------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 379
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Researcher needs clips [ David Easter <DavidEaster@[removed] ]
Re: superstition mounting? [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
streaming audio [ ericandsusie@[removed] ]
"The Hand" [ Roo61@[removed] (Randy Watts) ]
THE BLACK DAHLIA [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
Black Dahlia and Tollin on Bergen/WO [ JackBenny@[removed] ]
Re: Reel to Reel recorders [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
Re: VHS for taping [ Fred Berney <berney@[removed]; ]
Suspense answers [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Re: Anachronism in the film "Legend [ Vere Scott <[removed]@[removed]; ]
Black Dahlia Murder Case [ "Phil Watson" <philwats@[removed] ]
biographies of radio actors? [ "Matthew Bullis" <MatthewBullis@run ]
collection of outtakes? [ "Matthew Bullis" <MatthewBullis@run ]
interviews with the actors? [ "Matthew Bullis" <MatthewBullis@run ]
Radio Spirits tape cases [ ilamfan@[removed] ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
My TLR post [ EdHowell@[removed] ]
Dahlias black and blue and red all o [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
Cottonseed Clark's Shows [ pamwarren2002@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 21:47:05 -0400
From: David Easter <DavidEaster@[removed];
To: "Old-Time Radio Digest (E-mail)" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Researcher needs clips
I have been contacted by a researcher looking for audio and/or video clips
of radio programs mentioning Silver Spring, MD (outside of Washington, [removed])
I can not find anything in my collection.
I told her that this was a rather narrow request (necessary for the
documentary), especially since Silver Spring, MD was not exactly a bustling
metropolis during the radio era. I should think only programs of a very
local nature would mention Silver Spring.
I pointed her to the Metro Washington Old-Time Radio Club and said I would
post something here.
If anyone, especially someone in the Washington club, has anything that
might match her requirements, please contact me via e-mail and I will put
you in touch with her.
David L. Easter
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:28:41 -0400
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: superstition mounting?
Subject: Superstition Mounting?
John Mayer, speaking of a comic-book character with a spooky background,
observes, which brings up something that has troubled me of late: our
culture today is, surprisingly, far MORE superstitious and gullible than it
was
when I was a lad. Back then all kids knew, thought we might occasionally
have brief lapses of confidence, that there were "no such thing as
ghosts." Now a dozen channels have shows about haunted houses, psychics
and communicating with the dead, including The Discovery Channel and Animal
Planet! <snip> I wonder if anyone has noticed when we began the slide into
credulity; my impression is that it did not begin until OTR had already
faded away.
I'm afraid that I have to agree with this. Our society has become enchanted
with technologies which very few people understand. Moreover, the level of
technological understanding has dropped dramatically over the last 20-30
years or so. Part of this was caused by what seems to be a disappearance of
fathers. Another part was caused by the lack of science education in
schools (which I think was caused by an entire generation deciding that it
wasn't gonna teach war no more, and that included chemistry, physics, and
math.)
Note the difference between much of the science fiction of the past, which
was filled with plausible engineering details, and the science fiction of
today, which seems to be an endless series of space wars and magic weapons.
The characters on OTR shows knew, with few exceptions, pretty much how
things worked--their cars, their furnaces, and their factories.
Neither today's fictional characters in TV and movies nor their audiences
have much idea of how their world works today. That's why I started How
Things Work.
I believe it was Discovery Channel that ran a thoroughly bogus science
program on Nikola Tesla's death ray, etc. Probably the people who made it
and the people who ran it believed it. Sad.
Mark Kinsler
512 E Mulberry St. Lancaster, Ohio USA 740 687 6368
[removed]~kinsler
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:31:34 -0400
From: ericandsusie@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: streaming audio
Hi all,
Someone brought up streaming audio and I would like to add [removed]
Just go to [removed] and do a search for oldtime radio.
Now the disclaimer. I have no connection with live365 other than being a
listener.
Keep listening,
Eric Hardy
[ADMINISTRIVIA: Also be aware that this website makes extensive use of
cookies and javascript to track your every movement around the site, and
other sites as well. If you are the least bit interested in maintaining your
privacy, avoid this site, and others who require cookies, javascript, or
activex for entry. --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:31:43 -0400
From: Roo61@[removed] (Randy Watts)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "The Hand"
I have something called "The Hand" which is
stated to be a Suspense script that was never
produced. No date. Any help from a
SUSPENSE expert would be appreciated.
I'm no expert, but I do seem to recall being told that after being
rejected by SUSPENSE, "The Hand" wound up being produced on INNER
SANCTUM MYSTERIES. A log I have does show that the INNER SANCTUM
episode for January 30, 1945 was titled "The Hand." That one seems to
be among the missing, though.
Randy
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:32:00 -0400
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: THE BLACK DAHLIA
"The Black Dahlia" was a true murder case in the files of the Los Angeles
PD.
It happened in 1947 I believe and involved a lurid dismemberment of a
woman later identified as Elizabeth Short.
The whole story is here <A
HREF="[removed]">Black Dahlia: Broken Doll.
The Elizabeth Short murder</A>
Or here if you have no hyperlink:
[removed]
I have a question about Suspense.
There is some confusion for me on the episode "The Great Barrastro" in
that I have two slightly different shows with Orson Welles and only one date.
Can anyone clear that up?
In one show, the producer William Spier is part of the opening act.
More info please.
<A HREF="[removed],+Michael+C.">
Michael C. Gwynne</A>
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:33:55 -0400
From: JackBenny@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Black Dahlia and Tollin on Bergen/WOW
Should anyone know where I can find some further info
on "The Black Dahlia Murder Case", please let me know.
There is a chapter in "Hollywood Bablylon II" devoted to the Black Dahlia
case, including some pretty gruesome pictures of the victim post-mortem. I
know that Kenneth Anger isn't the most reliable of sources, but it does give
you a titillating and trashy retelling of the story (and all the other
stories in his HB book duo).
Anyone know what he seemed to have against Gloria Swanson (whom I just
watched in "Sunset Boulevard")?
I was watching the premiere of a 2-hour documentary on the
History Channel this evening titled "Evolution of Science
Fiction" and our very own Anthony Tollin was one of the
interviewee speakers.
Saw that [removed] show. One [removed] our recent Digest debate about
the "proof" of "zapping" between Bergen and War of the Worlds, I thought
there was a good case against the claim that people switched en masse at the
song. Am I remembering it wrong, or is it one of these facts on which there
continues to be a "difference of opinion"?
--
Laura Leff
President, IJBFC
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:34:11 -0400
From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Reel to Reel recorders
Ellsworth Johnson wrote that no one is making reel to reel machines and
tape is hard to come by.
The last time I checked, TEAC and TASCO recorders were still available.
These are professional recorders, but priced under $1,000. I know you can
still buy 1/4 tape. In fact, I have a number of unopened reels I purchased
at one of the radio conventions a few years ago.
I just remembered that I was going to post Don Kunz's phone number. I'll
try and remember to do it in the morning. (they say the first thing to go
is ..... great, I forgot what it was)
Fred
For the best in Old Time Radio Shows [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:34:23 -0400
From: Fred Berney <berney@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: VHS for taping
Please keep this in mind. The HI-FI tracks on a video tape are played with
the video heads. The slightest tracking problem can cause audio problems.
Playing a video tape hundreds of times can wear out the tape much more than
playing a reel to reel tape or even a cassette the same number of times.
Fred
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:34:33 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Suspense answers
About SUSPENSE:
First answer, "The Twist is Murder" was a rehearsal recording starring
Howard Duff and Cathy Lewis in the leads, and was recorded in November of
1951. The drama was performed on SUSPENSE, in December of 1951 under the
title "A Murderous Revision" with Richard Widmark in the role. Every time a
writer wrote a script, the authors would usually create a title for their
work. In this case, as an example, "A Murderous Revision." However,
anytime between submission and the actual broadcast, the title could often
be changed to suit the show's format, a slang from the script, or a more
attractive title for the listening audience. This was such an example. A
lot of Suspense episodes were billed during the series as "next week we
present a thrilling chiller entitled "such and such"" but the week after it
would be the same drama, but now a different title than they planned. In
1957, William N. Robson took "A Murderous Revision" and had it featured
again with a different cast, but the second time the drama was retitled to
"Murder on Mike." Another easy example: a 1952 Suspense episode off the top
of my head entitled "A Murder of Necessity" was originally entitled
"Frame-Up".
Why Howard Duff was the star if the rehearsal and not Richard Widmark is not
certain. Many times supporting staff such as Duff would fill in for
big-name Hollywood stars who could not make it to read-throughs and
rehearsals, so this could be a possibility (could also be possible that Duff
was slated initially for the role). If anyone does get a copy of that 1951
SUSPENSE rehearsal, I would suggest you listen to it. Not only does it
offer the rare opportunity of what a radio broadcast sounds like without the
usual music accompaniment, but it actually sounds more frightening to listen
to and more realistic.
As for THE HAND, that was written by Mel Dinelli, who wrote many episodes
for SUSPENSE. It was submitted to Tony Leader, the director of SUSPENSE
during the 1948-1949 season (the first season Auto-Lite sponsored), in hopes
it would have been purchased and dramatized. It was scheduled for the
broadcast date of June 2, 1949. Sadly, it did not. Auto-Lite (and this
took me a long while to find out why) executives rejected the script after
they discovered that the female protagonist, played by Joan Crawford, was
under the influence of a narcotic throughout the entire episode. The plot,
she killed a man and kept his dead hand in her purse, only the twist at the
end was that she never had a dead hand inside, only a drug she had taken too
much of, and was under a little influence of the drug. You can see why the
sponsors said "no." Instead, Mel Dinelli's script entitled "The Ten Years"
was dramatized as a substitute for that time slot.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:36:44 -0400
From: Vere Scott <[removed]@[removed];
To: Old Time Radio L-serv <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Anachronism in the film "Legend of the
Lone Ranger"
This scenario changed back and forth several times and
finally,
when the stagecoach was held up, it was only white people who got out of
it.
I am not surprised at the continuity lapse of the Indian/whiteman in the
stagecoach scene. I had to laugh at one scene in the film "Legend of the
Lone Ranger" starring Kevin [?] Spillsbury [?] that has the Lone Ranger
galloping along in a medium shot. Very prominent in an otherwise clear and
bright blue sky is a large jet airplane contrail!
Vere Scott.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:36:53 -0400
From: "Phil Watson" <philwats@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Black Dahlia Murder Case
Kenneth Clarke asked about the Black Dahlia murder. Some internet links are
[removed]
[removed]
[removed]
A fascinating murder that has intrigued people all over the world for 55
years.
Regards from England
Phil
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:39:04 -0400
From: "Matthew Bullis" <MatthewBullis@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: biographies of radio actors?
Hello, just wondered if there is a source of info that tells about the
common actors that played in radio years ago? For instance, will it tell us
if they're still around and what they've done over the years?
Thanks a lot.
Matthew
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:39:31 -0400
From: "Matthew Bullis" <MatthewBullis@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: collection of outtakes?
Hello, just wondered if anyone has put together a collection of mistakes and
outtakes from radio programs? I understand that there is a bit of material
from the Gunsmoke series that are outtakes and mistakes, but are there any
collections or web sites with this material on them?
Thanks a lot.
Matthew
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 03:39:34 -0400
From: "Matthew Bullis" <MatthewBullis@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: interviews with the actors?
Hello, I've heard references here and there about web sites that have
interviews with otr actors in recent years, giving their reflections on
their careers. Are there audio interviews that are on certain sites, or has
anyone made a collection of them? Either that, or are there text
transcriptions of these interviews on web sites?
Thanks a lot.
Matthew
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 12:01:41 -0400
From: ilamfan@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed] (OTR Bulletin Board)
Subject: Radio Spirits tape cases
Yesterday Richard Carpenter wrote
Subject: Cassette boxes
Let me second the motion regardiing the new Radio Spirits cassette boxes
-- the tapes tumble out whenever you open the case. Because I play these
cassettes in my car, I have had to resort to keeping the tapes in two bags,
one for the cassettes I've played and the other for yet-to-be played shows.
How could Radio Spirits have Ok'd that design? Surely even a brief test
would have told them something was askew.
Of course, this is another example of a growing number of companies that
simply don't care about the CUSTOMER'S needs - this (probably) cheaper case is
a method of cutting costs/boosting profits further, I'm sure.
But my real point [removed] what you say!!!!! Before you know it,
we'll
all be getting our OTR tapes sent to us in a BAG. Lucky if we even get a
second bag to put the listened ones [removed]"Thank you for your [removed]
you like paper or plastic?"
Stephen Jansen
--
Old Time Radio never dies - it
just changes formats!
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 12:01:45 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
From Those Were The Days --
DEATH VALLEY DAYS DAY was first heard on the NBC Red radio network this
day in 1930 and became one of radio's biggest hits. The 30-minute,
Western-adventure series starred Tim Daniel Frawley as the Old Ranger,
Harvey Hays as the Old Prospector, John White as the Lonesome Cowboy,
Edwin Bruce as Bobby Keen, Robert Haag as Sheriff Mark Chase and Olyn
Landick as Cassandra Drinkwater.
The tales heard on Death Valley Days were all based on fact and were
human interest stories revolving around the borax mining town of Death
Valley, California. The show was created by Ruth Woodman, a script
writer for a New York ad agency. She had never seen Death Valley; but
had found the vehicle to sell 20-Mule-Team Borax. As time went on, Ms.
Woodman did make a trip to Death Valley. She went back again and again
after that, digging up facts for her scripts. She even met an
honest-to-goodness old ranger, Wash Cahill, who knew everyone and
everything about the mining town.
Death Valley Days was renamed Death Valley Sheriff in 1944 and The
Sheriff in 1945. And Ruth Woodman continued to write the scripts. She
even wrote scripts when Death Valley Days became a TV show. Buy some
20-Mule-Team Borax in commemoration.
1933 - The theme song was Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here and it opened
the National Barn Dance. The half-hour
country music and comedy show, originally heard on WLS, Chicago since
1924, moved to the NBC Blue network
this night. National Barn Dance was broadcast from the Eighth Street
Theater in Chicago, where the stage was transformed into a hayloft every
Saturday night. The host was Joe Kelly. Uncle Ezra was played by Pat
Barrett who was known to say, "Give me a toot on the tooter, Tommy," as
he started dancing. A few of the other Barn Dance characters were Arkie,
the Arkansas Woodchopper; Pokey Martin; the Hoosier Hotshots; the
Prairie Ramblers; cowgirl, Patsy Montana; Pat Buttram; Lulu Belle and
the Cumberland Road Runners. Gene Autry and Red Foley were heard early
in their careers on National Barn Dance. Although there were plenty of
sponsors (Alka Seltzer, One-A-Day vitamins, Phillips Milk of Magnesia),
the National Barn Dance was one of the few radio shows to charge
admission!
1935 - "Calling all [removed]" The Adventures of Dick Tracy came to radio
for the first time -- on the Mutual Radio Network. Based on the comic
strip created by Chester Gould, the 15-minute adventure show was heard
Monday thru Friday at 5:45 [removed] The sponsors were Quaker Puffed Wheat
and Quaker Puffed Rice.
1939 - Captain Midnight was heard on radio for the first time -- on
Mutual. The Captain flew his single-engine plane all over the place
fighting crime. Talk about a popular show: Ovaltine dropped its
sponsorship of Little Orphan Annie to climb on board with Captain
Midnight. The show was also sponsored by Skelly Oil.
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 12:02:05 -0400
From: EdHowell@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: My TLR post
My post re TLR movie, posted yesterday, by my son per my instructions, got
somewhat confused. He typed in Indian whereas it should have been a Chinese
man.
Somewhat under the weather yesterday I had him do my e-mails, etc and
apparently he got my instructions wrong and had Tonto on his mind. However,
it was a Chnese man who seemed to come and go in the scenes inside the
stagecoach.
Sorry.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 12:03:38 -0400
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Dahlias black and blue and red all over?
The thread about Black Dahlia reminds me of the Alan Ladd film "The Blue
Dahlia" (1946). There was a Shelley Winters film "Scarlatta Dahlia"
(1976), which I figure means red. An earlier film is just plain "Dahlia"
(1930) made in India! Since it doesn't specify a color, I'll assume it was
white. So that covers black, red, white and blue. Anybody know of others?
From my own knowledge, Arthur Godfrey's broadcasting fame and auburn hair
(not really red since he was a kid) prompted a dahlia grower in the 1950s
to introduce the "Arthur Godfrey Dahlia" with large, flaming red
blossoms. They're still available. I just ordered one!
I'm surprised that some dahlia breeder didn't come up with one to honor
Tallulah Bankhead: "The Dahling Dahlia".
Take that, Derek "Punster" Tague!
Lee Munsick
Appomattox County, Virginia USA
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 12:06:23 -0400
From: pamwarren2002@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Cottonseed Clark's Shows
Hello,
I am still on my search for the L. Ron Hubbard radio broadcasts of 1951.
I came upon a show that might be of interest and that might lead to some more
information about the Hubbard broadcasts.
"Cottonseed Clark" was a country-western music show that aired an hour before
the L. Ron Hubbard broadcasts on KGFJ. When Progressive Broadcasting went bust
(Jan 1951), an executive of KVSM in San Mateo came down to Los Angeles and
hired
Cottonseed Clark to come and do a show on KVSM. Cottonseed Clark became a hit
show. KVSM let Clark advertise his weekend dances on his show and he made
enough money from these public dances that KVSM paid him hardly anything for
DJing the shows. This seemed a great way of helping to keep a small station
going. The executive that hired Cottonseed told me, "To have a successful
radio station you have to have a program that the people believe in. It has to
be like a religion."
So, are there any "Cottonseed Clark" followers out there who might have an
aircheck of the show that included the L. Ron Hubbard broadcasts? Also, here
are some titles of the L. Ron Hubbard broadcasts for all those OTR buffs who
are out there helping me look:
- How to Straighten Out a Group
- Dianetics R&D
- Valences and Straight Memory
- Valence
- Grief and Valences
- Husbands and Wives Auditing Each Other
- Communication Breaks
- The Tone Scale and Groups and Nations
- Goal of Dianetic Processing
- Who Can Do Processing
- The Tools of Processing
- Methods of Processing
- Straight Memory
- The Mission of Life
- Love and Emotion
- The Magic Triangle
- Affinity and Emotion
- Communication and Preceptics
- Reality and Understanding
Thanks for all the help from you OTR experts; this game is fun!
Pam Warren
L. Ron Hubbard's Public Relations Office
e-mail: pamwarren2002@[removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #379
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