------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 218
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Peg Lynch [ Mleannah@[removed] ]
Suspense episode "Dead Earnest." [ Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed]; ]
Bob Bailey [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
Suspense: Thanks [ lawrence albert <albertlarry@yahoo. ]
Archives [ "david rogers" <david_rogers@hotmai ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Frances Langford show [ "Elizabeth Minney" <epminney@wcsonl ]
Death of cassettes [ "Holm, Chris " <[removed]@delphiau ]
Bertha Brainard [ Richard Pratz <[removed]@[removed]; ]
the 1996 Telecommunications Act [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
re Old Time Radio Siblings [ John Henley <jhenley@[removed] ]
RE: Suspense & Dead Earnest/Hawaii C [ "Tony Bell" <t_bell61@[removed]; ]
Long live tape! [ Mleannah@[removed] ]
Re: Joseph Cotten [ "Scott Eberbach" <seberbach@earthli ]
Cincinnati Convention [ "Bob Burchett" <haradio@[removed] ]
Wally Maher? [ dltnkt@[removed] (Dennis/Nancy Town ]
Re:famous siblings [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
Children/Siblings? [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Re: Why Bailey quit Johnny Dollar [ "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-self ]
Celeb. children of OTR stars [ Derek Tague <derek@[removed]; ]
Cassette decks [ "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed]; ]
Joseph Cotten and Hitchcock [ "evan torch" <etorch@[removed] ]
It's all relative [ "jay ranellucci" <jayran33@hotmail. ]
Re: Joseph Cotton on Suspense [ GOpp@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:32:01 -0400
From: Mleannah@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Peg Lynch
Could anybody out there fill me in on the career of Peg Lynch? I have several
of her "The Couple Next Door" shows, made in 1958. I purchased these through
SPERDVAC. Are these shows remakes of earlier "Ethel and Albert" shows? Are
any of the original "Ethel and Albert" shows available today? Thanks for the
help.
Mike
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:32:14 -0400
From: Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Suspense episode "Dead Earnest."
Larry Albert asked about an episode of Suspense that
had, "something to do with a man in a hospital
morgue lying on a slab. Everyone thinks he's dead, but
of course he isn't. He just can't move. An autopsy is
about to be performed on the guy. However, he saves
his life by the shedding of a single tear."
I believe the show is called "Dead Earnest." Dunning
describes it in "On the Air" under the "Suspense"
entry (though he doesn't mention who starred in it).
Rick
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:32:45 -0400
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Bailey
Peter from Hawaii asks:
Mandell Kramer did a pretty good job, in my opinion. He ranks right behing
Bob Bailey, who, of course, is unsurpassed by any of the other [removed] Does
anybody know why Bailey quit?
When the series moved back to New York City from Hollywood in December,
1960, Bob Bailey chose not to go preferring to continue to work exclusively
in Hollywood. Bob Readick took over the role of JD until June 25, 1961 when
Mandel Kramer took over.
By the way, I too agree that Mandel Kramer was one of the better Johnny
Dollars. I always thought of his portrayal as tough but sensitive just as
Bailey played him.
Jim Widner
jwidner@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:33:04 -0400
From: lawrence albert <albertlarry@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Suspense: Thanks
A very warm thank you to all those who e-mailed me
with information regarding the Suspense episode I
asked about. You've all been most kind and if any of
you are coming to the [removed] convention in Seattle
june 28 - 29 please come up and introduce yourselves.
Larry Albert
[removed] a belated thanks to Elizabeth Mc. for your info
on Vic & Sade. Itr answers a lot of questions about
other shows I have.
Larry
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:33:37 -0400
From: "david rogers" <david_rogers@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Archives
I would like to ask a question concerning archives:
How do modern radio stations archive their programs? Are they currently
archived digitally or are they archived on tape?
This comes from a very nice e-mail I recieved concerning the difference
between formats that we use to listen to OTR and the way that they are
archived.
I have another question:
What is the difference between a listener and hobbyist?
I would definitely describe myself as a listener as I love listening to the
shows. As a child in England I used to regularly tape shows from radio 4. In
fact I still have many of them, although I can no longer play them (hence my
current preference for a digital format - sorry).
Just one more question:
How are the "heroes" of OTR defined?
This question arises from an earlier posting where the phrase "the real
heroes of the otr hobby" was mentioned. Maybe this is a reference to the US
where maybe stations did not keep as big an archive as the BBC - I do not
know. Maybe this is talking about people who recorded shows or kept a
personal archive. This is my situation. I spent hours and hours taping for
my listening pleasure, I never even knew that other people collected these
shows. I certainly never recorded these shows to create an archive. I
recorded them myself so that I could listen to them. Am I a hero as I did
all of that work myself (I don't feel like a hero) or am I not a hero as I
did not do it to preserve the archive? I find this a little confusing.
Love as always, David Rogers
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:33:44 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
From Those Were The Days --
1922 - A [removed] President was heard on the radio for the first time.
President Warren G. Harding dedicated the Francis Scott Key Memorial and
was heard on station WEAR in Baltimore.
1950 - After 13 years Harold Peary played the role of The Great
Gildersleeve one final time. Willard Waterman took Peary's place in the
role for the next eight years on radio and for several years on TV as
well.
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:34:00 -0400
From: "Elizabeth Minney" <epminney@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Frances Langford show
Are there any tapes or cassettes of the Frances Langford show available
for loan or purchase? I would very much like to hear this show.
Elizabeth Minney
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:50:05 -0400
From: "Holm, Chris " <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Death of cassettes
Audio tapes may not be top of the line anymore, but they're not quite dead
yet. Automakers are still putting tape decks in cars by the millions. I
suspect that the growing popularity of listening to books on tape while
driving might be keeping the car companies from abandoning tape decks.
-Chris Holm
(Not to mention that there are many in the hip hop and techno communities -
like club DJ's - who buy all their music on vinyl, and then copy to tape for
listening in cars)
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:26:01 -0400
From: Richard Pratz <[removed]@[removed];
To: "OTR (Plain Text Only)" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Bertha Brainard
I need help from OTR sleuths. I'm researching Bertha Brainard. Bertha who
you say? Well, she is sometimes called "The First Lady of Radio"....although
I believe there were others. She went on the air in 1921 at WJZ (Newark)
with her show "Broadcasting Broadway" consisting of theatre reviews and news
of upcoming theatre events. It was the first time a woman had been on the
air at WJZ. She went on to become the first woman executive at NBC
(Producer, Programming Manager, National Commercial Manager) and retired in
1948 after a 27-year career in radio. She even helped launch Rudy Vallee's
radio career in 1929 when, as Program Manager, she went to bat for him
saying "Only a woman could relate to the hypnotic power of his voice." I
have lots of information about her but none regarding her birth and death
dates and locations. Anyone have any reference books containing this? I'd be
most appreciative.
Rich
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:26:28 -0400
From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: the 1996 Telecommunications Act
Ms. McLeod and others have commented on the sad state of affairs that
prevails today in radio, wherein Clear Channel owns 2/3 of stations, and
the remainder are clones of one another, few featuring any local
programming. Indeed, under the circumstances, any hope of ever regaining
the variety of programming we once enjoyed, in the Good Old Days of Old
Time Radio, seems remote. How did this come about, and who is to blame?
Did it all start with the the 1996 Telecommunications Act under Clinton?
Or is it more complicated than that? Is there any hope of undoing this
sorry situation, or should we give up on traditional broadcast radio and
turn our hopes toward satellite radio instead?
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:26:45 -0400
From: John Henley <jhenley@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re Old Time Radio Siblings
Ron Sayles asked,
Maybe this subject has been approached before, but are there any siblings of
old time radio stars who are entertainers today?
Ron, I think the word you want here is "children" or, if you
wanna exercise the language, "progeny." "Siblings" are those
who have at least one common parent - in other words, brothers
and sisters and half-brothers/sisters.
In any case: How about Nancy Sinatra and Frank [removed]
I guess only Frank Jr. is fully active
I'm sure others can come up with better examples.
John Henley
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:27:27 -0400
From: "Tony Bell" <t_bell61@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: RE: Suspense & Dead Earnest/Hawaii Calls
I hadn't heard the "Suspense" episode mentioned with Joseph Cotten, but I
remember Marc Stevens played the role very similar to that one in an episode
called "Dead Earnest". He was on the morticians' table about to be embalmed
when the attendant somehow realized he wasn't dead. I don't remember all
the specific details, but it is a great episode.
On a completely different OTR subject, does anyone remember a Mutual show
called "Hawaii Calls"? I was reading about it in Dunning's book.
Apparently, it was hosted by Webley Edwards, who I have heard on CBS News
reports, and it featured hawaiian music, which, as far as I can tell, hasn't
been done before or since. Anyone have any recollections of this show?
Tony Bell
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:27:49 -0400
From: Mleannah@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Long live tape!
Thank you, Alan Chapman, for sticking up for tape. People also predicted tape
would fade when CDs first appeared. The simple fact is, some people prefer
tape so there will be a market for it and someone will keep manufacturing it.
For the record, I was born after the days of radio and have a lot of
computer equipment, but I resist some of the things that are available to me.
There is something I don't like about radio shows on MP3. I suppose the day
will come when, on the Internet, I will find that for x number of dollars, I
can buy the complete collection of Jack Benny shows on one neat little CD. I
wouldn't want it. All the fun of collecting, trading, corresponding, would be
gone.
I love music and have a large collection of CDs, but I still prefer
listening to my old LPs. This will probably never change. If I have to pay a
little more because equipment is scarce, so be it. Look what I'm saving by
not jumping at every new thing that comes along.
Mike
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:27:59 -0400
From: "Scott Eberbach" <seberbach@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Joseph Cotten
Hi All!
In response to Larry Albert's query about Joseph Cotten on [removed]
episode he describes also appears on The Prudential Hour as "Breakdown".
Hope this helps!
Scott
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:44:39 -0400
From: "Bob Burchett" <haradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cincinnati Convention
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
On Tuesday June 11, 2002 the Windjammer restaurant / banquet facility was
torn down.
As many of you know the first Cincinnati Old-Time Radio & Nostalgia
Convention was held in Kentucky. The second year we moved to the
facilities under the Windjammer and stayed there through the eleventh
one. The COTR&NC was the last function held in the Windjammer. We have
10 years of memories of great stars, friends and moments of excitement in
this facility. They are memories that we will always cherish, and now
we can never go back to & reminisce.
The city of Sharonville says this is an exciting time for the city. They
see a larger "glitzy" convention center, office towers,skywalks, trendy
shops and underground telephone & utility wires. They are even
considering reconfiguring the raod. What they invision will bring more
tourist and businesses to the area.
HOW DOES THE RADISSON SEE IT. Frank Hardin, Radisson's general manager
states "the Windjammer Restaurant will be replaced with an ASPHALT
PARKING LOT and likely a TENT to provide meeting space. Beyond this Mr.
Hardin would not discuss renovation [removed]
Especially after our experiences with the Radisson this year, for them I
consider this their usual excellent decision making. Thank goodness the
Cincinnati Old-Time Radio & Nostalgia Convention will be reborn next
year, April 11 & 12, 2003, at the Best Western Hotel on Route 4 at
Interstate 275. In comparison you will feel that you have gone from the
place down in the "holler" to the Ritz.
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 16:39:00 -0400
From: dltnkt@[removed] (Dennis/Nancy Townsend)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Wally Maher?
Seems I have heard him on Suspense and
many other programs. I read where he died very young anyone know why
heart attack, car wreck, shot by a jealous husband? Wondered if anyone
might know?
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 17:10:37 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re:famous siblings
Ron Sayles asks;
are there any siblings of old time radio stars who are entertainers today?
here are a few that immediately come to my mind. (Or what's left of it).
Ed Begley Jr., son of that very popular OTR actor we knew and loved and who
went on to notable success in TV and films. (Obviously, Ed Begley by name.)
However, He didn't use "Sr." in his credits.
Sinatra had a radio career after first knocking around as a night club
singer. We know about his kids, right?
At least one of Dick Van Patten's kids tried their hand at performing.
An OTR child actor buddy of mine sired a formidable talent. Peter Griffith
fathered Daughter Melanie.
Then it is rumored that "Der Bingle" had a kid or two who tried their hand
in the business.
Do nephews count? Jean Hersholt of "Dr. Christian" fame has a nephew named
Leslie Nielson of "Naked Gun" fame.
How about baby brothers? Bob Hastings sibling Donald has an ongoing 40+
years on a TV soap.
I could probably come up with others, Ron, but let's hear from some of the
other posters. I'll kick myself if I overlooked some really obvious ones.
Regards,
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 18:55:32 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Children/Siblings?
My last posting asked about siblings of old time radio performers. What I
meant to say was children of old time radio performers. Sorry about the
confusion.
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 18:58:00 -0400
From: "Rodney w bowcock jr." <rodney-selfhelpbikeco@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Why Bailey quit Johnny Dollar
I'm sure this has already been answered, [removed]
When the show moved to New York, Bob Bailey wasn't interested in moving
to the opposite coast. He made one or two TV apperances (and a movie
appearance as a reporter?) before falling off the face of the earth. His
exact whereabouts for the following 20 years are largely unknown, and
from what I understand, probably aren't too pretty anyway.
rodney.
Past Tense Productions
Carrying Old Radio related films, and Hal Roach shorts, for $7 per tape.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 19:12:56 -0400
From: Derek Tague <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Celeb. children of OTR stars
Off the top of my head, in answer to Ron Sayles, are some more famous
"siblings, er, "children of Old Time Radio performer (all are actors unless
otherwise designated):
Barry Gordon (son of Bert "The Mad Russian" Gordon); Tony Roberts (son of
announcer Ken Roberts); Writer Anne Fadiman (daughter of moderator Clifton
Fadiman); TV producer Jim Burrows (son of radio- writer & dramatist Abe
Burrows); several Van Pattens (children of Dick Van Patten); child
actor-turned-TV producer Richard Correll (son of Charles "Andy" Correll);
Diana Canova (dau. of Judy Canova); Marlo Thomas (dau. of Danny Thomas);
David & the late Ricky Nelson (sons of Ozzie & Harriet Hilliard Nelson);
Singer Nancy Sinatra (dau. of Frank Sinatra); casting director Maxine Marx
(dau. of Chico Marx); Chris Elliott (son of "Bob & Ray's" Bob Elliott);
Country singer Hank Williams, Jr., (son of singer Hank Williams, who sang on
the "Health & Happiness Show"); radio personalities John & John R. Gambling
(following in the dynastic radio reign of John B. Gambling); Lewis J. Stadlen
(son of Allen Swift); Lucie Arnaz & Desi Arnaz Jr. (children of Lucille
Ball);
Efrem Zimbalist, jr. (son of opera singer Alma Gluck); Mary Crosby, et. al.
(children of Bing Crosby); pop singer Gary Lewis (son of Jerry Lewis); Dean
Paul Martin (son of Dean Martin); 1950s teen idol Ronnie Burns (adopted son of
George Burns & Gracie Allen); TV comedian Bob Einstein, [removed] "stuntman"
Super Dave Osborne (being the brother of the aforementioned Albert Brooks,
also the son of Harry "Parkyakarkas" Einstein); one of Eddie Cantor's
daughters (not Janet) is a writer who wrote the novel that inspired the Tony
Randall sitcom "Love Sidney"; singer Billy Preston, son of Ernestine
"Sapphire" [removed]
I'm sure this is just the tip of the [removed] Elizabeth?
Yours in the ether,
Derek Tague
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 20:53:47 -0400
From: "Ed Ellers" <ed_ellers@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cassette decks
Alan Chapman <[removed]@[removed]; wrote:
I don't know what the future is for tape, but there is still a wide variety
of tape equipment being manufactured. Don't judge the market for tape
players by Circuit City or other retail catch-all chains ... they only stock
what they can move in quantity.
As an example, Sony has four double-deck cassette units and two single-deck
models in their standard line, with prices ranging from $120-360, and
another four double-deck and two single-deck models in their ES line in the
$300-750 range. Circuit City only carries two of the cheapies (and one each
from Onkyo and Harman-Kardon); Crutchfield has a better selection, with four
Sony single-well models (and one from Denon) and three dual-well Sony decks
along with six of other makes. (One of those is a Pioneer with digital
signal processing, which might be worth considering especially if you want
to go back and forth between cassettes and a PC.)
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 20:54:13 -0400
From: "evan torch" <etorch@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Joseph Cotten and Hitchcock
In answer to numerous queries:
Joseph Cotten actually starred in a Hitchcock rendition (on TV) of Dead
Earnest with the title changed.
Dead Earnest on radio was a Suspence episode starring Wally Maher circa
1945-6, about a man with cataplexy who is in an accident and is taken to a
morgue; in the radio version, it is a note in his pocket which save's him
before imbalming.
Speaking of Joseph Cotten and Suspence, those of you who have "Stars On
Suspence" in the tape collection should listen to The Pasterback Box,
[removed] Not only is the story quite macabre, but the recording is either
from a single mike INSIDE the studio, or a rehearsal run-through. you can
hear the studio glass reflect the sound, the actors move around a bit and
there is a very loose feeling to the session which I have seldom heard in
OTR.
Evan Torch,MD
Atlanta
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 21:03:28 -0400
From: "jay ranellucci" <jayran33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: It's all relative
Hi again,
Ron Sayles wondered if anyone could add to his list of radio off-springs.
Here's a few off the top of my head. Sportscaster Tom Harmon and son Mark.
Sylvester "Pat" Weaver and Sigourney. Dwight Weist and Diane. Judy Canova
and Diana. John "The Shadow" and Anne. Not maybe performing today but
how about Sam & Jack Edwards or Ozzie & Harriet Nelson and sons David &
Ricky. or George Burns and Ronnie.
I'm sure there are more and if I thought a little longer I'd come up with
their names. But I'm sure others will.
Jay
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 21:04:03 -0400
From: GOpp@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Joseph Cotton on Suspense
Is there a Suspense expert in the crowd?
I'm no "Suspense" expert, but the information
I have on the episode is as follows:
SUSPENSE - "Dead Ernest"
Broadcast May 8, 1947, on CBS. Starring Wally Maher.
An unusual and classically suspenseful tale of a cataleptic
mistaken for dead, and sent to the morgue to be embalmed
-- ALIVE. Includes an announcement that that show has
just won a Peabody Award for fine drama.
- Gregg Oppenheimer
[removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #218
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