Subject: [removed] Digest V2001 #285
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 9/1/2001 9:03 AM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2001 : Issue 285
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Another recreation                    [ "Vince Long" <vlongbsh@[removed]; ]
  Country OTR                           [ steve mcguffin <earl22002@[removed] ]
  Abbott & Costello                     [ "laurie1125" <lauriep@[removed]; ]
  Superman theme?                       [ Joe Salerno <salernoj@[removed]; ]
  How Old Are We?                       [ "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed]; ]
  Demographics                          [ LPEVANS221@[removed] ]
  Re: East at Broadway                  [ "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed]; ]
  Toscanni and harping on things. :)    [ "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed]; ]
  Treacher                              [ "Robert Sheldon" <rsheldon@[removed]; ]
  "Hello, YUkon 2-8209!"                [ Jim Kitchen <jkitchen@[removed]; ]
  How Old?                              [ "Scott business" <[removed]@worldne ]
  age                                   [ "JOSEPH ANDOLINA, JR." <nostalgic@p ]
  Age & OTR                             [ dabac@[removed] ]
  Old Time Radio And All Of Us          [ "[removed]" <swells@[removed]; ]
  Re: NOT ORIGINAL                      [ "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed]; ]
  Age and Rhapsody and fans             [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
  Re: "East & Columbia,...."            [ "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed] ]
  THANK YOU                             [ "Owens Pomeroy" <opomeroy@[removed]; ]
  Teaberry                              [ otrbuff@[removed] ]
  A New Convert and Catching Up         [ "Jimidene Murphey" <jimimark@[removed] ]
  Age                                   [ badaxley@[removed] ]
  Another introduction                  [ "Chris Gumprich" <cgumprich1@[removed] ]
  FOTR                                  [ JayHick@[removed] ]
  age is relative                       [ Joe Salerno <salernoj@[removed]; ]

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 10:10:32 -0400
From: "Vince Long" <vlongbsh@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Another recreation

A while back I posted a message about how my high school students were doing
recreations of OTR and want to thank those of you you sent back their
comments after hearing the shows.  The same students produced one more show
that we just got online before summer ran out.  It is "The Hitchhiker" from
"The Mercury Summer Theater."  You can hear it in stream Real Audio or
download it as an MP3 from our web site:

[removed]

We also have a Shadow and Jack Benny programs online.

The same group spent most of their summer producing an original film, called
"Hammy," that, while not OTR turned out great.  I plan to get the video
online as soon as they get me a copy.

Getting involved in this drama production, radio and video, have this group
pretty fired up.  They have formed an official drama club at our school, the
first one we have had in years.  While their focus seems to be on stage and
film, they told me yesterday that the will continue to do radio productions
as well.

One constraint that they find is a venue for their product.  We do show they
work on community access television, both the radio and film product, and a
film competition/festival is planned for this spring.  But the more exiting
news is that our community's effort to obtain an FCC license for a community
access radio station just moved a bit closer.  This has been a painfully
slow, and pricey, effort by a local group but may provide the best outlet
for locally-produced original radio drama and comedy.


Vince

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 11:47:33 -0400
From: steve mcguffin <earl22002@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Country OTR

Thanks to Tom for sharing this article with us.
Please let us know if you see any more articles on
this subject.  I'm also hoping to see some sort of
revival of True country music, partly as a result of
Brother Where Art Thou.  For those who are interested,
Eddie Stubbs show on WSM weeknights and Saturday
mornings is the standard for this music.

Steve

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 11:47:45 -0400
From: "laurie1125" <lauriep@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Abbott & Costello

I have heard that on the day of Costello's son death, he went to the
studio to do there show. Is this true? And what Abbott +ACY- Costello
show was it.

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:13:33 -0400
From: Joe Salerno <salernoj@[removed];
To: OTR List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Superman theme?

A. Joseph Ross, [removed] arranged electrons in such a fashion as to say:

Well, the original radio Superman theme hasn't endured, but it clearly
inspired the 1950s TV version, as well as Jon Williams's 1980s movie
theme.

I don't recall a Superman theme from the radio show, even into the mid-40s.
I always thought it odd that this program, with which I associated great
memories of music from the TV series & movies, had no theme music. Just the
sound of wind suggesting a man flying faster than a bird, a [removed] well
you know the words.

I would like to hear the radio theme music, my curiosity is piqued.

The 50s TV version theme was actually just production library music. I
forget the title but if Graham Newton is reading he can provide the details.
I'm sure the composer had no inkling that this one theme would become so
memorable to a generation of children who grew up watching a man in tights
jump out of a window.

I do not know if John Williams even knew the TV show music, hard to believe
there was any kid growing up in those years who didn't. I do notice he seems
to have a fondness for the key of C Major. Both the Superman theme and the
Indiana Jones March are in C.

Incidentally, and now that we are totally off topic, the movie soundtrack
has been re-released on a 2-CD set containing ALL the fantastic music from
the movie. The DVD is now finally out as well. Both have well transferred
sound.

Joe Salerno - PO Box 273405 - Houston TX 77277-3405
[removed] - joe@[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:16:22 -0400
From: "Lois Culver" <lois@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  How Old Are We?

Sorry, Owens Pomeroy, I've got your 72 beat a long [removed]'m 82!

Lois Culver
KWLK Radio (Mutual) Longview, WA 1941-44
KFI Radio (NBC) Los Angeles CA 1945-47, 50-53
Widow of Howard Culver, actor


[ADMINISTRIVIA: Maybe, but she looks 50 and acts 20.  --cfs3]

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:30:44 -0400
From: LPEVANS221@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Demographics

Hi Gang,

I am 62 years old and I have been collecting OTR since about 1970.

Larry Evans - WA8DDN

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:31:24 -0400
From: "Jan Bach" <janbach@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: East at Broadway

Hello again --
in OTR Digest v2001 #284, Ken Dahl writes:

I have been listening to radio comedy programs from
the late 40's and a few times someone will say "East and Columbia, Broadway
at Night" which is then followed by laughter.  Was this a slogan for a
product or service?

This was a running joke on the Jack Benny show in the forties and, for all I
know, it may have appeared on the Fred Allen Show as well. The actual
address was: East and Columbia, Broadway at Ninth, an address in Manhattan.
I could find nothing specific about the gag in my Benny biographies (why do
so few of them have an index?) but I believe it was a gym in lower Manhattan
where Jack worked out when the gang was broadcasting from the Big Apple.

I'd be happy for any additions or corrections to this answer!

Jan Bach

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 12:45:38 -0400
From: "jstokes" <jstokes@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Toscanni and harping on things. :)

Wowser.   I sure liked that posting of Toscanni and Grofe.   Never heard
that story before.   And that clarinet glissando story.   I figured GW wrote
that in his original score.    Yeah, that sweep or glide from low to high
notes is called a "glissando."  And now I have a story about that.
    When I worked for WWTC (World Wide Twin Cities) here in Minneapolis in
the mid 60's, they had a "Starburst Cluster" format.   They were so nice to
their listeners to give them "three (or whatever) songs in a row without
commercial interruption."   In between each song, matched by tempo, was a
harp glissando.   Thus, from a slow to a fast, the glissando took off like
grease on a summer log.   And when the temp went from fast to slow, a
s-l-o-w-e-r glissando.   The engineer/producer had the glissando assortments
on cart.   So the board operator was kept quite busy and earned his keep.
    In addition to the harpy things, the announcers always talked over a
harp background.   This was the case, except for the news, when a teletype
cart was run in the background.
    So yeah, always a prank.   More than once, we ran a teletype and mixed
in a jet plane or some overly-dramatic music to break up the news guy.
- ----------------------------------------------------------
    I heard yet another story about the Dragnet theme.   I heard it was
originally from a production library cue by Walter Schumman.   Anyone else
heard that story?

Jim Stokes

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 13:16:10 -0400
From: "Robert Sheldon" <rsheldon@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Treacher

The recent talk about where Arthur Treacher did his buttling reminds me of
the Jack Carson Show which I thought was one of the best comedies on radio
in the 40s. Carson also did the Sealtest Village Store for a year or two
before his radio show with Treacher and his "nephew" Tugwell,who was played
by someone whose name escapes me just now. I have a couple of the Sealtest
Village Store shows with Carson, but I haven't seen any of the regular Jack
Carson Shows anywhere, which seems odd considering the availability of so
many other shows.

Treacher, I think, gave up being a butler to run a chain of fish and chips
restaurants after his radio days.

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 13:16:39 -0400
From: Jim Kitchen <jkitchen@[removed];
To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  "Hello, YUkon 2-8209!"

"Hello, YUkon 2-8209!  Yes, this is Candy Matson!" introduces my
favorite radio detective!!  The writing is crisp with wisecracks that
are still timely, and exciting plots.  I enjoy hearing those Private Eye
wisecracks spoken by a lady, only she gives them a different slant!  I
lived in the San Francisco Bay area during the 1950's, so I'm familiar
with the locale, and can envision many places that Candy visits while
solving her latest caper.  We had telephone exchanges like YUkon in
those days.  I lived in Berkeley, and mine was LAndscape.

Starring Natalie Masters as Candy Matson, the show originated in San
Francisco, and aired over NBC during the 1949-50 and 1950-51 seasons.
According to Jerry Haendiges' Candy Matson Radio Log there were 86 shows
including 2 audition shows.   Unfortunately, only 14 shows, including
the 2 auditions are circulating.

By 1949, taping was probably common practice   You'd think more shows
would have survived.   Does anyone know what happened to the other 72
shows?

Jim Kitchen

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:56:00 -0400
From: "Scott business" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  How Old?

I've only been listening for about 5 years. I was playing on my computer and
trying to figure out how to download from news groups. Just happened to
download and launch a Six shooter episode with James Stewart. I had heard my
folks talk about old time radio and I had been a fan of CBS RMT but didn't
know you could actually get the old programs. Since then I have been
gathering everything I can get. I have about 200 CDR's loaded with MP3's.
I'm 50 this year. My wife tolerates my avid love of OTR and I listen to
something new everyday. Some of my personal favorites are "Broadway Is My
Beat", "Rocky Fortune", "Gunsmoke", and of course "The Six Shooter". Love
the list. Keep up the good work!

As a side note, I'm trying to finish out my "Broadway Is My Beat" series but
lack 40 or 50 shows that are never posted to the newsgroups. Anyone tell me
where to go for the rest? Email me off list with any help.

Scott D. Livingston

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:56:36 -0400
From: "JOSEPH  ANDOLINA, JR." <nostalgic@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  age

Hi all,

Just turned 45 this August.  I started collecting OTR back in the early
1970.  I was stronger in trading back in those early days, and scattered
over the so many years in consistent trading.  I find myself rather just
sitting back listening and enjoying shows than trading over the recent
years, that's probably why I don't do much of trading these days. My
intentions are good in wanting to set up trades, but just can't seem to be
motivated like I used to, so usually the ball is dropped and trading for me
falls by the wayside. This is sought of a public appology to those who've
contacted me about trading, with me saying yes, and then nothing followes
thru. It just seems like so much effort most of the time for me.  Call me
lazy :)

I'm curious as to how many of us collectors out there of OTR found a point
where they were doing more collecting of shows to build up their
collections, but not really taking the time to just sit back and enjoy
listening to them.

Joe

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:56:50 -0400
From: dabac@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Age & OTR

Hello there, Regarding age I am 45 yrs old and have been interested in
otr since I was a kid growing up hearing my parents and others talk
about it. I`ve been collecting various types of shows for about 10 yrs
now.  Seeing the range of ages of the folks who responded, I feel very
much assured that this hobby will be around for many more years to come.
:)   Dan Bacca

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:57:15 -0400
From: "[removed]" <swells@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Old Time Radio And All Of Us

Greetings:
As a general rule, I don't post alot. There are so many very knowledgeable
people within our group that I may not have any new information to add.
However, I would like to say that it is good to see so many of us, from all
walks of life, and from every age group enjoying theses shows. I do believe
that this hobby would of died out if it had not been for the internet and
the digital age. This has given new life to our wonderful hobby and I do
believe that future generations will take ahold of this material and pass it
on. Who knows, maybe 50 years from now people will still be doing what we
are now, sitting back, lisening to shows, and talking about OTR with
friends.

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:57:30 -0400
From: "Michael Hayde" <mmeajv@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: NOT ORIGINAL

Says Sandy Singer, in reference to the "Dragnet" opening:
Walter Schumann originally penned these infamous four notes for the >1948
Abbott & Costello flick, The Noose Hangs High.

I've never heard this before.  I am, of course, familiar with the assertion
that Schumann plagarized Miklos Rosza's cue "Danger Ahead" from the score of
the 1946 Universal film "The Killers."  (I don't agree with that verdict,
but apparently a jury did.)  In any case, even if the four notes weren't
original, the rest of the theme certainly was and it endures as well.

I know there's at least one great A&C fan on this list - eh, Mike Henry?  If
you've got a video of "Noose Hangs High" would you please bring it to the
next MWOTRC meeting?

Michael J. Hayde

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:58:07 -0400
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Age and Rhapsody and fans

In response to ages, I'm 32, and have been active in OTR since I was 10.
However, I'm obligated to tell everyone I'm 39.  Unfortunately many have
believed it, as I've always seemed older than I am.

On the flip side, I recall having to tell people that I was 29.  It would
invariably get a laugh and a "yeah, right."  I am NOT looking forward to
being 39, purely because I'm going to get so much teasing with it.  What ever
happened to the rule of etiquette that "you never ask a lady her age"?

On the topic of "Rhapsody in Blue", the story about the improvised glissandro
from a trill at low F at the beginning of it seems to be credible.  It was
intended as a parody of klezmer.  The story I've always heard about how it
was written was that Gershwin was getting down to the deadline of submitting
the piece for Whiteman's Aeolian Hall concert, but didn't have anything.
Then finally he was on a train, and listening to the rhythm of the wheels,
had an inspiration on the whole structure of the piece.  Then on getting
home, he worked it out at the piano.  That piano is now owned by Engelbert
Humperdinck.

Often when I'd listen to "Rhapsody", my mother would chime in on the blue
theme with the jingle of "Ca-na-da Dryyyy [removed]"  Funny that Jack Benny
and George Gershwin have always been #1 and 2 in my book, and they both
worked for the same sponsor (and had Don Wilson as announcer) at different
times.

On an old topic, I previously told a story about a slightly nutty fan as an
invitation to some of the first-hand OTR folks to tell of any interesting fan
interactions they had.  Any thoughts?

--Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:58:27 -0400
From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: "East & Columbia,...."

   Ken Dahl ("Re: Slogan") asks why the studio audiences laughed when "East
and Columbia, Broadway at Night" was said on some '40s OTR comedy shows.   I
can only give a partial response and only a *guess*: If those shows
originated from Hollywood, *maybe* what was said was not "East and Columbia"
but "Eastern Columbia".  The Eastern Columbia building was (and is still is)
on Broadway (and 9th St.) in downtown Los Angeles.  But if indeed that
building was referred to, I don't know why the audiences laughed.  Maybe
something funny or naughty had happened in or near that building in the
'40s??   My guess is a bit wild, but no harm done. (If Ken could tell us
what was done or said on the broadcasts immediately  before the words in
question were made, that might give us a clue to this mystery.)  But of
course other Digesters may be able to give Ken a full and correct answer.

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:58:47 -0400
From: "Owens Pomeroy" <opomeroy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  THANK YOU

I wish to thank Rick <doolin@[removed]; for the belated Birthday wish
and the nice comments he said about my OTR memories.  Thanks Rick, it was
really appreciated.

Owens ("The Old Man")

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:58:59 -0400
From: otrbuff@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Teaberry

Unless I'm overlooking it, and that's entirely possible, no one has
mentioned the Wireless catalog that came last week that included Teaberry
gum for sale.  It didn't escape my notice, however.  I ordered and have
been enjoying it again for about a week.

Now, what does all this have to do with OTR, he thoughtfully inquired?

Jim Cox

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 17:22:33 -0400
From: "Jimidene Murphey" <jimimark@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  A New Convert and Catching Up

My computer named Hal (sci-fi folks will recognize the connection) crashed
last week, and I've been sans technology. I had been downloading at least
one or two radio shows a night for several months and had them saved in my
computer.  (I also have about a several hundred cassettes, so I'm a pretty
serious collector.)

When my computer-tekkie-type called to tell me Hal was up and running again,
he informed me that he couldn't save any of the program files but was able
to retrieve most of the data files.  When I picked Hal up, he came out from
the store's workroom JUST to tell me he ABSOLUTELY HAD to have a copy of the
old radio shows!!  Mind you, this tekkie-type could not possibly be older
than 24 or 25, and we all know how long he's used and been around computers.
He told me that while they were running diagnostics, he played one Suspense
program to see if it had indeed been retrieved.  Said he loved it and wanted
more because he never knew such media existed.  By Jove, I think the boy is
hooked!!!  I am going to send him some of what I have and tell him where to
get more.

In this world of tech support manuals, mice, keyboards, etc. etc., it did my
heart tremendous good to know that imagination still reigns and that we can
win over another convert.  As I have mentioned before in a post a few months
back, I teach college English courses, and will introduce some young (and
older) folks to the magic of radio drama.  God, I love what I do!!

Jimidene Murphey
"Keepin' it alive"

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 17:27:23 -0400
From: badaxley@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Age

Just a brief input from a reader and not really a
contributor.  I just enjoy all the wonderful input to
the digest.  I'm 63, and like Stephen Kallis, I could
only listen to one station at a time and had my
favorites so I missed a great deal of other shows.
Since I started collecting about 20 years ago, I have
been obtaining a lot of shows that I missed such as Box
13, Nightbeat, Rocky Jordan, etc. and really enjoying
them.  Also, like to state how much I enjoy the inputs
from the radio veterans such as Bill Murtough, Harlan
Stone, Harry Bartell, Lois Culver, Conrad Binyon, etc.
I haven't seen much from you Hal, but just to let you
know, I wouldn't go out to play on Saturday mornings
until I had listened to Smilin' Ed McConnell and His
Buster Brown Gang and Archie Andrews!
Bob Axley

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 18:03:23 -0400
From: "Chris Gumprich" <cgumprich1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Another introduction

Hey folks, "first time caller, long time listener".

Actually, that's fairly accurate -- while I've been listening to OTR for
most of my 27 years, I've only been seriously collecting it for about a
year, after having stumbled across a couple of Jack Benny mp3s while
searching on [removed]

I won't bore you all with my biography, but just want to say that I've been
fascinated with the wealth of knowledge displayed on the list, and want to
add my respects to Hal Stone, Harry Bartell, Conrad Binyon, and the others
who were there at the time -- your posts are always entertaining and
informative!

-Chris Gumprich
Winnipeg, Manitoba

(By the way, I seem to recall someone posting on the list a while ago who
mentioned a part-time Winnipeg radio station that was rebroadcasting OTR and
other old standards.  I'd be interested in learning more about the station,
if you can email me [removed])

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 18:03:33 -0400
From: JayHick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  FOTR

Just a reminder about our 26th Annual FOTR Convention.  All Details on
Charlie Summers Web Site

FOTR Web site:  [removed]  (all lower case)

I have been reading with interest the dialog about original radio theme
music.  About a year ago, I earnestly started collecting sheet music with any
direct reference to radio (programs, performers, radio microphone, etc.).  I
have over 1100 sheets and wonder if there are any other collectors out there.
 Partly because of this, my updated Ultimate History (no more information
please) will be the biggest source of radio theme music available (to my
knowledge).  The Updated Ultimate History will be ready by convention time.

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

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 19:00:33 -0400
From: Joe Salerno <salernoj@[removed];
To: OTR List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  age is relative

Next year I will celebrate my 100th birthday - 50 years in advance!

I figure neither my friends nor myself will be around for the real thing, so
I might as well enjoy it now. Attendees at my big birthday blow-out will be
asked to bring gifts suitable for a man of 100, with the stipulation that I
already have enough Depends and Polygrip - they can be more creative than
that! I might even get some [removed]

Joe Salerno

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2001 Issue #285
*********************************************

Copyright [removed] Communications, York, PA; All Rights Reserved,
  including republication in any form.

If you enjoy this list, please consider financially supporting it:
   [removed]

For Help: [removed]@[removed]
To Unsubscribe: [removed]@[removed]

For Help with the Archive Server, send the command ARCHIVE HELP
  in the SUBJECT of a message to [removed]@[removed]

To contact the listmaster, mail to listmaster@[removed]

To Send Mail to the list, simply send to [removed]@[removed]