------------------------------
The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2004 : Issue 370
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
Re: SPERDVAC 2004 [ hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed]; ]
CLOSE THE BOX [ Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed]; ]
Re: Original LONE RANGER [ Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@earthlin ]
voices [ Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed]; ]
Re: Margo [ "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@ea ]
Eleanor Audley [ benohmart@[removed] ]
Re: CONVENTIONS [ Gregg Oppenheimer <gopp@[removed]; ]
RE: Future of the Hobby [ "John Evans" <8jne1958@[removed]; ]
SPERDVAC [ StuartLubin@[removed] (Stuart Lubin ]
SPERDVAC Convention [ Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@erols ]
Re: Brent Pellegrini [ "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@hotmail. ]
Last name of Margo [ Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed]; ]
Sexy female voices [ "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@juno. ]
Re:Splitting Larg MP3 Files [ "Michael J. Laurino" <mlaurino@[removed] ]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:16:04 -0500
From: hal stone <dualxtwo@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: SPERDVAC 2004
George Aust just posted his review of last weeks SPERDVAC Convention. I'd
like to parse his comments, and throw a word or two in for elaboration and
[removed]
My wife and I attended the Sperdvac convention again this year and it
was terrific. The recreations were the best we had ever seen. Hal Stone
directed Duffy's tavern (Snip) (And he goes on to say nice things about
Anthony Tolin also)
Wow. High praise indeed. "The best the Aust's ever saw". I [removed] "Wow"!!!
again.
But I have a confession to make. I didn't have all that much to do with how
well the "Duffy's" recreation was re-enacted and performed.
I have a philosophy of "Directing" that worked for me during all my years as
a director in TV. It's really very simple. Hire the best performers for the
role, then, throw them their cue for action, stand back, (get the hell out
of their way), and let them do their thing. :)
True, that's a bit of an over simplification, but very basic to my
professional philosophy and standards when working with really good talent.
Otherwise it's a directors nightmare trying to extract a performance out of
talent that is not up to the task.
BUT!!! Not many people are aware that the end result is just the tip of the
iceberg when "performing" recreations during these OTR Conventions. I'd be
very remiss if I didn't acknowledge all the work that went into putting the
package together long before the cast and I sat down for our first
rehearsal. [removed] To Barbara (BJ) Watkins must go a lot of the credit when
people say they enjoyed the show.
Maybe some of you folks might be interested in all the steps and work
involved by these unsung hero's who labor behind the scenes to bring these
recreations to the stage. Or is it "heroine" in this instance.
The first step was Barbara contacting me (some months back)to ask if I would
be interested in Directing something at SPERDVAC again this year, and if so,
did I have any particular program in mind.
I love doing (directing and performing) comedy, and I immediately thought of
"Duffy's Tavern", because I thought it would be fun to play the "odd ball"
character Finnigan. (We call that type casting).
Then comes the time consuming part. (Not for [removed] live safely tucked away
in Arizona). Barbara then had to track down some existing "Duffy" program
tapes, find a few that would work "talent wise", then mail me copies so I
could listen, and decide on which one I wanted to do. I agreed with
Barbara's recommendation, and it was a stroke of genius. One of the reasons
Madam Producer suggested this particular episode was because she knew how to
reach Bob Graham, (an original Duffy cast member) who was the singer who
happened to be featured in this particular episode when it was originally
performed a gadzillion years ago.
We then discussed other talent options, and who might be available to us.
Barbara mentioned she would try and get in touch with Hazel Shermet, who was
one of the original "Miss Duffy"s". Wonderful, I said.
For me, it was a no-brainer when it came to someone playing "Archie". I told
Barbara I'd call my good buddy (since childhood) and an excellent actor, Ben
Cooper, and see if he was available. Fortunately he was. But I also asked
Barbara to send Ben a CD of the episode we selected, so he could familiarize
himself with the character ahead of time.
Barbara and I had many phone calls discussing the casting for the other
major roles. Since this particular "Duffy" episode had Robert Benchley as
the Guest Star (a major role), and since Mr. Benchley had a [removed]
(He was appearing full time in Forest Lawn"), Barbara suggested using an OTR
favorite, Gary Owens. He could have played the erudite Benchley to a "T".
She also had talked to Dick Van Patten, to see if he would be available.
(Another coup. Dick had appeared a few times on the Original "Duffy's
Tavern". How cool! THREE original cast members.) I was going to use Dick in
the role of "Eddie the Waiter".
So, to all intents and purposes, we were "GOOD TO GO", (the expression that
my revered Military is currently using). Basically, my job was done until we
met at the Convention for the first rehearsal.
Ah! but not the job of Producer. First off, the tape of the show had to be
transcribed and scripts printed. The music had to be worked out for Bob
Grahams song, (A piano accompaniment, because we couldn't use the existing
track on the tape, unless Bob Graham lip-synced). (As it turned out, Bob did
the number live, and without accompaniment, and was wonderful).
Then, Murphy's Law struck. We found out a few weeks before the Convention
that Dick Van Patten had to cancel out. He got a paying gig in New York, and
had to go into rehearsal for that. [removed]'t blame a working actor who
turns down a freebie for a good payday, right. Added to that, Barbara
learned that Gary Owens, who had just written a newly published book, had a
conflict. His publisher was sending him out of town on a book signing tour.
Oh, the demands made on "us" authors. :)
Now it's moments like this that give Producers gray hairs and possible
ulcers. Barbara came up with Charles Washburn as a replacement for Dick Van
Patten in the role of "Eddie the Waiter". I was not familiar with Charles
Washburn's acting talent, so Barbara put the two of us together via
telephone, and I "auditioned" him over the phone. In just a few words from
him, I knew he'd be perfect, and one problem solved.
And!!!!!! Another casting gem. (But very subtle to the uninitiated). The
character of "Eddie" on the original "Duffy" show was Black, and played by a
black man. Our "Eddie", Mr. Washburn. was also black. How's that for right
on target casting.
My contribution regarding suggestions to replace Gary Owens in the Part of
Benchely was a young man who performed for me last year at SPERDVAC. He was
part of Barbara Watkins "30 minutes to curtain" group. Back then was the
first time I met him, and was impressed with his delivery of the [removed] Fields
type of character I wanted in the Damon Runyon Theatre piece we did. If He
could do "Fields, I figured he sure could do "Benchley".
All the pieces finally came together, thanks in large part to Barbara. For
me, it was business as usual. A piece of cake. Throw the cue, stand back,
and let this great cast "do their collective thing".
Thank you Barbara. For making me look good. (I mean professionally. Nobody
could make me look good physically). The ravages of time, and too many years
of stress working with the idiots in the Advertising Agency business took
it's toll). :)
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:16:21 -0500
From: Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: CLOSE THE BOX
I had a friend ask what the show was and who the actor
is that said in a deep raspy voice " CLOSE THE BOX "
and I was unable to answer the question.
I think it was a TV show and it was a dummy was it
not??
Pete
pappleyard_ca@ [removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:17:09 -0500
From: Anthony Tollin <sanctumotr@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re: Original LONE RANGER
on 11/19/04 8:48 AM, [removed]@[removed] at
[removed]@[removed] wrote:
It appears as if a metro Detroit city (Farmington Hills) is considering an
National Historical Marker to what they refer to as the Original Lone
Ranger, former home of Earl Graser. Earl was killed in 1941 in a car
accident and was followed on the radio in the Lone Ranger role by Brace
Beemer. The Lone Ranger originated from the WXYZ radio studios in Detroit.
Of course, the original Lone Ranger was actually George Stenius, who later
achieved fame as Oscar-winning screenwriter/director George Seaton. Stenius
voiced the role for the first three months, followed by Jack Deeds and
director JAmes Jewell (in single broadcasts) before Earle Graser began his
eight-year run. --Anthony Tollin
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:18:39 -0500
From: Pete <pappleyard_ca@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: voices
How about LORNE GREEN " THE VOICE OF DOOM " during
the war years.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:20:59 -0500
From: "Michael J. Hayde" <michaelhayde@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Margo
Matthew Bullis asked:
I keep hearing an actresss referred to as only Margo in Suspense. What was
her last name?
Was she so well-known back then as to only need one name?
Yep. Margo appeared in Frank Capra's "Lost Horizon" - probably her best
known film. According to the IMDb, her full name was Marķa Marguerita
Guadalupe Teresa Estela Bolado Castilla y O'Donnell. And you can add
"Albert" to that, as she was married to Eddie ("Green Acres") Albert from
1945 until her death 40 years later.
Speaking of "Suspense," the IMDb also credits her with appearing in the first
TV episode of that program in March 1949.
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:21:31 -0500
From: benohmart@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Eleanor Audley
I agree with you, Dennis. Audley is one of The best voices around. Very distinctive.
Good at drama as well as comedy. Funnily enough, I wanted Fredrick Tucker (who's
writing the Verna Felton book) to tackle her next, since he has a great interest in her.
But alas, the collection of her in a California library (perhaps Thousand Oaks, I forget at
the moment) is sorely lacking in material, so he doesn't have enough for a book. Which
is strange, because she died in the 1990s, so you'd think it would be Easier to write on
her than Verna, who died in the 1960s. Again, it all comes down to family help. If you
can find the family, a lot of times you can get Great stuff. If I hadn't had Frees family
help, there Would be no Paul Frees book. So, if anyone can point me in the direction of
the Audley family, it'd sure help.
But don't worry, Fredrick has his sequel book already planned - Bea Benaderet!!
Ben Ohmart
Old radio. Old movies. New books.
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:23:30 -0500
From: Gregg Oppenheimer <gopp@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: CONVENTIONS
The question really is, is there
enough at conventions to warrant people attending even if there are no
special guests? This really isn't an exclusive question to the OTR
hobby.
I'm sure classic film conventions are facing the same issues.
Rodney Bowcock
I'm a long-time afficianado of old-time radio, and I love meeting
personalities from some of my favorite radio shows at these
conventions, but obviously this won't go on forever. That's why, in my
radio re-creations at the SPERDVAC conventions and elsewhere, I've
often brought in some other, slightly younger, actors to work alongside
the veterans of radio's golden age. In this category, I've used with
great success such talented professionals as Dwayne Hickman ("Dobie
Gillis"), Tony Dow ("Leave It to Beaver"), Peggy Rea ("The Dukes of
Hazzard", "The Waltons," "Grace Under Fire"), Frank Aletter ("Bringing
Up Buddy," "The Cara Williams Show," "It's About Time"), Charlotte Rae
("The Facts of Life"), and Harold Gould ("Rhoda," "Golden Girls").
These actors have the added benefit of helping to broaden our audience
by bringing in people who may not yet be familiar with the wonders of
old-time radio, but who know these younger actors from their work on
TV.
For me, the fun of these re-creations is in allowing the audience to
experience something close to what it was like to be present in the
radio studio for the original broadcast. That's why I spend so much
time working on the music for my shows, and that's why I believe
casting is so important. Sometimes I bring in younger voice actors who
do impressions of the original stars. When I did "The Maltese Falcon"
Tony Pope did a mean Bogart impression (acting opposite Shirley
Mitchell). In "The Lives of Harry Lime," Joe Leahy captured the sound
and feeling of Orson Welles (acting opposite Gladys Holland). And of
course, in "My Favorite Husband," Lucy-impersonator Suzanne LaRusch
looked and sounded just like Lucille Ball, (acting opposite Elliott
Reid and Larry Dobkin). All three of these stars added immeasurably to
the enjoyability of the performances, even if they weren't old-time
radio veterans.
At the latest SPERDVAC Convention, I was blown away by how successfully
Harold Gould, Janet Waldo, Herb Ellis, Charlotte Rae, and Robert Easton
re-created the freewheeling humor and attitude of "The Fred Allen
Show." The entire cast had loads of fun, and, judging from the
audience's reaction, the feeling was contagious.
I hope to keep producing and directing radio re-creations for years to
come, and if we keep making it entertaining enough, I see no reason why
we should have any problem attracting audiences.
- Gregg Oppenheimer
[removed]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:22:06 -0500
From: "John Evans" <8jne1958@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: RE: Future of the Hobby
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain
My 16-year-old son, Clint Evans, recently wrote an article entitled, "How
to Introduce Young People to Old Time Radio," which may be of some help in
promoting the hobby over the long term. The article was orignally printed
through the First Generation Radio Archives Newsletter but is now available on
the Old Time Radio Researchers Group website. I had a little trouble
navigating through the site map this morning, but perhaps the problem will be
fixed shortly.
Anyway, if you'd like to read the article, try:
[removed]
Both of my teenagers are avid old-time radio fans, so I believe there is
reason to see a bright future. My son's article offers a few tips to
encourage interest among the younger listeners.
Respectfully,
John N. Evans
8jne1958@[removed]
*** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
*** as the sender intended. ***
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:24:37 -0500
From: StuartLubin@[removed] (Stuart Lubin)
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: SPERDVAC
I am not an official spokesperson for SPERDVAC, but I joined in 1983
and was even on the board of directors for a few years. I am still a
volunteer. I am very sorry that Mr. Brent Pellegrini had a frustrating
experience, without a reservation, trying unsuccessfully to get into the
convention of 1989. He mentions that he thinks it was Barbara Watkins
who kept him out because he did not have a reservation. I will let
Barbara speak for herself, if she chooses, but I do not remember her
ever running the registration desk at any convention. Knowing Barbara as
I do, she would have moved heaven and earth to get him in, if it had
been at all possible.
He did not say who told him that he would be guaranteed a spot if he
appeared "at the door". No organization can guarantee that, especially
where dinners are reserved. The hotel is told how many dinners to
prepare. I agree that, for a lesser fee, there should be a place to
watch the show, without dinner. However, if such a policy were known,
there would be a multitude of people who would get dinner at the coffee
shop and then come to the show. SPERDVAC merely tries to break even on
conventions. Conventions are not a great money maker because of the huge
expenses. Obviously, we must sell enough dinners to even qualify for a
big room. The laws relating to seating limits (capacity), because of
fire, are strictly enforced by the hotel, and there can be heavy fines
for violation.
In spite of Mr. Pellegrini's unfortunate experience with SPERDVAC, the
organization has brought a great deal of joy to thousands of people.
Barbara Watkins has been a busy volunteer for as long as I know her,
sending out recorded materials to members, bringing re-creations to the
conventions, as well as many other services that she has provided.
Since 1984, SPERDVAC has presented a convention every year, up to the
present, except one (2001). We have honored hundreds of people from the
golden age of radio for their great contributions to our listening
pleasures when we were children. Some of them, who never made it to
television, would have been forgotten in obscurity, but we have made
them honorary members. We are the only OTR organization to invite them,
free of charge, year after year, to our conventions, whether they
perform or not.
I apologize to Mr. Pellegrini because the unnamed SPERDVAC official who
told him that he was assured to get in at the door was wrong, causing
him much frustration. I sympathize, believe me. But 1989 is a long time
ago. Think of how many conventions he could have enjoyed since then.
Stuart Lubin
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:25:46 -0500
From: Jack & Cathy French <otrpiano@[removed];
To: OTRBB <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: SPERDVAC Convention
The 30th Anniversary SPERDVAC convention was the first time I'd
attended. I'll try not to repeat any comments already posted by other
Digesters on their convention observations.
This LA based affair, as might be expected, attracts mostly attendees
from the West Coast. Laura Leff and I co-chaired a panel on OTR clubs
and our roll call determined that only SPERDVAC and REPS were well
represented. While there were a few folks from the hitherlands (Dave
Siegel and his wife, Jim Cox and a buddy from Louisville, etc.) at
least 90% of the attendees and dealers were from California or nearby
western states.
The re-creations were well done, with fine acting, good direction, and
superb sound effects. Only the Fred Allen show was less than great,
solely due to the editing-padding which jammed three trips to Allen's
Alley into the same half hour program, which made no sense.
Banquets both nights featured excellent food, served promptly, and only
the Sunday brunch was buffet style. A haphazard manner of numbering
tables with no logical pattern made it a lengthy process is locating
each diner's table. However, each table, when you finally found yours,
did contain some unique table decorations: miniature replica cereal
boxes relating to OTR, [removed] a Tom Mix Ralston box and a Shredded Wheat
one with Straight Arrow finger puppets.
Art Linkletter, a spry 90 years plus citizen, entertained us for about
an hour Sunday morning, speaking without notes, and covering a variety
of entertaining topics. Would that we would all be in that great
physical (and mental) shape when we reach 90.
Kudos to all the hard-working SPERDVAC volunteers who made all this
[removed] salute you!
Jack French
Editor: RADIO RECALL
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:40:47 -0500
From: "B. J. Watkins" <kinseyfan@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Re: Brent Pellegrini
Brent Pellegrini wrote:
I had a dissapointing experience with Sperdevac around 1989. I live in
Seattle and called to see if I could pay at the door for one night
at their convention. (edit) Bottom line is, Barbara Watkins,
I believe her name was, wouldn't let us in.
And I believe that WAS NOT her name and don't appreciate being mentioned in
your supposition. I've never been in a position to determine who gets in or
not. You should have asked for someone in charge and pled your case.
Something could have been worked out.
Barbara
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:41:15 -0500
From: Ron Sayles <bogusotr@[removed];
To: Olde Tyme Radio List <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Last name of Margo
Matthew Bullis asked:
I keep hearing an actresss referred to as only Margo in Suspense.
What was her last name? Was she so well-known back then as to only need one
name like we have today with Shania and Reba in country music?
I came up with this on a quick search of the internet. Margo's full name is
Maria Marguerita Guadelupe Bolado y Castilla. Now you can see why she went
under the name of Margo. She died in 1985 and was married to Eddie Albert. The
current actor Edward Albert is her son.
Ron Sayles
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:41:40 -0500
From: "kclarke5@[removed]" <kclarke5@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject: Sexy female voices
I agree that Eartha Kitt has a very sexy voice
and that its deep throatiness makes it sound even
more sensual. Peggy Lee has a wonderful voice too.
However, my vote goes to Kathleen Turner who played
Mrs. Robinson in the London stage production of
"The Graduate" and the role of Chandler's father on
"Friends".
I can see how Dean Martin ("Martin and Lewis Show")
and Frank Sinatra were as successful as they were
with their singing voices. My mother told me once that
Frank Sinatra was quite the rage in his younger days
and had bobby soxers fainting in the aisles. No doubt.
Another OTR Fan,
Kenneth Clarke
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:41:57 -0500
From: "Michael J. Laurino" <mlaurino@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: Re:Splitting Larg MP3 Files
Don Shenbarger wrote:
IF somebody is using an editor that can work in native MP3 format (without
resampling for instance), I would like to know about it.
For Windows, there's a freeware program called "MPEG Audio Scissors" that
cuts and combines MP3 files without converting them to another format. A
Google search on the name will turn up plenty of locations to download it.
--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2004 Issue #370
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