Subject: [removed] Digest V2012 #196
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 12/23/2012 10:18 PM
To: [removed]@[removed]
Reply-to:
[removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2012 : Issue 196
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  This week in radio history 23-29 Dec  [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  The other side of [removed]        [ mschmid@[removed] ]
  12-23 births/deaths                   [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]

______________________________________________________________________

    ADMINISTRIVIA:

We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the
communication below, expressing at the same time our great
gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends
of The Sun: 

Dear Editor, I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. 
Papa says "If you see it in The Sun it's so."
Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?
         Virginia O'Hanlon
         115 West Ninety-fifth St.


VIRGINIA, Your little friends are wrong. They have been affected
by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except
they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible
by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or
children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere
insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world
about him, as measured by the intelligence of grasping the whole of
truth and knowledge 

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love
and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and
give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would
be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as
if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then,
no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should
have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with
which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. 

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!
You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on
Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa
Claus coming down what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus but
that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things
in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you
ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no
proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the
wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. 

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside,
but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest
man, not even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever
lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance,
can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty
and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world
there is nothing else real and abiding. 

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand
years from now, Virginia, nay ten times ten thousand years from now,
he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. 

   -- Editorial page of the New York Sun, September 21, 1897


 From our entire family to yours - Annie, Katie (who knows perfectly well 
there is a Santa Claus, since she's seen him - see 
[removed] ), and yours truly; no matter what you 
are celebrating at this truly amazing time of the year, Happy Holidays!

______________________________________________________________________


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

Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:11:17 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  This week in radio history 23-29 December

 From Today in history, the NY Times

12/23

In 1928, the National Broadcasting Company set up a permanent, coast to
coast network.

 From Today's Almanac --

In 1947, the transistor was invented, leading to a revolution in
communications and electronics.

12/24

1906   Professor Reginald A. Fessenden sent his first radio broadcast
from Brant Rock, MA. The program included a little verse, some violin
and a speech.  (This is a disputed event according to some sources -ed).

1944   The Andrews Sisters starred in the debut of The Andrews Sisters'
Eight to the Bar Ranch on ABC. Patty, Maxene and LaVerne ran a fictional
dude ranch. George "Gabby" Hayes was a regular guest along with Vic
Schoen's orchestra. The ranch stayed in operation until 1946.

12/25

1931   Lawrence Tibbett was the featured vocalist as radio came to the
Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The first opera was Hansel
und Gretel, heard on the NBC network of stations. In between acts of the
opera, moderator Olin Downes would conduct an opera quiz, asking
celebrity guests opera related questions. The program's host and
announcer was Milton Cross. He worked out of the Met's Box 44.

1937   Arturo Toscanini conducted the first broadcast of NBC symphony
orchestra over NBC.

1939   The Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, was performed by
Lionel Barrymore on The Campbell Playhouse on CBS.  The performance of
the tale was an annual radio event for years, before and after.

1942   The longest, sponsored program in the history of broadcasting was
heard on NBC Blue network. The daylong Victory Parade's Christmas Party
of Spotlight Bands was heard over 142 radio stations. The marathon
broadcast was sponsored by Coca Cola.

12/26

1953   Big Sister was heard for the last time on CBS. The show had been
on the air for 17 years. Big Sister was the ongoing story of Sue Evans
Miller and her relationship with her big sister, Ruth Evans. Actresses
who played big sister Ruth over the years: Alice Frost, Nancy Marshall,
Marjorie Anderson, Mercedes McCambridge. Little Sister Sue was played by
Haila Stoddard, Dorothy McGuire, Peggy Conklin and Fran Carlon.

1954   One of radio's most popular programs, The Shadow, lurked around
the airwaves for the last time. Vigilante crime fighter Lamont Cranston
battled greed and corruption since 1930. "Who knows what evil lurks in
the hearts of men? The Shadow [removed]"

12/27

1932   Radio City Music Hall, in New York City, opened. It was the
largest indoor theatre in the world. The gala grand opening show was a
six hour extravaganza that lost half a million dollars within three
weeks. The theatre has since been renovated to recapture its original
decorative charm. An Art Deco cathedral of entertainment, it seats more
than 6,200 people and is still a must see for those visiting New York.
During the holiday season, audiences continue to get a kick out of
seeing the world famous Rockettes perform in precision on Radio City
Music Hall's nearly 10,000 square foot stage.

1939   The Glenn Miller Show, also known as Music that Satisfies,
started on CBS. The 15 minute, twice a week show was sponsored by
Chesterfield cigarettes and was heard for nearly three years.

1940   Singer Al Jolson and actress Ruby Keeler were divorced after 12
years of marriage. They had separated a year earlier; but Jolson talked
Keeler into co starring with him in the Broadway show, Hold on to Your
Hats. She left the show before the opening and then left the marriage.

1968   The Breakfast Club signed off for the last time on ABC, after 35
years on the air.

12/28

1941   The Helen Hayes Theater, on CBS, was called the first casualty of
World War II. Lipton Tea dropped sponsorship of the program as it
prepared for shortages in tea imports from India.

12/29

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.  ($16,6458 in 2011 dollars).

   Joe

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

Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:14:02 -0500
From: mschmid@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  The other side of [removed]

Here are two of my favorite Christmas shows, for those allergic to treacle.

Molle Mystery Theater "The Man in the Velvet Hat" #64  12-19-44
(exists in AFRS version on Mystery Playhouse) in which a homicidal
maniac uses bible verses to commit mass murder for the holidays.

TOMORROW October 17, 1956 - a 60-minute Civil Defense special based on
the book by Philip Wylie, starring Orson Welles. A crazy mix of
Americana, patriotism and cold war paranoia.

"Coley Bordon stood alone looking out of the window of his former
office - people were already starting to die down there. The streets
were packed solid with cars and trucks, and people were running across
the tops of the sardined the autos to 'get out of there". He saw a
tiny purple doll of a young woman fall, and a hundred people instantly
using her body as a step to the tops of the cars. Here and there a
round scarlet blob was a department store Santa Claus, clawing for his
life. The siren moaned to stillness, but there was no peace."

"Coley Bordon closed his eyes - it was no good closing his ears".

Somebody cue up Weird Al's "Christmas at Ground Zero"!

Actually, this shows starts around Thanksgiving, so you can add it to
my Thanksgiving favorites too.

This may arrive too late for you to tune in live, but the following
Christmas show is available for two weeks after the broadcast in the
archives at [removed] If you like, you can get advance notice for both
of my shows on my facebook announce page [removed]
- I update it twice a week for the show on [removed] (heard at
11 am on Saturday), and the broadcast show on WBAI-NY [removed] FM (streams
live at [removed]).

Sunday night from 7 to 9 pm on WBAI [removed] FM and streaming live on the
web at [removed] - our Christmas Extravaganza featuring three shows
I've never aired before, and one old favorite.

I checked out the favorite shows of members of this digest to find
ones I had never heard before, and on Sunday I'll share some of them
with you.

We begin with MATINEE THEATER, which apparently was a continuation of
the series DANGEROUSLY YOURS starring Victor Jory (The Shadow in movie
serials). From December 24, 1944 "A Stable In
[removed]" Two old coots don't much care for Christmas
until a stranger tells them the story of Mary and Joe. Sponsored by
Vicks, with Martin Gabel, Jackson Beck, and John Brown.

Next up, for fans of bathroom reading at your grandfather's house,
it's THE RADIO READER'S DIGEST sponsored by Hallmark Cards. Frank
Sinatra stars in "Room For a Stranger" from December 19, 1946 from CBS
station WBBM, Chicago. A soldier has only 24 hours to meet up with his
girlfriend before his Christmas pass is canceled. Hosted by Richard
Kollmar (radio's BOSTON BLACKIE after Chester Morris left, and, with
wifey Dorothy Kilgallen, co-host of Dorothy and Dick).

Since no Schmid Christmas show is complete without a darker element,
we hear next an early episode (#15) from the Larry Thor version of
BROADWAY IS MY BEAT from Dec 24, 1949 "Nick Norman, Santa Claus" A
recently released jailbird agrees to play Santa for the kids at the
Police Athletic League. Trouble follows, of course. Great cast, great
writers, great director, great everything - one of my favorite OTR
series! With Larry Thor, Howard McNear, Gil Stratton, Shepard Menken,
Peggy Webber, and Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. Elliott Lewis -
producer, director, Alexander Courage (composer), Wilbur Hatch
(conductor), Written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin.

Finally, a new Christmas favorite from THE MARRIAGE, an NBC series
written by Ernest Kinoy (adapter of many shows on X-1) and starring
the husband and wife team of Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. From Dec
20, 1953, it's episode #12 in which Liz gets a Christmas job in a
department store and gets a new point of view on the holiday. With
Bryna Raeburn, Denise Alexander, David Pfeffer, Ann Thomas, Sylvia
Davis, Kermit Murdock, and Norman Lloyd. As my pal Dave Kenney [removed]
"Good Stuff!"

Tune in - Don't Miss It! Sunday night at 7pm on WBAI.

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

Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:14:29 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  12-23 births/deaths

December 23rd births

12-23-1805 - Joseph Smith - Sharon, VT - d. 6-27-1844
founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: Many
programs based on his life
12-23-1873 - Burns Mantle - Watertown, NY - d. 2-9-1948
writer: "Best Plays" based on Mantle's theatrical yearbook
12-23-1887 - John Cromwell - d. 9-26-1979
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
12-23-1893 - Anne O'Neal - St. Louis, MO - d. 11-24-1971
actor: Cynthia Veryberry "Grapevine Rancho"
12-23-1903 - Helen Troy - San Francisco, CA - d. 11-1-1942
actor: Sally "Cecil and Sally"
12-23-1903 - Milton Alfred - d. 9-11-1968
sportscaster: WICA Ashtabula, Ohio
12-23-1907 - Don McNeill - Galena, IL - d. 5-7-1996
host: "Breakfast Club"
12-23-1909 - Maurice Denham - Beckenham, England - d. 7-24-2002
actor: "Return of Sherlock Holmes"
12-23-1911 - James Gregory - The Bronx, NY - d. 9-16-2002
actor: Captain Vincent Cronin "21st Precinct"
12-23-1913 - Anton M. Leader - Boston, MA - d. 7-1-1988
director: "Eternal Light"; "Murder at Midnight"; "Suspense"; "Words at
War"
12-23-1922 - Jack Lloyd - Duisburg, Germany - d. 5-21-1976
actor: "Armstrong Theatre of Today"; "The Joan Davis Show"
12-23-1922 - Ruth Roman - Boston, MA - d. 9-9-1999
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Hollywood Sound Stage"
12-23-1922 - Scott Vincent - d. 5-31-1979
announcer: "The Jimmy Dean Show"
12-23-1923 - Ray Kemper - Lankershim, CA
sound effects: "Gunsmoke"; "Voyage of the Scarlet Queen"; "Fort Laramie"
12-23-1924 - Floyd Kalber - Omaha, NE - d. 5-13-2004
news correspondent: NBC; News Anchor for WMAQ and WLS in Chicago
12-23-1931 - Kenneth Methold - Sussex, England
writer: "Sweet Singing the Choir"; "All Suspect"
12-23-1933 - Emperor Akihito - Tokyo, Japan
emperor of japan: Appeared on NHK radio
12-23-1939 - Antonio Damarko - Chilie
writer: "Funny Tragedies"
12-23-1943 - Harry Shearer - Los Angeles, CA
actor: Member of the Beavers "Jack Benny Program"

December 23rd deaths

01-03-1909 - Victor Borge - Copenhagen, Denmark - d. 12-23-2000
comedian, pianist: "Victor Borge Show"; "Kraft Music Hall"
01-04-1889 - Pat Kelly - North Queensland, Australia - d. 12-23-1967
announcer: "Dog Heroes"; "Getting the Most Out of Life"
01-20-1912 - Paula Stone - NYC - d. 12-23-1997
moderator: "Leave It to the Girls"
02-08-1886 - Charlie Ruggles - Los Angeles, CA - d. 12-23-1970
comedian: "Texaco Star Theatre"; "Suspense"; "This Is My Best"
04-02-1892 - Marjorie Child Husted - d. 12-23-1986
First radio voice of Betty Crocker
04-02-1920 - Jack Webb - Santa Monica, CA - d. 12-23-1982
actor: Joe Friday "Dragnet"; Pete Kelly "Pete Kelly's Blues"
04-06-1924 - Mimi Benzell - Bridgeport, CT - d. 12-23-1970
singer: "Jack Pearl and Mimi Benzell"; "Railroad Hour"
05-03-1905 - Sebastian Shaw - Holt, England - d. 12-23-1994
actor: "For Elise"
05-14-1890 - Carlton Brickert - Martinsville, IN - d. 12-23-1943
actor: David Post "Story of Mary Marlin"; Howard Thurston "Thurston
the Magician"
07-01-1901 - Irna Phillips - Chicago, IL - d. 12-23-1973
actor, writer: Mother Moran "Today's Children"; "The Guiding Light";
"Road of Life"
08-15-1925 - Oscar Peterson - Montreal, Canada - d. 12-23-2007
jazz pianist: "Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum"
10-25-1924 - Billy Barty - Millsboro, PA - d. 12-23-2000
comedian: "Spike Jones Band", "James Melton Show"
11-04-1901 - Helene Dumas - Brooklyn, NY - d. 12-23-1986
actor: "Jane Arden"; "Eno Crime Club"; "Short Short Story"
11-11-1911 - Patric Knowles - Horsforth, Yorkshire, England - d.
12-23-1995
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
12-08-1892 - Dr. Jacob Tarshish - d. 12-23-1960
rabbi: "The Lamplighter"
12-30-1884 - Hideki Tojo - Tokyo, Japan - d. 12-23-1948
prime minister: War Time Broadcasts

Ron

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2012 Issue #196
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