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The 34th Annual Friends of Old Time Radio Convention (www.fotr.net) will take place October 22-25 2009 at the Holiday Inn North in Newark, NJ. the four day event features live recreations of classic old time radio programs with all-star casts as well as memorabilia, music, panel discussions, autographs and historical presentations. The convention is a great way to meet and show appreciation for the veterans who made old time radio great as well as get to know some of the younger actors who are working to keep the tradition alive.
The invited guest list looks great so far. I know everyone will enjoy seeing the great Simon Jones ("Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy") again. He will be fresh off a Broadway production of "Blithe Spirit" with Angela Lansbury. U.S. OTR veteran Herb Ellis rejoins us for the first time since 1992! Herb was a major presence on Dragnet as well as countless other great West Coast OTR shows. Shirley Mitchell (Lelia Ransom on Gildersleeve), Rosemary Rice (Betty on "Archie"), comedian and New York area television host Chuck McCann, WXYZ veteran Elaine Hyman ("The Lone Ranger"), Laugh-in announcer Bill Owen and Glorida McMillan (Harriet Conklin on Our Miss Brooks) are also back for more. Another great returning guest is Richard Herd of Theater Five and who gained fame later with numerous television roles such as Admiral Paris on Star Trek, and Willhelm on Seinfeld. When he was last at FOTR in 1999, he not only acted and spoke on panels, he also volunteered on sound effects. The guest list changes frequently, so keep checking the website for updates.
Thursday - Sunday programs include an afternoon program that consists of a recreation, panel discussions and delaer rooms. The evening program features a buffet dinner in which there is at least one special guest at each table and all-star recreations. It's a great way to socialize with the stars as well as see them perform. On Sunday, there is a buffet breakfast and panel with remaining guests.
Shows scheduled for recreation this year include The Life of Riley, The Great Gildersleeve, The Saint, It Pays to be Ignorant, Easy Aces and Quiet Please.
Full information on the convention including room rates (historically low right now at $65/AAA) and the cost of the convention itself will publish on www.fotr.net shortly.
Please contact Sean Dougherty, publicity coordinator, at 201-739-2541 or SeanDD@optonline.net or @doughertysean on Twitter for more information.
