------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2004 : Issue 258
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
King Kong on Radio? [ MGiorgio1@[removed] ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
Re: Paycheck [ Howard Bonner <howard_bonner@yahoo. ]
Need an Address [ "hugobet" <hugobet@[removed]; ]
Radio info on IMDb [ Bhob <bhob2@[removed]; ]
Stolen routines [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
8-5 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
What a bunch of characters! [ Wich2@[removed] ]
Things are rarely Black or White? [ Wich2@[removed] ]
Fillmore Band [ "Randall F. Miller Jr." <rfmillerjr ]
'Composite' Radio Premiums and Creep [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
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Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 00:34:08 -0400
From: MGiorgio1@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: King Kong on Radio?
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I found a tape recently marked (by hand) King Kong, Radio Broadcast, 1938, at
a garage sale. It is definitely an old-time audio production, but there is
no opening, no closing, and no credits. Does anyone have any idea what this
is?
Thanks in advance,
Michael Giorgio
Waukesha, WI
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Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 03:54:51 -0400
From: charlie@[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 six years, same time, same channel! Started by Lois Culver, widow
of actor Howard Culver, this is the place to be on Thursday night for
real-time OTR talk!
Our "regulars" include OTR actors, soundmen, collectors, listeners, and
others interested in enjoying OTR from points all over the world. Discussions
range from favorite shows to almost anything else under the sun (sometimes
it's hard for us to stay on-topic)...but even if it isn't always focused,
it's always a good time!
For more info, contact charlie@[removed]. We hope to see you there, this
week and every week!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 11:09:41 -0400
From: Howard Bonner <howard_bonner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Paycheck
I havn't seen the movie, but i'm fairly certain it is based on a story by
the author Philip K. Dick (and that the film DOES acknowledge this).
I believe that he was mainly known for his SF stories, with many plots
involving "time" (like Paycheck)...and that he passed away about 20
years [removed] that part of his writing career was during the 50's.
To the best of my limited memory the movie does
acknowledge Mr. Dick. It was released on Christmas Day
and has done poorly. While not overly exciting, it is
entertaining and both Affleck and Uma Thurman acquit
themselves very well in their roles. It has no
swearing nor nudity. Hence very poor support!!
It's my son's very first credit in a movie although he
appears in one of the added features on Insomnia (
which also did not do very well !!)Maybe he's a jinx!!
BTW - he's in Greens on Insomnia and a Rigging Grip on
Paycheck. He just finished up "Five People I Would
Like to Meet In Heaven" which is a made for TV movie
with Jon Voight where he was the Dolly Grip for a
while and a Rigging Grip. He got to stare through a
fake Banyan Tree limb at Jon Voight who was harrasing
him into moving the limb which had been set by the
Director and Head Cameraman. Voight was right but the
limb didn't move. Two days later he passed by my son
and said "Still scared aren't you boy!" Voight is
apparently much larger in life and in great shape for
anyone let alone a 62 year old. My son is 5 foot 7 and
climbs with 100 pounds on his back. He also dives and
rock climbs and is in very good shape but says he
wouldn't want to tackle Voight unless he really had to
do it. He's half Jon Voight's age.
BTW - he's worked on a number of movies and TV series
and says this is the first movie he actually wants to
see!!
HB
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 12:59:32 -0400
From: "hugobet" <hugobet@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Need an Address
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Does anyone have an address or web site for a Music Club(s)? I am looking
for a club that rents music tapes and/or CDs. There used to be one in Ohio a
few years ago but it closed. Thanks for any help. Sy Palo
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Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 14:04:52 -0400
From: Bhob <bhob2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Radio info on IMDb
As I've noted before, credits for radio actors can be found on the
Internet Movie Database. You just have to know where to look. With some
performers, items are listed under "Biography," as with Virginia Gregg
-- [removed] -- and in other cases, one
clicks on both "Biography" and "Other Works," as with Parley Baer --
[removed]
This minimal info is not hyperlinked, but it has advantages: Anyone can
insert additional credits by simply clicking on "Update" and following
prompts. Since 1990, submissions from users (processed and fact-checked
by IMDb editors) have expanded this database to a half-million actor
names and 260,000 titles. They claim 20 million monthly visitors.
On several occasions, I have considered suggesting to the IMDb that they
enter radio series as linked pages exactly as they do with films and
television. The IMDb has a behind-the-scenes Contributor's Message Board
where submission problems are discussed, and a few days ago, someone
entered a post headed "Radio Plays?" with this opening paragraph
request: "This website accepts videos, movies, tv-shows, mini-series and
video [removed] what about legitimate radio plays? For example, Douglas
Adams had Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Rik Mayall and Adrian
Edmodson did some brilliant Doctor Seuss [removed]"
This seemed like a foot in the door, so I replied with the following:
... about five hours ago, I almost posted a message identical to your
first paragraph. You will probably be told that you should enter your
radio credits as "Other Works." But I think you are raising a very
important issue that should be considered by the IMDb. There are
databases for comic books, for theater (Internet Broadway Database), for
animation, for song lyrics, etc., but radio information on the WWW has
been fragmented. Although many radio buffs have posted extensive radio
logs or episode guides on a variety of websites, the closest to a radio
database is David Goldin's RadioGOLDINdex, but as you can see, this has
very brief descriptions and lacks hyperlinks or any method for adding
info: [removed] <<
The Museum of Television & Radio has a large collection but no online
information about that collection. The Old-Time Radio Digest mailing
list has information posted by all the leading experts in vintage radio
programs, contributing highly detailed corrections and clarifications,
yet there is no public display of past mailings (spanning ten years!). I
have even suggested to readers of that mailing list that they take note
of the IMDb's "Other Works" on actors who worked extensively in radio.
Which brings us to the overlap of radio with films, evident on such
radio series as LUX RADIO THEATRE which adapted movies into radio
dramas. It's likely that the SORRY, WRONG NUMBER movie would not have
been made were it not for the radio drama so popular that Agnes
Moorehead had to do it live every year or [removed] The BLONDIE radio series
and the BLONDIE movie series were nearly identical. Links are needed to
draw connections between such [removed];<
Individual pages on radio series could be added to the IMDb with the
same format they use for TV series, but I'm doubtful. However, I will
continue to pitch the idea in hopes of getting a response from the IMDb.
Bhob @ FUSEBOX @ [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 14:05:20 -0400
From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Stolen routines
I can see what you mean about some routines
being stolen from other radio performers. One
of my friends asked me once if I could see
anything in common between the "Guzzler's Gin"
routine Red Skelton used to do and the "Vitameatavegamin"
routine performed by Lucille Ball on "I Love Lucy".
Both seem eerily similar, except for the name of the
routine. What do you think?
Kenneth Clarke
Another OTR Fan
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 15:11:53 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 8-5 births/deaths
August 5th births
08-05-1887 - Reginald Owen - Wheathampton, England - d. 11-5-1972
actor, writer: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-05-1890 - Al Goodman - Nikopol, Russia - d. 1-10-1972
orchestra leader: "Fred Allen Show"; "Al Goodman's Musical Album"; "Your Hit
Parade"
08-05-1906 - John Huston - Nevada, MO - d. 8-28-1987
actor, writer: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-05-1908 - Wilbur Evans - Philadelphia, PA - d. 5-31-1987
singer:"Vicks Open House"; "Stars from the Blue"
08-05-1911 - Robert Taylor - Filley, NE - d. 6-8-1969
host, actor: "Good News of 1938"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Plays for Americans"
08-05-1912 - Lew Valentine - San Benito, TX - d. 6-1976
quizmaster: Mennen Jury Trials"; "Dr. [removed], the Mental Banker"
08-05-1914 - Anita Colby - Washington, DC - d. 3-27-1992
actress: "Radio Hall of Fame"
08-05-1914 - David Brian - NYC - d. 7-15-1993
actor: Mr. District Attorney "Mr. District Attorney"
08-05-1914 - Parley Baer - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 11-22-2002
actor: Chester Wesley Proudfoot "Gunsmoke"; Doc Clemmens "Rogers of the
Gazette"
08-05-1918 - Tom Drake - Brooklyn, NY - d. 8-11-1982
actor: "Harold Lloyd Comedy Theatre"; "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Proudly We Hail"
08-05-1920 - Selma Diamond - London, Ontario, Canada - d. 5-14-1985
writer: "Big Show"
August 5th deaths
02-09-1909 - Carmen Miranda - Lisbon, Portugal - d. 8-5-1955
singer: "Hello Americans"
02-21-1893 - Ernest Whitman - Fort Smith, AR - d. 8-5-1954
actor: Bill Jackson "Beulah"; Roustabout "Circus Days"
04-02-1914 - Sir Alec Guinness - London, England - d. 8-5-2000
actor: "Kaleidoscope"
06-01-1926 - Marilyn Monroe - Los Angeles, CA - d. 8-5-1962
actress: "Hollywood Star Parade"; "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"
06-04-1918 - Howard Culver - Colorado - d. 8-5-1984
actor: Steve Adams/Straight Arrow "Straight Arrow"; "Free lance"
06-19-1901 - Frederic Tozere - d. 8-5-1972
actor: Stephen Dallas "Stella Dallas"
08-20-1881 - Edgar Guest - Birmingham, England - d. 8-5-1959
poet: (Poet Laureate of Radio) "Edgar Guest in Welcome Valley"; "It Can Be
Done"
11-10-1925 - Richard Burton - Pontrhydfen, South Wales - d. 8-5-1984
actor: Readings of poetry, plays and school programmes for the BBC
11-20-1916 - Judy Canova - Stark, FL - d. 8-5-1983
comedienne: "Paul Whiteman's Musical; Varieties"; "Charlie McCarthy Show";
"Judy Canova Show"
11-21-1920 - Ralph Meeker - Minneapolis, MN - d. 8-5-1988
actor: "Crime Does Not Pay"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 16:45:37 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: What a bunch of characters!
Guys-
Chris Holm queried "what exactly IS a character actor?"; Hal (and others)
responded. I'd add this [removed]
There are two basic elements to good acting, whatever the medium-
First, the ability to make a scene real. In other words, the performer
succeeds at making you believe that he's living in the Middle Ages, that
she's madly in love, etc.
Second, a talent for characterization. In other words, the actor alters his
look, his accent, his manner, to suit the requirements of the scripted
character.
For the most part, "leading" actors are only required to fulfill the first
requirement; many are never asked to achieve the second, and truth be told,
many are not able. Clark Gable and Tom Cruise come to mind.
"Character" actors add a delicious layer of the second element - usually,
though not necessarily, in supporting roles.
Radio examples might be Joe Kearn; in movies, folks like J. Carrol Naish.
The real pick of the litter are the lucky folks who get "character leads":
Orson Welles, Lon Chaney Sr., Spencer Tracy, Robert DeNiro, etc. And this
double-threat performer is especially valuable in audio work, where you are
not able to use the visual toolbox to do your job.
Best,
-Craig
[removed] - Speaking of the Halster, having had the great pleasure of seeing him
at the mic, and the greater pleasure of sharing one with him, he's one of the
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 18:10:31 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Things are rarely Black or White?
Folks-
I've read with interest the fine memories of Jack Beck. It was a joy to speak
with him at FOTR, though I never had the pleasure of sharing a mic with him.
On a smoke break, he discussed many things. As far as his behavior during the
McCarthy era, I can only say that he got quite exercised when touching on it
- and, in the direction of defending the accused.
So, though he may have listed slighty to Right back then (is an element here
the proximity to Bud Collyer?), he evidently had indeed come back to Center
over the years.
A real pro, and a true character off-mic as well as on (as M. Gwynne has
reported.) Playing exposition is one of the hardest things in the world to do
well, and I place him right at the top with Welles in that arena.
Rest in Peace, boomer of "Syuuupermannn!!!"
-Craig
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 18:10:50 -0400
From: "Randall F. Miller Jr." <rfmillerjr1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Fillmore Band
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I was at a band concert the other evening and one of the marches played was
by Henry Fillmore. The announcer mention Henry, his dog and a radio
program. I did a search and found this information. So my question to the
group. Do any of these broadcasts exist?
As a conductor Henry developed his unique sense of style that was a great
crowd-pleaser. When he left the Syrian Temple Shrine Band he organized his
own "Fillmore Band" and became a national celebrity. Fillmore Band concerts
were broadcast weekly on the radio and reached tens of millions of people.
One of the popular attractions of the Fillmore Band concerts was Henry's dog
"Mike". "Mike" had been taught to bark on command by subtle hand signals
that Henry used during his concerts much to the delight of the audiences.
As always thanks in advance for any information you might have.
--Randy Miller
Senior Engineer WITF-TV/FM/Radio PA
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Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 00:41:04 -0400
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: 'Composite' Radio Premiums and Creeping Loss of
Knowledge
The horror fiction writer, H. P. Lovecraft, once ghost-wrote a story for
Harry Houdini, "Imprisoned With the Pharaohs." In it, he mentioned
"Composite Mummies," which he described as mummies that incorporated
human and animal parts. Needless to say, in the story, animated
"composites" appeared.
Recently, I've seen on the market "Composite Radio Premiums," which is to
say a "premium" composed of parts of two different premiums. Several
Secret Compartment rings have "stones" that slide off to reveal the
secret compartment on their underside.
However, the "stones" from various rings will fit on other rings, and as
the are of OTR and its premiums recedes from us further, many people will
act out of well-meaning ignorance. I recently saw a composite consisting
of the stone from a Captain Midnight Sliding Secret Compartment Ring and
the base of a Captain Midnight Mystic Sun God Ring. I mentioned to the
seller what components comprised the ring, and she asked, a bit
plaintively, "Well, couldn't they have issued a ring with these
components?" Whether they were capable of doing so, they didn't. I've
also seen the Sky King Radar Signal Ring parts used the same way.
I've become something of a resource in radio premiums in part because I
lived through the period, and owned a reasonable number of them at the
time (I've mentioned that I nearly broke my teeth crunching Kix in order
to send off for an Atomic Bomb Ring, for instance).. Since then, I've
pursued several I wanted but didn't get when first offered ([removed], the
Jack Armstrong Dragon's Eye Ring). But there are collectors who don't
know the first thing about a premium or its origin.
Many of these provide misinformation unwittingly: they just don't have
the background. I recently got a message from a person who had for sale
a cardboard replica as an original and wanted verification. I sent him
an image of the real original; at least he checked.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #258
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