Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

porting a supply of dry cells from the settlement at which he procures his outfit to his trap line, but he is repaid by the pleasure he derives from this source during the long dark Winter, and he can judge by watching the trend of the market if it will pay him to leave his trap line during the trapping season to dispose of his furs at the nearest post, or whether it is more advisable to wait until Spring to take in his total catch. Northerners are beginning to consider a radio set not only a wonderful luxury but also a necessity. Being able to receive the broadcast, the voice of civilization, -is insurance against stagnation of mind and depression of spirit; it dispels the loneliness even from the farthest frontier. V V V Five Star Theatre (Continued from page 9) Student Prince," "Naughty Marietta," "The Chocolate Soldier," and "Blue Paradise." During January and February Mr. Aborn will present "The Pink Lady," "The Red Mill, "Mile. Modiste," "The Prince of Pilsen," and "New Moon." For the Friday evening Mystery drama, Charlie Chan was chosen as the most popular of the detectives now extant in fiction and motion pictures. A dramatic serialization of Earl Derr Biggers' novel of the adventures of the bland Chinese detective has been prepared by D. Thomas Curtin, who has been one of the most successful writers of radio mystery dramas. The Five Star Theatre, which has the combined support of the Standard Oil Companies of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Louisiana, and the Colonial Beacon Oil Company, is an experiment which probably will become a landmark in radio presentation ideas. There will be none with a greater variety of subject until the day arrives when acrobats can become radio stars. V V V For Instants (Continued from page 29) about 25 to 50 percent slower than the same thing would be played on the stage. I base this theory on two things — first that it makes it easier for the listener in to follow and secondly that it gives them a chance to mentally fill in the gaps with the indicated action. I think that Amos N'Andy showed great showmanship in the deliberate manner of their playing and that this one factor almost as much as any other gave them the enormous audience that the quality of their sketches deserved. In direct opposition to this theory, I feel that monologues or dialogues which amount to monologues in their content, should be played with celerity and brightness. I promised when I started that this would not be a treatise on the duties of a production director. However, I think it will be of interest to know that among other things, he is responsible for setting rehearsals, casting, balancing the orchestra, making the artists confortable, timing the music, checking sound effects and making sure they register in proper volume, directing the actors and actresses so as to get the desired effect, getting a glass of water for a singer or a speaker, often playing a part oneself, and lastly seeing that the show itself goes smoothly and effectively. So, we of production work in radio can rightly be said to be on the firing line where we are called upon to be anything from a Major Domo to a Good Man Friday just "for instants." V V V Chief Director (Continued from page 12) them all, he asked Black what to do. Black chose the singer he had originally recommended and the singer was given three different contract renewals by the sponsor later on. For a musician, he is almost imperturbable. His arrangements are very i 47 difficult, yet he will write a score for a 60-piece orchestra while he is talking on the phone, carrying on a conversation with several people or while he is dictating letters. It was he who first made the Revelers sing parts that were originally written for saxophones. He liked the idea and so he adapted other instrumental parts for voices. Some of the endings on Reveler songs give the rising bell-like effect of a vibraphone. Unlike most conductors or composers, Black never displays the so-called "artistic temperament." He refuses to worry. He refuses to become excited. As a newspaperman I would say that had he gone into that field. Black would have made a great city editor. You can imagine him picking up the phone and hearing a reporter tell him that there had been an earthquake. But you can no more imagine Black becoming ruffled over the news than you can imagine a great city editor getting rattled. As a hobby, Black collects bronzes, and like most collectors, he gets a great deal of enjoyment out of finding rare things in strange places. A huge cloisonne figure of a Buddist monk now graces his home. Originally he saw it at a prohibitive price in an antique store. Then later, in another store. He followed it into nine stores and finally bought it — when it was being used as a decoration in a department store. Another trophy is the bronze medallion Prominent Persons of the Radio Industry SINGLE from s3 DAILY DOUBLE from make the Hotel Lincoln their New York Headquarters It is ideally located — convenient to all the studios, theatres and shops Every modern convenience 1400 ROOMS Each with RADIO, private bath-Servidor DAILY SPECIAL WEEKLY AND MONTHLY RATES ^UNEW HOTEL LINCOLN 44th 45th ST.^ 8th AVE. N.YC.