Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

FLAT FEET ff by Kay Van Riper The Story of Two Lumbering, Quarreling, Lovable Cops, Who Squabble Over a Nickel — Yet Would Die For Each Other ONE day a man was walking down the street with a companion. Apparently his friend made a very stupid remark, for the other threw back his head and in mock dismay, cried, "Aw-w-w-w, Dugan!" The two KFWB staff members who witnessed this sight clutched each other in glee. Here at last was fame! For when the General Public uses a catch phrase from anything in everyday life, it is the final and conclusive proof of popularity! And "Aw-w-w-w, Dugan!" is the heart-rendering cry that Officer Dailey emits at his pal's stupidity, in Laird Doyle's Station house Saga, "Flat Feet." These two Flat Feet, Dugan 'n' Dailey, who are on the air over KFWB every Saturday night at nine o'clock, have lumbered into the hearts of their listeners, ever since they made their first riotous appearance before KFWB's mike. There is something so human, so funny, and yet so pathetic about this pair who fight over a nickle between themselves, and yet who are the staunchest of pals. They always seem to arrest the wrong man, they always blunder, and yet, sometimes they have their innings, and save the day in true heroic style. Big, burly Dugan who is long on brawn and short on brains, and wiry little Dailey who works with his head, manage to get into and get out of situations that leave their disteners rocking with glee. The creator of "Flat Feet" is, you might guess, a young Irishman, Laird Doyle. He is a Stanford graduate, an ex-newspaper man, a former war correspondent to China, and author of the radio features, "The Hoofers," a story of the ups and down of a theatrical couple, and "Tommy," the adventures of a young, wistful country boy. "Flat Feet" is a distinctly different type of writing from the other two, and like most hits, it just "happened." In a radio play about a year ago, Doyle used the character of an Irish cop, on^ Dugan by name, and Dugan walked off with all the laughs. Then came the idea for a series of comedies built around two policemen. KFWB wanted a comedy feature, called Doyle in, listened to his idea, and said, "Fine. We'll try it out Saturday night." During the first performance, the stony-hearted technicians giggled, then collapsed in hysterics, the announcer had to be carried from the studio due to complete exhaustion from laughing, and the switch-board girl stayed over time to answer calls on the new feature. The try-out was pronounced a success. Casting the two parts was another occurrence of a "lucky accident." Deepvoiced Cy Kendall, radio actor who looks just like he sounds, was immediately chosen for the part of Dugan. Then began the search for his complement, a perfect Dailey. Jack Joy. KFWB's production manager, tugged nervously at his moustache as he listened to applicant after applicant fumble through the lines; Author Doyle walked miles and wore out yards of carpet; Assistant Production ManagerTenor Johnny Murray squirmed in his chair at the shoddy histrionics of the actors. Finally, Murray could stand it no longer; jumped up, and said, "Listen! This is the way that character is. as I see him!" And with quick, flashing gestures, and high-pitched staccato voice he read through the lines for one particularly stupid "ham." When he finished, both Joy and Doyle let out a warwhoop, pushed the actor out of the office, turned to Murray, and said — "You're hit. We've found Dailey!" So the team of Dugan V Dailey began. Now, there has to be a straight man in every comedy set-up. That was how The Sarg came into being. He sits at the desk, working out cross-word puzzles, answering the phone, and shooting sarcasm at Dugan 'n' Dailey, till the two officers discuss seriously the relative pleasures of boiling him in oil, or just hitting him on the head with something light, like, say the side of a barn, or a steam engine. It's The Sarg's relentless voice they hear, when cruising in their police car No. 13, the ether waves bring them a command that always means more work. Dugan grumbles about being late to dinner, Dailey shudders at another hour 5 in the company of Dugan"s driving, but still The Sarg's voice spurs them on to their dooty! Since Jack Joy plaved the "heavy" in so many of KFWB dramas, he nobly offered his services as the villain in this series, and worked his cross-word puzzles with a vim! Sometimes his conscience hurts him for forever railing at his two helpless inferiors, and he complains bitterly to Doyle, but at this late date he is still at his old occupation — giving orders, and making nasty cracks! As for the feminine interest, who could be better heroines than the loyal spouses of the two officers? "Kate Dailey" and "Mary Dugan" have about them the breath of the "ould sod." Hearing them, one pictures pinkcheeked, hearty women who cook and bake and raise their families and run their husbands with a firm, unyielding hand. And a good, Irish temper it is they have, too! Many a time has Patrick Dugan come in late to be greeted by the rolling pin, and many a time has Terence Daily rued the moment that he spoke out of turn! Two character actresses, who deserve that most flattering and golden of terms in stage parlance, "good troopers," take the parts of Mrs. Dugan and Mrs. Dailey. Katherine Claire Ward, who used to be known as "The Thrush of Vaudeville," and who was the inspiration of that lilting tune, "The Strawberry Blonde," spreads the brogue on thick, as Mrs. Dailey, while Eileen O'Shaughnessey hurls torrents of abuse at her "husband," Patrick, when he practices on the cornet. Both actresses read their lines with a gusto and an Irish twinkle in their eyes, and go through their scenes so realistically that Katherine Claire Ward and Eileen O'Shaughnessy vanish into thin air, and only the vitriolic-tongued and staunchhearted Mrs. Dugan and Mrs. Dailey remain ! As for the other characters of "Flat Feet" — well, no story would be com[Turn to Page 40] RADIO DOINGS Page Twenty-three