Evening star., 1935-10-27

ana program Oh Cne TduFO DuslneSs'
hasn't injured that business one little
bit. 1t has, in fact. helped it.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Tourist go to
New York for visit they are cordially
received at the studios these days.
They can join the thousands who
trek through the studios on organized
tours, or when 1t comes time for their
favorite crooner to go on the air they
can go in and be part of the large
audience looking on at his show.
And so it just stands to reason that
Mr.. and Mrs. Tourist will go back to
the old home town with warm spot
in their hearts and a hand in their
purse for effervescent soda water or
whatever the product of the sponsor
who made it possible for them to see
the wheels of broadcasting go round.
CHELVING the mystery in radio has
had highly benign effect, so far as
the listener is concerned. And mean
while it has had laudable influence on
radio programs, too. Chiefly because
of it. spontaneity has become the
watchword of the networks These
days an artist can 60 ahead and be
himself without fear of disrupting a
whole program if he dares to take so
much as a good, deep breath while
he's in front Of the microphone. Why?
Because the engineering experts have
made scientifically designed studios
take care of the echoes and vibrations
which it used to be up to the person.
mel of program to watch out for
Yet not so long ago it was up to the
radio artist to remember-flrst, last
and always-"I'm on the air" If he
was booked to sing, for instance, from
the old WCGU station remember 1t, at
Broadway and Forty-eighth street?)
he. was hushed right at the studio door
by huge signs demanding "Sience!"
No visitors were allowed, of course. A
red light blinked the zero hour when
the singer was due to 60 on the air.
And If he stubbed his toe getting to
the microphone it was up to the
thick, red, velvet rugs and wall hang
ings to absorb the echoes of his mis-
adventure.
These days he probably wouldn't
have to go to the microphone at all.
1t would be right there handy for him,
as one of three or four microphones
which pick up various portions of
almost every major program nova
days. And If he were broadcasting
from WOR, for instance, he would
probably wind up behind the eight
ball whatever he did That is the
name Of the new globular type of
microphone which is alive" on all
sides. 1t takes its name from the
shape and it eliminates all the hazards
of the chance of performer getting
on the wrong or dead" side Of the
old type of microphone.
WHILE radio mourns the passing
of that talented young singer
Of the Metropolitan and the networks,
fellow artists of Kurt Brownell are
remembering his three-fold ambitions:
To sing at the Metropolitan, to drive
a fast automobile and fly his own air
plane. The first he realized the sec
ond resulted in his death in a motor
accident out West the other day; the
third was unfulfilled.
Early this year, Brownell was sent
for hurriedly when Richard. Crooks
who was to sing the tenor role in
Die Meistersinger" was unable to
appear. Browneu responded and
learned the role in two days. His ap-
pearance at the Metropolitan was a
triumph.
Crooks. by the way, comes back
November to sing alternately with
Nelson Eddy and Margaret Speaks
on those Monday night, $50 O'Clock
concerts on N. B. c. Meanwhile, you
have chance to hear him tonight,
too. when he is to be guest artist on
the Sunday Evening hour.
CAN there be more than meets the
ear in George Jessel's signature for
a return engagement on the Saturday
Chateau broadcast November %? You
remember the rivalry between Jessel
and the Chateau's former M. c., AL
Jolson-which means it would provide
touch of irony for Jessel to get
regular starring spot on that show.
Ruth Etting is asking the broad
casters to help her make up her mind
u,l, ,efbar cho hos retired Or mt She