Variety (May 1941)

82 RADIO REVIEWS Wcdnesdaj, May 14, 1941 •THE WORLD'S BEST' frUta Helen ClKire, HenrletU. CrM- man, - Rlohard Kendriek, Frederlo Toxare, Irene Hnblwrd, Felcr Cai>- pel, Alfred Smiley Drama 30 Mlns. Sustalnins ^ Thursday, 8:30 p.m. WJZ-NBC, New York NBC debuted this series last Thursday night (8) with an air and a method that bespoke a high degree of skill in every department. The line-reading was finished, the direc- tion by Arthur F. Hanna sure- handed and well-thought-out and the scripting made Ranald R. -Mac- Dougall ■ worthy ol especial spotr lighting. MacDougall, a staff NBC writer, may be tree with his adapta- tion, but he does know how to tell a crystal-clear story, highlight a dra- matic touch, keep his characteriza- tions deftly balanced and maintain mood. For the Initial program Mac- Dougall dusted off a well-known tale from the works of Honore Balzac. He titled it "The Boom Without a Door." It's the story of the sardonic hu-sband who walls up the dressing- room of his wife's chamber beltev- inc that it conceals her lover. The ' ite in time goes mad, but the hus- '-nd to his dying day is kept in . ■ lubt about the presence of anyone in that walled compartment. The radio narrative was projected with the use of the flashback technique, an old servant relating what had happened to the wife's nephew who visits the scene after all the princi- pals are dead, and the production packed all the roystery and desola- tion that the plot Implied. . Outstanding contributions in the cast came from Helen Claire as the wife Henrietta Crosman as the old servant and Richard Kendriek as the husband. Even the incidental music showed far more than average care In matching, the score to dramaUc mood. • Odec. THOSE WHO HAVE MADE GOOD' With Clifford Bnrdette, Canada Lee, Jnanlta HaU Choir 15 Minn. Sustain ins Sunday, 6:4S pjn. WNYC. New York _ New series started Sunday (11) via WNYC, New York. It's called 'Those Who Have Made Good,* and tells the success stories of outstand- ing Negroes. Obviously Inclined to appeal most strongly to Negroes, It should nevertheless get a reasonable " follolwing from all groups on its own strength, as well as from the fact that there's not too much competi- tion at that particular hour. Among the 10 Negro subjects of the shows ■re genuine^ impressive figures. If the scripts and production measure tip, the programs, should ^rove In- spiring. linitial stanza dealt with Canada l*e, .who plays the lead In Orson Welles' production of the Paul Green-Richard Wright rafcial drama ^lative' Son,' currently at the St, James, N. Y. In an interview with Clifford Burdette, the actor told of his career as violinist. Jockey, prize fighter, WPA acttfr, climaxed by his meeting Welles and getting oppor- tunities in the Negro 'Macbeth^ and 'Native Son.' Also "paid tribute to "^orothy and DuBose Heyward, hose plays have provided Negroes ith strong acting parts Instead of the chauffeur and parlor maid roles they had previously been offered. FoUowing the autobiographical ses- sion, I«e revealed that he may play the title part fai a production of 'Othello' planned by Welles. He then gave a curiously passionless and In- •rt reading of a monolog 'passage Kom the Snakespeare tragedy. Burdette authored th» scnpt and Vas m.c. Juanlta Hall Choir pro- vided musical backgrounds. Sl- telius's familiar Tlnlandla,' with in- distinguishable special' words, was Vie musical theme. . Hobe, 'COLLEGE UDMOB' With Franklyn MoCormIek, TirgtoU VerrlH, Mtarlln Hurt,- Linn Borden, Tom Wallace, Bob Stronc's orches- tra 30 Mlns. BROWN & WILLIAMSON TO- BACCO CORP. Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. WOAI, San Antonio, and Regional (RusseU M. Seeds Co.) Program is paced smartly by m.c. Tom Wallace, better kno\frn as Uncle Walter.' Songs, are neatly done Ijy songstress Virginia Verrill, while Bob Strong and his orchestra give out smartly. Comedy is sup- plied by Marlin Hurt via his vocal creation of the colored mammy 'Beulah,' and Linn Borden. ■ Program is divided into three sec- tions. First presents a dramatic sketch, idea of which is sent in by listeners dealing with some campus escapade. Winning Idea receives a check for $50. Second portion is a musical bow to a college or univer- sity. On program caught • it was Georgia. University or college is invited to send in votes to be re- cipient of the following week's bow. Concluding five minute portion of broadcasts are taken over by Linn Borden in a monolog dealing with life in the army. Borden's stint Is capable of garnering nice laughs. Good too, was Marlin Hurt and his mythical 'Beulah,' the colored mammy who tries to get a job as housekeeper of the campus house. Commercials are for Raleigh Ciga- rettes during the first 25 minutes, and are rendered by Franklyn Mc- Cormick. Concluding five mmutes is for Sir Walter Raleigh Smoking Tobacco. Andy. FoEow-Up Commeiit While Jack Benny's own 10th An- niversary show Sunday night (11) I had a touch of the serio-comic, Fred Allen's rib on his favorite hecklee- comcdian was 100% zany. Much in I the Broadway manner of roasting the toast-of-honor, the radio switcheroo : under Allen's aegis ran the whole gamut by totally ignoring Benny. Mayor Bidey Talcott of Waukegan I spoke with understandable civic pride of new Industry that has come to Waukegan; its famed landmarks; even it$ most famed citizen, a star catcher on the Chi Cubs—but nary a word of Benny. Oh yes, as a foot- note, he did remember Benny, but that explains why he is now EX- mayor of Waukegan. Amos 'n' Andy gave the Jell-O pr6gram a salute with a Harlemesque tribute to 'that sterling comedian, Rochester.' Phil Harris, Mary Livingstone, Don Wilson all got recognition, and even' 'Mr. (Sam) Lyons' their agent, with, an dththentic early Lyons & Lyons brogue, got a salvo. But for Benny it was strictly the ' Fullerbrush. Portland Hofla's "poem,' a running gag through the script, was shunted aside until the finale. It was, by and large, a bright program, painting the sentimental touch from a lam- pooning palette. JEAN CAVELL Songs 15 Mlns. Sustainlnf Sat., 8 p. m. WJZ, New. York , „ ^ Cavell takes what could easily be an average quarter-hour of tunes out of the ordinary by the simple device of starting his time off with a 'phone call' to a distant woman friend and thereafter directing his romantic ballads and poems in that direction. It forms a pleasing por- tion, particularly for femme listen-' ers, who undoubtedly go for the slight French accent. He sounds at times like Charles Boyer. His vocals are nicely delivered with adequate power and range. 'Tunes used were neatly varied, too, beginning with "Time and Time Again' to 'You Betcha My Life,' slightly rhythmic, 'Amapola' in French, and 'Do I Worry.' Poem was titled "Three Shadows.' Cut-off comes when phone operator says 'you asked me to remind you when your time was up.' Wood •ROGER BROWN'S RADIO BALL- ROOM' Discs 1 Hour 45 Mlns—^Local Dally, 9 pjn. WBNY, Baffalo First try at nighttime disc-spin- ning here is p\i\ on by Roger Brown, mikewlse lad from WMK, Cleveland. He's a freelancer whose two-hour stint (broken into for news at 10 p:m.) goes hea'vy on plugs for local houses slipping him records, etc. All in all, it's easy-to-listen stuff. Brown is a carbon-copy of Mar- tin Block, Stan Shaw, et al., whose twist is spinning most of his platters to rhyme. Such as 'let's go for a romp with the King Porter Stomp.' Station has ASCAP license, which simplifies matters and gives him some rhyming latitude. Breaks it. Into a quarter-hour for each band. It there's a fault, it's tiiat t(« breaks it too much, peaking In an occa- sional solo disc-^'whif* the band Is haying intermission.' M.jC. has punchy, jovial style. Drawing neat audience' from any so-so web shows opposite on oOier outlets. Betz. James Marshall, prez of New York City Board of Education, caused Judge Hamilton Hicks, of the Ameri- can Legion, to gulp loud enough to be heard coast to coast in the final minutes of a recent Town Hall (NBC Blue) discussion on school text books. The session was over- charged with personalities and each of four speakers was, in his way, a master of platform tricks. • Hicks himself was a smooth, assured speak- er who scored his points by constant reiteration. It was when Marshall began baiting him on who he spoke for, the rank and file or a small handfuU of the Legion, that the prize 'touche' of the evening was scored. Marshall said he doubted if the full Legion stood behind all its spokes- men, and as a clincher he referred to a former national commander (Owsley), who he quoted as having said in 1933: 'Don't forget the Italian fascist! is to Italy what the American Legion is to the U.S.A.' Hicks' lame but quick changing of the subject drew an outcry from the audience. Despite the rancor and name-call- ing, the whole session threw much light on the controversial issue and should serve a democratic purpose in lifting the matter out of the obscure backyard of pedagogic and pressure- group politics and careerism. Norman Brokenshlre is now read- ing the AP 'news dispatches on a regular 5:15 p.m stanza Mondays through Fridays over 'WNEW, New York. He has much of the warmth and that made hini one of the top- notchers of early radio and, as heard Thursday (1), handled the session smoothly. Doesn't attempt any com- ment on the news, but merely does a reading job. JOCKO MAXWELL Sports Talk IS Mlns. Sustaining Saturday. 6:45 p.m. WWBL, New York Jocko Maxwell, reputed to be the only Negro sportscaster regularly on the air, has a regular spot Saturday nights over WWRL in Woodside, suburb of New York City. Revealing hiii years of mike experience, he scampers through a bright and listen- able session of assorted sports chat- ter. Has ease, style and clarity. When caught (10), he touched on that day's running of the Preakness, summarized the results of the New York teams' games, and- then the other big league baseball scores. After this he gave brief attention to college baseball, the.previous night's Soose-Overlin fight (called them a 'couple of stumble-bums'), golf, col- legiate rowing, minor - league base- ball, Negro baseball and stuff about local diamond teams in. that area of Long Island. Named the Brooklyn Dodgers as the 'star of the week' and handled a guest interviewee capably. Excellent going for an obscure local station- off the main New York artery. Maxwell is said to have a sizable following in Harlem and other Negro communi- ties, though his stuff is calculated to extend beyond racial lines. Kobe. Dance,' accompanying herself on piano. Kaye's 'So You Want to Lead a Band' contest proved one of the high spots of the hour. Leader han- dles his examination of the back- ground of the various contestants in an easy manner, getting the most out of answers to his queries. Looise KInf, ne>vcomer to New York radio, debuted Sunday (11) as featured femme vocalist on 'Meet the Music,' which has moved to an afternoon spot on CBS. She has an infectious rhythm style, distinctive phrasing, clear diction and, except on her higher notes, a soothing voice. Did two numbers, one a solo and the other an alternating duet with m.c.-conductor-vocallst Lyn Murray.. Bob Hannon, featured male vocalist on the show, has a pleasantly melodi- ous voice. Heard on Sunday's edition was a pulsating tune, 'Infatuation,' the first composition of announcer Jeff Sparks. Murray's handling of the program continues to be expert Perry Lafferty is now directing. Thomas L. Thomas turned in an incandescent singing performance Sunday (11) night on 'American Album of Familiar Music' as sub for ailing Frank Munn. Teamed with Vivian della Chiesa in a duet from 'PagUacd' that had the kUocycles throbbing. Jean Dickinson also clicked emphatically in an aria from 'Mignon.' As usual, the program was skillfully produced. Dou glas Way, announcer of WWRL, Woodside, L. I., made a re- vealing admission during the pre- midnight news program Tue^ay (6) night After reporting that 'Dor- othy Thlmpson' (sic) had been guest of honor at a banquet that night at the Astor hotel, N. Y., he referred to the columnist by her correct name of Thompson tiiroughout the balance of the item. He tiien apologized for the slip, explanihg it was due to a misprint—thereby apparently con- fessing he hadn't read over 'ttie script even once in advance. Elsa Maxwell and the duo-pianists Fray and Braggiotti provided a pass-' able show Saturday (10) night as guests on 'Duffy's Tavern.' Gimmick of Miss Maxwell's appearance was a theoretical party to celebrate the Duffys 25th wedding anniversary. It had a few chuckles and finally was built into a mild laugh climax. Miss Maxwell is stlU an amateur micro- phone performer. Tray and Brag- giotti uncorked a sidgle number— quite peppery. Shirley Booth aigain clicked as Miss Duffy, while Eddie Green capitalized on some lively dialog, and John Klrby's orchestra was combustible as always. Ed Gardner supplied momentum for tiie slyiw as a whole. •Matinee at Meadowbcook' on CBS past Saturday (10) afternoon had soma pretty flat dialog in 'com- parison to past shows originating there. There was nothing funny a[l>but the forced manner in •vi/hlch Jackson *Wheeler acted out the guy who had two romantic gals on his hands at once, and the performance of Joan Edwards and Jone Allison am tha two femmes didn't help the supposed comedy.. In addition dance teacher Arthlir Murray, guest on the show, made a habit of messing up his lihes, at one point even stopping completely and blurting that he couldn't figure tha script However, tha faulty handling of the spoken lines didn't disturb the Sammy Kaye band's interpretation of practical^ every BMI tune on the books, and* the bbnd's click chorus- ixif of <Daddy.' ^Mlss Edwards did okay, too, with 'Amapola' and 'Kerry Cornelia Otis Skinner was In im- pressive fettle Sunday (11) afternoon on WNYC, New York. First of two solo pieces was a vividly eloquent portrait 'Sunday Driving.' Told through the pathetic chatter of a crude Brooklyn mother, the piece presently painted a complete picture of the surly father and the nagging kids, all tired from a day's drive and all unloading their shrinking patience on her sagging, but maternal and somehow noble shoulders. It was brilliantly conceived and played. Second selection was the classic and therefore too-familiar mercy speech from The Merchant of Venice.' Bristol Choir, in its regular spot Sunday (11) afternoon oh WNYC, New York, mangled the helpless re- mains of Gilbert & Sullivan, Piece was a half-hour version of The Gondoliers' and sounded almost like intentional burlesque. With D'Oyly Carte recordings regularly available on WQXR, there appears little point m such pathetic attempts as th&. - TEATRO NACIONAL (Mexican) With Miguel Montemayor, Lata Astoi, Stela India, Mayor Maury Maverick, Don Francisco de F Jimlnet, Alfonso Garca, G. a! Lttoheese, Rosa Maria, Tete Cue- vas, GAIIIermo Viveros, Espcranza Espino, Hermanos Martiner, Pearl Tronbadora (3), Anegllna and Tono Variety ' 90 Mlns.—Local NATIONAL THEATRE Dally, 4:00 pja. KABC, San Antonio (In Spanish) KABC has programs from Span- ish-speaking Nacional theatre here Later broadcasts will originate from studios to be built atop the house. At present they're aired from the KABC studios. Entire program Is in Spanish, and reaches an estimated ^ne (Mexican) audience of 125,(W0. All live talent ^hows are a rarity here. Theatre brings in Mexican film and other personages. This kick-off had Miguel Lalito Monte- mayor, comedian «nd character ac- tor, as guest emcee. Lalo Astol, with Mexican show biz antecedents, was commercial .announcer. Stela India, star of the Mexican picture, 'Mala Yerba,' was the headlmer. Turned into a radio offering It proved a well balanced show of vo- cals, piano solos, poetry recitals and several humorous and dramatic sketches. Guest artists on the show were Rosa Maria, Cuban singer via XEQ, Mexico City; Tete Cuevas, pianist from station XEW; Gulllermo Vive- ros, Mexican City tenor; Esperanza Espino, local vrarbler, Hermanos Martinez of station KRIS, Corpus Christi; the Pearl Troidiadors and the team of AnegUna and Tono. Highlights of the first week's broadcasts were the informality of Montemayor as announcer and his sketches with Lalo Astol and Con- cha Espana dealing with the last days of Ruben Dario, famous Latin- American poet A special sendoff was given the broadcast with Mayor Maury Mav- erick congratulating the sponsors; Don Francisco de P. Jiminez, Mexi- can consul general in San Antonio, Alfonso Garza, prez of the Mexican Chamber of Commerce and G.A. Lucheese, owner and operator of the Nacional theatre, were also heard in brief talks. Shows are presented by Haul A, Cortez and directed by Nathan Safir. Andy. 'COLORADO 5PEAKS' 15 Mlns. Sustaining Wednesday, 7:1S p.m. KLZ, Denver. This is expressly a goodwill pro- gram designed to build cooperation between Colorado weeklies' and dailies and KLZ. Consists of edi- torial excerpts from state press, opening and closing with some of the witticisms gleaned during the week. Idea was developed by Fred Fleming, news editor and various members of the news staff and an- nouncers take turns in clipping , the exchanges and building the broad- cast Editors are notified when their copy is used, and excellent publicity results are seen from this angle. An interesting sidelight or two has come from the few broadcasts the program has had to date. One is that in trying to select a theme song It was discovered that every Colorado song of any quality was ASCAP, and since the station uses only BMI, a theme having no immediate signifi- cance was used.. Another is iJiat maybe some of the editors ^re get- ting credit for more than they pro- duce. A poem about the war start- ing 'Ten little .countries feeling very fine, Adolph ogled Austria—then there were nlne.'^was credited to a Colorado weekly on one of the broadcasts. This week the poem is being" printed 'in a Denver high school paper, with a crecllt to the Boston Herald. Rose Intermountain Marktt pMpb |H^«f«rtlie livaly lie ■II ■inrfii