------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 369
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Pulling Ourselves Up By The Bootstra [ Wich2@[removed] ]
10-12 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
OTR BOOKS [ C-NO <voxpop@[removed]; ]
Fw: "Radio" the movie [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
Re: Dragnet question [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
shortwave radio advice [ "ellsworth o johnson" <eojohnsonww2 ]
RE: Dunning's "On the Air" [ "Stewart Wright" <stewwright@worldn ]
Donald Bain/Elliott Roosevelt [ Allen J Hubin <ajhubin@[removed]; ]
Python Grail was but a Dreem [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]
Re: Sondra Gair and Meet Miss Sherlo [ Lisa Kohn <lskohn@[removed]; ]
Re: Morgan on Radio Dragnet [ Kcpymurphy@[removed] ]
OTR/Broadcasting History Books for S [ Chad Palmer <palmerch@[removed] ]
Make Believe Ballroom theme [ "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed]; ]
used-to-could [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 11:12:21 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Pulling Ourselves Up By The Bootstraps
From: lawrence albert <albertlarry@[removed];
Art (Chimes)is quite right when he says the robust days
of radio drama are over but in the "niche" market in
which it finds itself today, radio drama in America is
far from dead nor is it moribund.
Hear, hear, Larry! (And thanks, Martin, for your comments!).
Of course, any boob knows that The Golden Age of Radio is not coming back;
the world's clock ony turns one way. But,(to pick an analagous example),
though the Golden Age of Short Films is never coming back either - we won't
see newsreels, mini-dramas, or Warner's 'Toons at the theaters again - short
films are still produced, watched, & awarded every year - just a switch in
venue: Festivals, Cable, & the Web.
So, too, our "niche" is a living one; and it goes without saying that the
more nurturing it is given - by listeners, buyers, & ESPECIALLY people in the
biz - the healthier it will be. And there IS hope in the General Public,
beyond that niche -
I can tell several stories of Program Managers who fought skeptical staff to
air our [removed] later to tell of public response to those broadcasts that
set said skeptics on their ears! Sometimes (often?) Advertisers need to be
lead by their noses.
DO WHAT YOU CAN: Get a show aired, if you're in the position to; call a
station, & TELL them you liked that rare broadcast that you heard; when an
On-Air personality tasks for input, SPEAK up for the medium!
AND - don't be provincial!Buy a NEW show recording.
THE MEDIUM DID NOT DIE IN 1962 - but, its relatives abandoned it to the Old
Folk's Home.
Best,
Craig Wichman
Quicksilver Radio Theater
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 11:11:32 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 10-12 births/deaths
I don't care what congress says, today is Columbus Day, NOT tomorrow!
October 12th births
10-12-1900 - Ted Collins - NYC - d. 5-27-1964
announcer, host: (longtime manager of Kate Smith) "Kate Smith Speaks"
10-12-1905 - Jane Ace - Kansas City, MO - d. 11-11-1974
comedian: "Easy Aces"; "Jane Ace, Disc Jockey"
10-12-1935 - Luciano Pavarotti - Modena, Italy
tenor: "Metropolitan Opera"
10-12-1936 - Ron Sayles - Waukesha, WI (R: Pewaukee, WI)
purveyor of birth dates and death dates extraordinaire - HEY! It"s my list.
October 12th deaths
01-06-1880 - Tom Mix - Mix Run, PA - d. 10-12-1940
legend: "Tom Mix Ralston Straightshooters" based on his life
05-06-1913 - Carmen Cavallaro - NYC - d. 10-12-1989
bandleader: (The Poet of the Piano) "Schaeffer Revue"; "Tums Tune Time"
07-03-1881 - Leon Errol - Sydney, Australia - d. 10-12-1951
actor, comedian: WENR Chicago
07-14-1903 - Ken Murray - Nyack, NY - d. 10-12-1988
comedian: "Hollywood Hotel"; "Texaco Star Theatre"
08-13-1902 - Regis Toomey - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 10-12-1991
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Campbell Playhouse"
11-06-1916 - Ray Conniff - Attleboro, MA - d. 10-12-2002
arranger: Armed Forces Radio during World War II
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 12:58:08 -0400
From: C-NO <voxpop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR BOOKS
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I have read of many different OTR books mentioned on this site
but have never heard mentioned RADIO'S GOLDEN YEARs by [removed]
&[removed] 1981.
does anyone know of this book and if so how accurate it
is? thanx, chet norris
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------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 12:57:55 -0400
From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Fw: "Radio" the movie
You may already have seen the publicity about a new film called "Radio"
starring Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding, Jr. to be in theaters soon. "Radio"
is
the name of Gooding's character, (it's not the technology) who is a
mentally
challenged man, Harris is a mentoring, high school football coach.
Inspired
by actual events, the story at first divides, then transforms and unifies a
small South Carolina town.
Could be quite an interesting film, the title may attract an OTR crowd,
(like the film "The Green Hornet" did for me, which was a wasted few
dollars, IMO.) So I thought I'd pass along this information, and I'm not
associated with the production in any way.
Russ Butler oldradio@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 14:40:10 -0400
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Dragnet question
Rick Keating wondered if Harry "My partner's Bill Gannon" Morgan ever
appeared on the radio DRAGNET:
I have an episode (date unknown) about "obscene literature in
high schools" and in one scene, set in a school auditorium as Friday is
talking with concerned parents
and other citizens about the issue, a voice that
sounds like Morgan's asks what can be done about it.
Is it Harry Morgan, or just someone with a similar voice?
That is indeed Harry Morgan you heard in "The Big Book" (4/6/1950). At the
time, he and Webb were acting in their second movie together, "Dark City"
(1950) which was Charlton Heston's film debut. (Those of you attending FOTR
will get to hear that scene during the "Dragnet" panel/presentation I'll be
hosting on Friday afternoon.)
As far as I can tell, Morgan did three "Dragnet" radio shows. "The Big
Book" was the third. The first two were episodes #10 and #11 in August
1949, while he and Webb were shooting "Appointment with Danger" (1951). No,
that year is not a mistake - the film was held back from release for about
18 months. Alan Ladd is the hero, Webb is a psycho who beats Morgan to
death with a pair of bronzed baby shoes, and the script was co-written by
Richard L. Breen, co-creator with Webb of "Pat Novak for Hire" and "Pete
Kelly's Blues." Well worth seeing.
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 14:56:06 -0400
From: "ellsworth o johnson" <eojohnsonww2@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: shortwave radio advice
Remember you get what you pay for---no more.
I had 40 years experience in retailing and wholesaling short wave radios.
Now retired. I would give this advice--if you want something worthwhile you
need to spend at least $ 100. nowadays.
Grundig ( the German Company ) ( I was their agent for 11 years ) make a
fine small shortwave radio that usually sells in the neighborhood of $ 100.
You will find it advertised in numerous places. I am speaking of a small
battery operated radio. It is actually a computer and a radio combined.
They make one without the computer part for less money--- but the computer
one is more fun to use, You simply key in the frequency of the
station you want and hit enter.
None of these radios will work like you would wish for unless you put up a
decent outdoor antenna. Contact someone like Radio Shack for advice on this
part. Personally I had a 5/8 wavelenght citizen band vertical pole antenna
on my roof and discovered accidentally it is a good shortwave receiving
antenna.
You also need to invest in a good current shortwave radio log book/magazine
to find the frequency and time of day the broadcast might happen that would
interest you. I would suggest for this go on to [removed] and in the
search block type Shortwave Radio Log book.
You probably should do this also WITH GOOGLE and type in GRUNDIG SHORTWAVE
RADIO.
RADIO.
Ellsworth Johnson
Spokane, Wa
formerly E M Johnson Electronics Inc.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 16:14:18 -0400
From: "Stewart Wright" <stewwright@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: Dunning's "On the Air"
As an Old-Time Radio writer and researcher, I know that it is virtually
impossible to write any book or lengthy article without errors. It is
particularly difficult to write a general reference book.
One of the basic problems that any non-fiction writer faces is
verification of facts. Even the most respected reference books and sources
have some errors in them. Errors seem to have an infinite half-life. Once
they appear in print, errors take on a life and veracity of their own.
Often factual information contained in different sources conflict. Try
sorting out the fact from the errors; it's not always easy.
Verification of facts can be particularly difficult when writing about
OTR subjects because much factual information has been lost or is
undocumented, is expensive and/or difficult to obtain, or has not yet been
located. Also, much information regarding OTR is based on recollections of
participants many years after the events took place. The memories of those
involved are usually not completely accurate.
Authors generally try to verify their facts. Some spend much more time
and effort on it than others. I know that John Dunning does an incredible
amount of work trying to get his facts straight. For a time, I was in
possession of three large boxes containing thousands of photocopied pages of
magazine and newspaper articles that John used as sources when writing his
first OTR book, TUNE IN YESTERDAY. (These photocopies had been
donated to an OTR Club.) These boxes represented only a portion of
the research that Dunning conducted for that book. How many errors
were in those articles? Again try separating fact from fiction.
Errors can also occur during the editing process. A publishing house
editor may make changes that impact the meaning or even factual content of
an author's writing.
The bright side is that the body of knowledge on OTR is always
increasing. Every year, OTR researchers discover new, factual information
that improves our knowledge and understanding.
Many readers have lamented that a favorite series was omitted or
received short shrift in ON THE AIR. How many Digest subscribers are aware
that Dunning's original ON THE AIR manuscript was over 3600 pages long?
John had to make massive cuts before it would be published; the final length
of the book was reduced by SEVERAL HUNDRED PAGES. Entries
on many series deserving recognition had to be deleted. Information about
many other series was reduced in scope.
You don't make big money writing books or articles on Old-Time Radio.
I'm just glad that there are writers who are trying to increase our
knowledge. Granted, some do a better job than others.
Over time I have learned which general OTR reference books I trust most.
When starting an article or commencing research, the first two books I
consult are Dunning's ON THE AIR and Hickerson's latest ULTIMATE
HISTORY OF NETWORK RADIO PROGRAMMING AND
GUIDE TO ALL CIRCULATING SHOWS. I realize that they are
not error-free. They are my starting points.
Signing off for now,
Stewart Wright
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 16:53:02 -0400
From: Allen J Hubin <ajhubin@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Donald Bain/Elliott Roosevelt
For Kenneth Clarke: Not sure Donald Bain can be believed in
connection with the Elliott Roosevelt books. After all, he still denies
writing the Margaret Truman [removed](as contractually obligated
to do, I suppose).
Al Hubin
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 16:53:16 -0400
From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Python Grail was but a Dreem
This is tangentally OTR [removed]
I returned from a local store yesterday with a newly released DVD version
of Monty Python's Holy Grail movie from 1974. It has been 15 years or so
since I viewed it, and I was not as informed of the OTR world at the time.
Two sequences from the movie are of interest here:
1) Intro. When the troups got together to make the movie budget was short.
So to help lengthen the movie, the first thing one sees after the FBI
warnings is the start of "The Dentist gets a Job" (or something like that).
That film starts with workers stocking up a Dreem Toothpaste truck with
goods to be delivered. For those of you (including myself) who have/had
never seen any visual advertisements for Dreem products it is an excellent
example of some of their ads. The truck has a giant picture of a smiling
lady with a Dreem Toothpaste sign. And the boxes are marked along the same
lines. It helps to visualize all the many Dreem Time commercials heard in
the OTR era (Our Miss Brooks).
2) Coconuts. There is an intentional tribute to the sound effects workers
of OTR provided by another budget cutting 'gag'. The film, set in 932AD
involves King Arthur and lots of knights. They would naturally be riding
horses from one castle to another to travel and communicate. But horses
(any live animal) are expensive and unpredictable to work with in a movie.
The actors would need riding lessons as well to handle a steed. So to save
money, and provide a gag, the knights are accompanied by a page/squire
(Arthur's is names 'Patsy') who amble behind them chattering coconuts
together to sound like horses. There is a long discussion in the first skit
over the probablilty of coconuts even existing in Europe at the time
involving swallow migration that is hillarious.
The new release includes the entire screenplay readable on the screen at
the same time as the movie to help memorize your favorite part.
OTR lives, even if only in humor.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 17:15:30 -0400
From: Lisa Kohn <lskohn@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Sondra Gair and Meet Miss Sherlock
Paul Thompson wrote:
...In later years she was
apparently highly regarded as a radio journalist
and host at Chicago Public Radio station [removed]
No "apparently" about it -- I had no idea about Ms.
Gair's background before her stint on 'BEZ, but I am
pleased to report that she was a marvelously
knowledgeable and persuasive interviewer of
international political figures. Somehow, she had
contacts with the high and mighty and the
low-but-right-in-the-thick-of-it, was able to get them
to consent to live interviews, and got them to answer
her inciteful questions, so her noontime international
current events program was Must listening. I'm not
sure how she transitioned from acting to journalism,
but 'BEZ simply hasn't been the same since her death.
Lisa (go Cubs!)
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 20:22:37 -0400
From: Kcpymurphy@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Morgan on Radio Dragnet
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Rick referred to a Dragnet episode involving pornographic literature,etc.
where Friday is talking in a high school auditorium to
concerned parents and other citizens about the issue, a voice that sounds
like Harry Morgan's asks what can be done about it. Is it Harry Morgan or
just someone with a similar voice?
Yes, it is Harry Morgan, although he was using his real name, Henry Morgan,
at the time. He later changed to Harry Morgan due to conflicts with the other
Henry Morgan who got their first, so to speak. Morgan was in other Dragnet
episodes, as well.
Kacie
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------------------------------
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2003 00:00:44 -0400
From: Chad Palmer <palmerch@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR/Broadcasting History Books for Sale
Hi All,
I've got two books, actually dissertations on the topic of broadcasting
history I used for a project that I'd like to get rid of now. The first is
Michael Biel's fantastic dissertation titled "The Making and Use of
Recordings in Broadcasting before 1936" which covers everything imaginable
during that time period. It's two volumes, over 1300 pages of valuable
information.
The second was a follow up dissertation written by William Lafferty titled
"The Early Development of Magnetic Sound in Broadcasting and Motion
Pictures from 1928-1950".
Both of these are softbound volumes from UMI's Dissertation service and
both are in perfect condition, you can't even tell they were read. They
cost $[removed] each, plus shipping from UMI when I bought them but I'll
entertain offers from anyone interested. Just e-mail me.
Thanks,
Chad Palmer
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2003 00:00:58 -0400
From: "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Make Believe Ballroom theme
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
1940 - Glenn Miller recorded Make Believe Ballroom Time for Bluebird
Records -- at the Victor studios in New York City. It would become the
theme song for Make Believe Ballroom on WNEW, New York,. Miller
had been so taken with the show's concept that he actually paid for the
Make Believe Ballroom Time recording session himself and hired the
Modernaires to join in.
Actually the story is a little different. Block was using Charlie
Barnett's recording of a song called "Make Believe Ballroom" when ASCAP
announced that they were revoking all broadcasting rights to songs they
represented. Public performances of that song was represented by ASCAP, so
Block had to quickly find a new non-ASCAP themesong. When "It's Make
Believe Ballroom Time" was written, he asked his friend Glenn Miller to
record it, but also asked him to use The Modernaires for the vocal because
they had been the vocalists on the Barnett record. Miller liked working
with them so much that he hired them away from Barnett. As to who paid for
the recording session, if someone had to pay anything, I would suggest that
it would have been Block, not Miller. But I would doubt that there would
have been any need for anything special beyond an extra payment to The
Modernaires since this recording was done during a regular Bluebird
recording session, and it was released on Bluebird records just like all
the other recordings. Incidentally, I have seen a whole pile of special
white label vinyl pressings of this side in the WNEW 78 collection in the
Rodgers and Hammerstein Archive of Recorded Sound of the New York Public
Library at Lincoln Center.
host Martin Block created the aura of doing a 'live'
program, complete with performers (on records) like Harry
James or Frank Sinatra, from the 'Crystal Studios' at WNEW.
His daily program was known to everyone who grew up in
the NYC/NJ/Philadelphia area in the 1940s and 1950s
By the time I remember listening to him on WABC and WOR in the 50s he had
given up any pretense of creating the aura of a live program. I want to
note again that from the very beginning he never hid the fact that he was
playing records. The recording of his program from 1935 shows him very
carefully following the FCC regulation that required each recording be
announced as a phonograph record. After all, it is "make-believe" and he
is letting everyone in on the gag. It is funny when he thanks the "crowd"
for quieting down so quickly--it is a sound effects record, of course.
It's a joke, and it is only funny because we KNOW that it is a sound
effects record. Ironically, by the late 1930s he was so popular with the
bandleaders whose records he had played, that he occasionally DID broadcast
live concerts with these bands.
Michael Biel mbiel@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2003 00:53:12 -0400
From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: used-to-could
To subscribers -
Matthew Bullis wrote:
Leroy says used-to-could which is a Southern expression. I've never
heard this kind of thing before on the program. Perhaps a slight
glimpse into the expressions of the writers?"
I used-to-could tell you if it was exclusively a Southern expression, but I
disremember if it was so.
Maybe youins could help him with the answer.
If not, I could care less.
Herb Harrison
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #369
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