Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

Listener all about their favorite. Radio Digest is the Best Ever! — Miss Agnes Adams, Boston, Mass. MISSED OUR NELLIE WAS very much disappointed to be denied the pleasure of hearing Nellie Revell last Wednesday night, and trust it will not occur very often. Look forward eagerly to that intensely interesting broadcast of the best programs on the air, and am sure all who listen agree with me. Please give "Nellie'' a free hand and the glad hand. — Joseph Johnson, 414 Fifty-first Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. LUCKY HARRIET LEE EACH new issue of your splendid Magazine is better than each preceding one. Wish we could have a write up of Jessica Dragonette and Pat Barnes. Trouble with the Beauty Contest lies in the fact that there are so many truly beautiful just as they are pictured — if only color were added it might be a bit easier to choose because the color of the hair and eyes have much to add to or detract from mere features or contour. There are two lovely faces in the last issue. You'll laugh when I tell you; Mr. Stead and I just couldn't off hand decide so we became children again and tried the "Enie, menie, mina mo" system with the result that Miss Lee won out. But we wish every lovely girl might be "it".— Mrs. C. F. Stead, Loveland, Ohio. LONDON HAS 73,186 SOULS I HAD never read your magazine until the February issue but purchased same on account of an article on Guy Lombardo. I am a native of the "obscure village of London, Ontario". I knew of the Lombardos, since a child and Guy went to school with my brother and I am proud as all Londoners are of the Royal Canadians and the Lombardo boys. I take great exception to the reference in your article to London as an obscure Canadian Village, I imagine the Lombardo boys would resent that about their home town if they have their loyalty still with them and I imagine "I* « their name Royal Canadians should basso prove that. The population of London Ontario is 73,186 and was created a city in the year 18S6. Please give us a break and remember even New York had to have a start. — Mrs. M. W. Ambrose, Saint John, New Brunswick, Ontario, Canada. "AMERICAN WIRELESS BEST" TUST recently I have become a reader of " Radio Digest and this is how it happened. I am English and we have come out here to live ; we came via New York, which gave me one of the biggest thrills I've ever had because I loved New York and anything American. There is something about Radio Digest which I can only describe as "finished"; it has an elusive quality which places it far and above all others of its kind. I was very much interested in "Broadcasting from the Editor's Chair". At present, I gather there is a lot of hot air going up over the government taking over radio like England and all European Countries. Perhaps this will interest you. We had a wireless (radio to you) in the early days when the British Broadcasting Co. was a private concern. The programs were really good. Real music, classical and jazz, clever debates, between our leading scientists, artists, playwrights, etc., good critics, talks worth listening to, real comedy. I could go on forever. And then the goverment took it over. The result? — duller and more uninteresting "LADY BARITONES" our pleasure to present Mine. Kroakin de Troat, profundo, -who sings now 'Asleep in the Deep'." programs. Very rarely indeed was anything worth listening to. It got from bad to worse until we sold our wireless. So, America keep your broadcasting as it is and keep your advertising. It's a brain wave ! Thank you for allowing me to air my opinions and I shall be proud to know it appeared in "Radio Digest". — Miss Mary E. Kitchen, Hillcrest Cottage, Tribeway, Paget West, Bermuda. ACE HEADLINER STAFF THERE is such a variety of entertainment and instruction by radio that only a chronic pessimist could find fault with it. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion concerning programs and personalities ; he may 31 choose whatever he likes and exclude the rest. Since nominations for radio headliners are still open, I am submitting a list of my favorites. Announcers: Milton J. Cross, the most charming radio personality Alwyn Bach, with the most beautifully cadenced voice, but too formal and aloof Orchestras: Light, Harry Horlick's Gypsies String Ensemble, N. B. C. Slumber Hour Symphony, N. B. C. Symphonic Hour Orchestra Coductors: Symphony, Walter Damrosch String Ensemble, Ludwig Laurier Operatic Singers: Soprano, Anna Case Mackay Tenor, Giovanni Martinelli Baritone, John Charles Thomas Regular Radio Singers: Soprano, Gladys Rice Mezzo-soprano, Elizabeth Lennox Contralto, Mary Hopple Tenors: James Melton, sweetest and most appealing voice Frederick Hufsmith, appealing voice, versatile repertory Milton J. Cross, sonorous voice Barytones: Theodore Webb, Walter Preston Bassos: Harry Donaghy, James Stanley. Male Duo: Frank Parker and Elliott Shaw. Mixed Quartet: Enna Jettick Melodies. Male Quartets: Heel Hugger Harmonies, Revelers, Cavaliers. Comedian: Raymond Knight. Ensembles: Through the Opera Glass. Davey Tree Program. Organist: Archer Gibson. Educational: National Advisory Council on Radio in Education Psychology. Lectures, Saturday evening, 8:45, EST. Chicago NBC Announcer: Ted Pearson. Chicago NBC Singer: Reinhold Schmidt.— Miss Edwina Long, 2708 Osage Street, St. Louis, Missouri. BETTY "BOOSTER" JAMIESON SAYS ALL those interested in an active booster program honoring Will Osborne please communicate with the undersigned. All inquiries will be welcomed and answered. — Betty Jamieson, 635 Stibbs Street, Wooster, Ohio. AN ORGAN COLUMN T WANT to join some of the mem*• bers of our VOL club and say that Radio Digest is the finest magazine of its kind on the market except for one thing, it only comes around once instead of twice a month. There is one instrument which is very seldom mentioned to any extent in our Digest and that is the mightiest of all musical instruments, the Organ. Why not devote a chapter each issue to Jesse Crawford, Ann Leaf, Ralph Emerson of WLS and others. Let's have some pictures of organ consoles and organists and some news about what's going on in this branch of entertainment. All theatres of any size or importance feature organs. The ballroom in the auditorium in Atlantic City features the largest theatrical organ in the world. Organs are also finding their regular places on sponsored programs. Let's hear from other readers about the organ. I hope we have the pleasure of seeing organs featured in our beloved magazine every issue. — Clifford Martin, Box 292, Beach Haven, N. J.