------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2005 : Issue 105
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Hartford Courant on Radio Classics [ Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed] ]
Re: need help in course [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
Secondary characters [ "Michael Leannah" <mleannah@charter ]
What's up with the IJBFC [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
Paul Temple [ "Mike Hobart" <zines50@[removed]; ]
Re: Zach/[removed] [ jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns) ]
Thank you, Chuck Case [ Hal Stone <otrjug@[removed]; ]
Edward R. Murrow [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
"Boring to watch?" (re: Live Recreat [ wich2@[removed] ]
Edward R. Murrow [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
4-3 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
First Choices [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
This week in radio history 3-9 April [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:51:52 -0500
From: Sean Dougherty <seandd@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Hartford Courant on Radio Classics
A review of the Radio Classics audio download service can found here:
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:52:44 -0500
From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: need help in course
[removed]@[removed] wrote:
I am planning a course for our local lifelong learning institute on time
travel in fact and fiction. I plan to use some old time radio shows. "
A Gun for Dinasour" comes to mind. Any other suggetions? Any help would be
appreciated.
Several other examples:
X Minus One: Project Mastodon - 6/5/56; The Old Die Rich - 7/17/56
Exploring Tomorrow: Time Traveler (aka Meddler's Moon
SF '68: A Sound of Thunder
Another one that plays with time, but is not truly time travel is from
Dimension X: Time and Time Again - 7/12/51
How deep do you want to go: Theatre Five had Tomorrow 6-1212, about a
woman in 1965 talking to a guy in the year 2035 over a phone.
There are other examples, it just depends on how strict you are on your
time travel definition.
Jim Widner
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:52:58 -0500
From: "Michael Leannah" <mleannah@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Secondary characters
I've been listening to Richard Diamond episodes lately. At the end of each
show when the cast is listed, many familiar names come up and I find myself
wishing I knew the names at the beginning of the show so I'd know who I'm
listening to during the show.
As someone who grew up watching a lot of TV, I know the voices of Alan Reed
(Fred Flintstone), Howard McNear (Floyd the barber on The Andy Griffith
Show), and others, but there are some who are regularly heard on OTR and
when I hear their names I'm always left thinking: Which character did they
play?
Is anyone able to tell me how to recognize the voice of Harry Bartell, for
instance. He's a part of so many OTR shows (Diamond, Gunsmoke, etc.) but I'm
never sure which voice is his. Did he appear on TV or in the movies? Is
there a character he played that defines his voice in a way that I'll know
it every time I hear it?
I've been with people who really know their OTR. They'll say, "That's Paul
Frees," or "That's Joseph Kearns." It's a wonderful ability. Of course, many
OTR actors change their voices, making it hard for those of us struggling to
match voices and names.
Having met Sam Edwards, I can pick him out when I hear him on Gunsmoke. But
there are others who play secondary roles and I can't match their names with
their voices. Does anyone have any tips? How, for instance, do you know when
it's Virginia Gregg or Janette Nolan? Vic Perrin or Harry Bartell?
I read about these actors and hear their names at the ends of shows, but
don't know which name to put with which voice. Help!
Michael Leannah
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:53:04 -0500
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: What's up with the IJBFC
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
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You know, I haven't really advertised here in a while. But there's plenty
going on with the IJBFC. If you haven't visited the Web site in a while
(_[removed]_ ([removed]) ), you should. We've had an
explosion of material (in a good way) in our video library, including some
pretty
rare stuff. I'm putting up diffferent video clips each month
(March--Rochester and Don sing and dance--is still up for the moment, so
catch it quick).
And our ever-popular caption contest, Forum Bulletin Board (which has been
very active lately), etc., etc.
I also just put the second 2005 issue of the Jack Benny Times in the mail
today. It features an exclusive interview with Dr. David Reuben (a close
friend of Jack's, and author of "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About
Sex But
Were Afraid to Ask"...make up your own joke), transcripts of Fred Allen's
weekly retorts to Jack during January 1937 when the feud was catching like
wildfire, a pictorial of Jack in Korea with unpublished photos from the
award-winning Army photographer's own personal collection, and more.
Subscribing now
will get you all 2005 issues (the above-mentioned one and the previous one,
which included an exclusive interview with John Tackaberry's son, an article
by
Milt Josefsberg's son, and plenty more). For more information, go to
_[removed]_ ([removed]) and click on Membership, then
Newsletter.
There's never a dull moment in Benny-land. Come and enjoy.
--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:53:10 -0500
From: "Mike Hobart" <zines50@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Paul Temple
I agree that the Paul Temple whodunits are still wonderful listening.
I heard all the existing stories about 15 years ago when Australia's Radio
National, usually a very high-toned PBS-style network, decided to make a
change to their weekday programming. They introduced an hour of quite
uncharacteristic light entertainment before the midday news, featuring half
an hour of music and half an hour of drama.
We heard all the Paul Temples and a selection of Sherlock Holmes (mostly the
Clive Merrison series). It made for great listening five days a week.
Mike Hobart
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:53:27 -0500
From: jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Zach/[removed]
No, Tony, the Bouchercon--the mystery convention held each year in a
different city--that featured Walter Gibson, was in Manhattan, in
1983--I simply can't remember if it was October or November.
Also of interest, to mystery and OTR buffs, is that the gala's guest of
honor was John D. MacDonald (Travis [removed])
That was also the event where Donald Westlake delivered his famous
paper, stating that detective fiction, was [removed]
Best, Jim Burns
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:55:14 -0500
From: Hal Stone <otrjug@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Thank you, Chuck Case
Wow! What nice things Chuck Case said about my book
Mr. Stone, I finished your brilliant book about 1 week ago and I thought it
was excellent.
I do believe that's the first time in my life I've ever been referred to as
"Brilliant". Accolades like that make life worth living. I wish my school
teachers were still alive so they could change their opinion of my potential
in life. :) Chuck went on to [removed]
I was not around when Radio was in its heyday. I now feel like I
know some of what went on. I really enjoyed all of the stories and a look at
what some of my favorite perfomers looked like. I cut my OTR teeth on CBS
Radio Mystery Theater so it was really great to hear about and see Mason
Adams,
Leon Janney, Arnold Moss, and Robert Dryden just to name a few.
It pleases me that Chucks reaction was exactly what I had tried to achieve
when I wrote my book. I realized that many of the Digest members were not
old enough to remember those days, and really couldn't conceive of the way
Radio Performers worked and played back then.
I suppose the book title "Aw, Relax [removed]" could be a little
misleading. The book is NOT just about the Archie Andrews radio program and
the 9+ years I played "Jughead". I really intended to trace the entire path
that a young kid followed growing up in Show Business, and the interesting
people, celebrities and characters that I encountered along the way. In
addition, with my having an extensive art training background, and having
been a director in the very visual Television medium, I approached writing
the book with as much graphic emphasis as possible, and used lots of
photographs to identify people and events. In some cases, I created sketches
if I didn't have a photo, because I also subscribe to the theory, "One
picture is worth a thousand Words". (Unless of course, one prefers to listen
to "The Theatre of the Mind". :)
The book was never intended to be like the great scholarly researched works
that my friends Grams, Cox, et al have written about various programs and
Genre's in OTR. For instance, It doesn't contain any program logs. My aim
was to simply present what it like to "be there" during Radio's "Golden
Age". I had fun writing it. I wanted people to have fun reading it.
I have listened to a few of the Archie Shows. How many do exist? I am
interested in getting more to listen to. If you could point me in the
direction of more Archie Andrews shows I would appreciate it.
Funny you should bring that up, Chuck. But first, to be very honest with
you, I'm not a collector of radio shows. And the cassettes I have of the
Archie program were given to me as gifts from fans of the show. I'm sure
there are OTR dealers who subscribe to the digest who can furnish you with
copies. One dealer I know, named Ted Davenport, might be able to help you.
Any others out there who can contact Chuck?
But, I do know that very soon, there will be 10 or more Archie shows that
have NEVER been circulated before (from what I've been told) that have just
recently been "discovered". They exist on NBC master recordings, and are
currently being cleaned up, digitally re-mastered, and will be made
available on CD's.
This project is being undertaken by REPS, (Radio Enthusiasts of Puget
Sound), and the new material will be spotlighted and made available at their
upcoming convention in Seattle this coming June. To "Kick off" this special
event, The Archie gang will get together again for a recreation, and three
of the four remaining (surviving) stars will reprise their rolls. Bob
Hastings (Archie), Rosemary Rice (Betty), and Yours Truly (Jughead) will do
our thing, for what will likely be the last time. Unfortunately, Jane Webb,
the programs last "Veronica", hates to fly, so can't travel all the way from
Arizona.
In closing I would like to say THANK YOU for all of the great
performances and all of the memories that you have let us peek in on, in
your book.
And thank you Chuck for making me aware that my book entertained you. That's
what old performers thrive on. To know they they can still entertain.
And just in case there are any new Digest members, or "youngsters" who might
like to read about Radio Performing from an slightly irreverent insiders
point of view, here's the deal. The book is 320 pages long, well over 200
photo's and illustrations, and cost $[removed], with an additional $[removed] to
cover shipping and handling. It can be ordered online at
[removed]
There are a few copies left and no more will be printed. So grab a copy of
this "Brilliant" Literary Masterpiece while you can. Tell 'em Chuck sent
you.: )
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:56:42 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Edward R. Murrow
In the latest issue of the magazine "American History,"
([removed]) there is a nice article titled "Inventing
Broadcast [removed]" This a direct quote from the article, "In spite
of his youth and inexperience Edward R. Murrow assembled a team of
radio reporters in Europe that brought World War II into the parlors of
America and set the gold standard for all broadcast news to this day."
Ron Sayles
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:58:17 -0500
From: wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "Boring to watch?" (re: Live Recreations)
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Dear Bob Cockrum, & Gang-
Sorry this is very belated; I've been juggling a lot of things- including an
upcoming presentation with Arthur Anderson.
I've done new productions before an audience with my own group, in several
venues including MTR, and have been blessed with the opportunity to stand at
the mic with the Old Pros at FOTR. I just had to respond to your questions
about presenting live recreations.
One: Please DO NOT add projected visuals. It will NOT be authentic, and it
WILL be distracting.
Two: Please DO NOT gimmick up, or BY ALL THAT'S HOLY, camp up, the
performances. The event then becomes all about the gimmicks and the camp, and
not at all about the original medium and material.
Three: Please DO chose strong material, and good actors, and rehearse the
piece well. Trust me- this, and well-produced, audience-viewable sound
effects, will sell the piece.
Good luck!
-Craig Wichman
Quicksilver Radio Theater
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
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------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 12:33:19 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Edward R. Murrow
In the latest issue of the magazine "American History,"
([removed]) there is a nice article titled "Inventing
Broadcast [removed]" This a direct quote from the article, "In spite
of his youth and inexperience Edward R. Murrow assembled a team of
radio reporters in Europe that brought World War II into the parlors of
America and set the gold standard for all broadcast news to this day."
Ron Sayles
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 12:47:32 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 4-3 births/deaths
April 3rd births
04-03-1783 - Washington Irving - NYC - d. 11-28-1859
author: "House of Mystery"; "Tomorrow Calling"; "American School on
the Air"
04-03-1893 - Leslie Howard - London, England - d. 6-1-1943
actor: "Leslie Howard Theatre"; "Streamlined Shakespeare"
04-03-1894 - Dooley Wilson - Tyler, TX - d. 5-30-1953
actor: "Theatre of Romance"; "New World A-Coming"; "Jubilee"
04-03-1898 - George Jessel - NYC - d. 5-24-1981
comedian, emcee: (Toastmaster General of the [removed]) "Hollywood
Calling"
04-03-1904 - Peter Van Steeden - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - d.
1-3-1990
bandleader: "Town Hall Tonight"; "Mr. District Attorney"
04-03-1906 - Iron Eyes Cody - OK Territory - d. 1-4-1999
actor: "Straight Arrow Pow-Wow
04-03-1909 - Jerry Cooper - Bay Minette, AL
singer: "Krueger's Musical Toast"; "Vocal Varieties"
04-03-1919 - Miyoshi Umeki - Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
singer: Japanese radio
04-03-1921 - Jan Sterling - NYC - d. 3-26-2004
actress: "Screen Director's Playhouse"; "[removed] Steel Hour"
04-03-1924 - Doris Day - Cincinnati, OH
singer, actress: "Your Hit Parade"; "Bob Hope Show"; "Doris Day Show"
04-03-1924 - Marlon Brando - Omaha, NE - d. 7-1-2004
actor: "Streetcar Named Desire"; "As Easy as [removed]"
04-03-1925 - Jan Merlin - NYC
actor: Roger Manning "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet"
04-03-1938 - Jeff Barry - Brooklyn, NY
actor: Himself "It's the Barrys"
April 3rd deaths
01-22-1893 - Conrad Veidt - Potsdam, Germany - d. 4-3-1943
actor: "Free World Theatre"
02-18-1933 - Mary Ure - Glasgow, Scotland - d. 4-3-1975
actress: Won the Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award for Radio Drama acting
in 1954.
02-20-1893 - Russel Crouse - Findlay, OH - d. 4-3-1966
panelist: "Information Please"; "Transatlantic Quiz"
02-28-1907 - Milton Caniff - Hillsboro, OH - d. 4-3-1988
Creator of "Terry and the Pirates"
03-02-1900 - Kurt Weill - Dessau, Germany - d. 4-3-1950
composer: "Der Lindergflug"; "Towards the Century of the Common Man";
"This Is War"
03-11-1862 - Frank Burt - NYC - d. 4-3-1964
writer: "The Six Shooter"; "The Unexpected"; "Hollywood Star
Playhouse"
03-27-1892 - Ferde Grofe - NYC - d. 4-3-1972
conductor, composer: (The Grand Canyon Suite) "Florsheim Frolic"
03-27-1924 - Sarah Vaughn - d. 4-3-1990
singer: "Guest Star"; "Your Rhythm Revue"
05-02-1907 - Pinky Lee - St. Paul, MN - d. 4-3-1993
comedian: "Hoagy Carmichel Show"; "Carefree Carnival"
06-28-1906 - Ann Leaf - Omaha, NE - d. 4-3-1995
organist: (Little Organ Annie) "Ann Leaf at the Organ"; "Lorenzo
Jones"
09-27-1923 - Mary McCarthy - Winfield, KS (Raised: Los Angeles, CA) -
d. 4-3-1980
actress: "MGM Musical Comey Theatre"
10-02-1904 - Graham Greene - Berkhampstead, England - d. 4-3-1991
writer: "Lives of Harry Lime"; "Studio One"; "NBC University Theatre"
12-19-1907 - Ray Noble - Brighton, England - d. 4-3-1978
bandleader: "George Burns and Gracie Allen Show"; "Chase & Sanborn
Hour"
xx-xx-1905 - Aline Berry - d. 4-3-1967
actress: Mrs. Dixon "Raising Junior"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 14:41:32 -0500
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: First Choices
After reading about Clint Eastwood being the fourth choice for "Dirty
Harry," after John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, and Paul Newman refused the role,
I wonder how many great "first choices" were offered to certain radio
actors, but turned down, thus assuring another radio artist fame and
fortune when the program became a hit.
Anybody know of such a circumstance occurring in OTR?
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 15:21:09 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: This week in radio history 3-9 April
From Those Were The Days --
4/3
1939 - Mr. District Attorney was heard for the first time on NBC. The
serial about the 'champion of the people' was originally a 15-minute
nightly program. In June of 1939, the program went to a half-hour weekly
format. Mr. District Attorney aired until 1952.
1942 - People Are Funny was first heard on NBC
1949 - Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis debuted on NBC.
4/4
1938 - After seven years of singing on the radio, Kate Smith began a new
noontime talk show.
4/6
1931 - Little Orphan Annie, the comic strip character developed by
Harold Gray, came to life on the NBC Blue network.
1942 - We Love and Learn premiered on CBS. The serial featured Frank
Lovejoy as Bill. The program would continue until 1951.
1945 - This is Your FBI debuted on ABC. Frank Lovejoy from We Love and
Learn had little problem finding work, as he served as narrator for This
is Your FBI for the next eight years.
4/8
1941 - Earle Graser, the eight-year voice of the The Lone Ranger, died
in an auto accident. Brace Beemer, previously the show's announcer, took
over the title role.
Joe
--
Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]
No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However a large
number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #105
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