Subject: [removed] Digest V2003 #17
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 1/13/2003 9:26 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2003 : Issue 17
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Re: Converting RA files               [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
      "the reasons shows often don't get r  [ "david rogers" <david_rogers@hotmai ]
      Bob Hope collection                   [ "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed] ]
      Script Writing                        [ lawrence albert <albertlarry@yahoo. ]
      The Lottery; Sgt. Preston             [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
      The Whistler                          [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
      OTR censorship                        [ "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed] ]
      OLDE TYME RADIO NETWORK SCHEDULE for  [ HERITAGE4@[removed] ]
      Re: Archie Shows                      [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      censorship                            [ Howard Blue <khovard@[removed]; ]
      Re: Jolson                            [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      Elvis & Al Jolson                     [ "Phil Watson" <philwats@[removed] ]
      Slipping jokes past censors           [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed] ]
      Two New York Times articles           [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed]; ]
      Jolie                                 [ "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed] ]
      speaking of radio jingles             [ bloodbleeds@[removed] ]
      Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Cincinnati convention ?               [ WILEYOTTER@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 01:05:04 -0500
    From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Converting RA files

    The other day I mentioned that Real Audio makes a program that will allow
    you to convert RA files to WAV files or MP3 files. It took me a while to
    find the correspondence I had with R. A., but below is a copy of the email
    I received from them in November of 2001.

    Fred
    [removed]

    Hello!
    Thanks for contacting RealNetworks Technical Support.

    My name is Manju Rashmi and I am a RealNetworks Technical Support
    Engineer.  I will be following up with you on the problem you are reporting.

    I understand that you wish to know if we an application that could convert
    .RA files into .WAV or .MP3 files.  Please note that RealJukeBox Plus - the
    paid version of RealJukebox can convert .RA files to either .WAV or .MP3
    files.

    To be able to convert a .RA file in RealJukebox Plus, the .RA file should
    be a stereo file and should not be encoded at either 8, 16, 24, 32 or 48
    KHz frequency.

    The following knowledgebase article provides you the steps to follow to
    convert files in RealJukeBox Plus.  Please go through the article.

    * **********************************************
    How do I convert a file from one format to another with RealJukebox Plus?

    This document applies to:

    - RealJukebox 1 Plus
    - RealJukebox 2 Plus
    - Windows Operating System

    The RealJukebox Plus Convert (Save Track As in RealJukebox 1 Plus) feature
    allows you to save many of your music files as MP3, RealAudio, or WAV
    files. You can save an existing music file to a new format by
    right-clicking the file and choosing Convert or Save Track As.

    The Convert (Save Track As) feature is not included in RealJukebox Basic.
    RealJukebox Plus is not able to convert secured or protected third-party
    formats such as Liquid Audio or AT&T's a2b formats.

    To convert a song into a different file format with RealJukebox Plus, do
    the following:

    1. Start RealJukebox.
    2. Select the track that you want to save to another format.
    3. Right-click the file and choose Convert or Save Track As.
    4. Choose the desired format and bitrate for the new file.
    5. Click OK.

    RealJukebox will convert the song and place the new file in the same folder
    on your hard drive as the original song.

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:08:23 -0500
    From: "david rogers" <david_rogers@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  "the reasons shows often don't get released"

    I have come across this sort of arguement a lot in this digest:

>     Your mention of MP3s points to one of the reasons shows often don't get
>     released.  It costs a lot of time, effort and money to get these shows
>     transferred and released.  Entertainers (and their heirs) often aren't
>     willing to go to the trouble and cost of having this done unless there is a
>     financial incentive, like royalty payments.

    I have often wondered:

    1 - Do people only produce and release things for a financial reason?

    2 - Do organizations like the BBC continue to produce things and release
    them on tape and CD at such a great loss?

    3 - When people buy OTR items, how many times are the profits going to
    dealers and how many times do they go to the artists?

    I don't want to cause a fight, certainly not over money.  However, I find it
    rather sad when people keep saying that things aren't done because of the
    money. I realise that this will probably recieve a negative response, but
    this is a hobby for me because I enjoy listening to old radio shows.

    Love as always, David Rogers

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:08:51 -0500
    From: "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Bob Hope collection

      Thanks Anthony for the info on the Bob Hope collection at Sam's Club.
    Next time we go to Sam's will make a point of looking for the CD set. Am
    also looking forward to reading the booklet you wrote for the collection.
      Have heard before about families of celebrities not releasing ET's because
    of not knowing how they be able to get any money  for themselves by
    releasing them. With MP3's so easy to make unless there is a copyright law
    protecting the families there could be thousands of copies made of the Sam's
    Club Bob Hope collection. This will be interesting seeing if these CDs are
    released as MP3s by eBay sellers and OTR dealers.
      I am anxious to hear the better sound of the Radio Spirits collection as
    the Bob Hope shows I have on MP3 have not been encoded with better sound.
      Andrew Godfrey

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:07:47 -0500
    From: lawrence albert <albertlarry@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Script Writing

    Bruce Humpries wrote:

>     I love writing radio plays and am searching for
>     great
>     internet sites where I can find OTR downloads. Not so
>     much for collecting but to just hear them

     For all of you frustrated radio writers out there
    this is for you. If you have a script or want to write
    one and you  think that a performance at your OTR club
    or a reading by some of your friends is the only way
    anyone is going to hear I have a possible alternative.
    Jim French's Imagination Theatre wants to hear from
    you. If the show isn't heard in your area go to
    [removed] and listen to the program. Get
    familiar with the format and the style we are looking
    for and send us your script. If we use it we pay you,
    if not we send it back with an explanation. No
    recreations of any OTR show please. We are a family
    show so keep the sex out and the violence to a
    minimum. Send all submissions to Jim French
    Productions P. O. Box 75296 Seattle, WA. 98125. This
    is not a contest and you don't send us anything but
    your script, ever. If you have any questions please
    write to me off the digest.
                       Larry Albert

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:09:31 -0500
    From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The Lottery; Sgt. Preston

    Stephen Kallis wrote:

>     One of the early TV programs that was extremely effective was a teleplay of
>     Shirley Jackson's short story, The Lottery.  It was simple, stark, and
>     easily within a TV show's budget.  That worked very well on video ....It
>     could have been done on radio, but not with that level of
>     effect.

    It WAS done on radio, on "NBC Presents: Short Story". I didn't get to see
    early TV shows because my father refused to buy a TV set. For anyone who has
    seen the TV version and also the radio version, what do you think? I thought
    the radio show was well done.

    Stephen went on to discuss how well two OTR shows transitioned to TV, saying
    Sky King did and Captain Midnight did not. Another I'd put in that latter
    category is Sergeant Preston. I grew up with that show being one of my
    favorites. I never got to see the TV version (because of the reason stated
    above) when it was on. Many years later I did have the opportunity to see an
    episode. I eagerly watched and, boy!, what a disappointment! Those
    "windswept snow-covered reaches of the wild northwest" were nowhere to be
    found! I still love the radio show!
    On King! On, you huskies!

    Barbara

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:09:49 -0500
    From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The Whistler

    Irene Heinstein posted:

>     I know this is technically not sound effects but the only person who could
>     whistle the "Whistler" theme was a woman who did so for the entire run as I
>     recall.

    I've always been told that, too, but just recently someone said that there
    were various people who did the whistling throughout the years. I wish I
    could remember who said it. Does anyone know for sure what the true fact is?

    Barbara

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:10:02 -0500
    From: "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  OTR censorship

      Thank you Michael for going into such detail on censorship of OTR shows.
    The Bob Hope show from 1939 I heard was full of double entendre jokes that
    may not on the surface sound off color but the audience picked up on the
    real meaning of the jokes which was sometimes very raunchy.
      In my book Bob Hope was the best ever at delivering monlogues on current
    events and situations like wherever he entertained troops he found out
    enough about that base to mention specific places and things in his
    monologues.
      Andrew Godfrey

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:10:09 -0500
    From: HERITAGE4@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  OLDE TYME RADIO NETWORK SCHEDULE for Week of
     1/12/03

    The shows in this weeks lineup are available 24/7 at the website:
    [removed]   Streaming audio in hi-fi sound starting
    Sunday, January 12th:

    SAME TIME, SAME STATION with Jerry Haendiges
    1. THE ADVENTURES OF LEONIDAS WITHERAL  - 7/23/44
    "The Case of the Vanishing Housekeeper"
    2. CAN YOU TOP THIS?   7/5/47
    3. HAUNTED  7/28/80   "The Decoy"
    4. THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS    3/13/60  "Dead End"

    HERITAGE ARDIO THEATRE with Tom Heathwood
    1. SCREEN DIRECTOR'S PLAYHOUSE    1/30/44  NBC   featuring
    director, Alfred Hitchcock,  presenting a comedy, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"
    starring Robert Montgomery and Mary Jane Croft.
    2. THE SHADOW     12/8/40  MBS   William Johnstone and Marjorie
    Anderson in  "The Voice of Death"
    3. THE COLGATE SPORTS NEWSREEL   ##557     NBC   2/17/50
    with special guest, Olympic and Hollywood star, Sonja Heine.

    Enjoy ---   Tom & Jerry

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:11:45 -0500
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Archie Shows

    Last week, Jerry Bechtel asked

>     I would REALLY appreciate anyone who could lead me in the direction of
>     increasing my collection. I've only been able to find 14 Archie Andrews shows
>     but I think there must be more out there somewhere.

    Jerry, to my knowledge, there are (I think) 41 episodes of "Archie" in the
    collection of the man that I have dubbed "The Archie Andrews programs #1
    fan".

    I have no idea if he has to time to trade, or gets involved with the hobby
    that way. But I suggest you contact him, and see if you two can work
    something out. E-mail address follows.

    BillG@[removed]

    Thanks for being a fan of the show. :)

    Regards
    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    Jughead

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:10:24 -0500
    From: Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  censorship

    	I discuss WORLD WAR II era censorship in various places in my book,
    WORDS AT WAR.

    	 Arthur Laurents, best known for WEST SIDE STORY etc. wrote for radio
    for the Army during the war. In the book, I relate his story of how while
    he was still in the Army, he was assigned to work on a civilian show. He
    had to regularly do battle with the military censor assigned to the show.
     The censorship became even more of a problem after he attended a Radio
    Writers Guild meeting where he argued in favor of of a law that was being
    considered in Congress to make it easier for soldiers to vote. At that
    time, because so many young soldiers were supporters of the New Deal,
    Southern Democrat and Republican politicians had opposed the bill. As a
    consequence of Laurents' outspokenness, a right-wing member of the Guild
    reported Laurents as a Communist, and the amount of censorship Laurents
    had to deal with was increased.

    	For this and similar reasons, Laurents was listed in RED CHANNELS which
    implied that he was a Communist.

    Howard Blue
    [removed]
    ". . . .  masterly,  . . .  . . . Blue stands with Barnouw and Dunning,
    and that is high rank indeed."
    					Norman Corwin

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:11:40 -0500
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Jolson

    East Coast Elizabeth, responding to West Coast Irene, (about Jolson), said.

>     But in his day, and in his place, he was the Real Deal. (SNIP)

>     I can't imagine the overwhelming experience of seeing him in person.

    What a wonderful choice of words. Looking back on it now, I suppose I was
    "overwhelmed" in a way. Or at the very least, drawn to the magnetism of his
    in-person aura.

    As I mentioned before in this Digest, I never saw Jolsen in his prime. It
    was only after his career had a resurgence, (following the release of the
    movie about his life, starring Larry Parks) that I became enamoured of
    Jolsen's vocal style. Then, when NBC capitalized on his being "rediscovered"
    by a whole new generation, and built a radio program around him, I had many
    opportunities to slip into the 3rd floor rehearsal studio to watch him at
    work (and play), then would attend the broadcasts in the massive studio 8H.

    I was hooked. It would be difficult to convey the hold he had on the
    audience. Looking back on those years, it probably had to do with his larger
    than life personality. He was a clown, cut-up, imp, mischievous, naughty,
    irreverent, on one [removed] and loaded with pathos, gentleness,
    sentimentality and "smaltz" on the other. (I'm not sure about the spelling
    of "Smaltz", but it's a Jewish word that we used in Show Business. I think
    it means corny or overdone sentimentality. But he could get away with it!!!)

    I'm sure his huge success in vaudeville had to do with his ability to
    "project" his energy and aura throughout the theatre audience, no matter
    where you were seated. If you were in the upper balcony, his body language
    conveyed whatever he wanted the audience to feel, along with his
    vocalization. But if you were lucky enough to sit up close, (as I was)
    Jolson's "eyes" were riveting. He had a glint or gleam in them that mirrored
    his soul, and conveyed a range of emotions that, in my opinion, nobody else
    could duplicate.

    Eddie Cantor tried, (That's why they called him Old Banjo Eyes). He tried to
    use his "eyes" like Jolson did, but overdid it. IMHO, his act was a poor
    imitation of Jolsen. And an ever poorer Jolson wannabe was George Jesell,
    who always grated on me because he dared presume he was talented.

    To those of you who bought my book, check out the picture of Jolsen on page
    270. Look at the expression on his face, and the gleem in his eyes. What do
    "you" see there?

    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    Jughead

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 13:21:33 -0500
    From: "Phil Watson" <philwats@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Elvis & Al Jolson

    Elizabeth compared the early Elvis with Jolson in his prime. While it's hard
    comparing different-era performers, I remember worrying about Elvis in 1961
    when he released "Are you lonesome tonight", with its narration. I still
    recall the shock I felt a couple of years later when the BBC ran a tribute
    to Al and played HIS version of the same song. Same style of backing, same
    singing style, same narration. They ran the Elvis version into Al's and back
    again, and it was pretty seamless.

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 16:46:28 -0500
    From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Slipping jokes past censors

    	There is a Fibber McGee & Molly episode that I'll never be able to
    find right now, so I can't say which one.  Anyway, it is winter and Fibber is
    talking to Tinny (I'm working from memory, so forgive me If I screw up some
    of the details), and they are discussing sledding.  He is about to ask if
    they're doing belly whoppers, stops, and instead changing to the term "buckle
    bruisers."

    	Now, I know that the censors didn't like to use words for some body
    parts.  Would belly have been one?  Why?  Also, I could never completely
    decide if this was intentional or not.  It sounds very self-referential, and
    I think FM&M were intentionally making a censorship joke.  However, they
    didn't do this sort of thing nearly as often as other shows, so I'm not sure.

    	Anyway, is this ringing any bells with anyone?  Does sound like
    something they'd do on purpose?  And why would the censors object to words
    like belly?

    -Chris Holm

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 16:46:57 -0500
    From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
    To: "oldradio" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Two New York Times articles

    The Friday, Jan. 10, issue of The New York Times carried a story headlined:
    "One Boy's Golden Age of Radio."
    It's a delightful piece by the mother of an 11-year-old who has discovered
    the joys of radio, and spends hours each day listening and discovering.
    Some is current-day programming on NPR, but he also has become a huge fan of
    OTR on WICC. Programs mentioned include "The Shadow," "Our Miss Brooks,"
    "The Green Hornet," and many others.

    Going back a bit (and I apologize if this has been mentioned and I missed
    it), the Dec. 18 issue carried an obituary and photo for "Dolly Dawn, 86,
    Who Sang Center Stage in the Big Band Era."
    The story notes that after six months of training, "she began singing with
    (George) Hall's band in July 1935, which every day but Sunday was broadcast
    nationally on CBS radio from the Taft Hotel at noon."

    Dave J., Vancouver, WA.

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 16:47:20 -0500
    From: "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Jolie

    I just had to kick in on the thread about the greatest entertainer.  My dad
    saw Al Jolson in a USO show, in the pacific, during the war.  He still
    fondly remember it 60 years later and says that Jolie was the greatest (eat
    your heart out Muhammad Ali).
    According to [removed] Jolson was entertaining troops as far
    back as the Spanish/American war.  He approached the War Dept., right after
    Pearl Harbor, and said that he wanted to entertain the troops-and the USO
    shows were born.

    Roby McHone
    Fairbanks, Alaska

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 17:05:35 -0500
    From: bloodbleeds@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  speaking of radio jingles

    In case not many people know about The Jingle Book by Ken R., it's rather
    good. A bit
    steep in price but very comprehensive. You can spy it at

    [removed]

    Ben

    It's That Time Again!
    The New Stories of Old-Time Radio
    [removed]

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 17:43:50 -0500
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Today in radio history

>     >From Those Were The Days --

    1/13

    1906 - Hugh Gernsback of the Electro Importing Company advertised radio
    receivers for sale for the low, low price of just $[removed] in Scientific
    American magazine. The first ad selling the gizmos guaranteed reception
    of about one mile.

    1910 - Enrico Caruso and Emmy Destinn were heard via a telephone
    transmitter; rigged by DeForest Radio-Telephone Company to broadcast
    from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

     1/14

    1939 - The program, Honolulu Bound, was heard on CBS. Phil Baker and the
    Andrews Sisters were featured on the program.

    Birthday:

    1906 - William Bendix,  The Life of Riley; died Dec 14, 1964

      Joe

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

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

    Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 22:34:59 -0500
    From: WILEYOTTER@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Cincinnati convention ?
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

    What/When/Where is the Cincinnati convention ?

    Thanks

    Don Jones

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

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #17
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