www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall FOR THOSE OF US OVER 50!

Dear Neil,

I seemed to recall that PEnnsylvania 6-5000 was a real telephone number of some place or other, so out of curiousity, I dialed 1-212-PE6-5000 and listened to that beautiful recording by Glenn Miller.

I then heard someone respond that "this is the Pennsylvania Hotel, across from Madison Square Garden."

Zenovia

Remember when they quit using real telephone numbers on TV. I remember that people were flooded with phone calls. It was terrible, from then on the used the 555 numbers.

Ivan,

You've got 3 years on me, but I remember much of what you mention, particularly the polio scares, iron lungs, and the terribly adverse effects of what were once considered commonplace diseases against which we now vaccinate and are, consequently, rarely observed. Thanks be to God for the advances made in medical science.

You've got me on the green tv screen, but radio programs were definitely great entertainment. Along with Fibber McGee's closet, Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, and Sergeant King's huskies (can't remember the lead dog's name ), I also enjoyed Gangbusters, Amos & Andy, the Lone Ranger, Johnny Dollar - Insurance Investigator, Boston Blackie, and so many others.

Thanks for those memories, both somber and happy, Doc .

Many years,

Bac si Neil

OK my memories were those from our side of the Pond but OH WOW - now that really rings lots of bells - not being able to go swimming 'cos the outdoor pools [ and the indoor ones too ] were closed. Come to think of it - nearly all large public places were closed then. More or less being quarantined in the back garden during long hot summer months because of the risk of Polio in crowded places.

Now for what may be a peculiarly Glasgow one - my everloving other half remembers Saturday morning Pictures [ I was 'deprived' - my parents would not let me go ] where the alternative to cash was taking jam jars [jelly jars for the linguistically challenged ] and he still talks about the Lone Ranger , Tonto etc etc

Oh dear - how the memories do roll back.

Anhelyna

Ivan,

Just realized - we're both wrong - it wasn't Sergeant King. It was Sergeant Preston of the Mounties - Yukon King was his lead dog.

Many years,

Neil

DJS, I am under 50, too, but it hasn't stopped me!
The Mexican brand of soda has a grapefruit flavor soda - Jarritos Toronja - and it's my favorite. It is kind of like 4%, now that you mention it.

Charles,

I remember Wink, which was a Canada Dry product - it was pretty good and similar to Squirt, as I recollect. I just checked the web and Wink is still available from a couple of the mail-order soda suppliers, although the label has changed and it's not clear who is producing it now.

Squirt is also still manufactured - by Coca-Cola I think. I see it occasionally on supermarket shelves.

Sundrop Cola doesn't ring a bell, although I remember that there were several super-caffeinated colas marketed by various local and national bottlers.

Many years,

Neil, still wondering what "4%" meant

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Thanks, Lawrence. Next time we watch it I'll take a longer look at the church. Great movie! Mary Jo

Dear Friends,

I'm posting late because I didn't want to admit that I turn 50 in Feb. I'm depressed.

Paul

Yes, I am gleeful about being UNDER because I have three months left.

Well you pre-50 guys are gaining the stature of what Governator Arnold calls gxxxxx men .

The older the violin, the sweeter the music!

james

Official Fan of Green Acres & Happy Days

Dear james,

ROFL!!

Paul

Dear Neil,

Yeah! But you weren't around when the Daily News was on strike, and Mayor Laguardia had to read the funnies on the radio.

How about the Lone Ranger, Jack Benny and Bob Hope Show on the radio...and then there was George Burns and Fanny Brice.

The radio was really needed, especially if you were stuck in traffic on Sunday nights. Of course if you were stuck for two hours in the Lincoln Tunnel, they pacified the weary travellers with their own radio station.

Amazing how the police officers could survive in that tunnel with the fumes...but the radio kept reminding us that the air changed every two minutes. Hard to believe.

Zenovia

Perhaps, but we also say:

Starost' ne radost'
Marazm ne orgazm

Zenovia,

You've got me there. I only know of the Little Flower's comic strip reading from hearing of it.

I do remember the Lone Ranger and Jack Benny though, as well as "O.Henry's the Cisco Kid", Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Wild Bill Hickok, and Hopalong Cassidy, together with Dragnet, Gang Busters, and myriad other adventure shows without which no red-blooded American boy could hope to grow up.

Then there were the radio "soaps" to which my grandmother and aunts, memory eternal, faithfully listened - "Our Gal Sunday", "Ma Perkins", and "Helen Trent" come immediately to mind. Of the game shows, I best remember "Strike It Rich, the Show with a Heart".

Many years,

Neil