I have in front of me a list that I made up a few days ago of some less-obvious things I like and dislike about old-time radio. I have done a few podcasts on these things lately and I plan on doing more.
I've come to realize though that I enjoy disliking media of all sorts: films, television programs and even old-time radio. Though I can't stand to watch a bad film, I will be the first to either pan the thing and I'm the first to also praise it, if it's good. If it's just "okay" I usually won't even bother with it.
Same goes with actors and actresses. I can tell you a lot about Orson Welles (good) or Alice Faye (bad) and little about Paul Winslowe (okay.)
And I can write a ton about my favorite shows (see my The Crazy World of Vic and Sade website) or even about the bad shows. It really interests me to write about the bad, in some ways, more than the good. It wouldn't be hard for me to be motivated to make a website devoted to truly bad radio, making the most snide comments I can imagine.
+++
Other than the Westerns, news, talk and game shows, how many old-time radio programs can you name that never had at least a musical interlude?
I was trying to think of some earlier today and though I did think of a few, they are truly few and far between. And I don't think there were any comedies at all didn't have a musical interlude (or more.) And how many can you name that didn't employ a male soloist? That wasn't a tenor?
+++
I did a short podcast yesterday about Mary Livingstone and realize that I even dislike her more than I led on. I think I was "nice" because I have the feeling I am the only one who doesn't like her.
+++
I have been having huge urges lately to make a Wikipedia/OTR website, only because I think it would be more helpful to the researcher than you could ever imagine. That is, except for the fact that the researcher can go and look up anyone now as it is. Would an index be even more helpful? It might but how many hours of work would go into such a project? Way too many, I'm afraid.
+++
I suppose it wouldn't be shocking to anyone reading this for me to tell you that I have an desire to continue producing material for my Vic and Sade website. If I had some money, I'd go and get all of the remaining articles I don't have and share them with everyone. Send $500 to Jimbo at my home, at my city, USA.
But seriously, if not for people emailing me asking me continue with general OTR (as opposed to Vic and Sade) I'm afraid you'd might lose me. I am quite devoted to that program.
Showing posts with label Hodge-podging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hodge-podging. Show all posts
Friday, February 1, 2013
Monday, August 27, 2012
The lost art of hodge-podging
Wow, I haven't done this in ages: hodge-podging! I remember doing a lot in the early days of the blog but I got busy doing other things.
Yes, even when I'm not busy here at this blog, I'm usually busy elsewhere. I'm very proud of the work I (and others) have done at The Crazy World of Vic and Sade blog. I wish others would do the same thing with other shows,
I've a feeling there will be little else done in terms of OTR websites. The people who enjoy OTR are getting older and older and there are few "young bloods" out there who like OTR to begin with. I feel like I am a part of the dying breed. I feel like a lot of weight is on my shoulders to not let OTR die. After all, how many people under 50 years old love old time radio?
I was told by someone who knows, that I am one of a small handful. And out of that handful, how many are trying to keep it alive? The internet is still a growing place and there's room for everyone. But I have a feeling we are seeing the last days of OTR on the internet.
I promise to keep plugging along doing my thing for as long as I can. My health isn't great and -shock- I expect to die one day! But until that day comes and as long as I am able, I'm going to keep spreading the word about OTR.
Yes, even when I'm not busy here at this blog, I'm usually busy elsewhere. I'm very proud of the work I (and others) have done at The Crazy World of Vic and Sade blog. I wish others would do the same thing with other shows,
I've a feeling there will be little else done in terms of OTR websites. The people who enjoy OTR are getting older and older and there are few "young bloods" out there who like OTR to begin with. I feel like I am a part of the dying breed. I feel like a lot of weight is on my shoulders to not let OTR die. After all, how many people under 50 years old love old time radio?
I was told by someone who knows, that I am one of a small handful. And out of that handful, how many are trying to keep it alive? The internet is still a growing place and there's room for everyone. But I have a feeling we are seeing the last days of OTR on the internet.
I promise to keep plugging along doing my thing for as long as I can. My health isn't great and -shock- I expect to die one day! But until that day comes and as long as I am able, I'm going to keep spreading the word about OTR.
***
You know, there's some decent tv out there. I enjoy watching the "picker" shows/auction shows and though I don't really care for anything else out there (other than older, classic tv) I could watch that stuff all day long.
But some of that other junk on tv - gee, how can people watch that stuff? I think about how many people are missing the joys of the 21st Precinct, Gunsmoke, The Six Shooter, Dragnet, etc.
I often see people doing chores outside with earbuds in; I know they are probably listening to their favorite tunes. I want to go up to them and show them what they are missing. How much better their life would be with a little You Bet Your Life in it! Laughter is the best medicine. Even after hearing You Bet Your Life a million times, I still laugh at it - or rather, at Groucho Marx.
One day, no one will be listening to OTR. There won't be anyone to converse with on the internet about it. We'll all be driving air cars and our mp3 players will be inside of our heads. Conversing then will be done by digital telepathy and...
I don't like the future I see. Yeah, there are numerous possibilities for advancement but I'm perfectly happy here listening to Words at War, probably the most underrated program in radio history. If you don't or haven't listened to it, do yourself a favor and try it.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Notes that I had leftover in a box; a hodge podge
I have a bunch of little notes that never have been posted for one reason or another.
If I don't post them now, I will throw them away.
Take them for what you will - after all, I was going to throw them away...
In Bold Venture (Tears of Siva) you can hear Peggy Webber (a character actress who was noted for her Dragnet performances on radio and TV as good and bad women; also played Friday's mother on radio.)
In the Bold Venture episode, she plays a creepy character (witch, I think) that sounds like demon-possessed Ma Friday:
Every now and then, you come across a contest where they ask you to finish the jingle. There was one on Our Miss Brooks for Palmolive Soap:
So, I came up with some "winning lines":
It's just like throwing money away!
or
If I lose I will not try again!
or... well you get the idea.
I have studied Suspense's William Spier deeply in the past few months and I have some things to share. William Spier was the first main director of Suspense. He was the director from 1942-47.
One of the smartest things he did was hire Bernard Herrmann to write the theme. I do believe Alfred Hitchcock may have well had a hand in that also since Herrmann and Hitchcock worked together on a few films (most notably in the 1950's) and Hitchcock actually directed the very first episode of Suspense, "The Lodger" (which was also one of his silent movies in the late 1920's.) Herrmann also wrote the incidental music for that episode and quite a a few others after that, but by the time 1943 came along, Herrmann was no longer working for Suspense. His powerful theme music remains.
Spier also seemed to have strong ties with the Mercury Theatre/CBS Radio Workshop (same show, by the way) as almost all of the members showed up on Suspense frequently, including Orson Welles.
IN OTR, is it more likely the show you are listening to at any moment is taking place in a real town or a fictional town?
Well according to my own survey, it looks to be about 80% real place - 20% fake place. For instance, the Aldrich Family, Great Gildersleeves, Fibber McGee and Molly, Adventures of Superman, A Day in the Life of Dennis Day, Harold Peary Show and Lum and Abner all take place in fictional places. While I am sure there are more, most of the others seems to take place in a world city/state/country/continent (I say continent because who knows exactly Tarzan was?)
©Jimbo 2010/2011
If I don't post them now, I will throw them away.
Take them for what you will - after all, I was going to throw them away...
In Bold Venture (Tears of Siva) you can hear Peggy Webber (a character actress who was noted for her Dragnet performances on radio and TV as good and bad women; also played Friday's mother on radio.)
In the Bold Venture episode, she plays a creepy character (witch, I think) that sounds like demon-possessed Ma Friday:
Every now and then, you come across a contest where they ask you to finish the jingle. There was one on Our Miss Brooks for Palmolive Soap:
A fresher, brighter looking skin,
Is something I would like to win!
I'll get Palmolive Soap today...
So, I came up with some "winning lines":
And apply it directly to my shins.
orIt's just like throwing money away!
or
And bathe until I shrivel away!
orIf I lose I will not try again!
or... well you get the idea.
I have studied Suspense's William Spier deeply in the past few months and I have some things to share. William Spier was the first main director of Suspense. He was the director from 1942-47.
One of the smartest things he did was hire Bernard Herrmann to write the theme. I do believe Alfred Hitchcock may have well had a hand in that also since Herrmann and Hitchcock worked together on a few films (most notably in the 1950's) and Hitchcock actually directed the very first episode of Suspense, "The Lodger" (which was also one of his silent movies in the late 1920's.) Herrmann also wrote the incidental music for that episode and quite a a few others after that, but by the time 1943 came along, Herrmann was no longer working for Suspense. His powerful theme music remains.
Spier also seemed to have strong ties with the Mercury Theatre/CBS Radio Workshop (same show, by the way) as almost all of the members showed up on Suspense frequently, including Orson Welles.
IN OTR, is it more likely the show you are listening to at any moment is taking place in a real town or a fictional town?
Well according to my own survey, it looks to be about 80% real place - 20% fake place. For instance, the Aldrich Family, Great Gildersleeves, Fibber McGee and Molly, Adventures of Superman, A Day in the Life of Dennis Day, Harold Peary Show and Lum and Abner all take place in fictional places. While I am sure there are more, most of the others seems to take place in a world city/state/country/continent (I say continent because who knows exactly Tarzan was?)
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tiny hodge-podge about Majors and minors
 |
| 1978 |
That shows you how times have changed. The world of technology and computers continues to change us all, giving us more and more information in less space and greater speeds...
When I was a kid, I remember my mom and dad talking about a 'Major Bowes.' To me, Major Bowes was someone who must have been in the military. I never asked about Major Bowes, I only accepted the fact that there was such a man....
Speaking of majors, both Danny Kaye (Seattle Mariners) and Bob Hope (Cleveland Indians) owned interests in Major League baseball teams...
One of my favorite films was "The Major and the Minor"; a fine film starring Ray Milland and Ginger Rogers...
The other day, I jotted down a list of kids in radio who eventually went on to TV and films: Walter Tetley, Dick Van Patten, Jackie Kelk, Dick York, Mason Adams, Bobby Breen - those are just a few.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thank you
I went back yesterday and re-read my first day of blogging on this site. The first thing I blogged was called, "Hodge Podge" - something I had forgotten. I have used, "Hodge Podging" variations on several post titles in the almost 10 months since I started this blog.
When I first started the blog, I had no idea that in 10 months, there would be well over 2000 posts on this blog and the others I do - all related to this one.
I would have never guessed there would be a dictionary (The Lum and Abner variety) which is about half finished. (For those who don't know, there is a lot that goes into writing a dictionary!)
Who knew there would be 100's of sound clips? When this blog started, I had never heard of Vic and Sade and now I spend 2-5 hours a day on a blog devoted to the show.
When this blog started I didn't know how to clean up audio files. Today, I'm better at it than I was yesterday.
There are now close to 3000 articles posted on all of my blogs put together. That's in almost 10 and a half months time - or about 300 days. That's an average of 10 articles a day.
Some days there isn't much going on at the Buffet. I try to stuff the Buffet with news and other things but there are days when I simply cannot find any news or I am exhausted from running the other blogs or exhausted from looking for news. I don't think any of you realize how many hours a day I spend researching/blogging. I get up around 3:30 each morning to be able to do this.
Thank goodness for the people who agree to be interviewed and return them to me. For every interview you have read on the Buffet, there are 2 more that never came back. But the interviews have been awesome. I have learned a lot and met some wonderful, wonderful people.
There's some time involved in coming up with questions for people. Thankfully, I have a lot of friends who now help me with coming up with questions for my interviews - all I have to do is ask and they seem to come through.
My friend Boston Blackie is always there for me. I can bounce ideas off of him or ask him to write something; the man is always there to help. He's been there since day one. He encourages me, he sends me links, he writes comments to the blog - without him, I think I might have given up long ago. He's not only been a big help, he's been a friend. His wife even gives her opinions - and I want to thank her as well. You know I am here for you to help you when you need me.
To all of you others out there who do the same things - send me links and material, those who comment, those who send me email, those who contribute in any little way, I appreciate you and the things you do.
I am very thankful to my anonymous friend at the Cobalt Club who helps me by letting me use his finds and helping me almost weekly identify things I am unable to identify. Your kindness and class is overwhelming and I want to thank you. You know I am here for you to help you when you need me.
A very special thank you to Jim Beshires of OTRR who has allowed and given me all kinds of freedoms and kindnesses and has been a friend since the day I met him. You know I am here for you to help you when you need me.
To all of you others that I know I have forgotten, there are so many of you - thank you all.
And to you that take the time to read this over the various other blogs, thank you as well. Thanks to all the Tweeters out there who retweet my stuff!
Why am I doing this? Am I going to die soon? I hope not!
But one never knows about tomorrow. I just wanted you people to know I do appreciate you.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
When I first started the blog, I had no idea that in 10 months, there would be well over 2000 posts on this blog and the others I do - all related to this one.
I would have never guessed there would be a dictionary (The Lum and Abner variety) which is about half finished. (For those who don't know, there is a lot that goes into writing a dictionary!)
Who knew there would be 100's of sound clips? When this blog started, I had never heard of Vic and Sade and now I spend 2-5 hours a day on a blog devoted to the show.
When this blog started I didn't know how to clean up audio files. Today, I'm better at it than I was yesterday.
There are now close to 3000 articles posted on all of my blogs put together. That's in almost 10 and a half months time - or about 300 days. That's an average of 10 articles a day.
Some days there isn't much going on at the Buffet. I try to stuff the Buffet with news and other things but there are days when I simply cannot find any news or I am exhausted from running the other blogs or exhausted from looking for news. I don't think any of you realize how many hours a day I spend researching/blogging. I get up around 3:30 each morning to be able to do this.
Thank goodness for the people who agree to be interviewed and return them to me. For every interview you have read on the Buffet, there are 2 more that never came back. But the interviews have been awesome. I have learned a lot and met some wonderful, wonderful people.
There's some time involved in coming up with questions for people. Thankfully, I have a lot of friends who now help me with coming up with questions for my interviews - all I have to do is ask and they seem to come through.
My friend Boston Blackie is always there for me. I can bounce ideas off of him or ask him to write something; the man is always there to help. He's been there since day one. He encourages me, he sends me links, he writes comments to the blog - without him, I think I might have given up long ago. He's not only been a big help, he's been a friend. His wife even gives her opinions - and I want to thank her as well. You know I am here for you to help you when you need me.
To all of you others out there who do the same things - send me links and material, those who comment, those who send me email, those who contribute in any little way, I appreciate you and the things you do.
I am very thankful to my anonymous friend at the Cobalt Club who helps me by letting me use his finds and helping me almost weekly identify things I am unable to identify. Your kindness and class is overwhelming and I want to thank you. You know I am here for you to help you when you need me.
A very special thank you to Jim Beshires of OTRR who has allowed and given me all kinds of freedoms and kindnesses and has been a friend since the day I met him. You know I am here for you to help you when you need me.
To all of you others that I know I have forgotten, there are so many of you - thank you all.
And to you that take the time to read this over the various other blogs, thank you as well. Thanks to all the Tweeters out there who retweet my stuff!
Why am I doing this? Am I going to die soon? I hope not!
But one never knows about tomorrow. I just wanted you people to know I do appreciate you.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Itty-bitty Hodge-podge
There was The Thin Man. He was thin. There was The Fat Man - who was fat. Why was there never In-Between Man or Nicely-Built Man?
On September 17, 1952, Leroy gets his driver's license on the Great Gildersleeve.
The next year (August 19, 1953 to be exact), Leroy doesn't need to have a fishing license because he's only 12 years of age.
Was he 11 years old when he got his driver's license?
Someone once figured up there were over 200 stores at the intersection of 14th and Oak streets mentioned on Fibber McGee and Molly.
The Old Timer on Fibber McGee gave his real name twice on the show: on January 26, 1946 it was "Rupert Blassingame." And on December 19, 1954, he gave his name as "Adelton P. Bagshaw."
©Jimbo 2010/2011
On September 17, 1952, Leroy gets his driver's license on the Great Gildersleeve.
The next year (August 19, 1953 to be exact), Leroy doesn't need to have a fishing license because he's only 12 years of age.
Was he 11 years old when he got his driver's license?
Someone once figured up there were over 200 stores at the intersection of 14th and Oak streets mentioned on Fibber McGee and Molly.
The Old Timer on Fibber McGee gave his real name twice on the show: on January 26, 1946 it was "Rupert Blassingame." And on December 19, 1954, he gave his name as "Adelton P. Bagshaw."
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Hodge-podging - Unanswered OTR questions and other stuff
What do we know about The Whistler? This a man who whistles and walks by night and because of this, "knows many things."
The Whistler was nobody. What I mean to say is that The Whistler didn't show up in his show, ever. He just walked around at night whistling a very odd tune and telling us all he knew things - but when you boil it all down, what did he really know?
Don't you love the way the show Suspense starts out? First of all you have the incredible atmospheric Bernard Herrmann score then you hear SUSPENSE!
Well not always, Here's the normal way and then - another way:
That was Howard Duff in 1943, believe it or not.
Alka Seltzer was a long-time sponsor of The Quiz Kids program. In 1950, singer Tito Guizar made a guest appearance and ...
That's all I've got for now. Still looking for stuff to post...
©Jimbo 2010/2011
The Whistler was nobody. What I mean to say is that The Whistler didn't show up in his show, ever. He just walked around at night whistling a very odd tune and telling us all he knew things - but when you boil it all down, what did he really know?
Don't you love the way the show Suspense starts out? First of all you have the incredible atmospheric Bernard Herrmann score then you hear SUSPENSE!
Well not always, Here's the normal way and then - another way:
That was Howard Duff in 1943, believe it or not.
Alka Seltzer was a long-time sponsor of The Quiz Kids program. In 1950, singer Tito Guizar made a guest appearance and ...
That's all I've got for now. Still looking for stuff to post...
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Teeny tiny hodge-podge
Here's a tiny tidbit for you: While listening to multiple episodes of the 21st Precinct the past week or so, I realized that the last call to the Muster Room of each episode is actually about the next episode...
I've probably said this before but as time goes on I really like the acting of Sandra Gould. Who's she, you ask? She played Miss Duffy on Duffy's Tavern from 1944-48; you may know her better as "the 2nd Gladys Kravitz" on the TV show, Bewitched. To me, she is perfect for the part of Miss Duffy.
And the more I listen to Duffy's Tavern, I realize the show had some good writing behind it, even though literally dozens of different writers were employed to work on the script week after week.
I don't have a lot to say today - although I did until there were 5 people plus me over at the house today using up all the internet juice and I couldn't get anything done. After a while of trying, I gave up the ghost, so to speak.
Working on finishing Billboard for 1950-51. There aren't that many of them. And though I haven't looked, I think there are very, very few in there after 1951, which means I could be finished with the Billboard site pretty soon.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
 |
| Sandra Gould |
And the more I listen to Duffy's Tavern, I realize the show had some good writing behind it, even though literally dozens of different writers were employed to work on the script week after week.
I don't have a lot to say today - although I did until there were 5 people plus me over at the house today using up all the internet juice and I couldn't get anything done. After a while of trying, I gave up the ghost, so to speak.
Working on finishing Billboard for 1950-51. There aren't that many of them. And though I haven't looked, I think there are very, very few in there after 1951, which means I could be finished with the Billboard site pretty soon.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
A lost Hodge-podge about XM Radio
A few years ago, I had XM Radio. I also had Sirus radio (this was long before they merged.) I was listening to a lot of sports and lot of old-time radio.
This is where I became aware of a lot of shows that I had never heard before: The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, for one. I just never knew it existed. The same goes for The Six Shooter, Baby Snooks and a few others.
I don't remember who was the host on Sirius but I remember Greg Bell from XM very well. With his schedule, I was able to listen to every program available and I did this for weeks. Bell's anecdotes before and after most every show got me interested in learning more about OTR.
I contacted Bell a few months ago and I arranged an interview which was to be run on this blog - but he begged off at the last minute.
I was never crazy about either radio service when it came to OTR. Although I understand the policies that XM Radio/Sirius has against running some OTR shows, I don't think it's right. You cannot deny that Amos 'n' Andy existed and were a huge part of OTR anymore than you can dismiss something like George Washington owned hundreds of slaves. Can you dismiss the first full-length talkie film simply because there is blackface in it?
Some episodes referring to 'Krauts' or 'Japs' are also never heard on XM. After all, you don't want to offend anyone. All the Japanese and Germans did in World War II (and before) was kill millions of innocent civilians in China, Poland and abroad, right?
©Jimbo 2010/2011
This is where I became aware of a lot of shows that I had never heard before: The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, for one. I just never knew it existed. The same goes for The Six Shooter, Baby Snooks and a few others.
I don't remember who was the host on Sirius but I remember Greg Bell from XM very well. With his schedule, I was able to listen to every program available and I did this for weeks. Bell's anecdotes before and after most every show got me interested in learning more about OTR.
I contacted Bell a few months ago and I arranged an interview which was to be run on this blog - but he begged off at the last minute.
I was never crazy about either radio service when it came to OTR. Although I understand the policies that XM Radio/Sirius has against running some OTR shows, I don't think it's right. You cannot deny that Amos 'n' Andy existed and were a huge part of OTR anymore than you can dismiss something like George Washington owned hundreds of slaves. Can you dismiss the first full-length talkie film simply because there is blackface in it?
Some episodes referring to 'Krauts' or 'Japs' are also never heard on XM. After all, you don't want to offend anyone. All the Japanese and Germans did in World War II (and before) was kill millions of innocent civilians in China, Poland and abroad, right?
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Hodge-podging for a change
 |
| Sorry to say: this is me. |
If you are a regular reader of this blog you know that I have been listening to a mess of Suspense episodes the past couple of weeks. It used to be a daily ritual but I had so much on my daily plate of listening that eventually, it got put aside.
There's no doubt however, that the show is one of the best out there and I'd rank it above the various other radio anthology series, including the later ones. Funny but Elliott Lewis had in his hand in many of the better anthology series around...
If you saw my recent list of favorite Suspense episodes, try and remember that there are literally dozens of episodes I find unforgettable. While I did list 15 episodes there are probably 150 plots I remember off the top of my head because the show simply sticks with me. Scary? No But memorable, yes.
The same can't really be said for shows like The Whistler. I do remember a few plots but they simply pale in comparison to Suspense.
And while episodes of Escape! are memorable there are only a few that I can distinguish as being Escape! and not some other show. Suspense had an air of authority behind their stories, whether it's the voice of announcer Larry Thor I remember or the opening theme by Bernard Herrmann or the quality in production of the whole thing.
You know you have good stuff on your blog when people steal from you...
There are some things I wish existed that don't seem to exist. One thing, I'd love to see a film of Fanny Brice doing her Baby Snooks thing. But I've looked and looked and there doesn't seem to be such a film around.
If you are anything like me, once you go to YouTube you find the time flies by. Going on YouTube for me is dangerous. One thing leads to another and another and I realize I have been on YouTube for two hours listening to 13 different renditions of some song I really don't care that much about but are being played by kids that are 8 years old and in most cases doing it better than I did at age 25. Depressing but fun all at the same time. And a time killer/waster.
By tomorrow, I should be done listening to The Six Shooter series. I hate to see it go. I'll try to wait a year and then put it back on my iPod. What a great series that is.
Jimmy Stewart, who was not a great film actor but a good one, is superb in the radio series. The inflections in his voice and the great stories equals one of the very best radio series ever created.
Speaking of great series, I haven't listened to but maybe one of each of Fibber McGee and Molly or the Jack Benny Show in about 4 months. I've really just been too busy. Plus, I've been trying to fix the sound on both series, a monumental task to say the least.
And since I'm on the subject of "monumental tasks" my blog (which you know is really 16-17 blogs) can be a hair-puller. There are never enough hours in the day, I take on too much, some of the tasks are huge...etc. I realize I bite off more than I can chew but it keeps me busy. Sometimes it does overwhelm me but I tend to pick it back up. One thing that I just can't seem to work on is OTR People. You talk about "monumental" that my friends, is the definition of the word.
I have ideas for other blogs but I really don't have the time for them. I'd like to break down Bill Stern's Sports Newsreels into segments and find out from the newspapers if the incidents he tells about really happened. I know most are untrue but actually proving or disproving them would be fun. I may start one and see how it goes...but too many ideas, not enough time. I need a team of helpers who will volunteer to work free 27.8 hours a day.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Hodge-podging about trying to get back into the the swing of things!
Okay, I was lazy for at least a couple of months. I did very little to any of my blogs. I just burned myself out. :) But I'm pumped up again and ready to go back to working on these things.
I'm not sure if the Lum and Abner Dictionary will be worked on right now as I have stopped listening to the program at the moment. The show is getting strange and different (I'm in 1945) and I am not happy with the way things are going. I may just go back to the early days of the show and finish the needed episodes for the dictionary - but not at this time. Perhaps this winter.
While I don't have any magazine stuff to post at the moment, I still think I can scare up a few articles a day posting about some cool stuff I've found and hopefully some more interviews.
The other blogs that I run need working on too and I may spend a majority of my time in those areas. I'm actually not that far from catching up on the OTR advertising, which is surprising...and I'm getting some help with some crucial info needed from the fine folks at the OTRR Yahoo group (see the very bottom of this blog for more information on how to sign up.)
I do plan on doing something (blog extention) in the Vic and Sade area, along the lines of the Lum and Abner Dictionary. I'm also working on removing the Crisco commercials for Vic and Sade and hope to make the entire set available to everyone soon.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
I'm not sure if the Lum and Abner Dictionary will be worked on right now as I have stopped listening to the program at the moment. The show is getting strange and different (I'm in 1945) and I am not happy with the way things are going. I may just go back to the early days of the show and finish the needed episodes for the dictionary - but not at this time. Perhaps this winter.
While I don't have any magazine stuff to post at the moment, I still think I can scare up a few articles a day posting about some cool stuff I've found and hopefully some more interviews.
The other blogs that I run need working on too and I may spend a majority of my time in those areas. I'm actually not that far from catching up on the OTR advertising, which is surprising...and I'm getting some help with some crucial info needed from the fine folks at the OTRR Yahoo group (see the very bottom of this blog for more information on how to sign up.)
I do plan on doing something (blog extention) in the Vic and Sade area, along the lines of the Lum and Abner Dictionary. I'm also working on removing the Crisco commercials for Vic and Sade and hope to make the entire set available to everyone soon.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Hodge-podging about what I've been doing
Hi everyone.
I have been doing a lot of things away from the internet. I've been exploring some television (traitor, right?) I watched I Love Lucy and saw Jay Novello. I've been watching the old Dragnet TV show.
Am I still listening to OTR? Yes, of course. As a matter of fact, I am heavily into Gleason and Armstrong (almost half-way done with it) and still listening hard to Vic and Sade and Superman. I've almost been listening to a lot of Amos 'n' Andy "since I've been away."
I've been enjoying (or trying to enjoy) baseball, one of the things I enjoy most in life. My team started off hot but is no longer hot - as a matter of fact, they waver on being horrible. But I've been watching.
I have been listening to Lum and Abner as well - but I have noticed than in 1945, Alka Seltzer has taken some drastic measures to change the show a bit - and I am none too happy about it. So much so that I almost don't want to listen to it.
Basically, I have been trying to stay away from the internet as much as possible. I devoted 4 months to this blog (and it's siblings) and I need a rest is all. As soon as I get a hold of some more news, I will get back in the swing of things. This "vacation" was sorely needed.
I honestly hate to be away, but I was dangerously close to running myself into the ground here. I still love OTR but the blog got to be a heavy burden because I was devoting so much time to it.
I'll see you soon. I hope.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
I have been doing a lot of things away from the internet. I've been exploring some television (traitor, right?) I watched I Love Lucy and saw Jay Novello. I've been watching the old Dragnet TV show.
Am I still listening to OTR? Yes, of course. As a matter of fact, I am heavily into Gleason and Armstrong (almost half-way done with it) and still listening hard to Vic and Sade and Superman. I've almost been listening to a lot of Amos 'n' Andy "since I've been away."
I've been enjoying (or trying to enjoy) baseball, one of the things I enjoy most in life. My team started off hot but is no longer hot - as a matter of fact, they waver on being horrible. But I've been watching.
I have been listening to Lum and Abner as well - but I have noticed than in 1945, Alka Seltzer has taken some drastic measures to change the show a bit - and I am none too happy about it. So much so that I almost don't want to listen to it.
Basically, I have been trying to stay away from the internet as much as possible. I devoted 4 months to this blog (and it's siblings) and I need a rest is all. As soon as I get a hold of some more news, I will get back in the swing of things. This "vacation" was sorely needed.
I honestly hate to be away, but I was dangerously close to running myself into the ground here. I still love OTR but the blog got to be a heavy burden because I was devoting so much time to it.
I'll see you soon. I hope.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Hodge-podging around
The kid photos were fun, hope you saw them. I get a kick out of comparing them to what they looked like in their hey-day compared to their kid photos. Rudy Vallee looks pretty much the same, except for the hair!
__
I added a bunch of new Casts and small biographies to their proper places this morning and have a bunch more to post. Some casts are represented by more than 1 photo and when I go and add another photo, it will not show up as "new" (if you check the OTR Photo or the OTR Photo RSS feed.) So periodically, you should go and check your favorite casts to see if they have been updated.
___
I have more fun photos to show you:
___
Some say this is the earliest photo of Charlie McCarthy in existance (that's up for debate.) You know it's very old though as look at the crudeness of the dummy on the left and Bergen has a TON of hair. I'm guessing it was taken in the mid to late 1920's, but that's only a guess:
___
I have several shows picked out that I must listen to - but after I do, I will do a podcast for each one. Perhaps a day between podcasts would not be too unreasonable. At any rate, I think you can probably expect another podcast from me on Sunday.
___
I've never listed all my blogs at once... so I think I will do it now...
Active Blogs:
OTR Buffet
OTR Photo
OTR Biographies (Say Hello To...)
OTR Advertisements
OTR Podcast
Billboard Magazine OTR Reviews
Lum and Abner Dictionary
Silent Radio
Semi -blogs:
OTR Casts
Inactive blogs:
OTR People
Whew!
___
I'm listening to 3-5 Lum and Abner shows a day and there are so few new words for the Lum and Abner Dictionary to be found lately. Hey, I'm trying, people!
I notice they'll use a word incorrectly and then the next day they will use it correctly. Or they will use a word incorrectly and then the next show they will change it something else. Go figure.
Here's a Lum and Abner photo I have never posted:
__
I find stuff all the time that I save but never post. I think, now who would care about his? Well here are a few of those things I never posted but saved for some reason:
©Jimbo 2010/2011
I added a bunch of new Casts and small biographies to their proper places this morning and have a bunch more to post. Some casts are represented by more than 1 photo and when I go and add another photo, it will not show up as "new" (if you check the OTR Photo or the OTR Photo RSS feed.) So periodically, you should go and check your favorite casts to see if they have been updated.
___
I have more fun photos to show you:
 |
| William Bendix (Riley) and Scotty Beckett (Junior) |
 | ||
| Riley and Digby O'Dell (or is it Jim Gillis? - Either way, it's the elusive John Brown!) |
Some say this is the earliest photo of Charlie McCarthy in existance (that's up for debate.) You know it's very old though as look at the crudeness of the dummy on the left and Bergen has a TON of hair. I'm guessing it was taken in the mid to late 1920's, but that's only a guess:
I have several shows picked out that I must listen to - but after I do, I will do a podcast for each one. Perhaps a day between podcasts would not be too unreasonable. At any rate, I think you can probably expect another podcast from me on Sunday.
___
I've never listed all my blogs at once... so I think I will do it now...
Active Blogs:
OTR Buffet
OTR Photo
OTR Biographies (Say Hello To...)
OTR Advertisements
OTR Podcast
Billboard Magazine OTR Reviews
Lum and Abner Dictionary
Silent Radio
Semi -blogs:
OTR Casts
Inactive blogs:
OTR People
Whew!
___
I'm listening to 3-5 Lum and Abner shows a day and there are so few new words for the Lum and Abner Dictionary to be found lately. Hey, I'm trying, people!
I notice they'll use a word incorrectly and then the next day they will use it correctly. Or they will use a word incorrectly and then the next show they will change it something else. Go figure.
Here's a Lum and Abner photo I have never posted:
I find stuff all the time that I save but never post. I think, now who would care about his? Well here are a few of those things I never posted but saved for some reason:
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
This and that - a tiny hodge-podge
Sorry for the lack of updates the last 3 days. I have been really busy. Not just busy with the podcasts but helping a friend who is sight-impaired build a website. Hopefully by tomorrow I can start looking for news you can use again.
I have done two complete podcasts and since Friday is the 1st, I will start running them then. They will be found on another blog but more details as time goes on. The podcasts will average 10 minutes each. As for the two I have completed, one ran 8:12 and the other almost 11:30. This is going to be an everyday thing!
I used original music for the opening and closing themes.
-
Have you ever noticed that when people got sun-tanned in OTR they called it a sun-burn?
Mary Livingstone: You look good with that sun burn!
Jack Benny: Why, thank you.
You know it couldn't have possibly been a burn - no one looks good with a burn. And I have heard this many times.
-
I tried doing 2 different things this weekend that did not quite work. You'e going to think I am crazy but...
I tried to make a song out of Gildersleeve and Leroy from their own voice inflections. This actually went pretty well for a while and then I got stuck and it was taking up too much time. :(
But even crazier than that was editing out Leroy on Great Gildersleeve and replacing him with Julius Abruzio on The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show (and vice versa.) This actually went amazingly well as "Leroy" turned into a very bad child.
Here was my quandry - is it right to do this? I kind of felt guilty the whole time and eventually I shelved the idea - plus, it was another humongous time-killer. I really don't have time to waste on stuff like that.
I had planned on surprising you with it on April Fool's Day but have backed out.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
I have done two complete podcasts and since Friday is the 1st, I will start running them then. They will be found on another blog but more details as time goes on. The podcasts will average 10 minutes each. As for the two I have completed, one ran 8:12 and the other almost 11:30. This is going to be an everyday thing!
I used original music for the opening and closing themes.
-
Have you ever noticed that when people got sun-tanned in OTR they called it a sun-burn?
Mary Livingstone: You look good with that sun burn!
Jack Benny: Why, thank you.
You know it couldn't have possibly been a burn - no one looks good with a burn. And I have heard this many times.
-
I tried doing 2 different things this weekend that did not quite work. You'e going to think I am crazy but...
I tried to make a song out of Gildersleeve and Leroy from their own voice inflections. This actually went pretty well for a while and then I got stuck and it was taking up too much time. :(
But even crazier than that was editing out Leroy on Great Gildersleeve and replacing him with Julius Abruzio on The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show (and vice versa.) This actually went amazingly well as "Leroy" turned into a very bad child.
Here was my quandry - is it right to do this? I kind of felt guilty the whole time and eventually I shelved the idea - plus, it was another humongous time-killer. I really don't have time to waste on stuff like that.
I had planned on surprising you with it on April Fool's Day but have backed out.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Hodge-podging about changing my OTR routine
 |
| Al "California Here I Come" Jolson |
I spend usually anywhere from 4 to 6 hours a day listening to old-time radio. I think it's essential for my work on the
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Follow the yellow brick road thoughts
I've been thinking - the main cast of The Wizard of Oz had pretty firm roots in radio - the exception being Bert Lahr, who was a vaudevillian first, then a movie actor. But he was a frequent guest on radio.
When he was in vaudeville, he was in a revue often that included Kate Smith and it's said he would often ad-lib and make fun of her huge dimensions.
Oh, if he only had a heart...
Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley all had shows of their own. Judy Garland was very a frequent guest star and probably did 200 radio broadcasts or more.
Even the witches got in on the radio act: Billie Burke (Glenda the Good Witch) was on Rudy Vallee's show through the late 1930's and early forties and was on radio about 100 times. And while Margaret Hamilton (Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West) got her feet wet (no pun intended) as a bit part player in films, she was a regular in 1958 on The Couple Next Door radio series.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
When he was in vaudeville, he was in a revue often that included Kate Smith and it's said he would often ad-lib and make fun of her huge dimensions.
Oh, if he only had a heart...
Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley all had shows of their own. Judy Garland was very a frequent guest star and probably did 200 radio broadcasts or more.
Even the witches got in on the radio act: Billie Burke (Glenda the Good Witch) was on Rudy Vallee's show through the late 1930's and early forties and was on radio about 100 times. And while Margaret Hamilton (Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West) got her feet wet (no pun intended) as a bit part player in films, she was a regular in 1958 on The Couple Next Door radio series.
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
For the love of Agnes Moorehead! (Hodge-podge)
Worn to a frazzle. Worn to a frazzzzzzz ull! For the past couple of days I have been revamping the blog, cleaning stuff up, making stuff better - I am trying to set up and write some interviews that should appear here next week with some big OTR fans... bascially, I've been busy.
So I have nothing planned for today. Oops! Sometimes, when there's nothing planned for the blog, that's when I write best - so here it goes...
I thought I might tell you what's popular in OTR. The reason I know is I can tell from my blog numbers that if Agnes Moorehead is mentioned, she gets a lot of attention. She gets more attention than Orson Welles for some reason. Is this because of TV/Bewitched? I have no idea.
I like Agnes, I really do - but I was first introduced to her via Bewitched and I've always thought of her as evil!
I know now, especially after listening to her on her 4 minutes of OTR's This I Believe, that she probably wasn't evil at all.
The Shadow is popular too. While I enjoy The Shadow, it's certainly not one of those shows I would think people would flock to; for one thing, the sound is bad in a lot of the shows - and those are the ones that star Orson Welles and Agnes Moorehead! So why is The Shadow popular? Plus, as I have Hodge-podged before, the whole Shadow thing is just goofy.
Something else that is popular is Pepsodent. If I put a Pepsodent ad up, they get a lot of attention as well. Bob Hope be hanged - but Pepsodent ads starring Bob Hope draw people in like flies. Are the people who make Pepsodent the ones looking at the blog? Who knows.?
This blog is popular in Russia. I never knew that Russians listened to American old-time radio but I suppose they do.
The Halls of Ivy get a lot of attention as well - but I can see that. The Halls of Ivy is a fantastic show with a lot of charm.
---
You may recall a while back I wrote about Canadian OTR. I still haven't found any information about it - I'm hoping I can find a Canadian fan on Twitter with whom I can do an interview about it. I think we all would find it interesting to find out exactly what kind of shows were popular up there that were done in Canada. I know Canadians listened to a lot of American shows (this I know from Canadian radio schedules.)
Examine the following schedule from The Vancouver Sun in the late 1940's:
As you can see, they could listen to Suspense on two stations (I take it one of the stations is in Seattle) and if you look on the far right side, you see station CKMO, which looks to be playing nothing but Canadian-made radio. While some of it is obviously local programming, there is some national programming as well, especially in prime time, you'd think.
You see I have also highlighted a few shows I have never heard of before - are those Canadian? Were they national?
If you are from Canada and would like to help answer those questions, you can leave a comment and let us know. Or let me know via Twitter, @Jimbo_OTR.
---
It says in the book, On the Air that Henry Aldrich of the Aldrich Family was described as "typical" and "not at all typical" at the same time in reviews...
I think he's atypical for the fact that as goofy as he may seem, Henry seems pretty smart - certainly smarter than the kids his age I know. :)
©Jimbo 2010/2011
So I have nothing planned for today. Oops! Sometimes, when there's nothing planned for the blog, that's when I write best - so here it goes...
 | |
| Agnes Moorehead |
I like Agnes, I really do - but I was first introduced to her via Bewitched and I've always thought of her as evil!
I know now, especially after listening to her on her 4 minutes of OTR's This I Believe, that she probably wasn't evil at all.
The Shadow is popular too. While I enjoy The Shadow, it's certainly not one of those shows I would think people would flock to; for one thing, the sound is bad in a lot of the shows - and those are the ones that star Orson Welles and Agnes Moorehead! So why is The Shadow popular? Plus, as I have Hodge-podged before, the whole Shadow thing is just goofy.
Something else that is popular is Pepsodent. If I put a Pepsodent ad up, they get a lot of attention as well. Bob Hope be hanged - but Pepsodent ads starring Bob Hope draw people in like flies. Are the people who make Pepsodent the ones looking at the blog? Who knows.?
This blog is popular in Russia. I never knew that Russians listened to American old-time radio but I suppose they do.
The Halls of Ivy get a lot of attention as well - but I can see that. The Halls of Ivy is a fantastic show with a lot of charm.
---
You may recall a while back I wrote about Canadian OTR. I still haven't found any information about it - I'm hoping I can find a Canadian fan on Twitter with whom I can do an interview about it. I think we all would find it interesting to find out exactly what kind of shows were popular up there that were done in Canada. I know Canadians listened to a lot of American shows (this I know from Canadian radio schedules.)
Examine the following schedule from The Vancouver Sun in the late 1940's:
As you can see, they could listen to Suspense on two stations (I take it one of the stations is in Seattle) and if you look on the far right side, you see station CKMO, which looks to be playing nothing but Canadian-made radio. While some of it is obviously local programming, there is some national programming as well, especially in prime time, you'd think.
You see I have also highlighted a few shows I have never heard of before - are those Canadian? Were they national?
If you are from Canada and would like to help answer those questions, you can leave a comment and let us know. Or let me know via Twitter, @Jimbo_OTR.
---
It says in the book, On the Air that Henry Aldrich of the Aldrich Family was described as "typical" and "not at all typical" at the same time in reviews...
I think he's atypical for the fact that as goofy as he may seem, Henry seems pretty smart - certainly smarter than the kids his age I know. :)
©Jimbo 2010/2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Hodge-podging/Feb.23rd
 |
| Ricky Jordan? |
The biggest difference between the two is World War II for Rick and post-war for Rocky. Oh by the way: RiCK and RoCKy...
---
If you listen to Bill Stern's Sports Newreels (and if you don't, you are missing a lot of fun - even if you don't like sports) do you ever realize how often he says the following expression: "And believe it or not, he too was born on Christmas Day"...you'd be surprised.
---
I had the opportunity in the last week to listen to Orson Welles' Lear commentaries that I wrote about some time ago.
After listening to them again I come away fascinated with Welles. I don't agree with his politics (I'd bet you that at least when he made these commentaries that he was a Socialist) but he's convincingly clever - and his wit and charm on the air cannot be denied.
---
Speaking of great actors, I wouldn't say that House Jameson and Hanley Stafford are in the "best actor" category but after many listenings to both I am always impressed with their work.
---
I've also been listening to a new series (for me) Vox Pop (Voice of the People) - a show where the average Joe on the street (or servicemen) were interviewed live. While I haven't noticed anything too unusual yet, it is interesting to hear non-actors before a live microphone (think of You Bet Your Life.)I'll review the show after I listen to a few more episodes, but I wanted you to be aware of this incredible (and I do mean incredible) collection of Vox Pop images online.
---
Joe Kelly, the quizmaster on the Quiz Kids prorgam, was selected to head Quiz Kids - not because of his brilliance but because of his lack of brilliance, so says the book On the Air. Kelly had been the host of National Barn Dance for years and was a third grade dropout.
Despite all that, he seems perfect for the show and I've always liked his work.
---
Seriously doing all kinds of things behind the scenes and working 12-13 hours a day at it. But it takes a while for research to pay off.
Right now I am in the process of sorting and posting almost 300 new OTR Advertisments and I hope you go there and look around and find something you like. I enjoy digging through papers and finding an ad but there's a lot of work involved in it. If you'd just go and look now and then and enjoy the ads, I'd be pleased for you to see them. There are almost 700 different OTR show advertisements involved (not all are posted yet, though.)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Hodge-podging: A smile on my face when I hear...
Oscar Levant playing the piano on Information Please when asked to make up tunes for certain emotions. Fabulous radio like that bring big smiles.
Groucho Marx. Nobody's quicker with the wit.
Lum and Abner talking about something scientific.
Mixed-up Mayor LaTrivia. (By the way, I'm at a spot now where he hasn't been mixed up for several episodes in a row.)
Baby Snooks. Love that show!
The cornball coerciveness of This is Your FBI.
The sassy side of Walter Tetley (especially on the Great Gildersleeve.)
The even sassier Arnold Stang on the Milton Berle Show. Certainly one of the funniest people ever.
A long-winded Jack Webb speech in any character - but the best are Pat Novak and Sgt. Friday (Dragnet.)
Chester on Gunsmoke when nothing important is happening.
Marian Jordan as Teeny (Fibber McGee and Molly.)
Danny Kaye.
The malaprops of Lou Costello, Fibber McGee, Chester Riley, Archie the manager (Duffy's Tavern)- but best of all, Nick Dupopolous on Fibber McGee and Molly.
Ricky Nelson as a kid on Ozzie and Harriett.
Grandpappy Spears (Lum and Abner.)
Orson Welles as any character or as himself. PRICELESS.
The young children on the Quiz Kids.
The time machine of old-time radio.
Groucho Marx. Nobody's quicker with the wit.
Lum and Abner talking about something scientific.
Mixed-up Mayor LaTrivia. (By the way, I'm at a spot now where he hasn't been mixed up for several episodes in a row.)
Baby Snooks. Love that show!
The cornball coerciveness of This is Your FBI.
The sassy side of Walter Tetley (especially on the Great Gildersleeve.)
The even sassier Arnold Stang on the Milton Berle Show. Certainly one of the funniest people ever.
A long-winded Jack Webb speech in any character - but the best are Pat Novak and Sgt. Friday (Dragnet.)
Chester on Gunsmoke when nothing important is happening.
Marian Jordan as Teeny (Fibber McGee and Molly.)
Danny Kaye.
The malaprops of Lou Costello, Fibber McGee, Chester Riley, Archie the manager (Duffy's Tavern)- but best of all, Nick Dupopolous on Fibber McGee and Molly.
Ricky Nelson as a kid on Ozzie and Harriett.
Grandpappy Spears (Lum and Abner.)
Orson Welles as any character or as himself. PRICELESS.
The young children on the Quiz Kids.
The time machine of old-time radio.
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