------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 135
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
John Gibson [ Tony Baechler <tony@[removed]; ]
Be careful what you say here - more [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
Re: FCC on WOTW [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
Gosden/Correll in 1947? [ "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@earthli ]
REQ: Two Abbott & Costello shows [ "Guerin S. Shea" <GShea@[removed] ]
Cincy [ Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed]; ]
STACY KEACH [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
OTR Fiction [ Patrick Picciarelli <condor@[removed]; ]
RE: A BIT 'O TRIVIA [ Kevin Michaels <kmichaels@doityours ]
Gunsmoke photos [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
otr trivia [ "b bush" <bbush@[removed]; ]
Arizona Fans? [ Kubelski@[removed] ]
Re: Tales of the Texas Rangers' dire [ wich2@[removed] ]
Movie Car Cliffs [ Grbmd@[removed] ]
Portia Faces Life [ Kari & Joe <kari@[removed]; ]
Gunsmoke vs. the "Hollywood concept" [ "Robert Paine" <macandrew@[removed] ]
Re: humph revisited [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ lois@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 11:04:35 -0400
From: Tony Baechler <tony@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: John Gibson
Hello. Can anyone give me an idea of the radio career of John Gibson? He
is easily recognizable on early "Calling All Cars," shows, which were from
Hollywood in the mid 1930's. However, he also shows up on New York shows
in the mid 1940's. Can anyone give me an idea when he got started and why
the move? He sounds like a New Yorker, so was he from there and decided to
return? I do not hear him on late 1950's shows like "X Minus One," so did
he retire by then? As always, thanks in advance for any information.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 11:32:28 -0400
From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Be careful what you say here - more
Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed]; wrote:
But, what I find interesting re: the show are the number
of cars that went over cliffs. I imagine the coastline of California
musta been knee deep with cars piled up there. :)
Joe
I remember some radio shows that included cars going over cliffs (mostly
with the villain in them) that resulted in characters' deaths. I suppose
the total of wrecks would have been much more than "knee deep", if real.
If you count the cars, trucks, bulldozers, etc. that have been filmed for
TV and movies, that plunged into the sea, there wouldn't be any seashore left!
We don't allow unlimited filming anymore: If producers want to dump a
vehicle over a cliff, they have to agree to haul it back up and dispose of
the hulk properly.
This reminds me of another thing: Philip Marlowe seemed to spend a lot of
time (on- & off- case) in various "waterfront dives" on the California
coast. Please be advised that these "dives" are no longer "cheap". Any
structure big enough to hold a 1940's saloon "on the beach" would probably
sell for more than $2,000,000; the buyer would then tear down the building
and put up something modern.
Herb Harrison
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 11:51:56 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: FCC on WOTW
On 4/9/02 11:08 AM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:
Answer to Number 4 <<Because of the panic caused by WOTW, what rule was
handed down by the FCC and the NAB (National Assn. Of Broadcasters)>>
No news bulletin/newsflash simulations within entertainment programs,
especially drama
Actually, the story of the FCC taking action in connection with WOTW is
an urban legend -- in fact, the Commission dismissed the case without any
action of any kind, and the only formal action taken was taken by the CBS
program department. The following is taken from Broadcasting, issue of
12/15/38, p. 28, col. 3:
ALL'S WELLES THAT ENDS WELL, And FCC Drops the Mars Incident
Another wild chapter in recent program history was ended Dec. 5 by the
FCC in dismissing without action complaints received about the Orson
Welles "War of the Worlds" dramatization of Oct. 30 over CBS.
The FCC announced that in its judgement steps taken by CBS since the
broadcast "are sufficient to protect the public interest." Accordingly,
it added, complaints received "will not be taken into account in
considering the renewals of licenses of stations which carried the
broadcast."
The Commission brought out that 372 protests against the broadcast had
been received, along with 255 letters favoring it.
In its press release the Commission stted that while it is regrettable
that the broadcast alarmed "a substantial number of people," there
appeared to be no likelihood of a repetition of the incident and no
occasion for action by it.
The Commission said it had the statement of W. B. Lewis, CBS program
vice-president, expressing regret that some listeners "mistook fantasy
for fact" and adding: "In order that this may not happen again, the
program department hereafter will not use the technique of a simulated
news broadcast within a dramatization when the circumstances of the
broadcast could cause immediate alarm to numbers of listeners."
--
Note that the CBS policy doesn't expressly forbid the use of simulated
bulletins across the board -- rather, the policy requires production
staff to use discretion and avoid such dramatizations when there's a
possibility of causing confusion with the real thing. This is a long way
from any sort of official FCC prohibition -- and there was never such a
regulation on the books.
Elizabeth
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 12:25:12 -0400
From: "joe@[removed]" <sergei01@[removed];
To: "OTR List" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Gosden/Correll in 1947?
Ms. McLeod wrote:
Correll and Gosden's
career as recording artists came to a very abrupt end in April 1930 --
after their final Victor release, recorded that month, they didn't record
commercially again until 1947.
To which I respond with the obvious question, "What did they record in
1947?"
Joe Salerno
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 12:29:19 -0400
From: "Guerin S. Shea" <GShea@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: REQ: Two Abbott & Costello shows
I'm looking for two A&C shows:
- The one on the day Lou Costello, Jr. died
- The ABC one where Lou is chosen as a delegate to the UNO (1948)
If anyone has these, could you please post them or e-mail them to me at
GShea@[removed] ?
Thanks,
Guerin Shea
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 14:59:58 -0400
From: Dan Hughes <danhughes@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Cincy
Chris asks for guidance for a first-time Cincinnati convention attendee.
Well, get lots of sleep before you go because to take full advantage of
Cincy you won't sleep much while you're there. One of the best parts of
the convention is hanging out in the hotel restaurant / bar 'til all
hours, chatting with the stars (most of whom hang out 'way past my
bedtime). They are quite approachable and they have a lifetime of
wonderful stories. (I hear that at other conventions the fans can't
mingle with the stars. At Cincy, we're all one big family).
The dealers' room has maybe 30 or 40 vendors who sell
mostly-but-not-always OTR-related items, likes tapes and CDs. Others
sell comics and books and sci-fi and horror stuff, and autographs, and
magazines, and old radio premiums. You can spend hours in the dealers'
room if you are interested in nostalgia, and hey--if you read this digest
and come to the convention, you must be interested in nostalgia! Get
there early Friday morning for the best selection--things sell quickly.
And late Saturday afternoon many of the dealers cut the price of their
OTR cassettes to a dollar a tape; you can get some bargains if you're
there at the right time.
I have a ton of photos from past conventions on my web site, including
actors, fans, and dealers. Just go here:
[removed]~dan
and find the Cincy links, midway down the page. Most of those links lead
to other links with more photos. I've also posted a "diary" of my
hour-to-hour activities each day at the convention.
Look me up when you're there--I'm easy to find because my daughter Karen
(one of the few kids to attend) is the 17-year-old with pigtails and the
Jack Benny t-shirt. All the dealers seems to know and love her, but they
ignore me. Hmmmm.
Also, try to talk to Mike Biel. His photo is on my site; he's a big
boisterous fellow with a beard and he is a college prof and a fascinating
expert on OTR minutiae. In fact, just grab strangers at random and
strike up conversations. It is so rare to be able to talk OTR with
fellow aficiandos--this is your chance, and you should take every
advantage possible. You can rest when you get home!
---Dan, reminding you that it's 10 days and counting [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 15:00:30 -0400
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: STACY KEACH
Don Dean refers to the name Stacy Keach mentioned at the end of the
"Texas Rangers" show credits.
He is Stacy Keach Sr., opposed to Stacy Keach Jr. or Mike Hammer among
other roles we know him as.
I know Jr. to be an old friend and wonderful soul, it's only too bad I
didn't get to be nabbed by him in an episode of Mike Hammer back in them old
days when we were all doing TV shows and I was getting killed on average
twice a month.
Maybe next time dear man if you're reading this.
I understand Stacy Jr. is involved in the reproduction of "Twilight Zone"
TV shows transcribed for radio.
I would love to be involved with that Stacy.
Write me.
By the way, if you've ever seen the Clarence Birdseye commercials on TV,
then you've seen Stacy Keach Sr.
<A HREF="[removed],+Michael+C.">
Michael C. Gwynne</A>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 15:01:25 -0400
From: Patrick Picciarelli <condor@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR Fiction
Fellow List Members:
Mr. Ben Ohmart, an active member of SPERDVAC, is putting together a book
of new short stories featuring OTR characters in new adventures. Several
writers have signed on, including me (I claimed Yours Truly, Johnny
Dollar).
The following writers have signed on so far, but he needs more stories.
You can contact Ben at <bloodbleeds@[removed];
Joe Bevilacqua - Life of Riley
Chris Conlon - Lights Out
Jim Cox - Mr. Keen
Jack French - Bobby Benson
Martin Grams, Jr. - Quiet Please
Michael Leannah - The Black Museum
John Leasure - Ma Perkins
Bob Martin - Green Lama
Jim Nixon - Sgt. Preston
Ben Ohmart - The Bickersons
Donnie Pitchford - Lum & Abner
Glenn Pniewski - Suspense
Roger Smith - The Clyde Beatty Radio Show
Mark Stadler - I Love a Mystery
Charles Stumpf - The Great Gildersleeve
Laura Wagner - The Jack Benny Murder Mystery
GUIDLINES from Ben Ohmart:
This is a book of short stories which will be new
fiction using otr characters. Nothing they wouldn't
normally do, and no time machine stuff. Stories should
be between 5 and 15 pages (3000 to 7000 words, around
there). Deadline is tentatively the end of June, but
you can send your story as soon as you like. Feel free
to pass this message along too. It would be nice to
get some of the people who were Really Involved with
the shows involved with this. I'm not looking to
create a best seller with global distribution. I just
want to make this a Fun book for old radio fans to
read.
Patrick Picciarelli
author: "My life in the NYPD: Jimmy the Wags"
"Blood Shot Eyes"
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 15:01:49 -0400
From: Kevin Michaels <kmichaels@[removed];
To: "Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: A BIT 'O TRIVIA
Well, I see some of you know your OTR - up to a point.
On the question about WOTW, it was partly correct. The FCC and NAB ruling
said that "if there is to be a news theme within the context of the prohram,
the announcement must be made at the beginning that the following ptogram is
a dramatization of a news event."
On the question of the longest theme in radio: It was the very early Tarzan
series (1930), sponsored by the American Weekly Newspaper, and starring James
Pearce and Mary Bouroughs ( Edgar Rice Burough's Daughter & Son-in-Law) The
theme was played low under the opening commercial and for insertation of
local announcements before the start of the program.
The question of Ma Perkins was answered correctly
Now, how about the one on the Lone Ranger & The Rosenbergs?
(Could it be possible I have stumpped even Elizabeth McCloud?)
Kevin Michaels
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 16:24:12 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Gunsmoke photos
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from text/html
I want to thank all those responsible for the photos of Gunsmoke. I want
to especially thank Harry Bartell who made them available. I have always
been a radio Gunsmoke freak. I have all of the available shows and I have
listened to every one, some two or three times. I especially like the
episode called Gunsmoke. In this episode it tells that Doc had a past. He
is wanted for murder and his real name is Calvin Moore, great show. With
these photos I am in hog heaven.
Looking at them, I see absolutely no reason why the radio cast could not
have done the television show. We know that they had the talent, now we
know they had the looks.
What could have been!
Again, thanks Harry and thanks to those who put them online.
--
Ron Sayles
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 17:28:14 -0400
From: "b bush" <bbush@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: otr trivia
On the longest radio theme intro:
I was going to guess SHADOW OF FU MANCHU, but it's only 2:08 minutes long.
How about Dan Dunn? Didnt that have a long opening?
Bart
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 17:28:32 -0400
From: Kubelski@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Arizona Fans?
A reporter in Phoenix for the East Valley Tribune is looking for local people
with exceptional hobbies for a feature article. His examples include a
doctor who collects board games or grandmother who runs 5-10 miles a day.
He wants to know what drives our interest. If there are any OTR collectors
in the area who might want to be interviewed, let me know by e-mailing me
privately.
Sean Dougherty
Kubelski@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 18:05:06 -0400
From: wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Tales of the Texas Rangers' director
Don-
The current "Stacy Keach" is a JR.; I'd bet this was his Dad.
-Craig Wichman
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 19:49:40 -0400
From: Grbmd@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Movie Car Cliffs
Then a miracle occurred! In the second or so of actual footage showing the
car soaring into space and then crashing below, the vehicle itself had aged
15 to 20 years!
I'm reminded of the Fifties movie with James Dean, "Rebel Without a Cause."
Does anyone recall the vintage of the cars shown in that film?
It showed Dean and his teenage rival getting into cars, and later it showed
the other one plunging off the cliff. Was the car true to the age?
Spence
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 20:35:26 -0400
From: Kari & Joe <kari@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Portia Faces Life
Greetings!
I would very appreciate information about how to obtain copies of the OTR
show: Portia Faces Life. My fifth grade students and I have read the book
LILY'S CROSSING and grandmother listens to Portia faithfully. Next time I
teach this book I want to be able to play excerpts to give students more of
a feel for the entertainment of the day.
Any help you can offer willbe appreciated!
Kari Augustine
Cottage Grove (WI) School
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 21:32:08 -0400
From: "Robert Paine" <macandrew@[removed];
To: "OTR Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Gunsmoke vs. the "Hollywood concept"
Belated congratulations to Harry Bartell and the radio cast of Gunsmoke.
Somebody got it right and wouldn't you know, it happened on the first try.
Mr. Bartell captured - to my mind's eye - the real Matt, Chester, Kitty and
Doc. I admit I'm still a bit undecided as to how I picture Chester when I
hear Parley Baer but it's fairly close to one the photos of he and Matt. In
any event, I think Mr. Bartell has the essence of the characters right
there.
As to the Hollywood "concept" - I still think Amanda Blake is closer than
any of the four, Milburn Stone the least. I can't agree with the contentions
of the latter and James Arness that the producers or writers (?) didn't
understand the characters. Maybe so - from those actors points of view or as
to their concepts. But Arness lacked something that Bill Conrad had in
bringing Matt Dillon to life. It was (again, MY opinion) like watching a
two-dimensional character as opposed to hearing a three-dimensional
portrayal.
All I can say is, it's right there. One look and I thought, "THAT'S Matt
Dillon." And Doc Adams (or is it "Addams"?), forgive me but - I still get
the feeling that Howard McNear's Doc was of the morbidly-humorous
persuasion. In fact, his inflections were much the same as Floyd on Andy
Griffith.
Well, enough I guess. I don't want to start another thread in case the
subject has been worked over too much already. Mr. Bartell, thanks for
letting us see the real characters from Gunsmoke. Too bad the opportunity is
passed to make things right.
Macandrew
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 22:11:52 -0400
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: humph revisited
My DEAR FRIEND Kevin Michaels Posted:
Mr. Stone, I humbly apoligize to you for leaving your name off the child
stars list -
KevIn, I certainly hope you knew I was kidding around (100%). My warped
sense of humor thought it was something I could tease you about.
I assumed that all the digesters knew who you were & are,
and therefore felt it was not necessary to mention your [removed] all,
THE KING does not need any introduction.
Yea! sure! :) Admit [removed] forgot. :) And just because Jughead wore a
silly hat that looked like a crown, knock off this "King" bit.
I was a minor league participant on Lets Pretend compared to he real
"Headliners". "Regular's" like Donald Buka, Sybil Trent, Arthur Anderson,
et. al.
But to have Bob Hastings, Don Hastings, Rosemary Rice mentioned, and not
little old me. Oh the ignominy of it all!!!!
What am ? Chopped Liver?
I hope this apology will put me back in your good graces. Still friends?
Your apology is not accepted, BECAUSE NONE IS NECESSARY> As for Still being
friends, SURE! Now, ya got 10 bucks to lend me, Friend?
Regards, and stay out of mischief.
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 10:39:53 -0400
From: lois@[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 five years, same time, same channel!
Our numerous "regulars" include one of the busiest "golden years" actors in
Hollywood; a sound man from the same era who worked many of the top
Hollywood shows; a New York actor famed for his roles in "Let's Pretend" and
"Archie Andrews;" owners of some of the best OTR sites on the Web;
maintainer of the best-known OTR Digest (we all know who he is)..........
and Me
Lois Culver
KWLK Longview Washington (Mutual) 1941-1944)
KFI Los Angeles (NBC) 1944 - 1950
and widow of actor Howard Culver
(For more info, contact lois@[removed])
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #135
*********************************************
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]