------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2004 : Issue 37
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Red Skeleton Episode/Laughing track [ "Kathleen Perry" <Bonka@[removed]; ]
Easy Aces quote [ <welsa@[removed]; ]
Geeks, Nerds Fruitians [ Ed Kindred <kindred@[removed]; ]
Are we geeks? [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed] ]
"geeks" [ "Alain Atounian" <[removed]@[removed] ]
Eye See You [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
Tough Guy [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
Lyle Talbert [ PGreco2254@[removed] ]
ADMINISTRIVIA: Our friend Lois Culve [ Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed] ]
Detective Synonyms [ Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed]; ]
Marlin Hurt [ Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed]; ]
OTR to FM Old style radios for mp3 [ "Mike B" <mikar01@[removed]; ]
Studio Orchestras [ Robert Keldgord <sacchief@winfirst. ]
Warming up [ "Michael J. Laurino" <mlaurino@[removed] ]
"John" Reid [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
1-27 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Lyle Talbot [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
radio and comic book slang of 30s-50 [ Jer51473@[removed] ]
"Facetious" [ "Jay Ranellucci" <otrfan3@[removed] ]
[removed] radio? [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
Another OTR death [ Pratz <[removed]@[removed]; ]
Al Jolson [ "Dave Mills" <otrdave@[removed] ]
Wire or tape? [ "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 16:16:45 -0500
From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: ADMINISTRIVIA: Our friend Lois [removed]
Folks;
Many of you have read postings, or received email, from our good friend
Lois Culver, widow of actor and announcer Howard Culver. Some of you have
noticed she hasn't been participating much in the discussions lately; she has
been battling health problems causing her to be off-line, and she
unfortunately may not be back online for quite awhile.
For anyone interested in sending well-wishes to her, please send them to:
Ms. Lois Culver
c/o [removed] Communications
[removed] Box 587
York, PA 17405-0587
...and I'll forward them off to her. Email notes may be sent to
loisc@[removed], and I'll print and forward those as well. (Please, no
web-based "greeting cards," since they don't print terribly well.)
She's a sweetheart, and her absence is keenly felt in our Thursday-night
conferences. Here's hoping she'll get back to her computer soonest!
Charlie
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 09:56:20 -0500
From: "Kathleen Perry" <Bonka@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Red Skeleton Episode/Laughing track
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
Hi Listers!
I am looking for a story of Red Skeleton's our radio staion used to play on
Saturday mornings in the 1950's. Red took on the voice of a little boy who
got a new puppy, but he was very mean to that puppy. He fell asleep and in his
[removed] became the puppy and someone was very mean to HIM, He ended up in a
pet shop window. Does any of this sound familiar to Skeleton's fan's? Would
you know the name of the episode, or where I could get it?
Also, I am looking for a record My dad used to play "The Laughing Record" was
it's actual name. Don't remember by who tho. It may have been one of those
cylinder records, because at the time Dad had a Victrola that you had to open
the front door to hear, I guess they were the speakers. Listening to the
record and the guy laughing, that's all he did, was SO infectious we ended up
on the floor, crying, our pants soiled [removed] get the picture. I often
think how good that would be in the medical sense to play when you have an
[removed] say Laughter is the Best Medicine. I have been to a few
marketplaces where they have antique recording but haven't come up with
anything. Is anyone familiar with a list similiar to OTR that deals with old
records?
Thanks for your [removed]
Make it a good day!
Kathleen Perry
bonka@[removed]
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 10:30:20 -0500
From: <welsa@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Easy Aces quote
I was reading an Easy Aces script yesterday and came across what to me was
an odd reference.
Goodman Ace is talking about his wife, Jane, and says: "Now, there is a
woman who lives on an island all by herself. Up around Lake Marijuana."
Does this seem od to anyone else? I don't recall ever hearing or reading a
show with any specific reference to that substance.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:05:08 -0500
From: Ed Kindred <kindred@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Geeks, Nerds Fruitians
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
We probably are a collection of Geeks, Nerds or Fruitians or even Edenians.
We enjoy the fruits
of other peoples God given gifts and their labours. Ain't it
grand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ed kindred
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:05:52 -0500
From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Are we geeks?
Are we geeks? Well, many of us are. I think it has to do with the degree of
interest.
Traditionally, geek refers to a computer/tech person. (yes, I know there is
an earlier definition of geek.) Please note, however, that not all computer
users are geeks. My mother uses is computer, but she certainly isn't a geek
- quilter yes, geek no. I, on the other hand, am definitely a geek. (I'm
rated as a "Super Geek" on the geek test [removed])
But geekdom is more than just computers, it's radio and cryptography, comics
and fantasy, role playing games and cult classic movies, scifi books and geek
friendly bands, vintage stuff and dead tech, hexadecimal and reverse polish
notation, microwaved burritos and anything with caffeine. In fact,
[removed] defines geek as:
Geek - (1) A formerly derogatory term given to the outcast elite, usually
lacking in social graces. The term has been used so liberally by the masses
of people that the computer savvy have taken it to heart as not being
derogatory but rather the name given to scientifically savvy folk. (2) A
carnival performer who performs grotesque acts, such as biting the heads off
of live chickens.
So what's the point of all this? Well, any person with a strong interest in
a non-mainstream subject can now be described as a hyphenated geek. For
example, we have crossword-geeks, anime-geeks, and of course OTR-geeks.
So does that mean we're all geeks. No. My father is a fan of OTR. He
listens to the big broadcast (WAMU-DC) and sometimes shows on XM, but he
doesn't collect, doesn't go to conventions, doesn't belong to any clubs. He
is a fan, but not an OTR-geek. I, however, do collect, belong to clubs, go
to conventions, and generally obsess over OTR in many ways - so I am an OTR
geek.
It all boils down to degree of interest.
-chris holm
for all sorts of geek fun, try [removed]. (Standard disclaimer)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:42:29 -0500
From: "Alain Atounian" <[removed]@[removed];
To: "Old. Time. Radio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "geeks"
Poster mentioned that perhaps OTR isn't as out-there, including lack of
references in current pop-culture icons like "The Simpsons";
Being a bit of a "Simpsons" geek as well, i can think of at least two;
One is on A&A, other is a fictional otr version of their world's cartoon
show.
I'm pretty sre there are at least a couple more.
[removed];As mentioned by another poster, i also have never come face to face with
an OTR fan, or even somewhat remotely interested in it. Perhaps "geekiness"
is just a reflection of it having a relatively small fan base.
Alain
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:54:49 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Eye See You
Don Dean, speaking of the evolution of the term, "Private Eye" notes,
To go along with the term "private i", Pinkerton used a wide open eye
as the logo for his company, along with the slogan, "We Never Sleep."
A little-known fact is that the logo was developed by his wife.
Stephen A. Kallis, [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:54:59 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Tough Guy
Derek Tague notes,
I've never heard two OTR fans arguing over which OTR detective was
tougher: "Sam Spade" or "Richard Diamond?"
Why should they? The toughest OTR detective was Pat Novak (the "For
Hire" guy) who was knocked out at least twice a program with no permanent
damage. By contrast, most other OTR detectives were wimps.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:07:35 -0500
From: PGreco2254@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Lyle Talbert
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
Hi,
In answer to Barbrara's question. Lyle Talbert did
appear on some of the "Unexpected" shows. I hope this helps her [removed]
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:08:05 -0500
From: Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Detective Synonyms
Yeah I've heard of private detectives being called
'private eyes', 'shamuses', and the like. I've also heard
them called 'gumshoes', 'private dicks', and 'flatfoot'
from time to time (usually on OTR shows from the thirties).
I'd like to know where the rest of these expressions
came from. I asked a private investigation about this once
and he said on the whole, most of these terms are considered
pejorative.
Yours in OTR,
Kenneth Clarke
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:08:19 -0500
From: Kenneth Clarke <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Marlin Hurt
I agree, the OTR show I remember was called
"The Marlin Hurt and Beulah Show". The only 'Hunt'
I recall from OTR was Marsha Hunt, who played Blanche
Bickerson on "The Bickersons".
Yours in OTR,
Kenneth Clarke
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:08:53 -0500
From: "Mike B" <mikar01@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR to FM Old style radios for mp3
I wrote one of the suppliers and asked whether they had one with am MP3
player incorporated (they did feature a CD drive).
In response to no mp3 player. If you have a portable mp3 or even an earphone
jack on your computer player, you can use this item to transmit to any fm
frequency. I can transmit very clearly at 25 feet (with my good antennae on
my receiver) and listen to my mp3s in the front room from my computer in my
study. It does take 10 days or so because it ships from Canada. I've used it
in my car, I drive school [removed] it here, and of course in the house. The
best part of this unit as compared with the cheaper, 4 channel units, is the
area you are in my use strong local fm in the 4 channel area (88 mhz) where
this one can use ANY frequency you set it for. Period! and the distance is
over 3 times farther.
[removed]
Good luck and enjoy. I have NO association with this company. I just
oredered from them over the Christmas holidays and have had it since the 30th
of December. Use it everyday.
Mike Barron
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:10:25 -0500
From: Robert Keldgord <sacchief@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Studio Orchestras
Somehow, I seem to recall that, in the 1930's and early 40's (perhaps
even later) some radio stations , especially in larger cities, had regular
live studio orchestras of 5-6 pieces. Specifically, I seem to remember that
KPO in San Francisco (forerunner of KCBS) had such an orchestra and that the
musicians sometimes wore tuxedos. In smaller cities, it seems that such
orchestras were present on an intermittent basis. For example, KMJ in
Fresno,CA, had an intermittent group. Can anyone provide some info? Did such
orchestras actually exist, or is it a figment of my imagination? TIA. bob
keldgord
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:10:52 -0500
From: "Michael J. Laurino" <mlaurino@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Warming up
On the subject of the warm-up required for tube sets, Bill H. commented:
I might also add on this subject, have you ever notice in movies of the
days when radios were tubes sets, that when someone turns on a radio
there is no warmup delay?
which reminded me that, in contrast, in the computer game "Mystery Mansion",
a text adventure from the early '80s, this could happen:
YOU ARE IN THE GAME ROOM
THE ROOM IS DILAPIDATED AND HAS THE REMAINS OF VARIOUS OLD STYLE GAMES SUCH
AS DARTS, DUCKPINS, SEVERAL CARD GAMES AND AN OLD RADIO. THERE IS A STAIRWAY
GOING UP AND DOWN, AS WELL AS A DOOR YOU CAN EXIT BY GOING BACKWARD
TURN ON RADIO
AFTER THE RADIO WARMS UP AND THE STATIC DIES DOWN YOU HEAR
A NEWS REPORT THAT THE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR THE COOK
OF MYSTERY MANSION FOR SEVERAL MURDERS
(Incidentally, if you are so inclined, you can find a ton of games of this
kind, old and new, freeware and shareware, for nearly any operating system,
in The Interactive Fiction Archive at <[removed];.)
mjl
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:17:51 -0500
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "John" Reid
Once again, "John" Reid has crept into the OTR Digest. This time Joe
Mackey mentioned him as "The Lone Ranger."
One of OTR's greatest myths is that "The Lone Ranger" had the name of
"John". While we know his last name was Reid, the first name of "John" has
been inexplicably made up by tons of revisionists. "The Lone Ranger's"
first name is unknown. Read the seminal work on "The Lone Ranger" by David
Rothel [A. S. Barnes and Company, 1976]. Early actor and eventual
director of "The Lone Ranger," Charles Livingstone, tells David Rothel
that "Nobody ever knew the Lone Ranger's first name despite the fact that
some writers claim it was John; his last name was Reid." (p. 111)
Livingstone worked on "The Lone Ranger" beginning in August, 1933, eight
months after the show first went on the air. He should know!
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:45:49 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 1-27 births/deaths
January 27th births
01-27-1888 - Harry "Singin' Sam" Frankel - Hillsboro, OH - d. 7-12-1948
singer: (The Barbasol Man) "Reminiscin' with Singin' Sam"
01-27-1905 - Howard McNear - Los Angeles, CA - d. 1969
actor: Doctor Charles Adams "Gunsmoke"; Ed Kremer "Fibber McGee and Molly"
01-27-1912 - Benay Venuta - San Francisco, CA - d. 9-1-1995
singer: "Benay Venuta's Program"; "Shell Chateau"; "Abbott and Costello Show"
01-27-1918 - Skitch Henderson - Halstad, MN
bandleader: "Philco Radio Time"; "Songs by Sinatra"
01-27-1921 - Donna Reed - Dennison, IA - d. 1-14-1986
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Star and the Story"; "Silver Theatre"
January 27th deaths
03-16-1901 - Edward Pawley - d. 1-27-1988
actor: Steve Wilson "Big Town"
01-21-1904 - Allen Prescott - St. Louis, MO - d. 1-27-1978
host: "Wife Saver"; "Prescott Presents"
02-20-1919 - Dick Wesson - ID - d. 1-27-1979
announcer: "Space Patrol"
05-24-1914 - Lilli Palmer - Posen, Germany - d. 1-27-1986
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"
06-23-1910 - Edward P. Morgan - Walla Walla, WA - d. 1-27-1993
newscaster: "News and Commentary"
08-12-1898 - Oscar Homolka - Vienna, Austria - d. 1-27-1978
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-22-1887 - Julia Sanderson - Springfield, MA - d. 1-27-1975
singer, emcee: "Blackstone Plantation"; "Battle of the Sexes"; "Let's Be
Charming"
10-26-1911 - Mahalia Jackson - New Orleans, LA - d. 1-27-1972
gospel singer: (The Angel of Peace) "Mahalia Jackson Show"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 15:05:14 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Lyle Talbot
Barbara Watkins stated:
A friend of mine asked me if Lyle Talbot or Kent Taylor ever did radio. I
said I knew who would know if they did---this list!
I can find no evidence that Kent Taylor did any radio, but Lyle Talbot
appeared on at least two shows.
"Calling All Cars" and "The Unexpected"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 15:05:21 -0500
From: Jer51473@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: radio and comic book slang of 30s-50s
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
A couple of other slang words were "dame" for girls and "gat" for gun. Can
anyone think of others?
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 15:24:56 -0500
From: "Jay Ranellucci" <otrfan3@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "Facetious"
Derek Tague mentioned on1-26-04 that "facetious" has all vowels in
consecutive order.
The only other word, I believe, in the english language that has all vowels
in consecutive order is "abstemious"
Yours in "Nerdom" Jay
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 15:25:21 -0500
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: [removed] radio?
Barbara Watkins asks about the radio credits of Lyle Talbot and Kent
Taylor.
I'm willing to bet that the closest Lyle Talbot got to doing radio was
the time he played a radio [removed] a movie serial. Columbia
Pictures cast Talbot in the lead of their 1946 chapter play, "Chick
Carter, Detective." The producers did not know, or care, that Chick
Carter was a boy sleuth so they gave the part to Talbot, who was at
that time, a middle-aged, chunky actor.
Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 21:29:57 -0500
From: Pratz <[removed]@[removed];
To: "OTR (Plain Text Only)" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Another OTR death
Unless I missed it, I don't recall anyone reporting the death of yet another
OTR actor. Robert Donley passed away Jan. 20, 2004. Incredible as his radio
credits may seem, his obituary reads - - -
Radio, theatre, television and movie actor Robert Donley died Jan. 20 at his
home in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania at age 92. A radio, theatre, television and
movie actor, Donley was best known for broadcasting over 50,000 radio
performances on such programs as "Front Page Farrell" and "Stella Dallas."
He also appeared on TV shows like "Seinfeld," "Mad About You," "Lonesome
Dove" and "The Rockford Files." (He was Rockford's original father before
Noah Beery) Donley also acted in films like "Cocktail," "Bloodhounds of
Broadway" and "Bushwhacked."
Fifty-thousand radio performances! Wow!
Rich
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 22:58:42 -0500
From: "Dave Mills" <otrdave@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Al Jolson
Hello Fine Folks; Last week I requested information regarding Al Jolson at
this site. I want to thank the many people who offered a good deal of
information on this subject. You folks are terrific. Extra thanks to Ron
[removed] mills
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 09:37:04 -0500
From: "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Wire or tape?
This Jan 25 'Those were the Days' listing seems rather strange for several
reasons:
1948 - Wire Recording Corporation of America announced the first
magnetic tape recorder. The 'Wireway' machine with a built-in oscillator
sold for $[removed]
Why would a company named the WIRE Recording Corp introduce a TAPE recorder
called the "WIREway"???? Wouldn't it be a WIRE recorder, not a TAPE
recorder? And actually, January 1948 is a bit late to be introducing the
first wire OR tape recorder. Brush had sold wire recorders before the war,
and were selling tape recorders by 1947. I think both Webster-Chicago and
Silvertone were selling wire recorders in 1947, and Eicor was selling tape
recorders in 1947.
Michael Biel mbiel@[removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #37
********************************************
Copyright [removed] Communications, York, PA; All Rights Reserved,
including republication in any form.
If you enjoy this list, please consider financially supporting it:
[removed]
For Help: [removed]@[removed]
To Unsubscribe: [removed]@[removed]
To Subscribe: [removed]@[removed]
or see [removed]
For Help with the Archive Server, send the command ARCHIVE HELP
in the SUBJECT of a message to [removed]@[removed]
To contact the listmaster, mail to listmaster@[removed]
To Send Mail to the list, simply send to [removed]@[removed]