------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2002 : Issue 254
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
REPS Convention [ BryanH362@[removed] ]
Runovers. [ William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed]; ]
Re: Moxie [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
Re storing tape [ "Thomas Mason" <batz34@[removed] ]
Lights Out! on TV [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Howard Culver [ Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed] ]
Grand Central Station [ leemunsick@[removed] ]
Ma Perkins [ Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed] ]
Re: Soft Drinks [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
CB Promo [ "steven kostelecky" <skostelecky@ho ]
Fluffing tape [ Henry Howard <hhoward@[removed] ]
Benny, Paley, and the Old Judge [ chris chandler <chrischandler84@yah ]
NBC Chimes [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
Today in radio history 7/6 [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
Comics to Radio [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Court Of Missing Heirs broadcast [ Paulurbahn@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 15:51:44 -0400
From: BryanH362@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: REPS Convention
07-05-2002
I should have been paying more attention to the name tags at the convention.
It would have been nice to meet more of the OTR digest contributors at the
REPS convention. I did meet a few but it appears that there were even more
of you there.
I am glad everyone seemed to be having a good time . Everyone who attended
should always give feedback on what they liked and what they didn't. This
feedback really helps make the following Years convention even better. It is
my understanding that ideas suggested from some of the featured radio
veterans is what has really helped make the REPS convention work all these
years.
We did have a great time. I enjoyed seeing Hal Stone for the first time and
Ray Erlenborn always gives us a laugh. I really liked touching base via
telephone with Harry Bartell.
We really missed seeing him in person but hearing Harry on the phone was the
next best thing.
There are quite a few OTR veterans who appear at
the REPS convention regularly .Each time a see them I am awed by their
talent and pleased to see how polite and kind they are . I never have
approached any of them for a quick chat. While I have always thought it would
be great to stop and have a word , at the same time I figure the last thing
someone probably wants to hear is me blah , blah, blah. I can really get
going you know. And these guys work so hard at the convention I don't want to
keep them from their moment of rest. But maybe they like hearing from the
fans . I never know. It's just like when I see someone all alone at the
convention . Should I introduce myself and make a new friend or are they
alone because they like it that way ? Things to ponder.
I also hear there's bets going on as to who can entice Elizabeth Mcleod to
appear at their convention first.
I say that in jest but I have come upon so many who have indicated interest
in meeting her. We could have used her on the Fred Allen team during the
trivia session.
I do need to get out and see the other conventions . They're all fun I'm sure.
-Bryan
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 16:51:53 -0400
From: William L Murtough <k2mfi@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Runovers.
The subject of network programs was brought uo recenytly. First of all
it was a rare occasion, not the norm. There were various situations, in
that there at times could be split networks. However I do not recall a
show being "chopped off" because of it. However my own exoerience with
the Benny show was at CBS in Hollywood. I would be in the Master Control
room regulary at the time of the original broadcast. The full net
Benny show was followed by the Red Skelton show to the East and Corliss
Archer to the Pacific net. . The Benny show would habitually run over
about 40 or 50 seconds. I would then have to get both directors to make
up the time. They would always coooperate. However, one Sunday Red got
fed up and opened his program with the "cold" announcement, "Mr. Benny,
there are other people on this network besides you", knowing that Jack
would hear it when he listened to the West Coast transcribed repeat at
7:00 Pacific Time.
By the way, I notice that many of the postings refer to the originations
being at NBC. In the late forties many NBC programs switched to CBS. This
was due to a "raid" and pertained to a finacial advantage. Something to
do with "capital gains". I think it made millionaires out of the stars.
BILL MURTOUGH
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 17:06:06 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Moxie
On 7/5/02 4:00 PM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:
No longer available nationally, MOXIE (and now Diet MOXIE) is still
bottled up in Maine, and it still can be found around New England (if
you look in the right stores or you can still order it on-line). In
fact, there is an annual "Moxie Days Festival" -- this year's is coming
up this month -- July 12-14 in Lisbon, Maine --
[removed] -- (Almost in your backyard, Elizabeth.)
Yes, Moxie is very much a presence on grocery shelves around New England,
and it still features the picture of the Moxie Man on the label -- a
1920s looking gentleman in a suit and tie, looking you right in the eye
and pointing his finger at you in an Uncle Sam-like pose. This image used
to appear on point-of-sale posters over the stern command "Learn To Drink
Moxie." (We don't believe in any of that euphemistic soft-sell nonsense
up here.)
I don't think there is anything which illustrates the dismal fatalistic
Calvinism of we native New Englanders than the habit of drinking Moxie
(other than, perhaps, rooting for the Boston Red Sox.) Where I grew up it
was considered good clean fun, when Outa Staters -- easily recognized by
their rust-free cars and positive outlooks -- moved to town, to welcome
them to the neighborhood with a frosty bottle of Moxie, and then watch
with great amusement as they coughed, choked, and spat out that first
mouthful.
Personally, I can't stand the stuff -- the best way to describe it is
that it tastes like the inside of an old rubber boot. But it *is* still
good for a laugh, especially when sipped by folks who expect it to taste
like root beer.
Elizabeth
(Unapologetic Coca-Cola drinker since the age of two)
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 17:06:32 -0400
From: "Thomas Mason" <batz34@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re storing tape
The term you use called "pre-echo" is what we called "print-through" at
[removed] depending on the quality of the tape the strong magnetic fields
on the tape would sometimes print through to the tape adjacent to it on the
reel. Explosions and gun shots were a good example of this. There were
different types of tape that you could buy that would eliminate this or at
least minimize [removed] If memory serves me well, Scotch 111 audio reel to
reel tape had problems with print-through much more than some others like
Scotch [removed] of course the thinner tapes of extended length really
caused us problems and we avoided them generally.
Tom Mason
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 22:47:03 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Lights Out! on TV
A major film magazine (one found on bookstore shelves) is considering
printing an article about Lights Out! - the television series, along with a
VERY comprehensive broadcast log in a future issue. (I saw the log myself
and I'm shocked and amazed.) Problem is, they are looking for some photos
of the TV show, or at the very least, advertisements. (one for the radio
series they wouldn't mind either, as the article intros about the radio
program before it veers to the television productions.)
If anyone has any photos of the television series they would like to share
(and get photo credit), please let me know. There is no money involved, but
I think having the article and log printed is a MUST, well worth the time
and effort searching for photos. Anyone help?
Martin
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 22:48:15 -0400
From: Dennis W Crow <DCrow3@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Howard Culver
It may certainly be as Harry Bartell once described, nearly impossible to
remember one radio show from among the thousands he performed.
Thus, this may be an unfair question, but I believe Lois Culver has
recalled much about Howard's career in these pages so she may be able to
respond to this query.
What did Howard say it was like performing with Jim and Marian Jordan? I've
relistened to his memorable speech at a SPERDVAC monthly meeting and he
doesn't answer this question.
While re-reading HEAVENLY DAYS [World of Yesterday, 1987] by Charles
Stumpf and Tom Price, the authors mention that Howard performed a "Family
Theater" show with the Jordans on October 18, 1950, entitled "The Windbag."
Verna Felton and Howard McNear were also in the cast. There is a short
discussion of the plot on Page 211 and I note it was the only radio work
Howard Culver did with "Fibber McGee and Molly." I don't know for sure,
but I feel confident that Howard did several "Family Theatre" shows, and I
would appreciate any recollections Lois has of this series.
Dennis Crow
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 22:48:52 -0400
From: leemunsick@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Grand Central Station
Thanks to Irene Heinstein for reminding us about that fantastic opening!
I had a dear friend, probably 15 or 20 years older than I, who would launch
into that entire bit at the drop of a hat. Never missed a beat. Knew it
all by heart, simply by virtue of being a regular listener to "Grand
Central Station".
I guess there are more than a few folk around beside Jackson Beck who can
rattle off the "Superman" opening in full. And the certain announcer who
gallups into the "Lone Ranger" introduction at every OTR convention,
whether he wants to or not. Actually, I think Fred Foy loves it, and we
all love him. But John Rayburn does it all in "Spoonerism", which is bind
moggling! Have you ever noticed how many of these radio people are such
really fine gentlemen?
On the other side of the railroad coin, there were Bob and Ray and their
crazy fun. One program had them doing a "dramatic" scene taking place on a
moving train. I think it was one of their "Mister Trace, Keener Than Most
People" episodes. They provided their own clickety-clack rail sound
effects by the simple expedient of Ray reading the script narrative, while
.....lee Ballew simply kept repeating "Schenectady, Schenectady,
Schenectady" over and over. Try it - it works, if you can keep from
getting tongue-tied!
Lee Munsick
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 22:49:19 -0400
From: Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Ma Perkins
I've just completed encoding my collection of Ma Perkins from four reel-to-reel
tapes. It was quite easy after spending several days listening to all of the
episodes to understand how the listeners became hooked on the series and how
their
interest was kept active. They always left you with questions, anxious to
hear the
next installment.
Anguish, grief, doubt, anxiety and deceit are all there, sprinkled with good
old-fashioned wisdom and philosophy. In the 96 episodes that I've just gone
through, most were pre-production with a few being complete production shows.
The
pre-production ones were just the dialogue and sound effects, but no music.
Obviously they were recorded in that way before the music was added so that
timing
could be precise. It in no way takes anything away from the entertainment
value.
One further note: As I was getting down to the last 20 or so episodes I kept
hoping that the problem at hand would be resolved before I got to the end of my
collection. Wouldn't you know it? They left me hanging, just as they left the
listeners hanging years ago.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 22:47:41 -0400
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: "OTR" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Soft Drinks
I have been following the soft drink discussion waiting to see if anyone
would mention an orange drink called Pal. Sometimes I wonder if I imagined
it. An uncle of mine lived on a farm in Medford NJ and that's the area
where I had Pal when we visited. Light on carbonation, high on fruit, it
was delicious. This was in the late 40s.
My dad had a luncheonette and I was a soda jerk from an early age so my
first acquaintance with coke was making it at the counter with syrup and
seltzer (and, of course, adding vanilla or chocolate or cherry at request
of the customers). I remember the day that the Coca-Cola Co delivered the
automatic coke machine that magically mixed the drink. We, and the
customers weren't sure if it would do as good a job as we could. But
soon it was yesterday's news.
I agree with everyone about small bottles being the best-tasting Coke and
now I've learned from this group about cane sugar vs. corn syrup which
probably explains my moving away from Coke.
No drink tastes good in plastic IMHO.
Irene
IreneTH@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 22:49:31 -0400
From: "steven kostelecky" <skostelecky@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: CB Promo
I'd like to publicly thank Don Strong and Dennis Crow for posting the
Cinnamon Bear material. Their time, effort and thoughtfulness in sharing
with the rest of we fans should be celebrated. The internet has allowed us
all to come together in ways we could not have imagined even a few years
ago. Kudos to Don and Dennis.
OTR fans are the best.
Steve
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 22:46:33 -0400
From: Henry Howard <hhoward@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Fluffing tape
> But it's a good [removed] forward and/or rewind the tape to give
it a chance to "breathe".
While fluffing tape is a good idea, the tape should be "played" back
onto the reel. This insures a much smoother, lower tension wind.
If the recorder used "packs" the tape with a hard wind, then you
may actually be making the matter worse.
Henry Howard 770 923 7955
Audio Production for entertainment
and communications.
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 22:53:06 -0400
From: chris chandler <chrischandler84@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Benny, Paley, and the Old Judge
Three brief subjects:
Mary Anne Morel asks about the "I Can't Stand Jack
Benny [removed]" [removed]
Was this an actual [removed] how did it end?
Oh it was very real, and in fact this gimmick is often
credited with breaking the Benny program out of its
wartime slump.
Benny pitched in as actively as any other entertainer
when it came to wartime service--travelling overseas
in the summer to entertain, and frequently staging his
radio broadcasts from stateside army camps during the
regular season. For various reasons, his program was
not well-suited for this type of venue, and it
suffered in both creative and popular terms. (And
perhaps less tangibly, the sponsorship switch from
Jello to Grape Nuts robbed the program of one of the
most recognizable 'frameworks' of the air). By late
1945, there was definite alarm: yet another
sponsorship change hadn't stopped Benny's downward
ratings slide, and as writer Milt Josefsberg noted,
listeners weren't simply switching to another program
Sunday nights at 7:00, they were turning their radios
OFF--a unmistakable vote against Benny himself.
So the contest was conceived as a publicity stunt,
pure and simple. A ratings gimmick. It was
reportedly toned down from the original idea of "I
Hate Jack Benny because", apparently due to fears of
anti-semitism. In any event, by spring, 1946, the
Benny show seemed to have been reborn: the scripts
were sharper, the audience laughter louder, the cast
more energetic than in years. (There's a "Lost
Weekend" spoof that spring that's just [removed]
the Benny program of 4/14/46 is probably the single
funniest comedy program I ever heard, with a climactic
punch line--"Hello, Louella?"--that is near-IMPOSSIBLE
to explain to anybody today!)
While the contest has been given lots of credit for
this resurgence, I might point to something else
during this period as the *actual* moment Benny's
renaissance began: the first appearance of Ronald and
Benita in December, 1945. They were such a hoot they
were rushed back on the air two weeks later, and
quickly became a regular feature. They were JUST the
breath of fresh air the series needed, and they seemed
to inspire everybody involved--writers, case, and
audience. Indeed, when the "I Can't Stand Benny"
contest finally ended in February, 1946, the winning
letter was read on the air--by Ronald Colman! These
two innovations came along coincidentally at the same
time, and I've always believed it to be the latter,
not the former, that put Benny's show back on track.
- --------
There's also been some discussion of the CBS talent
raids, and I think it's worth pointing out that it's
not necessarily fair or accurate to lump that entire
series of events under one single heading.
This period has been portrayed as Bill Paley's great
triumph, but it wasn't quite that way--stars came to
CBS for a variety of different reasons, not because
Paley personally lured every single one with a big tax
deal; and notably, the changeovers weren't always
successful.
Burns and Allen, for example, actually found
themselves cancelled by General Foods (or General
Mills, I can never remember which is [removed]) at the
end of the 1948-49 season, and they spent most of that
summer with no show, no network, and no prospects.
Paley finally agreed to pick them up as a sustainer,
if necessary (Oh, the humanity!), before they landed
Amadent Toothpaste as a sponsor for the upcoming
season. They were paired on Wednesday night with
Groucho Marx, who'd moved over to CBS only because his
successful quizzer had literally outgrown its old
sponsor Elgin-American, and his new bankroller had put
him on Columbia, and sensibly so. However, his was
NOT a capital-gains/sell-your show deal; in fact, he
jumped to NBC a year later, and indeed the "stolen"
CBS Wednesday schedule of B&A/Crosby/Groucho lagged
well behind NBC's "Mr. District Attorney" and "Big
Story" in the ratings.
It's also worth noting there was a period in 1949
during which it appeared certain the Benny deal would
be ruled illegal.
All of which is NOT to say CBS wasn't suddenly 'the'
place to be. Phil Harris tried every way to follow
Benny to his new network. But with the CBS 7:30 slot
taken by 'Amos and Andy', and the 8:00 by 'Sam Spade',
sponsor Rexall refused to jump. For a time in summer,
1949, there were plans to broadcast Harris-Faye live
on NBC at 7:30 come autumn, then repeat it on CBS at
8:30. For whatever reason, this never happened. And
unfortunately, it appears Harris may have been a
little TOO successful convincing Rexall they should be
on CBS, Sundays after Benny. They dumped him at the
end of the '49-50 season, and picked up Gosden and
Corell instead!
(And a question: press accounts of the period give
the Benny/CBS deal LOTS more play than the 'Amos and
Andy' switch, even though I think the deals were
somewhat similar. Why so?)
- ---
[removed]'m looking urgently for corroboration on a
bit of Louisville folklore. It's said a nice fellow
passed through town in 1926 with what the locals
thought was a silly [removed]"Old Judge"..and
proposed a Saturday night barn dance-type show. The
snooty station managers reportedly felt this was FAR
beneath their dignity, and the nice man went south to
Nashville--and put the Grand Ole Opry on the air!
This story is widely believed here in Kentucky, but I
can't find any documentation of it. Anybody know of
any? Would appreciate any help, with thanks.
Chris
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2002 11:24:24 -0400
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: NBC Chimes
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 10:49:40 -0400
From: Sandy Singer <sinatradj@[removed];
The NBC chimes were electronically programmed to ring, and automatically
cut off anything that might still be broadcasting.
Electronically programmed? In those days? I'd love to know more about how
they did it!
--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed] [removed]
15 Court Square, Suite 210 lawyer@[removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503 [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2002 11:24:45 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Today in radio history 7/6
From Those Were The Days --
1943 - Judy Canova, the "Queen of the Hillbillies", began a weekly
comedy show on CBS.
1947 - Candid Microphone debuted on ABC, hosted by Allen Funt.
1948 - Frieda Hennock became the first woman to serve as commissioner of
the Federal Communications Commission. She was appointed to the post by
President Harry S Truman.
Joe
--
Visit my home page:
[removed]~[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2002 11:24:38 -0400
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Comics to Radio
The recent post by Mike Leannah about the citizens of Sheboygan, Wisconsin
successfully protesting the local newspaper dropping the comic strip "Mark
Trail" begs the question, how many more comic strips survive that had radio
shows based on them? I do not read the newspaper, preferring BBC news, so I
really do not have a clue.
--
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2002 14:47:15 -0400
From: Paulurbahn@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Court Of Missing Heirs broadcast
I would like to know more about the "Court Of Missing heirs" series which was
broadcast over the Columbia network of 69 stations in 1942. In particular I
am looking for a copy of the episode broadcast on March 25th 1942 when they
dramatized the story of Benedict Whitehouse. It was a local missing person
case from the West Point Ky/Ft Knox area.
Either a broadcast or script would do. I have the local newspaper write up
concerning the upcoming broadcast, and could provide a xerox or Internet
email copy of the article to any Court Of Missing Heirs fans out there.
Paul Urbahns
paulurbahn@[removed]
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #254
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