Radio daily (Feb-Mar 1937)

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Thursday. March 25. 1937 RADIO DAILY: commenTS On Current Programs Al Jolson One of the merriest of the Al Jolson programs to date — if not actually the funniest— came off Tuesday night on the CBS network with a burlesque of "These Three" as the comedy highlight. In this skit, Jolson played the role of a teacher, with Parkyakarkus and Martha as pupils. The laughs were plenty and good. Miss Raye had better material than in most recent programs. Parkyakarkus, who has jacked up the Jolson show since he joined it, continued his good work. Jolson himself emceed and vocalized better than for some time. And Victor Young's orchestra was right in step. Ben Bernie Offering the first of his three broadcasts from Florida, with George Olsen's gang as his orchestra and Sheila (mimic) Barrett as guest star, Ben Bernie sounded a little different in his Tuesday night airing over the NBC-Blue. But he was good. The Florida breezes helped him to fan up some bright banter. Miss Barrett popped in and out of the program, stooge fashion, dovetailing her impersonations into the continuity, with Olsen also working in. All in all, it made a refreshing revue, with Olsen's orchestra contributing generously. Al Pearce and Gang Enlivening an already peppy program, Zeke Manners and His Gang did themselves credit Tuesday night on CBS. The hillbilly gang fitted right in with Pearce's repertoire of foolery and music. The regular Pearce standbys, including Arline Harris, Tizzie Lish, Nick Lucas and Larry Marsh's orchestra also were on hand in their best form. Marsh especially. Fred Astaire Fred Astaire, the trouper who first overcame his film skeptics and then did likewise to his radio doubters, has done very well in building himself into an air personality under sponsorship of Packard over the NBCRed network on Tuesdays at 9: 30 p.m. But the member of this program who has come to the fore prominently is the dead-pan Charlie Butterworth. Here is a comedian whose stuff really comes across on the radio. The Astaire program, musically and otherwise, is always quite satisfying, but an important part of that satisfaction is provided by Butterworth. Conrad Thibault's singing also was an outstanding item of the last broadcast. Jack Oakie An added item of amusement on this CBS Tuesday night program lately is an unnamed stooge who shouts in Charles Laughton fashion, but most comically, despite the poor material that has held this show down right along. On this week's show, besides the guest singing of John Boles, there was another visit by Frank Fay, who has more right to be on the air than a good many would m mm in ravtw "NO STOCKINGS" ("Thru the Stage Door" series) Sustaining WMCA-Intercity Network, Tuesdays, 10:15-10:45 p.m. ATTEMPT TO MIMIC FLICKER BACKSTAGE LIFE TURNS COMEDY INTO POOR FARCE. "Thru the Stage Door" series is presented by Ray Midgley, dance director for the past 25 years, and is announced as based on Ray's "true life experiences." "No Stockings," Quotes9 JACK MILLS: "I've been in the amusement field for a long time, but I've never seen the equal of radio artists. Radio is a show world crammed with youngsters who have versatility, ability and an extreme willingness to work. They spend hours to rehearse a 15-minute skit. They learn new songs as fast as they are printed. They seldom take time out to play. Compare them with the vaudeville performers of 10 or 15 years ago and you'll know what I mean." CORNELIA OTIS SKINNER: "Let me sound a note of warning to radio artists who laugh at the statement that television is just around the corner. Movie people laughed, too, when someone predicted the 'talkies.' When it finally happened that sound was perfected for practical use, many stars of the silent era fell by the wayside because of unpreparedness. Television will arrive with the same startling abruptness — and many radio artists will literally be 'caught with their make-up off.' " be emcees. Fay has both talent and a style that is ideally suited for radio. Entertainers of distinction are needed on the air. No reasons are sufficient for keeping mike ability of Fay's caliber off the ether. "Husbands and Wives" Some of the best chuckles on the air are provided by this program in which the fraus and spouses air their views. The manner in which Sedley Brown and Allie Lowe Miles continue to keep this show on a plane of high interest and amusement, combining sound domestic philosophy, advice, hints, spontaneous humor and occasionally an emotional touch, is a credit to conductors of the program. seventh of the series, related the story how Ray shocked Chicago nite-life in 1911 when he had his chorus dance in hulu costumes without benefit of hosiery. Into this tale is woven a backstage romance. Midgley's experience might make good radio fare provided he and his script writer got away from the movie-angle of stage life; if they forgot "42nd Street" and other films where the chorus girl was impudent and wise-cracking to the director. The cast carried the situations well, though it seemed a bit ridiculous portraying how a Loop judge was "fixed" in granting a verdict because the nite-club owner was a "pal of a pal!" Also, there was no definite reason for WMCA's program director, Al Hall, appearing on the program as interlocutor, which could have been ably handled by the announcer. Ray was interrupted by Hall with questions such as "What happened next, Ray?" etc. Idea has possibilities if handled properly insofar as script and production is concerned. The cast did a great job. Coming Events March 31: Women's National Radio Committee annual awards luncheon, Hotel St. Regis, New York. April 6: Radio Corp. of America annual stockholders' meeting. April 9: Press Photographers' Ass'n of New York Eighth Annual Dance and Entertainment, Hotel Commodore, New York. April 26-28: Association of National Advertisers, semi-annual meeting, Hot Springs. April 29-May 1: 20th Anniversary Convention of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, Greenbrier Hotel, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. May 2-9: National Music Week; David Sarnoff, chairman. May 3-5: Eighth annual institute for education by radio, Ohio State University, Columbus, O. May 10-12: Institute of Radio Engineers Silver Anniversary Convention, New York. May 14-30: Syndicate Professionel des Industries Radioelectriques 14th Annual Salon, Palais Neo-Parnasse, Paris. May 15-18: Second Annual Congress of Colonial Broadcasting of National Federation of Radio Mfrs. of England, Paris. May 15-31: Radio and Television Fair, International Exposition Grounds, Paris. June 1-10: Radio-television exposition, Moscow. June 14: American Federation of Musicians' annual convention, Louisville, Ky. June 20-23: Advertising Federation of America's 33rd annual convention, Hotel Pennsylvania, New York. JOHN EBERSON STUDIO ARCHITECT □ ACOUSTIC CONSULTANT 1560 BROADWAY NEW YORK CITY