Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1951)

It's a good point, for any Bert Parks show is sparked with what seems his indefatigable zest. Actually, around home, Bert just lounges in old clothes and is as calm as most husbands, or perhaps more than most. It's the demands of his programs that make Bert such a cheerful but quiet stay-at-home. He has many friends in the neighborhood most of whom have no connection with show business. They drop over for chats and get-togethers that may wind up in a songfest but nothing noisier. Alec Templeton lives two houses down the road and Bud Collyer is another near neighbor. Of course, Bert is first to admit that credit for the smooth-running household goes to Annette. She has managed superbly since the day they were married in 1943. "Annette has everything," Bert says. "Looks, intelligence, common sense and charm." When Annette describes Bert, it sounds like the same record being played back. They couldn't be more contented with their marriage. Bert and Annette got away together and alone for the first time this past summer. They had a month's vacation in Europe which turned out to be a lot of fun although it didn't start out too well. Annette didn't feel too happy about leaving the children for the first time, although her mother eased that a bit by arranging to stay at their home. Then Annette, who admits her Pennsylvania Dutch background has made her slightly superstitious, felt the several cancellations of their flight was a bad omen. Bert's wise-crack as they boarded the plane didn't comfort her much: "I think they put this together with scotch tape," he remarked. "However, all of my anxiety was soon forgotten," Annette recalls. "We had a wonderful time." They didn't do much shopping, although Bert purchased in the Montmartre a painting that now hangs in their living room, and increased his record collection with several French pressings. They returned home by ship and the twins were at the dock to 1 meet them. "It was the best part of the trip," Bert remembers. In the short time it took to drive home, Bert was reestablished in his routine. There were games to be played and new books to be read aloud. And the next morning the boys were in his room to fetch him a belt and tie. That's t the way it is with the twins. But the adulation doesn't stop with the children and Annette. Their cook, Bertha, is always planning special meals for Bert. His favorite menu — a natural since he was born and bred in Atlanta — is chicken with hot biscuits and a floating island for dessert. But when it comes to midnight snacks, a regular meal in the household, Bert insists no one can prepare the scrambled eggs but himself. And both Annette and Bertha agree he does an excellent job. "It's a good life we live," Bert says. "And sometimes quiet." He lifts his eyes to the ceiling in the general direction of the children's bedroom. There may be a sudden crash that sounds as if the roof is falling in. It's only five or ten pounds of wood blocks getting the old heave-ho from the boys. Or perhaps a scream of "Geronimo!" as they play paratrooper and bail out of their beds. Yes, it's the twins who make the excitement. At home, Bert Parks is a quiet and satisfied man. TOOTH n*" pf^STt BUY LISTERINE TOOTH PASTE'S NEW THRIFT-PAK... StVETJtYEUt! IT'S UP TO YOU how you spend the three dollars you save on Listerine Tooth Paste in the new ThriftPak! The Thrift-Pak (two regular 45)* tubes for 59^0 contains enough Tooth Paste to last the average family a whole month . . . and saves you 30^ every time you buy. Within a year the average family's bound to save as much as $3 or more. As makers of Listerine Antiseptic, we would never put our name on a product that isn't top quality. No dentifrice you can buy beats Listerine Tooth Paste for: • Reducing tooth decoy • Thorough polishing • Sparkling flavor • Cleaning teeth and breath ("Listerine" means breath control.) Only modern machinery, mass production, and more than sixty years of "know-how" make the low price possible. So change today to Listerine Tooth Paste in the new Thrift-Pak. ...UP TO 60% LESS TOOTH DECAY! Research at a famous university definitely showed that modern dentifrices like Listerine Tooth Paste, used regularly immediately after eating, can reduce cavities as much as 60%. When it comes to cleaning, no tooth paste . . . not a single one . . . beats Listerine Tooth Paste. —