------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 89
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
The Transistor [ Alan Chapman <[removed]@verizon. ]
Little Orphan Annie [ Alan Chapman <[removed]@verizon. ]
Letters to Adolph [ Howard Blue <khovard@[removed]; ]
Adventures of Babe Ruth [ Osborneam@[removed] ]
"Monkey Show" [ "Scott L Lindquist" <potluckplayers ]
Jacks killer list of otr sites [ lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed]; ]
Re: Adventures of Babe Ruth [ Jean-Henri Duteau <jeand@telusplane ]
Mr. Keen guy [ "welsa" <welsa@[removed]; ]
re: next generation [ oldpdb@[removed] (Paul Barringer) ]
Lone Ranger [ oldpdb@[removed] (Paul Barringer) ]
Coconut Grove fire, 1942 [ "Phil Watson" <philwats@[removed] ]
OTR Comedy routines [ "Ivan G. Shreve, Jr." <iscreve@comc ]
lesley woods [ Ronald Staley <mrvintageradio@comca ]
anyone in Boston? [ bloodbleeds@[removed] ]
Amos & Andy [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
vintage radio question [ BH <radioguy@[removed]; ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ lois@[removed] ]
2-26 Birthdays [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Value of Atwater Kent radio [ EdHowell@[removed] ]
Value of Atwater Kent radio [ EdHowell@[removed] ]
Re: Never Gets [removed] [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
Bouquets or Brickbats? [ "David H. Buswell" <dbuswell@rivnet ]
Eddie Cantor Show [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
coconut grove fire-buck jones [ michael chatterton <chat51@comcast. ]
RE: old jokes never die [ "Michael Hingson" <MHingson@guidedo ]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:35:44 -0500
From: Alan Chapman <[removed]@[removed];
To: Old-Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The Transistor
For those interested in radio technology, there's an interesting story
in today's NY Times:
An Inventor of the Transistor Has His Moment
By JOHN MARKOFF
A new book reassesses Herbert F. Matare's contribution to the early
development of computing and information technology.
[removed]
Alan Chapman
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:35:58 -0500
From: Alan Chapman <[removed]@[removed];
To: Old-Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Little Orphan Annie
I've been listening the the FGRA Little Orphan Annie CDs (Great sound
quality! Congrats to the people responsible), and I have a question:
Who plays Joe Corntassel in these episodes? WI know Mel Torme played
the part of Joe Corntassel at some point in the 30s, but I can't find
specific dates. Anyone know when he played the part?
Alan Chapman
alan@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:36:08 -0500
From: Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Letters to Adolph
A library is trying to locate copies of the "Letters to Adolph" radio
series (by poet Stephen Vincent Benet) broadcast during World War II
Does anybody have a tape of any shows in the series?
Howard Blue
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:36:36 -0500
From: Osborneam@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Adventures of Babe Ruth
Jean-Henri Duteau <jeand@[removed]; said:
I'm trying to figure out the date for the 'Adventures of Babe Ruth'
episodes that are circulating on mp3. They carry dates on them of 1934 but
that just isn't right. They're sponsored by the American Navy and have
various Navy personnel who've served in both world wars. The only episode
that I actually have is about Dusty Collins
Jean,
The show WAS from 1934. Specifically, it was broadcast from 04/16/34 to
07/13/34. It began as Play Ball (with Steve Martin). Shows #3, #4, #9, and
#10 are believed to be missing/lost.
The show you have is show #1.
Perhaps the iteration you have was rebroadcast at a (much)
later date with 'current' commercials inserted.
Arlene Osborne
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:36:46 -0500
From: "Scott L Lindquist" <potluckplayers@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "Monkey Show"
Does anyone know anything about an episode of Suspense or maybe Innersanctum
where the title was something about Monkey? I've heard it was the most
frightening show on [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:37:47 -0500
From: lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Jacks killer list of otr sites
If you like Jacks killer list of otr sites check out
this one, I think you'll like it too!!!
[removed]~[removed]
I thought it was great!!
Lynn
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:38:09 -0500
From: Jean-Henri Duteau <jeand@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Adventures of Babe Ruth
At 05:59 AM 2/25/2003, you wrote:
Jean asks about the Adventures of Babe Ruth. Dunning has the show
running April 16--July 13, 1934 on NBC Blue; April 14--July 9, 1937 on
CBS; June 5--July 10 on NBC; and August 28--November 20, 1943 / July
8--October 21, 1944 on NBC. Only the 1934 shows were called The
Adventures of Babe Ruth; the others were just Babe Ruth.
Having said that, let me also say that I have heard the Dusty Collins
episode, and I wonder if it is from ANY of the above-listed series. In
those shows, Ruth played himself (and much of the run used a quiz show
format). In the Dusty Collins episode, I'm pretty sure an actor is
portraying Ruth (Babe Ruth had a halting, gravelly voice; this Ruth was
smooth and clear). Also, from the intro I get the feeling that Ruth had
already died when this show ran. And Ruth died in August 1948, several
years after the Ruth shows ran.
So the new question is, what show presented this Dusty Collins story?
I just listened to the opening of the Dusty Collins story. The announcer
opens as follows:
Plaaay [removed]
Play Ball with Babe Ruth
Play Ball with the Navy
<music starts (I don't know what it is 'cuz I ain't American 8-)>
The United States Navy brings [removed]
The Adventures of Babe Ruth
And here to tell you about the fabulous and immortal Babe
is his pal the popular sports reporter Steve Martin.
So maybe this show is "Play Ball" instead of "Adventures of Babe Ruth". As
Dan says above, this was not Babe Ruth and there certainly is the feeling
that Babe is dead -- "but now [these feats] can be told". Given that the
wars are referred to in the past tense, I feel like these are 1950 shows,
*maybe* 1949.
Does that help identify this show?
Thanks,
Jean Duteau
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:38:20 -0500
From: "welsa" <welsa@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Mr. Keen guy
Someone on here is a big fan of MR. KEEN, TRACER OF LOST PERSONS. He and I
have had some correspondence about this show and the theme song for it in
the past. Whoever it is, can you e-mail privately?
Ted
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:38:32 -0500
From: oldpdb@[removed] (Paul Barringer)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re: next generation
I remember one series that I really liked when I was young it was called
"The Leather Stocking Tales"
It was the dramatizations of James Fenimore Cooper's books, "The
Pathfinder", "The Deerslayer" and " The Last Of The Mohicans" with
Hawkeye, Chingachgook and Uncas.
Really great listening to, especially if you have read the books.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:38:58 -0500
From: oldpdb@[removed] (Paul Barringer)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Lone Ranger
Speaking of name changes for The Lone Ranger, like many other radio
programs it was inevitable that there would be a movie or serial.
Republic Studio's, "The Lone Ranger" was a fifteen chapter
[removed] the fifteen chapters the audience had to guess which
one of five lawmen was The lone Ranger, four of which eventually are
killed until only one is left, his name being Allen King, (played by Lee
Powell) who reveals himself as The Lone Ranger.
The next year the second serial titled "The Lone Ranger Rides Again" was
shown.
The only reason for the second serial was because of the love of the
radio program, not necessecarily because of the first serials success.
In the second serial The Lone Ranger was named Bill Andrews (played by
Robert Livingston).
Also in the second serial, The Lone Ranger had his faithful Indian
Companion Tonto and he had a faithful Mexican companion played by
Duncan Renaldo.
I know this is a little off track from the radio subject but, I just
wanted to point out how the name of the character always changes, and in
no way follows the radio program format.
Why the changes? I don't know.
The tv show with Clayton Moore was the most true to the program. And as
said before, this presentation of the character along with Brace Beemer
in my estimation was, THE LONE RANGER.
I really like this list, I can't wait daily till the next issue comes
online.
Lot of information and great people on board.
Thanks.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:39:20 -0500
From: "Phil Watson" <philwats@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Coconut Grove fire, 1942
James Arva mentioned the 1942 Coconut Grove fire and Buck Jones' part in it.
There is a report on the event at
[removed]
which seeks to confirm or not the truth of the story of Jones going back
into the club. In the years since, advances have been made into fire
investigations and it may be that this is an urban myth given what it now
known about the rapid spread of fire and toxic fumes. It may not have been
physically possible for him to have done so.
This page has links to other reports and comments.
A young man's report of the fire is at
[removed]~serl/[removed]
Certainly a great tragedy and it seems that little has been learned in the
following years, judging by recent events.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:39:32 -0500
From: "Ivan G. Shreve, Jr." <iscreve@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR Comedy routines
Derek ("Ether Knows Best") Tague wondered about OTR comedy routines that
never lose their humor:
The classic "King For a Day" encounter between Fred Allen & Jack Benny.
The routine on "Phil Harris & Alice Faye" where Harris picks up the
telephone to hear a voice saying "Hello, Remley? Annnnnnnnnd they're
[removed]!!!"
The "Our Miss Brooks" episode featuring the tape recorder that goes haywire
in the presence of the school superintendent.
The interrogation of George Burns and Howard Duff in the "Sam Spade" episode
of "Maxwell House Coffee Time" ("I'm married to Gracie [removed]")
Ivan
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:40:02 -0500
From: Ronald Staley <mrvintageradio@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: lesley woods
Indeed Lesley Woods goes back to the thirties. Her most famour role on
radio is that of Mary wesley in Boston Blackie with Dick Calmar, pardon
spelling
She was also one of the original side kicks of Flashgun Casey and Casey,
Crime Photographer. She left Casey to get married in 1946, giving Jan
Miner, in tv known as Madge the Manicurist a chance to take over.
Don't know whether Lesley is still alive.
ron staley
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:40:26 -0500
From: bloodbleeds@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: anyone in Boston?
If there are any kind souls in Boston or near it who could check out the Fred Allen
collection at the Boston Publish Library, I'd appreciate anything they can find that deals
with Walter Tetley (interviews and full articles especially). Please email me privately.
Thanks.
Ben
The Bickersons Scripts book
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 01:31:36 -0500
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Amos & Andy
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:57:56 -0500
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
Well, I think I've mentioned before that before Amos got married in 1935,
he and Andy not only roomed together, they shared the same bed. Every now
and then, an episode would find them getting undressed, putting on their
nightgowns, climbing into bed together, and lying awake in the dark,
Apparently this wasn't at all uncommon at one time, perhaps because under depression-era
conditions, it could be hard to afford separate beds and bedrooms. I remember back in the
1950s seeing Mutt & Jeff comics in which Mutt and Jeff shared a bed.
--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed]
15 Court Square, Suite 210
lawyer@[removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 01:50:26 -0500
From: BH
<radioguy@[removed];
To:
[removed]@[removed]
Subject: vintage radio question
"Rodney w bowcock jr."
<rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed]; asks:
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: vintage radio question
While browsing through an antique shop yesterday, I found a 1936
Atwater/Kent Model 976 floor radio. It's in very good shape, and seems
to be fully working. I'm very interested in buying it, but I don't know
if the asking price of $350 is reasonable, as I know nothing about old
radios. If somebody could, please e-mail me and let me know if this is a
good deal.
That is a pretty steep price for this model. My price guide prices
it at around $140. Even though it may be working you should not
count on playing it until it has been completely gone through and
all the capacitors replaced which means you will be out more
expense to get it in condition to be played on a regular basis.
Bill H.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 04:52:04 -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 six 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; a New York actor famed for his roles in "Let's Pretend" and
"Archie Andrews;" owners of some of the best OTR sites on the Web;
maintainer of the best-known OTR Digest (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, 26 Feb 2003 11:12:13 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 2-26 Birthdays
If you were born on the 26th of February, you share your birthday with:
1891 - Josef Bonime - Vilna, Poland
1893 - William Frawley - Burlington, Iowa
1906 - Madeleine Carroll - West Bromwich, England
1914 - Robert Alda - New York City
1916 - Jackie Gleason - Brooklyn, New York
1919 - Mason Adams - New York City
1920 - Tony Randall - Tulsa, Oklahoma
1921 - Betty Hutton - Battle Creek, Michigan
1932 - Johnny Cash - Kingsland, Arkansas
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Make your day, listen to an Olde Tyme Radio Program
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:12:23 -0500
From: EdHowell@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Value of Atwater Kent radio
Some people have inflated ideas of the worth of old radios. True, some bring
high prices while so many others do not. I bought an Atwater Kent Model 20 in
beautiful condition, with original speaker, for $5 at a flea market. When I
was a member of the Antique Wireless Association they held one of their
meetings here in Charleston and it was so well planned and carried out. (I
wish they'd do it again!) But when the members departed the hotel they left
numerous good looking old radios and lots of old advertising material in the
underground parking garage. I loaded my car with all it would hold. To the
average person, any one of these old radios would be worth a fortune but to
the knowledgable collector they obviously weren't worth taking back home. Of
course if a particular radio has sentimental value it is worth more to the
buyer. I would pay much more than the going price for a Philco 89-19 if I
could find one because that is the set I listened to after we got electricity
when I was a kid. I'd like to have that model even if it didn't work. I would
just clean it up and look at it!
My suggestion is to surf eBay and see what is available and at what price. Or
I would try Kovell's book, get a sample of Antique Radio Trader or OTB from
the Antique Wireless Association. You can find info of these through Google.
Or email me and I will give you the addresses.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:13:02 -0500
From: EdHowell@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Value of Atwater Kent radio
Some people have inflated ideas of the worth of old radios. True, some bring
high prices while so many others do not. I bought an Atwater Kent Model 20 in
beautiful condition, with original speaker, for $5 at a flea market. When I
was a member of the Antique Wireless Association they held one of their
meetings here in Charleston and it was so well planned and carried out. (I
wish they'd do it again!) But when the members departed the hotel they left
numerous good looking old radios and lots of old advertising material in the
underground parking garage. I loaded my car with all it would hold. To the
average person, any one of these old radios would be worth a fortune but to
the knowledgable collector they obviously weren't worth taking back home. Of
course if a particular radio has sentimental value it is worth more to the
buyer. I would pay much more than the going price for a Philco 89-19 if I
could find one because that is the set I listened to after we got electricity
when I was a kid. I'd like to have that model even if it didn't work. I would
just clean it up and look at it!
My suggestion is to surf eBay and see what is available and at what price. Or
I would try Kovell's book, get a sample of Antique Radio Trader or OTB from
the Antique Wireless Association. You can find info of these through Google.
Or email me and I will give you the addresses.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:13:20 -0500
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Never Gets [removed]
The Victor R. Gook Fontonelle.
"A sprightly melody, a gay dance."
"Soft spot on a baby's head."
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:14:07 -0500
From: "David H. Buswell" <dbuswell@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Bouquets or Brickbats?
A friend of mine who has expressed an interest in OTR recently received a
mailing from "The World's Greatest Old-Time Radio Shows" of Central Islip,
NY. The offer a few free CDs and some other "gifts" for openers assuming
that they'll buy 4 more shows for $[removed] plus S & H every three weeks.
Cancellation is possible at any time. There are no minimum purchases, etc.
He asked my thoughts and since I've never heard of the company, I thought I
run it by Digest members to learn if any have had any experience with this
WGOTRS.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:15:25 -0500
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Eddie Cantor Show
Hello everyone. In my continuing quest for Arthur Godfrey material,
I found an interesting Arthur Godfrey presence listed in the files of the
Library of Congress:
Cantor, Eddie 1892-1964
The Eddie Cantor show. 1954-03-11 (sound recording)
New York, NY National Broadcasting Company 1954
2 sound discs (30 min.): analog, 33 1/3 rpm, mono.; 16 in.
This amazes me: AG on NBC in 1954? I suspect there is an error here. Only
thing I can think of is some kind of award program for Heart or Cancer or
Blood Drive, where CBS might bend, and the sort of thing that both Cantor
and Godfrey did frequently.
I'm quite certain Chesterfield or Lipton didn't sponsor Cantor. I know at
one point he was sponsored by Bristol-Myers. John Dunning indicates a late
sponsor was The Coleman Company, I presume that of gas lamps and
cookstoves, now of "coolers, tents, sleeping bags, camp furniture, and
related camping and outdoor recreation equipment" (plug!). Mr. Cantor's
1951-52 shows were sponsored by Philip Morris, another problem.
That raises a side [removed] a new series of their commercials with a
Johnnie-come-lately crying out: "Call for Altria!" Kind of loses its
meter, doesn't it?
Back to my point: I don't know whether the silly dating system means March
11th or November 3rd, or whether I can even assume the filers who copy down
such info would be consistent in their use.
According to Dunning, well into the 50s the Eddie Cantor Show was basically
a disc jockey format. It apparently ended in July 1954, which could rule
out the idea of our show date being November 3rd. By either 1954 date the
show ran on Thursdays. March 3, 1954 was a Thursday. November 3, 1954 was
a Wednesday. So probably we're looking for the March 3rd program?
I'm hoping someone has this program, and could make a copy for me. Audio
Cassette is just fine and I prefer such, but I can also use a CD.
Always looking for other Arthur Godfrey appearances, especially on shows
other than his own! And advertising or promotional material related to
such. Many thanks and best to all!
Lee Munsick That Godfrey Guy
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:13:37 -0500
From: michael chatterton <chat51@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: coconut grove fire-buck jones
it seems to me that the reporter must have had a dislike for buck
jones or he was a fanatic for truth ,which i dought !
but what differance does it make if he died a hero or not !
if it cumforted bucks wife and others to tell a little story
then good let him die a hero !
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:17:38 -0500
From: "Michael Hingson" <MHingson@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: old jokes never die
Personally I have always liked the Phil Harris show in which Phil and Frankie
decided to install a furnace fan in Phil's basement. They get a fan from the
war surplus store. The fan use to feed a wind tunnel. You can imagine the
rest including Julius being the first person to test the fan. He goes
sailing around the basement. Next comes [removed]
Michael Hingson
Guide Dogs For The Blind [removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #89
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