------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2007 : Issue 86
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
George and Gracie [ "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@attorneyross. ]
Betty Hutton [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
RE: Cisco Kid [ Fred Bertelsen <frdbertelsen@yahoo. ]
yes Alice is with us [ "Walden Hughes" <walden1@yesterdayu ]
Inner Sanctum--Judas Clock/Cleopatra [ "Bob Watson" <crw934@[removed]; ]
interviews [ "Scott A Eberbach" <saeberbach@eart ]
3-16 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
Cincinnati Redux [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
Re: Radio Fidelity and mp3 [ Chargous@[removed] ]
3-17 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
This week in radio history 18-24 Mar [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:43:59 -0400
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: George and Gracie
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 10:19:30 -0400
From: ddunfee@[removed]
I just heard a 1940 show where George was upset because she was dating
someone else. I'm also struck how in these early times the show seems
much more a vaudeville routine then the situation comedy it became
later.
There was a TV show about radio comedy a number of years ago on PBS
in which George described how he noticed that their ratings were
gradually dropping, and he started trying to figure out why. He
finally realized that they were still playing young people dating,
when they were by this time married with children.
He also recalled that Gracie thought she was getting too old for the
off-center character that she portayed. He replied that if you're
stupid, you stay stupid when you get older, but the ways you show it
change. Now, you put two roasts in the oven, a big one and a small
one, so that when the small roast is burned, you know the big roast
is done.
In any event, George decided that it was time for the show to become
a show about a married couple, and their ratings rebounded.
--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed]
15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax [removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503 [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:53:31 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Betty Hutton
Betty Hutton was on COMMAND PERFORMANCE so many times it was hard to avoid
her after listening to a few consecutive episodes. For anyone attending the
Cincinnati OTR Convention, Friday morning there will be an hour-long film
showing of OTR-related short films and one of them is COMMAND PERFORMANCE
(which means you get to see Bob Hope, Judy Garland, etc. behind the
mircophones reading from scripts and the technicians cutting the actual
transcription discs while the show is being recorded). Among the guests you
will see Betty Hutton singing and dancing.
MG
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:55:01 -0400
From: Fred Bertelsen <frdbertelsen@[removed];
To: Old-Tyme Radio <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: Cisco Kid
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Bob Slate wrote:
Does anybody know any additional information on their OTR careers, not
counting their movie and television appearances?
Michael Rye (Rye Billsbury) was the announcer for the Cisco Kid during the
period in question.
Fred
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Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:55:20 -0400
From: "Walden Hughes" <walden1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: yes Alice is with us
Hi Everybody,
yes Shirley Mitchell who played Alice on Fibber is still with us and she
was at FOTR last year. Other people who were part of the show that are with
us include Gil Stratton who played Ed from the Drug Store. Gloria McMillan
who played Debbie Lynn who was Ed girl. Dick Beals played such roles as a
newspaper boy on the show, and Tom Koch who was one of the writers on the
show. Take care,
Walden Hughes
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:55:42 -0400
From: "Bob Watson" <crw934@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Inner Sanctum--Judas Clock/Cleopatra's Clock
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I posted this once before, but around the time I posted, I had a brief problem
with my email. As a result, even though someone may have replied, I never
received the email, or the digest with the answer. A couple of years ago, I
purchased an Inner Sanctum set of CD's. On the set is an AFRS version of the
Judas Clock. The announcer states that the story is the Judas Clock, but in
the body of the story, the clock is referred to as Cleopatra's Clock. As in
the April 17th version of the Judas Clock, the story stars Berry Kruger. I
couldn't find the episode in any logs, though I may have been overlooking it.
I was wondering what the date of the broadcast was? Thanks in advance.
Bob
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Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:57:19 -0400
From: "Scott A Eberbach" <saeberbach@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: interviews
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Hi all,
For those who may be interested there are 4 interviews at
[removed] with Carlton E. Morse,
Mercedes McCambridge, Russell Thorson with Jim Boles, and Tony Randall. This
was a link from the easy ace blog web site at
[removed] which has a lot of links to many of the
classic radio shows that we know and love with many shows available for a
free download.
All these interviews touch on ILAM and the actor's tenure on that show but
also talk about other facets of their show business careers. I'm not sure
when these interviews were made, but the one with Mercedes McCambridge seems
to be from sometime in 1978 because she talks about Himan Brown's CBSRMT
just starting it's 4th season. The one with Tony Randall seems to be when he
started starring as Felix Unger on TV's "The Odd Couple." Probably sometime
in 1970. The one with Russell Thorson and Jim Boles seems to be from the
early to mid 1970's. What I found interesting is hearing Jim Boles without
his Doc Long Texas drawl! He also details some of his movie credits as well
which was the subject of a posting on the digest awhile back. The interview
with Carlton E. Morse seems to be late in his life as he seems to taking
quite a long time in searching his memory for an answer to the interviewer's
question. He was still living in the Bay area though as they make some
mention of that in passing during the interview. Not only does he talk about
ILAM and One Mans Family he also talks about His Honor the Barber, and
Family Skeleton. Strangely enough, he makes no mention of his earlier radio
serials prior to ILAM and One Man's Family. Still an interesting interview
all the same. I don't know who the interviewers were, but I did enjoy
listening to them and thought that members of this digest would enjoy them
as well. Best to all.
Scott
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:57:52 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 3-16 births/deaths
March 16th births
03-16-1859 - Alexander Popov - Turinsk District, Russia - d. 1-13-1906
One of three claimants for inventor of radio (along with Marconi and
de Forest)
03-16-1885 - Rev. Dr. William L. Stidger - Moundsville, WV - d. 8-7-1949
pastor: "Getting the Most Out of Life"
03-16-1886 - Howard Pierce - d. 1-xx-1973
Owned a piece of the Lone Ranger
03-16-1889 - Elsie Janis - Columbus, OH - d. 2-27-1956
First female announcer on network radio
03-16-1891 - Phil M. Donnelly - Lebanon, MO - d. 9-12-1961
governor missouri: "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"
03-16-1892 - James C. Petrillo - Chicago, IL - d. 10-23-1984
union leader" Head of the American Federation of Musicians
03-16-1893 - Isobel Elson - Cambridge, England - d. 1-12-1981
actor: Jessie Hughes "Young Dr. Malone"
03-16-1894 - Elizabeth Lennox - Ionia, MI - d. 5-3-1992
singer: "Lucky Strike Dance Orchestra"; "American Album of Familiar
Music"
03-16-1897 - Conrad Nagel - Keokuk, IA - d. 2-24-1970
actor, emcee: "Silver Theatre"; "Passing Parade"
03-16-1901 - Edward Pawley - Kansas City, KS - d. 1-27-1988
actor: Steve Wilson "Big Town"
03-16-1906 - Arch Presby - Canada - d. 3-xx-1987
announcer, emcee: "Smilin' Ed and His Buster Brown Gang"
03-16-1906 - Henny Youngman - London, England - d. 2-24-1998
comedian: (Take my wife, please) "Kate Smith Hour"; "Radio Hall of Fame"
03-16-1908 - Robert Rossen - NYC - d. 2-18-1966
film director: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Screen Director's Playhouse"
03-16-1916 - Mercedes McCambridge - Joliet, IL - d. 3-2-2004
actor: Sunny Richards "I Love A Mystery"; Martha Ellis Bryant
"Defense Attorney"
03-16-1916 - Walter Reed - Fort Ward, Bainbridge Island, WA - d.
8-20-2001
actor: "The Bombadier"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
03-16-1920 - Leo McKern - Sydney, Australia - d. 7-23-2002
actor: Horace Rumpole "Rumpole of the Bailey"
03-16-1920 - Wolf Rilla - Berlin, Germany - d. 10-19-2005
writer for the BBC
03-16-1925 - Lane Nakano - Los Angeles, CA - d. 4-28-2005
actor: "The Big Show"
03-16-1926 - Jerry Lewis - Newark, NJ
comedian: "Martin and Lewis Show"
03-16-1927 - Dick Beals - Detroit, MI
actor: Dan Reid "Lone Ranger"
03-16-1927 - Olga San Juan - Brooklyn, NY
actor: "Frank Morgan Show"; "[removed] Journal"; "Lux Radio Theatre"
03-16-1931 - Betty Johnson - Guilford County, NC
singer: "Arthur Godfrey Time"
March 16th deaths
01-14-1901 - Bebe Daniels - Dallas, TX - d. 3-16-1971
actor: "Life with the Lyons"; "Louella Parsons"
02-16-1900 - Albert Hackett - NYC - d. 3-16-1995
playwright: "Star Spangled Theatre"
03-05-1903 - Minerva Pious - Odessa, Russia - d. 3-16-1979
commedienne: Mrs. Pansy Nussbaum "Fred Allen Show"
03-24-1902 - Thomas E, Dewey - Owosso, MI - d. 3-16-1971
presidential candidate: "Jack Benny Show"; "Racketbusters Roundtable"
05-21-1918 - Anthony Alfred Ambrose - New Alexandria, PA - d. 3-16-2003
composer/singer: WHJB Greensburg, Pennsylvania
05-28-1922 - Scott McKay - Pleasantville, IA - d. 3-16-1987
actor: John Nelson "Barry Cameron"
07-03-1900 - John Mason Brown - Louisville, KY - d. 3-16-1969
host-critic: "Of Men and Books"
08-14-1893 - Carl Benton Reid - Lansing, MI - d. 3-16-1973
actor: Roger Allen "Big Sister"
08-31-1903 - Arthur Godfrey - NYC - d. 3-16-1983
emcee: (The Old Redhead) "Arthur Godfrey Time"; "Arthur Godfrey's
Talent Scouts"
10-12-1891 - Perle Mesta - Sturgis, MI - d. 3-16-1975
renowned party giver: "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"
11-11-1899 - Harold J. "Pie" Traynor - Framingham, MA - d. 3-16-1972
sportscaster: KQV Pittsburgh
xx-xx-1904 - Jean Tennyson - Chicago, IL - d. 3-16-1991
soprano: "Great Moments in Music"
xx-xx-xxxx - Major J. Andrew White - d. 3-16-1966
Pioneer announcer, sportscaster and executive
Ron Sayles
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:59:23 -0400
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cincinnati Redux
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In his recent indorsement of the Cincinnati Old Time Radio & Nostalgia
Convention, OTR historian Jim Cox mentioned the laid-back intimate atmosphere
of "Cincinnati.". I can further corroborate his sentiments. Re-creationist
Rene' Thompson likens it to an OTR "family reunion." The primary reason I
attend "Cincinnati" is really not for the programmes or for the celebrities
scheduled, but to hang out with the many friends I've acquired at this
convention and via this hobby throughout the years.
Kudos to impresario Bob Burchett; emcee Robert Newman (Hope he's healthier
this year); re-creation co-ordinator and director Don Ramlpw (along with his
down-to-earth wife [removed]"Oh, Don," "Oh, Mary" as Jack Benny might say);
the sound effects team of Dave Davies, Jerry Williams, and Randy VanderBiecke;
cameraman Charlie Summers (as well as the late Harold Zeigler); the musical
genius of Edward Clute; Mike Martini, Jim Widner, Dan Riedstra, Ken Piletic,
and all the ORCATS; the many dealers especially Martin Grams, Terry
Salomonsen, Sonny Raley, Bob Burnham, Ted Davenport and Tom Monroe, Rodney
Bowcock, Fred and Ellen Berney, Karen Lerner and the Radio Spirits team, and
many others; the perennial hosts of after-hour parties such as Steve Hiss,
Barbara and Dave Davies, and Barbara and Jerry Williams;and my own circle of
friends--who usually end up filling non-celeb roles in the re-creations--
including the Hughes family (Dan, Kathy, and Karen), the Jansen siblings
(Steve and Laura), Steve and Rene' Thompson, Gary Yoggy (and sometimes the
Boogie-Woogie Girls), Randy Story, Meredith Grainger; Chuck Thompson, Rick
Keating, and Linnell Herbert-Marshall; and new fans to the hobby like Melanie
Aultman and my sister Gweneth Newsomewho make having conventions like these
all the more worthwhile. [I know I've probably omitted somebody very
[removed] profoundest apologies in advance].
Great re-creations and panels planned! Awards honouring early attendees such
as Parley Baer, Ezra Stone and Willard Waterman, and re-creation pioneer Dave
Warren! Ad hoc sidetrips to various OTR historical sites and nice
reataurants!
Unfortunarely, various events and forces in my life will prevent me from
attending convention #21 next month. IMHO, I'd be a natural for the proposed
panel re: OTR research. I hope to be there in spirit.
I encourage everybody who can wing it to come and have fun at this year's 21st
annual Cincinnati Old Time Radio and Nostalgia Convention.
Derek Tague
"Mayor of Etherville"
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:22:32 -0400
From: Chargous@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Radio Fidelity and mp3
This topic has been discussed many, many times, but I completely agree with
Ken - he's 100 pct. right.
In theory, yes, a 32/22 mp3 can sound pretty good on OTR. However, I've
only heard less than 10 encodes on 32/22 that were good - to be kind, about
[removed] percent of 32/22 encodes are acceptable (to be fair 75 percent of 64
encodes are poorly done). I do 80/44 myself. [removed] is much more
universal, easier to work with, and with today's storage, there's
absolutely no need to cram 50,000 shows on one CD. There's no significant
difference from 64, but it's more or less my signature. I try to cater to
the highest common denominator, always trying to get the best source
possible. I'm one of those people who, if I have a 3rd gen copy of a show
I'll like, I'll upgrade to a 1st gen copy.
Ken, what kind of phone lines would a small Mutual station have used? Take
the '52 ILAMs in circulation, for example - they're pretty tinny. Would
that have been a CCC?
BTW, those AKG K-701 headphones I bought a month or so ago (world-class
headphones) have really become so much better with breaking in. OTR sounds
great on them too! Much recommended.
Travis
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:15:54 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 3-17 births/deaths
March 17th births
03-17-1877 - Edwin M. Whitney - Parma Center, NY - d. 6-5-1957
actor: Captain Jimmy Norton "Harbor Lights"; Judge Whipple "Real Folks"
03-17-1879 - Sid Grauman - Indianapolis, IN - d. 3-5-1950
theatre owner: Intermission Guest "Lux Radio Theatre"
03-17-1884 - Frank Buck - Gainesville, TX - d. 2-25-1950
wild animal hunter: "Bring 'em Back Alive"
03-17-1901 - Alfred Newman - New Haven, CT - d. 2-17-1970
composer, conductor: "Hollywood Star Time"; "Radio Hall of Fame"
03-17-1902 - Bobby Jones - d. 12-18-1971
renowned golfer, did a 15 minute show on golf
03-17-1902 - Jimmy Grier - Pittsburgh, PA - d. 6-4-1959
orchestra leader: "Woodbury Soap Show"
03-17-1905 - Lisa Sergio - Florence, Italy - d. 6-22-1989
news and music commentator: "Let's Talk it Over"; "One Woman's Opinion"
03-17-1906 - Michael O'Shea - Hartford, CT - d. 12-3-1973
actor: "Textron Theatre"; "Radio Reader's Digest"; "Philip Morris
Playhouse"
03-17-1910 - Molly Weir - Glasgow, Scotland - d. 12-1-2004
actor: Tattie McIntosh "It's That Man Again"; Aggie "Life with the
Lyons"
03-17-1910 - Pat McVey - Fort Wayne, IN - d. 7-6-1973
actor: "Cavalcade of America"
03-17-1915 - Joel Cranston - Iowa - d. 9-xx-1977
actor: "Fort Laramie"; "Gunsmoke"; "Escape"; "Have Gun, Will Travel"
03-17-1916 - Karl Weber - Columbus Junction, IA - d. 7-30-1990
actor: Ray Matson "Dr. Six Gun"; Phil Stanley "When a Girl Marries"
03-17-1918 - Bill Felton - Greenland, MI - d. 1-20-2005
newscaster, disc jockey: "Valley Varieties"; "Recreation Room"
03-17-1919 - Marx B. Loeb - d. 8-9-1991
director: "Suspense"; "Romance"
03-17-1919 - Nat "King" Cole - Montgomery, AL - d. 2-15-1965
singer: "King Cole Trio Time"
03-17-1922 - Irene Buri-Nelson - d. 7-7-2006
host: WLIP Kenosha, Wisconsin "Around Town"
03-17-1930 - Grover C. Mitchell - Whatley, AL - d. 8-6-2003
trombonist: "Count Basie and His Orchestra"; "Bring Back the Bands"
03-17-1946 - Budge Threlkeld - Pueblo, CO - d. 6-11-2005
actor: "High Street"
March 17th deaths
01-01-1928 - Helen Westcott - Los Angeles, CA - d. 3-17-1998
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "My Wildest Dream"
02-16-1904 - George F. Kennan - Milwaukee, WI - d. 3-17-2005
post world war two diplomat: "Meet the Press"
02-21-1880 - Frank Orth - Philadelphia, PA - d. 3-17-1962
actor: Inspector Faraday "Boston Blackie"
03-02-1909 - Narvin Kimball - d. 3-17-2006
vocal, banjo: (Preservation Hall Jazz Band) "Newport Jazz Festival"
04-11-1902 - Quentin Reynolds - NYC - d. 3-17-1965
author: "Britain Speaks"; "Quentin Reynolds"; "Keep 'Em Rolling"
04-18-1941 - John J. Jackson - d. 3-17-2004
rock-radio personality
05-31-1894 - Fred Allen - Cambridge, MA - d. 3-17-1956
comedian: "Linit Bath Club"; "Town Hall Tonight"; "Fred Allen Show"
06-10-1910 - Charles O'Connor - Cambridge, MA - d. 3-17-1942
announcer: "Johnny Presents"; "Breezing Along"
07-24-1903 - Hazel Arth - d. 3-17-1991
second place winner Atwater-Kent National Radio Auditions
08-16-1862 - Amos Alonzo Stagg - West Orange, NY - d. 3-17-1965
legendary football coach: "We the People"
08-26-1905 - George F. Hicks - Tacoma, WA - d. 3-17-1965
announcer: "Metropolitan Echoes"; "Death Valley Days"; "Seth Parker"
09-28-1919 - Tom Harmon - Rensselar, IN - d. 3-17-1990
sportscaster: "Here Comes Harmon"; "Jimmy Durante Show"
10-10-1900 - Helen Hayes - Washington, [removed] - d. 3-17-1993
actor: "New Penny"; "Electric Theatre"; "O'Neill Cycle"
12-06-1903 - Hugh Farr - Llano, TX - d. 3-17-1980
singer: (Sons of the Pioneers) "The Roy Rogers Show"
Ron Sayles
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2007 12:01:31 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otrd <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: This week in radio history 18-24 March
From Those Were The Days --
3/18
1940 - Light of the World was first heard on NBC. The soap opera was
unique in that it featured the Bible as the center of the story line.
3/21
1925 - The voice of Lowell Thomas was first heard on radio. Thomas was
heard talking about "Man's first flight around the world," on KDKA in
Pittsburgh, PA.
3/22
1948 - The Voice of Firestone was the first commercial radio program to
be carried simultaneously on both AM and FM radio stations.
3/23
1940 - Truth or Consequences was first heard on radio. The Ralph
Edwards-produced program was hosted by Mr. Edwards. The show was
originally heard on only four CBS stations. Later, NBC picked up the
show where it eventually became the most popular of all radio quiz shows.
3/24
1932 - Belle Baker hosted a radio variety show from a moving train ... a
first for radio broadcasting. The program originated from a Baltimore
and Ohio train that chugged its way around the New York area. The
broadcast was heard on WABC in New York City.
1935 - After a year as a local show from New York City, Major Bowes'
Original Amateur Hour was heard on the entire NBC network. The show
stayed on the air for 17 years. Later, Ted Mack took over for Bowes and
made the move from radio to that other medium.
Joe
--
Visit my homepage: [removed]~[removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2007 Issue #86
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