Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #156
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 5/5/2004 5:48 PM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2004 : Issue 156
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  re: An old time horror show that was  [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
  5-6 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  next SPERDVAC meeting                 [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
  Did Gildy appear on Fibber after his  [ "Matthew Bullis" <matthewbullis@run ]
  An old time horror show that was      [ Mr Dan <teac35@[removed]; ]
  syndication of old radio shows        [ David Howell <daveeaston@[removed]; ]
  Gossip columnists on radio            [ Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed] ]
  The Dark, The End of OTR, Hindenburg  [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
  Lucy on radio and TV                  [ Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed] ]
  Richard Denning and his home movies   [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Fielden Farrington - Green Hornet     [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
  Jack Benny in the News                [ seandd@[removed] ]
  Question for Jughead                  [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
  Births and deaths                     [ Alan Chapman <[removed]@verizon. ]
  "Flying Doctor"                       [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
  German Tape Recorded Broadcasts       [ "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@hotm ]

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 12:51:25 -0400
From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  re: An old time horror show that was

John Sexton asked about an episode in which a
policeman goes to a house where a person has been
turned inside out. He's referring to the Arch Oboler
show "The Dark," which was chillingly recorded in
stereo for a seven or eight minute segment on "Arch
Oboler's Drop Dead" LP (from the early 1960s). This is
presumably a reduced version of the play by the same
title that was broadcast on Lights Out on 12/29/37,
though it's difficult to say for sure because Oboler
was always changing his titles, and the original does
not survive. You'll see many vendors and traders
offering this show, but anybody offering it for sale
simply has the segment from the Drop Dead LP.

Kermyt

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:42:02 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  5-6 births/deaths

May 6th births

05-06-1900 - Dave Elman - Park River, ND - d. 12-5-1967
emcee: (The Dean of American Hobbyists) "Hobby Lobby"
05-06-1908 - Parkyakarkus (Harry Einstein) - Boston, MA - d. 11-24-1958
comedian: "Eddie Cantor Show"; "Al Jolson Show"; "Meet Me at Parkys"
05-06-1910 - Alice Reinheart - San Francisco, CA - d. 6-10-1993
actress: Anne Williams "Casey, Crime Photographer"; Jean Abbott "Abbott
Mysteries"
05-06-1911 - Frank Nelson - Denver, CO - d. 9-12-1986
actor, comedian: Anthony J. Lyon "Jeff Regan, Investigator"; nemisis "Jack
Benny Program"
05-06-1912 - Bill Quinn - NYC - d. 4-29-1994
actor: Guy Aldis "Against the Storm"; Tom Davis "When a Girl Marries"
05-06-1913 - Carmen Cavallaro - NYC - d. 10-12-1989
bandleader: (The Poet of the Piano) "Schaeffer Revue"; "Tums Tune Time"
05-06-1913 - Stewart Granger - London, England - d. 8-16-1993
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Screen Guild Theatre"
05-06-1915 - Orson Welles - Kenosha, WI (Raised: Chicago, IL) - d. 10-10-1985
actor: Lamont Cranston/Shadow "The Shadow"; "Mercury Theatre on the Air"

May 6th deaths

01-24-1909 - Ann Todd - Hartford, Cheshire, England - d. 5-6-1993
actress: Amy Foster "Those We Love"
04-02-1911 - Bill Days - St. Louis, MO - d. 5-6-2002
singer: (Member Sportsmen Quartet) "Jack Benny Program"
04-27-1902 - Ned Wever - NYC - d. 5-6-1984
actor: Dick Tracy "Dick Tracy"; Anthony Loring "Young Widder Brown"
05-31-1900 - Hugh Studebaker - Ridgeville, IN - d. 5-6-1978
actor: Ichabod 'Ichy' Mudd "Captain Midnight"; Silly Watson "Fibber McGee and
Molly"
08-09-1901 - Charles Farrell - Onset Bay, Cape Cod, MA - d. 5-6-1990
actor: Verne Albright "My Little Margie"
08-17-1888 - Monte Woolley- NYC - d. 5-6-1963
actor: Edwin Montague "Magnificent Montague"
09-26-1901 - Ted Weems - Pitcairn, PA - d. 5-6-1963
bandleader: "Fibber McGee and Molly"; "Sunday Matinee"; "Beat the Band"
11-26-1907 - Henry "Hot Lips" Levine - London, England - d. 5-6-1989
trumpeter, conducter: "Chamber Music of Lower Basin Street"; "Strictly from
Dixie"
12-27-1901 - Marlene Dietrich - Berlin, Germany - d. 5-6-1992
actress: Mlle. Madou, "Cafe Istanbul"
--
Ron Sayles
For a complete list:
[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:42:51 -0400
From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  next SPERDVAC meeting

For those of you who will be in the Los Angeles area, the next SPERDVAC
meeting will be on Saturday, May 8 at the Mid-Valley Library, 16244 Nordhoff
St. (a few blocks west of the 405 freeway) in North Hills. The guest will be
Jan Merlin who played Cadet Roger Manning on TOM CORBETT SPACE CADET on both
radio and TV. His TV credits include The Rough Riders, Combat, The Time
Tunnel, Gunsmoke and a few of his movie credits are Six Bridges to Cross,
Day of Fury, and The List of Adrian Messenger. The meeting begins at noon
and is free and open to the public.

See ya there.
Barbara

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:43:01 -0400
From: "Matthew Bullis" <matthewbullis@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Did Gildy appear on Fibber after his own
 show?

Hello, just wondering if Gildy appeared on the Fibber show after Gildy's
show started?
Thanks a lot.
Matthew

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:47:55 -0400
From: Mr Dan <teac35@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  An old time horror show that was
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

 <John wrote>

I remembered once travelling late and listening to a otr program on a
station that was doing several scary episodes of various [removed]
plot, as I recall, was a couple of policemen sent to investigate
something going on in a spooky [removed] was the sound of a cackling
witch (I suppose) in the background as one of the policeman uncovers a body
of someone who had been turned inside out.

John,
 That would be an Arch Obler production. I used to have a copy years ago
called "A Study In Horror" or "A Study In Terror" (don't remember which).
Had it on an LP and came up lost through the years
Sure would like to locate another good copy.
Dan

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

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:48:12 -0400
From: David Howell <daveeaston@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  syndication of old radio shows

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was rebroadcast in 1961, I
believe by WGN radio. I know the year, because they
played it Sundays at the same time as the originals of
"The Bullwinkle Show".

I also remember hearing rebroadcasts of The Shadow
when I was young, and I am 53.

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:48:29 -0400
From: Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Gossip columnists on radio

Kenneth Clarke inquired about radio gossipers Louella Parsons and Hedda
Hopper.  I don't especially recall listening to Hedda, although undoubtedly I
did, but occasionally did tune in to Louella, and was amazed and repulsed by
her whining, phony delivery.   On the other hand, in a way it was like Walter
Winchell, and I got a kick out of him.  Chauvinism, no doubt.

There is a rather delightful 1985 made-for-TV film called "Malice in
Wonderland" (great title), released by Vidmark on video as "The Rumor Mill".
It's a dramatized (read: fictionalized) adaptation from the book "Hedda and
Louella" by George Eels.  Takes great liberties, but still gives a fairly
good idea of the feud, which alternated between being viciously real and
mutually agreed hype.

Elizabeth Taylor plays Louella.  Personally I think it was not good casting
at [removed] Parsons was most assuredly not beautiful, inside or out.
Jane Alexander I found much more convincing as Hedda Hopper.  Richard Dysart
is terrific as always, as Louis B. Mayer.  Depicted in the film are Orson
Welles, in the "Citizen Kane" controversy, in which Louella Parsons played a
disgraceful part as the destroying sycophant of William Randolph Hearst.

For another film about the whole "Kane" bruhaha, check out the 1999 "RKO 281"
(The Battle Over 'Citizen Kane') with then newcomer Liev Schreiber as the
deep Welles, and in another of his usual outstanding performances by James
Cromwell as Hearst.  Also appearing are John Malkovich as the film's writer
Herman Mankiewicz, and Roy Scheider as Director George Schaefer, with David
Suchet (TV's Hercule Poirot) as Louis B. Mayer!  It's available via HBO
video.

Also portrayed in "Malice" are the two children of the columnists, Harriet
Parsons and William Harper, the latter known to most of us as investigator
Paul Drake (William DeWolf Hopper Jr.) in the Raymond Burr TV Perry Mason
series, but also in "Rebel Without a Cause" and "The Maltese Falcon", two of
his well-over film and TV roles, his last in the film "Myra Breckenridge".
Miss Parsons produced about a dozen films over 15 years, including "Susan
Slept Here" and "I Remember Mama" (ain't that an interesting title
coinkydink!).

Additional Hollywood icons depicted beside Lolly and Hedda again in both
movies are Joseph Cotten, with a reference to his dallying with starlets and
film hopefuls (one of whom was Kathryn Grayson, whose career was allegedly
ruined by their liaison).  Also portrayed are panicky LB's, Sam Goldwyn,
Darryl Zanuck and David O. Selznick, Harry Cohn, Walt Disney and Jack Warner,
plus Paul Stewart, John Houseman, Carol Lombard, Elizabeth Arden, Mike
Romanoff, Dolores Del Rio, and Clark Gable.  Not all terribly well, but most
are cameo, fleeting appearances.

Most listeners and perhaps readers alive today may well recall the gossip
mongering of the two [removed], but forget that Hedda had her own
career as a film actress.  Most but not all were in what I would call "B"
movies, but she was in some 130 films over three decades, most of them in the
1930s before she turned columnist and hat model.

Usual disclaimer - I have no interest in the films or videos, but just
thought you inquiring gossipers might like to know.   Enjoy!  Bestus, Lee
Munsick

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:50:02 -0400
From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  The Dark, The End of OTR, Hindenburg

"John E. Sexton" <jsexton@[removed]; asked:
I remembered once travelling late and listening to a otr program on a
station that was doing several scary [removed] a couple of
policemen sent to investigate something going on in a spooky
[removed] was the sound of a cackling witch (I suppose) in the
background as one of the policeman uncovers a body of someone who
had been turned inside out.

I recall the story well; it's by Arch Oboler and there is an abridged
version of it on the _Drop Dead_ album he put out probably sometime
in the early 70's. I used to enjoy adding it to stacks of acid rock
records my druggy friends were tripping [removed]   I imagine the
earlier, full-length version was heard on _Lights Out_. It was
titiled, "The Dark." The woman wasn't a witch, just driven mad by the
sight of having her loved ones turned inside out by the strange dark
force, a force that soon silenced her cackling before reaching out
for the [removed]

"Marty" <martyd@[removed]; asked:
When the last of the old time rado shows were cancelled (late 1950s), were any
of the shows put into "syndication" ...how long did it take for
these shows to be played over the air again?

There were a few OTR shows still playing when I was in high school in
the 60's. I believe Suspense and Johnny Dollar were the last. When
we'd gotten our first TV sometime in the late 50's I'd turned my back
on radio, but had, somehow, started listening again, suddenly aware
that the medium wherein I'd found some of my best friends, and the
wise moral guidance of The Lone Ranger, Sergeant Preston, Mark Trail
and others - where is their like in the media today? I seriously
wonder if the American character has not suffered without them - were
vanishing. Looking back I'm surprised that, at that age, I even
noticed. And, no, there was no interest anywhere in picking them up
for syndication. Broadcasters bid them a fond Good Riddance and
thought no more about them. I remember my excitement when I
discovered a decade or so later that someone had tapes of the
Cinnamon Bear for sale [speaking of which, my friend Barbara Webster
has finally finished here Cinnamon Bear Quilt, which I will write
more about soon]. Somewhere in that period the afore-mentioned Drop
Dead album was put out as a tribute the lost art. Then, mid-70's came
the _Themes Like Old Times_ album, which REALLY made some of us feel
the loss. I found some old tapes at our local library that someone
had taped off the air; bad sound quality but better than nothing.
Wonder if there are any one-of-a-kinds in that [removed] I myself
supplied the Cinnamon Bear tapes to our local public radio station to
broadcast at Christmas. They told me that got more response to that
than they'd had from any other program, but never chose to air it
again. Then OTR began appearing on record. I used to buy them and not
play them for weeks, unable to bear the thought of not having them
waiting to be heard. Then there was the Jack Benny/Longines Wittnauer
boxed tribute to OTR. Then the Adventures on Cassette began appearing
in truck stops, and CBSRMT began airing. Obviously, I don't recall
the chronology, but it went something like that. Folks who began
collecting in the computer age don't know how lucky they are.

Re: the recent mention of the Hindenburg: I had my dad write to the
list a couple of years ago with his reminiscences, but I've not been
able to persuade him to take any real interest in computers, so I'll
mention that he once saw his reflection in the Hindenburg. He recalls
walking along a rain-soaked street, hearing a hum, then seeing the
reflection of the airship in the wet streets as it passed overhead on
its way to an airfield. He looked up and was able to see his own
reflection in the Hindenburg's shiny paint. I would think that must
be quite a memory. He couldn't have known then, of course, that a few
years later he'd be fighting in the country from which that zeppelin
had flown.

--

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:50:31 -0400
From: Lee Munsick <leemunsick@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Lucy on radio and TV

I guess all here know that CBS was reluctant to put "I Love Lucy" on
television, loathe to have it co-star Desi Arnaz.  But I think it's clear
that from her radio and other TV work, CBS did want Lucille Ball regularly on
their new medium.

When they decided to go ahead with "I Love Lucy", they hedged their bets by
deliberately positioning its debut to air immediately following one of their
most highly rated and successful programs, Monday night's "Arthur Godfrey and
his Talent Scouts".

Indeed, Mr. Godfrey acceded to the network's request for him to positively
mention the next program coming up that night.  He took extra time strongly
to urge his watchers to stay tuned to see the new show.  Lucy and Arthur did
get to know each other, and he appeared years afterward on her later show.

It's important to remember that his program was simulcast, so the plug for
Lucy was not only seen on TV, but heard by radio listeners to the "Talent
Scouts", many of whom were undoubtedly familiar with her radio work.

Exactly how much the Godfrey plug contributed to the success of "I Love Lucy"
is impossible to tell, but it certainly didn't hurt.  The holdover audience
was substantial.  I think the longevity of the program was due to the
outstanding writing, direction and camera work, as well as the performances
of the show's four outstanding performers.  I believe it will continue to be
shown around the world for as long as there is such a thing as television.

"I Love Lucy" continued to follow "Talent Scouts" for many months, until the
latter show dropped off the air.  Before it did, Lucy topped the still very
popular Godfrey show in their ratings.

It never hurts to have a popular salesman stick his foot in the door for you!

Lee Munsick

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:51:12 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Richard Denning and his home movies

To the best of my knowledge, Richard Denning was the star of radio's MY
FAVORITE HUSBAND and when the program began on television under the title of
I LOVE LUCY with Lucille Ball in the lead, it was Ball's insistence that
Denning be replaced with Desi Arnaz.

Denning was also the real-life husband of actress Evelyn Ankers (THE WOLF
MAN, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VOICE OF TERROR, etc.) and the couple retired
to Hawaii.  Home movies of the Dennings were recently discovered including
home movie footage captured on the Universal Studio sets where Ankers worked
as a regular (she co-starred in a couple INNER SANCTUM movies - one when she
was pregnant - check it out for yourself and see her hiding her stomach in
the scenes).  The home movie footage is scheduled for release on VHS and DVD
this June.
Martin Grams, Jr.

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:13:13 -0400
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Fielden Farrington - Green Hornet

First, a note.   I was reviewing my Green Hornet files and remembered that
Mike Wallace announced the Green Hornet for a time in 1941 under the name
Myron Wallace.

Brad Stone wrote:

If anybody has any audio of Fielden in
"Helen Trent", "The Green Hornet" or "Our Gal Sunday", as well, I'd
appreciate the opportunity to chat about procuring [removed]

I have 4 Helen Trent episodes from 1949-50 and 10 Green Hornet from 1938-39
where Fielden was the announcer.

I'll be glad to send you an mp3 CD.

Send your mailing address to me at
IreneTH@[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:13:25 -0400
From: seandd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Jack Benny in the News

The latest media coverage of Jack Benny - an Eddie Caroll appearance in
Michigan and new "Here's Lucy" DVDs with a Jack Benny guest appearance.

Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]

JACK Benny comes alive in 1 - man show
Cheboygan Tribune - Cheboygan,MI,USA
By MIKE FORNES. CHEBOYGAN - The late Jack Benny was more than a show-business
legend. His droll delivery, dead-pan stare, his unique ...
<[removed];

DVD set finally announced ! Street Date , SRP , * EXTRAS * ! !
[removed] - Canada
... Stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Carol Burnett, Jackie
Gleason, Johnny Carson, Milton Berle, and Jack Benny are characters in
her humorous ...
<[removed];

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:14:01 -0400
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Question for Jughead

I'm hoping Hal Stone can use his gray cells to help me out on this.

I've been sorting out Archie Andrews files because there are a lot of date
and title conflicts in episode logging by collectors.   There are about 42
episodes now listed as 'available'.   I wish Hal could dig up some more.

I found one storyline identified by 3-4 names .  The story is about Mr.
Andrews problems in trying to take a bath.   Also, Archie and Jughead are
getting ready for a Dance that night.

In the episode dated 10/19/46 when Archie says 'Is that you, Jughead"
Jughead answers 'It's not Gregory Peck'.    When Mr. Andrews is about to
take his bath Mary Andrews answers the phone and calls Mr. Andrews to the
phone to speak to a business associate.

This same storyline, with minor changes is repeated in the logs twice:
One episode is dated 8/9/47 and is titled "Taking a Bath"
The other is dated 9/4/48 and is titled 'The Big Dance' or 'Late for the
Dance'

In these two, when Archie says 'Is that you Jughead' Jughead answers "It's
not Coffeehead' which evokes great squeals from the audience.  Additionally
when the phone rings when Mr. Andrews is about to take his bath he answers
the phone and it's Betty.

What's up, Doc?

Irene

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:14:37 -0400
From: Alan Chapman <[removed]@[removed];
To: Old-Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Births and deaths

Here are a couple that were missed in Ron Sayles' list:

05-02-1932(?) - Rosemary Rice - New York, NY
"Let's Pretend"; Katrin "Mama"; Betty "Archie Andrews"; "The Cavalcade
Of America"; "Studio One"; "When A Girl Marries"; "Suspense"; "CBS Radio
Mystery Theater"; Also numerous successful children's recordings.

05-05-1932 - Will Hutchins - Los Angeles, CA
"Sugarfoot" (1957-61); "Hey, Landlord" (1966) and "Blondie" (1968);
several Elvis Presley movies.

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 17:41:19 -0400
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  "Flying Doctor"

Phil Watson correctly places Richard Denning  in the 1959 syndicated
program, "Flying Doctor."

I remember this program well. Filmed in England by Gross-Krasne
Productions, it featured Denning who served  the airborne medical service
in the outer reaches of Australia.  Denning portrayed an American physician
whose boss, played by Peter Madden, was completely blind.

You'll recall Denning was married to Evelyn Ankers.  She co-starred  in
many grossly underestimated "B" films of the forties.  They both lived the
good life life on  Maui.

Dennis Crow

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

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 18:04:20 -0400
From: "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  German Tape Recorded Broadcasts

Hello All:

Mark Kinsler wrote:

But I also read, probably in an article based on rumor-fed research and
urban legends, that Allied soldiers during WWII thought that German
tape-recorded broadcasts were live, because the conventional disk recordings
of the day couldn't sound that good.

Maybe, but the version I remember is that supposeidly the soldiers thought
the broadcasts were live because they went so long without any sort of break
(especially with such things as classical music broadcasts), not because the
sound quality was good.

George

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #156
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