------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 395
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
SUPPERTIME FROLIC [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
Re: London After Midnight [ "Scott Eberbach" <seberbach@earthli ]
fm&m sound effects and belts [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
Arthur Godfrey's Last Show [ "Doug Leary" <doug@[removed]; ]
Maybe real OTR buffs can keep tradin [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
Charlie Chan on Radio [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Re: MP3 [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
who killed radio [ leonardfass@[removed] (Leonard Fass ]
Philips 212/Birdie's Mystery Cake [ "steven kostelecky" <skostelecky@ho ]
Fred Allen [ "steven kostelecky" <skostelecky@ho ]
Arthur the Fallible [ "Richard Carpenter" <sinatra@raging ]
Pop vs Soda Survey [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
Jukebox/TV combination [ Backus2@[removed] ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Godfrey [ EdHowell@[removed] ]
Name That Actor [ ArtsMilitaria@[removed] (Arthur Fun ]
Re: MP3 again [ "Shawn A. Wells" <swells@[removed] ]
Bob Hope, American Variety, and Radi [ NorthernRd@[removed] ]
WTIC memories [ "Robert Angus" <rangus02@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:13:40 +0000
From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: SUPPERTIME FROLIC
Randy Blake [not his real name] hosted [actually owned, since he bought
the time from the station] this nightly show hear on WJJD, 6-8 PM, in the
mid '40s. Randy was an importer of 'cheap' merchandise, which he sold
from his warehouse through the program. Randy sounded [not his real
voice] like a real hillbilly, and smoked VERY expensive [removed]
Sandy [my real name]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:13:51 +0000
From: "Scott Eberbach" <seberbach@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: London After Midnight
Hi All!
London After Midnight's reputation as a great horror film has reached
legendary proportions over the [removed] likely due to its "lost" status,
a handful of mouth watering stills, and, of course, the great Lon Chaney in
the title role. Actually, according to what I have read, this is a rather
average to mediocre film and not really a horror film. It is more a mystery
with horror trappings. The exact same film was re-done in 1935 by MGM and
is known as The Mark Of The Vampire. This film, which is the exact same
story as London After Midnight, features Bela Lugosi (the vampire,
naturally), Carroll Borland (a female vampire), and Lionel Barrymore ( a Van
Helsing type doctor). Both films were directed by Tod Browning. Since our
cable system doesn't carry TCM :^( I'll have to have a friend tape London
After Midnight for me when it airs. Those who are interested might want to
check out The Mark Of The Vampire and see how it stacks up to London After
Midnight. In fact, it is on right after London After Midnight!
Scott
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:14:37 +0000
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: fm&m sound effects and belts
Subject: Gene Twombley
He supposedly
also did effects for Fibber McGee and Molly, according to an Associated
Press story that moved on the wire in 1968.
This won't be of much help, but the vocal group on Fibber McGee and Molly
once did a song devoted to, and presumably entitled, "the sound-effects
man." They ran through much of the show's sound-effects repertoire in the
song, finishing up with Fibber's front closet w/ bicycle bell. The last
line of the show gave the man's name, which as close as I could figure out
was one Virgil Rhymer (spelling phonetic, of course.)
Anyone else remember this?
. ...........................
PRB (Projector Recorder Belt) is a large supplier of belts for turntables,
cassette recorders, open reel, and VCRs. If you have any large electronic
hobby stores around your area they might carry them.
Since I moved from So CA to Northern Il, I'm no longer near such a place. But
I took the belt measurements from my two Panasonic turntables to my local
Radio Shack. They had to order them, but I had the belts in less than a week.
About $[removed] apiece, and big surprise, the belt packages had PRB numbers on
them.
I'm glad to tell you that PRB is essentially a mail-order outfit, and a
very good one, too. They were going by the name of Premium Parts Plus a
few years ago. They sell belts to stuff nobody has ever heard of,
including Bell and Howell movie projectors and Unimat lathes. If you have
to replace a belt that's totally disintegrated or otherwise missing,
they'll work with you to figure out the proper replacement. One of their
classic triumphs is the *cloth* belts that were used on several old
reel-to-reel tape machines.
They also deal in rubber idler wheels. If they don't have a new one in
stock, they'll rebuild your old one with new rubber. Dunno how they do it,
but they rebuilt an idler wheel from the weirdest Thorens turntable I ever saw.
The PRB product line still exists, but they've been bought. This URL
should summon them up, however:
[removed]
M Kinsler
512 E Mulberry St. Lancaster, Ohio USA 740 687 6368
[removed]~kinsler
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:17:39 +0000
From: "Doug Leary" <doug@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Arthur Godfrey's Last Show
I have to admit I've never listened to Arthur Godfrey's show. Did his
orchestra have musical quirks, and they do anything special to commemorate
their swan song?
Aside: Doc Severinson's orchestra always finished the Tonight Show opening
theme with "shave and a haircut, two bits," intentionally flubbing the last
two notes. But on the occasion of Johnny Carson's last show they finally
finished on key. Having heard those squeaky notes *thousands* of times, I
remember that the sound of that simple phrase, at last played perfectly and
with tremendous feeling, was a very emotional experience. Shows you what
sound can do, even in a visual medium.
Doug Leary
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:18:47 +0000
From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Maybe real OTR buffs can keep trading
after all
In a surprising turn of events, the Supreme Court agreed to consider the
validity of the Bono/Mickey Mouse copyright extension, which has threatened
to hamstring activities of the true lovers and promoters of OTR for the
last couple of years.
Details can be found at:
<[removed];u=/ap/20021007/ap_on_hi_te/copyright_challenge_2>
[Sorry, Mr. Tollin, that I have not had time to respond to your comments;
soon, I hope.]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:14:56 +0000
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Charlie Chan on Radio
Randy Story reminded me of another Chan film worth catching, especially if
you love old-time radio. It's called MURDER OVER NEW YORK and featured my
favorite of the Chans, Sidney Toler. The story involves a murder that
takes place at a radio station, and Charlie having to solve the mystery
among the humdrum of the daily routines of radio actors and their
plays. It's fairly entertaining and OTR fans would get a kick out of it.
(Another film that is worth looking up is WHO DUN IT? starring Abbott and
Costello, as murders are being made at a radio station, while murder
mystery plays are being broadcast at the station at the same time - and
this was tongue in cheek wit and humor spice throughout.)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:17:25 +0000
From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: MP3
Peter & Ilene Osroff left a message about what encoding setting to use for
OTR on MP3. A size of 320 was mentioned. That may be over kill, but I'd
rather see people go with higher than necessary quality rather than too low
quality.
I think 128 or 160 or even 192 is more than adequate. Many here will
probably say a much lower rate, but I found that using 128 allowed me to
playback a file on any MP3 player.
It is nice to see someone using a high quality rate. Maybe it will start a
trend.
Fred
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:18:17 +0000
From: leonardfass@[removed] (Leonard Fass)
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: who killed radio
some one should write an analysis; those at npr who think they are in
radio are in something very different. we need two [removed] radio in its
golden age(s) is not radio [removed] those who don't hear the difference
should visit a newspaper archive and check the schedules for radio
[removed] and there are no schedules for [removed] because radio does not
[removed]
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:16:37 +0000
From: "steven kostelecky" <skostelecky@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Philips 212/Birdie's Mystery Cake
Hey Folks,
I need some help here. First of all, I have the Philips Expanium AZ 1155,
their mp3 boombox and it plays everything fine, albeit with a little
problem in file name length. Does anyone know about the Philips Expanium
212 Walkman-type portable player, in relation to otr mp3? I am taking a
train trip next week and am thinking of getting an mp3 for the road. I may
wind up with the Rio Volt SP 250 that Lou Genco's site recommends. Any
other suggestions that I can buy in a reasonably common store? You can
email me offline if you like. Thanks.
The other thing is that I'd like to try the cake Birdie makes in Gildy 514.
They had a contest to name the cake, but the recipe was on the label of
Kraft Cooking Oil. Does anyone have it? It means my wife will make our
family something special from Birdie's kitchen. Just wondering.
Thanks so much.
OTR fans are the best.
Steve
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 22:17:04 +0000
From: "steven kostelecky" <skostelecky@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Fred Allen
I have just started listening to the 1932-33 or so Fred Allen Linit shows
and think that it is pretty obvious that at the time his show was much more
tightly written and the comedic characters more rounded than Benny's at the
time. Benny's show hadn't hit its stride by this time and I just think
those who don't care for Allen might listen to these shows and get an idea
about what all the fuss was about. You can tell there is a master humorist
at work here and that radio had a much different shape at that time--Allen
sticks out like a sore thumb in the late Forties when shows were slicker
but also had a set in cement outlook on what listeners wanted.
Just a thought.
Steve
PS This missive is not influenced by the fact that I am the administrator
of the Fred Allen list on Charlie's Phorums.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:34:00 +0000
From: "Richard Carpenter" <sinatra@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Arthur the Fallible
Lee Munsick writes:
Arthur Godfrey and His Talent
Scouts ... gave vital national exposure and a boost up to many, many
performers who went on to stardom. They included Patsy Cline, Eddie
True enough, but Arthur Godfrey and His Talent Scouts turned down a
singer who had a modicum of success even after that rejection. His name was
Elvis Presley.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:32:55 +0000
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Pop vs Soda Survey
You recall that we had a pop vs soda discussion some months ago. I
receive the weekly Yahoo Picks (websites) and this week one of the featured
sites was The Great Pop vs Soda Survey where you can become part of the
database. The researchers are from Cal Institute of Technology and Lewis
and Clark U. Kind of fun.
Here's the Yahoo blurb on it:
<<Americans love their soft drinks. Turns out they also love their pop,
soda, and Coke -- it all depends on where you live. Since the introduction
of the carbonated beverage in 1886, regional lines have been drawn. This
site uses the Web to gather data on which word North Americans use to
describe their carbonated drinks. Want a soda? Head to the Northeast. How
about a pop? Michigan and Ohio are your best bets. Looking to quench your
thirst with a Coke? Get on down to the South. If you order a Coke or a pop
at the farthest reaches of the [removed], the residents of Hawaii and Maine will
know immediately that you're not from those parts. Check out the site's
large map to see the distinct differences in carbonated beverage
nomenclature, then take the survey and let the world know what puts the fizz
in your glass. (in Food & Drink)>>
[removed]~almccon/pop_soda/
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:34:12 +0000
From: Backus2@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Jukebox/TV combination
In OTR Digest #392 "randy story" asks about a device he saw depicted in a
Charlie Chan movie which combined a jukebox with a "TV'" set.
This brought back a memory from my misspent youth of devices in saloons
called "Scopitones" on which one could hear a song and watch it performed. I
seem to recall Nancy Sinatra performing "These Boots are Made for Walking" on
one of these. I always wondered what became of them. ( The devices, not Nancy
Sinatra's boots)
I believe there was an even earlier device that allowed the customer to
communicate his request for a song directly to a live DJ via phone line.
Dick
Backus
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:34:25 +0000
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
>From Those Were The Days --
1935 - The O'Neills debuted on CBS. The theme song, Londonderry Air,
opened the 15-minute soap opera. The O'Neills aired Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays at 7:30 [removed] In 1936 it moved to daytime where it stayed
until 1943 on NBC's Red and Blue networks and on CBS, too. One of
radio's original soaps, it was sponsored appropriately by Silver Dust,
Ivory soap and Ivory soap flakes.
1935 - Wedding bells pealed for a singer and a bandleader who tied the
knot, making radio history together. The bandleader was Ozzie Nelson and
the singer was Harriet Hilliard. They would make the history pages again
on this very day -- nine years later.
1944 - The first broadcast of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet was
heard on the CBS network. The show would continue on until 1953 when it
moved to ABC TV from 1952 to 1966. "Hi Mom, Hi Dad, Hi Dave, Hi Ricky."
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:33:14 +0000
From:
EdHowell@[removed]
To:
<[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Godfrey
Was that Arthur Godfrey who had an early morning show on WSB (Covering Dixie
like the dew) back in the late '30s or early '40s before he became famous?
There was a fellow with a voice and mannerisms like his back then. Dad and I
used to listen to such a show on early winter mornings and I have had the
idea all along that it was Godfrey. Maybe someone on here knows.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:35:18 +0000
From:
ArtsMilitaria@[removed] (Arthur Funk)
To:
<[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Name That Actor
This morning while driving to work I listened to a Rocky Jordan episode
#81, 5/14/50, Congo Copper. One character, a Congolese man, was
portrayed by someone whose voice I recognized. If it is who I think, I
have seen him many times on television shows and I think he is still
acting. If so, then he is one more OTR actor still working.
He has a distinct, very deep bass voice. As I recall his physical
appearance he is a well-built, tall man. If anyone can help, I'd sure
like to know his identity. I found it noteworthy that a black man was
cast in the part inasmuch as radio was a totally non-visual medium and
caucasians usually took non-caucasian roles.
A plug: Anyone who likes mystery/adventure programs who hasn't heard
Rocky Jordan is missing a treat. I very much enjoy Jack Moyles and Jay
Novello in this series.
Regards to all,
Art Funk
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:35:01 +0000
From: "Shawn A. Wells"
<swells@[removed];
To:
<[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: MP3 again
Fred mentioned the problems with playback devices for Old Time Radio
Shows recorded at less than desirable rates in mp3 format. Many people
get confused over this issue, and I have, from time to time, tried to
explain this topic to the best of my ability. Some play back devices
will only play the higher rate encodings (128/44 or above) in addition,
some play back devices will only accept high rate encodings that are in
stereo. Keep in mind that the encoding rates directly reflect the
quality of the sound itself. But, just because an mp3 is coded high
doesn't mean it will sound great, because everything depends on the
quality of the source used, quality playback machines, good sound card,
software, etc. For example, say you had the 'top of the line' cassette
recorder and you decided to make a copy of a cassette that sounded
terrible. The copy you would make would sound as terrible as the source
even though you had the best cassette recorder on the market.
Without going into a huge discussion on this topic, if your interested
in hearing the difference, you can sample about 50 different titles on
my website, and there is roughly 100+ titles that I have done thus far
that are all encoded high and will play on any device that will accept
an mp3.
I'll be at the Jersey convention so maybe I can talk Fred into allowing
me to take part in the discussion and helping out where I can.
Thanks
Shawn A. Wells
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:34:42 +0000
From:
NorthernRd@[removed]
To:
<[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Bob Hope, American Variety, and Radio
The Library of Congress has created an excellent web site about Bob Hope and
about the history and legacy of vaudeville in the United States.
Included is an extensive section about his work in radio:
[removed]
Alan
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:34:34 +0000
From: "Robert Angus"
<rangus02@[removed];
To:
<[removed]@[removed];
Subject: WTIC memories
Does anybody out there have recordings of locally-originated programs from
WTIC Hartford, Conn. prior to 1980? I have a few for trade, including the
45th anniversary show, snippets from the morning drive-time Bob Steele show,
several of the Dick Bertel OTR programs and a few other items, but I'm
particularly interested in earlier items like the Norman Cloutier Orchestra
and The Merry Madcaps (both of which also made a few recordings). Items
like Quiz of Two Cities and Ben Hawthorne's Morning Watch would also be
welcome. I also have lots of non-WTIC items for trade.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #395
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