------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 176
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re: Allen at the Belmont [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
About the screen saver: [ "Nemesis@[removed]" <nemesis@[removed] ]
OTR screensaver [ "Richard Carpenter" <sinatra@raging ]
Derek Tague thinks he's off subject! [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
Radio Spirits [ Denise Francis <bookwoman1950@yahoo ]
Re: CBS's 75th [ John Mayer <mayer@[removed]; ]
Vale Ruth Cracknell [ tlr@[removed] ]
Re: Michael Hayde (and "Radio Goes t [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
Re: Richard Breen [ Brent Pellegrini <brentp@[removed] ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ lois@[removed] ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Costumed Casts [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
Big Band Remotes [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
Jim Jewell [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
OTR Obit [ Richard Pratz <[removed]@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 17:31:54 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Allen at the Belmont
Michael Berger wrote:
I heard an excerpt today from a Fred Allen show that is new
to me. Dated 1948 it was called Belmont on the Air.
Elizabeth or anyone else, can you provide some background
on this show?
This wasn't an actual radio program -- rather, it was a sort of ad-hoc
entertainment recorded by and for guests of the Belmont Hotel in West
Harwich, Massachusetts. The Belmont was a popular summer resort which
frequently attracted East Coast celebrities, and Fred and Portland
summered there regularly during the late forties, when Allen's health was
in serious decline, and his doctor wouldn't let him go up to Old Orchard
Beach, his usual summer haunt.
The Belmont Hotel featured a "Casino Stage," which hosted regular shows
by local talent, and while a guest, Allen was prevailed upon to
contribute to the productions. The recordings, which were apparently of
the "Casino Stage" productions, turned up in the 1980s, and if I recall
the story correctly, they were made on a home disc recorder owned by the
resort manager's son. Allen contributed the scripts and other hotel
guests contributed the supporting talent, and some of the material tended
to be a bit edgier than normal for Allen -- I recall hearing about one
skit revolving around the Ku Klux Klan, a subject Allen never would have
been allowed to address in any actual broadcast.
Most of the recordings that were found date to the summer of 1948 -- any
plans to continue the recordings during the summer of 1949 were derailed
by Allen's stroke that summer.
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 17:44:28 -0400
From: "Nemesis@[removed]" <nemesis@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: About the screen saver:
I downloaded the OTR desktop theme that Richard Carpenter recommended, but
can't find anything at the site he listed, [removed]
called "Golden Area." That's where he said an OTR screensaver can be
found. Has anyone else been able to find it?
Once you get to the home page, look for the "misc" part of the menu. Click
it and you'll get about 6 pages of different screens to choose. Look
through those pages til you find OTR. I tried it and found out it must be
popular! It had exceeded its bandwidth and basically said to call back
later
Linda T
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 18:14:59 -0400
From: "Richard Carpenter" <sinatra@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR screensaver
The OTR Screensaver I mentioned is part of "The Golden Era," a desktop
theme for those who have this Windows program. Click on "Start," then
"Settings," then Control Panel," then "Desktop Themes." There is a
drop-down menu that will say "Current Windows Settings." Click on the
drop-down arrow, then on "The Golden Era (high color.)" Check
"Screensaver" and be sure nothing else is checked. Hit "Apply," then "OK"
and the screensaver should be operative. If not, choose it by
right-clicking on your desktop, choosing Properties, then Screensaver, then
"The Golden Era," then "Apply" and then "OK." Hope this helps.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 19:14:53 -0400
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Derek Tague thinks he's off subject! Ha!
I am hoping someone out there is knowledgeable about Olsen & Johnson. They
of "Hellzapoppin" fame. Vaudeville and stage comedians and entrepreneurs
extraordinaire. Occupiers of the Milton Berle TV spot on the Texaco Star
Theatre during Berle's summer hiatus in 1949, then briefly had their own
show Thursday nights on NBC.
Undoubtedly they were guests on many radio programs, although I find no
record of any radio show of their own. And no, Chic (Ole) was no relation
that I know of, to Johnny Olsen!
I'm trying to learn if Olsen ever did a phony "ventriloquist" routine with
a person (perhaps Johnsen) sitting on his knee.
This actually has to do with my researches about Arthur Godfrey (what a
surprise). I've come across a photograph (courtesy of the ubiquitous 21st
century eBay) of just such a situation. Chic Olsen seated with Arthur
Godfrey on his right knee, his coat collar pushed up behind his head
apparently being held by Chic's right hand, a la the typical ventriloquist.
I have no idea where or under what circumstances the photo was
taken. Would love to find out. Certainly most unusual. Any help from any
quarter will be most appreciated! I'd even go 50 cents!
Thanks. Lee Munsick That Godfrey Guy
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 22:38:26 -0400
From: Denise Francis <bookwoman1950@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Radio Spirits
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
Being fairly new to otr I need to ask a few questions. I've never written to
the newsletter before, just enjoyed reading it for the past 6 months. Three
years ago I fell in love with OTR on the computer. Due to health problems I
didn't listen for about 18 mos. I got a laptop and now am able to listen
alot. The reason I tell you this is because in 1999 it seem alot more shows
were available to listen to that are now owned by RadioSpirits. Could
someone tell me how they own so many of the shows and make it unavailable for
just listening, not copying or selling? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I'd
love it if someone would answer me. You all seem so knowledgeable about OTR
and the more I learn from your newsletter, the more I enjoy the shows.
Thanks so much,
bookwoman1950@[removed]
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 22:38:51 -0400
From: John Mayer <mayer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: CBS's 75th
Eric J Cooper <ejcooper2002@[removed]; wrote:
...the Columbia Broadcasting System will celebrate it's 75th birthday on
September 18, 2002.
[removed] CBS is a Virgo.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 00:45:53 -0400
From: tlr@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Vale Ruth Cracknell
Vale Ruth Cracknell, who passed away this week in Sydney, Australia.
Ruth's radio appearances included:
Stairway to Fame 1954 (serial)
Lux Radio Theatre
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (The Musical)
various Shakespearian productions
1959 Command Performance Eps 07
Below are a couple of news articles about Ruth's passing. She will be missed.
Rod
Australia's first lady of theatre, film and television, Ruth Cracknell has
died
at the age of 76.
Cracknell's stage and screen career, spanning almost 60 years, made her one of
Australia's most respected and honoured actors.
Born in the New South Wales town of Maitland in 1925, Cracknell was raised in
Sydney.
She began her professional acting career on radio in 1945, followed with stage
acting, including a stint in London.
In a 57-year career she acted in classical and modern plays, Australian film
and television, and raised three children.
She was particularly skilled in comedy with her performance as Maggie in ABC
TV's Mother and Son a notable example.
She won Sammy, Penguin and Logie awards.
Cracknell was a member of the Order of Australia and named one of Australia's
Living National treasures.
She was an advocate of Aboriginal reconciliation and a patron of the arts.
********************************
Comedy queen Cracknell dead at 76
Ruth Cracknell, one of Australia's favourite actors, has died in Sydney after
a
long illness. She was 76.
Cracknell died of a respiratory illness in a nursing home shortly after a
visit
from her children, Anna Jeffery, Jane Moore and Jonathan Phillips, The Age
reported.
While her career in radio, revue, theatre, television and film spanned 56
years, it was as Maggie Beare in Geoffrey Atherden's Mother and Son that
Cracknell established herself as a national figure.
She was to become a TV personality and wear Maggie's nighties and cardies for
10 years.
Over the years, Cracknell has been celebrated with accolades and awards.
She received an AM in 1980, an honorary doctorate from the University of
Sydney
in 1985, and subsequent doctorates from the Queensland University of
Technology
and the University of Western Sydney.
Cracknell was recently named by Australia's National Trust in its list of 100
living national treasures.
Many Australians will remember Cracknell through her endearing role as the
dotty, yet keenly manipulative, matriarch of the ABC's long-running series,
Mother and Son.
The senile but ever-loveable Maggie Beare forged an intensely comic
relationship with her middle-aged son Arthur, played by Garry McDonald, when
he
moved back home to care for her after his divorce.
Her forgetful, confused, unceremonious and often crafty antics had Arthur in a
frazzle and her fans in fits of laughter.
Yet the show was never patronising of elderly people suffering the onset of
dementia as Cracknell played her part with an air of familiarity and
sensitivity to her character's condition.
Maggie kept a tight hold of the apron strings tethered to her little boy,
voiding Arthur's attempts at romance and life outside her domain.
With support from Henri Szeps as Arthur's too-clever brother Robert and Judy
Morris as his wife, Mother and Son was one of the most popular shows of the
1980s.
The funeral scene, where Maggie drops a bag of oranges which cascade into the
grave, will live on in highlight reels and memories for a long time.
But to remember Cracknell, 76, for just one television program which ran from
1983-93 would do her a great injustice.
Her acting career in film, television and theatre spanned more than 50 years.
She had four honorary doctorates and Australia's National Trust recently named
her on its list of 100 Living National Treasures.
Her last stage appearance might have been Sydney Theatre Company's production
of The Lady In The Van, but Cracknell had to withdraw last year because of
health problems.
Her condition worsened earlier this year with a serious bout of pneumonia and
she died yesterday in Sydney.
Born at Maitland in the NSW Hunter region on July 6, 1925, Ruth Winifred
Cracknell discovered a love of the limelight in her first amateur stage
production when she was just two years old.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 00:47:52 -0400
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Michael Hayde (and "Radio Goes to the
Movies")
Dennis W. Crow wrote:
The readership should know that Digest correspondent and author, Michael
Hayde, has been nominated for the prestigious "Edgar" award in the "Best
Critical/Biographical Work" category for his book, MY NAME'S FRIDAY.
Thank you for the good luck wishes, Dennis, even though they posted several
days after I LOST the Edgar Allan Poe award to a book [removed] Edgar Allan Poe!
(I'd say the deck was stacked against me there!) I can't complain,
[removed] it's an honor to have been nominated.
I've just returned from Los Angeles and the "Radio Goes to the Movies" event
at American Cinematheque. Those in the audience whom I met did not
introduce themselves as being on the list, so if no one here who lives in or
near Hollywood attended on Saturday night, I'm [removed] you missed a great
evening. The "Pat Novak For Hire" re-creation was top-notch and very
entertaining. The lead actor did not try to imitate Jack Webb, yet still
captured the world-weary inflection of Webb's Novak. Of course they used
one of the Richard L. Breen scripts, not one penned by whoever wrote the Ben
Morris version of the show.
Herb Ellis had to cancel; apparently he had another knee operation the day
before. Fortunately - and quite unexpectedly - Peggy Webber attended and
participated in the panel discussion moderated by Bobb Lynnes of SPERDVAC.
The discussion was fun, but unfortunately time was [removed] only enough
for one question from the audience.
I had a lot of fun, and it was a big thrill to finally meet Ms. Webber
face-to-face after several telephone calls and emails. Apparently the whole
weekend was successful enough to spur talk about repeating it next [removed]
and if they do, please try to attend!
Michael J. Hayde
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 02:54:34 -0400
From: Brent Pellegrini <brentp@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Richard Breen
Did Richard Breen, who wrote the incredible stuff on Pat Novak, ever carry
this writing in fiction or the silver screen or anywhere else?
+++_SI^@)y
TLUFp<1pyN4&
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 04:52:05 -0400
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, 15 May 2002 12:07:31 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
From Those Were The Days --
1933 - Irma Phillips, an NBC Blue network program-features writer,
starred in the role of Mother Moran in the radio program, Today's
Children, which was heard for the first time this day.
1950 - The first all-local radio network was formed with five radio
stations around the Arlington, VA area (just outside of Washington, DC).
Airtime on all the stations at the same time cost sponsors $300 an hour.
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 12:09:40 -0400
From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Costumed Casts
Curley Bradley did a Saturday show that originated from Chicago on NBC
Blue. The entire cast was in costume.
[removed] <:-)
A DATE WITH SINATRA
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 12:09:35 -0400
From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Big Band Remotes
I've seen some big band remotes on CD advertised at Collectors' Choice
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 12:09:32 -0400
From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Jim Jewell
My first experience with director Jim Jewel was in 1946 at WBBM, Chicago.
Jewel went on to direct and produce Jack Armstrong at Blue. He was not
an easy person to work for.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 12:16:03 -0400
From: Richard Pratz <[removed]@[removed];
To: "OTR (Plain Text Only)" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR Obit
Another passing. Child actor and later radio & TV scriptwriter Howard
Merrill died April 20 in [removed] at age 85.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not credited Merrill with making 487 radio broadcasts
on 38 shows by the time he was 14! For radio, Dunning credits Merrill with
writing original scripts for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Abbott
Mysteries, The Beatrice Kay Show, the detective drama Leonides Witherall
(ever heard of that one?) and Secret Missions. Despite Ripley's claim,
Dunning only lists Merrill's acting credits in radio's The Goldbergs. For
TV, Merrill wrote scripts for Get Smart, You Are There, I Love Lucy, The Odd
Couple, The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show and Gilligan's
Island.
Rich
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #176
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