Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

He Taught Hollywood a LESSON Sophistication and ' It'' Took a Back Seat in the Film Colony When Seth Parker and His Little Troupe Showed Them a Few Things About Showmanship and Box Office Appeal. SOPHISTICATE never so completely gave itself away as it did recently when Seth Parker visited Hollywood to star in the RKO-Radio Picture. "'Way Back Home." In a town which is considered smart, three jumps ahead of the latest fashion and with ears that have heard all the latest wise-cracks, Parker s home-spun humor would seem to be tainted with a ruralness that would prevent any of the Hollywoodites from laughing. But such was not the case: fun is fun anywhere and the cloak of worldliness which enshrouds those who affect sophistication pioved to be made of the lightest tissue-paper. In other words, Parker captivated Hollvwood as he has millions of radio listeners throughout the country. His wholesale humor backed by the staunch character of the folk he represents was a force entirely too powerful for those who scoffed. The quaint homeliness of Parker s broadcasts as reflected in "Way Back Home" charmed the movie folk and won him hundreds of admirers behind the scenes in the movie capitol. It proved to nearly everyone that the rural life of these United States still has a w orld of meaning to even the most rabid city dweller. Seth showed little terror when he faced the battery of cameras, lights and microphones wich he admitted was very satisfying as he has never completelv overcome microphone "fright." Since his first broadcast, over a small station on a free program. Parker has always felt a slightly shaky feeling when he steps up to a ''mike." "It isn't a lack of confidence.'' he explains, "it is the thought that my words once spoken cannot be recalled for editing or revision: that a mistake is made forever, and will ring in the ears of countless listeners-in." "Before the movie mikes I felt that a mistake, although costly, could be remedied and it held no terror for me." The radio star was not hailed alone because of the character he so success Parker in "If ay Back Homt b> Con EdcR fully portrays nor for his humor, but because he represents to most of Hollywood a type of entertainment which legitimate motion picture producers are constantly striving to put on the screen, entertainment which can be seen and heard by the whole family. He was respected by moviedom's highest because he has proved that "dirt" can be eliminated without impairing the commercial value of entertainment. He didn't preach or lecture but let his work speak for itself. He didn't advocate the injection of some pallid fluid into the veins of the movies to give them a falseness untrue to life, but he did show that life, portrayed as it is. need not lack dramatic quality. As a matter of fact, he came to Hollywood with a willingness to learn and found that some of the most prominent men in the industry would like to learn from him. Parker believes that every other branch of entertainment can take a fewr lessons from radio when cleanliness of material is under consideration. He considers the radio a high type of entertainment and points to the fact that it is rigidly guarded, by the business itself, from those who would turn it into a cheap side-show. The tremendous success throughout the country of his first picture prettv definitely proves that the producers are wise in striving toward screen amusement that doesn't stress vulgarity especially in a medium which has such a wide circulation. Seth Parker was born in Bangor. Maine, and despite the age of the character he portrays, is a young man in his thirties. L nder his real name of Phillips Lord, he adds another talent to that of radio and motion pictures; it is writing. He feels a great satisfaction in the fact that his writing started before his broadcasting and was accepted on its merits rather than because it was signed by a famous name — which he thinks would have been the case if he had started writing after he became a nation-wide radio favorite. Today, in an age pictured as supersophisticated, countless thousand journey by way of NBC networks to Jonesport. Maine, to meet Seth and "Ma" Parker and their neighbors. There they find an evening of hymn sings, melodeon music and simple talk of God without creed. The simplicity and sincerity of Seth Parker has won him a place in American life comparable only to Amos V Andy. Both depict, in a natural way. the fundamental characteristics and philosophy of a people. They live in reality for their listeners. RADIO DOINGS Page Nine