Radio television mirror (July-Dec 1951)

M ary on the spot • Strong back, sound feet, a reliable nervous system — these are but a few of the component parts that WIP's Mary Biddle finds necessary to make up her show for gals from eighteen to fifty. Mary Biddle, of the well-known Philadelphia family, conducts her unusual program for the girls in Philadelphia daily from 1:15 to 1:45 and presents what is probably one of the most refreshing switches for women's programs. Was radio a life-long ambition? Contrary to the popular story-book themes, Mercedes McCambridge was just going through town when Mary Biddle, that sharp-eyed gal from WIP, caught her in the lobby of a downtown Philadelphia hotel. Result was an interview in which Mrs. America could also share. radio never entered Mary's mind throughout her school days at Shipley, much less during her studies at University of Florence in Italy. Mary's introduction to radio was an accident. At the outset of World War II, the Navy League in Philadelphia wanted to start a radio program to promote their activities and Mary being the youngest executive member was handed the assignment. Her qualifications? She owned a radio set, knew how to use it and had a rugged constitution. It took only a few months for Mary's abilities to be recognized and she was selected by the women's director of a local radio station to conduct her show as a summer replacement. Mary, now in her late twenties, has revolutionized the women's program. Mary, who deals in famous personalities, news and events, rather than the usual format of recipes, poetry and cozy chatter, attracts among the thousands of her listeners the Junior Mrs. and the home builders who are the broad cross-section of Mrs. America. With a background of advertising, modeling and fashion, Marybrings to her daily listener a wealth of valuable information that is backed by her own experience. More than ten hours go into Mary's daily schedule of preparation for each of her programs and more time is consumed by telephone calls than by any other single item on her schedule. Number one, of course, each day is the writing and planning of the program — which incidentally is done singlehanded. But this comes only after many hours of previous research, leg work, meetings and time with "Mini." Who is "Mini"? "Mini" is Mary's long and faithful friend — a small portable tape recorder that Mary carries with her everywhere she goes for on the scene coverage of important civic events, backstage interviews with theatrical greats or taxi interviews. Then these are edited and rebroadcast for her listeners. Mary's theory is "you never know when something's going to happen." and just like that, it usually does. For instance, returning from a business trip to New York, she spotted Ken Murray and his troupe in the club car. and as a result what "Mini" recorded, with train background, made for the basis of a fascinating program. She caught Lanny Ross for an interview in a taxi and during her vacation tour just this summer, Mary and "Mini" sneaked up on jockeys Eddie Arcaro and Ted Atkinson at Saratoga. At Cape Cod Mary caught Eve Arden. Betty Field and Roddy McDowall while they were relaxing between Summer Playhouse rehearsals. Mary finds spare time, too, some of which she spends working as Philadelphia Chairman for the newly created American Women in Radio and Television Association. As, for hobbies, she collects Staffordshire and has more than 400 pieces ranging from pill boxes to lamps. Mary also is an ardent admirer of English antique furniture, but she admits frankly that "it's too expensive." In addition to some free-lance writing, Mary likes to do needlepoint and to design her own clothes. 21