Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

Lacking a master-mind to lead the flock into organization, the MCA lapsed into a coma that lasted until a few weeks ago, when Jack Parker, of KHJ, and others, took a new grip on matters and began a huge drive to revive the club. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and soon the ranks of its members began flourishing anew. The first necessity was a club house or hotel where the club could hold its parties and which would be a permanent hang-out for the members. The idea of a hotel was soon relinquished, when a wealthy benefactor offered to help them build a club house in the Hollywood Hills. Plans for a very attractive Spanish building were drawn up, and work will commence soon on its construction. Jack Parker, present head of the organization, is also the founder, and has announced proudly that plans are being made to form branch clubs throughout the United States. Plans for banquets, balls and other functions, at which both radio and movie people will take part, are also being made. Good luck, radio folk — your enterprise marks another step in the advance of radio, both professionally and artistically. Does Radio Affect Weather? We were talking with a Western scientist and inventor the other day, when the subject of weather and climate came up. "Do you know," asked the scientist, "that it is a growing belief that unusual changes and alterations in weather and climate are being brought about by radio waves? "Since the inception of radio a number of wellinformed writers have advanced this opinion, although most scientists refuse to give it serious consideration. In the past few years we have experienced some radical weather changes all over the world, freak storms, extreme cold in places and excessive heat in others. All have been more noticeable since the installation of high-power broadcasting stations. "Radio transmission depends on rapid vibration of the ether with high-frequency electrical discharges covering a wide range of wave lengths. Broadcasting, apparently, creates some disturbance in the atmosphere. Ether, being a magnetic medium, is doubtlessly disturbed by the bombardment of the magnetic atmosphere by radio transmission, having a tendency to throw it out of normal equilibrium. This might result in a slight or violent atmospheric change." Something We've Been Wondering — Whether Russ Columbo isn't stealing a lot of Bing's listeners .... Why the Blue Monday Jamboree isn't snapped up by one of the national chains .... Where Walt Winchell gets all his information .... Why somebody didn't think of sponsoring Kolh and Dill before .... If Cecil and Sally hadn't better look to their laurels and keep an eye on Jimmie and Mildred of "Growin' Up" .... Whether Charlie Hamp is ever coming back .... When some of these smaller stations are going to realize that they're paying too much for their whistle — many of them are paying $75 a week for $25 talent . . . while some $75 artists have to as interesting as having someone read the telephone directory aloud .... Announcers who can't ad-lib insist on ad-libbing .... Who started this log-rolling, or verbal backslapping among announcers and artists, and when will they realize that it is boring .... Why it isn't just as easy to say "car" as "caw" .... When somebody will wake up to the fact that movie stars are using the radio studios for cats' paws and easy marks for free publicity . . . And a lot of other little matters we can't get through our thick head, take $25 jobs .... How long we're going to have to put up with lond-winded classified ads . . . . Who cares about dedication programs except the one who hears his name read over the air — about It's Opera Time for NBC In the past year, it has become increasingly apparent that radio listeners are growing more and more appreciative of classical music and operatic composers. As common as jazz is on the air, its prevalence, it would seem, does not come from public demand, especially, but because it is the most easily procurable type of entertainment. This fact has been brought forcibly home to the National Broadcasting Company, among others, by thousands of letters, not only from metropolitan cities, but from rural districts all over the country, thanking them for grand opera broadcasts and expressing appreciation for the many fine artists which have appeared on its classical programs. The Metropolitan Opera Annual Wagner Matinee Cycle, including the music-dramas of "Der Ring des Nibelungen" will be broadcast over a WJZ-NBC nation-wide network, beginning February 12. The Cycle, which will be presented in addition to the regular Saturday series now being broadcast, will consist of "Tannhauser," February 12; "Tristan and Isolde," Februarv 18; "Das Rheingold," February 26; "Die Walkure," March 3; "Seigfried," March 11; and "Gotterdammerung," March 17. This Cycle, consisting of the four music-dramas of "Der Ring des Nibelungen," is presented each year as the outstanding Wagner event of its season. Who's Your Favorite? A few weeks ago, the Music Corporation of America concluded an interesting contest, to find out which were the most popular dance orchestras and leaders. Some 260 editors, columnists and writers sent in their choice and here's the result. Whether you agree with the critics or not, the following maestros were selected as America's most popular dance orchestra leaders: Vincent Lopez, George Olsen, Ben Bernie, Guy Lombardo, Ted Weems, Fred Waring, Gus Arnheim, Paul Whiteman, Rudy Vallee, Carleton Coon, and Joe Sanders. Check up on them and see if you agree. Personally, we think there are a few that should have been included, but then we wern't running the contest. Page Eight RADIO DOINGS