------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2005 : Issue 328
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
A First-Timers' FOTR Experience [ "David Kindred" <david@[removed] ]
FOTR 2005 [ "James Yellen" <clifengr3@[removed] ]
FOTR Wall Street Journal article lin [ Mark Hanna <mmmwh@[removed]; ]
"The Great Radio Heroes" [ "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@charter. ]
I stand corrected [ "Jim Cox" <otrbuff@[removed]; ]
Cigarettes to soldiers [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
Mike and Willa [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Hal Stone's Expertise and Credential [ "Stuart Lubin" <stuartlubin@[removed] ]
OTR CONVENTION IN NEWARK [ PURKASZ@[removed] ]
Hal "Bobb Lynes" Stone [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
Lesson in futility [ JimBourg@[removed] ]
Hal Stone, the small red-haired lad [ "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 11:15:17 +0000
From: "David Kindred" <david@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: A First-Timers' FOTR Experience
Howdy, fellow digesters.
After several years of thinking it would be fun to rub elbows with our
fellow admirers of OTR, as well as to exchange barbs in person with our
buddy, Hal Stone, my dad (Ed) and I decided it was time for a road trip
from the DC area to FOTR. What was it like? In a word: FUN!
In case some of you non-attendees (and you know who you are) wondered what
transpires at these things, I'll try to relate some of our experiences to
you. First off, imagine a seedy run-down motel, with gaudy 1950's aqua
doors, an algae-ridden pool, and rooms that smell of mildew. The Holiday
Inn at which FOTR takes place isn't like that. We met Charlie out in the
lobby and gave him a howdy. He high-fived us, slapped our backs and bought
us a snack. OK, he gave us a howdy back.
We arrived early Friday morning and attended a panel on children's radio
and TV shows, followed by Anthony Tollin's very interesting multimedia
celebration of 75 years of The Shadow. Mr. Tollin's great love for the show
is catchy, and I found myself engrossed in what he had to say. Afterward,
Jeff David presented a video he had made about his good buddy, and OTR
legend, the late Jackson Beck. Mr. David's recollections of Mr. Beck were
warm and entertaining, making me wish I had known the gentleman, myself.
Jack French then gave us a terrific presentation on the history of
syndicated shows. My dad and I knew nearly nothing about this subject and
learned a great deal. Next up was Simon Jones, Arthur Dent of Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy fame, who simply kept us in stitches. His session was
far too short. Then, we had a radio comedians panel, masterfully hosted by
Kathy O'Connell, a self-admitted Soupy-Stalker. Afterward, we experienced
our first re-creation of "A Date with Judy", starring Barbara Watkins as
Judy, the gun maul.
Dinner was great sitting with new friends Stuart Lubin, Patrick, Michael
and Willa Leannah, Lou, Martin and Manuela. We continually ran into Stuart,
Michael and Willa the remainder of our stay, which was a delight. After
dinner, we were treated to recreations of "Mr. and Mrs. North" (excellent),
"The Adventures of Superman" with Fred Foy as the Man of Steel; the warm,
delightful--and still beautiful--Noel Neill as Lois Lane; and Hal Stone as
the crazed (not too much of a stretch) villain (even more excellent),
finishing off the evening with "The Shadow" starring Margot Stevenson,
Frank Thomas, Margot Avery and Jeff David as a *fantastic* Shadow (most
excellent).
On Saturday, we finally got to meet our buddy, Hal, in person. I've signed
my correspondence to Hal as "Tooth [removed]" (the "[removed]" being my initials, of
course). When Hal found my dad's initials were [removed], he nicknamed him
"Tooth Ache". Thus, the second time he saw us, we were greeted as "The
Tooth Fairies". Only Hal could call us tough guys fairies and get away with
it. ;-) Hal, was very kind to give my three boys a special video message
in his Archie voice. Noel Neill did the same as Lois Lane, and Jeff David
(who voiced the robot Crichton in the 1970's Buck Rogers, a show they like)
also was very kind to give my boys a video greeting. They LOVED this.
Thanks, gents (and Noel)!!
Saturday morning, we had a nice presentation on Nathaniel Shilkret by his
grandson Niel Shell. I'm afraid I was unfamiliar with his work, but
appeared to be in the minority. Elizabeth McLeod followed with a PowerPoint
presentation about what was covered by her book, but didn't really educate
us about A&A, which I found a little disappointing. But, she rescued me
from my doldrums by playing an uncirculated A&A from 1937(?). This was the
first time I'd ever heard any of the 15-minute serial episodes, and I loved
it! It was far different than the half-hour shows with which I was
familiar, and chronicled part of a road trip Amos, Andy and the Kingfish
were taking in the "[removed] Taxicab" north for vacation. Unfortunately, Andy
didn't know how to operate their compass (though, he blamed the technology,
not his lack of knowledge), and they began seeing signs for Delaware.
Andy's "log" of the trip was a riot, talking about how the ship was
"listening" to port. Starboard was referred to as "the other side". One of
their springs was shot on one side of the Taxicab, so Andy was going to
address the problem by getting a larger wheel. I was pretty bummed to
realize that I'll never learn how that story ends. Elizabeth described the
episode as being fairly typical for the early run of the show, which made
me sad to know that only a half dozen recordings are known to exist.
Elizabeth said she tried her best to characterize what the original show
was like, with excerpts from original scripts (she read 10,100 pages of
them), and included pronunciation keys for the dialog. She's also included
period public opinions of the show from newspapers of the time and a great
deal of other topics that I can't recall at the moment. I'm very much
looking forward to reading her book. She was a tremendous hit with the
attendees, and fielded questions with a depth of knowledge that seemed
bottomless.
After Elizabeth came a salute to Orson Welles with some very funny
recollections by Jeff David, then a "Frontier Gentleman" recreation with
Simon Jones and the Gotham Players. This recreation was TOP NOTCH and
seemed to go off as smooth as silk. I was surprised to learn from Steve
Lewis, later, that their original pianist was unavailable at last minute,
and they had to find a replacement *that morning* for him. It's a real
testament to their gifts that they could achieve such excellence under such
circumstances.
Next up was Gregg Oppenheimer who gave recollections of his dad's career
with Lucille Ball. Gregg is the penultimate gentleman who would only, with
great reluctance, say something that wasn't positive of another. He donated
all the proceeds from the sales of his book at the convention to two worth
causes. You'll have to take my word on this: if you had been there, you'd
have wanted to buy his book, too. His stories are THAT good and he is
clearly one heckuva good guy.
Following Gregg was the Joe Franklin show, which you've heard about from
another poster. Let's just say that Jerry Stiller and Ann O'Meara stole the
show. They were such a riot. You want to know what was even funnier? Joe
simply could not stop talking, and the show was going waaaaaaaay long.
Charlie kept trying to give them hand signals to end, but they went
ignored. So, Charlie kept turning around and (maybe looking at me?) kept
mouthing "Help. Help. Help." He was killing me. I would've helped but, you
know, he never high-fived us in the lobby.
Brian Gari was the person responsible for getting Joe to attend, along with
other folks like Sonny Curtis. I'd like to especially recognize Brian's
overwhelming work in finding audio and video clips to share for so many
different panels, discussions and interviews. I don't know how he was able
to pull it all off, for I know how time-consuming it must have been.
Finally (for my dad and me), we got to enjoy a very touching recreation of
"Dr. Christian" before heading out the door. We were sad to not be able to
enjoy another meal with our fellow attendees, but had to get back to our
families in DC.
Did we have fun? Oh, yes. Will we back? Definitely.
Thanks to everyone who gave so fully of themselves so fully to put on an
excellent convention, and apologies for any misspelled names or forgotten
events.
--David (Tooth [removed] to Hal)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 11:17:28 +0000
From: "James Yellen" <clifengr3@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: FOTR 2005
After reading the glowing reviews of this year's FOTR in Newark, I'm bow
even more distressed that I had to miss it for the first time in many years.
Now the questions is, how do I acquire the tape/DVD of the event. I've
never had a need for this before, so I don't know when it's available or
from whom. Charlie, our esteemed digest administrator, is it you?
Please, I'm waiting. I want it. I need it!
Jim Yellen
[ADMINISTRIVIA: To pick up the video for the 2005 FOTR Con, contact Fred
Berney (who posted above about the 30th Anniversary Video, which I bought
but haven't had the chance to enjoy yet). I'm sure he'll stick an order
form up on his website, and after reading this he should post the info with
an URL. ;) --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:50:19 +0000
From: Mark Hanna <mmmwh@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: FOTR Wall Street Journal article link
A link for the WSJ article, as it appeared in a
Pittsburgh paper, can be found at
[removed] along with the
Star Ledger link and a bunch of other articles.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:50:28 +0000
From: "Jim Harmon" <jimharmonotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "The Great Radio Heroes"
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Who was it who said "If I am not for myself, who will be?"
I saw a list of the ten or it became twelve books on old time radio that
were the best or most important. I really believe my book, "The Great Radio
Heroes", should be on such a list.
After thirty-eight years, it is in print from McFarland in a revised trade
edition, $35, or directly from me.
It was the first book to give detailed information on old time radio in
1967. Almost simultaneously Buxton and Owens' "Radio Golden Age" appeared
but it was a list of casts and credits, and could not be reviewed for literary
merit.
"Great Radio Heroes" was the first and I believe only book on old time
radio to be a "modest best seller". I benefited by being first, but I had to
be good for it to sell. As a matter of fact, it may have had sales to equal
all those which came after -- at least until the recent "explosion" of books
on radio.
"Great Radio Heroes" has been used in many colleges not only to teach
radio history, but something I was pleased to hear, to teach how to write.
"Great Radio Heroes" has been reviewed by many serious critics, some of
which deem it a "classic". It has been on at least one list of the one
hundred most important books of the Twentieth Century.
I have never been an extremely prolific writer of fiction or non-fiction,
and I am awed by the many books of Cox and Grams, and the expansive work of
Dunning, but I believe my pioneering
"Great Radio Heroes" belongs on a list of the top ten books on old time
radio.
-- JIM HARMON
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Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:50:38 +0000
From: "Jim Cox" <otrbuff@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: I stand corrected
Well, the mind is the first to go. I inadvertently credited Hal Stone with
a part played by Bobb Lynes (both good friends of mine, incidentally). My
apologies.
In my haste to send out recollections, and thanks to an airline that lost my
luggage containing my convention notes, I was relying on memory. Not a good
plan.
Heigh-yo! I'm nailed for sure as an owlhoot of the worst magnitude! Sorry
Bobb and [removed] Your minds will slip, too, one of these days.
Jim Cox
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:50:49 +0000
From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cigarettes to soldiers
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They did much the same thing on "Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical
Knowledge", which was sponsored by Lucky Strike Cigarettes. I have
some remote broadcasts of this programs which makes a point to explain
to the audience how many cartons of cigarettes had been sent to various
military installations and ships ports around the world. Maybe I'm looking
at this from a younger perspective, but wasn't it counter productive to send
cigarettes (which caused cancer) to our military personnel in hospitals?
Were there any other programs (sponsored by cigarette companies)
who sent their sponsors product to military personnel during WW II? Which
ones?
Another OTR Fan,
Kenneth Clarke
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Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:51:20 +0000
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Mike and Willa
Hal Stone wrote:
> By the way, the winner of this years script writing contest (The
> Lone Ranger Spoof) was written by a very pleasant gentleman (whose name
> I forget, and I'm much to lazy to look it up), was accompanied by his 13
> (or 14) year old daughter.
His name is Mike Leannah and he is a member of the Milwaukee Area
Radio Enthusiasts, not only a member, but secretary and past vice- president.
He is also a frequent contributer to this list. His charming daughter is
named Willa and I had the pleasure of meeting her when she was just a baby.
She has grown into quite a young lady. As far as the script performed,
the NightMARE Players were honored to have done it first.
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsins
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:51:57 +0000
From: "Stuart Lubin" <stuartlubin@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Hal Stone's Expertise and Credentials!
I do not care what anyone says, I put my money on Hal Stone's expertise!
Anyone who reads his book can easily see the great depth of understanding
that this man has about the profession that he loved and still loves. We
are privileged to have the book, his presence at OTR conventions around the
country, and his writings here on the Digest.
Stuart Lubin
[removed] I did not mean to confuse anyone about signing off "formerly
OTRadiofan". I am still a present OTRadiofan, but I did change my username
from that, and I merely wanted those of you with whom I have had
correspondence off list to know that I was one and the same.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:52:07 +0000
From: PURKASZ@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: OTR CONVENTION IN NEWARK
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I'm still trying to get my breathing back to normal.
Whew.
What a weekend.
Having returned Sunday night from my very first OTR Convention in
Newark, I can only attempt to describe my feelings of overwhelming delight
in the
generosity and spirit that pervaded the entire three day affair, as those who
were fortunate enough to attend will attest.
Although I was severely jet-lagged from a return to New York from
Hollywood where I had just completed several fourteen hour days on a
Christmas show
for Hallmark Channel called, "Meet the Santas" (plug), I was quite
unprepared for the sheer genius of organization and the
almost unbelievable gathering
of luminaries.
That's the doing of Jay Hickerson and his able staff.
The banquets were a ramble of talkative fun and the food was absolutely
great too. Something almost impossible to find in a hotel these days.
Others have written on these pages of the sheer enjoyment the event
offered and if you have the chance folks, don't miss it when it comes around
again!!!
I had no idea the re-enactments would have so much power, especially the
DR CHRISTIAN episode.
A show I was aware of but had never listened to.
It brought Saturday afternoon tears to my eyes!!
The Shadow, was a joy to watch and hear.
The "Plot to Overthrow Christmas" was mind-boggling.
The actors, one and all, outstanding in their skills and knowledge of
the medium. The directors, in firm and loving control.
Finally got to put a face and a pretty one it was, to Elizabeth McLeod,
whose encyclopedic knowledge is now in competition with her very radiant
beauty and wily wit.
I see by others who were there that I missed a few performances but the
truth is, I was just not prepared for the depth and organizational skills
involved in these events.
I again thank Jay for inviting me.
Then they called my name at dinner!
I can't really describe my feelings, even now, at the award I was
honored to receive for my scant few decades in radio and early TV.
And in such stellar company too!
Beverly Washburn, Jon Provost, and the great Mickey Freeman from "Bilko"
and many others.
Many more names who now have faces in my mind.
I even got to thank Soupy Sales for the many lunches and afternoon and
evening fun I had with him when he was on the air in Detroit back when I
was a
lad.
Thanks Soupy. Trudy, his wife was most generous in securing an autograph
for my office wall.
It is an indication of the warm and enveloping nature of the folks
involved in these loving gatherings that there were many newcomers to the
event as
well.
I'd never met so many people interested in what was, is and will always
be my first love. The magic of radio and the need and desire of people to
contribute to a performance with their imagination.
It was a delight also and somewhat of a surprise to me who should have
know better, to see the Braille folks so happily ensconced, sitting,
knitting,
dogs by their side, smiling at their own imaginative contributions to the
performances.
After all, I had met Walter Brennan at the Braille Institute in
Hollywood in 1971 when I would go there to do readings. He had
just finished "The Red
Badge of Courage" that day and I was delighted to meet him.
Let me say now that I am only a recent invitee to this world but that I
readily make myself available to any and all functions in the future in the
hope that I can be of some service to this grand and glorious movement to
keep
radio and its inherent magical powers alive and well.
Thanks again folks. You all made it a major memory for me.
See ya next time!!!
Michael C. Gwynne
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:52:27 +0000
From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Hal "Bobb Lynes" Stone
Jim Cox, writing about The Lone Ranger performance (written by Michael
Leannah) Thursday night, said:
> Mom, whom Tonto (Hal Stone) kept referring to as "Mrs. Kemosaby,".
Boy, is Hal Stone a great actor! We all knew that. For those of you who
attended the Sunday morning panel, we saw Hal do wonderful impressions of
Arthur Anderson, Michael Gwynne, Cliff Carpenter and Jean Rouverol, but
this is the first I've learned that Hal was doing BOBB LYNES! I've known
Bobb for 29 years and Hal captured every nuance of his character.
WOW! I couldn't tell them apart!
OH oh! Which one did I bring home with me? I'd better check!!! (Dorothy,
which one did you get?)
Barbara
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:52:36 +0000
From: JimBourg@[removed]
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Lesson in futility
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Okay,
so it is the top twelve.
What about Elizabeth McLeod's new book on Amos n' Andy? Does that make "top
13" or pick one to drop.
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Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:53:17 +0000
From: "Irene Heinstein" <IreneTH@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Hal Stone, the small red-haired lad
I thought I'd share with you an item I found about our own Hal Stone from
the Chicago Tribune in 1940 while Hal was appearing there with Lillian Gish
in "Life With Father".
One other thing I learned in my search was that Lillian's sister Dorothy
made a surprise appearance as the maid in July 1940 when the actress who
played the part became ill. Do you remember that Hal? Apparently the
audience never knew it was she.
I have some other items, pictures that I'm emailing to Hal to add to his
very large scrapbook.
Irene
- -------------------------------------------
Chicago Tribune, Aug 7, 1940
Column: Front Views and Profiles
Long Distance Call
Harlan Stone, the small red-haired lad who plays the youngest of the Day
boys in 'Life with Father' received a telephone call from his father from
the World's Fair in New York the other evening. It was one of those
free long distance calls from the telephone company exhibit. Harlan
began an excited recital of his trip to the circus with Lillian Gish. He told
how one of the clowns had come and sat with them, described the lions
and tigers, and recited the antics of the midget clown. His father
reported that the entire telephone company exhibit was hilarious as they
listened to the conversation via extension head phones.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2005 Issue #328
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