Radio revue (Dec 1929-Mar 1930)

12 RADIO REVUE who recently repeated her famous radio portrayal of the historic "Joan of Arc." Few Real Air Personalities Besides these, there are only a few really outstanding air personalities, who can be numbered almost on any one's two hands. There are only a few who have really succeeded in carving their names in the ether, so to speak. Harvey Hays, Pedro de Cordoba, Frank Moulan, Charles "Webster, Arthur Allen, Alfred Shirley, Loren Raker, Helene Handin, Marcella Shields, Florence Malone and Virginia Gardiner head the list. A few more, of course, have succeeded in varying degrees in the difficult task of making their voices alone present a vivid personality through millions of loudspeakers from coast to coast. These are the ones with little black stars after their names in the "theatrical bible of the air," the radio who's who, under lock and key in the casting offices of the NBC. There are five black books of them already, these classified lists of eligible actors for parts in radio dramatizations. Practically all the important names of the American theater are there, with a condensed report of their auditions, and a summary of their stage records. That's why they're kept under padlock, to protect the findings of radio casting directors who listened critically to trial broadcasts that got only as far as the audition chambers — just beyond a soundproof glass window, usually. None of these "perfect radio voices" was acquired by accident. They were developed through gruelling years in the theater, by learning every trick of inflection and modulation which might help to intensify the emotions evoked by the lines. Fifteen years ago this same Harvey Hays was on the stage, winning stardom in such outstanding hits as "Lord and Lady Algy," in which he appeared with Maxine Elliott and William Faversham; in "Romeo and Juliet" with Ethel Barrymore, and with Tyrone Power in "The Servant in the House." On Radio While on Broadway Pedro de Cordoba, heard weekly as the narrator of the Westinghouse Salute, kept his Broadway appearances running concurrently with his radio performances. He was with Jane Cowl in "The Road to Rome" and more recently in "See Naples and Die," by Elmer Rice, who also wrote the Pulitzer prize play, "Street Scene." One actor, who is heard in broadcasts of NBC light Sf^i opera and productions of the Radio Guild, played with both Sarah Bernhardt and Walter Hampden. His name is Ted Gibson, and he also played the lead in that great Broadway hit, "Turn to the Right." Before that he played in works of Anne Nichols, of "Abie's Irish Rose" fame. Charles Webster, who created for the radio such characters as Cyrano de Bergerac and Beau Brummel, has also repeated the role he created on Broadway, that of Halmer in Ibsen's "Doll's House." He continues to distinguish himself with the Radio Guild, NBC's laboratory of classic radio drama, directed by Vernon Radcliffe. Regular members of the cast for Radio Guild productions include such noted footlight artists as Charles Warburton, distinguished Shakesperian actor who headed his own company abroad; Josephine Hull from the Theater Guild; Peggy Allenby, former star of "Among the Married;" Alma Kruger, from Eva le Gallienne's company, the Civic Repertory; Etien^ * ne Girardot, Frohman star who created the lead in "Charley's Aunt" — but why go on? i i },:■. Rosaline Greene and Alfred Shirley in a Scene from "Famous Loves" Face New Problem They're faced with an entirely different problem now. Not that they're all discouraged. Harry Neville, who is the Dudley Digges of the air, says he thoroughly enjoys the irony of playing in one performance, to nearly half the worldwide audience that he's played to in forty years of trouping around the globe. Arthur Allen, who spent years on the legitimate stage, has found a most successful outlet for his talents in radio. He has established a reputation as one of the leading character actors to appear before the microphone. His work in the Soconyland Sketches, Retold Tales and as Gus in the Schradertown Program will be vividly recalled by all who have heard these hours. He likes radio broadcasting and is exceedingly happy in his work. But still they miss the electric lights. So next time there's drama on the air — consider the actor. Philco Hour Moves to CBS The Philco Hour of Theatre Memories, which has been a feature on WJZ for over two years, will move to the Columbia chain after January 1. It is said that a different type of program will be broadcast, one featuring an orchestra and a different Broadway celebrity each week. None of the eld Philco cast, which included Jessica Dragonette as leading lady and Colin O'More as leading man, will change with the Hour, but Henry M. Neely, the "Old Stager," will conduct the program.