------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2004 : Issue 45
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
2-1 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Re: book review [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
Will Rogers For President [ Udmacon@[removed] ]
Re: Only in radio [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
PLANTED LAUGHERS [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
alcohol humor [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
a face for radio [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
Fred Allen On the Silver Screen [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
The Big Story answer [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
You Bet Your Life [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
A big thank you [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
CBS RMT and Let's Pretend [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
The Ritz Bros. and the Marx Bros. [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Re: Presidential bids [ StevenL751@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 16:04:42 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 2-1 births/deaths
February flower: Violet
February birthstone: Amethyst
Special days in February
2nd - Groundhog day
3rd - Setsubun (Japan)
11th - Kenkoku kinenbi (Japan)
12th - Lincoln's Birthday
14th - Valentine's Day
16th - President's Day
22nd - Washington's Birthday
24th - Mardi Gras
25th - Ash Wednesday
February 1st births
02-01-1895 - John Ford - Cape Elizabeth, ME - d. 8-31-1973
director: "Screen Director's Playhouse"
02-01-1901 - Clark Gable - Cadiz, OH - d. 11-16-1960
actor: "So Proudly We Hail"; "Silver Theatre"
02-01-1922 - Miriam Wolfe - Brooklyn, NY - d. 9-30-2000
actress: Nancy "Witch's Tale"
02-01-1922 - Renata Tebaldi - Pesaro, Italy
singer: Metropolitan Opera
02-01-1926 - Stuart Whitman - San Francisco, CA
actor: "We Hold These Truths"
02-01-1937 - Don Everly - Brownie, KY
singer: (The Everly Brothers) "March of Dimes"; "Country Hoedown"
February 1st deaths
02-21-1881 - Dr. Jonah B. Wise - Cincinnati, OH - d. 2-1-1959
preacher: "Message of Israel"
05-29-1909 - Mary Jane Higby - St. Louis, MO - d. 2-1-1986
actress: Joan Davis "When a Girl Marries"; Nora Drake "This is Nora Drake"
05-30-1892 - Raymond Clapper - LaCygne, KS - d. 2-1-1944
commentator: (Killed During WWII) "News and Commentary for White Owl Cigars"
06-02-1890 - Hedda Hopper - Hollidaysburg, PA - d. 2-1-1966
actress, columnist: Portia Brent "Brenthouse"; "Hedda Hopper Show"
06-10-1920 - Anne Burr - Boston, MA - d. 2-1-2003
actress: Regina Rawlings "Backstage Wife"; "Nona Marsh "Wendy Warren and the
News"
08-12-1921 - Marjorie Reynolds - Buhl, ID - d. 2-1-1997
actress: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Cavalcade of America"; "Silver Theatre"
08-16-1888 - Marion Sayle Taylor - Louisville, KY - d. 2-1-1942
advisor: "Voice of Experience"
09-15-1907 - Jack Bailey - Hampton, IA - d. 2-1-1980
emcee: "Queen for a Day"; "Truth or Consequences"
12-01-1918 - Thomas Hayward - Kansas City, MO - d. 2-1-1995
singer: "Serenade to America"; "Name Speaks"
12-28-1909 - Olan Soule - La Harpe, IL - d. 2-1-1994
actor: Sam Ryder "Bachelor's Children"; Kermit Hubbard "Joan and Kermit"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 16:27:23 -0500
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: book review
I just wanted to publicly thank Michael Kurtenbach for his recent review of
my book. (No, I didn't ghost write it for him) :)
Whenever a writer (or any creative individual) hears that one's efforts are
really appreciated, it's just like hearing applause. It's addictive. As an
OTR performer who had the good fortune of playing to a studio audience every
week, we thrived on applause and laughter. (Along with the weekly paycheck
of course). :)
As a "First time" Author, getting a great review is no different than
hearing applause once more. It's really appreciated. (As well as the
occasional "paycheck" whenever a book sells). :)
Incidentally, the book "Aw! Relax [removed]!" was recently reviewed
in the Dec. 17th issue of "Radio World" (the bi-weekly publication that's
the "bible" of Contemporary Radio broadcasting), and I'd like to thank Read
G. Burgan for all the positive comments he made about the book. Maybe one of
these days, I'll get around to posting a few excerpts from that article.
I originally wrote the dang book in response to the encouragement from many
OTR fans here on the Digest. And I'm pleased and gratified that so many of
you purchased a copy. Also, sales of the book have been pretty brisk at the
numerous OTR Conventions that my wife Dorothy and I get invited to every
year.
At this writing, we have about 75 copies remaining from the initial print
order of 80. (Just kidding around, as usual). [removed] I do not intend to
order ANY additional copies. (I want to get back to my original plan of
writing my "expose" of the TV Commercial industry that I was guilty of
participating in as a Director for 25 years).
If any of you "Digesters" are planning on going to Elmira, Cincinnati,
Seattle, NY-NJ, or Los Angeles OTR venues this year, we may have some copies
left that you can pick up in person. Otherwise, if it's something that you
think you might enjoy reading, check out our website for ordering
information to get your very own autographed and inscribed copy.
[removed]
I promise!!!!! This is the last I have to say on the topic. About a month
ago, someone here on the Digest alluded to my "shameless promotion" of my
book. I couldn't tell if they were serious or simply pulling my leg. But the
last thing I would want is to be taken to task for reminding any "Fence
Sitters" out there how they could go about getting one of the few remaining
copies.
I'd much prefer having "word of mouth" do my sales promotion for me. So if
any other (Lurking) Digester has read the book, (and hopefully, enjoyed it)
let the rest of the "non-believers" know about it, and save me the
embarrassment of being accused of "Shameless Promotion".
One final inducement. Although the title refers to the "Archie Andrews"
show, and my playing "Jughead" for about 10 years, it sure as hell was not
everyone's favorite OTR program. (Unless you were a kid at the time.) That's
why the book, while featuring info about that particular show, is primarily
an insiders look at the entertainment industry in general, and what is was
like for a kid actor to grow up in the world of Theatre, Radio and early
live TV. And it includes MANY illustrations and photos sprinkled throughout
the 321 pages
I'd love to get rid of the remaining copies so I can get off food stamps. :)
Regards
Hal(Harlan)Stone
"Jughead"
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 16:29:53 -0500
From: Udmacon@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Will Rogers For President
In the 1920s Victor released "Will Rogers Nominates Henry Ford For President."
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 17:07:17 -0500
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Only in radio
To Laura Leff's question about talented yet "unattractive" people only being
able to survive in radio, I add to the list my recollections (and subjective
opinion) the following names.
Buddy Clark
Kay Armand
Bob Hastings (until his face lift). :)
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 17:08:37 -0500
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: PLANTED LAUGHERS
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
Ken Dahl uses the word "Planters" referring to people with funny
laughs being placed in any audience.
It's new to me.
I wrote sometime back about an old Vaudeville tradition where comedians
would pay money to people known as 'Clackers' who had loud, uniquelly
infectious laughter and have them placed in strategic seats on opening night.
It may be an outdated term by now but certainly has the sound rather
that the almost rural reference to planting.
I had a friend whose laughter was so loud and infectious that most movie
houses would eventually ask him to leave.
I remember seeing an Ingmar Bergman movie with him and when a coffin
fell from a wagon in a morbid and dreary scene, he fell into the aisles,
convulsed with cackle and howl.
I loved it. The audience, in the mood for more of the somber Mr.
Bergman's movies demanded, seemed amused at the contrast.
Bergman as comedic commentator?
I wonder now.
Gwynne
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 18:10:40 -0500
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: alcohol humor
When I did the all-night, New Year's Eve radio shows, I played T. C. Jones'
record to remind listeners partying in their homes not to drink and drive.
I recall a lot of drunk jokes on old-time TV--Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason,
Dean Martin--but I don't seem to recall any on old radio. I know that the
happy 'lush' was considered humorous in the 1950's, and that the attitude
toward alcohol was far more tolerant than it is at present.
I was reminded of this by a discussion in a player-piano/music-box
newsgroup. Someone found and was restoring a music box that was used on a
clothes dryer: it played "How Dry I Am."
(I am not making this up: it was apparently a factory option.)
M Kinsler
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 18:19:43 -0500
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: a face for radio
Which led him to ask me if there was anyone who had a good voice but
was so disfigured that they could only appear on radio but not pictures,
television, etc.
Not disfigured, but often surprising. Men with great booming voices may be
short and slight, dashing romantic voices come from people who look like
your dentist and his aunt. Compared with TV and movies, radio is infinitely
tolerant of the physical person and vastly less forgiving of a dull
intellect.
M Kinsler
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 18:20:09 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Fred Allen On the Silver Screen
Laura Leff related how her husband, "ask[ed] me if there was anyone who
had a good voice but was so disfigured that they could only appear on
radio but not pictures, television, etc. She indicated,
And I responded, "Yes. Fred Allen."
Actually, Fred Allen appeared in at least one film that I saw in the
theater, *We're Not Married*, a comedic series of vignettes about folk
who suddenly discovered that their marriages weren't official.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:45:36 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Big Story answer
Gerry mentioned:
From J. David Goldin's database of shows the following episode was
broadcast June 20, 1949. Tom Mercer of the Cincinnati Inquirer solves
the murder of a man everyone hated.
Actually, the Goldin web-site was mistaken. The date of the broadcast
dramatizing the Tom Mercer investigation for the Cincinnati Inquirer was
July 20, 1949, not June. See excerpt pasted below:
115. "The Big Story of Bill Foley, Columbus, Ohio Reporter" (6/15/49)
116. "The Big Story of Ray Maxwell, Des Moines Reporter" (6/22/49)
117. "The Big Story of Paul Moore, Corsicana, Texas Reporter" (6/29/49)
118. "The Big Story of [removed] (Danny) Dean, Laurell, Mississippi Reporter"
(7/6/49)
119. "The Big Story of Roy Girardin, Detroit Reporter" (7/13/49)
120. "The Big Story of Tom Mercer, Cincinnati Reporter" (7/20/49)
121. "The Big Story of Frank Winge and Peg Kennedy, Chicago Reporters"
(7/27/49)
122. "The Big Story of George Goodwin, Atlanta Reporter" (8/3/49)
123. "The Big Story of Jack Foster, Denver Reporter" (8/10/49)
124. "The Big Story of Clayton Darrah, Boise, Idaho Reporter" (8/17/49)
125. "The Big Story of Marie Walthen, Memphis, Tennessee Reporter"
(8/24/49)
126. "The Big Story of Ed Freeman, Baltimore Reporter" (8/31/49)
127. "The Big Story of Bill Miller, Cleveland Reporter" (9/7/49)
I listed some episodes broadcast before and after July 20 so you can see
that THE BIG STORY was not broadcast on the evening of June 20.
Martin Grams, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:47:48 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: You Bet Your Life
A. Joseph Ross remarked:
Chico and Groucho did "Flywheel, Shyster & Flywheel" and made many other radio
appearances. Groucho appeared alone on "You Bet Your Life," though Harpo came
down once in place of the duck when someone said the secret word. I don't know of
any appearance by Chico on "You Bet Your Life" itself, though for awhile, at least
on the TV version, Harpo and Chico did commercials, for Prom home permanents.
Joe is correct. That rarely seen episode of television's YOU BET YOUR LIFE
featured a silent cameo by Harpo Marx dressed in usual garb. The purpose
was for Harpo to promote his recent autobiography which had recently been
published. Groucho occassionally made a mention of a movie he could
presently be seen in the theaters since his YOU BET YOUR LIFE program
offered him the opportunity to make such "pitches" to the viewing audience.
Harpo simply took advantage of the same. Incidentally, my younger sister
has a video/DVD specially compiled from Robert Dwan's personal 16 mm reels
that features 40 minutes of outtakes and bloopers from the TV show of YOU
BET YOUR LIFE, never broadcast on television - Groucho being crude,
contestants saying the wrong thing, a staff member cutting Groucho's cigar
in half was hilarious, and in one scene, the duck came down and hit George
Fenneman on the head. (So Harpo wasn't the only duck to surprise the
[removed]) The video/DVD incidentally is available at
[removed]. Same tape also includes the premiere
broadcast of the series.
Chico Marx NEVER appeared on any of the radio or TV broadcasts of YOU BET
YOUR LIFE.
Harpo, for the record, DID speak in real life. To date, there does not
exist any recording of Harpo speaking. he never spoke during interviews.
One highlight worth seeking out - around 1936 MGM released a ten minute air
check trailer advertising A DAY AT THE RACES. This lengthy radio commercial
is extremely funny and worth checking out. There's a scene where someone is
trying to interview Harpo and all Harpo does is honk his horn. And in
another scene, the radio announcer mentions that MGM took the movie "south
of the border" for a preview in an attempt to get feedback on A DAY AT THE
RACES. When interviewing people coming out of the theater, every person
interviewed, one by one, speaks Spanish and not a word of English. Marx
Bros. humor on radio . . .
Martin Grams, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:48:08 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: A big thank you
I've been busy the past couple weeks and haven't had time to personally
e-mail everyone to was kind enough to answer a query I posted on the Digest
a few weeks back so I'm taking the time now to thank them for making a copy
of info about the Matinee Serial from their reference books.
The assistance was of tremendous help and assists in helping me proof,
verify and authenticate various aspects of a Matinee Serial based on an OTR
program. OTR folks are the best!
Martin Grams, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:49:59 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: CBS RMT and Let's Pretend
For any interested parties:
I rarely make a pitch for one of my own books unless it's newly released but
here's some news that will interest a few:
The McFarland Publishing Company located in North Carolina (who needs no
introduction) made some business decisions a few months ago, deciding which
books related to Old Time Radio would be discontinued. Like any publishing
company, sales figures determine whether a book is worth going into a
reprint, or optioned to be removed from their catalog. Once a book ceases
to be available and the publishing company decides the book doesn't warrant
future printings, the right revert back to the author who can then do with
the book as they please - including going elsewhere.
A few books about OTR are being discontinued and sold only until stock
remains. One of them is Arthur Anderson's LET'S PRETEND book. Arthur
wisely decided to revise and expand his book (which was published a long
time ago) with newly-acquired material about the program, and offer it to
Bear Manor Media who will be publishing the revised edition later this year.
Notable differences is that the revision will be in paperback instead of
hardcover, the retail price will no doubt be less than McFarland's, and best
of all the book will feature the first-ever broadcast log listing every
episode number, airdate, and titles for the entire series spanning 1929 -
1954 (including THE ADVENTURES OF HELEN AND MARY). The first ever broadcast
log. Keep an eye out for this one.
Another book that was axed was one I co-wrote with Gordon Payton, THE CBS
RADIO MYSTERY THEATER: AN EPISODE GUIDE AND HANDBOOK TO NINE YEARS OF
BROADCASTING, 1974-1982. This book is no longer available in hardcover
format. McFarland did decide to offer the book in paperback format, thus
allowing fans of the series to still acquire a copy of the book. The
contents of the book remain the same. Besides being in paperback format,
the book offers one other noticeable difference. The retail price is now
$[removed] instead of $[removed] McFarland does not usually decide to go paperback
with all of their titles after they feel the hardcover printings have
outsold their welcome, and is not always expected.
A few people have inquired during the past few months about the book's
status hoping to acquire a copy. I misplaced the list of e-mail addresses
of the interested parties (those who struck out acquiring a hardcopy of the
book during the last few months) but I do know that the majority of the fans
are members of this digest. So now the good news: The paperback edition of
the CBS RMT book is available. My box of books arrived at the doorstep this
morning. As anyone who has ever written a book for McFarland knows, authors
under contract are allowed a small discount so they can acquire extra copies
of their own book but the percentage is usually eaten away by the cost of
postage (thus very little discount if any).
I presently have a dozen and a half copies of the CBS RADIO MYSTERY THEATER
book now available (paperback format only) for the retail of $[removed] plus
$[removed] postage. (It actually costs more to mail but I'll cover the
difference.) Anyone who has been wanting to acquire a copy of this book at
a lower price than the xxx-awful price of $[removed] (plus postage) has an
opportunity and for those trying to acquire a copy during the last few
months - they're here! The paperback edition is not available on [removed]
yet and is scheduled for an April release so you can beat the consumers to
the punch. I believe Harry M. was one of the people who tried to get a
hardcover a couple months ago . . . Joseph was another . . . Anyone
interested can e-mail or drop me a line.
CBS RMT BOOK, Po Box 189, Delta, PA 17314
Martin Grams, Jr.
mmargrajr@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:58:29 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The Ritz Bros. and the Marx Bros.
Gerry mentioned:
From J. David Goldin's database of shows the following episode was
broadcast June 20, 1949. Tom Mercer of the Cincinnati Inquirer solves
the murder of a man everyone hated.
Actually, the Goldin web-site was mistaken. The date of the broadcast
dramatizing the Tom Mercer investigation for the Cincinnati Inquirer was
July 20, 1949, not June. See excerpt pasted below:
115. "The Big Story of Bill Foley, Columbus, Ohio Reporter" (6/15/49)
116. "The Big Story of Ray Maxwell, Des Moines Reporter" (6/22/49)
117. "The Big Story of Paul Moore, Corsicana, Texas Reporter" (6/29/49)
118. "The Big Story of [removed] (Danny) Dean, Laurell, Mississippi Reporter"
(7/6/49)
119. "The Big Story of Roy Girardin, Detroit Reporter" (7/13/49)
120. "The Big Story of Tom Mercer, Cincinnati Reporter" (7/20/49)
121. "The Big Story of Frank Winge and Peg Kennedy, Chicago Reporters"
(7/27/49)
122. "The Big Story of George Goodwin, Atlanta Reporter" (8/3/49)
123. "The Big Story of Jack Foster, Denver Reporter" (8/10/49)
124. "The Big Story of Clayton Darrah, Boise, Idaho Reporter" (8/17/49)
125. "The Big Story of Marie Walthen, Memphis, Tennessee Reporter"
(8/24/49)
126. "The Big Story of Ed Freeman, Baltimore Reporter" (8/31/49)
127. "The Big Story of Bill Miller, Cleveland Reporter" (9/7/49)
I listed some episodes broadcast before and after July 20 so you can see
that THE BIG STORY was not broadcast on the evening of June 20.
Martin Grams, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2004 00:33:34 -0500
From: StevenL751@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Presidential bids
In a message dated 1/31/2004 4:05:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:
It would be [removed] coin heads are former Presidents, and I'm
sure
Jack would enjoy his very own coin(s).
Back when Adventures in Cassettes was a going concern, they had for sale
actual [removed] $1 bills with Jack's picture superimposed over Washington's face.
I'm
sure Jack would have been pleased.
Steve Lewis
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #45
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