Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1944)

Hollywood. RADIO UlJuApeAdL. by. tjBOhysL J-xAhaA. CHARLES KORVIN’S FIRST appearance on the Lux Radio Theater served the Universal star very happily as a stepping stone to more top radio dramatic productions. He’s been handed scripts for “Cavalcade of America” and “This Is My Best.” He appeared on Lux with Rita Hay¬ worth in “This Love of Ours,” the radio drama of his first big screen hit. Since making that picture, Korvin has been under suspension for refusing a lead in “Tangier.” As it happened the way that film turned out it was a wise refusal. The new film star leaves the middle of this month for a two week’s visit in New York. FRANK FACTS: Frank Morgan says: “Bing Crosby is one man who never forgets past favors. Why, when the Groaner went to New York recently, he dropped in at the Stork Club and gave everyone in the place a gift. He realized it was about time he gave the stork something!” ASTONISHING AS IT may seem — the Frigidaire show from 20th Century Fox Studios is having difficulty getting outside film talent. This is for a very good reason. The producers have a tie-up with Zanuck to plug Zanuck films, but so many of their pictures feature borrowed talent, that now when they want the stars for the Fox show — the home studio refuses to let them appear for Zanuck on the air without proper screen credits. This Zanuck has refused to do; consequently, you’ll hear Fox players filling in for star parts played by someone else in the picture. The radio dramatization of “Shocked,” with Vincent Price and Lynn Bari was a pip! IN “THE BLUE OF THE NIGHT,” Bing Crosby’s theme song, announced to listeners last night that the famed crooner had re¬ turned to his rightful position as head of the Kraft Music Hall. His songs were wonderful and it was indeed a pleasure to hear the Old Groaner back. Particularly enjoyed “Personality,” Johnny Mercer’s new hit. THE NEW KGFJ STUDIOS will be in Hollywood permanently. Ben McGlashen’s little all-night station has really grown up and is quar¬ tered right smack in the middle of the big networks at Sunset and Vine. Only trouble is how will the announcers forget properly the sta¬ tion’s fifteen year old identification “from atop the J. W. Baldwin Building Chevrolet Company.” One of my favorites of all the arts, Edward Everett Horton, who gets around like a kid in radio these days, jumps to New York for the Fred Allen show this Sunday. Alfred Hitchock and Arthur Treacher will be Allen’s guest on succeeding Sun¬ days! ON THE AIR! Little Norma Jean Nilsson, at eight years old, is proving to be a talented actress. She’s made six appearances on the Lux Radio Theater — and is a regular on the Jack Carson show. If she keeps up her present pace she’ll be a top radio vet¬ eran in three years. Sam Balter makes for terrific news listen¬ ing, and is one of my radio “musts.” Have you noticed the sudden switching of time in your favorite radio programs? I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, and I’m wondering what it por¬ tends. Frankly, I don’t know the answer but I’m willing to specu¬ late. It seems that in war years — the radio time was at a premium — and sponsors bought whatever time the networks had available — get on the air at all costs was the answer. Now it’s evident that time is slacking up and sponsors are beginning to ask questions — and want more time value for their money. So you can expect a lot of additional changes — some not so good — in the near future. IF YOU’RE AN INFORMATION PLEASE patron (and I am) don’t j you think it’s about time the financial minds who run the program loosened up with some real prize money or gifts for their board of experts and the listeners whose questions are used? Take Art Linkletter, for instance. He’s given away in the past year gifts and cash prizes I amounting to $25,000. There are lots of quiz shows, not so popular as “Information Please,” that give away a lot more. Maybe Clifton Fadiman might persuade General Petroleum to loosen up their purse strings. Bill Treadwell of Mutual’s WOR and author of “Give It To Me Easy,” is bringing out another book that ought to be a best-seller. Tome is called “Big Book of Swing,” and is dedicated to Glenn Miller, who has been missing more than a year, but whose boys opened on Broadway last week, still using the Glenn Miller name — to packed houses! Treadwell declares there’s some five hundred illustrative pictures in his “Big Book of Swing.” DIALINGS: DICK HAYMES AND BROTHER BOB are reported very much on the outs. Tony Martin ought to be a sensation in Chi¬ cago’s Chez Paree when he opens there in a few days. He’s had the build-up of the year— for he’s been dating Rita Hayworth ever since he busted up with Uncle Sam — and it’s been a torrid affair to view! No matter what you hear it’s Dave Rose and Jane Nigh — a torrid twosome! If you have been hearing whispers about the Hoagy Car¬ michael’s not being happy — skip it. And Hollywood is making book that Lana Turner will be rumored married to a South American mil¬ lionaire before the week is out! (HEAR GEORGE FISHER, MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, KECA, 2:45 P.M., FOR THRIFTY DRUG STORES AND EVERY NITE COAST TO COAST ON ASSOCIATED BROADCASTING SYSTEM.) NEW COMEDY-VARIETY SHOW IN DEBUT “The Harry Savoy Show” debuts on Mutual-Don Lee (except KHJ) Saturday, February 15, 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. PT, with the broadcast of February 16, according to Pat Campbell, acting program director of the Don Lee network. Walter Zahrt Joins KGO Promotion and Publicity Department Walter Zahrt, manager of sales promotion, merchandising and pub¬ licity for a San Antonio radio station for six years, and recently released from the Navy, has joined KGO’s promotion and publicity de¬ partment in San Francisco. He will be sales promotion assistant to Robert F. Laws, promotion and publicity manager for the ABC outlet in the Golden Gate city. Auerbach With J. Benny Artie Auerbach who has been known for his character of Kitzel, which he has portrayed on the radio, with Abbott and Costello, and Jack Haley, is now bock on the air having signed up with Jack Benny as a regular member of Benny’s group. Former “Teen-Asrers” Songstress Clicks Latest vocalist to make a name for herself after winning her spurs on Hoagy Carmichael’s NBC show, “Something New” is pretty Jewell Hopkins, teen-age thrush who goes into the Hollywood Palladium this week as featured singer with Bob Crosby’s band. Miss Hopkins has appeared on Hoagy’s program on various oc¬ casions and at one time was fea¬ tured vocalist for Jimmy Higson’s “Teen-Agers” band during their ballroom engagements between broadcasts of “Something New.” Clarinets Stolen Opie Cates’ A and B-Flat clari¬ nets were lost or stolen during his engagement at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium last week end. The licorice sticks are valued at $600 and the radio bandsman is offering a reward for return of same. BET AIL AT WHOLESALE PRICES (From Factory To You) Exclusive Imported British Morocco and Pigskin Billfolds — Pocket Secretaries — Coin Holders — Compacts in Leather and Gold or Silver Plated — Fitted Cases for Home or Travel — Gold Plated Cigarette Cases. — Immediate Delivery — BILL 6607 Padre Terrace LIEBERMAN Hollywood (28) Calif. GLadstone 1408 TABU formerly Moon Mullins Now Under Management of MICKEY GOLDFARB and BUS MAHAN fine food— entertainment 7290 Sunset Blvd. — HOllywood 1016 Friday, February 8, 1946 Page Seven