Evening star., 1935-04-07

On the other hand, some leaders
of radio, like Maj. Edward Bowes and
Chairman Aiming S. Prall of the Fed
eral Communications Commission,
look with high favor on the amateur
show vogue as affording a real oppor-
tunity for the development of juvenile
talent. Maj. Bowes, of course, is an old
hand at radio showmanship and the
introduction of new hopefuls, and even
now he is conducting full hour net
work amateur show every Sunday
night.
Mr.. Prall as the former head of
the New York City Board of Education.
counts young people as his particular
hobby While he was still a member
of Congress, and long before he ever
thought of becoming a regulator of
radio. he used to frequent Washing
ton radio studio to observe the chill
dren's hours Il have always thought"
he said over the air the other night,
that among these children might be
Galli-Curci or Barrymore whose
opportunities are negligible because of
family circumstances. Radio offers
an avenue for the development of new
artistry and talent never before avail
able. The amateur hours now promi-
nent on radio schedules may bring
some of this out"
Leaving aside the amateur shows
for the moment, for as yet they have
not produced any new big name"
talent for radio, it is interesting to
review some of the most popular en-
tertainers whose names have become
household words by reason of their
microphone appearances, rather than
stage or screen performances.
Two stars of the Metropolitan
Opera come to mind Immediately as
being essentially radio buildups-Nina
Martini and Helen Jepson. Among the
better singers also there are. of course,
lanes Melton, the Countess Albani,
Jessica Dragonnette, Virginia Rea,
Willard Robson. the Revellers and the
Kings Men-all of whom grew to
Stardom via radio.
Among the crooners and popular
singers there are Rudy Vallee. Frank
Parker. Lanny Ross, Jane Froman,
Morton Downey, Tito Guizar. the
Pickins Sisters Bing Crosby, Kate
Smith, Donald Novis, the Boswell Sis
ers. the Mills Brothers and Gertrude
NeisSen. They were unknown quanti-
ties before radio, and it was their radio
popularity that won acclaim also on
the stage and screen for some Of them.
Ed Wynn, Jack Benny, Eddie Can
tor and Fred Allen were big stars be-
fore radio, but there is no doubt that
their broadcasts enhanced their fame
considerably. Comedians made by
radio alone include Amos N Andy"
"Col Stoopnagle and Bud" ''Molasses
and January" and Joe Penner. Edwin
c. Hill, Tony Wons and Gertrude
Berg of "The Goldbergs" (who is
starting a new series April I'D are
definitely radio products, and the or
chestras led by Guy Lombardo. Paul
Whiteman, Fred Waring, Rudy Vallee,
Richard Himber and Cap Galloway,
while well known before won their
widest acclaim via the wave lengths.
Unlike the "cop" of the past
~ and even the present, whose
primary qualifications have been
strong arms and perhaps fiat feet,
the policeman of the near future will
have to know his radio. Radio is
proving a more valuable ally to the
minions of the law than the revolver,
blackjack and whistle in the apprehen-
sion of criminals and frustrating of
criminal activities.
Because of the radio trend in police
Intelligence, police radio school has
been started in Chicopee Falls, Mass,
where Westinghouse maintains its