Radio daily (July-Sept 1937)

6 RADIO DAILY Thursday, September 9. 1937 AL JOLSON Lever Bros. Co. W ABC-CBS Network, Tuesday, 8:30-9 p.m. Ruthrauff & Ryan, Inc. JOLSON RETURNS IN A BREEZY SHOW THAT IS GOOD DESPITE OCCASIONAL POOR MATERIAL. Setup on this Rinso and Lifebuoy soap program is about the same as when it left off, the talent with Jolson being Martha Raye, Victor Young orchestra and Parkyakarkus, with an added starter in George Jessel as guest star. Tiny Ruffner is on the job as announcer. In nearly all of the commercials, Ruffner cued himself from a song title just used, or conversation worked in as a buildup for the credit. Rinso used as a household boon for clothes or dishes, and Lifebuoy for bodily cleanliness and keeping fit, like the football athletes. Jolson and Jessel in the usual introduction kidding and subsequently Miss Raye dragged out a ballad; Parkyakarkus rang in a few gags not old enough to make the listener forget where he heard or read them recently, but he was well spotted, what with having two comedians for straight-men. Other business between the three was fair and toward the close Jolson and Jessel injected the Broadway stuff via George M. Cohan's "Give My Regards to Broadway." Jolson also sang an old timer that is being revived, "You Made Me Love You," and Jessel later countered with "Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye." Songs and orchestra selections were a strong point. Possibly the two clever comedians could have worked up a wow or two en route, instead of being satisfied to amble along with a laugh here and there. Material undoubtedly is the thing. Half hour, however, was far from being a dud. Hollywood studio audience was enthusiastic. PACKARD HOUR Packard Motor Car. Co. WEAF-NBC-Red Network, Tuesday, 9:30-10:30 p.m. Young & Rubicam, Inc. SPARKLING FIRST SHOW THAT CLICKED 90 PER CENT OF THE TIME. New Packard line-up by sheer force of its talent is bound to be a heavy contender no matter what the booking on opposition networks. Hard to miss with a layout that includes Lanny Ross, Florence George, coloratura soprano, Raymond Paige orchestra, Charles Butterworth, a mixed chorus of 72 voices, a rhythm singer and last but not least guest stars like Amos 'n' Andy. Loads of good singing, top-notch arrangements and rendition by the splendid orchestra conducted by Paige, would be a good show in itself for many listeners, but the added load of comedy by Amos 'n' Andy and Charles Butterworth pushed the program over solid. The blackface team revealed tremendous popularity with the studio audience, if that is any indication of the world at large, and appeared in several spots on the show, gagging with Butterworth and later doing a sketch. (Close of the show gave Pepsodent an acknowledgment.) Butterworth was never better on the air, but Amos 'n' Andy are a cinch on any show. Ross was in good voice and, as he stated at the outset, his songs would run the gamut of popular, operetta and even operatic songs. Miss George is a coloratura de luxe as evidenced by her "Song of India", with a modernized Paige arrangement. The chorus was powerful. Packard credits were more or less modest and planned to get the potential buyer to the salesroom first rather than sell the customer via the ether. Marx brothers are guests next week. 'MUSICAL MOMENTS' Chevrolet Motor Co. WMCA, Tues., Thur., and Sat., 7:30-7:45 p.m. Campbell-Ewald Co. ANOTHER WELL RECORDED AND PROGRAMMED DISK SERIES CONTINUING CHEVROLET SPOT COVERAGE. In behalf of the local Chevrolet dealers, the extensive spot broadcast program throughout the country continues with Vic Arden wielding the baton and following in on the Gus Haenschen platters. Graham McNamee again does the announcing, delivering two commercials and working in one-line credits here and there, but not to excess. Used car buys and service departments come in for the usual plug. Current shows have long list of well known guest artists, this particular stanza featuring Jane Froman and Ray Heatherton. The Songsmiths quartet and Arden are scheduled for all disks. Program is nicely balanced as to the running order and makes good entertainment. Orchestra is a large one and at times tends to sound like a big symphony type combination on the loose. Seems like closing in the drapes in the recording studio would help, and remove that empty auditorium effect from the balance. Edward B. Hall Boston has contributed a new voice personality in the long list of radio's ace journalists. Edward B. Hall of Cambridge, Harvard graduate, worldtraveler, and writer, is the newest member of this distinguished group. Sunday evenings at 6:45-7 over WBZWBZA, Hall presents an illuminating review of world happenings during tne previous week. From the vantage-point of a professional news editor he is enabled to maintain in LOUISVILLE WAVE'S "Minute Interviews" resume with the return of George Patterson, program director. "Here's To You," sponsored by Oertel Brewing Co. over WHAS, has relinquished the National Theater to a musical show policy, and moved back to the Drury Lane. The station has two additional air shows, in process of being built, which will be aired from the Drury Lane. Earl Holmlund, WHAS engineer, recently married a schoolmate from his home town in Missouri. Accident to wife of J. Emmett Graft, WHAS technician, required blood transfusion, and tests brought out that Bill Blanton, also of WHAS technical staff, tested okay. Blanton donated pint of blood, the second time he has played the donor role. Biff Carr, program manager of WGRC, now airing his "Curbstone Reporter" daily from spot in front of Loew's State. Free ducats to the show are presented to the persons interviewed. * IPCCMOTICN * Electric Co. Promotion Campaign devised by Bill Craig, commercial manager of WLBC, Muncie, Ind., for Holmes Electric Co. already has broken all sales records. Radio campaign had new angle in that proprietor's personality plays a big part. Announcements hit airwaves with "Elliot Holmes would make you a good husband. He's generous. He's genial. He's thoughtful and kind." Close of announcement tells where Elliot can be found. Women flock to store to talk with the man who would make them a good husband and washing machines sales are breaking all records as a result. Mash notes also are being sent Elliot as the result of his being a model type of man any woman would like. Mrs. Holmes says she doesn't mind the notes as long as Elliot stays home nights. Elliot is a bachelor. WOAI Folder on Production WOAI, San Antonio, will soon issue a new folder in colors which will deal with production at the station. The folder will show several photographs of outstanding local WOAI productions, and will carry, among other facts, the statement "More Texas advertisers spend more advertising dollars yearly on WOAI than on all other stations combined in WOAI's intensive sales area," and also "In the national field, according to a survey by Sales Management, WOAI ranks fifteenth in the United States in volume of national spot business." PHYL COE RADIO MYSTERIES" Philco Radio and Television Tube Division WOR, Tuesdays, 7:45-8 p.m. Geare-Marston, Inc., Philadelphia ENTERTAINING PROGRAM THAT OUGHT TO PULL PLENTY FOR PHILCO'S $50,000 CONTEST. First of the transcriptions to be aired in this Philco campaign was "The Case of the Dead Magician", a murder mystery. In the quarter-hour broadcast the crime is committed and solved. "Phyl Coe" is the girl-detective who solves the crime. Listeners are asked to submit their deductions as to how the crime was solved. Recordings are better than average and entire script moves along at a fast clip. Very little commercial is used. Show and contest is a cooperative deal between the manufacturer and dealers to sell Philco tubes. timate contact with the course of contemporary events and, from the inside, to interpret what he sees for the benefit of others. The broadcast, "News Behind Tomorrow's Headlines," is far from being a dull, vapid chronology of events. The program is flavored with pungent editorial comment, is rich in classical and historical allusion and features frequent flashes of the writer's humor and practised perspective. It would not be surprising to hear it aired over an NBC network in the near future. Manuel Williamson The Past Masters program of harpsichord and string chamber music continues to maintain a high standard, both in rendition and type of selection not usually heard on the air. At 10:30-11 p.m. Tuesday night on the NBC-Blue network, the program provides a restful period for those who seek a change from dance music, or even heavy symphonic works. A mezzo-contralto further enhances the program. Majority of the selections are short, thus providing a period easy to listen to. Program originates in Chicago NBC studios. "Introducing Mrs. Jones" This twice-weekly skit on KQV, Pittsburgh, 11:15-11:30 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, tells about the adventures of the Little Old Lady from the Old Lady's home. Heroine of plot is old lady character who is sprightly beyond her years, and has a knack of getting into more mixups than any normal individual. As an example of her trials and tribulations, Mrs. Jones purchases a new car and it happens to be one identical to that of a notorious gangster. She is chased by policemen, trailed by bandits, and shot at by members of rival gang. Program is written by Vickey Corey.