Subject: [removed] Digest V2005 #93
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 3/23/2005 5:32 PM
To: [removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2005 : Issue 93
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Soupy Sales at Pie-asco               [ "Kathy O'Connell" <oconnell@[removed] ]
  Idelson and Archie Andrews in Seattl  [ HRRMIKES@[removed] ]
  Re: Lindbergh trial coverage          [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
  Tanglefoot                            [ "jazmaan@[removed]" <dmf273@ya ]
  Bergen book                           [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
  3-24 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Why Do You Listen To OTR?             [ "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed] ]
  Edgar Bergen book                     [ "David Ballarotto" <balla@earthlink ]
  WTIC's Golden Age of Radio            [ "Bob Scherago" <rscherago@[removed]; ]
  Naples Daily News OTR Article         [ seandd@[removed] ]
  RE: why do you listen to OTR?         [ "Chris Fung" <marvinpgaye@[removed] ]
  Re: The Phil Harris-Mahlon Merrick S  [ "Brian L Bedsworth" <BrianLBedswort ]
  Lucky Strikes                         [ udmacon@[removed] ]
  No Rest for the Wiki                  [ Bhob <bhob2@[removed]; ]
  'Some ask, "why?"; I ask, "Why not?"  [ skallisjr@[removed] ]

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 12:51:28 -0500
From: "Kathy O'Connell" <oconnell@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Soupy Sales at Pie-asco

First, the oldtime radio connection:  Soupy has appeared at several Friends
of Oldtime Radio Conventions in Newark in the past couple of years.  He and
his fabulous wife Trudy have a wonderful time connecting with fans and
reconnecting with old friends.  I know they're looking forward to October
and this year's convention.
Also, like just about everyone who helped create television as we know it,
Soupy started his career in radio.  In Cincinnati.

Soupy's health limits his appearances these days.  In the fall, he's at the
FOTR, and in the Spring, he's in Ocean City, New Jersey.

Soupy's next big appearance will be at "Pie-asco," an annual tribute to
Soupy put together by the folks in Ocean City, New Jersey.  In a nutshell:
It's a bunch of people hitting themselves with pies.  The following week is
the 20th annual Doo-Dah Parade in Ocean City, where Soupy will appear as
well.  Carol Channing is scheduled to be the Grand Marshall.
In January, Soupy received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  A splendid
time was had by all.  And, if you see me at FOTR in October, I won't have to
be asked twice to show photos from the event as well as Soupy's exhibit at
the Hollywood Museum not far from his Star.
Anyway, here's the information about Pie-asco for those folks who might like
to spend a day at the Jersey Shore covered in shaving cream.  I'll be near
Soupy, keeping as pie-free as possible.
Kathy O'Connell

PIE-ASCO KICKS-OFF WEEK
OF DOO DAH EVENTS IN OC
OCEAN CITY, [removed] --- The Great Ocean City Pie-In-The-Face Pie-Asco will
kick-off a week of 20th Anniversary Doo Dah events on Sat., April 9.
Legendary comedian, Soupy Sales, will preside over the ceremony which
consists of friends, neighbors and complete strangers hitting themselves in
the face with pies.

The pies are the shaving cream variety, the kind Soupy used on his popular
network TV show. The procedure is simple. Pie enthusiasts sit in grandstands
in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terr. When Soupy gives the
signal, participants smoosh each other in the face with the pies.

The smooshing is not without its rewards. All who are plastered receive a
certificate signed by Soupy certifying they participated in the Pie-Asco.

The presence of uniformed bakers from Wards of Ocean City will give the
event a smidgen of authenticity. Wards will supply the pie plates and its
bakers will fill them with just the right amount of cream for the creaming.

Ocean City Hawks Cheerleaders will give the Pie-Asco some oomph. They will
deliver an original cheer before the plastering to psych-up those in
attendance. Not that they will need any encouragement.

To register for this unique Ocean City offering, contact the Public
Relations Office,
 609-525-9300, stop at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave. or email
mtsoifer@aol.

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:18:27 -0500
From: HRRMIKES@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Idelson and Archie Andrews in Seattle
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Of course, not in the same show. But, fans should know that the Seattle OTR
convention (REPS Radio Showcase) will feature these and many other special
people.

Bill Idelson, Rush on Vic & Sade,   is not a regular convention guest and
brings some very fresh perspectives on the Golden Age along with his
impressive
career in television.   There will be two Vic & Sade episodes, with one being
something never heard before.   Whether you're a fan of V & S or not, this
promises to be a real highlight.

Original cast members Bob Hastings, Hal Stone and Rosemary Rice have agreed
to do a very funny Archie Andrews. Of course, they will appear in other shows
during the weekend.   The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound also have 15
uncirculated Archie shows to launch at the Showcase.   Two of the original
disks from
which they came will be autographed by the cast and put in the great silent
auction.

The Radio Showcase will be held on June 24-25 at the popular Seattle Center,
near the Space Needle.   Details on the rest of the program, guests and
registration can be found at ([removed]).   Information also can be
obtained by
writing Mike Sprague at (hrrmikes@[removed])

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:18:55 -0500
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: Lindbergh trial coverage

On 3/23/05 12:12 PM [removed]@[removed] wrote:

Does anyone know if there are any recordings of the coverage of the Lindberg
kidnapping trial?

The actual trial testimony itself was not broadcast, but approximately
five hours worth of recordings do survive of the nightly trial summaries
and analysis by attorney Samuel J. Leibowitz. These summaries were
broadcast each night of the trial over WHN New York, and airchecks were
made for Leibowitz on uncoated aluminum discs. Those discs remained in
the hands of the Leibowitz family until 2003,  when they were donated to
the Museum of Television and Radio in New York. Audio transfers of these
discs may be heard at the MTR locations in New York and Los Angeles.

Elizabeth

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:19:03 -0500
From: "jazmaan@[removed]" <dmf273@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Tanglefoot

My wife and I like to listen to spooky OTR at bedtime.  Last night was our
first hearing of the
"Tanglefoot" episode of Quiet Please.  That was CREEEEEPY!  Next to "The
Thing On the Fourble
Board" I'd say that's the creepiest QP I've heard.

I wonder if "Tanglefoot" was ever remade on radio, TV or film?

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:24:28 -0500
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Bergen book

Ryan ("OzRadio") requests

I have not found any
references to a good Bergen biograpy. Can anyone point
me to published works on the lives of these two men?

I don't believe Edgar Bergen ever wrote his autobiography, but his
daughter, Candice (aka "Murphy Brown") wrote of her growing up in the
Bergen household in her 1984 book, "Knock Wood" published by Linden
Press. While a somewhat out-of-kilter childhood is described, it still
will provide some insight into the great ventriloquist.

Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:24:47 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  3-24 births/deaths

March 24th births

03-24-1867 - Harry Neville - Launceston, Tasmania, Australia - d.
1-25-1945
actor: Mr. Fielding "The O'Neills"
03-24-1885 - Joseph Granby - Boston, MA - d. 9-22-1965
actor: Mead Connors "We Are Always Young"
03-24-1902 - Thomas E, Dewey - Owosso, MI - d. 3-16-1971
presidential candidate: "Jack Benny Show"; "Racketbusters Roundtable"
03-24-1906 - Julian Funt - d. 4-xx-1980
writer: "Young Doctor Malone"
03-24-1910 - Richard Conte - Jersey City, NJ - d. 4-15-1975
actor: "Theatre Guild On the Air"; "Hallmark Playhouse"; "Hollywood
Star Playhouse"
03-24-1915 - Bill Bivens - Wadesboro, NC - d. 1-15-1984
announcer: "Fred Waring Show"; "Vox Pox"
03-24-1928 - Sue Bennett - Indianapolis, IN - d. 5-8-2001
vocalist: "Your Hit Parade"
03-24-1928 - Vanessa Brown - Vienna, Austria - d. 5-21-1999
panelist: "Quiz Kids"

March 24th deaths

02-03-1910 - Nelson Case - Long Beach, CA - d. 3-24-1976
announcer: "Hour of Charm"; "New Carnation Contented Hour"
02-08-1828 - Jules Verne - Nantes, France - d. 3-24-1905
pioneering science fiction writer: "Mercury Theatre"; "This Is My
Best"
03-08-1891 - Sam Jaffe - NYC - d. 3-24-1984
actor: "Fannie Hurst Presents"; "New World A-Coming"; "Cavalcade of
America"
03-20-1922 - Ray Goulding - Lowell, MA - d. 3-24-1990
comedian: "Bob and Ray Show"
04-01-1914 - Philip Yordan - Chicago, IL - d. 3-24-2003
screenwriter: "Lux Radio Theatre"
06-17-1914 - John Hersey - Tientsin, China - d. 3-24-1993
author: "Bell for Adano"; "Hiroshima"
07-30-1914 - John Meston - Pueblo, CO - d. 3-24-1979
writer: "Gunsmoke"; "Escape"; "Fort Larmie"
08-04-1890 - Carson Robison - Near Chetopa, KS - d. 3-24-1957
singer: "Eveready Hour"; "Dutch Masters Mimstrels"
11-15-1881 - Franklin Pierce Adams - Chicago, IL - d. 3-24-1960
panelist: "Information Please"
11-22-1907 - Howard Petrie - Beverly, MA - d. 3-24-1968
announcer: "Jimmy Durante Show"; "Judy Canova Show"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:25:07 -0500
From: "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Why Do You Listen To OTR?

  In response to Keith Dabney's question I like to listen to OTR because it
brings me back to a time I can barely remember because I was only 9 years
old when we bought our first television when the radio was largely forgotten
so now I can listen to thousands of shows I missed due to us living in a one
network town so we completely missed the shows on the other networks.
  We need to keep OTR alive because we can pass on to younger people the
ability to use their imagination and can picture in their own minds what the
characters on the shows looked like. I have listened to about 600 shows in
the last two years and always look forward to hearing more shows I have
never heard before. It is encouraging so many of the younger generation have
the same love for OTR that I have.
Andrew Godfrey

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:25:21 -0500
From: "David Ballarotto" <balla@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Edgar Bergen book

Oz Radio was asking about a book on Edgar Bergen.  Candice's book called
"Knock Wood" which came out around 1984, while mostly an autobiography,
does give an extensive background on Edgar, his career and so on.  Plus,
there are many wonderful photographs of Charlie & Mortimer joining the
Bergens in normal activities of life.  Highly recommend it.

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:25:35 -0500
From: "Bob Scherago" <rscherago@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  WTIC's Golden Age of Radio

The current two "WTIC's Golden Age of Radio" programs
with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran, can be heard at

[removed]

Program 24 - March, 1972

Dick and Ed interview Shirley Eggleston,  the radio actress
who appeared in "Counterspy", "Whispering Streets" and
"A Crime Letter from Dan Dodge, among others.

Program 25 - April, 1972

Fran Allison, Aunt Fanny on "The Breakfast Club," is featured.
Ms Allison is perhaps best remembered for her TV show,
"Kukla, Fran, and Ollie."

In the 1970's Dick Bertel created "The Golden Age of Radio"
for WTIC in Hartford, CT. The idea came to Dick after he
interviewed radio collector-historian Ed Corcoran a few
times. It was first broadcast in April, 1970; Ed was his
co-host.

For the next seven years the program featured interviews
with radio actors, writers, producers, engineers and
musicians from radio's early days. In addition, each
show featured excerpts from Ed's collection.

Bob Scherago
Webmaster

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:25:51 -0500
From: seandd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Naples Daily News OTR Article

This article on OTR and nostalgia published recently in the Naples (FL) Daily News.

Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]

[removed],2071,NPDN_14922_3642985,[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:26:24 -0500
From: "Chris Fung" <marvinpgaye@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  RE: why do you listen to OTR?

Off Topic Note: I don't know how to reply directly like others so this is
the best I could do

On Topic:

I agree with you Keith on your reasons for liking OTR. As I said in my first
ever posting i'm only 25 but i'm very fascinated by OTR. I remember as about
10 or so years ago a local radio station had an OTR block on Sunday nights.
They would air THE SHADOW and X-MINUS ONE and I really enjoyed listening to
it. I find that radio programming back then really exercised the mind. I
think that OTR allows one to open up their imagination and to envision a
totally new world.

While some of the material may be dated it's still highly entertaining and
engrossing. I've been listening to the archives of Jerry Haendiges' net
programming and I must say i've loved every single program that i've heard
so far. I find the comedies to be quite funny and it's refreshing to hear
humour that isn't laden with sexual innuendos. Some people may say that OTR
is too hokey and such but I find it entertaining nonetheless.

I think that many actors today would falter if they ever attempted radio
acting as it's more about inflection, tone of voice and prescence which is
something that's sorely lacking in the visual medium.

I don't know how big the OTR community is but I hope it stays strong for
years to come as we need to treasure the creativity and ingenuity of those
good ol' days.

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:26:55 -0500
From: "Brian L Bedsworth" <BrianLBedsworth@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: The Phil Harris-Mahlon Merrick Show!

By all accounts I've come across, the Harris orchestra as it was constituted
on the Jell-O and Grape Nuts programs was, in fact, the same Harris
orchestra with which Phil toured (or made [removed] stands as house band)
from the latter half of the 1930s until the outbreak of WWII.

After all, if this were not the Harris orchestra as a unit on the Benny
show, why then would that entire orchestra have left the program at exactly
the same time that the Harris orchestra joined the Merchant Marine en masse
in 1942? Why then was nearly the entire orchestra returned to the program
the following year when the above-age members of same were mustered out?

Certainly, Harris himself was not an arranger. (Few of the swing-era
bandleaders below the first-tier level were.) It's hardly inconceivable,
then, that Merrick was on staff by the late 1930s to work with the Harris
ensemble in that capacity.

It's also not unlikely that, by 1946, with Harris married, raising a family,
no longer touring as a bandleader, and focused on his career as a solo
recording artist and his new Fitch sitcom-headlining gig (which required him
to leave the Benny studio somewhere between the twelve- and fifteen-minute
marks in order to make it to his own show on time in the days before
widespread acceptance of transcriptions), a fairly harried Harris had given
creative control over the band entirely to Merrick, and that the band itself
only existed as an entity as an adjunct to the Benny program. (Which would
explain why the real Frank Remley had so much free time during the summer to
travel with Benny: the only "regular gig" Remley [or Bagby, or Sammy, et al]
had by the end of the War, with the "Harris orchestra" merely part of the
Benny show's mythos rather than a performing concern, was the one on Sundays
at 4 [and again at 8:30].)

It would also make sense that Merrick was the actual bandleader by the time
Bob Crosby came around. After all, Crosby had his own band (with its own
daily program, recording contract and touring schedule) -- but that band
did -not- supplant the "Harris orchestra" despite the 1952 cost-cutting move
that saw Harris depart the Benny program.

So, my best guess for a timeline might be this:

1936-42: Merrick is either hired as or gradually moves into the position of
sole arranger for the Benny program. (Dennis Day claimed in interviews that
Merrick was already established with the show when he arrived; Phil Harris,
on the other hand, claimed that Merrick was initially hired solely to work
with Day on the vocal number.)

1943-45: Harris gradually moves out of being a professional bandleader as
other responsibilities take up his time and attention. Merrick becomes de
facto bandleader for the show.

1946-51: Merrick becomes Benny's "musical director" and functions (mostly
off-mike) as the in-studio conductor. Harris' contributions to the program
during this period are entirely as a comic actor (and occasional vocalist).
(Aside in re Lucky Strike era commercials: In interviews, Harris always
maintained that the Sportsmen had their own arranger and that neither he nor
Merrick had anything to do with those segments, aside from playing the
arrangements as given to them.)

1952-55: Bob Crosby assumes Harris comedic duties while Merrick retains
musical control over the show. As Crosby's duties with his 'real" band
require more frequent absences from the show, Merrick begins to make more
appearances on-mike as musical director, but not enough that any real
comedic persona is established for him.

And I'm probably completely wrong. :)

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:27:30 -0500
From: udmacon@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Lucky Strikes
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 Other Lucky Strike slogans, probably not used on the Jack Benny show, were:
"reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet" (and didn't THAT get the candy
industry into a hissy fit!), and "Lucky Strike Green is off to War" (when
they switched to the white package to, allegedly, conserve green ink during
WWII).

BILL KNOWLTON: "Bluegrass Ramble," WCNY-FM ([removed]) Syracuse, WUNY ([removed])
Utica; WJNY ([removed]) Watertown NY. On the web: [removed]. Sundays: 9 pm to
midnight EST (since 1973) 315-457-6100

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

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:28:30 -0500
From: Bhob <bhob2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  No Rest for the Wiki
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from text/html

What I would suggest instead would be that someone set up an OTR
version of [removed] If you are not familiar with Wikipedia, this
is an online encyclopedia authored by its users. Anyone can easily
add, modify, or correct [removed] Mistakes could be corrected as soon
as they were [removed] we as OTR collectors could simply make a
commitment to start visiting Wikipedia and entering information
there.

I agree, and since I proposed this same notion in the OTR DIGEST several months
 ago, contributors have increased the number of OTR show descriptions on Wikipe
dia to more than 100. Wikipedia's OTR page, introduced three years ago, has bee
n expanding ever since. Wikipedia's OLD-TIME RADIO page: [removed]
g/wiki/Old-time_radio

What is needed now are corrections of mistakes on the first 100 shows and anoth
er 100 new show descriptions added to the alphabetical list. Any name or item l
isted in red means that's a blank page waiting to be filled.

Wikipedia, in only four years, is the world's largest encyclopedia. They sent o
ut a press release last week to celebrate reaching the 500,000 mark of entries
in English. Note link in press release that leads to public domain audio files
on Wikipedia, obviously something that will take on a greater meaning in the fu
ture: [removed]:Press_releases/March_2005

   Lengthy WIRED article about Wikipedia and Wikipedians:
   [removed]
   Bhob @ VINTAGE NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS @
   [removed]

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Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:30:54 -0500
From: skallisjr@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  'Some ask, "why?"; I ask, "Why not?"'

Keith Dabney asks,

What are the reasons we need to articulate to keep the art of OTR
alive, to share with others the enjoyment that is available in
abundant and relatively inexpensive quantities?

Well, I grew up with he medium.  "Nostalgia" for those shows I used to
listen to, and perhaps a kind of homesickness for the medium.  However, I
didn't hear Speed Gibson until the 1970s, and the Jack Armstrong Sulu Sea
adventures the same.  The shows were entertaining, and I've listened to
that Jack Armstrong adventure more than once.  Speed Gibson is another
matter, though.  The show is a tad strange, seeing as the Barney Dunlap
was killed rather gorily (though offstage) yet reappeared some months
later, hale, hearty, and his resurrection completely unexplained.

Some individual shows were burned in my memory, such as in the Phil
Harris show where he and Frankie Remley are serenading Julius Abbruzio's
girlfriend's pet dog, and the Our Miss Brooks show where  lady frog was
smuggled into Madison High for McDougal, Mr. Boynton's frog, and Hop
Harrigan being trapped in a runaway wind tunnel (part of the "wailing
witch" sequence).  I'll listen to any Mr. Keen show for the quirky
campiness, and Brace Beemer The Lone Ranger shows for their feel of
history.

But why articulate it?  Just enjoy!

Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #93
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