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JACK BENNY RADIO CHAMPION BY VOTE OF NATION'S EDITORS
Jack Benny, veteran radio comedian, whose program provides Sunday evening fun for many millions across the country; has been proclaimed "Champion of Champions" in the 1948 poll, conducted annually by Motion Picture Daily in behalf of Fame among newspaper and magazine radio editors, columnists and critics in the United States and Canada. Making his first showing in the poll since 1943, the critics, ignoring hooper ratings and such, also Married him the best comedian on the air, replacing Fred Allen.
The selection of Mr. Benny is of special interest since the comedian made entertainment headlines toward the end of the year by switching his program from the National Broadcasting Company to the Columbia Broadcasting System.
With poker-faced Mr. Allen taking second place, Bing Crosby, moving down a peg, took third honors in the Champion of Champions classification, replacing the Lux Radio Theatre which held that rank last year. Arthur Godfrey showed up in fourth place in the 1948 poll.
Old -Timers Rule Roost Among the Comedians
The old-timers this year ruled in the Best Comedian group, with Jack Benny leading Mr. Allen and the irrepressible Bob Hope. Henry Morgan, who last vear captured the second place, this year didn't show up, his show having been off the air for most of that period.
Herb Shriner, who is on the air over CBS every day, Monday through Friday, this year was honored by being named the Most Promising Star of Tomorrow, Robert Q. Lewis, replacing Abe Burrows, was second and Doris Day was third.
Bing Crosby, rilmdom's gift to the airwaves (or was it vice-versa?) as usual made a fine showing, capturing three "firsts" and one third place. The crooner again made it as Best Master of Ceremonies, followed by Garry Moore and Arthur Godfrey. Mr. Crosby also held his place as the Film Personality Most Effective in Radio. Bob Hope in this classification moved down from last year to take third place, changing places with Ronald Colman, who was second.
Crosby Male Vocalist Winner Once Again
Bing Crosby again was voted Best Male Vocalist (Popular), followed by Perry Como and Gordon McRae who replaced Frank Sinatra. The line up in the Best Male Vocalist (Classical) department also showed little change from last year, with James Melton maintaining his lead, "followed by Robert Merrill, who tied with Ezio Pinza.
With the women, too, the poll this year showed a number of changed positions, with new names coming up the ladder. Eve Arden replaced Joan Davis as the Best Comedienne and Gracie Allen earned a se
JACK BENNY — Radio Champion
cure second place in this classification, followed by Judy Canova and Marie Wilson, tied for third.
In the voice department, Dinah Shore once again was voted the critics' favorite as Best Female Vocalist (Popular). Peggy Lee moved up to second place and Jo Stafford this year was in third position, eliminating Ginny Sims. In the Best Female Vocalist (Classical) group, the critics this year maintained their favorites in the same positions as last year. Rise Stevens was the winner on the basis of the Metropolitan Opera pickups made by the American Broadcasting Company. Marian Anderson, Lily Pons and Eleanor Steber tied for second.
Fibber McGee and Molly once again did themselves proud as the Best Comedy Team, followed by Amos 'n' Andy, who replaced Burns and Allen, and mr. ace and Jane, a newcomer. Don Wilson's delivery earned him the title "Best Studio Announcer."
Following is the result of the balloting :
CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
Jack Benny Fred Allen Bing Crosby Arthur Godfrey
COMEDIAN
Jack Benny
Fred Allen Bob Hope
THE MOST PROMISING STAR OF TOMORROW
Herb Shriner Robert Q. Lewis Doris Day
COMEDIENNE
Eve Arden
Gracie Allen tJudy Canova JMarie Wilson
COMEDY TEAM
Fibber McGee
and Molly Amos 'n' Andy mr. ace and Jane
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Bing Crosby Garry Moore Arthur Godfrey
SPORTSCASTER
Bill Stern Red Barber Mel Allen
FILM PLAYERS ON THE AIR
Bing Crosby Ronald Colman Bob Hope
MALE VOCALIST
(Popular)
Bing Crosby Perry Como Gordon McRae
MALE VOCALIST (Classical)
James Melton fRobert Merrill *Ezio Pinza
FEMALE
VOCALIST
(Popular)
Dinah Shore Peggy Lee Jo Stafford
FEMALE
VOCALIST
(Classical)
Rise Stevens *Marian Anderson *Lily Pons *Eleanor Steber
STUDIO ANNOUNCER
Don Wilson Ben Grauer Ken Carpenter
COMMENTATOR
Edward R. Murrow Walter Winchell H. V. Kaltenborn
SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA
NBC Symphony New York Philharmonic Boston Symphony
DANCE BAND
Vaughn Monroe Guy Lombardo Tex Beneke
DAYTIME PROGRAM
Arthur Godfrey Fred Waring Welcome Travelers
DRAMATIC PROGRAM
Lux Radio Theatre Theatre Guild on
the Air Ford Theatre
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
America's Town Meeting of the Air
You Are There Living— 1948
MYSTERY SHOW
Suspense Sam Spade Inner Sanctum
MUSICAL SHOW
Telephone Hour Fred Waring Show The Pause that Refreshes
QUIZ SHOW
You Bet Your Life Twenty Questions Who Said That?
AUDIENCE
PARTICIPATION
PROGRAM
Truth or Consequences Stop the Music People Are Funny
NETWORK PUBLICITY
NBC CBS MBS
INDIVIDUAL PUBLICITY
J. Walter Thompson N. W. Ayer Earle Ferris
fTied for first. *Tied for second. JTied for third.
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MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 18, 1948