Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #424
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 11/2/2002 10:03 AM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2002 : Issue 424
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Hal's book                            [ "David Kindred" <david@[removed] ]
  Clarabelle Hornblow                   [ Bhob <bhob2@[removed]; ]
  Larry Dobkin                          [ "mike ray" <mikeray42@[removed]; ]
  Today in radio history 10/31          [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  Hal Stone's Appearance                [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
  The Young Merry Widow Brown           [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
  Si & Elmer, MisAdventures [removed]      [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
  Frontier Town                         [ "KDK" <kdkalit@[removed]; ]
  One Man's Family                      [ dltnkt@[removed] (Dennis/Nancy Town ]
  LARRY DOBKIN                          [ CHET <voxpop@[removed]; ]
  GREAT GUNNS                           [ SanctumOTR@[removed] ]
  Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  Random follow-up thoughts             [ Derek Tague <derek@[removed]; ]
  War of the Worlds                     [ William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed]; ]
  Custom Radio Theme Songs              [ "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed] ]
  Stanford Library                      [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:20:58 -0500
From: "David Kindred" <david@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Hal's book

Howdy, fellow digesters (makes us sound like stomachs, doesn't it?)

The day before yesterday, what should appear in the mail, but my very
own autographed copy of Hal's book! I just finished reading it, and boy
is my fingertip worn out. So Hal doesn't have to plug it himself
(shameless self-promoter that he is), I'd like to tell you what a
wonderful book it is. I'd like to, [removed] Oh, okay, it really was
wonderful. I couldn't put it down, but I think that's in part due to the
adhesive that sneaky Hal put on the cover. I've had a dickens of a time
typing this note with my nose. You'll get yours, Hal.

The book is written in the same conversational style as his
contributions to this digest, including his wry humor, numerous asides
and no-punches-pulled stories and opinions. It's chock full of many
photographs of the numerous luminaries Hal has worked with over the
years, and a great many illustrations he created himself. Who woulda
knowed he was also an ar-teest? Hal covers his early years as a cute
child model (Ian would say the "cute" days are long past), to stage
actor (working with Lillian Gish, no less!) and on into radio (with a
short stint in the service protecting us from the Commies in the Great
White North). We get to learn about what the theater and radio
industries were like, how shows were put together and sponsored, as well
as why Hal, to this day, owns a pair of Canadian Mountie boots.

I don't want to spoil too much about the contents of the book and affect
sales, because I know Hal is saving up for a REAL computer. Just suffice
it to say that it is a terrific book that kept me smiling all the way
through. I'd recommend it to everyone on this digest. And, yes, it would
make a gift.

--David ("Tooth [removed]") Kindred

[removed] Hey, Hal, you were supposed to give me the version with only one
and two syllable words, and extra pictures to color. Just for that, I'm
going to spoil the ending: Bob Hastings shot the butler with the
candlestick in the parlor.

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:21:11 -0500
From: Bhob <bhob2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Clarabelle Hornblow

What is the connection between the clown character "Clarabell Hornblow"
(aka "Clarabell Hornblow Clown") on THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW and the
character "Clarabelle Hornblow"
on THE LONE RANGER? When did Clarabelle Hornblow first appear on THE
LONE RANGER?

Bhob @ FUSEBOX Classic Newspaper Comic Strips @
[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:22:42 -0500
From: "mike ray" <mikeray42@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Larry Dobkin

I was just thinking the other day reading all of the reports about the
upcoming Spredvac convention how nice it is that Larry Dobkin is still going
strong. And now the news of his death is sad news indeed.  Dobkin was a
family favorite in fact he was my brother Jim's #1 OTR personality.  When I
think of the countless times I have heard him on radio and seen him in TV and
the movies, it was clear that he was an incredible fixture in so many of our
lives.  My favorite role of him on Radio was the many charters he played on
Gunsmoke and Johnny Dollar. But really anything he did on Radio was something
special. On TV I loved his performance as Billy Joe Kane opposite Richard
Boon on Have Gun Will Travel Sept. 28, 1957. As for the movies, there are
several, but the performance I enjoyed the most was when he played Col. Bell
in the movie Patton (1970). He was one of Gen. George S. Patton's aids and
did a fabulous job. (In fact I saw that movie every afternoon on the big
screen at the Indiana Theater in June 1970). When I told my kids yesterday
the news of his passing, they were sad. He had had and impact in their lives
as well. Even though you are gone, "yet shall he speak." Thankfully his very
large body of work will be around for decades to come. He was truly someone
very special.

Best regards,
Mike Ray

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:22:50 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Today in radio history 10/31

>From Those Were The Days --

1942 - One of the great wartime radio shows premiered. CBS debuted
Thanks to the Yanks, starring Bob Hawk. It became one of the most
popular of the wartime programs.

Birthday;

1912 - Dale Evans (Frances Butts) singer, (Bergen and McCarthy Show
--ed) songwriter: Happy Trails to You; actress: The Roy Rogers Show, Roy
Rogers movies; wife of 'King of the Cowboys' Roy Rogers; died Feb 7,
2001

  Joe

--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:24:08 -0500
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Hal Stone's Appearance

The other reason that I'm going is because Hal Stone is going to be there.
I really want to see what the old geezer looks like.

Don't worry, George.  You're not missing a thing.  ;)

--LL

[removed]  He looks like a large black bird.

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:23:48 -0500
From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  The Young Merry Widow Brown

I'm not sure what to make of it but the Knoxville Opera Company (yes, we
"hillbillies" have opera as well as opry, and some very lavish
productions with great voices at that) is doing their production of _The
Merry Widow_ as a 1940's radio broadcast. Alas, I won't get to see it,
but I thought this an encouraging indication of the growth of our hobby.
The company's website is <[removed];

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:24:40 -0500
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Si & Elmer, MisAdventures [removed]

Regarding the recent posting for information on Si & Elmer, the current
(Oct 02) issue of "Jot 'Em Down Journal", the official publication of
the National Lum & Abner Society, has a lengthy article which discusses
that series in depth. Under the title, "Attack of the Clones, Part I of
3", the article explains that the success of the boys from Pine Ridge
spawned a host of (lesser) imitations, including "Si & Elmer" and "Eb &
Zeb."

One of the first to do this was "MisAdventures of Si & Elmer" which came
out in syndication in 1932. It was recorded in Los Angeles with Perry
Crandall as "Si Perkins" and William H. Reynolds as "Elmer Peabody".
(Does that name remind you of anyone?) They played virtually all the
roles on the show (which is why there were no female characters) with
Crandall even doubling as the announcer. The primary theme song was
"Turkey in the Straw."  The lead roles are two country bumpkins in
"Punkinville" who, after completing their correspondence school course
as detectives, proceed to look for cases to solve.

The unidentified author of the article in the L & A Journal is most
generous in an assessment of the series, even calling the story-line a
"most skillfully-woven plot."  Most listeners of today would probably
agree that nearly all of the umpteen episodes of Si & Elmer are
snail-paced, unfunny and rather predictable.  I like to claim that this
series cures insomnia.

"Dectectives Black and Blue" ,syndicated about the same time, was much
more amusing and contained plot lines that a listener would actually
look forward to successive episodes. But alas, only a few of these
programs have survived.

Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:24:52 -0500
From: "KDK" <kdkalit@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Frontier Town
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

I've listended to 16 episodes of this series which I am really enjoying.  2
Questions: every episode's end credits so far, sounds like it stars Tex
Chandler as Chad Remington.  Is it my hearing, which is usually pretty good,
or did "Tex" later change his name to "Jeff"?  Also, who plays the part of his
sidekick, Cherokee?  Sounds like [removed] Fields, but obviously isn't.  Right?
Thanks.  Ken

  *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
  ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:25:02 -0500
From: dltnkt@[removed] (Dennis/Nancy Townsend)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  One Man's Family

If any fan of this show would be interested in a tiny book entitled
"Memory Book" Fanny Barbour I have one to give away only asking you to
pay for the padded mailer and postage. Dennis

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:25:09 -0500
From: CHET <voxpop@[removed];
To: OTR <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  LARRY DOBKIN

Let's not forget that larry was also radio's *ellery queen* which i
don't remember anyone commenting on.

chet norris

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:25:55 -0500
From: SanctumOTR@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  GREAT GUNNS

In a message dated 10/31/02 4:05:20 PM, [removed]@[removed] 
writes:

Does anyone here know anything about a series called THE GREAT GUNNS? It's
a comedy about an over-the-top theatrical family.  It was a summer
replacement on Mutual in 1941 that starred Bret Morrison and Barbara Luddy.
That's about all I know about it.

***The series also starred Willard Waterman, and I believe some lister 
recently mentioned that Marvin Miller was heard as an Orson Welles type.  Jay 
Hickerson's ULTIMATE LOG lists it as premiering 05/08/41, so you might look 
for microfilm reviews in the following issues of VARIETY and BILLBOARD.  The 
date seems strange to me, though, since Bret Morrison enlisted in the 
military in late 1940. --ANTHONY TOLLIN***

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:26:00 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Today in radio history

>From Those Were The Days --

1937 - The first broadcast of Hilltop House was aired on CBS; while on
NBC radio, the comic strip character Terry and the Pirates debuted.

  Joe

--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 11:27:41 -0500
From: Derek Tague  <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Random follow-up thoughts

Jell-O Again, Digest-ers:

    After several days of vacation  revolving around the  FOTR convention, I
have finally caught up with almost 2 weeks of OTR/D back
issues. Several things in response to on-going threads:

TELEPHONE PREFIXES: The Pennsylvania Hotel, located about 75 feet from the
entrance to my place of employment,  does, indeed use Glenn Miller's tune
"PEnnsylvania 6-5000" as its  telephone "hold" music. I called it about a
month ago in order to win a bet against a co-worker named Ian who didn't
believe it. This is the same Ian who wrote the joke that I was telling around
the FOTR convention last week: "Q: Didja hear the joke about the 24 dozen
eggs? A: It's two gross!"
     One of my comedic idols, song satirist Allan Sherman, must have been
obsessed with the passing of telephone prefixes in the early 1960s. One of his
songs protested this, viz. "The Let's All Call Up AT&T and Protest  to the
President March," which bemoaned the retirement of famous designations like
PEnnsylvania, MUrray Hill, Butterfield, GRamercy, et. al. There's actually a
dated line in said song "If he [the president of AT&T] won't change the rules,
let's take our business to another phone company!" I just wanted to remind our
younger subscribers that one couldn't do that in 1963.
     On Sherman's last album "Togetherness" (1967), a song called "Down the
Drain" [about fading icons of yesteryear like the NY World's Fair, the Gold
Dust Twins,  double-decker buses, 5-cents candy bars,etc.] contains the line
"...Where are telephone prefixes? Down the Drain! They have gone to where Tom
Mix [removed]" Incidentally, Allan Sherman co-wrote that song with the recently
departed Albert Hague, who wrote the music for TV's "How the Grinch Stole
Christmas," whose songs featured the vocal stylings of the recently mentioned
Thurl Ravenscroft.

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE:  I'd like to thank my buddy Martin Grams, Jr.,
for the plug. I'm scheduled to appear on the daytime syndicated Meredith
Vieira version on Tues., 11/12 [check your local listings]. Unfortunately, I
was required to sign all sorts of non-disclosure agreements that prevent me
from divulging if I won anything until after the actual show airs. I hope
everybody watches. Thanks for your support.

EDDIE CANTOR'S DAUGHTERS:  In addition to regular FOTR attendee Janet Cantor
Gari, and Natalie Cantor (Mrs. Robert) Clary, another one of Eddie's daughters
wrote the book upon which the 1980s TV sitcom "Love, Sidney" (atarring
reluctant OTR acknowledger Tony Randall) was based. I forgot which daughter it
[removed] it's mentioned in Herbert Goldman's bio of Cantor, "Banjo Eyes."

OTR BOOKS FOR THE BLIND: John Dunning's "On the  Air" has indeed been released
in Talking Book format. So have "Swing It! The Andrews Sisters Story" by John
Sforza,  and "Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams" by Gary Giddens. I remember
seeing in the Talking Book Topics catalogue recently
Gerald Nachman's "Raised on Radio."
       One of my  biggest problems here at Talking Books is that we never get
to record many OTR-flavoured books. In the last ten years, we here in NYC have
recorded Melvin Patrick Ely's social history of "Amos 'n' Andy"
(read by the recently retired John Stratton); "Sunday Nights at Seven" by Jack
Benny's daughter Joan (read by the "First Lady of Talking Books," Suzanne
Toren); & Mel Blanc's autobio "That's Not All, Folks!" (read by Christopher
Hurt, with whom I once designed a Sunday  NY Times crossword puzzle).

IN [removed]'ll attempt to collect my thoughts & share my memories of this
year's FOTR/NJ convention in a forthcoming post. Tune in next time!

Yours in the ether,

Derek Tague

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 12:34:48 -0500
From: William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  War of the Worlds

I think I posted an item a few days ago about public reaction to Orson
Wells "War of the Worlds" and the phoney public reaction. I finally
remembered where that story originated. It came from a small neighborhood
newspaper, a weekly as I recall. The writer, who was working that night,
was in need of a story  to put  the paper "to bed". Apparently he heard
the broadcast and made the whole story up. There were no hysterical
people  on the streets nor in  cars on the highways. As I mentioned, I
was driving across the Jersey Meadows, crossing the George Washington
bridge, and continuing down the West side of Manhattan to midtown,
stopping around Cliffside to visit a friend and listen to the last half
of "War of the Worlds". The public reaction was all in the mind of the
writer on that small newspaper (a weekly as I recall). Please don't pass
on assumptions  as actual facts as they will become magnified and mislead
the readers.

BILL MURTOUGH

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 12:59:55 -0500
From: "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Custom Radio Theme Songs

Hi All - I'm looking to find maybe, private collectors of "everything ever
made by" the Nelson Riddle and/or Tommy Tucker orchestras who recorded
custom-made theme songs for 1950's radio personalities.  There is one
specific theme recorded in the 1949-1955 and 1955-59 time frame, a big band
chart with vocal group lyrics, for the WORL and WBZ Boston personality, Norm
Prescott that I would very much like to locate, or [removed]!!.
I'm on a quest!  Thanks for the reply offline.

 Russ Butler  oldradio@[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 17:37:56 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Stanford Library

A couple weeks ago I made a posting, requesting if anyone would have the
time to visit the Stanford University Library and do some copying for me
from microfilm.  Someone did answer, but among the hectic things (including
the FOTR convention), I seemed to have accidentally deleted their e-mail.
On top of that, the staff at Stanford's Library is being very uncooperative
and becoming a problem, so if anyone else is within driving distance and
willing to do a little copying for me, I'm willing to reimburse - the more
people the better - the library is limiting the use of the materials.  If
that person who contacted me is still willing to help, please drop me a line
again.
Thanks!
Martin Grams, Jr.

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #424
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