SHEP
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions about Jean Shepherd
by Jim Sadur
Updated 6/20/2011
HOME
Q: Are audio tapes of Jean Shepherd available?
A: Yes, there are several sources of Shepherd audio. The best is the excellent catalog of airchecks and other archives available from Max Schmid.
Jean Shepherd Tapes from Schmidco!
Audio cassettes of Shep reading some of his stories have also been available
from Barnes and Noble (1-800-242-6657). This set has a catalog number of 1838614 and sells
for $50. Individual tapes are $7.95. These recording have been re-issued under a new
catalog number. Check with B&N for details.
Shep did the narration on Charles Mingus's "The Clown" recorded February 13,
1957 in New York City. It was re-released in 1984 on Atlantic Jazz #7567-90142-2.
Other Shep programs exist with collectors who had the foresight to record shows as they
aired.
Our Shep Bibliography lists his recordings which are
currently out of print.
Q: Are Jean Shepherd videos available?
A: Video
releases of his feature films are available.
A
Christmas Story, DVD
A Christmas Story Blu-Ray
Gary Croner found 2 related Shep videos from:
Critic's Choice Video
P.O. Box 749
Itasca, IL 60143-0749
(800) 367-7765
They are selling "Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss" starring James B. Sikking,
Dorothy Lyman, and Jerry O'Connell, for $29.95
and "My Summer Story" with Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen and Kieran Culkin
for $14.95.
Q: What was the theme song for Shep's radio show?
A: The Bahn Frei Polka
(Clear Track) by Edouard Strauss. The rendition Shep used is by Arthur Fiedler and the
Boston Pops. It's available on CD as RCA # 09026-61688-2 and it's titled "Strauss
Family Waltzes" / Arthur Fiedler Boston Pops Orchestra.
Q: What are some of the other music & songs Shep used on his shows.
A: With the help of other
Shep fans, I am assembling a list of the music Shep used. This is a work in progress and I
welcome any additions or
corrections to the list.
"Louisville Stomp" by the Dixieland Jug Blowers with Sound Clips!
Cuts used by Shep:
Boodle-Am Shake
Banjoreno
Thanks to Pete Delaney
"Gesang Der Junglinge" (Songs of Youth) by Karlheinz Stockhausen
This is the backwards kid voices and burbling electronica that was often
used for eerie Halloween background effects.
Excerpt from
"Songs of Youth"
"Music to Read Life's Year End Issue By"
Featured the somber march from "The Informer", often used to set
up News of the World segments. I think it may also contain music from King Kong and
other tracks Shep was using in the mid sixties.
"Ballet Mecanique" by George Antheil
with Sound Clips!
Probably the most famous Shep background music, weird & spooky
Thanks to Max Schmid
Q: Are any books by Jean Shepherd still available?
A: Yes, the following titles
are in print as paperbacks:
Buy It Now!
Buy It Now! Buy It Now! Buy It Now!
Buy It Now!
Jim Sadur 
Buy: "My Summer
Story"