Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

i s t e n e r HITTING THE NAIL /^LARENCE WHITEHILL hit the nail v> on the head in his article "Why Not Prohibit Vocal Atrocities." He puts our sentiments into words. Such expressions as "the unskilled one finger pianist," "the illiterate lyric writer," "the so-called singer who barks and wails" are perfectly descriptive of some atrocities put on the air. But how can we get the radio powers that be, to understand how easy it is to cut the radio off? I wrote the General Manager of Columbia some few weeks ago, pointing out how we in our family deal with the trash — we switch it off ! But the General Manager never acknowledged my letter — probably because it stung. We listen to those programs that promise to be worth while. If we enjoy the programs we frequently write and express our appreciation. Please express to Mr. Whitehill our appreciation of his attitude and article. — William E. Bryant, 4606 Thirteenth Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. WHAT DO VOLLERS SAY? LJERE are a few requests, bouquets and "• suggestions for your very swell magazine. First, I want to compliment you on your "Letters to the Artist" feature which is the best idea you've had since I've been reading Radio Digest. Couldn't you cut out some of that other stuff which is not essentially pertaining to radio and have the letters of two stars each month instead of one. (But not cutting down on the length of either.) Only twelve a year seems like such a few when there are so many whose fan mail would be very interesting. I should like a peek at the letters received by Kate Smith, Ben Bernie, Ted Husing and Graham McNamee. This next sounds silly, I suppose, but I think there must be others as curious as I. During the course of an evening's radio entertainment we hear five or six selections which are played "by special permission of the copyright owners". I think an article, by someone who knows, would be of interest to many of us who haven't any idea of what steps must be taken in order to get permission to play the piece. We notice several readers have sent in lists of their favorite orchestras, singers, etc. Why not have a list some month, or for several issues, and let your subscribers vote on them. And why not add a space for the fans to vote on the one radio entertainer who is the big favorite — the one whom they would rather listen to than anyone else. I think everyone has one. — Evelyn Faux, Fort Wayne, Ind. NO SLIGHT INTENDED "YX/"HEN I began reading in the Radio "" Digest for May that some listener was disgusted at the lack of Irish in Rudy Vallee's St. Patrick's Day broadcast. I felt sure that the signature would be "Michael O'Donegan" or "Patrick McBrien". Instead it was "Francis Brown", which does not smack of much Irish atmosphere. Rudy presented the program as he did, I believe, because he is a showman and knows the secret of successful broadcasting. By eight o'clock March 17th, listeners were beginning to weary of Irish programs just as one wearies of too much of any good thing. However, Rudy knew that his listeners expected a bit of Irish and they got it. What was the matter with Ray Perkins' Irish song ? Surely Ray's brogue i? satisfactory. A pro gram of an hour's duration needs to be well-balanced and have some contrast or it would be monotonous and uninteresting. As Rudy has never gone in for singing Irish songs, I believe it was better for him to remain just Rudy and let those who shared the Fleischmann Hour supply the "Irish atmosphere." I am certain that Rudy is not ashamed of his Irish ancestry or he would not mention it in his writings, interviews, etc. If that "entire community" wanted some Irish airs, why didn't they write Rudy some fan letters and make their requests, as Rudy's programs are made to a great extent from requests from listeners? — Just a Fan from Port Jervis, N. Y. AN R. D. CLUB! TX/'E READ the Radio Digest every " » month and sure do enjoy it immensely. We have seen nearly all of our radio favorites in the Radio Digest but there are a few that you have not mentioned so far. How about giving the crooners a break. We are some of the folks who enjoy a good crooner such as Pat Kennedy-Fran Frey, Don Novis and Jack Fulton. Why not print an article about them and give all us Radio Digest fans a look at them. Hoping to see their pictures in a future issue, we are — A Pittsburgh Radio Digest Club, Pittsburgh, Pa. WE'LL ROPE THIS GAUCHO! '"TODAY I write to remind you of the ■*■ photograph of the Lombardo orchestra I hope to find in your pages soon and I hope you will also print the route for their tour. I have one more request to make. There has been a great scarcity of information concerning one of my favorite artists — Tito Guizar who sings those beautiful Spanish love songs and who has one of the most gorgeous voices I have ever heard. I have thrilled to the exquisite beauty of his voice on the Gauchos program for a long time, and more recently on the Woodbury program. Please won't you tell us about him and give us pictures? I regret the smaller size of my new copy of Radio Digest. I'd rather pay a quarter and get the full size. There is much food for thought in the editorial this month. It is an angle that the fan is not likely to consider. The two pages of announcers are fine and I wait impatiently for the continuation. Who says we don't adore announcers ! Their beautiful speaking voices are among my greatest delights and I am sure they are helping us beyond measure in self improvement. The biographies have been wonderful — and still are — but the slate has hardly been scratched. Fans would love more of the little anecdotes that fit in and add so much to their scrapbooks. I've been reading Radio Digest for three years and wouldn't miss it for anything. Please give us a nice story about Tito Guizar. — Hazel Rhoades, 1749 N. Winchester Avenue, Chicago, 111. MAYBE WE'RE WRONG? WAS surprised to find Radio Digest ten cents thinner this month. Would rather pay the quarter. and have it fatter and newsier. Missed Marcella even though she is a poor finder of missing artists. Had you left out Tuneful Topics and VOL there would have been nothing left. Can't imagine a radio fan being interested in Irvin Cobb's writing or Dean Archer's. Clarence 33 Whitehill's article was very good. N er miss a Fleischmann hour but did not ..jar the 17th of March program announced as being of Irish atmosphere, although I do remember the Mullen sisters. Too bad about all "them there" Ashtabula Vallee fans going wrong. Can anyone imagine Vallee being ashamed of his Irish or better sid«'? Of course everyone knows that was his mother. Many thanks, and here's looking for a twenty-five cent Digest in June. — Sidney Smith, Absecon. WE HAVE TO SELL 'EM T SUBSCRIBED for your magazine and got ■*■ a swell picture. The magazine is swell and I'm crazy about the new pictures on the cover. Then you come along with the May issue half-size, fifteen cents, and I don't like the paper it's printed on. I don't even like the articles. I don't mind having the price cut, but I think you're just helpinu Old Man Depression along his troublesome way. If you had maintained the twenty-five cent standard maybe people could — well forget a little. The new Announcers' Gallen is okay. Why not start an Orchestra Gallery too? Also I am heartily in favor of a male beauty contest, and I appoint with regard for looks only, not talent, Rudy Vallee, Bing Crosby, James Wallington, and George Beuchler. Print more pictures of men — we get tired of girls. Can anyone tell me when Buddy Rogers broadcasts? Let's have a pic ture of Will Osborne, I've never seen a picture of him, nor heard him broadcast, when is he on ? Here's to Morton Downey, George Jessel, the Four Lombardos, Art Jarrett and Lanny Ross — long may they broadcast. I'd like to say this in conclusion I like the old 'Radio Digest best and I'm disappointed in it. Please won't some of you radio fans write to me, especially Eugene W. Cain, who complained about the photos — I've no complaint — I have about SO, since August — so there! — Miss Winifred Stabler. Box 8, Geronimo, Oklahoma. DEFENDS COLUMBO I AM a new reader of Radio Digest and I liked best of all Voice of the Listener. And I want to have my say too, I think it was silly of two of your readers who wrote in to say that they did not care for Russ Columbo's singing. If they do not appreciate his singing then they don't know anything about it. I think he has the finest voice on the air. I would like you to publish this so that they may know there are others who think him worthy of attention. I wish you best of luck and I hope to be a constant reader of your delightful Digest. — N. D. Alexander, 98 Second Place. Brooklyn, N. Y. SPEAK UP, NELLIE! MY HUSBAND and I sit up every night to hear Nellie Revell's program on the radio and enjoy every minute of it and always say "it is too short". Last night it was especially good. We are interested in the different ones you have spoken of and like to hear who they are but are more interested in Nellie Revell than anyone else, so will you please tell us a little about your own dear self. — Sarah C. Pierce, 29 Union Street, Hornell. New York. I HAVE been a reader of Radio Digest for over a year and it seems as if each month it grows more and more interesting. I am especially interested in VOL and "Tuneful Topics" by Rudy Vallee and also in the different radio artists and announcers. I live in the vicinity of Hartford, Conn., and would like to see a picture of Fred Wade of WTIC and also of Walter Hass of WDRC. Would it be possible to have their pictures in some of the later Digests? I would also like to ask for a true picture of Mrs. Rudv Vallee some time. I have seen many of her but no two look alike. — C. L. G., Hirt