Variety (May 1945)

24 RADIO REVIEWS Wednesday, May 16, 1945 Corwin's V-E Day 'Note of Triumph 9 Is Hailed As Milestone in Radio Ever since the Norman Corwin 60-minute V-E Day show "On a Note of Triumph" first went oh the air last Tuesday 18), |he. high moguls at CBS have been talking in terms of getting out the brass band to meet Corwin at the station when he gets back from the Coast. They've been-doing plenty of hat tossing and chest thumping over at CBS hdqs., and with justification. Nor has the trade in general been stinting on adjectives, for the boys know well enough what it means to have a show that's the epitome of rrfeclion on paper and yet-to have "play" just as well, if not better. Which is exactly'what happened the night of V-E Day. Wisely, CBS top- pers lost no. lime in arranging for a re-broadcast of this Corwin "dream'' show cit went on again coasl-lo-coast Sunday night in the 11-12 segment*, for while the pro- gram itself was months in prepara- tion, the uncertainties of V-E Day and the last-minute reshuffling of skeds obviously prevented any pre- hcraiding of the show ("Triumph," too, was released in book form yesterday 115) under the Simon & Schuster banner). Without equiVocatiom chalk this up as one of the high-wafer marks in radio listening, a fitting, joyous climax to a memorable day in his- tory. For here was Corwin the fashioner of beautiful prose, Corwin come, he recalled, via a "reversible mike" technique, the nature of the Fascist enemy, he evaluated the cost of the battle, made clarion clear the demanding . qualities of peace ("Peace is iieuer.granted ouIri(/fti: it is lent and leased ... Pence lias a mind of its own, and doesii't lollow victory around), and embodied all the hopes and lessons, all the en- treaties and thanks into a climactic prayer that merits, a repeat from every pulpit in the. land. Rose: "ON A NOTE OF TRIUMPH" (Special V-E Day Program) With Raymond Lawrence. Alex Hart- lord, George, Sorel. Dick Nelson, Bab Brace, Joe Worthy, Elliott Lewis, Lurene Tattle, Ludwlg De- natb, Reglna Wallace; June Foray, Pat McGeehan, Horry Bartell, Jim Nasser, Peter Witt, Fred Easier, Norbert Muller, Ramsey Hill, Lu- cille Meredltb, Merlon Koplln, Irene Tedro, Enla Beal, Jobnny Bond, Lod Gulskln and erch Narrator: Martin Gabel Writer - Producer - Director: Norman Corwin . Original Score: Bernard Herrmann CO Mlns.; Tues. (8), » p.m. (Repeat Broadcast Sun. (13) 11 p.m.)' Sustaining WABC-CBS, N. Y. the exponent of realistic ideals, the Corwin who can make words sing, the poet who glorifies the common man and above all the Corwin who Js the master of radio and its. as- sorted techniques. TWoreV (he pity then, that radio has not found the •way to keep alive its finest lobvi ously a re-broadcast js not the answer). 'Triumph'' in book form, •while putting into black and white the message and beauty of Corwin's •words, fails to vest il with the two dimensional qualities of a radio production. Corwin is the first to prove lhat radio ran inspire great ■works of art and, by the same token, he disproves the theory that writ- ing for the medium fetters and binds creative talent. But when a "Triumph" comes along il becomes apparent thai in spite of the fact it can command an. audience of mil- lions as a "one shot," it should also take its place in the halls, of fame accorded literary, dramatic and can- vas creations which maintain their laurels because of the permanence of their form. Hermann's Dandy Score Production-wise. "Triumph" was flawless! Bernard Herrmann com- posed an original score, which was more than able to stand on its-own yet, , when interwoven with the script, intensified and heightened the value of the work and became part of the perfect whole. Interspersed at dramatic climaxes were the vari- ous verses of the Almanac Singers' old lave, "Round and Round Hitler's Crave," which leveled the serious pitch of the, Corwin V-E paean Needless to say. even great prose can - become meaningless when spoken without the value of in spired understanding and able ren dition. Thus, any appraisal of "Triumph" must include' the just share of credit due Martin Gabel as narrator. The restraint exhibited when overdramatizalion; might have lessened the impact, the voice of a timbre so well suited to radio, the understanding Interpretation-of the lines that vould have resulted only from heartfelt* conviction these were the qualities that Gabel brought to a role that made great demands on a performer. Yet all of' these • were more or less "runner up"' attributes in pro- viding the perfect setting and en- hancing to the fullest what may ■well be considered Corwin's great- est opus. For this, unquest'onably, was Corwin's show—Corwin the writer-producer-director. Chosen to commemorate by .thanksgiving a notable day in history, he sat down and wrote 'Triumph." And in doing so he epitomized the reali- sation ol the shape of things to "THE QUEST" (Seventh War Loan Show) With 'Edward G. Robinson, Robert Walker, Selena Royle. Dane Clark, others Writer: Bernard C. Schocnfeld Producer: Bob Lee (AFRS); Walt Humphrey (BlueY. 25 Mlns.; .Sun. (13),] 8:30 p.m. / Sustaining / WJZ-Blue, N. Y. Blue network's Seventh War Loan program,.aired Sunday night (J.')> iit same hour competing webs were pitching their leeofl contribs, got its message over okay but seemed to just miss being the dramatic smash it might have been. Bernard Schoen- feld's script'job was based on a Pa- cific fighter's furlough home seeking to discover what Americans were "REMEMBER THIS DAY" . Cast: Josno Hernandes, Alexander Scourby, Staata Cotswortb, Karl Swenson, Lola Van Rootcn, Arnold Mom, Muriel Klrkland, Joan Alex- ander, Betty Garde, Betty Calne, Norma Chambers, Kate McComb, Edgar Stehll, Norma Lynn, Owen Jordan, Jean Gillespie, announcer Robert Denton, NBC Symphony Orch. Writer: Arthur Hopkins Producer-Director: Wynn Wright 60 Mlns.; Sun.. May 13, 5 p.m. GENERAL MOTORS . WEAF-NBC, N. Y. . (Arthur Kudner) NBC started planning its V^E Day program last October. Arthur Hop- kins had come up with a Biblical theme, Dr. Frank Black, had scored special music, and rehearsals had been under way for some time. When President Truman proclaimed last Sunday Q3). as clay of victory thanksgiving: the day became a nat- ural for the Hopkins piece: General Motors, which got nothing but an opening[ identification for. its spon- sorship, provided its regular hou'r from 5 p.m. Sunday for the presen-. tat ion of this extraordinary show. The central idea of-the show was so simple that it. was beautiful in it- self. Hopkins went for his material to western civilization's prime source of inspiration: the Old and New Tes- taments of the Bible. In the. words of (he Bible only (not, however, used chronologically, but with sock ■ dra- nvatic effect) he recreated humanity's experience to date, in the beginning there was the and God's world created for i Word . thinking of the Japanese war in the ipeace and fruitfulness. Prophecies wake of victory in Europe. lof disaster followed. Then came the Device used was dramal bnefles | w ar and the suffering, the atrocities reporting conversations and view- points of civilians in San. Francisco cab drivers, bartenders, cocktail sippers, etc.—and the hero's quest added up to a unanimous opinion that the nation is united behind its far-flung battatlions in the Pacific. As an afterpiece Schoenfeld introed a foregn delegate to the Frisco con- ference and his secretary, who' rcas- . sured the GI that the world has .not and will not forget his fallen com- rads in arms. . Edward G. Robinson kicked in the. outstanding performance spotted as narrator. He tied things together nicely and pointed up the allegori- cal aim of "Quest" which, unfortu- nately, failed to come through as well as. it might have. Chief weak- ness seemed to be the abrupt switch from scenes of action in the Pacific to the U. S., the hero's burning de- sire to reach home and the fact that he never got there.. The idea of the kid wandering, around San Francis- co, unable to get a hotel, having no friends, to talk with, and explain his problems and question to, lacked something. Producer made.full use of sound effects, music cues, etc.. even going in for a troubled dream sequence. Cast likewise played "Quest" for all that was in it—but that wasn't quite enough. Ernest Gill and .orch .took care of musical burden. . Treasury Sec. Henry Morgenlhau was piped in at close for sober, to- the-point explanation of why the Seventh Bond drive has to be suc- cessful and reasons why U. S. citi- zens cannot permit it to be anything else. Don ii. "MEN AND MONEY" (Seventh War Loan Show) With John Garfield, Agnes Moore- head. Major Knox Manning, Web- ley Edwards, Arthur Q. Brvan. Fred Shields, Jerry Moore, Frank Graham, Bill Davidson Director-Producer: LI. Col. Charles Vanda Writer: Sgt. Paul Pierce Music: Wilbur Hatch Announcer: James Matthews 30 Mln.; Sunday (13), 8:30 p.m. Sustaining WABC-CBS, N. Y. and the tyranny. Men and women wept, prayed. Then their God of vengeance led them in battle, their wrath ''grew, the enemy was defeat- ed. And they sang Hallelujah, and praised and thanked their God.' That's all there was to it. It took tremendous imagination and understanding of dramatic writ- ing, . built with music that, was at times absolutely majestic, and fault- less direction of a large cast of top actors, to bring the Bible to the air meaningfully, to make of the Biblical passages a memorable radio, stanza that was perfectly timed and beau- tifully molded. Dr. Black's music was superb .throughout. His scoring of the Apo- calypse, Lord's Prayer, and the chorale, "How Long, Oh Lord. How Long?" lifted the listener, out of his seat. His arrangement made ' On- ward Christian Soldiers" a song of hope' and terror—hope for our side, terror for the enemy. When the show closed the listener felt he had lived the thanksgiving. There were some weaknesses. As intro to the show, the announcer's spiel was much too long and much too pedestrian. A short prayer, quite in order, was offered by Brig. Gen. Lulhrr D. Miller, chief of chaplains. U. S! Army. From that point on the musico-dramatic presentation was perfect? When it was over, there was the wish that Hopkins might have thought of paying a bit more atten- tion to the.problems facing the world now that victory over the Nazis had been achieved.- The Bible could have, helped there too. However, these are afterthoughts. There wasn't a moment dining the show itself when the listener had the slightest desire to wish anv part of it had been done differently. Any- body can write a postscript. Nobody without vast imagination and top competence could have done this program. The people who did the show had what it took, and gave it. •:• Car?. "IT HAPPENED IN CHICAGO" WMh Arnold Robertson, Florence . Ravenal, Arr Hern, Clare Bauro, Jonathan Cole Dlreotor: Larry Kurlie Writer: John Barnes IS Mlns.; Frl„ 6:15 p m. GASSMAN & CO. WBBM, Chiragq (Afeicby 4 Peron) Based on people and events thai have Rone down in Chicago's history as having contributed ureally to the city's. growth and personality,- this scrips gels off lo a fine start with "Mr. Slreeter Defies Chicago." lnt- lialer. a dramatization of the shipV captain whose vessel - was ship- wrecked on the sandv wastes of Chi- cago's near north-side in 1886 and his troubles over the"vear.in laying claim to land he had created from Lake Michigan sand, was excellently, told in a well-written script enacted by a top-notch cast and narrated in dramatically fine form by Jonathan Cole . Cole will be the regular narrator of the proRiam with casts changing as the scripts.demand. Future Chi- cago stories 'will include tales of | "The Columbian Exposition." "The Iroquois Fire." "The Carl Wanderer Murder Case" and others. Whoever is .responsible for the series came up with a good idea and if the first show is .any criterion Chicaao lis- teners are in for a weekly early eve- ning treat. Larry Kurtze keeps the action and drama moving with a deft hand, and Fred Beck supplies appropriate organ background mu- sic. Unbroken continuity by the elimination of a middle commercial adds further lo the dialer's pleasure. Onlv two brief. commercials, at the beginning and end of' the program are used. , Aforo. "PAGING MIKE McNALLY" IWilh Walter Klnsella. Joan Alexan- ] der. Hope Emerson, Alan Bunce, I others CBS chose the'hardest assignment Producer: Roger Bower of all the nets as its contribution to the bond drive opening Sunday night (13)—to dramatize facts, figures and statistics in a documentary show por- traying the cost of war in terms of lives and money. By its very nature, the program was at times a bit dry and catalogish. But it had sufficient dramatic content, and some affecting highspots, to be generally effective, to put it down as a success. If not inspired, it was real workmanlike. Its message, commendably enough, was honest, frank and to the point. •'We bring you no good news on this program," said narrator John Gar- field, "just the news that : we'i'e- on our way." As accountant of the prof- its and losses of World War II. Gar Writers: Howard Merlll, Peggy Mayer 30 Mlns.; Mondays, 10 p.m. Sustaining WOR, N. Y. This, new stanza, starring Waller Kinsclla, which teed off Monday (61 won't give "The Life of Riley"' any stiff competish, which may or may not have been the purpose. Opus format is laid in department store and woven around McNally. well-meaning Celt who gets himself embroiled on the wrong end of things without trying. Succeeding scripting will have to do better than the corny setup pro- jected on its first, wherein McNally nearly loses his gal through inability 10 snag new dress when a socialite "WOR'S MAN ON THE STREET" Emcee-Director: Bob Dixon 15 Mlns.: Mon, Wed., Thurs., Frl., S:1S p.m. Sustaining WOR. N. Y. Old vox pop Is back on the air again. Security regulations having eased, and censorship, guards lifted considerably, WOR, lost no time at all getting back to the street lo in- terview Joe Q. Citizen about his ideas of the way to run the, world. It's a good gimmick and has poten- tialities as ah example of genuine democratic expression of citizen opinion—if conducted sensibly and with good taste. WOR started its first "Man on the Street" program (14) with the re- quired good taste. It took several swilcheroos to get the show on the air. First. Dick Willard. skedded as show's emcee, and rapporteur! got himself an infected tooth, which lost him the assignment and shoved it into Bob Dixon's lap. : Secondly, the Idea seemed so good that, the Rus- sel Seeds Chi agency immediately got at least one potential sponsor I lined up. That meant a change of time, and the show was quickly put into the 6:15 spot instead of the 1:15 as previously planned. However, since Standard Brands has the Tues- day time iii the early evening slot, with the OPA dramatic stanza. "Sol- diers With Coupons." that meant a .four-time-.a-wc.ek stint for "Man on' Street", instead of cross-the-board. Having got all these knots un- tangled. WOR simply set up its mike at the corner of 40lh street and Broadway, N. Y., in front of WOR- MBS h.q.. and Bob Dixon went to work-Monday evening (14). Dixon's question was: "What should be done with Germany and the German people'.'" Consensus of answers: Make them rebuild what they had lorn down. Dixon picked a sensible cross-section from the crowd around his mike: there were a couple of civilian government em- ployees, a Texas Coast Guardsman,' a woman defense worker, a Norway- born American.. He paced his show nicely, didn't clutter it with too many opinions of his own. In short, the first posl-V-E-Day vox pop show on the air slarted out of the right side of the .mouth. Cars. field iqcited the figures in dollars j beats her to it in the bargain base ?P*nt. m casualties mounted, year by me „t. He tries to retrieve the gar- . ™m- n aV V P n n , ^"T 5 I 1 d0 J' ment but upon finding thai said so- Sft K"^' 6 *' &«* r dX cialite,is ifn P ex-wrestler a bad ca said, and there's more to go.. .The Seventh war loan, he said, vvas "an- other payment on our new world." The snow built its dramatic high- lights in whisking off to Pearl. Har- bor, to have Webley Edwards there describe his impressions of lhat day in 1941, "the day that will live in in- famy"; in having Major Knox Man- ning, who was there, describe the landings at. Salerno, the beachhead making, the fight to hold it against counter-attacks, and in having a woman. (Agnes Moorehead) read a letter a GI would write to his Mom' for Mother's Day. Major Manning's description was sharp and incisive, with his story of the brave, blinded corporal of of timidity sets in.. When he later finds the dame was to be a prospec- tive stockholder in store where he's employed—that's all, brother! Kinsella and cast were badly hand- icapped by weak script which miti- gates against favorable appraisal of future chances. They did their best with the material at hand. . Edba. powerful, sobering effect. Miss Moorehead read the GI's letter viv- idly and well,, only its excessive length; spoiling the effect slightly. Wilbur Hatch worked his music in briefly and effectively, and the cast of 10 did a One job. ■ ' flrort, ■ "OPEN HOt;SE AT THE HEALY'S". With Captain and Mrs. Tim Healy Producer-Director: Vernon Radcllffe 30 Mlns.: Mon.-Sat., 1:30 p. m. Participation WMCA. N. Y. , Captain Tim Healy is an old-hand at the chatter game, and Mrs. Tim makes a good partner for him in their new show. Frame is similar to the type done at breakfast time and for Sunday brunch by the Fitzger- alds (WJZ) and Dick Kollmar'and Dorothy Kilgallen (WORI. But the Healys make no pretense at being sophisticated or smart. They're just homey folk. When heard on their preem (14), Mrs. Healy was inclined to beat her husband to the mike somewhat too often, but production on the whole was smooth.. Subject matter includ- ed recipes, care of the children lof which Mr?. Healy has four herself), good-natured bariler between hus- band and wife, a plug for war bonds, a gflest appearance by a naval flier who told of life in the Aleulians and Fiji Islands, and a bow by, the-house- hold pet—a' cocker spaniel. WMCA had skedded the show cross-the-board as a sustainer. but picked up a sponsor. Dime Savings Bank, right off the bat. Healy brought the plug into the show neat- ly, without hitting it too hard. Cars, "THE SPARROW AND THE HAWK" With Donald Boka, Michael Flu. maurlee, Joseph Julian, Mary Hunter * Writer: Carl A. Bum Producer: Richard Sanvllle Supervisor: Robert J. Landry IS Mint.; Mon.-Frl, 5:45 p.m Sustaining WABC-CBS, N. Y. It looks as though CBS has picked itself a tough job trying to lure' young America away from the base- ball diamonds and playing fields now that spring is here, but in "Spa mow and the Hawk" they've got what shapes up as an appealing late afternoon strip that should pay off in audience ' response. Opener (14) served mainly to set the characters but. nevertheless, gave evidence of forthcoming e.x cite men t which should be right, down juve. aUey as the series progresses. Most encour- aging sign was that the program played believably with no "Super- man" or "Mandrake" overtones. "The Sparrow" is Barney Mallory 16-year-old California flying enthu- siast, played by Donald Buka, and "Hawk," .is his uncle. Spencer Mal- lory, and Air Force lieutenant colo-' nel discharged because of combat injuries. Michael Fitzmaurice is cast as the latter. Joseph Julian plays Tony,, the Hawk'.s pal, and Mary Hunter is the ex-Army flier's moth- er. Cast measured up in every re- spect with minor defect being a lit- tle too much effusiveness, on Miss Hunter's part. . Chief action was at an airport where young Mallory zoomed in alone in his plane, endangering 1 Hawk, Tony and Mrs. Mallory. Kid meets the Hawk, and, not knowing who he is, makes a few cracks about his uncle's medals and exploits over-: seas, all info he's picked up from hia father, a recent crash victim. Spar- row moves into the Hawk's home, where he's wised up as to latter's real identity and welcomed royally. First stanza closed on note of sus- pence with Hawk and Tony sum- moned to rescue a plane in distress and the youngster sneaking out later headed for the airport and his own crate. Organ up and out, announcer in and tune in tomorrow to see what happens. Chances look good'for this newcomer. Donn. "QUEEN FOR TODAY" With Dud Williamson, Bob Bonce, guest* Producer: Bad Ernst Writer: Dud Williamson 30 Mlns.; Mon.-Frl., 2:30-3 p. ra. Sustaining . WOR-Mutual, N. Y. An audience-participation show for the ladies, "Queen for .Today" has the type Of format that has rating pos- sibilities, and could become one of the popular afternoon shows. Stanza deals with interviews of women in studio audience, who. on the basis of the answers to personal queries: are given a chance to be a "queen" for one day—enjoy the hos- pitality of the city, visit the belter niteries, legit shows backsage, meet topflight film stars in N. Y.. eat at the best places, stop at the best hotels, shop at the most exclusive, depart- ment stores, get beauty treatments at the most famous Fifth Ave. salons— all for nothing, if they are chosen by the'six judges, who are also picked from the audience. It's as simple as that. Dud Wil- . liamson m.cs in capable fashion and keeps the program moving right along for the full 30 minutes it's on the air. Bud . Ernst, producer, is I he gent who makes the tieups with the stores, niteries, et al., at which "her highness" jjpes. the town. There Is also an outside ""queen"" chosen by the spin of a wheel on which the 48 stales are listed. She is named .by a member of the studio audience Bnd receives a $100 wristwatch. Program is heard Mondays through Fridays. It has strong commercial possibilities, but its. rating potential is worth the high price the package would cost. SI en. eerie.* of on a ro- "UNCLE SAM'S MEN" 30 Mlns.; Sat., 7:30 p.m. Sustaining WGY, Schenectady WGY has launched i service-produced shows, tating basis, from Lake Placid Re- distribution Center^ Rome Army Air Base, and Sampson Naval Training Station, under title - "Uncle Sam's Men." Sub-caption is "Meet the Re- turnees." GE outlet furnishes time and. engineers; the bases put on their own programs, using in many cases professional talent from the ranks. Lake Placid and Rome, first two to make originations, have crack dance bands', batoned by men who played with name orchestras. Sampson also boasts a topflight orchestra and other talent. That Navy center in Western part of state has produced a number of transcribed broadcasts, turn tabled ' over various stations. Rome has previously been on WGY and WRGB (television), sending its personnel to Schenectady. New series originates at the bases. . Lake Placid opener was superior, from listening viewpoint, lo the first Rome effort; From swank Lake Placid Club in the Adirondacks, a fine orchestra led by Bud Snyder ( who was with the.late Ben Bernie) entertained, with two vocalists. Men (Continued on page 38)