------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2011 : Issue 128
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re: Conventions [ Bryan Wright <bryan@[removed]; ]
OLDE TYME RADIO NETWORK [ Jerry Haendiges <Jerry@[removed]; ]
8-9 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
8-10 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ charlie@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2011 22:56:38 -0400
From: Bryan Wright <bryan@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Conventions
Just to follow-up on a few comments from Rick [removed]
it can be a tough sell to ask a young person to put all that aside
and
learn enough about the entertainment scene of the 1940s to be able to
understand and appreciate the gags and references on the Fred Allen
or Jack
Benny shows, for example.
True. However, there's no reason why a modern-day audio adventure
with a
character like Jack Benny's on-air persona couldn't work today. As I
said in
my newspaper article about timeless radio shows (contact me off list
for a
PDF copy), "there will always be vain people or skinflints."
I agree! I think that Jack Benny and "The Shadow" have held up as well
as they have because they do have a certain timelessness at their
core. The characters are still relatable, and I don't doubt that
modern adaptations could be made to work. (I recently saw the 1990s
"Shadow" film with Alec Baldwin -- and what about the movie version of
"The Green Hornet" that came out earlier this year?) My point was that
the original programs -- as they are -- are going to have a more and
more difficult time attracting new fans into the 21st century. As a
child, I often preferred mystery programs to comedies because many of
the popular comedies had so many dated references that I didn't
understand. Jokes on Jack Benny's program about Frank Sinatra's thin
figure ("I just ate a raisin and boy am I stuffed!") or the LSMFT song
parodies just aren't as funny when you don't know who Sinatra was or
the original songs being parodied. (I think many here take for granted
that everyone knows who Frank Sinatra [removed] you might be surprised
and saddened to find out how many people under 30 have never heard of
him!) Of course, to anyone who takes the time to learn about the
history and popular entertainers of the era, the shows still work, but
I think that requires more effort than many younger people are willing
to take.
Bryan said, "I'm sorry to say that looking at a Captain Midnight
decoder ring
in the display case of a dealer in a hotel meeting room just doesn't
provide
the same critical interactive element that draws younger folks in."
True. But modern-day versions of adventure series like "Captain
Midnight" and
"Jack Armstrong" might be as appealing to kids today as the
originals were to
kids decades ago.
Again, I agree. In middle school, I listened through nearly all of the
extant Jack Armstrong programs (courtesy of the SPERDVAC lending
libraries) and enjoyed them thoroughly. The 15-minute serial format
was very engaging, and the stories were quite thrilling -- at least I
thought so. If something similar were produced today and offered as a
daily or weekly podcast, I suspect quite a few younger people would
listen, especially if it was promoted properly. I mentioned the
Captain Midnight decoder ring not to put down the program, but as an
example of the "nostalgia" factor that I think is preventing younger
people from becoming more engaged. People who remember premiums such
as the decoder ring from their own youths, or people who are already
dedicated fans of a series are likely to value those objects for
sentimental reasons. Younger people have no such attachment to them
couldn't care less. I think a convention that focuses too much on
dealers swapping expensive "antique collectibles" runs the risk of
alienating today's youth. You don't win new fans by showing them a
scrapbook full of OTR-related box tops.
_Every_ Cincinnati re-creation is open to attendees auditioning.
Even when
Don Ramlow has his All Ears Theatre people come in to do a re-
creation, there
are still character parts open to the average attendee who wants to
participate.
I'm glad to hear that it wasn't just the one year I attended. I think
this is a definite plus for the Cincinnati convention. The more
interactive a convention is, the better. The current model of relying
on guest stars may have been effective in the 1970s and 1980s as these
sorts of conventions got going and quite a few OTR-era actors were
still around and willing to participate. But as the list of available
OTR actors grows smaller, the guest model has to change. Without the
draw of name actors, there has to be another incentive for people to
attend. In this age of MP3s and vast archives of OTR online, simply
buying or swapping shows at dealers' tables won't do it. And even the
discussion panels alone will have a tough time attracting crowds to a
convention. I really think that a more interactive experience that
gives attendees more opportunities to participate in the production
and staging of recreations or new audio dramas is a good start. (And
not for just one "amateur night" at some point during the convention
or giving attendees bit parts in a few programs.) Encourage not only
actors, but musicians to learn the art of crafting scores for radio
dramas. Maybe have a scoring contest like Turner Classic Movies does
to encourage young composers to write for silent films. Have hands-on
sound effects workshops. (Again, maybe have a pre-announced contest
where attendees are challenged to create on-stage specific effects
using only materials from a local supermarket.) Maybe invite a local
radio station to broadcast the recreations (assuming the proper
permissions can be obtained). Maybe host an afternoon social where
guests are asked to come in the persona of their favorite OTR actor or
character -- have the guests mingle and see if they can figure out who
the others are. The last one may be a bit corny, but the point is for
conventions to survive, I really think they have to do *something* to
give attendees more opportunities to participate.
Let me just say that I'm not suggesting we *change* OTR or ignore its
roots. I have the greatest respect for the writers, actors, sound
effects artists, musicians, and others from radio's "golden age." I
enjoy listening to a variety of OTR programs -- currently, it's the
"Great Gildersleeve" on my iPod every afternoon when I go jogging.
Conventions such as FOTR, Cincy, SPERDVAC, REPS, and others have
undoubtedly done a great service by honoring those who were active in
the early years of radio while serving to promote research and
providing a place for fans to gather and get to know each other. I
definitely think conventions have a place in the 21st century, just as
I'm optimistic that audio drama as an art will continue to inspire
generations of writers, actors, producers, and listeners. However, at
some point, the conventions will have to shed some of the "nostalgia"
trappings and the long-standing "conventions" (pardon the pun) of how
such meetings are conducted if significant numbers of young
enthusiasts are to be drawn to them.
Bryan W.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2011 22:56:52 -0400
From: Jerry Haendiges <Jerry@[removed];
To: Old Time Radio Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OLDE TYME RADIO NETWORK
Hi Friends,
Here is this week's schedule for my Olde Tyme Radio Network. Here you
may listen to high-quality broadcasts with Tom Heathwood's "Heritage
Radio Theatre," Bob Bro's "The Old Time Radio Show," John and Larry
Gassman's "Same Time Station" and my own "Old Time Radio Classics."
Streamed in high-quality audio, on demand, 24/7 at
[removed]
Check out our High-Quality mp3 catalog at:
[removed]
=======================================
OLD TIME RADIO CLASSICS
*Featuring Fred Allen*
TEXACO STAR THEATER
"The Fred Allen Show"
Episode 61 3-8-42 "The Life Story of Fred Allen"
Guest Star: Maurice Evans
Stars: Fred Allen, Portland Hoffa, Kenny Baker
Announcer: Jimmy Wallington
CBS Texas Oil Company
THEATER GUILD ON THE AIR
"The United States Steel Hour"
Episode 136 12-26-48 "Rip Van Winkle"
Host: Roger Pryor
Stars: Fred Allen, Arnold Stang, Thelma Ritter,Arthur Margotson, Billy
Lynn, Brad Barker, George Hicks, Harry Bannister, Hiram Sherman, Ian
Martin, Kenny Delmar, Mary Wickes, Paul Crabtree, Roger Pryor, Ruth
Gilbert, Theresa Helburn
Announcer: Norman Brokenshire
NBC United States Steel
==================================
HERITAGE RADIO THEATRE
THE ABBOTT & COSTELLO SHOW
(NBC) 10/15/42 Special Guest: Marlene Dietrich
ARCH OBOLER'S PLAYS
(NBC) 7/3/48 1st show of series features a fantastically good story,
"Long Distance" starring Jan Miner. It may bring recollections of
"Sorry, Wrong Number" but it's very quite different and unique.
JACK AND JILL
(Synd) 1930's From a very old transcription of an early program.
Anyone know more about this series ? Comedy sketch.
====================================
THE OLD TIME RADIO SHOW
TALES OF THE TEXAS RANGERS (NBC)
Title: Quicksilver
Original Air: 8/5/50
Starring: Joel McCrea
FORT LARAMIE (CBS)
Title: Coward
Original Air: 3/25/56
Starring: Raymond Burr, Vic Perrin
GUNSMOKE (CBS)
Title: Innocent Broad
Original Air: 8/06/55
Starring: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Russell
====================================
SAME TIME, SAME STATION
COLUMBIA WORKSHOP
and another in the series, "26 By Corwin. this week, we hear Descent
Of The Gods from 08/03/41 Episode (013).
The emphasis on this week's program is sports. We begin with SPORTS
ANSWER MAN
from the 1940's Episode (25) Origin Of Baseball's Spring Training.
Next, we hear SPORTS QUESTION BOX
from 1946 Episode (01) An Umpire's Question. The host of this 15
minute sports show is the Manager of The Brooklyn dodgers, Leo Durocher.
After our look at the radio calendar, we hear BELIEVE IT OR NOT
from 10/10/37 Episode (013) The guest is Lou Gehrig.
And finally, we'll hear AUTHOR MEETS THE CRITICS
from 07/18/48. Robert Smith Author of "Baseball" meets Critic Russell
Maloney and President Of The Cleveland Indians, Bill Veck.
====================================
If you have any questions or request, please feel free to contact me.
Jerry Haendiges
Jerry@[removed] 562-696-4387
The Vintage Radio Place [removed]
Largest source of Old Time Radio Logs, Articles and programs on
the Net
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2011 22:56:57 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 8-9 births/deaths
August 9th births
08-09-1892 - Joe Emerson - Grand Rapids, MI - d. 9-30-1969
gospel singer: "Hymns of All Churches"; "Hymn Time"
08-09-1894 - Kathleen Lockhart - Southsea, England - d. 2-18-1978
actor: "The Nebbs"; "Abroad with the Lockharts"
08-09-1901 - Charles Farrell - Onset Bay, Cape Cod, MA - d. 5-6-1990
actor: Verne Albright "My Little Margie"
08-09-1901 - Gaby Casadesus - Marceilles, France - d. 11-11-1999
pianist: "The Telephone Hour"
08-09-1902 - Zino Francescatti - Marseilles, France - d. 9-17-1991
violinist: "Encores from the Bell Telephone Hour"; "Concert Hall
Program"
08-09-1903 - Don Bernard - d. unknown
director: "Blondie"; "Life of Riley"; "Meet Mr. Meek"
08-09-1903 - Maurice Wells - Nebraska - d. 6-25-1978
actor: Donald Putnam "Your Family and Mine"; Warren Biggers "Lawyer
Tucker"
08-09-1905 - Leo Genn - London, England - d. 1-26-1978
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-09-1906 - Gunnar Back - Escanaba, MI - d. 11-27-1983
newscaster: "CBS Morning News Roundup"; "Headline Addition"
08-09-1908 - [removed] Bezzerides - Samsun, Turkey - d. 1-1-2007
screenwriter: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-09-1910 - Snag Werris - NYC - d. 2-27-1987
writer: "The Comedy Writers Show"; "Quixie Doodles"
08-09-1911 - Robert K. McCormick - Danville, KY - d. 9-4-1984
newscaster: "Robert K. McCormick and the News"
08-09-1912 - Anne (Wiggins) Brown - Baltimore, MD - d. 3-13-2009
singer: "NBC Symphony Orchestra"; "This Week Around Paris"
08-09-1919 - Ralph Houk - Lawrence, KS - d. 7-21-2010
baseball manager: "Tops In Sports"
08-09-1921 - Joe Anzivin - Youngstown, OH - d. 5-24-2003
sportscaster: KGMB Honolulu, Hawaii
08-09-1934 - Cynthia Harris - NYC
actor:"CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
August 9th deaths
01-19-1866 - Harry Davenport - NYC - d. 8-9-1949
actor: "Screen Guild Theatre"; "Family Theatre"
02-22-1915 - Jesse Ashlock - Walker County, TX - d. 8-9-1976
fiddle: "The Musical Brownies"
03-17-1919 - Marx B. Loeb - d. 8-9-1991
director: "Suspense"; "Romance"
03-22-1887 - William Royale - Rochester, NY - d. 8-9-1940
actor: "Jack Benny Program"; "Eddie Cantor Show"
04-18-1918 - Tony Mottola - Kearney, NJ - d. 8-9-2004
jazz guitarist: "Gordon MacRae Gulf Spray Show"; "Burl Ives Sings"
07-07-1921 - Rod Peterson - Phoenix, AZ - d. 8-9-2004
writer: "Have Gun, Will Travel"
08-24-1900 - Jimmy Fidler - St. Louis, MO - d. 8-9-1988
commentator: "Jimmy Fidler"
09-20-1899 - Elliot Nugent - Dover, OH - d. 8-9-1980
actor: "Best Plays"; "United States Steel Hour"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
09-25-1906 - Dimitri Shostakovich - St. Petersburg, Russia - d. 8-9-1975
composer: "Four for the Fifth"
10-01-1899 - Rupert LaBelle - d. 8-9-1972
actor: Rufus Kane "Story of Joan and Kermit"
10-02-1897 - Jess Kirkpatrick - Illinois - d. 8-9-1976
actor: Harry Henderson "Beulah"
11-14-1916 - Don Ewell - Baltimore, MD - d. 8-9-1983
pianist: "Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra"
Ron
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2011 22:57:04 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 8-10 births/deaths
August 10th births
08-10-1874 - Herbert Hoover - West Branch, IA - d. 10-20-1964
[removed] president: "The People's Platform"
08-10-1878 - Louis Esson - Sydney, Australia - d. 11-27-1943
writer: "Lola, the Lorelei"
08-10-1887 - Hugh Herbert - Binghamton, NY - d. 3-12-1952
actor: Pop "That's My Pop"; "Rudy Vallee Hour"; "Family Theatre"
08-10-1895 - Harry Richman - Cincinnati, OH - d. 11-3-1972
singer, dancer, actor: "Harry Richman Dodge Program"; "Chase and
Sanborn Hour"
08-10-1896 - Louis Sobol - New Haven, CT - d. 2-9-1986
columist: "Album of Manhattan"; "Voice of Broadway"; "Bright Lights of
New York"
08-10-1896 - Walter Lang - Memphis, TN - d. 2-7-1972
film director: "Screen Director's Playhouse"
08-10-1899 - Jack Haley - Boston, MA - d. 6-6-1979
comedian: "Log Cabin"; "Wonder Show"; "Sealtest Village Store"
08-10-1899 - Walter Ashenbrenner - d. 11-xx-1981
violinist: WJAZ Chicago, Illinois
08-10-1901 - Josef Koestner - Wilmersdorf, Germany - d. 9-16-1990
orchestra leader: "Ry-Krisp Show"; "Hoover Sentinels Serenade"
08-10-1902 - Curt Siodmak - Dresden, Saxony, Germany - d. 9-2-2000
film writer: "Suspense"
08-10-1902 - Franklyn Ferguson - Texas - d. 9-18-1969
announcer: "The Breakfast Club"; "Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy"
08-10-1902 - Louise Massey - Midland, TX - d. 6-20-1983
singer: (Louise Massey and the Westerners) "National Barn Dance";
"Show Boat"
08-10-1902 - Venezuela Jones - d. 6-22-1995
actor: Susie Robinson "Our Gal Sunday"
08-10-1907 - Jane Pickens - Macon, GA - d. 2-21-1992
singer: (Pickens Sisters) "Gulf Headliners"; "Evening in Paris"; "Jane
Pickens Show"
08-10-1908 - Richard DuPage - Kansas City, MO - d. 6-21-1983
composer: "Murder By Experts"; "The Search That Never Ends"
08-10-1909 - Claude Thornhill - Terre Haute, IN - d. 7-1-1965
bandleader: "The Judy 'N Jill 'N Johnny Show"
08-10-1910 - Roy Ringwald - d. 7-11-1995
singer: "The Fred Waring Show"
08-10-1910 - Sigmund Miller - d. 8-5-1998
writer: "Inner Sanctum Mysteries"
08-10-1911 - Wanna Coffman - d. 11-28-1991
bass: "The Musical Brownies"
08-10-1912 - Wilbur Stark - Brooklyn, NY - d. 8-11-1995
producer: "Movie Matinee"; "Teen Canteen"
08-10-1913 - Noah Beery, Jr. - NYC - d. 11-1-1994
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Screen Guild Theatre"
08-10-1914 - Jeff Corey - NYC - d. 8-16-2002
actor: "Nightbeat"; "Escape"; "NBC Presents: Short Story"
08-10-1915 - Jack Lester - Oklahoma - d. 9-18-2004
actor: Sky King "Sky King"; ""Whistlin' Jimmy Steele"
08-10-1917 - Kathleen Claypool - Aylesworth, IN - d. 5-5-2003
actor: "Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy"
08-10-1921 - Marvin Zindler - Houston, TX - d. 7-29-2007
disk jockey, spot news announcer: KATL-AM, Houston, Texas
08-10-1922 - Al Alberts - Chester, PA - d. 11-27-2009
singer: (Member of the Four Aces) "Horn and Hardart Children's Hour"
08-10-1923 - Rhonda Fleming - Hollywood, CA
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-10-1924 - Martha Hyer - Fort Worth, TX
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
08-10-1927 - Jimmy Martin - Sneedville, TN - d. 5-14-2005
bluegrass performer: "Louisiana Hayride"; "WWVA Jamboree"
08-10-1928 - Eddie Fisher - Philadelphia, PA - d. 9-22-2010
singer: "Stars in Khaki 'n' Blue"; "Eddie Fisher Show"
08-10-1928 - Jimmy Dean - Plainview, TX - d. 6-13-2010
singer: "Grand Ole Opry"
08-10-1935 - Marshall Borden - Howell, MI
actor: "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"
August 10th deaths
01-10-1899 - Kenneth Casey, Sr. - NYC - d. 8-10-1965
conductor: "Winnie the Wave"
02-02-1888 - Frank Lloyd - Glasgow, Scotland - d. 8-10-1960
film director: "Screen Guild Theatre"; "Robert Arden Round Table
Discussion"
02-14-1909 - Carlton Moss - Newark, NJ - d. 8-10-1997
writer, creator: "Community Forum"
04-23-1915 - James F. Fleming - Baraboo, WI - d. 8-10-1996
announcer: "Vic and Sade"; "Get John's Other Wife"
05-02-1903 - Sylvan Levin - Baltimore, MD - d. 8-10-1996
conductor: "Sinfonietta"; "Brownstone Theatre"; "Let's Go to the Opera"
05-06-1914 - Ken Englund - Chicago, IL - d. 8-10-1993
writer: "Three Sheets to the Wind"
05-20-1894 - Adela Rogers St. Johns - Los Angeles, CA - d. 8-10-1988
novelist: Commentator on NBC 1936-1937
06-18-1910 - Dick Foran - Flemington, NJ - d. 8-10-1979
singer: (The Singing Cowboy) "George Burns and Gracie Allen Show"
07-03-1915 - Jerry Gray - Boston MA - d. 8-10-1976
bandleader: "I Sustain the Wings"; "Philip Morris Frolics"; "Club 15"
07-04-1902 - Vince Barnett - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 8-10-1977
actor: "Shell Chateau"; "Rudy Vallee Sealtest Show"
07-10-1913 - Joan Marsh - Porterville, CA - d. 8-10-2000
actor: "Calling All Cars"; "Good News of 1939"
07-17-1917 - Lou Boudreau - Harvey, IL - d. 8-10-2001
sportscaster: Chicago Cubs
08-07-1910 - Freddie Slack - Westby, WI - d. 8-10-1965
pianist, bandleader: "Kraft Music Hall"
08-20-1911 - Robert Riley Crutcher - Missouri - d. 8-10-1974
writer: "Fabulous Dr. Tweedy"; "Eddie Bracken Show"
08-23-1910 - John Nesbitt - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - d.
8-10-1960
commentator: ""John Nesbitt and the News"; Passing Parade"
09-13-1908 - Sheila Barrett - d. 8-10-1980
impersonator, mimic: "Fred Allen Show"; "Time of Your Life"; "Magic Key"
09-20-1898 - Charlie Dressen - Decatur, IL - d. 8-10-1966
baseball manager: "Tops in Sports"; "Brooklyn Dodgers Locker Room
Interviews"
09-30-1912 - Kenny Baker - Monrovia, CA - d. 8-10-1985
singer, comedian: "Jack Benny Program"; "Glamour Manor"; "Kenny Baker
Show"
10-15-1912 - "Zeb" Tennis - Missouri - d. 8-10-1972
fiddle: "Plantation Boys"
10-27-1890 - Bob Becker - Terryville, SD - d. 8-10-1962
commentator: "Fireside Chats About Dogs/Pet Parade"
11-13-1903 - Conrad Thibault - Northbridge, MA - d. 8-10-1983
singer: "Show Boat"; "Packard Hour"; "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round"
11-27-1897 - Vera Allen - NYC - d. 8-10-1987
actor: Grace Doblen "Hilltop House"; Mother Malone "Young Dr. Malone"
11-27-1901 - Ted Husing - The Bronx, NY - d. 8-10-1962
announcer, sportscaster: "Sportslants"; "March of Time"; "Radio
Reader's Digest"
Ron
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:12:01 -0400
From: charlie@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: #OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Night!
A weekly [removed]
For the best in OTR Chat, join IRC (Internet Relay Chat), StarLink-IRC
Network, the channel name is #OldRadio. We meet Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern
and go on, and on! The oldest OTR Chat Channel, it has been in existence
over nine years, same time, same channel! Started by Lois Culver, widow
of actor Howard Culver, this is the place to be on Thursday night for
real-time OTR talk!
Our "regulars" include OTR actors, soundmen, collectors, listeners, and
others interested in enjoying OTR from points all over the world. Discussions
range from favorite shows to almost anything else under the sun (sometimes
it's hard for us to stay on-topic)...but even if it isn't always focused,
it's always a good time!
For more info, contact charlie@[removed]. We hope to see you there, this
week and every week!
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2011 Issue #128
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