2/7/2009 2:42:22 AM

Greg,
I'm loving getting to know these great shows. I've been wondering why Phil Harris never ended up a big superstar? Until I started listening to classic radio, I'm not sure I'd ever heard of him. He certainly seems like a huge talent.
Thanks for any thoughts,
John

John Cleary

2/7/2009 3:14:26 AM

Greg,

Thanks for listening to Radio Classics' tribute to Bill Johnstone!

Mark Watson

2/7/2009 3:17:59 AM

Greg,

I looked up Phil Harris to see if my recollection of his career was different than John's. In addition to being a bandleader and radio personality, he (or his voice) was in about two-dozen movies from the early 30s through 94. I remember his distinctive voice in Disney's "Jungle Book". He may not be on the "A" list, but I'd give him a "B+".

Sierra Tim (aka Tim2)

Sierra Tim

2/7/2009 3:47:03 AM

Hi,
I remember the song "The Thing," (it was a "Dr. Demento" staple when I was growing up) but for some reason never attached it to Harris until I looked him up.
John

John Cleary

2/7/2009 6:31:56 AM

Mark, so glad someone else noticed! I thought the tribute to Bill Johnstone was great, too!

G

2/7/2009 1:43:05 PM

Greg,

Another great week of shows. Thanks for the previews of the specials. I never heard of the show The Mysterious Traveler. It sounds interesting. I think I have about 19 hours scheduled to be recorded next week. I hope I have enough space in my Inno.

Bob

2/7/2009 3:06:21 PM

"Mr Keene, Tracer of Lost Persons"...I've always enjoyed Bob and Ray's twist on it, "Mr Trace, Keener Than Most Persons".

Don

2/8/2009 12:56:27 AM

What are "reasonable questions?"
Greg, I've always found your style and format the perfect solution to a sticky problem of programming and the sibgle biggect reason I've stayed a subscriber to XM. If I was the Sirius folks and found out 164 format had replaced 116 I would be ecstatic.
Welcome to all the Sirius folks and enjoy. Greg's the best.

tim

2/8/2009 1:56:53 AM

Phil has been discussed on the Jack Benny.org message boards in the past..They were considering bringing the Harris/Faye show to television, but Phil vetoed it, not wanting to do the extra work involved in television..He made some appearances on the Benny TV show, and on TV variety specials..He seemed to be happy withj that..

Tim Lones

2/8/2009 3:24:51 AM

Thanks, gang, for telling me about Bob & Ray's parody on Mr. Keene. A professor introduced me to B&R and I really got a kick out of them; one of our New York radio stations played them in the afternoon. Now all our broadcast radio stations play is garbage (except for some talk show hosts whose names I won't mention here). Hey, Greg - is there any way you could play Bob & Ray or do they not fit into the station's category/format? I'd love to see a new generation introduced to B&R. I think they'd get a kick out of them as much as I do seven though I'm "old." (55). They did a parody on the popular (at the time) soap opera "Search for Tomorrow" and it was absolutely hilarious. I'mj going to do a Google on them; I'll bet I'll learn a lot. Thank god for the Internet and Google.
Thanks for the great week, Greg! I know one listeneer complained about hearing "Wuthering Heights" three or four times; I'm the exact opposite. Every time it was on and I was awake, I listened enraptured. I even have it on CD and I still listened. The production was outstanding.
I'm glad you're doing a salute to Pres. Lincoln, Greg. He really was a great president and deserves any and all honors and accolades he gets.
THANKS ALSO IN ADVANCE for playing "The Count of Monte Cristo" with my man Orson once again. I have the production with Robert Montgoemery and although it's good, VERY FEW can compare to my Orson! The man could read the telephone book and I'd listen in joyful silence.

Rosemary

2/8/2009 3:46:31 AM

Love this week's schedule! I love Crime Classics, there is just something about a true crime story that is fascinating. As to Phil Harris, he is an absolute talent. I didn't realize how amazing he was until I got into Old Time Radio about ten years ago. I did remember him from the Disney movies (Jungle Book and Aristocats), but I didn't realize how huge a talent he really was. I love the Phil Harris/Alice Faye show, and you can't help but love Jack Benny!

Mandy

2/8/2009 4:15:09 AM

Great schedule again this week, Greg. Are we to get a Boston Blackie marathon on his annviversay as well? When did the show start? Was there more than one "Blackie" or was it always Kollmar?

Good to hear Mr. & Mrs. North. They remind me of my favorite sleuthing spouses, Nick and Nora.

Will we be hearing any more Agatha Christie? David Suchet was always my favorite Poirot...any Miss Marple radio shows?

Have a great week everyone!

margolane

2/8/2009 6:12:19 AM

Historic note: On Friday, February 13 (Knocking on Wood) Jack Webb's first radio crime drama aired. Pat Novack for Hire debuted in 1949. It must not have been very good because it only lasted months. I guess the names were changed to protect the innocent.

Bob

2/8/2009 7:23:32 AM

Back when Book Radio was Sonic Theater on XM, Bob and Ray featured somewhat regularly on that channel. These featured the duo later in their careers, but the programs were still good. I don't if they will be played any more now that the channel is Book Radio, but it's a distinct possibility.

Roger Reini

2/8/2009 1:09:30 PM

I agree with you all that Phil Harris was great! He is one of my favorite comedians on Old Time Radio. I absolutely love the Phil Harris/Alice Faye show!

Jeremiah

2/8/2009 5:36:06 PM

Hi all,
Greg, I am still very pleased with what RadioClassics, and you, have to offer us. <smile> Hearing Wuthering Heights was wonderful last week!
This is just a very random tidbit of info for anyone who might be interested. Since it is the week of Jack benny's birth, this'll fit in alright.
Several may know this, but I didn't originally. In the movie Gone with the Wind, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson plays a small part. He doesn't have many lines but his voice is as distinctive as ever.
Yall take care,
Shanda

Shanda

2/9/2009 2:56:04 AM

Dear Greg,
Thanks for continuing the alternating schedule. I enjoy listening in the evening. It is wonderful to know that there will be new shows available. The printed schedule makes it easy to catch up on any favorites that someone might have missed during the week. You have the best thing going on radio.
Jim

jim

2/9/2009 4:17:12 AM

Another great week has come and gone; thanks for making ours go a little smoother with some outstanding programming, Greg.

Question: I'm sure it's been asked many times in the past, but is there any chance you can bring back The CBS Radio Mystery Theatre? I remember listening to them back in the 70's and it would be great to hear them on the air again.

Keep up the most excellent work.

Mike

Mike

2/9/2009 5:04:51 AM

Hi, Mike! Greg probably will answer this for you but when I asked him the question, he told me CBS Radio Mystery Theater (Theatre?)belongs to Himan Brown (who is still with us and is 98 years old) and he has NOT given his OK to air the show on XM Radio. I don't believe he has ever given us a reason but I'm with you --- I sure would like to hear it again; it was one of my favorite radio shows and I was so sad when the local radio stations that had aired it on the weekends suddenly discontinued it. Thank goodness I taped them all and I still have the tapes. All we can do is pray and be persistent (I'll leave it to Greg to keep nudging Mr. Brown).
Do a Google on CBS Radio Mystery Theatre and you'll find all kinds of websites both informational and for products. Also, go to www.amazon.com and put the name of the show in the BOOKS category and you'll see a book about the show - it's a list of every episode in chronological order. It's a terrific book --- my sister gave it to me one Christmas and I love it. Good luck!

Rosemary

2/9/2009 10:55:04 AM

Bob and Ray also did a great take-off on Suspense . It was " well designed to keep you in ( ta-da ) Anxiety !

Rick Theiling

2/9/2009 6:38:45 PM

I was listening to Bill Sterns sports show, because I never heard of that, and was wondering did Bob Bayley from Johny Dollar play in that? I would all most put my life on hearing his voice towards the end of that episode. Thanks!

Joe

2/9/2009 10:52:00 PM

Greg, I an not sure you can make this happen but I would like to see a night of radio from the past recreated today. Take any date and play what was on that night 40 or 50 years ago for the whole night, prime time.

wmsfly@gmail.com

2/9/2009 11:44:35 PM

I am also one that would enjoy something like that..It might not be all that easy to do, but it would be worth a try..

Tim Lones

2/10/2009 12:40:56 AM

I too like the idea of broadcasting a night from the past. Maybe a news segment from the date included as well.

Sierra Tim

2/10/2009 3:14:52 AM

Greg,

Is it possible maybe to play some old time radio quiz shows? They should be interesting to hear.

I've noticed while listening "My Favorite Husband" starring Lucille Ball I've noticed they took a lot of those radio shows and used them for "I Love Lucy". In many of the shows I've noticed a very familure voice of Frank Nelson. His name may not be familure but you would remember his voice. He started in many shows and always with the first line of "Yesssssssssss".

Bob

2/10/2009 5:16:41 AM

Jack Benny (usually while Christmas shopping..Floorwalker, oh Floorwalker?
Nelson:Yeessss?
Jack:Are You the floorwalker?
Nelson:What do you think I am with this carnation. a float in the Rose Parade?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA_r1Ynl4Ls

Tim Lones

2/10/2009 3:27:33 PM

Hello Everyone;

I really appreciate these shows for reasons you would appreciate.

Please play any and all thing Sinatra.

Can I download a good copy of:

"DICK TRACY IN B FLAT"?

The copies I hear are speeded up ever so slightly so that the pitch is altered and the playing isn't as long.

Keep it up Greg.

Your presentation is just Magnificent!

Anthony Vece

Anthony Vece

2/10/2009 4:03:59 PM

Is it me or is there a dearth of comedies this week? Don't misunderstand me, I love all OTR programs (well, except Red Rider), it just seem slike there are fewer comedies than usual this week.

Jeff

2/11/2009 12:01:40 PM

More on "Bob & Ray's" funny parodies of Old Time Radio....

(1) "Mr. District Attorney" was kidded with Bob Elliot
as the know-it-all "Mr. District Defender".

(2) B&R's soap opera, "The Life and Loves of Linda Lovely" featured feisty "Uncle Eugene", who babbled inspired nonsense exactly like Uncle Fletcher of "Vic & Sade".

(3) "One Man's Family" was recast as "One Feller's Family";
and Bob Elliott did a devestating parody of Arthur Godfrey's radio show, with genial Godfrey sounding ominous and scary.

(4) "Dragnet" also got the treatment as "Squad Car 119".

Thanks to Greg Bell for his great work... and on this Blog
to our friend "Rosemary", whsoe positive energy is contagious!

jim sills

2/12/2009 4:41:52 AM

Just curious...has anyone else ever noticed the Suspense episode "They Call Me Patrice" is a much older version of the movie "Mrs Winterbourne?" I noticed the similarity before, but didn't track down why until this evening. Apparently, "They Call Me Patrice" was a Cornell Woolrich story published in a magazine in 1946, and adapted for Suspense that same year. Woolrich then redid the story and published it as the novel "I Married a Dead Man" two years later. The novel was ultimately made into three different movies - "Mrs Winterbourne" was the last one.

Just a random bit of trivia...

Tracy K

2/12/2009 5:38:23 PM

Great week!!! I love Jack Benny . These are really great episodes! Great work Greg.

Hannah

3/13/2009 11:28:12 AM

GREG , ALL WE SEE IS THE POSITIVE REMARKS WHERE ARE THE NEGATIVE ON OR MAYBE THERE IS NONE. PAUL

PAUL OLENIACZ

11/20/2009 12:45:17 PM

You may have not intended to do so, but I think you have managed to express the state of mind that a lot of people are in. The sense of wanting to help, but not knowing how or where, is something a lot of us are going through.

provillus liquid

11/20/2009 2:17:46 PM

I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

car insurance