Subject: [removed] Digest V2006 #256
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 9/21/2006 12:30 PM

To: [removed]@[removed]

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2006 : Issue 256
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      OTR CONVENTION IN NEWARK              [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
      KORLA PANDIT---replaced by LIBERACE!  [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
      Boston Blackie dates                  [ "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@sbcgloba ]
      Charlie McCarthy                      [ David Ballarotto <[removed]@ ]
      Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention     [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      9-21 births/deaths                    [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
      Lone Ranger remake?                   [ "Jim Nixon" <ranger6000@[removed] ]
      New Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar colle  [ Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed]; ]
      Re: US Shows in Australia During WWI  [ Cliff Marsland <cliff_marsland@yaho ]
      Gavin Gordon                          [ "Gil Miller" <gilmiller@[removed] ]
      That Dunning bargain!                 [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]

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

    Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:55:16 -0400
    From: PURKASZ@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  OTR CONVENTION IN NEWARK
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    I am thrilled.
        I feel like a real old time radio actor now.
        Just received my script for my appearance in one of  two re-enactments
    scheduled for this, my second experience with the great show  that Jay Hicks
    puts together for the OTR group "Friends of Old Time radio  scheduled for
    October
    19th thru 22nd I believe.
        I am to play three parts in an episode of PAUL  TEMPLE  a BBC show to be
    directed by Bill Nadel that I'm sure will be great  fun.
        Like my movies I think I get killed too!
        Last year was a smash success and I urge anyone in  the country to join
    in the fun if you can.
        I'm sure there's a web site so check it out.
        I am not affiliated in any way other than as a  participant but I assure
    you if old time radio is a passion with you or even if  you're just interested
    this is the event for you.
        Meeting some of my favorite radio and TV actors and  personalities and
    the sheer good time to be had as we are all in the same hotel  for three days
    are just some of the delights to be had.
        Imagine that. All of us in the same hotel!!!
        Love to be in that bar late at night.
        Booths purveying items and autographs of radio and  TV people, panel
    discussions, great food and more fun than I've had since I was  trapped on a
    movie
    location in China with Bob [removed], by the way,  will be appearing in a
    SUSPENSE episode which I also hope to be in.
        So, c'mon over and say hello.
        I'm getting excited already.
        See ya in [removed] sure to say hello all you  folks who have been
    telling me they like my [removed] got a million of 'em so  don't get me
    started!!!
                                Michael  C. Gwynne

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    Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:58:26 -0400
    From: PURKASZ@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  KORLA PANDIT---replaced by LIBERACE!!!!!
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    I spent some time with Korla at Bela Lugosi's  110th birthday party in
    Hollywood. That would be October 20, 1992.
        Bela was not there, sadly enough, though his spirit  was very much there
    as Forrest Ackerman had one of Bela's capes on and his ring  from
    [removed] that's another story.
        I first saw the turban as he walked in. I was  chatting with Harry
    Thomas, Bela's one time make-up man when I realized it was  Korla Pandit.
        I introduced myself and he smiled very big,  mentioned one of my films
    and shook my hand so gently it was hardly there.
        A kindly and very warm man, we talked for some  time. He was still
    performing at theaters around town and was full of wonderful  stories. Always
    mysterious about his background I see the confusion still  reigns.
       IMDB says:

        "Korla Pandit was a musician and a Mesmerist,  famous for his lips, his
    eyes, his turban with the Smokey Topaz jewel and  hypnotic dangling Diamond,
    his beautifully-inspirational music, and the fact  that for all his years on
    radio and Television, he never spoke a word, gazing  dreamily, instead, into
    the
    camera and into the hearts and imaginations of  millions upon millions of
    viewers over the years.

    Pandit was born John  Roland Redd September 16, 1921 in St. Louis, Missouri,
    to Doshia O'Nina Johnson  Redd (1885-1977) and Baptist Minister Rev. Ernest S.
    Redd (1883-1966). One of  seven children, young John displayed incredible
    musical abilities by the age of  two. In 1937 he graduated from high school in
    Columbia, Missouri, and moved to  Omaha, Nebraska. In 1938 he moved to
    Ottumwa,
    Iowa, and worked for the Central  Broadcasting Company in Des Moines, Iowa. By
    1939 he was living in Los Angeles,  California with his sister Frances, an
    actress ("Midnight Shadow" - 1938),  wearing what would become his trademark
    turban, (similar to the one worn by  Black actor John Criner in his sister's
    film), playing in clubs under the name  "Juan Rolando". He became known for
    playing both the organ and grand piano at  the same time (the piano with his
    right
    hand and the organ with his left), and  was first billed as "Juan Rolando, the
    One-Man Combo!" In 1941 Juan Rolando (nee  John Roland Redd,) yet to become
    Korla Pandit, met and developed a life-long  love affair with statuesque
    blonde
    Beryl June DeBeeson, a Disney artist, whom he  married on July 21, 1944, in
    Tijuana, Mexico (mixed marriages were not yet  allowed in California). They
    remained married until his death in 1998. Under  Beryl's artistic direction,
    "Juan
    Rolando" became "Korla Pandit", and Korla  Pandit in turn became the
    mysterious symbol for and creator of "Exotica", in  1948 conjuring up
    musically on
    radio (Korla Pandit was the organist for "Chandu,  the Magician",) all manner
    of
    inventive, never-before-heard orchestration, first  on the Nova Chord Organ,
    then on the Hammond B-3 Electronic Organ.)

    At  the age of twenty-two, he was discovered by Television pioneer Klaus
    (KTLA)  Landsberg, and in February of 1949 the handsome young man in a turban
    was
    captivating audiences as Korla Pandit with his own "Universal Language of
    Music"  KTLA Television show, playing his "music of the Exotic East" with a
    blend
    of  waltzes, tangos, cha-cha-cha's and other tunes of the '40s and 50s, as
    well as  an occasional classic like "Claire de Lune" or "The Swan". He never
    uttered a  single word on his show, leaving the talking to an off-screen
    announcer who  would quote poetry and introduce and close the program.
    Viewers were
    entertained  by alternating shots of Pandit's face, the musician seated at his
    instruments,  and shots of Pandit's hands on the keyboards (he frequently
    played both organ  and piano simultaneously). During this time he also
    supplied the
    music for Bob  Clampett's hit KTLA-TV puppet show "Time For Beany".

    When Korla split  with KTLA, San Francisco Television station KGO signed him.
    His KGO "Adventures  In Music" show was directed by newcomer Marty Pasetta,
    who would later gain fame  directing the Academy _Award_
    ([removed]) s  shows in Hollywood (1970-1979). Six
    months after his show
    left the air in 1957,  Korla Pandit's immense popularity was declared by his
    fan following when a TV  Guide "Most Popular Performer" poll voted him "the
    local personality most  deserving of national recognition." Eventually Pandit
    was
    seen and heard around  the world with his organ and piano music segments, by
    way of the fledgling Louis  D. Snader Telescriptions filmed at Hollywood's
    Goldwyn Studios in August of  1951. It was on these filmed musical clips
    produced
    for Television that Pandit  preceded Liberace, eventually giving the glitzy
    pianist his big break when the  young organist broke ties with Snader, who
    then
    hired Liberace to take Korla's  place. "

        I loved one of his quotes:
        "I want a star on Hollywood Boulevard so people can  continue to walk on
    me after I'm dead."
                                Michael  C. Gwynne

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    Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:36:20 -0400
    From: "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: "The Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Boston Blackie dates

    Kennth Clarke:
    Look no more I think I have your Boston Blackie dates. Thanks to "Jerry
    Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs"

    "THE COLOR BLIND ACCOMPLICE OR  #48  03-12-46  27:00
     LIN CHOW MURDERED"
    "THE WORTHINGTON GHOST"          #49  03-19-46  27:00

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

    Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:08:12 -0400
    From: David Ballarotto <[removed]@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Charlie McCarthy
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    Dale Clark wondered if Edgar Bergen had more than one Charlie McCarthy head.
    The answer, according to Candices book "Knock Wood" is he had several.  A
    closet in Bergen's office had several Charlie heads in it.   And apparently
    he had special heads made just for photos so the "real" Charlie wouldn't be
    damaged.

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

    Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:11:48 -0400
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention

    The MANC Convention from the past weekend was a success.  The attendance was
    very impressive for a first time convention and better than the attendance
    at some conventions I attend that have been in business for 20 or more
    years.  Feedback from attendees by e-mail the past two or three days
    contains requests to be on the mailing list and inform them of next year's
    dates so they can refer their friends.  There will be a next year and we're
    working out the September 2007 dates this week.

    The web-site will NOT be updated until January 1.  Anyone who has any ideas
    or suggestions are free to e-mail me.  The conventions events, panels,
    presentations, etc. are open-door so anyone can do whatever they want as
    long as it's "nostalgic."  Already planned for next year is a good ol'
    fashioned midnight spook show (done professionally), a presentation about
    Lassie on TV and radio, and Superman on TV and Radio.  There will be a
    second Charlie Chaplin film festival and vintage cartoon showings as we had
    this year.

    I want to thank Derek Tague for interviewing the stars on stage, Fred Berney
    for filming the events, Charlie Summers for directing the X-MINUS ONE
    recreation, Rodney Bowcock who helped considerably during the convention for
    everything that needed to be done, and everyone else who helped with
    staffing and presentations (I cannot recall everyone's name because I still
    have fried brain cells from the weekend).

    Ken Stockinger's presentation of Charlie Chaplin film shorts went over very
    well.  Terry Salomonson played an uncirculated episode of The Green Hornet
    during his presentation and the room was filled with a lot of people.
    Michael Hayde's presentation of the Grand Ole' Opry was very entertaining
    ("there's June Carter in the center, folks!").  Rodney and I are still
    amused that someone actually camped out to see The Giant Claw late Thursday
    night but I can't blame them - it is worth seeing.

    All of the events such as Terry's Green Hornet presentation, Dan Riedstra's
    Coca Cola Spotlight Revue presentation, Michael Hayde and Derek Tague's
    presentation offering Dragnet spoofs and others are available from Fred at
    the link he provided in a previous posting.

    There was little complaints if any, and EVERYONE seemed to have been using
    the same description over and over, "this is fun."  Yesterday when I was in
    Best Buy (I kid you not) someone came up to me and said he was at the
    convention the past weekend and thanked me for a great time.  He even told
    me with emotion that he wants me to make sure I do another next year cause
    he wants to return and bring his mother with him.  I told him we're planning
    another for next September and he was happy.

    I apologize to anyone who might have gotten the impression that I was
    ignoring them.  I was running around like a spring chicken with my head cut
    off and keeping numerous things in my head at the same time.  I wasn't
    ignoring anyone.  Next year all of the little bugs will be ironed out and a
    larger staff will be employed and duties assigned so I can focus on friends
    and fun.  Now I know how Jay Hickerson and others are during their
    conventions.  Whew!  What admiration I have for them now.

    Lastly, we have a Lost and Found.  Two items.  One blue cloth duffle bag,
    and a DVD that was left in the presentation room after the Drive-In Movie
    Theater Documentary/Presentation.  If you misplaced a DVD and lost it, let
    me know what the DVD is and your mailing address and I'll mail it to you.

    Again, many thanks for everyone who was involved, and hope we have another
    fun-filled bash next year.
    Martin

    [removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:35:31 -0400
    From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  9-21 births/deaths

    September 21st births

    09-21-1866 - H. G. Wells - Bromley, England - d. 8-13-1946
    science fiction author: "A Discussion Between H. G. Wells and Orson
    Welles"
    09-21-1903 - Westbrook Van Voorhis - New Milford, CT - d. 7-13-1968
    announcer, narrator: "March of Time"
    09-21-1907 - Jack Mather - d. 8-15-1966
    actor: Cisco Kid "Cisco Kid"
    09-21-1909 - Nathaniel Curtis - NYC - d. 4-6-1983
    writer: "You Can't Take It With You"
    09-21-1915 - Mac Benoff - NYC - d. 11-16-1972
    writer: "The Mel Blanc Show"
    09-21-1921 - Gail Russell - Chicago, IL - d. 8-26-1961
    actor: "Screen Guild Theatre"

    September 21st deaths

    01-16-1878 - Harry Carey, Sr. - NYC - d. 9-21-1947
    actor: "Lincoln Highway"; "Suspense"
    04-06-1903 - Charles R. Jackson - d. 9-21-1968
    writer: "The Columbia Workshop"; "Sweet River"
    04-15-1907 - Theodore Granick - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-21-1970
    moderator: "American Forum of the Air"
    05-15-1916 - Bill Williams - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-21-1992
    actor: "Eternal Light"; "Screen Guild Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
    05-16-1892 - Osgood Perkins - West Newton, MA - d. 9-21-1937
    stage actor: "Flying Red Horse Tavern"
    06-13-1924 - Lee Millar - Oakland, CA - d. 9-21-1980
    actor: Bob Regent "Chandu the Magician"; "On Stage"; "NBC Presents:
    Short Story"
    07-09-1912 - John McQuade - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 9-21-1979
    actor: Charlie Wild "Charlie Wild, Private Detective"; Steve Lansing
    "Our Gal Sunday"
    07-25-1894 - Walter Brennan - Swampscott, MA - d. 9-21-1974
    actor: Grandpa Vanderhof "You Can't Take it with You"; Judge Roy Bean
    "Law West of the Pecos"
    08-08-1914 - Pete King - Greenville, OH - d. 9-21-1982
    conductor: (Pete King Chorale) "Bing Crosby Show"; "Doris Day Show"
    08-20-1918 - Jacqueline Susann - Philadelphis, PA - d. 9-21-1974
    actor: Lola the Cigarette Girl "Morey Amsterdam Show"
    11-06-1910 - Donald Dickson - Clairton, PA - d. 9-21-1972
    singer: "Sealtest Party"; "Chase & Sanborn Hour"; "Blue Ribbon Town"
    12-10-1914 - Dorothy Lamour - New Orleans, LA - d. 9-21-1996
    singer, actor: "Chase & Sanborn Hour"; "Front and Center"; "Sealtest
    Variety Show"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:36:00 -0400
    From: "Jim Nixon" <ranger6000@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Lone Ranger remake?

    Member Ted relates hearing a Lone Ranger program with unrecognizable voices
    and an announcer whose name he didn't get, but sounded like "Hal".  I wonder
    where he heard this broadcast, as this would go a long way to authenticating
    the program.  I will venture a theory however.  Soon after the program began
    begin transcribed, in January, 1938, the programs were closed by announcer
    Al Chance, who did identify himself, at least occasionally.  Earle Graser
    played the Lone Ranger, a voice not as familiar as that of Brace Beemer, who
    took over the role after Graser's death in April, 1941.  The programs were
    produced by the Jewel Players, who were the group of actors at WXYZ under
    director James Jewell that performed the program.  They also got a credit.
    More specifically, Ted could have heard the program entitled, "Abilene Horse
    Thieves" from Feb. 2, 1938, which is in wide circulation, and at the end of
    which the aforementioned credits are announced.
    I seriously doubt any group of actors could appropriate the character and
    music without violating Classic Media's copyright and getting into very
    serious legal trouble.

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

    Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:12:22 -0400
    From: Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  New Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar collection
     from Radio Spirits

    While at the Mid Atlantic Nostlagia Convention this
    past weekend, I bought the new _Yours Truly, Johnny
    Dollar_ 10 cassette collection from Radio Spirits
    (along with a CD version of same as a gift). Not only
    did I like the episodes, I also liked the way the
    tapes were packaged. Unlike the recent 20 hour/20
    cassette packages, where the tapes were housed in such
    a way that they could become loose in transit, this
    new collection took a page from the older 30 hour/20
    tape collections. Each cassette in the _Johnny Dollar_
    collection is snug in its own compartment, with five
    tapes on either side.

    My only complaint about the arrangement is that the
    center tape on each side is housed below the other
    four. That means you have to remove both of the top
    two to get it out. It's a bit inconvenient. But better
    than having the tapes come loose.

    Now a question, perhaps best directed to Karen Lerner
    at Radio Spirits. I was just curious whose voice that
    is giving a plug for Radio Spirits at the end of the
    last tape in the _Johnny Dollar_ collection.

    Rick

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

    Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 00:13:51 -0400
    From: Cliff Marsland <cliff_marsland@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: US Shows in Australia During WWII

    Out of one lot of AFRS discs that came via Australia,
    on the sleeve of a Duffy's Tavern is written
    (contemporary to the show) "Of dubious entertainment
    value."  Kinda funny.

    Travis

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

    Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:59:36 -0400
    From: "Gil Miller" <gilmiller@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Gavin Gordon
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    I recently heard Gavin Gordon on a Lux Radio Theater presentation of Polly &
    The Circus (11/30/36).
    Does anyone know of any shows, series that he was in?
    I saw on a list somewhere that he was Dr. Norfolk in a series called
    [removed] that correct?
    Any information on this radio actor would be appreciated.
    Thanks,
    Gil Miller

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    Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:29:52 -0400
    From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  That Dunning bargain!

    On Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at 12:18 AM, Bob Cockrum wrote:

>     For newcomers to the listening hobby (or those who have worn out
>     their previous copy) Oxford University Press is having its annual
>     sale of John Dunning's "On the Air" ... $19 'sted of the usual
>     $65. You'll find it online.

    Thanks, Bob, for the wonderful [removed]

    My eight years of weekly usage have made my "On the Air" copy look a
    little shabby.  Surprisingly, for an expensive book, the interior spine
    is already cracked. So I was delighted to be able to snap up a second
    copy at this bargain price. Even with the S & H for this massive
    volume, my bill was still only $ [removed]  And for those cautious souls,
    Oxford doesn't demand all customers use a credit card; they also offer
    a printable form that you can mail them with your check.

    What a difference from John's first OTR book! By the time I tried to
    acquire "Tune In Yesterday" (in the mid-80s) this out of print treasure
    was rising in price almost monthly.  The hardback book had come out at
    $ [removed] in 1976 but in the mid-80s, anyone who wanted one was asked to
    fork over about $80 for the hardback and $40 or $50 for the softcover
    version. Later I witnessed a hardback go for $ 160 in an OTR auction.
    Prices finally started tapering off in the early 90s as OTR fans
    awaited Dunning's new one, rumored to be coming out in a two-volume
    set. At that point, I had acquired a copy of "Tune In Yesterday"  from
    the widow of an OTR buddy.

    The month that "On the Air" was released the value of "Tune In
    Yesterday" had dropped down to about $ 20 among OTR collectors,
    although some internet dealers were asking more. (And probably still
    [removed])

    Jack French
    Editor: RADIO RECALL
    [removed]

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #256
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