rand's esoteric otr

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 9

We're at the mid-point of our collection of the 1940s show publicizing the film industry, "Behind the Scenes in Hollywood".

Program 9 of Series A looks at sound technician's role in making movies.  Everyone's getting their hair dyed at Warner Brothers.  With the paper shortage, studios are having trouble finding substitutes for flowers for Technicolor films.  Developing a new transparency screen for a Claudette Colbert film.  Includes personality profiles of Ronald Coleman and Lee Tracy, just out of the Army.  The recording includes a false start just before band three on the disc. The show was transferred from an original vinyl transcription pressed by Allied in Hollywood; it is previously uncirculated among otr collectors. Since the blog's going on hiatus, keep an eye on archive.org for the rest of the series - I've given copies to the Old Time Radio Researchers Group and they may be posting the whole set of discs in my collection at some point.

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 8

"Behind the Scenes in Hollywood" returns to the blog this week; this 40s era show featured RKO publicist Bidwell McCormick giving listeners updates on all the latest from the Hollywood studios.

In program 8 of Series A, we hear about authenticity and detail in movies.  In studio news, MGM announces the production of "Green Dolphin Street" in Technicolor.  (The movie would eventually be produced in black and white.)  This week's personality profiles take a look at movie favorites Cary Grant and Virginia Mayo. The show was transferred from an original vinyl transcription, probably pressed by Allied.

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 7

Here's the next entry in our previously lost series about the inner workings of Tinseltown, Bidwell McCormick's "Behind the Scenes in Hollywood".

In program 7 of series A, we learn how the "little people" behind the scenes are responsible for the success of motion pictures with a feature that focuses on the designers and architects that make the backgrounds for films and the story of a ladies purse in "The Lost Weekend".  In studio news, "dusky" star Lena Horne has landed a lead role in the new Abbott and Costello comedy, "A Close Shave".  Judy Garland gets a new dressing room as she starts filming "The Harvey Girls" at MGM.  This week's personality profiles are of Bob Milash, an actor who has just appeared in his 2,515th film and began his work with Edison and a female casting director, a rarity in Hollywood. The show was dubbed direct from an original vinyl transcription pressed by Allied.

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 6

Now, another episode of "Behind the Scenes in Hollywood", an obscure, but fascinating syndicated forties show with news and tidbits from the Hollywood studios, hosted by Bidwell McCormick, who worked in RKO's publicity department.

Program 6 of Series A has some interesting news and features.  We hear about getting difficult shots in movies with stories from the set of a Douglas Sirk picture.  In studio news, Warners has announced they're planning production of "The Fountainhead" starring Humphrey Bogart and Barbara Stanwyck.  (The film would eventually star Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal).  John Ford's "They Were Expendable" is due to begin production before the end of the month.  And this week's personality profile is devoted to the story of Walt Disney's career. The show was digitized direct from an original vinyl transcription, probably pressed by Allied in Hollywood.

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 5

Next up, this week's episode of the previously lost syndicated wartime series, "Behind the Scenes" in Hollywood.

Program 5 of series A takes a look at the planning and science that goes into animated films at the Disney Studios.  We also hear personality profiles of Hedy Lamar and Danny Kaye.  The show was dubbed direct from an original vinyl transcription, pressed by Allied in Hollywood.

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 4

Bidwell McCormick returns to the mic this week for another look "Behind the Scenes in Hollywood".

Program 4 of Series A looks at movies as an important factor in supporting morale during War.  We hear about Hollywood's problems obtaining hosiery because of wartime shortages and there are personality profiles of Pat O'Brien and Lorraine Day. The show was digitized direct from an original vinyl transcription and is previously uncirculated.

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 3

Continuing our series of movie gossip and news, let's give a listen to program 3 of "Behind the Scenes in Hollywood".

In this week's show, we learn what makes a star succeed in Hollywood.  How wind is made on sound stages.  Gary Cooper makes a special trailer on the hazards of cigarette smoking in factories for the British.  In production briefs, aptitude tests are given to potential Goldwyn Girls to see if they're sincere about a career.  A perfect head of hair occurs only once in three million.  Finally, we hear personality profiles of Dick Powell and Clare Trevor. The show was digitized direct from an original vinyl transcription of the program.

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 2

We continue our look at a talk series that gives current news about the movies, "Behind the Scenes in Hollywood", hosted by Bidwell McCormick, and dating from around 1944.

Program 2 of Series A includes stories about Henry Hull having difficulty doing a death scene in "Objective Burma" and Janice Paige's big break at the Hollywood Canteen.  "The Wonderman" is in production for Selznick with Danny Kaye and Boris Karloff is working on "Body Snatcher" and "Isle of the Dead" at RKO for Val Lewton's unit.  The show also includes profiles of Sonja Henie and George Murphy. The show was digitized directly from a set of original vinyl transcriptions of the series and appears to be uncirculated.

Behind the Scenes in Hollywood - Series A Pgm 1

Since "The Police Reporter" finished up this week, let's start up a new series.  This one will be of interest to anyone who is a fan of classic Hollywood movies. According to the seller I got this set from, Bidwell McCormick worked for RKO and the discs came from his estate.  He probably worked in the publcity department; I haven't found any newspaper references to the show or Bidwell himself or any listings for him in film reference works.  So I'm not sure if McCormick produced the series on his own or if it was something put out by RKO's publicity department.

This is a full set of Series A of the series, eighteen programs.  It's unknown if others were produced.  They came in the original container used when they were mailed to a station in Clovis, New Mexico.  Based on the content, the programs appear to date from mid 1945.  Each show consisted of three segments; there's no opening and close since these would be provided by the local station.  In the first, there's a story about how something is done in the movies - sets, costumes, props and the like.  Then there's a round-up of news from around the studio with stars that have signed on for particular projects and interesting short stories from current productions.  The last segment profiles two stars or interesting people connected with the movie business.  It sounds as though the three segments could be used individually, perhaps on a radio station's early morning show block.  Heard on the show with McCormick are Manna Ray Eule and Nathan Hale. Program 1 of series A starts out with the story of how color is used in sets for black and white movies so they can be efficiently used during a production.  In the news, Disney's casting female leads for "Three Cabelleros".  Two captured Jap planes were loaned for use in "Objective Burma".  Finally, we hear profiles of Joan Bennett and her life as a housewife and Edward G. Robinson's love of fine art, poetry and classical music. This show, and some others in the series, mention "The Robe" being in production at RKO.  Yes, it's the referring to the same property that would eventually be made by Fox in the 1950s as the first Cinemascope production.  RKO was never able to get the film produced and sold rights to the novel to Fox. The show was digitized from an original vinyl transcription, probably pressed by Allied Recording.  It is previously uncirculated.