------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2007 : Issue 81
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re: Ludicrous Lines/Narcotics on Rad [ "RyanO" <rosentowski@[removed]; ]
This week in radio history 11-17 Mar [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Looney Tunes/Duffy's Tavern [ illoman@[removed] ]
Re: actors' expenses at conventions [ Rodney Bowcock <pasttense_78@yahoo. ]
Wyxie [ "Grant & Sally Shorten" <shorten@ro ]
Have you signed up? [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
The name's the same [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]
Donating oldtime radio programs [ "Robert Acosta" <boacosta@[removed] ]
Shadow movie [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
3-10 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
Re: J cards [ Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 12:34:41 -0500
From: "RyanO" <rosentowski@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Ludicrous Lines/Narcotics on Radio
Jim Cox related some very dated dialogue from a Mr. Keen broadcast. I've
heard that program; it is the only episode of Mr. Keen that I have (or care
to have) in my collection, It's called, "The Rented Cottage Murder Case."
I agree that it was a very bad piece of dialogue. But, in my humble opinion,
Mr. Keen wasn't one of the more top-notch examples of clever writing that
you might find in the otr crime genre. I'd put it only slightly below Boston
Blackie for bad writing, and that's really saying something.
I may be mistaken, but I'm thinking that Mr. Keen was probably giving us an
insight into the societal view on drugs back then in the pre-1960's era.
Those who were dope addicts were far beyond hope and there was simply no
help for them. This view is reflected in an episode of Tales of the Texas
Rangers, which demonstrates a level of writing far superior to the
previously mentioned programs. However, in the episode, "Living Death,"
(10/08/50) Jase Pearson's captain tells him that an autopsy confirms that
the murdered man was a drug addict. Pearson says without blinking an eye,
"Well, he's probably just as well off dead then." Oh really? I guess drug
rehab wasn't big back in the day. This mentality is further demonstrated
later in the same episode when Pearson tells the man's widow of his murder.
She is very upset by the news of his death, but she really goes to pieces
when Pearson tells her that her late husband was not only a criminal, but a
drug addict.
Dragnet is the only program I've heard that deals with this issue in a
realistic manner. Even then, Joe Friday's bedside manner leaves a lot to be
desired. "The Big Walk," (11/16/52) exemplifies this as Friday and Smith
question a suspect who is suffering through the withdrawal symptoms from
heroin use. He is clearly ill and repeatedly asks for a fix and a doctor
interchangeably, but Friday and Smith couldn't care less, proceeding with
the interrogation and brushing aside the man's obvious discomfort. Of
course, this episode took place in the post Ben Romero phase of the program
when Joe Friday's people skills went to pot (no pun intended.)
RyanO
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 12:34:48 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: This week in radio history 11-17 March
From Those Were The Days --
3/12
1933 - Eight days after he was inaugurated, [removed] President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt presented his first presidential address to the nation.
It was the first of what were called Roosevelt's famous Fireside Chats.
The name, incidentally, was coined by newsman, Robert Trout. He thought
that the President sounded as if he was sitting with us in living rooms
all over the nation next to a roaring fire, just telling it like it was.
3/13
1923 - A great improvement in radio receivers was advertised. The new
models had a concealed speaker and eliminated the need for headphones,
which were considered a nuisance because they were so heavy to wear and
messed up hairdos. The new radios were also said to have a 'foolproof'
design.
3/14
1937 - Fred Allen and Jack Benny met in one of the biggest publicity
gags ever. It was called, "The Battle of the Century." The two
comedians locked horns in the ballroom of the Hotel Pierre, exchanging
torrid insults that were heard by the second largest audience in the
history of radio. The 'feud', incidentally, lasted for over 12 years.
3/17
1933 - Comedian Phil Baker was heard on network radio for the first time
when The Armour Jester was heard on the Blue network. Baker rapidly rose
to the top of the radio ratings.
Joe
--
Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 12:35:14 -0500
From: illoman@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Looney Tunes/Duffy's Tavern
Can someone tell me the name of the Looney Tunes cartoon that was a parody of
Duffy's Tavern? Also is it available anywhere? I remember seeing it years
before I became a Duffy's Tavern fan.
thanks,
Mike
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 13:23:34 -0500
From: Rodney Bowcock <pasttense_78@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: actors' expenses at conventions
Wasn't one ring of Dante's Inferno reserved for
folks who impose upon
actors?
Especially older actors?
The Cincinnati convention has always operated on an
extremely small budget. Because of that, it is simply
not an option to "spring for a first class ticket".
The guests at Cincinnati are GLAD to often use their
own frequent flyer miles to come to the convention,
probably because they like the atmosphere and they
like the people who are there.
I'm glad to call Bob Burchett a friend and am
extremely grateful for the things that he's done for
the hobby through both his involvement in the
convention and through his own business. For people
to act like he is taking advantage of his guests is
insulting and is a kick in the crotch to a man who has
humbly done a lot of good for OTR. Were they with us
today, I'm sure that Ezra Stone, Hal Stone, Willard
Waterman, Parley Baer and others would spring to his
defense as well.
Hope to see many of you in April!
Rodney
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 14:19:55 -0500
From: "Grant & Sally Shorten" <shorten@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Wyxie
Does anyone have a copy of Dick Osgood's, 1981, "Wyxie Wonderland", a
history of WXYZ in Detroit. I am still looking for bio info on Paul Hughes,
the gruff voiced actor, who played many characters on The Lone Ranger and
Challenge of the Yukon.
Thanks,
Grant
Carlsbad, CA
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 16:49:30 -0500
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Have you signed up?
There may be some on this list whose intentions are good but who haven't yet
made concrete plans to attend the Cincinnati convention in a few weeks
(April 20-21). I strongly encourage you to go, whether it's your first time
or you've been many times.
You'll experience fellowship unequaled and a whole lot of free time you can
devote to many topics with like-minded aficionadoes. This convention is
much more laid-back than those in Los Angeles, Newark and Seattle, yet it
still has the aura of a sizeable group along with splendid re-creations and
other amusements, plus a mammoth dealer's room second to none. You'll rub
elbows with a lot of good folks on this list. I think you'll come away
saying you had fun.
We've enjoyed the Cincinnati event for many years but there is little
certainty it will continue a lot longer. Let's hope my apprehension is
misplaced. Meanwhile, I urge you to take advantage of the opportunity while
it's here. If you're within 500 miles of Cincinnati, make the effort to be
there. It's a bargain at a $7 program fee per day. And with a host hotel
rate of $74, you probably can't do a lot better. Don't let this slip by you
... act promptly while it's on your mind. Coordinator Bob Burchette is the
man to contact: haradio@[removed]
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 17:53:22 -0500
From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The name's the same
Since the OTR community in the [removed] is not really that large, those
Digest subscribers who share an unusual last name are frequently
assumed to be related. Turns out most of them apparently are not.
Jim French and I share the same avocation, initials, and surname so
many OTR fans assume we're related. We're not and we're on opposite
coasts.
I recently emailed digester Kathy Grams to help her out in determining
the identity of the cast of "Ann of the Airlanes." I assumed she was a
relative of Martin Grams, Jr. But she told me there is no family
relationship and they've never met.
Today I was looking for the only surviving episode of "Maudie's Diary"
which Jay Hickerson's "Ultimate Guide" says is in the possession of
Steve Lewis. So I emailed Steve Lewis, a regular poster on this Digest,
to request a copy. "You've got the wrong Steve Lewis" he responded.
Turns out he's in NJ and the one I need to contact is in CT.
Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
<[removed]>
PS: In case I can't locate the other Steve Lewis, anybody else out
there have a copy of "Maudie's Diary?"
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 20:40:39 -0500
From: "Robert Acosta" <boacosta@[removed];
To: "oldtime radio digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Donating oldtime radio programs
Hello Digest Readers,
I read with interest the note from Dick Fish regarding his frustration about
donating oldtime radio progrrams to retirement homes. I am pleased to tell
you that Helping hands for the Blind accepts oldtime radio programs,
preferably on disksand cassettes which we give free of charge to blind
oldtime radio fans. If you would like more information about this project,
please write to Robert Acosta at boacosta@[removed]. Thank you.
Robert Acosta
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 20:48:09 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Shadow movie
On [removed] is
International Crime, 1938, with Rod La Rocque as Lamont Cranson.
But, its not the Shadow we all know. This Shadow is a radio
commentator who is known as The Shadow. The only connection with the
real Shadow is the name Lamont Cranson. There's no lovely Margo Lane,
but there is a Phoebe Lane, who is the niece of the newspaper
publisher who is Lamont's employer as well.
A character that pops up from time to time as Moe, the cab driver, is
Lew (Schlepperman, "hello stranger") Hearn.
The film is interesting as a typical mystery of the era, but nothing
special.
Joe
--
Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]
[ADMINISTRIVIA: Available on VHS at [removed] - also
available is "The Shoadow Strikes." All sales at the [removed] store
support the Digest, podcasts, forums, and other OTR services. --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 23:57:11 -0500
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 3-10 births/deaths
March 10th births
03-10-1882 - Lewis J. Valentine - Brooklyn, NY - d. 12-16-1946
nyc police commissioner: "Gangbusters"
03-10-1886 - Clarence Adler - d. 12-24-1969
pianist: Member of the New York Trio
03-10-1888 - Barry Fitzgerald - Dublin, Ireland - d. 1-4-1961
actor: Bernard Fitz "His Honor, the Barber"
03-10-1898 - Cy Kendall - St. Louis, MO - d. 7-22-1953
actor: Captain Tracy "Tarzan"; Fred Thompson "One Man's Family";
"Escape"
03-10-1900 - Peter de Rose - NYC - d. 4-23-1953
pianist, singer: "Sweethearts of the Air"
03-10-1900 - Sherman Billingsley - Enid, Oklahoma Territory - d.
10-4-1966
owner stork club: "Bing Crosby Show"
03-10-1903 - Claire Boothe Luce - NYC - d. 10-9-1987
correspondent: "University of Chicago Round Table"; "Wake Up America"
03-10-1903 - Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke - Davenport, IA - d.
8-7-1931
jazz musician: "Band Remotes"
03-10-1905 - Richard Haydn - London, England - d. 4-25-1985
actor: Professor Lemuel Carp "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"
03-10-1909 - Bob Taplinger - Philadelphia, PA - d. 11-24-1975
head of publicity CBS: Credited with idea of Gracie Allen"s lost brother
03-10-1911 - Warner Anderson - Brooklyn, NY - d. 8-26-1976
actor: Patrick Ryan "Terry and the Pirates"
03-10-1915 - Ranald MacDougall - Schenectady, NY - d. 12-12-1973
writer: "The Man Behind the Gun"; "Passport for Adams"; "There Was a
Woman"
03-10-1918 - Heywood Hale Broun - NYC - d. 9-5-2001
cbs sports commentator: "Biography In Sound"
03-10-1918 - Laddie Seaman - Reading, PA - d. 1-19-1942
actor: Scoop Ward "News of Youth"; Biff Bradley "Pepper Young's Family"
03-10-1918 - Pamela Mason - Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, England - d.
6-29-1996
actor: "James Mason and Pamela Mason Show"
03-10-1919 - Lorna Thayer - Boston, MA - d. 6-4-2005
actor: "The Hallmark Hall of Fame"
03-10-1919 - Marion Hutton - Battle Creek, MI - d. 1-10-1987
singer: (Sister of Betty), (Glenn Miller Orchestra) "Moonlight Serenade"
03-10-1920 - Kenneth C. Burns (Jethro) - Georgia - d. 2-4-1989
comedic singer: (Homer and Jethro) "Town and Country Time"
03-10-1923 - Kenny Bowers - Jersey City, NJ
actor: "The Silver Summer Revue"
03-10-1927 - Dick Alarie - d. 3-24-2000
sortscaster: WPCT Putnam, Connecticut
March 10th deaths
01-02-1904 - Bernardine Flynn - Madison, WI - d. 3-10-1977
actor: Sade Gook "Vic and Sade"; Mathilda Barker "Welcome Valley"
01-03-1905 - Ray Milland - Neath, Wales - d. 3-10-1986
actor: Ray McNutley "Meet Mr. McNutley"
01-15-1913 - Lloyd Bridges - San Leandro, CA - d. 3-10-1998
actor: "Suspense"; "Arch Oboler's Plays"
03-13-1900 - Harry W. Flannery - Greensburg, PA - d. 3-10-1975
newscaster: Foreign correspondent in Berlin for CBS during WWII
03-22-1904 - Bob Elson - Chicago, IL - d. 3-10-1981
sportscaster, interviewer: White Sox, "Bob Elson Aboard the 20th
Century"
03-29-1906 - E. Power Biggs - West Cliff, England - d. 3-10-1977
organist: "Organ Program"
06-20-1904 - Matt Crowley - New Haven, CT - d. 3-10-1983
actor: Mark Trail "Mark Trail"; Buck Rogers "Buck Rogers"
06-23-1876 - Irvin S. Cobb - Paducah, KY - d. 3-10-1944
humorist: "Gulf Show"; "Paducah Plantation"
06-27-1934 - Anna Moffo - Wayne, PA - d. 3-10-2006
soprano: "Voice of Firestone"
07-17-1920 - Helen Walker - Worcester, MA - d. 3-10-1968
actor: "Proudly We Hail"; "Suspense"; "Harold Lloyd Comedy Theatre"
08-03-1907 - Irene Tedrow - Denver, CO - d. 3-10-1995
actor: Janet Archer "Meet Corliss Archer"; Dorothy Regent "Chandu,
the Magacian"
08-08-1900 - Robert Siodmak - Memphis, TN - d. 3-10-1973
film director: "Screen Director's Playhouse"
08-08-1945 - Percy Granger - Norman, OK - d. 3-10-1997
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
10-25-1901 - Walter T. Butterworth - Wallingford, PA - d. 3-10-1962
emcee: "Molle Merry Minstrels"; "Vox Pox"; "Take a Card"
Ron Sayles
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 23:57:33 -0500
From: Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: J cards
We use Cam Audio for all our audio and video printing supplies. They carry
labels, J cards, video labels etc.
We have been using them since the mid 1980 and found them to have excellent
service. If you call, ask for Dean Harrison.
I have not financial interest this company. They are just an excellent
vendor and when ever we needed something special, Dean was always able to
either find it for me or point me to a place that carried it.
Their web site is [removed]
I'm out of town right now and don't have access to their phone number, but
it is on their web site and is an 800 number,so you could always get it by
calling 1800 555 1212.
Fred
[removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2007 Issue #81
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