Inside facts of stage and screen (March 15, 1930)

PAGE EIGHT INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, MARCH IS, 1930 REVIEWS COMMENT RADIOL A AfD By FRED YEATES CHATTER NEWS Program Reviews LOCAL PEOPLE BEST MIKE NAMES 0000 PLAN, SAYS KURD The use of microphone names by artists of the air, to an even greater extent than used by stage performers, is recommended by Robert Hurd in a memorandum just issued to artists under his di- rection. Hurd is program director for the two Anthony stations, RFI and KF.CA. “We should make an effort to identify our names with a special type of program,” his memoran- dum states, “and those of us who do widely contrasting kinds of pro- grams should adopt definite names for each class of work. “This does not mean that we countenance improper hiding of personality or misleading informa- tion. “For instance, Robert Hurd as a singer of classic repertoire has neither affinitjr nor sympathy with Paul Roberts, singer of popular sentimental ballads, but they are the same individual. Ivan Ivanoff plays the lighter and more amiable works of old masters, while Homer Simmons plays the most advanced and radical profundities of the moderns; yet they are the same man. “I consider this an advisable and certainly permissible use of pseu- donyms.” KELWlEPORTS^ ARE OF VARYING NATURE Contradicting stories concerning station KELW were not reconcil- able at time of going to press. An effort was made to interest West Coast Theatres in broad- casting programs over the station on the representation that author- ity had been received to operate from downtown Los Angeles six hours a day. As far as could be learned the proposition was not sold. Inquiry from KELW by Inside Facts met with positive assur- ance that no such change was contemplated, and that all broad- casting would continue to be done from the Burbank plant. This sta- tion shares time and wave length with KTM, the Pickwick station in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. BACK ON NIGHT SHIFT SEATTLE, March 13.—Night owl radio fans of this town greeted this week the return of Dick Buckley to KFQW’s “Grave- yard Watch.” This shift, running from midnight to 3 o’clock in the a. m.. features a diversified rou- tine of records, pep and personal- ities. Buckley, former musical comedy artist and vaudevillian, in- jects a lot of verve into his work and has the night listeners of this village corraled. BETTER CONTRACT Charlie Hamp, the singing pianist who plugs coffee over KHJ and KFRC alternately, is reputed to have accelerated sales of Java to such an extent that a grateful sponsor has renewed his contract at a greatly increased figure. It is claimed for him that he is now the highest paid regular radio artist on the Coast. Over the Air From KYA SAN FRANCISCO Comes the Voice of Greta Gahler ALWAYS ANXIOUS TO PLEASE George Nickson TENOR SOLOIST KYA - SAN FRANCISCO TUNE IN ON DUD WILLIAMSON MASTER OF CEREMONIES and STATE ARTIST KYA SAN FRANCISCO Pickups & Viewpoint By FRED YEATES Benny Rubin seems to make a pretty fair radio m. c. Wednesday night now sees him on KFI pilot- ing a program sponsored by a fruit drink concern, giving him oppor- tunity to use his Yankee Doodle laugh and some of his old mate- rial. Last week he treated us to his football yarn and a plug for his phonograph record, also some indirect boosts for Tiffany pic- tures. Assisting him were Jackie Heller, singing pop’ballads; Eddie Stockbridge in character songs, a quartet, and Glen Edmonds and his three strings. It wasn’t bad at all, at all, to start out with. * * * KFWB’s serial “The Pest of the Rancho” has toned down some- what in its profanity and does not seem to suffer. A distinguished cast handles the lines to good ad- vantage, and about the only im- provement that could be suggested is that Maurine McCully, in the lead fern role, speak a little loud- er. She fades right out at times. Supporting her is a distinguished company comprising Wyndham Standing, Brady Cline, who di- rects, Carl Stockdale, Myrtle Bain, Clarence Wilson, Jack Rjdss and Richard Cramer. * * * Private race tracks are being provided by some radio stations to furnish exercising grounds for their announcers. We reach this conclusion after listening to blank spaces where announcements are due, followed shortly by some- thing like this; “For the past— puff puff—half hour—puff puff—- ladies and gennermun—puff puff— you have been listening — puff puff—,” and so on, all out of breath. There has been a regular epidemic of it lately, some even coming from San Francisco by chain. * * v KTM’s theatre hour of March 6 presented “The Prayer,” of the costume era and offered as guest players Nance Dorland, Robert Frazier and Edward Earle. Miss Dorland has previously been praised in these columns, and the other two now join our gallery of excellent radio thespians. The un- seen voices created unusually vivid characters, and whichever of the two gentlemen played the role of the cure is to be congratulated on possessing a voice of distinguished power and quality. * * * Lew Kelly, whose “Professor Dope” is now an episode of the KHJ Merrymakers, last week bor- rowed the Chic Sales gag of the crossing watchman whose lamp was waved according to regula- tions, but nobody thought to ask him if it was lit. (Sich gram- mar.) Even Roger had heard that one before, so Lew did not get away with it. * * * Few of the listeners who dial to KHJ every time June Parker is billed realize that the low voiced blues .chanter is normally a color- atura soprano. But those velvety low tones are much more accept- able and mike like a million. And she looks as good as she mikes. * * * Dick Creedon, whose comedy press material brightens the day for all radio editors, in describing the arrangements made for broad- casting the midwinter regatta this week-end, says: “Some of the an- nouncers may drown, but this is not the fundamental reason for the regatta.” Well, if it isn’t, we can be consoled with the thought that from by-products sometime accrue the most benefit. ♦ * * Barks from the Office Dog: Ray Winters recovering . . . re- ceiving callers and flowers . . . still feels cut up over his opera- tion . . . Elvia Allman knocks down ornamental entrance . . . fallen arches, so to speak . . . Dick Creedon following Lindsay MacHarrie ... in search of inspi- ration ... he found it . . . and still followed . . . Tubby Garron giving Ray Paige a great big hand . . . Glenhall Taylor now an actor . . . talkies please note ... A hello from Gene Inge . . . Pro- fessor Lindsley now billed as an BAYS TELEVISION IS FAR IN FUTURE SAN FRANCISCO, March 13.— Contradicting statements of some more optimistic, Don E. Gilman, vice-president of NBC in charge of the Pacific division, today charac- terized television as “remote” and a “thing which will not come to us for a long time, and possibly not for years.” ' Gilman made his statement in an exclusive interview to Inside Facts. Claims of those who promise general use of television receiving sets in the “near future” are disre- garded by Gilman. “The American home cannot pos- sibly be equipped with the tele- vision set as it is today with the radio receiving set, until a vast amount of perfecting has been com- pleted,” Gilman pointed out. “The Scanning principle of television, on which the greatest development has been made, shows that we cannot expect general use of the television set for a long time. “The newest principle of televi- sion as it is being developed would require the use of wave bands that would absorb too much of the existing radio channels,” Gilman continued. “Before television can be developed to a point practicable to adoption by the ■ general radio audience, this feature must be con- trolled.” Gilman pointed to the present transmission of photographs by wire. “Experiments have proved that television is possible. Reproduction always has been reduced, however, and transmission usually has been under given conditions which we might say always have been per- fect conditions,” said Gilman. “Fa- cilities now employed in broad- casting and employed in television must be simplified and reception must be magnified substantially be- fore we can look forward to exten- sive use of the television receiving set. Obviously, this will require a long time.” put bIonTocal POLITICAL VIEWS No political speeches of local origin are to be allowed over KFI or KECA, according to a ruling by Carl Haverlin. The only political views that may be broadcast at any time over these stations will be those of the owner, and expressed editorially, if at all. OPERATOR ARRESTED KFQZ, Los Angeles, closed down Tuesday following a complaint is- sued by the Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corporation charging Les- lie Taft, operator of the station, with short-circuiting a meter to get free power to run the station. He was expected to submit to ar- rest pending investigation of the charges. GET PICTURE BREAKS The talking and singing pictures are continuing their inroads on radio talent. Bob and Monte, the popular singing team heard regu- larly over KFI, are the latest broadcasting stars to be drafted by Hollywood studios, and they are kept busy dubbing, doubling and recording for several of the producers. MARION IN CAST George Marion, Garbo’s father in “Anna Christie,” has been cast as a humane guard in M-G-M’s prison picture, “The Big House.” organist . . . must be on the vocal organ . . . Jerry King getting a plug . . . Loren Powell reaching for his hat . . . Bob and Monte making personal appearance . . . cash in hand . . . three rousing cheers . . . Robert Hurd consult- ing a dictionary of pseudonyms . . . Charlie Wellman calling on “Uncle Dudley” ... Correction . . . Glenhall Taylor is not going Grey . . . that was ' static . . . June Parker moanin’ low . . . Ho hum, it’s a dog’s life. CROSS SECTIONING RADIOLAND THUMBNAIL REVIEWS LOS ANGELES (Reviewed March 7) KECA (7:30 p. m.)—Senator S. D. Fess, Ohio, speaking over NBC on “One Year of Hoover.” We grasped this opportunity to hunt for jokes in the Literary Digest. KGER (7:40 p. m.)—. . first Corinthians, three, ten . . . the deceitfulness of riches. . . ” Alas, we are doomed to die without knowing how deceitful they are. KGFJ (7:50 p. m.—Plugs for a gold mine. Ford cars, carburetor repairs. Alba Kaglovich, violinist with piano. Amateurish. KM1C (7:55 p. m.—Realty Co. ad for prospective oil lands. “Ida” and “Lucky Me” by an unidenti- fied orchestra; sounded like about six pieces on the loose. KNX (8 p. m.)—Comedy and music melange, with Bert Butter- worth, blonde streak of radio, feeding doughnuts to the squirrels and laugh lines to the listeners. This is one night visitors to the studio can get free food; many actors in the audience. KFWB (8:25 p. m.)—Billy Van billed as Paul Revere, plugging gasoline, and singing “Open Fire- place” and “Doing the Boom- Boom” among others, with piano accompaniment. After the man- ner of Charlie Hamp, with plenty of ah-dahs, do-does and choo-choos. If you like it, it’s good, and from the number of telephone calls many people like it. Followed by Arthur Moranz’ 21- piece concert orchestra playing “I’d Like to Be a Gypsy”; excel- lent band with obviously expert leadership, and cannot help but hold any dial. KHJ (8:45 p. m.)—“Lolita, My Dove,” with tenor and Ray Paige symphony orchestra, a pretty num- ber, but they certainly seem to be plugging it plenty. Auto plug. Helen Bliss, harpist, in “Old Re- frain,” which made nice 'listening. Southern Rhapsody, with orches- tra, vocal soloists and ensemble, introducing “Old Folks at Home,” “Deep River” and “Old Kentucky Home,” hackneyed themes made interesting by clever continuity, ex- cellent musicianship and good showmanship. Followed by “True Story Hour” from New York, CBS. KTM (9 p. m.)—Someone who sounded a lot like Charlie Well- man, singing “Happy Days,” with jazz band accompaniment. Finance company plug| The Synocaptors in “Should I,” tenor crooner and piano; average for this kind of entertainment. KEJK (9:10 p. m.)—“. . . as I could care for yoo-hoo.” She had a nice voice, even if she did aspir- ate; piano accompaniment; who was it? Julius Bullion (sounded like) singing “Love, Your Spell,” tenor voice, thin, dragging tempo. Lubricating service ad plug. Fol- lowed by Louise Sullivan Trio; could not tell whether it was vocal, instrumental or static; a piano and some noise; may have been faulty reception. KFI (9:15 p. m.)—Evelyn Snow singing Travatine, from “Queen of Sheba.” Margaret Duncan at piano, A splendid mezzo voice, with a fine full texture and well handled. She also showed inter- pretive feeling. One of the best women’s radio voices yet heard on the air. KMTR (9:25 p. m.)—Free trip to Catalina by a second hand car dealer. Orchestra in light classic selections; nice unobtrusive music. ALTSHULER ON KFI A Sunday night spot on KFI is to be filled by a symphony orches- tra under the direction of Modest Altshuler, known as conductor of the Russian Symphony Orchestra of New York, guest conductor at the Hollywood Bowl and resident conductor of the Glendale Sym- phony. BERTIE KOBER ILL Bertie Kober, featured organist at KTM, has been on the sick list for the past week. SAN FRANCISCO, March 13.— When radio columnists in the dailies play up above all else the chain programs coming from other cities, or radio hours featuring pic- ture players, they draw the wrath of local ether stars. San Francisco station artists fig- ure that they are the biggest at- tractions to San Francisco listen- ers-in. Their contention is that picture people, on the radio, gen- erally are disappointing and con- sequently are not worthy of the publicity given them in the papers. On the subject of chain pro- grams one local radio singer, speaking for a group, asserts that eastern chain programs, arriving here at 4 and 5 p. m., are too early for the greatest number of fans and, as a result, do not warrant the gratis space given them by the papers. SHAKEUPlElT KMTR, HOLLYWOOD Station KMTR in Hollywood is slated to undergo many changes in artist line-up within the next two weeks. V. G. Freitag has leased all commercial time on this station and plans many changes in pro- gram material. But whether for better or worse cannot be deter- mined at this time, as shortly after closing the deal Freitag became ill and is now confined to hospital. Loren Powell, whose little sym- phony orchestra has been a feature of this station for some time, and believed by many to be its main attraction, has resigned, effective about March 15. It is not expect- ed that the change will affect the announcing, office or technical staffs, at least for the present. This station is now featured by the Los Angeles Evening Herald as its official station, but whether this arrangement will continue is not known by either party as yet, they say. NEW WEEKLY BROADCAST Another weekly chain broadcast starts here April 10 for release to points as far east as Denver over the Don Lee and Columbia chains, originating at KHJ. Eastman Ko- dak is the sponsor. BAILEY IN L. A. William S. Bailey, president of the Columbia Broadcasting System, is in Los Angeles in the role of a tourist only, he says, with nothing on his mind more serious than golf. TO DO NIGHT CLUB Texas Guinan and Dave Barry are due to broadcast a night club program over the CBS Thursday night. ‘ANGELS’ IN L. A. FIRST Caddo’s "Hell’s Angels” is to be world- premiered in Hollywood within the next six weeks, accord- ing to Howard Hughes, producer and director of the film now being edited after three years of prepa- ration. It had been planned to open the film in New York but arangements are now being made for the opening at a Hollywood theatre, with a good chance that the classy new Pantages house will be the one. Broadway is to get the picture in late summer or early fall, after which it is planned to roadshow it. EXPLAIN CONTRACT Reports _ on the operation of the new minimum contract for film artists was to be offered at a meeting of the actor’s branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this week. BARRYMORE’S NEXT Lionel Barrymore’s next for M-G-M is to be from the Peter B. Kyne novel, “Never the Twain Shall Meet.” M-G-M made the picture in 1925 with Anita Stewart in the principal role.