Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

List e n e r THAT FACULTY LIST! I READ with interest Miss Peggy Moore's high school faculty. I agree with Miss Moore on her all-star faculty, except for three persons. For principal, instead of Kate Smith, Jack Benny; for singing instructors, the Four Mills Brothers, and for mathematic instructor, Jack Pearl (so he could tell of his experiences, instead of making us get our geometry). She could keep Buddy Rogers for janitor, or something. Why not have an article on the Wiener Minstrels ? I have a date with them every Monday night. — Bob Gannon, 1709 N. Main, Fremont, Nebraska. ANOTHER QUARTER CUSTOMER HAVING to wait so long for this month's (October) Radio Digest which I thought would never come, certainly did disgust me. However, the situation was eased somewhat when it finally arrived and I saw some of the interesting features it .contained. I do wish you would decide to send out the magazine on the first of the month, instead of the fifteenth, or later. I am another who would like to see the return of the larger issue, and would be willing to pay for the bigger size. Due to the reduction, some of the best features have been omitted, including Nellie Revell's "Gabalogue." This letter, isn't meant to be all criticism ; I want to compliment you on the splendid articles "Okay America," "Can A Wife Help a Man Make A Career," "Good Morning Judge," "Letters to the Artist."' The pictures also demand special mention. Here's hoping you will comply with the requests for a larger Digest, and please the readers. — I. Mary Staley, Frederick, Maryland. HERE Y'ARE, JEAN! "FOUR Detroit girls and yours truly ■*■ thank you for the handsome picture you published of Gene Austin in the October issue of your magazine. But, since you obliged us in printing our letter, why did you not print it in full? You did not overlook the merited praise we gave your magazine and we are deeply hurt that you should have left out our comments on our beloved Gene Austin, who is, to our minds, His Majesty, King of them All. We believe our favorite to be entitled to due recognition the way Rudy and others get it. Scads of people feel as we do. True, we were fortunate to get a hearing even after three years of writing to Radio Digest, but we would have preferred not seeing our letter printed at all, rather than have it so abbreviated. Although he is unaware of it, Gene Austin has sold many copies of Digest for you, believe it or not. While we considered the magazine a source of real enjoyment, hopes of reading about Gene has kept us keenly interested. This, as is, will never be printed, that much we know. But, you promised us a write-up on Mr. Austin, and you will keep faith with us, please, will you not? — Jean DeVaux, Hartford, Connecticut (formerly of Detroit). EAST GOES. WEST TOO PERHAPS you Easterners don't know A that the people on the West Coast are alive and very much interested in radio. Here's a little tip : we are still kicking and feel as important as anyone. Yesterday I read my first copy of Radio Digest, and don't mind admitting that it extremely disappointed me. You say that I have no complaints coming because I've only read one ? — Well, I don't agree with you. Here's the trouble : There were pages and pages about artists from the Eastern sections, but I almost had to use a magnifying glass to find out about any of the Westerners. Way back in the book were a few short notes — two columns. Did I see red? — You bet! Surely, what is in the book is very interesting— it should be to those in the East, but where do the Westerners get off, especially those of the Pacific Coast? Why not divide your book, taking artists from each section so as to please everybody? Of course, there were some that I had heard about — Rudy Vallee, for instance, but I have heard and seen so much of him that I have to look at a picture twice before his face disappears, and the one on the paper is clear. He actually pops from behind books and pages at all times. He is a nice person, alright, but why not give some of that advertising to Western artists? We do have some good announcers, crooners, musicians, and the rest. From the Don Lee station, there is the HappyGo-Lucky "gang" ; Al Pearce, Mack, the fellow who sings on the records "Big Rock Candy Mountains" ; Norman Neilson; Charley Carter, California's Maurice Chevalier; Cecil Wright, Walter Kelsie, a master violinist, Hommy Harris, Edna O'Keefe, whom you mentioned and gave us a picture of, and several others. From Seattle, KJR, those best known are : Al Schuss ; Chet Cathers, who rivals Phil Harris ; Grant Merrill ; Homer Sweetman ; Casey Jones ; Elmore Vincent ; and Thomas F. Smith ; Vic Meyers, orchestra leader, and by the way, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor plays almost nightly over KOMO. He is a man of very interesting character and would make a good interview. One of the best of orchestra singers was with him until a few months ago. His name is Billy Ullman, and he is still in Seattle. Ken Stuart and Ivan Ditmars are two 35 very important members of KOL, Seattle. Pardon me, but I forgot to mention Abe Rashman (or something like that) and his talking violin, of KJR. They are plenty good enough for anybody's magazine. Dick Sharp, sports announcer, who has broadcast from KXA, Seattle, is one of the best ever. Here is hoping to see a Western Section in Radio Digest soon. — A Aliss Washington. THE MIKE TEAM T^OR the past eight months, we, the mem■*• bers of the Ail-American Stars Club, organized in Birmingham, have tried to place the eleven best-suited orchestras in an All-American Orchestra Team. We are not going to sign our final opinion until December 31st, at midnight. Anyone, who sends a letter in with AllAmerican first and second teams, will be an associate member of our club. At the present we submit the following as in letters we have received from over the states. We are going to receive at least three letters from each state. May we have your vote ? Right End — Ted Weeins. Right Tackle — Isham Jones. Right Guard — Vincent Lopez. Center — George Olsen. Left Guard — Ben Bernie. Left Tackle — Wayne King. Left End— Clyde McCoy. Quarterback — Ozzie Nelson. Left Half — Guy Lombardo. Right Half— Ted Lewis. Fullback — Paul Whiteman (Captain). Managers — The Walters O'Keefe and Winchell. Coach — Eddie Cantor. Trainer — Rudy Vallee*. *Due to the fact that Vallee received many votes for many positions on the team, but not enough to credit him with any one position. Ted Weems and McCoy were a cinch at end because of their broadcast on Magic Carpet of Lucky Strike program on Derby Day in Kentucky. We will help the VOL and Radio Digest in any way we might. Anyone wishing to change this before December 31st, 1932, drop in your two elevens. Before one gets credit, he will have to write a first eleven, and a second eleven. Rules : 1. Position on first team is two points ; 2. Position on second team is one point; 3. Points are divided if more than one are placed on first or second position ; 4. Don't place any man on team unless he proves satisfactory for that position. The Radio Digest will receive the final of this a week after December 31, 1932. — Blondy Rawlinson, Secretary, 3917-40th Avenue North, Birmingham. Alabama. HAVE been a steady listener to your programs, and a reader of Radio Digest fbr ages. Needless to say that 1 enjoy both. Will you please try to get pictures and life sketches of Frank Knight and George Hartrick in R. D.? Mr. Hartrick, I think, is one of N. B. C.'s ace announcers. Have been watching my Digest for information concerning both, but so far, have searched in vain. — Edytha Burnett, 1219 Colburn St., Toledo. O.