In This Issue
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
IN RADIO'S LIMELIGH - PROGRAMS • NEWS • PERSONALITIES (See Page 4) 1111111111111111111111.111 in the "Starlight' o Orchestra Leader WEEK DOING DECtin8ER 30, 1938 IN THIS ISSUE • C) "plantation Party" Show HOWARD BARLOW PRE- PARES SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SHOW Visits Bing (See page 3) BACH, BRAHMS, BEETHOVEN FEATURED BY SYMPHONY (See page 15) STORY OF "HXNSEL AND GRETEL" OPERA (See page 5) I BILL BAILEY RETURNS (See page 41 (See page 4) o RADIO DIAL, WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 30, 1938 Author Becomes RADIO LIGHTS Actor RADIO ALA CHRISTMAS will be served to listeners on a special platter this week-end. Every program of the week will be directed at the holiest of holy days, and with these programs will be the singing of "Noel, Noel,", "Silent Night" and many other Christmas carols. Our only wish for this Christmas is that these most beautiful hymns are not "swung out" by some swing master who is merely trying to get free publicity. There can only be Readers of this column (yes, it thing: the delightful soprano of Deeta one arrangement of Christmas songs. The worst part of it is that if one of really has more than one) often ask Day, who, by the way, seemed an our swing bands did come out with a swing arrangement of "Silent Night" the reason for the marked difference after-thought. Otherwise, the hour nobody could do anything abo gster was suspended from the between the volume of speech and was Broadway's usual idea of what air for one year be he "sw eStar Spangled Banner." music on the same program. .Cer- radio ought to be. Even Alexander * * * tainly you've noticed this. You tune Woollcott, who promised to be the GUESTARS FOR THE WEEK INCLUDE: Melvyn Douglas with in a drama and adjust the volume to highspot, simply refurbished his oft- Marie Wilson on Bing Crosby's "Music Hall," Dec. 29. .. A boot-black Thyra Samter Winslow, noted a comfortable level. So long as told tale of Irving Berlin. In fact, will be the "person you didn't expect to meet" on Fred Allen's "Town Hall American novelist, played her- actors or announcer go on talking, by the time the 60 long minutes wore Tonight" program, Dec. 28. .. Al Jolson's guest on Dec. 27 will be Peter self in the "Jane Arden" broad- everything is fine. But as soon as the away, this Dial-twister had a lurking Lorre, the famous "Mr. Moto" of the movies. .. Robert Taylor and Rita cast of Friday, December 16. theme music begins, the volume pops suspicion that the affair was not too Johnson will be featured guests on the "Good News" program, Dec. 22. The program is broadcast over up to a roar, without your touching subtle ballyhoo for Grover Whalen's * * * NBC, including WLS, Mondays the knob. Radio engineers tell me fair. With, a few more finds as good THE CRAZY THREE MARX BROTHERS, Groucho, Chico and Harpo, through Fridays at 10:15 a. m. this only seems to happen. They say as Deeta Day, the hour may give Mc- have been added to the cast of the new radio series starring Carole Lombard (E.S.T.) the volume of speech and music is the Carthy real competition. But just and Cary Grant. This will be a fivesorne that will be hard to beat. The same, as measured by their control- now it makes you wish Welles could problem that does appear is what to do about Harpo. The blond comedian, "Man On Skates" room instruments; the apparent dif- do two shows a week. who is always chasing beautiful women on the screen, has never uttered a ference being caused by music using • * • sound. How the script writer plans to write him in the script is areal prob- a wider band of audio frequencies Yes, the lad who has no near rival lem, since television is still very much around the corner. Zeppo Marx, the than speech. Even if all this means for nomination as radio's man of the fourth of the brothers, negotiated the whole deal. anything to you, it doesn't alter the * * * fact that a difference does exist, real year is away to a good start in his new "Playhouse" series. Eerie sus- HARRY VON ZELL has been selected as the announcer for Phil Baker's or imaginary. Theeremedy seems fair- pense made "Rebecca" an admirable new program, titled "Honolulu Bound" .. "Bottle" has also bee secured ly simple: either turn up the gain on opening piece, well-adapted, and not for the series. .. Lionel Barrymore, who was scheduled to take the part of speech or turn it down on music, and too over-Barrymored by Margaret Scrooge in the "Playhouse" production of Charles Dickens' famous "Christ- in the control room. This would save Sullavan. Perhaps even more signifi- mas Carol," has taken sick and will not be able to play the part. Instead listeners the annoyance of fiddling cant than the play itself was Orson Orson Welles, director of the program, will play the role.... Paul Reynaud, with volume knobs whenever a pro- Welles' promise that the series will be France's Minister of Finance, will be heard on CBS Thursday, Dec. 22. gram changes frbm chin music to the aimed at adults and present good . .Paul Page, the North Star of the Air, has been signed as vocal soloist other kind. stories. Listeners who've yawned for four network shows. • • • • • • through mine-run radio drama know how right he is on both counts. BENIAMINO GIGLI, internationally famous tenor, and the Vienna Like so many things in radio, lis- • r • Boys' Choir, will be featured guest artists on the "Magic Key" program tening to the police stations "ain't what it used to be." But every now Dec. 25. .. .Santa Claus will pay a visit to Jack Benny and the comedian's Since it's become a forum for ex- cast the same day.. .. On January 7 Governor Herbert H. Lehman of New and then they repay dialing. For in- perts rather than laymen, "The Peo- stance, there was the recent man- York will deliver a speech at the Jackson Day Dinner to be held at the ple's Platform" is heading into the hunt around Lebanon, O. Turning Hotel Commodore, New York' City. Richard *Bonelli, considered by expected dilemma. Its informal dis- experts to be the Metropolitan's outstanding baritone, will be guest soloist to the Highway Police station, the cussions generally end just when the Dial-twister got a complete and in- with the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra Christmas Day. subject is getting hot, as was the case teresting story of the affair, in spite • • • again with the recent chain-store is- of coded signals. Among other DON BECKER AND HIS WIFE, FLO GOLDEN, are spending the sue, which brought a former Cincin- things, it made me, wonder if the Christmas holidays in Cincinnati. Don was assistant manager in charge of natian, Charles G. Daughters, to the writers of radio crime dramas ever programs at WLW and WSAI when he retired several years ago to take up microphone. There would seem tes listen to police broadcasts. Many of the same office with the Transamerican Broadcasting Co., in New York City. be two solutions for this tantalizing the things they have the "law" sta- .. During their visit home Don plans to audition two WLW programs. situation. Either extend the time so tions doing, simply aren't done in real • • • subjects can be covered fully in in- life. They don't seem to realize that formal discussion, or let speakers Johnny Green, composer-pianist and conductor, will bring his orchestra listeners can 'spot the phony for them- use scripts in the present half-hour. to the "Johnny Presents" programs jan. 28 .. He is to replace Russ Mor- selves. gan. .. Ben Bernie has something to celebrate this year . .His contract setup. "The Platform" will have to "The Man On Skates," anovel • • • is being renewed on January 1 .. CBS, NBC and MBS, to say nothing do one or the other if it's to deliver variation of the man-on-the- on its possibilities. about the local stations, have special plans to welcome the new year. .. If you ever browse around the street idea, is the title of a new • • Duchess Carafa d'Andria, internationally known in high social circles, will • program being heard over WSAI amateur bands, keep an ear cocked be heard on the "Jane Arden" program Dec. 23 at 10:15 a. m. (E.S.T.). NBC has already made plans for. three nights weekly. The broad- for W6QUT. W6QUT is the "ham" • • e cast is done by Announcer Gor- call recently assigned to Freeman H. broadcasting the 1940 Olympics from On January Icontracts foi the "Hollywood Playhouse" series and Walter don Shaw, who dons skates, Gowlen, a one-time Navy op, who's Finland, even to choosing the an- Winchell's broadcasts will be renewed. Also on that same day Tyrone straps a short-wave pack trans- probably better known by the name nouncers and installing a booth. Considering what may happen in Power, who inaugurated the "Playhouse" series, will return as leading man. mitter on his back, and inter- of "Amos." But even if he uses .. Charles Boyer, who has subbed for the young actor, will be back again views the holiday crowds in phone, don't expect to identify him Europe between now and the sum- next fall. .. Other shows that have been renewed are Sam Balter's "Inside downtown Cincinnati. by his studio voice. mer of 1940, Fm not sure whether to call that prudent forethought or fool- of Sports" and "People's Rally." .