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

[removed] Digest				Volume 96 : Issue 398

Table Of Contents: 

	 FOTR - Day 2
	 War - Worlds
	 Audio cassettes for otr
	 Big Jon and Sparkie
	 Write [removed]
	 Real Audio
	 More logs
	 scott beach/jackie gleason
	 OTR ON SHORTWAVE
	 Shoelaces Episode
	 Re: Star Wars
	 Re: Music 'til Dawn
	 More on Missing Jack Benny
	 Re: Jackie Gleason's compositions
	 Update

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

Date: Tue, 03 Sep 1996 09:16:18 -0700
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: FOTR - Day 2
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Another fantastic day is completed as Day 2 of the Friends of old Time
Radio Convention winds down with one day left.  This was one of the best
for several personal reasons. I was on the Science Fiction on Radio
Panel which I will mention below, and I, who never wins anything, was a
raffle winner, not once, but twice of two great prizes. First I won a
cassette set which was donated by Adventures in Cassettes of the Jack
Benny Christmas shows, which includes the elusive Shoelaces episode. The
second prize was an autographed photo of John Hart, who played The Lone
Ranger for 52 episodes on television, with Jay Silverheels also in the
photo.
Now onto the report.
Friday and Saturday are reserved for the more popular panels because of
the increased turnout. These, today, were much more interesting to this
reporter than the previous day's.
Commercial Jingles and Radio themes
  This was presented by Arthur Anderson (Let's Pretend, the Keebler Elf)
  along with Ed Clute who plays a lot of the keyboard music at several
  conventions. It was of the least interest to me, personally, and was
in
  fact a sing-a-long of original commercial jingles with Arthur on 
  ukulele and Ed on keyboards. Jingles included Lustre Creme Shampoo, 
  Barbasol, The Happiness Boys, Rheingold Beer, etc.
Radio Premiums 
  This was presented by Jack French and Don Maris (who coordinates 
  perhaps the largest premiums convention held in Dallas each year. Don
  is a recognized expert in the field and mentioned Premiums from
several
  juvenile series. He spoke about availabilities, quantities, and value.
  He mentioned soap opera premiums, talked about valuable cereal boxes
  and presented soundbites from various radio shows of the offered
  premiums. Don Maris mentioned one fallacy is that there were no
decoder
  rings until at least 1950. Previous decoders were usually pins or 
  badges of some kind.
Canadian Radio and the CBC
  Presented by several experts on the subject (of course), Carl Banas,
  Ken Borden and Sam Levene they talked about the historical Canadian
  broadcasts, Wayne & Schuster, Ray Purdy's "Out of the Night" which
  sounded a lot like the Shadow, and the Hermit's Cave (US version).
They
  mentioned several prominent radio personalities from Canada who went
on
  to US fame including Alan Young and Jim Backus.
Radio and Politics
  Gary Yoggy presented a retrospective of how radio influenced politics 
  during the 40's just as television does today. He had soundbites from
  radio of Roosevelt, Wilkie, Alf Landon, Dewey and others. Gary was a
  bit windy, but informative.
Science Fiction on Radio
  This report will not be readily objective, but I thought it went well.
  Special guest panelist was George Lefferts who wrote and adapted many
  stories for Dimension X and X Minus One. He also scripted many of the
  Rocky Fortunes, some of the NBC Short Stories and others. We spoke
  a lot about the early fifties, some of the earlier sf broadcasts 
  including War of the Worlds. Lots of questions and interest from the 
  audience of over 100.
The next two I was unable to attend, but will mention them:
Irv Settel presents "The Golden Days of Radio"
Author's Panel including Ron Lackmann, Cynthia Clements, and Bill Owen.

The re-creations were excellent and included a Bobby Benson with both
of the original Bobby Benson's on the cast: Ivan Cury and Clive Rice,
and  Will Hutchins.
The second re-creation was "The Last Survivor." An episode from the
Mysterious Traveler. Original cast members from that episode included
Ralph Bell (fantastic radio voice and very familiar to many radio
listeners) and Bob Dryden, also included was Bob Hastings, George
Ansbro, Arthur Anderson and Lon Clark as an excellent Mysterious
Traveler. The sound effects of the space ship were very well done. Also
present was the original director and co-author, David Kogan.

All in all, a great night for sf on radio and a great night for me!

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

Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 22:30:58 -0500
From: "Marvin R. Bensman" <bensmanm@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: War - Worlds
Message-id: <l03010501ae8dfb74d392@[[removed]]>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT

In celebration of Halloween (apparently now a major holiday in the [removed]);
the following I think is the best comment about Orson's program that I've
found:

Alexander Woolcott after broadcast:

"This only goes to prove, my boy, all the intelligent people listen to Bergen."


************************************************************************
*Professor Marvin R. Bensman, [removed], [removed]                              *
*Department of Communication; Office Phone: (901) 678-3174 or 678-2565 *
*University of Memphis        Fax: (901) 678-4331                      *
*Memphis, TN 38152                                                     *
*E-mail: BensmanM@[removed]                                       *
* To see University of Memphis radio archive look at:                  *
*[removed]~[removed]                  *

************************************************************************

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

Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 23:39:48 -0400 (EDT)
From: "'A. Joseph Ross'" <lawyer@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Audio cassettes for otr
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

I first started collecting otr in 1972, which is also when I bought my
first audio cassette recorder.  I recently listened to some tapes that I
bought back then and one that I recorded back then on a C-120.  They
sounded just as good as they did in 1972.  If they've deteriorated at all,
it was less than I could notice.

======================================================================
A. Joseph Ross, [removed]                                      617/367-0468
15 Court Square                                   lawyer@[removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2573                    [removed]~lawyer/
======================================================================

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

Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 23:58:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Big Jon and Sparkie
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

It is possible that I may have the largest collection of No School Today
tapes available. The show was one of my favorites and from the day I first
got my tape recorder, back in 1952, I started taping the show until it went
off the air or I moved, which ever came first.

My main interest of recording was the first 8 minutes of the show where
Sparkie told Big Jon about the serial "General Comet of the Universe Patrol"
starring "Captain Jupiter".

For the last few months, business has been taking me out of town and I have
one more trip before we stay home. I leave tomorrow and will return November
1st.

At that time, I promise to get back to everyone who has been asking me about
trades, shows, etc.

                        Fred

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

Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 22:59:39 -0500
From: Joe Oliver <joliver@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Write [removed]
Message-id: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT

Every once in a while someone contributes to this Digest with a quality of
writing that elevates content to a creative, literary level.  This is the
case with David Hassel's interesting and sincere statement about why he
loves radio([removed], #393).  And, whether intentional or not, his style
beautifully illustrates some of the fundamental characteristics of good
writing *for* radio--simple, colorful language, filled with vivid imagery
and presented in a first-person account.  Folks editing newsletters for the
clubs should consider requesting permission to publish this very nice piece.
Congratulations, David.

                                                     Joe Oliver


W. Joseph Oliver
Department of Communication
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX  75962

     (409-468-4001)

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

Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 21:50:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: ronhare@[removed] (Ron Hare)
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: Real Audio
Message-Id: <v02130500ae8da94ff0eb@[[removed]]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Bill Pfeiffer:

I think your idea about RA3 is great. I'd like to try it, but the web page
implies play-only. Is there a record button on the *player* that simply
creates a compressed file using a PowerMac's built-in audio? Or do you need
more stuff?

Ron Hare
ronhare@[removed]

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

Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 03:25:38 -0400
From: DIANEK9331@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: More logs
Message-ID: <961019032536_1547832923@[removed]>

I am requesting help once again. I am trying to locate logs of Burns and
Allen, Dragnet, and the Lone Ranger. Any and all help is appreciated.

Diane

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

Date: 19 Oct 96 03:59:33 EDT
From: Michael Berger <[removed]@[removed]>
To: otr <otr@[removed]>
Subject: scott beach/jackie gleason
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>

Scott Beach MC'd for a long time on KDFC, at that time an all-classical music station in SF. As others have noted, Ken Ackerman and Dave McElhatton were the longest-running anncrs. on MTD. And yes, the KCBS recording of the theme was the Aquaviva Ork.

About Jackie Gleason: he may have been a fraud as a conductor, but I distinctly recall at least one appearance he made, perhaps on  his own program, in which he conducted some songs, including Melancholy Serade, his theme song for the JGS and the later Honeymooners series.

With his long baton and rotund frame, he looked like a jolly Paul Whiteman.

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

Date: Sat, Oct 19 1996 03:58:30 EDT
From: Thomas Heathwood <theathwo@[removed]>
To: <[removed]@[removed]>
Subject: OTR ON SHORTWAVE
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>

In answer to a recent question from Troy Burnham about OTR and in
particular YUSA going on shortwave radio, all I can tell you at the moment
is that it has been in the works for some time. There is still no definite
word, but last I heard from the powers that be, things were looking up for
the YUSA shows to be be carried on a great station covering the entire
world from near Nashville, TN.  The word should be out soon and if we are
forntunate enough to have YUSA chosen as the OTR provider, the frequency
will soon be announced and a schedule will be forthcoming. Needless to
say, those of us who have been doing OTR on satellite for many years, are
anxiously awaiting the decision.  I will keep you informed.
Best regards--
<<TOM HEATHWOOD/HERITAGE RADIO THEATRE/YESTERDAY-USA SATELLITE RADIO>>
  10/19/96
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 06:04:42 -0600 (CST)
From: Bruce Toews <toews@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Shoelaces Episode
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

When the card came in the mail, it told me two things. First, there was a 
package in the mail that they couldn't deliver right to my door, probably 
because I'd have to pay duty. My roommate confirmed this for me whe he 
got home. S package I was expecting from the States was the Jack Benny 
Christmas $hopping $hows collection, I knew it had to be it ... time, 
among other things, to listen to an episode I'd heard discussed so much 
on this list.

The set came well-packed in a relatively sturdy cardboard box, as opposed 
to just stuffing the thing into an envelope, which I had feared would be 
the case. It was also easy to open ... another surprise. Oh, did I tell 
you that the duty was over $10? This will have been one expensive set, 
but that was okay, since there was only one episode in the bunch that I 
actually had, the one where Jack buys Don a wallet.

The packet of tapes itself was shrink-wrapped. As with many 
shrink-wrapped vidio- and audiotape cases, the plastic of the case itself 
was a bit melted and warped as a result.

Hopping excitedly into bed, for what better way to fall asleep than to 
OTR, I placed the first tape, the one with the long-awaited shoelaces 
episode, into my auto-reverse tape deck. The shoelaces episode is really 
quite funny. The only spoiler material that I will give is that the Lucky 
Strikes commercial in the middle is done by a bunch of toy soldiers which 
Don bought for Jack which chime musically when you wind them up, and 
sing, too, in voices that sound (how about this) just like the Sportsmen. 
I guess they had high-quality digital sampling back then already. <GRIN>

Anyway, if you don't have most  of these Christmas episodes, I think the 
AIC collection is well worth it, though beware of being dinged with duty 
if you live in Canada. They leave the commercials in, a pleasant surprise.

Anyway, I've taken enough bandwidth, and I apologize if I've bored you all.

Bruce

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

Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 07:38:54 -0400 (EDT)
From: Room 237 <room237@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Star Wars
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Fri, 18 Oct 1996 [removed]@[removed] wrote:

> From: Sammy <rharris@[removed]>
> 
> Does anyone have any of the NPR broadcasts of Star Wars and Empire Strikes
> Back in stereo.  Have about 8000 titles to trade and more than that on 
> video.

You can get Star Wars & Empire on tape or cd in stores like Media Play.  
I hope that helps.  :)

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

Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 07:41:49 -0400
From: Michael Carraher <michaelcarraher@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Music 'til Dawn
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Sammy <rharris@[removed]> wrote:
>I didn't know however that Music til Dawn was a nation wide show.  
>American Airlines is based here in Dallas and thought it was just 
>broadcast [removed] on me!!!

Music 'til Dawn was a locally produced show.  American Airlines bought
time on stations in each of several major markets.  Mostly these were
50,000 watt clear channel stations, so the program (one version of it or
another)could be heard most anywhere in the lower 48.

My recollection is the program was discontinued sometime during the mid
60's.  In Detroit, it was replaced by a similar program -- with the same
host -- called Nightflight 760.

FTR:  American Airlines at the time was headquartered in New York and
relocated to Dallas-Ft. Worth (actually Arlington) in 1980.

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

Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 08:17:53 -0600 (CST)
From: Bruce Toews <toews@[removed]>
To: otr@[removed]
Subject: More on Missing Jack Benny
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

I just listened to some more of the Jack Benny Christmas $hopping $hows. 
If you were wanting to get the shoelaces episode for collectable reasons, 
it's a must. If you were wanting it in search of new humor, I'd say don't 
bother ... just about all of that episode's funniest lines are recycled 
the following year on that program's shopping show. Just for your 
information.

Bruce

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

Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 10:03:44 -0700
From: Jan Bach <JanBach@[removed]>
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Jackie Gleason's compositions
Message-ID: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hello, again --

Staying "off the subject" of OTR for a brief moment longer, in answer to
Sammy's statement:

> I don't believe I ever mentioned Gleason being a musician. I am a
> professional musician and know he is far from being that. I can't picture him writing a score for a 70 piece orchestra. 

. . . I remember reading once that Gleason DID write the songs that
appeared on his romantic albums, but because he couldn't read music he
made up only the melodies and played them on an old trumpet. Someone
else transcribed these tunes (put them into musical notation that could
be read by professionals), added appropriate harmonies and
countermelodies, and then gave them lush orchestrations. I once had a
telephone conversation with David Raksin (composer of LAURA) who told me
he got his start arranging Charlie Chaplin's music for MODERN TIMES in
much the same fashion; Charlie could make up tunes but little else. This
technique of "composing" remains to the present day; although an
excellent pianist and arranger, Henry Mancini had a whole staff of
arrangers who took his bare-bones tunes and covered them in fancy
orchestrations for the many movie scores he turned out. And I suspect
that John Williams does the same thing. Even Leonard Bernstein employed
arrangers to orchestrate and otherwise flesh out some of his serious
concert music, as did most of the broadway tunesmiths from Richard
Rodgers to Stephen Sondheim. It may not be real "composition" to say
that Jackie Gleason wrote all the music on his albums, but it was
certainly good merchandising to say that he did. Reminds me of the
businessman who boasted that he never told a lie, "except in business,
of course."

Jan Bach

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

Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 08:18:44 -0700
From: "JACK MANN" <jmann@[removed]>
To: <otr@[removed]>
Subject: Update
Message-Id: <[removed]@[removed]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi Digesters: Please update the Lodestone URL on my list from
[removed]!lodeston/[removed]     to
[removed]

Jack




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End of [removed] Digest V96 Issue #398
*******************************************

