Radio mirror (Nov 1934-Apr 1935)

"OUR PUBLIC" OUCH ! Some of those radio announcers ought to go and stand in a corner after they hear what a part of their listening public really thinks of their pseudo Oxford accents, or slovenly diction. "Talk naturally and don't say too much" seems to be the consensus of those who have expressed themselves. Advertisers who have too much to say about their own products, who exaggerate the values of the wares they sell on the ether are also denounced. But we asked for honest opinions, no matter how much they hurt and we're getting them by the thousands! What do you think of RADIO BROADCASTING? How do you react to what you hear on the air? Are you satisfied with what you get and thankful for these ether entertainers or have you definite suggestions for changes and improvements? Tell us your real opinions, not only about broadcasting but about your own Radio Mirror. Not only do we ask for constructive criticism but we're willing to pay for it— TWENTY DOLLARS FOR THE BEST LETTER, TEN DOLLARS FOR THE SECOND BEST. AND ONE DOLLAR EACH FOR THE NEXT FINE! Write today to the CRITICISM EDITOR, Radio Mirror, 1926 Broadway. New York City; letters to contain not more than 200 words and to be sent before Nov. 22. Here are this month's SUCCESSFUL LETTERS: $20.00 PRIZE A lot of people have complained, I daresay, about slovenly or inaccurate diction on the part of radio announcers. But how many, I wonder, have ever actually tried to do something about the opposite evil — this business of affected accents affected pronunciations and dramatic pauses the star broadcasters seem to be going in for at present. It looks to me like a case of pseudo-culture. Like a Kentuckian taking up the Harvard "a" for instance. Last winter I tuned in on Bernard Shaw one evening. He was speaking to a sophisticated audience in New York City. His cultivated delightful voice was as clear as a bell. And as naturally musical. No studied oral effects for Mr. Shaw. And the winter before that, listening to the Philharmonic broadcasts which to me are the greatest gift radio has to offer. I was compelled to note the difference in diction used •lin Downey music critic of the New York Times who uun explaining the program, and his announcer, Frank Knight. Mr. Downes, a scholar and critic of long standing, spoke simply and directly and had a great deal to say. While I-rank Knight unrolled one suavely polished platitude after the other off his glib oily tongue till I yearned to wrin^ hiv neck across some thousand miles of ether. Mrs Raymond Pearce, New Orleans, La. $10.00 PRIZE I o have my radio out of commission is "a little death." I'm for variety everyone's tastes differ and radio is for mi People should be willing to listen to the neces advertising— often it's interesting. Long, identical ttions at beginning and end ol programs are bor l"oo extravaganl claims bring forth, "Oh yeah?" Men more natural; most women sound affected. I hiiM benefited by trying man) radio advertised products. I ol nuousl) lo this "ask your mother" business; [ hiUitni would ask lor a pink elephant with a little urging: H'n somewhat cheap and I think rather 54 antagonizes parents. My pet peeves are unexpected blares of noise when the kids are asleep, and third-rate political speeches replacing good programs. I love contests. They give us "dear Homemakers" a little excitement, anticipation, a chance to use our brains (?) instead of our tired hands. Your magazine is a stand-outer; I like your including sponsors' names and your fine photography. I wish you could indicate contest programs somehow. Mrs. Beatrice Merrick, Springfield, Mass. $1.00 PRIZE "Our Public" broadcasting is a swell idea — like your entire magazine, in fact, and what an opportunity to tell these grudging and unappreciative persons, who raise such hullaballoos over radio advertising, a thing or two. I'm more than willing to listen a few minutes, at the beginning and ending of a program, to the advertising of a product. After all, who pays for these expensive artists that entertain and amuse us, and the time on the waves, but the manufacturer of said product? How would you like, dear listener, to pay for your radio amusement yourself? I'd imagine there would be still more outbursts from some of you. After all, broadcasting is expensive, and the money it takes must be made up in returns from the purchase of a product. Not that we should all rush out to buy every soap and silk — that would be beyond the wildest dream of a sponsor, but we all use some of those offered, thus making for ourselves splendid entertainment at precious little cost to our depleted pocketbooks. What say? Mrs. John T. Shewmake, Seattle, Wash. $1.00 PRIZE Some day, perhaps, the sponsors will awaken to the fact that brevity is the soul of advertising. Meanwhile, we need announcers with less matter and more art; announcers who can present the commercial side of the broadcast with such quiet dignity, subtlety, and charm that the transition from the sublime to the ridiculous is scarcely apparent. Milton Cross is a master par excellence of this art. Announcers who try to act "cute" (we have too many of these) have no place on any program. It is the business of the comedians to act cute — if they can! It seems just a bit impertinent to criticize so perfect a magazine as Radio Mirror, but I should like to see some space devoted to the "irregulars" of the air waves; the guest artists who appear a few times each season: Mischa Levitski, Heifetz, Lucrezia Bori, Schipa. And why not reserve a corner during the winter for the broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera? Edith Oakley Baxter, Wichita, Kansas. $1.00 PRIZE This letter is quite contrary to form for its purpose is to commend, and commend highly, the superior quality and wide variety of current radio programs. The educational world, through radio, shares with us its knowledge. Travel experiences, news-events, and questions, political, social, financial, and religious are discussed and explained for us. What more interesting or enjoyable way could we study and learn? I he entertainment world brings*to radio and to us thp