Santos Edward Ortega

 

Santos Edward Ortega was born on June 30, 1899, in New York City. His parents, Rafael Ortega and Isabella Corbett, were first-generation immigrants - Rafael hailing from Venezuela and Isabella from Ireland. Rafael's profession as a cigar maker may have influenced his son's lifelong habit of smoking cigars, a trademark that would become synonymous with Ortega's on-air persona.

As a young man, Ortega initially had aspirations of joining the priesthood and studied briefly at the St. Joseph's Seminary of the De La Salle Christian Brothers in Pocantico Hills, New York. However, his passion for the stage soon took over, and he began landing small acting roles in a series of Broadway productions, marking the start of his illustrious career in the performing arts.

 

He was a true renaissance man of the golden age of radio. With his remarkable vocal range and versatility, he captivated audiences across a wide spectrum of programs, from comedy and drama to mystery and adventure. From his humble beginnings on the Broadway stage to his iconic role as Grandpa Hughes on the long-running soap opera "As the World Turns," Ortega's career spanned over four decades and left an indelible mark on the history of American broadcasting.

Ortega's transition to radio came as the medium was rapidly gaining momentum in the 1920s and 1930s. He first found success in comedy, appearing on a variety show called "Blackstone Plantation" where he played the character of Don Rodrigo. Ortega later recounted that he was hired for the role after a casting director, intrigued by his ethnic-sounding name, assumed he would be perfect for the part.

Despite his Latin heritage, Ortega did not actually speak Spanish fluently. However, he quickly learned that mastering a convincing Spanish dialect could open up more opportunities in the burgeoning radio industry. This adaptability and willingness to take on diverse roles would become hallmarks of Ortega's career.

Ortega's talents as a straight man were put to good use when he joined the comedy duo of Frank Crumit and Julius Sanderson. "It was a song and patter show, and I provided the laughter," Ortega recalled. This early experience in radio comedy honed his skills in vocal characterization and timing, which would serve him well in the years to come.

As Ortega's reputation grew, he began to take on more prominent roles in radio dramas and serials. One of his most famous parts was as Commissioner Weston on the long-running mystery series "The Shadow." He also played the title character in the adventure series "Bulldog Drummond" from 1942 to 1943.

Ortega's versatility allowed him to seamlessly transition between various genres, including crime procedurals like "Gang Busters" and "The Adventures of Nero Wolfe," as well as more fantastical fare such as "Dimension X" and "X Minus One." His ability to inhabit a wide range of characters, from hardboiled detectives to eccentric scientists, made him a valuable asset to producers and directors.

Perhaps Ortega's most iconic radio role, however, was as Inspector Queen on "The Adventures of Ellery Queen." He originated the part, which he would reprise in various adaptations of the popular mystery series over the years.

Ortega's success in radio can be attributed not only to his versatility but also to his distinctive broadcasting style. With his rich, resonant voice and impeccable timing, he was able to bring a sense of authority and gravitas to even the most outlandish characters.

One of Ortega's signature techniques was his mastery of dialects and vocal characterizations. Whether he was portraying a suave Spanish gentleman or a gruff New York City cop, he could seamlessly slip into a new persona, captivating listeners with his transformative abilities. This skill allowed him to take on a wide variety of roles, from the titular "Charlie Chan" to the daytime drama staple "Perry Mason."

Ortega's penchant for cigar smoking also became part of his on-air persona. While he was known to indulge in the habit during his radio performances, he was more restrained in his later television work, often opting for a pipe instead. This subtle change in his visual presentation helped to further distinguish his various roles and characters.

Ortega made a successful transition to the small screen in the 1950s . His most notable television role was as Grandpa Will Hughes on the long-running soap opera "As the World Turns," a part he took over from actor Will Lee in 1956 and continued to play until shortly before his death in 1976.

Ortega's television work was not limited to soap operas, however. He also appeared in two feature films during the 1950s: "The Family Secret" (1951) and "Crowded Paradise" (1956). While these roles were relatively minor, they demonstrated Ortega's ability to adapt his talents to the demands of the silver screen.

Throughout his prolific career, Santos Ortega left an indelible mark on the world of old-time radio. His versatility, vocal prowess, and commitment to his craft made him a beloved figure among both his peers and his loyal listeners.

Ortega's impact can be seen in the countless actors and voice artists who have cited him as an inspiration. His ability to seamlessly inhabit a wide range of characters, from hardboiled detectives to eccentric eccentrics, set a high bar for future generations of radio performers.

Beyond his on-air achievements, Ortega's personal life also reflected his dedication to his craft. He was known to be a lifelong cigar smoker, a habit that became as much a part of his public persona as his distinctive voice. This attention to detail and commitment to authenticity helped to cement Ortega's status as a true icon of the golden age of radio.

The Perry Mason radio show

 

The Perry Mason radio show was a continuing weekday series that aired on CBS Radio from 1943 to 1955, running for 15 minutes and known for its action-packed plots over traditional courtroom drama. Several actors portrayed the titular lawyer, including Bartlett Robinson, Santos Ortega, Donald Briggs, and John Larkin, who took over after 1947. The radio version was a soap opera-like mystery that was more involved in its storytelling than the later television version. The radio version was a successful precursor to the famous 1957 television series, though Erle Stanley Gardner, the author of the Perry Mason novels, disliked the radio show's divergence from the courtroom drama he intended and even withheld his endorsement for the TV version, which led to it being renamed The Edge of Night.

The show ran for 12 years, from October 18, 1943, to December 30, 1955. It was a daily, 15-minute continuing series with storylines similar to soap operas. 

Unlike the later TV show, the radio version was more of an action series, with the lawyer sometimes exchanging gunfire with criminals. 

The role of Perry Mason was played by several actors during the show's run. Santos Ortega and Donald Briggs. John Larkin took over the starring role March 31, 1947, and portrayed Perry Mason until the end of the series. The guest cast included Mercedes McCambridge.

The show was sponsored by Tide, a Procter & Gamble product.

Although Erle Stanley Gardner, the author of the Perry Mason novels, disliked the direction the radio show was taking, he withheld his endorsement for a potential daytime television version, resulting in a name change from Perry Mason to The Edge of Night. 

The radio show was a success and stayed on the air for a long time, laying the groundwork for the famous television series that followed.

John Moffatt

 

John Moffatt was an English actor and playwright known for his numerous roles on BBC radio, notably as Hercule Poirot in 25 adaptations of Agatha Christie novels, and for portraying Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in dramatizations of Sherlock Holmes, as well as appearing in other radio and television productions throughout his career.

 

His full name was Albert John Moffatt, and he was born in Badby, England, to Ernest Moffatt and Letitia Hickman, servants to Alexandra of Denmark at Marlborough House and Sandringham House. He studied at Richmond Park Academy in London, and then spent three years working in a bank in the City of London. In the evenings, he attended drama classes taught by John Burrell at Toynbee Hall. Moffatt concealed his attendance from his parents, who considered a theatrical career too uncertain.

He first appeared on stage in 1944 at the Liverpool Playhouse, playing the Raven in a touring children's production of The Snow Queen. His debut in mainstream theatre came in 1945 at the Perth Theatre, playing opposite Alec McCowen, with whom he developed a lifelong friendship. Over the next five years he learned his craft by performing over 200 roles with repertory companies in Oxford and Windsor, and at the Bristol Old Vic. At Oxford, he and the young Tony Hancock played the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella. Moffatt retained his interest in pantomime, being a celebrated actor of the traditional British role of the pantomime dame, and having written five plays in the genre.

 

Moffatt's first BBC radio appearance was in the serial Mrs Dale's Diary (1950), and for much of the 1980s he was a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company. Later radio credits included the roles of Oswald in King Lear, Lord Chief Justice in Falstaff, and Quilp in The Old Curiosity Shop. He also portrayed Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in BBC adaptations. His best-known radio role was as Hercule Poirot in 25 adaptations of Agatha Christie's plays. The first was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, broadcast on 24 December 1987.

Moffatt made his television debut in 1953, playing Grebeauval in The Public Prosecutor, appearing in many BBC and commercial network broadcasts over the following decades. He played Joseph Surface in The School for Scandal, Brush in The Clandestine Marriage, the Prince of Aragon in The Merchant of Venice, Casca in Julius Caesar, Malvolio and Sir Andrew in two different productions of Twelfth Night, and Ben in The Adventures of Ben Gunn. In 1980, he appeared in the Thames Television television series Love in a Cold Climate, an adaptation of a novel by Nancy Mitford. He also appeared in an episode of the Agatha Christie adaptation of Miss Marple, The Body in the Library, playing the role of Edwards.

 

Moffatt's film career began with Loser Takes All (1956), playing a small role as a hotel waiter. His only other film of the decade was The Silent Enemy (1958). In 1963, he appeared in Tom Jones (1963). The 1970s were the most prolific decade for his big-screen work, with appearances in Julius Caesar (1970), Lady Caroline Lamb (1973), Romance with a Double Bass (1974), Galileo (1974), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and S.O.S. Titanic (1979). In the 1980s, he appeared in the television series Minder (1982) and in Britannia Hospital (1982), his last film.

 

After retiring from the theater in 1988, Moffatt performed regularly alongside Judi Dench and her husband, Michael Williams, in the verse collection Fond and Familiar. Upon Williams's death in 2001, Dench and Moffatt performed the show with Geoffrey Palmer.

John Moffatt died at his home after a long illness, two weeks before his ninetieth birthday. He was single and was survived by his sister, Marjorie.

Dick Powell

 

 

Richard Ewing "Dick" Powell was born in Mountain View, Arkansas on November 14, 1904, he was an American singer, actor, radio voice, producer, and film director.

 

Born in Mountain View, Arkansas, Powell studied at Little Rock College (now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock) before beginning his singing career with the Midwest-based Charlie Davis Orchestra. He recorded several albums with Davis and, also on his own, with Vocalion Records in the late 1920s.

Powell emigrated to Pittsburgh, where he enjoyed great local success as Master of Ceremonies at the Enright and Stanley Theaters. In April 1930, Warner Bros. acquired Brunswick Records, then owned by Vocalion. Warner Bros. was impressed by Powell's singing and stage presence, and offered him a film contract in 1932. He made his film debut as the lead singer in Blessed Event. He continued to play the role of a young crooner in musicals such as 42nd Street, Footlight Parade, Gold Diggers of 1933, Dames, Flirtation Walk, and On the Avenue, often working alongside Ruby Keeler and Joan Blondell.

 

From 1949 to 1953, Powell starred in the NBC radio show Richard Diamond, Private Detective. The weekly 30-minute program featured him as a friendly private detective with a quick wit.

In the 1950s, Powell produced and directed several B-movies and co-founded Four Star Television, acting in and supervising various programs for the company. His film The Enemy Below (1957), based on the novel by Denys Rayner, won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

Powell died in West Los Angeles, California, on January 2, 1963, of lymphoma, at the age of 58. He was one of many members of the crew of The Conqueror (1956) who died of the same disease. The Conqueror was filmed in Utah, near an atomic testing site. It was rumored, though never proven, that the filming location may have been the cause of the cancers affecting the production staff. Dick Powell was cremated and his ashes interred in the Columbarium of Honor at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.