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The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2010 : Issue 137
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Mitch Miller's OTR connection [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]
Re: Stratayemer Syndicate characters [ FabFicBks@[removed] ]
Mitch Miller dead at 99 [ CMS Admin <rfmillerjr1@[removed]; ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
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Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 16:59:09 -0400
From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Mitch Miller's OTR connection
Mitch Miller, who gained lasting fame in the pop music field as a
record producer for both Mercury and Columbia in the era of 40s
through early 60s, merited a lengthy and detailed obituary from the
Washington Post when he died July 31st at the age of 99. Included in
this tribute was an OTR reference to his early career.
Although Mitchell William Miller was his professional name, it's
unlikely that was his birth name since he was born in 1911 to Russian
immigrants in Rochester, NY. About age 11, he started playing the
oboe since it was the only unclaimed instrument in the school's music
department. By 15, he was good enough to play in a local professional
orchestra. Miller graduated cum laude from Rochester's Eastman School
of Music in 1932, and was hired by the CBS radio orchestra three
years later. In 1938-39 season he was in the CBS orchestra that
appeared in some of Orson Welles' productions of the Mercury Theater,
including the famous "War of the Worlds."
Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
<[removed]>
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Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 16:59:15 -0400
From: FabFicBks@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Stratayemer Syndicate characters on radio
To add a little to the question about the Stratameyer Syndicate characters;
the Syndicate was interested in getting some of their popular juvenile
series book characters on radio, but were reluctant to spend much money to
promote the concept. They were making good money with the series books, and
altho radio might have helped promote the books, they were interested in
having the radio show turn a solid profit as well.
An audition disc for Tom Swift was actually made, and has survived, however
the story is hacknied and very predictable. It also features actors
doubling and even tripling parts thruout the audition. Apparently this
audition show was offered to some radio syndicators but they all turned it
down.
There may have been some vague plans for a Hardy Boys radio series, but
nothing came of it until the mid 1950s when Disney optioned the characters and
made them into a serial adventure that ran as part of the Mickey Mouse
Club on TV. That exposure was a tremendous boost to sales of the books,
which
must have caused Harriet Stratameyer to have a lot of second thoughts
about not pushing radio shows based of their properties in the previous
decades.
---Bob Jennings
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Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 16:59:25 -0400
From: CMS Admin <rfmillerjr1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Mitch Miller dead at 99
According to a story on NPR yesterday, Mitch Miller the bandleader and record
producer died over the weekend. He was 99.
The NPR story noted that Miller, quit taking piano lessons, because his
teacher had very bad breath. He then took up the oboe, and played in several
orchestras.
NPR credited him with playing in the studio orchestra during the War of the
Worlds broadcast.
Just thought I would pass it on. Check the NPR website. [removed] for more
info.
Randy Miller
former Public Radio Engineer
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Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 02:12:01 -0400
From: charlie@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!
A weekly [removed]
For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
Network, the channel name is #OldRadio. We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
over nine years, same time, same channel! Started by Lois Culver, widow
of actor Howard Culver, this is the place to be on Thursday night for
real-time OTR talk!
Our "regulars" include OTR actors, soundmen, collectors, listeners, and
others interested in enjoying OTR from points all over the world. Discussions
range from favorite shows to almost anything else under the sun (sometimes
it's hard for us to stay on-topic)...but even if it isn't always focused,
it's always a good time!
For more info, contact charlie@[removed]. We hope to see you there, this
week and every week!
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End of [removed] Digest V2010 Issue #137
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