Subject: [removed] Digest V2005 #289
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 9/23/2005 6:29 PM
To: [removed]@[removed]

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                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2005 : Issue 289
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Re: Ted Davenport                     [ Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed]; ]
  9-23 births/deaths                    [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Dick Beals alert!                     [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
  The subject of [removed]            [ "Gary Dixon" <argy@[removed]; ]
  RE: Glenn Strange                     [ "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed] ]
  Frankenstein and Inner Sanctum        [ KENPILETIC@[removed] ]
  favorite detective shows              [ Brenda Johnson <brenda_j_johnson@ya ]
  Ed Murrow film                        [ "HOWARD BLUE" <khovard@[removed]; ]
  Wilms Herbert                         [ William Brooks <webiii@[removed]; ]
  Glenn Strange & Strange date          [ "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@charter. ]
  In Defense of Ron Lackmann            [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]

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

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 02:32:55 -0400
From: Fred Berney <fsberney@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: Ted Davenport

I just read Ted's posting and agree with him completely. I started
collecting radio shows back in 1952, at the age of 13, when my
parents bought me a tape recorder for my Bar Mitzvah. Those tapes
were the beginning of my collection and by trading with other
collectors I found more and more programs. Back in those early days
of collecting, we would trade on reel to reel tape.

When I received a tape from another collector, I would transfer it to
a master tape in real time. This is when I would get a chance to
listen to the tape and make notes so that I could write a short
synopsis. If the sound needed cleaning up, I would do it at that
time. Back then, I traded show for show. I heard of people asking for
more shows in return for what they had because it may have been rare,
but I traded with people who just wanted equal shows for a trade.

It was not until the last 5 years that I started buying
transcriptions disc. In one case I paid about $[removed] for a single
disc. I doubt if it is actually worth that much. I think I get into a
bidding war with someone who wanted the show to complete a
collection. I just wanted to hear the show.

I became a dealer to help offset the cost of the tape that I used to
save all these shows. I know that some dealers were actually making
enough money from their sales to make it their only source of income.
I have never been that lucky. My collection is small compared to
many, but I started by collecting the programs I remembered listening
to as a kid and then started finding other programs that I had never
heard of but sounded interesting.

When I hear of someone having a collection of hundreds of thousands
of shows, I wonder if they have actually listened to many of those
programs. There doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day for that to
be possible.

Ted makes a good point for keeping his collection on cassette. All of
my masters are on reel to reel tapes and then I made cassette masters
from those tapes to use when people would want copies on cassettes.
There was even a time when I offered 8 track tapes and I still have
some empty shells and a tape loader sitting around from that venture.

I am slowing transferring my collection to audio CD, not mp3. I'm
doing a little trading right now and I like the idea of not having a
generation loss by using the digital format. I have some old reel to
reel tapes that I got from other collectors that I have never been
able to use. They contain cross talk. Something that you will never
find on a CD if it is mastered correctly from the beginning.

Cross talk is something that should not happen to reel to reel tapes
but some collectors, in trying to save time, would record the left
and right channel at the same time and this could sometimes cause the
problem. Head alignment would have been another cause. Then there was
print through caused by storage or recording a tape at too high a
signal or using some of the very thin tape that was available back in
the 60's. And last was distortion, caused by recording the copies at
too high a volume.

I mention these things because with the age of CDs, copies can be
made without these problems. The key is to have the original CD
recorded correctly and then any digital copy will sound just like the original.

I have a hunch that the majority of collectors are not audio
technicians would probably accounts for some of the issues that we
had with tapes back in the old days. I was lucky that I owned my own
recording studio and was able to buy professional recorders for the
business and then use these machines for my OTR collection. I'm sure
a good number of the people I traded with did not have Ampex's  or Magnecords.

When I once talked about turning my entire collection into MP3 I was
told that if I did that, within a short time my collection would end
up on the Internet. So I dropped that idea but did want to at least
preserve and at times distribute my shows on CDs.

So now my collection consists of the original reel to reel tape, the
master cassettes and now master CDs. I think I could use a separate
house just for my collection.

Dealers like Ted put a lot of money into preserving this hobby. Right
now I have hundreds of transcription discs that I'm transferring to
CD. I'm not sure if any of these shows are rare, but they may be of
better quality than has been available. These discs cost me money and
I spend time and money getting them transferred. When I finally get
them transferred and put them up for sales, I doubt if I'll ever
re-coop the money that I invested in them, but at least I'll know
that they are now if a format that is easier for someone to listen
to. Not everyone has a 16" turntable.

OTR like a number of other hobbies is not free. Stamp collectors pay
for adding to their collection. Those who collect old cars pay a lot
more. OTR collectors may be able to trade for a while, but at some
point they will end up supporting the dealers who have helped keep
these shows alive.

This was written at 1 AM in the morning and I hope I have not rambled
too much. Ted, I support you and other dealers and collectors who are
able to bring new shows available. I've got a complete set of shows
that I've been asked to hold until the transcription disc can be
sold. I did the transfer and another collector paid for the
collection. So, I can fully understand why he wants to hold off on
distributing the programs until he get re-coop his cost.

Well, as I said it is late, or maybe it's early, anyway, I better get
some sleep so I can spend the time tomorrow getting more shows transferred.

Fred
[removed]

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Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 07:48:10 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  9-23 births/deaths

September 23rd births

09-23-1889 - Don Bestor - Longford, SD - d. 1-13-1970
bandleader: "Nestle Program"; "Jack Benny Program"
09-23-1893 - Louis Sorin - New York City, NY - d. 12-14-1961
actor: Pan Pancho "Cisco Kid"
09-23-1897 - Walter Pidgeon - East St. John, New Brunswick, Canada - d.
9-25-1984
actor: "Hollywood Calling"; "Screen Guild Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
09-23-1901 - Frederick Hazlitt Brennan - d. 6-30-1962
writer: "Shorty Bell" based on Brennan's stories
09-23-1907 - Rudd Weatherwax - Engel, Sierra County, NM - d. 2-25-1985
dog trainer: "Lassie"
09-23-1910 - Elliott Roosevelt - New York City, NY - d. 10-27-1990
commentary for the Mutual Network (Son of FDR) "Information Please"
09-23-1913 - Stanley Kramer - New York City, NY - d. 2-19-2001
film director: "Jack Benny Program"; "Stagestruck"
09-23-1920 - Mickey Rooney - Brooklyn, NY
actor: Andy Hardy "Hardy Family"; Ralph J. 'Shorty' Bell "Shorty Bell"

September 23rd deaths

02-16-1914 - Jimmy Wakely - Mineola, AR - d. 9-23-1982
country singer: "All-Star Western Theatre"; "Hollywood Barn Dance"
02-27-1909 - Carl Frank - d. 9-23-1972
actor: Jerry Malone "Young Dr. Malone"; Bob Drake "Betty and Bob"
03-30-1858 - DeWolf Hopper - New York City, NY - d. 9-23-1935
host-narrator: (Husband of Hedda Hopper) "Roses and Drums"
04-05-1917 - Robert Bloch - Chicago, IL - d. 9-23-1994
writer: "Stay Tuned for Terror"
04-17-1910 - Ivan Goff - Perth, Australia - d. 9-23-1999
screenwriter: "Lux Radio Theatre"
04-19-1900 - George O'Brien - San Francisco, CA - d. 9-23-1985
actor: "Anchors Aweigh"
06-20-1893 - Edwin Wolfe - d. 9-23-1983
actor: Curt Bradley "Pepper Young's Family"
06-27-1924 - Rosalie Allen - Old Forge, PA - d. 9-23-2003
yodeling cowgirl: "Grand Ole Opry"
09-12-1894 - Billy Gilbert - Louisville, KY - d. 9-23-1971
actor: "NYA Varieties"; "Rudy Vallee Rehearsal"
10-19-1930 - Wally Flaherty - The Bronx, NY - d. 9-23-1998
host: "Open Line"
10-27-1918 - Bill Ballance - Peoria, IL - d. 9-23-2004
talk show host: "Feminine Forum"; "Bill Ballance Show"
12-28-1905 - Cliff Arquette - Toledo, OH - d. 9-23-1974
comedian, actor: Thaddeus Cornfelder, "Myrt and Marge"
xx-xx-1911 - Murray Bernett - d. 9-23-1997
writer: "True Detectives Mysteries"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:18:26 -0400
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Dick Beals alert!
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Greetings and Salutations@

The daily reruns of the Focus On the Family produced NTR series "Adventures in
Odyssey" will be repeating one of the two episodes that feature our OTR
convention buddy Richard "Dick" Beals next Friday, 30th September. The episode
is called "Eugene's Dilemma,"  in which main character Eugene Meltsner and a
pre-adolescent computer-genius college student named Nicholas Adamsworth
(Beals) get caught up in a grades-fixing scandal. For more information on the
"Odyssey" show or to find a station near you that carries the programme, go to
the AIO website at [removed] and for more info on the Dick Beals
episode, try this link:
[removed];article=633

Best from the ether!

Derek Tague

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Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:37:13 -0400
From: "Gary Dixon" <argy@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  The subject of [removed]
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Hi!

I'd normally let this issue [removed] since it has been brought up
frequently in the OTR DIGEST, let's clear the air once and for all about
"HOARDING!"

If a person has a collectible in his or her library that's NOT in
[removed] it doesn't matter if that collectible is a book, a movie,
a classic recording, a radio show or a [removed] person who has the
collectible can make the call whether they wish to 'share it with others' or
not!   Over the years, it has become annoying to listen to various OTR
collectors whining about why a certain show or series hasn't been released by
the person (or company) who has a private copy (or holds the rights) to it!
So [removed] person (or company) gets the label: HOARDERS!

Isn't this a little childish?

Having been an OTR collector for more than 25 years, I know I have some shows
in my collection that aren't currently in circulation.  Does that make me feel
guilty?  NO!  Does that make me want to open up my library to anybody (whether
they're private individuals---or are connected with a company that distributes
this material and can make a few bucks)?  NO!   Why do some people  have the
attitude that because a show might be in the public [removed] it should
automatically offered to THE PUBLIC?

The joy of this hobby has always been in "the listening"---along with trying
to match voices with actors faces!  So many radio talents eventually showed up
on television or in a movie or two?   [William Conrad immediately comes to
mind].  Shouldn't that be the focus of collecting?  Not the number of shows
each of us has in our particular library?

During the 70s and 80s (when I was actively trading for Jack Benny, Suspense
and other OTR programs), I was lucky to connect with individuals who ENJOYED
[removed] just the ones who wanted to be the first to obtain a half million
programs in their libraries!  Real OTR Collectors and I always swapped stories
about our favorite shows. You could tell by our enthusiasm for the writing,
acting and production that it didn't matter how many GUNSMOKES, WHISTLERS,
BURNS & ALLENS or JACK BENNY'S we [removed] APPRECIATED WHAT WAS AVAILABLE
AND ENJOYED THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE!

The word: HOARDER is a cop-out! It reminds me of a disgruntled sibling who
gets upset because his brother or sister digested the last Oreo cookie!  Kinda
stupid, don't you think?

Face it!  We all enjoy collecting OTR (and related) [removed] just
because a few shows that some of us have aren't in general [removed]
this give others permission to act like idiots?  These are ONLY RADIO SHOWS.
Why do some collectors assume whether or not they're available will determine
'the fate of the planet?'

gary@[removed]

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Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 11:07:32 -0400
From: "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  RE: Glenn Strange

Someone correct me if I'm wrong; anyway, Glenn Strange plays Butch
Cavendish.

Wasn't it Glenn Strange who played Sam, the barkeep at the Longhorn, in that
weak TV adaptation of "Gunsmoke"?

Thanx,

 B. Ray

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

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 13:58:37 -0400
From: KENPILETIC@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Frankenstein and Inner Sanctum

Hi Gang -

Richard Pratz's posting in issue 288 reminded me of a humorous  happening at
an FOTR convention several years ago.   Rich wrote:

IMDB trivia on Boris Karloff notes that when Karloff died Feb. 2,  1969, one
newspaper obituary featured a picture of Frankenstein's  monster.
Unfortunately, the image was actually Glenn Strange in full makeup, not
Karloff.

At the FOTR convention, Raymond Edward Johnson was being honored.
As part of the tribute, a portion of an "Inner Sanctum Mysteries "  broadcast
was played over the Public Address System.  After the segment was  played,
Ray said, "That's not me, that's Paul McGrath".   His comment  drew a big
laugh from the audience.

Hope to see you in Newark -
Ken Piletic - Streamwood, Illinois

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Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 14:42:50 -0400
From: Brenda Johnson <brenda_j_johnson@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  favorite detective shows
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Hello,

I was interesting in giving my father a collection of radio shows.  He's
always loved detective dramas from all different series.  Are there any
specific favorites seasoned listeners could recommend?

Thanks,
Barbara

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Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 18:19:38 -0400
From: "HOWARD BLUE" <khovard@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Ed Murrow film

The New York Times and Newsday have given rave reviews to Good Night, And
Good Luck, George Clooney's new film about Ed Murrow and the McCarthy era.
Has anybody seen it?

Howard Blue

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

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 18:20:25 -0400
From: William Brooks <webiii@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Wilms Herbert

I have been trying to find a photo of radio actor Wilms Herbert, and a
bio of him also. His biggest roll was probably that on Richard Diamond,
Private Detective, where he played the inept Sgt. Otis and then doubled
as the butler for Helen Asher, the wealthy girlfriend of Diamond. He
played uncountable rolls as different characters in a vast variety of
show. I think he is a very over-looked actor. Any help?

Thanks,
Bill

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

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 18:59:55 -0400
From: "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Glenn Strange & Strange date
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Glenn Strange was a man I knew personally.  His appearances as the
Frankenstein Monster have been clarified by other contributors, but I remember
some things he told me about playing the part.
    He first portrayed the Monster in "House of Frankenstein".  Karloff did
not want to portray the creature himself any longer, but he did accept the
role of Dr. Neumann, an admirer of the late Dr. Henry Frankenstein (his first
name in the films) and who wished to follow in his footsteps.
Glenn told me he asked for advice on how to play the role from Karloff on the
set, and the kindly old actor advised him.   I can't remember what Glenn said
exactly, and I don't think he could recall Karloff's words precisely.   The
main point was, as I recall, not to think of the Monster as evil, but only
acting out of innocence or self-preservation.
    Glenn Strange mainly thought of himself as a Western actor.  He told me
that very early in his film career he was asked if he could drive a "six up"
-- a stagecoach with six horses.  The team of six was the reality in the Old
West, although often in movies you see a stage with only four horses, to save
money.  Well, Glenn came from a ranch and could rope and ride, and slop pigs
if necessary, but he did not actually know how to handle a six horse team.
But he wanted the job.
"Sure," he said.  He did not say exactly what happened, but he said after that
scene he spent TWO YEARS in the hospital.   I asked if he had sued the studio.
"In those days, if you sued, you never worked again."   He obviously recovered
and worked for almost forty years in the business.
    Something else struck my attention in the lists of births and dates.
Curley Bradley (George Raymond Courtney) was born
on September 18 of a certain year, and Jack Lester (Swineford) died on
September 18 of another year.  The events were 94 years apart.  Curley was
born in 1910, and died June 3, 1985, and Jack was born Aug. 10, 1915 and died
in 2004.   The two were great friends of each other, and I considered them my
closest friends among old time radio actors.  Both played wonderful Western
heroes -- Tom Mix and Sky King.   Now maybe I will find Fred Foy, still much
with us, was married on a September 18.  Just a curiosity, I suppose, but it
seemed striking to me.
    JIM HARMON

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Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 20:28:02 -0400
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  In Defense of Ron Lackmann
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It seems like it's "Gang Up on Ron Lackmann Week."  Pursuant to this topic:
Have I noticed mistakes in Ron's oeuvre? I have. What keeps me from getting on
a forum like this and citing them chapter-&-verse? That's easy. Ron's a friend
of mine.

His most recent book for Ben Ohmart is called " Comic Strips & Comic Books of
Radio's Golden Age," which can be obtained  via Ben's Bear Manor Media at
[removed] This book is a celebration of
radio programmes which also existed in either comic-strip or comic-book
form--whether the strip/book came first, as in the case of "Archie Andrews" &
"The Gumps," or whether  a popular radio show inspired a print version as in
the case of "Charlie McCarthy."  While perusing a copy, I said to myself "Hey,
wasn't there a short-lived 'Amos 'n' Andy' strip that Ron missed?" Well, if
you really want to read about the comic-strip A'n'A, you're going to have to
acquire Elizabeth McLeod's "The Original Amos 'n' Andy" from McFarland--not a
bad proposition if I do say so myself.

Ron Lackmann is often listed as a guest artist in the programmes for FOTR
conventions. It seems he was a child actor on "One Man's Family." That's what
we'd really like to read, Ron--your own OTR and early TV memories! Finally, as
a personal aside to Prof. Lackmann: you have a lot of friends and admirers in
OTR fandom, Ron,  who would be more than happy to proofread your future books
for the errors we've been reading others complain about. Don't ever hesitate
to ask.

Yours in the ether,

Derek Tague

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End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #289
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