Radio daily (Apr-June 1937)

Wednesday, lune 30. 1937 :RADIO DAILY: LUCILLE AND LANNY Sustaining WJZ-NBC-Blue Network, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-5:15 p.m. BRIGHT LITTLE PROGRAM OF SONGS AND CHATTER WITH SPECIAL KID APPEAL. With apparently nothing but a piano to help them along musically, Lucille and Lanny knocked out a lively quarter-hour of singing and light comedy nonsense in their debut on this NBC spot yesterday. They sound like a couple of performers with plenty of pep, rhythm and youthful sparkle, and, as a program aimed at the juvenile element just before time for dinner, they ought to have no trouble catching on. "I Love You From Coast to Coast," "Carelessly" and other pop numbers were given a snappy workout by the team, and then in the light comedy and dialogue sequences there was some talk about a mythical rich uncle who is coming to New York for a visit and whom they must show around and protect from being clipped. First stanza indicates a pleasing series. Expect Tax Bill Signature H'ashinritoii BurcoK, RADIO DAILY Washington — It was indicated at the White House last night that President Roosevelt would sign the so-called nuisance tax extension bill, prolonging radio taxes for two years, before the expiration of the present law at midnight tonight. Party for Semi-Blind A party will be given to five children partially sighted, ranging in ages from 12 to 16, members of the Sight Conservation Class at Public School 116 in Manhattan by Anice Ives on her WMCA program, "Every Woman's Hour," today at 11:15 a.m. One of the children will offer a musical number and another will tell how she recovered her sight. After the program the children will be treated with candy, cake and ice cream. ATLANTIC CITY Ray Morgan, WPG announcer, is readying two Mutual network shows from that station for weekly presentation. "Midnight Control," series of police dramas, produced by Harry Von Zoog, is being groomed for winter presentation over WPG. Ralph Shoemaker, WPG announcer, is now continuity editor for the station. "The Three Keys," erstwhile NBC instrumental harmonizers now featured at Belmont cafe, reorganize for the comeback trail. Bobby Pease at the piano. Slim at the guitar, and replacing Bon Bon on vocals is Bill Furness. Bon Bon is currently featured with the NBC Top Hatters ork. Lux Radio Theater Walter Winchell, James Gleason and Constance Bennett highlighted the production of "Front Page" over CBS at 9-10 p.m. Monday, and of course everyone knows the ability of both Gleason and Bennett, but Winchell as an actor no doubt gave the audience something to wonder about. In the reporter role of Hildy Johnson, Winchell may or may not have been given free rein on his interpretation. Apparently, however, the columnist's direction was not the best and he over emphasized the draggy "dese, dem and dose" style of delivery. It probably characterized the part, but was not exactly convincing. Thus the show gave the impression of being over-acted. Cut down to less than one hour added speed to this already fast script and on the whole was good entertainment. Lee Tracy in the original stage production did not quite go the Winchell limit, but after all Tracy got the part because Jed Harris, producer, happened to have Tracy under contract. Impression is that Winchell is no sufferer from stage fright and is capable of doing much better on radio or in pix, provided the direction is not too screwy. "Richard III" The second offering in the NBC Shakespearean cycle was definitely up to the Barrymore standard, with the Richard III characterization etched in a memorable and incisive manner by the dean of American actors. The Anne of Elaine Barrie, although lacking in subtlety and restraint, was done in forceful and poised style. A certain amount of obscurity in plot, seemingly attendant on the pruning necessary to the presentation of Shakespeare in this manner was evident, but within those limitations the adaptation was a skillful one. Not as breathtaking an offering as the initial "Hamlet," but certainly a meritorious one. H. V. Kaltenborn Filling the Philco spot on CBS at 7:45 p.m. while Boake Carter is tak ing his vacation, the veteran commentator H. V. Kaltenborn brings his amiable though none the less forceful style to a quarter-hour where he provides quite a contrast with the regular incumbent. Mellowed by longer experience and more analytical weighing of affairs, Kaltenborn approaches his material more philosophically and more hopefully than Carter usually does. Kaltenborn is less the alarmist. He does not see dire consequences in all untoward happenings of the day, and the tenor of his remarks is less apt to fan the fires of controversy and unrest. In other words, he is more conducive to peace of mind. 'Darktown Strutters Jamboree' In an attempt to lure listeners away from the networks and Shakespearean dramas, WHN has gone to the other extreme and presents a program of all sepian talent in a half hour of hot music and comedy, on the air Mondays at 9:15-9:45 p.m. It is very doubtful that the show will actually do any luring, however, as it can only appeal to a younger crowd, and even they may pass it up. The entire program is just one blast after another, with an occasional attempt at humor that falls far short of being good. Eddie Mathews, star of "Porgy and Bess," proved to be the one bright spot in the entire airing with his rendition of "Let Me Live Again." Jam music is handled by the Harlem Heatwaves, comedy by Swan and Lee, and the rest of the cast included Bob Howard, Edna Brevard, a singer who could have done a much better job, and the three Jazzters. Show needs plenty of polishing before it can accomplish its purpose. Norman Corwin — Poetry This presentation, heard Mondays at 9:30-9:35 p.m. on WQXR, varies in few respects from the regular programs which feature readers of poetry. However, there is no musical background to accompany the reader, and the entire program is NEW IB IL Jf II N IE jr Jf Philadelphia WFIL: Freihofer Baking Co. (Bond bread), through Richard A. Foley agency. WIP: City of Wildwood, N. J. (resort) ; Hunt's Amusement Enterprises, Wildwood, N. J.; Endy Bros, (carnival). KSL. Salt Lake City Petite Shops of Salt Lake City, Ogden. Provo, Pocatcllo and Preston, placed by W. E. Featherstone; H. D. Leo Mercantile Co. (Lee Rider's overalls), through J. Stirling Getchell; Dodge Motors, through RuthraufT & Ryan; Chicago Engineering Works, increasing spots through July, through Lunke Advertising. KMOX. St. Louis Terrc Haute Brewing Co. (Champagne Velvet Beer), half-hour weekly variety show, through Arbce Agency, Indianapolis. KFL Los Angeles Beaumont Laboratories. St. Louis (patent medicine), disks, starting Oct. 11. run by Norman Corwin. For listeners who enjoy the classics, and can appreciate the reader's material, the program offers a well balanced diet, composed of the works of many of the more famous poets. Corwin has a pleasing voice, and gives a helpful explanation before the reading of each poem. However, from a listener quantity standpoint, the program must buck the Barrymore Shakespearean series which is on the NBC network at the same time, and soon it will also have the CBS series to contend with. "Movie Pilot" This Day Line program on WEAF brought a new singer to light last Monday night, and thereby should feel very proud of itself. Clyde Burke, a tenor, will undoubtedly go places. With Nat Brusiloff's band as a background. Burke went through his numbers like a veteran, and showed no traces of mike fright. House Jamison and Howard Barnes completed the cast. Very pleasing quarter-hour. 3 Gardner Agency Shows Set for Return in Fall Three Gardner Advertising Agency network shows that left the ether this week are set for return in the fall. They are: Tom Mix, for Ralston cereal, back Sept. 27. five weekly on NBC; Ry-Krisp show with Marion Talley, Jos. Koestner and Hall Taylor choir, returning Sept. 2.6, and Pet Milk program with Gus Haenschen orchestra, Mary Eastman, Bill Perry and The Serenaders due back Oct. 2. on CBS. Latter show is coast to coast excepting WABC. Cast of the last-mentioned program will journey to St. Louis first week in August for a guest appearance on the Pet milk daytime show ("Home Economics"), on CBS. Additional exploitation is also planned in this connection. Fast sales growth of the comparatively new Shredded Ralston cereal, suitable for summer (or winter) consumption may result in this sponsor buying time on a 52 weeks basis next season. Signs for "Script Folio" WBTM. Danville, Va.. has signed a contract with Star Radio Programs Inc. for the "Script Folio," a Star Radio Service which contains seven half -hour programs. 20 commercial tie-ins and 30 musical introduction announcement leads, making this the third Star feature contracted for by WBTM. CLYDE BARRIE CBS Thursday 6:15 P. m.