Evening star., 1937-07-25

Radio Is offering the sought-after
ever has been afforded by vaudeville!
and legitimate stage. Vocalists, dra-
matte actors and actresses, stooges
masters Of ceremonies need wonder no
longer whether or not the show will
fold" after the opening night and
leave them stranded. Sponsors on the
air assure them OF at least l3 weeks
steady employment in most cases-the
usual contract period. Only the cream
Of talent in other branches Of show
business is accustomed to SO stable a
source OF income
In the early days few entertainers
OF reputation felt inclined to plunge
into the new medium. Advertising
over the air was insignificant, hence
no sponsors willing to pay appreciate
salaries for their services. The indi-
vidual stations or neWly-born networks
operated on sklmpy talent budgets
The few courageous performers who
braved the laughter of their colleagues
along Broadway to face microphOne
are in position to do most of the
guffawing now. They have moved up
the ladder Of popularity through
broadcasting, have been rewarded with
long term contracts, more eye-filling
checks
Phil Baker veteran OF musical COM
edy and the old two-a-day, has signed
two-year contract with his sponsor,
as has Fred Allen. Jack Benny can
look ahead to regular pay days for
three more years at least. The pros
porous days OF vaudeville held out
hopes OF 40-week tour for these
comics, and then came the distressing
period Of at liberty" Frank Black
was enjoying a far-flung reputation
as theater and recording musician
when broadcaStlng came upon the en-
tertainment scene. Realizing its po-
tentiallties, he became one of the pio-
neers OF radio music Today Black is
general music director for N B. c.
and the fayorite conductor OF in
Vulnerable listeners. Peter van Stee-
den was among the foremost night
club orchestra leaders when he decided
to take a chance on the "fanciful fad"
He Is SO busy now that vacations are
very far apart.
Ed Wolfe, producer OF Pepper
Young's Family" amazed his asso-
ciates when he deserted the theater,
where he was regarded as q fixture.
Broadway remembers Wolfe. who was
once a stage director for David Bel
asco. Broadway wants him back. but
Ed shakes his head, continues to guide
radio dramatic presentations. Don
Voorhees, can look back upon a number
OF years as one of the favorite theater
orchestra leaders, but. except on rare
occasions when he is not pressed too
much by air batoning, he prefers only
to look back upon them, returns to the
pit are infreQuent
TODAY'S PROGRAMS-Harry Nc
Naughton, Phil Bakers Bottle"
drops his stooging role to appear as
guest comedian with Harry Won Zell-
WJSV, $50 It's a fourth week for
Fred Lightner on Jane Fromans show
-WRC at g.. Ina Claire opens her
dramatic series with Madame Sans
Gene"-WMAL at 7 Town officials
tell how they plan TO move the entire
community Of ShawneetoWn. Ill
WRC. 4:30 Dixie Harmonies pre-
sent half hour of spiritualS-WOL
at 9:l5 this morning . Mary Pick
ford makes guest appearance on the
Fields Bergen Ameche program
WRC, O'Clock Randolph Scott,
f1lm star, and Niela Goodelle, sing
er, are the guests OF James Melton
at the Sunday Night Party-WRC at
8. Helen Marshall. soprano. and
Slgurd Nilssen, basso, are heard dur
ing the Fireside Recital-WRC. $50
-. A group of Semi-dramatic sketches
high light Ray Perkins show tonight
VOL at 8 Florence Easton. So
prano Of the Metropolitan Opera Co.,
and Erem Zimbalist, renowned vio-
linist, join the Magic Key cast this
afternoon-WMAL at l O'Clock
Good Will Hour bows on VOL at 9.
WELL. it took three days and nights
to complete the job. but N. B. C.
finally has opened its new combined
WMAL-WRC studios In the Trans
Lux Building, quarters which repre-
sent marvel of elegance and practi-
cablllty both as to studios and Offices.
The management reports that the last
vestige OF the inaugural ceremonies
has been removed from the scene and
ordered has been restored. Such an
ambitious program Of festivities as
was arranged for the past week pro-
vided stif1 test for any studios and
offices, but the upper floor Of the
Trans-Lux Building, happily, appears
to have survived.
The three days and nights in ques-
ton were occupied, successfully, in