Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

MARY WOOD, newest acquisition to the staff of NBC at San Francisco, can reach high F sharp above high C. She used to sing contralto until Mary Garden heard her sing in Denver and told her she was really a soprano. Whether, it's because he's lazy, or just hasn't grown up, it's hard to say. but Phil Cook, NBC's one-man army of voices, always sits on a high stool when he broadcasts. Bing, now unspon sored, has started a new series of sustaining programs on Columbia every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:30 p. m. EST. He's still busy with personal appearances and recording, and is bowling 'em over at the Brooklyn-Paramount, where he opened after an unprecedented run of 14 weeks at the New York-Paramount. Frank Friselle, the little Italian singer at KTAB, is making a hit with the ladies. He sings on one of Alma LaMar's programs, and the letters are rolling in about "that something" Frankie has in his voice. Wonder if the Italians have a name for it! Columbia's "Singing Chef passes this on for what it's worth: He says a fellow received a letter from a German girl asking him to "sing the Kashmiri Love Song and dedicate it to my anemic boy friend — Pale Hans I Love." Col. Lemuel Q. Stoopnagle has always insisted that his partner Bud open all their fan mail. But now he's doing the job himseff — ever since Bud happened upon a postcard which read: "Dear Colonel: We are having a good time. Wish you were here." On the other side of the card was a picture of the Federal Penitentiary. It is truly too bad that "March of Time." that interesting news-dramatization of Columbia, should leave the air. Since its beginning it has been one of the most worthwhile programs on the air, and let's hope it comes back soon. There's a rumor that it might. Ex-war aces, aviation enthusiasts and fly-by-nights are getting quite a kick out of "Sky Doings," a series of aviation playlets directed by Frank Nelson of KFAC. Prominent aviators and airline executives portray the why and wherefores of flying. Mondav nights at 6:30. Aimee Way, a new arrival at KHJ. has doubled for voice-less nightengales of Hollywood moviedom ever since the talkies sprang into popularity. She's been on Orpheum and Fanchon and Marco circuits, and used to sing on KYA and KGW. Vaughn de Leath's prize fan letter came from a man who, having experineced eight operations, was about to undergo a ninth, and asked the "original radio girl" to sing "How Long Will It Last?" Clarence Kolb and Max Dill, in the "Dinglebenders," heard on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays over NBC. are the oldest active theatrical team, it is said. Clarence Crary and Doris Dolan. "Tadpole" and "Molly" of the Buttercream Kids at KGER, have been doing a series of personal appearances in and around Los Angeles. Los Angeles is a suburb of Long Beach, as you no doubt have heard. After all the trouble Cecil Underwood. NBC announcer, took to imitate Walter Damrosch on the Associated Spotlight Revue one night, he was dismayed to receive this fan letter from Portland: "Your impersonation of Beethoven was immense. I hope you repeat it often." It will be just one maiden's prayer after another when Buddy Rogers takes Rudy Vallee's place as orchestra leader at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York. With his new 13-piece band, the "California Cavaliers" — hurray ! — he'll start NBC broadcasts March 28. The exact time hasn't been given out yet. Elton Britt, dyed-in-the-wool hill billy at KMPC, left the other day on a hurried trip to Arkansas to visit his mother, who is ill. Here it is — the regular Ben Bernie joke-of-the-month! According to the Old Maestro, noted commutator on public affairs eksetera eksetera etc., "Prosperity is just around the Croon C H A From This Sb You might be interested in knowing — we were — that "Fifi," that roguish young lady on the Blue Monday Jamboree, is a real French girl. Her accent isn't the acquired kind, but the "real McCoy." During the war she was a nurse in a front line hospital. She's certainly keeping poor Axel in hot water ! Monroe Upton, who has joined the staff at NBC San Francisco studios, created the role of Simpy Fitts while a radio operator at sea. Betty Kelly, soprano, still keeps aU her old doUs. June Pursell. who was with KNX seven years, and until recently with KFWB, has signed a long-term contract with NBC, appearing in New York. In both radio and vaudeville work, Miss Pursell has won a large following in California, where she came in 1924 "just for a visit." By the way, Axel has really "gone HoUywood"! He began work March 8 in a talkie, "The Phantom Express," in which he appears as the Swede fireman. Axel, or Pete Barlow, won the movie contract after Emory Johnson, film director, heard him on the Jam boree. But he'll be back on the ai after April first, permanently. Page Twenty-four RADIO DOINGS