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The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2007 : Issue 363
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
what is this radio show? [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Kelly and the Quiz Kids [ jack and cathy french <otrpiano@ver ]
Washington's [removed] Perkins [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
Re:"Night Beat" record set [ "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed]; ]
Broadcast Turntable Modifications [ KENPILETIC@[removed] ]
12-28 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
Belated Christmas show information [ "Dick Judge" <dickjudge@[removed]; ]
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Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:08:19 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: what is this radio show?
I posted this a few weeks back and got no answers, so I'm going to give it a
second try. I am trying to find out what the name of the radio program, and
the title of the drama that fits the following description, which I came
across in a letter dated April 21, 1959 in an archive:
"Do you remember a radio play that was in most of the anthologies of ten
years ago, that had to do with the men who ran the control room which
manipulated, electronically, the atomic war heads that the United States had
in orbit? These men had a direct line to the President's desk. They had
photographic and radio tracking machinery whereby they knew where each armed
satellite was at any given moment. The play opens with their discovery,
suddely, seven or eight more presumably armed satellites in orbit."
The short gist of the story is that all nations of the world got ready to
attack, the lights went on, and everyone was about to push the button and
start WWIII when official word comes through - the [removed] not having attacked
yet - that the signal revealing the attack on Tokyo, partial destruction, was
caused by an earthquake.
Does anyone know what show this was?
Martin
mmargrajr@[removed]
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Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:27:11 -0500
From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Kelly and the Quiz Kids
Andrew Steinberg asks if Clifton Utley was the host, when did Joe
Kelly take over?
In her history of that program, Eliza Merrill Hickok ("The Quiz Kids"
Houghton Mifflin, 1947) says that Kelly was the 17th man to audition
for the role of quizmaster. Prior to him, the following had tried and
failed to become permanent quizmaster: Clifton Utley, prominent
Chicago news commentator; Parker Wheatley, director of Northwestern
Reviewing Stand; Norman Ross & Fort Pearson, both popular radio
announcers, and Sidney James with TIME and LIFE magazines. In
addition, several college professors, a noted lecturer, and a
prominent writer were tested and had failed.
Some of the above displayed their own knowledge, not the kids'. Some
of them gave away the answers because of their mike inexperience.
Others talked down to the Quiz Kids and intimidated them. Joe Kelly,
fresh from National Barn Dance, was chosen as the best of the lot in
June 1940 and he would hold the job for umpteen years, surrendering
his post only briefly to guest quizmasters, including Fred Allen,
Ralph Edwards, Jack Benny, and Eddie Cantor, among others.
Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
<[removed]>
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:29:34 -0500
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Washington's [removed] Perkins
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Tales from the trenches of Talking Books:
At present, we're in the middle of recording "The Reagan Diaries," and on page
559 (entry for 12/17/1987), our former president refers to Ann McLaughlin, his
appointee to the post of Secretary of Labor, as "only 2nd woman to ever hold
the job -- 1st was Ma Perkins during FDR's term."
This is obviously a reference to Frances Perkins (1882-1965), the first woman
ever appointed to the president's cabinet. It's always nice to encounter OTR
references while recording these books, but this evocation of "Ma Perkins" got
me to wondering if Frances Perkins was ever thus referred to as "Ma" back in
the 1930s. Students?
Please be advised that this posting is NOT intended to bring about a political
discussion.
"These books are made for talkin'."
Derek Tague,
who went to great lengths not to spell "Labor" with a "U" & is unable to come
up with a pun involving Oxydol
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Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:36:16 -0500
From: "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re:"Night Beat" record set
From: rand@[removed]
Michael asked for some additional information on the 45 rpm record set
of an episode of "Night Beat" that I recently found. The label is blue
with silver letter with says "NIGHT BEAT - An NBC Production" at the top
and "starring FRANK LOVEJOY" at the bottom. Along the bottom edge of the
label it says "The National Broadcasting Company - A Service of Radio
Corporation of America".
The label has the number EO-CX-342 on side one, 343 on side two, etc. The
matrix numbers are the same as the numbers on the labels - EO-CX-342
through 347.
EO is the date code. E being the 5th decade and zero being zero. So that
means 1950. The C is "Custom, recorded by RCA" which makes sense for this
non-commercial custom pressing. It would have been a K if the tape had been
supplied to RCA by the customer. The X is a problem because it should have
been a W. X was not used in this position until the whole system was
changed in1955, and then it became the indicator for a pre-recorded tape at
7 1/2 inches per second. The only thing I can think of without going to the
files in New York is that it might have been a hold-over from when the
secret development of the 45 system was called "Madame X" between 1940 and
1948.
So, we have masters 342 thru 347 in 1950. That might be early in the year,
perhaps mid-January to early Feb. They were in the 3000s by late March.
That's the earliest 1950 RCA recording session I came across in the past few
minutes. We could go thru the Recording Book at Victor and find the exact
date even if these custom records are not listed.
There's an "I" in the label runoff area near the matrix number
Pressed in Indianapolis.
and also an "A2" near the 12 o'clock position.
Some kind of production symbol that appears on most of their records.
The area around the spindle hole slopes gradually for about a 1/2 inch.
Typical for everything beyond the first pressings in 1948.
I'm aware of the color-coding of the singles and these appear to the be
same blue vinyl used for the pop series
Looking at the paperwork this afternoon, it was the "classic popular"
series. Regular pops were in black with a blue label. These were the only
ones in non-colored vinyl at first, they probably assumed they would sell
anyway.
and I'm also aware of the push for RCA's changers at the time (I used to
have a small console with one of the changers). Yes, they could be fast,
but it does give you a short break in a longer program. These probably
weren't aimed at someone with broadcasting equipment, but likely at an
advertising agency or actual corporate rep, so it's no surprise to see
it pressed on 45's in that context, especially with RCA's push to equip
homes with the changers.
That was my feeling also. It probably would be like "What do you mean you
don't have a 45 changer yet? Get with it, guy!" A lot of NBC broadcasts
were sponsored by RCA Victor to promote the 45, including Kukla, Fran, &
Ollie.
Again, I'd be curious if other NBC series had box sets issued as promos as
well - I bet a full set would be tough to track down if others were issued.
If they were issued a little later, it might have been something done to
keep advertising interest going in radio as more advertisers were spending
money on television so the time period would be interesting to know.
We'll ask Alex Magoun at the David Sarnoff Research Center if he has any
data. He did his [removed] dissertation on the 45 and the record industry of
this era, and the center has Bobby Sarnoff's record collection which has
oodles of early 45 box sets. He would have been likely to also get NBC
sets.
NBC was doing a lot of things to get advertisers to stay with network radio.
They had to constantly remind Madison Avenue that there were many areas of
the country that didn't have TV stations yet. The Big Show was specifically
designed by NBC radio to return interest to radio -- and NBC radio
post-raid!
I have to admit a certain fondness for RCA's early "color coded" 45's and
little box sets - I've tried to find one record of each color, but the
orange and purple have eluded me or been out of my price range.
Randy A. Riddle
Tell me about it. The orange -- called "rose" by RCA, were the "race"
series pressings that probably didn't go beyond the first release of 6 or 7
records. The last one I saw was at the Wayne music machines bash right
after FOTR in October. It was $75 and I called my daughter over so she
could see it. It has got to be the most beautiful looking record ever
produced. It is a dae-glo type red-orange that looks so far advanced for
1949. All of them are classic rhythm and blues that would be expensive no
matter what they looked like. All great stuff but intended for people
unlikely to be first buyers of 45 changers. By purple I assume you mean the
International series which RCA called "blue-green." Likewise scarce for
ethnic groups not likely to have been first buyers of 45 changers.
Sometimes we buy records -- and even OTR ETs -- to look at. Ask any ET
collector with a 16-inch Royal Blue Columbia, a transparent blue
Brunswick/Flexo, or a spiderweb-back RCA.
Michael Biel mbiel@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:20:47 -0500
From: KENPILETIC@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Broadcast Turntable Modifications
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Hi Gang -
In issue 361, Michael Biel commented:
... RCA found a way to modify their HUGE gear-drive
broadcast monster turntables. I have one of these modified turntables and
the instruction book on how to install the modification. Looks like it
might have been a full day job. ...
I also have one of these modified turntables. The engineer I bought it from
was very proud of the fact that it had the 45 RPM modification. He probably
was the man who installed the mod. I did not realize that it was a big job
to make it play 45's. No wonder he was proud of it. It works perfectly.
I later made a couple other modifications. It now plays stereo as well as
vertical or lateral cut discs and has capability of plugging in stylii of
different sizes.
It only needs one tone arm now.
Now, if I could only reduce the rumble.
Happy Taping -- Ken Piletic - Streamwood, Illinois and Alma, Arkansas
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Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:11:17 -0500
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 12-28 births/deaths
December 28th births
12-28-1887 - Charles Dingle - Wabash, IN - d. 1-19-1956
actor: Employer "Meet the Dixons"
12-28-1890 - Frank Butler - Oxford, England - d. 6-10-1967
actor: Dave Arnold "Mr. Chameleon"
12-28-1896 - Rose Franken - Gainesville, TX - d. 6-22-1988
writer: "Claudia and David" based on her stories
12-28-1903 - Earl "Fatha" Hines - Duquesne, PA - d. 4-22-1983
bandleader: "Band Remotes"; "Chamber Music of Lower Basin Street"
12-28-1904 - Country Washburn - Houston, TX - d. 1-21-1974
bandleader/singer: "Curt Massey/Martha Tilton"; "Spike Jones and His
City Slickers"
12-28-1905 - Cliff Arquette - Toledo, OH - d. 9-23-1974
comedian, actor: Thaddeus Cornfelder, "Myrt and Marge"
12-28-1908 - Lew Ayres - Minneapolis, MN - d. 12-30-1996
actor: Dr. James Kildare "Dr. Kildare"
12-28-1909 - Olan Soule - La Harpe, IL - d. 2-1-1994
actor: Sam Ryder "Bachelor's Children"; Kermit Hubbard "Joan and Kermit"
12-28-1910 - Murray Burnett - d. 9-23-1997
writer: "True Detectives Mysteries"
12-28-1913 - Lou Jacobi - Toronto, Canada
actor: "Advs. in Judaism"; "Earplay"; "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
12-28-1914 - Lee Bowman - Cincinnati, OH - d. 12-25-1979
actor: Jonathan Kegg "Life in Your Hands"; George Cooper "My Favorite
Husband"
12-28-1915 - Dick Joy - Putnam, CT - d. 10-31-1991
announcer: "My Secret Ambition"; "The Saint"; "Advs of Sam Spade"
12-28-1923 - Andrew Duggan - Franklin, IN - d. 5-15-1988
actor: "Hollywood Radio Theatre"; "Voice of the Army"; "Top Secret"
12-28-1929 - Brian Redhead - Newcastle-upon-Tyne - d. 1-23-1994
presenter: "Today"; "A World in Edgeways"; "From Plato to Nato"
12-28-1931 - Martin Milner - Detroit, MI
actor: "Dragnet"
12-28-1932 - Pamela Duncan - Brooklyn, NY - d. 11-11-2005
actor: "Dangerous Assignment"
12-28-1935 - William Bassett - Evanston, IL
actor: "Empire of the Air"
December 28th deaths
01-06-1907 - Helen Kleeb - South Bend, WA - d. 12-28-2003
actor: Sarah Tuttle "Dr. Kate"; "Gunsmoke"
01-12-1925 - Don Atlas - d. 12-28-2005
sportscaster: KLOK San Jose, California
01-22-1917 - Plainview, NE - d. 12-28-1984
announcer, actor: "Archie Andrews"; "X Minus One"
02-12-1927 - Bobby Winkler - Chicago, IL - d. 12-28-1989
actor: Newsboy "Big Town"
02-23-1904 - William L. Shirer - Chicago, IL - d. 12-28-1993
news analyst: "CBS European News"; "[removed] Shirer: News and Comments"
02-27-1892 - William Demarest - St. Paul, MN - d. 12-28-1983
actor: Mr. Cobb "Cobbs"; "Eddie Bracken Show"
03-30-1892 - Ethel Owen, Racine WI - d. 12-28-1990
actor: Siri Allen "Against the Storm"; Clara Noble "Backstage Wife"
04-23-1898 - Lee Vines - Texas - d. 12-28-1987
announcer: "CBS Radio Workshop"; "Burns and Allen"
05-03-1890 - Nick Dawson - Vineland, NJ - d. 12-28-1957
actor: "Dangerous Paradise"; "Follow the Man"
05-10-1888 - Max Steiner - Vienna, Austria - d. 12-28-1971
composer: "Lux Radio Theatre"
05-11-1895 - George Henninger - Binghamton, NY - d. 12-28-1953
musician: "Brenda Curtis"; "Ladies be Seated"; "Modern Romances"
06-22-1903 - Glenhall Taylor - d. 12-28-1997
producer, director: "Blondie"; "Sherlock Holmes"; "Dinah Shore Show";
"Ozzie and Harriett"
06-24-1893 - Arthur Hughes - Bloomington, IL - d. 12-28-1982
actor: Bill Davidson "Just Plain Bill"; Stephen Dallas "Stella Dallas"
07-27-1890 - J. Walter Leopold - NYC - d. 12-28-1956
pianist, composer: KFI Los Angeles, California
08-27-1871 - Theodore Dreiser - Terre Haute, IN - d. 12-28-1945
writer: "The Heinz Magazine of the Air"
10-15-1918 - Harold Gast - d. 12-28-2003
writer: "Front Page Farrell"; "Real Stories from Real Life"
10-20-1935 - Jerry Orbach - NYC - d. 12-28-2004
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
12-27-1898 - Hilda Vaughn - Baltimore, MD - d. 12-28-1957
actor: "Columbia Presents Corwin"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:01:53 -0500
From: "Dick Judge" <dickjudge@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Belated Christmas show information
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What with this recent run of favorite old time Christmas radio shows, if
anyone is interested I have a list of over 300 actual broadcasts in
circulation. I would be happy to send this to anyone who asks.
dickjudge
MEMORIES OF RADIO/Dick Judge
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?
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End of [removed] Digest V2007 Issue #363
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