------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 74
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
The Power of Radio [ "Nancy McAleer"<littlenancy@emailch ]
the OTR time machine [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
YTJD Kranesburg Matter [ "Ryan Osentowski" <rosentowski@neb. ]
You Bet Your Life [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
Tom Corbett [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
Restaurants [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
Encyclopedia of Radio, Continued [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
Louis L'Amour Theater [ ddunfee@[removed] ]
Subject: Dec. 8th 1941, site tip [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
2-17 Birthdays [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Tom Corbett [ jsexton <jsexton@[removed]; ]
KFI Building [ "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed]; ]
Encyclopedia of Radio [ Howard Blue <khovard@[removed]; ]
Gildersleeve [ "Don Frey" <alanladdsr@[removed] ]
Re: TVs Tom Corbett, Space Cadet [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
otr get togetherings [ "Don Belden" <[removed]@[removed]; ]
Re: WKAT [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
"Road Show" [ ABCDiehl@[removed] ]
Re: Gunsmoke [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
Godfrey Phorum [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
The good old days? [ "Scott D. Livingston" <sdl@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 01:01:13 -0500
From: "Nancy McAleer"<littlenancy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Power of Radio
The power of radio. Even if it is fifty years old.
Sort of along the lines of the panic that was
started when "War of the Worlds" scared the
good people of 1938, I'd like to relate a similar
story.
I was going through the programs list on
Pappaws Old Time Radio vault ([removed])
and listening to an episode of the "Dimension X"
series which he has available for listening or
download. ("Destination Moon" -- June 24, 1950)
About 20 minutes into the program (1950,remember)
the network broke in for two news bulletins. It
seems that North Korea just declared war on South
Korea.
Even mentioned that it was Sunday, just as today,
53 years later, is a Sunday.
I have to admit, it surprised me, and it took a
moment to realize that I was listening to a recording.
I kind of chuckled to myself at my naivety. Imagine
my surprise when I looked up a moment later to see
my son-in-law walk in and ask about what the heck
he had just heard. To his ears, upstairs, he thought
he had heard a current news bulletin.
Ah yes, the power of radio.
Regards,
Nancy McAleer
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 01:08:29 -0500
From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: the OTR time machine
Since I already know what some of you would bring back, I'll go after some
that haven't been mentioned: MR. CHAMELEON, CRIME FILES OF FLAMOND, Carlton
E. Morse's FAMILY SKELETON, the entire run of AMERICAN AGENT, and as many
BEULAH and BABY SNOOKS shows that I can carry. Before I return though, I'll
spend some time at Brittingham's getting to know some of the people I didn't
get a chance to meet before they passed on. I'll hope that I'll have
something to trade for that Latitude Zero serial when I get back. What the
[removed]'s add some HERMIT'S CAVE and WITCHES TALE programs, too.
Barbara
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 01:53:22 -0500
From: "Ryan Osentowski" <rosentowski@[removed];
To: "old time radio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: YTJD Kranesburg Matter
Hello all:
Rodney asked:
Does this mean that there is a complete version of The Kranesburg Matter?
My copy only has 6 of the 7 parts.
The answer is that there *are* only six parts to The Kranesburg Matter. I
have no idea where people got the idea that this episode featured seven
parts, because the story is completely intact in only six. It comes right
after The Crystal Lake Matter and the announcer speaks at the end of the
program, saying that Johnny will be gone the following Monday through
Thursday in light of the Republican convention, but he'll be back on Friday
night. The following Friday evening featured part one of Kranesburg,
followed the next week by the remaining chapters (2-6.) So yes, the
six-part episode is the complete one.
ryanO
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:16:25 -0500
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: You Bet Your Life
I've just been reading "Say Goodnight, Gracie," by Jim Cox, which is not about Burns &
Allen, but about the last years of network radio. In it, he mentions that the radio version of
"You Bet Your Life" was cancelled in 1956. I distinctly remember hearing YBYL on the radio
after 1956, and I have a record of two radio episodes which are labelled at 1958 and have the
game format which was used in 1958.
What I think happened is that 1956 was when You Bet Your Life became a feature on NBC's
"Monitor." I remember the show moving from its Wednesday night time slot to Saturday
afternoon in 1956, as part of Monitor. At one point, Monitor was extended to weeknights,
and I remember YBYL being on Monday evenings, again as part of Monitor.
This is consistent with the 1958 episodes which I have on a record. The radio version always
began with George Fenniman saying, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the secret word is ..."
Groucho would say, "Really?!" and George would reply, "You Bet Your Life." This opening
was omitted from the television show, where the secret word would be communicated to the
audience by the duck holding a sign.
When You Bet Your Life became part of Monitor, the transition involved the Monitor host
saying, "Hey George, you tell us. What's the secret word?" This would be followed by
George Fenniman's usual opening. And that's the way the show opens in the 1958 episodes
that I have on a record.
I don't know whether You Bet Your Life on radio continued until the end of its TV run in 1961,
but I know it didn't end in 1956.
--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed]
15 Court Square, Suite 210
lawyer@[removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:16:58 -0500
From: "A. Joseph Ross"
<lawyer@[removed];
To:
[removed]@[removed]
Subject: Tom Corbett
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 11:28:27 -0500
From: "david rogers" <david_rogers@[removed];
I have been trying to sort out my sci fi stuff and I have been having a
bit of trouble with my Tom Corbett, Space Cadet programmes. I keep finding
different catalogues with different show listings so I am finding it hard
to put everything in its correct order. I was reading that it was a TV and
a radio show. Therefore, I am wondering if a lot of the mp3 files that I
have are actually taken from TV shows rather than the radio. Any help?
Tom Corbett was both a radio at TV program. The radio program aired on
Tuesdays and
Thursdays on ABC for a half hour each, and each story was begun on a Tuesday
and
concluded on Thursday. The TV program had a number of formats, both
15-minute and half-
hour, and at one time or another managed to appear on all four TV networks of
the time. The
15-minute shows are serialized, the 1/2 hour shows are usually one
self-contained story per
episode. The radio shows can also be recognized by the fact that all of the
theme and
background music is played by the studio organ. Some of the TV shows use a
studio organ,
but usually only in the closing theme music.
For more information, check out [removed] .
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:17:20 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Restaurants
Deric M asks,
Does anybody out there know of any restaurants or coffee shops that
feature Old time radio as part of their theme?
Well, there's a restaurant in western Tampa called Demitris that has a
number of Old-Time radios as part of their decor. Scattered throughout
the restaurant are close to a dozen table-model tube radios. They are on
shelves well above where customers could reach them, and I've never seen
any of them turned on, so I don't know whether they work. Most of them
antedate the Conelrad period. A couple have nice wooden cabinets.
That's as close as I've seen.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:17:44 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Encyclopedia of Radio, Continued
Elizabeth McLeod, speaking of the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Radio,
notes,
I wrote three articles for this volume --<snip> I believe a few others
on the list are also involved with the project -- I'd be interested in
knowing who else wrote what!
Well, I plead guilty to writing a short article on -- surprise! --
Captain Midnight. Naturally, much of this indirectly derived from the
research for my book.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:17:51 -0500
From: ddunfee@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Louis L'Amour Theater
I hear this as a once a month feature on the Imagination Theater show. I'm
just wondering what people think of it. One thing I have noticed is there
is much more narration then might be the case in other radio productions.
Where a character might have lines to set a context or venue, a narrater
does it, which probably shows it's fiction as print roots.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:18:10 -0500
From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Subject: Dec. 8th 1941, site tip
Donna L. Halper mentioned this site. You can go there with this URL:
[removed]
Herb Harrison
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:18:20 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 2-17 Birthdays
The following were born on February 17th.
1897 - Marion Anderson - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1907 - Larry “Buster” Crabbe - Oakland, California
1908 - Staats Cotsworth - Oak Park, Illinois
1908 - Walter “Red” Barber - Columbus, Mississippi
1910 - Marc Lawrence - New York City
1914 - Arthur Kennedy - Worcester, Massachusetts
1919 - Kathleen Freeman - Chicago, Illinois
1925 - Hal Holbrook - Cleveland, Ohio
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Make your day, listen to an Olde Tyme Radio Program
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:18:47 -0500
From: jsexton <jsexton@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Tom Corbett
Hi,
I remember the wonderful episodes of Tom Corbett,Space [removed] met the two
main starts at a show at Memphis,Tenn several years [removed] were a DELIGHT to
meet ,see, and be entertained by.
Also appearing at the show Martin mentioned is ED KEMMER who was BUZZ COREY
on Space [removed] think this was also on OTR but I remember it especially from
[removed]'s the same principle as Tom [removed] is the ONLY survivor of the
[removed] will enjoy meeting him,[removed],Kemmer was at the Memphis show,too.
One of the questions posed to Frankie Thomas was if they actually liked and
ate Kelloggs Pep?? "Absolutely" said He.
One shocker though was that they never got the fan mail sent to them where
they did the series on radio.
Unfortunately I won't get to attend the show but I hope you space fans of
OTR will get to meet they great [removed] have never met any nicer ones.
Best,John Sexton (jsexton@[removed])
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:19:24 -0500
From: "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: KFI Building
A great example of Streamline Moderne architecture is being torn down. The
KFI radio building at 141 North Vermont Avenue has already had the building
south, the auditorium, torn down, and the main building is due to go at any
moment. l spent most of my years at KFI looking out that front window. It
is sad to know that such a landmark in architecture is being torn down.
Evidently the Los Angeles City Schools had a need for that space.
Thanks to Jim Hilliker, I have learned of this desecration, and he is very
knowledgable about radio history in Los Angeles going back to the early days
of KFI and KEHE and Earle C. Anthony in Los Angeles.
The building's studios were named A for Aqua or Auditorium, B for Blue, C
for Coral and D for [removed] colors found in Hawaii which was a passion
for Anthony. He wrote several songs about Hawaii, one of which became
semi-popular. He often would call up late at night and tell the announcer
on duty to play that [removed] matter what kind of programming was going on
at the time. Maybe someone could refresh my name about the song's name.
Lois Culver
KWLK Radio (Mutual) Longview, WA 1941-44
KFI Radio (NBC) Los Angeles CA 1945-47, 50-53
Widow of Howard Culver, actor
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:19:42 -0500
From: Howard Blue <khovard@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Encyclopedia of Radio
Elizabeth asked who else contributed articles to the Encyclopedia of
Radio. I contributed one on the topic of radio dramatists. Like
Elizabeth, I wondered whether the publication would ever appear. I agree
that it will be too expensive for most people to want to buy
individually. But I intend to ask my public library to order it. I have
also asked them to order various books on OTR which might not be so
well-publicized, but would be of interest to the general public if
they're available
Howard
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:19:52 -0500
From: "Don Frey" <alanladdsr@[removed];
To: "otr message" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Gildersleeve
Whatever happened to that Denver area restaurant that featured a
Gildersleeve
decor with posters, radios, pictures etc? It's probably no longer there but
does anyone
know the history of it?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:39:24 -0500
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: TVs Tom Corbett, Space Cadet
My friend and prolific OTR author Martin Grams, Jr. just wrote an
interesting post about Tom Corbett Space Cadet. Before I get to that, I want
to publicly thank Martin for continually mentioning my recent book "Aw,
Relax, [removed]!. Very generous of him indeed. Thanks, Pal. See you
at the Cincinnati Convention.
In Martins posting he mentioned,
TOM CORBETT, SPACE CADET actually began on television first, CBS television,
and later moved to ABC (Snip) Once the program originated over ABC, someone
came up with the idea of having the scripts written so cleverly
that the audio tracks to the television episodes could be recorded and
re-edited to pose as radio broadcasts.
Then, Martin goes on to mention cast members, writers, etc.
I'd like to take his posting and show how relationships that began on an
early Radio (or TV) program, can continue on through life, and merge
professionally for many years into the future.
He mentions one of the writers named Hal Rine. And the part of "Astro"
played by Al Markham. (Two people who I got to know very well in my later TV
Directorial career.) Both went over to the TV production side of the
business). But they were "brought over" to the TV Production end in the
years following the demise of the show, by the man who was the TD (Technical
Director) of the "Space Cadet" TV show. His [removed] Gould.
In live TV, The TD was the man in charge of the cameramen, audiomen,
videoman, etc. and who sat next to the Director at a "Switching Console". He
also had the job of "punching" the button that corresponded to any number of
TV cameras being used for the program, (usually 3) and "switched" between
them (putting a particular cameras "feed" (or picture) on the air. A very
responsible position.
To make a long story short, soon after Videotape recording was invented and
perfected, George Gould formed a independent TV Production Company, got MGM
(the film studios) to put up the vast sums of money needed to get studio
space, cameras, tape machines, etc., called it "MGM Telestudios" and became
one of the first independent (non broadcast) television facilities in New
York. He brought the young actor Al Markham (Astro) into that company as his
VP and right hand man, and Hal Rine, as one of the Stage Managers. (The
Stage manager was the Directors eyes on the studio floor, while the director
sat closeted away in the Control room looking at all the camera monitors.
The Director communicated with the technical production crew over closed
circuit headsets.
Initially, that company was a competitor of the one that I worked [removed]
"Videotape Productions of NY. But the two companies eventually merged, (we
acquired them.) When I formed my own company, I worked with these guys, off
and on, for many years. Until I also had my own Videotape production studio
and editing operation.
This is just another example of how relationships which began in the OTR
years, and early live TV years, survived in that new TV medium, and how the
personal "survivors" found all sorts of jobs available to them in the
production end of the burgeoning TV industry.
Arthur Anderson, in his book about "Lets' Pretend" gives many examples of
what happened to those child performers in their later years.
I try to do the same thing in my book, (specifically, the ones I worked with
over the years) and even more specifically, the ongoing careers of those
kids who started as child actors in the mega stage hit "Life With father"
and who went on to fame and fortune in OTR, Advertising, TV and Motion
Pictures.
It's almost a truism. When you made a good friend in Show Business, and they
got some breaks and struck it big, then they would usually try to "bring
their friends along for the ride". We were not all overbearing, egotistical,
and self centered.
Although I could name a [removed]'s for sure. :)
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead (Book info at) [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:39:32 -0500
From: "Don Belden" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: otr get togetherings
A restaurant just off I-25 in Pueblo, Colorado tried OTR for about a year.
The restaurant failed. I am not sure that OTR was the cause.
Don in Denver
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:41:19 -0500
From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: WKAT
At 09:29 AM 2/16/03 -0500, you wrote:
Jim Alton
WKAT Miami, 1964-1979
Jim, we must have met. I attended the University of Miami between 1957 and
1961. Well, maybe we just passed driving to North Campus. I interned at
Reela Films which was part of WTVJ.
It is interesting seeing another person from Miami. Maybe you remember the
movie I made in 1964. We got a lot of press. Once Upon A Coffee House. It
had Joan Rivers, Deanna Lund and a lot of local people as extras. It was
shoot in June of 1964 and released in April of 1965. And then never seen again.
Anyway, thanks for posting that insight into early radio female announcers.
Just as an aside, my wife and I operate a video production company and for
the last several years, I've been using woman narrators for a lot of
industrial videos. For years, all the production companies that I did work
for only used men's voices.
Fred
[removed]
For the best in Old Time Radio Shows [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:41:30 -0500
From: ABCDiehl@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "Road Show"
I''m trying to track down information about a program,probably in the early
1950's, that was called "Road Show," or "The Road Show." It was a sort of
forerunner
to "Monitor." I'm especially interested in airchecks if any exist.
Many thanks,
Bill Diehl
ABC Radio Network
New York
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:41:57 -0500
From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Gunsmoke
Ralph asked about a source for Gunsmoke and Six Shooter shows. He mentioned
borrow not buy, so I would like to suggest the radio clubs around the
country. Since I'm an active member of one of the librarians of the MWOTR
Club, I'll give them a plug.
Join and you will have access to over 3000 radio shows for little more than
the cost of shipping. Our head librarian can give you all the information
about joining.
Rebecca Jones" <rebjones@[removed];
If you are looking to purchase these shows, many of the dealers who post
here, like myself have a good number of these shows for sale on audio
cassette and CD.
Fred
[removed]
for the best in old time radio and TV shows
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 12:12:04 -0500
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Godfrey Phorum
Digest posters Jack Grasso and others have been raising interesting points
on the lofcom
Arthur Godfrey Phorum, courtesy of our own Charlie Summers! I urge others
to join us in postings therein! Here's how:
[removed]
Lee Munsick
From snowy, icy southern Virginia, where we avoided the blizzard further
north!
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 13:02:35 -0500
From: "Scott D. Livingston" <sdl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The good old days?
I truly enjoyed Hal's memories of the coal and oil furnaces. Remember the
time when we did "real" "spring cleaning". I hated those days because for a
week while it was going on, we were not allowed to listen to the radio as it
would distract us from our chores. I guess Mom knew that we would work a
little faster knowing that we could listen again once the "spring cleaning"
was finished.
I remember the windows being thrown open and the cleaning of the accumulated
soot from off the wallpapered walls. Oh, the memories!
The best part of spring cleaning was the end of it and a return to Fibber
McGee and Molly.
Sorry for the trip down "off topic memory lane".
Scott (Fibber) Livingston
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #74
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