------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 88
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Atwater Kent [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
Fransis Farmer radio appearances [ vigor16@[removed] ]
Buck Jones and the Coconut Grove fir [ Osborneam@[removed] ]
Re: Cornell Woolrich [ "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-self ]
Re: Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire [ malamb@[removed] ]
Al Fields on WORDS AT WAR [ Howard Blue <khovard@[removed]; ]
The Ride Back [ Philipmarus@[removed] ]
Founding of CBS stories [ mart459@[removed] ]
Re: In The Bedroom with A&A [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
The Goldbergs [ Howard Blue <khovard@[removed]; ]
Re: FM Transmitter [ Shenbarger@[removed] ]
The Radio Song [ BH <radioguy@[removed]; ]
Radio Song Lyrcis [ "welsa" <welsa@[removed]; ]
"Never stops being funny!" [ Derek Tague <derek@[removed]; ]
Old Jokes Never Die [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
2-25 Birthdays [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Re: Adventures of Babe Ruth [ Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed]; ]
The Lone Ranger's horse [ "William Halbe" <[removed]@veri ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 19:28:26 -0500
From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Atwater Kent
Rodney Bowcock asked if $[removed] was a good price for a Atwater Kent
model 976 console radio. While I'm not an expert and I'm not even
familiar with that particular model, the price sounds a little high.
But if its something you really want I'd make an offer on it if I were
you.
You say it appears to be in good shape. Is that just the cabinet your
talking about? You said it"seems to be fully working". Have you
listened to the radio for any length of time? Try tuning it to
different stations to see if it brings in all of the stations that you
usually listen to. Most importantly listen for noises coming thru the
speaker like static in the background or squeaky type noises that change
in pitch and intensity.
Old radios can be a fire danger and should be completely gone thru to
replace old parts such as capacitors. This can be somewhat expensive
assuming you can find someone in your area that can do this kind of
work.
Unless they can show you that this radio has been completely updated,
I'd be hesitant to pay more thatn $[removed] to $[removed] for it knowing that
I 'd probably have to spend another $[removed] to $[removed] to a radio
technician.
My" ten" year old Old Radio Price Guide shows prices ranging from
$[removed] to $[removed] for Atwater Kent consoles from the mid 30's. Model
976 is not listed.
I hope that this is some help and that I haven't scared you out of
trying to find an old radio. It's a fun hobby and great to listen to
OTR on.
George Aust
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 20:21:24 -0500
From: vigor16@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Fransis Farmer radio appearances
Hi all,
I have been looking for a place to find credits for Fransis Farmer on
OTR. I have one episode of LRT "Brittish agent". I haven't seen too
much out there. Are there any other things out there that show her
acting talent. I read something this morning that said, again, she was a
great actress, but haven't really seen her in anything except for that
one Lux show, which isn't a bad show. Are there any other OTR items that
feature her acting talents. Unfortunately, the only thing I hear is
about her mental illness. Appearently, an emotional or mental thing
blots out all that go before. I saw A&E doing Connie Francis the other
night and, as I thought, her terrible experience, that should happen to
no one, was the main focus of the program.
Thanks,
Deric
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 20:51:40 -0500
From: Osborneam@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Buck Jones and the Coconut Grove fire
james h arva <wilditralian@[removed]; wrote:
famous cowboy movie star Buck Jones, who was a strong supporter of physical
fitness for children. He had escaped to safety, but went back inside to
assist others and, in one of those trips back into the flames, was mortally
injured,
This appears to be an urban legend. You can read more
about the Coconut Grove Controversy (and what investigation appears to have
unearthed) at:
[removed]
Arlene Osborne
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:12:53 -0500
From: "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Cornell Woolrich
I should point out that Martin notes that Woolrich had no stories adapted
into episodes of The Whistler. I had erroniosly reported that some
Woolrich stories had been done on that show in a recent essay. My public
apologies for the spreading of falsehoods in the hobby. *sigh*
Rodney Bowcock
Past Tense Productions "Classic movies and TV for $7"
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:13:31 -0500
From: malamb@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire
On Mon, 24 Feb 2003, OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:
I had heard that the building owner was Barbara Walters'
father, but I have never verified that, so I would have to present it as
a rumor.
According to a story in the February 22nd online edition of the Boston
Globe, the owner of the Cocoanut Grove was Barnett Welansky. The article
also mentions that Welansky was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter
because he had previously locked doors and blocked exits; a fire door had
been welded shut to keep patrons from leaving without paying. The story
was also on page B11 of the February 22nd print edition of the Globe.
The club that Lou Walters owned in Boston was the Latin Quarter, and he
later opened clubs with the same name in New York and Miami Beach.
Hope this helps,
Marie Lamb
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:14:01 -0500
From: Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Al Fields on WORDS AT WAR
I very much appreciated Al Fields generous comments about Words At War.
Mr. Fields commented that it was unlikely that a BBC engineer
visited Berlin in 1942 to attend a radio conference. I'll forego the
temptation to try to argue that the (very young) Gassman brothers and Jay
Hickerson were running a joint FOTR/SPERDVAC radio conference which
consequently would tempt any of us to attend even at the risk of arrest
by the Gestapo.
Fields is quite correct. Since Britain came into the war in the fall of
1939, the conference had to precede 1939. I can't find my notes for that
chapter right now. But I'll check it out tomorrow.
Howard Blue
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:14:20 -0500
From: Philipmarus@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Ride Back
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I purchased "The Ride Back" several years ago on VHS. I too wish the GUNSMOKE
radio episode on which the this screenplay is based would turn up. I remember
thinking while watching William Conrad in the video Ride Back, Conrad here
appears as a more tired, pushed to the edge marshall [removed]
technically he's playing a different character here although its based on the
radio play. It excellent viewing for any fan of Conrad.
Mike Kerezman Jr
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:56:34 -0500
From: mart459@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Founding of CBS stories
Hi All;
I just got off of the telephone with Dad, and as usual he dropped a couple of
things on me that I didn't know about the family. Apparenty one of Dad's
cousins was there at the very beginning of CBS, and there were some
interesting stories. If you want to email me for Dad;s phone number or mail
address (Westchester,NY) I can pass it along to you (he does not
[removed])(And loves to talk - I have his permission to hand out the phone
number)
Several times he has been asked to write his memiors, from being on Patton's
staff, the rescue of the lipizzan horses, using up all of the penicillan in
the third army, designing the first solid state production line in the US,
the marketing of the Microwave, the first "portable" video camera, the very
first spy sat, the first GPS sat, turning down the highest french medal of
honor during WWII (the story is a scream), the first walkman amp (actually a
hearing aide amp), working for Sarnoff, etc. Yeah - larger than life.
Anyway - he also was responsible for the first production solid state radio
in the US. A raytheon model that had transistors soldered into modules that
plugged into vacuum tube holes. A proof of concept design. After all, anyone
with sense back then new that transistors would never replace the [removed]
(or so management told him)(I have one sitting in my famiy room - about the
size of an 80's boombox)
Jon Martin
mart459@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:57:56 -0500
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: In The Bedroom with A&A
On 2/24/03 7:37 PM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:
In reading his chapter on Gosden and Correll about how they met and
formed an instant and strong friendship and how they lived together for
several years, I remember blurting out loud while reading in bed "My
God, Amos and Andy were gay"!: )
Now I'm not for a minute suggesting that this is true, but I am
wondering if anybody else got the same impression from reading this
book.
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,
discussing their problems. In one serial episode, Andy laments to the
Kingfish that living with Amos is just like living with a woman -- and in
several episodes spread over over the serial run, Amos and Andy put their
arms around each other and declare that that they love each other.
The armchair revisionists might have a field day interpreting this one,
if they weren't already busy exploring the hidden overtones in the
relationship between Jack Benny and Rochester.
In reality, of course, Correll and Gosden intended no sexual overtones of
any kind in their portrayal of Amos and Andy's relationship. It was,
however, a fairly close paralell of their *own* relationship -- they did
live together for several years, and after they both got married in 1927,
the two couples lived in the same apartment building for as long as they
were in Chicago. But at the same time, they knew that too much time
together could be dangerous -- and they made a point of going their
separate ways after each day's work was done.
They had a friendship built on the fact that they were totally
complementary to each other -- Gosden was a driven, energetic
perfectionist -- who, on a personal level, was extremely shy, a
characteristic many misinterpreted as distant aloofness, especially since
he really hated the show-business social scene. Correll, on the other
hand, was an easy-going, fun-loving man, who wore snappy clothes and
loved to go to parties. Each knew the other's limits -- and each brought
qualities to the partnership that the other lacked. Gosden looked at
Correll as an older brother, someone he could talk to and confide in --
and Correll was genuinely in awe of Gosden, acknowledging that "if it
wasn't for him, I'd still be in Peoria laying bricks." The result was
perhaps the most harmonious collaboration in 20th-century show business
history. There was never any suggestion that the two ever fought, ever
argued, or ever even thought for a second of breaking up.
Gosden himself summed up the relationship best, following Correll's death
in 1972. "We were partners for 37 years," he said, "and friends for
fifty. In all that time we never once exchanged an unkind word."
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 22:48:04 -0500
From: Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Goldbergs
Someone is looking to put on a live performance or two from The
Goldbergs. They are looking for some episodes with a healthy dolyp of
antifascist /anti Nazi propaganda. Does anyone have some suggestions?
Howard Blue
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 22:48:30 -0500
From: Shenbarger@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: FM Transmitter
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In a message dated 2/24/2003 11:45:10 AM Central Standard Time, Walden Hughes
writes:
Hi Everybody, does any one know where I can buy a FM transmitter in order to
replay OTR and my broadcast through out my house? Take care,
I bought a SoundFeeder SF120 at Best Buy for $20. It is adjustable across the
entire FM band and broadcasts in stereo. It's not very flexible as to
location, but once setup, it does work and at that price it's remarkable. It
runs on a single AA battery, which could be a rechargeable type NiMH to save
some money, and plugs into the headphone jack on any walkman, CD player, etc.
I have been told this item, or something similar, is available from Radio
Shack.
Don Shenbarger
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 23:58:37 -0500
From: BH <radioguy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Radio Song
"welsa" <welsa@[removed]; writes:
I've been listening to a recording of Bob Marcus' ditty called RADIO. I'm
not sure who is even singing it. I've been trying to make out the lyrics.
Below is what I have so far. But where there is a line drawn, I can't make
it out.
Can anyone here help with the missing lyrics?
The recording I have was done by Banu Gibson, a jazz singer, while
in New Orleans, I am guessing sometime around 1981. A very cute
little song about radio daze gone by.
Here is what I have.
Radio - Remember radio?
We'd sit and close our eyes
And use our imagination.
Comedy, mystery, a fireside chat,
Together we sat list'ning nightly
To our favorite show.
Radio. Why did you ever go?
Oh, won't you please come back
And entertain us.
Oh, I long to turn the dial again
To hear the past and smile again.
Radio, I miss you so.
Major Bowes.
I miss "the Shadow knows."
Fred's Allen's Alley woes(? not to sure of this last word)
The laughter of Duffy's Tavern.
Helen Trent. Then we went
To Can You Top This
Suspense and The Whistler sent those shivers
Up our spine.
Uncle Don, I wish that you were on,
Jack Armstrong, Myrt & Marge,
Amos 'n Andy.
Oh, I long to turn that dial again,
To hear the past and smile again.
Radio, I miss you so
bodeo, bodeo, dodeo do
Radio, I miss you soooo.
Bill H.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 23:58:51 -0500
From: "welsa" <welsa@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Radio Song Lyrcis
Here are the complete lyrics to the Radio song:
Radio. Remember radio?
We'd sit and close our eyes
And use our imagination.
Comedy, mystery, a fireside chat,
Together we sat listening nightly
To our favorite show.
Radio. Where did you ever go?
Oh, won't you please come back
And entertain us.
I long to turn the dial again
To hear the past and smile again.
Radio, I miss you so.
Radio. Why did you ever go?
Oh, won't you please come back
And entertain us.
Oh, I long to turn the dial again
To hear the past and smile again.
Radio, I miss you so.
Major Bowes.
I miss "the Shadow knows."
Fred Allen's Alley folk,
The laughter of Duffy's Tavern.
Helen Trent. Then we went
To "Can You Top This?"
Suspense and The Whistler
Sent those shivers up our spine.
Uncle Don, I wish that you were on,
Jack Armstrong, Myrt & Marge,
Amos 'n Andy.
I long to turn that dial again,
To hear the past and smile again.
Radio, I miss you so.
Oh, voh-dee-oh-doh
Radio, I miss you so.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 08:57:39 -0500
From: Derek Tague <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "Never stops being funny!"
Hi Gang:
A couple of issues ago, I asked for subscribers' recommendations for
recurring OTR routines that "never stop being funny." Well, I went back and
devised my own personal Top Ten. This list is not necessarily set "in stone"
(Hal, Ezra, Lewis, or otherwise). I'm open for suggestions. Enjoy!
In ascending order:
10) LIFEBUOY SOAP ADS: that "[removed]!" foghorn sound effect is always good for a
cheap laugh.
9) DRAGNET [OK, it's not a comedy & I'm probably the only one who sees the
humour in this one]: Friday & Romero (or Smith) are interrogating a suspect
who vows he "won't talk." The detectives make him crack by carrying on an
annoying conversation such as:
a) one cop tries to teach the other a new card game with ponderously
complicated rules;
b) sending out for sandwiches & over-praising their merits.
8) FIBBER McGEE & MOLLY: the aforementioned schtick about Wallace Wimple & his
favourite reading material, his beloved "bird book," & how Fibber & Co. would
"milk" this gag in order to get Bill Thompson to repeat the phrase "bird
book," complete with the bubbling effect in his voice.
7) THE EDDIE CANTOR SHOW: Eddie would say something uncomplimentary, &, on
cue, Bert "The Mad Russian" Gordon would enter with his memorable greeting
"How do you DOO!" [This was similarly employed on DUFFY'S [removed]
Finnegan would walk in with "Well, hello, Arch." Years later on t--------n,
Bob Denver/"Maynard G. Krebs" would walk in on DOBIE GILLIS with his greeting,
"You rang?"]
6) THE JACK BENNY SHOW: When Jack & Co. were in a train station, we'd usually
get a) Frank Nelson as the insolent ticket clerk saying "Yyesss!,"
AND b) Mel Blanc announcing the trains "Leaving for Anaheim, Azusa, and
[removed]"
5) THE JIMMY DURANTE SHOW: Whenever vocal magician Candy Candido switched
octaves in the middle of a sentence going from a 5-year old boy to a basso
profundo intoning "I'm feeling mighty low!"
4) THE ABBOTT & COSTELLO SHOW: "Who's on First?" [Need I say more?].
3) THE FRED ALLEN SHOW: the "Allen's Alley" segment never got stale.
2) THE JACK BENNY SHOW: Jack & Mel Blanc as Sy, the Mexican, performing
"Si-Sy-Sue;" it's even funnier when Jack himself can't keep from laughing.
and the #1 OTR radio routine which "never stops being funny:"
1) FIBBER McGEE & MOLLY: "McGee, don't open that closet [CRASH!] door!"
Additions? Subtractions? Agreements? Detractions?
Yours in the ether!
Derek Tague
[removed]: "...amonga!"
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 08:59:32 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Old Jokes Never Die
Don Frey, speaking of Derek Tague's interest in OTR humor that doesn't
lose its bloom with age mentioned specific incidents within series shows.
There are two standout examples from the Phil Harris - Alice Faye show.
The last half of one episode has Julius Abruzzio asking Phil and Frankie
help him by serenading him and the girl he was in love with as they
strolled by in the park one evening. The girl, running a party was busy
and asked Julius to walk her dog. Speculating on what sort of girl
Julius would fall for, the concealed musical pair overhear Julius
speaking to the dog, and think it's the girl. Another was when Phil
decides he needs a car trailer and Remley gets him plans -- blueprints --
to build one from. Of course, the plans were drawn up by a manufacturer
of caskets, and the resulting six-walled trailer was only about two yards
long and had a lid. Naturally, they had Julius try it out.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 08:57:02 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 2-25 Birthdays
If you were born on the 25th of February, you share your birthday with:
1901 - Zeppo Marx - New York City
1904 - Marion Claire - Chicago, Illinois
1913 - Jim Backus - Cleveland, Ohio
1921 - Patricia Ryan - London, England
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Make your day, listen to an Olde Tyme Radio Program
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 08:58:36 -0500
From: Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Adventures of Babe Ruth
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?
---Dan
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 12:28:52 -0500
From: "William Halbe" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The Lone Ranger's horse
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Some years back I heard a Lone Ranger episode in which the Ranger rode a horse
called "Dusty" In the story Dusty dies or is killed. Then by chance he found
Silver and the rest is history.
Does anyone know the title or date of this episode and where I could get (buy)
a copy?
Bill Halbe
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--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #88
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