Radio varieties (Sept 1940-June 1941)

First, using the sane judgement of Maj. B. S. Graham, Hicks Field director, a young cadet actually undergoing flight and ground school training, was selected to assist in writing the script. He was, under Army regulations, to receive no pay nor publicity for his personal reactions tO' a young, red-blooded American undergoing flight training in Uncle Sam's Flying Cadets. A lad by the name of "Speedy" Scott was selected for this advisory capacity, Scott having done some newspaper work before forsaking riches for his country's service. Second, a unique method of presentation was worked o u t under the guidance of "Woody" Woodford and Gene Reynolds, production men at WBAP. The show opens with a bang — or more truthfully — a roar; the roar of a fast Army pursuit ship doing a steep maneuver. This is calculated to lift Mr. and Mrs. Casual Dialer right out of their chairs. It does! Bill Arms, WBAP announcerdramatist, fresh from local theatrical triumphs, reads the flying cadet's letter during each show. This is done with recorded musical bridges and sound effects. Toward the end of the letter the cadet, who has been writing the letter in the barracks at the close of day, hears the distant, nostalgic sound of a bugler sounding "taps." Even Major Graham's auburn-haired secretary admits a tear or two every time this part of the show is reached. To secure authenticity in the writing of the show and its production the WBAP personnel handling the show makes regular trips to Hicks Field to watch ground and aerial classes in action. They dine in style in Hicks' modern cafeteria, talk with the cadets and flight instructors and get a first-hand "feel" of the life of a flying cadet. Here's a typical letter read during a recent show: "Dear Mom and Dad — Today was the most momentous one in my career as a Flying Cadet for our Uncle Samuel. I rolled out of bed at 5:30 a. m., ate RADIO VARIETIES — DECEMBER a big breakfast that reminded me of our own breakfast table back home, and was on the flying line at exactly 6 a. m. There were 30 sleek training ships drawn up in a perfect line with their noses sniffing the rising Texas sun. Beside each ship was an instructor. Yes, an instructor. Now these fellows are really swell to have around except when your darling foo:tball hero makes a rough landing or banks a ship too much. But my instructor was Lieut. Bill Allen and he's reputed to be the toughest man in the school here. Well — after we had made a sloppy landing or two — with your son John at the controls — we pulled up near a front hanger and the Lieutenant clambered out. 1 started to follow. 'Where are you going. Mister?' he snapped. "Stay in that ship and take it up again. I'm staying right here to watch you.' "Yes, mom, I made it or 1 wouldn't be writing you — but don't worry about my getting hurt. Texas is so large and there's always a handy pasture nearby for forced landings. — And just think, we have our own little church here and I went to services this morning. They played "Rock of Ages" and all the cadets sany. "It was just like our little church in Pleasant Valley — only I missed dad's bass voice and sister Mary's contralto. — All of the boys feel the need ol spiritual devotion. Flying high above the bustle of ordinary activity we seem suspended on some mighty chain anchored to the Heavenly Throne itself. It brings one closer to spiritual things and I believe all those who fly feel about the same as we do — well — I hear "taps" now — I've fifteen minutes to get in bed — so goodbye — love and kisses — and save some for the girl friend — Margaret — your loving son • — John." Needless to say the local newspapers are keenly interested in this show and several hundred fans wrote in on program Number One wanting to know how they might enter the U. S. Army. Air Corps. Needless to say — Major Graham informed them I GUIDING LIGHT (Continued from Page 11) drove Ned to repudiate Fredericka and flee to the West Coast, where he married Torchy Reynolds, young waterfront girl. They were eventually divorced, so that Ned and Mary could marry. Ned is now reconciled with his mother. Another thread in the story concerns the lives of the Kransky family. Rose, the daughter, once loved Charles Cunningham, wealthy publisher. She became the mother of his child and figured sensationally in a trial when Cunningham's wife divorced him, naming Rose as co-respondent. Now Charles wants to marry Rose but she is engaged to her present employer. Jack Felzer, prominent young attorney. Ellis Smith, an artist who calls himself "Mr. Nobody from Nowhere," is another important port of the story pattern. Ellis, blinded when he rescued Fredericka from a tenement fire, has recently regained his sight. Torchy, now a famous night club and radio singer, loves him; so does Iris Marsh, a young woman who has left her husband and little son to build up a new life of her own. Ellis isn't sure of his own heart and is currently planning to leave Five Points and start life over again. Although he has long been a verbal antagonist of Dr. Ruthledge, the artist has his own cynical way of spreading kindness through the little community. Mary Ruthledge Holden is played by Sarajane Wells; Ned Holden, by Ed Prentiss; Mrs. Kransky is Mignon Schreiber; Rose Kransky, Ruth Bailey; Jacob Kransky, Seym.our Young; Torchy Reynolds, Gladys Heen; Fredericka Lang, Muriel Bremner; Irish Marsh, Betty Arnold; Ellis Smith, Phil Dakin; Charles Cunningham, Bill Bouchey; Jack Felzer, Paul Barnes; Laura Martin, Gail Henshaw: The serial written by Ima Phillips, "Radio's No. 1 Author, was inaugurated January 25, 1937. It is broadcast Mondays through Fridays at 9:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST over the NBC-Red network. The show is produced by Howard Keegan, for the agency, and announced by Fort Pearson. Pago 19