Inside facts of stage and screen (March 8, 1930)

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE NINE KYA SEEKING S. F. LEADERSHIP SAN FRANCISCO, March 6.— By the end of March present ex- pansion plans of KYA will be carried forward to the point where that station hopes to grab off for itself actual leadership in the San Francisco broadcasting field. The station is seeking a site for a new transmitter, which it hopes to have erected by March 31. The roof of the Hotel Whitcomb is being considered as a possible site, in preference to the Hotel Clift, where the present equip- ment is located. Station execu- tives seek to get away from the downtown traffic noises w r hich affect the Clift location. Musically, as well as mechani- cally, the station is growing. New plans are reported under way for the organization of an orchestra, which probably will be under the direction of Liborius Hauptman. Since the crash of the American Broadcasting Company, in which KYA was enmeshed, the station has been without a musical or- ganization. Last week KYA added to its programs the Lido Cafe, picking up that night club’s show by re- mote control. San Francisco Radio Notes (Continued from Page 7) dance band is Walter Krausgrill’s over KFRC emanating from n.1 Patio Ballroom where Krausgrill and his gang are nightly features. * * * George Taylor is KYA’s oldest employe in point of service. Among other programs he has those of the Wagon Theatres, the Embassy and Davies and they’re popular too. * * * KTAB’s Saturday night what- have-you program is getting _ quite a lot of attention from the dialers. This program is presented each Saturday night between 9 and 11 and embraces nearly all of the KTAB artists in an informal, all- request program. Artists who usually contribute are Joan Ray, contralto; Jane Sargent Sands, concert pianist: Lovey Wolfe, blue singer; Carl Tobin, tenor balladist; Herb Scharlin, pianist and singer; Henie Klotz, Enrico Martinelli, operatic tenor; Togo, the “Jay Boy,” and many guest artists. Walter J. Rudolph and his Melody Masters always furnish Romantic Route Ends In Demand For More Speed Modern thirst for speed has practically destroyed a romantic vehicle in the Los Angeles radio world. Perhaps it has not de- stroyed the vehicle, but it has certainly done away with a lot of romantic opportunities. The vehicle referred to is the uplift chariot, otherwise known as an automatic elevator, which one must use to get to the KFI studios on the roof of the Packard Building. In the never-to-be-forgotten yesterday a trip up to KFI was a leisurely journey to be planned and provisioned in advance, whose adventuresome delights could be regarded with anticipa- tory pleasure by the hardy traveler who, having ample time on his hands, did not care what happened to him so long as it was unusual. It was on this elevator that Bob Palmer met Monte Hall, both on their way up to see Robert Hurd in the hope of sell- ing their respective talents. By the time they arrived at the roof the now nationally known team of Bob and Monte had been organized and rehearsed, stepping forth to knock Hurd for a row of engagements and the radio fans for an epidemic of fan mail. It was on this same elevator that Carl Haverlin, prince of sports announcers, met Virginia Flohri, princess of radio song- birds, and by the time the chariot came to a bumpy stop at KFI the prince had wooed and won the princess and all the details of a royal wedding had been arranged. It was into this same chariot that Jose Rodriguez stepped one day, with a brand new piano score of the Caesar Franck Symphony, and when he emerged at the top was able to sit down at the piano and play the entire symphony from memory, thereby winning a place on the KFI staff and the respectful admiration of all critics. This sort of raconteuring might go on indefinitely, but why evoke more tears of fond affection? For with the opening of the new KECA studios on the floor below KFI and the coinci- dent general improvements, the old chariot’s valves have been ground, spark plugs cleaned, and now the journey is one of dizzy speed. The former trip of aristocratic ease, so slow that one almost seemed to be going backwards, is now twice as fast. IN RADIO WORK the musical background of this program which is in the hands of Bob Roberts, master-of-ceremonies. * * * * Meredith Willson, KFRC’s con- cert director, and Monroe Upton, chief announcer and writer, work out the program together, Willson providing the music and Upton the story. Willson not only makes special arrangements of composi- tions but if occasion demands will write an original composition. * * * Lou La Mert of La Mert Bros, has bieen added to the Novelette Program released each Saturday over N. B. C. He broadcasts characterizations of old English numbers. ROBBINS OFFICE CLOSED SAN FRANCISCO, March 5.— Robbins Music Co. closed its local office on March 1, leaving the local field without a representa- tive. Newton S. Kelly, who opened San Francisco headquarters for the firm some months ago, ex- pects to announce a new affilia- tion soon. ALBERTI AT WARFIELD SAN FRANCISCO, March 5.— Closing of Fanchon and Marco Ideas at the Fox Senator, Sacra- mento, brings Oliver Alberti from the capitol city into Loew’s War- field here where hie will conduct the concert orchestra. He suc- ceeds Peter Paul Lyons who joins the Fox Theatre orchestra. It is understood that the move is only temporary and that Lyons will be back as soon as Alberti is given another spot. GUNZENDORFER AT RIVER SAN FRANCISCO, March 5.— Wilt Guzendorfer and his orches- tra have signed for the summer season at Guernewood on the Russian River, opening May 30. Guzendorfer also has a band at the Whitcomb Hotel here. SAN FRANCISCO, March 5.— Chuck Dutton and his band, cur- rently at the Hotel Oakland, are slated to open in May at Rio Nido, summer resort on the Russian River. PORTLAND, Ore., March 5.— Bert Kimber, well known bass singer and vaudeville trouper, who covered the old Pantages and Or- pheum circuits for several seasons, and also the Moss Circuit in Eng- land, is now doing special radio work here over station KGW. Kimber was the heavy bass in both the Harmony Four and also the Angel City Four. He makes his headquarters at the Orpheum Theatre. MUSIC CO. CLOSES SAN FRANCISCO, March 6.— American Music Co., independent music publishers, closed their doors this week after a six months period of activity in the field. Bobby Vogel, professional manager for the firm, has negotia- tions under way with another firm for his activities, and expects to announce a connection soon. M. C. CHANGES Lynn Cowan continues on his third week at the Boulevard, re- placing Slim Martin, who will con- duct the orchestra at the new Pantages Theatre slated to open April 13. RECORDING CO. QUITS SAN FRANCISCO, March 6.— After some five months of ex- istence the Personal Recording Co., located in the Kress Build- ing, closed its doors. Edward M. Lawrence and A. E. Lauder, part- ners in the firm, have split. TO BE KFI FEATURE Sponsored by an oil company, Max Fisher's dance band is to broadcast nightly over KFI, be- ginning at once. During one hour and a half there are to be only four brief announce- ments; no request numbers and no chatter, everything on the ritz. This marks Fisher’s return to KFI programs after an absence of six years. He used to be one of the Anthony station’s chief attrac- tions. Carl Haverlin gets credit for this deal, pulling one of the fastest negotiations in radio his- tory. S. F. OPERA COMPANY SAN FRANCISCO, March 6.— A permanent light opera company is being planned for San Fran- cisco, with the Columbia men- tioned as the possible house for the venture. Max Hirschfield will be musical director. Tentative pro- duction plans call for an orchestra of 30 musicians, a chorus of 60 men and women, and additional singers, dancers and musicians. Victor Herbert light operas will open the season when it gets under way within the next month or two. SACRAMENTO, March 6,— The Sutter Theatre is slated to re-open March 8 under the man- agement of Otto Lochbaum. Bert Butterworth BLONDE STREAK OF RADIO with Optimistic Donuts on KNX Airdales Over KNX Gilmore Circus over Pacific Coast NBC Gilmore Circus over KNX YVONNE CARR SONGSTRESS DE LUXE A REGULAR FEATURE OVER THE ETHER WAVES OF KFWB English Characterizations A REGULAR OCCURRENCE OVER KNX EXCLUSIVELY CASTING DIRECTORS—TUNE IN