Subject: [removed] Digest V2001 #331
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 10/13/2001 9:03 AM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2001 : Issue 331
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Grand Central Station                 [ William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed]; ]
  GRAND CENTRAL                         [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
  Jack Benny in WSJ Advertising         [ Kubelski@[removed] ]
  Come meet the other Ray Charles       [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
  Ted Davenport                         [ "Scott Eberbach" <seberbach@earthli ]
  Attend the FOTR!                      [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
  Rush Limbaugh DEAF?                   [ "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed]; ]
  The Tower At Alpine                   [ Udmacon@[removed] ]
  Re deaf people in radio - and other   [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
  Guys at the [removed] all that!      [ "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed] ]
  convention & terrorism - response to  [ khovard@[removed] ]
  Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen           [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
  Thanks to Michael Biel                [ HERITAGE4@[removed] ]
  The Three Brothers Moriarty           [ GEORGE WAGNER <gwagneroldtimeradio@ ]
  The FOTR Convention                   [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
  Dreft                                 [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
  Re: Joseph Kearns                     [ GEORGE WAGNER <gwagneroldtimeradio@ ]
  Re: Tokyo Rose                        [ GEORGE WAGNER <gwagneroldtimeradio@ ]
  Jack Benny; Johnny Mercer             [ Peter Kinder <pdkinder@[removed]; ]
  Welcome!                              [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:44:33 -0400
From: William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Grand Central Station

Recently someone pointed out a "goof" in the opening of "Grand Central
Station". I was the engineer on that program during it's final years.
True the New York Central trains, on which I commuted, changed to
electric at Harmon (Croton) on the main line and Brewster on the Harlem
division. However the blast that was heard was not steam but air from the
brake system. Upon arrival at Grand Central, the electric locomotive
would immediately uncouple and the blast would come from the separation
of the air houses. Then a small electric locomotive (1-D-1 or 2-D-2)
would couple onto the rear of the train and pull it back up to the Bronx,
run it through a "car wash", turn it around on a "wye" and park it in the
Mott Haven Yards at about 138th Street as a complete unit, waiting for
it's next run. I have heard that loud "woosh" myself many times, as I
comuted into Grand Central for many years as did one of the writers on
the program. I recall that I commented about the discrepancy to Producer
Martin Horrell about the discrepancy. He said that he was aware of it but
liked the dramatic quality. So much for "Grand Central Station". Ken
Roberts was the announcer when I was on the show. Ira Ashley directed. A
very pleasant assignment!

Bill Murtough

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:42:55 -0400
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  GRAND CENTRAL

    Mark Kinsler makes good use of his memory and takes us all on a ride to
that greatest of all train stations.
    It is a trip I make almost every week or so from my home in Mount Kisco,
about 26 miles north of Manhattan.
    The inside glory of the building is something everyone should see.
Representing the best of man's need and desire to be part of a larger thing.
    All the trade unions and master craftsmen, newly arrived from Europe were
employed in the creation of this early twentieth century masterpiece.
    I watched every day, three years ago as they restored the celestial
ceiling featuring the stars and galaxy work. The colors came to life as if
Michaelangelo himself had been involved. The greenish-blue of the evening
sky, the stars, the constellations, all made daily appearances. It was a very
exciting time for the great hall.
    One thing came to light as we all got a new look at what had been covered
with soot and grime from almost 100 years of moving humanity.
    It seems that whoever created the ceiling with it's positioning of the
great start clusters like the Milky Way and all the astrological signs, had
constructed it as if whoever looked up would be seeing the sky as it would
appear if one was looking DOWN at Earth from outer space!!
    In other words, it was painted backwards!!!
    Or was it?
    An alien intelligence at work in 1909?
    More will be revealed.
    Oh, by the way, the folks who live in Harlem would be horrified to learn
that the train disappeared down a tunnel at 125th Street.
    That is the last stop before the tunnel to be sure, but the train does
not disappear into the dark until 96th Street.
    Still one of the best rides in America!!
    Come to New York folks, we'd love to see ya!
                     <A HREF="[removed],+Michael+C.">
Michael C. Gwynne</A>

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:44:42 -0400
From: Kubelski@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Jack Benny in WSJ Advertising

Jack Benny is featured in an advertisement for The Wall Street Journal Online
that ran on page B2 of today's Wall Street Journal.  The caption - "He would
have used both," plays off Mr. Benny's legendary cheapskate character arguing
that the great value of WSJ online ("at 8 cents a day even the especially
thrifty will appreciate.") would have appealed to Jack Benny.

I think it's great that his character is still so well remembered that it can
be used in advertising 25 years or so after his death.

It got me thinking of a bit he did on his television show.  The plot had him
appearing on a talk show with a panel discussion of current events.  Vincent
Price and another lady were the other two guests.  The joke was that Jack
couldn't be spontaneous or witty without his writers and kept embarrassing
himself.  Then the last question has to do with the monetary policy of the
European central bank. After the other guests argue you'd have to be an
expert on international banking to answer the question, Jack stands up and
launches into an extended discourse as the music comes up and the credits
roll.

Sean Dougherty
Kubelski@[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:48:05 -0400
From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Come meet the other Ray Charles

Ray Charles, songwriter, choral director of the Ray Charles Singers, will be
the guest speaker at SPERDVAC's meeting this Saturday at noon at the
Mid-Valley Library, 16244 Nordhoff Street, North Hills (Los Angeles). His
credits include 35 years with Perry Como, Your Hit Parade and many TV
specials, PBS musical salutes, worked with stars like Bing Crosby, Bob Hope,
Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jackie Gleason and more.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

Barbara

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:49:36 -0400
From: "Scott Eberbach" <seberbach@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Ted Davenport

Hi All!
I would just like to say a few words about Ted Davenport's "Radio Memories".
I recently ordered some tapes from him and the initial order had some sound
quality [removed] e-mailed him and he went and redid the order and I am
sure put a lot of hard work and extra effort to make the order right.  I
received the re-done order today and could not be happier!!!  The sound
quality is [removed] problems from the original order are not present
now!

For those of you on the list who are looking for a reliable dealer who is
committed to customer satisfaction or those of you haven't given Radio
Memories a try I urge you to do so!!!  I know I will in the future!  The
usual disclaimer [removed] am in no way connected to Ted Davenport and
Radio [removed] one heck-uv-a satisfied customer!

Scott

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:50:02 -0400
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Attend the FOTR!

I agree with Martin Grams that people should not allow the current state of
events in the world to stop them from attending FOTR the third weekend in
October.  Unfortunately, I can't be there, but for entirely different
reasons.  This has been a major portion of my life for 22 or 23 years, and
I shall miss it dearly.

The following comment will be understood immediately by all FOTR
alumni.  For those who are new to this outstanding convention, print out
this note and you'll agree once you're there:

Do NOT fear the terrorists.  As was said in 1988 about The Martians
approaching New York, "Don't [removed]'ll never find the Service
Road!"  Or Frontage [removed] your pick.

My hat's off to Jay Hickerson for this shindig, which has passed its 215th
anniversary and is roaring along.  My best to all!

Lee Munsick   That Godfrey Guy

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:50:29 -0400
From: "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Rush Limbaugh DEAF?

It may have been a prank statement, but one of the announcers on local
KSTP-AM in Minneapolis/St. Paul last night said that Rush Limbaugh was
nearly deaf.   KSTP-AM carries the RL show, by the way.

Since people started a thread here of deaf announcers, this is the time to
confirm or deny whether the venerabl RL is nearly deaf.   If this is the
case, it's still possible to pump massive amounts of audio into his
earphones, so he could hear the callers.

So is it true or not?  Anybody know?

Jim Stokes,
who, by the way, has a moderate hearing loss from playing the monitor way
too loud in his radio days!

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:53:34 -0400
From: Udmacon@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  The Tower At Alpine

I see by the papers (as Phil Cook would sing) that Maj. Armstrong's landmark
FM tower in Alpine NJ is now being used by some of New York City's TV
stations since the sabotage of the World Trade Center and its TV tower.

Armstrong's tower (that aired his KE2XCC) is easily seen from the Amtrak line
that goes up and down the eastern shore of the Hudson.

I always have to stop myself from pointing out to a fellow passenger and
explaining its history.

Except that early TV stifled Major Armstrong's dream for FM, I'd say he'd be
proud of his tower's emergency assistance today.


Bill Knowlton, "BLUEGRASS RAMBLE," WCNY-FM: Syracuse, Utica, Watertown NY
(since Jan. 1973). Sundays, 9 pm est: [removed]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:54:10 -0400
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re deaf people in radio - and other handicaps

There were--and are--people in radio, as in many other endeavors, who have
overcome various handicaps.  I suspect there are probably many who suffer
partial or complete deafness.

Today there are a number of blind persons in radio, just as there are many
who attend the various OTR conventions.  I shall not name them, to protect
their privacy.

I am Executive Vice President of The Arthur Godfrey Memorial Foundation,
Inc. , which salutes people of all ages who have overcome so-called
handicaps, and encourages young people especially to do the same.

Some of these--beside Mr. Godfrey, who had trouble walking, due to smashed
hips from a terrible 1931 head-on highway collision--include Franklin
Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Lance Armstrong, Bob Dole, Lionel Barrymore,
Herbert Marshall, Martyn Greene,  Edison, Steinmetz, Paul Harvey,
[removed], Rush Limbaugh.

We should rejoice in their determination to overcome.  Just as we of the
Allies shall, over the evil,  despicable, medieval forces in the world
today.  The light shall illuminate and force away the darkness.

Remember the Maine
Remember Pearl Harbor
Remember 911 WTC
God Bless America

Lee Munsick

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:54:39 -0400
From: "Ted Kneebone" <tkneebone1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Guys at the [removed] all that!

Craig, Thanks for your comments about old and new time radio.  I agree that
in some modern radio/audio drama, there is something missing.  For one
thing, some of the actors do not know how to act.  Their delivery sounds
like they are making fun of radio drama.  My advice to them is to do what we
do:  listen to old time radio recordings.  Listen and learn how to act.
Just reading the lines or overemoting won't do.  Just having slick sfx or
high powered synthetic music won't do.  Just having stereo sound won't do.
    A lot depends on people who love the medium and love acting enough to
learn from the experts.  Some of them are living and some have died.  But
their best efforts have been preserved in recordings for all to hear -- and
learn from.

Ted Kneebone
1528 S. Grant St., Aberdeen, SD 57401 / 605-226-3344
OTR:  [removed]
[removed]:  [removed]~stmarkch
Kids radio:  [removed]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:55:02 -0400
From: khovard@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  convention  & terrorism - response to Martin
 Grams-

Up to a point I support Martin Grams' appeal to people to damn the
torpedos and come on to the FOTR convention in Newark. I have every
intention of crossing the Triboro and George Washington Bridges and
driving to Newark from  my home on Long Island.

 But I regret Martin's comment  that "The FOTR is NOT being held in New
York City, not even in  the state of New York. . . .  There is no
possible threat of terrorism from where the hotel is located. "

On the one hand he seems to endorse the idea  that one should avoid going
to New York City---- and on the other he assures us that we will be
perfectly safe going to the convention. I believe that we have to
individually decided for ourselves what is safe and what is not. Is it
safe for me to cross those two bridges? I don't know? What say Martin?

And if going to the FOTR convention will, as Martin suggests, show  that
we are supporting our troops  overseas, who
 will soon be risking their necks for your freedom to attend such
conventions --- does the same not apply to those debating whether they
should go to see Broadway shows in New York?

Hward Blue (who  wishes he had all the answers, but is in as much a
quandry as everyone else)

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:56:43 -0400
From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen

Does any one have any radio show with either Fess Parker, or Buddy Ebsen in
there collection?  Please let me know privately.  I am putting together some
note on those two guy for my interview with them on YUSA this Sunday.  Thank
you for any help.

Walden Hughes

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:57:15 -0400
From: HERITAGE4@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Thanks to Michael Biel

Thanks to Michael for alerting us to the DISCOVERY episode concerning the
Hindenburg disaster, and the disks in the LOC.
It has only infrequently been mentioned that the disks were recorded on a
portable (??PRESTO)  machine that was running slightly slow (not uncommon) so
the resulting disks played back slightly fast on a standard machine at WLS.
The speed difference is pretty evident when one listens to the modified
version, or compares other recordings of the announcer, Herb Morrison.  I will
be interested to hear how the playback is handled on the DISCOVERY programs.
Tom Heathwood - Heritage Radio Classics   [removed]   -
Boston,  MA

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:57:39 -0400
From: GEORGE WAGNER <gwagneroldtimeradio@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  The Three Brothers Moriarty

     There were three Moriarty Brothers: Professor
James Moriarty, Colonel James Moriarty plus _____
Moriarty, who if memory serves was a ticket agent at
some obscure British train station.
     It is likely that the unnamed third brother ALSO
shared the first name James.
     Two brothers named James and a third named Harry
or Fred is merely stupid.
     But THREE brothers named James is obviously some
sort of sinister conspiracy.

     George Wagner
     GWAGNEROLDTIMERADIO@[removed]


Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:58:15 -0400
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  The FOTR Convention

Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 19:40:20 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];

Showing up at the FOTR will not only show your support for old-time
radio, but your support for our troops overseas, who will soon be
risking their necks for your freedom to attend such conventions.

Somehow this brings to mind a promo from the Korean War, which appears on a
record issued in
the 1970s, in which Howdy Doody tells the kids that our soldiers need
blood, so please ask
Mommy and Daddy if they've given blood yet, and if they haven't, please
tell them to get down to
the Red Cross right away.  It's always seemed to me to be the ultimate
"Tell Mommy to buy" ad.

BTW, it's possible that many people are staying away from the FOTR
convention because of
economic uncertainty, some of which was around before 9/11.

 A. Joseph Ross, [removed]                                         [removed]
  15 Court Square, Suite 210                      lawyer@[removed]
 Boston, MA 02108-2503           	         [removed]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:58:40 -0400
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Dreft

Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 22:59:19 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey5@[removed];

In 1933, Dreft, the first synthetic laundry detergent, went on sale.
Ten yearslater, it was the sponsored product of "The Dreft Star
Playhouse."

I remember Dreft from the 1950s.  Does anyone know when Dreft was
discontinued?  For that
matter, does anyone know where that name came from?

 A. Joseph Ross, [removed]                                         [removed]
  15 Court Square, Suite 210                      lawyer@[removed]
 Boston, MA 02108-2503           	         [removed]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:59:03 -0400
From: GEORGE WAGNER <gwagneroldtimeradio@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: Joseph Kearns

     Was it Joseph Kearns who built his home AROUND a
pipe organ? I sure I once saw a photospread on this in
a 1950s magazine.
     Kearns had been a theatrical (and early OTR?)
pipe organist before becoming a radio actor.

     George Wagner
     GWAGNEROLDTIMERADIO@[removed]

Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:59:26 -0400
From: GEORGE WAGNER <gwagneroldtimeradio@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: Tokyo Rose

     Iva Toguri, California born and raised, was sent
by her family to Japan to visit a dying relative. She
was still there on December 7, 1941.
     She immediately prepared to return to the United
States. However she was informed by the American
Consulate in Tokyo, in spite of her passport and other
documentation, that she was a Japanese national who'd
never even been in the United States, let alone a
citizen.
     Unable to return to her country, since she was
"Japanese," and unable to even work in Japan, because
she was an American, Miss Toguri would up living - and
starving - on the streets.
     She was eventually offered a job as an
English-language typist at Radio Domei.
     Some months later Radio Domei asked her if she'd
be willing to host English-language broadcasts. She
said she would, but only if she would not be required
to say anything against her country, the United States
of America.
     Listening to her broadcasts, I've never been able
to find anything treasonous, not even defeatist. She
used the radio pseudonym "Orphan Annie." The closest
to sedition she ever got was suggesting that BOTH she
and the American troops were "orphans" - unable to
return to the United States until the War was over.
     She also organized variety shows and dramatic
playlets utilizing American prisoners of war. In
return, she made certain that her countrymen prisoners
received  extra blankets, food and medical supplies.
She saw herself as an omsbudswoman between the
prisoners and the Japanese government.

     After the War, when it was announced that Miss
Toguri would be tried for treason, scores of these
ex-prisoners of war contacted her and assured her they
would appear as DEFENSE witness. However, these
ex-prisoners were then informed by the United States
government that if they did this they would ALSO be
charged with treason, sentenced to lengthy prison
terms or even executed.

     Even more importantly, there was need for Iva
Toguri to even stand trial! By marriage, she could now
claim PORTUGUESE citizenship!
     "No problem," said the Lisbon government. "Just
move over here to your NEW country!"
     Iva Toguri refused. She was an AMERICAN, she
insisted, NOT Portuguese. She CHOSE (do you HEAR me? -
she C-H-O-S-E!!) to be tried in the United States, in
her NATIVE LAND, before an American judge and an
American jury.

     Lord Haw-Haw, Axis Sally, Robert Best, "Paul
Revere," even Ezra Pound - hang 'em all!
     But "Tokyo Rose" was a true American patriot.
Unless, of course, you believe that all patriots have
to have faces the exact color as your own.
     Sorry for the grumpy mood - but this one always
gets me ticked off.

     George Wagner
     GWAGNEROLDTIMERADIO@[removed]



Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:59:55 -0400
From: Peter Kinder <pdkinder@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Jack Benny; Johnny Mercer

	A nice 40s photo of a perplexed Jack Benny ran yesterday in an ad
for "The Wall Street Journal Online".  Page B2 of the US WSJ.

	Over the last couple of years, I've gotten very interested in Johnny
Mercer.  So far as the Lords of Amazon are concerned, the pickings are slim
on bios.  Anyone have any ideas on where I can get good biographical
information on him?  From some recordings that have fallen into my hands, I
know he did occasional guest shots on radio.  Did he have his own show?  If
so, are there any recordings in circulation?

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

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 10:01:52 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Welcome!

on 10/11/01 2:08 PM, OldRadio Mailing Lists at
[removed]@[removed] wrote:

Ron, the "newbie" wrote.

Hello to all you lovers of Old Time Radio.  Thank you for allowing me to
"join up".  The handle is Ron, born in Boston in '38 and have enjoyed the
old favorites on radio from my earliest youth.

Glad you've joined the group. Let me be among the first to welcome you.

By the way, if your interested in some real time OTR discussions, check out
Lois Culver's OTR Chat Room on Thursday Evenings.

Regards,

Hal(Harlan)Stone
"Jughead"

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2001 Issue #331
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