Variety (Aug 1939)

TARIRTVS' IX>M>ON OFFICB • St. Martin's flucc, TrafulRur Bqoar* INTERNATIONAL RADIO Cnlile AddrrMt VARIETY LONDON 'i'elriiliuns Teiii|>le Bar 6041-5042 33 CAB to Aisk Relief From Govt's 10% Service Fee, But Pleas Look Hopeless Montreal, Aug. 29. Canadian Assn.' of Broadcasters met behind closed doors last week at the Mount Royal hotel here to determine means of approaching the Government broadcasting au- thorities with a view to getting re- lief from the 10% service charge, which will be imposed on private stations on subsidiary hook-ups be- ginning Sept. 24. Indications are that Harry Sedge- wick, president of the CAB, may make representations shortly to Ma- jor Gladstone Murray on behalf of the private broadcasters. Some of the out-of-town broadcasters ap- peared to be suffering from de- lusions, after the meeting, that the 10% service fee might not be hoist- ed. But a letter from the commer- cial department of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.,. advising agencies here of the impending Government takeover, apparently lends little sup- port for hopes of private stations. Official notice dated August 15 from the CBC to advertising agen- cies states clearly that 'Commenc- ing Sept. 23, as indicated by Dr. A. Frigon, the CBC commercial de- partment, in addition to arranging for wire line facilities, will book time on all stations required for subsidiary hookups. We would, therefore, ask you to be good enough to make application to the Commer- cial Departnrient for any sub.'sidiary hookup facilities required on behalf of your clients after the above date. 'AH subsidiary hookups running at the present time have been author- ized until Sept. 23 only and any re- newals should be booked through this department. In such in.ttances it is not the intention of the CBC to penalize the advertiser in the matter of frequency discount. Any subsid- iary hookup programs running at preseht "may—be-Te^WJked by this department with the stations con- cerned without affecting the fre- quency discount already earned. We would appreciate advertising agen- cies advising us as soon as possible of any renewals required <jp be- half of clients in order that we may make the necessary arrangements with the stations.' It appears from this that.pleas to the Government to alleviate the burden have slight chance of being granted. JAMES SHAW UPPED TO CFCF MANAGERSHIP Montreal, Aug. 29. James A. Shaw, formerly program director, was last week appointed manager of CFCF, according to an official announcement made by R. M. Brophy, general manager of the Canadian Marconi Co. Shaw, suc- ceeding V. F. Nielsen, who recently resigned to become general manager of the Radio Division of Jas. Rich- ardson Sc Sons, Winnipeg, is the first manager of CFCF to be selected from amongst the personnel of Cana- dian Marconi. He entered radio via the 'an- nouncing route, joining CFCF in 1931. Later was given charge of special events programs, and ap- pointed program director after that. Shaw has considerable legit as well as radio experience and took active part in fostering little theatre move- ment locally through connection with the Montreal Repertory Thea- tre, under stage name of Leonard Paul. Hogan With Mex Outlet Chicago, Aug. 29. Homer Hogan, formerly manager KYW when it was located in Chi- cago, and more lately midwest man- ager for Hearst Radio, was elected V. p. at Valley Broadcasting Co., Dallas, Texas, and will handle na- tional sales for XEAW, Reynosa,' Mexico, 100,000-watter. Will work ovit of Chicago, with" offices in Wrigley building. London Calling ♦ ♦»♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 4-f ■»■♦ Ernest Dudley, radio writer, sailed for New York to make contacts, but didn't get beyond Quebec as he was recalled by a lawsuit he had started for breach of copyright. Marlus Gorinf to play Harry Feversham in B.B.C. week-to-week version of 'Four Feathers'; Clive Baxter plays the hero as a boy in the first stanza, repeating his role in the Korda picture. Paul Robeson preemed in tele- vision (23). Toronto Star, Which Slaps Down Radio In News Columns, Woos It for Charity Tyrone Power got sidetracked into a brief midday spot when he showed up at BBC. Kraft Cheese has r-cnewed with International Broadcasting Co. for another year. All told it has been using Radio Normandy since 1935. Johnny Green, youngest radio per- former for British Broadcasting Corp., known as the pocket Bing Cro.sby, makes his vaudeville debut at Wood Green Empire for Stoll's, with rest of circuit to follow. BBC Finally Gets 'One Night of Love London, Aug. 22. Three years after British Broad- casting Corp. began dickering with Columbia for 'One Night of Love,' rights of the Grace Moore starrer have just been cleared and item is ^<atcd for ethering Sept. 26 and 27. Was originally planned for broad- casting in the spring, but was yanked within a week of the play- date due to copyright trouble. Grace Moore's part will be sung by Hella Toros, though another per- former will speak the dialog. Im- personator Michael Moore gets TuUio Carminati's part, and Douglas Moodie, who has produced eight lilm adaptations for radio, will whip the subject into shape. Presentation of another musical, 'The Poisoned Kiss,' has been temporarily shelved. Toronto, Aug. 29. That curious anomaly whereby the Toronto Daily Star, Canada's great- est daily newspaper in point of cir- culation, has slugged radio news and ploughed under its ether-gossip col- umn, but yet appeals to radio and picture talent to lift it out of the hole in. Fresh Air Camp appeal, was again presented over the weekend, when screen and radio personalilie.s were drafted for personal appear- ances. On the radio end, Jessica Drago- nette, of NBC, did some warbliTig and submitted to television tests publicly acclaimed as under the sponsorship of the Toronto Daily Star. Shirley Ross, of Paramount Pictures, was elected to represent the flicker industry. The daily did not pay their expenses. The three rival dailies d)d not even announce that the Misses Ross and Dragonette were in town. Even casual newspaper readers noted the omission and raised quizzical eye- brows at this latest indication of a provincial outlook. The ether appeal brought in the exact figure of $5,939, a new record for the Fresh Air Fund and toppin.a that of last year by $400. when Mary Pickford was the draw. Toronto stations donated their time. CKCL carried the .show from 8 p. m. tc midnight; CBL for the same period, except for a 11-11:15 p. m. layoff: CFRB from 9-10:50 p. m. and 11:10 p. m. to midnight. All musician."; ap- peared without pay on order of the Toronto Musical Protective Assn. The Eaton Auditorium, scene of the broadcast, kicked in its b.o. percent- age of more than $800. Journalistic hand-outs included a' Deanna Durbin dress, autographed baseballs donated by Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, the costume jewelry donated by Bette Davis, which she had worn in 'Juarez,' a gown worn by Hedy Lamarr in 'Lady of the Tropics,' a dress worn by Andrea Leeds in "They Shall Have Music,' personal jewelry from Irene Hervey, [Alice Faye, Dorothy Wilding, ori;;i- nal water-color sketches by Wwlt Disney, the green suede leather jerkin worn by Errol Flynn in I 'Robin Hood.' 24-HOUR BROADCAST USING 1,500 ACTORS Mexico City, Aug. 29. Novelty in the way of a radio j broadcast, that of 1,500 air entertain- ! ers giving a continuous performance for 24 hours over a network of 36 of Mexico's most important stations, is be:ng prepared by the Parly of the Mexican Revolutir i, dominant po- litical organization, to demonsti'ate how important radio is down here —and as a political plug. The fiesta, which is expected to be sprung Sept. 16, Mexico's In- dependence Day, will also be filmed. 136 Mex. Stations Mexico City, Aug. 2f). Mexico's radio sta ions numbered 136 as of Aug. 1, according to the ministry of communications and public works. Of these stations, 99 are active. Total stations last Nov. I were 108. Groe & Pitcher Reorg Groe & Pitcher agency, radio reps of Toronto, has reorganized and changed its name to Radio Center, Ltd. Outfit has taken new offices and added David Fenn in an execu- tive spot. Setup now has Groe heading lh< home office and Pitcher dominating* a branch in'Calgary. George Robey, by arrangement with Tivoli Theatres, doing a weekly air session for the Australian Broad- casting Commission. STAGE SCREEN RADIO DONNA FEATURED WEEKLY ON THE OLD GOLD PROGRAM wHh ARTIE SHAW TUESDAY, 9 P.M., EDST—NBC BLUE NETWORK Thanks to ROCKWELL-GENERAL AMUSEMENT CORP-