Radio revue (Dec 1929-Mar 1930)

32 RADIO REVUE JTATIC from the XtUDIC/ (Continued from page 28) over Station WABC. She was immediately engaged for solo appearances on Grand Opera, Cathedral and Voice of Columbia radio hours. It is too bad that announcers are not able to carry microphones around with them all the time. When an aeroplane fell on a roof near Central Park in New York City several weeks ago, Graham McNamee happened to be nearby and rushed to the scene of the excitement. A policeman, recognizing him, said: "Say, Mac, all we need is a mike and we could broadcast this to the whole world." Frank Moulan, the noted comedian, recently received a fan letter from a girl in Pennsylvania, commenting on his work in the National Light Opera, NBC. She said she enjoyed his songs very much but asked him would he please sing something in his "natural voice." Frank is still wondering how to take the girl's request. Bill Munday, the "Georgia Drawl," -whose voice described football games through the N. B. C. System this past season, has never heard a football game broadcast. The reason is that Bill has always been at a game every week-end during football season for the past four years. No matter how important the broadcast, the doors to the NBC studios from which it goes on the air can never be locked. This is not a superstition but a fire regulation. In order to keep "crashers" out of the studios — and radio has its crashers — every door is guarded. Signs also advise passers-by that the studio is "on the air" and not open to visitors. ■■■<■ * * Vic Irwin, who, with his orchestra, opened the Mayfair Roof recently, has returned to "radiocasting" via "WOR. Mr. Irwin, who has been playing in practically every state in the Union, last entertained in New York at the Hotel Manger Grill. He left the hotel to become master of ceremonies at the Roxy Theatre. After conducting the 110-piece orchestra at the Roxy, he took charge of a Publix theatre unit, with which he toured to the Pacific Coast. Not often does Milton Cross lose his dignified manner over the air, but one Sunday night recently, while announcing the Armchair Hour, he went completely to pieces. It all started when he began to tell the personnel of the Armchair Ouartet. He announced his own name and, instead of saying "first tenor," inadvertently said "first tennis." Whereupon there was much merriment among the other boys in the studio. "First tennis," repeated Marley Sherris, the bass of the quartet, "and then golf," and thereupon ducked behind a drapery to stifle a guffaw. ' Milton struggled bravely to regain his composure but to no avail. He got by "Maurice Tyler, second tenor," but, when he reached "Walter Preston," he had to throw the switch and go off the air until he could stop laughing. He made a final desperaate attempt and then gave up announcing the names. His listeners apparently enjoyed the incident more than Milton did, judging from the many letters he has received commenting on it. In response to innumerable inquiries, the editor wishes to state most emphatically that Helen Janke, contralto, is not one of the Connecticut Yankees, of Vallee fame. Emil Cote, bass, who had been with the NBC for several years, recently severed his connection with that company in order to sing over Station WABC of the Columbia chain with a quartet called the Alumni Boys, which he organized some months ago. This quartet sings on the Bremer-Tully Time, Gold Seal Moments, Kolster Hour, Forty Fathom Trawlers and the Voice of Columbia Programs. George Dilworth, NBC conductor, will sail on January 4 for a two weeks' cruise to Havana. His trip will be in the nature of a much-needed vacation. He has received a number of "orders" from his friends, to be filled down there, but fears that he may be compelled to dispose of the prescriptions before he returns. Bert Reed, the well known arranger for Remick's, was listening to the radio the other night while he was dining. He heard a rather small voice coming over the air that he seemed to recognize. However, he could not recall the singer's name. "Why, you know," said Mrs. Reed, "that's that Irish tenor." "Irish tenor?" spoke up Bert's son, "-why, he sounds to me more like a Scotch tenor — the way he saves his voice." The first radio Santa Claus 'way back in 1922 was "Jolly Bill" Steinke, of "Jolly Bill and Jane", when he made his spectacular descent down the radio chimney of WOR. In case there are any any other claimants, Bill weighs 230 pounds and has a mean temper. Inside information reveals the fact that the NBC has a real Chess Club. Promptly at six o'clock, on Mondays and Fridays, the chess hounds scurry off to a little corner-place near Madison Avenue, and fight bitter battles with the pieces. The members are George MacGovern, chairman; Julian Street, Jr., and Stuart Ayers, all of NBC continuity room, also Norman Sweetser, of the same company's production room. It is regrettable to have to add (Continued on page 36)