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The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2005 : Issue 169
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Hoobert Heever on Snopes [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed] ]
Clara, Lu and Em from 1930? [ Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed] ]
Joe Walcott v. Joe Louis - which dat [ Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed] ]
Re: Offensive Material In OTR [ "R. R. King" <kingrr@[removed]; ]
Claude Rains [ "Mark Wuellner" <mwuellne@[removed] ]
OTR for Public and University Librar [ Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed] ]
Mel [removed] [ jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns) ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
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Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 08:26:59 -0400
From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Hoobert Heever on Snopes
The Urban Legends Reference Pages have updated their entry on Harry Von
Zell's "Hoobert Heever" flub. You can find their article here:
[removed]. According to the notes in
the page source, the update includes "added example; changed wording".
-chris holm
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Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 12:41:49 -0400
From: Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Clara, Lu and Em from 1930?
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There is a program circulating entitled Clara, Lu and Em 'Audition - Real
Estate' with a date given of May 1930. Radiogoldindex gives an approximate
date of 1936, but says it may be as early as 1931. At the end of the show it
is stated "this recording is for audition purposes only".
Can we eliminate the May 1930 date?
Andrew
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Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 14:29:10 -0400
From: Andrew Steinberg <otrdig1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Joe Walcott v. Joe Louis - which date in 1948?
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There is a radio recording of the June 1948 boxing match between Joe Walcott
and Joe Louis. The date given is June 25, 1948 which is a Friday. Most
internet references go along with this date. The odd thing is there a ticket
printed for the fight which gives a date of June 23, 1948. Does anyone know
if the fight was on the 23rd or 25th, and if it the date was possibly moved
after the ticket was printed?
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Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 16:29:15 -0400
From: "R. R. King" <kingrr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Offensive Material In OTR
I would really love to hear some other real anecdotes about
"offensive" materials in OTR.
How would stations or writers reply to listeners who were
outraged at what THEIR OWN IMAGINATIONS had seen? What they THOUGHT
they heard?
[Here's part of a December 13, 1935 Washington Post radio column,
regarding one of Willis Cooper's lost "Lights Out" episodes:]
The old clock on the mantel had stopped. So I sat down at the radio,
turned the switch and waited for the first break which would indicate
the hour. It was, I figured, between 12:15 and 12:45 a. m.
In a few seconds, with the heating of the tubes, came a sudden
crescendo of agonized, screaming pleadings. "Don't keel me. I'll do
anything ... but not that ... I geeve you my money ... $2,000 in the
mattress ..."
The blood-curdling dialog was doubly impressive because I had expected
to find a dance band playing at that early morning hour, whatever the
station last tuned in.
I was fascinated with the hair-raising awfulness of the script lines.
Suddenly it became apparent that the victim was protesting being
dumped in a ladle of -- liquid steel! And while I was dwelling on this
gentle situation as a plot for an air play -- the unfortunate
gentleman was, in truth, thrown into the white-hot cauldron, with his
last earthly screams imposed on the throaty, chuckling observations of
his murderers.
The scene faded into a conversation between a steel-mill employe and a
visitor, in which it was explained that a man recently had lost his
life in a ladle of liquid metal -- but the process of fashioning steel
rails, bridge girders and so on had not been stopped. The jolly part
of it all was (laugh, laugh) that the victim even now was a
fragmentary part (ho, ho, ha, ha) of the finished pieces before them.
Again, a transition -- and the voices of the three slayers are heard,
one week or so later. One, named Sampson, set the plot. He was to be a
victim of the slain man through an overwhelming desire to work, to go
down to the nearby bridge under construction and work. From that
point, the unfortunate mill worker dealt out his revenge.
The manner in which the three assailants died is not appropriate for
reporting in a column that is scanned by many at the breakfast table.
Let it be said that this attempt to be baldly, deliberately revolting
in details -- ghastly, shocking in realism -- can be reported as
notably successful. Finesse and subtleness were eliminated in favor of
gory, crude obviousness.
Sometimes the mass radio audience becomes a mystery to me. There can
be no doubt about it, many persons like this [removed] feature. It would
not be continued if it did not meet with the approval and pleasure of
some listeners.
Yet -- many a bell-ringing idea, many a delightful bit of
entertainment has been refused with arched eyebrows because it was in
bad taste, or too "in the raw" or otherwise deemed offensive to the
public mind. Many a capricious alteration has been made in scripts and
speeches by the same authorities who put the stamp of approval on
"Lights Out," thus putting a crimp in the author's work and usually
aiding the presentation in no way whatever.
"Lights Out," if I got a fair sample, is the most blatent [sic]
evidence of policy inconsistency coming to my attention in many a day.
...
[And here's an excerpt from the next day's column:]
... Shannon Allen, production manager of [removed], in Washington, has
risen to the defense of "Lights Out," which I took occasion to give
space to yesterday. Mr. Allen has nothing whatever to do with the
production of "Lights Out" as the midnight hour drama originates in
the Chicago studios.
But Mr. Allen is first and foremost a production man and instinctively
puts up his mitts in behalf of any show which, as he calmly and
smilingly maintains, attracts the large audience as does "Lights Out."
It seems, among other things, that in missing the opening announcement
last Wednesday night, I missed the subtle tongue-in-the-cheek foreword
explaining that the half-hour is slightly on the burlesque side,
somewhat inclined to be sly hokum. Further, it is spotted at 12:30
[removed] for the express purpose of providing a "lights out" shocker for
those who wish to be "shocked."
No one has even faintly suggested I lack imagination or am intolerant
of any entertainment simply because I do not like it personally. As an
example of showmanship, "Lights Out" is tops. I still maintain,
however, that it is at fault in dealing with plot situations and
climaxes that are stomach-turning. Mr. Allen contends that a
"thriller" is not intended to be successful on finely drawn finesses.
After all, you, as the composite radio listener, are the judge. And I
guess the mass audience likes "Lights Out." ...
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Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 18:21:08 -0400
From: "Mark Wuellner" <mwuellne@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Claude Rains
11-10-1889 - Claude Rains - London, England - d. 5-30-1967
actor: "Shakesperian Circle"; "This Is War!"; "Presenting Claude Rains"
Anyone have anymore info on the "Presenting Claude Rains" series? I had no
idea that this great actor headlined a radio show at one time. Any known
available?
[removed] Mark Wuellner
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Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 19:06:50 -0400
From: Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed];
To: OTRDIGEST <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR for Public and University Libraries
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Several mentions have been made about interlibrary loaning OTR themed books
that may be out of print or otherwise unavailable to the interested party.
How about going a step further and making a purchase suggestion to your local
public and/or university libraries?
Though budgets and collection development policies vary, it couldn't hurt to
know what those policies are.
Case in point: I recently submitted a purchase suggestion for Jack French's
_Private Eyelashes_ [I already own a copy]. It was to the attention of the
correct person in charge of ordering nonfiction for the public library
[haven't heard back from the local university]. With the suggestion went a
print out of the Agatha award announcement, table of contents and the
information that the book is available from wholesaler Baker and Taylor as
well as Quality Books.
Giving as much information as possible makes their lives easier and furthers
your cause. Having materials available from a whoesale helps because of the
amount of extra paperwork necessary to purchase from a single source.
I was just notified that the library DID decide to add this title to its
collection, so it can be done!
Obviously some titles won't be high priority for tight budgets, but nothing
[removed]
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Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 21:38:51 -0400
From: jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Mel [removed]
Just remember, a bit to Mel Blanc's consternation, that wasn't always
him, on those kids [removed]
(And, just as a plug (!), it's always great buyng stuf, from Fred
Berney!)
Best, JIm Burns
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2005 10:42:03 -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!
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #169
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