Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

40 tt Checkers" Goes on the Air WAAM— Newark, N. J. EVERY Wednesday Station WAAM of Newark, New Jersey, presents an original radio program innovation in the adoption of a series of scientific talks on checkers. This feature is conducted by Millard F. Hopper, State champion checker expert and author of the recent book, "How To Win At Checkers." Anyone who doubts the scientific aspects of this game should listen in to some of the startling tricks he details in his afternoon talks. Who ever guessed that one checker could draw against four in certain positions? Who would believe that there existed trick plays in checkers wherein as many as nine men can be jumped at one time? Well, if you're like the chap from "Missouri" just set your dial at 1250 kilocycles next Wednesday afternoon at 2 p. m. and learn all about it. Checkers has its ardent fans and followers just as much as bridge and backgammon but like the game itself its popularity has been voiced in the silent appreciation of its devotees. It is only on occasions of InterState matches and national tourneys that checkers finds its way into the press columns although every city and town has its checker team. The large amount of fan mail coming in from these programs is evidence of the growing interest in this feature. Mr. Hopper who at one time operated the wax chess and checker playing figure at the Eden Musee details a simple system of numbering the squares of the board which enables the listeners to acquire the trick moves of the game without any great effort. His checker career started when at the age of 16, he represented New York City at an International Match in which Christy Mathewson, the old LARRY GREUTER Radio's are accordionist, heard daily over WLW, Cincinnati, with Don Becker, ukulele virtuoso, one of the most popular morning features. As the original "Squeeze Box Man," Larry made his debut before the microphones of WLW five years ago. He is equally at home both in the realm of modern dance rhythm and in the field of classical composition. Giant pitcher, was referee. Later he appeared for several seasons at Luna Park, Coney Island and then turned his attentions to giving professional exhibitions on the game at various clubs and Y.M.C.A.'s. In one of these exhibitions he played as many as forty men at one time without the loss of a game. KFAB— Omaha THE experience unique to radio artists of having an audience literally walk out on him, mad, came to Lee Bennett, KFAB crooner and announcer last month. It was during a broadcast from the stage of one of the Omaha theaters. The entire personnel of KFAB was performing, with the grand finale as a selection by Bennett. The audience waited patiently for Bennett, and applauded vigorously when he finally announced his song. At the conclusion they gave him a prolonged applause, demanding an encore. But the allotted time for the presentation was up, and Bennett had to make the closing remarks and station announcement. Then it was that the audience walked out on him, even though there was an orchestration scheduled to follow. They had come to hear Bennett, and if he wouldn't sing, they wouldn't stay. But it was excused after due explanation. Bennett's voice is of the Crosby-Columbo type, and new listeners are continually bothering the station telephone girl, asking which one of the two national stars it is. Lee has one pet peeve; to be called a "crooner," but that's what he is, and an unusually popular bne. In addition to his daily singing program, Bennett is called upon to announce from the Omaha studios as well as direct programs and take a role in some of the skits, which is quite an assignment for a youngster just twenty-one. V V V KFRC — San Francisco HOW Fleishhacker Zoo helps to round out the programs at KFRC — no, the animals don't come to the studio — has been revealed by Bob Bence, connoisseur in sound effects and rated by his associates as the "Pacific Coast's greatest animal impersonator." Those "inimitable" imitations that have delighted KFRC listeners on the Blue Monday Jamboree and other major programs, are the result of hours of study at San Francisco's animal park, by the versatile radio entertainer. If a hyena hits a new "high" in hilarity or a lion reorganizes his roar, Bence is quick to note the variation and pass it on to his radio audience at the first opportunity. Needless to say, the animals show no professional jealousy.