Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #87
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 3/6/2002 8:51 AM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

------------------------------


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2002 : Issue 87
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Re: surviving shows                   [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]
  Suspense Hour-Longs                   [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Bill Robson?                          [ "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed]; ]
  Inner Sanctum episodes                [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Re: The Johnson Family                [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]
  Re: Rio Volt service                  [ Ga6string@[removed] ]
  Re: Roma Wines                        [ Christopher Werner <cwerner@globalc ]
  Re: Autolite And Roma Wines-Suspense  [ Ga6string@[removed] ]
  Star War on NPR                       [ Neal Ellis <bstenor@[removed]; ]
  #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig  [ lois@[removed] ]
  Re: Postage Stamps                    [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]
  Re: mp3 CDs players                   [ "Steve Whitbread" <rumpo@ecossetel. ]
  Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  Re: Inner Sancum Mysteries            [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  The Death of Spike Milligan           [ "david rogers" <david_rogers@hotmai ]
  Re: recording rehearsals              [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 22:04:35 -0500
From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: surviving shows

From: Jim Murtaugh <JimM@[removed];
On the other hand, one of the most popular and long running shows,
"Amos and Andy", have relatively few surviving shows?  You would
think that any show that appealed to so many listeners would have
been better preserved.

Both Elizabeth and I have been shaking our heads about this for years.
Around 1970 when I walked into NBC Central Files in New York and
introduced myself as the one cataloging the NBC Chicago holdings at
Northwestern, practically before I could finish the sentence Ruth Terry
Preston pounced on me with "Do you have any early Amos 'n' Andy???"  I
had to tell her that we had none except an insert in the 4/13/47 WMAQ
25th anniversary program and we figured that [removed] had some. When I
looked thru their card catalog I was dumbfounded to see that there was
practically nothing thruout the 1930s.  But I did have a tape straight
off the discs of the only two 1929 syndicated programs that had been
discoverd by that time, July 2 and 5, that I had found at the Broadcast
Pioneers Library.  Nobody had ever played them yet--BPL had no
facilities--so I had them send them over to the National Archives to dub
along with the 1925 and 1926 2LO international broadcasts.  So at that
point only the BPL, NA, and I had tapes of these, and so I gave NBC the
tape of the two A'n'As.

But Elizabeth has now cataloged how few other recordings have turned up
since then.  It is so astonishing that Gosden and Correll preserved the
scripts so well in bound volumes but had no apparent interest in
preserving recordings--even when that whole 1928-29 syndicated series
was already there ready to be saved.   (Speaking of that, I am still
trying to hunt up the tape I have of a very early syndicated episode
that I have been promising Elizabeth.  But I have at least found that
the matrix numbers were 4949-1 and 4950-l.  It gotta be here somewhere.
I found my Dempsey-Tunney fight tape, and I'll find this one too!)

Michael Biel  mbiel@[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:03:47 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Suspense Hour-Longs

Eric Cooper wrote:

The 60 minute version of Suspense was aired from January 3 to May 15,
1948 and was a noble unsponsored effort that did not catch on. Too bad,
there was some good stuff done on that version. Perhaps it was the
Saturday time slot? Any opinions?

I think it was the fact that listeners were used to a thirty-minute
time-slot, and sixty minutes was stretching the attention.  Any anthology
that starts out at a thirty-minute time frame with short mystery tales and
then expands to a full hour has to find some really addicting stories or add
a gimmick to keep listeners from tuning to a new channel.  Picking a present
high-rated program (to site an example) like The West Wing - would the
faithful viewers who watch it week after week, continue to tune in each week
if the show expanded to a two-hour format instead of an hour?  I think
viewers would slowly find something else to do for two hours every Wednesday
evening, as the weeks [removed]
Martin

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:04:03 -0500
From: "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Bill Robson?

Have been trying to recall the director whose gusto as a director caused him
to throw a cue right into the glass window of the control booth at KNX -
[removed] in a broken finger.  Could that have been Bill Robson?

Lois Culver
KWLK Radio (Mutual) Longview, WA 1941-44
KFI Radio (NBC) Los Angeles CA 1945-47, 50-53
Widow of Howard Culver, actor

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:04:45 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Inner Sanctum episodes

Kenny mentioned in a recent issue:
Over 500 episodes is a Long Way from a mere 80, so I am wondering if anyone
out there has some episodes that they may be willing to help me add to my
collection. I guess there isn't any such thing as a Complete program log
because they all seem to have skips in the numbering.

For the record, there was 534 episodes aired on Inner Sanctum Mysteries, and
one possible additional episode recorded specially for the AFRS but never
aired over American airwaves.  There was an Australian version of Inner
Sanctum but how many episodes aired in Australia is not yet known.

Of the 534 episodes, dozens of scripts were repeated and performed more than
once, "The Bog Oak Necklace" was performed three times during the series'
run (and even adapted for TV's LIGHTS OUT! series years later).

Probably one of the first primary logs of Inner Sanctum was created by Ray
Stanich in the early 1980s, and it's his log that's been floating about and
reprinted in almost every format on the web.  Sadly, there are many errors,
but corrections are being made all the time.  Inner Sanctum is one of those
few series that needs a book written about it, and there will be one in
print this October, with a complete broadcast log (with plots!) so the wait
won't be long.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:05:04 -0500
From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: The Johnson Family

From: Jack Gale <jackgale@[removed];
Subject: The Johnson Family
All the voices and characters were done by Jimmy Scribner. I was
fascinated by Mr. Scribner changing voices as fast as he did.
I started doing voices on my show, and had a fifty year career in
Cleveland, Boston, Baltimore, Charlotte, etc. He was my inspiration.

I've got a 16mm film (which I've not yet converted to videotape) of
Scribner's appearance on "You Asked For It" where he re-creates a
Johnson Family scene with about ten characters.  From the way you
discuss him, I know you would want to see this--but I won't have any way
to convert this till after the summer.

Michael Biel  mbiel@[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:27:00 -0500
From: Ga6string@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Rio Volt service

Jim Widner writes:
Have any of you just tried to call them on their 800 number?  I had an
issue and called them and got great service by telephone.

I did try to call them first, and was put on "terminal hold," after which I
resorted to e-mail, which as I said was also unsuccessful. Glad to hear you
had a good experience, though.
Bryan

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:27:31 -0500
From: Christopher Werner <cwerner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Roma Wines

At 10:33 PM 3/5/2002 -0500, Lynn Wager wrote:

Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 21:51:17 -0500
From: lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Autolite And Roma Wines-Suspense

Re: The sponsors of OTR Program-Suspense.

Also for any Wine drinkers out there, is Roma Wines
still in business?

I'm not so concerned if *Roma Wines* is still in business, but listening to
lots of Suspense shows during their sponsorship has one thing driving me
absolutely crazy. What happened to Muscatel Wine? Go ahead, check any store
- you'll find Chablis, Chardoney, Burgandy, Zinfindel, etc. *But no
Muscatel*. I don't get it. When I was in Georgia someone heard my whining
and offered me some wonderful sweet peach wine. But I can't find the stuff
in the Detroit area! I don't drink much at all (more of a german dark beer
fan, really) but listening to all those commercials really has me puzzled.

Did all the Muscat grapes die one winter? California - what's the problem?

I think I'll pour myself a glass of grape [removed]

Chris.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:27:45 -0500
From: Ga6string@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Autolite And Roma Wines-Suspense

My two cents' worth on the Suspense sponsors: I love the Roma Wine ads -- if
that product still existed, I'd buy it for the sole purpose of drinking it
while I listened to Suspense episodes! By contrast, the Autolite ads drive me
nuts -- listen to the number of times that the name "Autolite" is mentioned
in each broadcast. Enough, already! :^)
Thanks for listenin',
Bryan Powell

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:30:35 -0500
From: Neal Ellis <bstenor@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Star War on NPR

Someone mentioned the Star Wars Radio series broadcast by NPR in the
last issue.  They said it aired in 1993.  Acutally, it was originally
broadcast in 1981 as part of the NPR Playhouse and then it was
re-broadcast in 1993.  I have exact dates of both runs if anyone is
interested.

Neal Ellis
Sound Engineer National Public Radio
Librarian First Generation radio Archives

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 04:52:00 -0500
From: lois@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!

A weekly [removed]

For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
Network, the channel name is #OldRadio.  We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
over five years, same time, same channel!

Our numerous "regulars" include one of the busiest "golden years" actors in
Hollywood; a sound man from the same era who worked many of the top
Hollywood shows; a New York actor famed for his roles in "Let's Pretend" and
"Archie Andrews;" owners of some of the best OTR sites on the Web;
maintainer of the best-known OTR Digest (we all know who he is)..........

and Me

Lois Culver
KWLK Longview Washington (Mutual) 1941-1944)
KFI Los Angeles (NBC) 1944 - 1950
and widow of actor Howard Culver

(For more info, contact lois@[removed])

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 10:35:32 -0500
From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Postage Stamps

From: "vegan" <vegan@[removed];
My only question is whether or not (with the exception of Tesla) they
were being honored for their "stage & screen" work or as the pioneers
of radio's early years. Perhaps he would know if their recognition
paid adequate tribute to OTR.  Robert Dezendorf     Florida

Ironically, the device pictured alongside Tesla on his stamp was the
Induction Motor.  As for the performers, their media is never mentioned
nor illustrated.  The titles for the stamp sets or series are things
like "Comedians", "Performing Arts", or "Legends of American Music".  It
is significant, however, that there was a set titled "Stars of the
Silent Screen" which used similar graphics to that of the "Comedians"
set that consisted of Jack Benny, Bergen & McCarthy, Fannie Brice,
Abbott & Costello, and Laurel & Hardy.  However, they did not call it
"Comedians of the Screen" or something like that.  It was just
"Comedians".  L&H, of course, have minimal broadcasting credits.  The
stamp which features Judy Garland and Toto was actually the only one I
mentioned that would be considered non-broadcasting related, because it
was in the series "Film Classics" in tribute to "The Wizard of Oz".  (Of
course she sings "Over the Rainbow" in the film of a "Command
Performance" radio broadcast that was mentioned in the digest
yesterday.  And it's perhaps the best performance I've heard her do of
it, although Betty Hutton runs away with that film.  She's magnificent!
And A&C's version of Who's On First in that film is one of the best
they've done of that, too.)  Perhaps the only pure broadcasting
personality in the list I gave was Edward R. Murrow, and the title of
his stamp was just his name.

The stamps that have been issued that specifically relate to the OTR
background of the performers, and have included illustrations of radios
in the series, have been issued by some small countries and islands.  I
can't lay my hands on them right now, but I'll mention them when I come
across the box where they are.  There are several [removed] stamps that
picture radios --theres one in the 1920s souvenir sheet, and some in the
Progress In Electronics series.

But here's a trivia contest for the group.  I've spotted three [removed]
stamps that represent an actual OTR broadcast.  Can you spot any of
them???  And I don't mean the stamps that show a rock singer clutching a
microphone--those could be live concerts.  These three [removed] stamps each
show something that was actually a broadcast.  What are they?

Michael Biel  mbiel@[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 10:36:25 -0500
From: "Steve Whitbread" <rumpo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: mp3 CDs players
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

Rather than recommend a particular player here are a few pointers.

Things to check:
1. Quality of playback - both CD and mp3. If you can't actually try out a
machine use Google or similar to seach for ( 'mp3Player'sName + Review).
[removed] etc can be really helpful. (Repeat for headphones)
2. Bitrate - Can the player cope with all your mp3s whether they are recorded
at a Variable bit rate or a relatively low rate - Some can't deal with 32
kbps for example. Ditto sample rate.
3. Versatility - Will the machine also play your WMA, Mp3Pro and Ogg format
files? Will it play Winamp playlists? Can it be upgraded to do so?
4. Number of files - Some machines will only play discs which contain a
relatively limited number of files, often far fewer than the number of mp3s
it's possible
to get onto a standard CDR. Make sure you check.
5. Batteries - Size, number, playing time. Some are much more power hungry
than
others and the RCA needs 4 batteries! Can rechargeable batteries be charged
in the machine? How long does it take to recharge?
6. Ability to cope with shaking - Some players are better able to cope with
vibration than others, either because they are less sensitive or because
they have lots of anti-shock memory. (The TDK Mojo/Havin Exonion are
particularly strong in this respect)
7. Useability - How easy is it to navigate through all the files on a disc
and
find a particular show?
8. Quality of supplied headphones - Most that come with players are of low
quality. Make sure that you budget to add a better sounding/more
comfortable/more discreet pair at some stage.
9. Size - Size varies quite a bit (You can buy small machines which play mini
CDs but if you're already storing your files on CD that seems rather
fiddly - strange that there don't appear to be any mp3-MD machines though).
All except the i-River X-Slim are chubby fellows.
10. Weight - er, ditto (and remember to add on the batteries!)
11. Display - How big is it? How well illuminated. Does it actually display
the
information you want etc.
12. How you're going to use it. As a portable? In your car. Connected to your
hi-fi/pc. All of these? Different machines suit some roles better than
others.

Features
Firmware upgradeability
A line out connector - for connecting to your hi-fi (or with an adapter to
your car stereo)
In line remote - makes it much easier to use the machine as a portable.
Built-in radio - Not vital since you can get headphones which have this -
but a nice extra feature.
Resume a disc from where it stopped, Tone controls etc
Hold 'switch' which prevents you activating buttons when you don't mean to?
A case to attach to your belt/store the thing in.

A high spec machine will cost around $200 whilst an adequate machine can
probably be had for around $150. It's a question of whether you need extra
sound quality/features/upgradeability. Less than that and you're either
getting a bargain or compromising somewhere. As seen from the comments in
the digest so far, these differences can make a player an absolute pain or a
real pleasure to use.

Info
Having come late to the market, most of the big 'pop-fi' companies have now
released their own MP3 cd players. I'd forget about them - all seem to be
lacking in one way or other under the criteria above. It'll probably take
another year before they get it right.
All the best players seem to originate in Korea in fact: i-River sell their
own players in the US
and elsewhere, as well as making the Rio Volt machines and the AVC Soul
Players whilst Havin's Exonion is probably most familiar as the TDK Mojo.

One of the machines - in whichever livery - would probably suit your pocket
and particular
requirements. For more details about virtually all machines have a look at

[removed]

where you'll find link to the manufacturer's web sites and discussion boards
too.

[removed] may also be of interest.

Other
NiMH batteries are now cheap and don't cost much to recharge. You can also
now buy chargers which will completely recharge a 1800 mAh AA battery (even
one by itself) in about an hour and which can also be used in your car.
Rayovac's new fast charger is probably the best featured.

Steve Whitbread
(i-River X-Slim in case you were wondering)

(And what a pleasure it is to be able to take Mr Bartell with me wherever I
go)

  *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
  ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 10:36:35 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history

  From Those Were The Days --

1948 - Ralph Edwards created a quiz on radio's Truth or Consequences
called The Walking Man. After ten weeks of guesses by contestants
playing the game, it was finally revealed that Jack Benny was The
Walking Man.

  Joe

--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 10:36:59 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Inner Sancum Mysteries

Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 17:21:17 -0500
From: Musiciantoo47@[removed]
Subject: Inner Sancum Mysteries

Hello - I'm Kenny From Alabama.

  Welcome to the group Kenny.  Glad to have you with us.

would like to collect INNER SANCTUM, WITCH'S TALE, LIGHTS OUT, THE SHADOW,
BURNS 7 ALLEN,and CASEY, CRIME PHOTOGRAPHER ... Any help with any of these
will be greatly appreciated.

  I have found Streamload a great way to add to collecting.
[removed]
  And also check out the offerings available online from other
collectors:
[removed]~krb/stream/cgi-[removed]
   Joe


--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 10:37:55 -0500
From: "david rogers" <david_rogers@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Death of Spike Milligan

I feel that this subject has been commented on at great length and with
great insight by Mike Langworthy. However, I would just like to comment on
this remark about The Goon Show.

it was kind of nonsensical and certainly not up the to the standards that
Peter Sellers would achieve on his own or, for that matter, Monty Python's
Flying Circus

Humour is very individual and I feel it would be foolish to say that
something is funnier than something else. However, I would just say that
Spike Milligan was not only (in my opinion) a comic genius but in Britain he
was a comic institution. His popularity lasted well after the end of The
Goon Show and spanned a variety of generations. For many of us his humour
was something that we shared with our parents.
Maybe this is something that does not translate well to those reading this
in North America - I do not know enough of American humour to think of an
American equivalent - but it is not just that Spike Milligan and The Goon
Show were funny, they became an institution.
The only thing that I can do to show you what this meant to me (and I am
sure to others) is to tell you that I was in Australia visiting relatives
when Spike Milligan's death was anounced on TV. We all went "Wow" then we
all went quiet and then I started thinking about my father. Maybe that seems
a bit sentimental but I feel sure that there were others who had a similar
experience.
Love as always, David Rogers

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 10:38:37 -0500
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: recording rehearsals

 William L Murtough [removed]

I do not want to dispute Hal Stone but <SNIP>

SO????? You cut me to the quick!

 >as I recall some directors did
record rehearsals. However, it would be on disc at that time.

Methinks there had to be very extenuating circumstances, Bill

The only
one that I actually was involved in was Hogie Carmichael.  KNX
studio four, the organ studio.

Ah Ha! I knew it! Los [removed] They did things Bas Ackwards out there. :)
(Just kidding Harry!)

After doing the dress rehearsal, he came into the control, bringing his "jug"
with him,

He never brought me anywhere! But Boy! I was a big fan of his.

Undoubtedly Bill, there are, as they say, exceptions to every rule. If Hoagy
"nipped", they probably recorded him early in the day to make sure he could
find the keyboard. :)

All I know is that I was told that NBC made transcriptions as infrequently
as possible because of costs. And in the early days of Archie, if I wanted a
copy of a show, I had to arrange for facilities at WOR to record it on disc,
directly off the air.

But then again, as an engineer, you probably worked on more shows than I
did, so I defer to your recollections. Keep the "pots" twirling.

Regards,
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #87
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