Recently,I was asked by Frank Florio`s wife if I had any stories I could
tell about Frank. Here is what I sent;
Many years ago, I don`t remember how long ago it was. I was assigned to work a
show with Frank I was told it was going to be experimental, and in those
days every thing was LIVE.
One of our maintenance men, I can`t remember his name invented something he
called the"Matting Amplifier".It was black and white and you could
electronically punch a hole in it the shape of any object in the scene and
place it into any other scene you wished.For example: Myself walking down a
street in Paris,France.
Seem Familiar?
From this came the Chroma Key,which allowed everything in color.
So far,you know all this.
The show Frank and I did (I followed his direction) was so unusual at that
time that NBC-ABC-& Dumont (remember them?) called and wanted to know how
we did it.
The cast were ballet dancers.
The costumes they wore completely covered them except for breathing holes and
slits so they could see.
The front of the costumes were blue-the backs were green and the sides were
red
The background was white.
Using three Chroma Keys,each one tied to a different camera getting the same
shot and each set to key a different color.
In blue we inserted a raging fire
In green we inserted a waterfall shot up close (Niagara)
In red we inserted white-pure white.
As they danced you saw flames,then the flames were put out by the water and
finally when they turned sideways everything disappeared.
It impressed the hell out of me and I was so glad that I had a job I liked and
where I could learn something new every day.
I don`t know where the idea for that show came from but Frank made it
work....CAL 7/18/00
TONY CUCURULLO
This one I throw in as a pot pourri of random thoughts. Joe Kulin
wrote that
we leave radio people out. That should not be. It certainly is not my
position. I started at CBS, in 1941, as an office boy for Major Bowes. And my
dream in life was to be an audio engineer as Dick Stewart was. I hung
around
him like a leech. But he was so kind to me. When the Major Bowes show
traveled to entertain the troops during W.W.II; Dick Stewart, Fred
Hendrikson, Paul LaPorte, were the audio dept. for the show. We came out of
radio studio #3, later it was the ED Sullivan Theater. The week line up was
Monday, 'It Pays To Be Ignorant
Tuesday, 'Bowes rehearsals
Wednesday, "Bowes Amateur Hour
Thursday, Moore and Durante
Friday, Kate Smith
Sat, 'The Hit Parade, with Mark Warner, Frank Sinatra
Most of the great TV audio and sound men came with radio backgrounds. I can
still hear the gun shots from Russ Gainor as he and Ernie Kovaks made working
in Studio 54 a pleasure.
Most of the audio men about CBS are fine examples of the quality of the
personnel. Elliot Gordon, Jack Winshie, Larry Schnieder,Dave Paine, so many
more. They were gentlemen all. I could not possibly list all of them. But
to
answer Joe Kulin, Radio produced the pioneers of the broadcast industry.
Their efforts were and still are historical. Please forgive me if I
inadvertently left out some name that will pop up during the night. And the
spelling of names, I'd rather misspell a name than leave someone out. We need
to remember each other. When the Greeks invented the tomb stone it was to
keep the memory of the deceased person alive in their thoughts.
My idea is not to play to any one group, but rather to stimulate your
thoughts about the wonderful life we all had at CBS. Not everything was
equal, but believe me as a boy coming from the docks of Brooklyn, I
appreciate all that I now have.
RAY SILLS
OK.. I guessed correctly on Herman.
The female SFX op you're no doubt thinking of is Aura Nichols. Bill Brown
is the expert here. He told me that she and her husband -were- the Sound
Department for CBS Radio. It was called the Sound Department then.
Eventually CBS decided it would be good to have their own gear, so they made
a deal the Nichols' and bought most of their gear.
She was one of the SFX crew on the famous Orson Wells "War of the
Worlds"
broadcast in 1938.
Gerry McCarty was one of the early SFX gang who started in radio and went to
TV. So did Joe Cabbibo. There's a whole bunch more.. most of whom I
did
not know personally.
Romeo spent a little time in TV SFX. Carl Hall and Sid Bean are happy
retirees..
Sid, BTW, was the last guy at CBS-NY to do SFX on a LIVE soap. (Edge of
Night).
SFX doesn't exist the way it was anymore. Everything is done in
post-production.
At least we have been able to keep up with the state of the air. The old
SFX area is now Audio Post and Sweetening. All digital.. 5 audio
workstations, a machine room and 7 videotape machines... a router port on
Digital MAX to send and receive to the building, if needed.
Not your father's SFX department anymore, for sure. 7/18/00
July 18/19 comments
From Tony Cucurullo 7/18/2000
It was the Wednesday night Arthur Godfrey
Show, we were in setup rehearsal, the band was blazing away on a number with the
McGuire Sisters. I was in the audio booth setting up some equipment, when Arthur
comes storming into the booth. He screams at the audio man "are you
deaf", and reaches across the console and draws the curtain so that you
could not look into the band pit. In those days the audio booth was stage right,
as it was from the radio days. Arthur, almost in a rage says, "I pay for
all those instruments and I want to hear all of them, get it!" Al turns to
him and says, "well then clean the wax outta your ears, cause this studio
was built for the stage
performers, it needs overhead baffling." Next week Al Bressan was removed
from the show. Bob Hammer had apoplexy because his budget got pinched. After the
studio was sound proofed and we were at another rehearsal, Godfrey looked over
to the booth the next time and screamed, "where is that bastard, I want him
back."
Al Bressan, character, but audio man non pareil.
From Tony Cucurullo 7/18/2000
This one I throw in as a pot pourri of random thoughts.
Joe Kulin wrote that we leave radio people out. That should not be. It certainly
is not my position. I started at CBS, in 1941, as an office boy for Major Bowes.
And my dream in life was to be an audio engineer as Dick Stewart was. I
hung around him like a leech. But he was so kind to me. When the Major Bowes
show traveled to entertain the troops during W.W.II; Dick Stewart, Fred
Hendrikson, Paul LaPorte, were the audio dept. for the show. We came out of
radio studio #3, later it was the ED Sullivan Theater. The week line up was
Monday, 'It Pays To Be Ignorant Tuesday, 'Bowes rehearsals Wednesday,
"Bowes Amateur Hour Thursday, Moore and Durante Friday, Kate Smith Sat,
'The Hit Parade, with Mark Warner, Frank Sinatra
Most of the great TV audio and sound men came with radio backgrounds. I can
still hear the gun shots from Russ Gainor as he and Ernie Kovaks made working
in Studio 54 a pleasure.
Most of the audio men about CBS are fine examples of the quality of the
personnel. Elliot Gordon, Jack Winshie, Larry Schnieder,Dave Paine, so many
more. They were gentlemen all. I could not possibly list all of them. But
to answer Joe Kulin, Radio produced the pioneers of the broadcast industry.
Their efforts were and still are historical. Please forgive me if I
inadvertently left out some name that will pop up during the night. And the
spelling of names, I'd rather misspell a name than leave someone out. We need to
remember each other. When the Greeks invented the tomb stone it was to keep the
memory of the deceased person alive in their thoughts.
My idea is not to play to any one group, but rather to stimulate your thoughts
about the wonderful life we all had at CBS. Not everything was equal, but
believe me as a boy coming from the docks of Brooklyn, I appreciate all that I
now have.
Bulletin
This just came in from Ray Sills
Subj: SFX guys
Date: 07/18/2000 8:53:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: raysills(Ray Sills)
To: Tonycucu
Hi Tony:
OK.. I guessed correctly on Herman.
The female SFX op you're no doubt thinking of is Aura Nichols. Bill Brown
is the expert here. He told me that she and her husband -were- the Sound
Department for CBS Radio. It was called the Sound Department then.
Eventually CBS decided it would be good to have their own gear, so they made a
deal the Nichols' and bought most of their gear.
She was one of the SFX crew on the famous Orson Wells "War of the
Worlds" broadcast in 1938.
Gerry McCarty was one of the early SFX gang who started in radio and went to TV.
So did Joe Cabbibo. There's a whole bunch more.. most of whom I did not
know personally.
Romeo spent a little time in TV SFX. Carl Hall and Sid Bean are happy
retirees..Sid, BTW, was the last guy at CBS-NY to do SFX on a LIVE soap.
(Edge of
Night).
SFX doesn't exist the way it was anymore. Everything is done in
post-production. At least we have been able to keep up with the state of
the air. The old SFX area is now Audio Post and Sweetening. All
digital.. 5 audio workstations, a machine room and 7 videotape machines... a
router port on Digital MAX to send and receive to the building, if needed.
Not your father's SFX department anymore, for sure.
73 de Ray
From Tony Cucurullo 7/19/2000
Jim Kelenson fell out of a Damon Runyon novel
and landed in the CBS technicians staff. Jim, was a mans, man. Rough
tough. Yet he could win the category in literature on 'Jeopardy. But, he was an
inveterate horse player. He introduced me to parlays, and paddocks. One
day at old Jamaica race track, it was raining and the floors were very slippery.
I was there with him and Leo Kuranoki. Jim wanted to view the horses in the
paddock area. He ran to the steps leading there and he fell the flight of
stairs. As the ambulance was attendant was loading him into the vehicle he
turned to me, in pain, and clenched teeth said' "who won", I said,
"Number four," "who came in second," just as the doors
closed and whisked him off to the hospital. He would have been my point man.
__________________________________________________________________
Chico Claudio, Charlie Schwabe, Art Murphy, Jerry Sullivan, Joe Desmond boom men
all. Great, yes. I wouldn't want to choose between them for theatrical skills.
But, if I had to be locked in a studio as a boom pusher, hands down it would be
with Joe Desmond. It had nothing to do with his talent on the boom. For he has
to be one of the great character technicians in a group of tilted human beings.
( as we all were). Joe has been known to be asked by actors for ways to project
a line. He has this massive stentorian voice that booms through out the studio
floor. But, his fertile mind and warped sense of humor made a typical dull
boring day into a fun filled and intellectual
treat. Don Hastings, "The World Turns', Star, would get into an improv situation
with Joe, that usually caused bedlam of laughter in the studio. Joe, also
possessed an inquiring mind about many subjects. He and Bert Silverman, another
great thinker would postulate on all the still unsolved mysteries. This lovable
gentle giant of a man has to be everyone's favorite person to be around. Maybe
Albert Einstein, was close. If we could reach out into the universe we could
relive that time. I think all you would have to do is look into the reflections
in Joe Desmonds eye for a trip into the past and enjoy another great moment. For
Joe is universal.
From Fred Shutz 7/19/2000
looks like you have hit the jackpot on great old stories about
our beloved old cbs.
a number of the fellows had asked about the next luncheon. it will be on wed.
sept.13 at the harbor house in ft.lee nj ....
i will be sending out the luncheon invites along with doris reardon's
great news letter around aug.15th.
hope we will have a great turnout and am looking forward to seeing everyone.
keep well, at least until sept.13th.
tony.. hope you and pauline can make it up to new york
freddie s
From Tony Cucurullo 7/19/2000
From: westwindbayt
(Westwind Bay Associates)
To: Tonycucu(Tony Cuccerello)
Dear Tony;
Thanks again for the great stories and memories. Keep them coming.... I
remember the many hours in the lounge playing Tonk with Bresson, Kelenson,
Chichon, Lightstone, and the other lounge lizzards.........
Sig Meyers
From: alconni(Alfred L.
consiglio)
To: Tonycucu
Hi Tony,
You really are into this nostalgia thing aren't you. I didn't know know
the horsebetting pal of yours, but I did know Bressan & Desmond. I'm glad to
hear you referring to Desmond with the "is" rather than
"was" verb. Bressan and I had some pleasant times when I was the
Video Tape/Maint. Man on a couple of remotes in the 60's.
Regards Al C.
rom: BIG DAILEY
To: Tonycucu
TONY I CANT TELL YOU HOW GREAT IT IS-THIS E-MAIL YOU SEND TO PEOPLE.
I MUST SAY I REALLY ENJOY GETTING THEM. BRINGS BACK SO MANY FUNNY
AND GREAT TIMES..I DONT THINK THE GUYS WORKING AT CBS NOW WILL EVER GET
THE FEELING WE HAVE!
THANKS BOB
Date: 07/19/2000 1:52:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: k2mfi (William L Murtough)
To: Tonycucu
Hi Tony,
First I want to ask about George Herman. Was he the George Herman, newsman, who
worked out of our Washington studios? We were good friends and were teamed
together on many conventions, including the famous 1968 fiasco.
About a book, I have just completed the third chapter of my book of my life in
broadcasting, due to much urging from my old time radio friends. My good friend,
former ABC announcer George Ansbro, just had his book published and it is doing
well. He started at NBC as a page when they were at 711 Fifth Avenue in the late
twenties, attended their announcer school, and became an NBC announcer in 1934.
I started doing Public Address work in Ohio when I was still in high
school, came to New York in the fall of 1936 to visit my sister, and was hired
at WHN as an engineer. I was twenty years old at the time.
After working at several stations, in charge of one in New York City, I was
hired by the War Dept. at the outbreak of WW-II and sent to a Radar School. My
teamates in the class were two of the sloppiest, dirtiest looking GI's, one of
which was one Al Pearce who had already been working for CBS.
Mention was made of Don Hastings (World Turns). I run into his brother, Bob,
from time to time at Old Time Radio Conventions in L.A. and Newark. He
also is a successful actor but I always introduce him to my friends as the
brother of the famous actor, Don Hastings. Really jerks his tail.
I came to CBS in December, 1944. I Had built WENT in Gloversville, N.Y. and was
fed up with snowbanks. When I arrived in New York expecting that my friend would
have some interviews lined up. I found that I was already hired by CBS. I had
known Henry Grossman for many years.
I transferred to KNX the next spring, lived the life of Reilly for six years,
and then came back to New York in 1981. I was the engineer in the tape
room when Godfrey lambasted the cast. Actually they had been in Detroit
and were planning to take the show to Miami. The hell raising was due to the
fact that the gang had been taking
advantage of him. I think it was the Mariners who had been buying booze by the
case, charging it to Arthur, and shippimg it home, others were running up
outlandish phone bills, and so on. He then announced that the show was
travelling to Miami and dictated the terms, saying if they didn't like it they
could stay home. He concluded his lecture with: "and as to my fat assed
secretary who went into my office and turned on my speaker, that goes for her
too". Arthur was no dummy! Another day when I was in the tape room,
Julius LaRosa arrived in the studio early and was bad mouthing Arthur to the
cast, not knowing that Arthur was probably in his office listening on the
"snoop loop". That was shortly before Julius was fired "on the
air".
Many years later I did a job with Arthur feeding a morning show to KMOX filling
in for their morning man who was on vacation. We did it from a Coumbia Records
studio on East Thirtieth St. A lot of his old friends stopped in many of whom I
also knew. One was Andy Rooney who had been one of Arthur's writers in the
golden days. It was a memorable two weeks. The chap he was filling
in for was named Jack Carney, the same name as the Talent Scouts producer. (When
I told Arthur that his Jack Carney's widow was my neighbor he took her address
and she heard from him every Christmas).
As my friend Lowell Thomas would say, "So long untill tomorrow".
BILL MURTOUGH
P.S.: After my wife died I moved here to Stuart, FL Later married a local lady,
Lucille, and got back into boating, as we live in her home on the St. Lucie
River. However, due to some unexplained physical problem, we sold the big boat
last year but still have the 18 foot center console job. We miss the big
cruiser and at times talk of getting another one. Who knows.
TO ALL: THE MESSAGE WAS ABOUT HERMAN LANG
The Brainy Bunch
I would have to list all the maintenance men that ever well you know what……..
But, when I took my CBS ID photo, there were three of us standing shoulder to
shoulder ( like the Nelson Eddy song) \the two guys were Bob Zagoren and the
other Joe DiGiovana. One would have thought some of their brain power could
have been passed through to me. We three ( another song: The Ink Spots) came
from NBC together. Joe went into maintenance at CBS and then on to ABC-TV,
as a Senior Vice President. Bob Zagoren became famous for getting me out of
maintenance.
You can lump quite a cast of characters from all maintenance. You had nice
guys, bull types, blueprint types, inventors, and those that couldn't hack
it, they became supervisors.
(As for OT, "You can't take away from me, " anymore so the truth be told,
this is not a song, more a lament) Now for a favorite character;
Frank Nielis, first assignment was in Telecine maintenance, then he went into
tape ops. Well on one of his more flamboyant excursions through the Pubs of
the area. He returned to work two days late. (two days). Fred Harman said to
him, "Frank I have to dock you for those days, It's going to cost you eighty
bucks," Frank , looked him in the eye and said, "your giving me a headache,
here's forty bucks more I leaving now". And that is how Frank became a very
good tape editor. This is Gospel.
____________________________________________________________
There are many stories that abound about John Zavocki. He was a Olympic
runner up to the great Cornelia Wammerdam, in the pole vault. He is a
national champ at checkers, a whiz at chess. And his exploits with a football
out side the Slate Bar on 56th St are still unbelievable. But, when John
changed the venue of his life he became an evangelist to save the souls from
John Barleycorn. His two children were invited to the White House as national
Academic Scholarship winners. He climbed from the gutter to the mountain top,
That is a remarkable accomplishment.
Why not he is a CBSer.
Date: 07/20/2000 1:54:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: TDJeff3250
To: Tonycucu
Dear Tony:
As a young "OLD-TIMER" (just celebrated 26 years here last July 8th) reliving
the stories of some of the guys I started with is a very fond memory. One of
my most unforgettable characters; having dinner with Sal Ruvo on the road was
always an adventure. He would graciously get up from our table and check the
tables around him for the right dish to order. No one ever balked...I guess
it was because he always had a clean fork...And a smile from ear to ear.
Keep up the info.....
Jeff Pollack
P.S. Anyone know ...Who is Tony C.? (THEY'RE OFF!!!!!!!!!!)
From Tony Cucurullo 7/20/2000
Random thoughts.
The response has been wonderful so far. As there aren't any restrictions on
what or who you care to remember. I only ask that you maintain some decorum
out of respect for those that do not want to receive these reminiscences
(thank GOD for spell check). I have already received a request to have a name
taken off any future stories regarding that person. I will respect that
request. So, if I send your letter off to our CBS Family and you get a copy
of it and it is EDITED slightly you should know it was as a result of a
request as I stated.
Incidentally, when that dear lady, Doris Reardon gets to feeling better, I
will turn over to her all of this material and perhaps she can put it to use
in her news letter that she compiles for each of the luncheon notices. If
ever there was a member of our group that deserves a BIG THANK YOU, it is
Doris. Her remarkable spirit makes a mockery of her ailment. She has
tremendous courage. It would boost her spirits if yawl could send her an
e-mail get well message. Who could not love this dear lady?
Tony C
From Tony Cucurullo 7/21/2000
Subj: memories
Date: 07/20/2000 9:37:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Vernum
To: Tonycucu
hi tony!
its about time i responded,i would like to list some of my fondest
memories of my 34 years at CBS.--having breakfast with the late red
mcspedon,,johnny lincoln packing a scale on remotes,some of the guys bringing
their own light bulbs (any of you who have travelled know what i mean)the
parade of technician cadillacs arriving at the remote parking lot,watching
the golf talent throwing each other in the fountain at joe t garcias
restaurant in ft worth,playing tennis with artie tinn after teardown at ft
worth,sitting next to bob dailey for endless hours at the us open
tennis,howie purnick making and airing his own telop--telecine co-ordinator
H.P.purnick on the cronkite news,---there are MANY more,i am alive and well
in california i will make an effort to make one of the retiree luncheons this
year. keep up the great work BOB
Subj: Reminicenses
Date: 07/20/2000 9:00:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (Joe Janovsky)
To: (Tony Cucurillo)
Hi Tony,
It's fun to read about the old timers at CBS, and the stories they have
and had to tell. Some of the names are familiar to me, and a lot of
them are not. I remember Bob Heuberger telling me how the boys built
the TV transmitter on top of the Chrysler building....I wonder if there
is anyone out there anymore who remembers that. That was one thing
about CBS, they had top notch technical personnel. Most of the guys
were hams, and could be relied on to keep that show on the air, come
what may.
Just a sidelight on Studio 50: When I joined CBS in late 1953, I made
the rounds of the various studios as an AT. Imagine my surprise when I
walked into Studio 50 and I said to myself I've seen this before. I
recognized the two control rooms at either side of the stage. Then it
came back to me. As a young kid in the thirties, my parents and I went
to see a Major Bowes program one time. It was one of my favorite
shows. I used to listen to it just to hear somebody get the gong. I
guess the Major realized that was a favorite part of the show, and made
sure that someone got the gong every time.
Tony, stay well, and keep up the good work.
73, Joe Janovsky
Hi Joe nice hearing from you. I hope others respond. Yes, I remember the
Chrysler Bldg. I remember having to shove those antennas out on those skids.
I felt like it was going to go out and down to the street. Scarry.
Tony C
Subj: gentle giant
Date: 07/20/2000 8:52:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: bjsig20
To:(Tony Cuccerello)
Speaking of John Zavocki... One day I was pushing his boom on one of the
soaps. It was payday. John went around the corner to the bank to cash
his check. I remember he looked like a college professor. Long
overcoat, scarf, hat, glasses and smoking his pipe. He came out of the
bank and some hood put a knife to his side and told him to hand over the
money. John spun and hit him so hard that when the ambulance and cops
arrived, the guy was almost dead.... I did the boom to cover for him
until he got back to the studio.
Sig Meyers
Subj: Re: Three more
Date: 07/20/2000 8:19:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From:(Don McGraw)
To:
HI TONY:
LIKE EVERYONE, I ENJOY THE STORIES OF THE IMMORTAL CBSers.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TONY,I HOPE TO SEE YOU AT ONE OF THE LUNCHEONS.
DON McGRAW
Subj: still they come
Date: 07/20/2000 10:41:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: ArnolKn
To: Tonycucu
Tony:
We were going to meet but never did. It was something about 1212 and I
advised against it.
All these anecdotes you are putting out remind me of the old WOR show "Can
You Top This".
Sure was surprised and pleased to hear from Bob Dailey. Brought back lot of
memories such as Jim Fowler and his bride of one year being at the Ed
Sullivan Show and Bob putting TVMC on the PA system as we sang "Happy
Birthday"
to his wife. Jim did kiss his wife when I prompted him with "Aren't you
going to kiss your bride,Jim?" He said her knees were sure shaking. That
was the audience warm-up that night.
Then I recall visiting where I last worked at CBS, Netwwork Transmission
Facilities which was part of Affiliate Relations. The boss, Charlie Cadley,
was on the phone with Hal Classon and he handed me the phone as he said.
"Here's someone who wants to say Hello".
What I heard was. "I thought you were dead." My response was, "I'm waiting
for you to go first". He hung up and I wonder where he is now.
I was amused by Bob Dailey's remark about my being unflappable. Does he
accept e-mail or other correspondence?
73
Arny King
From: (Malachy Wienges)
Tony;
These stories are great. Please keep them coming.
Mal Wienges
From: DepoliG
To: Tonycucu
Jeff's story about Sal Ruvo brought many happy thoughts of Sal to mind. But
when Sal passed away I can remember Domenic Annecharico coming down to the
lounge to clean out Sal's locker. What a likable guy he was. So
Italian....so everday man...and a lovely, lovely person.
Another time I remember getting assigned to do video on a fight in Rahway
State Prison (thank you Harold Schutman)...and I did my very best to look as
BAD as I could. I had on an ugly wig...no make up. Put on layers of
clothing so I looked totally shapeless. One of the "brothers" said that I
only needed a mustache and I was in my Sal Ruvo disguise.
From that same fight, I can remember being in the "bread truck" with George
Progoulous from Maintenance. He was fixing a cable connector for me, when
the shift changed at the prison laundry. George was at the peek of looking
seedy. One of the inmates looked at George over and over again and then
finally said to me, "Any they say we's f*@ked up." I thought that summed
George up pretty well.
Gayle
Subj: Jim Kelenson
Date: 07/21/2000 12:19:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: wb2chp
Hi Tony---Your essay on Jim Kelenson reminded me of two occurrences.
First, he would go to the track to bet a particular horse in a particular
race, and when he got to the counter, he would forget and bet a different
horse. (His original choice usually won)
2. You should remember the time in Grand Central when a vice detective
tried to arrest him as a homosexual, and when he brought the detective up
to Film Control to show him he worked there, you claimed to never having
seen him before!
Best, George Gray
From Tony Cucurullo 7/21/2000
Classon, McBride, Paoli, Lincoln, McCarthy, Finn, Weldon, Murphy,
English, Husni,........ What a group of cameramen! From the live era, until
today, CBS has always had artist. Not just camera pointers. When you think of
these men many stories come to mind. But, for shear character personality,
who would not choose George Moses. His continuous sense of humor. All those
cartoons he created for 'The World Turns'slates. His years on Sullivan. I am
sure he is wrecking havoc in what ever medium he is in now. (I hope that gets
past all the religious and non religious, I wouldn't dare say he is in
heaven, medium should do?)
I am sorry if I left out a friend or two, but you know you were great. So
stop crying, Swick, Ancona, Mastropolo, Seiller, and all the Naders and Richy
Brender too.
__________________________________________________________
I believe the moral values of CBS was always just little higher than other
industries because the educational level was had a mean average above norm. I
would state unequivocally that there were mostly honest decent men at CBS .
So many come to mind, Art Murphy, Kevin Slattery, Dave Paine, Greg O'Connor,
Norm Levine, Jim Martens, Larry Schnieder, to name a few. But, one stands out
as the moral conscience of CBS and the Union. Pat Finn. Pat practiced what he
preached. He was my mentor at the union. He believed in fair play from both
sides. He would never allow any decision to be detrimental to the company.
But, he would back a decision to be firm when it called for it. Pat, was a
product of 'Hell's Kitchen. here in NY. For A short time he was a dock
walloper, then he came to CBS starting in the mailroom. He then became a
technician. He was so popular with the staff that he was elected President of
the union more times than any other person.
When Mr. Paley died, just two technicians were invited to the ceremony at the
Temple Emanuel on 5th Ave., Pat was one, and I was the other. The smiling
Irishman always reminded me of Pat O'Brien the actor. Anyone that knew Pat,
liked him. One of the highly moral men of CBS.
From Pierce Evans 7/21/2000
Subj: On Beyond Godfrey
Date: 07/20/2000 2:34:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (Pierce Evans)
To: (William L Murtough), (Tony Cucurullo)
Bill,
Those Ampex 200s were run at 30 IPS (15 IPS if slightly lower quality was
acceptable). The early tapes reels were one sided so had to be handled very
carefully to avoid a tape spill. One of our tape cubicles had a window. A
resourceful technician (my recollection is that it was Larry Racies) was
loading a tape for play in a few minutes, got distracted and dropped it on
the floor.
some of the tape was still on the reel but the rest was a hopeless tangle on
the floor. Larry had already threaded the leader and connected it to the
takeup reel. Before he could think too much about his predicament, the
production guy started counting down to the tape start. Larry picked up the
whole mess, tossed it out the window and let the rest of the tape spin off
the reel. A gentle breeze wafted the streamer across Manhattan and the tangle
gradually loosened up and cleared itself. Larry hit the start button and held
the tape firmly enough to keep the feed reel tension switch engaged. He
applied enough pressure as the tape slipped thru his fingers to fool the
tension switch for the entire duration of the show. It aired without a hitch.
Such was the resourcefulness of the radio pioneers.
From Tony Cucurullo 7/22/2000
To all: I hope you like the idea of sending some pictures. In some cases it
has a nostalgic effect. In others it is, "SHOCK THEATER." After all we
haven't seen each other for a time, and in some cases for years. That would
mean, no hair, hanging breast, shrunken parts (that do not react to Viagara
anymore) smiles that now have the gleam of a sixteen wheeler truck bumper.
Behinds, that you could rent for billboard advertisement. Some of the hanging
guts resemble the backpacks we carried during our military time, only now
it's in front. So while I am sure that Bob Daily, Sandy Bell, Dave Paine, Hal
Classon might still be the Hunks of CBS I will bet (not being a betting man
myself…hmmm) that one of them might at least have a wrinkle or two that
resembles Route I-66. So saying that here they come ready or not. Please
send some yourself, just to get even. Come on lighten up!
Enjoy
Tony C (As Teddy, always say's still modest…and good looking)
Ps: has anyone seen my hair, I've seen to have misplaced a few strands.
From Tony Cucurullo 7/22/2000
Because I don't receive any response from some of you I know it's not a
malaise characteristic, but more because of your reticence. A fundamental
principal of the union concept is that it is designed to mainly represent
those individuals who are reluctant to speak out on their own behalves. There
are many technicians that should have been considered for top positions in
the company just because of their exceptional technical skills. I am really
addressing those with formidable skills. These are the people that go about
doing an exceptional job always. They do occasionally get from some people a
quiet acknowledgement. Some do make supervisory positions, but there are a
handful that have gone through their life at CBS without so much as a Bronze
Star.
I wouldn't want to leave any one off a list, but for a short list, Hille,
Guercio, Curtis, Gray, Geo. Smith, Guerin, Krim ,Charters, DeQuinzio, Tobia,
Constantine, Deller. There are others. But, two stand out in my memory. Here
are my two characters for today.
Tom Fisher, graduated with the highest honors from RCA Institutes. He came to
CBS, and while he performed there ,he never quite got to the top. Yet I
remember some of the professors saying he would and should be a great
technician. He has such a keen technical mind.
Then there is Joe Strano. If ever some could be called a menche, that is Joe.
He never faulted on an assignment. He always shared his knowledge with anyone
that asked. His technical excellence is at or near the top. When I think
about Joe and his group of maintenance coworkers, he and Neil Curtis have to
be the most respected twosome in their group. But, Joe, Neil, Tom never were
horn blowers. They never received their just due. I am sure I will be sorry
later when I send this online that I'll get an, Oh, Shit! For not remembering
someone. Well then you write it and honor your friend, and forgive me my
trespasses. After all I'm not human I am like Purnick, a cartoon.
Tony C
From Tony Cucurullo 7/22/2000
THIS IS SUNDAY'S MAIL. That's all for now folks. C U Monday
Stata e Bona
Subj: Mary Durante
Date: 07/21/2000 2:47:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: DepoliG
To: Tonycucu
Tony,
Does anybody ever hear from Mary? Lord knows I took pictures of her and her
little dog for Christmas cards and such. She used to live right up the
street in that great apartment with her mother. Mother must be long gone
now...and that is an expensive coop. She was 'grandfathered" in because Mom
was a senior and they couldn't get rid of Mary. Then Mary became a senior
and I don't know if she stayed there or not. What a gal. She's probably
still going out on cruise ships as a dancer. As hard as she worked at it and
giving lessons to all those guys with two left feet so they could take their
wives and girlfriends out on the town should have been a star...but she was
just too short. I think she even gave some dance lessons gratis to some of
the guys so they would be able to dance at their own weddings.
You may have reminisced about Anita all dressed up to the nines at a golf
do....but do you remember that during a power outage at the hotels at the
Detroit Convention she got dressed up and looked snappy...only to be thrown
in the pool? That was the beginning of everyone getting throw into the pool.
Too bad so many wives read the e-mail.....oh the stories that would come out
if the "airwaves" were really clear.
Gayle
Subj: Re: Two characters,one letter, one photo attachment: enjoy
Date: 07/21/2000 3:32:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: LynnLeeR1
To: Tonycucu
Mary Durante had a good word for the devil himself. I remember what a good
sport she was working in the midst of so many men. I remember once saying to
her, that before I died I had askd G-d if he would let me hug her just once.
She smiled dropped what she was doing, walked around the desk and gave me a
hug with her 88's that I will never forget. The lives we shared at CBS and
the people are memorable in that we got paid for doing things that made us
happy. We lived through the up side and down side of every one we touched.
The ranting of a Richard Mutchler who could cut you up like a surgeon in the
control room and be very gracious when you were alone and off the air. The
nit picking of The Bloom's Shapiros and Strucks pushed us to perform above
and beyond. I worked in Film Services when I started and have life long
friends like Mike Singer who taught me how to fill out a time card and Ed
Peraza and John Wymann and Joe McDonald the father to the young turks
fighting to get out of the Film Services Area and into the main stream of
CBS. We made it out and into telecine, then on to Vidifont and Chyron on the
road where the George Naders and Peter Reeds & Sandy Bells took over the
education. Then back into the plant to work on the Ampex ESS for campaingne
76. The first on air broadcast for a digital still store system. then we
watched the growth of ESS and so on and so on. We looked forward to going to
work every day. Our wives and family some times did not always understand
that we had to give our all to CBS and that they just got a share of our
lives. It was the tiffany network because of the people. I was proud to be
a part of it. Lee Levy
Reply-to: brugail
To: tonycucu
I just found one of the few really useful FREE offers on
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Essentially it allows you to hear who's calling you while
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This Internet Answering Machine from CallWave installs
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Just thought this might be useful...
bruno fucci
Personal message from bruno fucci:
this works great
Date: 07/22/2000 10:30:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (bruno fucci)
To: tonycucu
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bruno fucci
Subj: memories
Date: 07/20/2000 9:37:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Vernum
To: Tonycucu
hi tony!
its about time i responded,i would like to list some of my fondest
memories of my 34 years at CBS.--having breakfast with the late red
mcspedon,,johnny lincoln packing a scale on remotes,some of the guys bringing
their own light bulbs (any of you who have travelled know what i mean)the
parade of technician cadillacs arriving at the remote parking lot,watching
the golf talent throwing each other in the fountain at joe t garcias
restaurant in ft worth,playing tennis with artie tinn after teardown at ft
worth,sitting next to bob dailey for endless hours at the us open
tennis,howie purnick making and airing his own telop--telecine co-ordinator
H.P.purnick on the cronkite news,---there are MANY more,i am alive and well
in california i will make an effort to make one of the retiree luncheons this
year. keep up the great work BOB
Subj: cronkite
Date: 07/21/2000 7:37:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Vernum
To: Tonycucu
tony--after considerable prodding from others i feel compelled to tell this
story of a VERY unusual event. i hope no one is offended by the expletive in
the tale,but it would not be a true story if it is not used-so here goes of
course you can use your judgement as to whether or not to use it!!
i was TD on the cronkite news from 1968-1972,in the four years mr
cronkite came into the control room once! he had just returned from nixons
trip to china,he was bursting with enthusiasim to tell us a story.
it seems every tech from CBS had a chinese counterpart assigned,our
beloved al bressan was the audio man and he had several counterparts,i think
many of us who worked with al really and truly loved the man---but al had a
propensity for FOUR letter words-at the airport when all of the stateside
people were preparing to board the aircraft to come back to the states,walter
was approached by one of the chinese counterparts he said to walter "mr
cronkite i learned much and really appreciate everything your technicians did
for us --but i am still puzzled --what is FUCKING AUDIO!!
that is a true story and quite a shock coming from walter! BV
From Tony Cucurullo 7/23/2000
Hopefully you are now receiving the mail with less names at the top in the
header. Thanks to Theodorable Perzeszty, Now that he is married to the lady
Patricia Welsh, they both have time for other things besides connubial
foreplay. He is so willing to help anyone. You know he is the illegitimate
son of Chico. You say, the age, look at the age, Chico is 76 and Ted is 70.
So! Chico has been virile since he was four years old. You don't believe me?
Have your wife stand next to him at the next luncheon, and don't be surprised
if you see a star in the east that night. Trust me???
Tony never lies?
From Tony Cucurullo 7/23/2000
One of you revealed an interesting little tidbit the other day. I think had
it be known back in the 50's or 60's perhaps it might have made the Inquirer,
or some such rag. So be careful what you send. Someone might see a way to
sell our family secrets. Write in the third person.
Many years ago there was an armed robbery at CBS. I took place in the stage
hands locker room, which is located just off Studio 44's stage door. There
were two games going on simultaneously. You had to climb about four steps up
to enter the room. The room was split into two sections, divided by tall
personal lockers. On the door side, as you entered was the games going full
blast. At one table near the mirrors was a very big money game. It was
Thursday, and also payday. So there was lot's of cash in the room. The big
table had mostly stage hands playing except for Jimmy Wall, a stage manager
for the 'Evening News. At the small table near the door I sat with Al Diamond
(technician) and a Jockey. He was the cousin to one of the stage hands. WE
had just about played two hands, (which I lost naturally) when the door burst
open and two guys came in one brandishing a military knife, (which is
serrated on one side) and is menacing in appearance. The had a pump shotgun.
The jumped up on the couch and screamed at us to get into the corner. The one
with the shotgun put it to my neck and lifted me off the chair with it. It
was uncomfortable because the idiot was pressing it too hard so that my neck
was pushed off to the side. AS the others trying to comply with this maniac
with the knife, the tables were turned over, and coffee spilled all over
these idiots. The knife wielder put the blade to Al Diamonds throat and held
him that way. They ordered us to empty our pockets, which we did. The one
with the knife picked up all the wallets and left his finger prints, palm
prints (because of the coffee that was all over his hands) on the lockers and
tables. Al Diamond pleaded with him to take the wallet but leave his fathers
picture. That was the only picture of his father that the family had. The
knife coward nearly swiped at his throat. Jimmy Wall was the only one that
tried to calm them down, by him talking to them the rifleman let go of me and
pointed the gun straight at Jimmy, menacingly. When they headed for the door,
the one with the rifle, came back in and pointed it at us as if he was going
to shoot, but the knife guy grabbed his collar and pulled him out.
It was amazing that everyone kept their cool, because there were two people
in that room that had pistols on them.
The reason that they were able to pull this off was the fact that there was a
show going on in Studio 41, and ironically there was two armed Fire
Policemen, patrolling the halls one was carrying a firearm. So what would
ordinarily be an uncommon scene to most people, they thought the two robbers
were part of a show. They escaped out the side emergency door onto 56th
street. To end this drama, they were caught that night. They had thrown all
of the wallets off the bridge. Their license plate number was taken down by a
CBS tech waiting for the parking space, where their compatriot was siting at
the wheel. Here's the kicker. The kid with the gun was the son of a
stagehand. He was tipped to the game by the Jockey, his uncle. That family of
the stagehands are very honorable men. We all know them. Most of the family
works at ABC-TV. This kid is just a 'bad seed'. They got about a year in
jail. We recovered not a thing.
Bob Hammer came to me the next day and said, "no more game with money on the
table," ( we used 35mm slides from Telecine) and he insisted "no more guns in
the building", because none of his guards carried weapons. Vinnie
Bartillucci, ordered me to go around to the teches., and tell them to leave
their weapons at home. At that time we believed there were only three
legitimate gun permits for techs. Would you believe I discovered that
eighteen men had guns on them at most times. One guy was also making ammo for
the FBI at the plant. And you thought we were a boring bunch.
Yes, Lee levy you asked, someone just paid me back what he owed me as the
gunman burst in. Se La Vie.
Date: 07/23/2000 2:35:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: SkipponVis
To: Tonycucu
23/7/00
Yes, Tony it works...thanks
Having read some of the CBS fond, or not so fond, memories I'd like to add
one to the collection. I began working at CBS in the mailroom at 485 Madison
Avenue in 1959, which makes me a relative newcomer to a lot of the people on
your e-list. My intention was to get into production which eventually
happened, sort of. On the way I passed through as a log clerk in air control
working with Bob Kane, Kim Gregory and Charlie ????(does anyone remember his
name - white hair at the time, lovely guy), and then to WCBS-TV as a
production assistant, and then back to the network as the first local pa to
become a Studio 43 AD, finishing my 8 years at CBS as a PC31/32 AD who
occasionally got to work as a relief show AD on Captain Kangaroo, Love of
Life and a couple others I can't recall.
I was lured away from CBS by Reeves in 1967 and in 1969 found myself, two
children from a previous marriage and a third one with my wife, Jessica, (who
some may remember as a regular visitor to PC31/32 during my late shifts) in
Australia directing television commercials as the first in-house director for
the first indpendent video studio facility in the Southern Hemisphere, later
producing game shows for Reg Grundy productions.
We had 5 good years there and in 1973 we moved across the Tasman Sea where
I was hired by ex CBS stage manager, Harvey Glick, to run an independent
video studio and post production facility he had raised the money for in
Auckland. After five years Jessica said 'I'm going to London, do you want to
come with me', and I knew she meant it, so we upped stakes again and came
here to London in 1978 where we have lived ever since.
We set up our own production company which is still operating, although I'm
now totally out of the biz and Jess continues to operate it as a small
boutique until she retires altogether to pursue her passion for geneology
full time. As I write this she is on her way home from a regular pilgrimage
to Salt Lake City where she burys herself in the vaults of the Mormon
geneological records center chasing up lost souls for fun and profit.
I now spend my time as a working artist, painting and giving workshops on
getting in touch with your own creativity, and apart from some occasional
nostalgia for the halcyon days at CBS (it was a special place - CBS AD's
actually did something, ABC and NBC AD's were just clock watchers, so far as
we were concerned) I'm glad to be out of it since everything seems to be run
by bean counters and people from the set of Friends.... on the production
side at any rate. That's it really. If any of you who remember my dulcit
tones calling for 'telops - are you there?' in a slightly anxious tone at
Grand Central Station, or crying out 'Oh Shit!' when the claxon went off in
PC31 and you find yourself in London, my phone number here is 020 7240 8777.
Chances are you're more likely to remember Jessica, she was, and still is,
much better looking and she's at the same number.
Anyway, the story I've taken so long to get around to is about the time Kim
Gregory was on duty in air control at Grand Central when the news room in the
Greybar Building (Does anyone remember the Greybar Optical Society?) called
to tell him to contact Washington DC concerning an upcoming bulletin which, I
think, was going to be a feed from them with Kim calling the cues to us in
Studio 43 to break into the network.
I had an open line to his office and could hear him tryng to contact
Washington. Apparently he could hear them, but they couldn't hear him. There
was a lot of pressure from the newroom to get the bulletin on air and Kim was
getting more and more frustrated. On my line I could hear him shouting - Can
you hear me! I'm here, I'm here! then after a brief pause, the log clerk
explained to me after that finally Washinton could hear Kim and had called
out 'Is that CBS?', and Kim replyed by roaring out so loud my phone line
nearly crackled... .I AM CBS!!!
Anyone who knew Kim will know why that was, and still is, so funny.
I enjoy all the stories I'm hearing even if I don't know everyone involved,
but there have been a lot of names I do know and haven't heard for many years
and I hope you are all well.
Regards, Tom Cook
From Joe Janovsky 7/23/2000
Subj: Another name
Date: 07/23/2000 5:26:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (Joe Janovsky)
To: (Tony Cucurullo)
Hi Tony,
Here’s a name for your list. I think he qualifies as a “character”.
I’m talking about Perry Brumfield. He was a video man on was it Dwight
Temple’s crew? He would ask you what your birthday was, and then tell
you something about yourself. He claimed it was not numerology or
astrology, but seemed to be akin to both. On one occasion he told me he
had a dream where God took him into space and showed him our solar
system, explaining the history and future of the earth, and of course,
he was not allowed to reveal anything that he saw. He did seem to have
some prophetic ability. It was 1960, BEFORE the Democratic convention;
I was working in Grand Central maintenance and got a call to go to the
old studio 42 for some problem. The subject of the conversation in the
control room was speculation as to who would be nominated for president
at the convention. Perry made the statement that the next president
would have blue eyes and die in office. And, as we all know, that
prophesy came true.
Take care, BCNU, 73 de Joe Janovsky.
From Les Burkhardt 7/23/2000
Hi Les
More sad news
just got word that one of our dear friends and coworkers , Rose Lacey,
passed away in her sleep this past Saturday July 22.
Funeral Services will be held at the....
Hilderbrands Funeral Home
6317 Woodhaven Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11352
718-639-5511
viewing... Monday July 24...2-5 & 7-9 pm
Tuesday July 25...2-5 & 7-9 pm
There will be a funeral mass on Wed. July 26 @ 9:45am at the..
Church of the Resurrection Ascension
Woodhaven Blvd. Flushing
freddie s
From Tony Cucurullo 7/24/2000
Subj: New victim
Date: 07/23/2000 8:48:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:(Elliot Gordon)
To: (Tony Cucurullo)
Some of the brothers may or may not know the following name that I
submit for your consideration. He was with Cronkite for 7 years and 5
years with Rather as Editor. His name is Sandy Polster:
I thank you very much Tony for all that you're doing.
My best,
Elliot G.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the kind words, but as you
know , through CBS portals passed the finest bunch of guys we could ever
have been associated with. ( where did I see that portal thing before ;
and did I end a sentence with a preposition ?? ) My mind goes back to
Irwin Solow, Ted P. , and all the rest of the guys. I would start
mentioning names but I know I would inadvertently leave out someone, now
that my once good memory, is slowing down.
Thanks again, Your old buddy, Joe
From: CBS SAL
To: Tonycucu
Hello Tony C,
I thought you might like to see me with me the girls that make life worth
living. You can forward this to all the boy if you like. I hope all is well.
As I'm sure you know CBS is nothing like you left it. It's run only for the
money. Professionalism as we knew it is gone. It's all who cheaply we can do
it, quality doesn't matter anymore. It's good to see some of the names on
your, friends list. I sometimes think back when I first came to CBS, from ABC
and went right on a soap. Boy, did I felt the tension! Now 20 years later,
I'm the one who has seen it all, can you believe that? I've worked on sports
since the 1985 Masters and never looked back.
As you can see from this picture, life goes on.
Caio Tony,
Salvatore Augugliaro
From Tony Cucurullo 7/24/2000
(some of you.....no names.....might have worked on one or two of these
events. Now with MTV and CBS as one under Viacom....looks like everything is
under Sumner's roof)
List of Rock Music's Top TV Moments
By The Associated Press
The top music moments on television, as selected by VH1 and Entertainment
Weekly magazine:
1. The Beatles' debut on ``The Ed Sullivan Show,'' 1964
2. Elvis Presley's comeback special on NBC, 1968.
3. MTV launches with first video, ``Video Killed the Radio Star'' by the
Buggles, 1981.
4. ``Saturday Night Live'' premieres, showcasing musical acts each week, 1975.
5. ``Motown 25'' special featuring Michael Jackson's first moonwalk, 1983.
6. Dick Clark's ``American Bandstand'' series premieres, 1957.
7. Live Aid aired by ABC and MTV, 1985.
8. Madonna rolls around the stage in a wedding gown singing ``Like a Virgin''
on the MTV Video Awards, 1984.
9. Elvis Presley performs on ``The Ed Sullivan Show,'' shown only from the
waist up, 1956.
10. The Who's use of too much explosives ending their performance on the
``Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour'' in 1967.
11. Michael Jackson's ``Thriller'' video debuts on MTV, 1983.
12. Elton John performs his ``Candle in the Wind'' remake at Princess Diana's
funeral, 1997.
13. ``The Monkees'' TV series premieres, 1966.
14. John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-host a week of ``The Mike Douglas Show,''
1972.
15. The Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Chuck Berry and James Brown perform on
``The T.A.M.I. Show'' on ABC, 1964.
16. The Doors sing ``girl we couldn't get much higher'' on ``The Ed Sullivan
Show'' after censors tell them not to, 1968.
17. Dancer with ``Soy Bomb'' written on his chest crashes Bob Dylan's Grammy
Awards performance, 1998.
18. Nirvana's ``Smells Like Teen Spirit'' video debuts on MTV, 1991.
19. Musicians tape the ``We Are the World'' video, 1985.
20. James Brown appears live from the Boston Garden after Martin Luther
King's assassination, 1968
From Tony Cucurullo 7/24/2000
In a Times article,'Cracking the Genetic Code: "What's next after genetic
decoding? Will we be able to control our feelings and desires? Will we
control every aspect of our lives" With the mapping of the human genome by
J.C. Venter and Francis Collins, man will be able to lengthen his life-span
by eradicating many of the existing causes of disease and death. This posses
many questions about social, and ethical implications.
If we cure all the diseases, and over come death. We can suppose they
then can eliminate all crime. To do this we must therefore establish
guidelines. The government can create more bureaucracy, and then a committee
to decided what factors shall go into the making of the ideal citizen
. With all the bad genes out of the body, we all be the same. Therefore we
won't need so many people. So working backwards on this problem; all we need
is two people. One man and one woman. But they will both be the same. Except
for the fun parts. Now the committee can fix this by removing sexual desire,
genetically of course. That leaves the perfect couple, that can live forever,
without problems of any kind? All that is needed now is an apple tree, and a
snake. So there, I've solved another great problem using CBS logic, If it
ain't broke don't fix it.
No I haven' been genetically corrected, yet. I am still, loveable, handsome,
and as Teddy say's modest too.
Date: 07/24/2000 6:35:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:(Les Burkhardt)
Hello Tony,
I will enter the name of the new victim into the computer list.
I am quite curious as to what those test messages were all about. What evil
thoughts does that Ted P have in his cranium.
I also note in the list of "Characters" one name from field has been
missing, Herb Donnely..
BTW,That was a good tribute to Tom and Joe .
I spoke with F Schutz last night and he said that there are some persons
upset with the fact that their names were mentioned in some of the emails.
Are these people so pissed at CBS that they can't get on with there lives
without the feeling of annimosity. I mean the people that they feel
faulted them are not caring one damn bit, and the only person who is feeling
any ill feeling is the person who holds that annimosity.
This is quite similar to the amount of road rage that occurs today, a
driver makes a bad move and you get all upset about it, what about the other
driver, is he upset? More that likely he is totally unaware as to what has
occurred.
Any how, That is my venting for the day....Think that I'll drop the boat in
the water and go fishing tomorrow.
Les Burkhardt
Subj: Long Time .And a Question .
Date: 07/24/2000 5:24:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Hrdeppe
To: Tonycucu
Hi Tony
I started to work for C.B.S. in 1949 Superviser was Fred Reinhart .Shop was 3
rd floor
Grand Central Studios I worked with Bruce Meyers Bob Brown and Ed Benford .
Plus a
guy all the old timers should know Jerry Martin .Another guy which we should
look into
is Joe Geiger .It would be great if you could find out what happend to Hom
Young He
was last seen working in Maint .At 57 Street, Appreciate any information you
can give me Thanks for all the info you give us on the Net
P.S Hom Young lived in Chinatown N.Y I I left C.B.S In 1973
Health Reasons.
Best Regards Harold Deppe
Subj: Thoughts from Andy Rooney
Date: 07/24/2000 3:19:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: LynnLeeR1
To: Tonycucu
Thoughts from Andy Rooney
I've learned....that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an
elderly person.
I've learned....that when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned....that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!"
makes my day.
I've learned....that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the
most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned....that being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned....that you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned....that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the
strength to
help him in some other way.
I've learned....that no matter how serious your life requires you to be,
everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned....that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a
heart to
understand.
I've learned....that simple walks with my father around the block on summer
nights
when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned....that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it
gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned....that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we
ask for.
I've learned....that money doesn't buy class.
I've learned....that it's those small daily happenings that make life so
spectacular.
I've learned....that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be
appreciated and loved.
I've learned....that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me
think I can?
I've learned....that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned....that when you plan to get even with someone, you are only
letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned....that love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned....that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to
surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned....that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned....that there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies
and
feeling their breath on your cheeks.
I've learned....that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned....that life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned....that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the
ones you miss.
I've learned....that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock
elsewhere.
I've learned....that I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one
more time
before she passed away.
I've learned....that one should keep his words both soft and tender,
because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned....that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned....that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do
about it.
I've learned....that when your newly born grandchild holds your little
finger in his
little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned....that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all
the
happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned....that it is best to give advice in only two circumstances;
when it is
requested and when it is a life-threatening situation.
I've learned....that the less time I have to work with, the more things I
get done.
Subj: Mary Durante
Date: 07/24/2000 4:21:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:(Myers)
Tony,
Please keep all those stories coming. We really miss you guys and Gals!
It isn't the same anymore. Not much in the way of laughs at the place.
Everyone is much too serious.
Paul Degenhardt (Fred's son) and I were walking down 56th street last week
and who do we spot, but Mary Durante. She looks great and I think, like
Jimmy Wall, must have a Dorian Grey painting in her attic. Needless to
say that we got one of those great Mary Durante Hugs! She had her little
dog with her and said to say hello to anyone that may still be there that
remembers her.
Jimmy Wall works sometimes for the News Department and he looks the same
as he has for the last 20 years. His resonant voice still booming "five
minutes.... Five minutes!"
I always thought that they should put a sign up over the entrance of the
Broadcast Center and every other CBS facility "Through these portals pass
the greatest people in the Broadcast Business".
Keep the stories coming. Maybe we should have a web site to post
pictures.
Bob Myers
Subj: elvis presley
Date: 07/24/2000 8:43:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: BIG DAILEY
To: Tonycucu
HI TONY..I WAS THE TD ON SULLIVAN WHEN PRESLEY
MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE. ED SULLIVAN CAME TO
ME AFTER THE DRESS REHEARSAL AND SAID "BOB
WHEN WE GO ON AIR I WANT YOU TO CUT TO A
WAIST SHOT ON ELVIS WHEN HE STARTS TO GYRATE
DONT LISTEN TO JOHNNY WRAY OR MARLO LEWIS..
YOU CUT TO A WAIST SHOT." I HAD WALT DINEIER
WHO WAS A GREAT CAMERAMAN AND A WONDERFUL
MAN JUST SIT WITH A WAIST SHOT AND WHEN HE
LOOKED LIKE HE WOULD GYRATE I WOULD CUT TO
WALT..ED EXPLAINED TO ME THAT ELVIS WOULD
CHANGE CLOTHES BEFORE AIR TAKE OFF HIS UNDER-
WARE AND PUT ON A LOOSE PAIR OF PANTS.. ED
GOT SOME RATHER BAD PRESS FOR THAT BUT HE
NEVER REVEALED THE REASON FOR DOING IT..ED
WAS NOT ALL BAD..HE WAS PRINCIPLED...
REGARDS BOB DAILEY
From Tony Cucurullo 7/25/2000
Date: 07/25/2000 11:58:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: vinnycas
Hi Tony
Great stories keep them coming.
As you probably know I spent most of my career at CBS
in the central tech area primarily in Video Tape and we had
our share of interesting people(Charactors)who were gentle,
moral, and sometimes devious when it came to playing pranks.
I believe I was one of the few who walked the straight and narrow.
I would like to pay homage to some of these friends.
The first person I admired and respected was Hal Bailey,the
hardest working,gentlest man I ever met, and one of the best
video tape technicians anywhere. You could count on him in any
situation, he was always ready to help ,day or night. When he took ill,he
would still come to work after his treatments,even though he
could have remained at home. A fine man.
Then there was George Hartman a giant of a man (standing next to
me every body is a giant) George was well over 6Ft tall and weighed
near three hundred pounds if not more,but George could move around
as graceful as a ballet dancer and was the best video tape editor in
television .
George always worked the 12-8am. shift and had a great appetite. He was
a
supervisor in video tape and had a desk right in the center of operating
area
where he always stored a bagful of walnuts which would satisfy him
temporarily.
During the course of the night ,George would sit at his desk ,open the
draw and
pull out a handful of nuts,place them on the top of the desk and slam his
giant
fist on them to crack open the shells. Throughout the night you would
hear this thud.
One night before George came into work,some technicians who will remain
nameless
took a handful of nuts from Georges desk pried the shells open with a
knife,filled them
with ketchup and then glued each shell back together again and put them
back into
Georges desk. George came into work that night ,went about his
business,and then
sat down at his desk, we then heard the desk draw open and then the
first thud as he
pounded the walnuts and then a loud roar as the ketchup flew ,George
was usually soft
spoken and mild mannered but when he got up from his desk and came out
,you can
guess the rest. I believe someone also tried to put real nuts and bolts
in some of the shells .
George wasn't as upset about the prank as he was when he notice his
nightly supply of useful
nuts had been reduced by the prank.
And then there was another nameless technician who was brilliant , but
could get bored
just recording and playing back video tape. Several times this technician
had dozed off during play back to air ,fortunately without any major
catastrophe,but he was getting a little concerned that his luck might run
out. One day he came into work with a cane and this device over his ear
that resembled a hearing aid. He set up his video tape machine recorded
the show and sure enough during playback to air he started to doze,all of
a sudden there is a low level beeping sound by his machine and then a
rustling noise and as we ran over to this machine we see this
technician all flustered as if he been startled by some unknown object.
When asked what happened he explained that he had gone to the Hoffritz
store in Grand Central station and purchased this device that you clip on
to your ear ,and as long as your head remains level there is no effect
but if you tilt your head upward or downward a loud sound is emitted
directly to your ear. He thought that it would solve his napping problem
instead it almost scared him out of his wits. By the way the cane could
be use as a remote start or stop device so he did not have to get up from
his seated position,neither device worked. Don't ask me how the problem
was solved.
Vinny Castrataro
From: (William L Murtough)
Hi Tony,
Someone commented a few days ago about the lack of promotions from within
the ranks. There was a reason for this. Bob Hammer told someone that he
would never promote anyone that was smarter than he was. That was the way
Bob got the job. He convinced a new corporate head that he was smarter
than my long time friend, Tommy (R.G.) Thompson. Tommy was a very fine
person and really knew the business. In 1944 I was a chief engineer in
upstate New York and phoned a friend in New York who was in a related
business and knew all the broaddcasters, asking him to arrange some
appointments as I wanted to return to New York. When I arrived via
sleeper the next morning, my friend told me to go over to CBS and shake
hands with my new boss, Henry Grossman. Tommy, who was second in command,
sat in on the interview. We became long time friends. Many years later
when I wanted to switch to TV Tommy arranged it. ( the heyday of radio
was waning as was the big money we earned).
I was regularly temporarily promoted for special events such as space
shots, conventions, etc., which gave me a good income without having to
cow tow to anyone. Bob Hammer and I had great respect for each other and
had a fine relationship. The day after Bob was made vice president I ran
into he and his wife at the Ford Museum in Dearborn. I congratulated him,
ending with "It's about time". His reply was "coming fom you, Bill, that
is a great compliment".
The last time I saw Bob was after we had both retired. It was in the
"Auto Train" termimal in Sanford, FL. Frank Chionchio and I along with
our wives were catching the train. I was at the Pullman window, when I
spotted Bob in the coach line. I managed to keep out of his line of sight
while I completed my transaction, as, knowing that Bob was exciteable and
might screwup. When I went back to where Frank was sitting I told him
about Bob but suggested we wait untill he completed his check in. When he
left the window Frank and I pounced on him. Frank commented to him that
"Bill is travelling Pullman". Bob's reply was "of course he is". We did
have a good relationship.
I started in the broadcasting business as an engineer at WHN in 1936 at
age 20. Got my first class phone license in 1937. Worked for awhile at
WMCA. Also several out of town stations.When the Bulova organization
bought WOV and upped it to 10,000 watts, they asked me to take charge.
When I was asked what my title should be I asked for Chief Engineer.
However I was too young so I opted for Technical Supervisor, a smart
choice I would realize later. Chief Engineers do not get paid for
overtime, supervisors do.
Shortly after Pearl Harbor I was offered a job with the War Department. I
was not interested but the head of my draft board convinced me to accet
it. I was sent to a Radar school and became a Radar expert, later running
field tests on development sets, including the first Doppler system.
I built and established several new radio stations after leaving the
Signal Corps. Made the measurements and filed the FCC papers. Announced,
sold time , and managed.
I transferred to KNX (CBS-Hollywood) for six years. Due to the smog I
transferred back to New York radio, then a couple of years later Tommy
arranged my transfer to TV.
I had a good life at CBS and had no regrets at never getting a permanent
promotion (Icouldn't afford it).
BILL MURTOUGH
From Tony Cucurullo 7/26/2000
From: (William L Murtough)
Hi Tony,
One thing about Bob Hammer that I forgot. After he retired, Bob went to
college and earned his degree. It was sad that his life was cut so short.
About Al Bresson. He had been admiring Herb Donnely's great head of hair
and asked Herb how he did it. Herb, who had a great sense of humor,
explained that he used a special lotion and agreed to get a jar for Al.
Then Herb got a jar of cold creme, mixed it with lamp-black, and brought
it in to Al. We never knew what the result was.
BILL MURTOUGH
From: Alfred L. consiglio)
Incidentally, I knew George Hartman very
well. He was the best Video Tape Editor at CBS in his time. Later after his
death, Hank Wolf became the best Video Tape Editor at CBS. He too, died
prematurely.
I add with pride that my son Pete was well on his way to assuming that
mantle.
Instead he left CBS, a bit frustrated, and became HBO's best Computer Video
Tape Editor. I hope here the similarity ends.
He now holds a management position that allows some hands on. (different
rules now) He is. I think, the equivalent of Graphic Artist and Video Tape
Editor, all computerized of course.
From: Tony C
Reminiscing about Harold Bailey, I am reminded of two incidences. One
quick story. Hal, brought his baby son to Studio 53 for a visit. I was doing
camera three. We were on a break when he asked to hold his son. Well the baby
peed on me. All the way down to my shoe. What makes that unusual is that his
son worked with me on a show, when he was hired as a technician. I constantly
reminded him that he wet me down.
Second Hard Bailey, and Ed Wolf story , takes place on a Sunday. In the
morning we were assigned to the Bill Leonard, morning Show. (incidentally
Bill owned several race horses, some quite good) On that Sunday morning, Mr.
Leonard, told a story about Ford Motor Company going public, the next day on
the stock exchange. He several pieces of paper that duplicates of the stock
that was to be issued. Well after the show I asked the stagehands if I could
have those shares of stock as a souvenir. They allowed that I could take
them. Well we three were scheduled to do the Sullivan Show that night. We
went to have some lunch over at the Stage Deli. I had the three shares of
Ford Motor stock in my jacket, and I had the jacket hanging on a hook with
the stock facing out. In walks Walt Dineer, George Moses, and some others,
(the others escape my memory now). Well we exchanged greetings and Walt
notices the stock protruding from my jacket pocket. He inquires about it. Up
to that point in my life I never owned a share of stock, and I never saw one
either. Walter asked how I could possibly have over 150 shares of stock. I
told (it happened in the blink of an eye my tale of deceit) him my uncle was
a prominent judge in New York and he big friends on the exchange. They were
able to get him an advance on the Ford Stock for $50 a share. It was to open
tomorrow at $65 for the very first time. He immediately started that old
buddy crap about how we should share to good fortune. I told him I could only
get 59 shares a piece for Ed Wolf and Harold Bailey. Walt looks at them, and
Ed with a mouth full of pastrami mumbles yes. Walt storms out of the deli.
When we get to the studio, I sneak up to the Sullivan office and I type in
all sorts of information of these bogus stocks certificates. I give one to
Harold and another to Ed. All day through blocking, dress, and almost up to
air. Walt was all over me to get him some stock. I told him I only could do
it if they had the cash. Walt comes back in five minutes and say's his is
driving in with the money. I pretend to call my uncle but to no avail, of
course. My very dear friend George Moses came to me and kid, we went to
school together, how about it…Whoa.. George. It's a scam. I'm just having
fun. He tells me pal, Walt has the sense of humor of an egg plant goomba,
especially when it comes to money. I went to him and tried to explain that it
was a gag. He called Bob Dailey on the cans and said he wanted another guy to
push him on the ramp. He didn't talk to me for a year after that. By the way
I still have those shares anyone interested in buying them. I'll sell them at
market… what do you say…..
Tony C.
From Tony Cucurullo 7/27/2000
With the political roulette wheel spinning at the moment, our CBS troops
are hard at work at the overtime factory in Philadelphia. It seems that the
ball will fall into the preordained slots of Busch and Cheney. I wonder if
the political correctness for the vice-presidency has occurred to the two
major contestants. The killer-bee from Texas and the Yogurt salesman from
Tennessee.
His choice remains to be seen. So at least he has time to reflect on what I
consider a viable candidate.
Using,"CBS logic," And only those that have lived the major portion of their
adult life with the company know that we are hard skinned individuals.
Someone's ethnic makeup has no bearing in our thinking. You could not exist
at CBS if you couldn't live with the day to day barbs that were slung about
with the very air you breathe. With that as a background I'd like to offer
these thoughts that come from my Uni-cell brain to be valuable advice.
An ideal candidate, should be a woman, whose composition could be: a
person born of a black woman that has an Asian or Nordic heritage. That has
the name, Consuelo Fife Goldberg. She should be an ex-nun, that has the
standard US allotment of 2 ½ children. Her significant other should be a
lesbian longshoreman. The father to her children could be anyone of three or
four accommodating sperm donors. Preferably, at least one should have been an
Anglo-Saxon Wasp, or a practicing born again Christian. How ever if she chose
an Australian Aborigine, that might enhance her image to the indigent and
homeless. The final prerequisite, could be if the donor was a CBS
non-impotent managerial type. I believe there was one?? So if you agree with
this assessment of a worthy representative of the typical American standard
bearer for the vice-presidency, you can mail this to the Select Committee for
the choosing of candidates at the conventions. Or you can hit your DELETE
KEY. Thank you, I hope this satisfies, and clears up all the mysterious
machinations that goes into the selection process. Let me know your feelings.
I will tally the results and pass them along to the other CBS wastrels, that
have nothing better to do than to sit at their computer and use up your ink.
86
Tony c
From: ArnolKn
To: Tonycucu
Tony:
Don't feel badly about your spelling!
President Andrew Jackson said that anyone who couldn't spell a word at least
two ways wasn't very smart.
73
Arny King
From:(Alfred L. consiglio)
Hi Tony,
Because you sent out my little bragging piece to your net, I received a
reply from Harvre Gilman. Is he retired? I answered him and forwarded his
response to my son.
Harve as I recall was an editor before Pete was hired. I'm sure he had a
hand in Pete's education along with other editors.
As you are fond of saying, the CBS group of the old days were a good group.
As long as you were amicable there was always instructional help.
I devide the old days of CBS into three eras.
The Golden Age of live TV (the
50's)
The Silver Age of live to Tape.( the 60's and 70's)
and the silicon days of
computer
editing and graphics. (the 80's and 90's). Happily, I lived through and was
gainfully employed at CBS through all of those eras.
The question now is --- What do we call this present era?
Regards Al C.
From: DCG51
To: Tonycucu
Tony
I't's been many years since I left CBS to venture into the Golf Channel. I've
since left the Golf Channel and am Free Lancing (Mostly for Fox) I contacted
Les a couple of weeks ago after talking to Gayle Depoli. She has kept me up
to date until now. I wasn't aware that y'all were such a vast network of the
Old Guard. Comparatively speaking I'm one of the "Young" ones. Although I
wish I felt that young. I am in Florida on the opposite coast as Les. I hope
you are doing well and keep the cards and letters coming.
Best Regards
David C. Graham
From: DepoliG
To: Tonycucu
Oh my....another name I haven't heard in a million years. Does anybody still
have his artwork? All that doodling in the lounge on the breaks from the
soaps. When are you going to publish the book?
From: DepoliG
To: Tonycucu
RE: (editor)her luncheon with Hans Singer and Sig Meyers in Florida.
Dear Tony,
Of course my mouth was flapping away...and so was Hans. Sig was a little
quiet..but we had a nice long lunch and shot the breeze. It was funny that
after we talked for a few minutes I asked who else from the old timers were
down here. Sig said he saw Stan Gould YEARS ago when he and his wife
(girlfriend at that time) went to visit him.
We were telling all the stories that would be impossible to share with the
group e-mail. We had lots of laughs. Names I haven't heard or spoken about
in years. Harold Hoffman, Dick Douglas, Marty Stewart. Talk about
Characters. I had to tell the Marty story of how he would always walk
tilting forward and stiff with that bad back....say the word WDO...and he
would straighten up like a rail. We talked about the old dress codes and how
they were doing a studio show one time when Joe Schwartz showed up wearing
shorts. JOE...SHORTS? Anyway no one said anything until he put his leg up
on the pedestal. They told him to go home and change. I can just imagine.
The boys looked good and healthy and we had a great time. Then I ran to a
meeting that lasted 3 hours and then into another for another 1 1/2.
Now....I'm FRIED. It's 10 PM and I have been on the go since 8 AM....another
early day tomorrow. I'm almost looking forward to the flight to Sydney for a
few hours of undisturbed sleep.
Luv ya,
Gayle
OK, Gayle, I edited it a bit. Tony C.
From Bob Vernum 7/27/2000
In a message dated 07/27/2000 6:28:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Vernum writes:
<< Subj: concorde
Date: 07/27/2000 6:28:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Vernum
To: Tonycucu
the recent tragedy in france brought me flashing back to october 1983,my ex
and i were on vacation in nice-monte carlo(she was a united employee so many
things were possible)!
we found out while there that british had a concorde chartered
that was not full,it so happened to be the day we were to go home,instead of
a free trip on air france 747 we elected to spring for $400 each to go home
supersonic!it was truly a flight to remember,since leslie and i
were both private pilots we rationlized that we would probably never get
the chance to do it again-----certainly not at the normal fare!
the real kicker to this little story is that it was a friday
afternoon we lived in rockland county and arrived at JFK,the flight from
london to JFK was 3hours 25 minutes!we had our car parked at the employee
parking lot it took 2 and one half hours to drive 40 miles!!!!---do the math!!
those passengers never got to experience the joy of supersonic
flight i am sure the anticipation was there--a truly tragic event!
certainly no attempt to minimize this tragedy by telling this tale,it
just jogged my mind-.keep up the good work!
BOB >>
From Tony Cucurullo 7/28/2000
This is another request to remove a name from my list. There might be more
that feel that they want the mail to stop. So, I am closing down my OPEN
FORUM. It was an Idea that I felt would bring memories to some of you and too
myself. I thank all of you that participated. To those that did not I hope
you received a bit of pleasure from it. But, I implore you to keep alive the
CBS family through your own personal list. I wish all of you the very best
health. Make each day count. And remember to attend the CBS Luncheons. Fred
Schutz and those that help him deserve an enormous amount of thanx. for their
efforts. Finally, Please say a pray that Doris gets well, so that she might
continue her column.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU:
Regards,
Tony Cucurullo
From Tony Cucurullo 7/29/2000
THIS IS THE NICEST OF THE REQUEST TO STOP SENDING MAIL. I EDITED THE NAME. HE
HAS EVERY RIGHT TO HAVE THE MAIL STOP. THE VICIOUS ONE I WILL NOT SEND NOR
REVEAL IT'S CONTENTS OR NAME. I FEEL THAT PERSON IS EXPERIENCING SOME
PHYSICAL PROBLEM. HOWEVER HERE IS THE LAST MAIL I RECEIVED UP UNTIL SAT. AM.
I OWED THESE MESSAGE TO ALL OF YOU.
To: tonycucu
Tony--PLEASE,PLEASE delete me from your E-mail list! I check my E-mail very
infrequently, an yesterday I had 40 messages from you, which my modest
facility took forever to download. Thanks.
Subj: Re: two raunchy ones
Date: 07/28/2000 11:19:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: GATTO43
To: Tonycucu
Tony,
You talk about the good old days, still being at cbs is like guarding a
mausoleum. The phantoms of all those great stories still remain in the
studios. Every once and awhile I fine a bagel left by Rothstein,Lightstone or
Bernie"Ace" Goldman. It does my heart good to see that the people who gave
this place it great character still keep in touch. A big part of my day is
when I check my e-mail and read the jokes and the response of all the great
people who past through this place. It keeps me going. God bless all of you
and to borrow a line from Bob Hope,"Thanks for the memories".
Andy Gatto
DepoliG: are you getting that much negative response? Or has this become
too much of a task as well?
Tonycucu: That's one. That is nice to read.
DepoliG: get outta here...you havent' sent 40 total
DepoliG: well you know what...you know who likes it...make a smaller
distribution list
Tonycucu: Cal Marotta just sent the same response as you
Tonycucu: My idea was a simple one. To open up our sedantary lives a
little
DepoliG: so I think your e-mail will get you the positive feed from those
that love it....keep those names and let those other old farts do their day
trading on their computers
Tonycucu: I'll see.
Date: 07/28/2000 11:25:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: CMar48
To: Tonycucu
I think the open forum is great. Don`t stop it because of a few disgruntled
people.
Take their names off the list and wish them goodbye and good luck but don`t
let THE FEW ruin it for the rest of us.MAJORITY RULES...cal
subj: Ghosts, goblins & phantoms
Date: 07/28/2000 8:47:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (Joe Janovsky)
To: (Tony Cucurullo)
Hi Toni,
I guess it's a moot point now, but to understand the "Phantom of Video
Tape" you would have to get hold of some of the boys who were in video
tape back in the 60's. My information is third hand. One of the
legends (?) was that he supposedly siced the cops on the place claiming
the video tape guys were making porno tapes. The cops made them erase a
reel of out-takes that had, among other things, some shots of Julie
Andrews doing a headstand. Stuff like that, a real pill, wet blanket.
But then, Vass you dere, Sharlie?
Stay well, tnx fer all the fine stories.
73, Joe J.
Date: 07/28/2000 5:14:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (Alfred L. consiglio)
Hi Tony,
Just another example of: If you put 10 guys in a room, you will have 10
differsent ways to solve the problem. Che La Vita. Regards Al C.
Subj: Please Don't Stop !!!
Date: 07/28/2000 4:26:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (James Herschel)
Tony, I don't know if we ever met at CBS since I was in Engineering and
you were a Technician. I just want to tell you how much I've enjoyed
reading your e-mails since I personally knew most of the people that
were mentioned in your Open Forum. Many were close friends when I
worked at CBS and I respected them for their contributions to
Broadcasting and I'm sure many had the same feelings towards my
contributions. In all the e-mails you sent, I can't recall anything
that would give anyone cause to be offended by what you wrote. Just
because a few narrow minded SOB's objected to having their names in
print is no reason for you to give up this project. I strongly advise
you to reconsider your decision because there is no doubt in my mind
that a vast majority of ex-CBS people appreciated your e-mails.
Jim Herschel 1966-1995 @ CBS
From: LynnLeeR1
To: Tonycucu
As Fred Harmen once said why let the aligators bite your ass, when the
original goal was to drain the swamp. Don't I repeat don't you give up this
open forum. If the aged thin skinned ass holes can't take the heat, then
they never should have been working in show business. Please keep in touch
and pass on to me your exchanges with our other CBS'ers With a big smile and
a warm heart....Lee Levy
From: (Malachy Wienges)
>Tony;
Don't stop. I love it.
Mal
Date: 07/28/2000 1:34:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: bjsig20
Dear Tony;
I can see why there are some people that would rather not want some of
their CBS
escapades to become public for family reasons. BUT, there are many of
us who
really enjoy re-living our days at CBS and I for one, (and I also speak
for Hans
Singer), would like you to continue. I am sure that no one will go over
the edge
and tell stories that will embarass or harm anyone... My years at CBS
were very
good ones and we did have a lot of fun and live through interesting
times. We
covered great historical events and were there when they happened.
Please keep
up the chats and letters. Especially for us older guys..... I know the
past few
weeks on the computer has given me a lift. Best regards.......
Sig Meyers
Date: 07/28/2000 1:20:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: BIG DAILEY
To: Tonycucu
SO SORRY TONY I MUST SAY I ENJOYED HEARING
ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE WE WORKED WITH..SOME
PEOPLE GET NERVOUS WHEN THEIR PRIVACY IS
THREATENED EVEN THOUGH IT IS QUITE HARMLESS
THANKS AGAIN TONY..IT WAS GOOD WHILE IT
LASTED.
BOB
Date: 07/28/2000 1:18:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (Thomas Nadig)
Dear Tony, I am sorry to see the CBS retiree's Tales come to an end. But as
they say "all good things come to an end eventually!" Having been gone from
NY and CBS for so long it was great to relive some of the stories of people
I remember from my days at CBS. I know you must have put in a lot of time
into keeping the relay going and I for one really appreciate it. Good Luck
and Good Health. IF or When you go to the next Retirees lunch, please
remember me to the "guys" from the 50's 60's and or 70's.
Sincerely, Tom Nadig
P.S. I have never met Doris, but, my wife and I always enjoy her news bits
of all the people who stay in touch with her. Our thoughts and prayers are
with her for a speedy recovery.
Date: 07/28/2000 12:43:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Phyl1713
To: Tonycucu
Dear Tony,
Just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed reading all the retirees'
reflections. There were so many names I recognize. I particularly laughed
at the references to Hans (who, as you may or may not know, is my
brother-in-law). I know that Freddy would have gotten a kick out of all the
memories and could have added many of his own.
I'm hoping that before too long I'll be able to bring myself to attend one of
the luncheons. Right now, it would still be too painful. Meanwhile, I will
be praying for Doris - she is one spectacular gal - and I thank you for
including me in your "grapevine."
Sincerely, Phyllis Holst
Date: 07/28/2000 12:02:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: (Emily)
To: (Tony)
Sorry about your cancellation. Enjoyed it while you did it, but I hardly
knew any of them, but Thanks anyway. I have kept your email address, but
just in case I do not have it right, please acknowledge by just saying GOT IT.
Yours in Christ, Carl Paulson
From Tony Cucurullo 7/29/2000
July 29, 2000
I have just sent along to all of you the last of the mail that I
received. It speaks for its self. I am pleased that so many want to continue
hearing from those that write.
I do understand those individuals that may not want to receive as much
mail as I have been sending along. And, perhaps too, my efforts though
sophomoric may have been too course in nature. Al though I do feel that the
CBS'ers that I write to are erudite, and street smart. An occasional
(strictly editorial) vituperative language, or an injected expletive, was
merely to spice up a story. Vis-a-vis, Bob Vernum's story about Al Bressan.
So, in this context, I will endeavor to keep the stories coming to you
only three times a week. Mon-Wed-Fri. I will continue to edited the mail if I
think it might offend someone. I also hope that you continue to contribute
what ever comes to mind. Apparently, all of the reminiscences, that you have
sent have been positively accepted.
One final word to the disgruntled individual. Vinnie Bartillucci, Mike
DeIeso, Frank Marth, George Selinger, Jerry Sullivan, and all the CBS men and
women that served the Union also fought the Negotiations with all their
might, but never sought to destroy the company, but to improve working
conditions that helped all that worked in our beloved CBS.
And, as for disparaging my patriotism, I stand with all those that served in
the military. My record is an open book. I am proud of my efforts, just as
Pierce Evans, Al Fabricatore, Jim McCarthy, Neil McCaffery, Geo. Naeder,
Bernie Sweeney, Vernon Surphlis, Dave Paine, Chic Gulino, Sig Meyers, Tom
DeLila, Leo Hoy, Leon Schiff, Hermen Lang, Steve Palecek, Ray Scotty Ethier,
Chico Claudio, and all the others that participated in COMBAT for this great
nation of ours.
I could understand your antagonism towards, an individual. But that should be
a personal issue for you to cope with. But, to blanket our staff in your
vitriolic statements, I suggest you see a professional for help. With this
message to you I strike your name from amongst the hallowed names you despise.
Tony C
From Tony Cucurullo 7/29/2000
Tony,
If someone is receiving unwanted email from you, they should just simply
delete it if they object to receiving it. If they don't know how to do that,
then they are too stupid to be using the web!
Keep those stories and info coming! I''ve talked to many CBS'ers and
they all have nothing but praise for all of you efforts.
I think you'll enjoy the attachment to this message.
Regards,
Teddy
Tony
Don't stop the open forum,its fun ,it brings back memories,
it keeps you in touch,and it is harmless.
Delete the names of those who requested to be removed
and take the liberty of editing future stories (names ,locations,events
etc.)
that may in your opinion offend anyone.
By the way I had lunch with Ted Perzetsky, Johnny MacManus,
Fred Schutz, and Dwight Temple. Chico Claudio was supposed
to attend, but wasn't feeling that well. We reminisced about CBS,
But our main topic of conversation was who was to get custody
of Ted Perzetsky while Chico was under the weather ,I lost so for the
next few weeks ,Ted has been temporarily adopted by me.
Regards
Vinny Castrataro
From: ArnolKn
To: Tonycucu
Tony:
There's always one in a crowd and that one shouldn't cause you to quit doing
what is apparently bringing so much joy to so many others.
The mention of Irv and Sid brought back many memories of long ago.
Apparently Doris Reardon whose work I enjoy reading but do not know is not
fully recovered and I join with all the others in wishing her well.
I live in a retirement village and see nothing but canes, walkers and the
like. A few days a gal here whose husband is in the hospital with 11
doctors in attendance asked me how come I was so well.
My reply of not going to doctors and using color therapy elicited no
response and she has not spoken to me since! That's the way life goes.
And, after all these years of paying and never using Medicare I finally
cancelled it and now have 40 bucks more for me. Life is sweet.
Best Wishes
Arny King
To: Tonycucu
Edit your mailing list. Why deprive the rest of our fraternity from the joy
of fond memories.... Lee
Dear Tony:
I do not have the e-mail address of Phylis Holst. Hans, (her
brother-in-law) doesn't have a computer and doesn't know it. It must be
listed under her travel agency. Would greatly appreciate it if you
would e-mail it to me. The support for you to continue the great job
you have been doing seems to be very heavy. Pleeeze consider
continuing...
Best regards........ Sig
From: (Albert T. Sabin)
Dear Tony,
I swam with the sharks and survived, suffered many nibbles but no
mortal bites. Don't let them get to you now. Keep swimming, we'll protect
you. Regards from the West,
Al Sabin
From: (William/Patricia Berridge)
Hi Tony,
I am writing this from a CBS wife's point of view And have
to say that you guys had the best jobs regardless of what you did. I
loved saying my husband worked for CBS. You guys made it #1. You
worked hard together and formed a close family. Not enough Emmy's were
passed out to all of you. But the fond memories are unreplaceable. My
husband, Bill Berridge (Red) and I talk about the great friends and
funny gags they played on each other. I know, because they played many
on me. Here's a list of of fellas we must all remember at one time. A
special prayer goes out to them.
Pete Reed, Ed Donovan,Geo. Nader, Jim Murphy, Pat Finn, Dick Douglas,
Hal Baily, Red McSpaden, Charlie Lyons, Charlie Giriard, Walter Pile,
Roy Jackson, Frank Florio, Vern Serphlis, Al Bressan. Bob Hammer. There
should be a CBS Memorial for all of you. Where would TV be without
you? There are many others but Red needs more time to think about it.
See you at the luncheon.
Red & Pati
Berridge
From:(Alfred L. consiglio)
Hi Again Tony,
Glad to see all the responses to your decision to quit the chats. I agree
with them all.
If you continue to do all the work required to keep it going, you're a
better man than I. If you do continue you will of course be obligated to
delete all names that are requested and also delete all references to those
parties, for your own safety and peace. Which of course would be more work
for you.
Good luck on whatever decision you make.
Regards Al C.
From: bjsig20
Dear Tony;
Thank you for your letter and the e-mail address. I don't know who this
disgruntled CBSer is and I really don't care. In every group one finds some
ass---- that is negative and always wants to stir the pot and create
dissension
in the ranks. You and I know all about patriotism. I recently had to
straighten
out one of my daughters about WWII and how everyone responded to the call to
defend this great country of ours. The new generations just doesn't get it
and it
upsets me something awful. I get so worked up when I see our Flag desecrated.
This happened recently here in Miami with the demonstrations by some of the
Cubans. Here, they wave Cuban flags so much that I cannot tell if the newpix
on
TV are coming from Havana or Miami. The WWII armed forces guy are passing on
at
the rate of 1000 per month!! I have recently contacted one of the local
colleges
that has been advertising for WWII vets to come in and have their war
experiences
recorded for a permanent record. I think that it is a great idea. The coming
generations should not forget that the freedoms that they enjoy is because of
hundreds of thousands of men and women of our generation who responded to the
call
and did what they had to do. Keep in good health...
Best... Sig Meyers
From:(Elliot Gordon)
To: (Tony Cucurullo)
But also a few tears---
I can't decipher the exchange you had with some recalcitrant brother but
for my part you're the greatest secretary anyone ever had. Wish I could
reciprocate with some memories but as always I'll just be a bystander.
Best wishes,
Elliot G.
From: (Linda Brooks)
To: (Tony Cucurello)
I was delighted to see how you cared to put a chat line and bring back
memories from the old days. Then I was a bit shocked with the amount of
messages I got every day! But as a good maintenance person that I still am, I
found a way to correct the problem: Those that I didn't recognize, I hit the
delete button. If fixes the problem in 2 seconds, maybe you should inform
everyone of this solution for those who don't know. Like everything in life
some people are boring, but most of the guys have been great and I hate to
see your chat line disappear. My suggestion to you: Use the delete on those
address that don't want to see it and continue the good work. Being that its
new everyone is jumping in, but in a couple of months guys will run out of
stories and it should slow down.
Was glad to hear that my old coworker, Gail Di is doing well on the West
Coast; hi, if you are reading.
Myself I'm planning to retire next year and move to Sun City Hilton Head, SC,
its a great place. Anyone from CBS living there or planning to move there?
Jorge Moran
From: Hrdeppe
Tony.
I enjoy all the info You are sending us But in the real world you cant please
everyone so
Why not have Two Forums. One that you have been doing and a new one a
Question and Answer. On odd Days the one you have been doing and the even
Days Questions and
Answers There are many Questions out there that us Ex C.B.S.Old Guys would
like
answered. So if a Question is asked some one might have the answer Like What
was the
Equipment like in 1945 compared to today or why did Jerry Martin shave off
his Mustache
And does Bob Daily remember who he gave Tickets so His Daughter could see
Elvis Presley at the Ed Sullivan Theater way back when ? and what happend to
Hom Young ?
Best Regards
Harold Deppe.
P.S If You dont like the Show CLick the Remote .
From: brugail
THOSE THAT HAVE SHOWN UTTER DISREGARD FOR STORIES THAT
YOU HAVE TOLD WERE AND NEVER WILL BE IN THE MAIN STREAM.
THESE ARE THE SAME INDIVIDUALS WHO SWORE THEY VOTED
AGAINST THE CONTRACT AS WE WALKED THE LINES. THE SAME
INDIVIDUALS WHO NEVER WOULD SHOW THE INITIATIVE TO MAKE A
FINAL RESULT BETTER. THEY ARE STILL VIEWING LIFE IN BLACK
AND WHITE. KEEP THE TIDBITS COMING ANTHONY, I FOR ONE AM
STILL ALIVE AND APPRECIATE THE VALIDITY AND HUMOR FROM
THE PROFESSIONALS I WORKED WITH FOR 35 YEARS.
THANKS
From: SkipponVis
To: Tonycucu
29/7/00
Tony
Don't shut down the open forum because of the few complaints. These people
can just be taken off the list, can't they? I would think most enjoy the
memories. It's not about turning the clock back or excessive nostalgia, just
a kind of digitalised class reunion and a chance to catch up on how some
people we knew (or didn't know that well, but depended upon in our jobs) are
doing and what they thought about a shared experience at CBS.
Tom Cook
From: brugail
TONY I GOT THE PICTURES. BUT THATS ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE
MICROSOFT WORD. ANYONE THAT DOESNT HAVE THAT WILL NOT GET
THE PICS I BELIEVE. LET ME KNOW IF I AM CORRECT. I AM
HAVING TROUBLE TRYING TO SEND PIX A DIFFERENT WAY. mY
SCANNER WIL SEND IT DIRECT TO EMAIL BUT WHEN THEY GET IT
THEY CANT OPEN IT FOR SOME STRANGE REASON. IF YOU HAVE
SURE FIRE WAY TO SEND PIX LET ME KNOW.
THANKS BRUNO
From: ArnolKn
To: Tonycucu
Tony:
Download was successful but disappointing! Was expecting to see George and
me in our younger days!
That reminds me of a funny bit with my mother. People used to remark how
well she looked for her age so she added a few and looked even better.
73
Arny
From: DepoliG
To: Tonycucu
Now don't copy this and put it in the next e-mail....Just enjoy it for a bit.
I feel like Hedda Hopper and the other boys & girls need to have a chance to
type.....
I didn't make it to George's wake or ever see what George Jr. wrote. Truly
touching. Great picture of George with all those trophies. I am going to
assume he went to Heaven wearing RED SOCKS.
A quick note about another late, great cameraman, Frank "Red" McSpadden. One
day while in the NFL Today studio the subject of Emmy's came up on the
headsets. Red told of the time his wife called a plumber to the house. The
plumber saw Red's statues on the mantle and asked, "Who's the Bowler?"
From: (Harve Gilman)
Remember Tony you owe nobody an explanation. You are agood person(not so
great card Player) But that dosn't count Keep it up,( in all ways)
Harve Gilman
From: (Harve Gilman)
To: (Tony Cucerello)
I think you can't please everybody, But I have never heard from so many of
the older guys as I have since you started doing this. The ones that don't
want it only have to ask that their names be deleted, or erase them without
opening them. Keep it alive I for one really enjoy it Harve Gilman.
PS I was
in on the phantom videotape era. I brought it over to VT from Sports net in
1966. I was actually my reel but that's not for publication. There was no
porno on it . It was strictly out takes from many shows. Nothing illegal.
From: GATTO43
To: Tonycucu
No,No,Tony, Put me on your special mailing list. I need the jokes and imput
or I feel I lose contact with the outside world. Please reconsider. Please
discriminate with the list.
Thanx Andy
From: (Wiliam L Murtough)
Hi Tony,
I am happy to hear that you are going to continue. Altjough a great many
of my people have gone to that big master control room in the sky, there
are many still around. Due to the fact that I had a lengthy career in
broadcasting before CBS I had many wonderful friends in the business,
both technical and otherwise. I see a lot of them at various old time
radio conventions in Los Angeles, Newark, and Seattle. One of the joys of
broadcasting. In radio days we were close to talent, musicians, agency
people, and so forth and made many life long friends in all facets. It's
like a big family. I cherish it very much. Therefore I enjoy all the
postings. Keep them coming.
I made an error in the pomade story. Herb made it from lard and lampblack
and packaged it in a cold creme jar. I assume that he had removed the
labels.
Did you guys know that CBS sound effects man, Bob Mott, has written a
book on Sound Effects which is selling quite well. I usually see him at
old time radio conventions. Still looks as young as ever. After
considerable prodding I am into the third chapter of my book. I am up to
1936.
The next convention will be at the Airport Holiday Inn near Newark
airport. It should be the last weekend in October. Come and see what your
forefathers look like. You would be amazed at how many of them are still
around. We all have a great time! I will post the details when I get
them.
Keep up the good work, Tony. It's a dirty job but somebody has to do it.
Bill Murtough
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