Subject: [removed] Digest V2003 #462
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 12/29/2003 4:01 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2003 : Issue 462
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
      Christmas songs                       [ John Politis <channel1@[removed]; ]
      Saints Preserve Us!                   [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
      Yucky?                                [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      Radio Orphan Annie decoders           [ "Leslie Feagan" <lfeagan@actorsfcu. ]
      My night at Ciro's & other occasions  [ "Harry Machin Jr" <harbev5@earthlin ]
      Decoders and Ovaltine.                [ Robert Coppedge <robertc@[removed]; ]
      Giddins on Benny                      [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
      singin' in the rain                   [ Mort Greenberg <mgreenb300@comcast. ]
      Helen Kane on radio                   [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
      12-30 births/deaths                   [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Mutual Radio Theater                  [ "William D. Clark" <wclark4121@stic ]
      East coast broadcast vs. West coast   [ otrdude@[removed] ]

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    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 09:42:35 -0500
    From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
    To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Today in radio history

     From Those Were The Days --

    1945 - The mystery voice of Mr. Hush was heard for the first time on
    Truth or Consequences, hosted by Ralph Edwards. The feature was intended
    as a spoof of giveaway shows. However, the idea was taken seriously and
    lasted five weeks before fighter Jack Dempsey was identified as Mr. Hush
    -- for a prize of $13,500.

    Joe

    --
    Visit my homepage:  [removed]~[removed]

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    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 09:46:08 -0500
    From: John Politis <channel1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Christmas songs
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    Some others:

    Here Comes Santa  Claus  Gene Autry #9 1947, #8, 1949, #24 1950
    Christmas Island Andrews Sisters #7 1 94 7, #26 1949
    Christmas in Killarney Percy Faith #28 1950
    Mistoetoe Kiss #27 1949 Primo Scala

    Marshmallow World #24 1951 Bing Crosby
    Blue Christmas #13 1949 Russ Morgan   #9 1950 Hugo Winterhalted, #21 1950
    Ernest Tubb
    Let  It Snow #1 Vaughn Monroe 1946 #7 Woody Herman 1946   # 8 Connee
    Bosswelll  1946   #14 Bob Crosby 1946

    John Politis
    Homepage: [removed]~politis
    [removed]

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    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:39:45 -0500
    From: <otrbuff@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Saints Preserve Us!

    The new volume that several have inquired about, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost
    Persons, has been moved up in the McFarland publishing cycle by six months
    and is targeted for spring release.  So for all of you Keen and Clancy fans
    who've been salivating over their anticipated emergence, you'll not have as
    long to wait.

    The book includes lots of pictures, a detailed log of the 1690 episodes
    (hundreds more than any other detective in broadcast history, including TV),
    cast lists, sponsors, network and airtime data, and a plethora of
    captivating anecdotes from behind the scenes that transpired in the lives of
    actors, announcers, writers, directors and producers, based on
    never-before-published interviews and intensive research.  There's also a
    chapter on the genre of the radio detective (including many other gumshoes)
    and the form's pervasive influence during the golden age on American
    entertainment.

    The text attempts to capture the lighthearted style of "the kindly old
    investigator" and his bumbling Irish sidekick. Hopefully, it will provide an
    enjoyable traipse to memory lane for all who relished this important drama
    that ran from 1937-1955 on three national chains.

    McFarland is taking prepublication orders for the hardbound text now at
    800-253-2187 and [removed].  Due to its comprehensive nature, the
    400-page volume has been priced at $65 by the publisher.  It should be the
    definitive work on radio's most durable sleuthing series.

    Jim Cox

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

    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:57:54 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Yucky?

    Rick Selvin notes,

>     terribly AWFUL Ovaltine tasted. Of course, as the counselor knows, this
>     is simply a free-speech opinion -- and one I happen to share. It may have
>     been and still be a perfectly good-tasting and wholesome product. (End of
>     disclaimer.)

    Well, this is a matter of taste.  My wife absolutely adores seafood, and
    the very odor of seafood makes me feel ill.  Likewise, until BES, my
    favorite food has been a standing rib roast, the sight of which makes her
    shudder.

    When I was growing up, I really dug the taste of Ovaltine.  I still mix
    it up occasionally (though the formula for the "Classic" has changed, so
    the taste is a bit off), and enjoy it as I used to.

    I'm sure everyone on the Digest who lived through the OTR era list has at
    one time or another consumed something he or she really didn't like.  For
    me, it was the old Kix cereal, which was just slightly softer than
    crushed rocks, even after being soaked in milk.  But Ovaltine I really
    liked.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:05:27 -0500
    From: "Leslie Feagan" <lfeagan@[removed];
    To: "old time radio digest" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Radio Orphan Annie decoders
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    With all the gab lately concerning decoders, I was wondering whether anyone
    would be interested in purchasing my complete collection of Radio Orphan Annie
    decoders from 1935,-36,-37,-38,-39 and 1940. I've been collecting them for
    over 20 years from antique stores and dealers across America and have paid
    from $35 to $85 for each decoder. Please contact me with your desires, contact
    info and price you are willing to spend at   lfeagan@[removed] .
    Sincerely,
    Leslie Feagan

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    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:30:20 -0500
    From: "Harry Machin Jr" <harbev5@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  My night at Ciro's & other occasions

    The question about Ciro's brought back a very
    special memory for me.  As I've mentioned in earlier
    postings, when my ship was based at San Diego
    (early '50s), I often went to Hollywood on weekends
    and attended radio shows.  On one very special weekend,
    I and a buddy went to Ciro's to see Joni James, the
    current singing sensation.  To our amazement, Joni came
    out to our table after she had done her first set.  She had
    seen the two sailors at a table, and because her brother
    was in the navy, decided to come out and sit with us.
    What a thrill that was for two young sailors!  My other
    interesting experience that evening at Ciro's was seeing
    Lurene Tuttle at a table for two, and with a man about
    her age.  I was tempted to speak to Lurene, but decided
    against it (timidity, I guess).  Of course, many times
    later on, I regretted missing that opportunity.  Other
    radio celebrities I failed to speak to, same excuse, were
    John Dehner and Sam Edwards (in a restaurant), and
    Williard Waterman (on the street in LaJolla).  I've often
    wondered what would have happened if I had not been
    so timid on those several occasions.
    Harry Machin, Jr.
    harbev5@[removed]
    another occasion, I saw Willard Waterman walking one
    weekend afternoon on a street in LaJolla

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

    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:56:09 -0500
    From: Robert Coppedge <robertc@[removed];
    To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Decoders and Ovaltine.

    Just a quick note that I agree with Steven Kallis about the decoder and
    Ovaltine.

    I got my decoder in 1946, and I remember sending a seal from the top of
    the jar to get it.  I really don't remember if any money was sent or
    not, but I don't believe so.

    One question:

    Did the address to send the seal end with ----  Chicago 77, Illinois?

    It seems that I remember this as being an address for many radio
    premiums.  Am I just dreaming?

    Bob Coppedge.

    --
    Please visit my Home Page at:
            [removed]

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

    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 14:08:52 -0500
    From: JackBenny@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Giddins on Benny
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    Steve Lewis wrote:

>     Jack Benny once got a big laugh on radio when he asked Bing Crosby, who had
>     complained that a country club didn't admit actors, "How would you like to be
>     an actor and a Jew?"

>     The review was written by Gary Giddins, who is the author of a recent
>     biography about Bing Crosby.

    I recently received a copy of an article on Jack written by Gary Giddins, and
    was practically bouncing off the walls at all the errors in it.  Most of the
    article was philosophy on the character, but when it got to biographical
    information, it felt like every other sentence had some sort of error or
    misleading information in it.

    I am not familiar with the above quote, but that's not to say that Jack
    definitely didn't say it.  It does seem very out of character for him,
    something
    that would be more appropriate to someone like Georgie Jessel or Groucho
    Marx.

    I am mostly familiar with Giddins' work through his commentary on Ken Burns
    documentaries, so I don't know if he's usually such an "unreliable source".
    But as far as what I've seen of his Benny work, I'd take any "fact" from him
    with a 20-pound bag of salt.

    --Laura Leff
    President, IJBFC
    [removed]

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    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 14:12:02 -0500
    From: Mort Greenberg <mgreenb300@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  singin' in the rain

    I am an avid reader but rarely contribute, let alone ask a question. But
    since I heard about the passing of Donald O'Conner I was wondering if a
    radio adaptation of Singin' In the Rain was ever broadcast. I realize it
    would be difficult since the movie dealt with early Talkies, but many movies
    that seemed to be very visual were made into radio adaptations. Thanks for
    any information.

    mort greenberg

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

    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 15:06:36 -0500
    From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Helen Kane on radio

    A friend of mine (a film studies professor) just asked
    me the following query:

    "Do you have any Betty Boop or Helen Kane radio from
    the 20's or very early 30's?  I'm doing a paper on
    baby talk in the earlie talkies for a conference in
    March.  I'm enjoying my early talkie films, but it
    would be nice to round it out with a little radio,
    too."

    I don't think I've got anything. Of course, there's
    not much from that era surviving (relative to the
    mid/late 30s onward). Does anybody have any
    suggestions?

    Thanks,
    Kermyt

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

    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 15:07:42 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  12-30 births/deaths

    Today in history:
    1940 - Los Angeles dedicataes the Arroyo Seco Parkway, its first freeway.

    December 30th births

    12-30-1894 - Vincent Lopez - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-20-1975
    bandleader: "Luncheon with Lopez"
    12-30-1899 - Michael Raffetto - Placerville, CA - d. 5-31-1990
    actor: Paul Barbour "One Man"s Family"; Jack Packard "I Love A
    Mystery/Adventure"
    12-30-1900 - Everett Marshall - Lawrence, MA - d. 4-1965
    singer: "Broadway Vanities/Varieties"
    12-30-1911 - Jeanette Nolan - Los Angeles, CA - d. 6-5-1998
    actress: Nicolette Moore "One Man"s Family"; Mrs. Hudson "Advs. of Sherlock
    Holmes"
    12-30-1912 - Hugh Griffith - Marianglas, Anglesey, North Wales - d. 5-14-1980
    actor: "Under Milk Wood"
    12-30-1914 - Bert Parks - Atlanta, GA - d. 2-2-1992
    emcee, announcer: "Break the Bank"; "Stop the Music"; "Double or Nothing"

    December 30th deaths

    09-28-1906 - Jack Meakin - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 12-30-1982
    conductor: "Great Gildersleeve"; "You Bet Your Life"
    11-18-1900 - Don Quinn - Grand Rapids, MI - d. 12-30-1967
    writer: "Fibber McGee and Molly"; "Halls of Ivy"
    12-28-1908 - Lew Ayres - Minneapolis, MN - d. 12-30-1996
    actor: Dr. James Kildare "Dr. Kildare"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 16:27:59 -0500
    From: "William D. Clark" <wclark4121@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Mutual Radio Theater

    	While going through 33 LP albums at my local used book store I came
    across an unusual item which immediately found its way into my shopping
    basket.
    What I found was a boxed set of shows for the Mutual Radio Theater, week of
    June 2-6, 1980. The box contains 5 albums, 1 for each day of the week:

    Monday-Western; Host: Lorne Greene
    "The Mutiny Against George Washington"
    Tuesday-Comedy; Host: Andy Griffith
    "Let's Play House"
    Wednesday-Mystery; Host: Vincent Price
    "Long Distance"
    Thursday-Love; Host: Cicely Tyson
    "Love Conquers All"
    Friday-Adventure; Host: Leonard Nimoy
    "Yessir, That's My Baby"

    	The albums contain segments with network commercials included. The
    segment will play through then the tone arm will not advance to the next
    segment allowing a "donut" for the local broadcaster to insert a local
    affiliate commercial.
    	The most interesting is the literature included. The cover letter
    from "Frank J. Murphy III, VP, Station Relations" of the Mutual Broadcasting
    System reads in part:
    "...It is important that ALL PROGRAMS ARE DESTROYED AFTER THE SCHEDULED AIR
    DATE (their emphasis) to prevent an accidental re-broadcast. Each program is
    authorized for one broadcast only. An unauthorized re-broadcast could mean
    termination of your station's permission to carry the program and may
    possibly result in additional legal actions."
    	Included is a "Format for Station Use" with a minute by minute
    breakdown of how to run the programs segments with commercials for each
    episode's 52:40 minute run. The paperwork also contains a summary of each
    broadcast.
    	Though I know that 1980 is not OTR by any stretch of the
    imagination, what I would like to know is do I possibly have a rare find, or
    was this item commercially available and made to look like radio station
    property? There is no writing on the exterior box which is normally found on
    other store bought recordings such as addresses, cover design
    acknowledgement or "all rights reserved" comments.  What is the best way to
    store and preserve this find so it can survive the march of time? The albums
    are in "mint" condition with all slip sleeves intact and the included
    paperwork is not wrinkled or yellowed with time. I want to do my best to
    keep it that way.
    	Also could anyone tell me about the Mutual Radio Theater? I know
    about the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, but had no knowledge that the Mutual
    Network did the same at one point.

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

    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:51:58 -0500
    From: otrdude@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  East coast broadcast vs. West coast broadcast
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    When a show like Jack Benny put on an East Coast broadcast and then later the
    same day a West Coast broadcast, would they use a new audience for the second
    broadcast?

    Andrew Steinberg

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    End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #462
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