Radio mirror (Nov 1936-Apr 1937)

ED WYNN'S back, every Saturday night, and there's another new program, a full hour, the same evening. What do you think of them? And is Jack Benny funnier than ever this fall now that his former gag writer, Harry Conn, is working for Joe Penner? And do you think Joe is going to be as popular as he used to be on his present Sunday broadcasts? There's still another show, We The People, that's worthy of some comment. Directed by Phillips (Seth Parker) Lord, it's heard Sunday afternoons. But don't limit your bouquets and brickbats to these programs. They're just a sample to show you all you have to pick from in order to write that prize winning letter. Get it in the mail to us without delay in order to compete for the following prizes: First prize |20,00, second prize $10.00, and five prizes of $1.00 each. Address your letter to the Editor, Radio Mirror, 122 East 42nd Street, New York, not later than December 26. $20,00 PRIZE SING, BABY SING! My voice, like that of a great many radio stars, is of very unusual quality. When I was six, the other girls in the first grade said they couldn't sing if I did. When I was fourteen, the teacher thought it safer for me to sit in the back of the room with the boys whose voices were changing. For a time I believed mine was changing, too, but it never has. Times have, though. On Sunday evenings I turn the dial to the Community Sing and sing the solo part with 1000 voices as a background. We cover a great many favorites of mine in a half hour. To be sure, the voices do not keep up with me at all times, but I overlook that and roar away. Neighbors? Oh, yes, we have them, but they're all kind-hearted. They smile and say, "She's an old maid 48 school teacher and it's little enjoyment she has." Then they close their windows, leaving me to my 1000 voices — and bliss! Alta M. Toepp, Sloatsburg, New York. $10.00 PRIZE A PUZZLED LISTENER Here are three things that have been puzzling me: 1. Many top-notch radio programs feature screen celebrities as guest stars. These stars are paid well for their appearances. But aren't they losing in the long run by keeping possible cinema patrons from the theater? 2. I recently read that in an effort to increase the longevity of popular songs, a head of one of the large broadcasting companies has ordered the smaller sustaining musical programs to "lay off" the smarter numbers. But isn't it this constant repetition of a song all day on the air that makes a song popular in the first place? 3. They say that television will be an actuality in the near future. But will the production heads be prepared for the great changes in the preparation and presentation of programs that television will make necessary? Will Eddie Cantor and Jack Benny (to name two out of many who will be in the same situation) be expected to memorize a complete script each week along with their personal appearances and screen work? And what will Amos 'n' Andy, Lum 'n' Abner and similar programs do about characters like the Kingfish, Lightnin' and Squire Skimp who exist only in the change of a voice? James Cramer, Oakland, Calif. $1.00 PRIZE GOODWILL COURT'S IN SESSION NBC has ruled that there be no discussions of illegitimacy, adultery and unfaithfulness on the Goodwill Court programs. Thank goodness, NBC is going to continue to keep radio clean and to see that all programs are suitable for every member of the family to hear. The movies are full of such trash. The papers are smeared with it from cover to cover. Moreover, so often the undesirable character is made to appear a heroine. I am glad NBC is keeping such things off the air. Like cheap literature, it is not worth wasting time and money on. Personally, I have never felt that the people who really have troubles are the ones telling the world about it. Geraldine Cleaver, Anita, Iowa. $1.00 PRIZE OH, THAT MAN ON THE STREETI Chicago stations are actually overflowing with dull "man on the street" programs. I wonder if radio fans in other cities are bothered the same way. When these programs first came on the air they were fine, brimming over with interesting (Continued on page 55) Rumors have been abroad that the Eddie We're betting that Eddie will look just I Cantors are expecting another arrival, ike this if he hears it's a girl again.