Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #135
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 4/10/2002 8:57 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2002 : Issue 135
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      John Gibson                           [ Tony Baechler <tony@[removed]; ]
      Be careful what you say here - more   [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
      Re: FCC on WOTW                       [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
      Gosden/Correll in 1947?               [ "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@earthli ]
      REQ: Two Abbott & Costello shows      [ "Guerin S. Shea" <GShea@[removed] ]
      Cincy                                 [ Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed]; ]
      STACY KEACH                           [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
      OTR Fiction                           [ Patrick Picciarelli <condor@[removed]; ]
      RE: A BIT 'O TRIVIA                   [ Kevin Michaels <kmichaels@doityours ]
      Gunsmoke photos                       [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      otr trivia                            [ "b bush" <bbush@[removed]; ]
      Arizona Fans?                         [ Kubelski@[removed] ]
      Re: Tales of the Texas Rangers' dire  [ wich2@[removed] ]
      Movie Car Cliffs                      [ Grbmd@[removed] ]
      Portia Faces Life                     [ Kari & Joe <kari@[removed]; ]
      Gunsmoke vs. the "Hollywood concept"  [ "Robert Paine" <macandrew@[removed] ]
      Re: humph revisited                   [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
      #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig  [ lois@[removed] ]

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 11:04:35 -0400
    From: Tony Baechler <tony@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: John Gibson

    Hello.  Can anyone give me an idea of the radio career of John Gibson?  He
    is easily recognizable on early "Calling All Cars," shows, which were from
    Hollywood in the mid 1930's.  However, he also shows up on New York shows
    in the mid 1940's.  Can anyone give me an idea when he got started and why
    the move?  He sounds like a New Yorker, so was he from there and decided to
    return?  I do not hear him on late 1950's shows like "X Minus One," so did
    he retire by then?  As always, thanks in advance for any information.

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 11:32:28 -0400
    From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: Be careful what you say here - more

    Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed]; wrote:

    But, what I find interesting re: the show are the number
    of cars that went over cliffs. I imagine the coastline of California
    musta been knee deep with cars piled up there. :)
    Joe

    I remember some radio shows that included cars going over cliffs (mostly
    with the villain in them) that resulted in characters' deaths. I suppose
    the total of wrecks would have been much more than "knee deep", if real.
    If you count the cars, trucks, bulldozers, etc. that have been filmed for
    TV and movies, that plunged into the sea, there wouldn't be any seashore left!
    We don't allow unlimited filming anymore: If producers want to dump a
    vehicle over a cliff, they have to agree to haul it back up and dispose of
    the hulk properly.
    This reminds me of another thing: Philip Marlowe seemed to spend a lot of
    time (on- & off- case) in various "waterfront dives" on the California
    coast. Please be advised that these "dives" are no longer "cheap". Any
    structure big enough to hold a 1940's saloon "on the beach" would probably
    sell for more than $2,000,000; the buyer would then tear down the building
    and put up something modern.

    Herb Harrison

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 11:51:56 -0400
    From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: Re: FCC on WOTW

    On 4/9/02 11:08 AM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:

>     Answer to Number 4 <<Because of the panic caused by WOTW, what rule was
>     handed down by the FCC and the NAB (National Assn. Of Broadcasters)>>

>     No news bulletin/newsflash simulations within entertainment programs,
>     especially drama

    Actually, the story of the FCC taking action in connection with WOTW is
    an urban legend -- in fact, the Commission dismissed the case without any
    action of any kind, and the only formal action taken was taken by the CBS
    program department. The following is taken from Broadcasting, issue of
    12/15/38, p. 28, col. 3:

    ALL'S WELLES THAT ENDS WELL, And FCC Drops the Mars Incident

    Another wild chapter in recent program history was ended Dec. 5 by the
    FCC in dismissing without action complaints received about the Orson
    Welles "War of the Worlds" dramatization of Oct. 30 over CBS.

    The FCC announced that in its judgement steps taken by CBS since the
    broadcast "are sufficient to protect the public interest." Accordingly,
    it added, complaints received "will not be taken into account in
    considering the renewals of licenses of stations which carried the
    broadcast."

    The Commission brought out that 372 protests against the broadcast had
    been received, along with 255 letters favoring it.

    In its press release the Commission stted that while it is regrettable
    that the broadcast alarmed "a substantial number of people," there
    appeared to be no likelihood of a repetition of the incident and no
    occasion for action by it.

    The Commission said it had the statement of W. B. Lewis, CBS program
    vice-president, expressing regret that some listeners "mistook fantasy
    for fact" and adding: "In order that this may not happen again, the
    program department hereafter will not use the technique of a simulated
    news broadcast within a dramatization when the circumstances of the
    broadcast could cause immediate alarm to numbers of listeners."

    --

    Note that the CBS policy doesn't expressly forbid the use of simulated
    bulletins across the board -- rather, the policy requires production
    staff to use discretion and avoid such dramatizations when there's a
    possibility of causing confusion with the real thing. This is a long way
    from any sort of official FCC prohibition -- and there was never such a
    regulation on the books.

    Elizabeth

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 12:25:12 -0400
    From: "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@[removed];
    To: "OTR List" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject: Gosden/Correll in 1947?

    Ms. McLeod wrote:

>     Correll and Gosden's
>     career as recording artists came to a very abrupt end in April 1930 --
>     after their final Victor release, recorded that month, they didn't record
>     commercially again until 1947.

    To which I respond with the obvious question, "What did they record in
    1947?"

    Joe Salerno

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 12:29:19 -0400
    From: "Guerin S. Shea" <GShea@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject: REQ: Two Abbott & Costello shows

    I'm looking for two A&C shows:

    - The one on the day Lou Costello, Jr. died
    - The ABC one where Lou is chosen as a delegate to the UNO (1948)

    If anyone has these, could you please post them or e-mail them to me at
    GShea@[removed] ?

    Thanks,

    Guerin Shea

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 14:59:58 -0400
    From: Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Cincy

    Chris asks for guidance for a first-time Cincinnati convention attendee.
    Well, get lots of sleep before you go because to take full advantage of
    Cincy you won't sleep much while you're there.  One of the best parts of
    the convention is hanging out in the hotel restaurant /  bar 'til all
    hours, chatting with the stars (most of whom hang out 'way past my
    bedtime).  They are quite approachable and they have a lifetime of
    wonderful stories.  (I hear that at other conventions the fans can't
    mingle with the stars.  At Cincy, we're all one big family).

    The dealers' room has maybe 30 or 40 vendors who sell
    mostly-but-not-always  OTR-related items, likes tapes and CDs.  Others
    sell comics and books and sci-fi and horror stuff, and autographs, and
    magazines, and old radio premiums.  You can spend hours in the dealers'
    room if you are interested in nostalgia, and hey--if you read this digest
    and come to the convention, you must be interested in nostalgia!  Get
    there early Friday morning for the best selection--things sell quickly.
    And late Saturday afternoon many of the dealers cut the price of their
    OTR cassettes to a dollar a tape; you can get some bargains if you're
    there at the right time.

    I have a ton of photos from past conventions on my web site, including
    actors, fans, and dealers.  Just go here:

    [removed]~dan

    and find the Cincy links, midway down the page.  Most of those links lead
    to other links with more photos.  I've also posted a "diary" of my
    hour-to-hour activities each day at the convention.

    Look me up when you're there--I'm easy to find because my daughter Karen
    (one of the few kids to attend) is the 17-year-old with pigtails and the
    Jack Benny t-shirt.  All the dealers seems to know and love her, but they
    ignore me.  Hmmmm.

    Also, try to talk to Mike Biel.  His photo is on my site; he's a big
    boisterous fellow with a beard and he is a college prof and a fascinating
    expert on OTR minutiae.  In fact, just grab strangers at random and
    strike up conversations.  It is so rare to be able to talk OTR with
    fellow aficiandos--this is your chance, and you should take every
    advantage possible.  You can rest when you get home!

    ---Dan, reminding you that it's 10 days and counting [removed]

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 15:00:30 -0400
    From: PURKASZ@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  STACY KEACH

        Don Dean refers to the name Stacy Keach mentioned at the end of the
    "Texas Rangers" show credits.
        He is Stacy Keach Sr., opposed to Stacy Keach Jr. or Mike Hammer among
    other roles we know him as.
        I know Jr. to be an old friend and wonderful soul, it's only too bad I
    didn't get to be nabbed by him in an episode of Mike Hammer back in them old
    days when we were all doing TV shows and I was getting killed on average
    twice a month.
        Maybe next time dear man if you're reading this.
        I understand Stacy Jr. is involved in the reproduction of "Twilight Zone"
    TV shows transcribed for radio.
        I would love to be involved with that Stacy.
        Write me.
        By the way, if you've ever seen the Clarence Birdseye commercials on TV,
    then you've seen Stacy Keach Sr.
                         <A HREF="[removed],+Michael+C.">
    Michael C. Gwynne</A>

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 15:01:25 -0400
    From: Patrick Picciarelli <condor@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  OTR Fiction

    Fellow List Members:
    Mr. Ben Ohmart, an active member of SPERDVAC, is putting together a book
    of new short stories featuring OTR characters in new adventures. Several
    writers have signed on, including me (I claimed Yours Truly, Johnny
    Dollar).

    The following writers have signed on so far, but he needs more stories.
    You can contact Ben at <bloodbleeds@[removed];

    Joe Bevilacqua - Life of Riley
    Chris Conlon - Lights Out
    Jim Cox - Mr. Keen
    Jack French - Bobby Benson
    Martin Grams, Jr. - Quiet Please
    Michael Leannah - The Black Museum
    John Leasure - Ma Perkins
    Bob Martin - Green Lama
    Jim Nixon - Sgt. Preston
    Ben Ohmart - The Bickersons
    Donnie Pitchford - Lum & Abner
    Glenn Pniewski - Suspense
    Roger Smith - The Clyde Beatty Radio Show
    Mark Stadler - I Love a Mystery
    Charles Stumpf - The Great Gildersleeve
    Laura Wagner - The Jack Benny Murder Mystery

    GUIDLINES from Ben Ohmart:
    This is a book of short stories which will be new
    fiction using otr characters. Nothing they wouldn't
    normally do, and no time machine stuff. Stories should
    be between 5 and 15 pages (3000 to 7000 words, around
    there). Deadline is tentatively the end of June, but
    you can send your story as soon as you like. Feel free
    to pass this message along too. It would be nice to
    get some of the people who were Really Involved with
    the shows involved with this. I'm not looking to
    create a best seller with global distribution. I just
    want to make this a Fun book for old radio fans to
    read.

    Patrick Picciarelli
    author: "My life in the NYPD: Jimmy the Wags"
               "Blood Shot Eyes"

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 15:01:49 -0400
    From: Kevin Michaels <kmichaels@[removed];
    To: "Radio  Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  RE: A BIT 'O TRIVIA

    Well, I see some of you know your OTR - up to a point.

    On the question about WOTW, it was partly correct.  The FCC and NAB ruling
    said that "if there is to be a news theme within the context of the prohram,
    the announcement must be made at the beginning that the following ptogram is
    a dramatization of a news event."

    On the question of the longest theme in radio:  It was the very early Tarzan
    series (1930), sponsored by the American Weekly Newspaper, and starring James
    Pearce and Mary Bouroughs ( Edgar Rice Burough's Daughter & Son-in-Law)  The
    theme was played low under the opening commercial and for insertation of
    local announcements before the start of the program.

    The question of Ma Perkins was answered correctly

    Now, how about the one on the Lone Ranger & The Rosenbergs?
    (Could it be possible I have stumpped even Elizabeth McCloud?)

    Kevin Michaels

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 16:24:12 -0400
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Gunsmoke photos
    X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from text/html

     I want to thank all those responsible for the photos of Gunsmoke. I want
    to especially thank Harry Bartell who made them available. I have always
    been a radio Gunsmoke freak. I have all of the available shows and I have
    listened to every one, some two or three times. I especially like the
    episode called Gunsmoke. In this episode it tells that Doc had a past. He
    is wanted for murder and his real name is Calvin Moore, great show. With
    these photos I am in hog heaven.

    Looking at them, I see absolutely no reason why the radio cast could not
    have done the television show. We know that they had the talent, now we
    know they had the looks.

    What could have been!

    Again, thanks Harry and thanks to those who put them online.
    --
    Ron Sayles

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

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 17:28:14 -0400
    From: "b bush" <bbush@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  otr trivia

    On the longest radio theme intro:
    I was going to guess SHADOW OF FU MANCHU, but it's only  2:08  minutes long.
    How about Dan Dunn?  Didnt that have a long opening?

    Bart

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 17:28:32 -0400
    From: Kubelski@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Arizona Fans?

    A reporter in Phoenix for the East Valley Tribune is looking for local people
    with exceptional hobbies for a feature article.  His examples include a
    doctor who collects board games or grandmother who runs 5-10 miles a day.

    He wants to know what drives our interest.  If there are any OTR collectors
    in the area who might want to be interviewed, let me know by e-mailing me
    privately.

    Sean Dougherty
    Kubelski@[removed]

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 18:05:06 -0400
    From: wich2@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Tales of the Texas Rangers' director

    Don-
    The current "Stacy Keach" is a JR.; I'd bet this was his Dad.
    -Craig Wichman

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 19:49:40 -0400
    From: Grbmd@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Movie Car Cliffs

>      Then a miracle occurred!  In the second or so of actual footage showing the
>      car soaring into space and then crashing below, the vehicle itself had aged
>      15 to 20 years!

    I'm reminded of the Fifties movie with James Dean, "Rebel Without a Cause."
    Does anyone recall the vintage of the cars shown in that film?

    It showed Dean and his teenage rival getting into cars, and later it showed
    the other one plunging off the cliff.  Was the car true to the age?

    Spence

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 20:35:26 -0400
    From: Kari & Joe <kari@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Portia Faces Life

    Greetings!

    I would very appreciate information about how to obtain copies of the OTR
    show: Portia Faces Life.  My fifth grade students and I have read the book
    LILY'S CROSSING and grandmother listens to Portia faithfully.  Next time I
    teach this book I want to be able to play excerpts to give students more of
    a feel for the entertainment of the day.

    Any help you can offer willbe appreciated!

    Kari Augustine
    Cottage Grove (WI) School

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 21:32:08 -0400
    From: "Robert Paine" <macandrew@[removed];
    To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Gunsmoke vs. the "Hollywood concept"

    Belated congratulations to Harry Bartell and the radio cast of Gunsmoke.
    Somebody got it right and wouldn't you know, it happened on the first try.

    Mr. Bartell captured - to my mind's eye - the real Matt, Chester, Kitty and
    Doc. I admit I'm still a bit undecided as to how I picture Chester when I
    hear Parley Baer but it's fairly close to one the photos of he and Matt. In
    any event, I think Mr. Bartell has the essence of the characters right
    there.

    As to the Hollywood "concept" - I still think Amanda Blake is closer than
    any of the four, Milburn Stone the least. I can't agree with the contentions
    of the latter and James Arness that the producers or writers (?) didn't
    understand the characters. Maybe so - from those actors points of view or as
    to their concepts. But Arness lacked something that Bill Conrad had in
    bringing Matt Dillon to life. It was (again, MY opinion) like watching a
    two-dimensional character as opposed to hearing a three-dimensional
    portrayal.

    All I can say is, it's right there. One look and I thought, "THAT'S Matt
    Dillon." And Doc Adams (or is it "Addams"?), forgive me but - I still get
    the feeling that Howard McNear's Doc was of the morbidly-humorous
    persuasion. In fact, his inflections were much the same as Floyd on Andy
    Griffith.

    Well, enough I guess. I don't want to start another thread in case the
    subject has been worked over too much already. Mr. Bartell, thanks for
    letting us see the real characters from Gunsmoke. Too bad the opportunity is
    passed to make things right.

     Macandrew

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

    Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 22:11:52 -0400
    From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: humph revisited

     My DEAR FRIEND Kevin Michaels Posted:

>     Mr. Stone, I humbly apoligize to you for leaving your name off the child
>     stars list -

    KevIn, I certainly hope you knew I was kidding around (100%). My warped
    sense of humor thought it was something I could tease you about.

>     I assumed that all the digesters knew who you were & are,
>     and therefore felt it was not necessary to mention your [removed] all,
>     THE KING does not need any introduction.

    Yea! sure! :) Admit [removed] forgot. :) And just because Jughead wore a
    silly hat that looked like a crown, knock off this "King" bit.

    I was a minor league participant on Lets Pretend compared to he real
    "Headliners". "Regular's" like Donald Buka, Sybil Trent, Arthur Anderson,
    et. al.

    But to have Bob Hastings, Don Hastings, Rosemary Rice mentioned, and not
    little old me. Oh the ignominy of it all!!!!
    What am ? Chopped Liver?

>     I hope this apology will put me back in your good graces.  Still friends?

    Your apology is not accepted, BECAUSE NONE IS NECESSARY> As for Still being
    friends, SURE!  Now, ya got 10 bucks to lend me, Friend?

    Regards, and stay out of mischief.

    Hal(Harlan)Stone
    Jughead

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

    Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 10:39:53 -0400
    From: lois@[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 five years, same time, same channel!

    Our numerous "regulars" include one of the busiest "golden years" actors in
    Hollywood; a sound man from the same era who worked many of the top
    Hollywood shows; a New York actor famed for his roles in "Let's Pretend" and
    "Archie Andrews;" owners of some of the best OTR sites on the Web;
    maintainer of the best-known OTR Digest (we all know who he is)..........

    and Me

    Lois Culver
    KWLK Longview Washington (Mutual) 1941-1944)
    KFI Los Angeles (NBC) 1944 - 1950
    and widow of actor Howard Culver

    (For more info, contact lois@[removed])

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #135
    *********************************************

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