Radio-TV mirror (July-Dec 1954)

DISNEYLAND NORMAN FOSTER Frontierland," one of the four fabulous realms of Disneyland, will recreate the heroic panorama of American folklore and present stories of real men who became legendary and legendary men who became real. Assisting in this tremendous undertaking is actor-director-writer Norman Foster, who makes his bow as a TV director with the Davy Crockett story. For this assignment, Foster travelled 3,000 miles in search of authentic settings. Married to Sally Blane, Norman has a daughter, Gretchen, and a son, Robert. Preferring to spend his days off camping and swimming, Norman says, "I have a lot of wanderlust in me." Some of * this he has satisfied by circling the world twice. Norman's only hobby is undersea photography and he once tried to make it pay off. "I went to Tahiti," he explains, "and spent months shooting a South Seas story only to lose the whole thing when the climate ruined my film. Goodbye profit, hello hobby." BILL THOMPSON Fantasyland," the fairy-tale section of Disneyland, will feature immortal Disney characters such as Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. Equally familiar — by voice, but not by face — will be Bill Thompson, whom radio fans will remember as The Old Timer, Wallace "Bird Book" Wimple, and other characters on Fibber McGee And Molly. Actor Thompson has long believed that grownups should be heard and not seen, but Disney finally changed Bill's mind and he will make his TV debut in "How Do You Doodle." Heretofore, Bill shied away from TV because he valued his personal anonymity. However, his career shows that he was anything but unknown to the countless servicemen he entertained across the land. Bill started using his "Umber larynx" at the age of 5 when he appeared as Master Billy Thompson. From his show business surroundings he picked up a variety of songs and stories in the dialect of many races and nationalities. In 1934, Bill debuted in radio on Don McNeill's Breakfast Club. Since then, he has originated vocal characterizations for the shows of such stars as Joan Davis and Bing Crosby. But his heaviest workout, says bachelor Bill, comes on Sundays. "The neighborhood kids think I'm great for reading funnies out loud." A jovial fellow who sports a perpetually startled look, Bill is an old hand — or voice — at Walt Disney's. "I'm listed as a talking dog," he laughs, "also owl, bullfrog and bumblebee. Arf!" PEGGY LEE With her appearance on Disneyland, charming Peggy Lee proves to be a triple threat as a singer, composer and actress. Peggy will be seen in scenes from Disney's new cartoon feature, "Lady and the Tramp," for which she supplied songs and vocal characterizations. Originally from Jamestown, North Dakota, Peggy made her mind up in high school that she would conquer the world and become a singer — which she accomplished through hard work and the help of such artists as Buddy Clark and Benny Goodman. A great home-lover, Peggy is now remodelling her Beverly Hills house for herself and her 11-year-old daughter, Nicki. Peggy's home is always filled with guests, for whom she cooks international dinners ranging from Scandinavian to Peruvian, and she is considered one of the best-dressed women in show business. Although she has 58 published songs to her credit, Peggy is proudest of her book of poetry, Softly with Feeling, excerpts of which she once recited at the Hollywood Bowl. Peggy hopes to write a Broadway show someday, but in the meantime she is busily enjoying hi-fi, sun-tanning, and reading. In the clothes line, she prefers tailored suits and the color brown. 65