Subject: [removed] Digest V2008 #5
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 1/6/2008 9:26 PM
To: [removed]@[removed]
Reply-to:
[removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2008 : Issue 5
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  serendipity, plus Fran Striker        [ karl tiedemann <karltiedemann@hotma ]
  The Great Debate, continued           [ Mark Higgins <paul_frees_fan@amerit ]
  1-6 births/deaths                     [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
  Cello buttons                         [ Dick Fisher <w9fjl@[removed]; ]
  Bill Idelson                          [ "thomas heathwood" <HeritageRadio@m ]
  US MARINE BAND                        [ "thomas heathwood" <HeritageRadio@m ]
  The Dream Hour                        [ "Arthur Funk" <Art-Funk@[removed]; ]
  surviving V&S members                 [ Rodney Bowcock <pasttense_78@yahoo. ]
  A Day in the Life of Dennis Day       [ Andrew Steinberg <otrdig2@[removed] ]
  That ain't the way I heerd it, sonny  [ Wich2@[removed] ]
  May we keep Christmas all the year!   [ Wich2@[removed] ]
  OTR Actor Harry Shearer Explains his  [ Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed] ]
  Re: Barrymore Scrooge                 [ TIMOTHY M KELLEY <tmk1_99@[removed]; ]
  Diction on the air                    [ DanHaefele@[removed] ]
  Bill Idelson                          [ Stuart Lubin <stuartlubin6686@sbcgl ]
  Back in the saddle, though not until  [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
  Unsolved Mysteries - 1930s            [ Chargous@[removed] ]

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 01:15:02 -0500
From: karl tiedemann <karltiedemann@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  serendipity, plus Fran Striker

Ah, me.  Is there any keener pleasure for the collector of old radio (or old
TV, for that matter) than to run across some wonderful, previously
unsuspected, nugget tucked away in the midst of  a show, or group of shows?
I had such an experience several years back when I acquired a bunch of
FLEISCHMANN HOURS and found that, on one of them, Howard and Shelton were
doing a verion of Who's On First-some years before Abbott and Costello even
met.  Hot stuff for the comedy archaeologist.

I've just recently had a couple of similar experiences, via some mp3 disks I
purchased from [removed]  First, there was a series called THE AUTHOR MEETS
THE CRITICS, a fascinating late 40s show in which writers would confront a
couple of book reviewers-one pro and one con-and they'd have an unscripted
exchange about the author's latest work (they also occasionally covered plays
and films).  Now, I was already finding the series very absorbing, with
people ranging from Norman Corwin and Arlene Francis to James Michener, Louis
Untermeyer and Norman Vincent Peale arguing-often quite heatedly-over
Communism, protectionism, prose style, the A-bomb, baseball, and humor: great
social history (in great sound, too).

But, one show in particular stood apart.  It featured Henry Morgan who was
there to talk about his first movie SO THIS IS NEW YORK, with Merle Miller
(who hated it) and Russell Maloney (who loved it)-- and it was a full half
hour of totally spontaneous and very funny cut-and-thrust.  A real little
jewel for admirers of [removed]

Secondly:  I was already having a good time with a disk of sixty-minute
episodes from that wonderful series, THEATRE GUILD ON THE AIR, what with such
light and rollicking fare as "Strange Interlude," "A Doll's House,"
"Macbeth," "1984," etc.  Finally, I took a listen to what looked like one of
the less interesting entries, "Rip Van Winkle."  I was surprised to see that
it was actually a satirical comedy starring Fred Allen.

Much of its running time actually takes place backstage at the Guild show and
is filled with satirical swipes at the Guild, radio networks, giveaway shows,
etc. (even, obliquely, at one point, Whittaker Chambers!).  And the
supporting cast includes Kenny Delmar, Mary Wickes, Arnold Stang, Ruthie
Gilbert and Thelma Ritter!  What's not to like?

Again, who [removed]  I sometimes think old radio and video vendors might be
cheating themselves out of many sales by not providing fuller details about
their shows; there's certainly room for them in cyberspace.

Also wanted to mention:  I seem to remember months ago someone asking if
anyone knew where to find a copy of HIS TYPEWRITER GREW SPURS, by Fran
Striker, Jr.  I have one and I'd be glad to lend it via mail to whomever that
was if he wants to drop me a line.

Adieu.

Karl Tiedemann (NYC)

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 01:15:49 -0500
From: Mark Higgins <paul_frees_fan@[removed];
To: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  The Great Debate, continued

In the discussion of head to head between the great voices of radio and
television commercial characters, I would be remiss if I didn't throw into
the ring Paul Frees, who was often known to debate himself in his occasional
radio talk show interviews.  Frees, who is best known for his Boris Badenov
and Cap'n Peachfuzz on Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Ludwig Von Drake on Disney,
was also prolific in his commercial work.  He was Poppin Fresh the Pillsbury
Doughboy, Toucan Sam for Froot Loops, and the guy in the Green Giant
commercials who said "Hey Green Giant, What's new besides Ho, Ho, Ho", and
the insect that yelled "RAID", among others.  Often, when he was interviewed
on a radio talk show, Frees' callers would pose situations like "Do Boris
Badenov in an argument with Ludwig Von Drake".  I'm sure that Toucan Sam had
it out with Poppin Fresh, also.

Mark Higgins
President, Milwaukee Area Radio Enthusiasts

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 01:15:59 -0500
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  1-6 births/deaths

January 6th births

01-06-1878 - Carl Sandburg - Galesburg, IL - d. 7-22-1967
poet: "Cavalcade of America"; "Columbia Workshop"
01-06-1880 - Tom Mix - Mix Run, PA - d. 10-12-1940
legend: "Tom Mix Ralston Straightshooters" based on his life
01-06-1897 - Billy M. Greene - NYC - d. 8-24-1973
actor: Sheriff McGrath "His Honor, The Barber"
01-06-1903 - Francis L. Sullivan - London, England - d. 11-19-1956
actor: "[removed] Steel Hour"
01-06-1907 - Helen Kleeb - South Bend, WA - d. 12-28-2003
actor: Sarah Tuttle "Dr. Kate"; "Gunsmoke"
01-06-1911 - Joey Adams - Brooklyn, NY - d. 12-2-1999
host: "Rate Your Mate"
01-06-1912 - Danny Thomas - Deerfield, MI - d. 2-6-1991
actor: Amos "Bickersons"; Postman "Fanny Brice Show"
01-06-1913 - Loretta Young - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 8-12-2000
actor: "Family Theatre"; "Four Star Playhouse"
01-06-1913 - Tom Brown - NYC - d. 6-3-1990
actor: "Texaco Star Theatre"; "Suspense"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
01-06-1914 - George Reeves - Woolstock, IA - d. 6-16-1959
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Crime Does Not Pay"
01-06-1917 - Dan Cubberly - Colorado - d. 10-6-1991
announcer: "Rocky Jordan"; "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar"
01-06-1918 - Buddy Weed - Ossining, NY - d. 5-25-1997
musician: "Old Gold Party Time"; "Lanny Ross Show"
01-06-1921 - Robert Weaver - Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
editer: "Ten for Wednesday Night"
01-06-1930 - Rita Lloyd - Brooklyn, NY
actor: "Let's Pretend"

January 6th deaths

02-23-1883 - Victor Fleming - Pasasena, CA - d. 1-6-1949
film director: "Gulf Screen Theatre"
04-22-1902 - John W. Vandercook - London, England - d. 1-6-1963
commentator: "Newsroom of the Air/News of the World"
05-14-1910 - B. S. Pully - Newark, NJ - d. 1-6-1972
comedian: "Command Performance"; "Mail Call"
05-26-1905 - Margaret Fuller - Butler, PA - d. 1-6-1952
actor: "Attorney At Law"; "Today's Children"
05-30-1899 - Ruth Perrott - d. 1-6-1996
actor: Prudence Rockbottom "Meet Me at Parky's"; Dottie Brainfeeble
"Vic and Sade"
06-19-1863 - William A. Brady - San Francisco, CA - d. 1-6-1950
theatrical producer: heard twice weekly on CBS during 1934-1935
06-26-1891 - Octavus Roy Cohen - Charleston, SC - d. 1-6-1959
writer: "Amos 'n' Andy"; "The Personal Column of the Air"
08-01-1910 - Alice Frost - Minneapolis, MN - d. 1-6-1998
actor: Pamela North "Mr. and Mrs. North"; Martha Jackson "Woman of
Courage"
09-24-1900 - Poley McClintock - d. 1-6-1980
comedic singer: "The Fred Waring Show"
10-02-1915 - Chubby Wise - Lake City, FL - d. 1-6-1996
musician: "Town and Country Time"
10-21-1917 - Dizzy Gillespie - Cherow, SC - d. 1-6-1993
musician: "This Is Jazz"
10-29-1873 - Walter C. Kelly - Mineville, NY - d. 1-6-1939
actor: (The Virginia Judge) "The Eveready Hour"
12-01-1915 - Johnny Johnston - St. Louis, MO - d. 1-6-1996
singer: "Rhapsody in Rhythm"; "Club Matinee"; "Duffy's Tavern";
"Breakfast Club"
12-01-1933 - Lou Rawls - Chicago, IL - d. 1-6-2006
singer: "Here's to Veterans"
xx-xx-xxxx - Frank E. Butler - d. 1-6-1948
co-inventor, with Lee DeForest, of the audion tube

Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 01:16:23 -0500
From: Dick Fisher <w9fjl@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Cello buttons

This question is connected to OTR only because "Cello" buttons were used
as radio premiums for various  shows from kiddies shows to the soaps.  I
have several in my collection.  My question is what is the meaning of
"Cello"?  If you Google cello you get the musical instrument.  Of course
many political buttons and many other buttons are advertised as
"Cello".  I have always wondered what that means.

Please reply off digest with any help.

Thanks.

Dick

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:37:00 -0500
From: "thomas heathwood" <HeritageRadio@[removed];
To: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Bill Idelson
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We'll try and do a little remembrance of Bill on Heritage Theatre the week of
Jan. 13th. I will hold off on doing a repeat of his interview on our show
for
now, but maybe play it later if folks think we should.      Tom Heathwood

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:37:57 -0500
From: "thomas heathwood" <HeritageRadio@[removed];
To: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  US MARINE BAND
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Re: Jack French's query - The title of the NBC show that featured the US
Marine Band was:  The Patriotic Dream Hour" and two shows do exist
from
1942.  It was also known as "Music For Shut-ins"
The 15th NBC Anniversary
show (11/15/40) included a number by the US Marine Band.
Numerous recruiting
shows with the band were also syndicated over the years as I'm sure everyone
has heard, and I feel sure they were heard on countless other radio programs
as guests through the golden days.       Tom Heathwood

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:37:46 -0500
From: "Arthur Funk" <Art-Funk@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  The Dream Hour

In OTR Digest #4, Jack French inquired about this program.  I found the
following references in Google.

[removed]

In 1919, when radio broadcasting was in its infancy, [Taylor] Branson [[removed]
Marine Corps Band Director, 1927-1940] became identified to radio fans
across the country as the leader of the orchestra of "The President's Own"
that broadcasted from Station NOF, Naval Air Station, Anacostia, Washington,
[removed] In 1929, Branson inaugurated "The Dream Hour" radio program, the
longest running radio program of its kind. It was intended to bring the
music of the Marine Band from the John Philip Sousa Band Hall to invalid
shut ins. The March 28, 1940, broadcast of the "Shut-in Program," as "The
Dream Hour" became, was in honor of Branson's more than 40 years of service.
In attendance at the Band Hall was then-Marine Corps Commandant General
Thomas Holcomb.

[removed]

John Philip Sousa, the neighborhood's most
famous son, spent 19 years here. In 1868 Sousa's
Marine Bandsman father persuaded the 13-year-
old to apprentice to the Marine Band instead of
running away to join a circus band. Twelve years
later Sousa was named leader of the Marine Band
and was on his way to becoming the "March
King," composer of dozens of stirring marches that
remain popular worldwide. During his director-
ship (1880-1892), Sousa wrote Washington Post
March and Semper Fidelis, among many others,
and the band began the extraordinarily popular
concert tours that continue to this day. The band's
renown spread even farther after it made one of
the earliest phonograph recordings (1889) and
helped pioneer live broadcast radio in the early
1920s. In 1931 the NBC radio network began a
record-setting 29 years of broadcasting the Marine
Band in "The Dream Hour."

Regards to all,
Art Funk

Art's Militaria
(813) 840-9606
[removed]

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:38:17 -0500
From: Rodney Bowcock <pasttense_78@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  surviving V&S members

Not to take away from the loss of Idelson, both to the
hobby and those who knew him, but David Whitehouse,
who portrayed Russel is indeed still with us.

Rodney

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:39:05 -0500
From: Andrew Steinberg <otrdig2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  A Day in the Life of Dennis Day
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Jerry H's log shows the premiere show of Dennis Day as 461003 Masquerade
Ball. The NYT agrees the premiere show on 46-10-03 and
with the guest Jack Benny. Jack Benny was not in the show I have labeled as
Masquerade Ball 461003. Radiogoldindex lists a Dennis Day show on 46-09-26
starring Jack Benny (with a plot of How did Dennis get his own show?) and
Masquerade on 46-10-03.

On the Jack Benny show of 46-09-29 Jack Is Upset Phil & Dennis Have Shows,
Mary says that Dennis will start his own show on Thursday which would be
October 3.

The simplest explanation is that Jack appeared on the premiere on 46-10-03
(which was not Masquerade), and Masquerade was on another date possibly the
next week. Another possibility is that the plot of Masquerade was re-done on
a later date and my copy is misdated. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:39:58 -0500
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  That ain't the way I heerd it, [removed]

From: jack and cathy french <otrpiano@[removed];

The [removed]  Marine Corps Band is advertising ... "a recreation of THE DREAM
HOUR, one  of the longest running radio programs in history ... How
is it possible that  this  long tenured network show has escaped
the notice of every OTR  historian?

Dear Jack-

Off the cuff, two possibilities:

1. The show was better known by another name: [removed], "Carnation  Presents"
(The Dream Hour), or "The Old Gold Hour" (presents The Dream Show),  [removed]
2. It's a fantasy name, with a fantasy history, created for this  nostalgic
pastiche?

Best,
-Craig W.

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:42:00 -0500
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  May we keep Christmas all the year!

From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];

Lionel Barrymore  was too ill to appear in 1937, and that year the Hollywood
Hotel "Christmas Carol" featured his brother John in his place.

Dear Elizabeth & gang-
 
Oh, for a [removed] I would love for this to turn up, as I have a sneaking  
suspicion Jack "does" Lionel here - as he did in his own STREAMLINED 
SHAKESPEARE  "Twelfth Night, " at around the same time.
 
So, the 1939 Campbell Playhouse was one of only two full-hour  broadcasts 
of the story to feature Lionel Barrymore --

Alas. Again, though it's been often done, I don't think the story survives  
compression down to 30m. I've heard several of these later "shorties," but have 
 a hazy memory of another CAROL being part of a long omnibus broadcast, as 
with  the '34, rather than free-standing? (Still, likely not [removed])
 
Best,
-Craig

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:42:21 -0500
From: Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  OTR Actor Harry Shearer Explains his Love of
 Radio in The New York  Times

This interview with former Jack Benny actor Harry Shearer is about his love 
of radio, which persists today.

[removed];ref=fashion&oref=slogin

Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed] 

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 12:10:03 -0500
From: TIMOTHY M KELLEY <tmk1_99@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re:  Barrymore Scrooge

As I've always understood it, the reason John Barrymore performed the '37
"Christmas Carol" was the death of Lionel's wife Irene.  Not Lionel's own
health.

Tim

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 12:10:25 -0500
From: DanHaefele@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Diction on the air
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Evan Torch's observation that Dick Powell  was a "lazy reader" who "misreads
constantly" is very accurate.  And it  reminded me of something that happened
Saturday.  I was recording for  SPERDVAC the Lux production of "After the Thin
Man" (6-17-1940) and found that  William Powell (who I am NOT confusing with
Dick Powell) seems to be slurring a  lot of his words, almost sounding a
little intoxicated.  Not exactly the  kind of diction we expect of radio
performers!

Dan Haefele
SPERDVAC Acquisitions Chair

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Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 14:24:38 -0500
From: Stuart Lubin <stuartlubin6686@[removed];
To: Time Radio Digest Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Bill Idelson

Bill Idelson's obituary appeared in the Los Angeles
Times, today, January 6, 2008.

[removed],1,[removed]

Stuart Lubin

 

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 15:11:44 -0500
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Back in the saddle, though not until 1945

In the Those Were the Days listing for January 7 we read:

1940 - The gate to Gene Autry's Melody Ranch opened. The 'singing
cowboy' would entertain on CBS radio for the next 16 years.

Not quite.

Recalling "The Horse Operas" chapter of my text "Music Radio:  The Great
Performers and Programs of the 1920s through Early 1960s"
([removed]) p. 197:

"Gene Autry's Melody Ranch was devised as a vehicle to feature the
ex-cowpuncher and his vocals.  It debuted on the ether January 7, 1940.
Autry remained with it for three and a half years before ending the show
himself.  In 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps.  By mid-1943 it was clear
that he couldn't pursue that call and do that show.  While on the air one
evening in July 1943, the 35-year-old star was administered an official oath
of [removed]  The show itself was disbanded on August 1, 1943.  Autry became
a flight officer, flying Air Transport Command craft to North Africa and
China.  He was stationed overseas for two years.  When he returned from his
tour of duty it was like deja vu transpired.  CBS immediately found a slot
on its evening weekend schedule for him [resuming Sept. 23, 1945], and his
earlier sponsor, the William J. Wrigley Company, once again stepped up to
the plate.  Wrigley, in fact, underwrote Melody Ranch for the duration of
the series' radio [removed]  It was one of the most enduring star-sponsor
pacts in the annals of evening broadcasting."

Jim Cox

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

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 18:10:55 -0500
From: Chargous@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Unsolved Mysteries - 1930s

This 1930s 15-minute program used to be fairly common 15 years ago, but
it's very hard to find today.  Anybody have lo-gen reels of this?  Charlie
Chan and the Landini Mystery is in the same boat.  All the Tarzan series
are pretty hard to find (the ones of the 1930s series), and also Moon over
Africa isn't that easy to find.  What's happened to all these series?

In the Art Fleming days of When Radio Was, shows like this would be aired
on the show, which is why I listened regularly.  I rarely listen anymore.

Travis

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2008 Issue #5
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