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

June 27 TRIPLE BAR X DAYS AND NIGHTS (CBS-WABC, Friday at 8:30 to 9:00 P. M.) Cast — Carson Robison, John and Bill Mitchell, Pearl Pickens, and others. Comment — This program, featuring "Carson Robison and his Buckaroos," is being given an important build-up by Columbia over its whole network in an effort to interest a sponsor — and I see no reason why some advertiser doesn't grab it off. The intelligently written and directed story and clever sound effects create a convincing atmosphere of Western pioneer days — the songs cover the entire field of cowboy and hill-billy tunes (over 200 of which were written by Mr. Robison himself) — and the unnamed actors who perform in the stories of the Old West are consistently effective. Carson, and the fellow who writes or adapts the plays, have shown good judgment in not allowing the program to be characterized by an overemphasis on Western melodramatic hokum. They not only leaven the talk with plenty of CARSON ROBISON and PEARL PICKENS ... a good commercial bet. good singing, but they also get the adventure angle over without making twenty-seven redskins bite the dust every few minutes. And they have relatively few stagecoach holdups. Opinion — Well planned and entertainingly produced Western sketches. If they maintain the high level of the first programs, you can let Junior listen in without the fear that he may get up in the middle of the night and scalp his baby sister. JOHN HENRY, BLACK RIVER GIANT (CBS-WABC, Sunday at 8:00-8:15, and 8:45-9:00 P. M.) Cast — Juano Hernandez, Georgia Burke, and other well known stage players in an all-negro cast. DOROTHY FIELDS and JIMMIE MC HUGH . a sponsor will get 'em if they don't watch out! Comment — The character of John Henry, the Black River Giant, is taken from the writings of Roark Bradford. It is drawn with the fine imagination and authenticity of detail that mark all of Mr. Bradford's works dealing with the Southern negro. The title role is played by Juano Hernandez, an actor of considerable ability, whose activities in private life have fitted him particularly well for the part. He has swung a sledge hammer as a day laborer, and "rousted" cotton bales along the Mississippi levees — so he knows the language of John Henry, and is familiar with the customs of the colored folks in the delta country. In addition to these qualifications, he is a continuity writer, collaborating with Geraldine Garrick in the composition of all the "John Henry" scripts. The program is in two parts. The first fifteen minutes are used for building up the character. Then there is a half hour interval, given to another program, after which "John Henry" comes back on the air, and the real dramatic action of the broadcast is offered. Opinion — This one should find more favor in rural communities than in metropolitan districts, and will be especially appreciated in the South. Excellent "atmosphere" program — good' direction — fine speaking and singing voices — exciting and authentic negro folk lore and "voodoo" ceremonials. JACK BENNY'S CHEVROLET PROGRAM (NBC-WEAF, Friday at 10 to 10:30 P. M.) Cast — Jack Benny, Mary Livingston, James Melton, Frank Black's Orchestra and Male Chorus. Comment — According to the latest expert reports, this program has been losing favor. We doubt it. If Jack Benny's smooth, ingenious sense of building up laugh-provoking situations is not more enjoyable than the usual stale-joke routine of air comed}r — well, the country's sense of humor should have a new deal. Just how the popularity of air stars should be determined is still a matter of debate among the boys who pay the bills. The fan-mail test has been a criterion, but that is another racket that needs a new deal . . . and not from the bottom of the deck. Anybody can get letters by begging for them and using written propaganda. As an example of Jack's smart fun, we recall his Kiddie program . . . with each member of his troupe reciting Mother Goose with the rhymes conspicuously absent . . . Jack's amusing rendition of "Sonny Boy" despite concentrated opposition from the orchestra . . . and his Red Riding Hood bedtime story, with which he put himself to sleep. (The idea was used in a Laurel and Hardy movie comedy, but Jack's exploitation topped the screen version.) Mary Livingston, Jack's wife, continues to be an effective stooge . . . the chorus work is O. K any time you see Frank Black's name in the lineup, you know the orchestral music will be a treat, and James Melton is one of the most popular tenors on the air. (And Mr. Melton may be surprised to know that this review was written by a bird who used to applaud his playing and warbling when he was in the University of Florida band.) The Plug — Humorous introduction of the advertising makes it more digestible (and if they will give Jack the leeway he had with the Canada Dry show, he'll remove even more of the sting.) Opinion — Excellent music and consistent fun. (Continued on page 2S)