Subject: [removed] Digest V2006 #4
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 1/5/2006 10:18 PM

To: [removed]@[removed]

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2006 : Issue 4
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Can anybody tell me why?              [ "WILLIS G Saunders" <saunders8@veri ]
      1-5 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Re: in defense of Gildy               [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
      Ho Yo Culture                         [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
      The Great Gildersleeve on Radio!      [ "Greg Shreeve" <gjshreeve@[removed] ]
      Re: Neil Strawser                     [ Jodie Peeler <raisingirl@mindspring ]
      Changing Times                        [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
      AFRS Christmas Show                   [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      LP records                            [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Happy Birthday, Soupy Sales!          [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
      Re: The Phantom                       [ Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed]; ]
      Re: Books on "The Golbergs"           [ "David Kindred" <david@[removed] ]
      The Gildersleeve show                 [ Richard Carpenter <newsduck@[removed] ]
      The Ghost Who Didn't Walk Very Well   [ Wich2@[removed] ]
      COMMAND PERFORMANCE                   [ Bob & Ronna Rutishauser <solons@ear ]
      Re: The Chief City Slicker            [ "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@ea ]
      Soupy Sales                           [ Lee Munsick <damyankeeinva@earthlin ]
      WEEE near Albany NY (Off Topic)       [ "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@hotm ]

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 01:02:32 -0500
    From: "WILLIS G Saunders" <saunders8@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Can anybody tell me why?

    Hi Everybody,

    In some of my OTR programs, I've noticed that several episodes of such Shows
    as "Yours truly, Johnny Dollar" and "The Adventures of Sam Spade" were
    basically the same story written by the same author, E. Jack Newman, but
    with two different names, his own and that of John Dawson.  Why?  Also, one
    of the Johnny Dollar scripts, whose I title I can't remember off hand,
    appeared ulnder the Dawson/Newman bylines on radio and on the "Meet McGraw"
    show, starring Frank Lovejoy on (pardon the expression) TV.

    Since I'm the curious kind, I wrote a letter to Jack Johnstone, the
    producer/director for Johnny Dollar, asking this question, just to see what
    he'd say.  This was about 1956, when both shows were still on the air.  Mr.
    Johnstone answered mky letter but really didn't satisfactorily answer my
    question.

    I'm still curious and also wonder if Mr. Newman used any other names besides
    Dawson and Newman in his radio/TV writing.

    Thanks.

    Buck Saunders

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 01:02:42 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  1-5 births/deaths

    January 5th births

    01-05-1893 - Ace Brigode - Illinois - d. 2-3-1960
    bandleader: "White Rose Gasoline Show"; "Jersey Cereal Show"
    01-05-1901 - George Price - New York, NY - d. 5-10-1964
    actor: "Hildegarde's Raleigh Room"
    01-05-1910 - Lumpy Brannum - Sandwich, IL - d. 4-19-1987
    bass: "Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians"
    01-05-1911 - Jean-Pierre Aumont - Paris, France - d. 1-30-2001
    actor: "Hallmark Playhouse"; "Philip Morris Playhouse"
    01-05-1916 - Alfred Ryder - New York, NY - d. 4-16-1995
    actor: Sammie Goldberg "The Goldbergs"; Carl "Easy Aces"
    01-05-1938 - Lindsay Crosby - California - d. 12-11-1989
    actor: "Bing Crosby Show"

    January 5th deaths

    02-02-1912 - Burton Lane - New York, NY - d. 1-5-1997
    composer: "Columbia Presents Corwin"; "Voices of Vista"
    02-17-1914 - Arthur Kennedy - Worcester, MA - d. 1-5-1990
    actor: "Best Plays"
    03-20-1908 - Stuart Metz - Buffalo, NY - d. 1-5-1994
    announcer: "Pepper Young's Family"; "Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons"
    03-26-1916 - Vic Schoen - Brooklyn, NY - d. 1-5-2000
    music: "The Andrews Sisters"
    03-29-1902 - Onslow Stevens - Los Angeles, CA - d. 1-5-1977
    actor: "Great Plays"
    04-11-1921 - Toni Darnay - Chicago, IL - d. 1-5-1983
    actress: Evelyn Winters "Strange Romance of Evelyn Winters"; Nona
    Dutell "Nona from Nowhere"
    04-15-1915 - Hans Conried - Baltimore, MD - d. 1-5-1982
    actor: Professor Kropotkin "My Friend Irma"; Schultz "Life with Luigi"
    04-22-1922 - Charlie Mingus - Nogales, AZ - d. 1-5-1979
    jazz bass player: "Here's to Veterans"
    04-27-1896 - Rogers Hornsby - Winters, TX - d. 1-5-1963
    hall of fame baseball player: "Play Ball"; "Tops in Sports"
    06-24-1912 - Brian Johnston - Little Berkhamsted, England - d. 1-5-1994
    entertainer-commentator: "In Town Tonight"; "Down Your Way"
    07-10-1896 - Slim Summerville - Albuquerque, NM - d. 1-5-1946
    actor: "Hollywood Star Time"
    08-08-1905 - Ross Graham - Benton, AR - d. 1-5-1986
    bariton-bass: "Cities Service Concert"; "Show Boat"
    08-11-1904 - Jess Stacy - Bird's Point, MO - d. 1-5-1994
    jazz piano player: "Eddie Condon's Jazz Concerts"
    09-27-1913 - Hugh Rowlands - Racine, WI - d. 1-5-1978
    actor: Trigger Brett "Island Venture"; Jimmy "Tom Mix"
    xx-xx-1858 - Lottie Blair Parker - d. 1-5-1937
    writer: "Way Down East"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 01:03:02 -0500
    From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: in defense of Gildy
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    In a message dated 1/4/06 11:18:31 PM Central Standard Time,
    [removed]@[removed] writes:

>     THE GREAT GILDERSLEEVE is not one of the best written or funniest radio
>     comedies created - but it had a charm of it's own.

    Actually it's a show that has almost always made me laugh out loud every time
    I've heard it, even present day.  (Not to the point my sides hurt, though.) I
    wouldn't go into it expecting "The Simpsons" or "Seinfeld" or anything, think
    "The Andy Griffith Show."  And I don't recalling hearing that many "jokes,"
    it was almost always either character or situational humor.  Some people just
    don't like "slow burns" from the likes of Gildy or say, Osgood Conklin, but
    I've always gotten a kick out of them.  One episode I especially like is that
    November 1949 show about the disastrous Jolly Boys band.  I actually passed a
    tape of that one around my high school in the late 1970s and it got
    surprisingly
    good reviews from kids my age growing up on the Belushi-era "Saturday Night
    Live."  ("It Pays to Be Ignorant" and "The Jimmy Durante/Garry Moore Show"
    didn't test so well, though.)

    Then again, the original poster said the version he heard was the one with
    Willard Waterman.  I've only heard the Hal Peary version, is there a
    difference?
     Anyway, I can't believe the show would stay on so long--and be remembered by
    as many people as I've spoken to--if it were a complete dog.

    Dixon

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    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 08:37:47 -0500
    From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Ho Yo Culture

    Dave Parker <dave@[removed]; admitted:

>     I know - I know - I [removed] my e mail about the Ranger I goofed
>     at typed in "Ho Yo Culture" instead of "Hi Yo Culture" as the title
>     of the VARIETY piece.

    Dave, if I weeded out every typo from my email I'd never leave my
    keyboard. We all knew what you meant. Now, if you had said, Yo Ho
    Culture, we might have thought you were speaking of pirates. Or
    gangstas.

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 08:38:05 -0500
    From: "Greg Shreeve" <gjshreeve@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  The Great Gildersleeve on Radio!
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
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    Just thought I'd drop in my 2-cents about The Great Gildersleeve for what it's
    worth. I guess I'd have to say that the entire series appeals to my "Comfort
    Zone" and I know that if I get depressed and am looking for a quick mood
    fixer, Gildy is always ready next to my Rio Volt Player, hooked to computer
    speakers next to my bed.  I simply pop-in one of the 5-MP3 CD's of Gildy and I
    know that I'll get a positive shot of good humor that never fails to make my
    mood improve in a hurry!

    I have to say that if I had to hold on to only one series of all the OTR that
    I have collected over the years, it would have to be the Gildy series.  No
    huge belly laughs here, but a constant source of small grins and likeable
    characters that  get into rather predictable troubles, but never gets too far
    off the beam.  While Gildy appears somewhat bumbling in his adventures, he's
    never as big a dud as Chester A. Riley and not as hick as Lum & Abner.  This
    is just a fun series that appeals to my personal "comfort zone" and has for
    many years.  Greg A. Shreeve

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    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 08:38:28 -0500
    From: Jodie Peeler <raisingirl@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Neil Strawser

    hello all --

    Bob Cockrum wrote:

>     Sad to read of the death of radio reporter Neil Strawser. He was one
>     of my favorites back in the days when CBS News had integrity and the
>     networks actually had qualified people covering and delivering
>     stories.

    Bob Schieffer had about a 30-second obit for Strawser a couple nights
    ago on the "CBS Evening News."  It was a welcome surprise that the
    evening news would have more than just a couple of cursory lines about him.

    Considering we're in a world where anyone who's been in television
    longer than five years is seen as some kind of an old-timer (and folks
    like Neil Strawser are seen as something out of prehistory), the
    "Evening News" obit was a very classy surprise.

    jodie

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 08:38:56 -0500
    From: <otrbuff@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Changing Times

    Does anybody recall a series titled "Changing Times"?  Historiographers
    Swartz and Reinehr indicate it aired on NBC between 1954-1956 although I'm
    thinking it may have started sooner (it seemed like it was on the air
    forever, possibly in syndication?).  Hickerson says it ran from 1955-1958+.
    Bresee and Lynes, Buxton and Owen, Dunning, Lackmann, Paulson, Sies, and
    Terrace have overlooked it altogether.  It was one of the earliest financial
    advice shows to air, on behalf of a publishing outfit called Kiplinger, an
    early example of an informercial.  Anyway, I'm looking for material on the
    series -- if nothing else, the name of the guy who was its host.  Anybody
    know anything?

    Jim Cox

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 08:39:22 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  AFRS Christmas Show

    Not that everyone is going to rush out and buy the DVD set, but for your
    information (FYI)

    The second season of HOGAN'S HEROES is now available on DVD in stores that
    offer Ingram distributing (Best Buy, etc.) has a lot of bonus material
    including a 1967 Armed Forces Radio Christmas Show.  If anyone on the list
    is subscribed to Netflix and can add the fifth and final disc of Season Two
    to their que, this might be worth getting without having to buy the whole
    set for just the recording.

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 08:39:43 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  LP records

    In the 1960's, there were a set of LPs advertised in Famous Monsters of
    Filmland magazine of Edgar Allan Poe stories. They were narrated by Richard
    Taylor.

> >     The titles are as follows:
> >     1.  Nightmare: Edgar Allan Poe.
> >     2.  Horror; the Son of Nightmare: Edgar Allan Poe.
> >     3.  Terror: The Son of Horror.  Edgar Allan Poe.
> >     4.  The House of Fright: The Fall of the House of Usher: Edgar Allan Poe.
> >     5.  Strange.

    A friend of mine is looking for these LP records and has been unable to do
    so.  Can anyone help him?  If they can, let me know and I'll pass his e-mail
    address on to you.
    Martin
    mmargrajr@[removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 08:53:34 -0500
    From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Happy Birthday, Soupy Sales!
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    Listmaster Charlie posted:

>     From: Jeff Brown <jbrown@[removed];
>     Subject: Soupy Sales

>     I am working on a hour-long tribute to Soupy Sales for national
>     distribution on public radio <snip>

    Since Soupy's name has been brought up, I'd just like to remind everybody that
    this coming Sunday, 01/08/2006, will be Mr. Sales's 80th birthday. I hope by
    mentioning this that I'm not breaching any Digest protocol by jumping the gun
    and stealing any proverbial thunder from Ron Sayles's daily birthday almanac.

    I'm sure everybody reading this joins me in wishing Soupy a most joyous
    celebration this coming weekend.

    OK, Charlie, you can plug THAT photo again.

    Best from the ether!

    Derek Tague

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    [ADMINISTRIVIA: [removed]   <-"THAT photo" --cfs3]

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 09:20:22 -0500
    From: Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: The Phantom

>     I recently aquired about 70 U-matic video tapes from the Dumont
>     network. I'm still transferring them to DVD, but one of them
>     contains the pilot show of the Phantom. Excellent video quality.

    Most of the shows I got came from kinescopes, but the quality of them
    is very good if you allow for the fact that they are kinescopes.
    Some, like The Phantom, are from film transfers. (Well, actually
    kinescopes are also films, but in this case what I mean is that the
    show was originally shot on film, not done live.)

    I'm still putting together a list of what I have, so if anyone is
    interested, please email me directly.

    Fred
    Check us out for old time radio & TV shows & Movie Serials
    [removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 09:20:31 -0500
    From: "David Kindred" <david@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Books on "The Golbergs"

    My thanks to everyone who has replied both on and off-list to my question
    about books on "The Goldbergs". Can't wait to order them!

    Best wishes to all,

    --David

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 11:37:07 -0500
    From: Richard Carpenter <newsduck@[removed];
    To: Old Radio <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  The Gildersleeve show

    A recent posting lamented the quality of "The Great Gildersleeve" shows. I am
    currently going through the series, listening to one or two shows a night and
    am now up to September 1948. Although I have read that the show declined in
    quality in its final year or so, the six years of programs I have heard so
    far have been top-notch, with enjoyable characters, plenty of chuckles, and
    even excellent sound effects and musical bridges. I am enjoying the series so
    much that I find myself wishing I lived in Summerfield. I would love to
    stroll down the main street, get my hair cut at Floyd's, sip a soda at Mr.
    Peavey's drugstore, chat with Gildy and Judge Hooker,  flirt mildly with
    Leila Ransom (although I have to agree that her  Southern accent was over the
    top) or Adeline Fairchild, and dine with Marjorie and Leroy --  with the meal
    cookied by Birdie, of course. I think that, like another contributor to this
    forum, I am going to be quite sad when I reach the final available episode.

    [removed] One puzzlement: As I recall, Marjorie got older, married, and had
    children, while Leroy remained a pre-adolescent. An amazing feat.

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 11:37:34 -0500
    From: Wich2@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The Ghost Who Didn't Walk Very Well

    From: "Martin Grams, Jr."  mmargrajr@[removed]

>     As for THE PHANTOM, there was a TV pilot in the  late 1950s<

    Dear Martin-
    Actually, I'm pretty sure it's from the  mid 60's: one of the attempted
    cash-ins on the Batman craze, ala the DICK TRACY  pilot, and later WONDER
    WOMAN
    test reel.

>     I have that on tape too but  it's not very good<

    Alas, you're right. Though some elements are  there: the trench coat secret
    identity, Devil, etc.

    Best,
    -Phantom  Phan Craig

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 13:18:39 -0500
    From: Bob & Ronna Rutishauser <solons@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  COMMAND PERFORMANCE

    I have been a subscriber to this list for approximately 10 years and
    enjoy reading the posts.  I am a lurker who has listened to the
    complete runs of Jack Benny, Dragnet, Gunsmoke, Six Shooter and many
    more.  I am presently listening to Command Performance.

    I think that Command Performance is a hidden treasure.  I have seen
    few posts about this program.  It has every famous and not-too famous
    performer of the era.  Some of the shows are downright "corny" but,
    by and large, the majority are well produced, entertaining and fun to
    hear.

    Examples:

    The hour long Allied Victory Special of 45-08-14 has as many
    performers as they could squeeze in to an hour show.  Crosby,
    Sinatra, Durante, Danny Kaye, Carmen Miranda, Ronald Coleman, etc.
    Wow!  What a tribute this show is!!

    The Christmas Shows are all great!

    Roy Rogers and Frank Sinatra together on the same show?  44-06-24 is
    an "all western" show with Bob Hope.

    Clark Gable sings?  The "Winged Victory Edition" of 44-10-26.

    Jack Benny takes Paullette Goddard out on a "hot date.  45-05-10

    There are just too many "gems" to list.  Check them out.

    Bob R.

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 13:21:57 -0500
    From: "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: The Chief City Slicker

    Stephen A Kallis, Jr., speaking of Spike Jones, wrote:

>     What a nearly forgotten name!  (snip)  It would be interesting to play
>     Spike Jones recordings to teens and young adults to see their reactions.

    Well, Spike's not forgotten in MY home!  I've been playing the City Slickers
    to my kids for many years, and they love 'em!  In fact, we rang in this past
    Holiday season with Spike's version of "The Nutcracker Suite."  ("Didja ever
    see a flute go dancing, hmmm?  What could be more graceful than a hunk o'
    tin?")

    Stephen, I suspect teens and young adults are far better acquainted with
    Spike Jones than you think.  I discovered him in my teens, as did many of my
    friends and [removed] and certainly those who have listened to Dr.
    Demento's radio shows over the past three decades.

    Michael

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 14:17:54 -0500
    From: Lee Munsick <damyankeeinva@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Soupy Sales

    A number of us an opportunity to see, hear a bit, and talk briefly with the
    ailing but still pleasant Soupy Sales at FOTR in Newark in October.

    I suggest Mr. Brown contact "Captain Ether", our collaborationist Derek
    Tague, at derek@[removed]

    He set up the panel and can direct you to those involved.  Please share the
    results of your project with us!

    Lee Munsick

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

    Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 18:45:41 -0500
    From: "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  WEEE near Albany NY (Off Topic)

    This discussion of WHEE in Boston reminded me that in the 1960s in the
    Albany, NY area there was a daytimer with a country format at 1300khz with
    the call letters WEEE.  They ran promos that went "W-E-E-E Whee!". The
    station changed its format to adult contemporary around 1970 and its call
    letters to WQBK.  It is now a talk station (I almost added "of course").

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #4
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