Books and Much More and Barnes & Noble.com!
Books and Much More and Barnes & Noble.com!
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1999
The Friends of Old-time Radio held its 24th Annual Convention from October 21 -- 24, 1999 at the Holiday Inn - North, Newark, New Jersey. Celebrities who received awards were: Phil Brito, Catherine Byers, Ann De Marco, Paul Evans, Gordon Gould, Richard Herd, Russell Horton, Hal Kanter, Mary Small, Beverly Washburn, Robert White. Other celebrities present were Arthur Anderson, George Ansbro, Dick Beals, Joan Benny, David Brown, Jess Cain, Mildred Clinton, Gordon Davis, Mary Diveny, Margaret Draper, Harry Fleetwood, Toni Gillman, Martha Greenhouse, John Hart, Pat Hosley, Will Hutchins, Will Jordan, Teri Keane, Ron Lackmann, Ruth Last, Peg Lynch, Gil Mack, Jay Meredith, Corinne Orr, Bill Owen, Adele Ronson, Larry Stevens. The guests socialized with fans, participated in panels and workshops and re-created 7 radio shows.The convention began Thursday Morning at 10 am when the dealers opened. There was one afternoon workshop: Tom Powers discussed Batman on Radio. We then had cocktails and dinner. 79 fans attended during the day. 156 fans and guests attended in the evening. Arlene Osborne had her award-winning radio play "The Shadow" presented with Gordon Davis and Toni Gillman. It was directed by Arthur Anderson. Derek Tague then hosted an Eddie Cantor tribute with Brian Gari, Janet Cantor Gari, David Brown, Joe Franklin, Seth Winner, George Ansbro, Will Hutchins.
Friday began at 9:00 with the opening of the dealers room. Sixty-four dealer tables were active during the convention. 213 people attended dinner with another 123 in the afternoon. Workshops and panels included the following: Bill Eberle (People Who Played OTR); Ed Clute with Arthur Anderson and George Ansbro presented two musical programs and sing-a-longs; Steve Lewis with help discussed the future of radio drama; Toni Gillman talked about sex in radio and television; Dave Zwengler with Hal Kanter and Robert White took a walk down Allen's Alley; Jordan Young with Hal Kanter talked about comedy writing; The Lone Ranger with John Hart was presented. It was directed by Anthony Tollin.
On Friday evening we had 2 re-creations: Box 13 directed by Don Ramlow starring Gordon Davis and Norman Corwin's "My Client Curly" starring Will Hutchins. Karen Kaywood (Hickerson) gave a great musical interlude in the performance. It was directed by Arthur Anderson.
Saturday the panels and workshops included the following: The Ten most memorable shows of the millennium (Gary Yoggy); OTR's 4-footed friends (Jack French); The Gotham Radio Players presented a gripping Witch's Tale; Beverly Washburn entertained us with reminisces of Jack Benny and others (hosted by Mitch Weisberg); Many actors told about their experiences on CBS Radio Mystery Theater (hosted by Derek Tague and Martin Grams, Jr.); Our most attended panel was "Singers and Big Bands" with Larry Stevens, Paul Evans, Robert White and Les Paul. Stu Weiss with Michael Henry's help as always did a fantastic job of putting it together. One of the highlights was the impromptu singing by all of them and then the finale with a medley of songs ending with God Bless America, helped by Joan Beck and Karen Hickerson. Then A Brighter Day was presented with Pat Hosley, Jay Meredith and Margaret Draper, all in the original cast. It was directed by Bill Nadel.
Saturday's events culminated with cocktails and buffet dinner for 281 people with another 154 coming for the day. After dinner Peg Lynch and Jess Cain were Ethel and Albert; Finally Jack Benny was re-created with Will Jordan and Joan Benny as Jack and Mary. Original cast members, Beverly Washburn and Larry Stevens also participated. Ed Clute supplied the music for this and other re-creations. Bart Curtis supplied the sound effects. Besides the awards mentioned earlier, the Allen Rockford Award was presented to Charlie Summers for his outstanding effort in keeping radio alive, especially on the Internet. The Ray Stanich Award was given to Martin Grams, Jr. for all the excellent writing he has done, especially his latest book "CBS Radio Mystery Theater." A Special Florence Williams award was given to Pat Hosley. 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 120 people having breakfast and listening to an entertaining panel consisting of Richard Herd, Toni Gillman, John Hart and Dick Beals. 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
