Inside facts of stage and screen (January 24, 1931)

Pag® Eight INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Saturday, January 24, 1931 HERE AND THERE ON THE AIR By VI HEGYI TREND OF RADIO IS TOWARD DRAMA EXECUTIVE STAFF NEEDS • LOOKING OYER HERE SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 22.— The increasing demand of radio listeners for more dramatic fea- tures is recognized by broadcasting officials as one of the outstanding program trends for 1931. William S. B.ainey, production manager for NBC, says the ten- dency to dialogue programs is ex- plained easily enough By a simple fact of human nature: “everyone loves a good story.” It was inevitable in the develop- ment of radio, the NBC produc- tion head believes, that the popu- lar appetite for a tale should be fed by programs cast in the dra- matic mould. The present form of this aspect of broadcasting art, however, has been influenced by many factors. Several of them, Rainey declares, can best be ana- lyzed by comparing the technique of radio drama with the. other present-day dramatic modes — the legitimate theatre and the talking picture. Restricting Theatre “Economic pressure will more and. more relegate the theatre pro- per to the metropolitan areas,’ Rainey predicts, “while the drama of the day will be : drama brought to the people by talking pictures and the radio. Of these two me- diums, radio presents at once thc greatest difficulties and the great- est possibilities. Its difficulties and possibilities both spring - from the Same reasons. “In the first piaep. radio drama is invisible. Secondly, it is heard in the home, and not in the thea- tre These circumstances, which are 1 limitations from one point of view and advantages from an- other, arc of paramount importance to the radio producer. They dic- tate the entire method of his art. Greater Attention “Because actors in a radio play cannot be seen, the listener must give greater concentration than is demanded of him in the legitimate or talking picture theatre. This is the weakness of invisibility. Its strength lies .in the fact that be- cause of this concentration, tne im- pression received is .more vivid, and much more satisfactory as well, because the imagination has been; forecfullv called into play."’ The fact that a radio play is presented in the home, rather than in a theatre, also presents ele- ments of strength and weakness, Rainey declares. “Because our audience consists of isolated groups, gathered at thousands of speakers, we are robbfed of that infectious interest which pervades a well-fitted thea- tre,’’ Rainey declares. “Then too, we lose the pleasure of watching others react to the humor or pathos of a scene. The strength of our medium, on the other hand, lies in the fact that players do not have to over-act in order to reach the man in the last rows of the gallery. The microphone is, above all, an intimate thing—picking up every nuance of the most delicate whisper. Every member of the radio audience has a front row or- chestra seat.” Don’t Range Another contributing factor to the rise of radio drama, Rainey says, is -the development by radio listeners of the “art of listening.” The old type of listener, thrilled by the novelty of his set, and who ranged haphazardly over the dial merely to see how many programs and stations he could identify, is (Continued on Page 9) KHJ STANDARD OIL CO. 10:30-12 P. M. Jan. 20 Earl Burtnett's orchestra at the Biltmore got across an atmosphere of class in super-peppy and- super- hot syncopations, and that’s quite a trick. Selections were grouped particularly well. Trio is among top-notch rhythm singers. “On Revival Day,” “Canadian Capers,” “My Ideal” and “My Mad Mo- ment” are a few of this outfit's hits. KGFJ FEDERAL OUTFITTING CO. 8-8:30 P. M. Jan. 20 Edith Turnham and her Dixie Aces held forth at the Oaks Tav- ern and were bolstered consider- ably by Don Otis’ pash crooning at intervals. “Sing Song Girl” was a neat little affair with Chi- nese motif, and "Sweet Jenny Lee” made a snappy closing number. GENERAL PETROLEUM CO. 8:15-8:45 P. M. Jan. 20 Violet Ray Music Box is one of the dependable stand-bys yu radio, and if it doesn't make your heart beat -faster, at least it’s never dis- appointing. “Drifting” is a pat little tune and vocal trio did well with it, and with “You're W wavs Sure of My Love For You.” Vari- ation in t 3 q:.e of broadcast and a first-class sololist would win Vio- I let Ray many new auditors, and ' please old followers as well. BIGGER SKED IS UB PLAN Dame Rumor gets an awful sock in the eye from Rush Hughes, manager of the United Broadcast- ing Company, for trying to start something with regard to that or- ganization’s retirement from the field of radio activity. The theme is vehemently denied with enlight- ening variations all along the line. Instead of retiring, United Broad- casting- is about to launch a new production schedule of elaborate proportions, he declares. They are negotiating with commercial spon- sors on bigger and better pro- grams. Entire personnel is being revamped and Rush Hughes will soon have some highly interesting announcements to make regarding the development of these plans. The rumor, it is declared, was started by a disgruntled agent who couldn’t sell some cheap wares to U. B. KFi 4-4:45 P.M. Jan. 17. Presented in musicianly manner, International Trio, instrumentalists, offered gratifying group melodies. “Cossack Lullaby” carried oriental atmosphere. “Cuban Dance” was given in all its colorful vivacity and "German Dances” had a hearty vigor that appealed. These and other seldom-heard numbers were aptly placed between such old faithfuls as “Ells Choclo,” adding interest to a uniformly fine pro- gram. KFI 8:45-9 P. M. This Royal Hawaiian, by means of mellow voice and guitar, man- ages to project the Pineapple Isle’s influence into all his songs. Easy enough with “Pagan Love S'ong,” but worthy of note when he gets the same effect with such standard stuff as “To Whom It May Concern.” KFWB GUS ARNHEIM 10-12 P. M. Jan. 20 The last word in every phase of orchestras, orchestrations and pre- sentations—that’s Gus Arnheim. Fie gets things out of every tune that no one else ever realized were there. The Grove will continue to be the place to go as long as he and those hot Rhythm Boys 'arc around. “Burning Your Old Ldve Letters,” “If I' Could Be With You,” or any pop song takes oil a new meaning when this band plugs it. Rhythm Boys filled one dance intermission, doing the hottest things to } “That’s Grandma,” “More Than You Know” and “Traveling.” Tango orchestra is no mean addition to this broadcast; either. KMPC MASTER SERVICE CORPORA- TION 9:30-10 P.M. Jan. 20 “All By Yourself In The Moon- light” opened the vocaling Happy Chappies’ bid for the dial. Nearly all request offerings, which includ- ed “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” “Crying Myself To Sleep.” “Walk- ing My Baby Back Home” sung in Lord Algy’s gag Englishman style and “Little Coquette” in close harmony. Two new tunes, “Keep The Ball A-rolling” and “She'll Be Waiting By The Sleepy' Rio Grande,” closed this moderately entertaining half-hour. KNX 9-9:30 P.M. Jan. 20 “Barter of Souls” is like most radio dramas, just one of those things. Georgia Fifield, dramatic director of this station and Philip Voze appeared, lending, pleasing voices to wordy piece involving- in- justices' of human society. KPSN MODEL GROCERY CO. 6:15-6:45 P. M. Jan. 19 Joseph Diskay, famous 'Hun- garian tenor, has one ,of the most satisfying voices that can be heard or; the air today. Here is a tenor / combining quality, power and charm. Selections ranged from “Just For Today” and “African Love Song” types to aria - from By HAROLD BOCK SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 22.— Radio broadcasting is a progres- sive business, ever on the upward incline. There are many improve- ments constantly being made, par- ticularly in San F'rancisco, admit- ted the western center of this in- dustry. And yet, while station owners are buying new technical equip- ment and talent, they are overlook- ing one thiiig- — executives. Two or three of the city’s foremost sta- tiens are burdened with officials, iil one capacity or another, whose main purpose seems to be larding it over , such artists and employes' as they can cow. * * One of these pseudo-chieftains, recently elevated from a minor studio position, has but one friend on the entire station— himself. “Pagliacci,” which was sung as rarely heard off the operatic stage. Even the most hidebound jazz hound is liable to find himself humming “L’ Am our, Toujours 1/Amour” after being exposed to the magnetic beauty of Diskay’s interpretation. Frank Konyi’s excellent accom- paniments showed keen understand- ing of that often slip-shod art, and stirring melodies of Hungarian Folk Songs in his piano solo were a brilliant addition to a first-class program. KMTR GRAYCO SHIRTS AND CRAVATS 9:30-10 P.M. Jan. 19 Hale “Pee Wee” Byers and his neat band in their last week at the Blossom Room of the Roose- velt Hotel will leave pleasant memories with those who have danced to his rhythms. “I Love Love,” “Under The Spell of Your Kiss” and “Little Did I Know” were among more or less obscure but not undeserving numbers mak- ino- a nice contrast to regular run of hit offerings. KFWB 7:15-7:30 P. M„ JAN. 16 Certainly Toe E. Brown is a comic star of sufficient importance to merit better material. “Going Wild” could have, been plugged with greater success if someone only realized that perhaps radio audiences expect their comedians to bring- a -few smiles out of the ether to them. As it was, Joe Brown and jerry Hoffman, film critic, had to limp through the weakest -assortment of words a big comedian ever had to utter in the name of dialogue. KHJ CALIFORNIA MELODIES 8-8:30 P. M„ JAN. 16 John P. Medbury’s fund of ri- diculous flapdoodle is one of the few humorous broadcasts that achieves its purpose of inducing laughter. He understands the ap- parently esoteric mysteries of ra- dio comics and material contains a minimum of duds. In fact, -dur- ing a feature bit on this program with Harry Langdon, famous screen .funnyman, Mcdbury got the laugh’s while Langdon was prac- tically feeding lines, which in it- self is a funny enough situation. Raymond Paige and orchestra are always worth hearing, while Ted White and his Three Cheers whoop things up vocally. “Blue Again,” “My Ideal” and “Just a Gigolo” were outstanding num- bers. Weakest spot was a so- prano’s contribution. RATHE RE-SIGNS SWEET FTarry Sweet has been* re-signed by Pathe to direct- Daphne Pol- lard’s next film, “Hot Wires,” which will go into immediate pro- duction. “Hot Wires” is an orig- inal story by Charles “Chuck” Cal- lahan. SAIL FOR ORIENT George O’Brien arid John Ford sailed for the Orient for a three months’ vacation. That’s because of his continual quibbling over minor things, the laying down of phony, petty rules and constant references to his’-au- thority until the general comment on his demands is “Razz.” And cooperation is nil, ¥ * x Another exec won’t give a break to ami music newer ...an Victor Herbert. And any musician or vo- calist who wants to do anything more modern than that is out of luck. As a result programs sound funereal. * * , * At the same station is another official who bases all his demands upon the racial and religious hold- ings of the artists. If their views coincide with his they’re okay; if not, “Scram.” * * * Discounting the sickly adver- tising blurbs that characterize sev- eral local stations, these few phony execs are the biggest blot on ra- dio’s fair escutcheon. Taken by and large, San Francisco radio heads are a smart, fair and square group of men, awake to the needs of the industry and anxious to give all a good break. * * * KPO is starting something new in its first informal studio pro- gram, the Who Cares hour, under the direction of Bob Bence. Oil the air daily except Sunday from 3 to 4 p. m, and on Mondays from 2 to 3 p. m., the offering includes contributions from Jess Norman’s orchestra, Doug Richardson, Urbiti Hartman, Cotton Bond, Helen Stone, Harvey Orr, Benav Venuta, George Held and others. Studio is inviting onlookers to drop in for a peep—through the plate glass— - at mike favorites. * *- * When the. Camel Hour was taken off NBC Mahlon Merrick thought he’d have a few less programs to direct. Instead he’s kent busy with a flock of orchestral offerings head- ed by the Pacific Vagabonds, seven times weekly; Chase and Sanborn program on Friday nights; Mod- ern Melodists on W ednesday nights, replacing the Camel Hour; NBC Matinee on Fridays, Satur- days and Sundays, and the Brown Bilt Footlights on Fridays. * * * Within the next few months Ralph Brunton will have installed in KJBS a new Western Electric transmitter with all the latest im- provements. * * * Ted Maxwell’s Spotlight Revue over NBC has. been- moved from 11 to 12 midnight time to a 9:30 p. m, opening, running for an hour and a half. Laughner-Harris or- chestra from the Flotel St. Fran- cis is on the late shift. * -t * The Harmonizers, vocal trio composed of Frankie Del Mar, Roger Neal and Chuck Russell, are doing some especially notewor- thy work over KPO. ^ ■ Sfc * KFRC is moving its control rooms from the roof of the Don Lee building to the second floor, where a crew of workmen is re- arranging the technicians’ head- quarters. ■ * * * Abe Bloom has left KFRC. He remains as Irving Berlin represen- tative for San Francisco, however. SEX CUT SHORT SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 22.— Tivoli was temporarily reopened this week when Jack Rothschild put in a sex picture followed by a health lecture with girls posing. Expected to star- two weeks or more but seven days was all it lasted. EARLE WALLACE 'Always Busy Developing Dancing Stars but Never Too Busy to Create and Produce Original DANCE ROUTINES and REVUES That Sell Belmont Theatre Bldg., First and Vermont Phone Exposition 1196 Los Angeles, Calif, TOPg¥*§m©8ST I with Clyde “Red** Lockwood’s Orchestra Twirling the Dial