------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 20
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
"lost" Mercury Theater shows [ "Greg Przywara" <gmprzywara@hotmail ]
sound now/then [ bloodbleeds@[removed] ]
Re: JIMMIE DALE, [removed] THE GREY SEA [ SanctumOTR@[removed] ]
Names [ Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed] ]
local station broadcasting old time [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
Cincinnati OTR convention [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Echoing the Past [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
Jack Benny 39 Forever [ DOCPOWJR@[removed] ]
Twilight of Some Radio Premiums [ Edward Loyer <eloyer@[removed]; ]
It Takes All Kinds To Make A Hobby [ "Ian Grieve" <austotr@[removed]. ]
WCKY and Wayne Raney [ Shaun Hayes <babyletsplayhouse@yaho ]
Cincilnnati Convention [ "Bob Burchett" <haradio@[removed] ]
Jolson and Elvis? [ gad4@[removed] ]
Cininnati Convention [ Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed] ]
New Member: [ "Bob & Carol Taylor" <qth4@[removed] ]
WORDS AT WAR and German radio broadc [ Howard Blue <khovard@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 12:31:48 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
>From Those Were The Days --
1945 - Art Linkletter starred on the CBS debut of House Party. The show
continued on the air for 22 years, including a long stint on CBS
t--------n.
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 12:37:17 -0500
From: "Greg Przywara" <gmprzywara@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "lost" Mercury Theater shows
Does anyone know if these two "lost" Mercury Theater episodes have been
discovered yet?
#11 Jane Eyre-9/18/38
#13 Oliver Twist-10/2/38
I have been wanting to hear these broadcasts especially Oliver Twist almost
as long as I have been collecting old time radio and I would really
appreciate it if someone could tell me where I could obtain them. Money is
no object. I even have a transcription disc player if that is the only
format they are available in.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 12:36:08 -0500
From: bloodbleeds@[removed]
To: OldRadio Mailing Lists <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: sound now/then
Yesterday I was listening to an early 40s Information Please with Alfred
Hitchcock and I
could hear about 3% of what Hitchcock said in the whole show, though I could
hear the
other people fine. I've often wondered if things I can't hear now were easier
to hear on
older sets. Or did everyone always have that trouble?
It crosses my mind also when I watch Family Feud and can't make out what
Richard
Dawson (who plays to the studio, not at-home, audience all the time) says
half the time.
If I miss him reading the question for the 1st time, I'm pretty much out of
luck for the rest
of that round, as he mumbles or talks Softly into his body mic. But perhaps
in 1982 tv
sets had a different sound, allowing people at home to hear?
Ben
It's That Time Again!
The New Stories of Old-Time Radio
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 12:38:04 -0500
From: SanctumOTR@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: JIMMIE DALE, [removed] THE GREY SEAL
In a message dated 1/15/03 10:04:16 AM, [removed]@[removed]
writes:
The series was based on Frank Packard's children's books around this
character, whose alter ego was the gray seal. Long before the green
hornet, this chap was doing a similar thing. I believe Larry haines
played Jimmy.
***I haven't been able to track down any information on the radio program,
though it must have been an American series if it starred Larry Haines. I
can't find a listing in Jay Hickerson's ULTIMATE LOG.
The adventures of Jimmie Dale ([removed] the Grey Seal) were extremely
influential in the 1920s and 1930s, inspiring the characters of THE SHADOW,
THE SPIDER, BATMAN, THE PHANTOM and every other wealthy young man about town
who pals around with the police commissioner and sets out at night to fight
crime in a dual identity. In fact, George Trendle gave Fran Striker a copy
of one of the Frank Packard's novels and asked WXYZ's head writer to develop
something similar ... which of course resulted in the creation of THE GREEN
HORNET. E. K. Lincoln starred as Jimmy Dale in a series of two-reeler shorts
filmed in New Jersey circa 1917. Jimmie Dale's influence is still being felt
today as new generations of comic and television writers introduce characters
inspired by imitations of the Grey Seal, without realizing that they are
imitating second, third and fourth generation imitations.
For those interested in Jimmie Dale's original literary adventures, Frank
Packard's novels can often be found in the hardcover mystery sections of used
bookstores. There are five "Grey Seal" books in all: THE ADVENTURES OF
JIMMIE DALE (1917), THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF JIMMIE DALE (1917), JIMMIE DALE
AND THE PHANTOM CLUE (1922), JIMMIE DALE AND THE BLUE ENVELOPE MURDER (1930)
and JIMMIE DALE AND THE MISSING HOUR (1935). --Anthony Tollin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 12:59:54 -0500
From: Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Names
There is an old showbiz saying, "I don't care what you say about me, just
spell the name right!"
For the record, it is J-O-L-S-O-N not -E-N.
Harry Bartell
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 13:00:13 -0500
From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: local station broadcasting old time radio
Hi Everybody, I am interested what area of the USA has the most OTR playing
on there local AM or FM radio stations. For example I know here in the [removed]
area we are bless with a daily broadcast of one hour and a replay from KNX,
and Same Time Same Station 2 hours a week on Sunday over KCSN, and Bobb and
Barbara 3 show once a month over at KPFK. We do not get When Radio Was in
this part of the country. Take care,
Walden Hughes
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 13:16:12 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Cincinnati OTR convention
BEST WESTERN HOTEL, 11911 Sheraton Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
513-671-6600
For info about the convention, contact Bob Burchett at 888-477-9112 or
haradio@[removed]
Tips to attend the convention.
1. If you are a loner and want to cut back on costs (in the event your
decision to attend or not depends on finances), you can drop Bob Burchett a
line and he can put you in touch with another attendee to share hotel rooms.
I've done this in the past and it's the same as paying for one night, but
getting two nights sleeping accomodations (sp?).
2. Hal Stone will be there autographing his Archie book, a must-have.
Bring your camera so you can have photos taken of you at the convention!
3. The hotel is not yet booked up - I booked my room last week - and the
rates are low so pick up the phone and call now.
4. Do try to attend Thursday evening - it's a blast!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 14:49:21 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Echoing the Past
Howard Blue, responding to A question Bryan proposed,
How do we know he was right wing?
In the American context in that era --- and continuing
to a certain extent in our era too, preoccupation with
domestic communist subversion --particularly alleged
subversion among people in the arts --- is/was
part of the definition of "right-wing"
I think we're teetering on the brink of a slippery slope here that it
mightn't be productive to start down. I suspect that there's no precise
definition of "right-wing," nor can one easily when a concern becomes a
preoccupation. Some of the judgements in this sort of area are, and must
be, purely subjective.
In any discussion of historical things, it's usually a good idea to be
fairly professional about it; citations are quite helpful. I could make
a good case that someone at the Wander Company's advertising agency was
preoccupied with (amateur) cryptography, because under Ovaltine
sponsorship, there was a total of 13 cipher premiums offered between the
Little Orphan Annie and Captain Midnight OTR programs. But while I can
find several sources to cite on the existence of the radio premiums,
precisely what motivated the agency to set up annual crypto goodies, is,
as far as I know, not available in any history (well, at least so far).
I've been friends with noted authors, now deceased. If I were to mention
something one of them told me, but which he'd never written down, its
validity, should I choose to share it now, it would be open to question.
(I'd know its truth, but I couldn't *prove* it.)
Save for sharing things anecdotally, I think we all should proceed with
caution. To this day, I find myself having periodically to address the
"Be sure to drink your Ovaltine" canard perpetrated by Jean Shepherd, and
the myth of the OTR "decoder ring," and it takes several citations to
convince some of the people I'm communicating with.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
"valuable" "you will enjoy learning what you missed" "wonderful source
of information" "integrity" "compelling"
[ADMINISTRIVIA: I agree; we do not want to go down this road. --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 15:00:57 -0500
From: DOCPOWJR@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Jack Benny 39 Forever
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I hope some of you are planning to attend the IJBFC 39 Forever celebration
in the LA area Feb 14-16. I certainly enjoyed the Waukegan event last summer
and recognize some of the e mail addresses of attendees to that event.
Otherwise I have seen numerous references to a Cincinnati event in the
Spring. Is there anyone who can send me some information about this as it is
so close to home?.. WPowers
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 16:27:50 -0500
From: Edward Loyer <eloyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Twilight of Some Radio Premiums
My definition of "eternity" is an eight year old in 1946 waiting for the
postal delivery of a radio or comic book premium. After all these years I
still get a little twinge if there is a small box or manila envelope
addressed to me waiting in the post box. Those little flames burn forever,
don't they? Thanks for the memory. Ed Loyer
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 17:41:50 -0500
From: "Ian Grieve" <austotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: It Takes All Kinds To Make A Hobby
In issue 19 Dave S raised the issue of the costs to collectors and Dealers
of releasing OTR.
I agree with you Dave, Dealers and Collectors should be able to try and
recoup their costs (a profit makes it worthwhile as well) but the discussion
that caught Davids eye and then my own was more the heirs not willing to
release examples of works unless there is some sort of guarantee of a
financial incentive such as royalty payments. That is really a different
ballgame. From what I read today on Disney's copyright win, he hobby will
not be 'coming out' soon.
Ian Grieve
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 18:08:27 -0500
From: Shaun Hayes <babyletsplayhouse@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: WCKY and Wayne Raney
Alabama Flash asks
ok guys there used to be a music show on WCKY at
night in the 1950,s with
wayne somethimg that sold harmonica,s and red top
baby chicks what was that show?..
The show was hosted by Wayne Raney. I suppose down in
Georgia you'd just have to open a window to hear
country music, but in eastern Massachusetts in the
late 50's it wasn't so easy. My memory is that the
program was dedicated mostly to bluegrass music since
I know that's where I first heard the term. Wayne
would play a Hank Williams record every night. Again,
this was my first exposure to Hank. Between WCKY
and WWVA in Wheeling I heard a lot of music I learned
to appreciate and enjoy.
Wayne was a recording artist himself. Somewhere in my
record collection I have a mail-order 45 he sold over
the air with six harmonica tunes. I also have a
flea-market 78 of Wayne doing
"Why Don't You Haul Off And Love Me" on Cincinnati's
King label which must have been something of a hit in
the early 50's. Somewhere I also found a 60's single
titled "Grandma and the Miniskirt." This is a duet
with a woman whose name I can't recall issued on
an obscure label.
I didn't know until about a week ago that the call
letters referred to the station's transmitter site
in Covington, KY. You might enjoy the brief history
of the station (sadly, nothing about Wayne)
at [removed]
Hope this helps and thanks for the memories.
Shaun Hayes
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 23:00:44 -0500
From: "Bob Burchett" <haradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cincilnnati Convention
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Would like to thank Hal for the nice post about the convention.
I have an email flyer is anyone wants one. The only thing it
has that Hal hasn't told you is how to get there. It has a map.
Send your mailing address and we will send you one of the
convention booklets the last of January.
Bob Burchett
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 09:15:48 -0500
From: gad4@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Jolson and Elvis?
To compare Jolson to Elvis, I dont this is [removed] to jolson that is.:)
Yes they were both top music entertainers. And yes they were both able to
work the crowd.
The techiques they used was much different.
Some may disagree with me, but I believe Jolson took the high road and had a
clean show. Elvis relied more on physical gestures with the hips and
creating wrongful feelings in the opposite gender.
Jolson was able to move men and women of all ages.
Elvis was able to move those whose hormones were acting up.
Jolson's music created high moral thinking in the listeners in his songs.
Elvis, I believe appealed to the baser instincts.
Because of this, with respect to all, I cant compare the styles of both. Not
only was Jolsons perfomance reaching inside more people, he did it in a much
harder way.
I agree what others have said that his magic has not been captured
completely on film. I think the best glimpse of his might be the short "A
Plantation Act". Its mainly just him singing a few songs to the camera w/o
script in the 20s. Also there was a film called, "the real jolson story"
which I saw on tv, yet am sorry i dont have a copy of. But Jolson was
definately bigger than life.
Sincerely,
George
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 09:15:53 -0500
From: Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Cininnati Convention
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I'm going to be interviewed by radio station KMOX in St. Louis on January 26
between 8:00 [removed] and 9:00 [removed] regarding collecting old time radio and OTR
conventions. I'd like to mention the Cincinnati convention along with the
Newark FOTR convention that I am on the planning committee for.
Can anyone send me a flyer or point me toward a website with information?
Thanks,
Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 09:16:58 -0500
From: "Bob & Carol Taylor" <qth4@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: New Member:
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Hi Everyone,
My name is Bob Taylor. We live in south western PA.
I am very interested in old Dragnet shows. I guess you say I am a new
collector. However I have a question.
Are there any sites or lists of venders who re-issue the old shows? I realize
that Radio Spirit's is a place devoted to old time radio. I find them a
little expensive. I know that some folks are doing MP3 files much cheaper,
I'm also looking for the bickerson's. How long did that show run? Was it
always done with the same people.
Does anyone know if any old Hank Williams shows are available besides the
Health and Happiness Shows and the opry ?
Bob
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 09:18:04 -0500
From: Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: WORDS AT WAR and German radio broadcast
My book, WORDS AT WAR, (Scarecrow Press, December 2002) about how
American radio helped the World War II effort, will be discussed in a
documentary in Germany on June 24. I'm trying to find out more details
about time, station(s) and possible Internet access to the broadcast.
Also, the book will soon be available in Britain.
Anyone having interest in this broadcast should contact me off line and
I will send you more information as I receive it.
Howard Blue
Author of WORDS AT WAR
"This may well be the best book on American radio ever written."
Paul Buhle, Brown University, author of Popular
Culture in America, etc.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #20
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