------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 361
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Now I feel [removed] [ "Ryan Hall" <uncle_festor@[removed] ]
otr Jumping the Shark [ "Ryan Osentowski" <rosentowski@neb. ]
Metropolitan Opera Auditions [ Dancingdays72777@[removed] ]
JB: JTS [ "e ginsburg" <edginsburg@[removed] ]
Circus Time [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
Olde Tyme Radio Network Schedule [ HERITAGE4@[removed] ]
Today in radio history [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
OTR on TV [ Shenbarger@[removed] ]
spoken words [ "" <cooldown3@[removed]; ]
Ukie [ "Brian Johnson" <CHYRONOP@worldnet. ]
convention [ "Ed Carr" <edcarr@[removed]; ]
red white and blue label [ "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@earthli ]
Struts & Frets [ "Jim Widner" <widnerj@[removed]; ]
FOTR convention next month [ "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed] ]
old tre friends/traders [ grshad34@[removed] ]
Target Audience [ Grbmd@[removed] ]
"Struts and frets" giving "Just the [ Doug Berryhill <fibbermac@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:04:36 -0400
From: "Ryan Hall" <uncle_festor@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Now I feel [removed]
My many thanks for the posting about the class of [removed] was born a few
years before 1983 (and I literally mean a few and only a few). And even I
have to say that list makes me feel old. I did own a record player when i
was little and I do remember from 1st grade the Challenger disaster as well
as the other things on the list. So take heart, all you old
<insert-light-hearted-yet-slightly-derrogatory-noun-of-your-choice>...all is
not lost.
Having just started law school, I got to thinking about that list as I sat
at a football game in the student section amongst these bona fide Generation
Y'ers as they all talked on their cell phones to other Generation Y'ers 5
rows up asking them questions like "Where you want to go drinking after the
game, yo?" Lord, I wouldn't even know what to do with a cell phone, much
less understand these lunatics. Honestly, I don't know what's more
[removed] I could get brain cancer from the massive amounts of
radiation from these cell phones, or the fact that these conversations are
bouncing up to a satellite and coming back down 10 feet away, carrying
messages like "What's up, dawg?...Yeah I see [removed]'s a hottie."
My point [removed] I do have [removed] the huge generational divide between
the tail end of Generation X and Generation Y. I hate those names, but
nothing else seems to fit. Sometimes I fear we've become like those cyborgs
on Star Trek and have just been assimilated by technology.
But I do agree that young OTR fans needs to be encouraged. I got involved in
OTR more as what my parents called "an eccentric hobby" back before the
internet opened up a whole new world of OTR to me. I'd get what few radio
shows I could find on cassette at Cracker Barrel or maybe the bookstore if I
was lucky. I had no idea that so many radio shows survived until I found the
internet OTR community.
I believe OTR makes young people smarter. In a generation where everything
is instantaneous and video based, having to actually listen to a story with
no visual stimuli and reconstruct it in your head is a good brain exercise
and also good for the attention span. When young people have a collective
attention span of about 10 seconds (and I'm being generous on that point),
young people that have a background in listening to OTR, I believe, have a
distinct advantage over other people their own age. I have certainly found
that I have. Having to recreate a scene in your mind is good for creativity,
abstract thought, and critical analysis. All things that are barely nurtured
in the Generation Y educational scene, if at all. And I can say that
objectively because I am part of that scene. [removed] sounds like a good
idea for a doctoral thesis.
In any event, I'll go back to my cave now. That's my 6 cents worth (price
adjusted for inflation)...Ryan1
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:05:25 -0400
From: "Ryan Osentowski" <rosentowski@[removed];
To: "old time radio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: otr Jumping the Shark
Hi all:
I'm glad some of you grabbed on to this thread. Here are a few of my
thoughts on when certain series jumped the shark.
Dragnet- When Barton Yarborough passed away in 1951. This also coincides
with the time that Dragnet went to television as well. The radio show lost
a lot of it's authentic feel.
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar- The show really came into it's own when it
adopted the five-part format in 1955. I'd say it jumped the shark at the
end when it reverted back to it's half-hour format in 1956.
Suspense- I am a big fan of Elliott Lewis, but I really think the show
jumped the shark when he took over as producer/director in 1950. He gave us
too many "stories taken from life," and such.
Escape- It never jumped, although I think the first three years were the
best since William N. Ropeson maintained control.
The Lone Ranger- I know my view on this is unpopular, but I think this show
went downhill when Fred Foy came in and became narrator. He was overused
and the actors and sound men weren't given as much air time as they had been
before Fred arrived.
Gunsmoke- When Gunsmoke moved to television and the radio program lost it's
sponsors and it's live orchestra in 1957.
Jack Benny- When Phil Harris left. I always got a big kick out of him.
Fibber Magee and Molly- When Gildersleeve left for his own series. The
constant feuds between Fibber and Gildy are unparalleled.
The Great Gildersleeve- When Willard Waterman took over the role.
The Shadow- When Brett Morison took over the role. Morison was a great
actor, but the story quality dropped off and Margo became too whiny.
The Whistler- This series jumped the shark when it started. It was a
typical mystery series with an omniscient narrator and the twist endings
were spoken instead of dramatized. It then came into it's own when Bill
Foremann took over the role in 1944 and Signal Oil became sponsors
Shows that never jumped in my opinion include Dimension X, The Six Shooter,
Tales of the Texas Rangers, Fort Laramie, Lights Out and Night Beat.
RyanO
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:05:32 -0400
From: Dancingdays72777@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Metropolitan Opera Auditions
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
I have a large collection of old Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. I was
wondering [removed] any broadcasts exist of ther Metropolitan Opera
Auditions program?
Thanks,
Matt
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:05:58 -0400
From: "e ginsburg" <edginsburg@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: JB: JTS
Although I doubt if you will find a greater admirer of Jack than I have
been, his show deinitely lost a great deal of vitality when Phil Harris left
the show, so to me it was the time that the shark was jumped so to speak,
In fact the 1953-1955 era was so lethargic that it was definitely time to
quit the show
Please give me some reasons why anyone would refute this
the last great bit on the radio shows was when Jack wrote "when you say I
beg your pardon"
eddie
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:06:04 -0400
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Circus Time
Anyone recall the full title of the circus adventure show on radio in
the 40s, something like "(Name, Drake?) , Guardian of the Big Top"?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:06:12 -0400
From: HERITAGE4@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Olde Tyme Radio Network Schedule
Here are the shows that started for one week on Sunday, Sept. 15th on the
Olde Tyme Radio Network at: [removed]
24/7 in streaming audio 32 kbps.
SAME TIME, SAME STATION with Jerry Haendiges
This week - celebrates the "British Invasion".
A. THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - BBC tsraring Norma Shelley
and Carlton Hobbs as Holmes and Watson:
1. 08/05/61 "The Hound of the Baskervilles" Part 1
2. 08/12/61 as above - Part 2
3. 08/19/61 as above - Part 3
B. THE DAY OF THE TRIIFFIDS BBC Episode 1 - 02/04/60
"The End Begins" stars Patrick Barr, Monica Gray and Gabriel Blunt
HERITAGE RADIO THEATRE with Tom Heathwood:
1. THE SHADOW MBS - 12/8/40 "The Voice of Death"
with Bill Johnstone and Marjorie Anderson.
2. GUNSMOKE CBS - 3/15/54 "Confederate Money" stars William Conrad
3. COLGATE SPORTS NEWSREEL with BILL STERN NBC 1945
Guest: bandleader, Tommy Dorsey.
Enjoy - Tom & Jerry
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:06:31 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history
>From Those Were The Days --
1941 - CBS debuted The Arkansas Traveler. The program was later renamed
The Bob Burns Show. Burns played a very strange musical instrument
called the 'bazooka'. The [removed] Army chose the name to identify its
rocket launcher, because it looked so much like Burns' bazooka, believe
it or [removed]
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:06:43 -0400
From: Shenbarger@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR on TV
There is a particular model Zenith tombstone radio used in the TV series "The
Waltons" that has made that model especially popular with collectors. I
watched a couple of Waltons shows to look for the radio and did see it in the
background once, but have not seen it used. I suppose it was used from time
to time in the series and I am wondering what shows the Waltons listened to.
Don Shenbarger
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:07:01 -0400
From: "" <cooldown3@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: spoken words
Perhaps one way to spread the word of "old time radio" would be to try to
link with the audio-visual department of universities which are located
close to the reenactment groups. It might be possible to do recreations of
programs as well as parts of programs. Perhaps a few of the sound effects
people could give demonstrations. Perhaps people of the time could host
seminars about the shows they have been on.
Universities are usually looking for ways to enhance their offerings to
students, esp unique things, and esp if they are low or no cost. Conventions
might be hosted at university facilities. In the summertime there are
frequently "elder hostels" held at many universities giving community
'courses of interest' often just a few days or a week in length. What a
great way to bring more people into the fold. Costs would be reduced
dramatically for the conventions and more people could be treated with the
crafts we enjoy. Perhaps annual events could become semi-annual affairs.
New People, book signing opportunities, vendor opportunities,
just plain fun too.
I bring your attention to a book I read in a folklore class I took. This
book outlines the history of a region being carried down verbally for over
1000 years.
Ben-Amos, Dan. SWEET WORDS, STORYTELLING EVENTS IN BENIN. ISHI: 1975, 93
pages
History of the tribe was passed down verbally for centuries. It was
interesting, people paid them to do their performance and things which would
have been eventually lost were carried by word of mouth with enthusiasm. Did
they know something we do not?
Face to face contact works.
Just my .02
Patrick
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:07:07 -0400
From: "Brian Johnson" <CHYRONOP@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Ukie
Matt asked about Leo "Ukie" Sherin on the Kraft Music Hall. Originally the
Kraft program was an hour show and Bing was given a comic foil to banter
with. Originally this role was filled by Bob "Bazooka" Burns
(1936-1941), then Victor Borge (1942) and finally, Leo Sherin (1943-44). In
January of 1943 the show was reduced to a half hour and the need for a
"house comedian" deminished. For more visit Stephen Lewis' Bing Crosby
Internet Museum at:
[removed]
Brj
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:07:28 -0400
From: "Ed Carr" <edcarr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: convention
hi
anyone who is attending the newark convention and interested
in buying a akai reel to reel (works perfectly) has pitch control
contact me way before convention date and i could bring it with me.
also for those of you who contacted me in regards to the 1st 30
cassettes of perry mason or anyone interested please email me
so no fluffs are made, and i can bring them also
many thanks for letting insert this
ed
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:08:08 -0400
From: "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@[removed];
To: "OTR List" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: red white and blue label
I'm looking for any information on "buddy discs", [removed] "red white and
blue" label records. These were pressed by World Broadcasting System Inc and
included in buddy kits for servicemen in the early years of WW2 (actually
predating Pearl Harbor by just a little). They pre-date the Armed Forces
Radio Service. They are 12" vinyl, [removed] rpm - 15 minutes per side. Generally
one OTR program per record, but I've seen one that contains 2 quarters of a
1 hour show.
I would especially appreciate getting a label scan, either hard copy or
e-mail.
Thanks in advance,
Joe Salerno
Video Works! Is it working for you?
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 16:33:58 -0400
From: "Jim Widner" <widnerj@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Struts & Frets
As I continue to read Harry Bartel's "Struts & Frets" I am increasingly
pleased with his regular "column." Harry is a first rate writer and
reading his words first thing in the morning with my cup of coffee is
certainly a delight to the ears.
Harry, keep up the excellent work. We really do appreciate it!
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 16:34:04 -0400
From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: FOTR convention next month
I understand that Robert VanDeventer, who starred on a weekly network
radio program in the 1940s for several years, will be a guest speaker at the
coming FOTR convention in Newark, NJ, and that his session is scheduled for
Oct. 26 at eleven [removed]
He'll discuss the show on which he was a regular panel member, the
popular quiz program 'Twenty Questions'. (He went by the name of 'Bobby
McGuire' on the program.) He'll also play parts of the show from a
recording, answer questions from the audience, and play 'Twenty Questions'
with the audience.
Sounds like a real treat. I'm unable to go to the convention but for
those going, you might consider attending Robert VanDeventer's session
there.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 16:34:43 -0400
From: grshad34@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: old tre friends/traders
hello,
Just recently i reurned to this list after being absent for awhile, absent
from a hobby which i was very involved in for a few years. Reading the list
every day has made me realize that this group , with its knowledge and
kindness
is a great place to spend time with, reading about interesting [removed] the
people involved in otr. For a couple years I traded with several people
through the otr trading board, older listeners, newbies, whoever would
[removed] met some very nice people-i even received a christmas card over the
internet and a wedding pic. And during that time there were well wishes and
sharing a hobby that was my main focus during a divorce, a move across
country,
a new [removed] years later plus, istill own cassettes from those
trades,and thesound on most are as good as any dealer's product. Now hovever
people listen to otr on mp3s. I've looked and not found the few of a kind
shows, shows like vicks matinee theater or several other not well known shows.
So, if at all possible i would like to trade with past people [ my old screen
name was :grshad34@[removed]] and anyone else, as long as i can trade on
cassette. And, anyone who wants to just email me to gab about this fun and
interesting otr hobby please do.
thanks---Gordon Whitman
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 20:17:27 -0400
From: Grbmd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Target Audience
Arte wrote:
My grandson & I were watching an early Daffy Duck cartoon
this morning. A duck hunter set out a decoy. Daffy brought
it back and posted a sign that said "'Taint funny, McGee."
the humor was lost on the 4-year old, but this geezer got a
chuckle out of it.
I've sometimes wonder just who the producers of a show are aiming at when
they include material from some seemingly other era.
For example, my grandson urged me to watch with him the animated feature
movie "Aladdin." Most of it was aimed at a juvenile audience, but there were
other sequences that seemed considerably more adult. For instance, at one
point, the genie morphs into a characterture of political columnist William
Buckley, with an accompanying impersonation of his distinctive voice --
nobody my grandson would know.
Are they trying a scattershot approach to provide something for everybody?
Or don't they really know who their audience is?
Spence
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 21:06:49 -0400
From: Doug Berryhill <fibbermac@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "Struts and frets" giving "Just the facts".
Just caught up my reading of the digests for the last
week or so and wish to add my expression of
appreciation to Mr. Bartell for his "Struts and Frets"
articles. These insider insights are priceless gems
and I just wanted to say thank you to both Harry, for
writing them, and Charlie, for publishing and
archiving them.
The first article referred to rare instances when
actors had to perform "Dragnet" cold, without any
rehearsal. I was quite surprised by that remark and
was wondering if Mr. Bartell, or any other OTR
performer could elaborate. What possible circumstances
could bring this about, and how often did this happen?
How far ahead of time did you know that there would be
no rehearsal? Was "Dragnet" performed live, or was it
transcribed?
As Jack Webb would say, "Just the facts, please."
Regards,
FIBBERMAC
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #361
*********************************************
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]