Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

March, 1931 RADIO DOINGS Page Seventeen Charlie had two lamps. One of them was black. Messrs. Earnshaw H Morgan (incorporated, we believe, no doubt) took one look and said, "Read it!" Mr. Forsythe read his lines. "Terrible," said the assembled conference. "Awful," agreed Messrs. E. & M., "Just what we want! You're Black!" Charlie looked at himself in the mirror and disagreed. At the instant, the conference was interrupted by the intrusion of a mild voice and a decollete head. "What's the matter, Len," asked Mr. Paige. "Aw, I'm blue. Some guy swiped my pet drum whacker again." "You're what?" "I'm blue." Messrs. Earnshaw and Morgan raised their eyes to Heaven and in voices hushed with awe, whispered, "He's Blue. A sign. A portent. . . . Here! Read this!" And it happened that in the year 1930, in the studios of KHJ. in the City of Los Angeles, that the minor roles of Black and Blue did assume immense proportions — did steal the show and role them in the aisles throughout the length and breadth of California. And it further happened, that the Folger Coffee Company and Messrs. Earnshaw ii Morgan (still incorporated, we have no doubt) saw opportunity before she knocked; and put Black 6? Blue, the two dumb sleuths, in a series of daily mystery-comcdy-adventure skits which are broadcast over the Don Lee chain five days each week from 5:30 to 5:4? p. m., not to mention o'clock. And, if in passing down the street, you should see small boys with checkered Sherlock Holmes caps on their heads, you may feel certain that they are following the checkered fortunes of Black i£ Blue and want to grow up to be great de-tec-a-tives, themselves. NOTE: Information contained in this story has been obtained from sources which we do not believe to be reliable — from Black & Blue, themselves. EDITOR'S NOTE: Much as we'd like to, we can't take credit for this outburst. You doubtless trace the Dick Creedon influence. * * * For a long time we have wanted to show you some pictures of the Empire Builders and this month we are happy to show you the whole cast as it goes into rehearsal for one of the absorbing dramas of the building of the Empire. About twenty hours of rehearsing are required for each of the playlets which are released by the National Broadcasting Company each Monday night at 7:30 over KGW, KECA, KFSD, KTAR, KOMO, KGO, KHQ. Harvey Hays, known and loved for his portrayal of the "Old Timer" is seen at the microphone. Joseph Koestner, musical director, is seated at the piano. Behind him is Bernardine Flynn, one of the principals and at her right is Don Bernard, the director. Don Ameche, juvenile lead is seen at the extreme right. This is the first picture we have ever had of Jay the Jingle Man and we have been quite curious about him for many long years. We have wondered what manner of man could dash off the amusing line of chatter in verse day after day and month after month and still keep it from triteness. (We once tried for days to write one single jingle.) Jay the Jingle Man at KNX every day in the week except Sunday is the big man with the little job as he puts it. He only has to write 660 lines of rhymed continuity for adverts which he supplements with a philosophic rhyme as a sort of garnish (like parsley.) Then in his spare time he turns out an average of three song lyrics weekly as well as a few theme songs for special programs. In other words Jay writes 2 million lines a year or 20 million words. He deserves the title of the One and Only Jingle Man in America. And we thought our job was a hard one! Quite often it is exceedingly disappointing to see pictures of your favorite radio stars, but in the case of Rose Dirmann and Winnie Field* Rose Di KFI-KECA Moore, no illusions are shattered. Miss Moore, whose fascinating Nomad Novelists sketches are a feature of KFI-KECA looks exactly as she should . . . romantic. Rose Dirmann, lyric soprano of KFIKECA is almost to pretty to be true and, perhaps, that's one good reason she is so popular with immediate audiences as well as radio listeners. MMiss Dirmann's schedule has included concerts before the Friday Morning Club in addition to h er regular KFI-KECA recitals. She is also the soloist at the First Church of Christ, Scientists. bia Chain of Station KOH in e Silver-State may now hear its White, who warbles from the KHJ. Let us romance a bit. ; one for each era of the state's Gold Strike at the end of the world were turned to Virginia Ted White With the addition to the Colun Reno, Nevada, on February 15th, tl own silver-throated song bird, Ted Don Lee-Columbia Key Stations . . Nevada has had two beloved singen colorful history. During the famous last Century when the eyes of the City, Nevada, a young musician by the name of Ricardo Jose was melting the hearts of the bold fellows who battled for the treasures mother-earth was offering so lavishly. When this young Spaniard's phenomenally lyrical voice rang over the purple hills on a clear Nevada night, strong men shed bnney tears and vowed to return to the girls they had left behind them; such was the sentiment of the songs of that period. And they say, no one sang them like Dick (Continued on Following Page)