Inside facts of stage and screen (June 21, 1930)

PAGE EIGHT INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1930 REVIEWS COMMENT RADIOL AND By FRED YEATES CHATTER NEWS 5 CENT RADIO GROUP DEFIES TUBE CONCERN (Continued from Page 3) to the attention of the local spon- sors of the pay device they con- fessed that this angle had not been given consideration by them. Meanwhile, however, it has been given study, with the result that they have decided to go ahead, claiming that the RCA position is untenable and cannot be en- forced. “We have studied the Patent Act,” declared Sorrille, “and find it clearly provides that all inven- tions seeking its protection shall be available for public enjoy- ment, the protection afforded being designed only to insure the pa- tentee liberal compensation for his ingenuity.” He further pointed out that if any patentee refused to make the patent available to the public, anyone could manufacture it in return for rewarding the patentee with a royalty. He declared that although the radio trust might endeavor to scare an enterprise such as his out of the field, they would not dare to try to enforce their so-called “rights,” especially at _ this time, when they were being subjected to federal in- vestigation and suit. The situation is being watched by the interests. who had planned to open a chain of nickel radio theatres, as described exclusively in Inside Facts some two months ago. The idea may be revived, according to current reports. DIALECT WARNING Dialecticians are warned about assuming Swedish characters over the air unless they have Swedish ancestry to lend it authenticity. Svenska fans .have written to say that they are sensitive about their idiomatic peculiarities. Nearly everybody can do negro dialect without offense, for negroes seem to be accustomed to being jollied, but only a real Swede can make fun. of another and get away with it, it seems. ANOTHER MYTH The old myth about summer doldrums in radio is on its way with other legends, according to Carl Haverlin, commercial man- ager of KFI and KECA. He of- fers as the best proof a statement that this year not a single com- mercial account on his stations have pulled out for the summer. SEEKS LOCAL COLOR “Zeke,” of the “Hill-Billies,” KMPC’s yap act, has been dis- patched by the Beverly Hills radio station to visit the backwoods of Arkansas in search of local color, departing Sunday morning by air- plane. Glen Rice, manager of the station, accompanied the radio star on the flight. FINANCIAL TENOR Jack Ross, tenor, has been added to the Ranch Hour on KTM as a regular feature. “Ross” is said to be a microphone name, the young man in the outside world being known only as manager of a Los Angeles financial house. BUCK ANNOUNCING Charles S. Buck has been added to the announcer staff of KFI and KECA. He has had a wide radio experience, also theatrical; wears a moustache, is 27, and single. WANTED Partner for Black-face Team. Must have heavy voice—for Radio Proposition Phone MUtual 4781 HAVE YOU HEARD BILLY VAN? At KFWB, Hollywood Pickups and Viewpoints So the radio critics are on the pan! The lot of the critic, despite the opinion o'f the layman, is not a happy one. He himself is criticized more than anyone else; in fact he is of little use as a critic until he has weath- ered quite a few storms. Then he becomes a mellowed, broadminded and somewhat indulgent grandfatherly sort of person whose chief activity lies along saying the same old things in new ways. Once in a while he cracks his whip, to show -that he can, or to showf- somebody his power, and then set ties back to his middle course. His only salvation is a sense of humor. Once he takes himself seriously he is lost. * * * * The radt® critic is something new, and so a few flurries once in a while are to be expected. After a while all parties to the argument will grow to understand each other. Meanwhile a little social gathering would not be a bad idea. * * * There are some ways in which radio critics might be spared. For instance, these tenors who insist on singing the Prologue to Pagliacci. Tenors have the cream of all the operas, and why they should want to steal the scant milk of the bari- tones is something we will never understand. We are referring to last Sunday—and to some pro- grams before that. * * * The nation is getting all wet with drinking songs. As was to have been expected, the one-fin- gered melody chasers are hashing S.D. GETS CHAIN RADIO RELEASE SAN DIEGO, June 19.—This city is now happily basking in the sunlight of “big time” radio. NBC programs are now being released here over KFSD, the first time that a local station has been so dignified. Following the switch of the NBC hours from 5,000 watt KFI to 1,000 watt KECA in Los Angeles, San Diegans were cut off from the east- ern programs and there was a heavy protest. Earle C. Anthony, owner of the two Los Angeles sta- tions, possessed the exclusive NBC franchise for Southern California, but he generously released the San Diego district to KFSD, which in turn responds with the acknowl- edgment “by courtesy of Earle C. Anthony” when taking station cuts on the eastern programs, which is every fifteen minutes. NBC officials, with KFI and KECA executives, and Anthony himself, visited the city and offici- ated at dedicatory exercises last week. up new stein songs and they are beginning to percolate through the loud speakers from all directions. Two new ones came ever before breakfast last Monday morning, both of them patterned on the de- sign of the Maine Stein Song. That straw vote probably started it. * * * The success of that Maine num- ber has also started all the other colleges to seeking popular fame for their themies. A local record- ing of the U. S. C. “Fight On” has been best seller here for two weeks. Record dealers have been asked not to give the record to radio sta- tions for some time yet, so as not to take the edge off it until ready for a big break when college re- opens in the fall. The radio pub- lic no doubt can hardly wait. * * * That popular caption, “A great bet for the talkies,” could well be attached to a most worthy minister of the gospel heard broadcasting last Sunday morning. Only the congregation could have told whether his mugging was effective, but he was surely there with the sound effects. He was not content with saying “the woman sobbed.” He sobbed! And when the con- tinuity called for a sigh—boy, how that man sighed! * * * The latest on the “applause racket” came to KFI last week. Every station receives phony wires and letters after tryouts and spe- cial concerts, and once in a while they come too soon, especially if there has been a delay in getting on the air. But last Monday night a telegram came to the station saying: “‘Rigoletto’ coming in fine, Signor Garlico marvelous singer, want to hear more of him.” Which was very nice, but “Rigoletto” was not due until Tuesday. * * * In the advance program of a lo- cal station comes the line: “Lola Montez, mistress of the King of Bavaria, fleas to California.” Now we know who brought those things here. * * * It turns out that Frank Gage, program director of KTM, once won the state checker champion- ship of Massachusetts, which, says Marillah Olney, confirms the fact that the boy knows his moves. Yes, yes, Marillah—go on. * * * Following this adulthood for San Diego radio, rumors are now afloat that Don Lee and the Columbia chain are planning to meet the NBC competition here. It is not expected they would endeavor to get a license for a new station, but that they might tie up with KGB, Pickwick’s station and the only other one in this territory. Con- firmation that any negotiations with KGB are under way, how- ever, is lacking. McNAMARA AT KTM Leonard McNamara has been added to the technical staff of KTM. He started his radio career at KMTR, and has since been an- nouncer at RGFJ and announcer and technician at HGR. He will work under Clarence B. Juneau, chief transmission engineer, who built KNRC and was former owner of KFVF. HARMON’S SHORT NEW YORK, June 19—Mur- ray Roth has just completed a Vitaphone number starring Jo- sephine Harmon, vaudeville head- liner recently seen .in “Fioretta.” It is titled “Harmonizing Songs.” Jack King is featured. Pathe has signed Dorothy Bur- gess to play one of the featured roles in “Beyond Victory,” which John Robertson is directing with an aibstar cast. Barks from the Office Dog: Jack Carter extends the glad hand—-Nay- lor Rogers “in conference”—Pierre Mellonino also “in conference”— this . way to bus—The Merrymak- ers in conference—and not looking so merry—looked like a memorial service—and maybe it was—Stu- art Buchanan’s chair empty—Dick Creedon hearing about his cooking ability—and looking like a boiled owl—Gene Byrnes saying, “Oh, well, the picture men think it’s good”—Kenneth Frogley mitting Glen Dolberg with his right—and his left on a blackjack—but the goils all smiled sweetly upon him •—Bob Swan looking for a place to park the body—and begging per- mission to broadcast a certain fan letter—or should that f be a p?— Ray Paige sporting a new tie—So are you, sez he—relic of father’s day—Jose Rodriguez and Roland Foss in stealthy conference—these darned conferences—and Jose wants us to start a campaign in favor of shorts for men—heh!—Earle An- thony, Carl Haverlin, Virginia Flohri, Jose, R. C- Witmer and girl friend, and Rol&nd to San Diego for the KFSD celebration—and a traveling ice box for company— wotta life—Eddie Albright wearing a studious look—Chuck Gabriel car- rying a studious book—was it “Queer People?” — Frank Gage studying a checker board—Marillah Olney having trouble with the mails—that’s the correct spelling— Hb, h'um—Tt’s a dog’s life. Likes Fire Engines Eddie Albright, ace an- nouncer at KNX, has never lost his juvenile predilection for chasing fire engines. He ■still loves nothing better. Last week the Albrights de- cided to move to a new bun- galow. Mrs. A. attended to the selection of the new home and attended to all the details of moving, and she allowed Eddie no part in it. “You stay down at the studio, papa, and leave everything to me,” she said soothingly. So Eddie pretended to be anxious, but what man likes moving day? But when he got home to the new place that evening, Mrs. A. escorted him through to the back yard. “Look!” she said. Eddie looked. The district firehouse was right across from the 'back fence. “The End of a Perfect Day,” he warbled. SACRAMENTO IN BASEBALL RUSH SACRAMENTO, June 19.—Add local theatre managers’ worries. Outdoor night baseball made its bow to Sacramentans last week and with dire results for the show shops. Somewhere around 16,000 shirt-sleeved citizens, Governor C. C. Young included, were more in- terested in seeing the home town boys successfully stomp on the Oakland Scarlet Scourges than they were in eyeing the acting of several thousands “real Germans” in Universal’S “All Quiet On the Western Front” at the Fox Sena- tor. Not that nigftt baseball is the only cause for furrowed brows among the theatre managers’ ranks. When summer rolls around and Old Sol beats down in all his fury on this inland California city, far away from the cooling breezes of the Pacific, all Sacramento that can move, scrams from this valley center, making a straight line for the cooler climate of San Francis- co, Seattle or Santa Monica. Topping off these two sad stories is a reversal on President Hoo- ver’s prosperity splurge. The Cali- fornia Chamber of Commerce, in its annual report emanating from its state headquarters here, states that crops (the basis of Sacramen- to prosperity) are not nearly up to the level of last year’s and that when harvest time comes there will be a shortage of what it takes to make the world go ’round. All of which, means slow business for Sacramento cinema centers. Provided night baseball continues as prosperously as it has started here, it will spread to Seattle, San Francisco, Portland and Los An- geles. DELANEY SIGNED OAKLAND, June 19.—Oakland Tribune has signed Jack Delaney and his Cafe Alabam orchestra to broadcast daily over the Trib’s KLX from 12 until 1 p. m. De- laney and orchestra continue at the cafe, where they are soon to cele- brate their second anniversary. BREAKERS ON AIR The Santa Monica Breakers Club has put its orchestra on the air through KFWB, playing 7:30 to 8 o’clock Tuesday and Thursday nights. Bill Fleck, leader, and the Breakers Trio, furnish the vocals, with Harry Sugarman, managing director of the club, doing the an- nouncing. YACHT CLUB SHORT NEW YORK, June 19.—The Yacht Club Boys sing four num- bers in “A Private Engagement,” one of the Vitaphone Varieties just completed by Arthur Hurley. Also in the cast are Olive Shea, Frank Kingdon and Donald Kent. Walter Brooks, who staged many Broadway shows, including “Shuffle Along,” and who is a collaborating aide to Eddie Can- tor, is bringing the folks out here by way of the Panama Canal. ANTHONY RAPS RADIO POLICY INTERFERENCE Earle C. Anthony, radio magnate of Southern California, declares that broadcasters ' are now being subjected to the methods of black- mailers and racketeers. “As soon as it become evident that radio was a powerful instru- ment of publicity, those interests which depend upon publicity for life and which exercise the art of coercing newspaper publishers, di- verted their attention to radio,” he declares. “Then came the deluge: “ ‘This is the Society for the Prevention of Such-and-Such, or the Advancement of So-aad-So. If you don’t stop broadcasting what we don’t like, we shall never buy any more and here follows the name of whatever product the station owner happens to sell or more in other enterprises. “At first the protests are only official and are promptly disposed of. But afterward comes action in detail. Thousand of telephone calls, letters and telegrams. Innumer- able personal strings pulled and countless methods of personal pres- sure brought to bear. It has be- come a reign of terror of sheer threats. “The particularly distressing part of the matter is that there are is- sues on which stations, as well as newspapers, are damned whatever way they turn. Yet they must turn in some direction. “No radio station which has a responsible and serious outlook in its social privileges and duties will surrender its rights 'before threats. Neither will it hesitate to deny the air to special interests who con- sider thaj their approval is ‘good business’ and that their disfavor is ‘bad business.’ “Radio stations which are oper- ated by courageous and civic-con- scious persons will consider noth- ing as ‘good business’ which calls for truckling to a threat at the price of peace.” TENOR HONORED Dr. Carl Omeron, KHJ staff tenor, has been honored with an honorary master’s degree by the University of Southern California in recognition df his “splendid con- tributions to western music.” Announcing Special Prices on Professional Photos During June, July and August BEST QUALITY 8xl0’s $ 7.50 for 12 15.00 for 25 25.00 for 50 35.00 for 100 PARALTA Hollywood 6560 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles 551 South Broadway San Francisco 233 Grant Avenue