Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

40 Jrank Watanabe and th The Honorable Archie himself — none other than Reginald Sharland. WHAT are the men behind the characters of Frank Watanabe and The Honorable Archie like, (KNX, Hollywood) ? Are they as interesting as they sound? Eddie Holden, the creater of Frank, the Japanese Houseboy, was born in San Francisco not so many years ago, attending school there, majoring in astronomy while at College. He comes from a long line of musicians and artistic people. His father, E. J. Holden, left the Santa Clara University, where he was studying for the Priesthood, and entered the dramatic field, teaching elocution. From this he drifted very naturally into the theatrical business and as a producer won a niche for himself in the early days in San Francisco, achieving his first success as Bill Sykes in "Oliver Twist." He numbered among his close friends and associates the great Theodore Roberts and John Drew. Mr. Holden met Eddie's mother in his first production, where she was a member of the company, but after their marriage Mrs. Holden retired to private life. Honorable Archie IIZX °f '™.sc';ieitt!''.u*iu;1 ':is m '-.' •pp-'* «— * be around the corner of his sunny disposi tion. He confesses to being a great admirer of Lincoln, very fond of biographies of all kinds, a lover of good music and regular attendant at operas and symphonies, and does he like John McCormick, or does he like John McCormick ! He is an ardent baseball fan fore school gatherings, club luncheons, private theatricals, etc., in this portrayal. His first radio appearance was made at KFRC in 1923 and since that time he has made a host of friends in San Francisco and in Los Angeles. Of Eddie's several other character portrayals, he likes Scudder best, feel , , — f"' ""-j <"■=, "<= iii^cb ocuucier Dest, teel W ™?rV6r tHe °pP°rtun^ Permits> i*g very much at home and at ease with plays golf Young ladies, attention : Eddie Holden's first requirement of girls is that they be attractive and intelligent. Then they may be blond, brunette, or red head, he really doesn't care. Eddie Holden served in the Navy during the World War. He did, he says, see some water— they permitted him to come across to the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Not being able to get overseas just about broke Eddie's heart that since Eddie's grandparents came from "Down East," Scudder's home. In addition to his radio activities, Eddie Holden finds time to write short stories, and has from time to time conducted columns for newspapers, one syndicated article entitled "The Japanese Reporter." Eddie's profession has enabled him to meet a host of most interesting personalities and he numbers among his close friends several Swedish sea cap i ——.*■. uuoi. menus several .Swedish sm ran first la"? °n SeCmg *e rUmPUS at t3inS Wh°m he ^ -sHs Tn their Eddie spent a number of years in the ^anesf ^J.^^ ^LnZ hTSr c'oaTf"" UP ^ d°Wn, ?nIy AmeHcan invit6d * exdujvee house He T 1 a CTmerC,al JaPanese affairs Through these friendhouse. He was also engaged m the ships with people of all nationalities business of artistic window displays and Eddie has come to know T^eat deal' sage settings which he and his partner about foreign foods, and he 1 h designed and installed. At one time his thoroughly enjoys the Japanese foods firm created rephcas of some of Cali which are prepared to pfease Ve eye forma s famous resorts for one of the as well as to tempt the apPedte In a most en w„ HTMSICAL, with a keen sense of humor, Eddie Holden is very reticent and rather shy. It is most difficult to make him talk about himself, but he waxes most enthusiastic about Frank Watanabe and will talk for four hours on that subject. Eddie is tall and dark, with twinkling blue eyes and a deep cleft in his chin, denoting a larger exclu sive stores in San Francisco, actually cutting and hauling down for their window display some trees from Muir Woods, and "local color" from each of the other resorts depicted. The character of "Frank Watanabe" was created by Eddie while he was still attending grammar school, and during all thusiastic and sympathetic manner, Eddie Holden speaks of Frank Watanabe, whose character he would like everyone of his audience to understand. Frank "Frank Watanabe" is Eddie Holden, writer of this popular radio act and chief actor in it.