------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2006 : Issue 334
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Phyllis Cerf Wagner [ Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed]; ]
New Book On the Grand Ole Opry [ "Bill Knowlton" <udmacon1@[removed] ]
Bill Idelson [ Radioclass <radioclass@[removed] ]
Flour and Glass [ Kelli Stanley <ks4color@[removed] ]
Re: Best OTR Finds [ Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed]; ]
Re: Chrysler show [ Dixonhayes@[removed] ]
Radio Music Programs [ "Pete Rondello" <refelo@[removed] ]
11-28 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
The 2006 OTR Hallmark [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Re: Lost Fibber McGee [ Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed] ]
Re: You Bet Your Life [ "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@ea ]
Halls of Ivy theme song [ Henry <wa0goz@[removed]; ]
Light Crust Doughboys? [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
"Golden Age of Radio" and "A One Nig [ "Bob Scherago" <rscherago@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 20:35:39 -0500
From: Kermyt Anderson <kermyta@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Phyllis Cerf Wagner
The NYT reports that Phyllis Cerf Wagner has died at age 90. According
to the obit ([removed]),
she wrote radio soap operas. (The obit later states that she also wrote
radio plays.) Anybody know anything else about what she wrote? Since
she lived in NYC for much of her adult life, did she ever make it to
FOTR?
Kermyt
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:14:12 -0500
From: "Bill Knowlton" <udmacon1@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: New Book On the Grand Ole Opry
"The Grand Ole Opry: The Making Of An American Icon" by Colin Escott is not
only required reading, kiddies, but also a keeper. Great coverage--good and
bad times included--with many photos never published before.
The author does not preach or have a point of view but he generously
includes the praises, and complaints, about the Opry past and present by its
stars, executives; friends and foes.
Vince Gill does a nice forward; it's published by Center Street. 250 pages.
May favorite portion is devoted to the fate of the Ryman and those who
fought to keep it, thank God.
BILL KNOWLTON
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:14:35 -0500
From: Radioclass <radioclass@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Bill Idelson
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Last Friady, Nov. 24, there was a great article in the Chicago Tribune about Bill Idelson who played Rush on Vic and Sade.
If you missed, here's a link to the story.
[removed],1,[removed]
Anne
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Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:15:27 -0500
From: Kelli Stanley <ks4color@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Flour and Glass
I've just returned from Thanksgiving vacation, and read, with delight,
Jim Cox's article on Martha White Flour. I'm glad Burrus' Light Crust
has been absorbed into a company with such a storied history.
I'm always intrigued by radio commercials and the products they
advertise. I've enjoyed many of them, from Lux soap to Ovaltine, to my
much-missed White King Laundry Soap, which is no longer being produced,
at least on the West coast. If it was advertised during the Golden Age
of Radio, I'm likely to want to try it (except for cigarettes, though
the "Old Gold" commercials as sung by the Pied Pipers on "Songs by
Sinatra" are at least as addictive as nicotine).
A CD of an OTR program--with its attendant sponsoring product--would be
a fun and festive gift. The challenge for my family, especially at the
holidays, is to find products and gifts (and the attendant holiday
wrapping, cards, etc.) that are still made in America. My father was a
machinist, and he likes knowing something was actually made in this
country. This task is, of course, getting more and more difficult. I
usually revert to giving vintage or hand-crafted things. And food
stuffs are still domestic, though I doubt anyone but me would enjoy a
sack of Martha White Flour. ;)
I just listened (again) to "The Santa Claus of Bum's Boulevard" episode
of Casey, Crime Photographer, and it occurred to me that Anchor Hocking
glass might make a nice house-warming present for some [removed] I've
emailed them, to see if they still make their products in the US.
Unfortunately, I don't think they'll honor the ad on that program--a 38
piece set of Jadeite dinnerware for under $5. ;)
I've already purchased some beautiful glassware, still made in
Pennsylvania, from the [removed] Smith company, which has been in business
since 1906. Does anyone know if they ever sponsored a radio program?
I'd love it if they had a radio tie-in--their workmanship is exquisite.
Thanks in advance for any information--or recommendations. :)
Kelli Stanley
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:15:58 -0500
From: Jim Widner <jwidner@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Best OTR Finds
Andrew Godfrey asks:
> I am interested in knowing what shows were unavailable in the last
> 20 years or so but now are available for OTR fans to listen to.
As one who has been collecting since the early seventies, the best way I
can describe some of this is to quote a publication I have copies of
that is from February 1977. The publication is called Airwaves and was
the creation of two gentleman, one of whom is not collecting any more -
Jerry Chapman, and Joe Webb, who is collecting - very active in OTRR
(Old Time Radio Researchers) and I believe a reader of this digest.
They used to run a section in the newsletter called "News" and here is a
sample:
" Many new "Romance" Programs are circulating, formerly there were
around 24 in circulation. Others that are new are: 8 "True Detective"
Programs from 1937. The episode numbers are in the twenties. Large runs
of "Great Gildersleeve," "Our Miss Brooks," and "Burns and Allen" are
rumored to be coming from California. 90 of the 106 "Have Gun Will
Travel" programs exist and circulate in Good sounding network versions,
others are AFRS. Three still may be missing. "Dimension X" programs
"Parade" and "Martian Death March" do exist, but at this time are not
circulating."
As you can see, it was a rather exciting time as many programs we now
take for granted were just becoming available to general collectors at
this time. I can also say that many of the "Quiet, Please" programs were
not known to exist at this time as well.
Jim Widner
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:35:03 -0500
From: Dixonhayes@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Chrysler show
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In a message dated 11/27/06 7:46:18 PM Central Standard Time,
[removed]@[removed] writes:
Then he said,
"and don't miss the big Chrysler Corporation TV show on another
network."
Wasn't that the much-discussed "Shower of Stars"? I seem to recall an
incident from that show in which Groucho (who was a guest) was supposed to pop up on
the back seat of a convertible during a live commercial, and it flopped
miserably. (It was poorly staged and Groucho could be seen earlier than scheduled.)
I used to have that on tape, and Groucho once wrote a hilarious letter to
someone about it that was published in "Letters From Groucho."
Dixon
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 22:39:54 -0500
From: "Pete Rondello" <refelo@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Radio Music Programs
Hello:
I am a former radio announcer. WERL, Eagle River, [removed], Rhinelander
Wis, and several others. I'd really enjoy finding two of my favorite classic
radio programs. They are music based, and I have been unable to find them in
the usual places.
Does anyone know where I might find CD's, LP's, etc. of:
"Patterns In Music" with John Doremus and /or
"The Earl Nightingale Show"
Thanks!
-Pete Rondello Sr
Boulder Junction, WI
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 22:40:01 -0500
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 11-28 births/deaths
November 28th births
11-28-1894 - Frank Black - Philadelphia, PA - d. 1-29-1968
conductor: "Jack Benny Program"; "NBC String Symphony"; "Cities
Service Concert"
11-28-1895 - Jose Iturbi - Valencia, Spain - d. 6-28-1980
pianist, conductor: "Telephone hour"; "Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra"
11-28-1906 - Helen Jepson - Titusville, PA - d. 9-16-1997
singer: "Kraft Music Hall"; "Show Boat"
11-28-1909 - Rose Bampton - Cleveland, OH
singer: "Palmolive Beauty Box Theatre"
11-28-1910 - Russell Napier - Perth, Australia - d. 8-19-1974
actor: "Midweek Theatre"
11-28-1916 - Richard Tregaskis - Elizabeth, NJ - d. 8-15-1973
author, war correspondent: (Guadalcanal Diary) "Lux Radio Theatre"
11-28-1917 - Elliott Lewis - NYC - d. 5-20-1990
actor, director: Frankie Remley "Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show"; "On
Stage"; "Mr. Aladdin"
11-28-1925 - Gloria Grahame - Los Angeles, CA - d. 10-5-1981
actor: "Hollywood Star Playhouse"
11-28-1925 - Robert Readick - d. 5-xx-1985
actor: (Son of Frank) Bill Roberts "Rosemary"; Don Cornwell "Second
Mrs. Burton"
11-28-1925 - Virginia Hewitt - Shreveport, LA - d. 7-21-1986
actor: Coral Karlyle "Space Patrol"
November 28th deaths
01-31-1915 - Garry Moore - Baltimore, MD - d. 11-28-1993
host, comedian: "Garry Moore Show"; "Camel Caravan"; "Take It or
Leave It"
02-17-1910 - Marc Lawrence - NYC - d. 11-28-2005
actor: "Let George Do It"; "This Is Your FBI"; "Scout About Town"
02-27-1880 - Georgia Burke - Atlanta, GA - d. 11-28-1985
actor: Lily "When A Girl Marries"
03-04-1934 - John Dunn - Glasgow, Scotland - d. 11-28-2004
announcer, newsreader: "Roundabout"; "Housewive's Choice"; "Breadfast
Special"
04-03-1783 - Washington Irving - NYC - d. 11-28-1859
author: "House of Mystery"; "Tomorrow Calling"; "American School on
the Air"
04-27-1898 - George McCall - Renton, Scotland - d. 11-28-1952
host: "Man About Hollywood"
05-11-1910 - Johnnie 'Skat' Davis - Brazil, IN - d. 11-28-1983
trumpet: "The Fred Waring Show"
06-04-1907 - Rosalind Russell - Waterbury, CT - d. 11-28-1976
actor: "Four-Star Playhouse"; "Silver Theatre"
06-29-1899 - Lester Vail - Denver, CO - d. 11-28-1959
director: "Aldrich Family"; "March of Time"; "World's Most Honored
Flights"
07-24-1914 - Vicent Bogert - New York - d. 11-28-1978
writer: "Duffy's Tavern"
09-24-1911 - Edmund L. Hartman - St. Louis, MO - d. 11-28-2003
screenwriter: "Lux Radio Theatre"
10-06-1912 - Mel Dinelli - d. 11-28-1991
writer: "Advs. of Philip Marlowe"
10-11-1920 - Ralph Paul - Denver, CO - d. 11-28-1987
announcer: "Aldrich Family"; "True Detective Mysteries"; "Might Casey"
11-08-1916 - Norman Macdonnell - Pasadena, CA - d. 11-28-1979
producer, director: "Gunsmoke"
12-16-1911 - Howard Reilly - d. 11-28-1991
producer: "The Fred Allen Show"
xx-xx-1875 - Beatrice Fairfax - Washington, [removed] - d. 11-28-1945
writer: "Advice to the Lovelorn"
xx-xx-1902 - Richy Craig, Jr. - d. 11-28-1933
monologist: "Blue Ribbon Malt Jester"
xx-xx-1908 - Fred Uttal - NYC - d. 11-28-1963
quizmaster: "Detect and Collect"; "What's My Name"; "Melody Puzzles"
Ron Sayles
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 22:47:48 -0500
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: The 2006 OTR Hallmark
Among the 2006 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, this year, is "A Christmas
Broadcast," an old-fashioned radio from the good ol' days of old-time radio,
and the ornament allows us to tune into one of five stations to hear
Christmas music, a station identification and at least one advertisement.
Any search on [removed] will direct interested parties to the 2006
ornaments and can even find photos on this OTR keepsake.
[ADMINISTRIVIA: This isn't the first cathedral radio "Keepsake Ornament"
Hallmark has produced; in 1993, they had a lighted-dial radio with a
kitten next to it which, when a button is pressed, plays a "new bulletin"
announcing Santa's [removed]"Listen for reindeer on your roof!" --cfs3]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 23:02:52 -0500
From: Al Girard <24agirard24@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Lost Fibber McGee
While I don't want your point to be lost with this information, I feel
the need to point out that the recent 15 minute Fibber McGee & Molly
episodes that've been released by First Gen were not lost. They've
been circulating in poorer quality versions for some time.
That's true for some of the episodes, but not for the majority of what
has been located. More than 300 of the newly-located episodes
are not in the list of poor-quality episodes that were already in
circulation. It's indeed an exciting find.
Al Girard
webmaster of The Unofficial Fibber McGee and Molly Home Page
[removed]
(Gotta clean out that URL one of these days!)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:09:04 -0500
From: "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: You Bet Your Life
A. Joseph Ross asked about George Fenneman's closing to YOU BET YOUR LIFE:
"...and don't miss the big Chrysler Corporation TV show on another network."
Anyone know what that show was?
Actually, it was TWO shows: CLIMAX, which aired three out of four Thursday
nights on CBS, and SHOWER OF STARS, which aired on the fourth Thursday. Both
were in the 8:30-9:30pm [removed] right after YOU BET YOUR LIFE concluded
on NBC Television. Both shows ran from 1954-58.
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:34:38 -0500
From: Henry <wa0goz@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Halls of Ivy theme song
Does anyone know if there is a place where I can get the "Halls of
Ivy" theme song? Does anyone know who the male chorus was that sang
it and if there was ever a single or an album with the song on it?
Thanks
Henry
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:08:27 -0500
From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Light Crust Doughboys?
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One of the stories my Mother used to tell was when she and one of
her friends drove from Ft. Worth to Dallas to hear a radio show by a team
known as the Interwoven Pair. I believe the sponsor of the show was the
Interwoven Sock Company (or some such thing). While I didn't get their
full names, I believe that their last names were Jones and Hare. For some
reason or another that memory comes to the fore when I hear the Light Crust
Doughboys mentioned. I believe that they might have changed their group
name depending on what their sponsor was the time and that this group may
have
been known under several names.
Another OTR Fan,
Kenneth Clarke
PS Could the names of these men have been Burt Jones and Ernie Hare?
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:54:54 -0500
From: "Bob Scherago" <rscherago@[removed];
To: "Old Time Radio" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: "Golden Age of Radio" and "A One Night Stand
with the Big Bands"
The latest "Golden Age of Radio" programs with Dick Bertel
and Ed Corcoran, and "A One Night Stand with the Big Bands"
with Arnold Dean can be heard at [removed].
Each week we feature three complete shows in MP3 format
for your listening pleasure or for downloading; two "Golden
Age of Radios" and one "One Night Stand." We present new
shows every week or so. The current three programs will be
available on line at least until the morning of 12/5/06.
Program 14 - May, 1971 - Jim Jordan
>From The official Fibber McGee and Molly Homepage
([removed])
While many of the programs from the Golden Days of Radio
have disappeared forever, thankfully the Fibber McGee and
Molly Show's sponsor, [removed]'s Wax of Racine,
Wisconsin and NBC kept transcription discs from most of the
programs that they sponsored, and we, the fans of the program
have benefitted since they've become available on tape. The
Fibber McGee and Molly Show starred real-life husband and
wife Jim and Marian Jordan of Peoria, Illinois, a pair who had
toured throughout the vaudeville circuit before eventually working
on several different radio shows, most notably "Smackout."
>From April 16, 1935 to September 6, 1959 one of the best-
known addresses in the USA was the home of Fibber McGee
and Molly. They resided at 79 Wistful Vista in a midwestern
city where the popular shows took place. Initially the show
was broadcast on Mondays, but eventually it was moved to
Tuesday evenings where it stayed for most of its run. Fibber
was just that - a fibber, a braggard, a man who stretched his
stories and ideas to the limit, often to the dismay of his patient
spouse Molly. McGee took telling tall tales to a fine art. His
wild ideas and schemes were the basis for the show which
usually took place in the living-room at their home. They
didn't enjoy quiet evenings alone because there was always
a steady stream of visitors, each a character in his or her
own way, who added to the confusion and hilarity of the
situation at hand.
Program 15 - June, 1971 - Don McNeil
Don McNeil was "The Man Who Came to Breakfast." For
35 years millions joined him five days a week, laughed at and
with him, sang with him, and marched around the breakfast
table at 15-minute intervals. Don McNeill created and hosted
"The Breakfast Club," a variety hour that made an indelible
mark on radio.
"A One Night Stand with the Big Bands" With Arnold Dean
Program 10 - March, 1972 - Sammy Kaye
Sammy Kaye, musically, set the nation's band leading styles
for years and his versatility in the music business as a leader,
song writer, and personality in his own right, earned him the
acclaim of loyal fans and the praise of the country's music
critics.
Variety, the show business newspaper, once price-tagged
the coined phrase, "Swing and Sway," as a million dollar
slogan. And they became one of the bands that sparked the
whole big band scene. It was at the Cabin Club in Cleveland,
Ohio, where the band was featured on radio broadcasts, that
the famous slogan, "Swing and Sway" became Kaye's
trademark. The announcer would introduce the band's
appearance with catchy phrases such as "Music in the Rhythmic
Way Played by Sammy Kaye," "Music in the Sentimental Way
Played by Sammy Kaye," and occasionally, "Let's Swing and
Sway with Sammy Kaye." One night some fans came in and
called to Kaye, "Hi Swing and Sway." That was it. Everything
else was dropped and "Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye"
was born.
In the 1970's WTIC decided that there was a market in
the evening for long-form shows that could be packaged
and sold to sponsors. Two of those shows were "The
Golden Age of Radio" and "A One Night Stand with the
Big Bands."
Dick Bertel had interviewed radio collector-historian
Ed Corcoran several times on his radio and TV shows,
and thought a regular monthly show featuring interviews
with actors, writers, producers, engineers and musicians
from radio's early days might be interesting. "The Golden
Age of Radio" was first broadcast in April, 1970; Ed was
Dick's co-host. It lasted seven years. "The Golden Age
of Radio" can also be heard Saturday nights on Walden
Hughes's program on Radio Yesteryear.
Arnold Dean began his love affair with the big band
era in his pre-teen years and his decision to study
the clarinet was inspired by the style of Artie Shaw.
When he joined WTIC in 1965 he hosted a daily program
of big band music. In 1971, encouraged by the success
of his daily program and "The Golden Age of Radio"
series, he began monthly shows featuring interviews
with the band leaders, sidemen, agents, jazz reporters,
etc. who made major contributions to one of the great
eras of music history.
Bob Scherago
Webmaster
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2006 Issue #334
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