------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 217
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Gus Gray, Special Correspondent [ Gerry Wright <gdwright@[removed] ]
May 28th birthdays [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Sam And Henry [ welsa@[removed] ]
Re: Sam and Henry [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
Re: Radio Guide [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
RE:[UN]Familiar Voice [ "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed] ]
Re: An Interesting Find [ "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed]; ]
Network Affiliate Clearance for CBS [ bourdase@[removed] (Mike Paraniuk) ]
re: familiar voices [ "Robert Angus" <rangus02@[removed]; ]
Re: The Brass Ring [ Gerry Wright <gdwright@[removed] ]
Indy 500 [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
Mr. Gallup [ "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed] ]
YTJD-Clinton Matter [ William Harker <wharker@[removed] ]
New OTR Book Available [ otrbuff@[removed] ]
Philco Home Recording [ "Ed Ellers" <kd4awq@[removed]; ]
Billie the Brownie - Milwaukee radio [ Mark Langkau <mark@[removed]; ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ lois@[removed] ]
"Frank Gallup" career note [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
charles dickens on radio [ FMazzar771@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 15:19:21 -0400
From: Gerry Wright <gdwright@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Gus Gray, Special Correspondent
I recently acquired four episodes of a show titled "Gus Gray, Special
Correspondent" the episodes are from a serial titled "The Case of the
Nine Ivory Buddhas" The shows sound like they might be a British series.
Any information on the show is greatly appreciated.
Gerry Wright
ZoneZebra Productions
San Francisco
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 16:02:49 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: May 28th birthdays
If you have a birthday on May 28th, you share it with:
05-28-1902 - "Little" Jack Little - London, England - d. 4-9-1956
singer: (Cheerful Little Earful) "Little Jack Little Show"
05-28-1906 - Phil Regan - Brooklyn, NY - d. 2-11-1996
singer: (The Singing Cop) "Burns and Allen"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hometown of [removed] Kaltenborn and Spencer Tracy
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 16:35:13 -0400
From: welsa@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Sam And Henry
In response to Ron Sayles questions on who played what character on Sam 'n'
Henry: Freeman F. Gosden played Sam and Charles J. Correll played Henry.
Ted
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 16:35:30 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Sam and Henry
On 5/27/03 3:18 PM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:
On the old Sam 'n' Henry show, the precursor to Amos 'n' Andy, who played Sam
and who played Henry?
Freeman Gosden played Sam Smith, and Charles Correll was Henry Johnson.
Gosden also played The Most Precious Diamond, head of the Mother Lodge of
the Order of the Jewels of the Crown, who was identical in voice and
manner to the Kingfish in A&A, and (in one episode) Sam's girlfriend back
in Birmingham, Liza.
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 16:35:49 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Radio Guide
On 5/27/03 3:18 PM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:
My questions is [removed] Radio Guide became Movie Radio Guide did the
detailed listings remain ? Or were they abbreviated , altered or dropped
altogether?
The listings remained the same format until 1942, when the full weekday
listings were dropped and replaced by a more generic "This Week's Daytime
Programs section which listed all Monday-thru-Friday programs without
repetition. This was a move to reduce the magazine's average page count
in keeping with wartime restrictions on the use of paper.
These same restrictions forced the publication to become a monthly in
1943, at which time the listings became generic for the entire month. Not
coincidentally, the magazine folded toward the end of that year.
The major change wrought by the "Movie Radio Guide" format (adopted in
1940 after founder Moe Annenberg went to prison for tax evasion) was a
marked decline in the magazine's journalistic quality -- the articles
took on much more of a gee-whiz fanrag tone.
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 16:58:27 -0400
From: "Druian, Raymond B SPL" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE:[UN]Familiar Voice
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I just found one of the Smithsonian sets compiled by Radio Spirits at my
local library and it included a wartime Chase & Sanborn Hour starring Edgar
Bergan and Charlie McCarthy. About half way through the show, the band
vocalist sang "They're Either Too Old or Too Young." She had a young and
sexy voice, much like many of the band vocalists of the time. She turned out
to be Dale Evans, whom I had forgotten once had a life apart from Roy.
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Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 17:00:45 -0400
From: "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: An Interesting Find
From: "Shawn A. Wells" <swells@[removed];
About two weeks or so ago, I came across 3 12" Aluminum
Core-Shellac ET's.
They are called "lacquer" or "lacquer coated" discs. Some also incorrectly
call them "acetates" but they are not coated with acetate, they are coated
with nitrate cellulose lacquer. Shellac is the breakable material that 78s
were made of.
Only one had a [removed] Label, which read, 'Frank Gallup Read A
Commercial.' I had no idea who Frank Gallup was
Frank Gallup was a very important announcer and actor, who became most
famous in the late 50s and early 60s as the announcer for the Perry Como TV
show where he would interrupt Perry from off-screen with a deep god-like
"RRRREEEEEEAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLYYYYYY!" He then recorded several comedy
albums such as "You Don't Have To Be Jewish" from which several hit singles
were taken, such as "The Ballad of Irving." But his unmistakable voice was
also heard as the lead performer in one of the most important pre-war
anti-war programs of the late 30s, Archibald MacLeish's "Air Raid." He was
the announcer broadcasting from the foreign village about to be bombed.
Ray Collins, who got his major fame as Lt. Tragg on TV's Perry Mason, was
the stateside announcer for the first part of that program, which was
broadcast several days before "War of the Worlds" and probably influenced
Welles to put his program into broadcast format.
The recordings you describe seem to be a combination of out-takes and some
"Party Records." You might want to take a look at "The Blue Pages" which
is an extensive annotated discography of 78 RPM party records by David
Diehl. It is at [removed] You might be able to find
details about a couple of your undescribable ones.
Michael Biel mbiel@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 17:35:43 -0400
From: bourdase@[removed] (Mike Paraniuk)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Network Affiliate Clearance for CBS and NBC
Monitor
Question. In the late 50's throught the early 60's, did many affiliates
clear CBS Radio programs on their stations, or only a few? As a CBS
Columbia collector, I have magazine ads for CBS Radio from 1952 which
state that you don't hear all of them ([removed] CBS Network Shows) where you
live because your own CBS station often substitutes local programs of
particular interest to your community. If by 1952 CBS affiliates were
denying clearance to programs originating from the Columbia Network, did
this get worse by 1962? Second Question. NBC Monitor affiliate
clearance was characterized as spotty at best. Yet, I remember as a
child in the 1960's, I could receive Monitor all over the AM dial at
night from NBC's powerful 50,000 watt affiliated stations such as WKYC
Cleveland, KYW Philly, WNBC (WRCA) New York, WMAQ Chicago, WSM
Nashville, WSB Atlanta, even KOA [removed] my local NBC Station, WJAC
Pittsburgh. Any comments are welcome. [removed] Mike Paraniuk
(Member of the Kate Smith Commemorative Society. Avid Columbia
Broadcasting System collector. Admirer of Mr. Columbia himself, Arthur
Godfrey.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The sufferings in the world are compensated. Do not be [removed] is
one who watches over [removed] LUGOSI
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 17:35:57 -0400
From: "Robert Angus" <rangus02@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: re: familiar voices
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Why is it that in the discussion of familiar voices (and just about every
other discussion on this list) the name Ed Begley NEVER comes up?
WTIC/Hartford alumnus Begley probably appeared in more cops-and-robbers shows
out of New York in the 1940s than any other actor, as a hard-boiled detective,
cop and occasional bad guy before going on to make movies like Inherit the
Wind.
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:14:25 -0400
From: Gerry Wright <gdwright@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: The Brass Ring
Harold Zeigler asked about:
A radio program which either started with "Anyone can catch the brass ring"
or "The brass ring can catch anyone". Can anyone help me on this one?
The line is part of the closing to "Twenty-First Precinct".
Captain Kennelly: And so it goes around the clock through the week,
every day, every year. A police precinct in the city of New York is a
flesh and blood merry-go-round. Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the
bras ring can catch anyone.
Gerry Wright
ZoneZebra Productions
San Francisco
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:14:47 -0400
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Indy 500
Well, not to turn this into a reunion of some kind, but I too (like Bill
and Dan) grew up in Indianapolis (East side Dan and Bill, near Irvington)
and attended many 50'0's. My father was a newspaperman in Indy for over 50
years and we got many a press pass we "kids" used for access to races, time
trials and Gasoline Alley. If I didn't know anything about the 500 in our
family, I was shamed into learning.
To add to Bill's comments here is my knowledge about the radio aspect of
the race:
Back in the late forties, WIBC contracted with Tony Hulman (and Wilbur
Shaw, who carried some power with the organization grown from his success
as a driver) to offer exclusive broadcast of the race on radio. At the time
WIBC was only a 5000 Watt station and while the race had mixed success (it
actually shut down after 1941 and did not open until 1945 when it was sold
to Tony Hulman) it was not the powerhouse it is today. By 1949 WIBC became
a 50,000 Watt station and brought the race to many more listeners with
their expanded range. Bill Slater was the main announcer for the race - he
was an employee of WIBC. In 1946, the reporter for the race on turn two was
a young man by the name of Sid Collins. In 1948 when Bill Slater was taken
ill, Collins took over main broadcast duties.
Under the Collin's years, as the Speedway became more profitable and
prestigious, so did it's radio broadcasts. Years later one of his turn
announcers was Paul Page who became chief announcer when Collins retired.
From radio into television duties as ABC became more involved via their
"Wide World of Sports" Page migrated to TV coverage.
Somewhere in the seventies (I believe) the Speedway took over more control
of the radio broadcast though WIBC continued to broadcast it. Eventually,
it was syndicated to stations around the country as part of the Speedway
Radio Network.
The earliest clip of Speedway coverage I have is about a 15 minute opening
of the 1949 race. Not sure if WIBC archived it at all and even if they
did, not sure who actually has rights to it - the Speedway or the station.
Hope this helps.
Jim Widner
jwidner@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:15:19 -0400
From: "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Mr. Gallup
<Shawn Wells asked about Frank [removed];
An "announcer's announcer," was one description of Frank Gallup. He
announced on so many radio shows like The Milton Berle Shows in the 1940's
on NBC, The Textron Theater with Helen Hayes on CBS in 1946, etc. etc. on
to television's Perry Como Show, where he called him
"Mister C" in a mellifluous tones from his offstage microphone. Others on
the list will certainly contribute
more about Frank Gallup. Oh, there is one more reference:
He recorded a best-selling, novelty song in 1958 called "Got A Match?"
where he "talked" the lyrics. (...something like Ken Nordine's Word Jazz.)
Russ Butler oldradio@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:16:59 -0400
From: William Harker <wharker@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: YTJD-Clinton Matter
I am in the process of transferring my Johnny Dollar episodes to CD
format. I just completed "The Clinton Matter."
Jack Dawson wrote the script.
This is, perhaps, my very favorite YTJD episode. It has elements in common
with Dashiell Hammett's _Red Harvest_. Hammett was in Hollywood for
awhile. Admittedly, detective stories have a limited number of plots
available but I'm curious about this one. It's one of the few Dollar's
where Johnny calls for help; it's set in a "runaway" town. It's in the
Rocky Mountains (Colorado) while _Red Harvest_ was set in Montana.
I am curious as Hammett (and Chandler) are favorites of mine and both
traveled the Hollywood writer's "circuit." Jack Dawson is not mentioned in
any of the biographies or letter volumes I own of either Hammett or Chandler.
Can anyone provide information about Jack Dawson and his familiarity with
Hammett and/or Chandler?
Many thanks,
Bill Harker
wharker@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:17:17 -0400
From: otrbuff@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: New OTR Book Available
I just wanted to let everyone know that McFarland is now shipping my
latest release, "Frank and Anne Hummert's Radio Factory: The Programs
and Personalities of Broadcasting's Most Prolific Producers."
Before those of you who perceive the Hummerts as solely creators of soap
operas turn this off you may be surprised that they also stood behind
many other widely respected features: "The American Album of Familiar
Music," "American Melody Hour," "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round," "Waltz Time,"
"Mr. Chameleon," "Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons," "Mystery Theater,"
"Hearthstone of the Death Squad," "Mark Sabre," "Jack Armstrong, the
All-American Boy," "Little Orphan Annie," "Popeye the Sailor," "Skippy,"
"Terry and the Pirates," "Scramby Amby" and so many more. In fact, 125
shows in all, less than half of them soap operas!
This incredibly reclusive and eccentric couple led fascinating lives.
They wanted to see yet never be seen. They handed down edicts from an
ivory tower which they presided over in regal splendor, making their
subjects quiver. Typically Anne informed newly employed writers: "I
shall only call you once and that's to tell you that I no longer need
your services." Talk about putting the fear of God into the minions!
I've tried to diligently sort out the facts (there are many
misrepresentations in print about their lives) and report solid,
accurate, unbiased information. Their oddball behavior, as well as the
vast operation they ran with its legions of intimidating sanctions, makes
an absorbing tale that is long overdue.
Attempting to give my readers a little more than they expect, among the 5
appendices in this tome you will find a never-before-published directory
of golden age radio's most active producer-creators and the series for
which they were responsible. Twenty-five individuals/teams comprise the
list, beyond the Hummerts. There is also a passionate introspective
comparing the characteristics, practices and writing styles of daytime
melodrama's 3 major artisans--the Hummerts, Irna Phillips and Elaine
Carrington. While there are some similarities, the contrasts in their
techniques are highlighted.
The 224-page book, including photographs, will be a treat for anyone who
enjoyed music, mystery, juvenile adventure or soap opera programming.
The Hummerts' principal shows are explored at length and all 125 series
are capsuled. Sample schedules of their on-the-air features are
included. Chapter titles: "Ethereal Empire," "The Odd Couple," "Merrie
Melodies," "Mystery Theater," "Child's Play," "Matinee Melodrama," "The
Troika" and "The Moguls of Melodrama."
You may order "Frank and Anne Hummert's Radio Factory" from McFarland at
800-253-2187 (M-F) or [removed] or via several retail web
sites. Only McFarland has books to ship overnight. Due to limited
appeal (as for most OTR texts) these books are usually not in retail
stores. I believe all vendors will be selling a softbound version at
$[removed] There is a $4 s/h charge for the first book at McFarland.
Enjoy, everybody. This was truly a fun project to complete!
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:17:40 -0400
From: "Ed Ellers" <kd4awq@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Philco Home Recording
Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; wrote:
In all likelyhood the disc is recorded at 78 and would be about 3 to 4
minutes per side. Even if it were recorded at 33 1/3 (a possibility) it
would only be about 8 or 9 minutes per side.
Another possibility (if this was recorded on a Philco unit) is 39 rpm, which
was featured on many of the Philco radio-phonographs that could accept the
home recording accessory kit.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:17:58 -0400
From: Mark Langkau <mark@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Billie the Brownie - Milwaukee radio
Have you ever heard of "Billie the Brownie" - an annual Christmas series from
Milwaukee in the 40's/50's I think? My mother wrote a letter to Billie and it
was read on the air sometime in the mid-40's, so I'd like to find a few of
those
shows if they exist anywhere.
When my sister and I were growing up in the 60's we were always told to be good
around Christmas time because 'Billie the Brownie' was watching ;-)
Cheers,
Mark Langkau
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 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 six 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, 28 May 2003 10:05:49 -0400
From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "Frank Gallup" career note
I didn't find anything in Google about the 'Mind Your Own Business' thing,
but I did run across this reference to Frank Gallup, whom I remember as an
announcer on TV shows:
"THRILLER Fan Club TV Terror Preservation Society" website:
Great Ghost Tales ran up along side Thriller for a brief summer run
in '61
and was hosted by Frank Gallup. Gallup had hosted Lights Out previously
and is better known for that longer lasting dual-media series.
The lesser known and often foolishly underrated Great Ghost Tales was
nonetheless serious about it's adaptations of classic supernatural
short
stories.
Note: For the OTR tie-in, see the "dual-media" phrase, above.
Herb Harrison
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 10:06:02 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
From Those Were The Days --
1931 - WOR in New York City premiered The Witch's Tale. The program was
broadcast on the Mutual Broadcasting System (of which WOR was the
flagship station) where it aired until 1938.
Joe
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 10:06:08 -0400
From: FMazzar771@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: charles dickens on radio
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does anybody have a list of or know where i can go to find a list of radio
shows based on charles dickens [removed] assume that the Christmas Carol
and
Tale of Two Cities and David Copperfield are obvious but there must have been
[removed] would appreciate any help on or offline
Thank you
Frank Thomas
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--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #217
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