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CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS 2007
The Friends of Old-time Radio held its 32nd Annual Convention from October 18 -- 21 at the Holiday Inn, Newark, New Jersey. New Celebrities present were: Lucie Arnaz; Molly Bee; W Watts (Buck) Biggers; Eddie Carroll; Gloria McMillan; Marilyn Michaels; Mitch Murray; Simon (Stuffy) Singer; Bill Dana; David Whitehouse. Other celebrities present were Arthur Anderson, Frank Bresee, Don Buka, Peter Fernandez, Cliff Carpenter, Jeff David, Joe Franklin, Barbara Fuller, Michael Gwynne, Bob Hastings, Pat Hosley, Will Hutchins, Elaine Hyman, Teri Keane, Ruth Last, George Lefferts, Peg Lynch, Chuck McCann, Shirley Mitchell, Corinne Orr, Bill Owen, Bobby Ramsen, Rosemary Rice, Jean Rouverol, Kevin Scullin, Leslie Shreve, Gil Stratton, Jr., Nan Warren, Craig Wichman. The guests socialized with fans, participated in panels and workshops and re-created 12 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 six afternoon panels: Radio Idol with R Larson, D Zwengler and guests; One on one with Chuck McCann and then Bill Dana; Authors Panel; Funny Ladies of OTR with Molly Bee, Shirley Mitchell and Gloria McMillan; Radio Nostalgia with Frank Bresee We then had cocktails and dinner. 50 fans attended during the day. 156 fans and guests attended in the evening. Those Were the Days Players presented The Magnificent Montague; Peter Fernandez directed Suspense "The Impostors" which he wrote; Arthur Anderson dir. an original script "Wo Killed the Silver Syclone."
Friday began at 9:00 with the opening of the dealers room. 52 dealers' tables were active during the convention. 220 people attended dinner with another 69 in the afternoon. Workshops and panels included the following: Movies depicting Radio (F Berney); Writing and publishing OTR books with the Siegels; Sportscasters (K Stockinger); FDR in Wartime and Radio (G Yoggy); Children in radio and television with guests; Buck Biggers; Nan Warren; Corinne Orr; Gil Stratton; Stuffy Singer; Bob Hastings; then Vic and Sade with David Whitehouse; Funny Friday Comedy Panel with Mitch Murray; Chuck McCann; Michael Gwynne; Lucie Arnaz; Gil Stratton; Bill Dana; Marilyn Michaels; The Dave Warren Players then presented "My Friend Irma."
On Friday evening we had 3 programs: Gregg Oppenheimer Directs Harry Lime "Too Many Crooks;" Cast includes: J David, D Buka, L Arnaz, M Gwynne, C Orr, G McMillan, Ron Cocking; Jay Stern directs 2000+ episode of The Brooklyn Brain; Cast includes Bill Owen, A Anderson, E Hyman, R Last, Cliff Carpenter, Craig Wichman, Bobby Ramsen; Frank Bresee directs "A Date with Judy" Cast includes T Keane, G McMillan, B Fuller, G Stratton, S Singer
Saturday the panels and workshops included the following; Radio Bloopers and Out takes (G Oppenheimer); Commercials and Jingles with A Anderson and J Hickerson; X-1 Panel with George Lefferts; Gotham Radio Players presents a lost episode of "Light's Out" called "Reunion"; cast includes Paul Becton, Fran Taeromina, Bill Zarro, Melissa Kalt, Jim Mundy, Ted Ferber, Fred Urfer, James Jockle, Lucien Dodge. Ron Weitz, Paul Curtis, Ann Marie Hendrickson; J French presents Copy Cats; Joe Franklin Hosts; M Michaels, M Bee, M Murray, Buck Biggers; Singers and Big Bands with Mitch Murray and Molly Bee (B Gari and S Weiss); Re-creation of X-1 "Junkyard" adapted by G Lefferts and Starring Bob Hastings, D Buka, J David, others
Saturday's events culminated with cocktails and buffet dinner for 256 people with another 111 coming for the day. After dinner there were 3 re-creations; Screen Directors Playhouse "Stagecoach" ; (dir. by G Yoggy); Cast includes C McCann, J Rouverol, R Rice, W Hutchins, B Hastings, J David, M Gwynne, C Carpenter, C Wichman, B Owen; Peg Lynch and Arthur Anderson (Ethel and Albert); Anthony Tollin directs Jack Benny with Eddie Carroll and all star cast ; (Cast includes C McCann, S Mitchell, Bill Dana, W Hutchins, S Singer, Bobby Ramsen, Will Jordan, Joe Franklin, Paul Becton David Shinn and Butch D'Ambrosio supplied the sound effects. Ed Clute supplied the Music; Bill Siudmak was again our very capable engineer.
The Allen Rockford Award was presented to Randy Larson for his outstanding efforts in keeping radio and this convention alive. The Ray Stanich Award was given to Susan and Dave Siegel for all the excellent writing and publishing they have done. A special Florence Williams award was given to Corinne Orr. She has attended our convention for several years and has always been willing to help. Donations will be given to various organizations throughout the year.
Sunday morning found about 114 people having breakfast and listening to an entertaining and sometimes very hilarious panel consisting among others of Peg Lynch, Eddie Carroll. Jeff David, Michael Gwynne, Chuck McCann , Shirley Mitchell,. It was hosted by Charlie Summers.
I again want to thank all the guests who were very gracious in giving of their time to be with us.
--Jay Hickerson
