Radio revue (Dec 1929-Mar 1930)

DECEMBER, 19 2 9 Amos 'np Andy Radio's First Comic Strip By P. H. W. DIXON AMOS 'n' Andy have made radio history. Freeman F. Gosden and Charles J. Correll, creators of the two famous radio characters heard every night except Sunday over a network of NBC stations, have found what dozens of others have been vainly seeking— the technique of being funny on the air. Amos 'n' Andy are funny. The antics of the two blackface adventurers, their mishaps with the Open Air Taxicab Company and the dozens of funny situations in which they involve themselves are keeping thousands of listeners up later than the customary time for retiring and they are not doing it one night a week but for six consecutive nights — which, in itself, is another radio record. Amos 'n' Andy were born of necessity. Correll and Gosden, who previously had made themselves famous on the air under the names of "Sam and Henry." decided not to renew a contract with the Chicago Tribune, which had sponsored the "Sam and Henry" broadcasts. The Tribune owned the characters of "Sam and Henry." so the two comedians developed "Amos 'n' Andy." Their inspiration was a good one for, while "Sam and Henry" were popular, the new blackface characterizations were, in the language of vaudeville, wows. Since the two characters came into being, a book has been written about them and their creators have made numerous tours of the country. On the Air Since 192 5 Correll and Gosden have been on the air since 1925. V\ hile they had previous theatrical experience, they had never done negro characterizations until they were working from radio studios. Correll, the "Andy" of the team, was born in Peoria, 111. He says he was born with a desire to be an actor and that the ambition grew with years. As often happens, he found himself far removed from the footlights, in the business of building houses. Finally he gave up construction work and went on the stage. Gosden, or "Amos." comes from Virginia. His an *8^*s Freeman F. Gosden and Charles J. Correll, the highest paid radio performers in America, are now on the air at seven o'clock every evening except Sunday. cestors came from England and for three generations lived in Virginia. Freeman was the first Gosden to leave the state. He was born in Richmond in 1899 and lived there throughout his school years with the exception of one year spent at a military school in Atlanta, Georgia. He was raised in the customary southern fashion with a negro mammy. Gosden's mother took a young negro lad into her household, who was raised with Freeman. His name was "Snowball," and he has been the inspiration for no small percentage of the Amos 'n' Andy episodes. Sylvester, the lovable lad in Amos 'n' Andy who helped them solve the garage mystery and many other troubles, is no other than "Snowball." One can even find "Snowball's" traits in Amos, himself. Gosden's stage experience began at the age of ten, when he won over a skeptical audience by diving into Annette Kellerman's tank. When he was but twelve, he assisted the great magician, Thurston, by holding a handful of eggs. Discovered by Alex Robb Alex Robb. manager of the Chicago division of the National Broadcasting and Concert Bureau, is credited with discovering the talents of Gosden and Correll. the impersonators of Amos 'n' Andy. While managing the production of a home talent min