Showing posts with label Gunsmoke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gunsmoke. Show all posts
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Monday, December 24, 2012
The Doc who isn't Doc
I was listening to Gunsmoke the other day and right off the bat, Doc is on there (Howard McNear) except, it isn't Howard McNear...
(((HEAR)))
The episode is 53-12-12 The Cast. A very good episode, just weird.
(((HEAR)))
The episode is 53-12-12 The Cast. A very good episode, just weird.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Think TV is ridiculous? Try OTR - it's even moreso
I don't usually watch TV but when I was in the hospital recently, I saw plenty of it.
I realized just how good the show, Hawaii Five-O was, for example. When it comes to people listing off their favorites or some of the best of classic TV, it's not usually on the lists. You'll see the Andy Griffith Show (which was only great for about 3 years, the rest of the series is either just plain bad (the color TV years) or just not funny (the first few years.) Compare that show to Hawaii Five-O, which was always good.
But I'm not here to talk about Andy nor Hawaii Five-O. I'm here to tell you that show radio shows were just ridiculous.
Naw, not Fibber McGee and Molly. That show was supposed to be ridiculous. It's a cartoon show, for all intents and purposes. Same thing with Jack Benny, Amos and Andy etc. Those shows are supposed to be goofy and are.
Dragnet's not ridiculous. It's serious. They did a great job of keeping it serious the whole way. The Six Shooter was another show that kept a level head. Brit Ponsitt was not a crazy gunslinger, he was a normal man, as a matter-of-fact, a laid back man, even though he had a reputation and it seemed like everyone knew him. Yet, he wasn't about shooting up the town or beating up guys. He was about cornbread and snoozin'.
Which leads me to the most ridiculous show on radio - yet one of the most loved. It's hard not to hear an episode and not like it. I'm talking about the ridiculous Gunsmoke. Marshal Matt Dillon obviously had deep psychological problems - at least the radio version of him. The TV version of him wasn't much better but the radio guy was plum nuts. How many guys did he beat up with his fists or his gun barrel? While he was a lawman and was good at what he did, isn't it ridiculous to imagine him taking as many shots as he did and killing or maiming as many guys as he did? Would it be out of line to venture that the radio version of Dillon killed 400 men? I have no idea how many times he got shot himself, but it's a bunch. How many gunshots can a man have and still live? Did he take 75-100 bullets? Doesn't that seem like a lot? Doesn't that seem like too many?
©Jimbo 2012
I realized just how good the show, Hawaii Five-O was, for example. When it comes to people listing off their favorites or some of the best of classic TV, it's not usually on the lists. You'll see the Andy Griffith Show (which was only great for about 3 years, the rest of the series is either just plain bad (the color TV years) or just not funny (the first few years.) Compare that show to Hawaii Five-O, which was always good.
But I'm not here to talk about Andy nor Hawaii Five-O. I'm here to tell you that show radio shows were just ridiculous.
Naw, not Fibber McGee and Molly. That show was supposed to be ridiculous. It's a cartoon show, for all intents and purposes. Same thing with Jack Benny, Amos and Andy etc. Those shows are supposed to be goofy and are.
Dragnet's not ridiculous. It's serious. They did a great job of keeping it serious the whole way. The Six Shooter was another show that kept a level head. Brit Ponsitt was not a crazy gunslinger, he was a normal man, as a matter-of-fact, a laid back man, even though he had a reputation and it seemed like everyone knew him. Yet, he wasn't about shooting up the town or beating up guys. He was about cornbread and snoozin'.
Which leads me to the most ridiculous show on radio - yet one of the most loved. It's hard not to hear an episode and not like it. I'm talking about the ridiculous Gunsmoke. Marshal Matt Dillon obviously had deep psychological problems - at least the radio version of him. The TV version of him wasn't much better but the radio guy was plum nuts. How many guys did he beat up with his fists or his gun barrel? While he was a lawman and was good at what he did, isn't it ridiculous to imagine him taking as many shots as he did and killing or maiming as many guys as he did? Would it be out of line to venture that the radio version of Dillon killed 400 men? I have no idea how many times he got shot himself, but it's a bunch. How many gunshots can a man have and still live? Did he take 75-100 bullets? Doesn't that seem like a lot? Doesn't that seem like too many?
©Jimbo 2012
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The infamous Gunsmoke sex sound file
A long time ago, I told you people there was a sound file of Gunsmoke's Matt Dillon and Kitty "having sex."
Well, I finally found it. Be forewarned, it's graphic. Not really THAT graphic but graphic enough for me to warn you so you won't come complaining to me in case you are offended...
(((HEAR)))
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Jim Beshires: an audio interview about Westerns
Jim Beshires is the founder and president of the Old Time Radio Researchers organization, easily the finest OTR group around, in my opinion.
Jim is one of the nicest people I have met in the OTR hobby. He lives close to me and I find him to be just like a friendly neighbor, even though I have never met him in person.
He and I have formed a friendship and he has been kind enough to answer some questions (via audio) in what can only be called a very unique interview.
This interview focuses on one of Jim's favorite subjects, the Western. He's consented to do other interviews like this in the future and so I'm sure he won't be a stranger to you on this blog anymore.
OTR BUFFET: Jim, thank you for joining me and doing the interview. I am glad we could finally do this interview, albeit it will be in a most unconvential way.
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: I know that Westerns are one of your favorite type of old-time radio programs. Could you tell us about when you first began listening to Westerns and which shows?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Let's start with Gunsmoke. It seems that Gunsmoke is the King of Westerns by default - even though there are many good radio Westerns. Tell me what you think of when you think of Gunsmoke?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Gunsmoke had adult themes and really wasn't meant for children but you know children listened to it. Did you listen to it during the series run?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Between Parley Baer as Chester and Howard McNear as Doc, which character did you like better and which actor do you think was a better one (throughout their radio careers) Baer or McNear?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Are there any episodes that stand out for you as being special Gunsmoke episodes?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: How would you rate the Gunsmoke radio series against the TV series?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Moving on to Have Gun, Will Travel. What is your opinion of John Dehner as a radio actor?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Compare Dehner to William Conrad...
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Luke Slaughter of Tombstone is an underrated show. What are your thoughts on the show in general?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: There are the so-called "Kiddie Westerns." Would you talk about your favorite ones?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Jim, thank you so much for doing this interview with me. I truly learned a lot and enjoyed your answers. I promise you, when we get together again to do another interview, it will be about science fiction!
Jim Beshire::
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Jim is one of the nicest people I have met in the OTR hobby. He lives close to me and I find him to be just like a friendly neighbor, even though I have never met him in person.
He and I have formed a friendship and he has been kind enough to answer some questions (via audio) in what can only be called a very unique interview.
This interview focuses on one of Jim's favorite subjects, the Western. He's consented to do other interviews like this in the future and so I'm sure he won't be a stranger to you on this blog anymore.
OTR BUFFET: Jim, thank you for joining me and doing the interview. I am glad we could finally do this interview, albeit it will be in a most unconvential way.
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: I know that Westerns are one of your favorite type of old-time radio programs. Could you tell us about when you first began listening to Westerns and which shows?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Let's start with Gunsmoke. It seems that Gunsmoke is the King of Westerns by default - even though there are many good radio Westerns. Tell me what you think of when you think of Gunsmoke?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Gunsmoke had adult themes and really wasn't meant for children but you know children listened to it. Did you listen to it during the series run?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Between Parley Baer as Chester and Howard McNear as Doc, which character did you like better and which actor do you think was a better one (throughout their radio careers) Baer or McNear?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Are there any episodes that stand out for you as being special Gunsmoke episodes?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: How would you rate the Gunsmoke radio series against the TV series?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Moving on to Have Gun, Will Travel. What is your opinion of John Dehner as a radio actor?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Compare Dehner to William Conrad...
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Luke Slaughter of Tombstone is an underrated show. What are your thoughts on the show in general?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: There are the so-called "Kiddie Westerns." Would you talk about your favorite ones?
Jim Beshire's answer::
OTR BUFFET: Jim, thank you so much for doing this interview with me. I truly learned a lot and enjoyed your answers. I promise you, when we get together again to do another interview, it will be about science fiction!
Jim Beshire::
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Radio's Gunsmoke sometimes came on Saturday afternoons
I'll bet most of you thought Gunsmoke came on during prime time (or later.) After all, this was an adult show, with adult themes, right?
Well in 1955, in Portsmouth, Maine - here's a schedule that shows Gunsmoke coming on at 12:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday.
Well in 1955, in Portsmouth, Maine - here's a schedule that shows Gunsmoke coming on at 12:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Assorted photo dump
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| Fibber/Molly |
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| Walter Tetley and Harold Peary in the way I imagine them |
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| Norman McDonnell and William Conrad |
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| Harry von Zell |
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Awesome photo dump for April 7th
You've seen the below photo many times if you are a Gunsmoke fan...
But have you ever seen this one?
How many color photos have you seen of Groucho Marx?
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| Phillips Lord as an actor (1932!!) |
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
1950's trauma: Shocked by radio Westerns
The 1950's (and in particular, the years of 1955 on) saw a tide of Westerns sweep over radio at an enormous rate.
These weren't the Westerns folks were used to listening to. In the 1930's and '40's, radio was ripe with such easy-going kid fare as The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, Hopalong Cassidy, Sgt. Preston and the Challenge of the Yukon plus a whole mini-genre of happy-as-all-get-out singing cowboys like Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Gene Autry.
Any title or name in the above paragraph bears the fruit of complete trust that you'd have in letting your child listen to those particular programs. There would be no suggestion of sex of any kind (and probably no kissing either.) There might be some shooting, but rest assured, The Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers were always aiming for the outlaw's hand. Why, Sgt. Preston rarely ever used a gun at all; he more often than not allowed his trusty dog to rip the flesh from the bones of frigid criminals (and radio dogs inflicting bodily damage seemingly has no effect on listening audiences of any age!)
And then you had the simple Western, such as The Six-Shooter, where Brit Ponsit was an ex-gunslinger (but a good guy) whose aim at life was to visit friends and neighbors each week. Unless really provoked, the only damage he wanted to do was to consume a whole pan of cornbread. Played by the almost milquetoast (or at the very least, quiet and empathetic) Jimmy Stewart, violence was the last thing on the mind of the listener. The Six Shooter is a calm -almost sad- show; after all the show's main theme music is slow and yes, sad.
Then when 'the wave' hit, it must has greatly shocked those radio listeners, especially those who did not have television or rarely went to see films at their local theaters.
Gunsmoke, for instance, revolved around Matt Dillon, easily one of the toughest radio characters ever. He didn't want to have to shoot someone. He would rather mangle someone with his hands and did so often, incorporating thoughts of bloody body parts everywhere in the radio listener's mind.
Not only that but Dillon was not married. His favorite hangout was the Long Branch Saloon and the writers, directors and actors made no bones about it: the iniquity den was loaded with prostitutes (it attracted the cattlemen who had just got paid.) And to top it all off (no pun intended) Dillon had a girl at the saloon who wanted him to marry her (Kitty.)
While no one came right out in the open and said, "Kitty is a prostitute and Matt probably doesn't have to pay" - you certainly get that idea while listening to the show. And somewhere, Roy Rogers was probably freaking out over this.
There exists, somewhere (because I used to have it) some audio clips of Matt and Kitty [in character] "having sex" in a squeaky bed - I kid you not.) But I can't seem to find them anywhere now.
In the beginning weeks of Gunsmoke, Doc's character was potrayed as being a greedy businessman who attended to burials rather than the cheerful, sympathetic doctor of Dodge City.
And Gunsmoke was just one show. Have Gun Will Travel was clearly about a hired gun name Paladin. Generally, he would rather not kill. But then again, he did so often - and got paid for it.
Other shows like Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, Frontier Town and even Frontier Gentleman are vivid with all sorts of people getting killed (Luke Slaughter's last name isn't that by accident) including pseudo-genocidal cleansing of Indians from America's Western breach.
John Dehner as the Frontier Gentleman was a vicious bare-knuckled fighter and I don't ever recall losing at fisticuffs.
So when the tide came, there must have been some sort of cultural trauma, because it all happened at once.
These weren't the Westerns folks were used to listening to. In the 1930's and '40's, radio was ripe with such easy-going kid fare as The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, Hopalong Cassidy, Sgt. Preston and the Challenge of the Yukon plus a whole mini-genre of happy-as-all-get-out singing cowboys like Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Gene Autry.
Any title or name in the above paragraph bears the fruit of complete trust that you'd have in letting your child listen to those particular programs. There would be no suggestion of sex of any kind (and probably no kissing either.) There might be some shooting, but rest assured, The Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers were always aiming for the outlaw's hand. Why, Sgt. Preston rarely ever used a gun at all; he more often than not allowed his trusty dog to rip the flesh from the bones of frigid criminals (and radio dogs inflicting bodily damage seemingly has no effect on listening audiences of any age!)
And then you had the simple Western, such as The Six-Shooter, where Brit Ponsit was an ex-gunslinger (but a good guy) whose aim at life was to visit friends and neighbors each week. Unless really provoked, the only damage he wanted to do was to consume a whole pan of cornbread. Played by the almost milquetoast (or at the very least, quiet and empathetic) Jimmy Stewart, violence was the last thing on the mind of the listener. The Six Shooter is a calm -almost sad- show; after all the show's main theme music is slow and yes, sad.
Then when 'the wave' hit, it must has greatly shocked those radio listeners, especially those who did not have television or rarely went to see films at their local theaters.
Gunsmoke, for instance, revolved around Matt Dillon, easily one of the toughest radio characters ever. He didn't want to have to shoot someone. He would rather mangle someone with his hands and did so often, incorporating thoughts of bloody body parts everywhere in the radio listener's mind.
Not only that but Dillon was not married. His favorite hangout was the Long Branch Saloon and the writers, directors and actors made no bones about it: the iniquity den was loaded with prostitutes (it attracted the cattlemen who had just got paid.) And to top it all off (no pun intended) Dillon had a girl at the saloon who wanted him to marry her (Kitty.)
While no one came right out in the open and said, "Kitty is a prostitute and Matt probably doesn't have to pay" - you certainly get that idea while listening to the show. And somewhere, Roy Rogers was probably freaking out over this.
There exists, somewhere (because I used to have it) some audio clips of Matt and Kitty [in character] "having sex" in a squeaky bed - I kid you not.) But I can't seem to find them anywhere now.
In the beginning weeks of Gunsmoke, Doc's character was potrayed as being a greedy businessman who attended to burials rather than the cheerful, sympathetic doctor of Dodge City.
And Gunsmoke was just one show. Have Gun Will Travel was clearly about a hired gun name Paladin. Generally, he would rather not kill. But then again, he did so often - and got paid for it.
Other shows like Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, Frontier Town and even Frontier Gentleman are vivid with all sorts of people getting killed (Luke Slaughter's last name isn't that by accident) including pseudo-genocidal cleansing of Indians from America's Western breach.
John Dehner as the Frontier Gentleman was a vicious bare-knuckled fighter and I don't ever recall losing at fisticuffs.
So when the tide came, there must have been some sort of cultural trauma, because it all happened at once.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Hodge-podging once more
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| Bob Bailey; stuck in a bad script on LGDI |
The plot was pretty good but the subplot involved Valentine being afraid of horses; the way around this was to make George ride a hobby horse and a merry-go-round (in screaming terror, I might add.)
The episode was essentially passable but the meandering during the middle of the program (episode 461025 Cowboy Star Afraid of Horse) is some of the worst stuff ever.
---
Well, The Digital Deli is back online, just shortly after I had taken down all the links to it on OTR People. So, it looks like the "A's" will NEVER be finished.
Every time I think I am done, I find a new person whose name ends in 'A' or the Digital Deli goes down or the Digital Deli comes back up...
Not only that but "B" may be delayed a while until I can add some more photos. I'd say 60% of the photos I need are not on Google Images. But I have found quite a few in newspapers, etc. I am in the process of adding them online now (it may take a week or more) and then I will try and continue with OTR People.
---
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| Parley Baer |
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| Marvo (William Conrad) |
In it, he plays a character named Marvo. He shows up roughly nine and a half minutes in. Check out the voice he uses! It's very deep and quite hilarious. It's the only time I remember hearing him use that voice!
This is my first run through Rocky Fortune but I find the show very entertaining. Frank Sinatra was a great actor (this is evident in each and every one of the films he was in.)
Rocky Fortune continues to surprise me with it's quality every time I listen.
Friday, December 31, 2010
New Year's Eve Photo dump
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| Gunsmoke promo |
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| Gunsmoke promo |
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| Gunsmoke promo |
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| Groucho at warm-up |
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| Portland Hoffa |
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