Speaking of Radio: Text for Individual Interviews

SPEAKING OF RADIO: TEXT FOR INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS

Don Ameche

Recorded December 7, 1971 – 26 min

Versatile actor/host who worked with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy and, later, as the long-suffering husband on The Bickersons sketches with Frances Langford. Born May 31, 1908, he was 63 at the time of our conversation backstage at the Pheasant Run Playhouse in St. Charles, Illinois. He died December 6, 1993 at age 85.

Don Ameche was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1992.

Eve Arden

Recorded January 31, 1975 – 23 min

Actress who created the role of Connie Brooks for the long-running Our Miss Brooks on both radio and television.She was born April 30, 1912 and was 62 when we met backstage at the Drury Lane Theatre in Evergreen Park, Illinois. She died November 12, 1990 at age 78.

Eve Arden was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995.

Jim Backus

Recorded March 20, 1984 – 37 min

Durable supporting actor who appeared on radio in many roles, most notably as Hubert Updyke III on the Alan Young Show; on TV in Gilligan's Island,I Married Joan and, later, as the voice of Mr. McGoo; and in many motion pictures.

He was born February 25, 1913 and was 71 when we met in his Bel Aire, California home for our chat about his long career. He died July 3, 1989 at age 76.

George Balzer

Recorded September 2, 1981 – 106 min

For 25 years he was one of the key writers on Jack Benny's radio and television shows. He invited us into his Van Nuys, California home on September 2, 1981. He was born September 1, 1915 and was 66 at the time we talked about his long career. Mr. Balzer died September 28, 2006 at age 91.

Barney Beck

Recorded April 19, 1997

Veteran radio sound effects man who worked on such notable programs as Adventures of Superman, The Shadow,Gangbusters and FBI in Peace and War. He was born April 5, 1921 and was 76 when we met at the Cincinnati Old Time Radio convention. He died at age 86 on January 30, 2007.

Jack Benny

Recorded September 3, 1970 – 16 min

Mr. Benny was in the Chicago area for a series of concert appearances at the Mill Run Playhouse in suburban Niles, Illinois when we met to talk about his radio career. We were backstage following his short rehearsal with the band and just a few hours before his opening night performance. He was born February 14, 1894 and was 76 at the time of our visit. He died December 26, 1974 at the age of … 39.

Jack Benny was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.

Edgar Bergen

Recorded February 20, 1975 – 47 min

Ventriloquist who took his act to radio in 1936 and entertained listeners for nearly twenty years. We met in his Sunset Boulevard office in Hollywood, California to talk about his long and distinguished career. Near the end of our visit we were joined by Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. Charlie and Mortimer were ageless, but Mr. Bergen was 72 at the time of our conversation. He died September 30, 1978 at age 75.

Edgar Bergen was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1990.

Conrad Binyon

Recorded May 18, 1991 – 27 min

Child actor who appeared on such radio programs as One Man's Family, Mayor of the Town, Life of Riley and Buster Brown Gang. He was also featured in many motion pictures as a youngster. He was born January 30, 1931 and was 60 years old when we met for this chat at the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters' club room in Hollywood, California.

Jack Bivans

Recorded May 7, 1989 – 58 min

Youthful actor in more than 6,000 network radio programs including Captain Midnight during a seven-year professional acting career which began at the age of 12. He was born August 30, 1925 and was 64 when we got-together on the air at the studios of WBBM Radio in Chicago for a “live” broadcast conversation about his career. He died August 14, 2009 at age 83.

Mel Blanc

Recorded April 26, 1971 – 27 min

Voice of Warner Brothers cartoons for scores of years, he created many memorable characters on radio in broadcasts starring Jack Benny, Judy Canova, Abbott and Costello and on his own program, the Mel Blanc Show. He was born May 30, 1908 and was 63 when we met at the WLS-TV studios in Chicago following his guest appearance on the Bob Kennedy Show. He died at age 81 on July 10, 1989.

Himan Brown

Recorded June 29, 1991 – 99 min

Prolific producer of more than 30,000 radio shows, including Inner Sanctum, Adventures of the Thin Man, TheGoldbergs and CBS Radio Mystery Theatre, he was born July 21, 1910 and was 81 when we met for an extensive career interview at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. He died at age 99 on June 4, 2010.

Himan Brown was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988.

Pat Buttram

Recorded May 17, 1991 – 10 min

Gene Autry's sidekick on the Melody Ranch show and he had also appeared on the National Barn Dance program long before his stint as Mr. Haney on TV's Green Acres program. We met poolside at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California before a meeting of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters. The country-western wit was born June 19, 1915 and was 75 at the time of this short chat, which is almost a stand-up comedy routine! He died January 8, 1994 at age 79.

Ken Carpenter

Recorded February 19, 1975 – 31 min

One of radio's foremost and best-known announcers for nearly 40 years, he was closely associated with Bing Crosby's programs. He was born August 21, 1900 and was 74 at the time of our conversation in his Brentwood, California home. He died October 16, 1984 at age 84.

Hans Conried

Recorded January 19, 1971 – 38 min

Dependable character actor on radio for most of his career, on both comedy and dramatic programs, moving easily into TV with similar roles. Born April 15, 1917, he was 53 when we met him backstage at the Pheasant Run Playhouse in St. Charles, Illinois. He died January 5, 1982 at age 64.

Tommy Cook

Recorded May 17, 1991 – 27 min

Former child actor who appeared on Lights Out, Red Ryder, Blondie, Life of Riley and many other shows during radio's golden age. He was born in 1930 and was 61 when we met poolside at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California prior to a meeting of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters.

Norman Corwin

Recorded August 6, 1976 – 37 min

One of the most gifted contributors to radio, writing, producing and directing some of the medium's most honored programs including On A Note of Triumph, Columbia Presents Corwin, Twenty-six by Corwin and Fourteen August. He was born May 3, 1910 and was 66 at the time of our conversation in his Westwood, California home.

Norman Corwin was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1993.

Dennis Day

Recorded August 11, 1976 – 29 min

Valued member of Jack Benny's radio and television cast for nearly 35 years beginning in 1939. He was born May 21, 1917 and was 59 when we visited the singer-comedian at his antique-filled Mandeville Canyon home in Brentwood, California where he spoke fondly of his days working with Mr. Benny. He died June 22, 1988 at age 71.

Ivan Ditmars

Recorded May 17, 1991 – 15 min

Composer, musical director and organist on hundreds of radio broadcasts in the golden era and beyond. He was age 84 when we spent a little time with him at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California shortly before a meeting of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters. He was born April 12, 1907 and he died on September 10, 1997 at age 90.

Howard Duff

Recorded August 25, 1975 – 29 min

Actor who was the star of The Adventures of Sam Spade, he helped supply stateside radio programs for military listeners during World War II, he appeared in movies and on TV in addition to his radio work. He was born August 24, 1913 and had turned 62 the day before our conversation at his beach house on Sea Level Drive, just north of the Malibu Colony along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. He died July 8, 1990 at age 76.

Ralph Edwards

Recorded October 7, 1971 – 38 min

His great fame came as he developed and hosted Truth or Consequences and This is Your Life for radio. A telephone call to his office in Beverly Hills, California brought us together for a lengthy chat about his career and those two popular programs. He was born June 13, 1913, was 58 at the time of our conversation and he died November 16, 2005 at age 92.

Ralph Edwards was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995.

Alice Faye

Recorded October 28, 1987 – 32 min

Co-star of the Phil Harris – Alice Faye Show, the actresshad an earlier career as a glamorous screen star at 20th Century-Fox. We met while she was in Chicago as the “ambassador of good health” for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. She was born May 5, 1915 and at age 72 she was a picture of good health as she spoke of working with her husband on radio. She died May 9, 1998 at age 83.

Irving Fein

Recorded January 29, 1976 – 21 min

In a 28-year association with Jack Benny, Mr. Fein was the comedian's publicist, producer and manager. We met him in Chicago at the Whitehall Hotel where he was staying while in town to promote his book, “Jack Benny – A Intimate Biography.” He was born June 21, 1911 and was 65 years old at the time of our conversation.

Betty Lou Gerson

Recorded August 6, 1976 – 17 min

Chicago actress who appeared opposite Don Ameche on First Nighter, Chicago Theatre of the Air and later on such Hollywood-based programs as Lux Radio Theatre and Adventures of Sam Spade. She was born April 20, 1914 and was 62 years of age when my wife Ellen and I met her and her husband, Lew Lauria at the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, California.

Virginia Gregg

Recorded March 14, 1984 – 23 min

One of the busiest actresses on the air during the radio days, appearing on such shows as Lux Radio Theatre, Ellery Queen, Richard Diamond and One Man's Family. She was born March 6, 1916 and was 68 when we met at a Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters meeting and arranged to talk about her career at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She died September 15, 1986 at age 70.

Florence Halop

Recorded August 11, 1976 – 23 min

She was Miss Duffy on Duffy's Tavern and was Hotbreath Houlihan on the Jimmy Durante Show during the radio days and appeared on Meet Millie and other series on TV. She was born January 23, 1923 and was 53 when we met in Van Nuys, California. She died July 15, 1986 at age 56.

Marty Halperin

Recorded May 28, 1994 – 32 min

Director of Acquisitions for the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters he was instrumental in helping us arrange many of the interviews we conducted at PPB meetings and venues on the West Coast over the years. We met in the organization's club house for a conversation about his days in the U. S. Army when he worked for the Armed Forces Radio Service.

Phil Harris

Recorded June 15, 1988 – 50 min

He had a major musical career with his own big band before joining the Jack Benny cast on radio and later becoming co-star of his own program with his wife, actress Alice Faye. He was born January 24, 1904 and was 83 at the we visited him at the Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, California. He spoke fondly of his music days and of his comedy broadcasts. He died August 11, 1995 at age 91.

Bob Hastings

Recorded June 20, 1988 – 42 min

Title star of Archie Andrews on radio in a career that began in Chicago on the National Barn Dance. He was born April 18, 1925 and was 63 at the time of our conversation in the outdoor garden of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, where he spoke fondly of his radio days.

Jim Jordan

Recorded July 3, 1973 – 66 min

He was Fibber McGee on radio for 25 years. He was born in Peoria, Illinois on November 16, 1896 and was 76 when we met in his home on Tower Road in Beverly Hills, California to talk about his outstanding broadcast career, providing many anecdotes about Fibber McGee and Molly. He died April 1, 1988 at age 91.

Jim Jordan and his wife Marion were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.

Jay Jostyn

Recorded August 25, 1975 – 18 min

Actor best remembered as the star of Mr. District Attorney. We met at the Masquer's Club in Hollywood, California many years after that long-running program left the radio airwaves. He was born December 13, 1905 and was 69 at the time of our conversation. He died July 24, 1977 at age 71.

Phil Leslie

Recorded December 13, 1973 – 44 min

He spent a great many years writing scripts for Fibber McGee and Molly and other radio and television shows. He was born in 1909 and was 64 when we found ourselves working together at Radio Recorders, in Hollywood, California. We took advantage of the occasion to talk about his stellar writing career. He died September 23, 1988 at age 79.

Elliott Lewis

Recorded August 27, 1975 – 47 min

Actor, writer, producer, director during the golden years. He co-starred on the Phil Harris – Alice Faye Show as Frankie Remley and did a great amount of radio work before the microphones and behind the scenes. He was working on some special writing projects when we met at his office on the Paramount Pictures lot in Hollywood, California. He was born November 28, 1917 and was 57 at the time of our interview. He died May 20, 1990 at age 72.

Peg Lynch

Recorded April 19, 1997 – 32 min

Actress and writer who created Ethel and Albert and The Couple Next Door for radio listeners. She was born November 25, 1916 and was 59 when we talked to her about her career at the Cincinnati, Ohio Old Time Radio Convention.

Mercedes McCambridge

Recorded October 29, 1976 – 30 min

Actress who appeared on hundreds of radio dramas in a career that spanned the radio days. She was heard on programs created by Orson Welles, Carlton E. Morse, Arch Oboler and Himan Brown. Her broadcast work led her to the movies and the theater. She was born March 17, 1918 and was 58 at the time of our visit backstage at the Drury Lane Theatre in Evergreen Park, a Chicago suburb. She died March 2, 2004 at age 87.

Agnes Moorehead

Recorded July 17, 1971 – 24 min

Actress known as “the first lady of radio drama.” She earned that title over a period of twenty years working on hundreds of broadcasts, including the Mercury Theatre, The March of Time, The Shadow, Aldrich Family and Suspense. She was born December 6, 1906 and was 64 when she was in Chicago to promote a “new concept of mini-theaters” for United General Theaters. She followed her radio career with many roles in films and TV, including the series Bewitched. She died April 30, 1974 at age 67.

Bret Morrison

Recorded December 13, 1973 – 36 min

Actor who starred on radio as The Shadow and also appeared in such dramas as First Nighter, Hollywood Hotel, Lux Radio Theatre and many soap operas. He was born May 5, 1912 and was 61 at the time we sat down beside a grandfather's clock in the living room of his Hollywood, California home, sharing stories of his career that began in Chicago. He died September 25, 1978 at age 66.

Frank Nelson

Recorded February 18, 1975 – 28 min

Jack Benny's famous “ye-e-esss” man, the floorwalker, the ticket agent, Benny's nemesis on radio and television. He worked through the radio days as announcer, narrator or actor on hundreds of broadcasts. He was born May 6, 1911 and was 63 at the time of our conversation in his very comfortable California home with a fabulous view of Hollywood. He died September 12, 1986 at age 75.

Arch Oboler

Recorded August 5, 1976 – 43 min

He captured the imagination of listeners everywhere as the writer and host of Lights Out, one of the most memorable series in the history of radio. He was born December 7, 1909 and was 66 at the time we met in his home in Studio City, California, where he told how his career began in Chicago. He died March 17, 1987 at age 77.

Harold Peary

Interviewed April 28, 1971 – 19 min

Actor who appeared in radio as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve on the Fibber McGee and Molly program, then starred on his own show, The Great Gildersleeve. He was born July 25, 1905 and was 65 when we called him at his home in California to talk about his long career before the microphone. He was 79 when he died on March 30, 1985.

Ed Prentiss

Interviewed September 4, 1981 – 29 min

Major Chicago actor who appeared on scores of local and network programs originating in the Windy City including Ma Perkins, Guiding Light and Today's Children. He became the star of the long-running juvenile drama Captain Midnight. He was born September 9, 1908 and was 72 at the time of our conversation about his work on the air. He died March 19, 1992 at age 83.

Vincent Price

Recorded September 8, 1971 – 16 min

The versatile actor who “loves to talk about radio” was in Chicago representing Sears, Roebuck and Company's fine art collection when we met him at the studios of WLS-TV. His radio credits include any number of appearances on such programs as Lux Radio Theatre, Screen Guild Theatre and Suspense. He starred as the title character on The Saint. He was born on May 27, 1911 and was 60 when we interviewed him. He died on October 25, 1993 at age 82.

Lillian Randolph

Recorded August 9, 1976 – 22 min