Radio varieties (Sept 1940-June 1941)

JACK BENNY-THE new CHAMPI Jack Benny, star of the Sunday evening Jello series, was voted Champion of Champions by more than 700 radio editors in the United States and Canada, queried by MOTION PICTURE DAILY in its fifth nual radio poll on behalf of Fame. "DENNY, who won the tirst MO*^ TION PICTURE DAILY poll in 1S36, regained the leadership which he lost to Edgar Bergen's Charlie McCarthy during the intervening three years. Many other old favorites returned to top ranking white some former leaders dropped from grace. Dinah Shore, vocalist on the Eddie Cantor show, was picked by the editors as the Outstanding New Star of the Season, while Edward G. Robinson was selected as the Most Effective Film Player on the Air. Bob Hope was selected as the Best Comedian, Fanny Brice as Best Comedienne, and Fibber McGee & Molly as the Best Comedy Team. Ring Crosby and Kate Smith again won top spots as popular masculine and feminine vocalists, respectively, with Richard Crooks and Margaret Speaks winning on the classical side. Raymond Gram Swing rose from fourth place to first among the commentators, with Bill Stern in the lead for Best Sports Announcer. Lux Theatre Wins The Best Dramatic Show according to the editors, is the "Lux Radio Theatre " a perennial favorite, and "One Man's Family" drew top honors as Best Dramatic Series. The "Aldrich Family" was voted tops among Comedy Series. The biggest total was rolled up by "Information, Please," voted Best Quiz Program, and "Vic and Sade" was named best among the Monday-through-Friday daytime serials. Best Educational Program is the CBS "American School of the Air", which has been recognized in many states as part of the regular curriculum and now is playing an important part in cultural relations with Latin America. Irene Wicker drew top honors for the Best Paqe 6 Children's Program with her show, "The Singing Lady." Glenn Miller's orchestra was heralded as best among the swing bands and Guy Lombardo was similarly honored for the Best Radio Orchestra (Popular). Kay Kyser's "College of Musical Knowledge" drew top rank for the best popular musical show. The New York PhilharmonicSymphony Orchestra was voted the Best Radio Orchestra in the classical division, while the "Ford Sunday Evening Hour" drew the plaudits for being the Best Musical Show on the classical side. With war and politics occupying most of the special events time over all networks, the CBS "European Roundup" was voted best. Hope and Crosby Close Following closely on the heels of Benny, in the open championship class, were Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Bergen, in that order. Fred Allen and Helen Hayes were tied for the fifth place. Jack Benny trailed Hope, however, as Best Comedian. In third place was Fred Allen, followed by Bergen. Eddie Anderson, as Benny's valet Rochester, stepped in with the leaders to take fifth place. Gracie Allen was runner-up to Miss Brice as Best Comedienne. Mary Livingstone was third, Marion Jordan (Molly McGee) fourth, with Jane Ace and Portland Hoffa tied for fifth. Burns & Allen followed Fibber McGee & Molly in the ratmgs for Best Comedy Team. Brenda & Combina placed third, and Amos 'n' Andy, Abbott & Costello and Benny & Livingstone were in a triple tie for fourth place. Benny's Jello series was given the second place spot behind the "Aldrich Family" as the Best Comedy Series. The Bob Hope show for Pepsodent was third, while Fred Allen's "Texaco Star Theatre" an and the "Easy Aces" tied for fourth. Yvette, the golden-haired songstress, was voted by the editors as the second Outsanding New Star of the Season. Helen Hayes was third and Carol Bruce, fourth. That the political campaign left its mark on the minds of the editors was reflected in the fact that Wendell L. W i 1 1 k i e received enough votes to tie for the fourth position in this classfication. Kenny Baker followed Crosby as the Best Male Vocalist (Popular). Lanny Ross was third, Frank Parker, fourth, and Frank Munn, fifth. Miss Shore's rapid rise to stardom on the airwaves gave her not only the top rating for outstanding new star, but also gave her second place to Miss Smith as Best Female Vocalist (Popular) Connie Soswell and Frances Longford were tied for third position and Ginny Simms and Bea Wain were tied for fifth. Crooks Leads Vocalists Richard Crooks, best of the male vocalists on the classical side, was followed by James Melton, John Charles Thomas and Nelson Eddy and Lawrence Tibbett, the last two tied for fourth place. Still on the classical side, but with the feminine artists this time, Lily Pons follows Miss Speaks among the vocalists. Lucille Manners and Jessica Dragonette were tied for third place and Grace Moore was fifth. Lowell Thomas retained second place among the commentators. H. V. Kaltenborn was third, Elmer Davis, fourth, while Gabriel Heatter and Wythe Williams tied for fifth. Ted Husing was a close runnerup to Stern as Best Sports Announcer. Red Barber placed third and Stan Lomax and Bob Trout finished in the money by tieing RADIO VARIETIES — JANUARY