Radio mirror (Nov 1936-Apr 1937)

IT1DRE MJS... Ethel Barrymore, top of page with Ben Bernie, is to star for NBC. Lum and Abner, above, as they signed a new contract. Left, Aliie Lowe Miles, whose Husbands and Wives show changed time and sponsors recently changes her name to Doris Walton upon reporting for work on the Warner lot in Hollywood. Doris, launched by Major Bowes, made her professional debut at Jack Rockefeller's swanky resort, the Rainbow Room, skyhigh in Radio City. * * * IT won't be long now before the coast-to-coast network of the Mutual Broadcasting System becomes a fact, the country-wide expansion going into effect not later than December 29. Recently annexed were two midwestern regional networks, the Central States Broadcasting System and the Iowa Broadcasting System. These companies will provide links in the chain in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Omaha and Lincoln. On the West Coast the Mutual's ally is the Don Lee network. WOR, Mutual's New York outlet, is busy signing talent for the new coast-to-coast programs. Benay Venuta is among the artists engaged. She will be the star and mistress of ceremonies of a Sunday matinee period. Welcome Lewis, Joey Nash, Danny Lee and the Mullin Sisters are other entertainers secured, and The Grummits, serial of family life, one of the many features already arranged. * * * THE hundred odd stations serviced by the National Broadcasting Company are linked together by 21,635 miles of special telephone wires. The Columbia Broadcasting System uses almost as many more miles of cables for the transmission of its programs throughout the country. Problem: if the national networks between them require over 40,000 miles of wires to project their broadcasts, how can radio be properly referred to as "wireless?" ADVERTISING agencies specializing in radio programs i are still trying to figure out why four big stage and screen stars failed to make the grade on the air last season. The four so listed are Mary Pickford, Fannie Brice, Jimmy Durante and Frank Fay. In the cases of the first three, bad vehicles are generally assigned as the reason; in the case of Frank Fay, the failure is ascribed to too much Fay. The Elf of the Ether was a hit in his few minutes on Fleischmann Varieties but flopped when expanded into a one-man half-hour show. IN THE SOCIAL WHIRL It won't be long now before the leap year of 1936 will be just a memory. And unless Cupid cuts some fancy capers pretty quick it will end with radio's most desirable bachelors still bachelors, there being practically no casualties in the list during the year. The gals, it would seem, have been sadly neglecting their opportunities or perhaps the sexresistance of the eligibles has been strangely strengthened. Whatever the reason such admirable prospects as Frank Parker, Nelson Eddy, Bob Crosby, Robert Simmons, Nino Martini, Robert L. Ripley, Dave Rubinoff, Andre Kostelanetz, Harry (Parkyakarkus) Einstein, Richard Himber and Abe Lyman are still unyoked. Heaven knows the gossips have connected each of these celibates with maids more or less on the matrimonial make but that doesn't alter the fact they were still spouseless when this was written. (Personal note to reader: Of course, if Andre Kostelanetz makes the plunge with Lily Pons before this reaches you or Nino Martini does ditto with Elissa Landi or there are any other defections just skip their names and remember your Cholly Knickerbocker isn't infallible in affairs of the heart.— J. P.) The revelations of Mary Astor's diary had many repercussions in radio. Some sponsors anxiously sought information as to whether songbirds on their programs kept records of their daily thoughts and doings. And one large advertising agency, employing considerable talent in renewing contracts, inserted what is laughingly described as a "morality clause." It is designed to cancel instanter all obligation on the part of the employer if the artist becomes