Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

BROADWAY PLAY GIVEN IRY-OUT ON NETWORK Radio and Stage Techniques arc Bleiuied in Noiiel Proniatic Experiment. RADIO played host to Broadway last week when representa- tives of the two entertainment media sat down together to witness tiio birth of a novel experiment, which is expected to make theatri- cal history. The occasion was the premiere broadcast of "Audition Preview," a new method of dramatic production for trying out plays for Broadway managers, picture companies, and playwrights. Brainchild of Fritz Blocki, radio- writer-director, the program, which was launched over the nationwide BLUE Network, "lend-leased" radio's facilities and techniques to the theater in an effort to give pro- ducers more assurance of the qual- ity of a scrip before risking thou- sands of dollars in hiring a theater and obtaining scenery. On hand as master of ceremonies was Eddie Bowling, actor-manager, who is famous for his innovations in the theater world. Bowling, who played host and narrator during the performance, introduced the new idea and set the stage with verbal scenery. "The Wind Is Rising", by Harry Kleinert. of Philadelphia, was the script chosen for the tryout. Se- lected out of scores of others be- cause of its adaptability to the experimental venture, the play cen- tered about the underground move- ment in conquered France. Claire Luce, international stage star, headed an impressive cast. Opposite Miss Luce, Myron McCor- mick, of Broadway. Hollywood, and radio, shared the lead with Frank Lovejoy, long a favorite of radio listeners. Other members of the cast were Selena Royle, Ethel Owen, Jean McCoy, .John Brown and San- tos Ortega. Tucked away in a different studio from the actual production unit, were about 100 guests, especially invited from the ranks of radio and drama critics, and celebrities of stage, screen, and air. l)iiriiig tlu' intermissidu and after the broadcast, which took an hour and a half. Bowling invited critics to the microphone and inter- viewed them on their opinions of the ni'W tryout plan. Still sifting the comment on his idea, Fritz Blocki is amazed at the similarity between professional cri- ticism and that from laymen. Among the letters from radio lis- teners, received by the BLUE Net- work, are constructive suggestions and high praise, according to Blocki. When Blocki, who is now in the radio production staff of Benton and Bowles, conceived the idea, he insisted that the plays selected would not be adapted to radio. Carrying out his new method of production. Blocki employed sound effects and music in the drama, blending radio technique with that of the stage. NBC Leads in Poll XCC programs and personalities again swept the annual poll of radio editors of the United States and Canada conducted by Motion Pic- ture Daily. In the thirty-four clas- sifications, NBC took eighteen first places. The remaining sixteen were shared by the other networks and unaffiliated performers. NBC took eighteen second places and twenty- one third places. Visit Ordnance Plant War production workers in the RCA Victor Bivision iilant at Cam- den gained a sharper understand- ing of the actual part their output plays on the far-flung fighting fronts of the nation as a result of a trip taken by a dozen of their leaders through the Army's Ord- nance Replacement Training Center at Aberdeen. Md. The trip was made under the auspices of the Division's Labor-Management War Production Brive Committee to Beat the Promise on war produc- tion schedules, with the cooperation of the Army Ordnance Bepartment. Sings at 300 Rallies (Jul <if i,''4~'.s I'tal irdi effort per- xonatitieH was Luvij Monroe, the RCA Victor Uirisioii's Director of Patriotic Midiic. Kiioini as the "Sta)' Spaiifiled Soprano." she trav- elled close to .50.(too miles, visiting twenty-four States. Slie made more than 300 appearances at Army can/ps, naral buses, industrial plants, and before patriotic rallies. Her present woric, she says, is the most satisfijing of her career, irhich includes singing for radio, tlie concert stage, musical comedy, opoetta, and opera. NBC Chimes Exclusive The three musical notes wliich, for more than fifteen years, identi- fied programs broadcast by the Red now NBC > and Blue networks, became the exclusive property of the National Broadcasting Com- pany on December 1 and now is used only on the NBC network. The Blue Network ended its use of a musical signature and announces itself now as, "This is the Blue Net- work". RADIO AGE 27]