------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2004 : Issue 125
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re: Frank Shuster [ Stephen Davies <SDavies@[removed]; ]
A Tale of Two Shusters [ SanctumOTR@[removed] ]
Elevator operators [ Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed] ]
Marshall Dodge [ Udmacon@[removed] ]
Elevator Operators [ "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@hotm ]
Wild Bill Hickok [ "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@charter. ]
re: Private Eyelashes [ "Prof. Mahlon Wagner" <wagner@Osweg ]
Last night's OTR on WGN [ John Francis MacEachern <JohnFMac@c ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
Re: Frank Schuster [ "HARLAN ZINCK" <zharlan@[removed]; ]
Private Eyelashes [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
GANGBUSTERS [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
st louis blues [ "Frank Absher" <fabsher@[removed] ]
elizibeths aprils fools joke [ Jer51473@[removed] ]
Fwd: Kolynos Radio Show [ JayHick@[removed] ]
Elevator Operators [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
4-8 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
The Lois factor [ "Garry Lewis" <glewis@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 19:37:25 -0400
From: Stephen Davies <SDavies@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Frank Shuster
Would somebody please clarify or corroborate the following queries?
Was Frank Schuster of the Canadian comedy team of "(Johnny) Wayne
and (Frank) Shuster" related somehow to Superman co-creator Joe Shuster
[as in "Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster"]?
They were cousins. They both grew up in Toronto where one of the
major newspapers was the _Globe and empire_, hence the _Daily Planet_.
Also, wasn't Frank Shuster the father of one-time "Saturday Night Live"
writer Rosie Shuster, and hence, one-time father-in-law of SNL
creator Lorne Michaels?
Correct again. Rosie is currently writing for the cartoon _Bob and
Margaret_.
In the National Archives, there's a scrapbook of Frank's with a
telegram from his cousin. Here's an excerpt from:
[removed]
- --
Shuster and Weingarten graduated from the University of Toronto with
[removed] and entered its graduate program in English Literature. At the same
time, in 1941, they began their radio careers as Wayne and Shuster with
comedy spots on CFRB radio, first on the improbably named "Javex Wife
Preservers" (where they dispensed household advice and jokes) and then on
their own summer show, "Co-eds and Cut-ups," where they began to exhibit
the kind of erudite but zany humour that would become their trademark, as a
"Co-eds and Cut-ups" script in the Shuster [collection] demonstrates.
Setting up a piano piece by the Czech composer Smetana,
Shuster: "[removed]'t he write the battered Bride?"
Wayne: "That's the Bartered [removed] don't know your music."
Shuster: "You don't know Smetana."
Wayne: "As a matter of [removed] did know Smetana and he knew
which side his Bride was Bartered."
Wayne and Shuster's comedy was a hit and, in the fall of 1941, they
moved to national radio with CBC's Buckingham Blended Rhythm Show, which
made them a household word in Canada and elicited a congratulatory telegram
("top-notch radio show") from Shuster's famous cousin, Joe Shuster, creator
of Superman, now pasted into a scrapbook preserved at the National
Archives.
- --
Stephen Davies
Calgary
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 19:37:48 -0400
From: SanctumOTR@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: A Tale of Two Shusters
In a message dated 4/6/04 5:19:02 PM, [removed]@[removed]
writes:
Would somebody please clarify or corroborate the following queries? Was
Frank Schuster of the Canadian comedy team of "(Johnny) Wayne and (Frank)
Schuster" related somehow to Superman co-creator Joe Schuster [as in
"Jerry Siegel & Joe Schuster"]?
***Yes, I recall meeting him at Joe Shuster's memorial service. (No "c" in
Shuster) He said he was Joe's first cousin. --Anthony Tollin (who colored Joe
Shuster's final piece of comic book art in SUPERMAN #400)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 19:38:16 -0400
From: Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Elevator operators
The last elevator operator that I ever saw was Don Cunningham.
Don was one of two elevator operators in the Alberta Legislature
Building in Edmonton, and he was a member of the famed Devil's Brigade,
a Canadian Army group of heroes about which a movie was made.
Don was an amputee, wearing a prosthesis from the knee down on his right leg.
After Don retired, the elevators were converted to the familiar
"push a button for your floor" types that we see in tall buildings these
days. I guess the government saves money by not having an operator,
but buttons will never replace a friendly greeting, or a little joke
on the way to your floor.
Al Girard
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 19:38:47 -0400
From: Udmacon@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Marshall Dodge
Marshall Dodge and his parter Robert Bryan recorded a number of LPs in the
1950s; the first one being "Bert & I and Other Stories From Down East."
They've never gone out of print and are now on CD.
Try "Bert & I" on a search engine or visit Amazon/Barnes & Noble. I know that
Yankee magazine has ads for this series occasionally.
"Bert & I" humor sample:
"Had to shoot my dog last night."
"Was he mad??"
"...guess he weren't so damn PLEASED!!.."
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 19:49:08 -0400
From: "George Tirebiter" <tirebiter2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Elevator Operators
One hot summer day about 5 years ago I entered a public building that I
often enter and saw a sign saying that the escalators had been turned off to
save power and everyone should please use the elevator (the escalators were
blocked off so you couldn't just use them as staircases). I pushed the
button for the elevator and was mildly surprised to see it was being run by
an attendant. I suspect this had something to do with the fact that this
building contained a legitimate theatre and the management of the theatre
was concerned about persons without tickets sneaking in hours before the
show started and hiding somewhere so they could see the show for free.
That's the last time I've seen an elevator operator.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 20:58:47 -0400
From: "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Wild Bill Hickok
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Jell-O Again --
Wild Bill Hickok appeared on radio and TV at exactly the same time, sponsored
by Post cereals. Guy Madison and Andy Devine were certainly the best known
names ever to appear in a kid afternoon series.
Curley Bradley told me he appeared in some episodes, usually as one of the
bad guys, as Joe Bradley. Ironic, considering he had occupied that same time
slot playing Tom Mix, and later as himself, Curley Bradley, on "The Singing
Marshal". He also played heavies on the show of his long time friend, Roy
Rogers, after "Tom Mix" and the singing clone series were over.
I supply the anecdotes. I'm sure some other contributor will come up with
the exact year date, about 1953. -- Jim Harmon
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 23:04:11 -0400
From: "Prof. Mahlon Wagner" <wagner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: re: Private Eyelashes
I too have enjoyed reading this great book by Mr. French.
And for those able to get the various newsgroups, the
[removed] (I forget the exact name)
on Tuesday April 6 several of the series mentioned in the book were made
available for downloading:
Defense Attorney 1951-08-31 Mike Pelly on Death Row
Defense Attorney 1952-04-10 Joshua Masters
Defense Attorney 1951-09-14 Client Jim Leonard
Defense Rests 1951-04-17
Oh yes, also a Meet Miss Sherlock 46-09-12 Wilmer and the widow
Mahl Wagner
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 01:06:42 -0400
From: John Francis MacEachern <JohnFMac@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Last night's OTR on WGN
Hi,
For those of you who missed Milt Rosenberg's show last night about OTR
from Chicago, it will be available in his audio archives, for listening
on demand, in about a week. The URL is:
[removed]
At that site you can listen to quite a lot of his shows, I don't think
any others relate to OTR, but his shows cover so many topics, I'm sure
there's something there to interest everyone.
I'll try to send another reminder once the show has been posted.
John Mac
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 02:12:00 -0400
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 six 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!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 10:54:15 -0400
From: "HARLAN ZINCK" <zharlan@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Frank Schuster
Derek Tague asks:
Was Frank
Schuster of the Canadian comedy team of "(Johnny) Wayne and (Frank)
Schuster"
related somehow to Superman co-creator Joe Schuster [as in "Jerry Siegel &
Joe
Schuster"]?
Yes. The two men were cousins.
Also, wasn't Frank Schuster the father of one-time "Saturday
Night Live" writer Rosie Schuster, and hence, one-time father-in-law of
SNL
creator Lorne Michaels?
Yes, he was. Michaels has often mentioned that he learned a great deal about
comedy from Shuster. Critics of SNL have sometimes mentioned that they wish
Michaels had been a better listener. ;0)
And, by the way, it's "Shuster" - not "Schuster".
On an almost entirely unrelated subject, those who purchase CD reissues of
classic 78 recordings issued on the Pearl and Naxos labels may be interested
to know that the mother of Canadian producer/audio technician David Lennick
was part of the Wayne & Shuster company -- appearing in many of their TV
specials and some appearances on the Ed Sullivan show.
Harlan Zinck
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 10:56:42 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Private Eyelashes
I just read Jack French's PRIVATE EYELASHES and it's wonderful. Informative
and entertaining at the same time. Recommended.
Incidentally, Bear Manor Media's books will be available at the Cincinnati
convention but each title is limited and being sold on a first-come,
first-serve basis so anyone planning to pick up book like the BABY SNOOKS
SCRIPTS, BICKERSONS SCRIPTS, the GILDERLSEEVE BOOK, WALTER TETLEY, PAUL
FREES and of course Mr. French's PRIVATE EYELASHES might want to grab them
while they are available at Cincy.
Just passing an FYI for those curious.
Martin Grams, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 10:56:53 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: GANGBUSTERS
Anyone wanting a preview of the up-coming GANGBUSTERS book . . . there's a
new article (very nifty) that will please any GANGBUSTERS and old-time radio
fan at the web-site below. For anyone who is familiar with the GANGBUSTERS
series, this may be of amusement (and hopefully, entertaining).
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 10:56:58 -0400
From: "Frank Absher" <fabsher@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: st louis blues
I'm seeking information on the program "St. Louis Blues" that ran on CBS. I
know it was on in the late 30s but could find nothing in Dunning's
"Encyclopedia" or any of the other reference books I have.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 12:34:36 -0400
From: Jer51473@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: elizibeths aprils fools joke
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Would someone please give the details of the joke? Many posters maybe were
not posting back a year ago. I was and i remember the occasion, but cannot
recall the details or even the content of the joke. It was, of course, very
effective.
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 14:13:03 -0400
From: JayHick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Fwd: Kolynos Radio Show
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Can anyone help Bruce? Jay
In a message dated 4/7/04 1:14:27 PM, brucewhitehill@[removed] writes:
Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2004 13:14:54 -0400
Subject: Kolynos Radio Show
From: Bruce Whitehill <brucewhitehill@[removed];
To: <JayHick@[removed];
Hi Jay,
I have a jigsaw puzzle that was a Kolynos advertising premium that pictures
Bill & Nancy with (son?) David in a barbershop or pharmacy, but does not
identify the program. My source books don't index by advertiser or first
name. Any idea what the name of the show was?
Thanks,
Bruce
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 14:13:45 -0400
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Elevator Operators
Since we are sharing our memories of elevator operators, I was delighted by
the gentleman who ran the elevator at Keddy's Lord Beaverbrook Hotel in
Fredericton, New Brunswick. I visited there in mid-September, 1997, and
was astounded by the anachronism of an actual elevator operator. I hadn't
seen once since the fifties.
I rode the elevator several times just for the experience. He'd mastered
the controls. It was a smooth, comfortable ride.
Now if there had been several elevators and a head clicker out front, that
would really have made my day.
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 16:43:05 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 4-8 births/deaths
April 8th births
04-08-1882 - Lulu McConnell - Kansas City, MO - d. 10-9-1962
comedienne: "It Pays to Be Ignorant"
04-08-1887 - Walter Connolly - Cincinnati, OH - d. 5-28-1940
actor: Charlie Chan "Charlie Chan"
04-08-1900 - Bert "Mad Russian" Gordon - NYC - d. 11-30-1974
comedian: "Eddie Cantor Show"; Yasha "Duffy's Tavern"
04-08-1903 - Ilka Chase - NYC - d. 2-22-1978
panelist, hostess, actress: "Leave It to the Girls"; "Luncheon at the Waldorf"
04-08-1941 - Peggy Lennon - Los Angeles, CA
singer: (The Lennon Sisters) "Music on Deck"; "Voices of Vista"; "Guest Star"
April 8th deaths
01-28-1914 - Nelson Olmstead - MN - d. 4-8-1992
actor: Joe Huston "Bachelor's Children"; Lee Edgar "In the Case of Aggie Horn"
02-17-1897 - Marion Anderson - Philadelphia, PA - d. 4-8-1993
singer: "The Circle"; "Telephone Hour"
03-08-1909 - Claire Trevor - NYC - d. 4-8-2000
actress: Lorelei Kilbourne " Big Town", Theresa Travers "Results, Inc."
06-13-1920 - Ben Johnson - Pawnee, OK - d. 4-8-1996
actor: "Francis Burke for Attorney General"
--
Ron Sayles
For a complete list:
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 16:43:10 -0400
From: "Garry Lewis" <glewis@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: The Lois factor
Sheriff John, Engineer Bill, Tom Hatten, and Old Time Radio- what do these
things have in common?
I grew up watching these and other LA kids shows. So what I visited the
Engineer Bill info website, who should I find contributing? A member of my
OTR list group- Lois Culver. Small, small world.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #125
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