The background of this collection, as well as summaries of all the episodes included in it, are in this message.  If you want it, you can get it by joining The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound by tomorrow morning.  If you become a member, you will also receive the REPS Labor Day Special Collection, which will be released on September 5th, as well as everything I distribute from the library for the next full year.  This will include many more rare shows I obtained from Jim.

To join, just go to repsonline.org, enter the website, hover on "Get Involved" at the top right of your screen, click on "Become a Member" on the menu that drops down, and pay the $25 dues using PayPal or a credit card. Then please send me a copy of the receipt you will get in an email.  I would like to emphasize that your membership will be for one full year, not just the remainder of this calendar year.  If you have any problem, just send me an email and I will help you complete the process.

Larry

I. Introduction

This set will be released beginning tomorrow over an eight-day period, six episodes per day.  If you want it, you have until tomorrow morning to send me a message registering for it.  Members who signed up for the REPS Summer Special are exempt.  All others, including all provisional members, need to let me know if you want it.  You can also opt out if you don't.

The episodes will be sent in approximately alphabetical order, so you can preview each day's group by reading their summaries below.

Jim was the first owner of the Old Time Radio Researchers Group, was no doubt largely involved in writing its mission statement and in developing the concept of Certified Collections, the definition of which is a complete set of the best encodes available of an old-time radio series which comes with a certification document that contains artwork, background information, listeners' reports and sometimes episode descriptions.  A team of researchers worked on each Certification Project, and members were rewarded by the leader by having their names and contributions recognized in the document.  When a collection was completed, it was released to all members of the group and eventually to the general public by being placed in the OTRR Library.

I was a member of Jim's teams during the years 2006-08, and worked on many of his projects.  He liked to do lesser known series that did not have a great many extant episodes.  He was also legendary in his generosity.  At that time, the group was strictly comprised of volunteers.  To join you had to apply to Jim and tell him what you thought you could bring to the group that would be helpful in its projects.  He was known to remove volunteers who refused an assignment.  But to those who worked with him, he frequently sent DVD disks with dozens of episodes on them, often of OTR series that were obscure and rare.

This collection consists almost entirely of such series and episodes.  All the files are in mp3 format, and I have eliminated many with poor sound, and in all but three or four of those included almost every syllable can be distinctly heard.  If you would like to get an idea of how many rare series are represented, you can check each series title against the OTRR Library collection and find the ones that are not there.  But an easier way is to ask yourself if you have ever heard of each series.  Those you do not recognize are rare to you, which is the most important fact.

This collection, one of at least two that I plan to release based on shows received from Jim, happens to have many series that are of the talk-interview-information genre.  They are very entertaining to hear, largely because they provide a wealth of information about current events, including news, sports, and cultural events of the era.  They also have great commercials, and the "sound" so distinctive of old-time radio which takes you back instantly to a bygone era.  These include Art Baker's Notebook, Barbara Welles, Barry Gray, Breakfast With Dorothy and Dick, Emily Kimbrough and Louella Parsons.

By chance, there is also a lot of war-related material.  Some is propaganda, some episodes consist mostly of music, some are interviews and at least one gives news.  The two episodes of Country Express feature country music, are presented by "your local Army recruiter," and are entertaining because of the personality of the host. Let's Go To Town presents popular songs and is introduced by a promo for The National Guard.  In Let's Talk About You General James Doolittle is interviewed by Norman Vincent Peale. In Over Our Coffee Cups Eleanor Roosevelt interviews Corporal James Cannon at the Reception Center, Fort Dix. The episode was broadcast the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, is sponsored by the Pan American Coffee Bureau, and emphasizes the solidarity of those countries with the United States. It concludes with a war bulletin. 

Finally, a number of episodes are happy surprises because of how unexpectedly good they are. One is Africa Is Adventure. An explorer takes us back with him to 1946, and describes the breathtaking beauty he beheld when first riding on horseback through the Saudi Pass. 
 

II. Episode Summaries

1. 1965 Christmas Seals (December, 1965). 13:57 in length. Host Edye Gorme brings along "a few of my favorite songs to sing for you, and a couple of helpful hints for Christmas." Entire program consists of four songs, two Public Service Announcements for Christmas Seals, and a small amount of pleasant chatter.  Perhaps the program's greatest virtue is its rarity.  I did not find in in the OTRR Library, or in David Goldin's RadioGoldIndex, or in Vintage Radio Logs or in John Dunning's On the Air.

2. The Alan Prescott Show (October 15, 1947). This is one of the best episodes in the collection, but requires (and rewards) careful listening because it is not as good an encode as most of the others. It begins with a commercial for Rinso. Alan then addresses listeners by asking them if they have thought of going on a diet, then says that he went on one Monday "and here it is Wednesday and I've lost every close friend I ever had. My life is surrounded with grapefruits and black coffee." Then he says the program will consist of "records and transcribed commercials." Then he announces local events in New York on this Wednesday night. Pianist Hilda Summers will be performing at 8:30 at Carnegie Hall. "Green Dolphin Street," a movie with Lana Turner, will be opening this evening. Rudolph Valentino's "The Shiek" is playing at the old Knickerbocker Music Hall on 54th Street. Tomorrow there will be an auction at an art gallery on Park Avenue at 2pm. Next comes a singing commercial for Shaefers Beer. Then Alan announces "This is National Letter Writing Week." He then reviews a book by Lewis Cheskin entitled Colors, and the program concludes with a commercial for the November issue of Holiday Magazine which features the state of Maryland, 

3. Americans At Work (September 29, 1942): "First Song: They Started Something." This series featured promotional shows for the United States Armed Forces which honored American industries for their efforts in supplying war materials in the struggle against the Axis. Musical entertainment is provided as a bridge. Tonight the Wells Scientific Company is honored first "for supplying precision instruments to our Armed Forces industrial and educational efforts." The second is the Modern Dye and Drop Forge Company. Then the night's special guest Mr. Carl Payne, "Sales Manager of the Oscar Hedstrom Corporation," is allowed to speak and says "We want victory! Victory is everyone's job." [quoted portions are from RadioGoldIndex]. The episode concludes with "Tune in next Monday night for another "Americans at Work" program. This is WCFL, Chicago."

4. Around the Sound (July 13, 1944).  "First Song: Big Rock Candy Mountain."  Begins with "Around the town with Iver Hagland, presented by the Patriot Supply Center.  Iver Hagland with his tall tales and true big stories."  The Radiogoldinx provides the helpful information that "this well-known Puget Sound folk singer starts with The Big Rock Candy Mountain."  This is the only episode of the program that is summarized in Goldin's index.  It is also not in Dunning or in Vintage Radio Logs.

5. Art Baker's Notebook (undated).  Described in Dunning (p.48) as "Philosophical discourse.  Transcribed. Heard on ABC briefly, Jan-Mar,, 1950. 15 min., weekdays at 1:45.  First heard on KFI-Los Angeles September 8. 1938."  This is an excerpt [4:55] with great sound which deals exclusively with a letter from a listener nominating a hotel desk clerk in San Francicso for Art's Nice People Award.  It concludes with Art singing off from AFRS in Los Angeles, U.S.A. 

6. Arthur Godfrey Time (June 26, 1950).  "Winner: Charles Davis."  Genre was "talk, variety, music.  Broadcast history April 30, 1945-April 30. 1972. CBS as Arthur Godfrey Time.  30 min. Daily at midmorning, often sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes. Theme "Seems Like Old Times" (Dunning, p.43). 

7. Ask-It Basket (September 21, 1939). "Broadcast history October 5, 1938-April 10, 1941. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 7:30, Thursdays at 8 beginning August 9, 1939. Genre, quiz show. Sponsored by Colgate. Host: Jim McWilliams until October, 1940, then Ed East.  Announcer Del Sharbutt"  (Dunning, p.47). 

8. Author Author (January 1, 1939). "Genre was quiz show derivative with literary guests. Broadcast history April 7, 1939-February 12, 1940.  Mutual. 30 min., Fridays at 8:30 initially, then Mondays at 9:30, then at 8. Partial Sponsor was B. F. Goodrich. Moderator S.J. Perelman. Plotsmith Ellery Queen" (Dunning, p.51).

9. Barbara Welles (July 21, 1947). (Guest: Jimmy Stewart). "Yes, three o'clock and we all know it's time for Barbara Welles, who brings fun and information to our afternoon every weekday, Monday through Friday. She gives us complete coverage of the day's news for women, gives her views on what's going on, and interviews famous personalities." Mutual.

10. Barry Gray (September 23, 1949: "Guests Canada Lee and Mae Clark." Barry interviews Canada Lee, who says "I'm an actor who wants to make a million dollars!" A frank discussion of the blacklist and Canada's current situation after The Peerskill Incident. Barry and his guest disagree about racial issues, constantly interrupting each other. 

11. Barry Gray (October 7, 1949). "This is Barry Gray in Studio 8, the old Cracker Box, and tonight if you don't mind on this Friday edition of The Coffee Clatch I'll just wander from news item to show business and maybe back over to a news item. This in addition to the Sunday night edition which is heard midnights to 2pm Eastern Standard Time." Barry reports on seeing Lee J. Cobb in "Death of a Salesman" at the movies last night. The program concludes with "This is the Mutual Broadcasting System." Then an ad for Bromo-Quinine Cough Tablets. Then "Hear the World Series exclusively on WOR, see it on WOR-TV Channel 9. Then 5 minutes of the latest world news, "brought to you by Johns-Manville. producers of asbestos. the magic mineral, the great enemy of fire."

12. Barry Gray (October 14, 1949): "Guest Milton Berle." The episode begins "Good evening to everyone. This is Barry Gray in New York at the studios of WOR. For the next 25 minutes, as is our custom on Friday night, we'll wander around with a guest, chosen tonight from the promotional world, and later on we hope one of the comedy kings of U.S. show business." This is the last of the 7 or 8 Friday evening shows that Barry aired, and he says there are "But two more Sunday night shows to go." The first guest is Dr. Leon Brand, head of Promotion. Publicity and Exploitation for the Eagle Lyon Picture Company. Later Milton Berle joins them. The topic is the formation of the Screen Publicists' Guild, which is under "CIO in the East and AFL in the West." The union is intended to represent and protect the rights of publicists in the movie and television industry. The program concludes with a Reingold "Extra Dry" Beer commercial, then "I'll see you guys and gals on Sunday night at midnicht. This is Barry Gray and the Mutual Broadcasting System." 

13. Believe It or Not (August 4, 1847): "Witchcraft." Gregory Abbott hosts a show devoted to witchcraft, including one of the strangest trials ever.

14. Believe It or Not (August 5, 1947): "Portrait of a Ghost." Gregory Abbott hosts an artistic show, including the story of Hogarth the painter and Fielding the writer.

15. Bill Stern Sports Newsreel (May 9, 1946): "Guest Dinah Shore."  "When the program aired, Bill Stern was probably the best sportscaster alive. He was chariasmatic, dynamic, and well-versed on most sports and their athletes." Sometimes "he stretched the truth in order to make the stories more exciting" Source: OTRR Library.

16. Break the Bank (October 5, 1949). The first show of the series on NBC. The bank climbs to a value of $4,650.  Host Bert Parks, announcer Bud Collyer. Peter Van Steeden and his orchestra.  Dunning (p.112) describes the program as follows: Genre is "quiz program.. NBC. 30min. Wednesdays at 9pm. Sponsored by Vitalis. In 1948, when it had been on the air for 3 years, Break the Bank was touted by Radio Mirror as 'the highest paying quiz program in the world'." 

17. Breakfast with Dorothy and Dick. This episode aired April 26, 1945 on WOR and is entitled "Breakfast with Pritchett and McCullough." Hosts Dorothy Kilgallen and Richard Kollmar. Program originates from their 66th Street apartment. The guest hosts fill in for Dorothy and Dick, who are on vacation in Bermuda. According to Dunning (p.117), the genre of the program is "morning talk. It ran from April 15, 1945-March 21, 1963 on WOR-New York. Cast: Dorothy Kilgallen for the New York Journal-American and her husband, actor-producer Richard Kollmar."

18. Bride and Groom (May 23, 1947). Sponsored by Dr. Lyon's Tooth Powder and Fletcher's Castoria. Today's groom left his bride waiting two hours on their first date. Finally Betty Garvin marries Willard Marshall. Host John Nelson. Dunning (p.119) describes this series as "interviews with couples at the marriage altar. It ran from November 26. 1945-September 15, 1950. ABC. 30 min., weekdays at 3:30. (At 3 summer,1950). Sterling Drugs. Host John Nelson. hostess Roberta Roberts who handled backstage details. During its five-year run Bride and Groom told the stories of about 1,000 couples." 

19. Captains of Industry (1938): "The Story of Andrew Carnegie." The scene opens in Pittsburgh in the year 1850. Two messenger boys for the Eastern Telegraph Company are sitting on the steps of a large Brownstone residence. One of them was Andrew Carnegie, a tow-headed lad who was born in Dumferlin, Scotland in 1837. A forty-cent bet is paid off at the conclusion from one of the wealthiest men in the world to another. [11:22] 

20. CBS Open House (June 19, 1944). The program was possibly carried on the CBS Pacific Network. Ona Munson interviews Howard Culver about his role in "Lady of the Press," and his radio career. She also interviews Isabel Jewell about her current role in "I love a Mystery" as well as her film career.

21. Champion Roll Call (July 7, 1942). A report on the Inverness Invitational Golf Tournament, plus other sports news by Harry Wismer and Les Griffith. The description in the July 11th episode defines the series as "A sports program with Harry Wismer, not so coincidentally broadcasting from WTOL-Toledo, the home of the headquarters of Champion Spark Plugs" (presumably one of the sponsors of the tournament, which given the reputation of Inverness might have been the 1942 U.S. Open).

22. Correction, Please (August 10, 1945). 8:30am. NBC. A quiz show in which the contestants guess which of three statements is wrong. The first category is 'baby animals.' The program is more interesting than it sounds, well moderated by host Jay C. Flippen. 

23. Country Express (Undated). The star of this program is definitely disk jockey Tom Daniels, who tonight is playing Country Classics as requested by many listeners. It is hosted by your local Army recruiter. After playing the first song, "Company Comin'" by Porter Waggoner, Daniels says "Thank you Porter and all the gang. Old Tom hosts that company to you my friends, and I ask you to stay with me for the next 15 minutes because I'd like to say I get lonesome without you and I don't like talkin' to myself. And that's where I'd be if you didn't tune my way." He concludes by saying "And don't forget, please whatever you do, that your old clod-hoppin' disk jockey Tom Daniels brings you "The Country Express" each and every week at the same time by your local Army Recruiter and this fine radio station."

24. Country Express (Undated). "First Song: Cryin' Heart Blues." Brought to you by "your local Army recruiter," also by "this fine radio station as a public service." Then a ballad by Lester Flatt and the Foggy Mountain Boys is followed by a recruiting announcement by the United States Army emphasizing training opportunities in the commercial equipment repair field. After that "Don't Let Me Cross Over" by Skeeter Davis and another song before popular host Tom Daniels signs off by saying to listeners "When I'm with you, I know I'm in good company."

25. Dr. Christian (May 9, 1945): "Excalibur." CBS. Vaseline. Described in Vintage Radio Logs as "Ghost Story: King Arthur's Court." Jerry Haendiges appears to have the complete log of episodes. Dunning (p.202) describes the program as "light drama." "The broadcast history is from November 7, 1937-January 6, 1954. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 8:30 from 1940-54. Cheesborough Manufacturing Company for Vaseline. Dr. Christian may have been the best known light drama on the air."

26. The Eddie Arnold Show (March 25, 1953): "Guests Homer and Jethroe." Crown Production Radio. Syndicated. Sponsored by Purina. Announcer Charlie Brown.

27. The Emily Kimbrough Show (May 13, 1952): "Shakespeare." Introduction: "This is Harry Marble. It's five minutes after four, and again that brings us to the place where it's my pleasure to present the lovely young lady who is substituting this week for Emily Kimbrough. This girl is starring in 'The Seven Year Itch' on Broadway, one of the funniest plays I have ever seen in all of my born days. Her name is Miss Vanessa Brown." Emily has sent post cards from Venice and Paris. At the conclusion Marble states that "Tomorrow we have one of the foremost plastic surgeons as a guest, Dr. Robert Alan Franklin, and he will talk about the relation of plastic surgery to the movies and the theater." Then, "I hope you will join Vanessa Brown and me, same time, 4:05-4:30. Till then, thank you for listening and good afternoon." 

"Stay tuned now for Galen Drake on the 'Housewives Protection League Program.' This is New York, WCBS AM-FM. Yes, tomorrow evening at 6:15 and again at 10:45, CBS Radio will bring you two of the first of a series of programs covering the famed Palm Beach Tournament and as with so many exciting sports events our broadcast of this will be a radio exclusive,"   

28. The Emily Kimbrough Show (May 14, 1952), "Beauty." Harry begins by stating that "This is matinee day," then says it is Wednesday. Then a singing commercial for Hearns Department Store. "Tomorrow is sale day at Hearns. All prices guaranteed 20 percent below [everyday costs]. This is the new Hearns Department Store in Manhattan, 14th Street at 5th Avenue. Other stores are in the Bronx and Bay Shore. Manhattan and Bronx stores are open Thursday night till 9pm." Then a singing commercial for Coke "in the bottle." Dr. Franklin then is interviewed as promised, stating among other facts that "A face lift is good for 10-15 years." Concludes with a commercial for Tetley Tea. "This is New York, WCBS  AM-FM. 

29. The Eternal Light, Dunning (p.234) lists the broadcast history as "October 8, 1949-1981. NBC. 30 minutes, Sundays. Joint project of NBC and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Genre is religious drama. The show's central theme is 'brotherly love'."

30. Forbidden Cargo (November 8, 1954). Two agents are on the trail of hashish smugglers in Egypt. 

31. Africa Is Adventure (SA-undated): "Snow on the Berg," "India Super Tires, the tires with the red rings, take you across our vast continent as we discover that Africa is adventure. And here is your storyteller and producer Monte Dial: 'Good evening. The morning was crisp and clear. The blue mountains seemed a long way off, and yet their presence seemed to extend to where we stood'." The subject of the episode is explorer David Alexander, who made a recording that is used in it. He begins with "Good evening. When I first conceived of the McCorkle Mountain Transport in 1946, when first riding on horseback through the Saudi Pass with Mary, I was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty and the picturesque animal pack trains." Then, thirty minutes later, Alexander concludes with "The story is told and there is no ending. The mountain waits, perhaps for you." Then "You have been listening to 'Snow on the Berg,' written and produced by Monte Dial. A film in color has been made of the Saudi Pass, and will be shown throughout South Africa.

32. American Legion Baseball (1934): "Sid Gordon." Announcer Russ Hodges begins with "How ya' doin' baseball fans, this is Russ Hodges speakin' for American Legion Junior Baseball." He interviews Sid Gordon from the Polo Grounds prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Giants. Sid recounts how he wrote to the Giants in 1938 asking for a try-out, and the Giants replied that they would give him one if he paid his own expenses to Milford, where the try-out camp was held. Then in 1942 he was called up to the major leagues by the Giants. He says that "Except for three years with the Coast Guard during the war, I've been with the Giants ever since." Sid concludes by stating that American Legion baseball has been a great help to a lot of boys. "We had about 19 men on our 1948 [major league] roster who [had been] with The American Legion." 

33. Leo Is On the Air (1934): "Born To Dance." The program opens with "She's back, the idol and rave of Broadway, Eleanor Powell. Today Eleanor brings you a gala preview of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer giant musical Born To Dance. This miracle of melodies features an all-star cast and 300 dancing beauties." The rest is musical numbers. The announcer concludes with "Born To Dance, you are the tops. You are the glittering successor to the great Ziegfeld. Your Cole Porter music is haunting. Seven stars, seven song hits, and spectacular music combine to make Born To Dance the most lavish musical production of this or any year."

34. Let George Do It (April 25, 1949). Dunning (p.254) describes the program's genre as "detective drama. Broadcast history was October 18, 1946-september 27, 1954, Mutual. Don Lee. West Coast. 30 min, Fridays, then Mondays for Standard Oil. Cast: Bob Burns as George Valentine, freelance detective."

35. Let's Go To Town (Undated). "First Song: Tenderly." [11:33]. Promo at the beginning for The National Guard. "The Guard offers military training at home, including two weeks of summer camp each year with pay." Then "This is Billy Mays. That song in the background is one of my favorites. I hope you boys and girls enjoy it as much as we like playing it, 'Tenderly'." Then "Moonlight in Vermont" sung by Margaret Whiting. Then "The Fat Man Boogie." Conclusion: "Well friends, it's been wonderful going to town with you, but now it's time to go. This is Billy Mays, your National Guard man of the month and Margaret Whiting your National Guard singing star of the month saying so long, and see you next week. And this is Martin Blanc, speaking for your hometown National Guard saying so long to you, and you, and especially to you."

36. Let's Talk About You (August 10, 1954). "Guest: Major Jimmy Doolittle." The episode begins "Good evening. This is Norman Vincent Peale, let's talk about you. CBS Radio brings you Norman Vincent Peale and his guest tonight, General James Doolittle." The program is brought to you "each evening at this time." Peale gives Doolittle's biography by way of introduction. Most of the show features Doolittle discussing his faith. He is surprisingly funny, and one of his best lines is "I'd rather talk to one girl a thousand times than to a thousand girls once." Conclusion: "Norman Vincent Peale, distinguished author, lecturer, editor is heard on the CBS Radio each weekday evening as he talks about you. Dr. Peale's guest tomorrow night will be the great American golfer Ben Hogan. Thursday night, the Honorable Clare Booth Luce. Friday night, the Metropolitan opera star Mimi van Zell. This is the CBS Radio Network."

THE LOUELLA PARSONS SHOW

In On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, John Dunning describes the genre as "gossip." He lists the broadcast history as "December 3. 1944-December 25, 1951. 15 min. Sundays at 9:15 for Jergens Lotion. Louella Parsons was considered the queen of Hollywood gossip writers and broadcasters" (p.391).

This collection has two episodes.  Their dates are September 2, 1951; and September 9, 1951.

37. September 2, 1951: "Stars of the Future." Hollywood gossip with Dorothy Lamour substituting for Louella. By transcription, Louella interviews four stars of the future.

38. September 9, 1951: Ida Lupino To Marry." Ava Gardner will soon wed Frank Sinatra, Louella interviews Jane Wyman. Everett Sloan is also heard. 

39. The Mel Price Show (Undated): "First Song 'So Many Times'." The episode begins with "Your local Army recruiter presents Mel Price and the Sante Fe Rangers." Mel introduces the group, and they launch right into "So Many Times." Then "Sweet Georgia Brown." It concludes with "You've been listening to Mel Price and the Sante Fe Rangers, sent to you by your local United States Army recruiter.  Transcribed at Ft. George, Maryland. The Mel Price Show was presented as a public service by this station."

40. Mind Your Manners: "How Can a Young Man Restore Confidence?" (May 15, 1948).  A panel show of teenagers discussing the do's and don'ts of etiquette, relationships, and schools."

41. Official Detective: "Hogan Murder Case" (May 14, 1949). A bartender witnesses a shooting, and the killers decide he must be silenced.

42. Open House (January 28, 1945) 1:30 pm. "Nylon Stockings." A chat show originating from the home of the Healys. Topics include fat rationing, grapefruit, 'The Victory Clothing Drive', and Gimbels will be having a sale on nylon stockings tomorrow. The program may also be known as "The Healys Open House." 

43. Our Freedom's Blessings (April 5, 1952). [13:15] New York Department of Commerce, Concerns American Business and Political Freedom (Uncle York-Story Teller). Source: Vintage Radio Logs. "The story of the link trainer, and New York's aviation industry." Source: RadioGoldIndex.

44. Over Our Coffee Cups (December 7, 1941): "Guest: Corporal James Cameron." {14:00] "This is Leon Pearson, speaking for the Pan-American Coffee Bureau, which represents seven good-neighbored coffee growing nations, and presenting to you American families your Sunday evening visit with Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. This evening Mrs. Roosevelt has as her guest Corporal James Cannon, Reception Center, Fort Dix,  But first, Don Seymour has a word from our sponsors." Note: This episode was broadcast on the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the solidarity of Pan-American countries with the United States is emphasized. It concludes with "This is the National Broadcasting Company." Then a war bulletin.

45. Owl Rexall Show (February 14, 1950). "And now the following quarter-hour is brought to you by some very good and prudent friends of yours, Rexall Drug Stores. We always have some great news for you, and we have some great music lined up for this quarter-hour. We're going to hear from The Modernaires, Doris Day. Gordan Jackson and Bing Crosby ('the Bingle'). We always have some great tunes, and some wonderful anniversary and ample price-slashing values on Rexall's sensational 47th Anniversary Sale, all this month at Owl Rexall Drugstores." Then music. The Modernaires perform "Big Movie Show in the Sky." Then Doris Day with "I Don't Want To Be Kissed By Anyone But You." Then "Sunshine Kate" by Bing Crosby. 

46. Southland Echoes (1949): "First Song: Living On the Sunny Side." Sponsored by Zyrone Tonic. Features household and beauty advice for women. A booklet is offered as a premium.

47. Story Behind the Headlines (Friday, October 27, 1939): "The Outbreak of the European War." [14:03] "The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the American Historical Association, takes pleasure in introducing to you for the third successive season Caesar Searchingham, former news correspondent, author, and close observer for many years of the European scene. He makes it his job to give you a fuller understanding of the real significance of the news." The lecturer's topic is the situation in Poland. The show concludes with "this program is a public service feature of the Red Network of The National Broadcasting Company, RCA Building, Radio City, New York."

48. Treasury Star Parade (January 2, 1943). "I Got Wings." [14:38] "Starring Mr. Canada Lee in Violet Atkins' radio adaptation of the dramatic and moving document from The American Magazine of Lieutenant Charles H. DeBeau of the United States Army." Promo for war bonds at the conclusion. An interesting historical fact: "10 percent of everything you earn must go into war savings bonds and stamps." 

 

     

--
Larry Maupin

Sign me up, please
John

On Aug 24, 2022, at 5:38 AM, Larry Maupin <lmaupin@...>
wrote:


The background of this collection, as well as summaries of all the
episodes included in it, are in this message. If you want it, you
can get it by joining The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound by
tomorrow morning. If you become a member, you will also receive the
REPS Labor Day Special Collection, which will be released on
September 5th, as well as everything I distribute from the library
for the next full year. This will include many more rare shows I
obtained from Jim.
To join, just go to repsonline.org, enter the website, hover on "Get
Involved" at the top right of your screen, click on "Become a
Member" on the menu that drops down, and pay the $25 dues using
PayPal or a credit card. Then please send me a copy of the receipt
you will get in an email. I would like to emphasize that your
membership will be for one full year, not just the remainder of this
calendar year. If you have any problem, just send me an email and I
will help you complete the process.
Larry I. Introduction
This set will be released beginning tomorrow over an eight-day
period, six episodes per day. If you want it, you have until
tomorrow morning to send me a message registering for it. Members
who signed up for the REPS Summer Special are exempt. All others,
including all provisional members, need to let me know if you want
it. You can also opt out if you don't.
The episodes will be sent in approximately alphabetical order, so
you can preview each day's group by reading their summaries below.
Jim was the first owner of the Old Time Radio Researchers Group, was
no doubt largely involved in writing its mission statement and in
developing the concept of Certified Collections, the definition of
which is a complete set of the best encodes available of an old-time
radio series which comes with a certification document that contains
artwork, background information, listeners' reports and sometimes
episode descriptions. A team of researchers worked on each
Certification Project, and members were rewarded by the leader by
having their names and contributions recognized in the document.
When a collection was completed, it was released to all members of
the group and eventually to the general public by being placed in
the OTRR Library.
I was a member of Jim's teams during the years 2006-08, and worked
on many of his projects. He liked to do lesser known series that
did not have a great many extant episodes. He was also legendary in
his generosity. At that time, the group was strictly comprised of
volunteers. To join you had to apply to Jim and tell him what you
thought you could bring to the group that would be helpful in its
projects. He was known to remove volunteers who refused an
assignment. But to those who worked with him, he frequently sent
DVD disks with dozens of episodes on them, often of OTR series that
were obscure and rare.
This collection consists almost entirely of such series and
episodes. All the files are in mp3 format, and I have eliminated
many with poor sound, and in all but three or four of those included
almost every syllable can be distinctly heard. If you would like to
get an idea of how many rare series are represented, you can check
each series title against the OTRR Library collection and find the
ones that are not there. But an easier way is to ask yourself if
you have ever heard of each series. Those you do not recognize are
rare to you, which is the most important fact.
This collection, one of at least two that I plan to release based on
shows received from Jim, happens to have many series that are of the
talk-interview-information genre. They are very entertaining to
hear, largely because they provide a wealth of information about
current events, including news, sports, and cultural events of the
era. They also have great commercials, and the "sound" so
distinctive of old-time radio which takes you back instantly to a
bygone era. These include _Art Baker's Notebook, Barbara Welles,
Barry Gray, Breakfast With Dorothy and Dick, Emily Kimbrough_ and
_Louella Parsons_.
By chance, there is also a lot of war-related material. Some is
propaganda, some episodes consist mostly of music, some are
interviews and at least one gives news. The two episodes of
_Country Express_ feature country music, are presented by "your
local Army recruiter," and are entertaining because of the
personality of the host. _Let's Go To Town_ presents popular songs
and is introduced by a promo for The National Guard. In _Let's Talk
About You_ General James Doolittle is interviewed by Norman Vincent
Peale. In _Over Our Coffee Cups_ Eleanor Roosevelt interviews
Corporal James Cannon at the Reception Center, Fort Dix. The episode
was broadcast the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, is sponsored
by the Pan American Coffee Bureau, and emphasizes the solidarity of
those countries with the United States. It concludes with a war
bulletin.
Finally, a number of episodes are happy surprises because of how
unexpectedly good they are. One is _Africa Is Adventure._ An
explorer takes us back with him to 1946, and describes the
breathtaking beauty he beheld when first riding on horseback through
the Saudi Pass.
II. Episode Summaries
1. _1965 Christmas Seals_ (December, 1965). 13:57 in length. Host
Edye Gorme brings along "a few of my favorite songs to sing for you,
and a couple of helpful hints for Christmas." Entire program
consists of four songs, two Public Service Announcements for
Christmas Seals, and a small amount of pleasant chatter. Perhaps
the program's greatest virtue is its rarity. I did not find in in
the OTRR Library, or in David Goldin's RadioGoldIndex, or in Vintage
Radio Logs or in John Dunning's _On the Air_.
2. _The Alan Prescott Show_ (October 15, 1947). This is one of the
best episodes in the collection, but requires (and rewards) careful
listening because it is not as good an encode as most of the others.
It begins with a commercial for Rinso. Alan then addresses listeners
by asking them if they have thought of going on a diet, then says
that he went on one Monday "and here it is Wednesday and I've lost
every close friend I ever had. My life is surrounded with
grapefruits and black coffee." Then he says the program will consist
of "records and transcribed commercials." Then he announces local
events in New York on this Wednesday night. Pianist Hilda Summers
will be performing at 8:30 at Carnegie Hall. "Green Dolphin Street,"
a movie with Lana Turner, will be opening this evening. Rudolph
Valentino's "The Shiek" is playing at the old Knickerbocker Music
Hall on 54th Street. Tomorrow there will be an auction at an art
gallery on Park Avenue at 2pm. Next comes a singing commercial for
Shaefers Beer. Then Alan announces "This is National Letter Writing
Week." He then reviews a book by Lewis Cheskin entitled _Colors_,
and the program concludes with a commercial for the November issue
of _Holiday Magazine_ which features the state of Maryland,
3._ Americans At Work_ (September 29, 1942): "First Song: They
Started Something." This series featured promotional shows for the
United States Armed Forces which honored American industries for
their efforts in supplying war materials in the struggle against the
Axis. Musical entertainment is provided as a bridge. Tonight the
Wells Scientific Company is honored first "for supplying precision
instruments to our Armed Forces industrial and educational efforts."
The second is the Modern Dye and Drop Forge Company. Then the
night's special guest Mr. Carl Payne, "Sales Manager of the Oscar
Hedstrom Corporation," is allowed to speak and says "We want
victory! Victory is everyone's job." [quoted portions are from
RadioGoldIndex]. The episode concludes with "Tune in next Monday
night for another "Americans at Work" program. This is WCFL,
Chicago."
4. _Around the Sound_ (July 13, 1944). "First Song: Big Rock Candy
Mountain." Begins with "Around the town with Iver Hagland,
presented by the Patriot Supply Center. Iver Hagland with his tall
tales and true big stories." The Radiogoldinx provides the helpful
information that "this well-known Puget Sound folk singer starts
with The Big Rock Candy Mountain." This is the only episode of the
program that is summarized in Goldin's index. It is also not in
Dunning or in Vintage Radio Logs.
5. _Art Baker's Notebook_ (undated). Described in Dunning (p.48) as
"Philosophical discourse. Transcribed. Heard on ABC briefly,
Jan-Mar,, 1950. 15 min., weekdays at 1:45. First heard on KFI-Los
Angeles September 8. 1938." This is an excerpt [4:55] with great
sound which deals exclusively with a letter from a listener
nominating a hotel desk clerk in San Francicso for Art's Nice People
Award. It concludes with Art singing off from AFRS in Los Angeles,
U.S.A.
6. _Arthur Godfrey Time_ (June 26, 1950). "Winner: Charles Davis."
Genre was "talk, variety, music. Broadcast history April 30,
1945-April 30. 1972. CBS as Arthur Godfrey Time. 30 min. Daily at
midmorning, often sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes. Theme "Seems
Like Old Times" (Dunning, p.43).
7. _Ask-It Basket_ (September 21, 1939). "Broadcast history October
5, 1938-April 10, 1941. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 7:30, Thursdays
at 8 beginning August 9, 1939. Genre, quiz show. Sponsored by
Colgate. Host: Jim McWilliams until October, 1940, then Ed East.
Announcer Del Sharbutt" (Dunning, p.47).
8. _Author Author_ (January 1, 1939). "Genre was quiz show
derivative with literary guests. Broadcast history April 7,
1939-February 12, 1940. Mutual. 30 min., Fridays at 8:30 initially,
then Mondays at 9:30, then at 8. Partial Sponsor was B. F. Goodrich.
Moderator S.J. Perelman. Plotsmith Ellery Queen" (Dunning, p.51).
9. _Barbara Welles_ (July 21, 1947). (Guest: Jimmy Stewart). "Yes,
three o'clock and we all know it's time for Barbara Welles, who
brings fun and information to our afternoon every weekday, Monday
through Friday. She gives us complete coverage of the day's news for
women, gives her views on what's going on, and interviews famous
personalities." Mutual.
10._ Barry Gray_ (September 23, 1949: "Guests Canada Lee and Mae
Clark." Barry interviews Canada Lee, who says "I'm an actor who
wants to make a million dollars!" A frank discussion of the
blacklist and Canada's current situation after The Peerskill
Incident. Barry and his guest disagree about racial issues,
constantly interrupting each other.
11. _Barry Gray_ (October 7, 1949). "This is Barry Gray in Studio 8,
the old Cracker Box, and tonight if you don't mind on this Friday
edition of The Coffee Clatch I'll just wander from news item to show
business and maybe back over to a news item. This in addition to the
Sunday night edition which is heard midnights to 2pm Eastern
Standard Time." Barry reports on seeing Lee J. Cobb in "Death of a
Salesman" at the movies last night. The program concludes with "This
is the Mutual Broadcasting System." Then an ad for Bromo-Quinine
Cough Tablets. Then "Hear the World Series exclusively on WOR, see
it on WOR-TV Channel 9. Then 5 minutes of the latest world news,
"brought to you by Johns-Manville. producers of asbestos. the magic
mineral, the great enemy of fire."
12._ Barry Gray_ (October 14, 1949): "Guest Milton Berle." The
episode begins "Good evening to everyone. This is Barry Gray in New
York at the studios of WOR. For the next 25 minutes, as is our
custom on Friday night, we'll wander around with a guest, chosen
tonight from the promotional world, and later on we hope one of the
comedy kings of U.S. show business." This is the last of the 7 or 8
Friday evening shows that Barry aired, and he says there are "But
two more Sunday night shows to go." The first guest is Dr. Leon
Brand, head of Promotion. Publicity and Exploitation for the Eagle
Lyon Picture Company. Later Milton Berle joins them. The topic is
the formation of the Screen Publicists' Guild, which is under "CIO
in the East and AFL in the West." The union is intended to represent
and protect the rights of publicists in the movie and television
industry. The program concludes with a Reingold "Extra Dry" Beer
commercial, then "I'll see you guys and gals on Sunday night at
midnicht. This is Barry Gray and the Mutual Broadcasting System."
13. _Believe It or Not_ (August 4, 1847): "Witchcraft." Gregory
Abbott hosts a show devoted to witchcraft, including one of the
strangest trials ever.
14. _Believe It or Not_ (August 5, 1947): "Portrait of a Ghost."
Gregory Abbott hosts an artistic show, including the story of
Hogarth the painter and Fielding the writer.
15._ Bill Stern Sports Newsreel_ (May 9, 1946): "Guest Dinah Shore."
"When the program aired, Bill Stern was probably the best
sportscaster alive. He was chariasmatic, dynamic, and well-versed on
most sports and their athletes." Sometimes "he stretched the truth
in order to make the stories more exciting" Source: OTRR Library.
16. _Break the Bank_ (October 5, 1949). The first show of the series
on NBC. The bank climbs to a value of $4,650. Host Bert Parks,
announcer Bud Collyer. Peter Van Steeden and his orchestra. Dunning
(p.112) describes the program as follows: Genre is "quiz program..
NBC. 30min. Wednesdays at 9pm. Sponsored by Vitalis. In 1948, when
it had been on the air for 3 years, Break the Bank was touted by
_Radio Mirror_ as 'the highest paying quiz program in the world'."
17._ Breakfast with Dorothy and Dick._ This episode aired_ _April
26, 1945 on WOR and is entitled "Breakfast with Pritchett and
McCullough." Hosts Dorothy Kilgallen and Richard Kollmar. Program
originates from their 66th Street apartment. The guest hosts fill in
for Dorothy and Dick, who are on vacation in Bermuda. According to
Dunning (p.117), the genre of the program is "morning talk. It ran
from April 15, 1945-March 21, 1963 on WOR-New York. Cast: Dorothy
Kilgallen for the New York _Journal-American_ and her husband,
actor-producer Richard Kollmar."
18. _Bride and Groom_ (May 23, 1947). Sponsored by Dr. Lyon's Tooth
Powder and Fletcher's Castoria. Today's groom left his bride waiting
two hours on their first date. Finally Betty Garvin marries Willard
Marshall. Host John Nelson. Dunning (p.119) describes this series as
"interviews with couples at the marriage altar. It ran from November
26. 1945-September 15, 1950. ABC. 30 min., weekdays at 3:30. (At 3
summer,1950). Sterling Drugs. Host John Nelson. hostess Roberta
Roberts who handled backstage details. During its five-year run
Bride and Groom told the stories of about 1,000 couples."
19. _Captains of Industry_ (1938): "The Story of Andrew Carnegie."
The scene opens in Pittsburgh in the year 1850. Two messenger boys
for the Eastern Telegraph Company are sitting on the steps of a
large Brownstone residence. One of them was Andrew Carnegie, a
tow-headed lad who was born in Dumferlin, Scotland in 1837. A
forty-cent bet is paid off at the conclusion from one of the
wealthiest men in the world to another. [11:22]
20. _CBS Open House_ (June 19, 1944). The program was possibly
carried on the CBS Pacific Network. Ona Munson interviews Howard
Culver about his role in "Lady of the Press," and his radio career.
She also interviews Isabel Jewell about her current role in "I love
a Mystery" as well as her film career.
21._ Champion Roll Call_ (July 7, 1942). A report on the Inverness
Invitational Golf Tournament, plus other sports news by Harry Wismer
and Les Griffith. The description in the July 11th episode defines
the series as "A sports program with Harry Wismer, not so
coincidentally broadcasting from WTOL-Toledo, the home of the
headquarters of Champion Spark Plugs" (presumably one of the
sponsors of the tournament, which given the reputation of Inverness
might have been the 1942 U.S. Open).
22._ Correction, Please_ (August 10, 1945). 8:30am. NBC. A quiz show
in which the contestants guess which of three statements is wrong.
The first category is 'baby animals.' The program is more
interesting than it sounds, well moderated by host Jay C. Flippen.
23._ Country Express_ (Undated). The star of this program is
definitely disk jockey Tom Daniels, who tonight is playing Country
Classics as requested by many listeners. It is hosted by your local
Army recruiter. After playing the first song, "Company Comin'" by
Porter Waggoner, Daniels says "Thank you Porter and all the gang.
Old Tom hosts that company to you my friends, and I ask you to stay
with me for the next 15 minutes because I'd like to say I get
lonesome without you and I don't like talkin' to myself. And that's
where I'd be if you didn't tune my way." He concludes by saying "And
don't forget, please whatever you do, that your old clod-hoppin'
disk jockey Tom Daniels brings you "The Country Express" each and
every week at the same time by your local Army Recruiter and this
fine radio station."
24._ Country Express_ (Undated). "First Song: Cryin' Heart Blues."
Brought to you by "your local Army recruiter," also by "this fine
radio station as a public service." Then a ballad by Lester Flatt
and the Foggy Mountain Boys is followed by a recruiting announcement
by the United States Army emphasizing training opportunities in the
commercial equipment repair field. After that "Don't Let Me Cross
Over" by Skeeter Davis and another song before popular host Tom
Daniels signs off by saying to listeners "When I'm with you, I know
I'm in good company."
25. _Dr. Christian_ (May 9, 1945): "Excalibur_."_ CBS. Vaseline.
Described in Vintage Radio Logs as "Ghost Story: King Arthur's
Court." Jerry Haendiges appears to have the complete log of
episodes. Dunning (p.202) describes the program as "light drama."
"The broadcast history is from November 7, 1937-January 6, 1954.
CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 8:30 from 1940-54. Cheesborough
Manufacturing Company for Vaseline. Dr. Christian may have been the
best known light drama on the air."
26. _The Eddie Arnold Show_ (March 25, 1953): "Guests Homer and
Jethroe." Crown Production Radio. Syndicated. Sponsored by Purina.
Announcer Charlie Brown.
27._ The Emily Kimbrough Show_ (May 13, 1952): "Shakespeare."
Introduction: "This is Harry Marble. It's five minutes after four,
and again that brings us to the place where it's my pleasure to
present the lovely young lady who is substituting this week for
Emily Kimbrough. This girl is starring in 'The Seven Year Itch' on
Broadway, one of the funniest plays I have ever seen in all of my
born days. Her name is Miss Vanessa Brown." Emily has sent post
cards from Venice and Paris. At the conclusion Marble states that
"Tomorrow we have one of the foremost plastic surgeons as a guest,
Dr. Robert Alan Franklin, and he will talk about the relation of
plastic surgery to the movies and the theater." Then, "I hope you
will join Vanessa Brown and me, same time, 4:05-4:30. Till then,
thank you for listening and good afternoon."
"Stay tuned now for Galen Drake on the 'Housewives Protection League
Program.' This is New York, WCBS AM-FM. Yes, tomorrow evening at
6:15 and again at 10:45, CBS Radio will bring you two of the first
of a series of programs covering the famed Palm Beach Tournament and
as with so many exciting sports events our broadcast of this will be
a radio exclusive,"
28. _The Emily Kimbrough Show_ (May 14, 1952), "Beauty." Harry
begins by stating that "This is matinee day," then says it is
Wednesday. Then a singing commercial for Hearns Department Store.
"Tomorrow is sale day at Hearns. All prices guaranteed 20 percent
below [everyday costs]. This is the new Hearns Department Store in
Manhattan, 14th Street at 5th Avenue. Other stores are in the Bronx
and Bay Shore. Manhattan and Bronx stores are open Thursday night
till 9pm." Then a singing commercial for Coke "in the bottle." Dr.
Franklin then is interviewed as promised, stating among other facts
that "A face lift is good for 10-15 years." Concludes with a
commercial for Tetley Tea. "This is New York, WCBS AM-FM.
29._ The Eternal Light,_ Dunning (p.234) lists the broadcast history
as "October 8, 1949-1981. NBC. 30 minutes, Sundays. Joint project of
NBC and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Genre is religious drama.
The show's central theme is 'brotherly love'."
30._ Forbidden Cargo_ (November 8, 1954). Two agents are on the
trail of hashish smugglers in Egypt.
31._ Africa Is Adventure_ (SA-undated): "Snow on the Berg," "India
Super Tires, the tires with the red rings, take you across our vast
continent as we discover that Africa is adventure. And here is your
storyteller and producer Monte Dial: 'Good evening. The morning was
crisp and clear. The blue mountains seemed a long way off, and yet
their presence seemed to extend to where we stood'." The subject of
the episode is explorer David Alexander, who made a recording that
is used in it. He begins with "Good evening. When I first conceived
of the McCorkle Mountain Transport in 1946, when first riding on
horseback through the Saudi Pass with Mary, I was immediately struck
by the breathtaking beauty and the picturesque animal pack trains."
Then, thirty minutes later, Alexander concludes with "The story is
told and there is no ending. The mountain waits, perhaps for you."
Then "You have been listening to 'Snow on the Berg,' written and
produced by Monte Dial. A film in color has been made of the Saudi
Pass, and will be shown throughout South Africa.
32._ American Legion Baseball_ (1934): "Sid Gordon." Announcer Russ
Hodges begins with "How ya' doin' baseball fans, this is Russ Hodges
speakin' for American Legion Junior Baseball." He interviews Sid
Gordon from the Polo Grounds prior to a game between the Dodgers and
the Giants. Sid recounts how he wrote to the Giants in 1938 asking
for a try-out, and the Giants replied that they would give him one
if he paid his own expenses to Milford, where the try-out camp was
held. Then in 1942 he was called up to the major leagues by the
Giants. He says that "Except for three years with the Coast Guard
during the war, I've been with the Giants ever since." Sid concludes
by stating that American Legion baseball has been a great help to a
lot of boys. "We had about 19 men on our 1948 [major league] roster
who [had been] with The American Legion."
33._ Leo Is On the Air_ (1934): "Born To Dance." The program opens
with "She's back, the idol and rave of Broadway, Eleanor Powell.
Today Eleanor brings you a gala preview of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
giant musical_ Born To Dance._ This miracle of melodies features an
all-star cast and 300 dancing beauties." The rest is musical
numbers. The announcer concludes with "_Born To Dance,_ you are the
tops. You are the glittering successor to the great Ziegfeld. Your
Cole Porter music is haunting. Seven stars, seven song hits, and
spectacular music combine to make _Born To Dance_ the most lavish
musical production of this or any year."
34. _Let George Do It_ (April 25, 1949). Dunning (p.254) describes
the program's genre as "detective drama. Broadcast history was
October 18, 1946-september 27, 1954, Mutual. Don Lee. West Coast. 30
min, Fridays, then Mondays for Standard Oil. Cast: Bob Burns as
George Valentine, freelance detective."
35._ Let's Go To Town_ (Undated). "First Song: Tenderly." [11:33].
Promo at the beginning for The National Guard. "The Guard offers
military training at home, including two weeks of summer camp each
year with pay." Then "This is Billy Mays. That song in the
background is one of my favorites. I hope you boys and girls enjoy
it as much as we like playing it, 'Tenderly'." Then "Moonlight in
Vermont" sung by Margaret Whiting. Then "The Fat Man Boogie."
Conclusion: "Well friends, it's been wonderful going to town with
you, but now it's time to go. This is Billy Mays, your National
Guard man of the month and Margaret Whiting your National Guard
singing star of the month saying so long, and see you next week. And
this is Martin Blanc, speaking for your hometown National Guard
saying so long to you, and you, and especially to you."
36._ Let's Talk About You_ (August 10, 1954). "Guest: Major Jimmy
Doolittle." The episode begins "Good evening. This is Norman Vincent
Peale, let's talk about you. CBS Radio brings you Norman Vincent
Peale and his guest tonight, General James Doolittle." The program
is brought to you "each evening at this time." Peale gives
Doolittle's biography by way of introduction. Most of the show
features Doolittle discussing his faith. He is surprisingly funny,
and one of his best lines is "I'd rather talk to one girl a thousand
times than to a thousand girls once." Conclusion: "Norman Vincent
Peale, distinguished author, lecturer, editor is heard on the CBS
Radio each weekday evening as he talks about you. Dr. Peale's guest
tomorrow night will be the great American golfer Ben Hogan. Thursday
night, the Honorable Clare Booth Luce. Friday night, the
Metropolitan opera star Mimi van Zell. This is the CBS Radio
Network."
THE LOUELLA PARSONS SHOW
In_ On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio_, John Dunning
describes the genre as "gossip." He lists the broadcast history as
"December 3. 1944-December 25, 1951. 15 min. Sundays at 9:15 for
Jergens Lotion. Louella Parsons was considered the queen of
Hollywood gossip writers and broadcasters" (p.391).
This collection has two episodes. Their dates are September 2,
1951; and September 9, 1951.
37. September 2, 1951: "Stars of the Future." Hollywood gossip with
Dorothy Lamour substituting for Louella. By transcription, Louella
interviews four stars of the future.
38. September 9, 1951: Ida Lupino To Marry." Ava Gardner will soon
wed Frank Sinatra, Louella interviews Jane Wyman. Everett Sloan is
also heard.
39._ The Mel Price Show_ (Undated): "First Song 'So Many Times'."
The episode begins with "Your local Army recruiter presents Mel
Price and the Sante Fe Rangers." Mel introduces the group, and they
launch right into "So Many Times." Then "Sweet Georgia Brown." It
concludes with "You've been listening to Mel Price and the Sante Fe
Rangers, sent to you by your local United States Army recruiter.
Transcribed at Ft. George, Maryland. The Mel Price Show was
presented as a public service by this station."
40._ Mind Your Manners_: "How Can a Young Man Restore Confidence?"
(May 15, 1948). A panel show of teenagers discussing the do's and
don'ts of etiquette, relationships, and schools."
41._ Official Detective_: "Hogan Murder Case" (May 14, 1949). A
bartender witnesses a shooting, and the killers decide he must be
silenced.
42._ Open House_ (January 28, 1945) 1:30 pm. "Nylon Stockings." A
chat show originating from the home of the Healys. Topics include
fat rationing, grapefruit, 'The Victory Clothing Drive', and Gimbels
will be having a sale on nylon stockings tomorrow. The program may
also be known as "The Healys Open House."
43._ Our Freedom's Blessings_ (April 5, 1952). [13:15] New York
Department of Commerce, Concerns American Business and Political
Freedom (Uncle York-Story Teller). Source: Vintage Radio Logs. "The
story of the link trainer, and New York's aviation industry."
Source: RadioGoldIndex.
44._ Over Our Coffee Cups_ (December 7, 1941): "Guest: Corporal
James Cameron." {14:00] "This is Leon Pearson, speaking for the
Pan-American Coffee Bureau, which represents seven good-neighbored
coffee growing nations, and presenting to you American families your
Sunday evening visit with Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. This evening
Mrs. Roosevelt has as her guest Corporal James Cannon, Reception
Center, Fort Dix, But first, Don Seymour has a word from our
sponsors." Note: This episode was broadcast on the day after the
attack on Pearl Harbor, and the solidarity of Pan-American countries
with the United States is emphasized. It concludes with "This is the
National Broadcasting Company." Then a war bulletin.
45._ Owl Rexall Show_ (February 14, 1950). "And now the following
quarter-hour is brought to you by some very good and prudent friends
of yours, Rexall Drug Stores. We always have some great news for
you, and we have some great music lined up for this quarter-hour.
We're going to hear from The Modernaires, Doris Day. Gordan Jackson
and Bing Crosby ('the Bingle'). We always have some great tunes, and
some wonderful anniversary and ample price-slashing values on
Rexall's sensational 47th Anniversary Sale, all this month at Owl
Rexall Drugstores." Then music. The Modernaires perform "Big Movie
Show in the Sky." Then Doris Day with "I Don't Want To Be Kissed By
Anyone But You." Then "Sunshine Kate" by Bing Crosby.
46._ Southland Echoes_ (1949): "First Song: Living On the Sunny
Side." Sponsored by Zyrone Tonic. Features household and beauty
advice for women. A booklet is offered as a premium.
47._ Story Behind the Headlines_ (Friday, October 27, 1939): "The
Outbreak of the European War." [14:03] "The National Broadcasting
Company, in cooperation with the American Historical Association,
takes pleasure in introducing to you for the third successive season
Caesar Searchingham, former news correspondent, author, and close
observer for many years of the European scene. He makes it his job
to give you a fuller understanding of the real significance of the
news." The lecturer's topic is the situation in Poland. The show
concludes with "this program is a public service feature of the Red
Network of The National Broadcasting Company, RCA Building, Radio
City, New York."
48._ Treasury Star Parade_ (January 2, 1943). "I Got Wings." [14:38]
"Starring Mr. Canada Lee in Violet Atkins' radio adaptation of the
dramatic and moving document from _The American Magazine_ of
Lieutenant Charles H. DeBeau of the United States Army." Promo for
war bonds at the conclusion. An interesting historical fact: "10
percent of everything you earn must go into war savings bonds and
stamps."
--
Larry Maupin

Links:
------
[1] https://OldTimeRadioResearchers.groups.io/g/main/message/4922
[2] https://groups.io/mt/93223829/4547457
[3] https://OldTimeRadioResearchers.groups.io/g/main/post
[4] https://OldTimeRadioResearchers.groups.io/g/main/editsub/4547457
[5] https://OldTimeRadioResearchers.groups.io/g/main/leave/8174380/4547457/2112569372/xyzzy

The background of this collection, as well as summaries of all the episodes included in it, are in this message.  If you want it, you can get it by joining The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound by tomorrow morning.  If you become a member, you will also receive the REPS Labor Day Special Collection, which will be released on September 5th, as well as everything I distribute from the library for the next full year.  This will include many more rare shows I obtained from Jim.

To join, just go to repsonline.org, enter the website, hover on "Get Involved" at the top right of your screen, click on "Become a Member" on the menu that drops down, and pay the $25 dues using PayPal or a credit card. Then please send me a copy of the receipt you will get in an email.  I would like to emphasize that your membership will be for one full year, not just the remainder of this calendar year.  If you have any problem, just send me an email and I will help you complete the process.

Larry

I. Introduction

--
Larry Maupin

The background of this collection, as well as summaries of all the episodes included in it, are in this message.  If you want it, you can get it by joining The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound by tomorrow morning.  If you become a member, you will also receive the REPS Labor Day Special Collection, which will be released on September 5th, as well as everything I distribute from the library for the next full year.  This will include many more rare shows I obtained from Jim.

To join, just go to repsonline.org, enter the website, hover on "Get Involved" at the top right of your screen, click on "Become a Member" on the menu that drops down, and pay the $25 dues using PayPal or a credit card. Then please send me a copy of the receipt you will get in an email.  I would like to emphasize that your membership will be for one full year, not just the remainder of this calendar year.  If you have any problem, just send me an email and I will help you complete the process.

Larry

I. Introduction

This set will be released beginning tomorrow over an eight-day period, six episodes per day.  If you want it, you have until tomorrow morning to send me a message registering for it.  Members who signed up for the REPS Summer Special are exempt.  All others, including all provisional members, need to let me know if you want it.  You can also opt out if you don't.

The episodes will be sent in approximately alphabetical order, so you can preview each day's group by reading their summaries below.

Jim was the first owner of the Old Time Radio Researchers Group, was no doubt largely involved in writing its mission statement and in developing the concept of Certified Collections, the definition of which is a complete set of the best encodes available of an old-time radio series which comes with a certification document that contains artwork, background information, listeners' reports and sometimes episode descriptions.  A team of researchers worked on each Certification Project, and members were rewarded by the leader by having their names and contributions recognized in the document.  When a collection was completed, it was released to all members of the group and eventually to the general public by being placed in the OTRR Library.

I was a member of Jim's teams during the years 2006-08, and worked on many of his projects.  He liked to do lesser known series that did not have a great many extant episodes.  He was also legendary in his generosity.  At that time, the group was strictly comprised of volunteers.  To join you had to apply to Jim and tell him what you thought you could bring to the group that would be helpful in its projects.  He was known to remove volunteers who refused an assignment.  But to those who worked with him, he frequently sent DVD disks with dozens of episodes on them, often of OTR series that were obscure and rare.

This collection consists almost entirely of such series and episodes.  All the files are in mp3 format, and I have eliminated many with poor sound, and in all but three or four of those included almost every syllable can be distinctly heard.  If you would like to get an idea of how many rare series are represented, you can check each series title against the OTRR Library collection and find the ones that are not there.  But an easier way is to ask yourself if you have ever heard of each series.  Those you do not recognize are rare to you, which is the most important fact.

This collection, one of at least two that I plan to release based on shows received from Jim, happens to have many series that are of the talk-interview-information genre.  They are very entertaining to hear, largely because they provide a wealth of information about current events, including news, sports, and cultural events of the era.  They also have great commercials, and the "sound" so distinctive of old-time radio which takes you back instantly to a bygone era.  These include Art Baker's Notebook, Barbara Welles, Barry Gray, Breakfast With Dorothy and Dick, Emily Kimbrough and Louella Parsons.

By chance, there is also a lot of war-related material.  Some is propaganda, some episodes consist mostly of music, some are interviews and at least one gives news.  The two episodes of Country Express feature country music, are presented by "your local Army recruiter," and are entertaining because of the personality of the host. Let's Go To Town presents popular songs and is introduced by a promo for The National Guard.  In Let's Talk About You General James Doolittle is interviewed by Norman Vincent Peale. In Over Our Coffee Cups Eleanor Roosevelt interviews Corporal James Cannon at the Reception Center, Fort Dix. The episode was broadcast the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, is sponsored by the Pan American Coffee Bureau, and emphasizes the solidarity of those countries with the United States. It concludes with a war bulletin. 

Finally, a number of episodes are happy surprises because of how unexpectedly good they are. One is Africa Is Adventure. An explorer takes us back with him to 1946, and describes the breathtaking beauty he beheld when first riding on horseback through the Saudi Pass. 
 

II. Episode Summaries

1. 1965 Christmas Seals (December, 1965). 13:57 in length. Host Edye Gorme brings along "a few of my favorite songs to sing for you, and a couple of helpful hints for Christmas." Entire program consists of four songs, two Public Service Announcements for Christmas Seals, and a small amount of pleasant chatter.  Perhaps the program's greatest virtue is its rarity.  I did not find in in the OTRR Library, or in David Goldin's RadioGoldIndex, or in Vintage Radio Logs or in John Dunning's On the Air.

2. The Alan Prescott Show (October 15, 1947). This is one of the best episodes in the collection, but requires (and rewards) careful listening because it is not as good an encode as most of the others. It begins with a commercial for Rinso. Alan then addresses listeners by asking them if they have thought of going on a diet, then says that he went on one Monday "and here it is Wednesday and I've lost every close friend I ever had. My life is surrounded with grapefruits and black coffee." Then he says the program will consist of "records and transcribed commercials." Then he announces local events in New York on this Wednesday night. Pianist Hilda Summers will be performing at 8:30 at Carnegie Hall. "Green Dolphin Street," a movie with Lana Turner, will be opening this evening. Rudolph Valentino's "The Shiek" is playing at the old Knickerbocker Music Hall on 54th Street. Tomorrow there will be an auction at an art gallery on Park Avenue at 2pm. Next comes a singing commercial for Shaefers Beer. Then Alan announces "This is National Letter Writing Week." He then reviews a book by Lewis Cheskin entitled Colors, and the program concludes with a commercial for the November issue of Holiday Magazine which features the state of Maryland, 

3. Americans At Work (September 29, 1942): "First Song: They Started Something." This series featured promotional shows for the United States Armed Forces which honored American industries for their efforts in supplying war materials in the struggle against the Axis. Musical entertainment is provided as a bridge. Tonight the Wells Scientific Company is honored first "for supplying precision instruments to our Armed Forces industrial and educational efforts." The second is the Modern Dye and Drop Forge Company. Then the night's special guest Mr. Carl Payne, "Sales Manager of the Oscar Hedstrom Corporation," is allowed to speak and says "We want victory! Victory is everyone's job." [quoted portions are from RadioGoldIndex]. The episode concludes with "Tune in next Monday night for another "Americans at Work" program. This is WCFL, Chicago."

4. Around the Sound (July 13, 1944).  "First Song: Big Rock Candy Mountain."  Begins with "Around the town with Iver Hagland, presented by the Patriot Supply Center.  Iver Hagland with his tall tales and true big stories."  The Radiogoldinx provides the helpful information that "this well-known Puget Sound folk singer starts with The Big Rock Candy Mountain."  This is the only episode of the program that is summarized in Goldin's index.  It is also not in Dunning or in Vintage Radio Logs.

5. Art Baker's Notebook (undated).  Described in Dunning (p.48) as "Philosophical discourse.  Transcribed. Heard on ABC briefly, Jan-Mar,, 1950. 15 min., weekdays at 1:45.  First heard on KFI-Los Angeles September 8. 1938."  This is an excerpt [4:55] with great sound which deals exclusively with a letter from a listener nominating a hotel desk clerk in San Francicso for Art's Nice People Award.  It concludes with Art singing off from AFRS in Los Angeles, U.S.A. 

6. Arthur Godfrey Time (June 26, 1950).  "Winner: Charles Davis."  Genre was "talk, variety, music.  Broadcast history April 30, 1945-April 30. 1972. CBS as Arthur Godfrey Time.  30 min. Daily at midmorning, often sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes. Theme "Seems Like Old Times" (Dunning, p.43). 

7. Ask-It Basket (September 21, 1939). "Broadcast history October 5, 1938-April 10, 1941. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 7:30, Thursdays at 8 beginning August 9, 1939. Genre, quiz show. Sponsored by Colgate. Host: Jim McWilliams until October, 1940, then Ed East.  Announcer Del Sharbutt"  (Dunning, p.47). 

8. Author Author (January 1, 1939). "Genre was quiz show derivative with literary guests. Broadcast history April 7, 1939-February 12, 1940.  Mutual. 30 min., Fridays at 8:30 initially, then Mondays at 9:30, then at 8. Partial Sponsor was B. F. Goodrich. Moderator S.J. Perelman. Plotsmith Ellery Queen" (Dunning, p.51).

9. Barbara Welles (July 21, 1947). (Guest: Jimmy Stewart). "Yes, three o'clock and we all know it's time for Barbara Welles, who brings fun and information to our afternoon every weekday, Monday through Friday. She gives us complete coverage of the day's news for women, gives her views on what's going on, and interviews famous personalities." Mutual.

10. Barry Gray (September 23, 1949: "Guests Canada Lee and Mae Clark." Barry interviews Canada Lee, who says "I'm an actor who wants to make a million dollars!" A frank discussion of the blacklist and Canada's current situation after The Peerskill Incident. Barry and his guest disagree about racial issues, constantly interrupting each other. 

11. Barry Gray (October 7, 1949). "This is Barry Gray in Studio 8, the old Cracker Box, and tonight if you don't mind on this Friday edition of The Coffee Clatch I'll just wander from news item to show business and maybe back over to a news item. This in addition to the Sunday night edition which is heard midnights to 2pm Eastern Standard Time." Barry reports on seeing Lee J. Cobb in "Death of a Salesman" at the movies last night. The program concludes with "This is the Mutual Broadcasting System." Then an ad for Bromo-Quinine Cough Tablets. Then "Hear the World Series exclusively on WOR, see it on WOR-TV Channel 9. Then 5 minutes of the latest world news, "brought to you by Johns-Manville. producers of asbestos. the magic mineral, the great enemy of fire."

12. Barry Gray (October 14, 1949): "Guest Milton Berle." The episode begins "Good evening to everyone. This is Barry Gray in New York at the studios of WOR. For the next 25 minutes, as is our custom on Friday night, we'll wander around with a guest, chosen tonight from the promotional world, and later on we hope one of the comedy kings of U.S. show business." This is the last of the 7 or 8 Friday evening shows that Barry aired, and he says there are "But two more Sunday night shows to go." The first guest is Dr. Leon Brand, head of Promotion. Publicity and Exploitation for the Eagle Lyon Picture Company. Later Milton Berle joins them. The topic is the formation of the Screen Publicists' Guild, which is under "CIO in the East and AFL in the West." The union is intended to represent and protect the rights of publicists in the movie and television industry. The program concludes with a Reingold "Extra Dry" Beer commercial, then "I'll see you guys and gals on Sunday night at midnicht. This is Barry Gray and the Mutual Broadcasting System." 

13. Believe It or Not (August 4, 1847): "Witchcraft." Gregory Abbott hosts a show devoted to witchcraft, including one of the strangest trials ever.

14. Believe It or Not (August 5, 1947): "Portrait of a Ghost." Gregory Abbott hosts an artistic show, including the story of Hogarth the painter and Fielding the writer.

15. Bill Stern Sports Newsreel (May 9, 1946): "Guest Dinah Shore."  "When the program aired, Bill Stern was probably the best sportscaster alive. He was chariasmatic, dynamic, and well-versed on most sports and their athletes." Sometimes "he stretched the truth in order to make the stories more exciting" Source: OTRR Library.

16. Break the Bank (October 5, 1949). The first show of the series on NBC. The bank climbs to a value of $4,650.  Host Bert Parks, announcer Bud Collyer. Peter Van Steeden and his orchestra.  Dunning (p.112) describes the program as follows: Genre is "quiz program.. NBC. 30min. Wednesdays at 9pm. Sponsored by Vitalis. In 1948, when it had been on the air for 3 years, Break the Bank was touted by Radio Mirror as 'the highest paying quiz program in the world'." 

17. Breakfast with Dorothy and Dick. This episode aired April 26, 1945 on WOR and is entitled "Breakfast with Pritchett and McCullough." Hosts Dorothy Kilgallen and Richard Kollmar. Program originates from their 66th Street apartment. The guest hosts fill in for Dorothy and Dick, who are on vacation in Bermuda. According to Dunning (p.117), the genre of the program is "morning talk. It ran from April 15, 1945-March 21, 1963 on WOR-New York. Cast: Dorothy Kilgallen for the New York Journal-American and her husband, actor-producer Richard Kollmar."

18. Bride and Groom (May 23, 1947). Sponsored by Dr. Lyon's Tooth Powder and Fletcher's Castoria. Today's groom left his bride waiting two hours on their first date. Finally Betty Garvin marries Willard Marshall. Host John Nelson. Dunning (p.119) describes this series as "interviews with couples at the marriage altar. It ran from November 26. 1945-September 15, 1950. ABC. 30 min., weekdays at 3:30. (At 3 summer,1950). Sterling Drugs. Host John Nelson. hostess Roberta Roberts who handled backstage details. During its five-year run Bride and Groom told the stories of about 1,000 couples." 

19. Captains of Industry (1938): "The Story of Andrew Carnegie." The scene opens in Pittsburgh in the year 1850. Two messenger boys for the Eastern Telegraph Company are sitting on the steps of a large Brownstone residence. One of them was Andrew Carnegie, a tow-headed lad who was born in Dumferlin, Scotland in 1837. A forty-cent bet is paid off at the conclusion from one of the wealthiest men in the world to another. [11:22] 

20. CBS Open House (June 19, 1944). The program was possibly carried on the CBS Pacific Network. Ona Munson interviews Howard Culver about his role in "Lady of the Press," and his radio career. She also interviews Isabel Jewell about her current role in "I love a Mystery" as well as her film career.

21. Champion Roll Call (July 7, 1942). A report on the Inverness Invitational Golf Tournament, plus other sports news by Harry Wismer and Les Griffith. The description in the July 11th episode defines the series as "A sports program with Harry Wismer, not so coincidentally broadcasting from WTOL-Toledo, the home of the headquarters of Champion Spark Plugs" (presumably one of the sponsors of the tournament, which given the reputation of Inverness might have been the 1942 U.S. Open).

22. Correction, Please (August 10, 1945). 8:30am. NBC. A quiz show in which the contestants guess which of three statements is wrong. The first category is 'baby animals.' The program is more interesting than it sounds, well moderated by host Jay C. Flippen. 

23. Country Express (Undated). The star of this program is definitely disk jockey Tom Daniels, who tonight is playing Country Classics as requested by many listeners. It is hosted by your local Army recruiter. After playing the first song, "Company Comin'" by Porter Waggoner, Daniels says "Thank you Porter and all the gang. Old Tom hosts that company to you my friends, and I ask you to stay with me for the next 15 minutes because I'd like to say I get lonesome without you and I don't like talkin' to myself. And that's where I'd be if you didn't tune my way." He concludes by saying "And don't forget, please whatever you do, that your old clod-hoppin' disk jockey Tom Daniels brings you "The Country Express" each and every week at the same time by your local Army Recruiter and this fine radio station."

24. Country Express (Undated). "First Song: Cryin' Heart Blues." Brought to you by "your local Army recruiter," also by "this fine radio station as a public service." Then a ballad by Lester Flatt and the Foggy Mountain Boys is followed by a recruiting announcement by the United States Army emphasizing training opportunities in the commercial equipment repair field. After that "Don't Let Me Cross Over" by Skeeter Davis and another song before popular host Tom Daniels signs off by saying to listeners "When I'm with you, I know I'm in good company."

25. Dr. Christian (May 9, 1945): "Excalibur." CBS. Vaseline. Described in Vintage Radio Logs as "Ghost Story: King Arthur's Court." Jerry Haendiges appears to have the complete log of episodes. Dunning (p.202) describes the program as "light drama." "The broadcast history is from November 7, 1937-January 6, 1954. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 8:30 from 1940-54. Cheesborough Manufacturing Company for Vaseline. Dr. Christian may have been the best known light drama on the air."

26. The Eddie Arnold Show (March 25, 1953): "Guests Homer and Jethroe." Crown Production Radio. Syndicated. Sponsored by Purina. Announcer Charlie Brown.

27. The Emily Kimbrough Show (May 13, 1952): "Shakespeare." Introduction: "This is Harry Marble. It's five minutes after four, and again that brings us to the place where it's my pleasure to present the lovely young lady who is substituting this week for Emily Kimbrough. This girl is starring in 'The Seven Year Itch' on Broadway, one of the funniest plays I have ever seen in all of my born days. Her name is Miss Vanessa Brown." Emily has sent post cards from Venice and Paris. At the conclusion Marble states that "Tomorrow we have one of the foremost plastic surgeons as a guest, Dr. Robert Alan Franklin, and he will talk about the relation of plastic surgery to the movies and the theater." Then, "I hope you will join Vanessa Brown and me, same time, 4:05-4:30. Till then, thank you for listening and good afternoon." 

"Stay tuned now for Galen Drake on the 'Housewives Protection League Program.' This is New York, WCBS AM-FM. Yes, tomorrow evening at 6:15 and again at 10:45, CBS Radio will bring you two of the first of a series of programs covering the famed Palm Beach Tournament and as with so many exciting sports events our broadcast of this will be a radio exclusive,"   

28. The Emily Kimbrough Show (May 14, 1952), "Beauty." Harry begins by stating that "This is matinee day," then says it is Wednesday. Then a singing commercial for Hearns Department Store. "Tomorrow is sale day at Hearns. All prices guaranteed 20 percent below [everyday costs]. This is the new Hearns Department Store in Manhattan, 14th Street at 5th Avenue. Other stores are in the Bronx and Bay Shore. Manhattan and Bronx stores are open Thursday night till 9pm." Then a singing commercial for Coke "in the bottle." Dr. Franklin then is interviewed as promised, stating among other facts that "A face lift is good for 10-15 years." Concludes with a commercial for Tetley Tea. "This is New York, WCBS  AM-FM. 

29. The Eternal Light, Dunning (p.234) lists the broadcast history as "October 8, 1949-1981. NBC. 30 minutes, Sundays. Joint project of NBC and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Genre is religious drama. The show's central theme is 'brotherly love'."

30. Forbidden Cargo (November 8, 1954). Two agents are on the trail of hashish smugglers in Egypt. 

31. Africa Is Adventure (SA-undated): "Snow on the Berg," "India Super Tires, the tires with the red rings, take you across our vast continent as we discover that Africa is adventure. And here is your storyteller and producer Monte Dial: 'Good evening. The morning was crisp and clear. The blue mountains seemed a long way off, and yet their presence seemed to extend to where we stood'." The subject of the episode is explorer David Alexander, who made a recording that is used in it. He begins with "Good evening. When I first conceived of the McCorkle Mountain Transport in 1946, when first riding on horseback through the Saudi Pass with Mary, I was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty and the picturesque animal pack trains." Then, thirty minutes later, Alexander concludes with "The story is told and there is no ending. The mountain waits, perhaps for you." Then "You have been listening to 'Snow on the Berg,' written and produced by Monte Dial. A film in color has been made of the Saudi Pass, and will be shown throughout South Africa.

32. American Legion Baseball (1934): "Sid Gordon." Announcer Russ Hodges begins with "How ya' doin' baseball fans, this is Russ Hodges speakin' for American Legion Junior Baseball." He interviews Sid Gordon from the Polo Grounds prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Giants. Sid recounts how he wrote to the Giants in 1938 asking for a try-out, and the Giants replied that they would give him one if he paid his own expenses to Milford, where the try-out camp was held. Then in 1942 he was called up to the major leagues by the Giants. He says that "Except for three years with the Coast Guard during the war, I've been with the Giants ever since." Sid concludes by stating that American Legion baseball has been a great help to a lot of boys. "We had about 19 men on our 1948 [major league] roster who [had been] with The American Legion." 

33. Leo Is On the Air (1934): "Born To Dance." The program opens with "She's back, the idol and rave of Broadway, Eleanor Powell. Today Eleanor brings you a gala preview of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer giant musical Born To Dance. This miracle of melodies features an all-star cast and 300 dancing beauties." The rest is musical numbers. The announcer concludes with "Born To Dance, you are the tops. You are the glittering successor to the great Ziegfeld. Your Cole Porter music is haunting. Seven stars, seven song hits, and spectacular music combine to make Born To Dance the most lavish musical production of this or any year."

34. Let George Do It (April 25, 1949). Dunning (p.254) describes the program's genre as "detective drama. Broadcast history was October 18, 1946-september 27, 1954, Mutual. Don Lee. West Coast. 30 min, Fridays, then Mondays for Standard Oil. Cast: Bob Burns as George Valentine, freelance detective."

35. Let's Go To Town (Undated). "First Song: Tenderly." [11:33]. Promo at the beginning for The National Guard. "The Guard offers military training at home, including two weeks of summer camp each year with pay." Then "This is Billy Mays. That song in the background is one of my favorites. I hope you boys and girls enjoy it as much as we like playing it, 'Tenderly'." Then "Moonlight in Vermont" sung by Margaret Whiting. Then "The Fat Man Boogie." Conclusion: "Well friends, it's been wonderful going to town with you, but now it's time to go. This is Billy Mays, your National Guard man of the month and Margaret Whiting your National Guard singing star of the month saying so long, and see you next week. And this is Martin Blanc, speaking for your hometown National Guard saying so long to you, and you, and especially to you."

36. Let's Talk About You (August 10, 1954). "Guest: Major Jimmy Doolittle." The episode begins "Good evening. This is Norman Vincent Peale, let's talk about you. CBS Radio brings you Norman Vincent Peale and his guest tonight, General James Doolittle." The program is brought to you "each evening at this time." Peale gives Doolittle's biography by way of introduction. Most of the show features Doolittle discussing his faith. He is surprisingly funny, and one of his best lines is "I'd rather talk to one girl a thousand times than to a thousand girls once." Conclusion: "Norman Vincent Peale, distinguished author, lecturer, editor is heard on the CBS Radio each weekday evening as he talks about you. Dr. Peale's guest tomorrow night will be the great American golfer Ben Hogan. Thursday night, the Honorable Clare Booth Luce. Friday night, the Metropolitan opera star Mimi van Zell. This is the CBS Radio Network."

THE LOUELLA PARSONS SHOW

In On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, John Dunning describes the genre as "gossip." He lists the broadcast history as "December 3. 1944-December 25, 1951. 15 min. Sundays at 9:15 for Jergens Lotion. Louella Parsons was considered the queen of Hollywood gossip writers and broadcasters" (p.391).

This collection has two episodes.  Their dates are September 2, 1951; and September 9, 1951.

37. September 2, 1951: "Stars of the Future." Hollywood gossip with Dorothy Lamour substituting for Louella. By transcription, Louella interviews four stars of the future.

38. September 9, 1951: Ida Lupino To Marry." Ava Gardner will soon wed Frank Sinatra, Louella interviews Jane Wyman. Everett Sloan is also heard. 

39. The Mel Price Show (Undated): "First Song 'So Many Times'." The episode begins with "Your local Army recruiter presents Mel Price and the Sante Fe Rangers." Mel introduces the group, and they launch right into "So Many Times." Then "Sweet Georgia Brown." It concludes with "You've been listening to Mel Price and the Sante Fe Rangers, sent to you by your local United States Army recruiter.  Transcribed at Ft. George, Maryland. The Mel Price Show was presented as a public service by this station."

40. Mind Your Manners: "How Can a Young Man Restore Confidence?" (May 15, 1948).  A panel show of teenagers discussing the do's and don'ts of etiquette, relationships, and schools."

41. Official Detective: "Hogan Murder Case" (May 14, 1949). A bartender witnesses a shooting, and the killers decide he must be silenced.

42. Open House (January 28, 1945) 1:30 pm. "Nylon Stockings." A chat show originating from the home of the Healys. Topics include fat rationing, grapefruit, 'The Victory Clothing Drive', and Gimbels will be having a sale on nylon stockings tomorrow. The program may also be known as "The Healys Open House." 

43. Our Freedom's Blessings (April 5, 1952). [13:15] New York Department of Commerce, Concerns American Business and Political Freedom (Uncle York-Story Teller). Source: Vintage Radio Logs. "The story of the link trainer, and New York's aviation industry." Source: RadioGoldIndex.

44. Over Our Coffee Cups (December 7, 1941): "Guest: Corporal James Cameron." {14:00] "This is Leon Pearson, speaking for the Pan-American Coffee Bureau, which represents seven good-neighbored coffee growing nations, and presenting to you American families your Sunday evening visit with Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. This evening Mrs. Roosevelt has as her guest Corporal James Cannon, Reception Center, Fort Dix,  But first, Don Seymour has a word from our sponsors." Note: This episode was broadcast on the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the solidarity of Pan-American countries with the United States is emphasized. It concludes with "This is the National Broadcasting Company." Then a war bulletin.

45. Owl Rexall Show (February 14, 1950). "And now the following quarter-hour is brought to you by some very good and prudent friends of yours, Rexall Drug Stores. We always have some great news for you, and we have some great music lined up for this quarter-hour. We're going to hear from The Modernaires, Doris Day. Gordan Jackson and Bing Crosby ('the Bingle'). We always have some great tunes, and some wonderful anniversary and ample price-slashing values on Rexall's sensational 47th Anniversary Sale, all this month at Owl Rexall Drugstores." Then music. The Modernaires perform "Big Movie Show in the Sky." Then Doris Day with "I Don't Want To Be Kissed By Anyone But You." Then "Sunshine Kate" by Bing Crosby. 

46. Southland Echoes (1949): "First Song: Living On the Sunny Side." Sponsored by Zyrone Tonic. Features household and beauty advice for women. A booklet is offered as a premium.

47. Story Behind the Headlines (Friday, October 27, 1939): "The Outbreak of the European War." [14:03] "The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the American Historical Association, takes pleasure in introducing to you for the third successive season Caesar Searchingham, former news correspondent, author, and close observer for many years of the European scene. He makes it his job to give you a fuller understanding of the real significance of the news." The lecturer's topic is the situation in Poland. The show concludes with "this program is a public service feature of the Red Network of The National Broadcasting Company, RCA Building, Radio City, New York."

48. Treasury Star Parade (January 2, 1943). "I Got Wings." [14:38] "Starring Mr. Canada Lee in Violet Atkins' radio adaptation of the dramatic and moving document from The American Magazine of Lieutenant Charles H. DeBeau of the United States Army." Promo for war bonds at the conclusion. An interesting historical fact: "10 percent of everything you earn must go into war savings bonds and stamps." 

 

     

--
Larry Maupin

On Aug 24, 2022, at 3:38 AM, Larry Maupin <lmaupin@...> wrote:



The background of this collection, as well as summaries of all the episodes included in it, are in this message.  If you want it, you can get it by joining The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound by tomorrow morning.  If you become a member, you will also receive the REPS Labor Day Special Collection, which will be released on September 5th, as well as everything I distribute from the library for the next full year.  This will include many more rare shows I obtained from Jim.

On Aug 24, 2022, at 3:38 AM, Larry Maupin <lmaupin@...> wrote:



The background of this collection, as well as summaries of all the episodes included in it, are in this message.  If you want it, you can get it by joining The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound by tomorrow morning.  If you become a member, you will also receive the REPS Labor Day Special Collection, which will be released on September 5th, as well as everything I distribute from the library for the next full year.  This will include many more rare shows I obtained from Jim.

On Aug 24, 2022, at 5:38 AM, Larry Maupin <lmaupin@...> wrote:



The background of this collection, as well as summaries of all the episodes included in it, are in this message.  If you want it, you can get it by joining The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound by tomorrow morning.  If you become a member, you will also receive the REPS Labor Day Special Collection, which will be released on September 5th, as well as everything I distribute from the library for the next full year.  This will include many more rare shows I obtained from Jim.

To join, just go to repsonline.org, enter the website, hover on "Get Involved" at the top right of your screen, click on "Become a Member" on the menu that drops down, and pay the $25 dues using PayPal or a credit card. Then please send me a copy of the receipt you will get in an email.  I would like to emphasize that your membership will be for one full year, not just the remainder of this calendar year.  If you have any problem, just send me an email and I will help you complete the process.

Larry

I. Introduction

This set will be released beginning tomorrow over an eight-day period, six episodes per day.  If you want it, you have until tomorrow morning to send me a message registering for it.  Members who signed up for the REPS Summer Special are exempt.  All others, including all provisional members, need to let me know if you want it.  You can also opt out if you don't.

The episodes will be sent in approximately alphabetical order, so you can preview each day's group by reading their summaries below.

Jim was the first owner of the Old Time Radio Researchers Group, was no doubt largely involved in writing its mission statement and in developing the concept of Certified Collections, the definition of which is a complete set of the best encodes available of an old-time radio series which comes with a certification document that contains artwork, background information, listeners' reports and sometimes episode descriptions.  A team of researchers worked on each Certification Project, and members were rewarded by the leader by having their names and contributions recognized in the document.  When a collection was completed, it was released to all members of the group and eventually to the general public by being placed in the OTRR Library.

I was a member of Jim's teams during the years 2006-08, and worked on many of his projects.  He liked to do lesser known series that did not have a great many extant episodes.  He was also legendary in his generosity.  At that time, the group was strictly comprised of volunteers.  To join you had to apply to Jim and tell him what you thought you could bring to the group that would be helpful in its projects.  He was known to remove volunteers who refused an assignment.  But to those who worked with him, he frequently sent DVD disks with dozens of episodes on them, often of OTR series that were obscure and rare.

This collection consists almost entirely of such series and episodes.  All the files are in mp3 format, and I have eliminated many with poor sound, and in all but three or four of those included almost every syllable can be distinctly heard.  If you would like to get an idea of how many rare series are represented, you can check each series title against the OTRR Library collection and find the ones that are not there.  But an easier way is to ask yourself if you have ever heard of each series.  Those you do not recognize are rare to you, which is the most important fact.

This collection, one of at least two that I plan to release based on shows received from Jim, happens to have many series that are of the talk-interview-information genre.  They are very entertaining to hear, largely because they provide a wealth of information about current events, including news, sports, and cultural events of the era.  They also have great commercials, and the "sound" so distinctive of old-time radio which takes you back instantly to a bygone era.  These include Art Baker's Notebook, Barbara Welles, Barry Gray, Breakfast With Dorothy and Dick, Emily Kimbrough and Louella Parsons.

By chance, there is also a lot of war-related material.  Some is propaganda, some episodes consist mostly of music, some are interviews and at least one gives news.  The two episodes of Country Express feature country music, are presented by "your local Army recruiter," and are entertaining because of the personality of the host. Let's Go To Town presents popular songs and is introduced by a promo for The National Guard.  In Let's Talk About You General James Doolittle is interviewed by Norman Vincent Peale. In Over Our Coffee Cups Eleanor Roosevelt interviews Corporal James Cannon at the Reception Center, Fort Dix. The episode was broadcast the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, is sponsored by the Pan American Coffee Bureau, and emphasizes the solidarity of those countries with the United States. It concludes with a war bulletin. 

Finally, a number of episodes are happy surprises because of how unexpectedly good they are. One is Africa Is Adventure. An explorer takes us back with him to 1946, and describes the breathtaking beauty he beheld when first riding on horseback through the Saudi Pass. 
 

II. Episode Summaries

1. 1965 Christmas Seals (December, 1965). 13:57 in length. Host Edye Gorme brings along "a few of my favorite songs to sing for you, and a couple of helpful hints for Christmas." Entire program consists of four songs, two Public Service Announcements for Christmas Seals, and a small amount of pleasant chatter.  Perhaps the program's greatest virtue is its rarity.  I did not find in in the OTRR Library, or in David Goldin's RadioGoldIndex, or in Vintage Radio Logs or in John Dunning's On the Air.

2. The Alan Prescott Show (October 15, 1947). This is one of the best episodes in the collection, but requires (and rewards) careful listening because it is not as good an encode as most of the others. It begins with a commercial for Rinso. Alan then addresses listeners by asking them if they have thought of going on a diet, then says that he went on one Monday "and here it is Wednesday and I've lost every close friend I ever had. My life is surrounded with grapefruits and black coffee." Then he says the program will consist of "records and transcribed commercials." Then he announces local events in New York on this Wednesday night. Pianist Hilda Summers will be performing at 8:30 at Carnegie Hall. "Green Dolphin Street," a movie with Lana Turner, will be opening this evening. Rudolph Valentino's "The Shiek" is playing at the old Knickerbocker Music Hall on 54th Street. Tomorrow there will be an auction at an art gallery on Park Avenue at 2pm. Next comes a singing commercial for Shaefers Beer. Then Alan announces "This is National Letter Writing Week." He then reviews a book by Lewis Cheskin entitled Colors, and the program concludes with a commercial for the November issue of Holiday Magazine which features the state of Maryland, 

3. Americans At Work (September 29, 1942): "First Song: They Started Something." This series featured promotional shows for the United States Armed Forces which honored American industries for their efforts in supplying war materials in the struggle against the Axis. Musical entertainment is provided as a bridge. Tonight the Wells Scientific Company is honored first "for supplying precision instruments to our Armed Forces industrial and educational efforts." The second is the Modern Dye and Drop Forge Company. Then the night's special guest Mr. Carl Payne, "Sales Manager of the Oscar Hedstrom Corporation," is allowed to speak and says "We want victory! Victory is everyone's job." [quoted portions are from RadioGoldIndex]. The episode concludes with "Tune in next Monday night for another "Americans at Work" program. This is WCFL, Chicago."

4. Around the Sound (July 13, 1944).  "First Song: Big Rock Candy Mountain."  Begins with "Around the town with Iver Hagland, presented by the Patriot Supply Center.  Iver Hagland with his tall tales and true big stories."  The Radiogoldinx provides the helpful information that "this well-known Puget Sound folk singer starts with The Big Rock Candy Mountain."  This is the only episode of the program that is summarized in Goldin's index.  It is also not in Dunning or in Vintage Radio Logs.

5. Art Baker's Notebook (undated).  Described in Dunning (p.48) as "Philosophical discourse.  Transcribed. Heard on ABC briefly, Jan-Mar,, 1950. 15 min., weekdays at 1:45.  First heard on KFI-Los Angeles September 8. 1938."  This is an excerpt [4:55] with great sound which deals exclusively with a letter from a listener nominating a hotel desk clerk in San Francicso for Art's Nice People Award.  It concludes with Art singing off from AFRS in Los Angeles, U.S.A. 

6. Arthur Godfrey Time (June 26, 1950).  "Winner: Charles Davis."  Genre was "talk, variety, music.  Broadcast history April 30, 1945-April 30. 1972. CBS as Arthur Godfrey Time.  30 min. Daily at midmorning, often sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes. Theme "Seems Like Old Times" (Dunning, p.43). 

7. Ask-It Basket (September 21, 1939). "Broadcast history October 5, 1938-April 10, 1941. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 7:30, Thursdays at 8 beginning August 9, 1939. Genre, quiz show. Sponsored by Colgate. Host: Jim McWilliams until October, 1940, then Ed East.  Announcer Del Sharbutt"  (Dunning, p.47). 

8. Author Author (January 1, 1939). "Genre was quiz show derivative with literary guests. Broadcast history April 7, 1939-February 12, 1940.  Mutual. 30 min., Fridays at 8:30 initially, then Mondays at 9:30, then at 8. Partial Sponsor was B. F. Goodrich. Moderator S.J. Perelman. Plotsmith Ellery Queen" (Dunning, p.51).

9. Barbara Welles (July 21, 1947). (Guest: Jimmy Stewart). "Yes, three o'clock and we all know it's time for Barbara Welles, who brings fun and information to our afternoon every weekday, Monday through Friday. She gives us complete coverage of the day's news for women, gives her views on what's going on, and interviews famous personalities." Mutual.

10. Barry Gray (September 23, 1949: "Guests Canada Lee and Mae Clark." Barry interviews Canada Lee, who says "I'm an actor who wants to make a million dollars!" A frank discussion of the blacklist and Canada's current situation after The Peerskill Incident. Barry and his guest disagree about racial issues, constantly interrupting each other. 

11. Barry Gray (October 7, 1949). "This is Barry Gray in Studio 8, the old Cracker Box, and tonight if you don't mind on this Friday edition of The Coffee Clatch I'll just wander from news item to show business and maybe back over to a news item. This in addition to the Sunday night edition which is heard midnights to 2pm Eastern Standard Time." Barry reports on seeing Lee J. Cobb in "Death of a Salesman" at the movies last night. The program concludes with "This is the Mutual Broadcasting System." Then an ad for Bromo-Quinine Cough Tablets. Then "Hear the World Series exclusively on WOR, see it on WOR-TV Channel 9. Then 5 minutes of the latest world news, "brought to you by Johns-Manville. producers of asbestos. the magic mineral, the great enemy of fire."

12. Barry Gray (October 14, 1949): "Guest Milton Berle." The episode begins "Good evening to everyone. This is Barry Gray in New York at the studios of WOR. For the next 25 minutes, as is our custom on Friday night, we'll wander around with a guest, chosen tonight from the promotional world, and later on we hope one of the comedy kings of U.S. show business." This is the last of the 7 or 8 Friday evening shows that Barry aired, and he says there are "But two more Sunday night shows to go." The first guest is Dr. Leon Brand, head of Promotion. Publicity and Exploitation for the Eagle Lyon Picture Company. Later Milton Berle joins them. The topic is the formation of the Screen Publicists' Guild, which is under "CIO in the East and AFL in the West." The union is intended to represent and protect the rights of publicists in the movie and television industry. The program concludes with a Reingold "Extra Dry" Beer commercial, then "I'll see you guys and gals on Sunday night at midnicht. This is Barry Gray and the Mutual Broadcasting System." 

13. Believe It or Not (August 4, 1847): "Witchcraft." Gregory Abbott hosts a show devoted to witchcraft, including one of the strangest trials ever.

14. Believe It or Not (August 5, 1947): "Portrait of a Ghost." Gregory Abbott hosts an artistic show, including the story of Hogarth the painter and Fielding the writer.

15. Bill Stern Sports Newsreel (May 9, 1946): "Guest Dinah Shore."  "When the program aired, Bill Stern was probably the best sportscaster alive. He was chariasmatic, dynamic, and well-versed on most sports and their athletes." Sometimes "he stretched the truth in order to make the stories more exciting" Source: OTRR Library.

16. Break the Bank (October 5, 1949). The first show of the series on NBC. The bank climbs to a value of $4,650.  Host Bert Parks, announcer Bud Collyer. Peter Van Steeden and his orchestra.  Dunning (p.112) describes the program as follows: Genre is "quiz program.. NBC. 30min. Wednesdays at 9pm. Sponsored by Vitalis. In 1948, when it had been on the air for 3 years, Break the Bank was touted by Radio Mirror as 'the highest paying quiz program in the world'." 

17. Breakfast with Dorothy and Dick. This episode aired April 26, 1945 on WOR and is entitled "Breakfast with Pritchett and McCullough." Hosts Dorothy Kilgallen and Richard Kollmar. Program originates from their 66th Street apartment. The guest hosts fill in for Dorothy and Dick, who are on vacation in Bermuda. According to Dunning (p.117), the genre of the program is "morning talk. It ran from April 15, 1945-March 21, 1963 on WOR-New York. Cast: Dorothy Kilgallen for the New York Journal-American and her husband, actor-producer Richard Kollmar."

18. Bride and Groom (May 23, 1947). Sponsored by Dr. Lyon's Tooth Powder and Fletcher's Castoria. Today's groom left his bride waiting two hours on their first date. Finally Betty Garvin marries Willard Marshall. Host John Nelson. Dunning (p.119) describes this series as "interviews with couples at the marriage altar. It ran from November 26. 1945-September 15, 1950. ABC. 30 min., weekdays at 3:30. (At 3 summer,1950). Sterling Drugs. Host John Nelson. hostess Roberta Roberts who handled backstage details. During its five-year run Bride and Groom told the stories of about 1,000 couples." 

19. Captains of Industry (1938): "The Story of Andrew Carnegie." The scene opens in Pittsburgh in the year 1850. Two messenger boys for the Eastern Telegraph Company are sitting on the steps of a large Brownstone residence. One of them was Andrew Carnegie, a tow-headed lad who was born in Dumferlin, Scotland in 1837. A forty-cent bet is paid off at the conclusion from one of the wealthiest men in the world to another. [11:22] 

20. CBS Open House (June 19, 1944). The program was possibly carried on the CBS Pacific Network. Ona Munson interviews Howard Culver about his role in "Lady of the Press," and his radio career. She also interviews Isabel Jewell about her current role in "I love a Mystery" as well as her film career.

21. Champion Roll Call (July 7, 1942). A report on the Inverness Invitational Golf Tournament, plus other sports news by Harry Wismer and Les Griffith. The description in the July 11th episode defines the series as "A sports program with Harry Wismer, not so coincidentally broadcasting from WTOL-Toledo, the home of the headquarters of Champion Spark Plugs" (presumably one of the sponsors of the tournament, which given the reputation of Inverness might have been the 1942 U.S. Open).

22. Correction, Please (August 10, 1945). 8:30am. NBC. A quiz show in which the contestants guess which of three statements is wrong. The first category is 'baby animals.' The program is more interesting than it sounds, well moderated by host Jay C. Flippen. 

23. Country Express (Undated). The star of this program is definitely disk jockey Tom Daniels, who tonight is playing Country Classics as requested by many listeners. It is hosted by your local Army recruiter. After playing the first song, "Company Comin'" by Porter Waggoner, Daniels says "Thank you Porter and all the gang. Old Tom hosts that company to you my friends, and I ask you to stay with me for the next 15 minutes because I'd like to say I get lonesome without you and I don't like talkin' to myself. And that's where I'd be if you didn't tune my way." He concludes by saying "And don't forget, please whatever you do, that your old clod-hoppin' disk jockey Tom Daniels brings you "The Country Express" each and every week at the same time by your local Army Recruiter and this fine radio station."

24. Country Express (Undated). "First Song: Cryin' Heart Blues." Brought to you by "your local Army recruiter," also by "this fine radio station as a public service." Then a ballad by Lester Flatt and the Foggy Mountain Boys is followed by a recruiting announcement by the United States Army emphasizing training opportunities in the commercial equipment repair field. After that "Don't Let Me Cross Over" by Skeeter Davis and another song before popular host Tom Daniels signs off by saying to listeners "When I'm with you, I know I'm in good company."

25. Dr. Christian (May 9, 1945): "Excalibur." CBS. Vaseline. Described in Vintage Radio Logs as "Ghost Story: King Arthur's Court." Jerry Haendiges appears to have the complete log of episodes. Dunning (p.202) describes the program as "light drama." "The broadcast history is from November 7, 1937-January 6, 1954. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 8:30 from 1940-54. Cheesborough Manufacturing Company for Vaseline. Dr. Christian may have been the best known light drama on the air."

26. The Eddie Arnold Show (March 25, 1953): "Guests Homer and Jethroe." Crown Production Radio. Syndicated. Sponsored by Purina. Announcer Charlie Brown.

27. The Emily Kimbrough Show (May 13, 1952): "Shakespeare." Introduction: "This is Harry Marble. It's five minutes after four, and again that brings us to the place where it's my pleasure to present the lovely young lady who is substituting this week for Emily Kimbrough. This girl is starring in 'The Seven Year Itch' on Broadway, one of the funniest plays I have ever seen in all of my born days. Her name is Miss Vanessa Brown." Emily has sent post cards from Venice and Paris. At the conclusion Marble states that "Tomorrow we have one of the foremost plastic surgeons as a guest, Dr. Robert Alan Franklin, and he will talk about the relation of plastic surgery to the movies and the theater." Then, "I hope you will join Vanessa Brown and me, same time, 4:05-4:30. Till then, thank you for listening and good afternoon." 

"Stay tuned now for Galen Drake on the 'Housewives Protection League Program.' This is New York, WCBS AM-FM. Yes, tomorrow evening at 6:15 and again at 10:45, CBS Radio will bring you two of the first of a series of programs covering the famed Palm Beach Tournament and as with so many exciting sports events our broadcast of this will be a radio exclusive,"   

28. The Emily Kimbrough Show (May 14, 1952), "Beauty." Harry begins by stating that "This is matinee day," then says it is Wednesday. Then a singing commercial for Hearns Department Store. "Tomorrow is sale day at Hearns. All prices guaranteed 20 percent below [everyday costs]. This is the new Hearns Department Store in Manhattan, 14th Street at 5th Avenue. Other stores are in the Bronx and Bay Shore. Manhattan and Bronx stores are open Thursday night till 9pm." Then a singing commercial for Coke "in the bottle." Dr. Franklin then is interviewed as promised, stating among other facts that "A face lift is good for 10-15 years." Concludes with a commercial for Tetley Tea. "This is New York, WCBS  AM-FM. 

29. The Eternal Light, Dunning (p.234) lists the broadcast history as "October 8, 1949-1981. NBC. 30 minutes, Sundays. Joint project of NBC and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Genre is religious drama. The show's central theme is 'brotherly love'."

30. Forbidden Cargo (November 8, 1954). Two agents are on the trail of hashish smugglers in Egypt. 

31. Africa Is Adventure (SA-undated): "Snow on the Berg," "India Super Tires, the tires with the red rings, take you across our vast continent as we discover that Africa is adventure. And here is your storyteller and producer Monte Dial: 'Good evening. The morning was crisp and clear. The blue mountains seemed a long way off, and yet their presence seemed to extend to where we stood'." The subject of the episode is explorer David Alexander, who made a recording that is used in it. He begins with "Good evening. When I first conceived of the McCorkle Mountain Transport in 1946, when first riding on horseback through the Saudi Pass with Mary, I was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty and the picturesque animal pack trains." Then, thirty minutes later, Alexander concludes with "The story is told and there is no ending. The mountain waits, perhaps for you." Then "You have been listening to 'Snow on the Berg,' written and produced by Monte Dial. A film in color has been made of the Saudi Pass, and will be shown throughout South Africa.

32. American Legion Baseball (1934): "Sid Gordon." Announcer Russ Hodges begins with "How ya' doin' baseball fans, this is Russ Hodges speakin' for American Legion Junior Baseball." He interviews Sid Gordon from the Polo Grounds prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Giants. Sid recounts how he wrote to the Giants in 1938 asking for a try-out, and the Giants replied that they would give him one if he paid his own expenses to Milford, where the try-out camp was held. Then in 1942 he was called up to the major leagues by the Giants. He says that "Except for three years with the Coast Guard during the war, I've been with the Giants ever since." Sid concludes by stating that American Legion baseball has been a great help to a lot of boys. "We had about 19 men on our 1948 [major league] roster who [had been] with The American Legion." 

33. Leo Is On the Air (1934): "Born To Dance." The program opens with "She's back, the idol and rave of Broadway, Eleanor Powell. Today Eleanor brings you a gala preview of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer giant musical Born To Dance. This miracle of melodies features an all-star cast and 300 dancing beauties." The rest is musical numbers. The announcer concludes with "Born To Dance, you are the tops. You are the glittering successor to the great Ziegfeld. Your Cole Porter music is haunting. Seven stars, seven song hits, and spectacular music combine to make Born To Dance the most lavish musical production of this or any year."

34. Let George Do It (April 25, 1949). Dunning (p.254) describes the program's genre as "detective drama. Broadcast history was October 18, 1946-september 27, 1954, Mutual. Don Lee. West Coast. 30 min, Fridays, then Mondays for Standard Oil. Cast: Bob Burns as George Valentine, freelance detective."

35. Let's Go To Town (Undated). "First Song: Tenderly." [11:33]. Promo at the beginning for The National Guard. "The Guard offers military training at home, including two weeks of summer camp each year with pay." Then "This is Billy Mays. That song in the background is one of my favorites. I hope you boys and girls enjoy it as much as we like playing it, 'Tenderly'." Then "Moonlight in Vermont" sung by Margaret Whiting. Then "The Fat Man Boogie." Conclusion: "Well friends, it's been wonderful going to town with you, but now it's time to go. This is Billy Mays, your National Guard man of the month and Margaret Whiting your National Guard singing star of the month saying so long, and see you next week. And this is Martin Blanc, speaking for your hometown National Guard saying so long to you, and you, and especially to you."

36. Let's Talk About You (August 10, 1954). "Guest: Major Jimmy Doolittle." The episode begins "Good evening. This is Norman Vincent Peale, let's talk about you. CBS Radio brings you Norman Vincent Peale and his guest tonight, General James Doolittle." The program is brought to you "each evening at this time." Peale gives Doolittle's biography by way of introduction. Most of the show features Doolittle discussing his faith. He is surprisingly funny, and one of his best lines is "I'd rather talk to one girl a thousand times than to a thousand girls once." Conclusion: "Norman Vincent Peale, distinguished author, lecturer, editor is heard on the CBS Radio each weekday evening as he talks about you. Dr. Peale's guest tomorrow night will be the great American golfer Ben Hogan. Thursday night, the Honorable Clare Booth Luce. Friday night, the Metropolitan opera star Mimi van Zell. This is the CBS Radio Network."

THE LOUELLA PARSONS SHOW

In On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, John Dunning describes the genre as "gossip." He lists the broadcast history as "December 3. 1944-December 25, 1951. 15 min. Sundays at 9:15 for Jergens Lotion. Louella Parsons was considered the queen of Hollywood gossip writers and broadcasters" (p.391).

This collection has two episodes.  Their dates are September 2, 1951; and September 9, 1951.

37. September 2, 1951: "Stars of the Future." Hollywood gossip with Dorothy Lamour substituting for Louella. By transcription, Louella interviews four stars of the future.

38. September 9, 1951: Ida Lupino To Marry." Ava Gardner will soon wed Frank Sinatra, Louella interviews Jane Wyman. Everett Sloan is also heard. 

39. The Mel Price Show (Undated): "First Song 'So Many Times'." The episode begins with "Your local Army recruiter presents Mel Price and the Sante Fe Rangers." Mel introduces the group, and they launch right into "So Many Times." Then "Sweet Georgia Brown." It concludes with "You've been listening to Mel Price and the Sante Fe Rangers, sent to you by your local United States Army recruiter.  Transcribed at Ft. George, Maryland. The Mel Price Show was presented as a public service by this station."

40. Mind Your Manners: "How Can a Young Man Restore Confidence?" (May 15, 1948).  A panel show of teenagers discussing the do's and don'ts of etiquette, relationships, and schools."

41. Official Detective: "Hogan Murder Case" (May 14, 1949). A bartender witnesses a shooting, and the killers decide he must be silenced.

42. Open House (January 28, 1945) 1:30 pm. "Nylon Stockings." A chat show originating from the home of the Healys. Topics include fat rationing, grapefruit, 'The Victory Clothing Drive', and Gimbels will be having a sale on nylon stockings tomorrow. The program may also be known as "The Healys Open House." 

43. Our Freedom's Blessings (April 5, 1952). [13:15] New York Department of Commerce, Concerns American Business and Political Freedom (Uncle York-Story Teller). Source: Vintage Radio Logs. "The story of the link trainer, and New York's aviation industry." Source: RadioGoldIndex.

44. Over Our Coffee Cups (December 7, 1941): "Guest: Corporal James Cameron." {14:00] "This is Leon Pearson, speaking for the Pan-American Coffee Bureau, which represents seven good-neighbored coffee growing nations, and presenting to you American families your Sunday evening visit with Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. This evening Mrs. Roosevelt has as her guest Corporal James Cannon, Reception Center, Fort Dix,  But first, Don Seymour has a word from our sponsors." Note: This episode was broadcast on the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the solidarity of Pan-American countries with the United States is emphasized. It concludes with "This is the National Broadcasting Company." Then a war bulletin.

45. Owl Rexall Show (February 14, 1950). "And now the following quarter-hour is brought to you by some very good and prudent friends of yours, Rexall Drug Stores. We always have some great news for you, and we have some great music lined up for this quarter-hour. We're going to hear from The Modernaires, Doris Day. Gordan Jackson and Bing Crosby ('the Bingle'). We always have some great tunes, and some wonderful anniversary and ample price-slashing values on Rexall's sensational 47th Anniversary Sale, all this month at Owl Rexall Drugstores." Then music. The Modernaires perform "Big Movie Show in the Sky." Then Doris Day with "I Don't Want To Be Kissed By Anyone But You." Then "Sunshine Kate" by Bing Crosby. 

46. Southland Echoes (1949): "First Song: Living On the Sunny Side." Sponsored by Zyrone Tonic. Features household and beauty advice for women. A booklet is offered as a premium.

47. Story Behind the Headlines (Friday, October 27, 1939): "The Outbreak of the European War." [14:03] "The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the American Historical Association, takes pleasure in introducing to you for the third successive season Caesar Searchingham, former news correspondent, author, and close observer for many years of the European scene. He makes it his job to give you a fuller understanding of the real significance of the news." The lecturer's topic is the situation in Poland. The show concludes with "this program is a public service feature of the Red Network of The National Broadcasting Company, RCA Building, Radio City, New York."

48. Treasury Star Parade (January 2, 1943). "I Got Wings." [14:38] "Starring Mr. Canada Lee in Violet Atkins' radio adaptation of the dramatic and moving document from The American Magazine of Lieutenant Charles H. DeBeau of the United States Army." Promo for war bonds at the conclusion. An interesting historical fact: "10 percent of everything you earn must go into war savings bonds and stamps." 

 

     

--
Larry Maupin

On Aug 24, 2022, at 5:38 AM, Larry Maupin <lmaupin@...> wrote:



The background of this collection, as well as summaries of all the episodes included in it, are in this message.  If you want it, you can get it by joining The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound by tomorrow morning.  If you become a member, you will also receive the REPS Labor Day Special Collection, which will be released on September 5th, as well as everything I distribute from the library for the next full year.  This will include many more rare shows I obtained from Jim.

To join, just go to repsonline.org, enter the website, hover on "Get Involved" at the top right of your screen, click on "Become a Member" on the menu that drops down, and pay the $25 dues using PayPal or a credit card. Then please send me a copy of the receipt you will get in an email.  I would like to emphasize that your membership will be for one full year, not just the remainder of this calendar year.  If you have any problem, just send me an email and I will help you complete the process.

Larry

I. Introduction

This set will be released beginning tomorrow over an eight-day period, six episodes per day.  If you want it, you have until tomorrow morning to send me a message registering for it.  Members who signed up for the REPS Summer Special are exempt.  All others, including all provisional members, need to let me know if you want it.  You can also opt out if you don't.

The episodes will be sent in approximately alphabetical order, so you can preview each day's group by reading their summaries below.

Jim was the first owner of the Old Time Radio Researchers Group, was no doubt largely involved in writing its mission statement and in developing the concept of Certified Collections, the definition of which is a complete set of the best encodes available of an old-time radio series which comes with a certification document that contains artwork, background information, listeners' reports and sometimes episode descriptions.  A team of researchers worked on each Certification Project, and members were rewarded by the leader by having their names and contributions recognized in the document.  When a collection was completed, it was released to all members of the group and eventually to the general public by being placed in the OTRR Library.

I was a member of Jim's teams during the years 2006-08, and worked on many of his projects.  He liked to do lesser known series that did not have a great many extant episodes.  He was also legendary in his generosity.  At that time, the group was strictly comprised of volunteers.  To join you had to apply to Jim and tell him what you thought you could bring to the group that would be helpful in its projects.  He was known to remove volunteers who refused an assignment.  But to those who worked with him, he frequently sent DVD disks with dozens of episodes on them, often of OTR series that were obscure and rare.

This collection consists almost entirely of such series and episodes.  All the files are in mp3 format, and I have eliminated many with poor sound, and in all but three or four of those included almost every syllable can be distinctly heard.  If you would like to get an idea of how many rare series are represented, you can check each series title against the OTRR Library collection and find the ones that are not there.  But an easier way is to ask yourself if you have ever heard of each series.  Those you do not recognize are rare to you, which is the most important fact.

This collection, one of at least two that I plan to release based on shows received from Jim, happens to have many series that are of the talk-interview-information genre.  They are very entertaining to hear, largely because they provide a wealth of information about current events, including news, sports, and cultural events of the era.  They also have great commercials, and the "sound" so distinctive of old-time radio which takes you back instantly to a bygone era.  These include Art Baker's Notebook, Barbara Welles, Barry Gray, Breakfast With Dorothy and Dick, Emily Kimbrough and Louella Parsons.

By chance, there is also a lot of war-related material.  Some is propaganda, some episodes consist mostly of music, some are interviews and at least one gives news.  The two episodes of Country Express feature country music, are presented by "your local Army recruiter," and are entertaining because of the personality of the host. Let's Go To Town presents popular songs and is introduced by a promo for The National Guard.  In Let's Talk About You General James Doolittle is interviewed by Norman Vincent Peale. In Over Our Coffee Cups Eleanor Roosevelt interviews Corporal James Cannon at the Reception Center, Fort Dix. The episode was broadcast the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, is sponsored by the Pan American Coffee Bureau, and emphasizes the solidarity of those countries with the United States. It concludes with a war bulletin. 

Finally, a number of episodes are happy surprises because of how unexpectedly good they are. One is Africa Is Adventure. An explorer takes us back with him to 1946, and describes the breathtaking beauty he beheld when first riding on horseback through the Saudi Pass. 
 

II. Episode Summaries

1. 1965 Christmas Seals (December, 1965). 13:57 in length. Host Edye Gorme brings along "a few of my favorite songs to sing for you, and a couple of helpful hints for Christmas." Entire program consists of four songs, two Public Service Announcements for Christmas Seals, and a small amount of pleasant chatter.  Perhaps the program's greatest virtue is its rarity.  I did not find in in the OTRR Library, or in David Goldin's RadioGoldIndex, or in Vintage Radio Logs or in John Dunning's On the Air.

2. The Alan Prescott Show (October 15, 1947). This is one of the best episodes in the collection, but requires (and rewards) careful listening because it is not as good an encode as most of the others. It begins with a commercial for Rinso. Alan then addresses listeners by asking them if they have thought of going on a diet, then says that he went on one Monday "and here it is Wednesday and I've lost every close friend I ever had. My life is surrounded with grapefruits and black coffee." Then he says the program will consist of "records and transcribed commercials." Then he announces local events in New York on this Wednesday night. Pianist Hilda Summers will be performing at 8:30 at Carnegie Hall. "Green Dolphin Street," a movie with Lana Turner, will be opening this evening. Rudolph Valentino's "The Shiek" is playing at the old Knickerbocker Music Hall on 54th Street. Tomorrow there will be an auction at an art gallery on Park Avenue at 2pm. Next comes a singing commercial for Shaefers Beer. Then Alan announces "This is National Letter Writing Week." He then reviews a book by Lewis Cheskin entitled Colors, and the program concludes with a commercial for the November issue of Holiday Magazine which features the state of Maryland, 

3. Americans At Work (September 29, 1942): "First Song: They Started Something." This series featured promotional shows for the United States Armed Forces which honored American industries for their efforts in supplying war materials in the struggle against the Axis. Musical entertainment is provided as a bridge. Tonight the Wells Scientific Company is honored first "for supplying precision instruments to our Armed Forces industrial and educational efforts." The second is the Modern Dye and Drop Forge Company. Then the night's special guest Mr. Carl Payne, "Sales Manager of the Oscar Hedstrom Corporation," is allowed to speak and says "We want victory! Victory is everyone's job." [quoted portions are from RadioGoldIndex]. The episode concludes with "Tune in next Monday night for another "Americans at Work" program. This is WCFL, Chicago."

4. Around the Sound (July 13, 1944).  "First Song: Big Rock Candy Mountain."  Begins with "Around the town with Iver Hagland, presented by the Patriot Supply Center.  Iver Hagland with his tall tales and true big stories."  The Radiogoldinx provides the helpful information that "this well-known Puget Sound folk singer starts with The Big Rock Candy Mountain."  This is the only episode of the program that is summarized in Goldin's index.  It is also not in Dunning or in Vintage Radio Logs.

5. Art Baker's Notebook (undated).  Described in Dunning (p.48) as "Philosophical discourse.  Transcribed. Heard on ABC briefly, Jan-Mar,, 1950. 15 min., weekdays at 1:45.  First heard on KFI-Los Angeles September 8. 1938."  This is an excerpt [4:55] with great sound which deals exclusively with a letter from a listener nominating a hotel desk clerk in San Francicso for Art's Nice People Award.  It concludes with Art singing off from AFRS in Los Angeles, U.S.A. 

6. Arthur Godfrey Time (June 26, 1950).  "Winner: Charles Davis."  Genre was "talk, variety, music.  Broadcast history April 30, 1945-April 30. 1972. CBS as Arthur Godfrey Time.  30 min. Daily at midmorning, often sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes. Theme "Seems Like Old Times" (Dunning, p.43). 

7. Ask-It Basket (September 21, 1939). "Broadcast history October 5, 1938-April 10, 1941. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 7:30, Thursdays at 8 beginning August 9, 1939. Genre, quiz show. Sponsored by Colgate. Host: Jim McWilliams until October, 1940, then Ed East.  Announcer Del Sharbutt"  (Dunning, p.47). 

8. Author Author (January 1, 1939). "Genre was quiz show derivative with literary guests. Broadcast history April 7, 1939-February 12, 1940.  Mutual. 30 min., Fridays at 8:30 initially, then Mondays at 9:30, then at 8. Partial Sponsor was B. F. Goodrich. Moderator S.J. Perelman. Plotsmith Ellery Queen" (Dunning, p.51).

9. Barbara Welles (July 21, 1947). (Guest: Jimmy Stewart). "Yes, three o'clock and we all know it's time for Barbara Welles, who brings fun and information to our afternoon every weekday, Monday through Friday. She gives us complete coverage of the day's news for women, gives her views on what's going on, and interviews famous personalities." Mutual.

10. Barry Gray (September 23, 1949: "Guests Canada Lee and Mae Clark." Barry interviews Canada Lee, who says "I'm an actor who wants to make a million dollars!" A frank discussion of the blacklist and Canada's current situation after The Peerskill Incident. Barry and his guest disagree about racial issues, constantly interrupting each other. 

11. Barry Gray (October 7, 1949). "This is Barry Gray in Studio 8, the old Cracker Box, and tonight if you don't mind on this Friday edition of The Coffee Clatch I'll just wander from news item to show business and maybe back over to a news item. This in addition to the Sunday night edition which is heard midnights to 2pm Eastern Standard Time." Barry reports on seeing Lee J. Cobb in "Death of a Salesman" at the movies last night. The program concludes with "This is the Mutual Broadcasting System." Then an ad for Bromo-Quinine Cough Tablets. Then "Hear the World Series exclusively on WOR, see it on WOR-TV Channel 9. Then 5 minutes of the latest world news, "brought to you by Johns-Manville. producers of asbestos. the magic mineral, the great enemy of fire."

12. Barry Gray (October 14, 1949): "Guest Milton Berle." The episode begins "Good evening to everyone. This is Barry Gray in New York at the studios of WOR. For the next 25 minutes, as is our custom on Friday night, we'll wander around with a guest, chosen tonight from the promotional world, and later on we hope one of the comedy kings of U.S. show business." This is the last of the 7 or 8 Friday evening shows that Barry aired, and he says there are "But two more Sunday night shows to go." The first guest is Dr. Leon Brand, head of Promotion. Publicity and Exploitation for the Eagle Lyon Picture Company. Later Milton Berle joins them. The topic is the formation of the Screen Publicists' Guild, which is under "CIO in the East and AFL in the West." The union is intended to represent and protect the rights of publicists in the movie and television industry. The program concludes with a Reingold "Extra Dry" Beer commercial, then "I'll see you guys and gals on Sunday night at midnicht. This is Barry Gray and the Mutual Broadcasting System." 

13. Believe It or Not (August 4, 1847): "Witchcraft." Gregory Abbott hosts a show devoted to witchcraft, including one of the strangest trials ever.

14. Believe It or Not (August 5, 1947): "Portrait of a Ghost." Gregory Abbott hosts an artistic show, including the story of Hogarth the painter and Fielding the writer.

15. Bill Stern Sports Newsreel (May 9, 1946): "Guest Dinah Shore."  "When the program aired, Bill Stern was probably the best sportscaster alive. He was chariasmatic, dynamic, and well-versed on most sports and their athletes." Sometimes "he stretched the truth in order to make the stories more exciting" Source: OTRR Library.

16. Break the Bank (October 5, 1949). The first show of the series on NBC. The bank climbs to a value of $4,650.  Host Bert Parks, announcer Bud Collyer. Peter Van Steeden and his orchestra.  Dunning (p.112) describes the program as follows: Genre is "quiz program.. NBC. 30min. Wednesdays at 9pm. Sponsored by Vitalis. In 1948, when it had been on the air for 3 years, Break the Bank was touted by Radio Mirror as 'the highest paying quiz program in the world'." 

17. Breakfast with Dorothy and Dick. This episode aired April 26, 1945 on WOR and is entitled "Breakfast with Pritchett and McCullough." Hosts Dorothy Kilgallen and Richard Kollmar. Program originates from their 66th Street apartment. The guest hosts fill in for Dorothy and Dick, who are on vacation in Bermuda. According to Dunning (p.117), the genre of the program is "morning talk. It ran from April 15, 1945-March 21, 1963 on WOR-New York. Cast: Dorothy Kilgallen for the New York Journal-American and her husband, actor-producer Richard Kollmar."

18. Bride and Groom (May 23, 1947). Sponsored by Dr. Lyon's Tooth Powder and Fletcher's Castoria. Today's groom left his bride waiting two hours on their first date. Finally Betty Garvin marries Willard Marshall. Host John Nelson. Dunning (p.119) describes this series as "interviews with couples at the marriage altar. It ran from November 26. 1945-September 15, 1950. ABC. 30 min., weekdays at 3:30. (At 3 summer,1950). Sterling Drugs. Host John Nelson. hostess Roberta Roberts who handled backstage details. During its five-year run Bride and Groom told the stories of about 1,000 couples." 

19. Captains of Industry (1938): "The Story of Andrew Carnegie." The scene opens in Pittsburgh in the year 1850. Two messenger boys for the Eastern Telegraph Company are sitting on the steps of a large Brownstone residence. One of them was Andrew Carnegie, a tow-headed lad who was born in Dumferlin, Scotland in 1837. A forty-cent bet is paid off at the conclusion from one of the wealthiest men in the world to another. [11:22] 

20. CBS Open House (June 19, 1944). The program was possibly carried on the CBS Pacific Network. Ona Munson interviews Howard Culver about his role in "Lady of the Press," and his radio career. She also interviews Isabel Jewell about her current role in "I love a Mystery" as well as her film career.

21. Champion Roll Call (July 7, 1942). A report on the Inverness Invitational Golf Tournament, plus other sports news by Harry Wismer and Les Griffith. The description in the July 11th episode defines the series as "A sports program with Harry Wismer, not so coincidentally broadcasting from WTOL-Toledo, the home of the headquarters of Champion Spark Plugs" (presumably one of the sponsors of the tournament, which given the reputation of Inverness might have been the 1942 U.S. Open).

22. Correction, Please (August 10, 1945). 8:30am. NBC. A quiz show in which the contestants guess which of three statements is wrong. The first category is 'baby animals.' The program is more interesting than it sounds, well moderated by host Jay C. Flippen. 

23. Country Express (Undated). The star of this program is definitely disk jockey Tom Daniels, who tonight is playing Country Classics as requested by many listeners. It is hosted by your local Army recruiter. After playing the first song, "Company Comin'" by Porter Waggoner, Daniels says "Thank you Porter and all the gang. Old Tom hosts that company to you my friends, and I ask you to stay with me for the next 15 minutes because I'd like to say I get lonesome without you and I don't like talkin' to myself. And that's where I'd be if you didn't tune my way." He concludes by saying "And don't forget, please whatever you do, that your old clod-hoppin' disk jockey Tom Daniels brings you "The Country Express" each and every week at the same time by your local Army Recruiter and this fine radio station."

24. Country Express (Undated). "First Song: Cryin' Heart Blues." Brought to you by "your local Army recruiter," also by "this fine radio station as a public service." Then a ballad by Lester Flatt and the Foggy Mountain Boys is followed by a recruiting announcement by the United States Army emphasizing training opportunities in the commercial equipment repair field. After that "Don't Let Me Cross Over" by Skeeter Davis and another song before popular host Tom Daniels signs off by saying to listeners "When I'm with you, I know I'm in good company."

25. Dr. Christian (May 9, 1945): "Excalibur." CBS. Vaseline. Described in Vintage Radio Logs as "Ghost Story: King Arthur's Court." Jerry Haendiges appears to have the complete log of episodes. Dunning (p.202) describes the program as "light drama." "The broadcast history is from November 7, 1937-January 6, 1954. CBS. 30 min. Wednesdays at 8:30 from 1940-54. Cheesborough Manufacturing Company for Vaseline. Dr. Christian may have been the best known light drama on the air."

26. The Eddie Arnold Show (March 25, 1953): "Guests Homer and Jethroe." Crown Production Radio. Syndicated. Sponsored by Purina. Announcer Charlie Brown.

27. The Emily Kimbrough Show (May 13, 1952): "Shakespeare." Introduction: "This is Harry Marble. It's five minutes after four, and again that brings us to the place where it's my pleasure to present the lovely young lady who is substituting this week for Emily Kimbrough. This girl is starring in 'The Seven Year Itch' on Broadway, one of the funniest plays I have ever seen in all of my born days. Her name is Miss Vanessa Brown." Emily has sent post cards from Venice and Paris. At the conclusion Marble states that "Tomorrow we have one of the foremost plastic surgeons as a guest, Dr. Robert Alan Franklin, and he will talk about the relation of plastic surgery to the movies and the theater." Then, "I hope you will join Vanessa Brown and me, same time, 4:05-4:30. Till then, thank you for listening and good afternoon." 

"Stay tuned now for Galen Drake on the 'Housewives Protection League Program.' This is New York, WCBS AM-FM. Yes, tomorrow evening at 6:15 and again at 10:45, CBS Radio will bring you two of the first of a series of programs covering the famed Palm Beach Tournament and as with so many exciting sports events our broadcast of this will be a radio exclusive,"   

28. The Emily Kimbrough Show (May 14, 1952), "Beauty." Harry begins by stating that "This is matinee day," then says it is Wednesday. Then a singing commercial for Hearns Department Store. "Tomorrow is sale day at Hearns. All prices guaranteed 20 percent below [everyday costs]. This is the new Hearns Department Store in Manhattan, 14th Street at 5th Avenue. Other stores are in the Bronx and Bay Shore. Manhattan and Bronx stores are open Thursday night till 9pm." Then a singing commercial for Coke "in the bottle." Dr. Franklin then is interviewed as promised, stating among other facts that "A face lift is good for 10-15 years." Concludes with a commercial for Tetley Tea. "This is New York, WCBS  AM-FM. 

29. The Eternal Light, Dunning (p.234) lists the broadcast history as "October 8, 1949-1981. NBC. 30 minutes, Sundays. Joint project of NBC and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Genre is religious drama. The show's central theme is 'brotherly love'."

30. Forbidden Cargo (November 8, 1954). Two agents are on the trail of hashish smugglers in Egypt. 

31. Africa Is Adventure (SA-undated): "Snow on the Berg," "India Super Tires, the tires with the red rings, take you across our vast continent as we discover that Africa is adventure. And here is your storyteller and producer Monte Dial: 'Good evening. The morning was crisp and clear. The blue mountains seemed a long way off, and yet their presence seemed to extend to where we stood'." The subject of the episode is explorer David Alexander, who made a recording that is used in it. He begins with "Good evening. When I first conceived of the McCorkle Mountain Transport in 1946, when first riding on horseback through the Saudi Pass with Mary, I was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty and the picturesque animal pack trains." Then, thirty minutes later, Alexander concludes with "The story is told and there is no ending. The mountain waits, perhaps for you." Then "You have been listening to 'Snow on the Berg,' written and produced by Monte Dial. A film in color has been made of the Saudi Pass, and will be shown throughout South Africa.

32. American Legion Baseball (1934): "Sid Gordon." Announcer Russ Hodges begins with "How ya' doin' baseball fans, this is Russ Hodges speakin' for American Legion Junior Baseball." He interviews Sid Gordon from the Polo Grounds prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Giants. Sid recounts how he wrote to the Giants in 1938 asking for a try-out, and the Giants replied that they would give him one if he paid his own expenses to Milford, where the try-out camp was held. Then in 1942 he was called up to the major leagues by the Giants. He says that "Except for three years with the Coast Guard during the war, I've been with the Giants ever since." Sid concludes by stating that American Legion baseball has been a great help to a lot of boys. "We had about 19 men on our 1948 [major league] roster who [had been] with The American Legion." 

33. Leo Is On the Air (1934): "Born To Dance." The program opens with "She's back, the idol and rave of Broadway, Eleanor Powell. Today Eleanor brings you a gala preview of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer giant musical Born To Dance. This miracle of melodies features an all-star cast and 300 dancing beauties." The rest is musical numbers. The announcer concludes with "Born To Dance, you are the tops. You are the glittering successor to the great Ziegfeld. Your Cole Porter music is haunting. Seven stars, seven song hits, and spectacular music combine to make Born To Dance the most lavish musical production of this or any year."

34. Let George Do It (April 25, 1949). Dunning (p.254) describes the program's genre as "detective drama. Broadcast history was October 18, 1946-september 27, 1954, Mutual. Don Lee. West Coast. 30 min, Fridays, then Mondays for Standard Oil. Cast: Bob Burns as George Valentine, freelance detective."

35. Let's Go To Town (Undated). "First Song: Tenderly." [11:33]. Promo at the beginning for The National Guard. "The Guard offers military training at home, including two weeks of summer camp each year with pay." Then "This is Billy Mays. That song in the background is one of my favorites. I hope you boys and girls enjoy it as much as we like playing it, 'Tenderly'." Then "Moonlight in Vermont" sung by Margaret Whiting. Then "The Fat Man Boogie." Conclusion: "Well friends, it's been wonderful going to town with you, but now it's time to go. This is Billy Mays, your National Guard man of the month and Margaret Whiting your National Guard singing star of the month saying so long, and see you next week. And this is Martin Blanc, speaking for your hometown National Guard saying so long to you, and you, and especially to you."

36. Let's Talk About You (August 10, 1954). "Guest: Major Jimmy Doolittle." The episode begins "Good evening. This is Norman Vincent Peale, let's talk about you. CBS Radio brings you Norman Vincent Peale and his guest tonight, General James Doolittle." The program is brought to you "each evening at this time." Peale gives Doolittle's biography by way of introduction. Most of the show features Doolittle discussing his faith. He is surprisingly funny, and one of his best lines is "I'd rather talk to one girl a thousand times than to a thousand girls once." Conclusion: "Norman Vincent Peale, distinguished author, lecturer, editor is heard on the CBS Radio each weekday evening as he talks about you. Dr. Peale's guest tomorrow night will be the great American golfer Ben Hogan. Thursday night, the Honorable Clare Booth Luce. Friday night, the Metropolitan opera star Mimi van Zell. This is the CBS Radio Network."

THE LOUELLA PARSONS SHOW

In On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, John Dunning describes the genre as "gossip." He lists the broadcast history as "December 3. 1944-December 25, 1951. 15 min. Sundays at 9:15 for Jergens Lotion. Louella Parsons was considered the queen of Hollywood gossip writers and broadcasters" (p.391).

This collection has two episodes.  Their dates are September 2, 1951; and September 9, 1951.

37. September 2, 1951: "Stars of the Future." Hollywood gossip with Dorothy Lamour substituting for Louella. By transcription, Louella interviews four stars of the future.

38. September 9, 1951: Ida Lupino To Marry." Ava Gardner will soon wed Frank Sinatra, Louella interviews Jane Wyman. Everett Sloan is also heard. 

39. The Mel Price Show (Undated): "First Song 'So Many Times'." The episode begins with "Your local Army recruiter presents Mel Price and the Sante Fe Rangers." Mel introduces the group, and they launch right into "So Many Times." Then "Sweet Georgia Brown." It concludes with "You've been listening to Mel Price and the Sante Fe Rangers, sent to you by your local United States Army recruiter.  Transcribed at Ft. George, Maryland. The Mel Price Show was presented as a public service by this station."

40. Mind Your Manners: "How Can a Young Man Restore Confidence?" (May 15, 1948).  A panel show of teenagers discussing the do's and don'ts of etiquette, relationships, and schools."

41. Official Detective: "Hogan Murder Case" (May 14, 1949). A bartender witnesses a shooting, and the killers decide he must be silenced.

42. Open House (January 28, 1945) 1:30 pm. "Nylon Stockings." A chat show originating from the home of the Healys. Topics include fat rationing, grapefruit, 'The Victory Clothing Drive', and Gimbels will be having a sale on nylon stockings tomorrow. The program may also be known as "The Healys Open House." 

43. Our Freedom's Blessings (April 5, 1952). [13:15] New York Department of Commerce, Concerns American Business and Political Freedom (Uncle York-Story Teller). Source: Vintage Radio Logs. "The story of the link trainer, and New York's aviation industry." Source: RadioGoldIndex.

44. Over Our Coffee Cups (December 7, 1941): "Guest: Corporal James Cameron." {14:00] "This is Leon Pearson, speaking for the Pan-American Coffee Bureau, which represents seven good-neighbored coffee growing nations, and presenting to you American families your Sunday evening visit with Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. This evening Mrs. Roosevelt has as her guest Corporal James Cannon, Reception Center, Fort Dix,  But first, Don Seymour has a word from our sponsors." Note: This episode was broadcast on the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the solidarity of Pan-American countries with the United States is emphasized. It concludes with "This is the National Broadcasting Company." Then a war bulletin.

45. Owl Rexall Show (February 14, 1950). "And now the following quarter-hour is brought to you by some very good and prudent friends of yours, Rexall Drug Stores. We always have some great news for you, and we have some great music lined up for this quarter-hour. We're going to hear from The Modernaires, Doris Day. Gordan Jackson and Bing Crosby ('the Bingle'). We always have some great tunes, and some wonderful anniversary and ample price-slashing values on Rexall's sensational 47th Anniversary Sale, all this month at Owl Rexall Drugstores." Then music. The Modernaires perform "Big Movie Show in the Sky." Then Doris Day with "I Don't Want To Be Kissed By Anyone But You." Then "Sunshine Kate" by Bing Crosby. 

46. Southland Echoes (1949): "First Song: Living On the Sunny Side." Sponsored by Zyrone Tonic. Features household and beauty advice for women. A booklet is offered as a premium.

47. Story Behind the Headlines (Friday, October 27, 1939): "The Outbreak of the European War." [14:03] "The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the American Historical Association, takes pleasure in introducing to you for the third successive season Caesar Searchingham, former news correspondent, author, and close observer for many years of the European scene. He makes it his job to give you a fuller understanding of the real significance of the news." The lecturer's topic is the situation in Poland. The show concludes with "this program is a public service feature of the Red Network of The National Broadcasting Company, RCA Building, Radio City, New York."

48. Treasury Star Parade (January 2, 1943). "I Got Wings." [14:38] "Starring Mr. Canada Lee in Violet Atkins' radio adaptation of the dramatic and moving document from The American Magazine of Lieutenant Charles H. DeBeau of the United States Army." Promo for war bonds at the conclusion. An interesting historical fact: "10 percent of everything you earn must go into war savings bonds and stamps." 

 

     

--
Larry Maupin