Subject: [removed] Digest V2005 #391
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 12/21/2005 5:52 AM
To: [removed]@[removed]

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2005 : Issue 391
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Goon Show on NBC                      [ Art Chimes <[removed]@[removed] ]
  Re: Bugs & Jack Benny                 [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
  Re: Amos 'n' Andy                     [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
  100 years old                         [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
  Rexall, not [removed]                  [ "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed] ]
  Prof. Irwin Corey on radio            [ Steve Carter <scarter2@[removed]; ]
  Professor Irwin Corey                 [ jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns) ]
  David Sarnoff/Titanic                 [ "WEH" <nbcblue@[removed]; ]
  Pittsburgh or Philadelphia?           [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
  Don't Touch That Dial Christmas Spec  [ "bobb lynes" <iairotr@[removed]; ]
  Christmas Story                       [ seandd@[removed] ]
  Night Kitchen Radio Theater           [ Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed] ]
  Re: Kate Smith and basketball         [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
  #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig  [ charlie@[removed] ]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 08:37:29 -0500
From: Art Chimes <[removed]@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Goon Show on NBC

A few months ago there was some discussion here about the brief appearance of
the legendary BBC comedy, "The Goon Show," on NBC in the 1950s.

A review of NBC records, specifically the Index Cards, at the Library of
Congress yesterday produced some information, but not much.

(The Index Cards on microfiche are program-by-program listings of NBC
broadcasts, 1930-1960. They often contain extensive descriptive, cast, plot
and other information.)

The premise of "The Goon Show" is described at length, typewritten
single-spaced on three sides of the (5x8?) file cards. Unfortunately, the
individual episode listings are atypically sparse.

NBC began airing the half-hour BBC show on October 20, 1955, Thursdays at
8:30. After the show of November 10 there was a break, and the broadcasts
resumed on December 29 at the same day and time. The last show was on July 5,
1956.

By my count that would be a total of 32 episodes.

Only the first two episodes in the run are named:
"The Whistling Spy Enigma" (Oct 20 55; BBC b'cast Sep 28 54, ser 5/pgm 1)
"The Lost Goldmine" (Oct 27 55; BBC b'cast Oct 5 54, ser 5/pgm 2)
After that, it just says "No further records kept" until July 5, 1956, "Last
program."

Transcription Services, the overseas sales arm of the BBC, began offering the
Goons on disk starting with series 5. This, perhaps not coincidentally, is
where the NBC broadcasts begin. It's likely that NBC aired the Transcription
Services versions, which differed slightly from the original British
broadcasts.

"The Goon Show" still maintains a large cult following, especially in Britain,
of course; and there are many online resources devoted to the program.

Further details of NBC's carriage of the show may be available in the
microfilmed Master Books, the day-by-day logs of NBC programming, but I didn't
have the time to go through these.

Regards
-Art-

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 08:39:10 -0500
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: Bugs & Jack Benny
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In a message dated 12/19/05 1:36:56 PM Central Standard Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:

I was just rereading Milt Josefsberg's book about Jack Benny (a recent
purchase) and in the section on Mel Blanc, Milt mentions a show where Jack
takes Polly the Parrot to an animal psychiatrist and Jack has an argument
with Bugs Bunny in the waiting room. This is a show I'd love to hear - does
anyone know which show it was and if its available anywhere?

A-ha!  I knew I didn't just imagine this!  I asked about this one a long time
ago and I don't think anyone ever came up with a date, if this one even
exists.  I began to suspect I dreamed it and it didn't exist.  Now I know.
It's
not much of a stretch to believe it happened, since Mel Blanc was a regular on
Jack's show and Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck guested on "The Edgar
Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show."

Dixon

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Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 09:14:06 -0500
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: Amos 'n' Andy
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In a message dated 12/20/05 7:38:28 AM Central Standard Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:

Remember the slogan, "Good health to all from Rexso?!"Was'nt some
of their last shows sponsored by by a motor company such as "The Amos n'
Andy
Music Hall" up to the time they went off the air around 1960?  Bob Slate

I think I've heard a few times Chrysler sponsored the "Amos 'n' Andy Music
Hall" at one point.  By the way, the Rexall-sponsored shows actually make me
laugh out loud more consistently than the Rinso-sponsored shows.  Don't know
why
that is and my taste may be out of the mainstream on this one.

Dixon

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Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 09:13:33 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  100 years old

Another thing I thought may be of interest.

You will notice that there is no death date for Charles Lane,
there is a perfect explanation . . . he is still alive.

01-07-1873 - Adolph Zukor - Ricse, Austria-Hungary - d. 6-10-1976
film executive: "Time Capsule"; "Flashback"; "Cavalcade of Stars"
01-14-1892 - Hal Roach - Elmira, NY - d. 11-2-1992
film producer, actor: Hollywood Hotel"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
01-20-1896 - George Burns - NYC - d. 3-9-1996
comedian: "Burns and Allen"
01-24-1883 - Estelle Winwood - Lee, Kent, England - d. 6-20-1984
actress: "Theatre Guild On the Air"
01-26-1905 - Charles Lane - San Francisco, CA
writer: "Dramatizations from Red Book Magazine"
02-07-1883 - Eubie Blake - Baltimore, MD - d. 2-12-1983
jazz pianist: "Ragtime"; "White House Jazz Festival"
02-16-1904 - George F. Kennan - Milwaukee, WI - d. 3-17-2005
post world war two diplomat: "Meet the Press"
02-27-1880 - Georgia Burke - Atlanta, GA - d. 11-28-1985
actress: Lily "When A Girl Marries"
03-09-1902 - Robert St. John - Chicago, IL - d. 2-6-2003
newscaster: 1943-46, NBC, weekdays at 10 [removed]
03-19-1892 - James Van Fleet - Coytesville, NJ - d. 9-24-1992
4 star army general: "A Tribute to Jack Benny"
03-25-1899 - Bella Spewack - Bucharest, Romania - d. 4-27-1990
writer: "The Radio Guild"
04-04-1902 - Bernice Berwin - Bay Area, CA - d. 5-22-2002
actress: Hazel Barbour "One Man's Family"
05-11-1888 - Irving Berlin - Temum, Russia - d. 9-22-1989
composer: "Ed Sullivan Show"; "People's Platform"
05-29-1899 - Don Brodie - Cincinnati, OH - d. 1-8-2001
grouch: "The Grouch Club"
05-29-1903 - Bob Hope - Eltham, England (Raised: Cleveland, OH) - d.
7-27-2003
actor, comedian: Taxpayer "Quick and the Dead"; "Bob Hope Show"
06-25-1887 - George Abbott - Forestville, NY - d. 1-31-1995
broadway producer: "Stagestruck"
06-29-1893 - Alma Kitchell - Superior, WI - d. 11-13-1996
singer, commentator: "Melody Hour"; "Brief Case/Streamline Journal"
07-04-1895 - Irving Caesar - NYC - d. 12-17-1996
lyricist: "Biography In Sound"; "Perspective"
08-16-1862 - Amos Alonzo Stagg - West Orange, NY - d. 3-17-1965
legendary football coach: "We the People"
11-06-1899 - Francis Lederer - Prague, Czechoslovakia - d. 5-25-2000
guest armchair detective: Ellery Queen

Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 10:30:55 -0500
From: "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Rexall, not [removed]
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"Good health to all from Rexall!"  Rexso is probably what it sounded like on a
staticy radio.  I think Rexall also sponsored the Phil Harris and Alice Faye
show.  There are still a few Rexall drug stores around.  My daughter and her
family live in Pine City, MN, and there is a store in nearby North Branch, MN.
No, I don't own any stock in that drug chain.

Ted Kneebone.  OTR website:  [removed]
Democrats: [removed]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 10:31:41 -0500
From: Steve Carter <scarter2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Prof. Irwin Corey on radio

In responce to Lee Munsick's interesting post:

I see no record of his passing.  Wouldn't someone love
to find him and sit down and probe that insanely funny mind!  New
Yorkers:
Hint, hint!  I kept in touch and tried to get him to appear at FOTR but
never got a commitment. . . .

Well, I heard Prof. Irwin Corey last night on the Joey Reynolds show on
WOR radio. But it was a rebroadcast from I don't know when.
I heard he was doing a benefit for WBAI radio a couple of weeks ago.
I don't know why it would be a problem to find him to book for FOTR. He
probably has an agent and can be hired for this and that. It seems he
likes to work.  Max Schmid could probably find him through his WBAI
connections.
I met him some years ago and he was nice to me.
Steve Carter

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 13:43:33 -0500
From: jameshburns@[removed] (Jim Burns)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Professor Irwin Corey

The Professor is indeed alive, and well!

A friend just ran into him, a few months ago.

And if folks explained about the car service, and all, I'm sure he'd
come to the FOTR!

Great Broadway story:

About a year ago, I'm walking home along 8th Avenue in Times Square,
around 11:30, Midnight or [removed]

I'm passing what was Joe Franklin's Restaurant, on the corner of 45th
and 8th,
and is now a Charlie O's.  (Joe still has the comedy club , in the back.
This is all, actually, a nice licensing deal.)

On this cold, Gotham night, in the footsteps of Runyon, I see through
the window, some folks I know, with Irwin Corey--whom I had never met!

So, I pop [removed]

And we had a great time.

As you mentioned, Lee, Irwin, off-stage is just about the complete
anti-thesis of his famed personna. Actually, he's a bit of a political
radical!

I love to play straight man, so I  kept throwing him lines, as, it's
been my experience, many old time comedians actually love.

(And, I'm a GREAT straight man!)

:-)

But Irwin wouldn't bite, and just kept talking, regularly, on what the
Bush administraion was up to, in the third world [removed]

As we were leaving, I asked Irwin, if, after all these years.  he could
just turn the Professor character on and off--automaticaly.

He said, "Yeah; if you pay me!"

(Quick note: when Corey did SLY FOX on Broadway last year, now in his
NINETIES, he AGAIN stole the [removed])

And, what really ties this story up in a nice radio package:

I only knew the folks in the restaurant, because I had guested with a
couple  on THE JOEY REYNOLDS SHOW, and met another, when we were guests
on Joe Franklin's final Saturday night broadcast, a few months earlier!

Best, Jim Burns

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 13:45:15 -0500
From: "WEH" <nbcblue@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  David Sarnoff/Titanic

 Michael Shoshani wrote:

The true story is that no one on land was receiving anything from the
Titanic as it was sinking - the ship was completely out of range.

Jack Phillips, one of the Marconi Company radio operators had been in
contact with the powerful radio station at Cape Race just a couple of hours
before the Titanic struck the iceburg.
The radio equipment on board the Titanic was the latest state-of-the art and
powered by a 5KW motor generator had a  guaranteed range in any atmospheric
conditions of 250 miles, but at night reliable communications to 400 miles
was possible and even much further  depending upon conditions.

Marconi and his wife were invited to sail on the Titanic as guest of the
White Star Line. The invitation was initially accepted but Marconi had to
decline for business reasons and left earlier on the  Lusitania for New
York, and his wife declined also as their baby son was ill.

For anyone interested in the sinking of the Titanic I would recommend the
Titanic Historical Society web site were you can read the account of a
Marconi operator on the Olympic who heard the Titanic's disaster call.

[removed]

Bill H.

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 13:45:33 -0500
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Pittsburgh or Philadelphia?

My buddy Jack French inquires about a newspaper clipping linking entertainer
Kate Smith with the Pittsburgh Celtics.  While I can't corroborate that (but
am sure somebody will if it's so), I do know of her utter fascination with
the Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey team.  In fact, that admiration is
documented by many sources.

One said:  "It was the ... most unexplainable, and the most wonderful and
memorable partnership imaginable, unmatched anywhere in the history of
sports -- the partnership of a sixty-six-year-old pop singer of thirty years
before with a rough and crazy bunch of mostly Canadians called the Broad
Street Bullies, all bound together by the singing of a patriotic song about
America."

On several occasions by special request from 1973 to 1975 she turned up to
sing God Bless America prior to Flyers games.  Most of the time the team won
when Smith was present.  Officials noted that, even if she didn't attend,
when they played a recording of her singing the anthem the Flyers usually
won.  It was an unusual capstone to a career that supported many
enterprises, by then reaching professional spots.

I've included 16 pages on this great lady and her multiple influences on
Americans during her lifetime in "Music Radio:  The Great Performers and
Programs of the 1920s through Early 1960s" ([removed],
800-253-2187).  And I'll be interested to read the Celtics story, too.

Jim Cox

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 15:21:15 -0500
From: "bobb lynes" <iairotr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Don't Touch That Dial Christmas Special

Merry Christmas everyone  (while we can still say it!)
The annual Don't Touch That Dial Christmas Special will be featured on Roy
of Hollywood's Somethings Happening this Thursday night-Friday morning on
KPFK ([removed] FM) in Los Angeles.  You folks around the world can hear it on
the 'net at [removed]   This will be DTTD's 31st Christmas on the air!!!
The show starts at 12 midnight and runs about 5 hours.   Christmas shows
scheduled:  Fibber McGee, Amos & Andy, Johnny Dollar,Bing Crosby, Truth or
Consequences and more, so if you can't hear it "live", set your timers.
Happy Holidays and here's to a healthy & peaceful New Year,

Bobb

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 19:54:07 -0500
From: seandd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Christmas Story

An article from the Providence Journal calls Jean Shepherd's "Christmas Story" the best Christmas movie of all time.

It also has a review of his career, lamenting that he has largely been forgotten.

It's sort of on topic,

Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]

[removed]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 19:57:58 -0500
From: Melanie Aultman <otrmelanie@[removed];
To: OTRDIGEST <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Night Kitchen Radio Theater
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Night Kitchen Radio Theater:  original radio plays for kids

  (includes a spoof on War of the Worlds)

  [removed]

  Will be available on XM Radio:

  [removed];id=512

  Night Kitchen Radio Theater
Sundays 1PM & 9PM EST/10AM & 6PM PST
An imagination creation from the minds of Children's Authors Maurice Sendak
and Arthur Yorinks. XMKiDS proudly brings you stories, songs and adventures
from the "Night [removed]" Radio Drama for Kids & Families.

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Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 20:00:38 -0500
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re:  Kate Smith and basketball

Jack French wrote:

Kate Smith, who recently purchased the original Celtics, world's
professional basketball champions, takes a keen interest in her team.
She went to Pittsburgh last Saturday to watch her team play on the
court of Duquesne University."

Any Kate Smith fans know what the heck this is all about?

Here' a brief response:

In a Nov 26, 1935  column by Jimmy Powers in the Washington Post the
following item appears:
'Kate Smith's purchase of the Celtics Basketball Club from Davey Banks,
Dutch Denhert and Joe Lapchick
is a press agent gag'

Boy, was he wrong.

Washington Post - Dec 1935
'Kate Smith has a new role -- basketball impresario.  Yes, sir, she bought
the original Celtics basketball team, world's professional champions.  Ted
Collins, her manager, formerly played professional basketball and will
manage the club'

By Feb 28, 1936 the Chicago Tribune refers to the team as the 'Kate Smith
Celtics'.  In another column in the Tribune that day it is noted that Kate
will appear on an NBC show, 'Tomorrow', the next day and mentions that she
is arriving that day 'to watch the Celtics, professional basketball team
which she owns, perform at White City'

In the NY Times of April 14, 1936 they identify the team as 'Kate Smith's
Celtics'

In the Chicago Tribune ofMay 26, 1936 it is reported that 'Kate Smith who
sponsored the Celtic basketball team last winter, is planning to back a
professional football club next fall.'
[Ted Collins did, but no evidence that Kate was part of the ownership]

In a very long and interesting article on her in the Washington Post of
10/11/36 there is a wonderful picture of Kate with her Celtics.   They are
wearing their uniforms with a cloverleaf on which is printed their team
credentials 'KS Celtics'.  Kate is wearing a vest with the same logo.

Washington Post - Dec 2, 1936:  'Kate Smith's Original Celtics basketball
team is drawing salaries since November 1, although Kate's manager has been
turning down offers for them to play.   Her manager refuses to schedule the
team to play on dilapidated courts - because Kate insists on making a
personal appearance at each game."

[Actually, Ted Collins was trying to schedule games only in NY, as revealed
elsewhere]

In either late 1939 or early 1940 the 'Kate Smith Celtics" had become "Kate
Smith Brooklyn Celtics".  While still carrying her name (and her strong
support of the team) Kate had sold her half-ownership to Ted Collins who
formally retired from the team in Feb 1941 saying that 'Pro Basketball is as
dead as a mackerel' as reported in a Considine column in the Washington
Post.   That comment drew very strong reactions against Collins as well as
his comment.     Apparently some of the ideas Ted had incorporated into his
team were not appreciated by other professional basketball teams.   Ted
turned the franchise back to the American Basketball Association for
nothing.

But Ted was a great promoter and for at least  6 years the 'Kate Smith
Celtics' name was out there, mainly in the sports pages, of course.  They
had some great teams and great players.   An original player, Joe Lapchick,
went on to have a legendary career, first as a player, then as a college
coach at St. John's U in NY, and lastly as the coach of the NY Knicks.
I'm familiar with him because his niece, Linda Lapchick, was a classmate of
mine and being proud of her uncle filled us in on his celebrity.

I'm sure a lot of you remember that in the 70s Kate became the good-luck
charm for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey club.   The Flyers had a very good
record whenever Kate sang 'God Bless America' at the Spectrum before their
hockey games.

Kate was always a sports fan, describing herself as a 'tomboy' when she was
a kid.

On Kate's tombstone at Lake Placid, NY where she had a summer home, are the
words that FDR spoke when he introduced her to King George VI and Queen
Elizabeth during a visit to the US in 1939, 'This is Kate Smith; this is
America'

She was a grand, kind lady with a hell of a voice, and a good sport.  I
almost fainted when she appeared as a guest on the 'Smothers Brothers' TV
show and on 'Laugh-in"

Irene

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 02:12:00 -0500
From: charlie@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!

A weekly [removed]

For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
Network, the channel name is #OldRadio.  We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
over nine years, same time, same channel! Started by Lois Culver, widow
of actor Howard Culver, this is the place to be on Thursday night for
real-time OTR talk!

Our "regulars" include OTR actors, soundmen, collectors, listeners, and
others interested in enjoying OTR from points all over the world. Discussions
range from favorite shows to almost anything else under the sun (sometimes
it's hard for us to stay on-topic)...but even if it isn't always focused,
it's always a good time!

For more info, contact charlie@[removed]. We hope to see you there, this
week and every week!

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #391
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