Talking Screen (Sep-Oct 1930)

Al Jolson always gets a big hand when he steps up to the microphone, for he invariably thrills the crowd with wisecracks or some bit of comedy. "The crowd always likes Marie Dressier," says M;-. Lang, "for she is ever ready with a winning smile and a humorous speech that gets them." versatility, Lang has come to be known as Hollywood's Graham McNamee. If William Fox opens a new theatre in San Francisco or San Diego, Freeman Lang is the presiding genius at the mike, telling the natives every little thing of interest about the stars on hand. When Lindbergh arrived with the first T.A.T. plane at the Glendale station, it was Freeman Lang who prevailed on him to talk to the assembled throng. He broadcast the arrival of the Zeppelin, the Hearst banquet afterward, and all the thrilling events in connection with the giant of the air. If you want to know who's dancing with whom at the Cocoanut Grove, listen in on Freeman Lang. He handles the mike at the famous Breakfast Club, covers banquets, and lends a bit of glamour to dedications and ground diggings. Jack Oakie's popularity can well be imagined, for his informal, breezy attitude goes over big with the waiting throng. He always has a wise-crack. them to the microphone at the theatre entrance with a smiling request for a few words. If he succeeds in getting a star of particular prominence, a clever vaudevillian of known humor, or visiting celebrity of high degree of intelligence, he cries out "interlock." This means that the sotmd movie apparatus is switched on, and a permanent record of what is said is made at the time it is shot. Later on, the movie fans throughout the country see these premiere talkies in their home theatres. FRED STONE has the record for humor over the microphone; at Will Rogers' premiere of They Had to See Paris, he gave a first class imitation of what he had heard frequently over his own radio on these special nights. As cameras were clicking, and sound apparatus working, the stunt was recorded and is now on the road. To many of the erstwhile silent players, the microphone always will be an instrument of torture. These shy ones approach the instrument shaking nervously, and holding tight to the announcer's hand. When Freeman Lang gets home from a premiere, his palm exudes a hundred different perfurnes ! Brand new grounds for divorce, but Mrs. Freeman Lang happens to be a good sport and appreciates what her husband is in for. One night, Mr. Lang placed a microphone in his vest pocket and went inside the lobby of the theatre. While members of his staff trailed him with wire, he engaged stars in conversation. Unaware that they were being recorded, they talked naturally and spontaneously. Afterwards, Lang kidded his victims, proving to them how easy it was to be natural. STARS who never will consent to go before the microphone, according to Mr. Lang, are Charles Chaplin, Lon Chaney, Douglas Fairbanks, Harold Lloyd, Lionel Barrymore and John Gilbert. I remember Chaplin told me once that "the cold mechanics of the radio put me at such a disadvantage I nearly go to pieces!" Just zfi there are certain [^Continued on page 84} |N graduating from the Los Angeles public schools he took up radio engineering, becoming such an expert that when he enlisted in the Marines when we entered the World War he was at once set to work by Uncle Sam as radio instructor and builder of radio stations for the devil dogs. Returning to California, Freeman Lang set up his own radio business, including broadcasting station KEJK and airplane station 6XBA. Before long, the motion picture studios began calling on the young radio engineer for special work needed. In this way began Lang's acquaintance with the film colony. Today, this likable young radio man knows all Hollywood by the first name, not only who's who, but what's what. He knows what pictures the players are working on, and all of their little private affairs of intrigue to the public. His introductions are as tactful as they are timely. He never gets facetious, nor lays it on too thick. His method is to accost the stars as they step out of their cars, and escort One of the best microphone orators in Hollywood is suave Ronald Colman. His delightful English accent distinguishes him and charms the audience, according to Mr. Lang. 00