Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #429
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 11/6/2002 7:40 PM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2002 : Issue 429
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  scarcity of cassette tapes            [ lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed]; ]
  Joseph Kearns and The Man in Black    [ "Ryan Osentowski" <rosentowski@neb. ]
  Beck's War of the Worlds              [ "Richard Dimel" <rdimel@[removed] ]
  Recent OTR Conventions                [ KMcCallum99 <otrtrader@[removed]; ]
  Newspapers then and now               [ "Richard Carpenter" <sinatra@raging ]
  #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig  [ lois@[removed] ]
  Re: Scarcity of cassette tapes        [ Ga6string@[removed] ]
  Audio cassette tapes                  [ EdHowell@[removed] ]
  More on the new "Dragnet"             [ Kubelski@[removed] ]
  Frank Parker et al                    [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
  Amigo, the "golden palomino"          [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
  FRONTIER TOWN                         [ "Gordon Gregersen" <gsgreg@pacifier ]
  Favorite flying cowboys               [ "Holm, Chris " <[removed]@delphiau ]
  March convention                      [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Japanese Radio Show                   [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  bobby benson & stuff                  [ "randy story" <bygeorge@[removed]; ]

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

Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 23:02:49 -0500
From: lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  scarcity of cassette tapes

On the subject of not being able to buy cassette tapes
in local department stores.  I live in a mid sized
city and I don't have problems finding tapes, granted
the stores are carring less.  If you request them at
the electronics dept and buy them regularly they will
keep stocking them.  Here are the stores I can still
get them at:

Walmart
Target
Shopko
Snyder Drug
Walgreens
Media Play
Some Best Buys

Other wise there are a few cassette dealers on line
that you can buy from.  Hey there's nothing wrong
with tapes that don't have a famous lable.  I use
an "In house brand" that I have found to be
superior quality even over many years of use and
storage.  Check out the internet!!!

Lynn

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

Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 23:03:08 -0500
From: "Ryan Osentowski" <rosentowski@[removed];
To: "old time radio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Joseph Kearns and The Man in Black

Hi all:
I heard a story once and I wonder if anyone on this list can verify it.  We
all recognize Joseph Kearns as the voice of the Man in Black during William
Spier's tenure on Suspense.  However, there was about a five-week period in
1944 when he was replaced by John Mcentire.  I heard somewhere that it was
because a soldier broke his jaw and he couldn't work.  Is this true?
Also, am I the only one who feels that Mcentire was the better Man in Black,
as it were?
RyanO

"Walking Alone and Marching Together."

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

Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 23:34:03 -0500
From: "Richard Dimel" <rdimel@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Beck's War of the Worlds

Glenn Beck's version of the radio classic "War of the Worlds" can be heard
over streaming audio at Glenn Beck's official web site:
[removed]

However, you will need to subscribe to the site in order to download the
stream.  The cost is $[removed] for 1 month, $[removed] for 6 months, or $[removed] for 1
year.

If you're not a Glenn Beck fan, 1 month is more than enough just to listen
to his version of "War of the Worlds."

Frankly, no one did it better than Orson Welles.  Stick with the original.

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

Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 23:36:48 -0500
From: KMcCallum99 <otrtrader@[removed];
To: OldRadio Mailing Lists <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Recent OTR Conventions

X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative by demime [removed]
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

Howdy Folks and greetings to the digesters,

I've been a subscriber to the list for about two years. I've been tempted to
post a few times in the past but I've held back because I haven't had
anything original to contribute. Many folks here are so knowledgeable, they
end up answering any questions I might have had just by reading through the
back issues I've saved. But this time is [removed] I just have to tell you
how much I enjoy this forum !

I've have absolutely loved reading the reports from the recent FOTR and
SPERDVAC conventions. Unfortunately, my work schedule made it impossible to
be there this time. Charlie's daily reports on the panel discussions and
recreations have me so excited that I am definately going to make plans to
attend at least one of those next year. I had the pleasure of meeting Laura
Leff and Dan Hughes earlier this summer in Waukegan and now I'm really
looking forward to meeting more of the digesters at these conventions. I am
already making plans to attend the Jack Benny convention ([removed])
in Los Angeles in February.

Thanks again Charlie for those excellent reports!

Eric Brolund
(aka KMcCallum99, KM99)
Calgary, Alberta

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 00:30:34 -0500
From: "Richard  Carpenter" <sinatra@[removed];
To: "OldRadio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Newspapers then and now

  As someone who has spent the last 40 years writing and editing for
newspapers large and small, I strongly agree with Elizabeth McLeod that the
papers of the past could be shoddy indeed. Truthfulness wasn't always a
valued commodity, and sensationalism abounded. Today's newspapers have
higher standards and are generally better all around (that, however,
doesn't mean they're more fun to work for). The problem today isn't
quality, it's readership -- especially by young people. They simply don't
read newspapers, even the dumbed-down ones. I fear what that means for the
future of the print medium. Maybe we should get Britt Reed, owner and
publisher of the Daily Sentinel -- when he isn't busy being the Green
Hornet, that is -- on the case.

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 04:52:05 -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 Nov 2002 10:13:51 -0500
From: Ga6string@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: Scarcity of cassette tapes

I've had good luck finding 60-minute cassettes at such office supply
retailers as Office Depot. Also, I live in Atlanta, and have the great
fortune of being reasonably close to a fantastic store called Tape Warehouse
that has just about anything you can ask for.
Take care,
Bryan Powell

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:30:36 -0500
From: EdHowell@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Audio cassette tapes

Long's Electronics (800-633-3410) carries audio cassette tapes from 10 to 122
minutes in length. These have plain white cases for labeling. Long's also has
labels, packaging, high speed duplicators, etc. I have bought from them and
they are a prompt and reliable company, located in Alabama.

[ADMINISTRIVIA: I second the recommendation; they can be reached on the web
at [removed]  --cfs3]

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:30:55 -0500
From: Kubelski@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  More on the new "Dragnet"

For those interested in holding their noses, a profile of the new television
version of Dragnet that will premier shortly is in today's New York Daily
News, here:

[removed]

Sean Dougherty
Kubelski@[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:37:04 -0500
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Frank Parker et al

Two very kind OTR Digest readers have sent me copies of the Bing Crosby
Chesterfield program with Arthur Godfrey and Perry Como.  Thank you so
much!  This was one of many cross-guesting appearances on Chesterfield
programs during that week, broadcast the first week of April 1950, during
the Tobacco Distributors Association convention in Chicago.  I wonder if
similar things happened other years, perhaps hosted by other tobacco firms?

Unfortunately, this Crosby program is not the one where Messrs. Godfrey and
Crosby got into a funny discussion about their respective frozen orange
juice companies Hi-V and Hi-C.  I have the Perry Como show from that week
with the same gang; it's not there, either.  So, I think that repartee must
have been on the Arthur Godfrey program, where they all appeared
together.  I'm still hoping that someone will come up with a dub of that
show!  Please!

There was a lot of kidding in all those programs about their mutual
sponsor, Chesterfield Cigarettes. Liggett & Myers were running an
advertising campaign at the time, in which Chesterfield cartons and
advertisements carried pictures of the three, calculated to fit in with
their ABC slogan "Always Buy Chesterfields", with Arthur, Bing, and Como
providing another ABC set of Chesterfield alphabet soup.

One of my generous colleagues included a Martin and Lewis show, the radio
version of which I'd not heard before.  My other friend added two outings
of the syndicated "Frank Parker Program" circa 1943.  I had not even been
aware of that show.  It doesn't appear in my reference books, presumably
because it was syndicated.  As there are some pauses during the program
during which one can still hear needle hiss, I assume they were on ETs,
done so local commercials could be inserted.  I'd like to receive more of
these shows, if possible.  These two are numbered 65 and 66.  Thanks so
much, [removed] truly do appreciate these additions to my collection!

Frank Parker was joined in the program by announcer Andre Baruch, who
surprisingly mispronounced Oscar Hammerstein's name as Hammersteen.  Shame
on you, Mr. Barook!  Well, I guess we all have our days.

Also appearing in solos and paired with Mr. Parker was Kay Lorraine.  The
orchestra leader was Paul Baron.  Mr. Dunning informs me that Kay Lorraine
had been on "Your Hit Parade" c. 1937-38  with Buddy Clark.  This was
before he was succeeded in turn by Lanny Ross, Frank Sinatra, Lawrence
Tibbett, and then Johnny Mercer, to name a few.  Miss Lorraine was on
"Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street" with Dinah Shore in the early
1940s.  This ran on NBC Sunday nights.

Paul Baron popped up on all the networks.  He led the orchestra on
"Luncheon at the Waldorf" on Blue.  The hostess of this program was Ilka
Chase, backed up by the writing of Edith Meiser.  Baron went on to direct
the orchestra on "Mystery In The Air" on NBC, during the summer of
1945.  He led the aggregation behind Hildegarde in her  CBS "Raleigh Room"
program 1946-47, then moved to Mutual in the summer of 1949 for "This Is
Paris" which featured such Gallic stars as Maurice Chevalier, Yves Montand,
and Claude Dauphin.

I'd appreciate any additional information readers may have on Miss Lorraine
and Maestro Baron.  Is it possible that either one is still with
us?   Presumably Baron is not the same Paul Baron that led the "Harmonica
Rascals" after the death of Borrah Minevitch, nor a more recent trumpeter,
and even later rock musician.  An Internet search came up with many other
Paul Barons, including one who contributed greatly to the tool we are now
using every day.  This should be of interest to us all:

"When Paul Baron first developed the concept that became today's Internet,
he was trying to solve a military problem. His 1964 proposal described a
communications network that had no central authority and could adapt to
massive failures -- therefore one that could not be easily disabled by
enemy bombardment. Baron's solution was to break communications down into
small pieces, each labeled with the address of a remote
computer."  -MacTech Online Vol. 14 Issue 2

And I'm always looking for Frank Parker on various programs, plus any help
in locating him.  I believe he is now living somewhere in Florida, perhaps
the Melbourne area.  I believe he is still alive at 99 years!

My thanks again to all the kind people who have sent me programs, comments,
memorabilia, and reminiscences!  I wish I could name you all, but this is
running long as it is!

As Mr. Godfrey was wont to say, "All contributions gratefully
received".  Many thanks!

Lee Munsick		That Godfrey Guy

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:39:16 -0500
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Amigo, the "golden palomino"

Ronald Staley asked: 

Does anyone have an mp3 or cassette of the golden
palomino children's story. Or, does anyone have the original bobby
benson story about same?

And John Mayer replies:

It was released as a children's record. After half a century I still
recall from that story that the palomino's name was Amigo, and that Bobby
Benson sang a song with the horse's name in it. In fact, I still
remember the grace notes in the "mi" syllable. Memory's a funny thing,
assuming it's not all something I imagined. BTW, the actor that played
Bobby Benson (assuming the same kid played the part both on radio and
record) was at the one and only OTR convention I have been able to attend,
in Cincinnati; I gather he frequently attends conventions.

This Decca record was released in 1950 and I have a cassette copy of it.
Actually there are two actors portraying "Bobby" on the disc. Ivan Cury
had all the dialogue and Bobby McKnight sang the songs, including
"Amigo." It runs less than  9  minutes. The third Bobby Benson, whom
John met in Cincinnati, is Clive Rice, who had the role after Cury and
McKnight, using his professional name of Clive Campbell. Cury and Rice
are alive and well, respectively, in California and Virginia,  and both
occasionally attend OTR conventions. I have not yet been able to locate
McKnight.

By the way, quite a few radio heroes rode "golden palomino's", including
Bobby Benson, Straight Arrow (his time-slot partner), Sky King, and of
course, Roy Rogers.  "Golden palomino" is one of the most frequent
redundancies in [removed] other color could a palomino be?

Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:39:13 -0500
From: "Gordon Gregersen" <gsgreg@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  FRONTIER TOWN

I have been following several recent postings concerning Frontier Town.

There were 47 episodes made, with Jeff (billed as "Tex") Chandler starring as Chad
Remington in the initial 23, with Reed Hadley as Remington in the latter 24.

Wade Crosby appeared as Remington's pal Cherokee O'Bannon in all 47 episodes.

Earle Ross, better known as Judge Horace Hooker on The Great Gildersleeve, appeared
as Judge Daniel Fillmore in 8 of the first 18 shows.  Virginia Gregg played the Judge's
daughter Libby (Chad's romantic interest) in show #2 only.  The identity of the actresses
portraying "Libby" in the other shows is unknown to me.

Cast lists that I've kept show the following most common suporting players: Virginia
Gregg (14 shows), Jim Nusser(8), Ken Christy(7), Ed Max(5); Bill Bouchey, William
Woodson and Stan Farrar, at 4 shows each.

Finally, Bill Forman was the announcer for all but the initial four episodes.  The
announcer for the first four is unknown to me.

IMHO, FT wasn't a great show but it was entertaining, full of action and gunplay,
and had some wonderful actors on the broadcasts.

Gordon Gregersen
Portland, Oregon

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:39:32 -0500
From: "Holm, Chris " <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Favorite flying cowboys

In #426, Stephen Kallis Jr. wrote:

My favorite OTR title conferred upon a hero was in Sky King.
He was billed as "America's Favorite Flying Cowboy."  That
title was so specialized that I can't think of a legitimate
challenger.

	It's not OTR, but my favorite flying cowboy is Major Kong - the role
played by Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove.

-Chris Holm

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:39:40 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  March convention

For anyone within driving distance of Williamsburg, Virginia, the
Williamsburg Film Festival will be holding their annual nostalgia convention
on March 6 - 8, 2003.

They will have in attendance as guests, Ed Kemmer who played Buzz Corey on
both tv and radio's SPACE PATROL.  Frankie Thomas, who starred as Tom
Corbett, Space Cadet on both the radio and tv versions will also be there,
along with his friend Jam Merlin, who played Roger Manning on Tom Corbett
(both radio and TV).

I went to attend last year, and I have to admit that of all the film
conventions I've attended, this is the only one that has a nice crowd as
friendly as the OTR conventions.  I do know at a couple OTR dealers will be
there setting up, and there may even be a radio recreation like they did
last year.  (I even saw a couple OTR fans there attending also.)

Be sure to check it out, and if you're planning to spend a night at the
hotel, it's only $[removed] a night but grab it early cause after they sell out,
it's a task finding someplace nearby.
[removed]

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 19:52:31 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Japanese Radio Show

Joe Salerno asked:

Just curious. In the 30s and 40s, did other countries produce radio shows as
well and did they have any characters that captured the public's imagination
there like they did here - Jack Benny, Amos 'n Andy, Lone Ranger?

My wife said that in the 40s in Japan there was a program called, "What's My
Name" and it had a similar effect that "Amos 'n' Andy" had in this country. It
was a love story that appealed to women. My wife relates that when this
program wa airing the female bath houses were empty because all the women were
home listening to "What's My Name." Reminds one of the toilets flushing all at
once when "Amos 'n' Andy" program finished.

Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Make your day just a little better, listen to Olde Tyme Radio!

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

Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 21:28:33 -0500
From: "randy story" <bygeorge@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  bobby benson & stuff

my friends,
of late i have been reading some items about a program that i remember as
being titled BOBBY BENSON. it was apparently a juvenile western from the
late 40s. and i had also read that don knotts had a role in some of those
[removed] of my favorite comic actors. i was wondering if any of you might
have a sampling of the show and could give me some more information about
it. i might be overlooking it in dunning; was there another title for the
series or are my eyes playing tricks on me again?

thanks,
randy story
[removed]
what part did knotts play and are there recordings of his work on the show
preserved anywhere?

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #429
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