Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #121
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 3/28/2002 4:03 PM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2002 : Issue 121
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Lone Ranger mini lunch boxes revisit  [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
  Radio Awards Show                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Comic Books and Radio                 [ Grbmd@[removed] ]
  Milton Berle                          [ otrbuff@[removed] ]
  Re:radio coverage in obituaries       [ Eric J Cooper <ejcooper2002@[removed] ]
  Sam 'n' Henry Book                    [ "welsa" <welsa@[removed]; ]
  Mr. Bartell                           [ WILLIAM BROOKS <webiii@[removed]; ]
  Milton Berle, RIP                     [ "Robert Paine" <macandrew@[removed] ]
  Milton Berle                          [ "Brian Johnson" <CHYRONOP@worldnet. ]
  Re: Sam & Henry Recordings            [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
  Milton Berle                          [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Working with----                      [ Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed] ]
  Price adjustment                      [ "Arte" <arte@[removed]; ]
  "Uncle Milty" Gone but not forgotten  [ AandG4jc@[removed] ]
  no club [removed]                         [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
  RE: SNOOKS SHOWS AVAILABLE            [ Kevin Michaels <kmichaels@doityours ]
  Standing or sitting (OTR) & radio qu  [ Bill Harris <radioguy@[removed]; ]
  Inflation                             [ "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed]; ]
  HALL OF FANTASY                       [ "Mike" <philipmarlowe@[removed]; ]
  Re: Harry Bartell's roles             [ Brent Pellegrini <brentp@[removed] ]
  Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  Speedy Gonzales & Frito Bandito       [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
  Baby Snooks                           [ Jerry Bechtel <[removed]@[removed] ]

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 18:38:14 -0500
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Lone Ranger mini lunch boxes revisited

William Harper wrote in Issue 108:

<Folks;
I just heard from General Foods ~ no more Cheerios/Lone Ranger lunch box
offer.
Bill>

The discussion about the commemorative Lone Ranger mini-lunch box came to my
mind when I was browsing some liquidation sites, where I occasionally look
for items they will sell in smaller quantities and lo and behold there
listed was this lunch box, offered at $1/ea, minimum of 25, plus shipping.
(No Cheerios included!) The boxes arrived today and with shipping it cost me
$[removed] for 25 of them.   They're quite nice, approx 4" x 5" with Cheerios
messages on two sides, and great graphics of The Lone Ranger alone on one
side and Tonto and the Lone Ranger on the other.

While I have plans for some of them if anyone in the group wants to buy one
I'd be glad to send you one at cost , $[removed] each plus actual shipping costs
which I haven't computed yet because I have to figure out how I'll ship
them.

If anyone's interested in buying one or wants more info just contact me at
my email address below.

If anyone's interested in buying some, perhaps to give out or sell at a
convention the direct link to the lunch box description (w/pictures)  is:
[removed]

It looks like they still have 2,000 available.  It was 3,000 on 3/21 when I
ordered my 25.

Irene Heinstein
IreneTH@[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 19:07:36 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Radio Awards Show

The other day when I musing about old time having no awards show, I didn't
mean to apply that they never got awards. I am aware of the Peabody and the
several other awards that came radio way. What I was referring to was an
awards show where there were nominees for Best Comedy, Best Mystery, etc. Then
the members of those groups would vote for their fellow entertainers, much
like the awards shows that we have today. I am still wondering.
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Make your day just a little better,
Listen to an Old Time Radio Program.

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 19:48:31 -0500
From: Grbmd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Comic Books and Radio

Stephen said:

Until fairly recently, I used as an inflation indicator the price of
 comic books.  The paper, ink, and the like, were constants, so any
 changes could be assigned to inflation.  Since comics started using
 different inks and papers, this has all changed; but well into the 1970s,
 it was a reliable index.

Ah, comic books!

What I remember was that they were 64 pages in length.  The ones you can pick
up from today's counters are, maybe, 16 pages.  And, in the old days, they
cost 10 cents.

The ones I liked were Superman and the Human Torch and the Submariner and
Captain America and the Green Lantern and whatever.

At least Superman was a radio favorite.  Wouldn't it have been great if some
other
of the above group had also been put on radio?

Spence

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 19:50:01 -0500
From: otrbuff@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Milton Berle

The media are announcing the passing of Milton Berle.

"The earliest example of the extraordinary influence of television was
the spectacular rise of Milton Berle.  Berle was the embodiment of an
archetypical vaudeville slapstick comic.  He . . . successfully burst
onto TV screens in 1948.  'The early history of television and the story
of Berle's show were close to being one and the same thing,' a witness to
the period allowed.  'The very success of Berle's show accelerated the
sale of television sets; those Americans who did not yet own sets would
return home after watching him at their neighbors' houses and decide
that, yes, it was finally time to take the plunge.'

"An important byproduct of Berleís overnight rise in the public's
consciousness was that his phenomenal popularity stirred other comedians
into considering the new medium -- including stars who had held back on
making the jump from their comfortable radio digs.  Berle proved to be as
much a catalyst in attracting his peers as he was adept in gaining fans
and selling TV sets.  As several of his contemporaries witnessed his
meteoric rise to fame, they aspired to a greater share of public acclaim
for themselves.  One by one, many of radio's most valued stars -- who had
been skeptical and reluctant to test the waters until they could see some
evidence of the tube's magnitude -- began making the transition to
television.  George Burns and Gracie Allen, Jack Benny, Red Skelton and a
myriad of other funny people were among those soon leaping onto the
bandwagon."

--From "Say Goodnight, Gracie:  The Last Golden Years of Network Radio,"
to be released by McFarland & Co. this spring.

Jim Cox

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 21:08:41 -0500
From: Eric J Cooper <ejcooper2002@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re:radio coverage in obituaries
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

As we all know at this point, we have lost Milton Berle at age [removed]

"[removed]"....once again, the mainstream media and its obituary
writers ignore OTR like it was ancient Greek history. According to John
Dunning's book, Mr. Berle was a part of eight different radio series
between 1936 and 1949. The Texaco Star Theater, in fact was a *radio*
show on ABC as well as an NBC-TV offering for it's first season and
everyone outside the major cities (LA, NY, Chicago etc) had only radio in
1948-49.

Oh [removed]

Eric Cooper

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

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 21:09:40 -0500
From: "welsa" <welsa@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Sam 'n' Henry Book

Elizabeth mentioned a paperback version of an old Sam 'n' Henry book.  I
havea copy of it.  It does say "Original Stories of Amos 'n' Andy on the
cover.  Illustrations by Samuel J. Smith.   I picked up my copy at a used
book store many long years ago for the paltry sum of 39¢!

I didn't realize the dialect had been tampered with.  But if you look beyond
the language, these are still funny stories to read.  In all there are 25
scripts in the book.

Ted

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 21:09:24 -0500
From: WILLIAM BROOKS <webiii@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Mr. Bartell

Recently several folks have been singing the praises of the acting
ability of one Harry Bartell. Well let me add my two cents worth. Now
Harry don't get a swelled head if you read this or I'll tell about
your "Mexican" cab driver in The Green Llama.

I have the honor to be an acquaintance of Harry and am very familiar
with his voice. If you want the measure of the man and the actor
listen to "Three Skeleton Key" from Escape. This is a very scary
show, and Harry was in all the broadcasts of the show (3 I think). He
played the part of a red headed, hunchback, insane French dwarf. Now
I must tell you that I have listened to all the episodes several
times and I produced and directed a recreation of the show. As well
as I know the show and as well as I know Harry's voice, if I didn't
know Harry was in it I would not be able to tell who played the part.
A masterful job of acting by a wonderful actor. If this is not
Harry's best acting  performance, I'd be hard pressed to find one
better.

On a more personal note: Harry I'll miss you this year at the Seattle
convention at the end of June. Stay well and Gob Bless you and Bev.

Bill

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 21:29:23 -0500
From: "Robert Paine" <macandrew@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Milton Berle, RIP

I just received a post from the Boston Radio Interest that Milton Berle
passed away today from a form of cancer. He was 93. Also - and outside OTR
but a very talented actor comedian, Dudley Moore, has left us - also too
soon. He was 66.

I remember somewhat Milton Berle from the early days of television. I always
wondered why I could recall NBC shows when Ch. 8 (then 6), New Haven (CT)
was ABC as far back as I was aware. Well, it wasn't always and it had Texaco
Star Theater, Your Show of Shows, Life of Riley (which I think was one of
the few that was pretty much on par with the radio version) and a few
others. Also was an original DuMont affiliate.

Milton Berle was on radio and my impression is that he had fairly
substantial radio time but his career really took off when he went to TV.
Like Red Skelton and a few others, he was able (again, IMO) to convey from
one medium to another. Some, like Fred Allen, Bob and Ray, and Stan Freberg,
had I think varying success in the visual realm but their talents were more
suited to the audio side. Berle's comedy to me seemed about 180 degrees from
Red Skelton. Berle's act was a louder type as opposed to Skelton, whose
material was somewhat more low-keyed. Though direct opposites in many cases,
each was a master at what they did.

Another great icon has left us. Thank God for the time He granted us to
enjoy and appreciate Milton Berle. At least we have him on recordings, sound
and visual.

Goodnight, Uncle Miltie. Thanks a bunch for your antics.  You made life,
with all its sham, drudgery and goobledy- gook, a lot more palatable. We
shall never forget you. (How can [removed] [removed] the fruit basket
on your [removed] over, Carmen Miranda!!! <gentle smile>).

 Macandrew   wearing (in spirit) a black mourning Stewart [removed]

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 21:28:55 -0500
From: "Brian Johnson" <CHYRONOP@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Milton Berle

And so we hear today that "Mr. Television," Milton Berle has died at age 93
on the very same day as Sir Dudley Moore. I know it's probably a bit of
bad-taste gallows humor, but what could be more fitting than for Uncle
Miltie to "steal" another comedian's exit?

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 21:57:41 -0500
From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Sam & Henry Recordings

Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed]; wrote:

 > As has been discussed from time to time, no recordings of "Sam and Henry"
 > broadcasts exist. All circulating recordings attributed to S&H are
 > actually unattributed dubs of their 1926-27 Victor records.

For the benefit of those of us who, in our blissful ignorance, thought
we had mp3's of Sam and Henry, and who might wish to hang on to the
illusion that we have little-known recordings not yet discovered by OTR
scholars at large, can you identify the sketches from those records in
some way?  How many such records were there? Were these records recorded
on both sides, one sketch per side? And were they representative of the
show? Thanks.

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 22:33:39 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Milton Berle

Milton Berle, who first saw the light of day on July 22, 1908 breathed his
last on March 27, 2002 at the age of 93. Although primarily known for his
television work, he did have e spotty career on radio.

One of his early efforts was "Community Sing" Which ran from 1936 to 1937. He
also was in such programs as "Stop Me If You've heard this One". It ran from
1939 to 1940 and again from 1947 to 1948 and "Three Ring Time" which ran for
only three months in 1948.

He appeared on "Ellery Queen" as a guest armchair detective, "Suspense" and he
was on the panel of "Who Said That?"

None of his radio shows ran for any length of time. His forte was visual
comedy and that is why he had a nice long run on television. It has been said
that he alone sold millions of television sets. In my case it was different.
My parents got their first television in 1950, not because of Milton Berle,
but because that is the year that Jack Benny started his television show. I
guess at the time we were one of the few who got television to watch Jack
Benny and not Milton Berle.

In an earlier posting I said apply when I meant to say imply. I apologize.
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 23:59:53 -0500
From: Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Working with----

Thomas Butts writes:

Mr. Bartell - I wonder if you have any comments on working with Bob Bailey ?

This question pops up all the time. Only the names are changed to protect
the innocent; and very frankly, I don't  know how to answer because I really
don't know what the question means. Freelance radio actors who were lucky
enough to work with some frequency were  involved in constantly shifting
personal contacts except in a few shows which used the equivalent of a stock
company-- Gunsmoke and Dragnet for example. It was no different than any
other job that was comprised of more than one worker. You liked some of the
people more than others and you were very much aware of their talents-- or
lack of same-- because they could make you look good or bad. The  general
atmosphere of any show was set by the director.

In most cases, an actor might star on one show and come back the next day
with a bit part on another. That was one of the glories of radio. Bob
Bailey, for example, came out of Chicago radio. knew the medium  and
although he had the biggest part on YTJD he was simply another actor you
worked with. Bill Conrad was a star on Gunsmoke and a voice on [removed]
two particular names are probably not very good examples because they were
both personal friends as opposed to working friends which means that
anything I might say about them would accordingly be prejudiced. Even if
they were not I don't think that the Digest is the proper place to give
opinions of personalities who are not able to agree or disagree with me.

I hope this makes sense and I apologize for not being able to be more
specific.

Harry Bartell

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 00:01:11 -0500
From: "Arte" <arte@[removed];
To: "OldRadio Mailing List" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Price adjustment

Hal Stone pondered:

How much do you think that $[removed] a month apartment would cost in todays
dollars?

to which Beian Johnson replied:

According to the Columbia Journalism Review's inflation adjustor
([removed])
$30 US in 1945 is equivilant to $300 today.

But what kind of apartment do you get for $300 a month ?

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 00:05:03 -0500
From: AandG4jc@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "Uncle Milty" Gone but not forgotten

Some of you radio fans may or may not have heard Milton Berle died today as
of this date of the posting. Truly a great comedian not only was on early
television but radio too. For those of you who have not read it here is a
link to the story.

[removed]

301LA119
A sad day for American Comedy.
Allen

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 00:05:37 -0500
From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: no club [removed]

Reading Hal posting about Florida having no OTR Club brought to mind that
Chicago, and Arizona would be good other spot for OTR Club, or convention.
Good listening,

Walden Hughes

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 00:31:46 -0500
From: Kevin Michaels <kmichaels@[removed];
To: "Radio  Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE:  SNOOKS SHOWS AVAILABLE

In answer to a posting about the lack of Snooks Shows, there are over 130
individual episodes in circulation to Collectors & Dealers.

Source:  Handbook Of Old-Time Radio By Jon Swartz

Kevin Michaels

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 00:41:18 -0500
From: Bill Harris <radioguy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Standing or sitting (OTR) & radio question

"Harry Machin, Jr." <harbev5@[removed]; asked:

I've been reading about various radios, and I wonder if anyone
can tell me what model (maker) had the publicity slogan "No Stoop,
No Squat, No Squint."  It was an advertisement for a floor standing
radio with all of the controls (and dial) at the top but showing toward
the front.  This model radio was advertised sometime in the late
'30s, I believe (or possibly the early '40s).

This was a slogan of Philco. I could give you specific models but
my books are all packed away in preparation for our move to
Colorado Springs, Co. On these floor models the upper portion of
the radio with the dial and controls was slanted so they could be
viewed and manipulated without "stooping, squatting, or
squinting".

Bill H. - I don't need The Shadow to cloud my mind, I can do that
all by myself.

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 08:38:07 -0500
From: "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Inflation

Brian Johnson <CHYRONOP@[removed]; wrote:

According to the Columbia Journalism Review's inflation adjustor
([removed]) $30 US in 1945 is equivilant to
$300 today.

Which would mean that a $400 radio/phono console, right after the war, was
as expensive as a $4000 HDTV set now.

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 08:38:39 -0500
From: "Mike" <philipmarlowe@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: HALL OF FANTASY

Since were on the subject of Hall of Fantasy I thought put my two cents
worth. I've always thought this was a pretty good program in terms of the
actors and sound effects. I first encountered it growing up in the 1980s
where I heard on Victor Ives THE GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO.  Among my favorites
are:

HE WHO FOLLOWS ME
THE TEMPLE OF HUIZILIPOCHLE
THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO
THE MASKS OF ASHOR

I always remember Victor Ives announcing  "THE TEMPLE OF HUIZILIPOCHLE" and
having difficulty pronouncing it. Also the "THE MASKS OF ASHOR" terrified me
tremendously back then as as well as HE WHO FOLLOWS ME. I find the " THE
CASK OF AMONTILLADO" especially effective telling of the Edgar Allan Poe
classic with especially grisly sound effects of the killer cementing his
live victim in the wall of the wine cellar. The only thing I never
undertsood is why this radio show (to the best I can tell having listened to
it several times) is the credits give no credit Edgar Allan Poe.

Mike Kerezman

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 08:38:47 -0500
From: Brent Pellegrini <brentp@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Harry Bartell's roles

How about Frenchy in 3 skeleton key. Wasn't that Sir Harry?

+++_SI^@)y
TLUFp<1pyN4&

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 08:38:59 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history

  From Those Were The Days --

1941 - Louella Parsons hosted Hollywood Premiere for the first time on
CBS. The gossip columnist introduced famous guests who appeared in
dramatized stories.

1944 - WQXR radio in New York City, owned by The New York Times
newspaper, banned singing commercials from its airwaves as of this day.
Understandable, since the station has always been the classical music
voice of Manhattan and there aren't many classical singing commercials.

  Joe

--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 08:39:24 -0500
From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Speedy Gonzales & Frito Bandito

Kubelski@[removed] writes:

The Wall Street Journal reports today that the Cartoon Network has banned
Speedy Gonzales cartoons from its programs because he is insulting to
Mexicans.

Nothing new: I remember that years ago, on B&W TV, Lay's ran a series of
commercials for snack chips featuring a cartoon character called the "Frito
Bandito". I thought the commercials were funny.
Spanish-American groups objected that they were demeaning, however, so the
ads were killed.
I thought it was over-reaction.
But then again, I suppose the same stuff happened during radio's heyday.
Any comments?

Herb Harrison

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

Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 09:59:40 -0500
From: Jerry Bechtel <[removed]@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Baby Snooks

There are at least 9 Baby Snooks shows available on "STREAMLOAD".
Someone on this forum mentioned Streamload awhile back and I found it to
be a great site to download shows.

Jerry

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #121
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