Variety radio directory (1940)

PROFESSIONAL RECORDS— Continued WILEY, HOWARD. Production director, NBC, New York. Born Phila., Pa., June 30, 1905; e. Philadelphia Musical Academy (Bachelor of Arts and Music), studied organ with Pietro Yon, and instrumentation with Sylvan Levin and Emil Milnarski of the Curtis Institute; m. Henriette Wiley, singer; one son, Kenneth. Former theatre organist; started in radio in 1925 as program director of WW AD, Phila.; subsequently program director of WDAS, WPEN, WRAX and WCAU. (R) Kraft Music Hall (Paul Whiteman) (Kraft Cheese, NBC Red); Shell Chateau (Al Jolson) (Shell Oil, NBC Red); Vince Program with John Charles Thomas (Vince, NBC Blue); Lux Radio Theatre (Lever Bros., NBC Blue); Magic Key of RCA, 1935-39 (Radio Corp. of America. NBC Blue); General Electric Hour of Charm, 1936-40 (General Electric, NBC Red); Cities Service Concert, 1940 (Cities Service, NBC Red). (PR) Produced and balanced all RCA Victor Red Seal recordings of Frank Black and the NBC String Symphony (George Gershwin and Victor Herbert memorial albums). WILLIAMSON, MELVIN E. (Mel) . Writerproducer. Born Memphis, Tenn., March 8, 1900; e. Riverside (Calif.) Junior College and University of Texas (B.J. degree); m. Lorna Ladd Williamson, radio columnist; one daughter, Barbara, 12. Also newspaper writer, film booker and professional fencer. First radio work resulted from his association (as head) with the University of Texas drama department. (R) Calling All Cars, 1926-40 (Rio Grande Oil, CBS Pacific Coast). (V) Series of one-act plays; fencing act; personal appearances. WILLSON, MEREDITH. Conductor; musical director, NBC Western Division. Born Mason City, la., in 1902. Went to New York at 14 to study music, and at 17 was flute soloist with John Philip Sousa's band. Traveled three seasons with Sousa, then became a member of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for five years. Later directed a broadcasting system in the Northwest, conducted the Seattle Symphony, and wrote music for films. Joined NBC in 1932. (R) Signal Carnival, 1936-40 (Signal Oil Co., NBC Red); Good News. 1937-40 (General Foods for Maxwell House Coffee, NBC Red). (GA) With San Francisco Symphony, 1936-37, presenting own Syhphony No. 1 in F Minor. (F). (Composer of O. O. Mclntyre Suite, Song of Steel, Parade Fantastique, House of Melody, etc.; author of What Every Young Musician Should Know.) WILSON, BETH (Letitia MacAllister). Singer. Born Camden, N. J., Oct. 20, 1913; h. 5 ft. 5 in.; w. 125; black hair, blue eyes; e. Professional Children's School. First radio appearance on June 24, 1936, following an audition for WMCA, New York. (R) Nash Speed Show, 1937 (Nash Motors, CBS); Grouch Club, 1938-40 (General Mills, successively CBS and NBC Red); also WMCA, WHN, New York. (L) With Pauline Lord in Launzi. (V) MacAllister Sisters, 1923-30. Also with orchestras of Enoch Light, Vincent Lopez, Ben Pollack. *WILSON, DENNY. Singer (the Music Maids). (R) Kraft Music Hall (Kraft Cheese Co., NBC Red). (F) Universal (f). (PR) Decca. WILSON, DON. Announcer. Born Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 1, 1900; h. 6 ft. 3 in.; w. 215; brown hair, blue-grey eyes; e. University of Colorado. After graduation he became a member of a trio. An advertiser who heard the group in San Francisco put them on the air for a year. Later he went to Los Angeles with a friend and the pair continued to put on programs there for over a year. Became an announcer at KFI, Los Angeles, and subsequently became chief announcer. (R) Jell-O Program Starring Jack Benny, 1934-40 (General Foods, NBC Red); Joe E. Brown, 1938-39 (General Foods, CBS); others. WILSON, KATHLEEN. Dramatic actress. Born Girard, Kans., Jan. 15, 1911; h. 5 ft. 4 in.; w. 110; dark brown hair, brown eyes; e. University of California (Thalian Players, Mask & Dagger); m. Rawson S. Holmes; one son, Garrish W., 4. First stage appearance was with her cousins, Violette Wilson and Irving Pichel, founders of the Berkley Playhouse. First radio appearance via KLX, Oakland, in 1926. (R) Claudia Barbour in One Man's Family, since 1932 (successively sponsored by Wesson Oil & Snowdrift, Penn Tobacco, Royal Gelatin; Standard Brands for Tender Leaf Tea, 1935-40, NBC Red); I Love a Mystery, since Jan., 1939 (Standard Brands for Fleischmann's Foil Yeast, NBC Red). NBC Pacific Coast sustaining program, National Players, 1928-31. (L) Stock and Little Theatre productions (s,f). WILSON, W. RAY. Writer, producer. Born Elwood, 111., Feb. 12, 1907; h. 5 ft. 10 in.; w. 150; brown hair and eyes; m. Marion Wilson, dancer. Reporter on Variety for one year. Entered radio in 1930. Formerly associated with WBBM, WCFL and WGN, Chicago, and WLW, Cincinnati. (R) Writer: Gateway to Hollywood 1070