------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2001 : Issue 337
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
The mystery project [ "Marcus Antonsson" <[removed] ]
Jack Benny Archives at UCLA [ "Dennis DeMarco" <holden190@hotmail ]
Light Crust Doughboys Are on the Air [ Duane Keilstrup <duanek9@[removed]; ]
Yesterday in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey5@[removed]; ]
The Green Hornet question [ AandG4jc@[removed] ]
re: Joan Bennett on the radio [ Gerry Wright <gdwright@[removed]; ]
CD LABELS [ Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed]; ]
Tello Test [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
Re: Son of Afflictions [ Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed]; ]
Re: Audition/Pilot and M&L [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
Henry Morgan [ "J. Pope" <jpope101@[removed] ]
Jay Livingston [ "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed]; ]
CD Labels Again [ Robert Fells <rfells@[removed]; ]
CD Labels Again [ Robert Fells <rfells@[removed]; ]
Bill Cullen [ otrbuff@[removed] ]
Lux Rehearsal Recordings [ Robert Fells <rfells@[removed]; ]
lets lay this one to rest,PLEASE [ "George Coppen*" <gacoppen@[removed] ]
Audition tapes are Demo's [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
Bob Bailey [ Larry Gassman <lgassman@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 21:45:00 -0400
From: "Marcus Antonsson" <[removed]@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The mystery project
Hi Gang,
This is probably more of osr then otr but I hope you'll excuse me.
Today I read about a Canadian show called the mystery project. I guess it's
still on the air. Does anyone know where I can buy or trade for these
shows. Also, is it possible to listen to it on the web?
Thanks in advance!
Marc Antonsson
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 21:43:43 -0400
From: "Dennis DeMarco" <holden190@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Jack Benny Archives at UCLA
Hello all,
I'll be flying out to LA in a few weeks. I understand that many of Jack
Benny's radio show acetates and other memorabilia is in the UCLA archives.
Does anyone know if it is accessible to the public? I'd love to see it.
Thanks,
Dennis
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 21:45:32 -0400
From: Duane Keilstrup <duanek9@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Light Crust Doughboys Are on the Air
"The Light Crust Doughboys are on the air." Tune in [removed]
to hear a Light Crust Doughboys Radio Show from 1936. The show will air
sometime after 7:30 [removed] Eastern on Sunday night, October 21. For anyone
interested, the current leader of the Doughboys will be interviewed this
same night. Classics & Curios will feature a tribute to the late Smokey
Montgomery who led the group for more than 50 years.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 21:45:54 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey5@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Yesterday in radio history
From Today in History, 10/17
In 1919, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) was created.
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 14:56:38 -0400
From: AandG4jc@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Green Hornet question
Can anyone tell me what episode of The Green Hornet did Britt Ried's
secretary Loran Case (Casey) found out Britt's secret identity? I heard that
in later years of the broadcast that a few people knew his identity a girl
reporter and I think the district attorney knew it, I am not for sure. Can
anyone confirm this?
Allen
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 14:59:07 -0400
From: Gerry Wright <gdwright@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re: Joan Bennett on the radio
Bob asked:
Does anyone know which OTR programs Joan Bennett appeared on?
The better question might be, "What show did she not appear on?" A quick
check of my otr logs returned the following shows where Joan made an
appearance, and in some cases she made annual or semi-annual
appearances.
Bob Hope Show
Campbell Playhouse
Cavalcade of America
Duffy's Tavern
Everything For The Boys
Family Hour of Stars
Ford Theater
Hollywood Star Time
Jack Benny Program
Kraft Music Hall
Lux Radio Theatre
Screen Guild Theater
Silver Theater
Suspense
Theater Guild On The Air
Theater of Romance
Gerry Wright
ZoneZebra Productions
San Francisco
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 14:58:11 -0400
From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: CD LABELS
Many of the newer digital audio CD blanks come with labels already on
them.
Sandy Singer
A DATE WITH SINATRA
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:00:28 -0400
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Tello Test
I just received Jim Cox's new book on audience participation shows. It is
very informative and gives information not available elsewhere.
Particularly valuable is the comprehensive listing of all audience
participation shows in the back of the book. Jim mentions "Tello Test," a
Mutual program running for six years [1945-1951]. I heard it on KPOJ, a
Portland, Oregon station then airing MBS programs. It came on in the early
morning.
The announcer of Tello Test would call random telephone numbers and ask the
question of the day. Each call was worth $5 and the money accumulated from
day to day until a question was answered correctly. Frequently the pot was
in the hundreds of dollars. The show lasted 15 minutes.
I always enjoyed it. I think there may have been regional editions because
I am sure the calls I heard were all to West Coast telephone numbers. I
don't remember the announcer's name but he also narrated "The University
Explorer," which was another regional program originating, I believe, from
one of the University of California campuses.
I had not recalled this program until I saw it mentioned in Jim's book.
Does anyone else remember "Tello Test"?
Thanks, Jim Cox, for the memories!
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 14:59:42 -0400
From: Michael Biel <mbiel@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Son of Afflictions
From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
Bill Cullen had one artificial limb -- he was never shown walking
on camera.
Not true. Bill Cullen had polio as a child and survived with a limp.
While they avoided showing him walking on camera, and usually had his
place on the set as close to the entrance point as possible, I often
seen him taking a few steps in the programs of his that are still being
shown on Game Show Network. Check out his bio on a great web site:
[removed]
Michael Biel mbiel@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:06:09 -0400
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Audition/Pilot and M&L
To Lois and Sandy: I'd been under the impression, based on research I did
for my "Dragnet" book, that the recorded pilot for a prospective series was
called an audition disk. I'm sorry if I had that wrong.
To Martin: Thank you for your excellent response. As for the Martin & Lewis
Show, I'm a little confused. The tape I have (and at least one internet
log) indicates the broadcast with Lucille Ball as guest was show #1, airing
on 4/3/49. However, the program ends with an announcement that next week's
guest will be Bob Hope. The show of 4/10/49 is definitely referred to (in
dialogue) as their second show, and William Bendix is the guest - but
references are made to Bob Hope having been their guest the previous week!
In light of this, and the fact that an LP of the Lucille Ball show was
released bearing a date of 12/22/48, I've tentatively deduced the following
(pending further verification, if possible):
1) The Lucille Ball recording was the pilot (or audition) disk, possibly
recorded on 12/22/48.
2) The Bob Hope show, which circulates in a 45-minute "unedited" version,
was the actual first broadcast, presumably 4/3/49.
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:06:41 -0400
From: "J. Pope" <jpope101@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Henry Morgan
I've been watching and very much enjoying Henry Morgan on the TV
series "I've Got A Secret." I know he was involved with OTR in some way,
but very little beyond that; can anyone give me more information? Are
there shows of his available?
Jennifer
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:01:24 -0400
From: "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Jay Livingston
Hello again --
Just heard on the radio (naturally!) that Jay Livingston passed away
yesterday (Wednesday) at the age of 86. He was called the last of the great
song writers. He was an Academy Award winner for his music and best known as
the composer of such songs as "Silver Bells," "Buttons and Bows," "Mona
Lisa," "Que Sera Sera," etc. which were written primarily for the movies,
but for us OTRers he will also be remembered as the husband of Shirley
Mitchell, who played Lila Ransom on The Great Gildersleeve show and Alice,
the young defense plant worker who rented Fibber McGee's spare room on his
program during the Second World War.
Jay was a good composer and lyricist and had a long productive life. He will
be missed like those who went before him: George Gershwin, Harold Arlen,
Irving Berlin, and all those composers of popular music who enriched the
films of the thirties, forties, and fifties with their great songs.
We are fortunate that Chuck Schaden had the wisdom to record Jay talking
about and playing his songs as a kind of "intermission feature" in the 1993
recreation of a Great Gildersleeve show, in which Shirley Mitchell, Willard
Waterman (also since deceased), and Mary Lee Robb participated. Judging from
that album, Jay was a great raconteur as well. I believe the two-cassette
album of that Saturday afternoon recreation is still available at Metro
Golden Memories in Chicago.
Jan Bach
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:11:10 -0400
From: Robert Fells <rfells@[removed];
To: old time radio <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: CD Labels Again
I'm grateful to Jim Beck for his detailed analysis of the very serious
problems with placing adhesive labels on CDs. I brought up this very
concern about two or three years ago to some small OTR vendors who made
some of their broadcasts available on CD-Rs. All of them acted like I
was speaking a foreign language when I questioned the wisdom of using
adhesive labels vis-a-vis longterm storage. One vendor pointed out that
he couldn't afford printed silk screens on his CDs which is
understandable but doesn't address the problem. Today with the
widespread use of home CD "burners," collectors should make new copies
of any CDs they have with adhesive labels. There have even been
problems with commercially-issued CDs. For example, BMG, which owns
RCA, had to replace its Enrico Caruso CD set when the red ink on the
"Red Seal" on each CD starting eating through the disc.
On a related issue, I understand that while commercially stamped CDs
(I'm sure there's technical term for them) should last for 100 years or
more assuming proper storage, the life of a CD-R is projected at 10
years, or 15 years at the most. Yet another reason to copy off any
particularly valuable CD-Rs.
Bob Fells
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:11:43 -0400
From: Robert Fells <rfells@[removed];
To: old time radio <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: CD Labels Again
I'm grateful to Jim Beck for his detailed analysis of the very serious
problems with placing adhesive labels on CDs. I brought up this very
concern about two or three years ago to some small OTR vendors who made
some of their broadcasts available on CD-Rs. All of them acted like I
was speaking a foreign language when I questioned the wisdom of using
adhesive labels vis-a-vis longterm storage. One vendor pointed out that
he couldn't afford printed silk screens on his CDs which is
understandable but doesn't address the problem. Today with the
widespread use of home CD "burners," collectors should make new copies
of any CDs they have with adhesive labels. There have even been
problems with commercially-issued CDs. For example, BMG, which owns
RCA, had to replace its Enrico Caruso CD set when the red ink on the
"Red Seal" on each CD starting eating through the disc.
On a related issue, I understand that while commercially stamped CDs
(I'm sure there's technical term for them) should last for 100 years or
more assuming proper storage, the life of a CD-R is projected at 10
years, or 15 years at the most. Yet another reason to copy off any
particularly valuable CD-Rs.
Bob Fells
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:12:02 -0400
From: otrbuff@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bill Cullen
I'd have to take exception to Sandy Singer's statement that Bill Cullen
had one artificial limb and was never shown walking on camera. If that
is true, how did he effectively preside over The Price Is Right for
nearly a decade (1956-65)? I can't see Bob Barker not walking as a part
of his duties. How would Cullen have escaped?
Cullen was the most prolific master of ceremonies in the history of
broadcast game shows, supplying that coveted spot for several on radio
(Give and Take, Hit the Jackpot, Stop the Music!, Walk a Mile and Winner
Take All) and at least a dozen on TV, including: Blankety Blanks, Chain
Reaction, Child's Play, Eye Guess, Give and Take, Hot Potato, The Joker's
Wild, Name That Tune, Pass the Buck, The Price Is Right, Three on a Match
and Winner Take All. In addition, he emceed The Bill Cullen Show and
Matinee in New York and appeared regularly on NBC Sports in Action and
I've Got a Secret (on the latter, he was frequently called upon to get up
from that panel desk and perform some type of physical exertion).
I think the better explanation is the more widely reported one, that a
childhood bout with polio resulted in a decided limp that kept him from
embracing TV enthusiastically for a while. Let's face it: he was
intimidated by his physical malady. As radio's fortunes ebbed in the
1950s, however, he realized that his career could be promising before the
cameras or dried up before the microphone. He chose the former, put
aside his fears and the man with the horn-rimmed glasses and the elfin
grin became as recognizable to most Americans as did the president of the
U. S., and perhaps moreso. Cullen died in L. A. on July 7, 1990. I've
devoted a healthy space to him in my book, "The Great Radio Audience
Participation Shows."
Tieing his life back to radio, one of the earliest assignments in New
York for the Pittsburgh native was to announce NBC's new soap opera, This
Is Nora Drake, in 1947 (and later on CBS). The sponsor was the Toni
division of The Gillette Corp. One day he read a piece of commercial
copy that, in that epoch, wouldn't have had nearly the same meaning aired
then as it would now: "Each month more than a million women use Toni
home permanents--schoolgirls, secretaries, housewives--women with no more
experience or training than YOU have!" Though we may be sure his words
weren't intended to be condescending, his remarks would in no way amuse
most women if read over the air today. The drama's supervising Foote,
Cone and Belding ad agency was surely working in a kinder, gentler, more
accepting age (except, perhaps, of women).
He was also a popular host of The Road Show and Monitor during their runs
over NBC Radio.
Cullen was a gregarious man who made legions of assignments in
broadcasting appear absolutely effortless, while having such obvious fun
emceeing so many shows. I'm glad we had him around for as long as we
did!
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:17:29 -0400
From: Robert Fells <rfells@[removed];
To: old time radio <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Lux Rehearsal Recordings
The recent discussions here concerning auditions, rehearsals, and
various recordings of them, reminded me of the veritable treasure trove
of "dress" rehearsal recordings from the Lux Radio Theater. Perhaps
someone can enlighten us as to why they were recorded in the first place
but they make for fascinating listening, whether compared with the
broadcast performances or not.
While I've personally heard only a handful of them, a careful listener
can detect a wealth of behind-the-scenes information. For example,
during the rehearsal for "Bullets or Ballots" in April 1939, where Edw.
G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart recreated their 1936 screen roles,
somebody - presumably Lux's "real" director - interupts the action. He
can be heard saying that the action is too confusing and listeners won't
be able to follow it. There's a quite huddle and somebody comes up with
an idea to clarify the action. They start over and the director is
satisfied that the problem has been solved. What's interesting about
this incident is that Cecil B. DeMille is standing there saying
nothing. The director asks CB to introduce the scene again and the
great producer-director meekly does what he is told to do. Guess Mr.
DeMille really didn't "produce" the show.
A 1946 rehearsal for Wallace Beery in "Barnacle Bill" is rather tragic
because his brother Noah, a well-known character actor of silent films
and early talkies, is heard in a supporting role and is part of the
"Curtain Call" at the end of the show. Noah died of a heart attack the
following day a few hours prior to the broadcast. Wallace went on but
he seems close to tears during the "Curtain Call" when somebody else
speaks Noah's lines.
My own favorite Lux rehearsal is a January 1939 recording of "Cardinal
Richelieu" starring George Arliss. This seems to be Mr. Arliss's last
public performance in a career that began in 1886 and this rehearsal
recording has the distinction of preserving this great actor's only
known dialogue flubs. Ironically, he flubs the name of the show! Other
highlights include a remark by a staff member noting, "We're too long"
about 45 minutes into the rehearsal. Indeed, the show ends up running
over its time slot. The broadcast version pared down DeMille's
introductory remarks including his observation that "Mr. Arliss is now
in his 71st year," a remark that Mr. Arliss may have ordered eliminated
regardless of the timing problem. I wondered if there was some
confusion over which microphone Mr. Arliss was supposed to use because
as he is about to make his curtain speech, somebody can be heard saying,
"Right in here."
Finally, on the postive side, all the actors seemed letter-perfect in
their roles and I'd guess - as an amateur - that the rehearsal was
performed more for timing. In fact, some of the Lux broadcasts I've
heard contain more flubs than the rehearsals but then I recall that some
of the rehearsal recordings of Arturo Toscanini conducting the NBC
Symphony Orchestra provide better performances than the broadcast
versions. In some cases, when RCA issued the performance on records,
they lifted portions from the rehearsals!.
Bob Fells
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:17:52 -0400
From: "George Coppen*" <gacoppen@[removed];
To: "otr digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: lets lay this one to rest,PLEASE
I have been trying to acquire a Lux Radio Program thats title is "No
Highways In The Sky" April 28th, 1952 for a friend. I have asked for this
program before and have received several copies but have not received one
with a good opening and closing of the show. Do any of you experts out there
know if a good copy does exist ?? I would appreciate an answer so I can lay
this one to rest as the fellow keeps calling me and asking if I have come
across one yet. I do appreciate the help. gacoppen@[removed] is where you
can send your reply. George
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:19:11 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Audition tapes are Demo's
There seems to be some confusion as to the term "Audition recordings" of
programs. My good buddy Lois Culver [removed]
I believe you are using the term "audition" incorrectly. It looks like you
mean the "rehearsal" or the readings of a script before it reaches the air.
An "audition" is when several people get called to read for a part, and then
from those hopefully one or more of them get chosen to play that part.
Lois is correct, (of course) but I believe there is a semantics problem with
the original question she was responding to. As Strother martin is fond of
saying in "Cool Hand Luke".."What we got [removed] a failure to
communicate".
I believe the original question had something to do with the pay scale for
performers who did recordings of programs on a "Spec" basis, in hopes the
show could attract a sponsor. I don't believe they were referred to as
"Audition tapes" as Lois mentioned. Put in perspective, in today's TV terms,
they would be known as a "Pilot"...., but back in the days of OTR, I believe
we used the term "Demo tape", or possibly, a "Sales Promotion" recording.
But never say never, I always say. Maybe some Momo, way back then, used the
term "Audition Recording"... but now we all know what he meant by it.
Naturally, any Stars or "Name" talent had the option of working for scale
doing these demo's, in hopes the show sold. In which case, they (or their
agents) had already negotiated a hefty "fee per episode" which was built
into the program costs that was being pitched to the perspective sponsor.
Usually, Demo programs like this were pitched to sponsors through their
respective Ad agencies, or in some cases, even initiated by the ad agencies.
Supporting cast members were undoubtedly paid scale as well to do these
"demo's". It's unlikely that anyone worked for free. Even in today's World,
Name Stars will do bits, walk-on's, Cameo'[removed] for [removed] for "friends"
and/or "Director's or Producers" that they like, or perhaps owe a favor to.
Right Lois?
Hal(Harlan)Stone
"Jughead"
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 15:23:09 -0400
From: Larry Gassman <lgassman@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bob Bailey
To my knowledge, no interview survives with Bob Bailey from his
radio days.
in the early 80's, several of us from SPERDVAC, including Chris Lembesis,
Cal Witt, Bobb Lynes, Barbara Watkins, John Gassman, and myself traveled on
at least 2 occasions to see him in a Nursing home in Lancaster California.
His memory was not good and he spoke in generalities about his radio
days. He had forgotten quite a bit from his days on Knickerbocker
Playhouse, and Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. Oh Yes! he remembered doing the
shows, but could recall nothing really specific about any of the shows. He
recalled meeting and knowing many actors and performers from both Radio and
movies, but again had no real specific information to share.
Bob Baily died in 1984.
Larry Gassman
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2001 Issue #337
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