Check out the Geeks for great savings!
Check out the Geeks for great savings!
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CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS 2005
The Friends of Old-time Radio held its 30th Annual Convention from October 20 - 23, 2005 at the Holiday Inn, Newark, New Jersey. Celebrities who received awards were: Shirley Bell (in absentia), Larry Conroy, Sonny Curtis, Jeff David, Mickey Freeman, Susan Gordon, Michael Gwynne, William Herz, Jr., Simon Jones, Noel Neill, Paul O'Keefe, David Parker and Jon Provost. Other celebrities present were Arthur Anderson, George Ansbro, Margot Avery, Don Buka, Cliff Carpenter, Fred Foy, Joe Franklin, Will Hutchins, Elaine Hyman, Ruth Last, Jimmy Lydon, Al Markim, Corinne Orr, Bill Owen, Cynthia Pepper, Bobby Ramsen, Elliott Reid, Rosemary Rice, Larry Robinson, Lynne Rogers, Jean Rouverol, Soupy Sales, Margot Stevenson, Hal Stone, Frank Thomas, Beverly Washburn, Craig Wichman. The guests socialized with fans, participated in panels and workshops and re-created 13 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 four afternoon panels: An All-star Authors' Panel; Brian Gari and Derek Tague showing Eddie Cantor in Cartoons; Max Schmid Interviews Eugene Bergmann, author of a recent Jean Shepherd book; Tom Powers and his group doing a reading of Buck Rogers; We then had cocktails and dinner. 76 fans attended during the day. 186 fans and guests attended in the evening. Arthur Anderson directed Michael Leannah's original script "The Lone Ranger's Mother," a hilarious story. Bill Nadel then directed "Light of the World" with Lynne Rogers; Anthony Tollin directed Frank Thomas and Al Markim in a Tom Corbett episode; "Those Were the Days Players" presented "Damon Runyon Theater." Friday began at 9:00 with the opening of the dealers room. Fifty-two dealers' tables were active during the convention. 277 people attended dinner with another 83 in the afternoon. Workshops and panels included the following: A Game Show with Fred Berney; George Downes gave a panel with child Actors; Anthony Tollin presented 75 years of the Shadow; Jeff David showed a documentary of Jackson Beck; Jack French gave a discussion of Syndicated shows; Simon Jones then gave a very funny talk about his experiences; The Comedy panel followed honoring Soupy Sales including pie throwing; The Dave Warren Players re-created "A Date With Judy." On Friday evening we had 3 programs: Christina Britton Conroy, daughter of Barbara Britton starred in "Mr. and Mrs. North;" The first of 2 Superman episodes with Noel Neill was re-created; Anthony Tollin then directed an episode of the Shadow written by Sidney Slon with Jeff David and Margot Stevenson; Saturday the panels and workshops included the following; Niel Shell gave a presentation featuring his grandfather, Nathaniel Shilkret; Elizabeth McLeod gave a presentation on Amos 'n' Andy; Gary Yoggy saluted Orson Welles with William Herz, Jr., only surviving member of "The War of the Worlds;" a very lively 30th Anniversary show with alumni of 30 years filled the Sutton Room; Jimmy Lydon showed a Fox Movietone Special; The Gotham Players re-created "Frontier Gentleman" with Simon Jones; Gregg Oppenheimer remembered Lucille Ball; Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller stole the show on a re-creation of "The Joe Franklin Show;" The 9th Annual singers and Musicians panel followed with Sonny Curtis, Paul O'Keefe, Janet Cantor Gari and Roberto Gari; a moving "Dr. Christian" with a taped introduction by Earl Hamner, Jr. followed; Saturday's events culminated with cocktails and buffet dinner for 296 people with another 156 coming for the day. After dinner Gary Yoggy directed "The Halls of Ivy" with Simon Jones; Anthony Tollin directed the second "Superman" episode; Arthur Anderson then directed an all-star "Plot to Overthrow Christmas;" Bart Curtis supplied the sound effects. Ed Clute with Sandy Stage supplied the Music; Bill Siudmak was again our very capable engineer. Besides the awards mentioned earlier, the Allen Rockford Award was presented to Robert Newman, Walt Mitchell and Mary Lou Wallace for their outstanding efforts in keeping radio and this convention alive. The Ray Stanich Award was given to Elizabeth McLeod for all the excellent writing she has done. A special Florence Williams award was given to Beverly Washburn. She 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 145 people having breakfast and listening to an entertaining and sometimes very hilarious panel consisting among others of Cliff Carpenter, Susan Gordon, Michael Gwynne, Jimmy Lydon, Noel Neill, Jean Rouverol, 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
