Variety radio directory (1940)

PROFESSIONAL RECORDS— Continued One of the Finest, 1940 (Gordon Baking Co., NBC Blue). MARTIN, TONY. Singer, M.C. Born San Francisco, Calif., Dec. 25, 1914; h. 5 ft. 11 Vz in.; w. 170; brown hair and eyes; e. St. Mary's College, Moraga, Calif.; div. Alice Faye, film actress. Left college to play saxophone at night spots in San Francisco; asked to sing solo one night, he decided to give up his orchestra work in favor of singing; first radio work as result of his appearances with dance bands. (R) Burns & Allen, 1935-39 (Campbell Soup Co., CBS, 1935-37; General Foods for Grape Nuts, NBC Red, 1937-38; Liggett & Myers Tobacco for Chesterfields, 1938-39, CBS); Tune Up Time, 1939-40 (Ethyl Gasoline, CBS). (F) 20th Century-Fox, RKO, Columbia, M-G-M (s,f); RKO short. (V) Theatre and night club engagements, 1939-40. (PR) Decca. MARTINI, ROLAND. Writer, director; vice-president in charge of radio, Gardner Advertising Co., New York City. Bern New Haven, Conn., April 1, 1903; e. Mount Hermon Preparatory and Yale; m. Wanda von Kettler, editor, short story writer and poet; one child, Mimi-Lou. Currently writing for fiction magazines and screen; formerly associate ecUtor of Argosy and contributor of short stories to national magazines. Started radio career in 1932, as script writer. (R) Wrote and produced Madam Sylvia of Hollywood (Ralston Purina, NBC Red), Tom Mix and His Ralston Straight Shooters (Ralston Purina, NBC Blue), Ry-Krisp Presents Marion Talley (Ralston Purina, NBC Red); wrote Penrod and Sam, Inspector Stevens and Son, The Secret Three; currently producing Saturday Night Serenade (Pet Milk, CBS). MASON, SULLY. Singer, saxophonist. Born Durham, N. C, Jan. 15, 1908; h. 5 ft. 6 in.; w. 152. Organized and conducted own band for two years before he met Kay Kyser on the campus of the University of North Carolina. When Kyser decided to form a band, he was its first member. Bing Crosby encouraged him to sing his first vocal. (R) Elgin Football Revue, 1935-36 (Elgin National Watch Co., CBS); Kay Kyser's Surprise Party, 1937 (Willys Motors, Mutual); Kay Kyser's College of Musical Knowledge, 1938-40 (American Tobacco for Lucky Strikes, NBC Red). (V) Kay Kyser's Orchestra. (PR) Brunswick. LOUISE MASSEY AND THE WESTERNERS. See Louise, Dott and Allen Mas sey, Milt Mabie and Larry Wellington. MASSEY, ALLEN. Musician (guitar and banjo), singer (Louise Massey & The Westerners). (R) Log Cabin Dude Ranch, 1936-37 (Log Cabin Syrup, NBC Blue); Plantation Party, currently (Brown & Williamson for Bugler Tobacco, NBC Blue); others. (V) Personal appearances. MASSEY, DOTT. Musician (violin, trumpet, piano), singer (Louise Massey and The Westerners). Onetime cow-puncher. Composes most of the Westerners' original songs with the help of Milt Mabie, another member of the quintet. (R) Log Cabin Dude Ranch, 1936-37 (Log Cabin Syrup, NBC Blue); Plantation Party, currently (Brown & Williamson for Bugler Tobacco, NBC Blue); others. (V) Personal appearances. MASSEY, LOUISE (Louise Massey and The Westerners, vocal and instrumental quintet). Born in Midland, Texas. Has been in show business all her life. (R) Log Cabin Dude Ranch, 1936-37 (Log Cabin Syrup, NBC Blue); Plantation Party, currently (Brown & Williamson for Bugler Tobacco, NBC Blue); others. (V) Personal appearances. MAXWELL, MARVEL. Singer. Born Clarinda, la., Aug. 3, 1920; h. 5 ft. 6 % in.; w. 128; brown hair, hazel eyes; e. Central High School, Fort Wayne, Ind. In 1934, she appeared on various commercials via WOWO, Fort Wayne. An Indianapolis orchestra leader signed her as featured vocalist when she was 16; a year later she joined Buddy Rogers' orchestra; has been with Ted Weems since 1938. (R) Beat the Band, 1940 (General Mills, NBC Red). (V) Theatre appearances, coast-to-coast, with Buddy Rogers and Ted Weems. (PR) Decca, with Ted Weems. MAXWELL, TED (Edward H.). Writer, producer, actor. Born Oakland, Calif., Jan. 9, 1899; h. 5 ft. 10% in.; w. 193; brown hair and eyes; e. Fremont High School and University of California; m. Bobbe Deane, radio comedienne. Author of over 40 stage plays (16 published), all of which have been produced by stock companies. Became interested in radio when he appeared in one of his own plays via KGO, San Francisco; joined the NBC staff in that city in January, 1928. (R) As writer: Hawthorne House, 1937-40 (Wesson Oil & Snowdrift, NBC Red); as actor: Girl Alone (Quaker Oats, NBC Red); Grand Hotel (Campana Sales, CBS); First Nighter (Campana, CBS); wrote, played in and produced 997