Talk:Harry von Zell

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"Zell" or "Von Zell"?[edit]

The article reduces the surname to "Zell," where I would have thought "Von Zell" (or "von Zell") would be more in keeping with general practice. (Cf. Wernher von Braun article.) A McFarland & Company book called Sold on Radio uses "Von Zell" as the short form for script excerpts. Jcejhay (talk) 12:56, 9 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, his surname is Von Zell at multiple sources, including the American Film Institute, John Dunning's The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, and Raymond Fielding's history of The March of Time series. It also would seem quite strange to hear George Burns call him "Zell". I tried moving the page but I'll have to ask for the help of an administrator it appears. Stay tuned. — WFinch (talk) 00:43, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]
After withdrawing my request for a move, I've edited the article to conform with the obituary in The New York Times, which identifies him as "Harry von Zell" and "Mr. von Zell". — WFinch (talk) 03:59, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Requested move 02 March 2016[edit]

The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.

The result of the move request was: Withdrawn. EdJohnston (talk) 03:38, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]



Harry von ZellHarry Von Zell – surname is Von Zell per AFI and multiple sources, but I am unable to move the page over the redirect – WFinch (talk) 00:47, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

This is a contested technical request (permalink). EdJohnston (talk) 02:16, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]
  • Comment: His 1981 obituary in the New York Times refers to him at 'Harry von Zell', as does IMDB. Both spellings are found in Google Scholar. This needs a discussion. EdJohnston (talk) 02:16, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you, EdJohnston—I just looked at the NYT obit and came back to question whether a move is needed or whether it would do to simply use Harry von Zell but sort the name by V (a change I'd already made in the default sort).
He is referred to as Harry Von Zell in both the Dunning and Fielding books, and in this NYT news story. IMDb is apparently viewed a few steps below the American Film Institute, but the NYT obituary is definitive in my book. The reverse side of the promotional photo now used in the article also presents his name as "Harry von Zell, radio's busiest announcer".
I now think it would be better to not move the article, and I'd be happy to do some copyediting to change "Zell" to "von Zell" in the text of the article. Yes? — WFinch (talk) 02:45, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]
If you no longer believe a move is necessary, let me know and I can close out the discussion. EdJohnston (talk) 02:54, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Please close the discussion—I withdraw the request. — WFinch (talk) 03:08, 2 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page or in a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.