Evening star., 1927-11-06

to Gerald Stopp, a member OF the Ma
tional Players and, incidentally,
schoolmate of the author. Carlton.
Stopp was struck with its possibilities,
picked a cast from the roster of the
National Players and began his work.
1t was decided at the outset to gauge
the radio listeners reaction over a six
weeks period.
The six weeks trial period" vindi-
Gated Mrs. Bushman's judgment and
established the program as definite
success. 1t also afforded adequate OPP
portunity to experiment with method
of presentation. Music did not seem
necessary to convey the scene and
was eliminated.
The program from the beginning
consisted of small family group,
Uncle Bob. Father, Billy and Esther,
as the basis of presentation. In an in
formal manner they converse relative
to an incident of historical impor-
tance, decide to dramatiZe the event,
assume the different parts and the
program is "on the air" in full swing.
Between the dramatic portrayal OF the
various separate incidents 6. brief de-
scriDtion read by the director acts as
a connecting link.
The preparation of the manuscript
by Mr.. Carlton requires exhaustive re-
search, Wherever possible Carlton
goes to original letters or writings of
the personalities involved so that he
may CLEAN the material for his story.
The thoroughness of Cartons hunt
for material is indicated by the num-
ber Of little known facts about histori-
cal personages and events which he
has incorporated in his manuscripts.
No less than three days ~ork has
ever sufficed for Mr.. Cartons prep
aration of manuscripts.
Not the least of the difficulties in
Staging" the Great Moments in His
tory" are the creation of proper sound
effects Many times hours are devot-
ed to securing the right setting for
the ear as the SenSitivenesS of the mi
crophone distorts many noise making
devices and necesSitates SubStitutiOns.
Many of the battle scenes require
mass voice effects. Much experiment
tation with "mob' finally resulted
in the regular use of six New York
University students. Their voices have
represented the cry of the soldiers, as
senters or dissenters in an assembly.
cheers for the popular hero and all
such kindred actions. The reproduc-
ton of sounds to indicate gunfire,
marching men, flowing water or dis
tance were found particularly difficult
to initiate for broadcasting. After
many surprises the directors finally
hit on effective combina tions for these
different sounds.
Players Have Experience.
Mr.. Carlton was born in Iowa, the
son OF a Methodist minister. He was
graduated from Cornell College, Iowa,
in 1915 He met Stopp while a stu
dent in the School of Speech of North
western University. After teaching in
the University of Missouri he entered
the aviation service during the World
War. At the close of the war he
taught at Harvard University for
three years. While there he studied
playwrighting under the noted Prof.
Baker. In 1925 Carlton was awarded
the Harvard play prize for his up
the Line" He is now associated with
the English department of New York
University.
Mr.. Stopp, who supervises the phys
ical details of presentation before the
microphone, had considerable expert
ence playing before the microphone
before assuming charge Of the history
broadcasts. St6pp was member of
the New York Theater Guild cast in
"Liliom" and 1.-The Cloister" He has
also been with the Provincetown Play
ers. He is a graduate Of Northwest
ern and Illinois State Universities and.
like Carlton. was in the aviation serv-
ice during the war.
Other pioneer" players in the
"Great Moments in History" who now
celebrate their first anniversary are
Charles Webster. Harold MCGEE and
John knight.