The Washington times., 1927-01-06
feature.
RADIO HIT

There was little to interfere .
with tuning good programs from
MI sections of the continent last
evening. By some curious chance
less chatter and bang accom-
panied reception from the South
than from any other section. In.
reference between stations narred
the Middle Vests right Of way
% loud speakers and there was
also quite bit Of static crashing
md some fading.
Only the fact that but four or
I'VE hours Of an evening may be-
used as the basis Of the loud speaker
budget Of the average family pre-
vented unlimited appropriations Of
time for cruising the wave lengths
and getting good results 1rDm every
section Of the continent last evening.
The thought is suggested by the
very excellent program provided by
VIZ In the Maxwell House Hour,
which did not come to WRC, but
which we used as a test broadcast
4nd picked UP inIour sections of the
sentiment with equal facility and
clarity.
In Springfield. Boston. New York
Rittsburgh and Chicago. where his
program was available there were
other excellent bits of ente tainmeMt
We could not hear merely because Of
the time linits-and because WRC
was providing fairly diverse array
0e features that could not be over
looked. Even the unlimited posi-.
Dilities Of the radio receiver seem
20 have their unfortunate sida-We
simply can't hear everything!
SHORT PROGRAM
BANNING FRIENDS
The short program idea appears
% be gaining friends in all SER
lions and nowhere is it exemplificd
I'M q better way than in the cur.
rent series Of concerts Of the United
States Army Band. There were
Just five numbers on the band pro-
gram last evening, each Of diff
terent character and each making
afs distinct impression on the audi
efce. One of the numbers, that
sntended to revive memories OF
grand opera, was an entire PRO-
gram in itself. Capt. Bill Stannard
40 to be congratulated on the man.
Mer in which he is building these
half hours Of band music-there Is
real constructive thought behind
the selection of the features and
N their presentation.
The WRC program, with the ex-
80 kIA oh feature
was an example Of short features
last evening and acceptable and
enjoyable for that reason. The
talk Of Frederick William Vile
that followed the Army Band con-
cert was just enough-and highly
enjoyable as well as chock full OF
useful information for all good ciu
Eens.
Then the piano recital Of George
Ross presented just enough of that
sort of music-and paved the way
nicely for the saxaphonists from
WEAF and the toothpaste synco-
pators who followed them. The
''moment musicale" seemed a hit
long, and for those who do not
care for modern music, probably a
BIT boresome, but the gay cough
Dmedy relief. Fifteen minutes
ould really have been enough for
lem.
light OPERA
TOTAL LOSS
The light opera effort Of Cesare
sodero's outfit was just another
night opera without the light of
color and snappy dialogue that
make such performances enjoyable
on the stage. AS we've said once
or twice before, we are convinced
Light opera without dialogue is al.
most a total loss as radio enter.
kalnment.
The singing Of Richard Crooks
tenor, and the playing of Nathaniel
Schildkret s Orchestra during the
Maxwell House Hour, at WIZ,
we'd nominate for the high point
0f the continental program. Crooks
was soloist during one of the big
Gunday-night efforts Of the Maxwell
feature and, at that time, was
recommended to US as the coming
lyric tenor. For some reason his
voice seemed to us at that time as
though he was yet a long way off
and had quite distance to come.
Last night, however, he gave an
antirely different performance and
showed himself to be possessed Of
vocal equipment and an intelligence
IN the use OF 1t that justifies all his
most enthusiastic friends can claim
Hnr him. We are very glad to have
our first impression Of him revised,
and particularly happy to make this