Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

a week ahead or more on them, and is constantly jotting down thoughts for gags that occur to him, wherever he may be. And he acts out everything he writes or delivers before the mike. Both he and "Sally" go through the motions of every line in the script, just as though they were before an actual audience. £ Somehow the impression has gone round that they are "high hat" and snobbish. Perhaps this is because they never allow anyone in the studio while they are on the air, unless an extra character is in the script. Those who know them know they are anything but "high hat." Both John and Helen are extremely sensitive, and the presence of onlookers distracts them from their work, a not uncommon trait among radio artists. But "high hat" — not much! £ Strange as it seems, Johnnie has never had any writing of any kind published. Before he started writing continuity for their act, he had attempted movie scenarios, but had never done anything with them. All of his writing talent is devoted to the Comic Strip. He is tall, atheltically built, and very good-looking. Very witty and good-natured, this well-dressed young man finds himself at ease in any gathering. However, he is modest, and compliments slide off him like water off a duck. For one of his talents, his hobbies are unusually varied. In his spare time, he fusses around with amateur photography, takes long drives in his car, plays tennis, swims, rides horseback and sings. He likes theaters, especially good plays. Theatrical performances are one of the things that he and Helen attend together. £ Johnny gets a big kick out of getting his own breakfast at his apartment, and apparently thrives on his own cooking. His is a typical young single man's apartment. Pictures of all kinds on the wall: a complete collection of Heaven-knows-what-for porcelain animals: and everything in everything else's place. But it's home to Johnnie, and he takes a great deal of pride in it. And now for Helen Troy, the little crescendo and pianissimo girl who made good. £ In the first place, her name is her real one — and it didn't come out of the Iliad. Her folks' name was Troy and there are plenty of Helens, so why not? And like her illustrious namesake, whose profile is reported to have launched a whole fleet of vengeful countrymen, and some from abroad, "Sally's" voice and personality have conquered male hearts from Victoria, B. C. to Key West, and from seventeen to seventy years old. The eternal "first sweetie." REACHING barely up to Johnnie's necktie, on her tiptoes, with bright blue eyes, wavy blonde curls, and a provocative little red mouth, she is one sweet little miss. And she's all girl. "Clinging-vine" is only something that grows up the side of a wall to her. She loves to swim, can ride exceptionally well, drives her own car like nobody's business, and plays a good game of tennis. Her acquaintances are her friends, and her pals are permanent. Even the studio help swear by her, and modern studio staffs are not considered especially demonstrative. £ She was born in San Francisco, where she now lives in her own cosy little apartment. Much of her life was spent in Michigan, however, where she finished school. Coming of a theatrical family, it is not surprising that her footsteps should wind up in the radio studio. Theater backstage is not unfamiliar to her, for she has directed theater orchestras and played the organ. She inherited a natural flair for the dramatic. Helen used to do more singing, but now it is mostly confined to her spare time. Her voice is light, sweet and pleasing. It has been rumored that on the strength of it, fraternity boys from across the bay often call her up and try to date her. (Continued on Page 28) RADIO DOINGS Page Nine