Evening star., 1936-11-15

hour and the man-in-the-street in.
terviews.
All of which serves to illustrate
what happens along Radio Row when
the broadcasters get thinking along
common channels-as they always do
as soon as new type of program
clicks with the dialers. 1t is, how
ever, true that common root in the
same human interest formula is about
all these various shows do have in
common-for there is certainly no
duplication in the actual entertain
ment developed out of that kindred
inspiration.
MR.. COHEN won't be on hand in
person in his new show. He
was just the fellow who originated the
idea for radio personal column"
patterned after those used in the
newspapers for years, and providing
listeners with a means of sending
messages intended for persons whose
whereabouts are unknown. N. B. C.s
blue and red networks, along with
c. B. SIS KNOX, will air the Cohen
show daily, with that presidential
impersonator, Bill Adams, conducting
the show as a live talent bill, after
its enthusiastic reception as a tran
scription set-up on IA test stations.
Even if there were nothing new on
the networks, there would still be
some cause for excitement among the
listeners who are quite justified in
wondering what brings about the
sudden rejuvenation of at least two |
shows of the air this SeaSon-the |
comedy bills of Jack Benny and Phil |
Baker. Rejuvenation may seem a
little strong in speaking of the sud- |
den squirt of a program already mov-
ing along at good clip-as Benny's |
always has. But it's perfectly OBJ
vious that something important has
happened to that stars show since
the airing of those weak Anthony
Adverse" and several other scripts.
Whatever the cause.-The unmistak-
able result is that the bill is more
well timed and entertaining
than at any time since Mr.. Benny
and his company took to the air.
MEANWHILE competent handling
and refinement of situation COM
edy is also manifest in the Baker show,
which has, in the last few weeks.
stepped out into fast pace that is a
far cry from the gag exchange Baker
and his helpers were dishing out as re-
Gently as last season.
In addition TO the new Cohen show,
another soap manufacturer is plotting
some new programs, auditioning Pick
and Pat for possible combination with /
Al Goodman's Orchestra for a half |
hour show. Sam Hearn is regarded as .
the talent likely to be chosen for a
second show under the same auspices. /
Failure to obtain the desired net
work time has so far held up that soft
drink series scheduled earlier in the
season, but there is a chance that it
will get to the microphone soon. with
Gus Haenschen slated for the musical
portion of the show.
Changes for the best are demon
strated in the remuneration of the
attempts on the part of that
Musical Camera" show, a simple step
which wrought great improvement in
that otherwise excellent bill by Josef
Orchestra and the tai
snted young Missouri singer, Willie
Morris.
QILLY BAILEY, the golden haired
young contralto who has just been
signed as C. B. S. musical variety
artist, demonstrated sound business
head in her climb to the top. Incl
ientally, she followed a routine which
points a nice moral to other young as
oirants to radio fame. Instead of
iashing off to New York to hammer
1t the portals of radio, Miss Bailey
adopted a less colorful but effective
policy. She simply stayed in Milwau-
zee and worked her way to the top of
he talent heap in her own home town.
Then, when she had cornered all the
ado glory available in that quarter,
he moved on to the studios in Chi
ago. She clicked there and got her
,hance to go to New York for audi
ions. The result is that she has def
nitely arrived on the networks this
eason.
Smilin' Ed Mcconnell has new
B. S. Saturday night spot,
n addition to his N. B. c. series.
loretta Clemens will star with her :
brother Jack in new musical script
how which will probably be authored
oy Booth Tarkinton. {. Additions
o the network schedules also provide
or the return of those Library of
Congress Chamber Musicales, to re-
ume December on the N. B. c. Blue
network also for extension of the
Adela Rogers st. John programs to