------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2004 : Issue 196
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
6-9 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Nancy Davis [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Re: Over vs. Under-playing [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
Advertising in Program Openings [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
Jane Toppan [ "laurie platt" <laurie1125@hotmail. ]
RBB's Request For 1950's radio airch [ RickAir@[removed] ]
I LOVE A MYSTERY THEME [ "Gary Dixon" <argy@[removed]; ]
Radio Comics [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
The classics on [removed] [ "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed] ]
Two radio prayers [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
Classical theme music [ "Jim Nixon" <ranger6000@[removed] ]
Stay awake with Walden this weekend [ BryanH362@[removed] ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
OTR music themes [ Tony Baechler <tony@[removed]; ]
Current OTR recreations [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
OTR Acting/Cassette Reliability [ "Tom van der Voort" <evan@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 18:11:47 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 6-9 births/deaths
June 9th births
06-09-1890 - Leslie Banks - West Derby, England - d. 4-21-1952
actress: "Theatre of Romance"
06-09-1900 - Fred Waring - Tyrone, PA - d. 7-29-1984
conductor: "Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians"; "Pleasure Time/Victory Tunes"
06-09-1908 - Robert Cummings - Joplin, MO - d. 12-1-1990
actor: David Adair "Those We Love"; "Cavalcade of America"
06-09-1910 - George Bryan - NYC - d. 6-27-1969
announcer: "Helen Hayes Theatre"; "Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts"
06-09-1910 - Joseph Julian - St. Marys, PA - d. 3-11-1982
actor: Sandy Matson "Lorenzo Jones"; Archie Goodwin "Advs. of Nero Wolfe"
06-09-1915 - Les Paul - Waukesha, WI
guitarist: "Fred Waring Show"; "Drene Show"; "Rhubarb Red"
06-09-1922 - George Axelrod - NYC - d. 6-21-2003
writer: "Midnight in Manhattan"; "Grand Ole Opry"
06-09-1926 - Mona Freeman - Baltimore, MD
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Suspense"
06-09-1933 - Dick Orkin - Williamsport, PA
comedian: "Chickenman"; "Tooth Fairy"
June 9th deaths
01-11-1910 - Betty Miles - Santa Monica, CA - d. 6-9-1992
actress: Millie Anderson "A Day in the Life of Dennis Day"
02-07-1812 - Charles Dickens - Portsmouth, England - d. 6-9-1870
author: "A Christmas Carol"
03-18-1905 - Robert Donat - Manchester, England - d. 6-9-1958
actor, poetry reader: "Justice"; "Monte Carlo"; "Reader of Poetry"; [removed]
Steel Hour"
06-08-1921 - Alexis Smith - Penticton, British Columbia, Canada - d. 6-9-1993
Actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Stars in the Air"; "Screen Guild Theatre"
10-05-1918 - Allen Ludden - Mineral Point, WI - d. 6-9-1981
host: "Mind Your Manners"; "College Bowl"
12-12-1908 - Hank Ladd - Chicago, IL - d. 6-9-1982
actor: Beetle "Phil Baker Show"
--
Ron Sayles
For a complete list:
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 18:11:52 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Nancy Davis
Did Nancy Davis do any radio. I can't find anything that she has done.
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 18:12:43 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Over vs. Under-playing
On 6/8/04 10:06 AM [removed]@[removed] wrote:
In fact, I find the fault of most modern audio acting to be
UNDER-playing, not OVER. Listen carefully to the best work, old or new: as
you have only one sense represented, the playing has to be very full. "Just
overhearing it" film-style acting is dead as dishwater on mic.
It's a very subjective judgement, though -- personally, I don't much care
for "full" radio acting -- I prefer a quiet, understated, minimalistic
approach as opposed to broad theatricality.
When I was in community theatre, we had certain actors who loved to don
false whiskers and swagger out onto the stage and Emote in a deep, phony
Orson Welles voice. We dismissed such types as "beard actors," and I used
to really flinch when they came out on to the stage.
Radio was (and is) full of Beard Actors -- people who insist on cramming
every line into your ear so as to make sure you get the point. They're
the equivalent of the low-grade silent film actors who would wring their
hands and beat their chests and pull their moustaches in order to ensure
that even the most slackjawed yokel in the balcony fully understands
every emotion that's being expressed. But I don't think most audiences
need that sort of pandering, and more often than not I think that
approach is nothing more than show-offy self-indulgence on the part of
the actor who does it or the director who allows it. And I submit that
radio, as a medium, is far too intimate for that kind of stuff.
I've always felt that the supreme test of a radio actor is the ability to
convincingly conduct a simple, routine conversation with another actor.
No flamboyance, no over-punching words and phrases, no extreme emotions,
none of that "You're so cru-ell!" elocution-school overenunciation that
stage actors used to be so fond of -- just two people sitting talking the
way any two people would sit and talk. Given a well-written script, it's
possible for capable actors to create a whole world in the minds of the
audience with nothing more than that.
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 18:31:39 -0400
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Advertising in Program Openings
Sean Dougherty mentions an article featuring Jack Benny's "Jello"
connection, and how a Jello commercial was worked into the opening of his
broadcast--- much like the Jello commercial heralding "The Aldrich Family,"
I presume.
My all-time favorite commercial opening is the one introducing that great
western "Straight Arrow." As drums (or tom-toms) beat rhythmically in the
background, the announcer [removed], Nabisco is the name to
[removed] a breakfast you can't beat, try Nabisco Shredded Wheat.
Another introduction probably more familiar is the Cream of Wheat song that
commences
"Let's Pretend." Both are advertising gems. Their lyrics are simple and
easy to remember. I feel that dozens of OTR commercials continue to
resonate in our collective memories. In fact, I personally recall these
jingles and songs more readily than those featured on commercial
television.
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 18:55:30 -0400
From: "laurie platt" <laurie1125@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Jane Toppan
I know that they have done several radio radio dramas on Lizzie Borden, but
are there any on Jane Toppan? Jane was a nurse in the early part of 1900 who
murdered her patients in the New England area.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 18:55:41 -0400
From: RickAir@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: RBB's Request For 1950's radio airchecks
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In reply to RBB's question about 1950's airchecks in OTR issue 190:
Russ,
Check out Tom Konard's website, The Aircheck Factory. He has been collecting
radio airchecks since the early 1960's on open reel and has some of the
1950's shows you may be looking for. Tom used to be the production director
at
Chicago's WCFL radio during the 60's & 70's.
Here is the link to his site: Hope this helps!
Rick Garofalo
[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 20:27:42 -0400
From: "Gary Dixon" <argy@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: I LOVE A MYSTERY THEME
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john matthews asked for titles of classical music pieces used as theme songs
for the old radio [removed] about [removed]
"VALSE TRISTE" by Jean Sibelius ("I LOVE A MYSTERY")
to his list?
argydix
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 20:31:39 -0400
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Radio Comics
Mickey points out, anent my suggestion that a radio series that had
probably never been in a comic book, The Hartz Mountain Singing Canaries,
noted,
If we take Mr. French's question literally, i. e. "...in a comic book",
I'd have to disagree, as the Hartz Mountain Canaries were indeed
featured in ads "in a comic book".
Having never read all the comic books of the period, I cannot say
categorically that there never was such an ad, my suspicions are that any
such ads would more likely be in the Sunday comics sections of newspapers
rather than in comic books. All the comics I remember had an ad of
Charles Atlas on the back cover and a kind of classified page where at
least one of the ads were aimed at people with ruptures.
By contrast, a lot of radio related items were advertised in comics
sections. I have images of several premiums simultaneously hawked in the
newspaper sections. These include the Kix Atomic Bomb Ring (aka The Lone
Ranger Atom Bomb Ring), and the Captain Midnight Spy Scope. There was
also an ad for the television-program Captain Midnight Cold Ovaltine
Shake-Up Mug, but that's drifting away from OTR.
But that aside, going back to the original Jack French observation, there
are many programs that would have been virtually as difficult to make a
comic book out of. Naturally, The Cities Service Band of America is one
such program. Another would be Twenty Questions.
It was suggested to me off-line that soap operas might be poor candidates
for comic books. Actually, they'd have fitted in with the romance comics
of the era.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 20:31:53 -0400
From: "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The classics on [removed]
John Matthews' list is a good beginning, showing which shows used what
classical music as intros and closings. Correction: The Lone Ranger's
opening and closing theme was Rossini's William Tell overture (the last part
of it).
Kids of that time got a liberal education in classical music by
listening [removed]
"The Lone Ranger"
"The Green Hornet"
"Challenge (Sgt. Preston) of the Yukon" ...and several others.
Actually, classical music was all over the dial, and on just about any
kind of program, including soap operas, drama, kids' shows -- to name a few.
For example, "The Lone Ranger" used many standard classical pieces as
bridges, as well as several pieces composed especially for the program.
Here are the standards I remember:
Weber: Oberon overture
Mendelssohn: Fingal's cave (Hebrides) overture
Mendelssohn: Ruy blas overture
Wagner: Rienzi overture
Liszt: Les preludes
Thomas: Mignon overture
Franck: Symphony in D minor
The problem with trying to buy records of these themes was that
announcers seldom (if ever) gave the names and composers of the music they
played. The way I found out what was what was to remember themes, then
listen to classical DJs play the music on WOI, Ames, Iowa, WCAL & KUOM,
Minneapolis, and KUSD, Vermillion, SD. Sometimes I would hear these works
played in their complete form on the NY Phil-Sym Orch. and NBC Symphony
Orchestra broadcasts.
The Telephone Hour and Voice of Firestone had their own themes, but the
only regular symphony broadcast that I heard which had a classical theme was
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Henry Weber used a portion of the first
movement of Brahms's first symphony as a theme.
"Escape" used music from Musorgski's Pictures at an exhibition.
There were several swing bands heard on the radio that converted
classical pieces into modern versions, especially Freddy Martin. He
converted Chaikovskii's first piano concerto, Grieg's A minor piano concerto
and several others. Other bands used Chaikovskii's "Pathetique" symphony,
Rachmaninov's 2nd piano concerto, and Borodin's Polovtsian dances, and some
became hit tunes. Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini became "Who
are we to say?", and Hildegard used it on her program often.
Ted Kneebone/1528 S. Grant [removed], SD 57401/605-226-3344
OTR: [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 20:32:14 -0400
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Two radio prayers
A pal of mine wants to know if audio copies exist of two prayers that
were aired over network radio the week of D-Day.
1) First one was commissioned by the War Writers' Board and written by
Edna St. Vincent Millay. It was read on the air by NBC veteran actor
Ronald Colman.
2) The second was written by Robert Sherwood, who at that time was the
White House speech writer. FDR delivered this prayer on network radio,
probably as part of a regular presidential address.
Any help here, Howard Blue?
Jack French
Editor: Radio Recall
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 20:32:49 -0400
From: "Jim Nixon" <ranger6000@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Classical theme music
John Mathews indicated in the last posting he is compiling a list of
classical compositions used in OTR. John, this is a very long list. And
you need to make a few edits in your initial compilation. While Reznicek's
"Donna Dianna" overture was the principal, and in most "Sgt. Preston"
programs, the only music used, Liszt's "Les Preludes" was not used in this
program. It was instead the intermission music used in "The Lone Ranger"
from mid-1940 to the conclusion of the series. There was also a separate
cue taken from "Les Preludes" also used in the Ranger.
Tschaikovsky's "1812 Overture" had four different cues used on the Lone
Ranger, and, if you want a list of all the classical cues used on that
program, I refer you to Reg Jone's wonderful book, "The Mystery of the
Masked Man's Music". To that you can add Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the
Bumble Bee" for the Green Hornet, and about thirty more classical cues used
exclusively on that WXYZ program. (If you want to hear a composition that
keeps reminding you of the "Hornet", try Gliere's Symphony No. 3, "Ilya
Mourametz". There are at least five Hornet cues in that work). This
posting is getting overlong, but in conclusion, include Sibelius' "Valse
Triste" as the "I Love a Mystery" intro theme.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 01:32:37 -0400
From: BryanH362@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Stay awake with Walden this weekend
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The weekend schedule for Yesterdayusa's Walden Hughes show heard Firday ,
Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm Pacific Time is as follows:
Friday 6-11-04
A. Frank Bressee with a new interview with Irving Fein. Irving was Jack
Benny's and George Burns' manager.
B. To celebrate Hal Stone's birthday Frank and Walden will replay a
favorite interview with Hal.
Saturday 6-12-04
A. Walden's live interview with author Chris Nickens to talk about many of
his books on Hollywood history
B. A salute to Ronald Reagan. Walden will feature many radio shows that
Ronald appeared in.
Sunday 6-13-04
A. Mike Biels talk
B. Laura Leff talk on the Jack Benny show of 6-6-37
C. Replay of interview with Brian Gari who is Eddy Cantors grandson.
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 02:12:00 -0400
From: charlie@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!
A weekly [removed]
For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
Network, the channel name is #OldRadio. We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
over six years, same time, same channel! Started by Lois Culver, widow
of actor Howard Culver, this is the place to be on Thursday night for
real-time OTR talk!
Our "regulars" include OTR actors, soundmen, collectors, listeners, and
others interested in enjoying OTR from points all over the world. Discussions
range from favorite shows to almost anything else under the sun (sometimes
it's hard for us to stay on-topic)...but even if it isn't always focused,
it's always a good time!
For more info, contact charlie@[removed]. We hope to see you there, this
week and every week!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 09:38:08 -0400
From: Tony Baechler <tony@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR music themes
Hello all. I am surprised that no one has mentioned this site. I
originally read about it on this digest.
[removed]
This site lists musical themes for many OTR and TV shows. Last I checked,
the site was still up but he was asking donations because he lost all his
paper archives. There were severe fires last October in the San Diego area
and he apparently lost a lot. I am near San Diego also and there was a lot
of smoke and bad air. I know many homes were lost. This site should help
with John compiling his classical music list.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 11:28:09 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Current OTR recreations
Craig just posted;
It never ceases to amaze me that folks who would not in a million years
consider themselves qualified to write, put on, or perform in a stage play or
film, glady rush "up to the mic". I'm not being a snob here; but - unless you
have a natural/and/or developed gift for these arts, it's a bit like picking
up a brush & expecting to be Norman Rockwell the first time out.
Craig. To that I say a very big "Amen".
As I'm an actor first, let me say it again: RADIO ACTING IS NOT JUST
READING!!!
To that I say another "Amen". And while I'm at it, I will say that Craig is
a standout among the crop of young actors who are interested in the art of
radio performing.
But I have to be honest. When I attend OTR Conventions, I sometimes cringe
when the powers that be cast people in various roles who are not even
remotely qualified. But on the flip side, I have to admire their courage and
interest in participating, and for helping keep alive the spirit of OTR. But
to be true to the spirit of OTR, one should also keep in mind that in the
good old days, the performers without any vestige of talent, were rarely
cast. Willingness and interest were not enough.
Sometimes I think nepotism and/or cronyism are mitigating factors in today's
recreations. Yikes, It couldn't also be the "Casting Couch" syndrome. Perish
the thought.
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 11:51:39 -0400
From: "Tom van der Voort" <evan@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR Acting/Cassette Reliability
1) Recent comments concerning the proficiency of OTR actors as compared
with current performers have overlooked one huge difference between the
two--the frequency with which stalwarts of the past were able to display
their talents. As the old saying goes, "practice makes perfect". It stands
to reason that an actor who spent a few hours each week before the mike in
ensemble pieces would be able to develop his timing, delivery, [removed] hone
his craft--in ways impossible in today's TV-centric world. That goes for
directors, sound men, etc., as well. If I needed open heart surgery, I'd
choose an operating team that did several procedures a week. If I want the
best in radio acting, I'll choose those with extensive mike time which, in
this country, means going back fifty or sixty years to another era.
2) With all the recent comments about defective CD's, and past remarks
about reel-to-reel problems such as sticky shed syndrome, squealing tapes,
and bleeding between tracks, I have come to wonder if the much reviled
cassette may not be a sturdier storage medium. I admit to a strong bias
because I have collected on cassette for thirty years. And they certainly
have their problems--tape hiss, speed variations, broken leaders, etc. But
in my experience, tapes dubbed twenty years ago still sound as good as the
day they were made. Furthermore a flood that would have destroyed
reel-to-reel tapes left my cassettes relatively unaffected. Maybe I'm living
in a dream world, but the lowly cassette has some very real advantages in my
estimation.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #196
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