Radio fan-fare, combining radio digest (June-Oct 1933)

26 Radio Fan-Fare REVIEWING THE CURRENT PROGRAMS PHIL BAKER, THE ARMOUR JESTER (NBC-WJZ, Friday at 9:00 to 9:30 P. M.) Cast — Phil Baker — The Merrymen — Neil Sisters — Harry McNaughton — Roy Shields and Band. Comment — Phil has brought his stooge-heckler routine to the air with the same effectiveness with which he used it on the stage. It is only when he deviates from this technique and exchanges quips with McNaughton that the fun sags. However, this may not be a fair criticism, as Phil seemed to be a bit too quick for Harry's British dialect humor at first, probably because they were not accustomed to each other. If Phil can keep the laughs coming as steadily as he did with his first few shows, he will be sitting pretty. The idea of the phantom voice that interrupts the conversation is certain to get over, regardless of whether you knew the Phil Baker-Sid Silvers stage combination or not. The singing by the Merrymen and the Neil Sisters is acceptable if not distinguished, and Roy Shields does well with a studio group of orchestra boys. The Plug — The program director had a swell idea when he started this show. The trick was to sing the commercial announcement — but they didn't let it go at that. For some reason sponsors just can't believe that you heard them the first time, so in the Baker program they had to repeat the sentiments of the song in the usual dry harangue, which is made harder to take by a jig-saw give-away speech. Opinion — Don't let the announcement keep you from hearing Phil. RICHFIELD COUNTRY CLUB (NBC-WEAF, Friday at 10:3011:00 P. M.) Cast — Alex Morrison — Betty Barthell — Jack Golden's Orchestra. — Ben Grauer (Announcer). Comment — With the golf season starting, this program should pull in the pasture-pool addicts by the thousands. Alex Morrison is recognized today as one of the most efficient golf teachers the game has produced, and he has developed such a graphic method of explaining his theories that it is possible to pick up many valuable pointers from his radio chats. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Morrison system is that he does not attempt to confuse you with irrelevant and complicated details. He has reduced the golf -wing to its simplest elements — which you will find a big help after all the chit-chat that has been handed out for years by so-called experts. (This information can be given with authority, as the writer has been one of Mr. Morrison's pupils and has played with him a number of times.) In addition to the golf talks, there is singing by the well known Betty Barthell, and music by John Golden's capable bandsmen. The Plug — The gift inducement on this program is a copy of the Morrison golf lesson, which is handed out gratis at Richfield Oil stations. During his spiel, Alex manages to drag in the product by trick analogies built around the golf swing — the necessity for "proper lubrication in the joints," etc. The sponsor's name is also brought in through the music. The advertising altogether is handled better than most commercials. Opinion — Good music — intelligent program construction — and some real help for golfers. JOHN HENRY . . . the Black River Giant goes voodoo DOROTHY FIELDS AND JIMMY MCHUGH (NBC-WJZ, Friday at 10:15-10:30 P. M.) Cast — Dorothy and Jimmy. Comment — Here is a talented team that might do well by a sponsor. Dorothy, daughter of Lew Fields (Weber and Fields), was known only as an expert lyricist until somebody over at Radio City heard her croon and installed her in the Music Hall as one of the first attractions to show in that edifice. This gave her the inspiration to combine with her old composing teammate, Jimmy McHugh, and take a shot at the air. Jimmy plays the piano and Dorothy sings in a low, throaty voice characterized by excellent showmanship in delivery. In addition to reviving all the hits they have written together, the team offers brand new stuff, with the ink still warm. Among the popular ditties they have penned are: "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Hey, Young Fella," "Sunny Side Of The Street," "Cuban Love Song," "Must Have That Man," "Doing The New Low Down" (Bill Robinson's favorite jig tune), "Diga-Diga-Doo," "Blue Again," and "Go Home And Tell Your Mother." Opinion — Intelligent entertainment — and enough creative talent to provide originality and variety on a regular program. PONTIAC PRESENTS— (CBS-WABC, Thursday at 9:3010:00 P. M.) Cast — Colonel Stoopnagle and Budd— William O'Neil (Tenor)— Jeannie Lang ("Cute" Soprano) — Andre Kostelanetz and Mixed Chorus— Louis Dean (Announcer). Comment — Stoopnagle and Budd were not given the prominence they deserved in the first few of these programs, but the sponsors evidently saw their error — and, by correcting it, brightened the show considerably. These two lads are good judges of the ga-ga, incongruous type of humor, know when they've said enough, and have the happy trick of never seeming important. They also know the reverse-English value of kidding their product, and do it as much as the sponsors will allow. Mr. O'Neil is an exponent of the robust light opera school. He is best when singing about soldiers of the king and other he-man themes which require lung power. Miss Lang is about to be too cute, if she hasn't been already. She should cut down on her giggle and get a few new tricks. If feminine psychology is what the experts would have you believe, Jeannie's coyness must annoy plenty of the femme listeners. The chorus and orchestra work can always be relied on. Any chorus and orchestra could hardly be anything but excellent, under the direction of Andre Kostelanetz. The Plug — The pleasant air manner of Announcer Louis Dean and the kidding of the Colonel and Budd, supply much needed relief to the rather heavy stuff in the announcement. Opinion — Good all-family program.