Subject: [removed] Digest V2006 #44
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 2/11/2006 12:08 PM
To: [removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2006 : Issue 44
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Re: Willard Waterman on Amos n Andy?  [ Chip Melsh <chip20877@[removed]; ]
  In Defense of WJSV                    [ jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed]; ]
  Question about Theater Five and its   [ jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed]; ]
  Need Fibber McGee Theme               [ "Jed Dolnick" <jdolnick@[removed] ]
  2-11 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Lum and Abner                         [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  New OTR Book                          [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Remember WENN                         [ "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed]; ]
  2-10 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Another fourth wall reference         [ "Matthew Bullis" <matthewbullis@run ]
  Jack Benny vs Isaac Stern             [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
  More Jack and the violin              [ "Laura Leff" <president@[removed] ]
  Autographs?                           [ Illoman <illoman@[removed]; ]
  Archives 3 is coming                  [ benohmart@[removed] ]
  Frank Bresee/Seattle Convention       [ HRRMIKES@[removed] ]
  One Man Family                        [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
  Symposium Update                      [ Larry Gassman <lgsinger@[removed] ]

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:05:33 -0500
From: Chip Melsh <chip20877@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: Willard Waterman on Amos n Andy?

Hi,
According to [removed] it was indeed Willard
Waterman you heard.
Chip

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:08:06 -0500
From: jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  In Defense of WJSV
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In reading past Digest issues, there were several readers who complains about
the programming aired over WJSV on Sept. 21, 1939. One must consider the time
in which these programs aired, Radio Drama was still in its early stages, it
had not reached the high level that you would have heard on Sept. 21, 1944,
1949, 1954, or even 1959. I am glad the full day was recorded and I think
that everyone at this site, even those who complained about the boredom of
that days programming, would agree that even the most boring part of that
day's programming was superior to any full day radio of the current air way.

  Would anyone want to archive a full day of radio in today broadcast world?

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:09:13 -0500
From: jim taylor <bettylouson@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Question about Theater Five and its history
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  Dear readers of the Old Time Radio Digest, while listening to some episodes
of Theater Five, I have several questions about this program.

  Who created the series?

  Was it a hard sale to convince ABC to put it on the air when you consider
the fact that ABC was the first radio network to discounted drama in the 1957
or 1958?

  How many ABC stations carried it?

  Was the program heard in New York because WABC was a top 40 station?

  Did a non-network station air it?

  Did ABC promote the program through press releases and over the air
announcements?

  Did the program get any critical attention from the main-stream press, such
as the New York Times, Time, or News Week?

  Did the program get any reviews in such trade journals as Broadcasting and
Verity?

  At the close of each program Fred Foy would say "We invite your comments,
write to Theater Five, New York 23, New York"

  Did the program get a large mail response?

  In the post 1962 world of radio drama how is Theater Five regarded today
among collector and listener when compared with such other post 1962 shows
as; the CBS radio Mystery Theater, the Zero hour, and the Sears Radio theater?

  I know that in his first book, John Dunning did not give Theater Five high
marks. Of the post 1962 programs it is my favorite, because it was the first
of its type.

  You answer would be mostly appreciated

  Many thanks.

  Jim

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:09:36 -0500
From: "Jed Dolnick" <jdolnick@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Need Fibber McGee Theme

Folks, I'm in a radio play ensemble that's set to do a Fibber McGee & Molly
episode in a couple of weeks. Right now, our producer is using a Scott
Joplin tune for the theme music, but agrees with me that it really doesn't
work. Naturally, all of my Fibber McGee programs have the theme music over
applause or Harlow Wilcox's voice. If anyone has it as a stand-alone piece,
I'd sure appreciate getting a copy. It could be e-mailed as an Mp3 if you
have the capability. Thanks.

Jed

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:09:43 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  2-11 births/deaths

February 11th births

02-11-1882 - John H. Mills - Bellfonte, PA - d. 12-8-1967
singer: (Father of the Mills Brothers)  "Mills Brothers Quartette"
02-11-1901 - Fritz Blocki - d. 5-xx-1972
writer: "Chick Carter, Boy Detective"
02-11-1905 - Lebert Lombardo - Canada - d. 6-16-1993
musician: (Guy Lombardo's Orchestra) "Lady Esther Serenade"
02-11-1908 - Hiram Sherman - Boston, MA - d. 4-11-1989
actor: "Les Miserables"; "Mercury Theatre on the Aie"
02-11-1908 - Philip Dunne - New York, NY - d. 6-2-1992
screenwriter, director: "Lux Radio Theatre"
02-11-1909 - Joseph L. Mankiewicz - Wilkes-Barre, PA - d. 2-5-1993
screenwriter, film director: "Theatre Guild On the Air"; "Lux Radio
Theatre"
02-11-1909 - Max Baer - Omaha, NE - d. 11-21-1959
heavyweight boxing champion, actor: Lucky Smith "Lucky Smith"
02-11-1916 - Walter Brown Newman - New York, NY - d. 10-14-1993
writer: "Escape"; "Gunsmoke"; "On Stage"; "Robers of the Gazette"
02-11-1919 - Eva Gabor - Budapest, Hungary - d. 7-4-1995
disc jockey: "Little Night Music"
02-11-1920 - Billy Halop - New York, NY - d. 11-9-76
actor: Bobby Benson "Bobby Benson Adventures"; Dick Kent "Home, Sweet
Home"
02-11-1926 - Leslie Nielsen - Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
actor: "Jive Patrol"

February 11th deaths

03-13-1898 - Henry Hathaway - Sacramento, CA - d. 2-11-1985
film director: "Screen Director's Playhouse"
03-20-1908 - Kermit Murdock - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 2-11-1981
actor: Rod Buchanan "Whisper Men"
03-28-1925 - Jerry Walter - Illinois - d. 2-11-1979
actor: Gil Perry "Island Adventure"
03-29-1889 - Howard Lindsay - Waterford, NY - d. 2-11-1968
writer, host: "The Ford Theatre"
05-02-1904 - J. Anthony Hughes - New York, NY - d. 2-11-1970
actor: Bob Drake "Betty and Bob"
05-28-1906 - Phil Regan - Brooklyn, NY - d. 2-11-1996
singer: (The Singing Cop) "George Burns and Gracie Allen Show"
06-10-1891 - Al Dubin - Zurich, Switzerland - d. 2-11-1945
lyricist: "Mutual-Don Lee Dedicatory Program"
06-16-1903 - Ona Munson - Portland, OR - d. 2-11-1955
actress: Lorelei Kilbourne "Big Town"
07-20-1908 - Jerry Desmonde - Middlesbrough, England - d. 2-11-1967
actor: "Crime Classics"
08-13-1904 - Jonathan Hole - Eldora, IA - d. 2-11-1998
actor: Paul Henderson "Ma Perkins"; Dr. Clifford "Bachelor's Children"
08-21-1927 - Barry Foster - Beeston, England - d. 2-11-2002
actor: Sherlock Holmes "Sherlock Holmes"
09-19-1931 - Ray Danton - New York, NY - d. 2-11-1992
actor: "Hollywood Radio Theatre"
09-27-1920 - William Conrad - Louisville, KY - d. 2-11-1994
actor: Matt Dillon "Gunsmoke"; Louis Dumont "Jason and His Golden
Fleece"
11-21-1912 - Eleanor Powell - Springfield, MA - d. 2-11-1982
singing tap dancer: "Flying Red Horse Tavern"
11-23-1903 - Victor Jory - Dawson City, AK - d. 2-11-1982
actor: "Matinee Theatre"; "Crisis in War Town"; "Hallmark Playhouse"
11-23-1912 - George O'Hanlon - Brooklyn, NY - d. 2-11-1989
actor: Husband "George O'Hanlon Show; Me and Janie"
12-08-1911 - Lee J. Cobb - New York, NY - d. 2-11-1976
actor: the tailgunner "Roosty of the AAF"; "Citizen of the World";
"Hollywood Startime"

Ron Sayles
[removed]

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:10:08 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Lum and Abner

For anyone who LOVES Lum and Abner (one of the few radio shows I can state I
got hooked on after listening to a few consecutive episodes), the following
may be of interest:

Audio Classic Archives has released recently a large amount of Lum 'n'
Abners broadcasts on CD in their specials of the month and can even join
their CD lending library for those that are looking to borrow OTR and save
money.  [removed]

Usual disclaimers apply, just passing on info for L&A fans.
Martin

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:10:25 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  New OTR Book

A Resource Guide to the Golden Age of Radio by Susan and David S. Siegel
just arrived at my door yesterday and I have glanced through it page by
page.  Anyone who is a researcher or wants to know where a specific archive
of scripts and recordings are available NEEDS to have this book.  The
hardcover tome is cross-referenced and lists in detail many radio programs
for further research.

One of the interesting things I discovered while browsing the book was
seeing how many local radio stations had their own radio programs and how
much of that material is preserved in libraries across the country.

As an example:
If you wanted to know where to find recordings of THE SACRED HEART PROGRAM,
the book would tell you THE SACRED HEART PROGRAM, INC. at 3900 Westminster
Place in St. Louis, MO and their phone number, fax number, e-mail, contact
name and web-site so you can check it out.

Want to find copies of THE DIZZY DEAN SHOW?  How about Ide Peebles Trotter's
radio talks of the 1940s?  Want to find the scripts for the first 76
broadcasts of THE GOO DNEIGHBOR BROADCASTS from WHFC?  This book will tell
you.

A fascinating reference for any researcher and has my recommendation.
Available from [removed]

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:10:46 -0500
From: "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Remember WENN

Hello again --
This is somewhat off the subject of OTR, although it has been discussed
before, about five or six years ago. I'm referring to that delightful TV
series about a Pittsburgh Radio Station back in 1939, Remember WENN, which
survived four seasons before American Movie Classics, which had produced it,
decided to end the series.
I am trying to locate a specific episode from the fourth year of the series,
called "Work Shift," in which the employees of the station traded their
jobs -- the receptionist became a radio actress, etc.
If anyone reading this OTR Roundtable knows of, or has, this particular
episode on video or other media I would love to "make a deal" to get a copy
of it.
I would prefer you contact me directly to avoid taking up unnecessary room
with the newsgroup.
(On the other hand, if anyone would like to reminisce publicly about the
series, others might find it interesting to share in those memories)
Thanks,
Jan Bach

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:16:32 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  2-10 births/deaths

February 10th births

02-10-1868 - William Allen White - Emporia, KS - d. 1-31-1944
writer: "American Forum of the Air"; "University of Chicago Round Table"
02-10-1892 - Alan Hale, Sr. - Washington, [removed] - d. 1-22-1950
actor:"Lux Radio Theatre"
02-10-1893 - Jimmy Durante - New York, NY - d. 1-29-1980
comedian: (Da Schnozz) Claudius 'Brainy' Bowers "Jumbo Fire Chief
Program"
02-10-1897 - Judith Anderson - Adelaide, Australia - d. 1-3-1992
actress: Royal Gelatin Hour"
02-10-1900 - Lou Breese - d. 1-xx-1969
bandleader: "Invitation to the Fair"
02-10-1902 - Stella Adler - New York, NY - d. 12-21-1992
acting teacher: "Fleischmann's Yeast Hour"
02-10-1906 - Lon Chaney, Jr. - Oklahoma City,  Oklahoma Territory -
d. 7-12-1973
actor: "Pursuit of Happiness"
02-10-1910 - Joyce Grenfell - London, England - d. 11-30-1979
writer, actress: "How"; "A Note with Music"; "We Beg to Differ"
02-10-1913 - James Monks - d. 10-2-1994
actor: Jim Brandon "The Avenger" I. A. Moto "Mr. I. A. Moto"
02-10-1914 - Larry Adler - Baltimore, MD - d. 8-6-2001
harmonica player: "Forecast"
02-10-1922 - Neva Patterson - Nevada, IA
actress: "Cavalcade of America"
02-10-1923 - Cesare Siepi - Milan, Italy
opera singer: "Voice ofFirestone"; "Metropolitan Opera"
02-10-1927 - Leontyne Price - Laurel, MS
singer: "Metropolitan Opera"
02-10-1929 - Jerry Goldsmith - Los Angeles, CA - d. 7-21-2004
composer, conductor: "Frontier Gentleman"; "Romance"
02-10-1930 - Robert Wagner - Detroit, MI
panelist: "Juke Box Jury"; "Suspense"

February 10th deaths

01-11-1870 - Alice Hegan Rice - Shelbyville, KY - d. 2-10-1942
writer: "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" based on her novel
01-11-1910 - Richard Kendrick - Vermillion, SD - d. 2-10-1987
actor: Bill Baker "Portia Faces Life"
02-22-1912 - Buddy Tate - Sherman, TX - d. 2-10-2001
jazz saxphonist: "Jubilee"; "One Night Stand"
05-02-1902 - Brian Aherne - King's Norton, England - d. 2-10-1986
actor: Simon Templar "The Saint"
06-19-1910 - Virginia Payne - Cincinnati, OH - d. 2-10-1977
actress: Ma Perkins "Ma Perkins"; Kerry Carter "Carters of Elm Street"
09-06-1899 - Billy Rose - New York, NY - d. 2-10-1966
creator-stager: "Jumbo Fire Chief Program"
10-17-1915 - Arthur Miller - New York, NY - d. 2-10-2005
writer: "Cavalcade of America"; "The Doctor Fights"

Ron Sayles
[removed]

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:17:12 -0500
From: "Matthew Bullis" <matthewbullis@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Another fourth wall reference

Here's another example of shows referring to other shows or characters. In
the June 19, 1949 episode of Sam Spade, Sam is talking about going out to
meet a boat, and the captain at the bar says there isn't much out there as
far as chartering a boat. He says there's that Novak fellow, but he's
sleeping one off. Pat Novak, of course, was played by Jack Webb, and perhaps
that's why they made that reference in that show, because Jack appears in
that Sam Spade show as Eddie.
Matthew

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:18:36 -0500
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Jack Benny vs Isaac Stern

Someone asked about Jack Benny's violin playing.  I remember seeing a video
or kinescope of Jack playing the Bach double violin concerto in D minor with
Isaac Stern.  This was a fund-raising concert.  Jack did amazingly well. No
goofing around; he played it straight.

Yes.  I saw it.  I believe it was taped prior to broadcast; the numerous 
promo spots showed a fine scene moments before the piece was to start.  The 
two musicians stood at their places, ready to play, when Mr Benny let out a 
happy little trill on his violin.  Isaac Stern returned a baleful glare at 
Jack, who reacted with sheepishness.  It was a classic moment, possibly the 
best of the show.

There were clearly rehearsed moments, as when Jack went off on some sort of 
musical tangent, leaving Isaac Stern to sort of stand and wait for him to 
get done.  While Isaac Stern could have taught Jack a lot about the violin, 
Jack Benny could teach Isaac Stern (ever a good sport) a lot about comedy, 
and he did it that night.  Whoever put that show together was inspired.

If it's the same clip I remember seeing, the only goofing around he did is when
he explained how this fund raiser worked: The cheap seats were up front, the more
expensive seats were farther back, the really expensive seats were all the way
in the back, and if you gave enough money, you didn't have to come at all! 8^)

I believe that this was a fairly standard Jack Benny joke from several 
occasions that involved the violin (I can somehow hear Rochester saying it, 
but that's probably wishful thinking.)  Jack may well have invoked it on the 
show with Isaac Stern.

M Kinsler

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 10:52:56 -0500
From: "Laura Leff" <president@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  More Jack and the violin

Art Chimes asked:

And speaking of which -- and I'm sure Laura will know this -- did Jack himself
play during the radio broadcasts? Or was that another musician? I wonder if
there were union rules, or maybe just custom or some technical reason that
might have required that "Jack's" playing actually come from a member of the
house orchestra.

It would have been very strange and distracting from the comedy to have
someone else playing Jack's violin parts.  If you listen closely on some
shows, you can hear Jack turning away from the mike when picking up a violin
in mid-script, and talking a little further away from the mike as he tunes
up.  I'm sure there was a prop person there to hand Jack the violin and take
it away, which I did myself for Eddie Carroll in our recreation at our 39
Forever convention.

Ted writes:

Someone asked about Jack Benny's violin playing.  I remember seeing a video
or kinescope of Jack playing the Bach double violin concerto in D minor with
Isaac Stern.  This was a fund-raising concert.  Jack did amazingly well. No
goofing around; he played it straight.

For the most part, yes.  This was an excerpt from "Carnegie Hall Salutes
Jack Benny".  There is a little goofing around, but you can see that Jack is
trying to play as well as he can and Stern even coaches him along the way.

I read in a book by George Burns that Jack auctioned his violin for a
benefit.  Where is it now?

That was for WWII bonds, I believe.  Don't know where that one ended up.
But there are lots of prop violins that Jack used in his stage shows that
went to various friends and theatre managers all over the country.  These
were $10 violins that were used in the bit where Jack calls offstage for his
violin, and Irving Fein or Hickey Marks would literally throw (sort of
bowl/slide along the stage) the violin, that would land at Jack's feet.
Then same thing with the bow.  Jack would look from the abused violin to the
audience and back.  Always a huge laugh.

--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 10:53:15 -0500
From: Illoman <illoman@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Autographs?
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I was wondering if anyone knew of any reputable autograph dealers,
who may have signatures of Hyman Brown or Paul McGrath for sale. I am
interested in just a few signatures, and have been able to find Ed
Gardner's, Arch Oboler's and Raymond Edward Johnson's.

Thanks for your help!
Mike
----------------------------------------------------------
Visit my site! View my paintings! See Homer!
[removed]~illoman

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Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 12:46:04 -0500
From: benohmart@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Archives 3 is coming

To all those anxious readers waiting for the 3rd book in Paulson's series,
Archives of
the Airwaves, it's coming in on Monday and will start shipping out to you ASAP.

I also received GREAT news from Dan Gillespie that he's interviewed Bob Elliot
extensively this week and he Will be writing a full biography of Bob & Ray
now, probably
out at the end of next year. :) I know it's early to say that, but I've been
hoping for it for a
long time and I'm excited!

Ben

Old radio. Old movies. New books.
[removed]

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 14:01:54 -0500
From: HRRMIKES@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Frank Bresee/Seattle Convention
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Frank Bresee,   veteran actor and broadcaster, so well known for his vast OTR
knowledge, will be at the Seattle convention, June 23-24.   Among other
things, he will be hosting segments called "Flashback with Frank" and will do
key
interviews as well.   Bresee joins an already wonderful assembly of OTR
talent,
including: Alan Young, Dick Van Patten, Gil Stratton, Jr., Hal Stone,
Rosemary Rice, Elliott Reid, Tommy Cook, Donald Buka, Dick Beals.   They will
be
supplemented by the likes of Esther Geddes McVey, Paul Herlinger, Jim and Pat
French, Frank Buxton, Larry Albert and others.   Details and registration
forms
can be found at ([removed])

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 14:02:04 -0500
From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  One Man Family

Hi Everybody,

does any one have copies below of the One Man Family shows that I would like
to obtain?

1.  book 1. Chapter 1

2.  book 33 Chapter 12

3.  book 44 Chapter 7 and 8

4.  book 46 Chapter 3

5.  book 64 Chapter 10, 11, and 12

6.  book 66 Chapter 6 and 7

7.  book 67 Chapter  6

8.  book 69 Chapter 7, 13, and 14

9.  book 74 7, 8, 9, and 10

Take care,

Walden Hughes

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

Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 14:02:30 -0500
From: Larry Gassman <lgsinger@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Symposium Update

	Hi all,
Let me give you an update.  I won't give you times because they are
not firmed up yet.  But we have a very good idea of the people who
will be guesting with us on Saturday March 18.
This on line  symposium will take place between 10 AM, and 2 PM Pacific time.
The panels will include:
Ron Staley talking about Gang Busters.  Jerry Haendiges speaking as
an OTR Dealer.
   Next, the first ladies of comedy will include:
June Foray, and Janet Waldo,  with others not yet confirmed.
   :  Also scheduled is Drag Net  With Herb Ellis, Peggy Webber, and
Drag Net Author, Michael Hayed.
Later that day, Jim Cox  will speak to us about his book on Radio Game shows
Our final event will be Radio author and Historian Frank Bresee
talking about his career in Radio.
So save the date, Saturday March 18.
We'll let you know soon where this on line symposium will take place.
Larry Gassman

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #44
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