters." Despite
that, like many other Digesters, I've harbored unhappy memories of
trying to get Hot Ralston down my gullet in order to obtain the box
tops for the radio premiums Tom was anxious to send me. To this
youngster, growing up in Kaukauna, WI, that bowl of gray, tasteless
mush was a far cry from its description (by announcer Don Gordon) as
"DEE-licious!"
Then some 60 years later, I'm ambling through a country store in
Frederick, MD when I chanced to spot Ralston in a bright red and yellow
boxes on the shelf. Grabbing one, I flip it over and on the back is Tom
Mix winking at me. (Not any of radio's Tom Mix's, but the cowboy movie
star.) Included is a brief history of Ralston (originated 1896)
superimposed over a [removed] history ([removed] "The 50s gave rise to
television.")
I bought two boxes; one to consume at home (if I could) and a second to
donate to the raffle prizes at FOTR Newark. And today, with an inch of
snow on my northern Virginia lawn, I break out the Ralston and follow
the microwave directions. As I carry the steaming bowl to the
breakfast nook, I have the brown sugar and maple syrup standing by, if
they are needed.
I take my first bite and SURPRISE; it doesn't taste bad at all. Another
spoonful and my amazement continues. My Ralston has a pleasing,
nut-like flavor, quite different from my memories of childhood. Has
Ralston (now Ralcorp Holdings, Inc) changed the recipe or improved the
flavor? Or are my 70 year old taste buds betraying me? I dunno, but
Ralston now tastes darn good.
Other former Straight-Shooters are invited to replicate my [removed]
Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:26:05 -0500
From: wboenig@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Myrt on FM&M, and a request
Charlie asked:
I heard an episode of Fibber and Molly the other day, in which Myrt,
the telephone operator, said a few lines. It seems Fibber and Molly
were going somewhere best i can remember. I can't recall what year it
was. Anyone able to help me?
This was the broadcast of June 22, 1943, and Fibber and Molly are
getting ready to go on their summer vacation -- a camping trip at
Dugan's Lake.
Now I would like to ask something of the readership -- does anyone have
a copy of the "Edgar Bergen - Charlie McCarthy Show" from May 23, 1948?
Groucho Marx appeared as a guest on this show, with the story line
centering around a subway station in the basement of Groucho's house.
Being something of a Marx completist, and hearing rumors that this
episode does exist somewhere, I would be most interested in acquiring a
copy.
Wayne Boenig
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:30:28 -0500
From: wboenig@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: FM&M Documentary
Michael Berger writes:
I once saw a PBS special on OTR in which Jim Jordan appeared and which
also included a recorded excerpt of the show, using still photos over
the dialogue. The same show included a segment from Allen's Alley, with
Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Parker Fennelly and Peter Donald reading
the script.
The show being described is a 90-minute 1972 PBS production called "The
Great Radio Comedians" and it included interviews with Edgar Bergen,
Jim Jordan, Jack Benny, George Burns, and many of the surviving members
of Fred Allen's cast. A copy of this exists on my bookshelf (obvious
inquiries welcome).
Wayne Boenig
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:29:02 -0500
From: Rodney Bowcock <pasttense_78@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re: Bob Bailey
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why did bob bailey leave "yours truly, johnny dollar"?
Basically, the show moved to New York, and Bailey didn't want to go with
it. He stayed behind in Hollywood where he had a bit part or two in films.
>From then, until the early 1980's, nobody really knows what happened. The
few folks who do know have never [removed]
Rodney Bowcock
[removed]
[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:29:39 -0500
From: "R. R. King" <kingrr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Einstein Speech
of Dispersal of European Jewery. This was supposed to have been
broadcast at that time.
A version of "The Dispersal of European Jewry" is available in
Einstein's
_Out of My Later Years_, an anthology of his essays.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:32:00 -0500
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: MACDONALD CAREY MEMORY
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Dear Folks:
Some things jog a memory that's so strong you have to share it.
I just read this obit today:
03-15-1913 - Macdonald Carey - Sioux City, IA - d. 3-21-1994
actor: Jonathan Hillary "Just Plain Bill "; Lee Markham "Woman in White"
It's all very clear now but at the time it was slightly confusing.
It all started when my agent called me in late Fall of '93 and asked if
I would like to do an episode on 'DAYS OF OUR LIVES.'
They had made an offer so I wouldn't have to meet anyone at [removed]
say yes or no.
I had never done a soap opera before and recalled that the actors
usually had to memorize many pages of dialogue in very short periods of time
so I
was reluctant.
I asked to have the scenes faxed so I could look at them. She gave me
the scene over the phone, it went like this:
I was to play a doctor, a heart surgeon specialist and the only one who
performed a very specific and controversial procedure. Macdonald Carey was
the star of the show, playing a doctor as well who was suffering from a heart
disease that only an operation could cure.
An operation to be done by me.
However, I was a French doctor living in Paris, France and Mac's
character would not fly and in fact was reluctant to have any surgery at all
so the
family was very worried.
The drama quickened when his daughter's boyfriend flies me over to New
York as a Christmas present.
You can imagine the jubilation and Christmas cheer as he recovers and I
fly back to Europe like some kind of Soap Santa Surgeon!
Did I say it was to be a Christmas special for the show?
Working with Macdonald Carey interested me greatly and I was summoning
up the courage to accept.
It was also a two-parter which would mean more residuals and more fun so
I was getting tempted.
Plus it began to look like I'd play a character who would save the
'day.'
Not my usual role and I knew it.
"Do you do a French accent," my agent asked?
I replied in my best Charles Boyer that I did but in reality I had never
used an accent in any of my appearances on TV or movies so I was already
lying because I wanted to work with Macdonald Carey.
The money was good and the idea began to appeal to me.
Hmmmm, if I save the life of the main character of a show, it could
become a regular booking for me or at the very least I would have some cred
as a
French actor instead of a heavy!
Deals were discussed and the game was afoot.
Start shooting next week.
Two days work, nice piece of change, my own parking spot at NBC Burbank
where they shoot on the old Bob Hope sound stage.
Getting excited now.
Going to work with Macdonald Carey tomorrow I'd say to myself as I fell
asleep.
I had a million things I wanted to ask him.
Then it began.
Arrive early at the studio. Go to my dressing room in a cavernous sound
stage and sit there for an hour without seeing a soul.
Working on a soap is nothing like a movie or TV set.
These people are a family and speak shorthand and kiss and hug all day
long. On and off screen, they relate like dear old friends.
I was the new guy on the block.
I felt like a delivery boy.
Anyway, the first day was fun with me gurgling a bad Peter Sellers
'Inspector Clouseau' to the family and assuring them that I was going to
save the
day. It was exciting for me to be a hero for a change, even for a moment or
two.
I was a warm surprise/gift for a caring and loving family concerned for
the well being of a loved one and the tears began to well up in beautiful
soap opera actresses eyes.
Second day I finally get to work with Mac.
He rolls in on a gurney and I have a scene with him just before wheeling
him into surgery where I assure him all will be just fine.
Getting our marks for camera, I was speaking to an extra playing my
assistant in my normal voice and Mac piped up,
"Hey, Michael, you're not French." And began to laugh.
"I was watching you on the monitor in my dressing room all day yesterday
and I thought you were a French actor."
Needless to say I was flattered beyond belief and thanked him.
We had a great day and I got through it without blowing too many line.
Never did see or meet the director as it was just a woman's voice booming
from a hidden control room.
I have many fond memories of working with a man so easy and yet so
thorough in his work. We made out goodbyes and he was genuine in his wish
that
perhaps we would work together again, real soon. I was touched and delighted.
The show ran on Christmas day and the next day as well to rave reviews
in the Soap world.
Later I began to hear words of bringing the 'French doctor' back on the
show from time to time to take care of him and enjoy the family and soap
opera scenarios like that.
This is good news for an actor.
Nice.
Then one morning a few months later I read in Variety that he had just
[removed] real life.
Why did I think it was my fault?
I laughed cuz I knew he would have laughed too.
However, it hit me that the audience, the very serious and dedicated
followers of that show might think it really was me that botched the
operation
and that I would be blamed and cursed as the Doc who killed their hero.
I guess the production company must have thought so too.
Anyway, I never heard another word from them.
I'll never forget the feeling I got from Mac while working with him, a
most generous and giving man who made you feel like you were at home and easy
in your heart and that's the stuff that makes for true creativity on any set.
I'm sure he'd see the joke in the situation cuz that's the kinda guy he
impressed me as.
Thanks Mac.
Life's some pretty funny stuff from time to time.
Michael C. Gwynne
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:36:47 -0500
From: "Bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed];
To: ""old-time radio digest">" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Suspense, Johnny Dollar, or Theater 5?
Hi all
I'm curious as to which show left the air last. JD, Suspense or Theater 5?
Thanks.
Bill
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:13:33 -0500
From: "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Medicine then and now
Larry Moore wrote about doctors making house calls and the progress of
medical practice since the '30s and '40s. His memories sure put things in
perspective.
On more than a few 'Gunsmoke' episodes, Doc Adams will tell people that
there is nothing he can do (for a patient) that right now medicine doesn't
understand how to cure him but sometime in the future medical science will
be able to save someone with the same disease.
Our family peditrician, who retired about 10 years ago, told me that if he
practiced medicine the way he was taught in the '50s that he would be
brought up on charges of quackery. I thought that it was ironic that he
interrupted his studies, before the US entered WW II, went to Canada and
joined Canadian Forces to do his part in a Canadian Highland Regiment in
Europe. After the war he went on to get his medical degree. A little over
twenty years later his fellow Americans were going to Canada to avoid
military service. Medical science isn't all that has changed since the
'40s.
Roby McHone
Fairbanks, Alaska
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:18:28 -0500
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 3-23 births/deaths
March 23rd births
03-23-1891 - Dr. [removed] DeHaan - Zeeland, MI - d. 12-13-1965
evengelist: "Radio Bible Class"
03-23-1892 - Nadea Dragonette Loftus - d. 10-xx-1982
Sister and business manager of Jessica Dragonette
03-23-1893 - Arnold Johnson - Chicago, IL - d. 7-25-1975
bandleader: "The Majestic Theatre Hour"; "True Story Time"
03-23-1905 - Joan Crawford - San Antonio, TX - d. 5-10-1977
actor: "Arch Oboler's Plays"; "Everyman's Theatre"; "Screen Guild
Theatre"
03-23-1906 - Richard L. Evans - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 11-1-1971
announcer: "Music and the Spoken Word" (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
03-23-1910 - Akira Kurosawa, Tokyo, Japan - d. 9-6-1998
film director: NHK Tokyo, Japan
03-23-1910 - Paula Winslowe - d. 3-7-1996
actor: Peg Riley "Life of Riley"; Jill "Joe E. Brown Show"
03-23-1912 - Francis DeSales - Philadelphia, PA - d. 9-25-1988
actor: Bill Weigand "Mr. and Mrs. North"; Parris Mitchell "King's Row"
03-23-1916 - Grant Richards - Raleigh, NC - d. 7-4-1963
actor: Charles Dobbs "This Is Nora Drake"; Hal Thomas "Against the
Storm"
03-23-1917 - Oscar Shumsky - Philadelphia, PA - d. 7-24-2000
violinist: "Voice of Firestone"
03-23-1920 - Maurice Marsac - La Croix, France
actor: French Teacher "Our Miss Brooks"
03-23-1926 - Martha Wright - Seattle, WA
actor: "Stars for Defense"
03-23-1957 - Amanda Plummer - NYC
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
March 23rd deaths
02-13-1920 - Eileen Farrell - Willimantic, CT - d. 3-23-2002
singer: "Eileen Farrell Sings"; "Prudential Family Hour"
02-14-1901 - Peggy Allenby - NYC - d. 3-23-1966
actor: Susan Price "David Harun"; Mary Andrews "Archie Andrews"
02-16-1910 - Jerry Lester - Chicago, IL - d. 3-23-1995
actor: John Benson "Life of Mary Sothern"
02-22-1920 - Giulietta Masina - San Girogio di Piano, Italy - d.
3-23-1994
actor: Pallina "Terzoglio"
03-25-1920 - Howard Cosell - Winston-Salem, NC - d. 3-23-1995
sportscaster: "Speaking of Sports"
05-05-1919 - George London - Montreal, Canada - d. 3-23-1985
singer: "The Voice of Firestone"
05-10-1889 - Mae Murray - Portsmouth, VA - d. 3-23-1963
actor: "Your Unseen Friend"
06-03-1905 - Paulette Goddard - Whitestone Landing, Long Island, NY -
d. 3-23-1990
actor: "Cresta Blanca Players"
06-26-1904 - Peter Lorre - Rozsahegy, Hungary - d. 3-23-1964
actor: [removed] Moto "Mr. Moto"; "Creeps By Night"; "; "Mystery in the Air"
10-03-1910 - Gwen Davenport - Colon, Canal Zone, Panama - d. 3-23-2002
author: "Lux Radio Theatre"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Please not the new email address
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:19:09 -0500
From: jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Promotions of Radio Versions on their TV
editions
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Dear OTR digest
While listening to some tapes of several old time radio programs, such as
Dragnet and You Bet Your Life, there were announcements at the end of the
program telling listeners to watch the Television version of these Programs.
When the Television version aired, were there similar announcements to hear
the radio versions? I know for a brief time You Bet Your Life mentioned the
radio version at least in the early years. When the radio version aired on
Monitor, in 1959, there were still announcements for the TV version. Were
there still announcements on TV for the radio version that late? The same
question applies for TV announcements for the radio version of such programs
as, Gun Smoke, People Are Funny, and Have Gun Will [removed]
Many Thanks
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:19:51 -0500
From: jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Poor Man imitations of popular net work shows
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Dear OTR readers
Jim
I have a question about syndicated program which were often poor man
imitation of network programs. Were such programs as The Avenger/"The Poor
Man's Shadow", The Haunting Hour/ "The Four Men Inter Sanctum" ... or other
programs of its type and diary of Fate/ "The Poor Mans Whistler. Where these
imitation popular? Did they clear on a lot of stations? And did they get good
ratings, even close to there network counterparts?
Many Thanks
Jim
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:09:52 -0500
From: "Barbara Harmon" <jimharmonotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: : Ralston Rewind
Jack French should realize I've known about Ralston still being available,
and with several different backsides on Tom Mix for over a decade. You used
to be able to order it directly from the Ralston-Purina company by mail at a
giveaway price -- something like $[removed] for six boxes (including postage).
I can eat the stuff too now, although not a great fan. I think it
is just a matter of our tastes maturing, not having to have a cereal sugary
sweet. I remember my father liked Ralston and ate it for me. (My mother
was not as big a fan.) These days, Barbara likes Ralston and I usually join
her when she makes it for breakfast, not every day but once in awhile for a
change.
The Tom Mix boxes I gave away (after gathering a few for myself) and
show I auctioned on eBay, often throwing one in with a duplicate TM premium
or comic I was selling. Some I sold alone, and they went for around $[removed],
giving me a profit on my original Ralston purchase. One empty box sold for
about as much as I paid for six full boxes.
However, Ralston no longer sells the cereal directly, and you have
to buy it from the on-line Vermont Country Store. Their price is
considerably higher, about six dollars a box, including postage. I have
been out of the stuff for some months, but will get around to ordering some
more one of these days.
JIM HARMON
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 19:25:19 -0500
From: "Stuart Lubin" <StuartLubin@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Parker Fennelly
As a teenager in the early fifties, too young and naive to understand the
humor of Fred Allen, I was well aware of the talents of Parker Fennelly
because one of my favorite shows on a Sunday afternoon was Scattergood
Baines. The humor was so refreshing and folksy. Wendell Holmes played
Scattergood, with Parker Fennelly as Hannibal Gibbey. That was where I
first learned the joke: "He wouldn't know how to pour water out of a shoe,
even if the directions were written on the heel!"
Stuart Lubin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 23:06:27 -0500
From: <vzeo0hfk@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Blue 1947-2006
My younger brother, Bob Blue, a folk song writer and singer, and a retired
teacher, passed away last Friday.
Susan Forbes Hansen, of Los Angeles radio station WFCR will play two sets
from "The Best of Bob Blue," a CD produced a few years ago on the Sat., March
25, edition of her 9 PM to midnight radio show, Valley Folk. One will be in
the first hour of the show and the other will be played in the second hour.
Howard Blue
Susan Forbes Hansen, WFCR
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 07:52:09 -0500
From: "Corey Cook" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Lum And Abner
Will someone please help me in finding places to buy/get as many of the Lum
And Abner shows as possible?
I would really appreciate it.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #83
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