Radio Digest (Jan-Oct 1926)

RADIO DIGES T— Illustrated (-yjCiss America" Is on the 0^1 ir /LISTENERS FROM °>«2 Torrid to Frigid Zones Tune in WPG at Atlantic City for Famous Annual Bathing Beauty Pageant ONLY a few days ago all America was listening in for an important announcement from Atlantic City, N. J. Newspapers held their presses for the flash, Radio broadcasters stood by to interrupt their programs, and everybody— especially the flowering youth of the nation — was tuned and eagerly waiting. Then, like a blaze of lightning, it came crackling through the air. WPG had it first: "Miss Tulsa of Tulsa, Okla., has won the great national beauty title, 'Miss America.' Miss Norma Smallwood is the young lady representing Tulsa. Miss Washington, D. C., was second choice." are. She is Miss America, the Miss America of 1925, identified in the public record of births as Miss Fay Lamphier and she is in Atlantic City to welcome to the Royal Ranks the queen of 1926. At the announcer's desk sits Mr. Edwin M. Spence, director of the station. Presently he will escort you to a balcony at the American Beauty Ball and there describe to you the most exquisite assembly of regal grace ever encompassed by four walls. He will also picture for you the Miss America parade as it passes before the judge's stand in glorious review. Delightful Mr. Spence — his eyes are ever alert to picture for us the gorgeous scenes that intrigue our eyes of the mind. Follow Mr. Spence with your ears and you will see the cooing infants in their gaily bedecked perambulators as they pass in the famous Baby Parade; you will find yourself rolling along in a chair while a gentle voice whispers in your ear the names of the celebrities you meet rolling The two Venetian maids at the left are Miss Virginia Curtis (left) and Miss Margaret Suacusa who have won the love of "WPG listeners with quaint Italian folk song's. Carlo Ferretti (above), of the opera whose rich baritone voice thrills WPG listeners. He sang the gates open at the Sesquicentennial and is identified with Capt. Pat Conway's Concert Band. Miss Norma Smallwood (right) as "Miss Tulsa" is crowned "Miss America" in the presence of WPG "mike." Hearts were beating once more. Music resumed and the world went back to normal — except at WPG, the municipal broadcasting station of Atlantic City. Listeners to this station were privileged to hear the glorious beauty queen crowned and hear her voice over the new 5, 000watt transmitter just placed in commission in time for Atlantic City's great annual event. It is one of the most important functions of the year for WPG— the "World's Playground.'.' And as the hour for the great pageant draws near the station hums with activity. The reigning queen is the center of attention until the time comes to surrender her scepter and become an ex-queen. "Oh to be there and strolling, strolling along the sands," sigh those who must stay at home. But WPG answers, "Tune us in and we will take Atlantic City to you through the air." Close your eyes and there you are in the station, pressed close to the big plate glass window opening into the Marine studio. Who is the exquisite young maiden at the microphone? You must know her from the pictures — her fluffy hair blowing in the salty breeze from the sea, her luminous eyes glacing around from time to time and red lips smiling as she speaks in a modulate voice through the microphone. She is clothed in immaculate white, the sun-tinted skin of her throat revealed by the loose drape of her sailor collar. Quite right, you In the center of the stage, 'befitting the place of a master of ceremonies, is Director Edwin M. House, public spirited citizen and chief announcer for WPG. Maestro Pranko Goldman (above) and his band have been transmitting the glory of the Steel Pier to Radio audiences. from the opposite direction and the chances are you will discern details in their raiment that would have escaped you if you had been using your own eyes. I'll us WPG brings to you Atlantic City and, even though you may be engrossed today over the congress of American beauty, tomorrow you will be charmed by a program of music from artists of world renown. You have but to glance at the register book in the solarium as you step from the window of the Marine studio. Names of celebrities are enscribed and they are giving of their art to WPG. High class dance music is contributed by the orchestras from the leading hotels, including the Morton, Traymore, Ambassador and Chalfonte Haddon Hall. Others are Frank Elliot's Steel Pier Minstrels and Emmet Welsh's Minstrels on the Million Dollar Pier, Victor Recording Syncopators, Wheeler Wadsworth's Plotel Shelburne Dance Orchestra, George Olson's Garden Pier Melody Roys, Seattle Harmony Kings, Fry's Dance Orchestra and the Steeplechase Pier Dance Orchestra. Among the singers who have achieved great popularity over WPG this summer are Marie Tiffany, soprano; Mine. Julia Claussen, mezzo soprano; Henri Scott, bass baritone, and Paul Althouse, tenor, all of the Metropolitan Opera company; Jules Falk, star pupil of Ysaye; Estelle Wentworth, prima donna of the San Carlo Opera company; Greta (Continued on page 30)