------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 201
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re:rewriting history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
distinctive voices [ Allen J Hubin <ajhubin@[removed]; ]
Hedda Hopper's Birthday [ "Robert W. Furry" <rfurry@[removed] ]
Re: something for nothing? [ Ga6string@[removed] ]
Re: Distinctive radio voices [ Ga6string@[removed] ]
Re:Endings [ [removed]@[removed] ]
RE: Re: ..., Mercedes McCambridge,.. [ Jim Mayor <jmayor@[removed]; ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Distinctive voices [ Joyce McHone <mchone@[removed] ]
RE: CULTURAL DIFFERENCE + MISC [ "Steven C. Thoburn" <scthoburn@comc ]
Visual Howard McNear [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Re: Loose ends [ Ga6string@[removed] ]
Jimmy Barton; Howard McNear [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
Doc or Floyd? [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
MP3 File Names in WIN AMP. Burning, [ StepToons@[removed] ]
Ian Grieve and "Toy Story 2" [ "david rogers" <david_rogers@hotmai ]
mp3: free for all or all for free [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
Re: Voices [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 10:00:52 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re:rewriting history
Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2002 18:35:50 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
Subject: Re:rewriting history
I really enjoy and appreciate Joe Mackey's "Today in Radio History",
Thanks. ==blush==
I'm not trying to embarrass him in public, but I have to correct some major
errors in his data. I don't blame Joe. He probably excerpted the information
>from OTR research books that contained the misinformation.
Actually I get the info from [removed] and we
all know that everything on the net is true. :)
All seriousness aside, the tidbits there are sometimes wrong, at least
the one's that I notice and when I find something that is wrong or in
doubt I'll edit out the questionable data. But there are times
something gets past me and then I usually hear about it. :)
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
They didn't even mention your role, and I inserted that in your
honour.
Actually, (according to my trusty source Elizabeth) the "Archie" show first
aired on NBC Blue in 1943, (before going over to Mutual). Then back to NBC
in '45.
Had I known that I would have edited the blurb to "1943 - A comic
strip came to radio, as Archie Andrews was heard for the first time."
Sorry Joe. I was proud of our long 9 year run, and needed to set the record
straight. But then again, not your fault.
Hey, no problem. On the extremely rare times I am wrong I don't mind
being corrected.
Joe (aka Joe-n-wv. CU Thursday)
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 10:01:02 -0400
From: Allen J Hubin <ajhubin@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: distinctive voices
There are several OTR voices that stand out for me,
but maybe the one I find most distinctive is that of
Mason Adams.
Al Hubin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 10:05:46 -0400
From: "Robert W. Furry" <rfurry@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Hedda Hopper's Birthday
>From #196 Joe Mackey writes:
From Those Were The Days --
Birthday's 2 June
1890 - Hedda Hopper (Elda Furry) d. Feb 1, 1966
It's of little consequence, but Hedda Hopper (Elda Furry) was born in May of
1885. Somewhere, during her career, she shaved five years off her birthday
and added a month. Probably not all that unusual for the Hollywood folks.
To Elizabeth: Please come to Newark in October. This will my first FOTR
convention and I was so looking forward to meeting you. You will remember
that I sent you a pizza (at least the box) and you sent it back in good
shape. It would be my pleasure to thank you personally.
Robert
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 10:58:48 -0400
From: Ga6string@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: something for nothing?
In a message dated 06/03/2002 10:08:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Ian Grieve
writes:
...the important thing is to get the shows into a digital format where it
can be changed into any format you want at any time and at least protect the
show in case the original media carrier is damaged or destroyed.
BINGO! As an OTR fan and a musician, I have what I feel is a priceless
collection of recordings on audio cassette, which I consider a "perishable"
medium. Included in my OTR programs are quite a few old Radio Yesteryear
"custom tapes," purchased at $12/hour, including a few shows that apparently
aren't in circulation, and certainly are not available via Radio Spirits'
very limited custom tape service. (One would presume that everything RYY had
would now be available from RS, but it is not, sadly.) As an aside, also
included in my audio cassette collection are countless 10-to-20-year-old,
one-of-a-kind recordings of live performances and jam sessions with musician
friends that I'll probably never see again. [removed] I like many others am
looking for the most practical, high-quality, cost-effective, space-effective
means to capture and manipulate all of this perishable data in a digital
[removed] without spending a fortune!
Bryan Powell
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 10:58:58 -0400
From: Ga6string@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Distinctive radio voices
Don't forget Gerald Mohr. You certainly don't need performance credits to
know when he was involved in the show, and it's always fun to pick out the
different voices he'd use when he was performing two or more different parts
in the same program.
Bryan Powell
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 10:59:15 -0400
From: [removed]@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re:Endings
Didn't the Six Shooter wrap up the series with a grand finale?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 11:46:55 -0400
From: Jim Mayor <jmayor@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: RE: Re: ..., Mercedes McCambridge,...
> And I finally found the _Fresh Air_ boxed collection with the Mercedes
McCambridge interview that I promised someone to
> report [removed]
It is always wonderful to hear of my absolute favorite Mercy
McCambridge. Thanks for sharing the info. I do hope she REALLY "remembers
radio drama very fondly" because that is where I first fell in love with
her! (Of course, her movies were GREAT!)
Does anyone know how and what she is doing now?
Jim Mayor <jmayor@[removed];
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 12:20:15 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
From Those Were The Days --
1946 - Mutual debuted The Casebook of Gregory Hood. The show was the
summer replacement series for Sherlock Holmes. The mystery series became
a regular weekly program in the fall of 1946.
>From Today in History on the AP:
Thought for Today: ``Television is a triumph of equipment over people.''
-- Fred Allen
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 13:36:30 -0400
From: Joyce McHone <mchone@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Distinctive voices
On the topic of distinctive voices of actors on OTR. It would take several
pages to mention them all: Burns & Allen, Jim & Marion Jordan etc. But two
of the outstanding voices have to be Gale Gordon and Eve Arden, there is no
mistaking those two.
Roby McHone
Fairbanks, Alaska
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 14:05:23 -0400
From: "Steven C. Thoburn" <scthoburn@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: RE: CULTURAL DIFFERENCE + MISC
Ian Grieve writes:
Fancy having a go at Australian spelling, we get our spelling from the
English who invented it, don't know where yours comes from. Perhaps when
the tea got dumped so did the dictionary :)
Where were you during my school days? I can recall several "English"
teachers I would have liked to try this line of reasoning on. Back in those
days I often made the argument that English should count toward our Foreign
Language requirement, as my friends and I only spoke "American".
Steve
(The "Rube", from Arlington, Virginia)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 15:31:44 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Visual Howard McNear
I would like to weigh in on the side of Mike Leannah who thinks that Howard
McNear is great on television. I personally feel that he was one of the great
character actors of his time. He did not make all that many movies, but just
the other day I was watching "Anatomy of a Murder". He has a small part as a
witness in the court scene. He made the most of the part. For the person who
does not care for him visually, go to you local Blockbuster and rent the movie
"Irma la Deuce." He has the part of the concierge. You may change your opinion
of him. Howard McNear is like many radio actors, they were good not matter the
medium. I know that Harry Bartell worked with Howard many times, maybe he
would like to comment.
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Make your day just a little better,
Listen to an Old Time Radio Program.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 17:28:02 -0400
From: Ga6string@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Loose ends
Brian Johnson wrote, regarding TV series that have a definitive ending:
Were there many comparable endings in radio, especially as network radio
faded in the fifties? Or did shows just stop abruptly in the tracks as if
they were going to return in the fall but never did?
Hi Brian,
I can mention a couple of examples: "The Adventures of Sam Spade" ends with
the "Hail and Farewell Caper," which rather loosely wraps up the series. On
the other hand, at the end of the last episode of "The Adventures of Philip
Marlowe" (during a summer replacement run from July - September 1951), Gerald
Mohr as Marlowe says something like, "not goodbye, but until next [removed]" In
both cases, actually, the door was left open for the series to return if
someone was willing to put it on the air.
Bryan Powell
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 18:39:14 -0400
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Jimmy Barton; Howard McNear
Thanks to John Mayer for reviving one of radio's great mysteries. Who
played Jimmy Barton on "The Cinnamon Bear?" The Cinnamon Bear Brigade has
had one or two leads, but they have trailed nowhere. We thought the widow
of CB's creator, and co-writer of the show, Elizabeth Heisch, would know,
but she doesn't. We were within six months of finding Barbara Jean Wong
who would certainly know because she played Jimmy's twin, but she had
tragically passed away when we finally located her. Miss Wong
distinguished herself in so many ways when she left the acting profession,
not the least of which was her long career as a teacher. Dorothy Scott who
played "Fraidy Cat" was the last cast member who was contacted, but she
could not recall. Terry Black originally unearthed the entire serial years
ago and came up with most of the cast members' names ( with the help of the
late, wonderful Frank Nelson). We all owe Mr. Black a great debt. Chuck
Schaden wrote the most authoritative book on CB, but the answer to "who
played Jimmy Barton?" has eluded us all.
As to the individual who found Howard McNear's television acting a
negative experience, to each his own, I guess, but I do disagree. McNear
was a wonderful character actor whose unique comedic style continues to
endear him to us many Mayberry fans. McNear had a stroke during the
original run of the Andy Griffith show, but it hardly slowed him down.
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 18:39:45 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Doc or Floyd?
While on the subject of Howard McNear.
Our age, education and life experiences all give us a different point of
reference. When looking at something we may be seeing the same thing, but we
are looking at it differently.
A couple of years back a friend of mine went to the Lum and Abner convention
which is held in Mena, Arkansas every year. My friend of on this list so he
will know who I am referring to. When he returned he was wearing a
t-shirt with a likeness of Howard McNear on it. My first, without thinking
about it reaction was, "Oh, Doc Adams." My friend laughed and said that I was
the first one to make that connection. He went on to explain that everyone
else said, "Oh, Floyd the Barber."
My question to this list is, what do you think your reaction would have been,
Doc or Floyd?
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Make your day just a little better,
Listen to an Old Time Radio Program.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 19:20:37 -0400
From: StepToons@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: MP3 File Names in WIN AMP. Burning, saving
and playing
In a message dated 6/3/2002 10:07:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:
Perhaps someone
could explain something about file names and how they are used by players to
determine the order of the shows. Thanks.
Hello,
What I usually do is open the file I've made or downloaded in winamp. I then
click VIEW FILE INFO.
Check off BOTH id3v1 tag and id3v2 tag.
Fill in the appropriate info and save.
When an MP3 player sees this information it will use it instead of the
[removed] name.
I also have the GO VIDEO DVD MP3 Player and it plays MP3's very easily. I've
found that saving my MP3's in DESIGNATED folders on a CD makes searching for
my favorite shows much easier.
Another thing about MP3 creating: Remember that these shows were recorded in
MONO. When you are creating an MP3 of a favorite show choose to make it in
MONO not STEREO. You'll find that you'll be able to store many more shows on
one CD that way. Burning an OTR show in Stereo is a waste of file space. I've
found that the lowest quality setting, without getting too much grunge, is 96.
My Favorite MP3 player is the SONIC BLUE RioVolt. It reads the IdV tags
really well and plays any sample rate without a pop. It can also be set to
remember where you left off if you happen to shut the unit off in the middle
of a show (THIS being my favorite feature of the unit since I often drive
with the unit plugged into my car stereo and have to park the car and return
to the show later on!).
I'm not an advocate of bootlegging (selling) shows that are owned by other
parties but I do enjoy collecting my favorite episodes and placing them on a
CD for my own enjoyment. It's better than swapping tapes and fiddling with a
dozen CD's.
Final note:
I just finished designing a site for an OTR star named MARY SMALL. She's
alive and well and still sings her heart out. You can check out the site by
going to:
[removed]
All comments are welcome and a special THANK YOU to Elizabeth for her help
and sharing of some of her rare files. (Elizabth, you are amazing! I love
your postings!)
Bye for now!
Step
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 20:26:56 -0400
From: "david rogers" <david_rogers@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Ian Grieve and "Toy Story 2"
My wife and I were watching "Toy Story 2" the other day (should Woody be
kept for display purposes or should he be played with) and then I read Ian
Grieve's very interesting letter about hobbyists and mp3s. Does anybody else
see a connection between the two? Maybe it is the World Cup fever that we
are experiencing here in Korea but I thought it was quite interesting.
Also I was listening to "Yours Trully Johnny Dollar - The Silent Queen
Matter" and I was wondering if anybody could tell me anything about the
theme music.
Love as always, David Rogers
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 21:48:40 -0400
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: mp3: free for all or all for free
I have written email responses twice to some comments that Ian Grieve made,
but did not post mostly because others said the same thing or better than I
had intended. With the other posts including more from Ian, I decided I
wanted to add my own two cents.
I have been collecting off and on for over 30 years and only in the past
couple of years began to listen to some mp3 otr. I will be the first to
admit that I am listening to more otr since I began listening via mp3 than
the years prior (partly because I collect first on reels, which obviously
are not conducive to casual listening). I have been around the Internet
from nearly the beginning and watched the rise of shows being posted to web
sites grow in number. My own web site Radio Days uses RealAudio because I
first wanted good streaming audio, and other than some shows from my own
collection and those I know not to be protected, I post mostly clips (again
because of the nature of my site).
Ian has put forth a passionate and good argument for mp3 and has attempted
to justify the "all for free" attitude mostly coming from the Usenet side
of the Internet in the "alt binaries" groups. I admit that I have
downloaded a number of shows this way with one intention in mind - to
listen - not to collect (I do not care for most of the quality of the shows
being posted). I agree with Ian that mp3 and the posting of shows for
download has drawn new people to the hobby of otr. However, I do not agree
with some whom I have had email exchanges with on the Usenet that all otr
should be free.
While I have some issues with Mediabay's Radio Spirits, I do understand
their desire to protect their investment in licenses, cost of production
and marketing. I also understand people like Shawn Wells who make huge
effort at their own expense to produce clean copies of mp3 shows and sell
them for a cost. (I understand, but am not sure of his wanting a "contract"
signed that they will not post the shows). The issue of producing
excellent quality shows such as what First Generation is doing in
non-compressed format - only to find someone has compressed and posted them
- is a real problem that in my opinion will never go away without some kind
of legal battle or through their controlled membership (back to Radio
Spirits own approach).
I agree with Ian about the community of otr and I do think there is a place
for mp3. However, I still contend and am on record of this, that there are
those within the mp3 community who are and will continue to hurt the hobby
to the point that we will see previously unreleased shows dry up. This is
not news as recent emails to the digest have mentioned similar shows such
as the Suspense episode that Tony Baechler mentioned. I can only refer to
situations such as the recent attempt led by Ted Davenport and Radio
Memories to bring previously unreleased Fu Manchu episodes to the
community. Ted was willing to buy the discs, clean them up and ready for
others to share at an investment that included Ted's costs plus effort
spent. No sooner had these shows been released to those who subscribed when
they suddenly were turned into mp3's and uploaded for all to get free of
charge. The problem here is how the mp3 community can sometimes promote
their interests on the backs of others willing to spend money, time and
effort to get shows out to the hobby. I am sure someone downloaded these
now free mp3s, put them on a CD and turned around and sold them on ebay for
a cost.
This is the real problem with mp3 and the "free for all" attitude that is
becoming more pervasive. mp3s are not inherently bad (when encoded well)
and there are certainly many in the community (such as I believe Ian is
trying to say) who have a positive approach. Rather it is the growing
number who feel that no matter the cost to others, the product should be
free. This laissez faire attitude is ubiquitous on the Internet and
doesn't just apply to otr. But survival of the hobby has evolved into a
market level need and moved beyond the barter or trade approach that worked
in the early days. The missing shows have become a commodity that will not
flow freely into the hobby without some payment be it monetary or other. It
is only because otr was a product that few in the past wanted or saw value
in that built the availability. Now that there are so many interested
parties and the method of transport has moved beyond trading reels via the
US Postal service into easy electronic transfer that a value has been
attached. Now those who previously might have shared rare copies see some
value in their cache and are reluctant to part with it, especially if the
value will be immediately diminished upon be released into the realm of
Internet collectors.
What to do is certainly a good question? I don't have the answer, but I
cannot fault those who are reluctant to part with their precious rare shows
or those who do not want to invest anymore to make the shows available to
those willing to pay. Sadly, perhaps digital marking, legal battles or
controlled memberships will be the only way.
Jim Widner
jwidner@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 21:48:56 -0400
From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Voices
"B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed]; wrote:
> ...on the topic of distinctive voices of actors. I
> have two: Paul Hughes and Ralph Bell.
There were so many great voices; I guess that was part of the charm of
radio. Almost irrespective of the dialogue and storyline, it was just a
pleasure to hear those compelling voices, the likes of which are seldom
heard on tv, I guess because an expressive voice is far less critical to
the casting of the latter medium, as an expressive face would be
irrelevant to the former.
I was always especially fond of the resonant voice of Tex Ritter. I
think I liked William Boyd almost entirely because of his good-natured
laugh. And, since I was just talking about Mercedes McCambridge, it was
astonishing to hear how much emotion she could put into her voice. Even
on a kids' show like _I Love a Mystery_, one could almost believe her
character was in real fear for her life, or in real anguish when she
broke down and cried about the curse that hung over her.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #201
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