Evening star., 1934-11-18
Inside
the
Studios
Slipsh Cd Production
Methods Eliminated
by Networks.
BY PETER DIXON.

TIME radio producers have been
accused of sipshod methods
on many occasions. In fact,
have made the same accusa-
ton more than a few times
But slipshod methods OF production
are no longer condoned in the work.
shops of the major networks and In
the better advertising agencies-and
Just to give you peek behind the
scenes, here's a little account OF the
work that went into one program
And the program was not for the air
but Just for an addition.
Five weeks before the addition, a
group of program executives went into
a huddle and developed an idea for
an original musical show for the air.
The idea Of an original musical show
isn't so original but these people
wanted to do a better job than had
Deen QOIle SO lar.
A continuity writer, writer OF
melodies and lyric writer were called
in and they went to work. Before
the song writing team were allowed
to start, the "book"-the dramatic
continuity-was rewritten three times
Then the song writer's got busy and
fitted music to the book. They worked
almost three weeks on Commute
script. Then special arrangements
for a 35-piece orchestra were made
and the music was rehearsed. Casting
started. To complete the cast of seven
characters, more than 100 persons
many of them nationally famous,
were heard in additions. At the
first complete rehearsal, the pro-
gram ran SO minutes. More work to
slash it to the required 80. Rehearsals
for the 3o-minute program totaled
almost so hours. Its cost TO the net
work that arranged the addition ran
into thousands-but it was a pretty
good show. You may be hearing it
soon.
GERTRUDE STEIN, who Is prob
" ably used to it, came in for the
usual share of newspaper kid
ding after her N. B. c. interview with
William Lundeu AS matter of fact,
I thought it good entertainment and
she did prove her point that there
is enjoyment in the mere sounds of
words and phrases. Be rather fun
If they'd let her serve as guest an
nouncer on a few programs. Any
difference in the vNy Stereotyped form
of radio announcements would be an
improvement.
y b S. sent some of its program
" experts to the coast to do some
thing about Hollywood Hotel
and the program, when last We heard
it, showed signs of real improvement.
Personally, I'm slightly fed up with
the Hollywood trademark on so many
radio programs. Though the very
name Hollywood" is supposed to be
glamorous and attractive . Vallee,
by the way. is due back in Manhattan
after a sojourn on the coast
That three-hour dance program which
goes on N. B. c. every Saturday night
beginning December 1, is going to be
right intereSting-except to folks
who weary of dance music at bed time.
And the folks who are still pleading
for the return of Ludwig Laurier and
his slumber music Jack Johnstone,
who does the radio Buck Rogers"
story, has written enough words about
Buck in the time it has been on the
air to fill three volumes the size of
Anthony Adverse" 1t is Martha
Wilchinski who is writing the con-
tinuity for Roxy's Saturday night
shows. And a good job, too {.
Kate Smith, who is better than ever,
has proved it. She'll be starred in
new and very excellent commercial
program on c. B. S.
THOUGH Eddie Cantor is generally
i given credit for kidding Rubinoff
into radio fame, it was actually
Rudy Vallee who selected Rubinof for
his first important air assignment.
Vallee met Rubinof at the Brooklyn
Paramount long vars ago Baby
Rose Marie-who won't be a baby
much longer-is Pacific Coast bound
for radio and vaudeville appearances.
X X
JACK DENNY replaces Paul White
J man at the Biltmore Patti
Pickens of the Pickens Sisters is
soon to have her own program at N.
B. c. frankie Hanshaw, brother
Of Annette, has formed his own or
chestra Reggie Childs is audi
,ioning radio talent while playing a
series of college dances Jolly
Coburn, N. B. C. leader, believes
*: * $A2M