------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 01 : Issue 76
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
tones ["Andy Lanset" <alanset@[removed]]
atomic bomb documentary ["Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed]]
KAY STARR INTERVIEW ON YUSA [Duane Keilstrup <duanek9@[removed]; ]
Goldbergs & Nick Lucas ["Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed]]
RE: Shocking Coincidence ["David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed]]
RE: Re: Culture ["David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed]]
RE: RADIO/TV - A COMPARISON ["David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed]]
Chicago radio hosted by Bill Kew? [Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed]]
OTR IN AUSTRALIA ["Ian Grieve" <ian@[removed]]
Dave Elfmans Hobby Lobby [Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed]]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [lois@[removed] ]
New experiences [JackBenny@[removed] ]
Bob Weiskopf ["Richard Pratz" <[removed]@home]
Some attention here, some there [neil crowley <og@[removed]; ]
Re: Little People Inside the Radio [GEORGE WAGNER <gwagneroldtimeradio@]
Unshackled ["Ron Vanover" <vanoverr@[removed]; ]
Recording streaming audio ["Doug Leary" <dleary@[removed]; ]
Bob Hope Show running gag ["Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed]]
Donna Disser/Unshackled [ClifSr@[removed] ]
Eating & Radio ["H. K. Hinkley" <hkhinkley@[removed]]
TV/Radio Culture ["steven kostelecky" <skostelecky@ho]
RE: 3 OTR B/CASTS STILL ON AIR ["David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed]]
Peter Marshall Interview & More [Duane Keilstrup <duanek9@[removed]; ]
Bill Gilliand [sp] ["Jerry Smith" <JSmith@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 19:44:57 -0500
From: "Andy Lanset" <alanset@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: tones
Forgive me if this question has come up before. I've been away from the
list for a while.
Was there a protocol or rules governing station identification tones?
I'm curious because it seems there were no ID tones associated with WNYC in
New York. Thanks.
Andy Lanset
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 20:42:57 -0500
From: "Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: atomic bomb documentary
Hi Gang,
Tonight I'm going through some wires in my possession that I'd not yet
heard. One is a rather well produced documentary about the development of
the atomic bomb. I'm sure that the "Bob" who's often interacting with the
commentator is Bob Hope. The opening announcements of the show were not
recorded on the wire & I don't have the time to run it down to the end.
The quality's typical muffled AM off the air, but if this is the only source
(I'd be surprised if that were the case), then it's important.
So, if anyone can tell me about this, I'd appreciate it. ([removed] date, origin,
et. al.)
Best,
Shiffy
check out my website: [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 20:42:55 -0500
From: Duane Keilstrup <duanek9@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: KAY STARR INTERVIEW ON YUSA
Kay Starr will be interviewed Saturday night, March 10, at 7:00 [removed] Eastern
on the Yesterday USA Radio Networks. Please "tune in" at
[removed] where OTR programming and family entertainment are
featured daily.
Then on Sunday night, March 11, on the Bill Bragg Show after 7;30 [removed]
Eastern, Classics & Curios will feature the Mills Brothers and the Four Lads
with two great Hit Parade Hits from the 50's. It's yesterday once more on
Yesterday USA.
Duane Keilstrup
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 23:20:29 -0500
From: "Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Goldbergs & Nick Lucas
Hi,
Just packaging these two replies in one e mail:
It's merely a coincidence (as was speculated) that the same name was used on
the Edison Cylinder. At that time, "ethnic humor" typically consisted of
gross malapropisms, whatever the 'group' (Black, Irish, Jewish, German,
Hillbilly, [removed]) they were ostensibly 'depicting'. One of the on going
series on Columbia Records, starting around 1915 was "[removed]" (Cohen
Telephones The Health Dept, Cohen On The Telephone, Cohen Buys A Radio,
etc.) I love the Jewish / Yiddish stuff because it fondly reminds me of my
maternal Grandmother.
About Nick Lucas:
Years ago I transferred two complete CBS Stoopnagle and Bud shows from
March, 1935. They were the first and second episodes of the series. The
disks were in Raymond Scott's collection. I knew Raymond because he and my
Dad and a mutual friend. Ray had the disks because his brother Mark Warnow
conducted the orchestra on that series. It's even possible the Raymond
(then still known has Harry) was the pianist in the broadcasts. It's a
shame that I never asked him about that! In any event, Nick Luscas is a
guest on one of them, singing Isle Of Capri. It's a beautiful performance
with a plush orchestral accompaniment. Unfortunately, the disks (12"
lateral cut 78 rpm lacquers) were terribly worn, evidently having been
played at least once some time in the past with steel needles. About a year
ago I digitized the two shows from the full track master tape and started to
hand "paint" the most offensive noises. This is very tedious, but in my
opinion gets far better results than running noise reduction applications.
So, it's a work in progress. I'm glad that this reminded me of those
whacky programs. They're very innovative (for 1935) and quite entertaining.
I shoiuld get back to work on them.
Best,
Shiffy
check out my website: [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 23:20:27 -0500
From: "David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: Shocking Coincidence
In Issue #75, H. K. Hinkley wrote:
Which reminds me of the time a few years ago when a neighbor gave me an
old console radio. I cleaned off the cobwebs, plugged it in, turned it on,
waited for the warmup, and heard an OTR program, I've forgotten what. <<
Same thing almost exactly happened to my best friend. His great aunt/uncle
had given up housekeeping and moved into nursing home. My friend inherited
their old console -- I can't remember the brand -- but it works like a gem
(and he has already told my repeated begging that he won't part for it for
any price!). When he got it home and turned it on, it was an OTR program.
De de de de, de de de de (that's the Twilight Zone theme song, if you didn't
know).
Dave Phaneuf -- still red-faced from issue 73
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 23:20:25 -0500
From: "David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: Re: Culture
In Issue #75, Walt Appel wrote concerning the OTR's ascendancy over
Vaudeville:
Radio may not have killed Vaudeville but it sure had a lot to do with
the demise. Think about it, just about every single community had a
theater and every single one of them did business, the size of it
depending on the circuit. <<
The old opera houses of many old towns are still around, and some,
thankfully, are being renovated and put to use again, sometimes after long
years of disuse and deterioration.
Our community here in Johnstown, OH, has in the last few years done just
that, and have begun bringing in theatrical presentations. I've been
privileged to take part in a couple of them, and they are always well done
by local talent. (OOPS! does that sound like I'm bragging on myself? --
completely unintentional).
Someone recently posted about a theatrical presentation called "1940's Radio
Show" (I think that's the name). Does anyone know how to get copies of this
for community theatrical use? Is it available for such? And does anyone know
of Rights & Royalties on it - how much?
I've wanted to have something like this done in our community and think our
director would be open to doing it. I have even considered trying my hand
at creating something, but realized the utter futility of trying to write it
myself.
Dave Phaneuf
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 23:20:23 -0500
From: "David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: RADIO/TV - A COMPARISON
In Issue #75 Owens Pomeroy wrote about "How did OTR programs last so long?"
When it came to my turn to answer I told the students I was going to play
an excerpt from WOTW, and asked them to close their eyes and listen
carefully to the tape, then tell me what they "saw" in their "mind's eye".
<<
At the Cincinnati OTR & Nostalgia Convention last Spring, I commented to one
of the men attending the Radio Memories booth that I had not had much
success converting my teenage daughters to OTR. He suggested I get a copy
of SUSPENSE's "House on Cypress Canyon" -- introduce it by having them
listen to it with the understanding that I would have them describe
something after it was over. Then have them "listen" for the mysterious
monster that appears and then describe what they think it looked like. He
had done that with his kids and they were hooked.
My teenage girls weren't exactly hooked, but at least now they are "open" to
OTR and occasionally express interest, and even are more willing to let me
listen to OTR in their presence -- major accomplishment!!!! Perhaps in time
we might truly become an OTR family! My son, who is 10, absolutely loves
"The Adventures of Archie Andrews" and rolls on the floor in fits of
laughter whenever Archie does his twittering giggle when Veronica says hi.
Dave Phaneuf
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 23:34:53 -0500
From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Chicago radio hosted by Bill Kew?
Folks;
Received this via the website;if anyone can help, please contact Ms.
Helmer directly, since she is not a subscriber.
Charlie
From: joanne helmer <[removed]@[removed];
i am trying to find someone who has a radio program from chicago in the 1920s
or 1930s, with host bill kew
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 23:34:48 -0500
From: "Ian Grieve" <ian@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR IN AUSTRALIA
G'Day Owens,
Yes, Whilst Radio National (ABC) in Australia does still play OTR, it is not
exactly keeping OTR alive whilst it is dying or dead in other countries.
OTR on the ABC is normally played only in the early hours of the morning
[removed] or [removed] Unfortunately you need to be an insomniac to be a listener.
I am learning how to set up GoldWave to record to my PC at designated times.
The shows I have listened to through the ABC are THE GOONS, ROUND THE HORNE,
NAVY LARK, and some other game show style shows from the BBC, but
unfortunately I cannot recollect their names. There are Australian series
like Dad and Dave also played from time to time. There are other serials or
stories played on 'Macca' or 'Australia All Over' which is a National
program that runs from [removed] to [removed] each Sunday. This is a program I
would recommend to anybody thinking of visiting Australia in the future, or
have visited in the past. The announcer is Ian McNamarra and whilst he has
a bumbling style, it is the most listened to show in Australia.
ABC does have a web presence [removed] You will need to work
out time differences etc but you may find that the shows you are interested
in are broadcasting at a more reasonable hour at your end. I know I am
about 15hrs ahead of many of the people on the #otradio chat group, but I am
in Queensland which doesn't have daylight saving time. So deduct an hour as
Radio National works on Daylight saving time.
Let me know how you get on or if you need more information on Australia or
Australian shows.
Unfortunately there are no documented show logs as in the [removed] or [removed], but I
am in contact with Screensound which archive film and radio in Australia and
I am trying to research Australian shows. It is embarassing to talk to
Americans on #otradio chat group and they know more about Australian shows
than I do. I am setting about to change that.
Many of you are probably aware of the discussions recently on
[removed] regarding copyright of otr, well the copyright situation
is different in Australia and I am also investigating that as well.
Ian Grieve
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 23:43:13 -0500
From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Dave Elfmans Hobby Lobby
Folks;
Received this via the website;if anyone can help, please contact the
poster directly, since s/he is not a subscriber.
Charlie
From: COASTIE27@[removed]
Subject: Dave Elfmans Hobby Lobby
Would you have any idea where I could get a copy of Dave Elfmans Hobby
[removed] was a show sponsored by I believe Palmolive in the early 1940's
thanks
Ln Clark
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 04:52:00 -0500
From: lois@[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 three years, same time, same channel!
Our numerous "regulars" include one of the busiest "golden years" actors in
Hollywood; a sound man from the same era who worked many of the top
Hollywood shows; owners of some of the best OTR sites on the Web;
maintainer of well-known OTR digest lists (we all know who he is)..........
and Me
Lois Culver
KWLK Longview Washington (Mutual) 1941-1944)
KFI Los Angeles (NBC) 1944 - 1950
and widow of actor Howard Culver
(For more info, contact lois@[removed])
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 11:46:20 -0500
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: New experiences
I was talking with an antique dealer many years ago about collecting old
radios. He told me a story that his father had told him. A neighbor had
gone into town in the 20s, where the general store had the very first radio
in the vicinity. It was quite a sensation, and people would go to the store
just to see/experience the radio.
When the neighbor came back, they asked him eagerly about the radio. "It was
mighty amazing," he said, "You can sit there and hear people talking and
playing music. But dad blamed if I can figure out how they fit all them
people into that little box!"
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 11:46:28 -0500
From: "Richard Pratz" <[removed]@[removed];
To: "OTR (Plain Text Only)" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Bob Weiskopf
An OTR comedy writer has passed away - - -
Bob Weiskopf died Feb. 20, 2001 at his home in [removed] at age 86.
In 1940, he sold some jokes to Bob Hope for his radio program. From there,
he began writing steadily for The Eddie Cantor Show then Rudy Vallee's
Sealtest Program. Sorry, but it was TV from then on - - I Love Lucy, Make
Room For Daddy, Our Miss Brooks, All In The Family and Maude. An interview
with Weiskopf may be found in the paperback "The Laugh Crafters: Comedy
Writing In Radio and TV's Golden Age" by Jordan Young.
Weiskopf may not have been a household name to many OTR fans, but because of
his association with those thrilling days of yesteryear we on this OTR
Digest cherish so [removed] think he deserves at least a mention.
Rich
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 11:46:32 -0500
From: neil crowley <og@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Some attention here, some there
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
I remember well the golden days of radio and I don't recall ever listening
to a radio program while eating dinner. Nor do I remember having snacks
when we adjourned to the radio room, after dinner,
From: Walt Appel <Waltman@[removed];
I'll bet there were those who could not believe that people would
actually want to sit in their own home, listening to a ventriloquist and
his dummy and staring at a box when they could ...
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
Usually, people were doing something while listening to OTR.
I agree with everything Walt Appel says about the changes that brought an
irreversible end to real radio but I hiccup on "staring at a box". Dennis
Crow's recollection seems almost surreal to me since I can't remember a
supper without radio. Stephen Kallis remembers it as I do.
When radio was the only thing, nobody I know ever just listened. The ears
were concerned, on and off, with the radio, the mother, the brother, the
sister, those squabbling neighbors, the dog's sudden excitement over an
imaginary invader - you get the idea. The eyes were on homework or
"Treasure Island" or "Astounding Science Fiction" or the girl across the
alley or - you get the idea. At mealtime I'd usually be listening to the
radio, carrying on a conversation, with a book in my left hand and a fork
in my right. A contented kid.
Back to Walt Appel's meditation on things past and passing. Later this
century, when virtual reality kills television, I wonder if the OTT group
will dream of resurrection or allow the tube to rest peacefully with the
stereopticon, radio, talking movies and all the other honorable dead. No
need to wonder - Quixote, your spirit really is inextinguishable.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:11:02 -0500
From: GEORGE WAGNER <gwagneroldtimeradio@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Little People Inside the Radio
In the late 1940s I, too, believed that little
people lived inside floor-model radios.
I assumed that the little illuminations I could
see here and there inside the console were the lights
this fairy race lived and read by.
But I was greatly puzzled by how Gene Autry lived
not only inside our living room radio, but also in
Joey's radio across the street and Ronnie's next door.
And how did Autry get out of our radios to make
movies? And he certainly didn't look diminutive on the
theater screen!
And how did all the little people fit inside
table-model radios?
I also wondered why raging, roaring fires in
radio dramas didn't burn up the set itself and why the
splashing, splooshing water in sea stories didn't run
out all over the rug.
I even remember the day my rather
technically-oriented father explained to me how the
radio programs came in "over the air." Though I
confess that my first impression was of miniature
people riding in the gondolas of tiny balloons.
But Dad eventually got me convinced.
Of course I was 27 at the time.
George Wagner
GWAGNEROLDTIMERADIO@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:11:05 -0500
From: "Ron Vanover" <vanoverr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Unshackled
There have been recent references to Unshackled in the Digest. I recently
requested and was granted permission by Pacific Garden Missions to post
recently recorded episodes on the internet. If there is interest among any
who receive the Digest, I will gladly post the episodes I began recording
about 7-8 months ago in an appropriate newsgroup.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:11:08 -0500
From: "Doug Leary" <dleary@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Recording streaming audio
Since OTR programming is becoming available on streaming mp3 websites such
as at [removed] and [removed],
folks who would like to record these streams in mp3 format might be
interested in a free program called "streamripper" which does exactly that.
A Windows version is available at [removed].
Doug Leary
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:11:10 -0500
From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Hope Show running gag
Starting before April 1940 and apparently lasting several months there was
a silly and popular "Who's Yehudi" gag on the Bob Hope Pepsodent Show,
involving Jerry Colonna and Hope (and others). ("Yehudi" was a
little-man-who-wasn't-there. The gag inspired a song titled "Who's
Yehoodi?" and Colonna and also Kay Kyser had minor hit records of that song
that summer.)
Does anyone know if there's a recording or script in circulation of a Hope
broadcast containing the "Who's Yehudi" gag? (I've tried unsuccessfully to
find one in circulation.) Thanks.
-- Phil Chavin philchav@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:11:12 -0500
From: ClifSr@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Donna Disser/Unshackled
Does somebody out there know if Donna Disser, who was the subject of an
episode of Unshackled and whose story was also in a comic book published by
the Moody Bible Institute, still works for Moody radio? I have run across
several airchecks of her work at a station In Michigan almost 40 years ago.
I will send them to her if I can locate her.
By the way, you can still hear real, soap opera style Hammond organ on
Unshackled.
Clif Martin
[removed]~ticsota
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:11:16 -0500
From: "H. K. Hinkley" <hkhinkley@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Eating & Radio
Dennis Crow asks, "Did you snack and listen?"
My family frequently enjoyed fried chicken dinners while listening to Our
Miss Brooks on, I think, Sunday evenings. To this day, I can't listen to
OMB without smelling fried chicken!
Stay tuned, HK
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:11:31 -0500
From: "steven kostelecky" <skostelecky@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: TV/Radio Culture
This has been a most stimulating thread. I think it gets down to much of
what those of us who love radio are about.
For me, it seems pretty obvious that a decline in literacy in our culture
helped the decline in radio in this country. So much of the audio drama
being produced in other countries came about because reading is used for
entertainment by a large class of people who don't have 24-hour television
to fill the time with visual imagery. It's not a matter of better or worse,
it's a matter of getting entertainment from a visual medium versus an audial
one. Listening to radio is closer to reading than television or movies--no
matter how well-adapted a book is for tv or movies it is going to be
experienced in a different way than reading the book.
I see modern audio drama and otr as interrelated--they both feed on each
other. They serve as a training ground for audio literacy, teaching people
how to hear and understand a story in the same way as reading a variety of
short stories can teach one to understand more complex novels. I think it is
important to support modern audio dramatists if we want to keep the spirit
of otr alive, and to acknowledge the best work otr produced in the past to
keep modern audio drama alive today.
There seems to be little point in bemoaning what has become historical fact.
It is fruitful to explore the meaning of history, but also to acknowledge
the vitality of what we have today and move on.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:11:29 -0500
From: "David Phaneuf" <dphaneuf@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: 3 OTR B/CASTS STILL ON AIR
Issue #74, Owens Pomeroy wrote:
Another excellent show that is based in Chicago, "Unshackled" is of a
religious nature and had been airing since the 1930's. It is broadcast over
1100 radio outlets in 147 Countries. It uses both professional and amateur
performers from the Chicago area, from Stage and TV. Even though you may
not be religious, entertainment-wise it is a very well written, and acted
show. <[removed];
I just went to that website and they have pictures of actors doing the show.
In one of the pictures is one named Jack Bivans. Isn't that "Chuck Ramsay"
of Captain Midnight?
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 13:46:04 -0500
From: Duane Keilstrup <duanek9@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Peter Marshall Interview & More
Peter Marshall, game show host, actor, and one-time big band singer will be
interviewed live during the Bill Bragg Sunday Night Show, March 11, 2001, on
Yesterday USA. Bill's show begins at 7:30 [removed] eastern.
Also listen to another feature of his show, Classics & Curios, this night
featuring the Mills Brothers and the Four Lads. As usual, Bill will also
make announcements about upcoming shows, interviews, and OTR specials. In
addition, Michael Biel will add his expert live commentary on the history of
recordings, old radio, and much more during the Bill & Biel segment. "Tune"
us in at [removed].
And a reminder that the fabulous Kay Starr will be interviewed live on
Saturday night, 3-10-01, at 7:00 [removed] eastern by Bill Bragg and Walden
Hughes. All of this on Yesterday USA.
Best wishes,
Duane Keilstrup
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 13:58:35 -0500
From: "Jerry Smith" <JSmith@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Bill Gilliand [sp]
Although I have lived in Raleigh, NC, almost all of my 46 years, some of my
fondest memories of nighttime radio were of listening to WCBS NewsRadio 88 in
New York. Ours was also a CBS television household. One of the best voices
from my youth was, I think, Bill Gilliand and he was Cronkite's personal
announcer, so to speak. I think he announced their convention coverage, NASA
events and news bulletins, plus the Evening News and later 60 Minutes. It
seems CBS had and still has a policy of not crediting their announcers, but I
must have recognized his voice and name from his radio duties, which I guess
he did jointly with television. Am I even close? This man had a wonderfully
distinctive voice and I miss it. I guess he's passed away? many thanks
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V01 Issue #76
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