Subject: [removed] Digest V2003 #457
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 12/26/2003 8:12 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2003 : Issue 457
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      jack benny                            [ "Kurt E. Yount" <blsmass@[removed]; ]
      Christmas shows without Christmas so  [ "Bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed]; ]
      Capt. Midnight secret messages - exa  [ "Charles Sexton" <csexton@[removed] ]
      Final Benny Radio Show                [ "William Schell" <bschell@[removed] ]
      WEAF and the Durant Motors Radio Pro  [ "Rick Botti" <rbotti@[removed]; ]
      The Waltons                           [ "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@hotm ]
      Tremayne obit                         [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed]; ]
      Merry Christmas                       [ "Caldwell, Wayne" <b-caldwell1@[removed] ]
      From Tom Heathwood                    [ HERITAGE4@[removed] ]
      Robert Dryden                         [ smzmurphy@[removed] ]
      Golden Hours OTR Christmas Special    [ Rod Gowen <rgowen@[removed] ]
      sam spade                             [ "Ed Carr" <edcarr@[removed]; ]
      12-26 births/deaths                   [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Under my [removed]                      [ <welsa@[removed]; ]
      Let's Pretend                         [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      1928 permanent network???             [ BH <radioguy@[removed]; ]
      Re: Radios and the Radio Audience     [ BH <radioguy@[removed]; ]
      Today in radio history -- Weekend ed  [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Question from [removed]              [ Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:05:24 -0500
    From: "Kurt E. Yount" <blsmass@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  jack benny

    Did anybody ever come out with a definitive Jack Benny series on MP3?  I
    would like to buy one series, with the most shows and the best quality
    that I can buy so that I will know that my Jack Benny collection is as
    complete as it can be and is endorsed by some kind of authority.  Am I
    opening a can of worms here?  If so, please write me off list about it,
    since I don't want anybody to think I am getting into what is too
    commercial territory, but I would like to buy the best, for now and until
    new shows turn up, if they do.  Merry Christmas to all, and thank you.
    Kurt

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:05:32 -0500
    From: "Bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed];
    To: ""old-time radio digest">" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Christmas shows without Christmas songs

    Hi all,
    Merry Christmas to all on this best of all internet lists.

    Now my question.  I have noticed that on a lot of the Christmas episodes of
    OTR shows the subject matter might be Christmas but many times the music will
    not
    be Holiday related.
    Was there a reason for this?
    Bill

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:05:44 -0500
    From: "Charles Sexton" <csexton@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Capt. Midnight secret messages - examples
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    For those who are interested, I have a page on the OTR web site that includes
    examples of several secret messages issued by Capt. Midnight over the radio,
    and they all are related to the adventure in progress.  They were all decoded
    using the ever reliable CM Code-O-Graph's appropriate for the year in which
    the messages were sent.  Click here
    [removed] for more info as well as
    additional information on a variety of other children's programs.

    Since preparing that web page, I've received a number of Orphan Annie programs
    that also include secret messages sent to members of Annie's Secret Society.
    They, too, concern aspects of the show and offer a preview of the next day's
    adventures.  They aren't included yet in the above web address, but I may find
    time to work them in some day.

    While I love the Christmas Story movie, the scriptwriters must have written
    the scene of Ralphie decoding Annie's secret message to provide another laugh
    in that marvelous film.  A message of a couple of words about tomorrow's
    adventure without knowing anything about what had preceded it wouldn't bring
    much response from the audience.  A message that touted the Sponsor's product,
    however, was sure to bring a guffaw or two.

    Happy decoding!!

    Charles Sexton

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    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:05:50 -0500
    From: "William Schell" <bschell@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Final Benny Radio Show

    In earlier posts on the final Jack Benney radio show  it was mentioned Mary
    Livingston dubbed her lines.  Exactly what does this mean? Thanks
    Bill Schell

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:06 -0500
    From: "Rick Botti" <rbotti@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  WEAF and the Durant Motors Radio Program

    I'm researching radio advertising regarding the Durant Motor
    Company of 1921-32.
    I've run across two items that I think are interesting and I
    that I'd like to learn more about.
    The first was a week long advertising promotion in 1929 with
    the company broadcasting live from
    the Oakland Durant factory over KPO. The second is this 1930
    ad that briefly mentions a regularly
    scheduled radio program over WEAF is below:

    "Nation-wide radio program every Sunday at 7 [removed] (Eastern
    Standard Time) through WEAF, New York and 39 associated
    stations of the National Broadcasting Company."

    I've posted scans of the WEAF ad here:

    [removed]

    Does anyone know where I can go to find out more about this
    program?

    Thanks,

    Rick Botti
    rbotti@[removed]
    [removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:14 -0500
    From: "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The Waltons

    Hello All,

    It was always my impression that the Waltons were not intended to be taken
    as a desperately poor family, merely a family having a somewhat rougher time
    in the 1930s than they had presumably had in the 1920s.  I believe there
    were occasional references to John Walton, Sr, having had a good paying job
    before the Depression.

    Merry Christmas to All,
    George

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:27 -0500
    From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: "oldradio" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Tremayne obit

    The New York Times ran a very nice obit Dec. 23 for Les Tremayne, calling
    him a "Star of Radio Dramas" in the headline.
    The opening paragraph had an especially good decription of him, calling him
    "a honey-voiced leading man of radio's golden age."
    Dave J., Vancouver WA

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:37 -0500
    From: "Caldwell, Wayne" <b-caldwell1@[removed];
    To: "'old time radio'" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Merry Christmas

    I am more of a lurker instead of a writer but want to wish everyone a Merry
    Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.

    Wayne Caldwell
    oldtimer@[removed]
    [removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:43 -0500
    From: HERITAGE4@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  From Tom Heathwood

    I am so happy to be able to join you all once again in wishing everyone a
    Very Merry Chistmas. May it be one of your best ever!
    To make it perfect, listen to your collection of vintage Yuletide shows and
    share them with all the youngsters you know.
    The Olde Tyme Radio Network is playing some great favorites too this week:
    [removed]
    With all best wishes for a glorious and blessed Christmas -
    Tom Heathwood        12/24/03

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:50 -0500
    From: smzmurphy@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Robert Dryden

    I was very saddened to hear of the death of Robert Dryden. I grew up with THE
    CBS RADIO MYSTERY THEATER, and he was on that very often. I could always pick
    him out: He seemed to use three or four voices all the time, all of them
    good. He's the star of one of my favorite episodes -- "A Horror Story." If
    you've never heard it, give it a listen. I highly recommend it.

         Rest in peace, Mr. Dryden, and thanks for some great childhood memories.

    Mike Murphy

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:06:56 -0500
    From: Rod Gowen <rgowen@[removed];
    To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Golden Hours OTR Christmas Special

    Hi folks,

    I guess I was not watching what
    my fingers were doing when I
    posted my message.

    It seems that I forgot to put a www infront of the web page where the
    Golden Hours link can be found.

    You will find the link to listen to the Golden Hours Christmas OTR Special
    at:

    [removed]

    Just click on the "Listen to Golden Hours" link
    at the bottom of the page.

    Enjoy, and Happy Holidays to all!

    Rod Gowen
    Golden Hours Radio

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 16:09:11 -0500
    From: "Ed Carr" <edcarr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  sam spade
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    hi
    i have a new sam spade show
     "CHARGOGAGOGMANCHOGAGOGCHABUNA    09-25-49  :30:00*
             MUNGAMOG CAPER" or as sam calls it
    the indian caper.
    and may have a number of harlem hospitality shows that are new
    ed carr

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 16:09:30 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  12-26 births/deaths

    Boxing Day (Canada)

    December 26th births

    12-26-1914 - Richard Widmark - Sunrise, MN
    actor: Neil Davison "Home of the Brave"; Alan Webster "Joyce Jordan, [removed]"
    12-26-1921 - Steve Allen - NYC - d. 10-30-2000
    comedian, actor, singer, composer and anything else you might mention: "Steve
    Allen Show"

    December 26th deaths

    01-13-1913 - Jeff Morrow - NYC - d. 12-26-1993
    actor: "Electric Theatre"
    02-14-1894 - Jack Benny - Chicago, IL (R: Waukegan, IL) - d. 12-26-1974
    comedian: "Jack Benny Program"
    07-22-1922 - Jason Robards, Jr. - Chicago, IL - d. 12-26-2000
    actor: "Pepper Young"s Family"
    10-28-1902 - Elsa Lanchester - Lewisham, England - d. 12-26-1986
    actress: "Arch Obler"s Plays"; "Columbia Presents Corwin"; "Everyman"s Theatre"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 19:27:59 -0500
    From: <welsa@[removed];
    To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Under my [removed]

    ...this year was a recording of Campbell Playhouse's version of "A Christmas
    Carol" with Orson Welles.  A very thoughtful gift, for a fan of old radio, I
    daresay.

    But, can anyone tell me why the picture on the CD case is that of Alistair
    Sims?  Especially since he does not appear in this version at all.

    Also, the case gives credit to two men whop layed Mr. Theswig.  Thewig?  I
    thought it was Fezziwig?  Someone was not paying attention to detail in the
    packaging.

    Ted

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

    Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 21:59:39 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Let's Pretend
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from text/html

       Question:

       I  am  looking to acquire six episodes of LET'S PRETEND that are known
       to  exist  but  I don't have them in my collection.  I need them for a
       quick  bit of research, namely the last few minutes of each broadcast.
       If anyone has a copy of these shows and can either supply me a copy of
       the recording or listen to the closing minutes of each and supply me a
       bit  of  info  I need (whichever is more comfortable), I would be more
       than  glad to $ reimburse them for their time and trouble.  Toward the
       end  of the broadcasts (depending on the years) there would usually be
       an announcement for "next week's drama" and I am interested in knowing
       what those dramas are.

       The Brave Little Tailor  2/14/42

       One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes  11/29/52

       The Twelve Dancing Princesses  2/7/53

       Ceres and Proserpina  11/28/53

       Beauty and the Beast  6/5/54

       Hansel and Gretel  10/9/54

       Hope everyone has a happy holiday!

       Martin Grams, Jr.

       mmargrajr@[removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:19:53 -0500
    From: BH <radioguy@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  1928 permanent network???

    "MICHAEL BIEL" commenting about the NBC permanent, coast-to-coast network in
    1928 network says:

>     This is confusing indeed. If this means that
>     there was now a dedicated network of telephone lines that reached from
>     coast-to-coast, that really was the job of the telephone company, not any
>     individual network organization.  AT&T always owned the lines, and they no
>     longer owned either WEAF or the network it had formed.  I guess we'll have
>     to look up the NYT article, or does anybody know the specifics already?

    For what it is worth, as of January 1, 1928 the NBC networks consisted
    of the Red, Blue, and the west coast Pacific network. The western
    terminus for the Red and Blue was Denver (KOA). Later that year (Dec?)
    Denver was connected throught Salt Lake City (KSL) to the west coast
    network, which now completed the coast-to-coast network link of NBC and
    NBC affiliated stations. The network then consisted of some 14,800 miles
    of telephone circuits. I would guess this is what is meant by the term
    "permenant network".

    Bill H.

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

    Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:20:48 -0500
    From: BH <radioguy@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Radios and the Radio Audience

    On the subject of second-hand radios,  Elizabeth McLeod  commented:

>     you scan the classified ads of any metropolitan newspaper from this
>     period you'll find dozens of ads for used radios in the $5-$10 range,
>     many of them obsolete 1920s battery-operated models.

    By the 1930's there was such a glut of used sets that manufacturers
    became concerned that people were purchasing too many used sets instead
    of new one. One idea to combat the problem was dreamed up by Philco
    dealers in [removed] the used sets, as told in this March 1930
    article of Radio News.

    A Radio Bonfire

    Witnessed by city officials, a squadron of police and members of the
    fire department, the biggest burning of obsolete radios in the history of
    the industry was held near City Hall, in Philadelphia, under the auspices
    of Philco's local dealers, recently.
    One thousand radio receivers, adjudged obsolete, went up in flames,
    after scores of other sets had been saved for the hospitals and the poor
    of the city. [removed] Marden arranged the big bonfire, with the idea of
    boosting business in new sets. Also, he said, sale of more news sets
    would be in keeping with the Hoover prosperity plea.
    As ninety percent of a radio receiving set is metal, a large quantity of
    parts which remained after the fire was sold for junk.

    Bill H.

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

    Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:21:02 -0500
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Today in radio history -- Weekend edition

     From Those Were The Days --
    12/27

    1932 - Radio City Music Hall, in New York City, opened. It was the largest
    indoor theatre in the world. The gala grand opening show was a six-hour
    extravaganza that lost half a million dollars within three weeks. The theatre
    has since been renovated to recapture its original decorative charm. An Art
    Deco cathedral of entertainment, it seats more than 6,200 people and is still
    a must-see for those visiting New York. During the holiday season, audiences
    continue to get a kick out  of seeing the world-famous Rockettes perform in
    precision on Radio City Music Hall?s nearly 10,000-square-foot stage.

    1939 - The Glenn Miller Show, also known as Music that Satisfies, started on
    CBS. The 15-minute, twice-a-week show was sponsored by Chesterfield
    cigarettes and was heard for nearly three years.

    1940 - Singer Al Jolson and actress Ruby Keeler were divorced after 12 years
    of marriage. They had separated a year earlier; but Jolson talked Keeler into
    co-starring with him in the Broadway show, Hold on to Your Hats. She left the
    show before the opening and then left the marriage.

    1968 - The Breakfast Club signed off for the last time on ABC, after  35
    years on the air.

    12/28

    1941 - The Helen Hayes Theater, on CBS, was called the first casualty of
    World War II. Lipton Tea dropped sponsorship of the program as it prepared
    for shortages in tea imports from India.

        Joe

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

    Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 10:10:22 -0500
    From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Question from [removed]

    Folks;

       Received this question on the website; please copy the list on any reply
    you make to the questioner, since I'm a little curious how many different
    "Skippy's" we can collectively come up with.

             Charlie

    - -- begin forwarded text

    Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:33:18 -0500
    From: Albert Latson <alatson@[removed];

    Can you help? I was given the nickname Skippy because my mother listened to a
    radio program with that charecter. I was born in 1946. Can you help me ID the
    program?

    - -- end forwarded text

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #457
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