------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2006 : Issue 140
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
George Gobel [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]
Studio Orchestras [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]
WJR Origin [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]
Re: Myrt Makes An Appearance [ "JEFFREY DAVIS" <JDavis3153@[removed] ]
Houdini, on [removed] [ jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns) ]
Jumping the Shark on the Captain Mid [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr" <skallisjr@j ]
Keepin' it real [ Wich2@[removed] ]
"Eternal" [removed] [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
Re: Stan Freberg [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
This week in radio history 21-27 May [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Seattle Convention hotel [ HRRMIKES@[removed] ]
Cy Feuer [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
5-21 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
Dixon found my mistake [ "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@sbcgloba ]
Amos 'N Andy: Brighton Beach Memoirs [ Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:07:55 -0400
From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: George Gobel
Seeing that today (5/20) was George Gobel's [removed] I had the
pleasure (for another reason) to visit one of the historic
establishments in Detroit today and on the wall was a replica
calendar advertising the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium brought to
you by Gobel Beer. There was also mention of Altes Bier on the same
display ad (from the 20s or 30s I think).
I seem to remember George Gobel doing beer ads in the 60s and [removed]
was there any relationship between his family and the Gobel Beer
company/brewery? It is perfectly legit for a Chicago-based brewery to
be selling in Detroit (we donated Stroh's to them [removed]).
Anyone remember?
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:08:21 -0400
From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Studio Orchestras
I had the privilege of visiting the Manning Brothers Photo collection
today and came across photos of WWJ studios. In one photo they showed
the house orchestra which consisted of:
Piano
Percussion (drum set)
Trumpet
Clarinet
Sax (looked like a Tenor)
String Bass
I thought it was rather [removed] was this typical for most larger stations?
In another photo there was a studio with a grand piano and what
looked like a 30 rank church pipe organ (about 25 drawknobs on each
side of three manuals).
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:08:46 -0400
From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: WJR Origin
(I'm on a roll tonight)
Among the photos in the Manning Brother's collection were photos of
the early WJR studio. WJR was know for may years by several phrases:
"The Great Voice of the Great Lakes"
"From the Golden Tower of the Fisher Building"
Based on what I saw today the radio station first broadcast on August 15, 1925.
The station was created by the Jewett Radio Company in the hopes that
it would promote the sale of more radios. So WJR stands for W-Jewett-Radio.
The station broadcast from the Book-Cadillac Building and from the
city of Royal Oak (northern Detroit Suburb about 8 miles north [removed])
The Fisher Building, it's long time home, wasn't completed until 1928
when they moved there.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:09:05 -0400
From: "JEFFREY DAVIS" <JDavis3153@[removed];
To: "OTR Roundtable" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Myrt Makes An Appearance
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For [removed]
Myrt stopped by 79 Wistful Vista on the June 22, 1943 program.
Jeff Davis
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Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 09:09:35 -0400
From: jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Houdini, on [removed]
Now that Tony Curtis HOUDINI picture, was from that wonderful ambassador
to the worlds of what-could-be, George [removed]
But interesting that no one remembers the '70s TELEVISION Houdinimovie,
on ABC, with Paul Michael Glaser and Sally Struthers--
And PETER CUSHING, as Sir Arthur Conan [removed]
(I hear 'ya knockin'...)
Jim Burns
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 10:50:15 -0400
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr" <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Jumping the Shark on the Captain Midnight
Half-Hour Show
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Continuing on a thread. I'd mentioned that the half-hour radio version
of Captain Midnight, I didn't consider canonical. This is primarily
because it ignored the rich tradition of 11 years of continuity and
lowered its audience standards. The prime example I call my favorite
"bad" memory of the half-hour show. Through 1949, the primary means of
identification as a Secret Squadron member was a Code-O-Graph. However,
with no Signal Session messages necessary with complete shows, the new
identifier was an iron-on transfer. The recipient could put it on any
cloth, but the suggested place was on a handkerchief, so that it could be
folded and unveiled only to other members. In the story in question,
some bad guys kidnapped Chuck, and arranged for an exact double to
replace him, to infiltrate the Secret Squadron and act as a mole. The
replacement had Chuck's mannerisms down pat, and all the baddies had to
do was dress him in Chuck's clothing. Chuck had his Secret Squadron
identifier on his hankie, so as he was changing clothes (at gunpoint? at
least under duress), he feigned having a cold, sniffled, blew his nose
into the handkerchief and asked "Mind if I keep this?" He was allowed
to, and the fake Chuck, replete with a substitute handkerchief, joined
other members at the Secret Squadron hangout. Somehow, and I don't
recall the exact circumstances (it was some 57 years ago that I heard it,
after all), Joyce brought up the subject of Chuck's handkerchief. The
fake Chuck, obviously, didn't know what she was driving at, and gave an
evasive answer. This piqued Captain Midnight's curiosity, and he asked,
"Yes, Chuck. Just what's in that handkerchief?" Given that the real
Chuck had only used his hankie to blow his nose, the honest response from
the fake Chuck might have been a little startling.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
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Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 11:57:11 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Keepin' it real
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." _mmargrajr@[removed]_
(mailto:mmargrajr@[removed])
(Himan) Brown's memory ... was
intact because I asked about some vague programs and he was accurate ...
But depending on how he wanted the history to be written ... he gave me
mistakes for obvious reasons
Dear Martin-
That's sad.
IMHO, that kind of horse-hockey goes a long way towards tarnishing a
"legend's" [removed]
Best,
-Craig
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 11:57:21 -0400
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "Eternal" [removed]
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Recently I posted here inquiring about a 1944 episode of "The Eternal Light"
which featured my pal Bobby Ramsen when he was a youth. On behalf or both
Bobby & myself, I'd like to thank everybody who helped in Bobby acquiring
taped copies of said [removed] diligent Digest readers John Edwards
and Alan Chapman, who sent me--at no charge--cassette copies
(aside to Mr, Edwrads: I would've acknowledged sooner off-kust but I
prematurely deleted your e-mail address and your mailing address was
obliterated on the padded envelope you sent). Also, a tip of the mayoral
topper to Dave Siegel for distributing the book "The Eternal Light" by Eli
Segal and Tom Monroe and Radio Memories, from whose table I purchased said
tome. If I hadn't chanced upon Robert Ramsen's name in the book's episode log,
than I'd never be able to get this going for my buddy Bobby.
If anybody knows of or has any other 1940s programmes featuring Robert/Bobby
Ramsen, please inform me off-list
Digest readers are the best! Thanks ever so much from the ether!
Derek Tague
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Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 12:31:38 -0400
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Stan Freberg
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In a message dated 5/19/06 10:03:58 PM Central Daylight Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:
Not funny. I loved his radio adds, and I loved
his recordings--particularly the song and dragnet parodies.
Maybe I heard the wrong shows?
No one's going to slug you, but I have to wonder why Stan Freberg's actual
radio ads would be funny and the numerous advertising parodies on his 1957
show
(which was sustaining, so he wasn't trying to please an advertiser) wouldn't
be. Perhaps because they're too pointed? And his famous "Grey Flannel Hatful
of Teenage Werewolves" sketch (about a teenage werewolf who finds out to his
horror that at daybreak he transforms into an advertising executive) is one of
the most brilliant pieces of satire I've ever heard on radio, and *the* most
blistering parody of the ad business I've ever heard. (Boy, he really must've
had it in for those guys.) I still laugh out loud at that sketch.
Dixon
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Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 12:31:47 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: This week in radio history 21-27 May
From Those Were The Days --
5/22
1955 - Jack Benny signed off his last live network radio broadcast after
a run of 23 years. (His show continued in re-runs for a while longer -ed).
5/23
1922 - The first debate to be heard on radio was broadcast on WJH in
Washington, DC. The two debaters argued about the topic of Daylight
Saving Time with the audience acting as the judge.
5/26
1940 - Invitation to Learning was first heard on CBS. The educational
program ran for 24 years.
Joe
--
Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 14:47:34 -0400
From: HRRMIKES@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Seattle Convention hotel
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If you're coming to the REPS Radio Showcase and want to stay at the
convention hotel, please know that the special rate and guaranteed rooms will
disappear
on 5/23. This is 30 days before the event. Still have great guests and
program, along with some of the friendliest OTR fans anywhere. Details at
[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 16:15:58 -0400
From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cy Feuer
I was mildly surprised, especially from the New York folks on this
digest, to not have seen any mention of the passing this week of Tony
Award winning Cy Feuer at the age of 95.
Primarily known in the secular world as a Broadway producer and theatre
owner - he produced "Guys and Dolls" and "How to Succeed in Business
Without Really Trying."
But those of us in the cult of old time radio might know him for his
musical talent in writing some of the music for "Escape," "The Ford
Theater," and "Shorty Bell."
In case he did not get it, this is for Ron Sayles: Feuer died on May
17th of this year.
Jim Widner
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 23:17:39 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 5-21 births/deaths
May 21st births
05-21-1894 - Kenyon Nicholson - Crawfordsville, IN - d. 12-xx-1986
writer: "Theatre Guild on the Air"
05-21-1901 - Fred Cole - Los Angeles, CA - d. 9-19-1964
writer: "Double or Nothing"
05-21-1901 - Horace Heidt - Alameda, CA - d. 12-1-1986
bandleader: "Horace Heidt Brigadiers"; "Pot o' Gold"; "Treasure Chest"
05-21-1903 - Tony LaFrano - d. 11-xx-1986
announcer: "Family Theatre"; "Johnny Modero: Pier 23"
05-21-1904 - Robert Montgomery - Beacon, NY - d. 9-27-1981
actor: "Doctor Fights"; "Suspense"; "This Is War"
05-21-1904 - Thomas "Fats" Waller - NYC - d. 12-15-1943
pianist, singer: "Columbia Variety Hour"; "Saturday Night Swing Club"
05-21-1912 - Lucille Manners - Newark, NJ
singer: "Cities Service Concert"
05-21-1915 - Kathleen Cordell - Brooklyn, NY - d. 8-19-1997
actor: Marion Burton Sullivan "Second Mrs. Burton"; Monica Brewster
"Valiant Lady"
05-21-1916 - Dennis Day - The Bronx, NY - d. 6-22-1988
singer, comedian: "Jack Benny Program"; "Day in the Life of Dennis Day"
05-21-1917 - Raymond Burr - New Westminster, Canada - d. 9-12-1993
actor: Lee Quince "Fort Laramie"; Ed Backstrand "Dragnet"
05-21-1918 - Jeanne Bates - Berkeley, CA
actor: Teddy Lawson "One Man's Family"; "Gunsmoke"
05-21-1923 - Rick Jason - NYC - d. 10-15-2000
actor: "Sears Radio Theatre"
May 21st deaths
01-04-1907 - Floyd Christy - NYC - d. 5-21-1962
writer: "The Johnson Family"
03-04-1913 - John Garfield - NYC - d. 5-21-1952
actor: "Cresta Blanca Hollywood Players"; "Free Company"; "Treasury
Star Parade"
03-24-1928 - Vanessa Brown - Vienna, Austria - d. 5-21-1999
panelist: "Quiz Kids"
03-29-1888 - Earle Ross - Illinois - d. 5-21-1961
actor: Judge Horace Hooker "Great Gildersleeve"; J. R. Boone, Sr.
"Meet Millie"
04-14-1904 - John Gielgud - London, England - d. 5-21-2000
actor: Sherlock Holmes "Sherlock Holmes"; "Theatre Guild On the Air"
05-30-1911 - Douglas Fowley - NYC - d. 5-21-1998
actor: "Hollywood Hotel"
06-04-1906 - Vinton Haworth (Hayworth) - Washington, [removed] - d. 5-21-1970
actor: Fred Andrews "Archie Andrews"; Michael Shayne "Michael Shayne"
09-04-1925 - Howard Morris - NYC - d. 5-21-2005
comedian: "Those Good Old Days"
10-06-1907 - Owen Davis, Jr. - NYC - d. 5-21-1949
actor: Allen McCrea "Those We Love"
10-07-1911 - Vaughn Monroe - Akron, OH - d. 5-21-1973
singer, bandleader: "Penthouse Party"; "Vaughn Monroe Show"
10-21-1908 - Tommy Riggs - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 5-21-1967
comedian: "Fleischmann Hour"; "Quaker Party with Tommy Riggs"; "Tommy
Riggs and Betty Lou"
11-02-1897 - Dennis King - Coventry, England - d. 5-21-1971
announcer: "When a Girl Marries"
12-23-1922 - Jack Lloyd - Duisburg, Germany - d. 5-21-1976
actor: "Armstrong Theatre of Today"; "The Joan Davis Show"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Birthplace of Pamela Britton
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 23:18:33 -0400
From: "Frank McGurn" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Dixon found my mistake
Dixon found that I made a terrible mistake stating that Suspense was on NBC,
so I went through all my 475 Suspense episodes and couldn't any of them that
were on NBC in fact all of then were on CBS so it apparent that the hour was
late when wrote the note, and I was tired. Iapologize to all the OTR Digest
readers. You can't get away with anyting with the Digest readers.
I have a glass of poison to drink as the blood gushes out of my slashed
wrists to make sure it will never happen again.
Frank McGurn
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 21 May 2006 11:06:15 -0400
From: Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed];
To: OTRDIGEST <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Amos 'N Andy: Brighton Beach Memoirs
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I saw Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" recently. In the first act, it
was mentioned that Amos 'N Andy would be on the radio that night. Curious
about how that would be handled, it was surprising to return from
intermission to recognize their voices. Apparently, a tape of one of their
shows was played while most of us were in the lobby. For those who have seen
and/or been involved with the play's production elsewhere--how was the A & A
reference handled?
Melanie
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End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #140
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