Subject: [removed] Digest V2008 #284
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 12/12/2008 10:18 PM

To: [removed]@[removed]
Reply-to: [removed]@[removed]

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                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2008 : Issue 284
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Fibber's Closet is a yes              [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Peter Lorre on radio                  [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      Quick question                        [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]

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    Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:59:38 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Fibber's Closet is a yes

    Michael Biel remarked that I might have had the Fibber McGee and Molly closet
    routine on DVD and he has a good memory.
    I had it available on VHS years ago. The film was reused for a number of
    programs, but the last time it was used was a
    1976 PBS TV special titled GOOD OLD DAYS OF RADIO, hosted by Steve Allen.
    It's a great 85 minute dinner celebration
    that is given an Academy Awards style treatment. Actors Harold Peary, Don
    Wilson, Dennis Day, Sandra Gould,
    Rochester, Bret Morrison and many others appear in person. A radio recreation
    is performed on stage. Edgar Bergen and
    Charlie McCarthy perform (and what is probably one of the last times they
    performed together on film). Jim Jordan
    stands up and asks, "Have you ever been to a place where you could see so
    many old people?" and then
    Jordan showed a brief film clip which is the closet routine -- Fibber and
    Molly read from the script as the sound man
    knocks over all the tools and gimmicks and finally drops the bell.

    In 2000, the editor of SPERDVAC's Radiogram hailed the VHS as one of the best
    videos on OTR and offered his
    recommendation. I transferred it to DVD in 1993 and it's still available
    (yep, shameless plug) on [removed].

    Since then Chuck Shaden has been (or used to, not sure if he still does)
    offering the DVD on his radio program with his
    recommendation. The copy he was offering was supplied by another vendor who
    bought their copy (VHS format) from me
    at the 1993 or 1994 FOTR Convention. I have been considering not renewing the
    the annual license for this title, which
    expires Dec. 31, because sales the past two years for that title have been
    slowing to a standstill. Either everyone has it
    already, copies of the film are available from other people or the market is
    shrinking for this kind of DVD presentation.

    I sent Bob a complimentary copy in the mail early this morning, since he
    asked on the Digest in a previous issue about
    the film clip, figuring if he's going to view the clip he might as well enjoy
    a lot more to it. If anyone has not seen the
    GOOD OLD DAYS OF RADIO, I recommend it. It's really worth watching. One of
    the top ten OTR recommendations.
    Martin

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    Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:09 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Peter Lorre on radio

    THE LOST ONE: A life of Peter Lorre
    by Stephen D. Youngkin

    Published by the University Press of Kentucky, this hardcover book features a
    biography of Peter Lorre, his career in film, on stage, television and radio.
    Since the Digest centers on old-time radio, I'll focus on the part that is
    most impressive. Pages 476 through 486 feature a highly-detailed list of
    Peter Lorre's radio credits. Cheryl Morris gets the top credit for having
    compiled the list over the past years.

    While I know people can say, "yeah, I can look up a reference guide and see
    what episodes of INNER SANCTUM MYSTERY Peter Lorre appeared in," the
    following statement should give you an idea of just how good the list of
    radio credits is: The first five entries in the radio log are his German
    radio credits. Yep, radio shows he did from 1930 to 1932. I can only imagine
    his performance in "Bluebeard" ([removed] "Blaubart") on the FUNKSTUNDE BERLIN
    program on May 25, 1931. The other German actors I know nothing of, but to
    hear him play the lead could only be amusing if the recording exists (which
    it probably doesn't).

    It's that detailed. Book comes recommended.

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

    Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:30:05 -0500
    From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Quick question
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

           I noticed the name of Percy Kilbride on the birthday list.  Wasn't he
    the actor who co-starred with Marjorie Main in all of those "Ma and Pa
    Kettle" movies?  Seems like there were quite of few of those for a while.
    What was her birthday?

    As always,

    Kenneth Clarke

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    End of [removed] Digest V2008 Issue #284
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