------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 355
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Ersatz Old Radios [ skallisjr@[removed] ]
Re: Cassette Players [ Shenbarger@[removed] ]
George Fenneman [ Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed]; ]
Phil Harris Disney films [ Allen Wilcox <aawjca@[removed]; ]
radio replica prices [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Edmund Gwenn [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Re: Pentron Tape Recorders [ "Jack Feldman" <qualitas@millenicom ]
The Carol [ Wich2@[removed] ]
Hayden Huddleston [ Faulknerian189@[removed] ]
write if you get work [ "Donald P. Tuttle" <dobbsi5@[removed] ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 11:39:08 -0400
From: skallisjr@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Ersatz Old Radios
Mark Kinsler, speaking of there replica Old Radios (mostly cathedral)
with the built-in cassette decks, muses,
I wonder if any of these ersatz Emersons have ever shown up on eBay
advertised as authentic antique radios.
I haven't seen any on eBay (though I wasn't looking), but I ran into one
in a shop in Clearwater (FL). I pointed out that the originals didn't
have tape decks and did have tubes. The Lady running the shop said, "Oh,
dear! That's bad news. The owner paid a lot for that."
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 13:08:13 -0400
From: Shenbarger@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Cassette Players
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In a message dated 9/29/2003 Mark Kinsler writes:
I'd suggest that folks play their OTR cassettes on the best equipment they
can afford, and there are better machines available for the same price.
Good advice for sure. High quality cassette decks are always available on
eBay with Nakamichi being the brand most serious tape collectors look for. But
for most people, a combination boombox with a dual deck cassette
recorder/player/copier is the most likely piece of equipment to own.
There are two items to be aware of regarding cassette players:
1. Use a tape head demagnetizer from time to time. Residual magnetic fields
can erase your tapes over time. Turn the tape player off before using the
demagnetizer and move any tapes a safe distance (and your watch too). Turn the
demagnetizer on a couple of feet from the deck and turn it off after moving it
away from the deck. Move the demagnetizer around the tape heads and guides.
Tape
head demagnetizers are available from Radio Shack. These are small rod-type
units especially for tape decks, not large video tape demagnetizers.
2. The tape clamping springs built into the cover of the player hold the
cassette firmly in position against the back plate of the deck. On lower cost
players these are made of plastic and will break after long use. Once broken,
the
cassette can wonder off the spindle hubs and the tape will get tangled in the
works. I don't know of a good fix for this condition and after ruining a few
tapes in such decks have decided this marks the end of the useful life for
such
players.
Never discard a Nakamichi deck, they are allmost always worth restoring
unless they have been in a fire or otherwise seriously hurt. Alternatively,
if you
don't want it, send it to me, I will refund the [removed]
While on the subject, I wish two-hour cassettes had never been invented. I
don't own any, but I repair half a dozen a year for other people. Every one of
them is a painful experience. Stick with C-60 and C-90 cassettes (30 and 45
minutes per side).
Don
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Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 13:22:36 -0400
From: Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: George Fenneman
I've seen a lot of references to the stars of radio
programs, but not as many regarding the announcers/
sidekicks of these shows. Don Wilson, Kenny Baker,
and one of my favorites, George Fenneman. He was
the announcer/sidekick on "This Is Your Life" starring
Groucho Marx, both on radio and TV. I remember seeing,
and hearing, this program and the banter between him
and Groucho was great. Sometimes, when Groucho
would say something, Fenneman would provide a response
which would start the audiences laughing raucously.
Did he act as announcer for other programs as well?
He must have. If so, what were they?
Kenneth Clarke
Radio Enthusiast
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 14:37:33 -0400
From: Allen Wilcox <aawjca@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Phil Harris Disney films
Ý
My favorite Phil Harris films were the ones that he
did voice work for "The Jungle Book" and "The
Aristacats". I guess doing animation voice over work
is the next best thing to modern (BBC) and old time
radio.
Allen
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 14:48:05 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: radio replica prices
Mark Kinsler remarked:
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't buy one of these old-time radios. I
don't think, however, that you should pay a lot for one. They occasionally
show up at Sam's Club, and very likely on the Internet for fairly low
prices. Don't buy one from a full-page, full-color magazine ad for five
easy payments of only $[removed] or something.
Actually, Wal-Mart had vintage radio replicas (ones that don't play
cassettes, it's just the radio) for $[removed] a couple years ago. Best price
on average I've seen if one wanted the cathedral shape style that plays
cassettes and stands more than a foot and a half tall is about $[removed] The
ones that are extremely large and stand off the floor go for a lot more but
if you're looking for a simple cassette player in the shape of an old radio,
keep the $[removed] price in mind. (This way if you see one for $[removed] or
$[removed] you know you can find better and save a few bucks.)
Martin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 16:35:23 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Edmund Gwenn
Kenneth Clarke wrote:
I noticed that Edmund Gwenn was listed under the births and deaths
for 09/28 and one of his credits was as Ebenezer Scrooge in the "Lux
Radio Theatre" version of Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol".
Say it isn't so!
It is so, at least according to John Dunning. He is listed as one of several
to play the role of Scrooge. I listed the Lux Radio Theatre because that is
the program on which he performed his role as Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th
Street.
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 16:39:49 -0400
From: "Jack Feldman" <qualitas@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Pentron Tape Recorders
lawrence albert <albertlarry@[removed]; said:
The machine is a Pentron model PMC. It is a tube
Wow! What a thing to remember. Pentron was made in Chicago in the 50's. I
can only date that from my experience using one for the sound for a group
called "Playwright's Theatre Club". The members went on to found "Compas",
which then became "Second City". The main advantage was that the heads were
still active when the tape transport was not engaged. We then could put on
headphones and cue up then next sound cue without a lot of clicking of
mechanical switches.
Another bit of information. Bernie Sahlins, one of the founders and producer
of "Second City", was a [removed] of Pentron when he became interested in the
group. He eventually (I think), left Pentron for the Theater.
Jack
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 20:44:06 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Carol
From: Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed];
I noticed that Edmund Gwenn was listed under
the births and deaths for 09/28 and one of his credits
was as Ebenezer Scrooge in the "Lux Radio Theatre"
Dear Kenneth et al-
A serious lover of Dicken's "Fifth Gospel" (and a several-time portrayer of
its "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, covetous old sinner", presently
negotiating to do a live broadcast of same this season) speaking [removed]
If memory serves, Gwenn recreated his classic "Kringle" in several radio
productions, including a LUX - but did "Scrooge" on HOLLYWOOD STAR TIME.
Say it isn't so! Whenever I think of Edmund Gwenn, I remember him quite
differently.
Not to worry, as I recall the show - and Gwenn's performance - as being less
than legendary. No threat to Lionel Barrymore's, or even Ronald Colman's
(whose suffered from the same almost-crippling 30m. length as Gwenn'[removed]).
Best,
Craig Wichman
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 20:46:03 -0400
From: Faulknerian189@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Hayden Huddleston
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Well, every so often I post this in the Digest, hoping to hear from someone
who may have heard of the same program produced by Hayden Huddleston of
Roanoke, Virginia in the early to mid-1970's. He started with a production
called
"Golden Days of Radio," which ran throughout the southern USA for about 3
years.
In 1976, he revised it and called the new show, "Reminiscing in Old-Time
Radio." Mr. Huddleston had a deep, resonant voice, and I once had some
personal
contact with him. He was a veteran of old time radio from its hey days, and
he was also very religious. I do not know how long it has been since Hayden
has passed away, but I am deeply hoping someone out there may have copies of
his
old shows on tape or cd. I appeal to any who has, if they will contact me
off line, so we can discuss purchase or trade. Thanks, Jim Faulkner
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Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 21:08:07 -0400
From: "Donald P. Tuttle" <dobbsi5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: write if you get work
not only did they use it on the air (i remember it as "hang by your thumbs
and write if you get work") but bob elliot wrote a "best-of" book in 1975
entitled "Write If You Get Work." But isn't really an expresssion that grew
out of the Great Depression or even earlier when bright eyed young people
were heading to the big town to make their way?
=====
Donald P. Tuttle
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 09:53:31 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
From Those Were The Days --
1930 - Death Valley Days was first heard on the NBC Red network this day
(and) became one of radio's biggest hits. The 30-minute,
Western-adventure series starred Tim Daniel Frawley as the Old Ranger,
Harvey Hays as the Old Prospector, John White as the Lonesome Cowboy,
Edwin Bruce as Bobby Keen, Robert Haag as Sheriff Mark Chase and Olyn
Landick as Cassandra Drinkwater.
The tales heard on Death Valley Days were all based on fact and were
human interest stories revolving around the borax mining town of Death
Valley, California. The show was created by Ruth Woodman, a script
writer for a New York ad agency. She had never seen Death Valley; but
had found the vehicle to sell 20-Mule-Team Borax. As time went on, Ms.
Woodman did make a trip to Death Valley. She went back again and again
after that, digging up facts for her scripts. She even met an
honest-to-goodness old ranger, Wash Cahill, who knew everyone and
everything about the mining town.
Death Valley Days was renamed Death Valley Sheriff in 1944 and The
Sheriff in 1945. And Ruth Woodman continued to write the scripts. She
even wrote scripts when Death Valley Days became a TV show. Buy some
20-Mule-Team Borax in commemoration.
1933 - The theme song was Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here and it opened
the National Barn Dance. The half-hour country music and comedy show,
originally heard on WLS, Chicago since 1924, moved to the NBC Blue
network this night. National Barn Dance was broadcast from the Eighth
Street Theater in Chicago, where the stage was transformed into a
hayloft every Saturday night. The host was Joe Kelly. Uncle Ezra was
played by Pat Barrett who was known to say, "Give me a toot on the
tooter, Tommy," as he started dancing. A few of the other Barn Dance
characters were Arkie, the Arkansas Woodchopper; Pokey Martin; the
Hoosier Hotshots; the Prairie Ramblers; cowgirl, Patsy Montana; Pat
Buttram; Lulu Belle and the Cumberland Road Runners. Gene Autry and Red
Foley were heard early in their careers on National Barn Dance. Although
there were plenty of sponsors (Alka Seltzer, One-A-Day vitamins,
Phillips Milk of Magnesia), the National Barn Dance was one of the few
radio shows to charge admission.
1935 - "Calling all [removed]" The Adventures of Dick Tracy came to radio
for the first time -- on the Mutual Radio Network. Based on the comic
strip created by Chester Gould, the 15-minute adventure show was heard
Monday thru Friday at 5:45 [removed] The sponsors were Quaker Puffed Wheat
and Quaker Puffed Rice.
1939 - Captain Midnight was heard on radio for the first time -- on
Mutual. The Captain flew his single-engine plane all over the place
fighting crime. Talk about a popular show: Ovaltine dropped its
sponsorship of Little Orphan Annie to climb on board with Captain
Midnight. The show was also sponsored by Skelly Oil.
Joe
--
Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #355
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