Preserve Ted Grossman's Radio Legacy

Hello fellow film lovers and music historians! Ted Grossman, a beloved South Florida radio personality for over 47 years, is being featured in a short film about him and his career which brought music of The Greatest Generation into the homes of thousands every Sunday night on WLRN with his show Night Train. Ted recently had to retire from his radio program due to cancer diagnosis. At 82 years-old, this was a blow to Ted, and his prognosis is unknown. His wish is for this film to be completed before his health gets worse.

My friend, Gina Margillo, a South Florida film-maker, wrote and directed, Night Train Last Stop featuring Ted and his wit, humor and humanity. It is almost at completion. The last piece are the music rights to the integral songs that Ted featured including the theme song of his show, Night Train. To finish this project, and solidify Ted's legacy, we are humbly asking for those who care about American music of the 20th century, as well as Public Radio enthusiasts to chip in to procure the music rights and get this film wrapped in time to be premiered at the Miami Film Festival. Thank you to those who help to preserve this radio treasure!

As a thank you to all who donate, Gina will arrange for a private viewing of Night Train Last Stop, date and time to be determined.

Film Summary:

Eight-two year old mensch, Ted Grossman, has been wooing Miami audiences on Sunday

evenings with his radio program, Night Train, for 48 years. Focusing on big band and jazz music of the 1930s, WWII and beyond, Ted's show is one of only two remaining music programs on WLRN. Grossman, a Miami native, is the gatekeeper of the history of the music, and of the magic city. With WLRN prioritizing local news programming over music, and Ted's questionable health and impending retirement, the end of an era is approaching.

This 12-minute short film will celebrate Grossman’s iconic style, which has defined Miami radio, and has persevered despite the evolving trends and demographics of South Florida. This film will center Ted, former member of the Air Force and former postal worker, and his love for music and community. We come to learn how his secular Jewish roots inform his open-minded, modern perspective on culture, racial disparities, and gender equity, among other topics. We discover how populations settled and shifted in Miami to create the city we know today. We meet his gang of boisterous and opinionated, mostly octogenarians, who defy stereotypes and exemplify true community. We even learn some Yiddish. Ted is at once commentator and connoisseur, convener, and comedian. Through his non nostalgic, non-conformist, humorous lens, we learn a lot about living authentically.

Ted's October 2024 cancer diagnosis doesn't deter his zest for life, but his vulnerability becomes evident. His vaudevillian exchanges with other patients in waiting rooms, front desk staff, and his doctors, only partially mask his reaction to the reality of what lies ahead.

Despite the bad news, Grossman's sharp observations and wit set the tone. Transitions will be as quick as the one-liners he injects into every conversation. The film will be a feast for the senses fueled by the big band, jazz and blues that he has pioneered.