Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

FLAT FEET" [Continued from Page 23] plete without mentioning good old Elmer T. Elmer. Mr. Elmer is the gentleman with the proverbial wisp of hay in his mouth, and the eternal scorn of "them city fellers." His dry humor, biting observations, and his quick wits serve to throw the patient blundering Dugan and Dailey into startling contrast! In a cracked, drawling voice and with a high cackling chuckle, Elmer T. Elmer creates laughs with every line. Strangely enough, the man who portrays him is no toothless old dodderer, but a young chap in his twenties. Cliff Arquette takes a huge delight in drawing back his lips to simulate a mouth minus teeth, and quavering through the lines of Elmer T. Elmer. Since the beginning of "Flat Feet" a peculiar family feeling has sprung up among the cast. They are interested in each other; they like each other; and instead of glowering looks if another character has more lines, there is a pat on the back! They all try to think up gags and funny situations which they regale to Laird Doyle, with all the pleased excitement of a hen who has just laid an egg! Rehearsals are a community affair, with the actors sitting around in a circle, and the author pacing back and forth, waiting for the laughs which are sure to disrupt the proceedings, for the lines strike the characters so funny, that frequent guffaws and gales of mirth cause a craning of necks on the part of outsiders who are waiting in the office beyond. And often Producer Joy is so helpless with laughter that he forgets to punch the time watch — and the scene has to be timed all over again! It was Johnny Murray who thought of introducing comedy even into the musical cues which break up each episode into scenes. When The Sarg was kidnaped by counterfeiters, thrown into a trunk, and tossed onto an out-bound train, leaving Dugan 'n' Dailey much mystified on the station platform, the orchestra broke into "Beyond the Blue Horizon" ; when big Dugan and little Dailey, neither of whom had given a passing glance at a horse before, were forced onto the beasts and made to ride, what was more appropriate than the richly-picturesque "Horses ! Horses!"? Some interesting facts have been discovered during the production of "Flat Feet." Each episode calls for numerous sound effects — the most common of which are a police siren and a running motor. Incidentally, one of the features which has attracted attention was the use of the radio-equipped patrol which Doyle worked into his stories. Sirens and running motors, however, are easy to broadcast. But what was to be done when they wanted to convey the impression that Dugan 'n' Dailey were creeping through the bushes to get their man? After experimenting, a stiff whisk broom was rustled before the mike — and listeners heard the swish and slap of the underbrush as the two men crawled through it! A more difficult task appeared when Dugan n' Dailey were building a garage for the patrol according to one of these specified plans — and discovered, as they drove the last nail, that they had put the thing upside down; that the door was where the floor should be, and that what they took for a skylight was in reality the side window! They had to get the car out some way — so they drove it right through the side of the building. It was evident that a very special noise was needed; so after experimenting, peanut shells were crumpled viciously — and the audience, in imagination, beheld the two officers crashing through the building with their car! Perhaps the triumph of them all was the solution of how to get the effect of a horse thumping his tail on the ground. Poor old Dugan prepared to mount his nag, who, eyeing the bulk which was about to be hoisted on his middle, thumped his tail and galloped away. Many devices were tried and found wanting. Finally some bright lad tried standing almost inside the mike, and tapping his temple— where the hair grew out on his forehead — with his finger. The technician made the universal sign of approval, the "0" formed with the fingers — and everyone breathed a sigh of relief! What is the secret of the popularity of this series? What is it about Dugan n' Dailey that makes the men's ward in a nearby naval hospital write a roundrobin letter of approval that brings lumps to the reader's throat? Why is it that in a veteran's home the time limit for lights and radio loud speakers is extended a half hour on Saturday night so that the inmates can chuckle at "Flat Feet?" Perhaps it's because Dugan 'n' Dailey are so laughably and yet pathetically human. They and the rest of the characters blunder through life, making myriads of mistakes, and yet going on serenely confident that next time they'll do the right thing! Of course, the lines and the situations create the obvious comedy; but the fact remains that Laird Doyle's clear insight and sympathetic pen, plus the actors' almost loving characterizations make ' Flat Feet" a saga of human beings! HOW MANY TIMES have you listened to some one play the piano and then said: "I'D CIVE ANYTHINC IF I COULD ONLY PLAY THE PIANO!" — well, you can, and in such a short time that it will amaze you — results are guaranteed and such little cost to you. Express your own individuality with melody, harmony and rhythm — that is what you learn when you study with Maude Hughes of Wurlitzer's School of Music. Abe Lyman, Cus Arnheim and Earl Burtnett say it is the finest, most simple, but complete method they have ever seen. How wonderful it is to be able to play anything put before you and realize that knowing some harmony you can use breaks and endings from one piece to another. All lessons are private. A special feature for you who wish to take lessons in the evening. During September only, one free lesson will be given you for the asking and that lesson will convince you how easily, quickly and reasonably you can learn to play the piano. Call MAUDE HUGHES— FAber 4011 or Call at Wurlitzer's Music Store, 816 South Broadway, Los Angeles. Two pianos — 20 fingers with melody .harmony and rhythm. Listen to Maude Hughes and Chuck Mandel of Wurlitzer School of Music playing. Page Forty RADIO DOINGS