Subject: [removed] Digest V2003 #426
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 11/28/2003 10:52 AM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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

                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2003 : Issue 426
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      Tribute to Paul Frees                 [ "Mark E. Higgins" <paul_frees_fan@a ]
      Marxism (Brothers style)              [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
      Re: FOTR Videos                       [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
      OTR book                              [ Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed]; ]
      Re: Marxism (Brothers style)          [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
      Re: Groucho Marx on radio             [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
      Seasons Greetings                     [ oldpdb@[removed] (Paul Barringer) ]
      Larry, Ricardo, and Allan??           [ danhughes@[removed] ]
      Re: Ideas For New Books               [ Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed] ]
      Old Time Radio Films                  [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
      update on future books ideas          [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
      11-28 births/deaths                   [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
      Located: The Bear That Wasn't         [ KENPILETIC@[removed] ]
      Seeking Australian [removed]            [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
      Re: ideas for new books               [ Louis Giliberto <kd7hcw@[removed]; ]
      The March of Time                     [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 09:30:10 -0500
    From: "Mark E. Higgins" <paul_frees_fan@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Tribute to Paul Frees

        I just read that in the new movie, The Haunted Mansion, starring
    Eddie Murphy, there is a small tribute to Paul Frees.  One of the
    Singing Busts (which you have probably seen briefly in the commercials
    for the movie) has the likeness of Paul Frees.  Another of the busts
    looks like Thurl Ravenscroft.  Unfortunately, their real voices are not
    used, even thought Ravenscroft - most famous as the voice of Tony the
    Tiger, and the singer who did "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" in the
    Karloff   animated version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - is
    still with us.  Thurl's is the bust that, when you see it, you think
    it's Walt Disney.
        Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone.

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:04:40 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Marxism (Brothers style)

    The renowned Elizabeth McLeod, speaking of Ebonic humor, asks,

>     I've wondered for some time about a rather long digression into a
>     Black minstrel show in the Marx Brothers movie "A Day at the Races."  I'm
>     not sure why it was done in the first place, since it has nothing to do
>     with the plot, and it slows up the action.  I suppose if the movie itself
>     were more popular, there would be protests about it.

    To quote Jack Benny, "Well!"  A Day at the Races wasn't the pinnacle of
    Marxism (Brothers style); I reserve Duck Soup for that, with a close
    runner up in A Night at the Opera.  But it was a good one.  But for all
    her scholarship, Dr. McLeod apparently isn't a student of the Brothers.
    One of their stated aims was to reduce the plot of any film they were in
    to flinders.  Throwing anything into the film that would have nothing to
    do with the plot would be a positive move for them.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:02:04 -0500
    From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: FOTR Videos

    About two weeks after the FOTR convention, I left for a 2 1/2 week business
    trip to Florida and Georgia. We got back last Thursday afternoon and I have
    been working on editing the videos onto DVD masters. The last one was
    finished last night and this weekend will be spent dubbing the VHS tapes
    and DVDs that were ordered both at the convention and by mail.

    So those of you who ordered videos should be receiving them sometime next
    week. Anyone who is interested in ordering tapes or DVDs of the convention
    can email me and I'll send you an order form in PDF format. I'll also have
    this order form posted on our web site sometime next week.

    A big THANKS goes to Charlie Summers, Harold Zeigler, and Ken Piletic for
    their help in running the camera. Each one of them spent a solid two hours
    per day shooting the panels. They did a great job and were a big help.

    You guys will be getting your DVDs next week.

    Another big thanks goes to Bill Siudmak. His wireless transmitter and
    receiver allowed me to get a very clean sound feed. He also did an
    excellent job of sound mixing for the recreations. I don't know if all of
    you who attended fully understand what goes into sound mixing. As a
    soundman myself, I fully appreciate the excellent work he does.

    Fred
    [removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:02:19 -0500
    From: Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  OTR book

              I'm currently reading a book titled "Bob Hope:
    A Tribute" by Raymond Strait.  I can't say enough about
    how it good it is so far.  It covers Bob's entire life,
    including the years he was on radio, his movies,
    appearances, Broadway, TV, and his USO shows.  It
    has provided more background so far than I've seen in
    most books.

              His OTR history lists the actors he's worked with
    and even has excerpts from some of his more memorable
    skits.  It pulls no punches though, recalling not only the
    high points  in  his career but the some of the low points as
    well.  My suggestion: CHECK IT OUT!

    As always,

    Kenneth Clarke

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:08:24 -0500
    From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Re: Marxism (Brothers style)

    On 11/27/03 9:48 AM Stephen A Kallis, Jr.  wrote:

> >     The renowned Elizabeth McLeod, speaking of Ebonic humor, asks,

> >     I've wondered for some time about a rather long digression into a
> >     Black minstrel show in the Marx Brothers movie "A Day at the Races."

    <snip>

>     To quote Jack Benny, "Well!"

    <snip>

>     But for all
>     her scholarship, Dr. McLeod apparently isn't a student of the Brothers.
>     One of their stated aims was to reduce the plot of any film they were in
>     to flinders.  Throwing anything into the film that would have nothing to
>     do with the plot would be a positive move for them.

    Well, indeed -- interesting points, although I didn't make the comment
    which prompted them. I'd deflect credit there to the good A. Joseph Ross,
    who was responding to a prior post of mine.

    I *am*, for the record, a Marx Brothers fan of sorts, but only of their
    Paramount films -- for me, any comedian who ever ended up at MGM might
    just as well have quit then and there.  I do like Duck Soup a lot, but I
    actually prefer "Horsefeathers" for Groucho's utter demolition of
    academic pretentiousness, and Zeppo's debut as the world's most insincere
    crooner.

    As far as gratiuitous use of blackface in movies is concerned, the
    ultimate has to be the climactic Geneva Peace Conference scene in Wheeler
    and Woolsey's 1933 nonsense classic "Diplomaniacs," in which an entire
    conference room full of delegates don the cork and the white gloves for a
    rousing chorus of "Ain't Gonna Make War No' Mo'!" It's probably this
    scene which prevents "Diplomaniacs" from enjoying the same cult
    reputation as "Duck Soup," but for my money it's actually a funnier film.

    Elizabeth

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:08:55 -0500
    From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Groucho Marx on radio

    At 08:41 AM 11/27/2003, you wrote:

>     1932 - Groucho Marx performed on radio for the first time.
>        Anyone know what show this was?

    Possibly "Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel" which premiered in November, 1932?

    All sources I've checked don't mention any other earlier Groucho
    appearances including Stefan Kanfer's book.

    Jim Widner
    jwidner@[removed]
    [removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:10:17 -0500
    From: oldpdb@[removed] (Paul Barringer)
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Seasons Greetings

       I would like to take a moment to wish everyone on this list Seasons
    greetings and especially those on the list whose loved ones are in the
    military and are not able to share the times with them.

       Most of all I would like to send best wishes to those men and women
    who are serving their country and protecting this wonderful nation and
    other nations from the evils that exist.

        I wish them God speed, and let them know we are proud that they are
    our protectors.

      It's because of them and the ones who have served before them that you
    and I can sit around reading lists like this one and not worry that
    someone is going to suddenly come in our house and jail us for reading
    and remembering our love (OTR).

       GOD BLESS AMERICA

       This may sound a little corny, but I am proud to be an American and
    proud that I have served my country.

      Best to all

       Add note:

       Gord, posted a question of availability of the program "The Bear That
    Wasn't There".

        I vaguely remember the show. Wasn't Paul Frees the narrator on the
    show and didn't he do most of the character voices?

    oldpdb(Paul)

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:36:10 -0500
    From: danhughes@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Larry, Ricardo, and Allan??

    Derek says that Jack Benny singer Larry Stevens claims to have graduated
    from high school with Allan Sherman and Ricardo Montalban.  Sherman was
    born in 1924 and attended high school in (I believe) Chicago; Montalban
    was born in 1920 and attended high school in Hollywood.  Couldn't find
    any data on Larry [removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 12:55:44 -0500
    From: Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: Ideas For New Books

    I would like to see a book about the supporting actors and actresses.
    The books which I have in my collection are all about the stars
    with very little mentioned about the bit players.  I'd like to see
    bios and photos of John Brown, Jack Kirkwood, Georgia Ellis,
    Shirley Mitchell, Ivan Dittmars and so many more of the people
    who contributed so much but who also received so little recognition.
    I'd like to see a book about the announcers.  Ken Carpenter,
    Harlow Wilcox, Harry Von Zell and others were such familiar
    voices, but there has been very little about them in the books.
    How about a book about sidekicks?   Every western star
    had a sidekick. A book about Parley Baer as Chester, Andy
    Devine as Jingles and other sidekicks would be a fun read.

    I'd like to see a book about the sound effects men and women
    and the organists and musicians. There's so much more that
    could be written about, but how's that for a start?

    Al Girard

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 13:00:45 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Old Time Radio Films

    To anyone concerned:
    I am not prone to endorsing my younger sister's video business and rarely do
    so (espcially on this Digest) but this past week has brought up some
    interesting material (including her new job which some people on this digest
    are aware of).  Too much and too detailed to get into.  So for the short end
    of the story, if there is anything browsers have been meaning to purchase
    and view over the past months or years, whether it be Fibber McGee and Molly
    movies, Our Miss Brooks TV shows, Gildersleeve movies or what not, I highly
    recommend you do so NOW.  As of January 1, about 50 percent of the titles on
    her site will no longer be available.  The exact titles of what will and
    will not be available is not yet known.  She is not making this mention on
    her web-site (at least, she has no plans to do so) so it may come as a shock
    to those who check her site out on a regular basis.  She has already begun
    removing some titles during the web-site revision.  Just giving a heads up
    as I'd hate to see some people disappointed beginning January 1 if they
    can't get the films they've been meaning to get.  Sneaking the FYI out
    quickly.
    Her site is [removed]
    Martin

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 13:42:38 -0500
    From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  update on future books ideas

    Hi everybody,

    my last question on the OTR digest has turn up some great news.  I have
    receive a private email from a friend that there will be coming out with in
    the next two years a book on Lights Out.  I hope some of the ideas will help
    produce new books.  Happy Thanks giving everybody,

    Walden Hughes

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 15:52:16 -0500
    From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
    To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  11-28 births/deaths

    November 28th births

    11-28-1894 - Frank Black - Philadelphia, PA - d. 11-1967
    conductor: "Jack Benny Program"; "NBC String Symphony"; "Cities Service
    Concert"
    11-28-1895 - Jose Iturbi - Valencia, Spain - d. 6-28-1980
    pianist, conductor: "Telephone hour"; "Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra"
    11-28-1906 - Helen Jepson - Titusville, PA - d. 9-16-1997
    singer: "Kraft Music Hall"; "Show Boat"
    11-28-1909 - Rose Bampton - Cleveland, OH
    singer: "Palmolive Beauty Box Theatre"
    11-28-1917 - Elliott Lewis - NYC - d. 5-20-1990
    actor, director: Frankie Remley "Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show"; "On Stage";
    "Mr. Aladdin"
    11-28-1925 - Gloria Grahame - Los Angeles, CA - d. 10-5-1981
    actress: "Hollywood Star Playhouse"

    November 28th deaths

    01-31-1915 - Garry Moore - Baltimore, MD - d. 11-28-1993
    host, comedian: "Garry Moore Show"; "Camel Caravan"; "Take It or Leave It"
    06-04-1907 - Rosalind Russell - Waterbury, CT - d. 11-28-1976
    actress: "Four-Star Playhouse"; "Silver Theatre"

    Ron Sayles
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 20:36:28 -0500
    From: KENPILETIC@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Located:  The Bear That Wasn't

    November 27, 2003 Thanksgiving 6:30 PM cst

    Gord Wrote in part:

>     Back in the '50s, one of the most enjoyable kids stories on radio was one
>     called "The Bear That Wasn't". It's a story of a bear who goes into
>     hibernation in a cave in the forest and when he wakes up in the spring, he
>     finds himself in the middle of a factory that has been built around him. He
>     is taken to task for being "....a silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur
>     coat" and made to work in the factory. ...

    Hi Gang -

    In issue 425, Gord Lepsenyi inquired about a radio program (Kid's OTR
    [removed]) "The Bear That Wasn't"

    I located the story, and it will soon become available to me and to Gord.
    It is really an MGM album of 78 rpm records.  The entire playing time is
    25 to 30 minutes, so it could easily be confused with an OTR broadcast,
    particularly if the records were played on a "kiddy show" such as Big Jon
    and Sparkie.

    "The Bear That Wasn't" was written by Frank Tashlin and the story was
    narrated by Keenan Wynn.  Various characters in the story were portrayed
    by actors who are unknown at this moment.   There was also a "story book"
    that followed along with the records, and provided pictures to be viewed
    while listening to the records.

    I have a friend who has both the album and the story book.  He does not have
    a computer, so he cannot access nor contribute to this digest.  He will make
    a tape of the records and provide a copy of the story for Gord (and for me,
    too). He said he also has (or will have) a videotape of the story book which
    he will also provide for Gord (no charge, of course).  The videotape will
    show the pictures as the records play and the pages will turn at the proper
    time.

    I'll be talking to him next week and I'll contact Gord directly with a
    progress report. Meantime, I thought I'd let the rest of the digesters
    know what little information I have about "The Bear That Wasn't".

    Happy Taping -- Ken Piletic - Streamwood, Illinois
    kenpiletic@[removed]

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

    Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 23:21:07 -0500
    From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
    To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Seeking Australian [removed]

    I'm trying to solve a mystery regarding the mid-50s show, "It's A
    Crime, Mr. Collins" for a chapter in my upcoming book, "PRIVATE
    EYELASHES: Radio's Lady Detectives."  The series was briefly a
    syndicated show and then Mutual aired from August 1956 to February
    1957. Mandel Kramer was the lead on Mutual but the woman (or women) who
    played his wife is unknown. Jay Hickerson says the producer of the
    series was Harry S. Goodman. Announcer seems to be calling himself
    either Mort Hall, Mort Hull, or Mort Howe.

    The series is largely a copy of the adventures of Patrick and Jean
    Abbott. There are 24 episodes in circulation, and it has always been
    assumed that they are from either the syndicated version or the Mutual
    one.

    Now it appears that all of them may be Australian productions.

    While attempting to learn the identity of the cast members, none of
    whom are mentioned in any of the existing copies, I enlisted the
    services of the East Coast's greatest "Voice Identifier"; I cannot
    mention his name, but his initials are Bill Nadel. Bill has carefully
    listened to a number of episodes and has concluded: 1) The lead is not
    Mandel Kramer, but an unknown Australian trying to sound like Kramer,
    and 2) Everybody else in the cast is also Australian.

    Any of our Australian Digesters know anything about this series?

    Jack French
    Editor: RADIO RECALL

    PRIVATE EYELASHES will be released by publisher on Valentines Day,
    2004. Barbara J. Watkins is writing the foreword. You can save S & H
    charges by ordering it now at [removed]

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

    Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 02:06:17 -0500
    From: Louis Giliberto <kd7hcw@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Re: ideas for new books

>     Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 11:36:01 -0500
>     From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];

>     I was wondering what book OTR topics  would people
>     enjoy reading in the
>     future?

    Horror, the weird, and the macabre.  I'm a huge horror
    fan, and there are a lot of shows that could fit this
    category:  The Inner Sanctum, The Creaking Door, CBS
    Radio Mystery Theatre, etc.  Later shows like
    Nightfall.

    There are also episodes of other shows that have an
    element of the horrific or the strange.

    All way better than today's splatter movies!

    -Lou

    =====
    "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death
    may die." -- Abdul Alhazred ("The Necronomicon") via H. P. Lovecraft

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

    Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 12:43:06 -0500
    From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  The March of Time

    Time Magazine was the sponsor of radio's THE MARCH OF TIME but I can't find
    in any reference books who the advertising agency was representing Time.
    Does any experts on this Digest know who as the advertising agency?
    Martin
    mmargrajr@[removed]

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #426
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