Subject: [removed] Digest V2008 #161
From: [removed]@[removed]
Date: 6/28/2008 7:19 AM
To: [removed]@[removed]
Reply-to:
[removed]@[removed]

------------------------------


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2008 : Issue 161
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                             [removed]
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  Tape survival and costs               [ rand@[removed] ]
  Re: Adv. of Superman storyline "Myst  [ Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@earthlin ]
  Re:Bing and Taping                    [ "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed]; ]
  6-27 births/deaths                    [ Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed] ]
  Superman's stolen costume             [ "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@attorneyross. ]
  Salad Bowl Revue & others from raw a  [ Chargous@[removed] ]
  Superman                              [ Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed]; ]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:59:50 -0400
From: rand@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Tape survival and costs

Michael and Bob discussed the erasure of shows that were produced on tape
in the 1950s and the "temptation to erase was too great".

In a way I'm surprised to hear this and in a way I'm not.  If they were
using splices to make edits to a recorded show, it would appear to me that
the sound quality would be degraded and there would be an increased risk
of bad splices breaking on the air.  So, if were an engineer, the practice
of reusing master tapes would make me a bit nervous.

On the other hand, I can see the bean counters point of view.  In the
early 50s, I imagine that tape was pretty expensive, especially if you
compared it with an acetate disc that could hold the same length of
programming material.

I wasn't able to dig up the typical cost of a reel of tape in the early
50s, but do recall reading somewhere recently that a reel of 2" tape for
use with the early Quad video system cost $300 -- depending on the way you
calculate it, that would be equivalent to $1,800 to $3,000 in today's
dollars.

One of the prerecorded reel to reel tapes in my collection is the 1950s
RCA Victor album "Bob and Ray on a Platter".  If you ever run into the LP
or the seldom seen cd reissue, give it a listen and you can see how hi-fi
and stereo really enhance drama and comedy material.  The album consists
of short sketches by the team recorded in a big orchestral hall in
Chicago, I believe - you really get a sense of them moving around the
stage and interacting with each other as some pretty intricate sound
effects provide subtle atmosphere or punch lines.

I checked out Vince Long's wonderful online archive of off-air recordings
from paper tapes recorded in Billings, Montana in the early 50s.  It's
interesting to hear the local cutaways, such as those in the Arthur
Godfrey tv/radio simulcast, dropping in commercial jingles from rather
scratchy acetate and transcription discs or how lax they could be in the
timing when coming back from a break.

I have a syndicated public service show from the California Department of
Employment that, technically, is one of the most atrocious things I've
ever heard.  They use an announcer/host for the show that intros songs and
does commercials about employment benefits.  There are constant miscues,
annoying background hum on the announcer's mic and varying quality of the
mic used, and big differences in sound quality between the announcer's
segments and the segments of music used.  And this thing was pressed in
vinyl and set to stations all over California.

We're used to hearing pro-level quality and professionalism on network
radio recordings, but we're probably forgetting that what listeners heard,
when filtered through their local station, was a little more loose and
variable in quality.

So, I guess the reuse of edited tape, with resulting drop-outs and
occasional tape breaks, probably wasn't as big a deal at the time as it
might be now.

Randy

Randy A. Riddle
Mebane, NC

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:06 -0400
From: Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: Adv. of Superman storyline "Mystery of the
 Stolen Costume."

on 6/26/08 9:08 AM, [removed]@[removed] at
[removed]@[removed] wrote:

I'm also curious why the accompanying booklet had only scant information
about the voice actors in the story compared to booklets in previous Superman
collections with multi-part stories. These other booklets would indicate who
voiced parts in each episode of a storyline. Thus, in the "Atom Man Vs.
Superman" storyline, we learn that Bud Collyer voiced a soldier in an early
chapter, and that Mason Adams voiced detective Candy Myers in addition to
voicing The Atom Man.

The booklet accompanying the "Superman Last Son of Krypton" set doesn't offer
an episode by episode breakdown of voice actors for the two serials, "Stolen
Costume" and "The Skin Game"; only lists the main cast; and if any of them
voiced other parts, that's not indicated. That's a curious change from
previous collections.

***I would assume the absence of cast credits in the SUPERMAN booklet is
because Radio Spirits a few years back ceased having me write its booklets.
I always cared about cast identifications, which Bill Nadel assisted me
with. I especially enjoyed citing examples of doubling and tripling that
showcased the talents of such versatile cast members as Jackson Beck,
Bernard Lenrow, Matt Crowley (who as I recall doubled as Batman and Der
Teufel), Mason Adams and Earl George.

(Earlier RSI SUPERMAN collections had been transferred directly from DC
Comics' original transcription discs. I'm pretty sure that RSI's 2006
SUPERMAN source material were multi-generation tapes.)

The SUPERMAN: LAST SON OF KRYPTON collection was released in 2006 after the
then powers at MediaBay decided they wanted a more general popular culture
approach and less concentrated focus on OTR and its performers (as had been
featured in the historical booklets I'd produced during the previous
decade).  At the same time, many RSI collections were focusing on whatever
was popular at the moment on cable TV, with RSI releasing OTR sets focusing
on natural disasters, poker, etc. Radio Spirits at the time was also much
less concerned with content or quality control, which is why only two of the
three-part GREEN HORNET "unmasking" storyline was included in its MASKED
MARVELS collection. With the exception of Karen Lerner, few of RSI's 2006
staff had much interest in radio. (The collections were supervised by
someone who had NEVER even heard of Garrison Keillor or THE PRAIRIE HOME
COMPANION and was certain that RSI's customers wouldn't know or care who
Keillor was since that particular RSI supervisor had never heard of him. The
same RSI executive (in the same conversation) questioned whether Mark Twain
was a humorist.

The same management had no concern whether WHEN RADIO WAS credited Matt
Crowley as playing Batman when the role was actually being played by Bette
Davis' husband Gary Merrill in  the episode being introduced, or whether a
1950s BOB HOPE SHOW intro credited Frances Langford as vocalist instead of
Doris Day.

That's all past history, since Radio Spirits is now being run by new
co-owner Mark Tepper (formerly of Radio Again), who like continuing employee
Karen Lerner has a real fondness and genuine interest in OTR. I suspect that
missing serial episodes won't be turning up in future RSI collections
released by the current capable team.

--Anthony Tollin (in the shadows)
 [removed]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:16 -0400
From: "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re:Bing and Taping

From: Frank McGurn <[removed]@[removed];
I've read a lot about how and why Bing went to tape,
and  here is the version I have [removed] Bing loved golf
and [didn't] want to be tied down to live shows on
Thursday. He could record several shows in on day
with the same audience.

Malcolm Macfarland's book "Bing Crosby: Day by Day" lists the day and date
that each program was recorded.  Although I haven't gone thru each day, I
have yet to see more than one program being recorded on any day I did look
at.  There is at least one instance where three programs were recorded in
three consecutive days, but generally the recording dates are one week apart
but not always on the same day of the week.  It IS known that editing the
programs was THE major reason for wanting to pre-record, but as a secondary
effect he was able to record several months in advance and leave weeks open
so that he could travel to tournaments and hunting trips.  Some of the
programs were recorded on these trips to San Francisco, Canada, and New
York.
As example on January 14, 1948 George Burns was
Bing's guest and the following show January 21, 1948
Gracie Allen & George Burns were the guests. From
little remarks  I assumed that Gracie was in the studio
on the 14th  and George never left the studio to be on
the show with Gracie on the 21st.   Frank McGurn

Interesting assumption, you might be on to something.  The first program of
the pair was recorded on Friday November 28, 1947, but despite what I said
above I am unable to find a listing of the recording date for the second
one.  However, the next Thursday, December 4, Bing guested on Burns and
Allen's live show.  Then the next day, Friday December 5, Bing recorded the
January 28 Philco show with Esther Williams and Red Ingle.  While he could
have recorded the January 21 program on any date around then, it does seem
more likely that the January 21 Philco program with Burns and Allen was
recorded the day the Philco show with Burns was recorded rather than on the
day that Bing guested on Burns and Allen's show despite the fact that all
three would have been together in the same studio for the latter broadcast!

But here is another interesting question:  Was Philco Radio Time the first
major radio network series to broadcast an episode featuring a dead
performer?  Mark Hellinger was a guest on the program recorded  Friday
December 12, 1947 but had died before the program was aired on Wednesday
February 4, 1948.  The book notes: "Bing adds a few words acknowledging the
situation 'just as his friends would like it, he's here with us tonight.'"
I know of specific situations where NBC denied WGY from using Marconi's
recorded voice on the network, and even denied their sister company RCA
Victor from using Caruso's recorded voice on NBC.  I can't think of hearing
FDR's voice being heard on a network broadcast after his death, although
after Feb 8, 1949 all of these examples would be allowed.  Remembering that
I am not considering local stations and Mutual, only NBC, CBS, and ABC, was
Hellinger the first dead network broadcaster?

Michael Biel  mbiel@[removed]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:24 -0400
From: Ronald Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio Digest Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  6-27 births/deaths

June 27th births

06-27-1862 - May Irwin - Whitby, Canada - d. 10-22-1938
actor: "The Eveready Hour"
06-27-1875 - Reginald Mason - San Francisco, CA - d. 7-10-1962
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
06-27-1880 - Helen Keller - Tuscumbia, AL - d. 6-1-1968
deaf and blind lecturer: "Fleischmann's Yeast Hour"; "Meet the Press"
06-27-1886 - Dr. Julius Klein - d. 6-15-1961
economist: "The World's Business"
06-27-1892 - Robert Ellis - Brooklyn, NY - d. 12-29-1974
actor: Del Tremaine "Arnold Grimm's Daughter"
06-27-1900 - Milt Mabie - d. 9-5-1973
singer: (The Westerners) "National Barn Dance"; "Plantation Party";
"Show Boat"
06-27-1900 - Rev. James G. Keller - Oakland, CA - d. 2-7-1977
priest: "The Christophers"
06-27-1905 - Sydney Mason - NYC - d. 4-11-1976
announcer, actor: "Famous Jury Trials"; "Johnny Presents"
06-27-1906 - Carroll Bratman - Baltimore, MD - d. 7-15-1984
staff percussionist for CBS radio
06-27-1906 - Catherine Cookson - Tyne Dock, England - d. 6-11-1998
novelist: Several of her works were transferred to radio
06-27-1907 - John McIntire - Spokane, WA - d. 1-30-1991
actor: Benjamin Ordway "Crime Doctor"; Lt. Dundy "Advs. of Sam Spade"
06-27-1907 - Valerie Cossart - London, England - d. 12-31-1994
actor: "Theatre Guild On the Air"
06-27-1908 - David Davis - near Malvern, England - d. 4-29-1996
piano accompanist: "Children's Hour"
06-27-1911 - Collins Driggs - Manchester, CT - d. 8-29-1966
organist: Collins Driggs at the Hammond Organ"
06-27-1911 - Dr. Jay Morton - Hollywood, CA - d. 9-6-2003
Best know for the catchphrase "Look; up in the sky, etc." on "Superman"
06-27-1912 - Audrey Christie - Chicago, IL - d. 12-19-1989
actor: Assistant to Peter Standish "Peter Standish, Medical Examiner"
06-27-1912 - Bill Kennedy - Cleveland Heights, OH - d. 1-27-1997
announcer: "Nobody's Children"
06-27-1914 - Noboru Kirishima - Iwaki City, Japan - d. 4-24-1984
enka singer: "This Week's Star"
06-27-1918 - Ed Fleming - Baraboo, WI
newscaster, announcer: "Ed Fleming and the News", "Our Gal Sunday"
06-27-1918 - Michael Sheldon - London, England
writer for CBC Radio
06-27-1920 - Betty Bryant - Bristol, England - d. 10-3-2005
actor: "Lux Radio Theatre"
06-27-1924 - Rosalie Allen - Old Forge, PA - d. 9-24-2003
yodeling cowgirl: "Grand Ole Opry"
06-27-1925 - Chuck Balding - d. 6-10-2000
sportscaster: WOAY Oak Hill, West Virginia
06-27-1927 - Peter Bayliss - Kingston-upon-Thames, England - d.
7-29-2002
actor: "A Trick to Catch the Old One"
06-27-1933 - Gary Crosby - Los Angeles, CA - d. 8-24-1995
singer: "Gary Crosby Show"; "Bing Crosby Show"
06-27-1934 - Anna Moffo - Wayne, PA - d. 3-10-2006
soprano: "Voice of Firestone"
06-27-1938 - Alan Coren - Paddington, London, England - d. 10-18-2007
panellist: "The News Quiz"
06-27-1938 - Kathryn Beaumont - London, England
actor: "Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show"

June 27th deaths

02-08-1925 - Jack Lemmon - Boston, MA - d. 6-27-2001
actor: "Dimension X"; "X Minus One"; Dr. Brent "Road of Life"
06-09-1910 - George Bryan - NYC - d. 6-27-1969
announcer: "Helen Hayes Theatre"; "Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts"
07-10-1910 - Hugh B. Cave - Chester, England - d. 6-27-2004
writer: "Escape"; "Romance"
08-12-1888 - Eric Snowden - England - d. 6-27-1979
actor: John H. Watson "Sherlock Holmes"; Alvin "Parties at Pickfair"
10-11-1900 - Edith Beutel - d. 6-27-1969
contralto: Cleveland Opera Company
10-14-1908 - Allan Jones - Old Forge, PA - d. 6-27-1992
singer: "Chicago Theatre of the Air"; "New Old Gold Show"
10-22-1913 - Jay Owen - d. 6-27-2005
worked in radio in Washington [removed] and New York City
11-04-1893 - Howard Hoffman - Ohio - d. 6-27-1969
actor: Chandu "Chandu the Magician"
11-24-1927 - Eileen Barton - Brooklyn, NY - d. 6-27-2006
singer: "Frank Sinatra Show"; "Eileen Barton Show"; "MGM Musical
Comedy Theatre"
12-05-1919 - Hal Goldman - St. Paul, MN - d. 6-27-2001
writer: "The Jack Benny Program"

Ron Sayles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:03:58 -0400
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <joe@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Superman's stolen costume

Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:27:52 -0400
From: Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed];

(Perry White is now Mayor and his administration has cleaned up
things).

That's interesting.  There is one episode of the TV series in which
the narrator refers to Perry White as "a former mayor of the city."
I always considered that a throwaway line, since I had never
encountered any other mention of Perry White as mayor of Metropolis --
 until now.

How long was Perry Mayor?  And who edited the Daily Planet at that
time?

There was, BTW, a storyline in the comic books in the late 1960s in
which Perry White was appointed to the [removed] Senate.

--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed]                           [removed]
 92 State Street, Suite 700                   Fax [removed]
Boston, MA 02109-2004           	         [removed]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:04:47 -0400
From: Chargous@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Salad Bowl Revue & others from raw aluminum ETs

Hi,

I've done many transcriptions, but I'm still relatively uncomfortable with
raw aluminum.  I didn't get much detailed advice about how to best clean
raw aluminum - I'd really like it if an expert on raw aluminum could clue
me in.

I ordered the custom stylus needed for raw aluminum, and I'm using a
Stanton 500 on it.  I recall in the past where advice to play it as light
as I could possibly track it.  I have a Rek-O-Kut Rondine 3 turntable from
Esoteric Sound, so it's a quality turntable.

I dimly recall advice not to use a brush to clean raw aluminum, so if that
is true, that would mean that it couldn't be cleaned like ordinary
transcriptions.  Efforts to spray it with distilled water and wipe it off
just made the stylus gunk up with fibrous material, so I abandoned that
quickly.

My first effort is Fred Allen's Salad Bowl Revue of 10-6-33.  By the time
you all read this, an mp3 copy will be on usenet's
[removed]  By the time I successfully
transfer the others (1932-34) I have, I'll also put one zip/rar file with
them all on mediafire/sendpace type thing.

Still, raw aluminum is a real bummer to do, especially when there's stylus
sticks.  I'd appreciate any detailed aluminum disc cleaning advice from
aluminum experts.

Travis

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:05:53 -0400
From: Rick Keating <pkeating89@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Superman

Craig wrote,

Rick, it was also retooled as a RADIO one-parter, for Collyer's half-hour
swansong season. And, because of its ending, its considered one of the
darker, more serious Classic Supes stories.

As dark as the ending of the George Reeves TV version? In that episode, a
crook and his wife learn that Clark is Superman from the dying crook who
robbed Clark's apartment; and at the end of the episode Supes flies them to
the top of an isolated mountain. He then flies off to get the material to
construct a cabin in which they can live out their lives. The couple try to
descend the mountain while he's gone, and fall to their deaths.

That dark an ending?

Rick

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2008 Issue #161
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