Subject: [removed] Digest V2006 #83
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 3/23/2006 6:52 AM

To: [removed]@[removed]

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2006 : Issue 83
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Merv Griffin                          [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Ralston Revisited                     [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]
      Re: Myrt on FM&M, and a request       [ wboenig@[removed] ]
      Re: FM&M Documentary                  [ wboenig@[removed] ]
      re: Bob Bailey                        [ Rodney Bowcock <pasttense_78@yahoo. ]
      Re: Einstein Speech                   [ "R. R. King" <kingrr@[removed]; ]
      MACDONALD CAREY MEMORY                [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
      Suspense, Johnny Dollar, or Theater   [ "Bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed]; ]
      Medicine then and now                 [ "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed] ]
      3-23 births/deaths                    [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
      Promotions of Radio Versions on thei  [ jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed]; ]
      Poor Man imitations of popular net w  [ jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed]; ]
      : Ralston Rewind                      [ "Barbara Harmon" <jimharmonotr@char ]
      Parker Fennelly                       [ "Stuart Lubin" <StuartLubin@[removed] ]
      Bob Blue 1947-2006                    [ <vzeo0hfk@[removed]; ]
      Lum And Abner                         [ "Corey Cook" <[removed]@hotmail ]

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 08:14:27 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Merv Griffin

    While I do not have Merv Griffin's interview with Al Hodge or Minerva Pious,
    I do have DVDs I transferred from VHS of Griffin's interviews with

    Jack Benny
    George Burns
    Walter Cronkite
    Orson Welles
    Clarence Nash (Voice Of Donald Duck)

    who all have a radio connection and most of them discuss their radio
    careers.  If Rick wants any of these, I'll be more than glad to send him
    copies.  Mine are video, not strictly audio, and I transferred mine from VHS
    that apparently came from station masters.

    Martin

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:25:14 -0500
    From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
    To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Ralston Revisited

    With the exception of Jim Harmon and Gary Yoggy, I'm probably the most
    fervent fan of radio's "Tom Mix Ralston Straight-Shooters." Despite
    that, like many other Digesters, I've harbored unhappy memories of
    trying to get Hot Ralston down my gullet in order to obtain the box
    tops for the radio premiums Tom was anxious to send me. To this
    youngster, growing up in Kaukauna, WI, that bowl of gray, tasteless
    mush was a far cry from its description (by announcer Don Gordon) as
    "DEE-licious!"

    Then some 60 years later, I'm ambling through a country store in
    Frederick, MD when I chanced to spot Ralston in a bright red and yellow
    boxes on the shelf. Grabbing one, I flip it over and on the back is Tom
    Mix winking at me. (Not any of radio's Tom Mix's, but the cowboy movie
    star.) Included is a brief history of Ralston (originated 1896)
    superimposed over a [removed] history ([removed] "The 50s gave rise to
    television.")

    I bought two boxes; one to consume at home (if I could) and a second to
    donate to the raffle prizes at FOTR Newark. And today, with an inch of
    snow on my northern Virginia lawn, I break out the Ralston and follow
    the microwave directions.  As I carry the steaming bowl to the
    breakfast nook, I have the brown sugar and maple syrup standing by, if
    they are needed.

    I take my first bite and SURPRISE; it doesn't taste bad at all. Another
    spoonful and my amazement continues. My Ralston has a pleasing,
    nut-like flavor, quite different from my memories of childhood. Has
    Ralston (now Ralcorp Holdings, Inc) changed the recipe or improved the
    flavor?  Or are my 70 year old taste buds betraying me?  I dunno, but
    Ralston now tastes darn good.

    Other former Straight-Shooters are invited to replicate my [removed]

    Jack French
    Editor: RADIO RECALL
    [removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:26:05 -0500
    From: wboenig@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Myrt on FM&M, and a request

    Charlie asked:

>     I heard an episode of Fibber and Molly the other day, in which Myrt,
>     the telephone operator, said a few lines. It seems Fibber and Molly
>     were going somewhere best i can remember. I can't recall what year it
>     was. Anyone able to help me?

    This was the broadcast of June 22, 1943, and Fibber and Molly are
    getting ready to go on their summer vacation -- a camping trip at
    Dugan's Lake.

    Now I would like to ask something of the readership -- does anyone have
    a copy of the "Edgar Bergen - Charlie McCarthy Show" from May 23, 1948?
      Groucho Marx appeared as a guest on this show, with the story line
    centering around a subway station in the basement of Groucho's house.
    Being something of a Marx completist, and hearing rumors that this
    episode does exist somewhere, I would be most interested in acquiring a
    copy.

    Wayne Boenig

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:30:28 -0500
    From: wboenig@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: FM&M Documentary

    Michael Berger writes:

>     I once saw a PBS special on OTR in which Jim Jordan appeared and which
>     also included a recorded excerpt of the show, using still photos over
>     the dialogue. The same show included a segment from Allen's Alley, with
>     Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Parker Fennelly and Peter Donald reading
>     the script.

    The show being described is a 90-minute 1972 PBS production called "The
    Great Radio Comedians" and it included interviews with Edgar Bergen,
    Jim Jordan, Jack Benny, George Burns, and many of the surviving members
    of Fred Allen's cast.  A copy of this exists on my bookshelf (obvious
    inquiries welcome).

    Wayne Boenig

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:29:02 -0500
    From: Rodney Bowcock <pasttense_78@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  re: Bob Bailey
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

>     why did bob bailey leave "yours truly, johnny  dollar"?

      Basically, the show moved to New York, and Bailey didn't want to go with
    it.  He stayed behind in Hollywood where he had a bit part or two in films.
    >From then, until the early 1980's, nobody really knows what happened.  The
    few folks who do know have never [removed]

      Rodney Bowcock
      [removed]
      [removed]

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

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:29:39 -0500
    From: "R. R. King" <kingrr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Einstein Speech

>     of Dispersal of European Jewery.  This was supposed to have been
>     broadcast at that time.

    A version of "The Dispersal of European Jewry" is available in
    Einstein's
    _Out of My Later Years_, an anthology of his essays.

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:32:00 -0500
    From: PURKASZ@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  MACDONALD CAREY MEMORY
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Dear Folks:
        Some things jog a memory that's so strong you have  to share it.
        I just read this obit today:

    03-15-1913 - Macdonald Carey - Sioux City, IA - d. 3-21-1994
    actor:  Jonathan Hillary "Just Plain Bill "; Lee Markham "Woman in  White"

    It's all very clear now but at the time it was  slightly confusing.
        It all started when my agent called me in late Fall  of '93 and asked if
    I would like to do an episode on 'DAYS OF OUR LIVES.'
        They had made an offer so I wouldn't have to meet  anyone at [removed]
    say yes or no.
        I had never done a soap opera before and recalled  that the actors
    usually had to memorize many pages of dialogue in very  short periods of time
    so I
    was reluctant.
        I asked to have the scenes faxed so I could look at  them.  She gave me
    the scene over the phone, it went like this:
        I was to play a doctor, a heart surgeon specialist  and the only one who
    performed a very specific and controversial procedure.  Macdonald Carey was
    the star of the show, playing a doctor as well who was  suffering from a heart
    disease that only an operation could cure.
        An operation to be done by me.
        However, I was a French doctor living in Paris,  France and Mac's
    character would not fly and in fact was reluctant to have any  surgery at all
    so the
    family was very worried.
        The drama quickened when his daughter's boyfriend  flies me over to New
    York as a Christmas present.
        You can imagine the jubilation and Christmas cheer  as he recovers and I
    fly back to Europe like some kind of Soap Santa  Surgeon!
        Did I say it was to be a Christmas special for the  show?
        Working with Macdonald Carey interested me greatly  and I was summoning
    up the courage to accept.
        It was also a two-parter which would mean more  residuals and more fun so
    I was getting tempted.
        Plus it began to look like I'd play a character who  would save the
    'day.'
        Not my usual role and I knew it.
        "Do you do a French accent," my agent asked?
        I replied in my best Charles Boyer that I did but  in reality I had never
    used an accent in any of my appearances on TV or movies  so I was already
    lying because I wanted to work with Macdonald Carey.
        The money was good and the idea began to appeal to  me.
        Hmmmm, if I save the life of the main character of  a show, it could
    become a regular booking for me or at the very least I  would have some cred
    as a
    French actor instead of a heavy!
        Deals were discussed and the game was afoot.
        Start shooting next week.
        Two days work, nice piece of change, my own parking  spot at NBC Burbank
    where they shoot on the old Bob Hope sound stage.
        Getting excited now.
        Going to work with Macdonald Carey tomorrow I'd say  to myself as I fell
    asleep.
        I had a million things I wanted to ask him.
        Then it began.
        Arrive early at the studio. Go to my dressing room  in a cavernous sound
    stage and sit there for an hour without seeing a  soul.
        Working on a soap is nothing like a movie or TV  set.
        These people are a family and speak shorthand and  kiss and hug all day
    long. On and off screen, they relate like dear old  friends.
        I was the new guy on the block.
        I felt like a delivery boy.
        Anyway, the first day was fun with me gurgling a  bad Peter Sellers
    'Inspector Clouseau' to the family and assuring them  that I was going to
    save the
    day. It was exciting for me to be a hero for a  change, even for a moment or
    two.
        I was a warm surprise/gift for a caring and loving  family concerned for
    the well being of a loved one and the tears began to well  up in beautiful
    soap opera actresses eyes.
        Second day I finally get to work with  Mac.
        He rolls in on a gurney and I have a scene with him  just before wheeling
    him into surgery where I assure him all will be just fine.
        Getting our marks for camera, I was speaking to an  extra playing my
    assistant in my normal voice and Mac piped up,
        "Hey, Michael, you're not French." And began to  laugh.
        "I was watching you on the monitor in my dressing  room all day yesterday
    and I thought you were a French  actor."
        Needless to say I was flattered beyond belief and  thanked him.
        We had a great day and I got through it without  blowing too many line.
    Never did see or meet the director as it was just a  woman's voice booming
    from a hidden control room.
        I have many fond memories of working with a man so  easy and yet so
    thorough in his work. We made out goodbyes and he was genuine in  his wish
    that
    perhaps we would work together again, real soon. I was touched and  delighted.
        The show ran on Christmas day and the next day as  well to rave reviews
    in the Soap world.
        Later I began to hear words of bringing the  'French doctor' back on the
    show from time to time to take care of him and  enjoy the family and soap
    opera scenarios like that.
        This is good news for an actor.
        Nice.
        Then one morning a few months later I read in  Variety that he had just
    [removed] real life.
        Why did I think it was my fault?
        I laughed cuz I knew he would have laughed  too.
        However, it hit me that the audience, the very  serious and dedicated
    followers of that show might think it really was me that  botched the
    operation
    and that I would be blamed and cursed as the Doc who  killed their hero.
        I guess the production company must have thought so  too.
        Anyway, I never heard another word from them.
        I'll never forget the feeling I got from Mac while  working with him, a
    most generous and giving man who made you feel like you were  at home and easy
    in your heart and that's the stuff that makes for true  creativity on any set.
        I'm sure he'd see the joke in the situation cuz  that's the kinda guy he
    impressed me as.
        Thanks Mac.
        Life's some pretty funny stuff from time to  time.
                        Michael  C. Gwynne

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

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:36:47 -0500
    From: "Bill Scherer" <bspro@[removed];
    To: ""old-time radio digest">" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Suspense, Johnny Dollar, or Theater 5?

    Hi all
    I'm curious as to which show left the air last. JD, Suspense or Theater 5?
    Thanks.
    Bill

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:13:33 -0500
    From: "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Medicine then and now

    Larry Moore wrote about doctors making house calls and the progress of
    medical practice since the '30s and '40s.  His memories sure put things in
    perspective.
    On more than a few 'Gunsmoke' episodes, Doc Adams will tell people that
    there is nothing he can do (for a patient) that right now medicine doesn't
    understand how to cure him but sometime in the future medical science will
    be able to save someone with the same disease.
    Our family peditrician, who retired about 10 years ago, told me that if he
    practiced medicine the way he was taught in the '50s that he would be
    brought up on charges of quackery.  I thought that it was ironic that he
    interrupted his studies, before the US entered WW II, went to Canada and
    joined Canadian Forces to do his part in a Canadian Highland Regiment in
    Europe.  After the war he went on to get his medical degree.  A little over
    twenty years later his fellow Americans were going to Canada to avoid
    military service.  Medical science isn't all that has changed since the
    '40s.

    Roby McHone
    Fairbanks, Alaska

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:18:28 -0500
    From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  3-23 births/deaths

    March 23rd births

    03-23-1891 - Dr. [removed] DeHaan - Zeeland, MI - d. 12-13-1965
    evengelist: "Radio Bible Class"
    03-23-1892 - Nadea Dragonette Loftus - d. 10-xx-1982
    Sister and business manager of Jessica Dragonette
    03-23-1893 - Arnold Johnson - Chicago, IL - d. 7-25-1975
    bandleader: "The Majestic Theatre Hour"; "True Story Time"
    03-23-1905 - Joan Crawford - San Antonio, TX - d. 5-10-1977
    actor: "Arch Oboler's Plays"; "Everyman's Theatre"; "Screen Guild
    Theatre"
    03-23-1906 - Richard L. Evans - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 11-1-1971
    announcer: "Music and the Spoken Word" (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
    03-23-1910 - Akira Kurosawa, Tokyo, Japan - d. 9-6-1998
    film director: NHK Tokyo, Japan
    03-23-1910 - Paula Winslowe - d. 3-7-1996
    actor: Peg Riley "Life of Riley"; Jill "Joe E. Brown Show"
    03-23-1912 - Francis DeSales - Philadelphia, PA - d. 9-25-1988
    actor: Bill Weigand "Mr. and Mrs. North"; Parris Mitchell "King's Row"
    03-23-1916 - Grant Richards - Raleigh, NC - d. 7-4-1963
    actor: Charles Dobbs "This Is Nora Drake"; Hal Thomas "Against the
    Storm"
    03-23-1917 - Oscar Shumsky - Philadelphia, PA - d. 7-24-2000
    violinist: "Voice of Firestone"
    03-23-1920 - Maurice Marsac - La Croix, France
    actor: French Teacher "Our Miss Brooks"
    03-23-1926 - Martha Wright - Seattle, WA
    actor: "Stars for Defense"
    03-23-1957 - Amanda Plummer - NYC
    actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"

    March 23rd deaths

    02-13-1920 - Eileen Farrell - Willimantic, CT - d. 3-23-2002
    singer: "Eileen Farrell Sings"; "Prudential Family Hour"
    02-14-1901 - Peggy Allenby - NYC - d. 3-23-1966
    actor: Susan Price "David Harun"; Mary Andrews "Archie Andrews"
    02-16-1910 - Jerry Lester - Chicago, IL - d. 3-23-1995
    actor: John Benson "Life of Mary Sothern"
    02-22-1920 - Giulietta Masina - San Girogio di Piano, Italy - d.
    3-23-1994
    actor: Pallina "Terzoglio"
    03-25-1920 - Howard Cosell - Winston-Salem, NC - d. 3-23-1995
    sportscaster: "Speaking of Sports"
    05-05-1919 - George London - Montreal, Canada - d. 3-23-1985
    singer: "The Voice of Firestone"
    05-10-1889 - Mae Murray - Portsmouth, VA - d. 3-23-1963
    actor: "Your Unseen Friend"
    06-03-1905 - Paulette Goddard - Whitestone Landing, Long Island, NY -
    d. 3-23-1990
    actor: "Cresta Blanca Players"
    06-26-1904 - Peter Lorre - Rozsahegy, Hungary - d. 3-23-1964
    actor: [removed] Moto "Mr. Moto"; "Creeps By Night"; "; "Mystery in the Air"
    10-03-1910 - Gwen Davenport - Colon, Canal Zone, Panama - d. 3-23-2002
    author: "Lux Radio Theatre"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Please not the new email address

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:19:09 -0500
    From: jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Promotions of Radio Versions on their TV
     editions
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Dear OTR digest

      While listening to some tapes of several old time radio programs, such as
    Dragnet and You Bet Your Life, there were announcements at the end of the
    program telling listeners to watch the Television version of these Programs.
    When the Television version aired, were there similar announcements to hear
    the radio versions? I know for a brief time You Bet Your Life mentioned the
    radio version at least in the early years. When the radio version aired on
    Monitor, in 1959, there were still announcements for the TV version. Were
    there still announcements on TV for the radio version that late? The same
    question applies for TV announcements for the radio version of such programs
    as, Gun Smoke, People Are Funny, and Have Gun Will [removed]

      Many Thanks

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

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:19:51 -0500
    From: jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Poor Man imitations of popular net work shows
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    Dear OTR readers
      Jim

      I have a question about syndicated program which were often poor man
    imitation of network programs. Were such programs as The Avenger/"The Poor
    Man's Shadow", The Haunting Hour/ "The Four Men Inter Sanctum" ... or other
    programs of its type and diary of Fate/ "The Poor Mans Whistler. Where these
    imitation popular? Did they clear on a lot of stations? And did they get good
    ratings, even close to there network counterparts?

      Many Thanks
      Jim

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

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:09:52 -0500
    From: "Barbara Harmon" <jimharmonotr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  : Ralston Rewind

    Jack French should realize I've known about Ralston still being available,
    and with several different backsides on Tom Mix for over a decade.  You used
    to be able to order it directly from the Ralston-Purina company by mail at a
    giveaway price -- something like $[removed] for six boxes (including postage).
    	I can eat the stuff too now, although not a great fan.  I think it
    is just a matter of our tastes maturing, not having to have a cereal sugary
    sweet.  I remember my father liked Ralston and ate it for me.  (My mother
    was not as big a fan.)  These days, Barbara likes Ralston and I usually join
    her when she makes it for breakfast, not every day but once in awhile for a
    change.
    	The Tom Mix boxes I gave away (after gathering a few for myself) and
    show I auctioned on eBay, often throwing one in with a duplicate TM premium
    or comic I was selling.  Some I sold alone, and they went for around $[removed],
    giving me a profit on my original Ralston purchase.  One empty box sold for
    about as much as I paid for six full boxes.
    	However, Ralston no longer sells the cereal directly, and you have
    to buy it from the on-line Vermont Country Store.   Their price is
    considerably higher, about six dollars a box, including postage.  I have
    been out of the stuff for some months, but will get around to ordering some
    more one of these days.
    	JIM HARMON

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 19:25:19 -0500
    From: "Stuart Lubin" <StuartLubin@[removed];
    To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Parker Fennelly

    As a teenager in the early fifties, too young and naive to understand the
    humor of Fred Allen, I was well aware of the talents of Parker Fennelly
    because one of my favorite shows on a Sunday afternoon was Scattergood
    Baines.  The humor was so refreshing and folksy.  Wendell Holmes played
    Scattergood, with Parker Fennelly as Hannibal Gibbey.  That was where I
    first learned the joke: "He wouldn't know how to pour water out of a shoe,
    even if the directions were written on the heel!"

    Stuart Lubin

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

    Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 23:06:27 -0500
    From: <vzeo0hfk@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Bob Blue 1947-2006

    My younger brother, Bob Blue, a folk song writer and singer, and a retired
    teacher, passed away last Friday.

    Susan Forbes Hansen, of Los Angeles radio station WFCR will play two sets
    from "The Best of Bob Blue," a CD produced a few years ago on the Sat., March
    25, edition of her 9 PM to midnight radio show, Valley Folk. One will be in
    the first hour of the show and the other will be played in the second hour.

    Howard Blue

    Susan Forbes Hansen, WFCR

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

    Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 07:52:09 -0500
    From: "Corey Cook" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Lum And Abner

    Will someone please help me in finding places to buy/get as many of the Lum
    And Abner shows as possible?
    I would really appreciate it.

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #83
    ********************************************

    Copyright [removed] Communications, York, PA; All Rights Reserved,
      including republication in any form.

    If you enjoy this list, please consider financially supporting it:
       [removed]

    For Help: [removed]@[removed]

    To Unsubscribe: [removed]@[removed]

    To Subscribe: [removed]@[removed]
      or see [removed]

    For Help with the Archive Server, send the command ARCHIVE HELP
      in the SUBJECT of a message to [removed]@[removed]

    To contact the listmaster, mail to listmaster@[removed]

    To Send Mail to the list, simply send to [removed]@[removed]