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otrconvert
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Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Location: UK
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 Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:47 am Post subject: OTR Books |
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Hi,
Can anyone recommend some good books on American OTR ? I'm not looking for facts and figures, just something that gives you a flavour of the time and influences that created this wealth of audio.
I've a few books that look at specific radio personalities - Harlan Stone and Lucille Ball. However I'd like to find a generalised book that gives you a tour of the rise and ultimate fall of OTR.
There seems to be a huge array on offer, but I suspect that many are collections of facts or are a superficially re-wrapped version of infomation out of the shows themselves.
Any ideas ?
Thanks,
Paul |
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airlanes
Moderator
Joined: 19 May 2007
Posts: 545
Location: Dallas, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:30 am Post subject: |
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Paul:
If I could only recommend one title, and it was not "The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio" by John Dunning, then it would probably be "The Great American Broadcast" by Leonard Maltin. I'll be interested in seeing what others in this forum recommend.
Gary
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Lacey
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Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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Most of the books out there are more personality driven than industry driven.
You can try The Handbook of Old-Time Radio by Robert C. Reinehr.
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otrconvert
Extra
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:54 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions. I've already placed my order !
Paul |
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EasyAce
Moderator
Joined: 27 Sep 2007
Posts: 235
Location: Henderson, Nevada
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| Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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I recommend the following heartily, in addition to the aforesaid Dunning (which I don't have yet) and Maltin (which I do have) volumes, and you can find most of them via abebooks.com:
Goodman Ace, Ladies and Gentlemen---Easy Aces. (Eight classic scripts by the mastermind behind that legendary comedy.)
Fred Allen, Treadmill to Oblivion. (Scripts and recollections from the master himself and maybe the best OTR book ever written by one of its primary stars.)
Jack Benny, Joan Benny, Sunday Nights at Seven---The Benny memoir finished impeccably by his daughter after the master's death.
Edward Bliss, editor: In Search of Light: The Broadcasts of Edward R. Murrow, 1937-1961. (Includes the cream of the career-making World War II radio broadcasts.)
Gertrude Berg, Molly and Me. (The memoir of the lady who masterminded The Goldbergs.)
Frank Buxton and Bill Owen, The Big Broadcast 1920-1950. (Has some flaws and a few inaccuracies but still a whale of a supplemental guide.)
John Crosby, Out of the Blue. (An anthology of the impeccable Herald-Tribune radio and television critic, including numerous imperative pieces covering classic radio, a delightful interview with Fred Allen, and a rich examination of Allen's censorship battles.)
Gerald Nachman, Raised on Radio. (An excellent history/critique.)
James Thurber, The Beast in Me (A collection of Thurber pieces that includes the impeccable "Soapland," a five-part series examining the making and unmakings of the classic radio soaps circa 1947-48 for The New Yorker).
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You were expecting maybe George W. Borscht? |
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Bluesmouse
Sound Crew Member
Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Posts: 95
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:46 am Post subject: |
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| airlanes wrote: | Paul:
If I could only recommend one title, and it was not "The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio" by John Dunning, then it would probably be "The Great American Broadcast" by Leonard Maltin. I'll be interested in seeing what others in this forum recommend.
Gary |
That's exactly what I was going to say. The Dunning book as a reference book to look up shows and read a little more info about them and the Maltin book to read for leisure.
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EasyAce
Moderator
Joined: 27 Sep 2007
Posts: 235
Location: Henderson, Nevada
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:38 am Post subject: |
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| Bluesmouse wrote: | | The Dunning book as a reference book to look up shows and read a little more info about them and the Maltin book to read for leisure. |
I'd still love to have the Dunning book if I could afford it. But Maltin's book is also terrific for analysis, as is the Nachman book and, to a lesser extent, a book like Arthur Frank Wertheim's Radio Comedy.
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You were expecting maybe George W. Borscht? |
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grimaud
Cast Member
Joined: 02 Jul 2007
Posts: 303
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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I found the Dunning book on ebay and decided to bid on it. GREAT BOOK!!! I love it and use it all the time. I agree that it is a bit pricey, but I only paid $25 on ebay... if you keep your eye open you can usually find it somewhere for a big discount.
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thebakerliteline
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Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 1132
Location: Cowes U.K.
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:34 am Post subject: |
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Currently on offer in the US on Ebay is
John Dunning - TUNE IN YESTERDAY - Old Time Radio Ency
Item number: 260179131610 Ist Edit
$39.95 or buy now at $59.95
US Postage is $39.30 but it is a heavy tome
ends 15th November 2007
Ian
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grimaud
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Joined: 02 Jul 2007
Posts: 303
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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$39.95 for shipping??!! That sounds way too high to me. Even in Alaska (where we often are over-charged for shipping) I would balk at that charge. Just my two cents... 
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topologyprof
Crew Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 276
Location: Big Orange Country
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otrconvert
Extra
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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| topologyprof wrote: | | The Dunning book is still on sale at Oxford University Press for $19 and $5.50 shipping. |
That's what I've paid for my copy, although shipping to the UK was $10 and takes 6-10 weeks ! Still waiting for it to arrive. |
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Bluesmouse
Sound Crew Member
Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Posts: 95
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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That's the deal I went for. I'm in the UK and mine arrived okay luckily.
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