The Rear View Mirror.

For some reason the habitual occurence that drives me nuts at the end of each year is "The Year In Review"

It's the constant rehashing of the year just then ending by almost every newspaper and media source in the land. Sorry, I really don't think 2009 is what I want to watch and hear in my rear-view mirror. If I'm that bored I'd rather purchase the DVD : The Best of CNN. (should it exist)

Please understand, I'm not encouraging anyone out there to run away from reality. Just consider a brief respite until the learned Wolf Blitzer covers the next big story for us.

If, like me you're feeling a little glum, why not check out some of the old radio shows from a much simpler time. These are the ones that many of us listened to and really laughed. They also gave us an imagination. We were not taught then how we should react to something. We just kind of figured it all out by ourself.

My research revealed sample tapes (with commercials) of complete shows like Sam Spade, You Bet Your Life, Gunsmoke, and Phillip Marlowe are available on line. Phyl and I were thoroughly entertained. She couldn't get over how quick and clever Groucho was.

You may want to first test your memory with the following radio questions to "whet your whistle"
.
On what radio soap did you hear the announcer tell you: "This is the story that asks the question: Can this girl from the little mining town in the West find happiness as the wife of a wealthy and titled Englishman, Lord Henry Winthrope?"

Who was the outlaw who ambushed John Reid and his brother when they were members of the Texas Rangers - leaving John, the only one to survive and fight for justice?

Who were the original Amos & Andy?

Who played the original Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke radio fame?

Who are the two Marx brothers about whom we hear so little?

Who was the only other person to know the true identity of the Shadow?

Who was the accomplished actor who early in his career starred as radio's Sam Spade?

What actor and member of a great theatrical family performed on radio each Christmas as Ebeneezer Scrooge?

What was the name of his weekly radio show?

Who played the part of Marilly, his housekeeper, and later became TV's " Mother-in-law
from Hell"?



(answers below)

1. The opening introduction of the radio soap: "Our Gal Sunday"
2. Butch Cavendish of the "notorious" Butch Cavendish gang!" The show was The Lone Ranger.
3. Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. - a couple of caucasion gents who never anticipated
their efforts which mesmerized America would later be called politically incorrect.
4. William Conrad, who went on to fame as Cannon.
5. Gummo and Zeppo.
6. The beautiful Margo Lane who had this thing going with Lamont Cranston, "da Shadow".
7. Howard Duff , who was married to the beautiful actress and director, Ida Lupino.
8. Lionel Barrymore
9. The Mayor Of The Town
10. Agnes Morehead - the lovely Endora.

Now, that's some "rear view mirror" stuff I can "really" appreciate. Bring it on, 2010!