Inside facts of stage and screen (May 24, 1930)

PAGE EIGHT INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1930 110 JOINS FIGHT FOR FREE SPEECH Radio has come to the assistance of the daily press in connection with the contempt of court charges brought against the Los Angeles Record by the L. A. Bar Associa- tion. The charges arose from attacks made by the Record, by editorials and cartoons, against District At- torney Buron Fitts’ KFI broad- cast a statement on May 19 in the cburse of which it was said: “Whether the Record was right or wrong does not matter. The ques- tion at issue is that any radio sta- tion or any newspaper should have absolute freedom of speech. “Ever since the day of John Milton it has been an established political doctrine of Anglo-Saxon peoples that the press has the in- alienable right to criticize the acts of public officials.” The cartoons and editorials were not printed during the progress of any trial, but' during the delibera- tions of the grand jury. MARJORIE RAMBEAU TO MAKE TALKIE DEBUT Marjorie Rambeau will make her first talking picture appearance \yhen Helen Twelvetrees’ Pathe ve- hicle, “Her Man,” is released. Miss Rambeau was signed this week for a part in the picture, which Tay Garnett will direct. Jimmy Gleason also has been cast for an important role. This picture is understood to have been suggested by the Frankie and Johnnie poem. Garnett and Howard Higgin wrote the first screen version, and later, with Hig- gin no longer with Pathe, Garnett and Tom Buckingham worked it over to its present form. The picture is due to start with- in the next ten days. ENCHANTERS AT KJR SEATTLE, May 22.—The En- chanters, a male quartette, former- ly heard with the American Broad- casting Company, will again be on the air over KJR Saturday from 8 to 8:30 p. m. and on Mondays from 8:30 to 9 p. m. Their Satur- day program will be entitled “En- chanters Musical Vitamins.” On Mondays the quartette will present a songfest consisting of well- known American folk songs. DITMARS WITH KJR SEATTLE, May 22.—Ivan Dit- mars, formerly pianist and musical director for KOL, has recently severed his relations with this sta- tion and is now a member of the staff of KJR. LICENCE AT KTM Dick Licence has been added to the KTM staff as an announcer. He was two years with WHEC, Rochester, N. Y., and this is his first appearance on the Pacific Coast. FILMS TO RADIO Lou Gordon, tenor, comes to KTM from pictures, having worked in “Montana Moon,” “Free and Easy” and “Good News.” His for- mer radio experience was with the NBC and station KTAB, San Fran- cisco. NEWCOMB JOINS KTM A musical comedy artist in the person of Phil Newcomb has been added to the KTM staff. He ap- peared on the stage in Oakland, and also was associated with KPO and KFRC in San Francisco. ARTHUR SHAW ILL Arthur G. Shaw, organist for KTM, was taken suddenly ill last week and was unable to appear for a scheduled concert. He is now on the road to recovery and is expect- ed back at the console at the end of next week. BACK ON AIR The Long Beach municipal band returns to the air this week over KGER in daily concert, except Mondays, 2:30 to 4 p. m. Here’s One For The Cross Word Puzzle Nuts Here’s another note on Hoover prosperity, Hollywood version. A lad came into the Actors Equi- ty Association and announced he wished to pay $14 back dues, which he proceeded to do. After he had gone a bystander remarked: “How come he’s a member of the A. E. A. when he isn’t an actor?” “But he is an actor,” declared Florence Welles, Equity Guardian of the Portals. “Yeah?” replied the bystander. “Well, then, where’d he get the fourteen dollars?” iiteTmn TO ADDRESS CLUB The growing respect in which radio is being held by prominent women’s clubs and ciuic bodies of importance is exemplified by an in- vitation extended by the Friday Morning Club of Los Angeles, a leading woman’s club of the Wets, to Carl Haverlin of KFI-KECA to be speaker on a special pro- gram June 6. Mrs. Paul Jordan Smith, presi- dent of the club, assigned to Hav- erlin the topic “Broadcasting in Relation to National Culture.” “Mrs. Smith has been wise and kind enough,” said Haverlin, “to give official recognition in behalf of her club to the fact that radio is no longer a tedious intruder, a half-baked entertainer and a garru- lous pest. It is an immense and vitalizing element in all phases of life.” IS NIGHT ANNOUNCER Fritz Martin has been added to the staff of KGER, Long Beach, as night announcer. He comes from WGCO, Minneapolis, and WOW, Davenport. HAS O. S. PRORGAMS KGER is handling 22 programs by remote control from the Ana- heim Orange Show as an exclu- sive feature. The station has been granted permission to increase its power from 250 watts to 1000. RADIO NIGHT CLUB A Night Club of the Air is an innovation of KHJ, on the air for the first time May 21, under the piloting of Ted White, a staff en- tertainer, who has worked night clubs in America, in China and in Panama. If it clicks it will be re- tained as a regular feature. ELVIA HELD OVER Elvia Allman, ballad crooner of the KHJ staff, recently loaned to KFRC, San Francisco, has proved so popular in the Bay City that she has been held over there for a third week. JOINS DON LEE Pearl Hunter, coloratura soprano, has been added to the Don Lee staff here. HODGINS RETURNS SAN FRANCISCO, May 22.— After an absence of six years Earl Hodgins, former local stock play- er, has returned. SAN FRANCISCO, May 22.— Lincoln, suburban house managed by Charlie Michaels, is installing RCA Photophone. SAN FRANCISCO, May 22.— Maude Walker is slated to show at Erlanger’s Columbia, possibly in June. She is expected here this week to begin rehearsals. PATHE MEETING SAN FRANCISCO, May 22.— Pathe will hold its regional meet- ing here next week with Herb Mc- Intyre, divisional manager, in charge. M. E. Cory is the local manager. WIDE DISCUSSION ON RADIO SCHEME The suggestion advanced in these columns last week, pointing to a solution of the much-discussed and abused advertising sponsorship of radio programs, has awakened much interest in the radio world and brought many comments, both for and against, as well as further sug- gestions in elaboration of the main idea, which necessarily had to be handled very briefly in its first presentation. Broadcasters anticipate that the greatest objection to the proposed scheme of things would come from the national advertisers, who are reputed to find radio a lucrative publicizing medium, especially along the lines of building good will to- ward certain trade names. Some of the biggest users of radio advertis- ing are units of the big interests now said to control radio in this country. “With solid opposition from the great companies represented by na- tional advertisers,” said one station commercial advertiser, “how far do you suppose your idea would go along the road to adoption?” Free to All It has also been pointed out that the basic principle of the new radio law is that the air shall be free to all. However, no .objection has yet been advanced that could not be overcome without much diffi- culty. “One point brought out in your suggestion has made us think hard upon a subject that seemed to have escaped our study before,” said an- other executive, “and makes us think more seriously of your plan than the mere question of eliminat- ing advertising from entertainment programs.” This point was that when a per- son goes into a store and makes the purchase of a radio receiving set, the retailer, jobber, wholesaler and manufacturer each make a profit from the deal, but the broad- caster, a non-participant in the deal, is put under the obligation of furnishing a continuous flow of free entertainment for the haphazard use of the purchaser from then on, henceforth and forever; a situation which is unsound in its economicl principle and therefore cannot en- dure indefinitely. How Divided Another point raised during dis- cussions of the plan was: How would the earnings of this set- rental scheme be divided among the broadcasters, or program-pro- ducing studios? How would a studio producing a fine quality of entertainment and attracting the larger audiences be assured of its fair share of remuneration? A meter-registering device would accomplish this, and at the same time establish something that no amount of research and inquiry has been able to compute under the present scheme of things. This device would record on a paper tape the hours in which the set had been in use, and the call letters of the stations tuned in. These readings, collected at inter- vals, would furnish the basis of the monthly radio bill, also furnish a graphic record of the popularity of certain types of entertainment and the drawing power of certain sta- tions and stars. This method is essentially equitable to all con- cerned. Similar Method It is the same method, in its es- sentials, as used in selling gas, light, power, water and telephone service. This plan is admittedly a sound one for newcomers to the listening field, but how provide for those who have purchased sets on the hit-and-miss plan now in vogue? The recording meters could be added to present equipment now privately owned, and credit allowed for the money invested in them by their purchasers. But how guard against bootlegged or concealed sets, using entertainment without paying for it? In the first place, it is difficult to conceal a radio set when in opera- tion, as will be noted by bungalow court and apartment dwellers, and there would be little enjoyment of its entertainment with the lurking fear of detection interfering. In the second place, the transmission Pickups & Viewpoint These auditions! What a pain in the ears; a cease- less parade of hopelessly hopeful tyros, without training, background or native talent. Nothing but hope. They have all heard the radio and told themselves, “Why, I can do as well as that.” A silly, ig- norant neighbor says, “Why don’t you sing over the radio? Your voice is just lovely.” So they come, a new crop every day. Here is a young married couple, the little woman’s face shiny with expectation, and just simply knowing that her husband’s tenor will panic ’em. Hubby is nervous, nis throat husky, his fingers cold, and his face a little grey. She sits down at the piano and plays a hymn, and they duet to it, her voice a shrill soprano and his uncertain. The poor auditor listens and tries to look poker, and as they finish he smiles indulgently. Hub- by goes into a solo, “Just A-Weary- in’ For You,” or “I Love You Truly” (Mrs. Bond has a lot to an- swer for). His “tenor” would real- ly turn out baritone under proper training, but it is quite obvious he is totally unfitted for public per- formance. There is some mock business about the telephone num- ber, a courteous “thank you,” and they go home to wait with dimin- ishing hope for a call that never comes. * * * They come in family groups, big brother caterwauling a ballad, then little brother and sister harmoniz- ing a duet, while mamma plays the piano for them in pretty parlor thumping style. Then comes a trio of musicians — fiddle, guitar and trumpet. A heavy-set lady is the fiddler; she looks like a landlady, but the two men look professional. An unkind thought about room- rent credit passes through the mind, but let it pass. This is a time for generosity. * * * Now comes a young man with accordion. He goes into a huddle with his instrument, away up in a corner, his back to the audience. A cataract of jazz pours upon the ear, a rowdy medley, full of inaccuracies and skips. Then we hear a basso with a one-octave range, singing “Song of the Volga Boatman.” He has been prevented from singing “Just A- Wearyin’ For You” only by the quick intervention of the weary au- ditor. He chest-tones within his single octave and seems to get away with it because he is asked to sing a popular number. He re- sponds with “Pagan Love Song,” a new one hot out of the vaults. * * * By way of variety, the next one is a kinky-headed little girl who hollers “Am I Blue?” She is asked, “Do you ballad?” She answer, “Huh? Whaddid you say? I dun- no.” She had no music of any kind with her. Then a little brunette, who has been sitting quietly beside a gray- haired daddy, steps up and erupts into “O-o-o-h, Sweet Rose Ma- rie-e-e-eEE!” It is too much. * * * _ Nobody can afford to take the time to show them their pitiful shortcomings; it would be a thank- less job anyway. Their names, ad- dresses and phone numbers are all written down, but what happens to them is nobody’s business. * * * If we have any space left, it might be used to say that the KHJ staff orchestra needs some more strings, say about two more violins, a viola and another cello. This weakness is noticeable in an other- wise outstanding radio band. And something that has lost its novelty is this run-down and wind-up phon- ograph imitation stunt. Stick it in the icebox for a while. * * * Barks from the Office Dog: Jose could be confined to wires and not loosed upon the air as now, being connected to house light or tele- phone wiring, as has already been experimented with in France. That the plan has distinct merit has been freely admitted, and is the subject of a great deal of discus- sion. PRE-RELEASE OF SONGS STUNT SOON The new stunt being prepared by KHJ for a nationwide broadcast originating here, which will feature pre-releases of new popular song compositions, is to be inaugurated May 28. The presence in Hollywood and Los Angeles of practically all of the well-known song writers, com- posers and lyricists is calculated to make this a unique series, and will do as much as anything else to- ward impressing upon the world that this is now in fact the center of the world of things musical and theatrical. The cooperation of all of the ma- jor film-producing studios has been promised. Special arrangements are being contributed by the studio music luminaries. Programs will include not only the newest com- positions on which the ink is scarce- ly dry, but will also offer new ar- rangements of current successes. Also to be featured on each pro- gram will be a film star, a genuine big shot who will be a real name draw, and a comedian of proven ability who must absolutely guar- antee at least one laugh. The KHJ orchestra and staff singers will cooperate. HARDY AT KPC SEATTLE, May 22. — Truman Bishop Handy, former pianist with “The Ginger Snaps,” “The Revue A La Carte” and other vaude acts, is currently staff pianist at radio Station KPCB here. Before com- ing here, Handy was staff pianist at KFWI in Los Angeles. Rodriguez in drive to end traffic hazards . . . they say one hazard is Jose’s driving . . . Great havoc in ranks of radio bachelors . . . Glen- hall Taylor secretly wed . . . Gene Grant to splice in June . . . Maril- lah Olney wedded to her Ford . . . oh, where will it all end? . . . Ger- ald Byrne putting on the melting- pot act . . . Paul O’Hara in a new version of that “ ’twas a dark and stormy night” story . . . Roland Foss wrestling with his morning bottle of milk . . . had to drink it straight, as he lost the nipple . . . Carl Haverlin declaiming “America is still safe ... as long as we can buy a cuppa curffie for a nickel” . . . new girlie faces around KFI offices . . . Leslie Brigham being introduced . . . Roy Ringwald ask- ing, “Would it be news if I got married?” . . . heh heh, WOULD it! . . . straws show which way the wind blows . . . MacHarrie moving back to town . . . and Dick Cree- don and Gene Byrnes moving out to Cheviot Hills . . . now every- body sing “It’s cheaper to move than ” . . . Five sprained ankles in the Don Lee family . . . June Parker . . . Nell Larson . . . Ruth Barnhard . . . Elvia Allman . . . Hal Peery’s wife . . . and that ain’t all . . . Nell has been riding a horse . . . and has to stand up to play the piano . . . Still another casualty . . . Leigh Harline has the strawberry hives . . . Charlie Well- man and that blonde again . . . be- gins to look steady . . . and serious . . . Ted White fishing all day, nary a bite . . . then a breaker leaves a fish in his hat . . . life is like that . . .Bob Swan threaten- ing the press with a cleaver . . . Ho, hum . . . It’s a dog’s life. RADIO’S PERSONALITY GIRL JEANE COWAN Daily At KFWB Over the Air From KYA SAN FRANCISCO Comes the Voice of Greta Gahler The English Comedian Wm. DON CHARACTER IMPRESSIONIST National Broadcasting Co. SAN FRANCISCO