Subject: [removed] Digest V2005 #68
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 3/2/2005 3:54 PM

To: [removed]@[removed]

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2005 : Issue 68
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                 [removed]
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Article on OTR                        [ seandd@[removed] ]
      Vic 'n Sade Books                     [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
      Seattle Convention June 24-25         [ HRRMIKES@[removed] ]
      Riley/In Praise of Martin Grams       [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
      Re: Vic & Sade                        [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
      WGN Friday night                      [ "Michael Leannah" <mleannah@charter ]
      Dodge City Wind                       [ William Harker <wharker@[removed] ]
      Joan Alexander/Out-of-print OTR book  [ Glenn Brownstein <scoopmit@insightb ]
      #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig  [ charlie@[removed] ]
      3-2 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Re: Life of Riley phrase              [ Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed] ]
      "The Ticket Stub"                     [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
      3-3 births/deaths                     [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Orson Welles radio career             [ "HOWARD BLUE" <khovard@[removed]; ]
      Nostalgic Music Programs              [ Christopher Werner <werner1@globalc ]

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

    Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 18:55:44 -0500
    From: seandd@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Article on OTR

    This great nostalgic article about OTR ran in today's Palladium-Item, outside
    of Richmond, Indiana.

    That has to be fairly close (by Midwestern Standards) to Cincinatti - I hope
    the organizers of that event get in touch with this writer, he's clearly in
    our camp.

    Sean Dougherty
    SeanDD@[removed]

    [removed]

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

    Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 19:37:16 -0500
    From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
    To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Vic 'n Sade Books

    FYI == I recently bought 'The Little House Half-way up on the Next Block'
    through Alibris. [ [removed] ].  I bought the one at the lowest price
    which was about $13.   I checked just now and there is one copy of each book
    available, used, at $[removed] each.

    -Irene

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

    Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 20:15:23 -0500
    From: HRRMIKES@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Seattle Convention June 24-25
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         The stars and the program are almost finalized for the REPS Radio
    Showcase to be held in Seattle on   Friday and Saturday, June 24-25. There
    will be
    no Thursday or Sunday program components
          OTR professionals who are committed at this point include: Alice
    Backes, Dick Beals, Herb Ellis, Ray Erlenborn, Art Gilmore, Bob Hastings, Bill
    Idelson, JoAnna March, Esther Geddes McVey, Anne Whitfield Phillips, Rosemary
    Rice,
    Hal Stone, Gil Stratton, [removed]   They will be joined by professionals Larry
    Albert, Frank Buxton Jim French and Paul Herlinger.
          At this time REPS knows that they will be doing Archie Andrews starring
    Hal Stone, Bob Hastings and Rosemary Rice; Vic and Sade, starring Bill
    Idelson; The Adventures of Frank Race starring Art Gilmore; Imagination
    Theater, the
    syndicated new radio shows by Jim French, that Showcase weekend will be
    starring OTR friends.   It is probable that REPS will be doing two of the
    following: Lights Out, Screen Directors Playhouse, Escape.
          Ethel and Albert may be appearing briefly, as might The Bickersons.
    Plus Bob Hastings and Hal Stone will be bringing about heavy laughter with
    their Bob and Ray routine.
         Club president, and OTR actor, Dick Beals stated "This Showcase will
    return us to being one of the friendliest and most comfortable of events for
    the
    professionals and for the fans.   I sincerely urge fans from all over the
    country to come and join in."
          Panels and interviews are getting special attention this year.   A very
    attractive silent auction of OTR related items will be the only "fund raiser"
    done during the weekend and vendors will be on hand too.
         Details on registration can be found on the club website
    [removed]
          For information beyond that, please contact Mike Sprague at
    hrrmikes@[removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 07:59:28 -0500
    From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Riley/In Praise of Martin Grams

    Melanie Aultman asked:

>     Was at phrase, "the life of Riley" in use before the radio show or would the
>     spelling have been changed for other reasons?

    'Twas. Altho' I cannot tell how or where it actually originated, I can tell
    you the
    term does date back to at least the 1920s. How do I know?  Once while I was
    researching the William Bendix radio show (created by Irving Brecher) at the
    NYPL/Performing Arts--Billy Rose Theater Collection   for my pal Lynn Wagar,
    I filled out a call-slip for the clippings folder for  "Life of Riley, The
    (Radio),"
    I was mistakenly given a folder for a stage show of the same name from the
    1920s.

    Speaking of research: altho' I have been trying to stay out of the
    Grams-Blue-Stone
    fray, I'd really would like to thank my good pal Marty Grams for the kind,
    extolling words he afforded the research I did in helping him compile the log
    for
    Arthur Anderson's recent "Let's Pretend" update for Ben Ohmart's Bear Manor
    Media. Likewise, I'd like to thank everybody who defended Martin, his sense of
    modesty, and the inarguable contribution such a young guy like him has made to
    this hobby.

    Let me say something about Martin Grams, Junior, and do keep in mind that I
    speak
    not only as a friend, but also from my own stance as a professional.
    researcher. There is
    probably no other OTR author with as much enthusiasm for the  hobby as MGJr.
    In his
    case, his youthfaul exuberance and energy works not only to his advantage, but
    also,
    consequentially for all the  OTR & TV fans who buy and read his books. The man
    is a
    human dynamo with a great sense of self-discipline in setting and adhering to
    his own
    personal deadlines regarding the publication of his books.

    At a young age, Martin has pioneered within the OTR community the phenomena of
    desk-top printing and self-publishing. I happen to know of several instances
    in which
    Mr. Grams has inspired other OTR authors to look into self-publishing rather
    than taking
    their manuscripts to the scholarly publishers that primarily deal with the
    library trade.
    Not only does this help the struggling OTR author and researcher to realise a
    much better
    profit  margin, but also makes the books more affordable to us OTR fans.

    I have had the pleasure of having had done research of several of Marty's
    books--usually
    at the  aforementioned Billy Rose Collection--and in the interest of  full
    disclosure, a good
    95% of what I do is "for hire," as was the case for Messrs. Grams, Ohmart, and
    Anderson
    for the  "Let's Pretend" update.  Martin has always paid me on-time. Although
    an independent
    researcher working on his own has ample opportunity to "pad"  his hourly rate.
    Martin has never
    disputed the estimated time and the final figure I present him.  He's always
    been "square"
    with me, and I likewise reciprocate the courtesy. In addition, he has
    magnanimously thrown
    work my way during times of financial difficulty. Likewise, he'll hire OTR
    fans he knows to
    proofread his manuscripts. So, what little wealth Martin may have found in OTR
    scholarly pursuits,  he has generaously spread around.

    MG has also made great strides in delving into libraries, colections, and
    archives not just in the [removed],
    but  overseas as well. Therefore, the next time Marty posts here on the Digest
    that he needs somebody
    living near a particular archive to do some "legwork" for him, please be
    assured that you will not find a
    nicer  temporary employer, who will pay for your services in a most
    expeditious manner.

    I can go on for several pages about what a fun guy Marty is to hang around
    with, what a great joke-teller                                  and
    conversationalist he is [I once took an 11-hour road trip with him home from
    the Cincinnati OTR                                                  convention
    a few years ago], but that'd be straying too far off-course. I'd just like to
    close by saying that
    Marty  is   one helluva researcher and author and that this OTR hobby is much
    more fun and rewarding                                            because  of
    all the many great efforts he has made on behalf of it.

    The thing I like most about Martin Grams is this: he's my pal.

    Yours ever-so-earnestly in the ether,

    Derek Tague

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:00:04 -0500
    From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Vic & Sade

    [removed]@[removed] wrote:

>     As much as I really do treasure these two books, what I'd REALLY love to
>     see is a different collection of Rhymer's scripts published.  I've often
>     considered undertaking putting such a tome together, but I understand that
>     Paige Rhymer (the son of Paul) doesn't often allow his father's work to be
>     republished.

    It is my understanding that the Rhymer estate has been very, very tightfisted
    about optioning out elements of Paul Rhymer's creative output. While I
    recognize the man's creative genius, I've never understood this as there is
    very little material available on the series or the man other than those two
    books mentioned. Rhymer's wife was very protective of the scripts and that
    seems to continue with his offspring.

    Probably, the best person to explain this is Barbara Schwarz of the Vic &
    Sade Society who has been in contact with the estate in the past.

    Jim Widner
    [removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:00:29 -0500
    From: "Michael Leannah" <mleannah@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  WGN Friday night

    For those interested, on Friday night, March 4, Milt Rosenberg's Extension
    720 radio show (WGN radio, 720 AM, 9:00-11:00 CST), will turn its attention
    to "Classic Radio Plays."

    In general I recommend Dr. Rosenberg's show, which airs Monday through
    Friday. Items in the news, new books, etc. are the usual points of
    discussion. Rarely does the topic of old radio arise. I think it will be
    worth a listen Friday night.

    Michael Leannah
    Sheboygan, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:01:08 -0500
    From: William Harker <wharker@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Dodge City Wind

    I have just returned from three weeks in Australia (mostly Melbourne, but
    also Adelaide, Ballarat, and Euroa).  On a stopover in Los Angeles (the
    world's worst airport as far as I'm concerned), I was sitting in an
    establishment awaiting my next flight on the way to the American east coast
    when I saw a trivia question flash on the television screen.

    It noted that while Chicago is known as the Windy City, it ranks only 28th
    in average wind speed through the year.  The number one city in wind
    speed?  Matt Dillon's Dodge City, Kansas.

    Offhand, I can remember several episodes where wind definitely plays a
    factor in the story line, but now, I'll  have to listen even more closely
    to the wind in Gunsmoke episodes.  I can imagine there might be some
    dispute as to wind speeds for various cities, but I still found this
    interesting enough to note and remember.

    Also, while in Melbourne, I found Richard Lane's _The Golden Age of
    Australian Radio Drama:  1923-1960_ which I plan on perusing shortly.

    Bill Harker
    wharker@[removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:01:43 -0500
    From: Glenn Brownstein <scoopmit@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Joan Alexander/Out-of-print OTR books

    1. Granted, this interest stems from her present appearances on GSN in
    The Name's The Same, but does anyone here know what happened to Ms.
    Alexander after her radio career ended? I'm familiar with her
    considerable radio resume, and I know she was the voice of Lois Lane in
    a 60s Superman cartoon series, but nothing beyond.

    2. I've found several of the OTR books recently mentioned at antique
    malls and shops and antique/used bookstores, including "Treadmill to
    Oblivion" just the other day ($5), "Faith is a Song," the Jessica
    Dragonette autobio (I think $6) and "Out of the Blue," the terrific John
    Crosby column collection ($3). It's not nearly as easy as clicking onto
    the Internet, but it can be relatively inexpensive and a thought for
    those with a little more time and the spirit of the hunt.

    Glenn Brownstein
    scoopmit@[removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:02:05 -0500
    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 six 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!

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:56:27 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  3-2 births/deaths

    March 2nd births

    03-02-1900 - Kurt Weill - Dessau, Germany - d. 4-3-1950
    composer: "Der Lindergflug"; "Towards the Century of the Common Man";
    "This Is War"
    03-02-1902 - Dame Flora Robson - Brighton, England - d. 7-7-1984
    actress: BBC Radio "Streets of Pompeii"
    03-02-1904 - Theodor "Dr. Suess" Geisel - Springfield, MA - d.
    9-24-1991
    children's book author: "American School On the Air"; "Columbia
    Workshop"
    03-02-1909 - Mel Ott - Gretna, LA - d. 11-21-1958
    sportscaster: Play-by-Play Detroit Tigers; "Babe Ruth Show"
    03-02-1914 - Martin Ritt - NYC - d. 12-8-1990
    film director, teacher: "Coming Home"
    03-02-1917 - Desi Arnaz - Santiago, Cuba - d. 12-2-1986
    actor, bandleader: Ricky Ricardo "I Love Lucy"; "Bob Hope Show"
    03-02-1918 - Elmira Roessler - St. Louis, MO - d. 4-30-1975
    actress, singer: Jennifer Davis "Backstage Wife"; Tweetsie Herringbone
    "Ma Perkins"
    03-02-1919 - Jennifer Jones - Tulsa, OK
    actress: "Radio Hall of Fame"
    03-02-1923 - Jean Metcalfe - Reigate, England - d. 1-28-2000
    announcer, presenter: "Forces Favourites"; "Two-Way Family
    Favourites"; "Woman's Hour"

    March 2nd deaths

    01-23-1898 - Randolph Scott - Orange County, VA (Raised: Charlotte,
    NC) - d. 3-2-1987
    actor: "Academy Award Theatre"; "Campbell Playhouse"
    02-08-1902 - Lyle Talbot - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 3-2-1996
    actor: "Your Hollywood Informer"; "Calling All Cars"; "The Unexpected"

    02-14-1908 - Lonnie Glosson - Judsonia, AR - d. 3-2-2001
    country music harmonica player: "Grand Ole Opry"
    02-19-1915 - Fred Freilberger - NYC - d. 3-2-2003
    writer: "Suspense"; "Family Theatre"
    03-16-1916 - Mercedes McCambridge - Joliet, IL - d. 3-2-2004
    actress: Sunny Richards "I Love A Mystery"; Martha Ellis Bryant
    "Defense Attorney"
    07-24-1913 - Hollace (Vivien) Shaw - Fresno, CA - d. 3-2-1976
    singer: "Blue Velvet"; "Vic Damone and Hollace Shaw Show"
    --
    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 15:12:22 -0500
    From: Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Life of Riley phrase
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    The term "life of Riley"seems to go back at least to the 1880's.

    See:

    [removed]
    [removed]
    [removed]

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 15:12:49 -0500
    From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
    To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  "The Ticket Stub"

    Jay Sweet in yesterday's Digest  asks about  "The Black Museum."  While
    others here can give Jay insight into the show, I would like to recommend
    to Jay that he pick up a copy of  IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN! [BearManor Media,
    2002] which is edited by Ben Ohmart.  The book is available through
    BearManor's website -- [removed]  and is an excellent compilation
    of stories based on old radio programs.  This particular book is Volume I.

    I mention it because there is a superb story in there entitled   "The
    Ticket Stub" which frames itself within the context of the original show,
    "The Black Museum."  The inside cover page even has a picture depicting
    "The Black Museum."  Jay can get a full view of what the program was like
    by reading this excellent tale by Digest poster and Wisconsin educator,
    Michael Leannah.  It is a wonderfully woven mystery with plot details that
    make it a page turner.

    Dennis Crow

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 15:24:24 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  3-3 births/deaths

    March 3rd births

    03-03-1890 - Edmund Lowe - San Jose, CA - d. 4-21-1971
    actor: Sergeant Quirt "Captain Flagg and Sergeant Quirt"
    03-03-1902 - Ruby Dandridge - Memphis, TN  - d. 10-17-1987
    actress: Mammy Brown "Gallant Heart"; Geranium "Judy Canova Show"
    03-03-1906 - Donald Novis - Hastings, England - d. 7-23-1966
    actor: Matt Mulligan "Jumbo Fire Chief Program"
    03-03-1911 - Jean Harlow - Kansas City, MO - d. 6-7-1937
    actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"
    03-03-1915 - John Nelson - d. 11-3-1976
    emcee: "Bride and Groom"; "Know Your NBC's"; "Live Like a Millionaire"

    03-03-1920 - James Doohan - Vancouver, Canada
    actor: "You Never Had It So Good"; "The Investigator"
    03-03-1920 - Jimmy Edwards - Barns, Surrey, England - d. 7-7-1988
    actor: Pa Glum "Take It from Here"
    03-03-1921 - Diana Barrymore - NYC - d. 1-25-1960
    actress: "Crime Does Not Pay"
    03-03-1924 - Barbara Jean Wong - Los Angeles, CA - d. 11-13-1999
    actress: Judy Barton "Cinnamon Bear"
    03-03-1924 - Cathy Downs - Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY - d.
    12-8-1976
    actress: "Your Movietown Radio Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Mail
    Call"
    03-03-1937 - Bobby Driscoll - Cedar Rapids, IA - d. 3-20-1968 (body
    found)
    actor: "A Day in the Life of Dennis Day"; "Family Theatre"

    March 3rd deaths

    01-18-1913 - Danny Kaye - Brooklyn, NY - d. 3-3-1987
    comedian: "Danny Kaye Show"
    02-26-1887 - William Frawley - Burlington, IA - d. 3-3-1966
    comedian: Fred Mertz "I Love Lucy", "Hallmark Playhouse"; "Hollywood
    Hotel"
    03-06-1906 - Lou Costello - Paterson, NJ - d. 3-3-1959
    comedian: "Chase & Sanborn Hour"; "Abbott and Costello Show"
    03-13-1907 - Frank Wilcox - DeSoto, MO - d. 3-3-1974
    actor: Father "Central City"
    03-19-1889 - George L. "Doc" Rockwell - Providence, RI - d. 3-3-1978
    comedian: "Camel Pleasure Hour"
    04-04-1895 - Arthur Murray - NYC - d. 3-3-1991
    dance master: "Natural Bridge Dancing Class"
    10-09-1909 - Robert Beatty - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - d. 3-3-1992
    announcer: BBC Radio Newsreel"; "London Column"
    10-16-1917 - Alice Pearce - NYC - d. 3-3-1966
    actress: Daphne "Henry Morgan Show"
    10-30-1915 - Fred Friendly - NYC - d. 3-3-1998
    writer, director: "Hear It Now"; "Who Said That?"; "Quick and the
    Dead"
    12-02-1918 - Ezra Stone - New Bedford, MA - d. 3-3-1994
    actor: Henry Aldrich "Aldrich Family"
    --
    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 15:55:14 -0500
    From: "HOWARD BLUE" <khovard@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Orson Welles radio career

    I wrote some time ago that Paul Heyer's book about Orson Welles,  The Medium
    and the Magician : The Radio Legacy of Orson Welles, 1934-1952 (Critical
    Media Studies, Institutions, Politics, and Culture Series) was scheduled for
    publication in late January. Unfortunately it's still not out, but it should
    be soon. Keep tuned.

    Howard Blue

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

    Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 17:51:02 -0500
    From: Christopher Werner <werner1@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Nostalgic Music Programs

    Having been born in the middle of the century, 35 years(or so) after the
    concept of music copyrighting was established, with lots of starving media
    companies happy to have their products played often, I've grown up with
    certain 'Nostalgia' music programs. Whether they feature OTR
    dramas/comedies/etc. or music of the (pick the decade) they serve the
    purpose of allowing folks older than 20 to reminisce and perhaps introduce
    a little of their listening experiences with those younger than them.

    So, my questions are:

    1) What was the first 'OTR' program (a program whose purpose was to feature
    re-broadcasts of older programs for the sake of reminiscing (not merely
    syndicated re-runs (ala Dragnet) or re-broadcasts due to popularity (ala
    Suspense)?

    2) What was the first 'oldies' music program (not classical, but popular
    featuring recordings of  music that was popular more than 20 years
    previously - and specifically marketed as a nostalgia program)?

    Even if they are not the first it would be interesting to know when the
    genre/concept first gained popularity. There is nothing so satisfying then
    listening to a string of recordings and knowing the words to all the songs!

    Curious Chris.

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #68
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