------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2005 : Issue 13
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
1-13 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
AFRTS-AFVN-AFRTS [ <cooldown3@[removed]; ]
Re: shooting a gun out of someone's [ "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed] ]
AFRS [ Mahlon Wagner <mwagner2@[removed] ]
J. Cox, Billy Rose, H. Blue & Oxford [ "HOWARD BLUE" <khovard@[removed]; ]
Les Miserables and Welles [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
More Mormon Choir [ Bill Jaker <bilj@[removed]; ]
The Organ and Joseph Kearns [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
Re: Bea Benederet [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
Re: no weather during World War II?? [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
OTR Listening Habits [ Timothy Clough <timothy@[removed]; ]
AFRS And Swing Junk [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
Mairzy Doat thread [ "Michael Guccione" <jetbonami@hotma ]
1-14 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 15:08:54 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 1-13 births/deaths
January 13th births
01-13-1884 - Sophie Tucker - Russia - d. 2-9-1966
singer: (The Last of the Red Hot Mammas) "Sophie Tucker and Her Show"
01-13-1901 - A. B. Guthrie - Bedford, IN - d. 4-26-1991
author, screenwriter: "NBC University Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
01-13-1903 - Kay Francis - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory - d. 8-26-1968
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"
01-13-1910 - Jack Mercer - d. 12-4-1984
actor: Popeye "Popeye the Sailor"
01-13-1913 - Jeff Morrow - NYC - d. 12-26-1993
actor: "Electric Theatre"
01-13-1913 - Lloyd Bridges - San Leandro, CA - d. 3-10-1998
actor: "Suspense"; "Arch Oboler's Plays"
01-13-1918 - Steve Dunne - Northampton, MA - d. 9-2-1977
actor: Sam Spade "Advs. of Sam Spade"
01-13-1919 - Robert Stack - Los Angeles, CA - d. 5-14-2003
actor: "Family Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Screen Guild Theatre"
01-13-1925 - Gwen Verdon - Culver City, Los Angeles, CA - d. 10-18-2000
actress, singer, dancer: "Stagestruck"; "WOR Diamond Jubilee"
01-13-1930 - Frances Sternhagen - Washington, [removed]
actress: "CBS Mystery Theatre"
January 13th deaths
02-02-1882 - James Joyce - Dublin, Ireland - d. 1-13-1941
author: "NBC University Theatre"
02-09-1915 - Charlotte Holland - d. 1-13-1997
actress: Nita Bennett "Lone Journey"; Nora Drake "This is Nora Drake"
03-16-1859 - Alexander Popov - Turinsk Districk, Russia - d. 1-13-1906
One of the claimants for inventor of radio (along with Marconi and de Forest)
04-21-1914 - Norman Panama - Chicago, IL - d. 1-13-2003
writer: "Pepsodent Show starring Bob Hope"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
05-11-1911 - Doodles Weaver - Los Angeles, CA - d. 1-13-1983
comedian: (Brother of Pat Weaver) Professor Feedlebaum "Spike Jones Show"
07-09-1881 - Samuel "Roxy" Rothafel - Stillwater, MN - d. 1-13-1936
emcee: "Roxy's Gang"; "Roxy Revue"
09-23-1889 - Don Bestor - Longford, SD - d. 1-13-1970
bandleader: "Nestle Program"; "Jack Benny Program"
11-04-1896 - Harry Woods - North Chelmsford, MA - d. 1-13-1970
compser: "Great Moments to Music"
12-22-1901 - Andre Kostelanetz - St. Petersburg, Russia - d. 1-13-1980
conductor: "Chesterfield Hour"; "Light Up Time"; "Pause That Refreshes"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 16:42:34 -0500
From: <cooldown3@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: AFRTS-AFVN-AFRTS
I see there is some interest in military broadcasting.
I have posted some links to sites here which allow downloads of AFVN radio &
TV and it is extensively anotated by the DJs of the era.
[removed]
[removed]
This link will give current radio downloads from "Radio Freedom" in Baghdad.
[removed]
PAtrick
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 16:42:40 -0500
From: "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: shooting a gun out of someone's hand
I always thought that Gene, Raw, and Hoppy could do this too.
Thanx,
B. Ray
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 16:42:54 -0500
From: Mahlon Wagner <mwagner2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: AFRS
I travel every year to Germany and listen to the AFRS there---both the
AM and FM stations. Most of the respondents are quite correct that
much of the music is that which appeals to the younger soldiers.
However, there is also a great number of public radio programs including
Prairie Home Companion.
I have been listening to AFRS since 1972 and have noticed the changes in
programming. Once upon a time they would have a nightly Old Time Radio
program which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Mahl Wagner
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 19:40:48 -0500
From: "HOWARD BLUE" <khovard@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: J. Cox, Billy Rose, H. Blue & Oxford
University Library
OK--I'm going to raise the stakes a little. You can fly to Britain, take a
train to Oxford, read the Oxford University Library's copy of my book, WORDS
AT WAR--or you can buy and read it at your leisure. The choice is even
easier than the one Chris Wener suggested. The dollar is in such lousy shape
that you could a whole bunch of copies of WORDS AT WAR for many of the
digest subscribers for what you would spend on the trip to the UK
Time was that I started to research the history of British war related radio
drama-- made a couple of visits to the BBC archives (I still have a couple
of dozen British wartime scripts)---but I can't afford the visits at this
current exchange rate. Us poor Yanks--who would have believed
Howard Blue
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 19:42:05 -0500
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Les Miserables and Welles
I received this query at my web site. Anyone know if the story is true. I
presumed "urban" legend, but don't really know for sure.
= =======================================
Hi,
I wonder if I might trouble you with another question?
Apparently, while recording les miserables at liederkranz hall, Welles was
using the toilets to get some atmospheric sound effects (all the dripping
pipes and taps) and a story goes that someone walked in and flushed a toliet
which went out over the air.
Do you happen to know if this story is true? Can you actually hear it. I am
working through the episodes at the moment, but have yet to hear it
Jim Widner
jwidner@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 19:43:05 -0500
From: Bill Jaker <bilj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: More Mormon Choir
Jim Cox noted in his history of broadcasts by the Mormon Tabenacle Choir:
Clearly the most memorable and resilient of the religious music programs was
one that went by several monikers. To some it was the Salt Lake City
Tabernacle Choir. To others, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Purists,
however, insisted that its proper designation was (and is) Music and the
Spoken Word from the Crossroads of the West (MSWCW).
Whether or not that's the oldest of all ongoing radio programs, it may
well be the longest title in radio.
Music and the Spoken Word from the Crossroads of the West
47 letters long, it takes about 3 1/2 seconds to announce at a normal
conversational pace.
Anybody know of a longer title?
--Bill Jaker
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 19:43:37 -0500
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The Organ and Joseph Kearns
Prolific OTR writer, Jim Cox, mentions the famous organ which accompanies
as well as enhances the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
He reminded me of Joseph Kearns, superstar of old time radio. Kearns holds
special interest for me because his voice created the Crazyquilt Dragon on
"The Cinnamon Bear." He was a busy artist and contributed to many, many
shows. As the first Mr. Wilson on television's "Dennis the Menace," his
face became known to his numerous admirers. However, Kearns was also a
powerful organist and owned a home built around his organ.
Does anyone know whatever became of that organ? Anyone ever seen the home?
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:37:37 -0500
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Bea Benederet
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
In a message dated 1/12/05 2:26:58 PM Central Standard Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:
She played one of the operators on the Benny show as well as the
voice for Betty Rubble on the Flintstones.
That would be Bea Benederet, who I would think would be best remembered in
OTR as Blanche Morton, Gracie Allen's best friend and wacky next door neighbor
(or is Gracie Blanche's wacky next door neighbor) on "The George Burns and
Gracie Allen Show," along with her many appearances on "The Jack Benny Show"
and
her role as the boss' wife on "My Favorite Husband." She also pops up
regularly as female voices in some Warner Brothers cartoons of the 1940s and
'50s.
Dixon
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:38:09 -0500
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: no weather during World War II??
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
In a message dated 1/12/05 2:26:58 PM Central Standard Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:
I have recordings
from WNAX, Yankton, SD, fifteen reels of it from ETs, and I can find no
reference whatever to weather. I do not recall hearing even a reference to
rain or sunshine!
I once heard a story that Henry Morgan did silly weather forecasts during his
"Here's Morgan" series on WOR, like "snow, followed by snowballs, followed by
dignified old men getting beaned by snowballs," and the Navy made him stop
over that security thing. At one point were weather forecasts re-permitted?
Seems like I heard there was some point before the end of the war when it was
finally determined once and for all, local weather forecasts were of no use to
the enemy.
Dixon
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*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:38:37 -0500
From: Timothy Clough <timothy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR Listening Habits
In Issue 10, David Phaneuf asked, re: Matthew Bullis's comment about
listening to Lum & Abner one episode per night, "how do you
do that?????", because he listens to, I assume, several episodes at a
time. This leads to my first question: How many of you out there listen
to, at most, one episode per day of any series you're listening to in
chronological order, and how many of you listen to several episodes,
from the same series, at a time? Personally, I listen to at most one
episode a day, currently of Lum & Abner, Gunsmoke, Fibber McGee & Molly,
and Suspense. (L&A, every day; the rest, 2 out of the 3 per day, in a
cyclical manner)
My second question is: How many of you out there listen to the whole
episode, including the opening and closing music, if any, and how many
fast forward/skip to the next track or file when the actual acting is
done? As for me, I listen to the whole show, including the closing music
(even for Gunsmoke and Cinnamon Bear).
My mother, however, seems to be just the opposite of me--several at a
time, and end early when applicable.
Tim
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:39:35 -0500
From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: AFRS And Swing Junk
Chris Holm asked
One wonders if, during the 40's, there were people complaining about AFRS
playing all that big band and swing 'junk' that the young soldiers all liked
so well.
The great Glenn Miller had the answer to that problem. After he gave up his
wildly sucessful civilian band and joined the Army Air Force in 1942, Miller
formed a super band in the service, but he didn't stop there.
In addition to the large orchestra he had it broken down into other smaller
groups for broadcasting to the troops.
The 1st violinist in his band was George Ockner late of the Philadelphia
Orchestra as well as other symphonic orchestras. He had Ockner lead the
string section of the orchestra on the air in a program called 'Strings With
Wings". This group played semi-classical,light operetta and show tunes for
all of those who didn't appreciate Swing, or just needed a change.
He also had Ray Mckinley,his drummer and a bandleader of his own group in
pre-war days, take the dance band combination from the large orchestra called
it The American Dance Band and it broadcast"The Swing Shift program all over
Europe.
In addition his pianist Mel Powell took a combo from the band and called it
The American Swing Sextet and they broadcast a strictly jazz program called
"Uptown Hall".
"Piano Parade" was a program featuring backup pianist Jack Rusin doing a very
eclectic program of music.
Millers male vocalist with the orchestra,Johnny Desmond,had his own program
called "A Soldier With A Song" which would include accompanyment by any of
the above groups at different times and this show would feature mostly
ballads.
Then of course they would all come together again to perform as the Army Air
Force Orchestra. All of these programs were regularly scheduled shows beamed
out to our fighting men.
In addition to the broadcasts Miller made V-Discs which were sent to the
armed forces all over the world. I'm not sure but I think that the V-discs
were broadcast also. Some of these V-discs included recordings of Miller's
marching band as well, playing both swing arrangements and traditional
marches as well.
So Captain Miller(later Major Miller) recognized that not everybody wanted
the same kind of music and provided for them all.
George Aust
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:39:48 -0500
From: "Michael Guccione" <jetbonami@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Mairzy Doat thread
Been enjoying (and still enjoying) all these responses, some of which should
be published in a book. The Mickey Rooney thread from last year was also
good.
Michael G
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 16:20:46 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 1-14 births/deaths
January 14th births
01-14-1892 - Hal Roach - Elmira, NY - d. 11-2-1992
film producer, actor: Hollywood Hotel"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
01-14-1901 - Bebe Daniels - Dallas, TX - d. 3-16-1971
actress: "Life with the Lyons"; "Louella Parsons"
01-14-1904 - George McCoy - d. 12-22-1976
1930's broadcaster: (Pioneered the radio talk show)
01-14-1906 - William Bendix - NYC - d. 12-14-1964
actor: Chester A. Riley "Life of Riley"
01-14-1908 - Russ Columbo - Camden, NJ - d. 9-2-1934
singer, bandleader: "Russ Columbo Show"
01-14-1909 - Joseph Losey - La Crosse, WI - d. 6-22-1984
director: "Words at War"
01-14-1911 - David Gothard - Beardstown, IL - d. 8-2-1977
actor: Gil Whitney "Romance of Helen Trent"; Nick Charles "Advs. of the Thin
Man"
01-14-1914 - Harold Russell - North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada - d. 1-29-2002
world war II hero, actor: "A Salute to the [removed]"; "NBC University Theatre"
01-14-1915 - George Ansbro - Brooklyn, NY
announcer: "Young Widder Brown"; "Waltz Time"
01-14-1915 - Mark Goodson - Sacramento, CA - d. 12-18-1992
producer, director: "Portia Faces Life"; "Stop the Music"
01-14-1919 - Andy Rooney - Albany, NY
writer: "Red Skelton Show"; "Arthur Godfrey"
01-14-1931 - Caterina Valente - Paris, France
singer: "Guard Session"
01-14-1938 - Jack Jones - Hollywood, CA
singer: "Steve Lawrence Show"; "Guest Star"; "Stars for Defense"
January 14th deaths
01-27-1921 - Donna Reed - Dennison, IA - d. 1-14-1986
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Star and the Story"; "Silver Theatre"
06-12-1919 - Uta Hagen - Gottingen, Germany (Raised: Madison, WI) - d.
1-14-2004
actress: "Big Show"
06-14-1917 - Paul Monash - NYC - d. 1-14-2003
writer: "Molle Mystery Theatre"
06-18-1903 - Jeanette MacDonald - Philadelphia, PA - d. 1-14-1965
singer: "Nobody's Children"; "Vicks Open House"; "Campbell Playhouse"
08-19-1889 - Don "Uncle Don" Carney - St. Joseph, MO - d. 1-14-1954
host: "Uncle Don"; "Friendship Village"; "Dog Chats"
08-21-1896 - Marie Blake - Philadelphia, PA - d. 1-14-1978
actress: (Sister of Janette MacDonald) "Lux Radio Theatre"
09-17-1902 - Esther Ralston - Bar Harbor, ME - d. 1-14-1994
actress: Martha Jackson "Woman of Courage"; Kathy Marsh "Portia Faces Life"
09-28-1916 - Peter Finch - London, England - d. 1-14-1977
actor: Australian Radio
12-25-1899 - Humphrey Bogart - NYC - d. 1-14-1957
actor: Slate Shannon "Bold Venture"; "Stars in the Air"; "Streamlined
Shakespeare"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #13
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