From Captain Penny to Superhost

The story of Cleveland's children's television programs has been fondly recounted in a new book by Mike and Janice Olszewski, tales from the golden age of television from the 1950s through the 1970s. Every major city across the country had their own children's program and local show host. (For me, it was Baltimore's Captain Chesapeake.) Sadly, very little has been documented about the show hosts of Cleveland, Ohio... until now. Despite their low-budget productions, those programs formed lasting bonds with generations of Northeast Ohio kids. 

Gene Carroll created Cleveland's first kids' show, Uncle Jake's House, in 1947 with a menagerie of animals and child stars -- including Clarence the cat and Phillip the parrot. Captain Penny (played by Ron Penfound) introduced children to the Three Stooges -- annoying parents and TV critics alike. Linn Sheldon wanted to be known as a serious actor but became such a hit as an elf named Barnaby that he could never shake the character. Woodrow the Woodsman lived in a fantasy forest -- but when Clay Conroy lost his Woodrow wig, the story made real newspaper headlines.

I was amused to see Joe E. Ross in a policeman's uniform (ala Car 54, Where Are You?) stopping by the studio to promote his new television program, Mickey Mouse making a guest appearance on another program, and a superb spread of the vintage cartoons being screened on another program. The photos are fantastic.

There are so many stories about local children's program hosts in this book, one chapter devoted to a different host, that I suspect Mike and Janice could have done a second volume. The stories are incredible and it was apparent almost from the beginning that the actors made it up as they went along. Even if you are not well versed in the children's television hosts of Cleveland, Ohio, this book is a delight to read simply because we all had a children's host and can easily relate. 

Mike Olszewski is a veteran Cleveland radio and television personality and the curator and archivist for the Ohio Broadcast Archive and Museum. He also teaches media and communications classes at Cleveland State University, Kent State University, The University of Akron and Notre Dame College. Janice, his wife, has more than three decades' experience in the travel and tourism industry. Her photography has been published in Filmfax, Outre and other national magazines. I can think of no better people to have put together this loving tribute to children's television hosts of Cleveland.

You can grab a copy of the book at www.grayco.com

Jonny Quest BluRay Review

It is no secret that one of my two favorite animated cartoons is Jonny Quest, televised over ABC from 1964-1965. Short lived and lasting a mere 26 half-hour episodes, the series has remained in syndication for decades, along with multiple revivals. The classic series, with superb art and style, along with the music of Hoyt Curtin, provides us with action, excitement and the best of blood n' thunder.

In the 1950s, Cambria Studios, Inc., produced an animated cartoon series titled Captain Fathom which extended to a live action unsold television pilot with Don Megowan and Kenneth Tobey. With primitive vox pop style animation similar to Clutch Cargo, the company filed a lawsuit against Hanna-Barbera in January of 1965 on charges of "plagiarism, misappropriation of trade secrets, inducing breach of contract and false advertising." The suit claimed substantial parts and portions of Clutch Cargo and the pilot film, Captain Fathom, was stolen for the Jonny Quest program. Cambria felt their original techniques and know-how in the use of illustration of comic strip art in production of animated films, and that Hanna Barbera induced former Cambria employees to reveal this confidential information in breach of employment contracts, was enough to file what today we refer to as a "nuisance suit." Naturally, the lawsuit was not valid but such tid-bits make fascinating reading for fans of Jonny Quest. And it seems not a year goes by that something new about the television series comes to the forefront.

A few months ago Warner Bros. Studios released Jonny Quest on BluRay. The program had been released on DVD (twice) but fans who knew the program by heart -- courtesy of television reruns -- noticed a number of imperfections. For one, the original end credits for almost every episode was copied from the episode, "Pursuit of the Po-Ho." Series creator Doug Wildey was not credited on that episode which meant he was not credited on most of the episodes on the DVD releases. In the episode "Pursuit of the Po-Ho," Race Bannon's insults of "heathen monkeys" and "ignorant savages" when rising from the water, covered in berry juice, had been deleted. Jonny's references to "Orientals" in another episode was removed. More than likely the edits were a result of whitewashing the past for a more politically correct environment. 

There were other minor concerns from purists but the DVDs contained superior picture and sound to ensure fans were happy. Even casual fans of the program never noticed the minor edits and revisions. With the new BluRay release available, purists can rejoice. After careful review of the first disc alone I am pleased to report that the uncut, unedited versions are now available as we prayed for. The original closing credits are intact for each episode, the racial slurs were not deleted, both versions of the opening credits are intact, and extensive restoration was made to ensure better picture and sound. The tags and bumpers for commercial sponsors remain intact. The original telecast aspect ratio was maintained. 

Yes, there is a disclaimer on the back of the packaging reminding people of the politically incorrect phrases used in some episodes. No, there are few bonus extras beyond what was included in the DVD release. But with improved and superior picture and sound, this is at good as it will ever get. Even if you have the DVD release, treat yourself by ordering the BluRay today. 

Nat Brusiloff and His Orchestra, 1930-1934

Nat Brusiloff, violin virtuoso and dance band conductor, was among the earliest "personality leaders" on network radio. At the peak of his fame, in the early 1930s, he was musical director for Kate Smith's radio program and led hot dance ensembles that broadcast coast-to-coast over the CBS and NBC radio networks. Because he made almost no commercial recordings, his name has slipped into undeserved obscurity. In fact, his name is known primarily to researchers of old-time radio and Kate Smith historians. There has been little written about him in magazines and old-time radio club newsletters and unless I am mistaken, there is no book or biography about Nat Brusiloff (expect for a possible Spanish language biography that may or may not have been published in the U.S.). Yeah, his name has become a tad obscure.

Thankfully, Brusiloff did record several dozen 12-inch 78s for distribution to radio stations, and those extraordinarily rare discs form the basis of this first-ever Brusiloff collection titled NAT BRUSILOFF AND HIS ORCHESTRA: "Out of a Clear Blue Sky" 1930-1934. Scheduled for release in January 2020 (pre-orders now accepted at Amazon.com), I received a complimentary CD set from David Sager, a research assistant in the Recorded Sound Research Center at the Library of Congress, who himself is a Grammy-nominated jazz historian and jazz trombonist. David also happens to be the grandson of Nat Brusiloff, who provides us with a loving tribute and biography in a 48-page illustrated booklet. Not only is the booklet entertaining but provides us with information not available in any reference guide or magazine article. The ultimately tragic story of the musical prodigy makes the recordings on this two-CD set all the more valuable. 

The recordings, by the way, have been lovingly remastered by renowned sound engineer Doug Benson for the best possible sound. The sixteen Judson sides transferred for the first CD were not from commercial master pressings, but transcription discs meant for broadcast.  Restoring audio is complex and time consuming, as any audio engineer will tell you. The condition of some of the original discs were often not good. Pitch drift and double layers of hum were common problems. Some had vocals that were too loud or solos that were too soft in the mix. Overall volume levels often changed throughout the song. Needless to say, as engineer Doug Benson remarked, "it was a balancing act worthy of cirque du Soleil to massage these into a cohesive, presentable package."

Honestly, I found myself enjoying these recordings and not from a historical perspective. Such hot dance numbers of the times are remnant of the type of music that accompanies silent comedy film shorts and the second CD provided a rare treat: a composite of three radio programs from 1931, The Shuron Musical Showmen, which makes me want to seek out the complete broadcasts of that series and listen to them. 

Looking for vintage 1930s music that you will be certain to enjoy? Grab a set today from Amazon or Rivermont Records direct at the link provided below. You can even sample some of the music at this website.

https://rivermontrecords.com/products/1171?variant=31049854877757

  

Yesterday USA Gets an Upgrade

Since launching in 1983, the Yesterday USA radio network has been a successful Internet radio station providing old-time radio programs to the masses, 24 hours a day. Radio hosts Larry Gassman and John Gassman (hosts of Same Time, Same Station) and Walden Hughes continue to broadcast weekly with authors and celebrity guests. Sadly, as a result of the recent passing of Bill Bragg, the founder of Yesterday USA, the radio station's future was in temporary jeopardy. 

But wait! Do not fret! A solution has been found! With the blessing of Kim Bragg, Bill’s widow, Walden and the Gassmans plan to move the home base of Yesterday USA from Texas to California (which will also provide a savings of approximately $1,000 a month in operating costs). To accomplish their mission, they need to replace the outdated computer equipment with new software and hardware, especially because radio hosts Walden, Larry and John are totally blind. On Kickstarter, they provided a breakdown of what they need to accomplish their goal and continue broadcasting old-time radio shows through an automation system.

Breakdown (Justification of Costs)

Two Window 10 PCs ($1,380.84) to be located in John and Larry's office.

Two Station Playlist Software Pro version and special software ($998).

Two Station Playlist tutorials and JAWS screen reading software scripts ($150).

Linksys eight-port Metallic Gigabit switch ($40.67).

AB switch ($38.78)

A desk for Larry and John to operate from ($40).

Two versions of Live Web DJ Broadcast Software ($19.95 per month for each, for a total of $478.80). This software will allow us to broadcast live.

Broadcast board and two phone systems ($1,402) for producing live broadcasts.

(L to R) Radio hosts Michael Biel, Walden Hughes, Larry and John Gassman.

Presently you can listen to their programming at www.YesterdayUSA.com. While we can listen to old-time radio through CDs and other venues, it is always comforting to know there are dedicated radio hosts who provide interviews with celebrities, authors and historians on a weekly basis, live on the air. 

If you want to help contribute, visit their Kickstarter campaign here.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yesterdayusa/yesterday-usa-internet-radio-station