------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2005 : Issue 372
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
lifebuoy, uh, 'jingle' [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
antique radios [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
12-2-births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Re: Beeeeee-Yo [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
TV Repair feedback [ "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@charter. ]
Re: That's all (there?) Folks (?) [ "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@ea ]
Amos & Andy Music Hall [ "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@attorneyross. ]
A Bit More on Radio Repair [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr" <skallisjr@j ]
JACK'S MOUSE [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
In Today's News [ seandd@[removed] ]
color codes [ "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed] ]
Peg Lynch question [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 01:52:22 -0500
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: lifebuoy, uh, 'jingle'
Lifebuoy was a heavy radio advertiser. They sponsored Al Jolson's radio show
in the 1930s and later advertised on "Big Town" and "The Amos 'n' Andy Show"
(during A&A's Rinso years, Lifebuoy usually had the final commercial). The
one I have in an old "Big Town" episode had the famous "Beeeee-yooooooooo!"
foghorn that's a hoot.
Which is more evidence that history can come down to us through children.
If the foghorn bit was not played after the 1930's--I really don't think I
ever heard it on radio or TV--then the catcalls that I heard like this in
the 1950's and 60's must have come down from those days through generations
of kids.
M Kinsler
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 01:59:16 -0500
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: antique radios
While I watched customers examine an old console radio at the regional
antique mall recently, it occurred to me that it wouldn't be too hard to
fake a restoration on one of these, or any other tube-type radio, for that
matter. Just disconnect the power supply so that the tubes still light but
are otherwise non-functional. Then connect a small variable resistor (like
a volume control) to the big multi-blade tuning capacitor that the tuning
dial turns. And then find a tiny AM radio integrated circuit, a goodly
power amplifier integrated circuit, and a power supply to drive them, and
slip these either under the chassis or inside a hollowed out electrolytic
capacitor. (The AM radio IC is tuned with the variable resistor.) Add to
this a simple artificial 'warm up' circuit that'll gradually increase the
volume once the power is turned on, and perhaps even add a tiny bit of hum
by tapping some off the AC line.
My thought was that I could probably do this, and I'm no great shakes at
electronics design. Therefore others could do it as well. If enough profit
was involved--and though I haven't looked in years, I believe that working
antique radios still command fairly high prices--a dishonest dealer could
profit greatly at the expense of an OTR fan who believes he is purchasing a
competely restored set. There's nothing inherently wrong with the procedure
I've described if the radios were sold honestly.
Does anyone know if this sort of thing is ever used to get old radios
'working' again, and if it's ever used for fraudulent purposes? Is there
other fakery in the old radio market?
Mark Kinsler
512 E Mulberry St. Lancaster, Ohio USA 43130 740-687-6368
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 08:47:17 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 12-2-births/deaths
December 2nd births
12-02-1893 - William Gaxton - San Franciso, CA - d. 2-2-1963
actor, singer: "Broadway Showtime"
12-02-1895 - Jesse Crawford - Woodland, CA - d. 5-28-1962
organist: "Paramount Publix Hour"; "Counterspy"
12-02-1895 - Warren William - Aitkin, MN - d. 9-24-1948
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
12-02-1898 - Peter Goo Chong - Miu, China - d. 1-15-1985
actor: "Collier's Hour"; "Eddie Cantor Show"; "This Day Is Ours"
12-02-1899 - John Barbirolli - London, England - d. 7-29-1970
conductor: "New York Philharmonic"
12-02-1902 - Howard Koch - New York, NY - d. 8-17-1995
writer: "War of the Worlds"
12-02-1906 - Donald Woods - Brandon, Manitoba, Canada - d. 3-5-1998
actor: Leslie Foster "Those We Love"; "Woolworth Hour"
12-02-1908 - Hy Gardner - New York, NY - d. 6-17-1989
columnist, author, host: Celebrity Interviews
12-02-1910 - Robert Paige - Indianapolis, IN - d. 12-21-1987
actor: "Harold Lloyd Comedy Theatre"; "Screen Guild Theatre"; "Lux Radio
Theatre"
12-02-1910 - Sodney Marshall - d. 12-15-1977
writer: "Man Called X"; "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar"
12-02-1913 - Morton Wishengrad - d. 2-12-1963
writer: "The Cavalcade of America"; "The Eternal Light"
12-02-1915 - Adolph Green - New York, NY - d. 10-23-2002
songwriter: "Columbia Presents Corwin"
12-02-1915 - Paul Mann - Toronto, Canada - d. 9-24-1985
actor: George Kirby "Advs of Topper"; Perry "Quiz" Quisinberry "Passport for
Adams"
12-02-1916 - Charlie Ventura - Philadelphia, PA - d. 1-17-1992
tenor sazophonist: "Spotlight Bands"; "Gene Krupa and His Orchestra"
12-02-1917 - Sylvia Syms - New York, NY - d. 5-10-1992
actress: "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar"; "Broadway Is My Beat"; "Suspense"
12-02-1918 - Ezra Stone - New Bedford, MA - d. 3-3-1994
actor: Henry Aldrich "Aldrich Family"
12-02-1918 - Milton Delugg - Los Angeles, CA
orchestra leader: "Music Depreciation"
12-02-1921 - Rita Lynn - Louisiana - d. 1-21-1996
actress: "Dimension X"
12-02-1923 - Maria Callas - New York, NY - d. 9-16-1977
opera singer: "The Metropolitan Opera"
12-02-1925 - Julie Harris - Grosse Pointe Park MI
actress: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
December 2nd deaths
01-06-1911 - Joey Adams - Brooklyn, NY - d. 12-2-1999
host: "Rate Your Mate"
01-27-1924 - Sabu - Mysore, India - d. 12-2-1963
actor: "Confidential Close-Ups"
02-02-1908 - Cal Tinney - Pontotoc County, OK - d. 12-2-1993
actor: Binnacle Barnes "Robinson Crusoe, Jr."
03-02-1917 - Desi Arnaz - Santiago, Cuba - d. 12-2-1986
actor, bandleader: Ricky Ricardo "I Love Lucy"; "Bob Hope Show"
04-16-1904 - Fifi D'Orsay - Montreal, Quebec, Canada - d. 12-2-1983
singer: "Folies De Paris"; "This Is Your Life"
05-08-1901 - Katherine Raht - Chattanooga, TN - d. 12-2-1983
actress: Alice Aldrich "Aldrich Family"; Margaret Allen "Against the Storm"
08-28-1929 - Roxie Roker - Miami, FL - d. 12-2-1995
actress: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
11-14-1900 - Aaron Copland - New York, NY - d. 12-2-1990
composer: "Document A/777"
12-01-1910 - Alicia Markova - London, England - d. 12-2-2004
ballerina: BBC Interview
12-05-1903 - Fred Van Deventer - Tipton, IN - d. 12-2-1971
newscaster, panelist: "Vandeventer and the News"; "Twenty Questions"
12-13-1887 - Alvin York - Pall Mall, TN - d. 12-2-1964
world war I hero: "We the People"; "What Are We Fighting For?"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 08:47:27 -0500
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Beeeeee-Yo
On 12/2/05 12:18 AM [removed]@[removed] wrote:
The
one I have in an old "Big Town" episode had the famous "Beeeee-yooooooooo!"
foghorn that's a hoot.
Lifebuoy was advertised even more on a spot basis, using heavy buys of
transcribed commercials on local stations. The B-O foghorn and
accompanying singing jingle became widely established in these spots
during the early forties, to the point where a grassroots organization
called "Plug Shrinkers," formed in 1942, condemned the campaign one of
the most obnoxious advertising pitches on the air.
Among the venues for the B-O spot transcriptions was Henry Morgan's
nightly "Here's Morgan" program on WOR. He treated them with particular
respect and enthusiasm.
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 15:52:48 -0500
From: "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: TV Repair feedback
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My submission about TV repairs brought forth a number of responses made
directly to me.
With the permission of Charlie Summers, I will share some of these comments
with the wider readership, as follows:
Hi Jim
Loved your TV set story---talk about bringing back memories! Well done!
It's been awhile! Hope you're well.
Enjoy the Holidays!
Joe Martelle
Incidentally, even though I too, grew up with 'Radio's Golden Age,' I don't
think it would be half as much fun for me today without your books,
especially 'Great Radio Heroes' & your books on radio premiums! Thanks for
your insight!
Thanks, Joe, and Bob Madison said:
"... I've been a fan of your work for years. (When I was a kid, I read your
article in (Monsters of the Movies) on Big Little Books, with a great graphic
of Lugosi as Chandu. For years, the layout came to mind whenever I heard the
word 'nostalgia.')" Again, thanks, Bob.
Lloyd Nesbitt, an old friend of many years, liked it, and Don Frey said "What
a wonderful, enjoyably readable piece. Thank you!" And Bob Scherago added "I
really enjoyed reading your post."
Many thanks to all who commented directly to me, or in the columns of the
Digest. Please excuse me if I have inadvertently left anyone out. I would
write something more, but for today, I think I will leave while I am still
ahead.
JIM HARMON
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Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 15:53:24 -0500
From: "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: That's all (there?) Folks (?)
Regarding the recent "Looney Tunes Golden Collection" DVD volumes, Craig W.
asks:
Do you know if the current DVD sets contain UNCUT/UNDUBBED prints?
The answer, happily, is YES. In fact, the most recent release (Volume 3),
includes a disclaimer on the package that the set is intended for adults, not
children, and Whoopi Goldberg appears at the start each disc with a brief
introduction and perspective on the set's contents.
The cartoons on these sets (except a handful included as bonus features) were
meticulously restored. All the gags, including those of questionable taste,
are present. We all know that racial and ethnic stereotypes were a staple of
cartoon (and sometimes radio) comedy during the '30's and '40's. Whatever
your attitude about this type of "humor" may be, I believe it's always better
not to rewrite history - otherwise we risk not learning from it.
Incidentally, these discs are just about the ONLY way to see the classic
Warner cartoons. They haven't been regularly scheduled on any broadcast or
cable networks for several years. Only Turner Classic Movies runs them;
either as filler between features, or in a self-contained half-hour called
"Cartoon Alley" once or twice a week.
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 15:53:51 -0500
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Amos & Andy Music Hall
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:59:59 -0500
From: "Read G. Burgan" <rburgan@[removed];
Very interesting story about the beginning of "canned laughter" on Amos & Andy. I
remember listening to the Music Hall on the radio around the time of the quiz show
scandals. It was suggested at the time (I suspect by quiz show producers) that it was no
less dishonest to use canned laughter. Soon, comedy shows -- including the Amos & Andy
Music Hall -- began to have announcements about having a "simulated audience reaction."
Others, which had a live audience, would announce, "audience reaction technically
augmented."
I remember once reading an article in which George Burns described how, on the Burns &
Allen show, if a joke didn't get a laugh, they would add a few chuckles. "If a joke lays an
egg, we let it -- but not a complete egg."
--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed]
15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax [removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 15:54:18 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr"
<skallisjr@[removed];
To:
[removed]@[removed]
Subject: A Bit More on Radio Repair
The latest thread reminds me of something I saw many years ago. I'd
picked up a copy of an old pulp magazine, and had looked through the
classified ads, just to see how things used to be.
One larger ad said, "Be a radio repair wizard. Earn money the first
day." What was being sold was some book on radio repair, which, it was
claimed, the user could take with him as he was making repairs. The
accompanying illustration was of somebody on one knee, at the back of a
console radio, holding an open book in front of him as he's making
repairs.
I can't remember more than that, but if I were a consumer, having some
joker trying to repair any electronic gadget of mine by consulting a How
To Do It book would be like being a passenger on an airplane and having
the guy with the captain's uniform heading to the cockpit with a "How to
fly" book tucked under his or her arm.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 15:55:42 -0500
From:
PURKASZ@[removed]
To:
[removed]@[removed]
Subject: JACK'S MOUSE
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Craig writes:
The Turner folks have made a great many "political correctness" changes to
the classic Warner's toons, in the editions that they broadcast on their
cable venues.
I must ask, is that possible?
Could they have done that to those gems from WB?
I pray someone will inform us accurately.
I know Ted bought up a lot of stuff that was languishing in the studio
vaults but the early days were fraught with what could only be called
'meddling.'
I guess they have some rights but if you remember some years ago when
their poorly conceived idea of 'colorizing' began to rile the folks in
Hollywood and New York, there was an event that still makes me chuckle and may have
had something to do with them easing off what was derisively referred to as
"Ted's coloring box."
It seems the very first attempt at colorizing, which was rationalized by
Turner and his ilk as an attempt to get a 'younger audience' because the
young 'uns it seems, just wouldn't watch those 'old time black and white' movies.
So they chose the 1951 classic "Suddenly," starring Frank Sinatra in a
chilling portrait of a Presidential assassin. A pretty good film.
That film had been an embarrassment to Sinatra during the days of his
burgeoning friendship with the Kennedy family in the halcyon days of the early
60s, so Frank had it taken out of circulation.
Perhaps the Turner/Fonda political prism saw some fun in tweaking Frank
and his gang during that time?
Who could know, but whatever the reason the results still make me buckle
at the knees.
After a great deal of expense and time producing the finished colorized
version of "Suddenly," it was ready to be screened.
A select audience attended and after it was over some wag went up to Ted
and said, I paraphrase here because I only heard it second hand in Hollywood
where it caused many a chortle,
"Say, Ted, nice job but let me ask you something. What's Frank Sinatra's
nickname." he asked.
"What do you mean," bleated the timorous Ted, recently out of pocket
many many dollars for the restoration and not eager to hear any criticism.
"I believe it's 'Old blue eyes, is it not," said the patron.
Ted smiled an agreement of that recognized term.
The patron grinned, "Well someone should have told your colorizing staff
because if you look close, very early in the movie, you'll see that Frank's
eyes [removed]!!!
The picture, it is said, was never shown, or to paraphrase an old joke,
it was never released, but it might have 'escaped.'
So, please tell me these old cartoon have escaped the "PC" noses!
Michael C. Gwynne
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 16:31:40 -0500
From: seandd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: In Today's News
Here is a great nostalgic article about radio memories from The Danvers Herald. The writer asks readers for their own radio memories at the end.
Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]
[removed];format=&page=3
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 18:29:51 -0500
From: "Roby McHone" <otr_alaska@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: color codes
Michael Biel said about colored stripe markings on resistors;
They are easy to decode and are MUCH easier to see than printed numbers
and letters.
The stripes go all around the part so you do not have to twist it around to
read like you would if there were numbers. If you can memorize the colors
and their values, they used to sell little cardboard color-wheel decoders
very similar to what Little Orphan Annie used.
Or you could remember the little ditty they taught us in radar school: Bad
Boys Ravage Our Young Girls, But Violet Gives Willingly for Silver or Gold.
Silver or gold was the percentage of error allowed and the first letter of
each word represented a color. Black, Brown, Red, [removed] was it
Blue, Brown, Red, Orange. Oh well, its been forty years since I last valued
one of them things.
Roby McHone
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 22:20:28 -0500
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Peg Lynch question
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Forgive my ignorance, but not being a major fan of "Ethel and Albert," I'd
like to know if there are any appreciable differences among the shows "Ethel
and Albert," "The Couple Next Door," and "The Little Things in Life."
Yours/ether,
Derek Tague
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End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #372
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