Radio Digest (Nov 1930-Apr 1931)

85 istener TCK! TCK! HE SIGNS IT "FRIEND" I take this awaited opportunity to point out that I haven't the slighte-t interest or use for your magazine. I am sorry to see Radio Broadcast go, and it could have become no more worthless if one had tried to accomplish the ultimate in that direction. It is now — junk, with my regards — H. H. Friend, Engineering Dept. RCA, Photophone, 153 K. 24th St., New York, X. V. which I have been receiving for the past six years. — Ray Van Sledgright, Grand Rapids, Mich. WE AIM TO PLEASE — BRINKLEY'S PICTURE IN THIS ISSUE I KNOW that you are used to receiving many letters from fluttering youngsters, who rave on about their favorite Radio star without giving any reason for their criticism other than, "He is simply marvelous". The writer of this letter is not in the above mentioned category. To begin with, I am a man. That alone should put me out of the regular herd. Secondly, I do not like to see my name in print. Thirdly, I am a college graduate and have served as dramatic critic and reporter for several of the country's leading newspapers. Now, to get into the real purpose of this letter: About a year ago Hartford's radio station, WTIC, "blossomed out" in a number of ways, the least of which was not the employment of a southern announcer named Jack E. Brinkley. Many of us in Hartford had looked with favor upon the work which Mr. Brinkley had been doing in New York City before he came to our town. And now — well, that is the real story. Almost all of my friends and acquaintances, with whom I had discussed the matter, admit a decided preference for Jack's work on the air, both in announcing and acting. Thereby, you would greatly please many listeners, if you would give us a story and a really sizeable photograph of this man. — G. S. W., Hartford, Conn. admission meant coming from those who have always growled when their wives gave up aU engagements to listen in on Thursday nights. Couldn't you please have one of your staff answer my questions? I know it would also please those ardent Rudy fans I'm going to tell about your magazine and who are sure to buy anything that even mentions Rudy's dog. — Agnes Doherty, Neponsit, Mass. Marcella is going to try to answer all your questions, Agnes, so watch her columns. Rudy Vallee joins Radio Digest in thanking the man} admirers who wrote to express i>preciation of his article. So many letters were received that there wasn't room for all. We're especially sorry we couldn't print the masterly epistles from Helen Kruse, Wood Ridge, X. J., Verna Geideman, Xiles, Mich., Dorothy R. King, Brownsville, Pa., Christine H. Yass, Kenosha, Wis., Harriette Whalen, Xeponsit, Mass., and R. X. Walker of Seymour, Tnd . . . thev were good. — Editor. MORE VOTES FOR MOST POPULAR ORCHESTRA — GUY LOMBARDO AND BEN BERNIE THIS is my first appeal to the "Voice of the Listener." I give first place to Ben Bernie and his orchestra (not forgetting his long-necked pianist, and gum-chewing drummer), siding with Ed. Russell, of Wasco, Calif., in my opinion of Guy. For those who stand up for Ben and Guy, more power to their pens! A rabid Bernie and Lombardo fan. — Robert Macgregor Eeadie, Pasadena, Cal. ALL RIGHT — SO LONG AS YOU'RE CRAZY ABOUT US I WANT to tell you we are simply crazy about your magazine. I have been reading it every month for nearly two yean-, and think it getbetter ever} issue. We enjoy our Radio much more after we read Radio Digest. It is chuck full of the most intere-ting Radio news — and is by far the best magazine published. — Mr-. E. L. Loudder, l.ueder-. Texas. POEM — WITH APOLOGIES TO LITTLE JACK LITTLE When I'm down and out and feeling blue, Can you imagine what I do? Why, I jump to the Radio, turn the dial, "Yes we have no bananas," can be heard for a mile. Joe and Vi, the loving pair Make me glad I am far from there. Sanderson and Crummit -ing their songs, As the train of the Fast Freight sounds its gongs. The Crocket Mountaineers with songs of yore, Amd Heywood Broun with admirers galore. Up steps Burbig with talks so amusing, That we almost forget our friend Ted Husing, California Melodies out of the west, For the latest of tune-, this is the best. Radio Follies bring Eddie Cantor and Helen Morgan, Jesse Crawford, world loved poet of the organ. Paramount Publix, I almost forgot, Brings stars, music, and news served hot. —Richard C. McGinnis, Oil City, Pa. ODE TO JOHN L. FOGARTY As the setting sun fades In her bed of old gold, So does McCormack, who's fast growing old. In his place comes another, Still more famous to be; Sure, a son of Old Erin — And his name's Fogarty. — Adele McCullough, Easton, Pa. RUDY FANS ARE RALLYING ROUND TONIGHT I bought my first cop} of RADIO Digest and T know right now, it will certainly not be my last. The real reason I made this edition my first is because I saw on the cover that Rudy Vallee was going to write in it. Rudy is my weak moment and I read anything he writes or that is written about him (if it's favorable) so many times I have it memorized. In going through your magazine I noticed how interesting and original every article was. I know that there have been countless stories about Rudy Vallee but I feel that since he likes your magazine so much that he writes in it, and because it deals with Radio, his first love, surely you would be able to get a more original interview of him, one that gives different -ides of him. What is his brother like? Whom does he live with? What degree did he get in ( College? Does he swear? Ts it true that he joined the Navy during the World War when under age? 1 guess that must be true, for he marched in our Boston Legionnaire Parade, and \\ hat a hand he got! Even the men said he wasn't so bad, after all, and you can guess what that MANLY PRAISE FOR WILL OSBORNE I THOUGHT perhaps you would like to hear a man's opinion. It's Rudy's voice, not him that the}' have fallen for! American people want plain, untrained, naturalness which we all have to admit Rudy has. But for real man's appeal give me Will Osborne. — Gene Bailey. Portland, Me. A BOOST FOR COON SANDERS FOR my first attempt at V. O. L. I am going to try to boost Coon Sanders' Original XightHawks, a little, as I sincerely believe they deserve this praise, even though lbe\ may not need it. Here is one dance orchestra that can do justice to any type of musical number, from the slowest, dreamiest waltz to the faste-t moving Tiger Rag. In all of these, the arrangements are very clever and the rhythm perfect. Then comes the important matter of the vocal chorus. Here again, the} excel. "Coonie" is a stead} reliable singer, with a good voice and plent\ of pep. 1 1 is partner, Joe Sanders, can croon with the best of them, but how many crooners can "open up" with his qualitv and range? Philip X. Clarke, Hindsdale, 111. WRITE TO V. O. L. CHAIN CALENDAR FEATURES have been omitted this month because several readers say the} don't like them. What do you think? Give us your opinion and join the V. O. L. Club. — Editor. WE CAN'T ALL BE SWEET, LIKE THESE SOUTHERNERS! PLEASE may I join the V. O. L.? I'd love u<: I thoroughly enjoy the Radio Digest. It has so many pictures and articles about Radio artists I've always wanted to find out about, and now that I've discovered the R. D. I know I'm getting up-to-date news. It seems to me there i rather an unpleasant argument going back and forth in V. O. J.. What I can't understand is, why be unpleasant alxiut it? There are plenty of artists for everyone— different people require different attractions. So let's please be sweet about our arguments. Those of us who like Rudy— say so, but not at the same time condemning some one else.— F. C, Memphis, Perm. M. A.'S EARS SHOULD BE BURNING! THE Mystery Announcer and his gang of WPEN are wonderful. A person couldn't be blue and listen to them at the same time. There's Melody Mae w ho i< a pianist. o~ ist. comedian, singer and what not, all rolled into one. Then there is Bill. Everybody likes him for his voice, impi rsonations and happj go-lucky ways. Even boj at the station is an artist in some way. M. \., -hort for Mysten Innouncer, is grand. H< has a most wonderful personality and he puts all he's got into his work to make people happ} . Some of your other V. O. L. fans write in tell us what you think of our M. A. and his gang, won't you? And. please print more about them in the oext issues. Dot Martinson, I la\ erford, Pa.