Subject: [removed] Digest V2004 #345
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 10/26/2004 4:19 PM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2004 : Issue 345
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Arthur Anderson Radio Interview - Tu  [ seandd@[removed] ]
  Script writers                        [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Hangman Won't Wait                    [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Lady in [removed] more time         [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
  FOTR Convention                       [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Ralph Kiner Memoir Review             [ seandd@[removed] ]
  Re: Our Miss Brooks/Osgood Conklin    [ "Candy Jens" <candyj@[removed]; ]
  Lux Radio Theater                     [ "[removed]" <asajb2000@ ]
  re: More on Benny and race            [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
  Jack and Rochester                    [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
  Jack Benny and race                   [ "Kirby, Tom" <Kirby@[removed]; ]
  Early radio                           [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]

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

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 18:53:22 +0000
From: seandd@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Arthur Anderson Radio Interview -
  Tuesday 10-26 at 8:30 [removed]

Friends of Old Time Radio stalwart Arthur Anderson is going to be 
interviewed by Peter Anthony Holder of CJAD-AM in Montreal, Canada on 
Tuesday night at 8:30 [removed] EDT regarding his book "Let's Pretend and the 
Good Old Days of Radio."

You can access the station on the web at [removed] to listen to 
the interview.

Arthur is expected to discuss not only his 18 years on Let's Pretend but 
also his wider career as a radio actor.

I encourage everyone either in Montreal or with access to a computer to 
tune in.  The same host did a great segment with Dick Van Patten, soon to 
be appearning in the Lincoln Center production of Cinderella in New York, 
last Thursday but I didn't get a chance to plug it as it was in the midst 
of FOTR 2004. OTR fans might want to get out to the play as well to support 
Dick.  It runs from November 7-21.

Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]

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

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 18:53:30 +0000
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Script writers

Thom Bray asked:

 > I'm curious if dramatic scripts (GUNSMOKE, DRAGNET, SUSPENSE)
 > were all freelance driven, with a story editor on staff, or if there was an
 > actual paid staff that worked week in and week out ( I'm guessing the
 > former.) Comedy may have been different; I have heard that most radio
 > comics had a staff of writers (the"boys") that would write each week's
 > show.  Is that so?

The answer to that question varies from program to program.  While many 
formulated series (including comedies) did have a staff of writers who 
worked on ALL of the scripts, many dramatic programs were open to 
freelancing.  INNER SANCTUM, SUSPENSE, THE CBS RMT, and others were open 
for review which meant if you were a writer and could get your script 
forwarded to the producer/director and they liked it, you would be paid for 
the script.  The fee, of course, varied from program to program.  During 
the later years of what is termed the "Golden Age of Radio," script writers 
made more money writing for television, opening doors for young wanna-bes 
to write scripts for lesser money.  During 1960, if you wrote a script for 
HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL and got it into the hands of the producer/director and 
he liked it, you would have sold a script.  SUSPENSE was open for scripts a 
number of times during it's 20-plus years, especially during the program's 
last year and a half (1961-1962).

Nowadays you have to have an agent represent you if you wish to write for 
television.  Without an agent, your submission is considered unsolicited 
and would be rejected.  Main reason (obviously) is lawsuits.

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

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 18:54:06 +0000
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Hangman Won't Wait

Matthew Bullis asked:

 > Anyone have Hangman Won't waitt?
 > I got halfway through this Suspense program, only to find my file
 > incomplete. Does anyone have this show which they can send me?

Sorry to burst the bubble Matt, but only half of that episode is known to 
exist.  No one has the other half.  It's an incomplete recording and has 
been that way for years.

I do have a copy of the script (complete episode) if you want a copy.
Martin

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

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 18:55:34 +0000
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Lady in [removed] more time

Since I answered the question on "The Lady in Blue", two digesters, Kenneth 
and Deric, have asked for more information.

"The Lady in Blue" consists of two 15 audition episodes, neither of which 
apparently aired. A "society girl" not named, assisted by her Cockney maid, 
Harriet Higgins, went forth from her penthouse to fight crime. She had no 
super powers, just a secret identity and elaborate costume, much like the 
comic book character she was based upon, "Lady Luck." There is no shortage 
of dealers and collectors who have these two episodes in stock.

Another series, with the identical name of "The Lady in Blue", ran on NBC 
radio from May to Dec in 1951 on Saturday mornings. It was produced in the 
studios of WNBC in Manhattan and starred June Winters, although she never 
used her real name. This 30 minute show was aimed at a kiddie audience and 
Winters wove an interesting juvenile tale around a series of humorous 
records which her engineer played. These would include comedy records by 
Danny Kaye, Jerry Colonna, Jerry Lewis, etc. No audio copies of this 
program have apparently survived.

For those of you holding a copy of my book, "Private Eyelashes", I must 
confess I was fooled, as was Jay Hickerson, by the similarity in names 
(What the heck, there can't be two kids' series named "The Lady in Blue," 
can there?) I was unable to find any scripts from either series until after 
my book was published this April. This summer, I was directed to the 
scripts of the 1951 show at the Library of Congress by ace OTR sleuth, Karl 
Schadow.

The most likely scenario is this:  Sometime after the "Lady Luck' comic 
character's appearance (Her comic books were published from 1943 to 1949), 
some unknown producers cranked out at least two episodes of a 15 
minute  adventure show entitled "The Lady in Blue." Let's [removed] 
1948.  It certainly had to be before NBC's "The Lady in Blue" aired in 
1951, because they wouldn't use the title of another kids' program. And 
other than the identical names, there is nothing to connect the two series.

So for those who don't want to wait for the second edition of "Private 
Eyelashes", I invite you (with my apologies) to print out this message and 
paste it between pages 36 and 37.

PS: It is true it takes a big man to admit he was wrong?

Jack French
[removed]

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

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 18:57:10 +0000
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  FOTR Convention

Here's my two cents:

FOTR this year was great.  One of the only reasons I go there every year 
are the friends I meet up with every year and this year (personally for me) 
has to be the best for the following reasons:
Terry Salomonson stopped by at my house and stayed the night, a day before 
the convention so we got to stay up late, kick back and chat.  Then on 
Wednesday evening it was the wine and cheese and meeting up with Arlene 
Osborne, Jim Widner, Dan Reidstra (sp?), Bobb Lynes and Charlie Summers to 
name a few (even if briefly for a time).

On Thursday I met Phillipa Lord, the daughter of the creator of GANG 
BUSTERS, MISTER DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SETH PARKER, WE THE PEOPLE, SKY BLAZERS, 
PUBLIC DEFENDER and many others.  She's a doll.  Thursday evening, Terry, 
Alex and his wife, Karl and a couple others stayed up late in the room and 
we had Chinese food delivered.  That went on till 3 in the morning but what 
fun and what discussions.

Friday was kinda the same, but I got to meet Bill Abbott, a good friend, 
whom I only correspond with in e-mails and now I can place a face with the 
e-mails.  Stayed up till 2 and that involved pizza delivery.  Not to 
mention socializing with people I see only once a year.  Mel, for instance 
- we only got to chat briefly the year before but this time we chatted a 
number of times over the weekend.

Michelle Vinje drove up Friday night.  Now for anyone who is not aware (and 
most are not), Michelle is 27 years old and one of the "younger generation" 
or as old-timers put it, "Generation X".  She drove four hours on I-95 to 
attend the convention, got there Friday evening in time for the banquet 
dinner (we sat at the same table with Soupy Sales!) and attended the events 
during Saturday.  She drove eight hours on a road you wouldn't want to walk 
across for a total of 8 hours of FOTR events and panels.  Dedication to the 
max.

Friday's events was the best.  There was a tribute to Jackson Beck in the 
morning, a great panel of Jack Benny cartoons and animated parodies of 
Benny led by Michael Hayde and Derek Tague, a comedy panel led by Derek, 
and a wonderful dramatization of "The Battle of the Warsaw Ghetto" by the 
Gotham Radio Players that can be described as "impressive."  All of these 
events (or most, anyway), were captured on film and Fred Berney of 
Satellite Media will be offering them (at a superb price) on VHS and DVD in 
another week or two.  Anyone who did not make it to the convention - these 
events are recommended.

By saturday afternoon, my GANG BUSTERS book sold out.  Ben Ohmart of Bear 
Manor Media was there selling books from his company and I was informed 
from a first-hand source that he was also pleased with the sale of his 
books, showing that there is still a strong interest in OTR Publications.

Saturday had a wonderful panel of Husband and Wife Detective teams led by 
Jack French.  Also recommended.  My only regret was that the convention 
only runs once a year, and a few friends like Gary Kramer and Ted Davenport 
could not attend this year.  Now I am going to have to wait about 361 days 
till next year's.

Ben Ohmart followed me down to my house on Saturday evening (I had to leave 
early) and he stayed the night till late Sunday afternoon.  His house is 
technically on the way past mine so he got to check out the Batcave and he, 
my girfriend and I even watched THE ALAMO (the new one) on the big screen.

Next year will be FOTR's 30th Anniversary so anyone reading this posting 
(and I am sure other people's postings) who have been meaning to attend and 
check out the events and mingle with other fans and friends of the hobby, 
make it a date to attend next year.  It'll be worth it.

Martin Grams, Jr.

[removed]  You don't owe me.  If I was accidentally put in a similar situation, 
for obvious reasons you would be the first I'd ask for the favor.

[Sure I do. And I should have sent her [removed]'re _still_ here. And 
trust me, this hotel is no fun a-tal without the rest of you. What pizza 
parlor did you call again?  --cfs3]

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

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 18:52:45 +0000
From: seandd@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Ralph Kiner Memoir Review

Old time ballplayer Ralph Kiner relates his memories of showbiz pals, who 
included many OTR stars, in his new autobiography.

Coverage from the The Desert Sun follows.

Sean Dougherty
SeanDD@[removed]

[removed]

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

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 18:53:15 +0000
From: "Candy Jens" <candyj@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: Our Miss Brooks/Osgood Conklin

 >Osgood states in  referance to Jason Brille Clay City High Principal
"Before we were teachers at State  Normal".  State
  >Normal was a College or High Shool-who knows??  But Osgood was a teacher!!

Years ago, teachers' colleges, many run by the state, were called "Normal
Schools."  So "State Normal" would be shorthand for the local teachers'
college.  Odd that Osgood would be "demoted" from a college professor to a
high school teacher - or maybe he was referring to his "practice teaching"
while an underegraduate.

Candy

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

Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:59:21 -0400
From: "[removed]" <asajb2000@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Lux Radio Theater

I am not sure what AFRS did with Campbell Playhouse
but Lux Radio Theater became Radio Theater.

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

Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:59:35 -0400
From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  re: More on Benny and race

James Meadows wrote:

 > Maybe Benny, or Eddie Anderson, or some of the writers thought about
 > making an open break from the stereotype. But even if they did, they
 > would have run up against all the pressures faced by mainstream
 > entertainment.

good point. There's a lot of racial humor in OTR that makes us cringe
by modern standards, but which, if you're informed, you can realize was
quite funny in its day. Incidentally, In Jack's autobiography, he
mentions an incident on the show in which Jack is boxing, with
Rochester as his sparring partner, and Rochester KOs him. A lot of
irate Southerners in particular wrote in to express outrage at a black
man laying a hand on a white man. Jack said they never recevied as much
outraged mail as they did over that episode!

Incidentally, when I started this sub-thread by giving examples of how
Rochester's behavion conformed to the racial stereotypes of the day, I
was doing so to counter another poster's statement that race was always
conveyed on radio through dialect. Rochester, as well as others
including Hattie McDaniel and Birdie, didn't do "black" dialect, but
generally conformed to "black" behaviors. Someone countered that Phil
Harris had many behaviors that were similar to Rochester, but unless
I'm mistaken, there's no easy way for being a musician to be conveyed
by dialect.

It's been noted that Rochester's skin color was well known to the radio
audience. (That certainly would have been true for Hattie, Butterfly,
Birdie and others.) Which got me to wondering if there were two groups
of black characters on radio: 1) those who actually were black, and
were known by the audience to be black and thus didn't need to do black
dialect; and 2) those race was not known to the audience, and was
conveyed primarily through dialect. I'm curious whether group 2 was
actually performed primarily by white actors. I've read that was common
in OTR--blacks couldn't get jobs on the radio unless they didn't "sound
black"--and black roles were primarily performed by whites. I'm sure
there were exceptions. I know that Gosden and Correll employed many
black actors in the later years of Amos and Andy; did these actors do
black dialect on the show? Also, I recently listened to some of the
auditions for the unaired "Rochester van Jones Show." Were any of the
"black" supporting characters actually played by black actors?

I find dialect humor to be one of the more interesting historical
windows in OTR. I know a lot of it dates from vaudeville and minstrel
days. (By the way, did anybody catch the bit on Bert Williams on the
recent PBS series on Broadway?) It took me forever to catch on that Mr.
Kitzel was Jewish! Mrs. Nussbaum, yes, but Mr. Kitzel, no. Kitzel
didn't do any stereotypically Jewish behaviors (at least not that I
noticed). On the audition for "Here's Mr. Kitzel," the announcer
explicitly refers to him as a successful example of dialect humor.
That's something that has largely disappeared from American popular
culture.

Kermyt

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

Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 09:00:37 +0000
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Jack and Rochester

 > Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:54:06 +0000
 > From: James Meadows <walthamus@[removed];

 > I remember a sign of changing times when, as a child, I watched one
 > of the TV specials Jack Benny made after his weekly show had gone off
 > the air in the 60s.

I remember another from on of Jack's specials in the late 60s or early 
70s.  Jack had
Rochester on stage with him, and they were doing some business in which 
Jack suggested
a number of different show formats that the two of them could do 
together.  Rochester didn't
like any of them.  Finally, Jack said, "I've got an idea!  How about a show 
in which you play
my  butler and valet."

Rochester said, "We don't DO that kind of work no more!"  Then, possibly to 
show that this
was all in good fun, Jack embraced Rochester with a big grin.

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

Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 09:00:45 +0000
From: "Kirby, Tom" <Kirby@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Jack Benny and race

I can't find any reference to it on the web right now, at least
not with the search terms I was using, but wasn't there an episode
where Jack was teaching Rochester how to box, or demonstrating his
boxing skills to him?

In any case, Jack's defense wasn't up to what he claimed, and he got
KO'ed. I think I remember hearing the voice of Rochester asking
repeatedly if he was OK, but getting no answer. I never heard this on
radio, but I think it was on some sort of documentary, and I'm not sure
the bit ever made it to the air, as some people were outraged that
Rochester would dare to hit his boss.

If anyone can point me to a book or web link about this, I would
appreciate it. I don't think it's something my imagination made up.

Thanks,

-- Tom Kirby

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

Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 09:00:25 +0000
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Early radio

 > Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 18:11:24 +0000
 > From: Osborneam@[removed]

 > (ie WBZ was originally in Worcester, and was the first 50,000 watt
 > radio station).

Not quite.  WBZ began in 1921 in Springfield, and it was not, at that time, 
50,000 watts.  A
few years later, they established a sattellite station in Boston called 
WBZA on the same
frequency.  In 1931, Westinghouse having realized that Boston was going to 
be the lucrative
market, the two callsigns were swapped and Boston became the primary 
station.  WBZ,
Boston, began transmitting at 50,000 watts in 1933.   I don't know if it 
was the first at that
power.  WBZA continued to operate in Springfield as a 1000-watt relay of 
WBZ until 1962.

 > He established W for stations east of the Mississippi and K for those
 > west.

Also not quite correct, which is why there are W stations in Texas and K 
stations in
Pennsylvania.  When radio was used mainly for ship-to-shore
communications, W calls were for land stations on the Atlantic coast, and K 
calls were for
ships in the Atlantic.  The reverse was true in the Pacific.  When call 
letters began to be
assigned inland, for broadcasting, that convention broke down.  Quite a few 
stations had
been assigned before the Mississippi River became the boundary.

-- A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed] 15 Court Square, Suite 210 lawyer@[removed] Boston, MA 02108-2503 [removed] -------------------------------- End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #345 ********************************************* 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] To Subscribe: [removed]@[removed] or see [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]