Harold Peary as Gildersleeve

Harold Peary (pronounced Perry), the first of the two Gildersleeves on radio (the other was Willard Waterman), was born José Pereira de Faria.

Incidentally, the "P" in Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve stood for "Philharmonic."

Organ music in radio shows

The organ music used on so many radio shows is irritating to many people today. However, the principle behind it was no different than the common use of synthesizers similar situations today: it is cheaper to pay one person than several people. The difference is that synthesizer sounds can be varied to be more pleasing than can the organs of that day.

Once again, I found a radio show that used the theme music from Tales of the Texas Rangers. This one is The Silent Men, about government undercover agents. They got a lot of mileage out of that music.

Thai restaurant in Charleston. Pam and I ate there last night. Very good. We recommend it.

Boris Karloff’s paternal grandmother was the sister of Anna Leonowens, whose tales about life in the royal court of Siam were the basis of the musical "The King and I."

Boris Karloff, a fine actor

Boris Karloff was a much better actor than he is usually given credit for being. The only thing most people know about him is that he appeared in quite a few horror movies. They do not know that (among others) he played the Mr. Wong, the Chinese detective, and also Colonel March, the suave Scotland Yard detective. He was versatile and very enjoyable to watch.

Protecting the innocent

Our justice system is weighted toward not punishing the innocent. It could just as easily be weighted toward punishing the guilty, but what an environment of fear that would be. Thank God we have what we have. Sometimes the bad guys get away, but at least we do not have a police state.

How in the world did an actor named Humphrey get to be a tough-guy leading man in Hollywood?

I wonder why no one in our family ever named their daughter Emerald.

Roy Rogers had one of the most listenable voices in popular music. He really had a pleasant sound and style.

"Mr. Allen"

What radio comedienne began her spot on each show with the quip, "Mr. Allen, Mr. Allen"?

Hint: She was married to the star of the show for 25 years, until his death. Then she re-married, and both of them lived long enough to celebrate their 25th anniversary, also. How many Hollywood stars do you know that celebrated two silver wedding anniversaries?

It was Portland Hoffa, the wife of Fred Allen.

More HERE on Portland Hoffa.

I just heard what had to have been Doc Gamble's voice on an old Roy Rogers radio program.

No Fingers Noonan

No Fingers Noonan - a character on Archie's Tavern radio show. Also known as The Unsuccessful Butcher.

It has been a good year for Grandpa (my dad) in basketball. We took him to college games at Fayetteville, Little Rock and Clarksville. Not bad for an 87 1/2 year old.

Whence the expression, "I should have stood in bed"? Stood? You should have been standing on your bed?

This week is the 200th anniversary of the last and largest of the New Madrid earthquakes, which just happened to have been on the same day that Charles Dickens was born.

I have found a couple of episodes of the Rathbone/Bruce Sherlock Holmes series in which Watson's wife has a speaking part.

Collecting old radio shows

I just completed my tenth CD case of old radio shows. Two of them are larger, but the rest are 96-CD cases. I estimate that we have somewhere around 2400 old radio programs on CD at our house.

I just have an inherent distaste for voting against a man. If I cannot vote for his opponent, then usually I just do not vote. I realize that there may be exceptions to that rule, but it is my general rule.

Signs posts disappearing

One of the most difficult things about growing older is that the fundamental assumptions of life that were sturdy cornerstones for your planning seem to be disappearing. Things you assumed always would be true are no longer true.

Alan Young - Mr. Ed and radio

Alan Young was the star of the Mr. Ed television program (the one with the talking horse). He also had a radio program. He was much better on TV than on the radio. He tended to be very silly and goofy (a la Red Skelton). There were some good moments, but overall the program was weak. Jim Backus played a very rich acquaintance on the program.

Two "made for radio" actors were Bob Bailey ( Let George Do It, Johnny Dollar) and William Conrad (Gunsmoke). Neither were handsome, leading man types, but both had great radio voices.

On the way to work today I was listening to a Jack Benny program on the radio. Jack had a doctor's appointment, and in the lobby to see the psychiatrist was a man who thought he was a rabbit. Jack spoke to him, and he responded, "Nyaaa, what's up, Doc?" It was, of course, the voice of Bugs Bunny. Mel Blanc was a regular on the Benny program.