Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

An Editor Who's Never Seen His Magazine program lie always tells his listeners "Good morning," but he manages to vary the words of his daily greeting from day to day, and some of the Magazine's "regulars" get a great deal of glee in trying to catch him in a duplication. They haven't done so, yet. The NBC star editor was just thirteen when he discovered his flair for showmanship. Bennie was born in Slatington, Pennsylvania, and when, at that age. he announced his intention of going on the stage just as soon as he could, the elder McLaughlin met the emergency face to face. He was the owner of a baking business, and he informed the theatrical aspirant he could have a musical education and anything else he required to help him on his career — provided he learned the baking business first, from the ground up. Bennie grasped the wisdom of the suggestion, and while he was studying music, he learned also how to bake bread, pies and biscuits which still are the envy and despair of feminine dinner guests in the McLaughlin home. "I have one advantage over most actors," Bennie declares. "I'm always pretty sure of being to eat, anyway, for I can bake my own when necessary!" Mr. McLaughlin himself probably was the origin of Bennie's own ambition. He delighted in amateur theatricals, and being a public-spirited citizen, turned this taste to the good of the community, and to quote his radio-star son, "We staged benefit entertainments in our home town for everyone from the sick firemen to the local Missionary Society." When the McLaughlins moved to Des Moines, Iowa, they left these community entertainments behind them, but Bennie continued to sing, and although he was obliged to follow several other occupations before he found his place in the professional world, he never gave up [Continued from Page 10] his ambition. "Someti mes I think all the other things I did were the best possible preparation for radio," Bennie says. "I even worked as floor manager in a department store for awhile, and — I learned about women from that!" The World War came along while Bennie still was living in Des Moines, and he enlisted in the Fourth Field Artillery. Oddly enough, as army events go, the military Powers That Be discovered that Bennie could cook, and instead of thereupon making him a blacksmith or something equally far-fetched, they appointed him the company cook. Refused active service, Bennie was glad to do what he could, and he cooked for 205 husky appetites for so long, he says, that to this day he still can't count coffee in anything but gallons. "That's when I began to — put on weight, too," he explains coyly. The war over, Bennie decided he was through with department stores and everything else except singing. He came west, and almost immediately was asked to join the California Male Quartet, notable vocal group which sang at the Mission Play in San Gabriel. He became the character man in prologues at Sid Grauman's original "Million Dollar Theater" after that. Then came a dark period in Bennie's life. He lost his voice, and for two long years it seemed vanished forever, together with all his hopes. Bennie said, "Keep that old smile smiling!" and went out and got himself a job as a radio salesman. As suddenly as it had left him, his voice returned, full and true as ever, and he became a member of The Rounders, a quartet which was featured in the Music Box Revue. Myron Niesley, now also an NBC star, was the other tenor. The four went on a West Coast Theaters tour, and while they were singing in San Francisco, the National Broadcasting Company signed FLOYD PECK, of KGB's commercial staff walked into the studios of the San Diego Don Lee outlet last week with a robust yellowtail as trophy of his fishing success. Length of the sardine was a mere three feet. Bob Bowman, the KGB program director, yanked out a camera, but Mons. Peck grinned a little grin. . . . Wherewith he produced a photo of himself and the current catch — taken "while you wait" at the pier. Mr. Bowman's camera is for sale, cheap. Bernice Foley, the brown-eyed young woman, who is the creator and sole presentationist of "Bob, Bunny and Junior," heard daily over KECA, is a true "chameleon" dresser. She appears at the studio daily with a new costume creation. Her hats are numberless, and her slippers match. Scarves, coats, dresses, even the little knick-knacks which are nothing and yet everything, change daily on the attractive figure of Miss Foley. One item only was changeless — until last week. That was the hair. But a hair-dresser at a movie lot has persuaded Bernice that changes were necessary. So now the coiffure keeps pace with the rest. them up for quartet numbers on the air. The Woman's Magazine editorship followed. Despite the manner in which Bennie kept on the move for so long, he found time for romance. Mrs. McLaughlin, charming, soft-voiced, and overflowing with humor, is a violinist who has not engaged in professional work since she married but whose music lends extra pleasure to the hospitable "open house" which the McLaughlins keep. There are two younger McLaughlins, too, Jean, 17, and Harry, 19. Bennie still likes to cook — which fits in with his work on the Woman's Magazine, for Ann Holden, Helen Webster and other members of the Magazine staff love to have Bennie tell them how to make a new dish. But starting Tuesday, June 21, Bennie really takes his place in the scheme of things culinary, he feels, for on that date he makes his bow — at last — as a baker, in the Sperry Flour program. "And, oh, boy, watch me make the girls sit up and take notes, at last!" he chuckles. ^IIJJFPJ 0F THE OWNERSHIP. MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION. ETC.. REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24. 1912, Of Ratlin Doines published monthly at Los Angeles California for April 1. 1!I32. State of California ) County of Los Angeles ( ss Before me. a Notary Public in and for the State and county^ aforesaid, personally appeared Wallace M. Byam. 'uly sworn according to law. deposes the publisher of the Radio Doings. the best of his knowledge if tile ownership, managee circulation), etc.. of the says that he that the following belief, a true stf daily aforesaid publication tor the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24. 1912. embodied in section 411. Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse side of this form, to-wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Publisher. Wallace M. Byam, Los Angeles. Calif.: Editor. Wallace M Byam. Los Angeles, Calif. ; Managing Editor. Donald McDowell. Ijis Angeles. Calif. ; Business Manager. Wallace M. Byam. Los Angeles. Calif. 2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also Immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding one per cent or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be Riven. If owned by a firm, company, or other unincorporated concern. Its name and address, as well as those of each Individual member, must be given.) Wallace M. Byam. 1220 Maple Ave.. Los Angeles. Calif. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: (If there are none, so state.) None 4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of the owners, stockholders, and security holders. If any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they apix'ar upon the l>ooks of the company but also. In cases where the stockholder or security bolder aimears ui>on the !>ooks of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting, is given: also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner: and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or Indirect In the said stock, bonds, or other securities than as so stated by him. 5. That the average number of copies of each Issue of this publication sold or distributed through the malls or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above Is. (This information is required from dally publications only.) WALLACE M. BYAM. Publisher. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of March, 1932. IRENE C. SIMMONS. Notary Public In and for the County of Los Angeles, State of California. (My commission expires Dec. 10,1934.) Page Twenty RADIO DOINGS