Variety (Sep 1935)

VAJtmry RADIO REPORTS Wednesday, September 4« 1935 MASQUERADE With Mark Warnow Orchestra, Tad Huaing Novelty Impereonation* 60 Mine. Sustaining .WABCi New York A ereat deal of preparation, re-» hearsal, research and ingenuity rep- resented In this hour-long sustain- ing one-time program. As an ex- ample of Columbia's program-crea- tion, abilities and resources It com- mands respect. As an Idea it was imaginative and sbowmanly to start With and worked out with a brlght- liess and zip not customarily ex- pected from networks whose con- ventional program efforts have in recent years verged to the carbon copy types. . Those offering impersonations and rating billing are: Crosby—^Paul Barry Bee Lillle—Agnes Moorhead Mills Bros.—Oleander Four George Bums—^Frarik'Gould Dick Powell—Bert Parks Grade Allen—Alice Frost Bert Lahr—Arthur Kay Rube-^Chester Stratton OFred Allen—Dwight Welst Morton Downey—Kay Hogan Betty Boop—Ruth Goetz Eve Sully—^Edna Harris "W. C. Field—Paul Douglas Ed "Wynn—Cameron Andrews Mae West—Jean Rowe This array of mi ics was welded Into a program through the nar- rative device of representing the aptlon ' as taking place at a mas- querade party with a question ^ark Inserted throughout by Ted.Husing. Not until"the end was It positively stated for the public that all were Impersonations and none originals. Idea was fostered that some were, others not. While It Is not clear Just how the maiss of'talent aiid the basic idea ihifeht be adapted commercially It would seem that the possibilities of a sponsored program are tucked away somewhere. If nothing else maybe Columbia could frame a good theatre novelty. . ' Impersonations of course are not new. Anything biit Columbia sim- ply went In' for bigger and better '^d. morei. linpersonations than Is siandard. And on top of an exten- sive repertoire (sorae .ot those listed above did more •than one character- ization) the program was hem- stitched into a nifty spread by Mark Warinow's. music. Duke Ellington, Eddie Duchln, Wayne King, Ted Weems were some of the drastically varied or- chestral styles successfully imitated by 'Marie WamoWi The orchestra- tlons; the characteristics, the trade- marks were rendered with admir- able fidelity and revealed a canny skllL That Wamow happens also In his own right to he a musician- showman with distinctive style and Idead made this stunt program a polnt-wlth-prider for him Indlvldu ally. While' it may seem invidious to single out Individual Impersona tlons Agnes Moorhead's neat cap ture of Beatrice Lillle rates special Mtcomtums. Frank Gould's version of George Burns also bristled with artistry. .Cameron Andrews han- dled Ed Wynn. notoriously tough to niimlc well, with good results. Land, TINKER KIDS and LIZA With Mrs. Alice B. FogOf Alice Fogp, Tommy Fogg Juvenile Serial 15 Mini. Sustaining WINS, New York WINS, Hearst outlet is bent on picking a good one for Juvenile listeners, having sometime ago cx perlmented with the Junior Leaguers on a children's program, and is now presenting another carefully con- cocted one in this daily run. Mrs Alice B. Fogg, together with her two children, halls from Cleveland whore as a Parent-Teacher member she started her mammy character (done in black-face) and Is making her Initial N. Y. bow over the station. Threesome Indulge in typical kitchen prattle with oh's and ah's from the kids and chuckles for the most part from the dusky duenna. Action takes them into a cellar where the boy is out to revolution- ize the milk Industry, by squeezing milkweed through the washing ma- chine. Results' are hone too funny to mature ears of course. However, might instill certain interest in the younger ones. Action Is carried over for the following installment. In Initial broadcast, all blood and thounder trappings were omitted, excitement being garnered from some minor childish shrieks. This omission should win parents' ap- proval. Mrs. Fogg Is ex-radio chairman of the Parent-Teachers' Association In Cleveland which may stir up a white-washed aura for the yarn. Series on Ave days weekly at 6:S0 p.m, EDST. • KRAZY LIMERICKS With Eddie King and Larry Keating 15 Mine.. COMMERCIAL KQW, Portland, Ore. Limerick contests still supposed to be good according to KGW, with current one running sponsored by a local Jewelry firm.. Listeners are requested to submit goofy limericks to compe-te for a few trinkets given as prizes or awards. It would seem the main reason for the airing of the show is to give the announcer an opportunity, to get over some of his would-be funny patter. Eddie King, an accom pllshed pianist, who has long ago learned, to .mix it up, saves what- ever there is to save of the program Eddie and his piano are possible excuse to keep dials set to KGW during period. Announcer is Larry Keating who tries to be a comic and proves about as funny as a lynching. There have, from time to time, appeared on local ether some woefully poor, attempts at being funny. This Is the saddest Be that as it may program has .been aired steadily for over a year. 'PUBLIC PULSE' With Norman Ross Open Forum Sustaining- 15 Mine. WGN, Chicago Local NBC station brings the 'let- ters to .the editor* column Into the radio, but It doesn't appear that the mdlo column will have , any 'of the personal sock and power that its newspaper uncle had. This Is due to the w-k. radio policy of steering as far away as possible, from, con- troversy of any kind. Not only won't the radio take sides In any- thing, but won't let any person use its air to swing his own particular cudgel. ' This is a basic weakness in the setup which will prevent the 'public pulse' from becoming much of a factor In radio. At moat this pro- gram can become the radio counter- part of the newspaper 'Mr. Plx-It column through which' the public may complain that some alley Is being swept irregularly or that a street light lacks a hulb or that some street car line is running an unpopular schedule. These com- plaints are sent to the proper oBl clals by the newspaper or radio company and both the public and the interceding party hope for the best. This is about as much as this program has hope for, unless the radio listeners will be content to scribble their thoughts on spring weather, baseball or what to do for chilblains. But the large field of public In tere.st: municipal, state and national politics will have been held off at a distance. So will the questions of religion, sex, and the number, of complaints against Important figures in the national scene. In order to make it safe for the air. NBC will have to make it mamby-pamby.- And it may die of malnutrition.' Ross reads the letters and does a pleasant enough Job of It. He prom- ises to invite several of the public to. come up and read their own let- ters. But unfortunately, that would necessitate keeping the amateur an- nouncer away from his supper since his show falls at the doubtful hour of 0:45 p.m. GfoW. \ ROLLIE TRUITT K Sports Review 30 Mine. PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS KGW, Porltand. Gerber A Crossley A new program called Sports Views, Reviews and Interviews, is sponsored by the Peiidleton Woolen Mills of Portland over KGW. Writ- ten and produced by Dave Drum- mend, KGW-KEX start writer, .Sjjorts "Views, Reviews and Inter- views, brings to the'mlkc visiting celebrities in the world of spdrt and furnishes during, the half hour o£ its duration eiUeVtalning and com- prehensive coverage of the current news delivered In Rollle Truitt's friendly style. Pendleton Woolen Mills has long been a sponsor of sporting events, including wrestling matches. This program has a good deal of 'man ^^eal' and is clicking nicely. HOMICIDE SQUAD Ted Athey and Mark Daniels 30 Mins. COMMUNITY CREDIT KEX, Portland. Homicide Squad, the hair raising weekly show dramatization of crimes based on actual police records returned to the local ether, after a short absence, over KEX. The sponsor signed for another year of the popular police dramas which are attended each week by capacity studio audiences. These dramas have maintained a high average of entertainment dur- ing two and a half years on the sta- tion, bringing to Pacific Northwest radio a spectacular and vivid por- trayal of crime detection as well as perpetration. Thriller opens in true form with gun shots and screams over agitato music and proceeds forthwith to breath-taking drama and horror deluxe. Present chief of police Harry Xlles was the narrator for the first six months before he became chief. Touch oC authenticity served to K.timulate additional interest in the .show. Those who wish to see the program must have tickets wliich are obtained by application at the olHce of the sponsor, 'Community Credit," local loan company. The personnel of tlie cast changes from week to week but the two main chai actors remain the same, the parts being taken by Ted Athey and Mark Daniels. A good deal oE humor is injected into the script by author Drummond in the sliapc of arguments hetv/een tho two char- acters. This lightens the grim theme of the plays'. LADY BETTY , .. . ^ x.. With John Sheehan, Helen Hatha- way, and Johnny Finke'a String Ensemblei COMMERCIAL 30 Mins. WGY, Schenectady , ^ , Sponsored by a Schenectady bak- ing company this is possibly tlie most pretentious local commercial riding over WGT. It is a half-hour, once-weekly swing, on the 6:30-6 p.m. slot—:the only Uve-talenter of that length on station's log. Had been spotted on Monday for some time, but this week will bo switched to Thursday. An entertaining salvo, it could be made even more so, with a few changes. In present shape, broadcast seems tvO loosely knit, particularly in the case of the vocalists. Al- though a tenor and a soprano respectively, they do not duet for more than four or five bars at a time. In twosomes Sheehan and MIs9, Hathaway usually alternate choruses on solos, the tendency Is toward bunching. Thus oh shot heard, Sheehan dominated first part of program. Miss Hathaway saiig two consecutive solos in the middle, Sheehan soloed again, and the pair themed, each doing a few bars of plug. This arrangement, plus be- tween-chorus and solo blocks by ensemble, left an Impression of dis- jolhtedness, heightened by the grouping of selections In threes, with number tabbing and spieling regulated accordingly. Numbers, vocal and Instrumental, drawn from the pop, and picture fields. No musical operetta numbers heard, despite fact that singers and instrumental unit appear to be Ideally fitted for this type of selec- tions. Inclusion of such would be welcome as a change of pace. Sheehan posseses a pretty good tenor voice and a flair for ballads, but seems to lack versatility. Curiously, he clicked heaviest with a new song written by Pinke, pianist-leader. Titled "Don't Tou Mind,' a sob-torcher, and warbled with plenty of feeling by Sheehan. Here he flashed a fine falsetto. Miss Hathaway has a pleasing soprano. Neither volume nor range are unusual, but voice Is well suited to microphonic requirements. A slight tremolo mars, her singing, at times. Both vocalists have excellent diction, a poliit In their favor. En- semble playa straight and Jazz, do- ing surprisingly well with the latter, considering Instrumentation, Flnke angers the Ivories smartly and a cellist shows well. Also some facile strlng-plucklng. AdverUslng fairly heavy. In first part of program, but it is less per- sistent than on most locals, Themer short, is a bald pl«g. Announcer's tone a bit too booming for a quiet studl(> broadcast. joco. GREETINGS FROM OLD KEN With Harry Currie'a Orchestra, Dale Evans, Tommy Cunningham Muaie, Songa 30 Mins. Sustaining WHA8, Louisvilla Pioneer station of Kentucky has , an Important position as Columbia's most powerful Southern outlet, pipes this sustainer to the CBS net- work each Thursday, 4:30-6 o'clock EDST, with a colorful variety of vocal and instrumental music. At broadcast caught last Thurs- day (29), Harry Currie's orchestra, staff musicians, swung Into string arrangement of 'Old Kentucky Home,' followed by spirited rendi- tion of selections from 'Great Day.' Announcer then intros program, wafting over ether 'Good wishes from Louisville, where the South begins.' Highlights of the program were the rendition of 'Headin' Home' by a pleasant voiced baritone. Tommy Cunningham, and blues rhythms voiced by Dale Evans, new on WHAS, with harmony background supplied by the Romeos, a male trio. Orchestra's best opportunity came in playing of the Waring theme melody, 'Sleep,' and a xylophone novelty, effectively executed by Ted Otten, who manipulates the soft and hard hammers smoothly and with skill. Program contributes nothing new or outstanding, nor does it reflect anything In the way of Southern atmosphere or hospitality. How- ever,, the half hour evidently de- signed to feed CBS network with pleasant stanza of music easy' to listen, to, and if that Is the inten- tion, efforts as a whole are com- mendable. Wiede, FIELDS and HALL Songs, Comedy 15 Mins. Sustaining WEAF, New York Ai'thur Fields and Frank Hall arc a four times weekly 9:30 a.m. .shot on WEAF-NBC, etherizing Monday Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. In addition they're on the NBC Morning Parade. A pair of competent funsters, they make their robust vocalizing—all of which is more or less in lighter vein —incidental to their comedy. Their small talk is engaging; there is a thread of continuity to the g.asging. Instead of just being haphazard, and in between they break, it up with efCectlve humor. Withal, par- ticularly since it's a sustainer, a sturdy quarter hour for the a.m. period. Ahel. GRANDMA'S NIGHT OUT Pete. Reed, Steeplejack Hay Talk, Songs, Instrumental 30 Mins. Suataining WMCA, New York Cast of this weekly freak stunt consists of folks over 60 years old. It gives them opportunity to sing, read poetry; philosophize, play their favorite instruments or *cut any other capers they choose, Mrs. Emily Klein, secretary of the Brooklyn Three Score .and Ten Club, who shares the m.c. assignment with Announcer Don Kerr, also serves as the keynoter for the program. 'We are,' she says, 'referred to as old people going into their second child- hood. That's not true. We are old people enjoying their second youth. That's something difEerent,' Kerr's hardest task is stemming the flow of reminiscences once he gets one of his subjects started. They insist on sparing no details, regardless of ,how personal the mat- ter may be. It Is easy to Imagine the discomfort of the younger gen- erations seated around their loud- speakers. Into each program the station rings in a guestee or two from the ranks of show business, or the world of freak fame. Last week (30) it was Pete- Reed, vandevllllan and the father of Martha and Buddy Ray, and Steeplejack Hay. Reed dusted off some of the fave ballads of the Paul Dresser era, while Hay, who gave his age as 61, struck off a tune and gave 1ml tlons on his harmonica, ' Odec, KDYL AMATEURS With Ted Rogers, Dave Simmons 30 Mins. COMMERCIAL KDYL, Salt Lake City Neophyte contest extended to seven acts and put on the stage of the Paranjount theatre, is broadcast under sponsorship, KDYL program modeled along the same lines as Bowes' amateurs. Idea is to run seven acta each night for two weeks, with nightly winners being -selected into a special vaudeville unit which will appear at the Vic- tory, Salt Lake; Paramount, Provo, Utah; Orpheum, Ogden, Utah; Or- pheum. Twin Falls, Idaho; and Plri- ney, Boise. Idaho. Program reviewed Friday (30) was amateurish with a vengeance. However, localltes are deeply Im- bued with that brotherhood con- genlalty and let the performers oft easy. Salvos of applause greeted meagre talents. It's all pretty new out here. And what Salt Lake City doesn't know about the Inside stuff of the amateur eploltatlon is plenty Telephone - In - your-vote routine plugged after every number. Ted Rogers, veteran KDYL spieler, did the ringmasterlng. Rogers possesses a sense of humor and coupled with his snappy chatter- and repartee with the tyros, results sounded okay over the reidlo. Dave Simmons did an excellent Job plugging the com- mercial sponsor (Banquet Salad Dressing) and assisted Rogers, in handling the affair. No gong, but a huge tub rigged up to resemble a mike is used to divorce amaterus from further en- deavors. Two youthful stooges got laughs when getting the 'tubbing' from Rogers. Probably an arranged gag. Guss. 'GLOOM DODGERS' With Gary Temple, Dixie Mason, George Nelidoff, Pat and Her Boy Friends, Leonard Keller Orch. Sohqs and Music 90 Mins. DODGE AUTO WBBM, Chicago Ruthrauff & Ryan Every Sunday morning the Chi- cago Dodge dealers hop on this local Columbia station and pound away on the virtues of the auto in inter- vals stretched over 90 minutes, pos- sibbly the longest show on the air ■for any single commercial week after week. By sheer volume of plugging the show must reach listeners and the talk is suiflciently far spread apart so as to Insure a pretty steady listening audience. Of course, a large factor in the audience for this show is the lack of any real com- petition on Sunday morning; it's usually disc stuff or chatter, noth- irx^ that can stand lip against an aggregation of popular tunes by live talent. JCeller is doubling from the Bis- marck hotel for this Job and his or- chestra turns in a respectable Job of instrumentalizing. Nelidoff, Mason and Temple contribute bari- tone, soprano and tenor tunes, while the novelty harmonies are left to trio. Pat and Her Boy Friends. The latter are out of the ordinary run of vocal groups with their special arrangements and lyrics which make their numbers particularly diverting. Keller's violin solo work is also out- standing and would mean even more if he would do more novelty fiddling instead of straight sob stuff. Spotted In the running time is one 15-minute ether Dodge Bros, disc with Boswcll Sisters and Victor Young orchestra. Platter is Inserted into the program cleverly, the an- nouncement purporting to shift the show to New York for the pick-up of the eastern name talent. All iu all, a clean-cut live talent show that points a new wav for early morning broadcasts. Gold. COLGATE MYSTERIES With Richard Gordon, Olive Frost, Adelaide Klein, ' Dick Kolmar. Percy Hemus, Jean Paul King Sleuth Dramas 30 Mins COLGATE DENTAL CREAM WOR, New York Benton & Bowlea Formerly presented in two IB- mlnute sections with an hour and a half interval allowing listeners to telegraphically compete for prizes, this Colgate dentifrice show now returns as a half hour proposition. All things considered the 8traight.^ away ranks over the split-time set>: up for the following reasons: (1) The story has more time to develop and hence better produc-^ tlon values can be achieved. (2) The listener, once aroused, Is not placed at the disadvantage of having to wait tor the answer. (3) The advertiser renjoves the labor angle which arouses a minor- ity of prize-conscious persona but leaves the mass of listeners .un-^ moved and rather annoyed. Orchestral Interlude separates the laying down of the clues and the subsequent unravelment. Lis- teners are encouraged to discuss among themselves who the dirty villain is. This game angle is a good twist and calculated to offset distractions during the broadcast. Llstener.n cannot play bridge and listen to Colgate's program at ths same time. Commercial ballyhoo Is nicely handled by Jean Paul King, Chi- cago announcer recently trans- ferred to Manhattan. Cast is headed by Richard Gordon, whose voice la Ideal for' the siiper-sleuth. Prof. Fordney. The prof, has x-ray eyes and sees right through things. Gor-. don used to be Sherlock Holmes on the G. Washington program prior to refusal of a salary clip. Rest of players carried 'The Hand of Death' nicely, but sound effects were poorly done. Land, PILSNER TAVERN , With Ann Heath, Worth Kramer'a quartet, Henri Pildner Music, Songs. 15 Mins. ^ PILSNER BEVERAGE CO. WGAR, Cleveland Indirect, smooth manner Pilsner sells its product, using rollicking, old-time drinking tunes and half- dozen choice voices without any an- nouncers' blurbs, seta a new tempo in this program for other beer spon- sors to follow. Atmosphere of a colorful German tavern is quickly set by Worth Kramer's quartet as they open with •When Good Friends Get Together.' Worth has corking tenor, havlnff once been part of the Colleglana, and team Is nicely blended. Boys hit a ringing 'Student Prince' type of harmony in their stein songs, reviv- ing some old German and Irish favorites. Show is given a touch of class by clear, classical voice of Ann Heath. This gal has vocal polish. Takes lh» part of a tavern hostess and there's showmanship In manner she intro- duces each number. She steals tha show when she trills a ballad like 'Silver Threads Among the Gold' In tender tones. Most of the mod'ilated humor Is worked in by Henri Pildner, whiz on the Ivories, whoe imitation of a brcken-down, old-time piano Is nifty. He's a member of Cleveland Sym- phony Orchestra but can. switch to razz-matazz stuff as if he was born in a honky-tonk. Announcer wisely keeps his spiel short and snappy. Doesn't have to say much; drinking songs sell POC beer by power .of suggestion. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 7:15 p.m. for 15 minutes. Pullen. THE COUNTRY STORE Johnny McAllister, Loree Peacock, Don White and Clarence Etters. 15 Mins. Sustaining WBT, Charlotte, N. C. Johnny McAllister, who originated the WBT Country Store and has been writing and directing it through past seasons, has it back on the air for possible fail com- mercial use. He has improved It with a new cast. Only Johnny re- mains of the Country Store set-up of other seasons. As before, the show is set in a typical cross-roads country store, hence the name. It has to do with the comings and goings of the sort of group that usually hangs out at such a place. Much music is woven Into the script. This consists of hick songs, old time numbers, and the general line of 'country music' that has been recently popular, particu- larly in the south. The lines embrace wit and philosophy. REV. CLEM DAVIES, D.D, 30 Mins. Advice COMMERCIAL CFCT, Victoria, B. C. Dr. Clem Davles With his 'Timely Topics' each week day morning at 8 o'clock, is sponsored feature by ii local dentist. Program Is designed to give practical counsel to tho housewife in meeting problems sub- mitted for discussion and answered before the mike. Davles draws cap.-iclty houses on Sunday at one of Victoria's largest auditoriums. At his Sunday night meetings he also answers questions. Davies is one of oldest veterans of tlie air on the I'auidc coast.