Ivan Ditmars
Recorded May 17th, 1991 - 15 min
Composer, musical director and organist on hundreds of radio broadcasts in the golden era and beyond. He was age 84 when we spent a little time with him at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, California shortly before a meeting of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters. He was born April 12, 1907 and he died on September 10, 1997 at age 90.
Escape - 7/4/48 - A tooth for Paul Revere
Did you enjoy the interview? Listen to the music of Ivan Ditmars on Escape from July 4th, 1948.
September 13, 2011 at 12:37 am
Enjoyed this interview. I like old time radio and Ivan Ditmars name keeps coming up in the credits. It’s great that someone took the time to get him to talk about those radio days. I couldn’t find Mr. Ditmars in Wikipedia, which is unfortunate, since he (literally) played such an important part in old time radio.
Rowby
June 28, 2012 at 12:09 am
This was my Grandfather and a great man. This is such a treat for me being 31 and losing him at such a young age, and hearing his work at a young age, was not able to appreciate it. I sit here in chills. I miss him very much.
May 29, 2014 at 3:55 pm
I enjoyed this interview very much. Thank you for making it available. I first came across Ivan Ditmars’ piano skills on a Decca studio recording by Judy Garland of “I Got Rhythm” made in association with the movie “Girl Crazy” in November 1943. I believe he plays much of the interlude between choruses as a 4-hand piano duet with Calvin Jackson. It is a marvelous but all-too-short segment that is very “Gershwinesque.” If anyone has more information about his involvement in this particular recording, I’d be very grateful to receive it.
February 26, 2016 at 7:36 pm
I just listened to an episode of The Adventures of Frank Race, featuring Paul Dubov and Tony Barrett. The opening and closing theme was so evocative that when I heard Ivan Ditmars’ name (composer and organist) I searched out this interview for further information. Thanks so much for posting an enjoyable chat with this accomplished musician from radio’s golden age.
October 31, 2016 at 11:36 am
I hear this man on the Sons of the Pioneers old 1940s and 50s radio shows on piano and vibraphone and he is so great! I didn’t think he’d mention them so it was great to hear that almost at the end! Cannot believe he is also responsible for the ‘original Brahms’ on Star Trek! What a long line of connection through show business he was.
September 16, 2017 at 6:22 pm
I enjoyed the interview immensely I’m an avid listener of old time radio I didn’t know much about the organist until I listen to the interview I’m also a Pianist so I find it very interesting and I hope this stays alive for many years to come
January 20, 2020 at 6:29 am
Wonderful interview! Recall hearing his name on the credits of old radio shows. Just heard some ESCAPE shows, which prompted me to comment. Someone else mentioned that Wikipedia doesn’t have a listing for Ivan Ditmars. But this is the best interview about the man I have heard. Thanks, Chuck. I’ll have to check out any other interviews you have.
August 14, 2020 at 3:03 pm
I knew Ivan Ditmars through his youngest son Guy. Ivan Sr. was the musical directer for Let’s Make a Deal game show as well as other shows for NBC. He was friends with Bob Barker and other celebrities. Always a soft spoken gentleman who was always interested in my musical aspirations. A Steinway in the living room took main presents and Guy was always playing some sort of ROCK N ROLL on it.
Many band practices were in their home.
I remember his harpsichord that Ivan treated us to some classical tunes.
It was a pleasure knowing Mr. and Mrs. Ditmars.
June 27, 2026 at 11:40 pm
Thank you for posting this!
He was indeed talking about the series Star Trek. Wilbur Hatch was involved in the first season because he worked for Lucille Ball’s, production company, Desilu, which produced Trek. Hatch had previously done I Love Lucy.
The episode was titled Requiem for Methuselah and they meet a man in the future who was immortal and was actually Brahms on earth. Spock sits down and plays the “previously unknown” Brahms piece and Ditmar’s actual music is on the keybersoard.
June 30, 2026 at 11:43 pm
Wonderful interview from a seemly very humble musical heavy weight during his lifetime. Really enjoyed his reminiscing. I found your sight Googling Mr Ditmars name that I discovered on the credits from the 60’s cartoon Roger Ramjet……Thank you so much for shedding some light on this man’s illustrious career.
July 14, 2026 at 12:42 am
These have been some lovely comments about Ivan Ditmars whose name alone is rather memorable. I think I absorbed his name by osmosis as it is mentioned at the end of so many radio shows. I did know he played the organ. I am so glad that Chuck Schaden who seems to have listened to every radio show there was for also interviewing everyone he could which has been so helpful to all concerned. Some of these interviews must be very rare, even one of a kind. I enjoyed listening to Mr. Ditmars play on “A Tooth for Paul Revere” once again.