Variety (Apr 1942)

36 RADIO 'Wednesday, April 1, 1942 FronUhe^Production Centres l/V YORK CITY . . . The Radio Tb/vde Is Discussing: Realignment of Klauber and Kesten at CBS—Appearance of a special publicity release from C.A.B. re- porting Shirley Temple's first rating for P & G—This vear's Ohto State Institute for Education bv Hadio and its crouided schedule—the Win- ning of a Peabody award by 'Against the Storm'.' Keene Gnrekett and Jerry McGee are sound .nen on 'This Is War,' and Charles C. Grey is engineer . . . Clayton Collyer succeeded James Flemmg as announcer on The Goldbergs' , . . He's also doing the New York cut-in commbrcials on The Bartons' ... Bob Brown continues to announce the Chicago origination of the latter show . . . Marian CRufus') Crane, Dinah Shore's secreUry, bedded with a severe cold . .. Tom Revere, Bates agency radio head, vacationing in Virginia this week . . . Eddie Dunham succeeded Jack Meakin as producer of the Ted Steele show on NBC-Red, with Eddie Birnbryer picking up the scripting assignment from Ranald MacDougall. .. . With author-actor Scott Farnworth in the army, the Saturday morning 'Jones and I' series goes oflE CBS this week (4). Warren Hull replaced the ailing Wally Butterworth on Monday night's (30) 'Vox Pop' show on CBS for Bromo-Seltzer . . . Ranald MacDougall, whose resignation from the NBC-RED script staff became effective this week, has authored a Cavalcade type program being auditioned for Mutual Life Insurance and is also writing recorded shows for NBC and the Rocke- feller committee , . . Dr. Manuel R. Piore, CBS television engineer, re- signed to become senior physicist of the Bureau of Ships, in Washington. .. . Oscar Bradley succeeds Mark Warnow as arranger-conductor for 'We, the People' when the show returns to the air April 28 for Gull oil . . . George McGarrett Is the definite successor to Sam Fuller as director of the Kate Smith show, efitective next week (10 . . . Hendrik Booraem prob- ably returns to New York and will be assigned to direct some other pro- gram when the Screen Guild Show folds for the season . . . Ted Sherdeman Is slated to direct Those We Love,' the Eddie Cantor summer replace- ment . . . Elizabeth Wayne, Mutual correspondent in Batavia, arrived Sat- urday (4) in New York . . . She's-the wife of Jack Raleigh, CBS rep In Sydney. Hattle Richardson, guesting tonight (Wednesday) on 'Basin Street' via the Blue, was formerly on the Bob Ripley show when it was commercial. . . . Then she used her- stage, name, Linda Lee . . . She's also using the Linda Lee tab for her current appearance in the legit musical, 'It's About Time,' at the Barblzon-PIaza hotel . . . Bet^ Winkler replaced Ann Shep- herd as title-lead of 'Joyce Jordan' ... 'Cavalcade of America' moves Monday (6) from 7:30-8 pjn. to 8-8:30 p.m. Mondays on the Red . . . Alan Ward, CBS production man, to become a father in May'. . . Basil Lough- rane succeeded Gordon Graham as director of 'Maudie's Diary' on CBS. . . . Some unportant shifts are due on the 'Vox Pop' show for Bromo- Seltzer.. Dorothy Gentile, of the Radio Registry stafT,'guested last night (Tuesday) on 'What's My Name?' . . . Bert Prager, of Benton & Bowles, back from the Coast. . . Kirby Hawkes, of the same agency, due back soon ... Gil- bert Ralston, network program supervisor of the Compton agency, back this week alter several months on Coast . . . Eileen Donohue, reader (for company policy) of NBC script department for last 10 years, leaves April 15 to devote full time to being Mrs. Robert Schlichter . . . Patsy Campbell,' radio actress, did a short film for the OCD . . . Martin Gabel, actor and legit producer, devoting every afternoon to making shortwave recordings for the Donovan committee . . . Nelson Case and Bright Welst working with Civil Air Patrol Paul Stewart succeeded Radcliffe Hall as narrator of 'Let's Fight,' which Richard. McDonagh scripts and Lee Jones produces for WEAF 'Dr. I.Q.' switches frdm sponsor^ip Monday (6) from Mars candy to Vitamins Plus (Vicks Chemical) and moves a half-hour later to 9:30-10 p.m. Mondays on the Red . . . Grant remains the agency . . . Lisa Sergio now sponsored Tuesdays^ Thursdays by ToiAorrow mag and continues Monday, Wednes- day, Friday bankrolling by Botany mills, 'on WQXR . . . Todd Russell, brougbt to New Vork by Procter & Gamble .last week to sub as announcer on three of its serials, may be shifted from Montreal permanently if and when there's an opening on the company's shows and if the imigration situation is okay . . . George Maynard ,assistant chief of the NBC-Red production staff, In charge of musical programs, to be Inducted into the army April 9 . .', Four others of the network's production stafl called for their final physiral exams. Arch Oboler's''Plays for Americans', series moves Sunday (5) an hour later to 5:30-6 'p.m. on the Red, with Rosemary De Camp guesting on this week's stanza . . . Neither Richard McDonagh, writer, nor Ted Corday, producer, of the NBC's 'Down Mexico Way,' has ever.been there . . . Proc- ter te Gamble adds 16 stations to its 'Goldbergs' hookup and moves the serial frpm 5:15-5:30 to 2:45-3 p.m. on CBS, effective MOnday (6), for Duz soap; powder . . .. Leslie Howard replaced Stanley Maxstead as m.c. of the English origination of the BBC shortwave series, 'Answering You,' heard in New York on WNYC and by recording on various Mutual stations in the U. S. . . . Radio Registry's clients in the service will continue to be listed on its regular talent roster, with a star beside their names to indi- cate they're not available at present . . . Idea Is to keep the actors' names active while the men are away. Joe Hasel succeeds Ed Dooley as sports announcer Tutsday, Thursday, Saturday nights on WNEW . . . Bob Considine has the stint Monday, Wednesday, Friday . . . Roy Messner the new secretary to Alfred Wallen- st6in, musical director of WOR . . . She was formerly in the office of John C. Wilson, legit producer . . . Bill McGrath, WNEW production chief, back at work after 10-day illness . .. Estelle M. Stemberger, who formerly aired twice-weekly news comment on WQXR, starts Monday (6) a daily series, 'The Washington Front,' from the Capital . . . Other daily com- mentators on the same station are Lisa Sergio and Qulncy Howe . . . Bill Bems, HoUywood reporter on WNEW, extended from three to six times weekly . ., Edward J. Content, WOR assistant chief engineer, returned to duty after Tin appendectomy . , ,. Peg La Centra guesU tomorrow night (Tbursdayi -OD the-Frank-Far show.' PAYROLL TRAFHC Fort Worth.-Jack Colp has Joined announcing' staff' of KFJ2;. SparlanburK, S. C—First Lleiit. Roy A. Powell, Spartanburg, former manager of WCOS, Columbia, S. C, assigned to duty with 29th division, Fort George Meade, Maryland. Chlcato—WJJD Sales force has brought in-W. K. Bailey, formerly commercial manager of WCAR, Pon- tiac, (Mich). Montreal—Johnny Winter Trosty,' CFCF announcer, has left station to Join R.CA.F. at Manning Pool Depot, Toronto, taking radio-locator course. Don Wilson, C3C announcer, re- signed from. Montreal Canadian Broadcasting Corp. stations, to 'take up appointment at CJOR, Vancouver. WIchlU, Kas.—KFBI has added David Mackey, formerly KOMA, Oklahoma City, as continuity writer and announcer. Jon Dixon, from KFNF, Shenan- doah, la., is In traffic department, and also announces. Steve .Wooden, formerly with Rambling Cowboys of Texas Quality Network, has rejoined unit at KFBI now known as Zeke Williams Rambling Cowboys. Lloyd 's. Fuller has been appoint- ed director of grocery merchandis- ing. 11^ HOLLYWOOD.., The Radio Trade Is Discussing: That cracfc by a film biggie at the recent -HollifiDOod Victory Committee meeting that there are no radio producers here capable of handling a big government, show. (He sucr- geated that the Job be done bv a film director.)—the toild guessing in agency circles on 'what of the sunimer .. . and fall?' Phillips Carlin, program boss for the Blue, stopped off long enough to let the lads know that he wanted more programs from here . . . Hal Styles commissioned a 'Minute Man' speaker for Treasury Department to hop up the sale of bonds and stamps . . . 'We the People' will span the summer stretch.for Gulf oil. No decision yet on final quarter renewal of Screen CiuUd Theatre . . . Johnny Greene met the characters in 'Blondle' and now back In New York to write about them . . . Walter Johnson returns to MCA to handle radio clients when Screen Guild folds for the summer. He has been booking the talent'. , .'Gil Ralston installed Bob Wamboldt as Coast rep of the Compton agency and hustled back to New York. Outfit has the Ransom Sherman pi:,ogram on CBS . .. J. . Walter Thompson made a big publicity pitch by asking Col. 'Wild Bill' Donovan, U.S. Coordinator of Information, to play himself in the Lux airing April 5 of 'The Fighting 69th' ... Bill Kennedy gave up announcing at KHJ to become an actor at Warners . , , Old squawk making the rounds again that ducats to net- work shows are falling Into the hands of unscrupulous persons, who peddle them for as little as 10c a pair. USD if supposed to get a fat block of LoDlsvllle. — Hal Newell Joined WGRC, New Albany-Louisville, as sports director. Comes from WCAU, Philadelphia. Boston. — Margaret Matthews In WEEI publicity department as aide to Walter J. Murphy. Robert E. White, WBZ-WBZA an- nouncer, has been named chief of the staff and will also head announcing department of WBOS, shortwaver, and of new Westinghouse F-M sta- tion W67B, which started operation Sunday (29). In addition, he will assist in program production. Three new announcers have been added to WBZ: Streeter Stuart, who formerly headed WBOS (short wave station) Spanish Department; Carl- ton Ide, previously spieler with WGAN, Portland, Me., and WKNE, Keene, it. H.: Carl deSuze, from WGAN, Portland, Me. Waterbnry, Conn.—Tom Jay Joined announcing staff at 'WBRY. Hartford.—Carl Milner of WDRC iransmltter staff left to work for Government in civilian, technical post. Plitsbnrch—Wdy McCooI, former announcer at 'WHP, Harrisburg, Pa., has joined the WCAE staff here. Jim Maley, In charge of WSTV's studios in East Liverpool, O., joined the army last week and has been re- placed by' Paul Fisher. Ray Ackler, formerly with an FCC monitoring post, has been add- ed to the WCAE engineering stafl. Same station lost four men to Uncle Sam last.week. Herb Morrison, for- mer announcer and more recently of merchandising staff, was commis- sioned a first lieutenant in air corps; Chester Clark, announcer, became a flying cadet; Bob Cochrane, another spieler, was inducted into army and Walter Glaus, of technical staff, left for Marine. Corps. Worcester—Bob Martin has Joined announcing staff of WTAG, replac- ing Bill Brennan who has gone to ^ Radio Daffodils ^ Ft. Worth—A program that has no trouble with AFRA or tempera- mental artists Is WBAB's 'Thirty Minutes Behind the Prison Walls,' which last week celebrated four years In stir at the Texas State Prison. Station computes 83,200 miles have been traveled by Its engineers. But the actors, convicts all, have no such interesting mileage to rejJbrt. Dnlotb—John W. Miller, who retired from radio work several yean ago to raise goats, has returned to WEBC as promotion director. Longview, Texas—KFRO has discontinued using , the National Anthem, 'The Star Spangled Banner,' for signing the station 'on and off each day. The program, department has instead selected the 'Eyes of Texas.' Cleveland.—Carl Murk of WCLE climbed a fake Indoor tree at the American-Canadian Sportsmen's Show here for the purpose of 'Interview- ing' a raccoon. The raccoon was real if the radio stunt was slightly unreal. The collapse of the fake tree, the real raccoon and the uninhibited an- nouncer was not on the schedule. Everybody enjoyed themselves a lot laughing as Mark was carried off the floor to the local hospital where he will recover. Mexico City—A program designed to make entertainment of the witty sayings, songs and tribal cries of parrots has flopped on XEW, and the sponsor, Sidney Boss, has abandoned the whole undertaking. The parrots developed acute mike fright. CBS in New York. Martin comes to WTAG from WAAT, Jersey City, where he was chief announcer. Kansas City—Felix Adams, who resigned as program director of KMBC March 1, becomes program director at WIBC, Indianapolis. ■ New announcer at KMBC Is Harry Douglas, In from WMT, Cedar Rap- ids, Iowa, where he was known as Sherwood Durkin.' Lou Kemper also comes over to KMBC from WHB. Brad Barton has left announcing stalt of KMBC to join KWTO, Springfield, Mo., where he'll, resume as Barney Corson. Minneapolls-^ack Hirschboek, of WMFGk Hibbing, Minn., has been appointed prograir • director of WLOL here. Replaces Robert Sut- ton,, who has Joined the U. S. Naval Reserve. Bim • Dawson, who recently re- signed as WCCO assistant produc- tion manager, Is now at the naval air base here training to be an en- sign. Lynohborg, Va.—Charles Ballou, formerly with WSVA, Harrisonburg, Va., has joined WDBJ, Roanoke, Va., as announcer. He succeeds Hermann Adklns who goes to WAIR, Winston- tSalem, N. C, as production manager.' LonbTille. — Livingstone Gilbert subbing for Don Hill, sports an- nouncer on WA'VE, while Hill Is in Florida covering the Louisville Colonels spring training. Gerald Fordyce now member of WGRCC announcing staff. Bill Thorpe, WGRC chief en- gineer, Joined WCKY, Cincinnati, as control operator. MUt Helmerdinger, WGRC en- gineer has joined the Navy. . Changes at WINN Include besides new general ma nage r I. J. Jacquler coming from KITE, Kansas CIty> New announcers David Wellman Rhoades from WSAU, Wausau, Wis., and Howard Carlson, from WGRC, Louisville. Percy Friedlander Is new production manager of the station. Tonncstown, O. — Keith Jameson, recent addition to WKBN, coming from 'WMBD, Peoria, promoted to news editor. New York City.—James S. Taylor, formerly of.-CBS, has joined the Mutual sales promotion department as-assistant director; • • St. Lonta—Nick Stemmler, for- merly with WSYR, Syracuse, N. Y, has joined KWK as a sports gabber to assist Johnny O'Hara. Myron J, Bennett, gabber at KWK, oakleys to every big show. Early afternoon programs for the east, which have a struggle to fill the pews, are believed to be winking at network regulations on ticket distribution. IN cmcAGa. - — r Choir of U. S. Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois, started morning hymn-sing on WBB Sunday (29). Chaplain Hjalmer Hansen will direct 200 voices in Sabbath series at 11:45-12 CWT. Show will continue indefinitely. Richard Flnegan, editor of the Chicago Dally Times, participated In the University^ of Chicago Roundtable's discussion of The American Temper' via NBC March 29. Guy Chemey, midwest nitery m.c. and vocalist, makes his radio bow on April 6 when he starts on WGN for Virginia Dare wines Harry Geise leaving 'WLS to Join Kingsbury arms factory as meteorologist... .'WLS Barn Dance will be given gratis for Service Men's Center this week.... Glenn Snyder and Burridge Butler off to Arizona on biz and pleasure.... Ed Abbott directing and Katherine Seymour scripting the "Irhus We Live' show....Tom Moore will announce new 'Sweet River* show Over NBC. Howard Hoffman will narrate, Allan Wallace dlreEls Gordon Gray, new announcer at WCFL, in from WCKY, Cincinnati... .Starting April B, Chicago Board of Education moves to 9:45 a.m. strip across board at WJJD Brad Eidman of WAAF, off to Florida, Washington and New York on biz and pleasure. Eddie and Fannie Cavanaugh, vet radio performers, start 21st year of broadcasting this week with special program. ... Present show 'Rhymester Time' hits air dally at 2:45 p.m.- ovir WGN, for Sawyer. Show originates in Chicago thefitre studios ... Annoutacing assignment covered by Harold Isbell, who is synonomous with pair. Goat which StU Dawson, CBS director, bought, hid and gave away, finally wound up as mascot'of gobs at Great Lakes Training Station. has departed for Scott Field, 111., as 1st Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Air Corps. Roger Bacon, of St. Louis, will join WTOL, on April 11, as sports an- nouncer. He will handle the baseball games of the Toledo Mud Hens in the American Association. Bridgeport. — IBob Keenan and PhUIp de Prinzio of Connecticut Colonials, WICC studio orchestra, to Army. Marlon, O.—Hubert P. Morehead has resigned as music director of WMRN, Marlon, O.,, to Join WING, Dayton, as an announcer. Akron, O.—Bill Robertson Is tha new chief engineer at WAKR, Akron, coming from KWFT, Wichita Falls, Tex. Spartannnrg, S. C—Ed McGrath,. WSPA sportscaster, has been named WSPA-WORD promotion manager. Succeeds Robert Anthony, resigned to Join WFBC, GreenvUle, S. C, as commercial traffic manager. Colnmbia, S. 0.—Frank Browne, former news editor, WSAV, Savan- nah, Ga., has JoUied Columbia Rec- ord neWs stafl. Kansas City.—Gene Moore Is new niember of the Rhythm Riders from man musical ensembler, at KMBC He replaces Andy Anderson, who was Inducted fnto the army last week at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas. Neal Keehn, former special events man for KMBC and later 'Gordon' of NBC Blue's "Margaret and Gor- don Monroe' serial, has returned to Kansas City preparatory to Joining army. SeaUIe-^BUl Tucker now a sales- man at KIRO. San Francisco.—KQW has added three new announcers: Bill Brundage, late of WHAS; Jim Matthews from KPO, and Ken Ackerman from KFBK, Sacramento. Ned Burman off the KQW an- nouncer stafl to become a lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Minneapolis.—Lynn Myer, former Pepsi-Cola advertising manager for theTWih Cities, Fas Joined IhVWLOL sales stafl here. Daluth.—Dick Kepler, WEBC an- nouncer, has resigned to Join the FCC staff. Del Franklyn of KDAL will an- nounce the Northern league baseball games this year. Bob Irving, songster at The Flame, has Joined WEBC as announcer. New York City.—George C. Kler- nan, formerly of . the merchandising division of Blackett-Sample-Hum- mert. Joined the sales department of WOR, New York, succeeding Warner Hall, resigned. Buffalo. — Army too k Announcer Mai Wyman from WEBR last week. New York City,-^erry Robinson, who recently Joined the sales force of the Forjoe Co., station reps, has been named assistant to Bernard J. Prockter, radio director of the Blow agency.