Variety (Jun 1947)

26 RADIO REVIEWS P^RIETY Wednesday, June 11, 1947 "DID THEY ASK YOU?" With Melvyn Douglas, Jimmy Durante, Garry Moore, Martha Tilton, Edward G, Robinson, Ken Roberts, Delta Rhythm Boys, Lyn Murray Chorus, Charles Cantor, Earl Robinson, Mark Warnow orch, others Writers: Sam Moors, Leo Townsend, Louis Salomon, William N. Rob- son, Robert Lewis Shayon Producers: William N. Robson, Rob- ert Lewis Shayon 60 Mlns., Thurs. (5); 9:30 p.m. ENTERTAINMENT UNIONS WJZ-ABC, N. Y. Wurman & Feiner) The Entertainment Unions Com- mittee of the American Federation of Labor let out all the stops last Thursday night (5) in its fight for the veto of the Hartley-Taft bill. No sugar-coating here. They had an axe to grind and all the forces at the command of the-combined entertain- ment unions did their best to drive home the facts. . . With song and story, music and drama, ballad and spiritual, each in his own language and in the way he knew best, the show biz oppo- nents of the anti-labor legislation told their story. An hour show, all for a cause, and in spite of the fact that every effort had to be expended for this cause, it was an almost solid hour of entertainment. In this, the most ambitious pro- gram in the $400,000-budgeted AFL series designed to enlighten and mobilize the American public to ac- tion, the Entertainment Unions hit their stride. What was accomplished on last Thursday night's show was important (1) in establishing a pat- tern for pleading a cause through entertainment and (2) for shaping that entertainment so expertly and with such creativeness that it never was separated from its message. As such it may well serve as a model for future propagandists pro- gramming. In the show's favor, of course, was the talent-packed roster that in- cluded Melvyn Douglas, Jimmy Durante, Garry Moore, Edward G. Robinson, Martha Tilton, Mark War- now's orch, Lyn Murray's chorus, the Delta Rhythm Boys, Charles Cantor, Ken Roberts, Earl Robinson (repre- sented by a new ballad, "The Big or Tree," specially written for the occasion). Originating from the Coast, there was a three-way N. Y.- Chi-D.C. cut-in for contributions by Bishop Bernard J. Shell, represent- ing the Catholic Youth organization; U. S. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson, and a steel worker, vet of the 1892 "Bat- tle of the Barges" labor war. From CBS, the AFL borrowed two of its topflight producers, Robert Lewis Shayon and William N. Rob- son, to give it cohesion and a finished production. From the writers, ranks it chose the best scripting talent available. It was unfortunate that the open- ing minutes of the show stumbled, and without the benefit of the straight pitch by Melvyn Douglas the introductory quarter-hour might have fallen on its face. Stacked up against the quality of the following sequences, it's difficult to figure out how the producers didn't sense the weakness of those opening Jimmy Durante-Garry Moore contribs. But from there on in it was clear sailing. The Earl Robinson ballad, couched in his now familiar tempo and tone, was preeminently suited to shout for the people. The Edward G. Robinson sketch, with its vivid prophecy of the shape of things to come should the Hartley-Taft bill become law, was made even more effective when the actor stepped out of character and spoke as a citizen. Or the wonderful lyrical preachment by the Delta Rhythm Boys. And the closing "Ballad for Americans" tied in with Senator Magnuson's plea to prevent a "back to the breadline na- tion." Here was radio—tense, dra- matic, moving. Rose. LASSIE With Rudd Weatherwax, other* Producer: Frank Ferrin Director: Harry Stewart Writer: Hobart Donovan 15 Mins.; Sun., 3:15 p.m. JOHN MORRELL & CO. WJZ-ABC, N. Y. (Henri, Hurst & McDonald) Lassie will have to wait for tele- vision before all her airwave possi- bilities are to be realized. Until her handler signs her for video, there's little sense in exploiting Metro's canny canine inasmuch as to the average listener, her bark cannot be distinguished from that of any other pooch. However, the hound has a terrific sense of timing, and he makes noises just at the right moment, even during commercials when he makes known his desire for the ad- vertised dog food even over filet mignon. Presentation of a dog-star over the air is a difficult task at best and except for an occasional bowwow, there's little else that can be done. Consequently, story accent is upon the dog's trainer, Rudd Weatherwax, who on initial airing, told of how Lassie, nee Pal, connected with her film pact. Weatherwax afterwards gives some tips on training dogs. First lesson was on how to keep the floor clean even if you have a pooch, which as all dog-owners know, is a troublesome detail. Dramat value is virtually nil, but show will entice a good number of 'dog-owners, which. is < good .enough for the sponsor. ' • * Jose.. ROGUE'S GALLERY With Barry Sullivan, Helen Bonnet, Ted Van Elts, Peter Leeds, Elliott Lewis, Cathy Lewis; Jim Doyle, announcer. Writer: Ray Buffum * Director: Jack Lyman Producer: Charles Vanda 30 Mins.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m. F. W. FITCH WNBC-NBC, N. Y. (L. W. Ramsey) Private-eye Richard Rogue (por trayed this time by Barry Sullivan) returned Sunday (8) for a third summer stretch of super sleuthing in the Fitch "Bandwagon" spot. Rogue is. cast in the inevitable mold—he's a wiseguy, fatal with the dames, un- feazed by the toughest hoodlum afoot, smarter "than the whole police dept. put together. One thing that sets Rogue apart just a little from most of his fellow Thin Men is that, additionally, he is possessed of a never-ending supply of picturesque similes with which to doll up his tough talk. He hardly ever opens his mouth without uttering a bright one: A listener sotted on summer mystery fare might easily find him- self intrigued more by similes than plot. (One-of Rogue's that reached too far, however, was: "the car took off like a witch on a broom.'!) Aside from'-'this preoccupation, Rogue goes through the familiar motions. He just happens to be walking down a street when a gang killing is pulled off; he brings in the triggerman singlehanded. Sullivan gives the role (which Dick Powell played last season) credible treat- ment, seguing narration and drama- tized sequences smoothly. Rest of the cast performs capably also, most of their characterizations calling mainly for nail-biting talk typical of cops and robbers stanzas. In a slew of hot weather shows of this type, "Rogue's Gallery" should come off as well as any in the private-eye class, despite its pat formula (bane of them all), for it is fast paced and brightly tailored. Doon. CITY HOTEL With A ngelus Lec, Ma delaine Lee, Hamilton Branch, Gerald White, Mariam Leahy, Herb Dahlen Writer-Producer: Gerald White 15 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Fri„ 12:45 p.m. Sustaining KYFM, San Antonio Taking the lead in outstanding programs for the FM listener in this area is KYFM. Topping the list is this current program, which is a "soap opera" replete with everything but the sponsor (and that should be forthcoming quickly if the airings caught keep up their pace and qual- ity of presentation). Series is written, produced and acted by local talent and measures up to those carried by network out- lets here. Airings take place in a mythical small town of Hawleyville, Tex., in the town's City hotel oper- ated by two old maid sisters, ably portrayed by Angelus and Madelaine Lee, who are the daughters of the town's, founders. Aiding them in the operation of the hotel is their nephew, Donald Farmer, enacted by Gerald White. Hamilton Branch plays the role of Colonel Effingham Cheatum well and ably to the cor- rect accent. Program opened with a scene at the hotel's switchboard which paves the way for each dramatization. The latest town's gossip, the newcomers to the hotel all are forthcoming by the switchboard "hello" girl enacted by Mariam Leahy, who talks to an imaginary friend, Gertrude. Sound effects were faithfully reproduced as were the various characters. The old-fashioned telephone buzzer, the hotel sounds, the background noises take the listener to the hotel lobby as one of the ringside participants at the doings of the folks at the hotel. First several airings caught dealt with the introduction of the various characters and the remodeling of the old-fashioned hotel- into a modern hotel complete with the Hawley Room with a modern orchestra by the young nephew. Plot thickens with the coming of Colonel Cheatum, who, after registering at the hotel, places a long distance phone call to a confederate. Presentation should keep the lis- teners tuned daily for its airings. Program material is on a high level arid should find favor with all types of listeners. Andy. Commercials-—Again "Unsurpassed tailoring and unexcelled fabrics" comprised the all-embracing bally of one N.Y. disk jockey in plugging a pop-priced clothing store chain. And at $24 and $34 prices, too! Obviously, this is not only a false but a very foolish commer- cial pitch. The "calling-all-men-to-Bar- ney's" influence has put quite a few new clothiers on the air- waves, even eclipsing the gold- buyihg-service commercials. But it's common-sense for them not to take in the world with such • .wild claims. And where are the stations' watchdogs, if the spon- sors' ad. copy goes that haywire? YVETTE W th John Connelly, Joel Herron's orch. Producer: Raymond Katz Director: Milton Bernard Kaye Writer: Gin! Stewart 15 Mins.; Mon.-Wed.-Fri., 9:30 p.m. Sustaining: WHN, N. Y. Her longtime radio experience is obvious in this new sustaining series for Yvette, who's splitting a five- times weekly song series with Mary Jane Walsh. Yvette is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Miss Walsh, Tuesday and Thursday. Yvette has gotten away, of course, from the Frenchy stuff she used to feature in radio and niteries, though she still retains enough of it to main- tain the franchise of that Gallic label, namely her "J 'Attendrai" signature. On the opener of this WHN series she showed neat pacing and choice of tunes, in addition to a flair for handling: lines with announcer John Connelly. .. . Kahn. SILVER THEATRE With Staats Cotsworth, Jay Jostyn, Mary Jane Higby; Conrad Nagel, emcee; Clayton Collyer, an- nouncer; Oscar Bradley's orch Producer-Director: Lester Vail Writer: Terese Lewis 30 Mins.; Sundays, 6 p.m. INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO. WCBS-CBS, N. Y. (Young & Rubtcom) "Silver Theatre" is back for a third summer run in the Oizie & Harriet time on CBS, but is orig- inating this semester from New York instead of Hollywood, with Conrad Nagel as regular emcee and radio headliners featured in original plays. Preem stanza last Sunday (8) co-starred Staats Cotsworth of 'Crime Photographer," Jay Jostyn of "Mr. District Attorney" and Mary Jane Higby of "When a Girl Mar- ries." Play, "Guardian Angel," was a lightweight vehicle, relying more on characterization than on plot and lacking somewhat in credulity. It .was tastefully direfcted and per- formed, however, making up some- what in technique what it lacked in inherent dramatic appeal. Orchestral Midges were imaginatively keyed to the action. In. the future, however, either studio audiences should be elimi- nated or required to keep quiet. Several times during the perform- ance the laughter of the studio spec- tators broke in disturbingly to waver the illusion of the drama. Conrad Nagel seems all but wasted on the assignment, having naught to do but make the intro and signoff. Commercials were in good taste and, in one case, cued to the play itself. _ ' Docm. OPERATION NIGHTMARE With Al Jolson, narrator; John Gar- field; Lud Gluskin orch; Frank Goss, announcer Writer: Allan E. Sloane Director-Producer: Himan Brown 30 Mins., Mon. (9), 7:30 p.m. Sustaining WCBS-CBS, N. Y. Documentary-drama put on in co- operation with the United Jewish Appeal turned out to be an effective Sresentation that should do much in elping the UJA achieve its goal. Contrasting the reality of the DP's plight in Europe to our most horrible nightmares, "Operation Nightmare" showed how the imagination can fall short when matched with the real thing. • Allan E. Sloane fashioned a script that was brutal both in its dramatic content and statistics, with Al Jol- son as the narrator and John Gar- field heading a competent cast for the dramatic sequence. In addition to outlining the material achieve- ments that the UJA funds would provide, the script made a pro- nounced plea for a homeland for the Jews. Jolson as narrator was exception- ally fine." It was unfortunate, how- ever, that he didn't let his appeal rest on facts. The emotional cre- scendo reached by his "Eili Eili" rendition, including the sobbing break in his voice, was anti-climactic to the stark truth. Nevertheless, "Operation Night- mare" demonstrated anew that proper showcasing of such dramas can be the most vital and far-reach- ing method in presenting an issue of the moment. Rose. TO YOUR INDUSTRIAL HEALTH Writer: Earl Germaine Producer-Director: Burton Wright 15 Mins.; Thurs., 5:15 p.m. Sustaining WWJ. Detroit This series is one of the excellent services rendered to the Detroit area by the Health Institute of the United Automobile Workers—CIO. Pre- sented in cooperation with WWJ which provides cast, director and music for UAW script, program highlights in dramatic form the haz- ards of industrial jobs and is in- strumental in heightening awareness of both management and labor to necessity for increased safety pre- cautions. Recent show was based on an authentic case history of a young worker whose mind became slightly unsettled under the influence of subtly noxious fumes in his factory. As a result, home and job were threatened until expert intervention of medicos saved the situation. Thesping and production were handled with competence to make quarter. - hour, session effective throughout. THE ABBOTT MYSTERIES With Chuck Webster, Julie Stevens, Billy Quirin, Elspeth Eric, Ted Os- borne, Louis Sorin; Cy Harrlce, announcer; Albert Buhrman, music Writer: Howard Merrill Director: Roger Bower 30 Mins.; Sundays, 5:30 p.m. HELBROS WATCH CO. WOR-MBS, N. Y. (Weintraub) Here's a thin, ragged, amateurish version of "The Thin Man's" Nick and Nora Charles (who are a pretty well-worn pair themselves) if there ever was one. Pat Abbott's the usual (is there any other kind?) cocky, hail-fellow, know-everybody private eye who always solves the murder within eight hours and invariably gets mixed up with a woman (not his wife), leading to much bickering between him and his wife, Jean, up to the last scene. There's no varia- tion in the plot: first the murder, then a scene that holds the clue (which Pat saves for a fast windup), the hero and heroine in momentary peril, and a lot of byplay mixed in to fill but the time. Organ bridges on. the preem stanza (8) were full of ir- ritating bleats and riffles. Let it be said, at least, that Chuck Webster and Julie Stevens, playing the Ab- botts for the first time since 1945, seem to go about their roles con- scientiously. Direction is par. This is Helbros' summer replace- ment for "Quick as a Flash." The watch company would do well, to ease up on the , commercials. There are back-to-back commercials in the intro of the stanza, and a third com- mercial seven minutes after the show comes on. At the height of story action in closing minutes of the pro- gram, a fourth commercial. And in the signoff, of course, still a fifth commercial. The name Helbros is reiterated with deadly effect. Doan. SATURDAY SHOWCASE With Lillian Murphy, Gene HoIIman, Pat Dunn, University of K-C Workshop Players, Bill Bates, an- nouncer 30 Mins., Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sustaining WNBC-NBC, N. Y. This is first of a series of NBC- affiliates which will get national hookup to display talents of those who would otherwise be limited to local areas. It's another switch on talent scout idea and should do okay, especially when most stations are helter-skeltering for replacement sustainers as commercial shows ease off for summer hiatus. This one originated in the Kansas City studio of WDAF. Other affiliates will get a similar shot later. At least that's the plan. Titled "Everything's Up to Date in Kansas City," it has a dramat format, with specialty artists woven into story. Dramat was contributed by Radio Workshop Players of Uni- versity of Kansas City, ably directed by Dr. Charles F. Hunter. Story content was on a love-thy-neighbor pitch with central character upbraid- ing snooty grandson for snubbing kids on the other side of the tracks. After musical interuptions by Lillian Murphy, soprano with soothing voice; Gene Hollman, who baritones "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" in accept- able manner, with both dueting on "Sweethearts." kid is won over and goes out to play with kids he had snubbed. It's all homey, corn dripping stuff, but sufficed to give cast an op- portunity to display wares and with most having merit. . Station orch backs for songs and musical bridges. Okay for sustaining. Edbo. SHOPPING BY RADIO With Roy Hanson and Rubs Naughton 30 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Frl., 9:15 a.m WDRC, Hartford This Columbia outlet seems to have found one solution to a strong competing network show-at the par- ticular hour. It is a high-powered local show. Though poorly produced and handled, package, because of its contents, has created for itself a high tension interest among femmes. . Mikeman Roy Hanson goes out into the city shopping district each morning in the station mobile unit. On the fly he makes a quickie inter- view with an early a.m. femme shopper. He reprises interview in the studio a few minutes later. Be- fore and after first interview an- nouncer Russ Naughton spins a few records. During second interview he patters with interviewee and Hanson, for an all-around hodgepodge of mumble-jumble. In the second interview early femme bird shopper is given succession of gifts. Herein lies the answer to success of the snow. Smart promotion has kept this show alive and the public aware of its existence. Program is used as a springboard for the major institu- tional campaigns (community chest etc.) with daily plugging of activities by various groups. Only Connecti- cut-made products are given away on show, with this angle getting a good going over. Quality of show would be consid- erably improved if both announcers MAXWELL HOUSE SUMMER SHOW With Frances Langford, Carmen ■ Dragon orch; Eloise Dragon, Myr* Marsh, Dick Davis Choir; Tobe Reed, announcer Producer: Al Kaye 30 Mins.; Thurs., 8:30 p.m. GENERAL FOODS WNBC-NBC, N. Y. (Benton & Bowies) Looks like General Foods has come up with a corking good musi- cal show as summer replacement for Burns and Allen. At least that was the impression gained from last Thursday's (5) premiere airing, with Finances Langford, Carmen Dragon's, orch and male chorus and Tobe Reed combining their talents for a smoothly-paced half-hour of entertainment that was particularly highlighted by the coordinating motif underlying the show and Dragon's outstanding orchestral contrib. There" was* a considerable im- provement over the usual routine of throwing together a hodge-podge of vocal-orchestral selections. Instead some painstaking care has gone into a format that comes out as a sort of musical panaroma of Ameri- cana, each sequence making sense arid for the most part good enter- tainment. There was even an in- offensive musical commercial mid» way through the show that rated the big hand it got from the studio audience as the Maxwell House Coffee sale pitch pleasantly dove- tailed with the scale pitch of "Caro- lina in the Morning." Emphasis of the show is on es- tablishing proper mood and tempo in spanning the American scene. Thus, to capture the flavor of a 1931 pop tune fave, there was a capsule recap of events and headlined per- sonalities of the day, seguing into the tune. Again, for a male chorus windup of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," there was a boy-girl comedy sequence that could have been bet- ter had there been more music and less words. And for the inevitable excursion to the Broadway scene finale there was a sock Dragon orch-choial medley from "Finian's Rainbow" with a grand assist from Miss Lang- ford on "Glocca Morra." Miss Langford, missing from the air this season, turned in her usually reliable job, opening with "It's A Good Day" and hitting her peak with "I Close My Eyes." But it was the finely-tempoed Dragon orch and the novelty of the format itself that chiefly accented the show's refreshing qualities. Rose. DEVIL WHO WALKED LIKE A MAN With Ted de Corsia, Arnold Moss, Berry Kroeger, Jerry Macy, Santos Ortega, Arnold Stang, Juano Her- nandez, Eddie Michaels, Maurice Tarplin, Ethel Everett, Edith . Kelcy; Frank McFarland announcer Writer: Morton Friedman Director: Earle McGill Producer: Henriette K. Harrison 30 Mins., Sat. (7), 8:30 p.m. Sustaining WOR-Mutual, N. Y. YMCA's World Youth Fund, as its contribution to D-Day, offered an unusual "dramatic syncopation" on Mutual Saturday (7). It was epi- sodic in makeup, and therefore a little disjointed and confusing at the start, but it was well performed, so that the overall effect was striking. Dramatically* effective, it made its point. This was the familiar theme, that to be inhuman was to be devil- ish, that hate in one was the devil in one, that to eschew war, intolerance, race restrictions was the highest goal. But since this needs constant re- iteration, it was good to have it told as well as it was here, in the off- hand conversations of GIs in Europe, in the mystic prolog of the devil who stepped out of man only to stab man in the back. Arnold Moss and his co- actors handled the script admirably. Henry Sylvern's sound effects on the organ were unusual and striking, to add the "syncopation" to the drama. Bron. EXPERIMENT IN LIVING With Carl Frank, Ronnie Liss, Alee Englander, Edwin Bruce, Ethel Wilson, Richard Leone, Francis de Sales, Mecushla Jones, Donald Hastings, Walter Black, King Calder, Earl Hammond; Bob D.'xon, narrator Producer: Robert P. Heller Director: Albert Ward Writer: Irving Tunlck 30 Mlns., Fri. (6) 8 p.m. Sustaining WCBS-CBS, N. Y. The show CBS Documentary Unit presented Friday (6) night was somewhat off the beaten track, yet pertinent to radio; was a little dif- ficult for the average listener to grasp its message at first, yet was commendable in idea, purpose and presentation and that, after an ambling start, wound up with a wallop. All in all, its was a success, and another feather in the Unit's already heavily-plumed hat. The program was a report, in mixed narration and straight drama- tization, of a project first conducted by a group of scientists at the Univ. of Iowa and now being continued , , h/the same group at Mass. Institute got themselves a new line of patter. i of Technology. The project concerned After two listenings, show begins to groups of 10-year-old boys in after- Sound like the .broken record.,ficfc^ ;| ' Continued on pa ? e 38)