Variety (May 1935)

42 VARIETY •RHYTHM AT EIGHT' Ethtl Merman, Tad Husi Al Goodman's Orchestra Songa, Sketches 30 MIna. COMMERCIAL WABC, New York Name of Lysora new program captures the jazzy aura of Ita star, Ethel Merman, faithfully. Her themer Is Gershwin's 'I Got Rhythm,' and with Al Goociman's fluent music behind her, it's a nifty 30 minutes. Method used by the songstress Is to pick out one of her numerous in- dividual hits of the past, build a slight story around It and tben steam off. Not new, but scripting here is refreshing and Ted Husing helps. Miss Merman has also devel- oped Into a comedlanne herself with a Mne AVestlsh tinge which relays well. In her first program, 'Eadle Was a Lady,' was built up into a mu- sical saga, and in the second one, 'Hosannah,' was treated likewise. Both had corking stories woven around them, with the warbling of course the high spot; Since she haa a repertory of distinctive synco- classlcs to her credit, material should last quite a spell. Lysol i.s safe for the summer with this 'un. POPULAR LAW SERI Bessie N. Page Talk 15 Mi . Sustaining WAAB, Boston Educational sustainer in which a femme law expert (from Portia Law School) answers legal questions from listeners. Introduced by an-, other woman who also reads the questions. Miss Page Is exactly the type for this work. Her answers are prompt, crisp and pithy. Ques- tions on program caught dealt with everyday problems that would be of Interest to a large number of dial- ers. Some of the subjects covered: window washers' liability, wills, au- tomobile liability, digging a well, beauty shop problem, land deeds, a marital fizzle, leaky gutter, and a right of way puzzle. Scope of the talk would tempt any casual tuner- in to hold on fo the last, in antici- pation of hearing some advice on a personal problem that is confront- ing him at the moment. Although a few of the answers might save the listener the expense of consulting an attorney, at other times Miss Page advises her baffled Interrogators to retain good law- yers for further consultation. Talks are available In printed form at 10 cents. An outstanding sustainer in the Boston district. Fox. TED CLAIRE Sports Comment 16 Mins. Suataining WHN, New York Spotted at 6:15 p.m. dally, Ted Claire, who hails from vaudeville and the picture houses, Is doing a sports resume that is only as good as it's written. Claire-has . a breezy delivery which makes a nifty flt foj the assignment, but until more ex- pert care is taken in preparing the material his chances of building a substantial following for the period and bringing himself into sharp no- tice look slim. Claire Interpolates his recitation of baseball and racing results with bits of gossip and comment about these and other sports. Little of the latter info is either smartly framed or arresting. Program has a ques tion and answer columr.. Listeners are urged to consult Claire about any sports question Involved in an argument, with assurances being given that the right answer will be relayed over the air. Odec. HORACE HEIDT'S BRIGADIERS Variety 30 Mins, COMMERCIAL WABC, New York A good, fast little variety revue, getting plenty of vocal, instrumental and commercial effectiveness Into 30 minutes. It's obviously geared for tempo and the entire impression of the half hour's unfolding Is that of an on-your-toes, almost feverish gait. Result Is that everything in it grips the interest, and it the tempo can achieve that. Its value to the commercial plug is that much more emphasized. Plug is a bit verbose but it's sold In a staccato, practlcol manner which should interest any prospec- tive user for Alemlte, the Stewart- Warner lubrication oil. I'iie prize contest is another cute ballyhooer for other S-W products, such a.s radios, refrigerators, etc., because, after the arresting $1,000 cash prize, these affiliated trade products are worked in as among the list of sup- plementary awards. Show Itself Is maestroed and an- nounced by Horace Heldt whose diction Is very advertising agency. He spiels his introductorlea like a Commercial announcer. Program not altogether new. It's been on the air from a San Fran- cisco source for a number of weeks under Blackett-Sample-IIummcrt auspices, and after groping it seems finally to have found itself. This, however, was not achieved without considerable purging of a drastic nature. Including a new complete setup with the exception of Heidt' who was retained. Heading for the Drake hotel, Chicago, to open May 23, this show when caught (Thursday at 10.30-11 p. m. EDST) was the finale from the Frisco source. Future shows out of Chi. As a salutation- and a farewell. 'Hall to California' was the musical tribute. In the signoff. Show in sequence opens with the 6 King Sisters in 'Got Me Doin' Things' wherein the first manifesta- tion of the steel-guitar Instrumenta- tion of Heidt's asserted Itself. It's comparable to the guitar novelty in the orchestrations which have, re- cently distinguished another Coast band that of OrviUe Knapp's at the Beverly-Wilshlre, Beverly Hills. It's a cute touch and deftly worked in by Heldt in almost every arrange- ment without unneccessary empha- sis. Follows 'Bugle Call Rag* in vocal ensemble, another novelty. Then a dansapatlon, followed by Elizabeth Hughes, ' harplste-gultarlst, with Waters of Mlnnetonka.' Berhle Madison, traps, docs a vibraphone solo, 'Chokin' the Bell.' Alvedo Ray dittoes on Spanish guitar. Alice King vocals 'Heart Is An Open Book,' Then 'All Around the Mul- berry Bush' as a gang song by the whole band, wherein a number of doggerel lyric plugs for Alemlte are ingeniously worked In. Ralph Lom- bardo's vocal solo is a novelty, 'Little Grass Shack,' done in Italian, German and pig-Latin. A Parisian musical revue is the big band number before the Frisco tribute and signoff. All in all a lot of variety'packed into 30 minutes. Commercial spiel Is arresting in that it disclaims no labels, tags or anything, with free entry blanks at any Stewart-Warner service station. ATiel, EVA LE GALLIENNE With Guldo Madzo 'The Swan' (Sketch) 10 Mine. COMMERCIAL WEAF, New York It's been rumored on several occa- sions that Eva Le Galllcnne would bring her Civic Repertory idea to radio. Instead she arrived solo. In her guest date on Shell Chateau she felt her gi-ound carefully by picking a sure-fire scene from Molnar's 'The Swan.' It was one of her biggest early hits, and haa enough fluff lo make the broadcast command atten- tion. While the part did not call for any emotional fireworks, it gave the stJir opportunity to shine fair enough. Guide Madzo assi.stcd ca- pably. PAUL CHRISTENSEN ORCH. 30 Mina. Sustaining WOW, Omaha Band opens a summer etand at Hotel Paxton, but went on the air nationally, April 30, night early. First time a local orchestra has over been hooked up for a regular weekly period via a chaili. This one fed to NBC red basic and sup- plementarles by WOW; half-hour burst goes, on at 9:30 local time (CST). A nine-piece ork with a girl and boy singing team regularly, crew Is enlarged to twelve men for these chain programs of popular music. Outfit originated in these parts, but past few seasons have been located in Texas and vicinity. Offer" the usual brand of popular arrange- ments and features the girl and boy. .John Glllln, Jr., announced, but station to rotate staff on this Tuesday uighter. BEREND and CARROLL Instrumental 15 Mins. Sustaining WMCA. New York Two-man Instrumental team of small-time proportions that must be lost amidst all the music on the air at the same hour (11:16 p. m.). One plays strings, the other piano. They solo a couple of times each and get together at the start and finish for duets. Each is adept at his own work, but they appear to need rou- tining and arrancronifiits In ordor to get anywhrrp. STUDIO WHISPERS George Fischer Film Chatter 15 Mins. COMMERCIAL KPWB, Hollywood Three weeks ago a hand lotion ac- count went shopping and found George Fischer, Whisperer has been on the Warner Bros, station for three years and has worked up a following. A certain romantic timbre in his delivery sets Fischer off from the mill run of picture gabbers. Most of them shout; Fischer lets it drip, so to speak. Stripped of his toning the stuff drops into the well-worn slot. It's pretty much the same line of palaver the others use with the commentator bearing too heavily on the Warner side. Most of his gos- sip concerns the WB mob in Bur- bank, for which Fischer can't be blamed too much. He's been draw- ing pay from the Warner Frores for lo these many years aa a staff barker. Uclm. FOURSOME Marshall Smith, Del Porter, Ray Johnson, Dwight Snyder Songs, Music 16 Mins. COMMERCIAL WABC, New York Foursome is a clover .singing quartet currently in the cast of 'Anything Goes.' Group is distinc live for its faint harmony on reed instruments in addition to its smooth vocalizing. Ocarinas, flutes and other pipes figure in the instru- mental end of the presentation General musical effect resembles a calliope. Good novelty stuff which should build as the program ages. Specialty at this licavlng was 'Parade of the Wooden Soldiers More syncopated number.M relay rather slow, but that Is duo to the typo of instruments used. Philip Morris sponsors this new hour on Wednesday nights at 8 p. m. ED.ST .Tohnnle, call boy deluxe for the tobacco fli-m, still heralding the cig.Ti-otlo hv.nnd n.nnio with rfsiiltK, Dl MARCO BABIES (3) Harmony Sustaining WGY, Schenectady To the accompaniment of u chorus on the ballyhoo bugles by NBC and WGY toote'rs, these three girls ra- dlo-curtsled on a Saturday after- noon network swing. WGY piped their h.armony to New York, splic- ing in about the three-quarter mark. The story of the discovery of' the threesome, daughters of an unemployed Rome^ N. Y., barber by a prosperous Italian fruit merchant who dropped into a Utica theatre, his outfitting of the youngsters and toting tliem to the Big Town, their click with auditlonists, and the signing of an NBC contract, was surefire human interest copy for the typewriter tappers. j A good publicity bet tor NBCJ, even if tho kids' brief mike appear- ance here did not prove to be ter- rific. Sang one number, tho .fa- miliar 'Object of My Affections,' to Kuitar accompaniment bj' their dad. They harmonized the pop in rather smooth, if imitative, fashion. Voices are childllshly piping—lassies are publicly said to bo four, six and eight, respectively—but they blend well. Like many of their age i-ange, they display no fear of the micro- phone; are too young to be con- scious of that ogre. Father's guitar accompaniment helps. Babies' tag la calculated to place listeners, particularly pai-ents, in a responsive mood. A supper-hour spot or a Sunday afternoon slot would be ideal from the mothers- and-fathers angle. Trio probably can win an audience, in theatre or studio, on appearance nlono. May have a future. Jaco. WHN BARN DANCE Hat O'Halleran, Tom Kennedy, Prairie Ramblers, Patsy Montana, Forman Sisters 60 Mins. Sustaining WHN„ New York A Barn Dance in New York! WHN continues to expand on Its program service by going into tho sod-buster stunt hour with a flour- ish. A solid hour is given over to this now spread. Hal O'Halleran, who was on the WLS huskln' bee In Chicago, Is building this New York sustainer; Station is lucky. He's a whiz at this sort of thlffg, knows how to yelp a square dance .ind yet not overdo It. There is a regular cast on hand weekly for the ginger fireworks. (Jucstei-s fill In for further hick at- mosphere and color. Tom Kennedy Is the prize warbler of the outfit. Patsy Montana handles the western laments, and tho Forman Sisters give out sad rhythms significant of these haystack shindigs. Program is studded with palaver such as 'Got the milkln' done' and Wlio broke the lock on the hen- house door?' Background hollering could be tamed down a bit for the sake of the general material. Potential possibilities in a pro- gram so unusual for New York, WHN is acquiring a name for cre- ating stunts. Outlay of talent Is authentic for the mob, another item In its favor. With the amateur craze simmering, easterners may be in for a heat wave of these rubes revola. The heel and toe polka stuff Is foot-tapping for the populace in general and comical to the more sophisticated dialers. This one airs on Thursdays from 10 to 11 p. m. and on Saturday from S:P,0 to n:30 p. m. EDST. JACK INGERSOLL Sports Commentator 10 Mins. Sustaining WEEI, Boston Ingersoll, formerly with WNAC in a similar capacity aa sports spiel- er, is tagged onto the end of the sponsored late hour weather reports (11:00 p.m.) as an anchor for listen- ers who might be Inclined to tune off before the triple Jointed weather period is finished. He's announced as a giver out of baseball scores, but he goes further in the sports field, touching on-current Hub wrestling matches and college games, as well. Diction is ragged, but otherwise easy to take; and assuming that there are listeners who will dial re hashes of ball games at that hour his 10-minute bit rates a good aver- age of ita type. When caught (26) Ingersoll injected a very human note in his chatter by chiding Boa ton ball fans for booing Joe Cronin of the Red Sox in that day's game. Well dono and added an interesting note to his talk. Fax. GOOD WILL COURT With Hon. T. J. Whalen, and Hon J. J, Goldstein Court Session 45 Mina. Sustaining WMCA, New York Title explains all, in that listen- erd write in their family battles, twists, etc., asking for time on the air, and the beat oneB picked out by the station are invited up for a Sun- day court hearing. Partlclpanta come before the microphone then, state their caaes and a presiding guest Judge tries to iron out the snag3 to the best of his ability. Ad- vice and counsel are the main gags of this good will gesture. Many intelligent people come up on this clearing house for legal en tanglements. Where the cases are too complex for short airing, the judge asks the party to hang around a while after the broadcast, and he go into it more thoroughly. Insur anco policies, divorce, alimony, specialists' problems, etc., all pop up during the evening. None really funny, in fact it is quite a sincere program on the part of all con cerned. No identity is disclosed over the air. Everything appears on the up and up, however. Legal Aid So clcly gets mention many times dur Ing program. ' Guest judges shift frequently. Those on hand this time Included T. J. Whalen, justice of municipal court, and J, J. Goldstein, Judge of magistrate court. They seemed to have their hands full too. Solemn organ music ushers and exits the program on and off the ether. For Sunday, night ll.o(-ener.<j at ;i:4ri p.m. EDST. HANDSOME JACK RANDOLPH' With Phil Crist and Madame Car! Songs 15 Mins. COMMERCIAL WFBR, Baltimore Procter & Gamble has now sham- poo, 'Drene,' and is giving product its initial air plugging here. Since P&G h.ave total of seven chain (NBC-red) programs at present, possibility is that firm will .shortly find a network show for this, the 'baby.' Sort of an lilr trial going on here, and looks like this one has oke chance of getting over. Once- weekly, jLfter-dinner period. Commercial copy Js much better than average used around here, and that's a relief and a major consid- eration by now to prospective lis- teners, Madame Carl, one of' burg's coiffure authorities. Is retained to give brief speech on treatment of hair; should interest the ladles. 'Handsome Jack Randolph' Is really Phil Crist, who has been war- bling for some tlipe on local ether. He is being built up trifle too much aa being a dashing, debonair, thril- ling type. His voice belies his ro- mantic build-up; he should Just be let sing without the glowing blurbs; then wouldn't have to face possible antagonism. He has rather light- timbered tenor pipes, but well up in rating as far as this town Ig con- cerned, where they don't pay much and don't get much for commercials. One practice that should be stopped Is having Crist greet listeners with 'Good evening, beautiful lady'; sounds too phoney, the manner in which it's done. PEGGY B. MILLER 'The Lady Philosopher' 15 Mins. Sustaining WCAO, Baltimore Those versed in philosophic lore claim that through the ages there has popped up no first, second, or even third-rate femme philosopher. Miss Miller Is distinctly of the radio school of philosophers, though she is not as lucid and punchy as might be, and could gain effective- ness by being more conclusive, Pleasant pipes, but should side-step monotony by shading and coloring vocal tones; also frequently clears throat. A local lass who has authored volume of poesy, she gets a plug in for her work, and recites selec- tions fore and • aft program while studio organ accomps with 'Sweet Mystery of Life.' Once weekly, post luncheon period, won't give house- wives indigestion and might bestir 'eni to cheerfully and contentedly continue with the week's ironing, rather than bicker over the back fence with a disliked neighbor. PAUL SPECHT ORCHESTRA 30 Mins. Sustaining WABC, New York . Formerly a New York name, Specht has been in the hinterland for some time and is getting metro polltan attention by virtue of the A.F.M. $3 tax thing which has been the means for many another outly- ing combo getting a national pickup .and hitting tho east, whereas it was formerly a reverse rule. Emanating from Buffalo under auspices of the Buffalo Broadcast ing Corp. (Lounsberry), which is specifically announced aa 'present Ing' Specht, the combo sounds quite big league. It's holding forth at a local restaurant. James Hefner, Morton Wells and a femme harmony trio jire mnnng.thft vocnl Interludes TONY and 6US Mario Chamlee and George-Frame Brown Serial 15 Mins. COMMERCIAL WJZ, New York Novelty of this new seri;il l.-i presence of Mario Chamlee Mot. Opera warbler In the role oC a comedian. Story is a typical rags to riches one, with a newcomer in this country blesaed with goldi'ii plpos and waiting for his big chance. One just knows that sooner or later he will land in the Diamond Horse- shoe midst a shower of bouquets, prima donnas, spot lights, etc. George Frame Brown plays the other character, explaining the now wonders of tho town to his timid friend. Humor is quiet for the most part. At this hearing adventures of two made them wander into Cen- tral Park where the nursemaids were parading their wards. Chil- dren's voices and hurdy gurdy noises off-stage. Tony saves a child from being run over, and it leaves the Impression that this act will stand him in well when he tries for the opera stage. Tale also has him breaking into song frequently, and since Chamlee is the singer, the results are above par. Serial contains more charm than laughs. Airs thrice weekly at 7:15 p.m. EDST. Post Toastlps sponsor, making a play for the oM(>i palates. ELIZABETH DAY Disease COMMERCIAL WEAF, New York Flelschmahn program* of las; Thursday night (IG) gave Elizabetli Day, an actress from the west coast, two opportunities to show her flair for dramatic readings. The mono- logs projected two widely diverse, characters and in each instance li was a finely etched bit of work. First item was entitled 'A Mattor of Life and Death' and dealt with the nitwit patter of a young South- ern matron calling up her husband at the office to ask him whether Ire could recall for her the name of .i tune sho was humming. Other bit was also localed In a telephone booth and had u moll pleading with her boy friend ^who was on the lam from the cops to give himself up and squeal to the cops. Poor pro- duction served to take the -smooth edge off this latter reading. What was supposed to be the rat-tat of a rnachine gun sounded like the clicking of a phone hook. The fade- out moment ccld also have been intensified with the Interpolation of a scream. Orfrr. EMMA SOFRAU Songs Sustaining 16 Mina. WGY, Schenectady A new voice is floating ovei' WGY'8 wavelength. In this trained singer. She possesses a soaring, rangy soprano, carefully cultlvfited and Intelligently handled. la rather impressive when traversing the up- per registers, and probably would be even more so in an auditorium than in the studio. At present her microphone technique Is not 100% perfect. Clear enunciation of the lyrics is sacrificed at times to tonal production at or near the top of tho scale. On lower notes, It is easier to understand the words of the numbers she Is singing. Should show improvement In respect to the all-Important enunciation as sh© adds to her broadcasting experience. Does better grade selections: bal- lads, musical comedy, operetta arias and classicals. Has no theme, song to Identify her programs, nor did the announcer, on the. afternoon salvo heard, pronounce the name of the artist distinctly. That's a fault, noticeable on soloists introduced re- cently, which should be corrected by station management. Johnny Flnke provides sympathetic accom- paniment for the young woman's outpourings. Jaca. META REY Songs Sustaining 15 mins. WGY, Schenectady. Singer with Bobby Meeker'a orchestra, broadcasting evenings from the De Witt Clinton Hotel. Albany, heard in an unbilled after- luncheon program. She is a member of the pop warbling radio school, featuring a rather deep tone In the lower registers and stressing clear enunciation of lyrics, plus 'feeling.' Upper tones are more sopranolike. Miss Rey's interpretations of cur- rents and other selections are good, if not especially individualistic. Probably impresses stronger with slick orchestral than with piano ac- companiment, although^ no fault could be found with the'latter here. Simply that her style of singing flt."« In smoother with a dance-band background. Jaro. BRYCE OLIVER News Commentator 15 Mins. Sustaining WHN, New York Bryce Oliver apeuk.s well and adopts a liberal position In his com- ment upon the news. He is forth- right enough to be a bit critical, and yet not radical. An easy-to-tal^ft qnarler hour editorl.allzlng. I,n-nK.