DVD and Video from Barnes & Noble!
DVD and Video from Barnes & Noble!
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CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS 2003
The Friends of Old-time Radio held its 28th Annual Convention from October 23 - 26, 2003 at the Holiday Inn, Newark, New Jersey. Celebrities who received awards were: Paul Carnegie, Kathryn Crosby, Dori Anne Gray, Rupert Holmes, Jimmy Lydon, Betsy Palmer, Paul Petersen, Stu Phillips, Bobby Ramsen, Diane Renay, Julian (Jay) Rendon, Ira Skutch. Other celebrities present were Arthur Anderson, George Ansbro, Cliff Carpenter, Fred Foy, Bob Hastings, Pat Hosley, Will Hutchins, Elaine Hyman, Will Jordan, Teri Keane, Ruth Last, Bob Mott, Corinne Orr, Bill Owen, Cynthia Pepper, Joyce Randolph, Rosemary Rice, Larry Robinson, Lynne Rogers, Hal Stone, Beverly Washburn. The guests socialized with fans, participated in panels and workshops and re-created 9 radio shows.The convention began Wednesday Evening with complementary Wine and Cheese and informal visiting. Thursday Morning the dealers opened at 9 am. There were three afternoon panels: We met Ira Skutch; Mitchell Weisberg led "Who Wants to be a Millionaire;" Tom Powers and his group re-created "The Black Hood." We then had cocktails and dinner. 56 fans attended during the day. 176 fans and guests attended in the evening. Arthur Anderson directed Jim Cort's original script "Maitland at Large." "Those Were the Days Players" presented "Life With Luigi;" Then Gary Yoggy directed "My Friend Irma."
Friday began at 9:00 with the opening of the dealers room. Charlie Callas was a last minute guest; Fifty-three dealer tables were active during the convention. 260 people attended dinner with another 103 in the afternoon. Workshops and panels included the following: Dave Zwengler (quiz show); A visit with Stu Phillips and Dori Anne Gray; Fred Berney gave a presentation of "No School Today;" Jack French with Jay Rendon gave a panel on San Francisco Detectives; Mitchell Weisberg interviewed Bob Hastings; Michael Hayde with Beverly Washburn talked about Dragnet; Derek Tague with Mary Lou Wallace led a comedy panel with Will Jordan; Hal Stone; Bobby Ramsen; Bob Hastings, Charlie Callas, Betsy Palmer; There was an auction of various memorabilia related to the panel and it was won for $300. The Absegami Emanon Players, a local high school group, presented "The Shadow."
On Friday evening we had 4 re-creations: Dragnet directed by John Gallagher; the Dave Warren Players presented "Allen's Alley;" Rosemary Rice and Bob Hastings were "The Bickersons;" Fred Foy played the title role in "The Lone Ranger" directed by Anthony Tollin.
Saturday the panels and workshops included the following: Encoding and Mini Discs with George Downs and John Gallagher; Fred Waring talk with Peter Kiefer; Lone Ranger Panel with Jim Nixon and Fred Foy; The Gotham Players re-created The First Nighter Program "For Pete's Sake" led by Steve Lewis and Max Schmid; Mitchell Weisberg talked with Jimmy Lydon; Anthony Tollin and friends did a panel on WXYZ; The Seventh Singers/Musicians panel hosted by Stu Weiss and Brian Gari was a hit again; The panel consisted of Paul Petersen; Rupert Holmes; Lalia Madriguera; Diane Renay; Kathryn Crosby; Quinn Lemley; There was a surprise visit by Ed Rambeau and Bud Rehak, the composers of "Navy Blue," Diane Renay's big hit and her producer, Dan Crewe. It ended with a sing-a-long.
Saturday's events culminated with cocktails and buffet dinner for 291 people with another 146 coming for the day. After dinner Gary Yoggy directed an episode of X-1; Arthur Anderson directed Fibber McGee and Molly; Anthony Tollin also directed Doc Savage. Ed Clute supplied the music for this and other re-creations. Bart Curtis with Bob Mott supplied the sound effects. Besides the awards mentioned earlier, the Allen Rockford Award was presented to Dave Zwengler, Lora Palmer and Sean Dougherty for their outstanding efforts in keeping radio and this convention alive. The Ray Stanich Award was given to Howard Blue for all the excellent writing he has done. A special Florence Williams award was given to Hal Stone. He has attended our convention for several years and have always been willing to help. Donations will be given to various organizations throughout the year.
Sunday morning found about 110 people having breakfast and listening to an entertaining and sometimes very hilarious panel consisting of Cliff Carpenter, Bob Hastings, Pat Hosley, Jimmy Lydon, Bob Mott, Paul Petersen, Bobby Ramsen, Hal Stone, Beverly Washburn. It was hosted by Anthony Tollin.
I again want to thank all the guests who were very gracious in granting interviews and giving of their time to be with us.
--Jay Hickerson
