------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 47
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Dragnet and the creative process [ "Jim Widner" <widnerj@[removed]; ]
Poetry [ "welsa" <welsa@[removed]; ]
Bob Hope CDs [ Allen J Hubin <ajhubin@[removed]; ]
Unable To Initialize MP3 error [ otrdigest@[removed] ]
multiple [removed] [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed] ]
Jack Webb- comedian? [ "Garry Lewis" <glewis@[removed] ]
Paul Harvey with Larry King [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
Bob Hope CDs [ HK Hinkley <parpark280@[removed]; ]
Bob Taylor, WWVA, Lee Moore and anot [ John McCourt <jop_mccourt@[removed] ]
Digger O'Dell [ "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed] ]
Re: "Mary, Merry, Marry" [ Edward Loyer <eloyer@[removed]; ]
Trading [ dantrigg422@[removed] ]
what show would you like to see brou [ Tedshumaker@[removed] ]
Digger O'Dell [ james h arva <wilditralian@[removed] ]
Dragnet [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
Father Coughlin [ "Tom van der Voort" <evan@[removed] ]
Cliff Norton [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
OTR at Sams clubs [ lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed]; ]
enjoyable website with some otr sign [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
Re: Grand Ol' Opry [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
Duffy's Tavern [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 09:20:58 -0500
From: "Jim Widner" <widnerj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Dragnet and the creative process
John Henley comments on the upcoming Dragnet:
In my observation, persons who try to resurrect bygone
entertainments, while making it clear that they don't respect
their sources, seldom produce anything more than a bad joke.
I have to begin by first stating I haven't read Michael Hayde's book
yet. I have seen several "previews" of the new Dragnet and am not
basing these comments upon them.
But I think in fairness to Mr. Wolf, I have to disagree with John's
comments. I don't think John's is a condition one can apply to
productions be them on television or radio where some element of the
original source is being used. At worst, this tv movie/series uses the
title and starring character's name and general setting ([removed], Badge
number, etc.). At best, the production will have its own merits and
shouldn't necessarily be judged upon whether it was true to the
original or not.
There always seems to be two camps in productions such as these: those
who feel every element of the original must be preserved - one must act
as Joe Friday - and remain true to the "just the facts" style. The
other group uses a basic starting point of the original but goes off on
its own creating (hopefully) an entertaining production in its own
right.
I can tell you right now based upon his comments, that John will be
disappointed. The film is closer to the current trend in crime programs
with its attempt at more realism - bodies dead several days in the open
are just that - corpses that probably have been exposed to the night
critters that work to bring nature back in line, etc.
I believe that Ed O'Neil's performance will probably be a sort of
demanding, in your face, at times character portrayal - most likely not
true to Jack Webb's creation, but possibly an excellent acting
portrayal nonetheless (Mr. O'Neil's other serious dramatic roles have
been quite good in my opinion).
As much as I enjoy the radio Dragnet for its characters and even the
Jack Webb TV Dragnet for its somewhat unorthodox characterizations, but
that didn't stop me from enjoying the Dan Ackroyd Dragnet spoof.
I am ususally open to anyone who wants to give a new creative push to
old material. I recently wrote an introduction to a Moonstone Press
graphic novel of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar that will be published
around June. In looking at the work in production, I had some mixed
feelings about the depictions based upon my love the radio show. But it
didn't stop me from realizing that here was another creative
interpretation of the "man with the action-packed expense account."
And a rather good one too.
For me, one of the things I disagree with among nostalgia nuts like
myself, is judging a new creative interpretation of a past creative
work solely upon the idea that if it "ain't like the original" it can't
be good. In fairness to John, I know that is not what he probably
meant, but it is how I interpreted what he said.
When a production that is so much a part of a person's creation as
Dragnet is to Jack Webb, or Amos 'n' Andy is to Gosden/Correll, or
Fibber is to Jim Jordan, does it mean that any creation after it based
upon those same characters will only pale in comparison? I certainly
hope not nor should one automatically judge a work upon those
conditions.
Jim Widner
jwidner@[removed]
[ADMINISTRIVIA: In fairness, I should also note that I have the current issue
of TV Guide on my desk as I type this, and Mr. O'Neill did NOT make the
comments attributed to him by Mr. Henley. Daniel Moyer, coauthor of, "Just
the Facts, Ma'am" was quoted as saying Mr. Webb, "read his lines off a
[removed] wanted everything to be dry." Mr. O'Neill was quoted only
once, in the second-to-last paragraph, saying, "We have a crime and we want
to solve the crime, and that is all we consume ourselves [removed] don't get
into drinking or marital problems," in the short, two-page article. --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 10:23:31 -0500
From: "welsa" <welsa@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Poetry
In terms of radio poetry, let us not forget Ted Malone. I think his show
was called something like "Between the Bookends", but I don't guarantee
that. Not only did he read poetry ont he air, he also helped listeners find
poems. They would write in with some snippet of a memory, probably from
childhood, and Malone would find the entire piece anf read it on air.
Oneof his most famous seraches was for Eddie Cantor. Cantor wrote in about
a poem he remembered from school and gave Malone a few lines. When Malone
finally found thepiece, it turned out to be propse, not poetry.
Cantor's response: When something affects me like that piece did, it's
poetry!
Malone published a few books containing many of the poems he used on air. I
am pleased to have two of them in my library.
Another Ted
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 10:24:02 -0500
From: Allen J Hubin <ajhubin@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Hope CDs
For Ellsworth Johnson:
I bought the Bob Hope CD package at our local
Sam's Club (suburban St. Paul, MN). It has 12
CDs, with ISBN 1-57019-533-1. Bar code number
is 7 4875443462 6. Copyright 2002 by Hope
Enterprises.
Al Hubin
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 10:23:43 -0500
From: otrdigest@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Unable To Initialize MP3 error
I bought an OTR disc in MP3 format. One of the files
gives me an error of "unable to initialize" when I try
to play it on my computer, but it plays on my portable
MP3 player fine. Is there any way to get it to play on
my computer?
Andrew Steinberg
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 11:15:35 -0500
From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: multiple [removed]
I've been listening to the discussion on accents changing through time with
great interest, both because of the subject matter and a personal interest in
the way people reason. Several people have offered possible causes of this.
Some have argued that the consolidation of broadcasting and the loss of
regional programming caused all radio/TV to have an accent neutral voice.
Some have mentioned increased mobility of populations and loss of community.
Others stated that intellectual laziness and declining education are to
blame. It seems to me - a disinterested bystander - that this reasoning is
backwards. In each case it seems like the person started with some facet of
modern society or modern broadcasting they didn't like, and then tried to
associate it with the changing accent phenonmenon. Instead of starting with
a effect and looking for the causes, they started with a cause and then cast
about for some bad effects to associate with it, in order to justify their
opinons.
I would like to offer another possible hypothesis. It is that there is no
single identifiable cause for shifting accents and speech patterns. Language
is a complex thing, and lots of little events affect it in ways that are
impossible to predict. (I wonder if anyone ever applied the techniques of
chaos theory to the evolution of spoken language?) Anyway, language is not
static. It changes constantly. This is neither bad nor good. It just is.
Someone wiser than me once said "The dictionary is a historical document, not
a legal document." I agree. Just because we as a society used to speak a
certain way, it doesn't mean we have to keep speaking that way.
[removed] sorry. Now back to our regularly scheduled radio related discussion
already in progress.
Thank you for the feedback I recieved on Halls of Ivy references. Despite
some info in books devoted to Ronald Coleman, I can find no books dedicated
entirely to the Halls of Ivy. Perhaps some of our scholars here could write
one (Martin [removed])? I know I'd buy one - maybe two. I'd try writing it
myself, but I feel that I lack the talent. (As an engineer, I'd be more
likely to build you a radio than write a book about radio.)
Speaking of OTR books, I'm finally catching up on my reading. I've made it
through the first five chapters of Howard Blue's "Words at War." It's
fascinating. If you haven't ordered a copy, I strongly encourage you to do
so. It is well written, filled with information, and thuroughly sourced. As
soon as I finish this one, I'll have to order Hal Stone's book and
BearManorMedia's "It's that Time Again." We're lucky to have so many great
OTR books published last year. Hopefully, 2003 will be equally rich!
-Chris Holm
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 11:15:05 -0500
From: "Garry Lewis" <glewis@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Jack Webb- comedian?
Last night, I was watching a Biography Channel on Jack Webb. They said that his first show
on [removed] radio was a comedy program(before Pat Novak for Hire). They even played a very
small clip from one show- so some must have survived. Anyone know about this program and
if a sample might be available?
yours DRAGging the NET,
Garry D. Lewis
We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 11:18:22 -0500
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Paul Harvey with Larry King
What a marvelous program! One incredibly young looking
octogenarian,talking with a very healthy heart-attack victim. There's hope
for us all! I'm so glad there is a Paul Harvey Drive next to his studios
in Chicago!
I'll bet there are a lot of younger viewers (and perhaps some older ones
unfamiliar with the radio business) who are asking each other, "What the
heck is 'Rip and Read'?"
Stay with us [removed] 50 years anyway.
And that is [removed]"Rest of the Story"
Lee Munsick, longtime fan, and former rip-and-reader from way back!
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 11:51:10 -0500
From: HK Hinkley <parpark280@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Hope CDs
Here in McAllen Tx it took three trips to Sams before finding the Bob
Hope set. There is was in a bin with several other RSI boxed sets. A
guy could bust his budget!
Still nothing at the local Target. I keep looking.
Back to lurking, HK
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 12:33:03 -0500
From: John McCourt <jop_mccourt@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Taylor, WWVA, Lee Moore and another
appeal for help
Bob Taylor's letter has emboldened me to also make an
appeal to you all. I am completely new to OTR and have
nothing, as yet to trade. I have joined every list I
can find in the hopes of finding some OTR shows of
Country, Folk, Western Cajun and Traditional material
but no one seems to have any. Please, if anyone on the
list has any that they would be willing to send me
please contact me, I am willing to pay all expenses
involved.
Back to WWVA, although I live in Northern Ireland I
have heard of the show and have commercial records by
some of those who appeared there, including Lee Moore
(and his wife Juanita) and Doc Williams. Many years
ago my wife and I brought Doc & Chickie to Belfast for
a show and we stayed in touch for a number of years.
We visited them in Wheeling and, although not
fortunate enough to see a show, Doc showed us around
and introduced us to some of the artists, including
Juanita.
Bob, if you are fortunate enough to obtain any
material would you be willing to share it with me?
Regards,
John McCourt.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 12:37:20 -0500
From: "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Digger O'Dell
<Gregory Walker asked about 'ol [removed];
"The Life of Riley" with William Bendix featured the black humor character
of Digger O'Dell, The Friendly Undertaker (..."I'll be the last person to
let you down!") - and to my knowledge, this radio character was the only
"undertaker" or Funeral Director ever on the air in OTR. (Now there's "Six
Feet Under" on HBO, but that's quite different black humor and it's on
television)
Typically in the radio script, Digger would creep up behind Riley who was
out for an evening walk, and Riley says in an anxious voice: "Wh-o-ose
there?" and the reply: "It's only me, Digger O'Dell, The Friendly
Undertaker" in a soothing deep voice. Presumably, he was also out for a
stroll in the night air. They have a brief conversation and at the end,
Digger says to Riley: "Well, I guess I'd better [removed] on!" Can
you picture thisscent with hooting owls, crickets and walking footsteps
sound effects? Tis the power of imagination. Priceless OTR. Jackie
Gleason played "Riley" on radio when Bill Bendix was filming The Babe Ruth
Story
in 1948.
There is a 1945 "Duffy's Tavern" movie with Bing Crosby and an all-star
cast, a long list of very familiar names, including Bill Bendix that was
written by the late-Norman Panama (who died just recently) and Melvin Frank,
based on characters created by Ed Gardner who played "Archie" as he did on
the radio, ...."'cause "Duffy, ain't here!" The film is a musical comedy,
the radio show was just a comedy.
Russ Butler oldradio@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 14:02:10 -0500
From: Edward Loyer <eloyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: "Mary, Merry, Marry"
Curiously, growing up in mid-Michigan "Mary, Merry, and Marry" were all
pronounced the same way. AND, we drank "melk", paying a "neckle" for a
small bottle of it. Perhaps explains why I feel so comfortable on those
small islands in Casco Bay. Ed Loyer
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 14:24:03 -0500
From: dantrigg422@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Trading
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
The Way I See It: If you want to trade radio shows thats ok, as long as
thats what you want to do. I have always bought my tapes, CDs ect. Thats just
the way I do things.
If you are going to sell for profit you sure should tell folks that's what
you are going to do. I think the OTR hobby will roll along irreguardles. but
I'm one of those folks that beleive you get what you pay for, and what goes
around comes around.
Dan
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 15:27:47 -0500
From: Tedshumaker@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: what show would you like to see brought back
A pilot show of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar was made in the 1950's but was
never picked up as a series. I think it would have made the transition easily.
Ted
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 15:28:00 -0500
From: james h arva <wilditralian@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Digger O'Dell
31 JAN 03
To George Walker --
A, yes -- "Hello, Duffy's Tavern - where da elite meet tuh eat - Duffy
ain't here." Digger O'Dell, however, was a regular on Fibber McGee and
Molly, though ... I think.
Regards,
Jim Arva
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 16:53:34 -0500
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Dragnet
Bill Harker wrote:
I doubt the people responsible for and acting in the new version of
Dragnet
are aware of its importance beyond having created an "image" and being a
money-maker.
If anyone but Dick Wolf was responsible for the new Dragnet I might agree
with you, but as a very big fan of "Law and Order" there is a good chance it
will be a quality show, but maybe not to diehard Dragnet fans. You can be
sure that Dick Wolf is very aware of Dragnet's importance.
As for casting: I think that Miguel Ferrer (Rosemary Clooney's son) would
have been a good choice. Not only is he a good actor but he even bears some
resemblance to Jack Webb.
~Irene
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 16:58:24 -0500
From: "Tom van der Voort" <evan@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Father Coughlin
I'm hopeful that one of our resident experts (perhaps Elizabeth McLeod)
can enlighten me regarding the formats used by the notorious Father Coughlin
in his 1930's diatribes against FDR, atheistic Jews, big banking, etc.
Often the programs are an hour long. A series of programs carried on
WHBI in Newark during 1938-39 fit this pattern. On the other hand the book,
"Radio Broadcasts in the Library of Congress, 1924-1941", lists several 30
minute shows from the same time frame.
To illustrate my confusion I will refer to the broadcast of August 20,
1939. The GOLDINdex web site lists half of a broadcast on that date. This
excerpt runs 1/2 hour on station WHBI. However the Library holdings include
a 30 minute broadcast from WBAL, Baltimore, on the same day. The listing
does not say it is an excerpt.
Did Coughlin syndicate his one-hour shows in a 30 minute format to fit
some time slots or did he do two separate broadcasts? What's going on here?
Any thoughts will be most welcome.
Tom van der Voort
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 17:53:54 -0500
From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Cliff Norton
The LA Times today reports that yet another old time radio actor has died!
Cliff Norton died Saturday, Jan 25. He was 84.
Unlike other obituaries recently, much of his radio career is mentioned.
Cliff was also an honorary SPERDVAC member and attended many of our
conventions. He was a wonderful actor and always willing to take part in our
recreations. He will be missed. Go to [removed] and click on
obituaries to read the full text. It's available free for seven days.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 19:20:18 -0500
From: lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR at Sams clubs
I was wondering if any other Sams Clubs are no longer
selling OTR? Our Sams stoped selling them last fall.
Maybe it's just the smaller stores? I would be
interested to hear from others. As for Costco Club
stores, they don't carry them either. Thanks
Lynn
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 19:21:50 -0500
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: enjoyable website with some otr significance
Have a look at [removed]. All of the black actors in
Walt Disney's "Song of the South" were featured on Amos 'n' Andy. Like the
TV Amos 'n' Andy, the movie is being kept from circulation by its creators.
There's a biography of each of the actors who appeared in the movie--both
animated and human.
M Kinsler
512 E Mulberry St. Lancaster, Ohio USA 43130 740-687-6368
[removed]~kinsler
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 19:22:05 -0500
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Grand Ol' Opry
Somebody posted a message lately about the Grand Ole Opry saying that it
will never be the way it was. That is true and I have seen somewhere that
they even try to get older folks or shell we say the gray haired people to
sit more to the back of the house.
I've never heard *that* one before!
I don't have much of a problem with the Opry evolving; there have been some
improvements over the years. For instance, drums supposedly weren't allowed
on stage for years and Buddy Holly wasn't allowed there for that reason. In
fact, most references will tell you the Opry was drastically different in
1939 than it was in the late 1920s, when mountain people seemed to come in
off the street and just jam. *That* had to be the finest radio to ever come
out of the south, IMHO. But by 1939 the audition criteria was already said
to be so strict, it took years for Roy Acuff to even make it onstage a first
time.
I would think the main issues with the Opry right now are not evolution
related as survival related. Gaylord Broadcasting, owners of WSM, appear to
treat the Opry like some kind of doddering old great grandfather who may have
fought the Big War but is now just in the younger folks' way. Hopefully this
will end, perhaps with the Opry passing over to a different station or
network, or even a different medium like full-time internet broadcasting. Or
maybe Gaylord will go bankrupt or hire a new set of management that think
differently.
Dixon
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 19:49:45 -0500
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Duffy's Tavern
Does anyone remember a show called "Duffys' Tavern"? It started out with a
guy answering the phone saying "Duffys' [removed] Duffy aint' here". One
of the characters on the show was "digger O'dell" the undertaker,or have I
got my shows mixed up.
Digger O'Dell was Chester Riley's friend, the "Friendly Undertaker" on "The
Life of Riley." He was played by John Brown.
I have heard very few episodes of "Duffy's Tavern" but I liked what I heard,
perhaps it was the invention of what we now call in prime time "the workplace
comedy." (Well, that and the Jot'Em Down Store from "Lum 'N' Abner.") I'm
sure a certain nameless 1980s TV sitcom borrowed more than a few ideas from
[removed]
Dixon
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #47
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