NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1936)

1936 We Wonder • If whoever conceived the idea of having ticket callers sign receipt blanks for their ducats at the Main Hall desk shouldn’t be complimented for eliminating a widely abused vulnerable point in ticket distribution. • If the Better Speech Institute of America’s generous offer of a $7.50 set of books for $1.85 of Practical English and Effective Speech to any individual employee of NBC who desires to purchase them isn’t worth looking into. A sample set is on display in Mr. Quinton Adams’ office (605) and you’re invited to run up and take a look-see if you’re interested. • Some musicians will ever stop getting two nickels for a dime from our cashiers and stand holding hands for time on end. It just doesn’t look right. ■ It shouldn’t be compulsory for NBC employees to take a studio tour (with a guide) just as employees of RCA do. True Story ANDREW KINBACHER First Prize W inner for Best Anecdote of the Month ® Guide Kinbacher came walking jauntily through the ninth floor foyer, unsuccessfully attempting to twirl his swagger stick. He pushed the elevator button lightly and then, with his twenty-two tour guests, stood waiting for the special car to arrive. Soon it did arrive and the doors slid noisily open and half the party stepped in and were promptly dispatched to the mezzanine. In the remaining group there was a rather heavy-set gentleman, with dark horn-rimmed glasses and a heavily lined, weather beaten face. His hair, rather sparse on top, was not too well combed, and his dress indicated that he was anything but a dapper man-about-town. Moreover he was chewing vigorously. After the first elevator doors closed and the car had sped away this gentleman approached Guide Kinbacher and said, “Mr. Guide, which way does that elevator go?” Kinbacher scratched his head and with an inward chuckle replied, “Why, sir, it goes — down. This is as far up as they go.” “Well, that’s all I wanted to know,” he countered. “I want to make sure I don’t swallow my chewing gum when we start.” CARLTON McNAMEE ■ Guide Carlton McNamee’s death from rheumatic heart on February 29th shocked all of us who knew and respected him. “Mac” as he was more affectionately known to everyone will be missed more than words can express. When he died, he was senior guide in point of service having been affiliated with NBC since March 11, 1930. Many remember him as “the young man with the big smile and the swell disposition”. These characteristics were always his and he never once lost possession of them right up to liis last moments with us. We shall always remember him as “Mac” and revere his memory as a symbol of a personality who made our human relations easier and more pleasant. In tribute to his memory we can find no news equal in importance to us to occupy the remainder of this column so we leave it blank. Ed. ( C ( f T R F F More N ews Briefs ■ Charming Hostess Alice Wood must be “kinda” proud of hubby Howard Petrie’s walking off with Batten, Barton, Durstine, and Osborn, Inc.’s 1935 award for the announcer possessing best evidence in his voice of “sincerity, accurate diction, naturalness, persuasiveness, and lack of mannerisms”. Confidential: We’re all wondering why it took the “powers that be” so long to recognize a good announcer when they saw one? B Guide Don Meissner, playing Fort Pierce, Florida, with a Major Bowes Amateur Hour unit, dropped us a line to say he’s getting along great and finding the life of a “trouper” interesting but hard. Gateway’s Lunch Deliverer Larry Saratore gets his big chance in Big League Basenall when on March 21st he entrains for Philadelphia where the famous Connie Mack of the Athletics will put Larry through the paces as rookie catcher. We’re wishing you the best, fella! • Script Writer Page Bill Gartland jumped out of bed late one Friday night and scratched the idea for his fourth radio script on the back of an old envelope. Synopses, revisions, and dialogue required four days. By Wednesday, an original 20-page manuscript portraying the legend of St. Patrick (455 A. D.) woven into an interesting mythical romance was submitted for Continuity Editor Louis Titterton’s perusal. ■ RECEPTION INVADES THE ADVERTISING FIELD: Notice the ad on pages 61 and 62 in the March 14th issue of the Saturday Evening Post as it includes Page Roger Von Roth in the role of the contented country shopkeeper radiating much contentment. B Guide Ary Moll woke up one bright Thursday morning to find recognition had come to him via his appearance in the Arnold Constable ad on Page 12 of the March 7th New Yorker. ■ To rate your ingenuity in comparison to your friend’s see how long it takes you to re-arrange the letters in the word “CHESTY” to form another six letter word. Call EXT. 220 if you can’t solve it.