Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

THIS year marks RADIO DOINGS' tenth anniversary. Since 1922, when radio was in swaddling clothes, RADIO DOINGS has been the leading radio fan publication in the West. The first issue was published cooperatively by a handful of pioneer broadcasters as a service and a guide to local listeners in Los Angeles. Within a few months the demand was so great for the new magazine that "Out-of-Town" stations and programs were included in its pages. It became the radio authority of the Pacific Coast as a long and program directory, issued weekly. About a year ago, its first great change was brought about. Instead of a program directory and semi-trade, semi-fan publication, RADIO DOINGS became the "Movie Magazine of the Air." Public demand had created a need for a magazine for the artist and the program, just as years ago, the same public demanded magazines that brought them stories and pictures of their moving picture favorites. In 1932, ten eventful years after its establishment, the publishers celebrate the success of the new achievement. For the first time, radio has a western fan magazine that is worthy of the title "Movie Magazine of the Air," that is a worthy companion of broadcasting itself. A Prophecy A YOUNG and interesting continuity writer drifted into the office the other day. As we grew better and better acquainted, he began to loosen up and tell of his ambitions — his hopes and dreams — his plans for radio programs that would make broadcasting a great art, something fine, and worthwhile. "But they laugh at me!" he sadly explained. "When I suggest something comparable to the classics of literature — something that Hawthorne, Dickens or Poe might have written, had there been radio then — they say I'm too idealistic!" Too idealistic! Radio laughs at ideals. Stations spurn the classics. Ideas that sent old masters soaring into immortality are "too idealistic" for radio. We wonder if they are right. Perhaps they know their business, these radio "big shots" — maybe, with their finger on the public pulse, they feel that the public doesn't want it. If that is true, where is the idealism that sends millions of people to book stores to make the Bible the "best seller?" Where is the idealism that still induces millions of people to prefer the classics of literature to the trash of modern realists? If radio is ever to become a true art, it must take its place beside the other arts in equality. The medium that is some day to educate the world can't do it on Rudy Vallee and Eddie Cantor alone. This young continuity writer had ideas to back up his ideals. He sketched outlines of radio programs that were inspiring — and brimming with thrills, adventure and romance as well. Real art. Too idealistic! Someday that young writer will be heard from. Blaming The Announcer WHENEVER broadcasting's flaws and good points are debated, advertising usually receives a preponderous majority of brickbats. A large eastern sponsor recently conducted a series of programs in which, as a feature, a questionnaire was submitted to its listeners. The questions asked were intended to sound out the public on its likes and dislikes. Strangely enough, to the question, "What one thing do you think would improve radio broadcasting most?" a surprisingly small proportion of the answers submitted criticised advertising on sponsored programs. RADIO DOINGS Page Seven