What's on the air (Nov 1929-Feb 1931)

WHAT'S ON THE AIR Page 23 NBC broadcasts "The Trial of Vivienne Ware" — a "murder trial" serial. Left to right: (seated) George Gordon Battle, Blythe Daly, Rosamond Pinchot, John Golden; (standing) Robert Burton, Kate McComb, Jack Connelly, Dallas Welford, Jack McBryde, Matty Keene, John McGovertt, Joseph Granby, Kenneth ElUs (author) and Jack Carney. The BROX SISTERS are close harmony specialists long known to "talkie" fans and followers of Ziegfeld shows. Since they first appeared over radio as guest artists on the Fleischmann Hour, they have been popular with the radio audience. Left to right: Kathleen, Dagmar, Lorraine. r|^HE son of a world-famous Italian composer, Giuseppe di Bene-L detto, lyric tenor heard in National Broadcasting Company programs, has become equally famous through the medium of radio. He was the first opera singer to see the possibilities oi opera "on the air." Di Benedetto was born in Italy. By the time he was seven years old he was studying music under his father's guidance. At eight he was a soloist in church oratorios. Later he studied law at the University of Naples, where he was graduated with an LL.D. He served in the World War, was wounded in action and was decorated by the king for bravery under fire. In 192 1 he came to America with an operatic company which later failed. The company returned to Italy without di Benedetto, who remained to mike a concert tour. Later he was guest artist with the San Carlo Opera Company. Since January, 1924, di Benedetto has broadcast regularly over VERNON "BUD" GRAY, former Boston radio entertainer, acts as master of ceremonies for "Paramount on Parade," which is broadcast over Station WABC, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12 noon. Although Gray is comparatively unknown to New York radio audiences, he is popular with Boston dial-twisters for the daily broadcasts he conducted for several years from the stages of various theatres. "Paramount on Parade" is broadcast direct from the organ studios of the Paramount Theatre Building in New York City, and has as its regular artists Hans Hanke, concert pianist, and Fred Feibel, organist. From time to time prominent stage and screen players appear on this program, which is already a favorite with noonday listeners. ¥S Cookie, the Sunshine Girl, who makes her bow over KFWB, has the distinction of being the first girl to broadcast from Los Angeles some eight years ago. On that occasion she sang "Are You Playing Fair?" from the Kinema Theatre. Her rich, resonant voice and incomparable diction, unusual to find in a "crooner," led her East, and she made a considerable name for herself in radio circles, taking her place very soon on the NBC roster of star entertainers. She was a member of Maj. Edward Bowe's Capitol Theatre Family, one of the few radio personalities to be accorded that opportunity, and also belonged to Roxy's Gang. Sg Undoubtedly, a reason for the wide and growing popularity of "Hank Simmons' Showboat" is that the great American citizen is an accurate judge of masterful acting. The "Showboat" cast takes pride in the theatrical accomplishments of its members. For example, James F. Ayres. who portrays "heavies," has played in repertoire with the late Richard Mansfield, and was cast in a number of first-class productions of a few years back. Oddities of speech and semi-nonsensical melodies punctuate the new morning program of entertainment by Brad Browne and Al Llewelyn, the Pertussin Playboys, broadcast over CBS every Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday, from 8:15 to S:?0, E. S. T., for Eastern States, and again at 8:15, C. S. T., for the West ;-: Morton Downey, tenor, and Jack Pettis' orchestra, heard from the Club Delmonico every Thursday at midnight. V. S. T., over CBS, will have two additional broadcasts weekly. Bejides the current Thursday program, these popular entertainers will broadcast Tuesday concerts at 11:30 r. St.. and tea dance music on Saturdays at 5:30 p. M.