------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 196
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Hope Crosby & Jones [ "Brian Johnson" <CHYRONOP@worldnet. ]
OTR products [ "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed] ]
RE: Most Distinctive Radio Voice [ "David Kindred" <david@[removed] ]
re: Minidisc Vs. Mp3 [ mart459@[removed] ]
Lum & Abner to Shawn [ "Captain Spiffy" <captspiffy@hotmai ]
Old Commercials [ Kubelski@[removed] ]
Your Job: Clarify It! [ Derek Tague <derek@[removed]; ]
Radio Row- NY [ "Marvin R. Bensman" <MBensman@memph ]
Re: Repeat Broadcasts [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
re "Further Details with Robert Trou [ John Henley <jhenley@[removed] ]
Re: sly Ian [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
Re: Re: using old OTR advertised pro [ "Garry D. Lewis" <glewis@[removed] ]
Boston Blackie [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
Gene & Glenn [ "jsouthard" <jsouthard@[removed]; ]
Re: Food for the soul [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:35:26 -0400
From: "Brian Johnson" <CHYRONOP@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Hope Crosby & Jones
Dave Walter asked about Spike Jones and his appearance on Bing Crosby's
original recording of "White Christmas"....
Before Spike went out on his own to please "music lovers" everywhere, his
full time gig was being the drummer in John Scott Trotter's orchestra. So,
he is on almost every major Crosby recording between 1937 and 1943. The
"City Slickers" would often guest on Bing's show and Spike was warmly
welcomed as an old friend.
As for Jim Lewis' question about Bob Hope and "Thanks for the Memories":
One thing most people don't realize about Bob is that he was a major
Broadway star before his radio days. He played the second male lead in
"Roberta" (the part played by Fred Astaire in the movie) with great acclaim.
His first film experience was a disaster. (A forgetable two-reeler called
"Going Spanish" by a New York studio was so bad, Hope told columnist Walter
Winchell that "when they catch that guy Dillinger they're going to make him
watch it - twice." Winchell printed the quote and Hope was fired the next
day.) When he answered Paramount's call he wasn't even sure he wanted a
movie career and he and Dolores lived in a hotel during the filming of "The
Big Broadast of 1938." But even that film almost didn't happen. He almost
walked when he was told that his promised solo was to be a duet with co-star
Shirley Ross. It wasn't until he heard the song that he agreed to go on with
the picture.
Hope continued to have modest success in pictures until his breakout year of
1940. When the studio paired him with Bing Crosby in "The Road to
Singapore," Bob received third billing behind Dorothy Lamour.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:35:38 -0400
From: "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR products
How many people on this list are using products because they heard a
commercial on an old time radio program?
I've been listening to The Jack Benny Program, in order, by date. I hear
four or five shows a week. I'm setting here with a big bowl of Grape Nuts,
haven't had any Jello for about three weeks now. I guess Lucky Strikes are
next. Sigh, had a hard enough time quitting cigarettes last time.
Roby McHone
Fairbanks, Alaska
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:35:57 -0400
From: "David Kindred" <david@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: Most Distinctive Radio Voice
ilamfan@[removed] was heard to have said:
For the most distinctive radio voice, I'd have to
vote for Ken Nordine - not really OLD OTR (as far as I
know), but since the 1950's [removed] voice!
I couldn't agree more with you! I still have a demo video tape for an early
90's Amiga video production product known as the "Video Toaster" which Ken
narrated. He did such an excellent job with it, I felt compelled to learn
more about him. I was quite surprised by the length of time he had been
involved in radio. I still play the demo on occasion. What an incredible
voice!
--David
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:36:29 -0400
From: mart459@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re: Minidisc Vs. Mp3
There is a place for everything - I archive my
recordings on CDRs in MP3 format - except for what I send to my father which
is re-done as standard CDs. Several of the MP3 cd players that have passed
over my desk do not handle all of the formats well. I also usually re-encode
to a higher bit rate so that I can import the MP3s easily into the NETMD
software that I have and download to the minidic over the USB cable.
The NETMD allows for USB downloads to minidisk player/recorders. For most of
the OTR that I listen to (and I admit that I have a tin ear) the MDLP format
(5 hours on a re-recordable $2 disk) works out well. Battery life is
fantastic - 20-30 hours on a single 'AA'. And the player can fit in my shirt
pocket which is something that a CD player cannot. So this is my primary way
to bring things back & forth to work and bring several days worth of
listening in less space than a cigrette pack for the disks.
I have had several solid state MP3 players that use CF and Smartmedia cards.
The older diamond rio was my favorite, since I could fit six hours of very
low quality (voice only) MP3 files recorded off of the Am station that I
cannot get at work. (with the added in SM memory card). Most players did not
do a bit rate as low as I recorded with - they were meant for music.
Another option is the Franklin Ebookman. The 16 Meg units have been going for
under $75 through some outlets, and the 64 meg MMC card $43 (US). using a
third party codec (Spot-n-go), a half hour of OTR compresses to a listenable
quality at between [removed] and [removed] megs. just don't use the ebookman for reading
when playing back the audio. But for a multi-function device that fits in a
shirt pocket, this is not bad. (origional ebookman software was horrid,
vastly better now).
So - IMHO, for starting out and based on cost,
a CD based MP3 player, with the understanding that you will have to re-encode
a lot of the traded and downloaded MP3 files depending on what you get ($50
US+). For portability, stability when running/playing basketball, battery
life, etc - a NETMD minidisk unit ($150 US base unit - disks $2 mail order).
For secondary listening devices ([removed] - when you need a handheld), the IPAQ
series plays back decently, battery life a concern. The Franklin has
replaceable batteries, so it can go on trips without a wall wart.
I would stay away from CF& SM based mp3 players - I like the fact that there
are no moving parts, but the memory is still expensive, and if you are going
to pay that much, stretch a little more and get one of the hard drive based
units. And also know that battery life is a factor here.
Since this is slightly off topic, I will be very happy to discuss off line
with anyone who wants/need more information. just send me an email. If you
want to flame publicly, feel free to but please don't repeat this entire
message - cut& paste what you want to update/discuss/flame.
Thanks! And thanks to all for a very informative list.
Jon M.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:41:38 -0400
From: "Captain Spiffy" <captspiffy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Lum & Abner to Shawn
Shawn,
I also am in agreement with Ian.
(What Ian said)
Again with the price, nobody I know said it was outrageous, most, including
me, said that paying such a price would end in divorce, so many marriages
were saved by otr fans showing restraint and keeping their wallets closed.
(it was tempting except for the contract, that was the clincher that killed
the deal)
Shawn, I am currently taking various episodes off of reel to reel and
converting to MP3, then putting them on CDs, and I truly admire you taking
the enormous time and energy in "remastering" the Lum & Abner series. I
guess I do have a question or two, For $[removed] , are the 1600+ episodes that
you are offering in wav form or MP3 format? How many CDs does that entail?
Thanks Shawn, for the info, but I must concur with Ian, that the
contract that you requested people to sign was way out of line. The selling
of OTR on Ebay is such a "gray area" as far as copyright is concerned, I
would only wish for a definite clarification by the powers to be.
One more note, Elizabeth, if the RHAC club in Denver, ever has an OTR
Convention, I would appreciate enormously if you would show up! Your
comments and insight into OTR from yesteryear, is one of the main reasons
why I look forward to reading what you have to offer. Thanks you so much!
Mike Fye
Castle Rock, Colorado
[ADMINISTRIVIA: Good luck with [removed] have been haranguing the poor woman
about attending this year's Friends of Old-Time Radio Convention in October
with little luck. If you plan on attending this year's FOTR Con, and would
like to _hear_ Ms. McLeod wax eloquent as well as _reading_ her sage
postings, go ahead and let her know. Maybe when she realizes how in-demand
she is, she might capitulate and join us in Newark. --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:36:57 -0400
From: Kubelski@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Old Commercials
To add to the discussion, I am in no way encouraged to smoke by all of the
smoking programs I listen to. My recent rotation has been Jack Benny
(check), Dragnet (check), Gunsmoke (check) and Biography in Sound (RCA).
At no point do I believe Chesterfields are packed with pleasure,
Filter-tipped Tarrytons are preferred by my doctor or that the tobacco in
Lucky Strikes is really all that special.
There is a real danger in listening to these programs in 2002 and drinking
milk at the same time that should carry a disclaimer regarding the potential
of dairy-inspired nasel discharge.
I'm not in any danger of switching back to a coal-fired boiler, either, but
if I did, I'd certainly want that cleaner-burning blue coal.
Sean Dougherty
Kubelski@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:42:04 -0400
From: Derek Tague <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Your Job: Clarify It!
Dum-de-dum-dum!
I just wanted to clarify Dan Hughes's rejoinder re: the juvenile casting
of the cathode-ray version of the DRAGNET: "The Big Little Jesus" episode.
When I referred to Billy "Father Knows Best" Gray playing an "altar boy", I
was not referring to the little Mexican boy who took the statue for a ride in
his newly acquired red wagon. Earlier in the episode, Friday & Smith (or
Gannon) question an altar boy (Billy Gray, or Barry Williams) who "served" (or
"assisted" for non-Catholics) at the Mass which preceded the suspected time of
the theft. Pacquito Mendoza was about six years old, a little too young to be
an acolyte.
As for my buddy Michael Hayde, who previously posted about the placement
of the statue of the Child Jesus in the manger scene: "Mr. Dragnet" had said
it is a Roman Catholic tradition to set up beforehand the Nativity scene
WITHOUT Baby Jesus, which usually does not get placed in until Christmas Day
itself. From my own lapsed Catholic experiences, the statue gets placed in the
creche during Midnight Mass. So, technically, Father Rojas did need the LAPD
to find the errant statue in time for that evening's Midnight Mass.
True, the statue of the Child Jesus should NOT have been accessible on the
morning of Christams [removed] there wouldn't really be a Christmas
story had the events of the theft and recovery occurred on , say, December
27th.
I hope this fixes everybody's little red wagon.
Dum-de-dum-dum!
Derek Tague
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:53:33 -0400
From: "Marvin R. Bensman" <MBensman@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Radio Row- NY
Thought some of you might be interested.
Monday, June 3, 2002
On NPR's All Things Considered
(4:30-5pm on WNYC in New York)
RADIO ROW
When City Radio opened on Cortlandt Street in 1921, radio was a novelty.
Over the next few decades, hundreds of stores popped up in the neighborhood.
Metro Radio, Blan the Radio Man, Leotone Radio, Cantor the Cabinet King --
the six square block area in lower Manhattan became a bazaar of tubes, knobs,
hifi equipment and antenna kits. It was the largest collection of
radio and electronics stores in the world. Then in 1966 the stores
were condemned and bulldozed to make way for the new World Trade
Center.
A look back at the people and stories of Radio Row.
Lost & Found Sound's Sonic Memorial Project - a National Collaboration
[removed]
Professor Marvin R. Bensman
University of Memphis
Director: Radio Archive
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:55:27 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Repeat Broadcasts
Bryan asked;
Hal, About how long into the Archie run were you required to do two live
shows ? I know you had stated ,on one of the digests, that at one point the
second broadcast was eliminated and a recording of the live Eastern show was
played back for the west coast. When was the switch ?
Did you have two do live shows during the short prime -time run at all ?
I can't give specific dates, Bryan, but we did the "repeat" for the West
coast at least during the first year or two of the programs existence.
(beginning mid 1945). I know at one point, I wanted a copy of the show we
did in late 45, and had to go to an outside recording source.
According to the research I've done, the LOC has a few copies of the show
dating from '45, but they might have been dubbed from what we called an
electrical transcription back then (record). LOC lists only one copy of the
show from 1946, Nothing ,nada, zip for 1947. Which really doesn't tell me
all that much. Maybe we did have to do repeats until 1948, but that seems
like a long time. Maybe NBC just lost all the stuff from 1947 if in fact
tape copies were made of the live show. (Elizabeth would undoubtedly know
when taping all radio programs for delayed broadcast became standard
procedure at the networks).
As far as our Wed. nite prime-time run, we did not have to do live repeats.
Tape recording was standard practice by then.
Hope this vague info helps. Regards
Hal(Harlan)Stone
"Jughead"
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:56:01 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
I'm gonna be off line for the most part till Monday, so here's here
the weekend history --
From Those Were The Days --
Friday, 31 May
1943 - A comic strip came to radio, as Archie Andrews was heard on the
Mutual for the first time. Archie, Veronica, Jughead and the gang stayed
on radio for about five years.
1949 - A crowd of 35,000 people paid tribute to radio personality Mary
Margaret McBride at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. McBride was
celebrating her 15th year in radio.
Today's birthday's --
1894 - Fred Allen (John Florence Sullivan) d. Mar 17, 1956
1908 - Don Ameche (Dominic Felix Amici) d. Dec 6, 1993
----------------
June 1 --
1936 - The Lux Radio Theater moved from New York City to Hollywood.
Cecil B. DeMille, the program’s host on the NBC Blue network, introduced
Clark Gable and Marlene Dietrich in The Legionnaire and the Lady.
Birthday's 1 June:
1890 - Frank Morgan (Francis Wuppermann) d. Sep 18, 1949
-----------------
June 2 --
1937 - The Fabulous Dr. Tweedy was broadcast on NBC radio for the first
time. Frank Morgan starred as the absent-minded Dr. Tweedy.
1937 - CBS presented the first broadcast of Second Husband. The show
continued on the air until 1946.
Birthday's 2 June
1890 - Hedda Hopper (Elda Furry) d. Feb 1, 1966
1908 - Ben Grauer d. May 31, 1977
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:53:59 -0400
From: John Henley <jhenley@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re "Further Details with Robert Trout"
Charlie asked,
Has anyone else heard this two-hour program from NPR?
Just a few minutes before reading his message, I had gotten
an e-mail newsletter from my local NPR ststion saying they
would be broadcasting "Details with Robert Trout" (no "Further" -
??) on June 2 and 9. So I hope to get a chance to listen to it.
By the way, the same newsletter mentions that Trout's papers
are now held by the Center for American History here at the
University of Texas at Austin. I had forgotten this - his papers
are there because he was persuaded to donate them by Walter
Cronkite, a distinguished alumnus of UT Austin whose own papers
are also held at that library and archive. Researchers, take note.
John Henley
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:56:34 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: sly Ian
In The awesome Aussies recent posting, he slipped in another almost
subliminal message to me. Gee Whiz. I have to read his postings very
carefully, (even though the topic isn't my thing), just to make sure I don't
miss his "barbs".
Hey guys, don't get me started on the "pirating" of material issue. Anyway,
buried deep in the fine print, he opines.
I had no recollection of clipping the articles (I guess old age does
that to you eh Jug?) but it shows me the interest was there 30 years ago.
I will not dignify that slap at my razor sharp mental prowess with a
response. But I will raise a question based on something else he said
further down in his posting.
I am an up and coming collector with a thirst for buying Australian otr
related
items.
Does that mean I have to change citizenship to sell you a copy of my book?
Will becoming an Honorary OTR Aussie count?
He then makes this statement further on.
Fortunately I have never been asked to withhold shows from circulation, I
would honour such a request.
I guess I couldn't become an Aussie after all. I'd have to learn how to
misspell words to gain acceptance, and I've barely learned to spell words in
my own language after all these years. "Honour" indeed.
g'dai Mite
Hal(harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:55:47 -0400
From: "Garry D. Lewis" <glewis@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Re: using old OTR advertised products
Well lately, I've let a "little dabble do you" of brylcream. My fellow
workes say that I do "look so debonair". }:^)>
yours hair today and gone into yesterday,
Garry D. Lewis
--
a day without an Olympus camera is like a day without "Sunny 16"
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:57:12 -0400
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Boston Blackie
I listened today to an episode of Boston Blackie entitled "The TV
Poisoning." The date is not identified. Richard Kollmar played Blackie.
At the beginning of the program, he and Mary had settled in to watch
Inspector Faraday on television. They watched in silence for awhile, then
Blackie says, "I'll turn the radio part on." What he meant, of course, was
that he would turn up the television sound control. Or am I missing
something?
To an OTR hobbyist, Blackie's expression seems like a nice, wistful "turn
of phrase," a rhetorical bridge between two media.
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:57:36 -0400
From: "jsouthard" <jsouthard@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Gene & Glenn
I was catching up on a week of the Digest and while reading about Lum and
Abner, I remembered that as a child in Northampton, Massachusetts, my folks
took me to see to men Gene and Glenn. They stood on the stage and conducted
a dialogue. One of the men would put on a hat and be Jake and then would put
on a woman's hat and be Lena. Can anybody tell me about these two radio
comedians and their alter-egos Jake and Lena?
Another memory I have is about a mystery/detective program where the
detective investigates supernatural cases and in the end explains how it was
done? does this ring a bell?
Thanks.
John Southard
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 23:57:57 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Food for the soul
You folks really didn't think I could remain silent on this thread did you?
Tender [removed] [removed]
Known from the West Coast to New York
Swifts Premium [removed]
Swifts Premium [removed]
The devil made me do it! Besides, I couldn't risk being stripped of my
Honorary Membership in the "Archie Andrews" fan club.
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #196
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