Subject: [removed] Digest V2003 #287
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 7/26/2003 8:52 AM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

------------------------------


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2003 : Issue 287
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Seabiscuit                            [ Osborneam@[removed] ]
  radio call letters                    [ David Howell <daveeaston@[removed]; ]
  Re: A&A Answers                       [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
  Re: "Largest Audience"                [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
  Seabiscuit on radio                   [ "Jim Widner" <widnerj@[removed]; ]
  Re: "First Fifty Giants of Broadcast  [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
  re: Broadway show "Take Me Along"     [ [removed]@[removed] ]
  RE: Seabiscuit on radio               [ [removed]@[removed] ]
  Seabiscuit                            [ chris chandler <chrischandler84@yah ]
  Old Call signs                        [ "Jack Feldman" <qualitas@millenicom ]
  OTR Web stations at live365           [ revelation206jm@[removed] ]
  movies on radio                       [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
  Radio Station Call Letters            [ BH <radioguy@[removed]; ]
  Ivan-Phil Harris                      [ lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed]; ]
  SPERDVAC convention 2003              [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
  RE: The Encyclopedia of Women In Rad  [ OTRDSIEGEL@[removed] ]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 12:05:18 -0400
From: Osborneam@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Seabiscuit

Jim Yellen wrote:

Ebert's second radio reference refers to a character in the movie named
Tick Tock McGlaughlin "a manic radio announcer who throws in corny sound
effects and tortured alliterations as he issues breathless bulletins from
the track." Could this character be based on a real-life announcer of the
time?

I have been watching and reading all reviews of the movie after having read
the marvelous book (and having race horses for many years).  Joel Siegel
reviewed it this week, calling the movie 'Oscar caliber'.  His one complaint
was the character
played by William H. Macy (a terrific actor in his own
right).  Siegel said that this character was added for comedic
interest and is the only flaw in a dramatic movie where
it's not needed.  Since the character is fictional, I doubt
if he's based on anyone in real life.

You can find some sound bites of Seabiscuit's races at
the PBS web site, as pointed out in a previus OTR digest.

BTW, after you see the picture, READ the book.  It's one of
the best I've ever read.  What a story!!!  And it's all true.

Arlene Osborne

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 12:20:56 -0400
From: David Howell <daveeaston@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  radio call letters

WGN - World's Greatest Newspaper (owned by the Chicago Tribune)

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 12:48:04 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: A&A Answers

On 7/25/03 11:36 AM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:

Exactly how many episodes of the radio series were recorded as opposed to
how many episodes were aired?

There were 4091 episodes aired of the original nightly series -- the
first 438 of those were recorded for syndication in 1928-29. However,
only a small fraction of these -- about sixty -- are currently known to
survive.

Of the nightly network run (1929-43) only thirteen complete episodes are
currently known to exist. Recordings of each episode were made from
January 1940 to at least July 1942 for distribution in Canada, but only
two episodes from this source are known to exist.

There are also a number of fragmentary airchecks known to survive, the
earliest dating to November 1930, and the latest being a five-minute
fragment of the final serial episode. Most of these fragments are very
short -- a few as short as ten seconds.

Of the 1943-55 half-hour sitcom, 426 episodes were aired. *All* were
recorded for preservation, and most survive in the Correll Family
Collection, aside from a few lost to breakage or decomposition. About 250
episodes have found their way into OTR circulation.

Of the 1954-60 "Amos 'n' Andy Music Hall" series, there were 2129
broadcasts, although many programs were repeated. Most survive as
original CBS master tapes in the Correll Collection.

As for the TV programs, CBS has never sanctioned any official release:
*ALL* circulating copies of A&A-TV are bootlegs. All circulating prints
of the series were recalled by CBS Films in early 1966, but many slipped
thru the cracks -- and many of these found their way into the hands of
basement film dupers in the 1970s. The only *legitimate* prints of A&A-TV
are original CBS Films prints -- and there were multiple prints made for
syndication, so there could be any number of extant "originals." Most of
the circulating bootleg sets vary from mediocre quality to terrible,
although occasionally there'll be an episode which was sourced from a
clean original print.

Some of the prints that have been duped were not syndication prints at
all -- but copies made for airing on network affiliates out of reach of a
direct network connection. These are the copies which contain the orginal
"library" opening sequence and, usually, the Blatz Beer commercials.

Elizabeth

"Amos 'n' Andy In Person"
[removed]~[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 13:15:42 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: "Largest Audience"

On 7/25/03 11:36 AM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:

In the first reference he says that the famous match race between Seabiscuit
and War Admiral was "heard, we are told, by the largest audience in history.
Businesses closed for the afternoon so their employees could tune in."

I don't have a ratings figure for the race, which took place on 11/1/38
-- but it doesn't show up in the listing of Highest Rated Special
Broadcasts compiled by Edgar H. Gruenwald of "Variety" from official C.
A. B. figures, appearing in the 1939-40 Variety Radio Directory.

Here, for the record, are the highest-rated single-event special
broadcasts of the 1930s:

1. Boxing: Louis vs. Schmeling 6/22/38 ([removed])

2. Boxing: Schmeling vs. Louis  6/19/36 ([removed])
2. Boxing: Louis vs. Braddock 6/22/37 ([removed])

3. Boxing: Louis vs. Farr 8/30/37 ([removed])

4. Abdication Speech of King Edward VIII 12/11/36 ([removed])

5. Boxing: Braddock vs. Farr 1/22/38 ([removed])

6. Jackson Day Address by Pres. Roosevelt. 1/8/36 ([removed])

7. Fireside Chat by Pres. Roosevelt. 3/9/37 ([removed])

8. Acceptance Speech by Gov. Landon 7/23/36 ([removed])

9. Human Needs Campaign speech by Pres. Roosevelt. 10/24/35 ([removed])

10. Campaign Speech by Pres. Roosevelt 10/10/36 ([removed])

The highest rated horse racing broadcast of the 1930s was the 1938
Kentucky Derby, on 5/7/38, which attracted a C. A. B. rating of [removed]

Elizabeth

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 14:04:17 -0400
From: "Jim Widner" <widnerj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Seabiscuit on radio

Jim Yellen asks:

In the first reference he says that the famous match race between Seabiscuit
and War Admiral was "heard, we are told, by the largest audience in history.
Is this an urban legend or fact?

Well, I can say that I have read that at one point in time Seabiscuits 
popularity levels exceeded FDR's during part of his presidency. The 
horse truly was a shining moment during depression America.  So it is 
totally possible that the race was one of the most listened to of the 
time. The recording (at least a part of it) does exist. I have heard it.

He also asks:

Ebert's second radio reference refers to a character in the movie named Tick
Tock McGlaughlin "a manic radio announcer who throws in corny sound effects
and tortured alliterations as he issues breathless bulletins from the track."
Could this character be based on a real-life announcer of the time?

According to what I read, the character is pure myth and I don't 
believe even exists in the book. Little research was done around the 
radio aspect and the character was added to bring a little comedy to 
the film.

As a side note, a number of Seabiscuit races broadcast on radio do 
exist.  You can also listen to them on the Internet at 
[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 14:24:36 -0400
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: "First Fifty Giants of Broadcasting"

Michael Henry wrote:
Who are the "Fifty Giants" being honored? Men and women who have had a
significant
impact on radio and television from the beginnings of broadcasting to the
present.

A worthy list for the most part, but why Huntley and Brinkley?  Aren't they
remembered more for their sign-off than for any specific contribution to the
way news is presented on television?  Sure, theirs was the earliest "split"
news broadcast - one anchor in NYC, the other in DC - but how much did
*they* have to do with that, except for striking a chord with a plurality of
viewers?

Frankly, the presence of the real movers and shakers of broadcast news -
Kaltenborn, Frederick-Robbins, Murrow, Stanton, Fuldheim, Thomas, Cronkite -
is enough.  Without Huntley-Brinkley, room could be made for two unjustly
absent giants: Desi Arnaz, who pioneered the three-camera technique for
filming a sitcom in front of a studio audience; and Jack Webb, whose DRAGNET
may well have been the catalyst that kept radio drama alive for an
additional decade, and who is the undisputed father of modern TV drama -
police or otherwise.

I expect other listmembers will have their say, and look forward to their
insight.

Michael

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 14:57:57 -0400
From: [removed]@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  re: Broadway show "Take Me Along"
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

Check out '[removed]'. That's the Internet Broadway DataBase, the 'official'
site of the League of American Theatres and Producers, which lists every
Broadway show known to them, and includes "Take Me Along," which opened on
10/22/1959 and closed on 12/17/1960. William Bendix was listed as a
replacement for the Sid Davis part. For some reason, the exact dates for the
performers are not shown for this production. You might also try Google or
another search engine for the play's title.

BTW, there's also '[removed]', which is a similar site for movies.

Thanx,

 B. Ray

   bray@[removed]
*Hug a malamute today!*
*  Don't blame me, I live in California!  *

  *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
  ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 15:10:46 -0400
From: [removed]@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  RE: Seabiscuit on radio
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

I saw the Ebert/Roeper review on TV last Sunday, and there was a scene with
Willian H. Macy playing the part of the sportscaster. If that wasn't
supposed to be Bill Stern I'll eat my tie (I can say that because I don't
have one).

Thanx,

 B. Ray

  *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
  ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 14:24:49 -0400
From: chris chandler <chrischandler84@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Seabiscuit

Jim Yellen talks about 'Seabuiscuit'...

I saw the movie at a premiere last weekend, and
recommend it very [removed]'s not quite
all-time-classic material, but it's easily the best
film of the year so far.  The actors are just
wonderful, and the racing scenes are spectacular.

Key bit of the film are indeed played out over the
fictional radio 'airwaves', as the reviews indicate,
though they're not terribly realistic.  The film's
idea of how the newsreels worked is even sillier,
though, so I guess we actually got off lucky.  :)

the famous match race between  Seabiscuit
and War Admiral was "heard, we are told, by the
largest audience in history.

40 million people, it said in the movie, implying it
was a record.  I'm not sure the narration actually
said it was the largest audience in history, I can't
quite remember, though that certainly was the
inference.  Is this true?  I can't say for sure,
somebody else probably has more factual information on
the 'ratings records' up to that time.

However, if indeed that WAS the actual audience
figure, and if indeed it WAS a record number, the
record only stood for a few [removed] McGee and
Bob Hope hit all-time audience figures (total
listeners, not necessarily ratings numbers) in early
1943; President Truman's V-E Day speech set another
record in May, 1945 (all the more impressive
considering it was 9:00 in the morning!); and a series
of boxing matches in the late 1940s were also said to
have set ratings records.  It's certainly not out of
the question that a horse race held this distinction
at one time--easy to forget now, but horse racing was
the #1 specator sport in the country for several
decades.

Is the broadcast available to listen to?

All the major Seabiscuit races are at

[removed]

Ebert's second radio reference refers to a character
in the movie named  Tick Tock McGlaughlin "a manic
radio announcer"..."Could this character be based on
a real-life announcer of the time?"

Personally, I found this character extreeeemeely
annoying, though several reviewers thought he was
funny funny funny.  If any radio broadcasters really
carried on this way, the industry wouldn't have lasted
very long.  He's a fictional creation who wasn't in
the book, intended to fill in some of the book
material that wouldn't otherwise fit in the film.  He
doesn't seem to be a fictional imitation of Clem
McCarthy, who would be the most obvious real-life
sportscaster on whom to base a character in this
story.  And not even Bill Stern was *this* outrageous,
so it seems pretty sure "Tick-Tock" is just a figment
of filmmaker Gary Ross's imagination.

The movie does provide a very evocative sense of how
radio tied the country together during those
depression years, though, and it's doubtful anybody
other than us died-in-the-wool nerds would notice the
shortcomings in the broadcasting scenes.  :) And
again, the movie was GREAT, you could do much worse
this weekend.

Chris

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 17:01:34 -0400
From: "Jack Feldman" <qualitas@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Old Call signs

Since follks are racking their memories for the meaning of call signs, here
are a few I was initmate with.

WEAW, Evanston, IL - Eadward A. Wheeler - Owner
WCFL, Chicago, IL - Chicago Federation of Labor
        The tower is one block from my house and even             though CFL
no longer exists, the call letters are still         on the building.
WGN, Chicago, IL Worlds Greatest Newspaper - The         Chicago Tribune.
They used to broadcast their first         page over night on a primitive
form of radio fax.
WEDC, Chicago, IL Emil Danamark Cadilac - Named             after its owner
and broadcast from his                         Cadilac agency. I think the
call letters still exist,                 but  the station is no where near
a Cadilac agaency.         His son lives one block from my house. It was
the strongest station I could recieve on my Oatmeal         Box  coil
crystal radio.

What memories!

Jack

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 21:02:59 -0400
From: revelation206jm@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  OTR Web stations at live365

     Hi guys. I'm about as new as someone can get to this newsletter. I'm
also a novice when it comes to OTR. I first gained interest in OTR as a child
about 30 years ago. My Dad spoke about listening to a battery powered radio
while living in a house on a farm with no electricity. It was intersting to
hear about the old radio shows.
    I received three cassettes of OTR one year for Christmas when I was about
14, one of the Green Hornet, one of December 7, 1941, and one of old radio
commercials. To make this story shorter, because of MP3 cd's on [removed] and
because of internet radio, I can now hear many of the shows others grew up
with inexpensively.
     Here's my question: Do any of you know of stations other than the ones
I'll list I can listen to at [removed]  ?

OTRNowLive!
OTRNow Feature
Rat Patrol Radio
Cybershortwave and OTR
Mystery Play I-Radio
Mystery Radio Network
Isabella Radio
Memories Live365
The Radio Time Machine
WWII Radio
WW2- The Wireless War

There are also some stations on [removed] if anyone else doesn't know this
already. Anyway, if someone knows of an OTR station at [removed] I haven't
come across then let me know. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I'm just asking about
the free ones. There is a bunch of them for VIP paying customers that aren't
avialable as freebies at the website. But I am very grateful for the 11 free
stations I have mentioned.

James

[removed] I didn't like The Dragnet TV show, but the radio show seems far better.
I like it!!! It's great!!!

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 21:03:11 -0400
From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  movies on radio

Hi Everybody,

does any one know if the show like Leo on the Air, and Paramount on the air
are around to be collected? These where promo for movies that were broadcast
on the air.  Take care,

Walden Hughes

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 22:44:03 -0400
From: BH <radioguy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Radio Station Call Letters

WBAP - Ft. Worth, TX - We Bring A Program
WCSH - Portland Maine- originally located in the Congress Square Hotel
WLW - World's Lowest Wages?

Bill H.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 22:43:57 -0400
From: lynn wagar <philcolynn@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Ivan-Phil Harris

This message is for Ivan- who was looking for Phil
Harris show on Health Food.  Please e-mail me I have
the show your looking for.

Many Thanks!!!  Lynn

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2003 09:27:08 -0400
From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  SPERDVAC convention 2003

Convention Chair Bobb Lynes reports that plans are moving ahead for
SPERDVAC's Old Time Radio Convention to be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
November 7, 8, and 9. The Board of Directors has voted to charge the same
admission price as last year: $135 for members pre-registered ($160 for
pre-registered  non-members) for all three days. There will be prices for
individual events for those who do not wish to attend the entire convention.
A registration form will be in the September Radiogram and posted soon on
the website at [removed]

We will have a dealers room again this year. We look forward to having a
large number of dealers this year with a variety of radio-related items for
sale. Dealers tables are only $40 per eight-foot table. If you'd like a
table, contact Glenn Mueller, 18716 East Aguiro Street, Rowland Heights, CA
91748, Durangokid@[removed]  Make checks/money orders payable to
SPERDVAC.

There is free admission to the dealers room beginning at 1 pm on Friday
afternoon so come and browse. On Saturday the dealers room will be open from
9 am to dinner time.

On Friday the panels will begin at 1 pm. So far confirmed is "OTR REVISITED"
presented by Bob Loudon. More details will be posted as they are confirmed.

Friday evening after the banquet there will be two recreations: one by 30
Minutes to Curtain, directed by Barbara Watkins, and one directed by Herb
Ellis. Titles to be announced.

On Saturday there will be panels in the morning and afternoon. At 1 pm there
will be a performance of radio drama by New Frequency. Later in the
afternoon Walden Hughes will MC a panel of singers. Other panels will be
announced when confirmed.

Saturday evening there will again be two recreations, one directed by Gregg
Oppenheimer of "The Maltese Falcon" as presented on ACADEMY AWARD. Hal Stone
will direct the other. More details about this soon.

Sunday brunch will be from 9 am to 11:30 am. Plans to be announced.

Advertising rates for our printed program will be $100 for full page 8 by
11 (camera ready),  $50 half page, and $25 quarter page.   Contact Bobb
Lynes, [removed] Box 628, South Pasadena, CA 91031, iairotr@[removed]

There is a special rate for hotel rooms for convention attendees of $59 plus
tax per room per night. For hotel reservations call 1-800-421-5900 and
mention SPERDVAC Old Time Radio Convention.
There is a free shuttle to and from LAX for our out-of-town visitors. The
Hacienda Hotel is located at 525 N. Sepulveda Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245.

We need volunteers to help at the convention, including at the registration
table, and setup and takedown of equipment. If you're coming to the
convention and would like to help, contact Bobb Lynes at iairotr@[removed]

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I'll forward it to
someone who may have the answer if I don't.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2003 09:27:21 -0400
From: OTRDSIEGEL@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  RE: The Encyclopedia of Women In Radio:
 1920-1960

   Three years ago Luther Seis made a significant contribution to the world
of radio reference work with his monumental 904 page Encyclopedia Of American
Radio: 1920-1960.
    Now Mr. Seis has once more put together, this time with his late wife
Leora, a companion volume, The Encyclopedia Of Women In Radio: 1920-1960,
published by McFarland (Box 611, Jefferson. NC 28640, 1-800-253-2187) at a
list price of $[removed]
   The authors have spent countless effort over many years in uncovering
little known facts about every facet of radio broadcast history involving the
fair sex.
   From the Aalbu Sisters, the veteran vaudeville singing team, Vera and
Aileen, who were radio pioneers appearing on station WCCO in Minneapolis -
St. Paul as early as 1925 to Margaret Zylstra, who was associated with
station KICY in Nome Alaska in 1960 we are provided with as many as 10,500
different entries focusing on "women in radio."
   In addition to the reference data provided in the heart of this 407 page
volume both an index and appendix offer cross referencing opportunities.
   If you are a serious radio scholar you will want to add this book to your
collection. If you find the price too intimidating, talk to your local
librarian and have them acquire a copy for their research section.
    Dave Siegel

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #287
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