sound
jean yese/ski
JoHn DOWER
Any follower of James
Taylor, Livingston Taylor,
Tom Rush, Elton John, ctc„
will be sure to add John
Denver to their list of favorites.
He presents the same truths
which have dominated the
works of these others.
John Denver says, "Of
poems and prayers and
promises and things that we
believe in, how sweet it is to
love someone, how right it is to
care, how long it's been since
yesterday and what about
tomorrow'? " With these ideas
in mind he performs 'the title
song of the album "Poems,
Prayers, and Promises," as well
as "Let It Be," "Wooden
Indian," "Junk,' and "Gospel
Changes." As, the quote said,
these songs represent the
beliefs someone may hold, the
love felt between two people,
the caring of one' person for
another, the sweet of yesterday
and what to look forward to
tomorrow.
The next idea, "And what
about our dreams," tells of the
yearnings many of us
experience. "Take Me Home
BRUSH
DENIM
with
contrasting
stitch
CHENETZ'
For Men and Boys
25 WEST BROAD ST.
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Need a 2am
book break?
M,lllO , how late you're up we're up laterf 2 a
4a rn an}l.me }ou need 3 break from boning up . .or
want to cut out !root calculus swing by Dunkin Dool l uts
We re close to campus Open 24 hours a day. 7 days a
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THE DONUT THAT'S SO GOOD IT
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Broad and Fourth Sts
West Hazelton Pa.
Country Roads" is the familiar
song which first 'introduced
most of us to John Denver,
even though he's been around
the business for a while.
"I guess He'd Rather Be in
Colorado" tells of another man
who, dreams of another time
and place. In "Sunshine on My
Shoulders" dreams of ones
wishes for another comes
through in the form of the
"high" one can get on
sunshine.
The final section "And all
the memories we shared"
features "Around and Around"
a song about a man who wants
to be "around" when he dies
because he enjoys life so much.
James Taylor's "Fire and
Rain" speaks of the thoughts
we think when something has
gone before us. The final
selection is a narrative called
"The Box." This narrative ties
up the album into a peak of
emotion. Labeled "kindly do
not touch-it's war" the "box"
puts every thought and every
emotion emitted from the
album into a new perspective.
\t f )
—_ — d
•'~
~~
'DUNKING!
DONUTS
exclusive interview
Students have "very genuine interest
in old radio" says author Charles Stumpf
Recently Lorraine Drake
and foh n Roslevich,
representing the Highacres
Collegian, conducted an
informal interview with Charles
K. Stumpf of Hazleton, author
of "Ma Perkins, Little Orphan
Annie, and Heigh Ho, Silver! "
(Carlton Press, New York). The
book is an interesting and
informative history of the early
days of radio broadcasting.
Following are the results of
that interview.
Collegian: Looking over
your book I see that it contains
many, many facts and bits of
information about radio. Now
that the book has been
published, can you tell us
about how long it has taken
you to compile all your data?
Stumpf: I might say I have
been collecting the information
for my book just about all my
life . As a youngster, when I
listened to my favorite radio
programs, I used to keep
scrapbooks and diaries in
which I kept track of what was
happening oh the shows. These
were an invaluable source of
information when I began my
actual research for the book. I
have also spent countless hours
in libraries around the country
searching through old
newspapers, magazines, etc. I
spent a few years in Pittsburgh
where radio was born - so I was
able to visit some of the actual
sites of its beginning.
Collegian: Bow did you
arrive at the title, "Ma Perkins,
Little Orphan Annie, and
Heigh Ilo,Silver! "? Are these
three your favorite characters
or shows?
Stumpf: I chose MA
PE RKINS, lITT E ORP lAN
ANNIE & I G H ID,
SI DTER! because I thought it
had a certain ring to it (perhaps
a ring that only my own ears
can hear). And yes, Ma, Annie
and Silver were all favorites of
mirtg 4914 many others.
Among my' pagicular favorites
was: Lux Radio Theatre which
dramatized motion pictures,
often with the original stars
recreating their roles. I was also
a big mystery fan, so enjoyed:
The Shadow, Suspense and
Inner Sanctum. There was also
a show aptly titled: I Love a
Mystery (with Jack, Doc and
Reggie as the three ace
sleuths). Incidentally, Tony
Randall got his acting start
playing Reggie on this show.
Among my favorite kiddie
shows was The Singing Lady
Give a Book for Christmas
Like a book of poetry by Rod McKuen or Kahlil Gibran.
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31 n, laurel street, hazleton, pa. 18201 phone 455-0541
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(Ireene Wicker - spelled with
three "e"s). Miss Wicker wrote
all of her own scripts
dramatizing all of the fairy
tales and the lives of famous
people. She played all of the
roles herself and wa:s especially
effective playing little boys and
old Indian chiefs. I learned
recently that Miss Wicker is
still broadcasting her stories for
children over a local N. Y
station each Sunday morning.
Another early favorite
show was called The Land of
the Lost a fantasy about a
magical kingdom under the sea,
where everything that we have
ever lost in our lives can be
found again! The main
character was a big talking fish
named "Red lantern," the
part was played for a time by
Art Carney. Too bad the kids
today can't enjoy all of those
wonderful adventures! Radio
invited the listeners
participation. One had to
create all of the sets and
costumes and even the faces of
the characters in your own
imagination.
dearest to you?
Stumpf: I have been able
to collect many old books,
magazines and other
periodicals pertaining to
broadcasting - some dating
back to the early twenties. I
also have a few scripts which
were actually used for
broadcasts - one of a Jack
Benny program, and one of the
original scripts used by Miss
Agnes Moorehead for her
famous role in Sorry, Wrong
Number - broadcast many
times (by popular demand) on
the Suspense show.
Incidentally, I consider Miss
Moorehead's performance on
this show the best ever heard
over radio. I think it more than
rivals the highly acclaimed
Orson Welles broadcast of War
of the Worlds. Anyone who has
heard Miss Moorehead in
Sorry, Wrong Number
never forget it.
Through the years I have
corresponded with many of the
radio performers and have
many personal notes and some
signed photographs of them,
which I treasure. Also I have
some of the old radio "give
away premiums" such as a
I ittle Orphan Annie Ovaltipe
Shaker, Mug az:ytl;•,r;nking. i 6up,
which I value highly.
Perhaps the part of my
collection which gives me the
greatest continuing pleasure - is
my collection of tapes of
actual old broadcasts. I have
about 800 hours of old shows
on tape (and some old
transcription discs) and I enjoy
listening to them very much.
Some items from my collection
will be on exhibit during the
month of November at the
West Uazleton ITistorical
"broadcasting" a program of Society Museum.
Collegian: How did you
actually get interested in old
time radio in the first place?
Stumpf: That's a toughie.
I suppose it was because I was
born in a small town and didn't
have many children my own
age to play with. Most of my
free time was spent beside the
radio and it became my best
companion. The people on it
were very real to me and I
looked upon them as my
"friends."
Collegian: In Chapter One
of the book you tell a
somewhat amusing story of
WCKS. Perhaps you could
expound for our readers.
Stumpf: WCKS were the
call letters I assigned to my
make-believe radio station
which I set up in the garage. I
ran a, garden hose out of the
livindor of the . ,garage, up onto
~the frociit porch. I attached
large funnels in both ends of
the hose. I spoke into the
funnel in the garage and this
was my "microphone" while
the funnel on the other end
was the "loud speaker."
Whenever I had someone to
play "radio" with me, I would
have them listen to the
"loudspeaker" while I either
emoted or played recorded
music over the "microphone"
from the garage.
One day I was
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recorded music and interrupted
the broadcast one time too
often, which irritated my
listening audience, who
promptly removed the funnel
"loudspeaker" and attached
the hose to a water faucet near
the front porch steps and I was
rewarded with a generous spurt
of water - right through my
"microphone." (Dee -jays
please take note.)
Collegian: We also
understand that in doing
research for the book, and in
pursuing your hobby of old
time radio, you have compiled
one of the most extensive
collections of radio
memorabilia in existence. What
are some of the items that are
Collegian: Charlie, you're
pretty well-known in theatrical
circles throughout this part of
the country. 1-'as your work in
the theatre helped you in any
way in the preparation of your
book?
Stumpf: I can't think of
any specific help I got with the
book from my theatre work.
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However, it did afford me the
opportunity to meet some of
the people who have worked in
radio. For instance, Virginia
Payne, the actress who played
"Ma Perkins" for twenty seven
years on the air (7,065
performances) is still very
active in the theatre. Currently
she is touring with the play
"And Miss Reardon Drinks a
I. ittle." Meeting these radio
personalities gave me a kind of
thrill.
Collegian: Recently there
has been an upsurge in
popularity of nostalgia and
trivia games on college
campuses everywhere. Do you
personally think that the
students are keenly interested
or is this just another so-called
fad?
Stumpf: There are quite a
few organized , clubs of old time
radio buffs around the
country. I have become active
in several of these and I have
found that most of the club
members I have come to know
are college students. I believe
there is a very genuine interest
in old time radio among young
people today. Of course there
are also many others who
simply get a kick out of
playing the trivia and nostalgia
games.
A recent evening spent in
the company of some students
proved to be great fun for all
when it turned into a
"Remember When?
I feel that the current interest
in old time radio will prove to
be more than just a passing
"fad" such as hula hoops - or
Davey Crockett caps.
Remember when the
announcer on the Superman
program used to say: "....
There's sixty seconds of
excitement in every single
minute of tomorrow's episode,
so be sure to tune in
tomorrow " Thanks for
asking - and THANKS FOR
LISTENING.
The following list of rock concerts is published for the
convenience of interested students. Ticket prices, if available, will
also be listed
Nov. 19-20 - SEALS & CROFTS, Walnut St. Theatre, Phila.,
midnight, $ 5.00
Nov. 20 - DONOVAN, St. Joseph's College Field House,
Phila., 8:30 p.m., $ 5.00
Nov. 21 - INCREDIBLE STRING BAND, Irvine Auditorium
Phila., $ 3.50, $ 4.00
Nov. 24 - THE DOORS, OTHER VOICES, Irvine
Auditorium, Phila., 8 and 10:30 p.m., $ 5.00
Nov. 26 - NEW YORK ROCK ENSEMBLE, Zembo Mosque,
Harrisburg, 8 p.m.,s 2.00 advance
Nov. 26
4,5,6
Nov. 27 - EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, J. GEILS BAND,
Farm Show Arena, Harrisburg, 8:30 p.m. $ 5.00 advance
Dec. 3 - BLOODROCK, THE BUOYS, St. Joseph's Gym,
Hazleton, sponsored by Hazleton Campus, Penn State, $ 4.00
More music and entertainment features on page four
Gilcrest Players have
secret success formula
How can a company of
nine actors and actresses
possibly put on a Broadway
musical which originally had a
cast of over 35 - and still make
a success of it? Well, the
Gilcrest Players of the Gilcrest
Pub and Restaurant in nearby
Mahanoy City must have a
secret formula because that's
exactly what they did when
they presented "The Pajama
Game" the week of Nov. 1.
We caught the show on a
Saturday night and it played to
a full house of patrons.
Mahanoy City seems as strange
a place as any to experiment
with dinner theatre, but from
the audience comments, the
idea is catching on, slowly but
session. surely.
About that cast of nine:
two of the players, Charles
Stumpf and Gregg Weiler,
acted in two roles apiece.
Gregg was enrolled as a student
here at flighacres last year but
is cutting this year to gain
some practical, first-hand
experience in theatre, which
will be his major when he
returns to college.
By the way, the cast is its
own technical crew, also.
Arnang their side jobs are
designing and constructing sets.
- ALICE COOPER, KINKS, Spectrum, Phila., $
by Roz
The stay revolves around
a 7 1 / 2 cent increase in salary
asked for by workers of the
Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory in
Cedar Rapids, lowa, in 1954.
As it turns out,the new
supervisor, played by John
Fournier, falls in love with
Babe Williams, sole member of
the factory's grievance
committee. Babe was played
very capably by Tian King,
whose versatility as an actress
was evident throughout the
production.
Sid Sorokin, the
supervisor, and Babe are on
opposite sides of the mediating
table for the 7 '/2 cent raise and
this nearly causes their
breakup. However, a
compromise is soon effected
and the pair toss their opposing
company loyalties aside and, of
course, live happily ever after.
The show was adequately
choreographed by Jack Brady
Dyville, also the producer.
Most of the acting and dancing
was done on the floor - on the
same level as the audience.
Some of the people in the back
missed some of the action and
footwork, but nevertheless it
was good. Dyville also played
the part of the Prez for the:
second time in his career..,
has appeared on Broadway in-
Light, Lively and Vadish.
Probably the most
well-known number from
"Pajama Game" is" Hernando's
Hideaway." lisa Thomas did
an exceptionally good job with
it in the role of Gladys, one of
the factory girls.
Another point worth
mentioning is that Charlie
Stumpf of Hazleton did a great
job in his characterizations of
Mr. Basler and as Babe's
elderly father. lls clever
dialects added sufficient
variety and comedy to the
show.
Other performers who
were cast in lesser roles, but
certainly not because of any
lesser talent, were Douglas
Shelly as Pines. Marsha Solton
as Mabel, and Cherie Cresswell
as Poopsie. Shelly was the
associate producer for the
show.
I t would be worth the
short trip to sky down to the
Gilcrest Pub and catch one of
the revues. just take Interstate
81 south to the Mahanoy City
exit. When you get into the
town, ask somebody for
directions. You'll be glad you
did.