The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-12
New Crew Takes Over BrOadcaStS
 of River Drama
BY NORMAN SIEGEL NEA Service Special Writer

New Yofk, Aug. 12-Lall. ny Ross has literally been making hay while the sun shines. During the past few months, radios romantic te- nor has been reaping hay on his 450-acre farm, while wait ing to return to the airwaves.
 Ross returns to his role of kilo- cycle troubadour again next month on c new program. It will be the first time since he entered radios "IIali of Fame" that his voice won't be identified with the Show Boat program. And Ross will miss that association.
 When Lanny left the Show Boat cast in July, he ended one Of the longest runs In radio, having been At tho singing helm of the show since October, 1882. Lanny re- treated to his farm near Milbrook, N. Y, and has spent most of the summer developing his rural pro- perty.
 T pitched plenty of hay" he told us on a visit to town last week. We also did Q lot of building on the property, and forgot radio com pleteiy."
 Never Misses Broadcast Completely Well, hardly, for Lanny has listened to every Show Boat program since the shows July reorganization. And he quoted passages Of the script to us with the knowledge Of one who has read them on the air.
 Every time 1 listen to the pro. gram 1t is like going back home and hearing news about all the folks," he confides.
 The program originally followed the pattern to which it has re- turned-a musical drama built around life on river boat with Charles Winninger as joviai, wise "Cap'n Henry" and Lanny the Einging male star. The romantic adventures Of Lanny and Mary Lou, the girl on the boat, became the ad. ventures Of every romantic listener. Mary Lou was really two girls Rosaline Greene takiiig the speak ing role and Muriel Wilson, the singing voice.
 Finally the program ran into cast difficulties. Winningcr left over c matter Of salary. Prank Mcintyre was given his role. Then Muriel Wilson departed and with her went Mary Lou. Ross had to find . new love and the radio fans didn't care for that. Finally, last fall, the pros grams backstage plot was dropped and it was turned into an ail.musi- cal show under Lanny's guidance.
 Now Revamped Again
 This summer the program again was Fevamped. Charles Winninger came back as "Cap'n Henry" Mere- dith Wilson and his orchestra were brought aboard. as well as Singers Nadine Conner, Thomas L. Thom. as. Virginia Verrill and Patricia Wilder. Jack Haley was cast in the singing comedy role for the first few weeks. And Ross left. The program was also moved from Radio City to the NEG studios in Hollywood.
 Now Ross Is also sailing West for his new hour program with Char ley Butterworth of the movies and Raymond Paige's orchestra. It will have no resemblance to the Show Boat.
 Ross will be featured as a singer. Tbere'il be minimum Of radio. manufactured romance.
 The program will be broadcast Oil Tuesday nights and Ross is very en- thusiastic about it's possibilities. However. on Thursday nights, you can be assured Ross will be in the audience Of tlie Show Boat program. He'll De broadcasting one program living the other,
 Radio Sponsor
 Tn Baptism"
 Probably the most unusual cir- cumstanceS under which a Columbia program was signed off with the