Variety (August 1950)

82 RADIO REVIEWS Wednesday, August 9, 1950 SIR THOMAS BEECHAM PROGRAM With Duncan Pirnie, announcer g roducer; Harry Alan Towers irector: Oliver Nicoll 50 Mins.; Wed., 8:05 p.m. HOVIS BREAD WQXR. New York . : . (Colman, Prentis & Varly) Sir Thomas Beecham is the lat- est of a group of musical celebri- ties to take to the air ar disk jockey and commentator. This series has been packaged ,by Towers" of London, Ltd., for dis- tribution in the U. S. t and else- where. WQXR’s senes is the first In this country. ■ . Beecham combines a reaching knowledge of composers and their music with a good sense of mu- sicianship ahd taste in his selec- tion. His plan is to present entire programs by one composer, com- menting on his life and works, and <jn other occasions, to devote en- tire programs to one type of music, such as dance or period music. Initial segment was devoted to the life and works of Hector Ber- lioz. Beecham presented a series of operatic excerpts and overtures, all of them culled from Berlioz* best and most colorful works. Accom- pany in g each selection; was com- mentary about: its history, and stretching through the 55-minutes was discussion of Berlioz* life and his place in the history of music. Beecham also dispersed some caustic Comment about the han- dling of music today, such as his remark that opera is in the con- trol of politicians and everyone else but the musicians. The one fault in the show lies in Beecham’s sty 1 e of delivery. Speaking in a booming voice with a noticeable British accent, Bee- cham is overly careful in bis speech and gives the impression almost of reciting poetry. He SQunds as if he is delivering a lec- ture and is Careful to sound out each syllable to its furthest ex- tremity. A bit m o r e casualness would help. Otherwise the show is interesting, intelligent, and prob- ably most important, contains a Jot of good music. CJian . MODERN ROMANCES With Helen Gregory, Patsy Camp bell, George Petrie, Kathleen Niday, Scott Thompson Writer: Don Witty Directors: William Marshall, Joe Graham 30 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Fri., 11 a.m NORWICH PHARMACAL CO. ABC, from New York (Benton & Bowles) Considerably above the standard soap opera is ‘‘Modern Romances, * a half-hour ABC daytime cross-the- board dramatic show which Nor- wich Pharmacal began bankrolling yesterday (Tues.). Series is based upon the Dell , Publishing Co monthly mag bearing the same name as the program. First stanza under the Norwich aegis revolved around two stock car racing drivers—one a tomboy- ish girl and the other her youthful, masculine rival. They have their petty feuds, but eventually: dis- cover ‘‘true romance” after learn- ing to overlook mutual faults. Narrator Helen Gregory sets the scene for the day’s opus followed by dramatized sequences. Tues- day’s installment occasionally seemed rather fanciful, but it was the kind of stuff that adds up to good vicarious entertainment for the housewife audience. Small cast was competent and plugs for Un- guentine and Pepto-Bismol took a standard approach. Gilb. FOR LADIES ONLY With Mary McGarry 30 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Fri., 11:30 a.m. Sustaining WABY, Albany Mary McGarry would improve her program and her broadcasting if she presented more guests and introduced more local angles, rather than to follow the present basic plan, of reading, in static and stylized fashion, syndicated Wom- en’s copy. An interview With frank Fran Warren, while the lat- ter was starring in “Finian’s Rain- bow” at the Saratoga Summer Theatre, came off rather well. A quarter-hour with a group of small children from Booker T. Washington Center Day Camp had the flavor of the different and the charm of the unusual— especially when the youngsters sang safety songs (including the amusing, and repeated, “Hot and Cold Water”) and recited the Lord’s Prayer. Gal miker, interviewing their lead- er, a Miss Clyber, and chatting with the smallsters, caught the spirit of informality; she gained in warmth and flexibility. Straight reading becomes mono- tonous, due to over-punching of words and upsWirling of inflection, Tone is modulated, but voice is not brought out sufficiently. Tran scribed music spaces the stories, some of which are duplicated on a morning skirt show over another Albany outlet. Joco. RAYMOND SWING 15 Mins.; Mon.-Wed.-Frl., 10:15 p.m. WOR, New York Raymond Swing, returning to the commentary scene after several years, provides a better-than-aver- age gab session. His approach is quiet and sober and in contrast to he punched up delivery of many oracles which makes their non sequiturs difficult to spot. Addi- tionally, he avoids the know-it-all attitude. On his preem Monday (7) he went into the uncertain ele- ments in the current international situation, frankly saying that he didn’t know what would happen in iilany Important areas. And his total approach was one of wrap- ping up a broad political under- standing instead of piecemeal re- porting .of isolated news items. He did make some speculations which may prove off-base. One was that the Russian delegation returned to the United Nations Security Council in the belief that the North Korean campaign would be Victorious by Aug. 1. Since the Soviet decision wasn’t an- nounced until July 27, this would have meant a gross 'miscalculation on the Russian’s part or, more likely, an incorrect interpretation of their reasoning by Swing. He took the long view of what might eventuate in the event the Yanks and South Koreans force the Northerners back to the 38th Parallel, saying that in a free elec- tion the Koreans might vote in a leftist regime* He also differed from the current view of Mac- Arthur’s visit to Formosa, voicing the opinion that the general's in- tention to make the trip was prob- ably known in Washington. Bril . GREAT DAY With Eddie Cantor; Paul Baron Orch Producer: Economic Cooperation Administration Director: Wilton Stark Writer: Paul Monash 30 Mins. Sat;. (5), % p.m. Sustaining NBC, from New York This was the first of two special programs Eddie Cantor did for the EC A while he was in Paris. .The second will be aired Saturday (12). They’re propaganda vehicles, to tell U. S. citizens about the Mar- shall Plan, and also had the pur- pose of giving some newer Euro- pean talent an American audience. Four countries were represented. For the Italians, Clara Petrella, soprano of Milan’s La Scala, sang the classic “Mi Chiamino Mimi” from Puccini’s “La Boheme.” For the Netherlands, Sonja Osterman chirped a Dutch fave, “Daar Waar de Molens Staan,” a pleasant, tune about windmills. A longhair note was offered by Petros Petrldes, one of Greece’s top cleffers, conducting JOHNNY STAG SHOW Producer-Director: Dick Pack 30 Mins.; Fri., 9 p.m. Sustaining WNEW, N. Y. Presented in cooperation with the Veterans Hospital Radio Guild, “The .Johnny Stag Show” should rate as a fine morale builder for bedded GI’s. Half-hour platter rogram, guided by former patient •tag, got away to a good start Fri- day (4) on WNEW, N. Y. All-request format has Stag spin- ning disks chosen by inmates of Veterans Administration hospitals in the N. Y. metropolitan area. He introes the sides in an ingratiating manner and frequently reminds the public to visit hospitalized vet friends or. relatives. As K' 5 means of building further listener interest, it-would be logic- al to arrange brief interviews from time to time with ambulatory pa- tients or VA officials to give dial- ers a more personal slant on hospi- tal life. Gilb. NBC “rediscovered” a great talent last Thursday night (3) when, some years after his death, John Barrymore got the first of four playbacks (of a Shakespearean series done originally back in 1937). Through the process of “treating” «and thereby improving on the Well-preserved recordings of the *37 broadcasts, NBC not only came up with the treat of a lacklustre summer season, but inaugu- rated a reprise pattern that may well open up a whole new vista in the resurrecting of long forgotten radio classics. For last Thursday’s opener, NBC used excerpts from Barrymore’s “Macbeth,” While it’s true that excerpts of the finest performance tend to put any play at a disadvantage, nonetheless it was startling to hear recaptured the fine histrionic talent and superb voice tim- ber of the once great Barrymore. Even more startling was the superiority of the entire cast of 13 years ago over most of the makeshift performances that radio turns but today. While Barry- more stood out, each and every part Was expertly executed and of a caliber on a par with the finest of legit performances. Here, in fact, was one of those 13-years-after revelations that should make radio sit up and take notice. Rose, America at crossroads 30 Mins., Thurs.; 9 p.m. Sustaining WNYC, N v Y.‘ ; Produced. by WNYC in associa- tion with the Lowell Institute Co- operative Broadcasting Council, “America At the Crossroads,” a new weekly half-hour forum bowed over New York City’s own station Thursday (3). Initial pro- gram, subtitled “Korea, Test Case for the United Nations” was timely and interesting in its discussion of the current Korean situation. Show offered some informative background material on the steps leading up to the North Korean invasion in addition to providing food for thought Via the bandying about of a number of ideas rela- tive to the Korean conflict. Brought under discussion were such topics as whether the United Nations in giving aid to South Korea .is Working as an instrument of politics or in accordance with its charter. Also Whether, the sending of troops to Korea is to protect United States interests or United Nations interests. In line with these topics it was noted dur- ing the course of the program that one of the UN functions is to pre- serve international peace and security. Taking part in the broadcast, which was taped at the Lowell In- stitute 'were Benjamin Cbhen, UN Assistant Secretary General in charge of information; Leo Gross, Prof, of International Law and Diplomacy at Tufts College; William Verhage, Prof, of Political Science at Boston U. and Dan H. Senn, Jr., Director of the United Council on World Affairs. Daniel Borne, Assistant Prof, at Bost. U, was program’s moderator. Gros. the preem it Greek Sketch,” a moody selection written especially for this stanza. Contrasting was Henri Salvador, French comedian- vocalist, doing “C’est Si Bon,” which is popular on both sides of the Atlantic. He quipped with Cantor and the pair aid a duet on “Margie,” with Salvador getting in some scat interpolations Cantor was his usual effervescent Self, enthusiastic. about the talent and the Marshall Plan. Airer was something of a departure from the general ECA shows, in that it had a light and Comedic touch. Bril, SARTOGA RACING With Fred Capossela, Ed Flynn, Bob Cragin 15 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Sat., 5 p.m. FAN & BILL’S WABY, Albany An accurate, authoritative de- scription of the sixth and feature race at Saratoga by Fred Capos- sella, official announcer for New York flat tracks, highlights prOr gram originated by WABY for a group of upstate stations. Each sells it to a local sponsor; WABY, to a restaurant-night club on Glens Falls-Lake George. A recap of the previous events by Ed Flynn, plus color and heralding of future events by Bob Cragin completes the quarter-hour. It’s a timely fea ture for the Capital District, where Interest in the Spa’s August attrac- tion always runs high, Interviews are sometimes in- cluded. Live or •recorded, they would be helpful; without guests, repetition, and padding: sometimes are noticeable, Capossela’s call, except for the final stretch, is the one which goes on the public ad dress system. Veteran announcer, who airs on occasion via Mutual, obviously is an expert on nags, al though he does not indulge 'in much commentary. Voice is clear and live, but tends to be rather high and hard. Vocabulary might be expanded, to avoid certain Stock phrases. Flynn, a long-timo miker, and Cragin, once of WGY and a mature broadcaster, generally han- dle their assignments acceptably. Jaco, THIS WEEK IN KANSAS CITY Writer: Sid Tremble Producer: Ken Heady 15 Mins.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. Sustaining KCMO, Kansas City Effort for this one is credited to the KCMO news department, which combines its forces to round up a weekly recap on major news events of Kansas City'and the area. Pro- gram plan calls for On the spot interviews with people in the news, the contact usually being made by telephone and recorded for use on this show. Thus this session brought to the mike a construction worker who fell from a bridge into the Kaw river and swam to safety, while a companion was drowned in the same incident; L; P. Cookingham, city manager; an officer and a re- cruit of the Marine Corps Reserve unit called up for active duty; Dr. Franklin Murphy, dean of the Uni- verity of Kansas Medical School, and Dr. Marvin Rosell, evangelist. Ken Heady, station’s chief an- nouncer, Serves as narrator, and puts the show together, with mem- bers of the news staff taking part, two others in this case being Jim Monroe, head of the news bureau, and Harold Mack, newscaster. On this one Heady seemed to be press- ing a bit, trying more to sell the news rather than documenting it for the listener. In other respects he gives the show his usual capable handling in the role of producer. Shotv classes as a news depart- ment feature, and puts to some use the multitude of contacts and on- the-record talks with persons on the local scene. Stanza has been on the air for couple of months, and by now is a regular part of the KCMO Sunday schedule. Quin. A stronger entry into the metro- politan listening area was provided for KPRS, Olathe, Kart., last week When the FCC authorized a boost in power from 500 to 1,000-watts. Steve Madden, general manager, said boosting the actual power could be accomplished in 24 hours, and station is on the new alloca- tion this week. Somebody should introduce the station staff at WINS, New York, to the remote crew covering the N. Y, Yankee baseball broadcasts. As it is, they apparently have only a vague idea of each others’ exist- ence. The lack of liaison, harking back to circa 1930 radio sports coverage, is particularly notable on cut-ins for station identification. If there is an off-the-air telephone line between the station arid the on-the-Spot crew, somebody must have forgotten to pay the bill, for it’s seemingly never used. As an instance of common prac- tice, during the play-by-play of the Yankee-Clevelahd gam e Sunday (6), the station cut in without warning to air its call letters, in- terrupting Mel Allen’s inning-end recapitulation of the two teams’ runs, hits and errors record at that point. Then, only a minute or so later, Allen announced that there would be a pause for star- t-ion identification, and the studio announcer came in with a repeat of the call letters. It was typical rather than exceptional of WINS bush league brand of broadcasting, particularly glaring in this case because the recap would have indi- cated that Tommy Byrne, the Yank pitcher, had a no-hitter in the works at that point (which baseball tradition demands that no one must mention in specific words, lest it jinx the feat). “Broadway’s Children,” WNEW, N. Y., showcase series for juvenile talent, showed marked improve- ment in its fourth installment Sunday (30). For as a vehicle for the moppet actor Herbert Cole- man, producer-director Dick Pack chose a radio adaptation of the 1949 film, “The Quiet One.” It proved ideally suited for Coleman’s abilities. Although this story of a 10-year- old boy deliquent obviously is best told through the eyes of the cam- THE NEW JUNIOR JUNCTION With Jack Lester, emcee; Bill Snary, Peggy Murdoch, Bruce Chase Orch Producer: Maurice Murray Writer: Dorothy Wendell 30 Mins.; Sat., 10:30 a.m. (CDT) Sustaining ABC, from Chicago With the recent addition of Bill Snary and Peggy Murdoch to en- liven the doings with their pleas- ing singing, this Saturday morning half-hour session has all of- the in- gredients for a strong bid for the teenagers. Besides the music, there was a quiz segment, a teenage forum and a guest star, all well-tailored to the high school set. The quiz pretty much followed the standard for- mat with two contestants selected from the studio audience vying for the prizes. The forum which had two youngsters debating the question “Should Parents Choose Their Children’s Friends?” showed good advance preparation and came off well. Forum might be ex- panded with more time given to questions from the floor. Guest on, session caught (5) Was Evelyn Knight, who fitted nicely into show, although she’d undoubt- edly made even a bigger hit -With the kids had she chirped a chorus or two. But even without an assist from Miss Knight, Snary and Miss Mur- doch adequately took care of the singing department, especially with their spjightly dueting of the “Hit Tune of the Week”-^-“Home Cooking.” Young baritone also had the bobbysoxers fidgeting with a nice job on “Me and My Imagina- tion,” Bruce Chase and band backed ably arid closed the show with a hangup “How High the Moon.” Dave. era, nevertheless the adaptation of scripter Moil Levin managed to re- tain much of the crackling bite that the original possessed. Instead of visual closeups of the lad's sor- did Harlem environment, the air version achieved almost the same effect by stressing the “not Want- ed” attitude that the disreputable parents and grandmother had to- ward the child, Faced with continual abuse and with no hope of a better life, it was only natural that the boy drift- ed into delinquency. At that point a court sent him to the Wiltwyck School for Boys, Esopus, N. Y., where his moral and physical, makeup was rehabilitated. Young Coleman* cast in the title role, skillfully ran the emotional gamut and good supporting players added to the show’s impact. Withal, “The Quiet One” stacked up as intelli- gent ether fare. /“Harvest of Stars,” which can- cels out on NBC in September, is still one of the more listenable shows on the Sunday afternoon air- lanes. Subbing for Dr. Frank Black and James Melton, a new crew of artists, including Dorothy Warens- kjold, John Tyers and Gustave Haenscher, maintained the same standard of excellent rnusic and flawless taste Sunday (6) that has generally characterized this Inter- national Harvester show. Simple format is being retained for this filler show with each of the artists spotlighted in two solo turns apiece. Miss Warenskjold, a composer, also displayed a fine soprano on “My Heart Stood Still,” and an aria from “Madame Butter- fly.” John Tyers* vigorous baritone was showcased on a couple of standards while the orch under Haenscher Supplied rich orchestra- tions, including a solid arrange- ment of “Chop Sticks.” The com- mercials, with their institutional pitch, were easy to take. Discussions of various passages from the Bible make up the for- mat of “Eternal Light’s” summer series presented by NBC in asso-. elation with the Jewish Theologi- cal Seminary of America. On pro- gram heard Sunday (6) the por- tion of the Bible referred to fitted in excellently With contemporary happenings. The various interpre- tations and thoughts offered by the show’s participants had sub- stance and made for arresting listening. Passage discussed dealt with the. prophet Samuel relating to God the Israelites’ request that a monarchy be set up. God’s an- noyance at the suggestion and His consent to let the step be taken provided most of the meat for the verbal debate. Brought to the fore during . the discussion was the thought that the passage Was simi- lar to developments during this century such as Hitler’s rise to power. In both the cases of the Israelites and Germans the people, living in times of stress, looked for a leader and were guided only by their emotions and not intel- ligence. Guesting on show caught was Norman Cousins, editor of the Saturday Review of Literature. Moderating the broadcast was Dr. Judah Goldin, professor of re- ligion at Iowa State U. Regular participants were Dr. Abraham Halkin, of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and Dr. Sol Weiner Ginsberg, a s s i s t a n t psychiatrist at the Vanderbilt Clinic, N. Y. Greensboro, N. C.-—Gomer R* Lesch has succeeded Ted Austin as program director for WFMY and WFMY-TV. Lesch comes to Greens- boro frond Erie, Pa., where he was production director of television station WICU.