------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2007 : Issue 261
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
9-10 births/deaths [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
OTR actors [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
Re: public service announcements [ Grams46@[removed] ]
PPB Archives and Talent Agents [ Ken Greenwald <kgradio@[removed]; ]
Re: Death of President Roosevelt [ "thomas heathwood" <HeritageRadio@m ]
Re: War of the Worlds - new renditio [ "Glenn P.," <C128User@[removed]; ]
contacting celebrities [ Ben Ohmart <benohmart@[removed]; ]
contacting actors [ <vzeo0hfk@[removed]; ]
Cooking Shows [ Bill Knowlton <udmacon1@[removed] ]
"It don't mean a thing, if it ain't [ Wich2@[removed] ]
Remembing Red Skelton [ "Mark Kratzner" <hollywoodhoosiers@ ]
Phyl Coe Mysteries [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2007 22:48:37 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: 9-10 births/deaths
September 10th births
09-10-1879 - Jess Pugh - Andersonville, IN - d. 1-22-1962
actor: Scattergood Baines, "Scattergood Baines"
09-10-1885 - Carl Van Doren - Hope, IL - d. 7-18-1950
author/lecturer: "New York Philharmonic Orchestra"; "Words at War"
09-10-1886 - Sam Taub - NYC - d. 7-10-1979
sportscaster: "Madison Square Boxing Bouts"
09-10-1898 - Adele Astaire - Omaha, NE - d. 1-25-1981
dancer, actor: (Fred's Sister) "Magic Key"; "Savings Bond Campaign"
09-10-1900 - Francis Craig - Dickson, IN - d. 11-20-1966
bandleader: "Spotlight Revue"
09-10-1900 - Joseph Bentonelli - Sayre, OK - d. 4-4-1975
operatic tenor: "Kraft Music Hall"; "Vick's Open House"
09-10-1902 - Jim Crowley - Chicago, IL - d. 1-15-1986
football all-american: (One of the Four Horsemen) "Kate Smith Hour"
09-10-1904 - Emery Deutsch - Budapest, Hungary - d. 4-16-1997
conductor: "Arabesque"; "Let's Pretend"
09-10-1904 - John V. Aspe - d. 1-xx-1973
tenor: WHN New York, New York
09-10-1904 - Lyle Van - Troy, NY - d. unknown
newscaster: "Lyle Van and the News"
09-10-1907 - Alvin Childress - Meridian, MS - d. 4-19-1986
actor: "New World A-Coming"
09-10-1907 - Fay Wray - Alberta, Canada - d. 8-8-2004
actor: Rosemary "Keeping Up with Rosemary"
09-10-1909 - Raymond Scott - Brooklyn, NY - d. 2-8-1994
conductor, composer: "Your Hit Parade"; "Chicago Theatre of the Air"
09-10-1909 - Ruth Yorke - NYC
actor: Jan Arden "Jane Arden"; Belle Owen "Life Can Be Beautiful"
09-10-1915 - Edmund O'Brien - Brooklyn, NY - d. 5-9-1985
actor: Johnny Dollar "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar"
09-10-1915 - Vivian Della Chiesa - Chicago, IL
singer: (America's Great Lyric Soprano) "American Album of Familiar
Music"
09-10-1916 - Dorothy Lowell - NYC - d. 7-1-1944
actor: Sunday Brinthrope "Our Gal Sunday"; Linda Clark "Hilltop House"
09-10-1917 - Jean Ruth Hay - Philadelphia, PA - d. 9-18-2004
disc jockey: "Reveille with Beverly"
09-10-1920 - Vivian Block - Brooklyn, NY
actor: "Let's Pretend"; Ann Weston "Wilderness Road"; "Coast to Coast
on a Bus"
09-10-1922 - Emily Vass - Greenville, SC
singer: (The Vass Family) "The Lady Next Door"; "Kraft Phenix Program"
09-10-1934 - Charles Kuralt - Wilmington, NC - d. 7-4-1997
sportscaster: "Junior Sports Parade"; "Sports Final"
September 10th deaths
01-31-1923 - Joanne Dru - Logan, WV - d. 9-10-1996
actor: (Sister of Peter Marshall) "Lux Radio Theatre"
04-01-1923 - Bobby Jordan - NYC - d. 9-10-1965
actor: (The Dead End Kids) "Texaco Star Playhouse"; "Wheatenaville
Sketches"
04-12-1907 - Ivan Ditmars - Olympia, WA - d. 9-10-1997
music: "Advs. of Frank Race"; "Dr. Christian"; "Escape"
04-18-1924 - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Vinton, LA - d. 9-10-2005
singer, guitarist: "Newport Jazz Festival"
05-12-1912 - Everett Clarke - d. 9-10-1980
actor: Flamond "Crime Files of Flamond"
05-26-1905 - Fred MacKaye - Hackettstown, NJ - d. 9-10-1980
actor, director: Monk Rice "Point Sublime"; "Lux Radio Theatre";
"Romance"
06-19-1932 - Pier Angeli - Cagliaru, Saradinia - d. 9-10-1971
actor: "Louella Parsons Show"
08-06-1881 - Leo Carrillo - Los Angeles, CA - d. 9-10-1961
actor: Pedro "Grapevine Rancho"; "Four Frightened People"; "Good News
of 1939"
10-02-1914 - Charles Drake - Bayside, NYC - d. 9-10-1994
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"; "Screen Director's Playhouse"
10-16-1893 - Wilfred Lytell - NYC - d. 9-10-1954
actor: Doc Barron "Just Plain Bill"; "Wings Over America"
12-09-1905 - Dalton Trumbo - Montrose, CO - d. 9-10-1976
writer: (member of infamous Hollywood Ten); "Arch Oboler's Plays"
12-13-1904 - George Baxter - Paris, France - d. 9-10-1976
announcer: "Grand Central Station"; "The Career of Alice Blair"
12-30-1885 - Ed Jerome - NYC - d. 9-10-1959
actor: Harry Blackstone "Blackstone, the Magic Detective"; Gregory
Allen "Rich Man's Darling"
Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2007 23:43:05 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: OTR actors
Lee Munsick commented:
The reps instantly figure there is nothing in it for them and toss the
request without
consulting their client. A number of such clients found this extremely
annoying, and in one case I was told that rep was being fired because of
this
stuff.
I have met a number of actors who have fired their agent or agents (some
actors have more than one agent). This is much more common than you would
think and not an isolated incident. I personally attempt to avoid agents as
Lee is on the money. Many times agents disregard a letter or request
because there is nothing in it for them. Heck, I know an agent who last
year attempted to have her added to the bill ("you want my star, you have to
pay for me to attend also") and wanted first-class airfare instead of coach,
etc. When the star was later informed that the invitation was withdrawn
because the convention organizers could not deal with the agent, the actor
fired her.
It works both ways.
Best suggestion is (in this order):
1. Find out if they have an "official" web-site. I've contacted actors
personally through that means. If you're a fan, they may not reply
personally but if you are a researcher or prominent convention organizer/TV
producer, etc., you might get a reply.
2. Contact SAG, etc. and/or their agent if that's the only address you can
find.
3. Do a 411 (don't use the phone - that costs too much). You can use the
internet to do a 411 and find someone. You would be REALLY surprised who is
listed in the phone book. Do your research - women change their last names
when they get married and knowing their married name improves your chances.
Most importantly, respect their privacy. If you get an address that is 100%
guaranteed and you don't get a reply, leave it at that. Some people get WAY
too many letters and cannot answer them all. If they agree to chat by phone
for an interview, keep it brief and to the point, and one call only. People
have family lives.
And keep it private. They don't need their address or contact info slapped
up on the web for all to see. If an author or convention promoter asks for
their info, by all means give it to them, but your next door neighbor and
the people you work with at your daily 9-5 don't need that info.
Reminds me of the time I asked two convention promoters once why they don't
get so-and-so as guests. (This was way many years ago.) They told me they
didn't have their contact info. I gave it to them and half of the people I
suggested they ended up getting as guests withint the next year or two.
Later, when I learned that they had contact info for Turhan Bey, I asked if
they could share his address because he did a radio pilot that the intention
was he was going to be a regular star on the weekly series. I was hoping
Bey would know how he got the gig, and why the series never came to be. I
even had a copy I wanted to mail to him with the invite letter. They
wouldn't give me the address, stating "we have to respect other people's
privacy." Without saying a bad word or anything, I simply said, "okay, no
problem," walked away and never gave them a bit of info any more. Course,
they don't operate a convention anymore as they lost a lot of support
throughout the years after so I'm not surprised . . .
Martin
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:11:14 -0400
From: Grams46@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: public service announcements
from "R. Steven Smith" gracchi@[removed]
..... I find these PSAs fascinating not infernal. PSAs on safe driving tips,
fire prevention and civil defense give us a nice perspective into life
during the Cold War and perhaps the over simplistic idealism of the times.
In addition the AFRTS PSAs on state history, USAFI, patriotic civics and
American Folklore are little jewels that I enjoy running across every time
I hear them.
i LOVE those public service announcements. they are much more interesting
and informative than cigarette ads proclaiming more doctors smoke their
brand than any other, etc.
i first discovered psas when my father was stationed in japan 1957-1960.
they were filler for commercials on the far east network. i do believe my
love of history can be partially attributed to the psas on fen.
peace from kathy
support our troops; end the war
john 3:16
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:55:05 -0400
From: Ken Greenwald <kgradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: PPB Archives and Talent Agents
Michael Biel mentions the taking over of the PPB Radio Archives by the
Thousand Oaks Library. Since I worked at the PPB Radio Archives from 1975
till now, I think I have a bit more info on what might be happening. Though
the article states that the TO Library is going to get all of the PPB
Archives this may not be true. Yes, PPB is negotiating with the TO Library
but no final decision has come down on this. Most of the scripts and paper
work will be going to the Thousand Oaks Libary, but the actual ETs are still
in the PPB Archives and will probably stay there long after the new TO
building is built. At present PPB is working on how to get everything cleaned
up from the PCB mess when the LA Dept. of Water and Power generator burned
out. The ET room is separate from the rest of the archives and does not seem
to have high levels of PCB. The PPB Board of Directors are contemplating
every angle to preserve and save the archives, and (so far) involving the TO
Library is only one of the ways. Marty Halperin, head of acquisitions for PPB
has not given me any further word on final decisions. Thus, everything is
still up in the air and the article is a little premature on what will happen.
Stay Tuned ..... Same Time, Same Station for further info sometime in the
future.
Though there has been a great deal of comment on how to get "in touch" with
radio actors, etc. through their agents and managers, one thing has not been
mentioned (and I should have mentioned this before, but forgot): When
contacting an agent or a manager, sending mail is not the best way. I forgot
to mention that it is important to get the Agent/Manager's PHONE NUMBER! It
is much better to talk to the agent on the phone than to send a letter.
Personal contact, even if on a telephone, makes it more intimate and allows
you to "guage" how receptive the agent/manager is to you ideas and your
wants. This also allows the agent/manager (who is protecting his and his
clients interest) to "guage" how genuine YOU are. If your good at
negotiating, then there will be a give and take from both on the phone and
you will usually get what you want.
Ken Greenwald
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:58:32 -0400
From: "thomas heathwood" <HeritageRadio@[removed];
To: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Death of President Roosevelt
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Following up questions of a couple of weeks ago in Issue 248 re: The radio
announcements of the death of President Roosevelt - I located this definitive
answer by Elizabeth McLeod, from a few years ago:
"White House press secretary Steve Early alerted the wire services by
conference call at 5:47 pm EWT on the 12th -- more than two hours after the
President had passed away -- and the first bulletin moved over INS before he
had finished his first sentence. ("FLASH -- WASHN -- FDR DEAD") AP and UP
waited until Early was finished, and at 5:49 fed their own flashes.
These flashes went on the air almost instantly on each of the networks. NBC
broke into "Front Page Farrell," CBS interrupted "Wilderness Road," Blue/ABC
broke into "Captain Midnight," and Mutual's bulletin interrupted "Tom Mix."
For the most part, it would appear that the kids of America were the first to
learn of the President's death!"
Tom Heathwood - Heritage Radio Theatre / The Olde Tyme Radio Network
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:59:06 -0400
From: "Glenn P.," <C128User@[removed];
To: Old-Time Radio Mailing List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: War of the Worlds - new rendition
I am definitely a "War Of The Worlds" Panic Broadcast fan (and can quote
long stretches of the show from memory) but I have absolutely NO interest
in seeing it made into (of all things!) a rock album. I have very little
interest in rock unless it's of the Simon & Garfunkle variety. :)
But thanks for the "heads-up" -- presumably there are SOME people here
who will be [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:54:18 -0400
From: Ben Ohmart <benohmart@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: contacting celebrities
I've left a few messages on [removed] and once it did
lead to a good thing - eventually, contact info for
Judy Canova's daughter. But my best way of finding
people was to pay for an online people search (they
aren't That much) which is Much better than the free
people search that [removed], etc. has. And of course
asking people Here and other mailing lists can help a
lot too.
Some celebrities, and families of, are actually listed
in the phone book. Did you know that Daws Butler was
in the phone book all his life? Of course once you get
to them, you have to hope they answer! Phone calls
work much better than writing. The only Big person I
could never get to cooperate in any of my books was
Stan Freberg.
Ben Ohmart
New books on the old stuff
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:54:30 -0400
From: <vzeo0hfk@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: contacting actors
One more thing about contacting actors--
Depending on how well known the person is, they may delay replying a long
time. After months of waiting, I gave up hope of hearing from Olivia de
Havilland for whom I had some questions when I was researching a book. Then
almost a full year after I wrote to her, I received a reply.
Howard Blue
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:44:35 -0400
From: Bill Knowlton <udmacon1@[removed];
To: "radio, oldtime" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Cooking Shows
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I grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York; famous for radio people being
residents in the 1920s, and Helen (Boop-Boop-a-Doop) Kane too!!
I was recently doing research in "Jackson Heights News" editions of the '20s
and noted that there were many references to broadcasts being done by resident
cooks Ida Bailey Allen and Alma Kitchell. I think Alma was also on early NYC
[removed] KNOWLTON, "Bluegrass Ramble," Sundays: 9 pm to midnight (EDST)
over WCNY-FM ([removed]) Syracuse, WUNY ([removed]) Utica, WJNY ([removed]) Watertown NY,
also: [removed]
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:19:09 -0400
From: Wich2@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that - "
("bling?")
Dear Lee & gang-
From: _verotas@[removed]_ (mailto:verotas@[removed])
There are certain people who NEVER respond to
inquiries ... I always found this especially irksome when we
at FOTR were urging them to come to our weekend near New York where they
could get together with friends - travel and convention hotel and meals at
our expense - plus be honored in a large convention
But - to their way of thinking - you weren't actually PAYING them.
Wait! Don't get the torches and pitchforks just yet; listen:
I have had the honor to work with many Old Pros - both at FOTR, and
elsewhere.
And I've been kicking around among fellow Actors in NYC for 30 years [removed]
That strange animal ranges in type between two extremes -
Type 1 says: "A chance to play a role I love, and/or work with people I
admire? Just tell me where and when!"
(With not even a question about Time - or Pay - involved.) These folks are
what Charles Laughton always called himself: "an Amateur, in the literal
sense
of the word: I do it because it is my Love."
Type 2 says: "What does it pay?
(And, secondarily: "How well will I be seen? How much of my time will it
take? I frankly don't give a goodgoddam about the "art" of the role, or the
others involved.")
(Those of you folks who know me, know that I am, alas, a poor sufferer of
"Type 1 Disease"; my soul is fed much better by my calling than my body!)
But BELIEVE me, I'm speaking the truth here about both kinds; the things
I've attributed to "#2s" are quotes I've actually heard.
(Some of you may recall the famous story that Stan Laurel, hardworking old
English Music Hall Vet, was actually seething with resentment during his
famous
"This Is Your Life!" appearance: "This man is getting a Laurel & Hardy
performance for FREE!")
Again, before you scream "No!" -
In partial defense of the #2s: sometimes it helps to remember that actors
are just human, and acting is just a career. If YOU, as a plumber, or
accountant, or doctor, etc., were asked: "take this job - work hard - but
there will
be no salary [removed]"
- What would your first response be?
There's an odd tendency of many in the US (which makes my Classical Singer
wife livid) to think that Artists don't need to earn their bread and board by
the sweat of their brow, like "normal people."
All best,
-Craig
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:21:15 -0400
From: "Mark Kratzner" <hollywoodhoosiers@[removed];
To: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Remembing Red Skelton
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Coming up is the 10th anniversary of Red Skelton's death on Sept 17th. I am
listening to Avalon Time right now. I would welcome any details on the show's
cast. Looking for info on Jeanette and Bud Vandover 'Hercules'.
Mark Kratzner
Hall of Hollywood Hoosiers
Vincennes, IN Hometown of Red Skelton
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:11:37 -0400
From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Phyl Coe Mysteries
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I just heard about "The Phyl Coe Mysteries" and for some reason,
there seem to be quite a few similarities (for me at least) to "Ellery
Queen". Both included a mystery writer, allowed the radio audience to
solve the crime before the main character did, and both of the main
characters had a close relationship with the person who helped them with
the case. According to Jack French's book "Private Eyelashes", the "Phyl
Coe" program was different in that the radio audience had to get a book
from their local Philco radio dealer (the program's sponsor) and the "Ellery
Queen" program had two celebrity armchair detectives who made their
guesses as to the solution of the crimes before he gave the solution himself.
Also, his book said that the victims on each program were killed in different
ways. On the "Phyl Coe" program, it was up to the imaginations of the
writers
how the victim was killed. On the "Ellery Queen" program, they pretty much
stuck with the usual ways.
My question is, "Are there any more similarities/differences between
the
two programs?"
Wouldn't this make the "Phyl Coe Mysteries" more confusing, having to
wait
for another week to see if their solution was correct? Wouldn't today's
OTR collectors have to get two weeks worth of eps in order to see how it
turned
out?
Another OTR Fan,
Kenneth Clarke
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--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2007 Issue #261
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