
 SEE INFO SECTION AT END OF THIS DIGEST FOR UNSUBSCRIBE AND OTHER INFORMATION. 
	  	         === Last Update 1/17/95  ====





	    [removed]   Volume 96 : Issue 35


Articles in this issue of [removed]:

	 Willard Waterman
	 Peary leaving Gildersleeve - Why?
	 Philip Rapp ("Bickersons" Writer) Obituary
	 Frank Parker
	 Harold Peary facts
	 J Benny & Howard Stern
	 Thing that Cries in the Night
	 How Old is OTR?
	 query and Cincy?
	 Ownership
	 Sachs
	 Copyright to Trademark
	 Pioneer Station Histories
	 The Henry Aldrich Movie Matter

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 11:22:49 -0500
From: JRayb71827@[removed]
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Willard Waterman
Message-ID: <960126112247_207178614@[removed]>

In response to some of the questions/comments about Willard, the following
article ran in the March/April '95 issue of my OTR newsletter, "Thrilling
Days of Yesteryear."
                 A GOOD [removed]
  It was with much sadness that we heard of the passing of Willard Waterman
at the beginning of February at the age of 80.  He and his wife, Mary Anna,
had been regulars at many of the old time radio conventions around the
country (Newark, [removed], Cincinnati, Seattle, etc.) and no two nicer people
could be met anywhere.
   Mentions of Willard usually start with his role as the Great Gildersleeve,
replacing Harold Peary on radio and later carrying on into television.
 However, there was so much more to this man's talent.  He once told your
editor he had appeared on as many as 40 shows a week in Chicago and his list
of credits was huge.
   For example, in just a partial rundown, he was part of the dramatic cast
of "The Chicago Theater of the Air" that was on Mutual in 1940.  He worked
with a veritable Who's Who of radio acting greats, including Olan Soule,
Marvin Miller, Betty Lou Gerson, Fran Carlon, Bret Morrison, Bob Bailey,
Barbara Luddy and Les Tremayne.  They provided voices for the singers in
musical comedy presentations that drew massive crowds into the Shrine
Theater.
   Willard played the father on "Harold Teen" and "Those Websters.  There was
a batch of soap operas, of course - such as "Girl Alone," "The Road of Life,"
"Stepmother," "The Guiding Light," and "Lonely Women," where the cast
included a young Virginia Payne, who went on to fame as "Ma Perkins."  He
also had a later role on the excellent "Halls of Ivy" with Ronald Colman and
his wife, Benita Hume.
   When Willard replaced Peary in the role of Gildersleeve, most listeners
didn't know there had been a change because of the similarity in their tonal
qualities.  When they were together, you could tell the difference but it was
close enough that Willard said he and Hal would decide who would pitch his
voice high and which one low.  As a matter of fact, he corrected for us a
long-standing error in some of the excellent OTR books.  They state that he
and Peary both portrayed Sheriff Mike Shaw on "The Tom Mix Show."  Willard
said that simply wasn't so - that he and Hal each played several roles at one
time or another, but that neither of them had been the sheriff.
   By the way, Willard never used the Perry giggle-chuckle at the start of
the Gildersleeve show because he felt that was Peary's trademark.  Hal had
used it on "The Fibber McGee and Molly Show" and just a week after the switch
on "Gildersleeve", he began his own new show, "Honest Harold," on another
network and continued to use the stylized opening laugh.  Willard could have
done it, of course, but there was no way he was going to do it.
   I've mentioned in a previous issue that Willard felt Walter Tetley
(Gildy's nephew, Leroy) was one of the best comedy talents in the business.
   The REPS II Seattle convention in June of '94 was my last opportunity to
participate with Willard and he told a great story that tied in with my love
of "spoonerisms."  An actor on a show had to refer to a legal loophole and
had inadvertently said, "Loogal leephole."  For some reason, Willard replaced
him in the cast and did his best to put the blooper out of his mind for the
repeat show, saying the right thing over and over.  But, when the time came
for the line, you know, naturally, that "loogal leephole" once more made the
airways.
   Sometimes it's the little things you remember about nice people.  I recall
doing a Sunday OTR program on a holiday and asking Willard if it would be an
imposition for him to be on with me.  He never even hesitated - said he would
be glad to do it - and, as usual, was a terrific guest on the phone from his
California home.
   There just isn't any way of fully expressing all of our emotions at the
loss of this wonderful gentleman.
                                            - John Rayburn 
   

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 11:43:12 -0500
From: JRayb71827@[removed]
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Peary leaving Gildersleeve - Why?
Message-ID: <960126114309_304594228@[removed]>

  It seemingly was a case of a misunderstanding on Harold Peary's part, or
perhaps an overestimation of his "clout."
   Kraft Foods sponsored "The Great Gildersleeve" for 13 years altogether,
most of them with Peary as the star.  But, as the end of a decade on the air
came about, Peary decided to make a switch in networks, signed a deal with
CBS and assumed that Kraft would follow along because of the popularity of
Gildersleeve.  However, the Kraft people wouldn't do it and retained rights
to the show.  That left Peary out in the cold and resulted in his "Honest
Harold" program (sometimes labeled, "The Hal Peary Show.")  He still did a
Gildy-like character but it just didn't catch on and lasted only a year.
   The final program he did as Throckmorton P. was on June 14th of 1950 and
after the summer hiatus, the show continued with Willard Waterman beginning
on September 6th.  I think my previous posting said the new Peary program
started a week after that but I believe that should have been TWO weeks
later.
   There have been various stories of what happened but this is the way it
was related to me by Willard Waterman himself.  

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 11:14:39 -0600
From: "Andrew C. Green" <acg@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Philip Rapp ("Bickersons" Writer) Obituary
Message-Id: <[removed]@dlogics>

An obituary appeared in yesterday's (1/25/96) Chicago Tribune which
should be of interest here.
[begin quote]

       Philip Rapp, who invented radio's comic Bickersons

LOS ANGELES--Philip Rapp, a comedy writer whose invention of the
battling Bickersons entertained American radio listeners in the
1940s and created an enduring metaphor for senseless squabbling,
died Tuesday [1/23/96] in his Beverly Hills home. He was 88.
[...]
He also created the Baby Snooks character for Ziegfeld star Fanny
Brice, who later reprised the role on radio.

Mr. Rapp first went to Hollywood in the 1930s to write the Eddie
Cantor radio program. He later wrote for other radio shows and for
the movies.
[...]
But, for all his wide-ranging accomplishments, nothing could eclipse
the characters he created in the 1940s that have been repeatedly
revived for dinner theater and other venues. The original broadcasts
have become a staple of nostalgia broadcasts.

Although the program lasted just one season, the Bickersons had
entered the American lexicon. In the last year alone, they have
resurfaced as a metaphor for the squabbling over the federal budget,
sniping among Republican presidential candidates and the repartee
between movie critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.

Although their rapid-fire exchanges of inspired barbs, most of them
aimed at the husband's heart, made the Bickersons seem the prototype
of matrimonial infighting, Mr. Rapp always insisted that there was
no malice between them, only affectionate hyperbole.

The setup for every Bickersons sketch was Blanche's annoyance at being
awakened by John's snoring. After likening the sound to a screeching
steamroller, she would shake him awake, and the battle would be on,
inevitably including some dismissive remarks about John's latest job,
perhaps as a mattress tester.

The sketches--featuring Don Ameche and Francis [sic] Langford--ended
with a wounded Bickerson bleating, "Awwwww, Blanche."
[end quote]

Andrew C. Green            (312) 266-4431
Adobe Systems, Inc. (formerly Frame Technology)
Advanced Product Services
441 W. Huron               Internet: acg@[removed]
Chicago, IL  60610-3498    FAX: (312) 266-4473

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 13:48:30 -0500
From: Ted McKay <tmckay@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Frank Parker
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

A few weeks ago a friend of mine in Vero Beach, Florida sent me a tear
sheet from the local Vero newspaper featuring an article on Frank
Parker.  The former Godfrey singer lives in Vero, and is enjoying
retirement and life in his 92nd year.

Ted McKay Cincinnati, OH

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 13:11:02 -0600
From: John Henley <jhenley@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Harold Peary facts
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

Several people have been wondering, so here's the facts:

Harold Peary died on March 30, 1985, in Torrance, CA.  His age was reported
as 76.  I remember that he received a feature obit on NPR's "All Things
Considered" - an OTR expert was interviewed about him.  (Are you on this
group?)

Variety states his original name was Harrold Jose Pereira de Faria, of
Portuguese descent.  He began singing professionally at age 11 and made his
radio debut in 1929 over NBC.  
I believe the statement that he left the Gildersleeve role of his own
accord is correct.
In 1956 he served as honorary mayor of Manhattan Beach CA.
1960s TV shows in which he appeared include That Girl, The Doris Day Show,
and The Brady Bunch (!).  He can be seen in the Elvis film Clambake (!!).

And, of course, the Dick Van Dyke Show, as Rob's uncle.  In that scene,
Laura is entertaining the uncle and aunt while waiting for the very late
Rob to show up.  These two people are whining and complaining about Rob's
not being there, and finally they take their leave.  Peary says goodbye to
little Richie, gives him a close hug and lets go with the Gildersleeve
laugh. For a moment it seems the studio audience is about to give him a
hand.  It's a delightful moment, and it's too bad that Peary and Van Dyke
don't share a scene.

But that's not all.  A couple of years later, Willard Waterman also
appeared on the Van Dyke show as - you guessed it - a loudmouthed and
unpopular uncle.  I don't know if it's exactly the same character but it
might as well be.

I tip my hat to the Van Dyke show for giving latter-day employment to many
radio actors during the course of its run - even Gerald "Philip Marlowe"
Mohr shows up in a late episode, as a tough guy (with maybe one line of
dialogue).


John Henley
jhenley@[removed]
ph  (512) 495-4112
fax (512) 495-4296

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 17:05:29 EST
From: bedtime@[removed] ( DAVID ALLAN BOUCHER)
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: J Benny & Howard Stern
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

-- [ From: Me/Radio * [removed] #[removed] ] --

> I've heard (and read) about all I care to hear (or read) about Imus
and
> Stern.  They are [removed] any part of Old Time Radio. 
Knock it
> [removed]

While I am not a fan of [removed] discussion about how radio has
changed does interest me.  

[removed] it *was* and how and why it became what it is today.  

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 15:36:31 -0500
From: Frank_Mallory@[removed] (Frank Mallory)
To: "otr@[removed]"@[removed]
Subject: Thing that Cries in the Night
Message-ID: <MSGID_1=3A109=[removed]@[removed]>

 O>I recently rented a copy of "The thing that cried in the night," an I 
 O>Love a Mystery serial from the 40s. I haven't listened to it all yet, 
 O>but what I have heard raises a question: Is this a redo or rehash of 
 O>an earlier I Love a Mystery in which, instead of a baby crying every 
 O>time a murder occurs, an organ would play Brahms Lullaby? I remember 
 O>this vaguely from the early 40s when the program was a 15 minute 
 O>nightly serial (7 [removed] EST). It stays in memory because of an older 
 O>sister who listened to the show and would hum the lullaby at moments 
 O>of induced stress (by me, for whom the meaning was clear). Anyhow, I'd 
 O>like to know if the earlier show is available someplace and under what
 O>title. I'd like to compare them.

According to my imperfect log, that show first aired on Nov. 20, 1939; the
second version aired on Oct. 31, 1949. I don't know which one had the baby, but
you should be able to tell because Tony Randall played Reggie York in the
latter one.

I'm pretty sure the version I have has the baby crying.
 

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 19:50:14 -0500
From: MBaird2222@[removed]
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: How Old is OTR?
Message-ID: <960126195013_407397748@[removed]>

Does any radio drama qualify as OTR, or is there a generally recognized
cut-off point or standard?  For example, I enjoyed the Chickenman programs in
the mid 60's, and never see any mention in cataloges, etc.  Is the
hobby/business limited to just the pioneers?

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 96 09:25:19 -0500
From: "Walter J. Kent" <wk06240@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: query and Cincy?
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

	Can someone give us a clue? In the late 30's/early 40's my
wife used to listen to a program on a major NYC station. It featured a
 comic/comedian, reasonably popular before his program, who had a
sorta theme that was a ditty like:  Seein' by the papers,
			            Lookin' through the mail,
				    Makin' brief announcements,
				    Of the things we have for [removed]
Then he'd go on and run a sort of radio "yard sale" with entertaining
commentary. (sorry I can't provide the music here) Any idea who the man
was? Or the sponsor?

     Second item: Can someone provide me with the details about the
Cinncinnati meeting?       Thanx       Walt

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 22:00:12 -0500
From: SeptSev@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Ownership
Message-ID: <960126220010_304994109@[removed]>

Friends:
I don't think anyone on this list would disagree that the owner of a valid
copyright has the right to control his property as he sees fit.  My point
(and perhaps the point of others) is, with thousands of shows out there, it's
hard to know what's PD and what isn't.  When a valid copyright holder steps
forward, we should all bow to their rights. But when ownership rights are not
enforced(either unknowingly or as a policy, [removed], "looking the other way,")
OTR collectors and dealers (who would have no reason to believe they are
stealing private property if it has not been identified as such)  do no
damage by continuing to trade these assets. Short of doing copyright searches
on each and every OTR show (for music rights, etc.) , this hobby must rely on
the goodwill of all.
Thom Bray

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 21:42:26 -0800
From: AndyBlatt@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Sachs
Message-ID: <960126214218_23446365@[removed]>

I am looking at an actual copy of the Daily News' Special Sunday pullout on
the NY World's Fair from April 12, 1964.

Sach's was a furniture store, and has long since gone out of business.
In 1964 an 87-inch high-back sofa and cascade cushions cost $199;
Those of you who were/are from this area or have been to the fair also may
remember Howard Johnson's (only 1 exists now in Times Square; there were once
about 50 in the Metro area); Sinclair, the gas company with the dinosaur for
a logo (swallowed-up by BP) and the automat, place where you had to buy
tokens to then buy your food that you saw in the window.  You put the tokens
in, then opened the little door.  Also, Robert Hall, Lane Bryant, Bonwit
Teller, etc.
There is no mention of radio, but the dominant TV station at the time was
WPIX-TV (owned at the time by the Daily News, "New York's Picture
Newspaper").

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 21:46:24 -0800 (PST)
From: roy547@[removed] (Roy Trumbull)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Copyright to Trademark
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

Since we seem to have some legal brainpower abroad in cyberspace, there
is a question that has always puzzled me and that is how something
crosses the line from being a copyright to being a trademark?
At the basic level, I certainly recognize the Straits of Gibralter
with the word Prudential across it as a trademark. 
Under federal law, such a mark must be used for a year before it
can be registered. And by used, I mean used in commerce to identify
a product.
But if we take the star of Steamboat Willy, how did that rodent
get applied to a product used in commerce and thence qualify for
trademark?
Although I might produce a PD play, an heir of the author might
have trademark rights to the title character. But what reading of
the law allowed the original trademark?
While one may argue that the Shadow, done as a work for hire, and
copyrighted by the person paying the bills, has slipped into PD. I'm
sure that the name "Shadow" has trademark status that confers a
greater control than the original copyright.
Gentlemen, your learned opinions are requested.

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

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 23:48:05 -0700
From: Barry Mishkind <barry@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Cc: dlh@[removed] (Donna Halper)
Subject: Pioneer Station Histories
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>

We're looking for a few good historians.

If you are seriously interested in the early history of the broadcast
industry, and would like to join and participate in a private mailing list
made up of researchers and others who are trying to illuminate the pioneer
radio stations and networks, please email me at barry@[removed]

You need not be a "professor" ... but I am not merely looking for curiosity
seekers. We are all contributing to one another's knowledge base. Of course,
research from going through newspaper archives (microfilms), or locating
information on materials available at historical societies and special
collections is just as valuable as that found in the old FCC files.

We are focusing on the 1920s history, but are also interested in the entire
scope of the history of the pioneer stations.

thanks much
Barry

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

Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 07:05:12 -0500
From: KFPR@[removed]
To: otr@[removed]
cc: packerm@[removed], THEKRUMM@[removed], sah@[removed]
Subject: The Henry Aldrich Movie Matter
Message-ID: <960127070506_407766370@[removed]>

     As of last week, Michael Packer was looking for Henry Aldrich films
(based on the OTR long running series) on video or [removed] Maybe a series
movie could be found with  the Crime Doctor, Boston Blackie, the Lone Wolf,
the Thin Man , the Fat Man, Blondie, the Great Gildersleeve, Maisie, the
Falcon, ILAM, Dr Kildare, Kay Kyser, the Whistler, the Saint, Charlie Chan,
Hoppy, the Cisco Kid, or Fibber & Molly.  Then there are the serials that
include the Shadow, Red Ryder, the Sea Hound, Jack Armstrong, the Lone
Ranger, Superman, Frank Merriwell, Captain Midnight, Terry & the Pirates,
[removed] Henry Aldrich, that's a tough one.

     The Aldrich series of eleven movies (1939-44) was Paramounts answer to
MGMs Andy Hardy films.  It is somewhat ironic that many thought the Hardy
pictures were better than Henry A. on the silver screen; however, it was just
the opposite on radio with the Aldrich Family being far more popular than the
Hardy Family program.  For the most part, Hardy used the same cast for both
(Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, etc.), where as the Aldrich film and radio casts
were completely different.  I met Jimmy Lydon, who played Henry in nine of
the films (Jackie Cooper played the mixed up teenager in the first two
offerings), at a SPERDVAC Convention a little over a year ago.  I asked him
if he had a copy of any of his Aldrich movies?  His reply was not only "no",
but "who on earth would want to watch one?"  Well Jimmy, there's Michael, me
and alot of other OTR folks that would like to take another  gander at the
trials and tribulations of that crazy kid who could make a crisis out of any
situation (sometimes I can still relate).  By the way, there is a new book
out about radio's Henry entitled: Ezra Stone, A Theatrical Biography by K.
Stilson.  I haven't read it yet, maybe someone who has can provide a review.
 The publisher is McFarland, Box 611, Jefferson, [removed] 28640, Tel
919-246-4460.

     Now back to our search.  With periodic effort, I have been trying to
track down any or all of the Aldrich movies for a long time.  I have run
across most of the radio related series or cliffhanger  flicks, but no Henry.
 He can't be found on the late night show or AMC.  Eddy Brandt or Boyd
Majors, two of the largest special movie video dealers, don't have [removed]
you can't find any one offering Henry in Classic Images or the Big Reel
monthly publications.  You can find some TV Aldrich shows (with Bobby Ellis
as Henry), but no movies with our hero!  (It looks like we might need some
help from that famous free lance insurance investigator, Juanito [removed] of
course that means an action packed expense account).  Give us at the most six
weeks Michael, and if there's one out there, we'll find it. Any tips, leads,
etc., from anyone in radioland will be most [removed] clock is
ticking and we've already started the hunt.  In the mean time, don't forget
to eat your Grape Nuts & Jello, then sit back, relax and enjoy our boy Henry
while you watch him through your ear!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fritz Ritterspach  (San Diego)      KFPR@[removed]           "COMING MOTHER"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

    


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---- 
End of [removed] Digest V96 Issue #35

