------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2003 : Issue 441
A Part of the [removed]!
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
#OldRadio IRC Chat this Thursday Nig [ lois@[removed] ]
BBC Archive [ "Austotr" <austotr@[removed]; ]
Locutional Considerations [ "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@ ]
On The Air, by John Dunning [ John Francis MacEachern <JohnFMac@c ]
the light [removed] [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed] ]
Any Vagabonds Today? [ "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed]; ]
Re: "naughty" words [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
Family Theatre: A Daddy for Christma [ "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed] ]
"Ask Your Doctor" [ "RBB" <oldradio@[removed]; ]
role sharing [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
Big Sale! on OTR Radio Shows on CD [ John DOrazio <ventureqwest@[removed] ]
E-book about OTR [ "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed] ]
CD Jewell Cases [ "Scott Rogers" <srogerssprint5@eart ]
RE: Easter Sunday [ Michael DeMeo <demeom@[removed] ]
Two Front Teeth [ Dick Backus <backus2@[removed]; ]
Mysterious Traveler [ "Harry Machin Jr" <harbev5@earthlin ]
12-11 births/deaths [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Marie confusion [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Perry Mason/ sedate detective [ Allen Wilcox <aawjca@[removed]; ]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 03:36:00 -0500
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 six 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])
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:12:57 -0500
From: "Austotr" <austotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: BBC Archive
In issue 440 David Rogers discussed Archives.
1 - Why does there seem to be a reluctance to release "short run" releases
of limited interest shows? Either TV or radio? If people want stuff and are
willing to pay for it and it is lying there earning no money while it sits
on the [removed] you see what I mean?
2 - This brings me to a second point about many universities etc that hold
archive material and there is limited access to stuff. Radio (and TV) is
broadcast material. I can understand limited access so that stuff does not
get damaged, however, to protect people from hearing it and (God forbid)
copying it, seems to deny what such material is - broadcast material.
David I really want to understand this as well. Not only on the earning
potential but on the access. Why do archives store for future generations
but restrict access? My teenagers are a future generation since archives
were started, but where is their access to the material. It seems access is
deliberately restricted to researchers rather than interested people.
Perhaps they are storing for storage sake and access was never planned.
Dossier on Dumetrius is a 104 ep series in mp3 as well as audio circulation
and is very popular. If the average Australian walked into Screensound and
asked for a copy of Dossier, the cost is $10,000. I have donated copies of
my transcriptions to Screensound, I have another 200 or so CDs ready to go
to them. If you want a copy from them, those are the sort of costs they
will hit you for. I do not understand it. They get requests from people
wanting a particular episode of a variety show because a relative was on it,
but they generally get fobbed off and the requests come to the collectors.
While I am crooked on Screensound, I can't blame the people there, they
abide by the rules. I see the sense in having an archive, hence I support
it, but the designers or rulemakers of some archives need to think about
what it is all about. That then is the community's responsibility to tell
them how we want our resources to be used.
Sure Copyright is an issue, instructions of the donors are an issue and
understandable, but with Australia the squeezing of funding to Screensound
is putting everything at risk and is of great concern. Again, a community
responsibility.
Some months ago I advised of the release of Air Adventures of Biggles, those
who rushed out and ordered got a goldmine because the series was removed
from sale. Not because of copyright issues as we first thought, but because
the Capt [removed] Johns Estate decided that because Capt Johns indicated that he
was unhappy about the series, because a girl was introduced as a member of
the cast, that they would honour his memory by making sure the series was
removed from sale. Screensound was forced by the courts to destroy the
unsold copies. To me, common sense should show that Capt Johns would be
unlikely to hold such a view in this day and age, so why force that decision
now? Oh, and why was there a girl in the Biggles team? The sponsors
insisted that it be so :) So here was Screensound trying to do the right
thing and kicked badly in the process. That release was their biggest
seller to date, which showed that the community liked the release.
Ian Grieve
Australian OTR Group
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:13:39 -0500
From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Locutional Considerations
Chris Holm, speaking of "cussin'," notes,
consider the person who types something like "bulls***", as if those
three asterisks somehow make itbetter. If you choose not to swear,
that's fine and I respect that. If you choose to swear, that's fine and
I respect that too. But to do something silly like replacing a few
letters with asterisks deserves no respect.
Me and Rodney Dangerfield! As one who asterisked certain words a couple
of Digests back, I was following and will continue to follow the practice
that was established in national newspapers such as The New York Times,
The Wall Street Journal, and the like.
There was once a story of a blind man who carried a lantern at night.
When someone told him how silly that was, he responded, "I don't carry
this for me; I carry it for you."
There are many on the distribution list who are contemporaries to the
programs we're discussing. Many of them know the words in question, but
are less than happy to see them spelled out. That is why the asterisks:
not to be clever, but for those whom it might offend if the words were
spelled out.
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:14:21 -0500
From: John Francis MacEachern <JohnFMac@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: On The Air, by John Dunning
Hi!
If anyone on the Digest wants, but can't afford a copy of this book,
drop me a note and I'll send it to you, free. This particular copy is
in terrible condition; however it's perfectly readable from title page
to the index, complete.
A little background: I bought the book last April as a birthday present
to myself. I'm a foster Dad for sick and injured animals; through the
local clinic, I take them in for a few days or weeks until they are
healthy again. Well, I had this mean tempered dog for a couple of days
a few months ago. He decided to make the book his chew toy and damaged
it badly (all within the three minutes I was out of the room). I
ordered a new copy and it arrived today. I was going to throw out the
old one, but then thought of making this offer.
Every important page of the book is intact and readable, it has no front
cover and lots of teeth marks, it's not a pretty sight, but it's still
quite usable and if anyone wanted to take the time to cover it like we
did in grade school, it probably wouldn't look that bad either.
As I mentioned, it's for free to anyone, especially those who couldn't
otherwise afford it. The first response gets it. If after a couple of
days there are no responses, it'll be in the trash.
E-mail me privately.
John Mac
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:14:38 -0500
From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: the light [removed]
In #440, Michael Biel wrote:
Chris is very confused with Ted's reference to flocking a
Christmas tree because painting and flocking are two entirely
different things. <SNIP - ANSWER CONTINUES>
This is what's great about this list. No matter what kind of question I
have, somebody is here with an answer. But even more than that, there are
people who can put that answer into context. Thanks!
-chris holm
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:15:59 -0500
From: "Derek Tague" <derek@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Any Vagabonds Today?
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
HI GANG:
In the on-going thread re: "grey-area" language emanating over the
1930s air-waves, the esteemed historian Elizabeth McLeod concluded her
posting with:
This put the fear of you-know-who into broadcasters, and language was
bleached Rinso White for the rest of the radio era (although you might
still hear a "hell" if someone sang 'Song of the Vagabonds.')
Is "Song of the Vagabonds" the one that starts "Oh ye sons of [removed]," goes
on to exhort its listeners to fight the Burgundians, and concludes with "And
to HELL with Burgundy!"?
If so, then this'll help me out. I never really knew the title to this
anthem. It sounds like it was written by Victor Herbert or Sigmund Romburg,
or one of those guys. I once saw and heard Jim Nabors sing it on an episode
of "Gomer Pyle." So if anybody ever asks you if the clean-cut character of
Gomer Pyle ever used the word "hell" during the course of the show, you've
got him [Nabors/Pyle also once sang "The Impossible Dream" which, of course,
has the line "to be willing to march into Hell for a heavenly cause."].
Oh, BTW, the seldom-aired TV Christmas cartoon classic "Mister Magoo's
Christmas Carol" airs on the Caroon Network tonight (Wed. 12/10). It
features voices by OTR vets like Jim Backus (natch!), Les Tremayne, June
Foray, Paul Frees, and the interim TV Lone Ranger John Hart I have to give
this TV-film points for offering what is probably one of the most honest,
down-to-earth credits I've ever seen "Freely Adapted from Dickens' 'A
Christmas Carol.'" That's right up there with THE TAMING OF THE SHREW "by
William Shakespeare; additional dialogue by Sam Taylor." Enjoy!
Yours in the "wreath"-er!
Derek Tague
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:16:11 -0500
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: "naughty" words
I think I may have told this story a few years back. Holy Mackerel,
(expletive deleted), has it been two years since I became a Digest
participant?)
Incidentally, for what it's worth, on the "Archie" program, Jugheads
favorite exclamation was "gee Whiz". Had the NBC censors known that to
"Wizz" (Pronounced the same) was in common usage having to do with writing
one's name in the snow, we'd all have been in big trouble.
Anyway, I digress. That's not the tale I once posted to the Digest, and will
now retell for the Newbies among you.
On one "Archie Andrews" episode, Archie and Jughead were in the process of
re-painting the Andrews house. Naturally, all sorts of complications and
mishaps occurred, culmination with Jughead stepping into a bucket of paint,
tripping, falling, resulting in a SFX of a horrendous crash and clatter.
What follows is the script, as near as I can recall.
BETTY: (excitedly) Oh dear, what was that?
ARCHIE: (Yelling) Jughead! What happened?
JUGHEAD: (Sheepishly, and loudly) I put my foot in a bucket of paint.
In the heat and excitement that we were all supposed to covey at this messy
accident, without looking at the script, I instead "wailed" my line, quite
innocently and accidentally.
"I put my F--k in a bucket of paint."
Now, why didn't I get fired by NBC immediately? Because I was one lucky SOB.
As it turned out, this episode was done during the period when I was in the
Air Force during the Korean War, and temporarily stationed at an Air base in
New Hampshire. I would arrange to get a weekly pass to travel back to New
York, and we (FORTUNATELY) were taping the show for my convenience.
After the cast picked themselves up off the floor, (a condition that
resulted from shock and laughing so hard), and order was restored about 15
minutes later, we simple did a pick up from Archie's lead in line, and
continued taping the rest of the show. But I was beet red from embarrassment
to put it mildly.
Hal(Harlan)Stone
Jughead
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:17:38 -0500
From: "Andrew Godfrey" <niteowl049@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Family Theatre: A Daddy for Christmas
If anyone on the list is looking for a heartwarming OTR Christmas story
listen to A Daddy for Christmas broadcast of 12-15-48 of Family Theatre.
Shirley Temple is the host and I think this is one of the best Christmas
shows I have heard on OTR so far. The show runs 24 minutes so will not take
up a lot of time.
To hear Shirley Temple talking about the power of prayer reminds me that
today if a star came out in public for prayer like that they probably would
be put on some kind of blacklist. Activist groups against public prayer
today would be up in arms and be taking someone to court if a show like that
was made today.
That is why OTR is such an oasis in a world that has turned it's back on
Christian values. Family Theatre is not talked about much in OTR groups but
I think it represents everything good about OTR and how back then it was not
cool to make fun of organized religion like it is today.
I have listened to over 400 OTR shows this year and have not once heard
any profanity. You can't say that about radio or TV today.
Wish more people knew about Family Theatre as it consistently had shows
that touch the heart of the listeners.
Andrew Godfrey
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:21:46 -0500
From: "RBB" <oldradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "Ask Your Doctor"
Listening to some old commercials recently, especially noting all of the
copywriting for medical products and the announcers always say "...ask your
Pharmacist if XXX is right for you!" The cigarette commercials, however,
were endorsed by "Doctors."
Today, the TV ads instruct you to "see your Doctor" (...as if it's simple to
make a phone call or an appointment just to chat with a doctor) to ask about
a new drug perscription.
The old commercials were correct, it's still easier to see the Pharmacist to
inquire about a new product, and there's that confidential, courtesy counter
for a chat.
Happy Holidays to the list!
Russ Butler oldradio@[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 11:31:54 -0500
From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: role sharing
I was interested to note that Una Merkel and Marie
Wilson (NOT Windsor, as incorrectly stated) almost
share a birthday. These two actresses also shared a
role with Lurene Tuttle (Una and Marie on the silver
screen, Lurene on radio). Can anybody name the role?
12-10-1903 - Una Merkel - Covington, KY - d. 1-2-1986
actress: Adeline Fairchild "Great Gildersleeve";
12-11-1922 - Marie Windsor - Marysvale, UT - d.
12-10-2000 actress: Irma Peterson "My Friend Irma"
Actually, I just double-checked the IMDB, and it is
indeed Marie Windsor who was born on Dec 10, not Marie
Wilson (who was born 8/19/16). Marie Wilson, however,
is the one who played Irma on "My Friend Irma." Marie
Windsor is best known for gritty noir roles--about as
far from Marie Wilson's character as one could
get--and apart from appearing in one episode of
Suspense ("Script by Mark Brady", 3/22/59), I don't
know of any other OTR work by her.
Kermyt
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 11:32:03 -0500
From: John DOrazio <ventureqwest@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Big Sale! on OTR Radio Shows on CD
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
Run,don't walk to COSTCO ! They are selling BELOW WHOLESALE !
Radiospirits 20 CD Sets,which sell for $[removed] per set. At COSTCO
$[removed] You have to be a member to get in the club. But if you have a
friend,you can get in with their card. Also call your club near you !
because some states may not stock [removed] in New Jersey they do.
WOW ! what a deal ! Treat yourself to a great Christmas Gift !
Merry Christmas ! John D'Orazio
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 11:33:04 -0500
From: "Philip Chavin" <philchav@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: E-book about OTR
Twenty Questions was a popular radio quiz program running from 1946 to
1954.
One of the original panelists (1946--1949) has written a book titled "The
Twenty Questions Radio Show". Although it's written as a novel, it's based
on his actual experiences on the show. It's available as a downloaded
e-book or as a CD-ROM, either priced at only $[removed], on [removed].
On the left side of that home page, under Authors, you select Bob
VanDeventer, then clicking "Buy Now" (the top one) will give info on the
book.
I have no commercial connections with the author or Stonegarden and am
simply posting this for any Digesters who might be interested in reading
about the OTR experiences of a radio performer, etc.
-- Phil C.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 11:49:09 -0500
From: "Scott Rogers" <srogerssprint5@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: CD Jewell Cases
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
I was at OfficeMax this morning and they were selling 100 slim CD jewell cases
for $[removed] The rebate for these is $[removed] Free is a pretty good price.
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
[ADMINISTRIVIA: You can get some _really_ good rebate deals at OfficeMax, so
long as you're willing to birddog the submission. I picked up a quarter-gig
of RAM for the servers for $10 after rebate, and a free CD-RW drive. But plan
on tracking and possibly contacting them regarding the status of your rebate,
since frequently things get "lost." Photocopy your submission materials so
you have evidence. --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 15:59:42 -0500
From: Michael DeMeo <demeom@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: RE: Easter Sunday
Martin Grams,Jr. asked
Does anyone know if April 6, 1941 or April 13, 1941 was Easter Sunday?
I know it's one of those two dates but can't figure out which one.
Hello
Easter Sunday is calculated by the Christian Church as falling on
The first Sunday;
After the first full moon;
After the first day of [removed]
So, the full moon was on Friday, April 11, 1941, my guess is
April 13, 1941 as Easter Sunday.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 15:59:54 -0500
From: Dick Backus <backus2@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Two Front Teeth
Can anyone suggest where I might find a program on which "All I Want for
Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" was performed. It seems to me one of the
Godfrey shows or Spike Jones may have had it, but I can't remember.
Thanks,
Dick
Backusl
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 16:00:13 -0500
From: "Harry Machin Jr" <harbev5@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio Digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Mysterious Traveler
Will the person who responded to my question about
The Mysterious Traveler please reply to me again?
I accidentally deleted your email.
Thanks,
Harry
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 16:00:19 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 12-11 births/deaths
December 11th births
12-11-1886 - Victor McLaglen - Tunbridge Wells, England - d. 11-7-1959
actor: Captain Flagg "Captain Flagg and Sergeant Quirt"; Mountie Eric Lewis
"Red Trails"
12-11-1894 - Eddie Dowling - Woonsocket, RI - d. 2-18-1976
host: "We, the People"; "Ziegfeld Follies of the Air"
December 11th deaths
02-20-1906 - Richard Himber - Newark, NJ - d. 12-11-1966
bandleader: "Studebaker Champions"; "Your Hit Parade"
04-25-1921 - Robert Q. Lewis - NYC - d. 12-11-1991
disc jockey, comedian, host: "Arthur Godrey Time"; "Robert Q. Lewis Show"
09-11-1909 - Anne Seymour - NYC - d. 12-11-1988
actress: "Mary Marlin "Story of Mary Marlin"; Francie Nolan "Tree Grows in
Brooklyn"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:21:20 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Marie confusion
It seems as though I got my Maries confused on the birth/death list.
Marie Wilson was born on 8-19-1916 in Anaheim, CA and died on 11-23-1972
Marie Windsor was born on 12-11-1919 in Marysville, UT and died on 12-10-2000
Sorry for the confusion.
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:21:43 -0500
From: Allen Wilcox <aawjca@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Perry Mason/ sedate detective
On the subject of sedate detectives one must consider
Perry Mason. Now granted that the radio version was a
soap opera and that his occupation is an attorney. One
consed that Perry at times did some sleuthing and had
his detective buddy Paul Drake doing the leg work. But
it was Perry's uncanny ability to put all the clues
together for the final climax of the stories.
Would it not have been great to have Raymund Burr as
the radio voice of Mr. Mason!
Allen
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #441
*********************************************
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]