------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 462
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Christmas songs [ John Politis <channel1@[removed]; ]
Saints Preserve Us! [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
Yucky? [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
Radio Orphan Annie decoders [ "Leslie Feagan" <lfeagan@actorsfcu. ]
My night at Ciro's & other occasions [ "Harry Machin Jr" <harbev5@earthlin ]
Decoders and Ovaltine. [ Robert Coppedge <robertc@[removed]; ]
Giddins on Benny [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
singin' in the rain [ Mort Greenberg <mgreenb300@comcast. ]
Helen Kane on radio [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
12-30 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Mutual Radio Theater [ "William D. Clark" <wclark4121@stic ]
East coast broadcast vs. West coast [ otrdude@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 09:42:35 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
From Those Were The Days --
1945 - The mystery voice of Mr. Hush was heard for the first time on
Truth or Consequences, hosted by Ralph Edwards. The feature was intended
as a spoof of giveaway shows. However, the idea was taken seriously and
lasted five weeks before fighter Jack Dempsey was identified as Mr. Hush
-- for a prize of $13,500.
Joe
--
Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 09:46:08 -0500
From: John Politis <channel1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Christmas songs
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Some others:
Here Comes Santa Claus Gene Autry #9 1947, #8, 1949, #24 1950
Christmas Island Andrews Sisters #7 1 94 7, #26 1949
Christmas in Killarney Percy Faith #28 1950
Mistoetoe Kiss #27 1949 Primo Scala
Marshmallow World #24 1951 Bing Crosby
Blue Christmas #13 1949 Russ Morgan #9 1950 Hugo Winterhalted, #21 1950
Ernest Tubb
Let It Snow #1 Vaughn Monroe 1946 #7 Woody Herman 1946 # 8 Connee
Bosswelll 1946 #14 Bob Crosby 1946
John Politis
Homepage: [removed]~politis
[removed]
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Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:39:45 -0500
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Saints Preserve Us!
The new volume that several have inquired about, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost
Persons, has been moved up in the McFarland publishing cycle by six months
and is targeted for spring release. So for all of you Keen and Clancy fans
who've been salivating over their anticipated emergence, you'll not have as
long to wait.
The book includes lots of pictures, a detailed log of the 1690 episodes
(hundreds more than any other detective in broadcast history, including TV),
cast lists, sponsors, network and airtime data, and a plethora of
captivating anecdotes from behind the scenes that transpired in the lives of
actors, announcers, writers, directors and producers, based on
never-before-published interviews and intensive research. There's also a
chapter on the genre of the radio detective (including many other gumshoes)
and the form's pervasive influence during the golden age on American
entertainment.
The text attempts to capture the lighthearted style of "the kindly old
investigator" and his bumbling Irish sidekick. Hopefully, it will provide an
enjoyable traipse to memory lane for all who relished this important drama
that ran from 1937-1955 on three national chains.
McFarland is taking prepublication orders for the hardbound text now at
800-253-2187 and [removed]. Due to its comprehensive nature, the
400-page volume has been priced at $65 by the publisher. It should be the
definitive work on radio's most durable sleuthing series.
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:57:54 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Yucky?
Rick Selvin notes,
terribly AWFUL Ovaltine tasted. Of course, as the counselor knows, this
is simply a free-speech opinion -- and one I happen to share. It may have
been and still be a perfectly good-tasting and wholesome product. (End of
disclaimer.)
Well, this is a matter of taste. My wife absolutely adores seafood, and
the very odor of seafood makes me feel ill. Likewise, until BES, my
favorite food has been a standing rib roast, the sight of which makes her
shudder.
When I was growing up, I really dug the taste of Ovaltine. I still mix
it up occasionally (though the formula for the "Classic" has changed, so
the taste is a bit off), and enjoy it as I used to.
I'm sure everyone on the Digest who lived through the OTR era list has at
one time or another consumed something he or she really didn't like. For
me, it was the old Kix cereal, which was just slightly softer than
crushed rocks, even after being soaked in milk. But Ovaltine I really
liked.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:05:27 -0500
From: "Leslie Feagan" <lfeagan@[removed];
To: "old time radio digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Radio Orphan Annie decoders
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With all the gab lately concerning decoders, I was wondering whether anyone
would be interested in purchasing my complete collection of Radio Orphan Annie
decoders from 1935,-36,-37,-38,-39 and 1940. I've been collecting them for
over 20 years from antique stores and dealers across America and have paid
from $35 to $85 for each decoder. Please contact me with your desires, contact
info and price you are willing to spend at lfeagan@[removed] .
Sincerely,
Leslie Feagan
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Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:30:20 -0500
From: "Harry Machin Jr" <harbev5@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: My night at Ciro's & other occasions
The question about Ciro's brought back a very
special memory for me. As I've mentioned in earlier
postings, when my ship was based at San Diego
(early '50s), I often went to Hollywood on weekends
and attended radio shows. On one very special weekend,
I and a buddy went to Ciro's to see Joni James, the
current singing sensation. To our amazement, Joni came
out to our table after she had done her first set. She had
seen the two sailors at a table, and because her brother
was in the navy, decided to come out and sit with us.
What a thrill that was for two young sailors! My other
interesting experience that evening at Ciro's was seeing
Lurene Tuttle at a table for two, and with a man about
her age. I was tempted to speak to Lurene, but decided
against it (timidity, I guess). Of course, many times
later on, I regretted missing that opportunity. Other
radio celebrities I failed to speak to, same excuse, were
John Dehner and Sam Edwards (in a restaurant), and
Williard Waterman (on the street in LaJolla). I've often
wondered what would have happened if I had not been
so timid on those several occasions.
Harry Machin, Jr.
harbev5@[removed]
another occasion, I saw Willard Waterman walking one
weekend afternoon on a street in LaJolla
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:56:09 -0500
From: Robert Coppedge <robertc@[removed];
To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Decoders and Ovaltine.
Just a quick note that I agree with Steven Kallis about the decoder and
Ovaltine.
I got my decoder in 1946, and I remember sending a seal from the top of
the jar to get it. I really don't remember if any money was sent or
not, but I don't believe so.
One question:
Did the address to send the seal end with ---- Chicago 77, Illinois?
It seems that I remember this as being an address for many radio
premiums. Am I just dreaming?
Bob Coppedge.
--
Please visit my Home Page at:
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 14:08:52 -0500
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Giddins on Benny
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Steve Lewis wrote:
Jack Benny once got a big laugh on radio when he asked Bing Crosby, who had
complained that a country club didn't admit actors, "How would you like to be
an actor and a Jew?"
The review was written by Gary Giddins, who is the author of a recent
biography about Bing Crosby.
I recently received a copy of an article on Jack written by Gary Giddins, and
was practically bouncing off the walls at all the errors in it. Most of the
article was philosophy on the character, but when it got to biographical
information, it felt like every other sentence had some sort of error or
misleading information in it.
I am not familiar with the above quote, but that's not to say that Jack
definitely didn't say it. It does seem very out of character for him,
something
that would be more appropriate to someone like Georgie Jessel or Groucho
Marx.
I am mostly familiar with Giddins' work through his commentary on Ken Burns
documentaries, so I don't know if he's usually such an "unreliable source".
But as far as what I've seen of his Benny work, I'd take any "fact" from him
with a 20-pound bag of salt.
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
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Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 14:12:02 -0500
From: Mort Greenberg <mgreenb300@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: singin' in the rain
I am an avid reader but rarely contribute, let alone ask a question. But
since I heard about the passing of Donald O'Conner I was wondering if a
radio adaptation of Singin' In the Rain was ever broadcast. I realize it
would be difficult since the movie dealt with early Talkies, but many movies
that seemed to be very visual were made into radio adaptations. Thanks for
any information.
mort greenberg
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 15:06:36 -0500
From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Helen Kane on radio
A friend of mine (a film studies professor) just asked
me the following query:
"Do you have any Betty Boop or Helen Kane radio from
the 20's or very early 30's? I'm doing a paper on
baby talk in the earlie talkies for a conference in
March. I'm enjoying my early talkie films, but it
would be nice to round it out with a little radio,
too."
I don't think I've got anything. Of course, there's
not much from that era surviving (relative to the
mid/late 30s onward). Does anybody have any
suggestions?
Thanks,
Kermyt
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 15:07:42 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 12-30 births/deaths
Today in history:
1940 - Los Angeles dedicataes the Arroyo Seco Parkway, its first freeway.
December 30th births
12-30-1894 - Vincent Lopez - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-20-1975
bandleader: "Luncheon with Lopez"
12-30-1899 - Michael Raffetto - Placerville, CA - d. 5-31-1990
actor: Paul Barbour "One Man"s Family"; Jack Packard "I Love A
Mystery/Adventure"
12-30-1900 - Everett Marshall - Lawrence, MA - d. 4-1965
singer: "Broadway Vanities/Varieties"
12-30-1911 - Jeanette Nolan - Los Angeles, CA - d. 6-5-1998
actress: Nicolette Moore "One Man"s Family"; Mrs. Hudson "Advs. of Sherlock
Holmes"
12-30-1912 - Hugh Griffith - Marianglas, Anglesey, North Wales - d. 5-14-1980
actor: "Under Milk Wood"
12-30-1914 - Bert Parks - Atlanta, GA - d. 2-2-1992
emcee, announcer: "Break the Bank"; "Stop the Music"; "Double or Nothing"
December 30th deaths
09-28-1906 - Jack Meakin - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 12-30-1982
conductor: "Great Gildersleeve"; "You Bet Your Life"
11-18-1900 - Don Quinn - Grand Rapids, MI - d. 12-30-1967
writer: "Fibber McGee and Molly"; "Halls of Ivy"
12-28-1908 - Lew Ayres - Minneapolis, MN - d. 12-30-1996
actor: Dr. James Kildare "Dr. Kildare"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 16:27:59 -0500
From: "William D. Clark" <wclark4121@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Mutual Radio Theater
While going through 33 LP albums at my local used book store I came
across an unusual item which immediately found its way into my shopping
basket.
What I found was a boxed set of shows for the Mutual Radio Theater, week of
June 2-6, 1980. The box contains 5 albums, 1 for each day of the week:
Monday-Western; Host: Lorne Greene
"The Mutiny Against George Washington"
Tuesday-Comedy; Host: Andy Griffith
"Let's Play House"
Wednesday-Mystery; Host: Vincent Price
"Long Distance"
Thursday-Love; Host: Cicely Tyson
"Love Conquers All"
Friday-Adventure; Host: Leonard Nimoy
"Yessir, That's My Baby"
The albums contain segments with network commercials included. The
segment will play through then the tone arm will not advance to the next
segment allowing a "donut" for the local broadcaster to insert a local
affiliate commercial.
The most interesting is the literature included. The cover letter
from "Frank J. Murphy III, VP, Station Relations" of the Mutual Broadcasting
System reads in part:
"...It is important that ALL PROGRAMS ARE DESTROYED AFTER THE SCHEDULED AIR
DATE (their emphasis) to prevent an accidental re-broadcast. Each program is
authorized for one broadcast only. An unauthorized re-broadcast could mean
termination of your station's permission to carry the program and may
possibly result in additional legal actions."
Included is a "Format for Station Use" with a minute by minute
breakdown of how to run the programs segments with commercials for each
episode's 52:40 minute run. The paperwork also contains a summary of each
broadcast.
Though I know that 1980 is not OTR by any stretch of the
imagination, what I would like to know is do I possibly have a rare find, or
was this item commercially available and made to look like radio station
property? There is no writing on the exterior box which is normally found on
other store bought recordings such as addresses, cover design
acknowledgement or "all rights reserved" comments. What is the best way to
store and preserve this find so it can survive the march of time? The albums
are in "mint" condition with all slip sleeves intact and the included
paperwork is not wrinkled or yellowed with time. I want to do my best to
keep it that way.
Also could anyone tell me about the Mutual Radio Theater? I know
about the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, but had no knowledge that the Mutual
Network did the same at one point.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:51:58 -0500
From: otrdude@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: East coast broadcast vs. West coast broadcast
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When a show like Jack Benny put on an East Coast broadcast and then later the
same day a West Coast broadcast, would they use a new audience for the second
broadcast?
Andrew Steinberg
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End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #462
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