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 Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Blog Gremlin Is at It Again
Posted by maggie
If anyone tried to access the Collins post just preceding this and was bewildered at the absence of text ... Well, so was I.
I had to leave immediately after hitting "Post to Weblog," so I didn't catch that, yet again, The Blog Gremlin chuckled to itself and failed to enter the text. Tiresome.
10/23/2007 3:08:02 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00) 
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Another Max Allan Collins Book Is Coming! Huzzah!
Posted by maggie
Amazon has just notified me that Max Allan Collins is starting a new FBI series, starting with Criminal Minds: Jump Cut.
Or -- to quote the e-mail: "As someone who has purchased or rated books by Trina Robbins, you might like to know that Criminal Minds: Jump Cut will be released on November 6, 2007."
The series involves a team of profilers whose job is to predict what the nasties will do next. I have yet to find a Collins novel that isn't a delight and can recommend it sight unseen. Woo hoo!
10/23/2007 12:47:54 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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Monday, October 22, 2007
Synchronicity
Posted by maggie
In checking out Mark Evanier's blog (to which there is a link on the left there), I note that he has an entry today regarding Chuck McCann -- the day after I emerged from an Old Time Radio convention at which McCann was one of the stars.
(Among the most memorable moments: McCann doing the Frank Fontaine character John L.C. Silvoney on a Jack Benny show re-creation. Brought the house down -- as McCann put his script aside for perfect ambiance on an extended gag. In fact, Wikipedia says the re-creation was of the first appearance of the character: April 6, 1950.)
McCann was wonderful throughout the weekend, whether in performance or on a panel. And he'll be playing a judge on Boston Legal tomorrow and next week. Fun!
And here's a shot of McCann (left), performing at that Benny re-creaation. Behind him is one of the two wonderful sound-effects guys (long-time pros, first time at this convention) whose names I can't locate at the moment. To the right is the multi-talented Michael Gwynne, whose credits are too long to list here (though you can find some information at imdb.com).
10/22/2007 4:24:01 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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If You'd Like to Visit an Old Time Radio Convention
Posted by maggie
Satellite Media Production, P.O. Box 638, Walkersville, MD 21793 has been recording the past few years of the Newark Friends of Old Time Radio Convention. I have a flyer that encompasses events from 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 -- and 2007 will be available ere long.
10/22/2007 6:54:23 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Radio Convention Was a Delight, as Ever
Posted by maggie
I'm finally able to sit down at a computer (as opposed to Super-Phone) to post the briefest possible gloat about the wonderful annual Friends of Old Time Radio convention in Newark. As with any convention, you never know what to expect -- but this was an exceptional treat. The convention is tiny by comics standards; that means that it consists of what amounts to a circle of friends united in admiration of an art form.
It's not about what's expensive or hotly collectible; it's about shared enjoyment of Old Time Radio and being able to express admiration -- one on one -- with delightful professionals. This year, daughter Valerie and I got to hang out with my brother, Paul, and his friend (now mine, too) Lydia. She's new to the con (though an old hand at Old Time Radio itself), and we just had a tremendous time.
(We're talking around the CBG watercooler -- or would be, if there were one -- about podcasts and posting video and the like. And I managed to shoot some more shaky video of raconteurs telling delicious tales of entertainment experiences. Though the theme of Old Time Radio might seem to be limiting, I'm telling you it's not at all, and weekend anecdotes included one about Shel Silverstein taking an OTR giant to Hugh Hefner's mansion, because of the latter's interest in radio.)
I see I'm being inarticulate -- for which, apologies. More after I've actually had some sleep...
10/21/2007 6:31:03 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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Saturday, October 20, 2007
Two Leonard Starr Originals, My Friend Irma, and More
Posted by maggie
This is so far one of the super-good Old Time Radio conventions! I've picked up two Leonard Starr strips: an ON STAGE with different styles for winter exteriors plus a lovely shot of Mary Perkins and an outstanding ANNIE.
Which is not what I came for. The re-creations are among what I DID come for, and they've been outstanding, with (for example) Jeff David playing the Orson Welles part in HARRY LYME at least as well as Welles. (I'm going to compare performances at some future date; David might be better. Truth.)
The MY FRIEND IRMA half-hour was fun for daughter Valerie and me, at any rate -- with Valerie having the massive part of Jane. As Mrs. O'Reilly, I struggled with an Irish accent, and no one threw anything.
People have been, as ever, delightful, and Valerie, my brother Paul, and I are responsible for at least two first-time attendees this year. More fun tomorrow.
10/20/2007 12:08:06 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Who Was Your Always Looked-For Creator?
Posted by maggie
I had two in my Golden Age. For comics, it was Walt Kelly. For fantasy and science fiction, it was Edd Cartier. Cool thing is that Cartier is still alive -- and living not too far from this con. I know I won't get to see him, but it makes me feel good, nevertheless.
10/17/2007 3:41:44 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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I've Got Radio Shows Even before the Radio Con Begins
Posted by maggie
Anthony Tollin had two Nostalgia Ventures sets at his dealer's table, though the con doesn't start till tomorrow. Anyway, I bought a Sherlock Holmes set (previously unreleased shows starring John Stanley -- not the comics JS) and an Espionage set. Looks good.
10/17/2007 3:35:02 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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Tuesday, October 16, 2007
You ARE Checking the Links on This Site, Aren't You?
Posted by maggie
I'd been too busy to do so for the last couple of days. If the same goes for you, check them out now -- especially Mark Evanier's postings on Marie Severin (dang! fingers very crossed!) and The Spirit. Not to mention earlier postings on union negotiations.
10/16/2007 2:46:29 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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If You're in the NYC Area and Enjoy Radio Drama ...
Posted by maggie
... you should drop in on the Friends of Old Time Radio convention in Newark. It sounds as if it might be a complicated trip, but a train, bus, or other ride to the Newark Airport will put you just a free shuttle's ride away to the Holiday Inn North, 160 Frontage Road, Newark, New Jersey 07114 (973) 589-1000. (The hotel shuttle comes into the "Hotel Pick-Up" area at P4, just past Terminal C. The airport workers are amazingly cheery and helpful when it comes to finding the right spot, and the shuttle runs frequently.) In any case, for an idea of the event, check out the FOTR website, which includes highlights of past events. Hit the link to the 2007 event to get an idea of the planned programming and the cost to attend. There'll be an X Minus One reunion, Bob Hastings (who played Archie Andrews -- and performed in many of the X Minus One scripts), Rosemary Rice (who played Betty) and more, more, more. (I don't mean that any of the credits I've cited are all that the folks have done. In fact, part of the delight of the annual event is what more there is to learn about this almost-forgotten area of pop culture.) My daughter and I will appear in a re-performance of a My Friend Irma script on Friday, and so on. Seriously, check it out. (Part of the intrigue of Old Time Radio is the lack of concern about how much things cost. Whereas in our field, there's an aspect of obsession with the price of collectibles, in Old Time Radio the entertainment often limits itself to the experience, rather than ownership. On the other hand, I did manage to pick up a Straight Arrow booklet at one event, so who knows what you might find that's fun?) It's a small crowd -- which means you get to meet people you admire, if you love OTR. See you there?
10/16/2007 2:37:52 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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Did You Hear the Review of the Schulz Bio Book?
Posted by maggie
You may have missed the interview with David Michaelis, since today's Morning Edition broadcast was interrupted in many markets with NPR pledge drives, but you'll at least know what people are talking about, if you listen, whether you end up agreeing or disagreeing with the premise of Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography.
10/16/2007 2:15:26 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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Friday, October 12, 2007
More on Book Collecting
Posted by maggie
I've been exploring exactly what it is that I found. For example, one place I look to find out what printing something is or what is being asked for a certain title is Bookfinder.
So I checked Isobel by James Oliver Curwood (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, May 1913), which I found, complete with the original dustjacket. And I actually can't find a copy listed (in four pages of listings) with the original jacket. So is it -- oooo! -- rare? But who's looking for it these days? Not many, I'd bet.
(And I'm re-posting this, because The Evil Glitch attacked my first attempt to post this, too. OK, last post of the evening then.)
10/12/2007 6:54:57 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)
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