Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

THE LOW ■DOWN NANCY R., SANTA MONICA: Question — Can you tell me who ""Spike" is on KNX Thursday nights? His voice sounds familiar, and a friend and myself would like lo settle the question. Answer — Stuart Buchanen thought he had everybody fooled on this "Spike" business. The funny part of it is, he did fool 'em ! LOW DOWN MISS W. M.. ORANGE COVE: Question — Is Cecil Wright, of KFRC, married? Answer — I should think these unmarried girls would be taking an awful chance asking questions like this; you can never tell how someone's wife might take it. Anyhow, Miss M., Cecil has been married since last November. Dorothy Smith is the girl, and they're living in Baltimore Park. Isn't that Wright, Cecil? LOWDOWN JESSE M., GLENDALE: Question — I happened to hear an odd program— I think it was Japanese, last Friday morning at 9:45. I only caught the last part of it and someone turned to another station before I could find out what it was. Can you tell me? Answer — Assuming that you have an ordinary receiver — not a short wave, I'd say you picked up the programs of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles, over KTM. Try it again at the same time Monday, Wednesday or Friday and see. LOWDOWN MRS. C. J. W., OAKLAND: Question — I think Seth Parker is married, but am not positive. Will you please tell me whether he is, and give his age? Where does he make his home? Answer — Phillips Lord has been married several years. The Lords have two charming kiddies, and live in a beautiful home on Long Island, New York. LOWDOWN R. K. V., SAN DIEGO: Question — Can you tell me something about Barbara Blanchard? Answer — She was born in Oakland, and even as a little girl showed great promise as a singer. Her first ambition was to be a member of a great choir. At 17, she had gained a reputation iii the Bay District for her voice, took part in opera and glee club work. Toured the Orpheum circuit and afterwards, Fanchon and Marco. Joined NBC in 1927, where she has been a featured soloist ever since. • Is there something you want to know about your favorite radio artists? Something about a program or performer that you ivould like explained? Just write to THE LOWDOWN EDITOR, and your questions trill be ansu ered on this page. MRS. JOY D., HOLLYWOOD: Question — Eve often wondered where they get all of those old, old songs they sometimes use on the Happy-Go-Lucky Hour. I thought I remembered all the old ones, but one day in particular they played many that I had altogether forgotten. Answer — If you could look through Al Pearce's collection of old tunes, you would probably find a lot more you had forgotten. Al has one of the most complete personal libraries of old popular songs in existence. He can dig up practically every old hit that was ever popular, at a moment's notice. MISS G. T., PORTLAND: Question: What's Al Pearce's full name? Everyone calls him "Al," and it could be Alfred, Albert or Aloysius! Is he or isn't he married? What else does he do except sing and act as master of ceremonies? Answer — I take it you are referring to Mr. Albert V. Pearce. What the "V" stands for is just another sweet mystery of Life — unless, as Lord Bilgie once suggested, it meant "Versatility." Which should have been his middle name if it isn't. Among Albert's talents are singing, guitar plunker, comedian, bird and animal imitator, organizer, promoter, and ukulele-er. He has been happily married to the former Audrey Carter for two years. LOWDOWN SARAH M.. SAN FRANCISCO: Question — Who takes the part of "'Mrs. Regent" in Chandu, the Magician? Will you kindly tell us something about her? Answer — Miss Margaret Macdonald takes the part of "Dorothy Regent." She is a born actress, and sang for several years on the concert stage. Six years ago she was at the station then called KNRC in Ocean Park, Calif.. where she sang, announced, and handled various responsibilities. Since then, she has been singing, reading book reviews, and telling stories over various stations until the Chandu part came along. CARL C, LOS ANGELES: Question — Can you please tell me more about the instrument known as the "theremin"? I have heard of it several times, and recently heard it played over KHJ, I believe. Is it true that the instrument is not touched to produce music? Answer — The theremin is an electrical instrument, operated without keyboard, strings or any mechanical means. It uses vacuum tubes and has two metal bars for an aerial and a loud speaker. One aerial, perpendicular, controls the pitch and the other the volume of sound. When the hand approaches the sensitive area near the vertical aerial, audio-frequencies or sounds are produced in the speaker. The hand gets nearer, the tone goes higher; as the hand retreats, a lower tone is produced. It takes a keen ear and a steady hand to play the theremin, as a fraction of an inch is as good as a mile, where pitch is concerned. You probably head the KHJ theremin, played by Emile Maloof, one of the few masters of the instrument. MRS. G. N., SAN BERNARDINO: Question — I heard that Lord Bilgewater had left KFRC and gone to National, but I would like to know what program he is on, and what time. Answer — If you tune in to KFI at 9:30 p. m. Saturday nights, you'll find Bilgie on the Associated Spotlight Revue— same old Bilgie, as comical as ever. LOWDOWN VIOLA W., BEVERLY HILLS: Question — Please tell me something about Velva Darling, of KNX. Is that her real name? What does she look like? How old? Answer — Velva Darling's real name, oddly enough, is Velva Darling. She's 23, single, blonde, beautiful and clever. Clever enough to graduate from Stanford, have feature articles published in a score of nationally-known magazines, have several stories filmed and some syndicated by newspapers all over the country. She's a darling girl. LOWDOW.\ N. F., SOUTH GATE: Question — What has happened to Bins Crosby? Isn't he on the air any more at all? I've tried several times during the day to get him over KHJ, but haven't succeeded. Answer — The cigar company that sponsored Bing has discontinued its sponsorship, and Bing is now a su>taining artist, unsponsored. He still broadcasts, however, Tuesdav. Thursday and Saturday at 3:30 p. m. (PST), though the only day KHJ takes the program is on Thursdays at 8:45 p. m. RADIO DOINGS Page Thirty-three