Radio Digest (May-Oct 1930)

70 The Smiths, a Typical Family, Welcomed by Listeners THAT the Radio audience likes a certain thread of continuity in its air sketches is indicated by the widespread popularity achieved by the Smith Family, WENR comedy-drama broadcast^ every Monday night. Smith Family presentations portray the activities, adventures and everyday life of an average middle class American family. Although this feature has been given practically no publicity and this is the first photograph published, WENR weekly receives hundreds of letters of comment and commendation on the program. The Smith Family came into being February 20, 1929. Harry Lawrence is the "father," writing all of the continuity, while Lester Luther is director and coach. The Family includes approximately eight characters. Father and mother, Ed and Nora Smith, are played by Arthur Wellington and Marion Jordan. Betty, the flapper daughter, is Irma Glenn, and Irene, the older sister, is interpreted by Thora Martens. The role of Joe Fitzgerald, former prize fighter, who is the sweetheart of Irene, is taken by Jim Jordan, while Joe Warner is Morris Rosenberg, Betty's sweetheart. Occasionally Dick Morgan and Pansy Pinkham make their appearance, played by Mr. Luther and Sallie Menkes. "The Smith Family has run the gamut of human emotions. Anyone who has ever run a gamut can appreciate this feat," says Harry Lawrence of his brain children. "In the initial episode Irene and Betty planned an elopement, but through a taxi cab mixup each got the other's boy friend and the plans fell through, both couples deciding to wait a while longer. "Joe Fitzgerald loses a fight because of a^quarrel with Irene over another suitor, the millionaire Dick Morgan. Pansy Pinkham, a chorus girl, enters the race for the Morgan millions and Joe quits the fight game to drive a truck, winning a hill climbing contest, thus saving Father Ed's investment in truck stock and becoming once more Irene's hero.* Dick Morgan proposes a 'round the world trip on his yacht, during the course of which they are wrecked on a South Sea island, where they find Pansy, walking home from a yacht trip. After more adventures they finally reach home, where Pansy marries Dick, leaving the field clear for Joe. "When Betty accidentally took an overdose of a sleeping potion she actually received flowers and candy from sympathetic listeners. Mrs. Smith has Blue Steele, whose Victor recording orchestra broadcasts each night over KMOX from Coronado hotel, in three months' time received over 20,000 letters from every state and Canada. social ambitions, so they acquire a cook who once worked for Mrs. Van Gilder, society leader. "The Family, in rapid succession, takes a vacation, joins a golf club, tries to run a cabaret and a high brow garage, finally buying a home in Glendale Park and becoming suburbanized. Joe goes back to the ring and becomes light-heavy champion, while Morris Rosenberg becomes engaged to Betty. "This is the situation at the present time. When the Family celebrated its first birthday on the air a banquet was given them by the station. The Radio audience sent in, among other things, five birthday cakes, several boxes of candy, flowers, letters, telegrams and cards of congratulation." Women Special Care on KSTP Programs By E. D. Jencks APPRECIATING that women comprise a very large and important contingent of the army of KSTP listeners, the station has made provision for many special informative and educational programs and novel entertainment features for the fair sex. The individual behind the guns who seeks out the wants of the women Radio listeners and sees that these are put on the air, is Miss Corinne Jordan, program director, and formerly with station WBBM of Chicago. Just before the housewife begins her work at home each morning, she tunes to KSTP for the beauty exercises, in which Miss Jordan is assisted by Harry K. Nye, physical director of the St. Paul Y. M. C. A. Again at three each week-day afternoon Miss/Jordan acts as empressario of the women's hour. The Household Clinic brings information on matters concerning the home, many of which have been received from listeners. The Fourth District of the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs, presents one of its 48 individual committees each week in a program of local talent and short talks on current subjects. The Zonta Club, composed of prominent business women has a set hour each week, in which advice is given to young girls on the respective professions represented in this organization. * * * Four pink pig tails, boiled and scraped clean, were among the unique gifts to the Maple City 4 quartet at WLS. Two dozen dressed rabbits, some country sausage, popcorn balls, a bushel of unroasted peanuts, and fudge of many varieties served to add to the list of food sent in to the station by fans.