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August 9th to 15th Week - Off To See The Wizard - Earth Abides Returns

by gregbell 8/3/2009 4:57:00 PM

Sirius 118 XM 164 PDF Version and the Excel Version or the direct link to the page HERE

It has been 70 years since The Wizard Of Oz first came to theatres; to honor it we are playing an hour long Lux Radio Theatre version from Christmas Day 1950 starring Judy Garland as Dorothy (she brings along 4 year old Liza to the show!) While she is supported by radio actors; the episode WILL be followed by The Ray Bolger Show (Scarecrow) and The Wonder Show with Jack Haley (Tin Man).

Photos: Wizard of Oz Cast Film Cast; Hans Conreid (Scarecrow in Radio Version); Herb Vigran (Tin Man in Radio Version).

Also we have brought back one of the most requested of all the episodes on the channels; the hour long Escape version of George R. Stewart's story Earth Abides, with John Dehner, Peggy Webber and Parley Baer.

PHOTOS: Earth Abides book cover, John Dehner, Peggy Webber, Parley Baer with Gunsmoke Cast L to R Howard McNear (Doc), William Conrad (Matt), Georgia Ellis (Kitty), Baer (Chester).

Photos: some promised pics - Larry Dobkin; Duffy's Tavern Cast; The Allen's Alley cast (l to r): Fred Allen, Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Peter Donald, Parker Fennelly.

Currently rated 5.0 by 4 people

Currently 5/5 Stars.
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Schedule for August 23rd to August 29th, 2009New Series, Hitchcock and DeMille Birthday Specials, and "Earth Abides"It's Christmas In July All Week - well most of the week!

Comments

8/5/2009 3:09:27 AM

It looks like Drew Cary stole Peter Donald's glasses.

Good choices on the Wizard of Oz and Earth Abides...now I have to check the schedule.

Michael

8/6/2009 3:04:22 AM

I remember watching watching the Wizard of Oz as a kid, man those flying Monkeys were scary as hell then. I also found out a few years ago that Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West was a Kindergarden Teacher before she became an actress. Two of her students were William Windom and Jim Backus who played Mr. Howell on Gilligans Island.

Bob Irish

8/6/2009 9:42:13 AM

Greg,

I have been a FAITHFUL fan of Radio Classics for several years. It gives me a good reason to hit the sheets early. After a busy day at work I unwind with all of the old timers.

Steve Arnett

8/6/2009 6:37:01 PM

Love Radio Classics. Lately I have been catching old "Maverick" television reruns, circa 1957-59. It is no coincidence that a great number of the voice personalities on radio then, also appeared in many of the vintage tv programs from the same era. Especially in the western genre. Personally, I was never a big fan of the classic western [be it radio or tv], which explains why the iconoclastic Maverick was always much more watchable. Nonetheless, I do find the radio versions of Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, etc. far more enjoyable than their television counterparts.

Jim Lettuce

8/6/2009 9:48:35 PM

Hi, Gang! I wrote last night but hit the wrong button so my magnificent opus never made it to the 'screen.'
I was singing Greg's praises because he's going to air "Earth Abides" next week. I have my cassette tape and recorder ready. (I haven't figured out MP3 Players and IPods).
This week is great except for the Stan Freberg stuff - I haven't gotten his message. But don't be discouraged, Greg - it took me months to appreciate Phil Harris & Alice Faye!
Hey, Bob Irish - that was fascinating to learn Margaret Hamilton had been William Windom's and Jim Backus' kindergarten teacher. Jim Backus, in addition to being on "Gilligan's Island," was also the voice of the cartoon character "Mr. Magoo." And William Windom was the lead in the TV version of "The Farmer's Daughter" and had a role in "Murder, She Wrote" (he played Seth, the doctor).
I agree with Jim Lettuce - the radio version sof "Gunsmoke" and "Have Gun, Will Travel" are much better. That's because they have the Golden Throated Ones --- William Conrad ("Gunsmoke") and John Dehner ("Have Gun, Will Travel" and "Foreign Gentleman").
More later - I hope this goes through. Oh, by the way, Greg - thank you for the pix of Gunsmoke and "Earth Abides" and thanks for next week's episode of "Our Miss Brooks."

Rosemary

8/6/2009 11:23:21 PM

I have to agree the radio versions of "Gunsmoke" and "Have Gun will travel" are far superior to the Tv versions. William Conrad and John Dehner were great in everything they did.Both on radio and Tv.

Bob Conrad

8/8/2009 6:21:03 PM

My oldest daughter watches wizard of oz when ever she can & still has tears in her eyes while watching the show. When she was younger I asked her why she wanted to watch the show if it made her cry. She said because I like it with tears still in her eyes. She is in her 40's now.

Ron

8/9/2009 10:48:59 AM

Interesting thing about the Gunsmoke cast picture,..This was part of a series of photos made to try to convince CBS execcutives to use the radio cast in the TV version..Needless to say it didnt work..

Tim Lones

8/9/2009 1:54:20 PM

Howdy folks
What an absolute delight to not just enjoy these Radio Classics, but to get to ask all of you for help or input.
I am looking for any information (and maybe a photo) of a pretty talented, but not too well known radio actor by the name of Wilms Herbert. He pops up from time to time on different shows. Known for being able to do accented voices, he is perhaps best known on Sirius/XM for his Sergeant Otis character on "Richard Diamond". It is as if this fellow fell off the earth or something. Even Greg is stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Randy

8/9/2009 7:18:58 PM

As Randy says, any Wilms Herbert help would be most welcome.

thanks.

Greg

gregbell

8/9/2009 7:43:57 PM

Hi, Gang! One of my sillier suggestions but ... did you do a search for Wilms Herbert on Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com)? It may not be perfect - its information on Maurice Tarpaulin (my mind is leaving me at the moment - you know the one who is host of "Mysterious Traveler")wasn't 100 percent. I also couldn't find anything on Bill Johnstone. But it's a start. Also, try google or the new MSN search called Bing (easy for us radio folk to remember).
Can't wait till "Earth Abides." And I finally heard all of "Fire in the Sky" and it was even scarier than just the end. I'm the type who is terrified every time I hear about a comet or asteroid in the sky --- even a satellite falling to Earth has me staring out my window!
Hey, Greg - don't forget to bring back an "Our Miss Brooks" soon. I sure do appreciate you airing weekly episodes of "Gunsmoke" and "Dragnet." A week without those two would be sheer hell and probably the longest week since the Creation (I remember it well... ) Oh, and thanks, Greg, for airing my favorite episode of "I Was a Communist for the FBI" - "Abby as in Abigail" last week. I LOVE that particular story.
Happy listening everybody! I'll be happy when the Stan Freberg episodes are done with --- I tried with him but it hasn't happened for me yet!

Rosemary

8/9/2009 10:25:15 PM

Thanks, Rosemary
I actually have tried the IMDB, which returned one possibly inaccurate listing for Mr. Herbert. I've used Google, Bing, and a very strong targeting tool called Copernic. Attempts were made with the Social Security Death Index, the US Census Bureau, and a few Obit sites, which leads me to think he used a stage name. Many old time radio sites list this actors career history, but they do not list any life history. I did find out that during a 1979 Robert Bloch interview, it was mentioned that Wilms was deceased. Another OTR site lists his passing as 1951. This might explain why we hear nothing of him after 1951. Again, folks, any input or pointers are appreciated.
And thanks, Greg, for doing such a super job on our favorite Sirius/XM channel!

Randy

8/10/2009 3:06:13 PM

The ONLY information I found on Wilms Herbert was Date of Birth: 5/2/1908
Date of Death: 3/5/1951. Thats the only thing I could find. There was nothing else available on him.

Bob Irish

8/10/2009 5:38:26 PM

Hi, Bob! I think your Wilms Herbert is the same guy Greg was talking about last week - his name slips my mind (leading me to believe you are right - Wilms Herbert is a stage name) but what I recall is the man died at age 43 of cancer and the birth and death years are the same. Mr. Herbert was also 43 - actually only 42. Could it be ...? I'll look up last week's sked to see if I can remember who the guy was... I'm a tad under the weather so my mind isn't working (at least this time I have an excuse)...
DON'T FORGET, GANG - this is THE week --- when we can hear "Earth Abides" once again. I loved it last year and if I can get my blasted radio to stay in tune, I'll tape it. I still haven't quite gotten over being scared "witless" from "Fire in the Sky." I should have taped it! I may even try to get a copy of the book "Earth Abides" though another book is the very last thing I need!
More tomorrow. New sked should be out tomorrow night...

Rosemary

8/10/2009 9:46:23 PM

The Escape production of "Earth Abides" is a great choice.

The first time I heard it, I was absolutely gripped by it. Wonderful acting.

Michael O'Brien

8/10/2009 11:14:27 PM

According to the schedule, you are playing "Nightboat" this week. This reminds me of the Simpsons episode with "Knight Boat" the crime-fighting boat which always managed to find an inlet, canal or fjord....

I am sure we can pin this one on the COPY BOY!!

Darin

8/11/2009 7:33:59 AM

Rosemary, the actor Greg was spotlighting last week was Wally Maher, who was born Augut 4, 1908 and died of cancer at age 43 in December 1951. But you're right about the ages being close. I hadn't realized Wilms Herbert had died at such a young age, too.

8/13/2009 7:16:54 AM

Thanks so much for posting the picture of Parley Baer. I was wondering..is he kin to Max Baer? I have truly enjoyed listening to Radio Classics. Your presentation is impecable. Your research is very in depth. Thanks for bringing all these programs back into our lives.

Becky Wight

8/13/2009 12:49:15 PM

Greetings Greg and all my OTR friends. This is my favorite time of year. Why you ask? Because Earth Abides is on this week. I have this show recorded on my portable XM receiver, but for some reason I love hearing it when Greg has it on the schedule. I was at the pool again this year when it came on and was in 7th Heaven. This has to be my favorite OTR show. I urge everyone who likes this show to get the book. My wife bought it for me on my 50th birthday (2 years ago) and I must have read it 6 times since. It also marks for me the end of the summer, LOL. And every year Greag gives it a different intro and ending. Greg, you are the BEST thing on XM/Sirus radio. Everything old is new again.

Bill from NY

Bill

8/20/2009 4:42:14 PM

I finally got a chance to listen to Earth Abides. It was a good show.

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11/20/2009 5:35:09 PM

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August 9th to 15th Week - Off To See The Wizard - Earth Abides Returns

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