Subject: [removed] Digest V2005 #199
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 7/2/2005 9:14 AM
To: [removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2005 : Issue 199
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  RE: Edgar Bergan's Unknown Skill      [ "Jack Feldman" <qualitas@millenicom ]
  Edgar Bergen's Skills                 [ "John Eccles, Jr." <jeccles@earthli ]
  John Fiedler on the jury              [ eloyer@[removed] ]
  Crosby, Godfrey and OJ!               [ Lee Munsick <damyankeeinva@earthlin ]
  Woody Guthrie OTR                     [ OldTix@[removed] ]
  Just another defense of Edgar Bergen  [ wboenig@[removed] ]
  The High and The Mighty               [ "John Eccles, Jr." <jeccles@earthli ]
  7-2 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Re: Hal Stone                         [ "Paul Adomites" <padomites@ccyberne ]
  New Mel Blanc CD                      [ Jordan Young <jyoung@[removed]; ]
  This week in radio history 3-9 July   [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  Eddie Albert+                         [ "[removed]" <asajb2000@ ]
  Jack Benny Movies in NYC!!            [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 13:10:14 -0400
From: "Jack Feldman" <qualitas@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  RE: Edgar Bergan's Unknown Skill

While we are talking about Bergen's skills, he was also an accomplished
amateur stereo photographer.

Back when the Sterio Realist came out Harold Lloyd bought one and became
fascinated with stero photography. He formed a club in Hollywood which
included many stars in  its membership. Bergen was a member, and is even has
an article included in a book called "The Sterio Realist Manual". It is the
lead article and is entitled "What Makes Good Sterio". There is even a
sterio pair showing a blond girl child's birthday. I wonder who that was. So
in addition to moving his lips, he could also move a pen.

BTW, there are two books of Harold Lloyd's stereo photographs, no doubt
listed on Amazon. I have one, and will probablly get the other.

Jack

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Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 13:10:46 -0400
From: "John Eccles, Jr." <jeccles@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Edgar Bergen's Skills

There have been some postings recently about Edgar Bergen's ventriloquist
skills and the moving of his lips.  Apparently this was an "issue" early in
his career.  In the 1939 film "You Can't Cheat An Honest Man" Constance Moore
is talking with Bergen and he attempts to explain the art of ventriloquism to
her.  She asks him,"How do you talk without moving your lips?"  Charlie
McCarthy replies,"You're asking the wrong man."  Then Bergen chuckles and
says,"He's noticed it, too."  So his lip moving must have existed from almost
the start of his career, or, at least, prior to 1940 for a joke to be made
about it.

I think Bergen's true genius was in creating the character of Charlie
McCarthy, a naughty little boy with an eye for the ladies who always seemed
to be ten steps ahead of Bergen.  He made that character so believable that
even now listening to recordings it is easy to lose yourself in the show and
forget that one man is doing 80% of the dialogue on the show.

I have a recording of an interview with Don Ameche done years after the radio
show had ended.  He is asked whether he ever thought Charlie McCarthy was a
real person.  He laughs and says,"No, but whenever I had lines with Charlie I
always looked at him and never at Edgar."

That one statement summarizes Bergen's genius better than any I can think of.

John Eccles, Jr.

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 13:10:53 -0400
From: eloyer@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  John Fiedler on the jury

John Fiedler was indeed on the jury in the movie 12 Angry Men. I believe he
played Juror Number 2, sitting just to the left of the Foreman played by Martin
Balsam and to the right of Lee J. Cobb. Fielder played a terrific role as did
the rest of the cast in this classic film.  Ed Loyer

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 13:12:37 -0400
From: Lee Munsick <damyankeeinva@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Crosby, Godfrey and OJ!

During the 1950 National Association of Tobacco Distributors convention held
in Chicago, Chesterfield (Liggett & Myers) apparently acted as host.  If I
recall correctly, they brought in I think ALL of their broadcast
representatives:

Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Arthur Godfrey, and Jack Webb of Dragnet.  And
possibly Bob Hope and Jo Stafford.

With the exception of Dragnet which would not lend itself, the programs of
all for that or the ensuing week had been recorded in sessions before the
tobacco distributors and others present, for their later airing.  Messrs.
Como, Crosby and Godfrey all guested on each other's
[removed]'s clout obviously overcame the respective competing
networks' shyness about featuring other networks' big stars.

I am told that Bing's Chesterfield Radio Show was recorded on March 29, 1950
and broadcast on April 5, 1950.

Does someone please have that Crosby program?  I was listening at the time to
all of these programs spread over several days of network magic, and vividly
recall in one that Bing Crosby and Arthur Godfrey got into a teasing match
about frozen orange juice, then a new phenomenon.  Orange juice!

Why, you say?  Bing Crosby was a major player in Hi-C , which ultimately
became Minute Maid (remember his commercials for it: "Minute Maid Orange
Juice is better for your health" repeated ad infinitum!)  He ultimately made
a fortune when the brand was sold to Coca-Cola.

Arthur Godfrey didn't make out quite as well in this sense.  He was involved
with Hi-V, perhaps the first frozen OJ.  The company was owned by the New
Jersey Rosenhaus family of Geritol and Serutan fame, two children of which
attended the same schools I did, at the same time.

So one of the two stars asked the other, "Would you like a glass of
Hi-(whichever) orange juice?"  To which the other asked the same question,
noting his brand name.  Inside joke.  I suspect many of the listeners had no
idea of the significance of it.  I did, and practically fell off my chair
laughing.

So now I've pinned down the date and will greatly appreciate it if someone
can send me the Bing Crosby program of April 5, 1950 (assuming, as I hope,
that this is the correct date).  If the OJ conversation is not there in the
Crosby Chesterfield show, then it took place on Mr. Godfrey's Chesterfield
program sometime that week.  I do have the Como program for the week with
Godfrey and Crosby singing together, and orange juice does not come up
(heaven forbid) in that one.

I am told that the kidding around and repartee in that particular performance
went on far longer than the aired part.  Ultimately Mr. Godfrey sat down on
the apron of the stage after the other stars had gone, sang, strummed his
ukulele, and entertained a delighted live audience for quite a long time, in
rare form.  He had a strong attachment and gratitude for Chesterfield, and it
pained him greatly years later to "fire" them as a sponsor after his Lung
Cancer operation, which turned him into an avid anti-smoking crusader.

In any case, if anyone can help me obtain the Orange Juice spatter, er,
chatter, please let me know!

Many thanks for your interest and help.  Gratefully, Lee Munsick

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 14:59:15 -0400
From: OldTix@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Woody Guthrie OTR
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I read with interest of the recent listing of OTR appearances by  Woody
Guthrie.  Could readers contact me directly with information on how I  might
obtain
CDs or cassettes of those programs cited?

The Pursuit Of Happiness. April 21, 1940. CBS  net.

The Pursuit Of Happiness. May 5, 1940. CBS net,  WABC,

Forecast. August 19, 1940. Program #10. CBS net. "Back  Where

I Come from"

The Cavalcade Of America. November 6,  1940. Red net. "Wild

Bill Hickok: The Last Of Two Gun  Justice".

The Cavalcade Of America. December 25, 1944. Red  net.

"America For Christmas". Sponsored by:  DuPont.

Hootenanny. March 10, 1947. CBS net.

Thanks very much!

Rick Payne
_oldtix@[removed]_ (mailto:oldtix@[removed])

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Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 15:00:11 -0400
From: wboenig@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Just another defense of Edgar Bergen
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With all of the recent discussion of Edgar Bergen and ventriloquism, I feel a
compulsion to have my own fingers do some talking (and I'm not even moving my
lips as I type!)

There are certain sounds that are very difficult to nearly impossible to make
without moving one's lips -- for example, the letter 'B'.  Most contemporary
ventriloquists who perform in a visual medium will compromise the
pronunciation with a 'V' sound (think "vasevall"), which is much easier to
say without lip movement.  In order to divert attention away from this
compromise, ventriloquists who do work in a visual medium will fill their act
with lots of motion, facial expressions, and other gestures designed to
distract the audience so that the "poetic license of pronunciation" will be
less noticed.

On radio, Edgar Bergen had no such luxury.  The only sense being used by his
listeners was that of hearing, and with 100% of the listener's attention
being focused on his words, Bergen had to make every effort to enunciate
properly, even if it meant moving his lips.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Wayne Boenig

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Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 17:36:25 -0400
From: "John Eccles, Jr." <jeccles@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  The High and The Mighty

It is good news to hear that the Wayne estate will be releasing "The High
and The Mighty" on DVD with numerous special features.  The film does have
an OTR connection in a sense because Phil Harris plays one of the passengers
on the flight.  I remember very well when it was broadcast on CBS television
on 9/5/79 as my farsighted father videotaped it on our Beta machine, which
we later transferred to VHS.

It is an excellent movie with Wayne giving a strong performance as Dan
Roman, who, along with Robert Stack, pilots the plane.  This movie is LONG
overdue for a reappraisal and I hope that a new generation of Wayne fans
will see this film and enjoy it.

John Eccles, Jr.

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 19:48:57 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  7-2 births/deaths

July 2nd births

07-02-1892 - Jack Hylton - Great Lever, England - d. 1-29-1965
bandmaster: CBS 1935-1936 Sundays at 10:30 PM Standard Oil
07-02-1910 - Earl Robinson - d. 7-20-1991
composer: "The Pursuit of Happiness"
07-02-1910 - Jeff Alexander - Whidbey Island, WA - d. 12-23-1989
conductor: "Amos 'n' Andy"; "Light Up Time"; "Tums Hollywood Theatre"
07-02-1916 - Ken Curtis - Lamar, CO - d. 4-28-1991
singing cowboy: "Hollywood Barn Dance"
07-02-1927 - Brock Peters - NYC
actor: Darth Vader "Star Wars"; "Earplay"

July 2nd deaths

01-17-1875 - Minetta Ellen - Cleveland, OH - d. 7-2-1965
actress: Francis 'Fanny' Barbour "One Man's Family"
03-27-1914 - Snooky Lanson - Memphis, TN - d. 7-2-1990
singer: "Snooky Lanson Show"; "Your Hit Parade"
05-05-1915 - Ben Wright - London, England - d. 7-2-1989
actor: Hey Boy "Have Gun, Will Travel"; Nicholas Lacey "One Man's Family"
05-20-1908 - Jimmy Stewart - IN, PA - d. 7-2-1997
actor: Britt Ponset "Six Shooter"
06-09-1905 - Martha Boswell - Kansas City, MO - d. 7-2-1958
singer: (The Boswell Sisters) "The Boswell Sisters"; "Woodbury Soap Show"
06-15-1905 - James Robertson Justice - Wigtown, Scotland - d. 7-2-1975
actor: "Star Bill"
07-09-1910 - Alfred Kreymborg - d. 7-2-1991
writer: "The Columbia Workshop"
07-10-1926 - Fred Gwynne - NYC - d. 7-2-1993
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
07-21-1899 - Ernest Hemingway - Oak Park, IL - d. 7-2-1961
author: "NBC University Theatre"; "Columbia Workshop"; "Screen Guild Theatre"
07-23-1936 - Don Drysdale - Van Nuys, CA - d. 7-2-1993
baseball announcer: California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers
07-24-1898 - Amelia Earhart - Atchinson, KS - d. 7-2-1937
aviatrix: "Amelia Earhart"
09-30-1896 - Fred Wright - San Diego, CA - d. 7-2-1990
writer, actor: "Lights Out"; "Mystery is My Hobby"; "Ma Perking"
10-13-1926 - Ray Brown - d. 7-2-2002
jazz bassist: "Bands for Bonds"; "Here's to Veterans"; "White House Jazz
Festival"
11-09-1909 - Kay Thompson - St. Louis, MO - d. 7-2-1998
singer: "Fred Waring Show"; "Your Hit Parade"; "Tune-Up Time"
12-18-1916 - Betty Grable - St. Louis, MO - d. 7-2-1973
actress: "Hollywood Showcase"; "Screen Guild Theatre"; "So You Want to Lead a
Band"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 20:34:55 -0400
From: "Paul Adomites" <padomites@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: Hal Stone

Does Hal still do the Jughead squeak? How can his voice stand it if he does?
Paul

[ADMINISTRIVIA: You misunderstand; the "Jughead" voice is his natural one.
That deep resonant one he sometimes uses is the false voice.  --cfs3]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 23:18:50 -0400
From: Jordan Young <jyoung@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  New Mel Blanc CD

The Collector's Choice catalog just arrived with happy news of "The
Best of Mel Blanc," comprised of 25 tracks recorded for Capitol
Records from 1948-1957. It's one of their exclusives, not available
in stores, and comes out July 26. Their website is
[removed].

Jordan R. Young
"Spike Jones off the Record"
[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2005 23:19:07 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  This week in radio history 3-9 July

 From Those Were The Days --

1939 - Chic Young's comic strip character, Blondie was first heard on CBS.

1940 - The legendary comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello debuted
with their network show on NBC.

1945 - Victor Borge was first heard on NBC. The network gave the
comedian/pianist the summer replacement slot for Fibber McGee and Molly.

7/4

1943 - The Rhythm Boys, Bing Crosby, Al Rinker and Harry Barris, were
reunited for the first time since the 1930s on Paul Whiteman Presents on
NBC.

1951 - Jack Webb did a summer switch -- from his Dragnet role of Sgt.
Joe Friday to that of Pete Kelly. Pete Kelly's Blues, a crime drama, was
the summer replacement on NBC for Halls of Ivy (with Ronald Colman and
Benita Hume).

7/5

1943 - The Adventures of Nero Wolfe debuted on the NBC Blue network.
Nero Wolfe was "the detective genius who rates the knife and fork the
greatest tools ever invented by man." The 'gargantuan gourmet' continued
on the air until 1951.

1948 - My Favorite Husband, with Lucille Ball, became the gifted
redhead's first regular radio program on CBS. Lee Bowman, and later,
Richard Denning, co-starred with Lucy as "two people who live together
and like it."

1951 - The Silver Eagle debuted on ABC as a entry into radio's
action-adventure lineup. Jim Ameche starred as Jim West.

7/6

1943 - Judy Canova, the 'Queen of the Hillbillies', began a weekly
comedy show on CBS.

1947 - A hidden microphone eavesdropped on unsuspecting people for the
first time this night, as Candid Microphone hit the ABC airwaves.

7/7

 From the [removed]

1927 -- Christopher Stone becomes the first British 'disc jockey' when
he played records for the BBC.

  From Those Were The Days --

1920 - A device known as the radio compass was used for the first time
on a [removed] Navy airplane near Norfolk, Virginia.

1943 - For the first time, Flashgun Casey was heard on radio. Not much
later, the name of the program was altered to Casey, Crime Reporter, and
became much more popular.

1949 - Dragnet was first heard on NBC.

7/8

1950 - Joel McCrea appeared in the lead role of Tales of the Texas
Rangers on NBC.

Joe

--
Visit my homepage:
[removed]~[removed]  No trees
were killed in the sending of this message.  However a large number
of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

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

Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2005 10:43:46 -0400
From: "[removed]" <asajb2000@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Eddie Albert+

My daughter and I watched [removed]' "The Lorax" (you
know the story about the oncelers who ignored the
Lorax and cut down the Truffala trees and then there
were none left)...

Eddie Albert sings the opening song (and gets credit)
as well as the closing song.  Thurl Ravenscroft also
contributes a cameo voice and a Dr. Seuss DVD we have
(re-issued from an lp) has Marvin Miller doing the
narration.

Andy

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

Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2005 11:07:41 -0400
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Jack Benny Movies in NYC!!
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Jell-O Again!

This coming Thursday, July 7th, the esteemed revival/art house Film Forum on
West Houston Street here in
NYC will be showing OTR-themed films as part of their on-going "Paramount
Before the Code" series. Scheduled
for the 7th are: 1932's "The Big Broadcast" featuring Jack Benny, Burns &
Allen, Arthur Tracy, Cab Calloway,  &
Kate Smith [I can't remember if this is the "Big Broadcast" which has Gosden &
Correll in character as "Amos 'n'
Andy."]. Also featured is a Jack Benny short called "A Broadway Romeo" and a
second feature from 1933
"International House," starring Stuart Erwin, Rudy Vallee, [removed] Fields, &
Burns & Allen.

One of the evening programmes will be introduced by NYC nostalgia radio
personality Rich Conaty, host of the appropriately titled "The Big Broadcast,"
heard locally over WFUV-FM.

More info can be glommed from:
[removed]#72

I hope to see all the NYC-area OTR fans (you know who you are) there.

Best always from the ether,

Derek Tague

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End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #199
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