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The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2018 : Issue 73
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
This week in radio history 23-29 Dec [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Thank you [removed] the Digest [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@veriz ]
Me three [ "Laura Leibowitz" <president@jackbe ]
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Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2018 18:47:07 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: This week in radio history 23-29 December
From Today in history, the NY Times
12/23
In 1928, the National Broadcasting Company set up a permanent, coast to
coast network.
From Today's Almanac --
In 1947, the transistor was invented, leading to a revolution in
communications and electronics.
12/24
1906 Professor Reginald A. Fessenden is said to have sent his first
radio broadcast from Brant Rock, MA. The program included a little
verse, some violin and a speech. (This is a disputed event according to
some sources -ed).
1944 The Andrews Sisters starred in the debut of The Andrews Sisters'
Eight to the Bar Ranch on ABC. Patty, Maxene and LaVerne ran a fictional
dude ranch. George 'Gabby' Hayes was a regular guest along with Vic
Schoen's orchestra. The ranch stayed in operation until 1946.
12/25
1931 - Lawrence Tibbett was the featured vocalist as radio came to the
Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The first opera was "Hansel
und Gretel", heard on the NBC network of stations. In between acts of
the opera, moderator Olin Downes would conduct an opera quiz, asking
celebrity guests opera-related questions. The program's host and
announcer was Milton Cross. He worked out of the Met's Box 44.
1937 - Arturo Toscanini conducted the first broadcast of "Symphony of
the Air" over NBC.
1939 - The Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol", was read by
Lionel Barrymore on The Campbell Playhouse on CBS.
1942 - The longest, sponsored program in the history of broadcasting was
heard on the NBC Blue network. The daylong "Victory Parade's Christmas
Party of Spotlight Bands" was heard over 142 radio stations. The
marathon broadcast was sponsored by Coca-Cola.
1949 - Dick Tracy got married on Christmas Day. The comic strip hero
married Tess Trueheart. The couple later became parents of a daughter.
The little girl's name was Bonnie Braids.
12/26
1954 - One of the most popular programs, "The Shadow", lurked around the
airwaves for the last time. Vigilante crime-fighter Lamont Cranston
battled greed and corruption since 1930. "Who knows what evil lurks in
the hearts of men? The Shadow [removed]"
12/27
1932 - Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City. It was the largest
indoor theatre in the world. The gala grand opening show was a six-hour
extravaganza that lost half a million dollars within three weeks. The
theatre has since been renovated to recapture its original decorative
charm. An Art Deco cathedral of entertainment, it seats more than 6,200
people and is still a must-see for those visiting New York. During the
holiday season, audiences continue to get a kick out of seeing the
world-famous Rockettes perform in precision on Radio City Music Hall's
nearly 10,000-square-foot stage.
1939 - "The Glenn Miller Show", also known as "Music that Satisfies",
started on CBS. The 15-minute, twice-a-week show was sponsored by
Chesterfield cigarettes and was heard for nearly three years.
1940 - Singer Al Jolson and actress Ruby Keeler were divorced after 12
years of marriage. They had separated a year earlier; but Jolson talked
Keeler into co-starring with him in the Broadway show, "Hold on to Your
Hats". She left the show before the opening and then left the marriage.
12/28
1941 - "The Helen Hayes Theater", on CBS, was called the first casualty
of World War II. Lipton Tea dropped sponsorship of the program as it
prepared for shortages in tea imports from India.
12/29
1945 - The mystery voice of Mr. Hush was heard for the first time on the
radio show, "Truth or Consequences", hosted by Ralph Edwards. The
feature was intended as a spoof of giveaway shows. However, the idea was
taken seriously and lasted five weeks before fighter Jack Dempsey was
identified as Mr. Hush -- for a prize of $13,500 ($187,011 in 2017 dollars)
Joe
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Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2018 18:53:45 -0500
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Thank you [removed] the Digest
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Very entertaining and worthwhile threadb&..my contribution follows:
Born in the Depression Thirties, I was raised on radio. My brothers and I
daily listened faithfully to every kids' show on Mutual. Tom Mix,
Superman, Captain Midnight, etc. Evenings during WW II we listened with our
parents to the comedies and also the news. Gabriel Heatter was a must.
Sunday afternoons we all listened to True Detective Mysteries and Nick Carter.
I still listened to dramatic radio in college in the mid-50's as it was
being phased out, but caught the last and best of Gunsmoke on Saturday
mornings.
By the mid-1970s, radio was but a misty memory when my secretary bought me an
LP record with four kids' 15 minute adventure shows from the 1940s. What a
revelation! These shows still existed! I went to the local library to see if
there were any OTR clubs where I could borrow and duplicate OTR tapes. The
Encyclopedia of Organizations listed only two: the Buffalo Club and North
American Radio Archives (NARA). I flipped a coin and joined NARA. But all
their rental tapes were open-reel and since I had only one machine (and
unwilling to shell out for a second one) I could only listen to them, not make
copies. (Cassettes would come later.)
Within a few years, NARA informed me about the Friends of Old-Time Radio
Convention. When it relocated to Newark, I started attending and was thrilled
with all the stars, panels, re-creations, and vendors. At FOTR I met Charlie
and shortly thereafter became an avid Digester.
Since then, I've enjoyed virtually everything I've read on the Digest.
Many friends lurking there (including some I've never met) helped me with my
research on female detectives. which eventually became my book, "Private
Eyelashes; Radio's Lady Detectives." Digesters sent me clippings,
cassettes, and background material on crime-fighting gals I didn't know
existed.
Over the years, I've become addicted to the Digest; it's the first email I
open in every batch that comes in. What a reoccurring joy!
Jack French
(former editor of RADIO RECALL)
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Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2018 18:54:49 -0500
From: "Laura Leibowitz" <president@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Me three
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To jump in the conga line, I would also like to express my thanks for the OTR
Digest. I first subscribed in 1995, and it was instrumental in connecting me
with many people, a number of whom (including A. Joseph Ross) who have become
friends through the years. Sah-LOOT to Charlie Summers for his stalwart
support, dedication, and distribution of this publication.
--Laura Leibowitz
President, IJBFC
[removed]
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End of [removed] Digest V2018 Issue #73
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