Happy New Years Eve OTR for 2011 from 1944!

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE all you peoples!

I hope you and yours are surviving the holiday onslaught and are ready to celebrate in any small way you see fit the passing of the old year and decade and bring in the wishes and hopes of a new beginning. 2011 and a new decade are just around the turn of a clock and I hope all the best for all of you.

Again this week I'm foregoing our usual listening to the surviving episodes of Vic & Sade and share with you a Jack Benny show from January 2, 1944.

For quite a few years, Jack did a fantasy segment around the new year in which he played the old year needing to move on and make way for the baby new year. They were always funny and heartwarming, especially the ones performed during WWII in which he hoped all the troubles the world was going through would soon be over. He got his wish...the troubles would soon be over to make room for new troubles...but that's what we humans do. We muddle through, champion, try and fail and try and fail and try and fail until at last we succeed, only to try a new hurdle. It's what we do. And we always feel better for it.

I hope you enjoy this show, I always do. And I hope you try and succeed at whatever you set your sights on in the coming year and decade.

I'll be rooting for you.

Here's Jack.



Funny stuff, now go get drunk!

Jeffy's Angels wanted to wish you all the best too. While tats and piercings are verboten at "Ye Olde Drink Hole", body paint is always welcome. :)


Talk to you soon.

OTR Friday for Lazy Tryptophan Comas!

As another turkey sandwich flows over our pallet and even more tryptophan coarses through our veins, an afternoon of good solid OTR is just the thing

I too am feeling the lull of the big bird, so I'll leave most of my commentary out this week and let you drink in the goodness of some of the best comed ever created.

From the little house half way up on the next block we finish up our undated 1939 episodes with two that focus on the patriarch of the Gook family.

The first centers on an annual running gag in which Vic is compiling his list of names of whom to send Christmas Cards to and Sades worrying about the oceans of money being spent. "15 centses don't fall from the sky!". This one has some great Paul Rhymer names in it that are worth hearing. Rushes relating the story of the "1st chair barber over at the Butler House Hotel" who has lived his entire life without recieving a Christmas Card and now lives in fear of breaking his streak is pure Rhymer gold.

Enjoy:



The second episode highlights Vic's ego as he relates to writing an article for the local paper...and how easily said ego gets deflated. Sound quality here drifts in and out, but I would never think of omitting this one.

Enjoy:



Now it's on to "Speaking of Radio: the Jack Benny Program" part 12 of 12 and final of this great documentary!

This one covers alot including Jacks 15 year relationship with The Merican Tobacco Co. and Lucky Strikes cigarettes.


There's a very funny overview of the stroyline in which Jack fired "The Sportsmen Quartet" for wanting too much money...

...and creates a new quartet from Bing Crosby...

...Dick Haymes...

...Andy Russell....

...and Dennis Day.

...and a series of sketches in which Mel Blanc plays a bakery man selling Jack "Cimmaron Rolls".

Comedy genius from the smallest of things.

I'm going to have to search hard for something to fill the place of this show on "OTR Friday" now that it's over.

Talk to you soon.

OTR Friday - Vic & Sade 1939 and The Jack Benny Program's Musical Side

It's time to smile again with radio's home folks!

As we work through the undated Vic & Sade episodes of 1939, our first segment today shows us more of just how treasured Vic's lodge, "The Dowsy Venus chapter of the Sacred Stars of the Milky Way" is to him.


Sade gets an offer from Mr Gumpox the trash man to store some of "the bushels of trash" in her house in an unused stall next to where Howard the trash horse sleeps. Vic is mortified that she should consider his lodge treasure trash and something to be stored in a horse stall, he is afterall the lodge president.

The items described seem pretty special to me. I can picture in my mind's eye perfectly the framed portrait of lodge founder R.J. Konk with the eyes that light up. Hell...I'd hang that in my living room...certainly not in a trash horse stall.

This episode is rife with Paul Rhymer's midwestern "vicandSadeisms"..."I was as grateful as a lion", "It's as clean as pie", "There's not enough room to shoot a snake" and of course my all time favorite running line and it's variations "Not enough time to choke Billy Patterson" and "Not enough room to choke Billy Patterson"!

I kept wondering, who the heck is Bill Patterson and in this wonderous digital information age it took me only a few minutes to find...

Dig in folks. This is a good one.

The second Vic & Sade undated 1939 episode for today centers around the age old issue of a boy maturing and his parents not acknowledging becoming a man. In modern sitcoms this would be a "very special episode" with lots of learning and hugging and maybe a special message about literacy from Nancy Reagan, but in Rhymer's expert hands it's funny to a 'T' and with genuine reality and warmth under it.

Favorite "VicandSadeism"? "It's no flesh off YOUR foot!".

Enjoy:



In "Speaking of Radio: the Jack Benny Program" part 11 of 12, the spotlight forms on the musical contributers of the show, most specifically on the personalities cultivated for the performers by Jack. This was never like the muscial act on SNL where you change the channel or go to bed, this was truly part of the show.

There was that loveable souse and ladies man, Phil Harris...

...who more of you may know from later in his career where he was the voices of "Little John" (Robin Hood), "Thomas O'Malley" (The Aristocats) and "Baloo" (The Jungle Book) for Walt Disney...

SIDEBAR: Remember when drunks were funny and not pitiable? sigh! I miss those days.

And simple minded and amiably boy-like, Irish tenor Dennis Day.

Another great 1/2 hour of insight into maybe the best show ever done.

Enjoy:

Talk to you soon!

OTR Friday with Vic & Sade and Jack Benny Too

OTR Friday is here again and I share with you another hour of comedy from radio's golden age.

On "Vic & Sade" we're winding down the surviving shows of 1939 and clean up the folder with a couple of episodes without specific dates. Both of these shows are frought with the kind of dialogue and characterization infused by creator Paul Rhymer that makes this show such an evergreen...do yourself a favor and give a listen.

This first show is from sometime in December of 1939. Young Rush Gook played by Billy Idelson is feeling himself get on in years. A teenager with an age complex, he's resigned to settle down his younger ways to a lifestyle more fitting his tired old bones.

Just for laughs, here's a brief looksee at Idelson as he aged in real life.

Idelson circa late 1930's...about the time of this episode:

Idelson as a young man in the early 1960's during his run on "The Dick Van Dyke" TV show, where he played the recurring role of Herman Glomscher, Sally Rodgers' boyfriend:


Idelson inthe early 1970's where he was a going comedy writer, director and creative consultant for shows like "Love American Style" and "The Bob Newhart Show":


And an older Idelson, content in retirement after a decades-long career on some very top-notch comedy shows in radio and television:

This is the kind of show I'm sure Idelson looked back on in later years with an even bigger smile than we get. Listen in...

This second show is from a few I have in a batch of undated 1939 shows. This highlights the characters and personalities of all three main speaking characters and the sharp acting and comic time of cast members, Art Van Havey, Bernadette Flynn and Idelson. Sade is prompting Vic to write a letter to her brother-in-law Walter and Rush is no help at all.

In "Speaking of Radio: The Jack Benny Program" part 10 of 12, we hear more proof of the faith and pride Jack put in his cast members. Never the vain star he portrayed, Jack spotlighted those around him to a degree I don't think any star of any show has ever done, before or since.

Betwixt the interviews, we hear a portion of a show all centering around the life of announcer Don Wilson...

...with the whole cast playing all their parts to a tee. The great Mel Blanc not only plays the stork that brought Don, we also get a cameo by Porky Pig competing for Don's announcer job...

...if course Frank Nelson chimes in to grate Jack...

...Bea Benederet takes a turn as Don's Mother...

...Dennis Day shows his voice acting chops playing Don' elder father...

...as contrast to Bob Crosby's portrayal of the younger Don Wilson, Sr. Bob took over the bandleading chores on Jack's show after Phil Harris moved on and retained the role after the shows move to television.

Contemprary to the "Speaking of Radio" special, Don Wilson even gives a little lowdown about "The Sportsmen Quartet", who provided the musical commercials on the program.

All in all a fact and fun filled show that you're sure to enjoy...

Talk to you soon.

OTR Friday and Jeffy Seeks Help!

While Jeffy fills the Angels in on Superman's situation and has a beer or two...let's take time out for some Old Timey Radio...it IS Friday after all!

Vic and Sade bring us two more wonderfully meaty and funny episodes...

From November 14, 1939, Rush has plans to single handedly tear down a 3 story brick building and the reputation it will garner him...

...and November 21, 1939, Rush explains to Sade his envy for Smelly Clark's scheme of gaining more Christmas gifts this year. Ingenious!



And this week in Speaking of Radio: The Jack Benny Program part 9 of 12, Jack's long time manager tells of Jack's appreciation for the simple things in life, the move from NBC to CBS and Jack's friendship with George Burns. Good stuff!

Talk to you soon.

OTR's "Smelly" Clark, Charlie Razorscum and Rochester Van Jones Shine as Superman Eavesdrops!

It's time to smile again with your old pals "Vic & Sade" and Jack Benny as we relive just a little piece of the golden age of OldTime Radio.


Our first "Vic & Sade" episode is from November 6, 1939 and at the very end, we come a fraction of a second from hearing another characters voice as Charlie Razorscum comes to the door. I suspect this was Paul Rhymer's little joke and nod to the audience to all those who had caught on that he was working all this magic with but three voices.

The episode also has yet another reference to the bill for $2 that Kleeburger's Department Store keeps sending to Vic. I don't know if there was ever an episode (remember, thousands were lost) ever explained the root of this bill...but I doubt it. It's funny wnough on it's own.

Favorite VicandSade-onyms from this episode? After Sade asks Rush if he'd washed his hands after loading the coal bin, Rush assures her that his hands are "Clean as toast!"

Let's listen in, shall we?...



The next "Vic & Sade" is from November 7, 1939. In this one Rush recounts a tale from the street and how "Smelly" Clark stood before his peers and gave a speech. A speech as impromptu and well spoken as it was full of hubris. This all left Rush as "Impressed as a horse".

I lay it before you now...

"Fellas, you all know me, I am 'Smelly' Clark. I have been checking up on myself and I wish to tell you, I am deeply gratified with my discoveries. Fellas, this is November 1939, a whole year has passed since November 1938. 365 days. Fellows, in those 365 days, I have not stood still. I have grown in mind and body. The radience of the streetlight is playing across my features as I utter these words and I think you can plainly tell that I am sincere."

Since Novemer of 1938 I have become smarter, taller, nobler, richer and better-lookin'. If I were to pass away in the next 5 minutes I believe it could be truthfully said that the world was better for my havin' lived."

I am young in years yet, fellas, but my career thus far has given promise of a glorious future. There are those that say I am wonderful. I do not say that I am wonderful, because that would sound like braggin'. When people come up to me on the street and tell me I'm wonderful, I wave my hand carelessly and remark 'Let time tell the story.'."

I would give the last drop of blood in my body for mother, home and friends. I would gladly die for the things dearest to my heart."

Fellas, I am smart, I am strong, I am good-lookin'. I am patriotic, I am brave, I am gentle, I am kind, I am generous. I protect the young, I defend the weak, I obey the laws. I am neat, clean, tender, sympathetic, intelligent, industrious, thrifty, sweet-tempered, courageous and handsome. I am spruce, tidy, trim, dapper, vigorous, hearty, hale, useful, witty, tried and true...."

Man oh man, now THAT'S daily affirmation that would make Stewart Smalley blush.

What a world it would be if all 16 year old's could stand and say this truthfully. But still, it's no wonder it ended like it did.

Give a listen...



In "Speaking of Radio: The Jack Benny Program" part 8 of 12 brings us two pieces of the program it would be hard to envision without.

First up, the heart and soul of the cast, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson is spotlighted with an all-too-brief recollection by writer george Balzer on Eddie's history with the show. Describing Anderson's first appearance as a pullman porter named "Syracuse". Then a later episode in which the real life Anderson was briefly lost at sea during a deep-sea fishing trip off Catalina, and was rescued the day of the live show and how the script was re-written to acknowledge the happening.

Next up Balzer relates the history and variations of "Anaheim, Asuza and Cuc.............amonga!", with clips and highlights of train station goings on with Frank Nelson, Mel Blanc and Sheldon Leonard making Jack's life miserable.

Interestingly enough, Jack Benny was so appreciated by these 3 little-known (Disneyland was still a decade away from putting Anaheim on the map) California towns, a year after the running gag began on his show in 1945, all three named Jack an honorary citizen.

Here's some great shots of Jack visiting them in later years.

Jack Benny (and Johnny Carson) opening the Anaheim train depot in 1963...

Jack Benny at the opening ceremony for the Asuza Civic Center in 1966...

Jack may not have gotten to Cucamonga, but here he is in 1966 or 7 at the at the Regina winery (later Filippi) in Etiwanda...

I used to work in Ontario, California and my office was situated at a spot between Etiwanda and Cucamonga and I could have easily walked to either...so I figure this is close enough.

Sidebar up for all you developers and land barons who insist on now calling your town "Rancho Cucamonga" or even more snobbily, just plain "Rancho". You'll NEVER be as famous OR as cool as when Jack Benny and Mel Blanc used to tout your name! So just give it a rest.

P.S. (Post Sidebar) You were Orange and Grape country...don't you have to raise cows to be a "rancho"?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

But I digress...enjoy the show!




Talk to you soon.

BONUS: For you Halloweener's...take a trip in the wayback machine to the post I did for Orson Welles' "The War of the Worlds" last year. It's a gooooooood listen, find it here!

OTR Friday - Vic and Sade, Jack Benny and Superman is Still Jealous!

More treasures from the mind and typewriter of Paul Rhymer on Vic & Sade...

First up the episode of October 30, 1939, and this one is frought with running gags well established as well as the language we've all come to love and expect from this show.

Shortly after the noonday meal, the family sifts through "the sheaf of wires, letters, postal cards and telegrams as delivered by the mailman". In the bushels of mail they got, Vic romantically imagines "hundreds of women heavily veiled and greatly agitated have dropped him a line assuring him of their love" but all he has reieved is a reminder to pay his $2 bill at Kleeburger's department store. Rush gets a letter from his Sunday School teacher stating she missed him last week...though Rush was there and was ..."as conspicuous as a horse". Sade garners a postal card from the "Lazy Hours Pool Hall" promising her a free dish of cole slaw with every game of billiards played, but more importantly she wrangles not one, not two, not three, but FIVE letters of greeting from a Christmas Card company in Toledo, Ohio.

Listen in...

Our second Vic & Sade comes from the very next day, October 31, 1939. Another great example of the solidity of telling the tales with but three speaking actors, made all the more evident by Smelly Clark being just outside and Blue-Tooth Johnson...actually IN the room.

And are those strange noises coming from mice? Davenport springs contracting with a change in temperature or "...murderous marauders skulking nearby waiting to plunder and kill!"?

Sheer genius...

Next up is part 7 of the 12 part "Speaking of Radio: The Jack Benny Program".

Here we get more insight into Jack's participation in the writers room as well as a little spotlight on Jack's real life wife Sadie Marx, or as we all know her better, Mary Livingstone...

...also a little clip from the show era of Jack and Mary's adopted daughter Joan...

...as well as a contemporary comment by her, all growed up.

Enjoy!

Talk to you soon.