------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 10
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Two shows [ Richard Carpenter <sinatra@ragingbu ]
Caricatures, Burma Shave, Memories [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
Burma Shave Signs [ "Donald & Kathleen Dean" <dxk@ezlin ]
Old Time Radio Digest [ lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed]; ]
Superman and President Kennedy [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
For MP3 collectors only [ "Poindexter" <poindexter12@[removed]; ]
Today in Radio History [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Transcribed [ Jim Murtaugh <JimM@[removed]; ]
Superman at Fifty [ "Donald Skuce" <donskuce@[removed] ]
Casablanca [ Alan Chapman <[removed]@verizon. ]
Re: Shorty the Barber [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
Phil Harris/Bob Crosby [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
Date Aragon Remote? [ "Henry R. Hinkel" <hinkel@[removed] ]
Writing [ Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed] ]
seeking these Frebergs [ Ben Ohmart <bloodbleeds@[removed]; ]
Re: Burma Shave [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
Radio and Cartoons [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 10:35:28 -0500
From: Richard Carpenter <sinatra@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Two shows
I guess I'm in an inquisitive mood tonight. I recently purchased two MP3
discs, mainly because I hadn't heard of either. One is "2000 Plus," a sci-fi
show about the wondrous world of 2000 and beyond (heh!), and the other is
"The Unexpected," a series of 15-minute shows with twisty endings. Does
anyone have any information on what years these shows appeared, what network
(if any) they were on, [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 10:39:16 -0500
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Caricatures, Burma Shave, Memories
In reply to Kenneth Clarke's query about radio CARICATURES, probably the
most famous place in New York City for such showbiz portraits was Sardi's
Restaurant. Where they all are now, I don't know.
Sardi's has a special, warm spot in my memory. Around 1950, I was
befriended by a new hire at CBS Listener Relations, who supplied me with
lots of photos, news releases, and even tickets to radio (and that other
word) shows. One day he called me, and asked when would be my next day out
of school. I told him (it was a [removed]'ll see shortly why I
remember that), and he said to come in to his office at 11:00 [removed] for some
stuff. This was [removed]'d never been to his office, for that matter
any office inside CBS!
It seemed to me that he was stalling around, going through his desk and
handing me various pictures, etc. Finally, he looked at his watch and
said, "It's time for [removed] on, it's on me". We went to Sardi's. I
obtained a sprained neck, looking at all the pictures on the wall, and then
eyeballing the folk seated at every table, many of them celebrities of
various sorts. Sardi's was the place for them to be seen, and I wasn't
about to waste such an opportunity!
In my opinion at the time, for such ogling, it was seconded by Colbee's
Restaurant, the snack spot for many CBS people. On the ground floor of the
CBS Building, Colbee's was used as an inside alley way by CBS employees, to
get from 485 Madison, across the side street to the studio building from
whence came the Arthur Godfrey programs, among various others! I am
informed by our fellow poster Doug Douglass, that that building was
recently sold and (sob) torn down! "Progress!"
After our delightful lunch at Sardi's (I have no idea what we had to eat,
and at the time could have cared less!), my host said "I've eaten too
[removed]'s go for a walk". We exited and to my surprise, we turned
west--AWAY from his CBS office at 485 Madison Avenue. With no further
comment, we wound up in what is now called the "Ed Sullivan Theatre", which
is where the Letterman show now originates. (I agree with Andy Rooney that
it should be called the "Arthur Godfrey Theatre").
He had made arrangements with someone high up in "Arthur M. Godfrey
Productions" for me to sit in on the rehearsal for the next day's Wednesday
night top-rated Godfrey hour-long TV program. I suspect the arrangements
were made with producer Larry Puck, who later married soprano Marion
Marlowe. Probably permission came from Mr. Godfrey himself, who sat and
chatted with me several times. I shall never forget all this; all the cast
were unbelievably nice to me, and I was thoroughly aware that they didn't
have to be. I was able to repeat this a few more times over several years,
before I went off to college.
In more recent times, I have revived that friendship with as many of the
Godfrey Gang as I could locate. Among many others, these talented,
hard-working, kindly folk have provided a wealth of information for my
proposed book on Arthur Godfrey, his activities and associates!
One was Sy Shaffer, the trombonist who for years, numerous times each day,
provided that famous sliding note into the Godfrey themesong, Carmen
Lombardo's famous "Seems Like Old Times", made a hit by that constant
exposure. Sy was that silly voice on the record of the "Too Fat Polka",
one third of "The Cherry Sisters", the novelty trio on many of the Godfrey
recordings, consisting of Sy, clarinetist Johnny Mince, and band
leader/arranger Archie Bleyer (later of Cadence Record Fame). Later on, Sy
left the Godfrey stable to become musical director of the Vienna State
Opera! He returned to New York some years after that to found a successful
"jingle factory". Sy told me when we met again a few years back for an
FOTR panel, "Oh, now I remember [removed] haven't changed that much!" No,
of course not, from age roughly 15 to 55 plus!
More regarding CARICATURES: While not exactly what you referred to, you
should look into Frank Bresee and Bobb Lynes' excellent 1998/99 book,
"Radio's Golden Years - A Visual Guide to the Shows & the Stars". Each of
its 254 pages is a magnificent, unique salute in caricature form, plus
topical data about a whole bunch of radio performers. The format is
roughly similar to the artwork layout of the old "Ripley's Believe it or
Not" newspaper panels. The book boasts an excellent index of all the
performers included (something far too many modern "reference works" omit)
and a fine Foreword by none other than Norman Corwin, which should give one
some idea of the importance of this work.
For information, contact Frank Bresee Productions, PO Box 1222, Hollywood
CA 90078, or perhaps the SPERDVAC Library.
For my final performance in this recital, I can recommend a book on BURMA
SHAVE signs. It's called "Burma Shave: Jingles By the Side of the Road" or
very close to that. It's great fun!
For information on this gem, go to:
[removed]
I stress I have no interest in or connection to either of these works, but
I'm sure any OTR fan will love them. I hope you enjoy them as much as the
folk who have commented here recently, so positively about "And Now for the
[removed]". Another fine gem loaded with radio references, it's an
incredible education about that momentous year, which started off in
triumph with the end of WWII, and then saw our country and the world
descend from joy and relief to revelations about the previously unknown
horrors of the Axis cruelty, revolutions, international wrangling, the
onset of the Cold War, labor strikes and strife, etc.
Happy reading! Lee Munsick That Godfrey Guy
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 10:40:03 -0500
From: "Donald & Kathleen Dean" <dxk@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Burma Shave Signs
In the previous Digest #8 Kenneth Clarke issued the
following:
Also, I'd like to issue a challenge to any members of
the mailing list to send me some examples of Burma Shave
signs which they remember.
I have in my possession a 121 page book called The Verse By
The Side Of The Road by Frank Rowsome, Jr. with drawings
by Carl Rose. It's the story of the Burma Shave signs and
jingles. The copyright year was 1965 by Frank Rowsome, Jr.
and published by Stephen Greene Press in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Pages 71 to 121 contains the texts of all 600 Burma Shave Signs
by year. This book is very interesting and contains the history
of Burma Shave and the story behind this great advertising
campaign. I would imagine it could still be available in some
libraries or may be for sale on the internet. The signs started in
1927 and ended in 1963. There were only 2 sign jingles in 1927.
4 in 1928 and 1929. By 1930 the campaign really took off as
there were 19 sign jingles for that year and averaged that same
amount through 1963 when it all ended. So here's the very first
one listed in the book for 1927:
SHAVE THE
MODERN WAY
NO BRUSH
NO LATHER
NO RUB-IN
BIG TUBE 35 CENTS
DRUG STORES
BURMA-SHAVE
Here's the last one listed for 1963:
OUR FORTUNE
IS YOUR
SHAVEN FACE
IT'S OUR BEST
ADVERTISING SPACE
BURMA-SHAVE
The one's in between are the best.
Don Dean - N8IOJ
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 10:39:22 -0500
From: lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Old Time Radio Digest
Can anyone help me? The newsletter/print publication
Old Time Radio Digest Seems to have disapeared? I
payed my subscription in early 2001 and have never
recieved an issue. I have tryed contacting Editor
Bob Burchette by Phone and e-mail with no reply. Is
any one else getting any issues? Any one know
anything?? Thanks for any info in advance!!!
Lynn
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:02:07 -0500
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Superman and President Kennedy
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 00:40:56 -0500
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
Another story, where Superman helps JFK with his Council on Physical
Fitness, was set to go to press when the assassination occurred. It was
subsequently postponed until LBJ and the Kennedy family gave [removed] the okay
to print it.
I remember that. It was called "Superman's Mission for President
Kennedy." When they published it, they had a new splash page, showing
JFK's ghost towering over the Capitol dome, with Superman flying up to
the right, looking at the ghost with a sad look on his face. They
explained that they pulled it at the last possible moment after the
assassination, but they were now publishing it at the behest of President
Johnson.
--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed]
15 Court Square, Suite 210 lawyer@[removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503 [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:02:27 -0500
From: "Poindexter" <poindexter12@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: For MP3 collectors only
If you don't frequent the OTR newsgroups, you may not know about a Windows
(see Charlie, we do pay attention) program called Otter.
It has a number of built in databases for shows and can be used to easily
keep track of which episodes you have or don't have for a given series. It
can be used to rename whole folders of shows to just about any naming format
you use, make text files of what you have or what you're missing and show
duplicates regardless of the file naming format. Each program in the
database has a simplified log for the show, with date and episode title.
I have found it to be a very useful tool. I didn't write the program (I
wish I had that ability) and I don't think there is a website associated
with it. It was posted anonymously in the newsgroups and as far as I know,
that's the only place to get it. It is free.
If you don't have newgroup knowledge or access, I can e-mail the program to
you upon request with the usual 'as is' disclaimer. It is a ZIP file just
about 1MB in size, requires no installation (just unzip into a folder and
run the program file).
Poindexter
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:02:35 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in Radio History
From Those Were The Days --
1943 - The quiz show, The Better Half, was first heard on Mutual radio
this day. The program brought four married couples to compete in stunts
involving traditional concepts of,‘manhood’ and ‘womanhood’.
From a long time subscriber --
1952 - The Modern Adventures of Casanova, premiered over Mutual,
starring Errol Flynn.
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:02:51 -0500
From: Jim Murtaugh <JimM@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Transcribed
Even though I have been collecting for a number of
years, I'm not very proficient I in the technical phase of old time radio,
that is, I don't always know the meaning of all of the terms. I have been
listening to a run of the Great Gildersleeve, and the announcer says that
the show is "partially transcribed". What exactly does that mean? What
parts of the show would be transcribed, and what wouldn't? Thanks for your
help.
Jim Murtaugh
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:03:19 -0500
From: "Donald Skuce" <donskuce@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Superman at Fifty
For those of you who are interested in securing
a copy of "Superman at Fifty" there are several
copies for sale at [removed]
[removed] is a consortium of used and rare book
dealers. I just checked and there appears to be
a couple of dozen copies for sale.
Don Skuce
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:06:20 -0500
From: Alan Chapman <[removed]@[removed];
To: Old-Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Casablanca
I've read that CASABLANCA was originally supposed to star Ronald Reagan
and Ann Sheridan in the Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman roles.
How about the version I just heard this week? Alan Ladd and Hedy Lemarr!
No rumor. Alan Ladd and Hedy Lamarr did star in Casablanca ... on the
Lux Radio Theater, 1/24/44.
Alan Chapman
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:07:49 -0500
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Shorty the Barber
On 1/10/02 10:51 AM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:
Listening to a later "Amos 'n' Andy" as I drove home from work tonight, I
found myself wishing Shorty the Barber was still part of the series. Does
Elizabeth or anyone know what happenbed to him? Did he move on or pass on?
Surely, his stuttering and sputtering weren't suddenly seen as politically
incorrect in a series that itself was accused of being incorrect? Or is his
absence just one of life's unsolvable mysteries?
Lou Lubin, who played Shorty, was a veteran stage performer who had done
a stuttering act on radio in the mid-thirties as part of the blackface
team of Swor and Lubin (Swor was Bert Swor, who was one of several
"straight man" performers to play the role of "George Moran" in the Moran
and Mack team after Charlie Mack and the real George Moran had a
falling-out.) Their signature routine was a "debate," in which Swor would
browbeat Lubin into a stammering wreck as Lubin tried to argue his point.
This bit was reprised several times in 1940s A&A episodes, notably with
James Baskett's "Gabby Gibson" character in the Swor role.
Lubin was added to the A&A cast in 1944 as part of an agency edict to
"make it funnier." A&A had never been a "belly laugh" show before the
sitcom era, and Correll and Gosden themselves were never "belly laugh"
performers -- and thus didn't feel equipped to do belly-laugh material.
Hence, it was reasoned, a performer suited to more exaggerated
characterizations was needed to produce a louder response from the studio
audience -- and, by extension, the listeners at home. Lubin remained with
the series until 1951 when CBS budget cuts rendered his role expendable
and he was eliminated. He died in 1973.
Interestingly, Freeman Gosden himself had a slight stammer, which can be
heard in several of the surviving recordings of 1929 syndication episodes
-- rather than try to suppress the stutter, he turned it into an
effective character trait for Amos. His oldest son also stammered until
overcoming the habit by sheer force of will -- and today, Freeman Jr. is
a member of the National Advisory Council of the National Stuttering
Association, an association which provides education and support services
for stutterers and their families.
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:58:49 -0500
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Phil Harris/Bob Crosby
Phil Harris joined the Jack Benny Program on 10/4/36, and last appeared there
on 6/1/52. Bob Crosby joined the show on 9/14/52, and stayed for the rest of
the radio run (to 5/22/55).
There are many people who say that Phil left the show because of bad feelings
and arguments about money. When I spoke with him in 1990, he showed no
malice about the departure. The writers had started to include him only in
the first 15 minutes of the program, after which Phil would leave the studio
and run down an alleyway to get to his own show and warm up the audience.
After a while of doing that, it just wasn't worth the headache to continue.
I have heard of "Speaking of Radio", and there's a set of them dedicated to
Jack Benny that are available through our audio library.
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 12:59:00 -0500
From: "Henry R. Hinkel" <hinkel@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Date Aragon Remote?
Rich Pratz wrote:
Knowing I am a native Chicagoan, Tas sent me a tape of WGN's last
remote broadcast from the Aragon Ballroom featuring Wayne King and
his Orchestra. <snip>
The only thing missing from that broadcast is a date. I would dearly
like to know when that farewell broadcast from the Aragon took place.
Wayne King did the "Farewell Broadcast" at the Aragon on February 8, 1964.
Nancy Evans, Jim Hayes, Jack Ladell and Franklyn McCormack were also heard
on this WGN broadcast. It was a nice tribute to the ballroom with a few
reminices mentioned along with the music. A sound clip can be heard of the
opening of this broadcast at the Big Band Bulletin Board at Lou Genco's site
at [removed]
Hank Hinkel
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 13:18:13 -0500
From: Harry Bartell <bartell@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Writing
In answer to Rodney Bowcocks' question:
Vic Perrin and I wrote two Gunsmoke scripts. We plotted the stories
together. He did the dialogue for one and I did the same for the
other--"Chester's Inheritance".
I also wrote scripts for many years for the Dear Abby broadcasts on
CBS.
Harry Bartell
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 13:18:49 -0500
From: Ben Ohmart <bloodbleeds@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: seeking these Frebergs
Hi. I'm looking for the following Stan Freberg
interviews, all from 1989 I think. If you have them,
please get in touch. Thanks.
1989
1/2. STAN FREBERG ON LARRY KING. Two cassettes.
Promoting book, "It Only Hurts When I Laugh;"
background on Chung King commercial and plays it (95%
don't buy it), and Contadina; played small part in the
movie "Gentleman's Agreement;" Walter Tetley and
Sunsweet Prune commercial (plays the commercial);
David Merrick problems; "Green Christmas" problems
from advertisers; plays Encyclopedia Brittanica ad
(Ray Shark, Terror of the Deep, Orchid and Bee, Space,
The Eagle Has Landed, and Amazon Rain Forest);"Freberg
Underground," pay radio; plays "Cue the Marischino
Cherry;" Time for Beany; early morning phone calls to
Bob and Ray at home in the 1960's; plays a commercial
for "It Only Hurts When I Laugh;" and background on
Puffed Grass commercial.
2/10. STAN FREBERG ON RAY BRIEM. Promoting book, "It
Only Hurts When I Laugh;" background on Pacific
Airlines commercial; Freberg at Capitol records; early
morning phone calls to Bob and Ray at home in the
1960's; Milburn, Australia Olympics, Freberg carried
torch; celebrity reactions to "The Great Pretender,"
George Shearing, and "Try;" pay radio; background on
Sunsweet prune commercial; early times at Warner
Brothers; Trouble in River City and Walter Tetley and
his wrinkles; on an episode of "Suspense;"and sound
effects and "Banana Boat."
6/23. - SAME TIME, SAME STATION. Freberg on with John
and Larry Gassman. KPPC, Pasadena public radio. Two
cassettes. Promoting volume 2 of "Stan Freberg
Presents the United States of America." How Freberg
gets ideas for his comedy. On Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 of
"Stan Freberg Presents the United States of America."
The Beany and Cecil shows. Feud with Bob Clampett.
CLIP of Stan Freberg with Jack Benny. Freberg did
camel noises on 1/9/44 Jack Benny program. On his
kangaroo sound for The Phil Harris--Alice Faye Show.
Balloon story from "Beany and Cecil." Reaction to
"Take an Indian to Lunch." On his daughter Donna.
Walter Tetley background. Call from JUNE FORAY. Johnny
Ray and "Try." On Frank Brisee and Phil Harris. Tap
dancer story on the making of Vol. 2, Theyard (sp?)
Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers. "When Radio Was."
His voices for Warner Bros. and Pete Puma, "Pullet
Surprise." in 1996.
- ---------------
TV & film stills western & nostalgia books
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 13:54:46 -0500
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Burma Shave
M Kinsler wrote:
The future holds
Cell phone and jet
Wait till you see
The Internet.
Burma Shave
I'm not too sure about that last one.
The mother of one of my closest friends has this for her outgoing (answering
machine) message:
Brevity is
The soul of wit
Leave a message
And we'll answer it!
Burma Shave.
Michael J. Hayde
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 13:55:19 -0500
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Radio and Cartoons
This will probably arrive too late to do me any good, but: at Friday night's
meeting of the [removed], I'll be doing a presentation on "Radio and
(Theatrical) Cartoons." As part of the program, I'll be running six
examples for which radio provided the 1)theme, 2)denouement or
3)inspiration. So here are my questions before the board:
First, do you have any favorite examples or memories of radio-related
cartoon shorts? Second - and this is especially directed toward those of
you (like myself) who classify as baby boomers - how many latter-day OTR
fans were introduced and/or spurred on by the constant references and
catch-phrases in cartoons (particularly those from Warner Bros.)?
Michael J. Hayde
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #10
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