------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2005 : Issue 168
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re:Eddie Albert on Radio [ Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed]; ]
Eddie Albert [ <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
5-30 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Here's what's up, Doc? [ Wich2@[removed] ]
Eddie Albert [ "Mike Martini" <mmartini@[removed] ]
Studs Terkel and Milt Rosenberg [ KENPILETIC@[removed] ]
New Dragnet Release? [ "Randall F. Miller Jr." <rfmillerjr ]
This week in radio history 29 May to [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Harry Von Zell and the Columbia Shor [ "Michael Paraniuk" <bourdase@webtv. ]
Offensive Material In OTR [ ilamfan@[removed] ]
5-31 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Graham Kennedy [ "Austotr" <austotr@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 10:41:35 -0400
From: Jim Widner <widnerj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re:Eddie Albert on Radio
Jim Hilliker asks:
Anybody know for sure the date/year this program was on the air? It was
interesting to learn of this and his other TV experiences. I also learned
that before "Green Acres", Eddie Albert turned down "My Three Sons" and "Mr.
Ed" while concentrating on his movie career.
While Mike Martini could probably better elaborate, I am quoting this
from the CD set on WLW radio produced by Mike and Mark Magistrelli:
"Eddie Albert came to WLW in 1930 as part of a vocal group called 'The
Threesome,' with Herb Nelson and Grace Brandt, Albert's first wife.
Unfortunately, the Threesome's limited repertoire (they seemed to have a
problem coming up with new arrangements and songs) became an inside joke
at the station. Luckily, for all concerned, the members of the trio were
also enlisted in several non-singing capacities. Years later, Eddie
credited WLW with starting him on his acting career. By 1935, Eddie and
Grace had moved to New York, and were featured on NBC as 'The
Honeymooners (no relation to Jackie Gleason's classic television
creation of the 1950s)." - from "Cincinnati Radio: The Nation's Station
(1921-1941).
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 10:42:15 -0400
From: <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Eddie Albert
Jim Hilliker asks:
Albert eventually teamed with a
singer named Grace Bradt and they spent a year as the singing stars of "The
Honeymooners," an NBC morning radio show."
Anybody know for sure the date/year this program was on the air?
"The Honeymooners" narrative series starring Eddie and Grace Albert appeared
on the Blue network at 11 [removed] five times weekly between Sept. 25, 1934 and
Oct. 28, 1935 and at the same hour Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from
July 2, 1936 through July 17, 1936.
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 10:42:24 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 5-30 births/deaths
May 30th births
05-30-1891 - Ben Bernie - Bayonne, NJ - d. 10-20-1943
bandleader: (The Old Maestro) "Ben Bernie Orchestra"; "Musical Mock Trial"
05-30-1892 - Raymond Clapper - LaCygne, KS - d. 2-1-1944
commentator: (Killed During WWII) "News and Commentary for White Owl Cigars"
05-30-1896 - Russ Brown - Philadelphia, PA - d. 12-25-1993
singer: "Ben Bernie, The Old Maestre"; "The Joe Penner Show"
05-30-1896 - Whispering Jack Smith - The Bronx, NY - d. 5-13-1950
singer: "Whispering Jack Smith"
05-30-1899 - Ruth Perrott - d. 1-6-1996
actress: Prudence Rockbottom "Meet Me at Parky's"; Dottie Brainfeeble "Vic
and Sade"
05-30-1901 - Cornelia Otis Skinner - Chicago, IL - d. 7-9-1979
actress: Mary "Johnny Presents"
05-30-1902 - Stepin Fetchit - Key West, FL - d. 11-19-1985
comedian: "Hollywood Hotel"
05-30-1906 - Norris Goff - Cove, AR - d. 6-7-1978
actor: Abner Peabody "Lum and Abner"
05-30-1908 - Mel Blanc - San Francisco, CA - d. 7-10-1989
actor: Professor Pierre La Blanc "Jack Benny Program"; August Moon "Point
Sublime"
05-30-1909 - Benny Goodman - Chicago, IL - d. 6-13-1986
bandleader: (King of Swing) "Camel Caravan"; "Victor Borge Show"
05-30-1911 - Douglas Fowley - NYC - d. 5-21-1998
actor: "Hollywood Hotel"
05-30-1912 - Jerry D. Lewis - d. 8-7-1996
writer: "This Is Your FBI"
05-30-1915 - Frank Blair - Yemasse, SC - d. 3-14-1995
newscaster, announcer: "America Looks Ahead"; "Fulton Lewis, Jr."
05-30-1917 - Peter Leeds - Bayonne, NJ - d. 11-12-1996
actor: Eugor "Rogue's Gallery"; "Bob Hope Show"; "Stan Freberg Show"
05-30-1923 - Jimmy Lydon - Harrington Park, NJ
actor: Jimmy "Young Love"
05-30-1936 - Keir Dullea - Cleveland, OH
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
May 30th deaths
02-12-1914 - Tex Beneke - Fort Worth, TX - d. 5-30-2000
tenor sax, singer, band leader: "Glenn Miller and His Orchestra"; "Sunset
Serenade"
04-03-1894 - Dooley Wilson - Tyler, TX - d. 5-30-1953
actor: "Theatre of Romance"; "New World A-Coming"; "Jubilee"
08-06-1921 - Ella Raines - Snoqualmie, WA - d. 5-30-1988
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Red Cross Show"
11-10-1889 - Claude Rains - London, England - d. 5-30-1967
actor: "Shakesperian Circle"; "This Is War!"; "Presenting Claude Rains"
12-05-1906 - William Spier - d. 5-30-1973
producer, director: "Advs. of Sam Spade"; "Suspense"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 10:43:25 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Here's what's up, Doc?
From: JimInks@[removed]
...I used to listen to Chuck Schaeden's radio broadcasts ... I have this
distinct memory of Chuck playing what amounted to be a Warner Borthers
cartoon made for radio - sound effects and all ... Was it a short series
of broadcasts or demos for a potential series?
Dear Jim-
If there WAS such a thing, I'd love someone to confirm [removed]
My guess, is that is was one of several Children's Records that Mel Blanc
did - (which, if memory serves, Fred Berney offers?)
Best,
-Craig
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 15:14:08 -0400
From: "Mike Martini" <mmartini@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Eddie Albert
Jim Hilliker asked about Eddie Albert's early radio career and perhaps I can
contribute a little here, having spoken with Mr. Albert a couple of times on
the matter. "Grace, Herb and Eddie: The Threesome" came to WLW in Cincinnati
in 1932 as a vocal trio. We have a recording of "The Threesome" and, let me
tell you, Eddie was truly a tenor. He could really hit the high notes! In
addition to the Threesome, Eddie also did solo vocal work at the station,
including the legendary Moon River program, where he said he worked with Fats
Waller on occasion. This would've been around 1933. He lamented in later
years that he was never allowed to sing in his films although he said he
later had a song in the film "Oklahoma" that was left on the editing room
floor. I guess you could say the intro music to "Green Acres" is the only
representation of his singing skills still on the screen. Anyway, WLW was
one of those stations where performers were expected to attempt different
tasks around the station (singers trying to act and vice versa) and Eddie was
no exception. He eagerly participated in the dramatics department in
addition to his singing duties. He credited his time at WLW as the moment in
his career when he "became" an actor and called it "the greatest university."
Eddie was quick to lavish praise on his stay in Cincinnati as the point when
his career path was altered toward acting. He said he even attempted some
comedy during this period, but he couldn't name any specific programs on the
station. Well, by 1934 Herb Nelson left the station to work as a
professional gambler and the Threesome was broken up. Grace Bradt and Eddie
started working as a duo and, according to Eddie, formed the seeds of "Grace
and Eddie: The Honeymooners" while at WLW. They realized they had something
good and took the idea to New York in 1935 where I think it aired for about a
year or two--long before the famous Jackie Gleason program of the same name.
Although IMDB doesn't mention it, I was led to believe in my research!
that Gr
ace and Eddie were actually married for a few years until they split in the
late 1930's and she moved to Italy. Eddie married his longtime wife Margo in
the early 1940's. Some other interesting tidbits: Eddie had to occasionally
sign-on the station at 5-am when he announced live farm reports. He was
chosen because he had some background in agriculture and said his predecessor
kept messing up the daily crop futures (like saying 5-cents per bushel versus
"point"-five cents, etc.) Even up to a few years ago, if you drove by his
Moorish-style house in Bel Air, you could see the tassels of corn looming
above the hedge in his front yard---he really was a champion of farming
(although I'm sure his neighbors winced a little bit!) He lived in the same
house since the 1950's and was proud to point out that he paid it off "many
years ago." Secondly, those familiar with WLW in Cincinnati know that they
still have their 830-foot Blaw-Knox tower. Eddie claimed to have climbed the
tower on a dare! I would've been skeptical, but he told the story on two
different occasions without prodding and apparently it was not an unheard-of
feat among the staff at that time. By all accounts Eddie Albert was
well-liked by the rest of the WLW staff during his three-year stay there. He
accomplished a lot during his rich career and will certainly be missed.
Mike Martini
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 15:14:51 -0400
From: KENPILETIC@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Studs Terkel and Milt Rosenberg
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Hi Gang -
Perhaps I should send two postings, one about Studs Terkel and another about
Milt Rosenberg (two Chicago Radio Personalities), but I am posting only once
to avoid confusion.
Having been out of town for several weeks, I'm catching up on old digests.
In issue 156, Irene Heinstein inquired about Studs Terkel's past radio work.
When I talked to him some years ago at a book signing, Studs said that he
worked in Chicago Radio during the Soap Opera days, playing character roles.
He generally played the "rough guy" or the villian, although he also played
other roles. He did not say specifically what shows he worked on, and
whether
they were syndicated or local. If I get to talk to him again, I'll try to
ask more questions.
Kurt E. Yount replied in issue 158 that he believes Studs was on WFMT.
Indeed he was. Before that, he worked at WBBM and WENR regularly. I recorded
his
daily WFMT program almost every day during 1972. I still have the tapes, but
I have not played any of them in the past 25 years. Maybe I should put them
on CDs.
Studs' program on WFMT was mostly an interview show during which he
conducted marvelous interviews, some of which he later published in his books
"Division Street, America" and "Working".
Occassionally he would read a short story. That's where I first heard the
Ambrose Bierce story "An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge", which has been
dramatized on Suspense and other programs. Studs' reading is somehow more
interesting than the Suspense version.
By the way, Studs Terkel's Real name is Louis.
- -------- NEW TOPIC ----------
Jean Shepherd is the subject of Gene Bergmann's book, "Excelsior, You
Fathead". Bergmann was interviewed on WGN by Milt Rosenberg on May 17. I
was out
of town and unable to hear or to record the broadcast. If anybody recorded
that Milt Rosenberg program, "Extension 720", please contact me. Thanks.
Happy Taping -- Ken Piletic - Streamwood, Illinois
_kenpiletic@[removed]_ (mailto:kenpiletic@[removed])
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*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 21:54:08 -0400
From: "Randall F. Miller Jr." <rfmillerjr1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: New Dragnet Release?
According to my son, who reveiws DVD's there is a new DVD release of the
1967 season of Dragnet due out on June 7th.
For OTR buffs there is a "bonus CD" with one of the radio broadcasts.
If you would like to read a revew go to:
[removed]
The usual disclaimer, although my son did write the review.
--Randy Miller Jr.
Senior Engineer WITF-TV/FM/Radio PA
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 21:54:58 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: This week in radio history 29 May to 4 June
From Those Were The Days --
5/29
1939 - When a Girl Marries was first heard on CBS.
1943 - The Million Dollar Band was heard for the first time on NBC.
Charlie Spivak was the first leader of the band that featured Barry Wood
as vocalist. The unusual feature of the show was the awarding each week
of five diamond rings.
5/30
1922 - "Smilin" Ed McConnell debuted, smiling and playing his banjo.
McConnell quickly became a legend in the medium.
1935 - America's Town Meeting was heard for the first time. The NBC
program continued for 21 years, with a name change to Americas Town
Meeting of the Air.
1938 - Joyce Jordan, Girl Intern was first heard interning on CBS. The
serial later evolved into The Brighter Day (1948).
5/31
1943 - A comic strip came to radio, as Archie Andrews was heard on the
Mutual Broadcasting System for the first time.
1949 - A crowd of 35,000 people paid tribute to radio personality Mary
Margaret McBride at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. McBride was celebrating
her 15th year in radio.
6/1
1936 - The Lux Radio Theater moved from New York City to Hollywood.
Cecil B. DeMille, the program's host on the NBC Blue network, introduced
Clark Gable and Marlene Dietrich in The Legionnaire and the Lady.
6/2
1937 - The Fabulous Dr. Tweedy was broadcast on NBC for the first time.
Frank Morgan starred as the absent-minded Dr. Tweedy.
1937 - CBS presented the first broadcast of Second Husband. The show
continued on the air until 1946.
6/3
1946 - Mutual debuted The Casebook of Gregory Hood, the summer
replacement for Sherlock Holmes. The mystery series became a regular
weekly program in the fall of 1946.
6/4
1944 - Leonidas Witherall was first broadcast on the Mutual Broadcasting
System. Witherall was a detective who looked just like William Shakespeare.
Joe
--
Visit my home page: [removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 21:55:23 -0400
From: "Michael Paraniuk" <bourdase@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Harry Von Zell and the Columbia Shorts (not
underware)
I recently purchased from ebay 4 Columbia short films featuring the great
Harry Von Zell. I always loved his acting on the George Burns/Gracie Allen
show, but I never knew he was a feature for Columbia short films. I was very
impressed with his versatility and agility as basically a *stooge* in slap
stick reactive type comedy (ala the Three Stooges). After Curly Jerome
Howard's death in January of 1952, I think Harry could easily have replaced
him instead of Moe's brother Shemp. Though I always admired Von Zell as a
great OTR announcer, I never knew this other side of his talents.
Furthermore, the Von Zell Columbia shorts featured the regular stock cast of
actors used for the Three Stooges shorts. It was refreshing and entertaining
to see such Three Stooges supporting actors such as the immortal Emil Sitka,
Christine MacIntyre, Vernon Dent, Kenneth MacDonald and others playing
completely different roles on the Von Zell shorts. I would dare say the Von
Zell Columbia short films allowed the supporting actors much more acting
possibilities than The Three Stooges films. It was like looking at the same
old room from a completely different angle. I am pleasantly amazed that this
wonderful announcer who goofed up Herbert Hoover's name on national radio
could goof it up on the big screen as well. God Bless my favorite announcer
in [removed] Von Zell.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 03:11:22 -0400
From: ilamfan@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed] (OTR Bulletin Board)
Subject: Offensive Material In OTR
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I just spent some time doing some audio restoration for the First
Generation Radio Archives - on some great "Broadway Is My Beat" shows.
Now, this is the first time that I've listened to this series (hey!
there has to be a first time, right?), and I was surprised at how graphic the
violence seemed: there was one show where a woman got beaten nearly to death
- she was trying to speak to Detective Danny Clover, and the actress did a
marvelous job of SOUNDING beaten up: swollen lips, lost teeth, wincing in
[removed] swear that I actually felt the pain that she was in. I was
surprised at the realism.
All of the shows seem to have a harsher-than-usual spin. I'm assuming
that it played at a little later hour than the more tepid/average shows?
So my real question is about - what sort of things did the censors
and/or listeners find offensive in radio shows? I know about Arch Oboler
getting loads of negative mail about his first show in which a girl was
buried alive, and the Mae West/Charlie McCarthy stuff (BORING in my opinion!
Through 21st-century eyes, I guess). And "I Love A Mystery" had it's share
of concerned parents, of [removed]
So what would offend listeners?!? Frankly, things could be suggested,
and sound effects could be used to get situations across which might not be
"allowed". I would really love to hear some other real anecdotes about
"offensive" materials in OTR.
How would stations or writers reply to listeners who were outraged at
what THEIR OWN IMAGINATIONS had seen? What they THOUGHT they heard?
Stephen Jansen
--
Old Time Radio never dies - it
just changes formats!
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 08:19:39 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 5-31 births/deaths
May 31st births
05-31-1893 - Albert Mitchell - Elsberry, MO - d. 10-4-1954
host: "Answer Man"
05-31-1894 - Fred Allen - Cambridge, MA - d. 3-17-1956
comedian: "Linit Bath Club"; "Town Hall Tonight"; "Fred Allen Show"
05-31-1898 - Norman Vincent Peale - Bowersville, OH - d. 12-24-1993
preacher: "Art of Living"
05-31-1900 - Hugh Studebaker - Ridgeville, IN - d. 5-6-1978
actor: Ichabod 'Ichy' Mudd "Captain Midnight"; Silly Watson "Fibber McGee and
Molly"
05-31-1901 - Alfredo Antonini - Alessandra, Italy - d. 11-3-1983
conductor: "La Rosa Concerts"; "Treasure Hour of Song"
05-31-1901 - Joe Kelly - Crawfordsville, IN - d. 5-26-1959
emcee, quizmaster: "National Barn Dance"; "Quiz Kids"
05-31-1903 - Abo Hosiosky - Latvia - d. 2-xx-1976
NBC news in partnership with Alex Dreier
05-31-1903 - Blanche Stewart - PA - d. 7-25-1952
actress: Brenda "Bob Hope Show"
05-31-1904 - Clifton Utley - Chicago, IL - d. 1-19-1978
newsman: (Father of Garrick) "University of Chicago Round Table"; "Comments by
Clifton Utley"
05-31-1908 - Don Ameche - Kenosha, WI - d. 12-6-1993
actor, singer: John Bickerson "Bickersons"; Captain Hughes "Jack Armstrong"
05-31-1918 - Bill Harringron- Indianapolis, IN
singer, songwriter: "Your Hit Parade"
05-31-1931 - Barbara Whiting - Los Angeles, CA - d. 6-9-2004
actress: Judy Graves "Junior Miss"; Mildred "Meet Corliss Archer"
05-31-1938 - Johnny Paycheck - Greenfield, OH - d. 2-18-2003
country singer: "Country Sessions"
May 31st deaths
02-04-1908 - Manny Klein - NYC - d. 5-31-1994
trumpet: "The Ipana Troubadors"
04-01-1920 - Art Lund - Salt Lake City, UT - d. 5-31-1990
singer, actor: "Benny Goodman and His Orchestra"; "Land's Best Bands";
"Jubilee"
04-20-1923 - Tito Puente - NYC - d. 5-31-2000
percussionist, bandleader: "Manhattan Melodies"
05-03-1898 - John Roy - d. 5-31-1985
actor: Roy Calvert "Amanda of Honeymoon Hill"
06-02-1908 - Ben Grauer - Staten Island, NY - d. 5-31-1977
announcer, emcee: "Walter Winchell"; "Information, Please"; "Boston Symphony"
06-24-1895 - Jack Dempsey - Manassa, CO - d. 5-31-1983
boxing champion: "Ben Bernie Show"; "Kemtone Hour"; "Saturday Night Bandwagon"
07-29-1900 - Owen Lattimore - Washington, DC - d. 5-31-1989
consultant: "Pacific Story"
08-05-1908 - Wilbur Evans - Philadelphia, PA - d. 5-31-1987
singer:"Vicks Open House"; "Stars from the Blue"
10-20-1907 - Arlene Francis - Boston, MA - d. 5-31-2001
panelist, actress: "What's My Line"; Ann Scotland,"The Affairs of Ann Scotland"
12-30-1899 - Michael Raffetto - Placerville, CA - d. 5-31-1990
actor: Paul Barbour "One Man's Family"; Jack Packard "I Love A
Mystery/Adventure"
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 08:20:46 -0400
From: "Austotr" <austotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Graham Kennedy
G'Day folks, today Graham Kennedy who passed away last week, was laid to
rest.
I knew of Graham Kennedy from his television and movie career and he was
known as the King of Australian Television.
Fortunately a question asked on this list a couple of years ago about Nicky
and Tuppy and Chatterbox Corner, sent me scurrying for my reference books
and asking questions. I discovered the background of Nicky and also how
Graham Kennedy was Nicky's offsider on air until Nicky died in 1956. Graham
continued on Radio even when he commenced on Television, via a deal worked
out between the two stations. When Graham received his first weekly pay
cheque after being on both mediums, his Grandmother advised him to give some
back, it was too much :)
I will go further into Graham's career in radio on the
[removed] website in a week or so, but the thing that pleased
me the most today was that during the service for Graham, the theme song of
the CHUMS of Chatterbox Corner from 3AW commencing around 1933 was sung by
all the people attending the service. It was a definate reminder that
Graham's Radio career was not forgotten, despite the fact that he was held
in such high esteem for his Television work.
If that question had not been asked here, I personally would never have
known about a radio program which was confined to Melbourne and the story of
Nicky and Graham and the CHUMS.
"Being a Chum is fun,
That is why I'm one,
Always smiling, always gay,
Chummy at work and chummy at play.
Laugh away your worries,
Don't be sad or glum,
And everyone will know that you're a Chum, Chum, Chum."
Ian Grieve
Moderator
Australian OTR Group
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #168
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