The Washington times., 1936-03-23

ernS alCnOugn he was beyond the
love interest age-on the screen.
Adolphe Menjou could tell w. S.
Hart something. Menjou conceded
somebody else was better suited for
romance when age touched his
features. AS a result Menjou never
lost a day. He took character roles,
held not only on to his public but
to his generous-sized, Hollywood
salary.
AMATEUR BIRTHDAY
Last night was the first ami
versary of the Major Bowes Sun
day night amateur programs
and, much to the amazement Of
most everybody in show business,
the vogue Of the beginner still
flouriSheS.
What gives the Bowes' programs
such listener appeal they are able
to challenge the greatest head
liners the Studios can find?
I think it is their constant va
riety plus the heart of the loud
speaker public being poured out
in sympathy to those taking their
toddling steps as entertainers.
Nor would I discount the gracious
ness and the charm Of the BoweS'
personality. The major never
seems to get mad although he has
to occasionally fence words with
those who sound as though a
Ounce cap might be appropriate.
Listening to last nights program
was wondering whether the line
which divides the professional
from the amateur is flexible.
For instance, Bert iIarwell, a good
whistler from the Yosemite, ad-
mitted previous exhibitions Of his
art over tn radio and in concert.
AS a matter of fact, he questioned
his own amateur status.
Another Bowes entertainer, one
Clement Wood, turned out to be
the composer Of the lyrics fer
GLORY Road" and "Gwine To
Heaven" two worthy and recog-
nized numbers in the library Of
Negro folk songs. Composer Wo I'd
claimed ne was an amateur only
when it came to profc SSional sing
ing, CAV one Of his new compost
tionS, my Line"
Talent like this E Ids to any p'l
gram and if these competing for
a spot in the Bowes sun don't COM
plain or question the amateur
standing of rivals I suppose the
listeners must keep silent.
In Unit No. 2 now playing at
the Earle Theater is Thelma
Gaskins revealing a lovely voice.
Miss GaskinS, I am informed won
an Atwater-Kent national addition
which gave her a substantial cash
prize and a student scholarship
under professional teachers. So
she was presumably well equip
ped when she confronted the Sun
day night network ordeal.
Contestants with Major BoweS
are requested to Ove full partic-
ulars in their applications. Some
of them apparently feel it is smart
to hold out some facts. However,
the Master of the Gong is the
supreme judge as to who and
what is an amateur on his pro-
gram.
Since the beginners now repre-
sent about so per cent Of the
playing vaudeville and since they
invariably make good at the box
office theater managers are in
favor of calling the units Major
BoWeS WhamateurS.
THIS AND THAT
Buddy Rogers and his band
with all the Fox talent will go
on WJSV at 1870 tonight for
the Red Cross Relief Fund.
Play any requested selection pro-
vided you accompany it with
cash for the Red Cross.
Bowling along to Florida in
his auto Carter Barron was
cheered up through the dreary
flatlands by the voice of Arthur
De Titta Of Fox Movietone de-
scribing conditions in the flooded
area. The local lenSe wizard
for Movietone was a guest on
Lowell Thomas program.
Gene Ford left for New York
last night to book an extra
special Easter show for the Fox
stage.
Easter week at the Metropolis.
tan will bring Rhodes, the EN-
pire Builder" with Walter Hus-
ton starred. They call it a
combination of "Cimarron" and
"The Covered Wagon" If it's as
good as either on it will do.