Radio daily (Feb-Mar 1937)

Monday, February 15, 1937 STATIC N PLASHES INITIAL broadcast in a series being presented by Mechanics & Farmers Bank of Durham, N. C, went over WDNC yesterday. Programs will be heard Sundays at 5:15 P.M. and Wednesdays at 7:45 P.M. The broadcasts will be known as "Your Friend", with Joseph Richardson Jones as philosopher. What is said to be the first net-, work program to originate from the campus of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. C, came after midnight Friday when Tommy Dorsey's band was fed to the CBS network via WNDC, while Dorsey was playing the mid-winter dance of the German Club of the university. Maurice Elfer, syndicate feature writer, started a series of three travel talks on the Creole country of Louisiana over WLS, Chicago, at 10:45 A.M. yesterday. WAAF Community Theater, Dallas, will go on the air at 10 o'clock every Saturday night, it is announced by Ralph Nimmons, program director, following the recent debut of the group in "The Jewel Tree", an original radio playlet by Gladys Wagstaff Pinney, directed by Bill Hightower and Bill Ellis. KDYL, Salt Lake City, is getting plenty of enthusiastic cooperation from civic leaders and educators for its "Public Forum" series, which began last Wednesday at 7:45 P.M. as a weekly. Agnes Anderson, Youngstown ballad singer known to radio as Marian Nadea, has joined the staff of WTAM, Clevelend, where she will be featured on various programs in addition to network shows originating from the NBC Cleveland studios, including "Rhythm Parade" and Stuby Gordon's Orchestra. Ed Lush is now on the staff of announcers at WELI, New Haven. Ralph Kanna resigned to join the ad dept. of Chase Brass Co., Waterbury. Toscanini's Ticket The National Broadcasting Co. has agreed to unusual conditions in order to secure the services of Arturo Toscanini for a series of sustaining broadcasts beginning next August. The conditions include: weekly personal salary of $10,000; all orchestra salaries and expenses to be paid by NBCpermission to maestro to assemble own orchestra with as many members as he desires; salaries to orchestra for all rehearsals; a contract allowing Toscanini to continue as long as he desires, but allowing him to withdraw whenever he so desires, with no time limit specified. GLADYS SWARTHOUT National Ice Advt., Inc. WEAF (NBC Red Network), Wed. 10:30-11 p.m. Donahue & Coe, Inc. Miss Swarthout returns to a radio commercial of her own coincidental with the release of her motion picture ;The Champagne Waltz." Ice refrigerators co-op which last season sponsored Mary Pickford, gets away from the summertime idea of plugging refrigerators and expects to plant the potential buyer in advance as well as take cognizance of the fact that ice boxes are an all-year 'round proposition as to sales. As in the past, advantages of the new type of ice refrigerator are stressed, such as proper food protection, economy, "washed air," trial installation and easy terms. Copy, altho plentiful, should influence those who contemplate purchase of a refrigerator. Miss Swarthout, recently suffering from a cold, offered a very creditable broadcast nevertheless and not knowing about it most likely never knew the difference. Her voice was good, if not at her best, and her selections widely diversified. Solos and duets included popular, standard and operatic tunes, the latter an aria from "Mignon," which the soprano does soon at the Metropolitan. Frank Chapman (the lesser half in private life) did fairly well with his baritone voice, joining in duets on occasion. He was introduced by Miss Swarthout, who in turn received the benefit of continuity in the hands of Howard Claney, announcer. Robert Armbruster revealed an excellent orchestra and usual fine arrangements. Toward the close offer is made by Miss Swarthout to sing the favorite tunes listeners may have around the house or on the piano, new or old. These will be done if possible, and in any case autographed and immediately returned. This seems to be a novel idea along these lines. At least it may prove an index to the comparative number of listeners. Somewhat less continuity and just a little faster tempo would do no harm to the general impression of the program. 4-Hour Show Christens New Studios of KFWB West Coast Bureau, RADIO DAILY Hollywood — A four-hour show starting at 6 o'clock tonight will christen Warner's new KFWB 5000watt transmitter studios on Fernwood Ave. Jack L. Warner announces Al Jolson, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell and other stars from the Warner lot will appear, along with Ben Bernie, Walter Winchell, Eddie Cantor, Eleanor Powell, Sid Silvers and others. "MARTINEZ BROTHERS" Sustaining NBC (Blue Network), Feb. 12, 3: 15 p.m. PLEASINGLY TUNEFUL INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL MELANGE BY MEXICAN QUARTET. Making their debut up north, this quartet of singing guitarists, signed by John F. Royal, NBC vice-prexy, on his visit to Mexico City last December, served a neat platter of smoothly enjoyable musical entertainment. Their ranchero melodies are something akin to the hillbilly music familiar in this country. In their native land, the boys have appeared over XEW for the past four years, always sponsored, and they bow in at NBC as a regular sustaining feature. Folks liking mild and sentimental Latin music will find the work of these boys to their taste. 3 Most Used Joke of the Week STRAIGHT: Yesterday I was worth half a million. Today I'm a pauper. COMIC: Congratulations! Boy or girl? Jesters Booked The Tastyeast Jesters, veteran radio trio, will make a two-day vaudeville appearance at the New Plaza Theater, Milford, Del., on Feb. 26 and 27. The Jesters were booked for this engagement by Rubey Cowan of the NBC Artists Service. The Jesters are Wamp Carlson, baritone, and Guy Bonham and Dwight Latham, tenors. Ford Adds Nick Lucas Nick Lucas, guitar playing singer has been added to the regular cast of the Ford CBS show. Program now features Al Pearce and his gang. Lucas will remain on program for six weeks. 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