------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 123
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Sitting ducks [ Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed] ]
cast credits [ " Dial" <epminney@[removed]; ]
Convention Info [ Ken Reiss <reissken@[removed]; ]
sixties reruns [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
RE: FRAISER/ORSON WELLES [ Kevin Michaels <kmichaels@doityours ]
"[removed]" [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
Radio Life's Awards [ Conrad Binyon <conradab@[removed] ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Re:Tune-into Tucson [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
"Little Jack Little" [ Tony Baechler <tony@[removed]; ]
Who Was That Masked Man [ DLSharp500@[removed] ]
"Romance" [ "Don Belden" <dbelden@[removed]; ]
R. I. P. times [removed] [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
Fred Allen at Boston Public Library [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
More Praise for Archie Andrews [ Michael Edwards <medwards_47@yahoo. ]
Hal Stone [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 22:31:53 -0500
From: Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Sitting ducks
This is of absolutely no importance, but I just remembered another actor
who worked sitting down. His name is Errol Flynn and the show was The
Adventures of Casanova.
I will not hazard a guess as to whether this was a matter of necessity. I do
recall that he had a man in attendance throughout the rehearsals to be sure
that his water glass didn't go dry. Rumor had it that it was either
Beefeater or Smirnoff water. This was during the cold war so Stoly was
[removed] patriotic, you know.
Harry Bartell
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 22:44:11 -0500
From: " Dial" <epminney@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: cast credits
After hearing a really good OTR program (and even a not-so-good [removed])
I like to hear the credits given for cast, writer, music and sound
effects people. Many times, however, these are not given. Are there
any good sources for me to find some fairly complete listings of
production credits?
I just listened to a Dragnet episode called The Big Knife--recognized
Jack Webb (of course) and Barton Yarborough and Sam Edwards, but no one
was credited at all! Very frustrating.
Thanks -- Elizabeth Minney
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 00:21:55 -0500
From: Ken Reiss <reissken@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Convention Info
Mike-
I was actually looking for info on the Cincinatti conventions ince It's
coming up very soon. However the Seattle one looks interesting too. If I
can't make it to OH in April, I'll keep that one in [removed] Probably
wouldn't be able to get the time off for both, and Seattle is a bit further
trip from St. Louis :)
Thanks.
Ken
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:37:05 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: sixties reruns
Ryan O asked:
I just purchased a large number of Suspense programs from 1961 until the
final broadcast in September of 1962. There are a few things I notice. One
is that some of the scripts from these shows are used on other series.
There is a story called, "The Lunatic Hour," which was formerly used on
Inner Sanctum as, "The Unforgiving Corpse." Another script, "The Curse of
Kamashek," was formerly a five-part episode of Johnny Dollar. "The
Imposters," was later used as the same story and title on, Theater Five.
This was common during the early sixties. Bruno Zirato, Jr. was the
director during SUSPENSE's last season on the air, and he recalled using
scripts from dozens of radio programs. Robert Arthur donated scripts that
was previously done on THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER (both the MT and SUSPENSE
version of "The Man Who Went Back to Save Lincoln" exist). Some scripts
from Tales of Fatima, Creeps at Night, Radio City Playhouse, and Inner
Sanctum Mysteries were also used. The titles were often changed, but the
script remained the same. According to Zirato: "Do you know what we paid
for those scripts? Three-hundred and fifty dollars. I was using a lot of
old SUSPENSE scripts and they were old things out of the trunk, and that was
it, really. I was scrounging for scripts."
By that last date, radio was considered a dead medium for dramas, according
to the big networks, just a sunday afternoon feature to fill time.
Television was where the big money was, ratings and advertising.
Occassionally, of course, someone wrote an original script and it was paid
for, but for writers like Robert Arthur and Fred Hendrickson, it was easier
to pull out an old script, retitle it, and submit it to the producer
(Zirato) for some quick cash. What writer wouldn't mind taking an old
project they labored on a decade before, and try to cash in on it again?
[removed] Reusing radio scripts from one program for another was not uncommon
before the early sixties, especially when it came to anthology programs.
Scripts from Mr. District Attorney were used on other radio mysteries (just
the name of the lead character changed - as simple as that!). Arch Oboler
submitted one of his radio scripts from Lights Out for an Inner Sanctum
broadcast, The Ford Theater used an Ellery Queen script for one of their
episodes, The Lux Radio Theater offered two former Mercury Theater
productions, and Cabin B-13 used scripts formerly done on Suspense and vice
versa!
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:37:23 -0500
From: Kevin Michaels <kmichaels@[removed];
To: "Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: FRAISER/ORSON WELLES
Jim Knaggs mentioned that fraiser had the same sounding voice as Orson
Welles. I believe if you check on Kelsey Grammar's Biography, he got
started in radio, and has the perfect voice for his character.
The radio recreation show, was Grammar's suggestion to the producers as a
tribute to the Golden era of radio. Fortunately when I read the listing in
the TV Guide that it was going to be on, I taped the show, sans commercials.
What a riot!
Kevin Michaels
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:38:40 -0500
From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "[removed]"
Eric J Cooper writes:
"[removed]"....once again, the mainstream media and its obituary
writers ignore OTR like it was ancient Greek history.
Both the Los Angeles Times & the Orange County Register mentioned Berle's
radio career in today's issues.
The (long) LA Times story, especially, reprised his long career. As for
radio, the article said that he made many guest appearances on radio shows
before the Texaco show, but that the medium did not allow him to
demonstrate his mastery of "physical humor" and "facial gymnastics".
TV did.
One article said that Texaco intended their "Star Theater" to have
different "stars" over time (like the later "Colgate Comedy Hour"), but
that "Uncle Miltie's" success in the ratings from the first show on,
convinced them to stick with Berle through their sponsorship of the show.
(Question: The article was vague on this: Was Berle the *only* star of the
RADIO Texaco Star Theater, or did others also host the show, and Berle
became THE star of the TELEVISION version, later?)
(Another question, which just occurred to me: Was Texaco Star Theater
simulcast on radio and TV, or did the sponsor end the radio version before
the TV version "electrified the airwaves"?)
Herb Harrison
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:38:48 -0500
From: Conrad Binyon <conradab@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Radio Life's Awards
Comments about Radio Awards in OTR days:
Click the following link:
[removed]
Give it a little time to load.
CAB
--
conradab@[removed] (Conrad A. Binyon)
From the Home of the Stars who loved Ranches and Farms
Encino, California.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:38:59 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
From Those Were The Days --
1932 - Comedian Jack Benny appeared on radio for the first time. He
agreed to join then newspaper columnist, Ed Sullivan, on his radio
interview show. Benny got a real taste of radio two months later when he
got his own show on the NBC radio network.
1937 - The radio serial, Our Gal Sunday, debuted. The question, "Can
this girl from a small mining town in the West find happiness as the
wife of a wealthy and titled Englishman?" was asked each day as the show
continued for the next 22 years.
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:39:24 -0500
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re:Tune-into Tucson
Norman Schickendanz posted;
Walden Hughes mentioned Chicago and Arizona as being good places for OTR
clubs.
Having just moved from the Chicago area last fall, I know there are OTR
re-enactment groups there, <SNIP>Also, there is another OTR club based there,
ORCATS, with members from around the country.
Having just moved to Tucson, I've recently started an informal OTR club
here. We've had one meeting so far and have over a dozen members at the
moment.
Hi Norm:
Do you know JIM F. whose message in the last digest was posted just above
yours? Is he already a member of your fledgling OTR club? If not, you guys
should certainly get together.
Wow, Tucson is on a roll. Arizona has the "Diamondbacks"... (The World
Series Champions. (For those who may have forgotten last years splendid
baseball season). Why not a *Premier* and World Class OTR Club? Go get 'em,
Tiger! :)
As I said in my previous posting, with the right kind of promotion and
publicity, I see no reason why you couldn't get something going to spark
interest in the OTR Hobby here in the Southwest. (Forget about Conventions
until you build strong local support). If there were some like minded people
in the Phoenix area, and you joined forces with them, creating Regional
Chapters, I bet interest in OTR as a hobby (or at least a social club),
could really be promoted.
You said you have 12 members. Heck, if I remember my bible studies, that's
all Jesus started with, and look what happened. (I mean no disrespect or
irreverence). Just pointing out a parallel. I would imagine it requires
almost a missionary zeal to attract a substantial following.
There are at least 2 (perhaps more) OTR performers living real close to you
(Green Valley). Once you get the word out, and the club grows, It's possible
they might be willing to make an appearance to help you attract attention to
the Hobby.
Then too, I live a little less than 4 hours away, and at some point in the
future, I'd make a trip down there and help out. (If you'd be interested).
Keep in [removed] extraordinary value or Promotion and publicity. Get the
word out, see about getting newspaper coverage, put notices in Newspapers
Club News section, and post notices on the Retirement community bulletin
board. (I hope I'm not talking down to you. You may have already arranged
for that. If so, the only other advice I can give [removed]'t let up).
Anyone on this Digest from Phoenix who wants to be heard? I know we have an
OTR fan and digest member in Prescott! Arizonans' Unite!
Message me privately from time to time and let me know how your progressing.
Also, are there any Officers" of succesful existing Clubs or Dealers who
might care to (privately) share some organizational advice with Norm.
Good Luck to both you and Jim. Regards,
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:43:25 -0500
From: Tony Baechler <tony@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "Little Jack Little"
Hello. I just got a set of these programs from the First Generation Radio
Archives. They apparently date from 1930. Surprisingly, the sound quality
is much better than I would imagine from programs that old. Anyway, can
anyone shed some light on these programs? I think I saw a post here awhile
ago about them, but am not remembering the details. It seems to be an all
piano show hosted by Jack Little. I would guess it is syndicated, but the
archive listings seem sketchy on that point. This must be a very low
budget program since each show only lasts about 13:00 and has just Jack
Little and a piano. Thanks to all if you can fill in any other
details. The only other thing I found is that J. David Goldin shows a band
remote from 1939, but this would be long after the piano show I mentioned.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:43:53 -0500
From: DLSharp500@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Who Was That Masked Man
After the recent talk of the David Rothel book "Who Was That Masked Man", I
thought I would check my local library to see if they had a copy which they
did.
If you haven't ever read this book, it's a fascinating look into the creation
of
The Lone Ranger and the program's history and evolution from the earliest
days to the Earle Graser period to the Brace Beemer era and even a section
on Clayton Moore and the TV Lone Ranger.
There is also a recreation of the script for the second ever Lone Ranger
radio broadcast (according to the Lone Ranger radio show log created by Terry
Salomonson). Interestingly enough, in this show the LR doesn't seem to wear
a mask. It appears they were still evolving the character during those first
few
episodes.
A very interesting read and highly recommended for those interested in The
Lone Ranger.
David Sharp
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:44:03 -0500
From: "Don Belden" <dbelden@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "Romance"
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
Can anyone refer me to a site where I can purchase or trade for a CD(s)
containing mp3 files of the
program "Romance."
Don in Denver
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:44:08 -0500
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: R. I. P. times [removed]
It seems deaths in the entertainment world always come in threes.
This time the triad was three great names in the world of American humor:
Dudley Moore
Milton Berle
Billy Wilder
It is said "Laughter is the greatest medicine".
These learned physicians of humor dispensed a lot of
prescriptions to elate our life in 20th Century America!
Thanks for stopping in, guys!
Lee Munsick
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:46:17 -0500
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Fred Allen at Boston Public Library
Arthur Godfrey was the announcer on the Fred Allen programs for a short time.
I have written the Boston Public Library repeatedly over the past few
years, on behalf of The Arthur Godfrey Memorial Foundation, Inc., a
nonprofit educational organization, and to obtain research material for my
proposed book.
I asked if it is possible to obtain copies of those scripts involving Mr.
Godfrey, and also audio copies of those few programs on cassette, CD, or
whatever. Also any correspondence or other references which may appear in
the Fred Allen archives at BPL.
Several times I have received no response. Other times I just get put
off. Never anything substantive.
Seems to me this is not what Mr. and Mrs. Fred Allen had in mind when they
gave their collection and funds to the Boston Public Library. Perhaps
someone should take this up with some elected officials in Boston to
conduct an investigation?
Sadly, this BPL (don't confuse it with Broadcast Pioneers Library at the
Univ. of Maryland library) apparently fits in with the traditions of the
Library of Congress and The Smithsonian Institution. Kind of like the
Clinton's solution to homosexuals in the armed services: Don't Ask. Don't
Tell. Don't Know. Don't Care.
When I was in charge of Yesteryear Museum in New Jersey, often we would
receive requests from people wishing to donate various things, either to us
or other nonprofits. Frequently, as we were located in historic colonial
Morristown, the items would be colonial history. We were Victorian,
mechanical music, reproduction of sound. But happily would we take the
items, and then find an appropriate home for them, to save the donors all
the trouble. One such instance involved an entire working loom. We were
not far from Paterson, New Jersey. It has once a center of weaving, and a
museum there was ecstatic to have such a fine, historical exhibit.
In order to obtain 501(c)(3) status, nonprofit corporations are supposed to
include in their charters a passage indicating to where their holdings
would go were the corporation to dissolve. Various instruction books
suggest that language should read "to the Smithsonian Institution". It's
intended as an example so get the idea across, but many groups feel this is
a specific requirement, so that's what their charters say. Except for one
such group whom I tried to persuade years ago that their new incorporation
papers should >not< say Smithsonian "Institute". They simply would not
catch on, and became rather indignant. Even had an illuminated document
prepared with this glaringly incorrect information. I have no idea whether
it ever was amended to reflect the proper name. A common error, but
grievous error nonetheless, one which certainly should not appear in legal
documents.
I have known many of the folk at the Smithsonian Institution. They are
decent, dedicated, hard-working, knowledgeable people. Many others, sadly,
are just government hangers-on. Either way, they are faced with the
problem of what to do with constant new donations of tons and tons of
material--much of it duplicates or triplicates of material already on hand
and buried away in numerous warehouses, never to be seen. Sorry, Mr.
Smithson, but such is often the state of affairs now!
There are also some pretty silly rules. For instance, with respect to
albums of 78 rpm phonograph recordings, the Library of Congress wants to
obtain four copies of every recording, just in case. Those albums were
manufactured in three formats, to accommodate manual playing,
semi-automatic machine playing, and fully-automatic. The difference is the
way the record sides are arranged on the records within the album
binders. The recordings are precisely the same, just in slightly different
order in the album sleeves. The difference is reflected on the album
spine: M, AM, X or whatever before the album number. So LC applies the
rule strictly, saying they want to have four of each one of these. So
instead of having four albums of the exact same recording, they nominally
want to use up shelf space with an even dozen such albums. Imagine this in
the case of a two-album set of an entire opera! No wonder they run out of
space!
Over the years, I have told many generous donors that if they want to give
things to the Smithsonian, they might just as well dig a big hole in their
back yard and bury their personal or archival treasures, and save the
shipping costs. I at least urge them to contact any intended recipient
organization and detail the contents of a proposed bequeathal. This is >
before< writing the will or whatever, thus giving the institution the
opportunity to politely suggest another potential recipient, which might
benefit much more appreciatively from the largesse of the donors.
This might be considered by the readers, who are wondering what will happen
to their collections on the occasion of their demise, which may not always
be in a time when the donor has the time or ability to make and act on such
decisions. .
I hope some OTR people in the Boston area (how about it, Brockton?) will
undertake a project to pry the Fred Allen material out of the sub-basements
and into the light of day. If you do so, please let us know the results!
Lee Munsick That Godfrey Guy
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:49:29 -0500
From: Michael Edwards <medwards_47@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: More Praise for Archie Andrews
I just finished listening to an episode (okay, MP3) of
Archie Andrews called "Dinner at a Resteraunt", dated
1948. It was apparently an audition program, trying
to obtain a new sponsor for the show. What follows
are the announcer's words, not mine:
"There are a lot of hearty laughs available each week
for listeners who tune to the Adventures of Archie
Andrews, as you'll find out for yourself in a moment.
Why, even the most serious of humans have been known
to chuckle at the mirthful adventures of this lovable
teenager and his ridiculous friend, Jughead."
(Remember the announcer's words, Hal, not mine!)
"And here's a case where laughs have paid off. Two
years ago, Swift and Company sponsered Archie Andrews
Saturday mornings at 10:30, where it earned an average
Nielsen rating of [removed]
"Then, last Summer, it held down a Wednesday evening
slot replacing The Great Gildersleeve for Kraft.
Again, it proved its' ability to draw audiences and
ratings points with a 13 week Nielsen average of [removed]
"It's no surprise then, that a Gilbert survey among
young people revealed that Archie is their favorite
youth program, and their fourth most popular of all
radio programs.
"No advertiser need be told the power of this
important pressure group in swinging sales toward a
favorite product. So, let Archie Andrews take your
product with him on his weekly visit to millions of
American families. Make this friendly, welcome
program your radio salesman right in your customer's
home. But now, listen to Archie and his [removed]"
Wow, so youth was being courted even then! And I
thought that just sprang up with the WB network.
Congratulations to Hal who as "that ridiculous friend,
Jughead" played a part in Archie's success. In
today's market, a [removed] isn't sneezed at in prime time.
Archie as earning it on Saturday morning!
Michael Edwards
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:51:26 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Hal Stone
Does anyone know if Hal Stone is available on another program besides
"Archie?" I would love to hear him in another role. Can he do something
besides, Reeeeeeeelaaaaax Archie, Reeeeeeeeeeelaaaaax!
--
Ron Sayles
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #123
*********************************************
Copyright [removed] Communications, York, PA; All Rights Reserved,
including republication in any form.
If you enjoy this list, please consider financially supporting it:
[removed]
For Help: [removed]@[removed]
To Unsubscribe: [removed]@[removed]
To Subscribe: [removed]@[removed]
or see [removed]
For Help with the Archive Server, send the command ARCHIVE HELP
in the SUBJECT of a message to [removed]@[removed]
To contact the listmaster, mail to listmaster@[removed]
To Send Mail to the list, simply send to [removed]@[removed]