Evening star., 1936-05-24

S'~4J oFOAOA N@AA
Wv every sophisticated dialer-
wants to know. Just now,
it's vacation time for some folks, but
for radios program-builders Summer
is Just one big headache brought on by
all the mental strain trying to hatch
out some brand-new ideas for the Fall
programs.
Not a few of the old standbys OF
the airwaves have gone just about as
far as they're going under their pres
ent set-up. Which means it's up to
some one with an idea to come to the
rescue-or the fellows who have been
paying good money to keep them on
the air will trot out and sign up some
new talent for the coming season.
The conventional Summer formula
of dance band and vocalist will get by
for a couple of months during radios
imminent off season. But after that
it's going to take more than a few
popular tunes sided by full-voiced
tenor or contralto crooner to keep the
listeners attentive.
DON'T be surprised if SHOW Boat, "
for one, soon makes the change
limited some weeks ago. bringing Al
Goodman and his orchestra to this
bill for the first time. Ramona, Sam
Hearn and Jack Arthur have also been
auditioned. Meanwhile, Ramona is
getting a Summer series OF her own
on Obs in company with Jack Shil-
kret's orchestra and the Three Jes-
teTs.
Baritone Nelson Eddy is doing all
right with plans for the new season,
having signed with Grace Moore's
former sponsor for 26-week series
in the Fall. Looks as If Jack Benny'S
sponsor may shift him and his troupe
to MICS Red Network in August. 1t
won't be a shift, or even a renewal,
for the Eddie Dowling- Ray Dooley
show, however. That series concludes
on June 8. 1t would be interesting
to see that pair back on the radio
scene next year-provided they can
round up a good comedy writer in the
interim.
Just when the listeners won by Cor
nelia Otis Skinner last year were be.
ginning to give up hope, comes news
that she will be back this Summer,
again pinch-hitting for Walter Win
chell, beginning July l.
THE domestic difficulties Of Betty
= and Bob" depart from NBC for
Columbia for morning airings, begin
ming June /. The Round and Round
Boys, along with their originators,
Farley and Riley, get an NBC series
Wednesday at 2:45 pm. Laurel
and Hardy may be radios next re-
cruits from the screen =. Bob Hopes
program shifts from Saturday to
Thursday, June 4, to air at 1880.
Radio Row says the ''Follies of the
Air" will conclude June 6, with Lou
Holtz continuing in the comedy spot
into which he stepped the other night
Those are real midgets on the
Bobby Benson show which has just
elected to go fantastic in plot as well
as cast . Gilbert Seldes and John B
Kennedy are being mentioned for the
editorial post on another Newspaper
Of the Air" idea.
WOR's Listener Speaks" program
on which the listener gets a chance
to talk back to the broadcasters, fol
once, Is back Sundays at $3.50
Vivian Della Chiesa, recently signed
by N. B. c., gets a spot with Roy
Shields Orchestra Tuesday nights at
1890 on the Red network, two-a-
week on the WIZ hook-up and heI
own program Sunday afternoons
Martha Deane, most popular woman
air caster of them all and fol
good reason has a new WOR
Monday morning series, in addition
to her regular bills Bernice
Claire and Oliver Smith are teamed
for the new "Melodiana" series or
N. B. C.-WJz Mondays at $50 pm
lTHOsE Tuesday night guest-star
u plans for the Leo Reisman-Phi
Lord show have folded. It's all be.
cause Loretta Clemens scored such 8
hit as the first visitor on the list
that she gets permanent starring
role Allen Prescott, "Wifi