Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

],i s t e n e r cently completed a "wow" of a number with the aid of one of our accompanists, Vic Caille, and they have titled it "Fooling— We Were Just Fooling." Yes, sir, this boy has the "stuff" that makes the public cry for more, and he is worthy of every "break" he gets. I hope this answers your question, P.H., and if it does not, let us hear some more from you. — H. A. Hickman, General Manager, Station WDEL, Wilmington, Delaware. (Marcella also became interested in the young man, and she too has something about him in her column. See page 35, P.H.) From Now On! T DO so love this radio magazine, I keep •*■ each and every copy and often reread and refer to them to refresh my memory. Wish we could expect our copy on the first day of each month — It seems so long between copies. I would so love to know the whereabouts of George Beuchles, Edwin Cullen and William Brenton — wonderful announcers. — S.G.E., Little Rock, Arkansas. "LISTEN, GRAHAM!" TTERE is a letter from another radio *■ -*• fan who would very much like to have a full-page picture of that splendid announcer, Graham McNamee. Would also like to have a little story about him to accompany it. I met Mr. McNamee at the New York NBC studios last Summer, and I want to say he is just as pleasant and spontaneous in person as he is on the air. I am also a fan who is indeed willing to thank sponsors for bringing such fine talent to radio. I do not object to commercial announcements in the least, especially as these announcements, are shorter now and a great many are put over in an interesting manner. Quite often I find myself using a radio-advertised product, which I would not have purchased on purpose had it been advertised in other ways. I have heard of some people who "kick" at commercial programs, but, I just bet they would "kick" more if their favorite performer no longer appeared on the air for the reason that sponsored programs were not allowed. I doubt if famous artists could be obtained without the salaries the sponsors are willing to pay. Would also like to see a picture of James Wallington in your magazine. Am only a beginner as a radio fan, so have read only about five of your publications, but I have not yet seen a picture of Mr. Wallington that does him justice. I also met him at NBC which explains my interest. Please remember the picture of Graham, and try to add the one of Jimmy. — Miss N. F. Comer, Savannah, Georgia. SAYS BARBARA TT SEEMS that many VOLers are com-* plaining of the drop in size, with the drop in price of the Radio Digest. But, if you turn out future copies as good as the November issue, no one will have any grounds for complaint. It was full of interesting articles and I surely got twentyfive cents' worth out of that fifteen-cent issue. Of special interest was the Colored Supplement, but why such a short bit about Cab Calloway? I think he is one of the best orchestra leaders in the country. The only exceptions I make are Guy Lombardo and Leo Reisman. It was a great pleasure for once for me to read Rudy Vallee's "Tuneful Topics" without turning the air blue and shocking my respectable neighbors. I refer to the December issue, and "Underneath the Harlem Moon" (read Rudy's tuneful criticism, folks ! ) Says Barbara — We thank you, Rudy dear, for your gracious recognition of another band leader. I was surprised at the mighty Rudy conceding a better man than himself for the playing of certain types of jazz. I recognize the fact that many other people consider Rudy the supreme ruler of the O. B. L. (Order of Band Leaders), but for Rudy, the high and mighty, to concede himself that there are better men than himself made me feel like singing the "Star Spangled Banner" and shouting HIP ! HIP! HOORAY!! Why not an article on Cab Calloway, with full page pictures — he deserves it if anyone does. And here's hoping that with the fatherly help of Rudy Vallee and the support of the Calloway fans, we will get a big article in a forthcoming R.D. Graham McNamee, Ed Wynn's perpetually popular artiste 37 And, returning to that fine November issue, I find that out of seventeen articles there were eleven that I enjoyed. (And Tuneful Topics was not one of them — one look and I gave up in despair.) The paper and printing had returned to their former qualities and the contents had not suffered by the drop in price (insofar as per cent of interesting articles was concerned). Everything will be okeh, if you continue to publish such fine issues. May I again repeat: Publish a BIG article about that wonderful dance maestro — Cab Calloway. — Miss Barbara Toan, 117 Bagley Road. Berea, Ohio. "QUEEN OF THE AIR" 'T^HERE is a young artist whose name *■ is rarely mentioned within the portals of this column — an artist who is equally as beautiful as the lovely voice which she possesses — Jessica Dragonette ! ! (Full page picture appeared in the November issue. "Everybody's Sweetheart" in the April. 1931 issue). There is something of that "little girl" quality about Jessica — a certain wistful sort of charm ; an elusive "something" with which few are endowed. The dramatic quality of her speaking voice and her poise create a mental picture. One visualizes her as ethereal, dainty, shy, feminine. Yet, one is aware that there is "much more to her" than meets the ear and eye. Her clear, soft, easy flowing singing voice weaves a magic spell, lifting one out of a world of mundane happenings, into a realm of beauty and romance ! There is a gentleness about her voice — a glamour of moonlight and lost fairy-tales. "Lovely, lyrical Jessica" richly deserves the tribute — "radio's most outstanding feminine personality!"— Mary E. Lauber. 119 West Abbottsford Avenue, Germantown, Pennsylvania. MUY BIEN, GRACIAS! T WOULD like to say how pleased I was ■*■ to find the page devoted to that splendid artist, Tito Guizar in a recent issue of your magazine. It was very nice. There is an artist who deserves some good "breaks'" and I hope he gets them. Such a perfectly gorgeous voice cannot help winning many, many admirers, but, besides the voice of exquisite liquid gold, he has a personality that is simply irresistible, and by far the most fascinating foreign accent I have ever heard. If you do not care for tenor voices, tune in just to hear him talk — you will be well repaid. I tune in for both, and I am a regular listener. Thanks to you, Tito, for many, many pleasures — especially your "Aye, Aye, Aye," and "In a Little Spanish Town." And, I always have a "rave" for those incomparable Royal Canadians. Remember, Mr. Editor, that we Lombardo Fans are searching every issue of R. D. for a word about them, or a new picture. I cannot seem to coax a group of the entire orchestra from you. How about a big picture of the four Lombardo brothers? My scrap book is waiting for just that, and a "swell" individual photograph of Carmen. (Guy, your "How Deep Is The Ocean" and "Goodnight, My Lady Love" are too lovely for words.) I don't know what I would do without Radio Digest — it is a friend indeed. Besl wishes. — Hazel Rhoades, 1749 X. Winchester Avenue, Chicago.