------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2006 : Issue 170
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
John Milton Kennedy (1912-2006) [ "Stuart Lubin" <StuartLubin@[removed] ]
Re: Orson Welles SUSPENSE cameo [ Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@earthlin ]
Ava Gardner [ "John Eccles, Jr." <jeccles@earthli ]
Re: Old Radio Help [ "Bill Harris" <nbcblue@[removed]; ]
Inner Sanctum Movies [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Lana Wood, Natalie Wood's sister [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Peppermint dispensers etc. [ "Candy Jens" <candyj@[removed]; ]
Richard Herd at MANC [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
iPod and an old radio [ Steve Salaba <dangerdanger@sbcgloba ]
Spry shortening [ Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed] ]
A spry old chick [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
Happiness Boys [ dm4yeshua@[removed] ]
Arnold Stang [ <beepa3@[removed]; ]
Lum and Abner [ "William Halbe" <[removed]@veri ]
Bob Bailey on the Silver Screen [ "Cynthia Heimsoth" <chibibarako@hot ]
welles and gardner [ Michael Berger <makiju@[removed]; ]
The State Of TV (1937) [ "Bill Knowlton" <udmacon1@[removed] ]
6-21 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
Yesterday USA is broadcasting live f [ "Walden Hughes" <walden1@yesterdayu ]
Arnold Stang [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:34:58 -0400
From: "Stuart Lubin" <StuartLubin@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: John Milton Kennedy (1912-2006)
I am very sad to report that announcer John Milton Kennedy passed away on
June 11, 2006. In radio, Mr. Kennedy was best known for his long-term
announcing of the Lux Radio Theatre. (I also remember Melville Ruick
announcing that program before Mr. Kennedy took over.)
One of the highlights of his TV career was announcing "The Loretta Young
Show". He also narrated numerous training films for the Air Force and the
Los Angeles County and City Fire Departments. He had been an active member
of AFTRA, and served on the board of directors. He was a member of the
Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, and up until just a few months ago, he would
attend their luncheons. He had a witty, warm, gregarious manner, and that
was a main reason why, when SPERDVAC started having conventions in 1984, he
was asked---I believe at the very first one---to serve as master of
ceremonies of the main banquet.
I have written to this Digest several times about my growing up in Los
Angeles and attending many radio programs. I never could get into Lux
because it involved writing in advance for tickets. The big draw for the
tourists, of course, was to be able to see the movie stars, but my big
thrill was to see the radio people, and so I often waited at the rear stage
door where John Milton Kennedy got to know me. As many people ignored him,
pushing toward the screen stars, I had full access to him, quizzing him
profusely about radio. He never once gave me the brush-off. He was always
gracious and informative, and that is the true sign of a gentleman. I am
very thankful to SPERDVAC and Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, that I was able
to connect with Mr. Kennedy, who still remained friendly and accessible to
me throughout his golden years. He will be missed by all of us who were
fortunate enough to know him.
Stuart Lubin
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:38:46 -0400
From: Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Orson Welles SUSPENSE cameo
on 6/20/06 11:18 AM MARTIN GRAMS JR. wrote:
No, it's been noted before.
<snip>
Welles and Spier were good friends (both magicians by hobby) and since
Gardner was married to Welles at the time, it was easy to do the in-joke
one-liner.
Orson Welles was never married to Ava Gardner (who was married to Frank
Sinatra at that time, I believe). Perhaps you're confusing her with Orson's
second wife, Rita Hayworth? --Anthony Tollin
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:39:22 -0400
From: "John Eccles, Jr." <jeccles@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner was never married to Orson Welles. She was married to Mickey
Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra. Welles was married to Rita Hayworth.
John Eccles, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:39:13 -0400
From: "Bill Harris" <nbcblue@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Old Radio Help
>From Ken meyer <kensbest@[removed];
The radio is a FIRESTONE AIR CHIEF. It has 4 acorn shaped brown knobs,
and
there is a number on the back, 742518. It has channel selector buttons
that
do not work well. It has a label with instructions for moving a lever for
what looks like antenna screws to switch from the record player to the
radio.
It hums but does not play.
I cannot find any information on the set from the number given. This may be
a serial number, not a model number. Look inside of the back of the unit and
see if you can find a lable with perhaps a tube diagram which may contain a
model number. A model number would help in finding out more info.
The hum indicates that the filter capacitors are defective and need to be
replaced. Actually all of the capacitors in the set should be replaced if
you plan on playing it on a regular basis. Since it has a record player, you
may be able to feed the ipod into the phono input on the radio, or you can
purchase a low power AM transmitter which can be fed with the ipod and
transmit OTR to the radio.
Search the American Wireless Association, Carolina Chapter web site at
[removed] an you may be able to find someone in
your area to help with the set.
Bill H.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:40:40 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Inner Sanctum Movies
Kermyt commented . . .
The Universal September Lon Chaney release mentioned in the last
column will appear on September 19th and is entitled Inner Sanctum
Mysteries: The Complete Movie Collection. It will consist of six titles
from the 1943-1945 period: Calling Dr. Death, Dead Man's Eyes, The
Frozen Ghost, Pillow of Death, Strange Confession, and Weird Woman.
... Plus, a serial starring Frankie Thomas, with a recent interview with
him.
The INNER SANCTUM movies box set will retail $[removed] and if you shop around
before buying it at the first place offering it, you can save some money as
the "suggested discount rate" from MCA/Universal is $[removed] Yes, studios
sometimes "suggest" the discount price to avoid losing sales from their top
retail prices. Although designed to cash in on the radio program of the
same name, the movies were NOT based on the radio program. Universal
strictly stated this in their press books back in 1943-46, asking theater
owners NOT to make any mention of the radio program because the movies were
not based or adapted from the series. It was, in actuality, a series of
mystery movies with spooky elements incorproated with the studio using the
"Inner Sanctum" name with permission from Simon & Schuster. Weird Woman and
The Frozen Ghost are the best of the series.
The serial Kermyt mentioned, TIM TYLER'S LUCK, is available for a lot less
than the suggested retail. Satellite Media and Finders Keepers have the
same print available on DVD for about a third of the price being offered in
stores like Best Buy and the price is the same. Satellite Media is
[removed] and Finders Keepers is [removed]
Martin
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:41:02 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Lana Wood, Natalie Wood's sister
New guest added to the line-up for the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia [removed]
LANA WOOD
Sister of Natalie Wood
Lana played roles in tons of stuff from Have Gun - Will Travel (episode
entitled "The Teacher"), The Fugitive, The Wild Wild West, Captain America,
the Night Gallery episode with Broderick Crawford and Cloris Leachman, and
as "Plenty O'Toole" in the Bond film DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER.
Natalie has done some radio shows/recreations in the past couple years and
she's looking forward to attending MANC. She will also talk about her
sister's involvement in radio broadcasts such as Red Cross specials, The
Family Theater and The Lux Radio Theater.
Information about Lana's career will be found on the MANC web-site within
the next 24 hours.
[removed]
Incidentally, Barry Morse, who is also attending, did some radio (especially
in Canada) but I have no records of dates and names of shows. Does anyone
have any leads so I can get them listed in the program guide?
mmargrajr@[removed]
Martin
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:42:06 -0400
From: "Candy Jens" <candyj@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Peppermint dispensers etc.
In a Bob & Ray "Mary Backstage" episode they find nickel-operated
peppermint dispensers on the backs of the seats in an old theatre, and
remark that the place certainly must be very old. Is this a Bob & Ray
invention, or did old theatres ever actually have such things?
In the early 50's, on Broadway, the seat backs on some balconies had
quarter-operated boxes with opera glasses. Don't know if they still do .
. . coludn't afford front-row seats then, can't afford balcony seats now
<g>.
Candy
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:41:07 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Richard Herd at MANC
If I had waited five minutes I could've made this all one [removed]
Just confirmed, RICHARD HERD also as a guest.
Herd did two radio episodes of THEATRE FIVE
"Incident at Apogee" from August 28, 1964 with Cliff Carpenter, Fred Foy and
William N. Robson.
"Incident at Shadow Valley" from September 8, 1964 with John Gibson, Jackson
Beck, and george Petrie.
His TV and movie credits are large, especially for Star Trek fans and fans
of the mini series V.
Mr. Herd will also perform in a radio recreation.
Information will be posted on the site within the next 24 hours.
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 17:48:05 -0400
From: Steve Salaba <dangerdanger@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: iPod and an old radio
Here is a link to an article (actually a series of photos) showing how
someone hooked an iPod to an old radio. I think in this case, the old radio
was pretty much gutted and refurbished with new insides, but its still
interesting to see, and might give a few ideas.
[removed]
--
Steve Salaba
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 17:52:50 -0400
From: Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed];
To: OTRDIGEST <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Spry shortening
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Today someone asked me ( in the context of cookbooks) if I knew what Spry
was. I said I did (thanks to OTR). Turns out she had an old cookbook and
didn't think she could complete the recipe because she wasn't familiar with
Spry. I have printed a page from the internet about Spry's sponsorship of
Aunt Jenny for her.
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:56:33 -0400
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: A spry old chick
Lever Brothers' Spry was a runner-up to P&G's Crisco in
sales. Nevertheless, when announcer Dan Seymour showed up
in Aunt Jenny's sunlit kitchen, many of those delicacies she
had just baked were at least partially consumed. After all,
if she made a new batch five days every week for 19 years,
just how many could the church bazaar sell in a place called
Littleton?
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:57:19 -0400
From: dm4yeshua@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Happiness Boys
6-21-06
Hello fellow OTR fans:
I hope this finds all of you enjoying the onset of summer. I was
wondering if anybody would know how I could get my hands on some radio
shows by Billy Jones and Ernie Hare, known as the happiness boys when
sponsered by happiness candy and the tasty yeast jesters when sponsered by
that company and also they were called the Interwoven Pair when sponsered
by Interwoven Socks. If anyone has any ideas, please email me. I am
interested really in any really early OTR broadcasts as well.
David B.
dm4yeshua@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 20:03:36 -0400
From: <beepa3@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Arnold Stang
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I recall seeing Arnold Stang in person during the late 70's in a play at Stage
West in West Springfield, MA. The title of the play was "The Diary of Anne
Frank". I don't recall the part that he played, but I do remember it was a
non-humorous part and he did it with complete dignity.
Ed Humphrey
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Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:41:40 -0400
From: "William Halbe" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Lum and Abner
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Last week I learned something I did not know about Lum and Abner.
They made movies in the early forties.
I recently purchased 17 Comedy Classics movies on DVD for a very reasonable
price. Included were four of Lum and Abner movies.
Does anyone know how many movies they made?
Bill Halbe
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:42:09 -0400
From: "Cynthia Heimsoth" <chibibarako@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Bailey on the Silver Screen
Here's the IMDB link for Bob Bailey, but take it with a grain of salt, they've
mismatched performers before.
[removed]
Cynthia "ChibiBarako"
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:42:19 -0400
From: Michael Berger <makiju@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: welles and gardner
Footnote to Martin Grams' story about the Welles
appearance on Suspense - he never was married to Ava
Gardner, whose spouses were Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw
and Frank Sinatra.
Michael Berger
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:42:37 -0400
From: "Bill Knowlton" <udmacon1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The State Of TV (1937)
Stand By," a weekly magazine published by WLS, Chicago, was published from
1935 to 1938. It not only reported on the activities and programs of WLS and
its staff, it also ran items about the radio world in general. I've been
assembling a collection of "Stand By" and am enjoying the tidbits. As the
[removed]
"British television 'is highly unsatisfactory and primitive, and the
received images are so distorted at times that arms and legs look like bags
of sand' according to Howard McAteer, director of Philco Radio and
Television Corporation of Great Britain Ltd."
--Jan 2, 1937
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:43:02 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 6-21 births/deaths
52 years ago on this date I became a member of the United States
Navy, a move that changed the rest of my life.
June 21st births
06-21-1880 - Mary Young - d. 6-23-1971
actor: Lily "Arnold Grimm's Daughter"
06-21-1900 - Jack Arthur - Brooklyn, NY - d. 10-1-1980
singer, emcee: "Echoes of New York"; "Family Time"; "Jack Arthur Show"
06-21-1907 - Charles 'Bud' Dant - Washington, IN - d. 10-31-1999
music: "A Day in the Life of Dennis Day"; "Glamour Manor"
06-21-1909 - Ted Sherdeman - d. 8-22-1987
producer, director, writer: "Latitude Zero"; "Sad Sack"; "Sears Radio
Theatre"
06-21-1911 - Irving Fein - NYC
producer: "Jack Benny Program"
06-21-1912 - Mary McCarthy - Seattle, WA - d. 10-25-1989
novelist: "Guest Star Time"
06-21-1916 - Al Brown
actor: Og "Og, Son of Fire"
06-21-1921 - Jane Russell - Bemidji, MN
actor: Guest Detective: "Adventures of Ellery Queen"
06-21-1921 - Joan Tetzel - NYC - d. 10-31-1977
actor: Sylvia Field "When a Girl Marries"; Jane Brown "The Goldbergs"
06-21-1921 - Judy Holliday - NYC - d. 6-7-1965
actor: "Big Show"
06-21-1925 - Byron Palmer - Los Angeles, CA
actor: "Plays for Americans"
06-21-1925 - Maureen Stapleton - Troy, NY - d. 3-13-2006
actor: "Best Plays"
06-21-1940 - Mariette Hartley - Weston, CT
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
June 21st deaths
03-27-1892 - Thorne Smith - Annapolis, MD - d. 6-21-1934
writer: "Advs. of Topper" based on his book
04-07-1908 - Walt Framer - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 6-21-1988
producer, director: "Break the Bank"; "Strike It Rich"
06-07-1908 - Clarence Straight - d. 6-21-1988
actor: Rags the Dog "Those We Love"
06-09-1922 - George Axelrod - NYC - d. 6-21-2003
writer: "Midnight in Manhattan"; "Grand Ole Opry"
07-07-1903 - Joe Boland - d. 6-21-1987
actor: Police Sergeant "Abie's Irish Rose"
08-27-1908 - Frank Leahy - O'Neill, NE - d. 6-21-1973
football coach (Notre Dame): "Hallmark Hall of Fame"
11-18-1860 - Jan Ignace Paderewski - Kurilovka. Poland - d. 6-21-1941
concert pianist, statesman: "Paderewski's Eightieth Birthday Tribute"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Home state of Alma Kitchell
Superior, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 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, 21 Jun 2006 10:22:42 -0400
From: "Walden Hughes" <walden1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Yesterday USA is broadcasting live from the
REPS convention
Hi Everybody,
if you can not be at the REPS OTR convention live, turn on your computer and
go to [removed] and click on either The 16k audio feed is for
those who have dialup, or the 24k audio feed is for those of you who have
high speed internet connection. Nothing to down load just make sure your
speakers are on. We will be broadcasting many of the re-creation, and
presentation live. The oTR personalities that will be there are Dick Van
Patten, Hal Stone, Donald Buka, Rosemary Rice, Dick Beals, Gil Stratton,
Tommy Cook and Frank Bresee. It will start this Friday June 23 at 10 [removed]
and go to 8 [removed] We will take off lunch and dinner and return it to normal
programming at that time. The Friday night show will start live 2 hours
later than normally at [removed] [removed] We hope to interview many of the OTR
personalities during that time from the hotel. We will start at 10 [removed]
West Coast time and go to 9 [removed] on Saturday June 24. We will turn it back
to normal programming during 12 [removed] to [removed] [removed] hour, and during dinner
time too. For more information about the convention go to
[removed]
Take care,
Walden Hughes
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 15:21:11 -0400
From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Arnold Stang
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I almost forgot about another one of Arnold Stang's more memorable
roles, that of "Top Cat", which I believe was one of Hanna-Barbera's cartoons
during the early sixties. BTW, does anyone happen to remember who voiced
Top Cat's pal's Benny? He was a smaller cat character. Arnold Stang had one
of the most memorable voices of any character actor from OTR, in my humble
opinion. Whenever I hear it, I automatically think of him. Whatever
happened
to him anyway? Is he still alive?
Another OTR Fan,
Kenneth Clarke
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--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #170
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